COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Like many business leaders across the United States, these last few weeks have led me to think deeply about racial justice in America and the role that businesses can play in driving meaningful change.

One thing has become abundantly clear  the time for statements is over. We need real action.

Fighting for racial justice starts with addressing inequalities in our criminal justice system, and, in particular, the sentencing of our youth.

Heightened law enforcement presence in communities of color has resulted in African American children being overrepresented in the juvenile and criminal justice systems, where they are disproportionately subjected to extreme sentences such as life without parole. Nationally, Black youth are sentenced to life in prison without parole at a per-capita rate ten times that of their white counterparts for the same crime.

This must change. And in Ohio, we have the opportunity to change this now.

Senate Bill 256 will abolish life without parole for children. In doing so, Ohio will issue a strong statement that it will no longer allow racial inequality to permeate our system of justice.

I believe strongly that no child should be locked away based on the worst moment of their young lives without regard for their potential to rehabilitate and change. It goes against everything we know about human development, and flies in the face of everything we teach about forgiveness. I also believe this because my company is founded in the belief that rehabilitation is possible.

John C. Rush is founder and CEO of CleanTurn.

CleanTurn is one of Central Ohios leading commercial cleaning companies. Since 2012, CleanTurn has been providing second chances to men and women with significant barriers to employment, including those formerly incarcerated. Nearly 40% of our team members are either still with us or have used us as a stepping stone into other opportunities in the marketplace. Our collective economic impact exceeds $20 million  an impact created and caused by our team and our customers without a dependence on philanthropy or taxpayer dollars.

The success of CleanTurn is based on the ability of people to show that their past does not dictate who they are now, and who they can become. We demonstrate how people can change. Our system of justice must allow others to do the same.

My employees are not unique, and research supports what many of us parents know from personal experience  the adolescent brain does not fully mature until the mid-to-late 20s. Kids are less capable than adults in long-term planning, regulating emotion, impulse control, and the evaluation of risk and reward. Additionally, because the adolescent brain is still developing, children possess a unique capacity for change. The majority of children who commit crimes outgrow their delinquent behavior, which means long prison sentences without parole eligibility prematurely gives up on many young people who would likely grow to be contributing members of society.

Im not saying that children shouldnt be held accountable. They absolutely should. But they should be treated like the children that they are and given the opportunity to show they can change and mature. Senate Bill 256 will do just that.

John C. Rush is a Marine Corps veteran and social entrepreneur focused on Fair Chair Employment. He is the founder and CEO of CleanTurn, 180 Demo & Third Way Cafe, which collectively have provided supportive employment for more than 1,000 criminal-justice-involved individuals over the last decade.

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ORIENT  George Iubelt, 96, son of Arthur (Juby) and Irene Iubelt of Orient, whom preceded him in death, died July 15, 2020.

His wife, B.J. Coleman Iubelt, also preceded him in death.

He was also preceded in death by two great-grandchildren, Tyler Iubelt and Sidney Iubelt.

He is survived by daughter, Lou Ellen Nelson of Kansas City, Missouri; sons, Albert Iubelt of McLeansboro, and Stephen Iubelt of Paducah, Kentucky; seven grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren.

George was a World War II veteran. He enlisted in the Air Force in 1942 and was discharged in 1945.

George began his coaching and teaching career at Galatia High School in 1949 and then took a coaching job at West Frankfort High School in 1951. In 1959, he left the high school ranks and accepted a coaching position at Southern Illinois University, his undergraduate Alma Mater. He always had the ambition to bring to Southern Illinois and to the people he loved the quality of basketball that you had to travel to major athletic institutions to enjoy. George retired from SIU in 1989.

He was a member of the Christian Church in Reidland, Kentucky.

There will be no visitation. Graveside services for the family will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday, July 22, in Denning Cemetery, with Dr. Brett Beasley officiating. Military rites will be accorded by the American Legion Post 1961 and Zeigler Post 177.

George requested that any memorials be made to the Orient Church of Christ in Orient.

Union Funeral Home in West Frankfort is in charge of arrangements.

Online condolences may be left at www.unionfh.com.
National Weather Service

A 'tropical wave' making its way through the Caribbean has a chance of turning into a tropical cyclone that could batter southeast Texas, according to the National Weather Service.

Computer models from the National Hurricane Center show a disturbance near Haiti and the Dominican Republic. There's a 20 percent chance that could form into something stronger in the next five days, forecasters said.
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By PTI

WASHINGTON:The Indian-American community could be "an absolute difference maker" in battleground states in the November 3 presidential elections, a top Democratic leader has said.

As a little over 100 days are left for the elections, both the Republican and the Democratic parties are making huge efforts to reach out to the small but influential Indian-American community in some of the key battleground states such as Michigan, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin.

Democratic National Committee chair Thomas Perez on Saturday said that Michigan has 125,000 Indian-American voters. "We lost Michigan by 10,700 votes in 2016," he said, referring to the loss of Hillary Clinton, the then Democratic presidential nominee at the hands of President Donald Trump.

In the eight battleground States of Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Michigan, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Texas and Wisconsin, there are 1.3 million Indian American voters. "In Pennsylvania, (there are) 156,000 (Indian-American voters). We (Democratic party) lost (presidential elections in) Pennsylvania by 42,000 (votes). In Wisconsin (there are) 37,000 (Indian-Americans). We lost Wisconsin by 21,000 (votes) in 2016," said the head of the Democratic party.

"The Indian-American vote, the AAPI (Asian-American and Pacific Islanders) vote more broadly, can be an absolute difference maker (in the 2020 presidential elections)," Perez said at a virtual event 'An Electorate Coming of Age: Indian Americans for Biden', jointly hosted by the South Asians for Biden along with AAPI Victory Fund and Indian-American Impact Fund.

"We are hustling to the finishing line - 108 days till the weekend. Think about those three states alone that I mentioned. The Indian-American votes alone can be the difference in moving forward," Perez said.

Shekar Narasimhan, chairman of AAPI Victory Fund, said 77 per cent of the Indian-American voters polled in favour of Hillary in 2016. "Today in all the polls and surveys, their favourability for Biden over Trump is 2.3 to one, (which) is very close to what it was then (in 2016: 2.4 to one)," he said, asserting that the party can aspire to get 75-80 per cent of the Indian-American votes.

"It is our goal to deliver 1 million to actually vote in by November 3, 2020 and vote for a Democrat candidate namely for Joe Biden," Narasimhan said, referring to the 1.3 million Indian-American voters in the battleground states.

He said the information was based on data and latest research prepared by data guru Karthik Ramakrishnan.

"There are sectors of the Indian-American community throughout our country, throughout our battleground states. And we want to make sure we're engaging and connecting directly with you all," senior advisor of 'Biden for President' campaign Julie Chavez Rodriguez said in her address to the event attended by over 800 Indian-Americans from across the country.

Amit Jani, the national AAPI director for the Biden campaign, said that the Indian-American community has grown in size, influence and in political and civic involvement.

More Indian-Americans are joining politics and government. "The election in November for the president is going to be historic, and we really need the help and support from the Indian-American community to really make a difference," Jani added.

Al Mason, co-chair of the Trump Victory Indian American Finance Committee, has earlier spoken on the importance of Indian ethinic voters. "For the first time they (Indian Americans) would make a big difference," he told America's Voice in an interview early this month.

Mason, who operates a team of 100 experts in the battleground states, said Karthik Ramakrishnan's finding that 77 per cent of Indian-Americans voted for Hillary in 2016 will not repeat in 2020.

He said 50 per cent of the Democrat voters are now going to choose Trump. "My finding is that for the first time Indian American Democrats will be moving big time to President Trump. At least 50 per cent of Indian American Democrats who have been voting for Democrats since the time of Bill Clinton are going to move to the column of President Trump," he had told America's Voice.

In the town hall with Thomas Perez, AAPI Victory Fund chairman Narasimhan said if the Democratic party works hard, they can aspire to get 75-80 percent of the Indian-American votes. The survey results of both the Republicans and the Democrats show that in case of a close race, the Indian Americans will play an important role.

Mason, who has been holding a series of virtual meetings with Indian-Americans, said his survey results show that there is an unprecedented level of enthusiasm among Indian-Americans for the president.

"These 50 per cent of the Indian Americans (switching away from Democrats) which constitute 50,000 to 60,000 additional votes for President Trump in each of the battle ground states, will surprisingly make a big difference, in case of the race running close - though Trump will win those states with a wide margin," Mason told PTI in a recent interview.

According to Mason's study, in Michigan 45,000 voters out of 70,000 Indian American voters who vote for Democrats, will switch to Trump. Similarly, in Florida 50,000 voters out of 110,000 Indian Americans who vote for Democrats, will switch sides in November.

In Texas, Mason expects 50,000 voters out of 200,000 voters who vote for Democrats, will switch for Trump. In Pennsylvania, 40,000 voters out of 110,000 Indian Americans voters who vote for Democrats, will switch to the Republican party.
Hong Kong's status as a bastion of press freedom is in crisis as authorities toughen their line against international media and fears grow about local self-censorship under the city's sweeping new security law. For decades the former British colony has been a shining light for journalists in Asia, lying on the fringes of an authoritarian China where the ruling Communist Party keeps a tight grip on public opinion. The civil liberties that have stewarded the city's success were promised to Hong Kongers for another 50 years under a deal that returned the trading hub to Chinese rule in 1997. But Beijing's new national security law -- imposed in response to last year's huge and sometimes violent pro-democracy protests -- has sent a shiver through the financial hub's media landscape. "It's a body blow. It's the end of press freedom as we knew it in Hong Kong," Yuen Chan, a former local reporter now lecturing at London's City University, told AFP. The New York Times, CNN, Bloomberg, the Wall Street Journal, CNBC, the Financial Times and AFP are among numerous international media outlets with a presence in the city, many basing their regional headquarters there. Free from the harassment, censorship and restrictions pervasive on the authoritarian Chinese mainland, semi-autonomous Hong Kong has thrived as a safe haven for both local and foreign reporters. But signs of the sands shifting have begun to emerge since China introduced its draconian new law earlier this month. On Tuesday the New York Times announced it would relocate a third of its staff to Seoul, saying it faced unprecedented trouble obtaining visas. Hong Kong authorities recently launched a review of independent but state-funded broadcaster RTHK following accusations it was overly sympathetic to pro-democracy protests. Immediately after the security law was passed, two columnists quit the city's rambunctious Apple Daily newspaper, a staunch advocate for greater democracy. The tabloid is owned by Jimmy Lai, a tycoon who Chinese state media has labelled a leading "black hand" colluding with foreign forces to destroy the mainland. - 'Open season' - Beijing has made little secret of its desire to rein in Hong Kong's media, both domestic and foreign. One provision of the national security law orders authorities to "strengthen the management" of foreign news organisations. "It seems like they are starting to at least consider using the visa as a means to punish the people they don't like," said Keith Richburg, director of the Journalism and Media Studies Centre at the University of Hong Kong and a former foreign correspondent for the Washington Post. In 2018, Financial Times journalist Victor Mallet was refused a visa renewal weeks after he hosted a talk at the city's foreign press club with an independence activist. Sharron Fast, deputy director at Hong Kong University's journalism programme, said the clause about foreign media in the new law "sounds ominously like Hong Kong will move towards a China-style press credential requirement". The legislation also grants the territory's police and China's intelligence apparatus sweeping surveillance powers, something Fast said could make it harder for journalists to protect their sources. "It is basically open season on interception of communications and online surveillance," she told AFP. Much of the law is broadly worded and criminalises certain speech, such as a ban on instigating hatred towards the government or advocating independence. Journalists fear they may inadvertently cross a red line by reporting what others say. - Self-censorship - Media groups warn local outlets are particularly vulnerable. Hong Kong reporters have historically been a crucial conduit of information out of mainland China. And the city's press corps routinely barrages officials with the kind of critical questioning that would be unthinkable north of the border. Last week, city leader Carrie Lam was asked if she could "100 percent guarantee" media freedoms. Her reply was that if reporters "guarantee that they will not commit any offences under this piece of national legislation", then she could. However, even before the security law, local media were under pressure, with advertising often drying up for the most Beijing-critical outlets. "The problem of self-censorship, which has already been a concern, will get worse," said Chris Yeung from the Hong Kong Journalists Association. "It is likely that the mainland-style media control system and mechanism will be gradually introduced in Hong Kong." But London City University lecturer Chan said the press would not be easily tamed. "Journalists in Hong Kong will do as much as they can for as long as they can," she said. Apple Daily boss Lai was asked in an online Q&A on Friday about the future of his reporting staff. "It's very difficult to protect them. All I can do is tell them to do things according to their conscience," he said. "I cannot ask them to be a martyr." A man reads a newspaper on the edge of a promenade overlooking Victoria Harbour in Hong Kong The New York Times has had a presence in Hong Kong for decades Beijing has made little secret of its desire to rein in Hong Kong's media Jimmy Lai owns Hong Kong's Apple Daily newspaper and has been labelled by state media as a leading 'black hand' colluding with foreign forces
One of the peculiar things about the Black Lives Matter movement is what a small role blacks play in it. Most recently, San Franciscos hard-left mayor London Breed, when she sat down for an interview with Vogue magazine, scolded whites for horning in on a black movement.

Ive commented repeatedly in past posts about the way in which white leftists have co-opted the Black Lives Matter movement. (See here, here, and here, for example.) Interestingly, the most vocal white activists seem to be college-educated women. Theyve somehow managed to take the movement from Black Lives Matter to White Womens Drama:

Another spectacular example of the White Womans Drama phenomenon was Robin Broshi, a member of New York Citys Community Education Council, who had a complete meltdown because a fellow council member had been holding a black child on his lap.

And then there was Oaklands white mayor, Libby Schaaf, who had her own drama queen moment when someone mistakenly thought that exercise ropes that Victor Sengbe, a black man, had put in trees for himself and his friends, were nooses.

Sengbe was offended that Schaaf took it upon herself to tell black people, who were untroubled by the ropes, that this was a serious problem:

Oaklands Mayor Libby Schaaf wasnt going to let all that cheat her out of a chance to signal her virtue, he said. Why is this white woman seeing racism where a black man isnt? The mayor also said, intentions dont matter, but they do matter. And white people need to stop trying to cancel other white people whose heart is in the right place but dont exactly get it right on the first try.

Bill Maher immediately latched on to the way white people are appropriating the movement:

Black people have to demand that white people stop culturally appropriating how mad they are about racism. It's great that Caucasians have finally joined the fight for racial justice, but hating racism the most? #BlackLivesMatter #VirtueSignaling #SJW pic.twitter.com/4snH4vftZa  Bill Maher (@billmaher) June 27, 2020

All of which gets us to that Vogue interview. The interview covers San Franciscos myriad problems, such as its Wuhan virus response, escalating crime, drug abuse, and homelessness. However, the interviewer, Andre-Naquian Wheeler, began with the large numbers of white people [who] are coming out to protests, something he, as a black man, sees as a complicated development.

Breed responds that, on the one hand, shes pleased that whites are taking the problem seriously. It gives me hope. Its like, finally, you guys understand what were talking about. Having said that, though, Breed is extremely unhappy that whites, having become woke, insist on whitesplaining and taking over:

I have a real problem with the takeover of the movement by white people. I want people to respect the opinions and feelings of Black people and allow us to decide what is in our best interest. I talk about the plan to reduce the police budget and reallocate those resources to the African American community, and a large number of non-Blacks reached out to tell me what I should do for the Black community. Then, they say what their community deserves because of their challenges as well. That really bothered me. The Black community [of San Francisco] is capable of speaking for ourselves and deciding whats in our best interest. [snip] Whats happening in San Francisco now, and has for so many years, is you have a progressive movement made up of people who are mostly white and feel that they know whats in the best interest of Black people. Im over that.

One of the things that most disturbs Breed is that whites, having co-opted the Black Lives Matter movement, are busy turning it into an All-Lives-Except-For-White-Lives Matter movement. She has no room for the lefts beloved intersectionality:

[She takes issue when whites] say that we need to court more minorities and try to put everyone under in this bigger category. But when you look at police violence, close to 50% of the cases involve African Americans. With this issue, African Americans are disproportionately represented. So, no, Im not going to compromise and try to be inclusive for this. We need to be equitable in our need to support and invest in the African American community, and in a way thats different.

And then theres White Fragility, the huge bestseller by Robin DiAngelo, another white woman. According to John McWhorter, a professor and regular contributor to 1776 Unites, a black website dedicated to Americas core values, the book is one enormous condescension to blacks. I have learned that one of Americas favorite advice books of the moment is a racist tract. Despite the sincere intentions of its author, the book diminishes Black people in the name of dignifying us.

There is a schism coming very hard and fast as black people, many of whom are horrified at the thought of seeing police leave their neighborhoods, watch white people, especially hysterical white women, once again tell them how to live their lives.

Image: Twitter screengrab
Mumbai, July 19 : Touching a new high, Maharashtra's Covid-19 cases on Sunday climbed over the 9,000 mark, while deaths again shot above the 200 level, health officials said.

The state notched a staggering new 9,518 cases, higher than the 8,641 recorded on July 16.

The number of deaths increased sharply from 144 on Saturday to 258 on Sunday, but were still less than the earlier single day's toll of 295 on July 4.

With the fresh fatalities, death toll went up to 11,854, while the total cases reached 310,455 - both highest in the country.

According to Sunday's figures, there was one death roughly every 6 minutes and a staggering 397 new cases every hour in the state.

The recovery rate marginally dropped to 54.62 per cent on Sunday, while the mortality rate stood at 3.82 per cent.

The Health Department said that of the total cases till date, 128,730 are active.

On the positive side, 3,906 recovered patients returned home, taking the total number of discharged patients to 169,569.

Of the total 258 fatalities, Mumbai recorded 64 deaths, taking up the city toll to 5,714, and the number of corona cases increased by 1,038 to touch 101,388 now.

There were also 60 deaths in Thane, 45 in Pune, 13 in Raigad, 12 in Palghar, 11 in Jalgaon, 10 in Nashik, seven in Nagpur, six in Sangli, five each in Aurangabad and Satara, four in Latur, two each in Ratnagiri, Ahmednagar, Akola, and Solapur, and one each in Dhule, Nandurbar, Kolhapur, Jalna, Parbhani, Osmanabad, Yavatmal, and Washim.

With complaints of alleged fleecing by private hospitals, the state government has appointed an independent auditor who will vet all the bills issued to patients before payment.

The decision was announced by Health Minister Rajesh Tope at a review meeting in Solapur presided over by Nationalist Congress Party President Sharad Pawar.

In a shocking development, a suspected Covid-19 patient jumped off the fifth floor of a corona hospital in Kalyan and died on the spot. The motive behind him taking the extreme step is being probed.

The MMR (Thane division) remains on the brink as deaths spiral and cases pile up, with the current toll at 8,220 and a staggering 3,789 new cases pushing up the tally to 199,835.

Thane's cases have touched 75,111 with 2,036 fatalities to emerge as the second worst-hit district after Mumbai in the state.

Pune district continues to zoom ahead with 54,624 cases, with the death toll increasing to 1,359 on Sunday.

The Pune division's death toll reached 1,823 with the case tally touching 62,590 - but it remains far behind MMR and Thane district.

Nashik division has 895 fatalities and 20,582 cases, followed by Aurangabad division with 435 deaths and 11,913 cases, and Akola division with 188 fatalities and 4,644 cases.

Next is Kolhapur division which has notched 104 deaths and 4,440 cases, Latur division has had 119 fatalities and 2,749 cases, and Nagpur division 38 deaths and 3,447 cases.

All the eight divisions recorded fatalities on Sunday, while only Chandrapur (out of total 36) remains a zero Covid death district till date.

Meanwhile, the number of people sent to home quarantine increased sharply to 754,370, while those in institutional quarantine went up to 45,846 on Sunday.

Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19)

-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
BERRIEN COUNTY, MI  A 33-year-old Chicago man is dead after he was rear-ended by a vehicle while riding his motorcycle early Sunday morning on I-94 West.

Troopers from the Niles Post were dispatched to the scene near mile marker 19 in Lake Township at about 1 a.m. July 19, according to a news release from the Michigan State Police.

Troopers believe alcohol was a factor in the incident, Sgt. John Miller told MLive.

Miller said the driver of the vehicle, a 26-year-old man from Covert, came over a hill and rear-ended the motorcycle. Troopers are still investigating whether speed was also a factor, he said.

The driver of the vehicle was cited for operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated causing death. He was subsequently lodged at the Berrien County Jail. His name is being withheld pending arraignment.

The highway was shut down from the time of the crash until about 6 a.m.

The Michigan State Police are working with the Illinois State Police to notify the victims family at this time.

Also on MLive:

We are not the mask police, officers, state at odds over enforcing Michigan governors orders

Man, 24, is Grand Rapids 20th homicide victim of 2020

Woman stabbed in fight at New York Fried Chicken in Grand Rapids

Two teens shot in Kalamazoos West Douglas neighborhood
Patna: One person was injured on Sunday after Nepal police allegedly shot at three Indian nationals near the border in Bihar's Kishanganj.

The injured have been admitted to hospital. Kishanganj SP said that investigation is underway.

The incident comes amid border row between the countries over territorial claims to Kalapani, Lipulekh and Limpiyadhura in Uttarakhand.

This is the second incident reported from the borders in a month. The Nepal Armed Police Force, responsible for border security, had last month opened fire on a group during a clash at a border point near Sitamarhi in Bihar, killing one Indian and injuring two others.
 

1
By PTI

MUMBAI: Filmmaker Rajat Mukherjee, best known for directing Manoj Bajpayee-starrer "Road" and romantic thriller "Pyaar Tune Kya Kiya", passed away due to kidney ailments in the wee hours of Sunday.

He was in his late 50s.

Producer Anish Ranjan, a close friend of Mukherjee's, said the director breathed his last in Jaipur, where he had gone to be with his family for Holi but got stuck when the coronavirus-induced nationwide lockdown was announced.

Ranjan said the director had developed breathing issues over a month ago and had gone to get a COVID-19 test done, when the doctors realised that his "sodium potassium levels" were imbalanced.

"He had kidney and heart issues as well. About 12-15 days ago, one kidney was removed. He was on dialysis and had come back to his house. On Saturday, he went for dialysis and returned around 8 pm.

"His wife, who was taking care of him, realised something was amiss. By the time the ambulance arrived and he was taken to a nearby hospital, he was declared dead," Ranjan told PTI.

Other friends of the director, including Bajpayee, filmmakers Anubhav Sinha, Hansal Mehta and actor Urmila Matondkar paid their tributes to the late director.

Bajpayee recalled filming the 2002 thriller "Road" with Mukherjee and said his passing was shocking.

"I will always remember the shoot days of 'Road' and how we created it while having so much fun all because of you! Will miss you dearly my friend Rajat. Still can't believe that we will never meet or discuss our work ever again. Be happy, wherever you are," Bajpayee wrote on Twitter.

Matondkar, who worked with Mukherjee in "Pyaar Tune Kya Kiya" in 2001, said she was saddened to hear about his demise.

"A talented and live wire personality who made this rare gem of a Film. Deepest condolences to his family. Rest in peace dear friend," she wrote on the microblogging site.

Mehta said Mukherjee was one of his oldest friends from his struggling days.

"Rajat Mukherjee, director of 'Pyaar Tune Kya Kiya' and 'Road' was a friend from our early, early struggles in Bombay. Many meals, many bottles of Old Monk consumed. Many more to consume in another world. Will miss you dear friend," the "Aligarh" director wrote.

Sinha said that in Mukherjee's death, he had lost a friend.

"Another friend gone too soon. Director Rajat Mukherjee. He was dealing with multiple health situations past few months in Jaipur. Go well mate," he added.

Mukherjee is survived by wife, mother and brother.
Parents of primary school children have been banned from withdrawing them from a new 'relationships education' class.

But the Government's decision is facing a judicial review, according to The Telegraph, over the lessons which cover LGBT issues, consent and how to recognise abuse.

The Department of Education's new regime is due to start in September and though schools are asked to liaise with parents, the ultimate decision on what is taught lies with staff.

Parents of primary-aged children are allowed to remove them from sex education classes, without the need for any explanation, but this prerogative does not extend to the new 'relationships' subject.

The Department of Education's new regime is due to start in September and though schools are asked to liaise with parents on the curriculum, the ultimate decision on what is taught lies with staff (stock image)

Campaigning group Let Kids be Kids says the classes should not be compulsory because they could interfere with a family's 'religious and philosophical convictions.'

In a letter to the Government ahead of the judicial review, the group wrote that this is 'an educational regime which taken as a whole no longer gives effect to the rights of parents to ensure teaching in conformity with their own religious and philosophical convictions and is therefore in breach of the parents' rights.'

They say the right to remove from sex education should be extended to 'relationships education' due to the 'controversial moral' material which could be taught by teachers of a particular ideological persuasion.

The Government has a July 31 deadline to respond to the letter before a claim is launched.

Parents of primary-aged children are allowed to remove them from sex education classes, without the need for any explanation, but this prerogative does not extend to the new 'relationships' subject (stock image)

A Department for Education spokesperson said: 'From September, Relationships Education will be compulsory for all primary school-aged pupils, Relationships and Sex Education (RSE) will be compulsory for all secondary school-aged pupils, and Health Education will be compulsory for all state-funded school pupils.

'These subjects are designed to foster respect for others and to educate pupils about healthy relationships.

'Schools are best placed to understand their pupils and the guidance gives them the flexibility to tailor their teaching to the needs and backgrounds of the young people in their care.'

Let Kids be Kids was founded by Charlie Colchester in 2020. He set up Christian Action, Research and Education (CARE) in 1983.
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Linkedin (Agence France-Presse) Sydney, Australia  Sun, July 19, 2020 07:03 549 6657ac82168da9fa101c8a4066776e42 2 Entertainment Australia,Hollywood Free

Australia is hoping its success in dealing with the coronavirus will lure more big budget Hollywood productions Down Under, with the government announcing incentives worth hundreds of millions of dollars Friday.

Promising "lights, camera, jobs," Prime Minister Scott Morrison unveiled a AU$400 million (US$280 million) boost in cash grants for film productions, a move he said had already piqued the interest of major studios.

"Jerry Bruckheimer's outfit and Ron Howard's outfit have already reached out to Australia on the basis of the announcement we have made today," Morrison said.

The plan aims to generate 8,000 jobs a year over seven years after Australia recorded its highest unemployment rate in two decades last month.

But Morrison pointed instead to the return of more than 200,000 jobs as a sign Australia was charting a path through the pandemic.

The announcement mirrors a similar push in New Zealand where the crew filming the "Avatar" sequel was granted special exemptions from virus rules to enter the country.

Australia has long chased Hollywood productions by offering tax breaks and in recent years hosted several blockbusters including several Marvel movies, a Pirates of the Caribbean film and currently Baz Lurhmann's Elvis biopic.

Back in March, Lurhmann's production highlighted dangers of the virus when Tom Hanks became the first major Hollywood star to contract COVID-19 while working on Australia's Gold Coast.

But the plan, made on Morrison's first visit to Queensland since the beginning of travel restrictions in the country, is the latest sign of a nation now emerging from virus shutdowns.

Most of Australia's regions are dealing well with the virus but an outbreak in the second-biggest city of Melbourne is threatening to derail the recovery, with the city recently returned to lockdown and its outbreak spreading to parts of Sydney.

"Australia's success in managing COVID has been well recognized around the world, and Australia is not the only country who is dealing with an outbreak like we are in Victoria," Morrison said.

"If Australia reopens, Australians are going back to work and that is where we want to be."

Topics : Australia Hollywood
A new hiking trail in the Catskills area that runs through a quarry that provided stone for the building of Ashokan Reservoir in the early 1900s has officially opened.

The New York City Department of Environmental Protection, Catskill Mountain Club and the Ashokan Watershed Stream Management Program made the announcement Friday about the Ashokan Quarry Trail in the town of Olive. It runs 2 miles through the former Yale Quarry.
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I like the simplicity, said Roman, who used sticks for a bridge to the castle. We Chicagoans love our bridges.

The contest drew 21 entries, said Marie Laudeman, an interpretive naturalist with the Indiana Department of Natural Resources.

Laudeman said the contest takes advantage of all the beautiful sand around us. This is a great recreational opportunity for families to get out into this beauty.

Friends of Indiana Dunes provided gifts for all participants and prizes for winning entries. Angel Gochee-Goins, president of the Friends board, praised the contest as a family-friendly event. It gets people out and theres a lot of hands-on activities for kids.

Gochee-Goins added that the contest is keeping with the Friends of Indiana Dunes mission to enhance the visitors experience at the dunes.

Meanwhile, Charlotte Demsich, 8, and her sister Abigail, 10, of Chesterton, and their friend, Kallissa McLendon, 10, of Rock Hill, S.C., were busy recreating the solar system.

Were still trying to fit it all in, Charlotte said. This is our first time here, and we wanted to be creative and take part in the competition.
Many Center City high rises have been empty during the pandemic. Employers are studying ways to get workers back together in one spot. Read more

Thousands of employers initially thought of working from home during the lockdown as a temporary measure. Maybe a month  two, tops  and people would be back in the office by late spring.

In the thick of summer, many offices remain empty.

But as cases have begun to stabilize in some areas, testing has increased, and hospitals have gained more experience and resources to treat sick patients, some employers are tentatively planning to bring workers back by fall, and some are finding creative ways to rearrange them.

A few others, however, are asking: Do employees even need to come back to the office? If so, does it need to be in 2020? And actually, do we even really need so much office space?

A lot of my clients have come and said theyre going to downsize their office space, said Jason Kramer, senior vice president and a partner at Binswanger, a commercial real estate firm based in Philadelphia. The one thing for sure  this is going to change the way that people view office space, period, for people who are going to be downsizing. You may see a shift to more private spaces, but I think its going to depend on the industry. The lawyers and the accountants might think differently from the techs and creatives.

The equation is not as simple as it seems, said the commercial real estate company Jones Lang LaSalle, noting that an increase in remote work does not automatically mean a decreased demand for offices. Complicating factors range from the state of the coronavirus outbreak and government response to it, to technology and company culture.

 READ MORE: Going back to the office? What public health experts say about using the elevator.

From an employee perspective, the office provides a place for face-to-face interactions that technology struggles to replicate, such as social interaction, face-to-face collaboration, mentoring and managing, the firm said in a report published in late June. Even after the recent success of working from home, employees still state they would like to be in the office for the majority of the week.

Twitter, historically receptive to a work-from-home model, has said its employees can permanently work remotely if they choose. Facebook, Google, and the New York Times said that many of their employees can work from home until 2021.

In the Philadelphia region, Bryn Mawr Trust has decided that about 40% of its 635 employees will permanently work from home. The financial company plans to sell its building on Lancaster Avenue in Bryn Mawr and end two leases at its other offices on the same street, said Tina McDonald, the companys director of marketing and communications.

Next month, she said, the company will end another lease at its location in Chadds Ford. It is also looking for someone to buy its building at 22 W. State St. in Media, then lease it  a deal referred to as a sale-leaseback transaction.

Bryn Mawr Trust had been considering the work-from-home model before the pandemic, McDonald said, but the outbreak cemented the decision. More companies have to be more forward-thinking, she said.

Other companies have sought more space to spread out their employees.

 READ MORE: Philly is reopening but office workers are staying home. That means peril for lunch spots and stores.

EwingCole, a Center City-based architecture firm with offices throughout the country, is stationing more than a quarter of its Philadelphia staff in suburban Chester County for at least a year as part of its strategy to get its workers back in the office after months of mostly working remotely.

EwingCole plans to sublease 30,000 square feet.

The firms leadership decided on the move because the 70,000-square-foot office it occupies at the Federal Reserve Bank building at Sixth and Arch Streets, which the firm designed in the 1970s, was too small to adhere to social-distancing guidelines for the roughly 280 employees who had worked there.

Some workers who had depended on public transportation to reach the Center City office, where parking is scarce, were also fearful of being exposed to the virus on trains and buses.

The company never considered leaving Center City, where it has deep roots. The offices downtown location helps it recruit graduates from surrounding architecture programs who want to remain in an urban environment, EwingCole president Bob McConnell said.

 READ MORE: Vanguard transfers 1,300 staffers to outsourcing partner Infosys, which will open a Malvern center

At the same time, the collaborative nature of EwingColes work made it hard to continue having staff work from home full time, so that wasnt seen as a viable option, either.

Those casual interactions as an architect or an engineer, where you can exchange ideas in person, or on the fly, is critical to how we work, McConnell said.

EwingCole worked with Hether Smith of commercial brokerage Savills to find a furnished office that could be leased on a short-term basis.

About 200 employees will continue to report to the firms Center City office, with the remaining 80 working out of the suburban space, although many will likely continue working from home a few days a week to further reduce density.

Nobody knows what tomorrow is going to bring, and where were going to be six months from now or a year from now, McConnell said. We just thought this gave us some flexibility.

Though some companies have requested to downsize, or otherwise permitted employees to always work from home, theres such a value of having people in the office, said Binswangers Kramer.

While I am productive remotely, he said, I do miss working aside my coworkers and the water cooler talk.

 READ MORE: The open office floor plan has to change  at least during the coronavirus pandemic

Employers have to remain vigilant about protecting their workers by laying out detailed safety plans, Kramer said, and taking proactive measures. Companies are really going to have a pretty good job of being strict about this.

Employer plans for creating a safer workplace include installing safety barriers, new air ventilation systems, and no-touch buttons and handles, as well as handing out personal protection equipment and taking employees temperature before they come inside.

Such measures would prove essential, particularly if Congress passes what could be the last stimulus package, which could include employee liability protection for businesses. The measure, if passed, would shield businesses, health-care facilities, and schools from being sued by customers or employees who say they contracted the coronavirus from them. Republicans and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce have backed the proposal, while Democrats have opposed it.

Companies really need to listen to their people and get a finger on the pulse of their people, Kramer said. Understanding what your employees want is a major thing.
The Delhi zoo has started installing CCTV cameras on its premises, including in the animal enclosures, for a round-the-clock monitoring of animal behaviour and to prevent the visitors from violating rules.

Around 230 CCTV cameras will be installed in the first phase. The number may go up, a zoo official said.

He said a server room has been set up and the work of installing hubs and laying wires is going on.

According to zoo Director Ramesh Pandey, the CCTV cameras will be used to monitor animal behaviour round the clock and sort out issues, if any, immediately.

Apart from a separate CCTV monitoring room, the official said, monitors have also been installed in the offices of the zoo director and other officials."So, there will be many eyes on the screens," he said.

The CCTV cameras will help the staff ascertain if an animal is eating properly, if it is unwell or displaying abnormal behaviour, the official said, adding that it is a scientific way of approaching animal healthcare-related problems.

Earlier, the zoo staff used a "standby" camera if the situation demanded it. Mostly, it was used to monitor carnivorous animals showing abnormal behaviour or ascertain if an animal was ill.

The CCTV cameras will also prevent the visitors from flouting rules, the official said.

Many a time, the visitors attempt to irritate the animals, give them food or throw pebbles at them. On a few occasions, people tried jumping into the enclosures of carnivorous animals, the official said.

"Though a guard is deployed at every enclosure, the CCTV cameras will make the premises more secure," he added.

The zoo also plans to introduce virtual reality technology, allowing the visitors to "get closer" to the animals, and a GPS-based mobile application to make zoo visits more engaging and informative.

Virtual reality headsets will allow the visitors to see the animals up close. People will find themselves "standing next to a tiger, hugging a deer or caressing an elephant", according to officials.

Top zoos around the world have turned to technology to make visitors' experience better. The government wants the Delhi zoo to be among the top 10 across the world. Virtual reality and the mobile application are steps in that direction, the officials said.
File image: RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav

Bihar is heading towards becoming a global hotspot of the COVID-19 pandemic, RJD leader Tejashwi Prasad Yadav said on Saturday, as he hit out at the Nitish Kumar government over the "low" number of tests being conducted.

Yadav, the leader of opposition in the state legislative assembly, said the government was testing around 10,000 samples per day against the required 30,000-35,000 tests a day given the size and population of Bihar.

If the required number of tests are conducted, 4,000- 5,000 cases would be detected every day, thus putting the state at the top in the country in terms of the spread of coronavirus, he claimed.

The former deputy chief minister said there is a strong possibility of Bihar not only becoming a national hotspot, rather it is heading towards becoming a global hotspot of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Yadav said despite the low testing rate in the state, the number of positive cases has remained over 1,000 per day.

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 positivity rate in Bihar was at 13 per cent between July 11-17, which is the highest in the country, and it showed that the state stood nowhere in terms of testing, he said.

A complete lockdown imposed from July 16 to July 31 will not serve any purpose if the testing rate and the bed capacity at hospitals are not augmented, he said.

Yadav said he would urge the central team that is arriving in the state on Sunday to ensure transparency in reporting of COVID-19 figures. "I would request them to ask the state government to bring transparency in putting out the figures, besides ensuring special assistance from the central government, and look into the supply of oxygen concentrators and testing kits," he said.
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A Pakistani court on July 18 approved the relocation of an elephant to a sprawling animal sanctuary in Cambodia after animal rights activists launched a campaign saying the pachyderm that spent three decades in the Islamic nation was being mistreated at the capital's small zoo, officials said.

The decision was hailed by the World Wide Fund for Nature, which said its representative in Pakistan has been part of the continuous efforts to address welfare issues regarding Kaavan," the 33-year-old elephant that was given to Pakistan in 1985 by Sri Lanka.

The group had proposed that the animal be moved to a 25,000-acre sanctuary in Cambodia, which already houses elephants and has rehabilitated over 80 elephants.

Mian Aslam Amin, Pakistan's federal minister for climate change, called the ruling by the Islamabad High Court a sad but correct decision," which he said was made for the benefit Kaavan, the lone elephant at Islamabad's zoo.

He said Kaavan would be relocated but gave no dates for it.

The elephant was well-loved by children and was treated well until recent years when it was chained. Authorities had said that was done for the safety of visitors after observing occasional aggression in the animal's mood.
Where Ferrari seems to have found its way in the right direction, Red Bull Racing is very disappointing in Hungary. The Italian team managed to recover somewhat by putting the cars in fifth and sixth place, while Red Bull underperformed enormously with seventh and thirteenth place. The difference between Ferrari and Red Bull did not go unnoticed.

Corriere Della Sera was very critical of Red Bull and Honda. "Red Bull was a disaster. While the Scuderia managed to recover on Saturday, came the downfall of Red Bull". So while Ferrari performed better, Red Bull was never at the forefront of the field. That's remarkable, because in the preseason very big words came out of the Red Bull camp.

Read more Mercedes drivers react with amazement to large deficit Red Bull Racing

Honda also zero progression

"In the winter there was a lot of talk about the season, but now it looks very gloomy for the team. The development of Honda also seems to be zero, despite the progress they would have made in lockdown". Not only Corriere della Sera was negative about Red Bull's performance, also Gazzetta dello Sport was not satisfied with Red Bull.

"(Max) Verstappen had to drive on Saturday with a car that was slower than last year on the same circuit. On Sunday he had to drive all-or-nothing to make something of the weekend. He'll have to take risks, so he'll also have to make sure he doesn't cause any accidents", Gazzetta dello Sport said.
Some have dubbed it the Say Anything shooting, but what happened in Portland, Ore., earlier this month to 26-year-old Donavan LaBella after he held up an old-school boom box and started blaring it at an intimidating line of federal robocops  looking, in the eerie darkness, much like John Cusack in the iconic 1989 film  was anything but a light romantic comedy.

As captured on video, LaBella first rolled away a tear-gas canister fired in his direction by the heavily armed, badgeless federal officers, but then falls to the ground  struck in the head by a so-called less-than-lethal round, which in the case of this Portland protester was just barely less than lethal. LaBellas mom told Oregon Public Broadcast that her son required surgery for skull and facial damage and that doctors were draining blood from his skull while watching out for permanent damage.

An American has been shot and sent to the hospital for apparently exercising his right of free speech, Princeton visiting professor Steven Strauss observed. But the LaBella shooting turned out to be only the near-deadly first shot in what has become an unwelcome and unwarranted federal occupation of a major American city by a shadowy secret police force that answers only to President Donald Trump and his minions like acting Homeland Security chief Chad Wolf.

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As protests in Portland over police brutality and racial inequity near the end of a second month, these heavily camouflaged, helmeted, and anonymous agents have routinely fired tear gas  even though courts have mostly banned local police from deploying it  and projectiles at protesters near a federal building in Oregons largest city. And  as captured in video or described by victims  these agents even snatched peaceful protesters off Portland sidewalks, shoved them into unmarked vans, and took them for questioning without identifying themselves or their agency.

These are the kind of Kafkaesque, police-state tactics that most civilized folks hoped had gone the way of Chiles late authoritarian (and U.S.-installed) 20th-century dictator Augusto Pinochet, only to return for the increasingly desperate and dangerous final days of Trumps disastrous presidency, and Americas descent into madness and chaos.

These hazy, tear-gas-soaked nights in the Pacific Northwest have been five years in the making  the inevitable climax of a storyline that began on a morning in June 2015, when Trump descended a gilded escalator to start building a movement of right-wing rabble with hate speech against Mexicans. You were warned in the early days of his presidency, when Trump made good on his promise to the white supremacist unions of cops and federal border and immigration agents to take the shackles off, cheering on police brutality while setting the stage for agents to show up at schools and courthouses and disappear undocumented immigrants with deep roots in their communities. Those who said nothing or uttered toothless platitudes at these tactics, or the agents ripping toddlers from the arms of their parents at the Mexican border, shouldnt be shocked by now seeing Gestapo tactics in the streets of Portland.

Indeed, Trumps inexorable frog-in-boiling-water push toward full-on authoritarianism has been so successful that almost no attention was paid on July 1, when the government announced a program with the Orwellian name of Protecting American Communities Task Force, or PACT (apparently the F is silent), which had the stated goal of protecting statues and monuments. But PACTs real open-ended and ill-defined mission seems to be escalating conflict in a handful of cities, like Portland, with the most-active far-left communities.

PACT is comprised of officers from an array of agencies, including U.S. Customs and Border Protection (yes, even though the Canadian border is 285 long miles away)  whose union Twitter feed is a steady stream of pro-Trump propaganda, including diatribes against the Radical Left  as well as Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the U.S. Marshals Service. Under the leadership of Wolf  a presidential lapdog who wields the powerful hammer of Homeland Security even though hes only been confirmed as an undersecretary  this is a dream team for a Trumpian secret police.

And theres a very real chance that Pinochet-style federal policing may be coming to your hometown very soon. Acting Homeland Security Deputy Secretary Ken Cuccinelli (also not Senate confirmed) told NPR on Friday that this is a posture we intend to continue not just in Portland but in any of the facilities that were responsible for around the country.

Wolf set the template for these unwelcome  literally no major government official in Oregon has asked for this intervention, and most have pleaded for the federales to go home  mini-invasions when he showed up in Portland on Thursday, snubbed elected leaders but met with the head of Portlands police union, and posted a picture on Twitter of himself rallying the troops, whoever these troops actually are. Our men and women in uniform are patriots. We will never surrender to violent extremists on my watch, Wolf tweeted  trying to make it sound like his camouflaged crusaders were ready to storm Omaha Beach rather than fire rubber bullets at graffiti vandals armed with chalk.

 READ MORE: Why do police unions talk and act like the Mafia? How can we stop them? | Will Bunch

Wolfs renegade Homeland Security army is tragic vindication for those of whove been warning since the early 2000s that the extensive security apparatus that America created after 9/11  from that ominous too-1930s-Germanic sounding moniker of Homeland Security to the level of militarized policing unavoidable seen since George Floyds murder  would be turned against U.S. citizens, especially if America ever elected a president with an authoritarian streak.

For now, though, Trumps 21st-century fascism is mostly a political performance. Unable to run on his leadership or his record, with a mounting coronavirus death toll that just passed 140,000, and an 11% unemployment that may get worse again before it gets better, the president is hoping to save his presidency with fear. But his desperate and misguided efforts to recreate Richard Nixons 1968 law and order campaign and somehow scare voters about Joe Biden wont work unless he can bring nightly scenes of disorder and chaos into your living room.

Portland  home to folks on both the far-right and the far-left, in a state with a white supremacist past that contrasts with its reputation for hipster liberalism  has been in many ways the perfect laboratory. Until the last couple of days, the national media  with few, if any, reporters based in the regions second-largest city  had been slow to grasp what was happening, yet pro-Trump Fox News was right on top of it, leading its newscasts with tear gas rather than coronavirus bumbling.

Its a strategy that wont work, as evidenced by a slew of recent polls showing Trump trailing Biden by anywhere from 11 to 15 percentage points. Far too many Americans have lost someone or watched friends and family members get sick from COVID-19, or experienced job losses, to get really worked up about graffiti on a federal courthouse.

Instead, Trumps dictatorial strongman shtick is simply eroding the rule of law in America to levels that were once unthinkable, and raising the prospect that someone will get killed, on top of the folks like Donavan LaBella already maimed.

This needs to stop before it spreads to Chicago, or New York, or Louisville, Ky., or, yes, Philadelphia. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has tweeted that the unmarked federal forces in Portland are storm troopers, but the most powerful Democrat in Washington seems to have little or no plan for ending the program. Leaders in Oregon  including the state attorney general and the local ACLU  are suing to make the feds go home, but even a victory may not prevent PACT from moving elsewhere. Meanwhile, protests are likely to escalate, which presumably is what Trump wants.

Yes, its more than a little ironic that all of this is unfolding on the very weekend that the greatest living American in the arena of civil rights, U.S. Rep. John Lewis, died at age 80 (and that we also lost another champion of democracy, the Rev. C.T. Vivian). Lewis had a complicated relationship with the type of left-wing activists leading the current protests in Portland, but theres no doubt that the late congressman  famously beaten by both angry mobs during 1961s Freedom Rides and by Alabama troopers near the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma four years later  would have been appalled at the governments brutal crackdown on any form of dissent there.

We are tired of being beaten by policemen, Lewis said in his address to the 1963 March on Washington. We are tired of seeing our people locked up in jail over and over again. ... I appeal to all of you to get into this great revolution that is sweeping this nation. Get in and stay in the streets of every city, every village and hamlet of this nation until true freedom comes, until the revolution of 1776 is complete.

The air has been filled all weekend with political platitudes about Lewis, many of them from hypocrites whove devoted their political careers to fighting everything he stood for, from voting rights to basic human rights. There is so much work left undone to honor the legacy of this great man, but a simple start would be to get Trumps tin soldiers out of Portland, today if possible.

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Hit by unemployment, a rise in Covid-19 cases and reimposed coronavirus curbs, Israelis have taken to the streets in daily demonstrations against the government. There is a lot of public anger due to corruption allegations against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. He also went on trial in May for the allegations he completely denies like bribery, fraud and breach of trust.

Current situation in Israel

In Jerusalem, hundreds gathered outside the Prime Ministers residence, marched through the street, demanding Netanyahus resignation. Israeli police used water cannons to disperse these demonstrators around Prime Minister Netanyahus residence on July 18. Police said that at least 2 people were arrested as protests mounted against the Prime Minister over alleged corruption and a spike in coronavirus cases.

Read: Israelis Protest Response To Economic Fallout From Coronavirus.

Reports suggest that, Israels commercial hub, Tel Aviv saw thousands of people gathered for a rally at the beach side. People were demanding better state aid to businesses hit by the novel coronavirus. Their demand also included better aid to people who have lost their jobs or have been put to unpaid leave due to the pandemic. According to reports, employment currently stands at 21 percent in Israel.

Read: Israelis Protest Against 'out Of Touch' Government.

A partial lockdown was imposed in March that had flattened the infection curve. In May, many restrictions were uplifted- schools and many businesses reopened. But with a surge in the coronavirus cases, many health experts said that the government had moved too fast, completely neglecting to take the necessary epidemiological steps to control the pandemic.

On July 14, A poll by the nonpartisan Israel Democracy Institute found only 29.5 percent of the public trust Netanyahu's handling of the crisis. Netanyahu has announced various economic aid packages. Some of these have been slow to come through while others have drawn criticism for being ineffective.Reports suggest that, Israel has a population of nine million, out of which, 50,000 coronavirus cases and 400 deaths have been reported.

(Image credits: AP)

Also Read: Netanyahu's Graft Trial Resumes Amid Israeli Virus Anger
50 Shot, 7 Dead, in Chicago so Far This Weekend: Police

Chicago update

Seven people are dead and 43 others, including seven boys, were injured in shootings across Chicago this weekend, Chicago police officials said.

The latest fatal shooting occurred in the Southwest Sides Little Village. A 20-year-old male was shot and killed at around 3 a.m., officials told the Chicago Sun-Times, which reported that officials said he was dropped off at a local hospital with a gunshot wound in his abdomen before he was pronounced dead a short while later.

According to officials, two people were shot, one of them fatally, in the Loop neighborhood about 20 minutes before that, ABC7 reported. One of the victims, a 35-year-old male, was shot in the neck, police said, adding that a 25-year-old woman was also shot in the left arm.

Police said that both victims were uncooperative and wouldnt tell officers where the shooting took place, according to the report.

Over the weekend, at least 18 officers and four demonstrators were injured in clashes during Black Lives Matter-related protests. Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot, a Democrat, assailed protesters for attacking police.

Unfortunately, last night, a portion of the protesters turned violent. A number of individuals came with frozen water bottles, rocks, bottles, cans and other gear to throw at officers. People in the crowd also threw fireworks and other incendiary devices at police, causing injury in several cases. These violent acts are unacceptable and put everyone at risk, she said in a statement. Several people were arrested and could face felony charges in connection to the clashes.

Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot at McCormick Place in Chicago, Ill., on April 3, 2020. (Chris Sweda-Pool via Getty Images)

President Donald Trump, meanwhile, is slated to make an announcement about Chicago and the rise of violent crime across various cities this week.

Well have another announcement next week with the Attorney General, the FBI, and others concerning our cities, because the left-wing group of people that are running our cities are not doing the job that theyre supposed to be doing, Trump said on July 15.

And its not a very tough job to do if they knew what they were doing. So well be talking about that next week and probably have an announcement as to what were planning to do to help them. Theyre supposed to be asking for help, and they dont want to ask, Trump said, alluding to Lightfoot and Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker, who are both Democrats.

White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany last week called Lightfoot derelict, adding that the mayor has done a very poor job in how the city polices itself.
#PrimeroMiSalud Desde Arequipa, el presidente @MartinVizcarraC hace entrega del hospital temporal instalado en el Centro de Convenciones de Cerro Juli, implementado por la @AutoridadRCC para la atencion de pacientes COVID-19. En vivo: https://t.co/HbZjG0Bh5U
Dear Governor:

Your lunchtime COVID-19 briefingsNewsom at Noon are must-see TV.

No California governor has ever had such a regular, closely observed platform, and you are making the most of it. Your memory, your command of policy and operational detail, and your rambling verbal dexterity, especially with the long words you favor (do you ever stop to breathe?), are almost superhuman.

With these briefings, you are giving Californias most preeminent polysyllabic performance since Julie Andrews sang Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious for Disneys Mary Poppins.

Your skilled delivery of so much epidemiological data and so many changing regulations has put you at the center of Californians daily lives as we struggle through the pandemic and its associated social disruptions and economic earthquakes.

Which is precisely why you need to stop giving these briefings.

I can hear you and your aides guffawing at my above attestation, but Im not kidding. You are simply too good at this sort of communication for the states own good.

The problem is  to borrow two big words you love  fundamental and foundational. You are a politician, an elected official, with deep experience and strong, well-known views. For the most part, thats great. While many Californians (including this columnist) have criticized your rapidly changing guidance, I feel lucky that a person of your knowledge and judgment is our governor in this moment.

But we also are an overly politicized and badly polarized society in the midst of a pandemic. Its literally a matter of life and death that people listen to and follow your complicated public health instructions  on mask-wearing, social distancing and the opening and closing of businesses.

When a politician, no matter how skilled and public-spirited, is the one giving that information, the public health response is by definition politicized. The fact is that while many Californians voted for you, many others dont trust you. And so we are seeing the wearing of masks and the safety of public-facing institutions become a political issue. Two weeks ago in northern San Diego County, I found myself in a park with more than 150 people watching a softball tournament, and not one person was wearing a mask or socially distancing. When I asked people why they werent protecting themselves, many mentioned you, and none in a good way.

Its obvious that you understand the dangers of politicizing the briefings. I appreciate how careful you are to avoid partisan statements, and to halt your righteous criticism of the Trump administration during the pandemic (even though your reticence angers some of your core supporters). I also appreciate that you treat Californians as adults, that you rigorously avoid oversimplifying things, and that you explain the larger context of state and local governance in the Golden State.

I especially admire your habit of offering caveats to so many of your assertions, and of pointing out the weaknesses in your own policies. Its a sign of integrity  perhaps even a miracle  that none of the political consultants youve employed over the last 25 years has beaten that politically problematic habit out of you.

Of all the politicians who have taken the microphone in this moment, you are among the most responsible. But you cant change who and what you are. So you need to change the briefings.

Across the country and around the globe, myriad reports and leading public health experts have concluded that, in situations like this, scientists and doctors  not politicians  should be the ones leading public briefings. The good news is that our state has no shortage of such experts.

I suggest you elevate one or both of the esteemed state health officials who sometimes appear with you on Newsom at Noon. Dr. Sonia Angell, director of the California Department of Public Health, who worked at the CDC back when it was functional, is a warm and straightforward communicator. Dr. Mark Ghaly, the California health and human services secretary, has the reassuringly goofy-nerdy mien of a teacher in an 80s movie comedy. Neither will be able to talk with the facility or breadth you can about all facets of the crisis. But they are better messengers than you are right now.

There will be other advantages. With Drs. Angell and Ghaly handling the briefings, youll have more time to work on stubborn problems  like opening the schools and fixing the failing unemployment system. Angell and Ghaly also speak with a simpler vocabulary and structure than you do. Some of your sentences  with their endless asides, moral persuasions and wonk-speak  remind me of the sentences that my seventh-grade English teacher made me diagram as punishment for being a wiseass.

Of course, nerds and Hegelians across the state will mourn that you are no longer on TV saying things like: I recognize the dichotomy and to an extent, the dialectic.

But you might remember what Hegel, the early 19th century German philosopher and master of dialectics, famously said: We learn from history that we do not learn from history.

Governor, be the rare leader who learns. Be brave enough to step back from the airtime in service of the public good.

If you cancel yourself as the star of Newsom at Noon, you will be losing a platform. But you will be meeting the moment.

Your constituent,

Joe Mathews

Joe Mathews is Connecting California columnist and California editor at Zocalo Public Square.
SACRAMENTO, Calif.  For Laila Barakats children, school will be home, like other students in their district. But they wont participate in distance learning. Their teachers will be mom and dad.

Barakat has decided to do home-schooling for her three school-aged children  one in first grade, one in transitional kindergarten, and one in pre-kindergarten  instead of connecting them to an online classroom.

We just decided to take the leap, said Barakat, a stay-at-home mom and freelance writer in Elk Grove. At first it seemed like a radical thing, and now more and more people are doing it.

As the COVID-19 pandemic pushes schools in Sacramento County and elsewhere into a distance-learning-only fall and families deal with uncertainty about when in-person learning will resume, parents have begun to seek alternatives to Zoom classrooms.

Home-schooling is at the top of the list for many.

J. Allen Weston, the executive director of the National Homeschool Association, said that the association has seen an explosive increase in interest over the past few weeks, as parents look toward home-schooling as an alternative.

The association increased the size of its inbox to accommodate the new inquiries.

We used to get 40 or 50 emails a day, Weston said. Now were getting thousands.

About 3% of the students in the U.S. were home-schooled in the 2011-12 school year, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. But recent surveys have shown that 10% of parents are now strongly considering home-schooling their children, said James Mason, vice president of the Home School Legal Defense Association.

Facebook groups for home-schooling support have grown significantly, some by 200 members per day, said Marwa Swelam, a former substitute teacher from Elk Grove. She is planning to teach her three children in the fall. She said one group told her that its membership has doubled throughout the pandemic, from 12,000 to 24,000 members.

My Facebook wall is flooding with people, Swelam said. I think parents are just scared to send their kids to school. Its scary.

Parents have expressed a variety of reasons for seeking home schooling, from fears around COVID-19 exposure to worries about what a socially-distanced classroom environment will be like.

Fifty percent of them are saying that they wont send their kids to school if theyre forced to wear masks and the other 50% are saying they wont if they arent, said Weston.

Barakat said one reason she decided to switch to home-schooling was that one of her childrens grandparents lives with her family. Even with smaller class sizes, she felt the risk of exposure was too high.

You know how flu season is, one kid gets sick and then the whole house gets sick, she said. We have a responsibility; its our duty to protect our loved ones and our elders.

In addition, full-time online learning isnt sustainable for many children, Barakat said. She and her husband began to consider home-schooling after they saw their first-grade son struggling to engage in distance learning.

This kid used to love school, and then when we said he had a Zoom class his smile would turn upside down, Barakat said. I just thought, if this is how it is in the fall, there has to be another way.

After doing extensive research and taking an online Homeschool 101 class, Barakat and her husband are planning to file an affidavit with the state that says they will educate their children privately from home.

Home-schooling is more than just school at home, said Diana Hilton, the owner of A Brighter Child, a home-schooling and educational supplies store in Fair Oaks. It is a way to bring a love of learning into a childs everyday environment.

When you homeschool your children, it becomes a lifestyle. It kind of has to, she said.

Finding the balance between the structure of school and the flexibility of home schooling can be daunting for some families, and activities that are rites of passage in regular school environments may not be options for home-schooling parents.

None of these people want to dissect a fetal pig on their kitchen table, and I get that, Hilton said.

Still, home-schooling can instill a love of learning in children who previously struggled to get excited about school.

Even if they dont choose it as a permanent solution, its a really excellent temporary solution, Hilton said.

Parents interested in home-schooling in California can go about it in three main ways. They can become an independent home-schooler like Barakat. They can hire a private tutor with a California teaching credential, meaning that they wouldnt have to file an affidavit with the state. Or they can work with an umbrella school, a public charter school or an existing private school with a satellite program. These programs often provide record-keeping, some parts of a curriculum, financial assistance, on-site classes and accountability for home-schooled students.

Personalized learning public charter schools, which help students create individualized learning plans that include a combination of home-based learning, online learning, classroom learning, and community-based learning, have seen a significant increase in interested families throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, said Jeff Rice, the founder of the Association of Personalized Learning Schools & Services (APLUS+), a statewide network association that represents 75 personalized education programs in California.

Personalized learning involves a wide variety of settings and learning options for students, from in-person classes to online work to community-based internships and apprenticeships. Though the in-person aspects of personalized learning have been adjusted for COVID-19, personalized learning charter schools were able to quickly and effectively shift to distance education, Rice said.

We didnt have to close down our schools at all. We could shift to alternative sites and continue providing a highly successful learning delivery program, said Rice.

Though public charter schools that provide personalized learning have an increase in interest, they are struggling to enroll more students due to a change to the education budget.

School funding in California has long been allocated based on a combination of the prior years funding and the current years attendance rate. This has meant that the money that funds a students education moves with them when they switch schools from one year to the next.

But this year, budget trailer bills AB 77 and SB 98 allocate funding to schools based on attendance through Feb. 29, calculating funding based on pre-COVID-19 attendance. Under the new budget, funding wont follow students to new schools if they decide to switch and growing charter schools wont have the funding to add new students.

The bills hold harmless schools that experienced declines in attendance due to the pandemic. But Rice said that the new budget would force schools that performed well under distance learning conditions, such as personalized learning public charter schools, to turn away students whose families are interested in switching to this type of curriculum.

A petition created by Rice to restore per-pupil funding for all district and charter public schools before the 2020-21 year has more than 11,000 signatures, as of July 17.

According to data from APLUS+, personalized learning programs enrolled more than 5,000 new students in 31 schools across California after Feb. 29. Another 13,414 students were wait-listed for next school year.

We essentially cant enroll these families that are interested, said Fisk.

Going through a charter school program is beneficial because those programs have funding, said Swelam. But like many others, she has been hampered by the long wait-lists.

Now we are in the middle of nowhere, Swelam said.

If shes unable to use the charter school option, she will file an affidavit to do home-schooling for her fourth-grader, second-grader and first-grader independently.

Though school-from-home is a temporary adjustment for families across the country, Barakat said that home-schooling may be a lasting solution.

I do think this is something that we might actually do long term, she said.



Mara Hoplamazian of The Sacramento Bee wrote this story.

2020 The Sacramento Bee (Sacramento, Calif.)

Visit The Sacramento Bee (Sacramento, Calif.) at www.sacbee.com

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
For years, they fought to be released from Guantanamo Bay, where they were wrongfully detained. Now theyre pleading with the Canadian government to let them come here to reunite with their families.

When our children see planes in the sky, they ask me, is my dad on that airplane, when is he going to come to Canada? says Melike Aierken, whose husband, Ayub Mohammed, has been stuck for 14 years in Albania, where he was sent after being released from Guantanamo Bay.

Aierken is speaking by phone from Montreal. Her husband, Mohammed, is speaking through an interpreter from Albania.

I thought there would be opportunities for me in Albania once I graduated from university, but there isnt, he says. Once my first child was born, I just couldnt see a future for my children in Albania. This is the reason I want to go to Canada.

Uighurs are a predominantly Muslim Turkic ethnic group native to Xinjiang, China, who have historically faced persecution by the Chinese government.

Mohammed was among 22 Uighur detainees who spent years in the U.S. military prison in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, after being kidnapped in Pakistan three months after 9/11.

Aierken is a Canadian citizen. She was sponsored to come to Canada from China by her father before meeting Mohammed online and moving to Albania to be with him. She has since returned to Canada to raise her two children, who are also Canadian citizens, and began the process of sponsoring Mohammed to join her in 2014. The process has been marked by many unexplained delays.

We are waiting for some positive news, says Mohammed. Ive been separated from my wife and kids for one and a half years. The separation is very hard.

Across the Atlantic Ocean in Bermuda, there are two other Uighur men released from Guantanamo Bay who are in similar situations, trying to get to Canada.

Their fight to come immigrate is the latest chapter in what has been a long and bizarre saga that began 19 years ago.

Ayub Mohammed left China at 17 to study in the United States after getting his U.S. student visa. While passing through Pakistan, he and 21 other Uighurs were kidnapped by bounty hunters after 9/11 and turned over to the U.S. military in December 2001. The men were held in American prisons in Kandahar, Afghanistan, for six months and then transferred to Guantanamo Bay, where they spent the next four to seven years.

They were detained due to unsubstantiated claims that they were part of an alleged terrorist group called the East Turkestan Islamic Movement (ETIM). This separatist group of militant Uighurs has claimed responsibility for a number of violent attacks and riots carried out by Uighurs in China and at Chinese embassies abroad.

All three men were exonerated and determined by either the U.S. Combatant Status Review Tribunal or the District of Columbia Circuit Court to not be enemy combatants of the United States, Mohammed in 2005 and Mamut and Abdulahad in 2008. ETIMs links to al-Qaida proved to not exist.

The men were released and sent to live in Albania and Bermuda, two of only three places to accept the Uighurs as refugees, the third being the Pacific island of Palau.

In Bermuda, two of the Uighur men are in similar situations to Mohammed. The men have been living and working in Bermuda since June 2009, when they were released from Guantanamo Bay.

Khalil Mamut met his wife through a mutual friend while she was living in China. After communicating online for months, Aminiguli Mamut came from China to live in Bermuda, where she married Khalil. Their connection to Canada began in 2014 when their first child became very sick and was transferred to Sick Kids hospital in Toronto. Khalil Mamut was unable to join his wife and son for the treatment.

Aminiguli decided to permanently move to Canada to continue medical treatment for their son. She and the boy were granted refugee protection in 2015 and permanent residence in 2017.

Salahidin Abdulahad met his wife, Zulpiye Yaqub, online and she also came from China to live in Bermuda. But after experiencing depression and social isolation in the country she decided to move to Canada to be closer to her Uighur community. (There are an estimated 2,200 Uigurs in Canada.) Yaqub, who now lives in the GTA, was granted refugee status in 2013 and permanent residence in 2016.

The three men have been brought together in their struggle to reunite with their families.

Ayub Mohammed was denied permanent resident status in 2016 by a Canadian immigration officer in Rome. The officer cited reasonable grounds to believe that he was a member of an organization  the East Turkistan Islamic Movement (ETIM)  that engaged in terrorism. This was based on documentation from his detention at Guantanamo Bay, which stated: U.S. authorities believed that he had received training at an ETIM camp in Afghanistan.

This was despite the 2005 ruling from the Combatant Status Review Tribunal that said he was no longer considered an enemy combatant of the United States. The tribunal did not explicitly state whether it believed he was ever a member of ETIM.

Mohammed has denied these claims, and his lawyer says overwhelming evidence shows that he was not a member of ETIM.

The High Commission of Canada in Nairobi and New York, where the cases are being processed, as well as the minister of public safety, refused to comment on the cases and the security concerns associated with them. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada did not reply when asked for comment.

After a successful appeal, based on breaches of procedural fairness, in 2019, Mohammeds case is now in the process of being reassessed for admissibility. Mamut and Abdulahad have both been waiting for decisions since 2015 and 2014 respectively.

Mamut left China at 18 and was studying English in Lahore, Pakistan; Abdulahad left at 24 for school and was only in Pakistan six weeks before being detained.

Ultimately, they were all in the wrong place at the wrong time 19 years ago and continue to pay the price.

While in Guantanamo Bay, the men began to understand why they had been wrongly detained but held on to hope they would be released swiftly.

I continued to have faith because I have never done anything wrong to anybody, from any country, including China, says Mamut from Bermuda by phone, through an interpreter. He says he did not know the reason he was being detained until he got to Guantanamo and learned about the terrorist attacks in the U.S. of Sept. 11, 2001.

Says Mohammed: Every time I think about my time in Guantanamo it takes me a while to recover because of the psychological impact reliving that time has on me.

Mohammed in particular had a number of painful experiences while at the U.S. military prison in Guantanamo Bay. He described in an interview with documentary filmmakers how he was beaten several times, dragged, had gas sprayed in his face, was sexually assaulted by guards, refused food and witnessed others commit suicide.

Mohammed went on hunger strikes to protest his treatment and was sent to the isolation block a number of times for up to one month alone. He was never in the same cellblock as other Uighurs.

Their stories have been told in the documentary film Uyghurs: Prisoners of the Absurd in 2014, which charts the odyssey of these prisoners  linked to worldwide terror networks through no fault of their own.

Upon being released, none of the men had a say in where they were sent. Mohammed arrived in Tirana, Albania, in 2006. He didnt know where he was until he got off the plane and was terrified that they had returned him to China. He has been trying to leave Albania ever since.

Meanwhile, Abdulahad and Mamut ended up being sent to Bermuda along with two other Uighurs. Abdulahad was promised by the American lawyers representing him that he would be sent to the United States, but later was told this is not possible and was sent to Bermuda in 2009.

I didnt know anything about Bermuda, but I had heard of the Bermuda Triangle, says Mamut, referencing an area of the Atlantic Ocean where ships and airplanes supposedly vanish. I told my lawyers I didnt want to disappear in the Bermuda Triangle.

Today, the men are trying to relocate to Canada, where their wives have permanent residence.

The separation is really hard for me and my wife, says Mamut, I wasnt there when my second and third children were born. I wasnt there at my wifes side when she had a C-section.

Says Abdulahad, speaking from Bermuda through an interpreter: My wife delivered our third child alone at home (in Toronto) because she couldnt connect with the doctor. Our two other children saw her give birth. They were so scared, they were traumatized.

They are expecting their fourth child in September, and Abdulahad desperately wants to be at his wifes side. Even if the Canadian government could give me a one- or two-month visa so I can take care of my children and wife.

Its really hard for me raising three children alone in Canada, says his wife, Zulpiye Yaqub. My children need their dad.

Their lawyer, Prasanna Balasundaram, from Downtown Legal Services in Toronto, began representing Mohammed in December 2016 to appeal the inadmissibility decision, which he calls very problematic.

Typically, you can have a judicial review determined within eight to 10 months, says Balasundaram, but it took almost two years before a hearing and thats because the government opposed virtually every procedural request we had along the way. That included opposing the disclosure of material that had found Mohammed inadmissible on security grounds.

At the Federal Court hearing in February 2019, over 20 people from the Uighur community showed up to hear the judicial review. That Toronto hearing is where Balasundaram met Aminiguli Mamut and Zulpiye Yaqub, who told him their husbands were in the same situation.

Balasundaram took on the cases of Mamut and Abdulahad.

Mohammeds appeal was successful. The court determined that the decision of inadmissibility fell short of the standard of fairness that we expect in these situations, and therefore the Federal Court ordered the redetermination, says Balasundaram. They said, you have to do this over again and you have to do it right. Mohammeds case could still go either way.

Balasundaram continues to have concerns about the process and delays in Mohammeds case. For example, the case has been transferred from the Canadian embassy in Rome to Nairobi, Kenya. But officials there are continuing to rely on interview notes from Rome, where Mohammed was not provided an interpreter, nor was he informed of inadmissibility concerns regarding security. For these reasons the Federal Court found that this interview breached procedural fairness.

All three men received procedural fairness letters in February and March of this year. These letters are to inform applicants that the government has reason to believe they will be denied acceptance.

The inadmissibility issue for these three men is security inadmissibility, and more specifically their membership in a terrorist organization, ETIM, says Balasundaram.

But the inadmissibility that theyre trying to pursue and determine, I think, is ultimately spurious, says Balasundaram. I dont think that there is any serious reason to believe that they are members of ETIM.

All three men have responded to the letters, and Mohammed received follow-up questions from the visa office in Kenya in June. Mamut and Abdulahad received letters in early July disclosing limited files that had been requested by Downtown Legal Services back in February.

This process certainly should not take years and years, says Balasundaram.

Says Mohammed: I guess I have become sacrificed to politics. When this narrative of radical terrorism groups became associated with Uighurs, I became sacrificed to that narrative even though Ive never supported any kind of violent resistance.

While there is no evidence of Chinese interference with the mens immigration process, current tensions between Canada and China may be influencing their cases. China previously pressured Sweden to deny another former Guantanamo detainees asylum plea.

In China, the mens families have also been facing persecution, and because of communication blackouts in Xinjiang province, none of the men have been able to contact family in China since 2016.

There have been multiple reports that Uighurs in China are facing forced labour, constant surveillance and up to two million Uighurs are held in mass internment camps for re-education.

In 2015, three of my siblings were arrested by the Chinese government and sent to concentration camps, says Abdulahad. The arrests have taken a major toll on his mental health. His siblings were each sentenced to 12 years in prison.

Mohammeds brother and other relatives are also in the detention camps.

We are talking about concentration camps here, says Canadian Uighur activist Medmet Tohti. We are talking about ethnic cultural genocide in the 21st century.

There is not enough reaction from the world.

For these reasons, the three men have never considered returning to their homeland. One year into their time in Guantanamo Bay, Chinese officials offered to return them to China, but Mohammed knew he would face life in prison if he went with them.

Instead, they hope to restart their lives in Canada. Each of the mens wives has spent years going back and forth between Albania or Bermuda and Canada. But as their children get older and are in school this is getting harder.

Because of the three mens legal status in Albania and Bermuda, they have never been able to travel to Canada to visit their families.

COVID-19 has now delayed any future plans the families had for seeing one another.

Every time my family comes and leaves, I lose myself and become very depressed, says Mohammed. So now, I have decided I will wait it out, I will be patient and then when we are reunited again it will be permanent.

Downtown Legal Services is launching a campaign to share the stories of Mohammed, Mamut and Abdulahad with the public, in the hopes this will prompt the government to proceed faster with their cases.

What father doesnt want to rejoin their family? says Abdulahad. That is my biggest dream.

Natasha Comeau is a Fellow in Global Journalism at the University of Torontos Dalla Lana School of Public Health. She holds a Master of Global Affairs from the Munk School.

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A self-taught jewellery designer who quit her full-time job to take on a new challenge now makes $12,000 a month selling 'affordable fine' earrings, rings and necklaces.

When Samantha Rose, 27, left a graphic communications agency to launch Rapunzille the Label in July 2019, friends and relatives said she was setting herself up for failure.

One year later, her designs have been featured in three issues of Vogue magazine.

The Melbourne businesswoman now ships around 150 units a month, netting an average of $12,000 every 30 days - three times more than she would be making as a graphic designer.

In 12 months, Samantha has learned how to code, source reliable manufacturers, manage Facebook adverts and produce her own quality pieces that don't tarnish or turn skin green.

And while making the leap to self-employment has come with a 'fair share of failure', Samantha told Daily Mail Australia she's learned more in a year of business than she ever would have working a nine-to-five job.

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Self-taught jewellery designer Samantha Rose, founder of Rapunzille the Label

The 27-year-old Melbourne businesswoman (pictured) quit her full-time job as a graphic designer to launch a 'demi-fine' jewellery business that now rakes in $12,000 (AUD) a month

'I've always been a jewellery lover, but I found that any items made from quality metals all had very generic designs that were mass produced,' she said.

'You'd see the same things everywhere. If you wanted something a little different you'd have to purchase fast fashion jewellery that had appalling quality and turned your skin green after one wear! It wasn't sustainable.'

That lack of quality led Samantha to a relatively untapped section of the accessories industry: demi-fine jewellery, which combines semi-precious stones with a mix of low carat gold and metals like sterling silver.

'It's affordable fine jewellery,' she said.

'Rapunzille is kissing brass goodbye and the green skin that goes along with it, and saying hello to timeless luxury pieces that are suitable for sensitive skin. It's jewellery that our customers will want to wear season after season.'

Her pieces (which include twisted chain padlock necklaces, pictured) range from $35 to $179

Prices range from $35 for sterling silver rings to $179 for gold padlock necklaces.

Her nod from Vogue came less than a month after the launch of her online store in July 2019, with buyers from the esteemed fashion bible reaching out over email.

'I honestly thought it was a fake email, I almost deleted it without opening it,' Samantha said.

'I never expected them to contact me, I just couldn't believe they'd stumbled across my small business. It kept me motivated to work harder.'

Samantha's designs, made from a combination of semi-precious stones with a mix of low carat gold and metals like sterling silver

Her best-seller is the 'Star Struck Ear Threaders', delicate drop earrings made from 18 carat gold plating, sterling silver and cubic zirconia stones.

A TikTok video of Samantha wearing the earrings has been viewed 1.1million times since it was posted on June 18, prompting repeated sell-outs.

'It went completely viral! We've been selling out pre-order after pre-order,' she said.

Rapunzille's best-selling $79 'Star Struck Ear Threaders'

'We weren't expecting such an influx, so I didn't order enough initially. We've sold out three times and are heading for the fourth in the space of a few months.'

One American customer called them 'by far the best jewellery purchase' she has ever made in a review on the brand's website.

What started as a range of six simple pieces has grown to 19 in less than a year, but Samantha insists it took 'nine months' to build a consistent customer base.

'It was very slow at the start. We went from a few orders a month to over a hundred a month between April and June,' she said.

Despite grave reservations from loved ones, the move to self-employment has ironically sheltered Samantha from the economic aftershocks triggered by COVID-19.

Australian retail turnover recorded its biggest ever monthly fall in April, plummeting almost 18 percent year-on-year, figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics show.

The drop reverberated across every industry, with crippling losses in clothing, footwear, restaurants and fashion accessories.

And still, amid the chaos, Rapunzille has seen 'exponential growth', shipping a growing number of orders every week.

Samantha's four tips for success 1. Preparation meets opportunity is the key to success. 2. You can learn something from every job you have. 3. Make sure you have some savings to live on if you decide to quit your job to pursue your business, as success is slow and steady. 4. Be ready to love learning new skills and to go outside your comfort zone. Source: Rapunzille Advertisement

Samantha (left) designs timeless pieces like her $179 gold padlock necklaces and $110 twisted hoop earrings (right) in the hopes that they never go out of fashion

'We've been selling between $10,000 and $12,000 since COVID hit in March, which is crazy. Business grew exponentially during lockdown,' Samantha said.

Based on those figures, she says her fledgling company is set to make a six-figure profit by the end of 2020.

'This growth is very new so it's hard to predict future numbers. We literally went from a few hundred dollars to $12,000 a month!'

A limited edition collection is in the works to 'keep designs fresh for customers', but for now Samantha is enjoying the success of a risk that paid off remarkably well.
A 70-year old widower, who was about to remarry, allegedly lost valuables worth Rs 28 lakh to his prospective bride. The man is a resident of Borivali in Mumbai and reportedly got duped by a woman he was about to marry, back in August 2019.

The incident has come to light now, and the police have recently registered a case after the victim suffered a heart attack because he was stressed after being cheated out of the money.

The police said that that the elderly man's wife had died in February 2018. His friend advised him to remarry and he agreed. The same friend told him about a divorced woman, after which he got touch with her. She told him that she, along with her parents, brother and 21-year-old daughter, would come to Mumbai to finalise the wedding.

Also read: Delhi Man Duped Of Rs 45 Lakh By Nigerian National Who Pretended To Sell Herbal Seeds

TOI

When the woman and her family came to Mumbai, they stayed at the complainants house. Unaware of the womans intentions, the man gave her a set of house keys. The woman proposed to have a registry marriage in Jaipur, according to a report by The Indian Express.

On August 8, 2019, the man and woman along with her family went to Jaipur. They submitted affidavits and other documents but were given a marriage date after 30 days. The man decided to return to Mumbai as he did not wish to stay there for a month.

After coming back home, he found that his property documents were missing. Later, when he checked the closet in the room where the womans family had stayed, he discovered that gold ornaments and other valuable articles were missing. He made attempts to contact the mother-daughter duo, but in vain. They went incommunicado.

Also read: Indian National In Singapore Successfully Beat Covid-19 But Succumbs To Heart Attack

TOI

He went to Jaipur, looking for the woman after filing a complaint at MHB Police Station in Mumbai. Later, he withdrew the application for marriage as he could not trace the woman or the members of her family. He became deeply upset.

The man told the police, I was stressed, suffered a minor heart attack. My friend rushed me to a hospital there. He came back to Mumbai after getting discharged from the hospital in Jaipur.

Also read: Social Isolation Due To Coronavirus May Lead To More Heart Attacks, Says New Study

Penn Medicine

The mans health worsened and he was hospitalised again. Police have registered a case of cheating under IPC Section 420 after recording the mans statement on July 9.
Big Brother's live finale on Wednesday won't have all 20 contestants present.

On Saturday night, Zoe George alerted her fans that recent COVID-19 border closures have blocked her from attending.

'Melbourne is in lockdown and production wasn't able to get me Sydney,' the mummy blogger wrote on Instagram Stories.

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Big Brother Australia star Zoe George (left) confirms she won't be attending the show's live finale in Sydney this week due to COVID-19 border restrictions... so will Melbourne-based star Laura Coriakula (right) also miss out?

'I feel sad to miss seeing all my friends and the excitement of the finale, but I'm home and safe with my family,' the 39-year-old reality TV star added.

Zoe also pleaded with fans: 'It sucks, but please don't message me about it.'

Other Big Brother stars who usually reside in Melbourne are Daniel Gorringe, Sarah McDougal, and Laura Coriakula.

However, while Daniel and Sarah have been spotted in Sydney in recent days, it appears Laura may be the only other star unable to attend due to border closures.

'Production wasn't able to get me to Sydney': While Zoe said 'it sucks', she is happy to be safe at home with her family in Melbourne

An Endemol Shine spokesperson told Daily Mail Australia last week: 'Endemol Shine Australia is following Government directives as they are issued in preparation for the filming of the Big Brother Live Final on July 22.

'We hope to reunite all the housemates, but the welfare of everyone involved in our shows is our number one priority and we will be working within the Government guidelines.'

Former AFL star Daniel and army cadet Sarah are already in Sydney ahead of the anticipated live finale.

Doubts: The only other Melbourne resident that hasn't been spotted in Sydney this week is Laura Coriakula (pictured). It's believed she will also be unable to attend the finale on Wednesday due to recent COVID-19 border closures between the two states

Domestic travel restrictions have recently been put in place between New South Wales and Victoria, with borders closing to non-essential travellers amid the escalating pandemic.

This month, Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews announced that Melbourne would go into a six-week lockdown to prevent the spread of its recent coronavirus outbreak across the state.

From 11.59pm on July 8, metro Melbourne went into full lockdown.

According to the NSW Government website, there are limited exemptions for allowing Victorians to cross the border, but 'a border entry permit' can be granted for those wishing to cross the border with valid reasons.

Final week is here! There are just five housemates left in the competition vying for reduced prize of $234,656. Pictured: Mat Garrick, Sophie Budack, Chad Hurst, Sarah McDougal and Daniel Gorringe

There are just five housemates left in the competition vying for reduced prize of $234,656.

Australia will ultimately decide who wins the show by voting for one of three remaining contestants during the live finale.

Big Brother continues Monday from 7:30pm on Channel Seven
UPDATE: N.J. weather: Dangerous heat wave peaks today. Itll feel like 110 degrees in some spots.

New Jersey is in the midst of a summer heat wave and it will be getting ever hotter on Monday, forecasters say.

Temperatures surged into the mid-90s in parts of the state Sunday as visitors flocked to the Jersey Shore, other beaches and pools.

Newark reached 96 degrees on Sunday and it was 94 degrees in Central Park in Manhattan, said AccuWeather meteorologist Danielle Knittle.

Monday will not bring any relief, Knittle told NJ Advance Media.

We are forecasting things to get a couple of degrees hotter, Knittle said.

The National Weather Service has issued an excessive heat advisory for most of New Jersey, eastern Pennsylvania  Allentown reached 96 degrees Sunday  along with all of Delaware and parts of Maryland.

It is advising rescheduling outdoor activities to the early morning, or early evening, with 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. being the warmest part of the day.

By noon in New Jersey on Sunday, six state parks, including Island Beach State Park, had reached their capacity limits and were temporarily closed to new arrivals.

In Long Branch, those heading to beaches closed due to crowding reportedly were buying up badges for access from those leaving for the day.

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

Rob Jennings may be reached at rjennings@njadvancemedia.com.
A 56-year-old man drowned in the waterlogged Minto Road underpass near Connaught Place on Sunday morning and 10 others stranded on submerged roads and underpasses were rescued by different agencies across the Capital as the city received its first heavy spell of monsoon showers this year.

Firefighters rescued three people from the Minto Road underpass where, they said, water was at least 8 feet deep. Besides the tempo which the victim, Kundan Singh Mehra, was driving, a DTC bus and two auto-rickshaws had also submerged. But fire officials said they never got to know that a man had drowned there.

Mehra sat on his submerged mini truck for several minutes before his death, showed a small video clip which was authenticated by his family. However, it doesnt show him falling into the water.

Also read: Delhi runs for cover as record July rain hits city

There were motorists on both sides of the underpass and some of them even recorded Mehra sitting on top of the vehicle. But no one tried to rescue him or even alert the authorities, said Mehras cousin, Pritam Singh.

Mehra belonged to Pithoragarh district in Uttarakhand, where his wife and two children live. He lived in the parking lot of Shankar Market in Connaught Place.

Mehra took up odd transportation jobs, mostly from New Delhi railway station to other parts of the city. For the past few weeks, he had been hired temporarily by a contractor who provides food to CRPF personnel deployed in the city, said Singh who lives in Ghaziabad. Singh owns the tempo that Mehra drove.

Rajender Dubey, assistant commissioner of police (Barakhamba Road), said the initial probe revealed that Mehra had started from New Delhi railway station towards Connaught Place when he got stranded in the water collected under the Minto Road rail bridge. He tried to manoeuvre his vehicle through the water, but couldnt make it, he said.

Mehras cousin said he received a call from an employee of a public toilet near the underpass around 8am, informing him that his brother was trapped in the water and was sitting atop the tempo. The man who called me had worked for me in the past, so he knew Mehra, said Singh.

By the time Singh could send some drivers from the nearby taxi stand to help Mehra, the stranded man couldnt be spotted anymore.

The fire department, meanwhile, had received a call for help around the same time. We were informed that some people were trapped after a bus and two auto-rickshaws were stranded in the underpass. We rescued the bus driver and conductor and an auto driver, but no one told us that a fourth man was also stuck in the water, said Atul Garg, director of Delhi Fire Services.

It took the firefighters about 90 minutes to carry out the rescue operation as they had to use ladders to save the stranded men.

Mehras body was finally spotted by a lineman working at the yard of the New Delhi railway station nearby. He swam in the water and retrieved Mehra body. Mehras tempo was found near the stranded DTC bus, said ACP Dubey.

Mehras cousin, Singh, said that he has been seeing the underpass get flooded every monsoon for the last 32 years he has been in the city. We have reached the moon, but arent able to solve the problem of an underpass. I hope my cousins death will not be wasted and the government can find a permanent solution to this problem, said Singh.

Police said there were no external injuries on Mehras body and while they await the autopsy report, they have initiated inquest proceedings into his death.
The definition of hyphen has been a punctuation sign to divide or compound words, word elements or numbers. (Merriam-Webster). In the Twenty-first century weve seen an obsession by some with the hyphen.Weve seen how it often divides more than it links. Take for instance the word Democrat-Socialist. Ostensibly it would appear to link two political philosophies-the traditional Democratic Party of Wilson, FDR, JFK and Hubert Humphrey with the current political beliefs of Bernie Sanders and those who follow him.A careful comparison of what Democrats of the past believed compared to the policies of Bernie Sanders reveals a much different picture.The hyphen used now in the term Democrat-Socialist, like so many increasing uses of that punctuation mark divides far more than it unites. Its intentional and it is sometimes hidden until a candidate is elected.Sanders Socialist views are the same old mendacity Lenin ranted from a soap box in Moscow over a hundred years ago. Because many Democrats are sliding to that way of thinking, Scoop Jackson and Daniel Patrick Moynihan wouldnt recognize the party they represented forty years ago.Its in fact so opposite their party ideals that two Princeton University professors say the name Democrat no longer describes the party in 2020. Writing in National Review, Klainerman and Londregan suggest a name change as many in that party want to erase the symbols and exemplars of American society.We should be very careful about how we cast our vote this year. From school board races to the legislature, Congress and President, we should know if a candidate is a Democrat-Socialist or privately holds those views. Ask your candidates for school board, state and national offices if they are or ever have been a Democrat-Socialist. Our future as an American culture depends on it.Ralph Miller
Portlands mayor has called the Trump administrations use of federal agents to quell protests there a direct threat to democracy which could be replicated in other cities across the country.

Local lawmakers and national Democratic leaders have called for the removal of the masked, militarised federal agents from the city, following their deployment ostensibly to protect federal buildings.

Those agents have been accused of driving unmarked cars and seizing people from the street in recent days in the city, which has seen nightly protests for racial justice since the police killing of George Floyd.

Their presence here is actually leading to more violence and more vandalism. And it's not helping the situation at all. They're not wanted here, mayor Ted Wheeler said on Sunday. The tactics that the Trump administration are using on the streets of Portland are abhorrent, he added.

He told CNN: This could happen in your city and what were seeing is a blatant abuse of police tactics by the federal government, by a Trump administration that's falling in the polls and this is a direct threat to our democracy.

Recommended Portland leaders demand removal of federal troops from city

His comments come after Donald Trump defended the deployment, claiming he was trying to help Portland, not hurt it.

Their leadership has, for months, lost control of the anarchists and agitators, Mr Trump tweeted on Sunday.

They are missing in action. We must protect Federal property, AND OUR PEOPLE. These were not merely protesters, these are the real deal!

The deployment has been roundly condemned by Democrats as an abuse of power.

US House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi has accused the Republican president of deploying stormtroopers.

Unidentified stormtroopers. Unmarked cars. Kidnapping protesters and causing severe injuries in response to graffiti. These are not the actions of a democratic republic, she said.

The agents are from the US Customs and Border Protection, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and the Department of Homeland Securitys Federal Protective Service. Video and witness testimony has emerged in recent days showing them detaining people without cause far from the federal buildings they are mandated to protect.

Police declared a riot in the city on Saturday night as clashes continued, when a Portland Police Association building was set on fire briefly.

Local lawmakers have called for the removal of the federal agents from the city in a letter condemning the Trump administration's actions.

The message crafted by the Trump administration to justify this escalation of force and intimidation in Portland borders on propaganda, apparently to serve the presidents perceived political interests. This is unacceptable under our Constitution, said a letter signed by Oregon Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley, together with House Representatives Earl Blumenauer and Suzanne Bonamici.

The letter, which was addressed to acting Department of Homeland Security Secretary Chad Wolf, who deployed the agents, and US Attorney General William Barr, accuses the federal agents of operating without identifying insignia in an apparent effort to evade accountability, and of snatching people off the street with no apparent reason.

These actions are out of control [...] They are more reflective of tactics of a government led by a dictator, not from the government of our constitutional democratic republic, the officials wrote.

Acting DHS Secretary Wolf justified the deployment of the federal agents with a press release that detailed a litany of alleged crimes carried out by violent anarchists. Many of the incidents listed are graffiti of federal property or removing fences.

The city of Portland has been under siege for 47 straight days by a violent mob while local political leaders refuse to restore order to protect their city, said the release by Mr Wolf.

Each night, lawless anarchists destroy and desecrate property, including the federal courthouse, and attack the brave law enforcement officers protecting it.
ISTANBUL (Reuters) - The death toll from a migrant boat disaster in Lake Van in eastern Turkey has risen to 54, the governor's office said on Saturday, after three weeks of search operations.

The boat, which sank on June 27, is believed to have been carrying 55 to 60 migrants, according to Interior Minister Suleyman Soylu. Five people have been arrested in relation to the incident.

Nine bodies were recovered from the lake on Saturday, bringing the confirmed death toll to 54, the governor's office said.

Lake Van is near Turkey's border with Iran, from where migrants from Iran, Afghanistan and other countries regularly cross into Turkey heading west towards Europe.

Seven people died and 64 were rescued when a boat carrying migrants from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan sank on the lake in December.

More than a million people reached Greece from Turkey in 2015-16. Numbers dropped sharply following a 2016 agreement between the EU and Turkey for Ankara to take migrants back in return for funds.

Earlier this year, tens of thousands of migrants tried to cross into Greece via land and sea borders after Ankara said it would no longer stop them.

Turkey, home to 3.6 million Syrians, the world's largest refugee population, had said it would open the frontier because it was alarmed by the prospect of another wave of refugees fleeing war in northwest Syria.

(Reporting by Ali Kucukgocmen; Editing by Ros Russell)
Bhopal: Blaming the BJP for the political drama in Rajasthan, senior Congress leader Digvijaya Singh on Sunday asked Sachin Pilot not to leave the grand old party.

In an interview to PTI, the former Madhya Pradesh chief minister said Pilot should not follow Jyotiraditya Scindia into the BJP, as he has bright future in Congress.

His remarks follow Pilot's open rebellion against the Ashok Gehlot government, which has been on shaky ground with at least 18 legislators backing the rebel leader.

Pilot was sacked as Rajasthan deputy chief minister and the state Congress chief recently and the Congress has accused the BJP of making efforts to topple the Gehlot-led government by indulging in horse-trading.

"The BJP is behind the crisis in Rajasthan," Singh said.

The Congress veteran said he tried to call Pilot but his calls and text messages went unanswered.

"Age is on your side. Ashok (Gehlot) may have offended you, but all such issues are best resolved amicably. Dont make the mistake that Scindia made. BJP is unreliable. Nobody who joined it from any other party has succeeded there," Singh said.

He said this is the first time that Pilot hasn't responded to him.

"Sachin is like my son. He respects me and I also like him. I called him three-four times and also texted him. He didn't revert. He used to respond immediately earlier," he said.

"It is good to be ambitious. How can one move forward without having ambitions, but along with ambition, one must also have commitment to your organisation, ideology and the nation," Singh said.

"I heard that he (Pilot) may form a new party. But what is the need for it. Has Congress not given him anything? He was made an MP at 26, a Union minister at 32, the state Congress president at 34 and deputy chief minister at 38. What else does he want? Time is on his side," Singh said.

If Pilot had any issue, then as the state party unit president, he should have called a meeting and discussed the matter, he said. Pilot could have involved Congress national general secretary and Rajasthan in-charge Avinash Pande in talks with Gehlot to resolve differences, he added.

"If you have faith in your legislators, why have you have confined 18-19 of them in ITC Grand hotel at Manesar in Haryana," Singh said.

This is the same hotel where the BJP kept MLAs from Maharashtra, Karnataka and Madhya Pradesh (during political dramas in those states), he said.

Pilot should forget whatever has happened, come back and sit across the table to discuss how Congress could be strengthened, he said.
The Kingdom of the Winds: Yeon



A slew of highly-anticipated mobile games based on classic PC titles have been or are set to be launched during the second half of this year, as game publishers aim to attract more mobile game users.



In the lineup is "The Kingdom of the Winds: Yeon," by major game publisher Nexon Co., that began the service on mobile platforms on Wednesday, 20 years after the original PC game became available.



"The Kingdom of the Winds," a massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG) released in 1996, is part of the first-generation internet graphic games. It is one of the oldest MMORPGs still in service and was recognized as the "Longest-running commercial graphical MMORPG" by Guinness World Records.



A total of 1 million people applied for the mobile version on the first day of the launch, Nexon said. The mobile MMORPG also became the highest grossing application on Apple's App Store for iPhones, and was one of the most popular app on Google's Play Store for Android devices.



This mobile version retains much of the 2-dimensional graphic and everything from the opening screen to the music looks the same as the original, but the modern interpretation of characters and contents was added to it, officials said.



Ntreev Soft Co., a subsidiary of online game developer NCSOFT Corp. is also scheduled to roll out "Trickster M," a mobile edition of its flagship MMORPG title, "Trickster," that was in service between 2003 and 2014.



The fantasy mobile edition will also present 2-D graphics, like the original version, and will provide a new technology that allows players to enjoy a "seamless world."



NCSOFT earlier said the mobile edition is to be rolled out in the country within this year, with the global launch set for later.



"Ragnarok Origin," a mobile edition of online role-paying game "Ragnarok" by local game company Gravity Co., was launched on July 7 in South Korea, becoming one of top 5 grossing game apps.



The original version, launched in 2002, retains the big heads, fairytale scenery and cute graphics favored by local gamers and has spawned a cult animation series in neighboring Asian countries, including Japan.



Ragnarok Origin is heavily based on the original version, but also brings forth a satisfying MMORPG experience despite being on mobile platforms. It also features various innovative technology, like an automatic system to deter players from cheating. (Yonhap)


Sure, it might be warm Wednesday, but what about the rest of the week?
As the industry is trying to get back on its feet, a lot of shows have started shooting again in this un-lockdown phase. Along with other serials, comedian Kapil Sharma has also resumed shooting for his popular comedy show after spending 125 days at home owing to the lockdown.

Taking to Instagram Stories, Kapil posted a few videos of his co-stars arriving at the sets of The Kapil Sharma Show, amid the Covid-19 pandemic.

"Taking all precautions. #Staysafe #Staysanitised," Kapil captioned one of the videos, featuring Sumona Chakravarti.

Chakravarti, too, seemed elated to return to the set of the show.

Sharma's Instagram posts also featured comedian Bharti Singh and him having 'back-stage fun'.

In another clip, we can see comedian Bharti Singh being sanitised while entering the shooting premises. Her body temperature was also tested.

The actors happily cooperated with the staff. Bharti even broke into a jig while the security staff sanitised her.

The huge fan base of the show is eagerly waiting for its return. Reportedly, actor Sonu Sood could be among the first celebs to shoot for Kapil's show in the new episodes. Media reports also add that the show might shift from its previous line up and show the host interact with COVID-19 Warriors instead of celebrities.
Syracuse, N.Y. -- The body of an Adams man who drowned in Lake Ontario has been recovered after a three-hour search.

State Police said members of the state police underwater recovery team found the body of Miguel A. Harvey, 49, in the lake at Southwick Beach State Park in the Jefferson County town of Ellisburg.

State Police in Watertown and State Park Police responded to the park at 6:55 p.m. Friday for a report of an apparent accidental drowning. Harveys body was found after a three-hour search by State Police divers.

State Police were assisted at the scene by the Jefferson County Sheriffs Office, U.S. Coast Guard, Canadian Coast Guard Aviation, LifeNet Helicopter and multiple fire departments.

Got a tip, comment or story idea? Contact Rick Moriarty anytime: Email | Twitter | Facebook | 315-470-3148
Sherifat Sulaimon

When the next West African Senior School Certificate Examination eventually begins, Sherifat Sulaimon, will be missing in action.

The 21-year-old SS3 pupil reportedly committed suicide last Sunday after she was allegedly beaten by her stepbrother, Moliku Sulaimon, whom she lived with at Olorunshogo Iyewa, in the Isawo area of Ikorodu, Lagos State.

Neighbours, who spoke to Sunday PUNCH, accused Moliku of serially assaulting Sherifat, noting that she became frustrated and took Sniper after he repeated the act last Sunday morning.

It was learnt that Sherifat and her two siblings started living with Moliku after their mother left the family, following their fathers death. Moliku, the eldest child in the family, is in his 40s.

Our correspondent gathered that Sherifat helped Molikus wife to get some loaves of bread she would sell at a bakery within the neighbourhood and placed them somewhere in the apartment.

She incurred Molikus anger when rodents tampered with one of the loaves, a resident said.

She had been living with him since their father died. She was a kid then. Her siblings used to live with him too. They left out of frustration because he always beat them, the neighbour, who spoke on condition of anonymity, disclosed.

He stated that there were marks of canes on Sherifats body, adding that Moliku hurriedly took her corpse to their hometown in Ijebu, Ogun State, where it was buried the following morning.

He said, After she returned from the bakery on Sunday morning, he beat her again because rats ate part of a loaf. It was out of frustration that the lady took a poison. She died on arrival at the hospital and he quickly too her corpse to their hometown in Ijebu for burial. He knew he would have been queried if the police inspected the body and saw the marks. Neighbours were bitter that Sherifat died that way without any action taken against the man.

The chairman of the community development association, Mr. Adekunle Adeigba, said he was not aware of the assault until the incident happened.

Someone called me on Sunday and narrated what happened to me. They said the man beat his stepsister and she went ahead to commit suicide. It was after the incident that I heard people say he had been beating her. I have not heard it before until the incident happened, Adeigba stated.

The acting traditional ruler in the community, Pastor Moses Bakare, told our correspondent that he received several calls from locals, lamenting how Moliku used to maltreat the lady.

He said an official of the Lagos State Neighbourhood Safety Corps and a policeman from Owutu Police Station, visited the scene of the incident but did not inspect the victims body to verify if it bore marks of violence.

Bakare explained, A resident informed me of the incident on Monday morning. I asked if any security agency is aware and he said one Mr Rasaq from LNSC was at the scene of the incident. I called the official and asked him about investigation carried out so far on the matter.

I asked him if he checked her body but he said he didnt. I told him he should have checked to verify what people were saying. Everybody was lamenting that she committed suicide out of frustration. Many residents called me on the phone to make the same complaint and they sought justice on behalf of the lady.

I learnt that a policeman from Owutu Police Station also came to check her body. I called him and he said the lady took Sniper. He told me he didnt check her body. Some youths wanted to burn the mans (Molikus) house but I calmed them.

I asked his wife what happened and she said the lady erred and her husband beat her small. I had a meeting with the CDA members on Tuesday. We were concerned about the circumstances leading to the ladys death, but there is nothing we can do if the police cannot take the necessary action.

In an interview with our correspondent, Moliku admitted beating his stepsister that day but said it was not responsible for the suicide.

He said he suspected she was pregnant and was afraid to disclose it as he had warned her against unwanted pregnancy.

Moliku stated, I had been taking care of her since she was small. Would I pray that she die now? I didnt beat her over bread. I sent her on an errand and called her on the phone but she didnt pick up the calls. That was why I beat her. I gave her three strokes of the cane on the palm. It happened in the morning and we took breakfast and lunch together. I then went to have a haircut.

I suffered a lot on Sherifat and her siblings. She was in SS3 and was preparing to sit WASSCE. Their mother left them at tender ages. I was the one taking care of them. My children have been in sadness since she died. Even when the school was on holiday and I told her to visit her mum, she would not go. If I had been maltreating her, wouldnt she go? There was no mark of canes on her body.

I dont know what could have made her to commit suicide but I thought she was probably pregnant. I always begged her not to get pregnant untimely.

Moliku denied any cover-up, noting that he was too devastated to report the incident to the police.

He added, Officials of LNSC saw her body and they checked it. I was confused. I didnt report to the police but the LNSC officials said they reported the case at the Owutu Police Station. I collected a doctors report and some residents wanted to join me to bury her at a cemetery.

I called her mother and some other family members and they told me to bring her corpse home. I searched for an ambulance that Sunday night that took her to Ijebu. She was buried on Monday morning. I never nursed any evil against her. It was only God who could console me.

The spokesperson for LNSC, Mr Sikiru Olusesi, said according to information he got from the corps officer in charge of Ikorodu West, some officials visited the scene of the incident and took photographs, adding that the Divisional Police Officer, Owutu Police Station, was informed.

Olusesi said, The Chairman CDA Olorunshogo at Yewa Isawo, called the CO (corps officer) Ikorodu West of the Lagos Neighbourhood Safety Corps, Mr Oseni Rasaki, that there was a suicide case in their area. The CO called the Owutu DPO to alert him of the incident being within his jurisdiction and having authority of prosecution on such case. While the CO was on his usual patrol having been alerted of the case met a mammoth crowd at Bethel Hospital where the corpse of the lady was lying.

He further told the CDA Chairman and some residents to make sure the case was formally reported and documented at the Owutu Police Station. He also advised them to take the corpse along with the community representatives to the station which they refused for reasons unknown to him.

But as of Thursday, we learnt the police had begun investigations into the suicide case having heard the rumour of frequent faceoff that led to beating by her supposed (step) brother.

We learnt the brothers two wives were with the police for questioning and that the brother has also been formally invited for questioning.

The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, SP Bala Elkana, confirmed that investigation had commenced on the case.

***

Source: The PUNCH
Functional forces in Quang Nam Province inspect a residential area in Dien Ban Town to search for illegal Chinese immigrants, July 18, 2020. Photo by VnExpress/Dai Quyen.

21 Chinese nationals who snuck into Vietnam illegally have been traced and quarantined under Covid-19 protocol by authorities in central Vietnam.

Acting on tip-offs from locals, law enforcement personnel in Dien Ban Town, Quang Nam Province inspected a residential area in Dien Duong Ward on Saturday.

They found a group of Chinese people staying there illegally. The illegal immigrants fled as they were approached, but four were caught on the spot and 17 others later in the provinces Hoi An Town.

All 21 have been quarantined at a military facility in Tam Ky Town and their samples taken for Covid-19 testing.

Colonel Le Chi Cuong, head of the immigration management division of Quang Nams Police Department, said they are still on the lookout to see if there are more illegal Chinese immigrants left in the province who need to be quarantined and tested.

"Its still not clear how these Chinese nationals got into Vietnam. We have focused on quarantining and testing them first. We will investigate the case further," he said.

A Hoi An official said the people had possibly sneaked into Vietnam via small paths along the border between Vietnam and China, and that they had come to work illegally in Hoi An Town.

Nguyen Van Hai, director of Quang Nam's Health Department, said Sunday afternoon that samples from the 21 Chinese people showed they are negative for the novel coronavirus. "They will continue to be quarantined and then be sent back to China."

Vietnams Covid-19 prevention protocol requires all people entering the country from abroad to stay in mandatory quarantine for 14 days, during which they will be tested for the virus several times. The quarantining and testing are free for both locals and foreigners.

As of Sunday, the nation has gone 94 days without detecting a single case of Covid-19 infection caused by community transmission.

Of the 383 Covid-19 cases recorded so far, 26 are active patients as 357 have recovered. A majority of the cases, 243, have been imported  patients who returned or came to the country from foreign countries.
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From left: the Industrial Bank of Korea headquarters in Seoul, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, and the Woori Bank headquarters in Seoul / Korea Times file



Woori, IBK silent on Iranian government's threats



By Park Jae-hyuk



The Iranian government's attempt to regain access to its oil export revenue, which was seized in Korea amid Washington's economic sanctions, is leading to concerns that the situation could develop into a legal battle for Woori Bank and the Industrial Bank of Korea (IBK), both of which have taken charge of the Middle Eastern country's frozen accounts here.



But the Korean banks have remained silent about possible threats from Tehran, apparently being cautious about possible involvement in a diplomatic tussle with both Iran and the United States.



Sources familiar with the issue blame Iran, claiming Tehran was making "unreasonable demands and false claims" as the pandemic is increasingly weighing on its economy amid the intensifying U.S. sanctions.



The Tehran Times was the first to report that the Iranian government is considering filing lawsuits against the Korean banks to regain access to its frozen accounts. The reports came as Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said South Korea's seizure of Iranian assets "was by no means acceptable and we expect Seoul to lift the restrictions as soon as possible."



Central Bank of Iran (CBI) Governor Abdolnaser Hemmati also said his country could launch legal action to gain access to the funds, according to the English language daily. The CBI has already filed lawsuits in Europe against financial firms that have withheld its money.



"If South Korea continues to block the Iranian frozen funds then it is a clear indication that Seoul is continuing to put U.S. interests first, and with that South Korea is forfeiting its sovereignty and its relations with other nations," the Iranian newspaper reported. "By doing so South Korea will sacrifice the Iranian nation's trust in that country's products and technology which was gained in recent decades, and in the long run Seoul will sacrifice its interests in the Iranian market."



Both Woori and IBK said they have yet to take any measures, because they are not being sued.



"We've not faced any lawsuit, so we've just kept a close watch on this issue," an IBK spokesman said by telephone.



With the approval of the U.S. government in 2010, Korea and Iran could trade with each other using Korean won-based settlement accounts that the CBI had opened at Woori and IBK.



However, the banks stopped providing their won-denominated settlement services in May last year after the U.S. ended sanctions waivers given to Korea and seven other countries. The resumption of the services has become more difficult, since Washington tightened its sanctions against the CBI in September last year, following Iran's alleged drone attacks on Saudi Arabia's Aramco oil refinery.



Iran-South Korea Joint Chamber of Commerce Chairman Hossein Tanhaee claimed the amount of Iran's blocked assets in South Korea was somewhere between $6.5 billion and $9 billion. He also alleged Woori has demanded Iran pay a maintenance fee and that the Korean government is using the money.



But a banking industry insider disputed these claims.



"Woori has continued to pay interest on Iran's deposits without demanding any maintenance fee. If the U.S. lifts its sanctions against Iran, the CBI will be able to get its principal back with interest," the source said. "Iran must be aware of that the sanctions have barred the Korean banks from paying them back, but the country seems to be making such demands because its economic condition has deteriorated further."



The government has also resumed the won-based trade of certain products with Iran starting this month, so that the Middle Eastern country could import face masks and protective equipment to further prevent the spread of COVID-19.



Launching a taskforce in June to increase humanitarian trade with Iran, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs recently held a presentation for companies interested in exporting medicine, medical appliances, agricultural products and groceries to Iran.



"Supporting Korean companies to expand humanitarian trade with Iran, we will continue negotiations with relevant countries, such as the U.S. and Iran," a foreign ministry official said in a statement.



It will be difficult for the Korean banks to give back Iran's oil export revenue in cash for a while because the government has conducted "enhanced due diligence" on products exported to Iran, so that the products are not used for money laundering.


A multi-agency team probing the seizure of 30 kg of gold from the Thiruvananthapuram airport cargo terminal on July 5 found that at least 230 kg of gold has been smuggled into the country in similar fashion, using some employees of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) diplomatic mission in the Kerala capital over the past year, a senior officer familiar with the investigation said.

The gold was contained in a carton with an assortment of pipes, taps, and door handles, food and electronic items. The 24-carat gold  the best quality  estimated to be worth at least Rs 15 crore was hidden inside the pipes.

At least 13 such consignments came to the country in one year, and they all passed without any check due to diplomatic immunity. Some of them were heavier than the latest consignment, which weighed 70 kg. We are also probing some events organised by state government departments, the officer cited above sai on condition of anonymity, adding that all people whose names cropped up during the questioning will be summoned.

This include chief minister Pinarayi Vijayans deposed secretary M Sivasankar and former information technology fellow Arun Balachandran. Last week, customs officers questioned Sivasankar for nine hours. The team is also likely to question a minister in the Vijayan government whose number appeared in the call list of former IT consultant Swapna Suresh, which was leaked to the media. Suresh is the second accused in the case; the first was P. Sarith Kumar, who went to the cargo terminal to pick up the consignment

Meanwhile, reports from Dubai on Malayalam TV channels said that the third accused in the case, Faizal Fareed, was arrested in the city and he will be extradited soon. On the request of the National Investigation Agency (NIA) , Interpol issued a blue corner notice against Fareed. A resident of Thrissur, he is a key operative in the smuggling racket, according to the NIA. He is reportedly running a gym and garage in Dubai.

The NIA has arrested four people and the customs department 13 in connection with the case. The team has also started a massive operation to trace the smuggled gold and seized 10 kg from two jewellers in Kozhikkode on Saturday, the officer cited above said adding that once the investigation gathered speed, many who were part of the smuggling syndicate had come up with voluntary disclosures. But he admitted that it was difficult to trace all smuggled gold.

The team has conducted raids in last two days including two apartments belonging to Suresh and a business establishment of the third suspect, Sandip Nair, in the state capital and seized documents.

The NIA filed a first information report (FIR) on July 10 against Sarith Kumar, who was arrested by customs officials on the day the gold was seized.

Five days later, Suresh and Nair, a friend of hers, were arrested from a hideout in Bangaluru. A a Malappuram-based businessman, K T Rameez, was held by the customs on July 15 and NIA issued a blue corner notice against Fareed. All five were charged under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act . Chief minister Vijayans powerful secretary was suspended after reports surfaced that he was close to Suresh.

State opposition leader Ramesh Chennithala on Sunday asked investigating agencies to question CM Vijayan. Involvement of his two key aides (Sivasankar and Balachandran) surfaced. Now he cant wash off his hands. He will have to be grilled for more details, he said.

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A rally in support of local police departments reportedly drew hundreds of demonstrators to a park in downtown Torrington on Saturday, amid national protests sparked by the deaths of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor at the hands of police.

More than 200 people gathered at Coe Memorial Park, many carrying signs with the slogan no police, no peace, the Republican American reported. The phrase was an apparent reference to no justice, no peace, a common chant by protesters at demonstrations against police brutality in the wake of Floyds death.

Several rally-goers wore T-shirts with the slogan defend the police, with defund crossed out. Black Lives Matter activists have called for funding for police departments to be redirected to social programs, including social workers and mental health resources.

David LaManna, one of the events organizers, said Sunday that around 400 people had turned out.

We all universally condemn what happened to the man called George Floyd, LaManna told Hearst Connecticut Media. However, LaManna said, he was troubled by incidents of violence and looting during protests that followed Floyds death in Minneapolis.

My dad died in the line of duty as a Waterbury police officer when I was 10 years -old, so yes I have skin in the game, LaManna said.

He said he was aware of one counterprotester at the rally, who held up a sign with a expletive aimed at police.

Its a little bit insulting, there were children there and its a vulgarity, LaManna said.

Still, If there were others I didnt see them, he added.

A flyer for Saturdays rally circulated on social media before the event called it a peaceful rally in support of local police departments.

Demonstrators were asked to bring masks and observe social distancing.

Come in peace this is not a protest. Lets make this the biggest rally so far, the flyer reads.

The event was organized by United American Patriots, a group founded by LaManna and Mark Dorias, a 37-year-old contractor, the Republican American reported.

Im here to speak for the silent majority for the hardworking, law-abiding Americans who support the police, the outlet quoted Dorias as saying.

The newspaper said speakers denounced the killing of Floyd, a Black man who died after a white Minneapolis police officer was filmed pressing his knee into the back of Floyds neck for several minutes on Memorial Day. But others raised alarm about protests throughout the country that have resulted in fires and monuments being torn down, the paper reported.

Torrington Police Chief William Baldwin attended the rally and stood near the speakers, the outlet reported.

Unfortunately, theres a narrative out there thats painting law enforcement officials as being the bad guys when in fact we are nothing but good guys, The Republican American quoted him as saying. Any profession you have, any type of business or profession you are going to have bad people, you are going to have people who are not worthy of working for that profession.

LaManna said the officers thanked the rally organizers. He said hes often asked if he had ever thought of becoming a police officer like his father.

He said he answers, I would love to follow in my fathers footsteps, but Im not that brave.
Former Hollyoaks star Claire Cooper, 39, has welcomed a baby boy with husband Emmett J Scanlan.

The Irish actor, 41, took to Twitter on Saturday night to announce the news as he shared a sweet black-and-white snap of the newborn holding his hand.

Emmett, who previously played Brendan Brady on Hollyoaks, simply captioned the photograph with: 'It's a boy'.

Oh baby! Former Hollyoaks star Claire Cooper, 39, has welcomed a baby boy with husband Emmett J Scanlan

The star, who already has daughter, Kayla, was quickly congratulated by his former Hollyoaks co-stars and celebrity pals.

Jorgie Porter, who played Theresa McQueen on the soap, put: 'Congratulations both of u xx xxxx.'

Hayley Tamaddon tweeted: 'Oh emmett my love I'm so so happy for you both. Sending you lots of love,' followed by a heart emoji.

Sweet: The Irish actor, 41, took to Twitter on Saturday night to announce the news as he shared a sweet black-and-white snap of the newborn holding his hand

While Bronagh Waugh, who starred with Emmett in The Fall, put: 'Ahhh bro!! HUGE Congratulations to you both!! Well done & Congratulations @CLAIREECOOPER you absolute Mumma! Ye did brilliant & he's absolutely gorgeous! Xxxxx.'

Claire, who played Jacqui McQueen on Hollyoaks, announced she was pregnant in May.

The actress posted a picture of her baby bump and penned: 'Feeling it all & so happy to share.

Lovely: The star, who already has daughter, Kayla, was quickly congratulated by his former Hollyoaks co-stars and celebrity pals

Loved-up: Claire, who played Jacqui McQueen on Hollyoaks, announced she was pregnant in May (the couple pictured in April 2019)

'I've been growing into a mama oh so quietly & discreetly, tip toeing a tightrope with the ebs & flows of pregnancy...

'Finding the seclusion exactly what I/we needed to captain the last seven months together, so much joy, so many belly laughs, so much belly, so much morning sickness & moments of fear.'

She has since shared multiple updates, including Emmett stroking her baby bump and posing with prams.

The couple married in 2015, they first went public with their romance in 2011.
According to intelligence reports, one member of Russia-led forces was killed on July 18.

Russia's hybrid military forces on July 18 mounted 13 attacks on Ukrainian army positions in Donbas, eastern Ukraine, with one member of the Joint Forces reported as wounded in action.

"The Russian Federation's armed formations violated the ceasefire 13 times on July 18," the press center of Ukraine's Joint Forces Operation Headquarters said on Facebook in an update as of 07:00 Kyiv time on July 19. "As a result, one Ukrainian serviceman was wounded in enemy shelling."

Russian-led forces opened fire from proscribed 122mm artillery systems, 82mm mortars, grenade launchers of various types, anti-tank missile systems, cannons installed on infantry fighting vehicles, heavy machine guns, sniper rifles, and small arms.

Read alsoMedical officer killed in Donbas had Estonian citizenship

Under attack came Ukrainian positions near the villages of Starohnativka, Vodiane, Novoselivka Druha, Talakivka, Hnutove, Novotoshkivske, Khutir Vilny, and Prychepylivka.

Disengagement site No. 3 Bohdanivka also came under attack as Russian armed formations opened fire from small arms from the village of Petrivske.

The Joint Forces returned fire to each enemy attack. According to intelligence reports, one member of Russia-led forces was killed on July 18. The enemy's prior casualties on July 16 included two killed fighters, according to updated data.

"Since Sunday midnight, Russia-led forces have attacked Ukrainian positions six times near the villages of Prychepylivka, Luhanske, Vodiane, and Starohnativka, using 122mm artillery systems, 120mm and 82mm mortars, grenade launchers of various systems, and heavy machine guns," the update said.

There have been no Ukrainian army casualties since Sunday midnight.
Del. Nick Freitas, R-Culpeper, will take on Rep. Abigail Spanberger, D-7th, in November.

In an in-person convention in Caroline County on Saturday, Freitas, who has served in the House of Delegates since 2016, received 56% of the vote on the third ballot, outlasting five challengers in his bid to secure the GOP nomination in the one-time Republican stronghold that turned blue in 2018.

In the final round of balloting, Freitas topped Del. John McGuire, R-Goochland, who received 44% of the vote. The win for Freitas, who sought the GOP U.S. Senate nomination in 2018, sets up what is likely to be a closely watched contest with Spanberger in a swing district that includes eight rural counties and large swaths of suburban Chesterfield and Henrico.

Today is a victory, and its the victory that launches another fight, Freitas told supporters after the results were announced around 8:30 p.m., and the fight that were going on next, this is the one we wanted. We had to fight this one first, but the one were in now, thats the one we wanted. Thats the one were excited about.
On August 4, 2020, Meghan Markle turns 39.

And with the Duchess of Sussex's birthday fast approaching, royal experts expect a blatant snub from the British royal family.

Since leaving the royal family in March with her husband, Prince Harry, and their one-year-old son Archie, she has lost a lot of royal privileges.

One of them includes no more ringing bells at the Westminster Abbey to signify a special day of one of their "once" own.

While it's a tradition for the bells of the Abbey to be rung, most notably when Prince William and Kate Middleton tied the knot in April 2011, they will not be chime on the former "Suits" star's birthday.

"I hear that Westminster Abbey will not ring its bells for Meghan's birthday next month," Richard Eden, a royal correspondent, told The Daily Mail.

"To add insult to injury, it did ring them for the birthday of beleaguered Prince Andrew in February, even though he'd stepped down from royal duties," in light of his alleged involvement in the Jeffrey Epstein scandal.

What's more insulting is that according to the Westminster Abbey bell ringing calendar, the bells on September 15, which is on Prince Harry's birthday, won't chime either.

The Duke of Sussex is two places ahead of Prince Andrew.

A spokesperson for the Abbey told The Daily Mail, "The bells are usually rung to mark the birthdays of senior members of the Royal Family, and though the line of succession to the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and their children."

After the Duchess of Sussex's birthday, the bell is due to ring for Princess Anne's birthday, just 11 days after Meghan's.

News of the royal family not ringing in Meghan Markle and Prince Harry's birthdays in the UK comes after a royal author claimed that while the Duke of Sussex doesn't hate Los Angeles, he is reportedly struggling a role in the US.

Tom Quinn told the Daily Star that the 35-year-old Prince is getting swept up in his wife's positive energy, which has always been a real problem in their relationship.

Quinn divulged that the dad of one is currently experiencing the same feeling Meghan has felt while she was in the UK.

He described Meghan Markle as a "dynamo" and someone who has "full of positive energy," as Prince Harry struggles to "fill the days" in the $18 million rented mansion.

Despite the Duke and Duchess of Sussex stepping away from their royal duties, it has been reported that the couple is still expected to rake in millions of dollars thanks to their global reach despite Queen Elizabeth II having stopped them from using their Sussex Royal branding.

Her Majesty has ordered Meghan Markle and Prince Harry to stop using the label even after spending thousands on their new brand after leaving the royal family.

For their speeches and other commercial deals, it has been reported that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex could quickly bring in millions, with the couple demanding around $1 million for every speech.

READ MORE: Princess Beatrice FINALLY Married In A Private Ceremony, Buckingham Palace Confirms
Mostafa Bakri, an independent MP and journalist, said there were demands that discussions on the mandate be held in a closed session

Egypts parliament has delayed to Monday a session to vote on a mandate for President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi to intervene militarily in Libya amid escalating tensions, a leading MP said.

Mostafa Bakri, an independent MP and journalist, said there were demands that discussions on the mandate be held in a closed session.

The postponement comes one day after informed sources told Ahram Online that parliament is expected to hold a plenary meeting this week to discuss the political and military situation in neighbouring Libya.

The sources said the discussion is to be followed by a vote to mandate President El-Sisi to intervene militarily in Libya to help defend the western neighbour against Turkish aggression.

El-Sisi met on Thursday with leaders of Libyan tribes in Cairo, where they called on him to authorise the Egyptian Armed Forces to intervene to protect the national security of Libya and Egypt if they see an imminent danger to both countries.

President El-Sisi said he would do so after obtaining approval from the Egyptian parliament.

MPs told Ahram Online that El-Sisi's words go in line with Article 152 of Egypt's constitution, which states that the president of the republic is the supreme leader of the Armed Forces. He shall not declare war or send the Armed Forces outside the state's borders to undertake fighting missions unless he first seeks the opinion of the National Defence Council and the approval of a two-thirds majority of MPs.

Egypt, the UAE and Russia are backing military commander Khalifa Haftar in eastern Libya, while Turkey supports the Tripoli-based GNA.

The tensions come one month after El-Sisi had warned that Cairo has a legitimate right to intervene in the neighbouring country to restore security and stability after GNA-affiliated forces pushed back Haftars forces in the capital.

El-Sisi said that any intervention in Libya by Egyptian forces would be led by the Libyan tribes, stressing that the Libyan frontline of Sirte and Al-Jufra is a red line for Egyptian national security.

The Egyptian presidents statements came weeks after El-Sisi, Haftar, and the speaker of the Libyan parliament Aguila Saleh announced a peace initiative, dubbed the Cairo Declaration, to end the civil war in Libya through a ceasefire and an elected leadership council.

The Cairo plan was drafted after the collapse of an offensive launched by Haftar in April 2019 to capture the Libyan capital, further extending the rival GNAs control over most of northwest Libya.

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A record single-day spike in fresh cases was recorded in many southern states on Sunday as India's COVID's tally neared 11 lakh.

Delhi, which is placed third among the states and Union territories most affected by the pandemic, continued to show an improvement in the situation, but Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and Gujarat reported a sharp rise in cases.

Maharashtra was still contributing a major portion of the caseload with the highest-ever 9,518 new COVID-19 cases in a day, taking the tally to 3,10,455 while 258 more people succumbed to the disease, including 149 deaths in the Mumbai metropolitan region, the state Health department said.

Tamil Nadu reported a new single day high of 4,979 fresh COVID-19 cases as the overall tally crossed 1.70 lakh in the state, the second worst affected after Maharashtra.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to Tamil Nadu Chief Minister K Palaniswami on the COVID-19 prevention measures.

During the phone conversation, Palaniswami apprised Modi that 48,000 coronavirus tests - a national high - were being done daily (average) in Tamil Nadu, an official statement said.

A single-day high of 5,041 COVID-19 cases was registered in Andhra Pradesh as the overall aggregate inched closer to the 50,000 mark on Sunday.

Also, the state saw the highest spike in deaths in a day as 56 coronavirus patients succumbed, pushing the toll to 642, a state government bulletin said.

Karnataka reported 4,120 new COVID-19 cases and 91 related fatalities, taking the total number of infections to 63,772 and the death toll to 1,331, the state health department said. The state crossed the 10 lakh tests milestone today from about 88 labs in the state.

And though the situation in Kerala was relatively better, the tally breached the 12,000 mark on Sunday with 821 people, including 13 health workers, testing positive for the virus in the highest single day spurt in the state so far.

The national capital recorded 1,211 fresh coronavirus cases, the lowest in over a month, and 31 deaths due to the disease in the last 24 hours. On June 8, the city had recorded 1,007 cases.

The total number of COVID-19 cases in Delhi is now 1,22,793. The death toll due to the disease is 3,628, according to the latest Delhi health department bulletin.

A central team, which reached Patna on Sunday to assess the COVID-19 situation in Bihar, asked the state's health department to focus on tracking and testing to combat the deadly virus, an official said.

The state has witnessed a spike in coronavirus cases with the number of total positive cases jumping to 26,379 on July 19 from 10,075 infections on July 1.

The three-member team sent by the Union health ministry is being led by Luv Agarwal, who is a joint secretary in the ministry.

The director of the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), Dr S K Singh, and Associate Professor of Medicine, AIIMS, New Delhi, Dr Neeraj Nishchal are also part of the team.

The COVID-19 tally in Uttar Pradesh rose to 49,247 on Sunday with the highest single-day jump of 2,211 fresh cases, while the death toll reached 1,146 after 38 fatalities were reported in the state, according to a statement.

The state is implementing weekend shutdown, joining Tamil Nadu and Karnataka where a Sunday lockdown has been enforced this month.

With its highest single-day rise of 965 new coronavirus positive cases, Gujarat's tally went up to 48,441 on Sunday, the state health department said.

The COVID-19 death toll in West Bengal on Sunday reached 1,112 after 36 people succumbed to the disease, the highest so far in a single day. A record 2,278 people tested positive for the disease, taking the infection tally to 42,487, a state government bulletin said.

Jammu and Kashmir also recorded the highest single-day spike of 701 COVID-19 positive cases, while the death toll due to the disease reached 244 with eight fresh fatalities, officials said.

With these fresh cases, the total number of infected persons in Jammu and Kashmir has risen to 13,899.

Jammu district authorities on Sunday announced a complete weekend lockdown beginning from July 24 to prevent the spread of coronavirus cases that had witnessed a spike over the past week, officials said.

Madhya Pradesh recorded its highest single-day spike of 837 new COVID-19 cases, which took the count of patients to 22,600, an official said. The state's death toll due to coronavirus reached 721 with 15 more patients succumbing to the infection, the official said.

India saw a record single-day jump of 38,902 COVID-19 cases pushing its tally to 10,77,618 on Sunday, while the total number of recoveries increased to 6,77,422, according to the Union Health Ministry data.

The death toll due to the disease rose to 26,816 with new 543 fatalities even as 23,672 patients have recuperated in the past 24 hours, the highest so far in a day, the data updated at 8 am showed. However, a PTI tally at 9pm showed that the COVID tally has reached 11.14 lakh.

The Ministry of Health said the 11 most COVID-19 affected countries in the world --the US, Brazil, Russia, Peru, Chile, Mexico, South Africa, the UK, Iran, Pakistan, Spain --together reported 8 times more cases and 14 times more deaths than India.

There are 3,73,379 active cases presently in the country. The total number of confirmed cases includes foreigners. This is the fourth consecutive day that COVID-19 cases have increased by more than 30,000.

According to the ICMR, a cumulative total of 1,37,91,869 samples have been tested up to July 18 with 3,58,127 samples being tested on Saturday.
In view of a surging number of Covid-19 infections across the states, US President Donald Trump on Saturday said telephonic town hall will be replacing his large in-person campaign rallies until the "Covid-19 problem" is solved, CNN reported.

Speaking to his supporters in Wisconsin during what was described as his first "Tele-Rally," the President said, "I wanted to be with you, and this is really replacing our rallies that we all love so much, we had great rallies in Wisconsin and all over the country, and unfortunately until this gets solved, and we're doing really well with the therapeutics and vaccines, but until that gets solved it's going to be tough to have those big massive rallies, so I'm doing telephonic rallies, and we'll call them the Trump Rallies, but we'll do it by telephone and we have a lot of people on the line and I appreciate it."

The 22-minutes telephone rally marked a major backpedaling for the President who last month plowed ahead with his controversial rally in Tulsa, despite pleas from health experts and local officials to call it off.

The decision to go ahead was costly, with a top local health official admitting the rally 'more than likely' triggered a surge in new cases of the deadly virus across Oklahoma.

The President, meanwhile, also used the opportunity to hit out once again at China over its handling of the outbreak, referring to his popular name for COVID-19 as the "China virus" and blasting the country, stating that they "could have stopped it".

-ANI

Also Read: US Navy aircraft carriers back in South China Sea
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Nantes, on Saturday morning. At 7: 45 PM, passers-by saw in the heart of France's sixth largest city, behind the Central facade window of the Cathedrale Saint-Pierre-et-Saint-Paul flames blaze. The fire brigade was quickly on the spot: 104 fire-fighters, with 45 vehicles moved in and with two hollow-beam tubes are armed, pushed back the flames within two hours.

some 24 hours later, the Prosecutor announced that a man was taken into custody. He was a volunteer who had worked in the diocese, reported the news platform France info on Sunday, citing the public Prosecutor of Nantes, Pierre Sennes. He had been for the closure of the Cathedral on Friday evening was responsible, which is why the investigators "wanted to clarify certain aspects of his daily routine," said Prosecutor Sennes to the AFP news Agency on Sunday. Statements as to whether the man had been in the suspected arson involved, however, "premature", - he stressed.

Sennes, was launched on Saturday a criminal investigation for arson. There are three spatially separate foci: the main organ above the Central Portal, as well as on the ground floor to the left and to the right of the transept-placed altar. This was no coincidence, but the "signature" of an intentionally caused fire.

Later, however, he was sheepish and admitted, you have to go to each track. So I am asked to the Residents of the Cathedral square and the video monitoring in the environment is evaluated, but also the electrical wiring of the Church under the magnifying glass taken. With this latter task, an expert of the Paris police was entrusted.

fabric of the building remains intact

According to a provisional damage balance of the main organ, the about this description stained glass window and a painting by the neoclassical Church of the painter Hippolyte Flandrin, fell victim to the fire. A comparison to the great fire of Notre-Dame de Paris is not to pull: unlike in the case of this, where on 15. April 2019 flames from crossing had attacked storm on the wooden roof over the buildings here are intact; a General danger of collapse does not appear to exist. Concern is the vaulted gallery, which carried the organ prepares only: This is the commander, according to the fire Department as "very unstable and could collapse".

France's newly appointed Prime Minister, Jean Castex, Minister of the interior, Gerald Darmanin, and culture Minister, Roselyne Bachelot, went on Saturday to Nantes at the place of action. The latter stated that as a resident of the Region of Pays de la Loire, Saint-Pierre-et-Saint-Paul had been "their" Cathedral. "I'm in tears... in particular, the destruction of an organ is like a stab in the heart."

Updated Date: 19 July 2020, 06:20
The foreign secretary has given his strongest hint yet he may suspend the UK's extradition treaty with Hong Kong, as relations with China sour.

Dominic Raab confirmed a review into the arrangement has been completed and he will be announcing an "update" to parliament today.

He cautioned there wouldn't be "business as usual" with the former British colony after the coronavirus pandemic ends.

Extradition treaties are signed between countries to speed up the deportation of suspected criminals.

But after Beijing imposed a controversial new security law in Hong Kong , senior Tory MPs have called for it to be rescinded.

"We are all going to have to ask ourselves if we recognise the Chinese Communist Party's definitions of secession, subversion, terrorism and collusion, and share the interpretation of mainland judges," the members of parliament's Chinese Research Group wrote in a letter on Saturday.

Canada and Australia have already taken the step and others such as the US and New Zealand are considering doing the same.

Mr Raab did not rule out the UK taking similar action when he spoke to Sky News' Sophy Ridge on Sunday.

:: Listen to Sophy Ridge on Sunday on Apple podcasts , Google podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker

"On Hong Kong, I'm going to go to the House of Commons tomorrow [Monday] to make a further statement on the work we've been doing with our partners in government," he said.

"I've said that we'd review a whole range of other considerations.

"One of the things that we reviewed is our extradition arrangements and I will be updating the House on the conclusion of that review, along with other things that we've been looking at."

Mr Raab said the UK does rely on China for issues requiring international cooperation like climate change.

But he added: "We have said there won't be business as usual after COVID-19 and we are working with our international partners to get a proper independent review of what happened but we also want to make sure that we're not slipping into some outdated dogmatic approach with China."

Story continues

It comes after relations with Beijing deteriorated with the news the UK will end the use of Huawei technology in its 5G network as soon as this year over security concerns.

Liu Xiaoming, China's ambassador to the UK, said on Sunday it would be "totally wrong" for Britain now to impose sanctions on officials.

"If the UK goes that far to impose sanctions on any individuals in China, China will certainly make a resolute response to it," he told the BBC.

"I think the UK should have its own independent foreign policy rather than dance to the tune of the Americans like what happened to Huawei."

There were reports at the weekend that the the Chinese social media company TikTok had broken off talks to open a global headquarters in Britain.

Communist Party officials were also reported to have warned UK companies operating in China, including Jaguar Land Rover, BP and GlaxoSmithKline, that they could now face retaliation.
Colorado Politics senior political reporter

Joey Bunch is the senior correspondent and deputy managing editor of Colorado Politics. His 32-year career includes the last 16 in Colorado. He was part of the Denver Post team that won the Pulitzer Prize in 2013 and he is a two-time finalist.
Scientists have confirmed for the first time that the novel coronavirus behind the COVID-19 pandemic cannot be transmitted to people by mosquitoes , a finding that adds evidence to WHO's claim that the disease is not mosquito-borne.

The research, published in the journal Scientific Reports, provided the first experimental evidence on the capacity of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19 disease, to infect and be transmitted by mosquitoes.

"Here we provide the first experimental data to investigate the capacity of SARS-CoV-2 to infect and be transmitted by mosquitoes," the study noted.

"While the World Health Organization (WHO) has definitively stated that mosquitoes cannot transmit the virus, our study is the first to provide conclusive data supporting the theory," said Stephen Higgs, a co-author of the research from Kansas State University in the US.

According to the study, conducted at the university's Biosecurity Research Institute, the virus is unable to replicate in three common and widely distributed species of mosquitoes -- Aedes aegypti, Aedes albopictus and Culex quinquefasciatus, and hence cannot be transmitted to humans.

Samples collected by the scientists within two hours of inoculation in mosquitoes confirmed efficient delivery of infectious viruses to these insects.

However, based on the lack of detectable infectious virus in any of the 277 samples collected at all time points beyond 24 hours post-inoculation, the scientists said SARS-CoV-2 cannot replicate in mosquitoes.

"Even if a mosquito fed on a person with virus in the blood, the mosquito would not be a vector if feeding on a naive host," they concluded.

"We demonstrate that even under extreme conditions, SARS-CoV-2 virus is unable to replicate in these mosquitoes and therefore cannot be transmitted to people even in the unlikely event that a mosquito fed upon a viremic host," the scientists wrote in the study.

This story has been published from a wire agency feed without modifications to the text.

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Drug dealer Melvin Gambanga, 23, has been jailed for flushing 8,000 worth of crack cocaine down his toilet when police raided his home in Gravesend, Kent

A county lines kingpin has been jailed for eight years after throwing 8,000 worth of crack cocaine down his toilet when police raided his home.

Drug dealer Melvin Gambanga, 23, tried to get rid of his stash as the cops broke down the door of his Kent base in Gravesend.

When officers searched his flat they also found a loaded pistol and ammunition hidden in a holdall with more bullets in a suit in the wardrobe.

Video footage of the raid showed officers smashing down his front door, then pulling a plastic bag of drugs out of his toilet.

The unemployed warehouse worker was jailed for a total of eight years.

A series of phones found at Gambanga's home revealed he was marketing the drugs by sending out regular adverts, a court heard.

One of the adverts read: 'We are back...back with the best'.

When officers forced their way into his flat they found him inside an en-suite having just flushed crack cocaine with a street value of up to 8,000 down the toilet, police said.

Video footage of the raid showed officers smashing down his front door, then pulling a plastic bag of drugs out of this toilet

When officers searched his flat they also found a loaded pistol and ammunition hidden in a holdall with more bullets in a suit in the wardrobe

Heroin and crack cocaine, which had been assembled into ready to sell wraps, was also discovered in his bedroom.

Gambanga was part of a county lines drugs gang known as 'G', the court was told.

County lines dealing refers to the practice of city-based gangs pushing narcotics - typically crack cocaine and heroin - in commuter towns.

At Maidstone Crown Court on Wednesday, Gambanga admitted possessing class A drugs with intent, possessing a prohibited firearm and ammunition and having 1,000 in cash - the proceeds of his drug deals.

Mark Gadsden, prosecuting, said: 'He was responsible for a significant amount of drugs being brought into Gravesend and other parts of the south east.'

Mr Gadsden added that the self-loading 9mm pistol that was found in the flat contained four rounds with four more found in his suit, which was hanging in a wardrobe.

When officers forced their way into his flat they found him inside an en-suite having just flushed crack cocaine with a street value of up to 8,000 down the toilet

The dealer - who has a previous drugs conviction from 2016 - had been peddling drugs in the Kent town from October 2019 until his arrest in May this year.

Max Reeves, defending, said Gambanga claimed the weapon had been given to him by someone 'further up the chain of command' and he had never inspected or fired it.

Jailing him for five years on the weapon charges and another three years for the drugs offence, Judge Stephen Thomas told him: 'You were heavily involved in the marketing of class A drugs.'

Det Con Mark Donovan, investigating officer for Kent Police, said Gambanga, who lived in Abbey Wood, south east London, was 'a threat to public safety'.

A series of phones found at Gambanga's home revealed he was marketing the drugs by sending out regular adverts

He said: 'Gambanga has demonstrated he is an individual who presents a clear threat to public safety.

'Not only does he see people suffering from drug abuse as a means to make money, his willingness to possess a loaded gun demonstrates he was willing to commit acts of serious violence.

'Despite being based outside of Kent, he was not able to escape capture after our enquiries revealed he had been actively involved in co-ordinating the supply of drugs to Gravesend.

'Each day we are gathering new information on the supply of class A drugs in our town and, as this case shows, we will not hesitate to come after drug dealers at their own homes to ensure they are brought to justice.'
Canon launched the imagePROGRAF PRO-300, an A3+ printer with the quality features of the award winning imagePROGRAF PRO series  perfect for semi-pros and aspiring photographers, small studios and photo labs.

With a lightweight, compact form factor, this mighty printer can produce gallery quality prints from the convenience of a desktop.

Replacing the PIXMA PRO-10S, this new entry to Canons imagePROGRAF PRO series inspires confidence with its easy to use software and design, rewarding photographers with impeccable prints every time. Photographers can leave the printing to imagePROGRAF PRO-300 and focus on their photography thanks to the built-in nozzle recovery and skew correction functions, which reduce ink and media waste. The imagePROGRAF PRO-300 enables borderless printing on all media types and improves black density and colour vibrancy on both fine art and glossy media. With the imagePROGRAF PRO-300, Canon photographers can enjoy a seamless workflow  from image capture to print  with features designed to bring their photos to life.

Fuss-free, gallery-quality printing

With exceptional monochrome printing, and vivid colour printing up to A3+, the imagePROGRAF PRO-300 is a must-have for photographers looking to submit quality prints for competitions, galleries, exhibitions or sales. Using 10 LUCIA PRO pigment inks, the printer achieves an expanded colour gamut to create greater depth and outstanding colour in every print. For greater expression of deep blacks and monochrome images, this model uses new ink in both photo and matte black to realise deeper and more vivid blacks than ever before on glossy and fine art media. Its dedicated Chroma Optimiser lays down a clear ink to minimise surface irregularities on gloss or semi-gloss paper, reducing bronzing and delivering stunning tonal superiority.

Producing high quality prints without compromise, Canons L-COA PRO processor easily handles large image data and calculates the optimal ink droplet layout at super-fast speeds - printing A3 in less than five minutes[i]. With the LUCIA PRO ink system, photographers can achieve consistent, professional-level results across a wide variety of media with no hassle. With separate ink nozzles for photo and matte black, the printer uses a zero-ink switching method  automatically choosing the correct ink based on the paper loaded  saving time and reducing ink consumption.

Print confidently, work productively

The imagePROGRAF PRO-300 brings images to life in print form. With imagePROGRAF PRO technologies built into this model, users have confidence their original images will be reproduced faithfully and with maximum productivity. One of the biggest concerns when printing professional photography is the ink nozzles clogging and causing misfires. To combat this, the imagePROGRAF PRO-300 detects if any nozzle is not firing correctly and will switch to backup nozzles to ensure there is no banding in the image whilst it is being printed. If paper is not aligned correctly when fed through the printer, the Auto Skew Correction function corrects and feeds the paper through to ensure a perfectly level print. In addition to this, the imagePROGRAF PRO-300 checks the density levels of ink tanks, and periodically shakes the cartridges to maintain constant ink density levels throughout each tank  ensuring colours are always consistent. Photographers can also quickly and easily navigate the printers menus and functions with the clear and bright 3-inch colour LCD display that allows instant monitoring of printer functions, ink levels and paper settings. Such features ensure failsafe printing with the imagePROGRAF PRO-300  saving both paper and ink.

Print without borders

Taking a huge step forward from the PIXMA PRO-10S, this model also supports borderless printing in all print modes including highest quality printing, on a wide variety of media - even fine art paper. Whats more, photographers can even print panoramic images to custom lengths up to 990.60mm. Offering support for Canon and third-party paper, including Hahnemuhle, Canson, Awagami and many more, the imagePROGRAF PRO-300 gives users the freedom to print images with the paper of their choice.

Alongside the launch of imagePROGRAF PRO-300 is the release of a new fine art paper from Canon  Premium Fine Art Rough (FA-RG1). This paper adds a three-dimensional touch to fine art images where depth and expression are desirable. With a luxury touch, the paper uses high quality cotton to deliver a special premium feel. Available in various sizes the paper weighs 310g/m and is available in packs of 25 sheets. With this new addition of Fine Art Rough, Canon offers a complete range of professional photo paper for glossy, semi-gloss, matt and fine art media.

Seamless workflow

This compact A3+ printer streamlines the printing process, whether thats for a single photographer printing at home or a photo lab. Users have complete control of their prints with the Canon Professional Print & Layout software, which comes free with imagePROGRAF PRO-300. Working as both standalone software, a plugin through Canons Digital Photo Professional imaging software, or Adobe Photoshop and Lightroom, users can govern colour management, profiling selection and layout settings such as split gallery wrap printing and panoramic printing. Using this software, photographers can access the soft proofing and hard proofing functions to ensure precise colour matching from screen to print every time. Connecting easily with PC or Mac using a wi-fi, ethernet or USB connection, the imagePROGRAF PRO-300 offers a range of connectivity options to support multiple workflows.

With a complete line-up of solutions from input to output, Canon photographers can print images like never before. Working seamlessly with Canons EOS camera technology to unlock unique features in the Canon Professional Print & Layout software, using the imagePROGRAF PRO-300 users can achieve the highest level of print fidelity from images captured only using EOS cameras. Functions such as DPRAW Print and HDR Print can read the RAW image data from EOS cameras, to reproduce the sharp areas of an image accurately, as well as recover highlights from single exposure images.

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 High speed, high quality printing - TradeArabia News Service
More than 9,000 tonnes of spices such as chilli, turmeric and cumin were exported to Bangladesh by rail route for the first time as coronavirus-related lockdown disrupted road transport, an official said.

In the past one month, over 5,000 tonnes turmeric, 4,300 tonnes chilli, and 100 tonnes cumin have been exported by rail to Bangladesh from the Andhra-Telangana belt, the official said.

Bangladesh is one of the leading export destinations for Indian spices and accounts for about 9 per cent in volume terms and 5 per cent in value terms of India's total spice exports. During 2019-20, around 1,09,950 tonnes of spices valued at Rs 1,005 crore were exported to Bangladesh and the major items shipped are cumin, chilli, ginger, and turmeric.

Earlier, over 95 per cent of India's spice exports to Bangladesh were routed through the ports of Ghojadanga, Mundra, Hili, Mohadipur, Petrapole, Nhava Sheva or by road in small quantities. The official said that for the first time, exporters of turmeric and chilli, who faced a tough time in transporting by road during lockdown, collaborated with the South Central Railways for exporting spices through rail to Bangladesh.

"Over the past one month, around 5,250 tonne of turmeric, 4,300 tonne of chilli, and 100 tonne of cumin have been exported by rail from the Andhra-Telangana belt," the official added.

According to exporters, the rail logistics is faster, safer and easier for dispatch of bulk quantities, besides bringing in a significant reduction of over 60 per cent in transportation charges when compared to roadways, from Rs 5 to Rs 1.7- 2 per kg.

The Spices Board, under the commerce ministry, is initiating a series of measures to facilitate seamless and hassle-free movement of export consignments. Backed by the Ministry of Railways, the board recently convened an online interaction of spice exporters with the officials of the South Central Railway to explain the operational modalities as well as to encourage exporters in utilizing the opportunity to the fullest.

During 2019-20, the export of spices from India crossed USD 3 billion. Further the official said that exports of small cardamom from India to Saudi Arabia has resumed this year after trade issues were addressed by a delegation sent by the Ministry of Commerce for negotiations with the Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA).
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Onalaska, Wisconsin - Remarks by Vice President Pence in a Roundtable on USMCA at the Morning Star Dairy Farm:

THE VICE PRESIDENT: First, Id like to invite everybody to thank John and Barb Schaller for opening up this family farm. (Applause.) Fantastic. Thank you so much.

Thank you for welcoming us to Morning Star Dairy. I feel right at home. Im a small-town guy from southern Indiana. And I told them we didnt have dairy cattle when I was growing up, but we had about a hundred head of cattle. And it is great to be on this wonderful farm. I want to congratulate you for your success. I want to thank all of the great farmers that are gathered around here. I really look forward to hearing from you.

But first and foremost, let me say thank you. In a challenging time in the life of our nation, American farmers came through and kept food on the table, and every American is grateful. (Applause.) You did.

It really is remarkable that, literally from the farm to the grocery store, truckers in between, as  leading the White House Coronavirus Task Force, I never fail to be inspired at the way that American agriculture responded. So I want to thank you for that, first and foremost.

And let me also express appreciation from a friend of mine who is a great admirer of the state of Wisconsin and who loves farmers and ranchers all across this country. I bring greetings and gratitude from the 45th President of the United States of America, President Donald Trump. (Applause.)

You know, were living in challenging times, but American farmers have risen to the challenge. Youve met this moment, and I want to assure you that, as the President took action from very early on, in January, when he suspended all travel from China; when he stood up the White House Coronavirus Task Force; when we reinvented testing across the country; when we deployed hundreds of millions of supplies that are still being delivered to hospitals, particularly in the Sun Belt states that are still being impacted; the manufacture of equipment, ventilators; medicines known as therapeutics that are being distributed around the country today; and Ill tell you, with American ingenuity and the great, great pharmaceutical industry we have  I believe with all my heart, before the end of this year, were going to have a vaccine and were going to put this coronavirus in the past. I truly believe that. (Applause.)

But all of you stepped forward and all of you did what needed to be done to keep food on the table for the American people. Its been really inspiring for us to watch. And I know its been a  I know its been a challenging time in the midst of this pandemic for American farmers. Literally, the President and I witnessed many family farms struggling during this time, and its one of the reasons why the President made more than $19 billion in assistance available to farmers, including  including $1.1 billion thats already gone to dairy farms across this country.

And while the trade deal that well talk a bit about today was negotiated before this challenging time, I hope you see, in the USMCA, President Donald Trump fights every day for American farmers and American agriculture. And on the USMCA, we deliver. (Applause.)

Im also pleased with the relief. Working with the Congress, we were able to provide support for American families. We were able to provide support for American businesses. In fact, the Paycheck Protection Plan, as Im told, provided more than 86,000 loans to Wisconsin businesses so you could keep employees on the payroll during the difficult days of this pandemic here in this state.

And I also  I know the Paycheck Protection Plan was able to help Morning Star  Morning Star keep your hardworking team on the payroll. And were honored to be a part of it.

And in the midst of all of that, were opening up America again. I know Wisconsin is opening back up again. I see the enthusiasm as I drove out to the farm today, and on the strong foundation that this President poured in our first three years  the three years that saw the creation of three  of 7 million jobs, where we cut taxes, rolled back regulations, fought for free and fair trade, unleashed American energy.

And the American economy is already coming back. In just the two months of May and June, more than 7 million jobs have been added to this economy. We lost 22 million at the height of the pandemic, but the American economy, in the city and on the farm, is coming back right here in Wisconsin and all over America. (Applause.)

It is a  it is a testament to the foundation that we poured. I love that verse that says, If the foundations crumble, how can the righteous stand? Its that foundation of less taxes, less regulation, a respect for private property, a fighting for free and fair trade that really, I believe, has laid the foundation for the comeback that is underway. And you all have been a part of that. And I want to promise you that were going to continue to fight for those things.

Which, I want to say at this event, also is a whole lot different than the competition. I heard even just last week that the Democratic candidate for President, Joe Biden, is actually proposing $4 trillion in higher taxes. Hes proposing a $2 trillion version of the Green New Deal. And I have to tell you, the last thing this economy needs, the last thing this recovery needs is more taxes, more regulation. And the last thing we need is Joe Biden in the White House. So were going to be up here in Wisconsin telling that story. (Applause.)

And I have to tell you, the subject of today, this  the USMCA  its a great win for American agriculture. But I wanted to come to a dairy farm because its been a great win for dairy. And I was literally there every step of the way during the negotiations.

You know, when President Trump ran, and the people of Wisconsin put their confidence in this President four years ago, he promised that we  that we would do better than NAFTA; that hed been  he thought the North American Free Trade Agreement had  hadnt put American workers first, hadnt put American farmers first. And we rolled our sleeves up. And right out of the gate, we started the negotiations.

And one of the things that we learned early on is, in addition to creating incentives to move manufacturing jobs south of the border, we learned about  we learned about programs, particularly in the dairy industry, that were going on in Canada that were working against dairy farmers here in Wisconsin and all across this country.

Canada actually had what was called a Class 6 and a Class 7 program that subsidized certain dairy products and  and literally, I was there, time after time, when literally we were talking  we were talking about manufacturing jobs, we were talking about exports. But in virtually every conversation, President Donald Trump told the leadership in Canada, We have got to fix this trade deal for American dairy. And he did it. He did it. (Applause.)

Im pleased to report to you that that Class 6 and Class C [7] program in Canada is going to end in six months. Its off the books. Weve leveled the playing field for American dairy. (Applause.)

And, John and Barb, because of the USMCA, we predict within six years the United States is actually going to increase our exports by 50,000 metric tons of milk, 12,000 metric tons of cheese, 10,000 metric tons of cream, and the list goes on. Under the USMCA, Canada also will keep the price of skim milk solids at least as high as Americas prices. So were going to maintain a level playing field.

The USMCA is a win for American workers, its a win for American famers, its a win for American dairy, and its just one more example of how President Donald Trump puts America first and always will. (Applause.)

And Id love to hear how you were all doing, but I just have to mention to you at this event  I was doing a little campaigning down in Ripon, Wisconsin, earlier today where the Republican Party was founded, and I said, They were founded back in 1854. And I said: Six years later, they elected the first Republican President of the United States, and four months from now, were going to reelect another Republican President of the United States of America when we reelect President Donald Trump for four more years in the White House. Because the choice is that clear. (Applause.)

And for American farmers, again, the contrast between President Trump and Joe Biden and the liberal agenda that the Democrats are advancing couldnt be more stark when it comes to  I mentioned this President cut taxes across the board for working families, small businesses, and family farms. Joe Biden wants to raise taxes on working families and on businesses across the country.

This President ended the death tax for virtually every American family farmer. And yet, theres Joe Biden talking about raising taxes by more than Hillary Clinton ever even talked about.

And the avalanche of regulations are going to all take the form of what we all remember to be the Waters of the USA. It was a  it was a direct assault using federal red tape on private property rights. And I couldnt have been more proud standing among farmers in the West Wing of the White House the day that President Donald Trump signed the repeal of the Waters of the USA and restored private property rights to American agriculture and the American people. (Applause.)

You know, the choice has never been clearer and the stakes have never been higher. We have a President who believes in free enterprise and free markets, private property, and the rule of law. He believes in less taxes, less regulation, free and fair trade. And Joe Biden wants more taxes, more regulation, more economic surrender on the world stage.

So the people of Wisconsin knew what to do in 2016, and I believe with all my heart, just like you all did before, that Wisconsin is going to vote for four more years of President Donald Trump in the White House. (Applause.)

So I want to say thank you again. I want to say thank you for the resilience and the character and strength shown not just by the farmers around this table, but all the farmers that are gathered and any of you that might be looking on.

You know, Ive long believed that adversity doesnt create character; adversity reveals character. And the character of the American farmer has really shown forth in the last four months. It was the farmers, the dairy farmers, the production of agriculture  never stopped. Never stopped working, never stopped doing their job. Rolled their sleeves up and made it happen, and kept food on the table for the American people.

I think its one of the reasons that  its one of the reasons why, when I try to read that Good Book every morning, how often I read about the farmer. The verses often say, Consider the farmer, because the truth is that, in these last four months and all throughout the long history of this country, its been the faith and the character of the farmer thats really been a wellspring of American strength.

And so I want to thank you for your inspiration. I want to thank you for your faith. I want to thank you for the way youve served the American people during this trying time. And I want to promise you that President Trump and I, and our entire team, are going to work our hearts out in the next four months and in the next four years to advance the prosperity and opportunities for every American farmer and every American rancher. As you stand on that firm foundation, were going to make sure that American agriculture is stronger and more prosperous than ever before.

And with four more years of President Donald Trump in the White House, and with American agriculture prospering, and with these challenging days someday soon behind us, were going to make America great again, again.

Thank you, everybody. (Applause.) Im honored to be with you.

With that, Id just love to hear how everything is going, and maybe we can start with Representative Tony Kurtz, if we can. Tony, tell us how things are here and how we can be more helpful.

(Roundtable discussion begins.)

(Roundtable discussion concludes.)

Let me say to John and Barbara and the family and all the distinguished leaders gathered around here: Thank you for your time today.

Next time we get together, were going to  were going to hold this roundtable in the cow barn because they said it was actually cooler over there. (Laughter.)

And I want to  I want to thank you all, really and truly. I know I speak on behalf of the President when I say, once again, thank you for the way your character and your faith has shown forth. American agriculture delivered to the American people during the trying times through which weve passed, and I know youll keep delivering until we reach that day, someday in the future, when the coronavirus is in the past.

So thank you for what you have done. I want to promise you that were going to continue to fight for American agriculture. Were going to continue to make this USMCA a win for American farmers here in Wisconsin and all across this country. And with your continued support, well reelect President Donald Trump for four more years and, like I said before, well make America great again, again.

Thank you all very much. And God bless you. (Applause.) Thank you all.
Small employers will be given greater access to a $40 billion loan scheme to help them through the recession when the federal government overhauls its flagship JobKeeper payment this week.

The expanded loan scheme will offer companies four times the amounts previously allowed up to a new cap of $1 million, while extending repayment times from three to five years.

Treasurer Josh Frydenberg has named tourism, arts and recreation, hospitality and aviation as the industries facing the greatest hardship. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen

But the government is under pressure from unions, social service groups, Labor and the Greens to keep JobKeeper payments of $1500 a fortnight flowing to as many people as possible when the scheme is adjusted within days.

Treasurer Josh Frydenberg will announce changes to the lending program on Monday after small and medium businesses applied for only $1.5 billion from the original scheme even though it offered up to $40 billion.
As Permian Basin operators join with others in the U.S. energy industry in responding to ongoing uncertainties, the natural gas and oil industry remains focused on protecting the health and safety of our workers, communities and the environment.

Throughout the coronavirus pandemic, energy companies have manufactured and transported medical supplies and essential fuels for communities across America. Additionally, as natural gas and oil power the worlds economic recovery, the industry is working toward a brighter, cleaner energy future.

Here at home, EagleClaw Midstream is committed to transporting affordable and reliable fuels to meet the growing demand for energy while reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

To that end, this year EagleClaw joined The Environmental Partnership, an industry-led initiative created to improve environmental performance in the production and transmission of oil and natural gas.

We recognize that the conversation affecting our industry more broadly has clearly changed. The discourse is now one where environmental considerations are of equal importance to safety. Many companies such as EagleClaw have reflected on this at length and asked themselves some very telling and deep questions.

Our actions impact the future of the planet and what we leave for our children and every subsequent generation. As an industry we must change, and so measures such as those suggested by Railroad Commission Chairman Wayne Christian about reducing flaring are exactly the types of steps and measures that we, as an industry, need to get fully behind.

By implementing state-of-the-art technologies, convening workshops and sharing best practices, the participating companies  including 36 of the top 40 U.S. natural gas producers  are reducing emissions of methane and volatile organic compounds in Americas largest energy producing regions.

Crude oil reserves in Texas are significant and Texas natural gas reserves account for nearly 30 percent of the U.S. total, making the leadership of Permian Basin energy operators key to advancing industry sustainability.

The performance programs, based on Environmental Protection Agency data, have been designed to identify and address emissions from equipment leaks, high-bleed pneumatic controllers, liquids unloading processes including pumps and meter, pipeline blowdowns and compressors.

These programs are evolving and advancing operations, allowing the industry to reduce its environmental footprint while responsibly developing our domestic energy resources.

In 2019 alone, more than 116 million component inspections were performed during more than 87,000 leak surveys  showing a leak occurrence rate of 0.08 percent, which is less than one leaking component in 1,000, significantly lower than EPA estimates.

The Partnership, which launched in December 2017, has established itself as a model for industry-driven environmental progress and collaborative investment toward sustainable energy solutions.

As EagleClaw strives to meaningfully improve environmental performance, we are proud to lead the coalitions new expansion into midstream operations to address emissions throughout the natural gas supply chain.

Currently, EagleClaw operates more than 1,000 miles of natural gas gathering and processing pipeline in the Delaware Basin, reliably transporting resources from the wellhead through our processing facilities to refineries and industrial centers along the Gulf Coast.

Natural gas pipelines are the safest, most environmentally friendly way to deliver energy for everyday use  more so than trucks or railways  and infrastructure expansion is integral to capturing greenhouse gas emissions at the wellhead and streamlining performance systemwide.

Environmental protection requires future-focused infrastructure development, an undertaking larger than any single company or energy-producing region. By collaborating with other stakeholders, communities and regulators, the broader industry can decrease flaring volumes and improve the efficiency of natural gas production in Texas and across the U.S.

Additionally, the partnership is helping fund the development of new methane-sensing technologies to further reduce emissions from natural gas systems.

Members of The Environmental Partnership are committed to producing and delivering the sustainable energy to power our future. At EagleClaw Midstream, we fully support this commitment and recognize that economic and environmental progress are not mutually exclusive.

Jamie Welch is president and CEO of EagleClaw Midstream.
In the strange world of the Trump White House, job security is fragile. A trusted staffer one day may be a disloyal official the next.

Enter Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.

To stand in his shoes is to stand on a tectonic plate shifting under his feet; the man is on shaky ground.

His transgression?

It was among the worst you could commit in the Trump White House.

He told the truth.

On ExpressNews.com: After ban expired, COVID surged at nursing homes

While the president was downplaying the spike of the novel coronavirus in states like Texas, Fauci maintained his sober assessment of the pandemic  and how we need to deal with it.

Upset with his truth-telling, the president launched a campaign to discredit Fauci, releasing a statement to the Washington Post that several White House officials are concerned about the number of times Dr. Fauci has been wrong on things.

I believe, for the most part, you can trust respected medical authorities, Fauci said during an event with the Georgetown Institute of Politics and Public Service event. I believe Im one of them, so I think you can trust me.

Fauci had said, during the early stages of the pandemic, that face masks were unnecessary except for health care workers and those who were sick. Scientists were still grappling with the impact of the virus, and later, in an interview with NPR, Fauci acknowledged his error. It was clear that it troubled him.

That mixed message in the beginning, even though it was well-meant, to allow masks to be available for health workers, that was detrimental in getting the message across right now, he said. No doubt about it.

On ExpressNews.com: Breathtaking virus numbers show normal life still far away

The assault against Fauci came as Trump threatened to withhold funding from school districts if they do not reopen their campuses to students in the fall. He criticized the guidelines of his own CDC. Health experts pushed back, including Fauci, who urged caution as the president forges ahead with his misguided directives.

While criticizing Fauci, the president retweeted a message by Chuck Woolery, the former game show host, who alleged: Everyone is lying. The CDC, Media, Democrats, our Doctors, not all but most, that we are told to trust.

Again, Woolery is a former game show host. Let that sink in. Is his word more prized than Faucis?

Peter Navarro, director of the Office of Trade and Manufacturing Policy, has no more credibility in the medical field than Woolery. No matter. There he was, criticizing Fauci in an opinion piece for USA Today.

Throughout the bizarre attack on his credibility, Fauci has retained the poise and equanimity that have made him a national treasure. It is not just his expertise, which is considerable; it is also his demeanor, a tone that remains soothing no matter how dark his prognostications. He called the attacks nonsense in an interview with the Atlantic.

Most Americans are with Fauci. In a recent New York Times-Siena College poll, 76 percent of the respondents said they trusted Fauci for accurate information about the pandemic, compared with 26 percent who said they trusted Trump.

Fauci is merely relaying the truth, as we best know it in the present moment, to the American people.

We need to know the truth. If we get rosy pronouncements about the pandemic, we become irresponsible, our confidence undermined by reality. We stop wearing masks, stop social distancing, stop fearing a virus we should fear.

Fauci is not infallible, but he is honest, even when it comes to acknowledging his own mistakes  something real leaders do.
Arvind Kumar, Additional Director General (ADG  law and order ) of Manipur police who sustained critical injury after he allegedly shot himself on Saturday, was flown to New Delhi in an air ambulance on Sunday, officials said.

Kumar who was undergoing treatment in Raj Medicity, a private hospital in Imphal was flown in an air ambulance for further treatment at Delhis All India Institute iof Medical Sciences (AIIMS) around 4.30 pm.

Chief Minister N Biren Singh who had visited the hospital to see Kumar, tweeted, During my visit, I have interacted with Shri Arvind Kumar, IPS, ADGP (L&O), Manipur Police, who was injured in an unfortunate incident yesterday. Currently, his condition is stable and out of danger. May good health envelop him; I wish him a speedy recovery.

Kumar, a 1992 batch Manipur cadre IPS, allegedly shot himself with his service weapon at his official quarter located at 1st Manipur Rifles battalion premises.

Kumar was sent back to his home cadre earlier this year after serving in the Intelligence Bureau as its joint director in New Delhi, officials said. He was in charge of the armed police and was given the responsibility of law and order in Manipur on July 5.
A mother has died after collapsing during an arrest that relatives say didnt need to happen.

Tracie Caroline Emily Cooper, 50, did not regain consciousness after the incident at her home in Southampton.

Her life support was turned off days later and a post-mortem found she had died of a bleed on the brain.

Ms Coopers husband, Nigel Cross, was held in custody for more than seven hours before being allowed to visit her in hospital.

Hampshire Police officers had entered their home on 18 April to make arrests over an alleged assault and racially aggravated harassment.

The arrest didnt need to happen  they had offered to do a voluntary interview, a source close to the family told The Independent.

Despite that they burst into the house, arrested Nigel, tried to arrest Tracey and during the course of whatever happened in the kitchen she collapsed.

Ms Coopers 15-year-old son was in the home at the time and she had seven other children.

Sources close to the family said the allegations had been made by relatives as part of an ongoing dispute, and Mr Cross was later released with no further action.

All Nigel wants is the truth of what happened with his wife, one said.

He is devastated, he doesnt know what to do. They were absolutely devoted to each other, they had been together for 25 years.

UK news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 UK news in pictures 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. 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A coroners inquest will establish the full circumstances of Ms Coopers death and examine any possible contributing factors.

A spokesperson for Hampshire Constabulary said it had referred the incident to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC), but the watchdog passed it to the forces professional standards department to investigate locally.

We can confirm that on 18 April, a woman in her 50s collapsed at her home address in Landguard Road, Southampton, whilst police were in attendance at the address, a statement said.

The woman was taken to hospital where she subsequently died.

This investigation remains ongoing at this time and as such it would be inappropriate for us to comment further.

The Transform Justice group said the incident was part of the wider overuse of police custody.

Director Penelope Gibbs said police had been told to take people into cells only as a last resort during the coronavirus pandemic.

Campaigners say police custody is being overused (PA)

Tracie and Nigel were willing to be interviewed voluntarily by the police about the crimes they were accused of, she added.

So there was no need to arrest and try to detain them. Even less need to take Nigel into custody and keep him there while Tracie was at deaths door.

Ms Gibbs said that detention in custody should be reserved for suspects who pose an immediate risk to victims.

Figures obtained through a Freedom of Information request found that only 35 per cent of people detained in England and Wales are charged with an offence.

A report by Transform Justice said that amounted to hundreds of thousands of people being held unnecessarily every year.

The number of hours suspects wait in detention has increased by four hours in the last ten years, it added.

A greater proportion of defendants are released by the court than are released by police  an indication that police detention is overused and sometimes unnecessary.
US Attorney Calls for DHS Probe Into 'Unmarked' Federal Agents Arresting Protesters in Portland

Sputnik News

23:30 GMT 18.07.2020

On Friday, Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler called on US President Donald Trump to remove federal troops deployed to the city by the White House to quell ongoing protests, as the agents have reportedly used heavy-handed tactics against protesters, reporters, and legal observers, with some refusing to identify themselves and wearing no identification.

US Attorney for the District of Oregon, Billy J. Williams, called on the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Office of the Inspector General on Friday to launch a probe into reports of unmarked, camouflaged federal agents arresting protesters in Portland.

Federal agents from different elements of the Department of Homeland Security and the US Marshals Service, not wearing name tags, are seen in video footage picking up and detaining demonstrators in unmarked vehicles.

"Based on news accounts circulating that allege federal law enforcement detained two protesters without probable cause, I have requested the Department of Homeland Security Office of the Inspector General to open a separate investigation directed specifically at the actions of DHS personnel," US attorney Williams said in a statement on Friday. "As US Attorney, I will continue to work in concert with local and federal law enforcement and city and community leaders to bring about an end to this violence."

On Friday, the US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) confirmed in a press release that personnel from the agency had detained protesters in Portland, Oregon, and had taken them for questioning to an unknown location that they deemed safe from what they characterized as violent mobs.

"The CBP agents identified themselves and were wearing CBP insignia during the encounter. The names of the agents were not displayed due to recent doxing incidents against law enforcement personnel who serve and protect our country," the release stated.

Williams said that federal personnel have been fulfilling their mission of protecting federal buildings in the city, as required, but in "limited instances", their "conduct has been questioned". He noted that the Department of Justice's Office of the Inspector General has opened an investigation "into the use of less lethal ammunition directed at a protester last week".

On Friday, Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler called on President Donald Trump to withdraw federal law enforcement troops deployed by the White House to the city and order them to remain in their "own buildings". The mayor observed that sending troops to the city is a "strategy" by the Trump administration to "bolster his sagging polling data".

"Keep your troops in your own buildings, or have them leave our city," Wheeler said during a news conference on Friday. "This is part of the core media strategy out of Trump's White House: to use federal troops to bolster his sagging polling data. And it is an absolute abuse of federal law enforcement officials".

Last week, Trump ordered federal law enforcement forces be deployed to some US cities, including Portland, justifying the move by claiming that demonstrations were taking over, and declaring that "it was out of control. The locals couldn't handle it". The move has been met with criticism by Oregon Governor Kate Brown, who has accused the president of using the power of the federal government to distract Americans from the resurgence of the coronavirus pandemic in the country.

Portland has been dealing with ongoing anti-police-brutality and anti-racism protests and riots since the 25 May death of African American George Floyd while in the custody of white police officers in Minneapolis.

 Sputnik

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Despite weaker market risk-sentiment in the past week, the British Pound to Australian Dollar (GBP/AUD) exchange rate spent most of the week trending lower. The Pounds appeal has been throttled by a concerning UK outlook, while the Australian Dollar has remained more appealing among currencies more correlated to risk-sentiment. The Australian Dollar is also benefitting from market hopes for global stimulus.

After opening last week at the level of 1.8160, GBP/AUD spent the week trending lower. Even as market risk sentiment was limited, GBP/AUD continued to fall.

Towards the end of the week, GBP/AUD was trending just above a low of 1.7941. This was the worst level for GBP/AUD in over a week, and the pair had shed essentially all of the previous weeks gains as a result.

The Pound has seen poor performance over the past week, as Britains outlook becomes gloomier and gloomier.

Sterling was already unappealing, as markets remained concerned about the UK governments action on the pandemic as well as the ongoing Brexit process.

The governments coronavirus response has been mixed, and the government also continues to indicate that the Brexit transition period will not be extended.

With coronavirus and Brexit uncertainties persisting, the past weeks news that Britains economic growth has been slower than expected during the pandemic has only further hit the Pound.

Britains May growth rate data, published early last week, showed that Britains economy was not weathering the pandemic as well as hoped.

According to Kit Juckes, Head of FX Strategy at Societe Generale:

Sterling does well on the big risk-on days, rallies back, and then as soon as its not a day where theres significant risk appetite in the market it shows its true colours a little bit more, There is concern about the UK economy, there is concern that the MPC (monetary policy committee) might end up easing further in the market,

The Australian Dollar was able to benefit from the Pounds weakness more easily, thanks to the markets more optimistic AUD outlook.

While surging coronavirus cases in the US have led to some rises in safe haven demand, there is also rising hopes for progress on a coronavirus vaccine. This has helped buoy AUD, as it is one of the markets more appealing risk-correlated currencies.

UK Retail Sales May Not Be Enough to Help Pound Sterling Exchange Rates

Next weeks UK economic calendar will be comparatively quiet. Following last weeks slew of key UK ecostats, the most notable data due next week wont be published until the end of the week.

Public borrowing data due earlier in the week is unlikely to be hugely influential. Later in the week, the Confederation of British Industrys (CBI) latest reports will be published.

However, the weeks biggest UK data will be Fridays June retail sales results.

June is expected to have seen retail sales slow slightly after Mays rebound. However, if Britains retail sector performed worse than expected the Pound could be in for further weakness.

Of course, on top of UK data, the Pounds appeal will also continue to be influenced by other ongoing factors.

Even if UK retail stats impress investors, concerns over Britains coronavirus and Brexit outlooks could prevent Sterling from capitalising.

Australian Dollar (AUD) Exchange Rate Forecast: Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) Could Weaken Outlook

Investors have been buying the Australian Dollar despite a lack of strong fresh Australian data, and despite some mixed market risk-sentiment.

However, if Australias outlook shows more signs of worsening, the Australian Dollars appeal could weaken.

Tuesdays Asian session will see the publication of the Reserve Bank of Australias (RBA) latest meeting minutes report. RBA Governor Philip Lowe is also expected to make comments next week.

If the RBA minutes or Lowes comments indicate fresh concern about how a second wave of coronavirus infections could hurt Australias economy, the Australian Dollar could come under fresh pressure.

This would make it more difficult for AUD to keep climbing and benefitting from market risk-sentiment.

Pound to Australian Dollar exchange rate investors will also be anticipating Australian PMI projections, due towards the end of next week.
NEW YORK, July 19, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Pomerantz LLP announces that a class action lawsuit has been filed against Colony Capital, Inc. (Colony or the Company) (NYSE: CLNY) and certain of its officers. The class action, filed in United States District Court for the Central District of California, and docketed under 20-cv-04673, is on behalf of a class consisting of investors who purchased or otherwise acquired Colony securities between August 9, 2019, and May 7, 2020, both dates inclusive (the Class Period), seeking to recover damages caused by Defendants violations of the federal securities laws and to pursue remedies under Sections 10(b) and 20(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the Exchange Act) and Rule 10b-5 promulgated thereunder, against the Company and certain of its top officials.



If you are a shareholder who purchased Colony securities during the class period, you have until July 27, 2020 to ask the Court to appoint you as Lead Plaintiff for the class. A copy of the Complaint can be obtained at www.pomerantzlaw.com. To discuss this action, contact Robert S. Willoughby at newaction@pomlaw.com or 888.476.6529 (or 888.4-POMLAW), toll-free, Ext. 7980. Those who inquire by e-mail are encouraged to include their mailing address, telephone number, and the number of shares purchased.

[Click here for information about joining the class action]

Colony is a leading global investment management firm with assets under management of $55 billion. The Company manages capital on behalf of its stockholders, as well as institutional and retail investors in private funds, and traded and non-traded real estate investment trusts.

On August 9, 2019, Colony announced that it would sell its multi-billion-dollar industrial portfolio and, potentially, its related management platform.

On September 30, 2019, Colony announced that Blackstone would acquire Colony Industrial, the industrial real estate assets and affiliated industrial operating platform of the Company, for $5.9 billion.

On November 7, 2019, Colony Credit Real Estate announced that third party valuation experts assisted the [c]ompany in a robust strategic reassessment of [its] entire asset base, that, [d]uring this process [the company] identified and separated a Legacy, Non-Strategic Portfolio and made meaningful changes to the original business plans, and that [g]oing forward, [the company] plan[s] to report the operations and dispositions from [its] Core Portfolio and the Legacy, Non-Strategic Portfolio separately.

The Complaint alleges that throughout the Class Period, Defendants made materially false and misleading statements regarding the Companys business, operational, and compliance policies. Specifically, Defendants made false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that: (i) Colonys sale of its industrial real estate portfolio and the bifurcation of Colony Credit Real Estates portfolio were foreseeably likely to negatively impact Colonys financial and operating results; (ii) certain of Colonys remaining portfolio companies carried unsustainable levels of debt secured by hotels and healthcare-related properties and were thus at significant risk of default; and (iii) as a result, the Companys public statements were materially false and misleading at all relevant times.

On November 8, 2019, Colony announced its financial results for the third quarter of 2019. Among other results, the Company reported a GAAP net loss of $555 million, or $1.15 per share, which notably included reductions of goodwill, real estate and provision for loan losses totaling $540.3 million . . . of which $387.0 million was attributable to the reduction of goodwill primarily as a result of the pending sale of the Companys industrial investment management business and related real estate portfolio, and the decrease in management fees from Colony Credit Real Estate, Inc. resulting from impairments related to its portfolio bifurcation.

On this news, Colonys stock price fell $0.48 per share, or 8.76%, to close at $5.00 per share on November 8, 2019.

Then, on May 8, 2020, Colony issued a press release announcing its financial and operating results for the first quarter of 2020. In the press release, Colony reported that its portfolio companies had defaulted on $3.2 billion of debt secured by hotels and healthcare-related properties and that Colony had received a notice of acceleration covering $780 million of the defaulted debt.

On this news, Colonys stock price fell $0.08 per share, or 3.81%, to close at $2.02 per share on May 8, 2020.

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

CONTACT:

Robert S. Willoughby

Pomerantz LLP

rswilloughby@pomlaw.com




A health official on the Texas Gulf Coast said 85 infants have tested positive for the coronavirus.

Corpus Christi Nueces County Public Health Director Annette Rodriguez said Friday that the 85 infants are each younger than 1, but offered no other details, including how the children are suspected to have become infected.

These babies have not even had their first birthday yet. Please help us to stop the spread of this disease by staying home except for necessary trips, socially distancing and wearing masks in public, Rodriguez said.

Rodriguez did not return messages for comment Saturday from The Associated Press.

Republican Gov. Greg Abbott is also stressing that the widespread use of face coverings could avoid another lockdown, which he hasnt ruled out.

Texas health officials reported more than 10,000 new cases for a fifth consecutive day on Saturday and said 130 more people have died due to Covid-19, the disease caused by the virus, bringing the number of reported cases to 317,730 and the number of deaths to 3,865.

The true number of cases is likely higher because many people have not been tested, and studies suggest people can be infected and not feel sick.

For most people, the coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms that clear up within weeks. But for others, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, the highly contagious virus can cause severe symptoms and be fatal.

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Abbie Chatfield has never been shy to speak openly about her personal sex life.

And on Saturday, the Bachelor in Paradise star, 25, pulled out a sex toy during dinner with TV presenter Danny Clayton.

Abbie was spotted holding a pink vibrator and pretending to interview Danny while enjoying a meal at a restaurant in Bondi Beach, Sydney.

Surprised! Bachelor in Paradise star Abbie Chatfield pulled out a SEX TOY during dinner with TV presenter Danny Clayton in Sydney on Saturday

The Bachelor star held the sex toy in one hand while she laughed and asked the radio presenter several questions.

Abbie put on a very busty display in a plunging black dress and wore a pair of black boots.

She styled her brunette locks in waves and wore a neutral palette of makeup for the outing.

Danny kept warm in brown pants, a white T-shirt, a stylish navy jacket and a pair of brown boots.

The pair were spotted enjoying dinner with model Simone Holtznagel, as well as two other friends.

Interview: Abbie was spotted holding a pink vibrator and pretending to interview Danny while enjoying a meal at a restaurant in Bondi Beach

Meanwhile, Abbie has previously boasted about her extensive sex toy collection.

During an episode of her It's A Lot podcast in May, the 24-year-old said: 'I have nine vibrators at this present time and then three dildos, and I'm really proud of them all.'

Abbie also admitted she finds it easier to have an orgasm alone than with somebody else.

'I know that I can **** from masturbating much easier than I can by someone else having sex with me,' she explained.

'So if I'm having sex with someone and I'm not dating them, I don't really care what they think if I have to stop halfway through,' she continued.

'I'll be like, "eh, go to sleep and I'll get my womaniser out",' she finished, referring to one of her favourite vibrators.

All smiles! The pair, who enjoyed dinner with model Simone Holtznage and two other friends, were seen laughing and joking

Abbie's outing comes after she revealed her Tinder account was reinstalled, almost one year after she was banned from the app on Thursday.

'Hi! We saw your post and we're happy to look into this for you and help out in any way we can,' they wrote.

'Could you please provide the email address associated with your Tinder account, and a member of our Trust & Safety team will be in touch to get more information. Thank you.'

Abbie shared their message to her Instagram story with the a caption reading: 'Success!!!!'

Style:Danny kept warm in brown pants, a white T-shirt, a stylish navy jacket and a pair of brown boots

In June 2019, the influencer revealed on the Sex Love Magic podcast that she went on The Bachelor in 2019 because she had been blocked from Tinder due to months of inactivity.

'I haven't had Tinder [in a long time]. My Tinder got blocked so that's why I went on the show,' she said.

'I had been on two Tinder dates ever. One was a one-night stand, successful after a break-up, and one guy I dated for six weeks.'

Abbie went on to reveal the moment she found out that she been blocked from the popular app.

'I was dating a Scottish guy and he moved to Australia and we were living together and it wasn't working so he moved out,' she said.

'The next day me and my roommate downloaded Tinder to see what's happening and it was blocked and I hadn't used the app for seven months and I couldn't get it back.'
NSW has recorded 18 new cases of coronavirus with majority of cases spread via community transmission.

Sundays figures included a newly infected diner who went to Holy Duck! on Kensington Street in Chippendale, in Sydneys inner city, on July 10 between 7.15pm and 9.30pm.

NSW Health is urging anyone who was at the restaurant between those times to immediately self-isolate for 14 days and get tested if symptoms develop.

One confirmed case has been linked to Holy Duck, a modern Chinese restaurant in Chippendale. Source: Briggs Jourdan/Google

Diners must remain in isolation for the 14 days, even if the test is negative.

Holy Duck! was closed for a deep clean on Saturday night, NSW Health said.

The restaurant said in a Facebook statement it was committed to doing what we can to keep everyone safe and are currently undergoing a deep clean of the restaurant.

Once this is completed, we will reopen to the public, the statement read.

Speaking to the media on Sunday, Dr Jeremy McAnulty addressed the particular concern of some venues and social gatherings aiding in the spread of the disease.

People are urged to avoid non-essential travel and gatherings. Of particular concern is transmission in venues such as hotels and restaurants, the gym and social gatherings, Dr McAnulty said.

We are calling on people across the state to take extra care.

Dr Jeremy McAnulty said there were 18 new coronavirus cases in NSW on Sunday. Source: NSW Health

The cluster linked to the Crossroads Hotel in southwest Sydney stands at 45 cases, with one person being linked to Planet Fitness gym in Casula.

Another case also attended the Anytime Fitness Gym in Merrylands on July 14.

Health authorities are calling for those who were at the gym on that date from 9pm to 10.30pm to self-isolate and watch for symptoms.

Three people, two in southern Sydney and in one in southwestern Sydney, who have returned positive results have no links to clusters in NSW and one case remains under investigation.

The cluster linked to the Crossroads Hotel in Casula has grown to 45. Source: AAP

NSW ramps up restrictions on overseas arrivals

Story continues

Five people who have tested positive are returning travellers currently in hotel quarantine.

While recently there has been an increase in community transmission, the bulk of the overall cases in the state are linked to overseas.

On Sunday, it was announced NSW would cap overseas arrivals into Sydney at 350 a day starting Monday under a new agreement with the federal government, 100 people less than the previous cap.

coronavirus

Our number one priority is the health and safety of the people of NSW, and this new cap will help us protect our state from COVID-19, NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian said.

NSW is the gateway to Australia and it is important that passengers returning home do not overrun the capacity of NSW Health and hotel quarantine.

The people of NSW have done an excellent job putting us in the position we are in today, however we must not let our guard down and this decision will further help keep us safe.

NSW will limit overseas arrivals to 350 per day starting Monday, Premier Gladys Berejiklian announced. Source: AAP

Jobs Minister Stuart Ayres said Australians had been given plenty of time to return from overseas.

"It is incredibly important the volume of returning travellers does not undo the great work of the people of NSW," Mr Ayres said in a statement on Sunday.

"The people, businesses and industries of NSW can only operate in this 'new normal' if we effectively reduce the spread of COVID-19, and further limiting the cap on returning travellers will help ensure this."

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.
Ayesha Singh By

All this while we were told that optimists live longer are happier and more content. They rarely see anything as insurmountable.

Every problem has a solution and the key to that is a positive attitude. But turns out, realists enjoy a greater sense of long-term well-being.

These new findings were published in the Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, and are hinged on an analysis from the British Household Panel Survey, tracking 1,600 people annually over 18 years.

Where is the problem

Mistaken expectations is the trouble-maker. Over-expecting or under-expecting, both lead to disappointment, which means optimists and pessimists are on the opposite ends of the spectrum, experiencing similar perturbations that stem from a pie-in-the-sky kind of thinking.

Its realists who take balanced decisions made on accurate evidence and therefore, enjoy long-term happiness.

An optimist will always imagine and act as if the outcome is only going to be the best.

A realist bets his money on the most probable outcome. Therefore, while an optimist could make a risky judgement, a realist takes calculated risks.

Navi Mumbai-based social entrepreneur Dr Saurav Das quotes writer William Arthur Ward: The pessimist complains about the wind; the optimist expects it to change; the realist adjusts the sails.

This sums it up perfectly. Were bread to be optimistic. Its deep conditioning that wants to protect us from misfortune. A part of it might be (or might not be), over-confidence. Maybe idealism.

But the new world needs balanced realists. People who weigh the pros and cons and reach an unbiased, practical, and realistic, decision, he says.

On the flip side

The new finding hasnt found a supporter in psychologist Anuja Kapur. That realists enjoy a greater sense of long-term well-being is not fortified, according to her.

"Realists dont see the positive sides of a situation or play down the constructive sides of resources at hand. Optimism is a mindset that enables people to view the world, people, and events in the most favourable light, whereas a realist will always have a curbed approach. Thats why youll see a high-performance confidence in the former, she says.

What matters in the end

The litmus test lies in how well youll deal with the emotions youve chosen, whether optimism, pessimism or realism.

Dubiety brings out different reactions at different times. The questions to ask is that if the outcome doesnt match expectations, do you have built-in resilience and self-esteem to tide over? says Nuthan Manohar, Behavioural and Wellness Expert, Sarva.

While realism is necessary to pick the right stock in business, optimism is necessary to bounce back after the stock crash and not have a medical incident like a stroke in the process. Its not a matter of choosing one over the other.

Different situations have different demands, according to Manohar. The prefrontal cortex of the brain that defines ones thinking ability is fully developed till age 25, so its necessary to have a better sense of realism at that time, whereas in old age, developing an optimistic attitude to deal with difficulties of daily living is better, she shares.

In the current situation, everybody should be a realist. Living in a fools paradise with regards to the pandemic will lead to unpreparedness.

In fact, the co-author of the study, David de Meza, noted that optimists will see themselves as less susceptible to the risk of contracting the coronavirus disease and are less likely to take proper measures. Realists calculate the best and the worst before taking an accurate decision, according to Manohar.

This brings us to the questioncan we train to be a realist? She answers in the affirmative.

Realism is all about training to process information. If we can train ourselves to glean from various data points and then arrive at a conclusion, were likely to have a better-informed point of view.

"The philosophy closely associated with this is known as stoicism taught by Seneca in ancient Greece. The students are actively trained to think of all possible outcomes, even the worst. There is also an active distinction made on what is within control and what isnt. The system goes a step further to assure that you are capable of surviving the worst if at all it comes to it, she says.

Its all about using the right tools in a given situation.

Straight talk



 A realist can visualise the best, the most probable and the worst outcome.

 Theyre prepared for the worst.

 Theyre often humble about a victory.

 The realist understands and takes into perspective a wider set of scenarios

 Realists finds practical ways out of a problem

Nuthan Manohar, Behavioural and Wellness Expert, Sarva

Warren Buffet is a realist and Elon Musk is an optimist. Marcus Aurelius was a realist, Alexander was an optimist. However, what we need to remember is that it's better to bet your money on a realist than an optimist. On the other hand, when it comes to choosing your doctor, various studies indicate that the assurance an optimistic doctor can give you is beneficial for your recovery.



Dr Saurav Das, Social entrepreneur

Were bred to be optimistic. Its deep conditioning that wants to protect us from misfortune. A part of it might be (or might not be), over-confidence. Maybe idealism. But the new world needs balanced realists... people who weigh the pros and cons and reach an unbiased, practical, and realistic, decision.


8:44PM: Ryan LaMarre has also been released after exercising his own opt-out clause, Topkin reports (Twitter link). The outfielder has hit .236/.286/.338 over 246 PA in five Major League seasons, with the bulk (180 PA) of that playing time coming with the Twins and White Sox in 2018. LaMarre inked a minors deal with Tampa after being let go by Minnesota last fall.

5:54PM: Catcher Chris Herrmann has requested his release from the Rays after enacting the opt-out clause in his minor league deal with the club, the Tampa Bay Times Marc Topkin reports (Twitter link). Herrmann signed the club back in January.

Mike Zunino is slated to be the Rays starting catcher, with Michael Perez in line for backup duty and Kevan Smith and Ronaldo Hernandez also part of the 60-man player pool. It is clear that Herrmann didnt like his chances of moving up the depth chart, and will now seek out a better opportunity elsewhere. Speculatively, the Pirates and Giants stand out as obvious potential landing spots  the Bucs just lost Luke Maile to a season-ending finger injury, while Buster Poseys decision to sit out the 2020 season has left San Francisco without a starting catcher.

Though Herrmann has at times flashed some hitting potential over his eight MLB seasons, he has been a below-average offensive producer overall, with a career .205/.282/.344 slash line and 25 home runs over 992 career plate appearances. The bulk of that playing time came with the Twins and Diamondbacks from 2012-17, though Herrmann hit well in 87 PA with the Mariners in 2018 before suffering through an injury-plagued 2019 campaign in Oakland. Herrmanns ability to play first base and both corner outfield spots gives him more of a versatile resume than your average backup catcher, which could help his chances of catching on with a new team.
On Thursday, the Court of Appeal ruled Ms Begum could only mount a fair and effective appeal if she was in the UK.

Mr Johnson told The Sunday Telegraph: It seems to me to be at least odd and perverse that somebody can be entitled to legal aid when they are not only outside the country, but have had their citizenship deprived for the protection of national security.

That, amongst other things, we will be looking at.

The Prime Minister said that the Government would also be looking at the whole system of judicial review to establish whether it had perverse consequences.

What we are looking at is whether there are some ways in which judicial review does indeed go too far or does indeed have perverse consequences that were not perhaps envisaged when the tradition of judicial review began, he said.

Ms Begum, now 20, travelled to Syria in February 2015 and lived under IS rule for more than three years before she was found, nine months pregnant, in a Syrian refugee camp in February last year.

Then-home secretary Sajid Javid revoked her British citizenship on national security grounds later that month.

Ms Begum took legal action against the Home Office, claiming the decision was unlawful because it rendered her stateless and exposed her to a real risk of death or inhuman and degrading treatment.

The Home Office spokeswoman said it would be applying for permission to appeal against the courts judgment.

Additional reporting by PA Media
Eating a Baylander Steel Beach in Manhattan.

Thomas Pallini/Business Insider

The "world's smallest aircraft carrier" is now an outdoor bar on the Hudson River in West Harlem, New York.

The Baylander Steel Beech opened for business in early July offering Manhattanites a reprieve from the standard outdoor bars that have popped up across the island.

I boarded the ship on Wednesday to see how well my two favorite topics  aviation and food  could live together in harmony but left with a hole in my wallet and an empty stomach.

Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

Watch out, Intrepid  New York City has a new decommissioned aircraft carrier, and this one has an outdoor bar on its main deck.

Just a few miles north of the iconic museum on the same river sits the Baylander, a Vietnam War-era Navy ship that was later used to train helicopter pilots how to land on boats.

Its tiny stature meant that only helicopters could access the ship, though it's often referred to as the "world's smallest aircraft carrier," according to Museum Ships, and for good reason. From bow to stern, the Baylander stretches a mere 125 feet, nearly seven times smaller than the famed USS Intrepid.

Commissioned in 1968, Museum Ships reports, the ship has been bouncing around different branches of the military for decades and eventually ended up in New York City after its retirement from the service. After entering private hands in 2011, the Baylander was moved to the West Harlem Piers and converted into an outdoor bar called the Baylander Steel Beach. It opened for business in early July.

With New York City still holding back on opening up indoor dining, outdoor bars have been in high demand so I went to the Baylander on Wednesday for dinner and drinks with friends to see if the concept held water.

Here's what it was like dining on a former aircraft carrier turned restaurant.

I first noticed the Baylander while driving down the West Side Highway earlier in the month and saw tables, umbrellas, and what appeared to be an outdoor bar.

Story continues

The Baylander Steel Beach NYC.

Thomas Pallini/Business Insider

After finishing work on Wednesday, a few friends and I decided to make the trek down from 155th Street to the West Harlem Piers, located off 125th Street.

The Baylander Steel Beach NYC.

Thomas Pallini/Business Insider

And we discovered the Baylander open for business!

The Baylander Steel Beach NYC.

Thomas Pallini/Business Insider

As an aviation reporter and food lover, it was clearly a match made in heaven to be having dinner and drinks on an aircraft carrier.

The Baylander Steel Beach NYC.

Thomas Pallini/Business Insider

As we approached the ship, a bouncer checked our IDs to make sure we were of legal age.

The Baylander Steel Beach NYC.

Thomas Pallini/Business Insider

The menu was incredibly simple with classic options like hamburgers, fried clam strips, and lobster rolls. The drink menu also had a mixture of specialty cocktails.

The Baylander Steel Beach NYC.

Thomas Pallini/Business Insider

Despite the outdoor setting, masks still had to be worn unless sitting and social distancing was required.

The Baylander Steel Beach NYC.

Thomas Pallini/Business Insider

The name, Baylander Steel Beach, is in reference to the Navy parties held on the decks of aircraft carriers, known as steel beaches.

The Baylander Steel Beach NYC.

Thomas Pallini/Business Insider

We had great weather and were expecting smooth sailing as we walked aboard.

The Baylander Steel Beach NYC.

Thomas Pallini/Business Insider

Before we were given permission to come aboard, the hostess took our temperatures to ensure we didn't have a COVID-19-related fever, with hand sanitizer available also upon request.

The Baylander Steel Beach NYC.

Thomas Pallini/Business Insider

With New York City still restricting indoor dining, the outdoor bar was the perfect environment to hang out in rather than a bar with a makeshift and unprotected outdoor seating section along a busy avenue.

The Baylander Steel Beach NYC.

Thomas Pallini/Business Insider

Seating on the main deck included a mix of picnic tables and counters with bar stools along the ship's edge.

The Baylander Steel Beach NYC.

Thomas Pallini/Business Insider

Umbrellas also provided a slight reprieve from the sun as it set.

The Baylander Steel Beach NYC.

Thomas Pallini/Business Insider

Social distance signage lined the ship with reminders to wear masks and stay six feet apart.

The Baylander Steel Beach NYC.

Thomas Pallini/Business Insider

To avoid crowding in line, the bar had installed placards on the ground telling patrons where to stand while waiting to order.

The Baylander Steel Beach NYC.

Thomas Pallini/Business Insider

Here's the main bar near the ship's bow from where food and drinks are ordered.

The Baylander Steel Beach NYC.

Thomas Pallini/Business Insider

The bar featured a beer draft system fashioned from ship pipes with a Titanic-style engine telegraph for decoration.

The Baylander Steel Beach NYC.

Thomas Pallini/Business Insider

All cocktails were $10 and over, standard for New York City, but there was a Bud Light bucket deal on offer with five cans for $25.

The Baylander Steel Beach NYC.

Thomas Pallini/Business Insider

I went for the boat's signature drink, the Big Apple Froze, and had a great view of the Hudson River and Midtown. The cool cocktail was refreshing and tasty.

The Baylander Steel Beach NYC.

Thomas Pallini/Business Insider

Located in West Harlem, though, the barge also provided great views of the nearby George Washington Bridge to the north.

The Baylander Steel Beach NYC.

Thomas Pallini/Business Insider

Instead of table service, patrons were given a buzzer for food orders and picked them up at a window in the back of the ship.

The Baylander Steel Beach NYC.

Thomas Pallini/Business Insider

As I waited for my food, my friends received their order of fried clam strips, buffalo wings, and french fries. It was mouth-watering, to say the least. but not cheap as this order came to $30 before drinks.

The Baylander Steel Beach NYC.

Thomas Pallini/Business Insider

I ordered the fish and chips tacos, an interesting take on the English dish.

The Baylander Steel Beach NYC.

Thomas Pallini/Business Insider

Needless to say, I was a bit disappointed with the portion size, especially with the $12 price tag.

The Baylander Steel Beach NYC.

Thomas Pallini/Business Insider

It took all of two bites to finish one.

The Baylander Steel Beach NYC.

Thomas Pallini/Business Insider

It was definitely tasty but did not do anything to quash my appetite after a full workday.

The Baylander Steel Beach NYC.

Thomas Pallini/Business Insider

After wrapping up the meal, we took a walk around the miniature aircraft carrier. There was additional seating behind the bar for those who wanted to enjoy the views of New Jersey.

The Baylander Steel Beach NYC.

Thomas Pallini/Business Insider

But the real treat was the upper deck that offered near-360-degree views.

The Baylander Steel Beach NYC.

Thomas Pallini/Business Insider

This was arguably the best seat in the house.

The Baylander Steel Beach NYC.

Thomas Pallini/Business Insider

The views of the river were unbeatable, especially as the sun was setting.

The Baylander Steel Beach NYC.

Thomas Pallini/Business Insider

Back down on the main deck, there are still some holdovers from the ship's time in the Navy.

The Baylander Steel Beach NYC.

Thomas Pallini/Business Insider

There's also an additional seating area near the ship's stern with more picnic tables.

The Baylander Steel Beach NYC.

Thomas Pallini/Business Insider

And those wanting to see some of the ship's inner workings need look no further than the restroom, where there's some leftover equipment.

The Baylander Steel Beach NYC.

Thomas Pallini/Business Insider

Come fall, the Baylander will serve the scores of Columbia University students and faculty in the area, with the main campus just a few blocks south and some university buildings visible from the ship.

The Baylander Steel Beach NYC.

Thomas Pallini/Business Insider

After venturing back onto dry land, I found myself still hungry.

The Baylander Steel Beach NYC.

Thomas Pallini/Business Insider

Luckily, there was an old familiar bar waiting at the end of the pier, 123 Burger Shot Beer, where we could get some cheap hamburgers for the 30-block walk back.

123 Burger Shot Beer

Thomas Pallini/Business Insider

True to name, the burgers were only a dollar.

123 Burger Shot Beer

Thomas Pallini/Business Insider

While the Baylander did provide a unique and enjoyable atmosphere, I think next time I'll fill up before getting on board.

The Baylander Steel Beach NYC.

Thomas Pallini/Business Insider

Read the original article on Business Insider
Backpackers have been warned - when travelling to the Northern Territory, COVID-19 is the least of your worries.

Local man Darryl Haggarty took to the Australia Backpackers Facebook page with a hilarious letter on Saturday informing tourists that while coronavirus cases remain low, other dangers are always present.

His open letter urged people to stay away from the Top End, joking that mythical Australian creatures like the 'Drop Bear' are running rampant.

'If you planning on visiting Darwin or any part of the NT, were doing OK here right now with COVID cases,' the post read.

'We watch in horror as the rest of the country spikes and wonder how long before it makes its way here.

A Northern Territory man has urged tourists to avoid the state, warning of natural predators roaming the region. Pictured is popular tourist attraction Kakadu National Park

But the Top End local said those planning to travel to the state should be wary of other dangers.

He said vicious wildlife was running rampant and there had been a spate of horrific attacks, including crocodiles eating some 'smaller people' and porcupines 'stabbing small children' should they dare to enter the bush.

'If you plan on vacationing at our rivers, lakes or on our waterfalls this winter, I think you should know that red ants and bedbugs have infested hotels, motels and cabins across the area due to an unusual spring,' he continued.

'We have had rabid dingo sightings at every park and town. We have Bigfoots INVADING OUR PARKS.'

'Drop bears have made their way over and multiplied at unprecedented rates and wander the local campgrounds in packs.

'Murder hornets!?! Weve got S**TLOADS of murder hornets. Not to mention the nasty redbacks.

'Head lice now fly... right beside the bats.'

The Territorian begged people not to travel for their own safety.

'So stay where you are, in your own state or country where it's safe!' he said.

'Seriously, PLEASE DO NOT COME HERE... and we also have NO TOILET PAPER!!'

The warning worked on some, with a few out-of-staters saying they would stay put.

Mr Haggarty joked that crocodiles in the area have been eating all domesticated animals and some 'smaller people' (stock image)

Mr Haggarty's post said vicious wildlife had been terrorising people in the Northern Territory

'I will stay in Victoria this year,' one person wrote.

Another added: 'Love it. Staying in Melbourne.'

Others were undeterred.

'Sounds like my kinda place,' a third comment read.

'I reckon I could get umpteen busloads of Victorians interested in eating tours. Can you start training the Crocs to eat slowly?' someone else joked.

'See you next week mate,' another said.
Dominic Raab today warned there were 'no measures' the UK could realistically take that would force the U.S. to extradite the suspected killer of motorcyclist Harry Dunn.

The Foreign Secretary said that while there had been a 'denial of justice' in the 19-year-old's case, the UK was powerless in forcing Anne Sacoolas to comply with the authorities.

His comments came just hours after Mr Dunn's mother Charlotte Charles urged the Prime Minister to make her son 'top priority' during the US Secretary of State's visit to the UK next week.

Speaking to Sky News's Sophy Ridge on Sunday programme Mr Raab said: 'It's heartbreaking, I understand how agonising it's been, I understand how exhausted they are with this. There's a denial of justice here.

Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab warned that while there had been a 'denial of justice', the UK was powerless in forcing Anne Sacoolas to comply with the authorities

In an emotional plea Charlotte Charles urged the Prime Minister to make her son 'top priority'

Harry Dunn, 19, was killed when his motorbike crashed into a car outside a US military base in Northamptonshire on August 27 last year

'There's an extradition request that's outstanding, we've called on Anne Sacoolas to return and our American partners to facilitate that.

'But there's no measures that we could I think credibly, realistically take which is somehow going to force the US or indeed Anne Sacoolas to comply with this.

'I want to be realistic because I don't want to raise expectations which are then going to be dashed.'

He added: 'I've raised it, we've raised it in Washington, the Prime Minister has raised it with President Trump and we will continue to make clear we're on the side of the family here, we think that she should return, she must return home, so that justice can be done.'

Just hours earlier Mr Dunn's mother called on Boris Johnson, Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab and Mike Pompeo to discuss her son's case nearly one year on from his death outside a U.S. military base in Northamptonshire.

In an emotional video statement, Ms Charles said: 'Mr Raab, Mr Pompeo, Mr Johnson, when you get together next week with all of your families fully intact whilst mine is in complete tatters and my family has been ripped apart, can you please, please discuss Harry?

'We've been assured he's high on your list of priorities to discuss amongst all of the other important global issues that you have surrounding you but please, please make him top priority.'

The heartbroken mother continued: 'It's been nearly a year, please don't let this roll into a second year. We've got his anniversary coming up which is going to be beyond painful for us.

'We don't want a repeat of the last 11 months. It has been horrific. You wouldn't wish it on your worst enemy.

'I don't want to relive any of it ever again and I certainly don't want to go into a second year of having to face some of what I've faced in the last 11 months since Harry's loss.

'It's just about doing the right thing. It always has been, it always will be. Don't worry about setting a precedent of sending someone back that's supposedly got this diplomatic immunity.

'We've always agreed immunity does need to be in place for certain circumstances. This isn't one of them.

'Please send her back. Bring Anne Sacoolas back to the UK, face the justice system. She can go home, do whatever afterwards, whatever has been handed back to her. That part of it is of no concern for me.

The mother of Harry Dunn called on the Prime Minister to discuss her son's case during the Mike Pompeo's visit to the UK next week

Anne Sacoolas, 43, the wife of a US intelligence official based at RAF Croughton, was able to return to her home country following Mr Dunn's death

Charlotte Charles and Tim Dunn have continued to call on the government to bring Ms Sacoolas back to the UK

'My concern is to make sure justice is brought and that Harry's life is actually thought of and considered.'

Speaking on Sky's Sophy Ridge today Ms Charles later described the last 11 months as 'beyond excruciating' and said she was 'very much determined to get that justice'.

Timeline of events following Harry Dunn's death 27 August 2019: Harry Dunn, 19, killed while riding his motorcycle near Croughton, Northamptonshire near the exit to RAF Croughton, when it collided with a car travelling in the opposite direction 28 August 2019: Suspect Anne Sacoolas is interviewed by police. Northamptonshire police request a diplomatic immunity waver 16 September 2019: Foreign office informs police that the waiver had been declined and that Sacoolas had left the UK on a US Air Force aircraft 15 October 2019: Charlotte Charles and Tim Dunn take their campaign for justice to the US where they meet with President Trump at the White House. They refuse meet the suspect, who was waiting in a room next door 31 October 2019: Northamptonshire police interview Sacoolas in the US after requesting permission to do so 25 November 2019: Dunn's parents submit a judicial review of the Foreign Secretary's actions over the extension of diplomatic immunity to intelligence staff and families at RAF Croughton 20 December 2019: Crown Prosecution Service announces that Sacoolas to be charged with causing death by dangerous driving and that it was starting extradition proceedings against her 10 January: Home Office formally requests the extradition of Sacoolas to face charges in the United Kingdom 23 January: US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo formally rejects request for extradition 28 April: Charlotte and Tim write a letter to the US Government, urging it to change its mind on the diplomatic immunity granted to Sacoolas 11 May: An Interpol Red Notice is issued for Sacoolas' arrest Advertisement

She said: 'I don't even know where we would even try to begin. Beyond excruciating every single day. We have to wake up every morning knowing that Harry isn't with us and we have to try to live with that.

'You dream about him at night time and you wake up and you feel angry and bitter that we've been left with out family in complete tatters and in ruin and still don't have justice for him. We're tired. Still very much determined to get that justice.

'The determination is still extremely strong but we're tired and we need the UK to work really hard with the U.S. government now and bring a closure to this.

'Bring her back and get that justice and do not allow us and force us to go into a second year of fighting.'

Mr Dunn family spokesman Radd Seiger added: 'What we want now, and I've asked this of Mr Raab several times, is a very clear timetabled structured plan to bring Anne Sacoolas back.

'It is no longer any good ... that they raise it continually. That means nothing to the family.

'She needs to come back. Actions have consequences. This is one of the most egregious abuses of human rights America has ever committed on a British citizen, a British family. Where is the special relationship?

'We need a clear specific plan. If the US are not going to send her back what is the UK going to do with specificity to make sure this terrible wrong is righted?

'This is the United Kingdom's opportunity, Mr Raab's opportunity, to show the nation that he is going to fulfil his first duty, which is to safeguard and protect the lives of UK citizens. He needs to stand up to the US now.'

Harry Dunn, 19, was killed when his motorbike crashed into a car outside a US military base in Northamptonshire on August 27 last year.

Anne Sacoolas, 43, the wife of a US intelligence official based at RAF Croughton, claimed diplomatic immunity following the crash and was able to return to her home country.

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 in January  a move the State Department has since described as 'final'.

An extradition request submitted by the Home Office for her was rejected by Mr Pompeo in January - a decision the State Department has said is 'final'.

Last month Mr Dunn's parents lost a High Court battle to force the Foreign Office to reveal documents relating to the 'secret immunity' US-UK agreement deal agreed in 1995 which allowed Ms Sacoolas to leave the country following the teenager's death.

Following a preliminary hearing conducted remotely by video call, Lord Justice Flaux and Mr Justice Saini rejected the application for the Foreign Office to disclose further evidence ahead of a full hearing.

Lord Justice Flaux said: 'We do not consider that any of the documents sought is necessary for the fair and just determination of the issues in the case, so that application is refused.'
Pastor Enoch Adeboye of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) has told those who bashed him over his birthday message to his wife, Foluke last Monday, July 13, not to bother with the criticism as his message was for his children and not for them.

The 78-year-old clergyman was attacked last week after he shared his birthday message to his wife of 52 years. In the post, the clergyman listed the things his wife has done for him and still does that has made their marriage work and appealed to ladies to learn from her. He said she is a submissive woman who still cooks and serves his meals, and looks after his welfare.

He was seriously bashed by some Nigerians who accused him of making the birthday post about him instead of just celebrating his wife.

This morning, he reacted to the backlash. While delivering his sermon titled From lockdown to lifting up on July 19, the clergyman said only his children would understand his comment.
Enid Maude Lindeman grew up in Strathfield, Sydney, the granddaughter of Henry Lindeman, founder of the famous Hunter Valley vineyard Cawarra. Tall, beautiful and spirited, she would marry and be widowed four times: twice to the wealthy sons of shipping magnates, once to a famous soldier and, lastly, to a larger-than-life London journalist and aristocrat named Valentine Castlerosse.

At the end of World War II, she and her three children  Rory, Pat and Caryll  moved to a palatial home called La Fiorentina, at Cap Ferat on the French Riviera, which she allegedly won in a card game at the Monte Carlo casino.

Enid as a young bride in 1913. It was the first of her four marriages.

Enid had had her fill of husbands. If she married again, given her record of four dead husbands, then the unlucky groom would undoubtedly die, and sooner rather than later, as she told one suitor who quickly withdrew the offer of matrimony. With the notion of pandering to the whims of a lover fading after the death of Valentine Castlerosse, her desire for adult male companionship was satisfied by the attention of her son Rory, who was as attentive as any husband, and the accidental hiring of a man to be her ladys maid.

The young man in question was Walter, the footman with the short leg, who was asked to fill in when Enids maid suddenly retired. Rather than be insulted by the notion, Walter had set about his new task with vigour, and was placed in charge of dressing her ladyship each morning, choosing her clothes and advising on style and make-up. He even helped her dress. Enid was happy with Walters attention to detail and decided to keep him on.
ADEJE, Spain  Music blared from a beachfront cafe along the normally bustling southwestern coast of Tenerife, the largest of Spains Canary Islands. But several tables sat empty, a month after a Covid-19 lockdown had ended, and the doors to many resorts remained shut.

Though tourism is returning to southern Europe  stretching from Portugal to Greece  its restart has been sluggish amid new outbreaks in some countries. Bookings are down 80 percent in Italy despite government incentives. Ferries to the Greek islands are carrying well under half the load they once did.

While Europeans are starting to travel more within their own countries, far fewer are venturing beyond their borders, particularly the holiday makers from Britain, Germany and other northern countries who typically journey south each year, spending billions of euros.

And visitors from outside the continent are few and far between: Just 13 countries are on the list of those considered safe by the European Union, a list that so far excludes the United States.
gettyimagesbank



By Kim Hyun-bin



Chinese companies' endless attempts to recruit Korean workers have been occurring in key industries here, highlighting the country's global competitiveness in the electronics and shipbuilding sectors.



According to workers in the display industry, the past three to four years have seen a boom in Chinese firms secretly trying to scout local talent by offering up to five times their current salaries among other attractive benefits.



They also are known to provide large incentives when seeking engineers or other personnel that have access to key technical information.



However, the benefits are short-lived with the recruited employees often getting the boot after the company is done draining key information from them.



Chinese firms recruiting skilled employees from abroad is causing a brain drain not only in Korea but also in Japan, Taiwan, Germany and the U.S.



Since 2008, Chinese firms have been working to recruit talented individuals from high-tech industries in other countries, allegedly setting the goal to hire 1,000 skilled workers from key industry each year. In the semiconductor and display sectors, firms in China are particularly interested in key Korean personnel, with those working for local conglomerates or associated affiliates at the top of the recruitment list.



In 2018, two researchers from an affiliate of a major conglomerate here stole OLED-related equipment blueprints and went to a Chinese firm in the same industry.



According to the National Intelligence Service, the two were tracked down and imprisoned for 18 months and 14 months respectively, while the authorities were able to retrieve the leaked technologies.



Over the past five years there have been over 580 cases of technology leaks 71 of which were solicited by foreign companies.



According to data from the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, which has tracked technology leaks between 2013 and 2018, out of 71 cases 48, or 68 percent, were solicited by Chinese firms.



There have even been cases where Chinese people came to work for key local companies with the express purpose of gaining information about certain technologies.



In 2013, a Chinese man deliberately entered a local OLED company to steal its key technologies and passed on the information through his personal email account, an internet messenger and USB devices.



Products utilizing these leaked technologies are usually released onto the market after two to five years, as seen in the display sector where there have been endless attempts to steal critical data.



In the OLED market, after key technologies were stolen from local Korean companies in 2012, related products were developed by Chinese firms CSOT and BOE, increasing their sales by 65.4 percent from the previous year.



Through the thefts, Chinese companies were able to enhance their products, thus increasing their competitiveness in the global market.



According to the Korea Information Technology Research Institute, China's OLED market share stood at 7 percent in 2017, but is predicted to surpass 20 percent this year.



In the past, Chinese companies focused on securing key technologies and personnel, but after facing difficulties from lawsuits the firms have now changed their strategy to obtain the related technologies through M&As or cyberattack.



Maintaining internal security is most important for semiconductor and display manufacturers.



"After the establishment of the World Trade Organization and following several economic crises, M&As have become attractive, especially in the materials and equipment industries," an industry official said.



There have been calls urging the government and companies to strengthen security entering the Fourth Industrial Revolution.



"Scouts and M&As have been used as means to achieve technological competitiveness in the industry," an official at the Korea Information Technology Research Institute said. "There have been thefts through increased cyberattacks, and methods have been evolving, resulting in substantial financial damage."


By Express News Service

KOLKATA: The recovery of a teenage girl's body erupted violence in North Dinajpur districts Chopra, West Bengal, on Sunday.

Alleging the minor was raped and murdered, a large group of 200 locals put up a roadblock on the National Highway that connects Kolkata to North Bengal. They set three government buses and one police vehicle ablaze. Police resorted to lathicharge to disperse the violent protesters.

The police said a group of local people squatted on the arterial thoroughfare demanding immediate arrest of the culprit responsible for the girls death. "We assured them of conducting a high-level investigation while trying to pacify the agitators. The situation worsened when some local leaders of a political party issued statements instigating the assembled locals," said an officer of Chopra police station.

As the police personnel, who arrived the spot, were outnumbered against the mob, reinforcement was sought. Personnel of Rapid Action Force (RAF) stepped in and the agitators turned violent, said the police.

"As the RAF personnel started chasing the demonstrators, bombs were hurled targeting the policemen. The agitators first set one of our vehicles on fire and then targeted the buses of the state transport department. They broke open the fuel tanks and sprinkled diesel on three buses before setting them ablaze," said the police officer.

The police had to rain baton on the protesters to disperse them. Till now, no one has been arrested for the arson and attack on policemen but the cops said a separate case was registered.
Representative image

An asteroid almost 1.5 times the size of the London Eye will make its closest approach to Earth on July 24, Express reported quoting US space agency National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).

The space rock, named 2020 ND, will whiz past our planet at a speed of 48,000 kilometres per hour just 0.034 astronomical units (AU) or 5,086,327 kilometres away from Earth. NASA has described the 170 metre tall asteroid as "potentially hazardous".

"Potentially Hazardous Asteroids (PHAs) are currently defined based on parameters that measure the asteroid's potential to make threatening close approaches to the Earth," the UK-based news website reported quoting NASA.

NASA has described asteroids having a minimum orbit intersection distance (MOID) of 0.05 AU or less as PHAs.

Although the space rock is not expected to collide with Earth, NASA has said that there is a one in 3,00,000 chance every year that an asteroid with a potential to cause regional damage will strike.

Even though the giant asteroid will miss our planet by a whisker, we will not be able to see the space phenomena with naked eyes and even those with relatively powerful telescopes may not be able to view it.
As a new dawn breaks in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina, we walk, almost enveloped in darkness, down to the New Rivers edge to take in the fresh morning air. Fresh mist moves across the dark water, dancing alongside the reflections made by the magical golden light of an awakening sun. The silence of these early hours is shattered as our presence startles an egret-like bird; the sound of its wings beating for takeoff disturbs our peace for just a moment as our attention goes skyward to watch the grace that comes with flight.

Daybreak at Rivers Edge, 2019, by Jason Drake. Oil on linen; 27 inches by 48 inches. Recipient of the Animal Award (second place) at the 14th International ARC Salon (20192020). (ARC)

This is the moment captured in Daybreak at Rivers Edge, by American realist painter Jason Drake. The painting won him the second-place Animal Award at the Art Renewal Centers 14th international salon exhibition, 20192020.

In the virtual salon exhibition catalog, Drake takes us right down to the New Rivers edge in his artists video statement, as he recounts how that river inspired him. He painted the piece to bring attention not just to that moment, but also to the importance of preserving the natural habitat of the birds not only for our future, but for theirs.

According to his website, Drake aims to reflect the glory of God and the dignity of Man in his paintings. Through his art, Drake hopes to encourage us to be uplifted, hold a higher viewpoint, and hold onto things that have meaning.

To see Jason Drakes award-winning painting alongside the work of 98 other international realist artists, visit the 14th International Virtual ARC Salon Exhibition on the ARC website through July 31, and click on the exhibition banner at ArtRenewal.org
Prince Harry is not just considered the prodigal royal, he is also considered a NOBODY by the British. This, according to the pulse of the nation, measured through a poll. A recent price cut of his and his wife's book on Amazon cemented this reputation.

If Megxit made UK people think negatively of Prince Harry at first, they now do not like to think about him at all, a new poll reveals, as reported by Express UK. If the results are to be taken seriously, he is not so much of anything but a nuisance - a liability, in the eyes of most British.

Poll results showed that only 35% can view the Duke of Sussex as remaining a positive asset to the royal family, even if he upped and left the whole country to be "financially independent" with his wife Meghan Markle across oceans. He's still not the most unpopular royal out there, but the drop in his popularity is quite shocking.

All he did was to become a family man, and yet, his approval rating dropped by 75% according to YouGov. The least popular of royals today is naturally Prince Andrew, whose alleged crimes are more apparent. Among the poll respondents, 80% said Prince Andrew is a liability to the UK. Only 4% believed that he is any way capable of being a benefit to the monarchy.

While Prince Harry has 35% approval rating this time, it is quite ironic that his wife, Meghan Markle got even a higher approval rating than him at 38%. Of course, there is nothing positive about this, since this essentially means 62% believe she is a liability as well.

Of course, with her steadfast commitment to the throne and to the people, even in the middle of the COVID-19 crisis, Queen Elizabeth remains a crowd favorite. She got a high 81% approval rating, followed by Prince William and then Kate Middleton.

Given the sudden price cut on the book about Harry and Meghan Markle on Amazon, after making it on top of pre-orders several months back, people are now assuming that the two's popularity has already vanished.

Amazon has reduced the price of the book, "Finding Freedom," from 20 to 13.60, which is not a small discount. According to Express UK, this is a massive humiliation to the Duchess. Why the price cut when it has not even been made public?

This can do so much damage to them, even if they have claimed to have flown to the US to become less hot in eyes of the UK media and to become independent. Losing interest from people essentially means all their plans on becoming the kind of celerity-slash-royals they dreamed of will be endangered.

COVID-19 has already did a number on their plans, losing the interest of the British people, whether positive or negative, can further dampen their chances of becoming financially independent.

Hollywood is not even back on its feet yet for Meghan Markle to strike out and recapture her acting career, but if people no longer cares about her, then she can put that dream back in its shelf once more. Prince Harry is yet to start the speaking engagements he is said to have lined up, but if the poll results are to be considered, people would not even listen or believe anything he will be saying. Banking on their tell-alls and biographies to keep them afloat will also now be a futile idea.

READ MORE: Prince Andrew Scared? 3 Implications Behind Absence On Princess Beatrice Wedding
Bank unions have raised concerns over lack of regular sanitisation and adherence to social distancing norms at various bank branches in Maharashtra, putting lives of employees at risk from COVID-19.

Unions have written a letter to state Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray seeking his intervention in issuing directives to banks and local authorities for safety of bank employees.

In the letter, United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU) said, "Despite standard operating procedure (SOP) prescribed by the central government as also state government and local administration, banks are not complying with regular sanitisation of branches."

Banks are not deploying security guards at the entrance of bank branches to manage the crowd, it further stated.

"This is resulting in violation of basic norms of distancing and cleanliness and thus banks have become a cause to spread the pandemic, in view of which we seek your indulgence to arrest the spread," the letter said.

It said that in Mumbai alone, more than 15 bank employees have lost their lives and more than hundred employees are infected by coronavirus.

The UFBU is an umbrella body of nine unions, including All India Bank Officers' Confederation (AIBOC), All India Bank Employees Association (AIBEA) and National Organisation of Bank Workers (NOBW).

Unions said banks in rural areas are currently flooded with farmers for crop loans but social distancing is not maintained, posing a risk to bank employees.

"We request you to please advise the state administration to deploy police personnel to regulate the rush at branches and to avoid any untoward incidents at bank branches," the letter said.

It said the local administrations from Raigad, Alibaug, Panvel, Ratnagiri and Sindhudurg have asked bank officials to keep their branches open even during weekly offs and holidays. Banks were asked to work on all holidays in June and July too, the letter said.

Unions have requested the chief minister to direct administrative officials from these areas to refrain from asking bank employees to report to duty on weekly offs and holidays.

Sensex closes 548 points higher; Nifty at 10,901; ONGC, Titan, RIL top gainers

Aim to gain market share, protect supply chain, preserve cash, says Sun Pharma
Normally, when you buy something online and it says that it will arrive in three days instead of one, you make a face. Well, the next time something like this happens, remember that a couple of aerospace scientists, at the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre in Thiruvananthapuram had to wait for almost a year to receive a vital package, that was to be driven from Maharashtra to Kerala.

 Twitter/PTI

Now, before you jump to conclusions, like so many of the people on Twitter did, it is important to know a few things about the entire endeavour that took place.

 Twitter/PTI

The truck in question was carrying a heavy piece of machinery called an aerospace horizontal autoclave. A quick google search will tell you that basically it is a pressure chamber that is used to create, test and process materials that will be subjected to extremely high pressure for a long time.

 Twitter/PTI

Now, the particular autoclave that was being transported was 7.5 metres high, and 6.5 metres wide, and weighed over 70 tonnes. The truck that was used to carry the autoclave had to be attached to a transport bed that was specially designed for this journey from Nasik to Thiruvananthapuram, covering a distance of over 1700 kilometres, crossing 4 states.

 Twitter/ANI

Transporting 70 Tonnes by road is not exactly a piece of cake. The truck, that was pulling the autoclave had over 74 wheels, was manned by a crew of 34 people, and could cover only 5 kilometres a day. No wonder it took them a year to cover a distance that otherwise takes 3 days by a car.

 Twitter/ANI

Desi Twitterati, of course, jumped in and shared their take on this -

Then Staff will say Hum ne toh ye wala order nehi kiya tha ... Bhai return lelo wrong delivery hai.



Driver be like pic.twitter.com/Pcf2RR0Roc  Sanjan (@sanjanind) July 19, 2020

truck paidal aa raha tha kya?  Tarun (@bansalsaaab) July 19, 2020

truck paidal aa raha tha kya?  Tarun (@bansalsaaab) July 19, 2020

Why sea route was not used .... Good example of wastage of time and resources  Bishal Chakraborty (@Politicallytom) July 19, 2020

Sonu Sood after knowing it took 1 year for this truck to reach its destination. pic.twitter.com/J64IaRqlNU  Maverick (@iAstroNOT) July 19, 2020

On the surface, it may seem that this long and arduous journey was unnecessary and that the machinery could have easily been sent by air, or through the sea. Actually, no.

The only aircraft we have that can carry such heavy machinery is the C-17 Globemaster III that is currently in use with the Indian Air Force. That aircraft has a maximum weight capacity of 70 tonnes. Such a narrow margin of error is simply not acceptable. Furthermore, we don't even know if the machinery would have fit inside the aircraft.

 Twitter/ANI

Coming to seaways, the autoclave was a one of a kind machine that was designed and developed indigenously in Nasik. Because the machinery will be used in developing aeronautical, space and militaristic research, the safety of the equipment was paramount. So, we simply couldn't risk losing the machinery.

We're glad that the long and arduous journey is nearing it's ending point and the machinery will soon reach its destination at the Space Centre. Remember, it can cover only 5 kms a day, so even though it is in the same city, it will still take a few days to reach its final destination.
New Delhi, July 20 : Union Minister of State for Civil Aviation Hardeep Singh Puri has questioned the role of two MPs and a "famous" journalist amid questions over Air India's plan to voluntarily send employees on leave without pay. He has said that facts are being misrepresented to create a sensation.

"An opposition MP wrote a letter to me describing a VOLUNTARY Leave Without Pay Scheme of an airline as inhuman! The 'cause' was also taken up either separately or in pursuance by another MP & a famous journalist who have their spouse/partner employed by the airline," Puri tweeted on Sunday night.

In the tweet, the Minister also attached a press release issued by Air India on the related issue in which leave without payment (without pay leave) was described as voluntary (voluntarily).

Besides, Puri also posted the tweet of a journalist, quoting Trinamool Congress MP Derek O'Brien, that he had written to the Minister to withdraw the "inhuman scheme of Air India which can force workers to go on Leave Without Pay for 5 years".

In another tweet, the Minister said: "It was described as 'Breaking News' by a lazy journalist on what was a dull Sunday morning for her news cycle! Time for them to introspect as to what their motives really are. Facts wrong. And misleading with a view to sensationalise." Due to a challenging financial condition, Air India has introduced Leave Without Payment Scheme.

O'Brien had written a letter to Puri criticising the Air India's scheme. It was mentioned that the plan to forcibly send employees on leave is inhuman and also a violation of labour laws.

On this, the airlines and the Minister said that the scheme is voluntary, not mandatory.

-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
DOSWELL, Va. - Republicans picked state Del. Nicholas Freitas at a convention Saturday to challenge freshman Democratic Rep. Abigail Spanberger in November, enduring a scorching day at the state fairgrounds as the party tries to regain its footing in Virginia's suburbs.

Freitas, of Culpeper, a former Army Green Beret, will try to unseat Spanberger in a longtime GOP stronghold that firmly backed Donald Trump four years ago but has trended blue ever since. The general election is expected to draw tremendous national attention and money to the central Virginia swing territory.

Spanberger, a former CIA officer, narrowly defeated two-term Republican Dave Brat in the 2018 blue wave, helping Democrats win control of the House. Former House majority leader Eric Cantor had represented the district for seven terms before losing the 2014 GOP nomination to Brat, a tea party favorite and member of the conservative Freedom Caucus.

"Today's a victory," Freitas told cheering supporters afterward. "But it's the victory that launches another fight. ... We need to show the contrast between what we believe ... versus what they're being force-fed by the left in this country right now."

Spanberger, in a nod to the nuanced politics of her district, released a written statement ahead of the vote touting her commitment to bipartisanship.

"Our district needs someone who puts country before party, not the other way around," she said.

Freitas emerged as the winner after three rounds of voting, having led in each round. He was one of six Republicans who competed in the nominating convention, which was originally set for April but was postponed after Gov. Ralph Northam, a Democrat, banned large gatherings because of the coronavirus pandemic.

About 2,500 registered delegates traveled to the exhibition hall at Meadow Event Park, the site of the Virginia State Fair, for a "walk-through" convention. The crowd was substantially smaller than the 5,200 registered and the 4,000 organizers had expected. The pandemic and the 97-degree heat were likely deterrents.

While delegates entered the hall to cast ballots, they had to exit immediately afterward to observe social distancing. Some spent the time between votes in their cars, air conditioners running.

"This is democracy in action. It just happened to occur on the hottest day of the year," James Bates, a 64-year-old private investigator from Goochland, said from behind the wheel of his idling white pickup, hood popped to help heat escape the engine and a towel tucked in one window to block the sun. "Burned a quarter tank of gas sitting right here."

Candidates dangled free water, air-conditioned tents, paper fans - even the chance to win an AR-15 - to try to keep supporters from drifting off over the 9 1/2 hours between the first round of voting and the last. Protect Freedom PAC, a political action committee affiliated with Freitas ally Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., announced it was raffling off the firearm with a catch: The winner had to be present for the drawing, which took place after the final vote.

The final round of balloting pitted two state delegates and military veterans against each other. Freitas faced Del. John J. McGuire III of Goochland, a former Navy SEAL.

Both had led the field in fundraising; Freitas raised more than $1 million and McGuire $670,000, according to the nonpartisan Virginia Public Access Project. Spanberger has raised $4.9 million.

The other contenders were Tina Ramirez, founder of an international nonprofit; Andrew Knaggs, a former Defense Department official in the Trump administration; Peter Greenwald, a retired Navy commander and high school teacher; and Jason Roberge, a Coast Guard veteran.

The district is a suburban-rural mix that runs from Culpeper through the Richmond suburbs of Chesterfield and Henrico counties, and it continues down to rural Southside Virginia. Trump won the 7th by about seven points in 2016, but the district has grown less hospitable to Republicans since then, particularly in suburban areas.

Independent agencies rate the race as a "toss-up" or "leans Democrat." National parties and political action committees have reserved millions of dollars in airtime for campaign ads.

At the convention, the winner had to garner a majority - at least 50% of ballots cast, plus one. The two lowest-performing candidates were eliminated after each round of balloting.

Freitas led in the first round, with 43.53% of the vote. McGuire had 25.89%, Ramirez 22.98%, Knaggs 6.95%, Greenwald 0.56% and Roberge 0.08%.

As ballots for the second round were being tallied, Ramirez and McGuire struck a deal: The one who did not advance to the third round would endorse the other over Freitas. Ramirez started spreading the word about an hour before the results were announced. As it turned out, she was the one who had to do the endorsing.

Freitas took 46.7% in the second round, and McGuire edged Ramirez out, 25.1% to 24.5%. Knaggs took 3.7%.

As delegates lined up for the third ballot, McGuire volunteers handed out glossy fliers with Ramirez's photo. "BREAKING: Tina Ramirez endorses John McGuire for Congress," it read. Freitas's volunteers also worked the line, handing out bottled water.

Freitas won the last round with 56 percent of the vote.

Freitas, 40, has gained a national following for his libertarian views and incendiary floor speeches in Richmond, endearing him to Sens. Paul and Ted Cruz, R-Texas, and Rep. Dan Crenshaw, R-Texas.

A three-term state delegate from Culpeper, he enlisted in the Army after high school, rose to the Special Forces and served two combat tours in Iraq. He left the military in 2010 and works as a consultant.

Freitas sought the 2018 nomination to challenge Democratic Sen. Tim Kaine but lost to Corey Stewart, the now-retired Prince William board chairman. Freitas's 2019 race for a third term in the General Assembly was among the most closely watched in the state because he failed to file key documents to register for the ballot, forcing him to launch a costly write-in campaign.

That effort was bankrolled by GOP megadonor Richard Uihlein of Illinois, who donated $500,000 and helped Freitas win by double digits.

He missed the deadline again this year, but state elections officials granted an extension to him and seven other delinquent congressional candidates.

- - -

The Washington Post's Jenna Portnoy contributed to this report.
Its a month into summer, and were celebrating National Ice Cream Day.

Indulge your sweet tooth with some cold, tasty treats by learning to make your own ice cream at home.

Not into all of that effort? No worries. Weve also rounded up some ice cream subscription services and other ice cream themed fun to make this day the best National Ice Cream Day yet.

Cuisinart Classic Frozen Yogurt, Ice Cream, and Sorbet Maker

Price: $69.95

This fully automatic ice cream maker from Cuisinart comes in a fun pomegranate color or a classic white. You can make 1  quarts of your favorite ice cream in just 20 minutes  just add your ingredients and flip the switch.

Whytner ICM-15LS Ice Cream Maker

Price: $325

The New York Times Wirecutter recommends this ice cream maker after testing 17 different models over the course of 6 years. More expensive than the first option on this list, Wirecutter recommends it for its built-in freezer design. It makes a smooth bowl of ice cream in a shorter amount of time than most machines  and is also easier to clean.

Sur La Table Ice Cream Tub

Price: $9.95

Youll need somewhere to store all of that delicious ice cream you make. This quart size tub is perfect to store your homemade batch. Theyre reusable and prevent freezer burn with tight-fitting silicone lids.

Stainless Steel Double-wall Vacuum Insulated Bowl

Price: $12.99

If your ice cream turns soupy before you get to eat it, try out eating it from a vacuum insulated bowl to keep your sugary treat cold. Itll also protect your hands from getting too cold while eating.

Goldbelly Ice Cream Monthly Subscription

Price: $79/month

Treat yourself to some ice cream on a regular basis with this subscription from Goldbelly that will ship you 5-6 pints, or 6-24 ice cream sandwiches, a month. You can choose between 3, 6, 9 or 12-month subscriptions. Some packages include San Franciscos Popular Humphry Slocombe Ice Cream, North Carolinas Oprahs Favorite Nyes Cream Sandwiches, LAs Amazing Coolhaus Ice Cream Sandwiches, Austins Lick Honest Ice Creams or Nancys Silvertons Nancys Fancy Gelato.

eCreamery Flavor of the Month

Price: $199/3 mo.

Try out a range of ice cream flavors by joining eCreamerys Flavor of the Month subscription. In your first package, youll receive four pints, a metal ice cream scoop, hot fudge, sprinkles, and an informational flyer explaining the club. Subsequent packages will deliver your fresh-churned small batch ice cream on the last Friday of each month.

Stainless-Steel Ice Cream Scoop

Price: $14.99

Scoop the perfect serving of ice cream with this scoop from OXO. Its pointed tip easily scoops even hard ice cream. Youll get to enjoy every last bit out of the container with this spoons flat edges, perfect for reaching into the corners of your favorite pint.

Personalized Ice Cream Bowl

Price: $22.09 (reg. $25.99)

Remind others to keep their paws off your ice cream with this personalized ice cream bowl. This white bowl has a cute graphic of ice cream with your name printed in script above it. It also has a handle for easy holding, is dishwasher and microwave safe, and holds 32 ounces.

Ice Cream Spoon

Price: $6.00

Youve probably been using any old teaspoon when you eat ice cream. Upgrade the way you eat ice cream with an ice cream spoon. Theyre not as curved as their regular spoon counterparts, and will deliver that smooth frozen delight into your mouth with ease.
According to a Tweet released by the Pakistan Navy, the first Yarmook-class corvette was inducted on July 13, 2020, during an official ceremony at PN (Pakistan Navy) Dockyard, Khi. The Chief Guest, CNS Adm Zafar Mahmood Abbasi termed the induction as an imp milestone for PN & said that PNS YARMOOK will act as a force multiplier to safeguard maritime interests of Pakistan.

According to a Tweet released by the Pakistan Navy, the first Yarmook-class corvette was inducted on July 13, 2020, during an official ceremony at PN (Pakistan Navy) Dockyard, Khi. The Chief Guest, CNS Adm Zafar Mahmood Abbasi termed the induction as an imp milestone for PN & said that PNS YARMOOK will act as a force multiplier to safeguard maritime interests of Pakistan.

Follow Navy Recognition on Google News at this link

New Yarmook-class corvette for Pakistan Navy. (Picture source Twitter account Pakistan Navy)

Dutch shipyard Damen signed the contract with the Ministry of Defence Production for two multipurpose OPVs for the Pakistan Navy on 30th June, 2017, following a tender process.

The Yarmool-class corvette is based on the design of offshore patrol vessels (OPV) developed by the Dutch Shipyard Damen. The ship was delivered in February 2020.

Damen will deliver the Second vessel PNS TABUK (Designate) in May this year. PNS YARMOOK is capable of performing a variety of maritime operations and can transport both a helicopter and a UAV. The ship can launch two high-speed RHIBs of 11.5 meters and 6.5 meters simultaneously and also has the capability to accommodate two TEUs for special mission based operations.

According to information released by the Pakistan Navy, the ship will be equipped with a remote weapon station armed with automatic cannon located at the front deck. She is also armed with 2x4 launchers for anti-ship missiles.

The Yarmook-class also has a landing pad and hangar for a helicopter. In addition, it can carry two RHIB (rigid-hulled inflatable boats), specifically one 11.5 m and one 6.5 m RHIB.
The Indian-American community could be "an absolute difference maker" in battleground states in the November 3 presidential elections, a top Democratic leader has said.

As a little over 100 days are left for the elections, both the Republican and the Democratic parties are making huge efforts to reach out to the small but influential Indian-American community in some of the key battleground states such as Michigan, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin.

Thomas Perez, chair of the Democratic National Committee, on Saturday said that Michigan has 125,000 Indian-American voters.

"We lost Michigan by 10,700 votes in 2016," he said, referring to the loss of Hillary Clinton, the then Democratic presidential nominee at the hands of President Donald Trump.

In the eight battleground States of Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Michigan, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Texas and Wisconsin, there are 1.3 million Indian American voters.

In Pennsylvania, (there are) 156,000 (Indian-American voters). We (Democratic party) lost (presidential elections in) Pennsylvania by 42,000 (votes). In Wisconsin (there are) 37,000 (Indian-Americans). We lost Wisconsin by 21,000 (votes) in 2016, said the head of the Democratic party.

The Indian-American vote, the AAPI (Asian-American and Pacific Islanders) vote more broadly, can be an absolute difference maker (in the 2020 presidential elections), Perez said at a virtual event An Electorate Coming of Age: Indian Americans for Biden', jointly hosted by the South Asians for Biden along with AAPI Victory Fund and Indian-American Impact Fund.

We are hustling to the finishing line 108 days till the weekend. Think about those three states alone that I mentioned. The Indian-American votes alone can be the difference in moving forward, Perez said.

Shekar Narasimhan, chairman of AAPI Victory Fund, said 77 per cent of the Indian-American voters polled in favour of Hillary in 2016.

Today in all the polls and surveys, their favourability for Biden over Trump is 2.3 to one, (which) is very close to what it was then (in 2016: 2.4 to one), he said, asserting that the party can aspire to get 75-80 per cent of the Indian-American votes.

It is our goal to deliver 1 million to actually vote in by November 3, 2020 and vote for a Democrat candidate namely for Joe Biden, Narasimhan said, referring to the 1.3 million Indian-American voters in the battleground states.

He said the information was based on data and latest research prepared by data guru Karthik Ramakrishnan.

There are sectors of the Indian-American community throughout our country, throughout our battleground states. And we want to make sure we're engaging and connecting directly with you all, senior advisor of Biden for President' campaign Julie Chavez Rodriguez said in her address to the event attended by over 800 Indian-Americans from across the country.

Amit Jani, the national AAPI director for the Biden campaign, said that the Indian-American community has grown in size, influence and in political and civic involvement. More Indian-Americans are joining politics and government.

The election in November for the president is going to be historic, and we really need the help and support from the Indian-American community to really make a difference, Jani added.

Al Mason, co-chair of the Trump Victory Indian American Finance Committee, has earlier spoken on the importance of Indian ethinic voters.

For the first time they (Indian Americans) would make a big difference, he told America's Voice in an interview early this month.

Mason, who operates a team of 100 experts in the battleground states, said Karthik Ramakrishnan's finding that 77 per cent of Indian-Americans voted for Hillary in 2016 will not repeat in 2020.

He said 50 per cent of the Democrat voters are now going to choose Trump.

My finding is that for the first time Indian American Democrats will be moving big time to President Trump. At least 50 per cent of Indian American Democrats who have been voting for Democrats since the time of Bill Clinton are going to move to the column of President Trump, he had told America's Voice.

In the town hall with Thomas Perez, AAPI Victory Fund chairman Narasimhan said if the Democratic party works hard, they can aspire to get 75-80 percent of the Indian-American votes.

The survey results of both the Republicans and the Democrats show that in case of a close race, the Indian Americans will play an important role.

Mason, who has been holding a series of virtual meetings with Indian-Americans, said his survey results show that there is an unprecedented level of enthusiasm among Indian-Americans for the president.

These 50 per cent of the Indian Americans (switching away from Democrats) which constitute 50,000 to 60,000 additional votes for President Trump in each of the battle ground states, will surprisingly make a big difference, in case of the race running close - though Trump will win those states with a wide margin, Mason told PTI in a recent interview.

According to Mason's study, in Michigan 45,000 voters out of 70,000 Indian American voters who vote for Democrats, will switch to Trump. Similarly, in Florida 50,000 voters out of 110,000 Indian Americans who vote for Democrats, will switch sides in November.

In Texas, Mason expects 50,000 voters out of 200,000 voters who vote for Democrats, will switch for Trump.

In Pennsylvania, 40,000 voters out of 110,000 Indian Americans voters who vote for Democrats, will switch to the Republican party.
SOUTH HAVEN, MI -- Police recovered a body from Lake Michigan near the South Haven north pier that is believed connected to a July 12 search for a man who went missing in the water.

The body was recovered just before 6 p.m. Saturday, July 18.

On July 12, a person called 911 about 9:20 p.m. to report his friend was missing in the lake. Red flags were flying at the beach and waves were estimated at 5-6 feet high.

Related stories

Search continues for man in Lake Michigan off South Haven beach
Image used for representation. (Reuters)



As the cases of coronavirus rise, UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson has said he will only impose another nationwide coronavirus lockdown as a last resort, comparing the tool to "a nuclear deterrent" in a Sunday newspaper interview. Johnson, who is hoping Britain can return to "normality" by Christmas despite fears of a second wave of cases over winter, insisted the country was getting better at tackling the virus. The UK has been among the worst-hit countries in the world by COVID-19, registering the highest death toll in Europe. Meanwhile, its economy has been battered by a months-long lockdown that has only been gradually eased over recent weeks -- and which Johnson is desperate to repair by avoiding another national shutdown.



"I can't abandon that tool any more than I would abandon a nuclear deterrent," he told the Daily Telegraph in a wide-ranging interview to mark the end of his first year in Downing Street. "But it is like a nuclear deterrent, I certainly don't want to use it. And nor do I think we will be in that position again." Johnson insisted health authorities were "getting much better at spotting the disease and isolating it locally" while also learning more about who it affects most and how it is spread.



The British premier on Friday sketched out a timetable for easing the remaining lockdown measures in England, including lifting homeworking guidance and reopening sports stadiums and live theatre. Current government advice is for employees to work from home where they can, but under the new proposals employers will have "more discretion" to urge staff to return.



Despite Johnson's optimism and desire for a return to normal, his chief medical officer, Chris Whitty, said on Friday that social distancing needed to continue "for a long period of time". The government's chief scientific advisor, Patrick Vallance, agreed, judging the risk of a second wave of infection to be "high".
Rajasthan crisis: Union min should provide his voice sample, resign until probe ends, says Congress

India

oi-Madhuri Adnal

New Delhi, July 19: Congress senior leader Ajay Maken while addressing media on Sunday said that Union minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat should provide his voice sample and resign as minister till investigations are complete.

Speaking to media, Maken said,''A proper CBI probe will land several big names in embarrassment. If BJP has no role in this matter, then why are Cong MLAs being pressured by Central agencies?," Ajay Maken asks.

''A floor test will be taken if and when the CM deems necessary,'' Maken said.

Home Ministry seeks report from Rajasthan on allegations of phone tapping

''Gajendra Singh Shekhawat should step down as Union minister for impartial probe into audio tapes controversy,'' he said.

Coronavirus: WHO reports single-day record global spike in Covid-19 cases | Oneindia News

Earlier, Congress spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala accused Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, the member of Parliament from Jodhpur, during a media address on Friday of being caught on tape conspiring with rebel Congress legislators to bring down the Gehlot government.

Shekhawat, the Union water minister, has denied the charge and sought a probe against, asserting that it was not his voice on the tapes.

The Gehlot government has plunged into a political turmoil following a revolt by Sachin Pilot, who has since been sacked from the dual posts of deputy chief minister, Rajasthan, and state Congress president.

Pilot and 19 rebel Congress lawmakers, who owe allegiance to him, have been camping at ITC Grand Bharat Hotel in Manesar, Haryana that has emerged as a playground for political parleys.

For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications

Story first published: Sunday, July 19, 2020, 14:00 [IST]
Reality check on return to school

Reality check. Students and staff returning to school without assurance of safe learning and work environment is frightening and will jeopardize lives of children, education employees, and their families. Ive been involved with the education community my entire adult life. Schools are petri dishes of germs without COVID-19. Masks, physical distancing, and on-line learning lessen the danger.

COVID-19 studies indicate that it is spread as aerosol or particles expelled when breathing, talking, singing, and yelling. Wearing a mask/shield lessens the spread of COVID-19. It is not an infringement on personal rights; we do it to increase safety when outside our homes. No one enjoys it.

Classrooms cannot provide physical distancing with 20-plus students present. Safe physical distancing requires additional space and staff. Churches are a logical source of space, but the difficulty remains a staffing and financial issue. Federal CARES act funds should be used to provide for student technology needs and internet access regardless of family economic status. Online instruction solves the safety, space and staffing issues.

Online learning is problematic for working families. It is easier to catch up on education than to grieve the loss of students or staff. Education happens whether in-person or on-line. Lost lives cannot be recovered. One life lost is too many. Do you want to sacrifice a family member for a test score? I dont! My only daughter is a teacher. My only grandchild is a third grader. Yes, its personal.

Patricia Shipley

Nodaway

Abuse of power

President Donald Trump has shown how fragile our democracy is when we have a president who abuses his power and threatens the Constitution of the United States.

During protests in June, Trump wanted to deploy troops from the 82nd airborne division and other units to Washington D.C. to squelch the protests. The rational thinking and recommendations of Defense Secretary Mark Esper; Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Gen. Mark Milley; and Attorney General William Barr avoided the deployment.

Trump abused his power when he asked the Ukrainian president to interfere in our election, and Trump was subsequently punished with impeachment by the House of Representatives.

Trump commuted convicted criminal Roger Stones sentence and interfered with the sentencing of other friends. Attorney General Barr said Trumps tweets were interfering with Justice Department cases.

I agree with former Chief of Staff General John Kelly who essentially said we have to scrutinize candidates for the presidency of the U.S. to ensure they have the psychological stability, even demeanor and intelligence to assume the office of the president of our great country, and do not threaten our Constitution.

Donald Moskowitz

Londonderry, New Hampshire

Governor not doing enough

Its bad enough that Gov. Kim Reynolds refuses to enact policies to curb the spread of the coronavirus in Iowa.

Now she prevents others from doing so. She and Attorney General Tom Miller say local authorities cant do what she is refusing to do, even though all Muscatine Mayor Diana Broderson did was make mandatory what the governor claims she is strongly encouraging.

So whats the problem?

The governor is wishy washy about COVID-19 prevention measures like no masking or shelter in place requirements, but shes adamant on actions that put Iowans at risk, like forcing meatpacking plants to stay open without protections or stomping down on officials who actually care about their citizens.

The governor should do what experts and public health officials recommend, and what the governors of 20 other states have done: Require masking in public venues. If you agree, contact Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement and sign the petition at staysafeiowa.com.

Tom Rendon

Des Moines

Army veteran for Biden

As an Army veteran, I am appalled by the reports indicating Russia is offering a bounty to the Taliban to kill U.S. military in Afghanistan. American intelligence has uncovered data showing large sums of money controlled by Russias military intelligence was transferred to a Taliban account involving a number of Afghanis.

What is even more disturbing is the President saying he was never told. U.S. intelligence says Trump was informed during his daily briefing as early as February.

It is one thing for Trump to lie about the number of people attending his rallies, but to lie about Russian bounty on American soldiers is too much. Where is the concern for those soldiers who put their lives on the line everyday for America?

Once again Trump is blaming others for his inexcusable lack of action. That is the Trump way. Blame someone else ... the information isnt credible, the Chinese virus, the WHO didnt act quickly or its a hoax.

It is equally appalling when the commander in chief consistently demeans our intelligence agencies when they provide credible information he does not want to hear (especially about Russia) and sides with Putin instead. And then fires competent people for doing their jobs. Why does he do that, I wonder?

The commander in chief is supposed to honor, protect and support our military personnel. On Nov. 3, vote for Joe Biden as our next commander in chief. Integrity and compassion needs to be re-established in the White House.

Robert Sprengeler

Cedar Rapids

Better testing needed in Iowa

The Reynolds administration spent $26 million of taxpayer money to set up TestIowa. According to Reynolds, we were supposed to be able to test 5,000 people per day in the state.

When I first suspected I was sick in May, I set up an appointment with TestIowa. Much to my disappointment, the results came back inconclusive. They were damaged and I needed another test. After speaking with my doctor, she determined that I did not have COVID and no other tests were needed.

In July, I became sick again and attempted to go back to TestIowa. Only two test sites were available, Storm Lake and Council Bluffs. Mercy didnt recommend testing per Kim Reynolds recommendations. Luckily I found a place to get tested, but the process leading up to testing was overly-complicated and discouraging.

Recently, Iowa has seen an uptick in positive COVID cases, so much so that Chicago requires a mandatory quarantine for anyone coming from Iowa. And worldwide, the European Union banned all flights going to and from the United States. Also cruise lines are not being allowed to sail in U.S. waters through October.

Testing should be readily available and the results should be reliable. Fighting COVID is no longer about protecting people. Listening to experts, having tests readily available and wearing face masks is now a political issue.

If we want COVID to get under control, we must do better with testing!

Tanya Burgess

Cedar Rapids
As COVID-19 uproots businesses and lives across the country, Wisconsins essential front-line workers, including thousands of immigrants, remain among the most vulnerable.

Many immigrant workers must decide: Stay at home and risk losing a paycheck or go to work but risk the coronavirus. That decision is further complicated because many lack health care coverage.

Even legal immigrants living in households with those who remain in the country illegally are ineligible for federal stimulus dollars meant to help families during the economic downturn.

In Milwaukee, Julio Gumeta, a 26-year-old immigrant who has been living in Wisconsin for the past 19 years, said immigrant workers are not getting the protections that many of the citizens staying at home that use (their) services are getting.

Gumeta, a recipient of federal Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals protection for immigrants who entered the country illegally as a child, is a former employee of a Milwaukee-based fresh food supplier, where his mother currently works. According to Gumeta, immigrants make up the vast majority of the companys labor force. Since the pandemic began, his mother has continued to work there  risking exposure to COVID-19 with no health insurance  so that she can provide for her family.

In those workplaces where its mostly immigrants, their safety is being ignored, said Gumeta. Employers are making money out of our labor, out of our bodies, and at the same time, they have complete disregard for our lives.

CARES Act

In March, the federal government passed the $2 trillion CARES Act, a response to the pandemic-related recession. Nearly 160 million stimulus checks were sent to individuals and families, but nonresident aliens, which the Internal Revenue Service defines as any individual who is neither a U.S. citizen nor a U.S. national, received no aid.

In the U.S., an estimated 10.5 million to 12 million immigrants who entered the country illegally are ineligible for federal aid.

Immigration advocates cite the essential labor that such communities have contributed during the pandemic. They note families with both individuals lacking proper documentation and legal permanent residents are among those who dont receive federal aid. The Migration Policy Institute estimates about 15.4 million individuals in such households are ineligible for stimulus payments.

Even if every member of a family is a natural-born U.S. citizen, if one person in the family is an undocumented worker who legally pays taxes, then the entire family is ineligible for the money from federal aid, said Jack Norman, interim communications director for Voces de la Frontera, an immigrant rights group based in Milwaukee.

Norman emphasized the role immigrants play in Wisconsins economy, paying taxes, actively working and starting families and having children who are U.S. citizens.

They dont get money because ultimately it does come down to a form of racism that is implemented by the government in terms of its treatment of undocumented workers, he said.

Vital services

Within the state, immigrant workers are concentrated in the manufacturing, health care, food services and agricultural industries, each of which has provided vital services during the pandemic. In 2018, immigrants accounted for 5% of Wisconsins total population and 6% of the states labor force, according to the American Immigration Council.

In Wisconsin, immigrants hold many labor-intensive jobs, which include semiconductor processors, assemblers and those moving freight, stock and materials by hand. Manufacturing ranks as one of the states largest industries.

The American Immigration Council estimates that in 2018 immigrant-led households in Wisconsin paid $968 million in state and local taxes, while undocumented immigrants paid an estimated $101 million in state and local taxes.

At the same time that undocumented workers pay taxes, theyre frozen out of so many things like unemployment, health insurance, in many cases, and theyre subject to retaliation at work if they take off sick, Norman said. They cant complain because of the situation theyre in.

Dave Gorak, executive director of the Midwest Coalition to Reduce Immigration, an immigration-restriction organization based in Wisconsin, agreed that immigrants contribute to the U.S. economy. But he said immigrant workers occupy jobs at the expense of Americans remaining unemployed. He agreed with the exclusion of millions of immigrants from the CARES Act.

This whole argument that we need immigrants to keep our economy afloat, thats just nonsense, Gorak said. We dont need more immigrants and refugees. We need more good-paying jobs for Americans.

Risks at work

Gumeta described the work environment that his mother and thousands of immigrant workers experience as dangerously unsafe since the beginning of the pandemic. Many workers havent been receiving personal protective equipment, and masks and social distancing arent being enforced, he said.

My mom is still working pretty much shoulder-to-shoulder with people, Gumeta said. Some people are not wearing masks, or they have their masks down while theyre at work.

In late April, there was a COVID-19 outbreak at JBS Packerland, a beef processing plant in Green Bay where nearly 300 workers were said to be infected. Organizers at Voces de la Frontera, where Norman works, helped advocate for workers at JBS and other nearby facilities. Norman said some of these workers shared with him a list of safety precautions that were not being enforced at the facilities.

According to Norman, workers at some of Wisconsins meatpacking facilities told him they were given face masks but during the workday masks would get sopping wet with sweat from all their movement. When employees asked for new masks, management wouldnt provide any.

When asked what COVID-19 safety protocols JBS has in place, Cameron Bruett, head of the companys corporate affairs, said through an email statement, Our team members, visitors and applicants can receive and exchange masks throughout the day as needed. During break times, we have COVID Supervisors who hand out masks in the cafeteria for team members to exchange.

Bruett also explained that personal protective equipment varies depending on an employees job, but that face coverings are required by everyone on all JBS Green Bay premises. According to Bruett, the company also requires all team members working on production floors to wear face shields.

Health care disparities

According to 2018 data from the state Department of Health Services, 93% of residents had health care insurance for the whole year, while 7%  about 402,000  went without coverage for part or all of the year.

Gumetas family has no health insurance, as none of their employers offer it. As his mom continues to work in an environment that feels unsafe, Gumeta fears for his familys health. He suffers from asthma and also lives with his elderly grandmother. Both are considered high risk for COVID-19.

Gumeta said his family lives paycheck to paycheck, and taking time off to protect themselves isnt an option.

The Kaiser Family Foundation, a nonprofit organization focused on national health issues, estimated that nationally in 2018 about 23% of lawfully present immigrants and 45% of undocumented immigrants did not have health insurance coverage.

Help available

Still, some local health care providers are working to address their needs. In Dane County, the UW Health system and Access Community Health Centers encourage residents to seek health services regardless of their immigration status or ability to pay.

Shiva Bidar, UW Health chief diversity officer and a Madison City Council member, confirmed that Wisconsin residents can come to their health facilities and receive care, no questions asked.

Well make sure they go where they need care and nobodys asking them to pay up front for anything, Bidar said. We will figure out on the back end what we need to do to make sure that their bills are covered.

The Health and Economic Recovery Omnibus Emergency Solutions Act, which passed the House on June 23, would allow unauthorized immigrants without health insurance to qualify for no-cost testing, treatment and vaccines related to COVID-19, among other protections.

Additionally, part of the bill includes the COVID-19 Every Worker Protect Act, introduced by Sen. Tammy Baldwin, D-Madison, which would create enforceable safety standards by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. Baldwin introduced the COVID-19 workplace protections in response to outbreaks of infections across Wisconsins meatpacking industry.

The bill has yet to be voted on in the Senate and wont be debated until after the chamber returns from its July recess.

Photos: UW immigration rally 2017

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LNP Opposition leader Deb Frecklington has pledged Queensland will make it easier to bring online paedophiles to justice by increasing prosecuting powers based on South Australias Carlys Law.

Carlys Law was introduced after 15-year-old Carly Ryan was raped and murdered by a 50-year-old paedophile who had posed online as a teenage student in 2007.

The change made it a crime in SA to plan to harm a child under 16 and targeting predators who lied about their age.

Carlys Law-styled increased powers comes after frustration among police over the difficulty of prosecuting offenders caught in the early stages of online grooming, Frecklington says.

The LNP proposes to make it an offence for an adult to communicate with a child while claiming to be younger than they are, or another person altogether, to meet with a child.

It will also be an offence for an adult to communicate with a child while claiming to be younger than they are, or another person altogether, with intent to commit an offence against the child.

Therell be no hiding place for vile online predators under a government I lead, Frecklington said.

These laws will ensure police have the tools they need to protect kids from online predators.

Opposition shadow attorney-general David Janetzki said Queenslands version of Carlys Law would plug gaps within the states own laws.

In Queensland, there are grooming offences, however, for those offences to be applied there must be an intent to commit a sexual attack, he said.

These laws do not require intent.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk there needs to be absolute firm action to protect children from sexual exploitation and they have implemented laws which are monitored by police.
As scepticisms over Chinese brand Huawei intensify, United Kingdom has now turned to Japan to develop its alternates. Citing companies such as NEC Corp and Fujitsu Ltd, the Boris Johnson government has asked Japan to help the UK develop 5G wireless network without Huawei technologies.

According to reports, British officials met with their Japanese counterparts in Tokyo in July, two days after the UK ordered Huawei equipment purged from its 5G networks by the end of 2027. The move not only reflects the UKs efforts to bring in new equipment supplier to foster competition but also to help reduce costs for British wireless carriers.

Read: China Slams US Clampdown On Huawei, Accuses UK Of Having No 'autonomy On The Issue'

Read: US To Impose Visa Bans On Some Employees Of Huawei Over Human Rights Abuse In China

'Woking with allies'

Meanwhile, British digital minister Oliver Dowden has revealed that the country was working with its allies to foster rivals against Huawei adding that it was working with Finland, Sweden, South Korea and Japan. On July 14, the UK ordered all its mobile providers to remove all Huawei equipment from its 5G network by the end of 2027 prompting China to order necessary measures to protect its interest in Britain.

Speaking about UKs decision, Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying told reporters that the decision to purge Huawei equipment was driven by politics rather than national security. UKs ban follows the US sanctions on Huawei Technologies Company and ZTE Corporation, calling them threats to national security. Federal Communications Commission Chairman Ajit Pai had announced on June 30 that the money from the FCC's Universal Service Fund worth $8.3 billion cannot be used to buy, improve or support any equipment or services provided by these suppliers.

Read: Huawei At Centre Of Row Between China And UK, US

Read: Hancock Quizzed On Trump Statement On Huawei

(Image credit: AP)
Some were motivated by health concerns about putting their kids back in public schools, while others were concerned that the schools were imposing too many restrictions on students, she said.

May had intended to wait until Bellevue came out with its reopening plan, but then decided that regardless of what that looked like, her kids would be home with her.

We are concerned about not only the virus, but the schools ability to be able to put together a good plan, and to implement that plan, and try to keep everybody healthy, she said.

She said shes tried to prevent her girls from contracting the disease. May said she knows that she cant completely protect them from the virus, but shes not willing to risk putting them in a school where one or two kids get the flu in the wintertime, and it runs rampant, she said.

She also felt that wearing masks would be an added distraction for her kids and everyone else in the school.

When we talked to our girls about it, they said, We would really like to stay home and not have to wear masks all day. 
When we hear the word assault, we expect it to be something that predatory men do to women, says Paapa Essiedu. Its such a binary perspective that doesnt take into account the different sexual dynamics that exist.

I May Destroy You  the BBCs earth-shaking, unflinching consent drama starring Essiedu as Kwame, a gay man who is abused on a Grindr date  takes that assumption and blows it out of the water. The show was created by Michaela Coel, who plays Arabella, a writer who is drugged and raped on a night out. As her best friend, Kwame is there to hold her hand throughout the ensuing police investigation. Then, in the fourth episode, he suffers his own attack, when a man he meets for consensual sex refuses to let him leave, pinning him down and assaulting him.

Ive spoken to people who have been through very similar things to Kwame, says 30-year-old Essiedu from his girlfriends house in Finsbury Park, where hes been spending lockdown. Its weird that this feels like a radical portrayal of rape, because its an experience that so many people can literally relate to.

The rape knocks Kwame sideways. Where he was once so assured and empowered, bouncing from aerobics classes to casual hook-ups and back again, he becomes watchful and wary. Its like flipping a sixpence, says Essiedu. From that point onwards, hes treading water and struggling to reclaim who he was.

The actor  who has previously played a manservant and a tabloid journalist in BBC dramas The Miniaturist and Press respectively, and a crooked businessman in Skys Gangs of London  finds it refreshing that I May Destroy You portrays a black man who isnt hypersexualised, criminalised or impoverished.

Its crucially important that we honour the richness and fullness of the whole spectrum of what black men can be on television, he says.

Societys monolithic perception of black men plays into the plot of I May Destroy You. When Kwame reports his assault to the police, he is met with a total lack of respect and empathy. Kwame is not just a man whos been abused by a man, says Essiedu. Hes a black, gay man whos come to the police in this country for help, so there are a lot of different things that are intersecting and playing against him. I do think there are elements to our justice system that are both racist and homophobic. You can see that by the statistics around reported crimes versus conviction rates.

Figures on sexual assault victims who are both Bame and gay were not available from the Home Office; however, conviction rates for rape, in any demographic, are far lower than other crimes, with only 3 per cent of reported rape cases ending in a conviction for the perpetrator in the year ending March 2019. There isnt space for black men to be seen as victims of crime within our system, Essiedu continues. Black men are expected to be perpetrators. When Kwame tries to position himself as a victim, realising what has been done to him, he is met with ridicule, trivialisation and rejection.

I May Destroy You has forced many viewers  Essiedu included  to question past sexual experiences they may not have realised were non-consensual or problematic. Ive been looking back at myself since the #MeToo movement, he says. Sex education in this country is actually beyond a joke. The lessons are purely to make boys feel petrified of impregnating girls just by looking at them. The teacher doesnt want to teach it and the kids dont want to learn it. Were not introduced to a lot of the rules around sex when were young, meaning so many people are making it up as they go along.

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Michaela Coel, Paapa Essiedu and Weruche Opia in I May Destroy You (BBC)

Essiedu went to The Forest School in Walthamstow, east London, after winning a scholarship to attend the private college. He was raised by his mother, a fashion and design teacher, after his father left for Ghana when Essiedu was a baby. In Nineties Walthamstow there werent any vegan cupcakes or oat-milk macchiatos to be found, he says, laughing. We didnt have much money, but Ive got fond memories of Walthamstow market, where there were proper East End greengrocers next to Romanians trading trinkets and Jamaicans selling dragon fruit.

After school, Essiedus plan was to study medicine at University College London. He was on the verge of going, and had even been allocated a room in its halls of residence, when he made a sudden U-turn and rejected his place to pursue acting. He was accepted into Guildhall School of Drama, where he met Coel. I was starting from nothing, says Essiedu. In the minds of the people who ran Guildhall, an actor was a Tom Hiddleston, an Eddie Redmayne, a Damian Lewis, therefore the curriculum was geared towards that.

Essiedu and Coel performed in restoration comedies, David Hare plays and Greek tragedies at Guildhall. It was a really confusing place to be black, says Essiedu. We were doing these plays about high society, which is based on slavery and a class system that historically oppressed, brutalised and murdered our ancestors. He says he had to do mental gymnastics to figure out how to play the oppressor, because apparently thats how you become a good actor.

He recalls doing a make-up class where a white teacher didnt know how to paint bruises dark enough to show up on black skin, and an incident where a teacher called him the N-word.

It was mad, says Essiedu, explaining that a tutor, who was supposed to be directing, used the slur during an improvisation exercise. We were all playing prisoners and she was the officer. She shouted the N-word and, as the only two black people in the group, me and Michaela looked at each other in horror. It was under the guise of, Oh, its an improvisation, I was in character. But she wasnt even in the play, you know, so... That school was definitely not a safe place for black and brown people.

Guildhall did not respond directly to Essiedus accusations, but when contacted for comment by The Independent, a spokesperson said: Guildhall School condemns racism and other forms of prejudice in the strongest possible terms and stands with all communities in tackling racism. It added that since the resurgence of the Black Lives Matter movement, the school has pledged to review its acting programme; appoint more black teachers and teachers of colour; provide specific resources for education in anti-racism, allyship and unconscious bias; offer clearer guidance about how to make a complaint and log micro-aggressions; increase the provision of mental health support for black students; and work with external experts to help inform the schools plans.

Paapa Essiedu and Joe Cole in Gangs of London (Sky)

Essiedu was 20 and partway through his acting studies when he lost his mother to cancer. She was easily the most important and inspirational person in my life, and the real driving force behind everything Id achieved up to that point, he says. It was a big loss, especially to begin with. But grief is a funny thing. Much like trauma, its not something you leave behind or stop or beat or destroy. Its something that becomes a part of you and that you carry with you. Now, its part of my politics, my work ethic, how I am with my friends and my partner and everything. Its bittersweet and I feel lucky to have had someone like my mum who was such an incredible caregiver.

After Guildhall, Essiedu earned great acclaim for his performance as the Royal Shakespeare Companys first black Hamlet in 2016. His casting was regarded as a watershed moment for diversity in British theatre, but Essiedu is not convinced. Even saying that its the first black Hamlet gives the impression that there should be some sort of gratitude or luck involved, he says. Its very self-congratulatory on the part of the producer. We need to look at the canteen workers, the crew, the directors  what are their backgrounds? Racism in these institutions is structural, and it cant be solved by a cosmetic change on the front face.

Essiedu believes there is prejudice against black theatre practitioners at every level. Going back to what happened to us at Guildhall, its all very well letting three black actors in, but if the space is not constructed to make it safe for us to be there, youre not making any progress, youre just putting vulnerable people in danger. He is disappointed that even after playing the iconic prince, he had to work harder than his white contemporaries to get the same opportunities.

Essiedus play Pass Over, a politically charged drama about racism and police brutality at Londons Kiln Theatre, was midway through its run when it shut down in March because of the pandemic. And he has just appeared in The Royal Courts online series My White Best Friend (and Other Letters Left Unsaid), exploring racial tensions in modern society.

Essiedu wants to do more projects that align with his politics and world view. But he is worried about the future of theatre. Were going into such an economically difficult time, how do we allow ourselves to respond to that? he asks. Do we become more conservative? Or do we double down on recreating an industry that represents a wider scale of peoples experiences? I have a sneaking suspicion that Essiedu will settle for nothing but the latter.

I May Destroy You is on BBC iPlayer now

Read the rest of our Rising Stars interviews here.
Another war front has opened up for the Racing Point team.

Already, Renault is tipped to lodge a second official protest against the Lawrence Stroll-owned team over its 'pink Mercedes' car.

Reports indicate that the investigation over whether the team illegally copied Mercedes' 2019 brake inlets, or actively collaborated with the reigning champions, will conclude next week.

Team boss Otmar Szafnauer is openly unimpressed.

"We know the rules very well and stick to them," he said in Hungary. "Having to justify ourselves time and time again is a waste of time.

"The FIA was at our factory in March and understood perfectly how we developed this car."

But that is not the only thing about Racing Point's technical strategy that is irking its rivals.

It is believed the team has found a loophole in the new 'token' system for 2021 that will govern limited upgrades for the otherwise frozen 2020 cars.

Racing Point, and also Alpha Tauri, are arguing that based on their alliances with Mercedes and Red Bull respectively, they can use parts of the works teams' 2020 cars next year without using the tokens.

Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff told Finland's MTV Sport: "We have a customer-supplier relationship with Racing Point, and we know what the rules are."

Ferrari, though, is not happy.

"I think we are not fully happy that there are teams that can upgrade their entire package from a 2019 to a 2020 package," boss Mattia Binotto said in Hungary.

"That I believe would be unfair, because we've got only two tokens and everybody should be limited to that."

Unsurprisingly, Renault agrees.

"The system has some flaws, unfortunately," Renault's executive director Marcin Budkowski said.

"There's a loophole there that would allow a couple of teams to benefit and it's something we're discussing with the FIA and the other teams."

(GMM)
Bank Nizwa, a leader in Islamic banking in Oman, has recently extended its strategic partnership with Mastercard to simplify digital payments in Oman.

Through this partnership, Bank Nizwa will be introducing innovative and convenient payment solutions for its customers. Aligned to Mastercards focus on innovation, trust, and convenience, Bank Nizwa endeavours to provide a better payment experience for its customers, the bank said.

Mastercard is a well-established name in the field of cards and payment solutions, and we are indeed delighted to extend our partnership. While we continue to operate under Shariah-compliant norms, we are also coming up with innovative solutions to serve our customers better. We are confident that this extension of partnership with Mastercard will give us a good impetus to help drive a steady growth of our cards in the market, said Arif Al Zaabi, AGM Retail Banking at Bank Nizwa.

At Bank Nizwa, we are constantly devising new ways to further enhance our customers experience, whether it is through top-notch services, innovative products, or added privileges. We will remain dedicated to providing our customers with exceptional services while incorporating the latest technological advancements for their convenience, he added.

Girish Nanda, General Manager, UAE & Oman, Mastercard, said: Bank Nizwa stands as one of our most established partners in the sultanate, and we are proud to extend this collaboration with them. The Sharia compliant financial services market continues to show a strong indication of growth and we are committed to working together in delivering bespoke Islamic payments innovations that resonate with Bank Nizwas customers. Be it shopping, travelling, running a business or managing finances, our solutions make everyday transactions seamless, secure and rewarding.

Currently, Bank Nizwa offers an array of debit card options for its customers to ensure they can easily access their accounts whenever and from wherever they need to. According to their varying needs, customers can choose between Value Banking, Special Banking, Privilege Banking, Ladies Banking Account, Youth Banking Account, and Wealth Management. Bank Nizwa also offers the widest range of Sharia-compliant credit card facilities to its customers. Customers can opt between Basic, Standard, Gold, and Platinum credit cards, each of which comes with its own range of privileges and offers. TradeArabia News Service
Representative Image (AP Photo/Mahesh Kumar A.)

A study by Singapore-based researchers have found that some individuals may have developed immunity to the novel coronavirus  scientific name SARS-CoV-2  due to exposure to other coronaviruses.

As per the study, published in Nature journal on July 15, a few people may have developed an immunity to COVID-19 even without being exposed to it due to having been previously infected by other coronaviruses, as per a Hindustan Times report.

According to the study, some individuals have T-cells, the type of white blood cells that recognise the virus two proteins  structural or nucleocapsid proteins and non-structural viral proteins (NSP). T-cells typically detect viruses/infections in the immune system.

We characterised Sars-CoV-2 specific T-cells in COVID-19 and SARS (the 2003 outbreak) convalescents and uninfected healthy individuals, Dr Antonio Bertolleti, study co-author and professor of emerging infectious diseases at Duke-Nus Medical School in Singapore told the paper.

Dr Bertolleti added that individuals who recovered from COVID-19 possessed T-cells structural proteins more efficiently than NSPs and had also been infected with SARS  which they also recovered from, thus suggesting cross-reactive cellular immunity.

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 development is significant as it may give scientists more clues in building a vaccine against COVID-19, as those with immunity generate neutralising antibodies. After reviewing the paper, drug developer Derek Lowe said T-cell immunity may drive vaccine development against COVID-19, it added.

Follow our LIVE Updates on the coronavirus pandemic here

The study found that over 50 percent of COVID-19 negative individuals demonstrate T-cells equipped to detect SARS-CoV-2 and these cells recognised more frequently sequences of non-structural proteins found only in animal coronaviruses.

Thus, a large part of the population possesses Sars-Cov2-specific T cells, likely induced by other coronaviruses. One possible implication of our findings is that many subjects might have a level of progress T-cell reactivity that might partially protect them, he added.

Experts however are not surprised as an average of 20 percent common cold cases are due to coronaviruses, which means they are already widespread among humans. For reference, SARS-CoV-2 shares 80 percent sequence identity with SARS and 50 percent with other coronaviruses, Shahid Jameel, virologist and CEO of Wellcome Trust/DBT India Alliance noted.

Notably, India was largely spared from the SARS outbreak in 2003, so how much of the population could have immunity is debatable.
Chinese Ambassador to the UK Liu Xiaoming told the BBC's Andrew Marr Show on Sunday that the UK government's decision to remove Huawei equipment from the country's 5G infrastructure is "a darker day for the UK because you missed the opportunity to be a leading country."

The British government decided on Tuesday to ban its telecom operators from purchasing new 5G equipment from Huawei by the end of 2020, while giving them until 2027 to remove Huawei equipment already installed in Britain's 5G network.

Liu Xiaoming earlier commented that it was a "disappointing and wrong decision."

"It has become questionable whether the UK can provide an open, fair and non-discriminatory business environment for companies from other countries," he tweeted.

During the interview, Liu expounded his opinion further by echoing the views of Martin Jacques, a British journalist and political commentator.

"History turns full circle. In 1793, Chinese Emperor Qianlong told the British King: 'We don't have the slightest need of your country's manufactures.' So marked the start of China's 150 year decline. In 2020, UK tells China that it has no need of China's latest technology," Jacques tweeted.

"I don't know what will happen for the next 150 years," Liu said.

Warning of 'tit-for-tat' situation

Answering Marr's question about the freedom of speech in China's Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) after the enactment of the national security law, Liu stressed that the rights will be "fully respected."

Liu reiterated that safeguarding national security is the responsibility of the central government, and explained the necessity of the legislation.

He said the HKSAR authorities had failed to complete the legislation of Article 23 of the Basic Law over the past 23 years because of the "opposition and trouble-makers."

Liu then warned of a "tit-for-tat" situation in bilateral relations.

"If the UK government goes as far as to impose sanctions on any individual in China, China will certainly make a resolute response to it," Liu Xiaoming told Marr.

"You've seen what happens in the United States  they sanction Chinese officials, we sanction their senators, their officials. I do not want to see this tit-for-tat happen in China-UK relations," he added.

The ambassador's warning came after British Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said he would update Britain's parliament to outline further measures on HKSAR and China on Monday.

Liu also refuted the accusation of any human rights violations in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.

"There is no such concentration camp in Xinjiang," Liu said. "It is totally against the truth."

He said that there was no "massive forced sterilization" in China, and that it was not "government policy."
- The ex-senator shared a post on Twitter disclosing he was headed for a church service in Sirisia but had made a stopover to support a young woman selling samosa's

- Boni Khalwale said the service was also for his politician friend, Sirisia MP John Waluke, who is facing a seven-year jail term

- This comes just a day after he caused a scene in Vihiga county when he fetched water in a jerrycan and poured it on a cop before fleeing the scene

Politician Boni Khalwale was one of the Kenyans seeking spiritual nourishment after churches were allowed to open for a maximum of 100 congregants.

This came just a day after he was caught on camera pouring water on a police officer in a fracas that occurred after a burial ceremony.

READ ALSO: Tecra Muigai: New report suggests Keroche heiress had sought to end relationship with boyfriend

Khalwale(with cap) after the water pouring incident protesting with his followers

Source: Original

READ ALSO: Machakos: Woman collapses while washing clothes, dies

The ex-senator shared a post on Twitter disclosing he was headed for a church service in Sirisia but had made a stopover to support a young woman selling samosa's by the roadside.

Khalwale said the service was also for his politician friend, Sirisia MP John Waluke, who is facing a seven-year jail term after he was found guilty of defrauding NCPB in the KSh 313 million maize scandal in 2009.

"On my way to attend a church service in Sirisia early this morning (for our, incarcerated brother Hon Waluke) I met this young hustler woman. Touched, I stopped to empower her. May God bless and reward the hands of our hustler women in Kenya," he wrote.

READ ALSO: Size 8 discloses she never wore panties before she got born again

READ ALSO: Johnson Sakaja: Nairobi police boss says senator may not be charged for violating COVID-19 rules

This comes just a day after Khalwale caused a scene in Vihiga county when he fetched water in a jerrican and poured it on a cop before fleeing the scene.

Khalwale had accompanied a host of other local leaders to a burial function in the county when the fracas pitting him against the officers ensued.

Apart from attending the burial, former lawmaker alongside sitting MPs Ben Washiali (Mumias East) and Charles Gimose (Hamisi) had also planned a private meeting at the latter's house in but police officers aborted the plan, leading to a confrontation.

In a clip that went viral on social media, Khalwale could be seen carrying a bucket of water as he approached the officers claiming he wanted to help stop the fire that had engulfed their host's home.

READ ASLO: Man United vs Chelsea: Preview, possible starting line up as Red Devils take on Blues

READ ASLO: Kesho ipunguzwe chumvi: DP Ruto achangamkia mlo wa githeri na wafanyakazi wake

When the officers blocked him, the former Ikolomani MP retreated and started running as though he had surrendered.

The innocent and unsuspecting officers charged towards unaware of the politician's hidden game plan.

Seconds later, just when the race was gaining momentum, Khalwale made an abrupt u-turn and splashed water on the front line officer, leaving him confused.

The former honourable member then sprinted through the village as locals cheered and broke into laughter.

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CORNWALL  Grumbling Gryphons founder Leslie Elias, exhausted after her first day of summer theater camp, still had enough energy to do her lesson plan for the following day, cook dinner for a houseful of guests and talk about her groups 40th anniversary.

The year 2020 hasnt been a normal one for anyone, thanks to the coronavirus pandemic that shut down the state in March. As businesses reopen and municipal functions slowly return to modified schedules, summer camp programs have had to reevaluate their schedules, and many have been canceled.

But not Grumbling Gryphons.

Its our 40th year, and we were working on a program with Naugatuck Valley Community Clleges early childhood program, which was going to bring in performances by the Grumbling Gryphons. It was postponed, supposedly until the fall, but we really dont know whats going to happen, Elias said. We had programs planned in New Milford; we were going to go to Cape Cod to perform our environmental musical at the Cape Cod Playhouse. But that didnt happen. So we started brainstorming on how to keep going.

Elias was the winner of Connecticut Office on The Arts 2018 Arts Hero Award and The Northwest CT Arts Council's 2018 CultureMAX Award for Arts Educator.

A playwright, actress, storyteller and theater director who has been teaching drama in schools, theaters and public venues for more than 40 years, she established Grumbling Gryphons in 1980 and was recipient of the 2003 Connecticut Governors Arts Award. In 2011 she was recognized as a Teaching Artist and Solo Performer in the Directory of Connecticut Office for the Arts. As a playwright, Elias has written numerous plays based on history, poetry, environmental themes and folklore from around the world.

This summer, campers are taking part in the premiere of Ananzi the Trickster Spider: A West African Folk Tale, which she wrote.

Summer camp is on

Two camp sessions went ahead; the first held the week of July 13, and a second scheduled for Aug. 3-8. The first week drew nine children, ages 5-13. Elias held her summer program at her own home in Cornwall.

Every year, Ive held camp at the Cornwall Town Hall, Elias said. Its a beautiful stone building, perfect for our performances, and the town loves it. Kids from anywhere can come, not just Cornwall. I was all excited about it, and then I realized, We cant do it. So were having it at the house.

She contacted the state for permission to hold the camp, and got the rules straight  small groups, no food allowed, and sessions could last no more than three hours.

Thats what I decided to do, Elias said. So were following pandemic guidelines. The kids dont have to wear masks, because I was told by the state that the kids are a pod meaning theyre not interacting with anyone but each other during each day. So were following pandemic guidelines, washing our hands, making sure were not overstepping ... and so its a hybrid of the regular camp, and its charming and adorable.

Since traveling to NVCC in Waterbury or Cape Cod isnt possible this year, Elias sought other venues for her theater group to give their traditional end-of-the-week performances, which include masks by Ellen Moon, fantastic, colorful costumes and live music. She reached out to libraries around the state and was invited to the Cos Cob Library in Greenwich and the Edith Wheeler Memorial Library in Monroe, to present virtual shows.

At the libraries, were doing Ananzi, Elias said. We needed better technology, so I wrote a grant to the Cornwall Foundation, and got a new computer, a Macbook Pro, thats hooked up in my studio, and it can stream the show live to the libraries. The kids at camp are learning their parts for the show, and Ananzi is premiering at these libraries.

In Greenwich, well also have a pre-performance workshop so kids can connect on Zoom and participate with the kids at camp, Elias said. That way kids that are alone at home can connect with other kids and have fun.

Mask-making is a standard activity at Grumbling Gryphons, led by Moon, who each year has made an array of masks for the children. Since camp was virtual for the performances this year, Elias hired a videographer to film Moons mask-making workshop, demonstrating her craft. We sent those out to the libraries so they can share them, she said.

Elias calls her 2020 summer program new science using live and virtual elements, giving everyone a chance to experience Grumbling Gryphons magic. I think people need this, she said. The Zoom links are free, so anyone can watch the shows and be part of them. Camp ends each week with a limited-audience performance on my property, but most of the audience can see it live streaming.

The future

Elias is developing another new venture, Grumbling Gryphons Playhouse. Thats the next step, a concept of my (twin) sons, Daniel and Arieh, she said. I havent implemented it yet, but my goal is to make it a place where kids can share, create, play. ... Older kids could write a play, maybe about COVID-19. Thats my goal, to make it a playhouse, for them.

Grumbling Gryphons has always held collaborative programs with area schools, combining her shows with music and art from local students. But we have a lot of work to do, to make sure all of our shows are available virtually, she said. That involves more cost.

This year, Grumbling Gryphons was one of a number of nonprofit organizations to be selected for a matching grant challenge through Northwest Corner Gives, the Northwest Connecticut Community Foundations effort to provide support during the COVID-19 pandemic. Grumbling Gryphons met its $4,000 fundraising goal.

Elias is also hoping to have theater camp alumni participate in a video celebrating the 40th anniversary. There are so many people who have supported us over the years, she said. Id like to do a video mix of people with a hat, saying Hats off to the Grumbling Gryphons, or something like that.

I was at a gathering recently, and a man came up to me and said, I remember you. ... I was in a play with you 32 years ago, she said. That was pretty amazing.

Donations are always needed. Those who want to help can mail checks made out to Grumbling Gryphons Traveling Childrens Theater to 29 Lake Road, West Cornwall, CT 06796. More information on the theater group can be found on Facebook and at grumblinggryphons.org; or call 860-672-0286.
The municipal council of Kharar will start a drive on Monday to remove around 25 illegal hoardings on National Highway-21 and other areas due to which it is incurring losses of around 1 crore every year in rent money.

Sangeet Kumar, MC executive officer, has written a letter to Himanshu Jain, subdivisional magistrate, asking that police be deployed to carry out the drive.

A team of six officials will be on the job, it has been learnt.

A drive planned earlier by the MC in March was cancelled due to the intervention of director, local bodies, Punjab, following which a lockdown was imposed because of the Covid-19 outbreak.

I have already instructed the civic body to remove all illegal hoardings in the ambit of the MC area and now they are holding a drive on July 20, for which we will be providing them police support, Jain said.

The MC is losing lakhs of rupees in advertising revenues because of the hoardings installed illegally, with housing societies the main offenders. These include Gold Homes and Golden homes, both on the Kharar-Landran road and Yakshi Wedding Collection on the Kharar-Mohali Road. Pratap Infra alone has set up around 10 hoardings.

The sites are being sold to advertisers for an estimated 60,000 per month, causing huge losses to the government exchequer.

According to Sangeet Kumar the rights to remove the illegal installations were with the agency contracted for the task.  We have provided them the team and police force for holding a drive on July 20, he said.

MC allots tenders for 40 sites in Kharar, but this year it contracted the work for 3.25 crore for nine years. However, as many advertisers use the illegal hoardings it losing around 1 crore every year.

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We saw exactly how deadly, when Don Kleine declined to press charges on Jake Gardner, alleged by many to be racist and white supremacist. It is my hope, and that of many others, that the grand jury brings a charge in the killing. The white man with his own criminal record. The white man whose father allegedly was heard to be shouting the n word while pushing black protesters. The white man who allegedly posted his violent intentions even after city officials advised all downtown business owners to leave the area. Even with all of this to consider, Don Kleine gave what can only be considered a defense narrative on behalf of Jake Gardner, as opposed to an unbiased examination of the facts.

Taken from the Nebraska Legislature website, It shall be the duty of the county attorney, when in possession of sufficient evidence to warrant the belief that a person is guilty and can be convicted of a felony or misdemeanor, to prepare, sign, verify, and file the proper complaint against such person and to appear in the several courts of the county and prosecute the appropriate criminal proceeding on behalf of the state and county. If we are to assume Don Kleine fulfilled these requirements, all evidence to the contrary, it would mean that after only 36 hours, he had no doubt of Gardners innocence. Benefit of the doubt.
The Big Picture

I don't know if I've forecasted such a high low temperature for our area as tonight's. Before that arrives, the record high temperature of 97 (from 1904) is over there in the corner, looking quite nervous. Humidity will pile up late--thus the warm night--and will hang out for a few days. From there, it drops, picks up again then drops before next weekend. All the while, we'll stay quite warm, but not nearly as hot as today.

Today

Starting off this morning very nicely, we are. Dewpoints are still under control for now and temperatures are nice and mild with a 70 and upper 50s bookending a bunch of 60s. Both air and dewpoint temperature will be on the rise today, the former, quickly.

We'll have plenty of sunshine around with a few scattered clouds mixed in. Speaking of mixing in, a south/southwest wind will be blowing today, and that is what will help to push temperatures in the Hudson Valley to the mid and upper 90s. Pretty much everyone else will see 90 as well, even in the southern Adirondacks.

As we get deeper into the afternoon, you'll also notice the humidity starting to pile up. The combination of the heat and humidity will bring heat index values into the upper 90s and low, even middle 100s as we get into the afternoon. That is flat dangerous heat. If you're going out in it for than a few minutes at a time, please wear light-colored clothing and crush water before and while you're out. And please remember this. If you get out, they get out.

Tonight

The wind stays up a bit, clouds will roll in and the humidity continues to jump up, which all equals a warm and way muggy night. The kind that doesn't allow the house to cool off unless you have an AC running.

A lesser weather story for the night is a cold front that will be approaching from the northwest. Showers and thunderstorms will be weakening as they move east from western New York and Lake Ontario, but we'll still see a few showers around, especially north and west of Albany overnight. Lows will range from the upper 60s to the upper 70s. Not a misprint: I'm forecasting a low for Albany of 78 degrees. That's some tropical stuff, you dig?

Tomorrow

That front will continue to cross the area, and it may fire up a few showers and storms to the south and southeast of Albany if it takes its sweet time. Nothing major but something to be aware of just the same.

As we get deeper into the morning, clouds will be breaking up and we'll get into some decent sunshine from north to south. The humidity will drop off a bit, but it'll still be a pretty humid day with highs in the 80s and low 90s.

Tuesday and Beyond  Your 5 Day Forecast is here

We'll be in a hold pattern on Tuesday with dewpoints continuing to slowly drop off, settling in the low 60s by dinnertime. The day will still be a warm to hot one with highs in the middle 80s to the low 90s along with a mix of sun and clouds.

Clouds start to roll in later in the night, and the humidity will start to jump up a bit, although not to today or tomorrow's levels. As a few slices of energy head our way, the first will touch off some showers and storms on Wednesday. We'll still have some sunshine around too, but the nastiness factor of the storms doesn't look too high as of now. I'll keep you posted on that of course.

Looks like we'll have a better shot at more clouds, showers and storms on Thursday. It'll be a warm and pretty muggy day just the same with highs in the middle 80s.

Everything gets swept out with Friday looking like a top 10 day. Sunshine, warm but lower humidity. That'll be pretty sweet.

Hey, I've been getting some emails about checking out the NEOWISE comet.

Special Investigation 147 NY dams are 'unsound,' potentially dangerous Thousands of dams have not been inspected in over 20 years.

Here's an article to check out, the gist is to look up to the northwest about 90 minutes after sunset, 10:00 or so.

Look for the Big Dipper and the handle of it toward the horizon.

The comet will be underneath, not far above the horizon and will be about as bright as the stars that make up the Big Dipper.

If you can't catch it tonight, you still have time. It'll be easier to spot as we get through the week.

From the article:

"Good binoculars will allow you to see more of the comet and its spectacular dust tail. Lucky viewers might even catch the fainter blue ion tail, made from charged particles flying off the comets icy nucleus. NEOWISE is visible only to observers in the Northern Hemisphere and should remain bright enough to spot into mid-August."

Enjoy! And stay cool today!

JasonsWeather

The Forecast You Want

Jason Gough

Jasonsweather.com
We all know the rules. Practice physical distancing. Wash your hands frequently. Dont touch your face and disinfect your surroundings frequently.

But what if youre staying in a shelter where space is limited, sleeping quarters are shared, and bathrooms are public? Or what if you dont even have a home or a shelter space at all?

With no access to a bathroom or a sink for even the most basic hand washing, you certainly wouldnt have access to disinfectants or cleaning supplies.

This is the current reality for nearly 10,000 homeless people in Toronto, experiencing a global pandemic without the basic necessities essential for stopping the virus.

COVID-19 preys especially on societys most vulnerable and congregate care settings have become the perfect storm for this virus. In Toronto, there are over 500 confirmed cases linked to shelters alone.

Margarets Housing and Community Support Services has served Toronto for nearly 40 years, supporting women with critical community support such as food, clothing, shelter and mental health and addictions care.

Like other services, weve adapted. Weve decreased the capacity of our respites and modified our congregate settings to allow for physical distancing, we are screening staff, clients and essential service providers for symptoms and have modified to include take out meals.

At the same time, we have seen an increase in the demand for services. We are providing 400 more meals per day while the demand for mental health services and harm reduction supplies has increased by more than 25 per cent. With rising job losses and closing businesses, we worry these numbers will only continue to increase.

The City of Toronto has opened 30 new temporary facilities for the homeless, moving 3,000 people to achieve better physical distancing. As part of this program, we have moved clients from busy shelters and encampments to interim housing apartments and hotels. What happens when those temporary facilities are no longer available?

As we begin to reopen our economy and encourage people to practice physical distancing  we are leaving behind a huge and vulnerable population.

As we move forward, we need to consider an equitable approach to responding to COVID-19. One that considers the socio-economic, demographic, race, gender and health condition of every person we are trying to keep safe.

If we fail to do that, we will not only leave thousands of people who require social services at risk, we will leave our entire city at risk.

For years, the social services sector has advocated for an aggressive housing strategy recognizing that housing is health care and a fundamental human right.

If COVID-19 has taught us anything its that when our city comes together, we can accomplish a lot very quickly.

Lets use this momentum to strive for long-term solutions to ensure every person in our city has access to basic care. Not just during COVID-19, but long after this debilitating pandemic is behind us.
Private Legal Practitioner, Mr Maurice Ampaw has described those who lie their way into having sex with women as rapist.



According to him, the act of sex should always be on a mutual agreement without deceit.



If someone uses an I Phone as bait for sex and later refuses to honor the promise, such an act is described as rape because the act was based on deceit, he said on United Showbiz.



Watch interview below















































































View this post on Instagram















#UnitedShowbiz #UTVGhana #DespiteMedia













A post shared by UTV Ghana (@utvghana) on Jul 18, 2020 at 2:49pm PDT





Source: Josephine Acheampomaa/[email protected]









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The idea that Kerry Stokes could privatise Seven West Media's newspaper division was doing the rounds long before the arrival of former Fairfax Media boss Greg Hywood as a consultant. Now, speculation about his plans are more rampant than ever.

As Seven's chief executive James Warburton pushes ahead with a restructure of the broadcast and publishing company, all eyes have turned to West Australian Newspapers. The West Australian is the main newspaper in Stokes' home town of Perth, making it an asset very close to the 79-year-old's heart. And it just happens to be receiving Hywood's advice on ways to cut costs and improve its digital strategy.

The West Australian editor-in-chief Anthony De Ceglie. Credit:WAtoday

Hywood's appointment was part of "broader transformation" efforts, according to Seven. However, the company has largely remained silent on what specifically it expects from his work. If Warburton's track record to date is anything to go by, a spin-off from the television-focused mothership is a definite possibility.

In three weeks' time, Warburton will complete his first year leading Seven. In that time he has sold off a number of assets including its publishing division Pacific Magazines, parts of Seven Studios and its West Australian headquarters.
The body of a Texas soldier who died in a vehicle accident in Afghanistan arrived home on July 17 in San Antonio, where the military provided a dignified transfer of his coffin.

According to the military, Army Specialist Vincent Sebastian Ibarria, 21, died on July 3 in Farrah, Afghanistan in a vehicle rollover crash.

Nine American soldiers have died in Afghanistan during 2020, including several killed in violent attacks.

Ibarria, who enlisted in the army in 2017, died on his first deployment. Credit: US Air Force via Storyful
In a press conference with Yemeni Prime Minister Maeen Abdul-Malik, who is currently on a three-day visit to Cairo, Madbouly asserted that Egypt fully supports the Yemeni government

Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly said on Sunday that Egypt is keen to provide all political and logistical support to Yemen and the Yemeni people.

In a press conference with Yemeni Prime Minister Maeen Abdul-Malik, who is currently on a three-day visit to Cairo, Madbouly asserted that Egypt fully supports the Yemeni government and President Abdrabbuh Mansour Hadi.

Egypt supports Yemen, its safety and the unity of its territories because Yemens stability means stability for Egypt, he said.

Egypt is honoured to be hosting more than 1 million Yemeni citizens and the Egyptian government is keen to treat them like Egyptian citizens, affording them the same rights and services, he said during the press conference, which was held following his talks with the Yemeni prime minister.

Madbouly also said the Egyptian government has provided support for the Yemeni citizens in terms of healthcare and education.

The Egyptian government rejects all forms of regional intervention from non-Arab countries in Yemen, as those interventions destabilise and complicate the Yemeni scene, he said, adding that Egypt appreciates the efforts of Saudi Arabia and the Arab coalition in supporting legitimacy, unity and stability in Yemen.

Egypt is part of the coalition launched in 2015 to fight the Iran-backed Houthi militias in Yemen.

The Egyptian prime minister revealed that he spoke with his Yemeni counterpart about bilateral economic cooperation in rebuilding Yemen, adding that Egyptian companies and technical expertise will benefit the Yemeni people in the rebuilding of their country.

Yemeni Prime Minister Abdul-Malik said that Egypt and Yemen share the same views about their national security, adding that Yemen is currently in a very difficult phase because of the foreign interventions and Iranian backed-Houthi militias.

The Egyptian government invited the Yemeni premier to visit Cairo last week for talks and consultations on boosting bilateral relations.

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- Moses McCormick is the founder and CEO of FLR Method which assists people to learn foreign languages

- The Ohio native can speak and converse in over 20 languages

- McCormick can speak Mandarin, Spanish, Cantonese, German, Portuguese, Vietnamese, Twi, Arabic, and many other languages

Moses McCormick has gained the attention of many across the world for his special ability to speak over 20 languages.

He has become known as the man who walks up to strangers before engaging in dance as a way to practice his foreign language skills.

READ ALSO: Papa Shirandula: Body of late actor leaves Nairobi for Busia ahead of burial on Monday

Moses McCormick / Photo credit: Instagram.com

Source: UGC

READ ALSO: Khalwale attends church service in Sirisia day after splashing water on police officer

According to travelnoire.com, McCormick can speak Mandarin, Spanish, Cantonese, German, Portuguese, Vietnamese, Twi, Arabic, and many other languages.

TUKO.co.ke learnt that he actually converses fluently in these languages.

Speaking about his ability to fluently move around with these languages, McCormick told Quartz that its like drugs to him.

He said:

When I walk up to someone and speak to them, they get really excited. Theres something about that first encounter, thats really addictive,

The Ohio native majored in Chinese at Ohio University where he almost tested out of all of his required Chinese classes because of his personal learning while in high school.

Moses has studied, read, and spoken over 50 languages. He boldly speaks over 20.

READ ALSO: Machakos: Woman collapses while washing clothes, dies

See video below:

READ ALSO: Size 8 discloses she never wore panties before she got born again

Through his company, FLR Method, together with his love for language and special abilities, Moses assists others to learn foreign languages.

The man of many talents has quite a following with over 200,000 subscribers on his YouTube channel, Laoshu505000.

Moses believes that learning a foreign language opens up doors and expands the social networks of people.

TUKO.co.ke recently reported about eight-year-old, Mabou Loiseau, who became a global sensation grabbing attention and making headlines for her rare ability to speak eight languages.

READ ALSO: Manchester United: Red Devils complete signing of teenage stars Pye, Hugill and Vitek

The child prodigy can speak English, Creole, Spanish, French, Russian, Arabic, Mandarin, American Sign Language, and was learning Japanese.

According to blackhistory.com, when Mabou was barely two years old her mother noticed that she was speaking some words in French, but her mom didn't even speak French.

READ ALSO: Kesho ipunguzwe chumvi: DP Ruto achangamkia mlo wa githeri na wafanyakazi wake

Her mom immediately began to realise that her daughter had been born with a rare talent of mastering different languages.

Her parents spend $1,500 (KSh 161k ) a week on tutors and lessons - and she spends seven hours a day in some type of instruction, with Sundays off.

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My neighbour ruined my daughters life | Tuko TV

Source: TUKO.co.ke
Copyright  2020 Albuquerque Journal

The hand-hooked rugs of Multicolores echo the cosmology of the Mayans.

Bold colors paired with graphic designs of birds, volcanos and ancient symbolism first led these rugs to the Santa Fe International Folk Art Market in 2014. Today, they also can be found at multicolores.org.

These descendents of the ancient Maya live in Guatemala, where the rug-hooking technique is new. Between 2009 and 2012, Multicolores co-founder, Mary Anne Wise, an American rug-hooker and teacher, instructed the women in the art form as a new opportunity for income generation. The women traditionally worked in embroidery and back strap weaving.

Its not native to the culture, Multicolores co-founder Cheryl Conway said in a telephone interview from New York. The important thing was to draw cultural connections. They derive inspiration for the rugs from their Mayan dress traje. 

The artists take much of their design inspiration from huipils, traditional blouses. Rich with imagery, scattered with ancient symbols and motifs, they represent Mayan cosmovision, femininity and nature.

Historically, it was very village-specific, Conway said. You could tell which village she lived in.

The artists also reference the Semana Santa (Easter week) rugs that have decorated the streets of Guatemala for hundreds of years.

The fabric comes from 100% recycled clothing, mainly cotton T-shirts found in local second-hand stores. The artists slice the clothing into strips and, using a crochet hook with a handle, pull them through a ground cloth stretched by a frame, the loops filling in the motif. Most of the clothing arrives on palettes by the container load, donated from people in the United States. This year, the women have used more than 5,000 garments to create Multicolores products.

Most of the 36 women live in rural areas where their husbands work in agriculture or building.

Over time, a lot of the women bring in more than 50% of their household income from rugs, Conway said.

The artists say rug-hooking changed their lives.

There are two Rosmerys, said Rosmery Pacheco, 24, of Chiyax, Guatemala. The one before the rug-hooking project was timid and lived in a dark box. She cleaned houses, barely scraping by. I didnt believe I had the strength or the skills to overcome my situation. But then I learned to rug hook and it opened my mind. I discovered a talent I never knew I had, I lost the fear of expressing myself, I became more confident.

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When I hear you use the word artist about me, it elevates me, 31-year-old Bartola Morales Tol, of San Jorge La Laguna, said. When people look at my rug, I want them to see the happiness, the emotion, the time that I have dedicated to it. I seek inspiration in things that make me feel happy, like birds, flowers and nature. My life has changed, I discovered a talent I never knew I had. I no longer have to conform to my fathers view of me.

Glendy Muj, 36, of Patanatic, cited her improved quality of life.

My children are in school; the eldest wants to go to university, she said . We are able to go to the doctor more frequently and buy medicine. With income from my first rug, I bought a sink so now I can do the familys laundry at home rather than carrying heavy loads to the communal sink. We have made improvements to our home, we now have a concrete floor and windows. My children see me as a role model; they see that, without education and just a few opportunities, I have achieved much. This makes me happy because they know that with an education they will be able to reach further than I could.

Online

To view the body of work that Multicolores has, visit multicolores.org
A. Coffee Breaks (Image: Pixabay)

The Indian Coffee House in Shimla has been closed till further orders after one of its employees skipped COVID-19 testing and quarantine after returning from Delhi in an unauthorised manner on Saturday, an official said.

The employee arrived here from Delhi, a COVID-19 red zone, on Saturday and reached the coffee house's kitchen, a Shimla district official said.

The manager of the Indian Coffee House asked the employee to get himself quarantined and tested for the novel coronavirus before joining duty, but he allegedly refused to do so, he said.

The police were informed and subsequently, the employee was institutionally quarantined and an FIR was also registered against him, the official said.

His samples have been sent for COVID-19 testing, he added.

COVID-19 Vaccine Frequently Asked Questions View more How does a vaccine work? A vaccine works by mimicking a natural infection. A vaccine not only induces immune response to protect people from any future COVID-19 infection, but also helps quickly build herd immunity to put an end to the pandemic. Herd immunity occurs when a sufficient percentage of a population becomes immune to a disease, making the spread of disease from person to person unlikely. The good news is that SARS-CoV-2 virus has been fairly stable, which increases the viability of a vaccine. How many types of vaccines are there? There are broadly four types of vaccine  one, a vaccine based on the whole virus (this could be either inactivated, or an attenuated [weakened] virus vaccine); two, a non-replicating viral vector vaccine that uses a benign virus as vector that carries the antigen of SARS-CoV; three, nucleic-acid vaccines that have genetic material like DNA and RNA of antigens like spike protein given to a person, helping human cells decode genetic material and produce the vaccine; and four, protein subunit vaccine wherein the recombinant proteins of SARS-COV-2 along with an adjuvant (booster) is given as a vaccine. What does it take to develop a vaccine of this kind? Vaccine development is a long, complex process. Unlike drugs that are given to people with a diseased, vaccines are given to healthy people and also vulnerable sections such as children, pregnant women and the elderly. So rigorous tests are compulsory. History says that the fastest time it took to develop a vaccine is five years, but it usually takes double or sometimes triple that time. View more Show

The employee reached Shimla from Delhi in an unauthorised manner by dodging police at the Parwanoo barrier, the official said.

After reaching Himachal Pradesh, he boarded a Himachal Road Transport Corporation (HRTC) bus to reach Shimla, he added.

Members of the coffee house staff who came in contact with him have also been quarantined, the official said.

The Indian Coffee House, located in the heart of Shimla city, has hosted several personalities and prominent leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who visited it in 2017.
NEW YORK, July 18, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Pomerantz LLP announces that a class action lawsuit has been filed against Wells Fargo & Company (Wells Fargo or the Company) (NYSE: WFC) and certain of its officers. The class action, filed in United States District Court for the Northern District of California, and indexed under 20-cv-03697, is on behalf of a class consisting of all persons and entities other than Defendants who purchased or otherwise acquired Wells Fargo securities between April 5, 2020, and May 5, 2020, both dates inclusive (the Class Period), seeking to recover damages caused by Defendants violations of the federal securities laws and to pursue remedies under Sections 10(b) and 20(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the Exchange Act) and Rule 10b-5 promulgated thereunder, against the Company and certain of its top officials.



If you are a shareholder who purchased Wells Fargo securities during the class period, you have until August 3, 2020, to ask the Court to appoint you as Lead Plaintiff for the class. A copy of the Complaint can be obtained at www.pomerantzlaw.com . To discuss this action, contact Robert S. Willoughby at newaction@pomlaw.com or 888.476.6529 (or 888.4-POMLAW), toll-free, Ext. 7980. Those who inquire by e-mail are encouraged to include their mailing address, telephone number, and the number of shares purchased.

[Click here for information about joining the class action]

Wells Fargo is a diversified financial services company that provides banking, investment, mortgage, and consumer and commercial finance products and services to individuals, businesses, and institutions in the U.S. and internationally.

On April 5, 2020, Wells Fargo announced that it had received strong interest in the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), a program under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (the CARES Act), and was targeting to distribute a total of $10 billion to small business customers under the requirements of the PPP.

On April 8, 2020, the Federal Reserve announced that it would allow Wells Fargo to exceed the asset cap that it had imposed on Wells Fargo in 2018 after revelations that the Company had opened millions of accounts in customers names without their permission, a change which would allow Wells Fargo to make additional small business loans as part of the PPP.

That same day, Wells Fargo issued a press release stating, in relevant part, that, beginning immediately, in response to the actions by the Federal Reserve, [Wells Fargo] will expand its participation in the [PPP] and offer loans to a broader set of its small business and nonprofit customers subject to the terms of the program.

The complaint alleges that throughout the Class Period, Defendants made materially false and/or misleading statements, as well as failed to disclose material adverse facts about Wells Fargos business, operations, and prospects. Specifically, Defendants failed to disclose to investors that: (i) Wells Fargo planned to, and did, improperly allocate government-backed loans under the PPP, and/or had inadequate controls in place to prevent such misallocation; (ii) the foregoing foreseeably increased the Companys litigation risk with respect to PPP allocation, as well as increased regulatory scrutiny and/or potential enforcement actions; and (iii) as a result, the Companys public statements were materially false and misleading at all relevant times.

On April 19, 2020, after at least one lawsuit was filed against the Company, reports emerged that Wells Fargo may have unfairly allocated government-backed loans under the PPP. For example, USA Today reported that [t]he lawsuit filed on behalf of small business owners on Sunday alleges that Wells Fargo unfairly prioritized businesses seeking large loan amounts, while the governments small business agency has said that PPP loan applications would be processed on a first-come, first-served basis. According to the lawsuit, [t]he move by Wells Fargo meant that the bank would receive millions more dollars in processing fees, and, [m]aking matters worse, Wells Fargo concealed from the public that it was reshuffling the PPP applications it received and prioritizing the applications that would make the bank the most money.

Following this news, Wells Fargos stock price fell more than 5% over two trading days to close at $26.84 per share on April 21, 2020.

Finally, on May 5, 2020, Wells Fargo filed a quarterly report on Form 10-Q with the Securities and Exchange Commission, disclosing, in addition to multiple PPP-related lawsuits initiated against the Company, that Wells Fargo had received formal and informal inquiries from federal and state governmental agencies regarding its offering of PPP loans.

Following this news, Wells Fargos stock price fell by more than 6% over two trading days from its closing price on May 4, 2020, closing at $25.61 per share on May 6, 2020.

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

CONTACT:

Robert S. Willoughby

Pomerantz LLP

rswilloughby@pomlaw.com
New Delhi, Jul 19 (UNI) Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi on Sunday said that there will be no change in 2020 Joint Entrance Examination Advance syllabus for admissions to undergraduate courses in IITs.

IIT Delhis clarification came in wake of some media reports that said JEE Advanced 2020 could see some changes in the examination pattern and it specifically clarified that there has been no plans to change the syllabus of the examination.

IIT Delhi is convening the 2020 JEE this year and as of now, JEE Advanced 2020 is scheduled to be held on September 27 this year.

IIT Delhi also clarified that there is also no plan to discuss this matter in the next Joint Admission Board meeting which is a regulatory body for IIT admissions in the country.

Some relaxation has been given especially this year in admission criterion in view of partial cancellation of Class 12 examination by various Examination Boards.

The Union Minister for Human Resource and Development (HRD) Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank has said that some relaxations have been given in marks criteria of 75 percent in the Board Examination for getting admission to IIT.

UNI AKS SHK2136
The city of Bethlehems found a way to bring some socially-distanced fun to children in the citys parks this summer.

It looked like the coronavirus might derail all of the Bethlehem Recreation Bureau plans this summer after the pandemic forced the closure of city pools and the cancellation of summer programs.

With word that the Lehigh Valley would move into the green phase of reopening in mid-June, recreation director Jodi Evans sprung into action, teaming up with the city health bureau and the Boys & Girls Club of Bethlehem to design a safe summer program.

Fun and Fitness launched Monday, July, 13 at Clearview Park with a rotation to different city parks each day, drawing kids eager to get out of their house and play.

We are very excited to provide some mental and physical wellness, Evans said.

Bethlehem Health Department and rec bureau workers were on hand to make sure they did it safely, wearing masks or keeping six feet of distance between children. The program adheres to all Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines.

Its not always an easy task, reminding small children to keep airplane arms distance apart, but the effort is worth it when you see the fun they have, Evans sad.

The free program runs for the next five weeks, ending Aug. 20. Participants must register online ahead of time here.

It is held 10 a.m. until noon starting Monday at Clearview and moving each day of the week to: L.G. Stewart, Yosko and Elmwood parks. The program is open to all ages, but children 9 and under must be accompanied by someone 14 years or older from their household. Enrollment caps at 20 children.

On Thursday, Elmwood Park drew children, who in a normal summer wouldve attended a Boys & Girl Club program, to do circuit exercises, scooter races and a dance party.

They were joined by officers from the Bethlehem Police Department and Boys & Girls Club Chief Executive Officer Winston Alozie, who all jumped on scooters for the races. They got a lesson on bike safety from the Coalition for Appropriate Transportation.

The Bethlehem Health Department always offers summer programming, it just had to get a bit creative this year, said Sherri Penchishen, director of chronic disease programs.

This was a natural partnership, she said of teaming up with the rec bureau.

The two bureaus pooled resources, equipment and ideas to adapt to coronavirus times. A traditional relay cant be done with COVID-19, so they incorporated scooters, which could be swapped out and sanitized in between legs.

Normally, the Boys & Girls Club receives a stipend from the city to run a Yosko Park program that draws 150 children.

Its four summer programs typically serve 215 kids a summer, offering field trips and visits to city pools, Alozie said.

A lot of that was thwarted this year, he said.

The club is operating at 35% capacity with a small summer day camp and a drop-in program at Marvine Pembroke that routinely must turn kids away when it fills up.

Alozie was thrilled when Evans called him and suggested the program.

When (Jodi) called me, I said yes, yes, I didnt even let her finish her sentence, Alozie said.

The majority of the kids at Elmwood Thursday wouldve been bused over to Yosko. Elmwood was strategically selected so kids could just walk from home, like they would to school, Evans said.

Kids have been cooped up. We need to get kids physically active, Penchishen said. We dont want them socially isolated.

Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to lehighvalleylive.com.

Sara K. Satullo may be reached at ssatullo@lehighvalleylive.com.
When arguments flare over whether Australia should be setting its sights on either suppressing or eliminating COVID-19, ridding the nation of the virus is certainly the more appealing. With no community transmission, New Zealand is the envy of the world. While its borders are still shut tight to foreigners, Kiwis are free to go about their lives largely without restrictions. Particularly for those in lockdown in parts of Victoria, it's an enticing thought.

The reality is another matter, and if history tells us anything, the world is going to be living with COVID-19 for many years to come, even if a vaccine is produced. Despite the best efforts of the global scientific and health community, smallpox is the only virus that has ever been eradicated completely. Even after decades-long campaigns, and effective vaccines, viruses such as polio and measles continue to appear sporadically.

Deputy Chief Medical Officer Nick Coatsworth strongly backs the suppression strategy. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen

What makes many viruses particularly good at avoiding total eradication is their ability to inhabit and then spread via people who are showing no symptoms. COVID-19 could offer a masterclass in that respect. Combined with its ability to travel via respiratory droplets such as saliva or mucus, COVID-19's highly infectious nature makes it a particularly difficult virus to stop in its tracks.

Despite this, some Australian states have managed to cut community transmission to zero for several weeks. It's a remarkable achievement. Even Victoria had several days of no new infections before the latest surge in numbers, which was driven mostly by a breach in hotel quarantine. What this shows is that with, as Australia's Deputy Chief Medical Officer Dr Nick Coatsworth described this week, an "aggressive suppression" strategy, elimination of the virus is a realistic outcome.
Lithium-ion batteries are recognized for their high energy density in everything from mobile phones to laptop computers and electric vehicles, but as the need for grid-scale energy storage and other applications becomes more pressing, researchers have sought less expensive and more readily available alternatives to lithium.

Batteries using more abundant multivalent metals could revolutionize energy storage. Researchers review the current state of multivalent metal-ion battery research and provide a roadmap for future work in Nature Energy, reporting that the top candidates -- using magnesium, calcium, zinc and aluminum -- all have great promise, but also steep challenges to meet practical demands.

"In this review, we clarify the key strengths as well as common misconceptions of multivalent metal-based batteries," said Yan Yao, Cullen College of Engineering associate professor of electrical and computer engineering at the University of Houston and co-corresponding author of the paper. "Multivalent metal-ion batteries are better viewed as alternative solutions for large-scale energy storage than as a direct competitor to lithium-based batteries in the race toward ever-rising energy density targets."

Researchers also examined the growth behavior of metal anodes. While magnesium is a promising material, Yao said it is important to note that it is not guaranteed to plate universally in dendrite-free morphology. "It only does so in selected electrolyte solutions where there are no side reactions, the active metal surface is free of passivation, and the coulombic efficiency of magnesium plating?stripping is close to unity," he said.

Yao is also a principal investigator with the Texas Center for Superconductivity at UH (TcSUH).

Yanliang "Leonard" Liang, a research assistant professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at UH and co-first author, said the paper's review of existing cathode materials also offers new insights. "We also discuss design strategies to enable genuine multivalent metal-ion-based energy storage materials with competitive performance," he said.

Researchers' key points include:

Concerns about the availability and cost of lithium have prompted interest in alternative battery technologies that use more abundant elements with the potential for higher energy density and enhanced safety. Prime candidates include magnesium, calcium, zinc and aluminum, all of which are known as multivalent metals, or metals with multiple valence electrons to give

These multivalent metal-ion batteries share many similarities in working principles with lithium-ion batteries, suggesting they could be swiftly adopted by industry

Previous assessments of the anticipated energy density of these batteries often considered only the multivalent metal anode -- merely one of the two electrodes in a battery -- which tends to reach misleading conclusions. The researchers have provided a reassessment of the energy density based on both anode and cathode, aiming to better position these batteries in the energy storage landscape

Direct use of metals as anodes is an important aspect for the safety and energy density promises of these batteries, but there are uncertainties surrounding the viability of these anodes

Electrolyte solutions and understanding of the associated interfacial phenomena are improving but still far from established

And finding good cathode materials requires considerations that are uncommon in traditional battery studies. The ion storage mechanism of multivalent battery cathodes is much more complicated than its lithium-ion counterpart.

Misinterpretation of the cathode chemistry is surprisingly widespread in the literature as a result

The researchers also issued a list of recommendations to ensure future research is squarely directed at improving the batteries, including:

Gaining a better understanding of the growth behavior of the metal anodes, a critical step in realizing the purported safety promises over lithium-ion batteries

Practices to properly assess the compatibility of metal anodes with electrolyte solutions and the effectiveness of protection coatings

Procedures and techniques to correctly interpret the ion storage mechanism at the cathode

Approaches to design better cathode materials

A table comparing the state-of-the-art components -- metal anode, electrolyte and cathode materials -- for batteries based on each of the multivalent metal elements that could potentially replace lithium found that although some are further along than others, none of the options are ready for commercialization.

Yao's research group has focused on materials chemistry and design of magnesium and other multivalent metal batteries; he has published widely in top journals.
Jaipur: Former Rajasthan Deputy Chief Minister Sachin Pilot has appealed to the people of the country to extend support to those affected by floods in Assam and Bihar.

Pilot's appeal comes amid a raging political firestorm in Rajasthan where he has declared an open rebellion against the Ashok Gehlot government. Pilot was sacked as deputy chief minister and the state Congress chief earlier this week.

"My thoughts and prayers with all those families affected by the Assam & Bihar floods. Over 68 lives lost & 3.6 million people affected in Assam alone," Pilot tweeted on Saturday.

"I appeal to all Indians, to come together, join in the efforts to help support those affected in these extreme flood situations," he had said.

Floods have hit over 27 lakh people in 26 of the 33 districts of Assam and destroyed houses, crops, roads and bridges at several places

The tweet by Pilot was his first in four days. His last tweets were on July 14, the day he was sacked from both the posts.

Soon after his removal as Rajasthan deputy chief minister and PCC chief, Pilot on Tuesday had said "truth can be rattled, not defeated".

Later that evening, Pilot had tweeted, "My heartfelt thanks and gratitude to all those who have come out in my support today".
CHELSEA, MI  Madonna Watts was scrolling through Facebook one day when something caught her eye: A unique piece of artwork of broken glass carefully placed in the shape of a flower on an antique window frame.

Seeing how the light shined through the glass, the artwork spoke to Watts, a nurse who worked in a facility prevalent with COVID-19 cases, and who was even diagnosed with the virus herself.
Firefighters in Siberia are battling massive wildfires and smoke, which are slowly beginning to threaten some major cities in the region of Yakutia. Russia's aerial forest protection service, the agency that specializes in forest fires, says that there are currently more than 40 fires burning and at least one district has declared a state of emergency. Siberia has been experiencing a heat wave in recent weeks with abnormally hot and dry conditions. While fires there aren't unusual, scientists say climate change has made them more frequent and more intense.
1. Simi Garewal Lauds Kangana For Speaking Up, Recalls 'Powerful Person' Tried To Ruin Her Career

Twitter

Applauding Kangana Ranaut for being bold and brave enough to take a stand against those who wronged her, she recalls that a "powerful person" tried to ruin her career too. She says she wasn't as brave as Kangana is.



2. Robert Downey Jr Promises 'Better Gift' Than Captain America Shield To Boy Who Saved Sister From Dog Attack

Twitter

Soon, Captain America star Chris Evans sent a video message to him and promised to send him a Captain America shield. "I'm going to track down your address and I'm going to send you an authentic Captain America shield because pal, you deserve it," he said.



3. Deepika Padukone Is 'Beyond Thrilled' To Team Up With Prabhas For A Sci-Fi Film Based On War

Twitter

To be directed by Nag Ashwin, the film is said to be a sci-fi thriller that will showcase the an imaginary story of the third world war.



4. 'Strict Action Will Be Taken', Maharashtra Minister On Rape Threats To Rhea Chakraborty

Twitter

According to the minister, the matter has been taken up with Home Minister Anil Deshmukh.



5. Keanu Reeves Is Writing An Action-Packed Comic Book About A Warrior Who Looks A Lot Like Him

Twitter

"I have loved comics since I was a young kid and they have been a significant influence on me artistically. To have the chance to create BRZRKR and collaborate with legends in the industry like writer Matt Kindt, artist Alessandro Vitti, colour artist Bill Crabtree, letterer Clem Robins, and conceptual/cover artist Rafael Grampa -- along with the great folks at Boom Studios -- is a dream come true," Reeves said.


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John Lewis at Comic-Con 2016 with collaborators Nate Powell (L) and Andrew Aydin.

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When civil rights pioneer and Congressman John Lewis died July 17 at the age of 80, he left behind a legacy of accomplishments that includes a National Book Award for the graphic novel trilogy, March, which tells the story of the Civil Rights Movement.

Our newsroom's John Horn, host of KPCC's The Frame and the podcast, Hollywood, The Sequel, interviewed Lewis at Comic-Con 2016 in San Diego where the Congressman was introducing the third part of his trilogy. A few months later, it would become the first graphic novel to win the National Book Award for Young People's Literature. According to Lewis:

These books are history but are also a guide. It's a manual to teach and also to inspire. To get young people and people-not-so-young to stand up, speak up and speak out, and find a way to get in the way. To get in, what I call, "good trouble." You see something that's not right, not fair, not just, and you have a moral obligation to do something, to say something and not be quiet. You need to make some noise.





Lewis had a long and distinguished record in civil rights. He was chairman of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee, better known as SNCC. As part of Mississippi Freedom Summer, Lewis helped lead the effort to register black voters, and was one of the organizers of the Selma-to-Montgomery marches, where in 1965 he and many others were savagely beaten by Alabama state troopers.

Lewis co-authored the March series with Andrew Aydin, who also served as Digital Director and Policy Advisor to the Congressman. The trilogy is illustrated by Nate Powell, whose images depict many of the horrifying events from the civil rights movement, and also celebrate its greatest victories, like the signing of the Voting Rights Acts.

John Horn met with John Lewis, Andrew Aydin and Nate Powell at a San Diego hotel, just steps from Comic-Con prior to their presentation at the convention.

INTERVIEW HIGHLIGHTS:

You were only 17 when the 1957 comic, "Martin Luther King and the Montgomery Story," was published. What did reading that book do for you?

Lewis: I was very inspired by this. I'd heard of Martin Luther King Jr., heard of Rosa Parks. It said to me, If Martin Luther King Jr. and Rosa Parks and others can believe in and accept a way of peace, the way of love, the way of nonviolence, then I too could do something. It made me the person that I am today.





The 13-page comic published in 1957 was influential to a then 17-year-old John Lewis.

Lewis: I believe in this format. You are able to make it real, make it plain, make it simple for young people and people not so young to understand. It's drama-- high drama. That's what the civil rights movement was all about -- drama.





Lewis: The writing ability and capacity of Andrew Aydin, the co-author, and the ability of Nate Powell, the artist, make it so real. It tells us, the reader, what happened and how it happened. You can see us sitting down at lunch counter stools and people spitting on us, pouring hot water on us, hot coffee. And we're so orderly and so peaceful and we get arrested and go to jail. It tells stories that are powerful. Just a group of young people, of college students coming together believing in the way of peace, the way of love and the way of nonviolence as a way of living.





Congressman John Lewis shakes hands with a fan during Comic-Con 2016 in San Diego. (John Horn/LAist)

Aydin: Comics, I think, are incredibly important right now because of the Internet. The visual literacy that the Internet requires makes comics the language of this generation. If we want to speak with them, we have to speak with them in their language.





Lewis: At times, I had to lay the book aside because I had become very emotional. To re-live what happened in Selma when we tried to walk across the bridge, I kept saying to myself, How could human beings treat their fellow human beings the way we were treated? We had a constitutional right to march in an orderly, peaceful, nonviolent fashion.



To re-live the three murders of civil rights workers in Mississippi or to go to the church in Birmingham for a few hours after the church was bombed and to attend the funeral of the four little girls -- you have to relive all of that. It's almost too much.





Lewis: I think the climate and the environment and what is happening in America and around the world, I think you could start writing another series.





Powell: Generally speaking, one of the biggest considerations, about halfway through making the "March" trilogy, was exactly where we bring it to a close. The end of "March 3" covers what Congressman Lewis considers the end of the movement as he knew it. It does not mean that the work was done or that the movement in a broader sense was done. It expanded and changed fronts. There was enough content in the next few years after, in the late '60s, that we didn't know if that was going to be a long epilogue or a fourth book or exist outside the trilogy. For now, we decided that in a narrative sense the trilogy needs to be self-contained here as an idea, but we always want to emphasize that by no means does that mean that it's this unilateral victory or that the book itself is closed or that it's ever closed.




Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, July 19) A day after the anti-terrorism law formally took effect, forty-four petitioners from various sectors and groups ran to the Supreme Court to question the constitutionality of the controversial measure.

The petitioners led by Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (BAYAN), Movement Against Tyranny, Karapatan, and other progressive groups and noted civil libertarians on Sunday filed online the 10th plea against Republic Act No. 11479, asking the high court to strike down the entire law for being unconstitutional.

The petitioners argued that the measure violates the rights to due process, free speech, bail, and travel, as well as the constitutional protection against warrantless arrest and detention without charges, among others.

The group likewise asked SC to stop the convening of the Anti-Terrorism Council and the Joint Oversight Committee, as well as to halt the drafting of the laws implementing rules and regulations.

In sum, petitioners submit that RA 11479 is a classic example of a purported cure being worse than the disease it seeks to remedy, the petition filed electronically read.

The group of petitioners also included activists, journalists, religious leaders, academics, and other rights organizations. The petition is set to be filed physically on Thursday, as the high court will be closed until Wednesday.

The controversial anti-terrorism law formally took effect on Saturday or 15 days after its publication on July 3. The Justice Department earlier said that the law can take effect even without the official rollout of the IRR since some provisions are "self-executing."

The laws IRR, on the other hand, "will come in 90 days," National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon, Jr. earlier told CNN Philippines, adding that the Anti-Terrorism Council has started working on it.

Meanwhile, Solicitor General Jose Calida earlier urged the high court to junk the petitions against the measure, saying the judiciary must exercise utmost caution, prudence and judiciousness in the issuance of temporary restraining orders and injunctive writs.

The anti-terrorism law which repealed the Human Security Act of 2007 will give more surveillance powers to government forces. Among its contentious features is a provision allowing suspected terrorists to be arrested without warrant and detained without charges for up to 24 days.

Critics have previously voiced out concerns about these provisions, saying the measure may be open to abuse and lead to possible human rights violations. Government officials and lawmakers have repeatedly dismissed these claims, saying citizens have their rights and several safeguards under the Constitution.
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Eighty-five infants from one South Texas county have all tested positive for coronavirus as the Lone Star State quickly morphs into one of the countrys epicenters.

The babies, all under 1-year-old, are from Nueces County, which houses Corpus Christi, about 145 miles southeast from San Antonio, Annette Rodriguez, director of public health for Corpus Christi Neuces County, told CNN Health Saturday.

The countys spike this month follows a trend of declining cases and led local officials like Rodriguez to urge people to wear their masks and practice social distancing to reduce the spread.

These babies have not even had their first birthday yet, said Rodriguez. Please help us stop the spread of this disease.

Rodriguez didnt offer additional details on the infants conditions.

Corpus Christi City Manager Peter Zanoni noted the county has the fastest growth in new cases on the seven-day average of all Texas metropolitan counties.

Local officials say that around 8,100 people in the city have been diagnosed with the potentially lethal virus, which has been linked to 82 deaths, the outlet reports.

Reps. Sheila Jackson Lee and Joaquin Castro, both Texas Democrats, penned a letter to Texas Gov. Greg Abbott urging him to rewind the efforts to reopen the state quickly; which came about by ignoring CDC guidelines.

We need to provide local authority to local counties and cities to do what is in the best interest of their communities, the representatives said.

In Cameron and Hidalgo counties, health officials are amassing refrigerated trucks for body storage because morgues wont have enough room.

As of Saturday afternoon, more than 317,000 coronavirus cases and nearly 4,000 related fatalities had been reported in the state, according to Texas Health and Human Services COVID-19 case dashboard.



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One of the policies of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) is to give every head porter popularly known as Kayayei, permanent employment, according to the party's National Communication Officer, Sammy Gyamfi.



Apart from that, there will be an apprentice allowance.



"One of the policies is that kayayei will be a thing of the past because there will be jobs for them....every apprentice in the country will be registered and given 'apprentice alawa' monthly" he said in an interaction on Me Man Nti programme on Neat FM with Maame Biamah Kwafo.



Sammy Gyamfi also indicated that Former President John Mahama will soon be explaining the party's policies sector by sector in a policy dialogue series.



"This will start before the manifesto is launched in August. We are pursuing an agenda which is jobs for the people; prosperity for all...under Mahama everyone will feel safe," he added.



Listen to him in the video below







Source: Peacefmonline.com









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

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These are the first pictures from inside the charred amphibious warship HSS Bonhomme Richard after a fire tore through the 844-foot vessel off San Diego harbor last Sunday.

More than 160 people had been aboard when the blaze erupted at 8:30am local time. It had been undergoing maintenance when the fire was first reported in a lower cargo area where seafaring tanks are parked.

Now new pictures taken inside the Navy ship by @Osinttechnical and confirmed as verified to The Navy Times show the 'extensive damage' caused by the blaze which burned for more than four days. It is not yet known if the ship will sail again.

Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Mike Gilday has pledged a thorough investigation into the Navy's worst U.S. warship fire outside of combat in recent memory. He said: 'I was able to get a good sense of the damage and the damage is extensive.'

These are the first pictures from inside the charred amphibious warship HSS Bonhomme Richard after a fire tore through it

More than 160 people had been aboard when the blaze erupted at 8:30am last Sunday. It had been undergoing maintenance when the fire was first reported in a lower cargo area where seafaring tanks are parked

Now new pictures taken inside the Navy ship by @Osinttechnical show the 'extensive damage' caused by the blaze which burned for more than four days off San Diego harbor. It is not yet known if the ship will sail again

Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Mike Gilday has pledged a thorough investigation into the blaze

Gilday said seeing the blackened ship for those deployed on it has been 'a gut punch,' and feels like losing a home

Four days after the initial spark, the fire on the USS Bonhomme Richard was still burning Wednesday, as firefighters inched their way deeper into its compartments in a search to find every smoldering hot spot

Firefighting boats spray water onto the U.S. Navy amphibious assault ship USS Bonhomme Richard as smoke rises from a fire onboard the ship at Naval Base San Diego, as seen from Coronado, California last Sunday

Smoke rises from the USS Bonhomme Richard after the explosion last Sunday

For sailors who have been deployed on the Bonhomme Richard, seeing the blackened ship has been 'a gut punch,' and feels like losing their home, Gilday said. 'For every one of them, it's a personal loss,' he said.

Four days after the initial spark, the fire on the USS Bonhomme Richard was still burning Wednesday, as firefighters inched their way deeper into its compartments in a search to find every smoldering hot spot.

Experts say the stubborn fire illustrates how difficult ship blazes are to put out once they tear through a vessel. The fire at one point reached up to 1,000 degrees Fahrenheit, threatening to soften its steel.

The fire at one point reached up to 1,000 degrees Fahrenheit, threatening to soften its steel

Adding to the difficulty of the Bonhomme Richard fire was the fact that it had been undergoing maintenance since 2018, so there was scaffolding and other equipment and debris in the way. That also got in the way of firefighters

As of early Wednesday, helicopters had dumped 1,500 buckets of water on the ship, cooling the superstructure and flight deck to enable crews to move further inside the vessel and identify hot spots

The Bonhomme Richard is capable of carrying more than 1,000 sailors, in addition to helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft. The cost of the ship has been estimated $761 million, according to the Federation of American Scientists

The ship has been homeported at Naval Base San Diego since its last deployment in spring 2018

Rear Adm. Philip Sobeck said the Bonhomme Richard's design may have helped spread the blaze

'All shipboard fires are difficult to fight,' said maritime lawyer Rod Sullivan, who served in the Navy. 'It's very difficult to choke off oxygen in open deck spaces,' and then to follow the flames into all the nooks on a boat.

It's not uncommon for ship fires to take days to extinguish, he added, pointing to a fire last month on a car-carrying cargo ship that burned in Jacksonville, Florida, for eight days.

Adding to the difficulty of the Bonhomme Richard fire was the fact that it had been undergoing maintenance since 2018, so there was scaffolding and other equipment and debris in the way. That also got in the way of firefighters. One of the ship's fire suppression systems also was deactivated because of the maintenance project.

As of early Wednesday, helicopters had dumped 1,500 buckets of water on the ship, cooling the superstructure and flight deck to enable crews to move further inside the vessel and identify hot spots.

Retired Capt. Lawrence Brennan, a professor of international maritime law at Fordham University in New York, said even spraying water on a ship fire can be risky: If any aluminum on board had melted on plywood the combination could create aluminum carbide, which, in turn, can generate a flammable methane when sprayed with water.

'An uncontrollable fire like this one is among sailors' worst fears,' he said, adding that's why ships are designed to have so many compartments that can be closed off quickly with airtight doors.

It could cost an estimated $4 billion to replace the ship if it is deemed un-salvageable

The Bonhomme Richard had been docked since 2018 and was nearing the end of an estimated $250 million upgrade so it could start being used to deploy the Marine Corps' F-35Bs in the Pacific

More than 60 sailors and civilians have been treated for minor injuries, heat exhaustion and smoke inhalation

Tugboats firing water cannons have kept the hull cool so it does not rupture and cause the one million gallons of fuel on board to spill in the bay

Four engineering spaces did not suffer major damage as initially feared, and the external structure of the ship is safe

The Bonhomme Richard is capable of carrying more than 1,000 sailors, in addition to helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft. The cost of the ship has been estimated $761 million, according to the Federation of American Scientists.

It has been homeported at Naval Base San Diego since its last deployment in spring 2018, when it returned from a six-year port switch to Sasebo, Japan.

Rear Adm. Philip Sobeck said the Bonhomme Richard's design  which is like a mini-aircraft carrier  may have helped spread the blaze.

'For this class of ship, the open area above the vehicle storage is all open, a big hangar,' he said. 'Once the fire hit that amount of oxygen, it found other ways to go up.'

He has said the full extent of the damage won't be known until the fire is completely out and crews can access all the areas once it is safe to enter.

Sobeck, who is commander of the strike group that includes the Bonhomme Richard as its flagship, has said he is hopeful the ship can still be repaired but no one will know until that assessment is done.

He said four engineering spaces did not suffer major damage as initially feared, and the external structure of the ship is safe. Tugboats firing water cannons have kept the hull cool so it does not rupture and cause the one million gallons of fuel on board to spill in the bay.

In a photo provided by the U.S. Navy, sailors aboard the USS Bonhomme Richard talkabout a fire aboard the ship at Naval Station San Diego last Sunday

Sailors aboard the USS Bonhomme Richard don firefighting equipment to help combat the fire last Sunday

Fuel was stored below the waterline and the risk of it spilling or exploding was now 'very low,' Sobeck said, although the U.S. Coast Guard was standing by in order to place a boom to prevent the spread of oil should that occur.

It could cost an estimated $4 billion to replace the ship if it is deemed un-salvageable. The Bonhomme Richard had been docked since 2018 and was nearing the end of an estimated $250 million upgrade so it could start being used to deploy the Marine Corps' F-35Bs in the Pacific.

More than 60 sailors and civilians have been treated for minor injuries, heat exhaustion and smoke inhalation.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  Four years later, and Hillary Clinton still cant let it go.

The former first lady, U.S. senator, Secretary of State and Democratic presidential candidate was at it again last week, bashing President Donald Trump, the person who beat her in 2016.

Or did Trump really win that election? Some people have never accepted it, Clinton chief among them.

It must have been the Russians, we were told for years. They did all kinds of nefarious things online in order to boost Trumps chances. Because Trump and Vladimir Putin are such pals. Or because Trump is an agent of Russia. Or because Putin has all kinds of personal dirt on Trump. Or because Trump has borrowed so much money from the Russians.

Then Hillary and her supporters blamed the Electoral College, because Clinton had won the popular vote over Trump, after all. If only presidential elections were decided by popular vote in this country. But theyre not.

Clinton has blamed President Barack Obama for her loss. Shes blamed Sen. Bernie Sanders, who gave Hillary all she could handle in the 2016 primaries. Shes blamed FBI Director James Comey. Shes blamed the Democratic National Committee. Shes blamed racism.

She even blamed other women, saying that some white, married ladies had felt pressured by their husbands and voted for Trump.

Talk about sexist.

In an interview on The Daily Show last week, Clinton said that Trump would not go quietly if hes declared the loser of the 2020 election.

Well, I think it is a fair point to raise as to whether or not, if he loses, hes going to go quietly or not, Clinton said. And we have to be ready for that.

She also said that if Americans actually vote to re-elect Trump, OK, well accept it. Not happily.

Ill believe that when I see it.

Because thats not how Hillary and the Democrats  and the media, for that matter  have acted these last four years. Theyve never accepted Trump as the legitimate president. They scorn him even more heatedly than they did President George W. Bush, who got to the White House thanks to a final boost from the Supreme Court.

Literally from the minute Trump was elected, there was talk about how he could be removed from office. Dems basically ran on an impeach Trump platform in order to regain the House of Representatives.

Once in the majority, House Dems launched impeachment proceedings with blazing speed, finding pathetic, tissue-thin justification in a phone call between Trump and the president of Ukrarine.

This after years of Russia collusion investigations that we now know were hollow from the beginning. Thanks to sworn testimony before the House Intelligence Committee, we know that top Dems knew that there was no smoke there, never mind any fire. Still, they tried their best to use it to leverage Trump out of office.

The coronavirus pandemic has thrown the entire 2020 election cycle into turmoil. The nominating conventions have been upended, and Democrats are working hard to allow as many people as possible vote by mail. This because it will supposedly be too unsafe for people to stand in line and vote in person because of the virus. Trump fears that vote-by-mail will lead to fraud.

Can you imagine the look on the faces of Democrats if Trump manages to win re-election after the pandemic, the Black Lives Matter protests and everything else weve seen just this year alone?

Nobody knows whats going to happen in November. Three months is more than a lifetime in politics. The polls look bad for Trump. Theres plenty not to like about his handling of coronavirus. Hes turned some followers off. Hes far from a lock for re-election.

But one thing I do know: The Democrats will not go quietly if Trump is declared the winner.
Fox News' Chris Wallace fact-checked President Trump in an interview Sunday after Trump falsely claimed that the U.S. has the lowest coronavirus mortality rate in the world.

Why it matters: Trump has touted the country's mortality rate in his defense of the administration's response to the pandemic, dismissing the fact that the U.S. has the world's highest confirmed case count as simply a product of increased testing.

What happened: After Wallace informed Trump that the U.S. has the seventh-highest mortality rate in the world, the president asked White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany to provide them with statistics.

McEnany handed Trump a chart from the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control that left off countries that have lower rates than the U.S.

The chart also showed that Brazil and South Korea have lower mortality rates than the U.S., but Trump still accused Wallace of being "fake news."

The U.S. has a mortality rate of 3.8%, seventh in Johns Hopkins University's list of the 20 countries with the highest mortality rate.

The big picture: Trump tripled down on his claim that the coronavirus will just "disappear" one day, claiming that he's been right about the pandemic "probably more than anybody else."
Damascus, July 19 : The US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) have launched a "security campaign" against the Islamic State (IS) terror group in Deir al-Zour province, a war monitor reported.

The security campaign is ongoing in areas under its control in the eastern countryside of Deir al-Zour, where the forces have set up checkpoints and run patrols, Xinhua news agency quoted the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights as saying on Saturday.

The UK-based watched group said the SDF released some of the protesters it rounded up during protests in areas in northeastern Syria after "beating them".

It said areas controlled by the SDF are in a state of lawlessness and chaos.

Meanwhile, the North Press Agency, a media platform operating in Kurdish-controlled areas, cited the SDF as saying that 24 IS militants were rounded up on Friday as part of the large-scale operation.

The SDF also said they seized large amounts of weapons as part of the operation called "Deterrence of Terrorism" against the IS sleeper cells.
By Jim Waters, Bluegrass Institute Jul. 18, 2020 | 11:49 PM | LEXINGTON





Gov. Andy Beshear's response to the numerous legal losses he's suffered regarding his coronavirus-related executive orders is to go court-shopping.After Court of Appeals Judge Glenn Acree refused to overturn rulings by circuit judges in Boone and Scott counties striking down the governor's recent restrictions on crowds at automobile racetracks and agritourism businesses and class sizes at daycare centers, Beshear indicated their decisions don't really matter."I haven't gotten to choose any of these jurisdictions we've been in, but we are going to get this thing up to the Supreme Court," he said before bypassing the full Court of Appeals and taking his case directly to the state's highest court.Will Supreme Court justices approve of the blanket marginalizing of their black-robed colleagues on multiple circuit and appeals-court benches?If so, will Chief Justice John Minton also announce a plan to get rid of all local courtrooms and bring every case of import directly to the Supreme Court?When it comes to local courts, Beshear would seemingly prefer to keep just the Franklin Circuit Court doors open.He filed a 48-page brief in that Frankfort court seeking to protect his mask order after Attorney General Daniel Cameron asked Scott Circuit Court Judge Brian Privett to review it in light of the judge's earlier ruling requiring executive orders grabbing additional power meet certain criteria, including "the location of the emergency."Beshear will have trouble meeting that requirement, however, since he's trying to force equal application of his orders to sparsely populated rural and mountain communities as well as to crowded nursing homes where it's well-documented that COVID-19 is most devastating.Legislative leaders in the General Assembly noted this sledgehammer-versus-scalpel approach in a recent letter to Beshear.The governor's actions "have unilaterally imposed arbitrary and overbroad orders that purport to address the spread of the novel coronavirus in the same way  whether in Paducah or Pikeville, or whether in Louisville or Harland," wrote House Speaker David Osborne and Senate President Robert Stivers in a letter co-signed by Cameron.Why doesn't Beshear follow the approach taken by other governors who use data to target state-government's effort to areas where cases clearly are spiking or the situation has worsened instead of forcing everyone to abide by the same suffocating mandates even if they're in largely unaffected areas?Kentucky simply cannot go on with one politician mandating the lives, lifestyles and livelihoods of an entire state and its 4.5 million citizens while threatening business owners statewide with another shutdown if they don't obey and even enforce his orders.The legislature can  and must  bring to bear the statewide perspective which occurs when the people's representatives from every corner of the commonwealth reconvene in Frankfort in January.Lawmakers must engage in a vigorous debate with the goal of defining what conditions constitute a "state of emergency" and developing more rational policies which allow the governor to act, but with limitations.Legislators must reconfirm that the authority to create laws and establish permanent public policy belongs to legislators, not the chief executive.Bills already filed in the House would limit the length of executive orders without legislative approval and require governors to call lawmakers back to Frankfort to debate future mandates stretching beyond temporary timelines.Such legislation would also address the current governor's constant slogan-sloshing about being "better together" and how this is "team Kentucky" while issuing orders without so much as a whisper of collaboration with the House Speaker, Senate President or attorney general, the state's chief law enforcement officer.This way, the legislature can indeed fulfill the goal of being "better together" by requiring the governor to work with  not rule aloof from  the people's representatives.Views, opinions, positions or strategies expressed by the authors are theirs alone, and do not necessarily reflect the views, opinions, positions or strategies of West Kentucky Star.com, Bristol Broadcasting or any employee thereof. Bristol Broadcasting makes no representations as to accuracy, completeness, correctness, suitability, or validity of any information in this article and will not be liable for any errors, omissions, or delays in this information or any losses, injuries, or damages arising from its display or use.
In recent weeks, Portland, Oregon has emerged as the flashpoint of the organized violent anarchist-communist movement that seeks to transform the United States into a lawless Third World Marxist state. Late Saturday night and early Sunday morning, a mob of hundreds of protesters played another violent cat and mouse game with the citys police and federal officers on the streets of downtown Portland. The police officially declared a riot at 11 PM PDT after which the building housing the police union (PPA) headquarters was set on fire by demonstrators, according to multiple sources.

I have been following reports from the streets on Twitter and elsewhere online all night that have included multiple cell phone videos. The hashtag #portlandprotest is one active thread featuring reports and videos, many if not most of them sympathetic to the violence. In fact, the vast majority of tweets on the subject have taken the side of the protesters, many of them insisting that the fire at the PPA was a false flag  a modern version of the 1933 Reichstag Fire set by the Nazis in Berlin  this time allegedly set by the Portland police themselves in order to provide an excuse for more repression. Other tweets have claimed the fire was a worthy tactic in the radicals campaign to do away with Portlands police force. Trending on Twitter this past week  some of them serving as organizing tools for street actions and flash mobs  are hashtags like #TrumpThreatensAmerica and #trumpnazi.

After almost two months of violent demonstrations, rioting, and looting in multiple American cities, President Trump finally took steps this past week to address the situation. As the Daily Wire reported on July 19:

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) recently deployed an elite unit of law enforcement operators to Portland this week under President Donald Trumps Executive Order on Protecting American Monuments, Memorials, and Statues and Combating Recent Criminal Violence. The New York Times confirmed an earlier report that identified the Border Patrol Tactical Unit, or BORTAC, as the unit that was deployed to Portland as the city has been rocked by approximately 48 consecutive days of riots. Reuters reported that in addition to BORTAC, Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers are helping DHSs Federal Protective Service, which provides security for federal buildings.

It was exactly two years ago that I was reporting, including here at American Thinker and at The Epoch Times, on Occupy ICE Portland, a ragtag group of professional Marxist agitators and local grifters who set up camp adjacent to Portlands ICE (federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement) building and effectively shut it down for almost a month. During that insurrection, the police were ordered to stand down by the citys left-wing Democrat mayor. Occupy ICE demanded not only an end to ICE, but, as I wrote in June 2018, to borders, police, and prisons. As absurd as those demands may have seemed at the time, they have now gone mainstream including being championed by many leading Democrats not only in Portland but nationwide in the wake of the fuse lit by the death of George Floyd while in Minneapolis police custody on May 25.

Portland Police tweets @PortlandPolice issued between 10:31 and 10:58 PM PDT Saturday July 18

Sympathizers with the violent rioters and looters, which includes Portlands daily newspaper, The Oregonian, have tried to claim the 52 nights of demonstrations have been peaceful. Typical is the headline on an Oregonian lead story published on July 18: Feds, right-wing media paint Portland as city under siege. Independent media have reported more accurately on the situation, including noting the $23 million in property damage that has been visited on the city since the demonstrations began on May 26th.

A federal officer in Portland was struck in the head and shoulder with a hammer after a man tried to use to the tool to break down a door to a federal courthouse, police said. Photo by Portland Police Bureau

It seems likely that the Portland protests will continue. The local elected officials, all Democrats, have been demanding that the federal government withdraw the troops sent in by the Department of Homeland Security to protect federal buildings that the police have been unable or unwilling to defend. Escalation of the situation, and its likely spread to other cities, is not out of the question  especially with top Democrats egging on the violent rioters.

Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), for example, tweeted this incendiary comment  which essentially pours more gasoline on the fire  on July 17:

Nancy Pelosi @SpeakerPelosi Unidentified stormtroopers. Unmarked cars. Kidnapping protesters and causing severe injuries in response to graffiti. These are not the actions of a democratic republic. @DHSgovs actions in Portland undermine its mission. Trump & his stormtroopers must be stopped.

Photo credit: Twitter

Peter Barry Chowka is a veteran journalist who writes about politics, media, popular culture, and health care for American Thinker and other publications. He also appears in the media, including recently as a guest analyst on BBC World News. Peter's website is http://peter.media. For updates on his work, follow Peter on Twitter at @pchowka.
By Sarah N. Lynch

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Democrats in the U.S. House of Representatives asked the internal watchdogs for the Justice and Homeland Security departments to launch an investigation into whether they have "abused emergency authorities" in order to justify targeting peaceful protesters last week in Portland, Oregon.

In a joint letter to the inspectors general for the two departments, lawmakers said they were concerned that Attorney General William Barr and acting Homeland Security Secretary Chad Wolf were using federal agents to "suppress First Amendment protected activities in Washington, D.C., Portland and other communities."

Inspectors general sit inside executive branch agencies, having a unique duty to report their findings to both Congress and agency heads.

Representatives for Justice and Homeland Security and their inspector general offices did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the Democrats' letter.

The letter was signed by House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerrold Nadler, House Homeland Security Chairman Bennie Thompson and House Oversight Committee Chairwoman Carolyn Maloney.

"This is a matter of utmost urgency," they wrote. "Citizens are concerned that the Administration has deployed a secret police force, not to investigate crimes, but to intimidate individuals it views as political adversaries."

The crackdown in the liberal bastion of Portland drew widespread criticism and legal challenges as videos surfaced reuters.com/article/us-global-race-protests-portland/u-s-swoops-down-on-portland-protesters-after-trump-order-to-protect-monuments-idUSKCN24I2W5 of camouflage-clad officers without clear identification badges using force and unmarked vehicles to arrest protesters without explanation.

Oregon's governor and Portland's mayor, both Democrats, called the move an abuse of power by the federal government and the state filed a lawsuit against the U.S. agencies involved.

The U.S. attorney for the District of Oregon has also requested an investigation by the Homeland Security inspector general, and asked the Justice Department's internal watchdog to review the U.S. Marshals Service use of "less-lethal munitions."

(Reporting by Sarah N. Lynch; Additional reporting by David Lawder; Editing by Nick Zieminski and Peter Cooney)
Washington

People paid great heed to John Lewis for much of his life in the civil rights movement. But at the very beginning  when he was just a kid wanting to be a minister someday  his audience didn't care much for what he had to say.

A son of Alabama sharecroppers, the young Lewis first preached moral righteousness to his family's chickens. His place in the vanguard of the 1960s campaign for Black equality had its roots in that hardscrabble Alabama farm and all those clucks.

Lewis, who died Friday at age 80, was the youngest and last survivor of the Big Six civil rights activists who organized the 1963 March on Washington, and spoke shortly before the group's leader, the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., gave his "I Have a Dream" speech to a vast sea of people.

If that speech marked a turning point in the civil rights era  or at least the most famous moment  the struggle was far from over. Two more hard years passed before truncheon-wielding state troopers beat Lewis bloody and fractured his skull as he led 600 protesters over Selma's Edmund Pettus Bridge.

Searing TV images of that brutality helped to galvanize national opposition to racial oppression and embolden leaders in Washington to pass the landmark 1965 Voting Rights Act five months later.

"The American public had already seen so much of this sort of thing, countless images of beatings and dogs and cursing and hoses," Lewis wrote in his memoirs. "But something about that day in Selma touched a nerve deeper than anything that had come before."

That bridge became a touchstone in Lewis' life. He returned there often during his decades in Congress representing the Atlanta area, bringing lawmakers from both parties to see where "Bloody Sunday" went down.

More brutality would loom in his life's last chapter. He wept watching the video of George Floyd's death at the hands of police in Minnesota. "I kept saying to myself: How many more? How many young Black men will be murdered?" he said last month.

Yet he declared, or at least dared to hope: "We're one people, we're one family. We all live in the same house, not just the American house but the world house."

Lewis earned bipartisan respect in Washington, where some called him the "conscience of Congress." His humble manner contrasted with the puffed chests on Capitol Hill. But as a liberal on the losing side of many issues, he lacked the influence he'd summoned at the segregated lunch counters of his youth, or later, within the Democratic Party, as a steadfast voice for the poor and disenfranchised.

He was a guiding voice for a young Illinois senator who became the first Black president.

"I told him that I stood on his shoulders," Obama wrote in a statement marking Lewis's death. "When I was elected President of the United States, I hugged him on the inauguration stand before I was sworn in and told him I was only there because of the sacrifices he made."

Lewis was a 23-year-old firebrand, a founder of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee, when he joined King and four other civil rights leaders at the Roosevelt Hotel in New York to plan and announce the Washington demonstration. The others were Whitney Young of the National Urban League; A. Philip Randolph of the Negro American Labor Council; James L. Farmer Jr., of the interracial Congress of Racial Equality; and Roy Wilkins of the NAACP.

At the National Mall months later, he had a speaking slot before King and toned down his intended remarks, bowing to pressure that incensed him.

"I wanted it to have an air of militancy," Lewis said.

He dropped a reference to leading a "scorched earth" campaign across the South, like Civil War Maj. Gen. William Tecumseh Sherman's March to the Sea. ("John, that doesn't sound like you," he recalled King telling him.) He scaled back criticism of President John Kennedy's civil rights record.

It was a potent speech nonetheless. He vowed: "By the forces of our demands, our determination and our numbers, we shall splinter the segregated South into a thousand pieces and put them together in an image of God and democracy."

His words were soon and for all time overshadowed by the speech of King. "He changed us forever," Lewis said of King's oratory that day.

Special Investigation 147 NY dams are 'unsound,' potentially dangerous Thousands of dams have not been inspected in over 20 years.

But the change the movement sought would take many more sacrifices.

After months of training in nonviolent protest, demonstrators led by Lewis and the Rev. Hosea Williams began a march of more than 50 miles from Selma to Alabama's capital in Montgomery. They didn't get far: On March 7, 1965, a phalanx of police blocked their exit from the Selma bridge. Authorities swung truncheons, fired tear gas and charged on horseback, sending many to the hospital. The nation was horrified.

"This was a face-off in the most vivid terms between a dignified, composed, completely nonviolent multitude of silent protesters and the truly malevolent force of a heavily armed, hateful battalion of troopers," Lewis wrote. "The sight of them rolling over us like human tanks was something that had never been seen before. People just couldn't believe this was happening, not in America."

King swiftly returned to the scene with a multitude, and the march to Montgomery was made whole before the end of the month.

Lewis was born on Feb. 21, 1940, outside Troy, in Alabama's Pike County.He was a teenager when he first heard King, then a young minister from Atlanta, preach on the radio. They met after Lewis wrote him seeking support to become the first Black student at his local college. He ultimately attended the American Baptist Theological Seminary and Fisk University instead, in Nashville, Tenn.

Soon, the young man King nicknamed "the boy from Troy" was organizing sit-ins at whites-only lunch counters and volunteering as a Freedom Rider, enduring beatings and arrests while challenging segregation around the South. Lewis helped form the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee to organize this effort, led the group from 1963 to 1966 and kept pursuing civil rights work and voter registration drives for years thereafter.

President Jimmy Carter appointed Lewis to lead ACTION, a federal volunteer agency, in 1977. In 1981, he was elected to the Atlanta City Council, and then won a seat in Congress in 1986.

Humble and unfailingly friendly, Lewis was revered on Capitol Hill. He met bipartisan success in Congress in 2006 when he led efforts to renew the Voting Rights Act, but the Supreme Court invalidated much of the law in 2013, and it became a work in progress.

Lewis initially endorsed Hillary Rodham Clinton in the 2008 Democratic presidential primary, but belatedly backed Obama when it became clear he had more Black support. After Obama's swearing-in, he signed a commemorative photograph for Lewis that reflected much more than his endorsement, writing "Because of you, John. Barack Obama." Later, they marched hand in hand in Selma on the 50th anniversary of the attack.

And when Obama was succeeded by a president who sought to dismantle much of his legacy, Lewis made no effort to hide his pain.

Lewis refused to attend Donald Trump's inauguration. When Trump later complained about immigrants from "s---hole countries," Lewis declared, "I think he is a racist ... we have to try to stand up and speak up and not try to sweep it under the rug."
Kayode Atanda and Adeyemi Ajayi were shot last Thursday, July 9, 2020, by a police patrol team at Iwo Road area of Ibadan, Oyo State, leading to Adeyemis death. Kayodes wife, Tosin, tells WALE OYEWALE about the incident and her husbands condition

The police said that they were investigating the incident that led to Adeyemis death and your husbands injury. What is the state of things at the moment?

I did not hear anything. On Tuesday, July 14, 2020, the elder brother to the deceased was at the University College Hospital, Ibadan with my husband where he was receiving treatment. He said the commissioner of police in the state, the deputy commissioner and some top policemen were at the home of the deceased on that morning. He said that they were begging, saying it (the shooting) was accidental. The family insisted that they wanted to see the policeman that shot Yemi Ajayi dead. He said some family members were taken to where the men on patrol were locked up. When the family members asked the men (policemen) what made them shoot at the car in broad daylight, they were crying saying that it was the devil.

From your husbands account and those of eyewitnesses, how did the incident happen?

My husband was shot in the upper part of his arm. From all indications, he was holding the steering at the time of the incident. It happened in traffic. There were witnesses. People called in during a radio broadcast as witnesses. People called in during a live radio programme and what they said on radio tallied with the account my husband gave me. I went to collect his mobile phone from the police. His car is still at the State Criminal Investigation Department, Iyaganku. The phone got spoilt. My husband fainted at a point after being shot. Before then, he said his phone fell on the ground and he was shouting that his phone was on the ground. Before the phone was given to me they (the police) tried to put it on. They delayed me because they said they had not registered the items that were retrieved from the car. The screen was bad already so I went to repair it. When we eventually put on the phone, we discovered that the deceased called my husband at 11:27am (on July 9, 2020).

Where was your husband going on that day?

My husband was actually travelling that day but he said he would leave after the business of the day. He was supposed to travel to Ile-Ife. He told me that Yemi called him to ask about his whereabouts. My husband told him that he was at Iyana Church, Alakia axis. Yemis elder brother has a house that is under construction and my own elder brother is the one handling the Plaster of Paris. According to my elder brother, the deceased called to ask if he had seen the cash (N250,000) that he transferred to him for the POP. My brother called him later in the morning that he was on his way to the site and that he should meet him at the site. He promised to meet him at the site at Egbeda. It was then he called my husband from Monantan that they should meet to go to the site. When they got to Iwo Road, there was traffic. He said there were three vehicles between the Nissan Micra in which the policemen were and his car. But he said the policemen were not in uniform. He said he heard park! He saw the Micra from the rear and suddenly a gun was pointed at them and one of the men on board fired the shot. He said Yemi slumped on the dashboard. He was tending Yemi unaware that he (Kayode) had sustained a bullet wound. It was after 12:00pm and people were there. As he was asking them why they shot, he discovered that he was bleeding profusely. He was taken to the University College Hospital on a motorbike and three of his toes were bruised.

How did you learn about his whereabouts?

On that day, I was on the way from my brothers place and different people were calling me to ask after my husband. They had heard of the incident but I didnt suspect that something went wrong. He later called to tell me that he was at UCH. He said he was shot and that Yemi has already died. On getting to UCH, I saw a female police officer who said I should take it up from that stage. I asked her what she meant by that, but the doctor then explained that the female police officer was among those who brought him to the hospital. The deputy commissioner of police was said to have paid N15,500 to start the treatment. As I heard, a senior police officer was also in the traffic at Iwo Road area where the incident happened. I called my family and my husbands family and that is how we have been battling with the matter ever since.

What kind of treatment did your husband receive at UCH?

We were told by some doctors that he was going to undergo a surgery. We thought the surgery would be fast but he has since been subjected to series of tests. According to the results of the tests, he had lost so much blood. The doctors said he had lost the property that makes the blood to clot and therefore it was not advisable to take him to the theatre without being adequately prepared as he would be bleeding so much without that. They explained that they had to stabilise those cells before the session would be carried out. We got three pants of blood on Thursday. They advised us to look for donors with matching blood type.

It was reported that there was a directive from the police headquarter in Abuja that the investigation should be carried out with urgency. Are you aware of that?

I am hearing this for the first time. On Friday last week (July 10, 2020), I took my children to my brothers place because my house is far away and it would be difficult to cope. Journalists came for interviews. In the reaction to the news, the Police Public Relations Officer in Oyo State said that according to what those policemen said, they heard an alarm that a thief was operating from the other end. He said the policemen said the reason why they shot was because they heard the alarm. Now, since the time the female police officer left UCH, I have not set my eyes on any police officer. There was no one that alleged that my husband and the man who was killed had stolen anything.

On day of the incident while we were talking in front of the Accident and Emergency unit at UCH, the doctor on duty called to advise me to take it easy with the police so that they would not falsely accuse my husband. As I was wondering aloud, a man walked up to me and said he was a deputy commissioner of police. He said, I am not here because of this incident. I just brought my mother here now. So, he overheard us as we talked. He assured me that those policemen would not go unpunished. He gave me his number and I saved it. He said if there was anything, I should feel free to call him. Shortly after he left, someone came up to me to say that the man was lying and that he was an undercover agent.

Where was Yemis body deposited?

It was taken to Adeoyo Hospital. He was buried on Friday (July 10, 2020). Before being laid to rest, the procedure was that an autopsy would be carried out on his body at Adeoyo Hospital and the second autopsy would be carried out at UCH before his corpse would be laid to rest.

Who owns the car that was driven on the fateful day?

The car belongs to my husband and he was the one who drove it.

Do you suspect that your husband might have been arguing with the police?

He doesnt argue with people. People who called in on live a radio programme said what they heard was someone shouting, Park, park! And the next thing that followed was a gunshot. They (eyewitnesses) said when he (Kayode) came out of the vehicle, he asked the police why they pulled the trigger.

What trade is your husband into?

He is an estate valuer.

What did the late Adeyemi do for a living before he was killed?

Yemi sold clothes. He had a boutique at Gbagi Market. He was not married. My husband was telling me that the house in question belongs to the elder brother to the deceased.

What is the relationship between your husband and the deceased?

They are not blood relatives. They lived in the same neighbourhood for some years and had since been close like brothers. The deceased was a pleasant young man. It was widely reported in the media that they were cousins but they are not.

***

Source: The PUNCH
Trust Stamp is a vaccination based digital identity program funded by Bill Gates and implemented by Mastercard and GAVI, that will soon link your biometric digital identity to your vaccination records. The program said to evolve as you evolve is part of the Global War on Cash and has the potential dual use for the purposes of surveillance and predictive policing based on your vaccination history. Those who may not wish to be vaccinated may be locked out of the system based on their trust score.





The Wellness Pass Partnership

With the aim of being introduced in low-income, remote communities in West Africa and later replicated worldwide; the program is the result of a public-private partnership between the GAVI vaccine alliance backed by Bill Gates, Mastercard and Trust Stamp which is an AI-powered identity authentication company.

This program was to be first launched in late 2018. Trust Stamps advanced digital identification technology will be integrated into the GAVI-Mastercard initiative Wellness Pass  a digital vaccination record and identity system which is to be also linked to Mastercards click-to-play system powered by Mastercards AI and Machine Learning technology. MasterCard made a commitment that it will create a centralized record keeping of childhood immunization. It also describes itself as a leader towards a World Beyond Cash.

Bill Gates Agenda In India Exposed By Robert Kennedy Jr : https://t.co/BZq5Mh4zXP  J Gopikrishnan (@jgopikrishnan70) May 17, 2020

The future prospects of this GAVI and MasterCard partnership is worth exploring. This partnership with GAVI signifies a novel strategy aimed towards linking a biometric digital identity system, vaccination records, and a payment system into a single platform that is cohesive, coherent and synergistic.

Digital Health Passport

The program was launched two years ago and has been funded with $3.8 million in the GAVI donor funds. In addition to this it received a similar amount from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

It was in early June when GAVI reported that Mastercards Wellness Pass program has the potential to be adapted in response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. A month after this, Mastercard announced that Trust Stamps advanced biometric identity platform will also be integrated into the Wellness Pass. This was done taking into consideration the Trust Stamps capability of providing biometric identity globally; even at places lacking internet access or cellular connectivity and also it does not require knowledge of an individuals legal name or identity to function.

EXCLUSIVE The UK government is preparing to rollout #COVIPASS  Biometric RFID enabled Coronavirus Digital Health Passports to monitor nearly every aspect of citizens lives in the name of strengthening public health management via military grade tech.https://t.co/7mh378o4XR  GreatGameIndia (@GreatGameIndia) May 27, 2020

This Wellness Program involving GAVI, Mastercard, and Trust Stamp is soon going to be tested in West Africa. Similar program was also launched in the UK. The UK government is rolling out COVI PASS  Biometric RFID enabled Coronavirus Digital Health Passports to monitor nearly every aspect of citizens lives in the name of strengthening public health management through a military grade tech.

India funds Vaccine Cartel GAVI

The Indian government has pledged US $15 million to the global vaccine alliance GAVI over the next 5 years for the global Coronavirus vaccine project led by Britain. GAVI is largely led by the British government and Bill Gates. While the UK is GAVIs largest funder, its implementation follows what is known as the Gates approach. Known as the Vaccine Cartel or Pharma Cartel by critics, such vaccines have been accused of causing atleast 38 million premature deaths worldwide.

EXCLUSIVE India has pledged $15 million to GAVI largely led by British govt & #BillGates. UK is GAVIs largest funder & its implementation follows what is known as Gates approach. The Vaccine Cartel is accused of 38 million premature deaths worldwide.https://t.co/5xGAxZ4gsY  GreatGameIndia (@GreatGameIndia) June 5, 2020

While there is growing criticism against these organisations worldwide, India is again collaborating on similar initiatives on coronavirus vaccine with the same Vaccine Cartel. A consortium comprising Serum Institute, Gates Foundation, MIT, and Spy Biotech (a UK based biotech company) is trying to develop a vaccine using the new spy-tag vaccine development technology. A long-term Merck and Wellcome Trust venture on vaccine research, policy and manufacturing will be based in Delhi. (More details about this British led Indian Vaccination Program will be revealed in the next report.)

Trust Stamps Evergreen Hash

Trust Stamp has created a biometric identity system, using the technology called Evergreen Hash. This technology creates a 3D mask based on a single photo, palm or fingerprint of a person. With the creation of this mask the original data is eliminated and encrypted keys are created. These encrypted keys serve in place of a persons name, fingerprint, and all the other information used for identification.

Digital Identification Program ID2020

The electoral commission of Ghana has been trying hard to put this idea into action before the general elections happen in December, 2020. The budget allocation of the new system has been questioned. Bright Simons, the honorary VP of the IMAMI policy think tank, claimed that unnecessarily registration of 17 million people all over again signifies that million of dollars are being blown for reasons that are unexplained.

An Italian politician has demanded arrest of #BillGates in Italian Parliament. Sara Cunial, MP for Rome denounced Bill Gates as Vaccine Criminal and urged Italian President to hand him over to the International Criminal Court for crimes against humanityhttps://t.co/fDuMT8v1B1  GreatGameIndia (@GreatGameIndia) May 16, 2020

The concept of using biometrics for national ID registration systems is a highly politicized issue. Earlier this plan to chip the human race through the digital identification program ID2020 was exposed in the Italian parliament by Sara Cunial, the Member of Parliament for Rome who denounced Bill Gates as a vaccine criminal and demanded Bill Gatess arrest in the Italian Parliament.

With the medical research going at such a fast pace when a Covid-19 vaccine becomes available, this technology will be used in vaccination programs and implemented worldwide under the GAVI umbrella. The program said to evolve as you evolve is part of the Global War on Cash and has the potential dual use for the purposes of surveillance and predictive policing based on your vaccination history. Those who may not wish to be vaccinated may be locked out of the system based on their trust score.

For latest updates on the outbreak check out our Coronavirus Coverage.

Send in your tips and submissions by filling out this form or write to us directly at the email provided. Join us on WhatsApp for more intel and updates.

GreatGameIndia is a journal on Geopolitics and International Relations. Get to know the Geopolitical threats India is facing in our exclusive book India in Cognitive Dissonance. Past magazine issues can be accessed from the Archives section.

We need your support to carry on our independent and investigative research based journalism on the external and internal threats facing India. Your contribution however small helps us keep afloat. Kindly consider donating to GreatGameIndia.
RTHK: US virus death toll passes 140,000

Even as US President Donald Trump pledged that the coronavirus was coming under control on Sunday, Florida reported over 12,000 new cases of Covid-19, the fifth day in a row the state has announced over 10,000 new infections.

The virus has claimed over 140,000 US lives total since the pandemic started, and Florida, California, Texas and other southern and western states shatter records every day.

Despite record levels of new cases nationwide, the Trump administration is pushing for school to reopen in a few weeks and resisting a federal mandate to wear masks in public.

Trump defended his handling of the coronavirus pandemic in an interview broadcast on Sunday, including his statement that there were only embers of the virus popping up around the country.

The United States, with 3.7 million total cases, has almost as many infections as the next three hardest-hit countries combined  Brazil, India and Russia.

"We have embers and we do have flames. Florida became more flame-like, but it's  it's going to be under control," Trump said on "Fox News Sunday". "I'll be right eventually. "It's going to disappear and I'll be right."

Experts at the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention have warned cases and deaths could rise this autumn and winter. Nearly all 20 forecasting models used by the CDC project rising deaths in the coming weeks.

Throughout the United States, every metric to measure the outbreak is going in the wrong direction  rising cases, deaths, hospitalizations and positivity rates of test results.

At least 14 states have reported record coronavirus hospital admissions so far in July, including Alabama, Arizona, Georgia, Florida, North Carolina, Nevada and Texas. (Reuters)

This story has been published on: 2020-07-19. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
That the break between Ferrari and Sebastian Vettel did not come about harmoniously, may now be clear. Vettel revealed in Austria that he was not even offered a contract and his 'resignation' was ended with a phone call. In the meantime it has led to some cynical jokes on the paddock.

Vettel has always maintained a good relationship with both Christian Horner and Helmut Marko after his departure from Red Bull Racing. Not surprising when you consider that they owe their greatest successes to each other.

Vettel, Horner and Marko are having too much fun

However, in recent weeks the three have been seen together very often. At the Austrian Grand Prix even without a mouth shield, which reprimanded the teams. These 'meetings' are further oil on the fire for the rumours about a possible return of the German to the Austrian team.

Whether that's true, will have to be proven, but that the three are having a good time, is clear from the last conversation. It shows that they haven't lost their humour yet. "Have they even taken your name off now?", Horner teasingly asks. "That's a bit harsch".
In 1988, a group of South Fork naturalists formed a membership organization called the South Fork Natural History Society, better known as SOFO. The objective of this organization was to increase public awareness about the past, present, and future of eastern Long Islands natural history and to share their joyful experiences of exploring and learning with others in the community. SOFO used to operate out of a small building referred to as the Nature Clubhouse where children gathered to examine different species, research for school projects, and just hang out. The Clubhouse served as a prototype...
Dear Editor:

With an alarming recent uptick of violent crime in the city of Kingston, including a homicide and several cases of shots being fired, it is my sincere hope that the mayors office and Common Council dedicate adequate time and resources to ensuring a safe community for all.

With Mayor Steve Noble commending New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo for mandating the Re-Envision Public Safety Task Forces, and the Kingston police accountability legislation signed on July 7, it seems that addressing this uptick in crime is less a priority then reorganizing the citys law-enforcement policies and structures. While both of these issues warrant the efforts and attention of the citys leaders, the assurance of a safe community for all should be a top priority in both discussions.

Allowing violent crime to rise unchecked hurts and adversely efforts every individual and business in the community.

The discussion on the future of policing in the city of Kingston should continue, but it should not take priority over maintaining a safe community.

Bill Cranston

Kingston, N.Y.
The girl was allegedly abducted after she went out to answer nature's call on Sunday morning and was found dead hours later.

Raiganj: The suspected rape and subsequent murder of a teenaged girl in North Dinajpur district on Sunday triggered protests in the area with a mob blockading National Highway 31 and setting ablaze government buses and police vehicles, demanding arrest of the culprits, police officers said.

West Bengal: Locals hold protest, block road and set police vehicles & public buses on fire against an alleged gang-rape & murder of a girl in Kalagachh in Uttar Dinajpur. Heavy security deployed at the site. pic.twitter.com/Jbo2x8j2Ru  ANI (@ANI) July 19, 2020

The girl was allegedly abducted after she went out of her house at Sonapur village near Siliguri on Sunday morning to answer nature's call. She was found dead after a few hours, and the villagers alleged that she was raped before being murdered.

As police personnel were trying to lift the blockade, the mob set three North Bengal State Transport Corporation (NBSTC) buses on fire and also set ablaze three police vans, the officers said.

Police reinforcements, including Rapid Action Force, were brought in to lift the blockade and remove the protesters, the officers said.
MANCHESTER, Mo.  Administrators in the Parkway school district in suburban St. Louis spent the summer break crafting a flexible reopening plan, with options that include full-time classroom learning, full-time online instruction and a hybrid system.

Its a good thing because the dangers of the coronavirus are so uncertain that district officials are reluctant to make predictions about the fall semester, which begins in only five weeks. Confirmed coronavirus infections in Missouris hardest-hit city waned in June, but they are now spiking, along with hospitalizations. Schools plan to resume classes Aug. 24.

If you had asked me even two weeks ago, Do you think we would be able to come back? I would have said, Yeah,' Assistant Superintendent Kevin Beckner said. Today my answer is Im not sure, just because of how the situation has changed so quickly.

Schools around the U.S. face the same dilemma. With the number of reported COVID-19 cases and deaths still rising, districts must grapple with whether to bring students back to classrooms, and how to keep pupils and teachers safe if they do.

Pressure is mounting in many areas to reopen classrooms. President Donald Trump has urged schools to bring children back to class in the fall and has threatened to cut off federal funding if they do not.

Young people have to go to school, and theres problems when you dont go to school, too, Trump said in an interview aired Sunday on Fox News. And theres going to be a funding problem because were not going to fund when they dont open their schools.

The Republican president blamed Democrats for the push to keep some states and schools closed.

We got hit with the virus  shouldnt have happened  and we had to close up. We saved millions of lives, Trump said. Now weve opened it up, got to go back to school.

The Los Angeles Unified School District, the nations second-largest public school system behind New York City, announced last week that all classes will be conducted virtually when they resume next month.

Speaking Sunday on NBCs Meet the Press, Colorado Gov. Jared Polis, a Democrat, noted that many school districts in his state are going back as planned, as normal, taking the kinds of precautions that health experts and scientists recommend.

In Missouris St. Louis County, the Parkway district on Monday is scheduled to announce its plans for the fall, but it will stay ready to pivot quickly if the spread worsens or the outlook improves, Beckner said.

Even if we are able to bring back all of our students, it wont look the same as it was in February, Beckner said. There will be more hand-washing. There will be more restrictions on how were able to do things like lunch, like recess.

Signs will encourage social distancing, and desks will be spaced farther apart. Face coverings will be required for all students, instructors and staff. Some teachers will wear masks with clear coverings so students who are deaf or heard of hearing can follow what they are saying.

Times will be scheduled for hand washing and using hand sanitizer. Plexiglass will separate librarians, office staff and teachers interacting one-on-one with students. A nurse will perform contact tracing on confirmed cases.

In Chattanooga, Tennessee, third-grade teacher Leigh Grady is preparing to enter both a new school and a new world after a tornado demolished most of East Brainard Elementary in April.

Its going to be a hot mess express, she said. I cant even wrap my mind fully around what its going to look like.

Face masks will be mandatory for staff and all but the youngest students. Seating will be assigned on buses, and lunches served in classrooms. Water fountains will be off limits, and restrooms will disinfected after each class goes as a group.

If a teacher or student tests positive for the virus, schools will close for 48 to 72 hours, and the county is working with a staffing agency to line up substitutes.

If a rise in confirmed cases warrant it, schools will operate under more restrictive measures, with students taking turns spending part of the week at school and part at home.

All its going to take is one kid with a positive test, and that will shut everything down, she said.

As of Sunday, there have been 3.7 million confirmed COVID-19 cases and more than 140,000 deaths in the United States, according to a tally by Johns Hopkins.

Grady said her own children will be attending 10th and 12th grade in person, and shes comfortable with that if schools stick to the safety plan.

I need them to be at school, she said. I need them to be around other people.

___

Ramer reported from Concord, New Hampshire. Associated Press Writer Anita Snow in Phoenix contributed to this report.
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Todays guest columnist is Dr. Karim I. Budhwani. If youd like to be a guest columnist, please click here.

Many parents, teachers, and administrators are agonizing over the safety of students and ultimately their loved ones as Alabama schools open in the next few weeks.

Its clear that schools are fundamental to the personal and intellectual development of children. We are told that benefits of in-person school outweigh coronavirus risks. However, we are also told that Alabama is shattering coronavirus records. Rock and a hard place. With that in mind, heres a quick reflection on strategies for safely reopening schools in COVID times.

First the basics. If viral activity increases, the pandemic worsens, leading us toward unsavory constraining options. So, reducing viral activity is a worthwhile goal.

But, in order to reduce viral activity, we must understand the modes of viral transmission and factors that promote transmission.

So far, at least 3 modes of transmission have been posited. Lets assume that all three modes are relevant: (a) fomites or contaminated surfaces, (b) respiratory droplets, and (c) aerosol or airborne. Lets assume that which mode of transmission is dominant varies based on environmental and various other parameters which may be within or beyond our control.

Chief among factors that promote transmission are, well, people. Transmission increases as we (a) increase number of unassociated people coming in contact, (b) reduce the space that they occupy, and (c) increase the time for which they stay in contact.

Now lets explore strategies that could make back-to-school safer for students, teachers, and administration.

Cover Mucosae and Conjunctiva

In other words, mask up. Regardless of which modes of transmission are dominant, it would make sense to cover mucosae (nose/mouth) and possibly conjunctiva (eyes). This is not a political matter. It is simply a matter of getting back to school safely, despite COVID-19.

Lets assume that all symptomatic and positive tested people are self-isolating away from school. Which means that only the uninfected, the presymptomatic and the asymptomatic are at school.

Setting coughs and sneezes aside for a minute, in every breath we emit thousands of tiny respiratory droplets. Now, imagine the droplets from a person who is shedding the virus  with a mask and without a mask. In either scenario, virus is being shed. But its reach is blunted with masks. Masks can restrict the reach of the virus from people (direct), surfaces (fomites), and air ducts (aerosol).

So, mask up.

Avoid the Three Cs

Despite high population density, Japan managed to keep SARS-CoV-2 transmission at bay by a simple philosophy of avoiding three Cs: Closed spaces, Crowded places, and Close contact. From a back-to-school perspective, this could translate into (a) more outdoor activity to avoid closed spaces, (b) smaller class sizes to minimize crowded places and instituting cohort bubbles to isolate cohorts from each other even over breaks, carpool, lunch, etc. and finally, (c) physical distancing guidelines of 6 or more to avoid close contact.

Disinfect objects and clean subjects

There is some debate regarding the magnitude of transmission risk from contaminated surfaces. Regardless, it is generally good practice to disinfect common surfaces including counters, knobs, dry erase pens, etc. Particularly items that we commonly touch with our hands.

While contaminated objects may have fallen from their dubious distinction in SARS-CoV-2 transmission, subject vectors continue to remain paramount. Fortunately, combating this is simply a matter of good personal hygiene. Specifically, keeping our hands and face clean with appropriate and regular hand washing. If access to soap and warm water is restricted, hand sanitizers could be the next best option.

Before moving from this, well, subject, it should be noted that if aerosol transmission is dominant, recirculated air could diminish benefits from smaller class sizes, cohort bubbles, and even physical distancing indoors. Masks can help. Rotating groups outdoors can help. Using better filters in air ducts may also help.

Extra Credit

In addition to these, some generally applicable strategies should also be considered in the school reopening calculus. Strategies such as proactive self-monitoring of symptoms and, more importantly, the provisions to isolate without stigma or penalty. Temperature and oxygen saturation have become common self-monitoring tools, however, any change in smell and taste are also effective and cheap indicators.

Another variable to modulate response is viral activity in the community. Think of this as inverse dancing  slow down when the tempo (cases) increases. Be more vigilant as cases rise in your community but dont slack too much when cases decline. As these can rise sharply due to lag from incubation periods. This part is like Beethovens fifth: short-short-short-long!

Which brings me to my final two points: (a) stay fit and healthy and (b) endeavor to reduce stress. The latter is very important but surprisingly takes a backseat in COVID-19 discussions. Whiplash from rapid news cycles, mixed messages, developing science and evidence, psychosocial trauma from lockdowns, economic distress from 40 million unemployed, 17-point email messages on new school policies, and on and on induce high emotional exhaustion and sharp increases in stress levels. Guess what happens under stress? Our immunity is weakened. Making us more susceptible to infection!

So, our best defense against this virus and the pandemic could have been with us all along. A healthy you, a de-stressed you. But also a vigilant you, a compassionate you. An informed but not panicked you.

Hope this post is helpful.

Be safe. Be sane. Be sage.

Dr. Karim I. Budhwani is CEO of CerFlux, Inc. and Visiting Scientist in the School of Medicine at UAB and in the Department of Physics at Coe College. CerFlux, headquartered in Birmingham, is developing personalized medicine technology to transform cancer treatment here and around the world.
As a means of resolving Malis lingering political crisis the mediation team of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) led by Nigerias former president, Goodluck Jonathan, has recommended the formation of a government of national unity with members drawn from different interest groups in the country, including the ruling coalition, the opposition parties and the civil society.

It also recommended the establishment of a technical committee to be set up by ECOWAS to monitor the implementation of the proposed measures which also include the reconstitution of the dissolved constitutional court as well as the resolution of the dispute over 31 legislative seats recently set aside by the defunct constitutional court.

Mr Jonathan, who is ECOWAS Special Envoy to Mali, led his mediation team on a three-day mission to Mali which ended on Sunday, July 19, 2020, with a view to finding a solution to the socio-political crisis in Mali.

The missions communique issued at a press conference in Bamako on Sunday stated: As a matter of urgency, there is the need to put in place a government of national unity, based on consensus and taking into account the recommendations of the Inclusive National Dialogue, the implementation of the Mali Peace and Reconciliation Agreement resulting from the Algiers process.

According to the document, the proposed government will have 50 per cent of its members drawn from the ruling coalition while the opposition and civil society groups will produce 30 per cent and 20 per cent of its membership, respectively.

The communique signed by Mr Jonathan stated further: A Technical Committee will be put in place by ECOWAS to monitor and follow up on the implementation of the proposed measures. This Committee will comprise representatives of the Government, Parliament, civil society, the Judiciary, Women and Youth associations, and the ECOWAS Representation in Mali.

While in Bamako, the mission, which was in Mali one month after the visit of ECOWAS Ministerial Mission, held consultations with different stakeholders including President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita, Prime Minister Boubou Cisse, Imam Mahmoud Dicko, members of the M5-RFP collation , the majority coalition in Parliament, judges, heads of international agencies, diplomats, members of Civil Society as well as women and youth groups.

While many stakeholders and interest groups welcomed the proposed unity government, it is not however clear whether members of the opposition backed M5 coalition will be part of it, as they continued to insist on the resignation of President Keita among other tough

demands during the many meetings they had with the Jonathan-led team.

The mission urged Malians not to take laws into their hands, and reminded them of the importance of respecting their institutions, particularly the constitutional means of ascending to power, in conformity with the ECOWAS Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance. ECOWAS will not tolerate

The Mediation Mission welcomes the support of the proposed measures by all the stakeholders met, with the exception of the Strategic Committee of the M5-RFP. ECOWAS will monitor the effective implementation of the proposed measures and remain seized of the matter.

The Mission reiterates ECOWAS solidarity with the Government of Mali and the family of Honourable Soumaila CISSE, President of the Union for the Republic and Democracy party, Leader of the Opposition, whobhas been kidnapped since March 2020. It invites the Malian Government to intensify its efforts to obtain his release without delay.

Furthermore, the Mission encourages all the stakeholders to resort to dialogue and negotiation to resolve the socio-political crisis in good faith and mutual trust with a view to sustaining peace and security in the country.

The Mission which expressed its condolences to the people and the Government of Mali for the loss of lives during recent demonstrations in Bamako also condemned all forms of violence while calling on all parties to exercise restraint.

It also urged the authorities to finalise all the investigations into the deaths that occurred during the demonstrations on 10th, 11th and 12th July 2020. These investigations must also extend to all forms of violence and destruction of public buildings, including the

National Assembly, the Office of the Radio and Television of Mali (ORTM), and the High Council of Local Communities, as well as private property, in order to establish all responsibilities with a view to implementing the appropriate sanctions.
The Commonwealth Bank is supporting specialist teams to help victims of financial abuse amid warnings that women can be left with huge debts after an abusive relationship.

As support groups warn of rising domestic violence during the pandemic, CBA on Sunday said it was expanding a program for helping people who experienced financial abuse as a result of domestic and family violence.

Enough is enough: Catherine Fitzpatrick, CBA; Natasha Stott Despoja, Our Watch; Sian Lewis, CBA; Prof Jan Breckenridge, UNSW; Renata Field, Domestic Violence NSW; and Matt Comyn, CBA CEO, at the bank's Sydney headquarters last Thursday.

The program includes an internal team of 15 staff trained in helping people experiencing family and domestic violence, and a separate initiative delivered by advocacy group Good Shepherd to provide financial coaching for financial abuse victims.

Chief executive of Good Shepherd Australia and New Zealand, Stella Avramopoulos, said financial abuse involved taking control, such as over someone's spending, stopping them from getting a job or forcing them into debt. It could happen to anyone, she said, but the vast majority of cases were perpetrated by men against women.
CONTACT: Pamela D. Wilson 303-810-1816

Email: Inquiry_For_Pamela@pameladwilson.com

Golden, Colorado  July 19, 20920

The Caring Generation Lessons From Isolated Seniors

Golden CO- Caregiving expert Pamela D. Wilson hosts The Caring Generation family talk radio program for caregivers and aging adults this coming Wednesday, July 22, on the Bold Brave Media Network. The program airs live at 9 p.m. EST. The Caring Generation aired initially from 2009 to 2011 on 630 KHOW-AM in Denver, Colorado.

What Isolated and Lonely Caregivers Can Learn From Isolated Seniors

On this talk radio program for caregivers and aging adults, Wilson talks about aspects of loneliness and social isolation experienced by caregivers and seniors. Seniors and caregivers experience differing degrees of isolation and loneliness that depend on unexpected situations, lifelong behaviors and patterns, and residence factors.

While the coronavirus has increased social isolation by the need for physical separation, loneliness has also increased. Human beings crave social connections. As we age, fewer opportunities to make new social relationships exist. Socially connected individuals fare better from a health perspective and have better long term quality of life.

What caregivers can learn from isolated seniors is that isolation does not equate to loneliness. Other learnings Wilson shares during this radio program for caregivers include the idea of investing in long term friendships that can transcend time and significant life transitions.

Meaningful friendships, maintaining connections, and making new connections is part of having a fulfilling life that allows us to become resilient to transcend unexpected ups and downs in life and situations related to caregiving. Helpful tips and information for caregivers and aging adults are in Wilson's Caring for Aging Parents Blog.

.Difficult Caregiving Conversations with Dr. Liz Barnett

The guest for this program is Dr. Elizabeth (Liz) Barnett, who will share examples of how to have difficult caregiving conversations about the idea of caregiving burden. Caregivers experience burden when emotional, social, financial, career, and relationship aspects of life become challenging or feel overwhelming.

Dr. Barnett received her Master's of Social Work from Boston University and her Ph.D. from the University of Southern California's Department of Preventive Medicine's Institute for Prevention Research. She is an adjunct professor at California State University at Long Beach in Human Development. Her expertise is in motivational interviewing on the subjects of substance abuse, health, and social work. She has developed specialized training videos and motivational interviewing practice modules for professionals.

Join Pamela on The Caring Generation to learn what seniors and caregivers can learn from each other on the subjects of social isolation and loneliness. The Caring Generation radio program airs live at 6 p.m. Pacific, 7 p.m. Mountain, 8 p.m. Central, and 9 p.m. Eastern every Wednesday night.

Replays of the weekly programs are available in podcast format with transcripts on Pamela's website and all major podcast sites. More information about onsite and online video conferencing, virtual training and development, and online education and support are available on Wilson's website.

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John Lewis, the civil rights leader who marched with Martin Luther King Jr and was nearly killed in police beatings before serving for decades as a US congressman, has died aged 80. French President Emmanuel Macron was one of several admirers to call Lewis a hero.

Lewis was an African-American icon who spent his life getting into what he liked to call "good trouble"  the confrontations necessary to improve American democracy by ending discrimination and racial injustice.

"Today, America mourns the loss of one of the greatest heroes of American history," House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said of the 17-term congressman from Georgia.

For France's President Macron, Lewis was also a hero.

A life fighting for civil rights. A life being part of all the good fights, battling for a fairer world, Macron tweeted. So much progress has been made thanks to him. John Lewis was a hero.

The photo of Macron and Lewis in a warm embrace was taken in Washington in 2018.

In another tweet the president included footage of the two men hugging and Lewis quoted as saying Macron was "fighting for the same society as the one Martin Luther King wanted.

Brush with death

Lewis, who in late 2019 was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, was the son of sharecroppers.

He was just 21 when he became a founding member of the Freedom Riders, who fought segregation of the US transportation system in the early 1960s, eventually becoming one of the nation's most powerful voices for justice and equality.

He was the youngest leader of the 1963 March on Washington, in which King delivered his famous "I have a dream" speech.

Two years later Lewis nearly died while leading hundreds of marchers across the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, Alabama on a peace march to Montgomery. State troopers, seeking to intimidate those demonstrating for voting rights for black Americans, attacked protesters.

He suffered a fractured skull on the day that would become known as "Bloody Sunday".

Fifty years later in 2015, he walked across the bridge arm in arm with Barack Obama, the nation's first black president, to mark the anniversary of the Selma to Montgomery march.

Lewis first entered Congress in 1986 and quickly became a figure of moral authority, with Pelosi labelling him "the conscience of the Congress".

In recent months he had stepped away from his congressional duties as he underwent treatment for cancer.

But he returned to Washington in early June, in the midst of fiery demonstrations following the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis, to walk in Black Lives Matter Plaza, the renamed intersection near the White House that was the site of protests against injustice.

Lewis was an early critic of Donald Trump and the first prominent Democrat to question the Republican's legitimacy.

I don't see this president-elect as a legitimate president, Lewis said in an interview on NBC just a week before Trump's inauguration in 2017. I think the Russians participated in helping this man get elected and they have destroyed the candidacy of Hillary Clinton.

(with newswires)
Premier Daniel Andrews, who removed a navy blue face mask before addressing reporters, said he hoped no $200 fines would be issued and the directive would lead to behavioural change and an acceptance that masks would be required for a long time. "Can I just indicate that if we can see high degrees of compliance, if we see people wearing masks, then that will mean it is less likely we have to move things like only having daily exercise in your own local postcode," he said. 'We are going to be wearing masks in Victoria, and potentially in other parts of the country, for a very long time.' Daniel Andrews "Or things like you can only go shopping within a certain radius or certain distance from your home. We don't want to get to those steps." He added: "We are going to be wearing masks in Victoria, and potentially in other parts of the country, for a very long time. There's no vaccine to this wildly infectious virus, and it's a simple thing but it's about changing habits."

Chief Health Officer Brett Sutton said the directive would allow the state to achieve its goal of single-digit or zero daily case growth more quickly. He said face coverings would play a major role in stabilising what he called the daily case "numbers rollercoaster". Jurisdictions around the world that made face coverings mandatory had suppressed the virus far more effectively than those that did not. "It reduces the load that gets out between people," Professor Sutton said, emphasising the importance of masks covering a persons mouth and nose. Mask wearing reduced transmission rates by two-thirds or more, he said.

Police Association secretary Wayne Gatt said he did not expect major difficulties in enforcing the wearing of masks, but he noted officers were expecting Victoria Police command to clarify how much discretion they should use. Another 363 cases of coronavirus were recorded in Victoria on Sunday, and there have been a further three deaths. Of the new cases, about 30 are linked to known outbreaks and 327 are being investigated. More than 26,000 tests were conducted on Saturday. Two men and a woman, each in their 90s, have died. Mr Andrews expressed condolences and said it would be a "particularly sad time" for their families.

There are 130 people in hospital with COVID-19 , an increase of 20 within 24 hours, and 28 in intensive care, three more than the day before. Loading Professor Sutton said there was "no absolutely clear sign" of infection figures trending downwards. Two people, one at the Melbourne Remand Centre and one at a youth prison, have contracted the virus. There are 54 cases at various public housing towers in Carlton and authorities are investigating if, and how, the cases are linked.

There are 287 cases linked to public housing towers in North Melbourne and Flemington, 169 linked to Al-Taqwa College, 53 linked to Somerville Retail Services' meatworks, and 35 linked to the JBS meat processing plant in Brooklyn. Authorities have identified a number of aged care facilities linked to COVID-19 outbreaks, but over the past day have reported single cases at three facilities: Bluecross Ruckers Hill in Northcote, Villa Maria Catholic Homes in Alphington and Japara Highbury in Glen Waverley. Sign up to our Coronavirus Update newsletter Get our Coronavirus Update newsletter for the day's crucial developments and the numbers you need to know. Sign up to The Sydney Morning Herald's newsletter here and The Age's here. The state government has identified casual workers with no access to leave entitlements attending work while sick, including at aged care homes, as a main driver of community transmission. Mr Andrews said about 80 per cent of transmission since mid-May had occurred in workplaces, and much of it among casual workers without access to sick leave, who worked while displaying symptoms.

Family and social clusters represented one-third of all outbreaks before May 12. This has since declined to below 20 per cent, while workplace settings had accounted for two-thirds of outbreaks until May 12. WorkSafe, assisted by Victoria Police and Emergency Management Victoria, will conduct a blitz of work sites to ensure physical distancing rules are being enforced. "Many casual staff are moving into nursing home environments and bringing the virus to work with them. We know the catastrophic impact that can have on very vulnerable residents," Mr Andrews said. "It's contributing to the community transmission within the Victorian community in a significant way." When asked why the government had not better policed workplaces, given the outbreak at Cedar Meats and other high-risk places, the Premier said "best efforts" were made to contain the spread of coronavirus.
Within minutes of Gov. Henry McMasters news conference calling on schools to reopen this fall for face-to-face learning amid the coronavirus pandemic, the laundry list of critics began to grow.

Education groups, teachers associations and prominent state lawmakers released statements chastising the Columbia Republicans request and insisting students should return only when schools can ensure their safety. The states largest school district, Greenville County, said it was incredibly concerned by the governors stance as social media erupted.

In a rare public split from the governor, Education Superintendent Molly Spearman, R-Saluda, declined an invitation to the Wednesday press conference and released a statement objecting to McMasters insistence that every school reopen for five days a week.

The episode was the clearest example yet of the perilous political tightrope McMaster walks as South Carolinas worsening COVID-19 case numbers create difficult decisions about key aspects of public life, such as how to educate the states 787,000 public school students this fall.

As South Carolina has become one of the country's worst coronavirus hotspots, McMaster has faced more criticism over his handling of the pandemic than any other issue since assuming office in January 2017.

He has been blasted for not taking the virus seriously enough  waiting too long to issue a work-or-home order, reopening too soon, and refusing to order South Carolinians to wear masks in public.

On his political right, he was hammered for ordering a shutdown at all, no matter how brief. In May, Republican state Sen. Shane Martin accused the governor of illegally trampling on personal liberties, calling him King Henry during an interview on a conservative radio show.

"Gov. McMaster's got a very difficult job, said state Rep. Murrell Smith, a Sumter Republican and McMaster ally. Everybody's got an opinion on what the right way to handle one issue concerning this crisis or another. Every decision made, you've got angry constituents out there on one side and people who are satisfied. But you are never going to satisfy everybody.

In interviews this week with more than two dozen parents, The Post and Courier heard from some who didnt feel comfortable sending their children to school this fall and others who felt compelled to do so because online schooling hadnt worked for their kids.

But many of those parents shared a common frustration that the government, and especially McMaster, had put them in a position of choosing whether to prioritize their families health or their childrens education.

Abby Philpott, an Upstate parent, said she is keeping her ninth grader home this fall, which feels like a punishment for the straight-A student.

"His health, fellow students' health, teachers' health and the health of our family is more important than grades right now," Philpott said. "Having to be the bad guy and make the call myself instead of the governor stepping up for us has made this 10 (times) harder."

The state was announcing roughly 160 new cases a day when McMaster lifted his work-or-home order on May 4. This week, the state announced about 1,900 new cases each day.

McMaster's schools request came the same week an unpublished report from the White House Coronavirus Task Force recommended South Carolina  along with 17 other states deemed hot spots  close bars and gyms in problem areas and reinstate restrictions on gatherings of more than 10.

On Friday, the Episcopal Diocese of Upper South Carolina wrote the governor a letter siding with Spearman and urging him to reconsider.

Merely returning to what is familiar is not only impossible; it poses an unacceptable risk to health and safety, the collection of bishops wrote. We must instead proceed with care and deliberation, fundamentally informed by education leaders and public health professionals.

South Carolinians have been watching McMaster navigate this crisis  his greatest challenge since assuming office in January 2017  for months. But this weeks clash over reopening schools drove the issue home for many voters who will decide whether McMaster keeps his job in 2022, political observers say.

When your children become involved in the discussion, sometimes peoples hearts change, said GOP consultant Dave Wilson.

Wilson noted that McMasters stances now could become fodder for opponents looking to pick apart his record in the 2022 GOP primary campaign and general election. Some of those decisions will play differently among primary voters than they will in a general election race. And in 2022, opponents will have the benefit of hindsight to question the governors calls.

It is a very difficult balancing act because you have so many people with so many different opinions on a virus we dont fully understand, Wilson said.

Jim Rex, a former Democratic S.C. superintendent of education from 2007-11, said it remains too early to tell how McMaster will be viewed by school parents on the back end of this crisis.

Its going to depend on how he handles this over the next 30 to 45 days, Rex said. If he shows he is flexible and willing to accommodate some of the plans that school districts have, he can come out of it pretty unscathed. If he tries to hold a hard line. ... I think there will be some political fallout.
Scientists are still searching for a vaccine against the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) which has infected over 14 million people and killed over 600,000 globally. Nigeria has recorded over 36,000 infections and 778 deaths as of July 19.

International health agencies have also expressed concerned about the growing Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Here are some of the health stories which made headlines last week

Nigeria records 653 new COVID-19 cases

Nigeria recorded 653 new cases of COVID-19 on Saturday, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) said.

According to the health agency, six deaths were also recorded that day, bringing the fatality from the virus to 778.

The total number of people who have contracted the virus in Nigeria has now risen to 36,107 out of which 14,938 people have recovered and have been discharged.

Nigerian teaching hospital raises service charges by 100%  Official

The Management of Usmanu Danfodio University Teaching Hospital (UDUTH) Sokoto has hiked its service charges by more than 100 per cent to maintain efficient service delivery.

Buhari Abubakar, the hospitals head of public affairs, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Saturday that the institutions charges still remained the lowest in the country.

Mr Abubakar said that the increase was necessitated by the prevailing increase in prices of antigens and other medical consumables.

Pandemic putting immunisation gains at risk, UN agencies warn

Disruptions in the delivery of immunisation services resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic threaten to unravel global gains in reaching more children and young people with a wider range of vaccines, two UN agencies warned on Wednesday.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) and the UN Childrens Fund (UNICEF) are calling for immediate efforts to vaccinate all children as progress was already hampered by a decade of stalling coverage.

New survey shows poverty not COVID-19 is biggest worry for Nigerians

Nigerians fear worsening poverty than rising coronavirus cases, according to a survey by Crosby Textor Group which also provided insights into the perceptions and behaviour of consumers and the future of retail in Nigeria.

The survey which was carried out in early July involving 1,000 respondents showed that the three important issues for Nigerians are poverty (47 per cent), economy (36 per cent), and the Covid-19 (36 per cent) ahead of National security, Terrorism and surprisingly, Jobs.

The respondents (87 per cent) voted that the coronavirus has weakened the Nigerian economy and the countrys pandemic outbreak is in the early stage and rapidly accelerating.

WHO concerned about growing Ebola outbreak in DR Congo

The World Health Organisation (WHO) and partners are concerned about the growing Ebola outbreak in the northwestern province of Equateur, in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), as they face critical funding gaps amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the UN health agency said on Thursday.

The outbreak was declared on June 1 and there have been 56 cases, 53 of which are confirmed, surpassing the total number recorded during the provinces last Ebola outbreak, two years ago.

COVID-19: 8,000 health workers infected in Africa  WHO

The World Health Organisation (WHO) says no fewer than 8,000 health workers have been infected with the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in the Africa Region.

WHO Regional Office for Africa in Brazzaville, Congo, disclosed this on its official Twitter account @WHOAFRO on Tuesday.

This is why Infection Prevention Control (IPC) awareness is vital for all.

WHO and partners have trained more than 50,000 health workers to protect themselves and patients.

The organisation aims to reach over 200,000 in 2020, it said.

COVID-19: Ekiti to arrest facemask defaulters from Monday

The Ekiti Government says it will begin to arrest those refusing to wear facemasks in public places from Monday.

The Attorney-General and Commisioner for Justice, Wale Fapounda, on Sunday told journalists in Ado Ekiti that there would henceforth be stiffer penalties for those who fail to comply.

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The commissioner said Governor Kayode Fayemi was particularly worried about the deliberate lack of compliance with most COVID-19 regulations in the state.

He said the governor had ordered full enforcement of all other COVID-19 regulations in the state.

COVID-19: Virus presents malaria symptoms but its not, NCDC warns

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) says though Coronavirus (COVID-19) presents symptoms similar to malaria such as fever, both diseases are caused by different organisms and differ in mode of transmission.

The NCDC made this known on its official twitter handle, while warning Nigerians against taking COVID-19 and malaria as the same infection.

The health agency also identified 12 symptoms that could point to the existence of COVID-19 in the human body.

According to NCDC, the symptoms includes loss of taste; loss of smell, difficulty breathing, diarrhea, catarrh, fatigue, shivering, body pain, headache and sore throat.
"Law" (Kannada film streaming on Prime Video)

Cast: Ragini Prajwal, Siri Prahlad, Achyuth Kumar, Avinash, Krishna Hebbale, Rajesh Nataranga

Direction: Raghu Samarth

Rating: * * (two stars)

By Vinayak Chakravorty

Decades ago, the Amitabh Bachchan-Rajinikanth courtroom drama "Andhaa Kaanoon" was themed around a basic question about law and justice. Does one necessarily have to be ethical while using the law to obtain justice? The question forms the crux of the Kannada film "Law" too, although the plot is wholly different.

Much like "Andhaa Kaanon", this film could have made for an entertaining watch despite its larger-than-life illogic. "Law", however, is crushed under the weight of its overwhelmingly sloppy treatment.

The sheer lack of craft about the film remind the fact that amateurish films coming from all across India currently threaten to drive the direct-to-OTT brainwave redundant.

For, random recall would show how, in a short while, we have had too many half-baked efforts across languages that would perhaps have struggled to find big screen release. You can think of "Virgin Bhanupriya", "Ghoomketu" or "Chaman Bahaar" in Hindi. The Tamil release "Ponmagal Vandhal" and the Tamil/Telugu bilingual "Penguin" disappointed too, as did the Malayalam film, "Sufiyum Sujatayum".

"Law", the first Kannada commercial film to bypass a theatrical opening, doesn't make great advertisement for the digital premiere strategy, either.

On paper, the film is positioned as a legal thriller/courtroom drama with a twist. The effort here is also to deliver a message about crime against women, and women's empowerment.

Writer-director Raghu Samarth's film, playing out a runtime of a little over two hours, makes you seriously question why it was made in the first place. As a thriller, "Law" is too insipid and laced with cliches to regale. As a commentative piece on womanhood, the film trivialises the very cause it tries championing given the unidimensional characters and execution.

The story takes off with young Nandini (Ragini Prajwal), a gangrape victim, walking into a police station late one night to report the crime. The cops are in no mood give her a patient ear. Instead, they snigger at her and pass crass comments. The inspector in charge gives a 'valid' excuse for cracking cheap jokes when the girl asks him to get serious: He has a heart condition, and the doctor wants him to be happy at all times. Things get worse when the girl's father (Avinash) walks in. He just wants her to forget the whole episode, fearing shame if things become public.

The intent of the scene is obviously to highlight the apathy rape victims by and large continue facing all over India, even from lawkeepers and their families. The outcome, however, is a bad start to the film, given the bad writing and acting.

There is very little originality in the way the rest of the narrative flows. The three young rapists come from powerful family backgrounds. They walk, talk, dress and sneer in a way that you won't have any problem identifying them as bad boys. In fact, as Nandini, a law graduate, decides to fight her own case (bringing back flashes of Jyothika in the recent "Ponmagal Vandhal"), almost all characters -- good and bad -- live up to stereotypes.

The second half of the film is almost entirely allotted to courtroom drama, as Nandini takes on the mighty advocate Shyam Prasad (Rajesh Nataranga), who is defending the three accused for -- no prices for guessing -- an obscene amount of money.

Quite inexplicably, marring any scope of gripping drama, writer-director Samarth introduces lame shots at humour as the courtroom proceeding begins. Sample this -- the judge walks into the courtroom poring over his mobile, and then looks around and snarls at the room full of people: 'What is this, why is everyone busy with their mobile phones like idiots?" Oh, and if you didn't get the joke, the orderly standing by his side pulls a face and mumbles to himself: "And what was he himself doing?!" The storytelling is that unimaginative.

There is an attempt to introduce a big twist in the second half, one that conceptually turns the story on its head. Without giving away spoilers, it raises questions on the notions of law and justice. The outcome, though, is too 'filmi' to leave an impact, owing to the way it is implemented.

Loud treatment of music (Vasuki Vaibhav) and camera (Sugnaan) in key moments only make matters worse, and the film does not have even one well-written sequence that might draw sympathy for the rape victim or revulsion for the men who commit such a heinous crime.

Weak storytelling affects the acting, too. Ragini Prajwal, despite being at the centre of a heroine-centric film, fails to come up with a performance that may resonate in your mind. Rajesh Nataranga as the defence lawyer Shyam Prasad and Krishna Hebbale as Parthasarathy Brahma, officer in charge of the case who adds to the film's only twist, are the only actors who manage to make sporadic impact amid an otherwise forgettable cast and film.

"Law" feels like a B-grader from the nineties, a worn-out effort with almost nothing to recommend for itself.

(Vinayak Chakravorty can be reached at vinayak.c@ians.in)

-- Syndicated from IANS
G rant Shapps has become the first senior politician to break ranks and declare he is taking a summer holiday abroad this year.

The Transport Secretary said he and his wife Belinda had decided to take advantage of the relaxation of Foreign Office guidance on non-essential overseas travel.

My wife looked at all of these new changes that were made and has now booked a break for the first time for a couple of years, he told the BBC Radio 4 Today programme.

Senior politicians had previously been queuing up to signal they would be staying in the UK after the coronavirus pandemic threw international travel plans into disarray.

Earlier this week Boris Johnson  who spent new year in the Caribbean with his fiancee Carrie Symonds  confirmed he had opted for a staycation.

Grant Shapps confirmed he's jetting off abroad / 10 Downing Street/AFP via Getty

This country is uniquely blessed with fantastic places to holiday, whether coastal or otherwise, he told reporters on Monday.

And I am certainly going to be doing that, but I wont necessarily tell you where at this stage.

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer and Chancellor Rishi Sunak have also said they will be staying put.

As far back as May, Health Secretary Matt Hancock announced he would be remaining in the UK, amid fears that foreign holidays would be off the cards completely this year.

The UK's expected air bridge partner nations - in pictures 1 /6 The UK's expected air bridge partner nations - in pictures Spain Click through the gallery to see expected air bridge nations with the UK ... Shutterstock Italy Unsplash Greece Unsplash France Unsplash Germany Unsplash

Mr Shapps had previously warned that anyone booking a holiday for August would be taking a chance, but he told the Today programme: Of course, since that time the Foreign and Commonwealth Office have been able to change their travel advice.

We have established air bridges or international travel corridors to a number of different countries allowing that to happen.

These are personal choices but we have issued guidance now for airlines to ensure that people can travel in a Covid-safe manner as well.

So there is much more structure in place now as we approach the summer.

Various holiday destinations have opened up the UK following lockdown / AP

The government advised against all but essential travel since March, but this advice has been lifted for destinations that ''no longer pose an unacceptably high risk'' for British travellers.

Earlier this month a series of so-called air bridges opened to more than 50 countries, including popular holiday destinations France, Spain and Italy, meaning travellers are exempt from quarantine upon their return in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

The 14-day self-isolation requirement remains in force for nations still hard-hit by the virus including the US, Canada and much of the Americas.
Will boosted unemployment benefits continue past July? It's the question on every jobless worker's mind.

Without the $600 weekly boost that's currently in play, the typical unemployment recipient will be in line for just $380 a week, and if that comes to be, millions of Americans will inevitably struggle to make ends meet.

It's for this reason that some lawmakers have been pushing to extend boosted unemployment benefits beyond July 31, when they're set to expire. But other lawmakers are pushing back, stating that boosted unemployment isn't a good idea for a few reasons:

The economy is opening back up.

The jobless rate has fallen since April.

The $600 weekly boost disincentivizes workers to return to a job.

These arguments, however, hold less water now that the COVID-19 outbreak is surging again. As cases climb and more states impose added restrictions, the economy is likely to regress and the jobless rate is likely to climb. And while it's true that workers may, indeed, prefer to stay unemployed as long as they're getting an extra $600 a week, the reality is that many jobless folks don't have a role to return to.

When lawmakers reconvene in July to discuss a second COVID-19 relief package, the topic of extending boosted unemployment is apt to come up. But even if that weekly $600 boost is extended, those who are currently collecting it may be in for a financial shock when they realize that extra money could be subject to delays.

Lawmakers need to act quickly

The CARES Act states that boosted unemployed benefits will expire on or before July 31. And most states will likely be erring on the side of "before."

The reason? Unemployment benefits are typically paid on a weekly cycle that ends on a Saturday or Sunday. This means that the $600 weekly boost will generally run out on either July 25 or July 26. Extending the boost beyond that point without changing payment cycles would mean bleeding into August.

If lawmakers don't come to an agreement to extend boosted benefits ahead of July 25, even if they do agree to keep that extra $600 in play, it could take weeks to reauthorize that additional aid, leaving unemployed workers with a gap for several weeks' time. As such, those depending on boosted unemployment should prepare now for the possibility that their benefits could drop temporarily.

Americans need that added relief

Democratic lawmakers have called to extend boosted unemployment through the end of the year. Whether that happens is yet to be determined, but it's clear that if that boost is taken away by August, the consequences will be dire. Not only will millions of Americans risk falling behind on essential expenses like rent, but they'll also have less money to pump into the economy at a time when an uptick in spending is desperately needed to break out of our current recession.

If lawmakers do vote to extend boosted unemployment, let's hope they act quickly. Otherwise, many jobless Americans will suffer for no good reason.
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The field of medicine is always changing. In fact, half of what students learn in medical school will either be wrong or outdated five years after they graduate. As future physicians, medical students must learn to adapt to these changes. In fact, the medical school curriculum itself has evolved greatly over the years. In addition to basic science, pharmacology, and clinical medicine, curriculums now include content on biostatistics, epidemiology, and health systems. Doctors should be knowledgeable regarding all of these content areas since it informs their practice and ultimately helps patients. There is one additional topic, however, that is often neglected in medical education: the business of medicine.

Some may consider it taboo to discuss finances when speaking about medicine. In reality, physicians are one of the highest-earning professions in the United States. In addition, 75 percent of medical students graduate with a median debt of about $200,000. As a result, physicians have no choice but to think about and make decisions based on finances to some extent. The problem is that most physicians are never taught how to do so during medical school. Some medical schools are beginning to recognize this problem and are taking action.

The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences began implementing a business of medicine course for fourth-year medical students in 2015. The course covers a wide range of topics, including loan repayment options, retirement planning, insurance, and many others. According to their surveys, by the end of the course, students felt more prepared to handle their finances. Students also felt that the business aspects of medicine should be integrated throughout the medical school curriculum. Although most schools offer some sort of personal finance resources, not many have formal coursework in the area.

In the absence of formal coursework, many other schools have interest groups focused on personal finance and the business side of medicine. At my school, our Business in Medicine group has had meetings with financial advisors, a medical malpractice lawyer, and physicians discussing how to manage a private practice. These discussions have helped introduce students to important issues that physicians often encounter, but are not exposed to during their training.

Another possible benefit of financial education for medical students may be improved well-being. There is no denying that physician burnout is a prevalent and important issue facing the medical community. Some studies have estimated rates of burnout to be as high as 80.5 percent. Although there are many factors contributing to the high rate of burnout among physicians, financial issues (e.g., compensation, debt) are often cited among the most common. Physicians commonly graduate with hundreds of thousands of dollars in debt, and many lack a solid plan to eliminate it. This financial burden can, and usually does, contribute to the extreme amount of stress among doctors. One way to address this issue is to educate medical students about personal finance, loans, and repayment options while they are still in medical school. Helping students develop a financial plan that includes efficiently paying off their loans after graduating would allow them to focus more on their training and less on the burden of their debt. In addition, mitigating the stress associated with financial uncertainty may be helpful in encouraging some students to go into primary care.

Ultimately, patient care is at the center of medicine and is the main reason many physicians chose to go into the field. A good understanding of the business side of medicine and personal finance can help future physicians focus on just that. There are plenty of options when it comes to how we can begin to integrate these topics into medical education. There are clear benefits that come with learning these skills, and many students are eager to do so. We need more medical schools to integrate these subjects into their curriculums, and students who are given the opportunity to gain this knowledge can become more well-rounded physicians as a result.

Martinus Megalla is a medical student.

Image credit: Shutterstock.com
Activist groups were jubilant. Generously funded by left-wing foundations and other donors, they had used every tactic at their disposal to destroy the project. They truly think that by obstructing the creation of natural-gas plants and pipelines, they will force North Carolina and other states to increase dramatically the share of power derived from wind, solar, and other renewable sources of energy.

But thats impossible. Even if there are impressive breakthroughs in battery storage, it will remain uneconomical for the foreseeable future to replace coal-fired plants with renewables for baseload generation  for the level of power needed to serve basic needs when the sun isnt shining and the wind isnt blowing.

The cleanest practical alternative to coal for baseload generation would be nuclear, of course. Alas, many of the same activists who killed the Atlantic Coast Pipeline have waged political and legal war against nuclear power for decades.

So, instead, natural gas has largely filled the gap. North Carolina homes and businesses now derive about 30% of our electricity from gas, up from only 7% as recently as 2010. Coal now accounts for 29%, down from 56%.
Researchers have been using passive acoustic recordings of whale calls to track their movements. They have found that four of the six baleen whale species found in the western North Atlantic Ocean -- humpback, sei, fin and blue whales -- have changed their distribution patterns in the past decade. The recordings were made over 10 years by devices moored to the seafloor at nearly 300 locations from the Caribbean Sea to western Greenland.

"All four whale species were present in waters from the southeast U.S. to Greenland, with humpbacks also present in the Caribbean Sea," said Genevieve Davis, a senior acoustician at the Northeast Fisheries Science Center in Woods Hole, Massachusetts and lead author of the study. "These four species were detected throughout all the regions in the winter, suggesting that baleen whales are widely distributed during these months. Humpback, sei, fin, and blue whales also showed significant changes in where they were detected between the two time periods considered in this study: before and after 2010."

A large group of federal, state and academic researchers from the United States and Canada conducted the study, published in Global Change Biology. It is the first to show the occurrence of these four species across the western North Atlantic Ocean over long time spans and at a large spatial scale. The study also demonstrates how whale distributions have changed over time, and in particular since 2010.

Data collected from 2004 to 2014 on 281 bottom-mounted passive acoustic recorders totaled 35,033 days of recording. These passive acoustic recorders were deployed between the tiny island of Saba in the Caribbean Sea to the Davis Strait off western Greenland. Recorders were located on the continental shelf or along the shelf edge, with six recording units in off-shelf waters.

All available passive acoustic recordings from more than 100 research projects throughout the western North Atlantic Ocean were combined to create the decade-long dataset. The time series was split between 2004 to 2010 and 2011 to 2014. That split was based on the timing of shifts in climate in the Gulf of Maine and distribution changes by numerous species in the western North Atlantic Ocean.

This is also the same time period used in a similar analysis of North Atlantic right whales that was published in 2017, and used for comparison with this study.

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Results show that fin, blue, and sei whales were more frequently detected in the northern latitudes after 2010 but less on the Scotian Shelf area. This matches documented shifts in prey availability in that region.

"The Gulf of Maine, an important feeding ground for many baleen whale species, is warming faster than most places in the world, resulting in changes in distribution not only of marine mammals and fish but also for their prey," said Davis, who was also the lead author of the 2017 North Atlantic right whale study. "These changes in distribution for five of the six baleen whale species mirrors known shifts in distribution for other species attributed to climate and the impacts of ocean warming."

Researchers have not yet studied if or how minke whale distribution has shifted. Minkes are the sixth baleen whale species found in the western North Atlantic Ocean.

Researchers caution that while recorders provided widespread coverage, there were gaps. Also, these data can confirm where and when a species is present, but not how many individuals are present. There are differences in vocal behavior, seasonal changes, and vocalizations thought to be made by males only. The data provide a comprehensive overview of the minimum distribution in space and time of each species and add information to the current understanding of these species.

Spending More Time in Northern Latitudes

While humpback whales are found in all regions, researchers were a bit surprised at the length of time they are present in all areas. Fin, blue, and sei whales increased the time that they spent in northern latitudes after 2010, perhaps following prey. All but sei whales had a decreased acoustic presence on the Scotian Shelf after 2010.

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Sei whales, one of the least-studied baleen whales, were detected with the other whale species from Florida to eastern Greenland. Sei whales are found year-round in Southern New England and the New York Bight. These are also important regions for other baleen whale species, including North Atlantic right whales that target the same prey as sei whales.

"This study is the first comprehensive analysis of sei whale distribution throughout the western North Atlantic Ocean, including their movements and important habitat," Davis said. "The southern limit of their range remains unknown, and their migratory movements in the western North Atlantic are still not well understood but we have filled in a number of information gaps."

Fin whales were detected nearly year-round from Virginia to eastern Greenland. They are commonly found year-round in the Gulf of Maine and in Canadian waters off Nova Scotia. Acoustic records revealed their year-round presence in Massachusetts Bay and the New York Bight. New England waters provide feeding grounds, but mating and calving grounds are unknown. Their distribution year-round suggests that, like other baleen whales, not all fin whales migrate.

Blue Whales Heard Further South Than Expected

Blue whales are seen and heard year-round in and around the Gulf of St. Lawrence, where their population is well-studied. Considered a more northern whale, they have occasionally been sighted in the Gulf of Maine. Acoustic detections revealed blue whales are present as far south as North Carolina.

Blue whales tend to use deeper waters, making their seasonal movements difficult to study. Satellite tag studies, however, indicate they move from the Gulf of St. Lawrence to North Carolina, including on and off the continental shelf. They also move into deeper waters around the New England Seamounts -- a chain of underwater extinct volcanoes that extends from Georges Bank southeast for about 700 miles. Researchers found the shelf break and canyons to be important habitat areas for blue whales.

"A decade of acoustic observations have shown important changes over the range of baleen whales and identified new habitats that will require further protection from human-induced threats like fixed fishing gear, shipping, and noise pollution," said Davis.
Kannauj (Uttar Pradesh): Five people were killed and 18 others were injured after a private bus hit another vehicle at Agra-Lucknow Expressway on Sunday morning.

Police reached the spot and the injured have been rushed to a hospital.

The bus was going from Bihar's Darbhanga to Delhi when the accident occurred around 5 am today. The incident occurred under the Saurikh police station limits.
No one immediately claims responsibility for car bomb that went off near the Bab al-Salameh border crossing with Turkey.

An explosion rocked a rebel-held area in northern Syria across the border from Turkey late Sunday, killing at least five people and wounding dozens, opposition activists and Turkish state media reported.

The car bomb went off near the Bab al-Salameh border crossing with Turkey, the reports said. The area is controlled by Turkey-backed opposition fighters.

The blast killed seven and wounded more than 60, including women and children, according to the United Kingdom-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. Other opposition activists said the blast killed five and wounded dozens.

Turkeys state-run Anadolu news agency reported that at least five civilians were killed and 85 wounded in the blast. The agency said that some of the wounded who were in critical condition were taken for treatment in Turkey.

It said no one claimed responsibility for the attack, adding that Kurdish fighters have carried out such attacks in the past.

The bombing took place on the same day as parliamentary elections in government-held areas of Syria [Saher El Hacci/Anadolu]

Anadolu reported that another blast earlier Sunday wounded 13 people, including children, in the Syrian town of Afrin, which is controlled by Turkey-backed opposition fighters.

Sundays attacks came as parliamentary elections took place in government-held parts of the war-torn country. As in previous elections in Syria, the vote could produce a rubber-stamp body loyal to President Bashar al-Assad.

Turkey and allied Syrian fighters took control of Afrin in 2018 in a military operation that expelled local United States-backed Kurdish fighters and displaced tens of thousands of Kurdish residents.

Ankara considers the Kurdish fighters who were in control of Afrin to be terrorists. Since 2018, there have been a series of attacks on Turkish targets in the area.
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COVID-19 contact tracing apps will only be effective across borders if states and countries can readily share data, and a collaboration could soon make that happen in the US. iMore reports that Apple, Google, and Microsoft are working with the Association of Public Health Laboratories to launch a national server to store keys and help exposure notifications reach people across states. It would be based around Apple and Googles exposure alert framework, while Microsoft and APHL would host the server.

The move could harmonize apps across the country and help people who travel across state lines. It could also help eliminate duplication and save states the cost and time involved with setting up their own servers, the APHL said.

The group didnt provide a timeline for when the server would be ready. It may also take tracing app developers time to implement the server.

This could be crucial to a recovery from the virus as travel restrictions ease. However, it does raise privacy issues. The Apple/Google approach exists in part to decentralize exposure info and protect any sensitive data. It might be harder to protect data concentrated on one server. APHL said it would securely store the data, but this might prove a tempting target even if the keys dont reveal much.
Elizabeth Potthast Castravet and Andrei Castravet headed to Andreis home country of Moldova on a recent episode of TLCs 90 Day Fiance: Happily Ever After in order to host their second wedding and baptize their young daughter, Eleanor. But first, Andrei revealedonly after Elizabeth arrived in her husbands home countryhis wife would have to convert to Orthodox Christianity.

In a new sneak peek of an upcoming episode of 90 Day Fiance: Happily Ever After, Elizabeth seemed nervous as she prepared for her baptism and tried to adapt to the rules of Andreis religion. 90 Day Fiance fans had mixed reactions to the preview clip, with some arguing that Elizabeth shouldnt convert to another faith without knowing much about it, and others pushing back against Andreis demand that his wife be baptized.

Andrei Castravet and Elizabeth Potthast Castravet with baby Eleanor | Elizabeth Potthast Castravet via Instagram

Elizabeth prepared to convert to Andreis religion in a new sneak peek

In a recent 90 Day Fiance: Happily Ever After preview clip from TLC on Instagram, Elizabeth and Andrei headed to a local church to have Elizabeth baptized before their wedding.

Elizabeth looked visibly nervous, and less than thrilled, at the prospect. Im really nervous, she said, adding that she had no idea what to expect from the ceremony.

The 90 Day Fiance star told TLC producers, Today we are at a church where I will be baptized, slash converted, to Andreis religion.

Its called Orthodox. Christian Orthodox, Andrei corrected her.

As Elizabeth was fitted with a headscarf and a traditional white gown for the ceremony, Andrei complimented her on how she looked in the garments. Thank you. Do you guys wear one too? she asked Andrei and his friend.

No. Just women, Andreis friend replied, as both of them smirked. Well, thats not fair, Elizabeth quipped in response.

Andrei told 90 Day Fiance producers that his wife getting baptized was important to him, especially because he wanted his family to participate in their upcoming traditional wedding in Moldova.

Getting Libby baptized into my religion is very important, because without that, we cant get married, Andrei explained. So, this is one step closer to our wedding.

Elizabeth, meanwhile, looked dubious and seemed to simply want to get the ceremony over with. I dont really know what its going to be like, the 90 Day Fiance star said quietly, but Im ready to do it so we can move on and finish with our wedding.

Andrei asked his wife if she was excited as they walked into the church, but she said only that she was nervous instead.

The 90 Day Fiance star said there were so many unknowns when it came to Andreis religion that she felt completely out of her element. There are so many rules that follow a baptism, Elizabeth explained. So, you cannot wear makeup. You have to wear a headscarf. You have to be dressed in all white. And this is all new to me. This is literally another world.

RELATED: 90 Day Fiance: Some Fans Wonder Why Andrei Castravet Didnt Marry a Moldovan Woman

RELATED: 90 Day Fiance: Fans Are Divided About Whether Andrei Castravet and Elizabeth Potthast Castravets Storyline Is Staged

RELATED: 90 Day Fiance: Andrei Castravet Claps Back at a Fan Who Calls Him a Poor Excuse of a Man

Some 90 Day Fiance fans thought Elizabeth shouldnt convert to another faith just for Andrei

Under the preview clip, 90 Day Fiance fans flocked to the comments to share their thoughts about Elizabeths baptism. Several Instagram users argued that Elizabeth shouldnt be converting to a different faith without knowing more about itand especially not for marriage alone.

How does the baptism count if she doesnt care about the faith? one critic wondered. The point is, you practice the faith because essentially thats how youd like to raise your kids. Itll make things difficult if its not from the heart or she doesnt mean it and is only doing it for him.

Another 90 Day Fiance viewer agreed, writing, I never understood people like that. Who convert into a religion just for the happiness of the significant other, its so stupid. Dont care or know anything about it.

Another fan had even harsher words, arguing that Elizabeths decision wasnt a moral one. To convert like that is blasphemy, they wrote. Ultimately it all has to come from your heart & soul.

Others thought Andrei shouldnt have blindsided his wife with the baptism

Other 90 Day Fiance fans argued that Andrei shouldnt have pushed Elizabeth into converting to his religion for himespecially without giving her more time to consider her decision first. Some claimed that it followed Andreis pattern of expecting Elizabeth to go along with his decisions without consulting her about them first.

I think Andrei should have done his research before bringing this idea to his wife, an Instagram user commented regarding Andrei and Elizabeths relationship. Its not fair that he blindsided her. Actually it should have been discussed when they first decided to get heavily involved and engaged.

Another critic wrote sarcastically, Everything that he finds important, is important.

Still others thought Elizabeth shouldnt put in so much time and effort for Andrei when he refused to get a job and often had harsh words for his wife, especially during arguments.

Andreis choice of words doesnt match with a churchgoer, one fan remarked.

Another added, Shes doing too much for a man, well, boy, that wont even get off his a** for his child.
Further policy action from governments as well as increased international cooperation will be required to combat the present economic crisis and ensure a resilient recovery, IMF Managing Director has said.

In a statement issued yesterday at the conclusion of the virtual meeting of the Group of 20 (G20) Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors, chaired by Saudi Arabia, Kristalina Georgieva said: Due to the continuing impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, the global economy faces a deep recession this year, with partial and uneven recovery expected in 2021. While there remains great uncertainty on the outlook, the unprecedented actions taken by the G20 countries and others have helped to avert a much worse outcome. As we enter the next phase of the crisis, further policy action will be required, as well as increased international cooperation. The G20 Action Plan is key to this effort.

To support countries in fighting the crisis and to prevent long-lasting scarring of the global economy particularly waves of bankruptcies, risks to financial stability, high unemployment, and increasing inequality  she emphasized the following:

* The public health response remains the main priority to protect people, jobs, and economic activity. Across the world, countries have implemented exceptional measures to support individuals and workers. These lifelines should be maintained as needed and, in some cases, expanded.

* Supportive fiscal and monetary policies will need to continue until we can secure a safe and durable exit from the crisis. Premature withdrawal of this support could derail the recovery and incur larger costs.

Third, policies need to prepare for and support transformational change, as some sectors may permanently shrink, while others -- such as digital services -- will expand. Adapting to change in an inclusive manner will reuire adequate social protection, and training and job search assistance to workers.

* We need to unite to help the poorest and most vulnerable economies, especially those struggling with high debt or dependent on hard-hit sectors. The G20s Debt Service Suspension Initiative (DSSI) has been commendable and I hope that consideration will be given to extending it. In addition, to make it even more effective, greater private sector participation, and greater debt transparency, should be strongly promoted. Beyond the DSSI, there is a need to fill gaps in the international debt architecture and think about more comprehensive debt relief for many countries. We stand ready to support these efforts, she said.

I also emphasised that we can use the crisis as an opportunity to build a better future for all people by: maximising the potential of the digital economy; promoting green investment to combat climate change in a job-rich manner; and investing in human capital to build a more inclusive economy.

The IMF has moved with unprecedented speed -- providing emergency financing to 72 countries in four months -- and we will continue to support our member countries relentlessly. We see especially pressing needs to assist low-income countries, and small and fragile states which have been hit very hardwith the support of our membership, we continue to mobilize additional concessional resources to help them. In this context, we are stepping up action to make better use of existingSpecial Drawing Rights (SDRs)," she said. - TradeArabia News Service
Home  Just In  Nepal Foreign Affairs Minister accuses India of not understanding diplomatic initiatives

Gulmi, July 19

Nepals Minister for Foreign Affairs, Pradeep Kumar Gyawali, has accused India of failing to understand the seriousness of Nepals diplomatic initiatives towards solving the recent border dispute.

Speaking in a function organised in Tamghas, the headquarters of his home district Gulmi, on Saturday, the minister reiterated that India did not respond to Nepals diplomatic notes about the issue twice, instead, it expedited road construction in the disputed land.

Gyawali, however, said the government would continue its efforts towards reclaiming the ownership of the land taking all parties and stakeholders in confidence.

In another context, the confidante of Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli claimed recent disputes in the party would not affect the party in the long run. He urged the party leadership to consolidate unity.
Sports The Guardian

The Steelers quarterback is headed to the Hall of Fame. But he was unloved outside Pittsburgh for understandable reasons Ben Roethlisberger almost certainly played his final game in the NFL on Sunday. Photograph: Ed Zurga/AP Ben Roethlisberger is lucky that football legacies are not decided by finales. If Sunday night was indeed Big Bens last ever NFL game, as he has strongly hinted, it wasnt exactly a mic drop. In the 42-21 beatdown by the Chiefs, Roethlisberger struggled with rollouts, and l
John Lewis is no more. He would have died a broken man  for the nature of the current United States (US) administration led by Donald Trump is, in so many ways, the opposite of all that Lewis stood for. But he would also have died a hopeful man  for the protests that have engulfed the US after George Floyds brutal killing by the police have brought back to centre-stage the issues of racial equality, non-discrimination, dignity, legal reforms, and political rights that Lewis fought for. Indeed, it was because men like him fought that todays protests have even become possible.

Lewis was a US civil rights hero, who in the 1950s and 60s led and participated in the movement against segregation and for equality. In the US South, he was among the original freedom riders who challenged segregated inter-state travel. In Selma, he marched for equal voting rights  and was brutally beaten by state authorities. In Washington, where Martin Luther King Jr delivered his historic address at the Lincoln Memorial, Lewis spoke out against racism. And in the US Congress, where he was a member for close to 25 years, he became a voice of conscience.

It is men like Lewis who ensured that the US overcame one of its most shameful legacies of institutionalised racial discrimination. And in this, along with King, he was inspired by the Gandhian path of non-violent resistance. This courage of conviction  to challenge the most oppressive of structures through peaceful and democratic methods  is a lesson to all social justice movements across the world. This persistence  he said it was important not to be afraid of making noise and getting into good trouble, necessary trouble  is a lesson that speaking up against wrong and retaining an ethical core is integral to progress. For all those who want to fight for a better world, Lewis will be an inspiration.
At least seven Indian pharma companies are working to develop a vaccine against coronavirus as they join global efforts to find a preventive to check the spread of the deadly virus that has already infected more than 14 million globally.

Bharat Biotech, Serum Institute, Zydus Cadila, Panacea Biotec, Indian Immunologicals, Mynvax and Biological E are among the domestic pharma firms working on the coronavirus vaccines in India.

Vaccines normally require years of testing and additional time to produce at scale, but scientists are hoping to develop a coronavirus vaccine within months because of the pandemic.

Bharat Biotech has received approval to conduct phase I and II clinical trial for its vaccine candidate Covaxin, that has been developed and manufactured in the company's facility in Hyderabad. It last week started human clinical trials.

Leading vaccine major Serum Institute of India has said that it is hoping to develop a COVID-19 vaccine by the year-end.

"At present, we are working on the AstraZeneca Oxford vaccine which is undergoing phase III clinical trials. In addition to this, we will also start human trials in India in August 2020. Based on the current situation and most recent updates on the clinical trials, we are hoping that the AstraZeneca Oxford vaccine will be available towards the end of this year," Serum Institute of India CEO Adar Poonawalla told PTI.

The company is also developing a live attenuated vaccine with US-based biotech firm Codagenix, which is undergoing pre-clinical trials, he added.

"Apart from AstraZeneca Oxford vaccine and Codagenix, we have associated with multiple institutions worldwide as manufacturing partners for vaccine candidates that are being developed. These include Austria's Themis along with two others," Poonawalla said.

On the partnership with AstraZeneca, Poonawalla said: "Serum Institute of India has entered a manufacturing partnership with AstraZeneca to produce and supply 1 billion doses of the COVID-19 vaccine being developed by Oxford University."

These vaccines will be for India and middle and low income countries across the world (GAVI countries), he added.

Pharma major Zydus Cadila has said that it is looking to complete clinical trials of its COVID-19 vaccine candidate ZyCoV-D in seven months.

The company had last week started clinical trials of its COVID-19 vaccine candidate with the first human dosing.

Depending on the study outcomes and if the data is encouraging and the vaccine is found to be effective during the trials, it could take a total of seven months for the trials to be completed and for the vaccine to be launched, Zydus Cadila Chairman Pankaj R Patel said in a statement.

Hyderabad-based Bharat Biotech last week started human trials of its vaccine Covaxin at Rohtak's Post-Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences.

The phase I and II clinical trials of the vaccine for SARS-CoV-2 by Bharat Biotech have been approved by the Indian drug regulator after pre-clinical studies demonstrated safety and immune response.

The company has developed the vaccine in collaboration with the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and the National Institute of Virology (NIV).

Panacea Biotec in June said that it was setting up a joint venture firm in Ireland with US-based Refana Inc to develop a vaccine for COVID-19.

The company in partnership with Refana aims to manufacture over 500 million doses of COVID-19 candidate vaccine, with over 40 million doses expected to be available for delivery early next year, Panacea Biotec had said.

Indian Immunologicals, a subsidiary of National Dairy Development Board (NDDB), has inked an agreement with Australia's Griffith University to develop a vaccine for coronavirus.

Others like Mynvax and Biological E are also working to develop vaccines for COVID-19.

Vaccines typically provide the immune system with harmless copies of an antigen: a portion of the surface of a bacterium or virus that the immune system recognises as foreign. A vaccine may also provide a non-active version of a toxin  a poison produced by a bacterium  so that the body can devise a defence against it. They must follow higher safety standards than other drugs because they are given to millions of healthy people.

Vaccine testing is a four-stage process -- pre-clinical testing on animals, phase I clinical testing on a small group of people to determine its safety and to learn more about the immune response it provokes, phase II trials are expanded safety trials, and phase III testing is done by administering it to thousands of people to confirm its efficacy.

Globally, the World Health Organisation (WHO) is tracking around 140 candidates vaccines, of which around two dozen are in various phases of human clinical trials.

Chinese company Sinovac Biotech is moving into phase III trials in Brazil while University of Oxford/AstraZeneca is in a combine phase II/III trial in the UK and has recently gone into phase III trials in South Africa and Brazil.

US-based Moderna expects to start phase III trials of its vaccine candidate this month.

Among other leading players, German firm BioNTech is collaborating with pharma major Pfizer to develop a vaccine for COVID-19.

The companies have received fast track designation from the US Food and Drug Administration (USFDA) for two investigational vaccine candidates being developed to help protect against SARS-CoV-2.
Less than 2% out of the 3,500 people who work at jails in Portlaoise and elsewhere around the country caught Covid-19, the Leinster Express has learned.

While neither the Irish Prison Service (IPS) nor the Department of Health would confirm the figure it is understood that 50 employees contracted the virus since the pandemic hit Ireland in February.

With prisons due to recommence for prison visits on Monday, the IPS was not in a position to provide the figure as it said all details on confirmed cases are provided to the health authorities for publication.

However, it was in a position to confirm how many staff had to self-isolate and the up to date incidence among prisoners.

Due to the contingency measures introduced by the management and staff of the Irish Prison Service we can confirm that, at present, there have been no confirmed prisoner cases of Covid-19 within Irish Prisons. We can confirm, from 06 April 2020 to date, our Contact Tracing Team has identified 249 suspect cases among prison staff which were required to self-isolate but who subsequently largely tested negative. The decision to confirm and/or release details of a positive test for Covid-19 among prison staff is a matter for the HSE, said the statement.

It added that no staff have died after contracting the virus.

The Department said confidentially restricts the publication of information.

"It is Department of Health policy not to comment on individual cases or groups of cases as to do so would compromise a person or group of peoples right to confidentiality with regard to any interaction they may have with the health service.

"In any confirmed case of COVID-19, contact tracing is undertaken as an immediate priority. This takes place, as it always has, on an all-island basis. A public health official will be in touch with any contact of a confirmed case," said the Department.

Extensive measures have been taken by prison staff and prisoners with the help of the Red Cross and HSE to prevent any prisoner from getting infected.

The IPS National Infection Control Team, in collaboration with the National Quality Improvement (QI) team and Health Service Executive (HSE) in Ireland, implemented a programme to develop and train in-prison contact tracing teams (CTTs). CTTs were run by prison staff with experience of working with detainees, prison IT systems and CCTV. Protocols for undertaking contact tracing for both detainee and staff cases of COVID-19 were established.

Oxford University has published a paper on how the Irish Prison Service preventing outbreaks of Covid-19 in prisons in the Journal of Public health.

It found that the partnership approach, that included prisoners, with development of prison-led CTTs can provide an effective mechanism for contact tracing of Covid-19 cases within the prison setting.

The Minister for Justice, Helen McEntee, confirmed recently that taxpayers will have to pay an extra 5 million to fund the cost of Covid-19 at jails in Portlaoise and elsewhere.

Meanwhile, visitors must wear facemasks and sit behind perspex screens under a phased recommencement of physical family visits to prisons from Monday, July 20.

Following public health advice, and owing to the restriction on movements announced by the Government in an effort to curtail the spread of Covid-19, physical family visits to prison were suspended on March 27 and replaced with a new system of video visits.

However, a statement said visits will recommence on a phased basis commencing on Monday, July 20 but movement through the phases will be subject to ongoing risk assessment and will take account of the latest public health advice, the range of Government restrictions in place and other factors including the prevailing transmission rate in the community.

In order to safely accommodate visitors and ensure compliance with social distancing requirements, in both our waiting areas and in the visiting areas, it has been necessary to limit the capacity and the frequency of visits at this time. Prior to Covid-19 over 4,500 visitors would have entered our prisons on a weekly basis, it said.

Read also: VISITORS CAN BE EJECTED IF THEY BREAK RULES

Phase 1  Return of Physical Family Visits will operate as follows:

-Physical visits will recommence from July 20.

- All prisoners will be entitled to receive one physical family visit per fortnight, of not more than 15 minutes duration.

- Prisoners may opt for two video visits if preferred.

- Physical visits during this phase will be limited to one adult person (over 18 years of age).

- Prisoners will also be able to avail of one video visit of not more than 15 minutes duration per fortnight.

- In order to prevent the potential spread of infection all visits will be behind Perspex screens and visitors will be required to wear a face-covering at all times.

- No physical contact between prisoners and family members will be permitted.

Read also: HUGE RISK OF PRISON OVERDOSE WHEN VISITS RESUME

Visits will be extended under phase 2 which wil commence on Monday, August 17.
After European Union leaders entered the third day of negotiations on their coronavirus stimulus deal, German Chancellor Angela Merkel reportedly said that it was possible that they might not reach a final deal even on July 19. All 27 member states are trying to hammer out a post-pandemic economic recovery grant that would pull their ailing economies out of recession.

However, Merkel remarked that though there was a lot of goodwill, there were still many positions. Adding that she would make every effort possible, the German chancellor said that there were high possibilities of reaching no deal even today.

Read: 'Tough Discussions' And Extra Day For EU Summit

Read: EU Leaders Leave After Extending Summit

Fugitive Northern states

The recovery package deal has created a tiff between the richer northern states and southern states with the north, led by the Netherlands, demanding more cuts to the package. According to international media reports, even after two days of negotiation, the frugal group of richer northern nations have shown no willingness to back down from demand for cuts to package.

Previously, Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte had accused the Netherlands and its allies Austria, Sweden, Denmark and Finland of "blackmail". However, Hungarian Prime minister Viktor Orban has asserted that a deal was a must. He said that there were four broad divisive themes in the talks but the gathering was determined to seal a deal on July 19.

Germany and France, both powerbrokers of EU, are reportedly seeking a deal on 1.8 trillion euro package. On the other hand, Sweden has proposed to cut grants to 155 billion euros. On July 18, both Merkel and the French President Emmanuel Macron had left the meeting earlier, refusing to accept that the level of grants to be lowered to less than 400 billion euros.

Read: Leaders Extend European Union Summit By One Day

Read: EU Leaders Depart After First Day Of Summit

(Image credit: AP)
According to Mr. Nguyen Phu Binh (photo), former Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, by reaching out to all Vietnamese citizens stranded abroad and ensuring their safe return home during this difficult phase, while successfully preventing any further spread of the pandemic within the country, Vietnam has achieved something that many super powers have failed to do.

JOURNALIST: - Sir, when the Covid-19 pandemic began to spread globally, the Government implemented a policy to protect Vietnamese citizens in affected countries. How do you evaluate the significance of this policy?

Mr. NGUYEN PHU BINH: - It can be said that this is the first time in history that Vietnamese diplomacy has played a vital role in protecting Vietnamese citizens on such a large scale. Large in both scope and number, and not just in one country but across several countries at the same time, not in the hundreds but in the thousands. When the Covid-19 pandemic broke out, many countries closed their borders and grounded their airplanes. So in order to bring citizens home, the Vietnamese diplomatic agencies actively negotiated with host countries in connecting with various airlines across a wide range of routes to support the return of Vietnamese citizens.

When the pandemic first appeared, we thought that so many well-off countries having good economic and social security systems in place would be able to cope with the situation effectively, and that Vietnamese citizens in those countries may be more favorably protected than in Vietnam, because of our low income economy, inadequate health infrastructure and huge population density. The worst case scenario we forecast was that the disease would spread rampantly within the country and make it unaffordable for us to tackle it.

However, not long after, the situation changed to another scenario, and we now have total control of the pandemic within our countrys territory, whereas in many countries thousands of their citizens are reeling under an extremely high rate of infection and loss of lives. Vietnamese citizens living and studying in these countries are facing many difficulties and are at great risk. In such times, the Vietnamese Government advocated that it would not only care for the safety and protection of its domestic citizens, but also protect all Vietnamese citizens living abroad in countries badly affected by the Covid-19 pandemic.

- Is this the soft power of Vietnam in the international arena?

- In recent years, the dynamic development of the economy, political stability and expanded international relations have helped Vietnam's position to be much more enhanced in the international arena. In particular, when the Covid-19 pandemic occurred, Vietnam successfully prevented its spread due to taking the right measures. At first, many countries had questions and doubts, but we succeeded in preventing the outbreak by resolute will power, determination and by choosing the most effective measures within our capacity.

This is something to be proud of. Compared to many countries, Vietnam is a low mid-income country, and if we let the outbreak spread, we will certainly not be able to control the disease like many countries who have the resources. For example, in terms of medical equipment, many countries are very rich and have more than enough resources to equip themselves, but they lacked preparation and will, so when this outbreak occurred they were passive in their ability to cope.

From an economic perspective, effective prevention of Covid-19 is the basis to bringing our lives back to normal, to gradually restoring production, and reviving the economy. Vietnam's economy is almost the only one in the region that is maintaining a positive growth, albeit at a lower level, but still more than in many countries. Besides, we are still continuing to raise our guard against any resurgence of the pandemic. This is the premise for us to attract investment from foreign investors so when they see Vietnam as a safe destination and a reliable partner, their confidence will grow.

In terms of diplomacy, Vietnam is ready to share experiences, masks, medical supplies with the whole world in order to prevent the spread of this dangerous Covid-19 pandemic. In particular, as Chairman of ASEAN, Vietnam is proving to be a responsible country within the region and the world in sharing and resolving common international issues, including the prevention of the Covid-19 pandemic. This can be considered as the soft power of Vietnam.

- Sir, recently, the U.S Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) announced that it will not allow international students to stay in the US if their schools switch to online learning. Vietnam has tens of thousands of international students studying in the US who may have to return home. Will this put pressure on infrastructure or costs when receiving a wave of returning international students?

- This is the decision of the US Government, so we must accept and not interfere. However, in the diplomatic arena, the Vietnamese Embassy in the US, as well as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, will do everything to protect its citizens in the US. In case international students are forced to return home, it will put much more pressure on us, though it can be handled. We are actively contacting and working with the US side so that we can propose a suitable roadmap out of this scenario, and how to bring back international students in an orderly and safe manner. In terms of quarantine infrastructure, currently we can accommodate almost 10,000 people flying in from abroad, simultaneously and immediately.

However, in my opinion, the US will not implement this decision because forcing so many foreign students to return back to their countries will be difficult for all involved. Firstly, the US is still arguing and deliberating whether to reopen their schools this fall or not, and have not reached any final decision yet. Secondly, most US universities still maintain strong policies to protect all their students.

- Thank you very much.

Luu Thuy (Interviewer)
Supreme Court in Saudi Arabia has called on all Muslims in the kingdom to sight the crescent of Dhu Al-Hijjah in the evening of July 20, the 29th day of the month of Dhu Al Qadah, 1441 AH. The administration urged in a statement that anyone who could see the new moon via the naked eye or binoculars must inform the nearest court and register a testimony. Last month of the Islamic calendar, Dhu Al-Hijjah essentially marks the beginning of the Hajj pilgrimage.

"The Supreme Court hopes anyone seeing the moon by the naked eye or the telescope to notify the nearest court and register a testimony or contact the nearest center to help him reach the nearest court," the statement read. "The court hopes that whoever has the sighting ability to take interest in the matter and join the committees formed for this purpose in the Saudi regions, it added. The month of Dhu Al Hijjah is expected to begin on July 21 or July 22 as per the astronomical calculations, during which, the Hajj will be observed in full capacity at Mount Arafat near Mecca on July 30. However, due to ongoing coronavirus pandemic, this year, Saudi Arabia has announced to hold limited pilgrimage, according to state reports.

While 70 percent of this years pilgrims will be expatriate residents, the Kingdom announced in a statement that up to 10,000 pilgrims with at least 30 percent Saudis will be permitted for Hajj this year. The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah will shortlist the names of those approved to perform the pilgrims with adherence to the health safety measures issued by the Ministry of Health of Saudi Arabia. Last year, over 2.5 million pilgrims from across the world visited the cities of Mecca and Medina for pilgrimage, as per the reports. However, in view of the global health emergency, the Saudi Ministry of Hajj decided to start the pilgrimage on July 28 with curtailed gathering.

Read: Newcastle's 300m Takeover In Jeopardy As Saudi Arabia Bans BeIN Sports Over Qatar Row

Read: Saudi Arabia Makes Masks Compulsory As It Announces Health Measures For Hajj

Health protocols

Hajj Minister Mohammad Benten said in a virtual news conference that the number of pilgrims won't be in tens or hundreds of thousands. Further, Health Minister Tawfiq al-Rabiah said no individual over the age of 65 or with chronic illnesses will be permitted to perform the Hajj. On arrival to the holy city of Mecca, pilgrims will be tested for COVID-19 and are required to quarantine afterward. Authorities banned the touching or kissing the Kaaba and made face masks mandatory. According to a statement by the Center for Disease Prevention and Control (CDC), the social distancing of 1 and a half meters is required during the Kaaba circling ritual as well as prayers. Access to holy sites at Mina, Muzdalifah, and Mount Arafat was only given to those with hajj permits from July 19 till August 2. This would be the first time that Saudi Arabia has barred foreigners to a limited capacity since the founding of the Kingdom in 1932.

Read: Newcastle's 300m Takeover In Jeopardy As Saudi Arabia Bans BeIN Sports Over Qatar Row

Read: Yemens Rebels: Saudi-coalition Airstrike Kills 10 Civilians

(Image Credit: AP)
Source: Xinhua| 2020-07-19 13:58:48|Editor: huaxia

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ABUJA, July 19 (Xinhua) -- Nigeria's police rescued 14 women a few hours after they were kidnapped by gunmen in the northern state of Katsina on Saturday, according to a spokesman.

One suspect, identified as Amadu Yusuf, a leader of the gunmen, was arrested by the police, said police spokesman Gambo Isah.

The gunmen, believed to be bandits, attacked Kwantawama village of the Dutsinma local government area of the state on motorcycles, Isah told reporters, adding that the police fought a gunfight with them to rescue the kidnapees.

The gunmen rustled a large number of cattle and 90 of them were later recovered by the police, he said.

Multiple military operations are ongoing in Nigeria's northwestern region, which has been wracked by years of violence, to rout out the gunmen there.

Banditry, kidnapping and other criminal activities have recently become rampant in the country's northwest region. Enditem
The number of coronavirus cases in the world has crossed the 14 million-mark and more than six lakh people have died. The entire world is racing to find a vaccine to check the spread of the coronavirus disease.

Many countries like the US, Russia, China and the UK, along with India, are trying to find a vaccine for Covid-19.

More than 130 vaccines are under various stages of testing across the world. Here is a look at the efforts being made by different countries in a bid to find Covid-19 vaccine:

Russia

The researchers in Russia have claimed that they will launch the first Covid-19 vaccine in August. The Moscow State Medical University has claimed that it has successfully completed clinical trials for the vaccine. The trials started on June 18; the first batch of the volunteers were discharged on July 15 while the second one will be released by July 20.

Also read: Russia is trying to beat the west to a Covid-19 vaccine

China

The human trials being conducted by Chinese company Sinovac Biotech have reached the third stage. This is the first vaccine to reach the third stage of human trials. The first dose was given to 15,000 registered volunteers in Abu Dhabi. They were administered the vaccine twice within 28 days and the researchers saw development of anti-bodies in them. There are four vaccines being developed in China for Covid-19.

The UK

The vaccine being developed by Oxford University and Imperial College are in second and third stage of human trials. In the second stage, 105 people are expected to be administered the vaccine. The stage 3 trial is expected to begin in November and will cover 6,000 people.

India

Covaxin and ZyCov-D, the two medicines being developed in India, are in the first and second stage of trials. While Covaxin has been developed by Bharat Biotech, a pharmaceutical company based in Hyderabad, Zydus has come up with ZyCov-D. There have been no side effects on the volunteers who have been administered the vaccine. At least 100 million doses will be prepared after the successful completion of these trials, which are expected to be over by March.

Also read| First phase trial of Covaxin, Indias Covid-19 vaccine, starts on 375 people: Report

United States

Biotechn company Moderna is preparing to conduct final stage of human trial by July 27. It will conduct these trials at 87 places, all in the US. The US government will fund the development of this vaccine.

Germany, Australia

While German companies have reached the second stage of vaccine development for Covid-19, Suatralian companies are still on the first stage.
Actor Amitabh Bachchan, son Abhishek Bachchan, daughter-in-law Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and granddaughter Aaradhya Bachchan are responding well to the treatment to Covid-19, hospital sources said on Saturday. Amitabh, 77, and Abhishek, 44, are in the isolation ward of Nanavati hospital since July 11 after they were diagnosed with COVID-19, while Aishwarya, 46 and eight-year-old Aaradhya were shifted to the facility on Friday night, almost a week after they tested positive for the virus. The mother-daughter duo were self-quarantining at home till Thursday.

They all (referring to Amitabh Bachchan, Abhishek, Aishwarya and Aaradhya) are ok. They are responding well to the treatment. They are in the isolation ward. Amitabh Bachchan and Abhishek Bachchan will be in the hospital maybe for a day or two, a hospital source told PTI. Aishwarya had cough. She is ok now. Aishwarya and Aaradhya will have to be in the hospital for a couple of days, the insider added. Since his diagnosis, Amitabh has been regularly updating his admires about his health on social media.

In happy times, in times of illness, you our near and dear, our well wishers, our fans have ever given us unstinting love , affection care and prayer .. we express our bountiful gracious gratitude to you all .. in these circumstances hospital protocol, restrictive, the screen icon tweeted on Friday evening. According to Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC),coronavirus cases on in Mumbai rose to 98,979 with 1,228 new patients being reported on Friday. Death toll due to the pandemic rose to 5,582 with 62 new fatalities being recorded.
An 87-year-old Quincy woman died in a four-car crash Sunday in Pembroke.

Massachusetts State Police troopers were called for a report of a four-car crash on Route 3 northbound in Pembroke around 9:30 a.m. Sunday.

Troopers discovered the passenger of a 2017 Volkswagen SUV, an 87-year-old female from Quincy, had suffered serious injuries in the crash. Troopers performed CPR on the woman before she was taken to an area hospital where she died.

The driver of the SUV was injured, but is expected to live, state police said.

Four people injured in the crash were taken to area hospitals. None of them have life-threatening injuries.

The crash remains under investigation. Route 3 northbound was closed for two hours.

State police said a MassDOT crew had been repairing a pothole on the highway, north of the crash location, but the road work is unrelated to the crash.
The flagbearer and leader of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), John Dramani Mahama, has cited the government for bungling up the national response to the Coronavirus pandemic.



Mr. Mahama says increasing cases of community spread of the virus is attributable to the governments response, which put other considerations ahead of science.



The former president was speaking at a meeting with the leadership of the Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives Association (GRNMA) in Accra on Wednesday.



The meeting was to enable Mr. Mahama discuss the concerns of nurses and midwives.



Whilst highlighting the contribution of the NDC towards helping stop the spread of the virus in the various constituencies, Mr. Mahama said the partys COVID19 Technical Team submitted three reports to the government to help fight the pandemic.



He noted the absence of a cohesive national response plan to fight the Coronavirus, adding that this is adversely impacting health workers.



Mr. Mahama said despite making significant contributions to the health sector, the next government of the NDC will continue to make the health sector a major plank of its development agenda by providing more health facilities across the country and providing health workers with sustainable jobs.







Source: johnmahama.org









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

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DUBAI, United Arab Emirates - Kuwait says says its 91-year-old ruler has undergone a successful surgery, without elaborating on what ails him.

Thats according to a report on the state-run KUNA news agency on Sunday.

Kuwait has yet to elaborate what required Sheikh Sabah Al Ahmad Al Sabah to seek a previously unannounced medical treatment on Saturday. However, Sheikh Sabahs sudden surgery could inspire a renewed power struggle within Kuwaits ruling family.

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. APs earlier story follows below.

Kuwaits 91-year-old ruler underwent a surgery that required the oil-rich nations crown prince to be temporarily empowered to serve in his place, according to a ministerial decree seen Sunday.

Kuwait has yet to elaborate what required Sheikh Sabah Al Ahmad Al Sabah to seek a previously unannounced medical treatment on Saturday. However, Sheikh Sabahs sudden surgery could inspire a renewed power struggle within Kuwaits ruling family.

The state-run KUNA news agency had described Sheikh Sabahs hospitalization Saturday as medical checks, citing a statement from the countrys royal court. Several hours later, KUNA published a second report saying that 83-year-old Crown Prince Nawaf Al Ahmad Al Sabah had assumed some of Sheikh Sabahs powers temporarily, without explaining why that was necessary.

However, a copy of the ministerial decree posted by Kuwaits official gazette, Kuwait Al-Youm, and seen by The Associated Press on Sunday said the crown prince would be empowered for the duration of a surgical procedure until the health event is over.

The decree did not elaborate. Kuwaits Information Ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Sheikh Sabah, a widely beloved ruler in this OPEC-member nation, took power in 2006 just nine days into the rule of the ailing Sheikh Saad Al Abdullah Al Sabah. Concerns mounted during Sheikh Saads brief reign as he was seen in public only in a wheelchair and did not speak.

However, Sheikh Sabahs ascension upset an informal power-sharing arrangement between branches of Kuwaits ruling family. While Kuwait has since remained politically stable with the most-empowered parliament of any Gulf Arab nation, there have been internal power struggles behind the scenes of his rule.

Kuwait, a nation home to 4.1 million people thats slightly smaller than the U.S. state of New Jersey, has the worlds sixth-largest known oil reserves.

It has been a staunch U.S. ally since the 1991 Gulf War expelled the occupying Iraqi forces of Saddam Hussein. Today, Kuwait hosts some 13,500 American troops, many at Camp Arifjan south of Kuwait City, which is also home to the forward command of U.S. Army Central.
At 20, Harley drowned in a boating accident on Oregons Crescent Lake. Ms. Olsen was never able to look at his body. It took the authorities more than a year to recover it, and then he was cremated. As an embalmer, Ms. Olsen decided to specialize in difficult cases  gunshot victims, bodies charred in fires, corpses with battered and broken faces  to give families one last chance to see, maybe even to recognize, their loved ones.

Harley also inadvertently introduced Ms. Olsen to white nationalism. On what would have been his 27th birthday, in 2008, she found herself wanting to know more about her brother and the things that had mattered to him. He had been an anarchist who listened to punk music, wore black combat boots and hung out with skinheads in studded leather jackets. So Ms. Olsen went online and typed in, What are skinheads?

She told me that she had no idea at the time that some skinheads were neo-Nazis. Thats hard to believe, but similar explanations came up often in our conversations about her time in the hate movement. When she said that she hadnt known any better, I didnt get the impression that she hoped I would feel sorry for her. (I didnt.) Rather, she seemed to be saying that she knew shed been an idiot. She should have known better and could have, if shed cared to think more critically.

Ms. Olsen had never thought too hard about being white. Like many white Americans, she never had to. She grew up in a largely white school district in Eugene, Ore., and she did not interact meaningfully with people of other races until her late 20s, when she moved to Portland for her embalming career. She had paid such little mind to race as a concept that there was a flatness to her understanding of it, a one-dimensionality susceptible to simplified reasoning.

When her search for information about skinheads led straight to Stormfront, the racist bowels of the internet, Ms. Olsen wasnt fazed. Some Stormfront users said vile and violent things, but others talked about white pride and heritage.
Photo: Pexels

The Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) is looking for "everyday great humans" in the central interior.

Right now the Cariboo Chilcotin branch is reaching out to the community as they are in desperate need of crisis line responders  volunteers who answer the call when someone is in crisis.

Tina Campbell, a counsellor with the CMHA and assistant supervisor to the crisis line, says the people they're looking for don't need any certification, they just need to be 19 years old or older, pass a criminal record check and have time to listen.

"Basically were just looking for compassionate people who are non-judgemental," she tells Castanet.

If volunteers meet those requirements, the CMHA will train them. The Cariboo Chilcotin branch is one of five that work together to run the Interior Crisis Line, along with Vernon, Kelowna, Trail and Cranbrook.

Campbell says volunteers from her branch can be based anywhere from McLeese Lake to North Kamloops. She notes all branches are seeking volunteers, but the Cariboo Chilcotin branch, which is based in Williams Lake is in particular need after the wildfires. COIVD-19 did not help the situation.

"Originally we lost people because of fires," she explains. "Then we rebuilt the team and then COVID hit."

She says they went from a significant team down to just a handful of volunteers. Many of their volunteers are health professionals or parents, who've seen the virus impact their daily routines and left them with less time to volunteers. On top of that, the branch wasn't able to run their spring training session, which meant no newcomers.

There have been some changes recently that now allow the branch to reach out to a broader area for volunteers.

"We have the ability to train people online," Campbell explains. "And weve expanded the ability to have people in remote locations or other centres."

If you're interested in volunteering with the crisis you can contact Campbell at [email protected].

If you need to reach out to the crisis line yourself, the number is 1-888-353-2273.

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San Francisco, July 19 : A former employee of Amazon Web Services (AWS), the Cloud computing business of e-commerce giant Amazon, have now received the necessary clearance to work with his new employer, Google Cloud.

The new job that Brian Hall, who served as Vice President of Product Marketing at AWS, came under a cloud after Amazon sued him in May, alleging that his new appointment violates the terms of his non-compete agreement with Amazon Web Services.

According to GeekWire, Amazon has reached a confidential legal settlement with Hall.

Indicating that he has been cleared to work as Vice President of Product and Industry Marketing at Google Cloud, Hall has changed his title on his LinkedIn profile. Earlier, he described his Google job as "waiting to work as a VP, at Google" and also as "VP in Purgatory".

In a tweet that contained the link of his LinkedIn profile, Hall tanked all the people who had supported him "in the last few months".

"I won't say much more...," he added, while providing the LinkedIn link.

He took up a new job at Google Cloud in early April after leaving the AWS position in March.

In the lawsuit that Amazon filed in May, the company alleged that Hall was entrusted with an unusual broad view into Amazon's Cloud product plans, its priorities and its competitive strategy.

Hall's knowledge about Amazon plans would be "invaluable" to Google if he is allowed to take that parallel position at Google, Amazon alleged in the lawsuit.

Hall "helped develop and knows the entire confidential Amazon cloud product roadmap for 2020-21," Amazon said in its lawsuit, filed on May 18.

According to a report in GeekWire, lawyers for Hall filed a response to the lawsuit in June in King County Superior Court in Seattle.

The response said that Amazon executives repeatedly led Hall to believe the company would not enforce the non-competition provision of its "boilerplate" confidentiality agreement, in discussions before and after he signed the contract in June 2018.
New Delhi: A complaint was recently filed against two Instagram account holders at Mumbai's Santacruz police station for sending obscene messages, rape-murder threats to actress Rhea Chakraborty. Rhea had opened up about receiving threat messages on Instagram earlier this week. The actress shared a screenshot of a message she received where a user threatened to get her raped and murdered. She was also told to "commit suicide" or else she would be "killed".

Along with sharing the troll's message to her, Rhea revealed she has been called a "gold-digger, a murderer" earlier and has also been "slut-shamed". She had sought help from Mumbai Police Cyber Crime to take immediate action against the abuser.

"I was called a gold digger ..I kept quiet. I was called a murderer ....I kept quiet. I was slut-shamed ....I kept quiet. But how does my silence give you the right to tell me that you will get me RAPED and MURDERED if I dont commit suicide? Do you realize the seriousness of what you have said? These are crimes, and by law no one, I repeat NO ONE should be subjected to this kind of toxicity and harassment. I request @cyber_crime_helpline @cybercrimeindia to please take necessary action," read her Instagram post.

See Rhea's post here:

Rhea was late actor Sushant Singh Rajput's girlfriend. There has been a massive social media outrage after his sudden death. He died by suicide on June 14 in Mumbai. A section of the internet has blamed a few people in the industry for Sushant's death as he was said to be under stress and depression. Rhea, too, has been subjected to a lot of trolling and abuse on social media.

Rhea was also interrogated by the Mumbai Police as part of the investigation after Sushant's death.

Meanwhile, she has written to Home Minister Amit Shah requesting a CBI probe into Sushant's death.
Intercultural Ministries has made #RacialJustice resources available online at www.brethren.org/intercultural/racial-justice-resources-2020-7.pdf . Join us as we journey together through July and August as we share racial justice educational resources online. Please visit the Church of the Brethren Intercultural Ministries Facebook page for updated posts and share with others, said LaDonna Nkosi, the director of Intercultural Ministries. Stay tuned for more updates and a series of upcoming webinars and #ConversationsTogether for further online discussions and resources for this new initiative called Journey Through July and August. To receive information by email go to www.brethren.org/intouch and subscribe to Intercultural Ministries updates.

 Andie Garcia has resigned as system specialist for Information Technology for the Church of the Brethren, working at the General Offices in Elgin, Ill. He began in the job on July 15, 2019, and will conclude on July 21, 2020. He has accepted a position as desktop support analyst at Kane County (Ill.) Government.

 Susu Lassa will end her year with Brethren Volunteer Service as an associate with the Church of the Brethrens Office of Peacebuilding and Policy in Washington, D.C., on July 17. She focused on issue areas such as immigration, worked with the Advocacy Network for Africa, and coordinated the Nigeria Working Group. She intends to attend Bethany Theological Seminary in the fall to pursue a masters degree in theology with a focus on peacebuilding.

 The Church of the Brethren Workcamp Ministry is announcing assistant coordinators for the 2021 season: Alton Hipps and Chad Whitzel. They will start their service on Aug. 10. Hipps, who originally is from Bridgewater (Va.) Church of the Brethren, graduated from William and Mary College in 2020 with a degree in geology and environmental science. Whitzel is from Easton (Md.) Church of the Brethren and is a 2019 graduate of Bridgewater (Va.) College with a degree in accounting/finance.

 Brethren Disaster Ministries has announced that Evan Ulrich will serve at the new tornado rebuilding site in Dayton, Ohio, through Brethren Volunteer Service (BVS) beginning July 24. Ulrich is from Homer, N.Y., and is a recent graduate of Juniata College in Huntingdon, Pa., where he earned a degree in physics and mathematics. He has attended and has served as a camp counselor at Camp Blue Diamond, a Church of the Brethren outdoor ministry center near Petersburg, Pa.

 Brethren Disaster Ministries has been directing grants from the Church of the Brethrens Emergency Disaster Fund (EDF) to COVID-19 relief work in several countries around the world. The staff recently shared a Facebook post by Ann Clemmer expressing gratitude for one of those grants to a hospital in Goma, a city of about 1.2 million people in the Democratic Republic of Congo. One of the few designated hospitals for COVID-19 isolation and treatment is Heal Africa, which is already overwhelmed and overtaxed, she wrote. Thanks to an unexpected and generous donation from one of our partners, Church of the Brethren, Heal Africa received a much-needed allotment of protective equipment for staff and patients (gloves, masks, gowns, etc.) God continues to provide all our needs even before we ask.

A food distribution in Gisenyi, Rwanda, with Etienne Nsanzimana

 Etienne Nsanzimana has sent photos of a recent food distribution in Gisenyi, Rwanda. Nsanzimana is a leader in the Church of the Brethren in Rwanda, which has received funding for COVID-19 related relief efforts through the Emergency Disaster Fund and Brethren Disaster Ministries. With the photos, he reported, Currently the lockdown is partial here in Rwanda, people can move beyond their districts but with social distancing and wearing face masks all the time. The churches are still closed, markets are working at 50 percent, borders with neighboring countries making many of our people in Gisenyi to be very affected because many live by cross -border businesses. They are planning to open up the airports on August 1, 2020. Thank you so much for your help.

Thank you Living Peace Church-Plymouth! said a Facebook post by Brethren Disaster Ministries thanking Living Peace Church of the Brethren in Plymouth, Mich., for its support to Childrens Disaster Services (CDS). The church stepped up to create Individual Kits of Comfort for CDS to distribute to children affected by disasters during the pandemic, when CDS volunteers are unable to serve children and families in person at disaster sites. Associate director Lisa Crouch recently picked up 120 kits from the church for use during this coming disaster season.

Thank you Living Peace Church-Plymouth! said a Facebook post by Brethren Disaster Ministries thanking Living Peace Church of the Brethren in Plymouth, Mich., for its support to Childrens Disaster Services (CDS). The church stepped up to create Individual Kits of Comfort for CDS to distribute to children affected by disasters during the pandemic, when CDS volunteers are unable to serve children and families in person at disaster sites. Associate director Lisa Crouch recently picked up 120 kits from the church for use during this coming disaster season.

 The Discipleship Ministries of the Church of the Brethren was a co-sponsor of Inhabit 2020 at Home, an online conference of the Parish Collective. Given the revelation of this moment with COVID-19 and systemic racial injusticeis it too late to reorganize the church in the neighborhood for a more equitable future? said a description of the event, which took place July 16-17. Speakers included Willie Jennings, Shane Claiborne, Majora Carter, Lisa Sharon Harper, John McKnight, and Jonathan Brooks. Ticket purchasers will have access to all live content for four weeks after the conference. Go to www.eventbrite.com/e/inhabit-2020-at-home-tickets-109059114748 .

 Messenger magazine has posted a racial justice page at www.brethren.org/messenger/articles/racial-justice.html . This page offers a collection of the magazines articles addressing race in recent years, plus some excerpts and images from key pieces.

 On Earth Peace is offering a four-part webinar series on Raising Race-Conscious Kids with topics including how parents and teachers can address race, the myth of color-blindness, the role of racial scripts, and the future of racial justice. The webinars will take place on Thursdays from July 23 through Aug. 13, at 8-9 p.m. (Eastern Time). Go to www.onearthpeace.org/webinar_series_raising_race_conscious_kids .

 A staff member has tested positive for COVID-19 at Pinecrest Community, a Church of the Brethren retirement community in Mount Morris, Ill. No residents with symptoms have been reported as of Monday, July 13, reported the Ogle County News. Pinecrest CEO Ferol Labash reported the case in a letter to residents and resident representatives, the newspaper said, reporting that last week, Pinecrest performed COVID-19 testing of residents and staff to establish a baseline as recommended by CMS. It received the results of 202 tests and is still waiting for the results on 60 tests. Read the article, which includes details about Pinecrests extensive COVID-19 protocols, at www.oglecountynews.com/2020/07/15/pinecrest-staff-member-tests-positive-for-covid-19/atp55ot .

 The online cooking class Elaboracion de Pasta Artesanal sponsored by La Fundacion Brethren y Unida (FBU) in Ecuador as a special fundraiser has had to be postponed. The chef who was to give the class has tested positive for COVID-19. FBU has announced a new date and time for the online course: Aug. 7 and 8, from 7-9 p.m. (central time). The event will be held in Spanish. Go to www.facebook.com/events/1190173101333110/ .

 Missouri and Arkansas District will hold its 29th district conference through Internet and telephone connections using Zoom on Sept. 11-12. The district leadership has decided that it is in the best interest of the people of our district, said an announcement. We have worked very hard to provide a conference that will be safe for everyone and accomplish the work of the district as well as providing opportunities for worship and fellowship. The schedule will be much the same with a Friday afternoon workshop open to everyone, an insight session, Bible study, worship, special music, and a Sunday message from Annual Conference moderator-elect David Sollenberger. The workshop led by Sollenberger will center around the compelling vision proposal to come before the 2021 Annual Conference, with opportunities for questions and small group discussion (ministers will receive .3 CEUs for participating). The insight session will be led by staff of the Church of the Brethren (ministers will receive .1 CEUs for participating). The Bible study will be led by staff of Bethany Theological Seminary (minister will receive .1 CEUs for participating). Following Bible Study, there will be a worship service with district moderator Paul Landes speaking. The event also will include business sessions, a time of remembrance for district members who have passed away since the last district conference, and a virtual talent show and ice cream social.

 Domestic Violence: An Online Opportunity for Increased Awareness, Education, and Support is offered Aug. 1 by the Virlina District Commission on Nurture Family Life Ministries Committee. The virtual event includes worship led by Patrick and Susan Starkey of Cloverdale Church of the Brethren; a workshop led by Stephanie Bryson of the Womens Resource Center of the New River Valley on the topic Barriers in Domestic Violence Situations and the Dangers of Staying and Leaving; and a workshop with Stacey Sheppard of Total Action for Progress, Domestic Violence Services, on the topic Dynamics of Domestic Violence and Special Considerations with Underserved Populations. Videos will be available on the Virlina District website at www.virlina.org starting Aug. 1.

 Bridgewater (Va.) College has announced a test-optional admission policy for three years, starting with undergraduate applicants for the 2021-22 academic year. A release said the colleges personalized and holistic approach to student success is now being applied to the colleges admission process. Bridgewaters admissions team recognizes that standardized test scores are not the main determining factor of student success. In addition, the college understands some students may have difficulty scheduling a test date due to complications related to the COVID 19 pandemic. The release said undergraduate students applying to Bridgewater for the 2021-22, 2022-23 and 2023-24 academic years may choose whether to submit SAT or ACT scores, alongside application information such as grades, overall classroom performance, and extracurricular activities. Our admissions staff members have always examined every component of a students application, but the record of course selection, grades, GPA and the strength of the curriculum has consistently provided the most accurate predictor of a students chance for future success at BC, said vice president for Enrollment Management Michael Post. At the end of the three years, the college will determine whether to reinstate a testing requirement or extend the test optional policy.

 A bonus summer episode of the Dunker Punks Podcast continues Josiah Ludwicks series on Intercultural Ministries. He takes us on an international visit to learn about the Church of the Brethren in Rwanda, said an announcement. Be inspired as you hear from church leaders across the pond and reflect on your own sharing of the gospel along with host, Emmett Witkovsky Eldred. Listen now by going to bit.ly/DPP_Bonus12 or subscribe

at bit.ly/DPP_iTunes .

 The World Council of Churches is advocating with Turkey to keep Hagia Sophia as the shared heritage of humanity, said a WCC release. In a letter to H.E. Recep Tayyip Erdogan, president of Turkey, WCC interim general secretary Ioan Sauca is expressing his fervent hope and prayer that Hagia Sophia will not become once again a focus of confrontation and conflict, but will be restored to the emblematic unifying role that it has served since 1934. Hagia Sophia is a UNESCO World Heritage site that, until President Erdogans recent decision to turn it back into a mosque, had been a museum since 1934 by decree of the Turkish republics founder Mustafa Kemal Ataturk. Originally built in the sixth century as a Christian cathedral when Constantinople (now Istanbul) was the capital of the Eastern Roman Empire, Hagia Sophia was converted into a mosque after 1453, when the Ottomans laid siege to and took Constantinople. Since it began functioning as a museum in 1934, the WCC letter said, in part, Hagia Sophia has been a place of openness, encounter and inspiration for people from all nations and religions, and a powerful expression of the Republic of Turkeys commitment to secularism and inclusion and of its desire to leave behind the conflicts of the past. Today, however, I am obliged to convey to you the grief and dismay of the World Council of Churches. By deciding to convert the Hagia Sophia back to a mosque you have reversed that positive sign of Turkeys openness and changed it to a sign of exclusion and division. Regrettably, this decision has also been taken without prior notice or discussion with UNESCO regarding the impact of this decision on Hagia Sophias universal value recognized under the World Heritage Convention. The WCC together with its member churches has spoken out in defence and support of other religious communities, including Muslim communities, for their rights and integrity to be respected. The decision to convert such an emblematic place as Hagia Sophia from a museum back to a mosque will inevitably create uncertainties, suspicions and mistrust, undermining all our efforts to bring people of different faiths together at the table of dialogue and cooperation. Moreover, we greatly fear that it will encourage the ambitions of other groups elsewhere that seek to overturn the existing status quo and to promote renewed divisions between religious communities. Find the WCC letter at www.oikoumene.org/en/resources/documents/wcc-urges-in-open-letter-to-president-erdogan-to-keep-hagia-sophia-as-the-shared-heritage-of-humanity/ .

Go to www.brethren.org/Newsline to subscribe to the Church of the Brethren Newsline free e-mail news service and receive church news every week.
BOISE  Gov. Brad Little had three words for Idahoans last week as he announced the state had again failed to exit Stage 4 of its reopening plan amid surging coronavirus cases: Wear your mask.

However, Little has left decision-making on mask mandates to local entities, deferring to the states seven health districts or individual cities to enforce regulations on coronavirus, which has infected more than 11,000 Idahoans with confirmed cases to date. Several cities, including McCall, Ketchum, Boise and Moscow, have enacted such orders. On Tuesday, Boise-based Central District Health became the only health district so far to implement a mask mandate, when all but one health board member voted in favor of enacting an immediate mask order for Ada County.

The districts health boards, made up of a county commissioner from each county in the district, as well as an advising physician, are in charge of voting on any mandates  and some of those commissioners in recent weeks have expressed confusion or skepticism about best scientific practices related to coronavirus, while some have gone as far as suggesting on social media that the pandemic is a hoax.

Left unchallenged, those attitudes could hamstring health districts abilities to make anything stronger than recommendations to their residents. Meanwhile, health care leaders in Idaho are sounding the alarm that the coronavirus situation is worsening here and could reach crisis levels if it continues unchecked.

Adams County commisoners comments on virus raise concerns

During a special meeting of the Southwest Districts health board on July 7, Adams County Commissioner Viki Purdy told her colleagues she felt more concern about the economic effects of the coronavirus pandemic than the threats to public health.

What is the big deal here with this virus? We know who it affects, Purdy said via video conference.

She also suggested Idaho should encourage people who test positive for COVID-19 but are asymptomatic to return to work rather than self-isolating. Purdy cited an anecdotal case in Adams County in which, she said, an individual returned to work while infected before his test results had returned. Purdy said no one who came in contact with the man, who never showed symptoms, became infected. (The World Health Organization has repeatedly stressed that there is not enough information on transmission from asymptomatic individuals. The organization reiterated that point last Thursday.)

Nobody is saying anything positive about where were going here, Purdy added, referring to discussions about increasing COVID-19 diagnoses. The mental health problems were going to be dealing with after this are going to be much worse than the virus.

Purdy was one of multiple county commissioners on the seven-member health board who expressed opposition to a mask mandate, health advisory for travelers entering the district, or other measures. She doubled down on resistance to masks in public posts on social media in the days ahead of and following the special meeting. A screenshot of one of Purdys posts was shared on Twitter last weekend, where it garnered attention and criticism, including from retired physician and former St. Lukes CEO David Pate.

Get ready to be nauseous! Purdy wrote in the July 2 post, which included a link to a YouTube video from the National Governors Association promoting face masks. A mask was designed to keep bacteria from wounds, it is not designed to keep the particles of a virus from reaching out to you. Most masks are dirty and germ infested. Being touched by your hands 100s of times a day. They all come from China, let that sink in. What Is the goal? The virus is here and there is no escaping. There has never been a successful vaccine against a Corona virus. NEVER

Pate responded to the post on Twitter: How can you be on a public health board if you dont understand public health?

Purdy did not respond to email or Facebook Messenger requests for comment from the Statesman. A phone number listed for her on the Adams County website is disconnected.

How are Idahos public health boards created?

Theres actually little in Idaho code requiring public health board members to understand public health. The Idaho public health districts and their health board structure was created by the state Legislature in 1970 to ensure rural communities had the same access to health expertise as more urban areas. Part of that law requires the boards to be made up largely of commissioners from their member counties, as well as a single licensed physician.

All members shall be chosen with due regard to their knowledge and interest in public health and in promoting the health of the citizens of the state and the public health district, the law states.

But most commissioners on Idaho health boards are not public health experts, and they receive no special health training outside of a required orientation when theyre appointed to the board, according to Christine Myron, spokeswoman for Boise-based Central District Health.

Most board members attend the state annual meeting of boards of health, which provides training on various topics, Myron explained in an email. Board members also have the opportunity to attend the National Association of Local Boards of Health annual meeting, which provides additional opportunities for public health training.

Potential health board members can volunteer or be appointed by another county commissioner. Those appointments are voted on by all member counties commissioners.

The health district staff, including the director, do not provide input, Myron said of the process.

Pate said hes puzzled over the inclusion of politicians who are now denying medical advice and wondered whether the voting commissioners were aware of the appointees views when they voted.

Why would they have someone on a public board that doesnt believe in public health principles? Pate said. It does not make any sense to me.

By public health principles, Pate means basic infection control measures, basic epidemiology, basic infectious disease science. These are things that most every expert in the world agrees about, he said.

If I was finding a board member for the St. Lukes Health System, I probably wouldnt select somebody who has a religious or philosophical belief that you shouldnt take treatments from the medical profession, he continued. If that was your philosophy, thats probably not a good role for you ... .

How much do Idaho health boards know about public health, and how much influence do they have on it?

Several of Idahos health districts have an additional medical professional on the board alongside the required physician. But in every district, medical professionals lack the numbers to outvote their non-medical expert counterparts.

Members of the health boards can seek advice or input from medical experts. Central District Healths board members heard from experts from St. Lukes and Saint Alphonsus during its July 7 and July 14 meetings. Both times, the medical professionals stressed the importance of face coverings and social distancing.

I felt like it was really important for us to hear them, as a board, to hear their perspective, said Diana Lachiondo, Ada County commissioner and Central District Health board member, in a phone interview ahead of the July 14 vote.

Lachiondo said she has an interest in public health as her husband and sister are both physicians. She said she volunteered to be on the board after taking office in 2019. Lachiondo said she frequently seeks out medical and science advice from experts to inform her actions on the health board.

For me, its been so important to listen to our hospital leaders and I have to hope other districts are too, she said.

Another member of the Central District Health board, Ryan Stirm of Boise County, pointed to medical advice as the best basis for his vote in favor of the Ada County mask mandate during that meeting.

From someone that came out of literally nowhere into politics, Im getting an extremely crazy crash course in politics in the last 12 months, said Stirm, who joined the board last year. It is a hard decision to make and I feel like ... at the point were at right now, I have no choice outside of going with what information we have.

Theres no right answer, he said. But I would like to think that the doctors of these health care systems that we trust with our lives, they dont work for us. They dont work for the government. They dont work for Central District Health. And I would like to think they have everyones general safety and concern in mind. I would like the public to know that, too.

Southwest District Health was slated to hear from medical professionals during a special meeting on Thursday morning. The meeting agenda included discussion on face covering research and a discussion and vote regarding public health measures. The meeting was canceled shortly after 9 a.m. Thursday due to safety concerns as anti-mask protesters showed up.

During a district meeting last week, Southwest District Health medical director Clay Roscoe attended and offered input on the rising infection rates, testing shortfalls and more.

Still, commissioners balked at a mask mandate during that meeting. Tom Dale, Canyon County commissioner and former Nampa mayor, encouraged residents worried about coronavirus to continue to stay home and wear masks, though health district officials clarified during the meeting that current recommendations for face masks show the masks protect others from the wearers respiratory droplets rather than protecting the wearer.

Across Idahos seven districts, each county is represented by a commissioner, and its unclear how informed each commissioner is about the pandemic or what their attitudes may be toward measures like mandatory masks.

In addition to her publicly criticized post, Purdy has also shared multiple posts that have been flagged by Facebook for containing false information about COVID-19. Purdy addressed that in another post showing a screenshot of the alert she received from Facebook.

I seem to be censored daily now and you can bet I would not ever go along with anything the WHO puts out, Purdy wrote in the post with the screenshot. The counties [sic] running the WHO have leaders that would kill their citizens for any reason they see fit. A healthy world population is not their goal. AMERICA FIRST!

At least two other commissioners  Glen Bailey, Bonner County commissioner on the Panhandle Health District board; and Rick Winkel, Clearwater County commissioner on the North Central Health District board  have shared public posts on Facebook that heavily criticize the use of face coverings.

Bailey recently shared a post of COVID-19 infection numbers that states: WHY ARE WE WEARING MASKS? Last year alone, in Utah, flu killed 358 people and no one wore a single mask. The post also says the coronavirus situation does not even register as an epidemic, let alone a pandemic. In another post, Bailey shared a link to an article in conservative newspaper the Washington Times which called mask-wearing virture signaling.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says coronavirus has proven to be more contagious than the flu and more conducive to superspreading, meaning it can quickly and easily spread to a lot of people and result in continuous spreading among people as time progresses. Additionally, preventatives such as vaccines exist for the flu, while no such preventative or universally accepted treatment has been developed for COVID-19.

The Actual effectiveness of wearing the mask is a matter of debate... Bailey wrote on the July 12 post.

In recent weeks, Winkel shared a meme showing a gas mask and a surgical mask. Text under the gas mask image reads, This is the Mask needed to prevent Virus inhalation and absorption through the eyes. Text under the surgical mask reads, This is a Mind Control Device.

Pate, the former St. Lukes CEO, said theres no place for those attitudes in a body meant to make critical health decisions for the public.

I dont think the purpose of the public health board is to debate public health science, Pate said. I think its to bring expertise to make public health decisions.

He notes that its not just Idaho where face coverings, social distancing and other facts of the pandemic have become politicized.

Weve seen this play out on the national front, Pate said. We couldnt get the president and vice president to wear a mask, when were saying all the evidence says wear a mask. ... Weve got the same thing. Weve got the members of some of these public health boards that wont role-model these behaviors.

Reporter Audrey Dutton contributed.

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An 18-year-old protester was brutally punched in the face by police, knocking out her front teeth, at a Chicago protest calling for the toppling of a Christopher Columbus statue over the weekend.

On Friday at least 1,000 people gathered around a statue in Grant Park where hordes of police clashed with demonstrators deploying pepper spray and beating people with wooden batons in what witnesses described as a 'bloodiest' protest so far.

Activist Miracle Boyd, 18, had just finished addressing the crowd protesting at the statue when she says she got into an argument with an officer.

When she started to record their altercation the cop allegedly took a swing with his left arm and hit her in the face.

'My tooth was knocked out. I have lip abrasions in my mouth. My teeth hurt really bad,' she said to ABC7.

On Friday Chicago police were caught on video punching 18-year-old black activist Miracle Boyd in the face, knocking out her front teeth at a protest calling for the toppling of a Christopher Columbus statue in Grant Park

Video emerged showing Boyd (in white) speaking with a cop, who swung their arm towards her face when she tried to film their altercation

Boyd pictured in white and black bottoms walking away from the cop after being hit

Boyd (right), a member of the youth group GoodKids MadCity, said the officers took her phone. A GoFundMe page has been started to help cover her medical bill costs. She just graduated high school last month and is headed to Depaul University in the fall

She added the officer smacked her phone out of her hand and she was hit in the face.

Several videos of that altercation emerged on social media showing Boyd back away from officers before she appeared to get hit in the face and rushed off covering her bloodied mouth.

Boyd, a member of the youth group GoodKids MadCity, said the officers took her phone.

She had graduated from high school last month, was headed to Depaul University in the fall according to a June post by Chicago Public Schools, and was offered an internship with state senator Robert Peters office just last week.

A GoFundMe has been started to raise money for her medical bills.

State Sen. Peters slammed the police aggression towards her tweeting: 'Im sad, angry and disgusted.'

'Shes someone who fights every day for gun violence prevention, who fights for a safe community. And what did she face? Abuse,' he said.

Hordes of police targeted protesters with pepper spray and wooden batons at Friday's protest. A view of police descending upon the monument and pushing demonstrators out above

Chicago police said they're investigating the incident regarding Boyd as Mayor Lori Lightfoot condemned reports of excessive police force as 'unacceptable'

The protest attempted to pull down a Christopher Columbus statue with ropes

A protester at the Friday rally scaled the statue and threw a rope over it in an attempt to topple it

Chicago Police say theyre opening an investigation into the incident with Boyd.

'The Chicago Police Department (CPD) strives to treat all individuals our officers encounter with respect. We do not tolerate misconduct of any kind and if any wrongdoing is discovered, officers will be held accountable,' the department said in a statement to Buzzfeed News.

Following the police violence with protesters Mayor Lori Lightfoot tweeted: 'I have spoken to the director of the Civilian Office of Police Accountability, and she has assured me that @ChicagoCOPA stands ready to address these complaints.'

'There have also been several reports of excessive force by the police. These are also unacceptable,' she added.

The officer who hit Boyd has not been named.

A view of cops dodging debris and fireworks being thrown by protesters on Friday above

Two officers watch on as protesters try to pull down the heavy Columbus monument

About 1,000 people encircled the covered up statue of Christopher Columbus in the city's downtown area, demanding the symbol of colonialism be taken down

Police officers pictured forcibly removing protesters and members of the media from the park on Friday

Overall at least 12 people were arrested and 18 officers were injured at the protest.

One video from the chaotic clashes shows protesters throwing bottles and fireworks at officers standing ground at the statue.

One person scaled the statue and caught a rope that was tossed up from the crowd and started an unsuccessful attempt to pull the statue down.

Other videos and photos shows masses of officers running towards protesters and pushing them to the ground to clear out the square.

'This was the bloodiest protest Ive ever been to. People had gushing head wounds and the police just kept charging in and spraying everyone. To protect a statue of a murderer. The connected brutality & logic of Columbus colonialism and modern policing were on full display,' one protester tweeted on the Friday demonstration.

Lightfoot said last month she opposed the removal of Columbus statues in the city and on Saturday she said her team was planning for a 'comprehensive review of our public icons'

Lightfoot tweeted Saturday that she'd assure complaints of police aggression against protesters are investigated

Columbus statues have been a point of contention across the country amid the Black Lives Matter movement.

Lightfoot said last month she opposed the removal of Columbus statues in the city and on Saturday she said her team was planning for a 'comprehensive review of our public icons'.

Protesters gathered outside the Mayor's home on Saturday to protest her support for the statue and the police violence that unfolded Friday.

'That statue has to be taken down. When you have a statue in a public square, youre saying that is someone who should be celebrated,' Ald. Carlos Ramirez-Rosa of the 35th District said.

Late Friday a group of city and state officials released a statement condemning reports of police using pepper spray and other aggressive actions against protesters and journalists.

The document, signed by Ald. Ramirez-Rosa, Rep. Delia Ramirez, state Sen. Robert Peters, and Cook County Commissioner Brandon Johnson, added theyre ready to 'work to defund the Chicago Polic,e Department immediately.'
Legal powers by themselves are false hopes in times of public crisis.

Hon. Archie Campbell, SARS Commission, 2007.

There are two kinds of emergency management legislation: those legislated after a crisis is over and those legislated in the midst of the crisis itself. The feds did the former after the 1970 October Crisis. B.C. was in the midst of updating its 1993 legislation pre-COVID and Ontario too updated its emergency laws, several times after SARS, between 2006 and 2019.

We are witnessing, today, the other kind. Alberta and Manitoba passed new emergency laws in April, then Newfoundland, PEI and Quebec. Now Ontarios Bill 195 will be rammed through by its majority government MPPs without further debate.

The problem with legislating during a crisis, when that legislation involves creating new government powers, is that it all ends up being like the notorious U.S. Patriot Act. In other words, its always bad news for your human rights.

Governments hoover up new powers to infringe individual rights in the name of the crisis; the vulnerable always pay the greatest toll, and history records nothing but regret. Equality, free speech, due process, and liberty all take a back seat to the collective will to fend off a magnified enemy, whether human or viral.

Its like changing the rules in the middle of the playoffs  its never a good idea.

This is for a couple reasons, but the obvious one is that governments drafting such a bill do so with woefully inadequate information, and under enormous personal and political pressure. They are literally in the eye of the storm, and that obviously affects everything about the legislation. The information turns out to be incomplete and incorrect.

If Ontario had written a new law in March, for example, surgical masks would have been forbidden for all but health care workers. Toilet paper would have been rationed, by law. Today, its all different, so the government was smart not to change its laws back then. Not so with their latest Bill 195.

Besides the information deficit, there is a wisdom deficit. Laws are drafted by human beings, after all, who are extremely anxious about the crisis they are trying to manage, as democratic governors. Its called the fog of war, a term coined by Robert McNamara, as a self-criticism of what he and two Presidents did in mismanaging the Vietnam War.

Wisdom requires time and perspective; serenity and patience; intelligence and debate. The fog of war envelopes legislators with dread and uncertainty. Legislation, on the other hand, requires certainty. If its foggy or vague, then it is bad law, susceptible to judicial review by public interest organizations like ours, the Canadian Civil Liberties Association. Knowing that, governments write laws with watertight certainty, even though theyre based on foggy facts.

Then the government bills go to the legislature, where they are supposed to be improved by democratic debate, dissent, and intense scrutiny. Now, what do you think happens to such debate during an emergency? Imagine youre in your kitchen, with family and friends, debating what to do about the smoky scent that is everywhere but not coming out of the oven. How healthy is that debate?

That kind of thinking gets Homo sapiens away from danger. But it does not make for good law-making. As it turns out, I was an Ontario MPP and cabinet minister in 2006 when the Liberal Government followed the recommendations of Archie Campbells SARS Commission with its recommendation legislative changes. The debate was not rushed, and included amendments proposed by the NDP and Conservatives. The point being that it wasnt done during the fog of a crisis, but with the fortuitous luxury of time to think it through, debate and amend the laws as best one could.

The chances of healthy democratic debate during a crisis is practically nil  particularly today where legislatures have a fraction of its members sitting, in order to create a healthy physical distance among the elected officials. To dissent or, god forbid, delay passage of such a bill feels treasonous.

Better for governments to govern with the powers they had at the start of a crisis, than to re-engineer emergency management laws in the fog. Otherwise, the law is driven more by fear than facts, and history proves it to be nothing less than a power grab by politicians hungry for more power to do good, when in fact legal powers are nothing but false hope, in a time of public crisis.
Champaign, IL (61820)

Today

Cloudy. Morning high of 37F with temps falling to near 20. Winds NW at 15 to 25 mph..

Tonight

Considerable clouds this evening. Some decrease in clouds late. Low 8F. Winds NNW at 15 to 25 mph.
The chairs of the House Oversight, Judiciary and Homeland Security committees on Sunday called on the inspectors general of the Justice Department and Department of Homeland Security to open an investigation into the Trump administration's use of federal agents against protesters in Portland, Oregon.

Why it matters: The House Democrats say the agencies "appear to have increasingly abused emergency authorities to justify the use of force against Americans exercising their right to peaceful assembly," pointing to reports of unidentified federal agents arbitrarily detaining protesters in unmarked vans.

President Trump and acting Homeland Security Secretary Chad Wolf have defended the use of federal law enforcement, claiming that violent anarchists have overtaken the city and defaced federal property.

Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler on Sunday called the reported actions of federal law enforcement "abhorrent" and "unconstitutional."

The big picture: Trump faced similar criticisms over the excessive use of force when federal troops cleared peaceful protesters outside of the White House so that he could walk to the historic St. Johns Episcopal Church for a photo op.

What they're saying: "This is a matter of utmost urgency. Citizens are concerned that the Administration has deployed a secret police force, not to investigate crimes but to intimidate individuals it views as political adversaries, and that the use of these tactics will proliferate throughout the country. Therefore, we ask that you commence your review of these issues immediately."

"The legal basis for this use of force has never been explainedand, frankly, it is not at all clear that the Attorney General and the Acting Secretary are authorized to deploy federal law enforcement officers in this manner."

"The Acting Secretary appears to be relying on an ill-conceived executive order meant to protect historic statues and monuments as justification for arresting American citizens in the dead of night."

Worth noting: U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon Billy Williams has also called for an investigation into the use of federal agents in Portland.

Read the full request via DocumentCloud.
The Ganesh festival is now a month away and Pune is readying for a Ganesh Utsav like has been never experienced in living memory.

The first day of the 10-day Ganpati festival is on August 22, celebrated as Ganesh Chathurthi, and the Ganesh festival 2020 is going to be Bappa at home in Pune.

The public outpouring of faith and festivity has been put on hold due to the Covid-19 pandemic, with the number of progressive positive cases in Pune having crossed 30,000 cases and currently growing at the rate of 1,500-plus cases per day.

Mandaps, elaborate decor for public viewing, and the public sale of Ganpati idols are all on hold, and unlikely to happen this season.

Idol makers who have had to come up with new of business strategies to ensure the citys Vignaharta makes it to every home, as is the tradition.

In a bid to reach the maximum number of people and provide them Ganpati idols at their doorsteps we started a concept called Bappa Aplya Dari (Ganpati at your doorstep). People should not come out of their society or area to the market to purchase the idols this year. So we have three vans in which we have displayed the different types of Ganpati idols. In each van there are 70 to 80 varieties - at least 215 varieties on display. This includes idols with diamonds, and idols made from plaster of paris (POP), clay, red clay, and the eco-friendly idols. These idols are one-to-two feet in height and we have not increased the rates this year, said Abhijeet Suresh Abnwae, owner of Abhijeet Arts, a firm that has been in the idol-making business for the last 30 years.

Initially, we contact the chairman of a residential society, and they give us a date and a time slot to take our vehicle to the society. With proper social distancing, society members see the idols, make a booking and before the Ganpati festival begins, we will do home deliveries, said Abnwae, adding, The daily rent of one van is Rs 3,500, and to make the racks inside the van to display the idols Rs 30,000 has been spent per van. Staff, including drivers and helpers, are paid salaries. We have a sales target of 10,000 idols this year, but it might increase looking at the response, added Abnwae.

The Ganesh Kala Kendra, popular for its shadhu mati Ganpati idols, is also reaching out to customers.

Amol Mehta, one of the co-owners of the kendra said, This year, due to corona, the entire business model has changed. Earlier, we use to install a tent, or rent a shop on Tilak toad where customers would come, select their Ganpati idols and then take it home before the festival. This year, we have gone online with a website for booking of idols. We already have customer data from the previous years and are contacting them via email for orders. We also send idol photos out on WhatsApp to our regular customers. People are ready to pay more this year to get the idols home delivered, says Mehta.

Another senior Ganapti idol maker from Pune, 62-year-old Ganesh Lanjekar, owner of Lanjekar Ganpati Idols in Kasba peth said, We have hundreds of fixed customers. This year, all manufacturers are worried about the business. Our work starts from January, but due to lockdown, the work stopped. We were not able to get raw materials and paints. The number of idols we produced, which was earlier 2,500, has now come down to half this year. There are many challenges to reach out to the public safely. We are sending the photos to our regular customers on WhatsApp and then they book their choices. We are losing customers, though.
Each morning at 8 as the coronavirus crisis was raging in April, Mark Meadows, the White House chief of staff, convened a small group of aides to steer the administration through what had become a public health, economic and political disaster.

They saw their immediate role as practical problem-solvers. Produce more ventilators. Find more personal protective equipment. Provide more testing.

But their ultimate goal was to shift responsibility for leading the fight against the pandemic from the White House to the states. They referred to this as state authority handoff, and it was at the heart of what would become at once a catastrophic policy blunder and an attempt to escape blame for a crisis that had engulfed the country.

Over a critical period beginning in mid-April, President Donald Trump and his team convinced themselves that the outbreak was fading, that they had given state governments all the resources they needed to contain its remaining embers and that it was time to ease up on the lockdown.

In doing so, he was ignoring warnings that the numbers would continue to drop only if social distancing was kept in place, rushing instead to restart the economy and tend to his battered reelection hopes.

For scientific affirmation, they turned to Dr. Deborah Birx, the sole public health professional in Meadows group. A highly regarded infectious diseases expert, she was a constant source of upbeat news for the president and his aides, walking the halls with charts emphasizing that outbreaks were gradually easing.

On April 11, she told the coronavirus task force in the Situation Room that the nation was in good shape. A sharp pivot soon followed, with consequences that continue to plague the country today.

Even as experts warned that the pandemic was far from under control, Trump went, in a matter of days, from proclaiming that he alone had the authority to decide when the economy would reopen to pushing that responsibility onto the states. The government issued detailed reopening guidelines, but almost immediately, Trump began criticizing Democratic governors who did not liberate their states.

Trumps bet that the crisis would fade away proved wrong. But an examination of the shift in April and its aftermath shows that the approach he embraced was not just a misjudgment. Instead, it was a deliberate strategy that he would stick to as evidence mounted that the virus would continue to infect and kill large numbers of Americans.

He and his top aides would openly disdain the scientific research into the disease and the advice of experts on how to contain it, seek to muzzle more authoritative voices like Dr. Anthony Fauci and continue to distort reality even as it became clear that Trumps hopes for a rapid rebound in the economy and his electoral prospects were not materializing.

Now interviews with more than two dozen officials inside the administration and in the states, and a review of emails and documents, reveal previously unreported details about how the White House put the nation on its current course during a fateful period this spring.

Birx was more central than publicly known to the judgment inside the West Wing that the virus was on a downward path. Her model-based assessment failed to account for a vital variable: how Trumps rush to urge a return to normal would help undercut the social distancing and other measures that were holding down the numbers.

The president quickly came to feel trapped by his own reopening guidelines. States needed declining cases to reopen, or at least a declining rate of positive tests. But more testing meant overall cases were destined to go up, undercutting the presidents push to crank up the economy. The result was to intensify Trumps remarkable public campaign against testing, a vivid example of how he often waged war with science and his own administrations experts and stated policies.

Trumps bizarre public statements, his refusal to wear a mask and his pressure on states to get their economies going again left governors and other state officials scrambling to deal with a leadership vacuum.

Not until early June did White House officials even begin to recognize that their assumptions about the course of the pandemic had proved wrong. Even now there are internal divisions over how far to go in having officials publicly acknowledge the reality of the situation.

Judd Deere, a White House spokesman, said the president had imposed travel restrictions on China early in the pandemic, signed economic relief measures that have provided Americans with critical assistance and dealt with other issues, including supplies of personal protective equipment, testing capacity and vaccine development.

At a briefing on April 10, Trump predicted that the number of deaths in the United States from the pandemic would be substantially fewer than 100,000. As of Saturday, the death toll stood at 139,186; the pace of new deaths was rising again; and the country, logging a 7-day average of 65,790 new cases a day, had more confirmed cases per capita than any other major industrial nation.

Trumps Choice

The president had a decision to make. It was the end of March, and his initial, 15-day effort to slow the spread of the virus by essentially shutting down the country was expiring in days. Sitting in the Oval Office were Fauci and Birx, along with other top officials. Days earlier, Trump had said he envisioned the country being opened up and raring to go by Easter, but now he was on the verge of announcing that he would keep the country shut down for another 30 days.

Do you really think we need to do this? the president asked Fauci. "Yeah, we really do need to do it, Fauci replied, explaining again the federal governments role in making sure the virus did not explode across the country. Trumps willingness to go along was a concession that federal responsibility was crucial to defeating a virus that did not respect state boundaries.

But even as the president was acknowledging the need for tough decisions, he and his aides would soon be looking to do the opposite: build a public case that the federal government had completed its job and unshackle the president from ownership of the response.

By mid-April, Trump had grown publicly impatient with the stay-at-home recommendations he had reluctantly endorsed. Weekly unemployment claims made clear the economy was cratering, and polling was showing his campaign bleeding support.

The issue was clear: How much longer do we keep this up? To answer that, they focused on two more questions: Had the virus peaked? And had the government given the states the tools they needed to manage the remaining problems?

On the first question, Birx was optimistic: Mitigation was working, even as many outside experts were warning that the nation would remain at great risk if it let up on social distancing and moved prematurely to reopen.

The group believed they had succeeded on the second question, too, although shortages of protective gear continued in some places (and would flare again months later). A one-time anticipated shortage of more than 100,000 ventilators had been overcome; now there was enough of a surplus that the United States could lend them to other countries. A ban on elective surgeries meant there was plenty of bed space.

On testing, Trump shifted from stressing that the nation was already doing more than any other country to deriding its importance. By June the president was regularly making nonsensical statements like, If we stop testing right now, wed have very few cases, if any.

On April 10, Trump declared that it would be his decision about whether to reopen the country.

Days later, Birx and Fauci presented Trump with a plan for issuing guidelines to start reopening the country at the end of the month. Developed largely by Birx, the guidelines laid out broad, voluntary standards for states considering how fast to come out of the lockdown.

In political terms, the documents message was that responsibility for dealing with the pandemic was shifting from Trump to the states.

On April 16, he made the message to the governors explicit. Youre going to call your own shots, he said.

The Consequences

Birx had assembled a team of analysts who fed her a constant stream of updated data, packaged in PowerPoint slides emailed to senior officials each day. But there were warnings that the models she studied might not be accurate, especially in predicting the course of the virus against a backdrop of evolving political, economic and social factors. Among the models Birx relied on most was one produced by researchers at the University of Washington.

Birx declined to be interviewed. A task force official said she had only used the University of Washingtons model in a limited way and that the White House used real data, not modeled data, to understand the pandemic in the United States.

But despite the outside warnings and evidence by early May that new infections remained higher than anticipated, the White House never fundamentally reexamined the course it had set in mid-April.

Instead, Birx regularly delivered what the new team was hoping for. All metros are stabilizing, she would tell them, describing the virus as having hit its peak around mid-April. The slope was heading in the right direction. She endorsed the idea that the death counts and hospitalization numbers could be inflated.

The real-world consequences of Trumps abdication of responsibility rippled across the country. During a briefing on April 20, Trump mocked Gov. Larry Hogan of Maryland, a fellow Republican, for the states inability to find enough testing. Birx displayed maps with dozens of dots indicating labs that could help.

But when Frances Phillips, the states deputy health secretary, reached out to one of those dots  a National Institutes of Health facility in Maryland  she was told that they were suffering from the same shortages as state labs and were not in a position to help.

"It was clear that we were on our own and we need to develop our own strategy, which is very unlike the kind of federal response in the past public health emergencies, Phillips recalled. By early June, it was clear that the White House had gotten it wrong.

Digging into new data from Birx, they concluded the virus was in fact spreading with invisible ferocity during the weeks in May when states were opening up with Trumps encouragement and many were all but declaring victory.

With the benefit of hindsight, the head of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Dr. Robert Redfield, acknowledged in a conversation with the Journal of the American Medical Association that administration officials severely underestimated infections in April and May.

The number of new cases has now surged far higher than the previous peak of more than 36,000 a day in mid-April. On Thursday, there were more than 75,000 confirmed new cases, a record.

Trumps disdain for testing continues to affect the country. By the middle of June, lines stretched for blocks in Phoenix and in Austin, Texas. And getting results could take a week to 10 days, officials in Texas said  effectively inviting the virus to spread uncontrollably.

It was a devastating situation, said Mayor Steve Adler of Austin, who watched as the COVID-19 cases at intensive care units at area hospitals jumped from 3 in mid-May to 185 by early July. Adler had a simple plea for the White House.

When we were trying to get people to wear masks, they would point to the president and say, Well, not something that we need to do, he said.

Mayor Francis Suarez of Miami, a Republican, expressed similar frustrations with Trumps dismissive approach to mask wearing. People follow leaders, he said, before rephrasing his remarks. People follow the people who are supposed to be leaders.

Michael D. Shear, Noah Weiland, Eric Lipton, Maggie Haberman and David E. Sanger c.2020 The New York Times Company
Princess Diana and Prince Charles remain one of the most talked-about couples of the British royal family. Even though their marriage ended in divorce not long before Dianas death in 1997, people still cant get enough of them. Ahead, check out forgotten photos of Diana and Charles during their marriage.

Princess Diana and Prince Charles married in the wedding of the century

Princess Diana and Prince Charles on the balcony of Buckingham Palace after their 1981 royal wedding | David Levenson/Getty Images

RELATED: How Princess Diana and Prince Charles Made the Balcony Kiss a Royal Wedding Tradition

After announcing their engagement in early 1981, Charles and Diana married in what would quickly become referred to as the wedding of the century. One of the most expensive royal weddings ever, the couple spared no expense for their nuptials, which took place on July 29, 1981, at St. Pauls Cathedral in London.

They hid marriage trouble in public, unbeatable as professional royal performers

Even though Diana and Charles were both miserable in their marriage, they didnt let on in public. Patrick Jephson, Dianas former press secretary, once called them unbeatable at presenting themselves as a happily married couple. He said as much during an interview for ITVs Inside the Crown: Secrets of the Royals.

As professional royal performers they were unbeatable, but behind the scenes, it was quite different, he said. They didnt talk to each other, there was minimal eye contact, they were short-tempered with each other.

On their royal tour of Australia in 1983, things changed for Charles and Diana. They occasionally took part in public displays of affection with some hand-holding (see below), but one moment changed how Diana acted in public.

Princess Diana and Prince Charles in Australia | Tim Graham Photo Library via Getty Images

RELATED: Prince Charles and Princess Diana Needed a Police Escort for a Surprising Item at Their Royal Wedding

When she burst out in tears outside the Sydney Opera House and Charles, for whatever reason, didnt acknowledge her, Diana decided to laugh and smile a lot more at engagements to supposedly annoy her husband.

Princess Diana and Prince Charles were (mostly) all smiles

Sure, as their marriage crumbled and they approached their separation, Diana and Charles let the happy veneer slip but up to that point, theyd appeared, for the most part, in love.



During a 1991 visit to Ontario, Canada, Diana and Charles looked in good spirits.

Princess Diana and Prince Charles meet a beaver | Patti Gower/Toronto Star via Getty Images

RELATED: The Subtle Way Prince Charles Brought Camilla on His Honeymoon with Princess Diana

But that may not have been hard to do considering they were petting a beaver.

At a polo match in 1982, Diana, then pregnant with Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, sat on the hood of a car with her arm resting on Charles shoulder.

Princess Diana and Prince Charles | Tim Graham Photo Library via Getty Images

RELATED: Princess Diana: 4 Photographs of the Princess of Wales With Her Siblings

It seems like the body language of two people who at the least like each other but as the public learned later, theyd already had lots of trouble in their marriage.

Princess Diana and Prince Charles separated in 1992, divorced in 1996

We all know the photos of Diana and Charles looking miserable sitting next to each other toward the end of their marriage. They served as the precursor to their separation announcement in December 1992.

Even though the public knew of their unhappiness, it still came as a surprise to learn they decided to separate. Charles and Diana continued their duties as senior royals before making their split official in 1996.

RELATED: The Wedding Day Disaster Princess Diana Expertly Concealed Walking Down the Aisle
Voters seen at Dunearn Secondary School on 10 July. (PHOTO: Dhany Osman / Yahoo News Singapore)

SINGAPORE  The Ministry of Health (MOH) has confirmed 257 new COVID-19 cases in Singapore, taking the total to 47,912.

Of the new cases, 244 are migrant workers residing in dormitories, five are imported and eight are from the community, said MOH in a news release on Sunday (19 July).

Two Singaporeans are among the community cases. One is a 26-year-old man (No. 47747), whose case is unlinked, and the other is a 53-year-old woman (No. 47945) who works at Toh Guan dormitory and is linked to the cluster at the dorm.

Of the cases from the community, six were picked up as a result of proactive surveillance and screening, and one had already been placed on quarantine earlier. Seven of the cases are asymptomatic, and were detected through proactive testing.

Three of the community cases are linked to previous cases or clusters. Of these, one (No. 47807) had been identified as a contact of a previously confirmed case, and had been placed on quarantine earlier. She was tested during quarantine to determine her status, even though she is asymptomatic. Another case (No. 47809) was identified from testing of individuals working in frontline COVID-19 operations. The remaining case (No. 47945) was swabbed for COVID-19 under enhanced community testing to test all individuals aged 13 and above who are diagnosed with acute respiratory infection at first presentation to a doctor.

Five of the community cases are currently unlinked. They are all asymptomatic, and were detected from proactive screening. Of these, three of them (Nos. 47746, 47808 and 47810) were identified as a result of periodic screening of workers in essential services who are living outside the dormitories. The remaining cases (Nos. 47747 and 47899) were tested as part of efforts to screen individuals working in frontline COVID-19 operations.

The number of new cases in the community has decreased, from an average of 16 cases per day in the week before, to an average of 10 per day in the past week. The number of unlinked cases in the community has also decreased, from an average of eight cases per day in the week before, to an average of six per day in the past week.

Story continues

Imported cases

Among the five imported cases, two are a five-year-old Singaporean boy (No. 47785) and a 29-year-old permanent resident (No. 47737) who returned to Singapore from India on 26 June and one-year-old Singaporean baby boy (No. 47939) who returned from Azerbaijan on 4 July.

The remaining two cases are a dependants pass holder (No. 47735) and work pass holder (No. 47745) who is currently employed in Singapore. They arrived in Singapore from India and the Philippines on 7 July. All of them had been placed on 14-day Stay-Home Notice (SHN) upon arrival in Singapore, and had been tested while serving their SHN.

Hospitalised and recovered cases

With 253 more patients discharged from hospitals or community isolation facilities on Sunday, 44,086 cases  some 92 per cent of the total tally  have fully recovered from the infection.

Most of the 181 hospitalised cases are stable or improving, while none are in critical condition in the intensive care unit.

A total of 3,618 patients with mild symptoms or are clinically well but still test positive are isolated and cared for at community facilities.

Apart from 27 patients who have died from COVID-19 complications, 15 others who tested positive for the virus were determined to have died from unrelated causes, including three whose deaths were attributed to a heart attack and another four, whose deaths were attributed to coronary heart disease.

Only cases where the attending doctor or pathologist attributes the primary or underlying cause of death as due to COVID-19 infection will be added to the COVID-19 death count, said the MOH in previous press releases, adding that the method of assessment is consistent with international practices for classifying deaths.

Places visited by COVID-19 cases

The MOH also updated the list of public places visited by COVID-19 cases in the community from 5 to 17 July including shopping malls, supermarkets, eateries, shops and a cinema hall at FilmGarde Bugis+.

Stay in the know on-the-go: Join Yahoo Singapore's Telegram channel at http://t.me/YahooSingapore

More Singapore stories:

COVID-19: Election Night crowds will potentially have 'consequence', says Lawrence Wong

Singaporean woman tested positive for COVID-19 after dying of 'intracerebral haemorrhage'

Travellers with travel history to Australia's Victoria state, Japan, Hong Kong to serve SHN at dedicated facilities
* S&P revises Kuwait's outlook to negative * Egypt declines for a fifth session in a row * Emirates NBD advances before H1 results By Maqsood Alam July 19 (Reuters) - Shares fell in Egypt on Sunday after fears of Egyptian intervention in Libya's civil war increased, and Gulf stocks were mixed, with Kuwait underperforming following a negative outlook by S&P Global Ratings. President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi said on Thursday Egypt would not stand idle in the face of any direct threat to Egyptian and Libyan security, after lawmakers allied to commander Khalifa Haftar urged Cairo to intervene militarily in Libya. Egypt's blue-chip index fell 1.5% -- the fifth successive day it has fallen. The country's largest lender, Commercial International Bank Egypt, declined 2.3%, and tobacco firm Eastern Company lost 1.7%. The Kuwaiti index retreated 1.2%, pressured mostly by financial stocks. National Bank Of Kuwait shed 1.8% and Kuwait Finance House fell 0.9%. S&P Global Ratings revised Kuwait's outlook on Friday to "negative" from "stable", saying it expected the country's main liquidity buffer, the General Reserve Fund, to be insufficient to cover the central government's deficit. Saudi Arabia's benchmark index slipped about 0.1%, weighed down by Saudi Aramco falling 0.8%. After the market closed, Aramco said bonus shares would be transferred into the portfolio accounts of eligible Saudi retail investors on July 25. It had said in its initial public offering prospectus that Saudi retail bonus investors who held offer shares without interruption until the end of trading on June 7, 2020 would be entitled to one bonus share for every 10 allocated offer shares, up to a maximum of 100 bonus shares. Dubai's main share index gained 0.4%>. The lender Emirates NBD rose 2.9% before its first-half earning release. The Abu Dhai index eased 0.4%, driven down by a 1.5% drop in First Abu Dhabi Bank and a 0.8% drop in Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank. In Qatar, the index gained 0.1%. Qatar Islamic Bank , which reported on Wednesday a marginal rise in first-half net profit, rose 1.9%, while Doha Bank increased 3.7%. SAUDI ARABIA edged down 0.1% to 7,423 points ABU DHABI lost 0.4% to 4,256 points DUBAI added 0.4% to 2,061 points QATAR edged up 0.1% to 9,317 points EGYPT down 1.5% to 10,281 points BAHRAIN slipped 0.9% to 1,291 points OMAN was flat at 3,451 points KUWAIT declined 1.2% to 5,437 points (Reporting by Maqsood Alam in Bengaluru, Editing by Timothy Heritage)
Ram Mandir Ayodhya: The Sri Ram Janmabhoomi Tirth Kshetra Trust held the first formal meeting on Saturday. In the meeting, the trust decided to invite Prime Minister Narendra Modi to attend the bhoomi pujan ceremony in August. The trust has zeroed in on two dates depending on the PM's availability. The bhoomi pujan ceremony is performed before construction work is started.

"Our first priority is to hold the foundation laying ceremony and for this, we have invited Prime Minister Modi. We have suggested July 29, and August 5 as auspicious dates. We will hold the ceremony in the presence of Prime Minister. By the first week of August, the ceremony will be done," said member of the trust Govind Giri Maharaj.

The trust also discussed the design of the temple and the timeline for the inauguration. Champat Rai, General Secretary of the trust said that the construction work is likely to be completed in 3-3.5 years. He also floated August 3 and August 5 as dates for the PM's visit.

As for the design, the trust said that there would be now five domes, instead of three domes. The height of the temple has also been revised and would be higher than the proposed height.

Former Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister Nirpendra Mishra, additional Union Home Secretary Gyanesh Kumar and Uttar Pradesh government's Additional Chief Secretary Awanish Awasthi are members of the trust. Mahant Nritya Gopal Das as the president, is at the helm of the trust. Senior advocate K Parasaran, religious leaders Govind Dev Giri, Swami Vasudevanand Saraswati, Swami Vishwaprasannteerth, Yugpurush Parmanand Giri and Mahant Dinendra Das of Nirmohi Akhara besides RSS leader Anil Mishra, VHP leader Kameshwar Chaupal and secretary Champat Rai are the other members.

Earlier this month, members of the trust met architects as well as the team engaged in cleaning and carving stones at the Ram Mandir Nirman Karyashala.

Also read: Ram Temple trust to hold first formal meeting today in Ayodhya
By AFP

SEOUL: South Korean President Moon Jae-in, who promised to be a "feminist leader" during his election campaign, was under fire Thursday for sending condolence flowers to the funeral of a convicted sex offender's mother.

Moon and dozens of senior politicians -- almost all of them male, and from both sides of the aisle, but mostly from his ruling centre-left Democratic Party -- sent bouquets for this week's ceremony for Ahn Hee-jung's mother.

Former provincial governor Ahn was once a rising star and came second to Moon in the race for the 2017 Democratic presidential nomination, but was convicted last year of sexual intercourse by abuse of authority after his female assistant accused him of repeatedly raping her.

He is serving three and a half years in prison.

The controversy over the funeral laid bare the attitudinal gender divide in a society that remains highly patriarchal -- it has the highest gender wage gap in the OECD club of developed economies.

And women hold only 19 percent of seats in its newly elected parliament, which would put it 116th in the Inter-Parliamentary Union's previously published 2020 ranking.

Sexual harassment victims often face pressure to stay silent for fear of public shaming, but signs of change emerged after the country's own #MeToo movement -- sparked in 2018 by a prosecutor who publicly accused a superior of groping her at a funeral, prompting many to share their stories.

Ahn was by far the highest-profile individual named as a result.

But after he was temporarily released from jail to attend the funeral ceremonies, he received visits from scores of political heavyweights offering their condolences -- among them Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun, his predecessor Lee Nak-yon, and ruling party leader Lee Hae-chan.

Ahn allowed media to cover the event and pictures showed a large white wreath in prime position, with a plaque bearing the presidential logo and Moon's name.

- Furious response -

Women's groups and progressive politicians reacted furiously, saying the moves demonstrated the political establishment's traditionalist mindset and sent a signal that sexual crimes could be disregarded.

"Every message from a president is an act of governance, including condolences," wrote commentator Choi Moon-sun in the Hankook Ilbo newspaper.

When Moon sent the flowers, she said, "there was no president for South Korean women".

Jo Hye-min, a spokeswoman for the opposition Justice Party, said Ahn's victim was "still struggling in life in the face of non-stop shaming".

"It is so clear that a message and action by a politician is not a personal one but has a public nature," she said. "We can't help but ask what their actions mean."

The presidential office said Thursday it sent the flowers following a "comprehensive review of the situation".

Ahn was due to return to prison Thursday.
The Democratic chairs of three House committees are calling for the inspectors general for the Justice Department and Department of Homeland Security to investigate the use of force by federal law enforcement officers against anti-police brutality protesters.

In a joint letter to Michael Horowitz, the DOJ inspector general, and Joseph Cuffari, inspector general for DHS, Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerry Nadler, Homeland Security Committee Chairman Bennie Thompson, and Oversight and Reform Committee Chairwoman Carolyn Maloney on Sunday said the Trump administration appears "to have increasingly abused emergency authorities to justify the use of force against Americans exercising their right to peaceful assembly."

The lawmakers cited recent reports of protesters being swept off the streets in Portland, Oregon, by unidentified federal agents as evidence that "this misuse of resources and personnel remains a growing threat."

"Accordingly, we write to request an investigation by your offices into the use of federal law enforcement agencies by the Attorney General and the Acting Secretary of Homeland Security to suppress First Amendment protected activities in Washington, D.C., Portland, and other communities across the United States," they wrote.

More: Portland, Oregon, police declare Saturday gathering a riot after another night of protest, unrest

Federal officers use tear gas and other crowd dispersal munitions on protesters outside the Multnomah County Justice Center on July 17, 2020 in Portland, Oregon.

They said in some instances people could not tell the difference between the federal agents and "far-right extremists in the region who wore similar military gear." They described Customs and Border Patrol agents snatching up citizens and detaining them without identifying themselves as federal law enforcement or informing the detainees of their rights.

"Not only is this irresponsible and dangerous, but it is a violation of Constitutional rights," the Democratic lawmakers said.

Protests against police brutality and racial discrimination broke out across the U.S. after the death of George Floyd, a Black man who died after a Minneapolis police officer knelt on his neck for nearly nine minutes. Some of the protests deteriorated into violence against police and looting.

Story continues

President Donald Trump has often conflated the entire protest movement, which is generally peaceful, with those episodes of violence and destruction. He has called for a harsh law enforcement response, threatening to intervene with federal troops in cities where he thinks local, usually Democratic, leaders have been too soft.

Last week, Portland police cracked down to prevent protesters from establishing an autonomous zone, similar to one previously established in Seattle, about which Trump repeatedly denounced local politicians for allowing it to continue. In an interview on "Fox News Sunday," Trump claimed police cleared the "Capitol Hill Occupied Protest" in Seattle earlier this month because federal forces were "going in that following day."

On Saturday, Portland police declared the demonstrations a riot after hundreds of protesters broke into a building and set it ablaze and started dumpster fires.

Trump claimed, without evidence, the use of federal law enforcement in Portland had prevented the city from being overrun by protesters.

"If you look at what's gone on in Portland  those are anarchists, and we've taken a very tough stand," Trump said. "If we didn't take a stand in Portland  you know we've arrested many of these leaders  if we didn't take that stand, right now you would have a problem like you  they were going to lose Portland."

We are trying to help Portland, not hurt it. Their leadership has, for months, lost control of the anarchists and agitators. They are missing in action. We must protect Federal property, AND OUR PEOPLE. These were not merely protesters, these are the real deal!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 19, 2020

"We are trying to help Portland, not hurt it. Their leadership has, for months, lost control of the anarchists and agitators. They are missing in action," Trump tweeted the night before. "We must protect Federal property, AND OUR PEOPLE. These were not merely protesters, these are the real deal!"

Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler denounced the use of federal agents in his city, saying he did not request the administration's assistance. Both of Oregon's senators have called for investigations into the use of the federal law enforcement officers in Portland.

In addition to the reported detentions in Portland, Nadler, Thompson and Maloney pointed to the June 1 clearing of protesters outside the White House as an example of what they considered improper use of federal force against protesters.

They said "federal authorities in riot gear used chemical agents, smoke, and rubber bullets to violently remove protestors from Lafayette Square  so that the President could have a photo-op in front of the historic St. Johns Church."

The Democratic leaders said the "legal basis for this use of force has never been explained" and they said "it is not at all clear" that Attorney General William Barr and acting Homeland Security Secretary Chad Wolf "are authorized to deploy federal law enforcement officers in this manner."

"The Attorney General of the United States does not have unfettered authority to direct thousands of federal law enforcement personnel to arrest and detain American citizens exercising their First Amendment rights."

On June 26, Trump issued an executive order to provide "personnel to assist with the protection of Federal monuments, memorials, statues, or property." Nadler, Thompson and Maloney wrote it appeared Wolf was using that order "as justification for arresting American citizens in the dead of night."

"The Administrations insistence on deploying these forces over the objections of state and local authorities suggest that these tactics have little to do with public safety, but more to do with political gamesmanship."

Contributing: Lorenzo Reyes, USA TODAY

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Portland protests: Democrats demand investigation into use of feds
No Beijing, only Delhi says former Nepal PM on ties with India

Nepal police opens fire on 3 Indian Nationals near border in Bihar, 1 Injured

India

pti-PTI

Kishanganj (Bihar), July 19: An Indian national has been injured in firing by the Nepal Armed Police Force (NAPF) in the 'no man's land' on the Indo-Nepal border in Bihars Kishanganj district, a senior police officer said on Sunday.

The incident occurred around 9:30 pm on Saturday near pillar number 152 when Jitendra Kumar Singh and three others had gone there to bring back their cattle that had strayed into the 'no man's land', Superintendent of Police Kumar Ashish said.

Nepal landslides: 12 people killed, 19 missing

The victim is a resident of Mafia Tola village under Fatehpur police station of the district. The family members rushed the injured man, who received a bullet injury on his left arm, to Kishanganj sadar hospital from where doctors referred him to Purnea for better treatment.

The SP said police and Sashastra Seema Bal, the Indian border guarding force deployed on the Indo-Nepal border, are probing the matter.

The SSBs 12th battalion Commandant Lalit Kumar said that Nepal Armed Police Force opened fire on the suspicion that they were cattle smugglers. Entering the 'no man's land' is prohibited during the lockdown, he said, adding the Nepalese force opened fire following an altercation. The Nepalese personnel fired four rounds.

On June 12, an Indian national was killed while two others were injured in firing by the NAPF on Indo-Nepal border near Lalbandi Janki Nagar village in Bihars Sitamarhi district.

Coronavirus: WHO reports single-day record global spike in Covid-19 cases | Oneindia News

The incidents have occurred in the midst of a raging boundary row between the two countries, with India sternly asking Nepal not to resort to any "artificial enlargement" of its territorial claims after Kathmandu recently released a new political map laying claim over Lipulekh, Kalapani and Limpiyadhura.

New Delhi maintains that these are part of Uttarakhand, while Kathmandu, in its recent map, has shown them as part of Western Nepal. India had published its new map of the border region in November, after it divided Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh into two union territories.

The map had incorporated these areas of Uttarakhand, the territories disputed with Nepal, within India's borders.
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While many shoots have started slowly, actor Rahul Dev has already wrapped up a film and a web show. The actor, who has been shooting since July 25, didnt mind going to shoot as the producers money is stuck in productions. Dev says, I wrapped up the remaining portions of a Hindi film in Hoshiarpur, Punjab and a web show, in Mumbai, that were pending since the lockdown. I will also shoot for two other projects this month and will fly off abroad to shoot for Nikkhil Advanis web show next month.

Talking about the lockdown, he says, It started with a lot of uncertainty and insecurity, as I was concerned about my familys well-being, and one felt insufficient, as you relied on people. But what was good is that due to the calamity, mankind has become more compassionate towards each other and animals too. I had been working till the day of the lockdown, so two seasons of my recently released web show.

With a number of projects lined up this year, Dev feels he is blessed to be working successfully in the industry and having completed 20 years. He says, The late director Mukul Anand picked me up for Dus (1997) and I learnt a lot from him. Since then, I have never looked back. A career in this industry depends on luck, talent and hard work. Film-making is a business at the end of the day.

The actor says while he is not in a position where someone will make a Rs500 crore film starring him, yet he got a second chance in his career after the four-year break he took due to his wifes illness. I was able to restart my career in films, without a Godfather, in an industry where its tough to get a break. Being a character artiste, I feel, working sincerely worked for me. No one does favours in Bollywood. If you are good at your work, you will get work, he concludes.

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<! Flying officer Tolulope Arotile: Nigerian Air Force gives chilling account of death >

Air Commodore Ibikunle Daramola,Director of Public Relations and Information of the

Nigerian Air Force gives a chilling account of how 24 year-old combat pilot, Tolulope Arotile died. Daramola, told newsmen on Sunday that the report was a preliminary one.

Please read the full statement:

1. On 14 July 2020, the Nigerian Air Force (NAF), and indeed the entire Nation, was thrown into mourning as a result of the death of one of our shining young stars in the person of Flying Officer Tolulope Arotile, the NAFs first female combat helicopter pilot.

Her unfortunate demise has elicited an overwhelming outpouring of condolences, prayers and support to the NAF as well as the Arotile Family. This has no doubt been so, not just for Tolulopes outstanding accomplishments at the tender age of 24, but also because of her sterling personal qualities of excellence, hard work, dedication to duty, confidence and courage, which endeared her to her superiors, subordinates and peers in the Service. Unfortunately, because of the peculiar circumstances of the incident that led to her death, a rash of falsehoods, innuendos, conspiracy theories and the likes have been propagated in the public space, especially on Social Media. The NAF sincerely hopes that the findings of the just-concluded preliminary investigation into this unfortunate and painful incident will address the misinformed issues raised in the Social Media on the tragedy.

2. Moreover, while it would have been ideal for the entire investigation to be concluded before details on the incident are released, the NAF, in sensitivity to public concerns occasioned by the spread of false information, appreciates the imperative to provide more clarity at this very difficult moment. Please note that the details being revealed today have already been communicated to the Arotile Family, who ideally should be allowed to mourn their daughter and sister in peace, but for the unfortunate nature of the sad occurrence.

3. In line with the normal procedure in the Nigerian Air Force during such occurrences, an investigation was immediately instituted to formally determine the circumstances of the incident. Accordingly, the preliminary investigation has revealed the following details:

a. The Late Flying Officer Tolulope Arotile, a Squadron Pilot at the 405 Helicopter Combat Training Group (405 HCTG) Enugu, attached to the Air Component of Operation GAMA AIKI in Minna, having recently completed her Promotion Examinations, was in Kaduna awaiting deployment for her next assignment. During this period, she stayed with her sister, Mrs Damilola Adegboye, at Sabo Area in Kaduna, visiting the NAF Base whenever necessary.

b. On 14 July 2020 at about 10.55am, Late Flying Officer Arotile received a phone call from her colleague, Flying Officer Perry Karimo, a fellow helicopter pilot from the 405 HCTG, who wanted to discuss arrangements for their return to Enugu, requesting that she comes to the Base so that they could work out the modalities. Subsequently, at about 10.58am, the Late Arotile placed a call through to Squadron Leader Diepiriye Batubo, the Group Operations Officer (GOO) of 405 HCTG, who was in Minna at the time, to clarify issues regarding her deployment. It must be highlighted that the call FROM Flying Officer Karimo as well as the one TO the Squadron Leader Batubo both took place before 11.00am, over 5 hours before the incident which led to her death.

c. Flying Officer Arotile was later conveyed from Sabo to the NAF Base Kaduna by her sister, Mrs Adegboye, where the Deceased dropped her phone for charging at a house in the Instructor Pilots Quarters belonging to Squadron Leader Alfa Ekele. Her elder sister later dropped her off at the Base Mammy Market at about 4.00pm, where she proceeded to photocopy and laminate some documents. It was while she was returning from the Mammy Market at about 4.30pm that 3 of her former schoolmates at the Air Force Secondary School (now Air Force Comprehensive School) Kaduna; Mr Nehemiah Adejoh, Mr Igbekele Folorunsho and Mr Festus Gbayegun, drove past her in a Kia Sorento SUV, with Registration Number AZ 478 MKA. It is noteworthy that Messrs Adejoh, Folorunsho and Gbayegun are all civilians who live outside NAF Base Kaduna, but were on their way to visit one Mrs Chioma Ugwu, wife of Squadron Leader Chukwuemeka Ugwu, who lives at Ekagbo Quarters on the Base.

d. Upon recognising their schoolmate, Arotile, after passing her, Mr Adejoh, who was driving, reversed the vehicle, ostensibly in an attempt to quickly meet up with the Deceased, who was walking in the opposite direction. In the process, the vehicle struck Flying Officer Arotile from the rear, knocking her down with significant force and causing her to hit her head on the pavement. The vehicle then ran over parts of her body as it veered off the road beyond the kerb and onto the pavement, causing her further injuries.

e. Flying Officer Arotile was subsequently rushed to the 461 NAF Hospital Kaduna for treatment, while Mr Folorunsho (one of the occupants of the vehicle) who is also an Accident & Emergency Nurse at the St Gerard Catholic Hospital Kaduna, administered First Aid.

f. Flying Officer Arotile was confirmed dead by the On-Call Doctor at the 461 NAF Hospital at about 4.45pm on 14 July 2020, as a result of the head injuries.

g. The trio of Messrs Nehemiah Adejoh, Igbekele Folorunsho and Festus Gbayegun were immediately detained at the Air Provost Wing, 453 Base Services Group Kaduna as investigations began. They were subjected to Toxicology Tests at the 461 NAF Hospital but no traces of alcohol or psychotropic substances were found in their systems. It was however discovered that the driver of the vehicle, Mr Nehemiah Adejo, did not have a valid drivers license.

h. Traffic Officers from the Kawo Police Station and the Kaduna State Police Command as well as Road Traffic experts from the Federal Road Safety Corp were also called in to provide support during the investigation.

4. Having carefully considered the foregoing, the preliminary investigation concluded that:

a. The death of Flying Officer Arotile was caused by blunt force trauma to the head and significant bleeding resulting from being struck by the vehicle.

b. Being a civil case, the matter will be handed over to the Nigeria Police with a view to further investigating and charging the suspects to court in accordance with extant laws.

5. The Nigerian Air Force, being a highly professional and disciplined organization, will not join issues with any individuals or groups regarding the spurious allegations of foul play espoused in some quarters. Suffice it to say that Flying Officer Arotile was a pride of the NAF in whom the Service had invested massively in terms of resources, time and energy. Consequently, it is ludicrous for anyone to even remotely insinuate malevolent intent on the part of the Service against one of its most prized assets.

6. Furthermore, it is extremely sad and disheartening that, rather than allow the Arotile Family and the Nigerian Air Force to grieve for our dearly departed Tolulope in peace, many have chosen to politicize her death, while others are using the incident to push meritless, misguided ethnic and religious agendas. The Nigerian Air Force wishes to implore everyone to respect the sensibilities of all those who have suffered most by this loss, those who really knew Tolulope  her family, her friends and her Nigerian Air Force colleagues. It is of absolute importance that the memory of this Fallen Hero and our precious child is not tainted by the propagation of misplaced sentiments and wild shenanigans. Before I end this august address, may I respectfully, on behalf of the Chief of the Air Staff, the entire personnel of the NAF as well as members of the Arotile Family, express my profound appreciation to all those who in one way or the other have shown concern, support and sympathy over this unfortunate incident. Thank you for your attention.

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Source: Xinhua| 2020-07-19 13:18:22|Editor: huaxia

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KABUL, July 19 (Xinhua) -- The Afghan National Police (ANP) operations team has arrested 16 suspects in Kabul and its surrounding districts, the capital police said on Sunday.

"Sixteen suspects involved in different criminal cases were arrested by ANP in Kabul city Police Districts and districts on outskirts of Kabul province within the last several days," the police said in a statement.

The arrestees were taken to the Kabul police headquarters for screening and possible legal process, the statement added.

The ANP also seized three rounds of weapons, a knife, a stolen oil truck and a stolen sedan during the operations, that were part of preventive measures being adopted to ensure a high level of security and safety in the national capital with nearly 5 million population. Enditem
Source: Xinhua| 2020-07-19 13:24:29|Editor: huaxia

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KABUL, July 19 (Xinhua) -- Two off-duty Afghan National Army soldiers were shot dead by Taliban militants in Qara Bagh, a district on northern outskirts of Afghan capital of Kabul on Saturday, a local TV channel reported Sunday.

"The victims were brothers and they were riding a motorcycle in a neighborhood when two Taliban chased them with a motorcycle and spread bullets on them," Tolo News TV reported.

The assault was the latest in a string of targeted attacks in the country. On Wednesday, a religious scholar and his brother were shot and killed in neighboring Sayyed Khil district of Parwan province.

Taliban militants, who ruled the country before being ousted in late 2001, renewed armed insurgency killing government troops as well as civilians. Enditem
Halfway through the year - and halfway through the summer season when officials once hoped warmer weather might speed the coronavirus's retreat - the pandemic is only intensifying in much of the country.

Major school districts are bucking federal pressure to say they won't reopen classrooms in the fall. Infections have been reaching record heights in the South, West and Midwest. More than 20 states are reporting seven-day averages in coronavirus-related deaths higher than at the end of June, underscoring the turnaround since May and June when deaths declined nationally - a development President Donald Trump had touted as a sign of progress.

Here are some other significant developments:

The Trump administration is trying to block billions of dollars for states to conduct testing and contact tracing in an upcoming coronavirus relief bill, people involved in the talks said Saturday. The administration is also trying to block billions that GOP senators want to allocate for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the people said.

A study from South Korea could bolster those who argue reopening classrooms in much of the United States is too risky, suggesting that, while children under 10 years old are less likely to spread the coronavirus, young people between 10 and 19 years old will spread it similarly to adults.

Georgia's presentation of its coronavirus data is once again under scrutiny, with a viral tweet pointing out how the color-coding of a government map has evolved. At the beginning of the month, for instance, a county needed at least 5,959 coronavirus cases to be colored red in the state's map of the outbreak. Now, a county needs at least 9,597 - with the result that no other county has newly joined the four that have been colored red since July 1, even as the state's cases have jumped by more than 37 percent in the intervening time.

Health authorities are seeking to conduct testing faster while conserving resources. The Food and Drug Administration on Saturday reissued an emergency use authorization to Quest Diagnostics for a coronavirus test to be used in pool testing, which involves combining samples from several people and testing them all at once.

Arizona on Saturday reported a single-day high in new deaths, another sign that the surge in fatalities health officials had warned about is underway. And North Carolina, Georgia, Kentucky, Wisconsin and Missouri announced record-high new cases. The country set another record Friday for daily coronavirus infections, with states reporting a combined 76,403 new confirmed cases - more than double the amount the country was reporting daily during the initial surge of cases in the spring.

Globally, coronavirus-related deaths are nearing 600,000, according to tracking by Johns Hopkins University. Upward of 137,000 of those deaths were reported in the United States, where total known infections have ballooned to close to 3.7 million, based on data tracked by The Washington Post. More than 394,000 new cases and 4,300 deaths had been added in the U.S. over seven days.

Former Food and Drug Administration commissioner Scott Gottlieb warned heading into the weekend that hospitalizations could surpass a nationwide peak of nearly 60,000 in the coming days and said the country was on track to see several more weeks of continued spread. California, Montana, Puerto Rico and Texas on Saturday broke their records for covid-19 hospitalizations.

"We're taking a lot of infection into the fall, and once this collides with flu season the trajectory is going to be up," Gottlieb told CNBC.

The new wave of infections is once again straining resources at hospitals and leading to testing backlogs, with one lab in Arizona on Saturday reporting more than 60,000 tests pending. In South Carolina, lawmakers have requested military installations to help speed testing and reporting of the results: "This is an all-hands-on-deck time for us," state senator Tom Davis, a Republican, tweeted.

The FDA has reissued emergency use authorization for a coronavirus test to be used in pool testing as part of the ongoing effort to save precious resources.

Pool testing involves combining samples from several people and testing them all at once. If the batch comes out positive, then the patients would be retested individually. But if the batch is negative, everyone is cleared.

It's "an important step forward," said FDA Commissioner Stephen Hahn in a statement.

However, the virus has continued to disrupt nearly every aspect of daily life.

With the start of classes looming, some states such as Iowa, Florida and South Carolina have told schools to reopen. But others have backed off hopes of getting children back in the classroom, even as top federal health officials frame a widespread return to school as a boon to public health.

California has ordered most of its schools to conduct remote instruction in the new academic year unless counties can meet strict benchmarks for reducing community transmission. Under the mandate from Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom schools must stay off the state's "watch list" for virus outbreaks for at least two weeks before they can resume classroom instruction.

Texas also pushed back start dates for in-person learning, allowing school districts more flexibility in when they decide to return after facing pushback for what many educators, parents and school officials said was a risky deadline for getting back to normal. And in Chicago, the country's third-largest public school district, officials announced this week they would pursue a "hybrid" model involving a mix of at-home and in-person instruction.

As fear of the virus wins out, a fast retreat from in-person learning

The South Korean study suggesting young people between 10 and 19 years old spread covid-19 much like adults comes days after CDC Director Robert Redfield said that there is not "much evidence" of children driving transmission, though he allowed that the risks could become clearer as children head back to school. The Trump administration has generally pointed to foreign countries' experiences reopening their schools as evidence that the United States can move ahead safely.

The pandemic also remains a persistent source of uncertainty in the sports world. The latest disruption hit summer baseball, as the Toronto Blue Jays said Saturday they are "in the process of finalizing the best home location for the remainder of the 2020 season" after the Canadian government barred the team from playing home games at their ballpark in Toronto. Officials said covid-19 was to blame.

"Based on the best-available public health advice, we have concluded the cross-border travel required for MLB regular season play would not adequately protect Canadians' health and safety," said Marco Mendicino, minister of immigration, refugees and citizenship.

The announcement arrived just days before Opening Day in Major League Baseball. The Blue Jays's home opener is July 29 against the visiting Washington Nationals.

Responses to the U.S.'s rise in infections have been inconsistent at the state and local level, creating a nationwide patchwork of public health measures and reopening plans. Former FDA head Gottlieb warned on CNBC on Friday that lack of policy action at the state level left it up to the "collective action of individuals" to protect themselves and their communities.

In hard-hit Texas, for example, it's been Houston Democratic Mayor Sylvester Turner challenging a planned in-person Republican Party of Texas convention that he argues poses too great a health risk with infections in the area spiraling out of control. A federal appeals court just blocked a lower-court ruling that would have allowed the Texas GOP to proceed with the gathering in downtown Houston.

"In the middle of a pandemic, the doors remain locked," Sylvester said of the appeals court's decision.

More than half of all states have instituted some form of statewide mask requirements, but governors have faced resistance. In Arkansas, some local law enforcement officials were refusing to enforce the mask mandate Republican Gov. Asa Hutchinson issued this week. Texas Republican Gov. Greg Abbott has experienced similar pushback from sheriffs and county officials.

Other governors have moved to strike down local mask ordinances, including Georgia's Brian Kemp, a Republican, who this week sued to stop Atlanta from enforcing the mayor's mandate for face coverings in public - even as the state's coronavirus numbers soar.

Georgia on Saturday reported a record high of nearly 4,700 new coronavirus cases, bringing its total cases to nearly 140,000, while 36 new deaths were reported. Average daily deaths have risen 150 percent compared with a week ago.

Georgia along with Florida, Texas, California and Arizona have led the country in new cases over the past seven days. Florida alone added more than 80,000 infections.

- - -

The Washington Post's Sarah Larimer contributed to this report.
The Congress used Defence Minister Rajnath Singhs recent statement that he cannot guarantee to what extent the border standoff with China in Ladakh would be resolved, to launch another attack on the government.

What does this statement of the countrys Defense Minister mean that there is no guarantee of a solution through talks with China? Has the Modi government accepted the Chinese occupation that they cannot solve it? Congress spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala asked at a briefing.

Rajnath Singh had made the comment in Lukung near Pangong Tso lake on Friday while addressing troops.

Surjewala also said the Chinese are still inside Indian territory and that China isnt ready to return to the pre-May 2020 position.

China isnt permitting Indian Armed Forces to patrol from patrolling point 10 to patrolling point 13. Third, China has occupied Indian territory up to 8 km between finger 4 to finger 8 and has 3,000 soldiers in our territory.

China isnt ready to restore the status quo ante and to return to the pre-May 2020 position. China has converted Ngari Gunsa civil airstrip on our border into military airstrip causing threat to our territorial integrity and placed over 20,000 Chinese soldiers on our border, Surjewala said.

India and China have been in talks to reach consensus on easing tensions between the two armies in the Finger Area near Pangong Tso and Depsang plains, as well as pulling back weapons and equipment from friction points in other sectors.

On Saturday, former Congress president Rahul Gandhi had attacked the government over its handling of the standoff in Ladakh saying India will pay a huge price because of the governments cowardly actions.
Legislators in Afghanistan 's parliament have criticized the Ashraf Ghani government of deliberately ignoring the Afghan people's interests. The parliament said Pakistani military forces have fired more than 13,000 rounds of mortar in the eastern regions of Afghanistan for the past year, particularly on the provinces of Nuristan and Kunar.

Lawmakers in Afghanistans parliament on Saturday summoned acting Minister of Interior Affairs Massoud Andarabi to report on the recent mortar shelling by the Pakistani military forces on the eastern provinces of Kunar and Nuristan and accused the Ashraf Ghani government of neglecting the rights of the Afghan people.

The parliament said in a report that for over the past year, Pakistani military forces have fired over 13,000 rounds of mortar in Afghanistans eastern regions, particularly on the Nuristan and Kunar provinces. The firing has left tens of civilians dead and wounded, Tolo news reported.

Denouncing the provocative shelling in the eastern Afghani provinces,Wazhma Safai, a member of parliament said, Unfortunately, the Pakistani military forces have established installations in Kunar province.So far 93 of our countrymen have been martyred, said Nematullah Karyab, a member of parliament from Kunar.

However, the security officials in yesterdays session of the parliament refrained from responding to the questions raised by the lawmakers in front of the media.Another member of parliament from Zabul, Zahra Tokhi said, They (Pakistani forces) killed the old and the young people, they didnt even have mercy on the women, this is shameful for the Afghan government.

At least 8 civilians were killed and eleven others wounded, following mortar attacks by Pakistani forces on the Sarkano district in Kunar, as well as on Asadabad, Kumats capital, as said by local officials in the area.

Some Afghan military personnel were also killed in the attacks along with the destruction of several Afghan forces checkpoints.

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Torrox town hall said that it has intensified its annual control of beachgoers reserving space by leaving belongings such as chairs and umbrellas.

Torrox's 'beach hoggers' first hit the Spanish and international headlines in 2015 when the town hall introduced fines for people who left belongings on the beach early in the morning to secure the best places with a view to returning to the spot later in the day.

Higher fines may be given to those people who are not respectful to agents when their belongings are confiscated.

Last weekend, despite the coronavirus crisis, Local Police and Civil Protection officers issued around 100 fines to so-called beach hoggers, mainly on Torrox's Ferrara and El Morche beaches.

Only one higher fine was issued to an individual who became aggressive towards an officer.

A statement released by Torrox town hall last week stated that items may be left if the owners are either taking a walk, swimming in the sea or eating or drinking at a nearby restaurant of a beach bar. It added, "We need to be responsible now more than ever," in view of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Velez-Malaga town hall has said similar controls are being carried out along its beaches.
In this May 22, 2020, file photo the Dome of the U.S. Capitol Building is visible through heavy fog in Washington. With COVID-19 cases hitting alarming new highs and a grim rising death toll, the pandemic's devastating cycle is happening all over again, leaving Congress little choice but to engineer another costly rescue. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik, File)

It stands as the biggest economic rescue in U.S. history, the $2.2 trillion coronavirus relief bill swiftly approved by Congress in the spring. And it's painfully clear now, as the pandemic worsens, it was only the start.

With COVID-19 cases hitting alarming new highs and the death roll rising, the pandemic's devastating cycle is happening all over again, leaving Congress little choice but to engineer another costly rescue. Businesses are shutting down, schools cannot fully reopen and jobs are disappearing, all while federal emergency aid expires. Without a successful federal plan to control the outbreak, Congress heads back to work with no endgame to the crisis in sight.

"It's not going to magically disappear," said a somber Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., during a visit to a hospital in his home state to thank front-line workers.

Lawmakers return Monday to Washington to try to pull the country back from the looming COVID-19 cliff. While the White House prefers to outsource much of the decision-making on virus testing and prevention to the states, the absence of a federal intervention has forced the House and Senate to try to draft another assistance package.

It's a massive undertaking, hardly politically popular, but the alternative is worse. Experts predict an even more dire public health outlook for winter. Dr. Anthony Fauci, the nation's top infectious disease official, says the U.S. needs to sweeping $3 trillion relief bill to bolster virus testing, keep aid flowing and set new health and workplace standards for reopening schools, shops and workplaces.

In this April 21, 2020, file photo Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell of Ky. arrives at the U.S. Capitol on Capitol Hill in Washington. Lawmakers return Monday, July 20, to Washington to try to pull the country back from the looming COVID cliff. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky, File)

She said recently she finds herself yearning for an earlier era of Republicans in the White House, saying tha despite differences, even with President Richard Nixon, who resigned facing impeachment, "At least we had a shared commitment to the governance of our country."

The political stakes are high for all sides before the November election, but even more so for the nation, which now has more coronavirus infections and a higher death count than any other country. On Friday, two former Federal Reserve Board leaders urged Congress to do more.

"Time is running out," Pelosi said.

There were just a few hundred coronavirus cases when Congress first started focusing on emergency spending in early March. By the end of that month, as Congress passed a $2.2 trillion bill, cases soared past 100,000 and deaths climbed past 2,000.

Today, the death toll stands at more than 139,000 in the U.S., with 3.6 million-plus confirmed cases.

In this April 23, 2020, file photo, President Donald Trump's name is seen on a stimulus check issued by the IRS to help combat the adverse economic effects of the COVID-19 outbreak, in San Antonio. There were just a few hundred coronavirus cases when Congress first started focusing on emergency spending in early March. By the end of that month, as Congress passed the massive $2.2 trillion Cares Act, cases skyrocketed above 100,000 and deaths climbed past 2,000. (AP Photo/Eric Gay, File)

The virus that first tore into New York, California and America's big cities is now plaguing places large and small, urban and rural, burning through the South, West and beyond without restraint.

Freezer cases that stored bodies outside New York hospitals are now on order in Arizona. The mobilization of military medical units to help overworked health care providers has shifted now to Texas.

Lawmakers hardly wore facial masks when they voted in March as the Capitol was shutting down and sending them to the ranks of work-from-home Americans. Trump and his allies still rarely wear them. But at least 25 governors from states as diverse as Alabama to Oregon now have mask requirements. The director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said this past week that if everyone wore a mask, iit could help "drive this epidemic to the ground."

Just as the pandemic's ferocious cycle is starting again, the first round of aid is running out.

A federal $600-a-week boost to regular unemployment benefits expires at the end of the month. So, too, does the federal ban on evictions on millions of rental units.

In this July 16, 2020, file photo House Speaker Nancy Pelosi of Calif., speaks during a news conference on Capitol Hill in Washington. Pelosi said recently she finds herself yearning for an earlier era of Republicans in the White House, saying despite differences, even with Richard Nixon, who resigned facing impeachment, "At least we had a shared commitment to the governance of our country." (AP Photo/Susan Walsh, File)

With 17 straight weeks of unemployment claims topping 1 millionusually its about 200,000many households are facing a cash crunch and losing employer-backed health insurance coverage.

Despite flickers of an economic upswing as states eased stay-home orders in May and June, the jobless rate remains at double digits, higher than it ever was in the last decade's Great Recession.

Pelosi's bill, approved in May, includes $75 billion for testing and tracing to try to get a handle on the virus spread, funnels $100 billion to schools to safely reopen and sends $1 trillion to cash-strapped states that are pleading for federal dollars to pay essential workers and prevent layoffs. The measure would give cash stipends to Americans, and bolster rental and mortgage and other safety net protections.

McConnell hit "pause" after passage of the last aid package as Republicans hoped the economy would rebound and stem the need for more assistance. He now acknowledges additional intervention is needed.

His bill centers on a five-year liability shield to prevent what he calls an "epidemic of lawsuits" against businesses, schools and health care providers. The bill is expected to provide up to $75 billion for schools, another round of $1,200 direct payments to Americans and grants to child care providers. There is likely to be tax credits to help companies shoulder the cost of safely reopening shops, offices and other businesses.

In this July 14, 2020, file photo Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell of Ky., left, walks with Ed Heath, CEO of Owensboro Health Muhlenberg Community Hospital, before a press conference at the hospital in Greenville, Ky. "It's not going to magically disappear," said McConnell, during a visit to a hospital in his Kentucky home state to thank front-line workers. (Greg Eans/The Messenger-Inquirer via AP, File)

Unlike the other virus aid pacakges that passed almost unanimously, McConnell says this one will be more difficult to approve.

In the two months since Pelosi's bill passed, the U.S. had 50,000 more deaths and 2 million more infections.

"If we don't invest the money now, it will be much worse," Pelosi said.

Explore further Expert tells US Congress that virus fight could last years

 2020 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
Those whove been keeping up with The Challenge: Total Madness know MTV has severed ties with Dee Nguyen. Nguyen made massive missteps on her social media by making light of the Black Lives Matter movement. And shes since made public apologies and removed herself from social media.

While Nguyen was rightfully fired for her posts, fans are wondering if shes OK now. Heres what theyre saying.

Dee Nguyen was fired from MTV for racially-charged Twitter posts

RELATED: The Challenge: Dee Nguyen Was Allegedly Jealous of Another Contestant Having a Close Relationship With Wes Bergmann

Nguyen is known for her inflammatory posts, and Challenge couple Bayleigh Dayton and Chris Swaggy C Williams have both called her out for trying to gain fame and clout with her posts. Unfortunately, right around the social media movement Blackout Tuesday, Nguyen made a huge misstep. She made a tasteless Black Lives Matter joke that did not go over well with fans or MTV production.

Idk why some of u think Im anti BLM. Ive been saying that since the day I lost my virginity, Nguyen tweeted.

This is not how you support BLM, Dayton tweeted in response. Im disgusted and disappointed. This is not a trend. This is life or death for us.

MTV then took matters into their own hands and notified the public that they cut ties with Nguyen. Theyve also edited Nguyen out of future Total Madness episodes as much as possible.

Wes Bergmann noted her mental health was in decline after the firing

Wes Bergmann was Nguyens closest ally on the show, and Nguyen was staying in one of his homes to take part in his Patreon web series while everyone was quarantined. He gave his fans updates on Nguyen via Twitter after the firing. And he noted that she wasnt taking it well.

Dee was basically my daughter, Bergmann explained on Twitter. I made the decision to ask her to leave in less than an hour. He then went into how he was helping her with her mental state.

Her mental health by this time had deteriorated to a level where being in a hotel alone would have been the most dangerous option of all, Bergmann added. He also noted that helped Nguyen talk to a doctor, a hotline, a CEO, and a lawyer. Ultimately, she ended up in a mental health lodge that could help her navigate her firing and next steps. Bergmann then added that he believes Nguyen will be heading back to her home country of Australia after all is said and done.

Some fans think MTV went overboard

Nguyen was getting mixed reviews from fans of The Challenge long before the Black Lives Matter scandal. Now, many are wondering if shes OK, as shes been suspiciously quiet on social media. And others think MTV isnt treating Nguyen fairly.

Its wild how they still have the disclaimer before every episode calling her out, a Reddit user noted. They then called attention to a past situation where racism was a severe issue on the show. What she said was stupid, but it wasnt even that bad, especially compared to what Camilla said to Leroy a few years ago.

Theyre using her as a scapegoat, another mentioned. The backlash is way overblown at this point.

Dee had no ill will towards the black community based off of that tweet. She was just really ignorant to the importance of the BLM, another wrote. Banning her for life was dumb. They could have used this as a chance to allow her to learn and grow from this.

Were hoping MTV reevaluates every racist remark and action from competitors going forward. And were also hopeful that Nguyen has learned from this experience and has more knowledge of the movement now.

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At least two people were rescued from a Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) bus, which was trapped under a waterlogged bridge in the Capitals Minto Road area following heavy rains on Sunday morning.

The DTC bus passing through the underpass on Minto Road in central Delhi got stuck after it was flooded due to the heavy rains.

News agency ANI tweeted the video of the rescue as two men were seen climbing on top of the submerged bus and then on to a ladder kept by the personnel of the fire department.

#WATCH Delhi: Fire Department personnel rescue people on-board a bus that was stuck in a waterlogged road under Minto Bridge following heavy rainfall in the national capital this morning. pic.twitter.com/wBCjSRtvqw  ANI (@ANI) July 19, 2020

The rains led to waterlogging at several stretches of roads across the national capital on Sunday morning.

Delhi Traffic Police said the affected roads include the Azadpur Underpass, South Avenue Road, Pul Prahladpur Underpass, Paharganj side of the New Delhi railway station, Moolchand Underpass and near Batra Hospital, among others.

The traffic police also issued an advisory asking bus and auto-rickshaw drivers to avoid wading through submerged roads as manholes could have been swept away or ditches could have flared up.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) had predicted isolated heavy to very heavy rainfall over parts of northwest India. It had said the entire monsoon trough is most likely to shift northwards, closer to the foothills of the Himalayas during July 19-20.

Private forecaster Skymet Weather has also that the monsoon will move towards north and will remain stable for the next three to four days.

More rainfall is expected in Delhi, Haryana and Punjab till Tuesday.
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Help the Economy by Going Outside

COVID-19 cases are growing fast in large parts of the US. The same folks who said the virus would just go away now say not to worry because fewer people are dying.

A lower mortality rate helps, but its still too high. The sheer number of sick people is straining hospital capacity some places. Viruses dont care what anyone thinks; they just spread until something stops them.

The economy cant recover if people fear infection everywhere they go. We need to balance public health and economic necessity.

Fortunately, scientists are learning how to reduce risk with fewer economic side effects.

The funny part: This knowledge isnt all coming out of laboratories. Its the result of unplanned, large-scale experiments on people who didnt even know they were test subjects.

But whatever the source, wed better pay attention. It offers a way out of this mess.

Outdoor Conditions

Following the May 25 killing of George Floyd by Minneapolis police, large protests erupted around the country, featuring exactly the kind of crowds experts had called dangerous even with masks. More virus cases seemed likely.

We know the COVID-19 virus incubates for up to 14 days after exposure. So if the protests caused significant virus spread, it should be evident by now in Minnesota, where the initial protests occurred.

Heres the data.



Chart:Worldometers.com

Minnesotas average daily case count, which had been declining, turned slightly upward in mid-June, about three weeks after the protests began. These could be infections acquired at those events.

However, Minnesotas case growth was still minor compared to Florida and Texas over the same period. Other places with large protests, like New York and Washington, DC, saw flat or declining infections.

That suggests the virus doesnt spread easily outdoors if people take simple precautions, like wearing masks. Many protestors did and it seemed to help.

But the virus clearly is spreading. If the protests didnt cause it, what did?

Hazardous Bar Tabs

The governors who let businesses begin reopening in May probably didnt think of it as research. Nor did their citizens want to be guinea pigs. But thats what happened.

State reopening guidelines tried to address what we know: Crowds are hazardous. Masks and distance are the best solutions. But thats hard in places like restaurants and bars. You cant eat or drink through a mask.

So states required those businesses to operate at reduced capacity and maintain separation between parties. This was supposed to get them back in operation while minimizing infection risk.

That was weeks ago. Millions of people have now eaten in sit-down restaurants, and the data doesnt look good.



Photo: Twitter

JPMorgan Chase, a large credit card issuer as well as an investment bank, analyzed spending data for its millions of customers. It shows the businesses where people used their cards. It also shows whether the card was physically present or the transaction occurred online.

They found a high correlation between card-present restaurant spending and higher COVID-19 cases in the same state three weeks later. More telling, the data showed fewer cases in places with higher grocery store spending (and, presumably, more meals at home).

As we always say, correlation isnt causation. But this suggests a connection, at least.

Governors like Greg Abbott (R-TX) appear to see it. He recently ordered bars closed and kept restaurants at 50% capacity. We will know in a few weeks if it helps.

Theres also evidence air conditioning could be a factor, in part because it encourages people in hot climates to stay indoors where the virus thrives. That seems to fit the timing, too. Cases declined in the southern US during moderate spring weather, but are now rising as summer heats up.

It also raises a question for fall, when many schools and colleges plan to resume in-person, indoor classes. That may not be a good idea.

Winter Is Coming

Lets review what these accidental experiments revealed.

Outdoor gatherings, even large ones, dont necessarily spark virus outbreaks.

Close, extended indoor gatherings without masks look like a problem.

No one thinks this virus will just go away. Life will be different until we get better treatments and/or a vaccine. But if these two points are correct, they offer some partial solutions.

For one, we might be able to resume some outdoor activities (concerts, sporting events) with a few modifications. Parks and beaches could be manageable risks if everyone will cooperate (which is hard, I know). This would help restore economic activity.

More broadly, spending our time outdoors this summer and fall might reduce the spread enough to make indoor life safer when winter arrives. It could have other benefits, too, as I described back in 2018 (see No Shoes, No Shirt, More Money).

On the downside, this is a serious blow to businesses that depend on indoor crowdsnot just bars and restaurants but also airlines, casinos, and many retailers. Plus their employees and suppliers.

Some may be able to adapt, but not most. They will probably need additional government support to survive. That will be more feasible if we can stop throwing money in all directions and be more precise about who needs it.

The pandemic is still serious. That shouldnt stop us from doing what we can to cushion the blow.

The Great Reset: The Collapse of the Biggest Bubble in History

New York Times best-seller and renowned financial expert John Mauldin predicts an unprecedented financial crisis that could trigger in the next five years. Most investors seem completely unaware of the relentless pressure thats building right now. Learn more here.

By Patrick_Watson

 2020 Copyright Patrick_Watson - 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.

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Today Show host Karl Stefanovic has reportedly hired a new publicist, months after he inked a deal with Chris Hemsworth's Sydney-based agent, Mark Morissey.

According to The Daily Telegraph, the presenter's new agent has enlisted the help of publicist Adriana Glass.

The Sydney fashion publicist is also a co-owner and co-director at Electric Collective, which handles the PR for Karl's wife Jasmine Yarbrough's shoe label, Mara & Mine.

New team: Today show host Karl Stefanovic (pictured) has hired his wife Jasmine Yarbrough's publicist months after 'signing with Chris Hemsworth's manager'

Adriana has also previously worked with several big fashion brands, including Alice McCall and Manning Cartel.

In March this year, reports claimed that Karl had dropped his long-standing manager Sharon Finnigan of SF Celebrity Management to sign a deal with Chris Hemsworth's Sydney-based agent, Mark Morissey.

The Daily Telegraph also claimed Karl and his shoe-designer wife Jasmine, could soon relocate overseas after his contract with the Today show ends this year.

Joining the team: Karl's new Sydney-based agent, Mark Morissey has reportedly enlisted Sydney-based PR Adriana Glass (pictured)

'It's a different play for me being asked to do something with international focus,' Karl told the publication in March, before adding: 'It's early days.'

It's believed the journalist intends to 'collaborate' with Mark on TV projects, as well as international productions.

An insider previously told the publication: 'Karl has long seen himself spending more time in the US, so this is the first real steps towards that plan. He is very focused.'

Business:Adriana also handles the PR for Karl's wife Jasmine Yarbrough's (pictured) shoe brand Mara & Mine

At the time, his Sydney talent agent Sharon denied rumours she and Karl had ceased their arrangement after 17 years.

The talent manager told The Sunday Telegraph at the time that Karl was still managed by her.

Meanwhile, Karl made a comeback to the Today show alongside new co-host Allison Langdon in January this year.
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Linkedin Moch. Fiqih Prawira Adjie (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Sun, July 19, 2020 07:31 549 6657ac82168da9fa101c8a4066777d85 1 National correctional-facility,Law-and-Human-Rights-Ministry,Nusakambangan-prison,Central-Java,drug-dealer,narcotics,narcotics-in-prison Free

The Law and Human Rights Ministry has transferred 228 convicted drug dealers from Jakarta, Yogyakarta and West Java to the countrys maximum-security prison at Nusakambangan Island in Central Java.

The ministrys corrections director general, Reynhard Silitonga, said the transfer was conducted in four waves, with the latest wave involving 90 inmates from West Java. The transfer started on July 5.

Out of the 228 convicts, 75 were from Jakarta, 22 from Yogyakarta and 90 from West Java. The convicts will be assigned to individual cells in the maximum-security penitentiary.

This is part of our commitment to eradicating narcotics from Indonesia. Hopefully, the prisoner transfer will help reduce drug circulation in the country, Reynhard said as quoted in a statement on Saturday.

The move is part of efforts to solve the problem of prisons operating beyond their capacity, as well as to address the recent discovery of drug rings controlled behind bars by imprisoned drug dealers.

Read also: BNN busts drug ring allegedly controlled by Salemba inmate

Reynhard previously said that any wardens found to be involved in drug deals would be convicted and transferred to the infamous prison island.

First built by the Dutch colonial administration in 1908 to hold political prisoners, the Nusakambangan prison island now includes seven correctional facilities with a total capacity of 1,606 inmates.

The island can only be reached by a 1-kilometer ferry crossing from the Wijaya Pura Port in Cilacap, Central Java, making it suitable to house high-risk prisoners.

In May last year, human rights activists slammed the correctional officers of Nusakambangan prison island in Central Java after a video of them mistreating inmates went viral on social media. The footage showed correctional officers dragging bound and handcuffed inmates across the dirt, some of whom could be seen with injuries on their back.

Responding to the video, the corrections directorate general dismissed the Nusakambangan narcotics prison warden.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-07-19 16:37:17|Editor: huaxia

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A staff member sprays disinfectant on the hands of a voter during the parliamentary elections in Damascus, capital of Syria, on July 19, 2020. The parliamentary elections in Syria kicked off on Sunday, the third elections during the more than nine-year-long war, amid the participation of President Bashar al-Assad and his wife Asma. (Photo by Ammar Safarjalani/Xinhua)

DAMASCUS, July 19 (Xinhua) -- The parliamentary elections in Syria kicked off on Sunday, the third elections during the more than nine-year-long war, amid the participation of President Bashar al-Assad and his wife Asma.

A total of 7,277 polling stations opened across the government-controlled areas on Sunday as voters are having the chance to vote for 1,656 candidates for the 250-seat parliament.

Both the president and his wife were seen wearing masks and casting their ballots at a polling center in the Ministry of Presidential Affairs.

The Syrian government now controls around 70 percent of the Syrian territory while ultra-radical rebels control the Idlib Province in northwestern Syria and the U.S.-backed Kurdish militia of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) control areas in northeastern Syria.
A Durga Puja organisers' forum in Kolkata has recommended certain safety measures to be taken during the festivities.

The Forum for Dugotsab, an association of 350 Durga Puja committees in the city, said it will submit its list of recommendations to the office of West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, an office-bearer of the body said on Sunday.

The forum has recommended measures like thermal screening of visitors, making the wearing of masks mandatory for everyone, allowing only 25 people inside a marquee at a time and regular sanitisation of the structures, he said.

It has also called for keeping the marquees open from the front so that visitors can see the idols without having to enter the structures, the forum's office-bearer said.

"After Mamata Banerjee said in state secretariat Nabanna that everyone should be careful about their health so that they can celebrate Durga Puja in a grand way, we are hopeful of celebrating the festival this year with all safety measures in place.

"We have distributed a list of guidelines among members of the forum. We will submit the same to the Chief Minister's Office," he told PTI.

Durga Puja organisers across Kolkata are hopeful they will be able to celebrate the festival this year, albeit in a scaled-down manner and by taking safety measures.

"We will celebrate Durga Puja by following the guidelines as the livelihood of thousands are attached to it. But maybe, we will not be able to celebrate the festival the way we had initially planned," Somen Dutta of Kasi Bose Puja Committee in north Kolkata said.

Partha Ghosh of Shiv Mandir Puja Committee in south Kolkata said the festival will be a low-key affair for them this year and safety measures will be taken.

"The celebration will be scaled down this year while retaining our artistic hallmark. We will have a grand theme-based celebration next year," he said.

Debashis Kumar, former mayor-in-council of the Kolkata Municipal Corporation and one of the key persons of the Tridhara Sammilani Puja Committee in Ballygunge, said they are waiting for safety guidelines from the administration.

"We haven't started our preparations yet for this year's Durga Puja. We haven't even booked any idol. Unlike some Durga Puja organisers, we don't believe in using thermal devices to screen revellers. Unless we get clear guidelines from the administration on how to go about with the celebrations, we will not take any decision," he said.

Subhendu Ghosh of Kasba Talbagan Puja Committee said they will scale down the celebrations. "Our decorator has tested positive for COVID-19. We will decide accordingly," he said.
The JobKeeper subsidy will be extended until at least Christmas, but the government will not continue to fork out $1,500 a fortnight for millions of workers.

Instead, the standard payment will likely be dropped to $1,000 a fortnight for full-time workers from the end of September, and casual and part-time employees will be allocated a smaller sum rather than the fixed rate they currently receive.

The requirements to qualify for JobKeeper will also be adjusted to reflect the needs of the community.

Victoria will likely need to the most support given the state has entered a second lockdown in an attempt to stem the spread of a second COVID-19 outbreak.

The JobKeeper subsidy will continue on until at least Christmas time, but the government will not continue to fork out $1,500 a fortnight for millions of workers. Pictured: Queues to enter Centrelink before JobKeeper was introduced

Treasurer Josh Frydenberg is expected to outline the new JobKeeper 2.0 on Thursday

Businesses have been forced to close amid the coronavirus pandemic and are still struggling to bounce back

The JobKeeper payment of $1,500 a fortnight was made available to eligible businesses to enable them to pay their staff even if they were not open during the pandemic.

A new income test will also be conducted come September 27, when the current scheme ends, to ensure businesses which have already bounced back are removed from the payment scheme, news.com.au reported.

Treasurer Josh Frydenberg is expected to outline 'JobKeeper 2.0' on Thursday.

The Morrison Government is also predicted to crack down on eligibility for sole traders.

The decision comes after months of campaigning to prevent the government from simply cutting off the service without offering struggling businesses an alternative.

A worker disinfects high-touch areas for the reopening of a cinema following the easing of the coronavirus before Melbourne was thrust into a second lockdown

An employee wipes over a table at a bar in Melbourne. Businesses will have to continue to prove eligibility for new JobKeeper

Victoria will likely need to the most support given the state has entered a second lockdown in an attempt to stem the spread of COVID-19

Mr Frydenberg told the publication this would be 'another phase of income support'.

'It will stick to the principles that have guided us well. It will be targeted, it will be proportionate, it will be scalable, and it will be using existing systems,' he said.

'The JobKeeper payment is an economic lifeline to millions of Australians and hundreds of thousands of businesses.

'Barring the spread of the virus in significant numbers beyond Victoria, we expect to see the other state and territory economies continue their recovery towards a COVIDSafe economy.'

Another new element of the second wave of JobKeeper will potentially be ongoing eligibility testing.

To qualify for JobKeeper initially, a business needed to prove that it had lost at least 30 per cent of income.

Showing those figures for one month gave a company access to JobKeeper for the entire program until the end of September.

Finance Minister Mathias Cormann agreed with altering the eligibility and means testing criteria

In addition to the changes to JobKeeper, Mr Morrison (pictured) is expected to announce an extension to the current Jobseeker payments

Businesses have been forced to close amid the coronavirus pandemic and are still struggling to bounce back

But new means testing could see businesses having to hand over their figures and turnover results to the Australian Taxation Office each month to prove hardship.

This would make it easier for the government to cut funding for businesses which appear to have bounced back from the pandemic.

It is not yet clear if all industries will qualify for the extended handouts.

Finance Minister Mathias Cormann agreed with altering the eligibility and means testing criteria.

'In the first six months, irrespective of what happened to your turnover after you initially qualified, you were in  but as we go into this next period, there is a need to reassess whether that support, you still need it for specific businesses,' he said.

In addition to the changes to JobKeeper, Prime Minister Scott Morrison is expected to announce an extension to the current Jobseeker payments.

That number will also likely be reduced from the current $550-per-week payments.

Cases have spiralled in Victoria recently, sending the state into a second lockdown
Kishanganj : , July 19 (IANS) An Indian national was injured after Nepal Police opened fire at the Indo-Nepal border at Fatehpur in Tehragachh in Bihar's Kishanganj district, the police said on Sunday.

Kishanganj Deputy Superintendent of Police Anwar Javed told IANS that the incident happened when a young man, Jitendra Kumar Singh, along with two of his friends Ankit Kumar Singh and Gulshan Kumar Singh, went to the border area at around 7.30 p.m. on Saturday, looking for his cattle.

He said Nepal Police, deployed on the border, fired at these youths, in which Jitendra Kumar Singh received injuries in his hand.

The injured Singh was immediately rushed to the primary health centre at Tehragachh for treatment, from where he was referred to Purnia.

Javed said the police is investigating the case, the situation is being monitored and talks are also being held with the Nepalese authorities.

There is anger among the local people after this incident.

Last month also an Indian national was killed and two others received injuries after Nepal Police opened fire at them.
The following editorial appeared in Sunday's Japan News-Yomiuri:

- - -

How do we overcome the economic crisis caused by the novel coronavirus epidemic and what kind of future can be envisioned for the country? It is not obvious if the government has the resolve.

The government has approved four key policies including the Basic Policy on Economic and Fiscal Management and Reform, or honebuto policy, and an action plan to implement the growth strategy. The honebuto policy aims to promote the digitization of public administration and society in order to achieve a balance between infection control and economic activity.

However, many statements about the future outlook were conspicuously absent from the plan.

Missing from the plan is a goal to increase the nominal gross domestic product to 600 trillion, as is a target for achieving a surplus in the primary balance of the central and local governments in fiscal 2025.

Finance Minister Taro Aso has just said that he does not believe there is an immediate need to revise the target.

The Finance Ministry is set to approve the request from ministries and agencies for uncapped budget estimates due at the end of September for the next fiscal year.

Fiscal measures that prioritize combatting the coronavirus are unavoidable, but could accelerate the expansion of the budget. There is insufficient focus on how to efficiently get the economy back on track. With people increasingly concerned about the future, the importance of mid- and long-term prospects must not be forgotten.

What is worrisome is that the honebuto policy has been losing substance.

It began in 2001 when the Council on Economic and Fiscal Policy was established, and has led to the formulation of major policies in the past, such as the so-called trinity reforms on tax and fiscal reform of the central and local governments, pension reform and privatization of the postal services.

Since the inauguration of the second administration of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, each ministry has sought to have their own projects included in the honebuto policy, which has become a hodgepodge of projects as it has been used as a means to obtain budgets. Last year, the number of pages swelled to more than two times that of 2001, making policy priorities harder to make out.

The volume of the plan has been slimmed down this year. However, the government should not only reduce its page count, but boldly focus on specific policies at the core of the plan.

Measures to strengthen national resilience in the wake of the torrential rains in the Kyushu region and other areas are an urgent issue. However, the honebuto policy was criticized at the drafting stage because it contained the same language about the budget for disaster prevention and mitigation as the previous year's plan. It is only natural for the government's stance on the issue to be called into question.

It has been suggested that the damage may have been magnified by the cancellation of a dam's construction during past moves to reduce public works projects. The budget compiling process should include a thorough discussion of what will be needed for flood control measures.

The government will reportedly expand the Council on Investment for the Future, which has played a leading role in the growth strategy, to create a forum for discussions on a post-coronavirus society. Wouldn't this just result in many meetings?

There is much overlap in the four plans, and the division of roles is also unclear. The government should come up with ways to present important policies to the public in a way that is easy to understand.
Ghislaine Maxwell helped supply Jeffrey Epstein three girls a day for his 'sexual pleasure', an alleged victim has claimed.

Annie Farmer, now 41, says at age 16 she was ordered to strip naked by Maxwell, 58, at Epstein's American ranch.

Ms Farmer alleges that the pair 'lavished her with gifts' and said they would advance her studies as part of a plot to snare her in their 'organised sex-trafficking ring', The Sunday Times reports.

She is said to be one of three victims who US federal prosecutors will rely on in their case against Maxwell, who was this week denied bail by a judge in New York ahead of her child sex-trafficking and perjury trial, which is set for July 2021.

All three alleged victims were minors at the time of the alleged offences. One girl was only 14.

Maxwell pleaded not guilty to all charges and has 'vigorously' denied wrongdoing.

Virginia Roberts Giuffre, right, and Annie Farmer, center, both Jeffrey Epstein accusers, following a hearing in the Jeffrey Epstein case on Tuesday, August 27, 2019 in New York

Ms Farmer, who is identified as 'minor victim 2' who was allegedly abused in New Mexico in 1996 in a six-count indictment, waived her right to anonymity last week as she called for Maxwell to stay locked up.

Ms Farmer told the judge Maxwell was 'a sexual predator who abused me and countless other children and young women.'

Details of Ms Farmer's alleged abuse were revealed following a civil lawsuit filed last December which allege battery and false imprisonment.

The claim against Maxwell accuses her of spending 'years overseeing and managing Epstein's sex-trafficking network,' adding: 'Epstein's preference was to have three different girls a day for his sexual pleasure and Maxwell was in charge of recruiting the girls'.

The lawsuit claims that Ms Farmer's older sister Maria, an art graduate who worked for Epstein's New York Household in 1995, noticed that Epstein's then girlfriend Maxwell 'would leave the mansion claiming she had to ''go get girls for Jeffrey''.'

Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell (both pictured) are alleged to have paid for Ms Farmer to fly to the Zorro ranch in spring 1996 but she found there were no other students when she arrived

Disgraced financier Epstein reportedly persuaded Maria to bring her younger sister Annie to New York from their family home in Arizona.

He then sat between the two sisters at a cinema and groped her, Ms Farmer alleges.

It is also claimed that Epstein later invited her to his 10,000-acre New Mexico ranch and told Ms Farmer's mother that he was putting together an educational gathering for high school pupils.

'He explained that Maxwell would be a host or chaperone for Annie at the event,' according to court papers.

Annie Farmer outside New York court on July 15, 2019

The couple are alleged to have paid for Ms Farmer to fly to the Zorro ranch in spring 1996 but she found there were no other students when she arrived.

Documents claim that Maxwell had appeared 'charming and friendly' to Ms Farmer, and she was then showered with gifts and took her to see a film.

While they were waiting in the queue, Maxwell pulled down Epstein's jogging bottoms and exposed part of his buttocks, and the couple would 'repeatedly fondle' each other around Ms Farmer in an attempt to 'normalise sexual behaviour' to her, the lawsuit alleges.

When they returned to the ranch, Maxwell told Ms Farmer to take off her clothes and lie down on a massage table before touching 'intimate parts' of her body against her will 'for the sexual benefit of Maxwell and Epstein', it is alleged.

'Maxwell exposed Annie's breasts and groped her,' it is claimed. 'Annie was extremely distressed and afraid. She was a child in a massive ranch, away from her family, and isolated from any source of help.'

The next morning Epstein went into Ms Farmer's room, entered her bed demanding a 'cuddle' and sexually assaulted her, it is claimed.

Ms Farmer's lawyers allege that she only made the decision to make her allegations public following Epstein's suicide because she had feared that he and his 'co-conspirators, including Maxwell,' would harm her or her family or 'ruin her life'.

Maxwell has pleaded with a judge to dismiss Ms Farmer's damages claim, which was filed to the same New York court handling her criminal case.

Maxwell is accused of grooming girls as young as 14 for Epstein to abuse between 1994 and 1997, a period when she was his girlfriend. She faces up to 35 years in prison if found guilty of the charges

Maria, who says she feels guilty for unwittingly bringing her then teenage sister into the orbit of Maxwell and Epstein, was the first person to report the pair's alleged sexual abuse of underage girls in 1996. But her attempts to get the police and FBI to investigate the attack on Annie, then 16, were ignored.

Ghislaine Maxwell's denied charges One count of conspiracy to entice minors to travel to engage in illegal sex acts One count of enticement of a minor to travel to engage in illegal sex acts One count of conspiracy to transport minors with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity One count of transportation of a minor with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity Two counts of perjury Advertisement

Annie's testimony was a key factor in the judge's decision to deny Maxwell bail and keep her in a New York jail cell before her trial next year.

U.S. District Judge Alison Nathan earlier this week denied Maxwell's proposal of a $5 million bond co-signed by two of her sisters and backed up by more than $3.75 million in property in the UK.

Maxwell's legal team had argued she would be confined to a 'luxury hotel' in the New York area, surrender all her travel documents and be subject to GPS monitoring.

But Judge Nathan ruled the British socialite was a significant flight risk, citing her 'substantial international' ties and 'extraordinary financial resources', setting an anticipated trial date for July 12, 2021.

Maxwell is accused of grooming girls as young as 14 for Epstein to abuse between 1994 and 1997, a period when she was his girlfriend.

She faces up to 35 years in prison if found guilty of the charges, as prosecutors successfully argued that along with her three passports, connections to some of the world's most powerful people and her own fortune of more than $10 million - Maxwell had every incentive to try and flee.

Maxwell will now return to the fortress-like Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn where she has been given paper clothes to ensure she doesn't kill herself.
A victim of the media and the gardai is how murder accused Aaron Brady described himself from the witness box in Court 19 of the Criminal Courts of Justice last week.

Over five days, the 29-year-old repeatedly denied any involvement in the fatal shooting of Detective Garda Adrian Donohoe and robbery at Lordship credit union on January 25, 2013.

Lies were told, he admitted, in the aftermath of the killing as he accounted for his movements to gardai the following day and again 10 days later when giving a voluntary statement to detectives.

He initially claimed he arrived in the yard at 155 Concession Road, south Armagh, at 8pm that night but failed to start a forklift and left 15 minutes later to go to a friend's house. He now says this was not correct and that he was at the yard for around 90 minutes half-loading a trailer of laundered diesel cubes.

The "untruths" he told gardai in the days after the murder were simply to hide the fact he was involved in illegal diesel laundering activity, he said. "Not for one second did I think gardai would be serious about me being involved in the murder of Adrian Donohoe," Aaron Brady told the jury about his interactions with them in early 2013.

Brady, who denies capital murder, told his defence counsel Michael O'Higgins SC that he was in a "state of depression" after articles started appearing in newspapers linking him to the fatal shooting.

Aaron Brady recalled one night out in Dublin when his mother rang him, "roaring crying" that his pixelated image was on the front of a Sunday newspaper and said that the media attention caused a fallout within the local community. He said this caused him to travel to the US in April 2013.

Last Tuesday morning, prosecution counsel Brendan Grehan SC began his examination of the accused, putting to him: "You're the victim in all of this, is that right?"

Brady said he would suggest he is; that the gardai had ganged up on him and that he had been the victim of the media.

In a later exchange, Brendan Grehan put it to Brady that, not only was he an admitted liar, but a compulsive liar who lied about big things and small things. This was denied by the accused. Counsel took Aaron Brady through the week leading up to the robbery and murder at Lordship credit union.

He denied testing garda response times five nights earlier and also said that, while he could not remember where he was three nights before the murder, he was certain he did not take part in the theft of a car in Clogherhead that was later used in the crime.

Recalling the day of the robbery, he said he spent the afternoon with Suspect A and Suspect B, two men the prosecution say were also involved but cannot be named for legal reasons. They went to buy food in a service station in Monaghan at lunchtime and Suspect A's car was later seen passing by Lordship credit union at 1.47pm, at which time Aaron Brady said it was likely he was in the car.

It is the prosecution's case that this was a drive-by, in advance of the events going to happen later that night, by three of the people involved- Aaron Brady, Suspect A and Suspect B.

Brady said that, if he was there, he is "absolutely certain it was not a drive-by" or a scoping exercise.

Later that night, between 8.30pm and 10.30pm, phones linked to all three men were inactive while the device of a fourth suspect in the case was also not in use at that time. The murder of Adrian Donohoe happened at 9.25pm.

Aaron Brady gave evidence that he could not control what the other suspects did with their phones and said he was not in their company. He was, he said, at the yard on his own, moving laundered diesel cubes.

Last Thursday CCTV footage of the moment the robbery took place was played in court, with Brady asked if he would agree it was a "very slick" raid carried out in under a minute. He said he wouldn't agree but did say that from looking at the footage, it happened very fast. He could not say if four men seen jumping over the credit union wall and running towards the vehicles in the car park moved like young men.

An enhanced audio recording, taken from the dashcam of credit union worker Pat Bellew's car, was also played to the court.

A man can be heard shouting: "Give me the f**king bag, give me the f**king money."

The accused said he could not say if the man's voice was a border or local accent as he could not make it out.

Phone records show that Aaron Brady and Suspect B spoke twice a short time after their phones became active again that night. The calls lasted around one minute each, but the accused could not recall what they spoke about. Last Friday, Brendan Grehan SC said he was moving across the Atlantic to the evidence given via-video link by two witnesses living in the US who said they heard the accused admit to shooting a guard in Ireland.

Molly Staunton testified that Brady was intoxicated and ranting when he confessed to shooting a cop while they were in the New York apartment he shared with Staunton's then-boyfriend in the summer of 2016.

Brady accepted that she was a truthful witness doing her best and agreed with aspects of her account, but said she was mistaken about him saying he had shot a cop and denied making any admissions. He also said the word 'cop' was not in his vocabulary and that he would use either 'guard' or 'police'.

"The fact is I didn't shoot Adrian Donohoe, I didn't shoot anybody," he said.

He told the jury he recalled the incident in the New York apartment, saying he was angry because two gardai had called to a house in Kerry where the parents of his wife Danielle Healy lived, and "blackened" him. Counsel also asked Brady if he told Molly Staunton he was "the most feared man in Ireland".

Brady laughed when this was put to him, saying: "I definitely didn't say that, that's ridiculous." He described Molly Staunton as a "nice girl" but that she was "mistaken on a lot of things".

Separately Daniel Cahill, a Dublin man living in New York, gave evidence that on three occasions he heard Aaron Brady making admissions.

Brady accepted he was involved in a fight at the Bronx bar where Cahill worked but denied saying he threatened to shoot the man who assaulted him, and that he had shot a member of An Garda Siochana in Ireland.

He has also accused Daniel Cahill and three other men of breaking into his apartment on March 17, 2015, and assaulting him before threatening to cut off his toes. The allegation was vehemently denied by Cahill. This dispute, the court heard, was allegedly over a threesome involving the accused, his friend, and the girlfriend of an associate of Cahill. Aaron Brady said this never happened.

He repeatedly denied the conversations with Cahill ever took place and described him as "a liar" and a "psychopath".

Counsel put it that a psychopath is someone with "no morality, no empathy, that blames others, manipulates others and lies to get out of any situation, playing the victim" and suggested Brady "look closer to home" at the description. The accused said this was not the case for him.

The trial continues.
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

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

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

Inecobank brings Apple Pay to customers

Parliament vice-speaker says he is familiar with Armenia proposals on border demarcation commission work

US Secretary of State to visit Kyiv

Russia, Iran and China to hold joint naval drills

OSCE Chairmanship on Aliyev statement: We reiterate our full support to Minsk Group Co-Chairs

Artsakh NSS denies rumors about penetration of Azerbaijanis into Karabakh villages

Indonesian parliament approves bill to relocate capital

Armenia PM to Bulgaria colleague: Our interstate relations are marked by continuous development of cooperation

Armenian President meets Abu Dhabi Crown Prince

Azerbaijan to ban foreigners from visiting Nagorno-Karabakh occupied part

European Parliament new speaker elected

Armenian National Interests Fund participates in Abu Dhabi Sustainable Development Week summit

North Korea fires missiles for fourth time this year

ECHR recognizes violation of Armenian PM's rights after 2008 elections

Turkey reveals plans to produce combat aircraft

Karabakh official: Azerbaijan presidents impudent behavior is due to OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs silence

Azerbaijan special services force Artsakh resident to intelligence work

Copper price is stable

Minister of State: OSCE MG Co-Chairs must accept exercise of Karabakh people's right to self-determination

Armenia President, UAE Minister of State discuss possibilities of cooperation in science and technology

Investigation into criminal case of several Armenia soldiers returned from Azerbaijan captivity is over

Canada sends detachment of special forces to Ukraine

Armenia ex-President Kocharyan, former deputy PM now MP Gevorgyan case trial resumes

2 more persons die of coronavirus in Artsakh

Armenia family has 10th child

Converse Bank brings Apple Pay to customers

Gold is getting weaker

Lacote: French institute to operate in Armenia (PHOTOS)

Ardshinbank Brings Apple Pay to Customers

Armenia President in UAE, meets with Emirati environment minister

Armenia legislature approves changes to several laws

Differences in data on coronavirus deaths in Armenia are corrected

360 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Armenia

Norway to begin Breivik early release hearing

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The are three reasons why the worlds oldest and most powerful civilisations generally ended  epidemics, natural disasters, or foreign invasions. An example is the Indus Valley civilisation; it had magnificent cities, architecture, maritime, and overland trade; it was thriving well before the birth of Jesus Christ. Yet, it came to a sudden end. Scholars attribute this variously to a natural disaster or an external attack.

India is grappling with both at the moment  the Covid-19 pandemic and Chinese aggression on the border. Let us look at natural disasters first. The havoc caused by the coronavirus continues unabated, though the pressures of the lockdown have begun to ease up. Even in these moments of despair, there are some rays of hope. Immediately after the coronavirus outbreak began, people were fearful about its repercussions thanks to mixed signals from the political establishment. While there is official determination to combat the virus, we are hobbled by our limited health facilities. In such a situation, political leaders should refrain from any blame game, and many have risen to the occasion.

Let us look at the three leaders who are the most strident critics of the central government. Delhis chief minister Arvind Kejriwal won his last two elections amid the Modi wave, which was sweeping the country. When the pandemic began to spread in Delhi, disputes between the Centre and the state government peaked. But as the situation deteriorated, Kejriwal and the Centre started cooperating. Home minister Amit Shah took command, and on several occasions, Kejriwal tweeted his apprecation and gratitude to the Centre for its support.

Similarly, West Bengal chief minister, Mamata Banerjee, was initially very vocal on the lockdown, operation of trains, and central subsidies. But now, we hardly hear criticism from her. Maharashtra chief minister, Uddhav Thackeray, broke away from Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) only recently. There was bitterness on both sides. Thousands of migrant labourers gathered at Bandra station after the first lockdown ended on April 14. In many parts of Mumbai, especially in the slums of Dharavi, Covid-19 began to spread rapidly. Here too, Amit Shah took the initiative and both the governments were on the same page. Uddhavs son and cabinet member Aditya Thackeray tweeted: The Centre has taken immediate cognisance of the issue and is assisting the state actively. Im thankful to PM & HM for understanding the situation while trying to ensure the safety of home states of migrants. The kind of positivity political parties have shown after the initial setbacks has strengthened the Constitutions federal nature.

Is that enough? Beyond this crisis, India has to start thinking big in terms of its future security. The jury is still out on whether the virus is natural or man-made. Even if it is natural, there is no doubt that a totalitarian government or terrorist group can use it as a weapon in the future. India has to prepare itself for the eventuality of a bio-terror attack even though that prospect seems distant at the moment. We have to strengthen our health services and make them easily accessible. The good news is that the Finance Commission, headed by NK Singh, has started preparing a proposal to increase health expenditure to 2.1% of the Gross Domestic Product in the next five years. Now it is the turn of the state governments.

On the external front, the recent incursions on our borders by the Chinese army tell us two things. The first is that our defence system is not as effective as it should be. Second, Indians easily forget our defeats. The generation which grew up in the 1960s was apprehensive about China in the early stages. The defeat of 1962 strengthened this sentiment. What happened in Galwan Valley this time has shown that even though India is far more powerful today than it was in 1962, it still falls short of the mark. To change this, it is necessary to strengthen the economy. Most strategic successes in the world have been buttressed by economic successes. An aggressive China is more proud of its economy than it is of its army. Beijings ruling class seems to feel that the time has come to overpower, not just its immediate neighbours, but even take on the United States (US).

India needs to reduce its economic dependence on China. Just as the wounds of the 1962 war eventually healed, so will the scars of Galwan. We have to look inward at our traditional industries to strengthen our economy. After the coronavirus crisis, immigration laws will be made more stringent across the world. It may result in the flight of talent to greener pastures. This means that India needs to provide avenues for talent to flourish internally. It was in order to dominate the erstwhile Soviet Union in the 1980s that the US,and other western countries made China the worlds manufacturing hub. Today China and Russia together have become a threat to many countries in the West. This provides an opportunity for India to position itself as an attractive destination for business and services. Chinas paramount leader Deng Xiaoping did this in the 1980s. If China is the worlds factory, then we can become the worlds office, in this era of work-from-home.

If we are able to do so, we, the descendants of the Indus civilisation, will create a new history. We will have turned natural disasters and invasions into opportunities.

Shashi Shekhar is the editor-in-chief, Hindustan

The views expressed are personal
A 56-year-old man died allegedly due to drowning after his mini-truck was submerged in water under the Minto Bridge and a house near a slum area collapsed near ITO, following a heavy downpour in the city on Sunday, police said.

The man, identified as Kundan Kumar, was a resident of Pithoragarh, Uttarakhand. He was driving a Tata Ace from the New Delhi Railway Station to Connaught Place when he got stuck in the waterlogged area, they said.

A house collapsed in the slum area of Anna Nagar near ITO. Reports stated that no one was present in the house at the time of the incident. Centralised Accident and Trauma Services (CATS) and fire engines were present at the spot.

The national capital received its first spell of heavy rains, which led to waterlogging in low-lying areas and brought traffic to a standstill at key stretches in the city.

BJP MP Manoj Tiwari alleged that the AAP government's preparations have been exposed by the first spell of monsoon rains.

In a tweet in Hindi, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said, "This year, all agencies, be it Delhi government or MCD (civic body), were busy in prevention of COVID-19. They faced many difficulties due to corona. This is not the time to blame each other. All have to fulfil their responsibilities together. Wherever there is waterlogging, we will try to pump out water immediately."

Later, in another tweet, the chief minister said water had been drained from the Minto Bridge. Kejriwal said he had been in touch with the agencies and monitoring the process of removing water from there.

In Himachal Pradesh, locals of the Badseri Village were rescued from Kharoghla Nalla in Kinnaur after flash floods were triggered by heavy rainfall in the region.

Heavy rains continued its havoc in Uttrakhand as water from Gori river washed away four houses, and large tracts of cultivable land at Chori Bagar village in Bangapani sub division of the district, an official said on Sunday.

A portion of a bridge also collapsed at Madkhot on Pithoragarh Munsyari road, following incessant rainfall on Sunday.

#WATCH Uttarakhand: A portion of a bridge collapses at Madkhot on Pithoragarh Munsyari road, following incessant rainfall. pic.twitter.com/x2KDrkGiHn ANI (@ANI) July 19, 2020

However, there was no casualty as occupants of the houses had been evacuated to safety in advance, the official said.

All the main motor roads that link the district headquarters to the sub divisions of Bangapani, Munsiyari and Dharchula in the border district are closed following heavy rains on Saturday night.

The affected families have been provided 20 kgs of ration and other essentials besides a sum of Rs 1.19 lakh as compensation, SDM in charge of Bangapani, AK Shukla said.

The Badrinath Highway was blocked due to rainfall-induced landslide in Bhanerpani and Pipalkoti area. Chamoli district administration and National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) were reported to be clearing the highway and distributed water bottles and biscuits to the stranded passengers.

Uttarakhand: Teams of Chamoli district administration and NDRF are clearing the Badrinath Highway which was blocked at Bhanerpani, Pipalkoti due to landslide. The district administration distributed water bottles & biscuits to the stranded passengers. pic.twitter.com/nzE7ojVwnD ANI (@ANI) July 19, 2020

In Southern India, water overflowed and entered into residential areas of Chellanam, a coastal village in Kochi due to the monsoon rains.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday assured all support to Assam in dealing with the flood havoc, which has claimed 81 lives so far this year.

An official at the Chief Minister's Office said that Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal informed Modi about all the measures the state has taken so far in dealing with the problems faced by the people.

The total number of people killed in this year's flood and landslide has gone up to 107 across the state, of whom 81 were killed in flood-related incidents and 26 died due to landslides, the Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA) said in its morning bulletin.

Floods have hit over 27 lakh people in 26 of the 33 districts of Assam and destroyed houses, crops, roads and bridges at several places.

We are taking all steps for damage mitigation of the flood affected people along with adequate heathcare facilities. I have urged district admin to provide necessary relief measures on a war-footing and ensure social distancing in the area.#AssamFloods Sarbananda Sonowal (@sarbanandsonwal) July 19, 2020

"We are taking all steps for damage mitigation of the flood affected people along with adequate healthcare facilities. I have urged district admin to provide necessary relief measures on a war-footing and ensure social distancing in the area," Sonowal said in a tweet.

The country has received six per cent more rainfall than normal so far in this monsoon season, but precipitation in parts of north India remains deficient, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said on Sunday.

The IMD has four meteorological divisions and rainfall has been more than normal in the south peninsula, central India, and east and northeast India divisions.

But the northwest India division, which covers Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Punjab, Delhi and Rajasthan, has recorded a 19 per cent deficiency, according to the IMD.

(With inputs from ANI and PTI)
Two Florida public service pension funds have asked a US court to certify as a class action their claims that drugs company Perrigo harmed investors by allegedly failing to disclose its liability on a 1.6bn tax assessment from Revenue.

Plaintiffs for the funds - the Boca Raton General Employees' Pension Plan and the Palm Bay Police and Firefighters' Pension Fund - said the dispute meets the requirements to certify it as a class action. This would combine several potential lawsuits with similar claims and damages into a single proceeding led by one firm.

The conflict stems from Revenue's audit of Elan's sale of a 50pc stake in Tysabri to Biogen. The deal happened eight months before Perrigo's acquisition of Elan in 2013.

Through the deal, Elan received $3.25bn (2.9bn) and an ongoing royalty stream.

Revenue claims it should have been taxed as capital gains at 33pc instead of trading income at 12.5pc. Court documents said Revenue told the company of the charge in an October 2018 audit letter.

Perrigo appealed against the decision by Revenue last February. A hearing into the matter concluded last month, with the Irish courts still to announce their judgment.

The plaintiffs claim Perrigo failed to share the tax liability in the October 2018 letter from Revenue to its investors when filing a quarterly report in November 2018 to the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

The group of investors allege Perrigo didn't reveal the extent of its liability until an SEC filing in December 2018, causing Perrigo's share price to fall by 30pc in a day. They are looking for class action certification of all entities damaged by buying the stock between November 8, 2018, through December 20, 2018.

The motion was filed on July 10 to the US District Court for the Southern District of New York. Legal news website Law360 said Perrigo had looked to have the case dismissed, but a US Judge ruled in January that the plaintiffs could pursue their claim. Perrigo declined to comment.
A mum-of-two who was lucky to escape a horrific car crash last week has pleaded with death drivers to think twice before getting behind the wheel.

Shauneen McMullan (49) narrowly avoided being seriously hurt or killed when she was involved in a smash on the Colin Glen Road, west Belfast, last Sunday.

The human resources worker was on her way to collect her son, passing the popular Farmers Inn pub, when she was involved in a collision with another car.

Shauneen, who had to be cut out of her vehicle as joyriders fled the scene, had a message for those responsible and others like them.

She said: "I would like to say to people who decide to make a choice to get into a car and do that; look around at the people you love, look at your friends and family.

"How would you feel if all that was taken away from you all of a sudden, if somebody you loved and cared about was taken away from you, because somebody chose to drive a car like that? Joy ride? It's more like a death ride."



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In the aftermath of the crash the occupants of the other vehicle scarpered while Shauneen was left trapped in her car fearing the worst as firefighters desperately battled to free her from the wreckage.

She recalled: "It's a winding road and I didn't know if he was trying to overtake until I saw him go full throttle, full speed, and nearly into a hedge.

"I tried to move over as much as I could and just heard the noise of the impact, all I remember is that noise and then I came to.

"When I woke up I was in that much pain, I was trying to scream and nothing was coming out because I was in shock. All I could see at first was the air bag.

"My first actual thought was 'I am hurt' as I could feel pain but I didn't where it was coming from, I know that sounds strange but I couldn't.



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"I couldn't see if I was bleeding or had broken any bones, one of the people who had come out of their house to help came over and held my hand.

"I asked him twice if I was hurt and he just said he couldn't see any bleeding and was getting me to wiggle my toes.

"At that stage a couple of people had come out of their houses nearby and I could see them running about but I didn't know why.

"I found out later they were chasing the ones in the car, there was four of them in the car I think, I believe one was injured and the other three ran off towards Mount Eagles direction."

Following the incident there were a number of appeals on social media for information to help trace the occupants of the other vehicle.

Shauneen, who is recovering at home, was full of praise for the bystanders and frontline workers who rushed to her aid, adding: "The people who came out of their houses were just amazing, they called the ambulance, fire service and the police and were looking after me until they arrived. They were absolutely brilliant.



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"The fire brigade had to cut the door off because the impact had rendered it useless. I can't thank them enough either, they were so good throughout the whole thing. One firefighter got into the back seat of the car and was talking me through the whole process step by step and calming me down.

"It was a very, very, very terrifying experience, but with all those people there holding my hand I felt reassured."

The west Belfast woman has been left so traumatised that she doesn't know if she will ever feel safe in a car again.

"It's insane, you go out to pick up your son and end up in that mess. I think cars should be classed as deadly weapons because they are. For somebody to choose to get behind the wheel and behave like that and misuse that dangerous weapon, it's happening far too much and the consequences aren't severe enough when it comes to the law.

"The bruises have started to come up but it's the emotional trauma. I am terrified of getting into a car now, I'm not sure if I will feel safe and protected in one ever again," she explained.
Artists paint on a boarded-up building amid coronavirus closures and protests in the East Village on June 19, 2020, in New York City.

Gotham/Getty Images

Street artists found new canvases across New York City during the coronavirus lockdown.

When restaurants, stores, and museums boarded up their windows, people filled the plywood with words, pictures, and scribbles.

Some pieces reflect emotionally charged moments during the pandemic and the Black Lives Matter movement.

These photos show what it's like to walk through the streets of New York City right now, full of murals and messages.

Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

Artists in NYC have found an unconventional canvas around the city during the coronavirus pandemic  boarded-up storefronts. In July, The New York Times reported on colorful mural popping up across the city on the plywood covering stores.

Street art is on display on the boarded-up windows of Sunspel in SoHo on June 20, 2020 in New York City.

Gotham/Getty Images

Source: The New York Times

Many businesses boarded up their windows when they closed for the lockdown, Ben Yakas wrote for the Gothamist.

Street artists are seen working on boarded-up buildings amid coronavirus closures and anti-racism protests in SoHo on June 16, 2020, in New York City.

Gotham/Getty Images

Source: Gothamist

Some looting broke out in May and June amid Black Lives Matter protests in response to the killing of George Floyd in police custody. To protect their stores, more businesses boarded up their windows. It's unclear if there is any connection between the vandalism and the protests.

Artists paint on the boarded-up windows of a building in SoHo on June 20, 2020, in New York City.

Gotham/Getty Images

Source: Reuters, Business Insider

Defined by the NYPD as marking up property with "intent to damage," graffiti is illegal.

Street art featuring the character Bart Simpson is on display in SoHo on June 21, 2020, in New York City.

Gotham/Getty Images

Source: NYPD, The New York Times

A street artist named EASY who painted in the 1980s told The Times that today, it feels safer. Back then, people thought graffiti writers in certain neighborhoods were painting secret messages about endangering others, he said.

Street art is displayed on a boarded up 7-Eleven store in the East Village on June 19, 2020, in New York City.

Gotham/Getty Images

Source: The New York Times

Wearing a mask is normal during the pandemic. This makes it easier for street artists to hide their identity around any potential surveillance cameras, NYT reporter David Gonzalez wrote.

Street art on boarded-up buildings in the East Village on June 16, 2020, in New York City.

Gotham/Getty Images

Source: The New York Times

Story continues

The NYPD told CNBC that fewer people are complaining about graffiti this year than they were in 2019. Graffiti complaints in 2020 were down 11% as of May 10.

An artist paints on the boarded-up windows of the Whitney Museum of American Art on June 21, 2020, in New York City.

Gotham/Getty Images

Source: CNBC

Some artists in the Bowery neighborhood told Reuters that they asked businesses for permission to paint on their boards.

Artists paint a mural on a boarded-up storefront as part of a neighborhood project in the Bowery neighborhood of Manhattan in New York City on June 17, 2020.

REUTERS/Brendan McDermid

Source: Reuters

A former graffiti artist, Eric Felisbret, told CNBC the art reminds him of the murals that followed September 11, 2001  intending to spread "harmony instead of discord."

An artist paints on a boarded-up building in SoHo on June 20, 2020, in New York City.

Gotham/Getty Images

Source: CNBC

Felisbret said that New York's mostly empty streets were an ideal environment for street artists because they can paint without being seen by many.

Artists paint on the boarded-up windows of Alo Yoga in SoHo on June 20, 2020, in New York City.

Gotham/Getty Images

Source: CNBC

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Mohammed Khalil, of Clementon, talks about his brother, Jabed Ikbal, 24, missing off the bay in Ocean City near the Longport Bridge. Read more

Firefighters recovered an unidentified body found floating Saturday in the Great Egg Harbor Inlet between Ocean City and Longport, and authorities were investigating whether it was that of a 24-year-old man who was missing and presumed drowned last Sunday after swimming in rough waters.

A fisherman found the body about 6 a.m. and called 911, according to a statement from Doug Berman, a spokesperson for Ocean City. The Longport Fire Department launched a boat and recovered the body, the statement said.

The family of the missing swimmer was informed, officials said.

Jabed Ikbal, 24, went missing after he was caught in rough waters near the Ocean City-Longport Bridge. His family said he split time between Clementon, N.J., and Brooklyn.

He was a very good man, his brother, Mohammed Khalil, said Monday in an interview with The Inquirer. He always has family that loves him. My mother and father, they love him. Thats all I can say.

Authorities said Ikbal had helped two family members to safety before he was pulled under by rough surf kicked up by Tropical Storm Fay.

The New Jersey Southern Regional Medical Examiners Office was working to identify the body Saturday.
Kaduva and SG 250, the upcoming Prithviraj Sukumaran project, and Suresh Gopi's 250th outing in Malayalam cinema, have been making headlines recently, with the legal battle between the makers. Now, Tomichan Mulakupadam, the producer of SG 250, has lashed out against the makers Kaduva, in a recent interview given to a popular Malayalam daily.

In the interview, the producer stated that the Kaduva team has created unnecessary controversy by alleging plagiarism and filing a lawsuit against SG 250. According to Tomichan Mulakupadam, the legal battle was totally unnecessary, if the character Kaduvakunnel Kuruvachan and his story were originally developed by the senior writer Renji Panicker.

The producer alleged that Kaduva team has even misled the honorable judiciary, by claiming that the character and story are developed by the writer of the project, Jinu Abraham. Tomichan Mulakupadam even accused that the makers of the Prithviraj Sukumaran starrer decided to move legally, only after the teaser of SG 250 earned immense popularity and took social media by storm.

In the interview, Tomichan Mulakupadam also revealed that the script of SG 250 is penned by Shibin Francis from the USA, not by the director Mathew Thomas as Jinu Abraham stated in his lawsuit. A few portions of the movie was filmed in December 2019, and those visuals are used in the first teaser that was released on Suresh Gopi's birthday.

Coming to Kaduva, lead actor-co-producer Prithviraj Sukumaran has not reacted to the controversies surrounding the two projects yet. However, Shaji Kailas, the director of the movie had recently revealed that Prithviraj is playing a fictional character in the movie. The senior filmmaker has also confirmed that Kaduva is not based on real-life incidents.

Also Read:

Fahadh Faasil: 'Malayalam Cinema Of The 80s Influenced Me A Lot'

Nivin Pauly's Gangster Of Mundanmala: Here's Everything You Need To Know!


Mastercard (NYSE:MA) has certainly delivered strong returns for its investors. As the U.S. and the rest of the world has gradually become more cashless, it's been a huge catalyst for payment processing businesses like Mastercard. Over the past decade alone, Mastercard's share price has risen by more than 1,400% and the company now has a market cap of more than $300 billion. And it may surprise you to learn that there are now more than 2.6 billion Mastercard-branded credit and debit cards in existence.

However, the growth might still have a long way to go. Mastercard's market cap would need to more than triple to reach the exclusive $1 trillion club, but if it keeps growing its business and the cashless trends continue around the world, it could certainly get there.

Mastercard's growth has been impressive

Over the past decade, e-commerce has grown from just 4% of all retail sales to about 11.5%, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. And this trend is progressing even faster in several key international markets.

What's more, in-person cashless payments have accelerated in recent years. Companies like Square (NYSE:SQ) and other fintechs have made it far more convenient to pay with cards and other cashless methods, and meanwhile cash has become less convenient. The COVID-19 pandemic could provide an additional tailwind -- cash isn't exactly the cleanest method of payment.

All of this has combined to produce some pretty impressive growth:

Metric 2019 Year-Over-Year growth 2018 Year-Over-Year Growth 2017 Year-Over-Year Growth Revenue 13% 20% 16% EPS (adjusted) 20% 42% 21%

The bulk of the growth could be yet to come

Despite the surge in e-commerce and cashless payments in recent years, there could be much more potential ahead for Mastercard.

This is especially true in international markets. While we generally think of credit cards as universally accepted forms of payment in the United States, that's simply not the case in many highly populated areas around the world. In fact, Mastercard's management has estimated that about 80% of payment transactions around the world still take place in cash.

By 2023, total card payment volume worldwide is expected to reach $45 trillion annually and considering the current annualized payment volume among the four major payment networks is about $17 trillion (Mastercard's share of this is about $6 trillion), it's fair to say that there's lots of room to grow. And that's not including non-payment types of money transfers, such as cross-border and person-to-person transfers, which are another big potential growth avenue.

Mastercard's main rival, Visa (NYSE:V) has estimated the total worldwide payments market to be a staggering $185 trillion in size. And while Visa is the market leader, Mastercard isn't too far behind, and both companies could conceivably multiply their payment volume several times over in the coming years.

Will Mastercard join the $1 trillion market cap club?

While I don't necessarily think Mastercard will get to $1 trillion in the next year or so, I think there's a strong chance of it happening in the next decade or so. In order for Mastercard to increase in value from $300 billion to $1 trillion in 10 years, it would need to generate 12.7% annualized growth, which actually sounds quite conservative given the company's recent history and the favorable trends.
Most schools in California will begin the school year next month remotely under new state rules announced by Gov. Gavin Newsom on Friday.

Schools may only physically open for in-person teaching if the county they are located in has been off the states monitoring list for 14 consecutive days, Newsom said. As of Friday, 33 counties  including Los Angeles, Orange, Ventura, San Francisco, San Diego and Santa Barbara  are still on the state watchlist.

For in-person classes, all staff and students in third grade and above will be required to wear face masks, Newsom said, while those in K-2 will be encouraged to wear them. Students who refuse to or are unable to wear masks will be asked to attend classes remotely.

Also Read: Glendale Has Most COVID-19 Deaths, East LA the Most Cases, City Controller's Tracker Finds

Staff must also remain 6 ft. apart from one another and from their students. If there is a single case in a classroom, that class students and teacher  will be asked to stay home to self-quarantine. But if there is an outbreak at an individual school, where about 5% of that school has tested positive, that school may close entirely, depending on guidance from public health officials. And if 25% of schools in a district have closed due to COVID-19, that entire district must shut down.

Meanwhile, for schools beginning the academic year with online learning, districts must provide students with devices and access to internet connectivity so they can participate remotely, Newsom said. Students must also receive daily live interaction with their teachers and classmates, and adapted lessons for English learners and those with special education needs must be provided.

Our students, our teachers, staff, and certainly parents, we all prefer in-classroom instructions for all the obvious reasons, Newsom said. But only  only  if it can be done safely.

Read original story Most California Schools Will Begin School Year Remotely Under New State Rules At TheWrap
Ferrari was still supreme at this time of year last season, especially in qualifying. Their engine positions during an ultimate lap were unrivalled. Mattia Binotto admitted this week that the clarification of the rules for this did indeed hurt them. At Toto Wolff that led to a fierce reaction this weekend.

"That's complete nonsense again," Wolff told Motorsport.com and others this weekend. "The rules for the power source were clear to anyone who obeyed the rules. The irony is that they took us to an absolute new level. It almost brought us to a burn-out last year."

Angry Wolff

Wolff points to the enormous lead of his team in Hungary how much they benefit from that now. But it is clear that the matter of the Ferrari engine is still bothering him, especially after the secret agreement between the Italians and the FIA. That's why he's also aiming at Ferrari's comments about the negotiations on the new Concorde Agreement.

"They make a fool of themselves with those comments", says Wolff about the fact that Ferrari and McLaren have indicated that they are ready to sign, but that some other teams are still undecided. This refers to Mercedes, which is not yet completely satisfied with the outcome of the negotiations.
GARDAI in Tipperary Town are investigating a fatal road traffic collision that occurred on Saturday at approximately 5pm on the N74 at Moatequarter, Kilfeacle, Tipperary.

The collision involved two motorcycles and a tractor with a trailer. Gardai and ambulance services attended the scene. One male motorcyclist, aged 25, was fatally injured. His body was removed from the scene and taken to University Hospital Waterford where a post-mortem will take place.

The second male motorcyclist, aged 33, was seriously injured and taken to University Hospital Limerick.

The male tractor driver, aged 21, was uninjured. Garda Forensic Investigators carried out an examination of the scene and the road has now reopened.

Gardai in Tipperary Town are appealing for anyone with information in relation to this collision to come forward. Gardai are also appealing for any road users who may have camera footage (including dash-cam) who were travelling on the N74 between Tipperary Town and Cashel to make this footage available to Gardai.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Tipperary Town Garda Station on 062 - 80670, the Garda Confidential Line 1800 666 111, or any Garda Station.
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Linkedin Gemma Holliani Cahya (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Sun, July 19, 2020 15:34 549 6657ac82168da9fa101c8a406679211e 1 National COVID-19,Education,distance-learning,#COVID19,#education,e-learning Free

For the past four months, more than 60 million students across the nation have been forced to study from home during the COVID-19 pandemic. But online learning presents new obstacles, particularly with uneven access to technology and inadequate online teaching methods, and concern is now growing that remote learning could worsen inequalities in education.

A survey launched on Thursday by the SMERU Research Institute showed that while teachers in major cities in Java had proper facilities to teach their students online, teachers in villages, especially outside Java, have needed to visit their students homes to give and collect homework because of a lack of access to the internet and digital devices.

Students [without access to technology] are mostly state school students in villages, especially outside Java. They are prone to experiencing losses in education, Florischa Ayu Tresnatri, a researcher at SMERU, said in a public discussion Thursday.

Among other recommendations, the report urges the Education Ministry and Culture Ministry and local education agencies to make interventions to support teachers and to prevent inequalities in education from widening.

A similar survey by the education ministry found that most schools in Indonesia, or 97.6 percent of schools surveyed, have moved to remote learning during the pandemic. The survey, however, also found that distance learning has reduced teacher-student interactions significantly.

During the pandemic, interaction between teachers and students has decreased. Students are only engaged in learning activities around two to four days a week, and for less than two hours a day, Iwan Syahri, the ministrys director general for teachers and educational staff, said.

Iwan said the COVID-19 outbreak had challenged every teacher in Indonesia to adapt and find new ways to teach their students. The ministry, he said, had launched a website called Guru Berbagi to provide a space for teachers to share teaching methods and learning materials they have used during pandemic  either for online classes or in combination with online and offline classes.

There are many ways to improve the learning process [...] because we cannot wait until we reach the ideal internet connectivity rate [nationwide], he said.

A 2018 Indonesian Internet Providers Association (APJII) survey showed that although 64.8 percent of the Indonesian population was connected to the internet, these numbers were centralized in Java.

Read also: Teachers go extra mile to teach students as schools remain closed

Iwan said the ministry would soon launch an adaptive curriculum, which will be tailored to the needs of teaching and learning activities during pandemic.

We have to adjust our expectations [toward education]. This [health] emergency is not only about how we shift to using new tools for learning, he said.

Several community groups across the country, meanwhile, have taken the initiative to help students from economically disadvantaged families access online classes.

One such group is Wartawan Lintas Media (Journalists Across Media), which was established by journalists from various media outlets in Jakarta. The groups latest project encourages people to donate old but still functioning smartphones to help students with no access to technology during the pandemic. The group is also collecting donations for mobile data plans.

Group member Agnes Theodora Wolkh Wagunu said the idea came when the group members were distributing aid, mostly food supplies, to low-income families in Jakarta in the early days of the pandemic. They often found that children from these families could not access online classes because their parents did not have devices for their children to use.

The group is also raising funds on crowdfunding platform Kitabisa.

Agnes said some people from other provinces had also reached out to the group for input on how to start similar campaigns in their regions.

It will take a long time if we rely on the government  because of its bureaucracy. Not to mention that [intervention] also requires political will; and the government probably already has too much on its plate as well. So, now we are doing what we can to help others, Agnes said.

Read also: Teacher recruitment needs better quality, equality: IGI

In Yogyakarta, an initiative called BisaBelajar has been collecting donations for mobile data plans for students from low-income families.

The group found that the parents of many students who struggled to participate in online classes were low-skilled subcontract workers or tourism workers, a sector that has been hit particularly hard by the pandemic.

Hasnaa Naila, the initiator of the movement, said it started collecting its first batch of donations in April to help elementary and secondary school students in Yogyakarta who required internet access to prepare for the semesters final exams.

In the first round of fundraising from May to June, BisaBelajar collected around Rp 5.2 million ($354), which it used to pay for mobile data plans for 160 students in Yogyakarta. The group will continue raising funds until students return to school.

We understand that internet connectivity is not the only problem []. We continue looking for what else we can do to help," said Naila, who graduated from a university in Yogyakarta in February. "At the end of the day, we are doing the best we can to help."

Editor's note: Updated to correct details of fundraising efforts
As the summer rolls along with far too many of us than is necessary or wise under lockdown and travel restrictions, we deal with the failings of our infectious disease bureaucracy, the likelihood of another Supreme Court battle, and what Conrad Black correctly calls The Nightmare Campaign of Outright Idiocy. Hang tough. Reason will prevail.

1.) The Incompetence of the Federal Disease Control Bureaucracy

The White House has finally had it with the incompetence and partisanship of the CDC, and it couldnt come fast enough for me. It has ordered all data on COVID-19 to be sent directly to the Department of Health and Human Services bypassing the CDC completely.

The latest blunder, and possibly the final straw is the discovery that CDC has been lumping positive tests for Wuhan virus and antibodies into one number: The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and several state health departments have been reporting COVID-19 diagnostic tests and antibody tests as one grand tally, rather than keeping their results separate, The Atlantic reported. Reporting these numbers as a lump sum, rather than two distinct data points, presents several major issues. Namely, combining the numbers could make Americas diagnostic testing capabilities and testing rates appear higher than they actually are, according to The Atlantic. And as the tests serve profoundly different purposes, positive results from either test cannot be interpreted in the same way. Reporting all the positive results together, as one number, could skew our understanding of how many new COVID-19 cases emerge over time -- a crucial metric to help control outbreaks as states begin reopening. When told how the CDC chose to lump the results of both tests together, director of the Harvard Global Health Institute Ashish Jha told The Atlantic, Youve got to be kidding me How could the CDC make that mistake? This is a mess. Exactly so. But if you were trying to create a narrative of an out-of-control pandemic, one that was possibly deadly, what better way do that than include the results of hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of people who have had Wuhan and likely didnt even know theyd ever been infected into the current count of active cases? Alternatively, you could just be a f***ing idiot.

Maybe it wasnt just incompetence. Red State quotes Tracy Beanz:

A senior administration official who spoke to UncoverDC expressed serious concern about politicization at the CDC, saying We have scientists who are working against the release of diagnostics that will help heal the American people, and we in the administration are concerned they will do the same thing with a vaccine. CDC has been doing studies and presenting analysis that is designed to hurt the President. They are laying out junk science, that is designed to discredit the President, and they are putting out reports that are designed to frighten the American people. They are leaking, they are talking to the media, and removing data from the website and doing whatever it takes to interrupt the Presidents coronavirus response. When the pandemic began, the CDC was using an antiquated system to track infectious disease. The official we spoke to told this reporter that the CDC was hesitant to upgrade their systems, and when the Trump Administration made the decision to move data collection from the CDC to HHS, the CDC removed all hospitalization data from their website indiscriminately, and not at the direction of HHS or anyone else, as has been insinuated elsewhere. The official told us CDC had all of the data and didnt put it up, because they were mad. CDC has been ordered to continue providing the data; as an operating division of HHS, they must comply. Now, everyone is operating from the same database, in real time and complete. Addressing the issues with the data collection process from the start, UncoverDC was told Before COVID struck, there was an outdated system that was monitoring infectious disease. This outdated system was still operating via fax in many cases. When COVID hit, the CDC resisted modernizing their database to provide COVID information that was necessary to save lives. When asked to improve their database they would give timelines in the weeks not in days. In the end, they were just unable to keep up with the pandemic. The official added, They were just too slow, and too unconcerned with improving. They were the anchor dragging behind. When asked whether the serious issues encountered at the CDC are purposeful, the official stated, In many cases this is purposeful. There are people who hate Donald Trump more than they are committed to their duties as doctors and scientists.

2. Another Possible Supreme Court Hearing, Certain to be Contentious

The latest storm of vitriol and partisanship is likely to center on Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, who had known since some time in May that her liver cancer has returned, and had been undergoing a course of chemotherapy (gemcitabine) since May 19. This week she announced, quite tardily it seemed to me, this significant medical information, bringing us up to date on the latest:

My most recent scan on July 7 indicated significant reduction of the liver lesions and no new disease. I am tolerating chemotherapy well and am encouraged by the success of my current treatment. I will continue bi-weekly chemotherapy to keep my cancer at bay, and am able to maintain an active daily routine, Throughout, I have kept up with opinion writing and all other Court work.

Whatever you think of her, I think it unlikely that she will survive much longer, even as resilient as she is. Shes 87. In 1999 she was treated for colon cancer; in 2009 for pancreatic cancer; in 2018 for lung cancer; in 2019 for a tumor on her pancreas. And now, liver cancer.

She has reiterated that she will remain a member of the Court as long as I can do the job full steam. I remain fully able to do that, but I think that is a very optimistic assessment, given her history and age.

If her assessment does prove overly optimistic and a replacement is needed, we can expect the Democrats will dial up the cant and lies we saw in the Gorsuch and Kavanaugh hearings a couple hundred notches. Majority Leader Mitch McConnell will have his work cut out for him. It cannot have escaped Trumps opponents that due to McConnells deft hand, the President has significantly altered the federal judiciary, getting Senate confirmation of 200 federal court judges. (Two Supreme Court justices, 53 Courts of Appeals judges and 143 U.S. District Court Judges.) Thanks, too, should go to former President Obama who left all these vacancies, doubtless in the belief that Hillary Clinton would be his successor and he could count on her to fill these slots with the same kind of activist leftwing judges he would have appointed. To no small extent, the judiciary and the Supreme Court in particular, have outsize, unwarranted power here these days and this is why such confirmation hearings increasingly look like pitched battles, but here we are and thats the fact.

3. Urban Crime, Mudslinging Media, Stalled Action on Russiagate Criminal Prosecutions

Conrad Black convincingly argues that Americans will banish the arsonists engaged in violent crimes in our major urban centers, who have the endorsement of people like Mitt Romney and Joe Biden, and that with its anti-Trump cast on everything, the media has immolated itself.

With less than four months before the election, this is the campaign: a constant media carpet-bombing of defamatory lies about the president on behalf of a comatose candidate, propagation of unfounded hysteria over a fading pandemic, self-induced and redundant economic depression, open borders to admit and give free medical care to the unskilled peasantry of the world, and national self-abasement before militant African Americans demanding minority rule and the renunciation and degradation of those who founded the United States and led it to a pinnacle of influence in the world unequaled in all history. And this ludicrous, almost unimaginable, mockery of a quest for the worlds highest office is, in the perversity of these times, apparently leading in the polls.

To expand upon Blacks comments on the Black Lives Matter movement, no one does it better than Glenn C. Loury, a black economist who is a professor at Brown University, in an interview I urge you read in its entirety.

Here are some brief excerpts:

On claims that you cannot understand blacks' positions because you are not black:

I think its extremely dangerous that people accept without criticism this argumentative-authority move when its played. Its ad hominem. Were supposed to impute authority to people because of their racial identity? I want you to think about that for a minute. Were you to flip the script on that, you might see the problem. What experiences are black people unable to appreciate by virtue of their blackness? If they have so much insight, maybe they also have blind spots. Maybe a black person could never understand something because theyre so full of rage about being black. Think about how awful it would be to make that move in an argument. Suppose someone, a white guy, is arguing about affirmative action with you. Suppose he thinks that affirmative action is undignified because he thinks that positions should be earned, not given, but he allows that he doesnt expect someone like you to understand that argument because youre black. That would be terribly unreasonable -- even racist. Yet Im hard-pressed to see the difference.

On the subject of systemic racism:

People cry, structural racism. Is that why the homicide rate is an order of magnitude higher among young black men? They say structural racism. Is that why the SAT test-score gap is as big as it is? They say structural racism. Is that why two in three black American kids are born to women without a husband? Is it all about structural racism? Is everything structural racism? It has become a tautology explaining everything. All racial disparities are due to structural racism, evidently. Covid-19 comes along and theres a disparity in the health incidence. Its due to structural racism. Theyre naming partners at a New York City law firm and there are few black faces. Structural racism. Theyre admitting people to specialized exam schools in New York City and the Asians do better. This has to be structural racism, with a twist -- the twist being that this time, the structural racism somehow comes out favoring the Asians. This is not social science. This is propaganda. Its religion. People are trying to win arguments by using words as if they were weapons. They point to history. But the history is complicated. Yes, there was slavery. Yes, there was segregation. Yes, there was redlining. There were other things, too. A lot has happened in American history. Is the relatively marginal position of African-Americans taken within American political economy a causal result of Jim Crow segregation? Nobody knows the answer to that question. Im not saying that you wont find many patterns or practices of racial mistreatment in history, but Im saying that the link between them and the contemporary circumstances of African-American communities, especially at the bottom end, is woefully inadequate to explain what we see.

Toughen up, buttercups; your fellow citizens are not going to back a party that endorses looting and violence. Americans will not accept the Democrats propaganda that we are racists if we take the view that civilization demands respect for person and property. Americans will not vote for a party led into the battle by a demented weak old man, a puppet for Marxists which have taken over the Democratic party, who is running a campaign of outright idiocy, but its not going to be easy listening to all their lies for the next few months.
But if covering domestic violence, which takes place mainly behind closed doors, is difficult in normal times, telling the story of its rise during a time of lockdowns and quarantines poses an even bigger challenge. That is why Christopher Lee, a photographer, opted to focus on the hotline workers. He began photographing them in the Austin, Dallas-Fort Worth and Houston metro areas in May.

According to Dr. Noel Busch-Armendariz, director of the Institute on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault at the University of Texas at Austin, 38 percent of adult women in Texas in 2011 reported having been in an abusive relationship. The stay-at-home orders have had a severe effect on the most vulnerable women, and domestic violence centers are bracing themselves for the worst.

In Texas, which reported record numbers of daily cases of Covid-19 four times last week, the governor signaled on Friday the possibility of a new economic lockdown if the state cannot curtail its outbreak.
(Natural News) A day after he warned that a statewide shutdown could be in the cards if people didnt start wearing masks, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has now stated that there are no plans for such a shutdown.

I get this question, it seems like, a thousand times a day, Abbott said in an interview with Houstons KPRC-TV. People are panicking thinking Im about to shut down Texas again. The answer is no.

Abbotts proclamation that a new shutdown isnt happening comes after Texas set a new high with almost 10,800 new coronavirus cases, alongside a record 110 deaths.

Abbot backtracks on earlier warnings

Abbot saying that a new shutdown isnt necessary for Texas is an about-face of his position a week before. On July 10, in the face of rising coronavirus numbers in the state  as well as the increasing number of people flouting his statewide mask mandate  Abbott stated that the next step for the state could be another economic shutdown.

Things will get worse, and let me explain why, he said in an interview with KLBK TV last week. The deaths that were seeing announced today and yesterday  which are now over 100  those are people who likely contracted COVID-19 in late May.

The worst is yet to come as we work our way through that massive increase in people testing positive, he added.

Abbott continued to push that message in various television interviews last week; however, he has since backtracked and is now cautioning people against panicking over a shutdown that he now says isnt coming.

In his recent interview with KPRC-TV, Abbott seemed to imply that a shutdown would only delay the spread of the virus and that people should instead follow his mask mandate.

If we were to shut down for two weeks, as some people are asking, once we open back up you would then see things begin to spread again, Abbott said.

Abbott followed this up by saying that until medicines that could slow down COVID-19 had been found, the only thing that people could do to stem the pandemic would be to wear a face mask whenever they went out.

Masks, not shutdown, key to fighting the coronavirus

Abbot has repeatedly stressed this week that he would be able to avoid shutting down the state if people wore masks.

As of Thursday, July 16, there were 10,457 people in Texas hospitals with COVID-19. This was down slightly from a peak of 10,649 on July 14, but still an 8 percent increase from the previous week and four times the number from June.

Abbott said that the slight dip in the hospitalization numbers offered the state a glimmer of hope. However, he still doubled down on his mask rhetoric, saying that they needed to get everyone in the state wearing face masks.

Not everyone was happy with Abbott pushing his mask order. Early Thursday, the governor faced criticism from fellow Texas Republicans during an online Texas GOP convention.

While Abbott acknowledged the criticism, he remained adamant that the mask order was necessary to avoid a shutdown.

The last thing that any of us want is to lock Texas back down again, he said during the virtual convention.

Democrats, on the other hand, have continued to push for Abbott to take more action to stop the spread of the pandemic.

Governor Abbott should start listening to public health officials and members of his own coronavirus taskforce before he makes blanket claims, said Abhi Rahman, a state Democratic party spokesperson, to the Texas Tribune. After experiencing record deaths today and over 10,000 new cases, its shocking that Abbott continues to double down on his failed policies and positions.

Follow Pandemic.news to learn more about how U.S. states are battling the coronavirus.

Sources include:

TheEpochTimes.com

Click2Houston.com

EverythingLubbock.com
Scranton, PA (18503)

Today

A mix of clouds and sun early followed by cloudy skies this afternoon. High 41F. Winds SW at 10 to 15 mph..

Tonight

Cloudy. Snow showers developing late. Low around 25F. Winds W at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of snow 70%. Snow accumulations less than one inch.
By PTI

NEW DELHI: The ICMR will conduct a multi-centric study to assess whether the BCG vaccine, used against tuberculosis, can prevent the occurrence of coronavirus infection and reduce the severity of the disease and mortality among elderly individuals residing in hotspot areas.

The study will be carried out in Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Delhi in approximately 1,500 healthy volunteers above 60-years of age, an ICMR scientist said.

Sanction has already been accorded to the trial by the ICMR's National Institute for Research in Tuberculosis (NIRT) in Chennai by the Tamil Nadu government on July 15 to study the efficacy of BCG vaccine in the elderly.

The BCG-COVID trial, under the auspices of ICMR would be held in five other centres -- National Institute of Occupational Health, Ahmedabad, National Institute for Research in Environmental Health in Bhopal, GS Medical College and KEM Hospital in Mumbai, National Institute for Implementation Research on Non-Communicable Diseases in Jodhpur and AIIMS, New Delhi.

"As a part of this multi-centric study which will be carried out at six sites, elderly people not affected by coronavirus infection, will be given the Bacille Calmette Guerin (BCG) vaccine. The same BCG vaccine that is administered to newborn babies as a part of National Immunization programme for more than 50 years in the country will be used in this study," the ICMR scientist said.

"The objective is to see if the shots can prevent the occurrence of the coronavirus infection and reduce the severity of the disease and mortality rate among the elderly individuals residing in hotspot areas," the scientist said.

There are pre-set criteria in the study that will decide on eligibility of a volunteer to participate in this study.

The volunteers would be followed up closely for a period of six months post vaccination.

Those vaccinated would be followed up and if some of them get infected with COVID-19 later on, it would be assessed if the BCG vaccination stood them in good stead when compared with others of the same age group who were not vaccinated.
TikTok Considers London and Other Locations for Headquarters

TikTok has been in discussions with the UK government over the past few months to locate its headquarters in London, a source familiar with the matter said, as part of a strategy to distance itself from its Chinese ownership.

London is among one of several locations the company is considering, but no decisions have been made, the source told Reuters.

It was not immediately clear what other locations are under consideration. But it has hired aggressively in California this year, including poaching Kevin Mayer, a former Walt Disney Co executive, to be TikToks chief executive. He is based in the United States.

TikTok is facing heavy scrutiny in Washington over suspicions China could force the company to turn over user data. TikTok is owned by China-based ByteDance.

The source said the company is largely focused on its issues in the United States over the last few weeks, but has not ruled out London as a potential location for its new headquarters. TikTok is expected to significantly increase the size of its workforce in London and other key locations outside of China over the next several years, the source said.

The Sunday Times reported Tiktok has broken off talks with the UK government to open a global headquarters in Britain. But a source told Reuters Tiktok was still in discussions with Britains government. TikTok declined to comment.

A former Chinese internet censor recently told The Epoch Times he was interviewed for the role of monitoring and policing videos posted by TikTok users.

He described TikToks parent company ByteDance as the largest and most terrifying censorship machine he had ever seen.

By Echo Wang

Epoch Times reporters Cathy He and Eva Fu contributed to this report.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-07-19 21:01:56|Editor: huaxia

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BAGHDAD, July 19 (Xinhua) -- Three Katyusha rockets landed Sunday near the U.S. embassy at the heavily fortified Green Zone in central the Iraqi capital Baghdad, an Interior Ministry source said.

The attack took place in the afternoon when the three rockets landed near the U.S. embassy in the Green Zone, which houses some of the main Iraqi government offices and some foreign embassies, the source told Xinhua on condition of anonymity.

There were no immediate reports on casualties, the source said.

The Green Zone has been frequently targeted by insurgents' mortar and rocket attacks. The roughly 10-square-km zone is located on the west bank of the Tigris River, which bisects the Iraqi capital.

The U.S. embassy and other Iraqi military bases, where U.S. troops stationed, have been frequently targeted by insurgent mortar and rocket attacks.

The attack came hours after Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif arrived in Baghdad for talks with Iraqi leaders.

The Iraqi-U.S. relations have witnessed a tension since Jan. 3 when a U.S. drone struck a convoy at Baghdad airport, which killed Qassem Soleimani, former commander of the Quds Force of Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps, and Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, deputy chief of Iraq's paramilitary Hashd Shaabi forces.

The U.S. airstrike prompted the Iraqi parliament on Jan. 5 to pass a resolution requiring the government to end the presence of foreign forces in the country.

More than 5,000 U.S. troops have been deployed in Iraq to support the Iraqi forces in the battles against the Islamic State militants, mainly providing training and advising to the Iraqi forces. Enditem
Underworld figure Mick Gatto has been brought in to settle a dispute between one of the controversial Corkman developers and union leader John Setka after two CFMMEU organisers were allegedly assaulted.

Building industry sources said the meeting was held earlier this month at the CFMMEUs offices in Elizabeth Street just days after the attack on two of the unions staff.

Underworld figure Mick Gatto. Credit:Pat Scala

The organisers were "attacked and jumped" by up to seven people, the CFMMEU has alleged, after the union staff arrived at the Toorak Road site in Hawthorn East.

One of the organisers was taken to The Alfred hospital unconscious with non-life-threatening injuries, while the other man did not require hospital treatment.
Kieran Tierney has apologised on social media after he was snapped giving a cheeky middle finger as Arsenal celebrated their win over Manchester City in the FA Cup semi-final.

The Gunners left-back - who has not lost a domestic cup game he has started since 2016 - gave the crucial assist for Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang's second goal.

The Gabon striker struck twice to put the club through to their first final since last year's Europa League defeat against Chelsea in Baku.

Kieran Tierney has apologised on social media after he was snapped giving a middle finger

Tierney starred in Arsenal's win against Man City and assisted Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang

A picture of Arsenal players celebrating in the dressing room was later posted to Twitter with the Scotland international showing the middle finger.

But after the picture of Arsenal's dressing room celebration was shared on social media, Tierney explained his action and tweeted: 'Didn't realise this was getting posted.

'Was a joke with the kitman. I'm so sorry if it caused anyone offence - wasn't meant in any way.'

The 23-year-old then won over anyone who might have been offended with a heartwarming gesture to a cancer patient who had been watching from hospital.

Aubameyang scored a goal in either half to put Mikel Arteta's men through to the final

Firstly, the fan replied to Tierney's apology by suggesting the middle finger could have been for his cancer.

Fan Andreas Eikaasen tweeted: 'Let's just say it was meant for my cancer, mate! Brilliant game today, made my night at the hospital', along with two laughing emojis.

Tierney then replied back, saying, 'That's exactly what it stood for my man! U legend... get in touch I will send u my shirt from tonight. Keep fighting' with a heart emoji.

In a post-match interview with beIN Sports, Tierney was also in a good mood and praised Arsenal captain Aubameyang after his double secured a 21st FA Cup final for the north London side.

'It is brilliant, he has done it for so long now in his career, and for me to play with him is an honour.,' he said.

'That ball [for the second goal] for me is not a goalscoring ball, but he makes that a goal so he is brilliant to play with.'

Aubameyang however responded with a tweet, and claimed the Scot was being too modest, writing: ' Come on that's a f****** assist bro and thank u for that.'

Tierney then responded again and added: 'If ur giving me the assist then I'm happy.'

Arsenal will discover their opponents in the FA Cup final on Sunday when Frank Lampard's Chelsea take on Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's Manchester United side.
Pink has already won her battle with coronavirus, thanks to the support of essential workers and her own family.

And the three-time Grammy winner has since been enjoying some quality time with her brood during quarantine.

She posted a sweet tribute Saturday for husband Carey Hart, as she wished him a happy 45th birthday on Instagram, sharing a black-and-white beach selfie with him.

Birthday boy: Pink posted a sweet tribute Saturday for husband Carey Hart, as she wished him a happy 45th birthday on Instagram

The 40-year-old wrote: 'Happy birthday @hartluck I still remember your 27th birthday. Youre so much cooler now.

'I hope this year is your happiest. #youdeservethebest your kids worship you and I am grateful for you every single day almost.'

She met the former motocross pro back in 2001, and they tied the knot in January of 2006, during a Costa Rican ceremony.

Pink opened up last month on IGTV about their marriage with couple's therapist Vanessa Inn, who's helped them since their brief separation in 2008.

Happy couple: She met the former motocross pro back in 2001, and they tied the knot in January of 2006, during a Costa Rican ceremony (pictured in January, 2018)

Therapy works: Pink opened up last month on IGTV about their marriage with couple's therapist Vanessa Inn, who's helped them since their brief separation in 2008 (pictured in November, 2012)

Different languages: She said: 'It's the only reason that we're still together because you know, I think partners, after a long time, we just speak...two different languages' (pictured in August, 2006)

Proud parents: The Glitter In the Air artist and Carey share daughter Willow Sage, nine, and son Jameson Moon, three, with whom she recently survived COVID-19 (pictured in November, 2019)

She said: 'I got a lot of s*** for telling people that Carey and I have been in couples counseling with Vanessa. So, I talk to Vanessa on my own and I also talk to Vanessa with Carey and for Carey and I.

'It's the only reason that we're still together because you know, I think partners, after a long time, we just speak  I can't say it's a man and woman thing, I think it's a partner thing, a spouse thing  that you just speak two different languages.'

The Glitter In the Air artist and Carey share daughter Willow Sage, nine, and son Jameson Moon, three, with whom she recently survived COVID-19.

She's been using her platform to spread awareness and resources during the global pandemic, recently calling out 'anti-mask' people on her Instagram.

Pink wrote: 'I have asthma and Im wearing TWO masks! Im breathing fine and Im not a selfish idiot! WEAR A MASK ITS NOT THAT HARD.'
In the 1970s, W. Glenn Campbell had a brilliant idea for reviving the backwater California think tank he ran: He would hire pre-eminent scholars who were being let go from their universities because they had reached the age of mandatory retirement. So in the 1970s, Campbell lured philosopher Sidney Hook, physicist Edward Teller, and Nobel Laureate economist Milton Friedman to the Hoover Institution at Stanford University. That was the key, the breakthrough, says Melvyn Krauss, a Hoover senior fellow emeritus. Prior to their arrival, Krauss says, Hoover couldnt attract well-known scholars in their prime. But with these big names at Hoover, other luminaries, and lots of donor money, followed.

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Mandatory retirement was an idea that took hold of the workplace in the early 20th century. By the 1970s, about half of American workers had a non-negotiable deadline for leaving, usually at age 65. For some, the departure may have been welcome; for others, it felt like being prematurely put out to pasture. (Friedman was active at Hoover for nearly 30 years, until his death at age 94.)

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Then, as civil rights law expanded beyond race to encompass age, disability, and gender 25 years ago, mandatory retirement was struck down by Congress. In 1986, as part of a series of congressional actions to address age discrimination, it became illegal in almost all cases to force people out of jobs at any age. Joseph Quinn, a professor of economics at Boston College, wrote in a research paper that this move sent an important message to society that the appropriate age to retire was not necessarily 65.

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The elimination of mandatory retirement became a turning point in the way Americans retire. It helped reverse a 100-year trend of people departing from the workforce in ever greater numbers and at an ever-earlier age. Because of increasing longevity, establishment of generous pension plans, and mandatory removal from the workplace, retirement had become something unprecedented: a third stage of life, potentially as long as childhood and ones working years. Then, in the 1980s, the foundation of this third stage began to crumble.

Until the end of the 19th century, retirement planning was pretty simple for most Americans: You worked until you died. Sometimes, people became too old or incapacitated to continue on the farm or in the factory, and the lucky ones were cared for by family. In the 1880s, about 75 percent of men 65 and older were still in the labor force, writes Dora L. Costa, professor of economics at UCLA, in The Evolution of Retirement. But from that point on, until the 1980s, older mens participation in the workforce began steadily falling. By 1900, it had dropped to 65 percent. (Historical figures only reflect mens employment because of womens far lower participation in the labor force.)

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There were several causes for this decline. One was the appearance of pensions for Union Civil War veterans. In Working Longer, Alicia H. Munnell and Steven A. Sass of the Center for Retirement Research at Boston College write that many veterans left the workforce when they received a guaranteed stream of pension income. Pensions also became a more regular fixture as Americans shifted from self-employment, largely in agriculture, to working for companies.

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In 1900, the Pennsylvania Railroad came up with an innovation: mandatory retirement. The company offered pensions to all its workers, but to collect they would have to retire at age 70. In a World Bank paper, economist Samuel H. Williamson writes that imposing a universal age of departure relieved companies of the unpleasantness of having to evaluate the fitness of their older workers individually and solved the growing problem of a glut of elderly, incapacitated employees.

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The arrival of Social Securitythe first retirement checks for workers who had reached age 65 were delivered in 1940helped make leaving the workplace an even more reasonable proposition. In 1948, a Bureau of Labor Statistics study finds, just under 50 percent of men 65 and older were still in the workforce. By 1968, it was just under 30 percent, and by 1988 just under 20 percent. A chart from Quinns paper shows that had this linear trend continued, only about 10 percent of men ages 65 to 69 would still have been working by the end of the 20th century. But in the 1980s, that all stopped. A century-old trend has come to a halt, and reversed, writes Quinn. The era of earlier and earlier retirement is over and is not coming back.

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Last year, the employment rate of men 65 and older had ticked back up to 22 percent. The employment of older women, although their absolute numbers are far smaller, has also shown a dramatic rise. From 1977 to 2007 the number of women age 65 and older in the workforce increased almost 150 percent. Thats not all. In the same period, the percentage of people of both sexes age 75 and up who are still working has increased more than 170 percent.

Theres a whole new world out there, says economist Quinn. The incentives are different, and people are behaving differently. For one thing, people are no longer given a gold watch and pushed out the door. For another, reforms in Social Security have created a financial incentive to work longer. For a third, the world of defined benefit pensions is being replaced by defined contribution pensions. In the former, workers are guaranteed a monthly check for as long as they live. In the latter, workers accumulate a pot of money, as in an IRA, and whatevers in the pot better be enough to last.

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Given these financial changes, the elimination of mandatory retirement has allowed people to work as long as they need to for as long as they feel able. The argument of Working Longer is that many Americans should shift their planned retirement from their early to late 60s, which will dramatically increase the financial security of their nonworking years. And Quinn writes that given the demographic bulge of older Americans, keeping them in the workforce will ease the burden on entitlement programs.

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But social scientists love to find perverse incentives and unintended consequences, and in this case, some say protecting older workers ability to stay on the job has also made employers more reluctant to hire them.

Basically, its a mess, says Sass of the world of retirement today. He says employers liked mandatory retirement because it allowed for an orderly and predictable departure from the payroll. But that certainty is gone at a time that, more than ever, older workers need to find new jobs. In the 1980s, Sass says, about 75 percent of 50-year old workers would be at the same company 10 years later. Today, only half of 60 year-olds are working at the same place that employed them at age 50. In Working Longer, he and Munnell float what he calls the somewhat scandalous suggestion that the prohibition on mandatory retirement be repealedallowing companies to impose it, he suggests, at the politically feasible age of 70. Unless employers have an assurance they have a way to get rid of older employees, they wont hire older workers, he says.

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Being stuck with people who just wont accept its time to go is particularly acute in academia. A 2006 article in the Boston Globe found that more than 9 percent of tenured professors on Harvards faculty of arts and sciences were 70 or older, compared with none in 1992. (The abolition of mandatory retirement laws started applying to colleges and universities only in 1994.) The article notes that Columbia University offered generous financial incentives to get older faculty to leave, yet it had a higher percentage of tenured faculty over age 70 than Harvard. Former Harvard President Lawrence Summers said, The aging of the faculty, caused in large part by the absence of mandatory retirement, is one of the profound problems facing the American research university.

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The United States was one of the first countries to abolish mandatory retirement, this British government report finds, and it was eventually followed by Australia and New Zealand. This year, the United Kingdom will eliminate mandatory retirement. Other countries with aging populations and decreasing numbers of workers are grappling with their mandatory retirement laws. In Japan, the mandatory retirement age has gradually increased; it started at 55 in 1994 and will become 65 in 2013. In France, the mandatory retirement age private employers can impose increased to 65 from 60 in 2003.

Joanna Lahey, an assistant professor at the Bush School of Government and Public Service at Texas A & M University, says that in Europeand elsewheretheres a widespread, but mistaken, belief that if an old person keeps working a young person will be prevented from finding a job. Its not true, she says. More people working means greater productivity, which expands the economy. When women entered the labor force, they didnt actually take mens jobs away. There isnt a fixed number of jobs. (Lahey says even at universities its more complicated than an old professor blocking a young one. For instance, she says, increasingly when one professor retires that slot is filled by two, or more, nontenured adjuncts.)

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In the United States, there remain a few exemptions to the anti-mandatory retirement laws. Public safety is the biggest one: Pilots are stripped of their epaulets at age 65, and air-traffic controllers stop telling them when to land at age 56 (although there are some exemptions for them). In addition, the law lets companies remove highly paid, high-responsibility employees at age 65. Lahey says this is a rarely used mechanism that allows firms to gracefully retire over-the-hill executives in danger of destroying the place.

Ironically, this was used against the Hoover Institutions Campbell, who in time went from being a young director to an old director. Over the years, he had an increasingly combative relationship with the administrators of Stanford University. The university had had enough and told him he was retiring when he turned 65. Campbell threatened an age discrimination suit, but the Board of Trustees cited the exemption. The man who made his reputation by hiring forcibly retired scholars was himself forcibly retired.

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My local supermarket isn't very big, but it already has half an aisle dedicated to school stationery. I stumbled into it the other evening and for a moment I wondered why it was there. It was the Pritt Stick that prompted the penny to drop.

Oh yeah, back to school. The supplies. It's that time of year. Or is it?

I stood and surveyed the selection. Transparent plastic folders, pens, pencils, the metal box of geometry tools that hasn't changed since I was a kid. All so familiar and all so strange.

I didn't buy anything. Perhaps I should have. If schools are going back at the end of August, that's a mere six weeks away. If that's the plan, we'd all better start getting our heads around it.

Given we've just put down four months of no school without really feeling the time slip away from us, six weeks will pass swiftly. This is real, people, we need to be prepared.

Then again, does any of it feel real?

Much as we long for the kids to get back their lives and for working from home to become something done with undivided attention, until someone gives us even the bones of a plan, it's not going to feel real.

I'm not buying any stationery until someone gives me a date, not even if that means I miss the special offers.

Last Thursday, addressing the Dail on revised department estimates, Education Minister Norma Foley said that there was "an absolutely clear agenda to reopen schools" at the end of August or early September. She emphasised there is no confusion or uncertainty about this. It's happening.

This resolute reassurance should have come as music to parents' ears, but we have a weary wariness - born of months being joined at the hip to our children - that won't allow hopes to rise for fear of them being dashed.

Also, Foley's reassurance came on the same day that it was announced the Leaving Cert results won't come in August as usual, as planned, but instead on September 7, potentially too late for first year students to start university at the same time as other students.

As one disappointed Leaving Cert student pointed out on last Friday's lunchtime show on Newstalk, the exams were cancelled on May 7 and the results now won't arrive until a full four months later. What could be taking so long?

Of course, even with the best will in the world to expedite things, we are in uncharted territory here with cancelled exams and calculated grades. Things take longer in such situations and, no doubt, everyone is doing their best.

The Leaving Cert delay, however, is only part of the recent, poor track record in delivering on time - and keeping everyone informed of - the plan.

The Summer Provision programme for children with special needs is a case in point.

As far back as May 3, on The Late Late Show, then Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said supports for children and families with special needs would be in train within weeks.

As it unfolded, the summer provision plan - a welcome, expanded version of the annual July provision - was characterised by confusion over whether it would be school- or home-based and who did or didn't qualify.

We were offered reassurance repeatedly, much in the manner of Norma Foley's reassurance last week, that everything was in train and going to be fine - but it dragged on and on, with parental faith disappearing in the process.

In the end, summer provision was not ironed out until schools, teachers and SNAs were finishing up for the year, resulting in huge difficulty for people in securing anyone to work with their children.

And there is, of course, an anxiety around the fact that all the officials are saying calm down, it'll be grand, while offering no real evidence.

Last Thursday, as Norma Foley was emphasising the "clear agenda", Opposition TDs were questioning why, when there's a roadmap for opening pubs, gyms and restaurants, there's none for education.

We all understand, at this point, that criteria and calculations can change - just look at the pubs - but we'd just like an idea of what's going on.

How can we, as parents, be expected to plan and purchase and prepare our children psychologically for going back to school when really we don't have a clue about how it's going to happen?

Add to this the call to abandon school uniforms for the coming term and you have only more confusion.

Last week, Alan Mongey, president of the National Association of Principals and Deputy Principals, suggested that the difficulty and expense of washing uniforms daily to keep them Covid-free would be stressful and untenable, and so they should be temporarily abandoned.

So, what's a parent to do with the child who is starting a new school or who has shot up since March? Buy and be prepared for something that we're promised will happen but have no clue how or when, or wait, in what is now an all-too-familiar holding pattern? Neither feels quite right.

No one is asking for certainty. We get that these are the most uncertain of times and the return of schools depends on more than just our desire for something, anything, to get back to a semblance of normal. If it is not safe for the children to go back, from a Covid point of view, we get that it can't happen.

There is, however, at this point, a mental-health toll in simply not having a clue what's going on. There is a real sense of bubbling-under panic among parents as to whether schools will open fully, or open partially, or open at all.

They doubt their ability to mobilise once more for the distance learning; they can't be sure how long they can manage the strain of working and managing kids from home; they would like to have some idea if and when school will happen.

Then, and only then, will the rush for Pritt Stick begin.
The tax tribunal has asked a woman to pay tax and penalties on undisclosed income of Rs 196 crore in a Swiss bank account.

The Income-Tax Appellate Tribunal (ITAT)'s Mumbai bench confirmed the additional amount in the Swiss account of Renu Tharani, an elderly taxpayer, a report by The Times of India said.

The HSBC Geneva account is under the name of Cayman-Islands based GWU Investments, which transferred funds to the Tharani Family Trust.

Renu Tharani is the only discretionary-beneficiary of the account, which was opened in 2004.

Beneficiaries of overseas trusts usually deny foreign bank accounts, officials told the publication. They also often change their status to "non-resident", to avoid paying tax on overseas income.

The I-T departments investigation wing found that Tharani had not disclosed the Swiss bank account in her I-T returns for 2005-06, the report said.

In an affidavit, Tharani claimed that she is a non-resident. She denied having a bank account in HSBC Geneva, and being a shareholder or director at GWU Investments.

In 2005-06, Tharani had given a Bengaluru address in her I-T returns and declared an income of Rs 1.7 lakh.

The ITAT bench bench said even after Tharani updated her status to "non-resident", it is unlikely that she would have accumulated Rs 196 crore in the short duration of one year.

ITAT added that based on her previously declared income, it would take her 11,500 years to earn Rs 196 crore.
Speaking about the anti-Pakistan protests by Baloch activists in Germany, BNM Germany Zone President Hammal Baloch said that the purpose of the demonstration was to make aware the world about Harnai tragedy and human rights violations in Balochistan by the Pakistan army.

Baloch activists living in Germany held a protest against the ever-increasing human rights violations in Balochistan and against the Harnai incident where Pakistan army killed the family of Qaisar Chalgarri including, his 9 years old daughter Naz Bibi. The protest was organised on Saturday by Baloch National Movement (Germany Zone), who also ran an online campaign using the hashtag #JusticForNazBibi.

Along with the members of Baloch National Movement, the sympathisers of the party, Baloch Republican Party (BRP Germany Chapter), members of Pashtoon Tahfuz Moment (PTM) and people from the local community also took part in the demonstration.

Hammal Baloch, The president of BNM Germany Zone addressed to the participants and said, The purpose of todays demonstration is to make aware the world about Harnai tragedy and human rights violations in Balochistan by the Army of Pakistan. A few days back Pakistan Army attacked a House in Harnai killing the elderly man Qaisar Chalgarri and his 9 years old daughter Naz Bibi and abducted two boys.

Also Read: Bankrupt Pak spends 30L on propaganda, invites UK MP denied entry by India to PoK

Also Read: Intolerant Pak exposed, 4 held for Buddha statue vandalism

Hammal added, Pakistan is punishing Baloch nation for raising their voices for freedom while following its policy of collective punishment. The tragedy of Harnai is the continuation of the same policy. We want to send a message to the people of Germany and the civilized world that the people of Balochistan are being persecuted on a daily basis by the state of Pakistan.

He added that there is compete media ban in Balochistan. The lives political activists, social activist, student, and teachers are not secure in Balochistan. Those who speak against the state atrocities of Pakistan in Balochistan, he or she either will be abducted and tortured or get killed by the law enforcement agencies of Pakistan.

Asghar Ali the General Secretary of BNM Germany Zone addressed to the audience and said, Balochistan is a colony of Pakistan. The relation of the Baloch nation with Pakistan is the colonizer and the colonized. From the first day of the occupation our land, Balochistan, Pakistan has been trying to maintain its rule by the barrel of the gun.

He further added, The abduction of Baloch women by lawless Pakistan Army of Pakistan is not a new phenomenon. Baloch women are being abducted from the decade of seventy. But the Pakistan army became more brutal in the recent past. The killing of Baloch women and children a clarion call for the people of Balochistan that Pakistan determined to continue the Baloch genocide more ruthlessly.

Shah Fawaz, The member of Baloch Republican Party said, Our women and children are safe nowhere, neither they are safe in colleges and universities nor in at home. Even our children are being targeted and killed by the Pakistan Army. The incident of Harnai where Pakistan Army killed Naz Bibi shows the dirty intentions of Pakistan in Balochistan.

A large number of political activists, intellectuals, women and children in Pakistans Balochistan province are victims of enforced disappearances by the security agencies. Many of them are languishing in detention centres whereas mutilated bodies of some of these abducted Baloch are found in isolated places.

A large number of Baloch, who have taken asylum in Europe and other parts of the world, continue to hold protests to raise the support of the international community and pressurize Pakistan and its security agencies to stop human rights violations in Balochistan.

Also Read: Kanye West to hold first presidential campaign rally on Sunday

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Iranians can break outbreak chain by observing health guidelines

Iran Press TV

Saturday, 18 July 2020 9:58 AM

President Hassan Rouhani says has called on all Iranians to join hands and break the chain of the outbreak by observing health guidelines.

Rouhani further emphasized, "Victory over the disease is possible, but it may be a little difficult and time consuming. We will definitely win and we must stand firm and know that victory is certain."

The president added that about 25 million Iranians infected with the coronavirus have overcome the disease, but another 30-35 million people are at risk of contracting it.

Citing a report provided by the Health Ministry, Rouhani announced the figures during a meeting of the National Headquarters for Managing and Fighting the Coronavirus in Tehran on Saturday.

"Our estimate is that as of now 25 million Iranians have been infected with this virus and overcome it and about 14,000 have lost their dear lives," he said. "There is the possibility that between 30 and 35 million other people will be at risk" in the coming months.

Rouhani's deputy head of communications, Alireza Moezi, said on Twitter hours later that the 25 million in fact refers to "those who have encountered the virus and achieved complete immunity".

More than 200,000 people were hospitalized over the past 150 days, Rouhani added, predicting that the figure would almost double in the future.

The president called for preparations to deal with the situation as hospitalization cases are increasing.

Based on the Heath Ministry's report, he said, out of 1,000 people infected with the coronavirus, 500 have no symptoms and may not even realize they have contracted the disease. About 350 people have mild symptoms while 150 may need to be hospitalized.

Iran has been among the countries hit hard by the coronavirus that first showed up in China in late December 2019 before spreading across the globe.

Illegal US sanctions have hampered the virus fight in Iran, which reported its first COVID-19 infection cases in late February.

Rouhani said that some reports show that the disease probably began to spread in Iran from the provinces of Qom and Gilan where passengers had arrived from the Chinese city of Wuhan.

Authorities on Saturday reimposed one-week restrictions in the capital Tehran including banning religious and cultural functions, closing boarding schools, cafes, indoor pools, amusement parks and zoos.

The Health Ministry reported 188 deaths in the past 24 hours to take Iran's total to 13,979. Ministry spokeswoman Sima Sadat Lari said 2,166 new cases were detected over the period, taking the overall number 271,606.

At least 223,300 patients have recovered so far or have been discharged from hospitals across Iran, she added.

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There has never been a time since the end of World War II when it has been more important to scrutinise government and hold politicians to account. There are monumental issues for the federal Parliament to debate. The future of JobKeeper, suppression v elimination strategies for COVID-19, and the billions of dollars that are flying out of Treasury at the moment.

Parliament is the only way for these debates to be had and decisions to be adequately scrutinised.

The hot seats of democracy ... Parliament is where the people are represented. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen

Our elected politicians have been asking businesses and schools to change what they are doing to become "COVID-safe" workplaces. Anything a politician asks a business owner to do, MPs should do also.

At the beginning of the pandemic, Prime Minister Scott Morrison said: "Everyone who has a job in this economy is an essential worker. Every single job that is being done in our economy with these severe restrictions that are taking place is essential."
Tensions are mounting by the day between the United States and China, leading to talk of a new Cold War. Experts see important historical differences -- but believe the two powers are entering dangerous territory. US President Donald Trump's administration has increasingly gone global against China, pushing other nations to reject its strings-attached aid and telecom titan Huawei, and siding unreservedly with Beijing's rivals in the dispute-rife South China Sea. Trump has made China a major campaign issue as he heads into the November election, but the relationship looks unlikely to change in more than tone if he loses to Joe Biden, who has accused the president of not being tough enough. Stephen Walt, a professor of international affairs at Harvard University, said the world's two largest economic powers were engaged in a long-term competition over "incompatible strategic visions," including China's desire to dominate Asia. China sees Trump as a "weak and error-prone leader" and likely believes the "disastrous" US response to the coronavirus pandemic presented opportunities to press its advantage, he said. "It resembles the US-Soviet 'Cold War' in certain respects, but it is not yet as dangerous as that earlier rivalry," Walt said. "One key difference is that the two states are still closely connected economically, although that relationship is now under considerable strain." US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, who is taking stern warnings about Beijing around the world, did not reject the Cold War comparison in a recent radio interview. He also noted that the United States was never as economically intertwined with the Soviet Union --and said the West therefore needed to separate from China, especially its technology, which Washington fears will be used for espionage. - Chance of 'hot war' - Oriana Skylar Mastro, an assistant professor at Georgetown University and resident scholar at the American Enterprise Institute, said it was dangerous to speak of a Cold War with China. "The situation with China is nothing like the Cold War," she said. "On the positive side, we have extensive engagement. On the negative, there is a real possibility of a hot war between the two sides to a degree that never existed with the Soviet Union." She said that using a Cold War lens leads to ineffective responses, including Washington incorrectly seeing Beijing as an ideological threat. Mastro said that China had plenty of options to alleviate US concerns, such as pulling back weapons systems in the South China Sea. "But Beijing won't do this because it fundamentally misunderstands the drivers of US policy. It thinks the US is responding to its own decline in power -- that no matter how Beijing acts, the US will lash out," she said. "So there is no impetus to try to moderate its ambitions and how it attempts to achieve them. This is a mistake. And China's failure to do so, to try to assure the US, could lead us into a war." - Sharp hardening - In a shift from a few years ago, US businesses, stung by what they see as rampant theft of intellectual property, are rarely asking for de-escalation. David Stilwell, the top State Department official for East Asia, said he learned as US defense attache in Beijing that China responded to "demonstrable and tangible action." "Personally I was of that school that you could work with these folks. But my epiphany came 10 years ago when I went to Beijing," he told a recent think tank event. The United States has also pressed China over its clampdown in Hong Kong and mass incarceration of Uighur Muslims, each time triggering retaliatory measures by Beijing. Trump has still voiced hope of preserving a trade deal with China, which promised before the coronavirus pandemic to ramp up purchases of US goods. Shi Yinhong, a professor of international relations at Renmin University in Beijing, said both sides knew China would no longer be able to carry out the agreement in full. Shi said he expects relations will keep deteriorating. "The old Cold War was a very fierce confrontation and competition between two great powers, driven by ideology and strategy," Shi said. In the case of the United States and China, the two powers are selectively but rapidly "decoupling" from each other, he said. "Using this definition, it can be said that China and the United States have begun to enter a new Cold War."
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Linkedin Ellen Wulfhorst (Reuters) New York, United States  Sun, July 19, 2020 09:03 549 6657ac82168da9fa101c8a406677cabe 2 People Melinda-Gates,Women,coronavirus,COVID-19 Free

Efforts to help the world economy recover from the coronavirus crisis must give a lead role to women, even as the pandemic deals an especially sharp blow to their jobs and finances, philanthropist Melinda Gates said.

Recovery policies and strategies that focus on women - and do not minimize or overlook them - will prove the most successful, the co-chair of The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation said in an interview this week.

"They are going to be the engines of recovery, and we will build back faster and better," Gates told the Thomson Reuters Foundation.

"Otherwise it's going to be a very, very long and slow recovery in country after country around the world."

Gates spoke following the publication this week of an opinion piece she wrote in Foreign Affairs magazine, in which she outlined policy proposals focused on women.

She said it was vital for policymakers to ensure emergency cash aid schemes reach women who do not have a tax number or formal identity documents.

Stimulus programs must be designed to include the smallest businesses, which are often run by women, she wrote.

"You've got to get the money in the hands of the women... because of the sensible decisions they make," said Gates, who co-chairs the foundation with her husband, billionaire Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates.

Read also: Why women make better crisis leaders

In the United States, women have lost more jobs than men in the pandemic, accounting for more than half the jobs lost since February, according to a labor data analysis by the National Women's Law Center, a U.S. women's rights non-profit.

Some 60% of job gains in June went to women, who neverthessless showed an unemployment rate of 11.2% compared with 10.2% among men, it said.

Women have also been putting in more time on unpaid labor at home with extra housework, child care, home schooling and caring for elderly family members.

Recent research by the Boston Consulting Group found women with children now spend an average of 65 hours a week on unpaid chores, nearly a third more than fathers.

"Woman are shouldering the burden of COVID-19 more than anyone else, and they are the ones who can help us get out of this situation as we build back," Gates said.

"It's the women who will help us with the recovery economically, if we do the right things."

She noted that countries such as Germany and New Zealand that have fared well in the fight against the spread of the novel coronavirus have women leaders.

"They just have a different lens, an aperture of society," she said.

"Women have had to wear so many hats for so long and juggle so much that they know what everyone's up against in society."

The Gates Foundation has recently been involved in efforts to ensure the fair allocation of potential COVID-19 vaccine availability to developing countries in the face of unprecedented demand.

It also has been working on addressing inequity in global health care and treatment of infectious diseases.
President Donald Trump speaks during an event on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington on July 16, 2020. (Drew Angerer/Getty Images)

Confederate Flag Proudly Displayed by Southerners: Trump

President Donald Trump said some people view the Confederate flag with pride after he was asked if the banner is an offensive symbol in an interview broadcast on Sunday.

Trump said it depends on who youre talking about when considering whether the flag is offensive.

When people proudly have their Confederate flags, theyre not talking about racism. They love their flag, it represents the South, they like the South. People right now like the South. Id say its freedom of many things, but its freedom of speech, Trump said.

Asked if he was offended by the Confederate flag, the president added: Well, Im not offended either by Black Lives Matter. Thats freedom of speech.

You know, the whole thing with cancel culture, we cant cancel our whole history. We cant forget that the north and the south fought. We have to remember that, otherwise well end up fighting again, he asserted.

Eleven southern states banded together in a Confederacy in the 1800s, seceding from the United States. A civil war that consumed the young country for four years began in 1861.

The Union, or the northern states, won in the end and the southern states later rejoined the United States.

Some people have continued to fly the Confederate flag at their homes or other places.

A campaign sign for President Donald Trump sits between two Confederate flags, one bearing the words I aint coming down, in the backyard of a home in Sandston, Va., on July 4, 2020. (Kevin Lamarque/Reuters)

A number of organizations and agencies in recent weeks announced their banning of the flag. NASCAR banned it last month while the U.S. military prohibited it being flown on its bases last week.

Trump criticized NASCAR for the move and has opposed the taking down of Confederate statues. He won many southern states in the 2016 election.

In 2017, after clashes in Charlottesville, Virginia, over a statue of Confederate General Robert E. Lee, Trump correctly predicted that the push to take down monuments wouldnt stop with Confederates.

This week its Robert E. Lee. I noticed that Stonewall Jackson is coming down. I wonder, is it George Washington next week? And is it Thomas Jefferson the week after? You know, you really do have to ask yourself, where does it stop? Trump told reporters at the time.

Statues of Washington and other Founding Fathers have been toppled by vandals in the wake of the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis.

Trump, in the interview broadcast Sunday, also said he might veto the defense spending bill Congress is currently working on if it ultimately includes a provision requiring the renaming of bases named after Confederates.

I might, the president said, adding: Yeah, I might.

An entrance to Fort Bragg in a file photograph. (Chris Seward/AP Photo)

He turned his attention to Fort Bragg, one of the 10 bases in question, which sits in North Carolina.

Fort Bragg is a big deal. We won two World Wars, nobody even knows General Bragg. We won two World Wars. Go to that community where Fort Bragg is, in a great state, I love that state, go to the community, say how do you like the idea of renaming Fort Bragg, and then what are we going to name it? Trump wondered.

Were going to name it after the Reverend Al Sharpton? he added.

The president was speaking to Chris Wallace of Fox News.

Trump in June threatened to veto the defense spending bill if the amendment, which was introduced by Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and approved by the Republican-led Senate Armed Services Committee, isnt removed.

Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) responded by saying the Senate would probably override the veto if one came.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-07-19 21:55:36|Editor: huaxia

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LUSAKA, July 19 (Xinhua) -- It has been noted the world over that there is a need to fully engage young people in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic if responses are to yield desired results.

This is because young people play a critical role in the further spread of the pandemic in that they can be engaged as peer educators that can appeal to their communities to take action.

To this end, entities working to advance the welfare of young people have incorporated young people's innovative ideas in their COVID-19 responses in an effort to ensure inclusiveness and for interventions to be impactful.

Youth Action Zambia, a community-based youth organization that works in low and middle-income communities of Zambia's capital Lusaka has been mobilizing youths to take part interactive peer-to-peer education and awareness-raising initiatives and community outreach activities that are targeted at increasing youth participation in COVID-19 interventions.

This is against the realization that youth have the potential to transform their communities and spaces if they are given the right tools and platforms.

"The idea is to equip the youth with knowledge and skills so they can take an active role in this global fight against the pandemic and influence their various communities in coming up with practical solutions to this challenge," said Youth Action Zambia executive director Sebastian Mwila.

Mwila further said that as a result of the various outreach programs targeting young people that his organization was involved in, a substantial number of young people across Lusaka have demonstrated interest in taking action to ensure that the COVID-19 disease is contained in their communities.

According to him, the youth remains a valuable resource that can be mobilized with minimal resources and engaged as agents of positive change more so now that the world is grappling with the COVID-19 pandemic.

He revealed that his organization is overwhelmed with the very big response that it has received from many youths wanting to participate in COVID-19 intervention programs adding, that this is an indication that young people are willing to be part of development processes.

"It is encouraging to see more young people interested in getting involved in COVID-19 programs. This is also an opportunity for communities to invest in the youth because they are custodians of the future," Mwila said.

He adds that Youth Action Zambia has also developed and disseminated advertisements and short documentaries that highlight the importance of adhering to COVID-19 prevention guidelines.

Mwila also appealed to business houses and individuals alike to partner with charities and reach out to populations in need of humanitarian assistance stating that messages of prevention should also be complemented by measures that respond to immediate needs of communities.

He revealed that for its part, Youth Action Zambia in partnership with Action Aid recently donated tap buckets for handwashing to selected schools and health facilities in Lusaka. The organization also donated hygiene kits comprising sanitary wear and tablets of soap to girls and young women from underprivileged communities.

"We observed that this is also the most challenging time for girls and young women from vulnerable communities because of disruptions to livelihoods," he added. Enditem
BEIJING (AP)  The number of confirmed cases in a new coronavirus outbreak in Chinas far west has risen to 17.

The National Health Commission said Saturday that 16 more cases were identified in the previous 24 hours in the Xinjiang region, on top of a first case.

The outbreak in the city of Urumqi is the latest to pop up since China largely contained the domestic spread of the virus in March. The largest was a recent outbreak in Beijing that infected more than 330 people.

Authorities in Urumqi have reduced subways, buses and taxis and closed off some residential communities, according to Chinese media reports. They also placed restrictions on people leaving the city, including a suspension of subway service to the airport.

China has been accused of human rights abuses in Xinjiang, the homeland of the largely Muslim Uighur ethnic community. The region has long been blanketed with extreme security, which China says is necessary to prevent terrorist activity.

In other developments in the Asia-Pacific region:

 Bangladesh has surpassed 200,000 cases. Nasima Sultana, additional director general of the Health Directorate, said Saturday that 2,709 people had tested positive over the last 24 hours, raising the total number of confirmed cases to 202,066, including 2,581 deaths. Bangladesh lacks adequate laboratories for testing, and experts say the actual figures are much higher. Most people in rural Bangladesh have stopped wearing masks and are thronging to shopping centers ahead of the Islamic festival of Eid al-Adha, scheduled for later this month.

 Australias Victoria state saw a marked drop in new COVID-19 infections  from Fridays record high of 428 to 217. The Health Department said Saturday that two more people in the state, a man and a woman both aged in their 80s, had died, raising the states death toll to 34 and Australias national total to 118.

 Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison requested that the next two-week sitting of Parliament be canceled because of increasing concerns over the spread of the coronavirus in parts of the country. Parliament was due to sit from Aug. 4 to 13 and would not meet again until the next planned two-week sitting starting on Aug. 24. Morrison said he had written to the parliamentary speaker to ask for a cancellation. The request is considered a formality.

Story continues

 South Korea has reported 39 newly confirmed infections of COVID-19, most of them cases imported from abroad. The figures brought the national caseload to 13,711, including 294 deaths. Authorities said least 28 cases were tied to overseas arrivals. Eighteen others came from the densely populated Seoul metropolitan area, which had been at the center of a virus resurgence that began in late May as restrictions eased.

___

Follow all of APs pandemic coverage at http://apnews.com/VirusOutbreak and https://apnews.com/UnderstandingtheOutbreak
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Linkedin Josa Lukman (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Mon, July 20 2020

Lovers of Indonesian literature are mourning the passing of Sapardi Djoko Damono, one of the countrys most celebrated poets.

The 80-year-old passed away on Sunday morning at Eka Hospital in Tangerang, Banten, where he had reportedly been treated since July 9 for declining organ function. He was buried at Giri Tama Cemetery in Bogor, West Java, on Sunday afternoon.

Born in Surakarta, Central Java, Sapardi spent his childhood surrounded by literature. He wrote actively since middle school and regularly sent his work to magazines.

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Federal regulators have circulated a draft report critical of lapses in financial management at Valley Metro last year.

The finance department at Valley Metro paid operating costs with a capital assistance grant in 2019, running afoul of a host of protocols, according to documentation prepared for the Federal Transit Administration.

In the course of these events, Valley Metro withdrew $2.5 million from the grant between January and May 2019 without proper documentation and approvals. The report further found that Valley Metro failed to promptly report the matter to the FTA.

The Financial Management Oversight Review, which criticized Valley Metro for having an inadequate control environment, reached Valley Metro General Manger Kevin Price in recent days. Price said Friday it warrants a review of procedures with an eye toward fixing any deficiencies that are found.

Donghee Tony Cho, a regional FTA executive based in Philadelphia, asked Price in a letter July 2 to submit a corrective action plan within 30 days.

Bus system officials have previously acknowledged that events occurred last year outside normal operating procedures. They attributed the problems to the departure of an accounting supervisor and a resulting workload increase for remaining finance employees.

Among the stumbles, the staff failed to request operating money in a timely manner, resulting in a situation in which bills came due and only capital funds were available to pay them. Price was unaware of the missteps as they happened, but later found out and took action, according to Sherman Stovall, assistant city manager and assistant vice president for operations at Valley Metro.

Stovall and Price said there was no fraud, theft or personal gain, and there is no mention of any such concerns in the federal report.

However, some payments were delayed to vendors of capital goods, including a bus vendor that wasnt paid for seven months, the report said.

The board of directors of the Greater Roanoke Transit Co., a city council-appointed panel that runs Valley Metro, is scheduled to receive a briefing on the matter Monday.

Valley Metro administrators have already taken remedial action that included repaying a portion of the funds. The bus service has continued to operate with safety precautions during the pandemic and continues to receive federal money.

But the governments review is ongoing and comes at a time when Valley Metro is seeking authority to build a new bus terminal paid for in part with federal funds.

Valley Metro did not make public that it was in financial disarray during the first half of 2019. The matter first came to public light in Roanoke in November in a management bulletin to the GRTC board. The next month, three private consultants dispatched by the FTA spent two weeks going over records at Valley Metros offices.

The Roanoke Times repeatedly asked the FTAs media spokesman for the results of the site visit  emailing him monthly  but received little information. The FTA recently said it would delay the release of the draft report, which is dated March 18, until it was final.

Stovall released the draft report and Chos cover letter on Wednesday at the request of The Roanoke Times.

Another document provided by the city was an external audit that explained the effect of staff turnover on the finance department.

When remaining employees covered for the departed supervisor, it led to a breakdown in the required separation of duties designed to prevent a single employee from having access to all phases of a transaction, wrote Brown, Edwards & Co., Valley Metros external auditor.

In this case, the finance director assumed incompatible duties such as the preparation of bank reconciliations and journal entries and the initiation of electronic payments, the audit said.

The draft report prepared for the FTA drilled down into the financial transactions, including the largest: an electronic request to FTA for $469,648 on May 7, 2019.

In the hindsight review made public this week, the FTAs consultant found that this drawdown lacked the required signatures and documentation.

Finance department personnel at GRTC indicated the drawdown was requested to cover cash requirements, the report said.

The draft conclusion? GRTC does not have adequate procedures related to drawdowns that address timing, required supporting documentation, accounting responsibilities, approvals and reporting, the report said.

The report added: Inaccurate representations were made to the FTA.

In June, Valley Metro returned the $469,648 to the FTA in what the auditor called a significant refund.

The FTA a short time later earmarked those dollars for Valley Metro, and Valley Metro has since drawn down the money again, but properly this time.

There will not be the loss of any funding, Stovall said by email.

Theres been no mention in public reports or interviews of any other money being returned or needing to be returned.

City officials routinely refuse to discuss personnel matters, leaving it unknown whether any finance personnel were disciplined. There has been no public evidence of any fallout for Price or the transit management company that employs him, First Transit Inc.

A few days before Valley Metro sent the money back in June, First Transits contract with Roanoke came up for renewal. At its regular board meeting June 15, the GRTC board rehired First Transit in a competitive bidding process to which no other company applied. First Transit was rehired for five years.

The same day as the rehiring vote, a federal judge issued a pre-trial ruling favorable to a former female Valley Metro employee who is suing First Transit. The lawsuit contains allegations of sexual harassment against Prices predecessor, Carl Palmer. The case has been scheduled for a two-day trial starting in June 2021. First Transit denies the allegations.

Drew Harmon, the citys independent auditor who also keeps an eye on Valley Metro, said Friday that Valley Metro has hired a new director of finance since the events of last year.

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The Trump administration reportedly wants to zero out newly proposed funding for coronavirus testing, contact tracing and health agencies  tens of billions of dollars Republican senators suggested as part of the next aid package in response to the pandemic.

The federal government has already spent more than $3 trillion in efforts to revive the economy after the outbreak shuttered businesses and prompted unprecedented layoffs across the nation. Sen. Mitch McConnell is expected to unveil another aid package this week, with Republican lawmakers and the Trump administration looking to spend about $1 trillion compared to another $3 trillion in a Democratic proposal approved by the House of Representatives in May. For more on the next stimulus package, read here.

Republicans in draft legislation called for $25 billion in grants to assist states ramp up testing and contact tracing efforts, $15 billion for the National Institutes of Health and $10 billion for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, according to The Washington Post and The New York Times. The lawmakers entered negotiations with the Trump administration also pushing for $20 billion to the Pentagon and $5.5 billion for the State Department to help blunt the outbreak in the U.S. and abroad, and to help eventually distribute a vaccine, the newspapers reported.

But the administration called for eliminating the funds for testing, the health agencies and the State Department, and reducing the Pentagon funding to $5 billion, the Times reported.

The stance, which comes after several months of lawmakers pushing President Donald Trump to advance a national testing strategy, frustrated Republican leaders, who will continue negotiations this week with White House chief of staff Mark Meadows and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin.

A senior administration official told The Times that talks had only just begun, noting the administration would ensure the aid package included funding at appropriate levels across all agencies to address this crisis.

The president has called testing a double-edged sword, and pinned testing as the core reason for the recent increase in cases. Last month he quipped during a rally that hed told administration officials to slow down the testing, please. White House officials said he was joking, but Trump himself later told a reporter he wasnt kidding.

About 3.7 million Americans have been infected and more than 140,000 have died, according to Johns Hopkins University. The Trump administration has noted that while many states are seeing surges, death totals are far below the viruss peak earlier this year, showing that therapeutics are having a positive effect.

The U.S. saw new coronavirus cases drop in April after the federal government and most states implemented strict social distancing guidelines. But several states, especially in the South and West, have seen new cases spike at unprecedented levels. The country has broken records of day-over-day positive case increases for several days already in July.

Related Content:
Rajesh Kumar Thakur By

PATNA: Eight of Indias 20 most vulnerable districts to coronavirus are in Bihar, with Darbhnaga topping the chart. Darbhnaga also reports maximum number of migration of labourers and is also one of the 15 most flood-prone districts of Bihar.

Bihar is witnessing an exponential growth of coronavirus cases, with the state capital emerging as the hotspot of more than 3,245 positive cases and reporting 28 deaths so far.

According to a latest study carried out in The Lancet, a weekly peer-reviewed general medical journal, published on July 16, Bihar has been found to be the second most vulnerable state to the infection of the Covid-19 after Madhya Pradesh and Telengana.

The study was conducted by Rajiv Acharya, associated with New Delhi based Population Council, and Akash Porwal, titled A vulnerability index for the management of and response to the Covid-19 epidemic in India: an ecological study.

It claims to have assessed the indices of vulnerability on 15 indicators in socio-economic, demographic, housing and hygiene, epidemiological and health systems together.

The study shows Madhya Pradesh leading the overall vulnerability chart, while Sikkim has almost zero vulnerability.

Arunachal and Himachal Pradesh come on the lower strata of assessed vulnerability to the effects of coronavirus.

In Bihar, as per the study, Darbhnaga was found carrying the overall score of 1.000 vulnerability after UPs Sitapur district with overall 0.998 score of vulnerability.
On March 9, 1998, John Lewis returned to the site of his bloodiest, most brutal confrontation in the fight for civil rights. Lewis had shown up in Selma, Alabama, that day to commemorate the 33rd anniversary of the Bloody Sunday march, first with a dedication for the old church where the march started, and then to receive a key to the city. Waiting there for Lewis was an old, now-bowed adversary: Selma Mayor Joseph Joe Smitherman.

Smitherman had only recently been sworn in as mayor when Lewis and 600 others were beaten by police while trying to cross the Edmund Pettus Bridge. Smitherman was a segregationist who ordered city police to join the sheriffs deputies and state troopers armed with tear gas, nightsticks, and electric cattle prods. Though the City Council prevented Selmas officers from wading into the clash, Smitherman had already made his feelings clear. Lewis was famously bloodied during the march; the state troopers were so violent that they fractured his skull.

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But on this day 33 years later in Selma, the times and social mores had changed. Lewis came to town as a living hero, the moral conscience of the countrys greatest deliberative body. Smitherman was thus cast as a different sort of relic of the Jim Crow South, still clinging to power in a small town that represented the worst abuses of the civil rights era. Back then, I called him an outside rabble-rouser, Smitherman said during the ceremony. Today, I call him one of the most courageous people I ever met.

Smitherman survived politically for years by winning almost all of the towns white vote and picking off a few Black voters. In his final election in 2000, two years after he said those nice words about Lewis, he again blamed outside Black agitators for stirring up old trouble. He claimed his Black opponent, James Perkins, brought people from California, the NAACP, Al Sharpton, all this crowd into Selma to try to affect the outcome of a city race. Smitherman ultimately lost that race, ending his 35-year reign in Selma.

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I thought of Smitherman, whose role in maintaining white supremacy made Lewis work necessary in the first place, as an avalanche of tributes to Lewis came in late Friday night and Saturday morning following his death at 80. Who would be the Smitherman, I wonderedthe disingenuous antagonist who kept Lewis fighting until his dying breath? Who would attempt to redraw the battle lines to feign allyship with an American hero? Who would shamelessly celebrate the life of Lewis only to work assiduously to thwart his lifes work?

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House GOP leader Kevin McCarthy lauded Lewis as a patriot in the truest sense and posted a picture of himself trailing Lewis on a march across the Edmund Pettus Bridge in 2015. One of the greatest honors of my life was to join him for multiple trips to Selma to march across the bridge, he said. But McCarthy has never done anything to show that those tripsmeant to commemorate the bloody fight to protect and expand the right to votewere anything other than timely photo opportunities. When Lewis was co-sponsor of a bill to renew portions of the Voting Rights Act in December, McCarthy and all but one of his Republican members voted against it. As recently as April, McCarthy blasted voting by mail as dangerous for the country and said the system involves a lot of fraud while offering no evidence for the claim.

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The Cato Institute also sought to align itself with Lewis, calling him a Libertarian Hero in a tweet on Saturday morning, linking to a January tribute. But only seven years ago, the think tank filed a brief asking the U.S. Supreme Court to strike down the preclearance requirement of the Voting Rights Act. The courts ruling in that case, Shelby v. Holder, allowed nine states, most of them in the South, to change their election laws without advance federal approval. It is long past time to declare victory over Jim Crow and move on to a healthier stage of race relations, the institute wrote. Its worth remembering that last month, on the seventh anniversary of the Shelby v. Holder decision, Lewis was still urging the court to reconsider. It is a shame and a disgrace. I urge you to correct course and take action. Time is of the essence to preserve the integrity and promises of our democracy, Lewis wrote, by then publicly ailing with the pancreatic cancer that would kill him. Cato was no more an ally to Lewis than Smitherman and the troopers had been.

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From the state where Lewis settled, raised a family, and launched a political career, Gov. Brian Kemp made his attempt at a testimonial. Lewis was a Civil Rights hero, freedom fighter, devoted public servant, and beloved Georgian who changed our world in a profound way, Kemp tweeted Saturday. But it is Kemp who is perhaps the best example of the resistance Lewis faced in trying to change the world.

As Georgias secretary of state, Kemp was at the forefront of a national GOP-led movement to make voting more difficult, from championing photo ID laws to prosecuting residents on specious claims of voter fraud. Kemp directed the removal of 1.5 million voters from the state rolls from 2012 to 2016, according to an analysis by the Brennan Center for Justice.

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While running for governor in 2018 but still serving as secretary of state, Kemp purged the states voter rolls in a move that mostly affected Black voters. Lewis found the conflict of interest so egregious that he called on Kemp to resign. Brian Kemp is actively abusing the power of his office to make it more difficult for Georgians to vote, Lewis said then. His actions make it impossible for voters to trust that this election will be administered in a fair and impartial way. Kemp eventually prevailed over Stacey Abrams, his Democratic opponent, in the election. He gets to call Lewis a hero from the governors mansion.

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But most notable among those paying respects Saturday morning was Sen. Mitch McConnell. He endured hatred and violence, McConnell said of Lewis in a press release. But he kept working, because he was convinced that our nation had to be better.

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McConnell was in law school in August 1965 when he was invited to a ceremony to witness then-President Lyndon B. Johnson sign the Voting Rights Act. For McConnell, the legislative accomplishment was most impressive not for guaranteeing the franchise for Black Americans but for its bipartisan support. On issues of great national significance, one party should never simply force its will on everybody else, he wrote in the Wall Street Journal in 2015. Over the years, McConnell managed to fashion himself as a friend to civil rights activists. A New York Times profile in July 2015 referred to his longstanding commitment to civil rights legislation. McConnell pointed out that he was raised in Kentucky by parents who opposed segregation and that hed even attended the March on Washington in 1963, where Lewis was the youngest featured speaker.

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But by 2007, McConnell did not appear very committed to the fight that continued to fuel Lewis and his work. That year McConnell proposed an amendment to a Senate immigration bill that would have changed the Voting Rights Act to require that all voters show photo identification. From then on, McConnell was stubbornly against any measures to restore any pieces of the legislation that hed witnessed signed into law a half-century before. Its been a big success. Its worked, he insisted of the now-kneecapped Voting Rights Act. Its important to understand how different the South is now. America has come a long way.

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Lewis, of course, knew better. He was in the Supreme Court chamber during the challenge to the Voting Rights Act, later telling Ari Berman of Mother Jones that he almost cried when Justice Antonin Scalia compared the VRA to a racial entitlement. 

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In many ways, McConnells betrayal was what kept Lewis working in his final years. In December 2019, Lewis presided over the House as it passed legislation to restore and modernize the Voting Rights Act, requiring states with a long history of voting discrimination to once again get federal approval for any changes to voting procedures, Berman writes. In a primary season marred by voting problems, like six-hour lines in Lewis home state of Georgia, its been sitting on Mitch McConnells desk for 225 days.

Lewis would often bring members of Congress to Selma to cross the Edmund Pettus Bridge, trying to draw a connection between the conditions that called for his civil rights activism back then and todays inequality and, sometimes, unrest. Lewis returned to Selma this March for the 55th anniversary of Bloody Sunday, clearly weakened by cancer. Everyone seemed to understand it would be his final time crossing that bridge. A lot had changed since the first march from Selma to Montgomery. Smitherman was long gone; he died in 2005. There were no helmeted state troopers waiting for Lewis and the marchers on the other side. But the fight that defined John Lewis life, and the people and institutions that stood in his way, blocking progress, undermining rights, were still there, and he knew it. Im not going to give up. Im not going to give in, Lewis said that day. We must use the vote as a nonviolent instrument or tool to redeem the soul of America.

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Lewis continued his march for equality long after he survived the beating in Selma. It is an obvious tragedy that so much of his lifes work remained undone, something he alluded to last summer. Our struggle is not the struggle of a day, a week, a month, or a yearit is the struggle of a lifetime, he posted on Twitter. But its important to remember, as the tributes roll in, that the struggle continues because of people like Brian Kemp and Mitch McConnell. They are not the well-meaning allies who happen to sit on the other side of the aisle. They are not the good men who had reasonable disagreements with a civil rights icon. If John Lewis is a hero, they are the villains.

Correction, July 20, 2020: Due to a photo provider error, the caption originally misidentified the Voting Rights Advancement Act as the Voting Rights Enhancement Act.

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North Dinajpur: The Chopra area in the North Dinajpur of West Bengal witnessed violent protests after a dead body of a 15-year old girl was found on Sunday (July 19, 2020).

Although the Police officials said that there were no signs of any sexual or physical assault, the villagers in the Chopra area allege that the girl was raped.

The West Bengal Police said, "Today morning Islampur PD received reliable information about the death of a young girl of Chopra PS area. Family members or any other associated persons didnt inform Police. Police contacted the family and sent the body for Post Mortem."

They added, "Inquest by a magistrate and videography of the Post Mortem was done. As per the PM report cause of death is effect of poison. No injury marks anywhere in the body has been found. There is no sign of sexual or physical assault."

They stated, "Though L&O problem has been created over the issue, yet no complaint has been lodged with the police."

Today morning Islampur PD received a reliable information about the death of an young girl of Chopra PS area. Family members or any other associated persons didnt inform Police. Police contacted the family and sent the body for Post Mortem... (1/3)  West Bengal Police (@WBPolice) July 19, 2020

Though L&O problem has been created over the issue, yet no complaint has been lodged with police.(3/3)  West Bengal Police (@WBPolice) July 19, 2020

The protests turned violent when the villagers started vandalising properties and public buses. The Police personnel had to resort to lathi-charge to disperse the mob.

According to few media reports, three North Bengal State Transport Corporation buses were set on fire along with three police vans.

Police reinforcements, including Rapid Action Force, were reportedly brought in to lift the blockade and disperse the protesters.
The setback sunk modest hopes that the three countries could resolve their differences and ink an agreement before Ethiopia begins to fill its $4.6 billion hydroelectric dam. Ethiopia had previously pledged to start filling the reservoir, even without a deal over its operation, at the start of the wet season in July, when rains flood the Blue Nile. A declared window of two to three weeks to resolve the dispute is closing fast.
A Missouri man who was pictured along with his wife as they brandishing guns outside their home while Black Lives Matter protesters marched past has said he could face charges in the case.

Mark McCloskey, 63, made headlines on June 28 when he was pictured alongside his wife Patricia outside their Renaissance palazzo-style home in St. Louis .

They were caught on video pointing their weapons at demonstrators who were on their way to protest outside Mayor Lyda Krewson's house.

McCloskey, a personal injury attorney, owns the firearms legally.

Kimberly Gardner, circuit attorney in St. Louis, announced shortly after the June incident that her office and the St. Louis Police Department would be conducting an investigation into the McCloskeys' display of firearms.

On July 10 the McCloskeys' home was searched, and Mr McCloskey's AR-15 assault rifle was seized. Arrangements were also made to turn over the handgun wielded by Mrs McCloskey.

Mark McCloskey appeared on Fox News on Saturday to discuss the July 10 raid on his home

McCloskey and his wife Patricia went viral after a June 28 run in with BLM protesters

McCloskey on Saturday told Fox News that he believed he would face charges, although he was unclear what they would be.

'I don't know the details of the criminal aspect of this, although I think there is no criminal aspect of this,' he said.

'But I think under the technicalities of Missouri law, in order to trump up whatever the attorneys are going to have against us, we have to test-fire the weapon or make sure that it's the gun and credibly capable of being lethal.'

The Fox News host, Jesse Watters, shook his head in dismay.

'And now you think you might get indicted by this radical DA,' said Watters.

'You could probably slap the city of St Louis with a law suit.'

Watters asked if McCloskey was considering that,

'I'm just trying to get on with my life,' he replied.

'I'm trying not to say too much, because at any moment we could be slapped with a summons and arrested.'

McCloskey told Fox News he could face charges, but he did not know what

McCloskey said his wife was struggling with the attention, but praised her defense of their property, saying he did not expect her to also display her weapon, a handgun, during the event.

'I was always surprised to see her out there facing off [the] welfare crowd,' he said.

'I grabbed my rifle and I was standing up on the porch - and all of a sudden I see her in the front yard with our pistol in her hand. What a woman.'

The protesters were en route to Mayor Lyda Krewson's home to demand her resignation after she released the names and addresses of residents who had suggested defunding the police department.

They had broken their way into the gated community where the McCloskeys live.

Attorney Gardner, who is St. Louis' top prosecutor, issued a statement after the June 28 incident in which she said she was 'alarmed' by the McCloskeys actions.

Gardner added that 'any attempt to chill (the right to peacefully protest) through intimidation or threat of deadly force will not be tolerated.'

The couple's attorney Joel Schwartz said that under Missouri law, people who are in reasonable apprehension or fear have the right to take necessary steps to defend themselves.

'In this particular situation, people not only broke the law and trespassed on private property, but they committed property damage,' Schwartz said, adding that a St. Louis business was burned down and a retired police captain was killed in the week leading up to the confrontation.

Photos of the couple standing outside their palatial property armed with an AR-15 and a handgun were beamed around the world at the end of June

Meanwhile, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch has reported that public records and interviews show the McCloskeys are almost always in conflict with others, typically over control of private property.

They filed a lawsuit in 1988 to obtain their house, a castle built for Adolphus Buschs daughter and her husband in the early 20th century.

At the McCloskeys property in Franklin County, they have sued neighbors for making changes to a gravel road and twice evicted tenants from a modular home on their property.

Mark McCloskey sued a former employer for wrongful termination and his sister, father and his fathers caretaker for defamation.

The triangle of land bordering the McCloskey home has been the source of a long dispute

The McCloskeys and the trustees of Portland Place, the private street in a St. Louis historic district where they live, have been involved in a three-year legal dispute over a small piece of land in the neighborhood.

The couple claim they own it, but the trustees say it belongs to the neighborhood.

Mark McCloskey said in an affidavit that he has defended the patch previously by pointing a gun at a neighbor who tried to cut through it.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-07-19 12:08:52|Editor: huaxia

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BEIJING, July 19 (Xinhua) -- The signing of the so-called "Hong Kong Autonomy Act" into law by the United States seriously violates international law and the basic norms governing international relations, a move detrimental to global peace and stability, experts worldwide have said.

The U.S. move "will naturally be deplored by any sovereign government," said B.R. Deepak, chairperson at the Center of Chinese and Southeast Asian Studies at the New Delhi-based Jawaharlal Nehru University.

"The U.S.-China relationship is one of the most important relationships of the 21st century and both must handle it with care. There are bound to be differences amongst nations. However, there is also room for cooperation," he said.

In the interests of global and regional peace and development, he urged the two countries to avoid conflict, and cautioned that "strategic competition" may not pave the way for strategic cooperation. "

Both may decide what is workable for them and what is not," he added.

Alexei Fenenko, leading research fellow at the Institute for International Security Problems of the Russian Academy of Sciences, described the U.S. legislation on Hong Kong as "illegitimate" and "gross interference in China's internal affairs."

"The United States is seeking by all means to restrain China," said Fenenko, emphasizing this is just another step in the implementation of the U.S. containing strategy, which will provoke new tensions.

The U.S. politicians' statements about Tibet and Xinjiang are aimed at the same goal, Fenenko added.

In the view of Abdul-Raziq Ziyada, a Sudanese political analyst, the U.S. signing of the so-called "Hong Kong Autonomy Act" into law is "a grave violation of international law" and a flagrant interference in China's internal affairs.

"The United States has got used to unilateral actions that constitute a grave violation of international law," Ziyada said, adding "the U.S. move also represents interference in China's internal affairs as Hong Kong is an integral part of China."

Jose Luis Robaina, a senior researcher at Havana's Center for the Study of International Politics, said the signing of the Hong Kong-related act into law by the U.S. side represents a gross interference in China's internal affairs.

"The purpose of the U.S. move is not to protect Hong Kong's 'democracy' and 'freedom', but to contain China's development," said Robaina.

For Vladimir Antwi-Danso, director of academic at the Ghana Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Hong Kong affairs are purely China's internal affairs and no country has the right to interfere.

The U.S. move is "an unfortunate development" as the world has witnessed unnecessary trade disputes targeted at countries like China in recent years. Enditem
Top commanders of the Indian Air Force will carry out an in-depth review of the countrys air defence system at a three-day conference beginning Wednesday in view of the bitter border row with China in eastern Ladakh as well as evolving regional security scenario, military sources said.

The commanders are also expected to specifically deliberate on deployment of first batch of around six Rafale fighter jets which are expected to join the IAFs fighter fleet later this month, they said.

The main focus of the commanders conference will be to deliberate on the overall situation in eastern Ladakh and on ways to enhance the IAFs combat prowess and surveillance over the countrys air space in all sensitive sectors including in Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim and Uttarakhand, the sources said.

The commanders will also review the evolving security architecture in the region and ways to boost IAFs combat capability, said a source.

The conference will be chaired by Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal RKS Bhadauria. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh is also expected to address the IAF commanders.

The IAF has been carrying out night time combat air patrols over the eastern Ladakh region in the last few weeks, in an apparent message to China that it was ready to deal with any eventualities in the mountainous region.

A number of IAF platforms participated in a military drill in Stakna in eastern Ladakh on Friday during the defence ministers visit to the region. The exercise showcased integrated combat prowess of the Army and the Indian Air Force in dealing with complex security scenarios in the high altitude terrain.

The IAF has deployed almost all its frontline fighter jets like Sukhoi 30 MKI, Jaguar and Mirage 2000 aircraft in key frontier air bases in eastern Ladakh and elsewhere along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China notwithstanding disengagement of troops by Chinese military from a number of friction points.

The IAF has also deployed Apache attack choppers as well as Chinook heavy-lift helicopters to transport troops to various forward locations. The IAF has pressed into service a fleet of C-17 Globemaster III transport aircraft as well as C-130J Super Hercules in transporting heavy military equipment and weaponry to several forward bases in the region.

The sources said the commanders will also deliberate on preparations to received the first batch of the Rafale jets from France. The jets are expected to reach India by end of this month.

The first squadron of the aircraft will be stationed at Ambala air force station, considered one of the most strategically located bases of the IAF.

The aircraft is capable of carrying a range of potent weapons. European missile maker MBDAs Meteor beyond visual range air-to-air missile and Scalp cruise missile will be the mainstay of the weapons package of the Rafale jets.

The disengagement process between Indian and Chinese militaries began on July 6 after a telephonic conversation between National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi the previous day. Doval and Wang are Special Representatives for the boundary talks.
How substantial? Sharpless pointed to an NCI model examining colon and breast cancer that forecasts an additional 10,000 deaths in the United States from those two cancers alone over the next 10 years because of the pandemic. Sharpless emphasized that this is a conservative number; it doesnt take into account other cancer types, the impact of upstaging (being staged later due to delays in being seen, probably with more extensive disease), and assumes only a moderate disruption in care that will be completely resolved after six months (which is to say it is not taking into account a second wave of the pandemic that would probably result in even more deaths than in the forecast).
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Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Sun, July 19, 2020 15:57 549 6657ac82168da9fa101c8a4066792d76 4 News Idul-Adha,west-sumatra,travel,tourism Free

With Idul Adha approaching, the West Sumatra administration is prepping to welcome travelers seeking to celebrate the Islamic Day of Sacrifice on July 31 in the region.

As reported by kompas.com, the province has opened all its tourist destinations following the implementation of the "new normal" policy in early June and is especially eager to lure visitors during the upcoming Idul Adha holiday.

"We are open to tourists [while implementing the necessary] health protocols in a bid to revive the local economy," said West Sumatra Governor Irwan Prayitno in a statement on Saturday.

The plan to encourage travelers to celebrate Idul Adha in the region is part of the administration's sales mission program that aims to boost tourism, a sector devastated by the pandemic.

According to Irwan, the province is also set to hold the National Quran Recital Competition (MTQ) in November and has announced a new policy requiring all visitors to undergo a swab test.

"The swab tests will be available for free [for all travelers] arriving at Minangkabau International Airport," said Irwan.

The administration has also conducted swab tests for all tourist bus drivers in collaboration with the Organization of Land Transportation Owners (Organda) to ensure the safety of visitors.

"We're definitely following strict health protocols, as the threat of coronavirus still exists," said Irwan.

Separately, West Sumatra Tourism Agency head Novrial said the sales mission program had been well-received by tourists.

Novrial said that four local travel agencies participating in the program had sold more than 101 Idul Adha tourism packages.

According to the latest data on covid19.go.id, West Sumatra has recorded 817 confirmed cases of COVID-19, with 696 recoveries and 32 deaths.

Nationally, Indonesia has surpassed China in its total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases, after recording 1,752 new infections on Saturday. The number of confirmed cases across the archipelago stood at 84,882 as of Saturday afternoon, while China reported 22 new cases to bring its official total to 83,644, according to data from the country's National Health Commission. (kes)
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China?

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2020

The World Has Changed Too Much for Biden to Erase the Trump Effect Bloomberg

Failed State

Can the United States be United Again? Eugene Robinson v. Ian Bremmer, Pairagraph, A hub of discourse between pairs of notable individuals, in this case running the gamut from Bremmer to Robinson.

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Antidote du jour (Richard Smith, via):

And upping my dog game:

*pets him very carefully* pic.twitter.com/ftCLeWcNVf   Father Drinks McGee  (@drinksmcgee) July 12, 2020

See yesterdays Links and Antidote du Jour here.
It's easy to think about the fundamental moments in history that shaped society into what it is now. One small change, one tiny alteration- and history, and by extension the world we know today- could be profoundly different. With that in mind, what are some of the events that did alter us? And what would they look like, if they happened today? We'd like to know, too. We took a look at some well known, and not-so-well-known historical moments in history, and endeavoured to theorize how those events would change us if they rocked our world in the present day.

1. The Discovery Of King Tuts Tomb

Howard Carter opens the innermost shrine of King Tutankhamun's tomb near Luxor, Egypt

The discovery of Pharaoh Tutankhamun's tomb in 1922 shocked the world. While it had long been understood that the powerful and elite were buried with riches, until this discovery much of the excavated tombs had been previously looted. The tomb of this 18th dynasty leader, however, still included much of the breathtaking splendours of gold, alabaster and lush riches that set the imagination of the world on fire. The west exploded with a new-found love of all things Egyptian, with fashion and cinema reflecting the craze. The discovery of such a major historical figure today, complete with all the trappings of their station, would no doubt ensnare the world with the culture surrounding that of the discovery. Beyond cultural sensationalism, the historical revelations we would undercover based on our current scientific advancements would no doubt advance our understanding of the ancient world.

2. A Major Political Assassination

Half-length portrait of Franz Ferdinand, Archduke of Austria-Este (1863-1914) in uniform.

The assassination of the Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria is often cited as one of the major factors the kicked off World War One. This devastating world event altered the trends and forces of modern power and generated four bloody years of war and slaughter. Only days after the assassination, Germany, in support of Austria's outrage, declared war on Russia (Serbia's Ally) in retribution for the assassin, a Serbian nationalist.The war saw the rise of nationalism, a European arms race, and intense cultural and social divides among entire populations. Today, our politics and power are still largely a delicate dance of diplomacy, and there is no doubt that the open assassination of a powerful political figure, no matter the validity of the reason, would shock and horrify the world.

3.The Black Death

Pieter Bruegel's The Triumph of Death reflects the social upheaval and terror that followed plague, which devastated medieval Europe.

The Black Death devastated the world in the 1300s. It is considered a major event in European history, but it affected much of the world. The population knew far less about hygiene and healthcare than we do today, causing the bacteria known as Yersinia Pestis to spread quickly. From flagellants who beat themselves to repent for their sins, to the mass labour and wool shortages due to high death tolls, the effects were widespread and reaching. Today, we are experiencing our own pandemic, the COIVD-19. We can take comfort in our superior medical advancements and contact tracing. While vigilance and strict adherence to expert medical opinions are constantly required, we can hope the damage caused by a pandemic today won't be as devastating as the Black Death.

4. An Agricultural Revolution

Ploughing with a yoke of horned cattle in Ancient Egypt. Painting from the burial chamber of Sennedjem, c. 1200 BC.

To the best of our knowledge, our first agricultural revolution occurred around 12,000 years ago, when humans began settling down to cultivate crops, instead of foraging. With this change came a massive population boom and technological advancements. It is difficult to imagine what a revolution of that magnitude would look like in today's' scale- perhaps the development of agricultural colonies on other planets. If this were to happen successfully, population growth and technological expansion would likely follow in a way that would revolutionize the way our civilization looks today.

5. A New Type Of Standardized Currency

Silver coin of Damastion. Image credit: John Ward/Public domain

Multiple cultures throughout history developed a standardized system of value and currency for trade. Greeks, Egyptians, Persians and (slightly later) the Phoenicians all developed coins in the 5th and 6th centuries. In China, the standardized gold currency was developed during the Quin Dynasty (221-207 BCE). If a new type of currency were to become standardized and globally accepted, it would vastly change the landscape of the economy. With the delicate balance of international debt and the effect of the value of independent national currencies, the financial exchanges of the entire world would shift drastically.

6. A Large Scale Empire

A statue of Genghis Khan. Image credit: Needpix.com

Few things in our modern world can really grasp the scope of the Mongol Empire's reach. Genghis Khan first united the Mongol and Turkic tribes in the early 1100s. Through the next hundred years, he and his descendants would span their empire across East, Central and West Asia. The advancement of the Mongol Empire created wide-spread cultural and technological trade, but also caused the death of millions. Genghis Khan was a brilliant military leader and strategist, but known for his ruthlessness- and also his lineage. It is estimated that one in every 200 men are direct descendants of Genghis Khan. If an empire expanded to that extent today, the effects would be felt globally for generations.

7. A Working-Class Revolt

The Death of Wat Tyler at the hands of Walworth, Mayor of London, with the young Richard II looking on. Image source: Wikimedia.org

The Wat Tyler Rebellion of 1381 is one of the most often cited working-class revolts in history. With labour shortages and increased taxes resulting in part from the devastation of the Black Death, demands began to rise from the working class. The King met with the people to discuss changes to their system. Much of the items discussed were later renigged by the king, but the peasants succeeded in reversing the poll tax, the inciting incident for the event. If a major revolt of the people were to take place today, where people en-masse stopped working to enact social change, the impacts could stand to be far more dramatic than a simple tax change.

8. A Religious Reformation

Saint Bartholomew's Day massacre, painting by Francois Dubois

The protestant reformation of the 16th century was largely led by John Calvin and Martin Luther. The division within the church created political, economic and social changes, and vastly altered public opinion of the Chruch and its structures of power. The major changes to the church during this time would establish three main offshoots of Christianity, including Protestantism. If a large scale religious reformation were to take place today, it may not have as many wide-sweeping effects, but for countries and cultures where religion is a major factor in daily lives and policymaking, these changes could drastically impact society.

9. An Educational Revolution

For the majority of human history, education was basic and taught in the home, revolving around the required tasks to continue daily life. Science, philosophies, music, art, multiple languages and other formal education topics were reserved for the wealthy, the royal, the elite and religious professionals. As societies advanced and specialized, a desire for the opportunities afforded by advanced knowledge led to diverse offshoots of education, including tutoring, religious schools, trade schools, apprenticeships and the establishment of schools both private and public. Today, an educational revolution may take the shape of free and publicly accessible education for all people, up through and including post-graduate education. In many cultures today, finances impact an individual's ability to continue schooling. With the barrier of entry removed, the advancement to human culture and technology could expand greatly.

10. Pax Romana

Image credit: LittlePerfectStock/Shutterstock.com

Pax Romana translates to "Roman Peace." During this 200 year span, the Roman empire was essentially more peaceful than before. With peace, came stability, economic and social growth, infrastructure and industry development. It led to innovations we still have in some form today, like the basis of many legal systems and an early postage system. If a modern-day "Pax Romana" was to bring peace to areas of long-standing conflict in the world, the advancements we might see in the coming generations, as resources move from war to society, could usher in a new age of prosperity.
Shoppers pass in front of an Apple Inc. store at The Mall at Short Hills shopping center on Black Friday in Short Hills, New Jersey, U.S., on Friday, Nov. 29, 2019. Gabby Jones/Bloomberg via Getty Images Gabby Jones | Bloomberg via Getty Images

This earnings season, investors have to balance spiking coronavirus levels against encouraging vaccine progress as well as rising trade tensions with China. In this unprecedented time, it makes sense to follow the stock picks of analysts with a proven track record of success. We used TipRanks analyst forecasting service to pinpoint Wall Street's best-performing analysts. These are the analysts with the highest success rate and average return measured on a one-year basis- and factoring in the number of ratings made by each analyst. Here are the best-performing analysts' six favorite stocks:

Apple

On July 16, five-star Canaccord Genuity analyst Michael Walkley reiterated his Apple buy rating, while significantly ramping up the price target from $310 to $444. Despite Apple rising 33% year-to-date, his new stock price forecast still indicates 14% upside from current levels. Walkley cites the 5G upgrade cycle as a likely catalyst in 2021 as well as a continued business mix shift towards high-margin services as behind his increasingly bullish take on the stock. Apple's ecosystem approach, including an installed base of more than 1.5 billion devices, should continue to generate strong services revenue, says Walkley. He sees the higher-margin services revenue growth ultimately outpacing total company growth while delivering strong attach rates for multiple hardware purchases. That's alongside a market share leading position in wearables with Watch and AirPods, and $83 billion in net cash to invest in long-term growth. "Ahead of the Covid-19 shock to global economies, we were encouraged by the strong demand for the iPhone 11 lineup and believe Apple will maintain its market share leadership of premium-tier smartphones that should expand with its iPhone 12 lineup supporting 5G along with other strong features," the analyst told investors. One of TipRanks' Top 100 analysts, Walkley scores a stellar 17.1% average return per recommendation.

Akebia Therapeutics

Shares in Akebia have almost doubled year-to-date, and with good reason, says HC Wainwright analyst Ed Arce. He reiterated a buy rating on the biopharma on July 15, citing a new study evaluating vadadustat for coronavirus-related acute respiratory distress syndrome. The investigator-sponsored, placebo-controlled study is conducted under an investigational new drug application filed with the Food and Drug Administration for up to 300 adult patients with coronavirus related hypoxemia. Hypoxemia is a below-normal level of oxygen in the blood, that can signal breathing or circulation-related difficulties. Arce believes Akebia's lead product candidate vadadustat could be efficacious in preventing lung injury in patients who experience acute respiratory distress syndrome, and protecting other organs, according to a report on July 15. However, his valuation on the company is primarily based on vadadustat's potential US approval for anemia due to chronic kidney disease. This means that the upcoming top-line data readout in mid-2020 from the second Phase 3 pivotal program of vadadustat in non-dialysis-dependent kidney disease is the next major milestone for the stock, says the analyst. He calculates for an early 2022 launch for vadadustat with a $2.8 billion peak U.S. sales in 2030. He has a $17 stock price forecast, a 38% upside potential. Arce is ranked 265 out of over 6,750 analysts, thanks to a 17.7% average return per rating.

UnitedHealth

Diversified healthcare giant UnitedHealth has just reported a large second-quarter earnings beat, while maintaining its conservative guidance. Oppenheimer's Michael Wiederhorn reiterated his UnitedHealth buy rating with a $353 price target, up from $343 previously. UnitedHealth produced strong second-quarter results as medical costs declined precipitously due to the pandemic, the analyst explained. For instance, UnitedHealth reported second-quarter adjusted earnings per share of $7.12, easily beating consensus of $5.28. Looking forward, UnitedHealth stuck with its fiscal-year 2020 adjusted earnings-per-share guidance of $16.25 to $16.55. "Since management is factoring in elevated medical costs in its 2H:20 outlook and 2021 pricing, we believe there should be upside to numbers should costs remain depressed due to the environment," Wiederhorn wrote on July 15. As a result, the analyst told investors "we would continue to be long-term buyers." In general, Wiederhorn believes UnitedHealth is well-positioned by virtue of its diversification, strong track record, elite management team, and exposure to certain higher growth businesses. Meanwhile the company's Optum business is a nice complement to its core managed care operations and continues to account for a large share of earnings. Ranked by TipRanks as one of the Top 100 analysts, Wiederhorn boasts a 70% success rate and 16.3% return on his recommendations.

Disney

Top Goldman Sachs analyst Brett Feldman has just initiated coverage on Disney, starting the House of Mouse off with a buy rating and $137 stock price forecast, a 13% upside potential. Disney is rapidly emerging as a global streaming leader, says Feldman, and ranks well ahead of peers on its direct-to-consumer video offering, Disney+. According to the Goldman analyst, the market is undervaluing Disney's direct-to-consumer segment by a more than 50%. He sees Disney+ reaching a "conservative" 150 million subscribers by 2025 out of a total market of 721 million, and achieving profitability by 2021, versus a consensus of 2023. As Disney approaches Netflix-like scale, it will approach Netflix-like economics, says Feldman. He estimates that the market is now valuing Disney's direct-to-consumer segment at a 50% to 60% discount to Neflix. "We believe such a material discount is unwarranted and expect this valuation gap to close as Disney+ ramps its customer base and achieves profitability," the analyst argued. Moreover, Feldman expects that Disney's Parks and Studios segments will fully recover post-coronavirus, adding that synergies between these two segments are also underappreciated. Feldman scores a 77% success rate and 17.1% average return on a one-year basis.

ServiceNow

Ahead of ServiceNow's second-quarter earnings report, five-star RBC Capital analyst Alex Zukin singled out the company as a top stock to watch. He called the cloud company one of his "favorite names" and boosted his stock price forecast from $372 to $500 on July 14. "Our discussions with partners lead us to believe the 2Q report will be strong as NOW potentially becomes both a near and longer-term Remote Work beneficiary" the analyst commented. Specifically, Zukin is modeling for above-guidance second-quarter subscriber revenue of $999.7 million, or 28% year over year, but adds that the company could score a beat close to historical levels of 1.3%, implying $1.013 billion in revenue. In particular, he sees the IT product portfolio driving demand improvement in the quarter, with businesses seeking to optimize remote working and ensure operational resiliency. Feedback was solidly more positive than last quarter, says Zukin, and partner tone was notably more confident. "Our research suggests ServiceNow has leveraged its strong IT incumbency, flexible product portfolio, and best-in-class sales leadership to capitalize on shifting immediate customer priorities and level-up its position as a strategic vendor to its customers" the Top 20 analyst concluded.

Zscaler
Nearly half a year since the toxic wind of the COVID-19 epidemic swept across the region, many governments in Asia have implemented bailout packages to rescue theirhardest hit industries, such as tourism, food and beverage, retail...

In Japan, a subsidy campaign has been prepared to support the shrinking tourism industry. Japanese Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism has recently announced that Japan will deploy a subsidy campaign from July 22 to promote tourism activities in Japan amidst concerns about the risk of a furtheroutbreak.

Accordingly, the Government of Japan will provide up to US$190 per person per night for accommodation and US$95 per day, including travel expenses for tourists.

The Thai government also recently launched policies to rescue the tourism industry. The Government has approved stimulus packages worth US$716.8 million to promote domestic tourism, with the goal of stimulating about 2 million domestic tours in the third quarter of 2020. This domestic stimulus package includes allowances for accommodation, transportation, meals, and entrance fees at attractions.

Meanwhile, in India, in addition to economic stimulus policies, the government has been paying special attention to supporting rural job creation. After India imposed a nationwide lockdown in March this year to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 epidemic, about 100 million migrant workers fell into unemployment, temporarily returning to their home towns to make a living.

In this context, creating jobs for rural workers is a must-do task right now, so Prime Minister N. Modi has launched the Poor Welfare Employment Campaign valued at about US$6.7 billion. The campaign will focus on building roads, houses, setting up a system of supply of electricity and gas, etc. These projects will give priority to ensuringemployment for migrant workers.

In another Asian country, Singapore, the government has quickly turned challenges into opportunities inaccelerating the process of digital transformation, in the context of people having to implement social distance.

The E-Commerce Booster Package has been launched to provide consulting services, human resource support and costs for small and medium-sized businesses with little or no e-commerce experience, to help them adapt their businesses to online sales.

It is believed that such creative solutions launched by some countries in Asia could help people, businesses and economies to stand up and rise strongly after the severe crisis.
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WASHINGTON - Ask Joe Biden what he's looking for in a vice president and he fondly describes his tenure as second-in-command to President Barack Obama.

Their eight-year relationship was one of trust, candor and respect, he says, a bond forged as fellow senators and presidential-campaign-rivals-turned-friends. As Biden told supporters recently, he wants someone who is "simpatico with me, both in terms of personality as well as substance."

It is in many ways a conventional standard recited by generations of presidential candidates before him, with a premium usually placed on deep Washington experience, particularly membership in the Senate or leadership in the House, or executive experience at the state level.

But as Biden enters the final stretch of a decidedly unconventional search process - he has promised to pick a woman, and is vetting several African American contenders who would make history amid a growing racial justice movement - the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee is facing growing pressure to break from an old playbook that has resulted in white men being tapped all but two times in the country's history.

Few black women have had the opportunity to serve in the nation's highest state and federal elected jobs stymied by a history of systemic racism and sexism in U.S. politics. Two black women have been elected to the Senate, and no black woman has ever won a governorship.

"Hopefully the political class will have evolved sufficiently to understand that some of the rules that they set out are no longer applicable," said Carol Moseley Braun, who in 1992 became the first black woman elected to the Senate. "The fact of the matter is we've never had black women in a lot of these positions so how can you go to say experience in it is the prerequisite? Otherwise, what you get is that old circular firing squad and you wind up never getting anybody."

Putting aside the old standards could prove especially challenging for Biden, 77, whose long Washington career means many of his deepest political alliances are with people of similar backgrounds, mainly white men.

"He has to recognize that even his set of relationships, I'm quite sure, are geared toward his world," said LaTosha Brown, co-founder of Black Voters Matter, which educates and mobilizes black people to participate in the political process. "This isn't about just who he aligns with."

"Maybe 20 years [ago], having somebody like he said, 'simpatico,' that might have been enough," Brown said. "That's not enough in the moment that we're in right now. In the moment that we're in where every single system is on the brink of crumbling . . . he does not have the luxury of his white male political relationships to move him forward."

The death of George Floyd, a black man who pleaded for his life as a Minneapolis police officer knelt on his neck for nearly nine minutes, has forced the nation to confront institutional racism and discrimination in a way that it didn't even during the tenure of the first black president. Some activists have said that by choosing a black woman, Biden would make a statement about moving the country toward greater equity for marginalized groups. Practically, it would also acknowledge the contribution of black women as the Democratic Party's most loyal group of voters.

Only one black woman on Biden's reported list - Sen. Kamala Harris, D-Calif. - has won statewide elections. Harris, who ran unsuccessfully for the presidential nomination, is the only black woman besides Moseley Braun elected to the Senate.

Other black women said to be in the running include Rep. Val Demings, D-Fla., who was one the managers of the House's impeachment proceedings against President Donald Trump; Rep. Karen Bass, D-Calif., chair of the Congressional Black Caucus and former speaker of the California state assembly; Susan Rice, a former national security adviser; and Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms, a Democrat.

Sen. Tammy Duckworth, D-Ill., who is of Thai and Chinese descent, has emerged as a strong contender. New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham, a Latina Democrat, also is being considered.

Georgia's Stacey Abrams, the first black woman to win a major party nomination for governor, is said to have fallen off the list, with many citing the fact that the highest office she held was a Democratic leader of her state legislature. When asked about her readiness to be vice president, Abrams has asserted that she does believe she has the experience to do the job.

Since Shirley Chisholm, D-N.Y., became the first black woman elected to Congress in 1968, 47 black women have served in Congress. Black women have chaired subcommittees and held deputy posts in the House Democratic caucus; two have chaired standing committees, and none have served as caucus chair or whip.

In Biden's home state of Delaware, it wasn't until 2016 that voters sent the first African American and first woman to Congress. Rep. Lisa Blunt Rochester, D-Del., is a national co-chair of Biden's campaign and one of four co-chairs of his vice presidential selection committee. Blunt Rochester declined to be interviewed for this report. She also declined last month during a Facebook Live town hall with black women leaders to say whether she thinks Biden should choose a black woman. She said that she was "humbled, I'm honored, I am going to be blunt and I recognize the times that we are living in."

"I can tell you my own heart and what goes into for me. We all know we have a lot of qualified black women that are being considered . . . and that needs to be stated up front," she said during the event hosted by All In Together, a group aimed at increasing civic participation among women. "Ultimately, it's going to be his decision, but I will carry with me Fannie Lou Hamer, I will carry with me Harriet Tubman, I will carry with me my grandmother, Lucille, who was a union leader, and my grandmother Helen Blunt, who raised four kids in the projects of Philly, who was a nurse. I will carry all these people with me, including my 31-year-old daughter."

Ruby Woolridge, a candidate for an at-large seat on the Arlington, Texas, City Council, says that for black women the institutional, financial and social barriers are much harder than glass. She describes their combination as a concrete ceiling.

"You've got to overcome the culture gap. You got to overcome the experience gap. You've got to overcome the 'You don't look the part' gap," Woolridge said during a recent interview. "It's not something you can shatter, because it has been cemented and it has set over generations."

Mosely Braun said political culture is harder on black women. "It's terrible," she said, adding that even in political reporting "black women's candidacies always get relegated to second place. Nobody thinks we're capable of doing this stuff and the political class resists seeing you coming." She said she hopes that "all these kids out here marching in the streets are going to help change it."

Nadia Brown, an associate professor of political science at Purdue University, said black women in politics are "invisible and hyper-visible at the same time."

"We don't pay attention to their policy issues, we don't take them seriously when they say things on the campaign trail or even on the legislative floor," Brown said. Yet, she adds, "anytime black women are present people feel uncomfortable, intimidated" in ways that they don't feel toward white women. Black women run up against both racism and sexism in politics, which continues to be dominated by white men, especially in higher office.

Women, who make up more than half of the nation's population, hold 23.7% of the 535 seats in Congress, including 26% in the Senate and 23.2% in the House, according to the Center for American Women and Politics at Rutgers University's Eagleton Institute of Politics. Among the nation's 50 governors, nine are women.

Former Rep. Geraldine Ferraro, D-N.Y., became the first woman to be chosen as a vice-presidential nominee when Walter Mondale tapped her for the Democratic ticket in 1984. The second was former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, who ran with Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., in 2008.

The only other time a woman appeared on a major party ticket was 2016, when Hillary Rodham Clinton a former senator and secretary of state, won the Democratic presidential nomination. Her running mate was Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va.

Karine Jean-Pierre, a senior advisory to Biden's campaign, said that by ruling out a man as his running mate Biden had already shown he was willing to abandon convention.

"This whole process, the vice presidential process for 2020 for the Democratic nominee has been untraditional. Months ago he said, 'I am going to pick a woman to be vice president,' " Jean-Pierre said in an interview. "I don't think we've ever seen that before, that is untraditional. He did that on his own, he said that before anybody else did. That he made that commitment tells you a lot about his thinking. He understands his ticket needs to representative of the country."

Karen Finney, a Democratic strategist who helped coordinate an open letter signed by several hundred black women urging Biden to choose a black female running mate, said their statement purposely declared that all of the women under consideration were qualified.

"We were feeling like the way the word was being thrown around, 'qualifications,' was becoming the new 'likability,' " Finney said, referring to another measure by which the political class tends to judge women. "Voters tend to assume a man is qualified when they enter a race but women, and particularly women of color, constantly have to credential themselves and remind people of their qualifications."

People with knowledge of the vice presidential process say that the fact that women like Rice, who has never held elected office, and Bottoms, who has no Washington experience, are being vetted indicates that the campaign is not following the old rule book about what makes a suitable vice president.

Both women have ties to Biden, however, with Rice and Biden having worked closely on foreign policy in the Obama administration and Bottoms stepping out as an early endorser of his campaign.

Finney said Washington credentials might not be as important for Biden, who spent 44 years in the nation's capital as a senator and second-in-command to Obama. The current administration's handling of the coronavirus pandemic has severely strained relationships between the federal and local governments. If Biden were elected, a vice president with local or state experience and relationships might prove more helpful to deal with the federal government's ongoing response to the pandemic, including overseeing the production and distribution of a possible vaccine.

Similarly, ongoing concerns about policing and criminal justice might make someone with experience in those areas more valuable to Biden, who has already drawn criticism and skepticism from some activists who are dismayed that he does not support calls to defund police departments.

"We need to reframe what qualifications - quote, unquote - mean and what he might be looking for," Finney said.

Aimee Allison, founder of She The People, which seeks to raise the visibility of women of color in politics, said the black women on the list would excite voters of color, and not just because of their race and gender.

The contenders mentioned are "deeply experienced in translating community needs into policy" in areas such as housing, education and public safety. "These are the things that we care about. We have a wealth of experience among the black women being considered as a co-governing partner with Biden," she said.

People close to Biden said personal dynamics are a critical component of his decision-making.

"They don't have to agree with me on everything, but they have to have the same basic approach to how we handle the economy and how we handle everything," Biden said at a fundraiser in May.

As a senator and former California attorney general, Harris more closely fits the traditional political profile of a potential running mate than some others under consideration.

Although Biden had left the Senate by the time Harris arrived in 2017, he had a friendly, if not deep, relationship with her through his son Beau, a former attorney general of Delaware. Harris, a former attorney general of California, worked with Beau Biden to negotiate restitution with banks during the 2008 mortgage crisis. Beau Biden died in 2015.

As much as Biden boasts about his relationship with Obama, some note that the two did not start out as tight buddies. Indeed, Biden's identity as a more experienced white man with blue collar credentials was a factor in his selection to run with a younger black man who had been in Washington less than three years.

Allison and others argue that similarly, Biden needs a running mate who will "help expand the appeal of the ticket and help to strengthen a multiracial coalition of voters that we need to vote in November. You cannot say a white candidate does that."

Voters are not as adamant about Biden choosing a black female for vice president. A recent Washington Post-Ipsos poll of black Americans found them to be evenly divided on the matter. The found that 50% said it was very or fairly important for Biden to choose a black woman, while 49% said it was not. A black female running mate was more important to black women under the age of 40 than those 40 and older.

Woolridge, the Arlington, Texas, City Council candidate, said she is excited about the possibility of Biden choosing a black female running mate. She said it would be an acknowledgment by the party that black women are its most loyal constituency. Black women consistently support Democratic candidates, posting higher turnout rates than any other group during the presidential contests of 2009 and 2012. Although their percentage of the vote dropped in 2016, they still supported Clinton at a higher rate than any other group, with 94% casting their ballots for the first female presidential nominee of a major party.

"Courage," Woolridge said, is what it will take for a black woman to be chosen.

"The women are prepared to serve, they have the background and the experience. They need to be given the opportunity," she added. "There has to be courage on the part of the leadership to not be afraid to make the right decision."
Anuraag Singh By

Express News Service

BHOPAL: Dalit rights activist and Gujarat legislator Jignesh Mevani has declared a war against the Shivraj Singh Chouhan led BJP government over the recent torture of a landless Dalit couple and their kin by the police in Guna district of Madhya Pradesh.

Mevani visited Guna district on Saturday and met the victim couple at the hospital and their kin. Later, Mevani announced a waging war against the BJP government, if the culprit cops werent booked under provisions of the Prevention of Atrocities against SC/ST Act and arrested within 24 hours.

"The cops crossed all limits by beating the landless couple who had consumed pesticide as their crops were getting crushed by the government team. The cops didnt even spare the kids of the couple and threw them away, while also tearing the blouse of a woman related to the couple. We demand that all the culprit cops not only be suspended in the matter but booked under provisions of SC/ST Atrocities Act and arrested in the next 24 hours, said Mevani.

"If the action demanded by us isn't initiated in the next 24 hours, we'll call upon all farmers and Dalits to proceed towards MP for teaching lesson to the Shivraj Singh Chouhan government," threatened Mevani.

"Till date, the MP CM hasnt visited the victim family, we're giving him 24 hours to come and meet the family and initiate the action demanded by us against the culprit cops. If it doesn't happen, it would prove very costly to the Shivraj Singh Chouhan government.

Meanwhile, based on The New Indian Express story published online on July 15, Akash Baglekar, a fourth-year law student at the University College of Law, Osmania University, Hyderabad has written to the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) to take cognizance of the entire shocking episode and requested for an enquiry and compensation to the Dalit family.

Till date six cops, including a sub-inspector have been suspended over July 14 shocking incident and a magisterial probe headed by SDM SL Yadav has been ordered. Also, the collector and SP of Guna district and IG-Gwalior have been removed from their posts by the MP government.

On July 14, the Dalit couple Ramkumar and Savitri Bai had consumed pesticide after failing to prevent a government team from crushing their crops with a JCB machine which the local administration claims is public land encroached by a powerful land mafia Gabbu Pardi and then rented to the Dalit family for farming on payment of Rs 3 lakh.

The couple after consuming poison was ruthlessly beaten by cops on the same land in Jagatpur Chak area of Guna district, while they resisted being taken in an ambulance to the hospital. When Ramkumars brother and mother tried to save the couple, they too were beaten by the cops, who also abused and pushed away helpless kids of the couple.

The concerned land has been allocated for opening a model College of Excellence.

The Guna district police lodged a case u/s 353, 141, 309 of IPC against seven people, including the couple at the Guna Cantt police station.

Man beaten by mob over suspicion of pesticide theft in Guna, video goes viral

Meanwhile, the Guna district police are probing the brutal beating of a man by the mob over suspicion of pesticide theft at the Galla Mandi in Guna district on July 16. The incident had come to light after a video went viral over social media on Saturday evening.

The viral video shows the man becoming unconscious due to the beating by the attackers, after being dragged by attackers through a cloth around his neck and being dragged to the ground.

The police have lodged a case of theft against the man who was beaten brutally beaten. ". He is accused in at least seven criminal cases in adjoining Ashok Nagar district, including cases of bootlegging and NPDS Act. A standing arrest warrant also is pending against him in Ashok Nagar district. He had stolen pesticide from a farmer and sold it in the Galla Mandi, enraged over which those present at the market assaulted him. His medical examination has been done and the process is underway to identify the attackers and book and arrest them for the criminal assault, SP of Guna district Rajesh Kumar Singh said on Sunday.
An Indian national has been injured in firing by the Nepal Armed Police Force (NAPF) in the 'no man's land' on the Indo-Nepal border in Bihar's Kishanganj district, a senior police officer said on Sunday.

The incident occurred around 9:30 pm on Saturday near pillar number 152 when Jitendra Kumar Singh and three others had gone there to bring back their cattle that had strayed into the 'no man's land', Superintendent of Police Kumar Ashish said.

The victim is a resident of Mafia Tola village under Fatehpur police station of the district. The family members rushed the injured man, who received a bullet injury on his left arm, to Kishanganj sadar hospital from where doctors referred him to Purnea for better treatment.

The SP said police and Sashastra Seema Bal, the Indian border guarding force deployed on the Indo-Nepal border, are probing the matter. The SSBs 12th battalion Commandant Lalit Kumar said that Nepal Armed Police Force opened fire on the suspicion that they were cattle smugglers.

Entering the 'no man's land' is prohibited during the lockdown, he said, adding the Nepalese force opened fire following an altercation. The Nepalese personnel fired four rounds. On June 12, an Indian national was killed while two others were injured in firing by the NAPF on Indo-Nepal border near Lalbandi Janki Nagar village in Bihars Sitamarhi district.

The incidents have occurred in the midst of a raging boundary row between the two countries, with India sternly asking Nepal not to resort to any "artificial enlargement" of its territorial claims after Kathmandu recently released a new political map laying claim over Lipulekh, Kalapani and Limpiyadhura.

New Delhi maintains that these are part of Uttarakhand, while Kathmandu, in its recent map, has shown them as part of Western Nepal.

India had published its new map of the border region in November, after it divided Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh into two union territories. The map had incorporated these areas of Uttarakhand, the territories disputed with Nepal, within India's borders.
Terry Currier, owner of Music Millennium, reopened his storied Portland record shop June 1 after offering only curbside pickup and delivery for two and a half months.

It didnt take long for his customers to return.
For decades in Huntsville, the name Charlie Grainger was equally ubiquitous and behind-the-scenes.

While Wernher von Braun at NASA and the Army Missile Command were creating the smoke and fire that made Redstone Arsenal famous, Grainger was walking the back halls of Capitol Hill, lobbying for the money to make it all happen.

As an executive at Teledyne Brown Engineering, Grainger fought the backroom fights in favor of Huntsvilles space program and for a national missile defense system, now one of Redstone Arsenals bread and butter programs.

We won the fight for missile defense, Grainger said. That was my primary interest over the years.

The backstory of those backroom negotiations are part of Graingers new book, My Journey Through a Changing South.

Grainger, now 83 and living in Sandy Springs, Georgia, with Mary, his wife of 52 years, looks back in his memoir on his rise from a barefooted country boy to newspaperman to state legislator to Capitol Hill lobbyist.

He was born in rural Lawrence County, then spent his later childhood and teens as a plucky newspaper carrier and savings bond salesman in Sheffield. At 13, he met President Harry Truman when he was invited to the White House to be honored for his bond sales.

Graingers life has been full of such brushes with history, as well as brushes with death. He nearly died twice during infancy, nearly drowned as a teenager, then escaped death as a young man while flying on a small plane, says the summary of his book on Amazon.com.

He began his working career as a journalist, starting as a reporter for The Birmingham News and later editor of The Valley Voice in Tuscumbia.

While reporting for The Birmingham News in 1961, he witnessed an angry mob that beat up Black Freedom Riders at the Montgomery Bus Depot and was nearly beaten himself, he said.

As editor of The Valley Voice, he got to meet President John F. Kennedy not long before his assassination in 1963. Grainger and other Alabama editors were invited to the White House for a luncheon to discuss solving racial problems in the South.

Four days later the presidents office asked him to help coordinate a visit by President Kennedy to Muscle Shoals to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Tennessee Valley Authority.

President Kennedy had the most charisma of any man I had ever met, Grainger recalled.

Grainger would later work with business leaders in Huntsville to establish equal employment policies that the federal government required if NASA was going to do its historic work here.

He sees echoes of that turbulent time in the 1960s in todays ongoing movement for social justice.

Im for working together, down the line, said Grainger. Thats always been my thing, practice the Golden Rule. Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.

Though much of his career was spent working behind the scenes with politicians to get things done, he stepped into the public arena briefly when he served in the State Legislature from 1968-1970.

Before retiring in 2017, Grainger would serve many years as the director of Cummings Research Park, then as a private economic development consultant.

He was among the generation that stoked the fire that would see Huntsville grow from a small cotton and watercress town, to The Rocket City, and now diversifying into a burgeoning automobile manufacturing center.

Hes looking forward to watching that fire continue to burn hot.

Well be a leader if we go to Mars, and I think we will, he said.

Book signing

Grainger will sign books Saturday, Aug. 8 at Below The Radar, 220 Holmes Ave. NE, from 6-8 p.m.

Shelly Haskins writes about points of pride statewide. Email your suggestions to shaskins@al.com, or tweet them to @Shelly_Haskins using #AlabamaProud
Another flexible ticket option will permit travel on any 12 days of the month

Great Western Railway is proposing a flexible 'three days in seven' season ticket

A train firm have introduced flexible three-day-week season tickets for commuters travelling into London, as thousands continue working from home after the coronavirus lockdown.

Great Western Railway is proposing a 'three days in seven' season ticket to encourage commuters to return to work at their London offices.

Another flexible ticket option will permit travel on any 12 days of the month, the Sunday Times reported.

Great Western Railway is proposing a 'three days in seven' season ticket to encourage commuters to return to work at their London offices following lockdown (file photo)

The company runs services into London from popular commuter towns and cities, such as Bath, Reading and Oxford.

Currently, the only flexible season tickets are in trial schemes, as peak-time tickets remain popular with commuters travelling into cities every day.

But standard season tickets are proving unsuitable for workers who are gradually returning to the office after months of working from home during lockdown.

Great Western Railway said: 'Our research suggests commuters will travel, on average, into work three days a week, rather than the current five.'

A standard GWR annual ticket from Swindon to London Paddington currently costs 9,272, excluding any costs of London underground travel.

Thameslink, Northern and Great Northern train companies offer flexibility across some fares, such as providing a discount on a book of 10 single tickets.

The only flexible season tickets currently available are in trial schemes. But standard season tickets are unsuitable for those gradually returning to work for a limited days a week after lockdown (file photo)

A monthly season ticket travelling from Reading to London Paddington costs 454.70, compared with the annual ticket option, which is priced at 4,736.

But commuters have to pay more for an annual ticket that allows them to travel between zones 1-6 in London.

This increases the price of a monthly season pass from Reading to 539.60, and a yearly ticket to 5,620.

Workers not working a conventional five-day week currently have to buy expensive day-return tickets, which cost significantly more than a season ticket's average journey price.

A peak-time day return from Woking, Surrey, to London Waterloo costs 22.90, whereas the daily rate is nearly half that for the cheapest monthly season ticket, if used every working day.

Anthony Smith, chief executive of independent watchdog Transport Focus, said: 'A get-back-to-work message has got to be matched by the getback-to-work rail products to underpin it.'

Rail firms are submitting proposals to the Department for Transport, offering cut-price fares to appease commuters who will have to pay thousands for a season ticket (file photo)

This comes after Boris Johnson expressed his concern about the impact empty offices are having on city centre economies last week.

He and Chancellor Rishi Sunak were said to be aghast at how empty offices are influencing town centre shops and restaurants - and worried that widespread homeworking is wrecking Britain's productivity.

The Prime Minister also suggested people should return to the office if it is 'safe', during an online Q&A session with members of the public.

But official guidance remains the same, that those who can work from home should continue to do so.

There are also concerns that many staff will be unable to return to work even if they want to, as both offices and public transport will not be able to run at full capacity and adhere to social distancing.

Commuters annual season tickets do not apply for London underground travel, as they have to pay more for an pass that allows them to travel between zones 1-6. Pictured, commuters wearing face masks travel on TfL Victoria Line

A Government spokesman said of the return to work: 'As we reopen our society and economy, it's right that we give employers more discretion while continuing to ensure employees are kept safe.'

Only 4 per cent of professionals want to go back to spending four or five days a week in the office, according to research by recruitment agency Stanton House.

Rail firms are submitting proposals to the Department for Transport this week, offering cut-price fares to appease commuters who will have to pay thousands of pounds for a season ticket.

The proposals, which could still take months, is set to include carnets and flexi-season tickets, which will cover three return journeys a week.

The DfT said it asked the train industry to explore more options for flexible commuting to make things 'as useful and convenient as possible'.
Protesters in Tel Aviv sprayed pepper spray at police, leading to multiple arrests

Israeli police fired water cannons to disperse anti-government protests attended by thousands on Saturday, as public anger mounts over the handling of the coronavirus crisis.

Demonstrators gathered outside Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's residence in Jerusalem and at a park in Tel Aviv, voicing frustration over the government's response to a growing epidemic that has taken a devastating economic toll.

Police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld said officers had allowed demonstrations to take place but took action against unauthorised "disturbances," including road blockages.

Rosenfeld said protesters in Tel Aviv sprayed pepper spray at police, leading to multiple arrests.

With Israel recording more than 1,000 new coronavirus infections a day in recent weeks, the government on Friday announced a broad range of new restrictions.

Shops, markets and other public venues have closed on weekends, while restaurants have been restricted to take away and delivery.

Netanyahu has admitted he reopened the economy too soon through late April and early May, when Israel, a country of about 9 million people, had reduced its daily caseload to a trickle.

In an apparent bid to quell public anger, Netanyahu this week announced plans to send cash to all Israelis -- a measure criticised by some experts who said the economy needed targeted assistance, not a nationwide payout.

While some protesters voiced frustration over the reimposed restrictions, others have blasted the government for failing to improve testing capacity ahead of the second transmission wave.

According to a July 12 poll by the Israel Democracy Institute think tank, only 29.5 percent of the public supported Netanyahu's coronavirus management.

That figure was 57.5 percent at the beginning of April.

Beyond the pandemic, some protesters demanded Netanyahu's resignation over corruption charges filed against the veteran right-wing premier.

Netanyahu denies wrongdoing, but has been indicted for accepting improper gifts and seeking to trade favours with media moguls in exchange for positive coverage.

The trial continues in Jerusalem on Sunday, although Netanyahu is not expected to appear in court.
LOS ANGELES  For a history buff like Gary Cole, mixed-ish is a great way to revisit the past.

Its like music, he says. When you hear music, you immediately go to a time and place. Its the same with historical events. I remember them when they happened. I just didnt have the grasp of what they meant.

In the ABC sitcom, he plays the gruff father of Mark-Paul Gosselaar, a free spirit married to Tika Sumpter. Sumpters character works for him and, frequently, the two butt heads.

The reason: Coles Harrison Jackson III represents a lot of the ists that were prevalent during the 1980s, the shows time period. In addition to being a chauvinist, hes also an egotist and, at times, a racist.

Mixed-ish, a spinoff of black-ish, details what life was like for Rainbow Johnson as the child of a Black mother and a white father. Frequently, Cole says, the series will light on seminal moments during the 1980s.

Its a real museum piece, he says. Youre kind of flashing back to a lot of things.

When the cast got on the set, Ethan William Childress, who plays his grandson, saw a landline telephone and asked, Whats that bar on the wall?

He had no idea, Cole says. It shows just how much you dont even think of.

Key political moments  the Reagan years, for example  have a different meaning for the Illinois native when he looks back.

I was living in Chicago at the time, just getting started, he says. I was probably confused about a lot of things and I didnt plan much beyond the next months rent.

Cole joined the Steppenwolf Theatre Company in 1985 and got his first brush with fame in the miniseries, Fatal Vision. That led to a string of television appearances and, in 1999, a role as the insufferable office supervisor Bill Lumbergh in Office Space.

Even today, he says, 70 percent of the people who come up to me because of that movie. Weve all had a boss like that but, strangely, I never worked in an office before. I didnt understand the impact of making a movie about that culture, that world. (Director) Mike Judge nailed it. Every character in that movie is entertaining, so it works on a lot of different levels. It certainly hit a nerve for people who answer to management or, even worse, middle management.

Countless other film and television television roles (as all sorts of executives, cops and bad guys) followed until he landed in Veep as Kent Davison, the presidents no-nonsense numbers cruncher.

When Julia (Louis-Dreyfus, the shows star) announced that she had health issues and that led to us stopping production for a year, we knew that (the next season) was going to be the last year, Cole says. We had a whole year getting used to being without this so when it returned, it made it all the more joyous. It was emotional, for sure, but the ride to get to the end was a lot of fun. And for everybody involved, that was show was all about the ride.

Unlike other TV shows Cole was on, Veep spent a good deal of time in rehearsal, pulling scenes apart and putting them back togethereven on the day of shooting. They never settled for anything. Instead of doing 10 shows the last year, they decided to strip it down to seven and make it as exceptional as we could.

Now thrilled with the possibilities of mixed-ish, Cole says the comedy has the ability to reach a wide range of age groups. My father gets a real kick out of it. My daughter loves it and shes 26. Were getting all these perspectives. Certainly the power of network television still exists.

In the future, Cole says, who knows how generations will look back on 2020. Will we even have shows that exist like this?

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Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry discussed national security with Jordan's King Abdullah II in the capital Amman on Sunday, including establishing a Palestinian state through "political process."

Shoukry said in a news briefing the two leaders agreed that the possible annexation of the Palestinian lands and current situations in Syria, Libya and Iraq "poses a serious threat to Egyptian national security and Arab national security".

Jordan's Foreign Minister Ayman al-Safadi said efforts are being made to stop annexation and "progress towards a real peaceful process that brings the parties to the table of dialogue on the basis of international law and in accordance with the two-state solution."

Egypt and Jordan are the only Arab states who signed a peace treaty with Israel.
The COVID-19 pandemic has completely changed our lives. For most people, it's been more devastating than ever, but we all are hopeful for a better future. Right now, the only thing we're awaiting is a vaccine to put an end to all this.

So, how are we doing with vaccines? Is there any hope to get out of this pandemic anytime soon? Well, if the reports and studies are something to go by, then a COVID-19 vaccine will be available sooner rather than later.

Here's a list of the vaccines that have entered trials and have shown some promising results -

1. Russia Says It's Ready

 Reuters

Yes, you read that right. The Russian defence ministry today said it had developed a "safe" coronavirus vaccine.



The ministry said 18 people had participated in the research and were discharged without "serious adverse events, health complaints, complications or side effects".

We don't know much about this vaccine, but we're hopeful that it'll reach more places if everything goes well.

2. India's Covaxin

COVAXIN is Indias top contender in the Covid-19 vaccine race. It's competing with around 100 other vaccine candidates around the world.

That being said, it looks like there's still a lot more to be done before we get this vaccine. It's in the beginning phase of human trials.

3. Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) live-attenuated vaccine

 Reuters

This one's currently the top contender among other vaccines. This particular vaccine has been sponsored by a bunch of Universities and Hospitals and is currently at phase 2/3 of trails. Let's hope for the best.



4. AZD1222

'AZD1222' by the University of Oxford is also at phase 2/3 of human trials. Both the University of Oxford and the Jenner Institute are working on the vaccine and it's being partly funded by the UK Ministry of Health.

Well, there are hundreds of other vaccines that are currently in development. But as mentioned earlier, only these are the ones that are expected to show some promising results soon and put an end to this pandemic.

Source: RAPS
DISCHINGER, Hugh Charles Sr., of Gloucester Court House, died unexpectedly July 11, 2020, at the age of 96. He was born March 4, 1924, in Chicago, to Irvin E. and Evelyn Bender Dischinger. His family moved to the Court House in 1928. His parents and three brothers lived in the Botetourt Hotel and the Southside Building, before buying the family home on Lewis Avenue in 1934. He attended Christchurch School and Virginia Military Institute. He was a Fighter Pilot in the U.S. Army Air Corps in WWII, with overseas duty in the Pacific Theater. He observed the bomber headed for the destruction of Nagasaki, as it refueled and took off from the airfield on Iwo Jima. His was the first Army Air Corps unit in the Pacific to fly jets, the P-80 and he was the third in the unit to be checked out. After the war, he returned to VMI to complete his education in Civil Engineering and was elected valedictorian of his graduating class. While visiting home in Gloucester, he met the only woman for him, Thelma Ann Brown, of Ware Neck. They were married in 1950 and were devoted to each other until her death in 2004. Hugh continued to live in the Lewis Avenue home until he moved into Commonwealth Senior Living in Gloucester in 2018. Hugh was a lifetime member of Ware Episcopal Church, and he served as Sunday School Superintendent, Vestryman, Senior Warden and Honorary Vestryman. He also was active in the Boy Scouts of America and was winner of the Silver Beaver Award from the Middle Peninsula Council. Professionally, he was a practicing Civil Engineer and Surveyor, owning a consulting engineering firm in Hampton and later Yorktown. He served as president of the local chapters of the American Society of Civil Engineers and the Virginia Society of Professional Engineers. He was appointed by the Governor of Virginia in 1966 to the Virginia Marine Resources Study Commission. He was a docent for the Rosewell Foundation in Gloucester. Hugh is survived by his four children, Hugh Charles Dischinger Jr. (Portia), Martha Dischinger Wellons (Clarence William), Joseph Brown Dischinger (Sally) and Amy Dischinger Colaizzi (Vittorio); and five grandchildren, Hugh Joshua Dischinger (Monica), Matthew Charles Dischinger (Marybeth), William Todd Wellons, Kathryn Craft Wellons and Hannah Rose Dischinger. The family would like to thank the entire staff at Commonwealth Senior Living in Gloucester for their loving and welcoming care. In lieu of flowers, the family wishes to honor Hugh's memory with gifts to Ware Episcopal Church, P.O. Box 616, Gloucester, Va. 23061 or the Rosewell Foundation at foundation@rosewell.org. Andrews Funeral Home & Crematory, Gloucester, Va., is in charge of arrangements.
The movie Hanh phuc cua Me (The Happiness of a Mother), which won the Vietnam Cinematic Associations Golden Kite Award 2019, was chosen to be screened on the opening day.

Nine films from nine ASEAN member countries will be introduced to audiences for free in Hanoi, Da Nang and Ho Chi Minh City during the week from July 18-26.

The event will contribute to enhancing cultural connection among ASEAN countries, towards building a community of peace, stability, cohesion and prosperity.

Through the film week, Vietnam expects to implement its political goals and improve its position as well as promote the image of its land, people and cultural traditions of the country to international friends.
Orlando Bloom is praying for the return of his dog, Mighty.

On Sunday, the Carnival Row actor, 43, shared a heartbreaking post about his canine companion, who went missing last week in Montecito, California.

"I don't recall a time in my life where Ive been so broken wide open," Bloom wrote alongside a series of photos of him and Mighty on Instagram. "The rawness I have felt over these past few days and sleepless nights at the idea of my little man being lost and scared, with me unable to do anything to protect him, is a waking nightmare."



"I feel powerless," the star added. "Maybe like so many others who are losing loved ones or unable to see our loved ones because of the times."

Bloom also told his fans and followers to "cherish the moments we share with the ones we love because nothing is promised."

RELATED: Puppy Love! Katy Perry and Orlando Bloom's Identical-Looking Dogs Are Bath Buddies

"Trust it and dont be afraid of love or the fear of losing love," he said. "Love is eternal. The bond between Mighty and I shows devotion in ways I have not truly understood until now. I am a devoted father & partner, still, there is a reason why they call them mans best friend. I miss him."

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"Send out a prayer for my little strong and Mighty boy to find his way back to his family. ," Bloom concluded his post.

Orlando Bloom/Instagram Orlando Bloom and his dog Mighty

RELATED: Katy Perry Calls Assistant 'Hero' for Saving Her Dog Nugget's Life by Using CPR

Bloom revealed on Wednesday that Mighty went missing and was last seen in Montecito. The father-to-be said the pup "is chipped and his collar has a number to call  if you take him to your local vet or shelter or police station he can be traced back to me for a reward."

He also added a note urging fans to "please only send REAL INFO," explaining, "my heart is already broken so please dont add insult to injury."

Bloom welcomed Mighty into his home in 2017 when he was separated from now-fiancee Katy Perry, who is expecting her first child with him. (Bloom is also dad to 9-year-old son Flynn, whom he shares with ex-wife Miranda Kerr.)
The Mumbai police registered a first information report (FIR) against two unknown Instagram account holders for sending obscene messages and threatening Bollywood actor Rhea Chakraborty.

On July 16, Chakraborty shared a screenshot of the message that she received on Instagram. According to her, the user threatened to get her raped and killed. Rhea was being blamed for actor Sushant Singh Rajpurs death and many social media users accused her of using Sushant.

She posted, I was called a gold digger ..I kept quiet. I was called a murderer ....I kept quiet. I was slut shamed ....I kept quiet. But how does my silence give you the right to tell me that you will get me RAPED and MURDERED if I dont commit suicide @mannu_raaut?

Do you realize the seriousness of what you have said? These are crimes, and by law no one, I repeat NO ONE should be subjected to this kind of toxicity and harassment. I request @cyber_crime_helpline @cybercrimeindia to please take necessary action. ENOUGH IS ENOUGH, she commented through her Instagram post.

After the virtual altercation, on Saturday evening Rhea visited Santacruz police station with one of her friends and gave a written complaint against the accused.

Also read: Sushant Singh Rajputs sister shares a glimpse into his personal life, says a pain so precious, so close. Watch

Abhishek Trimukhe Deputy commissioner of police (zone-IX) said,On complaint of Rhea Chakravarty, an offence is registered at Santacruz police station against two Instagram account holders for sending obscene messages and threatening her.

Police registered a case under sections 507 (Criminal intimidation by an anonymous communication), 509 (Whoever, intending to insult the modesty of any woman, utters any word, makes any sound or gesture, or exhibits any object) of Indian penal code and section 67 (Punishment for publishing or transmitting obscene material in electronic form) of information technology act.

Sources from Santacruz police station revealed,We have written a letter to Instagram and sought details of the Instagram user who sent her the obscene messages and threat.

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Following a stretch of less tropical activity, a new tropical disturbance has drawn some attention to the Atlantic Ocean Basin.

Dry air and strong winds over the basin for last several weeks have prevented any organized tropical activity. The last tropical system to form was Tropical Storm Fay, which made landfall earlier this month in New Jersey, on July 10.

On Sunday afternoon, a tropical wave drew attention over Hispaniola, the southeastern Bahamas and the waters of the southwestern Atlantic Ocean.

"A tropical wave is merely a disturbance or ripple in the atmosphere that moves westward from Africa and contains showers and thunderstorms along with a shift in the wind direction," according to AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Alex Sosnowski.

This image, captured on Monday, July 20, 2020, shows a tropical wave with showers and thunderstorms centered near western Cuba. Another weak disturbance was located near the upper Texas coast in the Gulf of Mexico. (NOAA/GOES-East)

"There can be as many as half a dozen or so tropical waves that emerge from the west coast of Africa every week to 10 days," he added.

Currently, the disturbance is creating disorganized showers, but as it draws into the Gulf conditions will become more conducive to tropical development.

According to AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Adam Douty, the tropical wave will move part of the northern Caribbean and waters around Cuba through Tuesday.

The wave is then expected to reach the central Gulf on Wednesday and the northwestern Gulf by Thursday.

The wave is forecast to track very close to the mountainous terrain of Cuba, and as such is not expected to gain wind strength during that time. Instead, the impact may be felt in terms of rainfall.

The presence of the tropical wave will enhance the rainfall in the region, bringing more widespread rain and thunderstorms with some downpours.

CLICK HERE FOR THE FREE ACCUWEATHER APP

Once the wave moves into the Gulf of Mexico late Tuesday or Wednesday, the environment will have more favorable conditions for tropical development. Two of the important ingredients for tropical development are warm, open waters and minimal wind shear, both of which will be present in the Gulf this week.

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"Due to the brisk, westward movement of this feature through the warm waters of the Gulf, it will have a limited amount of time to develop," Douty explained.

At this time, AccuWeather meteorologists believe the system will not have time to ramp up to a hurricane and the chance of a tropical storm developing from it is 10-20% and for a tropical depression to evolve from it is between 20-30%. The best chance for development is generally from near the Florida Straits to the upper Gulf of Mexico coast later this week.

"Even if it doesn't become a depression, the increase in tropical moisture it will bring into the Gulf and eventually the western Gulf Coast will result in an increase in downpours regardless at the end of the week," AccuWeather Meteorologist Jake Sojda said.

As the feature continues to move along, it will result in an uptick in showers and thunderstorms over the northwestern part of the Gulf coast late this week. Some of the rain could be rather heavy and potentially may lead urban flooding problems.

There does not have to be an organized tropical system to cause rough surf and raise the risk of waterspouts and a couple of isolated tornadoes in coastal Texas and Louisiana in this case.

The Gulf of Mexico is not the only body of water that could produce an organized tropical feature this week.

There is another tropical wave over the middle of the Atlantic this is moving westward and has a low chance of development this week.

In the Eastern Pacific Ocean, two tropical depressions formed on Monday morning, the second of which became a tropical storm on Monday evening, and may become a hurricane.

Keep checking back on AccuWeather.com and stay tuned to the AccuWeather Network on DirecTV, Frontier and Verizon Fios.
Imperial Valley News Center

Vice President Pence on the Dangers of Socialism

Ripon, Wisconsin - Remarks by Vice President Pence on the Dangers of Socialism:

THE VICE PRESIDENT: Well, hello, Wisconsin! (Applause.) Thank you for that warm welcome. To Congressman Glenn Grothman, Congressman Bryan Steil, to state senators, members of the state legislature, honored guests, my fellow Americans: It is good to be here in Ripon, Wisconsin, the birthplace of the Republican Party. (Applause.) And it is great to be back in the Badger State with so many great Americans. (Applause.)

I thank you all for being here today. But allow me to begin by bringing greetings from another great fan of the Badger State. Hes a man who loves the state of Wisconsin, hes been fighting to keep the promises that he made to the people of this state every day for the last three and a half years, and he was in this state just not too long ago. So allow me to bring greetings from the 45th President of the United States of America, President Donald Trump. (Applause.)

You know, in our first three years, President Trump did keep every promise that he made to the people of Wisconsin and people all across this country, and the results were extraordinary. I mean, we rebuilt our military. We cut taxes across the board. We rolled back regulations at a record pace, unleashed American energy, fought for free and fair trade. And in our first three years alone, businesses large and small created more than 7 million new jobs all across this country. (Applause.) Wages rose at their fastest pace in more than 10 years, 2 million Americans were lifted out of poverty, and 7 million Americans were lifted out of  out of food stamps. And beyond all of that, we reached the highest median income in the history of the United States. (Applause.)

It was an extraordinary three years of progress and renewal: rebuilding our military, reviving our economy. And then the coronavirus pandemic struck our nation. But President Trump took unprecedented action. He put the health and safety of America first from the very earliest days. Before the month of January was over, the President suspended all travel from China, stood up the White House Coronavirus Task Force. In fact, since the days that follows, we  weve not only developed a whole-of-government approach, but a whole-of-America approach. Weve marshaled the full resources of America to save lives, protect the vulnerable, and to support the extraordinary work of doctors and nurses across this country.

And Ill make you a promise: As we continue to respond to this coronavirus pandemic, were going to work 24 hours a day to ensure that all of our states impacted, all of our hospitals, and all of those great healthcare workers have the supplies and the resources they need to give every American the same level of care that we would want a member of our family to have. (Applause.)

Were meeting this moment with American compassion and American resolve. And were also opening up America again. Its extraordinary to think: At the height of this pandemic, our economy had lost 22 million jobs. But because of that strong foundation that President Trump laid of less taxes, less regulation, in two short months, May and June saw record-breaking job creation. Weve already added 7 million jobs back to the American economy, and were just getting started. (Applause.)

But we all know, my fellow Americans, that we are passing through a time of testing for the American people. But soon, we will come to a time for choosing, which is what brings me here today. In 110 days, the American people have a choice to make. And the choice has never been clearer and the stakes have never been higher.

I came here to the city of Ripon, Wisconsin, where the Republican Party was born, to describe that choice. You know, when that first convention met here in 1854, they wrote that their decision to found a new political party had been, and I quote, forced upon us by the slave power, and in the defense of freedom they said they would cooperate and be known as Republicans. And so they have ever been. (Applause.)

Six years later, they elected the first Republican President, who ushered in the abolition of slavery and the advancement of our highest ideals. And four months from now, I know our party will reelect another Republican President, when we reelect President Donald Trump for four more years in the White House. (Applause.)

But its why Im here today: to talk about whats at stake and to talk about the choice our nation faces. Our economic recovery is on the ballot, but also are things far more fundamental and foundational to our country.

You know, its not so much whether America will be more conservative or more liberal, more Republican or Democrat, more red or blue. Its whether America remains America. Its whether we will leave to our children and our grandchildren a country grounded in our highest ideals of freedom, free markets, and the unalienable right to life and liberty  or whether we will leave to our children and grandchildren a country that is fundamentally transformed into something else.

Like those first Republicans, we stand at a crossroads of freedom. Before us are two paths: one based on the dignity of every individual, and the other on the growing control of the state. Our road leads to greater freedom and opportunity. Their road leads to socialism and decline.

President Trump set our nation on a path to freedom and opportunity from the very first day of this administration. (Applause.) But Joe Biden would set America on a path of socialism and decline.

America is a blessed and exceptional country, unique among the nations. Weve been an asylum of hope for millions around the world yearning to breathe free, as the words on the Statue of Liberty declare. Many of our greatest citizens have come from the corners of the world ruled by socialist regimes. If you ever doubt whether this country is special and unique, just talk to one of them.

Before this pandemic, President Trump set our nation on that path of freedom and opportunity for every American regardless of race or creed or color. Americas families enjoyed record-low crime rates, record-high prosperity, the safety and security of a government devoted to law-abiding citizens in this country. But now, all of that is under threat.

Joe Biden has referred to himself as a transition candidate. But many were asking across this country: A transition to what? And now we have the answer.

Recently, Joe Biden combined forces with the socialist Bernie Sanders and the radical-left wing of the Democratic Party. And we dont need to guess where theyre planning to take America. Biden and Sanders recently released a document from their Unity Task Force outlining their agenda for the country. And reading that document  you know, I thought Joe Biden won the Democrat primaries, but looking at their unity agenda, it looks to me like Bernie won. When you look at their agenda, the only thing it ended up unifying was Joe Biden to the radical left.

Contrary to their radical agenda, President Trump is rebuilding this economy based on freedom and free markets and the rule of law. And the American people know President Donald Trump did it once before and President Donald Trump will do it again. (Applause.)

At the root of the Biden-Sanders agenda is the belief that America is driven by envy, not aspiration  that millions of Americans harbor ill-will toward their neighbors, instead of loving our neighbors as themselves. The radical left believes the federal government must be involved in every aspect of our lives to correct those American wrongs. They believe the federal government needs to dictate how Americans live, how we should work, how we should raise our children  and, in the process, deprive our people of freedom, prosperity, and security. Their agenda is based on government control; our agenda is based on freedom. (Applause.)

I mean, just look at the contrast between our record and the Biden agenda.

President Trump cut taxes by $5.5 trillion  the largest tax cut and reform in American history. (Applause.) Joe Biden plans to increase taxes by nearly $4 trillion over the next decade alone, twice as much as Hillary Clinton ever proposed.

President Trump not only cut taxes, but weve  weve rolled back federal red tape at a historic pace. This President has actually repealed more federal regulations than any President in American history, enabling our economy to add nearly 8 million jobs in the last 2 months alone. Joe Biden  Joe Biden would impose an avalanche of regulations on our economy, stifling our recovery, and costing American jobs.

And when it comes to protecting American jobs, it was President Donald Trump who said the era of economic surrender is over, and he stood up to China. (Applause.)

We fought for free and fair trade. And just the other day, the President also signed an executive order holding China accountable for its treatment of Hong Kong. And we will continue to stand strong.

Joe Biden  well, Joe Biden pretends to be tough on China, but the reality is that Joe Biden has helped China all along the way: obtaining most-favored-nation status in the World Trade Organization. And the Obama administration did nothing, when Joe Biden was Vice President, to prevent the outsourcing of millions of jobs and manufacturing to that communist nation.

And President Donald Trump has stood for our highest ideals at home and abroad. It was President Donald Trump who withdrew America from the job-killing Paris Climate Accord and saved thousands of American jobs. (Applause.) Joe Biden wants to join the Paris Climate Accord again, placing a crushing weight on the American businesses and the American economy.

I mean, under President Trump, the United States has actually achieved energy independence, no longer relying on the Middle East for oil. And now America is a net exporter of energy for the first time in 75 years. (Applause.) Joe Biden would destroy our fossil fuel industry, return to the war on coal, prevent the development of Americas immense energy reserves, and impose a regime of climate change regulations on literally every new building in the United States  every home, every business  that would drastically increase the cost of living for families  and the cost of business, at the cost of jobs.

And where President Trump has increased choices and competition in healthcare and achieved a historic decline in the cost of prescription drugs, Joe Biden supports a government takeover of healthcare that would set us on an inexorable path to socialized medicine.

And President Trump believes in a strong border for the United States of America. (Applause.) As our President said many times: If you dont have borders, you dont have a nation. And as we stand here today, Im proud to report, weve already built more than 200 miles of that border wall on the southern border of the United States. (Applause.)

And weve stood without apology for the courageous men and women of Customs and Borders Protection and ICE every day. (Applause.) Joe Biden is for open borders. Their agenda calls for an end to deportations; support for sanctuary cities; and free lawyers and free healthcare for illegal immigrants, all paid for by American taxpayers. Its extraordinary.

And closer to home, this President has been a champion for allowing every parent to choose where their children goes to school regardless of their income or area code. President Donald Trump stands for school choice. (Applause.)

And here in Wisconsin, the birthplace of the school choice movement in America, you deserve to know  (applause)  Joe Biden would take away the right of parents to choose where their children go to school  public, private, or parochial. So you need to tell your neighbors and friends: Joe Biden wants to end school choice. Those are the facts.

But its not just been about our economy and about defending American jobs and health and educational opportunities. I couldnt be more proud to be Vice President to a President who has stood without apology for the sanctity of human life. (Applause.)

By contrast, Joe Biden supports taxpayer funding of abortion, repealing the Hyde Amendment, ending a Mexico City policy that prevents federal funding from supporting abortions around the world. And Joe Biden even supports late-term abortion  allowing innocent, unborn children to be aborted right up to the moment of birth.

So its about our economy, its about our wellbeing, its about our values, but its also about the security of our nation at home. And let me say, and dont ever doubt: President Donald Trump and this administration stand with the men and women of law enforcement. (Applause.)

The President and I know the men and women that put on the uniform of law enforcement every day are the best of us. They risk their lives every day. They consider our lives more important than their own. And they have our support.

We know that its a false choice to think that we have to choose between supporting law enforcement and supporting our African American neighbors and friends.

Under President Donald Trump, we will support law enforcement, improve public safety, and stand with African American families and all our minorities to improve the quality of life in our cities and towns. (Applause.)

By contrast, Joe Biden believes America is, in his words, systemically racist. And despite historically low crime rates prior to this pandemic, Joe Biden believes that law enforcement in America has a, quote, implicit bias against minorities.

Just recently, when asked whether hed support defunding the police, Joe Biden capitulated to the radical left-wing mob. He was asked if hed support cutting funding to law enforcement, and he replied, and I quote, Yes, absolutely.

Joe Biden would weaken the Thin Blue Line that separates order from chaos. Under President Trump, we will stand with those who stand on the Thin Blue Line, and we will never defend  defund the police. We will defend the police every day. This President and this administration will back the blue. (Applause.)

The hard truth is: You wont be safe in Joe Bidens America. The radical lefts experiment in defunding the police is failing families and cities across this country already.

Recently, amid defunding efforts around America, cities are struggling with rising crime rates. Atlanta saw a 19 percent rise in shootings, a 9 percent increase in murders. In Chicago, a 42 percent rise in shootings and a 39 percent increase in murders. And in Philadelphia, a 54 percent rise in shootings and nearly 20 percent increase in murders.

As a result of Mayor de Blasios disbanding of the Anti-Crime Unit in New York City  which is a decision many African American leaders are begging him to reverse  that city has already seen an increase of a staggering 277 percent, and the number of victims have skyrocketed by 253 percent. These are shocking numbers, but not surprising.

Right here in Wisconsin, the city of Milwaukee has already seen a 50 percent increase in nonfatal shootings and 100 percent increase in murders from the same time last year. Its on pace to break the record of homicide rate that was set 30 years ago.

This is a frightening preview of Joe Bidens agenda in action. After years of plummeting crime rates under President Donald Trump, Joe Biden would double down on the very policies that are leading to unsafe streets and violence in Americas cities.

When you hear Joe Biden call for defunding the police, remember whats at stake: law and order, safety, and the peace of mind that you, your family, and your children have every right to enjoy as citizens of this country.

When you consider Joe Bidens agenda and his embrace of the radical left, its clear: Joe Biden would be nothing more than an autopen president, a Trojan horse for a radical agenda  so radical, so all-encompassing that it would transform this country into something utterly unrecognizable.

Its no wonder that socialist Bernie Sanders said that if Joe Biden was elected, he would, in his words, transform the country and be, and I quote, the most progressive President in nearly a century.

The Biden-Sanders agenda would set America on the path of socialism and decline. And as our nation endures this time of testing, wed do well to tell our neighbors and friends that its also the time for choosing.

We need to tell our fellow Americans that we can choose to stay on a path that starts from the belief in the goodness of the American people, that starts from the premise that America is exceptional, is founded on freedom, and always striving for a more perfect union.

Just last week, President Trump spoke at a roundtable with a Cuban immigrant by the name of Maximo Alvarez. Maximo escaped communist Cuba when he was 13. He was one of the last kids to flee with a group of nuns whose convent had been taken over by the communist dictator that Bernie Sanders praised in the past.

Maximo had a stark warning for our country at that forum. He said, and I quote, Whats happening in our backyard today, I experienced as an 11-year-old. Maximo went on to say, I remember vividly all the promises that Castro gave. I remember the promises that we hear today about free education, free healthcare, free land. And then he recalled what his father told him about the glory of being an American. Maximo said that his father told him, Dont lose that place, because if you lose that place, youll have no place to go. America is a beacon of hope and freedom for all the world. (Applause.)

Maximos admonition reminds us of the words of another Republican President who famously reminded us that freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didnt pass it on to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same or, President Reagan added, one day, we will spend our sunset years telling our children and our childrens children what it was once like to live in the United States when men were free.

We have to fight for our freedom again. President Ronald Reagan was right in his time. And I promise you: That fighter in the White House will never stop fighting for freedom. President Donald Trump will continue to fight for the freedom of every American, and so we must fight with him. (Applause.)

My fellow Americans, thats the choice we face. We have two paths before us: one of freedom and opportunity, the other of socialism and decline. We can either be true to ourselves and whats made this nation a beacon of hope for all the world, or we can become like the very places that many of our ancestors fled and that many still flee to come here.

In pondering the decision that lies before us, I cant help but think of the words of the great American poet Robert Frost  my wifes favorite poet. He wrote, and I quote, Two roads diverged in a yellow wood, and I took the one less traveled by, and that has made all the difference.

The truth is, through the long and storied history of this country, Americans have always chosen the road less traveled by: the road of freedom, individual responsibility. And I know we will do so again.

I know this because, like our President, and those who founded the Republican Party so many years ago here in Ripon, I believe in freedom, and I know this is a freedom-loving nation. (Applause.) I know the love of freedom beats in the heart of every American. And I know we will choose well, again, in this November, because I have faith  faith that every time the American people have given the choice between more freedom and less freedom, they stand for freedom, they fight for freedom, and they choose freedom every single time. (Applause.)

This is a freedom-loving nation, and its also a nation of faith. And its on that hope I stand as well. The Bible says, Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And so millions of Americans believe, as I do, that when we stand up for the God-given freedoms of life and liberty and the pursuit of happiness, the freedoms won and defended throughout our nations history, we make his work on this Earth our own, and that means freedom always wins. (Applause.)

So thats the choice we face, my fellow Americans: between freedom and opportunity or socialism and decline. And I have no doubt, as all of us do all that we can, even in these challenging times between now and November 3rd, well see our way through. Well be there for our neighbors and friends, we will heal our land, and then we will win a great victory for freedom and our very way of life. And with President Donald Trump in the White House for four more years, well make America great again, again.

Thank you all very much. (Applause.) God bless you. God bless Wisconsin. And God bless America.
The Legislature returns to Lincoln and a strange new world on Monday, not the one that senators left in March when they packed up their bags and got the heck out of Dodge.

And as they reconvene, the legislative dynamics have changed.

Nebraska's legislative body is uniquely built around personal communication, unlike other state legislatures where marching orders or directives come flowing down from on high, from party leaders and whips and committee chairpersons.

Members of Nebraska's nonpartisan Legislature are uniquely independent and they often reach decisions through individual communication with one another.

That path to legislative governing in the unicameral is going to be hampered by the distancing and relative isolation of senators imposed by the coronavirus, that uninvited stranger in their midst.

And senators also will be isolated from a valuable information source in the Rotunda.

Lobbyists play an important role in the legislative process, and it's a lot more positive than the image generally attached to them. At least, that's true in Lincoln.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- The problems in our day-to-day lives created by the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic often require unconventional solutions.

For instance, my living room now doubles as a dance studio. For my Zoom dance classes, I move my coffee table to make some room and prop my laptop up on a few boxes on my couch.

This will just have to do for now as dance studios havent been able to reopen in New York City.

VIRTUAL DANCE CLASSES

My dance studio, Brandys Dance Unique in Dongan Hills, has been doing Zoom classes throughout June and July. They are a fun way to keep competitive dancers, like myself, active throughout the summer since we missed our whole dance season, including regional, national and world competitions.

And its also a good way for us to see our friends and teachers almost as if we were in class.

We have 45 minute classes in different styles of dance -- lyrical, ballet, jazz, hip hop and contemporary -- to keep us dancing this summer.

Dancers have to keep up with stretching and technique even when we arent in the studio. On our Zoom classes, we stretch and then learn a short routine, which keeps us stretching and helps keep us active. Dancing requires a lot of stamina, and the Zoom classes can help us keep up the stamina when we arent in the studio.

We have been keeping our dancers engaged online since all of this started with Instagram Live streams of stretches and dance combos, Zoom classes geared toward our younger dancers using favorite stuffed animals, and music from popular and current childrens movies. We even had a dance challenge for our dancers and their friends and families to get involved with and learn to the song, Were All in This Together from High School Musical, said Cherisse Wilk, dance teacher and assistant director of Brandys Dance Unique.

At the very least, we hope these Zoom classes will help our competitive dancers stay in shape, keep their skills fine-tuned, and be inspired to continue to dance whenever and wherever they can, she added.

Many dancers say the virtual classes help them stay connected to a sport they love.

I was very upset and disappointed when I realized all competitions would be cancelled this year because we worked very hard this year and had amazing dances, Sophia Dowd, 15, a Richmond resident and dancer at Brandys Dance Unique. However, I am happy that the studio has stayed connected through virtual classes, and I love that we still get to learn fun, intense [dance] combos on a weekly basis.

Said Samantha Lorenzo, 15, a Dongan Hills resident and dancer at Brandys Dance Unique: After hearing competitions were cancelled this year, I felt very sad. ... Each week I take virtual dance classes from my studio. What I like about this is I continue to get to do what I love although I cannot be at the studio.

OUTDOOR RECITALS

Some studios decided to have outdoor recitals so dancers could still showcase the dances they worked on all year long.

Gianna Armenia, 15, a New Dorp resident who is a dancer at Triple Essence Dance Studio in Brooklyn, participated in her outdoor recital in June in the parking lot of her dance studio.

I did Zoom classes weekly for each of my dances until the recital. We attempted to stay 6-feet apart as much as possible, but wore masks. ...We had two days, one for recreational classes and one for competition classes, said Armenia.

She said all the dancers wore masks except when they were dancing. Each dancer was only permitted to bring one family member with them to watch. The dancers families socially distanced and also wore masks.

Ashley Maloy, 16, is a competitive dancer, who has been dancing at Brandys Dance Unique.

See more competitive dance stories by competitive dancer Ashley Maloy:
(Corrects headline to reflect 13 cases in Xinjiang, not Beijing)

BEIJING, July 19 (Reuters) - Mainland China reported 16 new COVID-19 cases as of the end of July 18, up from 22 reported a day earlier, the Chinese national health authority said on Sunday.

Of the new infection, 13 were found in Urumqi, the capital of China's far western region of Xinjiang. The other three were imported infection involving travellers from overseas, according to the National Health Commission (NHC) and Xinjiang local health commission.

The NHC reported one new imported asymptomatic case in Shanghai, and Xinjiang's local health authority reported 18 new asymptomatic patients in Urumqi.

The far west city went into "wartime mode" on Saturday, launching an emergency response plan after the city reported 16 new coronavirus cases in the previous day.

As of Saturday, mainland China had 83,660 confirmed coronavirus cases, the national health authority said. The death toll remained at 4,634. (Reporting by Muyu Xu and Tom Daly; Editing by William Mallard)
Mumbai, July 19 : Veteran actress Simi Garewal says a "powerful" person had viciously tried to destroy her career, but she stayed silent.

She got encouragement to open up about her own experience after actress Kangana Ranaut made sensational statements following the death of actor Sushant Singh Rajput.

"I applaud #KanganaRanaut who is braver & bolder than I am. Only I know how a 'powerful' person has viciously tried to destroy my career. I stayed silent. Because I am not so brave... @KanganaOffical," Simi, popular for starring in films like "Mera Naam Joker" and "Karz", tweeted.

"I don't know what all of you felt after watching #KanganaSpeaksToArnab ..but it has left me quite depressed..I'm distraught at what #SushantSingRajput endured .. and also what many 'outsiders' go through in Bollywood.. it must change!" Simi feels that Sushant's death maybe the "harbinger of an awakening in Bollywood".

"When George Floyd was killed in America it set forth an awakening. In the same way #SushantSingRajput 's death maybe the harbinger of an awakening in Bollywood," she wrote.

Meanwhile, Kangana had said in a recent interview: "Eighteen brands dropped me within 2 months. Maybe I didn't have the thought of killing myself but definitely shaving my head off and disappearing." "My relatives didn't let their children meet me because you turned me into a nymphomaniac. Called me so many things in public. As a girl, having a marriage and a child is no more an option for me. They turned Sushant also into a rapist. How will he go back to Bihar' Small cities don't value money, they value respect," she said, reports republicworld.com.

Sushant was found hanging at his residence on June 14. The postmortem report stated that the actor committed suicide. The case is still being investigated by Mumbai Police.
A new junior health Minister has said the reports on the future of Portlaoise hospital 'points to the need for reconfiguration' but no decision has been made and a plan completed in 2017 is still at 'draft stage'.

In reply to Sinn Fein TD Brian Stanley, Minister Frank Feehan also claimed that the HSE is still working on a draft plan for the hospital despite the fact the final reconfiguration plan was presented to former Minister for Health Simon Harris in 2017.

The Midland Regional Hospital Portlaoise has been the focus of a number of reviews, investigations and reports," said Minister of State Feehan who has responsibility for Public Health, Well Being and National Drugs Strategy.

"The reports points to the need for a reconfiguration of some services to ensure patients are treated in the most appropriate setting by specialist staff who can safely meet their needs.

"The Dublin Midlands Hospital Group has been working for some time on a draft plan for a new model of clinical service delivery at Portlaoise hospital which takes into account the need to develop services at the hospital in the context of developing the model of service provision for the entire hospital group.

"No decision has been made on the draft action plan for Portlaoise hospital," said the Fine Gael TD.

The so-called 'Action Plan for the New Model of Clinical Services Delivery in the Dublin Midlands Hospital Group' was submitted to the Department of Health in December 2016, with a final version submitted in September 2017.

The plan, which was developed by an advisory group, led by the DMHG and included all the relevant HSE National Clinical Leads, was completed following a recommendation in HIQA report from May 2015 to develop a long-term strategic vision for the hospital.

The Department never published the report but it was leaked. It recommended downgrade of Portlaoise with A&E, ICU, maternity, paediatrics and most surgery moving elsewhere.

The then Minister Simon Harris promised public consultation would start in 2018 with local people under an independent chairperson. No consultation has taken place nor was a chairperson appointed.

Poll-topping Laois Offaly Sinn Fein TD Brian Stanley said Portlaoise Hospital Services need to be secured by FF/FG/Green Government.

The programme for Government states additional capacity is required throughout the health system to deal with the growing population and, of course, Covid-19. Nowhere is this more true than the Midland Regional Hospital Portlaoise because it is dealing with the expanding population of Co Laois, the fastest growing county outside of the Dublin region.

There was a plan to remove the emergency department (ED) and other key services from the hospital, but a campaign was mounted which stopped it in its tracks. The then Minister Harris, promised a quick public consultation, but three years later that has not happened. I said at the time that I thought it may be a stalling mechanism to get the then Government over a general election and, unfortunately, my fears were confirmed," he said.

Dep Stanley said Micheal Martin knows the situation with Portlaoise.

When the new Taoiseach was in opposition, he met the Portlaoise Hospital Action Committee and promised to deal with this issue and the lack of certainty about the hospital. Fianna Fail made great play of it and great noise about it at the time. We still do not have it. Successive Governments have kicked the can down the road on Portlaoise hospital. The one thing the staff, management, patients and the community of Laois need is certainty.

We need the Government to commit to putting in place a plan for the future of the hospital. This must include the retention of the ED. Prior to Covid-19, on average 40,000 people used the ED in Portlaoise hospital.

If the Government does nothing else with regard to Laois and Portlaoise, will the Minister of State, along with Minister Donnelly, commit to putting a plan in place that gives certainty regarding the emergency department and the other key services in the hospital?

"The missing piece of the jigsaw is to nail down once and for all the Emergency Department because if we take the emergency department out, we will lose other key services such as paediatrics, maternity and the ICU, he said.
The Government has been accused of confusing the public after it emerged people will still be advised not to travel abroad - even though a 'Green List' of countries is to be published tomorrow.

The Government now says the intention of the list is that anyone travelling to Ireland from one of these countries will not be asked to restrict their movements for 14 days - but it is no longer the case that people will be advised they can travel to or holiday in these Green List countries.

This would appear to contradict comments last week by Tanaiste Leo Varadkar when he said the list would include countries where you will be "no more likely" to get Covid-19 than if you spent a weekend in Dublin and Killarney.

Read More

Last Friday, Foreign Affairs Minister Simon Coveney said the Green List would mean people travelling from those countries would not be asked to restrict their movements. "Really that's the only change we're talking about here," he said.

A senior government source told the Sunday Independent yesterday: "Publishing the Green List should not be seen as an open invitation for people to go and book holidays. It represents a list of countries that have a similar infection rate. The overarching advice will remain the same and that is do not undertake any unnecessary foreign travel."

This has sparked confusion in government circles, with one senior figure pointing out that it is "inconsistent" with the original and widely stated intention that the Green List would be countries which Irish people could travel to and from without having to restrict their movements.

This raised the possibility among the public that they would be able to take foreign holidays in coming months.

As leading medics advised against all unnecessary travel, Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald told the Sunday Independent that the messaging on foreign travel is "confusing and contradictory".

Spokespersons for Mr Varadkar and Mr Coveney referred all queries to the Taoiseach's office.

Micheal Martin's spokeswoman said: "The Government will decide on countries included on the Green List based on the status of the disease in other countries. The list will then be reviewed once a fortnight. The intention is that anyone travelling to Ireland from a Green List country will not be asked to restrict movement for 14 days."

The Green List is likely to include fewer than 20 countries which have rates of new cases similar or lower than Ireland. Countries such as Norway, Finland, Hungary, Lithuania, Malta, Cyprus, Italy and Latvia may be included, but Britain, the US, Spain, France, Portugal and Germany are unlikely to make the cut.

Ms McDonald said efforts to beat the virus should not be undermined by a "poorly thought-out" approach to foreign travel. "The Government has no coherent plan and we see a contradictory and confusing message to the public. The suggestion that a Green List will be published tomorrow but advice against all non-essential foreign travel will remain in place makes little sense," she said.

"We believe there should be a graduated reopening of foreign travel at an appropriate time - subject to public health advice. In addition to a Green List, we believe there should be a 'red list' published."

She said those arriving from high-risk 'red list' areas should be required to pay for their Covid-19 testing and accommodation at designated isolation facilities.

Acting chief medical officer Dr Ronan Glynn said from a "public health perspective" people should avoid non-essential foreign travel this year.

Dr Catherine Motherway, an intensive care specialist at University Hospital Limerick, told the Sunday Independent: "My advice is don't travel unless you have to, and if you do, that's an individual decision. I think that it's too difficult to predict what will happen, anywhere in the world. This is not the time."

Dr Jack Lambert, an infectious diseases consultant at the Mater, said the authorities ought to be focusing on the indigenous community spread of the virus rather than overseas travel.

"This is not Americans coming in from Texas with Covid-19 - the problem is Covid-19 is circulating in the community," he added.

"The big problem is still Ireland, and the young adults that are spreading the virus. How do we tackle that? The police won't work, so we have to think about how we can address that. That is the issue we need to focus on."

Dublin GP Maitiu O Tuathail, who said he treated two overseas visitors at a Covid-19 test hub last week who were positive, said: "I personally think the fact people are allowed to enter the country without restriction is madness."

However, Professor Sam McConkey said there is a fine balance between maintaining open borders which are the essential for the economy and necessary travel, and protecting public health. "But we can control inward migration more carefully by closer monitoring and offering testing to incoming visitors," he added.
A police officer was injured Saturday while trying to stop the Black Lives Matter mural in front of Trump Tower in New York City from being vandalized, CBS New York reports. It's the third time this week the mural has been vandalized.

A woman was seen on video pouring black paint on the mural and calling for the city to "re-fund" the police. "But you want to defund the police for Black people," she said.

The scene turned chaotic as police officers tried to arrest the woman, but she apparently resisted, causing one officer to fall hard to the concrete on Fifth Avenue, injuring his shoulder and writhing in pain. The woman was eventually taken into custody.

A second person was also arrested in connection with the incident.

On Friday, two women were captured on video splattering blue paint on the new mural, which was also targeted earlier this week.

One of the women, 39-year-old Juliet Germanotta, was wearing a rainbow flag, a "Keep America Great" face mask, and an "All Lives Matter" shirt, CBS New York reports.

"It should be all lives. All includes Black lives, brown lives, white lives," Germanotta said. "If cops wanted to put Blue Lives Matter, Dumbo will say 'no.' De Blasio is Dumbo," another woman said.

The incident happened around 4 p.m. Friday, sparking screams of outrage from some witnesses. Germanotta had announced her plans to vandalize the mural on Facebook. "So this Friday, 4 o'clock at Trump Tower, operation paint drop," she said in a video, showing cans of paint.

Police said four people were involved in the vandalism, according to CBS New York. Germanotta and two others, 25-year-old D'Anna Morgan and 44-year-old Luis Martinez, were arrested and charged with criminal mischief in connection to the vandalism. A 64-year-old woman was issued a summons for illegal posting of flyers.The incident marked the second time the mural has been vandalized. Police recently put out more surveillance video of the suspect they're looking for in the first incident  a man who splattered red paint on the mural on Monday.

Story continues

A portion of a

The city's Department of Transportation workers quickly repainted the mural after that incident, and they did again within hours after the second incident on Friday.

Workers clean paint thrown by protesters on the Black Lives Matter mural outside of Trump Tower on Fifth Avenue in Manhattan, New York City, U.S., July 17, 2020. / Credit: ANDREW KELLY/REUTERS

Mayor Bill de Blasio helped paint the mural earlier this month, and said the new mural will send a message that "Black lives, in fact, do matter."

"When we say 'Black Lives Matter,' there is no more American statement, there is no more patriotic statement because there is no America without Black America," de Blasio said, The Associated Press reported. "We are acknowledging the truth of ourselves as Americans by saying 'Black Lives Matter.' We are righting a wrong."

President Trump said in tweets before the mural was painted that de Blasio "is going to paint a big, expensive, yellow Black Lives Matter sign on Fifth Avenue, denigrating this luxury Avenue," and he predicted that doing so would "further antagonize" the New York Police Department, which, he said, "vividly" remembers the "horrible BLM chant, 'Pigs in A Blanket, Fry 'Em Like Bacon.'"

Remembering civil rights icons C.T. Vivian and John Lewis

Airlines warn employees of possible furloughs in the thousands

Navy launches investigation into fire aboard USS Bonhomme Richard
Naveen Kumar Tallam By

Express News Service

KARIMNAGAR: A 37-year-old pediatrician who won the battle against Covid-19 resumed his duties at the Childrens Ward at the Government Hospital in Karimnagar. After Dr Kotha Satish Kumar tested positive, he was advised home isolation for 28 days. Sharing his ordeal with Express, he said that the first three days were distressing and emotionally challenging for him. Thankfully my wife tested negative. No one was able to find the source from which I got infected. I used to sanitise myself before and after testing patients in the hospial, and always wore an N-95 mask. Despite all this, I still got infected.

From the fourth day, the doctor decided to fight the viral disease. He made sure the house was well ventilated and disinfected the floors every day. He also drank warm water, did breathing exercises and steam therapy regularly.

Satish Kumar said that anyone could contract the virus, so one should not be scared if one tested positive. Be bold and fight the virus barely, he added. Society should fight against Covid-19 and not against patients who recover. Trying to ostracise patients who recover from the viral disease is wrong, he said. The doctor also said that he was ready to donate plasma to Covid patients to save their lives.

Dont ostracise patients

Dr Kotha Satish Kumar stated that one should not get scared if tested positive for the virus. Society should fight against Covid-19 and not against patients who recover. Trying to ostracise patients who recover from the viral disease is wrong, he said
Wallace later explained to Trump that the number of tests has increased by 37 percent but the number of cases has shot up by 194 percent. Trump replied, Many of those cases are young people that would heal in a day. They have the sniffles and we put it down as a test. Many of them  dont forget, I guess its like 99.7 percent, people are going to get better and [in] many cases, theyre going to get better very quickly.
Held in an immigration centre in Broadmeadows for nearly six years, Tamil refugee Nirma Murugamoorthy kept going with the help of cooking and sharing meals.

When he was released from detention in 2015, Mr Murugamoorthy turned his passion for cooking into a job  one that allowed him to share food and stories about his past and the home he was forced to flee.

Tamil Feasts chefs Nirma Murugamoorthy (left) and Niro Vithyasekar at CERES. Credit:Justin McManus

Now, Tamil Feasts, the Brunswick restaurant operation inspired by his and other asylum seekers passion for cooking Sri Lankan food in detention, has become a casualty of the coronavirus pandemic.

Tamil Feasts was run by a team of refugees and volunteers, and offered a unique communal dining experience  each table was adorned with positive quotes written on chalkboards.
A 46-year-old man has approached the Bhopal police with a complaint that a tailor has stitched his underpants "too short".

The police, however, asked the man- Krishna Kumar Dubey- to move the court to get the issue resolved.

Dubey, who was earlier employed as a security guard and used to earn Rs 9,000 per month, lost his job due to the

coronavirus-induced lockdown two months ago.

"I am from Sidhi district of Madhya Pradesh and I came to Bhopal for a job in October. Recently, I borrowed Rs 1,000 from a friend and bought different things, including a two metre-long cloth to get two underpants stitched," Dubey, who lives in Bhim Nagar here, said.

He paid Rs 190 to the tailor for the job. However, according to him, when he wore the underpants, he found them too short.

"I complained to the tailor, who told me that the cloth was inadequate. I went back to the shop owner, who told

me that he had given two metres of cloth," he added.

The man then approached the police a couple of days back, who asked him to take up the matter to court.

"We asked him to approach the court," Habibganj police station inspector Rakesh Shrivastava on Saturday said.

However, the tailor finally told Dubey that he was ready to return his money.
Hyderabad, July 19 : Maoists appear to have stepped up their efforts to regroup in Telangana, their former stronghold, if the two incidents of exchange of fire between police and ultras in Kumaram Bheem Asifabad and Bhadradri-Kothagudem districts last week are any indication.

As many as 18 cadres of the banned Communist Party of India (Maoist), including a leader escaped after the encounters in the forests bordering neighbouring Chhattisgarh and Maharashtra.

Hundreds of security personnel, including the personnel from the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and the elite anti-Maoist force Greyhounds were on a hunt for the Maoists.

That the police force has also taken a serious note of the attempts by the banned outfit is evident from the fact that the police chief M. Mahender Reddy himself flew in a helicopter to the region to review the situation.

During his two-day visit the police chief discussed with senior officials the operational strategies to contain the renewed attempts by Maoists to gain a foothold in the tribal areas.

The police higher-ups see the recent incident as a proof of the serious bid by the Left-wing extremists cadre to revive the activity since Telangana was carved out of Andhra Pradesh as a new state in 2014.

The Maoists made a determined bid to revive the activity during COVID-19 when the police force was busy enforcing the lockdown. Some cadres crossed over from neighbouring Chhattisgarh and reached the interior villages to take up the issues of tribals.

During the exchange of fire in Kumaram Bheem Asifabad district on July 14, five Maoist including a senior member, carrying a reward of Rs 25 lakh, managed to escape. The team was led by Mailarapu Adellu alias Bhaskar, Telangana State Committee member of the CPI (Maoist). Believed to be armed with AK-47, Bhaskar and his team entered from neighbouring Maharashtra during the lockdown period, by pretending to be migrant workers.

The DGP said during his visit that 500 personnel, including Greyhound commandos were on the hunt for the Maoists. He appealed to people not to provide shelter to the outlaws.

His appeal came after police arrested one villager on charges of providing shelter and food to the extremists.

Police officials of Mulugu, Jayashankar Bhupalapally, Mahabubabad and Bhadradri-Kothagudem districts released photos of 18 Maoists and announced rewards of Rs 5 to Rs 10 lakh to anyone providing information about them.

The police chief said that at a time when the government has taken up a lot of development and welfare programmes, Maoists are seeking to create terror and tension among tribals and sow seeds of suspicion.

The DGP also warned that if Maoists were allowed to re-enter, development and welfare programmes undertaken by the state government, particularly for the benefit of the tribals, would be hampered.

The DGP vowed to "foil the sinister designs of Maoists to make a re-entry into the state from Chhattisgarh to carry out disruptive activities and hamper its development".

He said the CPI (Maoist) State committee leaders based in Chhattisgarh were making desperate attempts to vitiate the peaceful atmosphere in the state.

He alleged that Maoist leaders like Haribhushan, Damodar and others were leading a luxurious life in the neighbouring state while exploiting innocent tribals.

The police chief said the Maoists were instigating innocent tribals to indulge in violence to further their nefarious designs. "They are conspiring to extort money from contractors, businessmen, doctors, engineers and other professionals by sending threatening letters. Their evil designs and disruptive moves will be thwarted with steely resolve," the DGP said.

He said the Maoists ran away from the state to protect their lives following the outrage from the people of Telangana a decade ago. "Now they are making attempts to come back. They would face the wrath of the people and the police will also inflict a major blow on them if they kill people branding them as police informers.

The CPI-Maoist has also issued a statement saying while it was observing self-restraint by not indulging in attacks in the backdrop of COVID-19 pandemic, the central and state governments were trying to eliminate its members. It appealed to people to condemn the arrests of people and attacks by Greyhounds on Maoists.

It alleged that in the recent past police have killed 20 revolutionaries in fake encounters in Dandakaranya. If attacks on people and 'dalams' are not stopped, leaders of TRS and BJP would not escape punishment in the hands of people, the statement said.

The police had estimated last year that a total of 126 underground cadres of CPI (Maoist) hailed from Telangana. Out of 17 Central Committee members of the Maoist outfit, 10 come from Telangana. All were operating from outside Telangana.

Telangana police remain confident that the Maoists will not succeed in reviving the activity as the situation had undergone a sea change during the last 10 years. "They will not get fresh recruits now as people are fed up with their ideology," a police officer said.

Telangana, especially north Telangana, was a major stronghold of Maoists but the movement was almost eliminated after the police launched a crackdown in 2005 in the then undivided Andhra Pradesh following failure of a dialogue between the extremist leadership and the state government.

It was during the talks in September 2004 that then CPI-ML People's War Group (PWG) had merged with the Maoist Communist Centre (MCC) to form CPI (Maoist) as the biggest and most powerful Maoist outfit in the country.

However, CPI (Maoist) lost many top leaders in the police crackdown led by Greyhounds, the elite anti-Maoist force. The remaining leaders escaped to neighbouring states.

There have been apprehensions in some quarters that statehood to Telangana would give Maoists an opportunity to stage a comeback. However, the fears proved unfounded as the police force kept the pressure to foil any attempt by the banned outfit to revive its activities.

The police maintained tight vigil on the borders with Chhattisgarh and Maharashtra to stop the Maoist cadres from crossing over.

Experts believe that it will not be easy for the Maoists to stage a comeback as they were not able to draw new recruits or get new arms over the last decade. They attribute this to people losing faith in the ideology of violence and benefits of the government schemes reaching the masses.
Family doctors employed at NHS surgeries that have suspended routine face-to-face appointments are working for private practices where they are happy to see patients in person for cash.

Since the lockdown began in March, NHS patients have struggled to secure so-called in-person appointments with their GP as services have been provided online or by telephone to reduce the risk of spreading coronavirus.

But an investigation by The Mail on Sunday has found some GPs who work for such NHS practices are willing to see people face- to-face  as long as those people are prepared to pay for the privilege.

A Mail on Sunday investigation has found GPs who usually work at NHS surgeries are carrying out face-to-face appointments at private clinics while their practises are shut (stock image)

For 49, patients can obtain a 15-minute, in-person appointment with GPs in private London clinics run by DocTap. A 30-minute face-to-face slot costs 89.

Advertising its service, DocTap states: We firmly believe that GP appointments are better off carried out face-to-face with a doctor wherever possible.

Among those offering private in-person consultations are two doctors who usually work at Tollgate Medical Centre, an NHS practice in Beckton, East London. Since February, Tollgate has asked patients to fill in an online consultation form before waiting up to 48 hours for a response via phone or text.

Another DocTap GP works at Ampthill Practice near Camden Town, North London. According to its website, the surgery is currently dealing with patients by telephone only and adds: Our doors are closed to the public we are sorry for the inconvenience caused.

STEAMED UP, MICHAEL? HERES THE ALL-CLEAR By Holly Bancroft Gove with fogged up glasses last week Michael Gove fell victim to the dreaded fogged-up glasses last week while wearing a mask  leaving many wondering how to avoid getting steamy in them. Some took to social media to complain that they have to pick between breathing or seeing when warm breath exits the top of the mask and hits the cooler surface of the lens, creating condensation. But now eyewear designer Tom Davies has a solution. The bespoke optician, who designed glasses for actor Henry Cavill to play Superman, recommends rubbing a bar of soap on the inside of lenses, then using a cloth to clear the lens. He says the glycerine in the soap will act as a barrier against fogging. Mr Davies also suggests resting the top of the mask higher up the nose and placing your glasses frames on top in their usual position. He says this helps to stop air escaping up into your eyes. Television doctor Hilary Jones advises dipping spectacles in soapy water and letting them dry. But Mr Davies prefers to avoid water as it may damage some lens coatings  and horn-rimmed frames. Advertisement

A fourth family doctor works at London Fields Medical Centre in Hackney, whose patients have been told: During the coronavirus pandemic we are currently not booking face-to-face appointments.

Each of the surgeries said they will provide face-to-face appointments if clinically necessary.

Dan Faber, the founder of DocTap, defended the conduct of the doctors working for his firm.

These GPs are salaried NHS doctors, not practice partners, he said. They work under the conditions directed by their employer  either DocTap or their NHS surgery  depending on the day.

'Whether they work predominantly on the phone or face-to-face is not a decision they make, but is determined by their employer.

He said DocTap, one of many private providers now advertising face-to-face GP appointments, was able to offer them safely by strictly limiting the number of patients in its clinics at any one time.

There is no suggestion that any of the doctors are breaking the terms of their NHS contracts  which allow them to divide their work between NHS and private work  or otherwise acting improperly.

However, the situation highlights how NHS patients face having to go private for what, until very recently, was standard NHS GP care.

It comes amid concerns that doctors lobby groups are manoeuvring to use the pandemic to reduce the number of face-to-face appointments.

The Royal College of GPs and the British Medical Association want to embed new ways of working into the system, which could include patients routinely filling in pre-consultation forms online and being telephoned by a GP before then being assessed for an in-person appointment.

Last week, the RCGP leapt on an official NHS survey of GP patients as evidence such ways of working were popular.

Ipsos Mori, which conducted the research, found 82.5 per cent of those surveyed from March 23 to April 3 rated their GP experience as good compared to 80.5 per cent in the same period the previous year.

However, just one per cent of responses to the GP Patient Survey 2020, conducted from January 2 to April 3, were submitted after lockdown started.

Ruth Rankine, of the NHS Confederation, said: As lockdown eases, it will be important for people to be able to access care in a way that meets their individual needs and recognises that for some, remote consultations will not be suitable.
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Source: Xinhua| 2020-07-19 22:37:33|Editor: huaxia

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A worshipper washes hands with hand sanitizer at a church in Kigali, capital city of Rwanda, July 19, 2020. Some churches in Rwanda reopened doors on Sunday to religious prayers after being closed for over four months due to the COVID-19 outbreak. The Rwandan cabinet on Wednesday said places of worship could resume service upon approval by local authorities. Only those meet the conditions on preventing the spread of COVID-19 are allowed to reopen. (Photo by Cyril Ndegeya/Xinhua)

KIGALI, July 19 (Xinhua) -- Some churches in Rwanda reopened doors on Sunday to religious prayers after being closed for over four months due to the COVID-19 outbreak.

The Rwandan cabinet on Wednesday said places of worship could resume service upon approval by local authorities. Only those meet the conditions on preventing the spread of COVID-19 are allowed to reopen.

Residents in the capital city Kigali thronged into churches in the early morning, wearing face masks, maintaining social distancing norms, washing hands with clean water, soap and hand sanitizers.

"Before entering the church, worshippers' temperatures are measured before they are told to clean their hands and as well mantain social distance during praying. We are very strict on COVID-19 prevention measures," Nathan Rusengo Amooti, Bishop of the Anglican Diocese of Kigali, told reporters shortly after the first church service at St Etienne Cathedral.

Worshippers were registered at the church before starting prayers, said Amooti, adding that the church has limited the number of worshippers to enter in order to maintain social distancing.

Before and after prayers, the church will be cleaned thoroughly by using appropriate disinfectants or cleaning detergents, according to him.

"We thank the government of Rwanda for permitting us to resume public worship. We are very strict on COVID-19 prevention measures and our followers have been told to adhere to the new guidelines," Innocent Consolateur, head priest at Kigali's St Michael Cathedral, told reporters.

The Catholic church has installed washing facilities where worshippers will be cleaning their hands using water and alcohol-based sanitizers before entering the church.

Churchgoers who are willing to make offertories have to use digital payments, according to him.

"We thank the government of Rwanda to permit us to gather and worship at our church. Conducting prayers from home has been very challenging because of many interruptions," Esperance Mukamurenzi, one of churchgoers at St Michael Cathedral told Xinhua at the church.

The number of the COVID-19 cases in Rwanda has reached 1,539, including 819 recoveries and five deaths, Rwandan health ministry reported on Saturday evening.
N early 500 people have applied for just two jobs at a London pub, as research showed job listings plummeting in July compared to last year.

Mick Dore, who manages the Alexandra in Wimbledon, south-west London, said that 484 people sent in CVs for two 9-an-hour jobs at the pub, which reopens on Monday.

He wrote on Twitter: "'I don't want to alarm anyone about the economy or anything, but I advertised two bar jobs at 4.30 on Thursday. We've had well over 400 applicants. Gulp."

Mr Dore added he would usually have expected around 12 replies from people who might not have been that experienced.

Super Saturday - in pictures 1 /66 Super Saturday - in pictures A police officer watches on from an elevated position as revellers drink in the street outside the bars in Soho, London AFP via Getty Images Soho REUTERS Borough Market, London PA Soho REUTERS Soho PA Soho AFP via Getty Images Soho PA REUTERS Newcastle REUTERS Soho REUTERS Soho AFP via Getty Images Soho AFP via Getty Images Soho PA Soho PA A street cleaner sweeps a street in Soho PA Soho PA Soho PA Borough Market REUTERS Soho PA Newcastle REUTERS London AP Central London REUTERS London AP Manchester AP Customers give a toast with their drinks at the Shakespeare's Head pub in Holborn, London PA Miya Towse has her hair cut at The Chair salon shortly after midnight and reopening in Canterbury Getty Images Louise Wilson and Jennifer Arnold were married at Runcorn Town Hall Registry Office at one minute past midnight Halton Borough Council/PA Wire Michael Robinson, 61, has the first drink at the reopening The Toll Gate, a Wetherspoons pub in Hornsey, north London PA Clare Streeter wears a face mask as she has her hair cut as the first customer back at the strike of midnight in Canterbury Getty Images A member of the public has her temperature checked at the entrance to Alton Towers Getty Images One of the first drinkers at the reopening of the Rochester Castle pub in Stoke Newington, north London, PA Andrew Slawinaki, 51, reading his paper while having a pint of Guinness at the reopening The Toll Gate PA Robert observes social distancing queuing for a pint at The Mossy Well in Muswell Hill in London Getty Images A customer sanitises their hands at The Mossy Well Getty Images PA Customers drink beer at The Holland Tringham Wetherspoons pub in London REUTERS Customers walking into the Shakespeares Head pub in Holborn, London PA A member of bar staff pulls a pint at the Shakespeares Head pub in Holborn, London PA Customers queue to order a drink at The Holland Tringham REUTERS A worker carries a beer at The Holland Tringham REUTERS Bar staff waits for customers at the Rochester Castle pub in Stoke Newington, north London PA Miya Towse has her hair cut at The Chair salon Getty Images Owner Carole Rickaby cuts customer Sandra Jacobs' hair at Tusk Hair stylists in Camden just after midnight Getty Images A customer has her hair washed at Tusk Hair stylists in Camden Getty Images Customers have their hair washed and cut in Canterbury Getty Images Jonathan Callister has his hair cut shortly after midnight in Canterbury Getty Images The Chair salon owner, Katie Hancock, wears a protective face shield as she washes and cuts the hair of Clare Streeter Getty Images Jennifer and Louise Arnold-Wilson married at Runcorn Town Hall Registry Office at one minute past midnight Halton Borough Council/PA Wire Runcorn Town Hall Registry Office, where Jennifer and Louise were married at one minute past midnight Halton Borough Council/PA Wire Members of the public queue to enter Alton Towers Getty Images

But this time there were applications from ex-air stewards and restaurant managers who had found themselves out of work due to the coronavirus crisis.

It comes as Office for National Statistics figures showed 74,000 more people left employment in June, with 649,000 fewer people in work since lockdown began in March.

Meanwhile the Fitzrovia Belle Pub and Hotel in central London recently saw 400 people applying for a handful of jobs.

Manager Rob Fisher told the Sunday Times: "The quality of people looking for work right now is as good as it ever has been. Unfortunately it's because of the situation people have found themselves in."

Pubs reopen in Scotland after coronavirus lockdown - In pictures 1 /18 Pubs reopen in Scotland after coronavirus lockdown - In pictures Barman Dejah Hajdukovic serves a whisky at The Piper's Rest pub in Edinburgh as pubs, bars and restaurants reopen PA Some of the first customers enjoy a drink at The Piper's Rest pub in Edinburgh PA Crieff Hydro Hotel CEO, Stephen Leckie and his sons, Richard and Charlie play the bagpipes alongside daughter Louisa on the snare drum and highland dancer Ella Rose as they give a special welcome back to guests as they open for the first time since March. Getty Images A member of staff places a safety sign on the door of The Scotsman's Lounge pub PA George McDonald, from Clemiston, is the first customer to be served at The Scotsman's Lounge pub PA George McDonald, from Clemiston, is the first customer to be served at The Scotsman's Lounge pub PA George McDonald, from Clemiston, is the first customer to be served at The Scotsman's Lounge pub PA Crieff Hydro Hotel CEO, Stephen Leckie and his sons, Richard and Charlie play the bagpipes alongside daughter Louisa on the snare drum and highland dancer Ella Rose as they give a special welcome back to guests as they open for the first time since March. Getty Images People wait for opening outside The Scotsman's Lounge pub in Edinburgh as pubs, bars and restaurants across Scotland reopen PA Ivor Birnie (left) and John Lynch, some of the first customers to be served at The Scotsman's Lounge pub PA Crieff Hydro Hotel CEO, Stephen Leckie and his sons, Richard and Charlie play the bagpipes alongside daughter Louisa on the snare drum and highland dancer Ella Rose as they give a special welcome back to guests as they open for the first time since March. Getty Images John Lynch, one of the first customers to be served at The Scotsman's Lounge pub in Edinburgh PA Bill Day, aged 70, one of the first customers to be served at The Piper's Rest pub in Edinburgh PA Barman Matthew Williams serves drinks at Scotts in South Queensferry PA

Internet searches for supermarket roles have gone up by 589 per cent compared with this time last year according to job website Indeed. Maintenance job searches increased by 440 per cent, with searches for forklift operator jobs also up 239 per cent. Bartending, digital marketing and research jobs were the most popular job searches for people in their late teens and early 20s.

But unfortunately for people looking for work, job postings were down 59 per cent as of July 10, compared with 2019. Pawel Adrjan, who heads research for Indeed, said the virus had made it much harder to find jobs in some parts of the UK than others.

He told the Sunday Times: Growing regional disparities are exacerbating the north-south divide.
The Annual Aughnasheelin 5km/10km May Walk in aid of Cancer Research / North West Hospice took a virtual turn this year.

Due to Covid19 restrictions it was not possible to gather and walk so it was decided to take to social media to raise the funds.

This proved very successful and raised 13,000 for the two charities. Members of the Sammon Family in San Francisco, Sydney, Boston, London, Dublin, Wexford, Kildare and Aughnasheelin, linked through Zoom, walked / ran / cycled 5/10K on Sunday, May 31 on behalf of all who contributed so generously.

The presentation of cheques took place in Aughnasheelin on Wednesday, July 8. Ena Barrett, Cancer Research Community Fundraiser  Ulster Connaught North accepted the cheque on behalf of the Irish Cancer Society.

Ena paid a sincere word of thanks to the Sammon family for hosting the May walk this year online. Aside from Covid 19 this has been a personally difficult time with the sad passing of their lovely father Michael. We truly appreciate your amazing support. Well done to all the grandchildren who utilised social media to raise a phenomenal amount of money. Thank you to all involved and to the Aughnasheelin Community for your continuous support.

Mary Martin Curran, Board Director NWH and Bernadette McGarvey, head of fundraising North West Hospice accepted the cheque on behalf of the North West Hospice. Mary sincerely thanked the organisers and all involved for the generous contribution which goes towards providing home care for those living with cancer.

The North West Hospice are totally dependent on funding raised by events like this. Brendan Sammon on behalf of the Organising Committee in Aughnasheelin accepted a Certificate of Appreciation from The North West Hospice for the funds raised for their charity over the past 9 years.

Speaking at the presentation Seamus Prior on behalf of the organising committee thanked all who contributed so generously to the fund in what was a difficult year for everyone.

Seamus complimented the Sammon Family for initiating the Facebook social media event this year especially following the death of their dad in February. Michael was a driving force behind the event each year since its inception in 2012 following the death of May in 2011.

A big thank you to all who came out to the presentation and to Willie Donnellan who took the pictures at a social distance.

CAPTIONS:

Members of the Sammon family, Aughnasheelin and committee members pictured at the presentation of a cheque for 6,500 to the Irish Cancer Society, half of the proceeds raised at the 9th annual May Walk, Roll and Run which took pace in Aughnasheelin. Pictured, l-r, Mary Sammon-Quinn, Sharon Flynn, Ena Barrett, community fundraiser for Connacht Ulster, Irish Cancer Society, Michael McGovern, Manager, Donohoe's SuperValu, Ballinamore, sponsors, Mary Mulvey, Cait Sammon-Cullen, Philip Roddy and Seamus Prior Picture: Willie Donnellan

Pictured at the presentation of a cheque for 6,500 to the North West Hospice from the ninth annual May Walk Roll Run which took place in Aughnasheelin on Sunday, May 31. (From left) sponsor Michael McGovern of Donohue's Super Valu, Ballinamore, sponsors Detta McNiffe of McNiffe's Boxty, Bernadette McGarvey, Head of fundraising, North West Hospice, Maura Mulvey, Mary Sammon Quinn, Kerry Meehan, Mary Curran, Board member, North West Hospice who presented a certificate of appreciation to the Sammon Family and Brendan Sammon Picture: Willie Donnellan
Before the outbreak of COVID-19 and the oil price war between Saudi Arabia and Russia, an oil boom of monumental proportions was underway in Brazil, Latin Americas largest economy. Economists and industry analysts as far back as 2018 were speculating that it would be the largest in Latin Americas history. There were even signs that Brazils burgeoning oil production could challenge OPECs waning supremacy.

A unique combination of Brazils vast petroleum reserves totaling almost 13 billion barrels, comprised of sought-after light sweet crude, and impressively low breakeven costs made it inevitable. In 2019, for the first time ever, Latin Americas largest oil producer pumped just over one billion barrels of oil. That, coupled with the latest oil discoveries in Brazils vast pre-salt offshore fields, spurred hopes of a renewed oil led economic boom. Many Brazilians hoped this would restart a stalled economy which up until 2011 had been registering impressive growth rates. By 2015, however, the economy had descended into its deepest slump since the 1980s with GDP contracting by 3.5%. That worrying development was a direct result of the expansive carwash corruption scandal, which ultimately destroyed President Dilma Rousseffs presidency.

Brazils petroleum industry is crucial to its economy and a broad economic recovery. Oil and natural gas production is responsible for around a seventh of gross domestic product and just over a tenth of Brazils exports by value. The latest oil price crash, which began in March of this year, forced energy companies to rein in spending, cut costs and shutter uneconomic operations.

It is upstream oil exploration and production which has been hardest hit and couldnt come at a worse time. Even before the March 2020 oil price crash, big oil appeared to have lost interest in the Latin American countrys vast oil potential. Global oil majors snubbed two of Brazils energy auctions held toward the end of 2019 with most blocks not receiving bids. This is despite their earlier enthusiasm in 2018 when they were eagerly snapping up blocks in the Campos Basin and other pre-salt fields. That earlier exuberance is because of the low breakeven prices of $35 to $45 Brent for pre-salt projects.

The declining appeal of investing in Brazils oil industry can be ascribed to state-controlled Petrobras first-right mandate for pre-salt projects and issues with production-sharing contracts and bonus pricing. That waning appeal, particularly regarding the prolific pre-salt reservoirs, is accelerating because of COVID-19 and the latest oil price crash.

Related: Is Commercial Hydrogen Possible Without Fossil Fuels? Around the globe oil companies are slashing spending, notably for exploration and non-essential development activities, and shuttering uneconomic operations because of sharply weaker oil prices. This will cause investment in Brazils economically crucial oil industry to decline, impacting production volumes, exploration and ultimately crucial reserves growth.

According to the United Nations, softer demand for commodities, notably oil, and reduced global growth will cause 2020 foreign investment in Latin America to halve to around $80 billion. It is Peru, Colombia and Brazil, which are highly dependent on substantial foreign investment in their all-important extractive industries to drive economic growth, that will be among the most severely impacted.

Investment in Brazils oil industry has been declining since late 2019 despite booming oil production and exports. That deterioration will accelerate because of the latest oil price crash and ongoing coronavirus pandemic. This is being amplified by the rapid spread of COVID-19 in Brazil. Last Friday, Brazils oil industry regulator the Brazilian National Agency of Petroleum, Natural Gas and Biofuels (ANP Portuguese acronym) confirmed in a Reuters news release that there were 1,427 coronavirus cases among offshore oil workers.

While it is difficult to identify a single number, investment in Brazils economically crucial petroleum industry will fall. State-controlled Petrobras, which is responsible for around 94% of Brazils petroleum production, slashed budgeted 2020 capital expenditure by $3.5 billion and mothballed 62 shallow-water oil platforms. Earlier this year, Petrobras announced it was planning to curtail its planned 2020 oil production by 200,000 barrels daily, but later reversed that decision on strong demand from China. Related: Norways Oil Industry Is Beginning To Recover

Falling investment, primarily from foreign oil majors in Brazils petroleum industry will impact oil exploration and production. Brazils hydrocarbon output fell sharply during May 2020. Petroleum production of almost 2.8 million barrels was 6.5% lower than April, but surprisingly 1.3% greater than a year earlier. That was also only marginally lower than forecast 2020 daily average oil production of 2.88 million barrels. This coupled with Petrobras, which is responsible for roughly 75% of Brazils oil production, exporting a record 1 million barrels of crude daily in April 2020, indicates the impact on Brazils oil industry may not be as severe as initially believed. That will help to blunt the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Brazils fragile economy.

President Jair Bolsonaros chaotic management of the pandemic, which analysts argue is responsible for Brazil becoming the second-worst affected country globally, saw the IMF predict that Latin Americas largest economy will suffer its worst economic downturn of modern times. The IMF believes Brazils 2020 GDP will shrink by 9.1%, which if Venezuela is excluded, is the fourth largest forecast decline in Latin America. If it werent for the resilience of Brazils crucial hydrocarbon sector, that estimate would be far worse.

COVID-19 is a disaster for Brazil, but the impact on the petroleum industry of Latin Americas most populous country has not been as severe as anticipated. That, coupled with an unexpected spike in demand for Brazilian oil from China, will blunt the economic fallout from the pandemic. The resilience of Brazils oil industry to such a challenging operating environment is a warning to OPEC that the cartel can no longer control global oil supply and hence prices. While the latest developments will slow the growth of Brazils oil industry, they wont prevent the long-awaited historic boom from occurring.

By Matthew Smith for Oilprice.com

More Top Reads From Oilprice.com:
Another weekend of sweltering weather, another weekend of overcrowding and parking woes at Sunset Beach in St. Catharines.

By 11 a.m. Saturday, the streets around the popular spot were jammed with cars as security workers were limiting the number of vehicles allowed into the park.

Irene Blokhuis has a view of the problem from her Lombardy Avenue home, which looks out onto the park.

Ive lived here for 20 years, and its been getting busier the past few years, thats no secret, said Blokhuis.

She acknowledged that many of the visitors, especially on the weekends, are coming from out of town.

Blokhuis said word has spread over the past few years but recently an online article in Narcity compared it to a Hawaiian beach.

No need to book a plane ticket in order to get a taste of Hawaii. This gorgeous beach in Ontario will transport you to the tropics this summer, stated the article.

She said Canada Day was insane and Saturday looked to be building up to be the same.

Residents and local beachgoers seem to be split on the proposed Niagarans-only motion that went before city council recently.

I love the beach, but I hate how its being overrun by people who arent from Niagara, said Theresa Kiraly, who was at the beach with her Jet-Ski.

You can tell, you can see cars with Brampton Toyota stickers. I was hopeful for them to start checking IDs; it would make it easier for people from the region to get here.

Its jam-packed, trying to park or pull out at the end of the night with people walking and cars parked everywhere so hard to get out.

And theres zero social distancing, said Kiraly.

Over on Beachaven Drive, Dana Coxworthy was being a little enterprising, selling parking spots on his and neighbours driveways.

Twenty bucks you wanna park here, he yelled out at passing cars.

Ive been living here for 40 years, and now people have found the beach. Ever since Port Dalhousie lost part of their beach, people have discovered this, he said.

Coxworthy doesnt favour a Niagarans-only beach bylaw.

Its a public beach, and were all Ontarians.

But like most, he agreed, about the parking problem.

Why isnt the city saying lets open up a parking lot, or get a city bus to come down.

These streets are not as wide as in some subdivisions. Weve got kids and people that want to walk their dogs. People have a hard time to get in and out.

Hes a bit dismayed by the numbers on the beach as well.

People are not thinking about the logic of it. Its COVID, they want to get out in the fresh air, but were supposed to social distance.

They have to start giving out the tickets for not social distancing, said Coxworthy. Once one person gets a ticket word spreads pretty fast.

Said Blokhuis, I think everyone needs to focus on the fact were in a pandemic, and were still in Stage 2 (of reopening). The message federally and provincially is, stay home.

Regardless, she said, theres no guidebook, and the city needs to do whats best for the residents at this time.

They should limit it, for now, its safer.

They can revisit it if the pandemic ends.
Russias ambassador to Britain has rejected allegations that his countrys intelligence services sought to steal information about a coronavirus vaccine.

Andrei Kelin said in a BBC interview broadcast Sunday that there was no sense in the allegations made last week by the United States, Britain and Canada.

I dont believe in this story at all, there is no sense in it, he said when asked about the allegations. I learned about their (the hackers) existence from British media. In this world, to attribute any kind of computer hackers to any country, it is impossible."

Intelligence agencies in the US, Britain and Canada on Thursday accused the hacking group APT29  also known as Cozy Bear and believed to be part of Russian intelligence  of using malicious software to attack academic and pharmaceutical research institutions involved in COVID-19 vaccine development. It was unclear whether any useful information was stolen.

British Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab also said that Russian actors had tried to interfere in last years general election by amplifying stolen government papers online.

Kelin said in the interview that his country had no interest in interfering in British domestic politics.

I do not see any point in using this subject as a matter of interference, he said. We do not interfere at all. We do not see any point in interference because for us, whether it will be (the) Conservative Party or Labours party at the head of this country, we will try to settle relations and to establish better relations than now.

Raab said Sunday that Britain will work with its allies to call Russia out on its reprehensible behavior and make sure research organizations know so that they can better defend against it.

The allegations came days before the British parliament's Intelligence and Security Committee prepares to release a long-awaited report on Russian interference in British politics.
President Donald Trump walking across the South Lawn of the White House to board Marine One earlier this month. Read more

WASHINGTON  The Trump administration is trying to block billions of dollars for states to conduct testing and contact tracing in the upcoming coronavirus relief bill, people involved in the talks said Saturday.

The administration is also trying to block billions of dollars that GOP senators want to allocate for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and billions more for the Pentagon and State Department to address the pandemic at home and abroad, the people said.

The administration's posture has angered some GOP senators, the officials said, and some lawmakers are trying to push back and ensure that the money stays in the bill. The officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity to reveal confidential deliberations, cautioned that the talks were fluid and the numbers were in flux.

The negotiations center around a bill Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., is preparing to unveil this coming week as part of negotiations with Democrats on what will likely be the last major coronavirus relief bill before the November election.

Negotiations are expected to kick off with increased urgency because of the rapid growth of cases  and steady uptick in deaths  in the United States. The number of cases began falling in April but accelerated sharply after Memorial Day, shattering records in the past two weeks.

In late May, there were fewer than 20,000 new cases of coronavirus reported each day. On Friday, there were more than 76,000 new cases reported of the extremely contagious virus.

 READ MORE: U.S. bungles coronavirus testing again, this time with delayed results due to hotspots, lack of federal coordination

The two political parties are far apart on a number of contentious issues, such as unemployment insurance, but the conflict between Trump administration officials and Senate Republicans on money for testing and other priorities is creating a major complication even before bipartisan negotiations get under way. Some lawmakers are trying to reach a deal quickly, as enhanced unemployment benefits for millions of Americans are set to expire in less than two weeks.

One person involved in the talks said Senate Republicans were seeking to allocate $25 billion for states to conduct testing and contact tracing, but that certain administration officials want to zero out the testing and tracing money entirely. Some White House officials believe they have already approved billions of dollars in assistance for testing and that some of that money remains unspent.

Roughly 3.7 million Americans have already tested positive for coronavirus in the United States, according to a Washington Post analysis. Wait times for test results can vary by state, but in some places people have to wait more than a week to find out if they have tested positive.

 READ MORE: How many have really been infected with coronavirus? I pricked my finger to help find out.

Trump and other White House officials have been pushing for states to own more of the responsibility for testing and have objected to creating national standards, at times seeking to minimize the federal governments role.

The last major coronavirus spending bill Congress approved, in April, included $25 billion to increase testing and also required the Health and Human Services Department to release a strategic testing plan. The agency did so in May, but the plan mainly reasserted the administrations insistence that states  not the federal government  should take the lead on testing.

Several Senate Republicans including Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-La., are exploring pushing a testing and tracing provision in the next stimulus package but are expected to meet resistance from the White House.

Cases and deaths are now both rising again, including in many red states, said Sam Hammond, a policy expert at the right-leaning think tank the Niskanen Center, which has been working with Senate Republicans on testing legislation. Senate Republicans have asked for funding to help states purchase test kits in bulk. As it currently stands, the main bottleneck to a big ramp-up in testing is less technical than the White Houses own intransigence.

President Donald Trump has repeatedly questioned the value of conducting widespread coronavirus testing, arguing that if there were fewer tests conducted, the numbers of infections would be lower. Coronavirus infections and deaths are on the rise in many states.

The administration is also seeking to zero out $10 billion in new funding for the CDC in the upcoming bill, while slashing spending for the Pentagon and State Department related to foreign aid, the person said. Trump has been skeptical of State Department spending and foreign aid generally, but it was unclear why the Trump administration would seek to block money for the Pentagon for a variety of COVID-related expenses such as reimbursing contractors for providing paid leave to employees.

A White House spokesman declined to comment.

Congress has already approved roughly $3 trillion in new spending and tax cuts as part of its response to the coronavirus pandemic. Some White House officials had hoped to keep the next bill at less than $1 trillion, but they also want to include numerous elements that could prove costly. For example, Trump has demanded a payroll tax cut as part of the legislation. And he also wants to include another round of stimulus checks, though lawmakers are split on how to design new payments.

White House officials have been sharply critical of the CDC's performance during the pandemic, complaining that its initial testing efforts were faulty and that it didn't know more about the virus earlier this year.

At the same time they push cuts in testing and CDC funds, administration officials are trying to use the spending package to fund priorities that appear not directly related to the coronavirus  including a new FBI building, which has been a longtime priority for Trump, according to people involved.
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MILAN  Its a David and Goliath story.

Entrepreneur Luciano Donatelli is aware that giant groups are interested in taking control of Brooks Brothers, but he is undeterred. Donatelli has quickly put together a group of investors under the Club Deal 8 moniker, including online retailer Giglio Group, the Biella-based Gruppo Verzoletto, and a silk group from Como that has requested anonymity for the time being.

Partnering with Giglio Group is telling, since developing a bigger online business for Brooks Brothers is a key focus for the investors.

Another is to make sure the storied American company is not butchered into smaller companies by funds that could speculate on this deal. We are talking about a unique brand, underscored Donatelli, who has involved in the project entrepreneur and environmentalist Brando Crespi, founder of Pro-Natura, which supports and funds sustainable projects; legal manager Lorenza Morello, and adviser Fabrizio Capponi, a partner at New York-based legal firm Dentons.

We have had requests from 32 international investors that are keen to be part of Club Deal 8, but we will eventually select seven or eight of them, said Donatelli, adding that the investors are already in Brooks Brothers data room.

As reported, Brooks Brothers earlier this month struck an upbeat note at its first-day bankruptcy hearing in Delaware, submitting a new $80 million debtor-in-possession facility by a joint entity of licensing company Authentic Brands Group and mall operator Simon Property Group, showing how the retailer may be gearing up for a possible going-concern sale.

When the retailer began its proceedings in Delaware, its owner and chief executive officer Claudio Del Vecchio told WWD that although the company had entered the proceedings without a stalking-horse bidder despite exploring a sale of the business for years, it hopes for a relatively quick trip through bankruptcy court that would culminate in a sale.

Story continues

The mission is to relaunch a brand that does not belong to us historically but that has always been in the heart of Italians, bought by an Italian family that I deeply respect, said Donatelli of owner and ceo Claudio Del Vecchio and his father Leonardo, who founded Luxottica Group. We are trying to protect this Italian image and at the same time integrate Brooks Brothers international supply chain as well as the American production.

Donatelli said the online business was a strong trend even before the COVID-19 emergency and one that can fit with the centuries-old classic mens wear retailer, supporting a slimmer distribution model, stores no bigger than 2,160 square feet, with few fixed costs, fewer employees and general expenses. I think that structures such as that of Giglio Group can grow Brooks Brothers at an incredible pace and it will help the brand develop its accessories, shoes, knits, shirts and leather goods business, as well as the womens and childrens divisions, continued Donatelli.

Donatelli, a fashion consultant and a former Ermenegildo Zegna group manager, over the years initiated prestigious licenses with brands such as Gucci and Valentino and was president of industry associations Confindustria Biella and vice president of Confindustria Piemonte. His experience in the Biella textile region can serve him well, as Brooks Brothers has for years sourced fabrics from that area, as well as from Italys Veneto, Tuscany and Apulia regions.

The goal, said Donatelli, if Club Deal 8 succeeds in taking control of Brooks Brothers, is to reach sales of $3 billion in five years and grow production sixfold. Donatelli sees sales of about $1.2 billion to be derived from the Americas; $1.2 billion from the Far East and $600,000 from Europe and Russia.

I am thinking of the Jeep example, which bridges Italian craft with the American myth, he mused. This can be a new renaissance for Brooks Brothers, he mused.

He aims to keep the brands American spirit, but to also produce more glocal collections, adapting the label to different regional areas, highlighting a couture division in the U.S. to be produced in the Boston and North Carolina plants. He cited Halston and Ralph Lauren as two models for the brand.

My dream is to work with Murray Scallon on upper casual, Paul Surridge on couture and Nick Invernizzi on accessories, confided Donatelli, who is also keen on expanding the womens division. Polos, shirts and accessories should eventually account for 75 percent of revenues, he said, and the leather goods and shoes categories should also grow, as well as the licenses.

Sustainability  hence the inclusion of Crespi  and boosting business in China are also priorities.

Last year, as reported, Giglio Group turned its attention to China, boosting its e-commerce business and inking 12 new agreements with Italian designer brands.

It already worked with the likes of Guess, Max Mara, Bomberg, Trussardi and Chiara Ferragnis The Blonde Salad. The group has been evolving from being a media company to presenting itself as a Worldwide Digital Enabler for its more than 70 fashion, beauty and design clients in the luxury arena. The company is led by Alessandro Giglio, founder, president and ceo. Established in 2003 with headquarters in Milan and offices in New York, Shanghai, Hong Kong, Rome, Lugano and Genoa, Giglio Group is listed on the Milan Stock Exchange on the STAR market.

I chose the Club Deal 8 name because I believe, like in China, eight is a good luck number. I really hope so, said Donatelli,

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Prasanta Mazumdar By

Express News Service

GUWAHATI: As Assam continues to battle a devastating flood that left 84 people dead, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday called up Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal to express his concern and solidarity with the people of the state.

Honble PM Shri @narendramodi ji took stock of the contemporary situation regarding #AssamFloods2020, #COVID19 and Baghjan Oil Well fire scenario over the phone this morning. Expressing his concern & solidarity with the people, the PM assured all support to the state, Sonowal tweeted.

An official statement said the PM had enquired about the steps taken by the state government for relief and rehabilitation of flood-affected people and treatment of Covid-19 positive patients. Sonowal apprised Modi that the state government had taken steps for providing shelter to the marooned and that the Covid-19 protocols were strictly being adhered to.

He also informed that vast swathes of farmlands and houses had been severely affected by the flood and erosion caused by the Brahmaputra and its tributaries.

On the Baghjan oil well fire, the CM informed the PM that the Petroleum Ministry had been persistently carrying out activities to completely douse the inferno and the state government was extending all cooperation. A blowout  or uncontrolled emission of natural gas  had led to the fire on June 9.

According to the Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA), five people perished on Sunday in Barpeta, Baksa, Dhubri, Morigaon, and Nagaon districts. Earlier, 26 others were killed in separate incidents of rain-triggered landslides.

The ASDMA said over 25.29 lakh people from 2,400 villages and localities across 24 of the states 33 districts were reeling under the flood. Altogether, 50,559 of the marooned were taking refuge in 521 relief camps.

The floodwater breached a number of river embankments and damaged bridges and roads across the state. The standing crop affected was in areas of 1,12,138 hectares. Major rivers such as Brahmaputra, Dhansiri, Kopili, Beki, Kushiyara, and Jia Bharali were in a spate, flowing above the danger level.

The one-horned rhino fame Kaziranga National Park is bearing the brunt of the deluge. The Brahmaputra flows through the UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Till Sunday, 108 animals, including nine rhinos, died due to various reasons including drowning and vehicle hits. A national highway traverses beside the park. The animals, particularly elephants and hog deer, cross the highway to go to the hills in neighbouring Karbi Anglong district during floods.

Meanwhile, three children, swept away by the swirling Brahmaputra water, were rescued due to the timely action of a forest ranger of the park.
Celebrity chef Rachael Ray and her husband John Cusimano are celebrating 15 years of marriage in September 2020.

Recently, the 30-Minute Meals star shared with the world the magical recipe that, as she put it, made it all happen, between herself and her life partner.

Rachael Ray (right) and her husband, John Cusimano | Gustavo Caballero/Getty Images for SOBEWFF

RELATED: How Did Rachael Ray Meet Her Husband, John Cusimano?

Ray and Cusimano have recently made generous donations

Ray and Cusimano donated $4 million to organizations helping out during the coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis.

A portion of their contribution is being given through her nonprofit, Yum-o!, as well as other organizations including Feeding America, Share Our Strength, World Central Kitchen, The National Restaurant Association, City Harvest, Hunger Free America, and Wholesome Wave. The couples desire is to get food and sustenance to anyone in need.

The Food Network star said on her website, My overall goal with these donations is to support American families affected during the Covid-19 crisis with assistance for two-legged and four-legged family members.

The two have been airing live shows during the pandemic

The 51-year-old author and her husband moved all their operations to their upstate New York home once authorities began encouraging social distancing and quarantining.

She thought at first that she would spend the time away from her television studios resting and discovering new hobbies. That notion did not last very long at all.

I was going to get more serious about my painting. I had all these lofty goals  and none of thats happening, she told The Associated Press by phone in April 2020.

RELATED: Rachael Ray: Her Celebrity Crush and Favorite Moment from the Daytime Show

With Cusimano on camera duties, Ray began filming her show in earnest.

We have never worked this hard in our entire lives, Ray said. Her show is temporarily renamed #StayHome With Rachael and is filmed twice a week from her home.

This is a weird time. I cant say theres a silver lining  but there are found moments every day, she said during her first filmed show.

The meal that made it all happen

This week on Instagram, Ray posted a romantic message and video about the dish that brought the couple together, and the night the two met.

HALIBUT IN TOMATILLO SAUCE, she wrote. 20 years later, @johnmcusimano and I are recreating our dish, the one that made it all happen.

In the video, the two, who will celebrate fifteen years of marriage in September 2020, explained a bit more about this magical dish.

Twenty years later, sharing this intimate moment with you!, said Ray. The night I met John, we were at this party, and literally everyone at the party was tall except for us. We really were the shortest people at this particular party.

She went on to describe how the pair began chatting around all the other towering attendees.

Anyway, conversation ensues. So I said, I cook for a living. Do you do any cooking? And hes like, Oh yeah, I love to cook. And he said that the night before for dinner, hed made

At this point, Ray motioned for her husband to describe his dish.

. . .tilapia that Id pan-seared and topped with a tomatillo sauce. . .

For the remainder of the video, the couple recreated the dish that brought them together.

When they finished, Ray turned to Cusimano and said, This is kind of our song. This is the dish that made me want to talk to you all night.

Cusimano added, It made it all happen!

RELATED: Rachael Ray Was an Answer on Jeopardy! and Shes Ecstatic
Source: Xinhua| 2020-07-19 04:29:21|Editor: huaxia

Video Player Close

TRIPOLI, July 18 (Xinhua) -- The state-owned National Oil Corporation (NOC) of the UN-backed Libyan government on Saturday expressed concern over deteriorating security situation near oil facilities.

"NOC is deeply concerned over the serious deterioration in the security situation in areas surrounding oil facilities in the Gulf of Sirte," NOC said in a statement.

"Violent Clashes took place over the past 48 hours in the Brega region, only hundreds of meters away from oil tanks, between armed groups called Al-Saiqa and the Petroleum Facilities Guard, all of whom belong to Khalifa Haftar (commander of eastern-based army)," the statement said.

The corporation demanded "foreign mercenaries" allied with the eastern-based army and blocking oil exports to leave the oilfields and ports.

NOC on Sunday declared force majeure on oil exports again due to renewed oil blockade by the eastern-based army, which is demanding transparency in the distribution of oil revenues.

The North African country has been plagued by political division and conflicts ever since the fall of its former leader Muammar Gaddafi in 2011. Enditem
The Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) supplies the silicon on which many OEMs' SoCs or devices are based, Huawei's included. However, the current US administration has issued an executive order that prevents the latter from conducting this kind of business. TSMC has stated that it is complying with the directive.

Working For Notebookcheck Are you a techie who knows how to write? Then join our Team! English native speakers welcome! News Writer (AUS/NZL based) - Details here

TSMC has reportedly suspended all business with the electronics giant Huawei. This move has been made in order to comply with new and stringent trade regulations that prevent US and (more recently) non-US companies doing business with this company.

Accordingly, TSMC will not fulfill orders of chips to Huawei's specifications that were placed on May 15, 2020 or later. Therefore, the smartphone maker will see its last shipment from the Taiwanese silicon contractor on or after September 14 of the same year.

TSMC investors and fans may worry about the void that the sudden absence of this business may have created - Huawei had been a major trading partner of this company's, after all. However, its chairman, Mark Liu, has said it is "progressing relatively well" in attracting new orders that will take up the excess left in its inventory.

The chip-maker had been projected to earn third-quarter (3Q2020) revenues of about US$10.7 billion. However, it now estimates that it might make up to $11.5 billion for the same period instead. It had also predicted it would make about 20% more in 2020 compared to the preceding year, mainly based on the enthusiasm for 5G-capable chipsets from OEMs that it saw coming.

Now, TSMC asserts that it is still on track to make this growth, Huawei orders or no. Furthermore, it now intends to raise its capital investment level by an additional $1-2 billion, or a possible total of $17 billion, in 2020.
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has released guidelines to all heads of tertiary institutions for the 2020 admission exercise.

The board also told all institutions to begin admission for candidates for first and second choices on August 21, 2020.

In the document, seen by PREMIUM TIMES, and sent to all vice-chancellors, rectors and provosts of universities, polytechnics and colleges of education, the JAMB Registrar, Ishaq Oloyede, warned against flouting decisions of its 2020 policy meeting, held on June 16.

Mr Oloyede insisted that all admissions must be carried out in an honest and transparent manner.

The 1st and 2nd Choices Admission-Exercise be conducted for all institutions from 21st August 2020 to a later date that would be determined by the Federal Ministry of Education and communicated to all the institutions, he said, adding that the uncertainties of the COVID-19 make it impossible to fix a terminal date.

The guideline

Mr Oloyede explained that the guideline for the 2020 admission exercise is expected to guide all the participants in the admission process.

All heads of institutions and admission officers are advised to carefully study and understand the content of the document with a view to implementing it fully for a seamless and transparent admission exercise, he said.

According to him, the decisions, as well as the policy directives as contained in the address of the education minister at the policy meeting, shall serve as the guidelines for the 2020 admission exercise.

All Heads of Tertiary Institutions are to ensure total compliance with the guidelines. Sanctions shall be applied to institutions that violate the decisions, he warned

CAPS is important

The JAMB chief said the admission-exercise for the 2020/2021 Academic Session would be conducted on the Central Admission Processing System (CAPS).

The CAPS is an admission processing system that is geared towards ensuring quality control, transparency and credibility of the admission process.

JAMB tasked the three higher education regulatory bodies  The National Universities Commission (NUC), the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) and the National Commission for Colleges of Education (NCCE )  to collaborate with it to ensure full compliance with the guidelines.

The board said it has stopped illegal or irregular admission in any form, saying all admissions must pass through it.

All applications for admissions to First Degree, National Diploma, National Innovation Diploma and the Nigeria Certificate in Education into Full Time, Distance Learning, Part-Time, Sandwich, must be processed only through the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), it said.

The board said institutions involved in advertising or selling application forms for admissions into the programmes should stop henceforth.

Institutions should advise candidates to apply to them through JAMB. Duplication of application forms is NOT allowed, No Institution is allowed to publish, announce, exhibit or paste any name(s) of the admitted candidate without prior approval of the name on CAPS, the board said.

Advertorial

On advertorials, JAMB said institutions that desire to place advertisement can do so by advising candidates who applied for the current UTME to change to their institution as First (1st) Choice rather than requesting the candidates to purchase another application.

This is to prevent the issue of double registration which is a violation of the JAMB mandate, Mr Oloyede said.

No institution will be allowed to recommend or admit any candidate whose

UTME score is below the following threshold: Degree  160; ND  120; NCE  100; NID  100.

He said no institution can graduate a candidate who has not been a full

time student of that institution for at least 2 consecutive years.

Affiliated institutions are to adopt the same minimum UTME scores as the mother institutions, he said.

FG prepares for resumption

Schools across Nigeria are currently shut due to the coronavirus pandemic.

However, the federal government recently released guidelines that must be met by all schools ahead of resumption.

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The guidelines for the safe reopening of schools and learning facilities after the COVID-19 pandemic outlined actions, measures, and requirements needed for resumption.

The government also gave school proprietors across the country up to July 29 to meet specific guidelines set towards the reopening of schools.
T he Chinese ambassador to the UK dismissed allegations of abuse against the country's Uighur people after the BBC's Andrew Marr confronted him with shocking footage that appeared to show blindfolded people waiting to be loaded onto trains.

In the appearance on Mr Marr's show, Liu Xiaoming suggested that the video footage - said to be from the north-western Xinjiang province - which seems to show men kneeling, blindfolded and waiting to be led onto trains, was fake.

And he hit out at so-called Western intelligence, accusing US, UK and European governments of making repeated false allegations against China.

Mr Liu said: There is no so-called massive forced sterilisation among Uighur people in China. It is totally against the truth. I cannot rule out single cases for any country. There is no such concentration camp in Xinjiang."

His comments came after British Government and opposition figures hit out at the alleged conduct of the Chinese government.

Foreign secretary Dominic Raab accused Chinese officials of committing gross, egregious abuses in the Xinjiang province against the mostly-Muslim Uighur people.

Mr Raab insisted that Britain wanted good relations with China but said it could not stand by while abuses such as forced sterilisations and mass re-education camps took place.

It is clear that there are gross, egregious human rights abuses going on. We are working with our international partners on this. It is deeply, deeply troubling, he told The Andrew Marr Show.

The reports of the human aspect of it  from forced sterilisation to the education camps  are reminiscent of something we have not seen for a long, long time.

This from a leading member of the international community that wants to be taken seriously and in fact who we want a positive relationship with. But we cannot see behaviour like that and not call it out.

Meanwhile shadow foreign secretary Lisa Nandy called on the Government to use Britains new independent sanctions regime to target individuals implicated in human rights abuses in Xinjiang.

They could do that tomorrow, she told The Andrew Marr Show.

But Mr Liu said it would be totally wrong for Britain now to impose sanctions on Chinese officials and said Beijing was ready to respond in kind.

If the UK goes that far to impose sanctions on any individuals in China, China will certainly make a resolute response to it.

You have seen what happened between China [and] the United States. They sanctioned Chinese officials, we sanctioned their senators, their officials. I do not want to see this tit-for-tat between China-US happen in China-UK relations."

And he rejected claims China was pursuing a policy of aggressive nationalism, saying it was Western powers which were trying to create a new cold war.

A file photo of people walking past Chinese soldiers in Xinjiang province from 2012

Its Western countries, headed by United States, they started this so called new cold war on China, he said.

They have the sanctions, they have these smearing, name calling, take what happened with the coronavirus.

They still keep calling China virus, Wuhan virus. Totally wrong.

But we have to make a response. We do not provoke but once we were provoked we have to make response.
Extremely heavy rains in the northeast could accentuate existing flood conditions and lead to landslides in some areas of the north-eastern states and sub-Himalayan West Bengal, India Meteorological Department said on Saturday.

The met department has issued a red category warning for most of northeast including Assam and Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland and sub Himalayan West Bengal on July 19, 20 and 21 and an orange category warning for entire north and northwest India including Delhi, Himachal Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Uttarakhand for the same period. Red category warning indicates that local and disaster control authorities take action to prevent any flooding or landslide disasters. An orange category warning indicates that disaster management and local authorities should prepare for disaster control.

We have started impact based warnings for 12 cities in India including Delhi, Mumbai, Shimla, Dehradun, Shillong, Guwahati and others. When we have a consensus on the likely impact, we issue an impact-based warning. For example, in the northeast particularly Assam, the rivers are already overflowing so landslides and flooding is likely based on our assessments. The World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) has been emphasising that we alert people on the weather will do. The assessment is based on a multi hazard approach, said RK Jenamani, senior scientist, national weather forecasting centre.

According to WMOs guidelines on multi-hazard impact based forecast, for impact forecast exposure is considered along with the hazard and vulnerability. These types of forecasts and warnings are designed to provide detailed information precisely on who or what is exposed. Jenamani gives the example of UK Met Office which uses past data of 30 years on natural calamities to issue impact based warnings.

IMD for the first time this month has started issuing impact-based warning in its daily bulletins so that common people understand the significance of a particular weather forecast and take precautions accordingly. Earlier this month when Mumbai faced extremely heavy rains, IMD had warned of localised flooding; disruption of traffic and utilities. On Saturday, IMD warned of landslides in upper reaches and flooding as the impact of extremely heavy rains in the northeast.

IMD in its Saturday bulletin said western part of monsoon trough lies south of its normal position and a cyclonic circulation lies over coastal Saurashtra and neighbourhood. This cyclonic circulation is likely to become less marked during next 24 hours. At the same time, the entire monsoon trough (line of low pressure) is also most likely to shift northwards closer to the foothills of the Himalayas between July 19 and 20. In addition, Interaction between mid-level westerlies and lower level easterlies from the Arabian Sea over northwest India is very likely to start from July 18. Convergence of moist southerly/southwesterly winds from Bay of Bengal over northeast and adjoining east India will also begin from Saturday. The combination of these factors will bring widespread rains to northeast and parts of northwest India, IMD said.

Brahmaputra in Jorhat and Sonitpur districts and River Beki in Barpeta district are flowing in Severe flood situation with rising trend. Since most of the catchments in northeast India, Sub-Himalayan West Bengal and Sikkim are already saturated there is likelihood of continuation of floods in Severe to Extreme levels for the next 3-4 days. Maximum vigil has to be maintained along the banks of all rivers, the Central Water Commission warned on Friday.

Monsoon rains in the country are 8% excess as on Saturday; 11% excess over east and northeast India; -17% deficiency over northwest India; 14% excess over central India; 17% excess over south Peninsular India.

Its very good news that IMD has started issuing impact based forecasts. Until now their forecasts were based on meteorological parameters in terms of say how much its going to rain or how hot it may be. But now impact based forecast will consider local infrastructure and impact on people, said Roxy Mathew Koll, a climate scientist at the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM), Pune.
When the people of Israel were journeying from the wilderness to the promised land, they had many challenges on the way. They complained about everything, from lack of water, food, and insecurity as they faced the occupants of the promised land. In all of this, Moses managed to mediate on their behalf to implore God to respond to their needs.

Yet, the complaints of the Israelites did not worry Moses in the same way that he worried about the consequences of the prosperity that the promised land portended for the people. Moses was concerned that while lack and challenges led the Israelites to God, prosperity was likely to cause the Israelites to turn away from God.

So, when Moses was about to part ways with the Israelites, he cautioned them about the dangers associated with prosperity. He passionately cautioned them:

When you have eaten and are satisfied, praise the LORD your God for the good land He has given you. Be careful that you do not forget the LORD your God, failing to observe His commands, His laws and His decrees that I am giving you this day.

Otherwise, when you eat and are satisfied, when you build fine houses and settle down, and your herds and flocks grow large and your silver and gold increase and all you have is multiplied, then your heart will become proud and you will forget the LORD your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery.

He led you through the vast and dreadful desert, that thirsty and waterless land, with its venomous snakes and scorpions. He brought you water out of hard rock. He gave you manna to eat in the desert, something your fathers had never known, to humble and test you so that in the end it might go well with you.

You may say to yourself, My power and the strength of my hands have produced this wealth for me. But remember the LORD your God, for it is He who gives you the ability to produce wealth, and so confirm His covenant, which He swore to your forefathers, as it is today (Deuteronomy 8: 10-18).

Mosess passionate caution to the Israelites has important lessons for all of us. He carefully told them how they were nothing and were not even powerful in any way, but the Lord made them great. Moses told them that they were only slaves in a foreign land and yet the Lord saved them.

Also, Moses hinted to them that the land they were to possess had many blessings. But he told them that the blessings of the Land could cause them to forget about God. It could also cause them to be arrogant and proud. More so, the prosperity associated with the land could cause the Israelites to think that they did not need God.

Certainly, Moses was/is sagaciously speaking to us. Our world today has made unprecedented strives in overcoming some of the debilitating challenges of life. Landmark technological advances have helped us to push back common challenges such as poverty, diseases, hunger, and premature deaths. Knowledge has also expanded significantly in our world. And, compared to the previous centuries, our world has been less bloody.

Nevertheless, atheism has equally increased significantly in our world. This is to the extent that we discount the existence of God. The belief in God is considered countercultural and counterintuitive. God has become the object of ridicule in the media. In the classroom, God is the whipping boy. Our century has become very hostile to God.

We have become a people that gives no room for the existence of God. It is either God is dead, in the logic of Friedrich Wilhelm Nietzsche, the German philosopher (1844  1900), or He is an old man who has retired from the affairs of the world. In the face of stupendous prosperity, we have become masters of the universe. The illusion of self-sufficiency has resulted in we seeing ourselves as demigods.

As the world intensifies its crusade against the Triune God and anything that has to do with Him, Moses cautions us not to remain oblivious to the goodness of the Lord. Just as prosperity has the facade of causing us to think of God as a thing of the primitive past, Moses is reminding us that we are still mortals. We are still dependent beings who must be cautioned against arrogance.

This is precisely because, in the face of prosperity in our world, we are tempted to have two extreme views of human beings. It is either we have a too low view of human beings as dogs or a high view of human beings as gods. Either way, we have decentered God as the ultimate ruler of the universe.

And either way, we have become insensitive to the plight of our fellow human beings. Human beings have become the measure of all things (as said by Protagoras, the Greek philosopher of the fifth century BC).

The idea of human being as an image-bearer of God has been shelved in the face of technological advancement. While we were created as dependent beings and social beings, technology has removed us from the source of our ontological existence  the Triune God. We have become online beings rather than social beings. We have consequently lost our sense of thankfulness.

As I celebrated my birthday yesterday (July 16), I reflected on what it means to be grateful. I found Mosess caution to the Israelites very timely and providential. Mosess caution was/is a presage to the world - to us as individuals and as groups. The centrality of Moses's caution was/is that we have to be grateful to God.

In the following, I will highlight the importance of gratitude in our relationship with God and our neighbours. Thus, both theocentrically and anthropocentrically, gratitude is the heartbeat of life. It is what defines our humanity.

First, when we thank God, we admit that we are dependent beings. Human beings were not created to be sufficient in themselves. We were created to always depend on God for our sustenance. Without God, we are nothing (Acts 17:28). When we thank God, we openly admit that He is the Lord over our lives (I Peter 3:15a).

Second, when we thank our fellow human beings, we admit that we are incomplete. A prolific professor of Social Anthropology at the University of Cape Town (South Africa) and my friend, Francis Nyamnjoh, has written extensively about the need for human beings to admit our incompleteness. As we admit our incompleteness, we accept one another in our earthly journey.

Third, through our dependence on God and the expression of incompleteness through gratitude, we become humble. We do not become conceited. We realise our limitation and the need to collaborate with others to live well, as well as fronting for the common good of humanity. This is because we become inclined to give God credit for all our achievements.

Fourth, when we are grateful people, we appreciate the need to be selfless in our relations with others. For example, as a Christian, I acknowledge that my salvation is wholly the work of God alone. I did not contribute anything to make my salvation possible, since salvation is by grace alone, through faith alone and in Christ alone.

I admit that God chose me before the foundation of the earth, Jesus Christ, through His vicarious death on the Cross of Calvary, purchased me, and the Holy Spirit sealed my salvation. I did not contribute anything in the process. In the end, I see the need to sacrifice my time and other resources for the good of my family, friends, and neighbours.

Sixth, studies have shown that persons who are grateful in all things tend to have a healthy and positive outlook about life. They tend to be happy and physically, cognitively and emotionally robust. The opposite is true about persons who are ingrate.

As Christians, the Bible admonishes us to come before God with thanksgiving (Psalm 95:2a). We are also encouraged to give thanks to God in all circumstances, for this is Gods will for you in Christ Jesus. In the face of challenges, it is difficult to thank God, but I pray that the Lord will graciously unveil a little of our blissful future to us to see our glorious end (Romans 8:18).

In conclusion, I want to thank all my families and friends who sent me messages, nourished with blessings, on the occasion of my birthday. I was/am humbled by the outpouring of messages from my supervisor, seniors, and colleagues. I am very grateful. In many cases, we bless in love, so I assume that you all blessed me because you love me. In return, I pray that the Triune God will be gracious and merciful unto all of you. I pray He blesses you in all good things.

Satyagraha

Charles Prempeh ([email protected]), African University College of Communications, Accra
KYOTO, Japan - A memorial ceremony to mark one year since the fatal arson attack on Kyoto Animation Co. was held Saturday at the site of the company's No. 1 studio in Fushimi Ward, Kyoto, with 94 people attending, including 85 family members of 30 of the victims.

The July 18, 2019, arson attack on the popular animation company sent shock waves across the nation and abroad. Thirty-six people were killed and 33 were seriously or slightly injured in the conflagration.

The memorial service, hosted by KyoAni, started at 10:30 a.m., the time when the incident took place.

"I miss you every day. I feel lonely every day. I can't help but look for you," said the wife of Futoshi Nishiya, who was 37 and designed characters for the anime film "Koe no Katachi" ("A Silent Voice"), in her speech.

"I'll live the rest of my life with a sense of loss." Many attendees were heard weeping.

Shinji Aoba, 42, is suspected of setting the fire after dousing the first floor of the studio building with gasoline. About 700 square meters of the three-story building burned to the ground. Board member Yoshiji Kigami, 61, and Yasuhiro Takemoto, the director of "Rakisuta" (Lucky Star), were among the 36 fatalities. One person is still hospitalized.

The Kyoto prefectural police arrested Aoba on May 27 on suspicion of murder and other charges. Currently, psychiatric tests are being conducted to determine whether Aoba is capable of bearing criminal responsibility.

The KyoAni building was demolished in April and is now a vacant lot. It has not been decided how to use the site.

Many people from home and abroad also paid tribute through social media.

"I would not be what I am now without KyoAni's works. I'll continue to support you," said one of the tweets.

At around 10:30 a.m., a memorial video by Kyoto Animation was posted on YouTube. At the same time, comments expressing condolences to the victims, such as "Silent prayer," "Rest in Peace" and "Thank you, KyoAni," poured in with the hashtag "#PrayforKyoani."

Messages also came from abroad, such as comments saying it is heartbreaking that the incident took the lives of so many young talented animators.
Spiritual leader Sri Sri Ravi Shankar congratulated Art of Living (Suriname) President Krishna Mathoera on becoming the Defense Minister of the South American nation. Mathoera, a policewoman-turned-politician, belongs to Progressive Reform Party (VHP) and is a member of National Assembly of Suriname.

Congratulations to Krishna Mathoera, President, @ArtofLiving Suriname, on becoming the Minister of Defence, Suriname. I wish her all success & good health. pic.twitter.com/XzzcIpdcVT  Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar (@SriSri) July 19, 2020

Suriname recently elected VHPs Chandrikapersad Santokhi as the new President, replacing former military strongman Desi Bouterse. National Democratic Party (NDP) lost its majority in the Parliament in the general elections held on May 25, paving way for the VHP to rule the country known for its melting-pot culture.

Read: Suriname Finally Issues Vote Results Showing Opposition Win

Coalition government

VHP General Liberation and Development Party (ABOP) are part of the ruling coalition which also includes The National Party of Suriname (NPS) and the Pertjajah Luhur (PL). The coalition controls a decisive 33 seats out of 51 in the parliament. As part of the coalition deal, ABOP leader Ronnie Brunswijk was elected as the Vice President without any opposition.

Mathoera successfully supervised the election and announced that the nomination process had been done correctly. Born in 1963, Mathoera began her public service around 1980 by joining the Suriname police force and served for 34 years. She represented the Inter-American Drug Abuse Control Commission for five years until 2015 when she left the service and turned towards politics. In 2020 general elections, she won parliament seat from Paramaribo, becoming of the seven elected VHP members from the capital city.

Read: Suriname Opposition Asks Bouterse To Concede Amid Slow Count
While Donald Trump continues to slip in the polls against Joe Biden, the president still remains ahead among two demographics  male and white voters, but the presumed Democratic nominee is still ahead in almost every other demographic.

Overall, if the election were held today, Biden would earn 49 per cent of the vote, which is 8 per cent more than Trump's 41 per cent, according to a Fox News poll released Sunday.

'First of all, I'm not losing, because those are fake polls,' Trump told Fox News Sunday host Chris Wallace in a pre-recorded interview. 'They were fake in 2016 and now they're even more fake. The polls were much worse in 2016.'

Trump has continuously dismissed polls showing Biden winning as 'fake,' claiming they will be proven wrong just like what happened in his 2016 victory against Hillary Clinton.

The president also still refuses to say if he will willingly accept the results if he does not emerge the victor in November.

The same Fox News poll, taken July 12-15, reveals that when it comes to male voters, Trump is up by 5 percentage points, but among women voters, Biden leads the president by 9 points.

Donald Trump is still leading Joe Biden among white and male voters as a new poll Sunday shows the president losing by 8 per cent to the presumed Democratic nominee if the election were held today

Trump dismissed the poll during an interview with Fox News that aired Sunday morning. 'First of all, I'm not losing, because those are fake polls,' Trump said

White voters are also much more likely to cast their ballot for Trump over Biden in the November elections  those with a college degree by a 3 per ent margin and without a degree by 9 percentage points.

Biden is ahead of Trump among all other races.

A massive 64 per cent of black voters say they would vote for Biden over Trump while the Democrat is ahead among Hispanic voters by 30 per cent.

During his taped interview with Wallace, which aired Sunday morning, Trump railed against mail-in voting, claiming it could lead Democrats to rig the election results.

The Fox News poll, however, reveals that only 15 per cent of voters want the election held full in-person.

Thirty-one per cent are in favor of an option that allows for both in-person and remote  or mail-in  voting, and 25 per cent want elections to be held fully through the mail.

Wallace asked if he feels mail-in ballots are more susceptible to fraud if he would not accept the results of the election if the mail-in ballot measures were used and he were to lose against Biden.

'I have to see. Look, Hillary Clinton asked me the same thing,' Trump said in an attempt to deflect. 'And you know what? She's the one that never accepted it.'

'She never accepted her loss and she looks like a fool,' the president said of the 2016 loser.

'But can you give a, can you give a direct answer you will accept the election?' Wallace pushed.

'No, I'm not going to just say yes. I'm not going to say no, and I didn't last time either,' he finally acknowledged during the wide-range interview.

The president also railed against mail-in voting during his interview, claiming it would lead to a higher chance of voter fraud and a rigged election

When Fox News Sunday host Chris Wallace (right) asked if Trump would accept the results if he lost and mail-in ballots were used, the president deflected

'No, I'm not going to just say yes. I'm not going to say no, and I didn't last time either,' Trump said after claiming that Hillary Clinton never accepted the results of the 2016 election

Biden's campaign responded to the comments by asserting: 'The American people will decide this election.'

'And the United States government is perfectly capable of escorting trespassers out of the White House,' the statement continued.

Among voters 18-30 years of age, 58 per cent said they would vote for Biden to the 22 per cent who said their ballots would be cast for Trump.

While 11 per cent more independents said they would vote for Biden over Trump, the largest portion of that demographic, at 42 per cent said they either don't know who they are voting for, won't vote in the 2020 presidential elections at all or would vote for someone other than the Democrat or Republican candidate.

Two other demographics where Trump, 74, is experiencing a lead are among those registered in rural areas, by 9 per cent, and among senior voters by 1 percentage point over Biden, 77.

Biden is winning over Trump among suburban voters by 11 per cent.

Of the 1,104 registered voters who were surveyed, 45 per cent approve of the job Trump is doing as president  but seven per cent of those respondents say they would back Biden in November.

'Whether it's in 2021 or 2025, how will you regard your years as President of the United States?' Wallace asked during his one-on-one White House interview with Trump.

'I think I was very unfairly treated,' the president said. 'From before I even won I was under investigation by a bunch of thieves, crooks. It was an illegal investigation.'
Source: Xinhua| 2020-07-19 20:03:29|Editor: huaxia

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A voter casts his ballot in the Syrian parliamentary elections held in Damascus, capital of Syria, on July 19, 2020. (Photo by Ammar Safarjalani/Xinhua)

Syria has started parliamentary elections, its third such elections during more than nine-year-long war.

DAMASCUS, July 19 (Xinhua) -- The parliamentary elections in Syria kicked off on Sunday, the third elections during the more than nine-year-long war, amid the participation of President Bashar al-Assad and his wife Asma.



A total of 7,277 polling stations opened across the government-controlled areas on Sunday as voters are having the chance to vote for 1,656 candidates for the 250-seat parliament.

Both the president and his wife were seen wearing masks and casting their ballots at a polling center in the Ministry of Presidential Affairs.

The Syrian government now controls around 70 percent of the Syrian territory while ultra-radical rebels control the Idlib Province in northwestern Syria and the U.S.-backed Kurdish militia of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) control areas in northeastern Syria.
New Delhi: The Congress on Saturday asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi to follow raj dharma and tell people the reality about Chinas incursions as it cited satellite images of Ladakhs Pangong Tso area taken in May and June and added that they showed Chinese structures had come up there.

Addressing a digital news briefing, Congress leader Kapil Sibal asked Modi to at least speak the truth about it and take steps to protect the Indian territory. He was referring to Modis remarks at an all-party meeting on May 19 that no intruder was on Indian territory across the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China and that no Indian military post had been captured.

The Prime Ministers Office on June 20 clarified Modis remarks and added they were being given a mischievous interpretation. It said Modi was clear that India would respond firmly to any attempts to transgress LAC.

Sibal said councillors from Ladakh, including those from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), submitted a memorandum to Modi in February, giving details about Chinas capture of Indian land. What action did the Prime Minister take? Had the Prime Minister acted, wouldnt we have been able to pre-empt the brazen Chinese transgressions?

Modi on Friday made a surprise unscheduled visit to Ladakh, where he said the era of expansionism was over, to send a signal to China about Indias determination to defend its borders.

Sibal asked Modi to stop the politics of illusion and delusion and added India should unequivocally tell China to retreat. He posed five questions to Modi. Sibal asked whether the actual picture of Chinese occupation of our territory up to the Finger 4 Ridge in the Pangong Tso area depicts the truth. They say pictures do not lie. Will the Prime Minister now tell the nation: is this Indian territory on which radars, helipad and other structures have been built by the Chinese in a brazen act of transgression? asked Sibal. Have the Chinese occupied our territory in the Galwan Valley, including Patrol Point 14, where our 20 jawans of the 16 Bihar Regiment made the supreme sacrifice [on June 15]? Has China also occupied Indian territory in Hot Springs?

Sibal asked whether China has occupied territory up to Y-Junction in the Depsang plains, threatening Indias strategic Daulat Beg Oldi airstrip, the lifeline for the military supplies to the Siachen Glacier and Karakoram pass. He referred to Modis comments about expansionism and that this is not India of 1962 when the two countries fought a war.

Sibal added that then Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru wrote to China, saying India will never submit to the demand for it to accept the Chinese 1959 line, whatever the consequences and however long and hard the struggle may be. Paradoxically, the 1959 line clearly depicted the entire Galwan Valley in India and it was only on June 16, a day after the fatal clashes, that China formally laid claim, for the first time ever, to the entire Valley.

Sibal said late former PMs Nehru, Indira Gandhi and Lal Bahadur Shastri also visited forward locations to boost the morale of Indian soldiers. But it appears that our Prime Minister stayed 230km away in Nimu, Leh.

Former Congress president Rahul Gandhi said patriotic Ladakhis were raising their voice against Chinese intrusion and asked the government to listen to them. They are screaming a warning. Ignoring their warning will cost India dearly. For Indias sake, please listen to them, he tweeted. Gandhi shared a media report showing some Ladakhis alleging that the Chinese have been occupying the Indian territory.

Union minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi brushed aside the Congresss criticism, saying it is indulging in an irresponsible behaviour when the country is facing challenges. Even people within the Congress would be surprised at this behaviour.
New Delhi:

Government on Friday extended use of old Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes for paying household utility bills, fuel, taxes and fees as well as purchases from co-operative stores by another 72 hours to November 14 as it struggles to make available alternative currency.

While withdrawing Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes from the night of November 8-9, the government had allowed use of the old currency at government hospitals, railway ticketing, public transport, airline ticketing at airports, milk booths, crematoria/burial grounds and petrol pumps for 72 hours.

This list was later expanded to include payments for metro rail tickets, highway and road toll, purchase of medicines on doctor prescription from the government and private pharmacies, LPG gas cylinders, railway catering, electricity and water bills and ASI monument entry tickets.

The time limit set was to expire mid-night tonight, but it has now been extended by another 72 hours, top government officials said.

The government has allowed use of the old currency to make payments at co-operative stores subject to valid identity proofs being provided.

Public utility bills include only household bills. Court fee will also be allowed to be paid in old 500 and 1,000 rupee notes.

Old Rs 500, Rs 1000 notes will be accepted for payment of fees, charges, taxes, penalty to central and state governments, including municipalities and local bodies.

Such old notes will also be accepted for payment of utility charges like water and electricity.

The official said while the old notes were allowed to be accepted for highway toll payment, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has freed national highways of any toll charges till November 14.

In his first televised address to the nation two-and-a-half-years after assuming office, he announced a 50-day window from to for those having these notes to deposit them in their bank and post office accounts "without any limit".

As many as 16.5 billion notes of Rs 500 denomination are in circulation currently while 6.7 billion Rs 1,000 notes are in market.

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The federal government has commissioned a review of the National Broadband Network's valuation, prompting speculation about privatisation plans for the $51 billion asset.

Consulting firm Ernst & Young has been appointed to examine how the network is valued as the NBN Co enters a new phase of ongoing maintenance and upgrades ahead of an eventual sale.

The NBN's valuation is being reviewed, triggering speculation about when the network will be privatised. Credit:James Alcock

The NBN's book value is $51 billion based on the rollout cost, funded by $29.5 billion in government investment, a $19.5 billion government loan, and private debt.

Telecommunications industry figures and credit ratings agency S&P have said a write-down of the network's value is inevitable. The Parliamentary Budget Office recently said the most recent fair value estimate of NBN Co, as of June 2019, was $8.7 billion.
Aircraft manufacturer Boeing is staring at a cash crunch and "capacity hangover" due its inventory of undelivered 787 Dreamliners.

US-based Boeing is also facing a shortage of space to store the wide-bodied aircraft, and is using every portion of the airfields near its factories in Washington and South Carolina, says a report by Bloomberg

"The next couple of years are just going to be very hard for this airplane (Boeing 787 Dreamliner)," George Ferguson, an analyst with Bloomberg Intelligence.

Moneycontrol could not independently verify the report.

Boeing declined to comment on the number of 787s in its inventory or production plans, as per the report.

"We continue to closely monitor the commercial marketplace by staying very engaged with our customers around the globe to fully understand short term and long term requirements," Greg Smith, the companys chief financial officer said, as quoted by the report.

The company was hoping the 787 Dreamliner could help it cope with the losses due to grounding of the Boeing 737 MAX after two plane crashes.

The COVID-19 pandemic caused a plunge in demand for air travel, forcing airlines to slow down or cancel deliveries the 787, Boeings 777 and Airbus' A350 and A330neo, the report added.

Boeing is also seeing a "capacity hangover", since it manufactured the 787 Dreamliner at the pace of 14 aircraft per month last year.

Boeing's factories have over 50 Dreamliners in its factories, double the number of aircraft usually lined up for deliveries, the report said, citing a blogger called Uresh Sheth.

Boeing has even begun storing the 787 Dreamliners in a desert lot in Victorville, California, according to Sheth.
Catherine Muringos wardrobe consists of secondhand outfits shipped from all over the world: colourful blouses and jeans from Canada, floral dresses from the United States, trench coats from Australia and leather handbags from the UK.

For years, Muringo bought the used clothes and accessories at cheap prices in open-air markets in Nairobi and used them to fashion her own idiosyncratic style.

Seven years ago, she also started a business buying and selling such items, distributing cast-off fur coats, hoodies and shoes to customers in Kenya and in foreign markets such as Botswana, Uganda and Tanzania.

In late March, however, the Kenyan government banned the importation of used garments in what it said was a precautionary measure to curb the spread of the coronavirus. Even though used clothes are fumigated before being shipped, Kenyan authorities said they were taking precautions because of the spike in infections in the US and other countries.

Businesses like hers are now threatened, as well as the sartorial choices of millions of Kenyans who depend on low-cost imports to stay stylish.

Kenyans love to go to the secondhand markets and spend hours looking and searching, Muringo says. Kenyans love the diversity of secondhand.

Officials also said the banning of imported clothing  known as mitumba, the Swahili word for bundles  could have an unexpected benefit. It could help Kenya revive its own textile industry, which was wiped out in the late 1980s as the country started opening its markets to foreign competition.

I think corona has shown not just for Kenya but for many countries to look inward a lot and try and fill some of the market gaps, says Phyllis Wakiaga, the chief executive of the Kenya Association of Manufacturers. The reality is that theres a big opportunity for us to produce local clothes for the citizens.

Members of a privately funded NGO fumigate a market in Nairobi (AFP via Getty)

For years, Kenya, along with other countries in east Africa, has tried to phase out used clothing to boost local manufacturing, but the countries faced the threat of being removed from the Africa Growth and Opportunity Act, which promotes trade by providing reduced or duty-free access to the US market. Many countries backed off from instituting a ban on imported clothing, with the exception of Rwanda.

The pandemic gave Kenya a chance to promote its own clothing manufacturing, but thwarted a lively trade.

In Nairobi, the combination of the import ban, plus lockdown measures and an overnight curfew introduced to stamp out the virus, has drastically reduced activity at the popular Gikomba and Toi thrift markets, mazes of narrow pathways packed with bellowing vendors and piles of clothes, shoes and household goods.

As the largest importer of used clothing in east Africa, Kenya, with its new ban, is expected to not just upend supply chains but also lead to a hemorrhage in jobs connected to the trade and the loss of millions of dollars from government coffers as tax revenue and import duties fall.

But where some see problems, others see opportunity.

Wagura Kamwana, proprietor of the Textile Loft, a fabric shop, is seeking to capitalise on this moment.

Kamwana, 40, grew up wearing hand-stitched clothes from her mother, and later sought trendy outfits at secondhand markets. Kenyans like used clothes, she says, both for their affordability and because of the their high-quality fabrics.

A worker produces face masks at a garment factory in Kitui, Kenya (AFP via Getty)

In 2016, she opened her store, offering premium quality fabrics, sourced from Europe, to Kenyans who wanted to create high-end fashion locally.

In 2018, she started offering production services to designers looking to develop smaller lines who were being turned away by factories only interested in bulk orders.

Kamwana has already worked with prominent local designers such as Katungulu Mwendwa.

The pandemic has also offered the chance to start her own clothing line. Her new label is set to produce everyday clothing for women including dresses, scarves and trousers ranging from $25 (20) to $150.

Kamwana says designers and manufacturers should collaborate and take baby steps to push the industry towards maturity.

This whole value chain will take quite a few years to be feasible or to be seen, she says, adding: What we can do immediately is perfect our art of making.

Other Kenyan companies are also responding to the challenges of the pandemic by focusing locally.

We will have to adapt while still producing the type of bright bags that make us unique. When we source locally, we create jobs and make our industries grow Mohamed Awale

Frederick Bittiner Wear, which does fabric selection, design and tailoring for retailers in east Africa, Europe and the United States, has seen a reduction in orders because of the coronavirus, so it has turned to producing leggings, T-shirts and vests for the local market, says the firms managing director, Dominic Agesa.

After approaching distributors with samples, Agesa says he got 50 orders in a week.

For too long, Kenya has been reluctant to incentivise local manufacturers, he says, but the import ban was one step towards making conditions more favourable for a local scene to eventually flourish.

Are we able to satisfy the Kenyan market and beyond? Agesa asks, then answers: Gradually, the answer is yes.

Upcoming Kenyan fashion designer Moses Omondi Odhiambo at work (EPA)

Suave Kenya is a brand that transforms secondhand clothes ranging from silk shirts to leather jackets into stylish and colourful tote bags, backpacks and wallets. With the import ban, its founder, Mohamed Awale, is looking into sourcing from local tanneries and textile factories.

If the pandemic persists, we will have to adapt while still producing the type of bright bags that make us unique, says Awale, 32. When we source locally, we create jobs and make our industries grow.

Nowhere is the shift to adapt to the changes brought on by the pandemic more visible than in the special export zones on Nairobis outskirts. Established in 1990, these zones offer companies fewer regulations, plus tax incentives to promote export-oriented businesses.

However, with borders closed and exports plunging, some of the clothing factories have begun servicing the Kenyan market, with the country temporarily allowing manufacturers to exceed the usual limit of supplying no more than 20 per cent of their annual production to local markets.

Shona EPZ has 500 employees and makes reflective work clothes for companies including 3M and apparel for department stores such as TJ Maxx. Since the pandemic began, the firm has pivoted towards making personal protective equipment for Kenya, producing tens of thousands of masks and surgical gowns per day, says its director, Isaac Maluki.

Maluki says he has also partnered with secondhand importers and small-scale manufacturers, which, given the ban on used clothing, are increasingly considering collaborations with larger companies like his to make clothes for local consumption.

We want to really encourage them to see the kind of quality that comes out of here that can be shared into the local market, he says. The local market is huge.

Reviewing the days production of face masks at the Kicotec factory in Kitui (AFP via Getty)

But before a robust clothing sector can take hold, experts say local manufacturers will have to overcome a host of challenges, including inadequate access to finance, the high cost of electricity, and the lack of raw materials, including cotton.

The fact that powerful lobby groups for the secondhand clothing industry in the US have already criticised Kenyas move doesnt bode well either, says Emily Anne Wolff, a researcher at Leiden University in the Netherlands who has studied plans to phase out used clothing in east Africa.

Kenya is aiming to be the first country in sub-Saharan Africa to negotiate a free-trade agreement with the US, which could undermine Kenyas will to retain the clothing ban.

Used clothes traders have appealed to the government in recent days to lift the ban, saying there is no public health risk associated with the trade, but officials have so far ruled that option out.

For now, Kenyan designers and manufacturers say the ban gives them a window of opportunity to start shaping the future of fashion in Kenya.

Now is a good time to make choices and changes, says Kamwana, the owner of Textile Loft. You will be surprised by what comes out of this country.

 The New York Times
Little Traverse Bay Humane Society hires training and behavior specialist

Sarah Schertel will serve the training needs of Little Traverse Bay Humane Society, in addition to offering classes to the public.
The Michigan American Council on Education (MI-ACE) Womens Network has selected Dr. MaryLee Davis, a longtime Michigan State University administrator and community leader, and Eva McCall Hamilton, the first woman elected to the Michigan Legislature, as its two 2020 Public Policy Pioneer honorees.

MI-ACEs nonpartisan Public Policy Pioneer award began in 2013 to champion Michigan women who have impacted public policy or taken precedent-breaking action on behalf of women and higher education. The award also recognizes honorees work to support access, collaborative leadership and the equitable treatment of women.

Previous years honorees have included Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, U.S. Sen. Debbie Stabenow, First Lady Helen Milliken and State Sen. Alma Wheeler Smith. For more information about this years honorees and a list of all previous winners, visit the MI-ACE Womens Networks website.

Davis has often been credited with breaking the glass ceiling throughout Michigan. At Michigan State University, she became the first woman administrator in the state and in the Big Ten to work as a Governmental Affairs Officer and was the first woman to serve in the position of the corporate secretary of the MSU Board of Trustees. She also served as the first woman board chair for Sparrow Health System. Additionally, she was appointed by three governors to four Treasury Department positions that had statewide impact, including serving as a Michigan Finance Authority Board member.

She has also held positions at the national level with the American Hospital Association and on the national board for Girl Scouts of the USA. She is an inductee to the Michigan Womens Hall of Fame. Today, she is the president of the Leadership Solutions Group in Kingsport, Tennessee.

Among her numerous awards, Davis was the first person to receive the now International ATHENA Leadership Award. In 2008, she was recognized for and received the Michigan State University Lifetime Achievement Award for Excellence in Diversity.

I am grateful and humbled to be recognized as a public policy pioneer in Michigan, Davis said. As a child, my mother liked to ask me, MaryLee, what did you do today to help make the world a better place? Every day, I aim to have an answer to that question, and it has guided me through a wonderful career. Therefore, I actively strive to pass that ethos on to the next generation of women leaders in Michigan.

Davis is a worthy award recipient not only because of her resume but because of her dedication to mentoring others, said MI-ACE Womens Network State Chair Kimberly Hurns.

"MaryLee has spent her life and career as an educator and leader, trailblazing pathways for womens advancement and equitable treatment and advocating for higher education, health and medical care, Hurns said. She has had a major impact on public policy and is a role model in public service. She serves as a mentor to many and continues to provide a focus on strengthening collaborative leadership at local, state and national levels."

Grand Rapids native Eva McCall Hamilton was elected to the Michigan Senate by a 2-to-1 margin in 1920, the first election in which women were allowed to vote.

Prior to her election, Hamilton was a teacher and active in public issues. In the 1910 Grand Rapids homecoming parade, Hamilton led the horse-drawn Lilly Float for Suffragists entry by the Grand Rapids Equal Franchise Club, followed by 75 local suffragists in decorated cars. In 1912, she worked with two other women to mail out six tons of Votes for Women literature, buttons, stickers and other items. That same year, she worked on a major state referendum on womens suffrage. In 1919, Hamilton was involved in establishing the Michigan League of Women Voters in Grand Rapids, later becoming the League of Women Voters of Michigan.

As a senator, Hamiltons legislative focus was on advocating on behalf of women and children. One of her successful bills raised the mill tax in certain cities to fund teacher pay raises. Another of her greatest accomplishments was working on legislation to reform the Michigan Mothers Pension Act, providing public funds for keeping underprivileged children in their homes rather than institutions.

After being defeated in the 1922 three-way Republican primary, Hamilton left the Michigan Senate and remained socially active. When Hamilton died in 1948, she was still the first and only woman to have served in the Michigan Senate. No woman was elected to Hamiltons Grand Rapids Senate seat until state Rep. Winnie Brinks (D) won in 2018.

Hamiltons selection is especially apt as the nation celebrates the 100th anniversary of womens suffrage, Hurns said.

Eva McCall Hamilton was a tireless advocate for womens right to vote, and when that battle was won, she immediately rallied those rights to serve as a voice in the state Legislature for women and children, Hurns said. She accomplished many vital reforms in her two years in office, but the fact that no other woman held Hamiltons seat for nearly 100 years shows me this nation still has a long way to go until we reach true equality of representation. We hope women will be inspired by Evas example to become public servants, advocates and policymakers.

 Processed by Victoria Ritter, vritter@mdn.net
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.-- Police have identified a man discovered unconscious and unresponsive Saturday by a passerby at Cedar Grove Beach in New Dorp.

The body of Jagadeesh Koppanati, 27, was spotted at about 6 a.m. along the shoreline of the beach, prompting a 911 call and a police response to the area, an NYPD spokesman said Sunday.

The cause of death remained unknown and will be determined by a medical examiner, police said.

Police listed Koppanatis address in Fremont, Calif.

The death remains an ongoing investigation.

ANOTHER GRIM DISCOVERY AT CEDAR GROVE

The police response Saturday at Cedar Grove occurred months after an incident on the same beach.

In February, authorities were called to the area for a report of dead animals, including a goat and five chickens.

At the time, a spokesperson for the Parks Department said the animals were not in a bag, and authorities didnt know how they got there.
Senior Congress leader Digvijaya Singh on July 19 asked Sachin Pilot not to leave the party, blaming the BJP for the political drama in Rajasthan.

In an interview to PTI, the former Madhya Pradesh chief minister said Pilot should not follow Jyotiraditya Scindia into the BJP, as he has a bright future in the Congress.

His remarks follow Pilot's open rebellion against the Ashok Gehlot government, which has been on shaky ground with at least 18 legislators backing the rebel leader.

Pilot was sacked as Rajasthan deputy chief minister and the state Congress chief recently and the Congress has accused the BJP of making efforts to topple the Gehlot-led government by indulging in horse-trading.

"The BJP is behind the crisis in Rajasthan," Singh said.

The Congress veteran said he tried to call Pilot but his calls and text messages went unanswered.

"Age is on your side. Ashok (Gehlot) may have offended you, but all such issues are best resolved amicably. Don't make the mistake that Scindia made. BJP is unreliable. Nobody who joined it from any other party has succeeded there," Singh said.

He said this is the first time that Pilot hasn't responded to him.

"Sachin is like my son. He respects me and I also like him. I called him three-four times and also texted him. He didn't revert. He used to respond immediately earlier," he said.

"It is good to be ambitious. How can one move forward without having ambitions? But along with ambition, one must also have commitment to your organisation, ideology and the nation," Singh said.

"I heard that he (Pilot) may form a new party. But what is the need for it? Has Congress not given him anything? He was made an MP at 26, a Union minister at 32, the state Congress president at 34 and deputy chief minister at 38. What else does he want? Time is on his side," Singh said.

If Pilot had any issue, then as the state party unit president, he should have called a meeting and discussed the matter, he said. Pilot could have involved Congress national general secretary and Rajasthan in-charge Avinash Pande in talks with Gehlot to resolve differences, he added.

"If you have faith in your legislators, why have you have confined 18-19 of them in ITC Grand hotel at Manesar in Haryana?" Singh asked.

This is the same hotel where the BJP kept MLAs from Maharashtra, Karnataka and Madhya Pradesh (during political turmoil in those states), he said.

Pilot should forget whatever has happened, come back and sit across the table to discuss how Congress could be strengthened, he added.
(UPDATE: Former Michigan State and Saginaw track star Tony Martin dies at age 19)

SAGINAW, MI -- Two people are dead after they were shot early Sunday morning outside a gas station on Saginaws east side.

Officers with the Saginaw Police Department responded shortly before 2:30 a.m. Sunday, July 19 to the parking lot of the Sunoco gas station, 1944 E. Genesee St., for a report of a shooting.

The victims -- a 19-year-old man and 22-year-old man -- had suffered gunshot wounds, police said.

The 19-year-old man, identified by police as Tony Dawanye Martin, was pronounced deceased at the scene, while the 22-year-old man was transported by ambulance to a local hospital where he later died, police said.

Detectives have also discovered a third person -- a 25-year-old woman -- was also shot and showed up at a local hospital with a non-life-threatening gunshot wound to the arm and has since been released.

The Major Crimes Unit, consisting of Saginaw police and Michigan State Police detectives, are investigating the incident as a double homicide.

No suspects are in custody.

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact Saginaw Police Detective Anthony Accardo at 989-759-1419 or report an anonymous tip to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-422-JAIL (5245), on the P3 Tips mobile app, or online at crimestoppersofflint.com.

More on MLive:

Tens of thousands without power across Michigan due to storms

Whitmers office says Trump did not call about holding a rally in Michigan

Michigan reports 483 new cases of coronavirus, 2 deaths
Washington/Dubai: Finance officials from the Group of 20 countries have called for all official bilateral creditors to implement fully a short-term debt freeze for the world's poorest countries, but stopped short of extending the initiative into next year.

Sources briefed on the G20 meeting said there was strong support for extending the standstill beyond the end of 2020, given the severity of the economic fallout from the coronavirus pandemic, but the group's final communique said only that the issue would be considered in the second half of 2020.

The G20 has postponed any fresh attempt to clear debt to the world's poorest nations. Credit:AP

It also said nothing about growing calls for cancelling - not just deferring - the debts of some of the poorest countries.

The Debt Service Suspension Initiative, agreed by G20 ministers in April, has proven challenging to implement, with only 42 of 73 eligible countries expressing interest thus far, saving just $US5.3 billion ($7.57 billion) in service payments instead of the $US12 billion initially promised.
JERSEYVILLE  Four days after the state entered Phase 4 of Gov. J.B. Pritzkers Restore Illinois plan, the Jersey County Farmers and Artisans Market launched its annual event  not quite sure how state stipulations would change the popular weekly market.

Ive been in constant communication since April with both the Illinois Farmers Market Association and the Jersey County Health Department, said Whitney McIver, Jersey County Business Association Special Events Coordinator and Farmers Market Manager.

They recommend that everyone attending follow some simple guidelines intended to keep both the vendors and participants safe, she said. Those guidelines have been sent to vendors and will be posted around the market for customers to see.

Those guidelines have not prevented shoppers. On June 30  when this years first market was held  people were showing up 30 minutes before the market opened.

The Jersey County Farmers and Artisans Market is offered every Tuesday 4-7 p.m. through Sept. 22. The market sets up in the parking lot of Outrageous Outdoors at 902 S. State St. in Jerseyville.

Todd Fortschneider, who owns Fortschneider Orchard in Brussels, said that because of the cold and wet spring this year peaches  his main crop  are down in numbers this year. He noted the Jerseyville farmers market, as well as others in the area, faced similar problem last spring as the historic high water of 2019 damaged a lot of the crop.

Despite the setbacks, however, Fortschneider said his peaches still came in strong this year.

Its a good crop this year, he said. These are sweet. The first peaches are always cling, but they are definitely worth the trouble to work around the pit.

He said that, even with the pandemic, he could not complain about sales the first day of this season.

The pandemic hasnt slowed anything down, he said.

Margaret Dublo of Hideaway Farms in Grafton operates stands in both the Jerseyville and Alton farmers markets. She, too, said the pandemic has not slowed down her business. In fact, she said business this year is better than ever.

People want local produce and they want to know where its coming from, Dublo said.

Along with produce, the weekly Jerseyville market offers an assortment of home grown and homemade items, including preserves and honey. The star of the show, however, is the barbeque stand organized by the Jersey County Farm Bureau.

McIver said the Farm Bureau has been involved with the Jerseyville farmers market since it began about 12 years ago. McIver said she had been talking with Farm Bureau Manager Stephanie Knittel about having the stand this year and was concerned that the Jersey County Health Department might not let them open.

The stand is usually offered the first Tuesday of each month during the markets run. But a late meat order because of pandemic concerns caused the Farm Bureau to hold off on its stand until July 14.

McIver noted the Farm Bureau tends to avoid the market during the second week of July because thats traditionally the dates of the Jersey County Fair. But the pandemic canceled this years fair, increasing interest in last weeks barbecue.
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Linkedin Fanny Andre and Benjamin Massot (Agence France-Presse) Nantes, France  Sun, July 19, 2020 09:36 549 6657ac82168da9fa101c8a406677e544 2 World fire,Nantes,cathedral,France Free

A fire broke out in three places at the gothic cathedral of Nantes in western France Saturday, destroying stained glass windows and the grand organ and sparking an arson investigation.

Catholic officials mourned the loss of priceless artifacts and paintings as well as the 17th century organ -- a star attraction of the cathedral.

Regional fire chief Laurent Ferlay however said the damage was not comparable to last year's devastating blaze at Notre-Dame cathedral in Paris.

Passers-by saw flames behind the rosette of the Cathedral of St Peter and St Paul and alerted emergency services a little before 8 a.m. (0600 GMT).

Roughly 100 firefighters rushed to the scene and managed to save the structure, built between the 15th and 19th centuries, Ferlay said.

Nantes prosecutor Pierre Sennes said the fire had started in three different places, so a judicial investigation for arson was immediately opened.

"When we arrive at a place where a fire has taken place, when you see three separate fire outbreaks, it's a question of common sense, you open an investigation," Sennes told AFP.

The prosecutor said investigators had found no sign of a break-in, but noted that one fire has started near the organ, while the other two were at the other end of the cathedral.

'An unimaginable loss'

Catholic official Father Francois Renaud, who oversees the cathedral, surveyed the damage with firemen and told AFP the organ console had "completely disappeared", describing it as "an unimaginable loss".

"The console of the choir organ has gone up in smoke along with the adjoining wooden choir stalls. Original stained glass windows behind the great organ have all shattered," he said.

While the blaze was still raging, President Emmanuel Macron tweeted support for "our firefighters who are taking all kinds of risks to save this gothic jewel".

Prime Minister Jean Castex later inspected the damage along with the French ministers of the interior and culture.

He set the investigation and subsequent reconstruction as priorities, saying "the state will play a major role" in the latter.

The building was last hit by fire in 1972 and its roof took more than 13 years to repair.

Cathedral rector Father Hubert Champenois said "everything was in order last night," and that "a very close inspection was made before it closed, like every other evening."

Ferlay played down any comparison with the 1972 blaze or with Notre-Dame, which caught fire during repair work in April last year.

Reinforced roof

Much of Notre-Dame's roof and wooden structure was destroyed, its steeple collapsed and fumes containing toxic molten lead billowed into the air.

Another church in Nantes -- the Basilica of St Donatian and St Rogatian -- was struck by a fire in 2015 that destroyed three-quarters of its roof.

"I would like to stress that following the 1972 fire, the roof was redone with concrete reinforcement," Ferlay said.

Aside from the destroyed organ, officials said other items lost included a painting by 19th century artist Hippolyte Flandrin and stained glass windows on the facade, some of which contained remnants of 16th century glass.

Culture Minister Roselyne Bachelot called the destruction of Flandrin's painting of Saint Clair healing the blind "a painful loss".

The organ dated back to 1621 and had undergone five restorations since -- the latest one in 1971.

During the 18th century revolutionary period, authorities had wanted to melt down its pipes for scrap, but the organist argued it could instead be used for "revolutionary ceremonies", according to historian Paul Chopelin.

Topics : fire Nantes cathedral France
Alex Foster

Foster, M.D., M.P.H, is a pediatrician, epidemiologist and director of a public health training program at the OHSU-PSU School of Public Health. A parent of two Portland Public Schools students, he lives in Portland.

Public health includes the protection and promotion of health and environments that assure healthy living, and it encompasses much more than prevention of coronavirus. That perspective is important to consider in the debate over reopening schools. While containing the spread of COVID-19 is one goal, it must be balanced with the social, emotional and educational needs of children at a critical time in their development.

With the right precautions, Oregon schools should have the flexibility to fully re-open to students this fall.

As the public health science on coronavirus has developed, the data suggest that children who contract COVID-19 are usually not severely sickened and, by extension, may not be major spreaders of the virus to adults. As outlined in the American Academy of Pediatrics recently released guidance, the goal for schools should be to have students in school as much as possible. Recent modeling published in Nature Medicine shows a minimal effect on community transmission with physical re-opening of schools  in stark contrast to modeling if this were a flu pandemic. These data show that keeping teachers and staff safe is not at odds with a physical return to school. While precautions are still necessary, the alternative of keeping schools closed may have worse repercussions, yet there seems to be little discussion of this.

Many school districts are talking about  at best  a partial reopening, in which students attend school a couple days a week and engage in distance learning the other days. Unfortunately, partially open schools will unintentionally but systematically perpetuate the achievement disparities that exist in our schools for low-income communities, communities of color and children with special needs. They may lack computers or reliable internet access to engage in distance learning. Meanwhile, families with more resources can hire tutors and are more likely to have the job flexibility to provide greater parental guidance than someone in a lower-paid job. Schools will try their best as they have with addressing food insecurity, but families will still face greater difficulties.

Partially open schools may also have greater implications for womens careers than mens careers, given societal norms about who would more likely stay home with kids  a step backward in gender equity. It also forces working families to find additional options for care when students are not in school  potentially private child care or shared arrangements with neighbors or even grandparents. Thus, in a hybrid model of education, children are not just going to one school in a relatively stable class, but two or three environments and cohorts  this has clear downsides to infection control.

School fulfills the social and emotional needs of children. It also provides a critical point of contact for developmental screening, mental health support and child abuse surveillance that are nearly impossible to do virtually.

There is clearly a need to protect teachers and staff, as a significant proportion of teachers are older and may be at increased risk for falling severely ill. Given the emerging data on children, the schools should be relatively low-risk environments, provided hygiene, masks, and physical distancing from other adults are in place, as described in the states guidance. Opt-in options could also be considered for in-person teaching to protect those at higher risk.

Oregons effort to use science to inform our response to COVID-19 has been laudable. In that mindset, our children and teachers need a revised Ready Schools plan that takes into account the actual risk by age and relaxes the physical space requirements that force the hybrid model. The state should also allow districts to use local COVID-19 community transmission data to inform re-opening, rather than a hybrid model across the state as functionally implicated with current space requirements. While it may seem frightening, fully physically re-opening schools with a focus on promotion of students learning while protecting teachers is the best step to take for the greater public health.

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Russia's ambassador to Great Britain has denied Western allegations that Moscow helped hackers target laboratories conducting research on vaccines to fight the coronavirus.

Andrei Kelin told the BBC in an interview to be broadcast on July 19 that "I don't believe in this story at all. There is no sense in it."

Britain, Canada, and the United States on July 16 accused Russia of trying to steal COVID-19 vaccine and treatment research from academic and pharmaceutical institutions around the world.

The British National Cybersecurity Center (NCSC) said hacking group APT29, also known as the Dukes or Cozy Bear, had targeted organizations involved in the development of a COVID-19 vaccine in the three countries.

APT29 hackers "almost certainly operate as part of Russian intelligence services," the NCSC said, adding that the United States and Canada shared its assessment.

Following the report, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Russia had "nothing to do" with any alleged cyberattacks on pharmaceutical companies and research institutes in the countries.

Kelin told the BBC that the allegations made "no sense."

"In this world, to attribute any kind of computer hackers to any country, it is impossible," he said.

In its advisory, the NCSC said Cozy Bear exploited software flaws to get access to vulnerable computer systems, and used malware to upload and download files from infected machines.

They also tricked individuals into handing over login credentials with phishing and spear-phishing attacks.

Britain did not say which organizations were targeted, or whether any information had been stolen.

Based on reporting by the BBC and AFP
A sign marks the entrance to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (AP Photo/David Goldman)

CDC Employees Made More Than 8,000 Federal Contributions to PACs and Politicians Since 2015

Only 5 Went to Republican Causes, FEC Records Show

Employees at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have made more than 8,000 contributions totaling over $285,000 to Democratic candidates and causes since 2015, according to a Daily Caller News Foundation analysis of political contributions.

Only five contributions were sent to a Republican PAC or candidate. Out of these five contributions, which totaled just over $1,000, three sent money to President Donald Trumps 2016 campaign efforts, Federal Election Commission (FEC) records indicate.

The contributions were made by more than 550 people who listed the CDC as their employer on FEC forms. The contributors serve at various levels of management, ranging from nurses and information technology personnel to epidemiologists, public health advisors and the chief financial officer.

The CDC did not respond to a request for comment from the DCNF.

The most common recipient was ActBlue, an online fundraising platform for Democratic and left-leaning organizations.

Other common recipients included Bernie 2020, Biden for President, Hillary for America, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee and Warren for President, Inc.

Aside from supporting specific candidates, employees also donated money to progressive organizations like Indivisible Action, which seeks to elect progressive leaders, rebuild our democracy, and defeat the Trump agenda.

After the World Health Organization declared coronavirus a global pandemic on March 11, 2020, the total amount of money employees contributed to left-leaning causes by the end of the month was nearly three times higher than the previous five-year average. In addition, the total amount of contributions more than doubled compared to the previous five-year monthly average.

From March 11-31, employees donated nearly $8,000 through 158 contributions. During the same time span from 2015-2019, employees made an average of 69 contributions averaging $2,700 in total.

In recent weeks, tensions between Trump and the CDC have elevated over CDC guidelines on reopening schools in the fall.

I disagree with @CDCgov on their very tough & expensive guidelines for opening schools. While they want them open, they are asking schools to do very impractical things. I will be meeting with them!!!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 8, 2020

Trump also retweeted conservative television personality Chuck Woolerys tweet Monday claiming that Everyone is lying about coronavirus, including the CDC, according to Newsweek.

The most outrageous lies are the ones about Covid 19. Everyone is lying. The CDC, Media, Democrats, our Doctors, not all but most ,that we are told to trust. I think its all about the election and keeping the economy from coming back, which is about the election. Im sick of it.  Chuck Woolery (@chuckwoolery) July 13, 2020

Trump defended his retweet of Woolerys comments in an interview Tuesday with CBS News correspondent Catherine Herridge, The Hill reports.

I reposted a tweet that a lot of people feel. But all I am doing is making a comment. Im just putting somebodys voice out there. There are many voices, Trump said.

Woolery has since deactivated his Twitter account after tweeting that his son tested positive for coronavirus Wednesday, according to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.

Betsy DeVos said Sunday on CNN that the key is that kids have to get back to school. When asked by anchor Dana Bash whether schools should follow CDC recommendations, DeVos responded that Dr. Redfield has clearly said these are recommendations, and every situation is going to look slightly different.

By Spencer Landis

From The Daily Caller News Foundation

Content created by The Daily Caller News Foundation is available without charge to any eligible news publisher that can provide a large audience. For licensing opportunities of our original content, please contact licensing@dailycallernewsfoundation.org
Extensive wildlife trade not only threatens species worldwide but can also lead to the transmission of zoonotic diseases. An international research team led by the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology and the German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research shed new light on the motivations why people hunt, trade or consume different species. The research shows that more differentiated solutions are needed to prevent uncontrolled disease emergence and species decline.

Covid-19 and the associated global economic, health and societal distortions have shed light on the alarming threat of infectious diseases emerging at an increasing rate. Around 60 percent of emergent infectious diseases are zoonotic, originating in animals; among the most prominent are Sars, Mers, Ebola, HIV and Covid-19. More than two-thirds of those originate in wild species. Many voices have called for higher restrictions or even a blanket ban on the wildlife trade. This demand is also fuelled by the devastating effects of unsustainable hunting that threatens hundreds of species.

However, millions of people, especially in the Global South, depend on wild meat ("bushmeat") for their livelihoods. Hunting and consuming wild meat is a vital part of their culture. Therefore, current strategies often aim at trade regulations, rather than the enforcement of strict bans. Even though species vary in their conservation value and their associated risk of transmitting zoonotic diseases, little is known about the reasons why people choose a certain species. "In order to make wildlife trade more sustainable, to prevent uncontrolled disease emergence and species decline, it is essential to know and understand these reasons, and I was surprised how little information existed on these," explains lead author Mona Bachmann, doctoral researcher at the German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research and the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology.

An international research team led by Mona Bachmann and Hjalmar Kuhl from the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology and the German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research studied a wildlife trading network in Cote d'Ivoire, West Africa. Since the wildlife trade is mostly illegal, people often hesitate to share information. With the help of local, trustable informants, often hunters or bushmeat traders themselves, the researchers were able to break the ice. Around 350 hunters, 200 bushmeat traders and 1,000 bushmeat consumers provided detailed insights into the wildlife trade and contributed to one of the most comprehensive data sets for a wildlife trading network to date.

Different species, different risks

In Sub-Saharan Africa alone, bushmeat trade encompasses over 500 species -- from rats to elephants. Around 80 percent of the bushmeat biomass harvested in this region consists of fast-reproducing generalists like rodents, small-bodied duikers or antelopes. These species resist high levels of hunting and are a crucial component of livelihoods throughout rural areas. Replacing them with alternative animal proteins could substantially increase the exploitation of fish stocks or lead to habitat degradation to provide grazing land. Species that produce fewer offspring, like many primates, are threatened by even low levels of hunting. Since they are comparatively rare, they usually represent only a small percentage of a hunters' catch. Additionally, different risks of zoonotic disease transmission are associated with those species. In general, proximity with humans -- either in the phylogenetic sense, like many primates, or in the spatial sense, like rodents in areas highly populated by humans -- can increase the risk of transmitting diseases.

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Most strategies aim at reducing wild meat in general, irrespective how common a species is or how likely it will transmit diseases. However, people might use species for different purposes. If mitigation strategies neglect this fact, rare species of greater conservation relevance that contribute little to the total bushmeat biomass, like many primates or disease-prone-species, would likely be overlooked.

Why people use bushmeat

According to the study, preferences for bushmeat differed widely between hunters, bushmeat traders and consumers, and so does their motivation. People hunt for monetary, nutritional, educational and cultural reasons. Primates, for example, were mostly targeted by commercial hunters for profit and consumed as a luxury meat, while rodents were hunted and consumed when alternative proteins like fish or domestic meat were lacking. Interestingly, hunters and consumers who were aware of the negative ecological consequences of unsustainable bushmeat hunting targeted or consumed primates less. In contrast, bushmeat traders did not change their behaviour.

Broadly applied mitigation approaches are often development-based, educational or cultural. The results show that these interventions may address taxa like rodents, duikers or primates differently. Also, different responses by the individual user groups of hunters, traders or consumers are to be expected.

"Up to 60 percent of the consumed meat was from rodents and only seven percent from primates," says Bachmann. "If we considered bushmeat as one generic good, we would have probably identified a lack of protein as the main reason for its use and had thus recommended development-related projects. However, primates were consumed irrespective of the availability of proteins, and economic development could even increase economic resources to purchase the desired luxury product. Hence, to protect primates, development-related strategies need to be complemented by educational strategies."

The researchers, therefore, urge policy makers to prioritize planning processes: Clear goals, like conservation, development or disease prevention, have to be set. Assessments need to identify the behaviour causing problems, the user group and its motivations first. Knowledge and tools from disciplines such as psychology or marketing may optimize campaigns.

"Scientists and practitioners in conservation often rush to find quick solutions because every delay comes at high cost," says Bachmann. "In West and Central Africa, this often leads to one-size-fits-all solutions. However, our results suggest that many conservation strategies may be tailored to fit the wrong targets. Poor planning not only hampers the effectiveness of strategies but can also cause harm and waste the already scarce resources available for biodiversity protection." Hjalmar Kuhl adds: "If we really want to solve the problem of the overexploitation of wildlife and reduce the threats associated with it, for species conservation and human well-being, we need to tackle it at its roots. We cannot continue ignoring this problem, but we need to invest resources and develop strategies that really help to create a more sustainable human-wildlife co-existence."
Disney fans were shocked by the sudden death of Jessie and Descendants star Cameron Boyce. He was only 20 when he died of a seizure in his sleep. Before his passing, Boyce was already making moves to shed his Disney image.

Cameron Boyce | Disney Channel/David Bukach

RELATED: Late Disney Star Cameron Boyce Revealed the Heartbreaking Sacrifice His Sister Made For Him

Boyce appears in the HBO documentary Showbiz Kids. Director Alex Winter interviewed former child stars about their experience growing up in Hollywood. Boyce discussed his plan to transition into adult roles after Descendants 3. Showbiz Kids is now airing on HBO and streaming on HBO and HBO Max.

Cameron Boyce discovered his talent at an early age

Boyce discussed the moment his parents thought performing could be more than just a hobby for their son. He was only six, but they made the right call for him.

So I was a dancer originally, Boyce said. At six years old I was taking dance classes. We had a little recital at the end of the year. That recital was sort of the thing that led my parents to go, Oh, he might be able to do that. He seems like hes having fun. I was the only kid who seemed interested at all. Everyone else was picking their nose and digging in their butts.

Cameron Boyces parents had second thoughts before Disney came calling

Its one thing to support your childs talent. Its another when theyre missing school and not getting jobs.

Cameron Boyce | Disney Channel/David Bukach

RELATED: Fans and Celebrities React To Disney Star Cameron Boyces Unexpected Passing

You go on 1000 auditions and book none of them, Boyce said. My dads going, Why am I pulling you out of school two hours early just so you can fail at this audition? Once I started booking things it made a little more sense, just sort of became a part of my life, a big, big part of my life for a long time.

Cameron Boyce got his first Disney job at 11

Boyce got a job as one of the four children Jessie (Debby Ryan) nannies for on Disneys Jessie. That changed his life and he remained in the Disney family through three Descendants films.

I booked Jessie when I was 11, Boyce said. Four years, did 100something episodes of the show. Being on set when I was a kid, because thats sort of naturally who I am, I wasnt one of those kids who was causing trouble for anybody. I wanted to do it right, I wanted to do it well and I wanted people to be impressed with me.

It was time to move on from Disney

After three Descendants films, Boyce started looking for more adult roles. He played a student in HBOs edgy Mrs. Fletcher and was working on the upcoming series Paradie City.

I havent done a Disney project in over a year now, Boyce said. The people who watch me are still a lot of the times really young. I still want to be a good example but at the same time, right now Im doing a show about porn. I love that sh*t. Thats what Im supposed to be doing. Im an actor and I want to do cool stuff.

Cameron Boyce | HBO

RELATED: Westworld Star Evan Rachel Opens Up About the Moment It All Came Crashing Down On Me At Once

Boyce wasnt looking down on his Disney fans. He hoped they would follow him as they grew up too.

Its a weird balance when you are trying to break out of something but I also feel the responsibility of being an example for these kids, Boyce said. I take that seriously. How do I marry what Im actually doing and what I actually want to be doing with what people want to see from me and what people expect of me? Those two things are not the same.

He was looking ahead to college

At 20, Boyce was at the age to consider college. Hed been doing school on set through graduation.
Students returning to New Brunswick university campuses in September from outside Atlantic Canada will have to self-isolate for 14 days. For many, that means moving in early.

Mount Allison University in Sackville announced that students from outside of Atlantic Canada living on campus must move into residence on Aug. 14 or 15. New students from Atlantic Canada should pencil in Sept. 3 or 4 as moving dates, and returning Atlantic Canadian students Sept. 6 to 7. The multiple dates are designed to allow students plenty of time and ensure everyone is spread out, said Michelle Strain, director of administrative services.

Shuttles will pick up those from outside of Atlantic Canada at the airport and take them directly to Sackville, she said. The plan will also include meals being delivered to students while isolating, and they are working on safe ways to allow students to spend some time outside, she said.

Overall, its a great plan, said Jonathan Ferguson president of Mount Allison Student Union, MASU.

Mental health is our biggest concern, said Ferguson, who had worried about the thought of students being locked in their rooms, and was glad to see efforts to allow a bit more movement being made.

Virtual orientation activities will also tackle wellness and be delivered in fun formats, said Kristie Earles, MASUs orientation chair.

Off-campus students needing to self-isolate is still a huge concern, said Ferguson, but said they were working with the town and other partners to sort out things like food delivery and a welcome centre.

A motion was tabled at Monday nights meeting of Sackville town council to create a welcome centre in the ice rink, said Sackville Mayor John Higham, adding that the project is a collaboration between MASU, the university and the town. Those who need to self-isolate can use the centres drive-thru option.

Half the students live in the community, so we are working toward mutual efforts to make everyone feel safe. It takes everybody, said Higham.

Other universities across the province are developing their own plans.

St. Thomas University in Fredericton is asking students from outside Atlantic Canada to move in Aug. 19 to 20, said Jeffrey Carleton, associate vice-president  communications. The school, which is delivering all classes online, is expecting 130 students to live on-campus this fall compared to a typical 500. The school is rolling out an online orientation program involving small groups of upper-year students and faculty, and providing laptops to students in need. Welcome Week will be virtual, overlapping with this period, he said.

Students will be isolated in their own rooms at St. Thomas, said Carleton.

The STU Students Union is glad to see health and safety prioritized, but worries about isolation, loneliness and mental health-related struggles, said Sarah Kohut, president.

Crandall University students from outside Atlantic Canada, on or off-campus, are being asked to arrive by Aug. 24, said Jon Ohlhauser, provost and vice-president for academic affairs. Students in residence will not be charged for their room during the quarantine period and food being delivered to them in their rooms will be provided at minimal cost, he said.

New Brunswick Community College does not provide on-campus housing but is supercharging its outreach program to ensure non-Atlantic Canada students have what they need, said Tanya Greer.

Move-in dates are case-by-case for on-campus students at lUniversite de Moncton, which will determine what each student needs as they self-isolate, said Vicki Theriault, the schools housing manager. This plan emerged out of concern not all students have much choice in flights, she said.

UdeM is expecting residences to be a third full, including 120 students who never left. Students can order groceries or food services meals, she said.

University of New Brunswick could not provide comment of student isolation plans by deadline.

This reporting is funded by the Canadian government through its Local Journalism Initiative.

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New Delhi: Amid the political firestorm in Rajasthan following Sachin Pilot's rebellion, senior Congress leader Kapil Sibal on Sunday called for amending the anti-defection law to ban all defectors from holding public office for five years and fighting the next election.

Sibal also said that the "antibodies" against the "virus of corrupt means" to topple elected governments lie in amending the Tenth Schedule of the Constitution (anti-defection law).

His attack comes in the wake of Pilot's open rebellion against the Ashok Gehlot government, which has been on shaky ground since, with at least 18 legislators backing the rebel leader.

Pilot was sacked as deputy chief minister and the state Congress chief earlier this week.

The Congress has accused the BJP of making efforts to topple the Gehlot government by indulging in horse-trading.

"Need for Vaccine: Virus of 'corrupt means' to topple elected governments has spread through a 'Wuhan like facility' in Delhi," Sibal tweeted, in an apparent swipe at the BJP.

"Its 'antibodies' lie in amending the Tenth Schedule. Ban all defectors from: Holding public office for five years, fighting the next election," he said.

Taking a swipe at Pilot over his claim that he is not joining the BJP, Sibal on Thursday had asked what happens to his "ghar wapsi" and whether Rajasthan's dissident legislators are vacationing in Haryana under the "watchful eye" of the saffron party.

In the house of 200, the Congress has 107 MLAs, including the 19 dissidents who have been issued notices of disqualification by the speaker and they have challenged them in the high court.

The Congress has maintained the claim that the Gehlot government has the support of 109 MLAs, including the two BTP MLAs.
Copyright  2020 Albuquerque Journal

As a small-gallery owner and as an artist  and like many of us  Thais Mather was blindsided by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Enter the added urgency of the George Floyd demonstrations and the world at times seems to be at a tipping point.

And that makes it the perfect time for artists to lend their unique perspectives to the discussion.

Were under lockdown. Every day. Running a business is challenging for us because we had no income, Mather said. But I felt like I had to find some kind of positive labor to do during this time. This is a reflection of how we perceive and present labor itself. Also I wanted to aid people that were dealing with the most difficult challenges of the virus.

Mather thought a great way to express that was for artists to develop flags to convey their feelings of todays world.

It was conceived under the impetus to create an iconic language of misery during this time, said Mather, who owns Good Folks Gallery. I wanted to give people a message that presented artists experience, their experiences during these times, and almost create some kind of language around what was happening. The flag seemed like a very interesting medium to do that.

And thus was born Flags of Resilience, a long-term, artist-run project featuring commissioned work by local and internationally known artists in response to their unique and communal experiences in todays global climate, she said. Each artists design, printed on limited-edition, 3-foot-by-5-foot flags, addresses global topics of isolation, community, family, fear and hope in this historical moment in time.

When we were facing the double pandemic, facing up to our systemic racism in the culture, that really changed the tone of the project, Mather said.

Noted Denver muralists Pedro Barrios and Jaime Molina created the first flag and its run of 100 flags is nearly sold out at $50 apiece.

Similar to a family crest, or even a traditional totem, (the flag) can be a way to express to the world who you are and what is important to you, Barrios and Molina said in a written statement. What makes you, and your pack of humans, who you are. This simple act of expressing yourself through traditional means in a very non-traditional way can be incredibly empowering and inspiring.

Mather said the project can have a lasting impact as a way through the creation and dissemination of iconic imagery emblazoned on flags, it seeks to ask the questions, who have we lost and how do we honor them? How does the pandemic exploit and reveal important ways were all connected? And perhaps most critically, how can we affect broad socio-political change in the best interests of humanity?

Each current artist will select the next artist in line, who wont be announced until the next flag set is ready to be unveiled, which should be Aug. 7, Mather said

Each artist also selected the charity that will receive the funds raised from the sale of their flags, with Barrios and Molina choosing the International Rescue Committee.

The project was sponsored by Santa Fe galleries form & concept and Zane Bennett Contemporary Art, and the flags can be purchased on their websites.
Amid the on-going row over digital taxation, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Saturday said that a consensus-based solution on the issue should be simple and inclusive based on a robust economic impact assessment. The minister was speaking at the 3rd G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors (FMCBG) meeting held at Riyadh (Saudi Arabia) through video conferencing.

Referring to the issues concerning international taxation and challenges related to digital taxation, Sitharaman said, "It is imperative that this consensus-based solution should be simple, inclusive and based on a robust economic impact assessment."

Recently India defended the 2 per cent equalisation levy on non-resident e-commerce companies, saying it is non-discriminatory in nature and its purpose is to tax businesses that have a close nexus with the country's market through their digital operations. In a six-page written submission to the United States Trade Representative (USTR), India said the levy is applicable only for companies with annual revenues in excess of Rs 20 million (about USD 267,000), which is a low threshold aimed at exempting very small e-commerce operators globally.

The US had last month decided to start an investigation under Section 301 of the Trade Act, 1974, into the digital services taxes that have been adopted or are being considered by a number of countries, including India, to "unfairly" target American tech companies.

It had then invited public comments on the said investigation.

India is among 10 nations that are facing US investigations to assess whether the levies discriminate against American technology majors.

Sitharaman in the first session of the meeting, talked about the G20 Action Plan in response to COVID-19 which was endorsed by the G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors in their previous meeting on April 15, 2020, the Finance Ministry said in a statement. This G20 Action Plan lays out a list of collective commitments under the pillars of Health Response, Economic Response, Strong and Sustainable Recovery and International Financial Coordination, aimed at coordinating G20 efforts to fight the pandemic.

The Finance Minister emphasised that it is crucial to ensure that this action plan remains relevant and effective. She shared her perspective on the way forward on the action plan and highlighted the need for international coordination required in addressing the spill-over effects of exit strategies.

Emphasising that the Action Plan needs to reflect how the economies are balancing their supply side and demand side measures in response to COVID-19, Sitharaman shared with her counterparts how India is working on ensuring this balance through credit schemes for greater liquidity, direct benefit transfers, and employment guarantee schemes.

The Finance Minister specifically referred to India's comprehensive economic package to address recovery and growth amounting to over USD 295 billion, about 10 per cent of India's GDP. She also spoke about the procyclicality of credit rating downgrades by the rating agencies and its deterrent impact on policy options, particularly for Emerging Market Economies (EMEs).

Meanwhile, RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das said, "Participated in virtual meeting of G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors today. Focused on macroeconomy, capital flows, cross border payments, transition from LIBOR and other issues."

In the second session of the meeting, the G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors discussed the developments on G20 Finance Track deliverables under the Saudi Arabian Presidency.

Enhancing access to opportunities for Women, Youth and SMEs is a priority agenda under Saudi Presidency and a Menu of Policy Options on Access to Opportunities has been developed by G20 under this agenda were discussed.

"The Menu presents country experiences of G20 members related to policies aimed at: Youth, Women, Informal Economy, Technology & Adult Skills, and Financial Inclusion. The Finance Minister noted that this agenda has assumed even greater importance now as the pandemic has most impacted the vulnerable sections," it said.

During the session, Sitharaman also shared some of the policy measures taken by the Government of India to fight the pandemic, including direct benefit transfers, special support to agriculture and MSME sectors, rural employment guarantee measures etc.

She particularly highlighted how India has successfully employed technology-based financial inclusion by harnessing the nationwide digital payment infrastructure that India has built in the last five years, to make contactless cash transfers of over USD 10 billion into the bank accounts of 420 million people.

The minister also referred to the swift measures to provide free food grain to over 800 million people for eight months till November 2020.

Also read: India responds to US probe on 'Google Tax', says it's not discriminatory
North Wales MS writes to First Minister questioning test result delays for Rowan Foods staff

This article is old - Published: Sunday, Jul 19th, 2020

Plaid Cymrus North Wales regional MS Llyr Gruffydd has written to the First Minister asking for clarification on delays in test results for workers at Rowan Foods on Wrexham Industrial Estate.

Mr Gruffydd said the Covid-19 outbreak among Rowan Foods workers was among the biggest challenges faced by public protection in Wales to date and believes lessons need to be learned from the episode.

In a letter to First Minister Mark Drakeford, he questioned why the focus has been on failures of transcription and labelling, both of which Mr Drakeford admitted had been problems and referred to the number of people whos first language was not Welsh or English. Mr Gruffydd said he had been told that workers with relatively common surnames such as Davies and Jones were still waiting for test results.

Mr Gruffydd said: As this is one of the largest concentrated Covid-19 outbreaks to have happened in Wales, Im sure wed all want to learn lessons and improve as we move forward in tackling the virus. Rowan Foods provided a comprehensive database of workers and their contact details, so why did Public Health Wales refuse to allow the in-house team to help with names and contact numbers of workers being tested? Why was the data base not referred to?

We know that more than 300 of the 1100 tested have now come back as positive but Im also aware of a large number of workers who, weeks later, are still waiting for test results. By now, of course, the results are largely immaterial but it does point to a problem in the testing regime that has been raised with me by those affected and also the track and protect team.

Huge amounts of work was put into dealing with this outbreak and Im grateful to all who helped limit the problem, but it would be foolish and misleading to deny that mistakes were made. The key in moving forward is to openly acknowledge where things went wrong and ensuring its put right next time.

In the latest update, Public Health Wales said of the local outbreak, The multi-agency team managing the outbreak of Coronavirus associated with Rowan Foods Ltd in Wrexham has recorded 309 cases. There continues to be no evidence that this outbreak is factory-based, and the results we have identified are what we would expect to see when a focused testing takes place. 
(Newser)  Jana Jumpp spends eight hours a day updating a spreadsheetnot for work, but a recent hobby: figuring out how many of Amazon's 400,000 warehouse workers have fallen sick with the coronavirus, the AP reports. Amazon won't give a number, so Jumpp tracks it on her own and shares what she finds with others. She relies on Amazon employees at more than 250 facilities who communicate possible cases. She asks for proof, like messages or voicemails from Amazon, and tries to make sure she doesnt count the same case twice. It's time consuming, but Jumpp says workers should know if there's an outbreak and just how risky it is to head to work. "Amazon is not going to do it, so it's up to us," says Jumpp, 58, who lost her job in July at an Amazon warehouse in Jeffersonville, Indiana.

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Major companies are keeping their employees in the dark on just how prevalent the virus is in their warehouses, stores, and meatpacking plants. That has left workers like Jumpp to become amateur sleuths in their spare time. Unions and advocate groups have taken up the cause, too, creating lists or building online maps of stores where workers can self-report cases they know about. The numbers are publicized by the unions and labor groups and used to organize worker protests. But mainly, the reason for collecting them is so that workers can make decisions about their health. Companies typically notify employees if they may have been exposed to the virus by a coworker but critics claim they won't reveal the totals because it could spook workers and turn off customers.

(Read more coronavirus stories.)
By PTI

KOCHI: A case has been registered against a Malayalam film producer for allegedly sexually assaulting a woman, police said on Sunday.

Alwyn Antony had sexually abused the 22-year-old woman last year after promising her roles in his movies, the police said.

The woman was sexually harassed four times between January and March 2019.

Alwin had produced several hits including Ohm Shanti Oshana and 2015's Amar Akbar Antony.

The accused is absconding, they said.
NEWTOWN TOWNSHIP >> In the wake of several pedestrian fatalities, the Newtown Township Board of Supervisors is moving forward with a multi-pronged plan to improve safety along Sycamore Street, the townships downtown commercial corridor. At its Jan. 13 meeting, the board voted unanimously to follow the short term and long term recommendations of its traffic engineer, Derek Kennedy, who was...
North Korea's military heads have met with the country's leader Kim Jong Un to discuss "further bolstering a war deterrent", state media reported on Sunday. Kim, whose titles include Chairman of the Central Military Commission, headed the "closed meeting" on Saturday. There was little detail about the content of the meeting, but there was a reiteration of the determination to bolster "a war deterrent".

In recent days, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, and top North Korean official Kim Yo Jong, widely believed to be sister of Kim Jong Un, have aired their opinions in public about the chances of Pyongyang and Washington talking again. North Korea's military emphasis on "bolstering a war deterrent" may be part of the messaging intended for Washington.
A medical worker is disinfected after taking samples for Covid-19 tests from residents at a village in Hanoi, April 9, 2020. Photo by VnExpress/Giang Huy.

The U.S. appreciated the lessons and experiences on controlling Covid-19 from ASEAN countries, calling for coordination in dealing with further developments of the pandemic.

The message was passed in online talks held this week with U.S. Congressman Joaquin Castro of Texas, who is Vice Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee and Co-Chair of the Congressional Caucus on the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

Vietnams Ambassador to the U.S., Ha Kim Ngoc, said that as the current ASEAN chair, Vietnam has cooperated with other bloc members to maintain all activities during the pandemic, and hopes it will be contained soon so that the nation can welcome ASEAN leaders and partners, including President Donald Trump, to Hanoi for the East Asia Summit slated to take place this November.

Castro expressed appreciation over the pandemic fight in ASEAN, especially Vietnam which has reported no deaths so far, as well as ASEAN-U.S. cooperation in dealing with the pandemic.

He said the priority now is to promote coordination in dealing with the complicated developments of Covid-19.

Ngoc said Vietnam highly values the recent statements by foreign affairs officials of the U.S. House and the Senate, which "clarify the U.S.s position on the South China Sea and makes it clear that Chinas territorial claims are illegal."

The South China Sea is known in Vietnam as the East Sea.

On July 13, U.S. Senators Jim Risch and Bob Menendez, chairman and ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee; and Representatives Eliot Engel and Michael McCaul, chairman and ranking member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, said in a statement that "China has failed to abide by the Permanent Court of Arbitration's legally binding ruling from 2016, or provide any credible legal justification for its claims."

"Instead, it has resorted to coercion of its neighbors, an aggressive campaign of reclamation and militarization of features, and continued activities in the exclusive economic zones of other countries. This has only accelerated over the last several months as the world focused on Covid-19.

"The United States is committed to upholding international law; to flying, sailing, and operating where international law allows; and to supporting our regional partners and regional institutions who seek peaceful diplomatic resolution of disputes in the South China Sea," they said.

Their joint statement was released the same day after the U.S. Department of State released a statement by Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on maritime claims in the South China Sea, which said: "Beijings claims to offshore resources across most of the South China Sea are completely unlawful, as is its campaign of bullying to control them."

Congressman Castro affirmed bipartisan consensus in the U.S. on an approach that upholds international law, peacefully resolves disputes in the South China Sea, underscoring the legal value of the Arbitral Tribunal's decision on the South China Sea dispute between the Philippines and China.

China has taken a series of provocative, illegal actions in the East Sea since the start of the year, including several that impinge on Vietnamese sovereignty over the Hoang Sa and Truong Sa archipelagoes, even as other countries in the region and the world were focused on battling the Covid-19 pandemic.

It formed the so-called Xisha and Nansha districts in Vietnams Hoang Sa (Paracel) and Truong Sa (Spratly) islands, sank Vietnamese fishing vessels off the Paracels, unilaterally issued a fishing ban and sent a ship to harass a Malaysian oil and gas exploration vessel.

It also announced a vegetable farming project on Woody (Phu Lam) Island in the Paracels to strengthen its illegal sovereignty claims, and sent two diplomatic notes to the U.N. to make the infamous Four Sha claim, which covers an even broader swath of territory than the notorious, illegal nine-dash line.

Vietnam has repeatedly protested and condemned Chinas provocative, illegal actions and urged it to desist.

ASEAN has 10 members - Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.
Yoo In-seok, the chief barista of Grand InterContinental Seoul Parnas / Courtesy of Grand InterContinental Seoul Parnas



By Jun Ji-hye



Yoo In-seok, the chief barista of Grand InterContinental Seoul Parnas, has been striving to make coffee through which customers can feel happiness and contentment.



In his latest effort to offer coffee that will remain in customers' memory for a long time, he and his team launched the hotel's first private brand coffee bean blend, D'GOLD, in late April.



"It is hard to say which coffee beans are good and bad as tastes differ," Yoo said in an interview with The Korea Times. "My team, called Team B'irst, recently launched D'GOLD as we wanted to offer our customers more special and memorable coffee."



The barista team, consisting of four veteran baristas including Yoo, blended D'GOLD with premium beans from three regions  Brazil, Ethiopia and Costa Rica.



It is characteristically medium-bodied to heighten its fresh, invigorating acidity with the sweetness of berries and the fragrance of herbs and roses.



As the coffee has a distinct sour citrus flavor, the chief barista recommends that customers enjoy it as an iced Americano or iced latte.



"It took more than a year for Team B'irst to launch D'GOLD as we sampled coffee more than 20 times," Yoo said. "Since its launch, D'GOLD has been well-received by customers although it is a little bit more expansive than regular coffee. Some customers even asked us if they can buy D'GOLD beans separately."



Yoo noted his team is working to develop D'GOLD in the form of drip bags so customers can enjoy it at home.



He joined Grand InterContinental Seoul Parnas in 2006 as a server of the five-star hotel's fine dining French restaurant, Table 34. He began his career as a barista in 2010 when he became more interested in coffee making.



"Coffee is a medium that helps me communicate with customers. I feel the greatest happiness when customers are curious about my coffee and ask me questions about it," he said. "I hope customers can feel satisfied and comfortable when drinking coffee I make."



Yoo added that his team is continuing to develop new coffee beans with an aim of offering special coffee blends that are well-matched with each restaurant of the hotel.


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Special report by Rabiu Omaku

The recent resolution by the Nasarawa State House of Assembly that no professional doctor under the employment of the State Government should engage in private practice cannot hold water,reason been that the decision of lawmakers in Nasarawa was completely in conflict with the failed attempt by the Federal Government some years back.

The move made by the Federal Government in 2017 was to banned doctors in public hospitals from operating their private clinics and hospitals during working hours,but today is all history,While the ongoing in Nasarawa State if not properly handle would be highly regretted and the citizenry would suffer at the receiving end.

The issue at stake is to banned doctors under the employment of Nasarawa State Government from private practice completely,The Nasarawa State House of Assembly should get this right.

The shortage of medical personnel especially doctors is a cause for worry because non indigent doctors constitute 70 percent of the population of health workers ranging from doctors,nurses,lab personnel while the 30 percent of medical personnel includes attendants and non professionals in the administrative Department in both Dalhatu Araf Specialist Hospital and all the General Hospitals in the State.

It could be recalled that majority of Indigent doctors left the service of Dalhatu Araf Specialist Hospital in 2013 due to lack of promotion,welfare,A survey conducted indicated that indigenes of Nasarawa State are at the echelon of service at the Jos University Teaching Hospital,National Hospital Abuja while others are operating their private hospitals and clinics .

Is now high time for the State Government to call back the talented medical doctors to show case their potentials,This would only be feasible if the State Government would take proper care of the personnels,The issue of State Government health workers should not be tackle with hand in-glove due to the sensitive nature of their work.

The State Deputy Governor should be up and doing by been at the forefront to mediate the impasse which has to do with

1.Proper Personal Protection Equipment

2.Payment of Federal Government special package for COVID-19 Frontline workers

3.Implementation of promotions from 2013 to date.

It could be recalled that in October, 2017 the Nigeria Medical Association and the Dental Council of Nigeria reacted over the new policy of the Federal Government banning medical doctors in public health institutions from engaging in private practice during working hours, describing the move as illegall

The leadership of the Nigeria Medical Association,Nasarawa State Chapter has described the resolution by the State lawmakers as illegal and an interference from politicians that are not conversant with the code of ethics guiding Nigeria Medical Association.Doctor Peter Wisdom in a telephone interview said the only regulatory body to sanction doctors is Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria not politicians.

It was reliably gathered that the State Governor, Engr Abdullahi Sule has given the express approval for the payment of pending promotions to avoid further embarrassment that may lead to another strike action that may paralysed public health institutions from operating.

On the COVID-19 special package for frontline health workers, an insider from the health sector said the State Government from the inception of coronavirus pandemic is yet to receive a dine from the Federal Government as a donation to Nasarawa State

He confided that the State was insolvent and cannot be able to pay money to the tune of over N400m as special package to members of the Joint Action Committee comprises of six Associations.

On the no work,no pay introduce by the State Government ,he explained the policy has been taken by event with the approval and directive of the Governor of the to pay the striking workers their June salary which the did not work for.

The question to asked is can the resolution of the lawmakers stand ? As the house resolved that

1.The State Government should initiate special scholarship for indigenous medical and other science related courses.

2.The State Government should fast track the establishment of medical school in the State particularly at the Nasarawa State University, Keffi

3.Resolved that no doctor employed by the State Government should establish or operate a private hospital or clinic.

Findings revealed that doctors in Nigeria are working below World Health Organization standard which prescribed a ratio of one doctor to sixty patients as against one doctor to 1,600 patients obtainable in Nigeria.

Doctors supposed to work 40 unit not 80 unit,only time shall tell..
As long as science fiction writers have been imagining it, scientists have been trying to make it a reality. The holy grail of clean energy. The silver bullet solution to global warming. The power of the sun brought down to Earth. Thats right, nuclear fusion.

Nuclear fusion, if and when it becomes a reality, will change the energy industry--and the world--as we know it. It is, essentially, the key to limitless, renewable, and carbon-free energy. And not only is it many times more powerful than nuclear fission (the process of dividing atoms that currently powers nuclear plants) it does not require any radioactive materials, and therefore does not produce any hazardous radioactive nuclear waste. And, with no radiation, there is no risk of the nuclear meltdowns that have become synonymous with nuclear energy thanks to the tragedies at Chernobyl, Fukushima, and Three Mile Island.

In the south of France, 35 nations are collaborating under the banner of the ITER project, building the worlds largest tokamak, a space-age looking device that employs ultra-powerful magnets to create and manipulate hot plasma into a torus (for the laymen among us, a donut) shape in order to achieve nuclear fusion. ITERs magnetic field coils are the most powerful superconductive magnets ever designed according to Forbes, and the tokamak in southern France will employ 18 of them, weighing in at a whopping 6,000 metric tons. These 35 nations have been toiling away on this project for 35 years--and theyre getting close to a breakthrough. The tokamak functions by merging hydrogen atoms, as occurs naturally on the sun, to form helium atoms, producing incredible amounts of energy, which the tokamak harnesses in the form of heat, which in turn creates steam, which spins a turbine, which creates energy that we can use to power our homes, our industries, and, indeed, our world.

Related: The Race To Complete The Worlds Most Controversial Pipeline

ITER aims to bring its massive tokamak online and achieve first plasma in just five years. Last year, when ITER first announced its 2025 first plasma projection, the consortium had just reached a major milestone with the installation of the cryostat base and lower cylinder, bringing the project to 65 percent completion. Manufactured by India, the ITER cryostat is 16,000 cubic meters, ITER officials said in a release. Its diameter and height are both almost 30 meters and it weighs 3,850 tons. Because of its bulk, it is being fabricated in four main sections: the base, lower cylinder, upper cylinder, and top lid.

Now, in 2020, its all about magnets. The plasma volume inside the tokamak at ITER will be several times larger than that generated by any previous fusion reactors. Because of the high temperatures, metal cannot be used to confine the highly unstable plasma, explains Forbes. Therefore, an enormous magnetic field is used to contain the plasma and ensure the fusion reactions can happen. This is achieved by a series of toroidal superconducting magnets, or field coils.

The magnets that are our greatest hope for achieving commercial nuclear fusion are the size of five- and six-story buildings, each weighing in at 310 metric tons, with a width of nine meters (29 feet) and a towering height of 16.5 meters (54 feet). Japans Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) Group delivered the first installment of what will be 18 massive magnets to ITER in January of this year, seven and a half years after they were commissioned.

If commercial fusion becomes within reach when ITER goes online in 2025, the ramifications are impossible to overstate. We could conceivably keep average global temperatures from increasing more than 1.5 degrees Celsius this century while still keeping up with energy demand. We could stop catastrophic climate change in its tracks, and change global geopolitics forever, thereby resolving countless conflicts, as dirty and finite fossil fuels become obsolete. Some of the greatest problems of our time will be solved thanks to the tireless work of scientists, human imagination and ambition, and some really, really big magnets.



By Haley Zaremba for Oilprice.com

More Top Reads From Oilprice.com:
In a recent judgment, the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT) held that a company could exit an ongoing insolvency process even as an interim resolution professional had been appointed and a moratorium imposed under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC) by the adjudicating authority, that is the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT).

The latest move by the NCLAT paves the way for companies to settle claims and end ongoing insolvency cases, according to a report by the Indian Express. The 'corporate debtors' in such cases can thus arrive at a settlement with the lenders, even after initiation of the corporate insolvency resolution process (CIRP) under the IBC.

The report notes that this new window could especially come as a relief to those firms already under the resolution process, with relatively smaller debts. However, all IBC proceedings have been halted for the time being in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Centre has suspended insolvency proceedings for the next six months with a proposal to extend the same up to a period of one year. This has been done to cushion firms against the economic fallout of the pandemic and the lockdown that followed, as fresh debts during this period will not attract IBC proceedings.

In the judgment, a bench headed by acting chairperson Justice Bansi Lal Bhat noted that since the operational creditor (who had taken the company to NCLT) and the corporate debtor had "amicably settled the dispute", it allowed the parties to exit the CIRP.

The judgment was passed in the case of Burda Druck India Pvt Ltd, a company that had been taken to the NCLT by its operational creditor Vivek Bansal.

The NCLAT observed, "The Respondent Company is released from all the rigour of law and is allowed to function independently through its Board of Directors with immediate effect. "
The Edo State Government has announced the discharge of 58 more coronavirus (COVID-19) patients, who have tested negative for the virus and cleared from the states isolation centres to return to their families.

The state Commissioner for Health, Patrick Okundia, who spoke to journalists in Benin City, commended the sacrifice, resilience and commitment of health workers and other essential workers on the frontlines of the governments efforts at containing the pandemic.

The commissioner further reiterated the need to protect the states aged population, urging residents to comply with all guidelines and safety measures to curtail the spread of the virus in the state.

Mr Okundia noted that the state has recorded 11 new confirmed cases, tested at the Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital (ISTH) laboratory.

He said Edo has so far recorded a total of 8,350 suspected cases, 1,885 confirmed cases, 62 deaths and 1,208 discharges, adding that the state has tested over 8,759 residents and is contact tracing 4,756 others across the states 18 local government areas.

The commissioner who identified screening and testing as essential in the governments efforts at containing the pandemic, urged all citizens to comply with government directives, aimed at ensuring the health and safety of all Edo people.

While the government ramps up efforts to win the war against this common enemy, it is imperative that residents stay at home and observe social distancing guidelines and other precautionary measures against the spread of the disease, including regular handwashing with soap under running water and the use of alcohol-based hand sanitisers. Cover your mouth and nose properly when sneezing and/or coughing.

Two toll-free lines for COVID-19 response have been introduced by Edo State Government to strengthen the initial lines from the State Ministry of Health and the World Health Organisation (WHO) distributed at the onset of the outbreak. If you have any COVID-19 symptoms, please call 08001235111 or 08002200110 for assistance, he said.
It is no exaggeration to say that there is now no guaranteed safe place in Trinidad and Tobago.

We have moved from the stage of being prisoners in our homes behind metal bars to being afraid to enjoy the beautiful outdoors and even to sleep, for fear that if crime comes knocking we may have no recourse but to cower and beg for our lives. The society is being overpowered by the force of the criminal will with insufficient resources to resist and break that power.
19.07.2020 LISTEN

The bus stopped; the chain was up. The driver opened the door. Canadian Peace keepers, soldiers in light blue got on the bus, walked through the lines, looked into tired faces and underneath their seats, walked back to the front again, got off the bus, lowered the chain and letting the bus pass. As Heinz Wohlfarth got off the bus, one slim and small man looked at him, stopped him, grabbed him by his arm, pulled him over from the crowd of following people and asked him to follow. They walked along apple trees and apple trees planted straight in lines until they reached a place very familiar to him. He was standing right in the middle of the loading place, a place full of empty and full containers for apples ready to be shipped around the world. He saw mostly red apples but spotted a limited portion of the containers were filled with green apples as well. Across the place was a red container placed with a shade to bring shadow to the place that was covered more and more by the heart of the sun. The sun light was burning down on them. He looked around seeing the Golan Heights for the very first time up close.

Heinz Wohlfarth had reached the Golan Heights the night before. Tina Ratherford had arranged for him to be with them for few weeks before he would have to be back again in Kibbutz Ginegar. Kibbutz Ein Ziwan was a Kibbutz not as old as the one he saw as his home base in Israel. the Kibbutznicks were much younger on average, more open, more outspoken, more interacting with the volunteers. She had taken him to his room that he had to share with a young man from Switzerland, someone that loved everything that had something to do with military equipment, be it tanks, armoured vehicles or even guns and bombs. Heinz Wohlfarth when greeting him was surprised about the young man smaller than himself that was open and friendly yet his enthusiasm for the military was strange to him. Kibbutz Ein Ziwan also had a factory producing plastic shoes and boots, but the management had decided he was needed in the orchards. At his temporary working place surrounded by apples in containers he was feeling somehow at home. He laughed and smiled all over his face. Besides the container a bucket full of glue was standing next to it a stack of sheets to be put onto the containers for them to be identified as which destination to head to. High trees surrounded the place unable for him to see at first sight the other side of the Golan Heights, the ditches deep down through which tanks would reach from one little mountain to the other side of the mountain chain passing through a valley that could otherwise salvage their protection and make the enemy know what they were planning and up to. The dusty soil was covered all over with the remains of war activities, little pieces of plastic and metal once part of deadly weapons used by the Israeli army in the fight against the enemy from Syrian territory. In fact, as they stood on Syrian ground occupied by Israel in the attempt to protect Israel from attacks by the Syrian people. Heinz Wohlfarth felt somehow misplaced in life as having never been in the army of Germany himself and an anti-war activist. And now, all of a sudden, life had taken him right into the heart of a hot war; a war of blood, hate and tears, justification and counter-justification.

"That is funny," said Peter Britain, responsible Manager of the loading area, "that in Kibbutz Ginegar you also do the same job...really funny!" He got onto his forklift, loaded the truck that had just arrived full of apple containers, turned the key and off the engine to sit next to Heinz Wohlfarth in the shadow by the container, prepared sweet black tea with milk, passed it over to his German friend, smiled all over his face, put up his feet onto a stack of concrete blocks to enjoy life to the fullest. "This is lifelike in heaven," said Peter Britain looking from left to right overseeing all corners of his working place. "This is the best job someone can ask for. Every now and then containers come, we load them on trucks, have a good cup of coffee and tea and ice-cream with cake of biscuits." He looked around, was surprised, tried to find, and finally found. "Oh my God, I am getting old. I forgot to offer you something nice. Here, takes a piece of cake...the fruity style like it is made in Britain. My wife is actually a very good baker...when she wants." He laughed his head off and took a second helping. The fruit cake with icing on the top was indeed a delight, that was what Heinz Wohlfarth was tasting.

"Yes, in Kibbutz Ginegar it is the same job that I am doing. I belief," laughed Heinz Wohlfarth all over his face, "there is a caring God in heaven!"

"For sure...he is caring!" stuffed Peter Britain another piece of cake into his mouth hardly been able to be understood by others. "My wife is a great child of God...I can tell you that!"

Heinz Wohlfarth laughed his head off, had the time of his life. They finished off tea and coffee, cake and biscuits left in small portion for their way home just after work. Peter Britain looked at his watch, still half an hour left before they should expect another loading of apples to handle. Both walked through the small passage between the trees into the wide-open land with pitches deep and wide for tanks. To their left a chain of hills, to their right a chain of hills and far in their back Sea of Galilee once the place Jesus Christ confronted his disciples with their fear of life and belief in salvation and protection. They knew both the moment when Jesus Christ walked on water and sailed the storm, when he asked them to cast their net and they loaded fish after fish into their boat for it be overloaded. Their mind walked further South-West to Nazareth when little Jesus was taught by his father the craft of carpentry, played with his siblings, was a joy to his parents until the time had finally come he had to leave his family behind, separate himself from his earthly family and walked the land in the shoes of his heavenly father. He was no more a family member of the human mind but of the spirit to fulfill as the scriptures once had said. The womb that had given earthly breath into his human flesh was one special woman among many but was a woman only and not of the spirit his spirit belonged to. He knew so well that humans born by humans are not born for them but for a purpose, a purpose they are supposed to fulfill to be called worthy of life given, to honour the gift so precious to any human, life on earth, a once time chance to get things done and done right.

"And now we are standing here...and I see blood on the ground dripping into the soil, the dust of this place. And I see what war is leaving behind, pieces of plastic and metal once part of deadly weapons, machinery of death," resonated it inside Heinz Wohlfarth with anger and fear. "Is there ever hope for peace?" did he turn around to Peter Britain with sadness in his face, grey colour all over.

Peter Britain put his arms around his shoulder, looked into his face with great love and understanding and said quietly: In Europe, and other places, war was very much part of daily life for generations. In some countries it is still killing people because power, greed and selfishness is part of human nature. But here in the heart of the bible, of everything Jesus Christ and God had told us to do and to be...that in this place hate and fear is still so, so present in the hearts and minds of the people all around us makes me...", he stopped saying anything, sat down on a small light brown stone, looked over the ditches to the horizon, felt a tear dropping down before him disappearing in the dust between his legs and continued, "when in this region, in our place, peace between people is not possible...," he looked around and straight into Heinz Wohlfarths eyes, "how can peace ever be in the hearts and minds of people. Here in this holy land the power of God is even more present and felt than in any other place around the world. Yes, it is tragic...but it is human nature. I often ask myself whether the sacrifice Jesus Christ had to make for us was worth it...as humans do not seem to have improved much, are still the same old bunch of people as they were back when Adam and Eve walked on earth. People have not learnt much and from generation to generation they have to learn all over again, preaching the same old messages, hearing the same old stories as generations past were hearing them...and still no change in humans."

"Hamster people!" said Heinz Wohlfarth quietly and with a tone of sadness paired with resignation in his voice.

Peter Britain looked up to him before he got up to stretch his body: In some parts of this world war is as it seems for now a matter of the past. That is not to say that these countries do not fight in other territories instead. So, based on that we cannot say that peace is in countries that once heavily engaged themselves in wars over and over again, most certainly not. And when we do not blind ourselves and see the real danger for mankind coming, the overpopulation from mainly Africa, the issue of war and war engagement is closer than many of us today can imagine o want to think of leaving the issue to generations ahead....Austrich in the sand!"

"In other words," looked Heinz Wohlfarth over the scenery with heavy heart in his chest making breathing challenging, periods of peace are extended but not for ever."

"True...and factual!"

"When...oh God, did Heinz Wohlfarth look into the heavens, will we ever learn and become the people we are supposed to become?"

"Only he knows!" said Peter Britain, put his arms on the shoulders of his German friend, looked at his watch, saw the time to return back to work had come, moved him back to the loading place and gave the driver of the little truck pulling ten apple containers behind him instruction were to park and offload the full containers and where to pick the empty once. He shouted over to Heinz Wohlfarth while sitting on his forklift: "But we will never know. We simply are made to do our job over and over again...and we will never really know why we have to live a life like this. Much has been written, much has been said, every time basically the same old message...and see, here we are doing the same old jobs in other forms."

Heinz Wohlfarth heard Im well while sticking sheet after sheet onto the empty apple container ready for the second round of the day to be picked and filled by the volunteers as their daily target. Few military aircrafts flew overhead from the heartland of Israel into the South of Lebanon. While performing his daily duties Heinz Wohlfarth was thinking of the Dead Sea a place soon, he wanted to pay a visit. Four hundred meter below sea level, the deepest place on dry land, a place impossible for swimming as the salt would carry any human like a feather, salty to what human mind could imagine. He knows over the past years the level of the Dead Sea had gone down drastically due to climate change effects but still a place for many tourists with lung and skin problems to come to and get treatment.

Before the bus would take them back to Kibbutz Ein Ziwan Peter ritain and Heinz Wohlfarth had half an hour left to finish off their cake and empty their cups. They sat side by side not talking. A bird came, sat down on the ground in the dust before Heinz Wohlfarth`s shoes. The bird looked at him and looked at him, moved to the side and looked at Peter Britain. Then it moved back to Heinz Wohlfarth and looked and looked lifting and lowering his little head. Heinz Wohlfarth saw the rest of his fruit cake, saw the dried cherries and cranberries in it covered in deep brown dough filled with wild honey that gave the cake its special, fantastic and delicious taste, thought which part of the piece he should pick, decided for a part not filled with sugar too much, bowed down to the little bird, cautiously, very mindfully stretched out his hand, gave the little piece of cake to the bird seeing how much the bird enjoyed what was given to him.

"As the bible is saying," commented Peter Britain, "ask and you will be given. The bird does not plant anything, yet he has enough to eat as it will be given to him."

"But we humans have always to struggle to get!" said Heinz Wohlfarth ready to leave the place as the bus to take them back to Kibbutz Ein Ziwan would appear at any minute.

"We have not listened to what God had told us and so we have to labour," smiled Peter Britain on their way to the place to get picked up and joining the other volunteers, while this bird does not know anything and for that he will always have enough of what he needs."

Heinz Wohlfarth got off the bus, greeted Peter Britain wishing him a relaxed afternoon wishing and hoping his wife would provide another cake next morning, smiled while getting a smile back, stepped into the canteen, looked for a place to sit, saw Tina Ratherford, asked her to reserve a place next to her, walked over to the buffet filled with three different hot meals, salad, deserts and soups as a good starter. He picked from all of it, put it on his silver tray, made his way over to the table Tina Ratherford and three friends were suing, started to eat and came down from few hours of easy work. She smiled at him. All of a sudden alarm was raised. Men and woman alike rushed in and out of the canteen like in a chicken shed when the fox had entered. They shouted anxiously. Running here, running there, confusion all over the Kibbutz. Heinz Wohlfarth stopped eating, looking lost. He tried to stop a Kibbutznick to inform him about the situation but only got to hear `bomb`, which did not mean much to him. He got up and followed the crowd rushing to the scene. The closer he got to the living quarter of the volunteers the more he realized that in fact his room seemed to be the problem. The area was cordoned off. He tried to make a guard understand that the room there were rushing in and rushing out was the room he shared with his mate, Thomas Sonnleitner from Bern in Switzerland. They did not listen to him being too busy to handle the situation. He was asked to wait by the pool side for further instructions. He did as he was told. few hours later the scene got quiet again, problem solved.

Tina Ratherford appeared and sat by his side in the warm green grass. She laughed at him and he did not know what was going on, why she had decided to laugh at him: "Your mate, Tom, he was a fan of the military and all things he could get hold off, bits and pieces here around left behind from the war, that was for him. So, while the Kibbutz was short of blankets the Management decided to raid all rooms of the volunteers and search for the missing blankets. They also walked into your room while you were at work and found a smoke bomb on the wardrobe. Thomas Sonnleitner had the idea to take that thing back home to Switzerland as a souvenir while in fact is was still active...so it could explode at any time."
GRAND RAPIDS, MI  A 24-year-old man is dead following a shooting overnight in Grand Rapids.

The killing is Grand Rapids 20th homicide in 2020 and comes just days after 23-year-old Martell Deon-Daajon Phillips was gunned down outside Wealthy Market at Diamond Avenue and Wealthy Street SE on Wednesday, July 15.

The 20 homicides in 2020 are two more than there were in all of 2019. In 2018, there were just nine killings. Since the early 1990s, the highest number of homicides in the city was 34 killings in one year.

Related: Grand Rapids 19 homicides so far in 2020: Where, when and how they happened

Officers responded to the citys latest slaying at about 2:20 a.m. July 19 in the 700 block of Turner Avenue NW after they were flagged down in reference to a shooting, according to Grand Rapids Police spokesperson Raul Alvarez.

The victim was unconscious with multiple apparent gunshot wounds when officers found him, Alvarez said.

There is no suspect at this time.

Two days prior to Sunday mornings homicide, Grand Rapids Police Chief Eric Payne and other community leaders gathered together to address the surge in gun violence in the city this year.

Related: Grand Rapids police, community leaders plead for end of senseless violence

Payne called the killings and shooting incidents senseless and urged the community to work together.

We need cooperation and help from the community to break this cycle of violence that we are seeing right now, Payne said.

Over the night and day that followed Phillips killing, four more people were injured in shootings in the city, including a 2-year-old girl and a 14-year-old girl that were shot in separate incidents.

On Saturday night, in addition to the citys latest homicide, police responded to two other shootings, both non-fatal  one that involved a 20-year-old man being shot while walking near Bradford Street NE and Clancy Avenue NE at about 7:30 p.m.

The other shooting occurred at about 11:33 p.m. in the 1000 block of Bemis Street SE. The victim in that shooting was a 23-year-old woman who was shot in the side of the head. Officers located multiple scenes and more than 50 casings in the area.

A 23-year-old woman is also in critical condition after being stabbed early Sunday morning in Grand Rapids following a fight at New York Fried Chicken at 743 Division Avenue S.

I am both troubled and saddened by yet another life lost, a young man killed early this morning on the citys northwest side, Payne said in a statement Sunday. This weeks gun violence should trouble every person who lives and works in Grand Rapids.

I will continue working with our community on increased efforts to do whatever we can to get at the root causes of this violence. But we need to do this together. This must include ongoing dialogue, including more cooperation from the public to help us solve these crimes. I believe together we have the ability to find real solutions to this unacceptable level of criminal behavior, which is causing devastating consequences to our neighborhoods.

Also on MLive:

Two teens shot in Kalamazoos West Douglas neighborhood

Grand Rapids police investigating stabbing in Southwest Grand Rapids

Coronavirus recoveries now exceed 55,000 as daily cases stay above 600
Thousands In Khabarovsk Protest Arrest Of Russian Governor

By RFE/RL's Russian Service July 18, 2020

Tens of thousands of people in the Far Eastern Russian city of Khabarovsk marched in an unsanctioned rally on July 18 to protest the arrest of a local governor.

Videos of the event showed a massive crowd filing down a main thoroughfare in the regional capital and gathering in its main square to demand the release of Khabarovsk Krai Governor Sergei Furgal.

An estimated 15,000 to 50,000 demonstrators took part in the nearly five-hour rally, according to reports, although police gave no official crowd estimate. City authorities reported no arrests or violence.

The rally ended in front of the city's Mayor's Office, where demonstrators protested comments made by Mayor Sergei Kravchuk, who earlier suggested that Furgal's supporters were being paid.

The 50-year-old Furgal, who belongs to the Liberal Democratic Party of Russia, denies the charges, and his supporters say they are politically motivated. Last week, weekend protests were reportedly the largest-ever in the city of 590,000.

The continuing protests, far from the Russian capital, are a rare public show of defiance against the Kremlin and come following a controversial nationwide vote that set the stage for President Vladimir Putin to remain in power until 2036.

Among the signs seen during the July 18 rally were ones reading "Free Furgal" and "Moscow. Go away from our river, our minerals, our resources."

Rallies also took place on July 18 in the Khabarovsk Krai city of Komsomolk-On-Amur and in the port city of Vladivostok in the neighboring Primorsk region.

On July 17, a Russian official announced that President Putin would soon appoint an acting governor of Khabarovsk Krai.

With reporting by Kommersant and Interfax

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/russia- khabarovsk-thouands-protest-arrest- governor-furgal/30734564.html

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

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Late last month, some insiders pounced on a tweet posted from Pierres account just before the election that said lock em up about the three former Minneapolis officers who are accused of failing to stop the killing of George Floyd. While the ex-officers, like any criminal defendants, are innocent until proved guilty, the tweet said they should have to prove their innocence in court.
Beijing is carefully managing its relationship with Vietnam after the United States took a harder line on the South China Sea dispute and rejected most of its claims in the strategic waterway as unlawful this week.

Chinese vice-minister of foreign affairs Luo Zhaohui discussed South China Sea issues with his Vietnamese counterpart Le Hoai Trung on Thursday, according to the Foreign Ministry, which did not provide further details.

The Beijing-backed Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) said on Friday that it would lend US$100 million to the Vietnam Prosperity Joint Stock Commercial Bank to help the bank expand lending to private businesses disrupted by the coronavirus pandemic.

Get the latest insights and analysis from our Global Impact newsletter on the big stories originating in China.

The South China Sea, through which one-third of global shipping passes, has been subject to decades of overlapping territorial disputes involving China, Vietnam, the Philippines, Taiwan, Malaysia and Brunei. The sea is also believed to contain major reserves of natural gas and oil.

The China-Vietnam meeting came after US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said on Monday that the US formally opposed Chinese claims to waters within the so-called nine-dash line that encompasses almost all of the South China Sea  in line with a 2016 ruling by an international tribunal at The Hague.

Four years on, Vietnam is mulling legal action to assert its maritime claim. Le, its deputy foreign minister, said Hanoi preferred to negotiate, but other measures such as mediation, arbitration and litigation would not be ruled out. In May, Hanoi nominated four arbitrators and four conciliators, a sign it could soon file a complaint.

Vietnams foreign ministry said on Wednesday that it welcomed countries positions that were consistent with international law and that respecting the legal order at the sea and implementing [the UN convention] in full and with good faith was critical.

Story continues

Hu Bo, director of South China Sea Strategic Situation Probing Initiative in China, told Chinese Communist Party mouthpiece Peoples Daily that Vietnam was an exception while most Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) claimant states avoid taking sides in the US-China tension.

Vietnam is one of the few countries that would be happy to see US-China tension. It has the most acute conflict with China in the South China Sea  Many Vietnamese politicians think the country can maximise its gains in the US-China conflict and be part of a triangle relation.

Vietnam has a more assertive approach compared with other Asean claimant states because of the high stakes for oil, gas, fisheries and sovereignty in the resource-rich waters and the long history of disputes with China, said Eduardo Araral, director of the Institute of Water Policy at the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy in Singapore.

Vietnamese deputy minister of foreign affairs Le Hoai Trung speaks to the press at UN headquarters in New York in 2019. Photo: Xinhua

Araral said the way for China to manage its relationship with Vietnam was to continue to expand the trade part of the relationship.

The sovereignty over South China Sea islands and competition for resources will not be resolved, he said. No country will back out from their claims.

Observers said Vietnam was encouraged to see the US openly supporting its exclusive economic zone claims, which could have a balancing effect against China.

From the Vietnamese perspective, its probably good for its position and interest if Washington appears to be more assertive and confrontational to China, said Li Mingjiang, associate professor at S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies of Nanyang Technological University in Singapore.

Strong US positions could help modify Chinas claims and position in the South China Sea. Vietnam will be happy to see US military presence and security role in the South China Sea, which may help prevent the Chinese military from establishing a domination position, he said.

Hanoi would like to manage the relationship with China, but not with the South China Sea dispute as the focal point, said Carlyle Thayer, emeritus professor of politics at the Australian Defence Force Academy.

Vietnam has a massive trade deficit with China. But it cant get its industries going unless some of the supplies from China come in, [like] raw materials for garments, he said.

Vietnam, with its limited resources and very good diplomats, wants to maintain its strategic autonomy to set its own national interest and pursuit them. Its got to do that with the least resistance from the major powers that could block it. When it is being blocked or conflicts arise, it does not want to become trapped.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo says Washington formally opposes many of Chinas claims to the South China Sea. Photo: AFP

Although both countries are one-party socialist states, the common ideology has not stopped China from frequent coercion activities and even the threat of use of force in the South China Sea, said Huong Le Thu, senior analyst for the defence and strategy programme at the Australian Strategic Policy Institute.

Vietnam stands firm in rejecting threats of use of force in the South China Sea disputes  something that China frequently uses in its coercion practices, she said.

Genuine political will on both sides, particularly the aggressive one, is necessary for the situation to de-escalate, she added.

Investments are welcome and so are good economic relations. But Beijing cannot count on investments to neutralise all the aggressive behaviour. China cannot just invest while harassing and violating Vietnams sovereign rights on the brink of escalation.

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Nigerias foreign affairs minister, Geoffrey Onyeama, has tested positive for coronavirus.

According to him, he was confirmed positive on Saturday, after his fourth test. The minister took to Twitter on Sunday afternoon to announce his health status.

Did my fourth Covid-19 test yesterday at the first sign of a throat irritation and unfortunately this time it came back positive. That is life! Win some lose some. Heading for isolation in a health facility and praying for the best. #StayHomeSaveLives #COVID19 #PTFCOVID19, he wrote.

Did my fourth Covid-19 test yesterday at the first sign of a throat irritation and unfortunately this time it came back positive. That is life! Win some lose some. Heading for isolation in a health facility and praying for the best. #StayHomeSaveLives #COVID19 #PTFCOVID19  Geoffrey Onyeama (@GeoffreyOnyeama) July 19, 2020

Mr Onyeama joins the list of prominent Nigerians who have contracted the virus. Before now, Governors Rotimi Akeredolu, Nasir El-Rufai, Seyi Makinde, Bala Mohammed and Okezie Ikpeazu had also tested positive for the disease.

Apart from officials who have tested positive and recovered from the virus, some others have died from complications caused by the virus.

The latter category includes President Muhammadu Buharis former chief of staff, Abba Kyari, and ex-Oyo State governor, Abiola Ajimobi.

As of the time of this report, 36,107 people have contracted the virus in Nigeria out of which 14,938 people have recovered and have been discharged while 778 have died.

Lagos remains the epicentre of the disease in Nigeria with over a third (13,341) of the total cases.

While Nigeria continues to record new cases in hundreds, daily, the country is opening its economy more while citizens continue to disobey the governments directives on social distancing and use of face masks in public.
Iran plans new phase at sprawling PGSGCR refinery: Contractor

Iran Press TV

Saturday, 18 July 2020 5:13 PM

Iran is planning to build out its largest gasoline refinery located south of the country on the coasts of the Persian Gulf, says a contractor.

Head of Khatam al-Anbiya Construction Headquarters said on Saturday that the contractor, which is run by Iran's elite IRGC military force, could win the right to build a fourth phase at Persian Gulf Star Gas Condensates Refinery (PGSGCR).

"We are reaching an agreement with the Oil Ministry for construction of a new phase at PGSGCR," said Saeid Mohammad, adding that the project would completely rely on home-made equipment and expertise.

The PGSGCR is responsible for more than a third of Iran's gasoline production of more than 100 million liters per day. The refinery, founded over a decade ago, has turned Iran from a net importer of gasoline into a fuel exporter.

Reports last month suggested that a bulk of a massive cargo of gasoline sent from Iran to Venezuela onboard five large tankers had been supplied by the PGSGCR.

However, government plans for expanding the massive refinery hit a snag in 2018 when the United States imposed its unilateral sanctions on Iran's energy sector.

Mohammad said that sanctions had caused the Khatam company to become increasingly involved in the supply of home-made equipment to various phases of key energy production facilities in southern Iran.

He said his company is currently supplying equipments to refineries linked to the PGSGCR and others working for the South Pars, a sprawling gas field in the Persian Gulf which is shared between Iran and Qatar.

"Some 70 percent of the equipment at PGSGCR and (various) phases of the South Pars have become Iranianized," Mohamma told the Iranian parliament's news service ICANA.

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Alliance Air, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Air India Limited, will be operating direct daily flight connecting Jagdalpur to Raipur and Hyderabad from August 5.

The airline will be deploying its 70-seater ATR-72 aircraft on the route, to bolster connectivity under the Regional Connectivity Scheme.

As per a press release issued by the airline, Flight 9I 885 will depart from Hyderabad at 0950 hrs and reach Jagdalpur at 1115 hrs. It will depart from Jagdalpur at 1155 hrs and reach Raipur at 1300 hrs.

On its return, the flight will depart Raipur at 1340 hrs and arrive at Jagdalpur at 1445 hrs, further departing from Jagdalpur at 1525 hrs and reaching Hyderabad at 1650 hrs.

The tourism ministry has identified Jagdalpur-Teerathgarh-Chitrakoot-Barsur-Dantewada-Teerathgarh Circuit as one of the 45 mega tourist destinations/circuits in India on the basis of footfalls and their future tourism potential.

This flight will reduce travel time & add to the comfort of tourists. It is the constant endeavour of Alliance Air to connect various parts of India to its fast-growing aviation network, contributing to overall development of all the regions especially tier 2 and tier 3 cities, the release stated.
HP today unveiled HP Amplify, a first-of-its kind global channel partner program optimised to drive dynamic partner growth and deliver consistent end customer experiences.

Built on a single, integrated structure, HP Amplify provides the insights, capabilities and collaboration tools needed to drive growth as digital transformation and customer purchasing behaviours continue to evolve. The new program goes into effect November 1, 2020 for commercial partners with retail partners slated to transition in the second half of 2021.

By consolidating HPs best partner products, tools and trainings into one intuitive program, HP Amplify removes complexity, making it easier for partners to take advantage of its many benefits and engage customers on a deeper level. Now comprising just two distinct tracks  Synergy and Power - with clear compensation levels, HP Amplify provides partners with the flexibility to invest in value-added services and capabilities. The more a partner invests in these capabilities, the higher the rewards.

Todays buyer expects streamlined, automated and personalized experiences. To thrive in this changing environment  with data as the new currency - requires a combined shift to relate to our customers as individuals, not markets, said Christoph Schell, HP Chief Commercial Officer. HP Amplify not only makes it easier for partners to do business with HP - it provides partners with a clear path to ready their business and succeed in todays environment and beyond  to capitalize on emerging trends and play a central role in the evolving customer buying journey.

Experiences at the Speed of Digital

Customers have dramatically altered how they research and buy technology and how they engage with brands, buying more products and services through digital channels, such as e-commerce, partner portals and marketplaces. At the same time, technology and digital transformation are advancing at an astounding pace while business models are shifting from simple transactions focused on selling products to contractual relationships.

For the IT industry overall, and the channel specifically, it means business as usual is no longer an option. With the introduction of HP Amplify, HP is taking decisive actions to capitalise on these shifts, arming partners for future growth and to deliver a more satisfying customer experience.

HP and its partners have an enormous and exciting opportunity to reinvent the way we do business and our route-to-market, said Luciana Broggi, HPs Global Head of HP Route-to-Market. Yet addressing these opportunities requires overcoming system inadequacies, legacy habits and embracing new business models. Were making this leap together, embracing and investing in important changes to our ecosystem and our shared capabilities.

Performance, Capabilities & Collaboration

Designed to enable progressive go-to-market strategies that cater to a combination of transactional, contractual and hybrid selling models, HP Amplify focuses on three core pillars: performance, capabilities and collaboration.

HP Amplify Impact

HPs dedication to sustainable impact through technology that makes life better for everyone, everywhere has long been integral to its business strategy and operations. Together, HP and its partners can make a lasting difference by acting in lockstep to further fuel innovation and growth in these areas, says the company.

For this reason, as an extension of the companys new global program, HP is introducing HP Amplify Impact, inviting all partners to join HP in its pledge to address:

 Planet: Working toward a circular, low-carbon economy

 People: Respecting human rights, enable people across the value chain to thrive; and cultivate a diverse and inclusive culture

 Community: Unlocking educational and economic opportunity while improving the vitality and resilience of local communities

For partners who choose to join this opt-in pledge, HP will provide training and support, and help identify potential gaps in the goals partners wish to set and provide guidance on how to achieve those goals. HP will provide more details closer to the launch of HP Amplify on November 1, 2020.  TradeArabia News Service
Tibetan spiritual leader Dalai Lama gestures during an interactive session at a city hotel in Kolkata. (PTI)

The demarcation of the Line of Actual Control (LAC) is one of the two vexed issues dogging Sino-Indian ties. The other is the status of Tibets revered spiritual leader Dalai Lama, whose 85thth birthday on July 6 was a relatively lukewarm affair in Dharamshala, his permanent abode in Himachal Pradesh.

President Ram Nath Kovind and Prime Minister Narendra Modi  most unlike their open communicative styles  cautiously avoided greeting Dalai Lama publicly, even as heads of local provincial governments and important BJP leaders wished the octogenarian monk, who is regarded as a revered guest in India, but is not allowed to hold meetings or `conduct politics on Indian soil.

Officials maintain that given the intense and several rounds of dialogue to disengage troops in Ladakh between the two militaries  the last one on July 15 went on for a record 15 hours  any statement issued by Prime Minister Modi on Dalai Lamas birthday, could have proved to be counter-productive.

French journalist Francois Gautier, who has covered South Asia for many top-notch French-language dailies, and is close to the Hindutva cause, told this writer of his experience on July 6, the birthday of Dalai Lama: I scanned the entire net looking for mention of this extremely important event but in vain! There was mention of the birthday of actor Ranveer Singh but absolutely nothing about the Dalai Lama and Tibet.

Does India and the BJP government of Narendra Modi understand the extreme importance of that event? The Dalai Lama may be the last chance for India to regain a friendly border between her and the Chinese enemy and time is running out, Gautier warned, adding that a Chinese stooge to succeed Dalai Lama would compel India to face in the coming decades not only a hostile border with China, without the buffer of Tibet, but also the disadvantage of China swooping down from the heights of Tibet onto Indias valleys, as it did in 1962.

For China, Tibet is a highly sensitive issue, even though they have controlled the tiny Himalayan kingdom, once regarded as Indias buffer, since 1950.

But things have now reached the stage when India must sooner or later bite the Tibet bullet. Amid concerns internationally over the deteriorating health of the 14thh Dalai Lama, Beijing has issued periodical warnings, including one last year, that the issue of finding his successor, which may happen in Dharamshala where the Tibetan government-in-exile is based, must be left to China.

In July 2019, Wang Neng Sheng, Director General of the Peoples Government Information Office of the Tibet Autonomous Region of China, told visiting Indian journalists that there are established historical institutions and formalities for the reincarnation of the Dalai Lama and the position of the Chinese government is clear-cut and resolute.

Wang, an official with the rank of vice minister - sounding remarkably pious for a Communist - pointed out in true mandarin style: [The Dalai Lamas] reincarnation will not be decided by his personal wish or some group of people living in other countries. The current Dalai Lama was recognised by Beijing and his successor must be found through the draw of lots in golden urn process within China, making it clear that an incoming monk does not have a legal status without recognition by Beijing.

Another official, Zha Luo, director of the Beijing-based China Tibetology Research Centre, told journalists that if India formally recognises any successor to the Dalai Lama who has not been accepted by China, it will become a political difference between the two countries that would affect bilateral relations.

Indian experts are miffed at New Delhis kid-glove treatment of China over Dalai Lama and Tibet, particularly in the light of Ladakhs border standoff and Chinas insensitivity towards issues close to this country. Points out Brahma Chellaney, well-known geo-strategist, author and China expert: The Dalai Lama symbolises Indian leverage over a core issue of China  Tibet. He is Indias strategic asset. The longest-serving Dalai Lama recently turned 85 on July 6, without Prime Minister Modi wishing him happy birthday.

Chellaney, the winner of the Bernard Schwartz Book Award and a columnist, told this writer that in early 2018, to propitiate China, Modi ended all official contact with the Dalai Lama and the Tibetan government-in-exile. This was a blunder, which needs to be reversed.

According to him, India cannot just be bystander. While Tibetans around the world pray for Dalai Lamas long life, China is waiting anxiously for him to die so that it can install a fake replacement. India must help to find, appoint and protect the next Dalai Lama by following the instructions of the present Dalai Lama, he says.

Dalai Lama himself has talked about the possibility that after his passing away, his incarnation could be found in India, where he has lived in exile for six decades. Additionally, he has also warned that any other successor named by China would not be respected.

Speculating on what might happen after him, the Dalai Lama anticipated attempts by China to foist a successor on Tibetan Buddhists. China considers Dalai Lamas reincarnation as something very important. They have more concern about the next Dalai Lama than me, he told journalists last year, tongue held firmly in cheek.

In future, in case you see two Dalai Lamas come, one from here, in a free country, one chosen by Chinese, then nobody will trust, nobody will respect the one chosen by China, he added for good measure.

Experts like Chellaney believe that India needs to play its Tibet card. Tibet is to India against China what Pakistan is to China against India. But in contrast to Indias qualms about playing the Tibet card, Beijing has no hesitation to play the Pakistan card against India.

On January 1, 1950, two days after India became the second country in the world to accord recognition to Communist China, Peking (now Beijing) had announced that the liberation of Tibet was one of the basic goals of its Peoples Liberation Army (PLA), taking New Delhi by utter surprise.

Dalai Lama fled to India in 1959 following a Chinese crackdown on an uprising by the local population in Tibet. India granted him political asylum and the Tibetan government-in-exile is based on Dharamsala in Himachal Pradesh since then.

India says its stand on Dalai Lama has been consistent. "The government of India's position on His Holiness the Dalai Lama is clear and consistent. He is a revered religious leader and is deeply respected by the people of India. There is no change in that position. His Holiness is accorded all freedom to carry out his religious activities in India," the Ministry of External Affairs has maintained over the years.

There have been 10 rounds of discussions between private representatives of the Dalai Lama and Beijing over the future of Tibet and of the spiritual leader. The last round of discussions took place in 2011 in Beijing, without any substantive results.

In 2018, the Indian government had issued a note to senior officials, asking them not to attend events organised by the Tibetan government-in-exile. India has also supported the 'One China' policy, which states that Taiwan and Tibet are part of China's mainland. Beijing has made the 'One-China' policy a prerequisite for countries to establish diplomatic ties with it.

Experts believe, however, that these moves, along with the several summit meetings between Prime Minister Modi and President Xi Jinping of China have not paid the dividends expected.

Ranjit Bhushan is an independent journalist and former Nehru Fellow at Jamia Millia University. In a career spanning more than three decades, he has worked with Outlook, The Times of India, The Indian Express, the Press Trust of India, Associated Press, Financial Chronicle, and DNA.
Our country is facing escalating aggression from Turkey, in complete violation of International Law, the International Law of the Sea, and the principle of good neighbourly relations. Throughout the eastern Mediterranean region, Turkey has unfortunately evolved into a destabilising factor, provoking tensions. Its flagrant violation of the sovereignty and sovereign rights of the Republic of Cyprus, its exploitation of the migration issue and its involvement in Libya  including the null and void memorandum it signed with Sarraj and its systematic violation of the arms embargo imposed by the UN  have rendered our neighbour the regions troublemaker. But in its unacceptable decision to alter the monument status and ecumenical nature of Hagia Sophia, Turkey went a step further, provoking the whole of the international community.



Faced with these developments, Greece is fortifying itself methodically  with composure and self-confidence  strengthening its alliances in the wider region from the Mediterranean to the Gulf, deepening its strategic partnership with the USA and, mainly, activating our natural family, the European Union. The recent meeting of the Council of EU Ministers of Foreign Affairs confirmed the universal condemnation of Turkish provocations and the fact that Europe fully agrees with Greeces positions. And the Council is prepared, if need be, to proceed to clear actions, taking specific and severe measures against our neighbour. Greece does not want this to happen. We desire a prosperous Turkey as our neighbour. But the defence of our sovereignty and sovereign rights is not up for negotiation; it is our constitutional duty. And in this clear position and effort, we are shielded by international law. We have strong alliances, a strong deterrent force and the full support of our partners.
Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab is to set out further measures in response to Chinas imposition of a tough new national security law on Hong Kong amid growing tensions with Beijing.

The Government looks set to follow the example of the US, Canada and Australia and suspend the UKs extradition treaty with the territory  a move that would infuriate China.

In a strong signal that he is ready to go down the same route, Mr Raab confirmed at the weekend that he had completed a review of Britains extradition arrangements as part of the next steps.

China was already smarting over the Governments decision last week to exclude the tech giant Huawei from the UKs 5G network  reversing a decision in January allowing it a limited role.

Chinese ambassador Liu Xiaoming has warned the UK not to impose sanctions (PA)

Mr Raab threatened to pour further fuel on flames, accusing the communist regime of committing gross, egregious human rights abuses against the countrys Uighur population in the north-western Xinjiang province.

The Chinese ambassador to the UK, Liu Xiaoming, said Beijing was still evaluating its response to the Huawei ruling.

There were reports at the weekend that the the Chinese social media company TikTok had broken off talks to open a global headquarters in Britain.

Communist Party officials were also reported to have warned UK companies operating in China, including Jaguar Land Rover, BP and GlaxoSmithKline, that they could now face retaliation.

Mr Liu warned Britain not to get drawn into a tit-for-tat confrontation in the way the US had, imposing sanctions on Chinese officials over alleged abuses in Xinjiang, prompting Beijing to sanction a number of US senators and officials.

Mr Raab played down suggestions any such measures were imminent under the UKs new independent sanctions regime, saying that it took a long time to build a case against any alleged abusers.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo is flying to London for talks with senior figures (Stefan Rousseau/PA)

He insisted also that Britain wanted a positive relationship with China, working with it on issues like climate change as well as trade and investment.

Story continues

However, with further UK measures due now on Hong Kong, relations look set to deteriorate even further.

The Government says the new national security law violates the Sino-British Joint Declaration which was supposed to guarantee Hongkongers way of life for 50 years after the handover of the former British colony in 1997.

In response, it has already offered a path to UK citizenship for three million Hongkongers eligible for British National (Overseas) passport  a move which enraged Beijing.

In a combative BBC interview on Sunday, Mr Liu denounced Britain for dancing to the tune of the US and accused Western countries of trying to foment a new cold war with China.

He also rejected the allegations of widespread abuses against the mainly-Muslim Uighur people, accusing so-called Western intelligence of making repeated false allegations against China.

He suggested video footage, said to be from Xinjiang, showing men, kneeling and blindfolded waiting to be led onto trains by police officers was fake.

Meanwhile, China is expected to be high on the agenda this week when US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo travels to London for talks with senior British figures.

Mr Pompeo flies out on Monday ahead of meetings expected on Tuesday with Boris Johnson and Mr Raab, as well as MPs pressing the Government to take a harder line on China.

The US has warmly welcomed the Governments U-turn on Huawei, which followed intensive lobby by the Trump administration.

Ministers said they had little choice after the intelligence services warned they could no longer be sure Huawei products were secure after the US imposed fresh sanctions on the company.
Professor CS Seshadri had a poor memory for names and slid into the absent-minded professor" stereotype but the mathematician deliberately maintained the image to blunt the edges of a personality marked by a razor-sharp intellect that grew more and more focused as he aged, say friends and colleagues. Professor Seshadri died in Chennai on Friday at the age of 88.

He was the founder-director of the Chennai Mathematical Institute. He spent a little over the last three decades building the institute as a rare haven for research and academia, after his time at TIFR-Mumbai.

He recorded numerous achievements in the field of algebraic geometry, and among many others, were fundamental contributions like the Narasimhan-Seshadri theorem, a 55-year-old breakthrough that has changed linkages and perceptions in spheres as far theoretical physics.

Professor Seshadris impressive body of work sat very lightly on him. Rather, he chose to underplay it, couching his intellectual prowess among other interests -- his passion for mathematics was perhaps equalled only by his love for Carnatic music.

He hailed from a Kanchipuram family that had a line of musicians on his maternal side, and some from his fathers side as well.

The professor, however, had no airs about him. Most of the time, his energies were focussed on expanding the institute into new branches and building capacities in different fields.

Four or five years ago, when he wanted to plan the future of the institute, he assembled the best brains of the world. He brought Dr MS Narasimhan and Dr Srinivasa Varadhan (NYU Courant), and several others said software exporter Cognizants co-founder Lakshmi Narayanan, who had known Seshadri well.

One of his special relationships was the one he shared with Fields Medal winner Manjul Bhargava. Whenever Manjul was in town, he made it a point to visit Seshadri

According to Professor Madhavan Mukund, Deputy Director and Dean of Studies at the Chennai Mathematical Institute, Seshadris genius lay in the engaging with, arguably, one of the most complex branches of mathematics in a holistic manner:

As the name suggests, algebraic geometry is a way of understanding geometric concepts through algebra. At school level, we learn how algebraic equations can represent geometric shapes such as lines, parabolas and circles. Algebraic geometry carries this correspondence to a very abstract level, where the geometric objects are hard to visualise and the corresponding algebraic manipulations are equally complex said Prof Mukund.

The achievements of Professor Seshadri, which has won him international recognition, are coming into sharp relevance with the connection algebraic geometry has been found to have with the P-vs-NP problem, a famously unsolved problem sitting at the junction of computer science, mathematics, AI and several other fields.

Recently, algebraic geometry has also been connected to the central problem P-vs-NP in computer science, which tries to understand whether some computational problems are intrinsically more complex than others, said Prof. Mukund.

Compared to his peers, Seshadri looked at mathematics with a wide-eyed curiosity.

He had a very broad view of mathematics, unlike many of his contemporaries. He was among the first senior mathematicians in India, for instance, to recognise the strong mathematical foundations that underlie computer science. In recent years, he was excited about the interplay between mathematics and areas like biology and economics, said Prof. Mukund.

CMI was the first academic institution in India to actively involve top-level research mathematicians in undergraduate teaching. Over the past two decades, CMI graduates have established themselves as accomplished researchers in their own right.

They have taken up positions as faculty members in leading academic institutions across India as well as the rest of the world.

In his own way, Seshadri had developed the eccentricities of a mathematician that included an undying thirst to teach. Any opportunity to get some knowledge imparted, he would take it.

At a CMI convocation, when Infosys founder Narayana Murthy was speaking, largely on human values, Seshadri walked up to Murthy and said (into the microphone), Can you talk about all that you have done and the opportunities in quantum computing?

Talking about the incident, Narayanan said, When an idea strikes him (Seshadri), he forgets himself.

His characteristic abruptness, sometimes, had its immediate benefits. One day, Seshadri had asked Narayanan why the latter was living in such a largish independent house. Even as Narayanan was framing a response, Would you be okay if I conducted my classes here?

Be my guest said Narayanan.
<! Efe Ejeba & Mercy Eke >

By Jennifer Okundia

Popular Nigerian reality show Big Brother Naija kick starts today July 19th 2020 with regular host Ebuka Obi-Uchendu taking it to yet another level with new housemates.

Heres a recap of past winners who have participated in the program and have become a household name in mouth of almost everyone who cares.

The very first edition of the show held in Nigeria was known as Big Brother Nigeria in 2006 with housemates like Gideon Okeke and Ebuka Obi-Uchendu. It was won by 38 year old Katung Aduwak who hails from Zonkwa, Kaduna, Nigeria.

Aduwak, a Scriptwriter and Production Assistant went to the Air Force Jos Military School before going to study Political Science at the University of Jos.

He is married to Raven Taylor.

Musician and media personality from Delta State, Efe Ejeba won the BBNaija Season 2 See Gobbe edition with housemates like Bisola, Kemen, TBoss among others in participation.

The brand name changed to BBNaija after season 2 held in South Africa. Ejeba later earned himself a phrase in the house dubbed Based on logistics.

The 2018 Season 3 of the BBNaija edition Double Wahala also held in South Africa with CeeC, Tobi, Alex, and Miracle, who emerged winner.

Miracle who is an Imo State native has always wanted to become a professional and commercial pilot, so he used proceeds from the show to further his studies abroad.

Mercy Eke aka Lambo is the official first female housemate to win the BBNaija season 4 2019 show after a battle long competition with other housemates including Tacha, Mike, Omashola and others.

Eke hails from Imo State and since leaving the house, shes ventured into acting, business and even a reality show with her boyfriend and fellow participant in the BBN show Ike Onyeama.

Related
The new boss of Westminsters spy committee was accused of hypocrisy last night over claims that he had privately lobbied Boris Johnson to guarantee he would land the plum post.

Tory sources angrily said that veteran MP Dr Julian Lewis had approached Ministers and party whips months ago to plead that he be promised the coveted job of chair of Parliaments Intelligence and Security Committee (ISC).

The New Forest MP stunned party colleagues last week after he stood against the Tories preferred candidate, ex-Cabinet Minister Chris Grayling.

Members of the committee, which scrutinises the work of Britains intelligence and security services, voted for Dr Lewis to become chair last week.

Tory sources angrily said that veteran MP Dr Julian Lewis (pictured) had approached Ministers and party whips months ago to plead that he be promised the coveted job of chair of Parliaments Intelligence and Security Committee

Dr Lewis, who was promptly thrown out of the parliamentary party, hit back by insisting the Prime Minister had no right to nominate a particular candidate for the chairmanship of the committee, which has a special status at Westminster.

Dr Lewis, who was understood to have been elected with the help of votes of Labour committee members, also denied he had ever undertaken to back Mr Grayling for the role.

However, the MPs coup  which took Tory party managers by surprise  even led to suggestions that the Government could now seek to remove him from the committee altogether.

But well-placed Tory sources yesterday told The Mail on Sunday that Dr Lewis himself had sought to be the Tory nominee.

They claimed that the MP, a former chair of the Commons Defence Select Committee, had approached Ministers before Christmas to ask for the ISC chairmanship. He was also said to have spoken to party whips about his ambitions.

The New Forest MP stunned party colleagues last week after he stood against the Tories preferred candidate, ex-Cabinet Minister Chris Grayling (pictured)

One senior Tory source said: Julian may be claiming to have scrupulously observed the rule book in this affair by saying that there could never be a Tory nomination for chairmanship of the committee.

Sadly, he is exposing himself to charges of hypocrisy as he himself approached Ministers months ago to ask that he be that very nomination.

He also spoke to the Tory whips who, as everyone knows, are in charge of organising votes. If this wasnt about organising the vote to become chairman, why was he speaking to the whips?

Dr Lewis was unavailable for comment yesterday. But close friends dismissed any suggestion of double standards.

They conceded that Dr Lewis had vigorously lobbied Tory colleagues from the Prime Minister downwards that he wanted to chair the committee.

Dr Lewis, who was promptly thrown out of the parliamentary party, hit back by insisting the Prime Minister (pictured) had no right to nominate a particular candidate for the chairmanship of the committee, which has a special status at Westminster

But they insisted that Dr Lewis had never suggested that Tory members of the ISC should then be forced to vote for the Prime Ministers preferred candidate for chairman.

One ally of Dr Lewis said that he lobbied them very hard to be chairman.

Thats true and he would have liked to have had the PMs backing on that. But at no stage did he ask to be the Tory choice in a whipped, rigged election that excluded other candidates because he knew very well thats not how the ISC works.

Its chairmen are picked in a free vote by fellow committee members and Julian knew that very well.

The ally added that the Tory Chief Whip, Mark Spencer, was well aware of that, saying: So the question is: did he tell Boris Johnson, when urging him to kick Julian out of the parliamentary party, that he never had the power to choose the chairman in the first place?
She said the people in her friend's company were not aware of Indiana's Good Samaritan Law  which protects a person from criminal and civil liability if they administer naloxone to an overdosing person, call 911 and cooperate with law enforcement.

The law states that a person who comes upon the scene of an emergency or accident and who "in good faith, gratuitously renders emergency care ... is immune from civil liability" if the other person dies or is injured as a result.

"People need to know if you call for help, you will be protected," Martin said.

Martin, who hails from Calumet Township and now lives in Gary's Miller Beach section, said she became hooked on painkillers at a young age after back surgery, and that physical dependence evolved and lasted years.

"I got clean a couple of years ago, but I can't say the same for the loved ones I grew up with. I've lost so many people to overdoses," she said.

Martin hopes to turn that around with the founding of "Gary Harm Reduction," a Region group that is focusing on education and free distribution of naloxone.
Ball-and-stick model of the crystal structure of Cr2Ge2Te6 covered with the ion gel. The red arrows represent the magnetic moments of Cr atoms. Credit: Verzhbitskiy et al.

Electrical control of the magnetism of novel two-dimensional ferromagnetic semiconductors could enable the development of new types of spintronic deviceselectronic devices that leverage the intrinsic magnetic properties of electrons to transmit, store and process information.

To be technologically viable, these devices should operate at or close to room temperature. However, most existing layered ferromagnetic semiconductors exhibit Curie temperatures below 100 K. Moreover, the interplay between magnetic order and electrical charges in these materials systems remains largely unexplored.

Researchers at the National University of Singapore, University College London (UCL) and University of Science and Technology in Beijing recently proposed a new method to modulate the magnetic anisotropy of chromium germanium telluride, Cr 2 Ge 2 Te 6 , a layered ferromagnetic semiconductor. The findings presented in their paper, which was published in Nature Electronics, could have important implications for the development of a wide range of hybrid electronic devices.

"The idea of electrically controlling magnetism in a magnetic semiconductor, which is key to developing energy-efficient information processing and storage devices, has been around for decades," Associate Professor Goki Eda, who led the team that carried out the experiments, told TechXplore. "However, the effect of electric fields on magnetism in most materials is too weak to be useful for real applications."

Recently, studies showed that some layered semiconductors exhibit remarkable magnetism even when thinned down to nanoscopic thicknesses. Due to the ultrathin body of the thinned materials, their physical properties are highly susceptible to gate electrostatics. Thus, electrical control of their magnetic properties by gate electrostatics has become easier, and promising results were reported by several research groups.

Inspired by these recent findings, Prof. Eda and his colleagues started testing methods that could enable the electrical control of magnetism in ultra-thin crystals of Cr 2 Ge 2 Te 6 . They soon realized that these materials' magnetism cannot be effectively tuned using the standard solid-gate oxides (i.e., dielectric layers typically used to modulate the electrical properties of semiconductor-based transistors).

The team decided to boost the electric field effect using an electric double-layer transistor geometry where gel-like electrolyte forms a layer of ions at the surface of the crystal, generating strong electric fields. This device geometry allowed them to achieve electron doping densities one order of magnitude higher than those typically achieved using common solid oxides. The researchers showed that using the electric double-layer transistor geometry, the Curie temperature and magnetic anisotropy of Cr 2 Ge 2 Te 6 can be modulated via electrostatic gating.

"Due to this high electron density, the changes in the magnetic properties of the semiconductor became profound," Dr. Ivan Verzhbitskiy, a research fellow who carried out the experiments, explained. "The Curie temperature was enhanced by more than 140 degrees, from 61 K to 205 K. Such a pronounced electric field effect on Curie temperature has not been observed in other magnetic semiconductors. We were excited to observe such a dramatic increase in the Curie temperature of a magnetic semiconductor with electric fields, as it means that we can switch on and off the magnetism of a material, similar to the way in which a transistor switches electrical signals on and off."

The findings could have important implications for the fabrication of hybrid devices capable of both storing and processing information. In the future, the same strategy could be applied to other layered semiconductors to investigate the modulation of magnetic properties further.

"We plan to investigate the mechanisms behind the observed phenomenon in greater detail," Prof. Eda said. "With a better understanding of the phenomenon, we should be able to improve the operation temperature and eventually realize room-temperature tunable magnetism, which is crucial for practical applications."

Explore further Researchers unveil the mystery of van der Waals magnets, a material for future semiconductors

More information: Ivan A. Verzhbitskiy et al. Controlling the magnetic anisotropy in Cr2Ge2Te6 by electrostatic gating, Nature Electronics (2020). Journal information: Nature Electronics Ivan A. Verzhbitskiy et al. Controlling the magnetic anisotropy in Cr2Ge2Te6 by electrostatic gating,(2020). DOI: 10.1038/s41928-020-0427-7

 2020 Science X Network
A Brooklyn woman who was shot multiple times after she confronted a man setting off illegal fireworks in her neighborhood over the Fourth of July weekend has died from her wounds.

Shatavia Walls, 33, was hit eight times in a barrage of bullets on July 7 at 1259 Loring Ave in the Pink Houses around 8.30pm. Her companion Kelvin Hernandez was also hit, according to the New York Post.

She died from her injuries on Friday night at Brookdale Hospital.

Last month Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams said that setting off illegal fireworks is a 'nonviolent act' and urged residents to 'go talk to the young people or the people on your block who are using fireworks' instead of calling 911 or 311.

Shatavia Walls, 33, was hit eight times in a barrage of bullets on July 7 at 1259 Loring Ave in the Pink Houses (above) around 8.30pm after she asked a man in her neighborhood to stop setting off fireworks. She died from her wounds on Friday

But when Walls did so, it ended up costing her life.

She told a man, who has not been identified, to stop with the pyrotechnics. He left and returned with a gun and shot at Walls and Hernandez as they tried to run away.

The suspect is still at large.

Fireworks had been going off for weeks in New York in anticipation of the Independence Day holiday.

'We can never and will never condone any form of violence. The person who shot Ms. Walls must be found and held criminally responsible. My heart goes out to her and her entire family on this horrific incident,' Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams said. Pictured in a press conference on July 8

Adams spokes in a news conference urging people to setting fireworks disputes among themselves saying 'the first line of interaction when it comes to non-criminal behaviors should be between neighbors.'

'If a situation escalates to the point where someone is becoming disrespectful or violent, the police should be called,' Adams said.

'We can never and will never condone any form of violence. The person who shot Ms. Walls must be found and held criminally responsible. My heart goes out to her and her entire family on this horrific incident,' he added.

Last month Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams said that setting off illegal fireworks is a 'nonviolent act' and urged residents to 'go talk to the young people or the people on your block who are using fireworks' instead of calling 911 or 311. A cop watches fireworks go off in Brooklyn on July 5

A police officer watches fireworks set off near a crime scene in Brooklyn on July 5

The Fourth of July weekend saw gunfire break out across the city, observing three times as many shootings in the last two weeks of July over the same period in 2019.

At least 64 people were shot in at least 45 shooting incidents across the city between July 3 and 5, according to NYPD Chief of Department Terence Monahan said Monday, as per Patch.
(CNN)  President Donald Trump's reelection campaign pushed ads on Facebook this weekend that accuse the Chinese video app TikTok of spying on Americans.

"TikTok is spying on you," the ads declare, and links to a survey and Trump campaign mailing-list sign-up asking if TikTok should be banned in the United States.

TikTok, owned by a Chinese company and popular with young Americans, has become a focal point in tensions between Washington and Beijing.

The Trump campaign ads appear to be referring to research from a company called Mysk that found earlier this year TikTok and other apps, including the apps of some American news organizations, accessing the contents of iPhone users' clipboards.

Clipboards is where iPhones store data on text that is copied (part of the copy and paste feature). This information could be particularly sensitive as some users copy and paste passwords for different services.

The ads prompted a stinging rebuke of Facebook from TikTok on Sunday.

"We get that election rhetoric gets heated, which is why we don't accept political ads on our platform. What's more interesting is that Facebook is taking money for a political ad that attacks a competitor just as it's preparing to launch a TikTok copycat," a TikTok spokesperson told CNN

Facebook announced Friday it was launching a TikTok competition globally.

Roland Cloutier, TikTok's chief information security officer, sought to reassure the app's users in a blog post at the end of June. Cloutier said there are "many legitimate reasons" why apps access clipboard data.

"In this case, we had been working to address the problem of spam and incidents where users sometimes post the same comments on hundreds of videos. Our technology allowed us to identify users who were copying comments and placing them over and over in the comment section for different videos. We took this as a signal that the user had an agenda, such as promoting themselves to gain followers, or trolling other users," he wrote.

He said data gathered as part of the anti-spam program did not leave a user's device. Nevertheless, Cloutier said in the blog post the company would remove the feature.

Mysk, the group that exposed the clipboard issue, tweeted Saturday, "Trump campaign is using our clipboard research for a political gain. This is sad." They also pointed out that it was not only TikTok which had been accessing clipboards.

Earlier this month, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said the US was considering banning TikTok, citing security concerns.

He said that people should only download the app "if you want your private information in the hands of the Chinese Communist Party."

"TikTok is led by an American CEO, with hundreds of employees and key leaders across safety, security, product, and public policy here in the US," a TikTok spokesperson said in a statement following Pompeo's comments. "We have no higher priority than promoting a safe and secure app experience for our users. We have never provided user data to the Chinese government, nor would we do so if asked."

It's not the Trump campaign's first brush with the app.

In June, TikTok users sought to troll Trump's campaign by falsely registering to attend his rally in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

This story was first published on CNN.com Trump campaign pushes Facebook ads bashing TikTok
A video of a herd of pigs reportedly roaming freely inside a hospital treating COVID-19 patients in Kalaburagi district has triggered outrage on social media, with people questioning the 'negligence' of authorities.

The video purportedly shows pigs roaming freely in the corridors of the hospital, undeterred by people walking nearby.

People and staff were also seen going about their regular activities as usual.

Karnataka health minister B Sriramulu has in a tweet said the incident where pigs were seen at Gulbarga Institute of Medical Sciences was three days old.

He said as soon as he got information about it he instructed authorities to immediately take necessary action.

"The owners of the pigs were called, pigs around the hospital were caught and shifted. District administration and concerned officials have been instructed to see to it that such incidents don't repeat," he had said in another tweet.

According to official sources, District Deputy Commissioner B Sharath visited the hospital and took officials and security staff to task.

He has also instructed officials to file FIR against the owner of the pigs.

With the incident going viral on social media and television channels, Congress MLA from the district Priyank Kharge hit out at the BJP government in the state.

"Congratulations @BJP4Karnataka you have put Kalayana Karnataka (Hyderabad Karnataka region) on national TV. The 1st reported COVID death in the country was Kalaburagi. What are the lessons we have learnt? What did we teach others? What are the SOPs being followed? NOTHING! BJP Govt is busy making profits!" he tweeted.

As of July 18 evening, cumulatively 59,652 COVID-19 positive cases have been confirmed in the state, which includes 1,240 deaths and 21,775 discharges.

Kalaburagi till last evening had reported a total of 2,674 cases.
Through this initiative, the World Federation of Neurology is working alongside more than 122 global organizations to advocate for improved patient care, education, and additional research for those living with Parkinson's Disease and their caregivers.

"Parkinson's Disease affects people of all ages, including one in 100 people over the age of 60," explained Prof. Tissa Wijeratne, World Brain Day Chair. "The prevalence of this disease is on the rise, making our actions today vital to improving the lives of those who have been and will be diagnosed, particularly during this global health crisis."

To elevate Parkinson's Disease awareness, WFN is hosting a free webinar on July 22 at 12:30pm Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) with some of the world's leading neurologists, patient advocates and Parkinson's Disease experts to offer vital insights on the disease, as well as discuss the current state of prevention, diagnosis and treatment. To register to attend, visit www.wfneurology.org.

Parkinson's Disease as a Global Issue

"Parkinson's Disease affects more than 7 million people around the globethat's nearly equivalent to the entire population of New York City," explained Prof. Tissa Wijerante, the World Brain Day chair. "Our goal is to raise awareness for Parkinson's Disease and its impact on society in an effort to improve access to quality neurological care and life-changing treatments."

While the distinctive symptom of Parkinson's Disease is shaking and slowness of movement, the degenerative disease affects movement, the mind and brain function generally disrupting sleep and cognitive ability, causing pain and gastrointestinal issues, provoking anxiety and depression, and reducing motivation and quality of life. Early diagnosis and access to effective treatment are vital in order to help patients find relief and enhance their quality of life. People with Parkinson's Disease may be particularly impacted by the current COVID-19 pandemic and are encouraged to keep in contact with their healthcare providers.

"More than one in four people living with Parkinson's Disease were initially misdiagnosed," said Prof. Wolfgang Grisold, the WFN's Secretary-General. "Many symptoms of Parkinson's Disease are poorly recognized and undertreated, which is detrimental for those living with the disease. There is a profound need for improved standards of care across the globe."

Move Together to End Parkinson's Disease

"The impact of Parkinson's Disease extends throughout the whole body and reaches every corner of the world," said Claudia Trenkwalder, MD, President of the International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society. "With 60,000 diagnosed each year in the United States alone, it is critical that patients have access to quality care."

COVID-19 is a dramatic reminder that healthcare is a global issue. Let us remember that Parkinson's Disease is also a daily challenge faced by all ages and people, but mainly by the elderly.

To advocate for patients, World Brain Day is spreading awareness by asking people all over the world to Move Together to End Parkinson's Disease through the use of the hashtags #WorldBrainDay and #WBD2020.

"Brain health has never been more vital or relevant," said WFN President Prof. William Carroll. "When the world unites against this crippling movement disorder on World Brain Day, we will demonstrate the power of advocacy and awareness."

Throughout the coming months, the World Federation of Neurology will stand together with other organizations in asking patients, caregivers and loved ones around the globe to share their stories about Parkinson's on social media. We will also be providing vital information on how to navigate COVID-19 while living with Parkinson's Disease.

"When we all move together, we raise the voices of those impacted while uniting the world in a mission to end Parkinson's Disease," said Prof. Carroll. "The World Federation of Neurology's World Brain Day aims to energise those with Parkinson's Disease to drive research, improve standards of care and advocacy for the seven million people living with this disease today and those who will one day be diagnosed."

Media Contact

Ashley Logan

[email protected]

SOURCE World Federation of Neurology

Related Links

http://www.wfneurology.org


Algeria extends lockdown measures to contain COVID-19

Global Times

Source: Xinhua Published: 2020/7/18 9:25:21

Algerian Prime Minister Abdelaziz Djerad on Thursday announced the extension of partial lockdown measures in 29 provinces to contain the spread of COVID-19, the official APS news agency reported.

The prime minister said that the government decided to extend the anti-COVID-19 measures in 29 provinces for another 10 days.

Algeria on Thursday reported 585 new COVID-19 cases, bringing the total cases to 21,351 with 1,052 deaths.

China and Algeria have offered mutual help in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.

A Chinese medical expert team arrived in Algeria on May 14 for a 15-day mission to help fight the coronavirus, through sharing China's experiences in controlling its spread.

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Source: Xinhua| 2020-07-19 18:05:25|Editor: huaxia

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BEIJING, July 19 (Xinhua) -- The international community has urged the Group of Twenty (G20) to step up and play a bigger role as the global economy continues to suffer repercussions from the COVID-19 pandemic.

While there remains great uncertainty on the global economic outlook, the unprecedented actions taken by the G20 countries and others "have helped to avert a much worse outcome," Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) Kristalina Georgieva said Saturday at the conclusion of a virtual meeting of the G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors.

"As we enter the next phase of the crisis, further policy action will be required, as well as increased international cooperation," she said.

Georgieva's call for further actions from the G20 was seconded by World Bank Group President David Malpass, who, during the meeting, urged the G20 countries to extend the time frame of the Debt Service Suspension Initiative (DSSI) through the end of 2021.

"We've made a great deal of progress with DSSI in a short period of time, but more needs to be done," said the World Bank chief, calling the effort one of the key factors in strengthening global recovery.

In response, G20 officials have vowed on Saturday to take immediate and exceptional measures to address COVID-19.

"We will consider a possible extension of the DSSI in the second half of 2020, taking into account the development of the COVID-19 pandemic situation," G20 officials said in a statement.

The statement highlighted that the G20 will continue to facilitate international trade and investment and to build the resilience of supply chains to support growth, productivity, innovation, job creation and development.

Meanwhile, public health response remains vital. IMF chief Georgieva called it "the main priority" to protect people, jobs, and economic activity.

"Across the world, countries have implemented exceptional measures to support individuals and workers. These lifelines should be maintained as needed and, in some cases, expanded," she told the G20 finance ministers and central bank governors.

Jeffery Sachs, professor of sustainable development and professor of health policy and management at Columbia University, said in a recent article that all G20 countries need to cooperate on global-scale policies to overcome the health crisis.

Noting that an epidemic is a social phenomenon and needs a social response, the U.S. economist urged all people to be cautious until the pandemic is suppressed.

"That means wearing face masks in public places, keeping a prudent distance from others, and monitoring ourselves and our close contacts for symptoms," he wrote.

"As South Korea, Japan, and China have shown, the virus can be suppressed -- that is, new cases can be brought to near zero -- if this basic logic is followed," he said. Enditem
Two private hospitals in Uttar Pradesh will soon begin human trials of Covaxin, the Covid-19 vaccine developed by Bharat Biotech International Limited.

The two hospitalsPrakhar Hospital in Kanpur and Rana Hospital and Trauma Centre in Gorakhpurare among the 12 institutes across the country where the human trial of the vaccine candidate will be conducted.

However, none of the two hospitals is affiliated to a medical college and is not a dedicated Covid-19 hospital.

Prakhar Hospital in Kanpur is looking at a sample size of 50 people in the first phase and another 150 in the second phase of the human trial. The Rana Hospital, meanwhile, is awaiting a safety certificate before the trials can begin.

We are getting a number of calls from healthy people every day who want to volunteer for the clinical trial of Covaxin, said Dr JS Kushwaha, owner of Prakhar Hospital.

The hospital has a database of volunteers in place with a team of eight specialists, headed by a doctor, who has joined the hospital from All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), he said.

The hospital has received a letter from the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and is waiting for statutory permission from the Drug Controller General of India (DCGI).

It is expected to come by next week. Then, we can move ahead in line with the ICMR protocols, Dr JS Kushwaha said.

In the past, the hospital has conducted successful clinical trials for the rotavirus vaccine.

Bharat Biotech did not comment on the matter. A senior ICMR official, in the know of things, said the size of a hospital doesnt matter when it comes to conducting clinical trials.

There are a lot of other factors such as ethics committee approvals, infrastructure to support the type of trial, subject recruitment, qualified principal investigator etc. Its better to have a mix of sites that is decided mutually by trial sponsors, said the official, who did not wish to be named.

ICMR issues permits for conducting the trials to government facilities (67%) and the private sector (33%).

The primary task of the hospital would be to vaccinate and keenly observe the side-effects, if any, and send samples to an National Institute of Virology (NIV) or ICMR-sanctioned laboratory after 28 daysthe period in which the antibodies are developed, said Dr Kushwaha.

After the recruitment of volunteers, the hospital would first send their samples for RT-PCR and antibody tests in Delhi. On the basis of the reports, the vaccine would be given to the subjects.

Their samples would be tested again to ascertain the increase in antibodies. The process would be repeated after another 14 days.

The antibodies take 28 days to develop. All the data will be analysed at the level of ICMR and NIV. We have no capability here in Kanpur to evaluate that kind of data, Dr Kushwaha said.

The hospital would monitor the subjects after they are given the vaccine.

There is no problem in 99% of cases and if someone shows adverse symptoms, these would be treated and corrected by a team of specialists, he said.

For the Rana Hospital, it will be the third vaccine trial in a span of one year.

We completed two vaccine trials for typhoid and Japanese Encephalitis (JE) with a sample size of 100 volunteers in January. The third will be the Covid vaccine, Venkatesh Chaturvedi, chief administrative officer of Rana Hospital, said.

Established in 2001, Rana Hospital is known for obstetrical and gynaecological services. The human trial at this hospital will be held under the supervision of physician Dr Ajit Pratap Singh and Dr Sona Ghosh.

Dr Ghosh, a senior consultant gynaecologist and one of the key members in the vaccine trial at the Rana hospital said the hospital was selected by Bharat Biotech when the trials for Covid-19 vaccine were announced.

In eastern Uttar Pradesh, we are the only medical centre with the experience of conducting two vaccine trials, Dr Ghosh added.

Chaturvedi said that delivery of the vaccine for the trials is awaited. Also the sample size has to be decided by the company along with final guidelines for the trial method, he said.

He said a list of volunteers was ready with the hospital and more volunteers were contacting the hospital.

Random sampling will be done to check their health status and then a final list of volunteers will be made. Our prior experience will help us in the Covid vaccine trials, he said.

Chaturvedi said the hospital would move ahead with the trials as soon as the guidelines and vaccines arrive.

ICMR director general Dr Balram Bhargava had said in a letter that the plan was to launch the vaccine for public health use latest by August 15, after completion of all clinical trials.

The hospitals had also been directed to enrol healthy people for the trial of the vaccine earlier this July.

Covaxin, Indias first potential indigenous Covid-19 vaccine, has been jointly developed by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and Bharat Biotech International Limited (BBIL).

Hyderabad-based Bharat Biotech is among the seven Indian firms working on Covid-19 vaccines. It was the first to get the regulatory nod to begin phase 1 and phase 2 human trials to test the vaccine for efficacy and safety.

Zydus Cadila has also got an approval from the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) for human clinical trials for ZyCov-D, its indigenously developed vaccine candidates against Sars-Cov-2, which causes Covid-19.
By Elizabeth Kwiatkowski, 07/19/2020



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[ Spoilers Warning: This report contains spoilers revealing if Colt and Jess are still together after Colt traveled to Brazil for : Happily Ever After? or the couple is still together.]

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So did Jess and Colt call it quits or are they still together? And how does Vanessa come into play?

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So what is Colt's relationship with Vanessa like now? Are they really "just friends?"

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Elizabeth Kwiatkowski is Associate Editor of Reality TV World and has been covering the reality TV genre for more than a decade.

star Colt Johnson and Jess Caroline's trip to Brazil with Debbie got off to a rough start on Season 5 of : Happily Ever After?, so was it all downhill from there and did Colt and Jess split -- or are they still together now?Colt from Las Vegas, NV, began starring on the franchise with his ex-wife Larissa Dos Santos Lima for Season 6 of . Afterward, they starred on Season 4 of : Happily Ever After?.Colt and Larissa got married in June 2018, according to Clark County Clerk records obtained by Reality TV World, but their relationship took a nosedive due to serious arguments and Larissa accusing Colt of cheating on her.A big fight in January 2019 at Colt's home he shares with his mother Debbie resulted in Larissa getting arrested for the third time. It was the final straw for Colt, who subsequently filed for divorce in Clark County Court.Colt and Larissa's divorce was finalized on April 30, 2019, with both former spouses agreeing not to slander or defame either other in the press or on social media.On Season 5 of : Happily Ever After?, which premiered June 14, Colt admitted he was struggling to get over Larissa but was ready to debut a "Colt 2.0."Debbie thought it was "too soon" for Colt to start dating again, but Colt acknowledged he was tired of being alone.Little did Debbie know, however, that Colt had already started dating someone new -- a Brazilian woman whom he figured Debbie wouldn't approve of."I wasn't looking for anything specific, but this gorgeous little red head reached out to me named Jess," Colt shared. "Jess is beautiful. She is 26 years old, she has a rocking body, she has glasses, and she loves cats!"Colt said Jess lived in Chicago at the time but they met while she was partying with friends in Las Vegas.Since the couple really hit it off, Colt planned a trip to Chicago to spend the weekend with Jess, revealing she was an au pair from Brazil living in the United States on a visa.Debbie was "a little suspicious" when Colt suddenly packed his bags for a weekend trip and said he was visiting "friends."Once Colt arrived in Chicago, he and Jess met up at a restaurant, and Jess said her J-1 visa was going to expire in six months but she wanted to stay in America longer because "it's amazing."Colt called Jess "a breath of fresh air" and was grateful for the new life she had breathed into him, and Jess didn't hesitate to call Colt her boyfriend.The couple then spent the night in Colt's hotel and slept together, but Jess was upset because Colt had yet to share with Debbie that they were dating.Colt told Jess he didn't want to rush things and Debbie didn't know everything about him. Colt said he was just trying to be "careful" because his last relationship "almost destroyed" him.Colt later met Jess' friends, who were wary of Colt's intentions and loyalty when they found out Colt had a friend "from the gym" named Vanessa who called him all the time.Colt -- whom Jess' friends also found a little "controlling" -- said he met Vanessa online and she was "just a friend" who had helped him through his divorce from Larissa, but Jess wasn't buying it.Colt promised Jess that he'd stop talking to Vanessa to make her happy, but Colt really had no plan of following through on his word given he considered Vanessa to be his best friend and clearly the priority in his life."After Larissa, I never thought I'd find love again. But with Jess, I think we have a future together," Colt said in a confessional.Knowing her visa was expiring soon, Jess suggested she could apply for a new visa, either for "studying" or a K-1, meaning Colt would have to marry her for her to stay in the U.S.Colt told the cameras it was "too early" to be talking about a K-1 visa but he didn't want to see her go back to Brazil either.Jess then asked Colt if he'd be up for a trip to Brazil so he could meet her family, and he said he would love that. Jess gushed with excitement, and Colt was so pleased Jess wanted him to be involved with her family -- which was something Larissa allegedly never wanted.Once Colt returned home happy and in love, he finally came clean to Debbie about his new relationship with Jess."Two from Brazil," Debbie scoffed. "As long as Larissa is still in this country or waiting for her deportation, I don't think Colt should be involved with anyone else. It's too fast -- too much, too fast... [And] over my dead body you'll live in Brazil."Colt said Jess made him feel happy and supported, but Debbie acknowledged Larissa was like that at first as well. Debbie said she didn't understand why Colt was interested in women from different countries and he always lived "in the moment" without "thinking ahead."To protect her son, Debbie decided to join him on his trip to Brazil. Colt hoped Jess and Debbie would get along, but it was apparently also important that Jess' father grew to love Colt.Fans were then introduced to Vanessa, who was invited to Colt's house for dinner since she agreed to watch his cats while he and Debbie took off to Brazil."I met Vanessa during the last few months of my marriage to Larissa. We started talking online, and eventually, we decided to meet at a casino, and we just kind of hit it off," Colt said."Jess has never met Vanessa. She doesn't even understand who Vanessa is, and she's so jealous of her. I told Jess I wouldn't talk to Vanessa anymore, and I was wrong to lie to Jess, but Vanessa is my best friend and she's been there a lot longer than Jess has."However, Colt admitted he had sex with Vanessa one time."Honestly, I have a crush on her. I think she's a great girl," Colt confessed. "But I don't think she returns the favor, and so I moved on."Vanessa said she was going through a divorce of her own when she met Colt and Colt had been there for her. She said they were best friends, but Debbie wished Colt and Vanessa would date.Prior to Colt's trip to Brazil, Larissa actually called Jess on the phone to warn her about how Colt was an alleged manipulator and womanizer."Colt is a demon," Larissa told Jess during the call. "I know that everything's perfect with him from the [beginning] but he changes and turns into someone mean."Larissa called Colt "dangerous" and said he might sabotage Jess' status in the United States given he was trying to deport Larissa."Once he doesn't need you anymore, he's gonna try to do the same that he did to me," Larissa told Jess. "I know that I was arrested and I'm a little bit crazy... but I don't want same thing to happen [to you] that happened to me."Jess insisted Colt was cute and said beautiful words to her, but Larissa asked Jess if Colt was hiding his phone from her.Jess admitted, "Yes," and then Larissa went on to say, "Congratulations. Welcome to the club."Larissa told the cameras that while she was married to Colt, he was "very shady" and "trying to talk to other women.""I believe Colt cheated on me," Larissa continued. "Colt is nasty, so Jessica should be careful and [not] trust him anymore."Larissa added that Debbie is "a wolf" and "insane."Jess was nice to Larissa on the phone but decided not to take her words to heart since she said she really loved Colt and wanted to try to make things work.After 14 hours of traveling, Colt and Debbie arrived in Barra Velha, where Jess' family lives.When Debbie first met Jess at the airport, Debbie thought she was "a pretty little girl" and "very voluptuous." It didn't take long, however, for Jess to mention sex, and she and Colt were all over each other in the car on the way to Debbie's hotel, which apparently made Debbie sick.Also during the car ride, Colt and Jess discussed baby names, Dominick for a boy and Katrina for a girl, with Colt saying he'd probably like to have children down the road.Debbie didn't think Colt ever wanted to have kids, so she was surprised to hear that and began worrying Jess was going to persuade Colt to settle down, get married and have a child just so she could get a Green Card and stay in the United States.Colt then checked Debbie into a hotel and she was feeling exhausted. Debbie snapped at Jess that she just wanted to be left alone so she could rest, and Jess thought Debbie was "grumpy," "rude" and didn't like her."Now I understand why Larissa called me and said, 'Jess, be careful,' because Deb is terrible. She's really bad with me. Scream with me. She's rude and she's not good. [I'm scared] about the rest of [our] vacation," Jess told the cameras.Colt was afraid Debbie was going to scare Jess off because she wasn't being "a team player." Colt called the trip "a disaster" and he had only been there a matter of hours.And it appears Colt and Jess' relationship is going to be explosive on a future Season 5 episode of : Happily Ever After?.In a trailer that was released for the rest of the fifth season, a clip showed Jess throwing her shoes at Colt in a hotel room."You lied!" Jess shouted. "Again! Vanessa talk. You still friends. You talk every day!"Jess shoved a phone in Colt's face and yelled, "Look at this! You lie!"Colt appeared startled and then yelled for Jess to stop and talk to him as she stormed out of the room.Colt first sparked dating rumors with Jess in June 2019, just two months after his divorce from Larissa was finalized, In Touch Weekly reported.Colt and Jess reportedly went public with their relationship in July of last year.Jess called Colt her "person" on Instagram, revealing they had already been together for "a while," and Colt dubbed Jess his "muse" for drawing, a hobby he apparently picked up in his spare time, In Touch reported."I'm with him because I want and because he wants," Jess reportedly explained."We have chemistry... The important thing is how he treats me. He makes me laugh and he's nice. We like the same movies and songs."Colt reportedly went on to post photos and sketches of diamond engagement rings on Instagram, the magazine reported in September 2019, leading his followers to believe he was ready to pop the question to his girlfriend."Looking for someone that makes jewelry," he captioned the image on his Instagram Stories. "DM me please."Colt and Jess only dated for a few months last year and decided to break up by October 2019, Starcasm reported.The pair now appear to be on bad terms, and it seems Jess is furious at Colt.In April 2020, Jess accused Colton of sharing nude photos she had sent him during their relationship.Starcasm reported that Jess publicly flipped out on Colton and called him out for being an alleged abuser."I am tired of all the abuse I had in my old relationship and I still have it!" Jess reportedly declared in the first of a series of posts on her Instagram Stories."Enough, I can't take it anymore! I'll tell you the whole truth... no woman needs to go through this."Jess then reportedly wrote the following message to her Instagram followers: "I am really nervous right now about a DM I just received by a guy who says he is Colts Johnson friend my ex boyfriend, a guy who uses women to stay relevant on the show. He is the only person who I trusted to sending private pictures while we were dating long distance.""Now I just got this DM from his friend and he told me Colt sent it to him. Everyone already knows Colts loves to leak pictures of his small penis. But I never could imagine he could get that far and leak images that I trusted on him."She continued, "I know [revenge] p*rn is a crime and I need some legal guidance. If you are an attorney or law enforcement please tell me how I can proceed to make this sicko stop. I am located in New York. Thank you."Jess also wrote a long message that she tagged Larissa in."Don't be silent about abuse! Do not be silent by threats, do not be afraid, do not be ashamed! Today I'm going through this, if I don't speak tomorrow it will be another. Women, get help! I do not wish that even for the worst enemy, all the suffering that goes on, all my [friends know], how much I cried and suffered," Jess reportedly wrote."Today I am happy and he keeps trying to abuse my psychologically! Every day is a new DM from someone related to him, calling me names and now sending pictures I sent him in the past. I will not shut up, I will fight for me and for all! Let's get together, let's empathize! We are in 2020 where we women... [have] rights!"Jess continued, "In the middle of 2020, we can't leave men [looking like] hero, like the good man of the mother! Man who plays with women for fame, where he said that Brazilian is all whore and crazy and would be great for him, discloses my photos, disrespects many women!"Jess vented enough is enough and women must put an end to situations like that."He should be banned from this show forever, he had not [done] anything nice to anyone. He likes attention and money and will do whatever he has to do to get TV time again," Jess concluded.Jess also shared a screenshot of a DM message Colt's alleged friend Sena had sent her with a nude bathroom selfie of Jess attached.In addition, Jess posted another screenshot of a text exchange she allegedly had with another male friend of Colt's from last year, Starcasm reported.The unidentified male friend claimed he had seen a "whole gallery" of nude photos of Jess -- and Larissa as well -- while looking through Colt's phone."I didn't show anything [last year] out of fear, but this is repeating itself and I won't shut up," Jess reportedly admitted.Larissa apparently had Jess' back and re-posted the screenshots to help her out and spread the word.Following her relationship with Colt, Jess moved on with musician Brian Hanvey and Colt went on to date Vanessa, who was newly-divorced at the time, Starcasm reported.According to court records, Vanessa and her husband of nearly seven years finalized their divorce in early October 2019.In early July 2020, the @tote_the_memes Instagram account, a fan account, shared screenshots of direct messages Vanessa allegedly exchanged with a follower revealing numerous details about her relationship with Colt.In the messages, Vanessa alleged she actually lived with Colt "before Jess was in the picture."Vanessa also reportedly said she was the person who drove Colt to the airport when he flew to see Jess in Chicago -- and she picked him up once he returned to Las Vegas.However, Vanessa reportedly claimed she was never Colt's girlfriend and they are not dating now."Never was an official girlfriend. I couldn't take him seriously," she allegedly wrote in one text message."Honestly it was never anything. I could never stop going out with other men which is why he never stopped talking to women."Vanessa reportedly believes Colt "is not happy with himself," which supposedly "breaks" her heart. However, she insisted Colt is "always going to be family" to her "no matter what sh-tty things he's done.""I wish he'd get help. I tried to help him, but couldn't. I hope he finds some self worth one of these days."Colt is not Vanessa's type, according to the alleged exchange, and she "couldn't" see past that. She apparently prefers "bearded tattooed men."Since Colt apparently didn't fit the bill, Vanessa is reportedly dating someone else now.The Instagram account also allegedly obtained a photo of Vanessa and her bearded boyfriend and a text message in which Vanessa wrote, "I'm actually dating someone else. Which is why you see [Colt] follow/unfollow me all the time. He's a very jealous person."As for Larissa's love life, she got back together with Eric Nichols following their September 2019 split.Season 5 of : Happily Ever After? just recently showed Larissa asking Eric for a second chance because she missed him and still loved him.Want more spoilers or couples updates? Click here to visit our homepage!
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President Donald Trump and presumptive Democratic nominee Joe Biden have at least one thing in common -- neither trust the polls in Michigan.

Virtually every poll taken since Biden won Michigans 83 counties in the Democratic primary has shown the former vice president with a growing lead over Trump. At least two House Democrats, U.S. Reps. Debbie Dingell, D-Dearborn, and Elissa Slotkin, D-Holly, have advised the Biden campaign not to take the state for granted, warning that polls had similarly shown Trump had an uphill battle before he narrowly won Michigan in 2016.
West African mediators trying to resolve Mali's political crisis on Sunday called for a power-sharing government and a new constitutional court in their latest bid to calm tensions.

The country is in the grip of a political impasse between President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita, and a newly-galvanised opposition which is intent on his resignation.

At least 11 people died over three days of unrest last week following an anti-Keita protest, in the worst political unrest the West African state has seen in years.

After days of talks with the government and the opposition, mediators from the 15-nation Economic Community of West African States proposed that the current ruling coalition make up 50 percent of a new unity government.

A proposed 30 percent should be members of the opposition and the remaining 20 percent from civil-society groups.

The mediators also suggested appointing new judges to the country's constitutional court, to resolve a dispute over the March-April parliamentary election.

ECOWAS mediators -- led by former Nigerian president Goodluck Jonathan -- finished their mission on Sunday, after having landed in the country on Wednesday.

On Friday, however, Mali's main opposition alliance spurned an offer from the mediators and stuck to its demand that Keita resign.

The June 5 Movement has triggered a show-down with the government over its unflinching demands that Keita quit for perceived failures in tackling the dire economy and Mali's eight-year jihadist conflict.

At a news conference in the capital Bamako on Sunday, Jonathan told reporters that it was not within the remit of ECOWAS to seek Keita's resignation.

"We met with the M5 four times and we couldn't resolve our differences," he said, referring to the June 5 Movement.

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Source: Xinhua| 2020-07-19 05:18:19|Editor: huaxia

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Combo photo shows different complexions of John Lewis, congressman representing the state of Georgia of the United States and a revered civil rights leader. (Photo credit: congress.gov)

Trump was criticized by his opponents for making a statement on the death of Lewis too late.



WASHINGTON, July 18 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Donald Trump on Saturday said he was saddened by the death of John Lewis, congressman representing the state of Georgia and a revered civil rights leader.

"Saddened to hear the news of civil rights hero John Lewis passing," Trump tweeted, offering his first public remarks about the death of Lewis, which was announced late Friday. The president said that first lady "Melania and I send our prayers to (him) and his family."

The White House issued a presidential proclamation earlier on Saturday ordering flags to be flown at half-mast throughout the day in commemoration of the late congressman, who died at the age of 80 after having battled with pancreatic cancer since December 2019.

Trump was criticized by his opponents for making a statement on the death of Lewis too late.

Public feud between the two dated back to Trump's inauguration in 2017, which Lewis refused to attend, calling Trump not a "legitimate president." In return, Trump attacked Lewis by saying the district he represented was "horrible."

Born into a family of sharecroppers in 1940, Lewis was hailed as a civil rights icon for his leadership in the civil rights movement in the 1960s.

A founder and early leader of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee, Lewis led protests against racial injustice in an era in which apartheid was still rampant in the American South.

He was the youngest and longest surviving speakers at the 1963 March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom movement, which culminated in Martin Luther King Jr.'s historic "I Have a Dream" speech in front of the Lincoln Memorial.

Tributes have been pouring in for Lewis since his passing.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, a Democrat, called him "a titan of the civil rights movement whose goodness, faith and bravery transformed our nation." Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, a Republican, lauded him as a "pioneering civil rights leader who put his life on the line to fight racism, promote equal rights, and bring our nation into greater alignment with its founding principles."

Calling Lewis "a giant walking among us," presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden said he wished that Lewis's life and legacy may continue inspiring those in pursuit for "justice, equality and what is right."

Barack Obama, the first African American president of the United States, awarded Lewis the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2011, calling him the "conscience of the United States Congress" on the occasion. "I stood on his shoulders," the former president wrote in words commemorating the revered figure. 
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We often see insiders buying up shares in companies that perform well over the long term. On the other hand, we'd be remiss not to mention that insider sales have been known to precede tough periods for a business. So we'll take a look at whether insiders have been buying or selling shares in Core Laboratories N.V. (NYSE:CLB).

Do Insider Transactions Matter?

Most investors know that it is quite permissible for company leaders, such as directors of the board, to buy and sell stock in the company. However, most countries require that the company discloses such transactions to the market.

We would never suggest that investors should base their decisions solely on what the directors of a company have been doing. But it is perfectly logical to keep tabs on what insiders are doing. For example, a Harvard University study found that 'insider purchases earn abnormal returns of more than 6% per year'.

View our latest analysis for Core Laboratories

The Last 12 Months Of Insider Transactions At Core Laboratories

Over the last year, we can see that the biggest insider purchase was by Independent Supervisory Director Gregory Barnett for US$116k worth of shares, at about US$40.00 per share. That means that even when the share price was higher than US$20.30 (the recent price), an insider wanted to purchase shares. Their view may have changed since then, but at least it shows they felt optimistic at the time. We always take careful note of the price insiders pay when purchasing shares. As a general rule, we feel more positive about a stock if insiders have bought shares at above current prices, because that suggests they viewed the stock as good value, even at a higher price.

Happily, we note that in the last year insiders paid US$320k for 8.60k shares. On the other hand they divested 139.00 shares, for US$370. In total, Core Laboratories insiders bought more than they sold over the last year. You can see a visual depiction of insider transactions (by companies and individuals) over the last 12 months, below. If you want to know exactly who sold, for how much, and when, simply click on the graph below!

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Core Laboratories 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.

Insiders at Core Laboratories Have Bought Stock Recently

Over the last three months, we've seen a bit of insider buying at Core Laboratories. insider Jan Sodderland shelled out US$10k for shares in that time. It's great to see that insiders are only buying, not selling. But in this case the amount purchased means the recent transaction may not be very meaningful on its own.

Does Core Laboratories Boast High Insider Ownership?

Looking at the total insider shareholdings in a company can help to inform your view of whether they are well aligned with common shareholders. I reckon it's a good sign if insiders own a significant number of shares in the company. Insiders own 1.8% of Core Laboratories shares, worth about US$17m. This level of insider ownership is good but just short of being particularly stand-out. It certainly does suggest a reasonable degree of alignment.

What Might The Insider Transactions At Core Laboratories Tell Us?

Insider purchases may have been minimal, in the last three months, but there was no selling at all. That said, the purchases were not large. However, our analysis of transactions over the last year is heartening. Overall we don't see anything to make us think Core Laboratories insiders are doubting the company, and they do own shares. While we like knowing what's going on with the insider's ownership and transactions, we make sure to also consider what risks are facing a stock before making any investment decision. For instance, we've identified 2 warning signs for Core Laboratories (1 is concerning) you should be aware of.

Of course, you might find a fantastic investment by looking elsewhere. So take a peek at this free list of interesting companies.

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.
An international Jewish group is calling on an Ontario auction house to stop the online sale of scores of German items from the Second World War, many adorned with swastikas and some bearing the image of Nazi leader Adolf Hitler.

Shackelton Auctions, near Aylmer, Ont., posted an online sale this week of 1,200 items of military memorabilia from a private estate sale.

But among the Royal Canadian Legion berets, ration cards and war bond posters are about 100 objects from Nazi-era Germany, including Hitler youth daggers and postcards with Hitler's image  along with flags, medals and armbands, many emblazoned with swastikas. There are also cast iron busts of Hitler, German officers' swords and toys of German armour and soldiers.

Most of the items already have bids in the auction, which is set to end on Aug. 18.

The auction's web page includes a statement that says the items "do not represent the views or opinions of Shackelton Auctions or Sackrider Auctions or their staff."

But Jaime Kirzner-Roberts of the Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Center for Holocaust Studies said the auction should be stopped. She's also calling for laws that would make the sale of such items illegal in Canada.

"Our position is that it's disgusting and unacceptable that people should be buying and selling relics of murder and genocide," she said. "We find it very difficult to imagine any legitimate reason why someone would want to possess them."

CBC News contacted Shackelton owner and auctioneer Mike Shackelton about the sale. He said while he sympathizes with those concerned about the items being sold, he will not take them off the auction block.

'I do have mixed emotions on selling these items, but the sale is going forward. - Auctioneer Mike Shackelton

"I do have mixed emotions on selling these items, but the sale is going forward, and it's our hope that these items land in the right hands," he said.

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"It is our hope that that these items do go to museums or to groups that are going to do the right thing. That will help us remember history so that these things don't happen again."

No control over who buys them

Kirzner-Roberts, director of the centre's Campaign Against Antisemitism, said a huge concern is that the objects could be sold to extremists and sympathizers of a regime that murdered six million Jews.

Another worry, she said, is that speculators could profit from the sale of items associated with genocide. She's not in favour of destroying the items but wants to ensure they go to a place where they can be shown in a historical context as a way to educate people.

"These items should be given to an educational institution or museum where the public can make use of these items as tools for learning about the horrors of racism and genocide," Kirzner-Roberts said.

When asked if he would identify the buyers of the items, Shackelton said he doesn't want to violate his clients' privacy.

He said the objects are from the private estate of a man from Oshawa, Ont., who was a "major collector" of everything from coins and toys to old advertising posters and gas pumps. This is the fourth auction of items Shackelton has sold for the man's estate but the first of military items.

The collector was a regular buyer at auctions and antique sales, and Shackelton said he doesn't believe the man held pro-Nazi views.

Anticipating opposition to the sale before it went online this week, Shackelton said he raised with the collector's family the possibility of donating the items, but they opted to go ahead with the auction because that's what the owner of the items wanted.

Shackelton couldn't say how much commission his company will collect on the auction but that 15 or 20 per cent of the final sale price is typical in the industry.

No laws against selling Nazi items

Jonathan Vance, a professor at Western University in London, Ont., who teaches military history, said there are no laws in Canada governing the sale of items like this but that there is a big market for it.

Like Kirzner-Roberts, he said he'd like to see the objects sold to a museum but admitted that doesn't always happen.

"It's just as likely, or maybe even more likely, it's sold to someone who's got a Nazi shrine in their basement and lots of money to fill it," he said. "And that's a concern because we know that right-wing politics are on the rise right now. And this sort of historical stuff is highly in demand. Mostly for the wrong reasons."

Vance there are laws in some parts of Europe that prohibit the sale of Nazi items.

This sort of historical stuff is highly in demand. Mostly for the wrong reasons. - Western University history professor Jonathan Vance

Kirzner-Roberts said her group is often contacted by people who find Nazi-era artifacts in attics and closets, and it works with them to find a museum willing to take them.

She said her group doesn't typically speak out about the sale of small lots of Nazi items, which pop up from time to time at flea markets and online auctions, but "this is the biggest sale of material like this I've ever seen."

In its policy on offensive materials, the online auction site eBay prohibits the sale of "historical Holocaust-related and Nazi-related items, including reproductions." Any item that bears a swastika or is identified as Nazi propaganda also can't be sold on eBay.

In February, a Montreal auction site took down an online auction after a similar outcry. The items were returned to the owner, along with suggestions about where they could be donated.
SARATOGA SPRINGS - Crowded streets near bars and restaurants in the city - which continued during the opening week of the Saratoga Race Course - are prompting concerns over potential spikes in coronavirus cases.

City Commissioner of Public Safety Robin Dalton said she receives complaints "that trickle in steady" about specific businesses that are crowded and in apparent violation of New York state pandemic guidelines, which require 50 percent occupancy, as well as a ban on serving just alcohol. She said she has received the complaints since outdoor dining was allowed in phase three of the reopening.

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She said that establishments that attract night life, like those along Caroline Street, "are going to cause more issues." She urges everyone to adhere to regulations on wearing masks and social distancing while out on the town. The crowds reportedly continued as the racing season began Thursday.

"I'll take a walk down to Caroline Street at 8 o'clock at night and there are big groups of 20-somethings and teens," Dalton said. "It's a mess. The bars and restaurants know their capacity, but we can't control the streets."

This past weekend was the first of the Saratoga Race Course season. But with no fans allowed in the stands or on the grounds because of the pandemic, many have wondered if it would make the city's streets quiet as well. That, however, does not appear to be the case.

Many restaurants and bars have offered outside viewing of race action on televisions during the day, provided that crowd limits are adhered to.

"This is a critical time for Saratoga Springs to show that we can handle being open and hosting visitors responsibly - for the health and economic welfare of our city," Dalton said.

Bartender Nick Canterino of the Ice House, which is on Putnam Street, said that he and the staff are turning people away at the door to keep their place below 50% capacity.

Earlier in the week New York also put in place a requirement that patrons must purchase food along with drink orders, and that only table service will be allowed.

Harvey's Restaurant & Bar in Saratoga got national media coverage after naming a dish after Gov. Andrew Cuomo - the Cuomo Chips - in response to the new food requirements.

"It's definitely challenging," Canterino said. "People used to come in and stand up at the bar and hang out. Now, it's 100 percent table service. We have to adapt with sanitization, extra staff, serving staff. We used to have bartenders and a cocktail waitress. That's not enough staff now. We are still hiring."

It lays a financial burden on the business, too, he said, because they pay more staff and to serve fewer patrons.

After this story ran in Monday's paper, Charlie Hoertkorn who owns the Caroline Street Pub called to say that it's not the bars and restaurants that are packed, it is the streets, because his bar and others cannot allow many inside. His pub generally can handle 200. But for the reopening, no more than 32 people are allowed inside. That is forcing people to gather outside, on Caroline Street.

"We can't stop people from coming into town but we can stop them from coming inside," Hoertkorn said. "We have been turning people away at the door. We don't let them congregate outside our door."

He that he and his partners and staff are working hard to "do the best we can to keep the business afloat" by complying with all state guidelines.

Dalton said the city will follow the Gov. Andrew Cuomo's "three strikes, you're closed" initiative. Announced on Thursday, the initiative is meant to ensure that bars and restaurants are "complying with state social distancing and face covering orders." Any establishment with three violations will be forced to closed.

"Egregious violations can result in immediate loss of liquor license or closure before a third strike," the initiative states. "Additionally, any establishment facing disciplinary charges by the State Liquor Authority will have its name and location posted publicly and updated on a weekly basis. If the state is alerted to similar noncompliance in other regions of the state, these restrictions will be extended to those areas immediately."

The state Liquor Authority has shut down very few establishments, based on its news releases on cases.

Dalton said the guidance is important to follow.

"Not only do we need to prioritize the public health of our residents and visitors, but we do not want to see businesses get shut down down or go out of business for failure to comply," she said.

Currently, she said Saratoga Springs police do not have the authority to do anything other than monitor crowds at city bars and restaurants. However, she said, the city is looking to change that.

"Last week the first municipality in New York State passed local law-enforcement measures and we are looking at that and an amendment to public health law to see if we can use anything to put enforcement measures in place," Dalton said.

Note: This story was updated on Wednesday morning.
Radio presenter Stuart Robinson says he and his nurse girlfriend were abused online after going on a night out as coronavirus restrictions were lifted earlier this month.

Pubs and restaurants reopened their doors on July 3 for the first time since lockdown was introduced to the delight of business leaders and large sections of society.

However, despite the cautious optimism of that weekend Stuart says he was targeted on Facebook by "social media shamers" who disapproved of him and partner Katie McKenzie (29), who is a nurse at the Nightingale Hospital, going out on the town.

The Cool FM man said: "I went out on the Friday and Saturday so was kinda expecting it as I know what people are like but I was taken aback by how blunt people can be. We went out together on the Saturday night and I had seen there was pile-on by some people saying that going out was problematic but I wanted to do something positive for the hospitality industry by supporting them.

"We had a lovely time and everything was being done properly and people were behaving themselves which was great, but then when I put a post about it on Facebook, I was stunned by some of the responses.

"One person called us 'ridiculous' for going on a night out while another said they hoped we wouldn't have the audacity to call the NHS for help.

"It's funny because Katie, my other half, is an NHS worker at the Nightingale Hospital in Belfast, so I informed them of that and said we had very much enjoyed our night out, thanks!

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"I was told she should feel ashamed of herself and should 'wash herself off' before going back to work. I was shocked.

"I replied to these people telling them she is very aware of her responsibilities and does not need to be scolded by some clowns on Facebook.

"Negativity is one thing but nastiness is different and I felt it crossed that line. There was a bit of a backlash to the comments from supportive people and fellow NHS workers on the post also.

"Many people agreed with us that anybody who has been working on the front line for the last four months is going to be looking forward to going out and having a few drinks, that was the overwhelming vibe I got anyway."

Stuart, who also presents on Downtown Radio and Downtown Country, says he appreciates people feel differently about social distancing but believes those feelings should not cross over into abuse.

He added: "I appreciate it's each to their own, everyone has their own reasons for the way in which they move forward, but don't have a go at members of the public for using a pub or restaurant when everyone is being responsible. Don't have a go at somebody else for getting out when they can, it's like a lot of these social media shamers, what ever happened to minding your own business?

"I just wanted people to know it was a safe experience and show that the hospitality industry was doing really well."
Copyright  2020 Albuquerque Journal

A former Rio Arriba County commissioner indicted by the state Attorney Generals Office on felony charges now works for a nonprofit agency overseen by the state department of Workforce Solutions.

Trujillo was charged in 2018 with three counts of unlawful interest in a public contract and one count of a procurement code violation in connection with contracts his promotional firm had with the Espanola Municipal Schools. The court documents allege he was paid thousands of dollars without any documentation of work performed.

Trujillo has pleaded not guilty and now works as operations manager for the Northern Area Local Workforce Board, according to Workforce Solutions Secretary Bill McCamley and Workforce Board chair Joseph Weathers.

They are not a state agency, McCamley said in a telephone interview Wednesday. Ive known that Mr. Trujillo works for them, but the decision to hire Mr. Trujillo is nothing we have any control over by federal law.

The nonprofit Workforce Board was incorporated in 2001 to operate as the Administrative Entity for workforce funds in the 10 northern New Mexico counties: Cibola, Colfax, Los Alamos, McKinley, Mora, Rio Arriba, San Juan, San Miguel, Santa Fe and Taos, according to the boards website.

The mayors and county commissioners or their representatives oversee the board and its lead chief elected official for the northern area is Santa Fe County Commissioner Henry Roybal, said McCamley.

It (the judicial process) should run its course and, depending on the outcome, the (Workforce) board needs to address the situation, Roybal said in an email, adding he was not part of committee that hired Trujillo.

Workforce Board chairman Weathers of Mora said he was aware of Trujillos history and has no qualms about the allegations.

Trujillo was hired in 2017 by a committee of board members and business owners. He made the committee aware of his indictment, said Weathers, who was not on the board at the time.

I have no particular reservations or concerns about Trujillos employment with the organization, said Weathers. His work has been outstanding, exemplary.

Trujillo deals with those who administer the program, said Weathers, adding that there are multiple checks and balances for the financial aspects of the nonprofit.

The Workforce Board was established under the federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), under the U.S. Department of Labor, and is designed to strengthen and improve our nations public workforce system and help get Americans, including youth and those with significant barriers to employment, into high-quality jobs and careers, and help employers hire and retain skilled workers, the Acts website states.

The role of the Workforce Solutions Department, as described by federal law, is to oversee the overall operations and make sure funding is being spent correctly, McCamley said in an email. The Northern Area Workforce Board oversees about $5 million in federal funding every year, McCamley said.

Trujillo was indicted by a grand jury in 2018 on three counts of unlawful interest in a public contract and one count of procurement code violation.

Trujillo made over $100,000 from three contracts with Espanola Public Schools, without the proper business licenses and never disclosed that he contributed to the campaigns of two school board members, which is a violation of governmental conduct laws, the AGs Office said previously.

The AG also alleged that Trujillo ran illegal school board meetings, even though he wasnt a member. The meetings were held at Big Dawgs Restaurant in Espanola, and attendees entered through the back door, according to court documents.

Trujillo has pleaded not guilty and a brief status hearing in the long-running case was held earlier this month in Tierra Amarilla District Court, with another scheduled for August 12, according to a telephone interview with Trujillos attorney, Dan Cron.

Cron said he was not at liberty to talk about that when asked if any plea agreement discussions were underway.

Trujillos company  2 Smooth Advertising, later renamed Trujillo Media  was unanimously awarded a marketing contract with EPS at an August 2014 school board meeting without any apparent discussion, according to court documents.

There is no line item accounting of the work performed by 2 Smooth Advertising on any of the invoices, the documents state.

School board member Ruben Archuleta told the Journal in May 2017 that the district had nothing to show for Trujillos contracts because Trujillo never included anything specific on his invoices.

The Attorney Generals Office executed search warrants on the EPS district office and Trujillos home in January 2017.

Trujillo was elected to the Rio Arriba County Commission in 2010 and served two consecutive terms. He also ran for state representative in 2016, but lost in the Democratic Party primary.

Questionable procurement practices caused the state Public Education Department to take over the districts finances in November 2016. The district regained control last year.

In a separate case involving Espanola schools contracts, married couple Lianne Martinez and Joseph Torres pleaded guilty last month to three counts each of violations of the procurement code, and received deferred sentences in a plea agreement, court records show. Multiple counts of fraud, making or permitting a false public voucher, racketeering and conspiracy between January 2015 and April 2016 were dismissed, the records state.

The AGs Office alleged that the couple created a company, Enviro-Kleen  hired to order janitorial supplies for the school district  and made about $18,000 in illegal profit by overcharging the district on six different invoices. Documents in that criminal case state Martinez and Torres had connections in the school district to undermine the procurement process.
The Greater North Dakota Chamber stands with industry leaders and elected officials across our country speaking against the decision made by U.S. District Court Judge James Boasberg. His ruling to stop and drain the Dakota Access Pipeline in order for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to complete an environmental impact statement creates burdens for our businesses and disruptions during a time when investment, infrastructure development and certainty in processes are needed the most.

The oil and gas sector contributes significantly to the states gross domestic product with tax revenues and royalties as well as jobs and livelihoods for citizens. A loss in production would not only harm companies and individuals but ripple impacts into the service industries who support and benefit from the presence of oil in the state. Right now, given the current condition of our economy and the nations, we dont want anyone put in positions to fail where they may have otherwise survived.

Our concern goes beyond the fact that approximately 40% of North Dakotas crude oil is transported by DAPL safely to marketplace or the shift to other transportation modes could potentially strain existing infrastructure or cause competition for resources. GNDC is concerned about the message this decision sends to the business community. There will be economic impacts to our state but letting this decision stand sets a tone for energy infrastructure development and any federally regulated development. This trend could impede entities investing in major transportation projects including road, rail and air. Currently, developers require regulatory certainty. There is an understanding that they can operate in the free market system if they follow the rules and permitting process, which DAPL has. The Army Corps met or exceeded all guidelines previously when conducting its review of the environmental assessment and pipeline permitting  including the inclusion and consultation with tribal groups. Before the construction was even allowed to progress, our state also conducted a review, lasting over a year.

Sadly, Judge Boasberg understood that this ruling would create severe hardship. He stated, The Court does not reach its decision with blithe disregard for the lives it will affect. It readily acknowledges that, even with the currently low demand for oil, shutting down the pipeline will cause significant disruption to DAPL, the North Dakota oil industry, and potentially other states." GNDC is disappointed in the decision and looks for a stay or overturn in the appeal process.

Arik Spencer is president and CEO of the Greater North Dakota Chamber.

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Rajesh Kumar Thakur By

Express News Service

RaPATNA: A 25-year-old Indian national was shot on the shoulder by the Nepal Armed Border Force on Saturday evening near the Indo-Nepal border in Bihars Kishanganj district. The injured youth, identified as Jitendra Kumar Singh, was searching for his cattle along with two co-villagers when he was shot. Ankit Kumar, 22, and Gulshan Kumar Singh, 26, who remained unhurt in the firings, escorted Singh

to safety.

According to sources, the youth went 300 metres into a no-mans land inside the Nepal side of border by mistake. This is the second incident of firing by Nepal forces in recent times. On June 12, an Indian national was killed in Sitamarhi district in Bihar when he was seen sitting near a no-mans land.

On Sunday, the injured youth was taken a govt PHC at Teerhagachh from where he was referred to Purnia after first aid for better treatment.

Though, IG, Sashastra Seema Bal, Siliguri, B Bandhopadhya was unreacable for his statement, official sources at Patna said Singh along with his co-villagers went mistakenly around 300 meter inside no-man land of the Nepal side border when they were intercepted by the Nela Armed Border Force. Speaking to the media, Birendra Chaudhary, deputy commandant of SSB 12th Battalion, confirmed the shooting incident by Nepal Police and said that in the firing, a bullet hit on the shoulder of Singh. Kishanganj Superintendent of Police Kumar Ashish confirmed the firing, and added that the spot didnt fall in Indian Territory.

Worsening the tension

The firing occurred in the midst of a raging boundary row between the two countries, with India sternly asking Nepal not to resort to any artificial enlargement of its territorial claims
Today we celebrate National Ice Cream Day  not that any of us needed an excuse to indulge. What better way to spend this extremely important holiday than by taking a trip to the theme parks? Join us on our guide to the most decadent frozen offerings at Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando Resort. Plus, watch out for a bonus ice cream treat at the end!

A Guide to National Ice Cream Day at Orlandos Theme Parks

*Note: Some locations/restaurants may be currently closed, or opening in phases, due to COVID-19. We recommend calling ahead before visiting.

Walt Disney World

1. Kitchen Sink

Location: Beaches & Cream Soda Shop, Disneys Beach Club Resort

The Kitchen Sink at Beaches & Cream Soda Shop isnt first on our list by accident. This may just be the largest and most intense ice cream dish in all of the theme parks, so naturally its a must on National Ice Cream day.

2. Sundaes

Location: Ghirardelli Soda Fountain and Chocolate Shop, Disney Springs

Ghirardelli at Disney Springs is known for its rich, tasty ice cream. Since its a holiday, we recommend splurging on one of their incredible sundaes  you wont regret it.

3. Ice Cream Cones

Location: Plaza Ice Cream Parlour, Magic Kingdom

If youre headed to Magic Kingdom, one of Disneys best dessert spots is just a quick stroll down Main Street, USA. Plaza Ice Cream Parlour offers guests some of the tastiest ice cream in the forms of cups, cones, sandwiches and sundaes. They are almost as adorable as they are delicious.

4. Croque Glace

Location: LArtisan des Glaces, France Pavilion at EPCOT

Hidden within the France Pavilion at Epcots World Showcase, LArtisan des Glaces is a wonderful little ice cream shop that puts an authentic French twist on its dessert offerings. Although its tough to choose, our favorite menu item is probably the Croque Glace, made of warm brioche with your choice of ice cream or sorbet in the center.

5. Mickey Bar

Location: Ice Cream Carts Throughout the Disney Parks

Probably the most iconic treat on this list, the Mickey Bar is beloved by many  and for good reason. You cant go wrong with vanilla ice cream covered in a hard chocolate shell, but for some reason we cant explain, it just tastes better at Disney World. Find Mickey Bars at ice cream stands all throughout Walt Disney World parks.

6. DOLE Whip

Location: Aloha Isle, Magic Kingdom

Another Disney World must, DOLE Whip is the perfect way to cool off during a toasty summer day here in Orlando. This pineapple-flavored soft serve will instantly transport your taste buds to the warm beaches of Hawaii. If youve never tried DOLE Whip before, now is definitely the time!

Universal Orlando Resort

7. Butterbeer Soft Serve

Location: Florean Fortescues Ice-Cream Parlour, Universal Studios

We didnt know Butterbeer, a Universal Orlando stable, could get any better. That is, until we tried the Butterbeer soft serve at Florean Fortescues Ice-Cream Parlour in Diagon Alley. Its rich, creamy and somehow creates an even more delicious Butterbeer flavor than the beverages. Plus, you get to keep the souvenir cup!

8. Waturi Fusion Ice Cream Cone

Location: Universals Volcano Bay

The Waturi Fusion at Universals Volcano Bay just might be the most instagrammable treat on this list. Strawberry, blue raspberry, orange and banana are layered in the most beautiful soft serve youve ever seen.

9. Brain Freezin Doh-Nut Sundae

Location: Lard Lad Donuts, Universal Studios

Lard Lad donuts are tasty enough as is, but when you turn them into a sprinkled donut ice cream sandwich  its an automatic win. The Brain Freezin Doh-Nut Sundae at Universal Studios Florida is just the sugar-rush you deserve.

10. No Melt Ice Cream

Locations: Honeydukes (Islands of Adventure) & Sugarplums Sweet Shop (Universal Studios)

If you wish to celebrate the holiday without making a mess, the No Melt Ice Cream at Honeydukes might be the right choice for you. Its just as tasty as the real thing, but you can relax and take your time eating it, because itll never melt!

11. Gelato & Sorbet

Location: Gelateria at Loews Portofino Bay Hotel

Rich Italian gelato is served fresh at Loews Portofino Bay Hotels Gelateria. Flavors include Cappuccino, Stracciatella, Pistachio, Tiramisu, Lemon Sorbet and more.

12. May Contain Nuts Sundae

Location: Toothsome Chocolate Emporium & Savory Feast Kitchen

Toothsome may be known for its out-of-the-box milkshakes, but it also has an impressive array of ice cream sundaes to choose from. The May Contain Nuts sundae pictured below is a peanut butter lovers paradise.

BONUS: SeaWorld Orlando

13. Hurricane Sundae

Location: Manta Soft Serve

This massive ice cream sundae can easily be shared by an entire family (or all on your own  we dont judge). Its definitely a treat yourself kind of dessert, but isnt that what holidays are all about? You can find this sweet treat at SeaWorld Orlandos Manta Soft Serve stand.
Bollywood star Kangana Ranaut opened new pages on her personal struggles with the problem of nepotism in the industry, which she claims killed Sushant Singh Rajput in a candid interview.

Bollywood actor Kangana Ranaut has spilled the beans on her struggles as an outsider in Bollywood, owing to nepotistic camps, in a recent interview with a news portal. In a pertinent instance, she has opened up on her interaction with the YRF Managing Director Aditya Chopra, after she made news for turning his offer on the blockbuster Sultan down.

Ranaut has slammed Chopra for threatening her with an industry exit, despite having clarified with Sultan Director Ali Abbas Zafar, who she claims came to her house with the script, that she was regretful, and that she would like to personally express her apologies to Chopra for turning it down.

I did not wish to work with the Khans, revealed Kangana, who had just delivered her own blockbuster Tanu Weds Manu around the time. Chopra is said to have approached her with the offer to play the lead in his upcoming film starring Salman Khan in the opposite, which was later played by Anushka Sharma.

Also read: R. Balki asks for better actors than Ranbir & Alia amid nepotism debate, gets a befitting response

Also read: Kangana Ranaut vows to return Padma Shri if unable to prove her claims on Sushant Singh Rajputs death

Kangana added that Zafar seemed fine with the refusal at the moment, but after a a news article made it public, Chopra, she alleged, messaged her, You are finished.

Notably, the Queen fame has been making news for her statements on actor Sushant Singh Rajputs suspected suicide, after she posted a spree of videos on her Instagram account wherein she can be seen pinpointing at a Bollywood Mafia for driving Rajput to the brink and abetting his suicide, which she calls a murder. Talking about the problem of nepotism in the Hindi film industry, Kangana has lashed out against several big names in Bollywood for systemically boycotting Rajput, hence essentially making him an outcast, to pave way for the rise of other star-kids.

I will return my Padma Shri if Im unable to prove my claims on Sushant, said Ranaut who has claimed that Rajput was pushed to take the drastic step after he was pulled down by other B-Town celebrities and pieces of yellow journalism, despite repeatedly attracting swathes of audiences and giving out one successful film after another.

Ranaut has also claimed that she was summoned by the Mumbai Police in relation to the investigation on Rajputs sudden passing, on which she had asked the police for sending someone to record her statement in Manali, where she was residing at the time. But she claims that the police did not contact her again.

Ranaut, in the much-talked about interview, revealed that she had contemplated suicide when she lost all her 18 brands in 2016 after an ex-partner filed a case against her, post which her reputation in the media plummeted leading to scathing articles on her character. Her deep investment with the brands and losing them all in a span of two months, Kangana said, made her utterly hopeless, after which she had even thought of shaving her head and running away. She added that her declining public reputation also pushed her own relatives against her who started to take her for a nymphomaniac and a bad influence on youngsters.

Kangana has been conferred with 3 National Awards and a recent Padma Shri in a decade-long star-studded career. She has emerged as a symbol of empowerment and struggle for aspiring actors unrelated to the industry and her open take-downs on Bollywoods nepotism has amassed her public support. She last featured in Ashwini Iyer Tiwaris Panga, and is set to star in Thalaivi and Dhaakad as her next big ventures.

Also read: Sushant Singh Rajput death case: Aditya Chopra records statement

For all the latest Entertainment News, download NewsX App
A community in Essex is fighting back against the banks that have cynically abandoned it  with plans to open the country's first shared branch. The 18,000-strong town of Rochford saw its last bank close three years ago when Barclays pulled out. A year earlier NatWest quit the community while previously Lloyds turned its back on the town.

But this proud market town has now been thrown a lifeline. It has been identified as the best candidate out of eight 'cash pilot' schemes chosen to test new ways of ensuring that hard money  rather than just plastic  remains freely available to both consumers and businesses to use on the high street.

This autumn, locals intend to open a shared community bank in one of the still boarded-up premises once occupied by NatWest and Barclays. It will mean customers of all the major high street banks will once again be able to withdraw and deposit cash.

Demand: Butcher Jason Macaree says half his customers want to use cash

It is part of a 'community access to cash pilot' launched by former boss of the Financial Ombudsman Service Natalie Ceeney. This follows the publication of a Government-backed Access to Cash Review she wrote last year  setting out the desperate need for people to have access to cash.

COMMUNITY'S FURY AT BEING ABANDONED

Rochford District councillors Craig Cannell and George Ioannou are spearheading the shared bank initiative  and have a wealth of banking and technology experience to push through the plans.

George, 59, is a retired director of financial credit ratings agency Standard & Poor's while 30-year-old Craig is a former online banking analyst who now develops mobile phone apps for a living. Craig says: 'Our community is furious at the way banks have treated us. We will no longer accept lame excuses and are certain a shared branch can work in Rochford.

'We have the know-how and skills to ensure it will thrive. Being chosen to be part of this cash pilot scheme gives us the necessary initial funding to set the system up.

'We can even run it without the banks' full blessing  we just need them to be forced to sign up to this deal.' Initial funding of 100,000 is expected from the scheme organisers for Rochford  money that high street banks have been made to hand over. The aim is for the branch to open this September  and hope fully to become a full-time outlet after a six-month trial.

George says: 'As chair of the local chamber of trade, I am delighted that every local business is foursquare behind this exciting new project. An empty branch is being earmarked to house this new community bank hub.'

The businesses are responding to calls from locals desperate for a new banking service. Jason Macaree, 49, owner of town butcher J Mac Meats, says: 'The banks keep telling us all to bank online  but only because it saves them money and not because it's what people always want. For my business, about half the customers still insist on using cash.'

Naime Alagoz, who runs Annie's Coffee Shop and Sandwich Bar, collected more than 2,000 signatures four years ago in a fight against NatWest's branch closure  but to no avail. There is now only a post office counter at the back of a Martin's newsagent to handle people's financial needs  plus an outside Cashzone cash machine that charges 99p every time you withdraw money.

Naime, 59, says: 'The number of customers coming through my door fell by half after the banks abandoned us. It is the same for many other shops. This is about the survival of our high street and our community  not just access to cash.'

SCHEME IS LAST CHANCE FOR A SHARED BANK

Penny-pinching banks are still dragging their feet over the shared branch idea. They would prefer to install a free ATM in a local shop as an alternative 'cash pilot' solution. This year cash machine network group Link pledged 5million  coming from bank members  to install 250 ATMs nationwide.

Link admits this could be used to support the pilot scheme. A Link spokesman says: 'We will have a clearer idea on solutions over the next few weeks.'

Former Financial Ombudsman Service boss Natalie Ceeney has yet to confirm the shared branch will open  though she says it is a distinct possibility.

She says: 'It is perfectly feasible that a shared bank branch could work and there might well be justification for providing one in Rochford.'

Derek French is former director of the Campaign for Community Banking Services, an organisation that argued for shared bank branches in the early 2000s.

He says: 'Rochford, out of all the candidates, has the strongest case for having a shared bank branch. Banks have used every trick in the book to avoid trialling shared banking hubs.

'This pilot scheme provides a last ditch opportunity to make something happen.'

More than 7,000 cash machines have been removed from high streets since the coronavirus lockdown in March  and there are now fewer than 50,000 free-to-use ATMs nationwide. Over the past decade, more than 6,000 bank branches have closed  reducing the network by a third.

This has led the Government to pledge to introduce legislation requiring banks to provide access to cash  and support for the pilot scheme.

The cost of rolling out a network of shared branches has been estimated at about 20million a year. Banks currently spend 700million a year keeping open loss-making outlets and ATMs. A spokesman for banking industry trade body UK Finance says: 'We are committed to ensuring access to cash remains free and widely accessible  and understand there is no one-size-fits-all solution.

'Solutions include helping local communities identify non-ATM cash access ideas.'

OTHER PLANS TO KEEP ACCESS TO CASH

Ron Delnevo, director of the ATM Industry Association, is launching a new cash pick-up service in September to help keep ready cash freely available.

Using the Swiss payment service Sonect, it will enable people to order money via a smartphone app to collect at a local high street shop. Initially, he hopes to trial the idea in the Midlands before rolling it out nationwide.

He says he's worried shared bank branches will never happen 'as banks do not want them'.

He explains: 'If they did, they would have been introduced by now. I'm also concerned for the future of cash machines if it means banks have to pay to run them. This is why I am backing this new cash pick-up service.'

Delnevo not only wants the Government to keep its pledge of ensuring banks and building societies provide access to 'free' cash  but that this is reinforced by guarantees that shops accept banknotes and coins as well.

Delnevo points to a 'payment choice bill' being proposed in the United States as a benchmark to follow. This would make it unlawful for a shop not to accept cash if this is how a customer wanted to pay.

He says: 'It is appalling how shops are refusing to take cash on so-called 'safety' grounds  with high street retailers pushing people towards contactless payments.

'There is no proven link between cash and the pandemic. Shops are just using it as an excuse for their convenience.'
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.-- An 18-year-old male was shot early Sunday morning in Castleton Corners by an unknown suspect, according to an NYPD spokesman.

The victim, who sustained a gunshot wound to the groin, was transported in stable condition to Staten Island University Hospital, Ocean Breeze, police said.

Police responded to a 911 call just before 4 a.m. for a report of a shooting near the intersection of Westwood Avenue and Todt Hill Road.

The motive remains unclear, and no description of a suspect was available, as of Sunday morning, the spokesman said.

The city announced a plan on Friday to keep New Yorkers safe after weeks of increased shootings.

Parts of the plan include a shift of patrol and detective resources to high shooting areas, enhancement to shooting investigations, and an increased focus on community relations.

When compared with the same time period in 2019, as of Sunday, New York City has seen 36 more shootings in the past week, 162 more shootings in the past 28 days, and 240 more shootings year-to-date, according to the latest information from the NYPD.

Staten Island has seen a similar spike in shooting incidents, with six more shootings in the past 28 days, and 11 more year-to-date, when compared to 2019 as of Sunday, according to the latest NYPD data. From July 6 to July 12, there was only one shooting in both years.

This is a breaking news story. heck back to SILive.com for updates.
RTHK: Portland mayor demands federal forces leave city

The mayor of Portland demanded the withdrawal of federal officers from the northwestern US city, accusing them of dangerously escalating the situation with abusive, unconstitutional tactics against protesters.

The accusations followed another night of protests in the Oregon city that saw a police association building set on fire.

Mayor Ted Wheeler said federal officers sent to the city had escalated a long-running standoff between protesters and police with tactics that included scooping people off the streets into unmarked vans without identifying themselves.

"What's happening here is we have dozens, if not hundreds, of federal troops descending upon our city. What they're doing is they are sharply escalating the situation," Wheeler said on CNN's "State of the Union."

"Their presence here is actually leading to more violence and more vandalism. And it's not helping the situation at all.

"They're not wanted here. We haven't asked them here. In fact, we want them to leave," he said.

The Oregon attorney general and the American Civil Liberties Union filed a lawsuit late Friday against the federal government, accusing it of overstepping its powers and injuring or threatening peaceful protesters.

The deployment of Homeland Security officers in camouflage uniforms last week followed threats by US President Donald Trump to use federal might to restore order after a weeks-long standoff between protesters and police.

The Portland protests were part of a nationwide wave against police brutality sparked by the killing in May of George Floyd, the unarmed African American who died when a police officer knelt on his neck for nearly nine minutes.

In a tweet Sunday, Trump, who has been campaigning as a "law and order" president, said the federal government was "trying to help Portland, not hurt it."

"Their leadership has, for months, lost control of the anarchists and agitators. They are missing in action," he said.

Wheeler, however, said the presence and actions of the federal officers had ignited "a powder keg."

"The reason we want those federal troops out of our city is they are making the situation much more dangerous." (AFP)

This story has been published on: 2020-07-19. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
Today we are no longer living in a free society. Instead, we are ruled by those who try to enforce their extreme views by shaming and ruining those who think differently.

It is not far-fetched to compare the methods of this woke movement to those of Chairman Maos Red Guards, who terrorised the Chinese people half a century ago.

The so-called cancel culture  publicly shaming and trying to undermine the professional standing of anyone who deviates from ever-more extreme standards of political correctness  is simply the latest expression of this intolerant, baying movement.

John Gray (pictured) is an emeritus professor at London School of Economics

Such behaviour was once confined to virtue-signalling celebrities. However, it has now insidiously taken hold in most of our national institutions.

From universities, the Church, big business, schools, broadcast media, the police, local authorities, publishing houses and even in some newspapers, woke ideology is now being actively promoted.

This is a terrifying development.

Anyone who departs from the new orthodoxy is deemed evil and beyond redemption.

By ganging up together on social media, activists are on a mission to get such people sacked from their jobs and silenced forever.

Historically, the far-Left tried to shut down debate. But todays woke crusaders go much further.

Consider whats happening in higher education. In the early Seventies, when I took up my first academic job at the University of Essex, it was seen as being pretty Left-wing.

Practically every branch of the radical Left was active on campus. From students out of comprehensives handing out Communist Party of Great Britain pamphlets through to ostentatiously scruffy ex-public school Trotskyites and anarchists, the entire spectrum was represented.

I remember carrying on teaching classes in 1973-4 in defiance of blockades which eventually faded away after a massive police operation in which more than 100 students were arrested.

As a young lecturer, I was able to take a detached attitude because neither I, nor anyone else I knew, was threatened. Back then, what we witnessed was the small world of quarrelling radical sects. No one ever spoke of getting anyone cancelled.

'It is not far-fetched to compare the methods of this woke movement to those of Chairman Maos Red Guards, who terrorised the Chinese people half a century ago,' says John Gray. Pictured: Red Guards reading Mao's Little Red Book in Beijing, 1966

The same was true when I moved on to teach at Oxford University and then at the London School of Economics. True, most academics in both institutions were Left-wing but there were also crusty old Tories, old-fashioned liberals and many who did not bother about politics at all. There was no rigid orthodoxy in whose shadow teachers and students cowered and quaked.

Today, our universities are bastions of Left-wing, woke orthodoxy. Any dissenting voices  however mild in their beliefs  have to be silenced. And a growing number of schools are now joining universities in propagating this ideology.

Critical race theory  a sub-Marxist ideology in which white privilege is invoked to explain all kinds of injustice  is increasingly being taught as part of decolonising the curriculum.

Indeed, no subject is immune from this re-education campaign in our schools and universities.

Academics at Birmingham City University have proposed that Mozart be eliminated from music teaching and replaced by the rapper Stormzy. Eton College has announced it will change the teaching of history, geography, religion, politics and English, along with school assemblies and societies, in order to ensure that decolonisation is enforced across the board.

John Gray says: 'Academics at Birmingham City University have proposed that Mozart be eliminated from music teaching and replaced by the rapper Stormzy'

It may be true that the school curriculum has been narrow in the past. As an example, I believe too little has been taught of the enormous volunteer army from India, Africa and other then-British colonial territories that fought on behalf of this country in the Second World War.

But the ideology that is being used to shape a new curriculum is even narrower. Abstract concepts of whiteness are taught as facts, while the real complexities of history are ignored.

Of course, students and academic institutions have always been full of Left-wing idealised youths but today this woke agenda goes way beyond education and infiltrates every other institution of public life  the very pillars of our civilisation. Nowhere is exempt.

The head of the Church of England, Justin Welby, has, for example, suggested it is wrong to portray Jesus as white. Different cultures portray him in different ways, the Archbishop of Canterbury points out. This is so but the fact is that Jesus was neither black nor white. The historical truth is that Jesus was a Jew, who spoke the ancient Semitic language of Aramaic  something Welby fails to mention.

Our police force, too, has also been affected by woke attitudes.

'The head of the Church of England, Justin Welby, has, for example, suggested it is wrong to portray Jesus as white. Different cultures portray him in different ways, the Archbishop of Canterbury points out,' John Gray says

Officers face many difficulties. There have been violent attacks by protesters on them in Hackney, Brixton, White City and other parts of London. Also, it is true that some have been tainted by racism.

In these conditions, the police are bound to be cautious. But that does not explain officers dancing along with Extinction Rebellion protesters, as some did in April last year at a demonstration at Londons Oxford Circus. There were also scenes of police officers taking the knee during the recent Black Lives Matter protests.

Why are our police officers virtue-signalling their wokery? The task of the police is to enforce the law and maintain public peace, not show sympathy for any political movement.

One reason why British institutions have been captured by the forces of illiberalism is contagion from the US, where the movement has been most extreme.

Even the citadels of capitalism have fallen. Giant corporations instruct their employees in diversity training but fail to provide them with medical insurance, childcare facilities or decent incomes.

John Gray says: 'In these conditions, the police are bound to be cautious. But that does not explain officers dancing along with Extinction Rebellion protesters, as some did in April last year at a demonstration at Londons Oxford Circus.' Pictured: Oxford Circus on June 29, 2020

All the while, there is a witch- hunt which has seen leading figures driven from American institutions.

Last week, the senior curator of the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art resigned, accused of white supremacist language after he stated that refusing to collect white artists would be reverse discrimination.

And an opinion editor and writer at the New York Times resigned, citing constant bullying by colleagues who attacked what they called her forays into Wrongthink. This reference to George Orwells novel 1984  where people are punished for thought-crime  is very telling.

Whats more, major American news providers and magazines are now operating a system in which staff are encouraged to snitch on their colleagues and denounce one another on Twitter.

This hounding of people is strikingly reminiscent of Maos Cultural Revolution, which convulsed communist China from 1966-1976 and wrecked much of what remained of the countrys ancient civilisation.

The only way someone accused of thought-crime could escape punishment was through public confession, re-education and abject apology in so-called struggle sessions, in which they were humiliated and tormented by their accusers.

Tragically, the woke movement has reinvented this vile ritual, with teachers, journalists, professors and others seeking to hang on to their jobs by desperately begging forgiveness.

In some ways, todays Twitter Maoism is worse than the original Chinese version. Maos Cultural Revolution was unleashed by a communist dictator, who used the upheaval to consolidate his power.

Conversely, in Britain and America today, our leading institutions have shamefully surrendered their own authority to a destructive ideology.

It is vital that this ideological rampage does not rage on for a decade as Maos did in China.

Otherwise we will find our freedom lost to a movement that aims to dictate how we live and think, and British civilisation will suffer irreparable harm.
PRISTINA -- Kosovar President Hashim Thaci has again defended his actions during Kosovo's war with Serbia following his return from an international war crimes court in The Hague, and called for unity among the country's political forces as it attempts to normalize ties with its bitter rival.

Thaci's televised address and Facebook comments on July 18 were his first public remarks since returning from The Hague following four days of questioning by prosecutors regarding his actions during Kosovo's guerrilla war for independence from Serbia in the late 1990s.

The Kosovo Specialist Chambers (SPO) announced on June 24 that Thaci and other prominent Kosovars were the subject of an indictment on suspicion of serious crimes, including "nearly 100 murders," enforced disappearances, and torture.

Thaci has defended his war record and has denied any wrongdoing.

In his July 18 remarks, he said he had "full respect" for the process of determining the truth of what happened during the war years of 1998-99 and said he was confident that his role in "the liberation struggle for freedom and independence" would be legally justified.

Pristina declared independence from Serbia in 2008. More than 110 countries including the United States now recognize Kosovo, but those who do not accept its independence include -- in addition to Belgrade -- Russia, China, and several EU member states, including Spain, Greece, Slovakia, and Romania.

Many ethnic Albanian Kosovars still bitterly recall years of armed opposition to policies imposed on them by Belgrade ahead of the 1998-99 war that ended in NATO's 78-day bombing campaign that drove Serbian forces out of Kosovo.

Thaci, who was a top commander of the Kosovo Liberation Army (UCK) during the war, said all of his actions were focused on the defense of Kosovo.

"The glorious resistance, survival, and triumph over an invader, which sought to exterminate the Albanian people of Kosovo from the face of the Earth with the broom of ethnic fascism, will become once and for all untouchable by anyone," Thaci said in his on July 18 broadcast.

Thaci said he underwent some 30 hours of questioning by prosecutors during his four days in The Hague, ending on July 16.

The SPO, which is funded by the European Union, was established to deal with alleged crimes committed in the period January 1998 through December 2000.

It was created by a law passed by Kosovo's parliament in 2015 under pressure from the EU, the United States, and international organizations.

Although the judges, prosecutors, and other court officials are from various countries, the court is being administered under the laws of Kosovo.

A pretrial judge in the SPO has yet to decide whether to put Thaci and the others on trial or throw out the case.

Thaci has told Kosovars that if he is tried, he will immediately resign and face the accusations.

The Kosovar president also called in his July 18 remarks for dialogue between the political forces in Kosovo and for a "healthy" debate between the government and the opposition.

He said unity was crucial as the small, Western-backed state continues to negotiate normalization of ties with larger neighbor Serbia, which has long attempted to balance its ties with the West and that of traditional ally Russia.

"We must speak to the world with one voice and develop the dialogue with Serbia with an exemplary show of unity," he said.

Leaders of Serbia and Kosovo met in Brussels on July 16 for their first face-to-face talks in 20 months under a EU-mediated dialogue process aimed at normalizing relations between the two Balkan neighbors.
 Close Donald Trump suggests he could reject 2020 election results

As the coronavirus pandemic death toll grew to more than 140,000 people in the US, Donald Trump tweeted out a photo of himself wearing a mask and saying "many people say that it is Patriotic to wear a face mask when you can't socially distance. There is nobody more Patriotic than me".

The president said he would resume the White House's daily 5 pm EST briefings on coronavirus, which he has now taken to calling the "Invisible China Virus".

As violence continued in Portland, meanwhile, Trump confirmed reports that his administration planned on sending "law enforcement" to major cities across the country.

Two world wars, however, were described as "beautiful" during a Fox News interview as the president defended his resistance to renaming US military bases connected to Confederate generals.

Trump's attacks on Joe Biden mental fitness during the interview didn't poll well with voters, while many viewers questioned the president's own performance during the heated sit-down with host Chris Wallace.

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Tensions are mounting by the day between the United States and China, leading to talk of a new Cold War. Experts see important historical differences -- but believe the two powers are entering dangerous territory. US President Donald Trump's administration has increasingly gone global against China, pushing other nations to reject its strings-attached aid and telecom titan Huawei, and siding unreservedly with Beijing's rivals in the dispute-rife South China Sea. Trump has made China a major campaign issue as he heads into the November election, but the relationship looks unlikely to change in more than tone if he loses to Joe Biden, who has accused the president of not being tough enough. Stephen Walt, a professor of international affairs at Harvard University, said the world's two largest economic powers were engaged in a long-term competition over "incompatible strategic visions," including China's desire to dominate Asia. China sees Trump as a "weak and error-prone leader" and likely believes the "disastrous" US response to the coronavirus pandemic presented opportunities to press its advantage, he said. "It resembles the US-Soviet 'Cold War' in certain respects, but it is not yet as dangerous as that earlier rivalry," Walt said. "One key difference is that the two states are still closely connected economically, although that relationship is now under considerable strain." US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, who is taking stern warnings about Beijing around the world, did not reject the Cold War comparison in a recent radio interview. He also noted that the United States was never as economically intertwined with the Soviet Union --and said the West therefore needed to separate from China, especially its technology, which Washington fears will be used for espionage. - Chance of 'hot war' - Oriana Skylar Mastro, an assistant professor at Georgetown University and resident scholar at the American Enterprise Institute, said it was dangerous to speak of a Cold War with China. "The situation with China is nothing like the Cold War," she said. "On the positive side, we have extensive engagement. On the negative, there is a real possibility of a hot war between the two sides to a degree that never existed with the Soviet Union." She said that using a Cold War lens leads to ineffective responses, including Washington incorrectly seeing Beijing as an ideological threat. Mastro said that China had plenty of options to alleviate US concerns, such as pulling back weapons systems in the South China Sea. "But Beijing won't do this because it fundamentally misunderstands the drivers of US policy. It thinks the US is responding to its own decline in power -- that no matter how Beijing acts, the US will lash out," she said. "So there is no impetus to try to moderate its ambitions and how it attempts to achieve them. This is a mistake. And China's failure to do so, to try to assure the US, could lead us into a war." - Sharp hardening - In a shift from a few years ago, US businesses, stung by what they see as rampant theft of intellectual property, are rarely asking for de-escalation. David Stilwell, the top State Department official for East Asia, said he learned as US defense attache in Beijing that China responded to "demonstrable and tangible action." "Personally I was of that school that you could work with these folks. But my epiphany came 10 years ago when I went to Beijing," he told a recent think tank event. The United States has also pressed China over its clampdown in Hong Kong and mass incarceration of Uighur Muslims, each time triggering retaliatory measures by Beijing. Trump has still voiced hope of preserving a trade deal with China, which promised before the coronavirus pandemic to ramp up purchases of US goods. Shi Yinhong, a professor of international relations at Renmin University in Beijing, said both sides knew China would no longer be able to carry out the agreement in full. Shi said he expects relations will keep deteriorating. "The old Cold War was a very fierce confrontation and competition between two great powers, driven by ideology and strategy," Shi said. In the case of the United States and China, the two powers are selectively but rapidly "decoupling" from each other, he said. "Using this definition, it can be said that China and the United States have begun to enter a new Cold War." Chinese troops march in October 2019 in Tiananmen Square in Beijing at a time of growing friction with the United States Hong Kongers opposed to an extradition bill with mainland China hold an American flag at an August 2019 protest A billboard in Shanghai in June 2020 advertises a global flagship store of Huawei, the Chinese telecom giant which the United States is seeking to counter China's President Xi Jinping and US President Donald Trump meet at a summit in Osaka in June 2019
As our readers know, Minnesota has suffered under the high-handed dictates of Governor Tim Walz, who implemented by executive order one of the most extreme COVID shutdowns of any state. Minnesota ground to a halt, economically, socially and academically. The effects of the shutdown were (and are) catastrophic, even though Minnesotas coronavirus problem was confined overwhelmingly to nursing homes and other long-term care facilities, as Scott has tirelessly documented.

The organization that I run, Center of the American Experiment, swung into action in April to oppose Walzs extreme orders, at a time when virtually no one else in the state was standing up to the governor. We created a video in which Minnesota small businesspeople told their stories:

We set up a web site, Back2WorkMN.com, where people could easily sign a letter protesting against the shutdown and asking the governor to let Minnesota go back to work. Each letter went via email to Governor Walz, with copies to each signers Senator and Representative, based on zip code.

We publicized Back2WorkMN.com on the radio and with billboards:

We launched a major social media campaign to drive traffic to Back2WorkMN.com, with digital ads like this one:

Our campaign resulted in more than 50,000 emailed letters being sent to Governor Walz and Minnesota legislators. While the battle continuesGovernor Walzs emergency powers remain in effect, with the Republican Senate voting to end them while the Democratic House refuses to let them expirethere has been considerable relaxation and most businesses have been able to resume in some fashion.

The State Policy Network, the umbrella organization for state-based conservative policy groups, has now released the finalists for its award for the Best Issue Campaign of the last 12 months, and the Centers Back2WorkMN campaign is one of the three nominees.

SPN selects the finalists in each category, but the winner is chosen by popular vote. SPN encourages nominated organizations to enlist their friends and supporters to vote for them. This publicizes not just the awards, but the nominated organizations and SPN itself. So: you can carry out that mandate by going here and voting for Center of the American Experiments Back2WorkMN for Best Issue Campaign.

Last year we won in the category of Most Influential Research for our work debunking green energy. We hope to win again this year. So, thanks for your vote! Once again, this is the place to go.
On July 18, Libyas internationally recognised Government of National Accord moved the fighters closer to Sirte. Sirte is the gateway to Libyas main oil terminals which the GNA aims to recapture from the eastern based Libyan National Army. According to reports, witnesses claim that about 200 vehicles moved eastwards from Misrata towards the town of Tawergha, which falls in the way of Sirte.

Read: UAE Wants Return Of Libya's Oil Production With Safeguards, Says Emirati Minister

Battle between the LNA and GNA

The GNA is backed by Turkey and claims that it will recapture Sirte and an LNA airbase at Jufra. The GNA recently ended military commanders campaign Khalifa Haftars 14 months campaign to take control of the capital, Tripoli. With this, GNA recaptured most of the territory held by LNA. Egypt is further threatening to send troops to Libya if the GNA and Turkey try to capture Sirte. Egypt is supported by the United Arab Emirates and Russia.

Read: Pentagon Report: Turkey Sent Up To 3,800 Fighters To Libya

The United States also made a statement saying that Moscow has sent warplanes to Jufra through Syria just to act in support of the Russians who are fighting in company with LNA. However, both Moscow and LNA have denied this statement. The LNA has itself sent forces and weapons to sustain its defence of Sirte

Read: Libyan Forces Set Conditions For Lifting Oil Blockade

Also Read: Libyan Forces Set Conditions For Lifting Oil Blockade

(Image Credits: AP)
Irans president on Saturday estimated as many as 25 million Iranians could have been infected with the coronavirus since the outbreak's beginning, as he urged the public to take the pandemic seriously, the state-run IRNA news agency reported.

Hassan Rouhani cited a new Iranian Health Ministry study in offering the unprecedentedly high numbers.

Rouhani also said about 30 to 35 million will be infected to the virus in the coming months.

We have to estimate that 30 to 35 million people will be exposed to the virus, which is very important, Rouhani added.

Iran's population is around 81 million people.

Iranians officials have not explained on what the report's estimates are based. The study has so far not been made publicly available.

Referring to the report, Rouhani said it also predicts that the number of hospitalizations will soon be "twice as many as we have seen in the last 150 days.

In recent weeks, Iran has seen daily death tolls spike to their highest-ever levels, sparking increasing fear even as government officials say they cant lock the country back down for fear of cratering its sanctions-hit economy.

Iran has seen the worst outbreak in the Middle East, with more than 270,000 confirmed cases and at least 13,979 deaths. That includes 2,166 new cases and 188 deaths in the last 24 hours, according to the Health Ministry.

Authorities in the capital of Tehran are imposing new restrictions from Saturday, amid the severe increase in cases in recent weeks, closing some public spaces like coffee shops, zoos, and indoor swimming pools.

Rouhanis most recent remarks show that questions remain over the country's official figures from the outbreak, even after officials have publicly acknowledged its importance.

Before Iran reported its first cases of the virus in February, authorities denied it had reached the country for days, allowing the virus time to spread as the nation marked the 41st anniversary of the Islamic Revolution with mass demonstrations and then held a parliamentary election in which authorities desperately sought to boost turnout.

Story continues

A parliamentary report in April said Irans death toll is likely nearly double the officially reported figures. Given insufficient testing, the report said the number of people infected at the time was probably eight to 10 times higher than the reported figures.

Even today, Iranian death tolls remain based on those who died in coronavirus wards in hospitals. However, its believed that many more died at home, and some families have reportedly asked doctors not to mention their loved ones died of the virus to avoid the stigma associated with COVID-19, the illness caused by the virus.

(AP)
Delhi rains: Kejriwal says not time to blame each other after BJP slams AAP govt over waterlogging

India

pti-PTI

New Delhi, July 19: This is not the time to play the blame game over waterlogging in parts of Delhi as all agencies have been busy combating the coronavirus, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said on Sunday after the BJP charged that the first spell of rains has "exposed" the AAP government's preparations.

Heavy rains caused waterlogging in parts of Delhi, including at Minto Bridge where a 56-year-old man died allegedly due to drowning after his mini-truck was submerged. BJP MP Manoj Tiwari alleged that the AAP government's preparations have been exposed by the first spell of monsoon rains.

Delhi rains: Heavy showers lash city, 60-year-old dies of drowning under waterlogged Minto Bridge

In a tweet in Hindi, Kejriwal said, "This year, all agencies, be it Delhi government or MCD (civic body), were busy in prevention of COVID-19. They faced many difficulties due to corona. This is not the time to blame each other. All have to fulfil their responsibilities together. Wherever there is waterlogging, we will try to pump out water immediately."

Coronavirus: WHO reports single-day record global spike in Covid-19 cases | Oneindia News

Later, in another tweet, the chief minister said water had been drained from the Minto Bridge. Kejriwal said he had been in touch with the agencies and monitoring the process of removing water from there.

Slamming the chief minister, Delhi BJP president Adesh Gupta in a tweet said that it is just the beginning of monsoon and asked the AAP dispensation to take concrete steps as soon as possible to prevent waterlogging. Gupta also condoled the death at Minto Bridge which comes under the Delhi PWD. He said that if steps were taken in time, the death due to waterlogging could have been prevented.

"Minto Bridge area comes under the PWD of Delhi government. There is a pump which was not started in time and the DJB line which carries the lifted water was also choked. We have been raising this issues in the past.

Taking to Twitter, Tiwari said that the situation worsened in a few hours of rains and wondered what will happen if there is rains for months. "...Arvind Kejriwal ji your preparations are exposed by the first rains of Monsoon.

Maharashtra: Rain lashes parts of Mumbai, city records second-highest single-day rainfall since 2015

A solid plan should be prepared to deal with the rains so that Delhi could be prevented from submerging and people saved from difficulties" the BJP MP said on Twitter. North MCD Mayor Jai Prakash, who visited the Minto Bridge on Sunday morning, claimed that he got North Delhi Municipal Corporation staffers clear water from the area.

The national capital received its first spell of heavy rains on Sunday morning which led to waterlogging in low-lying areas and brought traffic to a standstill at key stretches in the city. According to the Delhi Traffic Police, jams were reported from Azadpur to Mukarba Chowk, Yashwant Place to Ashoka Road, at Ring Road, Bhairon Road, and near Mundka metro station due to heavy waterlogging. The driver and the conductor of a bus that got stuck at the Minto Bridge underpass due to waterlogging were rescued by fire department personnel, officials said.
TDT | Manama

Indian School Bahrain (ISB) students displayed exemplary performances in the Class X CBSE examination, held in March of this year. The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) declared the results yesterday.

Against a total of 776 students who appeared for the exam, the school achieved a pass percentage of 100 per cent, including exactly 100 students earning an A grade in all subjects and 172 students scoring above 90 per cent marks in aggregate. Nandana Subha Vinukumar topped the school with 98.6 per cent, scoring 493 out of 500.

This is the highest-ever scored by a Class X student in the history of ISB. Nayana Chandran Puravankara, who scored 489, stood second with 97.8 per cent, and Goutham Anaimallur Janardhanan, who got 488, stood third with 97.6 per cent. Meanwhile, four students secured 100 in mathematics and 19 students secured 99. Four secured 100 in social science and four others secured 99.

Two students scored 100 in French and six students secured 99, while one student secured 100 in science, 10 students secured 99 in Malayalam, two students scored 99 in Sanskrit, and one student secured 99 in English. Furthermore, 84.1 per cent of students got First Class and 58.9 per cent got Distinction, while 172 students scored 90 per cent and above and 100 students earned an A grade in all subjects.

ISB honourary chairman Prince S Natarajan, honourary secretary Saji Antony, honourary member academics Mohammed Khursheed Alam, executive committee members and principal VR Palniswamy congratulated the students, teachers and parents for the excellent results.

In this difficult hour of the COVID-19 pandemic, it is heartening to know the brilliant results of the Indian School which is the result of the combined efforts of the academic team and the wholehearted support of the parents and teachers, said Natarajan.

Congratulations to all who have contributed to the spectacular performance. Antony added: The Indian School students have proved their brilliance by achieving an excellent result though the road was tough.

Best wishes for achieving excellence and all the best for the upcoming days.Alam commented: The ISB students excellent results will open new doors of opportunities. I wish success and happiness in their future endeavors. Enjoy what you do and success will follow as before. Principal Palaniswamy said that the students success can be credited to the academic environment, meticulous planning by the schools leadership, and commitment of the teachers and efforts of the students.
The Winneba District Magistrates Court, presided over by Mr Isaac Oheneba Kufuor, has granted bail in the sum of 5,000 Ghana Cedis with one surety each to two Nigerians over kidnap.



Duru Favour, 26, Artist, and Paul Okafor, 29, Businessman, kidnapped 39 other Nigerians trafficked into the country and kept at Gomoa Pomadze near Winneba Junction.



Their victims were allegedly used to commit crime, to wit cyber Fraud.



The two pleaded not guilty to the charges of kidnapping and use of trafficked persons. They are to re-appear on July 23, 2020.



Narrating the fact of the case, Chief Superintendent Samuel Okanta, officer in charge of the Winneba Police Command, said Charles Ikorohk, a Nigerian, was the complainant.



He said Ikorohk arrived in Ghana (Accra) on January 22 to visit a friend by name Collins but could not reach him on his phone and got stranded as a result.



Chief Supt. Okanta said whilst at Kwame Nkrumah Circle Ikorohk met Uzo, also a Nigerian, who introduced him to his senior brother called Arisuezo, who offered to assist him to get a place to sleep until he found his friend (Collins).



He said Arisuezo transported both his junior brother Uzo and Ikorohk to Winneba and kept them in a walled house at Gomoa Pomadze.



Ikorohk, on the third day, could not see Uzo again, hence he tried to leave the house but he was prevented and was locked up in a different room by Arisuezo where he met seven other Nigerians and he was fed once a day.



Chief Supt Okanta said Ikorohk attempted to escape twice but he was arrested and subjected to inhumane treatment.



All these while, Arisuezo used them to perpetrate cybercrime with the assistance of Favour and Okafor, who acted as supervisors.



Chief Supt. Okanta said from January 26, Ikorohk could not step out of the house until Sunday, July 12, at 0800 hours, when he and others were asked to weed the compound.



Ikorohk scaled the wall and sought refuge in a nearby house after the two accused persons went out with one of the victims to withdrew money from a nearby mobile money vendor.



The occupants of the house later called the Effutu Municipal Joint Police and Military Patrol Team to go to the rescue of the complainant.



The Commander said a team of police personnel went to the house where Ikorohk was held captive for six months and forced open three single rooms where 38 others, all Nigerians, were rescued.



Thirty-six laptops were retrieved from the house and during the rescue exercise, Favour and Okafor informed the police that the victims were locked up on the orders of their boss, Arisuezo, who is on the run.



The police is doing everything possible to arrest Arisuezo, Chief Supt. Okanta said.

Source: GNA









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Source: Xinhua| 2020-07-19 06:51:23|Editor: huaxia

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European Council President Charles Michel chairs a special European Council meeting at the EU headquarters in Brussels, July 17, 2020. (European Union/Handout via Xinhua)

The EU summit, the first face-to-face one since the outbreak of the pandemic, failed to reach consensus on the next seven-year budget and an ambitious recovery plan designed to lift the bloc out of the crisis triggered by the coronavirus pandemic.

BRUSSELS, July 18 (Xinhua) -- A special summit grouping heads of state and government of the European Union (EU) member states on Saturday failed to reach consensus on the next seven-year budget and an ambitious recovery plan designed to lift the bloc out of the crisis triggered by the coronavirus pandemic.

The leaders will reconvene on Sunday noon, said a spokesman for the European Council President Charles Michel.

The extension by an extra day was proposed by Michel, who has hosted the challenging roundtable and held bilateral meetings with his counterparts from the member states in the first two days, trying to bridge their differences.

Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen attends a special European Council meeting at the EU headquarters in Brussels, July 17, 2020. (European Union/Handout via Xinhua)

The summit, the first face-to-face one since the outbreak of the pandemic, came at a critical moment as the 27-member bloc is seeking a consensus on a 750-billion-euro recovery plan embedded in an enhanced 2021-2027 EU budget of 1.074 trillion euros.

Part of the debt-financed fund will be paid as non-repayable grants to crisis-hit countries and the rest as loans. Countries particularly hard hit by the pandemic, such as Italy and Spain, would benefit most from the recovery plan.

However, the Netherlands, Denmark, Sweden and Austria, nicknamed the Frugal Four, oppose the non-repayable grants, and call for linking aid to reform plans. 
EAST GREENBUSH  Residents are so eager to see the 36-mile Albany-Hudson Electric Trail open that town officials keep telling them its not yet ready to be used.

We have been putting out social media reminders about safety. The COVID pandemic and the beauty of the trail makes them want to use it, Deputy Supervisor Tina Tierney, who is a member of the Town Board, said Friday.

The trail runs through Rensselaer Countys most populous town on its way south from the neighboring city of Rensselaer to the city of Hudson in Columbia County.

Construction crews have been working in the town on the trail. And signs saying Trail Closed have been posted in the Hampton Manor neighborhood in an effort to remind residents to wait until the trail opens before they venture on it.

East Greenbush officials are concerned that the trail is not yet finished; advisory signs have not yet been posted near the crossing at Route 4 and along the trail; and that traffic near the trail is a concern, said Tierney.

The Albany-Hudson Electric Trail follows the path of the electric trolley line that connected Albany to Hudson from 1899 to 1929. Its part of the $200 million trail Empire State Trail project to construct a 750-mile hiking/biking path running north-south between New York City and Canada and east-west linking Albany and Buffalo. The trail was a topic of discussion for Rensselaer Countys municipalities for the past decade.

Trail construction started in May 2019, and significant progress was made during calendar year 2019. However, at present, no trail segments have been completed. Given the projects 36-mile length, two construction seasons will be needed to complete the trail, with all work completed by mid-November 2020, the Hudson Valley Greenway said in its last posted update in January regarding the trail.

Special Investigation 147 NY dams are 'unsound,' potentially dangerous Thousands of dams have not been inspected in over 20 years.

New York State is on schedule to complete the $45 million Empire State Trail section connecting the cities of Rensselaer and Hudson later this year, said Dan Keefe, a spokesman for the state Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation.

The Albany-Hudson Electric Trail follows the path of the trolley line from Rensselaer through East Greenbush, Nassau, the village of Nassau and Schodack in Rensselaer County into Columbia County where it traverses Chatham, Kinderhook, the villages of Valatie and Kinderhook, Stuyvesant, Stockport, Greenport and arrives in Hudson. Details are available on the trail website at www.ahettrail.org.

People are so excited about it, Tierney said, When its finished, it will be fantastic.
ROME (AP)  Italian coast guard divers and biologists were working Sunday to free a sperm whale that was entangled in a fishing net near a tiny Mediterranean island.

In a coast guard video, a diver can be seen slicing away some of the net in the waters surrounding the Aeolian Island archipelago. Boaters on Saturday had spotted the struggling sperm whale in that stretch of the Tyrrhenian Sea off Italys west coast and contacted the coast guard.

The operation to free the sperm whale was particularly difficult due to its state of agitation" that didn't allow for continual intervention near the whale, the coast guard said Sunday.

Three weeks ago, the Italian coast guard freed another sperm whale ensnared in a fishing net, also in the sea off the Aeolian Islands.

Since the start of the year, the coast guard has sequestered illegal fishing nets totaling more than a 100 kilometers (62 miles) in length.. The coast guard says it has stepped up its efforts this year to combat illegal fishing.
LABELLE, FL. -- It is the season for asphalt paving trucks to head south to warmer states like Florida. A man knocks on your door and convi...
Many creative people move to New York City in hopes of one day getting a job in show business or the arts. They often work as waiters in bars or restaurants while hoping for a big break as a performer, painter or writer.

But the coronavirus health crisis has put many servers out of work in recent months as eateries were forced to suspend their in-house dining services. And the future of what restaurant dining will look like is unclear even as New York City reopens.

Some people wonder whether there will be enough business for bars and eateries to stay open and even have server jobs to fill. This raises questions about what that will mean for New Yorks creative class. Many servers fear the jobs that helped them live in the city and add to its artistic culture are no longer readily available.

Travis McClung grew up in Texas. He told the Associated Press: It really is a part of the artists life in New York, so I dont know what thats going to look like if its just suddenly not an option anymore.

McClung moved to New York in 2009 to study theater in college. Now 28-years-old, he has spent close to nine years serving food while doing theater, singing and more recently, trying to build his career in video production.

The virus has been especially damaging for the citys restaurant workers. The New York State Department of Labor reports that restaurants and other eateries employed just over 273,000 people in February 2020. But that was before the city started closing down in March to fight the spread of COVID-19. In April, as case numbers jumped, the number of employees had fallen to under 78,000.

As the city began reopening in May, the number rose to close to 100,000, still far below where it had been.

New York has permitted outdoor dining service in recent weeks. Around 6,600 of the citys restaurants have requested permits to feed people on sidewalks and streets. But the return of indoor service has been delayed over fears that enclosed spaces would make virus cases rise.



Rachel Berry moved to New York City from Maryland in 2004. She tried several different jobs like dog walking and childcare before moving to food service in 2016.

Berry even spent some time at a traditional office job. But she found the structure too rigid to give her enough time to work on her creative interests. These have included painting, performing and most recently, interior design work.

She worries now about what will be available in restaurants, as social distancing restrictions require eateries to limit crowds in the weeks to come. She also worries whether she would have to work even more in other jobs to make what she has been able to in food service.

Am I going to have the same opportunities afforded to me financially, or, you know, am I going to be stuck in this, I need two to three jobs to get by, Berry asked.

Jen Lyon is the owner of MeanRed Productions, a company that organizes arts and music events. She worries that creative people may leave New York, or choose not to come there at all, because of the high cost of living.

As someone who spent years bartending, she understands the importance for food service jobs and what they offer creative people.

They are the best jobs to have when you need to focus on your art, especially in New York, she said.

But now, if many of those jobs disappear, What happens in my world is suddenly I dont have young artists to work with because they cant afford New York, she said. You dont have people creating art in New York anymore.

Losing creative people is also a huge threat to the city, said Eli Dvorkin. He serves as editorial and policy director at the Center for an Urban Future, which supports policies that make New York more equitable.

As a city we cant afford to lose our creative edge. Its been one of the  drivers of the citys economic growth over the past decades, Dvorkin noted.

Im Pete Musto.

Deepti Hajela reported on this story for the Associated Press. Pete Musto adapted it for VOA Learning English. George Grow was the editor.

We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section.

________________________________________________________________

Words in This Story

bar(s)  n. a building or room where alcoholic drinks and sometimes food are served

break  n. a lucky situation or event that makes success possible

option  n. something that can be chosen

rigid  adj. not easily changed

opportunities  n. amounts of time or situations in which something can be done

afford(ed)  v. to supply or provide something needed or wanted to someone

bartending  v. serving drinks at a bar or restaurant

focus  v. to direct your attention or effort at something specific

equitable  adj. just or fair

decade(s)  n. a period of 10 years
(Natural News) COVID-19 has proven time and time again that its unlike any other illness society has faced, and a new study shows that preventing the disease is going to be incredibly challenging, as infections do not give people long-term immunity to the disease as many had hoped.

This is according to a study that was recently carried out by Londons Guys and St. Thomas National Health Service Foundation Trust. The researchers studied the immune response in patients with the disease and found that the antibodies they developed decreased within a few weeks after the onset of symptoms. This means that people could well become reinfected after recovering from the illness.

According to the study, 23 days after the symptoms first appeared in patients, 60 percent experienced a potent antibody response; 65 days later, just 16.7 percent had this response. Antibodies are the proteins your body makes to fight off an infection. If there is any silver lining here, its the fact that those who had a more severe infection enjoyed an antibody response that was stronger and lasted longer.

The study looked at 59 patients who had tested positive for the disease, the majority of whom were men. Researchers collected sequential serum samples from the patients from one day to 94 days after their symptoms first appeared. They also looked at 31 healthcare workers who volunteered to undergo regular antibody tests.

The researchers noted that the antibody response to COVID-19 that they found was similar to that seen in other types of human coronaviruses, such seasonal coronaviruses linked to the common cold and SARS. In these viruses, a persons antibody response tends to fade for a period of time that can be as little as 12 weeks or as long as 34 months after infection.

This study isnt just bad news for those who have suffered from the disease and are hoping to avoid a repeat; it also indicates that coming up with a vaccine could be complicated, if not impossible. Even those with severe infections who enjoyed longer antibody responses still saw those effects fading within just a few months. That could mean, at the very least, that if a vaccine is developed, it will need to be administered frequently.

Dr. Mala Maini, a virus expert from University College London, told CNN that the study suggests vaccines will need to be better at inducing high levels of longer-lasting antibodies than the natural infection or that doses may need to be repeated to maintain immunity.

Other studies show similar antibody issues

The U.K. study is just the latest evidence that getting infected with COVID-19 doesnt mean people can let their guard down. A study from Spain found that just five percent of the population there had coronavirus antibodies despite experiencing a significant outbreak this spring. Moreover, their immunity to the disease faded after just a few weeks. This means that 95 percent of the countrys population is still susceptible to the virus.

The study, which took place from April to June, encompassed more than 61,000 participants, making it the largest study of its kind to date in Europe.

The study also concluded that the antibodies in Spains population were not sufficient to provide herd immunity, which occurs when a population is allowed a certain amount of exposure to the virus to build up immunity among the general population.

Meanwhile, a study out of China that compared the antibody responses of 37 symptomatic patients with 37 asymptomatic people found that those who did not have symptoms experienced a weaker antibody response than those who did have symptoms.

Many people have already expressed concerns about the potential side effects of a rushed COVID-19 vaccine, but that may be a moot point if the vaccine is incapable of providing people with immunity to the disease in the first place.

Sources for this article include:

TheEpochTimes.com

Edition.CNN.com

CNBC.com
RGVs interview with Renuka, the young pregnant wife of the one of the accused, on TV5 appears to be extremely insensitive. File Photo

Known to court controversy when presenting his critique of society through the medium of cinema, director Ram Gopal Varmas two upcoming film projects are based on sensational subjects.

One of the films is based on a 23-year-old dalit man, Mirayalaguda Pranay, who was murdered in broad daylight on September 14, 2018, by career criminals engaged by his caste Hindu wifes father, Maruthi Rao.

The other film is about the young veterinarian, Disa, who was raped and murdered on November 27, 2019, in Hyderabad. It led to the police killings of four young men.

Let us discuss a few ethical concerns related to the subjects of these two films. The discussion is not aimed at curtailing the directors freedom of speech and expression. It must be remembered, however, that it is equally important to protect the survivors of crime from further violence.

The concerns are as follows. First, the legal procedure in both cases has not come to a conclusion yet. Second, these cases involve sensitive matters  caste killings and rape. It is unethical to make a biographical film on a living person without their consent.

Amrutha is a young woman, who witnessed the murder of her beloved husband. It is difficult for people to measure her unfathomable pain while surviving parental abuse, experiencing misrepresentation of her life and views in the media and suffering online trolling.

Making a film on the caste killing of Pranay that includes her life story may put her through the trauma again. Amrutha condemned making a movie on her life. The portrayal of the life of an ordinary middle class family may also affect the privacy of Amruthas child who must grow up in the same casteist and sexist society. Third, there are cases of consolidated caste Hindu middle classes stalking and bullying her online.

The process of all those cyber crime cases might be hampered. Popular cinema impacts the perceptions of not only the common man but also of the police, lawyers and judges. The question here is whether RGVs film would be helpful for Amrutha in her fight for legal justice or merely empathise with the casteist parents of our society.

The rape and murder of Disa is another complex case. Her parents and family members are finding it difficult to cope with the loss. There was police negligence, which was the primary accusation by Disas family. Four young men, who belonged to poor families, were arrested within 48 hours. All four were killed by police even before they were presented in the court.

According to the police report, it was an encounter, though that is yet to be proved legally.

Many Indian middle classes celebrated the alleged encounter. It was one of those rare moments in which urban Hindu middle class protests have overthrown the legal process in the worlds largest democracy.

However, Disas family members said that they would have been happy if police had responded quickly without humiliating Disas mother by character assassination of her missing daughter. Varma making a film on Disas incident might make them relive their trauma.

Another set of survivors in this case are family members of the accused who lost their loved ones to police bullets.

RGVs interview with Renuka, the young pregnant wife of the one of the accused, on TV5 appears to be extremely insensitive. The filmmaker asks Renuka as to why she mourned the death of her husband, Chennakesavulu. None of the accused is proven guilty under law. RGV cannot assume that Renuka knew for sure that the accused had committed the crime.

Moreover, Chennakesavulu being guilty has nothing much to do with Renuka mourning her husbands death. Varma also asked questions with regard to the stigma on her unborn child as a son/daughter of a rapist!

His interview was based on the prima facie assumptions of guilt of the accused. Renuka, barely educated, could not comprehend his questions.

Varma repeatedly said that two brutal rape cases in India, namely Nirbhaya and Disa, made him fear for his own life. He appeared to be unaware of the many cases of rape and murder of dalit/adivasi women in Hyderabad, successively reported after Disas murder. Only, those are not sensational but acts of casual sexist violence on dalit women. What of the rapes on dalit women in villages such as Khairlanji and rape and pogroms on Muslim women in Gujarat in 2002?



While Varmas films like Lakshmis NTR (2019), Vangaveeti (2016) on Vangaveeti Ranga, and Rakta Charitra-1 and 2 on (2010) Paritala Ravi and Suri are based on incidents that happened a few decades ago, there was some distance in terms of elapsed time between the events and the making of these films.

Those films may not have had as much impact on the survivors.

When Shekhar Kapur made Bandit Queen (1994) on Phoolan Devi, Arundhati Roy criticised Kapur for making a film on a rape survivor without her consent. While sexual violence can be triggering, domestic violence too may be so.

Constructing sexual violence as the worst form of violence may be brahminical and sexist. Not all survivors have a similar belief system and similar views on sexual violence and it is evident in Phoolan Devi later using Shekhar Kapoors film for her political campaign.

While consent is one ethical question, the larger question is whether Ram Gopal Varma can provide an objective political critique on caste and gender issues through his two films. What is important in depiction of sexual violence is to not open the doors for voyeurs.

It is equally important not to be carried away by the brahminical values of fatherly love in depicting a (dis)honour killing.

If RGVs films are based on the poignant story of Maruthi Raos fatherly love and presupposition of the accused as the perpetrators in Disas case, they may not be very different from the stories telecast in local Telugu media channels.

Moreover, they might trigger violence against Amrutha or the family members of the accused in Disas case. Indian society has been known for condoning unprecedented mob -violence against dalits, adivasis and Muslims.

If RGV is critical enough to discuss the police brutality, caste system and control over the sexuality of women in caste Hindu families and endemic sexual violence on dalit women, his movies will serve a larger purpose.

Otherwise, his idea of making films on real-life incidents that took place in the nearest past will only be an exercise of his pet business model.
Floods in India, Nepal displace nearly 4 million people, at least 189 dead People push a car through a waterlogged street after it broke down during heavy rainfall in Mumbai

By Zarir Hussain and Gopal Sharma

GUWAHATI, India/KATHMANDU, Nepal (Reuters) - Nearly four million people in India's northeastern state of Assam and neighbouring Nepal have been displaced by heavy flooding from monsoon rains, with dozens missing as deaths rose to at least 189, government officials said on Sunday.

The overflowing Brahmaputra River, which flows through China's Tibet, India and Bangladesh, has damaged crops and triggered mudslides, displacing millions of people, officials said.

More than 2.75 million people in Assam have been displaced by three waves of floods since late May that has claimed 79 lives after two more deaths were reported overnight, a state government official said.

"The flood situation remains critical with most of the rivers flowing menacingly above the danger mark," Assam water resources Minister Keshab Mahanta told Reuters.

Assam is facing the twin challenge of combating floods and the coronavirus pandemic. Out of 33 districts, 25 remained affected after the current wave of flooding, beginning a fortnight ago.

India is grappling with the novel coronavirus, which has infected nearly 1.1 million people and 26,816 have died from the COVID-19 disease, government data showed on Sunday.

In neighbouring Nepal, the government asked residents along its southern plains on Sunday to remain alert as heavy monsoon rains were expected to pound the Himalayan nation where more than 100 have died in floods and landslides since June, officials said.

Some 110 people were killed and another 100 injured as landslides and flash floods washed or swept away homes, upended roads and bridges and displaced hundreds of others in 26 of the country's 77 districts, police said.

Home ministry official Murari Wasti said the death toll was expected to rise as 48 people were still missing.

"Search and rescue teams are looking for those who are missing in different places but chances of finding them alive are slim," Wasti told Reuters.

Story continues

Barun Paudel of the weather forecasting office in the capital, Kathmandu, said heavy rains were expected to pound much of the mainly mountainous nation in the next four days.

"We have urged residents to remain alert against possible landslides and floods," he said.

Landslides and flash floods are common in Nepal, India's Assam and Bihar states during the June-September annual rainy season.

(Reporting by Zarir Hussain in Guwahati, Gopal Sharma in Kathmandu; Writing by Manoj Kumar; Editing by Jacqueline Wong)
To give in to the U.S. or stand up for itself: Spain needs to decide

U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo recently spoke with Spanish Minister of Foreign Affairs Arancha Gonzalez Laya over the phone, pressing Spain on the issue concerning the 5G technology of Chinese tech giant Huawei.

This conversation took place right after the U.S. government coerced Britain into breaking its promise of welcoming Huaweis 5G kit.

In early February, Robert L. Strayer, deputy assistant secretary for cyber and international communications and information policy at the U.S. State Department, warned officials from Spain and other members of the European Union (EU) against using Huawei in building 5G networks and suggested looking at alternative companies at the forefront of network technology.

For certain reasons, the U.S. has locked Spain as its second prey in Europe. It is difficult to get Germany and France on board as leaders of the two countries have already announced that they will continue cooperation with China, including involving Huaweis 5G kit into their networks.

If the U.S. were to successfully persuade Spain into removing Huaweis 5G from its networks, a country that has formed close cooperation with China and exerts certain influence on the EU, it would be a breakthrough in the EU, possibly causing other countries to follow suit and creating some impact on Germany and France.

Spain is an important participant in the Belt and Road construction and is close to Latin American countries. By driving a wedge between Spain and China, the U.S. will then influence other countries.

While reinforcing lies that Huawei 5G technology threatens information security and serves the Communist Party of China (CPC) to undermine human rights, the U.S. could try to entice other countries with advanced technologies and preferential policies.

The focus of the U.S. remains on the will to restrain the development of Huawei over the care to tackle the worsening pandemic, social unrest and recession back home.

The fundamental motivation of the U.S. may stem from seeing the spirit of the Chinese nation in achieving rejuvenation and the prospects of Chinas peaceful development from the growth and strength of Huawei. For some U.S. politicians, restraining Huawei is an attempt to weaken China.

Spain has always handled major international affairs independently, including the China-Spain cooperation since the establishment of diplomatic relations 47 years ago and bilateral collaboration under the China-EU framework which have brought practical benefits for both parties.

The two countries boast a solid foundation and broad prospects in the cooperation of communication technology.

Hopefully, the Spanish government will make a choice that best suits the countrys interests on the Huawei issue.
A small conservative college in southern Michigan has defied warnings from state public health officials during the coronavirus pandemic by hosting an in-person graduation ceremony.

Hillsdale College held a graduation Saturday evening, capping days of celebrations.

The college of about 1,500 students had expected more than 2,000 people at the event, though school officials declined to discuss actual attendance numbers.

'COVID obviously was a concern,' said David Betz, whose son, Christian, graduated. 'For a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to be able to come, it was well worth it.'

Hillsdale College held a graduation Saturday evening, capping days of celebrations. Chairs are seen set up for graduating students ahead of the ceremony

The college of about 1,500 students had expected more than 2,000 people at the event, though school officials declined to discuss actual attendance numbers. Health officials had said the event, drawing people to restaurants and hotels, put Hillsdale at risk

School officials said graduation is an important milestone and safety precautions were taken, including wearing masks. Signs encouraged attendees to wear masks and keep six feet apart

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel had called the gathering illegal at a time when with public gatherings are capped at 100 people.

Nessel said in a statement: 'Organized gatherings of more than 100 people are prohibited by law in that part of the state, and such events clearly show a lack of consideration for the dangerous threat this virus presents.

'We sympathize with those who want to celebrate the success of college graduates, but the unfortunate circumstances surrounding this pandemic have made that difficult for many, and we encourage alternatives to large assemblies that could further jeopardize the health of many people,' Nessel's statement continued.

Health officials had said the event, drawing people to restaurants and hotels, put the Hillsdale city community of about 8,000 people at risk.

School officials said graduation is an important milestone and safety precautions were taken, including wearing masks.

Robert Norton, the vice president and general counsel for Hillsdale College, told News 10 that the school reached out to state officials and epidemiologists about a month before the event.

The Hillsdale College (pictured) graduation occurred just a day before the US surpassed 140,000 deaths amid the coronavirus pandemic

The US is losing about 5,000 Americans on a weekly basis as confirmed cases surge past 3.7 million

Hillsdale Mayor Adam Stockford told the station that he doesn't 'have any specific concerns' about an outbreak.

'You could have your neighbor over to your house and catch coronavirus from them. I dont have any specific concerns about it, but Im sure its a possibility,' Stockford said.

And because the college is a private institution, Stockford said: 'Its not typical for our city government to get involved in the affairs of private institutions,' said Stockford.

'Im not in the business of trying to stop the spread of COVID-19.'

The liberal arts college has connections to top Republicans, including Vice President Mike Pence, who gave the 2018 commencement address.

Michigan has reported more than 73,000 confirmed COVID-19 with more than 6,100 deaths.

The graduation occurred just a day before the US surpassed 140,000 deaths amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Cases of the virus are steadily rising in 42 out of the 50 states, according to a Reuters tally.

The US is losing about 5,000 Americans on a weekly basis as confirmed cases surge past 3.7 million.
Toto Wolff has slammed Ferrari boss Mattia Binotto for making "ridiculous" comments in Hungary about the new Concorde Agreement.

The sport's new commercial deal, set to begin in 2021 and run for five years, was held up by the corona crisis and Formula 1 shutdown.

But team boss Binotto says Ferrari is now ready to sign.

"I think we are happy because we know that Formula 1 has understood the importance of the role of Ferrari within F1," he said. "And for us that was key.

"I think it's important also for the small teams, as looking ahead with clarity is important. We are somehow ready to sign," added Binotto.

McLaren supremo Zak Brown also said the Woking team is "ready to sign this new agreement imminently".

But according to France's L'Equipe, Mercedes team boss Wolff blasted those comments as "ridiculous".

"I don't know why some of the teams are making these ridiculous comments about being ready to sign while others are not," he said.

"By making such statements in public, everyone is laughing at them. Negotiations should be held behind closed doors without live commentary."

Wolff said he remains in talks with Liberty Media because Mercedes wants to stay in Formula 1, but there are some details of the proposed agreement "that bother us a little".

"But it's nothing that cannot be resolved," he added.

(GMM)
On the Frontline Against China, the US Coast Guard Is Taking on Missions the US Navy Can't Do

Competition with China has drawn more Pentagon resources to the Pacific, but the most visible U.S. military presence there...
The irony of playing a man with extreme road rage isn't lost on Russell Crowe.

Fifteen years after his infamous 'phone throwing' incident, the actor, 56, is now gearing up to star in Unhinged, a thriller movie in which his character hunts down a woman for simply beeping at him on the highway.

'I actually saw that as kind of amusing,' Russell told The Sydney Morning Herald on Sunday, when quizzed on how it feels to finally embrace the 'angry man' trope in his career, after being accused of having a temper for years.

'I actually saw that as kind of amusing': Russell Crowe, 56, has revealed he finds it 'amusing' to finally play a character with extreme rage issues in new film Unhinged - 15 years after THAT phone throwing incident. Pictured in Unhinged trailer

Clarifying that he doesn't actually have anger issues in real life, Russell continued: 'But in reality if you look at my work life, I go from one set to another set, I do the work that I want to do.'

'That cliched description that is applied to me isn't any level of my truth,' he said.

The Gladiator star went on to explain that, as a result of his fame, he has lost control over what is said about him in the media.

'That cliched description that is applied to me isn't any level of my truth': Speaking to The Sydney Morning Herald on Sunday, Russell claimed the false idea that he has a bad temper has become an important 'asset' to the media's 'broader phenomenon'

As a result, the false idea that he has a bad temper has become an important 'asset' to the media's 'broader phenomenon', he argued.

Russell has famously been accused of losing his temper on several occasions.

In one of his more memorable incidents, the Cinderella Man star allegedly threw a phone at a New York hotel worker in 2005 after being unable to place a call successfully to Australia.

Infamous incident: The Cinderella Man star allegedly threw a phone at a New York hotel worker in 2005 after being unable to place a call successfully to Australia. Pictured in 2002 with ex-wife Danielle Spencer

In 2014, Russell defended the alleged assault during an interview with Channel Seven's Sunday Night, claiming: 'I never touched him, mate. Never touched him, never laid a finger on him.'

The Kiwi-born star was also accused of losing his cool again while filming The True History of the Kelly Gang in Victoria, Australia in August 2018.

Claims emerged from the set that a frustrated Russell lost it when he discovered that catering had run out of rice and had 'stormed off'.

Claims: The Kiwi-born star was also accused of losing his cool again while filming movie The True History of the Kelly Gang in Victoria, Australia in August 2018, when he discovered that 'catering had run out of rice'

Controversy: In June, Page Six reported that the star had 'thrown himself into a rage' during a midday meltdown while appearing on the AOL Build Series. The actor's rep disputed this account however

In June, Page Six reported that the star had 'thrown himself into a rage' during a midday meltdown while appearing on the AOL Build Series.

'He refused to walk out on the stage. He was screaming at people and then just stormed out onto the street,' a source claimed at the time.

The actor's rep disputed this account however, saying in a statement: 'This is not correct. Russell did not "freak out" and there was no "curse-filled tirade". He simply made the decision not to do the interview following the host's intro.'

A rep for Build echoed that statement, saying: 'Our experience with Russell at our studio was completely fine. There was no "meltdown". No animosity, whatsoever. He simply chose not to go on stage fearing we had a bias. That is really the end of it.'

Unhinged will be released in Australia on July 30, and July 31 in the UK and US
Youre probably familiar with the plague doctor mask, most often associated with the infamous Black Death of the fourteenth century, and the later outbreaks of bubonic plague that recurred in Europe for centuries afterward. The mask, which included spectacles and a long, hollow beak, was certainly distinctive, but its unusual look was more than just aesthetic. The beak would be filled with herbs and spices that would produce pleasant smells, which were believed to protect the doctor from invisible poisonous emanations in the air, called miasma, which created harmful imbalances in a persons humors, or bodily fluids. The presence of this poisonous air was signified by foul smells, often arising from rotting carcasses or vegetables, and the masks beak shape was meant to give the air sufficient time to be suffused by the protective herbs before it hit the plague doctors nostrils and lungs.

It would be easy, given our modern conceit in appraising the inhabitants of the past as ignorant bumpkins, to mock these practices as peculiar and ridiculous, knowing as we do how useless they were. But the plague doctors could be forgiven for all this ritualistic pageantry, and the false sense of security it provided, if only because they lived long before modern germ theory was even a thought.

The symbolic and useless mask-pageantry in which we Americans are now engaging, on the other hand, is less forgivable.

Heres an example. Upon entering a nearly-empty bar in Texas last month (just before the hopefully-primaried-in-2022 Greg Abbott shut them all down again), I was told by the masked bartender to go back outside, and to re-enter the establishment while wearing a mask. So, I walked outside, put on the ol train robber bandana that was buried in my pocket, and entered again. I then walked roughly fifteen feet to the bar, ordered a beer, and was told that I didnt have to wear the mask anymore. However, if I decided to walk into the single-toilet restroom, I would have to put it back on, she said. Because coronaviruses like to hide and pounce not just at the doorway, but in the bathroom, I guess, and my silly bandana is somehow supposed to protect me from that.

Heres another example that youve undoubtedly seen or experienced.

At your local grocery store, you are standing in a line that is several customers long. Everyones wearing masks, but still standing several feet apart. When you finally get to the cashier, you observe that the mask shes wearing couldnt be looser, with large gaps between the cloth and her face that you could drive a Buick through. But, in the unlikely event shes infected, somehow the mask might still prevent coronavirus-carrying, microscopic droplets of moisture from escaping her mouth to infect anyone else, we all suppose. Theres a clear acrylic barrier annoyingly placed between you and the cashier for some reason, so you move a foot or so to the right so you can comfortably communicate with her around it. Its time to pay, so you look down at the card reader, and theres a thin layer of translucent plastic covering it (which looks suspiciously like the plastic food wrap from aisle 13), though you notice it hasnt been changed by anyone since the six customers before you used it, and you assume hasnt been changed for hours before that. But you confidently insert your card and press the keys with your bare fingers, anyway, knowing that the barrier provided serves as some sort of protection from the invisible coronavirus that is potentially lurking on every surface that you touch.

You dont have to be a scientist to recognize that what Ive described above are nothing more than useless symbolic rituals, and its all practically ineffective at stopping coronavirus spread, just as a plague mask was practically ineffective is stopping the spread of plague. But, unlike the plague doctors of the past, we should certainly know better than to go through any of these silly motions believing otherwise.

Just three months ago, hysteria about COVID-19 was in full swing, but the calls for mandatory masking werent prominent yet. Back in March and April, Dr. Fauci, the CDC, the Surgeon General, and the WHO all prescribed no guidance for healthy members of the public to wear masks, and, in fact, they all explicitly advised against the practice.

It isnt hard to understand why. There was, and there remains, very little science suggesting that wearing a cloth mask like my stupid bandana does anything to reduce viral transmission.

At the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy (CIDRAP), Dr. Lisa Brousseu and Dr. Margaret Sietsema published commentary back in April arguing against recommendations for mandatory masking, stating unequivocally:

We do not recommend requiring the general public who do not have symptoms of COVID-19-like illness to routinely wear cloth or surgical masks because: There is no scientific evidence they are effective in reducing the risk of SARS-COV-2 transmission. [emphasis added]

As you might expect, there have since been calls to remove this commentary from the website by the pro-mask crowd. The central reasons for the demand are that, sure, theres not a lot of evidence that cloth masks work to curb the spread of COVID-19, but theres also not a lot of evidence that the masks dont work, either, given the limited data. Also, demanding that everyone wear masks that is better than doing nothing at all, the pro-mask advocates argue.

Neither of these are strong arguments, to say the least, and on July 16, the website updated the article to provide an explanation for keeping it available to the public, reiterating that theres a dearth of evidence suggesting that cloth masks are effective.

But the original article posits an interesting, more general question thats worth considering. Masks may give people a false sense of security, the article says. If masks had been the solution in Asia, shouldn't they have stopped the pandemic before it spread elsewhere?

Indeed, a good question to ask. Lets apply that logic more directly to California.

In my California county, we never had a mask requirement before Governor Newsom issued one statewide, and, like so many of my friends and neighbors, I never once wore a mask until mid-June. And yet, my county accounts for just 188 cases per 100,000 residents, less than 0.1 percent of the states cases, and precisely zero COVID deaths. Inversely, Los Angeles was one of the first cities to issue a large-scale and rigid masking mandate, very early in the pandemic. Los Angeles County alone now accounts for over 40 percent of the states cases, over 1,400 cases per 100,000 residents, and nearly four thousand deaths attributed to COVID-19.

You might be inclined to conclude that population density is a key factor in that difference, not the masks. Yet San Francisco County has, by far, the states densest population, and only represents 1.3 percent of the states cases, 533 cases per 100,000 residents, and just 50 deaths.

Granted, San Francisco also mandated masks in public, so, clearly, we must understand that there are myriad factors that contribute to these results. But it seems obvious that a mask mandate isnt meaningful among them. Quite simply, if mask mandates are effective, why are the places that have enacted them often experiencing some of the worst results, while those places with no mask mandates have fared far better?

For the angry and loud mask advocates, such inconvenient evidence is inadmissible to the discussion, and the calls for mask mandates (even in red states like Texas) have become more aggressive, even as we continually learn that the virus isnt nearly as deadly as it was once believed. Fatality rates are now convincingly evidenced to be 0.26 percent or lower, and with deaths clustered very specifically among the elderly and the significantly unhealthy. Targeted mitigation to protect at-risk Americans is achievable, while also allowing most Americans to go about their lives, but we are instead committing to more ridiculous efforts at holistic mitigation.

I do have a simple alternative to these silly and symbolic mask rituals that are becoming commonplace. We should just do what civilized people have done for many years before this pandemic, and what nearly every credible doctor advised until just a few months ago. Stay home if youre sick, wash your hands regularly, and if you feel the urge to cough or sneeze, be courteous to others while doing it, and maybe cough or sneeze into a handkerchief that you keep in your pocket. Practically, its not much different than taking that handkerchief out of your pocket to wear on your face from time to time, and itll be much less ridiculous than what were all doing right now.

Graphic credit
But as the coronavirus has torn through the region, and countries from Mexico to Argentina have locked down, many of these refugees, left jobless and hungry on the streets of Quito, Lima and Bogota, are heading home. In recent weeks, a rush of 60,000 returnees has caused bottlenecks at Colombian border-control points. Some have spilled over to illegal crossings, known as trochas, along the lawless frontier between Colombia and Venezuela.
India's third Covid wave likely to peak on Jan 23, daily cases to stay below 4 lakh: IIT Kanpur scientist

Amid Covid-19, floods, PM Modi speaks to CMs of seven states

India

oi-Deepika S

New Delhi, July 19: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday had a telephonic conversation with the Chief Ministers of several states to discuss the COVID-19 and flood situation in the respective states.

Modi also spoke to Uttarakhand Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat to enquire about army troopers affected by Covid-19 and gave necessary directions to curb the virus spread in the state, officials said.

Modi also called up Tamil Nadu Chief Minister K Palanisamy to discuss the preventive measures taken by the state to contain the spread of Covid19 and also aspects related to treatment amid a continued surge in new infections in the state. With a tally of over 1.65 lakh, Tamil Nadu is the second worst-affected state after Maharashtra.

Discussing the flood situation with Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal over phone, Modi also enquired about the COVID-19 situation in the state and the ongoing efforts to douse the raging blaze at Oil India's Baghjan gas well in Tinsukia district.

PM Modi now has 6 crore followers on Twitter

"Hon'ble PM Shri @narendramodi ji took stock of the contemporary situation regarding #AssamFloods2020, #COVID19 and Baghjan Oil Well fire scenario over phone this morning," Sonowal tweeted.

"Expressing his concern & solidarity with the people, the PM assured all support to the state," he said.

An official at the Chief Minister's Office (CMO) said that Sonowal informed Modi about all the measures the state has taken so far in dealing with the problems faced by the people.

Coronavirus: WHO reports single-day record global spike in Covid-19 cases | Oneindia News

The total number of people losing their lives in flood and landslides in Assam this year is 110. While 84 died in flood-related incidents, landslides claimed 26 lives.
NEW YORK, July 18, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Pomerantz LLP announces that a class action lawsuit has been filed against Brookdale Senior Living, Inc. (Brookdale or the Company)(NYSE: BKD) and certain of its officers. The class action, filed in United States District Court for the Middle District of Tennessee, Nashville Division, is on behalf of a class consisting of all persons and entities other than Defendants who purchased or otherwise, acquired Brookdale securities between August 10, 2016, and April 29, 2020, both dates inclusive (the Class Period), seeking to recover damages caused by Defendants violations of the federal securities laws and to pursue remedies under Sections 10(b) and 20(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the Exchange Act) and Rule 10b-5 promulgated thereunder, against the Company and certain of its top officials.



If you are a shareholder who purchased Brookdale securities during the class period, you have until August 24, 2020, to ask the Court to appoint you as Lead Plaintiff for the class. A copy of the Complaint can be obtained at www.pomerantzlaw.com . To discuss this action, contact Robert S. Willoughby at newaction@pomlaw.com or 888.476.6529 (or 888.4-POMLAW), toll-free, Ext. 7980. Those who inquire by e-mail are encouraged to include their mailing address, telephone number, and the number of shares purchased.

[Click here for information about joining the class action]

Brookdale is headquartered in Brentwood, Tennessee. The Company is the nations largest senior living community operator, with $4 billion in reported revenue in 2019.

As of February 1, 2020, Brookdale owned 356 communities, leased 307 communities, managed seventy-seven communities on behalf of third parties, and three communities for which it has an equity interest. The Company operates independent living, assisted living and dementia-care communities and continuing care retirement centers (CCRCs). Through its ancillary services programs, the Company also offers a range of outpatient therapy, home health, personalized living, and hospice services.

The complaint alleges that throughout the Class Period, Defendants made materially false and misleading statements regarding the Companys business, operational, and compliance policies. Specifically, Defendants made false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that: (i) Brookdales financial performance was sustained by, among other things, the Companys purposeful understaffing of its senior living communities; (ii) the foregoing conduct subjected Brookdale to an increased risk of litigation and, once revealed, was foreseeably likely to have a material negative impact on the Companys financial results and reputation; (iii) as a result, the Companys financial results were unsustainable; and (iv) as a result, the Companys public statements were materially false and misleading at all relevant times.

On April 30, 2020, Nashville Business Journal reported that a proposed class-action lawsuit had been filed against Brookdale in this Judicial District, which accused the Company of, among other things, purposeful chronically insufficient staffing at its facilities to meet financial benchmarks since at least April 24, 2016. According to the lawsuit, Brookdale misled residents and their families when it promised to provide basic care and daily living services. The lawsuit also claims that the proposed class of plaintiffs have not received the care and services they paid for. The lawsuit asks for damages and Brookdale to stop the unlawful and fraudulent practices.

On this news, Brookdales stock price fell $0.56 per share, or 15.22%, over two trading sessions, closing at $3.12 per share on May 1, 2020.

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

CONTACT:

Robert S. Willoughby

Pomerantz LLP

rswilloughby@pomlaw.com
Ericsson has been selected by Groupe ADP, its subsidiary Hub One, an operator of digital technologies for businesses) and Air France to deploy a private mobile network covering Paris-Charles de Gaulle, Paris-Orly and Paris-Le Bourget airports.



The 4/5G network will serve a professional ecosystem of more than 120,000 people who work at the three Paris airports every day, across about 1,000 companies of differing sizes and sectors.



Hub One will manage and set up the network on behalf of Groupe ADP and Air France. Ericssons technology will enable Hub One to comply with the new security obligations of Frances National Agency for Security of Information Systems.



The mobile network will be effective across all outdoor spaces at the airports by the end of 2020 and indoors across all public and reserved areas for professionals working at the terminals by the end of 2021.



Guillaume de Lavallade, CEO, Hub One, says: Ericsson is a major player recognized for its expertise in telecommunications, with which we have been collaborating for several years. It seemed natural to us to call on Ericsson and take advantage of the technological innovation capabilities of a leading provider of 5G networks with more than 45 live mobile networks already deployed worldwide.



Asa Tamsons, Senior Vice President and Head of Business Area Technologies and New Businesses, Ericsson, said: Anyone who has ever been to an airport knows that security, reliability and speed are key to ensure a good travel experience. The digital transformation of airports represents a big opportunity and private 5G networks will enable and accelerate this transformation. We are pleased to collaborate with Groupe ADP, Hub One and Air France to future-proof Paris airports with 5G ready networks delivering fast, secure and reliable wireless internet.



Edward Arkwright, Executive Director General of Groupe ADP and President of Hub One, says: The development of Smart Airports actively continues to grow thanks to this new major step through the partnership between Air France and Hub One. The deployment of this professional mobile network will strengthen the performance and accelerate the digitalization of the 120,000 professionals daily at our Parisian airports and pave in the best way the resumption of air traffic.



Jean-Christophe Lalanne, Executive Vice President, Information Technology, Air France-KLM group, said: Air France is delighted with this major partnership with Groupe ADP and Hub One and its continued collaboration with Ericsson, who have been with us since the experimental phase of this project. We are proud to be working together to set up this very high-speed private professional mobile network at the heart of the Paris airports. This innovative program is another way to improve our operational performance in order to meet the expectations of our customers and employees.



Groupe ADP develops and manages airports, including Paris-Charles de Gaulle, Paris-Orly and Paris-Le Bourget. In 2019, more than 108 million passengers passed through Paris Aeroport. More than 2.2 million metric tons of freight and mail were processed via Paris-Charles de Gaulle and Paris-Orly.  TradeArabia News Service
CHAINS, RINGS, staffs, and liturgical vestments may make a person appear venerable, but they do not necessarily make anyone true servant of Jesus Christ. Academic degrees are very good, but they do not scripturally qualify anyone to be a true servant of God. But divine calling and preparation through the Word of God by the Spirit of God with godly character do.

When you decide to follow a pastor for discipleship or mentoring, look beyond his physical appeals  wealth, education, stature, oratory skills, complexion, wardrobe, tribe, nationality, miracles, popularity and years of ministry. A professed preacher can possess all the things aforementioned and yet be a charlatan.

As a Christian, it is not wise to follow a pastor or worship with a church just because they mention the name of Jesus Christ. It is not wise to follow a prophet or bishop when you have not learnt or been told, understood and scripturally be convinced about his key assignment and unique message given to him by God during his calling.

God does not call, train, prepare and set people in ministry when He has not spoken to them. And He does not speak to anyone He calls without giving them clear message of the assignment or job they must perform for Him in the world. A person called by God and placed in ministry will have strong innate desire to do the very job assigned him; he or she will do the will of God.

We live in a generation where many false ministers have sneaked into the Body of Christ unnoticed. Their aim is not to serve Christ Jesus, but to make money, achieve fame and popularity. The apostle Paul wrote a lot about these false ministers. In his letter to Titus, Paul described them as insubordinate, empty talkers, deceitful teachers, who teach lies for money.

They must be silenced. By their wrong teaching they have already turned whole families away from the truth. Such leaders only want your money (Titus 1:11, NLT). For certain people have crept in unnoticed who long ago were designated for this condemnation, ungodly people, who pervert the grace of our God into sensuality and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ (Jude 1:4).

The Bible says false ministers deny Jesus Christ. They disown Him. They are controlled by the same evil spirit which tempted Judas Iscariot to betray Jesus Christ for money. This does not mean they do not mention the name Jesus in their ministrations. They do. They mention the name of Jesus Christ in their prayers, teachings, preaching, counselling and conversations.

God does not forbid people from mentioning Christ's name. False ministers mention the name Jesus Christ all the time, but they do so to cover up their evil activities. Thus they never walk in the truth. Jesus Christ is truth, the Holy Spirit is truth and the Word of God is truth. But Christians are commanded to walk in the truth for their freedom from the controlling power of sin, the world and the devil.

Now, to deny Jesus Christ is to reject his teachings and ordinances. Thus false ministers, most of whom are into occultism, refuse to follow Jesus Christ by failing to abide in His Word. They refuse to teach what He taught, preach what He preached and walk the road to the cross which He commanded His servants to walk in. By their fruit, especially in the area of teachings, we can easily know them.

But there are true servants of Christ in the world today making disciples for Christ by vigorously preaching the gospel, baptizing them and teaching them to observe all the commands of Christ Jesus. The commands of Christ include the teachings of the apostles who spoke by the Spirit of Christ as recorded in the epistles.

Teaching the commands of Christ is necessary to produce Spirit-born sons and daughters of God. It is to get the disciples perfected, i.e. matured, for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ (Ephesians 4:12-13).

Houses, cars, planes and clothing are good, but Jesus Christ did not die primarily to procure these things for His followers. And academic degrees are very important, but Jesus did not die for them. Jesus Christ purposefully came to die for the salvation of precious souls. Salvation is not a matter of joke; it is a serious matter.

And pastors play key roles in the ultimate salvation of believers on the Last Day. Now, it is time each believer diligently examined the teachings of their pastors and also find out if they are really tending, feeding and preparing them for the second coming of Jesus Christ or not.

It is time to make a bold decision to leave false pastors who are not following Christ. Leaving a morally corrupt and doctrinally deviated pastor or church is not leaving Jesus Christ.

So, quit and change your pastor if he is habitually immoral or a womanizer, drunkard, does not teach about salvation, his messages are not Christ-centred and gospel-focused, sells concoctions, offer prayers to kill his perceived enemies, curses people, practises numerology and does not run transparent financial administration.

By James Quansah

[email protected]
LUDINGTON, MI - A man from the Flint has yet to resurface after jumping into Mason Countys Round Lake Saturday night.

The man is presumed to have drowned by Mason County Sheriffs officials.

Emergency crews responded to a potential drowning at 7:07 p.m. Saturday, July 18 at Round Lake in Mason Countys Sheridan Charter Township, northeast of Ludington, said the Mason County Sheriffs Office in a release.

Initial investigation determined that Nathan Troy Munsey, a 47-year-old man from Goodrich, 15 miles southeast of Flint, leapt from a moving pontoon boat and did not surface or return to shore, police said.

The search for his body is being conducted by Mason County Sheriffs deputies and the Marine Patrol and Dive Team, the Michigan State Police, Fountain Area Fire and Rescue, Mason County Emergency Management, Free Soil Fire, Hamlin Fire, Life EMS, the Department of Natural Resources Law Enforcement and Ludington police. Mason Countys Victim Services Unit also was at the scene.

Munsey was presumed drowned after rescuers searched until 2 a.m. Sunday with no results, police said. Additional search efforts continue Sunday, as weather conditions allow.

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TOKYO - A Japanese H-IIA rocket carrying a United Arab Emirates Mars spacecraft has been placed on the launch pad for Mondays scheduled liftoff for the Arab worlds first interplanetary mission, officials said Sunday.

The launch of the orbiter  named Amal in Arabic, or Hope  from Tanegashima Space Center on a small southern Japanese island was initially scheduled for this past Wednesday, but was delayed due to bad weather in the region.

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, the provider of the H-IIA rocket, announced Sunday that the launch would proceed at 6:58 a.m. Monday (2158 GMT Sunday). The preparation has been completed, and the rocket is now on the launch pad, Mitsubishi said.

Hope is expected to reach Mars in February 2021, the year the UAE celebrates 50 years since its formation. A successful Hope mission would be a major step for this OPEC-member nation home to the skyscraper-studded tourist destination of Dubai. The Emirates have set ambitious plans for space, including pledging to build the first inhabitable human settlement on Mars by 2117.

While raising eyebrows with that goal, the UAE has successfully built a space program with local talent working out of the Mohammed bin Rashid Space Center in Dubai. The Hope probe was built here by a program co-operating with other nations to quickly reach out to the stars. The UAE already sent its first astronaut to space last year on an eight-day mission to the International Space Station.

It sends a very strong message to the Arab youth that if the UAE is able to reach Mars in less than 50 years, they could do much more, Omran Sharaf, the project director of Emirates Mars Mission, told The Associated Press on Sunday as his colleagues prepared for the launch.

Two other Mars missions are planned in the coming days by the U.S. and China. Japan has its own Martian moon mission planned for 2024.

Hope will carry instruments to study the upper atmosphere and monitor seasonal changes in the climate on Mars. It is scheduled to circle the red planet for at least two years. The UAE says it will provide a complete view of the Martian atmosphere during different seasons for the first time.

A newcomer in space development, the UAE has so far successfully launched three observation satellites, but has not gone beyond the Earths orbit. Hope may change that.

The Emiratis involved in the program also acknowledged it represented a step forward for the Arab world, the home of mathematicians and scientists for centuries before the wars and chaos that have gripped wide swathes of it in recent times.

So the region has been going through tough times in the past decades, if not centuries, Sharaf said. Now we have the case of the UAE, a country thats moving forward with its plans, looking at the future and the future of region also.

Because of accepting differences, because of coexistence and having people from different backgrounds living together, we were able to move forward.

___

Associated Press writers Malak Harb and Jon Gambrell in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, contributed to this report.

___

Follow Mari Yamaguchi on Twitter at https://www.twitter.com/mariyamaguchi.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-07-19 22:13:51|Editor: huaxia

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DOHA, July 19 (Xinhua) -- Qatar's health ministry on Sunday announced 340 new infections of COVID-19, increasing the total number of confirmed cases in the Gulf state to 106,648.

"Some 345 people recovered, bringing the total number of recoveries to 103,377, while three others died, raising the fatalities to 157," the official Qatar News Agency reported, quoting a statement by the ministry.

A total of 441,700 persons in Qatar have undergone lab tests for COVID-19 so far, it added.

China and Qatar have offered mutual help during the fight against COVID-19 pandemic.

On Feb. 21, five Qatar Airways cargo freighters flew to China carrying approximately 300 tonnes of medical supplies donated by the airline.

On July 8, Chinese health officials and medical experts held a video conference with their Qatari counterparts to share experience and expertise in fighting COVID-19.

The two sides also held in-depth exchange of views on the issues that Qatar is most concerned about, including coronavirus prevention and control, test analysis, clinic care, vaccine development and social management. Enditem
There were church burnings this month, and statues of the Blessed Virgin were vandalized. You wouldnt know it, though, if you depended on the local media for your news.

When I searched the internet for Catholic churches vandalized near the newspaper of record, or used the terms Catholic relics destroyed near papers for which I do not write, the only thing that came up were cases from almost ten years ago. And there was scant mention in the national media as well.

So I will talk about hate crimes, the kind that rarely gets the type of attention they deserve. The following incidents happened in July:

Queen of Peace Catholic Church in Marion County, Florida, was set on fire after a man named Steven Anthony Shields (why do they always have three names?) rammed his vehicle into the vestibule and poured gasoline in the foyer;

The Church of San Gabriel in Los Angeles caught fire under suspicious circumstances, right before its 250th anniversary;

A statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary which had been set up decades before in honor of World War II veterans was set on fire outside of a Boston church;

A similar statue of Mary was vandalized outside of Cathedral Prep School and Seminary in Queens, N.Y.

And in June, the statue of Father Junipero Serra was forcibly pulled down from its pedestal in the park bearing his name in Los Angeles. Serro was a Franciscan friar who is credited as the principal architect of the California Mission system when that part of the country was under Spanish colonization. Native Americans have long argued that Serra was behind the forced conversion of indigenous to Catholicism, and that the terms of that conversion were often brutal.

While I strongly oppose the removal of that piece of history from its legitimate location, just as I condemn the attacks on statues of Christopher Columbus in Philadelphia and other historical figures, and while I definitely place this trend to cancel the culture we dont like in the category of vandalism, there is an argument to be made that controversial figures can be expected to attract this sort of attention in contentious times.

What is not legitimate, what is not acceptable and what is not something that the media should be ignoring with the blithe attitude of what the public doesnt see wont hurt them is the deliberate, obvious, coordinated and (to my mind) condoned attacks on my faith. As someone once told me, anti-Catholicism is the last acceptable prejudice.

There are those who object to the term anti-Catholicism when it comes to anything that smacks of a hate crime. They prefer the sanitized phrase anti-clericalism, which acts as a form of gaslighting. In other words, if a Catholic such as myself dares to raise the specter of sectarian bigotry, we are generally told that its not the Catholics that people hate, its the people and the policies of the church. This is commonly employed when those self-styled cleric-haters criticize the churchs position on same-sex marriage, or abortion, or most commonly when they want to describe my faith as a training ground for pedophiles. We dont hate Catholics, they say with a straight face. We hate what they stand for.

Well I am here to say that when you burn a church to the ground, you are setting me on fire. When you paint vile words on a statue of the Blessed Mother, you are smearing those words onto my own skin. When you throw rocks through the windows of a chapel to destroy the jewel-like stained glass, you are bruising my body. And when you are a member of the media, and you look away as this is happening but make sure to point out every offense perpetrated against every other group that has you as its free P.R. director, you are ignoring my righteous cries and my pain.

Just as swastikas painted on tombstones at a Jewish cemetery are evidence of bigotry, and just as the vilification of women in hijabs is bigotry, and just as crosses burning on an African-Americans lawn is bigotry, so is the torching of my spiritual home and the defiling of my mothers image.

The difference is that I need to scream louder to get noticed. And that, in and of itself, is the most insidious sort of prejudice.

Christine Flowers is an attorney and a columnist for the Delaware County Daily Times and and can be reached at cflowers1961@gmail.com.

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Iran Sends Downed Ukrainian Plane's Black Box To France

Radio Farda July 18, 2020

Six months after downing an airliner, Iran says that it has sent the aircraft's black box to France on Friday July 17.

Deputy Foreign Minister Mohsen Baharvand told Etemad newspaper in Tehran on Saturday July 18 that French technicians are going to read the content of the black box on Monday.

The Iranian revolutionary Guards IRGC downed a Ukrainian airliner in January, killing all the 176 passengers and crew members on board.

During the past months Iran had refused to hand over the black box although its technicians were not able to access its content.

Under pressure by the family members of the passengers as well as officials in Ukraine, Canada and several other countries, Iran finally handed over the black box although it had claimed earlier that the equipment was damaged.

The claim was made although the videos broadcast earlier showed that the equipment was intact.

Iran has still not accused anyone for the downing but has acknowledge that the aircraft was downed due to human error on the part of IRGC operators who fired at least two missile and downed the aircraft.

Other countries involved in the case have demanded compensation from the Iranian government.

Passengers and crew members from Ukraine, Iran, the United Kingdom, Afghanistan and Canada were on board the downed aircraft.

Source: https://en.radiofarda.com/a/30734785.html

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

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RTHK: Covid deaths continue to spike in the US

US deaths from the novel coronavirus exceeded 140,000 as cases continued to rise in 43 out of 50 states over the past two weeks.

Since late June, the United States has seen a resurgence in new cases and now, six weeks later, deaths have also begun rising, according to a weekly Reuters analysis of state and county data.

America is losing about 5,000 people to the virus every week. By contrast, neighbouring Canada has reported total deaths of 8,800 since the pandemic started.

Meanwhile Fox News reported that US Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross has entered a hospital in upstate New York after feeling unwell, Fox News reported. It said Ross was admitted over "minor, non-coronavirus-related issues".

A spokesman for the department told Fox that Ross, who is 82, was "doing well and we anticipate his release soon, Fox reported.

Fast-rising tide of new coronavirus cases is flooding emergency rooms in parts of the United States, with some patients moved into hallways and nurses working extra shifts to keep up with the surge.

Patients struggling to breathe are being placed on ventilators in emergency wards since intensive care units are full, officials said, and the near-constant care they require is overtaxing workers who also are treating more typical ER cases like chest pains, infections, and fractures.

In Texas, Dr Alison Haddock of the Baylor College of Medicine said the current situation is worse than after Hurricane Harvey, which swamped Houston with floodwaters in 2017.

On Saturday, Florida reported more than 10,200 new cases of the virus and 90 additional deaths, while Missouri recorded a pandemic-high 958 new cases in one day.

Confirmed coronavirus cases around the world have surpassed 14 million, and deaths rose above 600,000, according to a tally from Johns Hopkins University.

On Saturday, the World Health Organisation, which also tracks the virus, reported a single-day record of new infections  over 259,000 worldwide  for the second day in a row.

The true toll of the pandemic is thought to be even higher, in part because of shortages in testing and shortcomings in data collection. (Reuters, AP)

This story has been published on: 2020-07-19. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
A poll in May by The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research found that only about half of Americans said they would be willing to get a coronavirus vaccine. One in five said they would refuse and 31% were uncertain. A poll in late June by researchers at the University of Miami found that 22% of white and Latino respondents and 42% of Black respondents said they agreed with this statement: The coronavirus is being used to force a dangerous and unnecessary vaccine on Americans.
Calls to defund or even abolish the police are ringing out across the country, sometimes accompanied by violence. The anti-police squads point to cases such as the shooting of Rayshard Brooks during an arrest attempt in Atlanta. On the other hand, a police shooting in Minneapolis three years ago, for which an officer has been tried and convicted, has not drawn the media attention it deserves.

In 2017 Justine Ruszczyk Damond, a dual citizen of Australia and the United States, heard a woman being assaulted and called 911. When Minneapolis police arrived, Damond approached their car and officer Mohamed Noor shot her dead. The 40-year-old woman was to be married within a month.

Photo credit: Linkedin via The ABC

Noor claimed he fired to protect the life of his partner, Matthew Harrity. Three days after the shooting, Harrity claimed he heard a loud bang on the squad car. None of the forensic evidence showed that the victim had even touched the car.

The use of force was objectionable, unreasonable and violated police policies and training, expert witness Derrick Hacker testified during the trial in April 2019. No reasonable officer would have perceived a threat by somebody coming up to their squad.

Another expert witness, Timothy Longo, who like Hacker has a law-enforcement background, told the court that a string of bad decisions led to the shooting death. I dont believe they were logical or rational at all, Longo explained. This was an unprovoked, violent response.

The officers had turned off their body cameras and unholstered their firearms. They also failed to telephone Damond, who had called 911 a second time to check on their arrival. She did nothing wrong, Hacker told the court. Police are approached daily, this happens routinely.

Noors attorney, Thomas Plunkett, told the court that what really caused the shooting was the fear that continues to permeate our society. The police are afraid of the people, the people are afraid of the police. The Minneapolis jury didnt buy it and found Noor guilty of third-degree murder.

In June 2019 Noor drew 12-and-half years in prison. Supporters claimed the term was excessive, but across the nation that is the average sentence for a cop convicted of a murder committed on duty. In Colorado, James Ashby received a 16-year sentence for killing Jack Jacquez after a confrontation in 2014. Roy Oliver, the Texas officer who shot Jordan Edwards, 15, was sentenced to 15 years.

The Somali-born Noor had been on the force for only two years, and his case raises issues of police training, procedure, and discipline. Plenty to see here, but -- no surprise -- national media and politicians neglected the case.

In 2019 police killed nine unarmed African-Americans. That same year police killed 19 unarmed whites, and the number of cops killed on duty also outnumbers the unarmed black victims.

According to the FBI, 89 law-enforcement officers were killed in the line of duty in 2019, including 48 felonious deaths. In those cases, 40 officers were white, seven were black and one Asian. Offenders used firearms to kill 44 of the 48 victim officers, the FBI explains, including 34 slain with handguns, seven with rifles, and one with a shotgun.

If embattled Americans believed that police reform should be based on facts not fantasies, it would be hard to blame them.
Police raid Uttara with Shahed in tow; pistol, drugs seized

Police have seized a firearm and drugs during a raid in Uttara, taking along Mohammad Shahed, a businessman arrested over a coronavirus test scam and fraudulence.

Shahed is accused in two new cases of firearms and narcotics, in addition to charges of embezzling funds from patients through fraudulent practices.

The detective police raided the Uttara Janapad intersection with Shahed in tow on Saturday night, said Tapan Kumar Saha, chief of Uttara West Police Station.

Police recovered a pistol, bullets, 10 bottles of Phensedyl and five bottles of foreign liquor.

Shahed, the chairman of Regent Group, was being hounded by law-enforcement agencies after it emerged that his hospitals swindled thousands of unsuspecting patients out of millions of takas on the pretext of coronavirus treatment.

The Rapid Action Battalion sealed off the headquarters and two branches of Regent Hospital in Dhaka. It also initiated a case against 17 people, including Shahed, on charges of issuing fake COVID-19 test reports and other irregularities.

Shahed has allegedly embezzled billions by defrauding ordinary people through his microcredit and MLM business.

RAB arrested him on Jul 15 in the frontier district of Satkhira a week after his scandal came to light.

ACCREDITATION CARD SCRAPPED



The government has also scrapped the accreditation card of Shahed, who received the card from the Press Information Department as the editor and publisher of Daily Notun Kagoj.

Our policy says that anyone arrested by the law enforcement agencies will have their accreditation cards cancelled, Chief Information Officer Surath Kumar Sarkar told bdnews24.com.

His card has been annulled as he has been arrested over a fraud case.

Media personnel need to show a separate ID to enter the secretariat while those having their offices inside the secretariat can use their regular ID.

The PID issues permanent and temporary ID cards to the media personnel. Permanent cards are valid for three years and temporary cards for a year.

A temporary card was issued for Shahed which had validity until Dec 2, Sarkar said.



Source: bdnews24.com




A photo of an HHI-won LPG carrier is seen in this file photo, Sunday. Korea Times file



By Kim Yoo-chul



The European Union's antitrust regulator has confirmed that it will restart its thorough probe over the validity of a mega merger deal of two Korean shipbuilders  Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering (DSME) and Hyundai Heavy Industries Holdings (HHIH).



Sources told The Korea Times Sunday that both DSME and HHIH have been notified of the EU regulator's planned resumption of the investigation because they are in the final process of resubmitting required documents for review by the European regulator.



"The key concern by the European Commission was that the merger plan, if approved, would reduce competition in various global cargo shipbuilding markets. The central point is that the merger entity will have greater control in the promising liquefied natural gas (LNG) vessel market," an official familiar with the issue said, adding HHIH is reviewing a range of options and scenarios for an early approval.



"Honestly, chances are quite high that the Commission would grant conditional approval for the proposed merger under which the merged entity may be restricted in terms of expanding shipbuilding capacity," another official said.



Given the significance of the cargo shipbuilding industry for the European Union with maritime transport representing a substantial portion of the EU's internal and external freight trade, the EU has been carefully assessing the proposed transaction over whether or not it would have any negative impact on the construction of cargo ships.



The commission holds the key in moving forward with the proposed transaction approval in other countries as the EU has the top 10 shipbuilding companies out of the global top 25.



Any delay in the EU's investigation process means an additional delay in other countries. HHIH requested five countries  Japan, China, Singapore, Korea and Kazakhstan  as well as the EU for approval of its proposed transaction. Only Kazakhstan has okayed the plan. HHIH requires approval from all countries.



Earlier, following its preliminary market investigation, the commission stated that it has concerns that the proposed merger may remove DSME as an important competitive force in the following markets  large containerships, oil tankers, LNG carriers and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) carriers. As barriers are high for new entrants in these segments, the EU was worrying that the merger could lead to higher prices, less choice and reduced incentives to innovate.



While the transaction was reported to the EU regulator, last year, both DSME and HHIH failed to submit the required documents during the initial probe to possibly address such looming concerns. In January and March, the Commission halted its review of the deal "due to the COVID-19 pandemic."



The South Korean duo is believed to have offered concessions to the commission to move forward with the merger review process as its response to such EU's concerns. Company officials declined to elaborate.



Regarding the specifics of the restart of the EU's probe on the transaction, both HHIH and DSME officials said they will cooperate with the Commission. HHI earlier inked a deal to acquire a 55.72 percent stake in DSME in an ambitious deal that will see the merged entity control a 21 percent of the global shipbuilding market. HHI Group separated HHI into two entities. If the transaction is approved, HHI Group will have four shipbuilders under its flag including DSME.


The Taliban have put the son of the movement's feared founder in charge of their military wing and added several powerful figures to their negotiating team, Taliban officials said. The shake-up, one of the most significant in years, comes ahead of expected talks with Kabul aimed at ending decades of war in Afghanistan.

As head of a newly united military wing, 30-year-old Mullah Mohammad Yaqoob brings his father's fiercely uncompromising reputation to the battlefield.

Equally significant is the addition of four members of the insurgent group's leadership council to the 20-member negotiating team, Taliban officials told The Associated Press.

The shuffle, overseen by Taliban leader Mullah Hibatullah Akhunzada, is meant to tighten his control over the movements military and political arms, the officials said on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the inner workings of the Taliban.

Analysts say the shake-up could be good news for negotiations with the Afghan political leadership, and a sign of how seriously the Taliban are taking this second  and perhaps most critical  step in a deal Washington signed with the insurgents in February.

Id say it appears to be a positive development because the Taliban are creating a delegation that seems more senior and more broad-based than theyve used to date, or than might be strictly necessary for the opening stages of talks, said Andrew Wilder, vice president of the Asia Program at the Washington-based U.S. Institute of Peace.

If you want to see the glass as half full, this strengthened Taliban delegation could be interpreted as a sign that the group is planning to engage in serious discussions, he said.

When the U.S. signed the deal with the Taliban on Feb. 29, after more than a year and a half of negotiations, it was touted as Afghanistans best chance at peace in four decades of war. It was also seen as a road map for the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Afghanistan, ending Americas longest war.

On Monday, four-and-a-half months since the signing, chief U.S. negotiator and peace envoy Zalmay Khalilzad tweeted that a key milestone in the implementation of the U.S.-Taliban agreement had been reached as American troop numbers dropped to 8,600 from about 12,000 and five bases were closed in Afghanistan.

Even as Khalilzad chastised increased insurgent attacks on Afghan security forces, he said the Taliban had been true to their word not to attack U.S. and NATO troops.

No American has lost his/her life in Afghanistan to Taliban violence. Regional relations have improved, he tweeted.

The Taliban have stepped up their military activity against Afghan government forces since Yaqoob's appointment in May, a sign the militants under his leadership may see battlefield wins as upping their leverage at the negotiating table.

I can see a lot of reasons for the Taliban to be pushing the envelope  perhaps as a negotiation tactic, but equally likely as a means to test U.S limits, said Daniel Markey, a senior research professor at Johns Hopkins Universitys School of Advanced International Studies. So far, the Trump administration looks like it is heading for the exit, no matter what. Why not ratchet up the violence to see what greater victories can be won? 

Surprisingly, the shuffle also sidelined senior Taliban leader Amir Khan Muttaqi, removing him from the negotiating committee. Seen as close to neighboring Pakistan, his removal could limit Pakistan's influence and buttress their position with Kabul, which is deeply suspicious of Islamabad.

Already a deputy head of the movement, the sudden appointment of the son of Mullah Mohammed Omar as the Taliban military chief reportedly ruffled feathers among members of the leadership council, who had not been consulted. Yaqoob, however, met with the council and won over the dissenters, said the Taliban officials.

Yaqoobs appointment appears to be, at least in part, an effort by Mullah Akhundzada to shore up oversight of battlefield operations at a key moment ... as the insurgents ramp up violence to strengthen their negotiating position in preparation for potential peace talks with the Afghan government, said Michael Kugelman, deputy director of the Asia Program at the Washington-based Wilson Center.

In recent weeks, hopes have been raised of a July start to negotiations but the Taliban and the Kabul government have become bogged down in the final release of prisoners, a prerequisite for the start of negotiations. Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid told the AP on Friday that the Taliban reject government efforts to substitute prisoners from the originally negotiated list for the exchange.

Countries have been lining up to host the talks, with Germany being the latest to put in an offer and Turkey, Iran, Indonesia, Japan and Norway reportedly among the nations volunteering. However, the Taliban and Afghan government officials say the first round is likely to be held in Doha, the capital of Qatar, where the Taliban maintain a political office.

The newly strengthened negotiating team includes Abdul Hakeem, the Taliban's chief justice and confidant of Akhunzada, as well as Maulvi Saqib, who was chief justice during the Taliban rule.

Under the U.S.-Taliban deal, the Taliban  who during their rule of Afghanistan hosted al-Qaida chief Osama bin Laden as he planned the 9/11 attacks  have pledged to no longer host any terror groups. They also guarantee that Afghanistan will not be used as a launching arena for future attacks against America.

In a tweet this week, Khalilzad said more progress is needed on counter-terrorism, without elaborating.

This week, U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo also spoke about the controversy surrounding the White House over reports of Russian money being paid to Afghan militias  reportedly with links to the Taliban  to kill U.S. troops.

Theres a lot of Russian footprint; there are Russian weapon systems there. We have made clear to our Russian counterparts that we ought to work together to get a more sovereign, more independent, peaceful Afghanistan, he said.

(AP)
The father of a 14-week-old 'miracle baby' died on Saturday after his body was pulled from a lake in Wigan, Greater Manchester following a canoe incident.

Mark Hill, 40, was canoeing on Amberswood Lake in Hindley on Saturday afternoon when his canoe overturned and he got into trouble in the water. Emergency services recovered his body after a search of the water.

Mr Hill leaves behind his fiance Lisa Heavey and his 14-week old son Corey. The couple struggled to conceive and chose to have IVF treatment in their bid to have a child.

Mark Hill (pictured), 40, died on Saturday afternoon following a canoe incident at Amberswood Lake in Wigan, Greater Manchester. He leaves behind a fiance and a 14-week old son (right) described as a 'miracle baby' after two failed attempts of IVF treatment

After two failed rounds of IVF, their son was born much to the delight of Mr Hill, who had 'wanted to be a dad for 20 years', according to his family.

Tributes poured in from his devastated family members, who praised the 40-year-old's character and personality.

Ms Heavey said: 'He was the most loving, kind-hearted, hard-working, gentle man. He was a doting dad.

'Corey meant the world to him, he's our miracle baby. Mark was the best dad he could have asked for.

Mr Hill got into some difficulty at Amberswood Lake (pictured) after his canoe overturned in the water

'We've been together nine years, but we've known each other since we were teenagers because we used to be next door neighbours.'

His sister Hannah said: 'He was a good man. He was funny, kind, and gentle.

'My heart is shattered into a million pieces. He has left behind so much family that love him dearly - a fiance and 14-week-old miracle son, whom he adored so much.'

A Greater Manchester Police spokesperson said: 'Shortly after 3.50pm on Saturday 18 July 2020, police were called to reports of concern for a man in Amberswood Lake off Liverpool Road in Wigan.

'Emergency services attended and following a water search, sadly found the body of a man believed to be in his 40s.

'There are not believed to be any suspicious circumstances and a file will be passed to the coroner.'
Saturday morning in criminal court in Manhattan, 21-year old Tyrese Devon Haspil was charged with second degree murder, accused in the killing and dismemberment of tech entrepreneur Fahim Saleh, his former boss. Police say the gruesome crime happened Monday afternoon inside Salehs luxury Lower East Side condo at 265 East Houston St.

Security video showed someone wearing a black suit, mask and latex gloves following Saleh into a keyed building elevator and then his 7th floor apartment, apparently shooting Saleh with a Taser and stabbing him. Video showed the same man returning the next day with an electric saw, partially dismembering the victim.

Haspil, once a student at Hofstra University, was arrested on Friday at an an apartment on Crosby Street in Soho and taken to the 7th Precinct. Investigators believe Haspil had stolen $90,000 from Saleh, who fired him but did not report Haspil to the authorities. Saleh, 33, reportedly offered to set up a payment plan, allowing Haspil to repay the money over a period of time.

The NYPDs chief of detectives, Rodney Harrison, explained, Mr. Haspil was Mr. Salehs executive assistant and handled his finances and personal matters. It is also believed that he owed the victim a significant amount of money.

Haspil pleaded not guilty and is being held without bail. His attorneys released a statement, which read, in part, We urge the public to keep an open mind. There is much more to this narrative than the accusations, an arrest by the police and a charge by the district attorney.

A young tech CEOs killing and dismemberment looks like a professional job, a law enforcement official said. Fahim Saleh, 33, was followed into his luxury Manhattan condo by a man dressed all in black, according to the official. https://t.co/c3X4M2Pq4Z  The New York Times (@nytimes) July 16, 2020

At first, cops thought the murder could have been a professional hit job. But it soon became apparent that this was the work of an amateur. The criminal complaint asserts that Haspil used a credit card to pay for a car service to take him to Home Depot on 23rd Street and to purchase an electric saw and cleaning supplies. As the New York Times noted, the criminal complaint says hes seen on security camera video making the purchase at 9:30 a.m.

Back at the apartment, investigators believe the killers efforts to dismember the body were interrupted by the arrival of Salehs cousin. When she arrived in the condo, the electric saw was still plugged into the wall. Police say Haspil fled through the back exit.

Saleh was born in Saudi Arabia to Bangladeshi parents. He grew up near Poughkeepsie and graduated from Bentley University in Massachusetts. He created an app called PrankDial, which became a $10 million business and then founded a motorcycle ride sharing app in Bangladesh, and Gokada, another ride sharing app in Nigeria. He was also co-founder of a venture capital firm in Manhattan. According to public records, Saleh purchased the Lower East Side condo for $2.2 million in the summer of 2019.

Salehs family released the following statement:

Firstly, thank you for the words of love and support from all over the world for our dear Fahim. We hear them and they are providing us strength during this time. We understand there is a desire to hear from us, but please understand our devastation and our desire to remain private about the most recent developments surrounding this tragedy. We do, however, want to thank the NYPD and all members of law enforcement for their diligence and hard work in providing at least some peace for our family as we get ready to put our dear Fahim to rest.

Haspils next court appearance in Aug. 17.
Mass rallies continue to rock Russia's Far East as the backlash against the arrest of a local governor rattles the Kremlin.

Thousands of people took part in protests across the region, including in Khabarovsk, Vladivostok, Komsomolsk-on-Amur, and Birobidzhan.

The fresh rallies come after tens of thousands peacefully demonstrated in the city of Khabarovsk on July 18 to demand the release of Khabarovsk region Governor Sergei Furgal. Despite the protests not being given official permission, no detentions were reported.

Organizers put the size of the July 18 protests at some 50,000 people in a city of only 600,000 people.

Furgal, who was arrested in Khabarovsk on July 9 and transferred to Moscow, is charged with attempted murder and ordering two murders in 2004-05. On July 16, the Moscow City Court in a closed-door decision upheld Furgal's pretrial detention.

The 50-year-old Furgal, who belongs to the Liberal Democratic Party of Russia, denies the charges, and his supporters say they are politically motivated.

Furgal was elected governor of the Khabarovsk region, which borders China, two years ago in an upset for the longtime incumbent, who represented the ruling United Russia party.

The continuing protests, far from the Russian capital, are a rare public show of defiance of the Kremlin and come following a controversial nationwide vote that set the stage for President Vladimir Putin to remain in power until 2036.

The authorities have been unnerved by the protests, with the regional capital's mayor calling for calm and saying such rallies were illegal and could spread the coronavirus.

Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB) had also warned of an alleged terrorist threat involving explosives, which it claimed to have already foiled.

In addition, authorities in Khabarovsk said they were considering a return to strict quarantine in the region and attributed this to the "difficult situation with the spread of coronavirus infection."

With reporting by dpa
(Newser)  When white doctors walked into Camopi, a majority Indigenous town near the border with Brazil, townspeople felt worry instead of relief. With French Guiana facing a wave of coronavirus infections, the AP reports, doctors from the French mainland were there to administer tests and treat the sick. But for residents of the former colony, few of whom have internet or television or knew about COVID-19, the appearance of health workers carried echoes of the arrival of Europeans in South America and the disease and exploitation they brought. "There is still in the minds the time of colonization and the havoc wreaked by viruses brought by colonizers," said a representative of Indigenous communities. "So when they saw white people from the mainland, they made the link." Frances most worrisome virus hot spot is on the northern coast of South America: French Guiana, a territory of about 300,000 people where poverty is rampant and health care is scarce.

story continues below

Its outbreak has exposed deep economic and racial inequality that residents say leaders in Paris have long ignored. Months after the virus stabilized in mainland France, it grew in French Guiana. More than 6,500 cases have been recorded in the territory, though officials fear the real number is much higher. Hospitals reached capacity in June, and the French military intervened to ferry patients to the French Caribbean island of Martinique. The national government sent 130 reserve health care workers to French Guiana, with more on the way. Local officials decry a lack of concern from the French mainland for a region where more than half the population lives under the national poverty linesome 10% don't have running waterand where it took more than a month to translate the government's COVID-19 guidance into local languages. One of French Guianas two lawmakers in the French legislature said the government dictates decisions, as "in the times of the colonies." He wants that to change.

(Read more coronavirus stories.)
A spokesman for Mr Hunt told The Age and The Sydney Morning Herald his advice on masks had been consistent. "What has changed, and continues to evolve, is the level of community transmission in Victoria, and the need to respond to that." Then on Sunday, Mr Andrews announced wearing a mask while outdoors would be mandatory in metropolitan Melbourne and Mitchell Shire, and those who fail to do so could face $200 fines as of Thursday unless they have a reasonable excuse. According to Andrews, it may be reasonable not to wear a mask if a person: is going for a run; has medical issues that make mask-wearing difficult; has a job that is not amenable to mask-wearing; or is a child under 12.

Dr Sharma said the official advice on when or if to wear masks is "just the latest incarnation of messages that are late and confusing. Loading Experts in health and emergency communication agree. They say information from the federal and state governments is often muddled, contradictory, and hard for the average person to read and understand. A federal Health Department spokeswoman said monitoring indicated the vast majority of Australians are confident they can recognise the symptoms [of coronavirus] and know how to reduce their risk. But one survey of 4362 Australians from April found 40 per cent could not list three COVID-19 symptoms and 30 per cent could not describe three government-recommended prevention methods.

Those numbers were greater for people with poor health literacy. We have to recognise its challenging times for everyone, said Professor Kirsten McCaffery, the director of the Sydney Health Literacy Lab. But I feel like we could do a better job. She cited confusing messages around why schools were staying open. People found it very hard to understand why they should send their kids to school, but not have a family birthday. That undermined peoples understanding of what was going on."

Dr Barbara Ryan, chair of Emergency Media and Public Affairs, Australias peak emergency-communication association, said the problem in part stemmed from a decision to have health bureaucrats run COVID-19 messaging rather than emergency communications experts. Health communications is not geared towards an emergency, she said. Its more about covering someones backside. And she criticised federal and state governments decision to use politicians as key spokespeople. Politicians are the least-trusted people, she said. I dont understand why theyd put themselves up as spokesmen in this. Its the trusted people who are going to generate the behaviour change we need in the pandemic.

She was also critical of Mr Andrews decision to play the blame game. He told media COVID-19 spread in Victoria partly because people were not taking the virus seriously enough. It is really not helpful to be blaming people, she said. For Dr Sharma, the most confusing message from the Victorian government was recommending everyone wear a mask except those under 18. That advice mirrors scientific evidence showing children are at far lower risk of getting COVID. But for the general public its just confusing, Dr Sharma said. If you have low health literacy, it is 100 per cent impossible for you to figure out if you should be putting a mask on a child or not.

The Victorian Department of Health and Human Services said it was engaging "with vulnerable communities with face-to-face conversations, on-the-ground translators and messages tailored to specific communities". In a study uploaded to medRxiv two weeks ago but not yet peer reviewed, a team of researchers from University College Cork ran government COVID-19 websites through a tool known as SMOG which quantifies what the academics call a "Simple Measure of Gobbledygook". Loading SMOG measures a websites readability by counting the number of words on the site that have three syllables or more. After putting 30 sentences of the the federal governments COVID website through the tool, it scored 19.1  meaning reading it comfortably needs a university-level education.
Aluminium Bahrain (Alba), the worlds largest aluminium smelter ex-China, today (July 19) launched its first virtual Summer Safety Campaign under the theme Our Safety is in Our Hands.

The six-day Summer Safety Campaign aims at encouraging employees and contractors to make the right choices for their Safety and Health as the summer season is in full swing, a statement said.

Albas Chief Executive Officer Ali Al Baqali virtually inaugurated the Summer Safety Campaign 2020 with a welcoming address live streamed to the companys management as well as employees and contractors.

In his opening address during the launch of the Campaign, Al Baqali said: While Covid-19 pandemic has changed the way we operate, keeping safe is a constant choice we -- employees and contractors  make in Alba.

With the launch of our much-awaited Safety Campaign, we aim to emphasise that Safety dont just happen, but it is the result of our collective efforts as ONE team.

Albas Summer Safety Campaign 2020 comprises virtual presentations by the executive management, which will be broadcasted by using virtual platforms in various locations in the plant as well as Safety Walks by the management.-TradeArabia News Service
The pants are off now as shorts of multi-coloured hues adorn the nether regions of men. Work from home hasn't been kind to trousers, once the showstoppers in men's attire. With the likes of Zoom, Microsoft Teams and Google Meet turning the focus solely on the top, the bottom has literally fallen out of the male wardrobe.

Yet, just once in a while there's a scare, as when you get up to fetch some papers, only to realize you have been exposed. That lurid pair of shorts or even worse the checkered boxers on display have the potential to bring your own and your company's stock down a few notches.

Time then, to bring back the good old dhoti, that four yards of unstitched cloth, apotheosized into a convenient wrap around for men.

It is functional, comfortable and makes a fashion statement. Worn with a smart shirt and even a jacket on top, it is equally suitable for lounging in an easy chair as it is to sit upright at the work desk. Since the standard dhoti is almost always white or off white, it can be matched with virtually any shirt.

The dhoti dates back to the Indus Valley Civilization and continued to be used throughout Indian history by emperors and commoners alike. Hindu Gods too have mostly been depicted wearing some form of it. Indeed, for a country whose sartorial choices have been influenced by outsiders and invaders like the Persians and the British, the dhoti has been the one constant and quintessentially Indian garment. Even the term dhoti is generally believed to have originated from the Sanskrit word dhauta meaning to cleanse or wash. Over the years, it morphed into various regional avatars like mundu, vesti, dhuti, laacha, chaadra, dhotar, mardaani or pancha.

As a visible expression of Indian identity, it was standard wear before and immediately after Independence with men like the erudite Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan in his bandh-gala suit over a dhoti or C Rajagopalachari in his white khadi jacket and dhoti, wearing it with pride. In popular culture too, the dhoti conferred dignity and respect on the wearer. Think of the upright schoolmaster of the 1972 N T Rama Rao classic Badi Panthulu or the memorable bade babu of the 1972 Rajesh Khanna-starrer Bawarchi.

Paradoxically, with the exit of the British, the dhoti went into hiding to be replaced by the ugly and uncomfortable trousers. Truth be told, pants were never really made for the Indian male with his signature paunch atop mostly short legs making for a rather comical combination. Often it led to the ungainly sight of men constantly hitching up their trousers or sneakily loosening a button for some room to breath.

There have been recent attempts to restore the dhoti to its rightful place, around men's waists. Last year, the Tamil Nadu government told its staff to avoid casualwear to work and cleared the dhoti as a reflection of Tamil culture. And this year, on January 6, officials at the Chief Secretariat in Puducherry came to work in veshtis, white shirts and shawls to celebrate the International Dhoti Day. But the dhotis real moment of glory came in 2019 when Abhijit Banerjee, winner of the years Nobel Prize for Economic Sciences, wore a white, gold-bordered dhoti in Bengali style paired with a kurta and a bandhgala for the awards ceremony in Stockholm. It should have set off a sartorial revolution in the country, but the Indian corporate executive, conservative to a fault and too inhibited to stand out, stuck to his pant-shirt routine.

Till the COVID-19 pandemic stuck. Locked down at home and no longer called upon to show up in formals, it was time to dress down for on-camera meetings. In the bargain, the tie lost its place as did the formal trousers, to be replaced by cargos and bermudas. But the dhoti remains confined to the back of the cupboard, awaiting the return of the ceremonial occasion when it can be aired.
She's a judge on MasterChef Australia alongside Andy Allen and Jock Zonfrillo.

And on Sunday, fan favourite Melissa Leong said it's a 'great privilege' to have been the first female judge on the cooking show.

In an interview with News Corp Australia, the 38-year-old chef said: 'I think if you're going to be the first female judge ever, then wear it with pride, [and] wear it with confidence.'

New role: MasterChef's Melissa Leong (pictured) has said it's a 'great privilege' to be the first female judge on the cooking show on Sunday

'It's a great privilege to be taking this role, for sure,' she continued.

Melissa also praised the cooking show for its diversity and said it represents 'modern Australia in the kitchen'.

She said: 'MasterChef has always been an incredibly diverse place, when it comes to casting contestants, we have seen so many faces that represent modern Australia in that kitchen.

Judges: Melissa is a co-judge on MasterChef Australia alongside Andy Allen (right) and Jock Zonfrillo (left)

The celebrity food critic also said 'it's a great honour to be on the judging panel and be a person of colour, because I represent myself, then I represent people who havent seen their faces held in high regard.'

Melissa and co-stars Andy Allen and Jock Zonfrillo replaced veteran judges George Calombaris, Gary Mehigan and Matt Preston on MasterChef in April.

The former trio had previously hosted MasterChef for 11 years before being dumped by Channel 10 in July 2019 after reports of a pay dispute.

It's over! George Calombaris (centre), Gary Mehigan (left) and Matt Preston (right) previously hosted MasterChef for 11 years before being dumped by Channel 10 in July 2019 after reports of a pay dispute

Last month, Melissa told The Weekend Australian she's 'very humbled' by the show's success.

According to the publication, the average live-to-air and catch-up audience is 1,105,000 viewers - representing a 45 per cent increase to last year.

The food writer and TV personality of Singaporean heritage said: 'Ratings aren't really within our control... (but) it's a wonderful thing to feel that it has resonated with the viewers in Australia and overseas.'
Traffic snarls were also reported at Minto Road, Mathura Road, Outer Ring Road, Mehrauli-Badarpur Road and Ashram Chowk

A DTC bus almost submerged at waterlogged Minto Bridge underpass after rains in New Delhi. PTI photo

Waterlogging in several areas of the national capital due to heavy rains affected movement of traffic in the city on Sunday, officials said.

The Delhi Traffic Police posted alerts on Twitter to inform commuters about waterlogged roads.

Delhi received its first spell of heavy rains this morning which inundated low-lying areas. Several stretches where construction work is going on also reported waterlogging.

Many residents shared on social media videos and pictures of rainwater gushing into their houses and vehicles wading through waterlogged roads.

Traffic slowed down from Azadpur to Mukarba Chowk due to waterlogging near GTK Depot, according to police.

Traffic snarls were also reported at Minto Road, Mathura Road, Outer Ring Road, Mehrauli-Badarpur Road and Ashram Chowk.

"Traffic is affected from Yashwant Place to Ashoka Road due to water logging," the Delhi Traffic Police said in a series of alerts posted on Twitter.

"Traffic is affected on Ring Road under Dhaula Kuan Flyover, GGP PDR road (both carriageways) and near Mundka Metro station (both carriageways) due to water logging," it said.

Movement of traffic has also been affected at W point, Ramcharan Aggarwal Chowk and from Ring Road towards Bhairon Road due to waterlogging, the police informed commuters.

According to the Delhi fire department, a bus and two autorickshaws were stuck at the Minto Bridge underpass due to heavy waterlogging.

"We received a call around 7:54 AM. Our team reached the spot where a bus and two autorickshaws were stuck due to waterlogging. The driver and the conductor of the bus and an auto driver were safely rescued by our personnel," said Atul Garg, Director, Delhi Fire Service.

There were no passengers on board the bus, he said.
Medha Dutta Yadav By

"You have only two daughters. Who will take the family business forward? As relatives questioned her father, five-year-old Vanshika Goenka wondered why she was not good enough for the job.

The conversation left a deep impression on me, she confesses. Years later, when Vanshika was working for a company that manufactured sanitary napkins, she realised she was the only woman in the room, working with an all-men team to create a product for women.

It suddenly hit me that there were just not enough women in workspaces. I started delving into this skewed ratio. This is what led to the start of Kool Kanya, a woman-oriented community to create the workforce of the future, she smiles.

The platform, which started in 2019, is a blend of online and offline women-targeted communities that lend support both emotionally and mentally. It fosters progressive conversations around relevant subjects and focuses on imparting guidance on topics such as upskilling, freelancing, entrepreneurship, financial planning and mental health.

We are on a mission to help every woman out there to create a career that she loves. We are also launching a marketplace by the end of this month for independent women professionals and freelancers. The vision is to build the perfect ambition destinationa one-stop solution for everything that has to do with a womans career, says the founder.

Currently, a community of 21,000 members and growing, Kool Kanya is a safe space for women to network professionally and ask questions.

With the pandemic unleashing financial instability in its wake, the platform is the perfect outlet to sustain and support women who are facing job losses.

Women have been able to find solace on our platform during these uncertain times. We have had women who have lost their jobs and have been encouraged to start working on their own businesses with guidance from mentors and peers in the community.

"Community members also have access to helpful webinars on topics such as starting a business on Instagram, which are exclusively available to them, Vanshika adds.

In fact, with the help of community members across genres, many can also seek help in professional areas such as logo designing, graphic design or content writing.

During the pandemic, the platform also started an initiative to support women who are looking for jobs called GetWork 2020.

The latest event saw participation from 13 companies across 18 fields and 697 applications. It is our aim to help every woman power her way to her dream career, she signs off.
Hong Kong, July 19 : Most of Hong Kongs 180,000 civil servants will work from home next week and the compulsory wearing of masks is being extended to cover public indoor areas, with the city facing a daily high of more than 100 confirmed coronavirus cases, sources said on Sunday.

Chief Executive Carrie Lam is expected to announce her latest response to the virus's resurgence in the city with her ministers in the evening, reports the South China Morning Post newspaper.

"The government will only provide essential and emergency services, going back to the service level in February," a newspaper report quoted an informed source as saying.

Another source said the government was also expected to announce that the compulsory wearing of masks would be extended to cover public spaces indoors.

Current regulations impose a requirement to wear masks on public transport.

On Saturday, there were 64 confirmed COVID-19 cases and more than 60 others which were preliminary, with one of the largest clusters found at Tsz Wan Shan in Kowloon.

The city's official COVID-19 total on Saturday surged to 1,777 - surpassing the 1,755 infections it recorded during the severe acute respiratory syndrome (Sars) epidemic in 2003.

On Sunday, Secretary for Food and Health Sophia Chan said that social-distancing measures were likely to be continued.

Also on Sunday, a government spokesman insisted that the quarantine exemption for some people entering Hong Kong, including airline and cruise crews, was necessary, after a respiratory medicine expert suspected it had created a loophole to allow asymptomatic cases into the community.
The number of NSW police leaving the force for medical reasons has doubled since 2015, sparking concerns about the loss of experienced officers and the morale of police who believe they are increasingly becoming scapegoats for problems that rest mostly out of their control.

The government is spending $583 million on recruiting 1500 additional officers over four years. But retention of police is proving difficult, with 648 officers departing the force last year, 303 of them "medically unfit". More than 100 of those officers were ranked at sergeant level or higher, NSW police annual reports reveal.

NSW Police Association president Tony King said there were "concerns" about recruitment and retention.

"For many officers, the prospect of leaving the force but doing so in a way that they can be financially secure is a major area of concern," Mr King said.
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In August, a robot will begin placing food and drinks on store shelves in Japan. This is a test that the robot's maker hopes will help create a wave of automation in retail stores. Automation is the process of using robots or computers, instead of people, for some jobs.

The manufacturer of the robot worker is a Tokyo-based company called Telexistence.

Following the test, store operator FamilyMart says it plans to use such robots at 20 stores in and around Tokyo by 2022.

One of FamilyMarts competitors is the retail chain Lawson. That company will be testing its first robot in September, according to Telexistence.

At first, people will operate the robots from a distance. These operations will continue until the machines artificial intelligence (AI) can learn to copy human-like movements.

Jin Tomioka is the robot makers chief executive. He noted how the technology lets people sense and experience places other than where they are.

It advances the scope and scale of human existence, he said.

The idea, called telexistence, was first proposed around 40 years ago by the companys co-founder, University of Tokyo professor Susumu Tachi.

Telexistence calls its robot the Model T, after the famous Ford Motor car. The Ford Model T began the era of mass car use around 100 years ago.

The robot looks somewhat like an Australian animal -- a kangaroo. The unusual design is meant to help people feel at ease. Many people feel uneasy around robots that look too human.

Escaping factories

Robots are still a rare sight in public. They also struggle with simple jobs in unexpected settings.

Solving that problem could help businesses in some countries, especially those in rapidly aging Japan, deal with fewer workers. Businesses hit by the coronavirus may also need to operate with fewer people.

Since the coronavirus crisis began , hotels, restaurants and even oil companies have contacted Telexistence, Tomioka said.

Niki Harada is an official at Japans Restaurant Workers Union. Its difficult to tell now what impact robots might have in restaurants - it could mean fewer people, but it could also create new jobs, Harada said.

Although FamilyMart will still need people to control its robots, operators can be anywhere. The operators can also be people who would not normally work in stores, said Tomohiro Kano, a general manager.

There are about 1.6 million people in Japan, who for various reasons are not active in the workforce, he said.

Takeo Kanade is an AI and robotics scientist at Carnegie Mellon University in the United States. Kanade joined Telexistence in February as an adviser.

Future telexistence robots could be used in hospitals so doctors could perform operations from a distance, he said.

However, he added, it might take another 20 years before robots can work in peoples homes.

In order for robots to be really usable at home, he said, we really have to be able to communicate."

I'm John Russell.

Tim Kelly reported on this story for Reuters. John Russell adapted it for VOA Learning English. George Grow was the editor.

_____________________________________________________________

Words in This Story

shelf  n. a flat object which is connected to a wall, and on which other objects can be placed

retail  n. the business of selling things directly to customers for their own use

chain  n. a group of stores or businesses owned by the same company

according  adv. as stated by or in

artificial intelligence  n. the development of computers with the ability to do things that normally require human intelligence

scope  n. the area that is included in or dealt with by something

scale  n. the size or level of something especially in comparison to something else

era  n. a long time or period of history

rapidly  adj. very quickly

impact  v. to have a strong effect on someone or something




A woman from Nevada was sentenced late June to life in prison without the possibility of parole after she beat her parents to death with a crowbar. The woman also lit their house on fire.

According to authorities, the woman went ballistic after her parents caught her sniffing huffing paint in their garage.

Double homicide

On June 26, the 31-year-old Alexis Alegria was sentenced to two consecutive life terms for killing her father and mother. The victims, 61-year-old Victor Alegria and 58-year-old Jami Alegria were killed in their shared home.

According to a statement released by the Washoe County District Attorney's Office, the murderer was heard in bodycam footage and a recorded phone call confessing to killing her father and mother and setting their house on fire to hide the evidence.

Authorities who responded to the house fire talked to Alexis, who told them that her parents were still inside the home. The police then noticed a laceration on her lip and blood on her legs and her feet. She claimed that she fell down the stairs while she was fleeing from the burning house.

Also Read: Boy from Saudi Died After a Swab Test Stick Broke Inside his Nose

After a thorough investigation done by authorities, it was discovered that she intentionally started the fire to hide the murder, as reported to MSN.com

Prosecutors said that both the victims caught Alexis huffing paint in their garage. It led to an argument and ended with Alexis beating both her parents to death with a crowbar, she also stabbed her father in the back of his head.

The autopsy of Victor and Jami Alegria confirmed that they died from blunt force head trauma and that Victor sustained sharp force injuries to his head.

According to the prosecutors, Alexis Alegria had a history of mental illness and that both of her parents had called the cops on her numerous times.

Despite her history, she was still found able to stand trial for the murder. Alexis pleaded guilty for the crimes and was sentenced to 5 to 15 years for arson. Her arson sentence will run consecutive to the life sentences that she got for killing her parents.

Similar incident

In June 2020, an elderly couple from San Antonio, Texas was shot and killed by their daughter. After the murder, the daughter tried to commit suicide.

The identity of the daughter was not released by the authorities by according to NEWS4SA, the woman worked at a school in West Texas and she emailed a resignation letter before committing the murder.

According to the neighbors of the elderly couple, both of them were very ill and their daughter would visit them often to take care of them. SAPD Chief William McManus said that the daughter called 911 to let the cops know that she killed her parents.

By the time that the cops arrived at the home, they discovered the bodies of the 84-year-old man and the 79-year-old woman. Cops also heard another gunshot from the backyard and Chief McManus said that the daughter shot herself. The police rushed her to the hospital. She was in critical condition and was in life support as of June 11.

Related Article: Decomposing Body of Unidentified Man Discovered on Roof of McDonald's Branch in New York

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While the Indian Army and Air Force are fully deployed on the Aksai Chin border, the Indian Navy through its forward posture has ensured that there is no Chinese Peoples Liberation Army (PLA) Navy threat in either the Arabian Sea or the Bay of Bengal.

According to sources based in Mumbai, Vishakhapatnam and New Delhi, after the June 15 Galwan flare-up, the Indian Navy warships including aircraft carrier and submarines adopted an aggressive posture on both eastern and western seaboard to ward off any Chinese Navy threat to India from Malacca Straits to the Horn of Africa.

Also Read: QUAD is ready but no more free lunches for ASEAN on South China Sea

The PLA Navy warships using the cover of anti-piracy operations operate between Gwadar, their maintenance and logistics base in Balochistan, to acquired Djibouti Naval base on the mouth of Red Sea. The PLA warships also enter the Indian Ocean through Malacca Straits and operate in the international waters.

After the Galwan flare-up in East Ladakh, the Indian Navys forward posture has ensured that three PLA Navy warships have taken to safe waters in Gulf of Aden, off the coast of Djibouti and three other warships have exited through Malacca Straits to home base. A Chinese warship which was entering through Indonesia towards the Indian Ocean also turned back as the Indian forces were fully prepared for any contingency, said a senior commander.

Also Read: Apex China Study Group reviews East Ladakh: Key stand-off points record withdrawal

The PLA Navy has acquired a string of ports in Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Iran and east Africa to not only contain the Indian Navy but also challenge the presence of US Central Command forces as well as French and British Navy. Beijing has 70 per cent stake in Kyaukpyu port in Myanmar, which sits in the Bay of Bengal, Hambanthota port in South Sri Lanka dominates the Indian Ocean, Gwadar port in Pakistan sits on the mouth of Gulf of Oman and the port of Jask in Iran is located on the edge of Persian Gulf. While the countries in which these ports are may justify the Chinese tie-up due to push by the US, fact is that all these ports have been acquired through huge infusion of cash and muscle. With the PLA Navy moving full speed to acquire blue water navy status, it is only a matter of time that the global trade will be at mercy of the Chinese warships.

Also Read: US backs ASEAN on South China Sea, challenges Chinas predatory world view

With a clear understanding of the Chinese posture, the Indian national security planners are working towards building of advance landing grounds in some of the 1062 islands under its sovereignty. Rather than buy more aircraft carriers, the Indian plan is to totally upgrade the military facilities in Andaman Nicobar Islands on eastern seaboard as well as Lakshadweep on western seaboard. To counter the Chinese threat, the plan is to have a network of Indian airbases on these islands in both Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal so that freedom of navigation and overflights is maintained and not restricted like in South China Sea.

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OTTAWA - The Canadian Armed Forces has issued new orders to military personnel as senior commanders seek to address allegations of having been soft on hate in the ranks.

Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 19/7/2020 (549 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

A Canadian flag patch is shown on a soldier's shoulder in Trenton, Ont., on Thursday, Oct. 16, 2014. The Canadian Armed Forces has issued new orders to military personnel as senior commanders seek to address allegations of having been soft on hate in the ranks. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Lars Hagberg

OTTAWA - The Canadian Armed Forces has issued new orders to military personnel as senior commanders seek to address allegations of having been soft on hate in the ranks.

The orders, which aim to take a harder line on "hateful conduct," follow a rash of high-profile incidents in which the military was caught flatfooted as service members were publicly linked to hateful actions or groups.

"The year before, it was more like a reaction kind of approach," acknowledged Maj.-Gen. Marc Gagne, who oversees strategy, plans and policy within the chief of military personnel's office. "We were reacting to cases."

The new direction also comes as the military is actively working to recruit more women, visible minorities and Indigenous people to ensure it reflects Canadian society and is better able to operate in diverse theatres.

The new order aims to leave no doubt about what constitutes "hateful conduct" by banning anything  words, images or symbols  that encourages, justifies or promotes violence or hatred against individuals or groups.

That includes discrimination based on nationality or ethnic background, race, colour, religion, age, gender, sexual orientation, marital status or disability.

"We were talking about different forms of misconduct: sexual misconduct, harassment, discrimination," Gagne said. "But 'hateful conduct' was never clearly articulated. ... We broke new ground by developing this definition."

Troops are required to report any and all incidents while military commanders are expected to take action when incidents are brought to their attention. All have been warned that they will be held to account if they do not.

A database has also been created to track such incidents, based on the system created to monitor sexual misconduct in the ranks. New training for troops and screening for recruits is being developed.

"The idea is basically as soon as you join, it's crystal-clear and we're going to keep reinforcing through education and training as you move through the ranks and as you assume more responsibility," Gagne said.

Bernie Farber, chair of the Canadian Anti-Hate Network, described the new orders and definition as a positive and long overdue step. But he said only time will tell whether the military follows through in addressing hate in the ranks.

"Right now, these are just words," he said. "They are good words ... But too often in the past, when they investigated, it has really only resulted  to the best of our knowledge  in a slap on the wrist. What we need to see from the Canadian Armed Forces is they take meaningful actions."

The new approach follows a number of incidents in recent years in which the military has been accused of not doing enough to root out hate from the ranks.

Those incidents have ranged from sailors associated with the Proud Boys group disrupting a Mi'kmaq ceremony in Halifax in 2017 to the case of a Manitoba army reservist who was accused of being a recruiter for a neo-Nazi group.

Patrik Mathews is currently in custody in the U.S. with two other men after disappearing from his home in Beausejour. The FBI have accused them of plotting to start a race war on behalf of The Base, a white-supremacist group.

Senior commanders also faced months of questions and criticism after a military intelligence report in 2018 identified 30 service members as belonging to hate groups or having otherwise made discriminatory or racist statements.

The Armed Forces eventually reported in November that 16 of those members had been warned, disciplined or ordered to take counselling but allowed to stay in uniform. A number of other cases were described as "ongoing."

It also comes amid concerns about systemic racism within the military, RCMP and other government institutions.

Chief of defence staff Gen. Jonathan Vance and Defence Department deputy minister Jody Thomas last month apologized for their slow response to questions about systemic racism.

Service members have been told that more detailed policies and orders on systemic racism are coming soon.

Gagne said the new orders are just the first step in a much longer effort to change attitudes within the Armed Forces and ensure the military is leading by example when it comes to hate.

"To change culture, to change group dynamics, to change or modify perceptions and beliefs will take time," he said "But we had to take action. Somebody may think this is a one-off. But those little one-offs could erode the institution."

This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 19, 2020.
 A $1,000 donation to the Coins for Alzheimers Trust. The CART Fund provides funds for cutting edge research to cure Alzheimers disease. CART started in 1996 with Rotarians voluntarily emptying their pockets and purses of change at weekly meetings. The CART Fund is dedicated to raising funds to provide seed money for cutting-edge, high-impact research in hopes of finding a cure/prevention for Alzheimers disease.

 A $1,000 donation to Polio Plus. The goal of the Polio Plus program is the global certification of polio eradication. By eradication, WHO, the Global Commission on Certification and Rotary mean the interruption of transmission of the wild poliovirus.

All these contributions were made possible by the Rotary Club of Hickorys successful fundraising activities, highlighted annually by the Rotarian Idol fundraiser. The 2020 contest was postponed due to COVID-19 social distancing guidelines and will be rescheduled at a later date when public health and safety allows large gatherings.
 Flash

World Bank Group President David Malpass on Saturday urged the Group of 20 (G20) countries to extend the time frame of the Debt Service Suspension Initiative through the end of 2021, calling it one of the key factors in strengthening global recovery.

"I urge you to extend the time frame of the Debt Service Suspension Initiative (DSSI) through end 2021 and commit to give the initiative as broad a scope as possible," Malpass made the remarks at the virtual G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors Meeting, according to a statement.

"We've made a great deal of progress with DSSI in a short period of time, but more needs to be done," said the World Bank chief.

Malpass said that the pandemic has triggered the "deepest global recession in decades," and what may turn out to be "one of the most unequal" in terms of impact.

"For the poorest countries, poverty is rising rapidly, median incomes are falling, and growth is deeply negative," he said. "Debt burdens -- already unsustainable for many countries -- are rising to crisis levels."

Even with these immediate steps -- a longer suspension of debt payments, a DSSI scope that includes more debt and more official bilateral creditors, participation by commercial creditors and the World Bank's large positive net flows -- many of the poorest countries won't be able to make the resulting debt burdens sustainable in the medium term, Malpass noted.

"The economic repercussions from the pandemic are expected to inflict lasting scars on growth through lower investment, erosion of human capital, and the retreat from global trade and supply linkages," he warned.

The World Bank president urged the G20 to "open the door to consultations" about the debt overhang itself and effective ways to reduce the net present value of both official bilateral and commercial debt for the poorest countries.

He noted that the debt resolution process should be improved.

"Looking longer term, creditors' rights frequently take precedence over the people in the debtor countries, adding to the difficulty of debt resolutions," he said. "The international community needs to recognize this imbalance if we are going to achieve effective debt resolutions or adjust the process in a way that encourages good outcomes."

Malpass also highlighted the importance of debt transparency, noting that creditors need to fully assess the debt sustainability of their potential borrowers, citizens need to be able to evaluate their leaders for the debt they take on, and borrowers need to design strategies based on a clear understanding of their debt.
A country that was war torn till the first half of last century, has now occupied territories of more than half a dozen bordering countries. Chinese President Xi Jinping has added to the Chinese desperation of expansionism and the great Maoist dream of conquering the whole world. The current standoff at LAC is at another sinister attempt of furthering that expansionist agenda. Under the sinification policy, Xi Jinping is leading the systematic efforts to eliminate minority identities and alienate minority provinces along borders.

Look at what they have done to minority provinces of Tibet and East Turkestan (Xinjiang) to eliminate ethnic identities. Jinping and the Politburo standing Committee have been stressing the need of four identifications, among the ethnic minorities: identification with the motherland; the Chinese nation, Chinese culture; and the socialist road with Chinese characteristics.

Under the Jinpings regime, a number of fast-track initiatives were introduced after the demography of Tibet and East Turkestan, eliminating ethnic and religious cultures. The Chinese push for assimilation got intensified and accelerated after the Second Xinjiang Work Forum held in Beijing on 28-29, May 2014 attended by over 300 top Party officials and the entire Politburo. It was decided to strengthen the Party structure in minority dominated regions and to accelerate inter-regional migration, besides other measures. In the same year, the Qiemo county in East Turkestan came up with a policy to promote inter-ethnic marriages by offering 10,000 RMB per year to inner-ethnic couples for five years, along with other social security benefits. Policies of promoting such marriages have backfired as minorities perceive. These steps are attempts to attack the region's unique culture and identity.

In order to ensure authoritative control over these minority provinces, it has ensured a rapid influx of Hans in Tibet and East Turkestan. In Tibet, the magnitude of the influx is so massive, that Hans have outnumbered ethnic Buddhists. Similarly, Hans and other ethnic communities are outnumbering Uighurs and Turkic communities in East Turkestan, especially along the border areas.

Human rights have taken a backseat in minority provinces after the coronation of Of Jinping. 197 people died in the 2009 violence and the number of deaths in 2013 and 2014 were 110 and 308, respectively. The September 2015 attack in the Aksu region resulted in the loss of at least 50 lives. Similarly More than 129 cases of self-immolation by Tibetan Buddhist have come to light after 2011 and numerous religious and liberation leaders have been arbitrarily detained.

To suppress dissidents ,China has relied on deployment of surveillance technologies at massive scales. Citizens in both the territories are compelled to install a surveillance app - Jingwangweishi, which tracks and monitors them real time. Besides tracking, it also monitors employment status .Transport used, religious places visited. China has also used East Turkestan to implement its infamous facial recognition technology ,before it was implemented to pan China.

China establishments have been holding the process of Arabisation as the reason behind disconnection amongst the Islamic communities in East Turkestan. The practice of Islamic rituals and customs like Hajj and Madrassa education began to be identified as extremism. The first wave of Muslim genocide erupted in 1980s, in which Islamic leaders and preachers were identified, targeted, and murdered in deadly riots. The same wave of murdering Muslims revamped in 2009 and is continued till today, eliminating all religious leaders.

Minorities have not only been marginalized religiously, but socially and culturally as well. The Uighur community has been made a Pariah in the entire communist nation. This observation is magnified in Hans hotels of East Turkestan, where Uighur are not allowed to stay or eat. Recently, the government issued a notification, banning 29 names for Uighur kids that were considered too Islamic or non-Chinese. In another such attempt to eliminate the Uighur identity, the government banned burqa in public places, terming it non-local attire. This gives a sense that everything that relates to symbols of dominant communities like Hans and conforms to the ideas of the Party is local, patriotic, and institutionally acceptable. Everything else is external, seditious and institutionally prohibited.

Patriotic religious education which Jinping connotes as legal channels for religious people, is eliminating Uighur identity and Islamic customary practices through detention camps disguised as schools and training centers .Such schools are mushrooming all over East Turkestan and Tibet. The idea was initiated in 1996 and is also largely responsible for appointments in religious institutions. It appoints only those monks and imams who have been trained in government run mosques and monasteries and have received government sanction.

Similarly, in Tibet, trainees and detainees in patriotic religious schools denounce His Holiness Dalai Lama and made to recognize Chinese government appointed Panchen Lama as a true religious leader of Tibet.There are numerous instances ,where in Buddhist monks had to trample the picture of the Dalai Lama under there foot to immunize themselves against the Chinese torture. Many believe that numerous cases of self immolation by Tibetans are consequences of the imposition of such a repressive model of education.

To cope up with the dissident and unrest, China has also been exponentially increasing its internal security budget, which surpassed its national defense budget in 2011. The trend kept continuing in the subsequent years. As a consequence of the 2009 Urumgi riots, the budget for public security apparatus was raised from 1.54 billion RMB to 2.89 in RMB  marking a huge increase of 90 percent! Further, the XUAR government doubled its public security bureau budget in 2014 to two million RMB.

East Turkestan consists of more than 30 percent of crude oil and more than 40 percent of coal reserves of China, which has been rigorously exploited by the Chinese government to the benefit of its economy. Any form of instability in the province would mean hindrance to such exploitation. Consequently, in the aftermath of the 2009 anti-Uighur pogrom, China started infusing capital and introduced a series of corporate reforms in East Turkestan. It also came up with projects like setting-up of SEZs near Kashgar and in the border towns of Alataw and Kogras. These were perhaps additional efforts to strengthen Chinese position along the border areas. What a brilliant way of killing two birds with one stone!

Tibet is another mineral and energy rich territory within China. To counter the liberation movement, the Chinese government plans to invest USD 81 billion exclusively on connectivity and infrastructure projects. Both the provinces are of utmost strategic significance to China as their occupation awarded its boundaries with South Asian nations as well as provided access to numerous trade routes. Hence investments on infrastructure projects in these two territories reflect the Chinese desire of expansionism by strengthening its hold in territories with international borders.

Moving ahead from East Turkestan and Tibet, China has managed to travel till Indias border. We cannot keep acting like frightened Ostriches burying their heads in sand to escape from reality. We need to implement multi level policy changes regarding our border areas. Through development of connectivity and infrastructure projects, India should ensure that local population along the bordering villages are empowered, well connected and sustainably inhabited. We also need to pump in more investments in bordering regions in India to promote inter-state businesses and connections. Similarly, we also need to preserve local identities, popularize local culture and promote local markets of bordering areas to motivate and equip our front-end and full-time defenders.
When the COVID-19 pandemic began to make its way to the U.S. in early March, the staff of the Santa Fe Youth Symphony Association immediately went into planning mode. How would we operate if we werent able to meet, learn and practice music, and rehearse for our upcoming spring performances?

In-person collaboration is vital to making music, and the prospect of not meeting in person was completely foreign to us, and to our students. Yet it became a reality in early March, when New Mexicos government mandated that all schools must transition to an online environment.

This state of emergency, reminiscent of an outlandish sci-fi novel, rendered all events cancelled until further notice. Stay-at-home orders had everyone sheltering in place with little to no contact with the outside world.

As music educators, we had to leap into learning new technology, practically overnight. Our entire community of more than 300 students and instructors began taking advantage of such online meeting platforms as Zoom and Google Meets. The sounds of music stands being set up were replaced by notification bells of students entering a virtual meeting room hosted by an ensemble conductor.

Everyone had to step up. Our students committed to doing their utmost to attend every rehearsal. Our instructors and conductors, rather than preparing to wind down for the summer, began exploring new ways to engage with their students. Our symphony orchestra conductor set aside nearly 33 hours of his own time to spend 30 minutes with each of his 65 students in order to find out how they were doing and explore how he could help work with them through any trouble spots.

Our mariachi director took his voice lessons from the classroom to one-on-one instruction  and found that his students lost their inhibitions when not singing in front of their peers. Our elementary strings director challenged her students  some as young as 6  to compose their own music.

Students in the jazz and orchestra ensembles alike recorded individual tracks and brought them together for combined virtual experiences. For their end-of-season project, all 65 musicians of SFYSAs most advanced orchestra, the youth symphony orchestra, recorded themselves playing a piece that staff and conductors compiled into a video that allowed all the parts to come together audiovisually.

These performances and more will be on display over the weekend of July 17-19 when SFYSA holds its first virtual concert, which celebrates the music of marginalized composers.

And through this strange, but amazing, period, we managed to pull off something almost unimaginable: We held every rehearsal, as scheduled. In a time when most school teachers reported significant drop-off rates among their students  particularly the youngest  SFYSA students navigated these new virtual worlds so they could stay connected to their music, and to each other.

Not only do they get to continue learning and growing together, but also they encourage and lift each other up during their online sessions, and beyond. This experience has confirmed for all of us just how very vital, uplifting and, indeed, critical music is to our students well-being during this uncertain time in the world.

As Youth Symphony Orchestra conductor William Waag said, They are delighted to see each other when they log on. And continuing to have a reason to practice and prepare music gives them something creative to focus on and a connection to almost normal.

The uncertainty around the pandemic continues. But what is certain is that music remains a creative outlet, a balm for the soul, and the best possible way for our students to stay connected and move forward as musicians.

Andrea Cassutt is executive director of the Santa Fe Youth Symphony Association (SFSYA), a nonprofit organization dedicated to bringing its community together through youth music education.
Democrat-run Portland has given complete license to Black Lives Matter and Antifa, allowing increasingly violent protests that cause tens of millions of dollars in damage. When the mob eventually began to attack federal property and stated their intention to overthrow the U.S. system, the Department of Homeland Security sent in Customs and Border Patrol officers to arrest people violating the law. Antifa and the mob called what was happening fascist. It was to be expected that Portlands mayor would echo this, but its disgusting that Nancy Pelosi, the most powerful woman in America, would also call CBP officers stormtroopers.

Monica Showalter has already described the violence and destruction on Portlands streets, as well as the way the Portland mayor and Oregon (both Democrats) nastily refused to accept Trumps offer of federal police aid, so I wont repeat that here. [UPDATE: In a bad Freudian moment, because Andy Ngo reports from Portland, I looked at the following tweet and mentally substituted Portland for "Chicago." I'm leaving the video here because it shows what Antifa is doing all across America.] Its sufficient to say the violence is escalating:

Air footage showing the onslaught of projectile weapons and explosives thrown at police in Chicago who were protecting a Columbus statue yesterday. What stands out to me is the organized brigade of black bloc militants using umbrellas as cover. pic.twitter.com/CBwoyB4jBz  Andy Ngo (@MrAndyNgo) July 18, 2020

The mob is also explicit that it isnt seeking reform; instead, its wildly applauded goal, stated by an afro-indigenous, non-binary local organizer, so you know she means it, is to overthrow the government of the United States:

1863 Abraham Lincoln: Four score and seven years ago....

2020 Lilith Sinclair: "I'm an afro-indigenous non-binary local organizer."  Quentiam Dominus (@QuentiamD) July 18, 2020

As part of its revolution, the mob deliberately destroyed federal property:

HAPPENING NOW: Antifa are currently vandalizing the Court House and attempting to bait the Federal Police outside here in Portland pic.twitter.com/M8sxLAicgZ  Drew Hernandez (@livesmattershow) July 13, 2020

Chad Wolf, the Acting Secretary of Homeland Security, properly concluded that neither the governor nor the mayor has the power to prevent the United States government from acting against revolutionaries destroying federal property and determined to overthrow the United States. Wolf, therefore, sent Customs and Border Patrol law enforcement officers (who serve under DHS) to Portland.

Antifa., which has partnered with Black Lives Matter, promptly waged all-out warfare against the CBP officers:

Antifa losers in Portland were trying to mess with/ambush officers.



Messed with the bull, got the horns.

And the one guy's laughter gives me strength lmao. pic.twitter.com/lGZpfVAVQP  L (@SomeBitchIKnow) July 17, 2020

When the officers succeeded in arresting mob members, leftists launched a conspiracy theory:

Illegal detention. Snatching people off the streets of Portland in unmarked cars. No arrests, no charges. Just kidnapping. #Trump's fascist state policing. pic.twitter.com/qSZ3jBlxud  Lee Saunders (@LeeSaunders72) July 17, 2020

Law professor Jonathan Turley had to remind people that its legal for federal officers to protect federal property and arrest people trying to overthrow the government:

As a legal matter, Portland cannot force the federal officers out of Portland or prevent arrests for federal offenses. This is the other side of federalism. The federal government has jurisdiction in the protection of federal buildings and the arrest of suspects in federal crimes  Jonathan Turley (@JonathanTurley) July 18, 2020

Mark Morgan, the Senior Office Performing the Duties of the Commissioner of CBP, also made it clear that the federal law enforcement officers were properly identified but had to hide their names to prevent Antifa doxing:

Our personnel are clearly marked as federal LEOs & have unique identifiers. You will not see names on their uniforms b/c these same violent criminals use this information to target them & their families, putting both at risk. As Acting Commissioner, I will not let that happen!  CBP Mark Morgan (@CBPMarkMorgan) July 17, 2020

Despite all this  destruction of federal property, the announced intention to overthrow the U.S., and the doxing  Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, a federal elected officer, misrepresented the violence as free speech and called federal police Trumps stormtroopers:

First Amendment speech should never be met with one-sided violence from federal agents acting as Trumps secret police, especially when unidentified. This is disgraceful behavior we would expect from a banana republic  not the government of the United States.  Nancy Pelosi (@SpeakerPelosi) July 18, 2020

Both Sen. Ted Cruz and Rep. Dan Crenshaw sharply rebuked Pelosi:

Cops are not stormtroopers.



Arrests are not kidnappings.



ANTIFA terrorists are not protestors.



Dems are making the cynical political decision to stand with violent criminals trying to destroy America. https://t.co/Noib5l4HrX  Ted Cruz (@tedcruz) July 18, 2020

Graffiti? What a lie. See this link for actual arrest info.https://t.co/oa7wg9ZeJP



Democrats are openly accepting mob violence, while disparaging law enforcement as stormtroopers.



Share this. Americans must understand that voting Democrat is a vote against safety and order. https://t.co/R3UofDi4TE  Dan Crenshaw (@DanCrenshawTX) July 18, 2020

If you needed a reminder that the revolution going on here is one in which the grossly misnamed American elite is encouraging civil breakdown to revolt against you, all you need to do is look at the tweet from Nancy Pelosi, the most powerful woman in America.

Image: Twitter screengrab
After six crazy seasons, Empire, FOXs musical drama, ended. The decision to end Empire appeared to be related to Jussie Smolletts off-camera drama. Fans felt the show did not get its proper end. Nevertheless, all major stars of the show, sans Smollett, were part of the finale, including Serayah, who starred as Tiana. The role of Tiana was initally offered to Ryan Destiny. Destiny later accepted the role in another musical drama on the same network.

Empire cast | FOX Image Collection via Getty Images

Ryan Destiny was offered the role of Tiana on Empire

Destiny has been performing since she was 12-years-old. The Detroit, Michigan natives first taste of fame was attending the red carpet premiere of Justin Biebers Never Say Never documentary. Destiny won a singing competition, with her grand prize to appear on the red carpet.

Destiny continued performing and she auditioned for Americas Got Talent. She met one of her future group members on the show and later debuted as part of a trio with Love Dollhouse. The group signed to All Def Records under a partnership deal with music mogul, Russell Simmons, and released a single. Love Dollhouse disbanded in 2015 and Destiny set her sights on solo stardom.

Source: YouTube

She eventually caught the eye of director Lee Daniels, who offered her the role of Tiana in his FOX musical drama, Empire. Destiny was signed to a record deal with Capitol Records at the time. The label refused to allow her to participate in the series.

Destiny told The New York Post in a 2017 interview that she was distraught over not being able to take the part.

I had originally gotten a part on Empire to play Tianna, but because of previous [contractual commitments] it didnt go through, she said. I was devastated, because when [Empire] came out and broke all those [ratings] records, it hurt. That was supposed to be me, but it was all in Gods timing.

The role of Tiana on Empire went to Serayah

Tiana was portrayed by another rising talent, Serayah. Serayah starred on the show for the entire series run and had a number of songs released as part of the official show soundtrack each season. Empire marked her first major acting role.

Destiny later admitted that she was happy Serayah landed the role in her place. Serayah McNeill was definitely the perfect person for that role, she told The New York Post.

The character Tiana was a central figure on the show. She was one of Empire Records best talents and also entangled in an on-again-off-again relationship with Hakeem Lyon. Tiana and Hakeem eventually marry and have a child together, with Tiana also helping to raise Hakeems daughter from another relationship. By the end of the show, Tiana and Hakeem split.

Ryan Destiny landed a role on another popular FOX musical drama

Despite Destiny losing the role on Empire, Daniels was so impressed with her talent that he scooped her up for another FOX musical drama. Star chronicled the humble beginnings and rising careers of a girl group. Destiny starred as Alex.

Source: YouTube

Aside from music, Alex has her fair share of love triangles. She is in an up and down relationship with Derek and also finds herself in the arms of an industry guy. She often has tense arguments with her group members as well.

The show lasted for three seasons before its cancelation in 2019. Its rumored that the show will have a finale in the form of a movie. Destiny now stars on Grown-ish on Freeform.
President Barack Obama headed inside the Capitol for the traditional bipartisan luncheon that follows every inauguration when someone handed him a copy of their ticket to the history-making event and asked for his autograph.

"It's because of you, John," the first black American president wrote to Rep. John Lewis on Jan. 20, 2009.

Lewis, who died Friday night after a six-month battle with pancreatic cancer, had that kind of moral clout in a Capitol that increasingly lacks a true compass. The words "civil rights icon" became synonymous with Lewis over his nearly 34 years in Congress, always harking back to his days leading marches in the 1960s as a top lieutenant in the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.'s team.

Lewis harnessed his own history, beaten by state troopers in Selma, Ala., as he and other peaceful protesters tried to march across the Edmund Pettus Bridge, and turned it into a moral calling on Capitol Hill. Every year, he led dozens of members of Congress to a weekend pilgrimage to Selma that served as an educational retreat to learn of the civil rights struggle and culminated with a soul-replenishing trip with Lewis across the bridge where he had nearly died in 1965.

For the 50th anniversary, Lewis marched with then-President Obama on one side of the span while former president George W. Bush marched on the other side.

Five years later, on an early Sunday morning in June, Lewis appeared on 16th Street in Washington just outside the White House. He stood alongside D.C. Democratic Mayor Muriel Bowser, who had just ordered the street to be painted with the words "Black Lives Matter." They inspected the scene where protesters had been dispersed with tear gas to clear Lafayette Square before President Donald Trump could walk to the historic St. John's Episcopal Church to stage a photo opportunity, a scene that was all too familiar in Lewis's youth.

Cancer treatments had left him frail, and he required a cane to get around. A few days earlier, he had told his Democratic colleagues that the image of George Floyd's death in police custody and the ensuing protests hurt him deeply, because he had thought America had moved past such moments.

"It's been hard and difficult for me. I've cried, I've prayed," Lewis told Democrats on the conference call, according to the notes of a participant.

Lewis was not seen in public again, a missing voice for a moment so suited to his life experience.

"John answered brutal violence with courageous hope. And throughout his career as a civil rights leader and public servant, he worked to make our country a more perfect union," Bush said in a statement Saturday.

The former president never mentioned Trump, but his final sentence made clear he is more comfortable with Lewis's tactics than the current president's.

"America can best honor John's memory by continuing his journey toward liberty and justice for all," Bush said.

Obama published an essay Saturday that reminisced about their final private talk in early June, after the lawmaker and former president had held a virtual town hall with young activists. Lewis told Obama how inspiring the group was.

"I told him that all those young people - of every race, from every background and gender and sexual orientation - they were his children. They had learned from his example, even if they didn't know it," Obama wrote.

Through his biography and his own charm, Lewis cast the type of long shadow that every president - until Trump - felt comfortable sitting under.

When Ronald Reagan signed the 1988 law banning housing discrimination, he singled out first-term Rep. Lewis for special praise for bringing "us one step closer to realizing Martin Luther King's dream.''

Bill Clinton, appearing in a new documentary about Lewis, essentially apologized for the 1994 crime bill that Lewis opposed because of its strict death penalty provisions.

"The older I've gotten, the closer I've come to his position. And maybe what we need is a little more reconciliation and rebuilding," Clinton told the filmmakers of "John Lewis: Good Trouble."

Bush drew a direct line from the Edmund Pettus Bridge to Lyndon B. Johnson signing the first Voting Rights Act in 1965 - a connection he highlighted when he signed a rewrite of the historic law in 2006.

"In a little more than a year after Selma, a newly enfranchised black community used their power at the ballot box to help defeat the sheriff who had sent men with whips and clubs to the Edmund Pettus Bridge on that bloody Sunday," Bush said then.

In 2011, Obama draped the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian honor, around Lewis's neck.

Despite his reverend-like demeanor, Lewis knew how to play political hardball if it meant advancing his cause.

In 2008, Lewis accused Obama's opponent, then-Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., of running a campaign that was creating a racially charged atmosphere that could lead to violence. A decade later, McCain admitted that he was still bitter that someone he considered a "personal hero" had lodged such a charge.

"I couldn't believe it, and I couldn't forgive it. I still can't," McCain wrote in "The Restless Wave," a memoir released three months before his own death from cancer in 2018.

In 1986, Lewis ran against one of his closest friends, Julian Bond, in the Democratic primary for the House seat that Lewis would hold for more than three decades. They had helped run the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee in the 1960s, then both settled in Atlanta when they shifted from activism to politics.

Lewis publicly challenged Bond to take a drug test, a racially charged move that Bond believed helped send white voters to Lewis's side for a narrow victory.

During Obama's 2008 campaign, Lewis, then in his late 60s, initially rejected Obama and instead endorsed Hillary Clinton, part of a generational divide within the Congressional Black Caucus in which older members doubted that America would elect a young black man president.

For only the second time ever, Lewis drew a primary challenge based on his support of Clinton - and three weeks after Obama defeated her by a more than 2-1 margin in Georgia, Lewis switched sides and endorsed the future president. He won his primary that summer with less than 70% of the vote.

On Aug. 28, 2008, the night Obama accepted the Democratic presidential nomination, on the 45h anniversary of the March on Washington, which Lewis helped organize, he walked through the Denver stadium trying to find his seat, coming across then-Rep. Jesse L. Jackson Jr., D-Ill., who had been an early Obama supporter.

Lewis and the son of the civil rights activist hugged, never saying a word, just weeping, over the history they were about to witness.

"It was a very moving day for him and myself. We didn't need to speak in a verbal way," Lewis recalled of that moment in a 2012 interview.

A week before Trump was sworn in, Lewis made clear that he wanted nothing resembling the warm bonds he shared with the first five presidents he served alongside in Congress. He declared Trump not "a legitimate president" because of Russian interference in the 2016 race, and Lewis led a boycott of several dozen Democrats of that inauguration.

Lewis knew when to choose activism and when to use restraint. In 2016, after a massacre at a gay nightclub in Orlando, Fla., some rank-and-file Democrats wanted to stage a sit-in to demand House GOP leaders vote on gun violence bills - so they went to Lewis, whose imprimatur turned the idea into a movement.

But in 2019, once the Democrats had reclaimed the House majority, Lewis joined a group of younger House Democrats who marched to the Senate and sat on the back benches in a silent protest over GOP demands for border security funds.

They planned to erupt in protest and yell "shame on you" at Senate Republicans, a move that Lewis realized would only have antagonized their counterparts.

"That's not how we do this," Lewis told the younger Democrats, according to Rep. Ayanna Pressley, D-Mass., who recounted the story for "Good Trouble."

That documentary, filmed in 2018 and 2019 and released in early July, serves as Lewis's final words on an extraordinary life.

He grew emotional as he held the official 2009 Obama inaugural program, explaining how he felt when he was declared the winner.

"Oh, I cried, I cried uncontrollably. I jumped so high and started crying. I didn't think my feet were going to touch the ground. I cried," Lewis told the filmmakers.

At Obama's second inauguration, the president found his older friend and let him know how he felt about him.

"It's still because of you, John," Obama told Lewis.

Then Lewis looked in the camera and shared his thought about Trump's presidency.

"Makes me feel like crying again," Lewis said.
Gurbir Singh By

Some European nations, and even those in the East, have been remarkably successful in flattening the corona curve, and have clawed their way back to some degree of economic normalcy. Domestic and international flights have been resumed and so has limited levels of tourism. On the other hand, the US and India seem to be united in breaking all records in their inability to control the pandemic.Both have been anxious to open up the economy, and in the process, they have either triggered new hotspots, or those areas that showed flattening of caseloads, have regressed once again. This new wave of frightening levels of Covid-19 infections now threaten to cancel the first baby steps of economic revival.

The earlier relatively unaffected US states of California, Texas, Florida and Arizona, which opened up, are now showing a huge spike in Covid-19 cases with ICUs and hospitals running out of beds. On Thursday, 77,000 new cases were reported, the highest daily jump so far. In India, as we approach another weekend, the health ministry has reminded us that we have joined the unflattering company of the US and Brazil of surpassing the one-million milestone of confirmed infections; and with a record 34,956 new cases in the last 24 hours on Friday morning.

OPEN AND SHUT

As Mumbai gains some control over the galloping pandemic, and has reduced deaths to less than 100 a day, the virus has gripped the outer Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR). As Maharashtra began opening up from June 3 for Mission Begin Again and people started travelling to work, a huge spike of fresh cases was noticed in distant suburbs like Panvel and Kalyan-Dombivili. Now, all the nine municipal corporations, excluding Mumbai, are in lockdown mode again for the past week.

Pune, which saw the start of the pandemic in India, is again back with a spike reporting nearly 25,000 cases till last weekend. A 10-day lockdown has been imposed and the municipal commissioner Shekhar Gaikwad, who favoured opening up, has been sacked. Bengaluru too, till recently was a study of exemplary handling of the infection; and then the city began opening up and the spike started with over 2,000 fresh cases being reported every day. Now its in lockdown again.

These fresh rounds of lockdown have got the political class in Delhi worried. It is estimated that, despite all talk of opening up, as much as one-third of the population is back in lockdown shelving all plans for revival.For instance, rating agency ICRA, which had earlier estimated GDP contraction for FY2021 at five per cent, has revised its forecast to a 9.5 per contraction based on the spate of localised lockdowns in some states and cities, arresting the nascent recovery. The Nomura India Business Resumption Index, a weekly rating of power demand, labour participation, etc, fell to 66.8 for the week ended July 12 from 70.5 in the earlier week. The index shows the difficulty being faced by companies to restart, leading to slowing of power demand.

FINANCIAL CRISIS COMING

Economists and bankers have also been warning of a huge financial crisis exploding threatening any recovery process. Former Reserve Bank (RBI) Governor, Raghuram Rajan, at a recent conclave emphasised that the pandemic had so deeply damaged the economy that it cannot be thought of as a normal recession.

Households are going to be deeply starved with very low reserves. It is hard to imagine that many of them will start consuming after the initial bout of pent up consumption, he said.

The main impact is going to be on micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), the foundation of the economy. With the pandemic, a significant portion will not survive. The former RBI chief, speaking at an event of the National Council of Applied Economic Research (NCAER), predicted banks were heading into an unprecedented rise in bad debts, and that their non-performing assets (NPAs) are

going to be at unmanageable levels in six months from now.

The conclave also saw a presentation by Prachi Mishra, chief India economist at Goldman Sachs, who argued that the fiscal support claimed by the government to be 10 per cent of the countrys GDP or Rs 20 lakh crore, was hugely overestimated. The math showed it was actually 1.8 per cent of GDP or Rs 3.6 lakh crore, lower than not only advanced economies, but many emerging market economies as well.Theres no quick fix to business units going bankrupt and folding up, but what the central and state governments can do is not to impose lockdowns indiscriminately and widely. Clusters of Covid infections can be detected, and those areas isolated. Localised action is needed rather than mass lockdown to serve the economy better. We have to balance containment of the virus with opening the economy if millions are not to be driven to starvation.
Ellen DeGeneres is in deep, deep trouble, and it might be too late for her to do anything.

Ellen DeGeneres' Canceled

The popular host and comedian has been in the headlines in recent months after several accusations about her personality surfaced online. Ellen has been described as a rude and mean personality who is the complete of opposite of the image she projects online.

In fact, according to her former bodyguard Tom Majercak , DeGeneres was "very cold" and "kind of demeaning" when he worked for the host and her family during the 86th Academy Awards.

Moreover, YouTuber Nikkie de Jager -- more popularly known as NikkieTutorials -- exposed "The Ellen DeGeneres" show for their less than welcoming accomodation of her when she was invited as a guest back in January 2020.

"Call me naive, but I kind of expected to be welcomed with confetti cannons: 'Welcome to The Ellen DeGeneres Show!' But instead I was greeted by an angry intern who was a bit overworked," Nikkie said in a Q&A with Dutch publication &C, via E! Online. "I was expecting a Disney show, but got Teletubbies after dark."

More recently, former employees came out and shared that they experienced bullying, racism and a toxic work culture while working at the the now 17-season show.

Ellen DeGeneres' Brand -- Ruined?

Now, in an interview with Fox News, brand expert and public relations specialist Eric Schiffer revealed how the recent controversy could affect Ellen's career and reputation.

Schiffer, who is the chairman of Reputation Management Consultants, said that Ellen is experiencing a "celebrity brand suicide."

"Authenticity is king with celebrity brands and these continued leaks are lacerating her credibility and mangling her capacity to continue to try to be positioned at a high moral ground," Schiffer explained.

"It's celebrity brand suicide."

For what it's worth, the show's execs shifted the blame on themselves for the recent controversies that Ellen faced. However, Schiffer said that the move won't do anything but worsen the situation since it would look like the 62-year-old host is avoiding responsibility.

"Ellen is unwilling herself to accept full responsibility and is trying to get her senior producers to take the full hit which further shows a lack of character," Schiffer added. "A leader steps up and learns from it, and now we're learning that Ellen -- who is considered to be squeaky clean in her persona -- may be leading an organization that has stone-cold crazy racism going on within it. It's horrifying to think about."

It remains to be seen how Ellen will address and navigate the recent controversies to save her career. However, it is looking more and more likely that the popular media personality would need to step put of the limelight for some time.

READ MORE: Ellen DeGeneres Is Doomed!
Despite India having one of the highest COVID-19 recovery rates, plasma donation by recovered patients is yet to pick up, Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan said Sunday, urging people to come forward to help fight the pandemic.

Vardhan launched a plasma donation campaign at the AIIMS hospital here during an event co-organised by Delhi police, where 26 police personnel who have recovered from COVID-19 volunteered to donate their blood plasma, the health ministry said.

Vardhan said it's "very sad" that a dozen Delhi police personnel died due to the coronavirus but they are "doing a great job" deploying personnel to contain the spread.

Of the volunteers, Om Prakash was donating his plasma for the third time Sunday. The health minister saluted the contribution of the volunteers by conferring certificates.

Vardhan said these volunteers will inspire others to donate plasma.

"Every single donor counts in our journey towards victory over COVID-19 and we need more and more of these plasma warriors to help fight the pandemic till a definitive treatment or vaccine is developed," he was quoted as saying in a ministry statement.

"As of now convalescent plasma therapy has been approved for compassionate use with various plasma banks being set up to ensure round-the-clock availability. Despite the fact that India has one of the highest cure rates amongst COVID-19 patients, the plasma donations has yet to pick up," he said.

Remembering Delhi police's contribution in the success of Pulse Polio campaign in 1994, Vardhan said tens of thousands of police constables had joined the drive.

Plasma from recovered COVID-19 patients contains protective antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 virus. It can provide immunity to patients of COVID-19 when transfused. Considering its potential benefit, plasma therapy is provided to those who are not responding to conventional treatment.

Anyone who has recovered from COVID-19, and has completed 28 days after the completion of treatment or home isolation, is between 18 and 60 years of age with a weight of more than 50 kg is eligible to donate their blood plasma, the statement said.

The process of donation is completed in 1-3 hours.

Plasma therapy has been mentioned under "investigational therapies" in the Clinical Management Protocols for COVID-19 by the Health Ministry.
By Trend





The Coordinating Bureau of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) adopted a communique on July 18, 2020 on the military provocation of the Armenian armed forces on the Azerbaijani-Armenian border, the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry told Trend.

In accordance with the communique, the NAM member-states strongly condemned the Armenian armed forces attack on the positions of the Azerbaijani armed forces along the international border of the two countries by using artillery.

The incident caused military tension in the region and resulted in numerous casualties, the communique said.

The NAM Coordinating Bureau reaffirmed its support for the settlement of the Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict on the basis of the UN Security Councils resolutions.

While expressing their unequivocal support for the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Republic of Azerbaijan, the member-states expressed their solidarity with the efforts of the Republic of Azerbaijan to restore its territorial integrity.

Thus, 120 member-states of the UN Security Council expressed their position based on the principles of justice and international law on the recent military provocation of the Armenian armed forces on the border between the two countries and the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.
Authorities fear the spread of COVID-19 in New South Wales is already out of control with testing being urgently increased to discover the origin of five mystery cases in the state leaving contract tracers stumped.

NSW recorded 18 new cases on Sunday, with four of them of unknown origin, following 15 Saturday, five of which are directly or indirectly connected to the cluster originating at the Crossroads Hotel in Casula, southwest Sydney.

Five cases are still under investigation, including a man and a teenager from the same house who visited a bistro at Batemans Bay and McDonald's in Albion Park.

Coronavirus detectives are still trying to determine the origin of these cases, leading to fears the rate of community transmission could be on the rise.

NSW Deputy Chief Health Officer Dr Jeremy McAnulty said contact tracers are looking to find links between the five mystery cases, Sydney Morning Herald reported.

Authorities fear the spread of coronavirus in New South Wales is already out of control as testing is urgently increased to discover the origin of five mystery cases that have left contact tracers concerned (A pop-up clinic in Picton pictured)

Tests are carried out at a pop-up COVID-19 testing clinic at Victoria Park in Picton in Sydney's south-west

NSW recorded 15 new cases on Saturday, five of which are directly or indirectly connected to the cluster originating at the Crossroads Hotel in Casula (The Crossroads Hotel testing centre pictured)

'They're the ones that make us really concerned,' Dr McAnulty said.

'Where we are unable to find links between cases that means we haven't been able to lock down that cluster and there may be other people out there.'

The duo attended the bistro at the Soldiers Club in Batemans Bay on July 13 between 7 and 9.30pm and McDonald's at Albion Park on July 15 between 2 and 2.30pm.

Dr McAnulty said health authorities are asking residents who were at the bistro over the same time period to immediately self-isolate for two weeks.

McDonald's diners have also been advised to watch for symptoms.

'We're also asking anybody at Albion Park McDonald's on the 15 July between 2pm and 2:30pm to watch carefully for symptoms and if they develop any respiratory symptoms, coughs, sore throat, runny nose, shortness of breath or fever, to come immediately forward for testing and isolate themselves,' he said.

Another case was linked to a brand new cluster at the Thai Rock restaurant in Wetherill Park and four were returned travellers in hotel quarantine.

A NSW health worker (pictured) dressed in PPE performs COVID-19 tests in southwest Sydney on Friday amid fears the outbreak is spreading across the city

On Saturday NSW recorded 15 new cases, five of which have been traced back to the Crossroads Hotel Cluster in Casula (pictured, testing near the pub on Friday)

NSW conducted a record 27,702 tests on Friday which included 3,000 in the south-western Sydney region.

Case numbers in NSW are considerably lower than in Victoria, which tallied 217 new infections and three deaths on Saturday.

There are concerns about NSW's reproduction rate, which indicates the number of people infected by a single positive case and is considered crucial to controlling the spread.

Acting Chief Medical Officer Paul Kelly has revealed that while Victoria's reproduction rate is effectively at one, in NSW it has climbed to 1.4.

'People are more mobile, they are mixing in greater numbers,' he said.

Dr Jeremy McAnulty said residents who live on the NSW South Coast should be on high alert after two people who tested positive to COVID-19 visited a bistro and a McDonald's restaurant. Pictured: Albion Park McDonald's

Another case was linked to a brand new cluster at the Thai Rock restaurant in Wetherill Park and four were returned travellers in hotel quarantine

'And there are suggestions from that modelling that people are not taking those messages about physical distancing, hygiene and so forth ... as seriously as they currently are in Melbourne.'

Prof Kelly noted that while the figure did not necessarily translate to higher numbers of cases, it demonstrated that the potential for transmission was higher in NSW than in Victoria.

'The message to people in southwest Sydney, please be careful,' he said.

Prof Kelly said there were good indications the lockdown was working in Victoria, where Saturday's numbers were half the record infections announced a day earlier.

While the NSW contact tracing team consisted of just six people at the beginning of the pandemic, it has now blown out to 180 detectives.

NSW Health's Director of Contact Tracing Carolyn Murray said those 180 people have made more than 10,000 calls to confirmed cases and close contacts.

Case numbers in NSW are considerably lower than in Victoria, which tallied 217 new infections and three deaths on Saturday

Acting Chief Medical Officer Paul Kelly has revealed that while Victoria's reproduction rate is effectively at one, in NSW it has climbed to 1.4

NSW Health authorities are asking residents who were at the bistro of the Soldiers Club in Batemans Bay on July 13 between 7 and 9.30pm immediately self-isolate for two weeks

They are still hiring and expect to have 380 contact tracers in the near future.

As a result of the NSW outbreak, international arrivals in Sydney are limited to 350 people a day to ensure returned travellers don't overwhelm the NSW hotel quarantine system.

Announcing the decision on Sunday, Premier Gladys Berejiklian said the step was necessary to make sure the state stays in a strong position to prevent the spread of coronavirus.

CORONAVIRUS CASES IN AUSTRALIA: 27,244 Victoria: 20,269 New South Wales: 4,273 Queensland: 1,161 Western Australia: 692 South Australia: 473 Tasmania: 230 Australian Capital Territory: 113 Northern Territory: 33 TOTAL CASES: 27,244 ESTIMATED ACTIVE CASES: 269 DEATHS: 897 Updated: 5.31 PM, 11 October, 2020 Source: Australian Government Department of Health Advertisement

'Our number one priority is the health and safety of the people of NSW, and this new cap will help us protect our state from COVID-19,' Ms Berejiklian said in a statement.

'NSW is the gateway to Australia and it is important that passengers returning home do not overrun the capacity of NSW Health and hotel quarantine.'

The new airport cap will apply from 12.01am on Monday under an agreement with the federal government.

It further reduces the current cap of 450 people introduced on July 5.

Jobs Minister Stuart Ayres said Australians have been given plenty of time to return from overseas.

'It is incredibly important the volume of returning travellers does not undo the great work of the people of NSW,' Mr Ayres said in a statement on Sunday.

'The people, businesses and industries of NSW can only operate in this 'new normal' if we effectively reduce the spread of COVID-19, and further limiting the cap on returning travellers will help ensure this.'

Meanwhile, the retail, fast-food and warehouse workers union is urging people to not visit the shops after being tested for coronavirus.

'If you are getting tested it is out of a concern you might have COVID,' the SDA's NSW/ACT secretary Bernie Smith said in a statement on Sunday.

'Don't go to the shops after you are tested. Wait for your test results. Don't go until you know. Don't put the health of the workers in the store and other shoppers at risk.

'Particularly in the wake of these new COVID-19 clusters in some parts of Sydney, the community needs to be extra vigilant and ensure we're doing everything we can to keep each other safe.'

Signage at a COVID-19 testing centre at the Crossroads Hotel testing centre in Sydney's southwest

NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian announced that international arrivals in Sydney are limited to 350 people a day to ensure returned travellers don't overwhelm the NSW hotel quarantine system

The union says it has written to Health Minister Brad Hazzard asking for additional signage around testing areas and shopping centre precincts to remind people to go straight home after being tested.

The spread of the coronavirus in Victoria and worrying trends in NSW have prompted Prime Minister Scott Morrison to cancel the planned sitting of federal parliament early next month.

Acting on the advice of Prof Kelly, Mr Morrison has written to the Speaker of the House of Representatives to request that the sitting fortnight commencing August 4 be cancelled.

Parliament was due to sit from August 4 to 13, and will now not meet again until the next planned sitting fortnight starting on August 24.

But Prof Kelly said there will need to be substantially lower rates of community transmission in Victoria, and no worsening of the situation in NSW or other jurisdictions before he was happy with parliament gathering in late August.
Egyptian health officials have likened doctors wary of working because of concerns about missing personal protective equipment (PPE) to soldiers deserting a battlefield.

One hospital director even warned that health workers could stand military trial like deserters if they didnt go to work, in a WhatsApp voice message shared with The Independent.

In another, a regional health ministry official told doctors that those who absconded would face maximum penalties as traitorous soldiers.

The general manager of a medical centre in the north of the country, meanwhile, threatened to send the names of medics who disobeyed orders to the feared National Security Agency (NSA).

This is happening across all the hospitals in the pandemic, says one Egyptian medic, who received similar warnings and asks to remain anonymous, fearing arrest. The doctor tells The Independent that medical staff are often forced to purchase their own masks because the authorities did not provide him with any, despite the fact that Egypt has donated PPE to the US, Italy and China.

Either you are obliged to work in dangerous circumstances without complaining, or risk your freedom and be sent to jail, the doctor says.

Recommended Iran estimates country has seen up to 25 million coronavirus cases

At least nine healthcare workers in Egypt were arbitrarily detained between March and June on sweeping charges such as spreading false news and terrorism. All of those behind bars had expressed safety concerns or criticised the governments handling of the coronavirus pandemic, which in Egypt has infected at least 86,000 people and killed over 4,000 more.

According to documents shared with The Independent, the Doctors Syndicate, a medical union, has sent regular communiques to various government bodies pleading for help with the lack of PPE, contact tracing, testing and protocols to protect health workers, as well as poor-quality locally made masks that were putting the lives of medics at risk.

Many remain unanswered. And at least 112 Egyptian doctors have died from Covid-19, which is among the highest medic death tolls in the pandemic. No one knows how many nurses, hospital orderlies or other related staff have also perished from the deadly disease.

But Egypt is not an exception.

Across the world during lockdown, grateful citizens took to their windows, balconies and front yards each night in an unprecedented outpouring of support for those on the front line of the war against the deadly virus.

Simultaneously, several governments have used that very same military rhetoric to justify jailing, silencing, threatening and dismissing workers who have dared to complain about the risks they have been forced to take while treating the infected.

According to a new Amnesty International report, there were incidents of serious PPE shortages in nearly all 63 countries they surveyed, including Egypt, Brazil and India. In some countries, hospital staff have been forced to wash and reuse single-use protective suits or repurpose rubbish bags and raincoats to try to protect themselves.

And so, as the world has struggled to stamp out the pandemic, doctors, nurses and hospital staffers in dozens of countries have launched industrial strikes, hunger strikes and protests over their unsafe working conditions. In places like Egypt, Russia, and Malaysia, police have arrested those healthcare workers who have spoken out, on charges ranging from organising unlicensed gatherings to publishing fake news and terrorism.

For many, protesting is too late. Amnesty reports that globally at least 3,000 health workers have died from Covid-19  a figure that is likely to be a significant underestimate because of the lack of testing.

The authorities want to hide the problem, they dont want to make it public. And those who publicly state this are intimidated Alliance of Doctors, Russia

The highest recorded medic death toll is in Russia. An unofficial count collated by medics says at least 584 healthcare professionals have died from Covid-19 (although the official number is just over 100). The UK is not far behind with 540 recorded deaths, followed by the US, Brazil, Mexico, Italy and finally Egypt.

It is not just about human rights; it has direct health implications for everyone, says Hussein Baoumi, Egypt researcher at Amnesty, which is urging states to take the lives of health workers seriously.

When you silence the people on the ground expressing valid concerns, this has implications for all the lives of the health workers and the entire population.

Egypt is not alone in trying to muzzle critics. In Russia, the government has expanded existing false news legislation to incorporate people speaking out about the states response to the pandemic.

While Amnesty says this has mostly impacted normal citizens, medical workers have also been targeted.

The Alliance of Doctors, a union that has been critical of Russias handling of the pandemic and has links with unofficial opposition leader Alexei Navalny, said that two of their members are facing retaliation after complaining about a lack of PPE.

Medical workers get ready for a shift treating coronavirus patients at the Spasokukotsky clinical hospital in Moscow (AFP via Getty) ((Photo by YURI KADOBNOV/AFP via Getty Images))

Yulia Volkova, an endocrinologist, was charged under Russias fake-news laws and faces a fine of up to 100,000 roubles (1,107) after she published a video in March asking that physicians be given better protective equipment. Tatyana Revva, an intensive care unit doctor, is facing disciplinary proceedings that may result in her dismissal after she also complained about a lack of protection.

Even the unions own leader, Anastasia Vasilyeva, was beaten and briefly held by police in April when she tried to deliver boxes of PPE to a village in western Russia.

Last week, the groups spokesperson, Ivan Konovalov, was arrested and drafted into the military service in northern Russia, the group tells The Independent.

The authorities want to hide the problem; they dont want to make it public. And those who publicly state this are intimidated, a spokesperson says.

There are unconfirmed reports that at the start of the crisis in Russia, when conditions were particularly dire, some doctors may have been coerced into signing non-disclosure agreements. Damelya Aitkhozhina, a researcher for Human Rights Watch, said medics were now concerned that the authorities will reclassify administrative fake news offences as criminal ones, which could carry three-year jail terms.

This has had a profound impact on the physical and mental health of the medics. Between 24 April and 2 May, three frontline workers fell out of windows, even sparking wild speculation that they had been pushed. But an Independent investigation showed that the three individuals were working under intolerable strain, including being inadequately protected. The incidents may have been suicides.

Healthcare workers have also been harassed in the west. In the US, Amnesty recorded several incidences of employers stopping health workers from speaking out, with a range of reprisals including harassment, disciplinary procedures, and unfair dismissal. In April, Tanika Somerville was fired from her role as a nursing assistant in Cook County, Illinois, after she posted on Facebook about the lack of PPE in the facilities.

In the UK, early studies indicate that Bame health workers (those who identify as black, Asian, or minority ethnic), make up the lions share of the total number of health worker deaths related to Covid-19, with some reporting that up to 60 percent of health workers who died identified as Bame.

Doctors are not just facing unsafe working conditions within hospitals, and backlash from the authorities if they speak out. In India, medics say they have been attacked by mobs of panicked citizens who were fearful that doctors were actually spreading the coronavirus.

Back in Egypt, documents sent by the Doctors Syndicate to the authorities paint a picture of a chaotic response to the outbreak. In the letters The Independent has seen, doctors describe cases being diagnosed by sight, patients dying at home without being tested and an absence of contact tracing meaning there are undocumented clusters of infections among medical staff.

The letters have largely been ignored as have complaints about potentially faulty locally manufactured PPE, including N95 masks made by military factories.

Meanwhile, doctors have been subjected to threats, penalties, interrogations by the NSA, and administrative questioning. Egypts health ministry did not reply to The Independents request for comment. The state has denied it is harassing its health workers.

Like doctors around the world, those in Egypt fear they are not being properly protected and so are putting their own lives and the lives of their families at risk.

There is a high chance of getting infected, and if you get Covid-19, even as a doctor you cannot guarantee youll get a hospital bed, says one Egyptian medic.

On top of the safety issues, I have to watch myself and not complain on social media, or I might be arrested and interrogated. They are giving us the choice: risk your life or risk jail.
New Delhi, July 19 : While India is set to begin the trials of its indigenous coronavirus vaccine from this week, a top official from the Indian Medical Association (IMA) has claimed that a vaccine cure for the deadly COVID-19 upon its development and marketing would reach usable stage only after 2020.

"A usable vaccine to cure COVID-19 and bringing the same to good use would go beyond 2020. Developing a vaccine for viral infections is a longer process as firstly, these infections have shorter immunity and secondly, viruses mutate faster, so this makes developers clueless as to which mutation is there in which part of the country," said Dr V K Monga, IMA Board of Hospitals Chairman.

Dr Monga further added that for developing a vaccine there are multiple stages and steps. "Developing a vaccine is not a political decision, it involves a lot of steps and procedures," he said. Explaining the process, he said, "First, we isolate the virus then you develop an antidote to that, followed by animal testing and then on human volunteers. Secondly, you see the efficacy, toxicity and then its longevity as to how long it sustains." "Since, the viral infections have shorter immunity; a vaccine with a longer effect is to be seen, secondly, we have to see that it has no side effect and thirdly, viruses mutate faster and hence, it has to be seen that the vaccine is effective on most of the mutants as we don't know which mutated virus is present in which part of the country," he said.

Speaking about the rise in the recovery rate, Dr Monga said that in this particular disease, approximately 80 per cent of the people are recovering on their own. "These patients will automatically recover. Home isolation is a good thing," he said adding that people using masks and adhering to social distancing norms is also increasing recovery. However, he clarified that plasma therapy, which is being seen as the only solution to COVID-19 in place of the absence of the vaccine, can't minimise the need of a vaccine.

"In the case of COVID-19, only vaccine or immunity can defeat the present disease," he said. Regarding community spread of this virus, he added that community spread of COVID-19 has begun in India and the major causes of this are migration of labourers and discontinuing of contact tracing of COVID-19 patients.

"We have indeed moved into community transmission phase. The government may not acknowledge it but look around how the people are getting infected. There are elderly who have not stepped out of home since months yet they have contracted the infection. There are women who have only gone out to buy vegetables in a week and carried home the COVID-19 infection," he said.

"The authorities are unable to track and trace the contacts of each positive case. Also, it is believed that 80 per cent of population is asymptomatic and have not tested themselves. Few days ago, Kerala government admitted about community transmission in a few districts despite the state having less cases in comparison to Delhi and Maharashtra," he added.

With 38,902 new cases reported in the past 24 hours India's total coronavirus cases on Sunday reached 10,77,618. With 543 new deaths the death toll stood at 26,816, Health Ministry data said. Karnataka is the new hotspot state nearing 60,000 cases, as Maharashtra remained the worst-hit state, with 3,00,937 cases and 11,596 casualties. It crossed the 3-lakh mark on Saturday with Mumbai reporting over 1 lakh coronavirus cases so far.

It is followed by Tamil Nadu with total 1,65,714 cases, and 2,403 deaths. The national capital, on the other hand is projecting an uplifting trend. For 17 of the last 20 days, including 11 in a row now, the number of people recovering from Covid in Delhi has remained higher than newly detected infections -- no other state has come close to such a trend.


Schools and educators across the United States are in the middle of a debate over how best to reopen schools.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released guidelines to assist school systems in reopening safely. The suggestions include face coverings, or masks, and social distancing rules.

Some parents object to both ideas. They want schools to operate just as they did before COVID-19. Others are calling for part-time school and face coverings for everyone.

An anti-mask petition

Kim Sherman is a mother of three in the city of Clovis, California. Dont tell me my kid has to wear a mask, she said. Sherman said she is conservative and supports President Donald Trump.

Trump, a Republican, has called on schools across the country to fully reopen. He threatened to withhold federal money from school systems that do not return to in-person classes in the fall. He has accused Democrats of wanting to keep schools closed for political, not health, reasons.

Some parents have threatened to withdraw their children from school if masks are required.

Hillary Salway is a mother of three in Orange County, California. She is part of a group calling for schools to fully open with normal social interaction." If the school system requires masks for her son's kindergarten class, she said, I dont know if my son will bein the public school system this fall.

Salway started a petition last month urging the areas school system to keep facial expressions visually available." And she helped organize a protest of more than 100 people outside the school systems headquarters.

Other parents have expressed similar opinions in Orange County Board of Education meetings. The five-member, elected group supports a full return to school without masks or social distancing. Supporters argue that face coverings are ineffective and give a false sense of security.

'I just want us to take precautions'

Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom, however, has ordered Californians to wear masks in public. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says masks may help prevent infected people from spreading the virus to others. It has urged students and teachers to wear them, especially when social distancing is not possible.

Brooke Aston Harper, a parent in Orange County, attended an especially lively school board meeting recently. She described what she heard from some speakers there as horrifying. She said they were forcing what she called small worldview on others.

Im not looking for a fight, I just want us to take precautions, said Harper, whose two children are age four and six. She also started a petition. It calls on schools to follow state guidelines that include masks for teachers and students, social distancing rules and other measures.

For each school board, the question is going to be: What does our community want, and who is the loudest? she said.

Some parents, educators and doctors argue that there are social, educational and emotional costs to children who do not go to school. They say those costs may be greater than the risk of the virus itself.

The American Academy of Pediatrics has provided guidelines supporting in-person school to avoid social isolation and depression in students. But it said science, not politics, must guide decisions where the coronavirus is spreading.

Teachers worry

Texas is a current hot spot for COVID-19 infections. Its Republican governor Greg Abbott and Texan education leaders say it is safe to open schools in August. Abbott's government has not released COVID-19 safety guidelines for reopening. It has said masks are a decision for local officials.

Stacey Pugh is a fifth-grade teacher near Houston, Texas. She hopes her school system will order students to wear masks. She said she will wear a mask and a shield - a large, piece of clear hard, plastic that hangs in front of the face. Im even considering getting some type of body covering to wear, she added.

The Texas American Federation of Teachers has demanded guidelines. President Zeph Capo said: We wont sacrifice our members and students for politics.

New York City and Los Angeles, California operate the two largest school systems in America. Both cities are led by Democratic mayors. Officials in those cities say their schools cannot fully reopen.

New York City officials say schools there will likely combine in-person and distance learning. In Los Angeles, school officials announced Monday that students will start the term with online classes from home. Other California cities, including San Diego and Oakland, also say their schools will stay closed.

A 10-year-old student might have a 30-year-old teacher, a 50-year-old bus driver, or live with a 70-year-old grandmother. All need to be protected, said Los Angeles schools chief Austin Beutner. He said public health safety demands the schools avoid becoming infection centers.

Besides masks, the CDC has advised schools to seat students at a safe distance apart in classrooms and eat meals there instead of in larger shared rooms.

Some people in small, rural communities argue they should not have to follow the same rules as people in big cities, where infection rates are higher.

Craig Guensler leads the Wheatland School District, a system of four schools in Californias Yuba County. He said that Wheatland already has spent $25,000 on physical barriers for classrooms.

Eighty-five percent of parents who answered a Wheatland opinion study said they want their children in school full time. Officials will space out desks as much as possible. But, they still expect up to 28 students in each classroom, Guensler said.

Im Caty Weaver. And Im Mario Ritter.

Jocelyn Gecker reported this story for the Associated Press. Caty Weaver adapted it for Learning English. Mario Ritter, Jr. was the editor.

Quiz - To Mask or Not to Mask? US Divided on How to Reopen Schools Start the Quiz to find out Start Quiz

________________________________________________________________

Words in This Story

petition n. an official document of request

kindergarten n. a school or class for children usually from four to six years old

visually adv. of, relating to, or used in vision

worldview n. the way someone thinks about the world

precaution n. something that is done to prevent possible harm or trouble from happening in the future

isolation n. the state of being in a place or situation that is separate from others : the condition of being isolated

hot spot n. a place of more than usual interest, activity, or popularity
Paris, TX (75460)

Today

Cloudy this morning. A few showers developing during the afternoon. Morning high of 60F with temps falling sharply to near 40. WSW winds shifting to NNW at 15 to 25 mph. Chance of rain 30%..

Tonight

Partly cloudy. Low 23F. Winds N at 15 to 25 mph. Higher wind gusts possible.
In June, India recorded its first trade surplus in the last 18 years, the first such month since January 2002. On a year-on-year basis, the Indian merchandise exports fell 12.4%. The imports fell 47.6% over last June. The cumulative effect was a trade surplus of $790 million.

Earlier in May 2020, the trade deficit was $3.15 billion, where the exports had fallen by 36.5% and imports by 51%. This resulted in the trade deficit shrinking by over 79%. In April 2020, India registered a trade deficit of $6.8 billion, with exports falling 60.3% and imports falling by 58.7%.

Between April and June, as the economy gradually opened up and as buying centres also restarted business activities, the merchandise export contraction narrowed down from 60.3% in April to 12.4% in June. The rate of contraction in imports, however, has been more stubborn, moving from 58.7% in April to 47.6% in June.

So, while the June trade surplus reflects a demand weakness in the Indian economy, shackled by the states imposing their local versions of the lockdowns, which at the central level had started to ease in early June, it also reflects a sharp turnaround in the export activity.

Exports can be analysed in two broad categories  petroleum and non-petroleum commodities.

In June, the petroleum exports shrunk by 31.6% while the non-petroleum exports were down 10.1%. The global demand for petroleum products has been hit in a big way due to the Covid-19 pandemic, as it has in India. These exports have seen contraction in value terms over the years as crude prices have been benign.

What is, however, remarkable for June exports was that the non-petroleum category bounced back to only 10.1% contraction over the last year. In April 2020, the non-petroleum exports had fallen by 59.3% over April 2019. So June 2020, in fact, signified a very strong comeback. Despite facing uncertain global demand and supply disruption, Indian exporters did well to resume operations and maintain order fulfilment flow.

Indian imports can be analysed in three broad categories  crude oil and petroleum products, gold and silver, and others.

In June 2020, Indias import of crude oil and petroleum products fell 55.3%, which was not unusual. With limited retail sales and restricted commercial goods movement, this demand remained tepid. Another factor in comparing imports in value terms is the pricing of the Indian crude oil basket. Between April and June 2019, the Indian basket was priced upwards of $70 a barrel, while between April and June 2020, the Indian basket peaked around $35 a barrel. So the import contraction in value terms would anyway have been far higher than the import contraction in volume terms. By all accounts, this is not a bad contraction.

In the months to come, this category of imports should catch up in volume terms as economic activity expands, though it should be kept in mind that the Indian crude oil and petroleum imports will also see long term trend adjustment due to factors such as higher electrification and gasification of the economy. These factors will produce an opposite impact on the import demand in terms of the volume composition.

The biggest percentage fall in imports was for the gold and silver category, which shrunk by 76%. As households focused on savings and social occasions such as marriages and festivals became austere, the shrinking of this import category was natural. In commonly accepted economic wisdom, gold and silver imports, and the Indian hoarding of these raw materials, have been long derided as foreign exchange guzzlers. In that sense, a fall in import in this category should actually be welcome news, albeit temporary. As social occasions open up in step with the opening of the economy, eventually, this demand will come back, perhaps attracting the opposite criticism then.

The third category of non-crude oil and petroleum products and non-gold and silver imports saw a shrinking of 41%. This category, which formed 65% of the total imports in June 2019, shrunk by the narrowest margin in June 2020 among the three categories.

These imports have elements such as capital goods, which signify industrial activity and demand as well as consumer goods, which signify consumption demand in India. Falling imports in this category do signify that the Indian domestic demand environment remained weak  but in a lockdown, this was to be expected.

In absolute terms, $8.6 billion of import difference  just over 40% of the total fall of $20 billion between June 2020 and June 2019  came from crude and petroleum products and gold and silver. While these commodities are raw materials, their lesser imports here arent necessarily an adverse reflection on the economic situation.

A further $1.5 billion reduction came from the decline in coal imports. While domestic coal production in both May and June 2020 came in at 41 million tonnes, at reduced levels over corresponding months last year, they were enough to account for the levels of economic activity. So about half of the year-on-year import decline in June was purely situational, and not necessarily a negative reduction.

The Aatmanirbhar Bharat plan launched by the Narendra Modi government to propel the economy post the pandemic will also focus on non-crude oil and petroleum products and non-gold and silver imports to be localised, if not in entirety than in significant parts of the value chain. What will matter is how this category of imports evolves in the open economy part of the financial year and whether India succeeds in creating their local manufacturing alternatives.

(Data for this piece is sourced from reports in Hindustan Times and Mint and the ministry of commerce)

Aashish Chandorkar is a Pune-based public policy analyst

The views expressed are personal
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, Duke and Duchess of Sussex, are patiently waiting out the COVID-19 pandemic in actor Tyler Perry's opulent $18 million worth of Beverly Ridge Estate. One of the superfluous rooms has been allocated to the Duchess of Sussex's mother, Doria Ragland.

It can be recalled that of Markle, 38, and Prince Harry, 35, relocated to California as an aftermath of their decision to renounce their roles as senior working members of the royal family in January. The Sussexes started residing in Los Angeles upon the city's enforcement of social distancing measures.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are currently settling into their new Los Angeles life through solo bike rides, bonding by the pool with Archie, and helping out local charities.

Ragland is now living with Markle, Prince Harry, and Archie. "This has been the most time she has spent with her grandson since he was born," a source reported to "Us Weekly."

Ragland is helping remarkably in taking care of Archie and is reportedly waking up early each morning to spend time with her grandson.

The big move makes sense considering that we are in the midst of the novel coronavirus pandemic and numerous families have chosen to quarantine together, according to Cosmopolitan.

The 63-year-old is one of the few relatives the duchess has maintained close contact with since marrying into the British royal family. Ragland has stayed steadfastly close to her Markle's side throughout her duration with the monarchy.

Also Read: How COVID-19 Made Camilla From 'Most Hated Woman in Britain' to Favorite Royal

Ragland previously traveled to the United Kingdom towards the concluding of Meghan's pregnancy and lived with Prince Harry and Markle during the early days following Archie's May 2019 birth, reported Honey.

Ragland likes to read to Archie every morning and mother-daughter duo spends time together preparing Archie's "all-organic" food. It was not made clear how long has been the duration of her stay in the mansion.

She has reportedly been a huge helping hand to the former royals.

Considering the fact that they are living in Perry's home, rumors suggest that the Sussexes would like to purchase their own place and settle down in Los Angeles.

According to a member of Markle's team, "Rather than hire a baby nurse, which is increasingly popular in the U.S., she relied on her mother, Doria, to help out during the first weeks. And instead of hiring a trainer to get back into shape, Meghan did yoga with Doria, already a certified yogi, who took a course in postnatal yoga."

Having just flown from the UK where they undertook their final royal engagements, it was previously not an option to put Markle's mother at risk until the married pair had time to undergo lockdown in their own space.

Markle was reportedly devastated upon first relocating to Los Angeles because she could not engage with Ragland in person.

The Sussexes and baby Archie has been residing in Los Angeles since March. When the family is not helping out other people or inspiring the younger generation (See Meghan Markle's keynote speech for the 2020 Girl Up Leadership Summit.) the are chilling around their home with a limited staff.

Related Article: Meghan Markle Shuts Down Prince Harry 'Aging' Comment in Video Call

@ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
But reason No. 2 was the bigger factor. And that was that as federal government employees, members of Congress, members of the judiciary system and the president did not pay into Social Security. They were covered by the same civil service retirement system as all other federal employees. And it was politically embarrassing for politicians to be making laws about a retirement program they were not a part of.

This led to all kinds of conspiracy theories (which still exist to this day) that top members of government get fat and lucrative pensions while scattering crumbs to the peasants in the form of meager Social Security benefits. This was never true. But millions of Americans believed it.

Anyway, by the 1980s, the political pressure to bring federal employees into the Social Security tent was too great. So, in 1983, a law was passed saying that all federal employees hired after Dec. 31, 1983, would be covered by the Social Security system.

At the same time, the law decreed that effective Jan. 1, 1984, all members of Congress, the president, the vice president and federal judges would also start paying into Social Security. (So lets get rid of the myth that politicians are not covered by Social Security. Again, since 1984, they have been.)
Sheriff: Man Called Dad Moments Before He Was Killed in Massacre

Authorities in Florida said that three friends were killed on Friday night while fishing in what the sheriff described as a massacre, while saying that one of the victims called a family member before his death.

Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd said Saturday morning that Damion Tillman, 23; Keven Springfield, 30; and Brandon Rollins, 27, were shot and killed.

Heres what the murderers didnt count on, Judd said in the news conference. One of our victims, Brandon Rollins, was able to call his father and say, Help.

Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd speaks in a new conference about a triple homicide near Lake Streety, Fla., on July 18, 2020. (Courtesy of Polk County Sheriffs Office)

According to the sheriff, Rollinss father was asleep when his son called him for help, and in a rush to get to his son, forgot his cellphone at home. He arrived at the horrific scene, then went to a convenience store to call 911.

When he returned back to the scene, the father found his son dead, Judd remarked.

This is a horrific scene, Judd said. I have been to a lot of murder scenes in my life and this ranks up with the worst of them. They were viciously murdered.

Judd said that the three victims were both beaten and shot, adding that its not clear if they were targeted.

Its about as far out in the middle of the woods as you can get, Judd said. Its a peaceful area. Theres a beautiful lake where three very close friends were going fishing last night.

No suspects have been named. The motive is also not clear.

Judd said that anyone with information about the triple-homicide should call the sheriffs office at 863-298-6200, while Heartland Crime Stoppers is offering a $5,000 cash reward for information that leads to the arrests of the suspects responsible.

The incident occurred in Lake Streety, officials said.
Small business owners are worried about how to keep operating under restrictions aimed at slowing the spread of the coronavirus.

Reinvention may be the most important idea.

The U.S. Congress passed a measure that provided billions of dollars to small businesses to keep them from collapsing. But even with that assistance, many small companies are still struggling to reopen, and others will never reopen, said Tom Sullivan. He is the vice president for small business policy at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce in Washington, D.C.

There are 30 million small businesses in the United States and most have fewer than 75 employees. They need to reinvent themselves, Sullivan told VOA. Theres definitely a new normal, and I dont think companies can go back to the way they were before COVID-19.

Markos Panas is the founder of the Bread and Water Company in Alexandria, Virginia, outside Washington, D.C. He knows this very well. When the coronavirus kicked open the door, it was sink or swim, and we realized we had to make a lot of changes, he said.

Like many small businesses, Bread and Water lost at least half of its revenue after the virus hit. The number of customers quickly went down to nearly none as people stayed home.

Panas said a $10,000 CARES donation from congress has helped the bakery remain open.The money is meant to help small businesses keep workers on the job through the health crisis.

Panas said the crisis actually forced his company to simplify its business. "Before we were trying to do too much, and just breaking even as a wholesaler, restaurant, and bakery, he said.

We became a full-time, carry-out operation, with online ordering, something we hadnt done before, said Panas.

He also learned that less can be more.

We've reduced our bread and pastry offerings, and provided a better variety of other products, he said. Panas added that he trained his employees to do more than one job.

The company is already making more money than we did before, Panas said.

Companies that are not making changes are going to find it difficult to survive, said Joe Shamus. He is a former military pilot who is the co-owner of Flags of Valor in Ashburn, Virginia.

The business employs combat veterans who handmake American flags from wood.

Our company has had to change the way we do business, Shamus said.

Like Bread and Water, Flags of Valor cut its retail sales and changed some of its products including: smaller, more affordable flags for the average consumer, he said.

The NightLight Pediatric Urgent Care clinics in Houston, Texas, decided the internet was the way to go.

The eight clinics are in shopping centers, so in a way, we run it like a retail business said Zawadi Bryant, the companys chief.

After COVID-19 arrived, there was a major drop in the number of children we were seeing.

As a result, he said, the company started to agree to see patients online. He said parents love it because it is easy.

Couch Clarity provides mental health services in the Chicago suburbs. It also provides services online. Company president Melissa Bercier said her workers were trained almost overnight to provide teletherapy which they had never done before.

Bread and Water Companys Panas said, changing is not easy, but now is the perfect time to reimagine what you can do.

Im Susan Shand.

VOAs Deborah Block reported this story. Susan Shand adapted it for Learning English. Mario Ritter, Jr.was the editor.

________________________________________________________________

Words in This Story

revenuen. the amount of money that is earned

customern. a person who buys things

wholesalern. someone who sells products to other retailers

varietyn. several different items

retailadj. a store that sells to the public

affordableadj. something that is not costly

clinicsn. small medical facilities
The United Arab Emirates' Hope spacecraft launched Sunday on a journey to Mars.

Why it matters: This mission, which launched on an H2-A rocket from Japan, marks the UAE's first mission to Mars. It kicks off the first of three missions to the Red Planet this summer, with China and the U.S. to follow in the coming weeks.

Details: The Hope probe is designed to orbit Mars and gather data about the world's weather from above, filling in gaps in scientific knowledge left by previous missions.

The probe's instruments will be able to track the day-to-night cycle of the planet's weather on a global scale.

The UAE sees this homegrown mission as a way of fostering scientific and technical expertise in the country and in the Middle East as a whole.

Hope will now fly through space until it reaches its orbit around Mars in about seven months.

Background: The Hope probe isn't the UAE's first foray into space, and it isn't the end of its ambitions.

In 2019, the first Emirati astronaut, Hazzaa Al Mansoori, launched on a mission to the International Space Station.

The UAE is also expected to launch a mission to the Moon in 2022.

The big picture: Space has become a marker of geopolitical status in recent years. Smaller nations have been able to send their own satellites to orbit due to lowered launch and development costs.

But even so, Mars missions are usually reserved for only those space agencies with the most resources and support.

The Hope mission  if it successfully orbits Mars  vaults the UAE into that small, elite club.

Go deeper: The summer of Mars
Senior Minister Yaw Osafo-Maafo has tested negative for COVID-19 after treatment.

He tested positive for the virus a couple of weeks ago.

The Senior Minister asked the Information Minister to announce his COVID-19 status on July 7, after he tested positive for the virus.

Mr Osafo-Maafo has since been under home management receiving medical care.

At a media briefing in Accra to give update on Covid-19 Case Count and Management, on Sunday, Information Minister Kojo Oppong Nkrumah said the Senior Minister's sample test last Thursday, July 16 turned out negative.

"The Senior Minister thank well wishers and the Ghana Health Service team for their care," the Minister added.

Meanwhile, Ghana's active cases of COVID-19 is 4,058 indicating a steep decline in the country's disease burden.

Mr Oppong Nkrumah, therefore, cautioned the public not to use the improvement in the country's recovery rate to be reckless in observing the safety and preventive etiquettes.

GNA
ALBANY  Kizzy Williams, the owner of Allie B's Cozy Kitchen, still remembers preparing to open her restaurant six years ago: She scrubbed the stove, stored food and relied on a network of customers and employees to keep her business afloat. Because of the pandemic, she now she feels like shes starting over.

The Clinton Avenue restaurant, which has in-person dining but mainly provides catering for local colleges, has lost most of its customers because no one is hosting events. So she and her wife struggle to maintain the restaurant while caring for her 15-year-old son, whose school closed months ago.

Small businesses across the U.S. have been disproportionately affected by COVID-19. And minority and female owners, like Williams, have struggled more than their white competitors to receive federal aid, as reported in April by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York.

At a House Subcommittee on Diversity and Inclusion hearing last week, U.S. Rep. Joyce Beatty, D-Ohio, said the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act and the Paycheck Protection Program, which Congress passed in April, have not provided enough financial relief for these businesses, which are already two times more likely to be considered in distress.

Minority- and women-owned businesses face numerous, unique and disparate barriers to market entry, Beatty said at the hearing. Small businesses have experienced a 22% closure rate as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic from February to April of 2020  but the closure rate for minority-owned businesses is significantly higher, with 41% of Black-owned business, 32% of Latinx-owned businesses and 20% of Asian-owned businesses closed over the same period.



Cheyenne Simmons, the owner of Great Exbaketations Bakery specializing in cakes, remembers calling, then meeting with a banker to apply for a loan in early March. In person, she was told the bank would only approve a loan for less than she was initially offered over the phone.

I think a lot of that has to do with the fact that he realized I was a Black female, Simmons said. Maybe [he] had less confidence in me as a business owner because of that.

Ho Kwan Cheung, a psychology professor at the University at Albany, has conducted research that supports Simmons contention.

Psychologically, when we don't see that other people match with the [white male] prototype, we're less likely to have confidence in their success Cheung said. That has a lot of impact in terms of small businesses owned by minorities and women because it's difficult to even build that first step of a relationship. It is more difficult to get a loan from banks and its more difficult to secure a customer base. It's definitely harder for them to bridge collaborative relationships with other businesses that could be mutually beneficial.

While some economists agree the CARES Act and PPP Loans are well-intentioned aid programs, its hard to deny business owners who have personal relationships with banks are at an advantage.

The groups that are getting these PPP loans very quickly are firms that have a good relationship with big banks, said Yue Li, a macroeconomics professor at the University at Albany. Small businesses may not have gathered loans initially, but now in the second pool, they are receiving loans.

Kristin Devoe, a spokewoman for Empire State Development, also recognized forming relationships with banks is an obstacle for minority and women entrepreneurs, but said the state is working with Community Development Financial Institutions to promote the availability of PPP loans. ESD also launched the New York Forward Loan Fund in May to support small businesses, nonprofits and landlords who did not receive federal aid.

And while big companies' share of the federal funds dwarfs that of minority- and women-owned small businesses, those businesses appear to have collected PPP loans, either in the first or second round of distribution. Some owners, however, said the aid will not get their businesses and employees through the end of the pandemic. Ben Griffy, an economics professor at the University at Albany, said the needs of individual small businesses could be better met through direct conversation between businesses and banks.

Minority-owned businesses tend to be sole proprietorships with very few additional employees so programs like PPP are going to be very helpful for them if they dont have the connections to banks they need to access these funds, Getty said. The principle of we're going to replace payrolls is a good idea, but there's no need to go through a financial intermediary.

In June, Congress passed the Paycheck Protection Program Flexibility Act to reduce the amount of PPP money a business is required to put toward payroll from 75% to 60% and extend the covered period for loan forgiveness from eight weeks to 24 weeks. Despite applying for and receiving loans in early April, however, some minority and women entrepreneurs have already spent most of the money on loan forgiveness.

Special Investigation 147 NY dams are 'unsound,' potentially dangerous Thousands of dams have not been inspected in over 20 years.

Melissa Hagan Renna, co-owner of Dutch Apple Cruises that offers food to its passengers on a boat, said her restaurant would have a different cash flow situation if she had known shed have more time to spend the money.

We didnt find out [about the change] until the last week of the eight weeks, Renna said. If all of that information had been readily available in the beginning, it would have changed the course of how we chose to use the funds.

COVID-19 has hit Dutch Apple Cruises especially hard. Rennas seasonal restaurant only serves passengers from April through October, and shes lost a third of that season already.

Simmons, a Black female entrepreneur, said it is harder for minority- and women-business owners to get the latest information and resources because most people think of business owners as white men. When she talks to her white male neighbors, who are not necessarily in business, they tell her about loans or funding programs shes never heard of.

I'm wondering how they are hearing about this, Simmons said. The biggest stumbling block is just having access and having people think of you first when it's time for programs.

The City of Albany Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprise Program aims to offer exclusive opportunities to entrepreneurs who have been certified as legitimate MWBEs. However, the long procedure has stopped many business owners getting certification. Williams said it took her two years to get certified by the program.

Simmons said minority- and women-owned businesses need more help from the government, which could include offering more programs designated for minorities or women only and informing them actively.

They need to be the ones seeking out minority- and women-owned businesses, because it's not our job to do that, Simmons said. Honestly, we don't know where to look.

Megan Sauer and Xurui Tan are reporters for the Medill News Service and journalism masters students at Northwestern University.
WARSAW (Reuters) - Poland will seek to craft rules limiting the concentration of foreign-owned media outlets well before the ruling nationalists finish their term in power, Poland's de facto leader said on Sunday, with parliamentary elections expected in 2023.

Poland's ruling Law and Justice (PiS) party has long said foreign-owned media outlets have meddled in Poland's affairs and that Polish-owned media should have a stronger place. The accusation was leveled again in the recent presidential campaign, during which incumbent and PiS ally Andrzej Duda repeatedly accused foreign media or foreign-owned media of misinforming the public.

When asked if PiS would introduce reforms before the end of their term, party leader Jaroslaw Kaczynski told Polish public radio on Sunday that he hopes the reforms will be carried out soon.

"We will manage to do this much faster (than before the end of our term), at least on the legislative level, but this process' success is tied to many changes that we have to bring about in our country as well as international relationships," Kaczynski said.

PiS has maintained that any new law would have to adhere to EU rules, which could hamper the party's political aim to substantially reduce the influence of foreign-owned outlets, such as Discovery-owned broadcaster TVN.

But, in the wake of last week's presidential vote, where Duda won a second term in office, PiS has been emboldened in its criticism of the influence of foreign-owned media outlets in Poland.

Kaczynski said any potential rules are still "being analyzed and there are discussions on the matter."

Many options were being considered, a PiS official told Reuters earlier this week, adding that the purchase of regional newspapers, many of which are German-owned, was among the ideas that had come up, Polish daily Gazeta Wyborcza reported last week.

(Reporting by Joanna Plucinska and Alicja Ptak; Editing by Nick Zieminski)
Slowly, life is returning to our high streets. It won't be quite the same as it was before lockdown, but most bars and restaurants have reopened and many shops are ticking along quite nicely despite restrictive (and understandable) social distancing rules.

In my new home town of Wokingham in Royal Berkshire, the town centre is now livelier than it has been since March. The Saturday market is back in style although the fruit and vegetable seller  complete with a foghorn for a voice  has never been away. Business as usual for him  and the town has backed him to the hilt.

Yet there have been retail casualties. The Courtyard restaurant, situated in the town hall, is no more (I'll miss its spiced lamb kofta with yogurt) while the independently owned coffee shop Oslar is closed and up for sale. Hays Travel has also decided to close the branch it acquired from the receivers of Thomas Cook last year when it bought the collapsed travel company's entire property portfolio.

Closing down: One interesting feature that has been apparent over the past couple of months is the strong demand for bank branch services

One interesting feature that has been apparent over the past couple of months is the strong demand for bank branch services  a fact most banks don't like to admit because they would prefer to close yet more branches and push us all online.

I've yet to go into Wokingham during the day (weekend or during the working week) without seeing queues outside Barclays or Santander. The same goes for bank branches on Kensington High Street in London, my place of work. At times, the line of customers outside Barclays snakes down the high street like an anaconda.

Of course, social distancing restricts the number of customers that banks allow into their branches at any one time. But the queues point to a continued demand for face-to-face service  understandable given the financial pressure many households are under.

Given this 'lockdown' demand for personal banking services, it is timely that the country's financial regulator has fired a warning shot across the bows of the big banks with regards to future branch closures  and removal of free-to-use cash machines. A few days ago, the Financial Conduct Authority said banks would now have to inform it of their intention to shut branches or ATMs  or convert cash machines to pay-to-use.

It also said they must look at alternative arrangements to ensure continued access to cash  such as cash delivery services, installing a free-to-use ATM (if a branch is shut) and most interestingly 'sharing services with other providers'.

'Access to cash is a priority for the FCA,' it added.

This is music to the ears of The Mail on Sunday and many of our readers.

With our 'Keep our Cash campaign, we have long banged the drum for continued access to cash  a vital financial lifeline for many people and small businesses.

We have also campaigned tirelessly for the banks to agree to sharing branches rather than closing them, in the process often leaving communities bankless.

It was a concept we backed 21 years ago when it was first suggested by the indefatigable Derek French of the Campaign for Community Banking Services  and it's an idea we support as vigorously today.

So far, the banks have baulked at the idea of sharing branches, but maybe now with a little bit of pressure from the regulator its time has finally come.

As my colleague Toby Walne reports opposite, some communities are desperate to see a shared bank branch open on their high street. Rest assured, we will not stop until such banks are as much a feature of our high streets as Costa Coffee outlets.

......................................................................................................................................

At last, a little bit of good cheer for savers. The Government has given National Savings & Investments the green light to attract billions of pounds of new money from savers.
Siddhanta Mishra By

NEW DELHI: The coronavirus pandemic and the subsequent lockdown have taken a heavy toll on businesses in the national capital which in turn has reduced jobs in the market.

The AAP government, which has been aggressively reopening markets and industries, is now planning to start an online portal to help people get jobs.

The portal would in a format of an online link, explaining the step-by-step process of applying for a job. The link will be given to the public by the government. Each applicant can choose the type of employment offered as per the eligibility criteria. This is currently in the planning stage but will formalise soon, said a government source.

ALSO READ | Laid off due to COVID-19? Here's a free job portal that might help you

According to the official, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal is keeping an eye on the developments.

The platform will be a kind of online job fair where companies will be invited and pick potential employees suited for their needs.

The labour department, headed by labour minister Gopal Rai, and other concerned stakeholders are working on the project.

It is yet to be decided whether a private company will be involved in the process. Since lockdown, a large section of labourers have relocated back to their native states, leaving factories and other small and medium business owners searching for workers.

The AAP government has been trying to provide monetary relief to people in the financially backward section of the society but have lost jobs due to the lockdown.

Many construction workers have received Rs 5,000 for two months as support after they lost the means to earn their livelihood.

Similarly, after demands from the auto-rickshaw, e-rickshaw and other such public utility vehicle drivers, the government has decided to provide them financial relief also.
New Delhi:

The BSE Sensex dropped over 300 points, while the Nifty50 fell below crucial support of 8,450 level in the early trading session on Friday. Active selling was seen in index heavyweights such as HDFC, ITC and ICICI Bank.

The stock markets fell sharply in early trade, following a sharp fall in Asian markets, rattled by surging US 10-year bond yields. The BSE Sensex had fallen 354.10 points to hit a low of 27,163.58, led by selling in banking, auto and FMCG stocks.

HDFC tanked 3 per cent, followed by Coal India, Bajaj Auto and Hero MotoCorp which fell up to 2.5 per cent.

Sun Pharma jumped 3 per cent after reporting a 90 per cent YoY rise in Q2 numbers. It was the only Sensex stock trading in the green. Real estate and jewellery stocks, Indiabulls Realty and PC Jeweller dropped up to 5 per cent.
Some opposition members reject the proposals as they allow President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita to remain in power.

Regional mediators put forth a plan on Sunday that would require Malis embattled president to form a unity government but some opposition members immediately rejected the proposals as they allow him to stay in power.

President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita, who still has three years left in his final term, has faced demonstrations by tens of thousands seeking his resignation since early June in the West African nation.

Those calls intensified after recent protests met a violent response from security forces. At least 11 people died over three days of unrest last week following an anti-Keita protest, in the worst political unrest the West African state has seen in years.

The political tensions have created further unrest in a country already battling a range of armed groups.

Protests were put on hold during talks with mediators from the 15-nation regional bloc known as ECOWAS. Amid signs of an impasse, Ivorian President Alassane Ouattara made plans to arrive on Monday in Malis capital of Bamako.

Mali President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita, winner of two elections, has seen his popularity plunge as the countrys security situation deteriorated [Ludovic Marin/AFP]

Unity govt proposed

The mediators had proposed that the current ruling coalition make up 50 percent of a new unity government, while a proposed 30 percent should be members of the opposition and the remaining 20 percent from civil society groups.

Also among the suggestions from the ECOWAS team were some already endorsed by Keita: resolving the dispute over 31 contested legislative races several months after Malis constitutional court issued official results.

The president has dissolved the controversial court, one of the protesters key demands. Keita has said he is open to reholding the legislative election in those contested areas though no concrete plan has been laid out yet. The mediators, though, said their recommendations should be put into place this month.

Some within the opposition quickly dismissed the ECOWAS teams recommendations, saying Malis president should leave entirely. Opposition leader Choguel Maiga said the ECOWAS plan does not reflect the goals of a movement supported by the overwhelming majority of the Malian people.

However, ECOWAS does not see Keitas negotiated exit as a possibility, its president Jean-Claude Kassi Brou said.

The resignation of the Malian president is a red line for us, but everything else is negotiable, he said on Sunday.

Unlike some uprisings in West Africa, the crisis in Mali involves a president who was elected  and then re-elected  in elections deemed fair and transparent. Forcing the president to step down because of growing unpopularity could set a dangerous precedent for other leaders in the region.

ECOWAS has a long history in mediating in Mali. It helped bring about a return to democracy in 2013, a year after a military coup deposed the president of a decade.

Mahmoud Dicko is a key figure in the opposition movement [File: Michele Cattani/AFP]

Increased insecurity

Keita won the 2013 vote, but his popularity has fallen amid allegations of corruption and as Malis conflict has deepened under his leadership.

France led a military operation to remove armed groups from northern Mali not long before Keita took office. In the years since, those groups have continued to launch attacks on Malian forces and UN peacekeepers.

Armed groups also have gained a foothold in central Mali where their presence has inflamed tensions between ethnic groups, leading to further violence.

Manu Lekunze of the University of Aberdeen, told Al Jazeera that the president understands the historical issues in the country but had few choices.

It is very complicated. You have issues with Islamic groups, you have issues with tribes, you have issues with poverty. You have a government which simply does not have the means to control the entire country.

You have a type of state which the people are now saying they do not want. People at the protests  want a more Islamic politics, which does not quite suit what Boubacar Keita stands for, [which is] the kind of state that is accepted by the international community and he is there to more or less enforce it whether the people want it or not.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 18

Trend:

Appeal to CSTO is another manifestation of Armenias cowardice, said President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev during the meeting of the Cabinet of Ministers dedicated to the results of socio-economic development in the first quarter of 2020 and future objectives, Trend reports.

I would like to draw the attention of the Azerbaijani public to one more issue. It lies in the fact that, as you know, after committing these dirty acts and receiving a worthy response from the Azerbaijani army, Armenia immediately turned to the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) and asked it for help, immediately raised a hue and cry, asking it not to let us strangle them, destroy them. What does the CSTO have to do with this? First, I want to say again that Azerbaijan did not violate the state border of Armenia, did not commit provocations and did not invade the territory of Armenia. In this case, what does the CSTO have to do with this? This is first. Secondly, this step demonstrates their helplessness and cowardice, said President Ilham Aliyev.

The head of state said it shows that they cannot resist Azerbaijan on their own and they know that.

We know this too. Their appeal to the CSTO is another manifestation of their cowardice. They have once again demonstrated their cowardice, the cowardice of their leadership. Okay, you have committed a provocation, a crime  then answer for it. Answer! And they did answer in full! Now they are hiding the death toll but we have operational data, said President Ilham Aliyev.

It was us who gave information about some of the killed Armenian servicemen, they were hiding it.

They recognized it only after we revealed this. Just as they did during the April battles. This once again shows their helplessness, but on the other hand demonstrates their hypocritical policy. After all, how is it possible that you recently arrested the CSTO Secretary General without asking any of the participating countries? Is that even possible? This was a step that completely violated all the rules of international conduct. A person holding the post of the head of the CSTO was arrested. After pressure was put on them, he was released, but the criminal case has not yet been closed and still continues. The highest representative of an international organization was arrested. After that, they blocked this position for one year, vetoed the candidacy of the person who was supposed to become the next head of the CSTO, as this happens in alphabetical order. After Armenia, a representative of Belarus was supposed to become chairman and his candidacy was nominated. But he was not given the opportunity to start his activities for a whole year. Is this your attitude to the CSTO? Well, you have committed a provocation and got your head caved in, but why did you run to the CSTO for help! All CSTO members except for Armenia are our friends, said President Ilham Aliyev.
Brazil's president has praised the work of his interim health minister, speaking in person for the first time since testing positive for COVID-19 earlier this month. Jair Bolsonaro spoke to supporters on Saturday on the grounds of the presidential Alvorala Palace."The health minister is doing a fantastic job," he said, defending the work done by Interim Health Minister General Eduardo Pazuello. Pazuello, who is presiding over pandemic response, is untrained in the field.

"Listen, when there's a problem I call the army," continued Bolsonaro. Bolsonaro also compared the virus crisis in Brazil to that in France, suggesting French President Emmanuel Macron replaced his health minister after identifying "mistakes" in the way he managed the pandemic.

Bolsonaro then suggested that "unemployment, hunger, misery and depression kill more than the virus," which he said could destroy the economy. Experts blame denial of the virus' deadly potential by Bolsonaro and lack of national coordination combined with scattershot responses by city and state governments, with some reopening earlier than health experts recommended.

Bolsonaro has consistently downplayed COVID-19s severity, saying strict social distancing measures that sacrifice jobs and income will ultimately be more harmful than the virus itself, and calling on supporters to encourage their local leaders to lift restrictions on activity.

The president further pushed for supporters to use hydroxychloroquine in treating the virus, asking: "If by any chance your mother or your grandmother get it (COVID-19), will she take chloroquine or not?" On Saturday, British scientists announced that their research found the malaria drug to be unhelpful to people with only mild coronavirus symptoms.

Bolsonaro announced he tested positive for COVID-19 on July 7. Brazil's nearly 2 million cases is second only to the United States and experts believe the number to be an under count due to widespread lack of testing.
Falun Gong practitioners hold a candlelight vigil outside the Chinese Embassy in Washington on July 17, 2020. The Chinese character in the foreground is "memorial." The sign held by those in the front row says, "Stop the Persecution of Falun Gong." (Lisa Fan/The Epoch Times)

Washington Vigil: Mourning Death and Remaining True to Belief

WASHINGTONFalun Gong practitioners gathered just outside the Chinese Embassy on July 17 to mourn those who have died in the persecution of their spiritual discipline and to celebrate staying true to their beliefs in the face of brutal attempts to silence them.

The event marked the anniversary of the beginning of the persecution of Falun Gong in China on July 20, 1999.

In a parking lot just outside the embassys entrance, the practitioners listened to talks given by individuals who had suffered persecution in China. Then, as the summer light faded, they held a candlelight vigil. Sitting in long rows, each held two candles and had a picture of a deceased adherent propped against their body, as a sound system played solemn music composed and performed by practitioners.

One of those who spoke was Wang Chunying. She recalled how, with the temperature outside in far northern Chinas Shenyang City just above zero degrees Fahrenheit, and with her barely heated prison cell not much warmer than that, she was soaked in sweat.

Wang Chunying participates in a candlelight vigil outside the Chinese Embassy in Washington on July 17, 2020. (Lisa Fan/The Epoch Times)

There were two iron bunk beds in her cell. One of her hands was handcuffed to the upper rail of one bed, and her other hand handcuffed to the lower rail of the other bed. After she was cuffed, the guards would kick the beds to move them as far apart as possible.

She was stretched to the limit, so that she felt her body was torn apart. She could neither stand nor kneel to relieve the strain. The cuffs cut into her wrists, and her hands swelled. Every once in a while, a guard would shake her handcuffs to make her pain even more intense.

After 16 hours, the guards released her. Once, she was handcuffed for five days and five nights.

The guards wanted to transform herto force her to sign a letter promising not to practice Falun Gong, also known as Falun Dafa.

Each month, they would demand she sign the letter; each month, they would torture her; and each month, she would refuse.

This abuse took place at Masanjia Correctional Institution, whose name is a byword among Falun Gong practitioners for cruelty. She was detained there for a total of five years and three months.

Chunying is 1 of 3 sisters who practice Falun Gong and have suffered under the persecution of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).

Wang Chunrong participates in a candlelight vigil outside the Chinese Embassy in Washington on July 17, 2020. (Lisa Fan/The Epoch Times)

Each is accomplished. Chunying was a supervisory nurse at Dalian Central Hospital. Wang Chunrong was the chair of Dalian Xincheng certified public accountants and a senior accountant with 40 years of experience. Wang Chunyan ran a thriving export-import business in Dalian. Together, the three sisters served more than 16 years in prison because of their belief in Falun Dafa.

Chunrong was the key person in an accounting firm that was widely respected. Because of her belief in Falun Gongs principles of truthfulness, compassion, and tolerance, she insisted the company conduct its business honestly.

After her arrest, the business floundered, and 70 people lost their jobs.

Chunyans husband was harassed by police because of his practice of Falun Gong; he died on Jan. 3, 2002, after being found at home unconscious with the gas turned on. The family considers his death suspicioushe was found with a head wound.

Ten days later, Chunyan was arrested. A lawyer said she could be released if she gave up her practice of Falun Gong. She refused, was imprisoned, and her business equipment confiscated. After two imprisonments totaling seven years, her company was closed.

Wang Chunyan participates in a candlelight vigil outside the Chinese Embassy in Washington on July 17, 2020. (Lisa Fan/The Epoch Times)

21 Years of Persecution

The fates of the Wang sisters are simply one example of a national calamity the CCP has visited on China.

Falun Gong is an ancient practice that was passed on in lineage fashion for centuries. It was first taught to the public by Li Hongzhi in May 1992 in Changchun in northern China.

Falun Gong involves doing five meditative exercisesfour standing and one seatedand living according to teachings based on the principles of truthfulness, compassion, and tolerance.

The practice spread rapidly by word of mouth to all parts of China and to all classes and professions. Individuals reported experiencing improvements in health and morality, better relations with family and co-workers, and less stress. According to Chinese state reports in 1999, 100 million people in China1 in 13 Chinesewere practicing Falun Gong.

The then-head of the CCP, Jiang Zemin, lay the groundwork for the persecution he would launch a few months later with a letter to the Politburothe highest Party organizationon the evening of April 25, 1999.

A parade in Flushing, New York, on April 25, 2015. (Benjamin Chasteen/The Epoch Times)

Jiang expressed concern that Falun Gong was a kind of national organization, with many followers from the Communist Party, officials, scholars, soldiers, as well as workers and peasants.

He feared what he perceived as the threat posed by Falun Gongs traditional moral teachings to the legitimacy of the CCPs ideology, which is based on atheism, materialism, and the idea of struggle.

Jiang wrote: Can the Marxism, materialism, and atheism that our Communist Party members uphold not win the battle with what Falun Gong promotes?

The letter continued: This is absolutely ridiculous!

On July 20, Jiang brought the whole weight of the Party-state down on the heads of the practitioners. Hes reported to have given the order to destroy their reputations, bankrupt them financially, and eliminate their bodies.

Jiang is said to have believed he would eradicate the practice of Falun Gong in three months, and, based on the experience the CCP has had in stamping out other groups, this expectation wasnt unrealistic.

And the CCP has done its worst. The Falun Gong website En.Minghui.org, which serves as a clearinghouse for information about the persecution, confirms the deaths of 4,363 practitioners from torture and abuse. Due to the difficulty of getting information out of China, the actual number of such killings is undoubtedly many times higher.

There also is a very large but unknown number killed through the practice of forced, live organ harvesting, which some researchers have classified as a cold genocide.

Yet, 21 years after the persecution began, Freedom House estimates that up to 20 million people are still practicing Falun Gong in China, and the official Falun Gong website, FalunDafa.org, shows the practice has spread to 91 countries.

Peacefully Opposing Persecution

Mindy Ge, an actuary, helped organize the event.

She explained in opening remarks why Jiangs persecution has failed to eliminate Falun Gong: Over the past 21 years, Falun Dafa disciples in mainland China and around the world have launched a feat of peacefully opposing persecutionin rational, wise, and peaceful actions they clarify the truth to the world, expose the persecution, and spread truthfulness, compassion, and tolerance.

Mindy Ge speaks outside the Chinese Embassy in Washington on July 17, 2020. (Lynn Lin/Epoch Times)

In fact, Ge explains that practitioners have changed the situation in China. As a result of their efforts, kind-hearted people have become more and more aware of the evil nature of the Chinese Communist Party and have taken off its shackles. More than 360 million people have renounced any connection with the CCP or its youth organizations: the Young Pioneers and the Youth League.

Ge, in an opinion commonly shared by practitioners gathered outside the embassy, believes the CCP and its persecution of Falun Gong will soon end.

Erik Meltzer, an IT professional, spoke after the candlelight vigil about the significance of July 20: July 20 is the day that changed China forever. Since the CCP took rule of China in 1949, there have been so many brutal campaigns and so many innocent lives lost, but never before have we seen such a brutal persecution where it is not just life that is being taken but is as if the soul of China is being crushed.

Erik Meltzer takes part in a candlelight vigil outside the Chinese Embassy in Washington on July 17, 2020. (Lynn Lin/Epoch Times)

Yet, Meltzer sees the response of the Falun Gong practitioners as giving hope to China.

I hope [July 20] can be a day where the people in China can say I wont believe the lies that I have been told by the CCP and  [I will] take the right side so that [I] dont have any regret when things change in China.

Bjorn Neumann, a small-business owner, said after the vigil that he believes that after the CCP ends, then the truth will be revealed about what the practitioners really did and endured. Neumann believes this will awaken people about the real nature of communism. While young people today are very naive about communism, he said, they will be given a chance to understand how evil it is.

Bjorn Neumann outside the Chinese Embassy in Washington on July 17, 2020. (Lynn Lin/Epoch Times)

Hanging a Banner

When Chunying was asked about the meaning of July 20, she smiled and chose to tell a story about how she hung a banner in the Masanjia prison.

Her sentence at Masanjia was coming to a close, and before she left that hellish place, she wanted to tell everyone that Falun Gong is good.

She devised a plan.

Prisoners arent allowed to have any writing implements, but Chunying had talked at length about what Falun Gong is and how its persecution is wrongwhat practitioners refer to as clarifying the factswith a non-practitioner prisoner who was entrusted with using a brush pen. She agreed to give Chunying a brush pen and some red ink.

Chunying had also clarified the facts to the non-practitioner prisoner who was responsible for monitoring her every movement. She became Chunyings accomplice in making the banner.

Chunying then took a yellow sheet and tore it into a one-foot-wide, six-foot-long piece. Being caught with that, or with the brush pen, or the ink, would mean her sentence would be extended. So she had to find ways to hide everything, even though she never had any privacy.

And she did so under extra pressure. Her daughter was six months pregnant. She had delayed having a wedding ceremony because she wanted Chunying there. And she wanted her mother to help care for her child after it was born.

With her cellmates help, Chunying was, over 16 days, able to paint one character at a time on her banner. By July 20, it was ready, but then it rained heavily the whole day.

Chunying woke up early on July 21, and the rain had stopped. Everything was quiet. She made her way to the restroom, which was on the fourth floor. She tied her banner to the window, and let it drop.

Then, for more than 30 glorious minutes, everyone in Masanjia could see, in red ink on a yellow background: Falun Dafa Is Good/God Is Disintegrating the CCP/Quit the CCP to Make Certain of Your Safety.

The guards scrambled to tear down the banner, and then began an intense, but quiet, investigation. Try as they might, they couldnt find who was responsible for the banner.

Chunying was released on time, attended her daughters wedding, and was there for the childs birth.

A parade in New York City on May 16, 2019. (Larry Dai/The Epoch Times)
President Donald Trump says his reelection campaign will hold telephone town halls to speak to supporters as the coronavirus pandemic has made holding large, in-person campaign rallies more difficult, CNN reports.

Trump held what was described as his "first ever TELE-Rally" on Friday, delivering 23 minutes of stream-of-consciousness remarks on a variety of topics, including his administration's Covid-19 response to criticisms of presumptive Democratic nominee Joe Biden.

"I wanted to be with you, and this is really replacing our rallies that we all love so much," Trump told supporters dialed into a telephone call, noting that, given the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, "we're doing really well with the therapeutics and vaccines, but until that gets solved it's going to be tough to have those big massive rallies, so I'm doing telephonic rallies, and we'll call them the Trump rallies, but we'll do it by telephone."

The decision to hold a tele-rally comes on the heels of a Trump campaign rally in Tulsa, Oklahoma, that saw depressed turnout and forced the campaign to scrap outdoor remarks from the President at the last minute when supporters failed to materialize.

Another rally, scheduled for last weekend in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, was canceled shortly before it was set to happen due to weather concerns, and it has yet to be officially rescheduled. Tulsa saw a surge in Covid-19 cases following the President's rally while several staffers were forced to quarantine after eight campaign staffers on the ground tested positive for coronavirus.
(@FahadShabbir)

Panama City, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 20th Jul, 2020 ) :Abigail Benzadon remembers perfectly the day 26 years ago when her husband Moshe Pardo left home to catch a flight to Panama City.

He hadn't planned on flying but he had a medical appointment and decided to go anyway, she recalled.

He and 21 others -- most of them Jewish -- never made it to their destination.

Alas Chiricanas Airlines Flight 00901 exploded shortly after takeoff on July 19, 1994 from Colon, Panama in what Israel and the United States believe was an act of terrorism.

Relatives of the victims are still awaiting resolution of the case.

"Twenty-six years after the attack, I have absolutely no expectations from the justice system," Benzadon told AFP.

"On the part of the Panamanian authorities, there is no great hope that something will happen." Alberto Levy, a member of the Living Conscience Committee, a group created in memory of the victims, said: "Just like any other crime, we believe it should be investigated to the end, so that the attack does not go unpunished." - 'Loose ends' - The Panamanian authorities have pursued two theories: that it could be a case of score-settling by drug traffickers, or that it was an anti-Semitic attack.

In 1995, the United States offered $2 million for information related to the case, saying the attack might have been the work of a Lebanese Hezbollah suicide squad.

"Everything indicates it was a terrorist attack, and there still are many questions and loose ends," Rabbi Gustavo Kraselnik told AFP.

In Panama, investigations have centered on a passenger named Ali Hawa Jamal, who is believed to have detonated a bomb concealed in a radio.

An FBI statement said Jamal was the only person aboard whose body was never claimed.

The FBI suspects Jamal belonged to the same Shiite Hezbollah group that, one day earlier, had detonated a car-bomb that killed 85 people and injured hundreds of people at the headquarters of a Jewish charity in Buenos Aires, the Argentine Israelite Mutual Association.

The group behind that attack "is suspected of involvement in the Flight 00901 bombing," an FBI wanted poster said.

- 'An act without precedent' - "It was a criminal act without precedent in Panama," Juan Antonio Tejada, who was a senior prosecutor there at the time, told AFP.

He said that because of Jamal's death, the case never went to trial.

The case was reopened in 2018 after then-Panamanian President Juan Carlos Varela said he had been told by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that Israeli intelligence had confirmed the explosion was a "terrorist attack" by Hezbollah.

The victims' families are now placing their hopes on bringing Jamal's possible accomplices to justice. But legal experts say information from intelligence sources is not always admitted in court.

"We trust the authorities to do their work; we won't let our brothers be forgotten," Linda Cohen, the director of the Living Conscience Committee, told AFP.

Ana Karina Smith remembers the day she lost her grandfather. She was 18 at the time and recalls the desperate and confused hours that followed the crash.

"For many years we knew nothing about what happened -- nothing," she told AFP. "A few weeks later I went to the United States and, curiously, my Jewish friends at the university knew much more than I knew.

"It was extremely painful. For me, it is essential that we make the facts known."But Abigail Benzadon is not holding her breath.

"The case has gone unpunished," she said, "and it will remain unpunished."
Boris Johnson has played down the prospect of a second national coronavirus lockdown, saying he did not want to use it any more than Britain's Trident nuclear deterrent.

The Prime Minister said the authorities were getting better at identifying and isolating local outbreaks, although it was important that the power to order national action was held in reserve.

'I can't abandon that tool any more than I would abandon a nuclear deterrent. But it is like a nuclear deterrent, I certainly don't want to use it. And nor do I think we will be in that position again,' he told The Sunday Telegraph.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson has played down the prospect of a second national lockdown

His comments could lead to further tensions between ministers and their scientific experts after the chief scientific adviser Sir Patrick Vallance warned on Friday there was 'a risk' that national measures could be needed as winter approaches.

Announcing another easing lockdown restrictions in England, Mr Johnson on Friday said he hoped there could be a 'significant return to normality' in time for Christmas.

At the same time, he said the Government had given local authorities new powers to close specific premises, shut outdoor spaces and cancel events.

Mr Johnson told the Telegraph: 'It's not just that we're getting much better at spotting the disease and isolating it locally, but we understand far more which groups it affects, how it works, how it's transmitted, so the possibility of different types of segmentation, of enhanced shielding for particular groups, is now there.'

'We're genuinely able now to look at what's happening in much closer to real time, to isolate outbreaks and to address them on the spot, and to work with local authorities to contain the problem locally and regionally if we have to.'

As he approaches his first anniversary in office, Mr Johnson insisted his agenda for domestic reform and 'levelling up' the economy would not be blown off course by the pandemic.

Johnson, pictured with fiancee Carrie Symonds and their son Wilfred, said the government was looking at isolating outbreaks in a bid to avoid another national lockdown

'We want to be a transformative Government, because there's a massive opportunity in this country to do things differently and to do things better,' he said.

'We've seen that really exemplified in what happened with coronavirus.'

The Prime Minister confirmed that as part of that he was looking at reform of the Civil Service in the wake of the announcement the Cabinet Secretary, Sir Mark Sedwill, is stepping down.

'Please don't think that I in any way underestimate the brilliance of the UK Civil Service, they are absolutely fantastic,' he said.

'But maybe there are ways in which we can all learn together to do things faster, to have a real spirit of 'can do'. I'm not saying that people don't have that, but there's an opportunity to learn from the crisis and to work faster.

'I think sometimes it's a question of confidence and belief.'
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has prepared a 160-bed Covid care centre at one of its facilities on Old Airport Road of Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike here. The centre was handed over to municipal authorities on Sunday.

In a statement, HAL said that it had converted its Ghatage Convention Centre into Covid care centre with the complete supporting infrastructure like washrooms, bathrooms.

Notably, HAL has pledged Rs 20 crore from its CSR fund to the Prime Ministers Citizen Assistance and Relief in Emergency Situations (PM-CARES) Fund while its employees have pledged their one day salary amounting to Rs 6.25 crore. Cumulatively it works out to Rs 26.25 crore.
Donald Trump defended his performance in handling the coronavirus pandemic, his 2020 re-election prospects, people who fly Confederate flags and his own mental faculties in a wide-ranging interview with Fox News Sundays Chris Wallace.

Mr Wallace won plaudits from other White House reporters and others for coming into the interview prepared with facts to rebut the presidents claims, which at times stretched the truth at best and defied it wholesale at worst.

In the backdrop of Mr Trumps interview was polling from several outlets last week that mostly showed the president trailing his Democratic opponent, Joe Biden, by anywhere from 8 to 15 percentage points, as the president continues to struggle among voters disaffected by his handling of the Covid-19 crisis.

Heres what Mr Trump said on the issues that have dominated headlines in recent weeks:

Downplaying coronavirus

While the president admitted for a moment during the interview that he may have made some mistakes during his handling of the coronavirus crisis  I guess everybody makes mistakes, he said  he once again claimed the virus would disappear, without citing evidence for his assertion.

Mr Trump has previously predicted, on multiple occasions, that the virus would quickly fade from the US, and also downplayed the severity of the crisis. He doubled down on Sunday, saying his prognostications would eventually be vindicated.

"I will be right eventually. You know, I said, 'It's going to disappear.' I'll say it again. ... It's going to disappear, and I'll be right," Mr Trump said of a virus that has killed more than 140,000 Americans over the last five months.

The US surpassed the grim milestone of 140,000 Covid-19 deaths on Saturday into Sunday, but Mr Trump has still insisted that the US has the lowest mortality rate in the world, which is not true.

According to Johns Hopkins University, the US has the seventh-worst mortality rate due to the coronavirus.

Countries like Russia and Brazil ranked lower in their own mortality rate, which Mr Wallace pointed out to the president to counter his statistics from a separate study that does not list Russias death rate and, even still, shows Brazil and South Korea have experienced a lower one.

The president repeated his claim that the USs robust Covid-19 testing regime was responsible for inflating statistics about the severity of the crisis.

"Testing is up 37 per cent," Mr Trump said.

"Cases are up 194 per cent. It isn't just that testing has gone up, it's that the virus has spread," the Mr Wallace said in response.

From 'no responsibility at all' to 'responsibility always'

In a pivot away from remarks he made in March, Mr Trump acknowledged that he bears the burden of the USs coronavirus response as president.

Look, I take responsibility always for everything because it's ultimately my job, too. I have to get everybody in line, the president said.

In March, Mr Trump was indignant at a reporters question on whether he took responsibility for the countrys slow roll-out of a nationwide testing programme, which lagged behind those of several other advanced countries such as South Korea and Japan.

I don't take responsibility at all, Mr Trump said at the time, vaguely alluding to a set of circumstances and rules, regulations and specifications from a different time.

 Worldwide death toll from coronavirus passes 600,000

He did not elaborate on what those inhibiting circumstances were at the time.

In his interview that aired on Sunday, Mr Trump proclaimed that US testing for the virus was now the envy of the world as the federal government continues to provide assistance to states and local governments to increase capacity.

Mr Trump said it was incumbent upon those leaders to execute good testing policy and administer the aid.

Some governors have done well, some governors have done poorly, he said.

Anthony Fauci

As White House economic advisers continue their offensive on health official Anthony Fauci, the top infectious disease expert in the US government, Mr Trump appeared to defend him from the most incendiary of accusations.

Well, I don't know that hes a leaker, the president said, answering a question from Mr Wallace about a cartoon previously shared by a Trump aide on Twitter accusing Mr Fauci of leaking negative things about the president to the press.

But Mr Fauci is a little bit of an alarmist, Mr Trump said. That's OK. A little bit of an alarmist.

Mr Trump said he and Mr Fauci have a great relationship, despite White House economic adviser Peter Navarro publishing an op-ed in USA Today last week smearing Mr Fauci as being wrong about everything with regard to the coronavirus pandemic.

The president did agree with Mr Navarro, however, that Mr Fauci was wrong when he early during the pandemic when he opposed the presidents restrictions on travel to and from China, where Covid-19 is believed to have originated.

Mr Fauci has since admitted the policy limiting travel  which the Trump administration has inaccurately characterised as a ban  was the correct call, an admission Mr Trump was quick to highlight.

He then admitted that I was right, the president said.

2020 election

Mr Trump reaffirmed his belief that Mr Biden lacks the energy and competence to be president, despite the former vice presidents decisive lead in the latest polling.

Biden can't put two sentences together.  They wheel him out. He goes up  he repeats  they ask him questions. He reads a teleprompter and then he goes back into his basement. You tell me the American people want to have that in an age where we're in trouble with other nations that are looking to do numbers on us? Mr Trump said.

The president declined to weigh in on whether he believes Mr Biden is senile, an accusation Democrats and the Biden campaign have said is both false and extremely inappropriate.

Mr Biden would be the oldest person to take the office by eight years. Mr Trump, at 70 years old on inauguration day in 2017, was the oldest person to become president.

To be president, you have to be sharp and tough and so many other things. He doesn't even come out of his basement, Mr Trump said of Mr Biden, which is a false claim.

(AFP via Getty Images (AFP via Getty Images)

The former vice president has appeared at multiple campaign events in just the last several weeks.

Joe doesn't know he's alive, OK? He doesn't know he's alive, Mr Trump insisted.

When confronted with his poor public polling numbers, Mr Trump insisted his internal polling showed him doing a better than most media stories reflect.

The president also accused Democrat-run states of not allowing him to hold rallies there over concerns about proper social distancing and the Covid-19 crisis.

Health care

At one point in the interview, Mr Wallace asked Mr Trump why his administration was seeking to roll back aspects of the 2010 health care law known as Obamacare right as the US is undergoing the largest health crisis in multiple generations.

Mr Trump said his policy team had a plan that would soon be enacted to help Americans get coverage, though he did not provide specifics, and the White House has not presented an itemised health care policy proposal to Congress in months.

"We're signing a health care plan within two weeks. A full and complete health care plan, Mr Trump said.

That would be news to many lawmakers from both parties: Congress is not currently working on health care legislation, nor is the White House formulating a proposal to present to Congress that would have any chance of passing the Democratic-controlled House or the Senate, which would require bipartisan support to surmount its 60-vote threshold.

Economic stimulus

The president was noncommittal about refusing to sign coronavirus stimulus legislation if it does not include the White Houses stated priorities, such as his and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnells desire to protect health care workers and businesses from liability lawsuits related to Covid-19 exposure.

Well, were going to see, the president said about a fifth round of coronavirus aid that is expected to blow past the $1trn mark.

We do need protections because businesses are going to get sued just because somebody walked in. You dont know where this virus comes from. Theyll sit down at a restaurant. Theyll sue the restaurant, the guys out of business, Mr Trump said.

Party leaders in Congress are expected to begin hashing out a deal when both chambers return on Monday.

Lawmakers want to strike a deal by the August recess, though Speaker Nancy Pelosi has said she is willing to postpone the August district work period if it means obtaining a better deal on coronavirus relief.

The parties remain far from a concrete compromise proposal that would also be well-received by Mr Trump.

Democrats are arguing for stronger workplace protections under the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), putting the party seemingly at odds over how much responsibility businesses ought to take for potentially exposing people to coronavirus on their property.

Mr Trump also said in his Fox News interview that he would consider not signing any legislation if it did not include a payroll tax cut.

Democrats have expressed a strong opposition to the payroll tax cut, instead insisting on renewing beefed-up unemployment benefits for people who have been laid off during the pandemic.

Congress first passed the federal governments bolstered unemployment assistance programme in March.

Confederate symbols

As the racial tensions continue to simmer in the US after the deaths in police custody of George Floyd in Minneapolis, Breonna Taylor in Louisville, and others, Mr Trump defended people who fly Confederate flags as exercising their First Amendment right to freedom of speech.

When people proudly have their Confederate flags, theyre not talking about racism, the president said.

They love their flag. It represents the South.

The Pentagon circumvented Mr Trump on the Confederate flag issue by announcing a new policy on Friday that would effectively ban anyone from flying it at a military base.

The new policy lists the types of flags the US Defence Department will allow troops to fly on its bases across the world. The Confederate flag is not on the list of acceptable flags.

Confederate flag merchandise is seen at a hut across the street from the Talladega Superspeedway prior to the NASCAR Cup Series GEICO 500 on June 22, 2020 in Talladega, Alabama (Getty Images)

"I dont care what the military says. I do  Im supposed to make the decision," Mr Trump said of the flag policy.

He added that he is opposed to renaming military bases named for Confederate officers, such as Fort Bragg in North Carolina, whose namesake, Braxton Bragg, was a Confederate general.

"Fort Bragg is a big deal. We won two World Wars [with troops training there]. Nobody even knows General Bragg. We won two World Wars. Go to that community where Fort Bragg is, in a great state  I love that state  go to the community, say, How do you like the idea of renaming Fort Bragg? And then what are we going to name it? Were going to name it after the Reverend Al Sharpton?" Mr Trump said, referencing the American civil rights activist, Baptist minister, and former Democratic presidential candidate.

Biden and the police

In perhaps the most heated exchange between interviewer and interviewee, Mr Wallace fact-checked Mr Trump in real-time over the presidents claims Mr Biden wants to defund the police.

Sir, he does not, Mr Wallace said.

Mr Trump responded that Mr Biden had signed a charter with Vermont Independent Senator Bernie Sanders that called for the Democratic National Committee to adopt defund the police as its position on the official party platform.

But the 110-page document of policy recommendations produced by six unity task forces of supporters of Mr Sanders and Mr Biden makes no such statement.

"It says nothing about defunding the police," Mr Wallace said.

The president pushed back, saying, "Oh really? It says abolish  it says... Let's go, get me the charter, please."

Mr Trump then flipped through the document, announcing several policies in it he disagreed with. But he could not find anything calling for police departments to be abolished.

The document does, however, recommend significant police department reforms.

The Biden-Sanders task force on criminal justice reform recommended diverting some federal funding from police departments in order to create a civilian corps of unarmed first responders such as social workers, EMTs, and trained mental health professionals who would handle nonviolent emergencies such as mental health emergencies or low-level conflicts.

Such a corps of first responders would [free] police officers to concentrate on the most serious crimes, the task force states.
By Express News Service

KASARGOD: Nafeesa, 74, a native of Uppala in Mangalpady panchayat, died of Covid-triggered complications on Friday night, said district surveillance officer Dr A T Manoj. She tested positive on July 11. However, health officials and family members disagree on the source of infection. Nafeesa and her daughter-in-law were shifted to the district hospital in Kanhangad after testing positive.

Nafeesa who developed pulmonary complication was shifted to Medical College Hospital at Pariyaram in Kannur, said Dr Manoj. She was also a diabetic patient.Later, swabs of all her family members were taken and eight of them, including her son who returned from Kuwait, tested positive on July 16. Health officials said he could have been the source of infection for the entire family. But the son denied it. He said he landed in Kannur airport on June 10 and went into quarantine in a vacant house for 15 days, and came home and stayed in room quarantine for another seven days till July 1.

On June 16 he was told that his swab samples tested negative. Health officials said there could have been an error in the test or his sample was collected before the virus expressed itself in the body.Nafeesa was buried at Kunnil Juma Masjid in Uppala on Saturday. Her three sons, a daughter and two granddaughters aged 40 days and three years, are among the 10 members of the family who tested positive. They have been admitted to the Covid First-Line Treatment Centre at Vidyanagar.

While Nafeesas body was being taken to Uppala in Mangalpady panchayat, the hearse stopped at Vidyanagar for the children to pay their last respects to their mother. The children wore personal protection equipment kits and followed the Covid protocol while bidding their mother goodbye. To be sure, the death of Nafeesa has not been officially recorded by the Directorate of Health Service and the chief minister did not mention the death in his evening briefing. The death was not mentioned in the daily press statement released by the District Information Office.

Earlier, the death of B A Abdul Rahman, 55, of Mogral Puttur, was also not recorded by the state government saying he died in transit. Rahman arrived in an ambulance from Hubballi on July 7. His condition worsened after crossing the border and died before reaching the General Hospital. Tests found he was infected.
An angry mob on Saturday set ablaze a Dangote truck for killing one motorcyclist and injuring three others.

The incident happened around 8am on the old Ibadan Roundabout Road, Ago-Iwoye, in the Ijebu-North Local Government Area of Ogun State. The accident involved a Dangote truck and a motorcycle.

The Public Relations Officer of the Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Corps, Babatunde Akinbiyi, confirmed the incident.

Akinbiyi said it occurred as a result of over speeding by the truck driver. He said the truck driver lost control and ran over a moving motorcycle, killing the rider and injuring three others.

Irked by the incident, an angry mob besieged the road and set ablaze the truck while the driver was reportedly beaten to a pulp.

The driver was later rescued by officers of TRACE, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Federal Road Safety Corps and the police.

Akinbiyi, in a statement, explained that the Dangote truck driver was coming from Ago-Iwoye inward Ijebu-Ode when the incident happened.

He said, The driver, due to overspeeding, could not control the vehicle as it approached Ibadan Roundabout and collided with a motorcycle rider who was trying to negotiate the roundabout at the time.

The driver of the Dangote truck was later apprehended after making attempts to run away and was beaten to a pulp by the angry mob which also set the truck on fire.

But for the intervention of men of TRACE, police, NSCDC and the FRSC, the driver would have been killed and the truck would have been completely burnt down. The driver and the motor boy have been arrested and taken to Igbeba Motor Traffic Division, Ijebu-Ode.

He urged motorists to properly maintain their vehicles and avoid speeding especially when approaching a bend or roundabout.
RIVERSIDE, Calif. -- Rebekah Charney, a postdoctoral researcher in the School of Medicine at the University of California, Riverside, has received a five-year "Pathway to Independence" grant from the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research of the National Institutes of Health, or NIH.

The career development grant will support Charney's research on the role of critical genes in human neural crest cell development and craniofacial pathologies while facilitating her transition to an independent faculty position. The award provides approximately $200,000 for a two-year mentored phase, followed by three years of support for Charney to establish her own independent research group.

Charney, who joined UC Riverside in 2016 after receiving her doctoral degree at UC Irvine, explained that neural crest cells are an embryonic cell population that migrate extensively throughout the developing embryo. Among other derivatives, they contribute to most of the bone and connective tissue in the face. Improper development of the neural crest can lead to craniofacial birth defects. These craniofacial anomalies can occur on their own or as part of a broader syndrome.

One such disorder, Mowat-Wilson syndrome, affects facial structures, the central nervous system, and the heart, among other tissues and organs. While considered rare, this disorder is being increasingly diagnosed as more awareness is drawn to the different manifestations of the syndrome. Charney's research aims to shed light on the mechanisms underlying Mowat-Wilson syndrome.

"Mutations in critical genes involved in neural crest cell formation and differentiation are the cause of numerous birth defects," Charney said. "However, precisely how these mutations cause birth defects remain unknown."

Using human pluripotent stem cells, Charney has been able to examine how the loss of these genes affects the earliest stages of human neural crest cell formation. With this grant, she will be able to establish translational models addressing neural crest-related disorders.

Charney noted that the outcomes of this research will not only address key questions of human neural crest cell formation but can help lead to the identification of novel diagnostic and therapeutic targets.

At UCR, Charney works in the laboratory of Martin Garcia-Castro, an associate professor of biomedical sciences. She is joined in this award by a team of advisors and collaborators at multiple institutions across the country who specialize in dental and craniofacial development and Mowat-Wilson syndrome.

Charney is the recipient of a Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award Individual Postdoctoral Fellowship from the NIH and a K. Patricia Cross Future Leaders Award from the Association of American Colleges and Universities. At UCI, she received a U.S. Department of Education Graduate Assistance in Areas of National Need fellowship and an Edward Steinhaus Teaching Award; and was an NSF IGERT LifeChips trainee.

###

The University of California, Riverside is a doctoral research university, a living laboratory for groundbreaking exploration of issues critical to Inland Southern California, the state and communities around the world. Reflecting California's diverse culture, UCR's enrollment is more than 24,000 students. The campus opened a medical school in 2013 and has reached the heart of the Coachella Valley by way of the UCR Palm Desert Center. The campus has an annual statewide economic impact of almost $2 billion. To learn more, email news@ucr.edu.
H undreds of people have gathered in Hyde Park in central London to protest against wearing masks.

Crowds started congregating at about 1pm on Sunday ahead of an expected march organised by campaign group Keep Britain Free.

They initially hovered around Marble Arch in the capital to listen to speeches for around two hours.

People held placards reading "I will be not be masked, tested, tracked" and "no mask".

During the coronavirus pandemic, masks have been made compulsory on public transport in the UK.

Face coverings will also become mandatory in shops and supermarkets in England from July 24.

Those who fail to wear a mask face fine of up to 100.

Anti-mask protest Hyde Park 1 /9 Anti-mask protest Hyde Park People attend the protest against the wearing of masks PA Crowds gathered in Hyde Park to protest wearing masks @gulag2020/Twitter People attend the protest against the wearing of masks PA People attend the protest against the wearing of masks PA A man takes a selfie at the protest PA A man wearing a plaque mask PA People attend the protest against the wearing of masks PA

Keep Britain Free claims it sees the new regulations as an impingement of civil liberties.

One of the organisers, Leah Butler-Smith, who was attending the protest said the group is not concerned about people who choose to wear a mask.

"It is just the fact that people are being told they have no choice about wearing a mask," she told Sky News.

"Because the Government started out saying 'there is absolutely no need for a mask', and many other important scientists have reportedly said the same, it did not make any sense why they suddenly said it was going to be mandated," she added.

"If the Government really wants to protect the public and give them more confidence then they should stop trying to use the coercion strategy or to make people scared."

Asked whether she believes other governments around the world which are advising wearing face masks to prevent transmission, Ms Butler-Smith said: "I would believe them if they did not keep changing their mind every five minutes."

She also said that she had no intention of wearing a mask and would not accept a fine, because it would not be "valid".
China has warned British businesses 'retaliation is coming' and they could be 'in the firing line' after the UK banned Huawei from the nation's 5G network.

Ministers announced last week that the Chinese tech giant was being excluded from the infrastructure, with all of its equipment to be stripped out by 2027 over security concerns.

The decision immediately prompted warnings from Beijing that it would strike back as relations between the UK and China became further strained.

Today it emerged that Beijing could target British businesses operating in China in order to get revenge.

Meanwhile, it was claimed the UK Government had told Huawei it was being banned from the 5G network at least in part because of mounting pressure from Donald Trump.

The UK has banned Huawei from the 5G network with all of the firm's equipment to be stripped out by the end of 2027 over security concerns

Boris Johnson announced in January that Huawei would be allowed to help build the UK's 5G network.

The PM made the decision despite the US urging its allies not to use the firm's technology because of national security concerns - concerns Huawei has always rejected.

The UK then changed its decision last week as it said recently imposed US sanctions on the company had changed the picture and that Britain could 'no longer be confident it will be able to guarantee the security of future Huawei 5G equipment'.

But while the Government said publicly security concerns were the reason for excluding Huawei, the Observer reported Whitehall officials had suggested to the firm that 'geopolitical' considerations had also come into play.

That gave the impression to the company that the decision could be revisited if Mr Trump fails to win reelection in November.

However, Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden insisted the ban on Huawei was 'irreversible' when he set out the decision last week.

The UK's U-turn on the company's involvement prompted Mr Trump to take credit for the decision as he claimed he had persuaded Britain to change tack.

Beijing had responded to the Huawei move by accusing the UK of behaving like 'America's dupe'.

Downing Street is now braced to see exactly how the Chinese government will respond.

Today it emerged the leaders of UK businesses in Beijing had been summoned to a meeting where they were apparently told by a Chinese government official that their operations could suffer because of growing tensions with Britain.

A source told the Sunday Times: 'The message was that retaliation is coming and that British firms in China are in the firing line.'

It is thought some of the UK's biggest companies on the world stage like Jaguar Land Rover, BP and GlaxoSmithKline could all be targeted.

Liu Xiaoming, China's Ambassador to the UK, said last week that Chinese businesses could pull out of Britain following the Huawei decision.

He said 'the way you treat Huawei will be followed very closely by other Chinese businesses' and that the decision had 'undermined the trust between the two countries'.

The warning of retaliation came as it emerged that Chinese social media giant TikTok has reportedly shelved plans to build a global headquarters in the UK.

TikTok's parent company ByteDance has been in discussions with officials from the Department for International Trade and No 10 to establish a worldwide base in Britain, creating 3,000 jobs.

However, The Sunday Times reported ByteDance has made the decision to suspend those negotiations due to the 'wider geopolitical context'.

Relations between Britain and Beijing have deteriorated in recent months because of the coronavirus crisis and China's imposition of a controversial national security law on Hong Kong.
Paula C. Johnson is Professor of Law at Syracuse University College of Law. She directs the Cold Case Justice Initiative, which she co-founded with Professor Janis McDonald (emerita).

It is almost inconceivable to know that Congressman John Lewis and Rev. Cordy Tindell C.T. Vivian  two giants of the Civil Rights Movement  both died on Friday, July 17, 2020. These are immeasurable losses for our country and world. Together and individually, they represented the highest ideals and hope for this nation to reach its promise of racial equality, universal voting rights and social justice for all people. Their principles and sacrifices that are embedded in our national consciousness. Both men were part of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.s inner cabinet. They were trusted and dedicated leaders in the movement for civil rights.

Lewis, who was 80, began his activism at an early age. He recalled his effort as a child to obtain a library card in his rural Troy, Alabama, community. He was turned away upon being told that the library and all that it contained was for whites only. Undeterred, he determined to make the changes that would one day open American institutions to all people. Inspired by the passionate sermons and growing activist movement led by King and the Montgomery Bus Boycott, John Lewis wrote to King when he was 18 years old and asked to join the movement. This began a lasting bond to change the arc of Americas racist underpinnings. King affectionately nicknamed Lewis the Boy from Troy. Lewis never lost the humility of his rural beginnings in a family of sharecroppers, no matter how high he reached later to be called the conscience of the Congress.

Lewis became a leader of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC), which organized sit-ins and boycotts throughout the South. The images of Lewis being brutally beaten by white Alabama troopers on the Edmund Pettus Bridge, in Selma, Alabama, sear into our collective consciousness his commitment and sacrifice for the cause of civil rights and voting rights. The Bloody Sunday march from Selma to Montgomery in March 1965 was a turning point in the struggle for voting rights. With all of its brutality against the nonviolent protestors on display for the nation and world to see, the U.S. Congress finally rose to their constitutional mandate and passed the Voting Rights Act of 1965, which President Lyndon Johnson signed into law on Aug. 6, 1965. Prior to passage of the VRA, Black voter participation was 2% to 6%t in Alabama and Mississippi due to racially discriminatory requirements and violent voter suppression. After passage of the act, Black voter turnout increased to 60%.

Rev. C.T. Vivian, who was 95, was also an early adherent to nonviolent activism to bring about racial justice and social change. He was born in Boonville, Missouri, and later moved to Illinois with his family. In his youth, he participated in his first nonviolent sit-in at a lunch counter in Peoria, Illinois, in 1947. Vivians and Lewiss lives intersected when they both studied for the ministry at American Baptist College in Nashville, Tennessee. As stalwarts of the civil rights movement, Vivian, Lewis, Diane Nash, Bernard Lafayette, James Bevel and other members of American Baptist College, Fisk University and Tennessee State University organized some of the first nonviolent sit-ins at segregated lunch counters, in Nashville. Institutions and accommodations in Nashville were among the first to dismantle racial segregation due to Vivians and Nashs leadership and successful appeals to governing officials reason and morality. Thereafter, Vivian joined and founded organizations that focused on making fundamental changes to American society. He founded the Nashville Christian Leadership Conference, which was part of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC), one of Kings organizations.

Vivian had numerous bloody encounters with racist Southern police despite the nonviolent nature of the protests and voter registration drives. As part of the Freedom Riders, he was severely beaten when their bus was fire-bombed in Anniston, Alabama. White mobs beat the riders, while law enforcement stood by and simply left. Vivian also was on the Edmund Pettus Bridge marching for voting rights in March 1965. In defiance of a local sheriff who told the marchers to stop, Vivian told him, We will register to vote because as citizens of the United States, we have the right to do it. He was then beaten bloody by the sheriff. The images of this brutality were transmitted around the world and were part of imperative that ensured passage of the Voting Rights Act. Vivian continued his activism by creating educational programs, anti-Klan watch organizations, and conducting workshops and leadership conferences for generations of justice advocates. He founded the C.T. Vivian Leadership Institute, in his adopted home of Atlanta, Georgia.

The faculty and students of the Cold Case Justice Initiative (CCJI), at the Syracuse University College of Law, had the honor of working with Lewis and Vivian in our efforts to bring justice and accountability to victims families, and raise awareness of the continuing effects of racial violence and discrimination in U.S. society. We worked closely with Lewis and his staff to pass the Emmett Till Unsolved Civil Rights Crimes Reauthorization Act of 2016, to ensure that unsolved, racially motivated crimes would remain a priority for the nation. Vivian provided orientation training for our student volunteers in Atlanta. He also came to Syracuse University when we commemorated 50 years of the civil rights movement, in March 2014.

The lives and legacies of these great men must not be forgotten. As recent events attest, it is now up to each of us to carry on their work and realize the guarantees of racial equality, voting rights and justice for all to which they devoted their entire lives. May they rest in peace and power.

Related: Civil rights icon John Lewis dies at age 80
Tokyo:

India and Japan on Friday signed a landmark civil nuclear cooperation deal after talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his counterpart Shinzo Abe, a move that will boost bilateral economic and security ties and facilitate US-based players to set up atomic plants in India.

The two countries had reached a broad agreement for cooperation in civil nuclear energy sector during Abe's visit to India in December last year, but the deal was yet to be signed as some issues were yet to be worked out.

"A landmark deal for a cleaner, greener world! PM @narendramodi and PM @AbeShinzo witness exchange of the landmark Civil Nuclear Agreement," External Affairs Ministry spokesman Vikas Swarup tweeted on Friday.

PM Narendra Modi and Japan PM Shinzo Abe witness exchange of the landmark Civil Nuclear Agreement pic.twitter.com/7Ut2LStKQi  ANI (@ANI_news) November 11, 2016

PM: Our strategic partnership is not only for the good & security of our own societies. It also brings peace, stability & balance to region pic.twitter.com/FQK15boEDo  ANI (@ANI_news) November 11, 2016

Highlights of India-Japan joint press statement-



What PM Modi said:



# Our strategic partnership will bring stability, peace and balance in both the countries.



# We see japan as our natural partner, there is vast scope in combining our resources.



# Our cooperation in this field (Civil Nuclear Agreement) will help us in tackling climate a change as well.



# Dynamism and depth of our ties has increased with passage of time with continuing commitment to our partnership.



# I wish to thank Prime Minister Abe for the support extended for Indias membership of the Nuclear Suppliers Group.



# We are also united in our resolve to combat the menace of terrorism, especially cross-border terrorism.

The deal would allow Japan to export nuclear technology to India, making it the first non-NPT signatory to have such a deal with Tokyo. It would also cement the bilateral economic and security ties as the two countries warm up to counter an assertive China.

Also read: Indo-Japan civil nuclear deal signed: Here's why it matters for India

There was political resistance in Japan - the only country to suffer atomic bombings during World War II - against a nuclear deal with India, particularly after the disaster at the Fukushima Nuclear Power Plant in 2011.

Japan is a major player in the nuclear energy market and an atomic deal with it will make it easier for US-based nuclear plant makers Westinghouse Electric Corporation and GE Energy Inc to set up atomic plants in India as both these conglomerates have Japanese investments.

Other nations who have signed civil nuclear deal with India include the US, Russia, South Korea, Mangolia, France, Namibia, Argentina, Canada, Kazakhstan and Australia.

For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.
The streets of Astoria in Queens, New York, were packed on Friday night with people partying without a single face mask in sight.

Video shot and posted online shows throngs of revelers with drinks in hand and mingling closely with one another - with the coronavirus pandemic seemingly out of mind.

Music was blasting with fireworks and flares at one point making the scene more akin to that of Miami Beach than a borough of New York City.

Hundreds of people packed the streets in Astoria, Queens, New York on Friday night to party

It didn't appear as though anyone was observing social distancing guidelines while out

Astoria's main drag, Steinway Street, was so tightly packed that it was virtually impossible for an NYPD police car with its lights flashing and siren blaring to pass through the crowds.

At one point the patrol car used its loudspeaker to instruct people to move out of the way but did little to stop one man clambering on top of an ice cream truck.

The crowd responded by cheering and laughing before making a path for the cruiser to drive along.

The maskless parties have been going on for around two weeks according to one resident.

One man decided to jump on top of an ice cream truck, left. Crowds packed the sidewalk and spilled out into the road, right

Although there were some tables set out for dining, most people were simply walking around the streets holding drinks in their hands

They got stienway all the way litt son what  #astoria pic.twitter.com/i21qM9wiIx  WA CARTIER  (@WaWacartier) July 18, 2020

Restaurants in the area recently reopened for outdoor dining under phase 3 of the reopening from coronavirus lockdown, but New York's Governor Cuomo is now restricting venues from serving just alcohol and explicitly requiring that food be served alongside.

Restaurants that fail to comply with state rules will have a 'three strikes and you're closed' mandate.

Such rules appeared to make little difference to those gathered on Friday night with many people managing to get their drinks from drivers selling booze out of the back of their cars.

'Anyone going to do anything about this?' asked one twitter user @vodkapond tagging Governor.Cuomo and New York's Mayor de Blasio.

The scene appeared to more akin to Miami Beach than Astoria, Queens

People are partying in the streets in massive crowds and selling booze out of the back of their cars on Steinway in #Astoria. Anyone going to do anything about this? @NYGovCuomo @NYCMayor @NYPD114Pct @NY1 pic.twitter.com/aidyp3flO3  KW (@vodkapond) July 18, 2020

NYPD officers were also seen standing on a street corner without any masks as people walked by.

The NYPD told the New York Post that they were on scene by 12:30am and that 'officers issued multiple verbal orders for the crowd to disperse. The crowd cleared out without incident.'

The Department said they issued 20 summonses for double parking and bus stop violations but no tickets were issues for breaking social distancing guidelines.

'Maybe they feel comfortable because no one's telling them to do anything. I don't know what they're thinking. I'm just trying to run a business,' said John Zorbas who runs Brik restaurant which had dozens of people standing outside its doors.

New York's Mayor Bill de Blasio has said that the scene will not be allowed to be repeated

The streets of Astoria were completely packed until around 4am. The parties have been going on for weeks

'We can't control what hundreds of people are doing. We need some help. Where it's going to come from? I don't know.'

William Crowley, a spokesperson with the State Liquor Authority said that it was clear that something needed to be done.

'We will take all action necessary to protect New Yorkers during this public health emergency.'

'The main responsibility for enforcing social distancing lies with the local government  in this case New York City  and they must ensure activity like this that risks transmission of COVID-19 are not allowed to take place,' Crowley said.

Trash aftermath.



Check out the mess left behind by large crowds partying in Astoria overnight.



Hundreds were seen on video with no masks and no social-distancing. @NBCNewYork pic.twitter.com/AWpikXyJc4  Ken Buffa (@KenBuffa) July 18, 2020

The streets of Astoria were a complete mess first thing on Saturday morning after the party

The streets were in need of a proper clean up after the all-night party along Steinway Street

City Councilman Costa Constantinides, who is a member of District 22 representing Astoria, said he was furious about the incident.

'There's businesses who frankly I think need to be shut down,' Constantinides said to ABC7. 'I already spoke to the governor and the mayor's office today, and said that they've already used up their strikes.'

On Saturday afternoon, Mayor de Blasio tweeted that the situation needed to change.

'This is unacceptable. New Yorkers have made too many sacrifices to fight COVID-19. We can't let up now. We'll be out in Astoria and across the city tonight to make sure restaurants are doing their part to keep their diners and their workers safe.'
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Governor Bello Mohammed (Matawallen Maradun) inherited a near total break of law and order in Zamfara state last year. Banditry and kidnappings, rape and robbery were vices attacking the fabrics of the society in the state in an alarming proportion. A very known and common problem of hearder/ farmer clashes grew into a new dimension of cattle rustling and later bigger criminality of murder, kidnappings and rape. That was the scenario he inherited from the previous administration.

However, with a lot of wisdom, comportment, determination, commitment, resilience and honesty of purpose, God Almighty supported the young administration of Governor Bello Mohammed to circumvent all obstacles and bring about peace in the state within the first 100 days of the administration. In the last eight months, people have been going about their normal businesses as all markets have re-opened, all roads are now safe to ply and all farmers have gone back to their farms. This was achieved through a well articulated and honest peace initiative hinged on sulhu, a peace accord predicated upon mutual agreement to give and take as well as forgive.

To maintain the peace achieved and to promote harmony amongst the populace, Governor Matawalle decided to find a way of settling those-bandits who accepted the peace accord which was the bedrock of the present achievement of enthroning peace amongst the people. He initiated the establishment of Rural Grazing Areas (RUGA), one in each of the three Senatorial zones of the state. These are not ordinary RUGA known to many, but modern settlements with all modern facilities to support a modern way of cattle rearing and diary products development and production. The first of the three is under construction and is nearing completion. It is situated a few kilometres away from the historical town of Maradun.

Governor Matawalle yesterday, took the visiting Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Tukur Yusuf Buratai to the site. It was a wonderful journey into a new world of excellence for rearers in the state, one of its kind in the whole of West Africa. It is a settlement being erected on a land mass of nearly 2,500 hecters with complete network of roads. It is housing a large but segmented grazing areas where all seasonal and nutritious grasses will be planted for all year round grazing. It is equipped with water systems supported by overhead tanks and underground reservoir that can store 2 million and 21 million liters of water respectively. The site is surrounded by water canals and earth dams.

In order to make the settlement perfect for living, it has 57 prototype houses for the inhabitants who want to settle there to copy while a school is provided for them, a hospital, a veterinary clinic, a police outpost, a mini stadium for recreation as well as worshipping places.

Governor Matawalle said the project will soon be completed and it will serve as a genuine indication of his administrations commitment to the fulfilment of his promise to settle down all repentant bandits and attract those who are into modern animal fattening and diary production business.

This is just one of the many positive initiatives of fostering peace in post violence Zamfara State by Governor Bello Mohammed.

Bappa writes from Gusau
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday spoke to Uttarakhand chief minister Trivendra Singh Rawat over the phone to enquire about Covid-19 infected soldiers in the state and gave necessary directions to curb the spread of the virus in the state, officials said.

The development came after CM Rawat on Saturday indicated that so far a total of 110 army personnel have tested positive for Covid-19 in the state out of which about 100 cases have emerged in the past 3 to 4 days.

According to an official in the state secretariat privy to the development, PM Modi spoke to CM Rawat in the afternoon in which he enquired about the health condition of the army personnel affected by Covid-19 virus.

During the conversation he asked the CM to provide every possible help to the army personnel in terms of treatment with proper coordination between the state government and army, said the official.

He said the CM assured the Prime Minister of providing all possible help to the Covid-19 affected army personnel and said, We are in constant touch with the army authorities and providing them with all the facilities required for treatment.

On Saturday, the CM had said, Contact tracing of the infected army personnel is being done which will not be so difficult as their travel history is specified.

During the conversation with PM Modi, he informed him that in the past few days the number of cases in the state have increased but the situation is under control.

JC Pandey, public relations officer for the Uttarakhand health department said that the health department is tracing the contacts of army personnel who have tested positive to ensure the virus doesnt spread further among their families.

Ten army personnel had tested positive on July 18, eight on July 1, one army staff tested positive on June 30 and two army personnel tested positive on June 13. In April, an army doctor had tested positive for Covid-19 from Chakrata area in Dehradun.

Later on Sunday evening the CM informed about the measures being taken to curb the spread including increasing the number of tests and surveillance.

The surveillance has been increased with the help of ASHA and Aanganwadi workers by moving house to house to check if anyone has any symptoms of the virus, he said.

In Uttar Kashi district surveillance has been done four times. In other districts including Nainital, Rudraprayag, Almora, Chamoli and Tehri Garhwal, it has been completed three times while in Bageshwar, Champawat, Pauri Garhwal and US Nagar it has been done twice. In the remaining three districts of Dehradun, Haridwar and Pithoragarh, it has been done once, said Rawat.

On increasing the number of tests in the state, he said, This week 2,487 samples were collected every day for testing in comparison to 1,660 samples taken per day last week. Also, our testing rate per million is 9,981 which is significant.

Till Saturday, Uttarakhand reported 4,276 Covid-19 cases of which 3,081 people have recovered while 1,108 are still active. Total number of deaths due to Covid-19 is 52 in the state.

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Is Phuket already on the path to recovery?

The effects of the COVID-19 pandemic have been far-reaching and unprecedented. The coronavirus quickly entered Phuket and wreaked havoc on public health and its tourism-fuelled economy. However, despite the concern surrounding Phukets future, Blue Horizon Developments CEO & founder, Andres Pira, firmly believes the island is already on the path to recovery.

religioneconomicsCOVID-19

By Advertorial

Sunday 19 July 2020, 10:00AM

The Blue Horizon team (www.BlueHorizon-Thailand.com).

Phuket has been through a lot, says Pira. When you look back at the financial crisis of 1997 or the tsunami of 2004, it is apparent that the island emerges from a crisis much stronger. COVID-19 will be no different.

Before the coronavirus was declared a pandemic by the WHO, it was predicted that Thailand would see 350,000 infections and 7,000 deaths by mid-April 2020. To ensure that those figures remained pessimistic projections, the Thai government declared a state of emergency and took stringent measures to contain the virus. Borders were closed, most Thai provinces were placed under lockdown, and a nationwide curfew was imposed.

Phuket underwent a more serious lockdown than other areas since the island had the highest number of coronavirus infections per capita in Thailand. Thus, businesses had to temporarily halt operations, including Blue Horizon Developments. With employees working remotely at limited capacity and its contractors unable to proceed with construction projects, the award-winning company suffered losses.

The President of Phuket Chamber of Commerce, Thanusak Phungdet, recently stated that Phuket is the hardest hit province in Thailand. It has already lost 120 billion in income and is expected to lose another 160 billion by year-end if the situation does not improve.

While many investors and developers wonder what the future holds, Pira is confident that the property market will improve by the first quarter of 2021. Thailand is among the few places in the world that have successfully kept the virus at bay, and Phuket is no exception, says the real estate tycoon, who praises the countrys leadership, community spirit and healthcare system in dealing with the pandemic. The economy and the property market will heal. This could be the longest and most painful recovery period to go through, but as with any crisis, COVID-19 offers opportunities for improvement.

Blue Horizon Developments resumed its operations at the beginning of July and is back in full swing. Aside from honouring professional commitments, both the companys CEO and employees have been giving back to Phukets residents after being inspired by their sense of community, especially during times of hardship.

Blue Horizon Developments has been showing its continued appreciation for Phuket by supporting over 700 underprivileged kids on the island through visa and work permit sponsorship for English teachers. The companys employees also distributed food and other necessities to nearby residents together with Andres Pira, who covered all the costs, to help those suffering from a loss of income.

My team has taken it upon themselves to clean the beaches around Phuket to make them even more stunning than they already are, says Pira beaming with pride. We hope to share some of the love and kindness we have received over the years from the generous locals, help ease their struggles, and make the island a more liveable place for everyone here and anyone looking to make Phuket their home. We would like to play our part in Phukets recovery from COVID-19.
Delhi Jal Board (DJB) vice-chairperson Raghav Chadha on Saturday visited northwest Delhis Palla region to inspect the boards project to install 200 tubewells to extract 25 MGD (million gallons per day) of water. This will be in addition to the existing 25 MGD extracted from the region.

Senior officials of the Jal Board said the water augmentation project being carried in the region will be in line with the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) governments vision to provide round-the-clock supply to all Delhi residents.

Chadha said the additional 25MGD water can be extracted in a sustainable manner from this region, as the extracted groundwater will be recharged during the flood season.

To bring about an overall improvement in the water management system of the DJB, this additional 25 MGD should be extracted and connected to the main supply to augment the distribution in north and northwest Delhi, Chadha said.

He said it is estimated that the work on the installation of 200 tubewells to extract 25MGD water will be completed in the next two years.

DJB officials said a 25-acre pond with a depth of 1.75 metres was also checked and 35 piezometers were installed around it to study the impact of water recharging during floods.

Many technical committees, researchers and scientists were brought to the table and they have all agreed that this project has the potential to increase the groundwater level, which can be extracted during the lean season to augment the supply in the national capital. Currently, the pilot project is being executed on 25 acres, which will be expanded to cover 1,000 acres, Chadha said.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-07-19 12:01:03|Editor: huaxia

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A primary school student attends an online class meeting from home in Beijing, capital of China, April 13, 2020. (Xinhua/Ju Huanzong)

BEIJING, July 19 (Xinhua) -- A survey by China Youth Daily found that 86.3 percent of Chinese people who were interviewed by the paper have the experience of working from home due to the COVID-19 epidemic and 63.7 percent of them believe telecommuting is the future of work.

Among the 2,002 respondents, the post-1980's generation accounted for 42.2 percent, followed by the post-1990's generation at 40.7 percent and the post-1970's generation at 9.7 percent.

While some said remote working has many benefits, such as greater flexibility, others pointed out that flexible working practice may have downsides like distractions.

According to the survey, 52 percent of the respondents think that telecommuting can improve the efficiency of remote workers, while 19 percent believe the opposite.

Teleworking supporters said remote work not only saves them commuting time but also eases traffic congestion and reduces their carbon footprint, which is a good way to going green.

Over half of the surveyed said working from home can help them better balance work and life. However, more than 50 percent of the respondents also pointed out that working from home may blur the lines between work and personal life.

About 41 percent of the surveyed said they found it more difficult to communicate with colleagues while working remotely. 
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday had a telephonic conversation with the chief ministers of Bihar, Assam, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand to discuss the COVID-19 situation in the respective states.

With the highest single-day spike of 38,902 cases reported in the last 24 hours, India's COVID-19 tally on Sunday reached 10,77,618 on Sunday.

The death toll has gone up to 26,816 with 543 fatalities reported in the last 24 hours.

The Union health ministry said the total number of cases includes 3,73,379 active cases and 6,77,423 patients have been cured/discharged/migrated.

Some of these states like -- Assam and Bihar -- have been tackling the annual floods during the monsoon season.

Modi assured all support to Assam in dealing with the flood havoc, which has claimed 81 lives so far this year.

Discussing the flood situation with Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal over phone, Modi also enquired about the COVID-19 scenario and the ongoing efforts to douse the raging blaze at the Oil India's Baghjan gas well.

All of these states have been witnessing a surge in coronavirus cases.

While Tamil Nadu is among the worst-hit states in the country, Assam, Bihar, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana have seen massive growth lately.

With inputs from PTI, agencies
Bain & Company has announced three new partner promotions in the Middle East, which features four office locations and a team of 300+ professionals.

Tom De Waele, who was named Managing Partner of Bain & Company Middle East effective January 1 2020, welcomed the new leadership team.

The three newly promoted partners are Eric Guraieb, Sami Abdul Rahman and Anne-Laure Malauzat.

Since joining Bain in 2003 in Brussels and later moving to the Middle East in 2008, De Waele has been renowned for his expertise across Financial Services in the GCC and Egypt, with emphasis on large-scale multi-year transformations and merger integrations for banks, insurance players and capital market actors.

He has also actively served prominent financial investor and private equity clients across Europe and the Middle East both on the deal-side and on a number of large post-acquisition value creation programs. His main areas of expertise include growth strategy, mergers & acquisitions including post-merger integration, end-to-end digital transformation of sales and service, simplification and cost optimization as well as organisation.

Eric Guraieb is an integral part of the firm's Energy & Natural Resources and Performance Improvement practices. His focus lies in R&D and innovation, economic development, as well as advising regional leaders in the Oil & Gas industry on national energy policies in the Middle East. He also has expertise in advising clients on new business ventures, strategy and operation performance improvement. He holds a broad base of consulting expertise acquired in North America and the Middle East, mainly in the industrial sector, where his mastery lies in energy, infrastructure and manufacturing. He holds an MBA from Insead and a Bachelors degree in industrial engineering from Concordia University in Montreal, Canada.

Sami Abdul Rahman is a core member of the firms Public Sector and Results Delivery practices with over 10 years of experience advising clients across key Middle Eastern Markets. He specialised in working with governments and ministries on critical topics such as national transformation, national and regional economic development, culture, tourism, sustainability and food security. He holds a BSc. in biology and bio-systems engineering from the American University of Beirut and a M Sc in water science from Auburn University, which he attended as a Fulbright Scholar.
An Outback Steakhouse restaurant in Pohang, North Gyeongsang Province / Korea Times file



By Park Jae-hyuk



Bain Capital has been mentioned as one of the strongest candidates to acquire Outback Steakhouse Korea from SkyLake Investment, because the U.S. private equity firm (PEF) is seriously reviewing its plan to buy a controlling stake in the Australian-themed casual dining restaurant chain's Korean operation, according to industry sources, Sunday.



Sources said Bain's Korean office is looking for a domestic partner for acquisition financing, since it has been shortlisted for the main bid and has finished a management presentation.



Bain has never invested in restaurant chains here, but its global headquarters and Catterton Partners had jointly acquired Bloomin' Brands in 2007 and exited the U.S. owner of the Outback brand in 2015.



Based on its global headquarters' understanding of the restaurant industry, Bain seems to be trying to achieve economies of scale here by acquiring Outback Korea and additional local food franchises. The lowered valuation of restaurant brands after the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic is expected to help Bain accomplish the goal.



Bain has expanded its presence in the Korean market, participating in various buyout deals.



It joined hands with Goldman Sachs in 2016 to acquire a 60 percent stake in Carver Korea for 430 billion won ($357 million). They sold the cosmetics firm to Unilever for 2.27 billion euros ($2.6 billion) the following year, so Bain presumably earned 1.5 trillion won from the deal. It also took over a controlling stake in a botulinum toxin producer Hugel for 930 billion won in 2017.



But some observers say it is still uncertain whether or not Bain would complete the Outback Korea takeover, considering it previously dropped out of several bids in Korea.



The company dropped out of the bids for Nexon, Coway and Tailim takeovers last year.



As for the Coway and Tailim deals, Bain withdrew from the bids after it was shortlisted for the main bids. During the Nexon deal, it was the first main bidder to drop out, among Kakao, Netmarble, MBK Partners and Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co. (KKR).



If Bain fails to find a partner that wants to form a consortium with it and take Outback Korea at the time of Bain's exit, the PEF will not continue its efforts to acquire the brand, according to the observers.



It is also expected to withdraw from the takeover bid for Outback Korea, if the seller demands a higher price than its estimation.



The restaurant chain's enterprise value is estimated at around 260 billion won, as its sales and operating profit last year jumped to 254.3 billion won and 16.7 billion won, respectively, from 195.5 billion won and 2.5 billion won in 2016 when SkyLake took over the entire stake in Outback's Korean subsidiary from Bloomin' Brands International for 57 billion won.



Closing underperforming stores and upgrading to a premium steak menu, SkyLake has reformed the brand that had suffered from the falling popularity of casual dining restaurants amid changing trends.



After seeing the earnings improvement, the Korean PEF selected Credit Suisse as the financial adviser to the sale of Outback Korea and opened the preliminary bid in late May. Samil PwC and Kim & Chang are in charge of accounting and legal advice for the deal, respectively.



According to industry sources, the preliminary bid attracted seven bidders, including Bain, Anchor Equity Partners, TA Associates and JP Morgan Asset Management. Both Anchor and TA have experience in acquiring food and beverage (F&B) franchises in Korea, as the foreign PEFs respectively took over A Twosome Place and Gong Cha Korea last year.



The main bid will likely take place next month at the latest.



The bidders have reportedly recognized Outback Korea for its delivery service it started in August last year, as it enabled the restaurant chain to see better-than-expected earnings in the first half despite COVID-19-triggered conditions.



But there still exists skepticism about Outback Korea.



An executive of one of Korea's leading PEFs said restaurant franchises are not attractive enough to make investments, because trends in the domestic F&B market are changing too quickly.



Analysts also expect PEFs will face problems selling their food franchises because of rapid minimum wage hikes and the economic slowdown, both of which have reduced the attractiveness of investing in restaurant franchises.



"Due to soaring rents, in addition to surging minimum wages and interest costs, restaurants have faced intensifying financial difficulties," Kiwoom Securities analyst Park Sang-joon said in a report.



Morgan Stanley PE, which bought Nolboo for 120 billion won in 2011, has not been successful in making an exit from the Korean-style restaurant brand for eight years, which is far longer than the average exit period of three to five years. Affirma Capital, which was formerly Standard Chartered Private Equity, failed in its attempt to exit Mad for Garlic in 2018.


Yes, the stock market will crash again. That's a 100% certainty. What isn't so certain is when it will happen. But you can bet on another market crash coming down the road, perhaps even this year.

If you do take that bet, though, make sure you hold some cash to the side. Major market downturns create excellent buying opportunities. You can especially scoop up shares of dividend stocks at lower prices and lock in higher yields. Here are three fantastic dividend stocks to buy when the market crashes again.

Brookfield Infrastructure

You have a couple of alternatives with Brookfield Infrastructure. Brookfield Infrastructure Partners (NYSE:BIP) is a limited partnership (LP) that offers a juicy dividend yield of close to 4.5%. Earlier this year, the company gave investors a gift by creating a new entity, Brookfield Infrastructure Corporation (NYSE:BIPC). They're economically equivalent and pay the same dividend. But because of its share price, Brookfield Infrastructure Corporation's dividend yield stands at close to 4.1%.

What's the difference between the two (aside from the small difference in dividend yields)? They have different tax implications. Also, some retirement accounts and indexes don't allow LPs. Otherwise, the same reasons for buying apply to both stocks. And there are plenty of reasons to invest in either Brookfield Infrastructure entity in addition to the attractive dividend yield.

Brookfield Infrastructure is remarkably diversified. It owns infrastructure assets across multiple sectors -- data, energy, transport, and utilities. These assets are also diversified geographically across four regions, with no region generating more than 30% of total cash flow. This diversification makes the company resilient to macroeconomic headwinds.

Don't think Brookfield Infrastructure is just a boring low-growth stock, though. The company continually reevaluates its assets, selling lower-performing ones and reinvesting in more promising ones. Whenever the market plunges again, an investment in either of the Brookfield Infrastructure stocks will give you solid long-term growth prospects plus a strong dividend, which should add up to market-beating total returns.

Brookfield Renewable Partners

Brookfield Renewable Partners (NYSE:BEP) is a sibling of Brookfield Infrastructure. The companies are managed by the same partner, Brookfield Asset Managers. Brookfield Renewable is also a limited partnership. And it pays a strong dividend that currently yields close to 4.1%.

As its name hints, Brookfield Renewable focuses on renewable energy. It owns hydroelectric, solar, and wind power-generation facilities plus energy storage facilities. Roughly 75% of the company's funds from operations (FFO) has been made from generating hydroelectric power in the past. But Brookfield Renewable is beefing up its solar and wind assets through an acquisition of TerraForm.

Fossil-fuel energy is going the way of the dinosaurs (which, by the way, didn't produce fossil fuels -- they come from dead plants). That's not happening only because of environmental concerns. Renewable energy sources such as solar and wind are already more cost-effective than natural gas and other fossil fuels.

Brookfield Renewable thinks that it can deliver average annual returns of at least 12% and up to 15%. If you get a chance to buy the stock at a discount during a market crash, your returns would likely be even higher.

AbbVie

At last, we have a great dividend stock to buy in the next market crash that isn't named Brookfield. AbbVie (NYSE:ABBV) offers a dividend yield of 4.7% -- the highest of the group. It's also a Dividend Aristocrat with 47 consecutive years of dividend increases under its belt.

I'll admit that AbbVie might seem like somewhat riskier than the Brookfield companies. The company relies heavily on immunology drug Humira. Within the next three years, Humira's sales will begin to fall significantly as biosimilar rivals enter the U.S. market.

However, AbbVie seems to have a pretty good plan to cope with the anticipated sales decline for Humira. The company has built up an impressive roster with fast-rising stars including blood cancer drugs Imbruvica and Venclexta and new immunology drugs Rinvoq and Skyrizi.

In addition, AbbVie's recent acquisition of Allergan gives it additional cash flow that makes it less dependent on Humira. Allergan's blockbuster Botox franchise is its crown jewel. AbbVie also picked up new products with great potential, including antipsychotic drug Vraylar. The pharma stock isn't likely to deliver tremendous growth over the next few years, but it's one that income-seeking investors might want to snag when the next market downturn comes.
Police raised a purple flag warning citizens they may be breaching a recently passed National Security Order at a protest at a mall in Yuen Long, Hong Kong, on 19 July.

Live video recorded by SocRec, an activist organisation that have been covering protests in Hong Kong for some time, shows people protesting in the Yoho Mall. Later footage shows police gathering and closing off a section of the mall outside a Dior store.

Earlier that day protesters had been in Yuen Long station to mark the anniversary of the Yuen Long train station mob attack of July 2019.

SocRec said that police were in the mall to intercept Yuen Long District Councillors for violating the 5GG Prevention and Control of Disease (Prohibition on Group Gathering) Regulation.

Later a purple flag was raised by police. The flag warns people that they may be breaching the new National Security Order for Hong Kong and may be subject to arrest and prosecution, the South China Morning Post reported. Credit: SocREC  via Storyful
The official IRNA news agency has reported an explosion at a power plant in Iran's central Isfahan Province, but says there were no casualties.

There have been several explosions and fires around Iranian military, nuclear, and industrial facilities since late June.

The managing director of the Isfahan power company told IRNA on July 19 the blast was caused by a worn-out transformer at the plant.



It comes days after several vessels caught fire on July 15 at the Iranian port of Bushehr on the Persian Gulf.

Two explosions rocked the capital, Tehran, in late June, one near a military site and the other in a health center, the latter killing 19 people.

A fire also broke out at the underground Natanz nuclear facility on July 2.

Iran's top security body said on July 3 that the cause of the Natanz fire had been determined but would be announced at a later time.

Some Iranian officials said it could have been a cyberattack, and one warned that Tehran would retaliate against any country carrying out such attacks.

In an article in early July, IRNA addressed what it called the possibility of sabotage by enemies such as Israel and the United States, although it stopped short of accusing either directly.

Israel's defense minister said on July 5 his country was not "necessarily" behind every mysterious incident in Iran.

Based on reporting by Reuters
Longtime Trump ally, whose prison sentence was recently commuted by the president, denied using the derogatory term.

Roger Stone, a political operative whose 40-month prison sentence was commuted earlier this month by United States President Donald Trump, his longtime friend, has used the racial slur Negro on-air while verbally sparring with a Black Los Angeles-based radio host.

The exchange happened on Saturday on The MoKelly Show, whose host, Morris OKelly, grilled Stone on his conviction for lying to Congress, tampering with witnesses and obstructing the House investigation into whether Trumps campaign colluded with Russia to win the 2016 election.

During the interview, OKelly asserted that Stones commutation was because of his friendship with Trump. Stones voice then goes faint  but he can be heard muttering that he was arguing with this Negro.

OKelly then asks Stone to repeat the comment, but Stone goes momentarily silent.

The first part of Stones statement was not entirely audible, but the radio programme transcribed the complete sentences as: I cant believe Im arguing with this Negro.

OKelly persisted on having Stone respond.

Im sorry youre arguing with whom? I thought we were just having a spirited conversation. What happened? OKelly said. You said something about Negro.

Stone said he had not. Youre out of your mind, he said.

OKelly said on his programmes website: Stone could have reached for any pejorative, but unfortunately went there, adding that Stone offered an unfiltered, unvarnished one-sentence expression of how he saw the journalist interviewing him.





OKelly characterised Negro as the low-calorie version of the N-Word.

Stones lawyer on Sunday said he was unaware of the broadcast and had no immediate comment.

The Republican operative had been sentenced to 40 months in prison for charges that included witness tampering and lying to investigators probing alleged collusion between Russia and Trumps campaign for president in 2016. Trump, however, commuted his sentence on July 10, just days before Stone was to report for detention.

During the programme, Stone said the president acted out of compassion and the jury that weighed his case was tainted.

I did not get a fair trial, Stone said.

My life was in imminent danger, Stone said, saying he was at risk of being infected by the coronavirus in prison. I think the president did this as an act of compassion. He did it as an act of mercy.

At one time, Negro was common in the American vernacular to describe African Americans. By the late 1960s, the word was scorned by activists in favour of such descriptors as Black. These days, the antiquated word is widely viewed as derogatory.
The 75-year-old required a tracheostomy  a tube directly into the throat  and on multiple occasions was presumed to have just hours left to live. So ravaged was his body that he had to relearn how to walk.

His fight has become legendary in the corridors of Sunshine Hospital, where "reinvigorated" doctors and nurses know from Jim's experience that no matter how dire, "we can get people to the other side".

Jim Fenech at his home in Melbourne West with son Jason. "It hits me hard when I talk about it, Im telling you," Jason says. Credit:Penny Stephens

The rocknroll-loving former steel worker spent 45 days on a ventilator in Sunshine Hospital ICU and another 56 recovering in the COVID-19 and rehabilitation wards in what may be our most astonishing coronavirus comeback yet.

On July 6, Jim walked from hospital to a world vastly changed from the one he left on March 28, when people were still waking up to the crisis to come.

Unconscious through the worst of his stay, Jim is spared the memories of his near demise, but for his adult children, Jason and Susan, recounting the journey is enough to bring them to tears.

"That was the worst six weeks of our lives, mate," Jason says of his father's time in ICU, when no one could visit.

"The last conversation we had I said, Dad, youve always told us to be strong. Now its your turn. What you told me is what Im telling you.'

"I said, 'I know youre struggling to talk, but I want you to listen: me and Susan, we want to thank you for everything youve done for us. We love you. We will always love you. But youve got to fight now. You make sure we see each other again.'
Your browser does not support the audio element.

From the first 'banh mi' store launched in Japan in October 2016, two Vietnamese brothers have successfully expanded their business model to two more locations in the East Asian country as of June this year, turning the iconic Vietnamese stuffed baguette into a local favorite.

Bui Thanh Duy, 34, and Bui Thanh Tam, 29, are the two Vietnamese co-founders and owners of these Banh Mi Xin Chao (Hello Banh Mi) shops, selling 'banh mi'  a world-famous Vietnamese dish consisting of a baguette typically stuffed with cold cuts, pate, vegetables, mayonnaise, and optional chilies.

Their successful business has commanded the attention of many Japanese media outlets, including the Japan Broadcasting Corporation (NHK), whose reports ended up drawing an even bigger crowd to the brothers' stores.

Duy and Tam have opened three Banh Mi Xin Chao stores in Japan as of June, including two in Tokyo and another franchise in Kobe City on Honshu Island, Hyogo Prefecture.

"Funding is the biggest challenge we faced when launching more branches," Tam told Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper about the difficulties they encountered in the early days to expand their business in Japan.

"A new store often costs a huge amount so we had to put a lot of effort into getting everything on track."

Japanese actor Horii Arata (center) from the national broadcaster NHK poses with Vietnamese brothers Bui Thanh Tam and Bui Thanh Duy in front of one of the duo's Banh Mi Xin Chao stores in Tokyo, Japan in a supplied photo taken in early 2020. Photo: Duy Tam

The brothers' latest success was the opening of their first franchised store in Kobe last month, which is already generating profit after less than a month of operation.

It also realized Banh Mi Xin Chao's dream of expanding their business through franchising after three years.

In fact, many partners have offered to become a franchisee since 2018 but until last month none of the negotiations had came to fruition.

The novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic also had a very negative impact on the brothers' business during the early days of the outbreak in Japan.

The most difficult days for Banh Mi Xin Chao came when Japan decided to close its borders and suspended international flights to curb the spread of COVID-19.

Their latest store, which is located at a tourist attraction in Kobe with only a small population, faced a tough challenge when its revenue fell by 50 percent during the period, according to the owners.

Amid the health crisis, the two young businessmen sat down to brainstorm what changes they must make in order for their business model to overcome the ravages of the global pandemic.

The duo then launched various initiatives, such as serving take-away 'banh mi,' offering delivery, rolling out promo codes and coupons, and partnering with well-known local food delivery apps to maximize sales.

Thanks to the quality of their food and these promptly adopted measures, Banh Mi Xin Chao ended up raking in revenues comparable to pre-pandemic levels, sometimes even higher, despite being at the epicenter in Tokyo.

Apart from their own efforts, the two young men have received timely support from the Japanese government in the form of tax breaks and rental assistance programs.

Bui Thanh Tam (right) and his wife stand in a Banh Mi Xin Chao store in Tokyo, Japan. Tam's wife is holding a glass of 'ca phe sua da,' or Vietnamese-style iced coffee mixed with sweetened condensed milk). Photo: Cong Nhat / Tuoi Tre

Diners visiting Banh Mi Xin Chao have the chance to not only enjoy its iconic stuffed baguette but also to taste many other Vietnamese specialties including Vietnamese-style coffee and 'mi Quang' (Quang-style noodle soup)  a famous dish from central Vietnam.

Duy and Tam have partnered with some companies that specialize in exporting coffee to Europe and the U.S. to produce a brand of Banh Mi Xin Chao coffee exclusively for the Japanese market.

According to the brothers, this is a niche market that has enormous potential waiting to be leveraged.

Banh Mi Xin Chao said it has built up a stable customer base for these products, 50 to 80 percent of whom are Japanese.

Two Japanese diners hold up their drinks while sitting in front of their loaves of 'banh mi' at a Banh Mi Xin Chao store in Tokyo, Japan. Photo: Cong Nhat / Tuoi Tre

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Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Sunday sharpened his attack on the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) with a three-pronged criticism of the government on a number of issues he has been raising already.

Hours before, Rahul Gandhi had tweeted his criticism of the Centre over its handling of the face-off with China in eastern Ladakh last month, saying India will pay a huge price because of the governments cowardly actions.

On Sunday, the former Congress president added the coronavirus pandemic, Indias economy and the border stand-off with China to his list yet again.

BJP has institutionalised lies. 1. Covid19 by restricting testing and misreporting deaths. 2. GDP by using a new calculation method. 3. Chinese aggression by frightening the media, Gandhi posted.

He also repeated his warning from Saturday.

The illusion will break soon and India will pay the price, he said.

The Wayanad lawmaker and his party have been raising these issues relentlessly and calling out the government over what they have said is the mishandling of the situations facing the country.

Gandhi had issued a video on Twitter to talk about several aspects of the governments policies that he said the Centre has destroyed over the last six years and resulted in the present action by the Chinese.

Since 2014, the PMs constant blunders and indiscretions have fundamentally weakened India and left us vulnerable. Empty words dont suffice in the world of geopolitics, Gandhi tweeted on Friday.

That day he gave three reasons behind Chinas aggressive stance against India as both the neighbours have clashed on its border in eastern Ladakh in the last few months taking their ties to a new low.
Will there be a second stimulus check? It's the question on everyone's mind as lawmakers have been debating the issue since May. Under the CARES Act, Americans were eligible for up to $1,200 per adult plus up to $500 per dependent in stimulus cash. The bulk of that money has already been disbursed, and it's fair to say that much of it has already been spent.

In May, Democratic lawmakers introduced the HEROES Act, which calls for a comparable stimulus to the one that went out under the CARES Act. (In fact, it's a bit more generous because it calls for $1,200 for dependents, as well -- up to three per household.) But the HEROES Act has been stalled in the Senate, and Republican lawmakers have made it clear that they have no intension of voting it in.

In fact, at one point, it seemed like Americans' chances of getting a second stimulus were pretty low. But here's why an additional round of payments could, indeed, come through.

1. The COVID-19 crisis is worsening

In May, the COVID-19 outbreak was largely contained to the Northeast, and cases seemed to be going down, thanks to the lockdown measures that were implemented nationwide. But now, COVID-19 cases are skyrocketing, and during the course of July, the outbreak has worsened rather than gotten better. And while it's too soon to know if we'll be looking at a second extreme lockdown that mimics the first, we can't write off that possibility -- and that alone could push lawmakers to agree to a second stimulus check.

2. States are already imposing further restrictions

Many states have paused their reopening plans in light of the uptick in COVID-19 cases, and some are already starting to impose additional restrictions. Louisiana is shutting down bars. In California, many counties have been forced to close indoor restaurants, movie theaters, and museums. And New Mexico is putting a ban on indoor dining, as well.

All of this means one thing: Our economic recovery is unlikely to be smooth or quick, and as restrictions increase, more jobs are likely to be lost. And a higher jobless rate means added relief is certainly needed.

3. The unemployment rate is still very high

Lawmakers have used May and June's lower jobless rates to fuel the argument that a second stimulus is unnecessary. But that's a weak argument in the face of double-digit unemployment.

Before the pandemic, the unemployment rate was 3.5%. Based on June's jobs report, it's 11.1%. That's an unsettlingly high number even during a recession. Given the potential for added job loss due to a surge in COVID-19 cases, it's easy to make the argument that a second stimulus check is a must.

4. The confluence of flu and COVID-19 could result in additional shutdowns

Though some health experts had initially hoped that warmer weather would slow the spread of COVID-19, that clearly hasn't happened. But dire as the situation may be now, let's think about what things might look like starting in October, when flu season traditionally kicks off.

At that point, the double threat could be enough to prompt schools to close and additional businesses to shut down out of an abundance of caution. Once that happens, parents lose child care, which compromises their income, and workers risk layoffs. A second stimulus check could go a long way in mitigating financial stress in light of these scenarios.

When the Senate reconvenes in the coming week, the topic of a second stimulus check will no doubt be on the agenda. It's too soon to say with certainty that Americans will be in line for a follow-up stimulus, but based on the factors above, there's a good chance some additional relief will be on the way.
MEXICO CITY - Farmers once again clashed with Mexican military forces Sunday to protest releases of water from a dam to repay a water debt owed to the United States.

Video posted by congressman Mario Mata Carrasco showed tear gas canisters being fired over the heads of protesters at the Las Virgines dam in in the northern border state of Chihuahua. A line of military police and National Guard trucks could be seen at the dam.

Farmers in Chihuahua say they need the water for local crops, and the state government said it had reached an agreement to halt water releases from the dam until talks could be held Tuesday.

But Mexicos National Water Commission said there was enough water for local crops like tree nuts, watermelons, chile, onions and alfalfa, and that the releases were ongoing.

Under a 1944 treaty, Mexico owes the United States about 415,000 acre-feet (512 million cubic meters) yearly that must be paid by Oct. 24. Payment is made by releasing water from dams in Mexico. Mexico has fallen badly behind in payments from previous years and now has to quickly catch up on water transfers.

Mexico receives more water than it gives to the U.S. under the treaty, which governs the flow of border and cross-border rivers including the Colorado to the west.

The issue has resulted in clashes before.

In March, protesters burned pickup trucks, blocked roads and demonstrated at the La Boquilla dam, also in Chihuahua.

Earlier this year, President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador said there was enough water both for local farmers and payments to the United States.

We do not want an international conflict, the president said. Treaties have to be lived up to. If we have signed a treaty, we have to comply with it.
Bavaria was among Germany's hardest hit regions early on in the pandemic, partly because of residents coming back from ski holidays in coronavirus hotspots in Austria

The German state of Bavaria will soon start offering free coronavirus tests at airports for people returning from holiday, state premier Markus Soeder said Sunday.

Germany has fared better than many of its neighbours in suppressing the virus but concerns are mounting that travellers returning from abroad could bring a surge in new COVID-19 cases.

"I think we really need to focus on these returning holidaymakers," Soeder told broadcaster ZDF.

He said local authorities were working on installing testing centres at Bavarian airports "where anyone can be tested for free any time".

The scheme is expected to be up and running within days.

Bavaria is home to Munich airport, Germany's second-largest after Frankfurt, as well as several smaller airports.

Frankfurt airport also has a coronavirus testing centre but the service there costs between 59 and 139 euros ($67-159).

The southern state of Bavaria was among Germany's hardest hit regions early on in the pandemic, partly because of residents coming back from ski holidays in coronavirus hotspots in Austria.

A beer festival in the Bavarian town of Mitterteich shortly before the March lockdown began has also been blamed for contributing to the spread.

Since then however Bavarian state premier Soeder has won widespread praise for his handling of the crisis, including resisting calls for a premature easing of coronavirus restrictions.

Soeder, who is also the leader of Chancellor Angela Merkel's Bavarian CSU sister party, has seen his poll ratings soar as a result.

He is now Germans' preferred candidate to succeed Merkel after she steps down next yeareven though he is not officially in the running.

Soeder has repeatedly said "my place is in Bavaria" but observers believe he may yet join the race.

 2020 AFP
Japan government would now pay companies to move factories out of China and establish them back at home or in other Southeast Asian countries. This move is part of a new programme to reduce dependence of manufacturing on China and to secure supply chains.

According to a report in Bloomberg, 57 companies including facemask-maker Iris Ohyama Inc and Sharp Corp would receive 57.4 billion yen or $536 million in subsidies from the government. Thirty other firms would receive money to move factories to Vietnam, Myanmar, Thailand and other Southeast Asian countries, stated the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry. It has not provided information on the compensation that would be extended to these companies.

The Japanese government will spend 70 billion yen in this round. The payments would come from the 243.5 billion yen that was earmarked to reduce dependency on Chinese supply chains.

Japan is not the only country to take such a decision. As US-China relations deteriorate, there have been discussions in the US and elsewhere to reduce dependency on China. Even Taiwan is aiming to bring back investment from China. Chinese companies in India have also faced backlash after the India-China border tensions. The government banned 59 Chinese apps, including TikTok, UC Browser, Shein and more. The government has also rescinded several contracts to Chinese firms over security concerns.

This move is also significant for Japan-China relations, as the latter is Japan's biggest trading partner. Japanese companies have massive investments in China. The coronavirus pandemic has soured ties between the two countries.

Recently, Japan's annual defence review accused China of pushing its territorial claims amid the pandemic. It suspects Beijing of spreading propaganda and disinformation as it provides medical aid to nations battling the disease. China "is continuing to attempt to alter the status quo in the East China Sea and the South China Sea," Japan said in the defence white paper, approved by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's government.

Also read: 'India engages China on more equal terms': Foreign Minister Jaishankar hits back at Rahul Gandhi

Also read: US firms losing confidence in China, India rising as big competitor: Top WH official
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The seeds of discord in Rajasthan, observers have noted, were not sown in July this year, nor during the Rajya Sabha bypolls last month. It was way back in 2018, when the Congress had managed to win the Assembly elections there.

In a state that switches between the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Congress every five years, the Grand Old Party had managed to win 100 seats to BJP's 73 in a 200-member Assembly. This was no hung election, and Congress had come out as a clear winner. Clarity, however, was lacking on the other front  the chief ministerial candidate.

The tussle, political experts had then said, was between the so-called 'young camp' and the 'old camp', represented by Sachin Pilot and Ashok Gehlot respectively. Then, the debate had raged on about the opportunities or the lack thereof that the Congress offered to its young leaders, considered close to Rahul Gandhi, and the bias it showed towards those considered close to Sonia Gandhi.

Eventually, however, the debate then, as it does now, boiled down to the fate of the party, and the path it wants to adopt in future. Would it hand over the reins to the 'young guns' Pilot (Rajasthan) and Jyotiraditya Scindia in Madhya Pradesh, thus signalling a change of times within the party? Or would it go with the experienced, family loyalist 'old guard', nodding towards a status quo?

Sachin Pilot_Ashok Gehlot_Rahul Gandhi

The party went with the latter, the much-maligned 'old guard'. In effect, Gehlot and Kamal Nath two seasoned politicians became the Chief Ministers of Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh respectively. While Pilot was made Deputy CM, Scindia had turned down the position in MP. The sulking, according to reports, started then and has imploded now.

In March, Scindia rebelled and joined the BJP, taking along with him his loyalists within Congress and the state government. Kamal Nath resigned, paving way for the BJP to form government in the state. Shivraj Singh Chouhan returned as the CM with substantial presence of Congress turncoats within his cabinet.

Over four months since that rebellion, Pilot, the other Congress 'young turk', has followed a similar script. Except that Gehlot doesn't seem to be in any mood to resign, and has in fact proceeded to show his strength by marching over 109 legislators in his support.

As with anything that is politics, however, things don't seem that simple and the crisis has not ended yet.

How did it come to this?

The power tussle between Pilot and Gehlot has been on for a long time, but it became increasingly visible before the 2018 Assembly polls, and continued after Congress clenched a victory.

Ever since the party's win in Rajasthan, Pilot loyalists have said it is because of their leader's groundwork that Congress managed to win the state. However, they have repeatedly claimed that Pilot did not receive his due.

The two camps have had a number of flashpoints ever since, including during the portfolio allocation and the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, when Gehlot wanted his son Vaibhav to be fielded. During the one-year celebration of the Gehlot government, Pilot claimed that the state government did not showcase the achievements of his ministry. The two camps also had a falling out over the infant deaths in Kota.

Sachin Pilot and Ashok Gehlot

The recent point of contention, according to reports, was the issuance of notices by Rajasthan Police to Gehlot, Pilot and the government chief whip, seeking time from them to record their statements over an alleged bid to destabilise the state government. Reports suggest that this, for Pilot, was the last straw, but Congress leaders in the state and in Delhi have claimed that Pilot had been plotting the fall of Gehlot government way before this issue had surfaced.

To substantiate their claims, the Gehlot camp reportedly released audio tapes of purported conversations between senior Congress leaders loyal to Pilot and leaders from the BJP discussing a bid to topple the state government. While the authenticity of the tapes is yet to be ascertained, Congress has gone on to say that the tapes are, in fact, "just a teaser".

Two First Information Reports (FIRs) under Sections 124A and 120B have also been reportedly lodged by the Special Operations Group (SOG) of Rajasthan after the tapes emerged, and an investigation has been launched.

Meanwhile, Congress moved to sack Pilot from his post as the deputy CM and president of the state unit of the party.

The technical and the legal

As with political crises such as these, things have also taken a technical and legal turn.

First, the technical: after Pilot and 18 dissident MLAs failed to show up for the Congress Legislative Party (CLP) meeting called by Gehlot, Rajasthan Assembly Speaker CP Joshi sent them a notice asking them why they cannot be disqualified.

In its complaint to the Speaker, the Congress had sought action against Pilot and the other dissidents under paragraph 2 (1) (a) of the Tenth Schedule of the Constitution. The provision disqualifies MLAs if they voluntarily give up membership of the party which they represent in the House.

Sachin Pilot and Ashok Gehlot

The Congress has claimed that this is the inference that can be drawn from the conduct of the MLAs. Pilot's camp, however, has argued that they have not defied any whip, since a whip can only be defied when Assembly is in session.

The dissident camp then moved Rajasthan High Court, challenging the notice seeking their disqualification. In the writ petition, the MLAs said they continue to owe allegiance to the Congress and are not seeking to defect to any other party. But the petition made clear that they opposed the manner in which Gehlot functioned.

The Pilot camp got a four-day breather on July 17 after the high court extended the hearing into their petition to next week. Until then, Speaker Joshi will not take any action on the disqualification notices.

Who are the main players in the crisis and what do they stand to lose/gain?

Sachin Pilot

A former Union Minister in the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government, Pilot had a measured response to Scindia's exit back in March. Terming it as "unfortunate", Pilot had said then he wished "things could have been resolved collaboratively within the party".

According to a report by The Print, Pilot, in fact, had been planning his rebellion to be "synchronised" with Scindia's revolt. Reportedly, a hotel had also been booked to accommodate the dissident legislators in March, but the lockdown announced due to the COVID-19 outbreak in India put the plan on hold.

But that is where the similarities between Scindia and Pilot end, according to experts. Pilot has the backing of the influential Gujjar caste in Rajasthan, unlike Scindia who did not have a caste base. Moreover, for Scindia, it was easier to take away his loyalists and engineer a fall of Kamal Nath government because Congress' majority in Madhya Pradesh was thin.

Pilot, however, stares at a long road ahead, considering that Gehlot seems to have the required numbers, at least for now. While Pilot claims to have the support of 19 MLAs, that might not be enough to topple the Congress government, even with the backing of the BJP and its allies. Which is also why the BJP has not, so far, demanded a floor test even as Pilot claimed that the Gehlot government is in minority.

The 42-year-old also reportedly had three demands that he put before the Congress high command. Pilot, according to a report by Hindustan Times, wanted to be declared the Chief Ministerial face in 2022, a year before Rajasthan goes to polls. He also wanted all of his loyalists, or the MLAs who had rebelled along with him, to be accommodated in the state cabinet.

The third and final demand, according to the report, was for the removal of Avinash Pande, Congress' Rajasthan in-charge and a general secretary of the party. Senior leadership of the party, according to reports, turned down the demands, terming them as "blackmail".

Ashok Gehlot

Ashok Gehlot

The magician-turned-politician can still, it seems, conjure up a charm when required. This Gehlot displayed when, even as it seemed his government was on a brink of collapse, the 69-year-old submitted a list of 104 MLAs supporting him and his government to the Governor.

When the crisis started, Gehlot, who has been a party veteran and a Gandhi family loyalist, not just risked losing his chief ministerial position but also his standing within the party. But it wasn't as if he was unprepared. The rift between him and Pilot is well-known, and experts have suggested that Gehlot could have been preparing for such a crisis at some point, particularly after Scindia's rebellion.

Gehlot has been known to be a mass leader in Rajasthan, and enjoys the support of a chunk of the party's legislators and leadership in the state. This showdown with Pilot, observers state, has worked in cementing his reputation within the party as someone who enjoys considerable support and can quell rebellion when required. With Pilot's dismissal as the deputy CM and state party chief, Gehlot has also eliminated an immediate threat to him within the party ranks.

Vasundhara Raje

Raje, who has served as the CM of the state twice, has been conspicuous by her absence during the crisis, and has maintained stoic silence over the issue. However, giving fodder to similar speculations doing the rounds, Lok Sabha Member of Parliament (MP) Hanuman Beniwal alleged that Raje was trying to save the Gehlot government.

"Former CM Vasundhara Raje has been trying her best to save the Ashok Gehlot government, which is in minority. Many MLAs of the Congress were called up by her in this regard," Beniwal, who is a BJP ally in the state, claimed in a tweet.

According to reports, Raje wields considerable influence within the state BJP and has support of most of the saffron party's MLAs in Rajasthan. She is also known to be at loggerheads with the central leadership of the party, particularly Home Minister Amit Shah and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Pilot has meanwhile alleged that Gehlot and his government have been protecting Raje.

"Raje had allotted herself a government bungalow in Jaipur for life in 2017," Pilot alleged, according to reports. "The high court had cancelled this order by her government but instead of getting the bungalow vacated, the state government challenged the HC order in the Supreme Court," he added.

So, what next?

The Rajasthan High Court will resume the hearing on the disqualification notices at 10 am on July 20 and Speaker C P Joshi will not take any action on the disqualification notices till 5.30 pm on July 21.

This has come as a breather for Pilot and the rebel MLAs. However, everything depends on how the numbers are currently stacked up, and against whom. For now, Gehlot has managed to show that he has the majority, but he is balancing on a thin line.

Congress had won 100 seats during the 2018 Assembly polls. That was followed by another seat in a by-election, and the induction of six Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) legislators, taking the overall tally to 107. Congress' current strength, minus the 19 dissident MLAs, stands at 88.

New chief of Rajasthan Pradesh Congress Committee Govind Singh Dotasara with Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot. (Image: Twitter/@ashokgehlot51)

For the state government to survive, it requires 101 legislators to vote for it and Gehlot has claimed that along with Congress' MLAs, Independents and members of smaller parties, it still crosses the magic number.

The BJP, meanwhile, has the support of 75 MLAs. Of these, 72 are its own and three are from Beniwal-led Rashtriya Loktantrik Party (RLP). In the event of a trust vote, even if the 19 rebel MLAs decide to vote for BJP, its tally adds up to 94 seven short of the magic number. But then without the Independents and the smaller parties' support, the Congress government cannot stand on its own unless Gehlot has another trick hidden up his sleeve.
Senior Trinamool Congress leader Derek O'Brien on Sunday wrote to the Civil Aviation Ministry, urging it to ensure that Air India withdraws its decision to send a section of its employees on leave without pay for up to five years.

Terming it an "inhuman scheme" which is in sharp contrast to the Centre's earlier advisories, the TMC national spokesperson said the government has shown a complete lack of empathy and refusal to acknowledge the selfless service of Air India employees during the COVID-19 pandemic.

In the letter to Union Minister of State for Civil Aviation Hardeep Singh Puri, he said that about 150 Air India employees have tested COVID-19 positive so far.

"The scheme is in sharp contrast with the central government's earlier advisories directing all states to mandate that employers in all industries, shops and establishments must pay their workers without any deduction during the period of lockdown," he said.

The leader of the TMC in the Rajya Sabha said that the compulsory leave without pay scheme is unprecedented in the history of public sector undertakings in India.

Holding that the process of formulating the scheme "could not have been more undemocratic", he said that "no one was involved to advocate or argue or look out for the employees' interest during its formulation".

He wrote that the scheme denies workers their right to life and livelihood and highly arbitrary in the present situation.

Later, Hardeep Puri clarified that the scheme is 'voluntary'.

An opposition MP wrote a letter to me describing a VOLUNTARY Leave Without Pay Scheme of an airline as inhuman! The 'cause' was also taken up either separately or in pursuance by another MP & a famous journalist who have their spouse/partner employed by the airline. pic.twitter.com/4WGjR052sJ Hardeep Singh Puri (@HardeepSPuri) July 19, 2020

(With inputs from PTI)
Washington, July 19 : The Attorney General for the US state of Oregon has filed a lawsuit against the federal government, accusing it of "unlawfully detaining" protesters, the media reported on Sunday.

The lawsuit filed by Oregon Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum on Saturday came after the deployment of federal agents in Portland, which according to the government was in an effort to restore order in the city which have witnessed nightly protests since the killing of George Floyd in police custody on May 25 in Minneapolis, reports the BBC.

In the lawsuit, Rosenblum requested a restraining order to stop agents from the Department of Homeland Security, US Marshals Service, US Customs and Border Protection and the Federal Protection Service from making any more arrests in the city.

"These tactics must stop," the BBC quoted Rosenblum as saying in a statement.

"They not only make it impossible for people to assert their First Amendment rights to protest peacefully, they also create a more volatile situation on our streets." Their methods, she added, are "entirely unnecessary and out of character with the Oregon way", the Attorney General added.

Besides the arrests, the federal agents, deployed by President Donald Trump, have also fired tear gas and less-lethal munitions into crowds of demonstrators.

Late Saturday night, protesters were seen dismantling a fence around the federal courthouse, hours after it was put up.

The US Attorney's office in Oregon said on Twitter that the fence aimed to "de-escalate tensions between protesters and law enforcement officials and asked people to leave it alone, the BBC reported.

Officers declared a riot outside the Portland Police Association building in the north of the city.

It was set on fire but the blaze has now been put out, police said.

Oregon Governor Kate Brown has also accused federal agents of a "blatant abuse of power".
Two members of Indian women's football team at AFC Asian Cup in Mumbai test positive for COVID-19, in isolation at medical care facility: AIFF.
Portland, Oregon, police declared a gathering Saturday night a riot after hundreds of demonstrators who have been protesting in the city since the death of George Floyd broke into a building and set it ablaze and started dumpster fires.

The protesters broke into the Portland Police Association at around 10:45 p.m. Saturday, police said, and "ignited a fire inside." That prompted police to declare the event a riot "due to the violent conduct of the large group creating a grave risk of public alarm." The fire inside the Portland Police Association building was put out a short time later.

"As the crowd was dispersed, several people in the crowd were arrested and officers were able to extinguish the fire," Portland Police said Sunday in a statement. "Portland Police did not use any CS gas," a commonly used term for tear gas.

However, several reporters and bystanders shared photos and videos on social media that they said show police using tear gas to help clear the area.

'Secret police force': Feds reportedly pull Portland protesters into unmarked vehicles, stirring outrage

Police chief resigns: Portland, Ore., police chief resigns after 6 months amid George Floyd protests

Earlier Saturday night, a different group of demonstrators gathered by the Portland Police Bureau's North Precinct and "taunted officers ... tampered with gates, broke patrol vehicle windows, and vandalized patrol vehicles," police said.

After protesters regrouped later at an intersection in North Portland, police said they tried to move the crowd south, when some "threw rocks, gopher gassers, and launched paint filled balloons at officers." Police said some officers were injured but did not provide specific details.

In a message posted to his Twitter account Sunday morning, President Donald Trump blamed local officials for the unrest.

"We are trying to help Portland, not hurt it," Trump tweeted. "Their leadership has, for months, lost control of the anarchists and agitators. They are missing in action. We must protect Federal property, AND OUR PEOPLE. These were not merely protesters, these are the real deal!"

Story continues

Homeland Security Secretary Chad Wolf blasted the protesters as lawless anarchists in a visit to the city on Thursday.

The Trump administration has enlisted the U.S. Marshals Special Operations Group and an elite U.S. Customs and Border Protection team based on the U.S.-Mexico border to protect federal property.

In response to the federal intervention, Democratic chairs of three House committees penned a joint letter that calls for the inspectors general for the Department of Justice and Department of Homeland Security to open an investigation on the use of force.

In the letter, Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerry Nadler, Homeland Security Committee Chairman Bennie Thompson, and Oversight and Reform Committee Chairwoman Carolyn Maloney said the Trump administration appears to have "increasingly abused emergency authorities to justify the use of force against Americans exercising their right to peaceful assembly."

The federal presence has been a point of tension for Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler and other local officials, who have bristled at the deployment of federal troops. Wheeler decried a small group of violent protesters for drowning out the message of peaceful protesters and said that the federal presence has aggravated an already-delicate climate in the city.

Protesters gather during a demonstration in Portland, Oregon, on July 16, 2020.

Keep your troops in your own buildings, or have them leave our city, Wheeler said Friday.

On Friday, Oregon Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum sued Homeland Security and the Marshals Service in federal court. The complaint claims that unidentified federal agents have taken people into custody "without warning or explanation, without a warrant, and without providing any way to determine who is directing this action."

Rosenblum, who equated the tactics to "being kidnapped," is seeking a temporary restraining order to "immediately stop federal authorities from unlawfully detaining Oregonians."

Tensions also escalated after an officer with the Marshals Service fired a less-lethal round at a protesters head on July 11, critically injuring him.

I told Acting Secretary Wolf that the federal government should remove all federal officers from our streets. His response showed me he is on a mission to provoke confrontation for political purposes. He is putting both Oregonians and local law enforcement officers in harms way.  Governor Kate Brown (@OregonGovBrown) July 16, 2020

On Saturday, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and U.S. Rep. Earl Blumenauer, D-Ore., issued a joint statement, criticizing the Trump administrations decision to deploy federal troops on protesters.

"We live in a democracy, not a banana republic," the statement said. "We will not tolerate the use of Oregonians, Washingtonians  or any other Americans  as props in President Trumps political games. The House is committed to moving swiftly to curb these egregious abuses of power immediately."

Saturday night's protest was just the latest incident in a weekend that had already been characterized by unrest. The protests are part of a larger nationwide movement for racial justice after Floyd's death May 25 while he was in police custody.

On Friday night, hundreds of people gathered for a vigil outside the Justice Center, which is downtown and between two federal buildings.

Dozens of protesters across the street entered two recently closed city parks by taking down a chain-link fence that had been restricting access.

The Oregonian/OregonLive reported that federal agents left a nearby office building and used impact munitions, stun grenades and tear gas to clear the area. The outlet said its journalists did not observe any incident that might have prompted the use of the weapons.

Contributing: Associated Press

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Portland police declare Saturday night protests as a riot
Source: Xinhua| 2020-07-19 12:04:06|Editor: huaxia

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BUENOS AIRES, July 18 (Xinhua) -- China's support and medical supplies to Argentina have been of vital importance to its fight against the novel coronavirus, as the country has continued the battle since March, a senior official has said.

"Thanks to this amount (of supplies) that we are receiving, we are going to start supplying all provincial and municipal hospitals soon," Maria Victoria Anadon, technical, legal and administrative deputy secretary of Health Ministry of the Buenos Aires Province, told Xinhua.

Noting the arrival on Thursday of a second ship carrying masks, gloves and hygiene coveralls from Shanghai, Anadon said the medical supplies they received have guaranteed that they can provide personal protective equipment and respirators of the highest quality for all the people in Buenos Aires.

The latest shipment is one of several batches of health supplies from China, and the next one is scheduled to arrive on July 27, the official added.

Anadon also told Xinhua about cooperation between the two countries during the pandemic.

Experts from east China's Zhejiang Province discussed the pandemic in the South American country and shared their experience in fighting the virus with Argentine health officials via video conference.

As the most populated region of Argentina, the Buenos Aires Province registered a total of 66,206 COVID-19 cases as of Saturday morning, accounting for more than 55 percent of the national total, according to local authorities.

Argentina registered its first COVID-19 case on March 3. As of Saturday, the country reported a total of 122,524 cases and 2,220 deaths. Enditem
Britain Must Call out China Over Abuses in Xinjiang: UK Foreign Secretary

The United Kingdom must call out the Chinese regime over its human rights abuses against Uyghur minorities in Xinjiang, British Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said.

It is clear that there are gross, egregious human rights abuses going on, which is why in Geneva at the U.N. we raised this with 27 partnersfirst time its been doneto call out the government of China for its human rights abuses of the Uyghurs, also of Hong Kong, Raab told the BBCs The Andrew Marr Show on Sunday.

According to figures cited by the U.S. Congressional-Executive Commission on China and the U.N., as many as 1 million Uyghurs and other ethnic minorities are believed to be detained in Chinese reeducation facilities.

Police officers patrol in Kashgar, western Xinjiang, China, on June 4, 2019. (Greg Baker/AFP/Getty Images)

Former Uyghurs detainees previously told The Epoch Times that they were subjected to torture, forced to denounce their faith, and forced to pledge loyalty to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) while held for unknown reasons in often overcrowded facilities. Uyghur women, meanwhile, have been subjected to forced sterilization, forced abortion, and coercive family planning, a recent report revealed.

And on July 1, U.S. Customs and Border Protection announced that the agency had seized 13 tons of products which had originated from Xinjiang and appeared to be made of human hair.

It is deeply, deeply troubling, said Raab. The human aspect of itfrom forced sterilization to re-education campsare reminiscent of something we have not seen for a long, long time.

In fact, we want a positive relationship, he said, but we cannot, we cannot see behavior like that and not call it out, albeit of course, with our partners in the right way.

Photo shows hair products shipped from China. U.S. Customs and Border Protection detains a shipment of hair products from China at the port of New York/Newark on July 1, 2020. (CBP)

The United States has already imposed sanctions on four Chinese officials involved in human rights abuses against Uyghurs, including the Xinjiang regions Party Secretary Chen Quanguo, who is a member of the CCPs powerful Politburo.

Earlier this month, Britain introduced new sanctions to target individuals involved in human rights abuses or organized crime.

The opposition Labour party and some backbench lawmakers in Prime Minister Boris Johnsons Conservative Party have said the sanctions should be used to target Chinese officials over human rights abuses in Xinjiang and the national security law for Hong Kong.

Also speaking on The Andrew Marr Show, Lisa Nandy, the Labour partys shadow foreign secretary, called the abuses in Xinjiang astonishing, adding that the UK has a role to play in this.

One very quick and simple thing that the UK government could and should be doing is to impose sanctions on Chinese officials who are involved in persecuting the Uyghur and they could do that tomorrow, she said.

Chinese ambassador to the UK, Liu Xiaoming, speaks to the gathered crowd in Trafalgar Square as people celebrate the Chinese Lunar New Year in central London, UK, on Feb. 18, 2018. (Justin Tallis/AFP/Getty Images)

The Chinese regime has threatened to retaliate against any such measures.

If UK government goes that far to impose sanctions on any individual in China, China will certainly make a resolute response to it, said Liu Xiaoming, Chinese ambassador to the UK, during the BBC program.

Youve seen what happens in the United Statesthey sanction Chinese officials, we sanction their senators, their officials. I do not want to see this tit-for-tat happen in  China-UK relations, he said.

In response, Dominic Raab denied that Britain would be too weak to challenge China through this channel.

Raab said he and Home Secretary Priti Patel have concluded a review of the UKs extradition arrangements with Hong Kong, and he will update the House of Commons on the governments further measures on Hong Kong and China on Monday.

Canada, Australia and the United States have already suspended their extradition treaties with Hong Kong in response to the national security law, which criminalizes individuals for any acts of subversion, secession, and collusion with foreign forces against the communist party state, with maximum penalties of life imprisonment.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson has said that the law, formally enacted on June 30, constitutes a clear and serious breach of the Sino-British Joint Declaration, as it violates Hong Kongs high degree of autonomy and is in direct conflict with Hong Kong basic law.

Reuters contributed to this report.
According to Vice President Mike Pence, Democrat Joe Biden is also a trojan horse for the radical left. The turmoil caused by the coronavirus and recent events that had the support of the democrats is evident.

He adds that Joe Biden playing straight because he is in league with the left-wingers who don't have America's best interests in mind, reported New York Post.

During a campaign in Wisconsin, he stated that if voters chose Biden then he would be no better than an autopen president for the leftists.He mentioned that the term trojan horse means he will not be good for the White House.

Just as Trump did in a recent verbal assault, Pence made it clearer that Biden will make it harder for Americans than ever. Citing that Biden would tax the hell on American taxpayers just to reach the $4 trillion mark. But he added that by voting Biden, who would rather defund the police, the criminals will have a field day. Worse is that Biden will make America weak with the onslaughts of China, mentioned Report Door.

The vice president mentioned that Biden was equal to Bernie Sanders in the democrat draft for their presidentiable. But, then he has a unity platform in alignment with his co-Democrat.

He added that if Biden did get chosen as the top choice, why does his agenda and programs have a striking similarity to Sanders? Pence trolled the other presidentiable and remarked that Biden is just getting it on with the radicals.

Also read: Joe Biden's Family Record Show Drug Usage, Drunk Driving, and Other Charges But No One Was Jailed

Still on the offensive about Biden, he said that the socialist Bernie Sanders is pushing Biden as the next elected president for one reason. That is because Biden will be a catalyst for change in America, also projected to be progressive in nearly a century. Otherwise selling Biden's bid for POTUS to voters who are willing to prop up another democrat president with the agenda of socialism that will eventually decline.

Pence pointed out some things in the unity agenda that might have omitted free college with single-payer health insurance. These priorities were replaced by eliminating carbon emissions by 2035 and disallowing charter schools for profit.

Recently, Trump fired off several campaign-style speeches in the White House that painted Biden as willing to have new rules. To do this, he will take away suburbs and prisons. Polls reveal that Trump is behind because of the pandemic, racial unrest, and higher unemployment men too.

Biden's campaign

Sources point out that Joe Biden's campaign has raised $ 242 million in cash, according to manager Jen O'Malley Dillon announced on Twitter. There's an increas in donations of $100 million in just three months.

Most of the donations came from grassroots donors that amount to $141 million as well.

The campaign of president trump has made about $131 million last June, which was less than Biden's. But sources from Trump's camp say that in July, about $295 million was in banks during campaigning and fundraisers. This leaves the conclusion that Trump's campaign has more cash on hand, noted CBS News.

Related article: Joe Biden Thinks Pres.Trump Will Not Leave White House Willingly, May Be Escorted By Military

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The test detects virus in patients with low viral loads in 10-15 minutes, as compared to RT-PCR testing which typically takes 24-48 hours to detect the virus.

Sona Nanotech Inc., a developer of rapid, point-of-care diagnostic tests, announced on 2 July 2020 that its rapid detection, COVID-19 antigen tests laboratory validation studies of performance levels have resulted in a test sensitivity of 96%, test specificity of 96% and a Limit of Detection (LOD) of 2.1 x 102 TCID50. Sales of the tests will now be permitted under a research use only label until full regulatory authority is granted, in relevant territories, at which time the research use only label requirement would be lifted, as discussed below. Technology transfer to manufacturers is currently underway to produce tests to meet current and expected demand. The Company will provide an update on sales progress and manufacturing delivery timetables in the coming weeks.

MRIGlobal, using live COVID-19 viral cultures, determined the test to have a limit of detection of 2.1 x 102 TCID50 which corresponds to an ability to detect the virus in patients with low viral loads in 10-15 minutes, as compared to RT-PCR testing which typically takes 24-48 hours to detect the virus. Limit of detection is the minimum amount of target microorganisms that can be reliably detected under optimal conditions and is an essential step in determining the sensitivity of any assay. Current studies show positive COVID-19 patients presenting symptoms have viral loads in the 104  106 range.

Validation studies were also conducted in-house to assess potential clinical performance of the test using 30 nasopharyngeal samples from healthy individuals who were presumed negative for COVID-19. Results from the study generated a specificity of 96% (29/30) and a sensitivity of 96% (28/29). All specimen samples tested generated negative results, except for one, generating the above result of 96%. To generate the sensitivity data, the remnants of each negative sample were spiked with gamma irradiated COVID-19 virus and the tests rerun to determine the positive results, generating the above result of 96%.

Following consultation with MRIGlobal and the FDA, Sona will enter into independent clinical, in-field evaluation studies to generate the data to support its analytical and clinical data as part of the submission it will make to Health Canada and the FDA for emergency use authorization (EUA) approval. In-field collection of a minimum of 30 confirmed negative and 30 confirmed positive specimens and the associated data analysis is expected to be completed while technology transfer to manufacturers is still underway. To that end, the Company has engaged with a contract research organization (CRO) based in the U.S. to conduct one such study and a university-affiliated laboratory outside of the U.S. to conduct a second. The Company has been informed that the results of these field studies should be provided by the end of July, at which time it intends to make final submissions to regulatory authorities in multiple jurisdictions. During this time, technology transfer will continue and quality assurance manufacturing batches are expected to be run with manufacturing partners. The Company is committed to maintaining ongoing evaluations of its test in order to understand its performance in a wide range of testing environments.

Darren Rowles, CEO of Sona Nanotech, commented, These excellent performance results are underpinned by our unique nanorod technology and completes a further milestone achieved for Sona along our path to bring a quality rapid test to market at scale. This will allow expansion of testing by governments, help ease the burden on healthcare systems, keep healthcare workers safe by allowing them to know their status on a daily basis and assist in softening restrictions by providing a quick and simple means to screen individuals. Our team have worked tirelessly to bring this product to this point in a record time and my thanks goes out to all involved in progressing the test this far.

Rapid, point-of-care, antigen tests uses a nasopharyngeal swab to collect samples, which are then placed in a proprietary reagent solution and added to the sample port of the lateral flow test cassette. Blue colored lines will appear to indicate either a positive (2 lines) or negative result (1 line) within minutes.

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.
An area in Delhis North East district has been a containment zone for the last 100 days due to rising cases of the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) cases and continues to be sealed off subject to stringent checks.

Authorities have sealed all the routes passing through E Pocket of GTB Enclave, where 25 cases of Covid-19 have been reported so far, as a precautionary measure, according to HTs sister publication Hindustan.

MM Tripathi, the general secretary of the Residents Welfare Association of Pocket E, said while speaking to Hindustan the area was declared as a containment zone on April 6. There are about 5,000 living in this area and there are 1,026 flats.

Also read: India begins study on BCG vaccine impact on Covid-19

Tripathi said the World Health Organization (WHO) has organised a camp for the checkup of people in the area. The RWA also facilitated a camp by the ministry of AYUSH to distribute medicines to increase peoples immunity. Regular sanitisation of areas and roads where cases are being reported are also being done, he added.

However, Tripathi said the rising number of Covid-19 cases is a matter of concern.

Tripathi said the RWA has made sure that no resident faces any problem after the area was declared as a containment zone. He, along with the treasurer of the association, Yashpal Singh, is working closely with the administration and police.

He said there is no restriction on peoples movement and medical, ration and milk shops are opening.

But other shopkeepers say they are facing a lot of trouble.

RN Shukla, a 50-year-old owner of a clothes shop, told Hindustan he has been facing financial problems as the shop has been closed for a long time and he cant take up any other job.

Shukla said the sub-divisional magistrate (SDM) has verbally allowed other shops to open but since there are no written directions, the police are not allowing him to open his.

Officials of the RWA said they have written to the SDM and the issue will be resolved soon.

Also read: How soon can the world get Covid-19 vaccine? A look at which country stands where

According to the residents association, the number of coronavirus disease cases are higher among the employees of the hospitals in the area. There are five big hospitals in this area, including the GTB Hospital, Rajiv Gandhi Super Specialty Hospital, and Delhi State Cancer Hospital.

The route to the GTB Hospital via the colony has been closed.

Residents said the police, including station house officer Arun Kumar Singh, have been a big help and they have not faced any issues so far.

GTB Enclaves Block E was among the first 23 containment zones announced by the Delhi government in April to contain the spread of the coronavirus disease in the city.

There are four other areasblocks K and G in Jahangirpuri, Majlis Park in Adarsh Nagar and Hauz Raniwhich have remained containment zones for more than three months.

The Centres orders say a containment zone can be de-sealed 28 days after the last Covid-19 case has recovered or tested negative.

However, district officials have said there were still some major reasons because of which these zones have remained sealed for months.

They said these include the presence of several medical professionals living in some zones, the 28-day rule for de-sealing a containment zone and continuous movement of people within the zone despite strict curbs.

District administration officials said they have raised the matter with the Delhi government.

Delhi has 120,107 cases of the viral disease and 3571 people have succumbed to Covid-19, according to the Union health ministry.
It is true that Black perpetrators kill 90% of the Black murder victims; it is also true that white assailants kill 83% of white victims. Though the majority of crime is committed within racial groups, only Black-on-Black crime is given its own designated form of pathology.

Theres no debating that the Black community is disproportionately impacted. Why is that?

This is the portion of the conversation that America is uncomfortable engaging. It is much easier to remove Aunt Jemima from the pancake box or take the movie Gone with the Wind off the air for a week.

What about structural change? A good place to start might be Ta-Nehisi Coates seminal 2014 essay in The Atlantic magazine, The Case for Reparations.

What is the impact on wealth when the federal government passes the G.I. Bill, which I consider Americas greatest piece of domestic legislation, but local communities systematically imposes segregation in the form of redlining, prohibiting Blacks from buying homes in certain areas? Or denying vocational training and business loans that the bill guarantees? Is that something we can attribute to an unwillingness to work hard and play by the rules? Can this be remedied by offering, Slavery is over; move on!?
When Amerika Blair drove past an empty pedestal where a statue of Confederate General Robert E. Lee once stood, a smile stretched across her face as she felt a sense of liberation for herself and future children.

The statue has loomed over the student population at Robert E. Lee High School in Montgomery for 60 years. That was until the night of June 1, when it was dismounted by the hands of protesters  or as Blair calls them freedom fighters.

As a Black student, Blair used to walk by the statue of a man who inherited hundreds of slaves until she graduated from the school in 2009. She doesnt want another student to have that experience.

So Blair and other community members who are part of the Montgomery chapter of a social justice organization called Southerners on New Ground (SONG) led a campaign to change the names of Montgomery schools named after Confederate icons. The group rejoiced on Tuesday when the majority of the Montgomery County Board of Education agreed to change the name of Lee high, and the names of two other majority-Black high schools named after Confederate president Jefferson Davis and Confederate private and poet Sidney Lanier.

The removal of the Lee monument encouraged her and other Lee alumni to create change, Blair said. The protesters didnt just topple a relic of the Confederacy, they also started the process of toppling the white supremacy that still exists in the education system, she said.

I believe it was a slap in the face to have Black students immortalize and celebrate a man who did not believe in the humanity of Black people, who whipped Black people and owned slaves and didnt see a right for their citizenship, Blair said. We all saw a need to not necessarily erase the Confederate history, but to erase the immortalization of hate, bigotry and the instilling of Black inferiority on the predominantly-Black school body that occupies Lee now.

Reclaiming a space of white power through education

Amidst protests calling for racial justice following the officer-involved killing of George Floyd on May 25, many schools systems across the nation have removed Confederate names off school buildings. Floyds death, as well as other episodes of police brutality that have resulted in the lost of Black lives, has forced many Americans to face the countrys history of racial oppression and its ties to the Confederacy.

An analysis from Education Week reports that 208 schools have been named after Confederate icons. Many of those schools are concentrated in seven states, including Alabama, which has 16 schools. Texas has the most with 47. These Confederate-name schools are part of a larger campaign started by the United Daughters of the Confederacy, the same group that funded the majority of the Confederate monuments.

Confederate monuments were installed during time periods when white superiority was threatened, Southern Poverty Law Centers Chief of Staff Lecia Brooks said. After the Confederacy lost the Civil War, the UDC started sponsoring monuments that perpetuated the Lost Cause narrative by calling Confederate troops brave and noble soldiers who fought against states rights and taxation instead of slavery.

In its report titled Whose Heritage? Public Symbols of the Confederacy, which documents when and where the monuments were built, the SPLC discovered two peaks when it comes to the dedication of Confederate monuments and the use of Confederate names.

The first peak was between 1900 until the late 1920s, when African Americans were facing discrimination, segregation and racial terrorism in the Jim Crow South. Much of the monuments built at that time were established on the lawns of courthouses or other government grounds.

But not all Confederate monuments are carved from stone. Some are built with brick and mortar, Brooks explained. A second peak started after the U.S. Supreme Court forced schools to integrate in Brown v. Board of Education in 1954 and lasted until the late 1960s. The time frame matches up with the modern Civil Rights Movement.

During the second peak, many schools, colleges and university buildings were being named after Confederate veterans. The schools in Montgomery follow this trend. Lee high opened a year after Brown v. Board to an all-white student population in 1955. Jefferson Davis was established in 1968.

Brooks said these schools were established by white people to defy integration.

They saw Brown v. Board as the first huge thing where the U. S. government and the supreme court stood up for the rights of Black people, Brooks said. One of the ways they sought to push back against that was to name schools after these Confederate soldiers or leaders as a way to reclaim a space of power.

Lanier high, the oldest of the three schools, was established in 1910 before being moved to its current location in 1929. Unlike Davis and Lee, Lanier wasnt a big figure in the Civil War. He was a private who established a literary legacy after the war and who lived in Montgomery for a year.

But Brooks said the UDC inflated Laniers role in the Confederacy in order to fit the organizations narrative that romanticizes the Civil War

This is a perfect example of how the United Daughters of Confederacy turned people who did nothing into these major heroes, Brooks said. I dont want to take anything away from him as far as his literary talent. At the same time, the UDC continued to directly tie him to the Confederacy as a hero even though his climb to fame was after that. In fact, they called him the Poet of the Confederacy.

The Confederacy wasnt the only one who gained something by creating these schools. Brooks said the federal government also had a desire to reunite the union.

They appeased the former Confederate states and allowed these schools to be named after former Confederate leaders as a way to appease the South, Brooks said.

But the activists in Montgomery wanted to change that legacy.

The #DroptheNames Campaign

Since June 29, five schools across the nation have changed their Confederate names. It may be a while before Lee, Davis and Lanier high schools join that list. The Alabama Memorial Preservation Act of 2017 forbids the removal  or the renaming  of historical structures that are 40 years old or older. That same law also includes schools.

The law forces Montgomery school board members to decide between paying a $25,000 fine for each school or to send a waiver to the Committee on Alabama Monument Protection requesting the names to be changed. That committee doesnt meet until October and has already denied a wavier from the Madison County Commission requesting the relocation of a Confederate monument in Huntsville.

But this is Montgomery. The city where laws rooted in white supremacy were broken to advance the civil rights of African Americans. Lee high alumni worked with SONG to do the same by helping Black students who are being educated under Confederate names.

After the Lee statue was taken down, Blair and Marche Johnson, a 2003 Lee high graduate, started a campaign to drop the names of Lee, Davis and Lanier high schools. Johnson watched as the community came together and used their skills to help the cause. Some citizens conducted historical research about the schools. Others designed graphics for social media. As of Saturday afternoon, a Change.org petition to remove the Confederate titles off the schools has received almost 29,500 signatures since it started two months ago.

While using the hashtags #DroptheName and #DroptheStatue, Blair, Johnson and other alumni encouraged supporters of the campaign to send emails, letters and make phone calls to school board members. They also published statements from other Lee high alumni of all ethnicities and races to explain the strain going to a school that immortalized the Confederacy would have on students and staff. A Jewish teacher compared the experience to attending a school named after Hitler. Wesley Thornton Breal, a 2009 Lee graduate, stated that holding on to the Confederate names shows that the students are undervalued at Lee.

They ask us to chant, Go Generals. As in Go Confederate General, Breal wrote in his statement. What can be more demoralizing than that for a young Black athlete, scholar or artist?

During the June 9th school board meeting, which was live streamed due to social distancing regulations caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, SONG and other Montgomery citizens flooded the comment section with demands to rename the schools.

After a few weeks of constant pressure, the board added the matter on the agenda for its July 14th meeting, which was when board members voted to start the renaming process.

Johnson feels like a huge weight has fallen off her shoulders  and the shoulders of her ancestors. Her grandmother fed protesters during the Selma to Montgomery March before participating in the demonstration for voting rights herself. She also remained active in the NAACP until she died at the age of 80.

Johnson was following in her grandmothers footstep as she worked with her former classmates to change the name of her alma mater.

I am standing on the shoulders of my ancestors and walking fully and proudly in doing what I can, Johnson continued. The protesters who knocked the statue down did that part. As for myself and the rest of the SONG team, everybody was using their voices and networks to see how we can change things current day.

Teaching the racial hierarchy through history

According to Education Week, the majority of the Confederate named schools are named after Robert E. Lee. Blair and Johnson were unaware of generals history while attending the school that carries his name.

They said they were taught the Lost Cause version of history, which described Lee as a great patriot of Confederacy during the Civil War. A plaque near the entrance of the school condemns students from discrediting their beloved general, according to the Montgomery Advertiser.

Everything the women learned about Lee and the what the Confederacy represented happened after they graduated from the school. Which was insulting for Blair.

It wasnt nailed down for us to think, Hey, these people were wrong. Robert E lee inherited slaves. We didnt peel back the layers of history, Blair said. Its always been a controlled narrative of what they think we should know about American history to the point we actually had to go seek information, the truth of American history, ourselves.

The matter isnt surprising for Kayla Vinson, a Montgomery resident who helped lead the campaign to get schools names changed. She saw this same reinvention of history during her four years as a history teacher in Philadelphia and New York. She said the proof is in the textbooks, where Black experiences are omitted to make room for white male leaders.

A lot of people say that taking the names off the buildings is erasing history, but when you teach Black children only the positive things about Robert E Lee, only positive things about Jefferson Davis, only positive things about the Confederacy, this is actually erasing history, Vinson said. Youre not teaching them about Black peoples experiences in the United States thats not just experiences of violence and oppression, but also the stories of Black resistance  the amazing ways Black people were determined to make freedom happen in a country that was trying to deny it from them.

Teaching history this way can have consequences. According to Vinson, these types of teachings can cause children to see themselves as inferior and can affect their experiences inside the schools.

When the only people children see in history textbooks and history classrooms are white men, you dont have to say there is racial hierarchy, Vinson said. You are teaching it to them through their textbooks that the only people who bravely made America what it is are white males.

If we cant agree on such low-hanging fruit such as we shouldnt have a school named after Robert E. Lee, she continued. Then for me as a community member, I am deeply concerned about what happens to Black children inside of the schools.

While both Blair and Johnson didnt have any traumatizing experiences at Lee, they could sense a shift in culture due to white flight. While the school is 82 percent Black now, both Johnson and Blair went to the school during the time it was majority white. Johnson remembers her white classmates leaving to be enrolled in private or magnet schools, but she didnt think anything of it at the time.

I was just really walking blindly in it not knowing what was really happening until I reached adulthood and Im at the high school reunion like Oh, why arent my white classmates here? Whats going on? Johnson said.

In general, Blair said Black students faced certain stereotypes and a level of criticism that their white peers did not experience. Black girls were more heavily policed on the dress code than white girls, she said. Blair experienced this herself as she was pulled to side by administrators who told her she couldnt wear a certain pair of bottoms, but watched as white girls were allowed to wear similar clothing.

During a field trip, one of Blairs Black classmates was told to stop acting like yall are from Smiley Court, referring to a predominantly-Black housing project once known for its poverty and crime.

That (statement) was a direct insult to the people who lived in Smiley Court, she said.

The Other America

Getting rid of the schools Confederate names solves only part of the problem, Johnson believes. After the names are changed, Blair and Johnson said they want a more inclusive atmosphere for Black students. For Johnson, that means creating a curriculum that includes more Black history. Its a problem she still sees while working with her 10th-grade son, who learned more about slavery during a family trip to New Orleans than he did in class, Johnson said.

For Blair, it means educational equity  that each child  Black or white  would be able to access the same opportunities as any other student. Throughout the campaign, she has been quoting the Rev. Martin Luther Kings The Other America speech, which he recited in 1967 at Stanford University. The speech highlighted the importance of both social and economical equality by illustrating two different Americas: one where opportunities to pursue the countrys ideals of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness overflows, and the other America, where people are starved of those opportunities and where children are harmed the most.

Forcing the names off the Confederate monument had to be done so that the community can start the process of achieving educational equity for all students, Blair said.

Were still living in the other America where children are walking around with cloud of inferiority forming in their mental skies, and we where we are always made to believe that we are less than no matter what we do, she said, quoting parts of Kings speech, I want the students of Montgomery to grow up in an America where children grow up in the sunlight of opportunity, an America where we are flooded with seas of equity, and an America where we pledge allegiance to uphold true humanity and dignity for all.
Sergio Troncoso demonstrates in the short-story collection A Peculiar Kind of Immigrants Son that hes a master storyteller but with a special bent.

Troncoso, an El Paso-native, said in a phone interview that the 13 stories in this recent collection, as with most of his writings, are informed by German

philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche and the philosophy called Perspectivism. Nietzsche, he said, was probably the first important philosopher to write about Perspectivism.

The philosophy, Troncoso said, is that our sense of truth depends on your perspective, your history, your language, your class, your race. Everything.

The first 12 stories are organized in sets of two or three, with the final story a stand-alone reflective piece.

Each set contains its own narrator or central character whom the reader can understand from that characters own angles or perspectives. At the same, Troncoso said he encourages the reader to be conscious of inserting his/her own perspectives when reading a particular story.

The two stories in the initial set are Rosary on the Border and New Englander. In Rosary, the unnamed narrator returns to his hometown of El Paso from his home in New England for his fathers funeral. He describes his shock at seeing his father in the casket: can that be my father, that shrunken, wax-like face? These idiots wouldnt put just anyones body in there. 

Troncoso shares with readers the male narrators unvarnished, detailed descriptions of the varied people (including himself) who show up at the funeral of his Mexican-born dad.

Theres the immediate and extended family members on both sides of the border; for example, his sister Linda, in her late 50s, who the narrator describes as disorganized, wasteful with money, and still taking classes.  He refers to the visitors from Chihuahua to Los Angeles.

Los compadres y las comadres. Neighborhood hypocrites and hangers-on.

The perspective in that opening story radically changes in the second story, New Englander, in which the narrator is identified as David Calderon. David, age 55, is breaking logs from a woodpile at home in Kent, Connecticut.

Hes thinking about his family, his years growing up in El Pasos Ysleta barrio, later years attending Harvard. Those thoughts fly in his head before and after an armed intruder, a stranger, attacks him out of the blue. David eventually fights off the attacker with fateful consequences.

Rosary on the Border won the Kay Cattarulla Award for Best Short Story from the Texas Institute of Letters, and last March Troncoso was elected president of the institute. He is a resident faculty member of the Yale Writers Workshop. The books title comes from a sentence in Rosary. At the conclusion of an introspective passage the narrator tells himself that I was, I am, and I will be, a peculiar kind of immigrants son. I got old and that made everything better, including me.

This is Troncosos second short-story collection. The first was The Last Tortilla and other Stories, published in 1999. It won the Premio Aztlan Literary Prize for best book by a new Chicano/a writer. He has also published novels and essays.

At 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 31, Troncoso is tentatively scheduled to read from and discuss A Peculiar Kind of Immigrants Son (Cinco Puntos Press) in the Salon Ortega of the National Hispanic Cultural Center, 1701 Fourth SW. The event is free and open to the public.

Another recently published collection is The Roads Around Perdido: Stories (Sunstone Press) by Joseph M. Ferguson Jr. of Rio Rancho.

Ferguson, who grew up in Albuquerque, taught English Composition at a number of colleges and then became a traveling salesman for textbook publishers in the Mountain West.

In driving around the region, he became enamored with the llanos of northeast corner of New Mexico and its roads leading into southeast Colorado. It is so lonely and beautiful, and you drive and not see another car. Then you realize  here was a ghost town of sorts! There are a lot of abandoned homesteads, Ferguson said.

It is that area of New Mexico where he imagined the ghost town of Perdido, the subject of the title story in his linked 10-story collection. Human mortality is a constant theme throughout the collection.

At the back of the book is a Readers Guide, helpful for any reader, even those not taking an English Composition class nor in a book club discussing the related tales.

Fergusons short story Report on the Hadleyburg Renaissance won a Pleiades Prize for experimental fiction and Gleanings won a Glimmer Train prize for best short story. Both were previously published and are in the Perdido collection.

Book of the week review
Members of the Gehlot camp huddled at a resort outside Delhi, while the whereabouts of MLAs loyal to Pilot remained unknown

Jaipur: Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on Saturday mopped up the support of two BTP MLAs, shoring up numbers for his shaky government, and his predecessor Vasundhara Raje finally broke her silence to lash out at a discordant Congress and assert that she stands by the BJPs ideology.

As the question mark over the survival of the Congress-led government in the desert state loomed large, two audio clips remained at the centre of the Rajasthan political tangle with attention shifting, even if momentarily, from the Congress internecine Gehlot vs Sachin Pilot feud to its battle with the BJP.

While Rajasthan Police's Anti-Corruption Bureau registered a case under the Prevention of Corruption Act in connection with the two clips of conversations purportedly regarding a "conspiracy" to topple Gehlots rule -- thrown into instability by rebel MLAs led by Pilot -- the BJP demanded a CBI probe and alleged that the government was indulging in phone tapping.

The Centre on Saturday evening sought a report from the Rajasthan government on the allegations of phone tapping, an official said.

In a communication, the Ministry of Home Affairs told the Rajasthan chief secretary to provide the details of the incident, the official added.

ACB Director General Alok Tripathi said it has registered an FIR on a complaint by Chief Whip Mahesh Joshi.

The FIR mentions details of conversations of (rebel MLA) Bhanwarlal Sharma with Gajendra Singh (Congress claims it is a reference to Union minister Gajendra Singh) and a third man called Sanjay Jain.

The Congress alleges that Jain, whose name had surfaced in the audio recording about horse trading of legislators to topple the Congress government, is a BJP leader but the saffron party rejects the allegation, saying it has no connection with him.

Jain, who was arrested on Friday night, has been remanded to four days of police custody.

In Delhi, BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra asked if the Congress government in Rajasthan had resorted to "unconstitutional" methods to tap phones of politicians and demanded a CBI probe into what he called a "saga of illegalities and concocted lies". His counterpart in the Congress Pawan Khera hit back, telling reporters that the demand for a CBI probe into the audio tapes shows a conspiracy to topple the Gehlot government and amounts to an admission of guilt" by the BJP.

It is now clear that the party was behind the rebellion by Pilot and others, the Congress said, adding that the fact its dissident legislators took shelter in hotels in BJP-ruled Haryana is further evidence of saffron party's involvement in "horse-trading". Back in the Rajasthan capital, Gehlot was quiet for much of the day but tweeted photographs of himself with the two Bharatiya Tribal Party legislators in the evening.

Amid the brewing crisis in the Congress-ruled state, Gehlot also called on Governor Kalraj Mishra for what a Raj Bhavan spokesperson termed a courtesy meeting during which the coronavirus pandemic was discussed.

Ending days of speculation, BTP legislators Rajkumar Roat and Ramprasad said they will back the Gehlot government on the condition that demands related to development of the state are fulfilled.

With the party split between Gehlot and Pilot, who was sacked as deputy chief minister earlier this week and has the support of 18 MLAs, each seat counts.

In the house of 200, the Congress has 107 MLAs, including the 19 dissidents who have been issued notices of disqualification by the speaker and have challenged them in the high court. Congress has maintained the claim that the Gehlot government has the support of 109 MLAs, including the two BTP MLAs.

The court resumes hearing on the disqualification notices on Monday and Speaker CP Joshi will not take any action on the issue till 5.30 pm on Tuesday.

Breaking her silence on the raging political strife in the state, former chief minister and senior BJP leader Raje alleged that some people were trying to create confusion on the political developments and insisted she stands with her party and its ideology.

Her remarks came in the backdrop of Nagaur MP and convenor of the Rashtriya Loktantrik Party, an NDA ally, Hanuman Beniwal accusing her of having an internal alliance with Gehlot, who is facing a rebellion from his former deputy Sachin Pilot.

Raje, who has been conspicuous by her silence, said in a statement earlier in the day that it is unfortunate that the people of Rajasthan are paying for the discord within the Congress.

"There is no point in trying to drag the BJP and the BJP leaders' names through the mud. It is the interest of our people that must remain paramount!" she said.

Raje went on to list the many problems facing the people of Rajasthan.

At a time when COVID-19 has claimed more than 500 lives and positive cases are close to 28,000 locusts are attacking farmers fields crimes against women are at an all-time high when there is a problem of electricity across the state And Im only naming a few of the problems faced by our people, she said.

Think of the people!!!!! she ended the statement in which she took no names.

As the political drama continued to escalate  ahead of its denouement perhaps next week  the legislators in Gehlots camp were sequestered at a resort on the Jaipur-Delhi highway.

Images of them doing yoga, taking part in cooking lessons and watching Mughal-e-Azam did the rounds of television and social media, prompting the BJP to ask caustically about social distancing in corona times.

There was little news of the Pilot camp. While the former PCC chief was silent, there was little information of the whereabouts of him or the MLAs who had mounted a rebellion with him.

They had been in a resort in Haryana till Friday evening when the Rajasthan SOG reached for their voice samples but could not meet them.

Some Congress leaders alleged they had been taken to another BJP-ruled state but no one was quite sure.

BSP leader Mayawati also weighed in with her views and said the governor should take cognisance of the instability in the state and recommend President's Rule.

Gehlot, she said, had openly violated the Anti-Defection law and cheated the BSP for a second time by getting its MLAs included in the Congress.

"And it is also evident he did an illegal and unconstitutional thing by phone tapping," Mayawati said in a series of tweets in Hindi.

All the problems, added veteran state BJP leader Kailash Chandra Meghwal, were because of the internal feud in the Congress.

"Rajasthan politics has been derailed. It is unfortunate that attempts are being made to destabilise the government when the state faces the danger of COVID-19 pandemic and also unemployment among its poor. This is not appropriate. This is due to internal feud within the Congress," he told PTI.

He said it was "condemnable" that people had resorted to "immoral tactics, ugly politics and horse-trading" to destabilise the government.
JOHANNESBURG: Countries from the U.S. to South Africa to India were struggling to hold down rising rates of the coronavirus, as global deaths from COVID-19 surged past 600,000 in a sign of how far off the world remains from a return to normalcy.

While the U.S. leads global infections, South Africa now ranks as the fifth worst-hit country in the pandemic with 350,879 cases  roughly half of all those confirmed on the African continent. Its struggles are a sign of trouble to come for nations with even fewer health care resources.

India on Sunday reported a 24-hour record surge of 38,902 new cases, taking the countrys total to 1,077,618. Elsewhere in Asia, China confirmed 13 new cases in the northwestern city of Urumqi while South Korea reported less than 40 additional cases for a second straight day.

The Urumqi outbreak is the latest to pop up since China largely contained the domestic spread of the virus in March. At least 30 people have been infected and authorities are conducting universal testing in communities where cases were discovered, later to be expanded to other parts of the city and major businesses.

South Korean authorities are also struggling to suppress an uptick in local infections, with 34 additional cases, 21 of them domestic and 13 from overseas, raising the countrys total to 13,745 with 295 deaths.

Both countries are mandating testing and enforcing two-week quarantines on all overseas arrivals.

After a one-day respite, COVID-19 cases in the Australian state of Victoria rose again, prompting a move to make masks mandatory in metropolitan Melbourne and the nearby shire of Mitchell. Health officials on Sunday recorded 363 new cases in the past 24 hours. Two men and a woman in their 90s died, taking the national death toll from COVID-19 to 122.

The World Health Organization on Saturday again reported a single-day record of new infections with 259,848.

South Africa now trails the U.S., Brazil, India  all far more populous countries  in the number of infections, surpassing Peru, after health authorities announced 13,285 new cases.

South Africas new coronavirus epicenter, Gauteng province, hosts the cities of Johannesburg and Pretoria and one-quarter of the countrys population of 57 million, with many poor people living in crowded conditions in the middle of a frosty Southern Hemisphere winter.

Global COVID-19 deaths have hit 601,549, according to Johns Hopkins University data. The United States tops the list with 140,119 deaths, followed by 78,772 in Brazil and 45,358 in the United Kingdom and 38,888 in Mexico, where a surge in cases have frustrated plans to reopen the economy.

The number of confirmed infections worldwide has passed 14.2 million, out of which 3.7 million are in the United States. There are over 2 million in Brazil and more than 1 million in India. Experts believe the true numbers around the world are higher because of testing shortages and data collection issues in some nations.
30-35 million Iranians likely to be exposed to coronavirus in coming months: President Rouhani

ISNA - Iranian Students' News Agency

Sat / 18 July 2020 / 14:14

Tehran (ISNA)  Iran's President described using masks, observing physical distancing and avoiding gatherings along with strict observance of health protocols as a great contribution to the health of the society and the process of fighting coronavirus, and stressed that we will undoubtedly win this battle.

Speaking on Saturday at the meeting of the National Task Force for Fighting Coronavirus, Dr. Hassan Rouhani said, "At the same time, people should not be anxious. We should advise people to both the right and patience, but we should not create anxiety in them or make them overwhelmed. Winning against this disease may be a little difficult and time consuming, but we will definitely win and we must stand firm and know that victory is certain".

"According to the Deputy of the Ministry of Health for Research Affairs, 30 to 35 million people are likely to be exposed to the disease in the coming months," the president said, adding that everyone should work together to strictly follow health protocols to break the chain of the disease.

Reiterating the importance of full compliance with health protocols, Dr. Rouhani said, "According to the same report, out of every one thousand people who are infected with coronavirus, 500 are asymptomatic and these pose the greatest risk of transmitting coronavirus to others".

In another part of his speech, the President said that coronavirus is a pandemic and universal disease, saying, "In such circumstances, any nation can rely only on its own strength, and this shows that the national strength of the country, especially in the fields of health, science and research, and economy must be to the extent that we can manage ourselves".

Dr. Rouhani stated, "Capability, belief, national trust and not needing others are the main lessons that coronavirus has taught us".

The President continued by emphasizing that along with the comprehensive fight against coronavirus, national and societal resilience in both health and economic sectors should increase, saying, "The process of production and employment must continue and, in this framework, it is necessary to follow health instructions strictly in production centres".

Dr. Rouhani also reiterated his appreciation of the country's medical staff, saying, "It is necessary to maintain the health, motivation and calmness of the human resources of the health defence front".

End Item

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Head of the Ukraine-Armenia Parliamentary Friendship Group of the Ukrainian parliament Artyom Dmitruk says the statement by his countrys Ministry of Foreign Affairs on the Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict is unreasonable, AnalitikaUA.net reports.

I view the actions of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine and statements on the Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict as absolutely unreasonable and indiscreet, Dmitruk declared on Instagram.

The diplomatic ties, which have been built for decades, can be destroyed by just one statement by a certain official. It is necessary to be considerate before making such a statement.

I would like to remind the Ministry of Foreign Affairs about its primary objectives, that is, to maintain the image and reputation of Ukraine in the global market, as well as the need to build friendly and partnering ties with other countries.

As already reported, earlier, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine had issued a statement in support of Azerbaijans territorial integrity, in spite of the fact that the situation escalated as a result of the actions of Azerbaijan, and beyond the zone of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict at that.
A black radio host accused Roger Stone of using a racial slur during a live broadcast Saturday while discussing whether President Donald Trump's longtime confidante deserved to have his prison sentence commuted.

During the interview with Morris O'Kelly on KFI-AM (640) and iHeartRadio, while Stone was apparently having trouble hearing the host, a voice that sounds like Stone mutters about "arguing with this Negro."

Stone denied using the word on the air, telling O'Kelly, "you're out of your mind."

In a statement emailed to The Washington Post on Sunday, Stone suggested it was O'Kelly's "studio engineer" who used the word. He also argued that "negro" is not offensive.

"The transmission as I recorded it is both garbled and replete with cross talk," Stone said. "Mr. O'Kelly needs a good peroxide cleaning of the wax in his ears because at no time did I call him a negro. That said, Mr. O'Kelly needs to spend a little more time studying black history and institutions. The word negro - even though I did not use it - is far from a slur."

He pointed out that the word was once widely used, including in the name of some civil rights organizations. But it fell out of favor in the late 1960s. In a commentary posted on his website Saturday night, O'Kelly called the term "the low-calorie version of the N-Word."

O'Kelly added, "He didn't see me as a journalist, not as a professional, not a radio host . . . but a 'Negro' first and foremost."

The radio host had repeatedly challenged Stone's account of the circumstances that led to his conviction for lying to Congress and witness tampering, and of the reprieve he received, calling it "swampy as hell."

When O'Kelly asked why Stone had used the word, the self-professed "dirty trickster" denied it.

"I did not," Stone said. "You're out of your mind."

Stone had bristled at O'Kelly's account of his trial in Washington federal court last year. O'Kelly pointed to the email and audio evidence presented at trial that showed Stone lied during his testimony in front of a House committee investigating Russian interference in the 2016 election.

"You're not being honest," O'Kelly said.

Stone has used the word before. In 2012, he tweeted that prominent African American television commentator Roland Martin is "a stupid negro."

Stone has said he regretted the comment. In 2017, Martin told The Post that Stone is a "superficial, petulant, racist child."

The media, Martin said, tends to "say, 'Oh, he's a colorful character.' No, he's a racist, sexist individual."

Stone has also sought to portray himself as a champion of African Americans, waging a campaign for a presidential pardon of black nationalist leader Marcus Garvey, who he calls one of his "political heroes." Later in the interview with O'Kelly, Stone touted that advocacy, as well as his support for less punitive drug laws, affirmative action and the Voting Rights Act.

"One thing that aggravates me is when I'm constantly called a racist," he said.
Sydneysiders were flocking in droves to popular Bondi Beach over the weekend despite NSW recording the highest daily cases of COVID-19 since April 18.

As concerns grow of the pandemic reaching a "critical juncture", the promenade and grassy areas of Sydney's famous beach were overrun with walkers and swimmers on Sunday as the state recorded 18 new cases of the virus.

Crowds at Luna Park on Saturday. Credit:Sarah Keoghan

At the start of the pandemic, the eastern suburbs was quickly identified as a COVID-19 hotspot with a drive-through clinic set up at Bondi Pavilion in early April.

As a result of rising cases, NSW Health Deputy Chief Medical Officer Jeremy McAnulty called on residents to redouble their efforts on Sunday to stop the virus spreading.
Damascus, July 19 : Voting was underway on Sunday for Syria's parliamentary elections, the third since the start of the civil war in 2011 and also as President Bashar al-Assad marks 20 years in power.

A total of 7,277 polling stations opened across the government-controlled areas on Sunday morning, reports Xinhua news agency.

Voters can choose between a total of 1,656 candidates for the 250-seat parliament.

Wearing masks, Assad and his wife cast their ballots at a polling centre in the Ministry of Presidential Affairs.

The elections, originally scheduled to be held in April, were postponed twice due to the novel coronavirus pandemic.

In the 2016 polls, the Baath Party and its allies took 200 of the 250 Parliament seats, while the remaining went to independent candidates.

The Syrian government now controls around 70 per cent of the country's territory while ultra-radical rebels control the Idlib province and the US-backed Kurdish militia of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) control areas in northeastern Syria.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, July 18)  The governments top lawyer is urging the Supreme Court to junk the petitions seeking a temporary restraining order against the Anti-Terrorism Act, whose constitutionality is being questioned.

In a 223-page comment filed on Friday, Solicitor General Jose Calida reminded the high court that the judiciary must exercise utmost caution, prudence and judiciousness in the issuance of temporary restraining orders and injunctive writs.

The writ should not be granted lightly or precipitately, but only when the court is fully satisfied that the law permits it and the emergency demands it, Calida said.

He argued that all the eight consolidated petitions against the newly-signed anti-terrorism law failed to prove that its implementation would cause grave and irreparable injury to the petitioners constitutional rights.

Calida said it is the public who would be at risk from terrorist attacks if the law is not enforced.

Republic Act 11479 or the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020 took effect on Saturday, according to the Department of Justice, even as some law experts argued that the start date should be July 22, or 15 days after the measure was published in a newspaper and not just the online Official Gazette.

The implementing rules and regulations "will come in 90 days," National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon, Jr. told CNN Philippines, adding that the Anti-Terrorism Council has started working on it.

On warrantless arrest and detention

Among the hotly contested provisions is Section 29, which extends the time suspected terrorists can be arrested and detained without warrant, from three days under the previous law, to up to 24 days.

READ: 3-day detention period for suspected terrorists more than enough, solon argues

Calida stressed that although the term suspected was used in the law, it is not a license to arrest any person based on mere suspicion.

Contrary to petitioners interpretation, therefore, the use of suspected in Section 29 does not at all signify an abandonment of probable cause as threshold in warrantless arrest under Section 5(b), Rule 113 of the Revised Rules of Court, Calida said.

He further argued that there is nothing in the Constitution that prohibits a period of detention longer than three days.

What the law does not prohibit, it allows, he said.

Guarding against abuse

The Anti-Terrorism Act has been a target of local and international criticism, as experts say it relaxes safeguards on human rights and is open to abuse. Administration officials, as well as lawmakers who authored and sponsored the measure, deny the alleged unconstitutionality of the law.

One of them is Senator Panfilo Lacson who said in a statement on Saturday that he will go the extra mile in guarding against possible abuse in its implementation.

Now that the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020 is in effect, the Filipino people are assured of a law that allows the Philippines to mount the needed strong response against the threat of terrorism, said Lacson, a former national police chief.

President Rodrigo Duterte earlier defended the measure, saying it will not be used against law-abiding citizens, but stressed that communist rebels should be considered as terrorists because "I finally declared them to be one."

Lacson said this may be a "personal opinion" of the President, but the governments petition to declare the Communist Party of the Philippines and its armed wing, the New Peoples Army, as terrorists will have to be tried and approved by the Court of Appeals.

CNN Philippines' Anjo Alimario contributed to this report.
The IAF chief and top commanders will have forward deployments in eastern Ladakh and operationalisation of the Rafale jets on the agenda

New Delhi: Amid the ongoing tensions with China, top Air Force commanders will meet this week to discuss the situation on the Line of Actual Control with China in Eastern Ladakh and rapid operational station of the Rafale combat aircraft arriving later this month.

The top commanders will meet this week for the two-days commanders' conference starting from 22 July where they will deliberate on a range of security issues, Indian Air Force officials told ANI.

One of the main agenda points during the conference headed by Air Chief Marshal RKS Bhadauria and attended by all seven of his commanders-in-chief would be about the situation on the borders with China and the forward deployments done by the force in the Eastern Ladakh and northern borders, sources said.

The Air Force has deployed its entire fleet of modern fighters like Mirage 2000, Sukhoi-30, and the MiG-29 fighters all along with the advanced and forward bases from where they have been carrying out both day and night operations.

The advanced Apache attack helicopter has also been deployed in forward bases along the China border and are carrying out frequent sorties over the Eastern Ladakh region even during night time.

The IAF brass will also discuss the rapid deployment and operationalisation of the Rafale fighter jets arriving in the country by end of this month from France. The most advanced jets of the South Asian region are going to give an edge to the Air Force over their adversaries as they are fitted with most advanced weapon systems, officials said.

The India Specific Enhancements in the fighter jets along with the long-range weapons like the Meteor air to air missiles are going to give India an edge over China and Pakistan, they said. The Air Force is also working on the integration of the French fighters with the Russian-origin fleet and make them compatible in operations.

The IAF chief played a significant role in concluding India's biggest ever defence deal as head of the Indian Negotiation Team for the project under which 36 Rafale jets worth around Rs 60,000 crore will be coming to India under emergency purchase route.

The two squadrons of Rafale will also help India to stem the downfall in the number of fighting units in the force as well as strengthen its capabilities to carry out long-range attacks.
A surge in the deadly attacks by Baloch separatists in Pakistan has increased the risks and costs of Chinas ambitious Belt and Road projects, including the CPEC, while its interests at the strategic Gwadar Port on the Arabian Sea are caught up in the proxy war between Islamabad and Tehran, according to a media report.

Security risks and costs of the USD 60 billion China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) are rising amid a resurgence of the deadly attacks by separatists in the troubled Balochistan province, home to the Chinese-operated Gwadar Port, a report in Hong Kong-based South China Morning Post said on Saturday.

The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) aims to link Southeast Asia, Central Asia, the Gulf region, Africa and Europe with a network of land and sea routes. The CPEC is the flagship project of President Xi Jinpings ambitious BRI.

In the third such attack since May, militants opened fire on a patrolling paramilitary convoy in Panjgur district on Tuesday, killing three soldiers and wounding eight others, including an army colonel.

Militant ethnic Baloch factions have also recently expanded their range of operations to adjoining Sindh province and its provincial capital Karachi, according to the report.

Beijings stakes in Sindh are as high as they are in resoure-rich Balochistan, it said.

Chinas state-owned enterprises run container terminals at Karachi port and have invested in nuclear and coal power projects established both under the umbrella of the CPEC and in partnership with local corporations, it said.

On June 29, four militants were killed by police commandos when they tried to shoot their way into the Karachi Stock Exchange, which is 40 per cent owned by a consortium of three Chinese bourses.

Baloch groups have not only intensified their attacks but also expanded the outreach of their terrorist violence beyond Balochistan, but it is hard to predict whether this trend will persist, Mohammad Amir Rana, director of the Pakistan Institute for Peace Studies, an Islamabad-based think tank, told the Post.

He said Baloch insurgent factions had historically preferred to conduct low-intensity attacks, while their high-intensity attacks had tended to come in waves lasting only for a few weeks.

Rana said the CPEC projects and Chinese personnel remained well protected by the dedicated 13,700-strong Special Security Division, led by a two-star Pakistan Army general, established in 2017.

Only low-intensity attacks have been reported around the CPEC project sites, but the financial cost of the security (to Pakistan) is high, he said.

Beijings political risks are also escalating because of a renewed wave of public anger in many parts of Balochistan against human rights abuses by Pakistani troops deployed to crush the low-intensity insurgency in the province, the report said.

In June, Akhtar Mengal, leader of the Balochistan National Party-Mengal, parted ways with the ruling coalition led by Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khans party, citing the governments failure to bring a halt to state-enforced disappearances.

In a subsequent interview with the BBCs Urdu-language service, Mengal said more than 1,500 Baloch had disappeared since Prime Minister Khan took office in 2018 and claimed that he had personally secured the release of nearly 500 people from the custody of the security forces.

Because of the political and security situation in Balochistan, Chinas CPEC investments in the province have hitherto been limited to the development of the Gwadar Port and a road linking it to the coastal highway to Karachi.

The port is not yet fully operational and only recently handled its Afghan transhipment cargo. The city continues to suffer severe power and water shortages, the report said.

Also, Chinese geopolitical interests at Gwadar, the Arabian Sea outlet of the corridor, running overland from Xinjiang, have become caught up in a web of espionage and proxy warfare involving Pakistan and Iran, it said. Iran is highly suspicious of Pakistan and its relationship with arch-rival Saudi Arabia, especially since Riyadh was invited in late 2018 to establish a USD 10 billion oil refinery and storage facility at Gwadar.

The Iranians feel that Pakistan is not doing enough to secure the border on its side, said Seyed Mohammed Marandi, a professor of English literature and oriental studies at the University of Tehran and renowned political commentator.

A lot of Saudi money has gone to extremist groups in this region and the Saudis have funded these [Jaish ul-Adl] terrorists, he told the Post.

Similarly, Pakistan is deeply concerned about Indias involvement at Irans Chabahar Port, which is competing with Gwadar for transit cargoes heading to landlocked Afghanistan.

Politicians have warned that popular resentment towards federal government policies in Balochistan is dangerously close to igniting a wider uprising, it said.

Pakistans former president Asif Ali Zardari last month said the state needed to be more careful in Balochistan.

Journalist Kiyya Baloch said Chinese security concerns would continue to drag on the pace at which the CPEC projects in Gwadar have been developed.

Despite increasing diplomatic engagement, it is highly unlikely Beijing will make any significant further investment in Gwadar until security is improved, Baloch said.
Pangilinan on nurses' salary hike: long awaited and well-deserved, especially during pandemic

SENATOR Francis "Kiko" Pangilinan on Sunday welcomed the government's decision to finally implement Section 32 of the Philippine Nursing Act of 2002 which will raise the minimum monthly base pay of government nurses to Salary Grade 15 (SG-15), or P32,053 to P34,801.

"This is a welcome development. Matagal nang batas ang Philippine Nursing Act of 2002, ngunit inabot ng 18 taon para maimplement ang pagtaas ng kanilang sahod. Isa sa mga pinakamahalagang frontliners natin ang ating mga nurses, at isa lamang ito sa maraming paraan na pinapakita natin ang suporta sa kanila ngayong pandemya," he said.

Government nurses will jump four salary grades from SG-11 to SG-15, increasing their incomes by as much as P10,000 per month under the Salary Standardization Law.

The said circular is effective no later than January 1, 2020.

"Kailangan ding masigurong matanggap ng mga nurses ang back pay simula pa ng January. Delikado at nakakapagod ang serbisyong binibigay ngayon ng mga nurses dahil sa COVID. At ginagawa nila ito kahit maliit ang kita. Ginagawa nila ito dahil mahal nila ang bayan, ang kapwa Pilipino. Sila ay mga tunay na bayani," Pangilinan said.

In an effort to recognize the rights of nurses to higher pay and better working conditions, Pangilinan has earlier filed Senate Bill 260 or the Comprehensive Nursing Act which will provide mechanisms toward relevant nursing practices, just and humane working conditions, and promotion of professional growth.

The bill similarly provides that the salaries of entry-level government nurses shall not be lower than SG-15.

No hearing has been conducted on SB 260 as of this time.
BERLIN (Reuters) - The premiers of four German states have appealed to members of the U.S. Congress to block plans to withdraw U.S. troops from Germany, according to letters seen by Reuters on Sunday.

President Donald Trump said last month he would cut the number of U.S. troops in Germany by 9,500 to 25,000, faulting the fellow NATO member for failing to meet the North Atlantic alliance's defence spending target and accusing it of taking advantage of America on trade.

The prime ministers of the four southern states, all home to U.S. bases, addressed the letters to 13 members of Congress including senators Mitt Romney and Jim Inhofe.

"We therefore ask you to support us as we strive not to sever the bond of friendship but to strengthen it, and to secure the U.S. presence in Germany and Europe in the future," wrote the premiers of Bavaria, Hesse, Baden-Wuerttemberg and Rhineland-Palatinate.

A spokesman for the U.S. embassy in Berlin declined to comment. Last month, Washington said the move would "enhance Russian deterrence, strengthen NATO, reassure Allies".

But the premiers wrote that the U.S. forces in their states "form the backbone of the U.S. presence in Europe and NATO's ability to act".

(Reporting by Markus Wacker; additional reporting and writing by Tom Sims in Frankfurt; Editing by Kevin Liffey)
The minister said Egypt has 'internal tools' to address any problems that might result from Ethiopias dam

Egypts Minister of Irrigation and Water Resources Mohamed Abdel-Ati told MPs on Sunday morning that the state will never stand idle in the face of the challenge posed by the Grand Ethiopia Renaissance Dam (GERD).

It is by no means an easy case and we have a lot of challenges in this respect, but we will never stand still or just stand as spectators, Abdel-Ati said, adding that Egypt has internal tools to address the problems that might be caused by the GERD.

Abdel-Ati said Egypts President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi is closely following the GERD negotiations.

A mini African summit on the GERD will be held on Tuesday (21 July), he said.

Abdel-Atis statements came during a meeting held by parliaments small and medium-scale enterprises committee to explore the possibility of offering loans to farmers who wish to modernise their irrigation systems.

Abdel-Ati said the ministrys strategy focuses on rationalising the use of Nile water in agricultural projects.

For example, the state is expanding on the use of sprinkling irrigation systems instead of the old-fashioned flood irrigation system which has been in use in Egypt since ancient times, he said, adding that the government is keen on helping farmers obtain soft-term loans to adopt modern irrigation systems that can save water.

Kamal Marei, head of the small and medium enterprises committee, said the Egyptian people are following the progress of negotiations over Ethiopias dam because the Nile water is a matter of life and death.

We have full confidence that the countrys political leadership is keen to have the GERD negotiations achieve the countrys supreme interests, Marie said.

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Dana White UFC on ESPN+ 30 post-fight

The UFC still has one more event on Fight Island before heading back to the UFC Apex, but company president Dana White is ready to go home.

Though he couldn't heap enough praise on Abu Dhabi and how they've handled the UFC Fight Island events, White needs to get back to the U.S. and tie up several loose ends surrounding the next few months of fights. So he'll be heading home once he wraps up on Saturday night in Abu Dhabi.

Before getting ready to board a plane, White spoke with MMAWeekly.com and the other news outlets on hand on Yas Island.

White addressed numerous topics, chief among them was his irritation at Paulo Costa's camp leaking a potential upcoming fight with Israel Adesanya.

TRENDING > Deiveson Figueiredo becomes flyweight champ, puts Joe Benavidez to sleep at UFC on ESPN+ 30

(Video courtesy of UFC)
Overnight reports from Jacksonville police:

 Madelynn E. Ganz, 19, of Arenzville was cited on a charge of following too closely after the vehicle she was driving and one being driven by Derek M. Edmonds, 38, of Jacksonville collided at 1:16 p.m. Friday at West Morton and Westgate avenues.

 Latonja B. Binion, 50, of Jacksonville was cited on a charge of failing to yield after the vehicle she was driving and one being driven by Judith M. Taylor, 78, of Jacksonville collided at 5:23 p.m. Friday at South Church Street and Beecher Avenue.

 Tiffany L. Swarringin, 33, of 609 E. Independence Ave. was arrested at 7:50 p.m. Friday on charges of resisting a peace officer and unlawful use of a weapon and on warrants accusing her of failing to appear in court on a probation revocation, endangering the welfare of a child and theft of a motor vehicle.
Support for British farmers has soared to a record high as a result of their efforts to keep the nation fed during the pandemic.

A new survey reveals that 75 per cent of Britons have a positive view of the farming industry  the highest figure since the Farmer Favourability Survey began in 2012.

There has been a six-point leap since last year, with the majority of those questioned citing farmers' work over the past four months as the reason for their approval.

A new survey reveals that 75 per cent of Britons have a positive view of the farming industry

Minette Batters, President of the National Farmers' Union (NFU), said: 'Like the rest of the nation, our farmers have had a challenging year and it's fantastic to see the British public has recognised the efforts of growers and producers in keeping us fed.

As farmers, we must continue to show the public how much the UK farming sector delivers for the nation, the economy and the environment.

Their support is going to be invaluable in the months and years ahead.'

The results of the survey, conducted by OnePoll, comes as the Government's controversial Agriculture Bill returns to the House of Lords this week and MPs tomorrow debate a proposed Trade Bill covering the UK's post-Brexit trade deals.

There are concerns the legislation could endanger the 120 billion industry, with campaigners warning that animal welfare, food safety and environmental protection standards will be at risk if safeguards are not enshrined in law.

The Mail on Sunday has launched the Save Our Family Farms campaign to keep cheap, sub-standard US food off our supermarket shelves in the event of a trade deal between Britain and America.

More than a million people have signed an NFU petition urging the Government to ensure that future agreements do not lead to food imports that would be illegal to produce here, such as chlorinated chicken or hormone-fed beef.

Ms Batters said: 'This has sent a strong signal to Westminster on how highly British people value quality, sustainably produced British food.'

OnePoll surveyed 2,000 adults in England and Wales, with 86 per cent agreeing that British farms should grow as much food as they can to provide national food security.

The industry, which employs more than four million people in the UK, is regarded by 89 per cent of the public as being 'fairly or very important' to the economy.

As farmers, we must continue to show the public how much the UK farming sector delivers for the nation, the economy and the environment

Some 77 per cent believe farmers should continue to receive financial support post-Brexit  a nine-point increase on the figure in 2017.

The Government insists it will safeguard the quality of food on shelves and the farming industry.

Under pressure, Liz Truss, the International Trade Secretary, last month announced a new Trade and Agriculture Commission to scrutinise and make recommendations on future trade deals.

She has previously pledged: 'When it comes to food, we will never lower our standards in order to sign a trade deal.'

However, Tory critics and environmental campaigners are demanding greater controls over how the Government agrees to post-Brexit trade deals.

In tomorrow's Trade Bill debate, Tory MP Jonathan Djanogly will seek to add an amendment to 'give MPs a debate and vote on trade deals before and after negotiations'.

Friends of the Earth trade campaigner Kierra Box also insisted Ministers must give 'people and our MPs a strong voice' on trade talks.

Last night, Tory MP George Freeman, who is backing Mr Djanogly's amendment, insisted the Government must not give access to cheap food products from the US and other countries that do not have 'decent animal welfare or environmental standards'.

Some 77 per cent believe farmers should continue to receive financial support post-Brexit

He said: 'The risks of getting this wrong are huge. Our UK farm and food sector can never compete with overseas producers with lower standards.

'Do we really want to open up our food chain to a flood of cheap meat and processed food with no idea of where it's come from or what's in it?

'For UK farming, that would be the equivalent of the closure of our shipbuilding and steel industries in the 1980s.'

We've stood up to Beijing on cyber security  now let's stand up to Trump on food safety

By Tory MP George Freeman

The fact that the Covid pandemic started in the wet markets of Wuhan is a stark warning that globalisation carries the huge risk of opening the door to cheap food regardless of provenance.

There is the danger, too, of unleashing a new era of plant, animal and human diseases, devastating habitats every bit as hard as climate change.

Tory MP George Freeman says: 'We've stood up to Beijing on cyber security  now let's stand up to Trump on food safety'

We have already seen what carnage diseases such as BSE, Dutch Elm, ash die back, bluetongue, zika and Ebola do.

In learning the lessons from Covid, we need to put food safety and supply chain security higher up the national agenda.

While we don't want Covid to trigger to a decade of protectionism, we do want to ensure globalisation is a force for raising standards all around.

Having made the right decision on Huawei, the Government must make the same principled stand on food and animal welfare standards.

It must not give access to cheap food products from the US and other countries which don't have decent animal welfare or environmental standards. The risks of getting this wrong are huge.

Our UK farm and food sector can never compete with overseas producers with lower standards.

Do we really want to open up our food chain to a flood of cheap meat and processed food with no idea where it's come from or what's in it?

For UK farming that would be the equivalent of the closure of our shipbuilding and steel industries in the 1980s.

In those circumstances, without huge EU-like subsidies - which we are rightly getting away from - all but the biggest and most exclusive premium farm and food operations would go bust.

Although I don't worry about the creation of tumbleweed prairies, I fear farms would be snapped up and fenced off by the global jet-set looking for safe-haven investment and private rural playgrounds.

If that happened, another great UK industry would be thrown on the scrapheap.

World-leading UK expertise and commercial muscle in agronomy, food standards, sustainable food production, agri-tech, nutraceuticals and plant and animal breeding would be lost forever.

All for the short-term 'kick' of cheap food.

In my constituency of Mid Norfolk - where the farming of pigs, poultry and food processing is the primary industry  this would have a devastating impact.

Do we really want to open up our food chain to a flood of cheap meat and processed food with no idea where it's come from or what's in it?

Given that risk, I welcome the Government's agreement last week to the Food and Trade Commission. But it needs to be the first step.

We must have a very clear commitment from Ministers that the post-Brexit freedom to negotiate our own trade deals will not be an excuse to abandon UK standards of production, animal welfare and environmental and workplace safety.

We need to use our huge bargaining power as the world's fifth biggest market to insist on higher standards from trading partners.

Let's not block imports but insist they are safe and match our own welfare standards.

The Conservative election manifesto clearly committed us to protecting food and farming standards.

But, until now, UK Trade negotiators have been sending out a mixed message.

First, they said that the adoption of EU standards into UK law on Brexit day fulfilled the manifesto commitment (even if we subsequently negotiate them away).

Second, that we cannot bind the hands of negotiators.

Third, that World Trade Organisation rules do not allow the imposition of any welfare standards on imports. Fourth, that there's nothing wrong with allowing in cheap food produced below our standards. And, finally, they have tried to counterbalance fears that a US trade deal would allow cheap American food into the UK by highlighting that it will also allow premium UK food into the US.

But access for a few top UK wine and cheese producers to Manhattan restaurants isn't a fair trade for the flooding of UK markets with cheap US meat.

Food labelling is important to allow consumers to choose, but it's of no use for food provided through the catering industry, and of little comfort if free trade has put most UK producers out of business.

The Trade Secretary, Liz Truss, has sensibly agreed to calls by the National Farmers' Union and The Mail on Sunday for much greater protections for UK food standards through a Commission to advise on the implications of trade deals.

But UK negotiators must have a clear mandate from Parliament.

This should be an exciting moment to 'take back control' and, as the Agriculture and Trade Bills are debated nest week, to allow Parliament the chance to help set out trading standards.

Get this right and we can use our trade to support and champion UK welfare and good standards. Get it wrong and we will be the generation who abandoned UK food and farming to chicken chlorinators from Wisconsin and Wuhan.

 Mid Norfolk MP George Freeman MP is former UK Minister for AgriTech, Life Science and the UK Medicines Regulation, and former Chair of the No10 Policy Board
The work resumption of enterprises in Beijing has returned to the level in early June, local authorities said on Saturday.

As of Thursday, most of the major commercial buildings, construction sites, industrial enterprises and supermarkets in Beijing had resumed operation, Li Sufang, deputy director of the Beijing Municipal Development and Reform Commission, said at a press conference.

The resumption of major restaurants had reached 91.1 percent, while that of offline stores, such as fruit and vegetable shops, convenience stores, and hair and beauty salons, had reached 91.9 percent.

Beijing reported no new confirmed or suspected domestically transmitted COVID-19 cases on Friday, the municipal health commission said Saturday. This means that the city had reported no new confirmed domestically transmitted COVID-19 cases for 12 consecutive days.


The Market Surveillance Inspection Body of Armenia today monitored and paid repetitive visits in the Nor Nork Administrative District of Yerevan.

The inspection body conducts monitoring for observance of the anti-epidemic norms at trade centers, fairs, construction material stores and retail trade outlets for liquid fuel, compressed natural gas or liquefied petroleum gas, in accordance with Decision No 63 of the Commandant dated May 3, 2020.

The inspectors recorded shortcomings of several businesses of the Nor Nork Administrative District, and the companies fixed them on the spot. There was no book for registering temperatures, line-markings for maintaining social distancing and a special closed trashcan for face masks and gloves at a construction materials store.

The inspection body draws up records on the observed violations and submits them to the Commandants Office. The inspection body continues to conduct monitoring across the country.
Jung Chang-ok, third from left, enters Seoul Nambu District Court Sunday for questioning about throwing his shoe at President Moon Jae-in. / Yonhap



By Bahk Eun-ji



Prosecutors sought an arrest warrant on Sunday for a man who threw a shoe at President Moon Jae-in last Thursday at the National Assembly.



The Seoul Central District Prosecutors Office said it requested the warrant to detain Jung Chang-ok, 57, on charges of obstructing justice and trespassing.



Jung arrived for the arrest warrant interview later on Sunday.



The incident happened when Moon left the Assembly building at 3:19 p.m., Thursday, after his 21st National Assembly opening speech. The shoe fell a distance from Moon, but police arrested Jung on the spot. Seoul Yeongdeungpo Police Station said it filed a warrant for arrest the next day, saying "The matter is utterly serious."



Jung reportedly said he threw the shoe because "President Moon makes people feel humiliated by calling for fake peace, and destroying the economy. He seems not be sorry to the people, so I threw my shoe to humiliate him."



Although Jung said he was not a member of any organization, he is known to be the father of a candidate, also surnamed Jung, who stood for the Our Republican Party in the last election. He is said to have served as co-chairman of a North Korean human rights group. He also has a criminal record for arrests on sex crime charges against minors when he was a theater actor in 1995.



Cho Won-jin, a former lawmaker and leader of the Our Republican Party, reportedly visited Jung in the detention facility of Yeongdeungpo Police Station on Sunday. In front of the police station, some conservatives staged a rally and called for rejection of the request for an arrest warrant against Jung.


Scotland Yard has released body cam footage of a police operation to disrupt an unlicensed music event on Friday in which two officers were injured.

Metropolitan Police said residents living near the Woodberry Down Estate in Finsbury Park alerted officers to the event from 11pm on Friday night.

A dispersal zone was set up and trained public order officers entered the estate to try to disperse the group, but the Met said they were met with hostility and violence and two officers were injured after items including canisters, bottles and a bicycle were hurled at them.

One was taken to hospital with bruising to his ribs and has since been discharged, and the other suffered a leg injury but was able complete the remainder of his duty.

An 18-year-old was arrested for violent disorder and obstruction while a 19-year-old was also held for obstruction.

The newly released footage shows officers being pelted with objects as they move in to disperse the gathered crowd.

In a statement, Deputy Assistant Commissioner Lucy DOrsi said police received upwards of 30 calls about the event from concerned residents asking for help.

These residents were scared to leave their homes and scared about what they would face outside their front doors in the morning, she said.

It is always an anxious moment for us as we deploy our officers into such situations but I draw confidence from my knowledge of the outstanding training they receive.

Ms DOrsi added she wanted to share the footage in order to give people a glimpse into what officers experience in dealing with these situations.

She said: I wanted to share with you the footage from a colleagues body worn camera which shows what they faced upon arrival, and I ask the question could you or would you want to do their job?

Unlicensed music events have become a regular issue for police across England ever since lockdown restrictions were eased.

Earlier on Saturday, Greater Manchester Police (GMP) issued a statement saying they had dismantled a planned illegal rave by engaging with audio equipment suppliers.

GMP officers have prevented a large illegal rave from going ahead this evening. pic.twitter.com/p0Tr2d4Skn  Greater Manchester Police (@gmpolice) July 18, 2020

The statement said: Following two large illegal raves that were held last month, GMP set up a dedicated operation to carefully monitor any planned future events.

These raves pose significant risks as previous events have demonstrated and were committed to working with our partners to prevent further raves from taking place.

These events are unacceptable, they put lives at risk and they will not be tolerated.
National Communication Officer of the NDC has described as fake an arrest warrant issued for Samuel Adam Mahama.



According to him, it is manipulated by the ruling government.



An INTERPOL document dated July 10, 2020, announced an arrest warrant for Samuel Mahama in connection with his role in the Airbus bribery scandal.



But Sammy Gyamfi, reacting to this on Neat FM's Me Man Nti's programme said a red notice is always found on the official website of INTERPOL; however upon several checks, 'it's not there'.



"The document is fake and was not issued by Interpol . . . .in the first place the person should be a fugitive for a red notice to be issued, but the person we are talking about is not a fugitive and so why would a red notice be issued? Every red notice has a control number and it is published on their website but after checks, it's not there. So, if it's Akufo-Addo's branch of Interpol that issued the red notice they should let us know, he said.



He said attempts to mar the image of the former President won't wash because "the bottom line is that President Mahama is incorruptible".



Listen to him in the video below





The International Criminal Police Organisation (Interpol) issued an arrest warrant for Samuel Adam Foster who is also called Samuel Adam Mahama in connection with his role in the Airbus bribery scandal.He has been accused of allegedly accepting bribe to influence a public officer and acting in collaboration with a public officer for the public officers private gain.Interpol said he is liable to a term of imprisonment not exceeding 25 years for the offence.The arrest warrant which was issued on July 10, said once Mr Adam Mahama is traced, assurances are given that an extradition will be sought upon the arrest of the person, in conformity with national laws and/or the applicable bilateral and multilateral treaties.Extradition will be sought upon the arrest of the person, in conformity with national laws and/or the applicable bilateral and multilateral treaties.

Source: Peacefmonline.com









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

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Prime Minister Scott Morrison should be thankful that most teenagers cannot vote. His recent announcement that the Australian government was monitoring the Chinese video-sharing app TikTok "very closely" and "won't be shy" about taking action against it over potential national security threats will have many young Australians worried.

With more than 1.6 million local users according to Roy Morgan, the highly popular app lets users watch and share musical clips that range from karaoke to viral dances and political satire in 15-second bursts. The platform is owned by tech giant ByteDance, which was founded by Chinese digital entrepreneur Zhang Yiming in 2012 and is valued at more than $100 billion. With more than 1 billion active users globally, it is China's most successful app outside its borders.

But such success has also brought with it a good amount of scrutiny. Australia is not alone in wanting to run a ruler over the platform's ties with the Chinese Communist Party and privacy concerns related to the enormous amount of user data the tech company is accumulating. While ByteDance is adamant that it is independent and committed to keeping data safe from prying eyes, it is a difficult argument to run when its Chinese operations are scrutinised.

TikTok is not available in China, and has been withdrawn from Hong Kong since the new security laws were introduced. Instead, ByteDance runs a separate, highly censored version called Douyin in China. According to the Australian Strategic Policy Institute, ByteDance "collaborates" with public security bureaus across China to disseminate propaganda, including in Xinjiang, where Beijing is under scrutiny for its detention and surveillance of Uighurs and other Muslim minority groups.
Amaravati: Andhra Pradesh governor Biswa Bhusan Harichandan is not likely to rush to give his consent to the contentious three capitals bill sent to him by the Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy government on Saturday.

Once bitten twice shy, Raj Bhavan is firm on following due process. It intends to take a decision that will stand judicial scrutiny, unlike the hurriedly issued ordinance curtailing the term of the then state election commissioner N. Ramesh Kumar, which was struck down by the Andhra Pradesh High Court.

The Amaravati capital region development authority repeal bill was also sent for the governors consent.

Official sources told Deccan Chronicle that the governor would wait for the para-wise remarks he sought from the Assembly Secretariat on complaints made to him separately by the Amaravati Sadhana Samithi and Telugu Desam Party senior leader, Y. Ramakrishnudu.

As the bills originated from the administrative department, in this case municipal admin and urban development, they would be sent to the legal department as part of the procedure for vetting and numbering. Raj Bhavan sources did not rule out the governor asking for legal opinion before giving his consent.

The state government, however, is confident that the procedure it adopted is constitutional. A senior official told Deccan Chronicle that speaker T. Seetharams decision to re-introduce the bill in the Assembly three months after the stalemate in the Legislative Council was as per Assembly rules.

The government also took a stand that the council chairmans discretionary power, using which he announced referring the bills to a select committee, would come into effect only when the rules and conventions were silent. In this case, the council chairman did not even put the motion pressing for the select committee to vote, leave alone the upper house adopting it, the official pointed out.

Both bills were dispatched on Saturday immediately after the end of the mandatory one- month cooling period from the day the state assembly passed them for the second time. The assembly passed the bills and sent them to the council where there was a stalemate on whether or not they should be sent to select committee.

The speaker, however, allowed re-introduction of the bills three months later on the grounds that no motion was passed in the council to refer them to the select committee. The assembly passed the bills for the second time taking the Chief Minister closer to his dream of making Visakhapatnam the executive capital.
ATM maker Diebold Nixdorf is warning banks a new ATM black box attack technique that was recently employed in cyber thefts in Europe.

Black box attacks are a type of jackpotting attack aimed at forcing an ATM to dispense the cash by sending a command through a black box device.

In this attack, a black box device, such as a mobile device or a Raspberry, is physically connected to the ATM and is used by the attackers to send commands to the machine.

The ATM black box attacks are quite popular in the cybercrime underground and several threat actors offer the hardware equipment and malware that could be used to compromise the ATMs.

This week, Diebold Nixdorf, a leading manufacturer of ATM machines, has issued an alert to customers warning all banks of a new variant of ATM black box or jackpotting attacks.

The alert was issued after the Agenta Bank in Belgium was forced to shut down 143 ATMs after a jackpotting attack.

All the compromised machines were Diebold Nixdorf ProCash 2050xe devices. This is the first time that Belgian authorities observe this criminal practice in the country.

According to a security alert issued by Diebold Nixdorf, and obtained by ZDNet, the new variation of black box attacks has been used in certain countries across Europe.

In the recent incidents, attackers are focusing on outdoor systems and are destroying parts of the fascia in order to gain physical access to the head compartment. reads the alert issued by the vendor. Next, the USB cable between the CMD-V4 dispenser and the special electronics, or the cable between special electronics and the ATM PC, was unplugged. This cable is connected to the black box of the attacker in order to send illegitimate dispense commands. Some incidents indicate that the black box contains individual parts of the software stack of the attacked ATM.

The experts are still investigating how these portions of the stack code were obtained by the crooks, they speculated that attackers could have had offline access to an unencrypted hard disc.

The alert includes recommendations for countermeasures, such as:

Implement protection mechanisms for cash modules;

Implement hardening of the software stack;

Limit physical access to the ATM

Pierluigi Paganini

(SecurityAffairs  hacking, black box)
International Labour Organization says MT Gulf Sky was hijacked on July 5 and all 28 Indian crew disembarked in Iran.

A United Nations agency has acknowledged that a US-sought oil tanker hijacked off the coast of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) after allegedly smuggling Iranian crude oil is back in Iranian waters.

The International Labour Organization (ILO) on Sunday said the MT Gulf Sky was hijacked on July 5, citing its captain. That mirrors earlier reporting by The Associated Press news agency.

The vessel was taken to Iran, the ILO said. All 28 Indian crew members disembarked in Iran and all but two of the crew without passports flew from Tehran to India on July 15, it added.

The ILO cited the International Seafarers Welfare and Assistance Network for its information. The agency earlier filed a report saying the vessel and its sailors had been abandoned by its owners without pay since March off Khorfakkan, a city on the eastern coast of the UAE.

Iranian state media and officials have not acknowledged the hijacking and arrival of the MT Gulf Sky to Iran. The United States government similarly has not commented.

In May, the US Justice Department filed criminal charges against two Iranians, accusing them of trying to launder some $12m to buy the tanker, then named the MT Nautica, through a series of front companies.

Mystery tanker

Court documents allege the smuggling scheme involved the Quds Force of Irans Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, which is its elite expeditionary unit, as well as Irans national oil and tanker companies.

The two men charged, one of whom also has an Iraqi passport, remain at large.

A US bank froze funds associated with the sale, causing the seller to launch a lawsuit in the UAE to repossess the vessel, the Justice Department said earlier. That civil action was believed to still be pending, raising questions of how the tanker sailed away from the Emirates after being seized by authorities there.

As tensions between Iran and the US heated up last year, tankers plying the waters of the Middle East became targets, particularly near the crucial Strait of Hormuz, the Gulfs narrow mouth through which 20 percent of all oil passes.

Suspected mine attacks the US blamed on Iran targeted several tankers. Iran denied any involvement.

Iran seized a British-flagged tanker in the Gulf last year after British forces seized an Iranian tanker off the territory of Gibraltar. Both vessels were released after a months-long standoff.

A flotilla of tankers carrying Iranian fuel for gasoline-starved Venezuela reached the US sanctions-hit nation in June.

The shipments caused a diplomatic standoff between Iran and Venezuela and the US as both nations are under American sanctions.

The US recently beefed up its naval presence in the Caribbean for what it said was an expanded anti-drug operation.
In the first weeks of the Bay Areas coronavirus shutdown, callers flooded Santa Clara Countys hotline for reporting rule-breakers, with most complaints focused on businesses flouting the health order and staying open.

But as time went by, health orders loosened and tightened. The complaints also evolved, growing to include parties, religious gatherings and more. The county set up an email address to accommodate the publics concerns. From March to mid-May, the county received 7,000 such grievances.

We stopped counting at some point because we were like, Oh, forget it, said Angela Alvarado, a community prosecutor at the Santa Clara Countys district attorneys office who leads a team of seven attorneys and four investigators tasked with ensuring that county residents and businesses follow health orders.

The entire Bay Area is wrestling with this difficult task, which grew even more complex last week when Gov. Gavin Newsom shut down businesses across the state in an attempt to tamp down the growing coronavirus surge. Whose job is it to enforce state and county regulations? The police? Health inspectors? Thats a work in a progress and counties are coming up with their own plans.

It comes at a critical time. The pandemic in California has worsened significantly since June, with case counts and hospitalizations reaching new highs every few days. As of Saturday, there were 375,686 cases in California, including 7,620 deaths.

On the Santa Clara County complaints line, residents reported graduation parties and July Fourth gatherings that appeared to violate restrictions around social distancing and large groups. They flagged Instagram posts promoting raves. They reported churches holding indoor services and gyms that allowed members to continue working out. Some complained that fellow shoppers at Costco were not wearing masks properly.

It all fell to Alvarados team, which triages the complaint hotline, either sending out their investigators to businesses that are allegedly breaking the rules or notifying law enforcement to look into the matter.

Officers have visited at least 1,000 retailers, luxury car dealerships, restaurants and other businesses flagged for alleged wrongdoing. The vast majority end up complying after officers issue warnings, Alvarado said.

Paul Kuroda/Special to The Chronicle

When faced with business owners who refuse after repeated visits, the district attorney elevates the matter by writing a letter to the companys attorneys, citing violations of the health order  a misdemeanor that could be criminally prosecuted.

That usually does the trick, Alvarado said. The office has sent out fewer than 50 such letters, and has not filed any charges against any businesses.

Their work underscores the challenge of controlling the pandemic from the top down. Officers cannot investigate every complaint, leaving much of the work of containing the virus up to individual responsibility.

The social gatherings that public health officials say are driving the recent surge in cases are not happening in public, but rather in peoples homes and backyards and parks.

These social interactions are not happening at the restaurant or bar or the nail salon, said Solano County Health Officer Bela Matyas. I dont have the power to change a persons behavior in their home. Its way outside my authority to do anything.

Dozens of other counties and cities are crafting their own strategies to ensure that residents and businesses are following health orders. Generally, they try not to file charges or issue fines because most businesses comply before they need to.

We dont want to exacerbate anything going on there by giving citations to people who are already struggling or take people to jail for business owners trying to take care of their family, said Sgt. Tya Modeste, public information officer for the Alameda County Sheriffs Office. Thats why we put our emphasis on education.

Paul Kuroda / Special to The Chronicle

The office has received about 4,200 complaints from residents reporting people and businesses they believe are not following health orders. The most from any single city, 1,100, involve activities in Oakland  mostly large gatherings at Lake Merritt, which are up to the city to deal with, Modeste said.

Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf encouraged residents not to go to the lake because overcrowding could accelerate the spread of the virus. On weekends, the city has park ambassadors, firefighters and municipal code enforcers urge people to wear masks and stay 6 feet apart.

The district attorneys office sends deputies to businesses in question in unincorporated areas of Alameda County. They have also been called by residents complaining about neighbors holding house parties. But the office has not issued any citations or fines, Modeste said.

We will go out to the house having a house party and educate them on no large gatherings and make sure they understand what the guidance entails, Modeste said.

In Contra Costa County, the district attorneys consumer protection unit  which typically prosecutes consumer fraud cases  is leading the charge. During the pandemic, the unit initially focused on coronavirus-related fraud, such as price gouging. But as the pandemic raged on, inspectors turned their attention to enforcing health orders at businesses.

Some days we get no calls, other days we get seven or eight, said Scott Alonso, public information officer for the Contra Costa County district attorneys office, which has received about 200 complaints from the community about alleged health order violations.

The office has not had to shut down any businesses. It does have the authority to bring criminal charges, seek a civil injunction to close a business or issue fines for unlawful business practices.

Only one alleged violation has been referred to the district attorneys office  a case where a Richmond church was cited for holding an indoor service for 40 parishioners. The office is investigating the matter and has not filed charges, Alonso said.

Contra Costa County supervisors are also weighing an administrative fine for businesses that violate health orders, but they have yet to decide how much the fine would be.

Drought Map Track water shortages and restrictions across Bay Area Check the water shortage status of your area, plus see reservoir levels and a list of restrictions for the Bay Areas largest water districts.

It would follow a similar move by Napa County supervisors, who last week approved fines of up to $5,000 for businesses that dont follow health orders, and fines of up to $500 for individuals who do not wear masks.

The idea has the support of Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff, who said last week that people who dont wear masks should be fined, just like people who dont use seat belts.

Marin County is creating a strike team similar to the states, asking residents to report violations of the shelter-in-place order by businesses via an email address.

Officials will seek to pass an ordinance at Tuesdays Board of Supervisors meeting that would allow violators to be punished with a fine.

Counties have a lot at stake for getting enforcement right. Newsom has threatened to withhold $2.5 billion in financial relief from local governments in the upcoming state budget if they do not follow the guidelines that he says are necessary to tamp down the spike in coronavirus cases.

State agencies have issued 88 citations since early July to businesses for violating health orders.

Before Newsoms order Monday shutting down indoor dining and a host of other businesses statewide, reopening plans were changing constantly  leaving residents and businesses with a bit of whiplash about what the rules were at any given time.

Theres a lot of confusion because you have certain information coming from the state level, information coming from the county level, and they may not always match, Modeste said. But the order that has the stricter guidelines is the one that prevails.

Bay Area restaurants, barbershops and gyms had gained permission to open or expand operations but are now facing renewed and possibly lengthy closures under health orders.

In Santa Clara County, for instance, fitness centers and personal care businesses were allowed to reopen Monday. But hours later, they learned they had to shut down again by Wednesday.

We were looking forward to it, said Vijay Bist, owner of Amber India Restaurant on Santana Row in San Jose, which was planning to reopen indoor dining and rehiring some employees, but now must put it on hold. But we understand that this is bigger than us.

Chronicle staff writer Shwanika Narayan contributed to this report.

Catherine Ho and Aidin Vaziri are San Francisco Chronicle staff writers. Email: cho@sfchronicle.com, avaziri@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @Cat_Ho
ROANOKE  Ballad Health said the pace is accelerating so rapidly for people becoming seriously ill from COVID-19 that if it goes unchecked, the health system will be overwhelmed.

The warning came on the same day 30,000 fans were expected to pass through turnstiles at Bristol Motor Speedway for NASCARs All-Star Race.

Until late June, cases of COVID-19 in Bristol and much of Virginias rural coalfields and in Tennessees Tri-Cities area were few, and under control. But just as in the Roanoke and Alleghany Health Districts, vacationers brought the virus home to Ballads service area.

Ballad has since seen an overwhelming majority of its cases now tied to spread in its communities. Hospital admissions shot up from a handful at the beginning of the month to 60 on Wednesday. More troublesome is that the rate of admissions is doubling every few days.

There is really no reason to think this continued growth in cases is going to stop anytime soon unless we, as the citizens of this region, start to think about how we can protect each other and take precautions and wear a mask, Chief Operating Officer Eric Deaton said during a news conference Wednesday.
A cold sore sufferer who dreaded having the 'conversation' at the start of new relationships claims a balm made from liquorice has stopped them in their tracks.

Nicola Freeman, 37, from Hampshire, who got her first cold sore aged 16, says at her worst, she had six large cold sores at the same time.

'My lips were swollen and felt like they were being stabbed by hot pins constantly,' she explained. 'Most recently I had a breakout just after Christmas where one of the four on my lips was the size of a 10p, spreading down my chin. It lasted two weeks and the scar can still be seen.'

However, after trying every solution under the sun, the wedding planner finally found an unlikely answer in the form of 8.50 Lip Q Liquorice Balm - which she says helped to clear up her symptoms in days.

Nicola Freeman, 37, from Hampshire, has suffered with cold sores since her teens but claims she has been cold sore free since she started using LipQ Liquorice Balm in February. Pictured, with a cold sore in November 2019

The wedding planner claims the balm has helped to stop the cold sores in their tracks. Pictured, recently, after applying the product

The wedding planner says she probably caught the virus from her mum who has cold sores - even though she was always very cautious around her and her sister.

'It could not have been a worse age to get my first cold sore really,' she explained. 'It made me feel self-conscious and dented my confidence at a period of life when confidence is difficult anyway.'

Nicola went on to explain that her cold sores got worse and worse over time - especially once she hit 30.

'The breakouts became more intense and more frequent, often every 4-6 weeks, lasting up to two weeks at a time,' she explained.

Nicola has praised the 8.50 balm for helping her cold sores to disappear

'Having cold sores dramatically affects my confidence and always has,' she said. 'When I have a really bad breakout I will often feel physically ill at the same time with a cold-like feeling and general lethargy.'

'The physical pain is sometimes so bad it keeps me awake at night. If I had a cold sore I would often cancel social or business plans and avoid contact with others as I didn't want to be seen in public.'

She continued: 'When I did go out in public with them I avoided eye contact and always found myself apologising for the "state" of my face.

The 37-year-old says she's had guys in the past who have laughed at her and made negative comments that havent helped her insecurities about her cold sores. Pictured, before with cold sore on 2 November 2019

Nicola (pictured, cold-sore free) says that having the 'cold sore' conversation at the start of a new relationship was difficult

'My job involves a lot of face-to-face contact and I was finding that the cold sores were affecting my confidence at meetings with clients.'

What causes cold sores and what are they like? Herpes viruses cause cold sores, which most commonly appear on the lips or genitals. Around seven in 10 people in the UK are infected with the viruses. However, only around one in three experience symptoms. Cold sores on the lips most commonly get passed on by being kissed by someone with an active cold sore. They begin as a small red patch that blisters before bursting, leaving a raw area that scabs. Cold sores that appear on the face are most commonly caused by the herpes simplex type 1 virus. Type 2 mainly affects the genitals. It is rare for cold sores to spread away from the site they first appeared in. Cold sores can reappear if triggered by stress, illness, alcohol or too much sunlight. This is because the virus stays in a nerve junction near the spinal cord. Many feel an itch, tingle or shooting pain before a cold sore reappears. Antiviral medication may be prescribed if someone frequently suffers from outbreaks. Keeping sores moisturised can stop them cracking and becoming painful. Source: Herpes Viruses Association Advertisement

Nicola says that having the 'cold sore' conversation at the start of a new relationship was difficult.

'I have had guys in the past who have laughed at me and make negative comments that havent helped my insecurities about my cold sores,' she said. 'When you get cold sores on a regular basis it cant fail to have a negative effect on a relationship - especially a new one.

'Close physical contact has to stop, for sometimes up to two weeks. The fear of passing the virus on can be all-consuming at times.'

She added: 'Luckily, my friends and family are used to them by now and always tell me it does not look as bad as I think.

'I have realised people who care will see past them. I have found that being open with people helps open up channels of communication and then people understand.

'I worked in an office once where 75% of us suffered from cold sores so we had a good support network.'

Nicola went on to say that any major event is always a nightmare if you get cold sores.

'Birthdays, Christmas, holidays, family events, dates - I always fear getting an attack at these times,' she said. 'Every other holiday would be affected by a cold sore because of changes in temperature.'

'As I have got older, I have learnt that I cannot miss out on life because of my cold sores, especially as they were getting more and more frequent, but it does affect enjoyment of special events.

'I love taking photographs as capturing memories is so important to me, but having a cold sore breakout makes me feel ugly and not want to be in front of the camera.

Nicola has never seen a doctor about her cold sores as she knows what they are and how she got them, and so over the years she has tried to self-medicate, knowing they would always be there.

'When I say self-medicate I mean I have literally tried everything,' she explained, 'Off the shelf topical ointments, lysine tablets, ice cubes, applying alcohol, patches, a very expensive light treatment machine and natural remedies of every kind.

Nicola (pictured, cold-sore free) says she noticed the start of a bump on her lip, applied the balm overnight and the next day it had disappeared

The wedding planner hasn't had actual breakouts since she started using the balm. Pictured, cold-sore free

'I have spent hours on Google and a lot of money on trying to find a cure.'

However, about eight years ago Nicola found a balm in a market on a trip to Morocco which did help reduce her outbreaks all the while she used the balm.

HOW DOES THE LIQUORICE BALM WORK? A lip balm containing a highly concentrated extract of liquorice helps protect lips from cold sores, according to a study carried out by the Herpes Virus Association. The key cold sore fighting ingredient in liquorice is glycyrrhizic acid (GA). GA specifically targets the genes that are required to maintain the virus in its latent state by interfering with the production of special proteins that feed the infected cells. Research published in the US Journal of Clinical Investigation has shown that liquorice has the ability to weaken the cold sore virus which lies dormant in the skin between outbreaks. Unlike conventional treatments, due to its naturally derived ingredients, the balm can be worn at all times without any negative side-effects, meaning that it could be used before and during festivals to prevent cold sore outbreaks. Advertisement

'I had only purchased one pot and didn't know what the ingredients were so could never purchase again,' she said. 'But all that changed when I discovered Lip Q Liquorice Balm in February this year.'

'My mum found out about it in a health article and purchased one for me after I had bad breakouts for over four months in a row.

Nicola claims she noticed a difference straight away.

'I had a really bad breakout just after the product arrived so I used it at every stage of the cold sore and it did clear up much quicker than normal,' she said.

'I quickly purchased four more balms to ensure I had one in my car, one in my handbag, one in the lounge, one in the office and one in my bedroom.'

'I didnt realise quite how miraculous this balm was until I had the tingling of a second cold sore outbreak a few weeks later  by this stage I was getting them every couple of weeks.'

She continued: 'I felt the familiar tingle and burn that is the first warning of a nasty breakout. I noticed the start of a bump on my lip (the early stages of a cold sore) so lavished on the balm all night. By the next day it had disappeared! I couldn't believe it!'

Nicola claims the product has succeeded in preventing her cold sores growing and bursting and turning into open sores that last two weeks or more before they clear up.

'Since using the balm and despite exposing myself to a lot of sun, going through a stressful period of lockdown, and working long hours, I have had no actual breakouts since I started using it,' she said. 'I have felt the tingle and a bump and then within 1-2 days its gone and it doesnt blister.

'This is unheard of for me and a first since my teens! I feel such a huge sense of relief.'

'I use the balm continuously throughout the day and ensure I increase the application if I feel the starting signs of a cold sore. For me its a totally life-changing product.'
Leah Juarez is many things.

Shes an accomplished entrepreneur, running several businesses in and around Casper. Shes a community advocate, helping a local movement to save Mills fire department last year after the mayor there threatened to defund it. Shes a proud Latina woman whos happy to talk about what her community means to her.

Juarez is also a member of a demographic that has long been underrepresented in American politics: a Republican woman running for elected office.

Traditionally, government at almost every level  from state legislatures to U.S. Congress  has been dominated by men. In Wyoming, just 14 of the 90 lawmakers in the statehouse are women. And when women do seek office, they usually run as Democrats. In the 2018 midterms, Democratic women ran for Congress at a rate three times higher than their Republican counterparts, according to the Center for American Women in Politics, while women continue to be chronically underrepresented in the statehouse.

Its an acknowledged problem in state and national politics, enough so that U.S. Rep. Liz Cheney and the Republican Party have committed to efforts to boost female representation throughout the GOP at the federal level through a mix of fundraisers, political events and candidate mentorship, according to Cheney spokesperson Jeremy Adler. Its an issue that Juarez, a Mills resident and House District 59 candidate, has encountered herself.

On Wednesday, Juarez  speaking at a candidate forum in Casper  told audience members that someone on her campaigns Facebook page called her a traitor for running as a Republican and, in their view, turning her back on her community and womens issues because of her conservative beliefs.

Juarez, however, sees her campaign as emblematic of the need for women to have an equal say in all levels of public life, whether they consider themselves a Republican or Democrat.

I think its important for people to understand that I can be a minority and I can be a woman and still have Republican values to the core, she said in a Friday interview with the Star-Tribune. I just think its so important for people to step up and not be intimidated by the political platform. Even if youre running for city council, it shouldnt be something that looks a specific way. It should encompass everybody and represent many different types of people.

Declining representation

Wyoming has a proud history of women in politics. The birthplace of womens suffrage, Wyoming notably appointed the nations first female justice of the peace, had the first town in the country to be governed entirely by women and elected Americas first female governor.

More recently, women held a number of key positions within the Wyoming Legislature in the 1980s and, within the past decade, both the House Minority and Majority Floor Leader positions within the Legislature were both occupied by women  a rare feat for a state body long dominated by men.

That legacy hasnt been reflected in Wyoming recently, however, where the states citizen legislature bears little resemblance to the composition of the citizenry it serves. According to a Star-Tribune analysis last year, state lawmakers are typically older and much more affluent than the citizens of their districts, while men outnumber women by a rate of more than 5:1 despite women making up 49 percent of the states population.

It basically sends a message right out of the gate that you dont belong here, said Jen Simon, the executive director of the nonpartisan Wyoming Womens Action Network.

This, in turn, has had a profound effect on policy: Conversations on womens issues and hot-button topics like child care access and abortion are dominated by men. Meanwhile, the Legislatures most powerful committees  including the influential Joint Appropriations Committee  have zero female members even as they discuss issues impacting all Wyomingites.

Were in a budget crisis, Simon added. And when you turn on during appropriations, and there are 12 white men who are making those decisions. There is no way that can possibly accurately reflect the lived experience of a huge portion of our state.

Working for change

Stories like Juarezs are why Simon and other women around the state are working for change.

Earlier this year, Simon announced a partnership with several other women in Wyoming politics to form the Cowgirl Run Fund, a nonpartisan political action committee committed to increasing the number of women represented in Wyoming politics, regardless of their party affiliation.

The PAC  which officially launched last Friday with a bipartisan list of 29 candidates it was supporting  hopes to provide its candidates with the financial support and mentorship needed to overcome a number of the systemic disadvantages facing women running for office in Wyoming.

Like with anything else, if theres something you want to get involved in but dont know anything about  like if I really want to start trail running or I really want to start fly fishing, but dont know anything about it ... if there was a group that said, Come, well show you how to do this, it makes it manageable, JoAnn Skeim-True, a member of the Natrona County Republican Partys executive committee and a co-founder of the fund, said in an interview. It makes it a target that you can actually do.

Simon hopes the groups efforts help draw attention to the many barriers to public office that women face not just in the Equality State, but around the country. On Thursday, Simon  who also serves as a senior policy adviser with the Equality State Policy Center  hosted a forum featuring a number of key figures helping to elect more women in politics.

The panelists  which included Vote at Home Institute founder Amber McReynolds and RepresentWomen CEO Cynthia Richie Terrell  outlined a number of policy decisions that have impacted womens ability to run for and hold office across the country, some of which could feasibly be implemented in Wyoming.

One solution, recommended by Richie Terrell, could be the return of multi-member districts, which allows voters to select numerous people to represent them in the Legislature, which could encourage voters to choose from a diverse field of candidates. These districts  which were once prevalent in Wyoming before being ruled unconstitutional by a federal judge in 1991  have been shown to increase the number of women holding elected office.

Other reforms, like ranked-choice voting, have been shown to substantially increase the amount of women elected in the cities that use it.

Then theres the financial side of the conversation, where the gatekeepers in state and national politics  be it wealthy donors or political action committees  tend to focus their attention on incumbents, reinforcing the often male-dominant status quo. By introducing organizations focused on electing women, like the Cowgirl Run Fund, women of all ages and incomes can participate on a more even playing field with male candidates who already benefit from the advantages that help elevate them to power, be that personal wealth, familial expectations or other factors.

Searching for success

Ultimately, the change that matters wont come until more women run for  and are elected to  public office.

So far, that hasnt happened in Wyoming. However, its not for a lack of trying. This year, 39 women are running for the Wyoming Legislature, according to candidate filings with the Wyoming Secretary of State, slightly up from the 34 who ran in 2018 and the 36 who did in 2016. Ultimately getting past that barrier, Simon said, will take time, and making a conscious effort to get women engaged at all levels of leadership, from the city council to Cheyenne.

Were trying to make sure that there are women in the pipeline, and that they are running for things like the (Laramie County Community College) board, said Simon. We need them running for these nonpartisan local offices so that there are women who understand the process, who have gotten the experience of running the campaign at a hyper local level, and are really building that base of women and creating a broader group of people who can not only rely on each other, but can also start to feed all those higher levels of office, too.

By not doing so, the state loses something valuable, Juarez said: the ability to legislate for all people, not just with good intentions, but with an innate understanding of what they need.

We really have to understand that women have a perspective on the world that is unique and should be valued, she said. Its not to say that men dont have our best interests in mind. But you know, when we walk through motherhood in pregnancy, thats just an experience that men unfortunately will never be able to understand. And so our views may differ slightly, but at the end of the day, we want the same goal. But you should be able to look at the House of Representatives and to see yourself there.

I hope that I can be a representation for other minorities or other women to say, Well, if she did it, I can do it, she added. I want them to think I can make a change, too.

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COLUMBUS, Ohio  Hundreds of maskless people gathered Saturday at the Ohio Statehouse to protest what they see as overreach by government officials and public health advocates desperate to stop the spread of the surging coronavirus.

They said doctors urging them to cover up are wrong.

They said infection and mortality data are being manipulated.

They said  through bullhorns and with signs and on T-shirts  that Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine is a helicopter parent whos got it all wrong.

Its not connecting to the science. Its propaganda, said Cherrelyn Pierson of Marysville, Ohio, who said she works in a health-related field and understands virus transmission.

I trust myself, Pierson said. I am the science.

Militia members and anti-mask protesters listen to speeches during a rally at the Ohio Statehouse on Saturday, July 18, 2020.

Coronavirus updates: 16 states break records for new cases in one week, one-day global record also reported; ERs becoming flooded in US

Various groups gathered at the statehouse under a blazing sun to rally for many causes Saturday, including militia members, supporters of President Donald Trump, prayer proponents and those who champion Black Lives Matter and civil rights organizations.

Interactions between people with opposing views were mostly peaceful throughout the day, if strained. The crowd had mostly dissipated by mid-afternoon.

I understand peoples rights. But this seems so silly, said Nicholas Two Feathers Gonzalez, who sat quietly on a bench wearing both a mask and a shirt expressing his displeasure with the 45th president.

My brother just died of the virus last week. He was in a nursing home, Gonzalez said. How can these people be against masks? The numbers dont lie.

Lia Ivko of Newark, Ohio, rallies anti-mask protesters after her speech at the statehouse.

Case numbers surging

According to Ohio Department of Health data, the state set a daily record for COVID-19 infections on Friday, with 1,679 new confirmed and probable cases reported.

The daily tally declined some on Saturday, but still was the second-highest reported during the pandemic, with 1,542 new cases. There were 20 more deaths, bringing the states total to 3,132.

Story continues

DeWine has not imposed a statewide mask order, but the spike in cases has led to mandatory mask orders in several counties.

What about breathing in your own carbon all day? said Lia Ivko of Newark, Ohio, who joined protesters at the statehouse. She said doctors, including the nations top infectious disease expert, Dr. Anthony Fauci, wont admit that masks cause problems and arent effective.

Why is it only the left that wears masks? Ivko said, adding that she does have compassion for vulnerable populations who are most at risk of dying from the virus. Theres a lot of things that dont make sense to me.

Many of the protesters also said the earlier business shutdown has wrecked the economy, and that kids need to go back to school.

Anti-mask protesters, from left, Jeanine Mardis, Robert Dickman and Cherrelyn Pierson listen to speeches at the Statehouse. Pierson said she works in a health-related field and understands virus transmission.

Most air conditioning systems don't protect against the coronavirus: In some cases, they can actually facilitate spread

Ramon Obey II, 22, described himself as a civil rights activist and said he went to the statehouse because he believes its important to hear other views.

But he kept a distance from others and wore a mask. Its surprising and a little bit scary, he said.

Follow reporter Rita Price on Twitter: @RitaPrice

A 'huge moment' for police reform: Could reshape Black communities for generations

There are two COVID Americas: One hopes for an extension of federal unemployment and stimulus. The other is saving and spending.

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Coronavirus in Ohio: Anti-mask crowd rallies at statehouse in Columbus
The approval by President Muhammadu Buhari for transfer of about $1.1billion oil revenues by the Nigerian Petroleum Development Company (NPDC) to some government agencies has stoked a controversy with some experts saying the transfer without appropriation by the National Assembly is an impeachable offence.

The Legal Director of Abuja-based Aspen Energy Limited, Israel Aye, and Lead Director, Centre for Social Justice (CENSOJ), Eze Onyekpere, spoke on Sunday in reaction to a leaked confidential document that circulated on social media last week about the controversial approval.

READ ALSO:

The documents bore the signature of the late Chief of Staff to the President, Abba Kyari. They conveyed details of a payment plan purportedly approved by President Buhari for NPDC to transfer about $1.099 billion to various government-owned agencies from concession rents in respect of oil mining lease (OML 11) that should have been paid to the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR).

Details of the memo

The memo No. SH/COS/24/A/8928 dated July 29, 2019, addressed to the Permanent Secretaries, Federal Ministries of Petroleum Resources and Finance as well as the Director-General, Budget Office of the Federation was titled: Re-Consideration Payable by NPDC for Award of OML 11.

It made reference to a letter No. MPR//PS/032/S.14/II/179 of July 15, 2019, which allegedly conveyed President Buharis approval for the payment of $1,099,655,792.20 by the NPDC as Goods and Valuable Consideration for the award of OML 11.

In the memo, the president also approved a payment plan over six instalments to different government agencies between October 31, 2019, and April 30. DPR was directed to forward to the presidency periodically evidence of the transfer of the funds by the NPDC in the agreed instalments.

Details of the approved payment plan showed the Budget Office of the Federation was directed to allocate, as the NPDC would make the transfer, about $200 million to the electricity distribution intervention project under the FGN/Siemens project by October 31, 2019.

The amount to be captured in the 2020 Budget was to be credited to a special purpose vehicle (SPV) to be set up by the Federal Ministry of Finance for the electricity distribution intervention project and managed by the Ministry of Finance Incorporated.

Similarly, $200 million each was to be paid by the NPDC by April 30, 2020, October 31, 2020, April 30, 2021, October 31, 2021, while $99,655,792.20 was to be paid by April 30, 2022.

Specifically, about $270million was to be allocated to the NSIA in April and October 2020 for the Presidential Infrastructure Fund.

The balance of $629.7million was also approved by the president to be used by the Budget Office to fund the regular 2020 budget in the period the funds would be received from the NPDC.

Background to OML 11

The OML 11 previously belonged to SPDC. But, following the series of crises in Ogoniland in Rivers State, which impacted SPDC operations in the area, oil production from the oil block was stalled for over 30 years, as the company was denied entry to the area by the host communities.

To restore oil production from the area, the federal government decided to transfer the oil block and the assets to the NPDC, which is the upstream subsidiary of the NNPC. Despite being a government-owned company, DPR demanded the payment of $1.099 billion as the signature bonus.

Despite several reminders by the DPR, the minister said the NPDC failed to make the payment. He said the president intervened and approved that the payment be made in six installments to different agencies to fund different government commitments to ongoing projects.

Apart from increasing the federal governments savings to the Nigerian Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA) Fund, an official said the government wanted to use part of the money to support efforts to boost electricity distribution capacity in the country.

Constitutional requirements

Chapter 162 Section (1) of the 1999 Constitution states that The Federation shall maintain a special account to be called The Federation Account into which shall be paid all revenues collected by the government of the Federation, except the proceeds from the Personal Income Tax of the personnel of the armed forces of the Federation, the Nigeria Police Force, the Ministry or Department of Government charged with responsibility for Foreign Affairs and the residents of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

The constitution identifies several revenue streams to government from the oil and gas sector, including those paid to the Federal Government through its agencies, and others paid directly to sub-national entities. Those paid directly to the Federal Government include proceeds from crude oil and gas sales, Petroleum Profits Tax (PPT), Oil & Gas Royalty, Signature Bonuses, Licenses and Concession Rental, Gas Flared Penalties, Companies Income Tax (CIT) and Education Tax (EDT).

Other revenue flows to sub-national entities include the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) Levy; Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) payments, and Nigerian Export Supervision Scheme (NESS) fees.

Serious constitutional violation

But Mr Onyekere faulted the presidents directives, describing it as a serious criminal violation of the Constitution, which amounts to an impeachable offence.

Any approval of funds belonging to the Federation Account should pass through the Council of States for an agreement on what to do with them, while funds belonging to the Federal Government should pass through the National Assembly for appropriation before allocation and disbursement.

Its a very serious criminal offence to disburse federal government revenues without passing through appropriation by the National Assembly. Any allocation of revenues without the involvement of the National Assembly is a very serious criminal impeachable offence, as it amounts to the illegal usurpation of the role of the National Assembly in the constitution, Mr Onyekpere said.

For Mr Aye, Those directed disbursements purportedly issued by the President violate the countrys constitutional structure that provides that all revenues due to the Federal Government on behalf of the Federation should be paid into the Federation Account and appropriated only via an Appropriation Act passed by the National Assembly.

Decision harmless

But the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Timpreye Sylva, defended the presidents action, saying it was a harmless decision to assist the NPDC in paying for the oil concession inherited from the Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC).

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Mr Sylva described the leaked document as an attempt by mischief makers to twist the governments good intentions.

People always circulate half-truths for mischievous reasons to give the government a bad name. Its a show of mischief or ignorance, or both, for anybody to think that kind of money could be shared the way the people behind the documents would want Nigerians to believe. That is not possible, Mr Sylva said.

The minister said the $1.099billion was the signature bonus the NPDC was supposed to have paid to the DPR for OML 11 transferred to it by SPDC.

The issue is very clear. NPDC is the upstream subsidiary of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC). The money was supposed to have been paid to the DPR as signature bonus for the oil block. But, NPDC had no such money to pay at once. DPR sent several demand notices to the NPDC for the payment.

So, the payment plan approved by the President, which is being mischievously circulated on social media, was a way to get the NPDC to make the payment in six different tranches, which was specified in the letter. By this year, the NPDC should have paid the second installment, the minister said.

The minister said the approved allocation of the funds to the different agencies was not illegal, as utilisation of signature bonus paid to the federal government for oil blocks by licensees does not require any appropriation.

He said because of the peculiar circumstance through which the NPDC got the oil block, the government considered the most convenient arrangement to enable the company to make the payment.

Despite the arrangement, the minister said the NPDC has defaulted in the payment plan.

As I speak, even with the arrangement, after the first payment, the NPDC defaulted in the payment plan. So, the $1.099billion has not been paid yet by the NPDC. So, that should disabuse the mischief-makers mindset of any money missing. In any case, mere approval did not mean actual payment. We (the Ministry) have written to the NPDC to remind them, the minister explained.
In consideration of an growing number of Covid-19 outbreaks around the country, US President Donald Trump said Saturday that the city hall will replace his large-scale political rallies with teleponic rally until the "Covid-19 crisis" is resolved.

In view of a surging number of Covid-19 infections across the states, US President Donald Trump on Saturday said telephonic town hall will be replacing his large in-person campaign rallies until the Covid-19 problem is solved, CNN reported.

Speaking to his supporters in Wisconsin during what was described as his first Tele-Rally, the President said, I wanted to be with you, and this is really replacing our rallies that we all love so much, we had great rallies in Wisconsin and all over the country, and unfortunately until this gets solved, and were doing really well with the therapeutics and vaccines, but until that gets solved its going to be tough to have those big massive rallies, so Im doing telephonic rallies, and well call them the Trump Rallies, but well do it by telephone and we have a lot of people on the line and I appreciate it.

The 22-minutes telephone rally marked a major backpedaling for the President who last month plowed ahead with his controversial rally in Tulsa, despite pleas from health experts and local officials to call it off.

Also Read: Kanye West to hold first presidential campaign rally on Sunday

The decision to go ahead was costly, with a top local health official admitting the rally more than likely triggered a surge in new cases of the deadly virus across Oklahoma.

The President, meanwhile, also used the opportunity to hit out once again at China over its handling of the outbreak, referring to his popular name for COVID-19 as the China virus and blasting the country, stating that they could have stopped it.

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Airbus is expanding its sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) operations, now including aircraft deliveries from its site in Hamburg, Germany.



Air Transat took delivery of two brand new A321LR on lease from AerCap. Both used a 10 per cent sustainable aviation fuel blend to fly the aircraft from Hamburg to Montreal, Canada, non-stop.



Airbus has already successfully established SAF flights out of Hamburg with its Beluga transport aircraft since December 2019.



This commercial delivery is another milestone that underlines Airbus continuing commitment to minimizing air transportations environmental impact  which includes becoming the first aircraft manufacturer offering customers the option of receiving new jetliners with sustainable fuel in their tanks. Such delivery flights have been available since 2016, starting from the Airbus headquarters production facility in Toulouse, France, followed by Mobile, Alabama, USA.



Airbus offers this option as part of its strategy to promote the more regular use of sustainable fuels within the aviation industry. The fuel for Air Transats A321LR aircraft delivered from Hamburg was supplied by Air bp and produced by Neste.



Airbus and Air Transat have a long history of cooperation on environmental affairs. Airbus supported the airline to launch its environmental programme 13 years ago and both have worked together on environmental projects such as fuel efficiency. Air Transat has been operating Airbus single-aisle and widebody aircraft since 1999.



"Sustainability and efficiency are essential for our customers and for Airbus. Sustainable aviation fuel developments will play a key role in reducing the environmental footprint of the aviation industry. By using sustainable aviation fuels on delivery flights with partners like AerCap and Air Transat, who are flying the aircraft from Hamburg to their Canadian homebase nonstop, we take concrete action to contribute to a more sustainable aviation future, said Christian Scherer, Chief Commercial Officer Airbus.



We are very pleased to be a part of this historic milestone, working together with our partners at Airbus and with our long-time customer, Air Transat, to help them meet their sustainable growth ambitions, said Philip Scruggs, President and Chief Commercial Officer of AerCap. AerCap is committed to facilitating the move towards more sustainable air travel underpinned by its target to transition its fleet to approximately two-thirds new technology aircraft by 2021.



It is an honour for us and a sign of confidence from Airbus to be its first customer to take advantage of this new delivery option at its Hamburg plant, said Jean-Francois Lemay, President and General Manager, Air Transat. This initiative is part of our commitment to reducing our own carbon footprint while contributing to the achievement of the airline industrys ambitious decarbonization targets.



Both today and tomorrows delivery flights will be carbon-neutral because the kerosene fossil fuel portion will be offset by the purchase of carbon credits.



We are proud to be the first Canadian carrier to operate carbon-neutral flights, and we will continue to pursue our commitment to providing our passengers with a travel experience that takes account of our environmental footprint, Lemay added.  TradeArabia News Service
Beijing says UK should have its own independent foreign policy, rather than dance to the tune of the Americans.

The United Kingdom and China issued new salvos of criticism against each other on Sunday with the British foreign secretary hinting he may suspend the UKs extradition arrangements with Hong Kong over Chinas moves against the city-state.

Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab also accused Beijing of gross and egregious human rights abuses against its Uighur population in Chinas western province of Xinjiang.

In response, the Chinese ambassador to the UK warned China will deliver a resolute response to any move by the UK to sanction officials over the alleged rights abuses.

The comments were the latest signs of sharply increased tensions between the UK and China. Issues include Chinas treatment of its Muslim Uighur minority and a new, sweeping national security law that Beijing imposed on Hong Kong, a self-governing territory that Britain handed over to China in 1997.

The UKs recent decision to prohibit Chinese telecommunications giant Huawei from being involved in the UKs superfast 5G mobile network has further frayed bilateral relations.





Fake accusations

Raab said on Sunday the British government has reviewed its extradition arrangements with Hong Kong and he plans to make a statement on Monday in Parliament on the topic.

Earlier this month, Australia suspended its extradition treaty with Hong Kong in response to Chinas imposition of security legislation on the territory. Critics see the new law as a further erosion of the rule of law and freedoms that Hong Kong was promised when it reverted to Chinese rule.

Raab added while the UK wants good relations with China, it could not stand by amid reports of forced sterilisation and mass education camps targeting the Uighur population in Xinjiang.

It is clear that there are gross, egregious human rights abuses going on. We are working with our international partners on this. It is deeply, deeply troubling, he told the BBC.

Liu Xiaoming, the Chinese ambassador, denied there were concentration camps in Xinjiang during an interview with the BBC and insisted there are no so-called restriction of the population.

When confronted with drone footage that appeared to show Uighurs being blindfolded and led onto trains, Liu claimed there are many fake accusations against China.

Beijing was ready to respond in kind should the UK impose sanctions on Chinese officials, Liu added.

If the UK goes that far to impose sanctions on any individuals in China, China will certainly make a resolute response to it, he said. You have seen what happened between China [and] the United States I do not want to see this tit-for-tat between China-US happen in China-UK relations.

Liu also said the UK should have its own independent foreign policy, rather than dance to the tune of the Americans like what happened to Huawei.





The criticism echoed comments this week by a Chinese government spokeswoman who accused the UK of colluding with Washington to hurt Huawei and discriminate, suppress and exclude Chinese companies.

Ugly face

Relations have seriously soured between the United States and China in recent months.

Chinas embassy in Myanmar on Sunday accused the US of outrageously smearing the country and driving a wedge with its Southeast Asian neighbours over the contested South China Sea and Hong Kong.

The Chinese embassy said US agencies abroad were doing disgusting things to contain China and showed a selfish, hypocritical, contemptible, and ugly face.

The US last week hardened its position on the South China Sea, saying it would back countries in the region that challenge Beijings claim to about 90 percent of the strategic waterway.

In a statement on Saturday, the US embassy in Yangon called Chinas actions in the South China Sea and Hong Kong part of a larger pattern to undermine the sovereignty of its neighbours.

China said the statement was another farce on a global tour by the US authorities to shift the attention on domestic problems and seek selfish political gains.

The US should first look in the mirror to see whether it still looks like a major country now, it said.
A sea of purple greeted footy's true return to Western Australia ahead of the 4.35pm bouncedown to Western Derby 51.

Despite the first AFL fixture in WA featuring home teams being a Dockers home game, supporters of both clubs were out in force early on Sunday afternoon.

Spectators seated in every second row to observe social distancing policies during the Fremantle and West Coast derby on Sunday.

Transperth WA services began dropping a mass of football fans to the stadium precinct from 2pm, a stream that turned sardines at the stadium's neighbouring The Camfield by 3pm.

The southern hemisphere's biggest pub at 5000 capacity, was capped at 1400 under the WA Government's phase four coronavirus guidelines, but had easily hit that peak 90 minutes from bouncedown.
A police helicopter and the dog squad were called in to catch some 60 revellers who breached COVID-19 restrictions at a wild houseparty on Saturday.

NSW Police say they plan to fine 60 revellers who gathered at a home on Nottingham Street, Schofields, about 11.30pm after neighbours complained about the noise.

Inside the home officers discovered more than 60 people had gathered - triple the number of people permitted to gather under COVID-19 safety rules.

The first responding police unit called in assistance from five neighbouring commands, as well as the Police airwing, PolAir, a team from the Dog Unit, and OSG officers to manage the crowd - many of whom police said 'were intoxicated'.

Police will fine 60 revellers caught found breaching COVID-19 gathering restrictions at a party (pictured) Nottingham Street, Schofields, on Saturday night

Police said pepper spay was used when a brawl broke out inside the home involving 15 of the party goers.

Three males were taken to Blacktown Hospital, two for minor injuries sustained in the brawl and a third for the effects of alcohol.

Thirty people were arrested after refusing to leave, and 15 were taken to Riverstone Police Station, police said.

Those 30 people will also be issued with a separate TINS for failing to comply with a move-on direction.

Police also intend to issue up to 60 people with COVID-19-related Penalty Infringement Notices of $1000.

Police have been told the house had been booked via an online rental company.

Inquiries are continuing and anyone with information about the incident has been urged to contact Crime Stoppers.

Under the COVID-19 Public Health Order, only 20 people are allowed to gather in a group outdoors and there is a 20-person limit on home visitors.

NSW Police Commissioner Mick Fuller warned at a press conference this week (pictured) officers will be cracking down on those caught breaching COVID-19 safety regulations

The incident comes after NSW Police Commissioner Mick Fuller pledged to crackdown on those breaking the rules, in a bid to prevent a second wave of COVID-19 spreading through the state.

The police boss said those caught flouting restrictions would no longer be let off with warnings, as authorities desperately scramble to avoid a Victorian-style crises.

'We have done our best to work with the community, as we always do, but I am not going to let NSW slip backwards because of selfish people,' he said on Wednesday.

'While I have been asking police to work with the community and show a high level of discretion, that time is over now. I am saying to police: have the confidence, take the action.'

Last week, police were forced to shutdown several parties across the city's eastern suburbs with hundreds of revellers.

Although attendees were caught breaching restrictions, people were moved on and no fines were issued.
The Congress demanded Union minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat's resignation on Sunday for his alleged involvement in a conspiracy to topple the Asok Gehlot government in Rajasthan.

Party leader and former Union minister Ajay Maken said the Anti-Corruption Bureau of the Rajasthan police has registered a case in connection with the audio tapes of a purported conversation between Congress MLA Bhanwarlal Sharma, Shekhawat and one Sanjay Jain.

"If Union minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat is claiming that it is not his voice and the reference in the audio clip is of some other Gajendra Singh, then why is he afraid of giving voice samples?" Maken asked.

He said Shekhawat has no moral authority to continue as a Union minister and should resign so that the investigation is not influenced.

Maken also alleged that the police in Haryana and Delhi are giving protection to rebel Congress MLAs from Rajasthan.

He said the Centre is threatening in the name of CBI because it wants to stop the probe into the conspiracy.
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un presides over a Central Military Commission meeting of the ruling Workers' Party on Saturday in this photo provided by the Korean Central News Agency. Yonhap



North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has presided over a Central Military Commission meeting of the ruling Workers' Party and discussed "the key issues of further bolstering a war deterrent of the country," state media reported Sunday.



The meeting held on Saturday also examined the "strategic mission" of major military units for coping with the "military situation around the Korean Peninsula" and approved "major key munitions production plan indices," according to the Korean Central News Agency.



"The enlarged meeting discussed issues of intensifying the party's education and guidance of commanders and political officials of the people's army" and "stressed the need to thoroughly arm the young commanding officers," the KCNA said.





The meeting held on Saturday also examined the "strategic mission" of major military units for coping with the "military situation around the Korean Peninsula." Yonhap





Kim also approved "major key munitions production plan indices," according to the Korean Central News Agency. Yonhap
Yangon:

A large metal cylinder thought to be from a Chinese satellite or aircraft fell from the sky and slammed into a jade mining area in northern Myanmar, state media reported on Friday.

The large barrel-shaped object, 4.5 metres long and just over a metre in diameter, crashed onto property owned by a jade mining company in Kachin States Hpakant township yesterday, reported the Global New Light of Myanmar.

Another smaller piece of metal bearing Chinese writing tore through the roof of a house in a nearby village at the same time, the paper said. No one was injured.

The metal objects are assumed to be part of a satellite or the engine parts of a plane or missile, the Global New Light said, adding that authorities were still trying to confirm their origin.

Pictures circulated on social media showed what appeared to be pieces of technological equipment and wiring attached to the inside of the vast cylinder.

Local residents reported hearing a loud bang before the hunk of metal landed and then proceeded to bounce some 50 metres across the mining area before coming to rest in the mud.

The bizarre events came the same day Chinese state media reported Beijing had recently launched a satellite into space.

It could not be confirmed whether the launch of the satellite and the metal objects found in Kachin state were related, the Global New Light said.

Hpakant is the centre of Myanmars murky multi-billion dollar jade industry, which feeds a voracious demand for the stone in neighbouring China.

A string of deadly landslides in the mine-pocketed area have killed scores over the past year.

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Irish nationalists were "sold a pup" when they agreed to the Good Friday Agreement, according to a Sinn Fein MP.

Francie Molloy posted on Twitter that there has been no commitment from Dublin or Westminster to deliver for nationalists or republicans, describing the deal as "just a bluff".

Mr Molloy told this newspaper the comments were written "out of frustration" after Taoiseach Micheal Martin dismissed the idea of a border poll.

Speaking during his first trip to Northern Ireland since taking up the post, Mr Martin last week said he does not believe a border poll is a possibility within the lifetime of the current government.

"But what I would like to see is significant work under way in terms of what a shared island would look like," he said.

"Rhetoric is easy, statements are easy, we can all speak to our base.

"But there's a hell of a lot of work and a lot of practical stuff can get done."

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However, Mr Molloy has hit out at the position and said he believes the time is right for a border poll.

The Mid Ulster MP said he believes any reticence about holding a referendum on the issue is down to a fear that a majority of people will vote in favour of a united Ireland.

"I do think that after Brexit, the governments do actually realise that it could happen," he said.

"My comments are down to the fact that the Irish Government are signatories to the Good Friday Agreement, yet they aren't doing anything to implement the border poll.

"Both Dublin and Westminster signed up to the Good Friday Agreement, they're both guarantors, yet Micheal Martin is dismissing the idea of asking for a referendum for Irish unity.

"I think that it's more than the right time for a poll because of the referendum on Brexit. On that occasion, 11 out of 18 constituencies voted to remain in the European Union and the only way that can happen now is through an all-Ireland structure.

"I am one of the people who was involved in the Good Friday Agreement and I'm totally committed to it but at the moment, there is a failure by both governments to ensure that it has been fully implemented.

"There is a sense of frustration from a republican and nationalist point of view that they put faith put in the Good Friday Agreement 20 years ago and it still hasn't been delivered.

"It's very clear that Northern Ireland is being left behind by Fianna Fail who claim to be a republican party."

However, the DUP's Gordon Lyons has rejected the suggestion that it is the correct time for a referendum on a united Ireland.

The East Antrim MLA said a border boll would be "divisive and would take Northern Ireland backwards".

He continued: "Our focus needs to be on moving forward, getting out of the pandemic and protecting lives and livelihoods rather than spending time chasing a border poll that would be detrimental to stability and recovery.

"Being part of the UK is hugely beneficial to everyone in Northern Ireland and that has been especially apparent during this pandemic.

"Whether it was our NHS saving lives or the job retention scheme or other economic measures saving livelihoods, being part of the UK was critical for Northern Ireland."

During his visit to Belfast, Mr Martin met the First and Deputy First Ministers, Arlene Foster and Michelle O'Neill, and Northern Ireland Secretary Brandon Lewis.

January's 'New Decade, New Approach' deal pledged to "turbo-charge" connections between Dublin and Belfast and Mr Martin said he would work towards getting the "over the line".
A member of Martin Luther King, Jr.s inner circle during the Civil Rights movement of the 1960s and one of the longest-serving representatives in the House of Representatives, John Lewis died Friday after battling pancreatic cancer.

While Lewis served as the U.S. Rep. for the Fifth District of Georgia since 1987, he also had an outsized impact in Springfield as well.

U.S. Rep. Richard Neal, D-Springfield, was a close friend of Lewiss and sat next to him on the House Ways and Means Committee for more than 25 years. Neal said at a press conference Saturday that Lewis earned his nickname, The Conscience of the House.

He lived out his religious convictions, Neal said. He was very passionate about his politics but very kind and gentle. He always felt that if you can successfully recruit, you should recruit. He brought an awful lot of people around to his side of the issues with his quiet demeanor. He was extraordinarily well regarded and not just in the House of Representatives. I have lost a good friend.

Fellow Congressman, First District U.S. Rep. James McGovern called Lewis a great man, but more importantly, he was a very good man.

I will (never) forget Johns unshakable optimism and hopefulness during these challenging times. John often spoke of a struggle that lasts beyond a single day, week, month or year. He called it a struggle of a lifetime  but it was never his fight alone. He called on all of us to rise to the occasion and do what is right, even when it is not easy.

Lewis is the last of the speakers at the 1968 Lincoln Memorial demonstration at which Martin Luther King, Jr. delivered his famous I Have a Dream speech. His contemporary C.J. Vivian, who also spoke at the demonstration, died earlier Friday.

Lewis was the youngest of Kings tight circle during the demonstrations and marches of the Civil Rights Era and was one of hundreds injured during what has become known as Bloody Sunday, March 7, 1965. Several hundred Voting Rights Marchers approached the outskirts was Selma, Alabama that Sunday morning and as marchers crossed the Edmund Pettus Bridge Alabama State Troopers brutalized marchers, including many children, beating them with batons, spraying them with water cannons and using vicious dogs to bite and rip, to try to prevent the march from continuing.

Neal said Lewis suffered a severe skull fracture in the beatings and later was flown to Massachusetts General Hospital for treatment of life-threatening injuries.

Even after that, Neal said Lewis never lost his kindness.

John was known for his compassion and kindness. When it came to nonviolence and kindness, John Lewis was the real deal.

Anthony Cignoli met Lewis several times, including when he came to Springfield to speak at the 2015 Elms College commencement. Cignoli sat on the Board of Trustees at the college and was instrumental in arranging the visit.

I had met John at several conferences and on other campaigns, Cignoli said. I was amazed that he would come here and speak on the day that was the 50th Anniversary of the Selma March. Of all the places where John Lewis could have spoken that day, he came to Springfield. He told me he wanted to come here to be able to say thank you to the Sisters of St. Joseph. Members of the order were at the Pettus Bridge that day and provided medical help for people. John swore his life was saved by those nuns.

Ben Swan was involved with the Civil Rights movement and marched with King and Lewis in the south. He was with Lewis right after the Pettus Bridge police riot and said Lewis knew what could happen when the marchers crossed the bridge.

He had faith but not much choice. In order to be a full citizen, you have to pay the dues. John and a lot of people were tremendous human beings. He gave more than a whole bunch of people.

Henry Thomas was involved in the Civil Rights movement in Springfield and knew Lewis through conferences and meetings. He said he feels an emptiness with Lewiss passing.

There is a void where someone like him who is bigger than life in terms of the impact he had on the nation is no longer with us, Thomas said. I am sure he would disagree with me about that. He was about going forward and getting it done. He always said, If you see something or hear something that is not right, do something. Dont let it go unchallenged. He always followed up with, and dont ever give up. John left us a template for what needs to be done and how to do it.

Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno met Lewis at an event in the Old First Church on Court Square several years ago. He remembered Lewis as humble but resolute.

Congressman Lewis was genuine, humble and powerful in his works of respect and unity. His legacy of, If something is not right, just and fair  speak out, will live on.

Senator Edward Markey called Lewis the North Star America needs to look to as it confronts its moral reckoning.

Congressman John Lewis knew better than anyone how to build and lead a movement and modeled the kind of world we want to create. his spirit flowed through every single protester on Americas streets chanting Black Lives Matter and making good trouble.

State Rep. Bud Williams said Lewis had an indefinable quality about him that you knew he would not stop until he completed his task.

He had so much courage, Williams said. I think he also had grit, that thing that gets things done. He was intelligent and tenacious. With his grit he got things done. He was about voting rights, the most precious thing we have. We are out there saying Black Lives Matter, and he would agree, but he would also say Black Votes Matter as well.

He was a giant in the Civil Rights Movement for racial equality and for racial justice.
Francesca Allen has been spotted cozying up to a new man during a boozy night out in London.

The Love Island star, 24, looked to be on cloud nine as she got up close and personal with Edward Crossan, the vice chairman of London-based waste management company Powerday, on Friday.

The TV personality put on a very affectionate display with her apparent new beau who was previously been linked to TOWIE's Amber Turner.

Flawless: Francesca Allen, 24, looked to be on cloud nine as she headed out to a restaurant with pals on Friday

Francesca nailed summer chic in a blue and white striped T-shirt mini dress, which boasted long sleeves and was delicately cinched in at the waist.

She let her lengthy brunette tresses flow loosely and she finished the look with a pair of white trainers as she headed out to a restaurant in the capital.

The star beamed as she sat on the hunk's lap, walked hand-in-hand and even wandered off for a private chat with a glass of wine in hand.

Fashionista: She nailed summer chic in a blue and white striped T-shirt mini dress which boasted long sleeves and was delicately cinched in at the waist

New flame? The Love Island star got up close and personal with Edward Crossan, the vice chairman of London-based waste management company Powerday

Cheeky: The businessman, who cut an equally casually figure, also appeared to place his hand on Francesca's pert derriere

The hunk later appeared to place his hand on Francesca's pert derriere before leaning in for a kiss.

In May last year, Edward was seen enjoying a jaunt on a yacht in Ibiza with TOWIE star Amber Turner, 24.

The accomplished businessman was named vice chairman of his father's company in January and is featured on the company's website.

His working title is described on the website as: 'Edward joined the family business in 2007, starting as a machine driver and has worked in various roles within the company to now being a director overseeing the development of the business.'

Francesca's representatives have been approached for comment.

Cuddles: Francesca sat on his lap, walked hand-in-hand and even wandered off for a private chat with a glass of wine in hand

Stylish: Francesca let her lengthy brunette tresses flow loosely and she finished the look with a pair of white trainers

Enthusiastic: The pair looked to be having an animated conversation as they sat around the dinner table

Earlier this year Francesca was involved in an explosive row with another woman, reportedly over a man, leading to police intervention.

The reality star and the other woman, flouted social distancing rules as they got close to each other's faces and shouted at one another outside the King Oak pub in High Beech, Epping Forest.

In a clip of the confrontation, Francesca can be seen waving her hands in the face of a woman standing in front of her, who in turn, is shrieking at her.

The starlet aggressively points her fingers and shouts: 'You're not going to do anything, you're not going to. Why come over here then!'

Meanwhile the other woman grows increasingly angry and loses her temper.

Understated: The tattooed man, who was previously linked with TOWIE star Amber Turner, looked equally causal in a blue polo shirt, white shorts and trainers

Happy: Francesca beamed as she affectionately wrapped her arm around Edward's neck

Affectionate: The pair appeared to return to their pals hand in hand after leaving the dinner table for a private chat

The woman, whose friend holds onto her hand in an apparent bid to quell the situation, then lunges forward and repeatedly yells at Francesca.

Within a matter of seconds, Francesca bites back and shouts in her face with her fist clenched, in the shocking footage.

Another bystander, who appears to be friends with them, barges forward and tries to act as a mediator.

Light-hearted: The pair looked to be in good spirits as they looked back and joked with their friends sitting at the table

Intense: Francesca took a break from the dinner outing as she paused momentarily to stare intently at her phone

Tactile: Francesca rested her hand on Edward's shoulder and gazed directly at him during an animated conversation

She struggles to contain her frustration and repeatedly says 'Woah'. Francesca puts her hand in the air to block the woman out.

The pair then break away from the group and square up to each other as groups of stunned onlookers watch on.

Seconds later, the screaming gets louder and a police officer is seen dragging Francesca's nemesis away.

Potential: The pair appeared to be enjoying each other's company as they stepped away from the rest of the group for a one-on-one chat
Britain is making plans to distribute millions of free coronavirus antibody tests after a version backed by the UK government successfully passed its first major trials, The Daily Telegraph reported on Friday.

The finger-prick tests, which can tell within 20 minutes if a person has ever been exposed to the coronavirus, were found to be 98.6% accurate in secret human trials held in June, involving nearly 300 people and conducted by scientists at Ulster University, the newspaper reported.

It added that the test was developed by the UK Rapid Test Consortium (UK-RTC), a partnership between Oxford University and leading UK diagnostics firms.

Britains only antibody tests approved thus far have involved blood samples being sent to laboratories for analysis, which can take days, The Telegraph said.

Anticipating a regulatory approval in the coming weeks, tens of thousands of prototypes have already been manufactured in factories across the United Kingdom, the report added.

Ministers are hoping that the AbC-19 lateral flow test will be available for use in a mass screening programme before the end of the year, the newspaper reported.

It was found to be 98.6% accurate, and thats very good news, Chris Hand, the leader of the UK-RTC, was quoted as saying by The Telegraph.

The tests are likely to be free and would be ordered online instead of being sold in supermarkets, according to plans cited by the newspaper.

While these tests will help us better understand how coronavirus is spreading across the country, we do not yet know whether antibodies indicate immunity from reinfection or transmission, a Department of Health and Social Care spokesman was quoted as telling the newspaper.

Britain has so far reported more than 295,000 Covid-19 cases and at least 45,000 deaths, according to the Johns Hopkins University tracker.

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Rouhani urges massive efforts to break chain of COVID-19 spread

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Tehran, July 18, IRNA -- Iranian President Hassan Rouhani on Saturday urged massive efforts by both the public and the Government to break the chain of COVID-19 spread by observing precautionary measures and personal care.

It is for five months that the campaign against the dangerous coronavirus is underway and there are still concerns inside the country and in the international community over resurgence of the pandemic, Rouhani said in his remarks to the special committee on campaign against the epidemic.

It has been reiterated that there is no vaccine or drug for this disease, so that immunity against the pandemic is impossible, though the Government is carrying out regular campaign to disinfect the environment, he added.

He noted that half of the infected cases have no symptoms meaning that from among each 1,000 people who are infected, 500 of them have no symptoms.

Rouhani hailed the efforts made by Iranian Health ministry and knowledge-based companies for producing disinfectants and protective supplies including gowns and face masks.

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MEA said 'targeting and persecution' of minority community members by terrorists at behest of external supporters remains a grave concern.

New Delhi: Nidan Singh Sachdeva, a Sikh community leader of Afghanistan who was kidnapped in Paktia province last month, was released from captivity on Saturday, the Ministry of External Affairs said.

"We convey our appreciation to the government of Afghanistan and tribal elders from the area, whose efforts secured the return of Nidan Singh," it said.

In a statement, the MEA said the "targeting and persecution" of minority community members by terrorists at the behest of their external supporters remains a matter of grave concern.

"In a recent decision, India has decided to facilitate the return of Afghan Hindu and Sikh community members facing security threats in Afghanistan to India," it said.

Sachdeva, a leader of the Hindu and Sikh Community of Afghanistan, was kidnapped in Chamkani district of Paktia province on June 22.
A controversial Chinese social-media firms plans to establish its global headquarters in the UK have been thrown into doubt amid growing concern about Beijings influence in Britain.

TikTok, a viral video app that is hugely popular among teenagers, had earmarked London as a possible location for its HQ as part of an attempt to distance itself from the Chinese Communist Party.

The app, which has 800 million users, planned to invest as much as 3 billion on making the UK its home outside China, sources said.

TikTok's plans to establish its global headquarters in the UK have been thrown into doubt amid growing concern about Beijings influence in Britain

But concerns about national security and a clampdown in the US have threatened to scupper the plans before they have even got off the ground.

Washington is considering placing TikToks Beijing-based owner ByteDance on its blacklist, effectively barring Americans from downloading and using it.

White House officials are also weighing alternative plans, including allowing TikTok to continue operating as long as the company splits from its Chinese parent and sets up its headquarters in the US and not the UK.

Sources familiar with the matter said London was still being considered as an option for the HQ. However, they warned that the company would need to consider the impact of the US governments plans and how it would affect the companys operations.

The viral video app earmarked London as a possible location for its HQ as part of an attempt to distance itself from the Chinese Communist Party

Banning the app in the US, where it has almost 50 million users, would be a major blow to the company. It has forced TikTok to put its plans for a UK base on hold until there is more clarity on the restrictions.

Tomorrow a fierce critic of the company, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, arrives in London to meet Boris Johnson and Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab to discuss issues including China and the coronavirus pandemic.

There is mounting speculation that he will use the opportunity to single out the firm as a tool of the Chinese state.

When asked on Fox News earlier this month whether US citizens should download TikTok, Mr Pompeo said: Only if you want your private information in the hands of the Chinese Communist Party.

He also threatened to ban ByteDance by placing it on the USs so-called entity list. Officials have said a decision could come within weeks.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo (pictured), who opposes the app, will arrive in London to meet Boris Johnson and Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab to discuss issues including China

London, Singapore and Dublin were among the locations being considered by TikTok, reports suggested in December. No American cities made the shortlist.

But now, TikTok may be forced to establish a major base in the US to salvage its business there.

TikTok does not currently have official headquarters, although its most senior executive is based in Shanghai.

Senior Ministers are already understood to be pushing for TikTok to be banned in the UK over its links with the Chinese state.

TikTok denies it is a security risk. It says it has never given user data to the Chinese government and it would refuse to do so if asked.

But critics of the company say that Chinas intelligence laws compel internet companies such as TikTok to provide data to the Communist government if it demands it.

It comes days after Britain decided to ban Huawei from operating large swathes of its 5G network, with mobile operators banned from buying any more 5G equipment from the Chinese company from December 31.

The Government has set 2027 as the deadline by which to remove all of Huaweis kit.

Like TikTok, Huawei is a private company, but its founder is a former member of the Peoples Liberation Army and there are fears the Chinese government could use its power to demand access to sensitive information.

Britain decided to ban Huawei from operating large swathes of its 5G network this week, with the Government setting 2027 as the deadline by which to remove all of Huaweis kit

TikTok has attempted to allay concerns about its links to the Chinese state by hiring an American chief executive, former Disney executive Kevin Meyer. It has also been beefing up its policy team in recent months to combat the mounting political row over the companys ties to China.

Among those recruited was Theo Bertram, a former adviser to Tony Blair and Gordon Brown.

Other measures include pulling out of Hong Kong in the wake of the controversial security laws granting more power to Beijing.

The company has also tried to differentiate the Western app TikTok from the Chinese version, which is known as Douyin.

India banned Chinese-owned apps such as TikTok and WeChat at the end of last month amid similar concerns about data being leaked to the Chinese Communist Party. Australia is also weighing a ban.

Since launching in the UK in 2017, TikTok has exploded in popularity and is tipped to have more than ten million users by next year.

TikTok has exploded in popularity since its inception in 2017 and is tipped to have more than ten million users by next year

The company has been on a hiring spree in London, which has quietly become its largest office in Europe. Its biggest office is in Los Angeles and it also has bases in Paris, Dublin and Berlin.

A ByteDance spokesman said: The UK is one of our most important markets globally, with a talented and diverse team in London, including senior leadership.

UK employees have quadrupled over the past year and we expect continued strong growth.

We remain fully committed to investing in London and inspiring creativity and bringing joy to our users around the world through our products and platforms.
The poll found that at least 3 in 10 rural Nebraskans surveyed reported minor or major impacts from the extreme weather events in the following areas: having to drive extra miles for shopping, damage to their house, and increased levels of anxiety and stress.

The personal effects of extreme weather differed by community size, region and various demographic characteristics, according to the poll findings.

Those living in or near smaller communities, the poll found, were more likely to report having to drive extra miles for work, school, shopping or health care. For example, 45% of respondents living in or near the smallest communities  those with 500 or fewer residents  reported having to drive extra miles for shopping because of extreme weather. By comparison, 16% of people living in or near the largest communities  those with 10,000 or more residents  said they had to drive extra miles for shopping.

Residents of smaller communities, according to the poll, were also more likely to report receiving damage or losing economic activity to a non-farm business  17% of people living in or near the smallest communities compared to about 6% of people living in or near communities with populations of 5,000 or more.
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WASHINGTON - The U.S. flag flew at half-staff, a woman hung her head over a cardboard placard, and on a street corner, a man shouted, "This is for you, John Lewis," before singing "Stand By Me."

Nearly six weeks after the civil rights icon stepped foot onto Black Lives Matter Plaza in what would become his last public appearance, the area blossomed into a memorial of music, reflection and gratitude for Lewis on Saturday in the wake of his death. In small groups and alone, people gathered to reflect on Lewis's march for justice, which began with sit-ins at lunch counters and ended, fittingly, with a visit to the plaza, which has become a symbol of the nation's fight for racial justice.

"It is only because of John Lewis that we can be here today," said Kelley Gipson, 43, who drove to the District from Philadelphia with her mom and daughter.

Gipson had long planned the trip to Washington, she said, but it felt especially poignant after the world lost two civil rights leaders: Lewis and C.T. Vivian, an early adviser to the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. Vivian died Friday at 95.

The three generations of women stood side-by-side as they walked down H Street NW, passing pictures of Breonna Taylor and a whiteboard that outlined "Protesters Rights." They stopped at a small placard that rested against barbed wire. Beneath Lewis's name and birth and death dates, it held a message from the late activist and congressman: "I want to see young people in America feel the spirit of the 1960s and find a way to get in the way. To find a way to get into trouble. Good trouble, necessary trouble."

Nae'mah Roane, Gipson's 12-year-old daughter, learned about Lewis's "good trouble" for the first time Saturday. Her mom explained that the civil rights leader had been focused on young people, urging them to fight for justice, even if it meant disrupting the status quo.

"It was pretty inspiring," she said, adjusting a mask that stuck to her face in the scorching heat.

"This, right here, this is the time of good trouble," Gipson said to Nae'mah before they turned away from the fence and walked down Black Lives Matter Plaza, lingering near where Lewis posed for a picture June 7 with D.C. Democratic Mayor Muriel Bowser.

Bowser, who named the street near the White House "Black Lives Matter Plaza," expressed gratitude and reverence for Lewis.

"The fearlessness with which he sought justice and fairness must serve as a constant reminder that we should each be much more afraid to do nothing when we know we must do something," she said on Twitter. Bowser also shared a picture from last month showing Lewis standing tall with a cane and a mask atop the black-and-yellow asphalt.

At that same plaza Saturday, Tony Mathis, 65, of Florida, was determined to help carry the torch of the movement that Lewis inspired.

"We can't stop the fight because of the people like him who started it," he said as he gazed through the fence to the White House, where the U.S. flag billowed at half-mast. "Because of John Lewis, I can vote without any happenstance or hindrance."

In his 47 years of voter eligibility, Mathis said he has never missed an election.

His wife, Mary Mathis, 62, said she felt chills shoot through her spine when she realized Lewis had recently seen Black Lives Matter Plaza.

"This is what he lived for, without a doubt," she said, gesturing to the yellow letters on the pavement. "And because of him, I was able to give my kids the best education."

As leaders across the country shared tributes to Lewis, street musician Tony Covay had his own idea of how to honor him. Positioned beneath a bus stop on H Street, Covay reached for his microphone and began to sing.

"Darling, darling, stand by me," he belted in a voice that cut through the muggy air, catching the attention of people on bicycles who pulled their phones out to record. "Stand by me, stand for justice," he continued.

As he stood near the plaza, throwing peace signs in the air, Covay thought of the moment a few years ago when he sang the same tune outside Nationals Park. He had looked around mid-song, and to his surprise, he said he made eye contact with Lewis.

"He looked at me, and he smiled," Covay said. "So now, I am singing this song for him. And I am singing it for justice and for peace, and I am singing it for love."
Some travellers undergoing mandatory quarantine in Queensland hotels are not being tested for COVID-19 even when they ask for a test.

The concerns come as case numbers in Victoria continue to explode, after initial outbreaks linked to gaps in that states hotel quarantine regime.

Guests of Queensland's hotel quarantine say they were not tested for COVID-19 even when they asked to be tested. Credit:Toby Crockford

Dane Lam is an internationally renowned orchestral conductor, and is currently the principal conductor of Chinas Xian Symphony Orchestra, having previously worked with both the Queensland and Sydney symphony orchestras.

Originally from Brisbane, Mr Lam and his partner felt it would be safest to return home to stay with family during the pandemic.
Police are searching for a woman who allegedly shot her boyfriend and left him critical condition when he refused to argue with her in Louisiana.

A warrant has been issued for Jenalisha Lawrence, 29, who has been charged with attempted second-degree murder in the shooting that took place early Saturday morning in the Caddo Heights neighborhood of Shreveport.

The shooting unfolded around 7.30am in the 1400 block of Grigsby Street.

Police have issued a warrant for 29-year-old Jenalisha Lawrence, who is accused of shooting her boyfriend because he allegedly refused to argue with her around 7.30 Saturday morning in Shreveport, Louisiana

Officers with the Shreveport Police Department said they were called to the home about reports of a shooting and when they arrived they found a 34-year-old man on the sidewalk suffering a gunshot wound to the body.

He was taken to Ochsner LSU Health Shreveport with life-threatening injuries and he is still listed as in critical condition, according to KXAN.

Investigators arrived to the scene and following interviews with witnesses said Lawrence shot the victim following an interaction in which the man refused to argue with her.

Police say that Lawrence was the man's 'estranged' girlfriend.

The shooting unfolded around 7.30am in the 1400 block of Grigsby Street. Investigators believe Lawrence may have fled to Dallas, Texas, where she's from. She fled the scene in a green Honda Accord

She fled the scene in a green Honda Accord with a primer on the left passengers side front door.

Police are now searching for her and say she has two addresses in Shreveport but investigators believe she likely fled to the Dallas, Texas area where she is from. Her bond is set at $150,000.

Police are asking anyone with information as to Lawrences whereabouts to contact them at 318-673-7300 option #3. Those who wish to remain anonymous are asked to call Shreveport Caddo Crime Stoppers at 318-673-7373 or via their app P3Tips
Unemployment among young workers has been a problem in Europe following the 2008-2009 international financial crisis. Yet early signs show it is getting worse today with the coronavirus pandemic.

Dunia Skaunicova is one example of how the crisis has hurt young people. After Skaunicova completed her studies at Pragues Metropolitan University, she quickly found a job at a company in the Czech capital. The 24-year-old speaks Czech, English and French.

Months later, she lost her job when the pandemic hit. This time, she is having problems finding one. I have been to five or six interviews in person during the last two monthsthere are so many people, said Skaunicova.

Dennis Tamesberger follows youth unemployment for the Chamber of Labor in Linz, Austria. He believes the youth unemployment rate in the Czech Republic could go as high as 16 percent in 2020. Before the pandemic, the rate was at 5 percent.

In May, the total European Union, or EU unemployment rate was 6.7 percent. But the unemployment rate among the under-25 age group was about 15.7 percent.

Youth unemployment across Europe took years to recover from the financial crisis. In countries such as Spain and Greece, the rate of unemployment remains at 30 percent. And experts believe that number could increase to 45 percent.

Effect on young workers

Tamesberger says when people are young, even short periods of time without a job can hurt a persons long-term earnings. He points to a study from the London-based Centre for Economic Policy Research. It shows that one month of unemployment at ages 18 to 20 causes income loss of 2 percent over a lifetime. The effect of youth unemployment, he warns, could last for a generation.

Kathleen Henehan is with the Resolution Foundation. She told Reuters, The corona class of 2020 could face years of reduced pay and limited job prospects, long after the current economic storm has passed, unless additional support is provided fast.

Part of the problem is that young workers in Europe are often the first to lose their jobs. In addition, parts of the economy that have been hurt by the pandemic are mostly in retail and hospitality. Those are places where young people often get their first jobs.

The EU is urging governments to create jobs and training programs for young workers. In Britain, the finance minister recently announced a $2.5 billion program to create six-month work placement jobs for unemployed people between 16 and 24 years old. It also supports more government job training programs.

Those looking for jobs find that the competition is fierce. Some companies ignore job searchers. Others tell young workers not to expect much in wages or benefits.

Blake Wittman helps people find jobs through Goodcall. He said one company in Prague told him that as many as 50-100 people applied for a job opening. Before the pandemic, there were just 5 to 10.

Any job that opens is gold, he said.

I'm John Russell.



Michael Kahn reported on this story for Reuters. John Russell adapted it for Learning English. Hai Do was the editor.

________________________________________________________________



Words in This Story

pandemic -- n. an occurrence in which a disease spreads very quickly and affects a large number of people over a wide area or throughout the world

interview  n. a formal meeting with someone who is being considered for a job or other position

youth -- n. young people; the time of life when someone is young

income -- n. money that is earned from work, investments, business, etc.

lifetime -- n. the time during which a person is alive

prospect -- n. the possibility that something will happen in the future

retail -- n. the business of selling things directly to customers for their own use

hospitality -- n. the activity of providing food, drinks, etc. for people who are the guests or customers of an organization

benefit -- n. something extra (such as vacation time or health insurance) that is given by an employer to workers in addition to their regular pay




Chinese social media giant TikTok has reportedly shelved plans to build a global headquarters in London amid growing concern about Beijing's influence in Britain.

TikTok, a viral video app which is popular among teenagers, had been in discussions with the Department for International Trade and No 10 to establish a worldwide base in the capital.

The app, which has 800 million users, planned to invest as much as 3 billion on making the UK its home outside China and would have created around 3,000 jobs, sources claimed.

TikTok's parent company ByteDance has now made the decision to suspend those negotiations due to the 'wider geographical context,' the Sunday Times reported.

Chinese social media giant TikTok has reportedly shelved plans to build a global headquarters in Britain amid growing concern about Beijing's influence in Britain

The move comes amid increasing tensions between London and Beijing, stemming from the Government's criticism of the Hong Kong security law and a recent decision to ban Huawei from Britain's 5G network.

An unnamed source reportedly told the paper the plans could be revived should relations between China and the UK improve, however they added a decision would not be coming 'any time soon'.

A statement from TikTok said: 'We remain fully committed to investing in London and inspiring creativity and bringing joy to our users around the world.'

Meanwhile, a Government spokesperson added: 'ByteDance's decision on the location of their global HQ is a commercial decision for the company.

'The UK is a fair and open market for investment where it supports UK growth and jobs.'

Elsewhere, Washington is considering placing TikTok's Beijing-based owner ByteDance on its blacklist, effectively barring Americans from downloading and using the app.

The viral video app had earmarked London as a possible location for its HQ as part of an apparent attempt to distance itself from the Chinese Communist Party

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo (pictured), who opposes the app, will arrive in London to meet Boris Johnson and Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab to discuss issues including China

White House officials are also weighing alternative plans, including allowing TikTok to continue operating as long as the company splits from its Chinese parent and sets up its headquarters in the US and not the UK.

Sources familiar with the matter last night said London was still being considered as an option for the HQ. However, they warned that the company would need to consider the impact of the US government's plans and how it would affect the company's operations.

Banning the app in the US, where it has almost 50 million users, would be a major blow to the company.

Tomorrow a fierce critic of the company, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, will arrive in London to meet Boris Johnson and Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab to discuss issues including China and the coronavirus pandemic.

There is mounting speculation that he will use the opportunity to single out the firm as a tool of the Chinese state.

When asked on Fox News earlier this month whether US citizens should download TikTok, Mr Pompeo said: 'Only if you want your private information in the hands of the Chinese Communist Party.'

He also threatened to ban ByteDance by placing it on the US's so-called 'entity list'. Officials have said a decision could come within weeks.

London, Singapore and Dublin were among the locations being considered by TikTok, reports suggested in December. No US cities made the shortlist.

But now, TikTok may be forced to establish a major base in the US to salvage its business there.

Britain decided to ban Huawei from operating large swathes of its 5G network this week, with the Government setting 2027 as the deadline by which to remove all of Huawei's kit

TikTok does not currently have an official headquarters, although its most senior executive is based in Shanghai.

Senior Ministers are already understood to be pushing for TikTok to be banned in the UK over its links with the Chinese state.

TikTok denies it is a security risk. It says it has never given user data to the Chinese government and it would refuse to do so if asked.

But critics of the company say that China's intelligence laws compel internet companies such as TikTok to provide data to the Communist government if it demands it.

It comes days after Britain decided to ban Huawei from operating large swathes of its 5G network, with mobile operators banned from buying any more 5G equipment from the Chinese company from December 31.

The Government has set 2027 as the deadline by which to remove all of Huawei's kit.

Like TikTok, Huawei is a private company, but its founder is a former member of the People's Liberation Army and there are fears the Chinese government could use its power to demand access to sensitive information.

TikTok has attempted to allay concerns about its links to the Chinese state by hiring an American chief executive, former Disney executive Kevin Meyer. It has also been beefing up its policy team in recent months to combat the mounting political row over the company's ties to China.

Among those recruited was Theo Bertram, a former adviser to Tony Blair and Gordon Brown.

TikTok has exploded in popularity since its inception in 2017 and is tipped to have more than ten million users by next year

Other measures include pulling out of Hong Kong in the wake of the controversial security laws granting more power to Beijing.

The company has also tried to differentiate the Western app TikTok from the Chinese version, which is known as Douyin.

India banned Chinese-owned apps such as TikTok and WeChat at the end of last month amid similar concerns about data being leaked to the Chinese Communist Party. Australia is also weighing a ban.

Since launching in the UK in 2017, TikTok has exploded in popularity and is tipped to have more than ten million users by next year.

The company has been on a hiring spree in London, which has quietly become its largest office in Europe. Its biggest office is in Los Angeles and it also has bases in Paris, Dublin and Berlin.

A ByteDance spokesman said: 'The UK is one of our most important markets globally, with a talented and diverse team in London, including senior leadership.

'UK employees have quadrupled over the past year and we expect continued strong growth.

'We remain fully committed to investing in London and inspiring creativity and bringing joy to our users around the world through our products and platforms.'
Rutte has long been known as a European bridge builder, but this weekend his tough negotiating stance is being blamed for holding up a deal. He and his allies are pushing for labor market and pension reforms to be linked to EU handouts and a brake enabling EU nations to monitor and, if necessary, halt projects that are being paid for by the recovery fund.
Rahul Gandhi accused the Centre of behaving like Neville Chamberlain, the ex-British PM considered a weak leader by many

New Delhi: Congress MP Rahul Gandhi on Saturday accused the Centre of behaving like former British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain  who was considered as a weak leader by many  with regard to the tensions at the Line of Actual Control (LAC). He also went on to accuse the Centre of being cowardly.

"China has taken our land and the Government Of India is behaving like Chamberlain. This will further embolden China. India is going to pay a huge price because of GOI's cowardly actions," tweeted the former Congress president.

The former Congress president also shared a video of Defence Minister Rajnath Singh's interaction with the Indian Army and ITBP personnel at Lukung.

"Talks are underway to resolve the border dispute but to what extent it can be resolved I cannot guarantee. I can assure you, not one inch of our land can be taken by any power in the world," Rajnath Singh said.

On 15 June, 20 Indian soldiers sacrificed their lives during combat with the Chinese forces in the Galwan valley, leading to tensions between both nations. Chinese soldiers subsequently started moving back following dialogues between the two countries.
The police sought the reasons behind termination of the contract between Rajput and the production house

The Mumbai police on Saturday recorded statement of Aditya Chopra, chairman of Yash Raj Films (YRF), which is under the scanner in connection with the suicide of actor Sushant Singh Rajput (34).

The police grilled Chopra for four hours in connection with his association with the production house. The questioning comes in the light of Rajputs friend and actor Rhea Chakraborty Tweeting to Union home minister demanding a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) led investigation into the suicide.

The Bandra police recorded the statement of Chopra at the Versova police station. The police sought the reasons behind termination of the contract between Rajput and the production house. The officials said that the questioning was based on the details shared by the production houses casting director Shanoo Sharma and the contract documents that were seized following the suicide.

The police have not revealed the specifics of the contract till date or if there were any draconian clauses that could have any bearing on the extreme step taken by Rajput.

Statement of Aditya Chopra was recorded and the probe will diversify further based on the details shared. At least 37 persons have been questioned in connection with the incident, said a police officer.

The probe has not hinted towards foul play as yet and the officials said that alleged abetment angle is being probed in light of professional rivalry and similar reasons. While Chakraborty demanded for a CBI probe, state home minister Anil Deshmukh dismissed the need for the same adding that the Mumbai police are capable of investigating the incident.
Former Barcelona defender Dani Alves' claims Lionel Messi's frustrations are a result of receiving little to no support from his team-mates.

The Argentine gave a fiery interview after Barcelona's 2-1 defeat to Osasuna on Thursday evening, which came on the same day as arch rivals Real Madrid wrapped up their first LaLiga title since 2017.

Messi told reporters: 'Roma, Liverpool... the fans are running out of patience because we're not giving them anything. If we want to fight for the Champions League, a lot has to change. Like this, we will lose to Napoli.'

Dani Alves says Lionel Messi is frustrated because of the lack of support around him

The Barcelona star gave a furious interview after his side's 2-1 defeat at home to Osasuna

But Alves, the Barcelona star's former team-mate at Camp Nou, believes the club's over-reliance on Messi to deliver in every single game is no longer tenable.

'He's a born winner, he doesn't like to lose and it's normal to get angry,' Alves told Catalunya Radio regarding Messi's outburst.

'He wants to win every time, like me. He's been doing it for so long that you can tell when your team is giving [that feeling] and when it's not.

'That's why he said it, he's been at Barcelona for many years and he's aware of what he needs to be able to win and aspire to great things.

But Messi's former team-mate at the Camp Nou Alves said he sympathised with his frustrations

'He sees, what I feel, and that's a lack of support. Messi was the main course, but we were the perfect ingredients [in the past].

'He always wants to be on top and you need people to build that. The feeling now is that he always has to be doing everything for the team and he's only human.'

However, the 37-year-old Sao Paulo right-back does not believe Messi will look for a move away in due course

'No, I don't think so. He's the face of this club, of this team and it would be the biggest mistake the club would ever make [if he left],' Alves continued.

The Brazilian believes Messi is not being helped in the same way as he was when he was there

'It would be a mistake for such a player not to retire there and change the name of Camp Nou to Leo Messi.'

In 41 games across all competitions during the current campaign, Messi has scored 28 goals and assisted another 25 strikes.

But his sensational efforts may yet go unrewarded in terms of silverware, with the Catalan giants' hopes of a trophy now lying with the Champions League title.

But they head into their Round of 16 tie with Napoli on level terms with the Serie A side after a 1-1 draw in Italy.
By William Schwartz | Published on 2020/07/18

Director Kang Kil-yong is a legend when it comes to martial arts choreography, having worked on a ridiculously large number of famous South Korean films over the years. "The Prisoner" is his first attempt leading a movie production as director though, and the results are about what you'd expect. The acting, the script, and the set design is all pretty cheap and even cheesy. But those fight scenes! With very little to work with, Kang Kil-yong pulls off some outrageously kinetic hand-to-hand fisticuff duels.

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Seven of them, to be exact. See, the backdrop of "The Prisoner" is this big jailhouse tournament that has something to do with VR movies. Save for some moments of comic relief this is never really important. Ostensibly the more in-focus plot is of detective Se-do (played by Oh Ji-ho), who goes rogue and by apparent coincidence finds his archnemesis In-gwi (played by Jo Woon) to be one of his tournament rivals. Exposition regarding this relationship is slowly explained via flashback throughout the movie.

Oh Ji-ho's performance as the pained detective is, frankly speaking, not very good. In a weird way his lackluster performance here actually improves "The Nightmare" from earlier this year. In both movies Oh Ji-ho drifts about with a slightly bewildered expression on his face, lending a surreal feeling to his interpretation of the world around him. Such acting is brilliant for a movie that's deliberately ambiguous about known reality as we know it, but is rather less appropriate for a movie about violent prisoners punching each other really hard.

And boy, what they lack in acting chops, the eight principals in "The Prisoner" compensate for with sheer homoerotic musculature. They throw themselves into the roles here, knowing full well that a chance to work with director Kang Kil-yong to hone their physique and action screen presence is a once in a lifetime opportunity. The stage punches in "The Prisoner" are so good I found myself worrying about whether any of these guys managed to seriously hurt each other.

Somewhat counterintuitively the first round of the fighting tournament ends up being the strongest one, if only because we see the combatants at maximum variety. Jake (played by Julien Kang) is highly aggressive and speaks entirely in English swear words. Doo-man (played by Ha Je-yong) is so thoroughly built like a tank his fight is mainly about finding the right weak spot. Woo-ri (played by Seo In-gul) is very young, and Kwang-do (played by Wang Hwi) is very gangster.

All the actors effectively channel the personalities of their characters through their fighting styles, which is impressive given how little their needlessly complicated backstories have to actually do with the plot. "The Prisoner" is pure pulpy, punchy goodness that more than makes up for its many shortcomings with powerful enthusiasm and dedication to the core concept. At only eighty minutes of length, it's hard to feel like I was shortchanged in any way. I was promised the opportunity to watch a bunch of beefy men throwdown, and that's exactly what I got.

Review by William Schwartz

___________

"The Prisoner" is directed by Yang Kil-yong, and features Oh Ji-ho, Jo Woon, Lee Jae-yong-I, Jung Chan, Son Sung-yoon, Jang Young-jin. Release date in Korea: 2020/07/23.
Algiers, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 19th Jul, 2020 ) :Algeria said Saturday that the coronavirus crisis on top of falling oil prices have caused unprecedented damage to its economy, including over $1 billion in losses in the public sector alone.

"Algeria is facing an unprecedented difficult economic situation," said Prime Minister Abdelaziz Djerad, quoted by the official APS news agency.

This was due to "the structural crisis inherited from the former government, the fall in hydrocarbon prices and finally, the health crisis" of the novel coronavirus.

The premier was speaking at a meeting at which Finance Minister Aymen Benabderahmane announced public company losses totalled more than $1 billion, affecting mainly the transport and energy sectors.

The government decided in early May to slash the state budget by half because of the global collapse in oil prices and coronavirus lockdowns.

The North African nation is heavily dependent on oil production, which generates over 90 percent of its export revenues.

The International Monetary Fund forecasts Algeria's economy will shrink by 5.2 percent this year, and it will have among the highest budget deficits in the region.

President Abdelmadjid Tebboune has ruled out approaching the IMF for loans, saying, "accumulating debt harms national sovereignty".

A commission tasked with assessing the impact of the pandemic on the national economy was set up Saturday, according to APS.

Algeria has reported several record daily tallies of COVID-19 cases in the past week, with 601 new infections confirmed Saturday.

The worst-affected country in North Africa, Algeria has officially reported a total of more than 22,500 cases of the COVID-19, including 1,068 deaths.
I actually really like her entire look. The flowers are beautiful.

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Not sure how I feel about the sleeves on the dress, but I don't totally hate what she was going for

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i like her wearing a vintage dress

the Queen must have warehouses full of amazing dresses

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Edited at 2020-07-18 10:50 pm (UTC)

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oooh I definitely prefer it without sleeves!

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i personally think the sleeves are a good addition. it gives it a nice daytime look and makes the dress less formal. i also love what the tailor did with the skirt.

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i wonder if there's a reason she couldn't wear the same tiara as in the second pic.

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God, the Queen's waist is so tiny in these pictures.

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imagine having a dad so awful that he can't be on the official pictures

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I feel bad for Beatrice and Eugenie. Theyve had to be embarrassed by their parents bad behavior their entire lives. I hope they have found happiness.

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QM's Fringe is not a great fringe, but if you're talking fringe tiaras, I like the Baden Fringe and Madeline's Modern Fringe.



BUT.... for a wedding QM's Fringe gets points for sentimentality.

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omg i googled the Westminster kokoshnik tiara and it's sooo pretty - does no one ever wear it?

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No. It was never in the main line of the royal family. It was owned by aristocracy and it was sold at auction. Probably to pay estate taxes.

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The Westminster kokoshnik is amazing.

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I think the dress is cute sans the sleeves, but they aren't the worst considering the whole shoulders covered in church thing. I detest the fringe tiara though, always have. I feel like it's very QEII to reuse dresses during a hard time. The queen looks lovely in mint, but the corpse on her right just needs to let go.

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I actually like it a lot. The vintage dress is really unique and the flowers are stunning

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the flowers are so pretty and look really great with the filter they used

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i am OBSESSED with her dress. the first royal wedding look ive really loved

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Why even have your pedo dad there. I know he's Queenie's fave or whatever but just...elope. Do it quietly. Lay low.



Ew.

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She always looks like a willy wonka character to me

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she's a beautiful woman but it is just crazy to me how BIG her eyes and smile are!

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She looks exactly like Queen Victoria. She got all the Hanover traits.

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The dress (minus the sleeves) is actually really beautiful. More Royal weddings should be low key.





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I'm such a hoe for huge flower arrangements, that is gorgeous. I really like her dress from what we can see of it. I wanna see it without the bouquet in front. I wish she had chosen/been given a different tiara, it's pretty but doesn't really match the style of the dress imo. Imagine this with the strathmore rose tiara, if they even still own that one.



All in all, a small private ceremony seems much preferable to a huge one broadcast for the world to see.

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yeah I feel like the veil and tiara are not complimentary to the dress at all and really take your focus away from it

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The veil seems to be a totally different shade of white from the dress....although it might be the color balancing on the photos. May be less noticeable IRL? I don't mind the tiara though, it mimics the form language of the beading on the dress, which seems like a legit choice.

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I think it's been confirmed that they DO still own the Strathmore Rose (it appeared in some book about the Queen's jewels), but it might not be in great shape?



I think the tiara choice was purely sentimental which, I guess. But why go for sentimental when you could pick one of the lovely tiaras we haven't seen in years?

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my mom is a florist so i get so hype any time i see beautiful large flower arrangements like this omg its so aesthetically pleasing.

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No one cares about her wedding anyway so she made the sensible choice.

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i think the dress is really cute sleeves and all. if i ever got married i'd love to wear a vintage dress.

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they all look nice and those flowers are beautiful. i appreciate seeing even a member of the royal family can scale down a wedding for these times. other people need to take cue.

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i appreciate seeing even a member of the royal family can scale down a wedding for these times. other people need to take cue.



This.

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a girl from my education cohort in college got married last month and she had this full on wedding, posting pics of her bridal party of like 20 people packed in the back of a limo, like sis we're in the middle of a pandemic, how tf did you think this was a good idea???

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wow, i can't face palm hard enough over the amount of stupid from all of them.

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Video reporting by Jacquie Cosgrove

One man set out on a journey to break down barriers and start intimate conversations with strangers around the world just by asking the simple question: Are you happy? Now, hes sharing what hes learned about the human condition through his travels and the people he met along the way with a documentary series gaining viral attention on social media.

Atdhe Trepca tells Yahoo Life that he has long been interested in filmmaking, leading him to study it in school and pursue opportunities at Viacom and Warner Bros. Studio  where he met creators in the field whom he looked up to. But it was a French documentary from 1961 called Chronicle of a Summer that inspired his latest project.

Two nonfilmmakers go into the streets of Paris in an attempt to get an honest, real conversation on camera, he explains, noting that those conversations were started with the very question he asks his subjects. I thought it'd be really cool to get that idea and just go around the world with it, immerse myself in different cultures of people all around the world.

In February 2019, Trepca did just that when he got into his car and made his way from Los Angeles to New York, stopping to chat with strangers along the way. Every state I would pass through, every person I ran across, I would ask them all the same question: Are you happy? he explains. And I didn't realize it then, but the question really serves as a window to the soul.

The impact of the project struck Trepca immediately as he met a man in the Sand Hollow reservoir in Utah early on in the journey who invited the filmmaker into his world in a unique way.

We ended up riding through the dunes together on his ATV. And then after we finished riding, he's like, You know, if you really want to know what makes me happy, I'd like to invite you back to my house, Trepca recalls. And then all my learnings, everything my parents ever taught me was ringing off my head, Don't go, don't go. But, you know, I trusted this guy and I trusted in this documentary.

Story continues

The experience ended up being one of the filmmakers most memorable as it was one of the first times that he got to know a stranger so well from approaching him and asking a singular question. From there, Trepca went on to trust a number of other people he met throughout the U.S. and then India, which was his next destination. Although it wasnt always that easy or comfortable with each person he came into contact with, Trepca explains that nearly every interaction ended up being fascinatingly vulnerable and honest.

When you approach a stranger with that question immediately, all their personal stories, their entire life experience comes to the forefront and they start reflecting on everything that they've done, he says. The flood gates open up and you just have to give people a chance to speak. And I promise you that they will tell you their true and honest story.

Some of Trepcas most viral videos prove just that, as a woman from India now known as the sunrise girl quickly shared that she had run away from home, while another young woman in Connecticut opened up about having recently gone through a brain surgery  two things that a stranger likely wouldnt find out about a person in a matter of minutes.

Although these two videos in particular seem to showcase stories seemingly worthy of the viral attention that theyve received on TikTok, Instagram and YouTube, Trepca is sure that everybodys stories are worthy of that same recognition. This documentary is basically endless. I think there are seven and a half billion stories available, he says. I truly believe that everyone has a story. Not only an interesting story, but everyone has a story worthy of an Oscar-winning film or a viral video.

Most importantly, he shares, that the happiest people I've met have not had the happiest lives, which now serves as a reminder for people around the world dealing with hardships during the unprecedented times of the coronavirus pandemic.

It's so easy to get caught up in everything that's happening in the world. But at the end of the day, the world is way too heavy for our shoulders. It's not ours to carry, he says. These world issues are very important, but if you were to add up every single good thing that happened today around the world and every single bad thing that happened around the world, the good would far outweigh the bad. The world is a beautiful place.

Video Produced by Jacquie Cosgrove

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Britain is set to tear up its extradition agreement with Hong Kong today as Dominic Raab warns the country must be very careful in its dealings with China.

In a move that will further escalate tensions, the Foreign Secretary is expected to announce that the Government will no longer hand over suspects to the former British colony.

It follows Beijings imposition of a repressive security law in the territory that effectively outlaws public protest.

UK Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab (pictured) has warned the UK must be very careful in its dealings with China following a variety of rows between the two countries

Relations between China and Britain have become increasingly strained as they have clashed over coronavirus, Hong Kong, human rights and Chinese telecoms firm Huawei.

Liu Xiaoming, Beijings ambassador to the UK, yesterday accused the Government of dancing to the tune of the Americans over its decision last week to ban Huawei from its 5G network.

UK mobile providers will not be allowed to buy Huawei 5G equipment after the end of this year and will have to remove all of its 5G kit from their networks by 2027.

Mr Liu said China was still evaluating the consequences as he warned the UK had missed the opportunity to be a leading country through its decision. He accused the Government of purging the firm under the pressure of the United States.

Liu Xiaoming (pictured), Beijings ambassador to the UK, yesterday accused the Government of dancing to the tune of the Americans after the decision to ban Huawei from the country's 5G network

Today in the Commons Mr Raab will announce he is suspending the countrys extradition treaty with Hong Kong in response to Beijings enactment of a national security law there.

The contentious legislation criminalises secession, subversion and collusion with foreign forces but also curtails rights to protest and freedom of speech. The rules apply outside the borders of China.

This has stoked fears that Beijing could try to use the extradition mechanism to drag any overseas residents involved in pro-democracy activism back to Hong Kong. The UK does not have an extradition treaty with China.

In response to the law, the Government earlier this month offered around three million Hong Kong residents the right to settle in the UK and ultimately apply for citizenship but ministers have faced pressure from their own backbenchers to go further.

Mr Raab told Sky News (pictured) on Sunday that there wont be business as usual with China after the coronavirus crisis

A group of 17 Tory MPs, including former Cabinet ministers David Davis and Damian Green, signed a letter urging the Foreign Secretary to follow allies including Canada, the US and Australia that have already moved to suspend extradition arrangements with Hong Kong. Others such as New Zealand are also reviewing their relations.

Mr Raab said yesterday there wont be business as usual with China after the coronavirus pandemic and urged caution.

Appearing on Skys Sophy Ridge on Sunday programme, he said: I think we need to be very careful in our dealings... We have said there wont be business as usual after Covid-19 and we are working with our international partners to get a proper independent review of what happened but we also want to make sure that were not slipping into some outdated dogmatic approach with China.

Shaun Bailey, the Tory candidate for London mayor, last night called for the capital to be no longer twinned with Beijing. He said: London is a global city, and the world is watching us and the example we set.

But what kind of signal are we sending when we continue a relationship with a government that is seeking to curtail human rights with new security laws in Hong Kong, while overseeing the cruel persecution of its Uighur Muslims? London must send a message that Chinas behaviour is unacceptable.

He added: That is why, as mayor, I would end our capitals twinned status with Beijing.

Dissident leader who fled to Britain tells the Mail...this is such good news - now they won't be able to drag me back

Interview by Frances Hardy for the Daily Mail

Earnest, bespectacled, boy- ish, Nathan Law, 27, has a gentle, scholarly air that belies the fierceness of his convictions.

Speaking to me from a small apartment in London  he will not disclose the location  the fear that drove him to flee his native Hong Kong is tangible.

Wherever I am in the world, Im still a target, he says. I cant stay in the same place for more than a month. Ill be constantly moving.

The fear that drove Nathan Law, 27, (pictured right) to flee his native Hong Kong is tangible

But when I told him that the Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab was to announce that the UK planned to terminate its extradition agreement with Hong Kong, he was visibly relieved.

Thats such good news because it means that Britain recognises that Hong Kongs rule of law does not exist, he says. For me, its important that they cant extradite me back to Hong Kong.

It was a couple of weeks ago that Law  the timeline is intentionally vague  crammed a few possessions into a backpack and fled the former British colony for the relative safety of the British capital.

I was worried that Id be stopped when I got to the border which is why Id made the painful decision to leave so much behind: letters Id received in prison that meant so much to me, he says.

And when I put my ID card in the machine I was shaking with fear, worried that it would pop up that I was a blacklisted person. In the event he got through unchallenged.

A political activist, he was propelled to leave by the threat of imprisonment by the Chinese government that on July 1 imposed a draconian new security law on the city whose democratic freedoms he will defend until his last breath.

Mr Law (pictured middle) is a political activist and was was propelled to leave by the threat of imprisonment by the Chinese government

Law would certainly have been in Beijings crosshairs. He was just 23 when he became Hong Kongs youngest ever legislator and he achieved instant notoriety by using his swearing-in ceremony as a platform for his campaign.

In his opening statement he argued that the oath ceremony itself had become a political tool of the regime.

He also added a quote from Mahatma Gandhi that included the words: You can chain me, you can torture me, you can even destroy this body, but you will never imprison my mind.

Just over a year later he had been disqualified from holding office and within a month of that ruling he was arrested for taking part in a protest deemed illegal by the authorities.

He was detained at the Tong Fuk Correctional Institution on Hong Kongs Lantau Island and served two-and-a-half months before being granted bail.

We lived 20 to a cell. The conditions werent good, he says with studied understatement.

The food was bad and there was no privacy. But I felt lucky. If Id been sent, as other protesters were, to a prison in mainland China I would have been tortured.

Following the introduction of the new law, he felt he had no option but to leave.

Following the introduction of the new law, which has prompted many protests such as this one in a Hong Kong shopping mall, he felt he had no option but to leave (pictured)

I left Hong Kong with tears in my eyes. It was very emotional for me and it was a difficult choice to go. But if I stayed and challenged its community to hold China accountable, that would have led to years if not lifelong imprisonment.

The threat is imminent. If the Chinese government wants to prosecute now, it is equipped with the legal weapons to do it. Ordinary citizens are deleting Facebook accounts if theyve posted anything in support of the democracy movement. They are afraid it will be used as evidence to prosecute them.

They are not chanting slogans like free Hong Kong any more. This is the effect of the white terror. And the most chilling thing? That the new security law has banned subversion and inciting hatred of the Chinese government but has not defined what they are.

Chinas wide-ranging new security law not only makes it easier to punish protesters but makes inciting hatred of the Chinese Communist Party illegal. It also permits secret trials and phone tapping of suspects and allows them to be tried on mainland China where they face torture.

Laws mission in the UK is to continue doing what he can no longer do in his birthplace. He issues a rallying cry to the Government to stand up to the diktats of Beijing.

Britain must form a coherent, united front with other western democracies to protect the democratic and liberal values we share, he urges.

I am here to share my story, to advocate for democracy in Hong Kong, to urge the UK and Western democracies to form an alliance to combat the authoritarian expansion of China and to ensure human rights are prioritised over trade in their dealings with them.

But he is still constantly looking over his shoulder. The tentacles of the CCP stretch far and wide. The [security] law applies anywhere in the world, he says. I cannot go back to Hong Kong and thats heart-breaking, but this is about more than personal choice.

I have a duty, a responsibility, to speak out on behalf of the people of Hong Kong and I am willing to sacrifice a long period of my life, maybe decades  until there is democracy there.

Mr Law doesn't know when he will return to Hong Kong (pictured) which is currently facing protests over national security laws

Asked if he fears for the safety of his Chinese-born parents, still in Hong Kong, he says: I prefer not to talk about them. The more I talk, the more I endanger them. I worry that my father is under surveillance, that he could be arrested. I dont know whether these things could happen.

He adds: I dont know when I will go back. I am not optimistic in the short term. I will continue to fight until democracy is won.

I came to the UK because it has a very special relationship with Hong Kong, a historical obligation and ties with it. I hope Britain continues to take this relationship seriously. China must be held accountable for its human rights violations.
By Trend





United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres has put forward an initiative to battle inequality - a New Global Deal that will aim to create a fairer model of global governance, Guterres said on Saturday in his lecture commemorating Nelson Mandela, Trend reports citing TASS.

"The COVID-19 pandemic has brought home the tragic disconnect between self-interest and the common interest; and the huge gaps in governance structures and ethical frameworks," he said.

"To close these gaps, and to make the New Social Contract possible, we need a New Global Deal to ensure that power, wealth and opportunities are shared more broadly and fairly at the international level," Guterres stressed.
At this point in the narrative, the question of whether the media can or should ignore West is almost irrelevant. The 43-year-old music and fashion mogul is one of the most famous people on the planet right now. Millions buy his shoes, listen to his music, hang on his every tweet. He has one of the loudest bullhorns on the globe. Add to that Kim Kardashian-Wests own political muscle in criminal justice reform. Add to that her familys collective social media influence. And Wests reach goes even further.
NEW HAVEN  Thousands of calls were made to the state Department of Housing this week from residents looking to tap into the rental assistance program being underwritten by federal CARES funds, with fewer than 400 completing the first step in the process.

The state has put aside $10 million, which advocates say is too little to meet the needs of residents who are having problems paying their rent after losing their jobs due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The new program went live Wednesday, but a coalition of legal aid groups, as well as the Connecticut Fair Housing Center, said residents continue to have difficulty getting through.

The assistance through the Department of Housing and the Connecticut Housing Finance Authority aims to address rental housing stability and to prevent evictions.

Aaron Turner of the Department of Housing on Thursday said there had been more than 2,200 callers to the phone number Wednesday and Thursday.

He said the state has been made aware that many people were calling in simultaneously from more than one phone, so that when they connected, they hung the other lines up. Also, there were also a fairly large number of calls that did not reach a call center operator and were voluntarily disconnected after learning of their ineligibility through the automated portion of the call or that did not have their 2019 income information when they first called, and subsequently called back.

On Friday, Turner released statistics on participation:

On Wednesday they received 688 calls, of which 269 were homeowners and 419 renters. Of this, 203 threshold applications were completed  180 for renters and 23 for homeowners.

On Thursday, 490 called in, 255 of them homeowners and 235 from renters. Of those, 157 renters completed the threshold application as did 21 homeowners.

There are four more steps after passing the threshold level before an application is complete. Applicants are reminded to have their 2019 income tax information when calling.

The number to call is 860-785-3111.

Attorney Amy Eppler-Epstein, who works at New Haven Legal Assistance, said the call center appears to be overwhelmed.

Despite having 12 people answering lines and a system with a 50-person hold/call wait capacity, everyone we have heard from seems to be encountering a busy signal. Over the past 3 days since it opened, I tried a dozen times myself at random times, and only once got beyond the busy signal to muzak, she said.

Eppler-Epstein said the opening message is only in English, so even though apparently they have Spanish language speakers for callers to talk to, all the instructions on what to press are just in English.

She said it is imperative that the U.S. Senate pass the $3 trillion HEROES Act that would provide $100 billion in emergency rental assistance. It was adopted by the House, but the Senate took no action before it went on recess. It is back in session next week.

The overwhelming response to the first three days of the rental assistance program in Connecticut makes clear that the $10 million allocated will not be enough, and more federal assistance is desperately needed, she said.

Lisa McCray was one of the residents who tried to get through.

You cant imagine how excited I was to see your announcement for rental help. I have been calling since I saw it two days ago, so far, and everytime I called and finally got to the area I needed, it gives you a busy signal and hangs up on me. ... I got frustrated and gave up. It is very discouraging to see a possibility of some renters help, but you cant get through to the agency, she wrote in an email to the NHLAA.

Through July 28, first priority for processing is for eligible households denied unemployment benefits and/or denied Pandemic Unemployment Assistance, with at least one minor household member, and income of not more than 60 percent of Average Median Income based on 2019.

From July 29 through Aug. 11, the priority will be eligible households denied unemployment benefits and/or denied Pandemic Unemployment Assistance with income of not more than 80 percent of AMI based on 2019.

From Aug. 12 through the duration of the program, all other eligible households with income of not more than 80 percent of AMI in 2019 are the priority.

Erin Kemple, executive director of the Connecticut Fair Housing Center, said she received similar complaints that residents were either put on hold for long periods of time, could not get through or the line would disconnect.

Eligible households may receive up to $4,000 in total assistance over the twelve-month period for rent due beginning March 1, 2020, with a limit of $1,000 per month.

Payments are made directly to the landlord with residents mandated to pay a minimum of 30 percent of their gross income toward the rent based on their lowest consecutive 30-day income during March, April and May. If they dont pay the 30 percent they are disqualified for assistance.

Gov. Ned Lamont recently extended the moratorium on landlords filing for evictions from July 1 until Aug. 25, a decision the New Haven Legal Assistance Association said it was grateful for.

Kemple was concerned that once the $600 additional weekly federal money coming to the unemployed expires on July 31, it will further disrupt tenants ability to pay for rent, food and other necessities.

With 650,000 people seeking unemployment compensation since March, advocates dont see how $10 million for rental assistance will be enough.

The New Haven Board of Alders has authorized using additional funding from the CARES Act  Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security  for its own tenant assistance program that will be finalized later in the month and overseen by the Livable City Initiative, Economic Development Administrator Michael Piscitelli said.

Kemple said large cities and some other states have been much more generous with the amount of CARES funds set aside for rental assistance to forestall evictions and foreclosures for homeowners. She said the city of Houston has a population that is 75 percent of Connecticuts, but it is setting aside 33 percent more in assistance.

Allocations by other states include: New Jersey, $100 million; Illinois, $396 million; Pennsylvania, $175 million; Montana, $50 million.

Kemple said she finds the prediction by the Federal Reserve Bank in Boston alarming.

Jeffrey Thompson, an economist and director of the New England Public Policy Center at the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston in May projected that 11% percent of Connecticut homeowners and 36% of the states renters are vulnerable to missing at least one rent or mortgage payment, according to CT Mirror.

While Lamonts executive orders give extensions on rent payments for several months since March, the catch-up will be cumulative.

mary.oleary@hearstmediact.com; 203-641-2577
Nothing kinks a pipeline like a judges gavel.

In a spatter of blistering court decisions this month, federal judges dealt blows to both the Dakota Access and Keystone XL pipelines.

Dakota Access was ordered shut down and drained of oil while a thorough environmental impact statement is being done  this after already being in operation for three years. Keystone XL was blocked from crucial permitting allowing it to cross beneath rivers and streams.

DAPLs oil still flows, riding a legal seesaw of orders and stays of orders. The overall trend for court decisions on pipelines, however, have favored the plaintiffs arguing successfully that the federal government has done a slapdash job of environmental review as it fulfills President Donald Trumps energy dominance executive order, of which granting permits for Dakota Access and Keystone XL was a priority.

The U.S. Supreme Court, with two Trump appointees in its conservative majority, issued the Keystone ruling.

Theres disagreement about what those legal setbacks indicate for the future of pipeline development.

It used to be easier to do a sloppy EIS and get away with it, 10 years ago it would have been easier. Twenty years ago, completely easy, said Suzanne Mattei, energy policy analyst for the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis. The environmental impact statement process requires the consideration of alternatives. It says No. 1, you have to determine what the potential environmental impacts are. Thats something there can be all kinds of debate on. The second thing is, you have to look at whether or not the project is needed and whether or not theres a feasible and prudent alternative.

What has changed, Mattei said, is that meeting EIS requirements has become more difficult for industry as environmental advocacy groups have become better at producing detailed, science-based arguments about the environment and well researched arguments about the economy. Courts are recognizing those arguments, even as the government agencies issuing permits dont.

The pipeline industry is treating the court losses as distractions, while expecting consumer demand for the fossil fuels to determine the future.

We have certainly seen some recent, high-profile examples of some groups trying to use the courts to delay individual projects and gain attention for themselves or their causes, said John Stoody of the Association of Oil Pipe Lines. However, the biggest impact on future pipeline construction will continue to be consumer demand for lower-cost energy. The American public needs and wants affordable energy to make ends meet and lead their daily lives.

Both Dakota Access Pipeline owner Energy Transfer and Keystone Owner TC Energy are members of the Association of Oil Pipe Lines. The COVID-19 pandemic has temporarily reduced the demand for oil, Stoody said, but the pipeline industrys expectation is the demand will bounce back and with it a need for pipelines.

Oils recovery might not be as easy as shaking the pandemic. The annual average closing price for West Texas Intermediate crude oil, a U.S. oil pricing bench mark, has surpassed $60 a barrel only once in the last six years. Before a 2014 crash, driven by over supply, annual average closing prices were greater than $90 a barrel for four straight years. The earlier prices are what drove the oil boom in North Dakota, Wyoming, and Alberta, where the price of extracting oil and getting it to market is high.

The expense of the getting Northern Tier oil out of the ground has dropped considerably, allowing business to continue following a purge of over-leveraged oil operators. But the break-even point is still challenging.

In Alberta, where oil trapped in the Canadian tar sands is mined by dragline and truck, the wait for the Keystone XL pipeline, dating back to 2008, spans the boom and bust of North American crude. The current West Texas Intermediate price of $40 a barrel wont cover the costs of producing most of Albertas crude, according to energy researcher Rystad Energy. As reported by The Economist this week, Rystad estimates that 42% of Canadas oil can be produced at $60 a barrel based on the global benchmark set by Brent Crude, which is usually a few dollars better than the West Texas Intermediate rate. At $40 a barrel, the amount of Canadian oil that can be produced without losing money drops to 16%, according Rystad.

In March, it was Alberta, not private investors, that committed $1.5 billion to Keystone XL construction, along with a $6 billion loan guarantee, to backstop the pipelines construction. Albertas economy was already in a five-year slump tied to the late 2014 end of the oil boom

Our economy is undergoing the largest contraction since the Great Depression, with hundreds of thousands of layoffs. And on top of it all, our biggest industry has been hammered by the lowest energy prices in decades, thanks in part to the OPEC-Russia price war, Alberta Premier Jason Kenney, explained when announcing the Keystone subsidy in March. We are coping with these enormous economic challenges after five years of stagnation.

Without Dakota Access in North Dakota, the price buyers are willing to pay for Bakken crude would decrease as the cost of getting get oil to market went up. Already Bakken oil sells for about $8 less than the $40 per barrel West Texas Intermediate price, says that local rule of thumb. State officials expect another $5 reduction if DAPL goes offline. Up to 570,000 barrels of oil courses through DAPL daily and would need a way to market.

With Dakota Access, pipelines have the capacity to carry 1.3 million barrels per day of oil out of the Bakken. Without Dakota Access, pipelines have the capacity to carry just 700,000 barrels per day out of the Bakken. Those figures are from the North Dakota Pipeline Authority, a state agency.

The environmental impact statement ordered by U.S. District Court Judge James Boasberg is expected to take at least 13 months. And theres the possibility the results of the EIS could go against the pipeline. Boasbergs original order to shut down and drain the pipeline is on hold. North Dakota grain groups have expressed concern about rail congestion, should the number of 100-plus oil car unit trains increase; BNSF says the concern is unwarranted.

The Standing Rock Sioux Tribe, which has fought the pipeline in court for four years, hailed the judges ruling as a significant victory. The line crosses under the Missouri River in North Dakota just north of the tribes reservation, and tribal members worry a spill could devastate their water supply.

Dakota Access Pipeline owner, Energy Transfer said in an email that the Dakota Access Pipeline has not had any incidents on its 1,200 miles of mainline pipe that is underground. There have been a few incidents, the largest less than 2 barrels, that have occurred on our property that were immediately contained and fully remediated.

These environmental impact statements, court ordered and done after permits are issued, and in DAPLs case, after the pipeline has been built and put to use, are not just perfunctory, said Cecilia Segel, an attorney for the Natural Resources Defense Council.

Segel who has worked extensively on the Keystone XL pipeline litigation, said the court-ordered EIS should be taken seriously. In 2017, NRDC was part of a group of plaintiffs that sued over a Keystone XL environmental impact statement done by the State Department, then overseen by former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.

The State Department had ignored requirements of the Endangered Species Act, and the National Environmental Policy Act and the Administrative Procedure Act, skipping several required steps. The State Department, papered over the errors in its first EIS in its response to the court, Segel said. Consequently, plaintiffs this week sued again.

Segel disagrees with observers who credit better arguments for the legal success of groups like NRDC in pipeline lawsuits. Whats increased are the number of legally required steps being disregarded by the federal government agencies rushing to permit projects. That increase is directly tied to the Trump Administration, she said.

Weve certainly seen a higher frequency of agencies cutting corners, which I think is reflective of President Trump coming in and, within a week of taking office, announcing that he wants to streamline approvals and reviews for both Keystone XL and Dakota Access," Segel said. "(Trump) has taken a few other steps throughout the past three and a half years to indicate that it's a priority for him to be speeding these and other projects through the system.

And, that's why the approach is "backfiring," she said. "because the agencies are cutting corners. Theyre hell bent on rushing these reviews through the system and then what happens is we see these shoddy assessments that just dont hold up in court."

And, that's why environmental groups keep winning the decisions, she added.

"For NRDC, our win rate for the cases that have been resolved to date against the Trump Administration is hovering around 90%, Segel said. Thats a pretty unprecedented rate against the federal government.

Bismarck Tribune reporter Amy R. Sisk contributed to this report.

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Source: Xinhua| 2020-07-20 01:31:17|Editor: huaxia

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BAGHDAD, July 19 (Xinhua) -- The Iraqi Health Minister Hassan al-Tamimi Sunday vowed to apply strict measures against the violators of the health restrictions after the health authorities decided earlier to ease some restrictions.

"Health and awareness teams from the Health Ministry will follow up the implementation of preventive measures during easing of the restrictions approved by the Higher Committee for Health and National Safety, and there will be strict measures against those who violate these decisions," al-Tamimi said in a press release.

On July 16, the committee, headed by Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi, decided to reduce the hours of the partial curfew, except for the full curfew on days of Thursday, Friday, and Saturday.

It also decided to completely lift the curfew after the Eid al-Adha holiday, which is expected to end in the early days of August according to the Islamic lunar calendar, the statement said.

The committee's decisions also included reopening the airports for the flights starting from July 23, in addition to reopening two crossing border points with neighboring Iran and one with Kuwait for commercial exchange.

Al-Tamimi called on the citizens to abide by the health instructions to keep social distancing and refrain from gatherings, asserting that the number of testing capacity has increased in the country to 17,000 per day, and will increase more gradually.

His comments came as the Iraqi Health Ministry reported 2,310 COVID-19 cases during the day, bringing the total nationwide infections to 92,530.

The ministry reported 90 more deaths, raising the death toll from the infectious virus to 3,781.

It also said that 2,036 people recovered during the day, bringing the total recoveries from the disease to 60,528.

Since the outbreak of the coronavirus, Iraq has been taking measures to contain the pandemic.

China has been helping Iraq fight the COVID-19 pandemic.

From March 7 to April 26, a Chinese team of seven medical experts spent 50 days in Iraq to help contain the disease, during which they helped build a PCR lab and install an advanced CT scanner in Baghdad.

Since March 7, China has sent three batches of medical aid to Iraq. Enditem
Feng Yi, 26, a homestay project planner in Zhengzhou, Henan province



I had little understanding of homestays until I went to Taiwan on a one-year student exchange in 2015. I became interested in the industry and was introduced to a magical new world.

In 2016, when I graduated from Henan Normal University, I was lucky enough to meet a designer who was starting a homestay project in Moganshan, a leisure tourism and summer resort in Zhejiang province.

I participated in the construction and decoration of the homestay, which allowed me to learn how to start a project from scratch and the skills needed to run the business.

More than 60 houses of different design styles, including Nordic and Japanese, were constructed on land that lay idle and we also renovated an abandoned factorywe transformed the plant's sewage tank into a swimming pool.

During the reconstruction period, I came to realize that a homestay is not just about building houses or providing accommodations, but also a way of innovating and creating a tourist culture.

I fell in love with the industry at that time.

The following year, I used some savings to open my own homestay in Wuzhen, an ancient water township in Zhejiang.

It was a way of putting what I had learned into practice, broadening my horizons and learning more about the industry.

Later, I returned to Zhengzhou, my hometown, and joined a tourism and culture company as a homestay project planner.

As a result, I have traveled around the country in the past two years. By making full use of the environmental and geographical resources in different villages, including those by lakes, in valleys or by the coast, the company has opened different themed homestays nationwide in recent years.

For example, the homestay in Hainan province is our major seaside project to fill the gaps in the industry during winter.

Although Hainan has outstanding natural views and tourism resources, the quality of service in provincial village homestays is not good enough and the supporting infrastructure, such as expressway gas stations and the catering in villages, also needs to be improved.

I have figured out that the best way to improve the homestay industry and boost village revitalization is to strike a balance between residents, village authorities and investors or developers, such as my company.

Sometimes, it is easy to find a village to transform into a homestay locationthe big difficulty is convincing the residents that they will benefit from the business and encourage the authorities to integrate and use idle land.

Usually, when the three parties join hands and reach agreement, a village homestay project is close to becoming a reality.

Feng Yi spoke with Cao Yin.






Coverage of the protests in the United States against police brutality and systemic racism has received widespread attention across Germany, encouraging immigrant groups here to speak up against what they say are years of being stopped by officers at random, based solely on their appearance or skin color.

Police in Germany have long been widely respected by a majority of the public, but have come under sharper criticism and more frequent attacks since the protests that have swept the United States.

Asked what he thought was behind the violence, Chief Bereswill said several elements had come together, including an aggressive mood fueled by alcohol, but also the public debate in Germany over racial profiling by police in the wake of the killing of George Floyd by an officer in Minneapolis in May.

At least some of the 39 people initially detained in the melee came from a migrant background, the police said, without offering further details.

The accusation of racial profiling that is very present in society right now, he said, adding that the issue of police violence in the United States has spilled over to Germany and the German police are falsely being compared to the U.S. police.
Roger Stone walks out of a federal courthouse following a hearing in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., on Jan. 25, 2019. (Lynne Sladky / Associated Press)

To the editor: Columnist Jonah Goldberg omits President George H.W. Bush's pardons, not merely commutations, of six defendants relating to the Iran-Contra scandal, four of whom were already convicted or had pleaded guilty. ("It's Roger Stone's Republican Party now," Opinion, July 13).

Lawrence Walsh, the special prosecutor, said: "It demonstrates that powerful people with powerful allies can commit serious crimes in high office  deliberately abusing the public trust without consequence."

Those pardons effectively closed any further investigation, which likely included Bush's own role in the scandal. And, just like President Trump, William Barr was Bush's attorney general at the time.

So no, this isn't Roger Stone's party. This is, and has been, the Republican Party.

Alice P. Neuhauser, Manhattan Beach

..

To the editor: I am not a conspiracy theorist. I know we did land on the moon, and that Hillary Clinton was not running a child sex ring in a Washington pizza parlor.

However, I question why Trump is toadying up to Russian President Vladimir Putin and giving Stone a "get out of jail free" card. Since we know that our president has no discernible foreign policy and is clearly devoid of compassion, what can explain his actions?

Barbara H. Bergen, Los Angeles
There has been a rash of arson and vandalism directed against European churches, most notably in France. The London Times reports:

Recent incidents have included a fire in Saint-Sulpice church in Paris, human excrement smeared on the wall in Notre-Dame-des-Enfants church in Nimes, southern France, and vandalism of the organ at Saint-Denis basilica outside Paris, where all but three of Frances kings are buried.

***

Figures released by French police showed that 875 of Frances 42,258 churches were vandalised last year. Thefts were reported in a further 129. The interior ministry said that 59 cemeteries were also vandalised.

And the Times doesnt mention the arson that threatened to destroy Nantes Cathedral.

HappilyI guessFrance still hasnt approached the record set in 2017, of 1,045 acts of vandalism against churches.

The same thing is going on in the United States:

A week of vandalism and arson have left churches in the United States damaged but Church leaders and parishioners prayerful. Statues of Jesus and Mary were beheaded or spray-painted, doors were covered with graffiti, and churches were burned, one quite clearly an act of arson.

The linked article goes on to describe acts of vandalism against Christian churches in Queens, New York; Ocala, Florida; Los Angeles; Chattanooga, Tennessee; Boston; New Haven, Connecticut; and Calgary, Alberta. What is going on here? The most straightforward explanation is that the forces of anarchism, socialism and anti-Americanism that have been unleashed in recent months are literally demonic.
A recent case of the Income-Tax Appellate Tribunal's Mumbai bench has come to light, which brought the confirmation of an undisclosed income of Rs 196 crore in a Swiss bank account in the hands of an elderly taxpayer, who was its 'beneficial' owner .

According to a Times of India report, the senior citizen now has to pay tax plus penalties on this unaccounted income. The woman, Renu Tharani, who case was heard by ITAT, is in her eighties.

The report mentions that she is the sole-discretionary-beneficiary of the Swiss bank account which is held by the Tharani family trust in HSBC Geneva. The account was opened in July 2004 in the name of GWU Investments which is an entity based in Cayman Islands. This company, in its capacity as the settlor, had transferred funds to the family trust.

Also read: Package With Gold Bars Worth Rs 1.5 Crore Found On Swiss Train, Authorities Search For Owner

Reuters

According to a few I-T officials who spoke to TOI, "Beneficiaries of overseas trusts deny foreign bank accounts. Secondly, taxpayers change their tax status to that of a non-resident, as NRIs do not pay tax in India on overseas income. In this case, the I-T officer submitted to ITAT that unaccounted money is deposited in Swiss bank accounts through a complex web of overseas trusts, entities and use of nominee directors. The I-T departments investigation wing had got a base note that Tharani was a beneficial owner of a Swiss bank account that had been opened in July 2004, and as this was not disclosed in her accounts or I-T return for the financial year 2005-06, the matter was re-opened. A notice for re-opening was served on October 31, 2014. ITAT concurred with this course of action."



Also read: Section 192 Of Income Tax Act : Heres Everything You Need To Know

Tharani submitted an affidavit that she did not have any bank account with HSBC Geneva and was also not a shareholder or a director in GWU Investments. She also claimed to be a non-resident and contested the alleged income, and that it cannot be taxed in her hands. The ITAT bench comprised of Pramod Kumar who is the vice-president and Amarjit Singh who is a judicial member, made several pertinent observations in the detailed 55-page order.

TOI

Back in 2005-06, Tharani had declared a meagre income of Rs 1.7 lakh. She provided a Bengaluru address and had shown her status as that of a tax resident in India. The bench acknowledged the residential status as shown in the I-T return was not 'non-resident'. However, she now submitted that this was the first year of her 'non-residential' status.

Even if one goes by this submission, it is unrealistic to assume in a short period of a year, nearly Rs 200 crore at her disposal in the Swiss Bank account, reflects income earned outside India. Based on her previous income declaration, it would have taken her more than 11,500 years to earn the amount stashed in the Swiss bank account.



Also read: How These Three Infosys Techies Got Busted For 'Taking Bribe' To Clear Income Tax Returns

TOI

The taxpayer is not a public personality like Mother Teresa, that some person with complete anonymity will settle a trust to give her $ 4 million and in any case, Cayman Islands (where GWU Investments was set up) is not known for philanthropists operating from there. If Cayman Islands is known for anything relevant, it is known for an atmosphere conducive to hiding unaccounted wealth and money laundering and that does not advance the case of the taxpayer, noted ITAT.

The ITAT further noted the taxpayer did not sign the consent waiver form, which would have enabled the I-T department to seek relevant information from the overseas bank. Thus, she cannot decline the correctness of the details obtained by the I-T officer.


Victorian state premier Daniel Andrews will deliver bad news at a COVID-19 press conference if he is wearing a suit, according to conspiracy theories.

Some social media users claim they can tell if the latest coronavirus updates will be good or bad based on Mr Andrew's attire or even the time of the press conference.

Mr Andrews addresses the public daily to provide the latest number of coronavirus cases in the state.

One theorist claims a suit indicates Mr Andrews will deliver 'bad news' while wearing a black North Face jacket indicates 'not so bad news'.

Victorian state premier Daniel Andrews will deliver bad news at a COVID-19 press conference if he is wearing a suit, according to conspiracy theories

One theorist claims a suit indicates Mr Andrews will deliver 'bad news' while a north face jacket indicates 'not so bad news'

'I've cracked the code...' the post proudly read on Twitter, before explaining what he believes the difference between the suit and jacket meant.

Another person commented: 'So that means if he wears a tie we are stuffed.'

Others have stepped in to defend Mr Andrews and shoot down the conspiracy.

'The North Face comes out on weekends,' one person said.

Another one added: 'I think we have bigger issues than the fashion rotations of the Premier.'

One person chose to make light of the situation with a tongue-in-cheek response.

'If he turns up in his pyjamas... I think it means we are LOCKED DOWN for real... as in this is NOT a drill.'

Other conspiracy theorists claim the time of day is an indication of the type of news Mr Andrews will deliver to the public.

When the second wave was beginning in Victoria, Mr Andrews moved his daily media updates to the afternoon instead of the regular 11am timeslot.

'We've been trying to crack the code at work for a few weeks,' one person commented.

'Before lunch ... Bad ish news. After lunch s*** gets serious and we fear the worst. Now this ads [sic] another layer to it.'

Another one added: 'Any presser after 2pm. Ain't good news.'

Online trolls are doing the rounds on social media claiming they can tell if the latest coronavirus updates will be good or bad based on Mr Andrew's attire or even the time of the press conference

Victoria has recorded 363 fresh COVID-19 cases and three more deaths, prompting a move to make face masks mandatory in coming days.

Two men and a woman, aged in their 90s, with the virus have died, taking the state's death toll to 38, Premier Daniel Andrews said on Sunday. The national toll is now 122.

There are 2837 active cases across the state, with 130 people in hospital, of those 28 are in intensive care.

Thirty-six of the new cases are linked to outbreaks and 327 cases are under investigation.

Mr Andrews announced face masks will be mandatory for people who leave their homes in metropolitan Melbourne and in the Mitchell Shire from 11.59pm on Wednesday, with fines of $200 for non-compliance.
he Duke and Duchess of Sussex wrote back thanking him for the gesture

Prince Harry has thanked an author who sent him a book aimed to help children deal with the heartache of losing a parent.

UK-based writer Mark Lemon penned 'The Magical Wood' after his own father James was murdered 28 years ago.

The dad-of-two posted a copy of the kids book to the Duke and Duchess of Sussex after admiring how Prince Harry and William had coped with the death of their mother.

Mark, 41, was just 12 when his dad was stabbed to death - the same age as Harry was when Princess Diana died in 1997.

Prince Harry lost his mother Dianna in a car crash at the age of 12 - the same aged Mr Lenon was when his father was murdered. Pictured: The Duke and Duchess of Sussex attend the Commonwealth Day Service on March 09, 2020 in London

Author Mark Lemon received a royal thanks after posting a copy of his child bereavement book to Prince Harry. Pictured with wife Simone, 43 and their children Otis, nine and Thea, five

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex's representative replied to the author stating that the royal couple were 'very grateful' that he had thought of them (pictured)

He was chuffed when he received a letter back from the Duke and Duchess of Sussex - whose son Archie is now one.

He said: 'As someone affected by grief and trauma as a child, I felt compelled to send a copy of my children's bereavement title The Magical Wood to them.

'I have a huge amount of admiration for the way that both Prince William and Harry have coped with their grief throughout their lives.

'It felt strange writing to them, I wasn't expecting a reply due to how busy they are.'

The dad-of-two posted a copy of the kids book (pictured) to the royal couple after admiring how he and Prince William had coped with the death of their mother

Mr Lemon of Bristol added: 'I remember the knock at the door to be greeted by the postman.

'The postman asked me to sign for a delivery and when I looked at the letter I saw the royal crest, it gave me immediate goosebumps.

'I never expected to receive a reply, so to hold a letter in my hands from Kensington Palace was an incredible feeling.'

Mr Lemon - married to Simone, 43 and dad to Otis, nine and Thea, five, added: 'It fills me with a huge amount of pride to know that The Magical Wood is on their bookshelves.

'You never know how, or where, an idea will end up and this is why I am so proud to have received a letter of reply from them.'

Mark, 41, was just 12 when his dad was stabbed to death (pictured with his dad) - the same age as Harry when Princess Diana died in 1997

Mr Lemon posted the letter from the royal couple on Instagram with the caption, stating that he felt the book had made 'ripples across the lake'

The letter received back from the royal couple read: 'The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have asked me to write and thank you for your letter, kindly enclosing a copy of your book, 'The Magical Wood', which was written to help children suffering from the bereavement of a parent or loved one.

'Their Royal Highnesses were grateful to you for thinking to send them a copy of this book and to know that you are donating proceeds from each copy sold to the childrens' bereavement charity, 'Winston's Wish'

'The Duke and Duchess of Sussex would have me send you their best wishes.'

Mr Lemon posted the letter on Instagram.

He said: 'A letter of reply from the Duke and Duchess of Sussex. At the start of writing The Magical Wood I pictured myself standing at the edge of a lake holding a stone.

'I threw the stone into the water and it created a ripple effect. The stone continued to skim across the water, creating more ripples across the lake.

'Each ripple represents an individual that The Magical Wood has touched along the way.'
We cant keep telling men of the cloth, over and over again that there is a long-standing invitation for all political parties to join dialogue, the parameters of which have been established. What we seem to be getting from the persistent calls from the church as represented by Mtata and company is not so much to get national dialogue but one of trying to broker bilateral interaction between two political players, but more critically, when you look at the other side of the bilateral meeting and the problems they have, you are tempted to conclude that this is in fact a rescue package to a stressedpolitical party that is wrapped under the cloth of lofty good intentions for a national dialogue.
Schools in England are set to receive a 2.2billion boost as Boris Johnson promises all children a superb education.

Most state school pupils will have an increase in Government funding of at least 3 per cent next year.

Mr Johnson said secondary schools will get at least 5,150 per pupil  up from 5,000 this year  while primaries will receive a minimum 4,000, up from 3,750.

Boris Johnson has promised all children in England 'a superb education' as schools are set to receive a 2.2billion boost in Government funding

Schools in historically well-funded London will see slightly smaller increases per pupil than in other regions as part of ministers ambitions to level up the Midlands and North.

Smaller schools and those in remote rural areas will enjoy extra cash after the formula was changed to redress underfunding.

The Prime Minister said: Every child deserves a superb education  regardless of which school they attend or where they happened to grow up. That is why we are providing additional funding now and for the future for every school, with those historically underfunded receiving the greatest increase.

The Department for Education (DfE) said schools would also benefit from the Governments 1billion Covid-19 catch-up package to make up for lost teaching time during the pandemic.

A secondary school with 1,000 pupils will receive 80,000 while a 200-pupil primary will get 16,000. The funding increase is the second instalment of a three-year settlement up to 2022 which will see annual spending rise by 7.1billion over the period.

Mr Johnson will today visit a school in the South East to promote the funding boost.

The Department for Education said schools will also benefit from the Governments 1billion Covid-19 catch-up package to make up for lost teaching time due to the global pandemic

Geoff Barton, of the Association of School and College Leaders, said: We are pleased the Government is delivering on its promise to improve school funding with this second year of its three-year plan for extra investment.

But we are disappointed that it has so far failed to recognise the impending financial impact on schools of safely bringing back pupils from September.

He stressed that these seemingly enormous sums are spread across more than 21,000 schools and eight million pupils.

Labour education spokesman Kate Green said: The fact is schools will still be worse off in 2023 than they were in 2010 under these plans as a direct result of the Conservatives decision to cut budgets. Far more must be done for every child to have the opportunity to reach their full potential.

The new financial plans come after ministers announced thousands of school places would be created for children with special needs and disabilities.

The DfE said 35 special free schools, opening from September 2022, will provide children with tailored support and specialist equipment.
Its a good thing there was photographic evidence establishing that acting Homeland Security Secretary Chad Wolf actually visited Portland last week. Because based on his florid statement about our city under siege, a reasonable person would assume the entire city is in flames and no one can go outside safely at night.

In Wolfs Portland, a mob that escalates violence day after day has been terrorizing the city. He paints a picture of the Wild West or a future dystopia where lawlessness abounds, and local authorities sanction criminality. And in go-for-broke hyperbole, Wolf equates vandalism of the federal courthouse with an attack on America itself.

Yes, parts of downtown have been trashed. Many public and private buildings have been shuttered to protect them from further damage. But lets call Wolfs visit what it is: A political play by a Trump appointee using Portland as the backdrop. He is seizing the opportunity to create a false narrative of the federal government saving the day.

In truth, federal intervention has only made things worse. Its telling that in Wolfs extensive listing of incidents over the past several weeks, he neglects to mention the most violent act of these protests  a deputy U.S. marshals shooting of Donavan La Bella in the face with an impact munition. Video shows nothing suggesting that La Bella, 26, who was standing across the street from the federal courthouse holding a speaker over his head, was a threat to anyone. Yet a federal law enforcement officer fired, fracturing La Bellas skull and critically injuring him. That Wolf would fail to even acknowledge such a severe injury exposes how suspect his definition of violence is.

But while state and local officials are right to demand that federal officers stand down, they also must take responsibility for allowing turmoil in downtown Portlands conflict zone to persist as long as it has. While the apocalyptic picture described by Wolf belongs in a novel, four blocks in the citys core shows the scars of the after-hours destruction that has followed protests over the past several weeks. Elsewhere, plywood now covers storefronts and office buildings, casting a pall of desertion over our normally vibrant downtown. And the protests, now in their eighth week, have taken their toll on a police force vital to the community in ways ranging from stopping reckless drivers to responding to a spate of shootings in recent weeks.

Portland needs its leaders  the city council, county leaders, Portland-area state legislators and the governor  to say with a unified voice that protests that devolve into destruction have no place in our city. Unfortunately, its been easier for most of them to keep silent, weighing in only to condemn police tactics as opposed to embracing their responsibility as leaders to bring the community together.

Its understandable why politicians would prefer to duck the issue or leave it to Mayor Ted Wheeler, as police commissioner, and City Commissioner Jo Ann Hardesty, as a longtime police reformer, to address. Policing protests  particularly demonstrations in which police themselves are the entity being protested  is an exceedingly difficult responsibility to execute and a politically fraught issue to navigate. The nationwide scourge of police brutality, particularly against Black people, is entrenched and abhorrent. And the shared certainty that something, somehow must change makes it politically risky to stand for any semblance  real or perceived  of supporting the status quo.

But leadership requires bridging gaps and pulling the community together toward common goals: racial justice, community harmony and economic prosperity. Those are not mutually exclusive. But instead of articulating that vision, our elected leaders are either staying silent, like Portland City Commissioner Amanda Fritz, or adding fuel to the fire, like House Speaker Tina Kotek in her criticism of police based on erroneous information. Gov. Kate Brown, too, has sporadically issued detached statements that seem to treat Portland as an island unto itself as opposed to the states largest city  and her longtime home.

Instead, the people who have stepped into the breach have been leaders in the Black community, like education activist Ron Herndon, former state Sen. Avel Gordly and Kairos PDX executive director Kali Thorne Ladd. They have called out the presence of white individuals who use the Black Lives Matter movement as cover for their own agendas. They have spoken up against destruction of businesses, noting some have also damaged Black-owned stores. And despite unwavering insistence on police reform, they have also supported police officers and the role they play in protecting public safety.

Protest is fundamentally an act of patriotism. It reflects a belief that our community can and must do better to live up to the principles on which our country was founded. It provides a dramatic show of support for making those changes and has been the impetus for many of the gains our country has made.

But we must also recognize that protest, by itself, doesnt secure permanent change. Its effectiveness depends on a groundswell of community support for leaders to adopt, legislate and invest in systemic reforms that persist and change how people live, learn, work and thrive. Unfortunately, protests that turn destructive invite the greater community to turn away or allow opportunists the backdrop on which to impose their own narrative of what is happening. Its not enough to tell the federal government to butt out. Our elected leaders and the community must all step in.

-The Oregonian/OregonLive Editorial Board

Subscribe to our free weekly Oregon Opinion newsletter. Email:


Hyderabad: The Hyderabad police have arrested a man who tricked poor people into selling their kidneys for a small sum and then hawking them for a huge premium to people requiring dialysis. Investigation of this racket has led the police to four hospitals in Sri Lanka and Turkey.

The Banjara Hills police named the man as Dogiparthi Shanmukha Pavan Srinivas, 25, once upon a time an aircraft maintenance engineer.

He came to police notice when a woman B. Bharathi lodged a written complaint at the Banjara Hills police station stating that her husband Nagaraj was cheated out of Rs 34 lakh by this man.

Bharathi said she and her husband got aquainted with Srinivas at the dialysis treatment facility of a private hospital. In due course, Srinivas said he could arrange a kidney donor through his sources in Sri Lanka or Turkey. He said it would cost Rs 34 lakh.

Police have found that Srinivass donors were in face poor people whom he would bait on social media and persuade them to donate their kidneys for a small sum of money.

Joint commissioner of police A.R. Srinivas said the tout is suspected of striking some 30 such deals, in nine of which he was directly involved. In one case, the recipient died during the operation.

Investigations also found that Dogiparthi Shanmukha Pavan Srinivas was detained for two and a half years in Sri Lanka for illegal stay, and was deported to India in April 2018.

Prior to becoming a kidney tout, he used to work as in aircraft maintenance. He invested his money in the stock market and lost it. He told the police he wanted to kill himself then. But then in 2013 he came in contact with a person on social media who persuaded him to donate his kidney for Rs 6 lakh. With that amount he cleared all his debts. Impressed by the money he could make, he decided to enter the racket himself.

He now faces charges under Sections 406 of IPC (punishment for criminal breach of trust) and 420 IPC (cheating case). He is now in judicial custody.
Islamabads acting envoy to New Delhi, Syed Haider Shah, was on Saturday summoned to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), where senior officials lodged a strong protest over unprovoked violation of ceasefire by Pakistan Army resulting in the death of children and two other Indian citizens.

A child and two other Indians were killed and another child was injured when the Pakistan Army opened fire flouting the truce along the Line of Control in Krishna Ghati Sector in Jammu and Kashmir on Friday. The deceased persons belonged to the same family.

India condemns, in the strongest terms, the deliberate targeting of innocent civilians by Pakistan forces, the MEA stated in a press release.

Twenty-one Indians have been killed and 94 injured in over 2,711 unprovoked ceasefire violations by Pakistani Army personnel and the border guards. India also protested Pakistans continued support to cross border terrorist infiltration into India, including supporting cover fire provided by Pakistani Army on the LoC.
Over the weeks since the pandemic took the world over, the narratives around the disease, including the availability of a vaccine, the mortality rate of the disease, the virus being air-borne versus otherwise, etc. have tweaked as per newer revelations.

Adding to the list of narratives is also an analysis that was recently published in The Lancet Infectious Diseases journal, stating that people with COVID-19 are as infectious before they develop symptoms as they are when infected with the disease.

The article also reiterates that people who are 60 years and above are most susceptible to infection.

One thing that has, however, remained a constant in all this is the possibility of slowing the virus by maintaining social distancing and the proper use of masks and hygiene in public places.

Initially, when the COVID-19 pandemic had just set in, the WHO had framed certain guidelines to tackle the spread of the disease.

Defining social distancing, it recommended three to six meters as an adequate distance between two people.

However, as India gradually emerges from a three-month lockdown with the COVID-19 numbers continuing to skyrocket, the alarming trend among Indias richestgathering private parties at homes etc.threatens to catalyse the further spread of the contagion.

Dont stand so close

While experts understand that practising social distancing could get tricky in large groups, experts share concerns and warnings about the risky in inviting even close friends and relations home especially in the current situation.

Especially because 40 per cent of those infected with COVID-19 do not display any signs or symptoms of infection, there is a silent spread of the disease, which is becoming most dangerous, Dr Guru N Reddy, founder promoter and director of Continental Hospitals.

Health experts across the world have been recommending group sizes of not more than ten to twenty individuals, depending on the circumstances. In India, too, a group of 10 might seem rather reasonable and implementable. Unfortunately, however, it appears that even this is becoming a huge challenge for many. Intuitively, it is difficult to measure the right distance between two people or a group of people. So while signs, cartoons and directions can visually help for people to understand and follow, unless every citizen nurtures social distancing as a concept from their heart, mind and soul, we cannot prevent the further spread of COVID-19. On the other hand, if we strictly follow social distancing, this silent spread can be enormously curtailed and reduce the spread of infection.

Self-regulatory

Dr A.V. Gurava Reddy, Chairman and Managing Director, Sunshine Hospitals, is unapologetic while sharing his concerns on the trend. If the rich behave like spoilt kids, my prayers are with them, says Dr Gurava Reddy.

If you choose to get even 50-100 of your close friends for pubbing at home and they mingle and dance with each other there, it can be dangerous. But the question is who will regulate these mini gatherings. And this is not about the rich or the poor  it is the individual sense of social responsibility among citizens, which deters our countrys battle against the pandemic. In most so-called advanced countries, it is not the so-called riches but the social responsibility that every citizen feels that has deterred the pandemic, something that seems to be missing in India.

Be a hero; wear a mask

A greater part of the risk of acquiring the COVID-19 infection seems to be from socially interacting with even known family members or friends who could be asymptomatic. However, Dr Guru N Reddy thinks one can mitigate this risk significantly by wearing a mask.

Most family members interact with the external world and sundry delivery services and domestic workers etc. every day, and can certainly become a cause for the virus to spread, he explains.

Hence, in this situation, if someone shows symptoms, he/she should get tested and do a quick contact tracing and implement standard isolation practices. Also, the virus is airborne and viral particles remain suspended in air as droplets for a certain number of hours particularly after a strong cough or sneeze. And even prolonged periods of particularly loud talking can entail risk of transmitting the virus in spite of wearing a mask. So also, it is important to remember that the risk of COVID-19 transmission is not mitigated even among a small group of friends or family, although by wearing a mask and maintaining social distancing, you can certainly reduce it significantly.

Cleaning & disinfecting

While agreeing that there is nothing like a hundred per cent in this world particularly when dealing with a pandemic, Dr Guru N Reddy reminds us the various standard disinfectant procedures recommended for cleaning ones areas of living, working  including your desks, computers, etc. do help.

The universal importance of hygiene cannot be undermined for anyone either at home or their workplace. For the most part, standard sanitizing and disinfectant procedures with simple chemicals are sufficiently adequate, the doctor adds. The major game changer for an individual is proper hand washing and use of recommended antiseptic solutions for hand hygiene. One should also not become paranoid and obsessed with constant cleaning and using unnecessary chemicalsthis will not only be a futile exercise but also can cause damage to objects and be injurious to ones health.

Risk of COVID-19 from surface tops

According to a study published in the City and Environment Interaction journal, the lack of adequate ventilation in homes and offices increases the risk of airborne spread of the novel coronavirus. The study also states that preventing such transmissions should be the next front of the battle against the COVID-19 pandemic.

Adding to the perspective, Dr AV Gurava Reddy states that infection from virus on surfaces is rare and one doesnt have to be much concerned about it.

There are much fewer chances of catching the viruses present on door handles, laptops and surfaces than it is to contract them via airborne transmission, he explains. Touching contaminated objects with the germs is not typically how the virus spreads. But it can happen. If all those in a room wear masks and stay at least six feet apart from each other, the chance of transmission is less than three percent even if one of them is a corona positive. That is how important masks and social distancing are.
US federal law enforcement officers are coming down on protesters in Portland under the Trump administrations new executive order to protect monuments in the country. There are several videos online that highlight the brutality of police, showing officers without clear identification badges using force on protesters. Unmarked vehicles have also been used to transport arrested protesters.

Current situation in Portland

According to reports, a US Customs and Border Protection spokeswoman said, on July 17 agents were deployed to Portland to support a newly launched US Department of Homeland Security unit. This unit was launched with the aim of enforcing last months executive order from President Donald Trump to protect federal monuments and buildings. She added, these agents have been trained for operations in chaotic environments.

Read: US: 'Black Lives Matter' Mural Outside Trump Tower Defaced Again

All of this started after the killing of a 45 year old African American man, named, George Floyd during an arrest in Minneapolis on May 25. Since then, protesters gather daily outside the US federal building to protest against police brutality and racism. Reports suggest that the crowd at times exceed the mark of 10,000. There haven been instances of the police using tear gas on protesters drawing graffiti on walls. This stopped when Governor Brown banned its use except in riots during early July.

Read: Tear Gas Fired At Rally Against Police Brutality And Injustice

One of the videos posted online shows an officer manhandling a protester into a dark minivan. To this, the CBS spokeswoman said that the agency had information that the person was suspected of assaults against federal agents and was also involved in destruction of federal property. Another video shows an officer shoving away medics to aid someone. Immigration and Custom Enforcement officers have also been helping DHSs Federal Protective Service. Media reports suggest federal agents had arrested 13 people, however there has been no immediate confirmation from the authorities.

Read: George Floyd Death: Major Police Reforms Put In Motion Across United States

Also Read: George Floyd's Death: 'Tell My Kids, I Love Them,' Transcript Reveals His Last Moments

(Image Credits: Pixabay)
Iran's foreign minister has held a series of meetings with top officials in Baghdad as Iraq's new prime minister seeks to balance complex regional ties.

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif on July 19 met with his Iraqi counterpart, Fuad Hussein, Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi, President Barham Salih, the head of Iraq's Supreme Judicial Council, Faeq Zeidan, and the leaders of some parliamentary blocs.

Zarif will also travel to Irbil to meet with officials in the autonomous Kurdish region.

Several hours after Zarif landed in Baghdad, three mortar shells struck the heavily fortified Green Zone, where Iraq's government and many foreign embassies are located. No casualties were reported.

The high-level Iranian visit to Baghdad comes as Kadhimi heads to Iran's regional rival, Saudi Arabia, on July 20, followed a day later by an official visit to Tehran.

In Saudi Arabia, Kadhimi will meet Crown Prince Muhammad bin Salman to work on expanding economic cooperation, while in Iran he is expected to meet Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

The trips have heightened speculation that Iraq may seek a mediating role to sooth regional tensions between Tehran and Riyadh in a bid to avoid their rivalry playing out in Iraq.

Iraq is walking a tricky tightrope trying to balance its close economic, political, and security ties with Iran, while expanding relations with Tehran's rival gulf states, led by Saudi Arabia.

"Iraq seeks to assert its balanced and positive role in making peace and progress in the region," Kadhimi tweeted after the meeting with Zarif.

After meeting with Foreign Minister Hussein, Zarif said a strong and peaceful Iraq is inseparable from the security of Iran.

"For us, a strong Iraq, a peaceful and tranquil Iraq, and an Iraq with good and constructive relations with all of its neighbors is a synonym to our own strength, tranquility, stability, and peace," Zarif said.

The former chief of Iraqi intelligence, Kadhimi emerged as a compromise candidate for the premiership in May with the tacit support of Tehran, Washington, and Riyadh.

He came to the premiership after his predecessor was forced to resign under the pressure of months of mass protests against corruption, poor services, and Iranian influence in the country.



Iraq also seeks to avoid becoming a battleground in escalating tensions between Iran and the United States, which has some 5,000 troops based in the country. The U.S. troops have supported Iraq's fight against the Islamic State extremist group but are viewed by Iran as a threat.

Iraq's concerns about becoming a proxy battlefield have been heightened since a U.S. drone strike in January in Baghdad killed top Iranian commander Qasem Soleimani and Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, the leader of the Iran-backed Kataib Hizbullah militia and deputy head of Iraq's state-sanctioned Popular Mobilization Units.

That drone strike led Iran to retaliate by firing missiles at Iraqi bases housing U.S. troops and came close to unleashing a full-blown war between Iran and the United States.

Since taking up office in May, Kadhimi has struggled to fulfill a promise to rein in Iran-backed paramilitary groups, which are accused of carrying out rocket attacks on U.S. military and diplomatic facilities.

In late June, Iraqi security forces detained 14 members of Kataib Hizbullah during a raid in Baghdad, saying that they were planning attacks on U.S. interests.

Under pressure, the government released all but one of the militia members days later, in a sign of how difficult it will be for the state to control paramilitary groups.

Kadhimi is also set to visit Washington in the coming weeks.

In addition to addressing their security relationship, the United States is urging Iraq to develop its diplomatic and economic ties to its Persian Gulf neighbors.

In particular, the United States has pressured Iraq to end its electricity dependence on Iran by expanding energy ties with Gulf Cooperation Council members.

With reporting by AFP, AP, dpa, and Reuters
Robots that can cook are in growing demand in the United States. The increased demand comes at a time when eateries are trying to put some distance between their workers and customers during the coronavirus health crisis.

In a few weeks, White Castle restaurants will test a robot arm that can cook french fries and other foods. The robot, called Flippy, is a product of Miso Robotics, a company based in Pasadena, California.

White Castle and Miso have been discussing a partnership for about a year. Those talks intensified when COVID-19 arrived, said White Castle Vice President Jamie Richardson.

Richardson said the robot can free up employees for other jobs like cleaning tables or taking food delivery orders. A touch-free environment is also increasingly important to customers, he said.

The world has just reshaped in terms of thoughts around food safety, Richardson said.

Flippy currently costs $30,000, with an additional $1,500 required for monthly service. By the middle of next year, Miso hopes to offer the robot to restaurant operators for free but require a higher monthly fee.

Robot food service was becoming popular even before the coronavirus pandemic. Hospitals, college dining areas and other places tried to meet demand for food while keeping labor costs low. Robot chefs appeared at places like Creator, a restaurant in San Francisco.

Now, some say, robots may become necessary for the food service industry.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control says the risk of getting COVID-19 from touching or eating food outside the home is low. Yet there have been several outbreaks of disease reported among restaurant employees and customers.

Vipin Jain is the co-founder and head of Blendid, a Silicon Valley startup company.

I expect in the next two years you will see pretty significant robotic adoption in the food space because of COVID, Jain said.

Max Elder is research director of the Food Futures Lab at the California-based Institute for the Future. Elder wonders about the future of robots once the pandemic has eased.

Food is so personal, and it needs to involve humans, he said.

Elder also worries about other problems in the food system - like outbreaks among meat industry workers or workers collecting fruit and vegetables.

He also talked about the limits of automation  the process of replacing human workers with robot workers.

We cant automate our way out of the pandemic because the pandemic affects much more than what can be automated, Elder said.

Automated food companies say that they are not trying to replace human workers. At White Castle, Richardson says Flippy will give restaurants the ability to move workers to drive-thru lanes or redeploy them if other employees call in sick.

But, some observers say, robots can lower the demand for labor. At the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences in Little Rock, cafe workers used to spend six hours per day making salads, notes Tonya Johnson, the schools director of nutrition services. But two years ago, the university added a Sally, a kind of robot that now makes around 40 salads per day. By adding Sally, the school was able to remove a job opening in its cooking staff, Johnson said.

I think the pandemic has made us realize how much we need more equipment like Sally, Johnson said.

Miso Robotics co-founder and chief Buck Jordan said fast food restaurants are already having trouble finding workers, partly as a result of a shrinking population of young workers.

Jordan added that his companys position is that automation is not a choice. He added, You must automate in order to survive the future.

I'm John Russell.



Dee-Ann Durbin and Terence Chea reported on this story for the Associated Press. John Russell adapted their story for VOA Learning English. George Grow was the editor.

________________________________________________________________



Words in This Story

customer  n. someone who purchases a product or service

table  n. a flat surface supported by three or more legs

delivery  n. the act of taking something to a person or place

fee  n. a fixed payment or charge for a service

pandemic  n. a disease that affects a large number of people over a wide area

significant  adj. large enough to be noticed or have an effect

adoption  n. the act or process of beginning to use something new or different

drive-thru lane  n. a passageway designed so that customers can be served while remaining in their vehicles

salad  n. a cold dish or meal made up of cooked or uncooked vegetables, usually with oil or other dressing

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Glee co-stars and fans are heartbroken over the recent passing of Naya Rivera. As an entertainer, she touched many lives and left a lasting mark through her work. With that in mind, here are a few words in memoriam of Rivera from former Glee co-stars who since moved on to the Arrowverse shows, The Flash and Supergirl.

Naya Rivera | David Livingston/Getty Images

Naya Rivera, 1987  2020

California native, Rivera, was best known as Santana Lopez on Glee. Her explosive vocals and standout performances made her a fan favorite. Aside from her work on the FOX musical, Rivera boasted a long list of credits dating back to the early 90s.

TV buffs may remember her guest spots on sitcoms, including The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, Family Matters, and The Bernie Mac Show. After Glee, Rivera landed several gigs, including a stint on the musical drama, Step Up: High Water.

Rivera went missing at Lake Piru in California, as reported by CNN. Several days later, a body was discovered and identified as Rivera. She was 33 at the time of her death. Since the tragic news broke, friends and colleagues of the star have taken to social media to memorialize Rivera.

The Flash star, Grant Gustin, paid tribute to Rivera on Instagram

RELATED: How Naya Riveras 2019 Instagram Post Foreshadowed the Haunting Final Act That Saved Her Son

Before The Flash, Grant Gustin played the part of Sebastian Smythe on Glee. Upon hearing of Riveras passing, the actor posted a snapshot of his fellow Glee alum with her son. In the caption, Gustin wrote the following message, praising Riveras talent and grace:

This loss is truly unimaginable. As many people have stated, Naya was a force. I was intimidated by her talent and presence on set, but she was always so kind and welcoming to me. So many of my Glee memories on and off set have Naya in them. She was one of a kind. My heart breaks for her family and friends. Ill always keep Naya in my heart and remember her for the strong, talented and compassionate person she was to me in the brief time I got to spend with her. Sending so much strength and love to her family and everyone whose heart is breaking over this tragic loss.

Supergirl star, Melissa Benoist, honored Rivera on social media

Glee Cast | FOX Image Collection via Getty Images

Supergirl fans may remember that before Melissa Benoist put on the cape, she portrayed Marley Rose on Glee. She recently composed an Instagram post in remembrance of her former co-star. Like Gustin, Benoist pointed out Riveras kindness and creative genius. Benoist wrote this in the caption:
TechMet Chairman & CEO Brian Menell



IPO Edge, in partnership with The Palm Beach Hedge Fund Association, a Florida trade association for financial professionals, will host a Webinar on Tuesday, July 21 at 12pm EST with TechMet Ltd  Investing in Metals to Fuel the Technology of the Future.

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

The Webinar will feature TechMet Chairman & CEO Brian Menell, who will discuss how so-called technology metals have become the oil of the 21st Century as they facilitate wide adoption of renewable energy and electric vehicles. TechMet has operations in Europe, Africa, and the Americas that produce and recycle technology metals including lithium, cobalt, nickel, vanadium, tin, tungsten, along with rare earth elements.

Electric vehicles made by the likes of Tesla, Inc. and Nikola Corporation, which could contain TechMets metals, have become increasingly important in the investment community. Corporate conference call mentions, global search volume and Google Trends for electric vehicle are near all-time highs and Teslas market capitalization is higher than Ford and General Motors combined, according to Sentieo, an AI-enabled research platform. All of these are evidence that EVs are moving front and center in corporate conversations, consumer conversations, and in the markets, said Nick Mazing, Director of Research at Sentieo.

TechMet is not an investor in unproven mines, but rather an operator of five companies each poised to generate revenue and positive cash flow in the near term. By 2024, TechMet forecasts $107 million of Ebitda, based on conservative metal prices and production forecasts.

The company is in the process of completing an $80 million equity fundraising. It has already secured commitments of $45 million, including $20 million that has already closed and $25 million from the U.S. government through the U.S. International Development Finance Corp. that is expected to close this summer.

TechMet is backed by a world class team of management and senior advisors. The companys Advisory Board Chairman is Admiral Michael Mullen, former Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff under U.S. Presidents Bush and Obama, who is also on the boards General Motors and Sprint Nextel Corp.

Story continues

Mr. Menell will discuss:

The need to diversify sources of metals away from China

Demand for electric vehicles requiring technology metals

The impact of environmental, social and governance (ESG) issues on metal demand

Future accretive acquisitions

The path to liquidity for investors by 2024

About Brian Menell:

Mr. Menell has over 25 years of owning, developing and operating natural resource and mining projects across 18 sub-Saharan countries, the CIS, and Canada. The Menell family company, the Anglovaal Group, has been an important player in the African mining and industrial scene for 80 years. His experience includes:

CEO of the Kemet Group  developing natural resource projects across sub-Saharan Africa and advising various African Governments on mining policy and M&A activity.

Executive Director of Anglovaal Mining  developed the Chambishi Cobalt smelter and refinery, and the Nkomati Nickel Mine together with numerous other metals projects. Sold the company to Anglo American in 2001.

DeBeers  executive positions in London, Antwerp, Windhoek, and Johannesburg.

A (Hon.) Political Science & Economics, University of Pennsylvania (1984-1988).

Contact:

John Jannarone, Editor-in-Chief

editor@IPO-Edge.com

www.IPO-Edge.com

Editor@IPO-Edge.com

Twitter: @IPOEdge

Instagram: @IPOEdge
National's roading plan could accelerate the development of an inter-city four-lane motorway through the Waikato

Nationals pledge to sink $31 billion into New Zealand transport projects could propel the Waikato to become the powerhouse economy of the country.

The multi-billion dollar transport package was announced by Nationals new leader Judith Collins in a pre-election promise which included $17.5b for projects in the North Island.

At the top of the list is a four-lane motorway from Whangarei, Auckland, Hamilton to Tauranga, via a new tunnel under the Kaimai Range.

Collins said the countrys motorway network was essential for technology advancing zero-carbon, electric and hydrogen cars and trucks.

State Highway 29 near Te Poi, looking towards the Kaimai Range in the Waikato, where National plans to construct a tunnel for traffic to travel to Tauranga.Photo: Dominico Zapata/Stuff

She said desktop work on the four-lane road would start immediately upon us forming a Government but specific timeline and funding details were light.

It would be an intergenerational approach and the New Zealand Transport Agency would be allowed to borrow more to pay for the projects.

Hamilton East MP David Bennett said the motorway would open up a freight and trade route to create an economic triangle comparable to similar commercial zones around Melbourne and Sydney.

Its a huge investment and will set up the future of the Waikato and Bay of Plenty for our next generation.

You add into that the connection with Whangarei and you will create a powerhouse economy in that zone.

National also promised to build the Hamilton Southern Links project and another four-lane motorway between Tauranga and Katikati. Electrifying the rail line to Pokeno in Waikato was also on the list.

Hamilton Mayor Paula Southgate said the golden triangle trade route between Auckland, Hamilton and Tauranga was something the Hamilton City Council had advocated for in the past.

The four-lane motorway would be important to serve ports in Auckland, Tauranga, and three inland ports around Hamilton.

But what I would like to see is a programme to complement a mode shift, to get people out of their cars and into other transport options like buses and bikes.

We know New Zealanders will always rely on their private cars but with our commitment to climate change, we believe we need to be more aggressive in the way we provide alternative transport options.

Waikato Regional Councils Transport Committee Chairman Hugh Vercoe said rail needed to fit into the picture.

Rail is a significant player in public transport for the Hamilton to Auckland corridor and were talking to the Government at the moment about electrification of the rail line down to Hamilton.

Vercoe said a passenger rail route from Huntly to Ngaruawahia, Te Awamutu and Hamilton through to Morrinsville had been floated by KiwiRail.

All of the tracks and stations are still there, so theres no capital needed.

He agreed the transport package did tick a lot of boxes for the committee, including the Cambridge to Piarere route, which would be upgraded if the four-lane motorway went through to Tauranga.

Our number two priority is the Southern Links to deal with all of the freight traffic coming up from Taranaki, on State Highway 3, and heading over to Tauranga.

Tauranga Mayor Tenby Powell said the Western Bay of Plenty needed a big vision like this to address a host of transport problems.

Weve got an increase of heavy traffic and there could be more if Ports of Auckland move.

Weve got train infrastructure, weve got an airport and the road from Tauranga to Katikati, now our main route north, is in desperate need for an upgrade.

Powell said road and rail options needed to be considered together, especially around options for a new Kaimai tunnel.

Do we build another tunnel for rail or do we build one for vehicles?

Or could we have a tunnel just for heavy freight vehicles and let the passenger traffic go over the top?

First-time Green Party election hopeful Rimu Bhooi said building more roads would not resolve the countrys transport problems.

We need alternative transport options to ease the congestion on our roads and a great way to do that is rail.

Bhooi will contest the Hamilton East seat held by incumbent David Bennett and said transport would be a major election issue for the Waikato.

Bennett said a passenger rail service around the Waikato didnt stack up.

That would be hugely expensive and ineffective. We need to look at what is the best option for our region and that is a link from Hamilton to Tauranga.

It will get real use and it is the right choice rather than a costly rail network.

He said Labour had three years to set up a rail service from Hamilton to Auckland but it had failed to deliver.

Lawrence Gullery/Stuff.
Darynda Jones A Bad Day for Sunshine is a fun, yet ultimately frustrating, book to read, and one I cannot wholeheartedly recommend.

First, the fun: Jones is a New Mexico author, and she places A Bad Day for Sunshine in the fictional town of Del Sol, in the mountains between Albuquerque and Santa Fe. The details of Del Sol  its size, location, quirky architecture and quaint coffee shop  resemble Madrid.

As I read the book, I used Madrid as a focal point, and I enjoyed that. I also appreciated Jones ability to bring the peculiarities of New Mexico to life.

Jones relies on epigraphs from the Del Sol police blotter to illustrate the towns peculiarities and, by extension, those of New Mexico. For example, at the beginning of Chapter 19, Jones writes: Deputy Salazar responded to a report of a woman stopping at mailboxes and going through residents mail. Upon further investigation, it was the mail carrier.  Del Sol Police Blotter.

Such details such made me laugh out loud. Jones pokes fun at her characters and the town, without disparagement, and I loved that.

Now, the frustration: A Bad Day for Sunshine, according to the authors website, will be the first in a series featuring Sunshine Vicram and supporting characters.

Sunshine is a 30-something woman returning to her hometown of Del Sol, having been elected sheriff after her parents nominated her as a candidate. Sunshine speculates as to how she could have won when she hadnt known she was running.

I wanted Jones to tell us how that happened. She never does.

For me, the plot point is unnecessary and should never have been included if it wasnt going to be resolved.

Sunshine returns to Del Sol with her 15-year-old daughter, Aurora Dawn, nicknamed Auri, who tried to kill herself as a 7-year-old. That story in itself would have made a novel. However, that isnt the main story, which is the kidnapping of Sybil St. Aubin.

Finding Sybil would also be enough for a novel, but that isnt what Jones does. Instead, she includes Sybils writing of her own kidnapping from the time she was a 7-year-old, which could also have been a novel.

How did Sybil know shed be kidnapped? Interesting question, which is never answered.

Additionally, Sunshine was abducted as a teenager, and Jones devotes a large portion of the book to the uncovering of details related to that abduction. A third of the way into the story, the reader is expected to keep track of all that information, along with a prized rooster that may or may not have been stolen, an escaped fugitive and a detective that nobody seems to know.

Plus, there are scenes with more than two characters talking, and the dialogue isnt tagged, which was confusing. A scene where Sunshine and her daughter are having nearly identical, simultaneous experiences was even more problematic.

Too many subplots, too few dialogue tags, combined with Jones failure to resolve who abducted Sunshine, make it difficult to recommend A Bad Day for Sunshine.

(Maureen Cooke has been writing, editing and teaching others to write for the past 30 years. Currently, shes working on a mystery novel and a memoir. Shes a member of the Corrales Writers Group.)
BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 19

Trend:

The Coordinating Bureau of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) adopted a communique on July 18, 2020 on the military provocation of the Armenian armed forces on the Azerbaijani-Armenian border, the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry told Trend.

In accordance with the communique, the NAM member-states strongly condemned the Armenian armed forces attack on the positions of the Azerbaijani armed forces along the international border of the two countries by using artillery.

The incident caused military tension in the region and resulted in numerous casualties, the communique said.

The NAM Coordinating Bureau reaffirmed its support for the settlement of the Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict on the basis of the UN Security Councils resolutions.

While expressing their unequivocal support for the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Republic of Azerbaijan, the member-states expressed their solidarity with the efforts of the Republic of Azerbaijan to restore its territorial integrity.

Thus, 120 member-states of the UN Security Council expressed their position based on the principles of justice and international law on the recent military provocation of the Armenian armed forces on the border between the two countries and the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.
New Delhi, July 19 : Days after India blocked a Russian portal used by pro-Khalistan group Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) to propagate its anti-India agenda, the banned group on Sunday launched a Canadian portal to register 'Referendum 2020' votes to demand Khalistan, a separate homeland for Sikhs in Punjab.

A major security alert was sounded here by agencies as the group this time targeted the national capital for voter registration regarding 'Referendum 2020' unlike its previous attempt to pick Punjab for its illegal agenda.

The group took the step after India on July 4 blocked the Russian website www.punjabfree.ru, which was used by SFJ for online voter registration for 'Referendum 2020' in Punjab. The SFJ had launched its much-publicised online voter registration for 'Referendum 2020' for people in Punjab through the Russian portal in memory of Sikhs killed during the 1955 attack at Darbar Sahib.

The Ministry of Home Affairs had in July last year banned the SFJ for advocating Referendum 2020, an online campaign to demand Khalistan.

Citing information, sources in the intelligence wing said, the SFJ launched Canadian portal 'DelhiBanayGaKhalistan.ca' from Canada to register 'Referendum 2020' votes here in Delhi, forcing the security agencies to sound an alert to concerned departments to foil the second such attempt of the group within a month.

Banking on Canada's commitment to freedom of speech for pro-Khalistan campaigns, the secessionist group launched www.DelhiBanayGaKhalistan.ca -- the Canadian portal-- for voter registration for Referendum 2020.

Experts in internal security say as Delhi was the epicenter of the November 1984 anti-Sikh riots, the SFJ chose it for its 'Referendum 2020' voter registration agenda.

After the assassination of then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi on October 31, 1984 by two of her Sikh bodyguards, anti-Sikh riots erupted the following day. The riots continued in some areas for several days, killing more than 3,000 Sikhs in New Delhi and an estimated 8,000 to 17,000 or more Sikhs were killed in 40 cities across India.

Displaying the Canadian flag on top of the home page, the portal provides information and voter registration forms in Punjabi and English languages.

Designated US-based terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun had made the voter registration announcement in Delhi, sending Delhi Police as well as central security agencies into a tizzy.

SFJ's 'Referendum 2020' coordinator in Canada, Hardip Singh Nijjar, played a major role in launching the portal.

The SFJ's lead campaigners Pannun and Nijjar were on July 1, 2020 declared terrorists by the central government under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act for trying to revive militancy in Punjab through anti-national activities and involvement in the Khalistan movement.

In 2016 Canada denied India's request to arrest and extradite Nijjar on the basis that India's allegations against him are not supported by any evidence.

The radical group SFJ is supported by Pakistan-based handlers to provide money and logistical support to radical Sikh elements in Punjab to carry out subversive activities.

The SFJ is headed by Avtar Singh Pannun and Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, who have started advocating Khalistan as well as the online secessionist campaign for Referendum 2020.

(Rajnish Singh can be contacted at rajnish.s@ians.in)
Pune, July 19, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Global  Ophthalmic Devices Market  is predicted to surpass USD 67 Billion by 2026. Ophthalmic devices are medical devices used in the identification and treatment of ocular defects or deficiencies and eye disorders. The ophthalmic devices are designed for diagnostics, surgical, and vision correction purposes. These devices are continuously gaining increased importance and adoption due to high prevalence of various ophthalmic diseases such as glaucoma, cataract, and other vision related issues. According to the World Health Organization (WHO): Globally, at least 2.2 billion people have a vision impairment or blindness, of whom at least 1 billion have a vision impairment that could have been prevented or has yet to be addressed. Therefore, increasing number of eye related disorders propel demand for vision care devices, which in turn propels growth of the ophthalmic devices market. However, the elements such as the high cost of ophthalmic devices and dearth of skilled professionals with expertise in ophthalmic surgery are projected to hamper the growth of the market.

Request a Sample Copy to Understand the Impact of COVID-19 on Ophthalmic Devices Market @ https://www.360marketupdates.com/enquiry/request-covid19/15914505

By Application Segment - Global Ophthalmic Devices Market and Forecast



 On the basis of application, the vision care segment dominated the overall ophthalmic devices market.



 Surgical instruments devices held second highest share of the overall ophthalmic devices market, while the diagnostic & monitoring devices segment is expected to grow at the fastest rate during the forecast period.



 Diagnosis is an indispensable process in the treatment of eye disorders and is responsible for contributing towards the diagnostics & monitoring segments growth.



By Products - Global Ophthalmic Devices Market and Forecast



 On product basis, contact lens held largest share of the ophthalmic devices market, while, cataract surgery devices accounted for second highest share of the total ophthalmic devices market.



 Retinal surgery devices is the third largest product segment of the ophthalmic devices market in 2019.



 The global market for fundus camera is predicted to exceed USD 775 Million by 2026.



 The optical coherence tomography (OCT) has become the standard of care for the assessment and treatment of most retinal diseases. Introduction of hybrid techniques such as optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) can open up new pathways for the market.



 Glaucoma surgery is currently evolving with introduction of several new devices and those in pipeline have continued to address the focus on safety of glaucoma surgery.



 The global cataract surgery devices market is projected to surpass USD 9 Billion mark by 2026.

Get a Sample PDF of Report @ https://www.360marketupdates.com/enquiry/request-sample/15914505



By End Users - Global Ophthalmic Devices Market and Forecast



 Consumers segment accounted for highest share of the global ophthalmic devices market, as majority of the ophthalmic products such as vision care products are used by the common consumers.



 Hospitals and ophthalmic clinics & centers captured 2nd and 3rd largest share of the overall ophthalmic devices market respectively in 2019.



 Ambulatory surgical centers are likely to grow at the fastest rate during the forecast period, as these centers provide cost-effective services and a convenient environment that is less stressful than what many hospitals can offer.



By Region - Ophthalmic Devices Market and Forecast



 North America dominated the global ophthalmic devices market in 2019.



 In North America, United States captures highest share of the total ophthalmic devices market.



 Europe represents a major market for ophthalmic devices, owing to rising chronic eye diseases among geriatric population.



 In Europe, Germany and United Kingdom are the major market for ophthalmic devices.



 Asia Pacific is anticipated to grow at the fastest rate over the forecast period due to the presence of untapped opportunities in the emerging economies such as China and India.



 Japan ophthalmic devices market dominated the Asia Pacific region, while China accounted for over 4% share of the global ophthalmic devices market in 2019.





By Applications, Products, End Users, Regions), Major Deals, Trends, Key Players Analysis, Recent Developments - Global Forecast to 2026 provides a comprehensive analysis of the Global Ophthalmic Devices Market.





This 254 Page report with 109 Figures and 11 Tables has been analyzed from 11 View Points:



1) Global Ophthalmic Devices Market and Forecast (2012 - 2026)

2) Global Ophthalmic Devices Market Share and Forecast (2012 - 2026)

3) By Application Segment  Global Ophthalmic Devices Market and Forecast (2012 - 2026)

4) Global Ophthalmic Diagnostics & Monitoring Devices Market and Forecast (2012 - 2026)

5) Global Ophthalmic Surgical Instruments Devices Market and Forecast (2012 - 2026)

6) Global Ophthalmic Vision Care Products Market and Forecast (2012 - 2026)

7) By End Users - Global Ophthalmic Devices Market and Forecast (2012 - 2026)

8) By Region - Ophthalmic Devices Market and Forecast (2012 - 2026)

9) Country Analysis - Ophthalmic Devices Market and Forecast (2012 - 2026)

10) Global Ophthalmic Devices Market  Key Players Sales Analysis (2012 - 2026)

11) Global Ophthalmic Devices Market - Growth Drivers & Challenges



Inquire more and share questions if any before the purchase on this report @ https://www.360marketupdates.com/enquiry/pre-order-enquiry/15914505

Global Ophthalmic Devices Market 

By Application Segments



1. Diagnostics & Monitoring Devices



 Fundus Camera

 Optical Coherence Tomography Scanner

 Tonometer

 Others



2. Surgical Instruments Devices



 Refractive Error Surgery Devices

 Glaucoma Surgery Devices

 Cataract Surgery Devices

 Retinal Surgery Devices



3. Vision Care



 Contact Lens

 Others



Global Ophthalmic Devices Market  By End Users



1. Hospitals

2. Ophthalmic Clinics and Centers

3. Ambulatory Surgical Centers

4. Consumers

5. Others

Purchase this report (Price 2090 USD for a single-user license) @ https://www.360marketupdates.com/purchase/15914505

Global Ophthalmic Devices Market  Regional Analysis



1. North America



 United States

 Canada



2. Europe



 United Kingdom

 Germany

 France

 Italy

 Spain

 Rest of Europe



3. Asia Pacific



 Japan

 China

 India

 South Korea

 Australia

 Rest of Asia Pacific



4. Latin America



 Brazil

 Mexico

 Argentina

 Rest of Latin America



5. Middle East and Africa



 Saudi Arabia

 UAE

 Rest of Middle East and Africa



Global Ophthalmic Devices Market  Company Profiles



1. Alcon, Inc.

2. Carl Zeiss Meditec AG

3. Topcon Corporation

4. Bausch Health Companies Inc. (Formerly Valeant Pharmaceuticals International, Inc.)

5. Iridex Corporation

6. Ellex Medical Lasers

7. Escalon Medical

8. Second Sight Medical Products Inc.

9. Lumenis

10. Nidek Co., Ltd.





Research Methodologies



Primary Research Methodologies: Questionnaires, Surveys, Interviews with Individuals, Small Groups, Telephonic Interview, etc.



Secondary Research Methodologies: Printable and Non-printable sources, Newspaper, Magazine and Journal Content, Government and NGO Statistics, white Papers, Information on the Web, Information from Agencies Such as Industry Bodies, Companies Annual Report, Government Agencies, Libraries and Local Councils and a large number of Paid Databases.

Continued.

About 360 Market Updates:

360 Market Updates is the credible source for gaining the market reports that will provide you with the lead your business needs. At 360 Market Updates, our objective is providing a platform for many top-notch market research firms worldwide to publish their research reports, as well as helping the decision makers in finding most suitable market research solutions under one roof. Our aim is to provide the best solution that matches the exact customer requirements. This drives us to provide you with custom or syndicated research reports.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-07-19 14:45:54|Editor: huaxia

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HEFEI, July 19 (Xinhua) -- Huang Fumei had to leave her money and valuable items at home due to the fast-rising water level of the Yangtze River, China's longest, which has been plagued by severe flooding.

"There was only limited time allowed for transferring. A lot of people were evacuated in a rush," said Huang, who lives by the Yangtze in Sanzhou Village of Susong County, east China's Anhui Province.

Some villagers sought help and accommodation with their relatives, while others, like Huang, have been relocated to local schools.

Local authorities have organized rescue teams and boats to help villagers get back home and fetch necessary belongings.

Huang said she had 20,000 yuan (around 2,860 U.S. dollars) in cash at home, but forgot to take it during the evacuation. "I was quite worried," she said, adding that the money was saved for the medical treatment of her sick father.

Huang waited two hours before she embarked on a speed boat that would take her home, about 1 km away from the current river bank. Waters of the Yangtze breached the bank near her village on the evening of July 11. More than 1,900 villagers from her village and a neighboring one have been safely evacuated by the local government.

"We can take six villagers each time. They need to put on life jackets before we go," said Huang Hong, vice captain of the Susong Blue Sky Rescue (BSR) team.

"There is also a lifeguard on each boat in case someone falls into the water," said the 52-year-old local civil servant, who has permission from his office to participate in the flood-relief work at this time.

BSR is a non-profit organization whose primary tasks are search-and-rescue, information screening, and medical assistance during natural disasters or epidemics. The rescue team has set up 31 branches around China. More than 30,000 volunteers from all walks of life nationwide have been registered and trained professionally.

Private rescue teams, like BSR, could respond quickly to disasters since they come from local communities. Professional private rescue teams have been a reliable supplement for the government in this year's flood relief and rescue work.

Waters reached the top of road lamps in the village. Huang Hong had to turn off the engine and start to row when the boat got too close to houses.

Although Huang Fumei's house is on high ground, the first floor was flooded up to her calf. She opened the door and quickly located the money, but she was reluctant to leave her house when she saw the fridge was soaked in water.

The BSR members helped her move the fridge to a higher place before they left for another house.

"We are glad when villagers can retrieve their money. Their smiles are our best reward," said Chen Labao, captain of the Susong BSR team, also the owner of a clothing shop.

Four boats have been arranged by BSR to help send villagers back home, while other boats have been patrolling in the waters around flooded villages.

Heavy rain has affected over 2.8 million people in Anhui Province, with the water levels of the Yangtze River in the province staying above warning levels. A total of 543,000 residents have been evacuated as of Wednesday noon, according to the provincial disaster reduction and relief committee.

"We also saved a dog yesterday. It was on top of a door lamp when we found it. It couldn't escape since it was chained to the lamp post," Huang Hong said.

"The dog chased after us for a long distance after we brought it back to land, as if expressing thanks to us," Huang said. Enditem
The Others, Hell Or High Water, The Losers.

Take your pick from thrillers, action fantasies and adventures as TopFilmTip brings you the best films on TV for Sunday 19 July.

Some films may require a Sky subscription.

Two grudging brother-in-laws' family holiday descends into bear baiting, lol-racooning chaos in John Hughes' The Great Outdoors 10:40am ITV4

Accidentally heroic, monologuing journal junky frontiersman befriends Sioux in sweeping ballad of mutual respect Dances With Wolves 12:00pm Sony Movies

Petty con artist helps fraudster couple go on run amid luscious locales of Greek antiquities in taut thriller The Two Faces of January 12:45pm Film 4

Ungrateful girl enters androgynous wizard's monstrous maze in swamp-stenching, head-swapping consummate fantasy wonder Labyrinth 2:25pm Channel 5

Skeptical girl discovers miniature forest civilisation facing putrid apocalypse in exhilarating hummingbird riding fantasy Epic 2:40pm Film4

Boer war veteran faces clash between his duty and conscience after capturing accused and innocent Maori man in grizzled Kiw-estern Tracker 4:10pm Sony Movies

Jerry O'Connell, River Phoenix, Wil Wheaton, and Corey Feldman are gathered around together in a scene from the film 'Stand By Me', 1986. (Photo by Columbia Pictures/Getty Images)

Four friends brave brutal bullies & vomitus vengeance tale on search for dead body in fully realised, nostalgic wonder Stand by Me 4:25pm Channel 5

Stirring score and cinematography as Sly Stallone, Michael Caine and Pele team up for career interrupting gem Escape to Victory 4:45pm ITV4

Captain yells in storms at friends underlings, Frenchmen and himself as he prepares for war in Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World 6:15pm Sony Movies

Tetchy toxophilite becomes face of revolution, survives mutt mauling and berates her poor innocent cat in The Hunger Games: Mockingjay, Part 2 6:15pm E4

Elderly expats pursue expansionist British dream of turning more Indian land into vibrant cash cow The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel 6:35pm Film 4

Framed and left for dead, Special Ops team exact punchy-shooty vengeance against preposterous bad guy in top action-comedy The Losers 8:00pm ITV4

Story continues

Richard Gere and Julia Roberts in a scene from the film 'Pretty Woman', 1990. (Photo by Buena Vista/Getty Images)

Map reading street prostitute falls for big money businessman, learns to use cutlery, grows qualms in unlikely romcom Pretty Woman 9:00pm Comedy Central

Framed for brother's death, driven driver thunders cross-country to clear name in grass-hopping, muscle car mayhem Need for Speed 9:00pm SyFy

Spine shivering, atypical and intelligent haunted house psychological horror as Nicole Kidman fears for her creepy kids The Others 9:00pm 5 Star

Patient/impulsive Texan brothers rob banks threatening foreclosure in characterful and charismatic low key thriller Hell or High Water 9:00pm Film4

Time-tripping Berserker mentors morose mutant to prevent genocidal Apocalypse in character arcing Marvel X-Men: Days of Future Past 10:00pm Channel 4

Young catholic farm girl finds growing romantic attraction to middle-aged marred writer in lyrical bitter-sweet slice of life Girl With Green Eyes 10:05pm Talking Pictures

Grieving widower makes contact with supernatural psychic, nuisance-calling disaster predictor in creepfest The Mothman Prophecies 11:10pm 5 Star

Having been forcibly sucked dry by James McAvoy, Daniel Radcliffe reanimates chimp-homunculi in glorious fun Victor Frankenstein 00:35am Channel 4

Parallel narratives interweave present day food blogger with influential '50s French cookery guru in the delectable Julie & Julia 3:20am Sony Movies

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Saudi Arabia pledged to protect its economy while ramping up international cooperation as G20 policymakers face growing pressure to mitigate the impact of the deepest global recession in decades.

"The world is still living through COVID-19 and there is a lot of uncertainty around, but I am optimistic as always," Saudi Arabia's Finance Minister, Mohammed Al-Jadaan, told CNBC's Hadley Gamble at the conclusion of the G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors meeting on Saturday.

"Saudi has weathered an even worse oil crisis in the past and worse geopolitical situation in the past," he said. "We recovered strongly, as this is not going to be an exception."

G20 finance and central bank chiefs met Saturday and pledged to "use all available policy tools to safeguard people's lives, jobs and incomes" as the coronavirus pandemic continues to wreak havoc on the global economy.

"We are watching what's happening in the world," Al Jadaan said, highlighting that the G20 group is prioritizing its efforts to support the global economic recovery and enhance the resilience of the financial system.

"People are pushing for reopening, but we need to be cautious and careful because at the end of the day, people's lives and peoples livelihoods is what matters," he added.

Saudi Arabia's economy, the largest in the Middle East, was forecast to shrink by 6.8% this year, according to the International Monetary Fund. It's a sharper decline than the 2.3% contraction estimated in April.

"In 2020, like every country around the world, we are likely to see negative growth," Al Jadaan said, adding that he expects the contraction in the Saudi economy to be "much less" than the IMF forecasts.

"We are seeing a very healthy pickup, but we are remaining vigilant and we want to see how things develop throughout the third quarter," he said. "We will weather this and we will come out stronger."
In October 2016, Fox News Chris Wallace asked then-candidate Donald Trump whether he would accept the results come Election Day, even if that meant a loss to former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.

I will look at it at the time, Trump said, with Clinton grinning as the exchange played out. Trump claimed the media had poisoned the minds of the voters.

Wallace then noted the longstanding American tradition in which the loser of a presidential race concedes to the winner and the country comes together, in part for the good of the country. Wallace pressed Trump again on whether hed accept the results no matter what.

I will tell you at the time, Trump said. I will keep you in suspense.

Clinton called Trumps response horrifying. She argued that anytime Donald thinks things are not going in his direction, he claims whatever it is is rigged against him.

When he won weeks later, Trump accepted the Electoral College results but not the popular vote count, where Clinton maintained a nearly 3 million vote advantage. Trump alleged without evidence that there were millions of fraudulent votes for Clinton.

In a Fox News interview airing Sunday, Trump faced the same question from Wallace. In keeping with his thinking four years ago  and with the president and his allies for months claiming that mail-in voting represented a threat to the republic at a time when several polls favor former Vice President Joe Biden  Trump left the anchor and the nation in suspense yet again, refusing to commit to accepting the outcome on Election Day.

President Trump reacts to Mary Trump's new book. Plus, he answers whether or not he will accept the 2020 election results. #FoxNewsSunday pic.twitter.com/KmmGdgzcVY  FoxNewsSunday (@FoxNewsSunday) July 19, 2020

Im not a good loser. I dont like to lose, Trump acknowledged. I think mail-in voting is going to rig the election. I have to see. Im not going to just say, Yes,' (to accepting the election results), and I didnt last time either.

Trump was adamant with Wallace that he didnt expect to lose to Biden anyway. He claimed the former Delaware senator would be on the ground crying for mommy if he tried to face an interviewer like Wallace, and alleged Biden and the radical left want to ruin our country.

Wallace noted that his team had asked the Biden campaign for an interview.

In late May, the president asserted without evidence that mail-in voting was tied to widespread voter fraud, tweeting unspecified threats of financial cuts to a pair of battleground states using coronavirus relief to make voting easier during the pandemic. Twitter for the first time placed a label on Trumps tweets, steering users to links with the facts about mail-in ballots, a move that the president claimed stifled his free speech.

Trump asked for a mail ballot for Floridas Republican primary earlier this year, and has used absentee ballots in the past. But the president, his re-election campaign and his allies have argued against statewide issuance of mail-in ballots, saying theyre ripe opportunities for fraudsters.

Tim Murtaugh, communications director for Trumps re-election campaign, said in a statement that Democrats want to eliminate protections for election integrity, such as mailing a ballot to every registered voter, whether they asked for one or not.

They also want to eliminate signature matching and clear the way for ballot harvesting, which are also wide open opportunities for fraud, Murtaugh added. We already see widespread problems with mail-in voting, including in New York and New Jersey, with even a cat thats been dead more than a decade receiving a ballot. Against this backdrop, we dont know what kind of shenanigans Democrats will try leading up to November. If someone had asked George W. Bush and Al Gore this same question in 2000, would they have been able to foresee the drawn out fight over Florida? The central point remains clear: in a free and fair election, President Trump will win.

Political science and government professors and election experts recently told USA Today the idea large numbers of dead people were casting votes was a myth.

There could be a short period of time in which if you took a snapshot of a (voter registration) list there might be some names of people on there who have died yesterday or died last week, Lorraine Minnite, a Rutgers University professor and author of The Myth of Voter Fraud, told USA Today. It takes election officials a little bit of time to sort those things out.

Election officials regularly clear registration lists of dead people, and some states do it more quickly and more often than others, Minnite said. But the name of a dead person on a list doesnt mean that person cast a vote, she argued, though she noted some cases where an elderly person votes by mail and dies a week before Election Day, an instance that is not threatening to the integrity of an election, USA Today reported.

A pair of studies by Arizona State University in 2012 and 2016 found negligible rates of impersonation fraud, according to the The Brennan Center for Justice, a nonpartisan law and policy institute. The studies showed just 10 cases of voter impersonation fraud from 2000 to 2012, and zero prosecutions of such fraud in a handful of states where politicians claimed it was a serious issue.

The election fraud database at the conservative think tank the The Heritage Foundation shows about 200 cases of fraudulent use of absentee ballots over the last 29 years, Roll Call reported last month. In the five states with all-mail voting, Hawaii and Utah reported zero, Oregon reported two, Colorado reported five and Washington six.

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The Delhi Police have arrested a man from Madhya Pradesh for allegedly posing as the personal secretary of Union Home Minister Amit Shah and asking the staff of the ministry of road, transport and highways to modify the transfer order of an official in Gwalior.

The accused has been identified as Abhishek Dwivedi, a resident of Rewa district in Madhya Pradesh, they said.

On July 3, a man posing as the personal secretary of the home minister called the road, transport and highways ministry and requested the personal staff of the Union transport minister to make a modification in the transfer order of a 'parivahan nirikshak' (transport inspector), posted at Parivahan Ayukt Karyalaya in Gwalior, police said.

The staff immediately informed the Union minister of road transport and highways Nitin Gadkari as well as the personal secretary to the Union home minister. Shah's personal secretary filed a complaint, following which the investigation was taken up, they said.

During investigation, the location of the user of the suspected mobile number was found in Mumbai. Kolambeli, Khargar, Belapur and Taloja areas of Navi Mumbai were searched but Dwivedi fled from Mumbai, police said.

Later, his location was tracked to Indore, Madhya Pradesh and he was arrested on Thursday. The mobile phone and SIM card used in making calls were seized, police said.

Interrogation revealed that Dwivedi's childhood friend Vinay Singh Baghel, a resident of Rewa, had requested him to get his transfer order cancelled, they said.

Dwivedi was involved in several criminal cases in Rewa, police said, adding that he was produced in the court and taken on four days transit remand.
But some of the costs are already becoming apparent, beginning with the devastation the crisis will wreak on the global workforce. With climate change also threatening to hurt the worlds most vulnerable workers, the need for a holistic crisis response that emphasises both justice and sustainability could not be greater.

The numbers paint a grim picture. The International Labour Organisation warns that 1.6bn workers in the informal economy  almost half the global workforce  are in immediate danger of having their livelihoods destroyed.

The African Union reports that, in Africa alone, nearly 20m jobs, in both the formal and informal sectors, are at risk. In the United States, the

New York Times estimates that, despite a headline unemployment rate of 13.3%

 already higher than in any previous postwar recession  actual unemployment is closer to 27%.

In Ireland, unemployment is expected to average 7.4% this year, up from around 5% last year, and stay at the relatively elevated level of 7% through next year.

Clearly, governments must act to protect workers from the Covid-19 shock. But if such efforts are to put economies  and their workers  on a stronger footing beyond the current crisis, they must also advance the goals encompassed in the 2015 Paris climate agreement  including the vision of a just transition that it articulates. This means not only shifting to sustainable patterns of development, but also safeguarding workers rights and livelihoods in the process.

Too often, it is assumed that progress on sustainability must come at the expense of economic growth and employment.

Former mining towns and villages in Britain still have not recovered from the coal industrys demise in the late 20th century.

Yet this outcome is far from inevitable. The International Renewable Energy Agency predicts that, with more investment in renewables, jobs in the sector could reach 42m globally by 2050 (four times their current level).

Energy efficiency measures would create 21m additional jobs, and system flexibility 15m more. Simply put, with sufficient investment in the green economy, there will be enough jobs.

Yet ensuring that this leaves workers better off will also require a concerted effort to guarantee that the new jobs are good jobs, and facilitate a smooth transition for workers displaced from other industries (such as fossil fuels).

The only way to achieve this is by adopting a truly integrated approach, in which governments, companies, trade unions, and investors all work to guarantee that climate initiatives take into account workers needs.

In recent years, environmental, social, and governance considerations have been gaining traction in business, investment, and policy circles. Yet too often a siloed approach has predominated, with actors tackling these critical dimensions of long-term performance separately.

This will not suffice. Just as unbridled climate change will do serious damage to the economy and its workers  not least by exacerbating natural disasters and contributing to pandemics  so, too, will failure to improve human-capital management and safeguard workers wellbeing.

Energy efficiency measures would create 21m additional jobs, and system flexibility 15m more. Simply put, with sufficient investment in the green economy, there will be enough jobs.

To avoid that outcome, shareholder engagement must be used to push companies not only to implement a just-transition strategy, but also to bolster transparency through public disclosures.

More than two-thirds of the engagement initiatives currently being pursued by Candriam (of which one of us, Abou-Jaoude, is chief executive) directly address the energy transition, fair work conditions, and business ethics  pillars of a just transition.

Moreover, investors should encourage companies to deploy capital  such as through a new generation of investments and bond issuance  to support renewal and diversification in communities affected by the transition.

Investors and companies should work with governments to ensure that a just transition is placed at the heart of policymaking, not least in terms of Covid-19 recovery planning, so that stimulus funds can help build the clean, inclusive economy of the future.

Never before have our societies, including governments, public bodies, investors, and companies, been as committed to sustainability as they are today.

Not only have the worlds governments committed to advance the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals; over 11,000 companies across 157 countries have also committed their support.

But this is only the first step; these actors must now follow through on their climate commitments  and make sure that their efforts advance, rather than undermine, social imperatives.

This is not only the ethical choice; it is the best way to ensure future economic dynamism. Only by integrating environmental and social imperatives into our business models and economic policies can we secure long-term growth and prosperity  and build the resilience we need to weather future shocks.

* Naim Abou-Jaoude is CEO of Candriam and Chairman of New York Life Investments International. Nick Robins is Professor in Practice for Sustainable Finance at the London School of Economics Grantham Research Institute.

Copyright: Project Syndicate, 2020.
While school boards across Canada are quietly developing plans for bringing students back to class in September, the largest such organization in the country has taken things one step further by laying out a variety of scenarios in stark, costly detail. Some of the models under consideration at the Toronto District School Board involve changing the way certain subjects are taught, while others raise public health and safety concerns among industry observers who fear COVID-19 will continue to present an imminent threat in the months ahead.

Heres a look at how things could play out for Toronto students and parents in the fall:

What has the provincial government requested?

The Ministry of Education has asked all 72 of Ontarios school boards to prepare plans for three possible scenarios  a full-time return to in-person learning, virtual classes for all, or a hybrid model that combines the two. Boards must submit plans for all scenarios by early August, which will then be subject to government approval before they can be implemented. Education Minser Stephen Lecce originally said hybrid learning was the governments preference, but has since indicated a preference to see all students back in class full-time.

So how is the Toronto board planning to comply with the provinces preference?

Officials have mapped out different models for each of the three scenarios required by the government, board spokesman Ryan Bird said in an interview. The most complex of these, he said, come about when considering a full-time return to classroom learning for students between kindergarten and Grade 8. And each of them comes with a price tag, some heftier than others.

Option 1: Regular-length school days with no more than 15 students per class across the board. Bird says this option would cost the most, with the board needing $249 million to hire about 2,500 extra teachers. Bird described this approach as not that financially feasible.

Option 2: Same class sizes, but with the school day shortened by 48 minutes to allow teachers to have some prep time at the end of the day. Bird said this model would lower the cost to $98 million.

Option 3: A full-day model with two different sizes of class cohorts  a maximum of 15 for students in kindergarten to Grade 3 and cohorts of 20 for Grade 4 and up. Bird estimates the board would need to hire 1,900 teachers at a cost of $190 million if this plan goes ahead.

Option 4: Same mixed class sizes, but with the school day shortened by 48 minutes. Bird pegs the cost of hiring 200 teachers to support this approach at about $20 million.

Option 5: Resuming pre-pandemic class sizes, but with additional, unspecified health and safety protocols. Bird said this approach is the one the board currently favours.

We want all of our students back, and if we can do it in regular class sizes, we think that is ideal just from a mental health and well-being and learning aspect, he said. Having said that, we know that the health and safety of our students and staff is the number one priority, so we have to make sure that whatever option is implemented ... is safe to do so.

Assuming the government approves something other than Option 5, does that mean classes will be taught as usual but in smaller numbers?

No. Bird said several subjects will have to be delivered differently than they were prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. Chief among these is French, he said, noting there arent currently enough qualified teachers to staff a higher number of smaller classes. But that doesnt mean the course would disappear, he stressed, noting the board is looking at options such as virtual lessons delivered to in-person classes. The same principles apply to courses such as music, art and physical education, he said.

What do the experts think?

Charles Pascal, a former Ontario deputy minister of education and current professor at the University of Torontos Ontario Institute for Studies in Education, praised the board for laying out their proposals and projections for public discussion. But he said none of the ideas currently on the table strike him as wise, noting school buildings and staffing levels will make it difficult to implement the models that are most closely aligned with public health protocols such as physical distancing and small indoor gatherings.

He said the province should have directed school boards to start contemplating these issues months ago, adding doing so would have allowed them more time to be creative and even apply models tailored to individual schools rather than one-size-fits-all solutions.

This is a time to experiment, to do this thoughtfully, Pascal said. But the leadership is going to have to come from the system, and the system is going to have to be very transparent about what its going to do and why its going to do it.

Pascal said the Toronto board projections clearly demonstrate the need for significantly higher government funding, a view shared by the head of a labour group representing the citys elementary school teachers.

Jennifer Brown, president of the local chapter of the Elementary Teachers Federation of Ontario, said every proposal comes with obvious drawbacks. But she said she would personally support the one that best protects students and staff alike, even if it means shifting courses like French to virtual models that are generally less effective.

Theres shields up at banks, grocery stores, any service area, Brown said. With our youngest and most vulnerable, we dont seem to have that same type of intentionality when it comes to safety. Yes, children are resilient and were sending them in healthy. I want to ensure that everybodys getting sent home healthy as well.

The Ontario Ministry of Education declined to comment on the Toronto boards specific projections, but said the organization would be receiving $55 million in additional funding.

What about high schools?

Bird said the board is currently focusing on a hybrid model, noting student numbers at some schools will make a return to pre-pandemic norms all but impossible.

We have some high schools with up to 1,800 students. So to have that many students in the building at the same time was the reason we looked at the cohort model, he said.

One approach under consideration, he said, would see the high-school academic year divided into quadmesters or four sections of two courses apiece. Such a model, he said, would limit movement throughout school buildings and make it easier to trace contacts if COVID-19 cases crop up in classrooms.
New Delhi, July 19 : In temporary relief to a suspended IAS official, the Delhi High Court has passed interim orders directing internet search giant Google and social media platforms Facebook and Instagram to take down some objectionable posts and tweets by a woman who had levelled allegations against him.

"Considering the nature of posts put against the plaintiff, Google LLC is directed to take down the posts or links from the country domain, Twitter Inc is also directed to take down/disable the tweets from the country domain," said a single judge bench of Justice Mukta Gupta.

"Facebook Inc in the meantime, is also directed to take down the posts from the Facebook within one week from the date of intimation of the order," the court added.

The court was hearing an appeal by the suspended IAS official who knocked the doors of the high court seeking damages from the woman for defaming him and also praying for permanent and mandatory injunction.

As per the plaint of the bureaucrat, he had come in contact with this woman, who was married, via social media platform Facebook in the year 2017 while he was in Mexico on a delegation tour of the Indian government following which the woman sent him numerous friend requests on the said social media platform.

He further said that he told her that he was already married, however, they both met at a hotel where he was staying. The plaint claimed that in early months of 2018, the woman started requesting him for money.

"The plaintiff gave with the sole intention of bailing out a friend in troubled times, however, it was realised that the defendant No 1 was using all the tricks including verbal abuse, physical assault and threatened the plaintiff of committing suicide," the plaint said adding that she also demanded Rs 20 crore, asked him to buy a flat in Delhi for her and transfer his home in Ahmedabad in her name.

The man has alleged that the woman filed a complaint with the Crimes against Women Cell and National Human Rights Commission which were all investigated and nothing was found against him.

"Because of the online campaign conducted by the defendant No 1, different articles and posts on social media platforms have been published and the plaintiff seeks directions from this court to take down the said posts/articles," the plaintiff prayed.

Following which the court restrained the woman from publishing or disseminating any news relating to the man in any manner on any website/ newspaper/ TV channels including YouTube/ Facebook/Instagram till further orders.

"Considering the averments made in the plaint (by the man) and the application as also the documents filed therewith, this court finds that the plaintiff (man) has made out a prima facie case in his favour and in case no ad-interim ex parte injunction is granted, the plaintiff would suffer an irreparable loss. The balance of convenience also lies in favour of the plaintiff," Justice Mukta Gupta said in an order passed on July 15.

The court has now kept the matter for further hearing on August 31 while issuing summons to the woman, along with Facebook, Twitter and Google. "Issue summons in the suit and notice in the application to the defendants," the bench said.
The Delhi government is set to add at least another 600 intensive care unit (ICU) beds in three Covid-dedicated hospitals by the end of this month as part of its healthcare augmentation plan, a senior government official said on Sunday.

A detailed plan has been drafted for adding more than 600 ICU beds in Covid hospitals under the Delhi government by July 31, said the senior government official.

As of Sunday, Delhi had 2,166 ICU beds in Covid dedicated hospitals  both private (115 hospitals) and government (11). Of the total ICU beds, at least 555 were in three Delhi government hospitals --- Lok Nayak Hospital, Rajiv Gandhi Super Speciality Hospital, and Guru Teg Bahadur Hospital.

The capacity of ICU beds will be increased in these hospitals. Once the new beds are added, the total ICU beds in these three Delhi government hospitals will be more than 1,155, the official said.

On June 8, Delhi hospitals  both private and government -- collectively offered a total of 582 ICU beds.

The numbers have more than tripled since then, as the government roped in more private hospitals for Covid management and increased ICU beds in existing hospitals.

Gagan D Bharti, manager of Charity Beds, a non-profit organisation that has been helping people in Delhi avail beds during the pandemic, said: Delhi needs more ICU beds because only severe Covid cases are landing in the hospitals and a large number of them would potentially need ICU.

Dr Puneet Misra, professor in the community medicines department of AIIMS-Delhi, said: At this juncture, the government should focus on reducing the Covid-19 mortality rate. For that, supportive treatment is necessary. ICU counts as supportive treatment. But it is essential to ensure that there is adequate number of trained doctors and healthcare workers who work in the ICUs. Handling patients in ICUs need special training. In Delhi, there was always a shortage of ICUs. The augmentation should be permanent in nature not just to handle Covid. It should be extended for regular medical emergencies also.
Desai, for her part, said it would be inaccurate to say the initiative changes the law on repetitive offenders. Supporters of the measure instead see the language as simply saying what can  and cannot  be used as what it calls a historical prior felony conviction to allow for enhanced sentences.

And Desai said there is nothing misleading about simply saying in the description that the initiative removes a requirement for eligibility under the earned release credit program.

The problem with that, Johnson said, is that the removed requirement is functional literacy at the eighth grade level. He said that is something that signers would want to know.

No date has been set for a hearing. But the case needs to make it through the trial court and the likely Supreme Court appeal before the third week in August when ballots for the general election are set to go to the printer.

Other than LaWall, who is retiring at the end of the year, other plaintiffs are: Heather Grossman, a survivor of domestic violence who was left paralyzed when she was shot by someone hired by her former husband; Beckie Miller, whose son was robbed and murdered in 1991, prior to the truth in sentencing provisions. The lawsuit said none of the three perpetrators served more than three years in prison; and John Gillis, a former police officer, whose 23-year-old daughter was murdered in 1979 by a gang member who killed her as part of his initiation.
The heads of the three media bodies in charge of monitoring the performance of all audio, visual and written media outlets in Egypt took their constitutional oath before parliament July 5 to begin their work for the coming four years.

President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi had issued a decree reshuffling the media bodies June 22.

Under Articles 211, 212 and 213 of the 2014 Egyptian Constitution, television, radio, print media and online digital media are regulated by three commissions: the Supreme Council for Media Regulation (SCMR), the National Press Authority (NPA) and the National Media Authority.

As per the presidential decree, Sisi dismissed seasoned journalist Makram Mohammad Ahmad as head of the SCMR and replaced him with Karam Jaber, who was the chairman of the NPA.

Abdel-Sadek el-Shorbagy replaced Jaber as head of the NPA. Sisi kept Hussein Zein as head of the National Media Authority.

The reshuffle of the three media bodies should have been carried out in 2018, when the Law on the Organization of the Press took effect. Yet still, the bodies kept operating, with no amendments, until Sisi announced the reshuffle June 22.

The three media bodies were formed in April 2017 under a presidential decree. Since then, the bodies have been involved in a campaign undermining press and media freedom in the country.

Most recently, on June 16, the National Media Authority issued a decision banning the media from covering sensitive issues. The SCMR, then headed by Ahmad, issued a statement saying, The Supreme Council for Media Regulation confirms the need for all media and social media sites, in all their forms, to abide by data issued by official sources when broadcasting information regarding Libya, the Renaissance Dam and the military operations in Sinai against terrorism.

Meanwhile for the past three years, the SCMR has blocked hundreds of news sites, imposed fines on press institutions and banned reporters from appearing on TV. The council has also blocked hundreds of blogs and accounts on social media, under a law that gives it the power to block and legally pursue any blog or account that has more than 5,000 followers and is accused of publishing false news.

Ahmad, who headed the SCMR for the past years, was thus considered a tool for the state to tighten its grip on the media.

However, the situation changed in December 2019 when Sisi ordered the formation of a Ministry of State for Information Affairs, as part of a Cabinet reshuffle. Osama Haikal was appointed Minister of State for Information Affairs, and was tasked with coordinating between the various media bodies and drafting the states media policies and following up on their implementation.

The Ministry of Information, which had been present in Egypt since 1952, was closed on June 16, 2014, following calls to ease the restrictions imposed on the media and allow a wider space for freedom of expression.

Haikals appointment sparked the anger of Ahmad, who accused Haikal of taking over his powers. In a TV interview on Sada al-Balad in February, Ahmad criticized what he considered undermining the freedom of expression in Egypt and called on the regime to give a platform to the opposition for the sake of diversity of opinions and to allow some space for openness without constraints.

Egypt has been witnessing a campaign of oppression and a crackdown on freedom of expression since Sisi took office in 2014. More voices have been silenced recently when journalists blamed the fragile health system that failed to counter the coronavirus crisis.

According to Amnesty International, at least 37 journalists are currently languishing in Egyptian prisons. Egypt recorded a drop in the global index for journalistic freedom that Reporters Without Borders issued in 2020, ranking 166 in a list of 180 countries.

It seems the Egyptian government is steering a plan to tighten its grip on TV channels. It has also established WhatsApp groups to issue instructions regarding what the media can publish.

Perhaps the news coverage of the death of late President Mohammed Morsi, who died during a trial session on June 17, 2019, is the best example of the governments intervention in media content; Morsi's death was summarized with 42 words in Arabic on all media outlets  TV, radio and printed media  and it was not given much importance.

Justin Shilad, a senior researcher on Middle East and North Africa affairs at the Committee to Protect Journalists, said that ever since Sisi took office, the Egyptian authorities have been exercising total control on the media, at all cost. He added, The government has gone to extremes in imposing its control over critical journalism.

Shilad told Al-Monitor via email his criticism of the Egyptian authorities clampdown on journalists and the media by imposing restrictions on the freedom of speech and expression.

Security forces arrested journalist Mohamed Monir on June 15, and Nora Younis, who is also editor-in-chief of the Al-Manassa news website, was arrested on June 24. She was later released. Monir, 65, died in a government hospital, on July 13 after he was infected with the coronavirus while in detention.

Earlier, on May 17, Lina Attalah, editor-in-chief of the independent Mada Masr news website, was arrested by security forces while she was interviewing the mother of detainee Alaa Abdul Fattah, a prominent anti-government activist.

Shilad noted that any possible change in the governments inclinations toward the media depends on the international community and the pressure it can exert on the Egyptian government regarding the freedom of press and the media.

However, the hopes of media employees in Egypt of the states possible change of heart in the media issue were rekindled when media reports revealed early July the return of prominent media and press figures to TV screens after being absent or excluded, perhaps intentionally.

The main returning faces to the screen include Ibrahim Issa, a critic of Sisis regime, in addition to Magdy al-Jallad and Khairi Ramadan, among others, who will appear in a talk show on the private Al Kahera wal Nas channel (Cairo and the People) owned by Tarek Nour, owner of prominent Tarek Nour Advertising company. The program is set to be launched in August, according to Shorouk newspaper.

Issas last political program on an Egyptian channel was stopped in January 2017 due to security pressure for constantly criticizing Sisis policies.

In the wake of the escalating clampdown on freedom of speech and expression with Sisis rise to power, prominent journalists and correspondents forsook political programs and opted for social or artistic shows to avoid finding themselves unemployed.

A former editor-in-chief of a talk show told Al-Monitor on condition of anonymity that changing the media map, which is currently unilateral and pro-government, might contribute to encouraging Egyptian viewers to watch local channels again, while they had taken to following foreign media because the content of all local channels was similar and identical to the states narrative.

However, the editor-in-chief who had worked for several satellite channels linked the return of viewers trust in local satellite channels to the varied media content and wider space for freedom of expression through these shows.
Five patients succumbed to Covid-19 in Haryana on Sunday, while 617 fresh cases emerged in 20 districts in the last 24 hours, taking the states patient tally to 26,164.

According to the state health bulletin, two patients died in Gurugram, and one each in Yamunanagar, Ambala and Faridabad.

Until Sunday evening, Haryana had 6,022 active cases with maximum 1,194 in Faridabad, followed by Gurugram (1,028), Sonepat (718), Rewari (393), Hisar (300) and Panipat (290).

As per the bulletin, 475 patients got recovered/discharged on Sunday, increasing the tally of those cured of Covid to 19,793.

Haryana has so far tested over 4.47 lakh people and as of Sunday, the state was conducting 17,647 tests per million.

The states doubling rate has climbed to 22 days.

Gurugram on Sunday registered 154 new cases, while Faridabad saw 115 fresh infections followed by Panipat (72), Sonepat (42), Ambala (40), Hisar (35), Karnal (28), Jhajjar (26), Kurukshetra (22), Rohtak (19), Palwal (14), Mahendergarh (13), Nuh (12), Panchkula and Charkhi Dadri (7 each), Sirsa (5), Yamunanagar and Kaithal (2 each), Jind and Fatehabad (1 each).

Among the fresh cases in Karnal included five cops. Health officials said in-charge of Nigdhu police station reportedly contracted the virus from a murder accused, who was arrested two days ago and tested positive on Friday. Samples of all 11 policemen posted in Nigdhu police station were sent for Covid-19 tests, five of which turned out positive, said Karnal SP Surender Singh Bhoria. He said the police station has been sealed for next 48 hours.

Meanwhile, health minister Anil Vij has urged the recovered patients to donate plasma to help those struggling from the infection. He has said that the state was in process to set up plasma banks in Panchkula, Faridabad, Gurugram and Rohtak.
Sudan has lifted the death penalty and flogging as punishment for gay sex after almost four decades of hardline Islamist rule.

Despite 'offenders' still facing life imprisonment for their 'crime,' with sentences starting at five years, many in conservative Sudan were outraged by the reforms and took to the streets in protest.

The transitional government announced a raft of reforms over the weekend, including scrapping punishments for apostasy, allowing consumption of alcohol, banning female genital mutilation (FGM) and lifting restrictions on female dress.

The new government has pledged to lead the country to democracy after last year's toppling of Islamist autocrat Omar al-Bashir, who had reigned since 1989.

Protesters march with banners in support of maintaining Islamic Sharia as a part of the draft constitution during a demonstration along al-Siteen Street (Sixty) in the Khartoum East district of Sudan's capital on July 17, 2020

'These amendments are still not enough but they're a great first step for the transitional government that's trying to implement changes,' Noor Sultan, founder of Bedayaa, an LGBT+ group in Egypt and Sudan, said on Thursday.

'We see this as a positive change on the path to reform.'

Same-sex relations are criminalised in most of Africa and the Middle East. Sudan was one of six countries, including Iran, Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Nigeria and Somalia, that imposed the death penalty for gay sex, according to the LGBT+ rights group ILGA.

Under Sudan's old sodomy law, gay men faced 100 lashes for the first offence, five years in jail for the second and the death penalty the third time around. The punishments have been reduced to prison terms, ranging from five years to life.

The legal amendment was part of several reforms announced by the justice minister on Saturday, including plans to decriminalise apostasy - the abandonment of a religion - and to permit non-Muslims to consume alcohol.

Sudan will also ban female genital mutilation, which typically involves the partial or total removal of the external genitalia of girls and women, and allow women to travel with their children without a permit from a male relative, he said.

Sultan said the government was discreet about dropping the death penalty for gay sex and its amendment document did not detail what Article 148 - the sodomy law - was about.

Protesters chant slogans in support of maintaining Islamic Sharia as a part of the draft constitution as they march during a demonstration along al-Siteen Street (Sixty) in the Khartoum East district of Sudan's capital on July 17, 2020

'I think society is still reluctant to accept such changes but I hope that the government will continue in its path toward reform,' she said.

Others criticised the justice ministry's reform agenda.

'Congrats to the immoral people who achieved their misguided demands over female genital mutilation, legitimising sodomy, drinking alcohol, and opening bars and night clubs,' said one Twitter user with the handle @marwanbsas1980.

Fabo Elbaradei, an LGBT+ activist based in the capital Khartoum, welcomed the surprise move to lift the death penalty but said it would not change life much for gay people in Sudan.

'We are subjected to social discrimination and we face a prison sentence ... for simply being who we are,' he told the Thomson Reuters Foundation in emailed comments.

'We are still deprived (of) our right to live like any other members of society.'

Government officials did not respond to requests for comment.
A man in Andhra Pradeshs Kurnool district had to dump his stillborn child into an irrigation canal after villagers allegedly refused to let him bury her in the local graveyard over fears that she might have contracted the coronavirus disease, the police said on Sunday.

According to police, Shamsha Vali, a resident of Kotapadu village of Sirivella block, took his pregnant wife, Madar Bee, to Nandyal government general hospital on Friday. She gave birth to a stillborn girl on Saturday morning.

The couple wanted to bury the body after returning to their village, Nandyal rural police inspector Sudhakar Reddy said.

However, the villagers refused to allow the body into the village fearing the risk coronavirus infection, Reddy said. Many Covid-19 patients are undergoing treatment at the Nandyal hospital.

Following this, Vali was forced to dump the infants body in Kurnool-Cuddapah Canal at Chabolu village on his way to his native village. Some locals later found the body floating in the canal and informed the police, who fished the out body. From a tag on the infants body, the police were able to track the parents.

The police were able to convince the villagers to let the couple give a proper burial to the infant in the village graveyard. We have not booked any case in this regard, Reddy said.

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The Union ministry for health and family welfare on Friday released guidelines for gated colonies across the country to create facilities for the patients of coronavirus disease as the number of total cases in India touched 1,076,479 with 26,812 succumbing to the viral infection.

Facilities created by the colony managements would be more acceptable to the residents and help reduce the burden on existing facilities.

The facilities created in these colonies can be utilised to quarantine suspected cases or isolate those who are asymptomatic, pre-symptomatic, or mildly symptomatic. The facilities are not meant for people over the age of 65 and the children below the age of 10, the guidelines stated.

Also read: India added last quarter million Covid-19 cases in just 8 days, 3 states added 55.7% patients

Pregnant or lactating mothers, persons with comorbidities such as diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, kidney disease, chronic respiratory disease, cancer or other illnesses and those who use drugs that compromise the immune system will also not be allowed to stay at these centres, the guidelines added.

India is now the third country in the world to have more than a million confirmed Covid-19 cases. India has conducted about 13.1 million tests, behind only the United States and Russia.

Neighbourhood Covid Care Centres were to be operationalised with minimal support from the government in case the number of cases soared and the requirement for beds went up. Besides the creation of Covid care centres in the colonies, the government has also been holding training programmes under the Swasthya Doot project to prepare community volunteers in basic health care techniques.

Also read: COVID-19 Statistics for India

The ministry guidelines stated that community centre or common utility areas can be used for setting up these centres. Vacant flats that are isolated from occupied ones may also be used. The centre must have a separate entrance and exit gate, follow hand hygiene and thermally scan all persons who enter.

Within the centres, the beds have to be placed at a distance of 3 feet and adequate natural ventilation has to be ensured. The air conditioning system should follow the government guidelines of maintaining the temperature between 24C to 30C and relative humidity between 40% and 70%, avoid re-circulation of air, and ensure as much intake of fresh air as possible.

These centres will be linked to surveillance teams and an ambulance service. They will be staffed by doctors from either within the community or those provided by NGOs. They have to undergo training on a government portal. Support for clinical assessment, sample collection, and transportation will be provided, the guidelines stated.

The guidelines also stated that continuous monitoring of the centre (by guards or via video feed) is needed to ensure that patients do not go out.

To engage the community in the prevention of the infection, Residents Welfare Associations (RWAs) should encourage people above the age of 65, pregnant women, and children to stay at home and keep contact with visitors to a minimum, the ministry stated in another document.

The guidelines also called for creating awareness on preventive measures, need for early reporting on the disease and fight the stigma

If a colony is declared a containment area then the Resident Welfare Associations (RWAs) must facilitate house-to-house screening, ensure daily surveillance, shift suspected cases to the nearest Covid-19 facility, and identify volunteers to ensure the supply of essential services, the guidelines stated.

The involvement of the community is essential when it comes to preventing and managing this infection. The government should have taken steps to involve people from the start. In places such as Delhi and Mumbai, the number of cases has started stabilisinginvolving the community in setting up Covid care centres in these places would have been helpful. This can be implemented in maybe Bengaluru, Chennai and their outskirts, and some places in Telangana where the number of cases is still quite high or is rising. Other than that, most cities and towns are not too well-planned and have very few gated colonies that can implement this, said Dr Jugal Kishore, the head of the department of community medicine at Safdarjung Hospital.

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In a quiet, nondescript business park on the outskirts of Dublin a senior team manager at the Irish office of a big multinational tech company was recently looking at buying more desks.

A regional office elsewhere in the world was to be shut down and the expectation was that new positions would be created back at the EMEA head office in Dublin to take up the slack.

But then came the surprising news. The furniture order was put on ice. The positions would not be relocated to Dublin after all, but to a much lower-cost operation in southern Europe.

"They basically found somewhere cheaper," said the manager. "It used to be that everything had to go into Ireland because that is how you saved your tax, but companies like ours are now looking for low-cost locations again."

This apparent diminution of the Irish operation was a direct consequence of the big global clampdown on tax strategies that companies such as his routinely used when selling their wares.

"When the Double Irish [one such tax strategy] went away, suddenly you didn't need to be in Ireland to do certain orders. Our office in Ireland isn't really important from a tax perspective any more. So we can transact orders here in Ireland for the US, but our teams in Asia and in Eastern Europe can now also do this. It doesn't matter where you are sitting any more. It's all just gone completely flexible."

It's a story that is playing out in many different ways. Apple and Ireland hit the global headlines with their victory last week over the European Commission, which had failed to prove any fault in another Irish tax strategy from the past.

There were celebrations in Dublin, but nervousness too. Ireland's taxation policies were once again global news. It remains to be seen whether the Commission will appeal the result but, either way, few believe the win at the General Court of the European Union is the end of the affair.

Thousands of well-paid multinational staff will have felt the ground rumbling beneath their feet in recent times. There is nervousness that Ireland's industrial policy has too many golden eggs in one weakening basket.

Multinationals are an incredibly important part of our economy. A new study from the OECD revealed Ireland is a very long way in the lead globally when it comes to the amount of our corporate tax take that comes from foreign multinational corporations, with 65pc of the almost 4bn in corporation tax take coming from that source. No other country comes close to being so dependent on big foreign companies.

But, of course, no other country comes close when it comes to the relative amount of jobs foreign companies have brought either, with almost 245,000 employed by the sector.

And trade figures from the CSO also underlined just how important multinational exports are to the Irish economy at a difficult time. The figures indicated that indigenous industries are taking a big Covid hit. Food and beverage exports, along with others, are down. By contrast, the medical and pharmaceutical sector, largely the preserve of huge Irish-based arms of American, British and other multinational firms, was up 11.3pc. Indeed, that sector accounted for 66pc of exports in the first five months of the year.

"Our export sector is still primarily driven by multinationals and if we didn't have them we really would be in a serious bind," said economist Jim Power. But he believes the Apple case victory will not end the focus on our tax system. "Corporate tax is a massive issue at a global level now. The problem for Ireland is that despite the positive ruling, the perception, rightly or wrongly, is still widespread, in certain key countries, that Ireland is basically using its corporate tax policy to steal tax revenues from other countries. And that feeling would not have disappeared as a result of the Apple decision. Over the last few years we have been put up as the poster boy for this and this decision will not remove that tag."

Most commentators believe that growing international pressure for a digital tax to make sure multinationals pay tax in the jurisdiction that the economic activity really occurs, not where the balance sheet resides, is inevitable. The Common Consolidated Corporate Tax Base (CCCTB), long resisted by Irish governments, is also being driven by the European Commission. At OECD level the Base Erosion and Profit Shifting Project (or BEPS Project), set up to combat tax avoidance by multinational enterprises, is bringing change.

And if Irish Government ministers and the IDA were wondering if the now infamous Apple case might draw a line under Europe's assault on Ireland's tax policies, they need only have read the Financial Times just days before that decision to help dampen the celebratory mood.

That report indicated Europe is already considering using a new line of attack by using an old treaty to circumvent the need for unanimity in certain tax matters. The report will have been read by some as signs of desperation on the part of zealots on a crusade to take on low-tax countries. To others it will have come as a statement of intent from Europe: the beatings will continue until morale improves. "Any ripple about tax that hits the headlines in the Financial Times or on the other side of the Atlantic will always generate a lot of concern in c-suite in the US," said Lucinda Creighton, former Minister of State for European Affairs whose Vulcan Consulting advises multinational clients in Dublin, Brussels and the US.

"The Apple result will have been a huge relief for the Government and the IDA and will be noted in every single boardroom that's relevant to Ireland in the context of existing FDI and potential prospective FDI. So it is massively important, really positive," she said.

She agrees issues such as the proposed digital tax will have big implications for Irish-based tech companies and the growing number of financial service firms that have moved here since the Brexit referendum. "But the idea of using an instrument in the European treaties to obviate the unanimity requirements on tax issues around corporate tax I think is very tenuous. I mean, if it was possible, it would have been done before now."

But not everyone believes that the Irish Government and industrial authorities can continue to hold off the force of international opinion. Tom McDonnell, co-director of the Nevin Economic Research Institute, believes Ireland is not going to be able to continue winning huge amounts of foreign direct investment. "We've dramatically punched above our weight. We have to realise that while it will continue to be enormously successful, it's not going to be the driver of economic growth that we've seen in particular over the last 10 years. We dramatically benefited from this after 2008 because essentially, it was cocooned from the rest of the economy because it sold to people in other countries. That protected us during the austerity years in a way that Greece wasn't protected, for example," he said.

Nevertheless, McDonnell believes Ireland's multinational boom - much like the huge oil fields that countries such as Norway have enjoyed - is finite. "We should be treating these excess corporation tax receipts effectively as oil receipts," he said. "We should have been putting this into a wealth fund, but we didn't. Now we're going to have to use that money to deal with the coronavirus crisis. It's great we have it there, albeit temporarily, but we have to assume that it's not going to be there forever."

Political and economic realities in countries such as France and Germany mean that it is no longer sustainable that multinationals pay tiny amounts of tax there while citizens of those countries pay potentially increasing amounts of tax, he said. "We've seen a rise in populism and anti-globalisation sentiment around the world and part of that is because multinationals pay such small amounts of tax. That means low-tax countries like Ireland and the Netherlands are very much at the forefront of the firing squad."

Grant Thornton tax partner Peter Vale agrees that the advent of a digital tax would present challenges to the sector in Ireland.

"It is inevitable that an element of it will get sucked away and the next few years will be a challenge," he said. But, he argued, some of the global changes that have taken place in recent times around intellectual property (IP) and other issues have "actually played into Irish hands".

Companies have moved vast amounts of IP out of tax havens and into low-tax jurisdictions such as Ireland, meaning that the profits connected to this IP are taxable here even though they generally benefit from tax allowances.

"In due course the allowances will run out. So all things being equal, in seven years time or so you're going to see an almighty hike in corporate tax receipts in Ireland. Now seven years is a long time in the tax world and so many things could happen between now and then. But there may well be a surge in future years as tax allowances on that IP come to an end. Do I think that suddenly we will have five times the tax revenues or whatever? No, I don't. But there will be an increase in tax revenues once those allowances run out," said Vale. "So all is good right now. Ireland, I think, will still remain the most compelling place to do business from the tax perspective, and hopefully other perspectives too."

But Vale does believe it is crucial the economy lessens its reliance on the sector. "I think we certainly should be looking to hedge our bets. And in fairness, that is what we've tried to do by incentivising our own SMEs, with FDI often helping to spawn SMEs here."

Power feels efforts to create a strong domestic counterpoint to Ireland's hugely successful multinational sector have fallen short. "We really need to build up the indigenous SME sector here. The SME sector has been the poor relation," he said. Power recently authored a report for the Local Jobs Alliance in which he suggested that an IDA or Enterprise Ireland-type agency was needed for the SME sector.

"I think with the lack of imagination in our political system, particularly at the permanent government level, the idea is unlikely to get anywhere. But just because something is unlikely doesn't mean that it is not correct or that we shouldn't push it. I hope we can maintain a very strong multinational model. It's good. It's important. But we definitely should not have all of our eggs in the one basket and I think we pretty much do at the moment."

Tom McDonnell agreed and said he believes that the indigenous sector has done "pretty poorly" in Ireland relative to other countries.

"But part of the reason for that is that we suck in so much talent into the multinationals," he said.

"They're very secure jobs, they're very attractive jobs. And that means that a lot of the cohort of people that would otherwise become entrepreneurs end up working for multinationals, which is a much safer option."

The manager at the Dublin office of the big tech firm has seen change come to a job that most would see as rock solid. But he agrees that insecurity is a relative thing. Take the pandemic for example, which has not spread its pain equally.

"Our share price dropped a bit when the lockdown happened but over the last few weeks it has doubled and gone to its highest point ever," he said. "Tech is a safe haven. People will just keep using more and more of it even if they are never let leave their house again."

Before the pandemic the company had "a few million dollars of a hole" in its operational budget. Within a month of the pandemic that hole had been filled because there was no more spending on travel or associated costs.

"The company is obviously not delighted with the pandemic but it is delighted with the drop in costs. I enjoyed the odd business trip, maybe four or five a year, but we'll never go back to the way we were. We've been told worldwide by the company that, for example, no matter what your government says, you're staying at home to work until the end of the fiscal year and they will review it then. I think when we do go back to being allowed into the office it will only be for prearranged meetings. It's hard to know what this all means for the offices that ourselves and other multinationals have here in Ireland."

If thousands of remote working multinational tech employees were never to return to their office desks it could be bleak indeed for property owners, not to mention shops and cafes that rely on these workers for their custom. It would, in its own way, underscore the problems of being overly dependent on one sector to keep an economy purring.

"Before the pandemic our landlord was looking to double our rent," said the manager. "The landlord won't be as cocky now."

Ireland's numbers

65pc: The percentage of Irelands corporation tax receipts that come from multinational companies, according to a new report last week from the OECD. The next highest percentage on the list was the United States at 56pc, but in the US case the bulk of the multinationals paying corporation tax were also US companies. The percentage for other EU countries ranged between 17pc and 55pc.

245,096: The total number employed in the multinational sector in Ireland in 2019. It reached a record high last year.

21,844: The number of new jobs created by foreign direct investment last year. The jobs were created across 250 separate projects but with job losses measuring 7,977 that meant net jobs growth in the sector of 13,867 in 2019. That was a slight decrease on 2018s net growth of 14,040 jobs.

10.5pc: The proportion of Irish jobs that are accounted for by IDA clients.

21.5bn: Total expenditure by IDA clients in the wider Irish economy in 2019.

218.7bn: The total value of FDI exports in 2019. That was an increase of 14pc on the previous year and meant that the sector accounted for 68pc of national exports.
ATLANTA>> John Lewis, a lion of the civil rights movement whose bloody beating by Alabama state troopers in 1965 helped galvanize opposition to racial segregation, and who went on to a long and celebrated career in Congress, has died. He was 80.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi confirmed Lewis passing late Friday night, calling him one of the greatest heroes of American history.

All of us were humbled to call Congressman Lewis a colleague, and are heartbroken by his passing, Pelosi said. May his memory be an inspiration that moves us all to, in the face of injustice, make good trouble, necessary trouble.'

The condolences for Lewis were bipartisan. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said Lewis was a pioneering civil rights leader who put his life on the line to fight racism, promote equal rights, and bring our nation into greater alignment with its founding principles. 

Lewiss announcement in late December 2019 that he had been diagnosed with advanced pancreatic cancer  I have never faced a fight quite like the one I have now, he said  inspired tributes from both sides of the aisle, and an unstated accord that the likely passing of this Atlanta Democrat would represent the end of an era.

The announcement of his death came just hours after the passing of the Rev. C.T. Vivian, another civil rights leader who died early Friday at 95.

Lewis was the youngest and last survivor of the Big Six civil rights activists, a group led by the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. that had the greatest impact on the movement. He was best known for leading some 600 protesters in the Bloody Sunday march across the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma.

At age 25  walking at the head of the march with his hands tucked in the pockets of his tan overcoat  Lewis was knocked to the ground and beaten by police. His skull was fractured, and nationally televised images of the brutality forced the countrys attention on racial oppression in the South.

Within days, King led more marches in the state, and President Lyndon Johnson soon was pressing Congress to pass the Voting Rights Act. The bill became law later that year, removing barriers that had barred Blacks from voting.

He loved this country so much that he risked his life and its blood so that it might live up to its promise, President Barack Obama said after Lewis death. Early on, he embraced the principles of nonviolent resistance and civil disobedience as the means to bring about real change in this country.

Lewis joined King and four other civil rights leaders in organizing the 1963 March on Washington. He spoke to the vast crowd just before King delivered his epochal I Have a Dream speech.

A 23-year-old firebrand, Lewis toned down his intended remarks at the insistence of others, dropping a reference to a scorched earth march through the South and scaling back criticisms of President John Kennedy. It was a potent speech nonetheless, in which he vowed: By the forces of our demands, our determination and our numbers, we shall splinter the segregated South into a thousand pieces and put them together in an image of God and democracy.

It was almost immediately, and forever, overshadowed by the words of King, the man who had inspired him to activism.

Lewis was born on Feb. 21, 1940, outside the town of Troy, in Pike County, Alabama. He grew up on his familys farm and attended segregated public schools.

As a boy, he wanted to be a minister, and practiced his oratory on the family chickens. Denied a library card because of the color of his skin, he became an avid reader, and could cite obscure historical dates and details even in his later years. He was a teenager when he first heard King preaching on the radio. They met when Lewis was seeking support to become the first Black student at Alabamas segregated Troy State University.

He ultimately attended the American Baptist Theological Seminary and Fisk University in Nashville, Tennessee. He began organizing sit-in demonstrations at whites-only lunch counters and volunteering as a Freedom Rider, enduring beatings and arrests while traveling around the South to challenge segregation.

Lewis helped found the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee and was named its chairman in 1963, making him one of the Big Six at a tender age. The others, in addition to King, were Whitney Young of the National Urban League; A. Philip Randolph of the Negro American Labor Council; James L. Farmer Jr., of the Congress of Racial Equality; and Roy Wilkins of the NAACP. All six met at the Roosevelt Hotel in New York to plan and announce the March on Washington.

The huge demonstration galvanized the movement, but success didnt come quickly. After extensive training in nonviolent protest, Lewis and the Rev. Hosea Williams led demonstrators on a planned march of more than 50 miles (80 kilometers) from Selma to Montgomery, Alabamas capital, on March 7, 1965. A phalanx of police blocked their exit from the Selma bridge.

Authorities shoved, then swung their truncheons, fired tear gas and charged on horseback, sending many to the hospital and horrifying much of the nation. King returned with thousands, completing the march to Montgomery before the end of the month.

Lewis turned to politics in 1981, when he was elected to the Atlanta City Council.

He won his seat in Congress in 1986 and spent much of his career in the minority. After Democrats won control of the House in 2006, Lewis became his partys senior deputy whip, a behind-the-scenes leadership post in which he helped keep the party unified.

In an early setback for Barack Obamas 2008 Democratic primary campaign, Lewis endorsed Hillary Rodham Clinton for the nomination. Lewis switched when it became clear Obama had overwhelming Black support. Obama later honored Lewis with the Presidential Medal of Freedom, and they marched hand in hand in Selma on the 50th anniversary of the Bloody Sunday attack.

President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on Friday praised Lewis as a giant who became the conscience of the nation.

Lewis also worked for 15 years to gain approval for the Smithsonians National Museum of African American History and Culture. Humble and unfailingly friendly, Lewis was revered on Capitol Hill  but as one of the most liberal members of Congress, he often lost policy battles, from his effort to stop the Iraq War to his defense of young immigrants.

He met bipartisan success in Congress in 2006 when he led efforts to renew the Voting Rights Act, but the Supreme Court later invalidated much of the law, and it became once again what it was in his youth, a work in progress. Later, when the presidency of Donald Trump challenged his civil rights legacy, Lewis made no effort to hide his pain.

Lewis refused to attend Trumps inauguration, saying he didnt consider him a legitimate president because Russians had conspired to get him elected. When Trump later complained about immigrants from shole countries, Lewis declared, I think he is a racist  we have to try to stand up and speak up and not try to sweep it under the rug.

Lewis said hed been arrested 40 times in the 1960s, five more as a congressman. At 78, he told a rally hed do it again to help reunite immigrant families separated by the Trump administration.

There cannot be any peace in America until these young children are returned to their parents and set all of our people free, Lewis said in June, recalling the good trouble he got into protesting segregation as a young man.

If we fail to do it, history will not be kind to us, he shouted. I will go to the border. Ill get arrested again. If necessary, Im prepared to go to jail.

In a speech the day of the House impeachment vote of Trump, Lewis explained the importance of that vote.

When you see something that is not right, not just, not fair, you have a moral obligation to say something, to do something. Our children and their children will ask us what did you do? what did you say? While the vote would be hard for some, he said: We have a mission and a mandate to be on the right side of history.

Lewis wife of four decades, Lillian Miles, died in 2012. They had one son, John Miles Lewis.

___

Woodward reported from Washington. Associated Press writer Michael Warren contributed to this report.
Drummer Chris Frantz has criticised the former Talking Heads frontman David Byrne in his new memoir, calling his bandmate cold and dyspeptic.

Talking Heads was formed in 1975 by Byrne, Frantz, bassist Tina Weymouth and keyboard and guitar player Jerry Harrison. With their restless punk sound, they became one of the most critically acclaimed bands of the 1980s, releasing eight albums before they eventually split in 1991.

In his new book, Frantz, who married Weymouth in 1977, accuses Byrne of taking too much of the credit for the bands songwriting over the years.

The drummer claims he wrote the lyrics to their 1978 track Warning Sign, which was initially credited to Byrne alone. It appears that he had forgotten that I wrote those words writes Frantz.

Frantz alleges that Byrne often failed to recognise the contributions of his bandmates, claiming he couldnt acknowledge where he stopped and other people began and that the more successful Talking Heads became, the more cold and dyspeptic David became.

The story that there was one songwriter in Talking Heads is a myth, he writes, adding: You could say that Tina and I were the team who made David Byrne famous. We were very good at shining the spotlight on him.

He also tells a story about a time he took Byrne to dinner with his parents and the frontman was painfully gauche, writing: At one point, he lined up a row of peas on his knife and let them roll into his mouth. Then he did it again.

Frantz states that, in 1991, Byrne sneaked out of Talking Heads. At the time of the bands spit, the drummer had said: "We were shocked to find out about [Byrne's departure] via the Los Angeles Times. As far as we're concerned, the band never really broke up. David just decided to leave."

The memoir is complimentary of Byrne at times, too, with Frantz writing that he was a superb rhythm guitarist. He was also very willing to make an unexpected move, both musically and physically, says Frantz. He got into music to get out of himself.

The Independent has contact Byrne's representatives for comment.

Remain in Love: Talking Heads, Tom Tom Club, Tina by Chris Frantz is published by White Rabbit.
Rouhani Says 35 Million More People In Iran Could Become Infected With Coronavirus

Radio Farda July 18, 2020

Iran's President Hassan Rouhani citing a health ministry report said on Saturday that 30-35 million more Iranians, out of a population of 82 million, could become infected with the coronavirus.

Speaking at the national coronavirus taskforce headquarters, Rouhani also said the health ministry estimates up to 25 million people in Iran have already been infected since February when the government announced the first cases of COVID-19, but 30-35 million more could get the virus.

The official number of confirmed cases stands at around 270,000, although some official sources and many social influencers have been saying that the government is under-reporting infection and death numbers.

This is the first time Rouhani has mentioned such a large number of possible infections in the country since the pandemic began and a huge number of possible future cases.

All along, Rouhani has tried to keep the economy open and restrictions imposed in the country have been slow to come, short-lived and haphazard. The rate of infection and deaths slowed in May but with a quick return to normalcy, a second wave began in June.

He also disclosed that more than 200,000 patients have been hospitalized since February and nearly 14,000 have died.

Given the high number of hospitalizations mentioned by Rouhani, the official number of 270,000 infections so far may well be an underestimation by the government. Hospitalization of those testing positive for the coronavirus around the world is estimated to be up to 20 percent of positive cases. Iran has administered around two million tests so far.

Iran's president also added that the health ministry estimates the hospitalization of around 400,000 in the coming months if the prediction of 30-35 million more infections comes true.

Source: https://en.radiofarda.com/a/rouhani-says-35- million-people-in-iran-could-become-infected -with-coronavirus/30734496.html

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

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The appointment of OP Dhankar as Haryana BJP chief is being seen as an attempt by the central leadership to balance the caste equations in the state, where politics revolves around Jats and non-Jats.

By giving the baton to Dhankar, the BJP bosses have sent a conciliatory message to the politically boisterous Jat community that has been nursing a plethora of grouses against the BJP after 2016 violent Jat quota agitation. The Jat community constitutes about 25 % of the states population, making them a singular dominant vote-bank.

The BJP has maintained a status quo on the delicate issue of caste by replacing Barala (a Jat) with Dhankar. But, the move primarily points towards BJP attempting to woo the Jat community ahead of the bypoll in the Jat-dominated Baroda assembly segment.

According to Prof Ashutosh Kumar, department of political science, Panjab University, the Jats of Haryana will back outspoken Dhankar more than non-performer and controversial Barala.

Dhankars elevation should also be seen in the light of growing perception that the central BJP leadership ignores the dominant caste, he says. The BJP has been cutting down to size the leaders of the dominant caste. Thats the perception... Its a kind of status quo, but Dhankar is a dynamic leader, certainly a better choice than Barala.

There are no immediate electoral challenges before Dhankar, barring Baroda bypoll.

Political analysts say electoral calculation is not what alone appears to have catapulted the former minister to the top post. Khattar was backing some other leaders, a Haryana watcher said.

The key task before Dhankar will be to expand the base of the party and bridge the gap between the government and the people at the grassroots level even as he will have to maintain a delicate balance between the party and the state government.

Unlike his predecessor, who was unpopular  even in his own constituency of Tohana, Dhankar is tactful  a trait that could come in handy to make inroads into the hearts of the Jats in the hinterland.

Dhankar, a crowd-puller

Inside the Vidhan Sabha, Dhankar, a former agriculture minister, often came across as an aggressive speaker who would hit back at the opposition with biting remarks.

Outside the assembly, Dhankar is known for regaling the crowd by singing Haryanvi ragni (a traditional folk song) from public platforms.

Before jumping into the active politics, people close to him say, Dhankar had served as a geography teacher in Bhiwani for over a decade. Born in Dhakla village of Jhajjar district in 1961, Dhankhar did his postgraduation and MEd from the Maharshi Dayanand University, Rohtak.

Subhash Barala

BARALAS EXIT WAS ON THE CARDS

The ouster of Subhash Barala as the Haryana BJP chief was on the cards. Somehow, he managed to not only complete his term, but also stay at the helm of affairs despite the BJPs inability to cross the halfway mark in the October 2019 assembly elections, forcing the party to form a coalition government.

Baralas political troubles began with the alleged stalking case involving his son, who was then a law student at Kurukshetra University. The BJP backed him despite the raging controversy.

A close aide of chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar, Barala, 52, a Jat leader, went up the ladder quite quickly.

He won his first-ever election in 2014 after losing twice. Barala remained the state BJP chief from December 2014, when he replaced Ram Bilas Sharma, who became a cabinet minister in the previous Khattar government.

As Jats, the largest and very volatile vote bank of Haryana, were angry with the BJP, the task before Barala was to woo them in the October 2019 assembly polls.

But the BJP, which was aiming at a lofty Abki Baar 75 Paar (this time, it will be over 75 seats), fell short of a simple majority (46 seats) in the 90-member state assembly, securing just 40 seats. The BJP had swept the Lok Sabha polls in May.

Barala himself lost the assembly polls from the Tohana segment by 52,302 votes. Since then, the knives were out demanding his ouster.

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Defence minister Rajnath Singh, who took a review of the situation in Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh, met the soldiers of 16 Bihar, who fought aggression of Xinjiang military district troops at Galwan Y nullah on June 15, during his two-day visit.

In a video tweeted by the defence ministers office on Sunday, Singh is seen interacting with the soldiers in Lukung base camp near Pangong Tso in Ladakh. He also shook hands of the battalion officers and men while praising them for their bravery against all odds.

Raksha Mantri Shri @rajnathsingh met the soldiers from Bihar Regiment at Lukung during his visit to forward areas in Ladakh. He had a brief interaction with them. pic.twitter.com/81YS0T960a    / RMO India (@DefenceMinIndia) July 19, 2020

It was this Bihar unit which faced the Chinese troops during the clashes in Ladakhs Galwan Valley on June 15. An attack on the commanding officer of the 16 Bihar Colonel Santosh Babu was reported to be the trigger for the bloody scuffle. With both sides now involved in dis-engagement at Galwan sector, 16 Bihar and the PLA unit from Sichuan it faced on June 15 have been taken out of the frontline as it could spark of conflagration again.

India and China have been engaged in talks to east the month-long tension along the Line of Actual Control (LAC). Officials of both the countries have held a series of meetings. During one such meeting on June 6, it was decided that China will move its observation post near the junction of Shyok and Galwan rivers. During a routine patrol on June 15, the Indian soldiers found the tents were still there, according to people aware of what unfolded at the border that day.

The Chinese observation post was manned by 10-12 soldiers who were told by the Indian patrol to go away. The Chinese refused to do so even as the Indian patrol returned to their unit to inform them about the development.

This was when the Indian troops with around 50 people and 16 Bihar Commanding Officer Colonel Santosh Babu in the lead, went on to tell the Chinese to go back further in their territory as they were on Indian soil.

Meanwhile, by the time the first Indian patrol returned from the site, the Chinese had called for reinforcements from their rear positions in the Galwan river valley who came with around 300-350 people.

As the Indian patrol reached, the sources said, the Chinese had already built up troops on higher ground around the observation post and kept the stones and weapons ready for launching an attack on the Indian troops.

As the two sides started talking, the discussion turned into a heated one and the Indian side started uprooting their tents and equipment. The Chinese, who had already prepared themselves for aggression against Indian troops, attacked the Indian side in which their first attack was on the 16 Bihar CO and Havildar Palani. After the CO went down, the Biharis lost control and started attacking the Chinese ferociously despite being heavily outnumbered and stones raining from the higher ground.

Twenty Indian soldiers, including Colonel Babu, were killed in the clashes. China also suffered casualties but never announced the exact number.
When the current Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi was elected for the first time in 2014, the aura of his personality spread like ripples in the Indian subcontinent and was felt in Nepal also. And, when he became the first Indian Prime Minister to visit Nepal after 17 years and addressed Parliament in his early days at his office, the political figures and the general public in Nepal were amazed by the potential of his leadership: he was considered a genuine contender to lead South Asia to development.

The political commentators of both countries were hopeful that this visit would rekindle the Nepal-India relationships at new heights in both political and social spheres. However, the commoners in Nepal were disappointed when Modis tact felt like that of a populist leader, who would just look to appease the mass he was addressing.

But, as things developed, Modi, who has become one of the most powerful leaders in the contemporary world, became rather infamous in Nepal by the time of his second stint. The Nepal-India relationships hit rock bottom, and Modis foreign policy is failing even today.

Today, we look at seven related-to-each-other reasons why Modis image in Nepal is tarnished.

1.

Big brother attitude

When Modi addressed the Nepali Parliament in his first visit, he labelled India as a friend rather than the traditional big brother of Nepal and the Nepali people: that India would always look after them. Although this was welcomed widely during the time, many criticised the bullish nature shown by the Indian government at the time of promulgation of Nepals new constitution. The events that followed proved that Modis India still wanted to retain its big brother image for Nepal.

2.

Political interference

During his speech in the Nepali Parliament, Modi had stressed that India respected Nepal as an independent and sovereign nation and that it was not the duty of the Indian government to interfere in the political spheres of Nepal. However, such was not the case as Modi sent the then Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar, who is now the Indian External Affairs Minister, as his special envoy to request a delay in promulgation of the constitution.

3.

Economic blockade

When Nepali leaders defied Modis interest in the constitution and enacted the new constitution, Modis government became harsher towards Nepal and enforced an economic blockade. Nepal was looking to raise itself from a calamity in the 2015 earthquake, but the economic blockade affected the country dearly.

4.

Old and frequently reignited Indophobia

Nepali people already had anti-Indian feelings for a few decades due to King Mahendras tactics and the 13-month long 1989 economic blockade. And, as Modis speech was promising and raised hope that the relationships between Nepal and India would be better, the economic blockade, coupled by Nepal getting closer to China, only reignited the Indophobic feelings in the Nepali Pahadiya people.

5.

Trade dependency

Due to the easily accessible roads and open borders, the landlocked state of Nepal relied heavily on India for trade for decades. Most imports and exports were conducted through the India-Nepal border, and the 2015 economic blockade, which lasted around five months, meant Nepal, affected by the massive earthquake, faced unprecedented economic and humanitarian crises.

Modi visited Nepal three times during his first tenure: in 2014, 2016, and 2018. By the time of his third visit, Modis popularity was on a decline. Nepalis took to Twitter to express their sufferings and discontent during the third visit.

6.

Lipulekh/Kalapani despute

Fast forward to November 2019, when India published a new political map that addressed their recent development on Kashmir and Ladakh, it included the disputed region of Lipulekh-Kalapani in the map. India took the step without any agreements between the countries regarding the issue. Nepal, saddened and angered by Indias step, published its own map including the region in May 2020. India did not respond to the move well, and the relationships between the countries were further damaged.

7.

Godi media

As people of both countries were expressive on the social media to show their nationalisms, many Indian Godi media presented a rather war-mongering antique towards Nepal and did not leave even a small space for a healthy discussion. One particular television channel went so low (ethically and morally) that it aired news which claimed Nepali Prime Minister KP Oli having an illicit affair with the Chinese Ambassador to Nepal, Hou Yanqi. In response, the cable operators of Nepal resorted to blocking the broadcasts of the several news channels (and later resumed).

These latest developments meant that the relationships between Nepal and India hit an all-time low, and Modi became further unpopular in Nepal.
Months after the virus stabilized in mainland France, it grew in French Guiana. For weeks in June and early July, about a quarter of new daily infections reported in all of France were in French Guiana, which has just 0.5% of the French population. More than 6,500 cases have been recorded in the territory, although officials fear the number of infections is estimated to be much higher.
Written by Jacque Havelka Published: 31 August 2017

Willow Creek Elementary School served as a temporary supply and meal station after Hurricane Harvey dumped more than 35 inches of rain on the community, flooding many out of their homes. Harvey's drenching rain on Tuesday and Wednesday pushed local residents of Kings Point and Foster's Mill subdivisions from their residences.

Willow Creek Principal Scott Duncan led the effort. They were able to find 50 to 60 host families for people who needed host homes and served hundreds of meals. Duncan said, "We put out a call to the community and got a tremendous response. Within 20 minutes , people were bringing in supplies and crockpots full of hot meals."

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A forensic psychologist has slammed grown men for crowing on social media about how they 'wish' their female teachers seduced them when they were teenage boys.

There has been a recent spate of Australian convictions and high-profile court cases where male and female teachers have had sex with their students.

The indiscretions have occurred at both prestigious institutions and poorly funded public schools - and have sparked a familiar refrain from some on social media.

Experts said stories about teachers having sex with students often leads to joke comments online such as 'where were all these teachers when I was at school?'

Those people have been slammed as having 'no clue' by forensic psychologist of 42 years' experience Tim Watson-Munro.

Mr Watson-Munro - who has interviewed more than 30,000 victims, accused persons and convicted criminals over his career - explained to Daily Mail Australia the pain teachers can cause with sexual relationships with their students, and what drives those offenders he has met.

Jailed: Former Sydney Grammar teacher Bronwen Williams, 36, has served a jail sentence for repeated sex with a 17-year-old boy at her apartment and at school

Speaking in general terms, the former Parramatta Gaol psychologist said predatory teachers often possess a willingness to abuse their authority - as well as psychological flaws.

'They're immature, they enjoy the power, and I think for some of them - and I say it with great respect to the victims - it's like shooting a trout in a barrel,' he said.

'They (the students) are captives for the day.

'Children, adolescents, teenagers, look up to teachers for a source of knowledge and authority.'

Forensic psychologist Tim Watson-Munro has stared into the eyes of more than 30,000 persons of interest, victims, accused and convicted criminals

An English teacher from $36,000-a-year Sydney Grammar, Bronwen Williams, and several public school teachers, such as Sutherland's Cameron Peter White, are among those convicted in recent years.

But much of the public attention has fallen on the crimes of female teachers - with recent arrests sparking social media comments from some men who publicly 'wish' their own teachers seduced them at school.

Mr Watson-Munro said: 'People who make these comments really don't have a clue.

'To them, they see it as some sort of conquest of a power figure. It's a great fantasy.

'The reality is quite different.

'If you survive being sexually abused by a teacher, whatever the gender, you feel betrayed, humiliated and exploited.'

Mr Munro said survivors were often groomed by offenders so they thought they were 'in love' with them - and were left feeling devastated and betrayed afterwards.

As for how sex offender teachers react after they have been caught, Mr Watson-Munro said he has often found them in denial.

'Some of them victim-shame - claim that they were seduced,' he said.

'Others say they were remorseful. But if you look at the pattern of conduct, it's often gone on in different schools for years, and the remorse I think is more driven by punishment than the genuine insight of the victim.

'A number of people that I see are emotionally immature. They're people that can't really establish adult relationships with others. They can be quite sexually naive.'

But it is the victims left suffering the consequences, he said - as some of these recent cases to hit the headlines make clear.

BRONWEN WILLIAMS

Williams (above) gave birth to a baby girl while behind bars

Bronwen Williams was an English and drama teacher at Sydney Grammar School, one of the city's most prestigious schools.

Over three months in 2016, Williams had sex with a 17-year-old boy in spare classrooms, storage rooms and after chowing down ice cream in her home.

The then-33-year-old told the New South Wales District Court on sentencing in 2018 that she had thought it was a 'very mutual love affair'.

But the victim told the court he felt 'harassed, stalked and dominated' by his needy teacher.

Williams bombarded the boy with texts after he broke it off, panicking that the story of their trysts would come out.

She asked if she was going to jail, described herself as a 'f***ing monster' and suggested she could take her own life.

'I loved you so much it is killing me,' she said.

Another text was sent on behalf of her pet dog, who 'would like to say hello and ask how you are.

'He knows it's over between us, but he still cares about you. He hopes you won't stay angry too long and that maybe we can talk before school goes back.'

Williams was jailed for seven months after pleading guilty to five counts of sexual intercourse with a person in her care.

She gave birth to a baby - her husband's - behind bars and served out her prison sentence.

Meanwhile, the school last year published a formal apology to the victim.

Sydney Grammar praised his 'enormous bravery', saying he had ensured 'other students were kept safe from Williams'.

'The abuse of male students by female teachers is just as serious, and damaging, as the abuse of female students by male teacher,' the statement said.

CAMERON PETER WHITE

Jailed: Cameron Peter White, from Sutherland in Sydney's south, was jailed for at least six years for 19 sex crimes against three students - a boy and two girls

Geography teacher Cameron Peter White would train schoolboys at the gym, promise to tell his students 'adult' stories and was seen as the 'cool' teacher.

But what the bisexual 42-year-old part-time personal trainer and former bouncer really did was abuse and exploit his position of authority for his own sexual benefit, a court heard.

White was jailed for a minimum of six years for sex crimes against three of his teenage students, each at different public school campuses south of Sydney.

Two of his victims were girls and one was a 14-year-old boy who court facts said he described as 'my b****'.

Some of the 19 offences he was jailed for included intercourse at his flat after the Year 12 formal and receiving oral sex in the school fire escape.

One of the victims said in a statement to the court that White would callously describe her as his 'little sister', which she slammed as 'infinitely selfish.'

'I'm still ashamed,' she wrote, saying the toll the ordeal had taken had left her unable to 'feel much joy or see much hope in my future.'

Judge James Bennett said on sentencing that White had exploited his position as a teacher, 'but he was a very immature man'.

GAVIN MALCOLM DUNCAN

Popular maths teacher Gavin Malcolm Duncan was jailed for at least seven months for sex with a 17-year-old schoolgirl at Katoomba High, in Sydney's far west.

As Daily Mail Australia reported last month, Mr Duncan denied 'grooming' the girl, who he had first taught when she was just 13-years-old, and then 'mentored'.

The court heard the pair repeatedly had sex at his home, with the statement of facts saying on one occasion he asked her to wear a particular item of clothing to school.

'He told her to wear a skirt to school the next day so he could f*** her in the classroom,' court facts said.

The victim told the court she had believed Duncan 'cared about me.

'Every choice I made, I would ask myself how Gav would react if he found out and he always knew what I was up to... which I now realise was part of the grooming.'

Maths teacher Gavin Malcolm Duncan will be eligible for parole next January

As Daily Mail Australia reported recently, the victim said she had suffered anxiety and depression and been cast out by her former classmates since his arrest.

'People told me I'd lived out my fantasy while he had to suffer,' she said. 'It was the last I heard from any of my school friends.

'I've been told I wasted my life and should have said no but no one understands what it's like to be groomed.'

Duncan told the court he was 'extremely sorry' for his crimes.

Judge Sharon Harris accepted Duncan showed remorse, but put it best when she said: 'A school student should expect the teacher has her best interests at heart.'

SARAH JANE GUAZZO

No longer a teacher: Sarah Jane Guazzo, then 29, was acquitted of procurement charges for sex with a 16-year-old boy at a Queensland school. Laws about sexual relationships differ there

Queensland teacher Sarah Guazzo had sex with a 16-year-old school student - but was acquitted of procurement charges last years.

The charges - that she 'procured a young person for carnal knowledge' - were dismissed as, at 16-years-old, the student was of legal age, and had consented to the teacher's requests for sex.

That sparked calls for reform of the state's supposedly 'archaic' laws surrounding sexual relationships between teachers and students.

National Child Sexual Assault Reform Committee Professor Anne Cossins told the ABC last year the case showed the law did not address power imbalances between teachers and students.

Professor Cossins told the national broadcaster at the time: 'When it is a relationship of authority and when you have someone under your care in that regard, you should not be having sex with them. It really is as simple as that.'

Laws in New South Wales criminalise teachers having sex with students aged between 16 and 18 as pupils are under the authority of adults.

Ms Guazzo's teaching registration was suspended and, as reported last year, she has since gained employment at an activewear store.
London, July 19 : UK councils have called on for a smoking ban outside pubs, cafes and bars to make them more family-friendly amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Local Government Association (LGA), which represents councils in England, is urging peers to support an amendment to the Business and Planning Bill which would make all pavement licences issued by councils subject to the condition they are smoke-free places, the Metro newspaper reported.

The LGA said on Saturday that it will help high streets recover from the COVID-19 lockdown because the law would give customers and neighbouring shops the certainty they will not be exposed to second-hand smoke.

Councillor Paulette Hamilton, vice-chair of the LGA's Community Wellbeing Board, urged peers to give councils the powers to extend smoke-free areas to include pavements so the summer can "be enjoyed by everyone".

"Pavement licensing should not be a catalyst to increase smoking in public places, putting people at greater risk of ingesting second-hand smoke when they are enjoying a drink or a meal," she added.

The LGA added the measure would also contribute to the government's ambition of England becoming a smoke-free nation by 2030, following recent figures showing a continuing decline in the number of people smoking.

But a spokesperson for the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government said: 'We will not ban outdoor smoking, reports the Metro newspaper.

"Since the existing ban was introduced businesses have invested heavily in their outdoor areas and banning outdoor smoking would lead to significant closures and job losses.

"Businesses should look at ways they can accommodate both smokers and non-smokers, while smokers should exercise public responsibility and be considerate," he added.
State-run Canara Bank will raise up to Rs 5,000 crore equity capital through various modes in the current fiscal year to boost its capital adequacy ratio in view of expansion plans, and will seek nod from shareholders for the same in its AGM next month.

In view of certain expansion plans of the bank, the implementation of Basel III norms, and consequent capital charge, there is a need to increase the capital to further strengthen the capital adequacy ratio, Canara Bank said in its annul report for 2019-20.

The bank will seek shareholders' nod at the annual general meeting (AGM) to be held on August 10 through audio/visual means in view of the coronavirus pandemic.

The Bengaluru-headquartered lender, which amalgamated Syndicate Bank into itself with effect from April 1, 2020, has Rs 1,030.23 crore as equity capital currently and its capital adequacy ratio stood at 13.65 per cent as on March 31, 2020, well above the regulatory requirement of 10.875 per cent.

"In order to shore the bank's tier I capital, the Board of Directors of the bank have decided to raise capital to the extent of Rs 5,000 crore through various modes including Follow-on Issue, right issue, preferential issue to government and financial institutions, Qualified Institutional Placement (QIP) and other permitted mode of raising capital," Canara Bank said in the annual report for FY20.

In its previous AGM in July 2019, the bank had sought permission from shareholders for raising up to Rs 6,000 crore as fresh equity capital through various means including a QIP.

However, the bank said it did not raise capital through any of the modes approved by the shareholders, while the government infused equity capital worth Rs 6,571 crore in lieu of preferential allotment of shares on December 4, 2019.

In his message to shareholders amidst the global pandemic, Managing Director & CEO L V Prabhakar said the outlook at this juncture remains uncertain given the depth of economic implications of the ongoing pandemic wave.

"Notwithstanding, the monetary and fiscal efforts of the RBI and the central government shall yield desired results once the pandemic is contained. Thus, we are hopeful of recovery by the second half of the current fiscal with easing restrictions and commercial activities resuming to full swing," Prabhakar said.

Going ahead, he said the bank aims to improve the bottom line with a balanced thrust on retail, MSME and corporate advances coupled with increased adoption of digitalization for efficiency improvement.

"In the coming years, the bank looks forward for leveraging amalgamation benefits for maximizing the efficiency and productivity," Prabhakar added further.

In 2019-20, Canara Bank posted a net loss of Rs 2,236 crore on account of an increase in provisions.

The bank said its consistent focus helped in improving asset quality during the last fiscal year ended March 2020 as gross non-performing assets (NPAs) or bad loans fell to 8.21 per cent as on March 31, 2020 from 8.83 per cent a year ago. The net NPA reduced to 4.22 per cent from 5.37 per cent.

Giving an overall picture of the banking industry, Canara Bank said Scheduled Commercial Banks' (SCBs) deposit growth stood at 7.93 per cent year-on-year, while credit growth decelerated to 6.14 per cent in 2019-20 as against 10.04 per cent and 13.29 per cent in the fiscal ended March 2019, respectively.

"It is expected that the credit growth will remain tepid in the current fiscal as well, while deposit growth is picking up due to change in consumer behaviour who is treading cautiously on the expenditure side to save the earnings due to uncertain future," it added.

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Also Read: Coronavirus in India: Highest-ever single day spike of 38,902 cases; tally at 10.7 lakh
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New footage shows the moment federal agents hit a protester wearing a Navy sweatshirt before spraying tear gas in the man's face during another night of demonstrations that have been taking place since the death of George Floyd as President Donald Trump claims his administration is just 'trying to help'.

In the footage, the unidentified protester is seen being struck at least three times with a baton as another officer sprays a substance in his face, prompting him to quickly turn away.

As the man starts to walk away, an officer hits him at least two more times before the protester threw his middle fingers in the air.

The incident was shared on Twitter early Sunday morning just hours before Trump weighed in on the demonstrations.

'We are trying to help Portland, not hurt it. Their leadership has, for months, lost control of the anarchists and agitators. They are missing in action.

'We must protect Federal property, AND OUR PEOPLE. These were not merely protesters, these are the real deal!' the president wrote.

Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler hit back at Trump hours later and repeated his call to have federal troops removed from the city.

'The president has a complete misunderstanding of cause and effect,' Wheeler told CNN. 'What's happening here is, we have dozens, if not hundreds of federal troops descending upon our city. And what they're doing is, they are sharply escalating the situation.

'Their presence here is actually leading to more violence and more vandalism. And it's not helping the situation at all. They're not wanted here. We haven't asked them here. In fact, we want them to leave.'

New footage shows the moment federal agents hit a protester wearing a Navy sweatshirt before spraying tear gas in the man's face during another night of demonstrations that have been taking place since the death of George Floyd as President Donald Trump claims his administration is just 'trying to help'

In the footage, the unidentified protester is seen being struck at least three times with a baton by one officer

Another officer is then seen spraying the man in the face with tear gas (pictured) The incident was shared on Twitter early Sunday morning

As the man starts to walk away, an officer hits him at least two more times before the protester threw his middle fingers in the air

During the Saturday night protest, fires were started at the Portland Police Association and in dumpsters in the area, according to Portland police.

The police department declared the gathering a riot, and began working to clear the downtown area.

'As the crowd was dispersed, several people in the crowd were arrested and officers were able to extinguish the fire. Portland Police did not use any CS gas,' the bureau said in a statement early Sunday. Several arrests were made.

Tear gas was deployed, according to pictures and video from the scene, but it was not necessarily CS gas. Fencing that had been placed around the federal courthouse had also been removed by protesters and made into barricades, police tweeted.

Earlier on Saturday, police said protesters had gathered at the Portland Police Bureau's North Precinct, vandalizing patrol vehicles and taunting officers who were reporting for work.

Later, as police dispersed a group that had gathered near North Interstate Avenue, people threw rocks and paint-filled balloons at officers. Some were injured, the statement said.

On Sunday morning, Trump weighed in on the demonstrations, saying: 'We are trying to help Portland, not hurt it'

Trump later tweeted that 'Radical Left Democrats' will 'destroy our Country as we know it'

Trump has decried the demonstrations, and Homeland Security Secretary Chad Wolf blasted the protesters as 'lawless anarchists' in a visit to the city on Thursday.

Before the aggressive language and action from federal officials, the unrest had frustrated Mayor Ted Wheeler and other local authorities, who had said a small cadre of violent activists were drowning out the message of peaceful protesters in the city.

Wheeler said the federal presence in the city is now exacerbating a tense situation and he has told them to depart.

Asked by CNN's Jake Tapper if he thinks the Trump administration is breaking the law by deploying federal troops to Portland, Wheeler replied: 'I absolutely do.

'The tactics that the Trump administration are using on the streets of Portland are abhorrent. People are being literally scooped off the street into unmarked vans, rental cars, apparently. They are being denied probable cause and they're denied due process. They don't even know who's pulling them into the vans. The people aren't identifying themselves. And, as far as I can see, this is completely unconstitutional.'

Wheeler said his office is trying to convince Trump to back off by 'building awareness' about what the federal troops are doing in Portland.

'From our federal congressional officers, to our governor, to our local elected officials, we're all telling the Trump administration: "Stop the rhetoric. Take these people out of our city. They are not helping us. They are hurting us. They're escalating an already dangerous situation,"' he said.

'What I want to do is raise awareness nationally. This could happen in your city. And what we're seeing is a blatant abuse of police tactics by the federal government, by a Trump administration that's falling in the polls. And this is a direct threat to our democracy.'

Oregon Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum late Friday sued Homeland Security and the Marshals Service in federal court.

Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler hit back at Trump in a CNN interview on Sunday and repeated his call to have federal troops removed from the city. 'The president has a complete misunderstanding of cause and effect,' Wheeler said. 'What's happening here is, we have dozens, if not hundreds of federal troops descending upon our city. And what they're doing is, they are sharply escalating the situation. Their presence here is actually leading to more violence and more vandalism. And it's not helping the situation at all. They're not wanted here. We haven't asked them here. In fact, we want them to leave'

Ongoing protests against police brutality occurred in Portland, Oregon, on Saturday night

Protesters are seen during a demonstration in Portland, Oregon, Saturday night

Tear gas was deployed, according to pictures and video from the scene. Fencing that had been placed around the federal courthouse had also been removed by protesters and made into barricades, police tweeted

A group of mothers participated in a demonstration outside the Justice Center in Portland, Oregon, on Saturday

The complaint said unidentified federal agents have grabbed people off Portland's streets 'without warning or explanation, without a warrant, and without providing any way to determine who is directing this action'.

Rosenblum said she was seeking a temporary restraining order to 'immediately stop federal authorities from unlawfully detaining Oregonians'.

The administration has enlisted federal agents, including the US Marshals Special Operations Group and an elite US Customs and Border Protection team based on the US-Mexico border, to protect federal property.

But Oregon Public Broadcasting reported this week that some agents had been driving around in unmarked vans and snatching protesters from streets not near federal property, without identifying themselves.

Tensions also escalated after an officer with the Marshals Service fired a less-lethal round at a protester's head on July 11, critically injuring him.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and US Rep Earl Blumenauer, D-Oregon, issued a joint statement Saturday denouncing the Trump administration's actions.

'We live in a democracy, not a banana republic. We will not tolerate the use of Oregonians, Washingtonians - or any other Americans - as props in President Trump's political games. The House is committed to moving swiftly to curb these egregious abuses of power immediately,' they said.

Hundreds of people had gathered Friday night for a vigil outside the downtown Justice Center, which is sandwiched between two federal buildings, including a courthouse.

Across the street, dozens of other protesters entered two recently closed city parks after dismantling chain-link fencing that blocked access.

Federal agents emerged from an office building next door and used impact munitions, stun grenades and tear gas to clear the area.

Federal officers deployed tear gas again just before midnight after a few protesters placed dismantled fencing in front of plywood doors covering the entrance of the federal courthouse.

Early Saturday, Portland police declared the gathering unlawful, saying protesters had piled fencing in front of the exits to the federal courthouse and the Multnomah County Justice Center and then shot off fireworks at the Justice Center.

Federal officers and local police then advanced simultaneously on the demonstrators to clear the streets, making arrests as protesters threw bottles and pieces of metal fence at police, the Portland Police Bureau said.

Portland Police Chief Chuck Lovell told reporters Friday that his officers are in contact with the federal agents, but that neither controls the others' actions.

Black Lives Matter protesters are seen during a demonstration on Friday in Portland, Oregon

Several local Oregon politicians have blasted the arrival of federal agents (pictured center), who are not required to follow the same policing restrictions as local authorities and can use methods like tear gas

The US Attorney for the Oregon District Billy Williams on Friday requested that an investigation be launched into the conduct of federal agents in Portland after two residents appeared to be arrested without probable cause

Several Black Lives Matter protesters and residents in Portland have reported seeing masked federal agents, wearing camouflage and without proper identification, arresting demonstrators without explanation and hauling them into the back of unmarked minivans

Pictured: One woman holds a photo of Breonna Taylor, an EMT from Louisville, Kentucky, who was shot dead by plain clothed authorities in March

The overnight action by Portland's police was condemned by Jo Ann Hardesty, a prominent member of the City Council. Hardesty said Saturday that local police 'joined in the aggressive clampdown of peaceful protest'.

Hardesty also slammed Wheeler, telling the mayor he needed to better control local law enforcement. Hardesty, who oversees the city's fire department and other first-responder agencies, said in an open letter to Wheeler if 'you can't control the police, give me the Portland Police Bureau'.

Wheeler responded to criticism from Hardesty and others in his CNN interview on Sunday, claiming that the protests were not out of control until federal troops arrived.

'Before the federal troops got here, violence was way down. Vandalism was way down. Our local and state law enforcement officials had contained the situation. The energy was coming out of the demonstrations. We had hoped they would end within a matter of days,' Wheeler said.

'And what happened instead is, the federal troops came in. They used their unconstitutional tactics. They injured nonviolent demonstrators, and the whole thing blew up again like a powder keg. So, I completely disagree with them.

'The reason we want those federal troops out of our city is, they are making the situation much more dangerous. I'm worried that one of our residents or one of our local or state law enforcement officers is going to get killed because of the tactics that they're currently engaged in.'

Portland police said as they responded to the overnight protests - which included people throwing projectiles at them - some federal agencies took action 'under their own supervision and direction'. Portland Police said city officers arrested seven people, and one officer sustained a minor injury.

The statement said the city's police supports peaceful protests, and beginning Saturday night Department of Homeland Security police wouldn't work in the Portland Police incident command center.

Other footage involving federal agents shows two officers briskly walking toward two protesters on a desolate Portland street.

'What are you doing? Use your words,' the camera woman says, as other nearby witnesses question what the agents are doing,

The camera pans to show a protester, dressed in all black and wearing a face mask, with his hands up in the air.

Without any explanation, or even a word, the two federal agents arrest the man and escort him towards the unmarked minivan.

'Where are you taking him? What is going on?' witnesses ask the agents. 'You just violated their rights.'

The agents place the man into the back of the vehicle and drive away.

Footage shared by Oregon Senator Jeff Merkley and others on social media appeared to show two federal agents, who do not identify themselves or explain their actions, arresting a man this week in Portland

Throughout the recorded exchange, the federal agents never reveal what sparked the arrest or what the unidentified man was being taken into custody for

The two federal agents take the unidentified Black Lives Matter protester to an unmarked, grey minivan and drive away (pictured)

That video was shared by Oregon Senator Jeff Merkley, who condemned the alleged actions in a tweet and furthered his attack against the Trump administration.

'Authoritarian governments, not democratic republics, send unmarked authorities after protesters. These Trump/Barr tactics designed to eliminate any accountability are absolutely unacceptable in America, and must end,' wrote Merkley.

A similar incident happened to Portland resident Mark Pettibone, 29, who told CNN that he was 'kidnapped off the street in my own city for non-violently protesting and showing up in solidarity.'

'About four people just out of the van that pulled up in front of me, and my first reaction was I tried to get away.'

Pettibone was walking with his friend, Conner O'Shea,' when a group of protesters warned them about mysterious minivans stocked with federal agents driving around the area, according to Oregon Public Broadcasting.

'I see guys in camo,' said O'Shea. 'Four or five of them pop out, open the door and it was just like, 'Oh s***. I don't know who you are or what you want with us.''

Witnesses have said that agents are also detaining people who are simply near federal property and it's unclear if the people detained engaged in criminal activity

Both Pettibone and O'Shea believe they were targeted for wearing black cloths, but O'Shea managed to avoid arrest while Pettibine was taken into custody.

'I am basically tossed into the van,' said Pettibone. 'And I had my beanie pulled over my face so I couldn't see and they held my hands over my head.'

A perimeter has reportedly been established around Portland's first autonomous zone, CLAT,' or Chinook Land Autonomous Territory,' after the police-free zone was built last Tuesday in Lownsdale Park

Since the beginning of nationwide protests on Memorial Day, Portland has held demonstrations for 50 nights straight as protesters deface federal buildings and demand changes to local law enforcement

During this time, Pettibone said none of the agents identified themselves as federal officers or gave any detail about the arrest.

Pettibone, still blinded by his beanie hat, said agents drove around downtown a bit longer before they escorted him inside the federal courthouse.

'It was basically a process of facing many walls and corners as they patted me down and took my picture and rummaged through my belongings,' said Pettibone.

'One of them said, 'This is a whole lot of nothing.'

He was later put in a cell, read his Miranda Rights and interviewed by authorities. Pettibone was released 90 minutes later without receiving any paperwork, citation or reason for his arrest.

'I just happened to be wearing black on a sidewalk in downtown Portland at the time and that apparently is grounds for detaining me,' said Pettibone.

Pettibone's incident comes after local officials were outraged over cell phone footage that showed 29-year-old Donovan La Bella, a peaceful protester in Portland this week, being shot in the head with a 'rubber bullet' while only armed with a music speaker. La Bella suffered a fractured skull and bled out onto the concrete for some time.

The incidents occurred at the protesters' autonomous zone called 'CLAT,' or Chinook Land Autonomous Territory across the street from the federal justice center.

The Commissioner of US Customs and Border Protection, Mark Morgan, confirmed on Twitter that Border Protection agents were in Portland and had conducted arrests

Oregon Senator Jeff Merkley shared video unidentified federal agents arrestig a Black Lives Matter protester on Twitter and called the move 'absolutely unacceptable'

Acting Secretary Chad Wolf of the US Department of Homeland Security defended his decision to deploy federal agents to Portland and claimed his officers had been subject to assaults by 'violent criminals'

Williams on Friday said that he called for an investigation after circulating reports showed unidentified federal agents arresting two Black Lives Matter protesters without probable cause.

'Based on news accounts circulating that allege federal law enforcement detained two protesters without probable cause, I have requested the Department of Homeland Security Office of the Inspector General to open a separate investigation directed specifically at the actions of DHS personnel,' wrote Williams in the shocking statement.

Trump had previously vowed to 'dominate' the protesters with federal agents after he displayed a heavy-handed, militarized approach to quelling protests.

The US Customs and Border Protection confirmed that they were involved in some Portland arrests, but it's unclear which other agencies may be involved.

'[Customs and Border Protection] will continue to arrest the violent criminals that are destroying federal property & injuring our agents/officers in Portland. CBP will restore and maintain law & order,' wrote Mark Morgan, Commissioner of US Customs and Border Protection.

DHS Secretary Chad Wolf, who visited Portland on Thursday, defended his officers actions. He claimed that his officers had been assaulted with frozen water bottles 'from violent criminals'.

'Let's get this right. "Protesters" imply they were peacefully exercising their 1st amendment rights,' wrote Wolf.

'Instead, DHS officers were assaulted with lasers and frozen water bottles from violent criminals attempting to tear down federal property. 2 officers were injured. Facts matter.'

In a 1,700-word statement, Wolf also said troops were sent in to 'restore order' from 'lawless anarchists' who've become 'emboldened the violent mob as it escalates violence day after day.'

'The city of Portland has been under siege for 47 straight days. Each night the violent anarchists destroy and desecrate property, including the federal courthouse, and attack the brave law enforcement officers protecting it,' he said.

His rhetoric matches that of Trump, who has unequivocally sided with law enforcement in recent months and has referred to Black Lives Matter protesters as 'thugs'.

Sen Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts also blasted the Trump administration for allowing federal agents to canvas the city without proper identification.

Sen Elizabeth Warren said: 'I thought we'd already covered this after the attacks in Lafayette Square: the US government should not be using unidentified federal officers as a secret police force to terrorize US citizens & violate their constitutional rights'

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi also condemned the presence of federal agents in Portland by saying 'Trump & his stormtroopers must be stopped'

Oregon Gov Kate Brown furthered the attacks against DHS and the Trump administration by suggesting their motivations behind deploying federal agents was political, not to enforce public safety

Brown suggested Trump was hypocritical in his criticisms of Portland because of his widely condemned St John church photo-op that caused authorities to use tear gas on peaceful protesters in Washington, DC

'I thought we'd already covered this after the attacks in Lafayette Square: the US government should not be using unidentified federal officers as a secret police force to terrorize US citizens & violate their constitutional rights. This is outrageous,' wrote Warren.

Oregon Gov Kate Brown appeared to summarize her cohorts opinions by suggesting both Trump and Wolf are prioritizing politics over public safety.

'This political theater from President Trump has nothing to do with public safety. The President is failing to lead this nation. Now he is deploying federal officers to patrol the streets of Portland in a blatant abuse of power by the federal government,' she wrote on Twitter.

'I told Acting Secretary Wolf that the federal government should remove all federal officers from our streets. His response showed me he is on a mission to provoke confrontation for political purposes. He is putting both Oregonians and local law enforcement officers in harm's way.

Brown even suggested Trump was hypocritical and pointed out his notorious St John church photo-op where peaceful protesters in Lafayette Square were cleared out with tear gas and alleged less-lethal munitions.

Pettibone said he plans to speak with the National Lawyers Guild and the ACLU, but the latter has already taken legal action against the agency.

On Friday, ACLU announced that it had filed a lawsuit against the DHS over the 'flat-out unconstitutional' arrests.

The American Civil Liberties Union revealed that it will sue the US Department of Homeland Security over actions and arrests they deem 'flat-out unconstitutional'

One person who joined tense protests in Portland on Friday night held a sign reading: 'Those who make peaceful revolution impossible will make violent revolution inevitable'

One of the largest problems facing law enforcement in Portland is the different policing restrictions placed on local police and federal agents, who are allowed to use tear gas and less-lethal munitions against protesters

Graffiti made by Black Lives Matter protesters on the Portland courthouse building reads 'Send home Trump's piglets' and 'We Won't Forget La Bella,' in reference to the 29-year-old peaceful protester who was shot by federal agents with a 'rubber bullet' and suffered skull fractures

A smoke grenade burns in front of federal law enforcement officers, deployed under the Trump administration's new executive order to protect federal monuments and buildings

Protesters erect fencing in front of the Mark O. Hatfield federal courthouse entrance doors to block federal agents inside, but authorities eventually exited through the next door building and clashed with protesters

'Usually when we see people in unmarked cars forcibly grab someone off the street we call it kidnapping  what is happening now in Portland should concern everyone in the US. These actions are flat-out unconstitutional and will not go unanswered,' the organization wrote.

Kelly Simon, interim legal director with the ACLU of Oregon, added: 'This is a fight to save our democracy.'

ACLU also filed a lawsuit against the US Marshals Service and the Portland Police, who they've accused of unfairly targeting journalists and legal observers amid ongoing protests.

If won, federal agents would be held to far more restrictions than they do now. Authorities would be barred from arresting, threatening to arrest or using physical force against journalists or legal observers unless it's 'reasonably known' the individual committed a crime, according to the Oregon Public Broadcasting.

One of the largest problems currently facing law enforcement in Portland in a lack of uniform restrictions and rules from local police to federal agents.

Portland Police Bureau officers and local authorities have been barred from using crowd control munitions against non-violent protesters - but not federal agents.

Federal agents have also repeatedly used tear gas, which has been temporarily banned from the Portland Police Bureau by federal court order unless they declare a riot.

Portland Deputy Police Chief Chris Davis said federal agents don't coordinate with his agency and that 'it does complicate things for us'.
Limerick might not be home to as many tall buildings as Dublin or Cork, but a new strategy could open up the possibility for change.

Ergo has learned that Limerick City and County Council has issued a request for tender seeking submissions regarding a building height strategy.

The council is seeking to "set out an approach to building height" that can "support the preservation and enhancement of Limerick's character and inform the policies of the Limerick Development Plan".

In the tender documents, the council sets out that it is seeking suitably qualified and experienced multi-disciplinary teams to prepare the building height strategy for Limerick city.

As well as identifying planning instruments to regulate building height, the strategy will carry an analysis of where is suitable in Limerick for individual or clusters of tall buildings. It will also take into account which locations are unsuitable, and others which could need "careful consideration", with a focus on historical areas of Limerick, including the Georgian areas.

Conservation prioritised in Hatch Hall renovation

Dublin City planners are seeking more conservation information and tweaks from Red Carnation for the planned five-star boutique hotel at Hatch Hall. The new owners of the building, who spent 20m on the property which once housed asylum seekers, have an extensive restoration plan for the hotel.

However, following concerns expressed in the conservation sections more material has been requested. This includes drawings and photographs of the existing internal decorative features and historic fabric that survive within all parts of the building. They have also been asked to refine detail and design of the entrance canopy to ensure it is sympathetic to the historic fabric. Red Carnation is well used to this sort of detail having spent close to 50m restoring Co Mayos Ashford Castle.

Small ray of light for RTE TV ad rates in August

In these gloomy financial times, there was a snippet of welcome news from RTE last week.

A note to advertisers from RTE Media Sales said due to favourable trading conditions RTE would be introducing updated pricing for TV ads for August. RTE Director-General Dee Forbes recently painted a grim picture of the broadcasters financial affairs in its submission to the Dail Eireann Covid Committee, suggesting income would be down between 25pc and 35pc.

While there are signs the ad market is improving, it is not quite time to declare RTEs troubles are over. There is always lower ad spending in the summer and the last four months of the year will be crucial.

As recently announced, audiences have been tuning in to RTE in record numbers in recent months. In response to steady industry demand for advertising on RTE television in August, typically the smallest revenue month in the year, RTE has re-introduced a post AB (advance booking) rate for August bookings, said an RTE spokesman.

Richard Curran, a columnist with the Sunday Independent and Irish Independent, is to co-host a new RTE One series Open For Business which starts this Tuesday. Produced by Coco Productions and sponsored by Enterprise Ireland, Ella McSweeney will also present the show.

In the first week the programme will focus on one provincial town  Ennis, Co Clare  and see how small businesses have been coping with the slow, phased reopening of the economy.




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American motorists aren't the only ones who fell head over heels for the new Ford Bronco. Across the Pacific, China-based Wey announced an SUV called P01 that incorporates some of the off-roader's styling cues.

Up front, the P01 is characterized by a tall, upright grille and round lights each split by horizontal LEDs. This design solution also appears on the Bronco and the Bronco Sport, and it was leaked online in December 2019. Its fender flares are closer to the Jeep Wrangler's than to the Bronco's, while its rear end wears vertical lights and an external spare tire. It's not a Xerox copy of the Bronco, but the Ford vibes are strong. It's also reminiscent of the Jeep CJ-like Beijing Automotive Works (BAW) BJ212 introduced in 1965 and built for decades.

We don't know if the P01 features unibody architecture, or if it gets a more rugged body-on-frame design. Similarly, technical specifications remain under wraps. Don't expect to find a mighty V8 or a twin-turbocharged V6 under the hood, however. China's vehicle tax structure puts large-displacement engines at an immense disadvantage, so the odds of seeing more than four cylinders after opening the P01's hood are relatively low.

Developed largely for the Chinese market, the Wey P01 will make its official debut online in the coming weeks, and it will go on sale shortly after. We'll have a better idea of how close it truly is to Ford's latest off-roaders when it breaks cover. Don't expect to see it in the United States, where Wey has never sold a car.

What's Wey?

Wey was formed as a premium brand in 2017 by Great Wall Motors, a 36-year-old Chinese manufacturer that puts a major focus on pickup trucks and SUVs; it's sometimes called China's home-grown Jeep. If the name sounds familiar, it's likely because BMW operates a joint-venture with Great Wall in China and it asked its partner to start building electric Mini models in the early 2020s. And, do you remember the reports of a Chinese brand interested in purchasing Jeep or Fiat-Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) in its entirety? That was Great Wall, too.

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AKRON, Ohio  A 36-year-old Canton man accused of running down an Akron man and his 1-year-old daughter with an SUV has been arrested, police said.

Shawn Allen was arrested around 5 p.m. Friday, according to an Akron police news release. He is currently being held in Summit County Jail on two counts of aggravated murder, court records show. Allen was arraigned Saturday and is being held on a $5 million bond.

Allen is accused in the July 12 killing of 43-year-old Horace Lee and Lees 1-year-old daughter, Azeria Tucker. Akron police say Allen was driving a Cadillac Escalade that struck the duo walking on the sidewalk. Lee and Azeria were pronounced dead at the crash scene.

Allen intentionally targeted Lee because of a fight shortly before the crash, Akron police have previously said.

Collectively, it is our hope that Allens arrest will provide the family of the deceased some closure, Akron police said in the news release.

More Northeast Ohio crime news:

Dozens remember Angelo Easy Miller, shot and killed by a Cleveland police officer 13 years ago

Man arrested after bringing loaded gun to Cleveland Hopkins International Airport, police say

Officials identify man killed in Bedford shooting
BRIDGEPORT  After a forced 4-month hibernation due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the citys 132-year-old Golden Hill Street courthouse reopens Monday.

But questions remain about how one of the states busiest courthouses, as well as one of its oldest, will be able to function under the strict guidelines in place to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus.

City lawyer Frank Riccio II is president of the Connecticut Defense Lawyers Association and could have the first test of the new procedures in place at the courthouse with the arraignment of murder suspect Jefton Brown.

GA2 (Golden Hill courthouse) averages 200 to 300 people per day, so it remains to be seen how it is going to operate now, Riccio said. I would be very concerned from a safety standpoint if they were going to try to return to normal there but I know the Judicial Branch is doing everything they can to try and limit the number of people in the courthouse.

According to a statement by the state Judicial Branch, proceedings at the Golden Hill Street courthouse will be limited to 50 percent capacity. Masks will be required to be worn in the courthouse and the branch has instituted an enhanced cleaning and disinfecting protocol.

The Judicial Branch states that, as in the Main Street court, social-distancing markers have been installed to encourage people to remain 6 feet apart, protective barrier have been installed at the metal detectors at the entrances and office spaces have been rearranged to maintain 6-feet distances among employees.

Traditionally, the Golden Hill court handles all criminal arraignments. Major felony cases are then transferred to the Fairfield County Courthouse on Main Street. But all motor vehicle cases as well as lesser felony cases are still prosecuted at the Golden Hill court.

When the Golden Hill court was closed in March, all cases were transferred to the Fairfield County Courthouse along with the criminal cases from the closed Stamford, Norwalk, Milford and Derby courthouses. Late last month Stamford and Milford reopened but the Golden Hill cases continued to be heard at the Main Street courthouse.

The pandemic forced the Judicial Branch to use video for the first time in criminal cases.

The Fairfield County Courthouse, which was built in the early 1970s, presented some challenges but officials there were able to set up an arrangement where defendants in the courts basement lockup, their public defenders and the bail commissioner could all be seen on a large video monitor by a judge at the same time.

Officials said the courthouse, built in 1888, has a much larger lockup area than the Main Street courthouse, making it more practical for the large number of arraignments.

As with the Main Street courthouse, a large-screen video monitor has been set up in a courtroom in the Golden Hill Street courthouse so that a judge in the courtroom can view defendants in the lockup, with public defenders and bail commissioners in their offices during arraignments.

Private lawyers are still going to have to be in the courtroom during the arraignments. Only a limited number of family of defendants will be allowed into the courthouse.
Referring to Bollywood heavyweights as movie mafia, Kangana Ranaut  in an interview with a TV channel  has hit out at several top names such as Karan Johar, Aditya Chopra, Mahesh Bhatt and Javed Akhtar etc. The actor, while highlighting the discrimination in the Hindi film industry, spoke about how her career as well as financial prospects was targeted, and that biggies of the industry attempted to corner her.

Ranaut further said that the movie mafia had systematically sabotaged late Sushant Singh Rajputs career. She accused Chopras Yash Raj Films [YRF] of being responsible for causing mental harassment to Rajput, and that Johar made Drive to sabotage the late actors career. She also stated that YRF didnt allow Rajput to work in filmmaker Sanjay Leela Bhansalis films, while adding that the ongoing interrogation by Mumbai Police is a complete sham, as they have failed to summon powerful people.

" -Needy outsider

- B grade actress

(But) - better looking & better actor than Alia Bhatt & Ananya!" 

Net net I think this was a compliment! 

Thanks Kangana! I think u are gorgeous, generous & a great actor ! Shine on #KanganaSpeaksToArnab #Nepotism @KanganaTeam https://t.co/fIg4i3Lz5F  Swara Bhasker (@ReallySwara) July 19, 2020

Industry insiders, though, have diverse point of views. Director Hansal Mehta says: Group-ism exists, and it exists everywhere. People do tend to form support groups but the problem arises when there is targeting and bullying, which can really hit you badly. For actor Gulshan Devaiah, in Bollywood, everything eventually boils down to the perception. He says: Here, one actor is perceived to be better suited or perceived on the basis of his market value. And [as an artist], that can be extremely disappointing as well as extremely taxing.

Ranaut, on her part, has said that she was threatened by Chopra when she refused to work in Salman Khan-starrer Sultan and told her that her career is finished, besides the fact that at one point, she even contemplated committing suicide after facing systematic targeting. The actor revealed that Bhatt had once thrown his footwear at her when she rejected his film and questioned its content. She has, quite surprisingly, gone on to say that she was ready to return her Padma Shri if she failed to prove her claims/statements. Ranaut even said that Akhtar had asked her to apologise to Hrithik Roshan [after their personal life details became public] or she will commit suicide as she would have no other place to go.

Very well said @taapsee .. On point as always ! 

Taapsee Pannu hits back at Kangana Ranauts accusations: I refuse to be bitter and take advantage of someones death for personal vendetta - bollywood - Hindustan Times https://t.co/LGp1ykcZM6  Swara Bhasker (@ReallySwara) July 19, 2020

Actor Taapsee Pannu, though, says she refuses to be bitter. I also refuse to take advantage of someones death for personal vendetta, and make a mockery of the industry that gave me my bread and identity. I have had my share of struggles but just because I dont glorify and deal with them with a positive outlook, it doesnt make me any less of the outsider, says Pannu. Filmmaker Tigmanshu Dhulia readily admits that group-ism exists in the industry but at the same adds that as far as nepotism goes, it exists in every sphere of life. But ultimately, one has to prove himself/herself, regardless of familys name, he says.

Talking of nepotism, Ranaut has said in the interview that a mediocre film like Gully Boy got awards while Rajput-starrer Chhichhore was totally neglected. Filmmaker Vivek Agnihotri feels anybody who speaks up will be isolated by the Bollywood biggies. Kangana has taken a very big risk. They even isolated me when I spoke up. Anybody who speaks against them, they are out. Model-actor Muzamil Ibrahim feels the points raised [by Ranaut] are very valid. He says: When a talent comes in the industry, I think the people in the industry should be a little more unbiased.

Kanganas ex-boyfriend and actor Adhyayan Suman, who referred to her as brave on his social media, feels level playing field is all we are fighting for. He says: Sometimes, its important to let go of your past and support someone who is trying to fight for the greater good. A lot of people dont speak up as they are scared but she did. No one has the right to bully anyone in this industry.

I applaud #KanganaRanaut who is braver & bolder than I am. Only I know how a 'powerful' person has viciously tried to destroy my career. I stayed silent. Because I am not so brave... @KanganaOffical  Simi Garewal (@Simi_Garewal) July 18, 2020

Simi Garewal finds Kangana Ranaut to be brave

On Saturday night, former actor and TV show host Simi Garewal lauded Ranaut for her brave comments highlighting nepotism and bullying in the Hindi film industry. She tweeted: I applaud #KanganaRanaut who is braver & bolder than I am. Only I know how a powerful person has viciously tried to destroy my career. I stayed silent. Because I am not so brave. The Mera Naam Joker actor also tweeted that Ranauts interview left her quite depressed. When George Floyd was killed in America it set forth an awakening. In the same way #SushantSingRajputs death may be the harbinger of an awakening in Bollywood (sic).

(With inputs from Juhi Chakraborty, Prashant Singh and Kavita Awaasthi)
While purporting to be religion-friendly, CBSs recently canceled God Friended Me glorified New Age notions, particularly a form of transhumanism. A Silicon Valley religion based on eugenics, transhumanism would improve humans by prolonging life, augmenting intelligence and enhancing biology with artificial intelligence, using computer algorithms.

In the TV series, a young and personable atheist, Miles Finer (Brandon Michael Hall), who happens to be the son of a prominent Harlem minister (Joe Morton) receives friend suggestion messages on his cell phone from a mysterious God account. He soon learns that he is expected to help out those people under difficult, wrenching and life-changing circumstances, perhaps to save their lives or their health or their livelihoods or their relationships with loved ones. Some of those who assist him to help others become dear friends and trusted fellow travelers. These include Rakesh (Suraj Sharma), a computer genius of Muslim background, and Cara (Violett Beame), an investigative reporter.

An avowed atheist, alienated from religion after his mothers early death from being run over by a drunk driver after surviving cancer, Miles refuses to believe that there is anything divine about the friending messages, even though he repeatedly witnesses how accurate and effective and transformative they are. So, he and his friends embark on a quest to discover the source of the salvic computer algorithm, even as they are bringing comfort and assistance to the designated individuals. In an episode about an atheist thinker finding God, writer Jessica Granger suggests that the God Account could be a massive military experiment.

Miles operates a podcast from his home in which he reports on his adventures and on his quest to discover the originator of the God Account. His defiant approach bucks any authority that might guide the messages or assignments. Still, that skepticism adds a credibility and trust factor to the interaction between Miles and his wards. Brandon Michael Halls Miles is so winsome and pleasant that one cannot help believing that strangers would open up to him. Indeed, the series is well-cast with likable actors.

But God Friended Me does more than provide moving tales of people being helped through emotional and physical and spiritual hurdles. Yes, a lot of the writing was moving, though perhaps in a manipulative way, given the sweet, neatly wrapped episodes and their New Age biases. The show tried to please those who attended church on Sunday mornings as well as those who didnt. It spoke in the language of the church, even citing scriptural verses, but it seemed preoccupied with other realms and matrices.

Indeed, God Friended Me was the latest in a tradition of CBS series that played to the churched while preaching to the unchurched: Touched by An Angel, Eli Stone, Joan of Arcadia, Person of Interest and Living Biblically.

God Friended Me was a cross between Joan of Arcadia and Person of Interest. Joan of Arcadia was preoccupied with a god who assumed (or commandeered?) different human forms in order to communicate with a chosen teenager, and Person of Interest postulated a super computer (actually, two competing ones) that could anticipate pain and crime and crisis by operating through longstanding public utilities grid apparati. In the name of civil liberties, Person of Interest rejected the deification or the glorification of artificial intelligence.

God Friended Me apotheosized its computer program while pretending not to do so. It featured a corporation which, as writer Andre Edmonds put it, could form a new division to develop the first app that can not only monitor someones financial identity, but that can analyze and identify potential fraud before it happens. The God of the monotheistic religions often appears limited (especially in some modern theologies which prefer a non-omnipotent deity) because that God leaves human beings free to make moral decisions on the basis of revealed guidance. But this show posited a basic app that can prevent immoral acts -- thus one-upping the biblical God?

Even more startling was the suggestion, by writers Lara Azzopardi and Devanshi Patel, that a computer programmer named Henry Chase (Falcon) could create an algorithm that, with enough information, could prevent events before they happen. Chases sister had been killed in an accident and he therefore turned to predictive analysis to prevent such heartbreak in the future.

Thus, faith as defined by this series entailed both controlling the future technologically and preparing for the future psychologically -- a multisided self-help approach.

Writer Robert Hull had Miless Episcopal minister father impart to his son early in the first season: Faith is not just about religion, but about believing in what youre doing, about helping people, and about friendship. Faith is your belief that you are making a difference in the world.

Hull also had Rev. Finer tell Miles that he would rather that father and son would commune together with God and not a god account. Your mother used to say that anything that makes you smile is God. In all my years as a reverend I havent heard a better definition of what I believe. So, God is anything that makes you smile? This is the wisdom of a minister appointed bishop?

At times Hull paid lip service to skepticism regarding New Age people. Regarding a celebrated self-help guru, he has Miles observe: Its sad that people actually buy into this stuff. He even has Rakesh quip about two people taking orders from an internet deity. Even so, from the start, the series took a definite New Age turn with talk about how the universe is trying to tell us, me, you something and soul mates.

Hulls theological observations extended to the penultimate episode. (4-26-2020). Rakesh is able to save the God Account because he has based his Soulmate Dating App on its algorithm. Miles concludes that the true miracle is not a burning bush or the parting of a sea, but the miracle we create ourselves, that were able to give to one another the miracle that changes lives in a profound way. As long as Im doing good, he says, it doesnt matter whos whispering in my ear, whether God or a secret artificial intelligence computer project. But the series was so intrigued with the promise of artificial intelligence that it suggested time and time again that super computers were not only an enhancement of human powers, but of divine powers.

Writer Steven Lilien closed the series on a note of deliberate ambiguity. While the family hopes that cancer surgery will restore the health of Miless sister Ali, his father exhorts Miles to pray for Ali and for the family to get through their ordeal because Prayer is action. Ali had wanted Miles to bring her mothers Bible, but only so he would find a letter she had written to him, just in case she died, telling him not to lose his sense of wonder and to keep his heart open to all possibilities. Like faith, prayer here is an exercise in possibility thinking.

In the final episode, a teen claims that while in a coma he was instructed by an angel. He knows things that he could not possibly have known. It is then discovered that his grandfather visited him and told the comatose lad these things. But he still knew one thing that the grandfather had not told him. It would seem that the series hedged its bets between the spiritual benefits of angels and those of computers. It featured church interiors consistently. In the end, however, it sent Miles off to the Himalayas on a spiritual quest, invoking a New Age scenario while heralding the transhumanist dream of artificial intelligence enhancing both God and people.
(Natural News) Free speech has found an unlikely champion in British actor and comedian Ricky Gervais.

The 59-year-old comedian, who is known for his biting and irreverent humor, slammed what he says is the escalating use of the term hate speech to crush any dissenting view from the mainstream narratives, noting in an interview with talkRADIO host Kevin OSullivan that it has unleashed a new weird sort of fascism onto the world.

Theres this new weird sort of fascism of people thinking they know what you can say and what you cant say and its a really weird thing that theres this new trendy myth that people who want free speech want it to say awful things all the time, which just isnt true. It protects everyone, Gervais said.

According to Gervais, there are two problems with the term hate speech, both of which he described in the interview as catastrophic.

One, what constitutes hate speech? Everyone disagrees. Theres no consensus on what hate speech is. Two, who decides? And theres the real rub because obviously the people who think they want to close down free speech because its bad are the fascists. Its a really weird, mixed-up idea that these people hide behind a shield of goodness, Gervais said. (Related: United Nations now targeting free speech on a global scale, under the banner of fighting hate speech.)

In addition, the outspoken actor, who is currently writing and directing the Netflix comedy series After Life, noted that social media amplifies everything  making it easier for online outrage mobs to zero in on personalities, whether or not they actually commit anything problematic.

If youre mildly left-wing on Twitter youre suddenly Trotsky. If youre mildly conservative youre Hitler and if youre centrist and you look at both arguments, youre a coward and they both hate you, Gervais said, referring to the online shaming started by social justice warriors that targeted 150 celebrated writers, academics and journalists who recently signed a letter criticizing cancel culture.

Among those targeted by the online mobs were authors Margaret Atwood, Salman Rushdie, Martin Amis and Noam Chomsky.

This is not the first time that Gervais criticized liberals, left-wing activists and SJWs and their propensity for online mobbing in the name of political correctness.

I think offense is the collateral damage of free speech, and its no reason not to have free speech, Gervais said earlier this year, prior to hosting the Golden Globe Awards.

According to Gervais, inadvertently offending someone by exercising ones right to free speech is the lesser of two evils, noting that the total loss of free speech would be horrendous.

Gervais: People take things too literally

Gervais, in his interview, lamented that had his mockumentary The Office been made today, it would have been immediately ripped apart by online SJWs driven by their inclination to weaponize political correctness.

This was a show about everything. It was about difference, it was about sex, race, all the things that people fear to even be discussed or talked about now, in case they say the wrong thing and they are canceled, Gervais, said.

The Golden Globe and Peabody Award-winning BBC comedy, which aired from 2001 until 2003, featured a central character played by Gervais, who regularly made tone-deaf and offensive remarks to his colleagues.

Now [the show] would suffer because people would take things literally, Gervais said, again referring to the internets liberal outrage mobs who tend to take things out of context, even though [the jokes] were clearly ironic.

Other celebrities have taken up similar stances, such as Taylor Swift who described cancel culture as a mass public shaming, and former TV Superman Dean Cain, who recently described it as a cancer.

This whole cancel culture thing is a cancer. Its awful, terrible. Im 100 percent behind what Ricky Gervais says. Free speech needs to be protected and the speech you dont like needs to be protected. I am open to hear everyones point of view and I think everyone should be, Cain said in an appearance at Tucker Carlson Tonight.

Read more at ThoughtCrimes.news.

Sources include:

ZeroHedge.com

DailyMail.co.uk

FoxNews.com

Standard.co.uk

NME.com

DailyCaller.com
By Tanya Gold

Last spring, I borrowed a beautiful new campervan to drive from Cornwall to Dorset and back. It was as stylish as a boutique hotel: black, with two double beds (one up, one down), swivel seats and a kitchen with two hobs and a fridge.

I should have picked up a female friend and driven to Italy in splendour. Instead I took four males to Dorset: a large husband; a small son; his friend; and Virgil the dog.

Tanya Gold outside a Cath Kidston tent at Glastonbury, she woke up screaming to someone urinating on the tent

It was my fault. I am not good at camping. I woke up screaming when I went to Glastonbury because someone was weeing on my tent.

I thought a campervan would be different but I do not know how to pack a campervan. Practised campers do not pack duvets, pillows, suitcases, vast piles of books, toys and dog cages.

When I wanted to change its use from sleeping to cooking to dining, I had to unpack everything, and the respectable campers at Corfe Castle campsite thought we were disgusting with our carrier bags littering the site.

Containing five mammals, the campervan didnt smell so good in the mornings either. Then there was Virgil. I thought he would love the trip to Enid Blyton land  the Famous Five (and Virgil the Dog)!

Tanya said she thought going in a campervan would be different to camping - but she was mistaken

I was wrong again. He hated it. He hated the drive, and the loss of his house, and gas fire, and his 11 potential beds.

He hated that he was tied up at the site  rules!  on a 40ft lead. Good dogs are not tied up! He developed a pleading expression which did not leave his beautiful face for the whole of the trip. He sat exactly 40ft from the campervan, so I would know how he felt.

The weather in Dorset was fine. But we drove back to Cornwall and into a ferocious storm. I said: We will still camp at Lands End  we have paid in advance. The site was almost empty. The owner looked amazed we had come. She put us behind the toilet block to shelter us from the wind. The children blew over anyway. Virgil cried. He had thought Dorset was the nadir, and he was wrong.

Even so, I decided to have a dinner party. I invited my mother, my sister, her husband and her two sons for a campervan dinner. Incredibly, they came, carrying salads across the site in the gale.

We ate hamburgers as the van rocked. It was amazing. It was unique. There has never been a dinner party like that.

The misery came later. At 4 am, as the gale screamed around us, a little face showed itself, upside down in the gloom. Im wet, it moaned. The extendable campervan roof was not designed for Atlantic gales. I got up to console him and stood in Virgils water bowl which my husband had, inexplicably, left on the floor. I screamed. Everyone got into the lower bed but nobody slept.

We went home the next morning, two days early. Virgil spent 48 hours in front of the gas fire, drying his paws. Next time, he will go to the dog hotel. I might go with him.

But the children loved it.
About 67 percent of four-year colleges plan to re-open in the fall for in-person classes, according to The Chronicle of Higher Education.Those re-openings tend to be in states with Republican governors, who have been more willing to reopen their states. Although 26 states have a Republican governor, only 41 percent of colleges and universities reside in them. Around 80 percent of schools in states governed by Republicans plan for in-person fall classes, while only 29 percent of schools in states governed by Democrats plan for a fall re-opening. The Chronicle surveyed 940 colleges.Those numbers support the claim that the decision to reopen in the fall is, in part, based on partisanship. Most "purple" states with Republican governors voted for Trump in 2016; only one, New Hampshire, voted for Hillary Clinton. Yet, 80 percent of schools still plan to reopen. Even most of the "purple" states that did not vote for Trump still plan to have in-person classes.Partisanship isn't the only factor that influences the decision to reopen schools, though. The size, selectivity, density, and amount of government funding also sway the choice for in-person classes.The largest universities will struggle more with social distancing. Rural colleges will find it easier than urban colleges. And colleges that received less federal funding through the CARES Act are more likely to reopen in the fall  a sign that colleges keep an eye on paying their bills to stay open along with health and safety.Even though colleges have time before students arrive to test their solutions, restaurants, shops, and small businesses demonstrate the need to reopen in order to survive.While restaurants and retailers begin to reopen, Lozano Rojas , a professor at Indiana University, noted that the fear of getting sick may still prevent people from working or consuming goods. However, that fear stems from the states that are typically slow to reopen while states like Florida have reported plenty of business in restaurants and on beaches.Though the type of college and economic considerations influence campus reopening, the data show that the partisan leanings of a state weigh heavily on the decisions made on campus.Kathryn Goodwin is a Martin Center intern and a junior studying political science at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Assam Police urged people to follow social distancing guidelines amid the coronavirus pandemic by using Shah Rukh Khan's dialogue from Baazigar (1993), with a twist.

"Social Distancing can save lives. Or as @iamsrk would say, 'Kabhi kabhi paas aaane ke liye kuch door jaana padta hai, aur door jakar paas aane walon ko Baazigar kehte hai (sic). Stay Six feet apart and be a Baazigar!'" tweeted the official Assam Police handle with a morphed picture of SRK doing his iconic hands open pose as he wears a breathing mask.

Take a look.

Social Distancing can save lives. Or as @iamsrk would say, "Kabhi kabhi paas aaane ke liye kuch door jaana padta hai, aur door jakar paas aane walon ko Baazigar kehte hai."Stay Six feet apart and be a Baazigar! #SocialDistancing #IndiaFightsCorona pic.twitter.com/m7PLnZRgJW Assam Police (@assampolice) July 18, 2020

Meanwhile, by Friday, the flood situation in Assam continued to remain grim, as five more deaths were reported, taking the death toll due to the monsoon deluge to 76, while around 36 lakh people in 28 of the state's 33 districts have been affected. The floodwater has inundated 2,678 villages, and 116,404 hectares of crop area.

The district administrations have set up 711 relief camps and distribution centres in 28 districts, where around 51,500 men, women and children have taken shelter.

Districts of Dhubri, Goalpara, Barpeta, Morigaon, Dhemaji, Lakhimpur, Darrang, Nalbari, Kamrup (Rural), Nagaon, Golaghat are the worst-hit. Around 19.8 lakh domesticated animals and over 13 lakh poultry birds were affected due to floodwater.

The National Disaster Response Force and State Disaster Response Force personnel, along with the local administration, are continuously working to rescue affected people and render relief services, including distribution of necessary material to the marooned villagers.

(With inputs from IANS)
IFC, a member of the World Bank Group Friday, announced a $12 million loan to Rider Iron and Steel Ghana Limited.

The facility is to support the company's construction of a steel manufacturing plant that will increase Ghana's domestic steel production, creating thousands of direct and indirect jobs.

IFC's loan will support the construction of the plant in Kumasi, Ghana's second-biggest city.

When completed in 2021, the factory will produce roughly 240,000 tons of steel products annually using mostly locally sourced scrap steel.

The plant will increase Ghana's current production by more than 75 percent.

The plant will create about 450 direct jobs and generate more than 13,000 indirect jobs in the value chain, mostly among individuals and micro-enterprises engaged in scrap collection.

Rider Steel Director, Walid Al Alami, said, This capital injection from IFC is a game-changer, not just for Rider Steel, but for the industry and Ghana. The loan will propel us to help meet domestic demand and support many other businesses along the way.

Ronke Ogunsulire, IFC Country Manager for Ghana, said, We are pleased to support Rider Steel, and contribute to job creation, local skills development, and economic growth in Ghana, especially at a time when the global economy is facing serious challenges.

The new plant will operate with an energy-efficient induction furnace and will use steel scrap as the main ingredient, reducing its carbon footprint compared to steel made from iron ore.

Increased domestic steel production from the new plant will reduce imports and help conserve foreign exchange by approximately $125 million annually at current prices, supporting Ghana's balance of trade.

In the past 10 years, IFC has provided over $4 billion of financing and advisory services in Ghana for agribusiness, education, energy, transport, tourism, and other sectors.




HUNDREDS of people in Waterfalls have been left homeless after Harare City Council demolished houses built on land reserved for the planned Harare-Chitungwiza railway line.





The exercise started last week and more demolitions are looming as council is seeking a court order to raze houses within the range of the railway corridor.





Construction of the railway line was mooted in 1986. The railway line is supposed to run parallel to Seke Road from Chitungwiza right into Harares central business district.





Scores of affected residents in area between Mainway Meadows phase 1 and phase 2 were on Friday counting their losses with some gathering bricks and other building materials that had not been damaged during the demolition.





Harare City Council spokesperson Mr Michael Chideme said the demolitions were carried out on developments that were illegally constructed along the Harare-Chitungwiza railway reserve.





Those who built houses within the railway reservation will be removed through a court order since there are already people residing in the houses, he said.





The people in the surrounding area were happy and encouraged the city to evict all the illegal settlers. The land is a reservation hence the settlers could not have bought the stands legally.





One of the affected residents and a mother of four who only identified herself as Mai Tinotenda said they were allocated the stands by land barons.

We were allocated the stands sometime last year. The politicians we paid promised to regularise our houses, but we were shocked to see a council bulldozer demolishing our houses and we were told the land was reserved for a railway line, she said.





In Chitungwiza, private land developers have started pegging and servicing stands on a piece of land adjacent to Chikwanha shopping centre, which has been reserved for construction of the same railway line.





Zimbabwe National Organisation of Associations and Residents Trust, Mr Shepherd Chikomba said this was devastating to the unsuspecting residents who were allocated the land and defrauded by unscrupulous land barons.




Astria Bankruptcy: Complete Coverage

What losing Regional Medical Center means for our community and the health of our families, how it came to this, and what happens next.
INCIDENTS AND THREATS

Belarus Intensifies Media Crackdown As Protests Erupt Over Elections

Thousands of people across Belarus protested and scuffles broke out with police on July 14 after a top challenger to President Alyaksandr Lukashenka was barred from running in the country's election next month. More than 140 demonstrators and a dozen journalists were detained across the country, among them two from RFE/RL while they were livestreaming the protests from the capital city, Minsk. See Belaruss Bloggers: Do they pose a bigger threat to President Lukashenka than political parties do?

Ex-Journalist Safronov Formally Indicted For High Treason By Russian Investigators

Former Russian military journalist Ivan Safronov, an aide to the chief of Russia's Roscosmos space agency, was indicted for state treason on July 13, a charge that carries a potential 20-year prison sentence. Safronov has pleaded not guilty. His lawyer, Ivan Pavlov, explained to RFE/RLs Current Time network that such cases in the past have targeted spies, politicians, or scientists, but not journalists. Safronov was not shown the evidence against him, which allegedly dates from 2017, when he was working for the daily newspaper Kommersant, Pavlov said. Moscow police on July 13 detained about 20 supporters of Safronov near the Lefortovo detention center, where he is being held. Today, a Moscow court will consider Safronovs appeal against his arrest. Numerous Russian editors, journalists, scholars, and activists have vouched for his behavior and urged for him to be released under their personal guarantees.

Svetlana Prokopyeva Appeals Court-Issued Fine

Lawyers of Pskov-based journalist and contributor to RFE/RLs Russian Service Svetlana Prokopyeva filed an appeal against the verdict of a district military court, which found her guilty on July 3 of justifying terrorism. Prokopyeva was issued a fine of 500,000 rubles (about $6,950) in a case widely criticized by rights monitors as an attack on freedom of speech. (Russian Service) Prokopyeva received the Committee to Protect Journalists International Press Freedom award on July 13. Funds to help Svetlana pay the fine are being raised here.

Russian Lawmakers Give Initial Approval To Expanded 'Extremism" Law Aimed At Crimea

Russia's State Duma has approved in the first reading a bill that punishes anyone questioning Moscows forcible seizure of the Crimean Peninsula. Duma Chairman Vyacheslav Volodin said on July 14 that the bill will ensure that "calls for the violation of Russia's territorial integrity, including calls to alienate parts of its territory, will be considered extremism."

Duma Proposes Fines For Failure To Remove Banned Information From Internet

Russias State Duma committee on Information Policy has introduced amendments to the countrys administrative code proposing fines starting at $700 and reaching $210,599 for failure to remove online information prohibited in Russia. The draft does not clarify the information in question. Higher fines are proposed for failure to remove information relating to extremism, child pornography, or how to purchase, manufacture, or use drugs. (in Russian, Current Time TV)

Ukraine Urged To Protect Journalist Threatened Over Her Reporting

Human Rights Watch is urging Ukraine's authorities to investigate death threats against Kateryna Sergatskova, a local independent journalist who has written about the alleged influence of far-right groups on the fact-checking website StopFake.org.

Kyiv Court Eases Pretrial Restrictions For Suspect In Killing Of Journalist Pavel Sheremet

A Kyiv court has eased pretrial restrictions for one of the suspects in the high-profile 2016 killing of journalist Pavel Sheremet in the Ukrainian capital. The Kyiv Court of Appeals on July 13 agreed to lift curfew restrictions for military paramedic Yana Duhar. Who are the five suspects in Sheremets murder?

Tajikistan, Azerbaijan, Block Reappointment Of OSCE Media Freedom Official Harlem Dezir

Tajikistan has objected to extending the mandate of OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Harlem Desir. Desir has recently criticized the Tajik governments refusal to accredit journalists with RFE/RLs Tajik Service and its attacks on other independent media inside the country. A source inside the OSCE told RFE/RL that the government had recently complained in a letter that, while professing to promote media freedom, the organization supports media that provide a platform for terrorists and extremists. Azerbaijan and Turkey have also objected to Desirs reappointment. Twenty-nine press freedom organizations signed a letter on July 9 expressing support for Desirs reappointment. Renewing his position for another three years requires the unanimous support of the OSCEs 57 member states. (in Russian, Tajik Service)

Tajik President Signs Amendments On Fake News

Tajik President Emomali Pahmon on July 4 signed new amendments to the administrative code establishing fines for disseminating false information about the coronavirus pandemic as well as not wearing face masks. Rights activists and media watchdogs have criticized the measures, warning they could be used to prosecute activists and independent journalists. Read: Tajik Prosecutors Summon Journalists Family After His Coverage Of Coronavirus . (in Russian, Tajik Service)

Iranian Journalist Sentenced To Death For Role In Protests

Ruhollah Zam, an Iranian opposition journalist and activist whose online work helped inspire nationwide economic protests in 2017, has been sentenced to death for his actions following what Reporters Without Borders called a grossly unfair trial. A judiciary spokesperson said on June 30 that the countrys Revolutionary Court judged the 13 charges against Zam to be the equivalent of the charge of spreading corruption on earth and therefore passed the death sentence.

INFOGRAPHIC: Srebrenica Anniversary
Noe Albano Wong, then-Philippine ambassador to Korea, speaks with The Korea Times at the embassy in Yongsan-gu, Seoul, in September 2019. / Korea Times photo by Choi Won-suk



By Yi Whan-woo



The Philippine Embassy in Korea is suspected of having tried to cover up allegations of sexual harassment against former ambassador Noe Albano Wong.



A former military and police officer, Wong officially began his term in Seoul in August 2019 but tendered his resignation in March, fueling speculation about the reason.



Charge d'affaires Christian L. De Jesus has headed the embassy since Wong's departure.



The embassy has claimed for months that Wong, 69, was "sick and not feeling well" before his resignation, implicitly attributing health problems to his short-lived ambassadorship.



On Friday, Seoul-based broadcaster SBS, without disclosing his name, reported he quit after a complaint was filed with police that he allegedly sexually harassed a Korean woman in December.



The allegations claim he hugged the woman from behind without her consent.



Also on Friday, Yonhap News Agency said Interpol has included Wong on in its Red Notice list in accordance with the National Police Agency's request and asked member states to help find and arrest him.



Asked by The Korea Times on Sunday about the allegations against Wong, the embassy said in an email that it received a complaint about sexual harassment against him in February when he was in Manila on official business.



The embassy said the complaint was "immediately referred" to the Philippines Department of Foreign Affairs, which ordered the Committee on Decorum and Investigation (CODI) to look into the allegations.



Wong subsequently resigned on March 16.



The complainant and Wong cooperated with the investigating committee, according to the diplomatic mission.



"The department is committed to ensuring that justice is rendered in this case," the embassy said. "It also remains committed in cultivating and preserving a work environment where all personnel are treated with respect and dignity, and free from harassment of any kind."



Still, the embassy did not clarify whether Wong's health was really the reason for his resignation or whether it was an attempt to cover up the allegations.



Some diplomatic sources said Wong would no longer be entitled to diplomatic immunity.



But the sources remained skeptical over whether the Philippine police, due to the sensitivity of the issue, would hand over Wong to Korea even if the allegations were found to be true.



Wong took office in 2019 as the two countries were enjoying a deepening friendship, including the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations and a milestone of Korean tourist arrivals in the Philippines.


Austin, Texas

Spc. Vanessa Guillen's family again called for a congressional investigation into the U.S. Army's handling of the slain soldier's disappearance Friday as her 3rd Cavalry Regiment gathered in memory of the soldier who authorities say was killed by one of their own.

The 20-year-old soldier's mother, Gloria Guillen, wept Friday as she knelt inside the Spirit of Fort Hood Chapel, where her daughter's boots, helmet, weapon and military photograph were displayed.

Several hundred military service members stood behind the Guillen family as they comforted their matriarch. Guillen received full military honors during the service.

The memorial was the family's first trip back to Killeen since the soldier's remains were discovered near the Leon River in Bell County on June 30.

The Guillen family, which is from Houston, lived in Killeen for nearly three months while searching for Vanessa Guillen after she was last seen on April 22.

The family members garnered national attention as they held protests outside the post in Killeen and in Houston and Washington, D.C., demanding answers from Army investigators.

Spc. Aaron David Robinson, who officials say killed himself on July 1, was accused of beating Guillen to death with a hammer while they worked together in an armory room the day she disappeared.

Authorities have also accused Robinson's 22-year-old girlfriend, Cecily Aguilar of Killeen, of helping Robinson dismember, burn and bury Guillen's body about 20 miles away from the post.

On Friday, the Fort Hood chapel fell silent as Army officials called out Vanessa Guillen's name three times during her final roll call.

The silence was broken only by tears and the sounds of the ceremonial weapons firing in her honor.

Lt. Col. Edward Gavin addressed the crowd at the start of the hour-long memorial, saying Guillen's death left service members with feelings of anger, depression, anxiety, fear, frustration and sadness.

Special Investigation 147 NY dams are 'unsound,' potentially dangerous Thousands of dams have not been inspected in over 20 years.

"This is difficult to discuss because the tragedy of her loss has forever changed our squadron and it has forever changed her family," Gavin said. "And we have so many questions, some of which may never be answered."

Following Friday's memorial, Army officials escorted the family to the armory room where they say Guillen was killed.

The soldier's mother and priest prayed a blessing over the room as they anointed it with holy water.

The family then traveled to an off-post mural of Vanessa Guillen, where 16-year-old Lupe Guillen again called for a congressional investigation into her sister's death.

"Today we went to a memorial for my sister Spc. Vanessa Guillen," she said. "They all expressed their condolences, but I said words are nothing. Actions speak louder than words. So if you want to take action, demand a congressional investigation as well.

"I'm not going to stop," she said. "I'm not going to be silent because God gave me a voice. God gave me a brain and I'm using it as well. We're all children of God, so use your voice to speak up for Spc. Vanessa Guillen."
Israeli Media Reports Claim Huge Explosion Occurred at Iranian Oil Pipeline

Sputnik News

18:57 GMT 18.07.2020(updated 19:03 GMT 18.07.2020)

At the beginning of July, an explosion occurred at the country's Natanz nuclear facility, which an anonymous Middle Eastern intelligence official blamed on Israel. In an interview with The New York Times, the man claimed that Tel Aviv had planted a powerful bomb at the site.

A powerful explosion has occurred at an oil pipeline in Iran's Khuzestan province, Israeli media reported. Footage of a huge blaze was posted on social media. However, there has been no confirmation from Iranian officials of the incident.

The development comes two days after a US official told CNN that there were indications that Tehran had placed portions of its air defence system on "high alert" following explosions that occurred at the Natanz nuclear facility on 2 July and a blast at the Parchin military complex on 26 June. Iranian officials said that the two explosions did not result in significant damages, with the nuclear reactor at Natanz continuing to operate as usual, and noted that no people were injured in the incidents.

Iran has said that it has determined the cause of the blast at Natanz and that it would be announced "at a proper time", with the Islamic Republic indirectly pointing the blame at Israel and the United States.

A Sputnik

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Thousands of visitors, including many foreigners, gathered at a famous beach in Hoi An City, located in the central Vietnamese province of Quang Nam, for a food and music festival on Saturday.

The 2020 An Bang Beach Food & Music Festival was organized at the namesake beach in Cam An Ward, Hoi An City by the Quang Nam Chef Association, in coordination with 21 local restaurants.

The number of participants was three times higher than expected, according to organizers.

Visitors participate in the 2020 An Bang Beach Food & Music Festival at the namesake beach in Hoi An City, Quang Nam Province, Vietnam, July 18, 2020. Photo: B.D. / Tuoi Tre

We expected only 1,000 visitors, but the real number was around 2,500-3,000. This showed that the festival was a big success, said Le Ngoc Thuan, owner of Shore Club An Bang Restaurant and a member of the organizing board.

Many of the participants were foreigners living in Hoi An and the central city of Da Nang.

At the event, visitors had a chance to taste delicious foods cooked by 21 leading chefs and enjoy live music while having a relaxing time on the beach.

Visitors have a chat while enjoying food at the 2020 An Bang Beach Food & Music Festival in Hoi An City, Quang Nam Province, Vietnam, July 18, 2020. Photo: B.D. / Tuoi Tre

The festival helped attract a large number of visitors to An Bang Beach and Hoi An City in general, especially after the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) epidemic.

The first edition of the An Bang Beach Food & Music Festival was held in 2019.

It will continue to be organized annually in the future as part of many events aimed at boosting local tourism.

A woman receives food cooked by a chef at the 2020 An Bang Beach Food & Music Festival in Hoi An City, Quang Nam Province, Vietnam, July 18, 2020. Photo: B.D. / Tuoi Tre

Visitors buy tickets to exchange for various dishes at the 2020 An Bang Beach Food & Music Festival in Hoi An City, Quang Nam Province, Vietnam, July 18, 2020. Photo: B.D. / Tuoi Tre

Visitors enjoy food and music on the beach at the 2020 An Bang Beach Food & Music Festival in Hoi An City, Quang Nam Province, Vietnam, July 18, 2020. Photo: B.D. / Tuoi Tre

A band perform at the 2020 An Bang Beach Food & Music Festival in Hoi An City, Quang Nam Province, Vietnam, July 18, 2020. Photo: B.D. / Tuoi Tre

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SPRINGFIELD  A home was badly damaged and two firefighters were injured in a blaze in the Brightwood section of the city.

The fire was reported at about 11 p.m. at 558 Plainfield St. When firefighters arrived flames were visible on the second floor of the home and quickly spread to the roof, Fire Capt. Drew Piemonte said.

The residents escaped from the fire but two firefighters were injured while fighting the blaze, he said.

Piemonte did not say how many people were displaced.

The fire is believed to have started on the second floor and went to two alarms. The cause is being investigated by the departments Arson and Bomb Squad, he said.

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Police in Pakistan have arrested four people in connection with the destruction of a third-century life-sized Buddha statue.

Four people were detained on Saturday under antiquities law for allegedly destroying the centuries-old statue, police in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the northwestern province of Pakistan, told The Independent.

The rare idol was discovered during construction work in a village near Takht-i-Bahi, known around the world for being the main cradle of the Buddhist civilisation. According to initial reports, the contractor and his three labourers destroyed the statue at the behest of local religious leader.

However, a local police official told The Independent at this moment it is not clear why and on whose directives the four accused destroyed the statue.

The group were arrested after their video, in which they could be seen hammering a statue to pieces, went viral on social media.

Abdul Samad, the provincial director of archaeology, told The Independent the labourers were doing construction work when they discovered the statue.

Instead of informing the archaeology department that they have found a life-sized Buddha statue, they destroyed it and made video, Mr Samad said.

He said that the police have also taken the pieces of the statue into possession. It was a 1,700 years old Buddha statue. Police have cordoned off the area and we will soon conduct survey whether there are more antiquities in the village or not.

However, he denied that the four accused hammered the rare statue to pieces on the directives of a local religious leader.

In the video, the people could be heard discussing the statue while it was being destroyed.

One person says: Look its a standing doll  look its a female and we just broke the thighs. Look this is her belly button  its not clean. This is the shirt  you know shirts which are long and hanging.

Another man asks: Is this of a Hindu or a westerner?

A man standing next to him replies: Hindu  this is Gautam Buddha. Then the four men congratulate each other.

Mr Abdul Samad said the village where the destruction took place is not too far from Takht-i-Bahi. Takht-i-Bahi is the most popular tourist destination in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa where a large number of people from Sri Lanka, Korea and Japan come every year.
MEXICO CITY  Mexico has registered 736 more COVID-19 deaths and 7,257 more confirmed cases of coronavirus infections.

Mexico now has more than 35,000 deaths from the pandemic, the fourth highest total in the world. It also has recorded over 324,000 cases, somewhere around the seventh-highest level.

The Health Department said Friday that hospitals in the Gulf coast state of Tabasco are now at 85% capacity and there is crowding in hospitals in the northern border state of Nuevo Leon.

President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador says he is concerned about the situation in Tabasco, where he was born. He says a state hospital there will be expanded to handle more patients.

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HERES WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE VIRUS OUTBREAK:

 Atlanta mayor questions timing of Gov. Kemp lawsuit.

 Nearly 10,000 African health workers had virus.

 British PM Johnson moves to ease virus restrictions.

 WHO says larger inquiry team to arrive later in China.

 The launch of NASAs successor to the Hubble Space Telescope faces seven more months of launch delay, this time because of the pandemic and technical issues.

 Plans for the weeklong celebration of rock n roll icon Elvis Presley on the 43rd anniversary of his death will be a combination of in-person and online events at Graceland next month.

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Follow all of APs pandemic coverage at http://apnews.com/VirusOutbreak and https://apnews.com/UnderstandingtheOutbreak

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HERES WHAT ELSE IS HAPPENING:

BEIJING  The number of confirmed cases in a new COVID-19 outbreak in Chinas far west has risen to 17.

The National Health Commission said Saturday that 16 more cases were identified Friday in the Xinjiang region, on top of a first case the previous day.

The outbreak in the city of Urumqi is the latest to pop up since China largely contained the domestic spread of the virus in March. The largest was a recent outbreak in Beijing that infected more than 330 people.

Chinese media say authorities in Urumqi have reduced subway, bus and taxi service and closed off some residential communities. They also placed restrictions on people leaving the city.

Story continues

China has been accused of human rights abuses in Xinjiang, the homeland of the largely Muslim Uighur ethnic community. The region has long been blanketed with extreme security, which China says is necessary to prevent terrorist activity.

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SEOUL, South Korea -- Authorities in South Korea say most of the country's new coronavirus cases are coming from abroad.

The officials have expressed optimism that the recent resurgence of infections is being brought under control. They say imported cases are less threatening than local transmissions because South Korea is mandating testing and enforcing two-week quarantines on all people arriving from other nations.

South Koreas Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Saturday that at least 28 of 39 newly confirmed cases were tied to people arriving from abroad. It says 18 others involved local transmission in the densely populated Seoul area, which was at the center of the virus resurgence that began in late May as people increased economic and social activities.

In all, South Korea has reported 13,711 confirmed cases during the pandemic, including 294 deaths.

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CANBERRA, Australia  Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison is moving to cancel the next two-week sitting of parliament because of the recent spread of the coronavirus in parts of the country.

Parliament has been scheduled to meet Aug. 4-13 and then sit again for a two-week session starting Aug. 24.

Morrison said Saturday that he has written to the parliamentary speaker asking for a cancellation, but the request is considered only a formality.

In a statement, the prime minister says acting Chief Medical Officer Paul Kelly has advised that there would be significant risks in holding a meeting of parliament due to increased community transmission of the coronavirus in Victoria state as well as trends in New South Wales.

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AUSTIN, Texas  The deadliest month of the pandemic in Texas continues, with state officials reporting 174 new deaths, the most in one day since the coronavirus outbreak began.

Texas also reported more than 10,000 confirmed new cases Friday for the fourth consecutive day. The rate of positive cases also climbed above 17% for the first time.

Officials on the Texas-Mexico border, which has been especially hard hit, say hotels could be converted into medical units as early as next week.

The grim markers were announced hours after Texas gave public schools permission to keep campuses closed for more than 5 million students well into the fall. Nearly a third of the more than 3,700 coronavirus deaths in Texas have come in July.

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SACRAMENTO, Calif -- California has recorded its third-highest daily total of new coronavirus cases, two days after reporting its second most cases in a day.

The state reported nearly 10,000 new cases and 130 deaths Friday, during a week of seesawing positive case figures that ranged from 7,346 to as high as 11,126 on Wednesday.

The daily positive test rate went down a bit, to 7.1% over the past seven days, compared to 7.4% for the past 14 days. California tested more than 120,000 people a day during most of the past week.

Gov. Gavin Newsom announced strict criteria Friday for school reopenings that make it unlikely the vast majority of districts can return to classroom instruction in the fall.

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CHICAGO  Most Chicago children would return to the classroom two days a week and spend the other three days learning remotely once the school year begins, under a tentative plan outlined Friday.

Chicago Public Schools officials called the hybrid approach a preliminary framework and asked parents, students and staff of nations third-largest school district to weigh in.

A final decision about in-person instruction for fall classes wont come until late August, with classes set to begin Sept. 8.

We have to be ready for any possibility, Mayor Lori Lightfoot said. COVID-19 has been unpredictable from the start and we have a responsibility to be prepared for what the public health indicators dictate, whether that means remote learning, in-person learning or something in between.

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VAN METER, Iowa  Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds says she will require students to spend at least half of their schooling in classrooms despite the threat to teachers, students an their families from the surge in coronavirus cases in the state.

Reynolds proclamation Friday drew immediate criticism from the state teachers union, which called it short-sighted for unnecessarily exposing students and school employees to a health risk.

Her order made an exception for parents who want their children to shift completely to remote learning. it also said accommodations must also be made for any student to learn remotely if they, a caregiver, or a person they live with has a health condition that would increase their risk of COVID-19.

Reynolds decision will invalidate plans implemented by some districts, including the states largest, Des Moines, which planned to limit in-person classes to one day a week for most students, with online learning on other days.

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COLUMBIA, S.C. -- Some hospital officials in South Carolina say the state is just weeks away from a COVID-19 medical crisis unless a six-week long spike of cases in the state slows down.

The number of patients hospitalized with COVID-19 is increasing rapidly, while nurses and other workers are being infected by rising cases when they are off work, said Dr. Wendell James, a senior vice president with Prisma Health based in Greenville.

James says Greenville hospitals can handle the surge unabated for only about two more weeks.

South Carolina had 1,578 people hospitalized with the virus Thursday, nearly 1,000 more than a month ago, health officials said.

The state has been in the top four in the nation for new cases when adjusted by population for most of the past month.

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PHOENIX  The largest health system in Arizona announced it will add about 1,000 out-of-state nurses and respiratory therapists to its workforce to help with the coronavirus pandemic.

Banner Health Chief Human Resources Officer Naomi Cramer says the company will add 980 new workers, about twice the amount added during a busy flu season, because more care is needed for patients with COVID-19.

The nurses and respiratory therapists are traveling health care workers who will take assignments across the country. The Arizona Republic reported that Banner Health has also hired 49 physicians and expects to hire 20 more to help with demand resulting from the pandemic.

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ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. -- Hundreds of people gathered in downtown Albuquerque to protest the governors handling of the coronavirus pandemic, calling it an infringement of their rights and freedoms.

KOB-TV reported the Protest for Freedom demonstration at the Civic Plaza on Thursday included members of Cowboys for Trump, the New Mexico Civil Guard, business owners and religious leaders.

Big government telling us we cant sit in a restaurant, but we can sit outside or we can crowd into Walmart, Scott Chandler said. None of it makes sense.

Chandler is running for a seat on the state House of Representatives to represent District 32, which covers Chaves, Eddy and Otero counties.

The protest was about 2 hours and remained peaceful.

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ST. PETERSBURG, Florida -- Republican state Rep. Anthony Sabatini filed a lawsuit against Pinellas County for its mask ordinance.

About 100 people in support of Sabatinis stance rallied in front of the Pinellas County Courthouse when he filed the lawsuit Friday. Many held signs saying, No mask - I have an immune system, and mandatory masks are unconstitutional.

On June 23, the Pinellas County Commissioners voted 6-1 to require people to wear face coverings at indoor establishments to help stop the spread of the virus.

Sabatini, a lawyer who lives in the Orlando area, has sued Hillsborough County over a similar ordinance.

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LONDON  The World Health Organizations emergencies chief says Brazil has an opportunity to take control of the coronavirus outbreak in the country.

Dr. Michael Ryan says officials are no longer recording the explosive growth of cases in April and May and numbers appeared to have plateaued. However, he cautioned that stopping the epidemic would still require major interventions.

Whats not happening yet is that the disease is not heading down the mountain, he said. Brazil is still very much in the middle of this fight. He adds about 11% of all cases involved health workers.

Ryan says the lack of exponential growth offered Brazilian authorities a chance to reverse the trend of previous months.

We need to set the rules for the virus now, he said. That opportunity exists now for Brazil to do that, but it is going to take a very sustained, concerted action for that to happen.

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FRANKFORT, Ky.  A Kentucky judge signaled hell sign an order blocking all of Gov. Andy Beshears emergency orders stemming from the coronavirus outbreak.

Republican Attorney General Daniel Cameron says a judge in Boone County indicated hell require the Democratic governor to follow the legal process when taking executive actions.

Cameron says in a social media post that the ruling wouldnt hamper the ability of public health officials to ensure the safety and well-being of Kentuckians.

Beshears office acknowledged Friday it was anticipating a court order that would void all of the orders the governor has issued to keep us safe.

We are awaiting a written order and will be ready to take further action, said Crystal Staley, the governors spokeswoman. The lives of many Kentuckians are on the line.
LMek Bitul holds up a sign that reads "This is the tipping point!" during a George Floyd protest outside City Hall in downtown L.A. last month. The recent uprisings have prompted the L.A. County Board of Supervisors to consider a motion about antiracism policy next week. (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)

The antiracism movement in Los Angeles County is moving from protest marches to the halls of power.

On Tuesday, the L.A. County Board of Supervisors is slated to begin debate over a proposal aimed at strengthening county efforts to address racial inequality.

Introduced by the county's lone Black supervisor, Mark Ridley-Thomas, and inspired by the protests over the Minneapolis police killing of George Floyd, the measure would attempt to shape the county bureaucracy around potentially holding county officials accountable if they fail to uphold more aggressive antiracist policies.

If passed, Los Angeles County would become the 24th county in the country since last year to declare racism a matter of public health, according to the National Assn. of Counties.

I'm hoping this will cause people to be more serious about the very demeaning and disenfranchising effects of institutionalized racism and its intergenerational impacts," Ridley-Thomas said in an interview with The Times.

A term that only recently exploded into the public consciousness, especially among white people, antiracism is defined by Ridley-Thomas with a reference to Ibram X. Kendi's 2019 book, "How to Be an Antiracist": "Any measure that produces or sustains racial equity between racial groups."

Applying that definition to public policy will be up for debate in coming weeks.

The proposal would create an antiracist framework within the vast bureaucracy of the nation's most populous county, from healthcare to law enforcement, to ensure that all policies address inequities faced by Black residents. Department heads would be evaluated on their efforts to meet at least one goal of the antiracist policy agenda. The county would also be graded annually through an annual report on the state of Black people in the county, written by a university or research institute.

The measure is likely to stir some skepticism that it doesn't go far enough. It does not specifically mention defunding any law enforcement entity, which is of overriding importance to some activists. Other activists question any measure that doesn't come with significant funding.

Story continues

Earl Ofari Hutchinson, an author, political analyst and longtime L.A. civil rights activist, says he would be skeptical of any measure that is long on talk but short on dollars.

"If the supervisors really mean business about dismantling systemic racism," he said, "they will set up a broad-based racial truth and reconciliation commission of Black community leaders and activists tasked with not just spotting the areas of attack against systemic racism but also with the power to allocate resources, write policies, and overhaul all county structures that perpetuate systemic racism.".

The measure could be greeted with some confusion, based on the experience in Milwaukee County, which is believed to be the first county to declare racism a public health issue.

"Everybody was like, 'Oh, good  what does this mean?'" Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley said.

Crowley, the first Black person elected to his position, said the declaration, enacted last spring, led the county to include addressing racism in its strategic plan, and implement a racial equity budgeting tool that every department head will use when putting together their 2021 budgets.

Although the city of Milwaukee, where much of the state's Black population lives, was quick to embrace the county's directive last year, the surrounding suburbs, which are predominantly white, realized action was needed only after Floyd's killing and the protests that followed.

"It has forced some people to wake up and say, 'You know what? We need to tackle these issues, even though we may not have a huge population of people of color,'" Crowley said of the suburbs. "When you think about this whole region, Milwaukee County needs to be a leader in how we build back better post-pandemic."

In Los Angeles County, whose leaders regularly celebrate the region's diversity and progressive politics, carrying out the public health declaration will need to be intentional and thoughtful, experts and activists say.

"When I first moved to L.A., I recall white colleagues clarifying my own experience of L.A. by telling me, basically its not racist, that in fact the South where I had come from was more racist, and that in L.A., for a variety of reasons that actually now sound rather superficial  'We have great food from diverse communities!'  therefore were not racist," said Chandra Ford, founding director of the Center for the Study of Racism, Social Justice & Health at UCLA.

Ford said L.A. County's antiracist policy agenda must address the specific ways that racism operates "in a so-called liberal context" that, for example, loves Black culture but not Black people.

"Someone may say theyve read about racism, they've studied racism, so therefore the experiences of people who have actually lived it dont matter quite as much, that they can speak on behalf of people who have lived racism," Ford said.

In recent weeks, activists with Black Lives Matter and other organizations in the JusticeLA Coalition have called for the Board of Supervisors to defund the L.A. County Sheriff's Department and move that money into financing mental health, homelessness and community programs.

The motion does not specifically mention defunding any law enforcement entity. Some argue that to be antiracist, that proposal is key.

Melina Abdullah, co-founder of Black Lives Matter Los Angeles, said there is no way to reform a sheriff's department and also create the transformative change that would come with a genuine antiracist policy agenda.

County leaders must be willing to ask questions such as "Why are so many Black children in the county's child welfare system?" she said.

If the Department of Mental Health, for example, sees that Black people aren't accessing services at rates comparable to white people and Latinos, its leaders should ask what racist policies are creating that disparity, Abdullah said.

"They dont ask 'What are we doing wrong?' They are saying, 'Why arent they taking advantage?' You need to flip that question and ask, 'What are we doing wrong?'" Abdullah said.

She said the measure's effectiveness will be dependent on the commitment of leaders.

"You cant have an antiracist policy agenda and still have the largest jail system in the world, so I know they voted to close down Men's Central Jail, but thats not enough," Abdullah added. "So what else is going to be ushered in thats bold and transformative? And who are the people involved?"
KYODO NEWS - Jul 18, 2020 - 23:38 | Coronavirus, Japan, All

Japan is having second thoughts about relaxing the current restrictions on the number of spectators allowed to enter sporting and other major events, a senior government official said Saturday.

"We need to think about this carefully," Yasutoshi Nishimura, economy minister in charge of Japan's measures against the spread of the coronavirus, said at a press conference, referring to the government's initial plan to further ease the restrictions next month.

His comment came amid a recent surge in the number of infections in Tokyo and elsewhere, after the government fully ended a nationwide state of emergency in late May.

On July 10, Japan relaxed its guidance for spectators at sporting, concert and other events to a maximum of 5,000 from the previous 1,000, while the capacity at indoor venues must be kept at 50 percent or below the usual level.

The government had initially planned to scrap the limits as early as Aug. 1.

Nishimura voiced concern over an increasing number of infections with unknown routes.

On Saturday, the Tokyo metropolitan government confirmed 290 new cases of the virus, following a single-day record of 293 the previous day. Across Japan, more than 660 new infections, the most since April 11, were confirmed, according to a Kyodo News tally based on information provided by authorities across the country.

The government will hold a subcommittee meeting in the near future to discuss the pros and cons of easing the crowd limits.
New Delhi, July 19 : Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Sunday slammed the Uttar Pradesh government again over what she dubbed as its "mismanagement" of the coronavirus crisis even as the number of corona cases in the state rose to 47,036.

"CM saheb and his officers are saying that there are beds and everything is alright in the fight against COVID. But reports say something else -- that the government preparations are inadequate; and to hide their failures, they have adopted a policy of putting a veil on it.

"Patients are worried, health workers are worried, and the head of the government says that it's the weakest virus of the century and is running away from responsibility," the Congress leader remarked.

She asked people to just have a look at the condition of hospitals in Bareilly to understand what all she was saying.
FRANKLY MY DEARS

Its very sad but kind of amusing to read all the comments by people who are raging about the removal of monuments to traitors and the mobilization for racial justice. Those voices and columnists like Christine Flowers and Chris Freind dont realize how ridiculous they sound as they howl in the wilderness to mourn a vanishing world of white privilege and racism. Their time has come and gone  with the wind, one might say.

RHETT

BULLY TACTICS

I am watching and listening to the destruction of this country by bullying tactics. One recent example is Howard Eskin. He had Randall Cunningham on his show today, both men I highly respect. During the interview Cunningham spoke of his career and his life during which he praised Donald Trump what a good person he was to him. Afterwards Eskin saw fit to say that was before and no matter what was said hed probably offend somebody. If it was Biden he wouldnt of had to make that statement. Why cant people say nice things about Trump if it was true? I fear that even Eskin is being bullied a man who I thought could never be bullied.

POTA

WHOS RUNNING THIS SHOW?

I just read the article about the City of Chester being in receivership. I fear Upper Darby Township is headed that way. The mayor has fired or laid off long-time employees who knew what they were doing and hired people who dont have a stake in Upper Darby because they dont live here. She wants more diversity but diversity at the expense of experience and tenure is not the answer. I wonder whos actually in charge, the mayor or the CAO.

ONE-WAY TICKET

I propose that Gov. Chickencrap start a Go Fund Me Page to raise the money to move Mr. or Ms. Chickenbrain and immediate family down to Georgia. There, they can be free of any restrictions or business closings of any kind because that state has a really smart Republican governor. Best of luck to em. Id even contribute five bucks to help send them along on their way. The one provision would be that they would have to agree never to return to Pennsylvania, not even for a visit.

JB

BILLIONAIRES CLUB

Are the majority of the New York City voters satisfied with Mayor DiBlasio? He wants to defund the citys police department of $ 1,000,000,000? And replace some of them with social workers? These police men & women who have placed their lives on the line in protecting their fellow citizens deserve respect and encouragement; not furloughs. In 2020, crime is only up 61 percent over 2019.

RIDDLEWOOD KEN

GOOD LUCK WITH THAT

Yes, this is in response to Advice for the Cops in Fridays Sound Off. I agree with you on a lot of a lot of issues but let me ask you one thing. Have you ever been in a position where someone is coming at you with a knife and theyre lunging at you. You want to aim at the persons legs if hes running at you with a knife? Dude, good luck on hitting his legs. And you know what? I can tell you that from being a combat veteran and I support our police, get rid of the bad ones, but keep the good ones and those cops are supposed to come home safe and sound.

OLD TOWN

I would like to comment to the Tinicum Rat about the Meadows. I grew up in the Meadows and my husband was a paperboy there 65 years ago. We went to St. Marys Church and got married there 64 years ago. We had many reunions at the old Ramada Inn every five years run by Pat Messina. When Pat died there were no more reunions. There is a room in the hotel with the sign over the door that reads Meadows Room.

THE PAPERBOYS WIFE OF 64 YEARS

RAIN ON OUR PARADE

Id like to know that theyre canceling all these parades and everything. Are they going to cancel the Democrat and Republican conventions? And they are a lot earlier than the Mummers parade.
Published on 2020/07/19 | Source

Korea's Yoo Myung-hee, a veteran negotiator in international trade talks, will make a speech in support of her candidacy for director-general of the World Trade Organization on Thursday.

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All candidates for the WTO leadership are giving their speeches at its headquarters in Geneva this week in the order they applied. The contenders from Mexico, Nigeria and Egypt spoke on Wednesday, and more follow on Friday.

The WTO hopes to hold the election no later than mid-November.
Heavy rainfall in Delhi-NCR on Sunday (July 19) morning brought much-needed respite to people living in Delhi but heavy showers also led to waterlogging on several roads of the national capital.

The body of an auto driver was found near waterlogged Minto Bridge in New Delhi on Sunday (July 19) morning. The auto driver identified as Kundan died by drowning under the waterlogged Minto Bridge

Kundan's body was retrieved by a trackman working at New Delhi yard. Trackman Ramniwas Meena told ANI, "I spotted the body while I was on duty at the tracks. I came down, swam & retrieved it. The body was floating in front of a bus."

Kundan, 56, belonged to Pithoragarh in Uttarakhand. He was living at Shankar Market in Delhi. According to police, Kundan was driving from New Delhi Railway station towards Connaught Place and he tried to manoeuvre his vehicle through waterlogged underpass,but apparently failed. Police has registered a case in this matter.

As a result of the waterlogging, a Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) bus got stuck under the Minto Road Bridge in New Delhi. The passengers of the bus called Delhi Fire Services for the help and they were later rescued by DFS personnel who used a makeshift bridge to rescue the passengers from the bus.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) said thunderstorm with rain occurred in many places of Delhi and over and adjoining areas of Adampur, Hissar, Hansi, Jind, Gohana, Gannaur, Barut, Rohtak, Sonipat, Bagpat, Gurugram, Noida, Ghaziabad and Faridabad.
DAMASCUS, Syria - Syrians headed to polling stations in government-held parts of the war-torn country on Sunday to elect a new parliament amid strict health measures to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.

The vote is the third to take place in Syria since the conflict began in March 2011. It has killed more than 400,000, displaced half the countrys population and caused more than five million to become refugees, mostly in neighbouring countries.

This years vote follows a new wave of U.S. sanctions that came into effect last month and a campaign to fight corruption that saw a wealthy cousin of President Bashar Assad come under pressure to pay back tens of millions of dollars to the state.

The elections also coincide with Syrias worst economic crisis and a currency crash, which has dragged more of the countys population into poverty

Some 1,656 government-approved candidates are running this year for the 250-seat Peoples Assembly. The total number of eligible voters hasnt been announced.

As in previous elections in Syria, the vote will produce a rubber-stamp body loyal to the president.

No vote was held in the northwestern province of Idlib, the last rebel stronghold in Syria, or in the countrys northeast, which is controlled by U.S.-backed Kurdish-led fighters.

Voting in government-held areas passed without major incidents, but in the rebel-held north, a car bomb late Sunday killed five people and wounded dozens near a border crossing with Turkey, according to Syrian opposition activists and Turkeys state-run news agency.

Inside polling stations, all workers were wearing masks and gloves, and voters had to use their own pens in the sanitized booths. Once their ballots were cast, they had to leave immediately, as no gatherings were allowed inside. People also had to keep a safe distance while waiting for their turn.

Assad and his wife Asma, both wearing masks, voted Sunday morning in Damascus at the Ministry of Presidential Affairs.

Information Minister Imad Sarah said the vote emphasizes the cohesion of the Syrian homeland, that after nine years of war, Syria will not kneel, speaking to reporters after casting his ballot.

Assad has twice postponed the countrys parliamentary elections this year in light of restrictions in place to combat the spread of the coronavirus. Assad himself is not standing for election.

Syria, which had a prewar population of 22 million, has reported 496 coronavirus cases and 25 deaths. However, the actual numbers are likely far higher and increases have been reported in recent days.

Syrias last parliament was elected in April 2016, when large parts of Syria were outside government control and people there did not take part in the polling. Since then, Assads forces have captured much of Syria with the help of his allies Russia and Iran.

The head of the Higher Judicial Committee for the Elections, Judge Samer Zumriq, confirmed on Saturday in a statement to state news agency SANA that more than 7,400 polling stations have been set up in 15 voting districts. They include 1,400 stations where troops and members of the countrys security services will vote.

Polling centres opened at 7 a.m. (0400 GMT) and were scheduled to close 12 hours later. It was extended by four hours until 10 p.m. (1900 GMT) because of high turnout.

Results are expected to be announced the following day.

Some 167 seats are allocated for Assads ruling Arab Socialist Baath Party  guaranteeing it a solid majority  while the rest are allocated for independents, including merchants, businessmen and industrialists.

We hope that the members of the new council would work to improve the living conditions of citizens by enacting new legislation, said Samir Sulaiman, a 50-year-old employee.

This years vote comes as the country is also witnessing harsh economic conditions including a crash in the local currency worsened by U.S. sanctions and an economic crisis in neighbouring Lebanon.

The so-called Caesar Syria Civilian Protection Act envisages sanctions on Syrian troops and others responsible for atrocities committed during Syrias civil war, and also provides funding for war crimes investigations and prosecutions.

Syria calls the sanctions acts of economic terrorism.

Outgoing legislator Mohannad Haj Ali, who is under U.S. and European sanctions, said the country is experiencing a suffocating economic and political siege. He also said Syrian citizens are aware of corruption within state institutions, adding that Assad has started dealing with corruption by tracking down on the corrupt.

Haj Ali did not give any names, but his comments came after Assads maternal cousin Rami Makhlouf, who was once described as central to Syrias economy, has been pleading for Assad to help prevent the collapse of his business.

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Associated Press writer Bassem Mroue contributed to this report from Beirut.
By PTI

NEW DELHI: Ten people were killed after being struck by lightning in Bihar on Sunday and heavy rains inundated low-lying areas in Delhi, with a man drowning while trying to maneuver his truck through a waterlogged underpass.

In Assam, the death toll in flood-related incidents increased to 84 after five more fatalities were reported, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi speaking to Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal on the flood situation in the state.

The total number of people losing their lives in flood and landslides in Assam this year is 110.

While 84 died in flood-related incidents, landslides claimed 26 lives.

Floods have affected over 25 lakh people in 24 of the 33 districts of Assam and has destroyed houses, crops, roads and bridges at several places.

Heavy rains caused waterlogging in parts of the national capital, including at Minto Bridge where a 56-year-old man drowned after his mini-truck was submerged.

According to officials, waterlogging in several areas of the city due to heavy rains affected movement of traffic at key stretches.

The IMD, in its daily bulletin, said fairly widespread rainfall is likely over Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi and Uttar Pradesh during the next three days and rainfall intensity and distribution is very likely to decrease significantly thereafter.

Isolated extremely heavy falls are also very likely over Assam and Meghalaya during the next three days and over Bihar during the next 24 hours, it said.

In Bihar, 10 people were killed in lightning strikes during a thunderstorm in seven districts of the state, officials said.

Three casualties were reported from Purnea, two from Begusarai and one each from Patna, Saharsa, East Champaran, Madhepura and Darbhanga districts, they said.

More than 160 people have died due to lightning strikes in the state in the past three weeks.

In Uttarakhand, swirling waters of the swollen Gori river following heavy rains washed away four houses and large tracts of cultivable land at Chori Bagar village in Bangapani sub division of the district, an official said.

However, there was no casualty as occupants of the houses had been evacuated to safety in advance, he said.

Light to moderate rains accompanied with thunderstorms occurred at a few places in Uttar Pradesh, while isolated places received heavy rains, the MeT department said.

Several places in Himachal Pradesh received light to moderate rainfall in the last 24 hours, with Dharamshala recording the highest amount of rainfall at 67.6 mm, followed by Una (43.4 mm), Sundernagar (38 mm), Palampur (33mm) and Kangra (30 mm), the Shimla MeT Centre Director Manmohan Singh said.

He said 29 mm rain was recorded in Dalhousie, 16.8 mm in Shimla and 4 mm each in Kufri and Manali.

Maximum temperatures hovered around normal levels in most parts of Punjab and Haryana, even as a few areas in both states witnessed rains. In Punjab's Amritsar, the maximum temperature settled at 33.7 degrees Celsius and the city witnessed five mm of rainfall.

The maximum temperature of Ludhiana, which also saw 1.4 mm of rainfall, was recorded at 35.2 degrees Celsius, two degrees above the normal.

Hisar, which received 0.8 mm rainfall, recorded a maximum temperature of 35 degrees Celsius.

According to the IMD, the country has received six per cent more rainfall than normal so far in this monsoon season, but precipitation in parts of north India remains deficient.

The IMD has four meteorological divisions and rainfall has been more than normal in the south peninsula, central India, and east and northeast India divisions.

But the northwest India division, which covers Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Punjab, Delhi and Rajasthan, has recorded a 19 per cent deficiency, it added.
They have been hailed as a solution to our gridlocked cities, but the UKs first trial of electric scooters has got off to a farcical start, The Mail on Sunday can reveal.

Youths flouted the new laws within hours of the powerful machines arriving in Middlesbrough, leading critics to accuse them of being open to abuse.

Our reporter witnessed two masked youths brazenly whizz through the bustling Cleveland Centre indoor shopping mall, forcing pedestrians to jump out of the way.

Youths flouted the new laws within hours of the powerful machines arriving in Middlesbrough, leading critics to accuse them of being open to abuse

Our reporter witnessed two masked youths brazenly whizz through the bustling Cleveland Centre indoor shopping mall, forcing pedestrians to jump out of the way

It was just one of countless disturbing incidents, including scooters being ridden on pavements, without helmets, and at their top speed of 12.5mph. Two youngsters were captured riding pillion, others were seen attempting wheelies while Cleveland Police had to issue a warning after pulling over two boys, aged 13 and 14, on the busy A19 dual carriageway.

It raises serious questions about the scheme because the overwhelming majority of riders were teens and young men apparently seeking a joy ride rather than commuters trying an alternative means of transport.

Personal injury lawyer Peter Kelly said: The scheme is open to abuse and that is demonstrated by what is happening.

The police should crack down on it as soon as possible. The initial rush of kids abusing the scheme is going to have to be stamped on.

The Governments pilot scheme in Middlesbrough means people can now legally rent and ride the e-scooters on roads with a maximum speed limit of 40mph and in cycle lanes in designated areas.

Only people over the age of 18 with a full or provisional driving licence are allowed to hire them and it is recommended that riders wear a helmet.

A fleet of 100 orange and black scooters arrived in the town last week for hire at 2 per 20 minutes  done via a phone app linked to the riders bank account. It is being run by start-up firm Ginger and users are covered by insurance company Zego in the event of an accident.

However, this newspaper has discovered that checks are apparently not being made to confirm users age or identity, opening it up to misuse, as children as young as 11 can get a bank account with a debit card.

Anyone found driving irresponsibly can have their licence endorsed, face a fine or criminal prosecution. Legal experts say that if a rider caused injury or damage, they would be exposed to offences comparative with a car user.

It is unclear what would happen if a rider is underage.

The introduction of e-scooters on to UK streets has been marred with controversy after the death of YouTube star Emily Hartridge while riding one in London a year ago. Paris has about 20,000 e-scooters available for hire but is facing lawsuits from accident victims.

Despite that, the Government brought forward the trial to capitalise on peoples changing habits during the Covid-19 pandemic. A further 400 machines are set to be delivered to Darlington, Stockton-on-Tees and Redcar, while 50 local authorities have expressed an interest, including Bath, Bristol, Derby, Nottingham, Southampton, Portsmouth and the City of London.

Last week, Future of Transport Minister Rachel Maclean told Parliament that it was not a done deal that the e-scooters would stay after the 12-month trial ends. This is a very big market for e-scooter operators and we dont want to rush into something that we may regret doing later, she added.

Supporters of e-scooters say they are a clean and cost-effective way to get around, and Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen has thrown his weight behind the project.

He said: The first week of the pilot has been a great success overall, and the response from people in Middlesbrough has been overwhelmingly positive, adding that the Tees Valley Combined Authority was liaising closely with Cleveland Police. Ginger did not respond when asked how it would verify the age of scooter users, but in a statement released on Cleveland Polices Facebook page, company chief executive Paul Hodgins said: The guidelines for using the scooters are clear both prior to, and throughout, the hire of the scooters.

The trial is performing well and we will continue to work closely with all regional partners during this test phase to ensure riders are aware of their responsibilities to themselves and other road users.
Foul play is not suspected in the case of a Macomb County man whose body was found Friday morning in a hotel room in Rochester Hills, according to the Oakland County Sheriffs Office.

Sheriffs deputies were dispatched just before 8 a.m. to respond for a welfare check to the Days Inn hotel in the 1900 block of Star Batt Drive, in the area of Crooks Road and M-59. An employee told deputies that a guest hadnt been seen since Tuesday and his hotel door had been locked using the deadbolt.

According to a news release, deputies were able to gain access to the room with the help of maintenance workers and found a deceased man lying face down on the floor.

Investigators said several bottles of various medications and empty liquor bottles were observed in the room, but there were no signs of foul play or trauma.

Administrative Sgt. Dale Brown said the man was identified as a 63-year-old Eastpointe resident. He said the body was turned over to the Oakland County Medical Examiners Office. An autopsy is pending to determine the exact cause of death.

Sheriffs detectives are continuing with the investigation.

 Macomb Daily staff
Every year, the long-standing preference for boys in Vietnams society terminates 40,800 baby girls before they are born, according to the United Nations Population Fund.

While Vietnam has made progress in reducing gender discrimination over the past several decades, gender-biased sex selection continues to be a widespread practice.

This is an adverse manifestation of the "son preference, which is anything but a benign tradition, a product of gender-biased systems which place higher social status to men and boys, and which favors male over female children," the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) stated as it released the State of World Population report 2020 in Vietnam last Friday.

The problem of a gender imbalance at birth in Vietnam was first highlighted in 2004, and since 2005, it has rapidly increased and reached 111.5 male births for every 100 female births in 2019 as indicated in the 2019 Population and Housing Census, against the biologically "natural" or "normal" sex ratio of between 105 and 106, the report noted.

It said this demographic imbalance was a result of pre-natal sex selection - termination of a pregnancy when the fetus is determined to be female, or pre-implantation of sex determination and selection, or "sperm-sorting" for in-vitro fertilization. Around 40,800 female births are thus doomed in Vietnam each year.

Globally, this figure is estimated at 1.18 million each year, with 666,300 in mainland China (including Taiwan and Hong Kong), and 461,500 in India.

Naomi Kitahara, UNFPA representative in Vietnam, said because of decades of gender-biased sex selection and the neglect of daughters relative to sons, a shocking 140 million girls globally are missing today from the worlds population.

"When men far outnumber women, social problems can emerge, exacerbating forms of gender-based violence, including rape, coerced sex, sexual exploitation, trafficking and child marriage," she told the event to launch the report in Hanoi.

Commenting on the findings, Pham Ngoc Tien, director of the Ministry of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs' gender equality department, said: "Vietnam has always considered gender equality as both a goal and a driving force for sustainable development. We have built and continued to improve the legal framework to better work in this important and relatively unfamiliar area. However, gender equality remains persistent in the society due to the influence of Confucianism."

"Imbalanced sex ratio at birth imbalance is deeply rooted in the social norms and practices which reinforce son preference and low value for women and girls. Making this ratio balanced is also one of the goals of the National Strategy on Gender Equality for the 2021 - 2030 period that we are developing to submit to the Prime Minister for approval in 2020," he added.

At least 19 harmful practices, ranging from breast ironing to virginity testing, are considered human rights violations, according to the UNFPA report, which focused on the three most prevalent ones: female genital mutilation, child marriage, and extreme bias against daughters in favor of sons.

"What these diverse harmful practices all have in common is that they are rooted in gender inequality and a desire to control womens bodies and lives."

"Though they inflict a devastating array of harm on individual women and girls, the harms inflicted on the world at large, and on future generations, may be greater still. In this regard, men have a special role to play. I call on Vietnamese men to raise the value of girls and demand equal treatment and equal rights. In particular, we need men and boys to support this effort," Kitahara said.

UNFPA executive director Natalia Kanem said: "Harmful practices against girls cause profound and lasting trauma, robbing them of their right to reach their full potential."

"We must tackle the problem by tackling the root causes, especially gender biased norms. We must do a better job of supporting communities own efforts to understand the toll these practices are taking on girls and the benefits that accrue to the whole of society by stopping them," Kanem said.
Terrifying footage shows dozens of uniformed gunmen posing with military-grade weapons near armored pickup trucks emblazoned with the initials of the Jalisco drug cartel in Mexico as the country's top security officials launch an investigation into the video.

In what appears to be a show of power, several dozen masked men are heard shouting they are 'people of Mencho,' a nickname used by Jalisco New Generation Cartel boss Nemesio Oseguera.

Almost all of the uniformed men wearing bulletproof vests wield assault rifles, and some appear to have belt-fed machine guns or .50 caliber sniper rifles.

Many of the trucks in a column of about 20 vehicles parked on a dirt road have improvised gun turrets or plate-steel armor welded onto them.

Terrifying footage shows dozens of uniformed gunmen posing with military-grade weapons near armored pickup trucks emblazoned with the initials of the Jalisco drug cartel in Mexico as the country's top security officials launch an investigation into the video

Almost all of the uniformed men wearing bulletproof vests wield assault rifles, and some appear to have belt-fed machine guns or .50 caliber sniper rifles

In what appears to be a show of power, the masked men are heard shouting they are 'people of Mencho,' a nickname used by Jalisco New Generation Cartel boss Nemesio Oseguera (pictured)

Mexico's top security official, Alfonso Durazo, wrote Saturday that the video is being analyzed to confirm whether it is authentic and when it was made.

Durazo wrote in his Twitter account that 'there is no criminal group that has the capacity to successfully defy federal security forces, and much less with this staged event'.

The video was posted on social media sites Thursday, which coincided with President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador's visit to the states of Guanajuato, Jalisco and Colima, some of the cartel's strongholds.

'They are sending a clear message... that they basically rule Mexico, not Lopez Obrador,' said Mike Vigil, a former chief of international operations for the US Drug Enforcement Administration.

A spokesman for Lopez Obrador's office did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Lopez Obrador met Thursday with Jalisco Gov Enrique Alfaro to discuss security issues.

'In the face of threats, intimidations, we say to Governor Alfaro that he is not alone, that we are with him in facing the challenge of crime,' Lopez Obrador said.

'This problem cannot be solved with massacres. It is going to be done more with intelligence than force,' said Lopez Obrador.

The president defended his policy of avoiding confrontation with the cartels.

He prefers to address social problems like poverty and unemployment that he says contribute to crime.

Many of the trucks in a column of about 20 vehicles parked on a dirt road have improvised gun turrets or plate-steel armor welded onto them

Mexico's top security official, Alfonso Durazo, wrote Saturday that the video is being analyzed to confirm whether it is authentic and when it was made

The video's release coincided with President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador's visit to Guanajuato, Jalisco and Colima. Last week, Lopez Obrador defended his policy of 'hugs, not bullets' as his approach to avoid confrontations with the cartels

But the strategy, branded by Lopez Obrador as one of 'hugs, not bullets,' has emboldened criminal groups, many security analysts say.

The president's approach 'has only led these cartels to operate with more impunity,' Vigil said.

It was unclear when the video had been filmed, but it appeared to be authentic, Vigil said.

The Jalisco cartel is regarded as Mexico's strongest gang, along with the Sinaloa Cartel formerly led by jailed kingpin Joaquin 'El Chapo' Guzman.

It is often credited with infiltrating poorly paid and trained police departments across the country to protect its wide-ranging criminal rackets.

The cartel based in the central state of Jalisco has spread across Mexico and increasingly has posed direct challenges to the government.

Mexico City's police chief, Omar Garcia Harfuch, blamed the cartel for an elaborately planned attempt on his life last month - an ambush on the capital's most famous boulevard.

The Jalisco cartel operates in 24 of 32 states in Mexico and has shipped cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine and fentanyl-laced heroin to the United States.

The cartel, is known to be in control of between one-third and two-thirds of the US drug market.

The Jalisco cartel is regarded as Mexico's strongest gang, along with the Sinaloa Cartel formerly led by jailed kingpin Joaquin 'El Chapo' Guzman
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, July 19)  One of the staunchest critics of ABS-CBN in Congress maintained that the Lopezes will still be in good shape despite the media giant's failed fresh franchise bid due to their controlling interests in other publicly traded corporations.

Anakalusugan Partylist Rep. Mike Defensor, chairman of the House public accounts committee, said Sunday that despite the network's failure to obtain a new franchise, the Lopezes can convey their common shares of the network to its employees, who can then report a change of control and seek a new franchise from Congress.

The current market value of ABS-CBN stands at 12.7 billion, which means that some 6.4-billion worth of common shares may be assigned to effect a change of control, Defensor said.

"Assuming the Lopezes divested from ABS-CBN, they still effectively control at least four other publicly traded corporations with a combined market value of roughly 136 billion as of July 17," he added.

Defensor was referring to First Gen Corp., First Philippine Holdings Corp., Lopez Holdings Corp., and Rockwell Land Corp., all of which are listed at the Philippine Stock Exchange.

"Let's say the Lopezes beneficially owned just a little over 50 percent of the common shares of the four listed firms since they are in control, they still have leftover assets valued at more than 400 billion a year ago and currently worth 68 billion," he said.

On Friday, House Deputy Speaker Luis Raymund "LRay" Villafuerte echoed the call of President Rodrigo Duterte to "just sell" the network instead of risking a longer shutdown that will put the livelihood of their employees at stake. This will then pave way for other big companies to provide manpower and technical expertise to run the company, he added.

"My suggestion to the Lopez family, they just sell the corporation and if they really love the 11,000 employees or more, and they really want to serve the Filipino people, ibenta na lang nila iyong kumpanya (just sell the company)," Villafuerte said.

However, it was Villafuerte who also floated the idea of having the government acquire ABS-CBN's frequency, which was left vacant after its franchise lapsed, to help provide the distance learning needs of students during the pandemic.

Villafuerte and Defensor, both allies of the administration, were among those who voted against the franchise renewal last July 10. The House Committee on Legislative Franchises rejected the application with a 70-11 vote.

An unedited version of Duterte's speech in Sulu last week called out the Lopezes and touted his success in toppling an "oligarchy" without the need to declare martial law in the country.

Since taking office, Duterte has been publicly ranting about his frustrations over ABS-CBN's supposed refusal to air his campaign ads during the 2016 elections.

The embattled network has already started implementing its retrenchment program endangering the means of income of over 11,000 employees.

"We remain hopeful that better days are ahead for the network. This painful development will only make us stronger and better," ABS-CBN chairman Mark Lopez said in a statement last week.

ABS-CBN has been off the air since May 5 after the National Telecommunications Commission ordered it shut down following the expiration of its 25-year franchise.
Washington DC: The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) is looking for a 7:50 AM EDT (5:20 PM IST) launch of its Mars 2020 Perseverance rover on July 30. The American space agency will also have a live launch coverage at 7 AM on July 30, on NASA Television and its official website.

The Mars 2020 Perseverance rover will be launched through a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket from the Space Launch Complex 41 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. It is slated to land at the Jezero Crater on Mars on February 18 in 2021.

On July 20, the NASA leadership will also participate in a virtual discussion with the Space Foundation on the upcoming Mars 2020 Perseverance rover launch. The event, called Roving the Red Planet, will stream live on NASA Television and its official website.

The mission is designed to better understand the geology and climate of Mars and seek signs of ancient life on the Red Planet.

It will use the robotic scientist, that weighs over 1,043 kilograms, to collect and store a set of rock and soil samples that could be returned to Earth by future Mars sample return missions.

This mission is part of Americas larger Moon to Mars exploration approach that includes missions to the Moon as a way to prepare for human exploration of the Red Planet. It will provide a key insight into some of the challenges associated with future human exploration of Mars.

NASAs Jet Propulsion Laboratory has built the Perseverance rover and will manage mission operations for NASA.

Charged with sending the first woman and next man to the Moon by 2024, NASA will establish a sustained human presence on and around the Moon by 2028 through NASA's Artemis program.

Full mission coverage is as follows (all times Eastern):

July 27:

1 PM  Mars 2020 Prelaunch News Conference.

3 PM  Mars 2020 Mission Engineering and Science Briefing

July 28:

2 PM  Mars 2020 Mars Sample Return Briefing

4 PM  Mars 2020 Mission Tech and Humans to Mars Briefing.

July 30:

7 AM  NASA TV live launch coverage begins

11:30 AM - Postlaunch News Conference

Also read | NASA targeting August 2 return of SpaceX's Crew Dragon spacecraft from International Space Station to Earth
By Online Desk

A record single-day spike in fresh cases was recorded in many southern states on Sunday as India's COVID's tally neared 11 lakh.

Maharashtra was still contributing a major portion of the caseload with the highest-ever 9,518 new COVID-19 cases in a day, taking the tally to 3,10,455 while 258 more people succumbed to the disease, including 149 deaths in the Mumbai metropolitan region, the state Health department said.

Tamil Nadu reported a new single day high of 4,979 fresh COVID-19 cases as the overall tally crossed 1.70 lakh in the state, the second worst affected after Maharashtra.

A single-day high of 5,041 COVID-19 cases was registered in Andhra Pradesh as the overall aggregate inched closer to the 50,000 mark on Sunday. Also, the state saw the highest spike in deaths in a day as 56 coronavirus patients succumbed, pushing the toll to 642, a state government bulletin said.

Karnataka reported 4,120 new COVID-19 cases and 91 related fatalities, taking the total number of infections to 63,772 and the death toll to 1,331, the state health department said.

And though the situation in Kerala was relatively better, the tally breached the 12,000 mark on Sunday with 821 people, including 13 health workers, testing positive for the virus in the highest single day spurt in the state so far. The lockdown imposed in the state capital was extended to July 28.
Representative Image

Manish More, a farmer from Otur village in Maharashtras Pune district, has reportedly generated business worth Rs 2.75 crore for himself and other farmers in his village over the past four months.

More, a post-graduate in agriculture, feared his standing crop would be wasted when the coronavirus-induced lockdown was announced in March. He spoke to 11 other village farmers and a relative in Mumbai to devise a plan to deliver their output to cities, The Times of India reported.

He (the relative) told me of a scarcity of vegetables in the city. I agreed to send vegetables from our fields. My relative checked with friends and neighbours in his building. And, we sent out our first order of 60 boxes on April 9, More told the paper.

He said the initial few orders came via word-of-mouth, but soon grew. The variety on offer  fruits, vegetables and other produce  has also increased as more farmers join in.

They have completed 80,000 deliveries and what started as an informal group is now a registered farmer producer company generating business worth Rs 2.75 crore, the report added.

COVID-19 Vaccine Frequently Asked Questions View more How does a vaccine work? A vaccine works by mimicking a natural infection. A vaccine not only induces immune response to protect people from any future COVID-19 infection, but also helps quickly build herd immunity to put an end to the pandemic. Herd immunity occurs when a sufficient percentage of a population becomes immune to a disease, making the spread of disease from person to person unlikely. The good news is that SARS-CoV-2 virus has been fairly stable, which increases the viability of a vaccine. How many types of vaccines are there? There are broadly four types of vaccine  one, a vaccine based on the whole virus (this could be either inactivated, or an attenuated [weakened] virus vaccine); two, a non-replicating viral vector vaccine that uses a benign virus as vector that carries the antigen of SARS-CoV; three, nucleic-acid vaccines that have genetic material like DNA and RNA of antigens like spike protein given to a person, helping human cells decode genetic material and produce the vaccine; and four, protein subunit vaccine wherein the recombinant proteins of SARS-COV-2 along with an adjuvant (booster) is given as a vaccine. What does it take to develop a vaccine of this kind? Vaccine development is a long, complex process. Unlike drugs that are given to people with a diseased, vaccines are given to healthy people and also vulnerable sections such as children, pregnant women and the elderly. So rigorous tests are compulsory. History says that the fastest time it took to develop a vaccine is five years, but it usually takes double or sometimes triple that time. View more Show

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The initial 11-member clutch is now a 480-farmer strong brand dubbed KisanKonnect which communicates via co-ordinated WhatsApp groups. Children studying in cities returned home to help and chipped in with technical expertise. Youth have also helped them set up a website where customers can place orders  thus overcoming geographical limitations, it pointed out.

Srikant Dhokchawle, a farmer from Rahata in Ahmednagar district, told the paper the last three months have been a learning process. He said they have taken their knowledge beyond farming as efforts moved to marketing on social media sites such as Facebook and Twitter, and also hired a packaging house to ensure produce is not crushed or spoilt during transportation.

It also employs 80 locals, including village women  thus providing jobs. Besides the direct opportunities, a shutdown call centre in the village was revived and hired locals to handle order calls; villages hired trucks and vans to make deliveries directly. Drivers were also given protective equipment to assure customers, More said.

The collective has also launched a customer service initiative  making video calls to customers giving tutorials on how to choose vegetables and fruits. More said they also receive feedback such as requests to reduce plastic usage, which he said they are working on.

After all, we want this initiative to be sustainable. For now, the farm-to-home business is smooth and looking up and we want to keep expanding it. It helps support several farmer families," Dhokchawle added.
By MEL LEONOR

Richmond Times-Dispatch

Gov. Ralph Northam on Monday quietly signed an executive order declaring a state of emergency in Richmond, citing civil unrest following weeks of protests that have resulted in violent clashes between demonstrators and police.

The order gives the administration the ability to deploy additional state resources to implement recovery and mitigation operations and activities to return the city to pre-event conditions as much as possible.

That includes emergency funding for government response to the protests and activation of the Virginia National Guard, according to the order.

Often, peaceful demonstrations evolve into conflicts with law enforcement during late night and early morning hours, the order reads. These events have required significant intervention to ensure the safety of protesters and the public, protect property and provide additional resources to support our local and state partners.

The Northam administration did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The ACLU of Virginia on Tuesday chided Northams order in a statement on Twitter.

[Northams] actions show no understanding of the anti-Black racism that infects our civil and social structures, accepts the police version of the facts and demonstrates an unwillingness to recognize that treating people as enemy combatants invites violence rather than quells it, the civil rights group said.

The order is in effect until July 30.

Twitter: @MelLeonor_
At least four houses collapsed and one bridge was damaged due to incessant rain on Saturday night in the hill town of Munsiyari in Pithoragarh district of Uttarakhand, about 450 km from Dehradun. No loss of life has been reported in any of the incidents, officials said on Sunday.

Due to heavy rain, the water level of Gori river in the area has risen after which people living near it have been shifted towards safe areas by the local administration, said officials.

Girija Shankar Joshi, district information officer Pithoragarh, said, The heavy rain had started at around 11 pm on Saturday in the Munsiyari area. As the downpour increased, the local station house officer and sub-divisional magistrate concerned reached the area to evacuate the people living near Gori River to a safe place.

Joshi said, There were four families living in their houses built near the swollen Gori River which were evacuated from there. They were earlier warned and asked to shift from there but they didnt listen. As a result, their houses collapsed in the night due to heavy rain. However, luckily there was no loss of life.

The official also informed that a bridge was also severely damaged in the heavy rain.

A 120m long bridge en route Jouljibi was also badly damaged. Authorities concerned are constructing a Bailey bridge there which will take about three days. Also, some water pipelines were also damaged in the rain which will be repaired within 24 hours. Senior district officials are keeping an eye on the situation, said Joshi.

Meanwhile, the administration has provided ration to the four affected families who lost their houses in the rain.

All the affected families have been provided 20 kg ration and other essentials besides a sum of Rs 1.19 lakh as compensation for the washed away houses. The administration will provide every possible help to them, said AK Shukla, SDM, Dharchula.

The main roads connecting district headquarters to Bangapani, Munsiyari and Dharchula areas were also damaged due to the incessant rain, disrupting traffic.

The roads towards these places have been closed since night. Repair works are going on and the traffic would be resumed soon, said Ram Dutt Paliwal, additional district magistrate.

Meanwhile, the Dehradun centre of India Meteorological Department (IMD) in its weather forecast has predicted heavy rain in some places of Pithoragarh and Nainital districts in the state.

There would be heavy rain in some isolated places in the two above-mentioned districts but no repetition of Saturday nights rainfall in Munsiyari area today. On Monday, the heavy rain will occur in some places of Haridwar, Bageshwar, Pauri Garhwal, Nainital and Pithoragarh districts, said Bikram Singh, Director Dehradun centre IMD.

Singh also said, At present, there are not many showers in the Garhwal region; it is active in Kumaon because the movement of monsoon is not strong in northwest Himalayas. After July 22 or 24, one can expect good showers in Garhwal also.
Montreal, CA (H4T1V6)

Today

Snow this morning will transition to snow showers this afternoon. Some sleet may mix in. High near -4C. Winds NE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of snow 100%. Snow accumulating 1 to 3 inches..

Tonight

Snow showers this evening. Breaks in the overcast later. Low -16C. Winds W at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of snow 50%.
Drake has been hard at work in the recording studio, working on his next album, as well as some collabs with DJ Khaled.

But the four-time Grammy winner has recently been enjoying some rest and recreation, during a getaway to Barbados.

He flashed his six-pack Saturday in a shirtless mirror selfie, as he took to his Instagram Story with some thirst traps from his tropical vacation.

Hot bod: Drake flashed his six-pack Saturday in a shirtless mirror selfie, as he took to his Instagram Story with some thirst traps from his Barbados vacation

The 33-year-old flexed his bicep and showed off his tatted torso, writing: 'Sunny day in Saint James.'

He also served eyebrow in another selfie he posted from the pool, as he commented on his fade: 'Curls didn't last.'

Drake was recently spotted paying a visit to the childhood home of longtime pal and ex-girlfriend Rihanna, on a street now named Rihanna Drive.

He was in an on-again, off-again relationship with the 32-year-old from 2009 to 2016, and they remain friends.

Taking a dip: He also served eyebrow in another selfie he posted from the pool, as he commented on his fade: 'Curls didn't last'

Childhood home: Drake was recently spotted paying a visit to the childhood home of longtime pal and ex-girlfriend Rihanna, on a street now named Rihanna Drive

Although RiRi was reportedly not on the island for his visit, her brother Rorrey Fenty joined his entourage for a tour of Barbados.

A source told HollywoodLife of the visit: 'Drake became friends with both of Rihannas brothers [Rorrey and Rajad Fenty] through Rihanna, and theyre still cool with him.

'Theyre actually both really big fans of his and would love to see their sister settled down with him. They all still make jokes about him being their brother-in-law someday.'

Baby bro: Although RiRi was reportedly not on the island for his visit, her brother Rorrey Fenty joined his entourage for a tour of Barbados (Rorrey pictured on the left)

Like family: A source told HollywoodLife of the visit: 'Drake became friends with both of Rihannas brothers [Rorrey and Rajad Fenty] through Rihanna, and theyre still cool with him' (pictured in August, 2016)

Still friends: He was in an on-again, off-again relationship with the 32-year-old from 2009 to 2016, and they remain friends (pictured in February, 2011)

According to another source, Drake and his crew were on the Caribbean island to shoot a music video.

They flew in on July 11, the first day Barbados opened its airport to international travelers amid the COVID-19 pandemic, and they all tested negative within 72 hours before traveling.

It comes after he appeared on DJ Khaled's new tracks Popstar and Greece, from his upcoming 12th studio album Khaled Khaled.

Drake also appeared to tease his sixth studio album earlier this month, posting to his Instagram Story from the recording studio, and writing '80 percent,' possibly referring to his progress on the new album.
A CRH high-speed train runs across Urumqi city during its test run in Urumqi, the capital of China's Xinjiang region, on Nov. 11, 2014. (VCG/VCG via Getty Images)

Chinese Officials Declare Wartime State to Control Spread of Virus in Xinjiang Capital

The severity of the latest CCP virus outbreak in Urumqi, the capital of western Chinas Xinjiang region, is under scrutiny as local authorities have taken draconian measures to contain the virus.

Local health authorities in Urumqi said during a press conference on July 18 that there were a total of 17 confirmed virus cases in the city as of noon that day, in addition to 23 asymptomatic cases. Chinese authorities count asymptomatic carriers in a separate tally.

By the morning of July 19, the local health commission reported on its website 13 new confirmed cases and 18 new asymptomatic cases between July 18 noon and midnight. About 2,705 people were put under medical observation.

But the way Chinese authorities were quick to implement lockdown measures, and a subtle change to a recent article published by Chinas state-run media Peoples Daily suggest that the outbreak in Urumqi is more severe than authorities are admitting.

The current outbreak in Urumqi officially started on July 15, when a 24-year-old woman, a resident in Urumqis Tianshan District, tested positive for the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus, commonly known as the novel coronavirus. She worked for a shopping center at Zhongquan Square in Tianshan.

Local health authorities announced her case on July 16.

The woman was taken to a local hospital on July 10, after exhibiting symptoms including a sore throat. Four days later, the woman began having a fever and headache. Three people who came in contact with the woman were subsequently determined to be asymptomatic cases.

Measures

Local authorities were quick to enact strict measures to prevent the spread of the virus in Urumqi, a city of about 3.5 million people.

On July 16, the Urumqi Metro announced the closure of its only operational subway linea 26.5-kilometer line (about 16.5 miles) with 21 stationsin order to prevent the spread of the virus.

Also on July 16, Chinese state-run media reported that municipal authorities in Urumqi issued a directive mandating that local community authorities implement prevention protocols: local officials should seal off their communities and provide delivery of daily necessities to those who are sick, local public transportation should greatly be reduced, local markets and hotels should not be open for business, and travelers arriving in Urumqi should be placed under quarantine for seven days upon arrival.

After the announced closing down of communities, video posted on Chinese social media showed people rushing to local markets to buy food and other necessities.

On July 17, Chinese state-run media reported that hundreds of flights going in and out of a local airport had been canceled.

On July 19, local authorities placed Urumqi under a wartime state, banning all gatherings in the city and declaring that all communities would be under seal-off management. Local residents were forbidden to leave the city except under special circumstances, and citywide COVID-19 testing for all residents was underway.

Severity

The CCPs mouthpiece newspaper Peoples Daily, in an article published on July 18, quoted a hotel worker with the pseudonym Zheng Li. Local authorities had requisitioned the Urumqi hotel where he worked to be a quarantine site.

In the original version of the article, Zheng was quoted as saying there were over 100 people placed under quarantine at the hotel on July 13three days before local authorities reported the first confirmed case.

Peoples Daily has since deleted Zhengs quote from the article, but the original version with the quote can still be found on Google Cache and some Chinese news sites that reposted the original article.

On July 16, the Chinese-language Epoch Times also obtained an emergency notice from one of the communities in Urumqi, showing that the virus could have spread widely in the city. Its unclear precisely when the notice was issued.

The notice called for community officials to look for people who recently attended wedding ceremonies in three districts of Urumqi: Tianshan, Saybag, and Shuimogou. It also named three placesa theater, pub, and a ballroomand asked for information on people who went there on July 5.

Also on July 16, a video showed a large crowd lining up outside a hospital in Urumqi waiting to be tested for the virus.

A staffer at the Peoples Hospital of Xinjiang in Urumqi told the Chinese-language Epoch Times that 3,000 to 4,000 people were being tested daily for the virus.

Meanwhile, a staffer at a hotel near Zhongquan Square in Tianshan District told the Chinese-language Epoch Times that hotel patrons who wished to check out of the hotel must make travel arrangements with local officials.

The person said that there were barely any cars on the streets, and the service of the local train had been suspended.
(Newser)  No stranger to filling arenas, Kanye West is heading to a smaller venue on Sunday for something of a first for him: A campaign event. Yeezy announced that the first rally of his nascent quest to win the Oval Office in November will be held at 5pm in North Charleston, SC, reports Politico. Attendees must register, wear a face covering, observe social distancing, and sign a coronavirus waiver. West tweeted Saturday, urging people to "please sign up to put me on the ballot in South Carolina," though ABC News reports that the state's filing deadline for independent candidates was July 15. "Hes registered in, I think, two states," says a source. "Its such a baby organization it doesnt even have a logo yet." Five states have filing deadlines Aug. 3, and ABC notes that if West doesn't get on all five ballots, he doesn't have a shot, adding, "but reality hasn't stopped West in the past." (Read more Kanye West stories.)
Donald Trump went on the attack against Joe Biden during an hour-long interview with Fox News Sunday, calling into question the presumed Democratic nominee's mental state and bragging about the results of his own cognitive test.

'Biden can't put two sentences together,' Trump asserted when he was told about a new Fox News poll showing the former vice president beating Trump in November.

'They wheel him out,' the president continued, suggesting he staged interviews. 'He goes up  he repeats  they ask him questions. He reads a teleprompter and then he goes back into his basement.'

'You tell me the American people want to have that in an age where we're in trouble with other nations that are looking to do numbers on us,' Trump said, adding that the poll numbers showing Biden winning are 'fake.'

When Trump assured that Biden would be less mentally fit to serve in the White House, Fox News Sunday host Chris Wallace brought up the cognitive test the president boasted he 'aced.'

Trump insisted that Biden would not do as well.

'Well, I'll tell you what, let's take a test,' Trump posed a challenge to Biden. 'Let's take a test right now. Let's go down, Joe and I will take a test. Let him take the same test that I took.'

'Incidentally, I took the test too when I heard that you passed it,' Wallace revealed to Trump on-camera during in the interview.

'Yeah, how did you do?'

'It's not  well it's not that hardest test,' Wallace said.

'They have a picture and it says 'what's that' and it's an elephant,' he continue, in an apparent mocking of the president.

Donald Trump bashed Joe Biden during an interview Sunday, calling into question the presumed Democratic nominee's mental state and claiming he 'can't put two sentences together'

Trump then challenged Biden to a cognitive test, bragging about 'acing' his own. But Fox New Sunday host Chris Wallace (right) pushed back, claiming the test was 'not that hard'

Wallace, a Democrat, appeared to mock the president, revealing that one of the questions showed a picture and wanted respondents to correctly identify that it was an 'elephant'

Trump shot back: 'Yes, the first few questions are easy, but I'll bet you couldn't even answer the last five questions. I'll bet you couldn't, they get very hard, the last five questions'

As the interview aired on Fox News, Trump was heading to his golf course in Sterling, Virginia

Trump has played hundreds of rounds of golf since taking office  and pledging not to golf as much as predecessor President Barack Obama  and this is nearly his 300th golf-related trip as president

'No no no. You see, that's all misrepresentation,' the president said of the version of the test that's available online.

'Yes, the first few questions are easy, but I'll bet you couldn't even answer the last five questions. I'll bet you couldn't, they get very hard, the last five questions,' Trump said of the test.

'Well, one of them was count back from 100 by seven,' Wallace continued, adding the first answer: 'Ninety-three.'

'You couldn't answer many of the questions,' Trump said of the Fox News host.

'Ok, what's the question?' he challenged.

'I'll get you the test, I'd like to give it,' the president continued. 'I'll guarantee you that Joe Biden could not answer those questions.'

'OK,' Wallace let up.

'I answered all 35 questions correctly,' the president touted again.

Trump also claimed that Biden would not be able to sit down in a lengthy one-on-one in-person interview the same way he did with Wallace.

'Let Biden sit through an interview like this, he'll be on the ground crying for mommy,' Trump said. 'He'll say, 'Mommy, mommy, please take me home.''

Trump said Biden wouldn't be able to sit down for an interview. 'Let Biden sit through an interview like this, he'll be on the ground crying for mommy,' Trump said

Biden has created a makeshift television studio in his basement so he can show up for virtual or remote interview and other events in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic

'Well we've asked him for an interview, sir,' Wallace revealed.

'He can't do an interview. He's incompetent' the president clapped back.

'I'm going to ask you a direct question about Joe Biden. Is Joe Biden senile?' Wallace, a Democrat, asked of the president.

'I don't want to say that,' Trump conceded. 'I'd say he's not competent to be president.'

'To be president, you have to be sharp and tough and so many other things. He doesn't even come out of his basement,' he said of the man he calls 'Sleepy Joe.'

Trump is referencing Biden's basement in Delaware, which he turned into a makeshift studio to show up for remote interviews and other virtual events as the coronavirus pandemic has sidelined the candidates to virtual campaigning.

The president finally held his first tele-rally on Friday after attempting to hold two in-person rallies in the post-coronavirus era  the first in Tulsa, Oklahoma yielding a dismal crowd of around 6,200 of the more than 19,000 stadium seats.

The other was an outdoor rally scheduled for earlier this month in New Hampshire, but it was postponed.

'I called Michigan, I want to have a big rally in Michigan. Do you know we're not allowed to have a rally in Michigan?' Trump scoffed. 'Do you know we're not allowed to have a rally in Minnesota? Do you know we're not allowed to have a rally in Nevada? We're not allowed to have rallies.'

Rallies have come to a stop as states are experiencing a surge in the amount of coronavirus infections as massive nationwide Black Lives Matter protests ensued and lockdown orders began to loosen.

There are more than 3.7 million confirmed cases in the U.S., far more than any other country has reported, and the death toll has surpassed 140,000.

The death toll is only higher than other countries, Trump claims, because of the amount of testing available in the U.S.

A new Fox News poll released Sunday morning shows that 47 per cent of registered voters feel that Biden is mentally sound enough to serve as president.

On the other hand, only 43 per cent of the 1,104 respondents say Trump has the mental soundness to serve effectively in the White House.

Trump made a surprise visit to Walter Reed Medical Center in November, sparking speculation over if he was experiencing medical issues.

Earlier this month, the president bragged to Fox News host Sean Hannity that he 'aced' a 'cognitive test' that was administered 'very recently' and insisted that doctors at Walter Reed were 'very surprised' that he passed.

During that interview with Hannity, the president said that Biden 'didn't take a cognitive test because he couldn't pass one.'

He added: 'I actually took one very recently when I was - when the radical left was saying, is he all there, is he all there?'

The Montreal Cognitive Assessment is a 10-minute test, which was created in 1996 so medical professionals could more easily identify mild cognitive dysfunction related to concentration, attention, memory, language, calculations, orientation, executive functions and visual skills.

The poll also shows Trump behind Biden by 8 percentage points.

'I'm not losing, because those are fake polls,' the president insisted. 'They were fake in 2016 and now they're even more fake.'

Trump acknowledged to Wallace that he is a sore loser.

'And you know why I won't lose, because the country in the end, they're not going to have a man who's shot,' he said of Biden.

'He's shot, he's mentally shot,' Trump continued. 'Let him come out of his basement, go around, I'll make four or five speeches a day, I'll be interviewed by you, I'll be interviewed by the worst killers that hate my guts. They hate my guts. There's nothing they can ask me that I won't give them a proper answer to. Some people will like it, some people won't like it.'

Trump also lamented that outlets are not touting the amount of 'enthusiasm' his supporters have for his reelection.

'There's a number you don't mention. It's called the enthusiasm number,' Trump said. 'The enthusiasm for Trump is through the roof even higher than last time.'

'The enthusiasm for Biden is nonexistent. Everyone knows he's shot.'

'Those people know I'm doing a good job, but there's something in my personality that they don't like because look, nobody's done what I've done,' he said before launching into a list of his presidential accomplishments.
Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine said he hasn't ruled out a statewide mask mandate as he said his state was "headed in the wrong direction."

Meet The Press

Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine during an appearance on NBC's "Meet the Press" Sunday warned that his state "could become Florida," a current COVID-19 epicenter in the US.

DeWine, who was at first lauded for proactive steps to prevent the spread of coronavirus in Ohio, has received criticism for his refusal to issue a statewide mask order.

At the end of April, DeWine issued a statewide mask mandate but quickly rescinded it following criticism, calling his own order "offensive."

DeWine has since required masks to be worn in 19 Ohio counties experiencing outbreaks, though there is no mandate in dozens of other Ohio counties.

Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

Video: How to make and wear an effective face mask

Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine, who has so far refused calls to issue a statewide mask mandate, warned Sunday that his state could become the next Florida  a current epicenter for coronavirus cases in the US.

"We are at the point where we could become Florida," DeWine said. "Where you look at our numbers today versus where Florida was a month ago, we have very similar numbers. So we're very, very concerned."

According to data analyzed by Johns Hopkins University, there have been at least 350,037 known cases of COVID-19 in Florida and 4,981 deaths. In Ohio, there have been 74,928 confirmed cases of the virus and 3,173 deaths. According to the Hopkins data, 6.2% of all COVID-19 tests administered over the past week in Ohio have returned a positive result compared to about 17% of the tests in Florida.

"While we did a great job early on in Ohio, we're now headed in the wrong direction, and frankly, I'm very, very concerned about that," he said. "So we're going to move ahead with more orders from us this week."

The Republican governor had been praised early during the pandemic for his swift actions to prevent the spread of COVID-19, though he has since been criticized, particularly for his reluctance to require Ohioans to wear facial coverings in public. Public health experts say these masks greatly mitigate community spread of the novel coronavirus.

Story continues

Meet the Press (@MeetThePress) July 19, 2020

In June, the state's health director, Dr. Amy Acton, who helped DeWine craft his coronavirus response, resigned after protesters in the state targeted her for weeks, as The Cincinnati Enquirer reported.

According to the Toledo Blade, DeWine on April 27 had mandated that residents wear face masks when patronizing businesses that were soon to be reopened as he relaxed Ohio's stay-at-home mandate. The next day, DeWine reversed the order after he received backlash.

"We believe that, in almost every case, it is safer for everyone if both people wear a mask, but we also know that this was offensive," he said April 28. "People looked at this and said that's one government mandate too far. It's just too much."

On Sunday, "Meet the Press" moderator Chuck Todd asked DeWine why he hadn't declared a statewide mandate.

"I don't think anybody in Ohio who's watched what I've done over the last four months doubts that, I'll do what we need to do to protect Ohioans," he said, adding that officials had not ruled out a statewide order.

As of Sunday, face masks are currently required in 19 of Ohio's 88 counties under the state's Level 3 designation, which as of July 7, requires the use of face masks to through DeWine's executive order. Masks are not required for counties at Level 2 or below.

Still, DeWine stressed that education rather than order could be more effective in stopping Ohio from becoming an epicenter.

"Orders are important, but it's also about getting people to understand, 'Hey, this is, this is very, very serious,'" DeWine said.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Born and raised in the District, he was initiated as a brother at the University of the District of Columbia in 1956. He has attended too many protests in his lifetime to count, he said, including several with the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. and the late congressman John Lewis (D-Ga.), who died on Friday.
Protesters outside the federal courthouse in Portland, Oregon were targeted with tear gas by federal officers for the sixth night in a row Sunday, reports the CBS affiliate there, KOIN-TV. It marked the 52nd straight night of protests in the city against police violence and for racial justice.

Even after the tear gas was deployed, demonstrators regrouped outside the building in the early hours of Monday morning.

It wasn't clear whether any protesters were arrested or detained.

KOIN reporters saw protesters, including a group of mothers wearing yellow and holding flowers, peacefully surround a fence at the Mark O. Hatfield Federal Courthouse after night fell. A few federal officers were spotted leaving the building, but staying behind the fence before going back inside.

By 11:40 p.m., parts of the fence were disassembled, and some protesters were sitting behind it.

Some 10 minutes later, KOIN saw federal officers rushing out of the building and using a large amount of tear gas and in addition to other crowd-control munitions on protesters, many of whom had their hands up.

The scene outside the federal courthouse in Portland, Oregon late on night of July 19,2020. / Credit: KOIN-TV

Night 51

On Saturday night, Portland police declared a riot after the police union building was broken into and a fire was lit. It was the 51st night of protests in Portland, where federal authorities have been sent in despite opposition from state and local officials.

Portland Police said in a statement on Sunday that they declared a riot "due to the violent conduct of the large group creating a grave risk of public alarm." The crowd began to disperse as police issued a public service announcement.

Federal officers deployed tear gas once again on Saturday night as fencing was torn down around the federal courthouse, where officers and protesters have clashed before, CBS Portland affiliate KOIN reported. The fencing around the courthouse had come down Friday night, was repaired and replaced on Saturday and then torn down again.

Portland police said Sunday that four people were arrested for charges that included riot and interfering with a police officer.

Story continues

Protests in Portland erupted in June after George Floyd's death at the hands of police in Minneapolis  but lately, they've become about federal authorities' presence in the city.

Under an executive order from President Trump in June, federal agents have been deployed to protect federal monuments and buildings in cities such as Portland, Seattle and others. The federal courthouse in Portland is also under their jurisdiction.

Protestors run as tear gas is deployed on the steps of the U.S. District Court building on July 17, 2020 in Portland, Oregon. / Credit: Mason Trinca / Getty Images

A report from Oregon Public Broadcasting earlier this week found that federal officials from a number of agencies have been driving around and detaining people. Personal accounts and video posted to social media show the federal officers detaining individuals without explanation, according to the OPB. One demonstrator, Mark Pettibone, told OPB he was "basically tossed" into a van and driven downtown without explanation.

Oregon Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum said Friday the state is filing a lawsuit against several federal agencies, including the Department of Homeland Security, for engaging in "unlawful law enforcement in violation of the civil rights" of protesters and detaining people without probable cause.

The New York Times reported on Saturday that a memo from the Department of Homeland Security, which has deployed officers to Portland, had warned the officers didn't have proper training. In a statement on Friday, Customs and Border Patrol, a division of Homeland Security, said at least one of the arrests was made by their officers.

Oregon officials have been calling for federal authorities to leave, and on Saturday, Portland police told federal officials they could no longer use their command center. Homeland Security Secretary Chad Wolf, who visited Portland on Thursday, tweeted Sunday that not allowing their officers use the command center is "dangerous" and "puts lives at risk."

Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler said on CNN's "State of the Union" on Sunday that the presence of federal officers is "actually leading to more violence."

"They are not wanted here, we have not asked them here, and in fact, we want them to leave," Wheeler said.

Wheeler and other Oregon officials have blamed the Trump administration for the escalation of violence.

"The tactics the Trump administration are using on the streets of Portland are horrid," Wheeler said. "As you indicated, people are literally being scooped off the street and into unmarked vans, rental cars apparently. They are being denied probable cause and due process. They don't even know who is pulling them into the vans, the people are not identifying themselves. As far as I can see this is completely unconstitutional."

Mr. Trump on Sunday tweeted that "we are trying to help Portland, not hurt it."

"Their leadership has, for months, lost control of the anarchists and agitators," he continued. "They are missing in action. We must protect Federal property, AND OUR PEOPLE. These were not merely protesters, these are the real deal!"

In an interview with Chris Wallace on Fox News on Sunday, Mr. Trump said "we've arrested many leaders" in Portland.

"If we didn't take a stand right now, you would have a problem," Mr. Trump said. "They're going to lose Portland."

Correction: This story has been updated to reflect that Sunday was the sixth night tear gas was deployed, not the second night.

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Prime Minister Scott Morrison should be thankful most teenagers cannot vote. His recent announcement that the Australian government was monitoring the Chinese video-sharing app TikTok "very closely" and "won't be shy" about taking action against it over potential national security threats will have many young Australians worried.

With more than 1.6 million local users (according to Roy Morgan), the highly popular app lets users watch and share musical clips that range from karaoke to viral dances and political satire in 15-second bursts. The platform is owned by tech giant ByteDance, which was founded by Chinese digital entrepreneur Zhang Yiming in 2012 and is valued at more than $100 billion. With more than 1 billion active users globally, it is China's most successful app outside of its borders.

But such success has also brought with it a good amount of scrutiny. Australia is not alone in wanting to run a rule over its ties with the Chinese Communist Party and privacy concerns related to the enormous amount of user data the tech company is accumulating. While ByteDance is adamant it is independent and committed to keeping data safe from prying eyes, it is a difficult argument to run when its Chinese operations are scrutinised.

TikTok is not available in China, and has been withdrawn from Hong Kong since the new security laws were introduced. Instead, ByteDance runs a separate, highly censored version called Douyin in China. According to the Australian Strategic Policy Institute, ByteDance "collaborates" with public security bureaus across China to disseminate propaganda, including in Xinjiang, where Beijing is under scrutiny for its detention and surveillance of Uighurs and other Muslim minority groups.

And the fact is TikTok does collect a significant amount of user data. When you make an account it requires either an email, phone number or another social media account to register, and also asks for your age, a photo and other biographical information. If you log in with Google, Facebook or another service, TikTok will receive profile information from them. It also uses cookies and beacons planted on your device to receive information on the other apps you use, websites you visit or purchases you make.
Concerns are rising for the UK pig sector following the month-long temporary closure of a major German meat site after it experienced a coronavirus outbreak.

Tonnies meat plant factory, in North Rhine-Westphalia, processes 140,000 pigs per week, 15 percent of all pigs slaughtered in Germany.

The site had stopped importing pigs from certain countries, as efforts to divert pigs to other processing plants in the country were proving difficult.

It has been suggested that there is now a surplus of 100,000 finishers in the country.

Weekly slaughter hit 785,000 pigs in the penultimate week of June, 90,000 less than the week before the factory closure in Germany.

According the Ulster Farmers Union (UFU), this has meant that UK pig producers who usually send cull sows to the plant for cutting were seeing backlogs develop on farms.

Two weeks worth of cull sows were still on farms as supply chains slowly try to export pigs into the country again, the union added.

Prices are dramatically falling compared to the original value before this period of uncertainty, now in the region of 20p/kg, previously at 55-56p/kg.

The UFU said: "Although it is hoped that this problem is short lived, the unknown factor is the spread of Covid-19 throughout staff working in meat processing plants in Germany and the response to workers conditions in the country,.

The incident has sparked a debate between unions and politicians about workers conditions in not only this factory but throughout Germany.

Several factories have announced fundamental changes to their businesses.

The union added: "Angela Merkel has claimed that the meat industry will have to change, it remains unclear how this will affect the UK market going forward and what this means for the multitude of UK pigs that are processed in the country."

The UFU said it would monitor the effects across Northern Europe as a result of the situation in Germany, as well as how local producers were managing.
Filmmaker Shekhar Kapur has shared the experience of making his first Hollywood film, Elizabeth and how not bowing down to the pressure of having a star feature in the lead role led to a star like Cate Blanchett being born. Released in 1998, the British biographical drama had Cate essaying the role of Queen Elizabeth I of England.

He wrote early Sunday, Elizabeth was my first Hollywood film. I had noticed an unknown girl called Cate Blanchett who I wanted to play Elizabeth. My agent said Studio wanted a star and if I kept insisting on an unknown actor, they will replace me. I said i had to go with my heart. The rest is history.

Elizabeth was my first Hollywood film. I had noticed an unknown girl called Cate Blanchett who I wanted to play Elizabeth. My agent said Studio wanted a star and if I kept insisting on an unknown actor, they will replace me. I said i had to go with my heart. The rest is history.  Shekhar Kapur (@shekharkapur) July 19, 2020

Shekhars tweet comes in the midst of a debate about the chances the film industry gives to relatively unknown talents. It all began when R Balki said in an interview with Hindustan Times, about the issue of nepotism in Bollywood, The question is do they (star kids) have an unfair or bigger advantage? Yes, there are pros and cons. But Id ask one simple question: Find me a better actor than Alia (Bhatt) or Ranbir (Kapoor), and well argue. Its unfair on these few people whore probably some of the finest actors.

Among a host of artists and filmmakers listing their own favourite talents outside of the traditional film families, Shobha De also tweeted Saturday, Wake up, Bollywood!!! The real, bona fide talent is on the web. Amazing performances and scripts. Nobody cares about Bollywood s chosen few any longer. Agree, Shekhar? @shekharkapur #Bollywood. While Shekhar simply RT-ed the tweet, he posted the tweet on Elizabeth just hours later.

Also read: Neena Gupta reveals she took inspiration from Priyanka Chopra to fly to Los Angeles for an audition. Watch

Shekhar had earlier written in separate tweets, Have huge respect for you, Balki. But i just saw Kai Po Che again last night. Three new young actors at that time. And stunning believable performances by each. 

Have huge respect for you, Balki. But i just saw Kai Po Che again last night. Three new young actors at that time. And stunning believable performances by each @filmfare https://t.co/cIvSVsfNJR  Shekhar Kapur (@shekharkapur) July 17, 2020

Best actors today are coming from theatre. Theres new found respect for them. And confidence.

Ive worked with Naseer, Shabana,Satish Kaushik, Seema Biswas and entire cast of Bandit Queen, Cate Blanchett, Geoffrey Rush, Heath Ledger Daniel Craig Eddy Redmayne

All are from theatre  Shekhar Kapur (@shekharkapur) July 17, 2020

He also tweeted, Best actors today are coming from theatre. Theres new found respect for them. And confidence. Ive worked with Naseer, Shabana,Satish Kaushik, Seema Biswas and entire cast of Bandit Queen, Cate Blanchett, Geoffrey Rush, Heath Ledger Daniel Craig Eddy Redmayne All are from theatre.

Shekhars Elizabeth was written by Michael Hirst and also featured Geoffrey Rush, Christopher Eccleston, Joseph Fiennes, John Gielgud, Fanny Ardant, and Richard Attenborough. The film opened to wide critical acclaim and holds an approval rating of 82% on the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes.

About working with Shekhar, Cate had told PTI in 2015, I am a passionate lover of history. I was passionate about the history of the Elizabeth. Shekhar is also like that. He was more excited about the fact that an Indian and Australian, who were once colonised by British, are recreating their history. We had many healthy and productive fights. I think when everyone is in agreement, creative art can be a little bit monotonous. But I must say that meeting and working with Shekhar is the turning point of my career.

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The Phillies announced a series of roster moves, including the news that left-hander Francisco Liriano and infielder Logan Forsythe have been granted releases. Infielder Neil Walker, meanwhile, has been told he will be on Philadelphias Opening Day roster, so the team will be officially selecting his minor league contract at some point between now and the first game. In other moves, catcher Henri Lartigue has been removed from the Summer Camp player pool and righty Victor Arano was optioned to Triple-A.

Liriano and Forsythe both had opt-out decisions coming this week, and it seems as if the club gave them an early start on the open market since neither were in the Phillies plans. Walker, by contrast, also had an opt-out clause but will now receive the prorated sum of his original (non-specified) guarantee for making the big league team.

Forsythe and Walker were among several veteran infielders added by the Phillies this winter, as Josh Harrison, Ronald Torreyes, and Phil Gosselin were also signed to minor league deals. The latter trio is still in camp, though it remains to be seen how many other roster spots will be available. Scott Kingery is back after recovering from COVID-19 though it isnt yet known if hell be ready for Opening Day, while star prospect Alec Bohm figures to arrive at some point in 2020, perhaps once service time considerations are no longer a factor.

Walker, 34, hit .261/.344/.395 with eight homers over 381 PA with Miami last season, delivering roughly league-average (98 OPS+, 99 wRC+) offensive production. The switch-hitting Walker did much of his damage from the left side of the plate last season, as has been the norm for much of his career.

It seemed as if Forsythe was having a comeback season for the first two months of his tenure with the Rangers last season, but a hot start quickly turned, and the 33-year-old ended up with only a .227/.325/.353 slash line from 367 PA. Forsythe will now look to catch on with his fifth different organization within the last two years.

There was some doubt as to whether or not Liriano would play at all during the 2020 season, as the southpaw reportedly considered sitting out due to COVID-19 concerns before eventually showing up at Philadelphias camp. 2019 saw Liriano work exclusively as a reliever for the first time in his long career, and he delivered a 3.47 ERA, 1.80 K/BB rate, 50.3% grounder rate, and 8.1 K/9 over 70 innings out of the Pirates bullpen. As you would expect, Liriano performed better against left-handed batters (holding them to a .659 OPS) but also held righty swingers to a respectable .730 OPS.

Beyond these numbers, however, Liriano also allowed a lot of hard contract, so there is some uncertainty as to whether hed be able to replicate his solid 2019 statistics again. Given teams ever-present need for left-handed pitching, one would think Liriano will be able to find another minor league deal elsewhere.
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.

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Linkedin (Agence France-Presse) Kuwait City  Sun, July 19, 2020 09:24 549 6657ac82168da9fa101c8a406677d44c 2 World Kuwait Free

Kuwait's crown prince stepped in as partial ruler on Saturday after the hospitalization of the 91-year-old emir, Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, state news agency KUNA said.

"The crown prince (Sheikh Nawaf al-Ahmad Al-Sabah) is to temporarily execute certain prerogatives of the emir," his half-brother, the head of state's office announced, quoted by KUNA.

The agency reported earlier that Sheikh Sabah, ruler of the oil-rich Gulf state since 2006, was hospitalized "to undergo medical tests".

In September 2019, Sheikh Sabah underwent medical tests shortly after arriving in the United States, leading to a meeting with President Donald Trump being called off.

Read also: Pampered Kuwaitis quibble in five-star quarantine

The emir had his appendix removed in 2002, two years after having a pacemaker implanted. In 2007, he underwent urinary tract surgery in the United States.

Sheikh Sabah argued last year for de-escalation in the Gulf as tensions surged between the US and its arch-foe Iran.

He is widely regarded as the architect of modern Kuwait's foreign policy.

Sheikh Nawaf, 83, is an elder statesman who has held high office for decades, including the defense and interior portfolios.

Topics : Kuwait
President Donald Trumps commutation of Roger Stones sentence is a body blow to two core democratic values.

The first, and most immediate, is the principle of fair and impartial justice for all. It is a travesty that Stone  who was plainly guilty of serious crimes, who snubbed his nose repeatedly at the justice system, who continues to challenge his convictions  is now a free man. There is little that can be done now to reverse that injustice.

The second principle is the publics right to know, in this case about the full story of the 2016 election and the Trump campaigns complicity in Russias attack on American institutions. Here Stone may yet be called to account, and that should be a goal shared across political boundaries.

The perversion of justice in Stones case stinks. The commutation vividly illustrates Trumps corrupt two-tiered system: the full force of law for everyone but his cronies and supporters. The special status of Trumpers provided Stone a pass on the most basic of the norms associated with such executive branch actions: People convicted of crimes are not supposed to be eligible for commutation until they begin to serve their sentences and cease challenging their convictions, neither of which Stone has done.
Mumbai: Some people think that construction of Ram Temple can end the Covid-19 pandemic, said NCP chief Sharad Pawar on Sunday. His statement is likely to rake up a fresh controversy as Prime Minister Narendra Modi is also scheduled to attend the laying of foundation stone at Ayodhya's Ram Janmabhoomi site on August 5.

"If some people think that by building temple corona will go, maybe they must have planned this program keeping that in mind. I don't know," Pawar said, adding that their priority was to help and protect people from the deadly virus.

"In my opinion, coronavirus is the biggest threat right now that needs to be dealt with. Both Centre and state should focus on it," he further said.

Sources told News18 that PM Modi was planning to Ayodhya on August 5 between 11am and 1:10pm during the laying of foundation stone (bhumi pujan) for the construction of the Ram Temple.

This will be Modi's first visit to Ayodhya and the Ram temple area.

After a protracted legal tussle, the Supreme Court had last November paved the way for the construction of a Ram Temple by a trust at the disputed site in Ayodhya, and directed the Centre to allot an alternative 5-acre plot to the Sunni Waqf Board for building a new mosque at a "prominent" place in the holy town in Uttar Pradesh.

Meanwhile, Arvind Sawant, the Shiv Sena MP from Mumbai South, told PTI that Lord Ram was a matter of faith for his party, and that it will not indulge inany politics over the issue. "Shiv Sena is a leading light of the Ram Mandir movement. (Sena president) Uddhav Thackeray had visited Ayodhya before becoming chief minister and even after taking charge," he said.

The Sena, the NCP and the Congress are partners in the Maha Vikas Aghadi government. Sawant said ensuring health of people and providing them safety are priorities of the Sena led state government, which is the concept of 'Ramrajya' (a rule of justice and truth). "....We are doing precisely this in our (the state government's) fight against coronavirus in Maharashtra," he said.
Police and ATO at the scene of a security alert in a filling station close to Belfast International Airport on July 19th 2020 (Photo by Kevin Scott for Belfast Telegraph)

A suspicious package found near Belfast International Airport has been declared nothing untoward, police have confirmed.

The discovery of the package at a filling station on the Airport Road sparked a security alert on Sunday.

The road was closed leading to traffic issues for those travelling to the airport.

Army Technical Officers attended the scene and after examination declared the package as nothing untoward.

An eyewitness said: It caused a lot of disruption.

People were queued back on the road approaching the airport for a considerable period of time, and this caused issues for some.

Some were jumping out of cars and running with their suitcases to the airport.

Others had obviously left a bit of time and were able to relax on the roadside in the warm weather.

The Airport Road has now reopened following the incident.
The Congress on Sunday said Gajendra Singh Shekhawat must step down as the Union minister so that he cannot interfere in any investigation into the leaked audiotapes in which the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader is allegedly heard conspiring to topple the Rajasthan government.

Congress spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala had briefed the media on Friday about the existence of the tapes where BJP leaders, including Union minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, can be heard conspiring with rebel MLAs from the Sachin Pilot camp to topple the Ashok Gehlot-led government.

Surjewalas allegations were refuted by Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, who represents Jodhpur in Parliament. He has also demanded a probe to verify the authenticity of the audiotapes that have gone viral on social media.

The BJP has also dismissed the tapes as manufactured by the Congress, which was frustrated at its inability to keep its house in order.

On Sunday, senior Congress leader Ajay Maken shot five questions as well as the demand for Gajendra Singh Shekhawats removal or resignation. Maken also asked the Union water minister to come forward and give his voice sample to end the row over audio clips.

Now that Gajendra Singh Shekhawat has been named in the FIR and his voice in the audiotape has been recognised by people who know him, why is he holding the post of a Union minister? Ajay Maken asked during a press conference in Jaipur.

I heard that he is saying that the voice in the audiotape is not his but of another Gajendra Singh. If it is so, he should give his voice sample and step down from the post until the probe is completed, Maken added.

Maken also shot other questions at the BJP, asking why Bhanwarlal Sharma and Vishwendra Singh, rebel Congress MLA and former minister of the Gehlot cabinet respectively, are being stopped from giving their voice samples.

He also questioned whether other big leaders of the central government are involved and why it is the party trying to suppress the names by conducting a probe by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

The BJP had on Saturday demanded a probe by CBI into what it called a saga of illegalities and concocted lies and wondered whether the state adopted unconstitutional methods to tap into the phones of politicians.

Ajay Maken also said that the BJP should also talk about the source of the black money when it is talking about bribing leader withs 25-35 crore.

The senior Congress leader also asked why are the rebel leaders in Pilots camp are being given protection and being forced if the BJP has no role. He also questioned the role of the Centre, the Haryana government, income tax department, Enforcement Directorate and the Delhi Police.

Rajasthan Polices Special Operations Group (SOG) on Friday registered two first information reports alleging a conspiracy to topple the Congress government in the state after the partys chief whip Mahesh Joshi lodged a complaint on Thursday night citing three audiotapes, purportedly of conversations detailing the plot.

The FIR and the charges come in the middle of a raging political battle in the state between Gehlot and his former deputy Sachin Pilot, who was also the president of the partys state unit until he was divested of both posts by the Congress on Tuesday.

Gehlot, who has the support of at least 101 MLAs in the 200-member assembly, has blamed Pilot of conspiring with the BJP to bring down his government.

Pilot, who has at least 21 MLAs supporting him and are at the ITC Grand Bharat in Manesar, has maintained he and his allies are only opposed to Gehlots dictatorial ways and have nothing to do with the BJP.
Not only did Republican lawmakers in Harrisburg kill any hope of passing redistricting reform in time for the 2020 census update, they are now supporting an effort to gerrymander the election of state judges, too.

Gerrymandering, like poison ivy encasing the trunk of a tree, prevents voters from tapping the heartwood of American democracy: Fair elections.

GOP leaders in the Legislature have set their sights on state judicial elections, hoping that fielding candidates from designated regions in the state (nudge, wink  from very red and very blue districts, purposefully) will produce more Republican judges.

For decades, statewide judgeships  state Supreme, Superior and Commonwealth courts  have been filled by statewide election. As the Pennsylvania Constitution provides.

Of late, however, Democrats won a majority of seats on the state Supreme Court, and that has scrunched up Republican knickers in the seats of legislative power.

If GOP-led gerrymandering can produce intractable Republican majorities in the House and Senate, the thinking goes, why not try the same approach with the three state appellate courts?

Last week the state Senate started the process of amending the state Constitution to do just that. The House adopted the same amendment last year along party lines. A few Republicans jumped the fence, joining Democrats in voting no.

Thankfully, the process of amending the Constitution requires a second round of legislative approvals before it goes to the voters in a referendum. But that could well happen, if legislative Republicans retain majority control. The governor cannot veto a proposed constitutional amendment.

There are plenty of good reasons not to slice and dice Pennsylvania into judicial districts. The first is, look at the near-total entrenchment of incumbents and the iron-fisted leadership by Republicans in the Legislature, thanks to gerrymandering.

Look at what that got us. (Among other things, a free-for-all fireworks law that terrorizes people and pets at this time of year. But we digress.)

And who, you might ask, would draw the lines for new judicial districts? Why, the same control-geeks who gave us the current lopsided legislative model.

Of course, the judiciary isnt free of politics. That will always be the case, whether judges are elected or appointed through a merit process.

But judges, thankfully, can act and rule relatively free of partisan pressure. Once elected, they face only 10-year retention votes. That makes for an offering of independence and the ability to act as a check on the other branches of government.

Statewide judicial elections are working as intended. If nothing else, they level the playing field along voters wishes and enable elected judges to counter some of the worst power grabs by insulated partisan legislators.

The 2018 state Supreme Court redrawing of one of the nations most gerrymandered congressional maps was a classic example.

This proposal, under the guise of spreading out judges geographically, has nothing to do with diversity on the bench or fairness. Its revenge served cold, Harrisburg-style.
The Governor of Ondo State, Rotimi Akeredolu, has admitted he made a wrong choice in his Deputy, Agboola Ajayi, who has now defected to the Peoples democratic party. (PDP).

Akeredolu stated this while meeting party delegates in Igbekebo in Ese-Odo council area, ahead of the primaries on Monday.

According to him, Despite the criticism and attack from various quarters that Ajayi is my cousin, l felt that l had made a choice but a wrong choice.

The Governor said he was happy that Ajayi showed his true colours, describing his exit from APC as a cleansing.

Akeredolu urged the people of the local government not to bother about Ajayi, urging the delegates to vote for him.

Earlier this month, DAILY POST reported that Ajayi urged Akeredolu to hand over to him, after he tested positive for COVID-19.

Shortly after his resignation from APC, Ajayi made it clear he would not resign from office.
The Chief of Defense Staff Lieutenant General Obed Boamah Akwa has patted the back of the Ghana Covid-19 Private Sector Fund for showing a good example of civilian-military co-operation by working so closely with engineers, architects and other built environment professionals from the Ghana Armed Forces to build the countrys first infectious disease isolation and treatment centre.



This is a great example of what collaboration and partnership can achieve in a short period of time, General Akwa said. From the time that we were here a couple of weeks ago until now the transformation that has taken place speaks to the quality of partnership, leadership, resilience and the fortitude to begin a project and end it.



Lieutenant General Akwa was speaking after touring the facility which has been completed just three months after ground was broken for the project to start.



General Akwa stressed that One of the sayings in the military is that when we select an aim or an objective we see it to the end. So the selection and the maintenance of an aim is the key principle for all military operations and you have demonstrated it here very clearly. I will like to thank these young and unassuming professionals for this great initiative and I am proud the Ghana Armed Forces collaborated with [the Ghana Covid-19 Private Sector Fund] and have also worked hard to prove the quality of manpower we have.



General Akwa expressed the hope that there will be more opportunities in the future for the military and the civilian population to work hand-in-hand on bigger projects.



The CDS was accompanied on his inspection tour by the Director of Engineering Services at the Ghana Armed Forces, Colonel E. A. Shooter. They were taken round the facility by a some of the trustees of the Ghana Covid-19 Sector Fund, including Edward Effah, Chairman of Fidelity Bank and Managing Trustee, Senyo Hosi.



On behalf of the Fund, Mr. Hosi expressed gratitude to the Ghana Armed Forces for their assistance and collaboration toward the completion of the facility.



He was also hopeful that the engineers and architects from the Ghana Armed Forces will be available to help with the construction of similar infectious disease centres in Kumasi, Takoradi and Tamale.



We are hoping to raise funds to start the project in Kumasi which will be Ghanas second infectious disease centre and then maybe continue in Takoradi and Tamale and we are looking forward to continuing this partnership, Mr. Hosi said.



It shouldnt be a competition between the public sector and the private sector. There should be collaboration to deliver good service to the people of Ghana and this is the perfect example of what such collaboration can do.





Source: Daniel Adu Darko/Peacefmonline.com/[email protected]









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

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Medical student Diego Montelongo treats restaurant worker Melquiades Cervantes, 43, for COVID-19 in Houston. (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times)

The death toll keeps rising as COVID-19 rages across Florida, Arizona and other campaign battlegrounds, but the television ads President Trump is airing in those states say nothing about the coronavirus pandemic that has upended life for all Americans.

It's a conspicuous omission.

Nearly every day, states that could decide the Nov. 3 election break new records of sickness and death. Nationwide, the virus has killed 140,000 people. Yet the $30 million in TV ads that Trump has run so far this month in his bid for a second term dodge the subject of how he is steering the country through one of the worst calamities any modern president has faced.

Instead, Trump's ads falsely accuse his Democratic rival Joe Biden of trying to defund police. They claim the former vice president would endanger children by letting violent crime explode in cities overrun by protesters who vandalize stores and set buildings on fire. They suggest Biden  a moderate U.S. senator for 36 years  would bow to the radical left-wing mob.

Its not unusual for an incumbent in trouble to try to divert attention from tough times or define an opponent in negative terms, said Erika Franklin Fowler, co-director of the Wesleyan Media Project, which tracks political ads. But the epic scale of the pandemics damage to the nation makes it all but impossible to avoid, she said.

It just becomes stranger and stranger that he doesnt find a way to talk about what hes doing about it, she said.

Trumps exclusion of the coronavirus from his advertising comes as polls show most Americans disapprove of his response to the pandemic. For months, Trump has played down the health threat while stoking racism with incendiary remarks over Confederate monuments and Black Lives Matter protests.

Historian David M. Kennedy sees parallels to President Herbert Hoovers struggles when he ran for reelection in 1932 after the Great Depression erupted on his watch, opening the way for Franklin D. Roosevelt to unseat him.

Story continues

You dont want to call attention to all of the egg thats all over your face, said Kennedy, the author of Freedom From Fear: The American People in Depression and War.

The examples of other countries that have more successfully dealt with this matter tell us that a different kind of leadership could have done better, and historians will try to figure out why Trump has proven so inept in the face of this particular crisis.

In May and early June, Trump ran TV ads saying he'd taken fast action on vaccines, treatments and tests and saved countless lives by banning travelers from China and Europe. In the six weeks since he stopped running them, the U.S. has reported 32,000 more deaths from COVID-19 and 1.9 million new coronavirus cases, even as many other hard-hit countries have tamed the spread of the virus and reopened safely.

The importance of TV commercials in presidential races has diminished as social media have emerged as a main source of voter information. But campaigns still spend heavily on TV spots, and advertising patterns remain one of the best public gauges of their strategy.

For the first three weeks of July, Trump spent $19 million to advertise in states he won narrowly in 2016: Florida, Arizona, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin and Michigan, according to Advertising Analytics, an ad tracking firm.

Nearly all of the $13 million Biden spent on TV ads for the same period went to those same six states.

The presidents campaign has also poured $5 million into Georgia, Ohio and Iowa, states that Trump carried by a wider margin but now appear within Biden's reach.

The recent surge of COVID-19 deaths and hospitalizations in Florida, Arizona, Georgia and Texas is jeopardizing Trumps standing in those states, said Alan Abramowitz, a political scientist at Emory University in Atlanta.

Its helping to put those states in play, I think, because of the lack of confidence in his leadership on that issue," he said, "and he isnt saying or doing anything right now that would change that perception.

In Florida, nearly 5,100 people have died, more than 350,000 have been infected, and hospitals  like those in several other states  are packed with critically ill patients.

In Arizona, where Phoenix morgues are nearly full, coroners are deploying refrigerated trucks to store bodies. The states positive test rate for the coronavirus  nearly one in four  is the highest in the nation.

Florida, Arizona, Georgia and Texas are run by Republican governors who  at Trump's behest  delayed shutting down businesses, were quick to reopen, then were forced to retreat as the contagion exploded.

Trump, who had planned to run for reelection on a strong economy, has pressured states to reopen in defiance of public health guidelines. A Fox News poll released Sunday found voters no longer saw Trump as stronger than Biden on the economy.

Supporters of President Trump at his rally June 20 in Tulsa, Okla. (Sue Ogrocki/Associated Press)

Declining voter confidence in Trump has driven the presidents poll ratings downward. A staggering 69% of Americans say the country is on the wrong track, and 56% disapprove of Trumps job performance, according to RealClear Politics aggregates of public polls.

A Washington Post/ABC News survey last week found 60% of voters disapproved of Trumps leadership on the pandemic. Multiple polls have shown a drop in his support among a key constituency that favored him in 2016: people older than 65, a group highly vulnerable to COVID-19.

Beyond his ads showing mayhem in the streets under Biden, Trump has also run spots blaming his opponent for the loss of U.S. factory jobs to China.

Another Trump ad suggests Biden, 77, is going senile. It describes him as clearly diminished and shows him stumbling to find his words. Joe Biden does not have the strength, the stamina and mental fortitude required to lead this country, a narrator says.

That line of attack risks backfiring on the 74-year-old president, said Susan MacManus, a veteran political scientist at the University of South Florida.

Trumps got to be careful, she said. Trump is thinking that everybody thinks hes energetic and vivacious and doesnt have these cognitive problems. But is that true?

A recent Monmouth University poll found that 52% of voters were confident that Biden has the mental and physical stamina to be president, compared with 45% for Trump. The president at times has difficulty pronouncing words and recently used two hands to raise a glass of water to his lips. His slow gait walking down a ramp at a West Point graduation last month led critics to question his health. Trump blamed slippery shoes.

Trump campaign spokesman Tim Murtaugh said Americans already understood how hard the president had worked to keep the country safe during the pandemic but needed to know more about Biden, so it made sense to stick with the scorching ads.

For his part, Biden has run spots that depict him as a force for stability after the turmoil of Trumps racially divisive presidency. The country is crying out for leadership that brings us together, he says in one spot featuring images of himself and American workers wearing masks. Trump, who has mocked Biden for campaigning in a mask, has worn one publicly only once.

Priorities USA Action, a super PAC running ads on Bidens behalf, has been airing spots hammering Trump for letting the pandemic spiral out of control. Guy Cecil, the groups chairman, said it was no surprise that Trump was avoiding the topic in his ads.

I think its going to be very hard to make this election about anything other than the Trump administrations failure to deal with the coronavirus, he said.

Abramowitz, the political scientist, believes many voters are disturbed by Trumps dismissiveness toward public-health experts, his rush to reopen schools and businesses, and his rallies of crowds sitting shoulder-to-shoulder with no masks.

Everything I see him saying or doing is just reinforcing this perception that hes not capable of dealing with this," he said. "And its obviously the most significant challenge facing the country right now.
Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Kostas Fragogiannis today met with the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Bosnia-Herzegovina, Josip Brkic, who is on a working visit to Greece.



Mr. Fragogiannis noted the very good level of relations between the two countries and the potential for further enhancement of these relations, stressing that Greece firmly supports the European perspective of Bosnia-Herzegovina.



Mr. Brkic stressed the importance of the decision  in the midst of the Covid-19 crisis  to launch the EU accession negotiations of Albania and North Macedonia, which renewed the regions European perspective.



He also thanked Greece for protecting Greeces borders, which are also European borders.
The Trump administration has recently been flirting with another U.S.-North Korean summit - both President Donald Trump and Chairman Kim Jong-un first met in Singapore in 2018 to address denuclearization; the talks stalled following a 2019 summit in Vietnam. As reported by The American Conservative, multiple White House aides have confirmed President Trump is now considering new proposals to achieve what he hopes would be a breakthrough in what are now long-dormant talks with North Korea.

South Korean President Moon Jae-in, who has called for another Trump-Kim meeting ahead of the election in November, acknowledged Thursday that U.S. and South Korean relations with North Korea were still like walking on ice after two years of high-stakes summitry. But according to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, the likelihood of another Trump-Kim summit is low unless there is going to be real progress made.

The North Koreans have given mixed signals, but the truth is President Trump only wants to engage in a summit if we believe theres a sufficient likelihood that we can make real progress in achieving the outcomes that were set forth in Singapore, Pompeo said referring to the first Trump-Kim summit in June 2018.

In June of last year, President Trump crossed the inter-Korean border alone to the village of Panmunjom (the demilitarized zone on the border between the two Koreas), at the invitation of North Korean dictator. Trump became the first U.S. president to do so as both leaders shook hands in North Korea.

Unfortunately, that encounter, like the two previous ones, was perceived by critics as a photo-op, since the U.S. has yet to get the North Koreans to agree to denuclearize the peninsula. And so would it be once more if the two meet this fall, since the Kim regime will never agree to abolish all of its nuclear weapons as the U.S. wants -- an arms control agreement would be more realistic.

There is, however, another factor that the Trump administration has not touched upon, and it does not seem as if it will. It is the issue of human rights.

Isolated from the rest of the world, North Korea has been ruled by the Kim family for three generations; its citizens are required to show complete devotion to the family and its current leader, Kim Jong-un. The country remains one of the most representative dictatorial states in the world. In his seventh year in power, Kim continues to exercise near-total political control as his government restricts all civil and political liberties, including freedom of expression, assembly, association, and religion. It also prohibits any organized political opposition, independent media, civil society, and trade unions. Regrettably, as Dr. William Jeynes of California State University at Long Beach stated: As much as one would like to think altruism is the rule, one reason it is valued as much as it is and extolled by those who preach about its merits, is because it is generally the exception and not the rule.

The Pyongyang government routinely resorts to arbitrary arrests, torture, and executions of political dissidents in order to maintain fear and control over the population -- just this past week North Korea denounced Britain on Saturday for announcing sanctions against two organizations that the British government has said are involved in forced labor, torture. and murder in North Korean prison camps.

Kims dictatorship continues to fail to protect or promote the rights of numerous at-risk groups, including women, children, and people with disabilities. North Korea is also said to be the largest open prison camp in the world -- according to a U.S. State Department report, there are between 80,000 and 120,000 people in prison camps.

Another Trump-Kim summit, unless human rights are brought into the picture, would resemble the encounter between President Richard Nixon and Mao Zedong, when the former travelled to the Peoples Republic of China in 1972 -- the first U.S. president to visit China since Chinese-American relations were cut off in 1949. After that historic meeting, the U.S. abandoned the position of the two Chinas -- that of Beijing and Taiwan -- favoring the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) the U.S. re-established diplomatic relations, trade, and an alliance against the Soviet Union.

Despite these results, many in the West hoped that the CCP would recognize and promote human rights for its people. In retrospect, it provided the Party with the necessary means to create an economic empire and systematically infiltrate most of the world -- there is no need to enter into detail why Beijing is considered today an international thug. The same, I fear, would occur if the Trump administration does not address Pyongyangs human rights violations.

Yes, it would be great if Trump can get Kim to agree and commit to an arms-control deal, in addition to ending the war between both North Korea and the U.S. -- officially both states are still at war since they only agreed to an armistice in 1953. For the time being, as reported by Senior Director of Korean Studies at the Center for the National Interest Harry J. Kazianis, the White House is to offer a customized package of sanctions relief in exchange for a reciprocal package that includes the dismantlement of one or more key nuclear production facilities as well as a formal nuclear and missile testing moratorium pledge.

It is true that Trump has forged a relationship with North Korea, unlike any of his predecessors. And if he can at least bring the war to an official end, it would certainly give him the credibility of being a peacemaker. Yet thus far, outside the appeasement of having some remains of American soldiers killed during the Korean War returned to the U.S., Trump appears to have come out empty-handed.

Kim, with the support of Communist China, has shown no intention halt his human rights violations -- his only intentions are to maintain nuclear power increase his financial profit. To denuclearize and submit to the U.S. desires will make him lose the international leverage he got during the summits with Trump. Kim also knows that for the moment he has upper hand since he will continue to rule -- unless if he dies (by natural or unnatural causes) -- after the presidential election in November, regardless who wins.

At the same time, Kim knows that he will unlikely have the success he has had if Joe Biden gets elected. Many Democrats, including Senate minority leader Chuck Schumer and Biden, have been highly critical of Trump for reaching out to the North Korean dictator. Just before the 2019 Hanoi summit, North Korea accused Democrats of undermining the meeting by chilling the atmosphere before the important gathering commenced.

Would this be enough to get Kim back to the negotiating table? Kim Yo Jong, the powerful sister of the North Korean leader, said she does not expect another summit with the United States this year, insisting that such a meeting would be unpractical for the North, but she also said, you never know.
Jerusalem, July 19 : Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's corruption trial resumed on Sunday at the Jerusalem District Court.

The second hearing of the trial, which Netanyahu and other defendants in the case were not obliged to attend, is focusing on an additional time given to his lawyers to study the investigation material, reports Xinhua news agency.

In the hearing, Netanyahu's lawyer Yossi Segev asked for a postponement in the beginning of the trial due to the coronavirus pandemic.

"We cannot investigate witnesses when the witness is wearing a mask," he told the judges.

During the discussion, the judges are expected to determine the timetable for the hearings in the trial.

Netanyahu's trial over bribery, fraud and breach of trust in three different cases began on May 24.

Israel's longest-serving leader is facing growing public anger over his handling of the coronavirus crisis.

The accusations include accepting some $200,000 in gifts such as cigars and champagne from two billionaires, Hollywood-based Israeli movie mogul Arnon Milchan and Australian magnate James Packer, according to a Times of Israel report.

Netanyahu is also accused of offering to push legislation benefiting powerful Israeli media moguls in exchange for more positive coverage in their publications.

He denies any wrongdoing, saying he is the victim of a wide-ranging conspiracy and called the allegations baseless.

On Saturday, rallies were held outside the Prime Minister's Residence in Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, and major road junctions across the country.

The police in a statement that at least 28 protesters were arrested.
Editor's Note: This story has been updated to note the driver passed away

MEDICAL LAKE -- A single-car, rollover accident Saturday afternoon closed one Interstate 90 westbound lane for several hours and sent a Post Falls, Idaho man to the hospital.

According to a Washington State Patrol press memo, a 2007 Chevy PT Cruiser driven by 41-year-old Zachary M. Hanford, Post Falls, was westbound on I-90 at approximately 12:36 when the vehicle began drifting to the right around mile post 266 -- halfway between the Four Lakes/Cheney and Salnave Road exits. The vehicle struck a rock wall, causing it to roll several times -- about 30 yards according to investigators -- and finally came to rest on the right side of the interstate.

Hanford, who was wearing a seat belt, was injured as and transported to Sacred Heart Medical Center. In an update Sunday morning, the State Patrol said Hanford had passed away due to his injuries.

The Cruiser was totaled.

The cause of the crash is still under investigation.
Immigration to drive Canadas population growth as global birth rates fall A recent study suggests global population will peak mid-century and decline by 2100. Shelby Thevenot Aa Accessibility Font Style Serif

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Canada will need to keep immigration as a priority to remain competitive in the global economy at the end of the century, a new study suggests.



The study by The Lancet forecasts a global population decline starting in the late 21st century. They suggest that the world population will peak at 9.73 billion in 2064 and will decline to 8.79 billion by the year 2100.

The studys researchers expect Canadas population to peak at 45.2 million in 2078 and fall to 44.1 million in 2100. However, this is much more conservative than the Conference Board of Canadas forecast from 2018, which suggested that Canadas population would reach 45 million by 2040 should immigration levels reach one per cent of the countrys population per year. It also suggested that Canadas population growth would depend entirely on immigration by 2030.

Find out if you are eligible for any Canadian immigration programs

Most of Canadas population growth is already driven by immigration. In 2019, about 82 per cent of the population growth came from the arrival of immigrants, and about 18 per cent came from new births, a number which is decreasing every year according to Statistics Canada.

For high-income countries with fertility rates lower than the replacement level, the most immediate solution is liberal immigration policies, the Lancet researchers wrote.

Canada saw the highest net immigration rates in the study, along with Turkey and Sweden. Should Canadas openness to immigration continue, the research shows that sustained population growth and workforce expansion will accompany economic growth.

By 2030, Canada is expected to replace Russia as the tenth-largest economy in the world and maintain that ranking through the rest of the century. Since Canada is expected to maintain a strong GDP over the next century it is also expected to hold on to geopolitical power by sustaining its working-age population through immigration.

The optimal strategy for economic growth, fiscal stability, and geopolitical security is liberal immigration with effective assimilation into these societies, the study says.

Researchers concluded that once population decline begins it is not likely to stop by the end of the century. In spite of this, Canada is one of the countries expected to sustain its population thorough liberal immigration policies and social policies that are more supportive of women working and having control over their reproductive rights. This is also likely to cause Canada to have a larger overall GDP, with the various social, economic and geopolitical benefits that come with having a stable working-age population.

Find out if you are eligible for any Canadian immigration programs

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Pope Francis has called on ensuring a long-term resolution of the conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan through dialogue, RIA Novosti reports.

I am still following with concern the renewed tensions of armed conflict in the Caucasus region between Armenia and Azerbaijan in recent days, Pope Francis said before the recitation of the Marian prayer in front of a few thousand people present in St. Peters Square.

Pope Francis assured the people of his prayers for the families of those who lost their lives during the clashes and hoped that with the commitment of the international community and through dialogue and the goodwill of the parties, a lasting peaceful solution can be reached.
Workers in Niger State have issued a seven-day ultimatum over payment of 70 per cent salary.

Chairman Trade Union Congress (TUC) Comrade Inusa Tanimu and Chairman of the Joint Action Committee of NLC, Comrade Mahmud Aminu Muye gave the ultimatum after the State Government paid 70 per cent of the workers salaries.

The governments decision to reduce salaries workers by due to what it termed shortfall in the FAAC allocation.

But the workers insisted they would rather go hungry than receive pay cut.



Last Thursday and Friday, the Government went ahead to pay 70 per cent of the workers salaries.

Tanimu expressed disappointment with the development, vowing they will embark on a three-day warning strike after expiration of the ultimatum to press home their demands.

Muye, on his part, described governments action as illegal and unacceptable, lamenting with 30 per cent salary slash, most Civil Servants will be left with nothing to take home after bank deduction and settlement of loans.

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Things in frames are a great way of adding interest to your interior. Paintings and photos are popular, but lots of other things - pieces of fabric, old letters, maps - look good in frames too. Dr John Campion, owner of Tubbrid Castle in Kilkenny, opted to frame a host of poems by Irish literary figures, and these sit on shelves in the bedroom on the ground floor of this magnificently restored building.

However, for John, they are not just an interior design device - these poems are deeply significant. Several are tributes to fathers, including the short and pithy poem titled 1.1.87 by Seamus Heaney. It goes: Dangerous pavements/But I face the ice this year/With my father's stick.

"I visited Heaney's homeplace in Bellaghy and saw this poem," John explains. "His father had just passed away when he wrote it. It's dated the beginning of the year, the beginning of a new chapter and he felt he got strength from his father to face it."

This poem resonates particularly with the young medic. His father had started the restoration of the castle 20 years ago, but sadly he suffered from Parkinson's disease and became too ill to continue.

Expand Close The sitting area in the great hall of the castle. The floor is made from Kilkenny limestone flags, as is the fireplace, which has a log fire. Traditional lime whitewash was put on the walls / Facebook

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Whatsapp The sitting area in the great hall of the castle. The floor is made from Kilkenny limestone flags, as is the fireplace, which has a log fire. Traditional lime whitewash was put on the walls

Drawing strength from what his father had done, John opted to finish this sensitive restoration, while at the same time doing advanced medical studies; still only 30, he's been a qualified doctor for six years and is training to be a consultant.

In fact, the day we photographed John at the castle was the first time he was back in Kilkenny in four months, having spent that time in Cork University Hospital working with Covid-19 patients.

"I was working in the medical assessment unit but when Covid-19 hit, it was turned into the Covid assessment unit. We treated each patient as if they were coronavirus positive, that meant we were well trained in how to make sure that we were putting on and taking off the PPE correctly," he says. "I still remember the first patient I saw who was suspected of having coronavirus. I remember the novelty of putting on the PPE. The first day, it took 10 minutes to put on; we had it down to a minute by the time we were practised in it."

John adds that in the early days they were preparing for the kind of scenario that had occurred in Spain and Italy but thanks to everyone in the HSE and the Irish people, that hasn't come to pass.

He's about to embark on the next stage of his medical training - he's aiming to become a gastroenterologist - but first he's spending a few weeks in his castle. It's only a stone's throw from the house in which he grew up, the youngest of five, three girls and two boys.

John's parents were farmers but he wanted to become a doctor from an early age. "When I was in transition year, I organised a work placement in St Vincent's hospital in Dublin," he says. "I moved up to Dublin for the summer on my own and worked as a porter and a ward clerk to see what a hospital environment was like. Seeing the doctors and nurses going about their work appealed to me; they seemed to get great satisfaction in their work."

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After the Leaving Cert, John went to NUI Galway, which he loved. During his six years there, he did an Erasmus in a hospital in Montpelier in France, and most summers during his studies he opted to work in the medical field. This included a summer in the WHO in Geneva; a summer in Georgetown University on a research programme, and another summer in Uganda with the noted nun Sister Doctor Maura Lynch. In Uganda, he studied malnutrition in patients and obstetric fistula, a painful and life-altering condition that is common in less developed countries in women who experience difficult childbirth.

"Maura Lynch established repair camps where women would come from hundreds of miles away for surgery to give them back quality of life," John says. "It opened my eyes to the importance of basic medical care."

In 2014, he did his internship in St Luke's in Kilkenny. Then, after two years in St James's in Dublin, he returned to Kilkenny where he was a gastroenterology registrar for a year. "Dad was in the later stages of his illness, Mum took great care of him and I wanted to be near them," John says.

It was during this time that the idea of completing the restoration of the castle took hold. "Dad had started the restoration 20 years ago," John explains. "He was one of 11 children and he told me they played in the castle and used to bring my grandmother back flowers they had picked from the top. He told me that, later, as he used to be bringing the cows past it, he'd think to himself, 'I'm going to restore that some day'."

John says his mother wasn't too keen on the idea of the restoration - she thought it was a folly - but his father was not to be deterred. "He was single-minded and had great vision," says John.

The castle dates from the 15th Century, but it's thought a fort stood there before the castle - according to John, the King of Ulster led an army of "a thousand leather cloaks" in 942 around Ireland in a show of strength and there is a mention of Tubbrid in a poem written by the king's bard to commemorate the event.

Expand Close John in the dining area of the great hall. The nobility would have been entertained here. Photo: Tony Gavin / Facebook

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Several elements of the castle's design point to the fact that it was very much built with defence against the enemy in mind. It stands four storeys high, and the stone staircase is so narrow, it's impossible to go up if someone is coming down against you. There is a murder hole to the ground floor, so rocks could be flung at intruders, and the tapered window slits made it easy to fire an arrow outward but difficult to successfully fire one in.

John's great-grandparents used to live in the castle as tenants before moving to a house on the land. Then, in 1929, the Land Commission sold the land, including the castle, to them.

When John's father started his restoration work, there was no roof, no windows, no doors and the walls were crumbling. "He worked on it for 12 years," John says. "He did a lot of the work himself, a little bit each year. There was a community of like-minded people with similar buildings at different stages of their restoration and it gave him great encouragement."

Among the jobs John's dad did was the roof; he enlisted the services of Paul Price in Dublin who specialises in traditional roofs - it's made of green oak and covered in slate.

"He did it the traditional way, so there are no nails or screws, only dowels and joints," John says."When you think of how they built places like this originally, they had no cranes to lift the materials; the stones would be quarried and then brought here by horse and cart."

His father also put in the windows, choosing very simple ones so that the mullions - the stone dividers - would be showcased. He repaired the walls, too - using a traditional lime-based mortar. His father had also bought tons of Kilkenny limestone flags for the flooring five years ago but didn't get around to laying them.

"Then his health declined and I asked to take it over," John recalls.

It's a listed building and national monument so John realised he needed expertise on board. Conservation architect Cormac O'Sullivan had advised his father and continued to work with John.

"We had Dad's vision to cling on to but there were a lot of late nights working out solutions to the challenges a building like this throws up. I had the shell and we had to instate character," John says. "Dad originally planned to divide up the rooms to maximise space; I changed that to allow the architecture to be appreciated."

So each floor consists of just one room. There are three large bedrooms, two en suite; and the first floor is the great hall which comprises an open-plan kitchen/dining/living room.

John got local builders Charlie and Frank Murphy to complete the restoration. Considering there are over 60 stone steps on the narrow staircase from top to bottom, it's not surprising that the builders said they got a rigorous daily workout."Getting the flagstones up those stairs was some challenge," says John. "They put in underfloor heating and did a great job of hiding all the modern elements like wiring."

John himself did the basic design. He had the walls whitewashed and he opted for grey units in the open-plan kitchen/living/dining area, but he got Kilkenny interior designer Orla Kelly to source the furnishings and fabrics. "We sourced as much as possible locally, and all the tables are by the Wood Factory in Dublin."

John's bedroom is just under the roof. Waking up here is a real privilege, he says. There are particularly wonderful views from this room, taking in the family farm all around him.

The land includes a tiny cemetery where many of his ancestors are buried, and, more recently, his beloved father. "Because it was my dad's legacy I wanted it to be done right, a good reflection of all the work he had put in," John says. "I'm glad now it's complete and from his final resting place he can keep an eye on it."

John's work takes him away for long stints so the castle is available to rent per night.

See tubbridcastle.com

Edited by Mary O'Sullivan

Photography by Tony Gavin
The case of Ibrahim Magu, the suspended acting chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission calls for a sober reflection. Even though the allegations are yet to be tested in court, it is very damning and has wrecked his reputation, character, and name. While some people are rejoicing over his predicament, I believe that the fate that befell him is a setback for some of us who believe that there are still good people in Nigeria, men, and women of integrity willing and ready to work for the good of the common man.

For the past five years of President Muhammadu Buharis administration, I have dedicated my time and energy bringing to fore grey areas his administration has rendered pathetic service to the people. I have also consistently called out corrupt people in his government. To be honest, I am really disappointed with Buharis government and Magus case adds to it.

Democracy in Nigeria to me is like a merry-go-round  a running around in circles where we repeat the same things to get the same results. No Growth. No innovation. No Future. Since Buhari became President in 2015, I will be a liar to say that we have transcended. It has been the same old rusty road, blown around by the breeze of regret. Repeating the same mistakes and learning nothing new from our failures. Nigeria is blind, beggarly, and cursed. Things have gone from bad to worse. This is 2020, we still dont have steady light. In 2018 alone, over 20 million Nigerians were unemployed according to data by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS). Consider that with what we have now. It must have tripled. We now have killer herdsmen and killer bandits. Petrol at N143/litre. $1 is now N470. We are charged VAT for renting a house, cars, food, calls, and almost everything. There is VAT even to pay and withdraw your own money. It is hell in Nigeria. We buy the same cars, computers, chairs, and many other things every year for Buhari, his ministers, and the National Assembly. What happened to the ones we bought the year before? There is change, but only the politicians who live off our commonwealth, buying themselves different cars and mansions every month enjoy the good part of that change. They move around with the best of our police officers to protect them from our filthy hands. They come once in a while to the villages riding luxury cars and in the end, they fly back to Abuja, steal money meant for projects turning our roads to death zones. I feel very bitter each time knowing that we are stuck here with politicians who are willing to enrich their pockets than work for the good of the masses.

So Sorry I digressed a bit.

Back to Magu.

I was a bit impressed by Magus anti-corruption fight even though it was selective. I had ceased from criticizing him after seeing the manner he successfully prosecuted some notorious ex-governors, even to the point of jailing them. He appeared to me like someone who came for serious business. But while nailing the bad guys, he was unable to account for the things he recovered from them. That was a bitter turnoff.

I meticulously followed the drama birthed by his appointment and the fallout between him and the 8th National Assembly. I had thought it was a case of witch-hunting. It gave me serious concern. But, the damning allegations brought against his person left me with nightmares especially for the fact that the presidency as at that time dismissed it as mere speculation instigated by his enemies to ridicule his person.

Now, the past has come to haunt him. One wonders if Buhari doubted the report of the Department of State Security years back, accusing Magu of graft and owning choice properties abroad, why is he acting now? Inasmuch as I would like to see this as a wakeup call on the part of Buhari, but something tells me this might be a powerplay between Magu and Buharis Attorney-General Abubakar Malami. I am not good at conspiracy theories, so I will not go into details of the powerplay, antagonism, and accusations of insubordination between the two.

Magus case is symptomatic of Nigerias many decades of systematic, political, infrastructural, and educational decay that has left political office holders usurping political offices for personal gain, without an iota of accountability. These officeholders in their desperate bid to confuse the citizens, regale us with unbelievable tales of unspeakable vision to transform the nation. When they get into political positions, they treat us like lepers, make us their enemies, ostracize and ridicule us while stuffing their pockets with our treasures. Magu is not alone in this  we have hundreds of them in the executive, legislative and judicial arms of government. Do you wonder why a certain Nigerian judge will happily source to be given a lift on a plane? Tomorrow when we speak about the rot in the system, you wonder why. When someone does you such a favour, do you think if you bring a case against such an airplane owner before the honourable judge that you will get justice? The Nigerian system is a dung that corrupts even the most upright of souls. It backs the rich while pissing on the poor. It takes from the poor and gives to the rich. Corruption smells everywhere you gaze. We have been invaded by men and women who lack character, people who can sell their souls for money, acquiring enormous wealth for generations unborn, evil-hearted, cold-blooded looters of our common treasury.

The accusation that Magu re-looted public funds he recovered and sold some off to his cronies is an embarrassment to the government. It tells of a weak institution lacking checks and balances. A seasoned culture of a total lack of accountability, oversight, and trust. It is a disappointment on the part of the government that those they projected as having impeccable character now make plans with the enemy to deprive the masses of their rightful dues. How do you want the people to trust a government that is represented by thieves? A government that has shown its preference for harbouring rogues and dinning with dishonest individuals. A government that loves appointing people with questionable character into positions of authority.

Magus downfall is a disaster for all of us. Who do we now trust? Even Buhari cant be trusted. Now and again he fills our ears with news of Boko Harams defeat, yet daily our brothers and sisters are ambushed by the terrorists and killed in gruesome fashion. His own appointees flout laid down laws, break all protocol at state functions, bury their dead in the company of mammoth crowd amid coronavirus pandemic while celebrating the arrest of those who break the same rules they broke to hold a house party. I know, they are special and above the law.

Something is really wrong with Nigeria. A country where the commoners cannot get government jobs by merit. Slots are given out to politicians and it is brought to public attention with no one feeling disturbed. What do you call a country where ministers assign job slots to politicians who in turn give out the jobs to the highest bidder, even to their cronies, side chics, sugar mummies, sugar daddies, convicts, robbers and all manner of persons at the detriment of those who merited such positions? Such a country will birth incompetent and unqualified folks who suck at their work. Greedy folks who demand bribes at every checkpoint in town; religious warriors who cant allow you move freely and legally at the airports without coercing you into giving them money; folks who are ready to loot government fund at any given opportunity. That is exactly what we have. That is your Nigeria.

Each day you wake up until you die, remember that Magus downfall is a reminder to all of us that our institutions are weak and the road to a better Nigeria for our children is still very far. It reminds us of our broken institutions, of a lack of accountability that has pervaded the very core of our political existence. It is not Magu that has fallen, it is Nigeria; it is our future.

Alexander Thandi Ubani writes from Lagos.

Hes a journalist.

Twitter: @thandiubani
Amid growing mistrust between the government and Facebook, United States antitrust regulators might question the California-based social media companys CEO Mark Zuckerberg and his right-hand executive to find out if the network violated monopoly laws. The Wall Street Journal report released on July 17 even cited unnamed sources closely involved in the matter saying that the US Federal Trade Commission is planning to take sworn testimony from Mark Zuckerberg and of Facebook chief operating officer Sheryl Sandberg. This comes as a part of a yearlong investigation to determine whether the social network has abused its dominance in the market.

According to an international media agency, the FTC declined to discuss the report. However, while responding to an inquiry by media agency, a Facebook spokesperson has said that the company looks forward to share their views about the landscape of competition in the market along with companys technology leaders. During the upcoming hearing in front of the Congress, the spokesperson elaborated, that the company would showcase how the innovations provides choices for consumers.

Read - Mark Zuckerbergs Father Offered Him McDonalds Franchise As An Alternative To Harvard

Read - Mark Zuckerberg On Advertisers Boycotting Facebook Ads: They Will Be Back 'soon Enough'

Tech giants scheduled for hearing on July 27

Meanwhile, the leaders of Amazon, Apple, Facebook, and Google are scheduled to testify during an antitrust investigation hearing at the United States House Committee on the Judiciary on July 27. The hearing comes while there has been an increase in the complaints about the tech platforms in the country to have dominated the key economic sectors and pledge by certain activists as well as politicians to weaken the SiliconValey giants.

According to reports, Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos, Apple CEO Time Cook, Google CEO Sundar Pichai and Zuckerberg can either appear virtually as per their wish, according to the joint statement released by Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerrold Nadler and Antitrust subcommittee chairman David Cicilline.

"Since last June, the subcommittee has been investigating the dominance of a small number of digital platforms and the adequacy of existing antitrust laws and enforcement," Nadler and Cicilline said.

"Given the central role these corporations play in the lives of the American people, it is critical that their CEOs are forthcoming."

Read - Mark Zuckerberg Wanted To Remove Trump's Post In 2015 But Facebook Stopped Him: Report

Read - Mark Zuckerberg Loses $7 Billion After Companies Boycott Facebook Ads

Inputs: Agency/ Image: AP
Halliburton, Microsoft Corp and Accenture have announced they have entered into a five-year strategic agreement to advance Halliburtons digital capabilities in Microsoft Azure.



Under the agreement, Halliburton will complete its move to cloud-based digital platforms and strengthen its customer offerings by:



 Enhancing real-time platforms for expanded remote operations,

 Improving analytics capability with the Halliburton Data Lake utilizing machine learning and artificial intelligence, and

 Accelerating the deployment of new technology and applications, including SOC2 compliance for Halliburtons overall system reliability and security.



The strategic agreement with Microsoft and Accenture is an important step in our adoption of new technology and applications to enhance our digital capabilities, drive additional business agility and reduce capital expenditures, said Jeff Miller, Halliburton chairman, president & CEO. We are excited about the benefits our customers and employees will realize through this agreement, and the opportunity to further leverage our open architecture approach to software delivery.



Moving to the cloud allows companies to create market-shaping customer offerings and drive tangible business outcomes, said Judson Althoff, executive vice president, Microsofts Worldwide Commercial Business. Through this alliance with Halliburton and Accenture, we will apply the power of the cloud to unlock digital capabilities that deliver benefits for Halliburton and its customers.



The agreement also enables the migration of all Halliburton physical data centers to Azure, which delivers enterprise-grade cloud services at global scale and offers sustainability benefits. Accenture will work closely with Microsoft, in conjunction with their Avanade joint venture, to help transition Halliburtons digital capabilities and business-critical applications to Azure.



Accenture will leverage its comprehensive cloud migration framework, which brings industrialized capabilities together with exclusive tools, methods, and automation to accelerate Halliburtons data center migration and provide for additional transformation opportunities.



Building a digital core and scaling it quickly across a business is only possible with a strong foundation in the cloud, said Julie Sweet, chief executive officer, Accenture. Halliburton recognizes that this essential foundation will provide the innovation, efficiency and talent advantages to do things differently and fast. We are proud to be part of driving this transformational change, which builds on our long history of working with Halliburton and Microsoft.



The companies expect to complete the staged migration by 2022.  TradeArabia News Service
KENT, Ohio -- Over 60% of Ohioans  compared to about 38% of Americans overall  are high risk for COVID-19. And the highways that allow us to enjoy day trips to Presque Isle and weekends in New York? They also increase rates of human trafficking, drug trafficking, and coronavirus exposures. Given the startling increase in COVID-19 cases, its time for Ohio to re-close  to limit nonessential businesses, restrict gatherings, and reinforce measures to keep us home.

It would be nice if the guidelines from Ohios Public Health Advisory System or Gov. Mike DeWines call to unite were enough. But brain science tells us that appropriate, rational decision-making shouldnt be expected in a pandemic, largely because our mental bandwidth is exhausted.

Bandwidth refers to the approximately 0.1% of our brains resources we can consciously control. The remaining 99.9% of brain work  like breathing or dodging flying objects  is automatic. The part we can control  our bandwidth  is extremely limited, but also absolutely necessary for making choices, controlling impulses, and doing meaningful things.

Bandwidth is basically the physiological limitation on how much thinking we can do, and, interestingly, we all have about the same amount. Bandwidth is not will power  we cant just decide we want more and think harder. Its not intelligence or knowledge  we cant educate our way into more. And its not time  we cant manage it that intentionally.

During this pandemic, our bandwidth is drained. The loss of day-to-day routines  workplace break times, time with friends, movie nights  means that we are using more of our valuable, limited bandwidth for basic functioning. And the ongoing uncertainty of the pandemic consumes massive amounts of bandwidth  just ask any parent how much theyve thought about what school will look like in the fall.

Tina D. Bhargava is an associate professor of public health at Kent State University.

Research shows that, with limited bandwidth, we are less likely to make well-reasoned, responsible decisions, and more likely to default to automatic or impulsive choices, regardless of consequences. Given this, basing the success of Ohios reopening plans on the expectation that people will make sensible choices in a pandemic is a recipe for disaster.

We must move beyond recommendations and enact policies that include specific parameters for safe behaviors and plans for accountability, like our early public health orders. Clear right/wrong delineations are much easier on bandwidth-exhausted brains than broad guidelines  thats why we give cranky toddlers a choice between the blue or green blankie for their nap, rather than asking if they want to take one. Ohio needs to acknowledge that collective decision-making ability is limited, confront the growing threat of COVID-19, and rise to the challenge of re-closing.

Re-closing is challenging on many levels  including to our brains. As the months have gone by, we have tried to build new routines and certainty out of the chaos. Unsurprisingly, changing the rules sounds threatening.

The reality is that the virus sets the rules. Re-closing is the way we free bandwidth within those rules, because it limits the decisions we have to make amid day-to-day, inevitable uncertainty.

Luckily, creating easier brain choices now by limiting nonessential activities is highly likely to work. However, if we wait, we will have to start limiting essential services (health care, schools, child care), which will feel more threatening to our brains, making even clear policies unlikely to pull our brains back from risky choices.

While the public health wisdom of re-closing is relatively clear, some argue that economic decisions are more complicated. But we must remember that Ohios economy isnt measured on a stock exchange; it is measured by the people who manufacture, build, teach, and create. COVID-19 deaths are higher than ever. Research reveals that the virus is harmful in ways that we dont understand and more infectious than originally thought. This pandemic attacks Ohios greatest resource: our human capital.

We need to recognize that our future depends on bandwidth-exhausted people making safer decisions. We need a solution that will make safer decisions the easiest. We need to re-close.

Tina D. Bhargava is an associate professor of public health at Kent State University, and a mental bandwidth scholar, teacher and liberator. Learn more about bandwidth at http://everydaybandwidth.com/.

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* Email general questions about our editorial board or comments on this editorial to Elizabeth Sullivan, director of opinion, at esullivan@cleveland.com.
Iranian authorities say the black box of a Ukrainian passenger plane shot down in Tehran in January has been sent to France, a world leader in the field of black box analysis.

All 176 people on board were killed when Ukrainian passenger jet PS752 was hit by two Iranian-fired missiles shortly after take-off on 8 January.

Iran's deputy foreign minister, Mohsen Baharvand, told ILNA media that the black boxes were transported to Paris on Friday, accompanied by Iranian civil aviation and judicial officials, and would be read on Monday.

The victims came from seven countries, including 82 Iranians, 55 Canadians and 11 Ukrainians.

Iran has been in intense negotiations with Ukraine, Canada and other nations whose citizens died in the crash and who have demanded a thorough investigation into the incident.

Iran maintains it was the product of human error, which families of the victims in Ukraine and Canada in particular, refute.

'Unforgiveable mistake'

Iran initially denied responsibility for the crash, insisting it was due to engine failure.

But a few days later the country admitted responsibility, after Western intelligence officials said evidence pointed to Iranian involvement.

Teheran said it had mistaken the Ukraine International Airlines flight for a cruise missile.

President Hassan Rohani described the error as an "unforgivable mistake".

Iran's air defences had been on high alert at the time, amid heightened tension in the region.

Hours before the crash, the country had launched ballistic missiles at two US military bases in Iraq in response to a US drone strike that killed Iranian general al Qasem Soleimani in Baghdad.

French expertise

The black box contains the very latest data and communications from the cockpit, crucial in determining what happened.

Iran had delayed its release after disagreements with countries who lost citizens over where it should be decoded.

Under global aviation regulations, Iran is entitled to lead the investigation, but manufacturers would usually be involved.

Iran had refused, however, to release the black box to the US, where manufacturer Boeing is based.

Despite the fact no French citizens were among the dead, Iranian authorities have called on French technical assistance.

Experts at the BEA (French Air Accident Research Centre) in Le Bourget north of Paris, will set about analysing the recordings on Monday.

BEA's laboratory is very modern, complete and efficient, Alain de Valence, a legal expert who worked with BEA on the 2009 Rio-Paris crash and 2014 Air Algerie crash in Mali, told Le Parisien.

BEA deals with some 100 French investigations each year, but is also regularly called upon to help in international enquiries. In 2017, it conducted some 279 foreign enquiries.

Canada and Ukraine are to send their own experts to take part in the investigation.
How to Convert Apple Music and Spotify Music to MP3 with UkeySoft

If you are a music lover, you may use Apple Music or Spotify to listen to your favorite songs, playlist, albums and artists, the Apple Music and Spotify are the most popular streaming music service. After subscribing Apple Music, you can enjoy 60 million songs in iTunes, Apple Watch, Apple TV, iOS and Android devices, or streaming Apple Music to HomePod, CarPlay, Sonos and Amazon Echo. With Spotify, you can listen to the songs and podcasts you love and find music from all over the world, Spotify also offer Free account, so you can play millions of songs and podcasts for free.

Why You Need to Convert Apple Music and Spotify Music to MP3?

If you want to play Apple Music songs and Spotify songs on MP3 player or other devices, you need to convert Apple Music, Spotify music to MP3.

If you cancel from Apple Music subscription, all songs you've added or downloaded to your library from the Apple Music catalog becomes unplayable. In order to save Apple Music songs forever, you must to convert Apple Music to MP3 before the next billing date expire.

If you get Apple Music trial, you can cancel it now and still be able to enjoy Apple Music for 3 months free. However, if you want to keep Apple Music tracks after 3-Month free trial, converting Apple Music to MP3 is the best way to save your favourite songs forever.

Spotify free users are not allowed to download music from Spotify for offline playback, if you want to free download Spotify music for offline listening anywhere, any time, and any devices, you need to convert Spotify music to MP3.

Even though Spotify Premium users can download Spotify tracks, playlist, albums and podcasts for offline listening, you only allowed to play them within Spotify App. If you want to save the downloaded Spotify contents forever or transfer them to MP3 player, you should convert Spotify music to MP3.

Music downloaded from Spotify Premium are in OGG format, Apple Music tracks downloaded from iTunes are in M4P format, both are added DRM protected and only playable on it's app and authorized devices. To crack those restriction, you need to remove DRM and convert songs to MP3 format.

We all know that Apple Music songs are protected by Apple's Fairplay DRM and you can only play Apple Music songs on limited authorized devices with iTunes or Apple Music app, and the Spotify songs you downloaded are DRM protected and you can only play them within Spotify App. To play Apple Music tracks and Spotify songs on a wide range of devices, you need to convert those files to MP3 format. Otherwise, there is no easy way to transfer those songs and play them on some other device. As a well-known technology news website, TECHTIMES offers third-party solutions, helping your enjoy Apple Music and Spotify music on any devices. Welcome to TECHTIMES's review of UkeySoft Apple Music Converter and UkeySoft Spotify Music Converter.

Let's get to know these two application a bit better by introducing you to the basic information, features and user guide. In addition, After many tests on Windows and Mac platforms, our professional technical team also wrote some objective evaluations. Take a look at the contents below to learn more.

UkeySoft Apple Music Converter Review - The Specifics, Features and User Guide

The UkeySoft Apple Music Converter is a must have converter for all Apple Music users - convert Apple Music playlist or tracks to MP3, M4A, WAV, AAC, AC3, AIFF, AU, FLAC, M4R, and MKA at maximum 16X fast speed, retaining all ID3 tags and keep 100% original audio quality. It is available for both Mac and Windows platforms. (Note: The program needs the iTunes installed on your computer, for macOS Catalina, the program needs launch the Apple Music app.)

System Requirements and Language:

Supported Mac OS: macOS - macOS Catalina 10.15

Supported Windows OS: Windows XP, 7, vista, 8, 10

Multiple Language Support: English, Japanese, Dutch, Spanish, Traditional Chinese, Simplified Chinese and French.

More Features of UkeySoft Apple Music Converter:

1. Remove DRM from Apple Music;

2. Convert Apple Music and iTunes M4P songs to MP3, M4A, etc;

3. Convert iTunes Audiobooks and Audible Audiobooks to MP3, M4A, etc;

4. Extract audio from iTunes videos;

5. Preserve ID tags and metadata information to output MP3 and M4A;

6. Up to 16X faster conversion speed(Windows version);

7. Customize bitrate and sample rate as you like.

How to Convert Apple Music to MP3 with UkeySoft?

Step 1. Download UkeySoft Apple Music Converter on Windows or Mac. And make sure you've installed iTunes or Apple Music app on your computer as well, otherwise you won't be able to use UkeySoft successfully.

Step 2. Launch UkeySoft Apple Music Converter, and you will see the iTunes/ Apple Music app will launch automatically, please don't click the iTunes/ Apple Music app, the media library and playlists synced into the UkeySoft automatically.

Step 3. Just select the Apple Music tracks that you want to convert, you can use the built-in search bar to find that specific tracks by album, title or artist and then tick it like you tick the others.

Step 4. MP3 is the default output format, you can see the software can also convert Apple Music to WAV, M4A, AAC, FLAC, AIFF, AU, AC3, etc. as output format. Because most devices and players compatible with MP3 format, we suggest you convert Apple Music to MP3. In addition, to get lossless output songs, you can choose "MP3 - High Quality (48000Hz, Stereo, 320kbps)" in the Profile list.

Step 5. Just click "Convert" button start converting Apple Music to MP3. After converting completed, click "Explore Output File" button to open the output folder, you will get MP3 songs.

Video Tutorial

UkeySoft Spotify Music Converter - The Specifics, Features and User Guide

Since the downloaded Spotify music is OGG format, which is DRM protected and cannot be played on other Media Player and MP3 player. To download MP3 from Spotify, you need to use a third-party Spotify music downloader like UkeySoft Spotify Music Converter, it can help you download and convert Spotify songs, albums or playlists to MP3, M4A, WAV and FLAC at maximum 5X fast speed. What's more, the UkeySoft removes the DRM from Spotify during conversion process, you will get DRM-free MP3 songs with 100% original quality. Either Spotify free or premium subscribers can download and convert Spotify music to MP3 with the help of UkeySoft. So, This Spotify Music Converter is a useful music download tool for those who want to download songs to other devices or media players for offline listening.

System Requirements and Language:

Supported Mac OS: macOS - macOS Catalina 10.15

Supported Windows OS: Windows XP, 7, vista, 8, 10

Multiple Language Support: English, Japanese, Dutch, Spanish, Traditional Chinese, Simplified Chinese and French.

More Features of UkeySoft Spotify Music Converter:

Either free or premium users can download MP3s from Spotify; Convert Spotify to MP3, M4A, WAV or FLAC; Contents supported: Spotify song, playlist, albums, podcast, and radio; Keep ID3 Tags and metadate after conversion; 5X faster conversion speed and preserve 100% audio quality.

How to Download Spotify Songs to MP3 with UkeySoft?

We have tested the Windows version to download Spotify Songs to PC quickly, you also can download Spotify songs to Mac with UkeySoft Spotify Music Converter for Mac.

Let's shows the the guide of Windows version, you'll need to get a Spotify account (Free or Premium) and installed Spotify app on computer before using this software. In addition, you need to log in your Spotify account, whether free or premium, then exit the Spotify app.

Step 1. Install and launch UkeySoft Spotify Music Converter, and you will see the Spotify app show up at the same time.

Step 2. Directly drag songs, playlists or albums from Spotify app to the UkeySoft interface directly.

Or click "Add Files", copy&paste the link of the song, album or playlist, then click "+" button to the software.

Step 3. Select songs you want to download and click "Add" button to add these songs into the convert list.

Step 4. MP3 is the default output format, if you want to select other output format, please click "Options" > "Advanced" and choose the output format you want. In this windows, you can also adjust 5X conversion speed.

Step 5. Just click the "Convert" button, the software will start downloading and converting Spotify songs to MP3 format.

After conversion completed, click blue folder icon to quickly locate the downloaded Spotify song, you will get songs in MP3 format. Now, you can then transfer and play these songs on any devices.

Video Tutorial

Pricing

The price of a single license for UkeySoft Apple Music Converter and UkeySoft Spotify Music Converter is $39.95. Buy once and use for lifetime, if you are a music lover, I think these two song conversion software are worth buying. And if you want to get a family license which is available for 5 computer, you can costs $79.95 to buy the family license code, then you can sell the remaining 4-times authorizations to your friends or classmates for $25, which is cost more cheaper.

Final Words

If you want to enjoy Apple Music and Spotify Music offline on any MP3 player, like iPod nano, iPod shuffle, Sony Walkman, Sandisk and more mobile devices, UkeySoft Apple Music Converter + Spotify Music Converter is a good choice, you can save $15.98 to buy these two music converter from UkeySoft store. In addition, we recommend you have free download and have a try before purchasing, the trial version allows convert the first 3 minutes of each song, please free downloading from the UkeySoft official website. Currently, we have tested many music conversion software, UkeySoft Spotify Music Converter is the most effective music downloading tool that can free download songs from Spotify.

 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-07-19 19:11:49|Editor: huaxia

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ADDIS ABABA, July 19 (Xinhua) -- Ethiopia's confirmed COVID-19 cases reached 9,503 after 356 new COVID-19 positive cases were confirmed, the Ethiopian Ministry of Health (MoH) said on Sunday morning.

In a press statement, MoH revealed that from a total of 6,886 medical tests that were conducted within the last 24 hours, some 356 of them have been tested positive for COVID-19, eventually bringing the total number of cases in the country to 9,503.

The Ethiopian Ministry of Health further indicated that out of the 356 latest confirmed COVID-19 cases, 255 of them were found in Addis Ababa, making the Ethiopian capital the hotspot for the virus spread.

The ministry also said that 4,941 patients who were tested positive for COVID-19 have recovered from the virus as of Sunday morning, in which 41 of the patients recovered during the past 24 hours.

The ministry also disclosed that four COVID-19 patients succumbed to the disease in the last 24 hours, eventually bringing the total number of COVID-19 related deaths in the East African country to 167.

Ethiopia, Africa's second most populous nation with about 107 million people, confirmed its first case of COVID-19 on March 13, and has so far conducted 323,932 COVID-19 medical tests.

The Ethiopian government has instituted a wide range of measures to contain the spread of COVID-19.

In April, the Ethiopian House of People's Representatives announced a five-month state of emergency to curb the spread of COVID-19 in the country. Enditem
Humans are a selfish and destructive species  a virus with shoes, as the late comedian Bill Hicks put it. But we have at least one quality in abundance that the unshod viruses lack: vanity.

Our capacity for self-regard prescribes that every frivolous human activity forgone for a life-threatening pandemic must be resumed as soon as possible. What a world: in which we are cruelly prevented from getting pedicures, doing brunch and going to Disneyland!

The gym has generated as much angst and anticipation across California as any of our suspended indulgences. When Gov. Gavin Newsom laid out the phases of reopening, the stage that included gyms  along with such other risky business as movie theaters and religious congregations  sounded like a distant eventuality, and rightly so. A single group dance workout in South Korea was shown to have infected more than 100 people.

Gyms combine this super-spreading potential with an intrinsic inessentiality. Sure, exercise is good for you, but no one really needs a warehouse packed with expensive equipment and airborne particles to stretch his or her legs, especially in ever-temperate California.

Though Newsom figured the gym stage was months away back in April, it took him little more than a month to give most of the state the green light to reopen fitness centers, even in such high-infection areas as Los Angeles and parts of the Bay Area.

But Californias struggle to resume group iron-pumping was not without its setbacks. Former governor and first muscle-head Arnold Schwarzenegger, for instance, stopped by legendary Golds Gym in Venice, learned it wasnt requiring masks, and declared he wouldnt be back.

Another Southern California gym, Inspire South Bay Fitness, was inspired to jerry-rig transparent personal exercise cubes out of PVC pipe and shower curtains. It thereby safeguarded its customers right to make others watch them work out while inadvertently creating one of the most comic scenes of our national tragedy: a menagerie of adult humans sculpting their physiques while trapped in oversize hamster cages.

Not to single out gym hamsters. Take another pastime that more sensible people can do at home but would rather do in public: get drunk.

Bars and the people who tend them deserve our support through takeout, donations and more, but sharing an indoor space with other unmasked, disinhibited and loudly conversing Californians is utterly indefensible in the throes of the pandemic. And yet drinking establishments were open in the Bay Area, Los Angeles and much of the rest of the state more than a month ago. Weve wrung our hands more over whether to reopen schools.

California had devolved from coronavirus success story to basket case before Newsom thought better of this hasty return to normalcy last week, when he ordered bars shuttered statewide, along with gyms in the most populous counties.

The shutdowns, for all the relentless horrors of the pandemic, havent been without mercies. Violent crime in San Francisco fell by more than a third in March and April. Los Angeles enjoyed its longest stretch of clean air in at least 40 years. Wild animals reclaimed Yosemite and, in one case, South of Market. And with the Democratic Party hesitating to allow any actual gathering for its national convention next month, we may even be spared one of our two useless presidential nominating spectacles.

The Republicans, meanwhile, are partying like its 2019. The sickening of former presidential candidate Herman Cain and Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt following President Trumps ominous Tulsa rally hasnt stopped their party from preparing an almost traditional national convention in the coronavirus hot spot of Florida. It would proceed with all the promise of a pathogen-laden cruise, another reminder that not all of humankinds pre-pandemic pursuits were inherently good or wise.

Josh Gohlke is The San Francisco Chronicles deputy opinion editor. Email: jgohlke@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @JoshGohlke
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A 45-year-old woman is in the hospital and so is the man accused of shooting her after police say about a dozen witnesses chased him down and beat him.

The incident occurred just after 2 a.m. Saturday in Philadelphias Kensington neighborhood, NBC 10 is reporting.

According to reports, police got to the scene after receiving calls of a domestic disturbance and found a woman with several gunshot wounds to the chest. She was rushed to the hospital, where she is in extremely critical condition.

Police Captain Nicholas DeBlasis told NBC 10 that 10 to 12 witnesses chased the suspected gunman and hit him in the face and head, leaving him with several cuts before officers took him into custody. He had a semiautomatic handgun on him, reports indicate.

The suspected gunman was taken to the same hospital.

His name and his condition have not yet been released.

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The spike in the number of Covid-19 cases in India has resulted in the community spread of the coronavirus disease, according to the Indian Medical Association (IMA). It also said that the situation is pretty bad in the country.

The number of Covid-19 positive cases has crossed a million mark, making India the third country after United States and Brazil to reach this grim milestone.

This is now an exponential growth. Every day the number of cases is increasing by more than around 30,000. This is really a bad situation for the country, Dr VK Monga, the Chairman of IMA Hospital Board of India, told news agency ANI.

WHO reports record daily increase in global Covid-19 cases for second day in a row

He further said that the disease is sreading to the rural areas. This is a bad sign. It now shows a community spread, said Dr Monga.

The first to sound this alarm was Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan who had said on Friday that there is a community spread in some places in coastal areas of Thiruvananthapuram district.

The two hamlets identified by Vijayan are Poonthura and Pulluvila, which have seen a rapid increase in the number of contact cases.

The districts coastal area, stretching from Edava in the north to Pozhiyoor in the south, has been declared as Critical Containment Zone (CCZ) and will be under complete and strict lockdown from Saturday midnight to July 28 midnight, an order from the district Collector Dr Navjot Khosa said.

Texas coronavirus cases include more than 80 infants

Dr Monga said the cases are penetrating down into towns and villages where it will be very difficult to control the situation. In Delhi, we were able to contain it, but what about interior parts of the country in Maharashtra, Karnataka, Kerala, Goa, Madhya Pradesh?

There are concerns in states like Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Gujarat, Karnataka, Telangana, Uttar Pradesh, and West Bengal but the respective state governments have maintained that community spread has not started.

The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), meanwhile, said that it is ramping up testing facilities regularly. At present, 885 government laboratories and 368 private laboratory chains are conducting Covid-19 tests across the country.

As many as 1,34,33,742 samples have been tested for Covid-19 till July 17. Of these 3,61,024 samples were tested on Friday, the ICMR said.

It took India 137 days to reach the million mark (since March 2) in terms of the number of Covid-19 cases, but each quarter of that million has come at a faster pace.

The first 2.5 lakh cases took 98 days. The next quarter of a million cases took less than three weeks (19 days). By July 8, when India was 2.5 lakh cases short of hitting the million mark and it took just eight days for the country to record the last quarter of that million.
This could affect the industry forever, transit experts say, causing leaders to substantially cut service to match catastrophic drops in revenue. Capital projects meant to upgrade transit systems and reduce the risk of accidents would have to be delayed. Wait times could become so long that using public transit to commute may become unrealistic.

For city economies as a whole, this is a threat to their viability, said Ben Fried, a spokesman for the TransitCenter, a philanthropic foundation that supports nationwide transit overhaul. For some people, its going to put their job out of reach. If employers cant count on workers having access to jobs, firms are going to choose to locate elsewhere.

Transit leaders across the country are imploring congressional leaders to provide up to $36 billion in additional assistance.

They want to ensure subways, buses and rail systems across the country can weather a sustained decline in revenue and be ready as the economy and school system reopen.

Our transit systems collectively move millions of students throughout the school year and are responsible for getting millions more people to work every day, a coalition of 26 transit leaders wrote to Senate leaders on Tuesday. Without additional federal assistance, many of our agencies will be forced to make difficult decisions that will negatively impact the lives of essential workers and the returning work force.

Experts say big city transit systems are likely to be hit the hardest and quickest. Their operating budgets tend to depend heavily on rider fares and sales tax.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-07-19 19:28:41|Editor: huaxia

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BANGKOK, July 19 (Xinhua) -- More than 5,500 people, earlier feared to have been at risk of COVID-19 infection due to a possible spread from two infected foreigners in Thailand, have tested negative, confirmed a government official on Sunday.

Center for COVID-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) spokesman Taweesilp Visanuyothin confirmed a total of 5,565 people in Rayong province and Bangkok have tested negative while results of the tests with 814 others are yet to come out and be announced shortly.

Those people were reportedly located at places where an infected Egyptian air force airman was in Rayong province and an infected Sudanese girl was in Bangkok earlier this month.

Of those who have tested negative, 5,201 people visited a department store where the Egyptian airman went to in downtown Rayong near U-tapao airport where his air force plane had landed.

Meanwhile, 364 people stayed at a condominium where the Sudanese girl and her family temporarily stayed in Sukhumvit area of Bangkok, according to the CCSA spokesman.

The 43-year-old Egyptian airman and his colleagues left Thailand on July 11 while the nine-year-old daughter of a Sudanese diplomat is currently undergoing medical treatment at a Bangkok hospital.

Neither of them had taken a 14-day state quarantine upon arrival to Thailand, given military and diplomatic status earlier provided under emergency rule.

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha earlier blamed the Egyptian airman for lack of military discipline as he went out of the hotel where he had checked in and visited the crowded department store nearby. Prayut visited shoppers and vendors at the department store in the eastern province and pledged to never let such panic-raising incident take place again.

Foreign diplomats and their dependents arriving in Thailand are no longer exempted from the 14-day state quarantine, according to the CCSA spokesman. Enditem
At least 230 kg of gold was smuggled into the country by using some employees of the United Arab Emirates diplomatic mission since July 2019, said a senior officer familiar with the probe led by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) into the seizure of 30 kg of the yellow metal from the Thiruvananthapuram airport on July 5.

At least 13 such consignments came to the country in one year and they all passed without any check due to diplomatic immunity. Some of them were heavier than the latest consignment which weighed 70 kg. We are also probing some events organised by state government departments, the official said on Sunday.

All these consignments landed in Thiruvananthapuram.

The NIA has arrested four persons while the Customs have nabbed 13 people so far in connection with the gold smuggling case.

The official also said that people whose names have cropped up during the questioning of the accused will be summoned.

This includes Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayans former secretary M Sivasankar and the governments former IT Fellow Arun Balachandran. Last week, the Customs department had grilled Sivasankar for nine hours.

Investigators are also likely to question a state minister whose number appeared in the call list of second accused Swapna Suresh which was leaked to the media.

Meanwhile there are reports from Dubai that the third accused in the case Faisal Fareed was arrested and will be extradited soon. The NIA ad earlier requested Interpol issue a blue corner notice against him. The NIA has accused him of being a key operative in the smuggling racket. Fareed, who hails from Thrissur, reportedly runs a gym and garage in Dubai.

Investigators have also started a massive operation to trace the smuggled gold and seized 10 kg from two jewellers in Kozhikkode on Saturday, the official said.

He also said that many who were part of the smuggling syndicate came forward with voluntary disclosure. But he conceded that it was difficult to trace all smuggled gold.

In the last two days, investigators have raided two flats of Swapna Suresh and the business establishment of the third accused Sandip Nair in Thiruvananthapuram and seized many documents.

The smuggling racket has driven a wedge in the ruling coalition with the CPI, junior partner in the government, expressing serious reservations over some deviations in Left ideology and criticising the governments move to hire multinational consultant agencies.

There are allegations that Swapna Suresh came to the corridors of power through some consultant agencies. The party mouthpiece Janayugam had warned the Communist government to see through machinations of dubious agencies.
It's time we stopped debating suppression versus elimination of the coronavirus and got serious: let's make it a party-political issue. Liberal voters should defend suppression and denigrate elimination, while Labor voters do the opposite. Or vice versa.

This wouldn't get us anywhere, of course, just as the politicisation of climate change has long crippled our efforts to make real progress. But it would gratify those who follow politics like others follow sport, and it would be a fillip for a media more interested in controversy than solutions.

Until a vaccine is available globally, lasting elimination is a delusion. Credit:Getty Images

But above all, it would relieve the rest of us of the mental effort of judging the merits of suppression versus elimination. To decide what our opinion was, all we'd need to do is remember which party we vote for.

We sub-contract the job of thinking through important policy issues to our ever-trustworthy political representatives, who can always be relied on to put our interests ahead of their own. And then we wonder why we're making so little progress in solving the nation's problems.
BJP was left red-faced after a man, who was an accused in the killing of a senior Uttar Pradesh police officer, was appointed general secretary of an organisation, which had several top saffron party leaders as its patron.

Subodh Kumar Singh, the in-charge of Syana police station in the state's Bulandshahar district, about 500 kilometres from here, had been killed by a frenzied mob, consisting mainly of saffron activists, in a clash in December 2018 following the recovery of animal bones in the area. A Bajarang Dal (BD) office-bearer, a Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) worker and a BJP leader were among 88 people booked in the killing.

The accused, identified as Shikhar Agarwal, who was made general secretary of Bulandshahar district unit of PM Jankalyankari Jagrukta Abhiyan (PMJJA), was handed over the appointment letter by the district BJP president Anil Sisodiya at a function a few days back.

The PMJJA claims to be engaged in publicising the various welfare schemes launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi across the country. Its letter pad showed top BJP leaders, including union ministers Dharmendra Pradhan, Ramesh Pokhariyal, Narendra Tomar and Ashwini Chaubey as patrons.

It later turned out that Agarwal was also a member of the BJP.

As the pictures of Agarwal being handed over the appointment letter by Sisodiya went viral on the social networking sites, an embarrassed BJP tried to wriggle out of the situation by claiming that PMJJA had nothing to do with the party.

Samajwadi Party (SP) president Akhilesh Yadav slammed the BJP for 'patronising' those involved in the killing of the cop and said that it would encourage the criminals.

Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra also launched a scathing attack on the BJP for making an alleged cop killer an office-bearer in an organisation associated with it.

Earlier, the main accused and saffron leaders were garlanded and hailed as 'gau rakshaks' (cow protectors) by saffron activists upon their release from Bulandshahar district jail after being enlarged on bail by the Allahabad High Court.
Independent Hajj Reporters (IHR), has called on the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) to constitute a committee that will oversee refund of deposits to Hajj 2020 intending pilgrims across the country

NAHCON should set up a committee comprising its officials, the media, civil society and security agencies, especially anti-corruption bodies to oversee the hajj fare refunds to 2020 intending pilgrims, the CSO said.

A statement by its national coordinator, Ibrahim Muhammed and publicity secretary, Abubakar Mahmoud, on Sunday said it is expedient for the apex hajj regulator to ensure a transparent refund process following the decision of Saudi authorities to limit this years Hajj to only residents of the kingdom.

The CSO said our experiences on previous hajj refunds show that some fraudulent states pilgrims officials short change pilgrims, while some states pilgrims agencies sometimes convert approved pilgrims refunds to personal use.

Independent Hajj Reporters said NAHCON should issue guidelines to States Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Boards on processes of making the refund in a uniform setting.

The not-for-profit civil society organisation said following the cancellation of Hajj 2020 for people outside the Kingdom due to the Covid-19 pandemic, some States Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Boards have told the intending pilgrims to apply and signify interest to either be refunded or defer their pilgrimage to 2021.

Furthermore, states such as Kano, Adamawa, Bauchi, Lagos, Cross River, Katsina, Lagos, Sokoto, Kaduna and Niger had issued statements urging pilgrims to come forward for refund. Kano and Bauchi have already commenced the refund, the statement said.

It, however, said the pilgrims agencies are urging pilgrims to apply for refund without providing details on the process of application. For example, will intending pilgrims apply online or through a hand written application? Do states Muslim Pilgrims Boards provide a form to be filled by the willing pilgrims? How will state Muslim pilgrims boards identify those that are willing to be refunded and those that are interested in deferring to Hajj 2021?

The statement also urged pilgrims boards to make adequate publicity in their various states to ensure that those who are willing to collect their money are well informed of the refund and the process of collection.

IHR said NAHCON should provide a feedback mechanism such as phone numbers and emails addresses where pilgrims who are denied or could not be refunded can lay their complaints. Such feedback channels should be publicized in Electronic, Print and online media, IHR said.

Signed:

Independent Hajj Reporters

19 July, 2020


Megastar Amitabh Bachchan, who along with aon Abhishek, daughter-in-law Aishwarya Rai and granddaughter Aaradhya have been diagnosed positive for Covid-19 since a week, expressed his gratitude for prayers being showered for the family. Big B shared a picture of the four waving at fans from their Mumbai residence.

Taking to Instagram, the actor wrote, "We see your love .. we hear your prayers .. we fold our hands.. in gratitude and thanks !"

Take a look below:

He had also previously posted a throwback picture with Abhishek and thanked fans for being there for them in happy times and in illness. He wrote, "In happy times , in times of illness, you our near and dear, our well wishers, our fans have ever given us unstinting love , affection care and prayer .. we express our bountiful gracious gratitude to you all .. in these circumstances hospital protocol is restrictive , so individual responses are not possible .. but we see, read, hear all of you .. thank you ever."

On Saturday, July 11 2020 Amitabh and Abhishek Bachchan had tweeted to announce that they had tested positive for Covid-19. It was reported that after showing mild symptoms, the family took a rapid antigen test which showed that only Amitabh and Abhishek were positive. However, after the results of the swab tests arrived, Aaradhya and Aishwarya too tested positive. Other members of the family including Jaya Bachchan, Navya Naveli, Agastya and Shweta Bachchan Nanda, along with 26 staff members had tested negative.

T 3590 -I have tested CoviD positive .. shifted to Hospital .. hospital informing authorities .. family and staff undergone tests , results awaited ..All that have been in close proximity to me in the last 10 days are requested to please get themselves tested ! Amitabh Bachchan (@SrBachchan) July 11, 2020

Earlier today both my father and I tested positive for COVID 19. Both of us having mild symptoms have been admitted to hospital. We have informed all the required authorities and our family and staff are all being tested. I request all to stay calm and not panic. Thank you.  Abhishek Bachchan (@juniorbachchan) July 11, 2020

The BMC has been in touch and we are complying with them.  Abhishek Bachchan (@juniorbachchan) July 11, 2020

Amitabh, Abhishek and Aishwarya have been admitted to Nanavati hospital, Mumbai.
Global coronavirus infections passed 14 million on Friday, according to a Reuters tally, marking the first time there has been a surge of a million cases in under 100 hours.

The first case was reported in China in early January and it took three months to reach 1 million cases. It has taken just four days to climb to 14 million Covid-19 cases from 13 million recorded on July 13.

The number of cases globally is around triple that of severe influenza illnesses recorded annually, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).

The pandemic has now killed at least 600,000 people in almost seven months, edging towards the upper range of yearly influenza deaths reported worldwide. The first death was reported on January 10 in Wuhan, China before infections and fatalities then surged in Europe and later in the US.

In China, Xinjiang reported 16 new domestically transmitted cases for Friday, health authorities said on Saturday as the country readies to battle a new front against the outbreak in the remote northwestern region.

The jump in cases followed one new case, and eight more asymptomatic ones. All the cases have been reported from the regional capital Urumqi, and at least 269 people in the city have been put under medical observation.

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison is moving to cancel the next two-week sitting of parliament because of the recent spread of the virus.

Parliament has been scheduled to meet on August 4-13 and then sit again for a two-week session starting August 24.

Morrison said on Saturday that he has written to the parliamentary speaker asking for a cancellation, but the request is considered only a formality.

Saudi hosts G20 talks on recovery, debt

G20 finance ministers and central bankers held talks on Saturday aimed at spurring global economic recovery from a recession amid calls to widen debt relief for crisis-hit poor countries.

The virtual talks, hosted by Saudi Arabia, come as the surging pandemic continues to batter the global economy and campaigners warn of a looming debt crisis across poverty-wracked developing nations.

The ministers and bankers seek to discuss the global economic outlook and coordinate collective action for a robust economic recovery, G20 organisers in Riyadh said in a statement.

(With inputs from Agencies)
New Delhi:

Torn old notes of Rs 500 and 1000 were seen floating in Ganga river in Mirzapur of Uttar Pradesh on Friday. Seeing the pile of notes in the river water, fishermen and boatmen rushed to recover it.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday also mentioned this News Nation exclusive story in Japan while addressing the Indian diaspora.

According to the locals, the torn notes were found in the wee hours. Lakhs of Rupees in the currency of Rs 500 and 1000 were seen in the river.

ALSO READ: (Modi in Japan: PM mentions Newsnation Exclusive on black money in River Ganga)

But soon people realised that these torn old notes wouldnt be of any use to them. However, this is not the first such incident, within four days, a lot of cases have been reported of burnt and dumped notes after currency demonetisation.

ALSO READ: (Sack full of burnt remains of 500 and 1000 Rupee notes found in Bareilly)

Prime Minister Modi on Tuesday had announced ban on higher currency demonetisation notes of Rs 500 and 1000 which led to uproar and chaos among people. The announcement was made with the intention of curbing black money, corruption and tax evasion.

ALSO READ: (India asks Google how to convert black money into white; Gujarat tops the list)

For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.
A view of District 2 of HCMC. This district is one of the city's three districts which form the Eastern City - PHOTO: THANH HOA The central Government should therefore give HCMCs authorities ample autonomy so that the project can be implemented successfully, experts say. Its not rare in the world that a new city is formed to bolster regional or national growth. Urban centers have always been growth engines which can help achieve economic breakthroughs in the shortest time possible. In line with this spirit, the Eastern City, a new concept framed by the HCMC authorities, has recently resurfaced as a hot-button topic when the city government stepped up its efforts to seek central approval for its new growth engines. A new concept formulated In fact, the concept of establishing a city within a city was first cited years ago when the HCMC authorities came up with an initiative for new mechanisms applicable to its four conceived citiesEast, West, North, Southwhich each was intended to have its own urban government directly affiliated to the HCMC government. Each city would enjoy strong deregulation to raise its autonomy and responsibility so as to actively spur growth and independence. This was the first attempt by the HCMC authorities to introduce the project to set up the new urban government back in 2013. However, the HCMC government seemed to go ahead of time when the proposal was rejected because Vietnams legal framework back then contained no stipulations for a city within a city mechanisms. Now in an attempt to revive a similar concept, the HCMC government is beginning preparations for the setting up of what it calls the Eastern City, or Creative Urban Center, which is geographically based on the existing Districts 2 and 9 and Thu Duc District. The efforts to rearrange the three districts to form a city under the HCMC authorities are part of the second pilot project to establish the new urban government which is being hurriedly finished to be forwarded to the central Government in the third quarter of this year, reported vnexpress.net. If approved, the Eastern City will stretch on a total area of 22,000 hectares and be home to 1.1 million permanent residents. As its name may suggest, the Creative Urban Center is a model of highly interactive urban hub that HCMC is striving for. The existing facilities already in place include the Saigon High-Tech Park in District 9, the Vietnam National University-HCMC in Thu Duc District and Thu Thiem New Urban Center in District 2. The Vietnam National University-HCMC is a scientific hub in itself formed by 18 member universities and research institutes. The SHTP, a vast high-tech park on an area of more than 1,000 hectares, has attracted 13 foreign business groups, some of which are world-class high-tech companies. Meanwhile, the 657-hectare commercial and financial services center in the Thu Thiem Urban Center is in the making. Joining forces with the creative city are operational industrial zones and export-processing zones, including Linh Trung 1 and Linh Trung 2, Cat Lai and Binh Chieu. According to vnexppress.net, HCMC Chairman Nguyen Thanh Phong said the Eastern City will serve as a hub for spurring the economic growth of HCMC and the Southern Vital Economic Zone in the context of the Fourth Industrial Revolution based on the existing facilities. The new city is to combine three key functions, which are a hub for scientific and technological research, a center for high-quality human resources training and a manufacturing and trading base for high-tech products and services. Also according to vnexpress.net, the new creative hub is expected to set up a value-added chain reliant on high-tech, whose technical and social infrastructure is in conformity with international standards and effective support for the corporate sector. Necessary mechanisms As mentioned earlier in this article, a city within a city is an unprecedented step forward in Vietnam, which has yet to gain consent from the central authorities. In another article posted by vnexpress.net, Ngo Viet Nam Son, an architect and urban planning specialist, said HCMCs Eastern City should be given exceptional mechanisms so that it can grow effectively the way Pudong or Gangnam do. The Eastern City should be given special institutions on a pilot basis to help it develop, said Son. Such a new city will require enormous capital to set up, he explained, which means it is desperately in need of open and effective ways to lure both domestic and overseas capital sources. If the establishment of such a city relies solely on HCMCs budget, it will take a long time. The establishment of the Eastern City will help significantly increase HCMCs regional gross domestic product (RGDP), said Son. However, to realize that goal, it requires new approaches and suitable solutions. Talking to vnexpress.net, Dr. Huynh The Du, lecturer of Fulbright University Vietnam, contended that the successful implementation of the Eastern City project will help solve two strategic problems for Vietnam, including the creation of a new growth wave and the enforcement of national security in response to new complicated developments at the regional and international scales. Du argued that now is the right time to start the new city given the switch of global value chains away from China due to Covid-19. The new situation will speed up the process, said Du. As Vietnams biggest economic center and the first place for breakthroughs, HCMC, he maintained, is poised to succeed. Experience gained from similar models in the world, particularly Gangnam, a city south of the Han River in South Koreas capital of Seoul, and Pudong in Shanghai, China, should be carefully scrutinized. Du said the south of the Han River in Seoul in the 1960s was an area of farming land with a very thin population. Yet the subsequent success of Gangnam as a new city adjacent to Seoul manifests the grand and comprehensive vision of the Government of South Korea and the authorities of Seoul. Likewise, at the very beginning of the implementation of the Pudong project in Shanghai, it was regarded as a national key project. Compared with the conditions during the time when Gangnam and Pudong were set up, HCMCs Eastern City is more favorable considering its infrastructure and connection conditions. The land for the new city is already in place and fundamental components for a financial-commercial center in Thu Thiem New Urban Area are ready. Whats more, added Du, the high-tech park has asserted its prestige and efficiency. This pioneering project is of strategic importance to the national development, Du told vnexpress.net. The central Government should gives HCMC ample autonomy so that it can implement the project successfully. SGT
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. (Psalm 23:5 RSV).

The next time you go to a restaurant or bar and order a glass of juice, wine, or any other drink besides water, take a look at the quantity served in the glass. The glass is mostly not full. It is not clear whether to say the glass is half full or half empty, but the value is the same: it is usually not full. Sometimes, they top it up with plenty of ice cubes, and even so, it is usually not full.

The situation is not limited to restaurants. It happens when you are a guest in some peoples homes. Some hosts act like waiters and waitresses when it comes to serving drinks. When it is water, the glass may be filled to the brim, but not so with other more expensive drinks.

It appears restaurants and hosts are sending subtle messages. In the case of restaurants, what they are saying is that the half empty or half full glass of drink is all you get for the price quoted on the menu, and that if you want more drink, you have to pay more. On their part, the hosts are saying that you need to be mindful of the quantity of drink served and enjoy it while it lasts because no additional drink may be forthcoming. In other words, in both cases, there are no refills.

These are consistent with an Akan proverb which says: Ybsi wo so a, anka yhy wo ma, which translates into English language as follows: if you would be given a second or additional drink, you would have been given a full glass or full cup of drink in the first place.

In Psalm 23, The Lord is My Shepherd, King David expressed his utmost sense of security in the Lords protection that he was not afraid even in the midst of his enemies. He saw himself as able to dine with his enemies, and have his cup overflow with drink (see Psalm 23:5). This verse is probably the most fun part of the most popular psalm because it talks about eating and drinking. However, dining with ones enemies is a dangerous proposition. Enemies are looking for opportunities to cause harm. You have to take extra precautions and keep your eyes wide open and fixed on your food and drink so that the enemy could not slip poison into your food or drink. It takes Gods grace and protection to keep us safe and satisfied because Christians are surrounded by enemies who seek ways to poison our relationship with God.

An overflowed cup sends at least three messages. First, it provides immediate satisfaction and joy. The cup must be full or filled up before it overflows, so there is an immediate satisfaction that the full cup of drink will quench thirst and bring joy. Second, an overflowed cup gives hope that more drinks would be forthcoming if needed. That hope brings joy and increases ones appetite for more drinks. Third, an overflowed cup assures guests that there may be more than enough drinks to go around, not limited to the person served, but also available to many other people. It means that God will gladly provide far more than what humans can do, or what we can ask or imagine (see Ephesians 3:20). It sends a hopeful message that human beings may give you a half empty or half full cup, but God would fill your cup till it overflows and extends to many other people.

That is how it is with Gods blessings. God has abundant resources to satisfy the needs of His children and more. They are not limited. Gods blessings go around and beyond the immediate recipient; the ripple effects reach out and touch many people according to their individual needs.

We do not know the type of drinks that overflowed from Davids cup; they were most likely water or wine. Even if it was water, we have to keep in mind that in the warm, desert-like climate of ancient Israel, good, quality drinking water was a very precious commodity, and access to it was not as easy as we have now. It was not like turning on the tap water in the convenience of their homes or having bottled water in their refrigerators. Someone had to walk to fetch water from a river, stream or well that could be located far away, so some economical use of water was necessary. Water was (and still is) so important that Jesus would later comment that anyone who gave a cup of water to his followers in his name would certainly not lose his or her reward (see Mark 9:41).

However, David concluded that psalm by saying that goodness and mercy shall follow him all the days of his life. For your cup to overflow, you first need a cup. Therefore, grab the biggest real or imaginary cup you can find and let us pray. We pray that God would bless us and make our cup of goodness overflow. We pray that God would bless us and make our cup of mercy overflow. We pray that God would bless us and make our cup of water overflow and sustain our lives. And we pray that God would bless us and turn our overflowed cup of wine into the blood of Jesus on Calvary which washes away our sins and brings healing and salvation unto us.

Note that Davids cup was not just full or filled up. It was more than that; his cup overflowed or runneth over. That is abundance, that is satisfaction, and that is unlimited blessing for all who diligently seek and put their trust in the Almighty God, Jehovah Jireh, the Lord who provides, and protects.

Prayer is the key. May God grant us the grace to seek Him daily through our prayers.

Dr. Daniel Gyebi, Attorney-at-Law, Texas, U.S.A., and Founder, PrayerHouse Ministry, Kumasi, Ghana.

PrayerHouse Ministry is dedicated to providing a quiet facility for Christians to pray individually by themselves without any intermediary priest, pastor or any other person. This is a free service. No money is demanded or accepted. One facility is located at Kyerekrom / Fumesua, near Building and Road Research Institute Offices, one mile off the Kumasi-Accra Road and next to a house called Grace Castle. If you are interested, please contact Agnes at 054-7498653. Another is located at Kantinkyiren, at the junction of Kantinkyiren and Konkori, off the Kumasi-Obuasi Road, branching left at Trede junction. Contact Kwadwo at 020-8768461 / 0246-989413.
USS Bataan Returns from Deployment

Navy News Service

Story Number: NNS200718-01

Release Date: 7/18/2020 3:35:00 PM

From Commander, U.S. 2nd Fleet Public Affairs

NORFOLK, Va. (NNS) -- The Bataan Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) and embarked 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) are returning from deployment this month, marking the end of a seven-month deployment to the U.S. 2nd, 5th and 6th Fleet areas of operation.

The ARG's flagship, the Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Bataan (LHD 5), returned to Norfolk Naval Station today, following the Harpers Ferry-class amphibious dock landing ship USS Oak Hill (LSD 51) which returned to Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek in Virginia Beach, Virginia July 15.

"Big 5's crew is tough and resilient and I could not be more proud of these Sailors and Marines  the men and women of Bataan," said Capt. Bryan Carmichael, Bataan's commanding officer. "We've supported commanders in U.S. 5th, 6th, and 2nd Fleets, improved coalition partnerships, and deterred aggression everywhere inbetween. It's good to be home and it is my honor to serve as Bataan's commanding officer as we are ready and excited to execute the next phase of Bataan's legacy."

The San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock ship USS New York (LPD 21) is expected to return to Naval Station Mayport, Florida in the coming days.

The MEU departed the ARG ships and returned to Camp Lejeune, North Carolina earlier this month.

"As a 'certain force in an uncertain world' the 26th MEU was flexible, resilient, and adaptable while forward deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet and 6th Fleet areas of operation," said Col. Trevor Hall, commanding officer of the 26th MEU. "This deployment presented unique challenges, but the Navy-Marine Corps team prevailed and incessantly provided our fleet commanders with a responsive, sea-based Marine Air-Ground Task Force  even during the global novel coronavirus pandemic."

The ARG ships and MEU departed for deployment from their respective home bases in December. Bataan remained at sea for more than 150 consecutive days before returning home.

"I am tremendously proud of what the Sailors and Marines of the Bataan Amphibious Ready Group and 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit accomplished during this deployment. Our team worked tirelessly to remain fully mission ready during the unprecedented challenge of a global pandemic," said Capt. Lance Lesher, who served as commander of Amphibious Squadron (PHIBRON) 8 through its pre-deployment workup cycle and deployment until conducting a change of command at sea, July 12.

Lesher turned over command of PHIBRON 8 to Capt. Jason Rimmer during a change of command ceremony at sea onboard Bataan in the Atlantic Ocean.

"It has been inspiring to get to know the Sailors and Marines of the ARG-MEU team in recent days and I am incredibly impressed by what this group of hardworking men and women has been able to accomplish on this challenging deployment," said Rimmer. "Our families, friends and loved ones at home should be proud not only of the Sailors and Marines who deployed, but of their own service as well," he continued. "Their love, support and watch over the homefront over the course of the last seven months has given our ARG-MEU team the strength and confidence it has needed to stay focused and ready to carry out any mission our nation has asked of it."

While in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations, the Bataan ARG and 26th MEU remained healthy and fully mission ready while working with regional partners. The Blue-Green team worked with partners from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to coordinate multiple complex training evolutions on the uninhabited Karan and Kurayn islands in the Arabian Gulf, as well as with partners from the United Arab Emirates to hold training in an isolated location within that country.

While in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of operations, Bataan increased interoperability with regional allies and partners by conducting maneuvering operations and at-sea exercises with navy ships from France and Italy during their time in the Mediterranean Sea.

The Sailors and Marines of the ARG-MEU also strengthened international partnerships by hosting the head of the Royal Jordanian Navy and deputy commander of Kuwait Naval Forces aboard Bataan in separate visits that reinforced shared goals and fostered personal relationships.

There are more than 4,000 Sailors and Marines assigned to the units of the ARG-MEU, nearly 2,500 of which were aboard the Bataan.

Also embarked on the ships of the Bataan Amphibious Ready Group were the staff of Amphibious Squadron 8 and personnel from Tactical Air Control Squadron 22, Fleet Surgical Team 4, Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 28, Naval Beach Group 2, Assault Craft Unit 4, Assault Craft Unit 2 and Beachmaster Unit 2.

ARG-MEUs operate continuously across the globe and provide the geographic combatant commanders with a forward-deployed, flexible and responsive sea-based Marine Air Ground Task Force. The blue-green team is fully capable of conducting operations across a full spectrum of conventional, unconventional and hybrid warfare.



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Shes one of Britains best known  and most respected  actors, famous for her roles in some of that countrys biggest drama series. So it comes as something of a surprise to see Hermione Norris, who starred as Karen Marsden in Cold Feet and who also appeared in the most recent series of Luther alongside Idris Elba, pop up in an Australian drama created by the same man responsible for A Place to Call Home, Packed To The Rafters, Winners and Losers and All Saints.

Yet there she is, front and centre in Sevens new drama, Between Two Worlds, from creator Bevan Lee. The series, set in Sydney, focuses on the goings on of an unfathomably rich family, and is chock full of characters that can only be described as, well, pretty reprehensible.

For Norris, that was entirely the appeal.

Philip Quast (who plays Norris tycoon husband Phillip Walford in the series) and I, we delighted at the insanity and hilarity of those people, and the way they were these vile, disgusting characters, says Norris. (My character, Cate) is complex and conflicted, and that is always interesting as an actor. She really is trapped in a web of her own secrets and lies  and love.
Zarifs first visit to Baghdad since assassination of General Qassem Soleimani aims to mend strained relations.

Irans foreign minister arrived in the Iraqi capital of Baghdad on Sunday to discuss several issues related to political, commercial and security matters, in an attempt to patch up relations with the government.

Ties between Baghdad and Tehran have been strained since the United States assassinated Iranian General Qassem Soleimani  the head of Irans Revolutionary Guard  and deputy commander of the Iran-backed Popular Mobilisation Forces (PMF) Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis in January.

Speaking at a joint news conference with his Iraqi counterpart Fuad Hussein, Mohammad Javad Zarif stressed his countrys belief in maintaining the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Iraq and that a stable and powerful Iraq was in the interest of both countries.

That is why we look forward to continued constructive bilateral negotiations. The stability, security and peace in Iraq is the stability of the entire region, he said.





For his part, Fuad Hussein said his country looked forward to continuing its balanced relations with all the countries in the region based on first our national interest, then on mutual interest with our neighbours without any interfering in our domestic affairs.

Iraqi security analyst Ahmad al-Abyad told Al Jazeera that Zarifs visit, which comes a day before Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi travels to Saudi Arabia, is no coincidence.

Zarifs visit carried two messages, he said. One is a cushioned warning to al-Kadhimi not to go forward with attempts to shore up economic links with the Gulf states, and the other is a message of mediation to its regional rival Saudi Arabia.

Zarif speaks at a news conference in Baghdad [Murtadha al-Sudani/Anadolu via Getty Images]

Another Baghdad-based security analyst, who wished to remain anonymous, told Al Jazeera one of the main topics of discussion will be about the al-Munthiriya border crossing with Iran, which has long been used as a smuggling route to Lebanon and Syria in terms of weaponry and fighters.

The PMF used to be in control of the border, but after a no-fly zone was imposed it has gotten harder to smuggle weapons across, the analyst said, adding the crossing is now under Iraqs security forces and Counter Terrorism Service (CTS).

The other topic of interest will be about preparations for the religious pilgrimage season known as the Arbaeen, which takes places in the Iraqi holy city of Karbala in two months time following the end of the 40-day mourning period for Ashura.





Yet regarding efforts to curb the PMFs influence on the political and security front, the analyst said Zarif was not the right person to act as a buffer between the umbrella group and Iraqs government.

The PMF file is in the hands of the Revolutionary Guards, not Irans foreign office, he said.

Sarmad al-Bayati, an Iraqi political analyst, said Zarifs visit will focus more on bilateral relations between the two countries.

The Iranian foreign minister did not come to Baghdad to discuss the PMF, he said. It is more likely that he will talk about the killing of Soleimani and al-Muhandis instead.

PMFs sphere of influence

Prime Minister al-Kadhimi has been a strong advocate of Iraqs sovereignty and has upset armed groups within Iraq that are affiliated with Iran, such as Kataib Hezbollah. At the end of last June, al-Khadimi ordered a raid on Kataib Hezbollahs offices in Baghdad, which led to the arrest of 14 fighters.

Kataib Hezbollah in turn and other armed groups within the PMF have accused al-Kadhimi of assisting the US in its assassination of Soleimani and al-Muhandis, which has created a rift within the prime ministers government.

The PMF, which is made up of dozens of mostly Shia militias that are dominated by powerful factions who take their orders from Iran, enjoys political influence as it dominates dozens of seats in parliament through the Fatah Alliance and State of Law coalitions.

Incorporated within the Iraqi government in 2016 following the defeat of the armed group ISIL (ISIS), the sphere of influence of the PMF has only continued to grow.





Critics point out the PMF, backed by Iran, has expanded its authority on the political, economic and security front. In 2019, it received $2.16bn from the defence budget, yet it is independent of any control or oversight by the Iraqi defence ministry.

Security-wise it controls the liberated areas that were previously under ISIS, which includes many border areas and land ports, al-Abyad told Al Jazeera.

Its control has spread inside and outside the cities and has its own security and intelligence services. It has become a force that exceeds the ability of the government, and it runs parallel to the Revolutionary Guards project in Iran.

The Baghdad-based anonymous security expert said the PMF and its proxy armed groups also wield influence on the streets of Baghdad.

Whoever stands against them  politically, legally, ideologically  find themselves killed, imprisoned, or persecuted, he said. My good friend and colleague Hisham al-Hashemi was neither the first nor the last to be killed.

Al-Hashemi, a well-known and top security analyst, was shot dead by unknown gunmen outside his home in the capital earlier this month.

Following the government raid on Kataib Hezbollahs offices last month, al-Hashemi provided his social media followers with insights over allegations the group was behind rocket attacks on US and other diplomatic interests in Iraq.

The group quickly issued a statement on its Telegram channel denying responsibility for his killing.

Activists and members of rights groups fear for their lives because they do not trust nor can count on the Iraqi government to hold accountable the armed groups behind targeted killings, the security expert said.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-07-19 13:16:09|Editor: huaxia

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HONG KONG, July 19 (Xinhua) -- The national security law for Hong Kong will not affect the normal operation of financial markets and legitimate business of financial institutions and market participants, a senior official of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government said Sunday.

Financial Secretary Paul Chan said in an online article that the law clearly stipulates four offenses endangering national security and the financial sector can continue their normal operation under Hong Kong's existing legal framework.

The law will neither affect the common business, participation in market activities or capital allocation of related institutions and individuals nor obstruct them from processing their own materials and data, collecting and distributing information, doing business researches as well as voicing their opinions, Chan said.

Chan noted that Hong Kong's financial markets have remained in stable and orderly operation since the national security law took effect on June 30.

The Hong Kong dollar has remained strong and the stock market has seen robust trading and initial public offerings, Chan said.

No significant capital outflows have been reported, and on the contrary, more than 11 billion U.S. dollars went into the market, Chan said, adding that total deposits in the banking system have been on the rise over the past months.

Many market participants said the law will help restore security and order in the business environment, which is crucial to Hong Kong's sustainable development as a global financial hub, Chan said.

Noting that the influence of U.S. sanctions on the Hong Kong economy is limited, Chan expressed firm opposition to U.S. interference, which seriously violates international laws and the basic norms of international relations, and smacks of double standards and hegemonism.

Chan reiterated that the implementation of the law will not affect the rights and freedom of Hong Kong residents under the HKSAR Basic Law and related international conventions applicable to Hong Kong.

The enactment of the law is aimed at safeguarding "one country, two systems," Chan said, stressing that Hong Kong's high degree of autonomy, legal systems including judicial independence, the capitalist system, and the protection of legitimate rights and interests of external investors will not change.

Hong Kong's currency and financial system will also stay the same and the financial hub will maintain the linked exchange rate system and continue to allow free capital flows, Chan said.

With the nation's support, the HKSAR government has the confidence and the capability of maintaining Hong Kong's long-term prosperity and stability, Chan said.

Hong Kong will continue to provide investors with a world-class business environment and supervisory structure, said the financial secretary.

It will be proved that national security, prosperity and stability, and market vitality can coexist in Hong Kong, which will offer businesses a more solid foundation for their operation and broader development space, Chan said. Enditem
A total of 488 new cases of the Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) have been recorded in Ghana.

This brings the total count as of July 19, 2020, to 27,060.

The Ghana Health Service update noted that the new cases were from samples that were taken from the period 22 June to 14 July 2020.

The number of clinical recoveries has also shot up to 23,044 leaving the active COVID-19 cases in Ghana at 3,871.

Despite the huge number of discharge/recoveries, 145 persons have however succumbed to the disease.

The latest update from the Ghana Health Service shows that Greater Accra is still leading the national case count with 14,923, followed by the Ashanti, Western and Central Regions with 5,642, 2,218 and 1,140 cases respectively.

Another region that has over a thousand cases is the Eastern Region with 1,030 recorded cases.

The rest of the regions in Ghana are yet to cross the 500 case mark.

The region with the least number of cases is the North East Region which has 9 cases.

Cumulative Cases per Region

Greater Accra Region  14,923

Ashanti Region  5,642

Western Region  2,218

Central Region  1,140

Eastern Region  1,030

Volta Region  492

Bono East Region  294

Upper East Region  282

Northern Region  271

Western North Region  216

Bono Region  166

Oti Region  143

Ahafo Region  103

Upper West Region  74

Savannah Region  57

North East Region  9

25 persons in severe conditions

Ghana Health Service in the latest update on the COVID-19 situation in Ghana notes that 25 persons are in severe conditions while 8 are in critical conditions.

The Ghana Health Service further notes that 4 other persons who have tested positive for the virus are on ventilators.

Below is the full list of active cases in Ghana:

Ghana recorded its first two COVID-19 cases in March 2020. The cases were from some two persons who had returned to Ghana from parts of the world where COVID-19 was prevalent at the time.

So far, 14.2 million COVID-19 cases have been recorded worldwide with 7.89 million recoveries and over 500,000 deaths.

 citinewsroom
With COVID-19 taking a tiger grasp on our lives with each passing day, were all desperately waiting for a vaccine to bring our lives back to normal.

While there are many vaccines that still are far from ready, there are few that are already going through human trials -- vaccines like the ones from Moderna, Johnson & Johnson and others, but the so called Oxford COVID-19 vaccine -- ChAdOx1 adenovirus vaccine -- being developed by researchers at Oxford University is clearly leading the COVID-19 vaccine race.

Representational Image: Reuters

COVID-19 vaccine led by Sarah Gilbert

In case you didn't know, Sarah Catherine Gilbert, a vaccinologist and a professor of vaccinology at the University of Oxford, and her team of researchers at the University of Oxfords Jenner Institute are currently looking at the efficacy of the COVID-19 vaccine against the novel coronavirus.

Sarah Gilbert (Image: John Cairns /University of Oxford)

Sarah Gilbert has expressed immense faith in the working of the vaccine, she feels that the vaccine has 80 percent chances of working at the beginning of the trials in April 2020, stating, Personally, I have a high degree of confidence. This is my view, because I've worked with this technology a lot, and I've worked on the MERS vaccine trials, and I've seen what that can do.

Oxford vaccine science explained

ChAdOx1 is an adenovirus vaccine, which basically has been developed from a viral vector based on a weakened version of the common cold (adenovirus) that also consists of the genetic material of SARS-CoV-2 spike protein.

Once the vaccine enters the human body, the surface spike protein is produced, which prepares the immune system to attack COVID-19 if it later infects the body.

Oxford COVID-19 vaccine -- ChAdOx1 -- claims to generate a strong immune response from a single dose and does not replicate, so the vaccine itself cannot cause an ongoing infection in the individual who has been vaccinated.

Getty Images

Oxford vaccine COVID-19 test result

Rocky Mountain Laboratories (NIAID/NIH) have conducted a thorough investigation of the Oxford COVID-19 vaccine and have demonstrated good safety and efficacy of a single dose of ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 in the rhesus macaque model.

Only after this initial test was successful did they go further for human trials commenced. Phase I involved 500 volunteers between age group of 18-55 years. Phase 2 human trials involved 10,260 individuals from the age group of 56-69 years, over 70 years and kids from the age group of 5-12 years.

The human trials are currently in the phase 3 stage in Brazil (involving 5,000 volunteers) and the final results of the vaccines efficacy are expected on July 20.

AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine

Weeks after the Oxford COVID-19 vaccine generated hype, leading pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca announced an agreement for the global development and distribution of the vaccine across the world.

The phase 3 trials of Oxford vaccine formula in Brazil are under the observation of AstraZeneca, the result of which is expected very soon. AstraZeneca is also committed to produce hundreds of million doses of the Oxford COVID-19 vaccine formula within this year.

Serum Institute of India

Oxford COVID-19 vaccine and Serum India

In India, Serum India Institute as announced that they will be manufacturing the Oxford vaccine formula to take down COVID-19, based on the human trials currently being tested by Oxford University in the UK, and had started their own trials from May onwards.

The CEO of Serum India is on record saying the Oxford vaccine formula will be developed and sold at a reasonable price of Rs 1,000 in India before this year ends -- considerably cheaper than what itll be sold across the globe.
Weve got a mixed bag of headlines for you this week, what with everything happening at the same time these days. Lets take a look at Twitters worst Wednesday in living memory, as well as some stellar game sale numbers amid the COVID-19 shutdown and a high-end video camera with more resolution than even James Cameron can handle.

Dado Ruvic / Reuters

Sisyphus would have had an easier time getting over hump day than Twitter did last Wednesday. The social media giant was pwned in every sense of the word when hackers hijacked high profile accounts to enact a bitcoin scam that netted more than $100k. But beyond making a quick buck, the hack gave the intruders unfettered access to the DMs of dozens of celebrities, a point Elon Musk is probably none too keen on.

max-kegfire via Getty Images

Though the fact that more people are gaming during a pandemic should come as no surprise, the degree to which folks have embraced it is staggering. A report released last week from the NPD Group found that US gamers spent $1.2 billion in June alone. Thats the highest grossing month since 2009. This would explain why finding matches is so much faster these days.

mobileye

This week, German regulators signed off on allowing Intels Mobileye division to test its semi-autonomous vehicle systems on the famed Autobahn  and at speed. The company is already testing its systems in Israel and plans to roll out self-driving fleets to four global locations by 2022. Our self-driving car of the future is getting closer by the day.

Blackmagic Design

If youre looking for a pro-level video camera that youll be unable to justify buying to either your spouse or your accountant, Blackmagic has you covered with the Ursa Mini Pro 12K. This 80MP monster captures at up to 12K, giving video editors far more flexibility during post production than they would have with a lower-res file. But with a ten grand price tag, youre going to need some fancy figuring to make that expense report work.

Microsoft

Folks have been flying Microsofts digital planes on their home computers since 1982 and for much of that span the only way to install the simulator was to sit down with a pile of floppy discs and load the install sequentially. It was an infuriatingly slow process. With the release of its newest iteration of the legendary simulator series, Microsoft has sought to bring back just a bit of that nostalgic process by offering the program on 10 installable DVDs. Oh the places youll go and load screens youll see.
Rating Action: Moody's assigns Aa3 to Yale New Haven Health Services Corp's (CT) Series 2020; outlook stable

Global Credit Research - 17 Jul 2020

New York, July 17, 2020 -- Moody's Investors Service has assigned a Aa3 rating to Yale New Haven Health Services Corporation's (CT) $400 million Taxable Bonds, Series 2020. Yale New Haven Health Services Corporation (HSC) is the parent and borrowing entity for Yale New Haven Health (YNHH). At the same time, Moody's affirmed HSC's existing Aa3 and Aa3/VMIG 1 ratings, which are backed by YNHH's own liquidity. The rating outlook is stable. This action affects approximately $1.133 billion of rated debt (including the new bonds).

RATINGS RATIONALE

The assignment and affirmation of YNHH's Aa3 rating reflect Moody's view that leverage will rise with increased permanent debt for a major capital project, but measures will likely remain adequate. Although the system has also drawn on short term bank lines amid the coronavirus outbreak, management believes these will likely be repaid assuming the current pace of elective recovery continues. A material decline in fiscal 2020 revenues and operating cash flow from the suspension of elective services amid the coronavirus outbreak will be offset in part by the receipt of CARES Act and other federal funds. Based on the current pace of reopening of electives, YNHH will likely see a return to good consistent operating cash flow margins at pre-outbreak levels and will likely sustain days cash at solid levels following repayment of federal loans and deferrals. Nevertheless, uncertainties associated with the outbreak and the reactivation of elective services as well as fluctuations in the equity market will remain.

The Aa3 rating will continue to reflect YNHH's leading market position in Connecticut, with a broad reach for tertiary and quaternary patients throughout the state and nearby markets. This will be supported by strong brand recognition associated with its affiliation with Yale University (Aaa stable) and its faculty. YNHH will also continue to expand its statewide presence through consolidation, having merged Milford Hospital into YNHH's Bridgeport Hospital in 2019 to aid capacity constraints. Offsets include elevated capital expenditures over a multi-year period, including the partly debt-financed neuroscience project. That said, total capital spend will likely be reduced from original levels as management revisits its multi-year plans amid the coronavirus outbreak. The system will be challenged by some recent softness in volume trends due in part to competitors that are also consolidating. This is highlighted by Hartford HealthCare's acquisition of YNHH's key competitor in Bridgeport. Under a newly reached agreement with the state, net provider tax payments will be reduced through 2026. However, state and federal reimbursement will provide ongoing uncertainty.

Story continues

The most immediate social risk is the coronavirus outbreak, which resulted in the suspension of non-essential services and has significantly reduced revenues. There is a high degree of uncertainty around the full effects of the suspension, the reactivation of elective services and the recovery period. The ongoing effects of the coronavirus outbreak, deteriorating global economic outlook, and financial market declines are creating a severe and extensive credit shock across many sectors, regions and markets. The combined credit effects of these developments are unprecedented.

YNHH's Aa3/VMIG1 variable rate demand bond ratings reflect Moody's view that available assets will provide ample coverage of variable rate debt.

RATING OUTLOOK

The stable outlook reflects Moody's belief that YNHH will likely return to solid pre-outbreak operating cash flow margins. The outlook further assumes that debt that remains on its balance sheet will result in higher but still adequate leverage measures. Finally, the outlook assumes that management will seek to manage its multi-year capital plans, including its new neuroscience facility, such that YNHH will be able to sustain adequate leverage metrics for the rating.

FACTORS THAT COULD LEAD TO AN UPGRADE OF THE RATINGS

-Materially stronger cash measures

-Sustained growth in operating cash flow margins

-Ability to achieve and sustain lower leverage

-Sustained improvement in volume trends and market positioning

-Short term rating: not applicable

FACTORS THAT COULD LEAD TO A DOWNGRADE OF THE RATINGS

-Leverage increases beyond currently anticipated adequate levels or liquidity measures decline

-Inability to substantially return to pre-outbreak operating cash flow margins

-Highly dilutive acquisition or merger

-Further softening of volume trends or declines in market share

-Short-term rating: material decline in daily liquidity or overall credit quality

LEGAL SECURITY

The bonds are secured by a gross revenue pledge of the Obligated Group. The Obligated Group is comprised of ten members, including Yale New Haven Hospital (which includes Yale New Haven Children's Hospital, the Yale New Haven Psychiatric Hospital, and the Smilow Cancer Hospital), Bridgeport Hospital, Greenwich Hospital, Lawrence + Memorial Hospital, Westerly Hospital, Northeast Medical Group (NEMG) and HSC (system parent).

USE OF PROCEEDS

Proceeds will be used for general corporate purposes including capital projects.

PROFILE

Yale New Haven Health operates four hospitals in Connecticut and one in Rhode Island. The system's flagship academic medical center, 1,541 bed Yale New Haven Hospital is comprised of two campuses (including a 511 bed community teaching hospital, the former Hospital of St. Raphael) located in New Haven. The system also includes 501 bed Bridgeport Hospital, 206 bed Greenwich Hospital, 308 bed Lawrence + Memorial Hospital (L+M), 125 bed Westerly Hospital (RI) and NEMG (medical foundation).

METHODOLOGY

The principal methodology used in the long-term ratings was Not-For-Profit Healthcare published in December 2018 and available at https://www.moodys.com/researchdocumentcontentpage.aspx?docid=PBM_1154632. The principal methodology used in the short-term ratings was Short-term Debt of US States, Municipalities and Nonprofits Methodology published in July 2020 and available at https://www.moodys.com/researchdocumentcontentpage.aspx?docid=PBM_1210749. Alternatively, please see the Rating Methodologies page on www.moodys.com for a copy of these methodologies.

REGULATORY DISCLOSURES

For further specification of Moody's key rating assumptions and sensitivity analysis, see the sections Methodology Assumptions and Sensitivity to Assumptions in the disclosure form. Moody's Rating Symbols and Definitions can be found at: https://www.moodys.com/researchdocumentcontentpage.aspx?docid=PBC_79004.

For ratings issued on a program, series, category/class of debt or security this announcement provides certain regulatory disclosures in relation to each rating of a subsequently issued bond or note of the same series, category/class of debt, security or pursuant to a program for which the ratings are derived exclusively from existing ratings in accordance with Moody's rating practices. For ratings issued on a support provider, this announcement provides certain regulatory disclosures in relation to the credit rating action on the support provider and in relation to each particular credit rating action for securities that derive their credit ratings from the support provider's credit rating. For provisional ratings, this announcement provides certain regulatory disclosures in relation to the provisional rating assigned, and in relation to a definitive rating that may be assigned subsequent to the final issuance of the debt, in each case where the transaction structure and terms have not changed prior to the assignment of the definitive rating in a manner that would have affected the rating. For further information please see the ratings tab on the issuer/entity page for the respective issuer on www.moodys.com.

The ratings have been disclosed to the rated entity or its designated agent(s) and issued with no amendment resulting from that disclosure.

These ratings are solicited. Please refer to Moody's Policy for Designating and Assigning Unsolicited Credit Ratings available on its website www.moodys.com.

Regulatory disclosures contained in this press release apply to the credit rating and, if applicable, the related rating outlook or rating review.

Moody's general principles for assessing environmental, social and governance (ESG) risks in our credit analysis can be found at https://www.moodys.com/researchdocumentcontentpage.aspx?docid=PBC_1133569.

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.

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Diana Lee Lead Analyst PF Healthcare 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 Daniel Steingart Additional Contact PF Healthcare 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

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Nitin Nahar, the main accused in the Sector 33 shooting case of May 31 targeting liquor baron Arvind Singlas house is only 20 years old but has seven criminal cases against him.

Nahar, incarcerated at Amritsars Central Jail from June 18, was brought by Chandigarh police on production warrant on July 16 to appear at the court of district magistrate Meenakshi Gupta in connection with the Sector 33 case.

Police said Nahar was an accused in seven cases in Amritsar, including three shootings, all occurring between August 2019 and June 2020.

Officials privy to the matter said, Nahar had used the .32 bore gun for the shooting in Sector 33. He is ambidextrous and can fire a gun with both hands and he did this on the day of the firing as well.

They also revealed that Nahar had come in contact with gangster Lawrence Bishnoi through gangster Bobby Malhotra, who is currently lodged in Ferozepur Jail.

Nahar has revealed the names of two other co-accused in the Singla case, inluding Balbir Cheema alias Mani Cheema and Rahul Bhiwani alias Bacchi Bhiwani.

Five men were involved in the shooting of which only two, including Nitin Nahar and Karan Sharma, a hotel management student, have been arrested.

On May 31, five shooters had opened fire at hotelier and businessman Rakesh Singlas house in an attempt to target his brother Arvind Singla. Police are tracing the whereabouts of the three other suspects, who are all on the run.
President Donald Trump wouldnt say whether he will accept the results of the general election in November during an interview with Fox News Sunday, claiming again without evidence that the process is rigged before any votes have been cast.

Host Chris Wallace asked Trump if he was a good loser, to which the president responded that he is not. But are you gracious? Wallace pressed.

You dont know until you see, Trump said. It depends. I think mail-in voting is going to rig the election. I really do.

Asked if hes suggesting he might not accept the results of the election, Trump said, I have to see.

President Trump reacts to Mary Trump's new book. Plus, he answers whether or not he will accept the 2020 election results. #FoxNewsSundaypic.twitter.com/KmmGdgzcVY  FoxNewsSunday (@FoxNewsSunday) July 19, 2020

Many states are preparing for a significant increase in voters who cast their ballots by mail this year as coronavirus cases continue to surge across the country.

Trump and Attorney General William Barr have asserted several times without evidence that mail-in voting will lead to widespread voter fraud. (Trump, White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany and several other administration officials have voted by mail in recent elections.)

But election officials from dozens of states have disputed the administrations arguments about potential fraud, saying that there are many security measures in place to prevent any issues.

President Donald Trump has a long track record of false and misinformed statements about voting and elections, including his recent remarks about mail voting, Alex Curtas, a communications director for New Mexicos secretary of states office, told ABC News last week.

Ballot tracking, intelligent barcodes, identity verification, post-election audits and the fact that there are severe criminal and civil penalties already in place (which makes any attempt at vote tampering a high-risk,...

Continue reading on HuffPost
Visitors take photos of Hong Kong Island in south China's Hong Kong, July 14, 2020. (Xinhua/Wu Xiaochu)

China always holds that the protection of human rights will only ring hollow unless human lives are valued, and social stability and security guaranteed. That principle has seen growing global consensus in today's crisis-stricken world.

At the just concluded 44th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC), China has won broad endorsement of its tangible progress on the human rights cause despite some Western countries' persistence to smear Beijing's efforts to promote general stability and security in Xinjiang and Hong Kong.

Over the past 18 days of the gathering of the world's only inter-governmental human rights body, more than 70 countries have backed China's national security legislation for the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, and 46 countries have voiced their support for China's anti-terrorism and de-radicalization drive in the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, while strongly rejecting foreign interference in China's internal affairs.

Cold-blooded terrorism and violent extremism, with little doubt, pose a severe threat to human lives, and thus to the most basic human rights. That is why Beijing has taken relentless law-based efforts to root out terrorism in Xinjiang and end violence in Hong Kong.

For Hong Kong, the city is on course to having order restored following last year's escalating chaos. What's more, Xinjiang has seen no single terrorist attack over the last three years because of a rigorous counterterrorism drive.

China's arduous yet effective battle against the COVID-19 outbreak and its historic poverty alleviation campaign are also a part of the reason why it can win wide support within and beyond the conference hall of the UNHRC session.

Instead of recognizing the rock-solid fact that China has achieved indisputable human rights progress, some China-bashers in Washington are trying to narrate a different story with one cheeky lie after another. As the presidential elections are drawing close, their real purpose of scoring political points for themselves is too obvious to miss.

U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, who has been one of the most hysterical anti-China voices in the current U.S. administration, slapped Chinese technology firms with visa restrictions on Wednesday, citing human rights abuses, and National Security Advisor Robert O'Brien said weeks ago that the Communist Party of China has used China's UNHRC membership to dodge criticism in Xinjiang and Hong Kong. Moreover, in an excessively desperate act to defame China, a U.S. state department spokeswoman recently tweeted a photoshopped picture to smear the human rights situation in Xinjiang.

While those China hawks in Washington are busy seeking to brainwash the wider international community, they seem hardly bothered by their own country's degenerative human rights track records, both at home and overseas.

Domestically, the United States is struggling with a "double crisis." The confluence of Washington's terrible response to the COVID-19 outbreak and the country's deep-seated institutional discrimination has not only further exposed its racial disparity, but also made the coronavirus deadlier to non-whites in the United States. The U.S. National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine recently quoted cardiologist Clyde Yancy of Northwestern University as saying that black patients are estimated to be 2.4 times more likely to die of the virus than whites.

Moreover, with Washington's bloody overseas military adventures in Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria and elsewhere, the United States is irrefutably the world's abuser-in-chief of human rights.

Smearing China may help those Washington China hardliners with a few more votes in the coming elections, yet America's deeply entrenched human rights problems are not being solved, and may grow even worse.

If Washington truly wants to make some positive contributions to the world's human rights cause, it should stop denying China's substantial improvement in human rights, start to fix its own problems and join others around the world in promoting peace and stability.

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The next time a CIO is summoned to the board meeting, she or he should expect a grilling on security and risk management. Thats according to the latest Gartner research which notes interest in these topics is at an all-time high, a view that chimes with findings from the New Zealand Institute of Directors (IoD).

The COVID-19 pandemic has upped the ante for cyber security

In the latest issue of IoDs membership magazine, Boardroom, the problem is laid bare in a piece by Aura information security general manager Peter Bailey. He cites an increased reliance on digital technologies and a distributed workforce as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, as bringing cyber security issues to the fore.

[ Keep up on the latest thought leadership, insights, how-to, and analysis on IT through CIOs newsletters. ]

The very lifeline to productivity in the stormy seas of COVID-19 may tow your organisation into a lurking cyber security iceberg, he writes. Having more of your workforce connected to a myriad of internet connections greatly increases your necessary connectivity surface area. This dispersed network creates exponentially more vantage points for cyber criminals to infiltrate your systems as well as increasing the chance of accidental data breaches via your employees.

IoD Principal Advisor Selwyn Eathorne concurs with this view, noting that as organisations have changed their operation models and practices, the cyber security risk has increased. Boards are concerned about a large range of matters at this time, including cyber security. Many organisations have changed aspects of their operating models and work practices with more reliance on digital and technology. This has led to increased cyber security risks and is set to continue as organisations transition into the future. Boards will continue to want to know that the their organisations critical assets are being protected. They will need to stay informed about emerging cybersecurity risks, trends and issues, he says.

How CIOs and CSOs can communicate effectively about cybersecurity

As to whether New Zealand boards believe they are sufficiently informed about cyber security, the feedback is mixed.

In our 2019 survey of director sentiment, less than half of directors (41%) said that their board received comprehensive reporting from management about data breach risks and incidents. However, 67% of directors of publicly listed companies said that they received comprehensive reporting, Eathorne says.

Eathorne says there is no one-size-fits-all approach to communicating on security and risk management, and it needs to be tailored to the organisation. Boards and management need to consider the format and frequency of reporting, and consider what information and detail is most valuable in maximising the effectiveness of board oversight in this area. Reporting to the board on cyber security has similar principles to reporting on other areas of an organisation such as health and safety and financial reporting, he says.

The IoD has produced a guide on how to go about reporting to boards on cyber security which includes a section on six questions covering key areas of interest: metrics, investment, effectiveness, incidents, reporting and awareness.

Gartner meanwhile has distilled its research into five questions, which it describes at follows:

The trade-off question: Are we 100% secure? The landscape question: How bad is it out there?and how do we compare to others? The risk question: Do we know what our risks are? What keeps you up at night? The performance question: Are we spending enough/why are we spending so much? The incident question: How did this happen? What went wrong?

It notes that boards collectively care about three things: revenue/mission, cost and risk. Board members expect their leaders to interpret topic specific information into its broader business impact. Security and risk management is one of these topics, Gartner says.
Riot cops came under a hail of bricks and bottles as they shut down an illegal rave early yesterday  just hours after beleaguered police chiefs vowed a swift and robust crackdown.

Officers were pelted with canisters of laughing gas and even a bicycle at the drug-fuelled party attended by up to 1,000 revellers who later complained that the event had barely got started when police moved in.

The Metropolitan Police said two men, aged 18 and 19, were arrested for violent disorder and obstruction in Finsbury Park, North London, They remained in custody while one officer needed hospital treatment for bruised ribs.

Members of the Metropolitan Police were pelted with laughing gas in Finsbury Park on Friday

Angry residents called police who arrived at 11pm on Friday, only hours after Met Commissioner Cressida Dick said she would take tougher action against unlicensed music events following Home Secretary Priti Patels criticism of a soft approach. As a police helicopter circled above, riot police marched on to the Woodberry Down Estate where the rave was being held. It took five hours to clear the area, with videos posted on social media showing revellers throwing kerbstone bricks and bottles at officers.

Scotland Yard later vowed to deploy more officers on the streets in anticipation of more illegal raves and violent crimes in the event of warmer weather.

Deputy Assistant Commissioner Lucy DOrsi said: Officers responded to calls from residents concerned about a large gathering, noise, anti-social behaviour and violence. The disorder they encountered is totally unacceptable as is the fear I am sure this generates amongst the local community, who called the police for help.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-07-19 23:23:56|Editor: huaxia

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RIYADH, July 19 (Xinhua) -- Group 20 (G20) economic ministers will hold a ministerial meeting on July 22 and 23 to continue discussions on digital technologies that can prepare the world for the recovery from coronavirus.

The meeting will be held under the Saudi G20 Presidency and also focus on ensuring stronger resilience against future crises, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Sunday.

The ministers will discuss human-centered artificial intelligence and smart cities, data flows, security in the digital economy, the measurement of the digital economy, and global connectivity.

Following the meeting, Saudi authorities will hold a press conference to highlight its outcomes.

The meeting will review the digital economy agenda for the Leaders' Summit Declaration in November 2020. Enditem
The hard-working National Youth Organiser of the Ruling, New Patriotic Party, Lawyer Henry Nana Boakye Nana B, held a strategic virtual meeting with all Diaspora Youth organisers over the weekend.



The National Youth Organiser took accounts from all Youth Organisers representing their respective countries in a three-hour-long meeting. The chairman of the Diaspora Youth Organisers, Emmanuel Boakye-Yiadom, representing Germany heaped praises on the National Youth Organiser for his sterling leadership even through such a tumultuous COVID pandemic season. A statement that all Youth Organisers unanimously agreed.



He mentioned planned mobilisation strategies developed by the team to assist the party in the upcoming Polls.



The National Youth Organiser in his remark shared with the team strategic plans being rolled out to deliver a massive victory for His Excellency President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and the New Patriotic Party this December. He challenged the Diaspora Youth Organisers to continue to liaise with the mother party in terms of resources and logistics to deliver an all-important success, come December 7, 2020.



The NYO further re-echoed the Presidents recent message to the party communicators to campaign on the unblemished monumental records of the Akufo-Addo - Bawumia government, including countless youth-related policies. He encouraged the youth organisers to be focused and resolute in order not to fall prey to the NDCs smear and diabolical campaign.



Nana Bs commitment to the Diaspora Youth Wing has not changed since ascending to the seat as NPPs National Youth Organiser. Apart from his constant engagement with the Diaspora Caucus, prior to the pandemic, he had made several appearances across the globe representing in various Diaspora Youth held events.



The Diaspora Youth Organisers currently have two representatives on the National Youth Council indicating an all-inclusive leadership. The Diaspora team following the meeting is fired-up to continue to work assiduously to deliver their part to support the party win the 2020 polls. The meeting included Youth Organisers from the UK, USA, Canada, Germany, Belgium, France, Denmark, Netherlands, Japan, China, Spain, Sweden, Italy, Austria, and Australia.

Source: Peacefmonline.com









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People enraged by Moon government's 'two-faced' attitude



By Do Je-hae



One of the things that has set President Moon Jae-in apart from his predecessors is that his popularity rating has enjoyed a stable level throughout his presidency since May 2017.



But latest surveys reflect a noticeable loss of public confidence in President Moon and his administration in the past few weeks due to some glaring policy missteps, including those related to real estate.



However, the increased disappointment is not with the missteps themselves but the "two-faced" attitude and discordance between words and actions by some of the President's key aides and ranking government officials. The disappointment stems from the fact that the Moon administration was launched under the banner of "fairness and justice."



This hypocrisy was highlighted by the recent controversy surrounding chief of staff Noh Young-min, who belatedly followed his own recommendation he had made late last year for senior presidential aides owning more than one home to sell off all properties other than their main residence. The recommendation came in response to rising public discontent toward the government's failure to contain soaring housing prices.



When Cheong Wa Dae announced earlier this month that the chief of staff would sell one of his two homes, the public became even more angry because the decision to sell a less lucrative apartment in Cheongju, South Chungcheong Province, was seen as a move to retain a more valuable property in Seoul's Seocho-gu. Yoon Seong-won, presidential secretary for land, infrastructure and transport, was criticized for a similar move, trying to keep a more expensive property in southern Seoul instead of a house in Sejong City, the nation's as-yet underdeveloped administrative capital.



These cases have undermined the people's trust in the President and his government's policy-making regarding real estate, a highly sensitive area for many working families in Korea toiling with stagnant incomes and soaring taxes, as well as young people losing hope for finding a job and owning a home amid one of the worst economic crises since the late 1990s.



Many who have abandoned their initial support for Moon say they feel betrayed by his administration's incompetence regarding the real estate issue, among other policy priorities. "I used to support him at the beginning of his presidency but have lost faith in him and his administration due to the real estate fiasco among Cheong Wa Dae officials," a citizen of Gwangjin-gu, eastern Seoul, said on condition of anonymity.



"In the case of housing, Moon gave the impression that somehow he was going to take a stand for the needs of the common people, but he was not willing to take any risks at all, certainly not ready to stand up to powerful interests. So ultimately he did not accomplish much at all," Emanuel Pastreich, president of the Asia Institute, told The Korea Times.





Cheong Wa Dae seeks breakthrough with reshuffle Gov't not to open 'greenbelt' for housing supply Moon's rating falls to 9-month low Korea's real estate policy fiasco Deaths of two leaders left Korean society divided Losing faith in liberal politics



The housing policy controversy was only one part of criticisms leveled at the Moon administration for being "two-faced" and betraying the party's espoused core values, such as social equality and justice that the President has resolutely preached before and after his election to the nation's highest office.



Moon's emphasis on promoting justice and fairness across society was one of the characteristics that captured Korean voters who were fed up with the previous conservative administrations of Lee Myung-bak and Park Geun-hye, both who ended up in prison and the latter who was impeached over corruption scandals.



President Moon Jae-in speaks during an event to promote his new core economy policy "New Deal" in South Jeolla Province, July 17. Yonhap

But with the corruption scandals of Moon's former aide and former Justice Minister Cho Kuk last year, some supporters began to rethink their trust in the Moon administration, and further in the liberal bloc. Many Koreans were enraged by the preferential treatment Cho's children allegedly received in their academic careers and other alleged illegal gains involving the former law professor and his family members, which have hampered the President's initial drive for "judicial reform."



"Corruption scandals involving ranking officials are not new because we have seen many such cases in previous administrations. But seeing the Cho case and ruling bloc members defending him, I was more disappointed because they are the ones who promised to root out the evils of society. Now I know they are no different from the figures in the conservative bloc," said a woman in her 40s who said she was an avid supporter of Moon when the administration was launched.



Opinion polls also reflect such public sentiment. The approval rating for the President, which jumped to nearly 70 percent in mid-April due to the nation's exemplary COVID-19 response, has continued to fall ever since and has now dropped to 44.1 percent, Thursday, according to the latest survey by Realmeter; 51.7 of respondents gave a negative assessment of Moon's job performance.



The survey also showed even his core support group, such as people in their 30s, women and voters in Seoul, are turning their backs on the President, raising fears of a "lame duck" presidency well before it comes to an end in May 2022.



"South Korean presidents start off as effective lame ducks, as they're limited to a single term. Hence any president maintaining their popularity is an uphill battle from the get-go. But as for current specifics, South Koreans are increasingly frustrated with their lack of job prospects and affordable housing opportunities," Sean King, Asian politics expert from New York-based consulting firm Park Strategies, told The Korea Times.



With the latest controversy over Moon's real estate policy and the series of #MeToo scandals hitting some of its star politicians, the ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK), which won a sweeping victory in the general election only three months ago, is also suffering a huge blow in its popularity. Critics point out a crisis of liberal politics ahead of by-elections next April as well as the presidential election in March 2022, as time is running out on Moon's presidency to significantly turn things around and revive the sagging public trust in him and his party.




A study conducted jointly by researchers at IIT-Bhubaneswar and the AIIMS here has shown that the spread of Covid-19 may pick up pace during peak monsoon and winter with a fall in the mercury.

The rainfall, decrease in temperatures and cooling of the atmosphere coupled with progression towards winter may environmentally favour the spread of Covid-19 in the country, according to the study led by V Vinoj, Assistant Professor of the School of Earth, Ocean and Climatic Sciences at IIT-Bhubaneswar.

The report titled Covid-19 spread in India and its dependence on temperature and relative humidity took into account the pattern of the coronavirus outbreak and the number of such cases in 28 states between April and June.

The study revealed that the rise in temperatures leads to a decline in the transmission of the virus, Vinoj said.

The study, which is in its pre-print stage, shows that the temperature and relative humidity have a significant impact on the disease growth rate and doubling time.

It suggests that a one-degree-Celsius rise in temperature leads to a 0.99 per cent decrease in cases and increases the doubling time by 1.13 days, implying a slowdown of the virus spread, he told PTI.

The study also found that an increase in relative humidity tends to decrease the growth rate and doubling time of coronavirus cases by 1.18 days.

The researchers, however, said since the study was not conducted during the period of high humidity starting from the monsoon and the onset of winter, more research needs to be undertaken to establish its exact impact.

Dr Bijayini Behera of the department of Microbiology at AIIMS Bhubaneswar, who was part of the research team, said several studies suggested that a fall in the temperatures and a relatively low humidity facilitated such an outbreak in the past.

The study also carried out an analysis of the impact of solar radiation on the spread of Covid-19.

We found that a higher surface-reaching solar radiation leads to a reduction in the number of infections and an increase in the doubling time of cases, similar to that of temperatures, Vinoj said.

There is an average temperature difference of seven degrees Celsius between the winter and summer seasons, he added.

According to the study, there is a likelihood of an increased transmission of the coronavirus during winter, which may be a major challenge for health workers and policymakers to enforce mitigation and control measures.

The objective of the study is to help authorities bring effective measures to combat the pandemic, Vinoj said.
Project Runway producer-host Karlie Kloss and her husband of 21 months - venture capitalist Joshua Kushner - wore masks during a bike ride through Santa Monica on Saturday.

California Governor Gavin Newsom made cloth masks or face coverings mandatory for all public outings on June 18.

As of Saturday, there have been over 150K confirmed COVID-19 cases in Los Angeles County, which has lead to 4,048 deaths - according to Johns Hopkins University.

Summer fun! Project Runway host Karlie Kloss and her husband of 21 months - venture capitalist Joshua Kushner - wore masks during a bike ride through Santa Monica on Saturday

Gingham-print mask: California Governor Gavin Newsom made cloth masks or face coverings mandatory for all public outings on June 18

The registered Democrat duo began their romance in 2012, and the 27-year-old IMG Model converted to Judaism to wed the 35-year-old investment mogul in 2018.

Joshua's big brother Jared is a White House Senior Advisor and the couple's sister-in-law Ivanka Trump is Senior Advisor to President Donald Trump, her father.

'I really followed my heart on choosing to be with the person that I love, despite any complications that came with it,' Karlie said of her marriage to In Charge with DVF on April 2.

'You know, I knew for me, it was worth it to fight for that.'

'#WearADamnMask': The registered Democrat duo began their romance in 2012, and the 27-year-old IMG Model converted to Judaism to wed the 35-year-old investment mogul in 2018 (pictured Thursday)

'I chose to be with the person that I love, despite any complications': Joshua's big brother Jared (L) is a White House Senior Advisor and the couple's sister-in-law Ivanka Trump (2-L) is Senior Advisor to President Donald Trump, her father (pictured in 2016)

Divestment postponed? On Wednesday, CNBC reported that Jared has decided to remain an investor in the $800M real estate tech start-up Cadre, which he co-founded in 2014 with Joshua and Ryan Williams

Yikes! And this week, Ivanka was blasted for her tone deaf 'Try Something New' campaign as well as blatantly violating ethics laws for federal employees by publicly promoting Goya Foods

On Wednesday, CNBC reported that Jared has decided to remain an investor in the $800M real estate tech start-up Cadre, which he co-founded in 2014 with Joshua and Ryan Williams.

And this week, Ivanka was blasted for her tone deaf 'Try Something New' campaign as well as blatantly violating ethics laws for federal employees by publicly promoting Goya Foods.

Kloss has never denounced her famous in-laws despite withering criticism from feminist influencer Tavi Gevinson on her 'hypocritical' May 28 anti-racism post.

Career-wise, the Chicago-born blonde currently fronts the Carolina Herrera Good Girl Eau de Parfum Supreme campaign shot by Quentin Jones.
In a recent article about mail deliveries being delayed because of cost-cutting efforts by the new postmaster general, Louis DeJoy, there are numerous quotes from U.S. Rep. Bill Pascrell, D-9th Dist.

Pascrell denounced the proposal, which includes leaving some mail at distribution centers for another day, saying it would be a stunning act of sabotage against our postal service. He further stated that Trump and his cronies (DeJoy is a Trump ally) are openly seeking to destroy the post office during the worst public health crisis in a century.

Where was Pascrell's concern during the last two decades?

I moved to my current address 20 years ago. At that time, I was receiving my mail around 1 p.m. Somewhere along the way, my mail started to arrive later and later in the day. These days, I receive it between 3:30 and 6 p.m. I cannot understand this because we were told that the cost of stamps had to go up due to the post office losing money because more people were using email instead.

If this is true, why is my mail coming later and later?

It seems Pascrells only concern here is to criticize Trump. Instead of focusing on getting rid of President Donald Trump, why cant all politicians get in touch with their constituents and find out what our concerns really are? Thats what we elected them for.

Robert E. Malinowski, Point Pleasant

Proposal could have numbing effect on patient safety

As we battle COVID-19, leadership and collaboration between physicians and nurses is critical.

The July 7 op-ed, These nurses were vital during the pandemic. Lets not restrict how they work, by Jonathan Katz, president of the New Jersey Association of Nurse Anesthetists, highlights the role nurses play.

The article draws attention to a temporary waiver that was granted for certified registered nurse anesthetists to perform additional duties in the wake of COVID-19.

This waiver was never intended to be permanent, since it could put patients lives at risk. Easing of rules during the pandemic was proposed to address potential shortages of physician providers which, fortunately, has not occurred.

COVID-19 is unprecedented and physician anesthesiologists have been critical in many lifesaving efforts to combat the pandemic. Were proud to be on the front lines using our years of education and training to save lives.

Laws in 46 states and the District of Columbia require physician involvement for anesthesia care to ensure patient safety. This supervision is supported by independent research and its elimination would not improve access to care or save medical costs.

The work of all health care professionals during COVID-19 is invaluable. While we need all hands on deck to fight this pandemic, we cant compromise the safety of patients. Every patient deserves the highest quality care from a physician when it matters most.

Gregg Lobel, M.D., Englewood

The writer is the president of New Jersey State Society of Anesthesiologists.

After Greatest Generation, not much asked of us

The country is at war with an invisible enemy, COVID-19, and American citizens are the soldiers.

We are not being asked to make anywhere near the sacrifices that our true soldiers make in a time of war. All we need to do is wear a mask, socially distance ourselves, wash our hands and be diligent.

That is not much to ask from the citizens of the greatest country on Earth  yet it seems to be. It is time for all Americans to step up and fight together as one. It is the only way we can win this war.

Brian Millen, Ewing

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Saturday, July 18, 2020

Episode 9 A conversation with Jose Francisco Garcia Mazcorro

Jose Francisco Garcia Mazcorro (Pepe) (Born in July 1982), is a scientist and educator who from 2000 to 2005 studied Veterinary Medicine and, in 2011, received a PhD degree from Texas A&M University.

Upon his return to Mexico in 2012, Pepe and his wife, Alicia, who also holds a PhD from the same university, started a program they called Free Science Classes. Pepe currently spends most of his academic life working on various research projects related to the human and animal microbiome. He also has an interest in Social Philosophy and published a book on that subject in 2007.

In this podcast interview, Pepe describes his work of taking science directly to children, provides some insights into Mexicos current political situation and the implications of the election in 2018 of President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador (AMLO), and discusses the status of the COVID pandemia in Mexico, its consequences, and possible remedies to avoid an even more complicated scenario in the years ahead. You can learn more about Pepe and his work at his personal website athttps://sites.google.com/site/josefgarciamazcorro/home. Pepe also recommends this video about social distancing.
Dawn Gomez holds her 3-year-old granddaughter, Saryia Greer, who waves at Vanessa Guillen's mural painted by Alejandro "Donkeeboy" Roman Jr. on the side of Taqueria Del Sol, Thursday, July 2, 2020, in Houston. Army investigators believe Guillen, a Texas soldier missing since April, was killed by another soldier on the Texas base where they served, the attorney for the missing soldier's family said. Read more

AUSTIN, Texas - Spc. Vanessa Guillens family again called for a congressional investigation into the U.S. Armys handling of the slain soldiers disappearance Friday as her entire 3rd Cavalry Regiment gathered in memory of the soldier who authorities say was killed by one of their own.

The 20-year-old soldier's mother, Gloria Guillen, wept Friday as she knelt by the altar inside the Spirit of Fort Hood Chapel, where her daughter's boots, helmet, weapon and military photograph were displayed.

Several hundred military service members stood behind the Guillen family as they comforted their matriarch while she mourned. Guillen received full military honors during the memorial service.

The memorial was the family's first trip back to Killeen since the soldier's remains were discovered near the Leon River in Bell County on June 30.

The Guillen family, which is from Houston, lived in Killeen for nearly three months while searching for Vanessa Guillen after she was last seen on April 22.

The family members garnered national attention as they held protests outside the post in Killeen and in Houston and Washington, D.C., demanding answers from Army investigators.

Spc. Aaron David Robinson, who officials say killed himself on July 1, was accused of beating Guillen to death with a hammer while they worked together in an armory room the day she disappeared.

Authorities have also accused Robinson's 22-year-old girlfriend, Cecily Aguilar of Killeen, of helping Robinson dismember, burn and bury Guillen's body about 20 miles away from the post.

On Friday, the Fort Hood chapel fell silent as Army officials called out Vanessa Guillen's name three times during her final roll call.

The silence was broken only by tears and the sounds of the ceremonial weapons firing in her honor.

Lt. Col. Edward Gavin addressed the crowd at the start of the hour-long memorial, saying Guillen's death left service members with feelings of anger, depression, anxiety, fear, frustration and sadness.

"This is difficult to discuss because the tragedy of her loss has forever changed our squadron and it has forever changed her family," Gavin said. "And we have so many questions, some of which may never be answered."

Following Friday's memorial, Army officials escorted the family to the armory room where they say Guillen was killed.

The soldier's mother and priest prayed a blessing over the room as they anointed it with holy water.

The family then traveled to an off-post mural of Vanessa Guillen, where 16-year-old Lupe Guillen again called for a congressional investigation into her sister's death.

"Today we went to a memorial for my sister Spc. Vanessa Guillen," she said. "They all expressed their condolences, but I said words are nothing. Actions speak louder than words. So if you want to take action, demand a congressional investigation as well.

"I'm not going to stop," she said. "I'm not going to be silent because God gave me a voice. God gave me a brain and I'm using it as well. We're all children of God, so use your voice to speak up for Spc. Vanessa Guillen."

The Guillen family maintained Friday that the soldier was sexually harassed while at Fort Hood. Those accusations are what sparked #IAmVanessaGuillen, the hashtag that became a platform where service members shared their own experiences of sexual harassment and assault.

"This is a human issue, because this can happen to anyone," Lupe Guillen said while speaking about sexual harassment in the military. "My sister is one of many."

The Guillen family, along with their attorney Natalie Khawam, plans to introduce a draft of a bill also called #IAmVanessaGuillen. The bill, if signed into law, would allow for a third-party organization to investigate reports of sexual harassment within the military.

On Friday, the Guillen family extended an open invitation to anyone who wanted to travel to Washington on July 30 for a protest at Capitol Hill following the bills introduction.
SOUDERTON  All five of the people who applied to fill the Souderton Borough Council first ward seat that became open when Dan Yocum became mayor were "fantastic, super-qualified, well-rounded," council President Tracy Burke said at council's Jan. 17 work session as the board began discussion to reach a consensus on which to appoint following interviews of the candidates earlier...
An outraged California woman reportedly chose to urinate on the floor of a Verizon store after refusing to leave for not wearing a face mask last week.

In a 911 call obtained by CBS Sacramento, a dispatch operator told officers with the Roseville Police Department that three shoppers were 'refusing to leave.'

The unidentified woman, who was not wearing a face mask, was asked to leave several times by Verizon staff but refused to do so each time.

Verizon, like so many other businesses and major retail chains, now require customers to wear face masks while shopping at store locations amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Last week, a woman reportedly urinated on a Verizon store floor after refusing to leave for not wear a required face mask (pictured)

Three minutes later, the dispatch operator revealed to the officers that the upset woman had urinated on the store floor.

'Theyre calling back and advising that that female is pulling down her pants and is now urinating inside the business,' the operator said.

Roseville police arrived at to scene and discovered the woman had been involved in other concerning behavior.

A search through her vehicle revealed that she had stolen several items from a nearby Dicks Sporting Goods and authorities arrested her soon after.

Residents who heard about the incident were shocked and appalled by the woman's irrational actions.

911 call audio revealed the unidentified woman was with two other people inside the Verizon store (pictured) at the time of the incident

'Absolutely not. Thats totally inappropriate. Were not animals,' said Michelle Davidson.

'Im very disappointed that we as a society choose to have this unity and let the virus divide us,' she added.

'I dont really have much to say except thats probably not the right way to react to it. Simply wear the mask or leave I guess,' Kelly Berger said.

A Verizon spokesperson told CBS Sacramento that the incident wasn't just about its new mask policy, but did not elaborate about what happened.

DailyMail.com has reached out to the Roseville Police Department and Verizon for further comment.

Several instances of mask-induced wrath has cropped up in recent weeks as the public health measure became politicized amid a particularly divisive time in the United States.

One such incident on Friday that involved a group of beachgoers who refused to wear mandated face masks and claiming they 'are killing us.'

One man even offered to fight two Youtubers at the beach who were giving away free face coverings.

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention 'recommends that people wear cloth face coverings in public settings and when around people who dont live in your household, especially when other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain.'

California is among states that have implemented face mask mandates as cases surge in COVID-19 hot spots across the country.

Nearly 800 military medics have been deployed to hospitals in Texas and California as coronavirus cases surge in each state

The recent spike in cases across the Golden State prompted military medics to deploy to eight hospitals where staff was inundated with cases and struggling to stay afloat.

In fact, Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti said Sunday that the situation was so dire in his California city that authorities were considering a new stay-at-home orders.

The Air Force, at California's request, assigned 160 people to increase capacity in intensive care units.

California had been on a good trajectory with its virus efforts until mid-June.

While the mask rule in California mainly mandates that face coverings must be work inside, they must also be worn outside if it's not possible to stay six feet away from others.

On Sunday, the state had more than 380,000 confirmed coronavirus cases and just under 8,000 deaths.

The United States has recorded more than 3.7miliion cases and 140,119 deaths.

The Mercury News reports California counties reported 6,846 new cases and 91 deaths on Saturday. On Friday, there were 9,427 new cases and 112 fatalities.

The majority of new cases are coming out of Southern California, were Los Angeles County counted nearly 3,000 new positive results, Orange County had 702 and SAn Diego County had 625.

At the moment, 30 of California's 58 counties are on the Department of Public Healths watchlist - which could delay reopening measures and complicate plans to resume school in the fall.
Before he was admitted to a Fort Bend County hospital, Alfonso Rodriguez Jr.s dad had been complaining of an upset stomach for about a week.

The 86-year-old went to the emergency room, describing bouts of diarrhea and constipation.

He wondered: Could I have the virus?

At the ER, the elder Alfonso Rodriguez was told he likely had a twisted bowel and was sent home.

But days later he was admitted to the hospital and learned that he had COVID-19. Then the unthinkable happened  the disease tore through their family, claiming the lives of Alfonso Rodriguez Jr.s father, his mother, Porfiria, 87, and his younger brother, Rudy, 55, in less than two weeks.

I just kept thinking it was all like a bad dream, the 66-year-old said. A nightmare.

Such heartbreaking stories have been playing out across Texas since COVID-19 cases started spiking again last month following the easing of governmental restrictions on businesses and daily activities. The resurgence has had a devastating impact on the states Latino community. In Harris County, for example, more than half of those hospitalized with the virus each week since late May have been Hispanic.

Cases like the Rodriguez family also illustrate the cruelty of the disease, claiming the lives of elderly parents or siblings in the blink of an eye, often without a chance to say goodbye or to hold a loved ones hand.

More Information Members of a Rosenberg family were devastated by COVID-19 last month. The family included: Alfonso Anzaldua Rodriguez, 86, a father of eight and the family patriarch, who died on June 19. Porfiria Morales Rodriguez, 87, Alfonso's wife of 68 years and the family matriarch, who died June 9. Rudy Rodriguez, 55, one of their sons, who lived with the couple and died on June 8. Irene Soliz, 61, one of the couple's daughters, who was hospitalized for COVID-19 after moving into the family's home to care for her mother and younger brother. Alfonso Rodriguez Jr., 66, did not test positive after visiting with his parents Memorial Day weekend. He later had to arrange the funerals. See More Collapse

If you dont think this is for real, youre wrong. Ive lost my mom. Ive lost my dad and Ive lost my brother, all in one fell swoop, said Alfonso Jr.. This is serious.

Transmission among those living in the same household is occurring with COVID-19, said Dr. Prathit Kulkarni, an assistant professor of medicine in infectious diseases at Baylor College of Medicine.

In a McAllen hospital, Juana Prieto and her husband Jesus mourned the loss of their 35-year-old daughter Jessica to the virus as they themselves were being treated, CBS News reported. Theres no words I can describe this. Losing your kid, my only daughter, Juana told a reporter.

Although the elder Alfonso was initially told by doctors that he didnt have the virus, medical experts said members of a household can take steps to reduce risks in a household when a COVID-19 diagnosis is confirmed.

It really depends on the details, said Kulkarni. Are they separating? Are they not? Are they wearing a mask? Are they eating their meals together? Are they wiping down all the surfaces? What measures are being taken impact the frequency with which it happens.

In multi-generational families, he added, some are choosing to keep older or more vulnerable members of the household away from others, and if they interact with other household members, they wear a mask.

On the Saturday before his dad was admitted to the hospital, Alfonso Jr.  one of eight children  spent the day with his parents and younger brother at their Rosenberg home.

He stayed for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

The couples eldest son would often stop by the house on a Saturday or Sunday, bringing over an iced-down watermelon or cantaloupe for them to share at the kitchen table.

His visits had become less frequent during the pandemic, as public health officials stressed how vulnerable the elderly are to coronavirus. Still, his dad urged him to come by.

You need to come visit us, we miss you, he recalled his father saying.

After his fathers ER visit days earlier, X-rays didnt find a twisted bowel. But the doctor still didnt think he had the virus.

The elder Alfonso was given a couple of prescriptions and sent home again.

His son remembered him feeling sick that day, but being in good spirits during their visit. By evening, though, the father said his stomach was upset again and he went to lie down.

If he did have coronavirus, family members wondered, where did he get it? Alfonsos only trips had been to the grocery store and he took precautions.

He always wore a mask, said Alfonso Jr. He always wore gloves and always had plenty of hand sanitizer. So, we really cant pinpoint that they were around somebody that was infected.

Two days later, on Memorial Day, an ambulance transported the elder Alfonso to Oakbend Medical Center in Richmond.

His daughter Irene Soliz, 61, then came over to take care of her mom and brother Rudy, who had suffered a stroke seven years earlier that left him paralyzed and unable to speak.

Porfiria had heart issues as well as weak kidneys and lungs, and diabetes.

Irene moved into the house temporarily, unconcerned about catching the illness herself.

Soon, though, her mother and younger brother started having upset stomachs, too, and showing symptoms similar to the family patriarchs.

Both of them started eating less.

Within two days of being at the house, Irene also began experiencing stomach issues.

One night, Irene went to check on her mom, only to find her lying on the bathroom floor. Irene picked up Porfiria, with the help of her brother, and assisted her back to bed.

Early the next morning, her moms condition worsened.

As Irene helped her mom to the bathroom, she could barely walk and then slipped and fell.

Irene leaned her mom against the dresser and put a pillow behind her back.

She looked like she wasnt there, like she was looking not at you but through you, Irene recalled. I said Somethings not right.

Then, Irene called an ambulance for her mom.

Irene next became concerned about her brother, Rudy.

Does anything else hurt? she asked him.

He touched his chest.

Brother, youre gonna have to go the hospital, Irene said. You need to go.

Rudy didnt want to go to the hospital, Irene said, but he eventually agreed.

When Irene called the ambulance on June 3, just a few days after she had called one for her mom, Rudy looked troubled.

He looked at me like he wasnt going to come back or something, Irene recalled.

That evening, Irenes husband, two sons and daughter came by the Rosenberg home and sat outside under the trees on lawn chairs. Irene remained on the porch.

Her family told her about a clinic in Stafford where she could get a rapid test for coronavirus.

Irene had been tested a week earlier, at a site at the Fort Bend County Fairgrounds, but she hadnt yet received her results.

Meanwhile, Rudy had been placed on a ventilator shortly after being admitted to the same hospital as his mother and father.

He died five days after being admitted.

Alfonso Jr. couldnt fathom the news. He thought his younger brother would pull through. So did Irene.

I couldnt believe it, Irene said. He was the last one to leave. He seems the strongest.

A day later, on June 9, Alfonso Jr. called his sister with more bad news.

Mommy, passed away, he told her.

Irene was alone at the Rosenberg home, not wanting to risk making anyone sick.

She said she relied on her faith.

Im not alone, Irene said. Gods with me.

Just before midnight, Irene drove herself to United Memorial Medical Center in Acres Homes.

Her family followed behind to make sure she got there safely.

She had completed her rapid test at the clinic in Stafford and received the results: positive.

Irene had multiple COVID-19 symptoms: slight headache, poor appetite, loss of taste, upset stomach.

Her family had pushed for her to be admitted to United Memorial Medical Center, which has been lauded for its success in treating COVID-19 patients.

Alfonso Jr. was trying to hold it together for the family, making funeral arrangements for both his mother and brother. He couldnt sleep as he tried to console his brothers and sisters.

He remembered what his mom had told him about being the oldest sibling.

When were gone, youre gonna have to step up, Alfonso Jr. tearfully recalled her saying. Youre gonna have to be the glue of the family.

Alfonso Jr. was also fighting to get his dad transferred from the community hospital where he was being treated. He thought maybe UTMB or a hospital in the Texas Medical Center might be able to do more.

His sister, meanwhile, was undergoing intense treatment at United Memorial.

She was given breathing and other treatments, as well as a range of vitamins, to help her stay strong and fight the deadly virus.

On June 19, Alfonso Jr. called her with more devastating news: Despite getting his father transferred to UTMB, he had died too.

Irene had been able to talk with him by phone early in the family crisis. Now Irene, who was isolated from family throughout her two-week stay at the hospital, again was alone when she learned about a parent dying.

Theres nobody there to console her, said Alfonso Jr.. Nobody there to put their arms around her.

Porfiria and Alfonso had been married for 68 years, building a large family of eight children as well as grandchildren and great-grand children.

At their home in Rosenberg, the Rodriguez family took care of one another.

A native of Westhoff in DeWitt County, the senior Alfonso had worked as a contractor. More recently, he had his own small lawn-mower repair shop

He suffered a brain aneurysm several years ago, but had been in good health since, often cooking for everyone in the house.

He could fix breakfast fast, making shredded potatoes, eggs, sausage, bacon and tortillas, in 20 minutes.

Porfiria, born in Nordheim, maintained the house for the large family. She was quiet, but her warmth and compassion came through in her hugs.

They said you could feel the love that my mother had, said Irene.

The Rodriguez family loved gathering for celebrations. Often, the elder Alfonso would be the one dancing, usually with Porfiria, but when she got tired, he would pull in other relatives.

She also loved listening to Los Luzeros De Rioverde, a Houston family music group.

A Richmond native, Rudy made sure his mom took her medications. Before his stroke, Rudy also remodeled homes and worked as a roofing contractor.

He loved watching old Westerns as well as attending family parties, where Irene would only let him have one beer.

He would kind of laugh, said Irene. He snapped his fingers, like darn.

The Rodriguez siblings are all struggling to cope with the sudden loss of their parents.

When Alfonso Jr. had lawn mower issues recently, he wanted to call his father, who was a skilled lawn mower mechanic.

I cant call him anymore, Alfonso Jr. realized

After Irene was discharged from the hospital and took her second COVID-19 test, she immediately wanted to call her parents to tell them she had tested negative again. She realized she couldnt.

I cant give them the good news, she said.

brooke.lewis@chron.com
Hyde Park mask protest london coronavirus

Photo by Kirsty O'Connor/PA Images via Getty Images

Hundreds of people gathered in London's Hyde Park on Sunday to protest face mask requirements.

Face masks are currently a requirement on public transportation in the UK, and will soon also be required for stores.

The protest was reportedly organized by the group Keep Britain Free, which claimed face-covering requirements are comparable to human rights violations.

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Hundreds of protestors gather in London's Hyde Park on Sunday to protest mask mandates in light of the coronavirus, The Evening Standard reported.

People gathered in the park beginning around 1 p.m. to listen to speeches at the march organized by a group called Keep Britain Free, the outlet reported.

According to the group's website, they were "taking action" because they believe that the British government "has acted illegally and disproportionately over the COVID 19 lockdown." The group objects to mask requirements, along with social distancing and businesses closing down, calling them human rights violations.

coronavirus mask protest london

Photo by Kirsty O'Connor/PA Images via Getty Images

The CDC and other scientific organizations around the world recommend wearing masks to prevent the spread of COVID-19. A study released in June found that masks reduce the risk of infection, and likely prevented thousands of cases.

coronavirus mask protest london

Photo by Kirsty O'Connor/PA Images via Getty Images

In England, masks are currently required on public transportation, and as of July 24 they will also be required in all stores. Failing to wear a mask can result in a 100 fine.

Sky News reporter Ivor Bennett reported that while covering the rally and wearing a face mask, "two women with a baby accused me of pushing a government agenda designed to maintain order and keep the public living in fear."

coronavirus mask protest london

Photo by Kirsty O'Connor/PA Images via Getty Images

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Many of the protestors incorporated messages of conspiracy theories into their signs, like the idea that Bill Gates or others created the coronavirus pandemic as a way to digitally track people.

Others incorporated anti-vaccine messaging. Some conspiracy theorists online have pledged not to get a coronavirus vaccine, which they believe could be a way to microchip and track people.

At least one attendee wore a shirt referencing the baseless theory linking 5g technology with the coronavirus. Supporters of the theory have even set telephone poles on fire and harassed engineers setting up the connectivity technology.

coronavirus mask protest london

Photo by Kirsty O'Connor/PA Images via Getty Images

The UK is the third hardest-hit country by the novel coronavirus, CNN reported last week, and shares widespread pushback against face masks with the two worst-hit countries, India and the US.

Venki Ramakrishnan, president of the British science academy, the Royal Society, urged residents in a widely reported July 7 statement that "based on the growing body of evidence that wearing a mask will help protect others  and might even protect you."

"The UK is way behind many countries in terms of wearing masks and clear policies and guidelines about mask wearing for the public," Ramakrishnan said, asking citizens to consider covering their faces a key addition to social distancing and handwashing.

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New Delhi: Former Congress President Rahul Gandhi on Sunday (July 19) accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of institutionalising lies and stated that the party is fudging data on coronavirus COVID-19 and related deaths, Gross Domestic Product figures and the recent standoff with China.

Rahul took to Twitter to fire a fresh salvo at the ruling party and said, "BJP has institutionalised lies. 1. COVID-19 by restricting the testing and misreporting deaths. 2. GDP by using a new calculation method. 3. Chinese aggression by frightening the media. The illusion will break soon and India will pay the price."

The tweet by the Congress leader also had an article by an international publication attached to it. The website claimed in its report that "Indias comparatively low death rates  both as a percentage of total cases and per million population  are something of a mystery."

Earlier in the day, Rahul attacked the Narendra Modi-led government at the Centre over its handling of the border issue with China, saying 'India will have to pay a huge price'.

On July 17, Rahul had targeted the Centre over the India-China standoff in a few minutes long video stating since 2014 Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 'constant blunders and indiscretions' have fundamentally weakened the country.

Over the past few weeks, the Wayanad MP has been attacking the central government over various issues including COVID-19, Ladakh stand-off, migrant labourers and the worrisome state of the country's economy.
Court ruling following alleged interference to internet VDSL A ruling was handed down in the Reykjavik District Court on July 8, in the case of Bjarni Sverrisson, TF3GB, against the Icelandic state; Case no. E-7441/2019



A translation of the post by Iceland's national amateur radio society the IRA reads:



The case was heard in parliament on December 19, 2019 but was taken to court on June 10 after the main hearing. Outcome: The case was dismissed without a claim.



The IRA's board of directors and the EMC committee will study the ruling which is at

https://www.heradsdomstolar.is/domar/domur/?id=56216ad9-d72d-4e7e-b34e-88e680831264



The discussion of this issue is pointed out in the IRA Annual Report 2019/20, chapter 9.a on p. 97. Furthermore, the minutes of the Board of Directors (in the same report). Board meetings no. 4 / 2019-20 p. 141; no. 6 / 2019-20 p. 145 and no. 7 / 2019-20 p. 149, see

http://www.ira.is/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/15022020-%C3%81rssk%C3%BDrsla-2019-20-pdf.pdf



Judgment of the court:



"From the above, it is clear that the plaintiff's neighbors' complaint became the reason for the Post and Telecom Administration to consider whether the plaintiff's broadcasts cause harmful interruptions to electronic communications at the neighbor's home within the meaning of the first paragraph. Article 64 Act no. 81/2003, on electronic communications, and whether there was a reason for the Agency to intervene for that reason on the basis of its authorizations under the same Act.



It is also clear that the decision of the Post and Telecom Administration from October 29, 2019 is based on the fact that the plaintiff's broadcasts caused interruptions to telecommunications at the neighbor's home. It can therefore only be seen from the case file that the plaintiff's neighbor had significant, individual and legally protected interests in the resolution of the case at the administrative level.



In light of this, it is the conclusion of the court that the plaintiff had to give his neighbor the opportunity to defend himself in the court case before him. As this was not done, it is inevitable to dismiss the case from the court without a claim, cf. Paragraph 2 Article 18 Act no. 91/1991, on the handling of civil cases ".



Source IRA https://tinyurl.com/IcelandIRA
Source: Xinhua| 2020-07-19 19:33:29|Editor: huaxia

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Photo taken on July 16, 2020 shows the U.S. Capitol Building in Washington, D.C., the United States. (Xinhua/Liu Jie)

- The United States has reported 140,000-plus COVID-19 deaths and more than 3.71 million cases, both figures ranking first worldwide.

- The Trump administration ordered hospitals to sidestep the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and report real-time patient data directly to the Department of Health and Human Services via a new platform. The move casts doubt upon data transparency and credibility.

- Anthony Fauci described the racial disparities in the United States that have cropped up during the pandemic as a "very disturbing phenomenon that is a reality."

WASHINGTON, July 19 (Xinhua) -- The United States has reported 140,000-plus COVID-19 deaths and more than 3.71 million cases as of Sunday morning, both figures ranking first worldwide, as the global tally of cases has topped 14.3 million with a death toll above 602,000.

Despite skyrocketing caseloads, U.S. President Donald Trump said Friday he won't issue an order at the national level mandating the use of masks, even as the country continued to break its single-day coronavirus case record amid a pandemic that is far from being contained.

By contrast, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on Tuesday called on people in a statement to wear masks to prevent the pandemic's spread, with CDC Director Robert Redfield saying, "Cloth face coverings are one of the most powerful weapons we have to slow and stop the spread of the virus."

In this challenging era brought about by the pandemic, another move by the White House has led to increased worry among health experts, as the Trump administration on Tuesday ordered hospitals to sidestep the CDC and report real-time patient data directly to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) via a new platform "HHS Protect," or through a system called "TeleTracking."

People line up to enter a department store in Brooklyn Borough of New York, the United States, on July 16, 2020. (Xinhua/Wang Ying)

Although the move casts doubt upon data transparency and credibility, Redfield defended the policy change, saying this would reduce their reporting burden, while the CDC team and other COVID-19 response teams still have access to hospital data, according to a CDC statement.

However, Senator Patty Murray of Washington, the top Democrat on the Senate health committee, was skeptical about the TeleTracking contract, describing it as a "non-competitive, multimillion-dollar contract" for a "duplicative health data system," according to a report by The New York Times.

The newspaper also quoted Rep. Donna E. Shalala of Florida, who served as Health Secretary under former President Bill Clinton, as saying, "only the CDC has the expertise to collect data."

"Any move to take responsibility away from the people who have the expertise is politicizing," she said.

A man with face mask performs a bubble show in New York, the United States, July 14, 2020. (Xinhua/Wang Ying)

Meanwhile, racial disparities in the United States have already made things worse.

During a live chat with Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg on Thursday, Anthony Fauci, the nation's top infectious disease expert, described the racial disparities that have cropped up during the pandemic as a "very disturbing phenomenon that is a reality."

Fauci reviewed the situation of minority groups in the country, who are facing a higher incidence of chronic diseases and are at greater risk of infection with the coronavirus, calling on allocating resources to minority communities "right away."

Although the racial problem is "not going to change overnight," Fauci said "let's at least do the things that we can fix now." 
The suspected rape and subsequent murder of a teenaged girl in North Dinajpur district of West Bengal on Sunday triggered violent protests in the Chopra area with a mob blockading National Highway 31 and setting ablaze government buses and police vehicles, demanding arrest of the culprits, police officers said here.

Minister Goutam Deb said the incident should not be politicised. "It is a very sad incident. Investigation will be done and culprits will be punished as per law. We will be meeting the family of the victim on Monday."

The girl was allegedly abducted after she went out of her house at Sonapur village near Siliguri on Sunday morning to answer nature's call. She was found dead after a few hours, and the villagers alleged that she was raped before being murdered.

As police personnel were trying to lift the blockade, the mob set three North Bengal State Transport Corporation (NBSTC) buses on fire and also set ablaze three police vans, the officers said.

Security forces used tear gas shells to disperse the protestors. Reinforcements, including Rapid Action Force, were brought in to lift the blockade, officers said. However, tension continued to prevail in the area, said locals.

(With inputs from PTI)
In 1910 a young couple called Agnes and Alexander McCann and their two small children were living in Belfast. Theirs was what we call today a mixed marriage. Agnes, a Protestant, and Alexander, a Catholic, had married two years previously in a Presbyterian church.

But Alexander had come under pressure from his parish priest, who informed him that the pair were living in sin and insisted they should be married in a Catholic Church.

Agnes, however, saw herself as legally married and refused to go through a second ceremony.

The pressure on Alexander intensified. One day he and the couple's two babies, a little boy and a little girl, just disappeared. The Church had won.

Agnes was distraught. She walked the streets, asking everyone she met if they had seen her children.

A Presbyterian clergyman called attention to her plight. Her story may be little remembered today, but in 1910 it was big news, and not just in Ireland.

There were protests in London and even as far away as Australia and New Zealand. Questions were asked in the House of Commons and in the House of Lords.

In Belfast the public response followed time-honoured tradition. There were riots.

Everyone was getting their spoke in - churchmen and politicians, different religions, different sides of the community, all keen to make their point.

How much thought, though, did any of them really give to the human heartbreak at the centre of the story?

A young family torn apart, a mother desperately searching for her stolen babies.

That all happened over 100 years ago. One of the saddest aspects of the story is that it doesn't read like ancient history.

Even today, in the 21st century, marrying someone from "the other side" can still bring trouble.

A new publication from the Northern Ireland Mixed Marriage Association tells the stories of several couples who were forced to leave here in the more recent past for the heinous crime of falling in love with someone from another religion.

It's entitled Exiles In Love, which, despite sounding a bit Mills And Boon-ish, accurately sums up the predicament they and many others faced: having to choose between leaving behind families and friends and all they knew, or remaining in a place where they had to deal with abuse and often very real threat.

Many couples still face that hard choice.

All the stories in the book are a mix of shocking, saddening, heart-warming and touching. These are true love stories.

Jimmy McClelland and his wife Anne, who now live near Durban in South Africa, were forced to flee as the Troubles intensified in the 1970s.

"Mixed marriage was never our problem, but other people made it theirs," he said.

The couples who tell their stories in the book describe the hostility they faced. Paint daubed on their homes. Animosity from the neighbours. The fear of attack. They left because they had no option.

How many other couples were forced into exile too? How many other marriages and relationships faced with such pressure didn't last the course?

The book is part of a series produced by Nimma and sponsored by the Irish Department of Foreign Affairs' Reconciliation Fund. It's aimed primarily at secondary school children.

The series is written and edited by Paul McLaughlin, a tireless and dedicated worker for Nimma and a quiet hero in promoting reconciliation.

Nimma argues not just acceptance of mixed marriage, but for more availability of integrated education and shared social housing.

In the book the story of Agnes and Alexander is told by Nimma chairman Ken Dunn in his short but powerful history of inter-church marriage in Ireland.

It is not a story with a happy ending. Alexander, it later transpired, had been helped to relocate with the couple's son and daughter to far-off Pittsburgh in America. Alone in Belfast with her grief and her despair, Agnes McCann never saw or heard from her children again.

Banksy has the making of money down to a fine art

Sometimes I find myself totally out of step with the arts world. In a word: Banksy. I don't get Banksy.

Sure, he seems to be a talented stenciller, and yes, much of his work is quite clever in a T-shirt slogan sort of way.

But as for profound statement: a little girl letting go of a heart-shaped balloon? It's hardly Picasso's Guernica.

Nonetheless, Mr Banksy's art is regarded as extremely cool and commands big bucks. It adds to the mystique of his brand that he keeps his identity secret.

This week he allowed himself to be filmed completing an installation on a London Underground train carriage.

It featured a sneezing rat. Banksy is big on rodents. And a nod to quarantine. "I get lockdown. I get up again."

Experts have suggested that the Banksy-decorated Tube carriage could have been worth 1.5m had it been put up for auction.

Unfortunately, the cleaners got to it first. They uninstalled his installation.

It seems they didn't recognise the greatness they were obliterating. Questioned later by bosses, they did say they remembered cleaning off some "rat thing".

The workers were only doing their job. Transport for London has a zero-tolerance approach to graffiti. Even the arty stuff.

Banksy has now been invited back to redo his stencilling in a more appropriate place.

But the whole point of graffiti is that it it's inappropriate.

Cleaning it off is the real art. Banksy might even agree. In sales terms, he's been cleaning up for years.

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No masking our confusion

Someone in authority needs to sort straightforward rules on masks. It's all very confusing. Not least because there are many sorts of masks. Chancellor Rishi Sunak has been pictured out and about in one with a valve. But apparently the valve makes the thing worthless since it allows coronavirus germs a free escape route. It's too leaky, Rishi. Is the Depp mask any better though? The actor favours a striking bandanna wrapped around the bake. Stylish, yes. Effective? The jury's out on that one.

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Subs near-miss gives me that sinking feeling

Scariest transportation story of the week was the report of the near-miss (in 2018) between the Stena Belfast to Cairnryan ferry and a nuclear submarine. There were almost 300 people on board the ferry. The nuclear sub underestimated the ship's speed and came within 50 to 100 metres of it, which in submarine social distancing terms is frighteningly close. What was a nuclear sub doing there in the first place? Are they expecting Vladimir to invade the Isle of Man? None of this is terribly reassuring.
But Taia wanted to be a generous mining master, paying above average Sierra Leone wages (so, over a buck fifty a day) and promising to put 2-3% of the company's profits back into the local communities. They even offered the local Penguia chiefdom a silent stake in the company -- without any real power and in exchange for putting their small-time prospectors to work discovering the precious veins they could no longer call their own.

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It soon became obvious to the Sierra Leoneans that whatever Wright's good intentions were by having impoverished Africans sift for gold, it wasn't going to pan out like that. Despite his many promises of wealth and prosperity, Wright and his partners never managed to drive their mining concern into the ground. (In their business, is a bad thing). Unable to hit actual paydirt, Taia's mining concern began to cave and the company had to start tightening its belt. Not that the miners of this ethical African mine had any belts to begin with. The Sierra Leonean workers soon began complaining of missed wages and not getting the protective work clothing they had requested -- something Wright's detractors qualified as pretty conflicting to his conflict-free mining promise.
Drone operators are stationed onsite to operate the drones and scan the airspace for conflicting air traffic.

iQ Healthtech Labs was established earlier this year by the Innovation Quarter to help orchestrate partnerships between anchor institutions, such as Wake Forest Baptist, and industry leaders looking to advance health-tech solutions into the marketplace.

Last year, UPS and Matternet initiated the first revenue-generating drone delivery service at WakeMeds flagship hospital campus in Raleigh.

Wake Forest Baptist joins Novant Health Inc. in offering health care drone services involving PPEs and critical medical supplies.

Novant began its services in the Charlotte and Huntersville markets in late May through a partnership with Zipline, which provides drone flight services.

Over the next two years, the partnership plans to expand beyond emergency operations in the Charlotte area to regular commercial operations, subject to approval under FAA Part 135 rules, to serve health facilities and patients homes across the state.
Despite the wishful thinking of all too many Americans, it is now clear that the COVID-19 is going to be a fact of our lives for the foreseeable future.

After an initially successful effort to Bend the curve of infections back in the spring, many states  including California  rushed unwisely to reopen and restore some sense of normality. As a result, we are seeing an explosion of cases across the country.

Its unclear when or how the spike can be controlled, and even less clear when life may be back to what we used to think of as normal, if ever.

That leaves us with double-digit unemployment, a small-business community facing financial ruin, and local government staggering under the weight of massive tax revenue losses on top of increased costs for pandemic-related safety measures.

Plenty of cause for concern, no reason for panic We already know how to deal with flu-like illnesses, the editorial board says, so stay calm, be smart, and seek out reliable information.

Congress, in a rare fit of bipartisan goodwill, stepped in robustly at first, with the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act, or CARES Act, passed in late March. It was a $2 trillion effort, aimed primarily at stimulus checks for individuals and families and loans to businesses to retain workers in the face of shutdowns. The results have been messy to be sure, with some less-than-small businesses getting large checks while truly small businesses got nothing, with stimulus checks arriving in the bank accounts of the recently deceased.

But on balance, Congress probably saved the United States from an even greater economic catastrophe than it now faces.

Unfortunately, many of those important stimulus measures expire at the end of July, a deadline written into law back when we hoped this might all be over by now.

Now that it is painfully clear that it is far from over, Congress needs to act quickly on a new stimulus package.

Our View: This can't be the new normal Something is profoundly wrong when our only choice is to die in a fiery conflagration or be plunged into extended darkness that would be an embarrassment to a Third World power grid operator.

In May, the Democrat-led House of Representatives took the first step, passing a $3 trillion bill known as the Health and Economic Recovery Omnibus Emergency Solutions, or the HEROES Act. After meeting some initial resistance in the Republican-led Senate, there seems to be some small movement to pass the bill, or something like it.

Among other provisions, the bill would extend the $600-per-week unemployment boost to supplement state benefits, extend a new round of direct stimulus checks for individuals and families, create protections from evictions and debt collection, provide relief for struggling renters and mortgage-holders and those facing burdensome student debt.

Unlike the first round of relief from the government in March, and perhaps most importantly, this bill includes $1 trillion in relief for struggling state, local and tribal governments.

We met recently with Rep. Mike Thompson, D-St. Helena, and he told us this is a key feature of the bill.

Our View: Digging deeper into traffic issues If youve been around government for very long, it is easy to sigh and say Great, just what we need  another study. But sometimes, we really do.

Local government is really at the tip of the spear with this and theyre running out of money  If we dont get some kind of financial relief then they will start laying people off, Thompson said. They have to balance their books.

Not only would this cut into vital public services, but it would add to the already swollen ranks of the unemployed and further exacerbate our economic crisis.

The bill also includes some money for school districts, he said, but probably not all the money that would be necessary to reopen in-person classes safely.

He said people seem not to understand the huge burden schools will face, including Additional costs associated with sanitation and hygiene, additional costs associated with installing Plexiglas, social distancing with the kids.

Fully reopening schools may require additional federal relief for local districts, he said.

Thompson told us that a second, seemingly unrelated bill passed by the House will also assist with recovery from the pandemic. In late June, the House passed a $1.5 trillion infrastructure bill that, in addition to the traditional road and bridges kind of construction, includes various clean energy and carbon reduction measures pushed by Thompson. It includes money for electrical grid improvements and to build up broadband infrastructure for underserved areas.

Not only would the bill create jobs in the construction and clean energy industries, it would strengthen our efforts to combat infectious diseases by improving internet access for remote learning, working and telemedicine.

We urge the Senate to act quickly on the HEROES Act and the infrastructure bill and we commend Thompson for his work in support of federal relief for struggling government and residents.

Closer to home, Thompson told us he is active in trying to boost the response to the U.S. Census, which is under way now. He is participating in events across the district, including virtual parades through key neighborhoods encouraging residents to fill out the Census.

This effort is vitally important. Not only will it determine how many members of Congress each state will have, it also determines how much federal funding each state will get in a variety of important programs, including highway funding, nutritional programs for children, and rates for payments to physicians under Medicare.

We urge all residents to provide information to the Census to guarantee an accurate count and to join Thompson in encouraging others to do so.

Watch Now: Know the basics of social distancing

The Napa Valley Register Editorial Board consists of Publisher Davis Taylor, Editor Sean Scully, and public members Cindy Webber, Ed Shenk, Mary Jean Mclaughlin and Chris Hammaker.
Government threatens to over-rule local authorities by imposing lockdowns

Iran Press TV

Saturday, 18 July 2020 5:53 PM

There is growing confusion and concern over the government's threat to over-rule local authorities by imposing local lockdowns in England the event of sharp rises in coronavirus infections.

Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, appeared to half-heartedly devolve some power to local authorities by claiming that new powers would "enable local authorities to act more quickly in response to outbreaks where speed is paramount".

But Johnson also added in a tweet that: "Where justified by evidence, ministers will be able to close whole sectors or types of premises in an area, introduce local stay at home orders, prevent people entering or leaving defined areas, reduce maximum gathering size, or restrict transport systems serving local areas".

The confusion over potentially overlapping or conflicting powers was exacerbated by transport secretary, Grant Shapps, who earlier today claimed that central government reserves the right to over-rule local authorities.

Speaking to Sky News, Shapps said: "They [local councils] will have the powers and they will be able to act immediately, wherever that's required but the powers will be there, which is a change in order to make these things happen faster and be more responsive to the position on the ground".

But Shapps was careful to add: "Ultimately, government has ultimate power and control".

The confusion over lockdown powers  and the government's threat to use these powers arbitrarily  comes on the heels of localized rises of Covid-19 infections in several parts of England.

The latest places to come under scrutiny are Wakefield in West Yorkshire and Burton in Staffordshire.

Previously the government came under sharp criticism after it imposed a lockdown on the City of Leicester with little advance notice.

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The Revenue Commissioners have contacted 5,000 companies about their eligibility for the Temporary Wage Subsidy Scheme (TWSS), with those deemed to have abused the scheme set to face an in-depth probe into their financial affairs.

Last month Revenue announced a compliance programme which will cover all companies which availed of the support. It was a surprise to tax advisers as Revenue had originally said it would take a risk-based approach to compliance in relation to TWSS, which would have meant only firms which sparked some concerns would have faced further checks.

To date, the scheme has provided more than 2bn in support to more than 62,000 employers in respect of 611,000 employees. Around 405,000 employees are receiving support through the scheme.

In a written response to a parliamentary question from deputy Steven Matthews, Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe said: "Where a business was clearly not eligible for the scheme or failed to pay the correct level of subsidy to its employees, or abused the scheme in any other way, there will be a requirement to repay the funds received.

"Any identified abuse of the TWSS will also lead to a more in-depth examination of the employer's overall tax position."

In a statement to the Sunday Independent, Revenue said it expects letters to employers "will confirm that the vast majority of employers are fully compliant in their operation of the TWSS. We have had a very positive and prompt response from many employers contacted as part of the programme to date. However, as the programme is expected to last for several months, no further detailed information is available at this time."

Meanwhile, CCAB-I, an umbrella group for several accounting organisations, wrote to Revenue to raise concerns about the fact that all employers would be targeted in the compliance campaign.

"The employers' compliance programme is far more extensive than the risk-based compliance approach noted in Revenue's guidance. While it is understood that Revenue have a duty to ensure that TWSS payments are only paid to eligible employers, taxpayers also have a right to consistent information on how the scheme operates," it said.
Ayame Stamoulis, 18, was arrested Thursday and charged with murder

The NYPD arrested a woman Thursday after the body of a man was found wrapped in plastic on the roof of a McDonald's in the South Bronx.

Ayame Stamoulis, 18, from Brooklyn, was charged with murder for the grisly killing of Richard Hamlet earlier this week, who was tortured before his remains were thrown from his apartment window.

A maintenance worker discovered Hamlet's body covered by a heavy U-haul blanket and placed in a plastic bag early Wednesday morning but police believe he could have been on the rooftop for several days.

Officers are hunting for two other male suspects believed to have been involved in the botched robbery and torture.

Richard Hamlet was found dead inside a plastic bag and covered with a heavy U-Haul blanket on Wednesday morning. Ayame Stamoulis, 18, has been arrested for his murder

Richard Hamlet's body was found on the rooftop of a McDonald's in the South Bronx, NYC

When officers arrived at the location of the fast food restaurant on 279 East 149th Street at around 6am Wednesday morning, they discovered the victim 'unconscious and unresponsive'.

EMS responded to the scene in the Melrose neighborhood and pronounced the man dead at the scene.

Video footage from WABC showed them assessing the scene and removing evidence before carefully taking down the body.

The remains were later identified as Hamlet, who cops now believe to have been the victim of a robbery gone wrong.

Police say Stamoulis and the two men broke into Hamlet's first floor apartment on E 149th St. in Melrose in what appears to have been a robbery attempt, according to ABC 7 NY.

However, the group found Hamlet still in his apartment and proceeded to beat him.

They then allegedly forced him to drink a caustic liquid and choked him.

Hamlet's body was wrapped in the plastic and blanket and thrown from the window onto the McDonald's roof next door.

The other two suspects have not yet been named as the investigation continues.

Stamoulis has been charged with murder, manslaughter and gang assault, burglary and other crimes according to New York Daily News.

EMS pronounced the Hamlet dead at the scene. It is believed he was tortured before his death

Investigators are seen analyzing the scene on Wednesday morning after the 6am discovery

The discovery came a day after the body of a tech millionaire was discovered beheaded in his Manhattan apartment in an unrelated killing.

Fahim Saleh, 33, who was born in Saudi Arabia and whose family comes from Bangladesh, was found dismembered. He grew up in New York and lived in Manhattan.

Authorities discovered an electric saw on the scene.

Saleh ran a motorcycle company in Nigeria but it was banned by the government.

His former personal assistant Tyrese Devon Haspil, 21, has since been arrested for his murder.

Anyone with information is asked to call the NYPD's Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477) or for Spanish, 1-888-57-PISTA (74782). The public can also submit their tips to NYPDCRIMESTOPPERS.COM or on Twitter @NYPDTips. All calls and messages are strictly confidential.
Love and marriage. Most people seeking a romantic partner would like to find both. Unfortunately, many marriages end in divorce. In the US about 39% of couples end up parting ways, which is better than statistics from the past, but still quite high.

Worldwide, between 1970 and 2008, (the most recent available statistics), the divorce rate doubled from about 2.6 divorces for every 1,000 people who were married, to 5.5 divorces per 1,000 married people.

People get divorced for many reasons including suffering from irreconcilable differences, cheating, money problems, falling out of love, abuse, substance abuse, and other factors.

When you compare countries, there is a vast difference from one to the next in terms of how many people experience successful marriages. Part of this difference may lie in how divorce is accepted or not accepted in certain cultures, and whether or not couples feel they can succeed economically on their own, should they part ways.

Research has shown that, in the US, people are more likely to divorce when the economy is doing well, as they feel they face better job prospects, and would be more likely to succeed on just one income. Whether or not this plays a role in other countries is not certain.

So, who is sticking together and toughing it out over the long haul in marriage? Here is a glance at the countries with the lowest divorce rates around the globe as per the news report here.

1. India 1%

People living in India can proudly say they have the lowest divorce rate of all countries in the world. Are the marriages all a resounding success? Perhaps but perhaps not.

As Devdutt Pattanaik writes, In India, everybody is either married or on the way to getting married. The unmarried man arouses curiosity, the unmarried woman pity.

Pattanaik describes on Qrius.com how in Indian society, the vast majority of marriages are still arranged, and people accept that. In fact, an IPSOS survey in 2013 found that about 74% of young Indians actually prefer an arranged marriage. But for the rest of Indians love life is not always so traditional. People have affairs, have many wives or husbands, engage in cross-dressing, take on lovers for pleasure, and do what people do all over the world in romance. They just do not get divorced. According to Pattanaik, the notion of divorce in Indias legal system is highly connected with religious beliefs, and this could be what is dissuading people in the country from seeking an actual legal parting of ways.

2. Chile 3%

Somewhat surprisingly, people in Chile are also living with a very low divorce rate. This is surprising only because life in Chile is certainly quite different from life in India.

Chileans live with rules regarding marriage that are connected to the countrys Constitution. In this document it states that the family is the fundamental basis of society. It was not until 2004 that the Civil Marriage Law was enacted in Chile. This was the first time that marriage was regulated by the law in the country. As such, it was also at this time that divorce existed in law for the first time for Chileans. It could be for these reasons that the divorce rate is so low in the country, although more Chileans are divorcing now than before.

3. Colombia 9%

A marriage ceremony in Colombia. Image credit: Shutterstock.com

Colombia may have a low divorce rate, but the prevalence of cheating in marriage in Colombian culture is high. It is also true that Colombians may not officially get divorced, as most Colombians are Catholics, but that couples do break up and go their separate ways.

Up to an eyebrow raising 66% of Colombian men and women admit to cheating on their partner at least once, making this the most unfaithful country in all of Latin America. Does marriage count if the quality goes down the drain? Thats up for debate.

4. Mexico 15%

Typical regional Mexican Wedding parade know as Calenda de Bodas - Oaxaca, Mexico. Image credit: Diego Grandi/Shutterstock.com

Here is another predominantly Catholic country with a low divorce rate. Again, couples do separate, but statistics show that few actually divorce. The number of people who get divorced is going up in this country, however. From 2001 to 2017, registered divorces in Mexico rose from 57,370 to 147, 581, more than doubling.

Some sources say that this rise is due to the fact that fewer Mexicans are actually getting married in the first place, which is inadvertently pushing the divorce rate higher. In 2008 almost 60% of couples between 15 and 29 years old decided to go ahead and get married. By 2018, that percentage had dropped to 42.8%. Couples in this age group are still together, but existing without a legal union.

5. Turkey 22%

A traditional turcoman nomad wedding festival. Bride and groom are dancing in Koycegiz, Mugla, Turkey. Image credit: Umut Rosa/Shutterstock.com

In Turkey, civil law states that if a marriage has broken down irretrievably, a couple can get divorced. Still, there is much stigma attached to getting divorced in Turkey. This is a Muslim country and as such allows for divorce as it was originally sanctioned over 1,400 years ago in Islamic law but the practice is looked on poorly in reality. Divorce in Turkey is generally seen as something controversial that simply breaks a family apart, and leaves women more often than men being ostracized by their community.

The main reason women seek a divorce in this country is because of domestic violence.

Reports say women are seeking divorce more often now not because they are facing more conflict but because they now have more confidence to follow through in seeking their own freedom. More women now work in Turkey, and as such, have become more aware of their rights as individuals.

About 15% of marriages in Turkey are still child-bride marriages but peoples views are becoming more modernized. These factors all contribute to what will likely be a rising divorce rates in years to come, but a current national divorce rate that remains quite low.

Depending on the country and reasons behind couples splitting, both a higher divorce rate and a low one can be seen as a positive force. The important thing overall is not that people stick together in their promised unions but that they are true to each other and themselves, and move on if they are unhappy. At least, that's what we think.
This webinar discusses legal issues relating to zoning and land use.

Navigating the complexities of local land-use and zoning laws is critical to virtually any commercial real estate transaction as well as to the long-term flexibility and continued use and operation of a property. Zoning laws may limit the types of operations that can go on at the property. Legal issues relating to land use include easements (the right of access or other limited non-ownership interest in property) by government, utilities, and other entities, and issues relating to eminent domain. The ability of an owner or potential owner of property to obtain required permits and approvals from local planning boards, zoning boards, construction officials and other government/public entities is central to the interests of sellers, buyers, lenders, neighbors, and in some cases even competitors, all of which may take a position in the applicable proceedings. This webinar covers these topics.

To learn more and register, click here.

The webinar will be available on-demand after its premiere. As with every Financial Poise Webinar, it will be an engaging and plain English conversation designed to entertain as it teaches.

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Back in June and July 2020, months before the presidential elections, former Vice President Joe Biden's various policy platforms were misinterpreted by critics and were picked apart.

One of those who misinterpreted the platforms of the Democratic candidate is President Donald Trump. A particular statement that Biden made about health care for undocumented immigrants was twisted and was reported without context as his policy.

Biden's take on immigrants

Social media users are now asking if the Democratic candidate said that U.S taxpayers had the obligation to shoulder the healthcare of 11 million undocumented immigrants in the United States.

According to the site Snopes, Biden was misquoted and his words were twisted by the right-wing party. The quote was from a clip shared by BlazeTV, a right-wing media organization. The clip was shared back in May 2019 with the title "Joe Biden Says the U.S Obligated to Give Free Healthcare to Undocumented Immigrants."

In the video, a reporter asked the former Vice President if he thinks that undocumented immigrants that are law-abiding should be given federal benefits such as Medicaid and Medicare.

Also Read: Fact Check: Did George Floyd Appear on 'Judge Judy'?

Biden said that anyone who is in a situation where they are in need of healthcare, regardless of whether they are documented or not, the government has the obligation to see that they are cared for and that is the reason why there should be more clinics in America, as reported by CNN.

During the June 2019 Democratic presidential debates, Biden said the same thing. In an interview with Telemundo back in December 2019, he also talked about his plan of having undocumented immigrants buy into the system like everyone else under the Affordable Care Act of ACA.

Trump using Biden's statement

On July 14, 2020, President Trump misrepresented Biden's policy after it was presented by the Biden-Sanders Unity Task Forces. Trump then said in his speech at the White House that Biden wants health care for all illegal aliens.

However, the task force actually recommended extending the Affordable Care Act coverage to DACA recipients. The extension will allow undocumented immigrants to purchase the unsubsidized coverage in the ACA marketplaces. The plan can help ensure that everyone in the United States has access to health care.

Under the proposal, it is not true that taxpayers will be the ones to pay for the health care of undocumented immigrants.

The undocumented immigrants could have the choice to pay for their health coverage through the ACA exchange marketplace but they won't have access to the government subsidies that U.S citizens use. Brookings estimated back in 2019 that there are 12 million undocumented immigrants in the United States.

Currently, undocumented immigrants can't enroll in Medicaid, purchase insurance through the ACA marketplace, or access the Children's Health Insurance Program or CHIP.

There are some state-funded or locally-funded health programs that provide coverage to undocumented immigrants. Safety-net clinics and emergency health services are available to undocumented immigrants, which Biden is an advocate of.

In conclusion, even though Biden did say that the United States had an obligation to make sure that immigrants get health care, his views were twisted and misrepresented and do not reflect his current policy.

Biden would extend health care access to undocumented immigrants through the marketplace, it was different from the taxpayer-funded, government-subsidized plan that Trump made it out to be.

Related Article: Mike Pence Says Biden Is a 'Trojan Horse' With a Similar Radical Agenda to Sanders

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The worlds first limb transplant from a living donor was successfully conducted in April by surgeon Nguyen The Hoang and his colleagues at the Upper Limb Surgery and Microsurgery Department of Hanois Central Military Hospital 108.

Dr. Nguyen The Hoang, Deputy Director of Hanois Central Military Hospital 108 (Photo: thoidai.com.vn)

Hoang was the first Vietnamese and the fourth Asian person to receive a German award in the field of science.

In 2008, Dr. Nguyen The Hoang was among five who made history in world medicine by carrying out the worlds first double arm transplant in Munich, Germany. In 2013, Hoang returned to work at Hanois Central Military Hospital 108. He had always nurtured a wish to perform such a surgery in Vietnam.

In 2020, Hoang and his colleagues performed the first successful limb transplant from a living donor. Pham Van Vuong was given a new left hand after losing it four years previously in a work accident. The surgery took 8 hours.

Vuong recalled Doctor Hoang called me to inform me that I would receive a hand from a living donor. 4 days later, the surgery was performed. After the surgery, I was elated to see my new hand.

After the surgery, Vuong was taught how to move the fingers of his new hand. A month later, he could hold objects.

According to the hospital, there have only been 89 successful limb transplants anywhere in the world, including 24 in the US, 13 in China, and 11 in France, but this is the first transplant of a hand donated by a living, conscious donor. Dr. Hoang has previously performed thousands of microsurgery and free-flap reconstructions.

He said We must be very careful to ensure the patients safety. We need to take into consideration functioning so that the transplanted hand will function like a normal hand.

After receiving the German science award, Hoang received many job offers, but he decided to return to Vietnam to work. I want to use what I have learned to contribute to Vietnamese medicine. Vietnam is my homeland, Hoang added.

Dr. Hoang led a field surgical team during the years of fighting in Cambodia. Back then, Hoang, 22, had just graduated from the Military Medical Institute and volunteered to serve in a combat zone. VOV5
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Linkedin Josa Lukman (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Sun, July 19, 2020 14:37 549 6657ac82168da9fa101c8a4066789608 1 Books #literature,#Illustration,#literary,#books,#LalaBohang,#author,#people,#profile,#artist Free

Fresh off her residency in Berlin and Kassel, Germany, artist and author Lala Bohang said she originally applied two years prior, but did not receive the spot until a year later.

Those who know me would know Im generally a slow person when it comes to new things, so applying for a residency outside Indonesia is really a brave move on my part, she said in an Instagram Live session hosted by Goethe-Institut Indonesien.

Hailing from Makassar, South Sulawesi, Lala has always been interested in fairy tales, as can be seen from her whimsical and fantastical illustrations.

Though she received her degree in architecture at Parahyangan University in Bandung, West Java, she would find her passion in her drawings and writings, which soon propelled her to become a household name in the Indonesian illustration scene.

Whimsical: Artist and author Lala Bohang majored in architecture, but was drawn toward writing and illustrating. (Courtesy of Lala Bohang/-)

Luckily for Lala, the residency program she applied for  Literarisches Colloquium Berlins Crossing Borders  gives artists freedom on their chosen topics, as long as their work relates to Germany.

Because of this, she applied to research the social construction of female characters in German and Indonesian fairy tales, noting the similarity in both countries enthusiasm for the genre.

Since German fairy tales are largely synonymous with the works of the Brothers Grimm, it is only fitting that Lala spent some time in Kassel, where the museum Grimmwelt Kassel is located.

The museum was amazing, and I saw how the brothers would collect these tales from women in the 1800s. Whats interesting is why they collected these tales, which turned out to be because many women were illiterate at the time.

One of the things women at the time would do to amuse themselves is by getting together and telling these tales. Because the brothers were philologists and interested in the origins of German language, they decided to compile these oral tales, she explained, adding that the narrations were often influenced by the womens interests.

While in Kassel, Lala also interviewed several people, and asked what gender they would assign to the tales.

Surprisingly, all of her respondents said that the gender was male, even though tales came from women.

Lala said she became interested in researching the Brothers Grimm tales because her childhood was spent with her grandparents, who would read her fairy tales.

I think that influenced a lot of how I think about women  I still remember up until my 20s, my dream was to get married quickly because of value instilled [in me] was that marriage would solve all lifes problems, even though it generally adds more of them, she said.

The second value she got from all those years of fairy tales is a black-and-white sense of morality, where one is either good or bad, and that good people will come across many misfortunes in their lives.

Slowly, as these values changed in my head for me, I then realized that these tales can be dangerous, as Im sure there are other kids like me out there who are just as naive.

Personal reflections: Lala's books are often filled with musings on life, both general and personal. (Courtesy of Gramedia/-)

As for both countries folk tales, she noted that in terms of characters, the Disney-fied versions of the Grimm fairy tales and Indonesian folk tales were the same in terms of presenting a black-and-white duality, and also focusing on young women longing for a man to marry.

But even so, these Disney-fied stories are sanitized versions of the originals. For example, in Disneys Snow White, the ending sees the eponymous character living happily ever after with her prince, whereas in the original, the queen is put to death via dancing in red-hot slippers.

In her research, Lalas aim is to create a mash-up book of sorts, set in a universe where characters from both Indonesian and Grimm folk tales meet and interact with each other.

Of course, the characters here are more than just mere crossovers, but rather a reflection on their original stories. After all, Lalas books have been vessels for reflection, such as The Book of Invisible Questions, which muses on topics both general and personal, as well as The Book of Forbidden Feelings musings on life.

The context is that they live in different eras; they interact and retell the circumstances of their respective stories. I want them to no longer be black or white, good or bad, but for each to have their reasons. (ste)
A SIGNIFICANT quantity of cannabis was seized when gardai searched a car which was parked on the main street of a Limerick village.

Ten separate packs of the drug, worth an estimated 54,824, were found in a black plastic bag which was located on the passenger seat of the vehicle.

Alan Callinan, 40, of Mohane, Bruff, has pleaded guilty to possession of the cannabis resin at Main Street, Hospital, on February 7, 2018, for the purpose of sale or supply.

During a sentencing hearing, Sergeant David McGrath said the defendant was the sole occupant of the car and that he was very cooperative with gardai when they approached the vehicle.

The drugs, he said, were wrapped in individual slabs which are known in the drugs trade as nine-ounce bars,

When questioned, Mr Callinan told gardai he had collected the drugs from another person earlier in the evening and that he was waiting for instructions when arrested.

The drugs were put into the car near the village, he was told it was cannabis. He was waiting for a phone call as to where and when to deliver the drugs, said Sgt McGrath.

Judge Tom ODonnell was told the defendant owed a debt of between 35,000 and 40,000 and that he admitted carrying out two other deliveries in the weeks preceding his arrest.

Michael Collins SC said his client  a father-of-two  was part of the process of delivery and that he was transporting the drugs for other individuals.

He was a delivery man, he was bringing the drugs from the wholesaler to the distributor, he said adding Mr Callinan was under pressure.

In reply to a question from Mr Collins, Sgt McGrath accepted the defendant had no choice but to comply and that he did not receive any payment.

The barrister said his client, who had a cocaine addiction in the past, had enjoyed a party lifestyle for a time and had accepts responsibility for his actions.

He pleaded early, he took ownership day one, he said urging the court to be as lenient as possible.

But for his addiction, he would not be in the bind he is on, said Mr Collins who added that the defendant has worked in the past.

Judge ODonnell was urged to note the defendants cooperation and his guilty plea as well as his efforts to address his addictions.

The judge said the quantity of drugs seized was of concern and he adjourned the matter to facilitate the preparation of a probation report.
For a place where some didn't have a problem when boys in balaclavas ruled the roost, we're proving remarkably reluctant to embrace face masks.

I get it that they can be uncomfortable and inconvenient, but please let's drop the conspiracy theories and the bleating about how we are being 'muzzled'. This is from the same people who equated lockdown with "house arrest".

Certainly question the science behind face masks and why there's been a u-turn in official advice on wearing them. But don't present it as a major civil-rights infringement by an authoritarian state.

Get angry with Big Brother for the Investigatory Powers Act which allows the government to hack our phones, computers and tablets to collect all communications.

But spare me your rage about how covering your mouth and nose when you're in a shop is a gross violation of your human rights - especially if you've had nothing to say about the gross violations exposed in the cases of Edward Snowden and Julian Assange.

Some desperately try to equate the government's stance on face masks with those countries which force women to wear the niqab.

But there is no issue of discrimination with face masks. They are not about dehumanising one gender, turning them into anonymous things.

They are not based on seeing the bodies of one group of people as dirty or shameful. They are focussed on stopping the spread of a killer virus.

This is about protecting the most elderly and vulnerable in our society, not about subjugating anybody.

Men and women, people of all classes, religions and political views are being asked to wear masks to save lives.

Northern Ireland looks set to follow Scotland and England this week and make masks compulsory to enter shops. They are already mandatory on buses, trains and ferries.

Masks are certainly not a panacea, and there is conflicting scientific evidence on their effectiveness. They're not bullet-proof. But if surgeons and theatre staff have worn them for decades to reduce the risk of infection, they clearly have merit.

There's some protection for the wearer, but the stronger evidence is that they protect others from catching the virus from you.

Personally, I find masks hot, stuffy and claustrophobic. I hate wearing them, but I'd hate more to have a tube connected to a ventilator inserted down my throat.

Sacrifice is not a shopper donning a face covering for a half-hour visit to the supermarket.

It's an NHS worker wearing full PPE for a gruelling 12-hour shift.

It's our care home residents being locked away without visitors for four months.

When the Executive, as anticipated, this week approves Robin Swann's recommendation on wearing face masks, there must be clear public health education on how to wear them properly. Many people don't, and so risk cross-contamination.

The argument that mandatory mask wearing will scare the public away from shops and increase the likelihood of a prolonged recession is false.

Unless we keep Covid-19 under control, we're facing a second lockdown or, at the very least, lots of localised lockdowns, which will inflict far greater damage on the economy than comprehensively dealing with the virus now.

Surveys show that men are more resistant than women to facial coverings because they fear it make them looks weak and vulnerable.

The opposite is true. Opting for protection is a sign of strength and responsibility. It's about caring for yourself and your community. So quit this constant complaining. Just wear the damn mask and stop being a snowflake.
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The mayor of Portland, Oregon, blasted the Trump administration Sunday for the way federal agents have been responding to the protests that have engulfed the city over the past weeks. The tactics that the Trump administration are using on the streets of Portland are abhorrent, Ted Wheeler, a Democrat, said on CNN. People are being literally scooped off the street into unmarked vans, rental cars, apparently. They are being denied probable cause. And they are denied due process. They dont even know whos pulling them into the vans. The people arent identifying themselves. And, as far as I can see, this is completely unconstitutional.

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The mayor criticized the Trump administrations tactics as Oregon Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum late Friday sued the Department of Homeland Security and the Marshals Service in federal court as part of an effort to obtain a court order that would prevent federal agents from arresting people in Portland. Demonstrations against systemic racism have continued nightly in Portland since police killed George Floyd on May 25. Videos from the protests have shown agents arresting protesters and putting them in unmarked SUVs. Rosenblum is seeking a temporary restraining order to immediately stop federal authorities from unlawfully detaining Oregonians.

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Although Wheeler had been among the local officials who complained that a small group of violent demonstrators were taking attention away from the larger group of peaceful demonstrators, he is now accusing the federal agents of making the situation worse. The complaint filed by Rosenblum on Friday says unidentified federal agents have grabbed people off the street without warning or explanation, without a warrant, and without providing any way to determine who is directing this action. Rosenblum went on to blame the federal agents for the current escalation of fear and violence in downtown Portland.

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The stories out of Portland recently have been reminiscent of those that come out of authoritarian governments. Mark Pettibone, for example, says he was detained by men wearing military fatigues and generic law enforcement patches as he walked home from a protest and was later put in an unmarked minivan. No one ever told him why he was detained.

On Sunday, three House committee chairs demanded that government watchdogs investigate the use of force by federal agents against protesters. Reports from Oregon this week make clear that this misuse of resources and personnel remains a growing threat, House Judiciary Chairman Jerrold Nadler, House Homeland Security Chairman Bennie Thompson, and House Oversight Chairwoman Carolyn Maloney wrote in a letter to the inspectors general of the Department of Homeland Security and the Department of Justice. The Democratic lawmakers noted that the Trump administration appears to have increasingly abused emergency authorities to justify the use of force against Americans exercising their right to peaceful assembly.

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Early Sunday, Trump pushed back against criticism by tweeting that we are trying to help Portland, not hurt it. He also defended his administrations actions in Portland during an interview on Fox News Sunday. If you look at whats gone on in Portland, those are anarchists, and weve taken a very tough stand, Trump said. If we didnt take a stand in Portland, you know weve arrested many of these leaders. If we didnt take that stand, right now you would have a problem.

For more of Slates news coverage, subscribe to What Next on Apple Podcasts or listen below.
LEAMINGTONPolice say a woman was shot and wounded in Leamington early Sunday.

Essex County provincial police say they are looking for a female suspect.

The incident, which apparently followed an altercation, occurred at a home around 1:30 a.m.

Police had no information on what might have prompted the shooting.

They did say the victims injuries were not life-threatening.

They also warned against approaching the suspect.
A feared bikie boss has been stabbed to death in a violent street fight just days after fronting court over a pub brawl with a rival gang.

Pitasoni Tali Ulavalu, president of the Comancheros' Canberra chapter, died from knife wounds to his neck at a Canberra bar about 12.05am on Sunday.

The 48-year-old was at Kokomo's nightclub in the CBD when he was stabbed in the melee before staggering outside and collapsing on the pavement.

Witnesses reported screaming and seeing punches being thrown amid the chaos as the fight spilled down the road.

Photos showed what appeared to be a body within the crime scene covered by a white cloth, with just his shoes poking out.

Pitasoni Tali Ulavalu, president of the Comancheros' Canberra chapter, died from knife wounds to his neck at a Canberra bar

Photos showed what appeared to be a body covered by a white cloth

Blood and bloodied clothing were also left strewn across the street, The Canberra Times reported.

One witness said she saw a body lying at the scene unresponsive for some time.

At least 35 police officers converged on the nightclub from around Canberra but Ulavalu was already dead by the time they got there.

ACT Police said 'a number of people' were involved in the fracas, and that his death was being treated as suspicious.

No one has been arrested.

Detective Acting Superintendent Matthew Reynolds said a second man was injured in the brawl and rushed to hospital.

The 48-year-old was at Kokomo's nightclub in the CBD when he was stabbed in the melee before staggering outside and collapsing on the pavement

Ulavalu (left) has ACCA - a gang motto that means 'Always Comanchero, Comanchero Always' - shaved into his head and took over the chapter in 2018

'The second man has non-life-threatening injuries and we will be speaking to him when we are able to,' he said.

The fight was captured on CCTV inside the nightclub and police called for anyone who may have other footage of the fight to come forward.

'There is CCTV of the incident and there were quite a number of people involved in the disturbance at the licenced premises,' he said.

Ulavalu faced court on Tuesday fighting charges of affray and assault over a brawl with the rival Nomads gang in January last year.

Police allege he and three other Comancheros walked into the Southern Cross Club in Woden and confronted four Nomads.

The court heard one of the Nomads was punched in the face and suffered a broken nose that was bleeding profusely in front of onlookers.

About 35 police officers were called to Bunda Street after the brawl broke out outside the Kokomo's nightclub and spilled down the road

Police are pictured at the scene early on Sunday morning. Several other people are believed to have been injured in the chaos

AFP forensics teams pictured examining the scene outside the Kokomo's nightclub on Sunday morning

A woman dining at the pub with her family told the court she feared they would be 'collateral damage' from the fight.

Ulavalu has ACCA - a gang motto that means 'Always Comanchero, Comanchero Always' - shaved into his head and took over the chapter in 2018.

He was the victor in a power struggle with Peter Zdravkovic, who was later shot by junior Comanchero Axel Sidaros who was jailed for attempted murder.

Bars and clubs in the territory have only recently been allowed to welcome up to 100 people as social distancing restrictions are eased.

Police are expected to comment further on the incident later on Sunday morning.

The deadly brawl follows a 44-year-old man being killed in a fight outside the Kingston Hotel in Canberra's inner-south on July 5.
Portland Police Association Building Burned During Another Night of Rioting

The Portland Police Associations office building was set on fire over the weekend as rioting continued in Oregons largest city, with no signs of easing.

Rioters broke into the associations office around 10:45 p.m. on July 18, according to the Portland Police Bureau, while others blocked nearby North Lombard Street with dumpsters, which were soon also lit on fire.

Within a few moments of the break-in, the rioters, many of whom wore helmets and carried clubs and shields, ignited a fire inside. As the fire was set, some chanted, black lives matter! Video footage showed a desk in the building on fire, which police officers were able to put out later.

As police officers arrived to respond to the break-in and arson, most of the rioters fled.

Officers declared the situation a riot due to the violent conduct of the large group creating a grave risk of public alarm, the bureau said in a statement.

Federal law enforcement officers use pepper spray and tear gas on demonstrators in Portland, Ore., July 19, 2020. (Caitlin Ochs/Reuters)

Officers and rioters clashed. People in the crowd hurled projectiles, including rocks, smoke bombs, and paint-filled balloons, injuring some officers.

Order was restored by 11:30 p.m., police officials said.

At the same time, a different crowd of hundreds of people was downtown, barricading doors around the Mark O. Hatfield U.S. Courthouse. They used fencing that had been erected around two city parks where people tried establishing a so-called autonomous zone.

While most of the groups energy was focused on the federal courthouse, others blocked a gate to the Justice Center, which typically houses several hundred inmates and police officers.

Federal officers deployed tear gas and other crowd-control measures in response, according to video footage from the area.

People remained downtown for several more hours, police said.

The Portland Police Association didnt respond to a request by The Epoch Times for comment.

Rioters use garbage cans, umbrellas, and other materials as makeshift shields during clashes with law enforcement in Portland, Ore., on July 19, 2020. (Caitlin Ochs/Reuters)

Meeting

Portland officials are trying to get federal officers to stop making arrests and ultimately leave the city.

Federal officials have pushed back. Acting Department of Homeland Security Secretary Chad Wolf, who traveled to the city on July 16, said he wouldnt order officers to withdraw.

A federal courthouse is a symbol of justiceto attack it is to attack America, he said in a statement, referring to the Hatfield courthouse, which has become the epicenter for many of these protests.

Instead of addressing violent criminals in their communities, local and state leaders are instead focusing on placing blame on law enforcement and requesting fewer officers in their community.

This failed response has only emboldened the violent mob as it escalates violence day after day.

Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler, a Democrat, told reporters in a virtual briefing July 17 that he wasnt invited to meet with Wolf, and wouldnt have met with him even if he was invited.

Rioters use fencing to barricade an exit from the Mark O. Hatfield Courthouse in Portland, Ore on July 17, 2020. (Mason Trinca/Getty Images)

Things appeared to be winding down before federal officers stepped up their enforcement, Wheeler asserted.

Police Chief Chuck Lovell said he didnt meet with Wolf; the bureau later said that the Portland Police Associations president, Daryl Turner, attended an event with the secretary.

Turner has spoken out against Wheeler and other officials. In a statement released July 8, he said the police union has no confidence that City Council will stop the rioting and looting and protect the safety and livelihoods of all Portlanders.

Officers have been called murderers, pigs, and white supremacists by activists and others, including members of the council, Turner said, urging Councilmembers to remind people that officers are humans and to stand up to condemn the violence unfolding in the streets.

The council includes Wheeler, Commissioner Amanda Fritz, Commissioner Jo Ann Hardesty, and City Auditor Mary Hull Caballero.

Wheeler is also the police commissioner.

Federal officers prepare to disperse a crowd outside the Multnomah County Justice Center in Portland, Ore., on July 17, 2020. (Mason Trinca/Getty Images)

Hardesty, who has supported defunding the Portland police department, called on Wheeler to transfer control of the police to her.

We know that Portland Police Association President Daryl Turner met with DHS Secretary Chad Wolf. We know Portland Police are collaborating with this federal occupying force, she said in a statement.

Wheeler should stop denying that violence is perpetrated by his own officers and urge the police not to collaborate with federal officers, Hardesty said, adding: I demand action right now. Mayor Wheeler, if you cant control the police, give me the Portland Police Bureau.

Wheeler said July 18 that he directed staff who work for federal law enforcement to remove themselves from the police bureaus incident command.

While sharing a space helped facilitate clear communication, based on recent actions by federal law enforcement officers, I am not comfortable having them in our space, he said.

Wolf responded July 19, calling the decision dangerous and arguing that it puts lives at risk.

Local police & federal law enforcement benefit by regular communicationnot less. This decision defies logic & plays politics with officer safety, Wolf said on Twitter.
MANDEL NGAN, Contributor / AFP via Getty Images

(Bloomberg) -- Donald Trumps presidential campaign is paying for ads on Facebook Inc.s social media platforms urging supporters to sign a petition banning Bytedance Ltd.s TikTok, as the White House ramps up rhetoric to restrict the video app in the U.S.

TikTok has been caught red handed by monitoring what is on your phones Clipboard, read all the ads that are running on Facebook and Instagram. Viewers are encouraged to sign the petition now to ban TikTok, according to the ads, which direct users to a survey where they have to input personal information including their email address and mobile number.
Amritsar, July 19 : A controversy has erupted over the placement of a picture of two semi-naked women striking different poses -- similar to those depicted in Ajanta and Ellora caves -- at an upcoming renovated photo gallery at the Jallianwala Bagh amid portraits of national heroes and first Sikh master, Guru Nanak Dev.

The International Sarv Kamboj Samaj has lodged a strong protest with Prime Minister Narendra Modi -- who is the Jallianwala Bagh National Memorial Trust President -- and demanded the removal of the offending picture from the national memorial to the Indian freedom struggle.

The Jallianwala Bagh complex is currently undergoing a massive makeover in this historical city of Punjab. Authorities say the renovation/restoration began on February 15 under the supervision of Archaeological Survey of India and will reopen to the public from July 31.

The Centre has allocated Rs 20 crore in the first phase through the Ministry of Culture.

The renovation work is supervised by BJP member of Parliament Shwait Malik, who is also a trustee of the Jallianwala Bagh National Memorial Trust. He last visited the galley on July 17.

"The Jallianwala Bagh is no less than a pilgrimage centre for every Indian. Hundreds of people, comprising schoolchildren and families, visit it every day to pay respect to those who sacrificed their lives for the country," International Sarv Kamboj Samaj President Bobby Kamboj told IANS.

He said it was a "shame for us when we came to know on Saturday that authorities had put on display the picture of semi-nude women in the gallery, which houses a collection of portraits and paintings of national heroes and Sikh gurus".

He said the martyrs have been "insulted" by such display of an offensive picture in the gallery.

In a letter to Prime Minister Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, he said the trust had also insulted the martyrs by setting up a ticket window right in front of the statue of Shaheed Udham Singh at the main entrance. It demanded the shifting of the ticket window as well.

The objectionable picture is placed close to a portrait of Sikh monarch, Maharaja Ranjit Singh, also known as Sher-e-Punjab (Lion of Punjab) for his bravery and one of the most revered heroes in Indian history.

A large portrait of Guru Nanak Dev is installed on the right side of that picture.

A big statue of Sikh warrior Baba Banda Singh Bahadur, who had the distinction of consolidating the Sikh rule in India in 1711, has also been set up in the gallery along with depiction of glorious contribution of 'Gadri Babas' (revolutionary fighters) in the national freedom struggle.

"I have no information about the installation of the picture of two semi-naked women in the gallery," trustee Malik told the media on Saturday.

In fact, he was caught on camera while standing in front of the offensive picture during his last visit to the gallery.

"I will inquire (about the semi-naked picture) and only then comment," he added.

Located in the vicinity of the Golden Temple complex, the Jallianwala Bagh witnessed one of the bloodiest massacre of the pre Independence era when at least 379 civilians were gunned down on April 13, 1919, by British India Army on the orders of Acting Brigadier-General Reginald Dyer. Over 1,000 others were injured. The incident catalysed the Indians' struggle for freedom.

Under renovation is an old well -- the martyrs' well -- within the park, which is a silent witness to the brutal killings on April 13, 1919. It is going to be put under a dome-shaped see-through fibre-glass canopy.

(Vishal Gulati can be reached at vishal.g@ians.in)
Dr Da Costa Aboagye, the Director of Health Promotion of the Ghana Health Service, on Sunday called on Ghanaians to strictly adhere to the COVID-19 safety protocols to help overcome the virus.



He noted that the country's COVID-19 recovery rate of about 85 per cent was encouraging and said if citizens followed the safety protocols, the infection rate would continue to fall.



Four months after recording our first case, though the cumulative case count has exceeded 27,000 we have defied alarming predictions of overwhelming infection rates and deaths, Dr. Aboagye told the Ghana News Agency in an interview in Accra.



The Ministry of Health and the Ghana Health Service, together with all health care workers, he said, were managing the recorded cases well thereby contributing to the high recovery and low mortality rates compared with other countries.



With the current ease of restrictions, Ghanas active case count has seen a sustained decrease trend amidst a few spikes, Dr Aboagye said.



From around 7,000 active cases in June to 5,000 plus cases in early July and currently about 3,500 cases. Though this pandemic is caused by a novel virus and is full of uncertainties, the current trend is a good sign of reduced infection rate at a time when some activities are allowed.



Dr Aboagye, who is also the leader of the Risk Communication for the National COVID-19 Response Team, said Ghanaians must continue to adhere to the safety protocols in the midst of sustained health education and promotion.



He asked the public not to be discouraged by the increasing cumulative case count as it included a large proportion of recoveries and did not tell the true picture of the nations current state.



The focus should be on the active cases which stand at 3,871 since this represents the current number of positive cases we are managing in our hospitals and isolation centers, he added.



The Ghana Health Service explains that part of the 488 new cases recorded on July 19, 2020 was from samples taken between the periods of June 13 to July 13, 2020 but reported from the laboratory on July 14.

Source: GNA









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

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Source: Xinhua| 2020-07-19 21:50:19|Editor: huaxia

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HARARE, July 19 (Xinhua) -- Zimbabwe recorded one COVID-19 death on Saturday, bringing the country's death toll to 25.

The deceased is a 36-year-old woman who was admitted in a Bulawayo hospital on July 16 with a persistent cough and tested positive for COVID-19, the Ministry of Health and Child Care said in an update Sunday morning.

COVID-19 cases rose to 1,478 after 58 new cases were reported Saturday.

These include 21 citizens who returned from South Africa, 16 from Botswana and 21 local cases.

Two of the local cases are contacts of known confirmed cases and the minstry said investigations were underway to establish the source of infection for the other 19 cases.

One person recovered from the infection, increasing the total number of recoveries to 439 while active cases are 1,014.

To date, the country has done a cumulative total of 100,376 COVID-19 tests. Enditem
LOMIKO TAKES ACTION ON CRITICAL METALS

Vancouver, B.C., July 17, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Lomiko Metals Inc. (TSX-V: LMR, OTC: LMRMF, FSE: DH8C) (Lomiko or the Company) announces that it has engaged Kenmar Securities, LLC of New York (The Advisor) to raise $ 40 million Cdn for acquisition and development of critical metals projects. Kenmar Securities, LLC, is a Delaware limited liability corporation and SEC-registered securities broker-dealer and FINRA member.

The Advisor will assist the Company in analyzing its business, operations, properties, financial condition and prospects, prepare suitable marketing materials, contact any potential partner companies, assist and advise the Company with respect to the financial form and structure of any potential transaction.

This year is the start of the Electric Vehicle Revolution. Lomiko would like to become part of the Battery Material supply chain stated Mr. A. Paul Gill, CEO.

The Company agrees that, should the Company, or any affiliate of the Company, consummate any Transaction with a Referral pursuant to this Advisory Agreement, from the Effective Date through a period lasting until the twenty-four (24) month anniversary of the cancellation or termination of the Advisory Agreement, the Company shall pay to the Advisor, or cause the Advisor to be paid, at the funding of such Transaction, a success fee (the Success Fee) equivalent to five percent (5.0%) of the gross proceeds raised from the Transaction, which is equivalent to the total amount received or to be (and actually) received by the Company, from one or more Referrals. The Advisor cannot be certain that any amount of financing will be made available by its Referrals.

The payment of fees under any transaction is subject regulatory approval.

For more information on Lomiko Metals, review the website at www.lomiko.com, contact A. Paul Gill at 604-729-5312 or email: info@lomiko.com.

On Behalf of the Board,

A. Paul Gill

Story continues

Chief Executive Officer

We seek safe harbor. 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

Attachment

A. Paul Gill

Lomiko Metals Inc. (TSX-V: LMR)

6047295312

apaulgill@lomiko.com


Cairns has been flagged as a new schoolies hotspot for grounded Year 12 leavers unable to travel abroad due to the pandemic.

South Pacific and Asian countries such as Bali and Vanuatu have grown increasingly popular in recent years as teenagers ditch overcrowded sites along Australia's east coast.

But with international flights likely to remain off the cards until next year, adventure tourism company Schoolies XP has put forth a new contender for the end-of-school celebration.

Cairns has been pitched as a new schoolies alternative for grounded school leavers unable to travel abroad. Pictured is the Cairns Esplanade

The 'Island Dayz' all-inclusive package gives Schoolies the option of a week-long island hopping cruise tour around Far North Queensland, departing in Airlie Beach and arriving in Cairns.

'Whether it be partying on a boat in the Whitsundays, exploring Magnetic Island, bungy jumping in Cairns, or snorkelling on the Great Barrier Reef, Island Dayz incorporates the best tours, experiences and destinations on Australias East Coast,' the companys co-founder Chris Braat told the Cairns Post.

'We have put together a trip that incorporates some of the most Instagrammable destinations, hottest parties, and unforgettable experiences on the planet, cramming the best of the best into one all-inclusive week.'

Year 12 Cairns graduate Elyra Callander said she cannot wait to disembark on the first tour leaving the Whitsundays on November 22.

'This tour looks awesome,' she said.

South Pacific and Asian countries have grown increasingly popular for Schoolies celebrations in recent years. Teenagers attend a party in a nightclub during Schoolies Week following the end of the year 12 exams on November 25, 2013 in Kuta, Indonesia

'I was looking at going to the Gold Coast, but to be honest we want something more than just drinking and partying and we are finding it hard to get our entire group in the same hotel.'

Schoolies Week, a three-week graduation festival celebrated by Australian Year 12 school leavers each year, usually begins around mid-November.

The Gold Coast is home to the country's largest schoolies celebration but events are also held in Byron Bay, the Sunshine Coast, Airlie Beach and Lorne.

Island Dayz tickets go on sale from 6pm on July 21 and cost from $1299.
President Trump famously prefers to deny, distort and obstruct difficult truths rather than contend with them. That has held constant from Russian interference to the Ukrainian affair and from an ill-attended inauguration to a hand-altered hurricane forecast.

But a pandemic, measured by such incontrovertible facts as positive tests, crowded hospitals and lost lives, is considerably more difficult to cover up. That hasnt stopped him from trying.

The Trump administration last week abruptly shifted control of important coronavirus data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to top officials at Health and Human Services, the Cabinet department that includes the CDC, alarming public health experts within and outside the administration. The move took information on virus-related hospitalizations, intensive care capacity, staffing and crucial equipment and medicine away from an ostensibly apolitical, science-driven agency charged with managing pandemics and health statistics, putting it in the hands of political appointees close to the president. Bizarrely, administration officials also threatened to get the military involved in collecting the data.

Hospitals have reported the statistics in question to the CDC since March using a long-established system known as the National Healthcare Safety Network. As of last week, however, Health and Human Services directed hospitals to start submitting the information to the department through TeleTracking, a Pittsburgh company awarded a $10 million no-bid contract to create the new system in April. Sen. Patty Murray of Washington, the ranking Democrat on the chambers health committee, questioned the contract last month in a letter to CDC Director Robert Redfield, noting that despite deficiencies in existing data, the establishment of the TeleTracking system  at significant cost  duplicates the collection of data that was already being reported.

While the CDCs data and processes could certainly be improved, that doesnt justify cutting the agency out of a long-standing core function. A chorus of epidemiologists, hospital officials and virus trackers have joined in Murrays concern, noting the lack of a convincing rationale for the change and fearing the agency would be sidelined as a source of transparent, objective, scientific information on the pandemic. The tracking website COVID Exit Strategy reported Wednesday that the centers data on hospital capacity had gone dark. A CDC scientist supervising coronavirus data collection told National Public Radio that the new system lacks the track record and the expertise that were able to provide.

Administration officials maintained that the change was meant to speed and improve reporting of the data and that the information would continue to be available to the CDC and the public. Their track record does not recommend confidence in their good intentions, though.

The White House, after all, is bullying the CDC over school safety guidelines that Trump considers too stringent to accommodate his political goals. Four former CDC directors spanning Democratic and Republican administrations wrote in response that they could not recall over our collective tenure a single time when political pressure led to a change in the interpretation of scientific evidence.

The White House also attempted to discredit the nations single most trusted source of information about the pandemic, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Director Anthony Fauci, by deploying opposition research with all the grace and subtlety of a mudslinging city council campaign. And despite the continued struggle to mount enough testing to stem the outbreak, Trump has often questioned the value of detecting cases on the grounds that revealing the scope of the pandemic makes him look bad.

None of this constitutes a departure from the presidents habit of distorting reality to serve his purposes. But it is Trumps most audacious and destructive adventure yet in managing perceptions at the expense of managing the country.

This commentary is from The Chronicles editorial board. We invite you to express your views in a letter to the editor. Please submit your letter via our online form: SFChronicle.com/letters.
I cant believe Im doing takeaway food. I dont do takeaway. Never used Uber Eats, never Deliverood. Apart from the odd fish and chips by the beach, I havent eaten takeaway since the special combination fried rice from Mee Ging in St Kilda as a kid.

It took a global pandemic to change me into a takeaway king. Suddenly, the restaurants I missed the most began to offer takeaway. Not just any takeaway, but takeaway for people who dont normally do takeaway, by people who dont normally do takeaway.

Illustration by Simon Letch. Credit:

The real pivot came when chefs redesigned the format so the cooking was finished at home. This changed the end result (as long as you didnt stuff it up) from something lukewarm and steamy to something fresh, hot and delicious. By refusing to compromise on quality and detail, they have inadvertently created a whole new dining sector.

In Sydney, Josh Nilands daily-changing Mr Niland At Home menu was a revelation. One day, it was whole Murray cod ready for you to bake at home in a crust of salt pastry, the next, swordfish moussaka or smoked red gurnard and seaweed pie, ready to pop in the oven.
In 1969, Matt was elected President of the Mid-State Associates. Utilizing the business knowledge he had acquired in Milwaukee, he guided the firm on an expansion program. In 1970, the firm moved to a new and larger building at 1111 8th St. The firm had grown to 16 full-time employees by this time and MSA had broadened its areas of expertise to include more environmentally oriented projects and expanded its Architectural Division.

As the firm continued to grow over the course of the next few years, by 1976 it was necessary to add 1,500 square feet to the existing 8th Street building. By this time there were about 25 full-time employees and the company had opened branch surveying offices in Mauston, Wis., and Galena, Ill. During this six-year period, engineers, surveyors, and environmental staff were added to make MSA a stronger and more diversified firm.

By 1983, it became apparent that it would be necessary to either expand the 8th Street building or build a new one. Matt and the Board of Directors had the foresight to construct a new 16,000-square-foot building in the Madalon Industrial Park on the Citys west side that continues to serve as their corporate headquarters. When Mid-State Associates moved into their new building in May 1984, the number of full-time employees had swelled to over 34, making them the 13th largest consulting engineering firm in Wisconsin. Shortly after moving into their new facility, Mid-State Associates saw the need for the expansion of testing facilities to provide sampling and analysis of both water and wastewater in accordance with EPA regulations; consequently, the firm added environmental testing services with three full-time employees. Within three years, a new laboratory building was erected on a site adjacent to their main office building and the laboratory staff grew to seven employees. A subsequent expansion of the laboratory building allowed for staff growth to 23 scientists and assistants with space for state-of-the-art computer technology to serve the companys growing list of clients.
KANSAS CITY, Kan. (KSNW) - A 47-year-old Kansas priest who pleaded guilty to possessing child pornography was sentenced to 37 months in federal prison according to the U.S. Attorney's Office. Christopher Rossman, who formerly served at the Annunciation Catholic Church in Baldwin City, admitted that investigators found child pornography on his Samsung Galaxy tablet.
Medha Dutta Yadav By

Hugh Edwards perfectly clipped British voice welcomes you as you log in for a tour of Cardiff Castleshaped by almost 2,000 years of history.

From Romans to the Victorian aristocracyall have left an indelible mark on the structure and the atmosphere around the castle.

As you let your cursor take you wandering over the Roman and Norman features of this Welsh castle, you come to what is perhaps the most recent addition to the castlethe North Gate, built in the 1920s.

The gate was originally Roman, informs Hugh, before the English decided to fortify it further. In fact, zoom in and you can still see a few reddish bricks of the Roman age that are a part of the gate.

With Hugh explaining the various cosmetic changes the castle underwent over the years, other characters enter with their opinions.

You have the Reverend Richard Warner, for example, sounding extremely unhappy about the initial changes brought on by Lancelot Capability Brown.

We were not pleased, he says, thrilling you with the dramatics as you almost envision the deep frown on his face.

The app uses inputs by archaeologists, members of the Bute family who last owned the castle, and also the staff who worked under them.

The tour is divided into two partsone a detailed tour, and the other a smaller one for family. The role play wonderfully draws the viewer in.

The castle may ooze charm today, but it has had its fair share of darkness thrust on it by the many occupants.

In a hushed and solemn voice, Hugh speaks of Rollins White, a local fisherman and a Protestant, who was imprisoned here at The Black Tower during the reign of the Catholic Queen Mary in the 16th century and later burnt at the stake.

Later, as times changed, two Catholic priestsFather Philip Evans and Father John Lloydwere locked up here till they were finally hanged, he says.

Probably one of the best things about the audio guide is the fact that the grandson of the Fourth Marquess of Butewho once spent his childhood years herelends his insights.

Peregrine Bertie and his brother stayed as children in a nursery in what was reputedly the most haunted part of the castle.

Now, in his sunshine years, Peregrine remembers how one night his brother was gently pushed out of his bed, as if by a ghost hand.

But we did not actually see anything, he says. Makes it sound even more alluring, we say!

Cardiff Castle was finally handed over to the city of Cardiff. Today, it is a favourite with tourists and is also leased out for weddings and functions.
Press Release

July 19, 2020 Drilon to LGUs: No need to dance Cha-cha; SC ruling on higher IRA for LGUs cannot be reversed or set aside by Congress or executive Senate Minority Leader Franklin M. Drilon expressed readiness to block fresh attempts to push Charter Change (Cha-cha) in Congress amid a pandemic that has infected over 65,000 Filipinos, left over five million in the country out of work and crippled the economy. "Ang kailangan natin ngayon ay pagkain hindi sayaw na Cha-cha. Yung walang hanap-buhay ang malaking problema ng bansa ngayon. Kaya dapat i-lockdown na ang Cha-cha na ito dahil masyadong divisive," Drilon said in an interview over radio station DzBB on Sunday. Drilon believes that the real motive behind fresh attempts to revive Cha-cha is to postpone the 2022 national and local elections and remove politicians' term limit. "Ako ay may tiwala sa ating kasamahan na makikita nila na hindi para sa kapakanan ng bayan ito. Haharangin ito sa Senado," Drilon added. "The chance of it being passed in the Senate is very small. We in the minority are ready to fight it." Senate President Vicente Sotto III earlier said that Cha-cha is not among the priorities of the Senate. Drilon said the local government units should not be worried about their higher IRAs, saying that the Executive nor Congress cannot set aside nor revise the ruling of the Supreme Court in the Mandanas case in 2019. Last week, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) said that the League of Municipalities of the Philippines (LMP) had passed a resolution seeking the Charter amendments purportedly to institutionalize the Mandanas ruling of the Supreme Court and lift the restrictions on foreign investment. Drilon, a veteran lawmaker and a former justice secretary, however, said there is no need to institutionalize the so-called Mandanas ruling as he explained that the ruling of the Supreme Court that the"just share" of local government units under the Constitution should be computed and sourced from all national taxes and not just from the national internal revenue taxes collected by the Bureau of Internal Revenue cannot be disregarded nor changed by the executive nor Congress. "The interpretation of the Constitution by the Supreme Court cannot be repealed or revised by Congress. Under our system, the interpretation of the Supreme Court as to what the Constitution means is supreme and cannot be revised," Drilon said. "When the Supreme Court ruled that the 'just share' of the LGUs under the Constitutions means all taxes collected by the state, then the higher IRAs for LGUs must be implemented and Congress nor the executive cannot disregard it. Therefore, there is no need for institutionalization of the decision, because it is already institutionalized," he stressed. "Yung sinasabing pag-i-instutionalize ay rason lamang iyan na ginagamit dahilan sa kahit hindi natin institutionalize iyan, iyan ay institutionalized na dahilan sa decision ng Korte Suprema," he added. Pursuant to the ruling of the Supreme Court, the higher IRA for LGUs is set to take effect three years after the promulgation of the decision. The Department of Budget and Management in news reports said the higher IRA for LGUs will take effect in 2022, Drilon noted. The minority leader also said that the objective of removing restrictions on foreign investment, something that he supports, could be achieved by way of legislation. He cited, for instance, the various economic laws in the past Congresses, including the Cabotage Law that allows entry of foreign cargo vessels to call at multiple ports, and Republic Act 10641 that allowed the full entry of foreign banks in the country. In the 18thCongress, he has authored twin economic bills: the amendments to the Public Service Law and the Retail Trade Liberalization Act. "Huwag na po tayong sumayaw ng Cha-cha. It can be done through legislation and we will do it in the Senate,"Drilon said.
Robert Hoyt, the founding editor of the National Catholic Reporter, liked to tell the story of naming the groundbreaking independent weekly newspaper in 1964 in Kansas City, Missouri. As a courtesy, he met with the local bishop hoping for his blessing if not his support.
Overseas Arrivals Limited to 350 in Sydney

International arrivals in Sydney will be limited to 350 people a day under tighter COVID-19 restrictions to ensure returned travellers dont overwhelm the New South Wales health and hotel quarantine system.

Announcing the decision on July 19, Premier Gladys Berejiklian said the step was necessary to make sure the state stays in a strong position to prevent the spread of COVID-19 disease.

Our number one priority is the health and safety of the people of NSW, and this new cap will help us protect our state from COVID-19, Berejiklian said in a statement.

NSW is the gateway to Australia and it is important that passengers returning home do not overrun the capacity of NSW Health and hotel quarantine.

The new airport cap will apply from 12.01 a.m. on July 20 under an agreement with the federal government.

It further reduces the current cap of 450 people introduced on July 5.

Jobs Minister Stuart Ayres said Australians have been given plenty of time to return from overseas.

It is incredibly important the volume of returning travellers does not undo the great work of the people of NSW, Ayres said in a statement on July 20.

The people, businesses and industries of NSW can only operate in this new normal if we effectively reduce the spread of COVID-19, and further limiting the cap on returning travellers will help ensure this.

Meanwhile, the retail, fast-food and warehouse workers union is urging people to not visit the shops after being tested for coronavirus.

If you are getting tested it is out of a concern you might have COVID, the SDAs NSW/ACT secretary Bernie Smith said in a statement on July 20.

Dont go to the shops after you are tested. Wait for your test results. Dont go until you know. Dont put the health of the workers in the store and other shoppers at risk.

Particularly in the wake of these new COVID-19 clusters in some parts of Sydney, the community needs to be extra vigilant and ensure were doing everything we can to keep each other safe.

The union says it has written to Health Minister Brad Hazzard asking for additional signage around testing areas and shopping centre precincts to remind people to go straight home after being tested.

In the 24 hours to 8 p.m. on July 17 NSW recorded 15 new COVID-19 cases.

Of these, five are connected to patrons who attended Casulas Crossroads Hotel in southwest Sydney.

That cluster now numbers 45 people, 30 of which were not hotel patrons.

One case, reported on Friday afternoon, was linked to a developing cluster at the Thai Rock restaurant in Wetherill Park.

Four cases are returned travellers in hotel quarantine, while another five remain under investigation by contact tracers.

Two of those cases include a pair from the same household who visited a bistro at Batemans Bay on July 13 and a fast-food restaurant in the Shellharbour area on July 15.

One additional case was also recorded after 8 p.m. It is linked to Planet Fitness at Casula, the sixth infected individual to attend the gym on July 8.

By Heather McNab
Apple is hosting the Apple Days sale on Amazon India. The sale started on July 18 midnight and it will go on until July 25. Check out the top offers here.

Its time to shop! Apple is hosting the Apple Days sale on Amazon India. The sale started on July 18 midnight and it will go on until July 25. During the course of the sale, Apple is offering heavy discounts and interesting offers on the purchase of various Apple products including the iPhone 11 series smartphones, Apple Watch and MacBook.

The company is offering a discount of 5,000 on the purchase of the Apple iPads. This offer, however, is available only on the purchases made using HDFC bank credit and debit cards.

Apart from the iPad, Apple is offering a discount on the purchase of a bunch of its devices.

So, here are the top five deals that you need to check out now:

-- iPhone 11: Apple is offering a discount of 5,400 on the purchase of the iPhone 11. During the ongoing sale, the base variant of the iPhone 11 with 64GB of storage space will be available for 62,900.

-- iPhone 11 Pro and iPhone 11 Pro Max: While Amazon India is offering a discount of 5,400 on the purchase of the iPhone 11 series smartphones. HDFC bank debit and credit card users can get an additional discount of 4,000.

-- iPhone 8: During the ongoing sale, the iPhone 8 is getting a discount of 46%. It is available at a price of 41,500 on Amazon India.

-- MacBook Pro: During the ongoing sale, HDFC bank credit and debit card owners will get a discount of 7,000 on the purchase of the Apple MacBook Pro.

-- Apple Watch series 3: Apples Watch Series 3 smart watch is available at a discount of 1,000. This offer, however, is available only on the purchases made using HDFC bank debit and credit cards.
1870: A town ordinance was passed ratifying the articles of incorporation of the Lincoln Street Railroad Co.

1880: W.H. Lowe, one of the oldest settlers in Otoe County, was in Lincoln with a wagonload of apples gathered from trees he had planted nearly 20 years earlier.

1890: Blue Hill had fires at both ends of the main street. Seventeen buildings were in ashes as a result, and little of the contents of any building was salvaged.

1900: The increase in business made it necessary for Nebraska railroads to add locomotive power.

1910: Nebraskans were estimated to have $15 million invested in automobiles.

1920: Thomas P. Kennard, one of the founding fathers of the city of Lincoln, died at age 92.

1930: Two people were killed and 21 injured when a roller coaster in Krug Park in Omaha plunged off the track and dropped 35 feet to the ground. A timber supporting the track had given way.

1940: The mercury in Lincoln soared, giving the city the dubious honor of having the highest official reading in the nation: 113 degrees.
Q: Hello from Washington state.

Hoping you could help with a legal question. I found an AR-15 driving around the state forest grounds. I called the local sheriffs department and had the serial number ran. It came back clean as in not reported lost or stolen. Question is am I under any obligation to turn the rifle over to law enforcement or can I keep the weapon? As a side note, I am planning on turning the rifle in, but am just curious.John H

A: I can try to answer but if I get it wrong then run to Idaho to hide out (just a joke dont actually do that).

I did find Washington state code that might help me out here in sounding smart (I said sounding, not actually being).

Washington code 63.21.010 reads: Procedure where finder wishes to claim found propertyNotice of intent to claim (1) Any person who finds property that is not unlawful to possess, the owner of which is unknown, and who wishes to claim the found property, shall:

(a) Within seven days of the finding acquire a signed statement setting forth an appraisal of the current market value of the property prepared by a qualified person engaged in buying or selling like items or by a district court judge, unless the found property is cash; and (b) Within seven days report the find of property and surrender, if requested, the property and a copy of the evidence of the value of the property to the chief law enforcement officer, or his or her designated representative, of the governmental entity where the property was found, and serve written notice upon the officer of the finders intent to claim the property if the owner does not make out his or her right to it under this chapter.

The item must be posted at least twice in the paper and if not claimed the following applies from what I read: Washington state code 63.21.030 reads: (1) the found property shall be released to the finder and become the property of the finder sixty days after the find was reported to the appropriate officer if no owner has been found, or sixty days after the final disposition of any judicial or other official proceeding involving the property, whichever is later. The property shall be released only after the finder has presented evidence of payment to the treasurer of the governmental entity handling the found property, the amount of ten dollars plus the amount of the cost of publication of notice incurred by the government [governmental] entity pursuant to RCW 63.21.010, which amount shall be deposited in the general fund of the governmental entity. If the appraised value of the property is less than the cost of publication of notice of the finding, then the finder is not required to pay any fee. (2) When ninety days have passed after the found property was reported to the appropriate officer, or ninety days after the final disposition of a judicial or other proceeding involving the found property, and the finder has not completed the requirements of this chapter, the finders claim shall be deemed to have expired and the found property may be disposed of as unclaimed property.

I could not find anything that prohibited claiming firearms in the codes so you might be able to claim it. However, your local law enforcement agency will know more than me on this one.

Officer down

Please put these officers, killed in the line of duty, and their families in your prayers. They fought the good fight, now may they rest in peace. God bless these heroes.

Officer Edelmiro Garza, Jr., McAllen Police, Texas

Police Officer Ismael Chavez, McAllen Police, Texas

Have a question for Policemandan? Email your question(s) to policemandan@cableone.net or look for Ask Policemandan on Facebook and click the like button. Mail to: Box 147, Heyburn, Idaho 83336

Dan Bristol is the City of Heyburn Chief of Police.

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A video of a rhino resting on a highway as cars pass went all sorts of viral yesterday. Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve took to Twitter to inform that the animal had strayed away from the park and was seen resting on the side of the road. The park authorities, along with Nagaon District Police, quickly reached the area to guard the animal and try to guide it back to the rescue centre.

The park has now shared a happy updated on Twitter prompting people to tweet tons of appreciative comments. They wrote that the rhino is now back inside the park territory. With the help of the Kaziranga staff, who are feeding him his natural food, the animal is also regaining his strength.

We along with @nagaonpolice are guarding the area for his safety. Thank you everyone for the support, the park tweeted and concluded the post. They also shared a video which shows the animal eating leaves.

He (Rhino who strayed out) has moved into the Park Territory. He is regaining his strength. Team @kaziranga_ is giving him his natural food. We along with @nagaonpolice are guarding the area for his safety.

Thank you everyone for the support.@CMOfficeAssam @ParimalSuklaba1 pic.twitter.com/9xeCRMdVDf  Kaziranga National Park & Tiger Reserve (@kaziranga_) July 19, 2020

Since being shared a few hours back, the video has gathered over 2,600 views  and counting. People lauded the efforts of the officials.

Congratulations to the entire team for doing such commendable work.  Ankit Kumar, IFS (@AnkitKumar_IFS) July 19, 2020

Wow! Hearty Congratulations to CWRC, Cops, Kaziranga officials.

Everyone is doing an incredible Job. Really we must appreciate ur Level of work  Pawan Sharma (@PawanSharmazz) July 19, 2020

Wow. Kaziranga staff is taking care like a kid. Wow  Shashank (@Shashank_1981) July 19, 2020

Awesome! Keep going green soldiers!!  Akshay Kumar Bakshi (@akshaybakshi94) July 19, 2020

What do you think of the video?
Mickey Rourke and Robert DeNiro have had a long-standing feud in the media since they starred together in the 1987 psychological horror film, Angel Heart.

And over the weekend, Rourke seemingly reignited one of their most recent war of words that began last year when he claimed famed director Martin Scorsese wanted him to be in his 2019 crime film The Irishman, but De Niro refused to work with him.

'Hey Robert De Niro, thats right i am talking to you, you big f***ing crybaby,' Rourke, 67, wrote in an Instagram post on Friday.

'A friend of mine just recently told me that a few months back you're quoted as saying to newspapers Mickey Rourkes a liar he talks all kind of s**t!'

War of words: Mickey Rourke reignited his feud with Robert DeNiro in an Instagram post

Rourke made the revelation about Scorsese wanting to set up a meeting about a possible role in The Irishman, and DeNiro's rebuttal of him being in the film, during an appearance on an Italian talk show last September.

DeNiro's reps were quick to respond at the time with a statement saying Rourke was 'never asked to be in The Irishman nor was he ever even thought of, discussed or considered to be in the movie,' in a Page Six article titled -- Robert De Niro: Mickey Rourke is lying about The Irishman snub.

'Listen Mr.Tough Guy in the movies, you're the 1st person that ever called me a liar and it was in a newspaper,' Rourke continued in the Instagram post.

Call out: Rourke called DeNiro a 'crybaby' and a 'Mr. Tough Guy in the movies' in an Instagram post on Friday

Longstanding feud: Rourke has claimed DeNiro snubbed him when he introduced himself on the set of the the 1987 film Angel Heart

It's at this point that The Wrestler star made a harsh promise to the two-time Academy Award-winner.

'Let me tell you something, you punk a**, when i see you i swear to God on my Grandmother, on my brother and all my dogs, i gonna embarrass you severally 100%.'

He concluded the post by signing-off: 'Mickey Rourke 'as God is my witness.'

Rourke has been very open about how he used to look up to DeNiro as an acting role model before they starred together in Angel Heart. But that all changed for him when he went to introduce himself on the set.

Snubbed again? Rourke claimed famed director Martin Scorsese wanted him to be in his 2019 crime film The Irishman, but De Niro refused to work with him

'About five minutes later, [De Niro] comes over he said, I think it's better if we don't talk because of characters in the movie. It's better if we dont say hello, talk or anything,' Rourke added in the 2019 interview.

'It hurt my feelings a little bit 'cause I looked up to him.'

He added, 'I don't look up to [DeNiro] no more; I look through him, I came up from the s***. He doesn't know that life. I lived that f***ing life, so every time I look at him in the face, I look right through his ***hole.'
Maharashtras highest-ever single-day spike of 9,518 new Covid-19 cases on Sunday took the states tally to 3,10,455, the state health department said.

It is for the first time that the number of new cases crossed the 9,000-mark in a single day. Out of Sundays new cases, 1,037 were from Mumbai which now has a tally of 101,388.

Maharashtras highest-ever spike so far came on a day when the Indian Medical Association (IMA) said that community transmission Covid-19 has set in.

The death toll in the state mounted 11,854 with 258 more people dying of the disease. Sixty four of the casualties were in Mumbai where the toll has gone up to 5,714.

The recoveries rose to 1,69,569 after 3,906 patients were discharged in the day, the health department said.

The number of active cases in Maharashtra now stands at 1,29,032.

Meanwhile, the ongoing lockdown in Thane district of Maharashtra, which was scheduled to end on July 19 midnight, has been extended till July 31 in select areas following a spurt in Covid-19 cases, PTI reported..

The extended lockdown is applicable for municipal corporations of Mira Bhayandar, Kalyan-Dombivali and Bhiwandi-Nizampur, which all fall under the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) where cases of the pandemic are on the rise.
E ngland's contact tracers have failed to reach around 50 per cent of people who have had close contact with someone with Covid-19 in Blackburn with Darwen, a leaked report suggests.

The area of Lancashire saw a spike in infections, with cases rising to 47 per 100,000 people last week.

This prompted the local council to ask residents to limit visitors to their homes and wear face masks in enclosed spaces.

But a report seen by The Independent showed that across northwest England, the national tracing service is reaching only 52 per cent of all close contacts.

The data also suggested that fewer than half of contacts were reached in Oldham, St Helens, Manchester and Rochdale. It is not clear why the contacts provided were not able to be reached.

The analysis was carried out by Professor Dominic Harrison, the public health director of Blackburn with Darwen borough council.

The Government promised a "world class" contact tracing system / Getty Images

In the report, sent around the region earlier today, Prof Harrison said: I have to advise you that I think that the structure, funding, operation and performance of the current test and trace system  in particular the contact tracing system element, is now contributing to the increased risks of Covid-19 in Blackburn with Darwen.

He warned: With larger numbers of contacts per case and only just over half of the contact tracing of confirmed cases completed, we are at significant risk of losing control of the capacity to manage this risk due to the failure of the contact tracing."

Prof Harrison pressed the importance of an effective contact tracing system, adding: I need an urgent response in order to mobilise the local capacity asap.

A dog walker watches the sunrise on Blackburn hill. The region could see tighter restrictions introduced following a spike in coronavirus cases / PA

He called for testing and tracing to be carried out at a local rather than national level, and for Public Health England to share more data with local authorities.

He also said that PHE had only begun sharing data about the postcode areas in which new infections were being registered on 29 June.

In the Government's most recent contact tracing figures, 17.1 per cent of people in England who tested positive for Covid-19 between 2-8 July could not be reached. Afurther 4.1 per cent did not provide their phone number.

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

It also said 71.1 per cent of the contacts provided were reached, but 21.8 per cent of those who originally tested positive said they had not been in close contact with anyone during the required time frame

The latest data published on Saturday shows the northwest region has the highest overall rate of infection with 600 cases per 100,000 people

It comes after Prime Minister Boris Johnson promised a "world beating" test and trace system.

Blackburn with Darwen has seen a spike in cases / Google Maps

The NHS test and trace scheme, which was rolled out on June 1, is central to the government's plan for containing the spread of the virus.

But the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE) said that 80 per cent of contacts must be reached within 48 hours to prevent coronavirus from spreading.

A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said: NHS Test and Trace has already helped test and isolate more than 180,000 cases - helping us control the spread of the virus, prevent a second wave and save lives.

The service is working closely with local authorities across England to help manage local outbreaks and data is shared daily.

We urge anyone with symptoms to get tested for coronavirus as quickly as possible, self-isolate, and you should not leave home unless it is to get tested.

"The service relies on everyone playing their part  please book a test if you have symptoms, self-isolate and help us trace anyone youve been in contact with.
Anirban Ganguly By

When he was asked a line of thought on the Korean conflict sometime towards the end of June 1950, Sri Aurobindo replied that the whole affair was as plain as pike-staff. It is the first move in the Communist plan of campaign to dominate and take possession first of these northern parts and then of Southeast Asia as a preliminary to their manoeuvres with regard to the rest of the continentin passing, Tibet as gate opening to India.

In 1949, while he was revising his opus, The Ideal of Human Unity, against the backdrop of current events, Sri Aurobindo had included a Postscript Chapter, in which he clearly wrote on how the Communist powers would eventually overshadow with a threat of absorption South-Western Asia and Tibet and might attempt to overrun all up to the whole frontier of India, menacing her security

If one were to go by the editorials of the fortnightly Mother India, then published from Mumbai and edited by one of Sri Aurobindos most articulate and politically astute disciplesKD SethnaSri Aurobindo was against the move of according a hurried recognition to Communist China.

Sethna is on record having said that the Mother India editorials, between 1949 and 1950 were whetted, altered and cleared by Sri Aurobindo himself before the issue was finalised.

On China, the Mother India editorials were remarkably prescient and sharp, Whether India recognises Red China or no, she will never cease to be marked out by the latter as a field for subversive activity and therefore, not to see Red Chinas basic antagonism to democracies like India is political childishness.

ALSO READ | Cant afford to lose Galwan, says kin of man valley is named after

Nehrus much-vaunted neutrality, his unwillingness to be teamed up with either bloc will not make Mao the least bit affectionate towards India, it argued.

On Nepal, another Mother India editorial was equally farsighted when it warned Indian policymakers that Indias recognition of Maos government will not stop his coveting Nepal.

Interference in Nepal was an item already included in the Communist plan for self-aggrandisement in Asia.

Another editorial written sometime towards the end of 1950, when China had already invaded Tibet, spoke of Maos mechanised millions posing a threat to democracy in the region.

The significance of Maos Tibetan adventure, the editorial noted, is to advance Chinas frontiers right down to India and stand poised there to strike at the right moment and with the right strategy the primary motive of Maos attack on Tibet is to threaten India as soon as possible

In 1963, President Kennedy was shown Sri Aurobindos predictions. Poring over them several times, Kennedy blurted out to Sudhir Ghosh, diplomat, parliamentarian, who had presented him a copy of The Ideal of Human Unity following a meeting at the White House, that Surely there is a typing mistake here. The date must have been 1960, not 1950.

"You mean to say that a man devoted to meditation and contemplation, sitting in one corner of India, said this about the intentions of Communist China as early as 1950? To think that Sri Aurobindo foresaw all this between 1949 and 1950, while Nehru indulged in a rudderless Non-alignment, devoid of all strategic depth, is indeed striking.

On December 6, 1950, just a day after Sri Aurobindos passing, the Indian Parliament discussed the International Situation.

Dr Syama Prasad Mukherjee in a detailed intervention displayed an incisive understanding of Communist China. Cautioning Nehru against adopting a policy of drift and indecision vis-a-vis China, Dr Mukherjee argued, We must also guard against the possibility of trying to please everyone. That is a dangerous pastime.

On China, he articulated what ought to have been free Indias approach towards the hegemon.

We have no quarrel with China so long as China is anxious for the liberation of her own people. Everyone will have sympathy with the Chinese people but if China takes on herself the task of liberating other people also who may not be anxious to obtain liberation at her hands, naturally that creates complications which will affect not China alone, but the rest of the world, particularly Asia.

Twelve years later in 1962, the ideological and political justification proffered by communist cartels in support of Chinas aggression on India was the same liberation theory.

On China, Sri MS Golwalkar too displayed a far-seeing vision. In one of his last interviews, Guruji observed that the Chinese have not broken with their past. Wait for some more time. All their traditional ways will become patent again. Their present designs to spread their tentacles of power and influence are in keeping with the tradition of their old emperors.

But just as he foresaw the collapse of the Soviet Union, for Guruji, Communism in China was also a temporary phase.

On China, all these stalwarts could see what Nehru sadly did not. Today once again on China, Modi sees what Rahul cannot!

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Passenger restrictions on international voyages into Australia have caused the price of flights to jump to nearly double what they were before the COVID-19 pandemic.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison introduced a daily cap on the number of arrivals into Australian airports on July 13 to ease the impact of travellers returning to coronavirus stricken areas.

The cap will be tightened further from Monday, with 30 passengers per flight able to land in Sydney Airport - reducing the total number of people who can pass through the airport to 350 per day.

Travel restrictions have caused international flight prices coming into Australia to soar. Pictured: return travellers in Sydney Airport wearing face masks with their luggage on July 9

AUSTRALIAN AIRPORT PASSENGER LIMITS FOR INTERNATIONAL TRAVELLERS: Sydney: 30 per flight. 350 per day. Brisbane: 30 per flight. 500 per week. Melbourne: 0 Adelaide: 150 per flight Canberra: 250 per flight Perth: 50 per flight. 525 per week. Advertisement

With limited seats available, airlines have been criticised for prioritising higher fares and replacing economy seats with more expensive business or first class travellers.

A one way Qatar Airlines business class flight from Doha to Sydney on July 25 costs $11,700.

It is one of the limited seats available until mid-August on the Qatar Airlines website.

Singapore Airlines have stopped advertising online sales for their flights once they have reached capacity under the new restrictions.

The capped international traveller restrictions mean Perth receives 525 passengers per week, with 50 on each plane.

Brisbane takes 500-a-week with 30 per plane, Adelaide can take 150 per flight and in Canberra the overall limit is 250.

No international travelers are currently able to enter Melbourne.

Capped flights have made it difficult for Australian citizens and permanent residents to return home. Pictured: travellers wearing face masks arrive in Brisbane in January

Sydney, Melbourne and Perth's restrictions are set until August 8, while Adelaide, Canberra and Melbourne's sanctions are scheduled until further notice.

Restrictions on outbound travel by Australian citizens and permanent residents remain in place.

The cap was introduced to reduce strain on Australia's beleaguered hotel quarantine system - with New South Wales' budget for accommodating return travellers during the coronavirus pandemic already exceeding $50million.

Tightened restrictions will further limit Sydney's daily allowance of returned travellers from 50 to 30, with many Australians unable to secure flights even before the reduction in numbers.

Jim and Cathy Collins thought they had found a way home from the UK when they were re-booked onto a flight to Sydney last week

Jim Collins said he and his wife Cathy were bumped off a flight to Sydney from the UK last week in favour of business passengers.

'As best as I know, all economy passengers were cleared off the flight to make room, with a 50-person limit for premium passengers only  first class and business class,' Mr Collins told 7.30.

A spokesperson for the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade told Australian Financial Review they would continue to assist Australians trying to return home during the pandemic.

'The Australian government continues to explore options to support Australians to access flights on a commercial basis,' they said.

'Our global network of overseas embassies and consulates continues to provide consular services to Australians impacted by COVID-19 and the subsequent restrictions that have been put in place by governments.'
KARACHI/QUETTA, Pakistan -- For over 11 years, relatives of people who disappeared in the murk of a separatist insurgency in southwestern Pakistan have gathered outside the Press Club of Quetta wanting to know who took their fathers, husbands, and sons.

The daily sit-in protest in the provincial capital of Balochistan began on June 28, 2009, after a doctor, Deen Muhammad, was abducted by "unknown men."

Relatives suspect Muhammad, like many other missing ethnic Baluchis, was snatched by Pakistani security forces hunting separatists, who for decades have waged a campaign for greater autonomy or independence.

Sometimes less than a dozen join the daily protest, other days many more, but Muhammad's two daughters have been among the regulars since they were 8 and 10 years old.

"Our little hands were holding pictures of our father back then; now we have grown up and we still have no clue if he is alive," Sammi Baloch, now 21, told Reuters by telephone from Quetta.

Even when the weather is too extreme in Quetta to hold protest, a sit-in is observed by Baluchis in front of the press club in Karachi, Pakistan's largest city and a melting pot for different ethnic groups.

The insurgency in Balochistan -- a sparsely populated, mountainous, desert region bordering Afghanistan and Iran -- has sometimes waned and sometimes intensified over the years.

But for all the durability of the Baluch struggle, the conflict has seldom drawn international attention. It grabbed headlines however, in late June when a group of young Baluch militants launched an attack on the Pakistan Stock Exchange in Karachi.

On July 14, three soldiers were killed and eight wounded in an area known for attacks by Baluch fighters. But beyond giving the grinding casualty toll, the veil of secrecy over the conflict is seldom lifted, and foreign journalists are often discouraged from visiting Balochistan.

Multiple calls, texts, and emails to Pakistan's Human Rights Ministry, the military, and Balochistan's provincial government seeking comment for this story went unanswered.

The military did issue a statement last year sympathising with families of missing Baluchis, while saying that some may have joined militant groups and "not every person missing is attributable to the state."

Pakistan has repeatedly blamed India for fanning militancy in Balochistan, a charge New Delhi has consistently denied.

More Missing

Last month, the Balochistan National Party (BNP) quit Prime Minister Imran Khan's parliamentary bloc, frustrated by unfulfilled promises to address Baluch grievances including the festering issue of the disappeared.

When he led the BNP into an alliance with Khan's coalition two years ago, Akhtar Mengal gave the government a list of 5,128 missing persons.

Since then, over 450 of the people on the list have been found or returned to their families, but during the same period Mengal says another 1,800 were reported to have disappeared.

"If you cannot recover people, at least stop disappearing more people," Mengal said.

Another Baluch party set up in the months prior to the 2018 elections with backing from the military establishment, according to political analysts, is in a coalition with Prime Minister Khan's party at both the federal and provincial level.

Balochistan Awami Party Senator Anwar-ul-Haq Kakar told Reuters the numbers of missing are "exaggerated."

But Mama Qadeer, who heads a group called Voice for Baloch Missing Persons, keeps his own count. "In last six months, the number of Baluch missing persons has risen," he told Reuters by telephone. His son disappeared a decade ago.

In February last year, Qadeer's group handed a list of 500 missing to provincial officials. Since then, nearly 300 have been returned to their homes, but 87 others disappeared in the first half of this year, according to the group.

China Raises Stakes

A federal commission set up nine years ago listed 6,506 cases of enforced disappearances nationwide by the end of 2019. Most came from the northwestern province of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa.

Only 472 were registered from Balochistan. Advocacy groups say Balochistan's number is far higher, pointing to difficulty in having cases accepted by the commission.

"There's hardly a home in Balochistan that hasn't had a relative or loved one picked up," Mohammad Ali Talpur, an activist who once fought alongside Baluch insurgents in the 1970s, told Reuters.

The conflict has a long, complex history, but the stakes have risen as Balochistan's wealth of copper, gold, gas and coal deposits caught China's eye.

The prospects of Pakistan's most reliable ally pouring in money excited successive governments, while fueling Baluch resentment over how little would come their way.

Separatist militants have frequently targeted Chinese construction in Gwadar, a port on the Balochistan coast, near the entrance to the strategically important Gulf.

And in 2018, the Balochistan Liberation Army launched an assault on the Chinese consulate in the southern port city of Karachi, killing four Pakistani police and civilians. It was the most high-profile attack by the group until June 29 this year, when its fighters attacked the stock exchange, again killing four people.

The attack came a day after hundreds of relatives of missing Baluchis gathered in Quetta to mark the 4,000th day of their protest since Muhammad's disappearance.
It started out as a call for investigation into alleged misappropriation of funds and financial recklessness, but turned into a dirty fight between the Niger Delta Development Commission and the National Assembly.

This has happened in a space of about two weeks.

It is however, not surprising to Nigerians. The sour relationship between both parties dates back to previous assemblies. Present and past officials of the commission have accused past and present lawmakers of budget padding and other fraudulent activities.

Most of the commissions budget defence sessions in past years have been filled with discrepancies and controversies, not forgetting the constant failure of the agency to submit audit reports.

The current National Assembly had also threatened not to pass the commissions budget, telling President Muhammadu Buhari to inaugurate an earlier approved permanent board for the agency. The lawmakers rescinded after the president withdrew his earlier nominees for the board and instead nominated an interim management for the commission.

The Investigation

The Senate on May 5 set up a seven-member ad-hoc committee to probe the financial recklessness of the Interim Management Committee (IMC) of the NDDC.

The committee was specifically asked to probe the IMC for allegedly squandering N40 billion in three months and seek account of other financial transactions within this period.

The committee commenced investigation almost immediately, inviting the necessary officials for questioning.

In the same vein, the House of Representatives Committee on Niger Delta commenced investigative hearing on the mismanagement of N81.5 billion between January and July, 2020 by the commission.

These hearings have not only led to shocking revelations, but also indicted lawmakers of both the Senate and House.

At the Senate hearing last week, the acting deputy director, projects, NDDC, Cairo Ojougboh, accused unnamed members of the parliament of hijacking the commissions budgets over the years. Acting Managing Director of the commission, Daniel Pondei, also admitted that the commission spent N1.5 billion for staff as COVID-19 relief funds.

Daniel Pondei, Acting Managing Director of NDDC. [PHOTO CREDIT: Official web page of NDDC ||www.nddc.gov.ng/]

Similarly, when Mr Pondei and other officials appeared before the House committee, he accused the chairman of the panel, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, of corruption. For this reason, he and other management staff of the commission refused to speak.

They eventually walked out on the panel and vowed to only return when a committee without an indicted lawmaker is set up.

This prompted the panel to issue a warrant for the arrest of the NDDC boss.

And it gets messier

Shortly after the Senate hearing, the ex-Managing Director of NDDC, Joy Nunieh, accused the Minister of Niger Delta, Godswill Akpabio, of fraud.

Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Godswill Akpabio.

Ms Nunieh assumed office as the acting MD of NDDC after the removal of Akwagaga Enyia in October 2019, but she was sacked four months later as the crisis rocking the commission over abuse of funds kept mounting.

PREMIUM TIMES exclusively reported how Mr Akpabio played a major role in the removal of Ms Nunieh.

She said during her brief tenure at the commission, Mr Akpabio repeatedly pressured her to take an oath of secrecy that was meant to keep her from exposing fraud at the commission.

Joy Nunieh [PHOTO CREDIT: Businessday.ng]

This triggered a back and forth between the two.

In his response, Mr Akpabio said she has temperament issues and suggested she sees a doctor. He said Ms Nunieh was not relieved of her appointment because of corruption but because of insubordination.

And then came the claim that she slapped the minister for sexually harassing her  an allegation he denied.

Police invade Ms Nuniehs home

Amidst the clash between Mr Akpabio and the ex-NDDC boss, security officials, in the early hours of Thursday, laid siege to Ms Nuniehs residence in Port Harcourt in an attempt to arrest her.

Dozens of policemen are circling the House of Joy Nunieh, the former MD of NDDC, who is scheduled to testify before a House of Reps panel today as part of the ongoing probe of NDDC. [PHOTO CREDIT: Fisayo Soyombo @fisayosoyombo]

She was scheduled to catch a flight at the Port Harcourt International Airport, to Abuja where she was expected to testify before the House committee.

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Ms Nunieh was however, rescued by the Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, who took her into protective custody at the Government House. Ms Nunieh said she suspects that Mr Akpabio may have had a hand in the police blockade of her private residence.

Wike, police clash

Following his rescue mission, the governor condemned the siege by security operatives on Ms Nunieh describing it as a disgrace, a show of shame and an attempted abduction.

He wondered why the ex-NDDC boss was not properly invited if she had committed an offence.

The governor also called on the Inspector General of Police, Muhammed Adamu, to investigate the invasion.

Nysome Wike rescuing Nunieh

But on the other hand, the Rivers State police commissioner, Joseph Mukan, said the command expects Mr Wike to release Ms Nunieh.

Nobody says he shouldnt protect his citizens, but everything should be done within the confines of the law. If you rescue your citizen, we expect you to turn her over to the police, who are in a better position to protect her, the police commissioner said.

He added that the police were investigating a petition written against Ms Nunieh.

More revelations

From the Government House, Ms Nunieh was able to appear before the House panel on Friday, to give her testimony.

This is hours after she vowed to make more revelations about the corruption in the agency.

At the hearing, she told the committee that only N8 billion of the said N81.5 billion spent between October 2019 and May 2020 was spent under her watch.

She also said that she was under pressure by Mr Akpabio to abuse processes and engage in financial recklessness, and accused him of hijacking the forensic audit ordered by President Muhammadu Buhari.

The panel thereafter summoned Messrs Akpabio and Pondei for questioning.

Buhari wades in

Amidst the clashes between the NDDC officials and lawmakers, President Muhammadu Buhari warned ministers and heads of government agencies not to disrespect or undermine the National Assembly.

He said this at a meeting he had with Senate President Ahmad Lawan and House of Representatives Speaker, Femi Gbajabiamila, Thursday night.

President Muhammadu Buhari receives in audience Senate President Ahmad Lawan and Speaker, House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila at the State House, Abuja.[PHOTO CREDIT: @BashirAhmaad]

Mr Buhari also gave directives for better coordination among security and investigating agencies handling the probe of the NDDC.

He asked that such investigations should be done within a short period.

The Senate has concluded its investigative hearing but that of the House continues next week. As it stands, Nigerians are not only looking forward to more revelations but also the reports of the committees  which will contain findings and recommendations.
By Hessa Al Hammadi ABU DHABI, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News / WAM - 19th Jul, 2020) Mars, our closest, yet mysterious planetary neighbour, will welcome soon new unmanned visitors from planet Earth, among them is the first mission to the red planet by any West Asian, Arab or Muslim majority country: Probe Hope- the UAE's Mars mission 'Al-Amal'.

The probe will fly around Mars in a way that's never been done before, and herein lies our contribution to humanity at large. If all goes well as planned with these three projects, the year 2021 could pave the way for extraordinary discoveries to unravel more mysteries about the Roman god of war and agriculture! Hope Probe The UAE is launching the Arab worlds first-ever interplanetary orbiter spacecraft. This comes after a successful launch in 2018 of KhalifaSat, an earth-observation satellite. The Hope Probe will launch from Japan, and, if all goes well, should reach Mars by February 2021, the year that marks the UAEs milestone Golden Jubilee.

The objectives of the Emirates Mars Mission, EMM, are set forth to focus on the weather dynamics of Mars, as well as studying the Martian atmosphere in a way that helps explain why the Red planet is losing its atmosphere by tracking the escape of hydrogen and oxygen. The probes analysis data will help build a comprehensive image that should result in a better understanding of Mars transition from a once wet and flourishing world to the dry and cold planet now. The EMMs goals go in unison with a much bigger and ambitious purpose: building a human settlement in the red planet within the next 100 years, a milestone that will go down in the annals of history! The Hope Probe will remain in orbit for a whole Martian year, equivalent to 687 days on Earth and will take 55 hours per loop at an average speed of 121,000 kph.

The probe will be controlled from Dubai, and will be launched with the first Arabic Countdown ever! Tianwen-1 Another country vying for the treasures our vast universe abounds in is China, which is entering the Martian race with its anticipative trifecta spacecraft. The Tianwen-1 is an orbiter, rover, and lander; a first of its kind.

The spacecraft is due to launch somewhere around July 23 but the date is not yet confirmed, if successful, will be a dramatic progress for Chinas space programmme.

China has previously successfully landed several lunar landers, but landing on Mars is far trickier due to the planets atmosphere. Mars atmosphere will require some sort of heat protection for the craft, and the air would be too thin to rely on parachutes alone for a safe and slow descent.

Landing is not the main objective for the mission, though. Tianwen-1 will explore and gather as much data as possible about the red planet.

The orbiter will study the magnetic field and atmosphere of the planet, as well as mapping the surface using a high-resolution camera. While the rover, equipped with a ground-penetrating radar, GPR, will focus on mapping the subsurface of Mars and investigate the presence of ice on the planet.

Perseverance Rover The US, the only nation successful of landing a spacecraft on Mars yet, will land a new rover to accompany its already two operating siblings there, InSight and Curiousity rovers.

Perseverance will launch on July 30 and will land on the Jezero Crater, an area with high potential of finding signs of past microbial life. Breakthrough, if discovered, will mark a historic finding and a solid evidence of Mars being once thriving with at least simple molecules of microbial life. A buoyant proof once and for all that life can form on planets other than Earth.

The rover will be collecting samples of the red planets rocks to bring back to Earth, it will also study Mars past climate and geological conditions embedded in its rocks. Rocks in the Jezero Crater, which was once a probable oasis in the past, could have preserved the ancient rivers organic molecules. Studying those rocks will give us a deeper reflection of the planets former self.

NASAs Perseverance will also deliver to Mars a groundbreaking new project, Ingenuity, the first-of-its-kind Mars helicopter. Ingenuity will be the first aircraft to attempt a controlled flight on a different planet. The task is not as easy as it sounds, as Mars has a cruel frigid climate and a very thin low-density atmosphere.

Beating the Clock! There is a very limited time span for sending spacecrafts to Mars in the most efficient, cost-effective way possible. In order to use the minimum energy and fuel consumption required to reach Mars, the two planets need to be aligned on the same side of the sun. The trip would usually take around 7 months to reach its destination.

If these trips are successful in reaching the red planet and yielding fruits, we will be looking forward to tremendous discoveries thatll give us a better understanding of our neighbor, evident that it was once quite similar to Earth.

Space exploration is a necessary step to understand the vast universe that holds as many secrets as it holds stars, as well as giving us a greater understanding of our own planets past and future. Mars will not only give us a better chance at knowing whether life existed elsewhere in the universe, a fundamental humankind question that we are yet to find an answer to, but would also be an obvious and perfect destinations for future human exploration and perhaps settlements outside of Earth.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-07-19 22:53:08|Editor: huaxia

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TOKYO, July 19 (Xinhua) -- The number of COVID-19 cases in Japan increased by 511 to reach 25,425 on Sunday amid a resurgence of infections across the country, according to Japan's health ministry and local governments.

The total number of infections excludes 712 from the virus-hit Diamond Princess cruise ship quarantined in Yokohama earlier in the year.

The death toll in Japan from the pneumonia-causing virus currently stands at a total of 999, including 13 from the Diamond Princess cruise ship.

The Tokyo metropolitan government confirmed 188 new cases of infections on Sunday after three straight days of nearly 300 infections, bringing the cumulative total for Tokyo to 9,411.

Among the 188 new cases, those in their 20s and 30s accounted for about 70 percent.

Following Tokyo, Osaka Prefecture recorded 89 new cases, while Tokyo's neighboring prefectures of Kanagawa, Saitama and Chiba reported 30, 38 and 24 new cases on Sunday respectively, the latest figures showed.

The health ministry also said there are currently 43 patients considered severely ill on ventilators or in intensive care units.

The ministry added that in total, 20,235 people have been discharged from hospitals after their symptoms improved, according to the latest figures released Sunday. Enditem
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, July 19)  Four streets in a barangay in Pasig City will be placed under a localized enhanced community quarantine starting this evening due to a surge in COVID-19 cases.

The streets of Pipino, Labanos, Okra and Ubas in Napico, Barangay Manggahan will be on lockdown until further notice, the city's local government announced Saturday.

"Strict implementation will begin Sunday evening," the LGU said. "Residents will only be allowed to leave their houses for work and emergency reasons."

Mayor Vico Sotto said food packs will be distributed to the affected residents to minimize health risks.

As of Saturday, Pasig City has 1,212 COVID-19 cases. Of this number, 109 are from Manggahan with 53 active cases. The city has recorded 661 recoveries and 94 deaths overall.

Six areas in Antipolo City, Rizal were also put on a one-week lockdown from July 18 to July 24 due to a surge in COVID-19 cases.

In Metro Manila, some areas in Quezon City, Taguig, Manila City, and Muntinlupa were previously placed on localized quarantine, with guidance from health authorities and the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases following a spike in transmissions.

The Philippines has logged 65,304 COVID-19 cases to date, with 22,067 total recoveries and 1,773 deaths.
Iran suspended the execution of three young men who participated in a November protest after the country's Supreme Court decided to review their case, state TV reported on Sunday.

An appeals court had upheld their death sentence over leading riots, committing robbery and sending video of their activities to foreign media. But lawyers for the three expressed hope that a new review of the case would lead to a "nullification" of the death sentence.

If the Supreme Court agrees, Iranian law allows those convicted to appeal again even after an appeals court has upheld the original verdict.

The death sentence identifies the three as Amir Hossein Moradi, Mohammad Rajabi and Saeed Tamjidi.

Their case has prompted an outcry in the country and a popular hashtag for stopping the implementation of their death sentence topped Iran's Twitter trends and had been retweeted more than 4 million times.

Protests swept across the country last November fueled by anger over the country's anemic economy. Amnesty International reported that at least 300 people were killed in the unrest, many shot dead by security forces, and thousands were detained.

The demonstrations showed the widespread economic discontent gripping Iran since May 2018, when President Donald Trump imposed crushing sanctions after unilaterally withdrawing the United States from the nuclear deal that Tehran struck with world powers.

That decision led to Iran beginning to break limits of the deal, as well as a series of attacks across the Mideast that America has blamed on Tehran.
GRAND RAPIDS, MI -- Spectrum Healths new Womens Health and Wellness Center is designed to make it easier for women to receive a broader range of preventive, specialty, and lifestyle services.

The new center, scheduled to open at the end of August, will offer a wide range of services to meet womens specific health care needs such as preventative care, nutrition, breast and bone health.

Officials say the 10,000-square-foot center, located at 4069 Lake Dr., will offer the convenience of same-day appointments in a comfortable, relaxing atmosphere.

We recognize that women dont always put themselves first when it comes to health and wellness because they are focused on their familys well-being, said Suzette Hershman, senior vice president, medical group operations, Spectrum Health West Michigan, in a press release.

The new Spectrum Health Womens Health & Wellness Center is designed specifically for womens health needs, taking into consideration lifestyle factors and the many competing priorities in their lives. Our goal is to make it easy for them to be healthy and well.

Officials say preventive and wellness exams to address specific needs may take hours to complete, including travel and multiple trips to the doctor. By combining multiple specialty services in one location, women at the center can maximize their visit by being able to schedule a few appointments, making better use of their time.

For example, a woman would be able to schedule her annual wellness exam along with a mammogram and have the option to schedule psychotherapy all on the same day.

Personalized care, including virtual visits, will be tailored for each patient.

The center will also have dedicated spaces for classes on relevant topics such as healthy eating, meditation and managing stress.

An online health and wellness portal will be offered to provide easy access to information regarding womens health, lifestyle manager tips, and classes among other things.

According to the news release, the inspiration for the center was made possible by a generous donation from the DeVos families who saw the need and supported program development, research and fellowship training, demonstrating the importance of creating this resource to better meet the unique health care needs of women. The amount of the donation was not provided.

The centers approach and model is designed to be inclusive of all women and does not require a membership.

More information is available at spectrumhealth.org.

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This is the same hotel where the BJP kept MLAs from Maharashtra, Karnataka and Madhya Pradesh (during political dramas in those states)

Bhopal: Blaming the BJP for the political drama in Rajasthan, senior Congress leader Digvijaya Singh on Sunday asked Sachin Pilot not to leave the grand old party.

In an interview to PTI, the former Madhya Pradesh chief minister said Pilot should not follow Jyotiraditya Scindia into the BJP, as he has bright future in Congress.

His remarks follow Pilot's open rebellion against the Ashok Gehlot government, which has been on shaky ground with at least 18 legislators backing the rebel leader.

Pilot was sacked as Rajasthan deputy chief minister and the state Congress chief recently and the Congress has accused the BJP of making efforts to topple the Gehlot-led government by indulging in horse-trading.

"The BJP is behind the crisis in Rajasthan," Singh said.

The Congress veteran said he tried to call Pilot but his calls and text messages went unanswered.

"Age is on your side. Ashok (Gehlot) may have offended you, but all such issues are best resolved amicably. Dont make the mistake that Scindia made. BJP is unreliable. Nobody who joined it from any other party has succeeded there," Singh said.

He said this is the first time that Pilot hasn't responded to him.

"Sachin is like my son. He respects me and I also like him. I called him three-four times and also texted him. He didn't revert. He used to respond immediately earlier," he said.

"It is good to be ambitious. How can one move forward without having ambitions, but along with ambition, one must also have commitment to your organisation, ideology and the nation," Singh said.

"I heard that he (Pilot) may form a new party. But what is the need for it. Has Congress not given him anything? He was made an MP at 26, a Union minister at 32, the state Congress president at 34 and deputy chief minister at 38. What else does he want? Time is on his side," Singh said.

If Pilot had any issue, then as the state party unit president, he should have called a meeting and discussed the matter, he said. Pilot could have involved Congress national general secretary and Rajasthan in-charge Avinash Pande in talks with Gehlot to resolve differences, he added.

"If you have faith in your legislators, why have you have confined 18-19 of them in ITC Grand hotel at Manesar in Haryana," Singh said.

This is the same hotel where the BJP kept MLAs from Maharashtra, Karnataka and Madhya Pradesh (during political dramas in those states), he said.

Pilot should forget whatever has happened, come back and sit across the table to discuss how Congress could be strengthened, he said.
A former Senate Chief Whip and national leader of the Action Democratic Party (ADP), Roland Owie, on Saturday, defected to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Mr Owie announced his defection at a ceremony in his hometown of Ilobi-Isi, near Ehor in the Uhunmwonde Local Government Area of Edo.

While speaking, the former Senate Chief Whip urged his supporters to work for the second term bid of Governor Godwin Obaseki.

Mr Owie said he was a founding member of the PDP who, alongside others such as a former Senate President, the late Chuba Okadigbo, was forced out of the party.

The event, which had in attendance several notable leaders of the PDP from Edo South Senatorial District, was led by Owere Imasogie, a party chieftain.

Mr Imasogie said there exists an agreement, after consultation across the country, that founding members of the party should return to salvage Nigeria.

He said Mr Obaseki, whom he described as a son of Isi, has performed creditably and deserved a second term.

I have spent the better part of the last 17 years outside of the PDP family, except for a brief return between 2011 and 2015, Mr Owie said.

Recent developments in the polity of our dear nation has reignited my conviction to realign with positive and progressive mainstream political forces on a rescue mission.

Impunity came into the PDP, the leadership became abusive and vindictive, and all we were hearing was `no vacancy in government house, `no vacancy in presidency, to the extent that a sitting governor was deregistered.

But PDP has woken up because the APC has adopted the same style.

Over the past 15 months, I have been consulting with political associates, former colleagues and elder statesmen on the need to get our nation back on track.

A recurring issue that emanated from that consultative process was the need for all founding members of the PDP to return to the party so that it can achieve its strategic goal of emancipating Nigerians.

Therefore, today I am returning to the PDP, the party I can call home, with a keen sense of purpose and a mission to work with the leadership and members in developing a sustainable developmental blueprint for Nigeria and jealously guarding the implementation of same.

Because all politics is local, I must add that on the home front, my return to the party will also ensure that Gov. Godwin Obaseki is re-elected for a second term.

Beyond the continuity in the progressive institutional policies, commendable and visible physical developments accomplished by the Obaseki-led administration, his second term will engender equity and co-existence, as the governorship will then rightly move to Edo Central Senatorial District in 2024.

Today, the nation is still greatly divided, and almost back to her primordial lines. Our country is troubled, our people are afraid, and our future is uncertain.

We cannot build a great nation without unity at home. We cannot be a nation where people are hated, branded and then hounded and ostracised. We stand here to declare that the Edo people remain an integral part of the Nigerian Project.

PDP is the hope of the masses and we will ensure that its mandate of ensuring that all citizens have equal access to opportunity and resources is fully achieved. This mandate will be achieved in Edo and it will be achieved in Nigeria.

I call on all our supporters to rise up today and lift with me the symbol of our pride  the Umbrella, an exemplar of royalty in the Benin Empire  and march shoulder to shoulder in our typical heroic step from the land of our ancient past to a glorious future for our state and country.

Also in Edo State, but at a separate local government, Fred Aimienwanwu, Vice-Chairman, Ovia South West Local Government of Edo, has raised an alarm on threats to his life and that of his family.

He said the threats were over his refusal to defect from the All Progressives Congress (APC) to the PDP.

Mr Aimienwanwu in a petition to the Assistant Inspector-General of Police, Zone 5, Benin, alleged that the council chairman, Destiny Enabulele, and one General Peres were after his life.

In a petition signed by his wife, Lauretta Aimienwanwu, the vice-chairman said boys numbering over 30 had stormed his residence in Benin on Wednesday at about 5 p.m.

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He said they forcefully gained entry to his compound by knocking down the gate.

When they could not gain entry to the apartment, they, however, made their mission clear that they would eliminate my entire family should I fail to defect to the PDP like our council chairman has done.

Mr Aimienwanwu added that the boys, who specifically said they were sent by Mr Enabulele, also said he (vice-chairman) should return the councils property in his possession.

The boys, numbering about 30, stormed my house and forcefully broke the gate. My gateman was assaulted in the process of forcing the gate open.

They were armed with dangerous weapons like battle axes and cutlasses.

Mr Aimienwanwu s wife added that she overheard one of the boys issuing a threat over the phone to her husband.

I was in my room and heard one of them making calls. I never knew he was calling my husband.

I heard him say `we are in your house and threatened that if he (Aimienwanwu) fails to decamp from APC to PDP, his entire household would be eliminated.

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Meanwhile, Mr Enabulele has denied any involvement in the alleged threat.

He, however, acknowledged that the councils secretary had written to the vice-chairman to return the local governments property in his possession.

I dont have any business with the vice-chairman. The council has asked him to return its property.

In any case, let him produce the people that went to his house. I am not involved, the council chairman said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the local government has been embroiled in crisis following the refusal of Mr Aimienwanwu and six of its 10 councillors to defect to the PDP.

The crisis degenerated to a situation where the other four councillors announced that they have suspended the six councillors, as well as the vice-chairman.

The Edo State governorship election holds on September 19.

(NAN)
German Chancellor Angela Merkel said there is a lot of good will, but there are also a lot of positions in the talks, which have have laid bare divisions about how the countries hit hardest by the pandemic, such as Italy and Spain, should be helped. She said the talks, which were initially scheduled to end on Saturday, could still end without a deal.
Millions of dollars in funding could be on the way for military projects in New Mexico if the U.S. House version of the defense spending bill becomes law.

The National Defense Authorization Act for 2021 sent to the floor for a vote by the House Armed Services Committee also includes funding for the cleanup of toxic chemicals caused by the use of fire suppression foam at military bases around the country.

U.S. Reps. Deb Haaland, D-N.M., and Xochitl Torres Small, D-N.M., are members of the committee.

The Senate version of the bill has already been sent to the floor in that chamber.

The NDAA is an opportunity to lay the groundwork for a future where New Mexico is at the forefront of innovation, everyone who seeks a long military career has access to success, and our military is ready for the challenges climate change presents, Haaland said of the legislation.

More than $100 million would go toward projects at Kirtland Air Force Base, according to her office. That includes $50 million for an infrastructure program that would provide improvements for schools, day cares, roads, energy upgrades and other infrastructure and $46.6 million to update an administrative building.

Another $5 million would be used to expand the solar photovoltaic microgrid pilot project at the base.

The House legislation includes $120 million for upgrades for Los Alamos National Laboratorys facilities.

Another $10 million would be used for testing hypersonic weapons capabilities at White Sands Missile Range, and additional funding would be secured for directed energy testing at the missile range, Torres Smalls office said.

Holloman Air Force Base would receive $5 million for a high speed test track.

The Magdalena Ridge Observatory would receive $5 million for its interferometer telescope to help track satellites, missile launches and deep space objects.

Sandia National Laboratories would receive $4.8 million for facility upgrades.

Haalands office said the NDAA sets aside $1.5 billion for environmental remediation and cleanup, of which $190 million will go to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) contamination cleanup around military bases that was caused by decades use of fire suppression foam. An additional $150 million would be provided for the research and development related to PFAS remediation and disposal technologies and fire suppression foam replacement.

Torres Smalls office said the legislation would require the Department of Defense and the Department of Agriculture to notify dairy farmers if there was PFAS contamination in their area.

The legislation also includes $135 million for the oversight, maintenance, and management of privatized and government-owned military family housing, Haaland said.

HAALAND NAMED TO BIDEN PANEL: Democratic presidential candidate Joe Bidens campaign named Haaland to its Climate Engagement Advisory Council.

The council will advise the campaign on mobilizing voters who are involved with climate change and environmental justice issues.

Scott Turner: sturner@abqjournal.com
The government of China's Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) announced on Saturday that people who had stayed in Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Nepal, Pakistan, the Philippines and South Africa 14 days before boarding a flight to Hong Kong must provide documents showing their negative results for COVID-19.

Hong Kong had recorded 234 imported cases of COVID-19 from June 20 to July 17, according to the HKSAR government.

A spokesman for the Food and Health Bureau of the HKSAR government said that as the epidemic situation evolves and develops, taking into account the limited capacities of Hong Kong's quarantine and isolation facilities, the HKSAR government needs to implement measures to prevent imported cases.

"To this end, having regard to the latest public health risk assessment, we consider it necessary to impose conditions on travellers coming to Hong Kong from high risk places to reduce the health risk they may bring to Hong Kong," the spokesman added.

According to the specifications by the Secretary for Food and Health of the HKSAR government, travelers from the above seven countries planning to come to Hong Kong are required to undergo a nucleic acid test for COVID-19, the sample for which was taken from the relevant traveller within 72 hours before the scheduled time of departure of the specified aircraft.

The operator of the specified aircraft should submit to the Department of Health of the HKSAR government, before the aircraft arrives in Hong Kong, a document confirming that each relevant traveller has produced such documents.

The travelers will have to undergo the COVID-19 test on arriving Hong Kong and wait for the results at a designated location. If their test results are negative, they will be allowed to go to the hotels for which they made the reservation to continue the 14-day compulsory quarantine. If their results are positive, they will be transferred to hospital for isolation and treatment, according to the specifications.

The specifications were made in view of the development and severity of the COVID-19 epidemic situation in Hong Kong. They will come into effect on July 25 and will remain effective until further notice.

People who are in transit in Hong Kong and those who are exempted from compulsory quarantine will not be affected.

Any traveler coming to Hong Kong fails to comply with the requirements to provide information, or knowingly or recklessly provides any information that is false or misleading in a material particular, is liable to a fine of 10,000 HK dollars (about 1,289 U.S. dollars) and imprisonment for six months. (1 U.S. dollar equals 7.75 HK dollars)


A Prayer for Taking the Next Step

By: Alisha Headley

And the Lord, He is the One who goes before you. He will be with you; He will not leave you nor forsake you; do not fear or be dismayed. - Deuteronomy 31:8

Sometimes we allow fear from stopping us from taking the next step. Maybe you feel God calling you to step into a new career, into ministry, a new relationship, new church, new city, or a new group of friends. Maybe you feel so strongly that God has spoken to you, but the fear of the unfamiliar seems to far outweigh the action of taking the next step. You believe God is trustworthy, yet youre content with where youre at, so you sit back and stay where you are rather than take a bold next step.

Do you know every hero we read about in the Bible did not know what was on the other side of that next step as well?

We know the ending to their stories, but at the time, they did not.

In todays Scripture, Joshuas life helps us understand that he was given assurance before He led Gods children to their promised land. Before he took the next step, God told him:

I will go before you

I will be with you

I will not leave you nor forsake you

do not fear or be dismayed

Joshua did what he knew he could not do. Like us, he was told in advance hed be able. Joshua never faced anything so frightful or potentially disparaging that God didnt see him through it.

Isnt it encouraging to know that whatever that next step you feel the Lord calling you to, He has already gone before you and is faithful to not leave you?





He will be with us throughout the entire journey, one step in front of the next. God is faithful when we walk by faith with Him, just as Joshua did along with many other heroes in Scripture.

We are appointed, equipped, and empowered. We dont have to take the next step alone. Rest in the assurance of His faithfulness. Through Christ, we can absolutely, unequivocally do anything God places in front of us. Grab onto the hem of His garment and find the faith to go where He leads.

Dear Lord,

We thank you that no journey ahead of us is too far out for you. That you know the plan, and every step in between. Father, thank you that we have nothing to fear with you leading the way. We thank you for promising us that you go before us giving us assurance before we take the next step. You are aware that we needed this confidence and assurance to rest in before we embarked on the unfamiliar. Thank you, Lord, that you have given us examples of men and women in the Bible like Joshua that have already paved the way proving their inadequacy yet your mighty power. We ask you Lord for boldness and faith to take the next step you have called us to take. Help us to trust you more, help us in our unbelief. We choose to believe you are able when we are not. We choose faith over fear as fear is not from you. We thank you in advance for your provision and for your care as we boldly take next steps. Thank you for your love of every detail of our lives down to every step we take. We love you Lord, and we trust you who has already gone before us.

In Jesus Name,

Amen.

Alisha Headley is a writer and speaker who has a desire to meet the everyday woman in her everyday life with biblical truth. Healing from a chapter of life consumed with lies she once believed about herself, she is inspired to point women to Christ to experience the freedom and power to overcome those lies with the truth written in Gods word. Alisha is a proud wifey and dog mama living in Charlotte, North Carolina.

You can follow her blog by visiting her website or connect with her on facebook + instagram.





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OTTAWAThe Canadian Armed Forces has issued new orders to military personnel as senior commanders seek to address allegations of having been soft on hate in the ranks.

The orders, which aim to take a harder line on hateful conduct, follow a rash of high-profile incidents in which the military was caught flatfooted as service members were publicly linked to hateful actions or groups.

The year before, it was more like a reaction kind of approach, acknowledged Maj.-Gen. Marc Gagne, who oversees strategy, plans and policy within the chief of military personnels office. We were reacting to cases.

The new direction also comes as the military is actively working to recruit more women, visible minorities and Indigenous people to ensure it reflects Canadian society and is better able to operate in diverse theatres.

The new order aims to leave no doubt about what constitutes hateful conduct by banning anything  words, images or symbols  that encourages, justifies or promotes violence or hatred against individuals or groups.

That includes discrimination based on nationality or ethnic background, race, colour, religion, age, gender, sexual orientation, marital status or disability.

We were talking about different forms of misconduct: sexual misconduct, harassment, discrimination, Gagne said. But hateful conduct was never clearly articulated. ... We broke new ground by developing this definition.

Troops are required to report any and all incidents while military commanders are expected to take action when incidents are brought to their attention. All have been warned that they will be held to account if they do not.

A database has also been created to track such incidents, based on the system created to monitor sexual misconduct in the ranks. New training for troops and screening for recruits is being developed.

The idea is basically as soon as you join, its crystal-clear and were going to keep reinforcing through education and training as you move through the ranks and as you assume more responsibility, Gagne said.

Bernie Farber, chair of the Canadian Anti-Hate Network, described the new orders and definition as a positive and long overdue step. But he said only time will tell whether the military follows through in addressing hate in the ranks.

Right now, these are just words, he said. They are good words ... But too often in the past, when they investigated, it has really only resulted  to the best of our knowledge  in a slap on the wrist. What we need to see from the Canadian Armed Forces is they take meaningful actions.

The new approach follows a number of incidents in recent years in which the military has been accused of not doing enough to root out hate from the ranks.

Those incidents have ranged from sailors associated with the Proud Boys group disrupting a Mikmaq ceremony in Halifax in 2017 to the case of a Manitoba army reservist who was accused of being a recruiter for a neo-Nazi group.

Patrik Mathews is currently in custody in the U.S. with two other men after disappearing from his home in Beausejour. The FBI have accused them of plotting to start a race war on behalf of The Base, a white-supremacist group.

Senior commanders also faced months of questions and criticism after a military intelligence report in 2018 identified 30 service members as belonging to hate groups or having otherwise made discriminatory or racist statements.

The Armed Forces eventually reported in November that 16 of those members had been warned, disciplined or ordered to take counselling but allowed to stay in uniform. A number of other cases were described as ongoing.

It also comes amid concerns about systemic racism within the military, RCMP and other government institutions.

Chief of defence staff Gen. Jonathan Vance and Defence Department deputy minister Jody Thomas last month apologized for their slow response to questions about systemic racism.

Service members have been told that more detailed policies and orders on systemic racism are coming soon.

Gagne said the new orders are just the first step in a much longer effort to change attitudes within the Armed Forces and ensure the military is leading by example when it comes to hate.

To change culture, to change group dynamics, to change or modify perceptions and beliefs will take time, he said But we had to take action. Somebody may think this is a one-off. But those little one-offs could erode the institution.

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Egypt confirmed on Saturday 698 new COVID-19 infections, raising the total number of cases nationwide since mid-February to 87,172, said the health ministry, Trend reports citing Xinhua.

It marked the 10th consecutive day for Egypt's daily COVID-19 infections to be below 1,000, with a record of 1,774 infections on June 19.

In a statement, health ministry spokesman Khaled Megahed said 63 patients died from the virus, bringing the death toll 4,251.

He added that 566 others were cured and discharged from hospitals, taking the total recoveries to 27,868.

Egypt announced its first confirmed COVID-19 case on Feb. 14 and the first death from the highly infectious virus on March 8.

The North African country resumed international flights on July 1 after more than three months of suspension, amid a coexistence plan to maintain anti-coronavirus precautionary measures while resuming economic activities.

The government has recently lifted a partial nighttime curfew it had been imposing since late March, and reopened restaurants, cafes, theaters and cinemas, as well as hotels, museums and archeological sites for tourists, all with limited capacity.
NEW YORK  A Black Lives Matter mural painted on the street in front of President Donald Trump's namesake New York City tower has quickly become a target for vandalism, defaced with bucketfuls of paint three times in less than a week.

In the latest incident, two women were arrested around 3 p.m. Saturday after police said they poured black paint on the block-long mural outside Trump Tower on Manhattans chic Fifth Avenue.

Bystander video showed police officers surrounding one of the women as she rubbed the paint on the mural's bright yellow letters and screamed: they don't care about Black lives and refund the police."

One of the officers slipped on the paint and tumbled to the ground, sustaining injuries to his head and arm, police said. He was listed in stable condition at Bellevue Hospital.

A police department spokesperson said the womens names and information on possible charges against them weren't immediately available.

The city's largest police union, the Police Benevolent Association, tweeted: Thankfully our brother will be OK, but this nonsense needs to stop. Our city is in crisis. Paint on the street helps no one.

Saturday's vandalism happened less than 24 hours after three people were caught on surveillance video smearing blue paint on the mural around 4 p.m. Friday while a woman littered it with flyers that referenced the recent shooting death of a 1-year-old boy in Brooklyn, police said.

Officers found the trio nearby a short time later with blue paint on their hands and clothing, police said. According to the video of the incident, one of them was wearing an All Lives Matter shirt as well as other apparel indicating support for President Donald Trump.

They were arrested, charged with criminal mischief and released with a order to appear in court at a later date.

The woman, 64, was issued a criminal court summons for illegal posting of flyers. A photo provided by police showed one of the flyers designed like an internet meme, with a close-up picture of 1-year-old shooting victim Davell Gardner Jr. under the words "DID MY LIFE MATTER" followed by a crying emoji.

Next to Gardner's picture was a message written in red marker: I wasn't killed by a cop. I was killed by a Black person. Where's BLM?

Police have released surveillance video showing two men running and pointing guns who are believed to be suspects in the July 11 shooting. Witnesses say they jumped out of a car and fired multiple shots at the group before driving away. No arrests have been made.

Meanwhile, police are continuing to look for a man in black shorts and a dark blue T-shirt who was seen splashing red paint on the Black Lives Matter mural around noon on Monday.

The words Black Lives Matter have been painted on streets in New York and elsewhere in recent weeks to show support for the movement demanding justice and reforms after the recent police killings of George Floyd and other Black people.

Mayor Bill de Blasio helped paint the mural in front of President Donald Trumps namesake tower last week.

Trump said last month in a tweet that affixing the words to Fifth Avenue in front of his building would denigrate this luxury Avenue.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 18

Trend:

The successful operation of our army, the results we achieved and the military victory have naturally inspired the Azerbaijani public, inspired our public, said President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev during the meeting of the Cabinet of Ministers dedicated to the results of socio-economic development in the first quarter of 2020 and future objectives, Trend reports.

As I said, the letters addressed to me express full support for our work. Yesterday, a group of patriotic people went to Martyrs Alley to express their attitude to this, their support for the Azerbaijani army and for me as Commander-in-Chief. I welcome this patriotic step. I was informed that these people covered a long distance on foot and on the way to Martyrs Alley chanted patriotic slogans  about me, about our army, our people, about Karabakh. This shows once again that on difficult days the Azerbaijani people can be together. It was yet another picture demonstrating the unity between the people and government. Unfortunately, after these people came to Martyrs Alley, some provocative groups apparently also blended with them, having learned about it from somewhere. Their identities are being established now, said President Ilham Aliyev.

He noted that these provocative groups committed hooliganism there, attempted to disrupt public order and resisted the police.

I instructed bodies of internal affairs to ensure that people reach Martyrs Alley, to protect their safety, regulate traffic because in many cases people moved along the road. Yesterday evening, I gave all these instructions to Minister of Internal Affairs Vilayat Eyvazov. At the same time, I said: be vigilant because it is possible that some provocative forces and those who do not like us, representatives of the fifth column, traitors may commit some kind of provocation there. Because unpleasant incidents sometime do occur at such mass events, including those not organized in advance. Therefore, along the way to Martyrs Alley, police officers performed their official duty with dignity, said President Ilham Aliyev.

The head of state pointed out that when people gathered in Martyrs Alley, order was also fully ensured.

But I want to say again, a group of provocateurs tried to cast a shadow on this wonderful and noble deed, to commit illegal actions. Naturally, internal affairs bodies very quickly put an end to their actions. Currently, their identities are being established. All of them will be held accountable, not a single person  I said it this morning  will be able to evade responsibility. Of course, they will receive the punishment they deserve within the framework of the law if they are sentenced to this punishment by court. We ask the public for assistance in identifying these people. In order to fully establish these provocateurs, I also ask the patriotic people who gathered there yesterday to inform us if they know someone who got into the video footage, tried to organize riots, so that we could find them all and punish, said President Ilham Aliyev.
Its that time of year again. Earnings season is in full swing, and investors are bracing for some bad news as companies report their second quarter results. Ahead of the upcoming prints, the Street is calling for a sharp profit decline as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and the heavy blow it dealt to the economy.

While the results could be rough for many, the pros from RBC Capital argue that the health crisis has altered consumer behavior for the foreseeable future. To this end, the investment firm, which lands within the top four on TipRanks list of Top Performing Research Firms, reevaluated several large-cap names in its coverage universe before their earnings releases, locking in on two FAANG stocks poised to emerge from the crisis as winners.

Using TipRanks database, we pulled up the details on these two stocks to find out how the rest of the Street thinks each will fare when they publish their second quarter numbers. According to the platform, both have received plenty of love from other analysts, earning a Strong Buy consensus rating.

Facebook (FB)

It has been anything but smooth sailing for social media giant Facebook, with several of its advertisers boycotting the company. Still, RBC sees plenty of positives ahead of its July 29 earnings release.

Representing the firm, five-star analyst Mark Mahaney acknowledges that a potential second wave of COVID-19 cases and the resulting reinstatement of lockdowns as well as the increasing number of advertisers taking their ad spend elsewhere could spur headwinds for this FAANG stock. However, after looking at intra-quarter data, he told clients, ...we view current Street June quarter and H2:20 estimates as reasonable to modestly conservative, given a material data point that suggests a stronger-than-expected recovery in U.S. Online Ad Spend and our analysis on U.S. Political Digital Ad Spend.

What are the exact estimates? Mahaney is calling for revenue, operating income and GAAP EPS of $17.62 billion, $4.15 billion and $1.23, respectively, versus the $17.13 billion, $4.73 billion and $1.37 consensus estimates.

Story continues

During the release, Mahaney will be paying close attention to advertising revenue growth, which he believes will slow significantly from Q1. That said, the analyst sees a recovery taking place at a much faster pace than other members of the Street, forecasting a near-full rebound in Q4. When it comes to political digital ad spend, he commented, Our analysis suggests this spend could contribute as much as 6% to FBs H2:20 North American Ad Revenue, which we believe is underappreciated in current Consensus numbers.

Margin levels are expected to dip, but investors could get good news when FB reports figures for user growth and engagement. Based on RBCs eighth social media survey, FBs penetration gained sequentially for the first time since June 2017, and the time spent and future Intent metrics notched record highs. On top of this, satisfaction and engagement for Instagram reached all-time highs, and commercial activity on Facebook Marketplace and Instagram got a boost.

Expounding on the commerce activity uptick, Mahaney stated, By making its properties more transactionable thru Facebook Shops, advertisers should find greater utility in its ad units, thus potentially translating to higher eCPMs over time. The uptick in commercial behavior on its sites gives us greater confidence that Facebook can further penetrate e-commerce advertiser budgets.

In line with his optimistic take, Mahaney stayed with the bulls. In addition to reiterating an Outperform call, he kept a $271 price target on the stock, suggesting 12% upside potential. (To watch Mahaneys track record, click here)

Looking at the consensus breakdown, most other analysts agree with Mahaneys assessment. With 28 Buys and 5 Holds, the word on the Street is that FB is a Strong Buy. At $256.92, the average price target implies shares could rise 6% in the next year. (See Facebook stock analysis on TipRanks)

Amazon (AMZN)

With respect to RBCs other FAANG stock pick, its no secret that e-commerce titan Amazon has been one of the key beneficiaries of the COVID crisis, which should be reflected in its earnings release on July 30.

Analyst Mark Mahaney, who also covers FB, recently lifted his estimates for the June quarter, now

predicting $80.7 billion in revenue. How does this compare to the consensus? It is in line with consensus as well as at the high end of managements guidance. For GAAP operating income and GAAP EPS, the figures could land at $1.5 billion and $1.90, respectively, based on Mahaneys estimates.

The key areas to focus on, according to Mahaney, will be the impact of COVID-related spend and operating margin trends. We will be listening for details on AMZNs $4 billion spenddid the company spend at expected levels; did the spend help the company get back to par in terms of speed of delivery; how much more does AMZN need to spend to get back to normal  i.e., when will One Day mean One Day and not one day, he explained. As for Q2 GAAP operating margin, the analyst expects the figure to come in at 1.8%, which would reflect a year-over-year decline of 300 basis points thanks to COVID-related costs and higher fulfilment and shipping expenses.

Additionally, Mahaney is eagerly waiting to see if its AWS segment has been a structural winner from this crisis. For this area of the business, he is calling for significant revenue growth of 33% year-over-year. When it comes to ad revenues, the analyst stated, AMZNs Ad revenue platform proved to be the most resilient in the March quarter, and we will be looking to see if it is true for the June quarter as well.

It should also be noted that a majority of consumers said the COVID-19 crisis increased their willingness to purchase online versus in-store, according to an RBC survey. Add to this the fact that eBays intra-quarter announcement suggests that eCommerce continued to see a material demand surge, and Mahaney thinks AMZN is positioned for success.

Mahaney does point out that theres still plenty of uncertainty going forward, so there is a broader range of H2 outcomes than is typical. However, all of the above make him optimistic about the giants long-term growth prospects.

To this end, Mahaney maintained an Outperform rating and $3,300 price target. Should the target be met, a twelve-month gain of 11% could be in store.

Few disagree with Mahaneys take on Amazon. Out of 39 total reviews published in the last three months, 36 analysts rated the stock a Buy, while 2 said Hold and only 1 said Sell. So, AMZN gets a Strong Buy consensus rating. Given the $2,991.34 average price target, the upside potential comes in at 1%. (See Amazon stock analysis on TipRanks)
The Congress leader takes to Twitter to lash on the BJP on allegations of horse-trading in order to topple the Rajasthan government; demands for anti-defection law in the name of 'vaccine' for what he labels is the 'Delhi virus', after a number of Congress governments fall across the country in recency.

Senior Congress leader Kapil Sibal on Sunday launched a veiled attack on Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) by comparing the ongoing political crisis in Rajasthan with the pandemic.

 Need for Vaccine: Virus of corrupt means to topple elected governments has spread through a Wuhan like facility in Delhi. Its antibodies lie in amending the Tenth Schedule. Ban all defectors from Holding the public office for 5years. Fighting the next election, he tweeted referring to the allegations made by the Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot of horse-trading and the collapse of the Congress government in Karnataka.

Need for Vaccine : Virus of  corrupt means  to topple elected governments has spread through a  Wuhan like facility  in Delhi Its  antibodies  lie in amending the Tenth Schedule Ban all defectors from : Holding public office for 5years

Fighting the next election  Kapil Sibal (@KapilSibal) July 19, 2020

Notably, Rajasthan political crisis has gone to such an extent that two FIRs were registered a couple of days back based on the complaint filed by Congress chief whip Mahesh Joshi about audiotapes, which Congress said, had conversations about an alleged conspiracy to topple the Ashok Gehlot government. Gajendra Singh, Bhanwarlal Sharma, and Sanjay Jain have been named in the FIR.

Also read: Rajasthan political crisis: Eight-member team constituted to investigate the matter

Also read: Rajasthan Royal Storm: Home ministry steps in, asks for report in tapegate charges

Former Rajasthan Deputy Chief Minister Sachin Pilot and 18 other MLAs have approached the Rajasthan High Court challenging the disqualification notice issued to them by Assembly Speaker.

Rajasthan Congress continues to remain in turmoil after simmering differences between Sachin Pilot and Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot came out in the open. The pilot was sacked as Rajasthan Deputy Chief Minister and state Congress chief on July 14.

Gehlot has blamed the BJP for attempting to destabilize the state government by poaching MLAs.

Pilot was miffed after the SOG sent him a notice to record his statement in a case of alleged poaching of Congress MLAs in the state.

Also read: Vasundhra Raje on Rajasthan political crisis: Its unfortunate, people are suffering

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OPINION: "Despite some adults fears, the students dont pursue frivolous projects. They go for the practical: bathroom renovations, cafeteria seating improvements," writes Sybil Francis of the Center for the Future of Arizona.
In the eyes of the World Health Organization, Georgias COVID-19 test positivity rate was too high for it to completely reopen.

On May 12, the WHO advised governments that, before reopening, positivity rates in COVID-19 testing should remain at 5% or lower for at least 14 days, according to John Hopkins University.

What is positivity rate?

COVID-19 test positivity rate is the percentage of tests that come back positive out of the total number of tests given. Positivity rate is important in analyzing COVID-19 data because it shows the proportion of people who got tested who have the disease. Two states can have the same number of reported cases, but if one is doing double the testing, its outbreak is probably much less serious  positivity rate lets you compare between the two.

If the positivity rate is rising, that means the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases is increasing faster, which suggests that an increase in reported cases likely cannot be fully explained by an increase in testing. President Donald Trump has suggested that an increase in testing is the reason for the countrys increase in COVID-19 cases, according to CNBC.

Johns Hopkins 5% positivity rate goal would mean that, out of all tests conducted over a 14-day period, only 5% would come back positive for the disease.

Georgias positivity rate was 16% on June 17, according to the Georgia Department of Public Health. Since it began collecting data on Feb. 1, Georgias average positivity rate is 10.3%.

If a positivity rate is too high, that may indicate that the state is only testing the sickest patients who seek medical attention, and is not casting a wide enough net to know how much of the virus is spreading within its communities, according to John Hopkins website.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, meanwhile, recommends a three phase reopening for state governments. In phase three, test availability should be widespread as to produce 10% or less positivity rate for 14 days before reopening.

A low rate of positivity could be seen as a sign that a state has sufficient testing capacity and is testing enough of its population to make informed decisions about reopening, according to Johns Hopkins.

The countrys test positivity rate increased from March to April. The U.S. did almost 25 times as many tests on April 15 as on March 15, but both the daily positive rate and the overall positive rate went up in that month, according to The Atlantic.

There are 33 states with above a 5% positivity rate, according to John Hopkins. Regionally, the South had a positivity rate of 13% over the past seven days, according to The COVID Tracking Project. Nationwide, there was a 9.2% positivity rate during the week of July 6, according to the CDC.

The red zone

A private document prepared for the White House Coronavirus Task Force also suggests that more than a dozen states should revert to more stringent protective measures, limiting social gatherings to 10 people or fewer, closing bars and gyms and asking residents to wear masks at all times. The report was published by the Center for Public Integrity, a nonprofit newsroom based in Washington, D.C.

The document says that 18 states are in the red zone for coronavirus cases, meaning that there are more than 100 new cases per 100,000 people in a population. Eleven states are in the red zone for test positivity, which means more than 10% of COVID-19 test results come back positive. Georgia is in the red zone for both categories.

Disease trends are moving in the wrong direction in Georgia with record numbers of new cases occurring in urban, suburban and rural areas, according to the report. Test positivity continues to increase. The number of tests has increased, but more testing is needed.

When the report was published on July 14, Athens-Clarke County was in the red zone, meaning that in the previous week new cases were above 100 per 100,000 and the positivity rate was above 10%.

Recommendations for county governments in the red zone include closing bars and gyms, creating outdoor dining opportunities with pedestrian areas and ensuring that all business retailers require masks.

It also recommends that local jurisdictions should be able to implement more restrictive policies and that cloth face coverings be mandated outside of the home. Gov. Brian Kemp specifically blocked local governments from mandating the use of masks and sued the city of Atlanta over the issue on July 16.

For citizens of counties in the red zone, the report recommends that masks are worn at all times outside the home, gatherings are limited to 10 people or fewer, people stop going to bars and gyms, people use take out or eat outdoors socially distanced and people reduce public interactions and activities to 25% of their normal activity.

In Georgia, Gwinnett, Fulton and DeKalb counties had the highest number of new cases over the past three weeks, Kemp said in a July 17 press conference.

Stroud Payne contributed to this report.
At long last, the self-styled freedom fighters who loudly protested Gov. Phil Murphys mask mandate have made us throw in the towel and say it: Listen to Mitch McConnell, people.

Im here to tell you, put it on, the Senate Majority leader told wackos in his home state of Kentucky on Thursday, as they pushed back against their governors new mask requirement.

He finds it astonishing that this has become a political issue in the middle of a pandemic. The single best way all of us can be responsible to ourselves and sensitive to the health of others is to wear a mask and to practice social distancing, said McConnell, who regularly masks up in public.

On the flip side, we have rebel mascot Kevin Stitt of Oklahoma, who this week became the first U.S. governor to test positive for COVID.

He refused to consider requiring masks, and almost never wore one in public himself, as he aggressively pushed to reopen his state and disregarded expert recommendations. I really dont second-guess anything, he told reporters on Wednesday. A fitting slogan for the movement.

America now has the highest growth rate of new COVID cases in the world, precisely because of leadership like this.

Here in New Jersey, state Sen. Joe Pennacchio, R-Morris, told us he hasnt changed his mind about Murphys mask order since the federal Centers for Disease Control released a new study this week, recommending mask mandates to fight coronavirus.

Wheres the science? he asked, rhetorically  before going on to declare that this should be left purely to personal beliefs, including in schools, and supplying his own conclusion on what experts say is one of the most important unanswered questions about the virus: These kids are almost immune to having and spreading COVID.

On the one hand, we have 17,000 children whove tested positive for COVID in Florida, and experts warning of a risk of lifelong pulmonary damage. On the other, we have the personal beliefs of a man who previously admitted that he contacted no actual scientific experts before siding with anti-vaxxers on legislation.

Even officials in the Trumpian stronghold of South Jersey called for everyone to wear masks outdoors before Gov. Murphy did, so its hard to see how hes exploiting a public health crisis for power, as Sen. Mike Doherty put it. He refused to come to the phone to explain.

Neither did Jamel Holley, a Democrat on the Assembly Health Committee, when we called to inquire why he posted on Instagram about the nations top infectious disease specialist: Dr. Fauci is a double agent.

Like Mitch, he provides some consolation in these divided times: Not all lunacy is naked partisanship.

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Tell us your coronavirus stories, whether its a news tip, a topic you want us to cover, or a personal story you want to share.
Alisha Aitken-Radburn has been announced as the latest intruder to appear on Bachelor In Paradise this year

Alisha, who starred on Nick 'The Honey Badger' Cummins' season of The Bachelor in 2018 and Bachelor In Paradise season two in 2019, will return to the franchise for a third time this week.

'I really enjoyed my first round of Bachelor In Paradise Australia (despite the heartbreak)', the 27-year-old told Channel 10 on Sunday.

She's back! Alisha Aitken-Radburn, 27, has been announced as the latest intruder to appear on Bachelor In Paradise this year

'And there's still a bit of me that hopes I will get my little Bach fantasy and round off my experience by meeting someone who could actually be my future,' she added.

Alisha famously enjoyed a steamy romance with Jules Bourne last season, but things fizzled out after he dumped her to pursue his connection Tenille Favios instead.

But things did not work out in Jules' favour when Tenille 'friend-zoned' him.

Third time's a charm? Alisha, who starred on Nick 'The Honey Badger' Cummins' season of The Bachelor in 2018 and Bachelor In Paradise season two in 2019, will return to the franchise for a third time this week

Afterwards, Jules pleaded with Alisha to keep him in Paradise and she eventually decided to give him a second chance.

However, the series ended with Jules dumping Alisha for a second time after she gave him an ultimatum to admit they are more than 'mates'.

After leaving Fiji, the couple went on to secretly date each other on-and-off in Australia, before Alisha chose to end things at the Bachelor In Paradise reunion.

Alisha famously enjoyed a steamy romance with Jules Bourne (left) last season, but things fizzled out after he dumped her to pursue his connection Tenille Favios instead

Second rejection: However, the series ended with Jules dumping Alisha for a second time after she gave him an ultimatum to admit they are more than 'mates'

Slamming Jules in front of a live studio audience, Alisha accused Jules of giving her false hope of a romantic future by sleeping at her house and talking about children.

'Sometimes you have to be like, "OK, this is a cycle. It's going to continue and actually I'm the only person who can change this",' she said.

'So, I'm going to change it and this is my night for closure. It doesn't mean you're not going to be in my life. You're going to be in my life as like a fun girlfriend.'

Bachelor in Paradise continues Tuesday at 7.30pm on Channel 10
Prime Minister Modi calls up Assam CM Sonowal, vowing his support on the ongoing flood situation, spread of Covid-19 in the state, and on conditions of fire in Baghjan oil well, as the state sees a cumulative destruction of lives and assets in a series of incidents transpiring of late.

Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal on Sunday said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi took stock of the situation regarding floods in the state, COVID-19, and Baghjan oil well fire scenario.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi ji took stock of the contemporary situation regarding Assam floods, COVID-19 and Baghjan Oil Well fire scenario over the phone this morning, the Assam Chief Minister said.

Sonowal said that the Prime Minister expressed concern and solidarity with the people of Assam and assured all support to the state.

At least 79 people have lost their lives in Assam due to severe flooding, informed the Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA) on Saturday.

Also read: Delhi Rains: Houses collapse in Anna Nagar after heavy downpour, video goes viral

Also read: 2 dead as heavy rains lash Delhi-NCR

A Flood Report issued by the ASDMA stated that the river Brahmaputra was flowing above danger level in several places in the state, and a total of 26 districts have been affected so far. The total number of revenue circles affected is 79 and over 2,678 villages were devastated by the floods.

The gas well of Oil India Limited at Baghjan, Tinsukia had caught fire on June 9.

While according to the Union Health Ministry, there are 22,918 COVID-19 cases in the state.

Also read: Assam floods: 76 dead, 54 lakh affected in 30 districts

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Though severe COVID lockdowns and troubling transmission rates across Victoria may fuel a scale of apprehension and despair not witnessed in generations, they are the very reason that state and national leaders need to rally the country.

Lockdown bites: An empty Flinders Lane. Credit:Getty

Its not just about Victoria. Yes, we are an outlier. And there will be time enough to properly investigate the missteps and incompetence that seem to lie behind the current outbreak. But that should not be an invitation for petty point-scoring between jurisdictions in what must be, now more than ever, a sustained and unwavering national effort to inspire hope and project the optimism that will carry us through the current crisis.

Victoria is certainly paying the price for a botched hotel quarantine system, but other states and territories should not vaunt their current numbers too much. I certainly hope they continue to enjoy no or low infections, but COVID-19 has proved difficult to tame.

Despite the debate, principally among health and medical experts, between those urging upon governments a policy of eradication and those supporting a strategy of suppression, the better view seems to be that eradication is not viable and could not be as effective. Consequently, no one is immune completely from outbreaks.
The propellor of their 35ft (10m) vessel became jammed at approximately 10.20am this morning

Lifeboat crew towed the yacht to Dun Laoghaire Harbour. Weather conditions at the time were describes as good with a slight wind and good visibility.

Speaking following the call out, Mark McGibney, Dun Laoghaire RNLI lifeboat Coxswain said: "This can happen to anyone but its great to see the people involved wearing lifejackets and have the correct means of communication to call the Irish Coast Guard for help, which was the case today.

"Id like to take this opportunity to ask everyone to make sure that their vessel engines and safety equipment are checked and in working order before taking to the water."
By PTI

BENGALURU: COVID-19 cases may peak in India as early as mid-September provided strong public health measures are in place and people behave in a responsible manner to contain the virus, President of Public Health Foundation of India, Prof. K Srinath Reddy, said on Saturday.

Speaking to PTI, he expressed concern over the microbe spreading with renewed vigour, as confirmed infections and deaths crossed one million and 25,000 respectively in India earlier this week.

"Ideally we could have and should have prevented it reaching this level, but even now we should try our best and contain it as quickly as possible", the public health expert said.

"Different places (States) would peak at different times", Reddy said on the rising COVID-19 cases.

He, however, added that India may see COVID-19 cases peaking as early as in two months if there are strong public health measures and people take all precautions like wearing face masks and maintaining physical distance.

"If everybody does what needs to be done", he said when asked if he is confident that the cases would peak within two months.

"It depends on public and government action".

Reddy, who formerly headed the Department of Cardiology at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences, said up to the second phase of lockdown, control measures were very strict as India tried to contain the spread.

But subsequently after May 3, when relaxation started -- resumption of economic activities were important -- very strong levels of public health activities like household survey for any cases with symptoms, quick testing and isolation and vigorous contact tracing, among others, should have been maintained, he said.

"All those precautions. public health measures, as well as personal cautionary measures in terms of how to behave in a public place, started slipping since then, and slipped further after lockdown was fully lifted", according to him.

So it appeared as though we were in a "sudden release phenomenon".

It was almost like students celebrating immediately after school exams, even though results were a few months away, Reddy, who presently serves as an Adjunct Professor of Epidemiology at Harvard, said.

There has been slipping up of necessary cautions in public gatherings, as well as in public health activity, he said.

"We spent too much time focusing on hospital bed capacity. That was also necessary, but the whole area of contact tracing was left essentially to policemen rather than seen as a public health function", he said.

"Building up strong contact tracing, household surveillance of people with symptoms, getting them tested quickly, all of these measures should have been taken much more".

Not following up with strong public health measures and a dilution of cautionary behaviour in public contributed to the rapid spread of the virus, said Reddy, who has been involved in several major national and international research studies, having been trained in cardiology and epidemiology.

"Our main thing now is to prevent the virus getting deep into rural India. Small towns and rural areas must be protected as much as possible, particularly rural areas because that is where two-thirds of India is. If we can prevent that, we can still prevent the damage", Reddy added.
Nueces County in Texas has confirmed that 85 infants under the age of one have tested positive for coronavirus since the start of the pandemic as they urge the public to use greater caution.

Among the children who tested positive was a baby boy under six months old, who died from the infection.

Another was a newborn whose mother also had the virus, according to KIITV.

It is not known how the children are suspected to have become infected and an update on their condition was not given.

Nueces County Public Health Director Annette Rodriguez confirmed that 85 infants under the age of one have tested positive for coronavirus since the start of the pandemic

Public Health Director Annette Rodriguez confirmed in a press conference Friday that the 85 infants are each younger than one but offered no other details.

'These babies have not even had their first birthday yet. Please help us to stop the spread of this disease', Rodriguez said.

She warned the public that they need to stop the spread of coronavirus by staying home except for necessary trips, socially distancing and wearing masks in public.

Rodriguez has also urged people to not take their children to the store or places where they know there's a greater risk of catching the virus, KIITV reports.

'These children are not two yet, they are under one,' Rodriguez said. 'They cannot wear a mask and so they are unprotected.

'Some people may say 85 doesn't sound like a lot compared to 8,000. It's all how you look at it you know. Are these your children?'

According to USA Today, the number of children under the age of one who have tested positive for coronavirus in the area has now reached one percent of the county's total cases.

Earlier this month, a baby young than six months old died from coronavirus in the county, Nueces County Medical Examiner Adel Shaker revealed.

'Its not anything that anyone can be prepared to face, even with the best plan,' he said.

KIITV also reported that another child under the age of one who tested positive for coronavirus died at home from Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. Officials did not know if the death was related.

Nueces County and Corpus Christ has seen a dramatic spike in cases in July

Nueces County, which contains the city Corpus Christi, has 8,176 cases in total, as of Friday.

It had avoided a high number of coronavirus cases when the pandemic first hit the United States but is now experiencing one of the fasted growing outbreaks in the state, according to the Texas Tribune.

In the last two weeks, the beachfront location has added more than 2,000 cases.

'Nueces County has the fastest growth in new cases on the seven-day average than any other metropolitan county in the state,' Corpus Christi city manager Peter Zanoni told CNN.

'You can see the trend line is relatively flat until July, and this is where we have had that huge spike in cases, and this is why its turned into a major problem for Nueces County.'

Texas has also emerged as one of the new largest coronavirus U.S. hotspots in recent weeks.

Texas health officials reported more than 10,000 new cases for a fifth consecutive day on Saturday and said 130 more people have died due to COVID-19, the disease caused by the virus.

It bring the total number of reported cases in Texas to 317,730 and the number of deaths to 3,865.

The true number of cases is likely higher because many people have not been tested, and studies suggest people can be infected and not feel sick.

Republican Gov. Greg Abbott is stressing that the widespread use of face coverings could avoid another lockdown, which he hasn't ruled out as cases in the state continue to mount.

Yet local officials are calling on him to allow individual counties to introduce their own lockdowns, as cases in Cameron and Hidalgo counties become so dire that refrigerated trucks have been called in for bodies.

'Texas is now not where it should be relating to fighting Covid-19. Therefore, your office should take immediate action to rewind the efforts to reopen the state quickly; which came about by ignoring CDC guidelines,' state representatives Sheila Jackson Lee and Joaquin Castro said in a letter.

'We need to provide local authority to local counties and cities to do what is in the best interest of their communities.'
Imperial Valley News Center

President Donald J. Trumps Historic Deregulatory Actions Are Creating Greater Opportunity and Prosperity for All Americans

Washington, DC - "Weve begun the most far-reaching regulatory reform in American history." ~ President Donald J. Trump

LEADING HISTORIC REGULATORY REFORM: President Donald J. Trump has led a historic effort to eliminate unnecessary and costly regulations that hurt American businesses and families.

Under President Trumps leadership, Federal agencies have taken more than 7 deregulatory actions for every significant regulatory action.

President Trumps deregulation efforts have already reduced regulatory costs by $50 billion and are on track to reduce regulatory costs by at least that much in fiscal year 2020 alone.

The Presidents Governors Initiative on Regulatory Innovation is working to reduce outdated regulations, advance occupational licensing reform, and align Federal and State regulations.

The Administration continues to take action to modernize and accelerate environmental reviews in order to complete infrastructure projects in a timely and efficient manner.

The President is rolling back regulations that harm American workers, including providing relief to farmers by repealing the burdensome Obama-era Waters of the United States Rule.

In 2019, the President signed two executive orders to increase transparency in Federal agencies and protect Americans and their small businesses from administrative abuse.

LIFTING UP AMERICANS: President Trump is driving down costs for consumers and helping low-income Americans, who are disproportionately burdened by overregulation.

Deregulation is lowering costs for all Americans, particularly benefitting low-income individuals who are disproportionately burdened by overregulation.

The Administration cut red tape in the healthcare industry, providing Americans with more affordable healthcare and saving Americans nearly 10 percent on prescription drugs.

Deregulation of both prescription drugs and internet access helped the poorest fifth of households eight times more than the wealthiest fifth of Americans.

The Administration replaced costly Obama-era fuel standards with the Safer Affordable Fuel Efficient (SAFE) Vehicles rule, making cars more affordable for low-income Americans. This rule is expected to lower the price of new vehicles by $2,200, according to the Council of Economic Advisers.

The President established a council to reduce regulatory barriers to affordable housing.

SUPPORTING FAMILIES AND BUSINESSES: The Administrations historic deregulatory efforts are putting money in Americans pockets and helping businesses prosper.
They found fame in the 2018 David Attenborough documentary "Dynasties". But numbers of painted dogs in Zimbabwe's Mana Pools National Park are at their lowest level in 10 years. Predators, poor soils, inbreeding, tourism operators and some film crews could be among the reasons why.

In 2010 there were around 100 painted dogs, also known as African wild dogs, in Mana Pools, a UNESCO World Heritage Site along the Zambezi River in the north of Zimbabwe. That number has dwindled to as few as 20, according to the Painted Dog Conservation group (PDC).

Right now the population is really fragile and we dont really understand the reasons why, said Peter Blinston, executive director of PDC, which has a research team stationed in the park.

One big factor may be the soil at Mana Pools: it's hard to dig unlike softer soils in Hwange National Park, where there's also a population of painted dogs.

When painted dogs want to move their dens  as they do when the dens become flea-riddled or when predators like lions and hyenas become too much of a threat  it's much harder in Mana Pools because the dogs can't dig out new ones.

In fact in Mana Pools the dogs typically return to the same dens year after year. In other parts of Zimbabwe, the animals dig new holes each denning season, which typically lasts from June-August.

If the Mana dogs feel absolutely compelled to move, they have to resort to using holes already made by burrowing animals like aardvarks or porcupines.

Genetic bottleneck

Evidence of inbreeding has now been accurately recorded in the park for the first time  a likely consequence of the drop in numbers.

"There is much we do not know about the dynamics of rapidly shrinking populations and how that affects their survival and persistence," says Ellie Armstrong, a Stanford University biologist and PhD candidate who, together with other researchers, has been working with PDC to gather genetic data on wild dogs, including those in Mana Pools.

Story continues

"Our initial results reveal incredibly low genetic diversity and signs of inbreeding. We have also detected parasites and bacterial infections in several individuals," she told RFI.

"It is our hope that we can shed light on some of the driving factors affecting the wild dogs at Mana Pools before they are locally extinct."

Across Africa, painted dog numbers have plummeted from a high of around 500,000 in the early 1900s to just 7,000 now. Zimbabwes total painted dog population is estimated at just 700, including the Mana Pools population.

New blood

A pack of painted dogs was recently relocated there. This was done primarily to prevent the dogs eating the goats of livestock farmers in the Mpindo area, near Hwange National Park but there's also a possibility they could boost the Mana Pools gene pool.

The newcomers have been kept in an acclimatisation pen at Wilderness Safaris for the past 10 months with support from Zimbabwe's national parks authority. The three adults and 16 pups are due to be released in early September.

Falling populations may require a shift in behaviour by those keen on viewing the animals.

Weve seen in the past 10 years dogs move their den, and those have [sometimes] been in instances where there has been a lot of foot traffic from tourists, Blinston said. He could not say "100 percent" whether this was to do with human disturbance or rather harassment from hyenas and lions.

But because the dogs don't move den often, safari operators know where to find them, bringing tourists close. Film crews can also be a threat because of how near they need to be to the animals.

If [the dogs] are disturbed, theyll move more often. And often pups perish on that move, says Blinston.

Finding a balance

Zimbabwes national parks closed to the public on 30 March as part of a coronavirus lockdown. They have since reopened.

Conservation group the Zambezi Society says painted dog dens should be out of bounds, except for legitimate research, while the pups are still in them.

This season is different, but in the prior couple of seasons there has been real abuse by certain tour operators, said Richard Maasdorp, the societys strategic director.

Ive tried to bring this to the general tour operators attention that theyre starting to lose the ambience of Mana by crowding in on animals, he said. "In the interest of tourism and conservation it is recommended that the relevant parties meet to develop protocols for viewing painted dogs and other iconic species."

The PDC's Blinston says curiosity shown towards the dogs by visitors to the park should be weighed against the animals' well-being.

If nobodys interested in them their future is even more bleak. So, its finding that balance  you want people to want to see the dogs, but to also be respectful.
Ontario education requires transformational leadership, July 12

We do now need transformational leadership. We are so fortunate that we finally have it through this government and Education Minister Stephen Lecce, who has made it clear that not only is there systemic discrimination within all levels of the system, but that action must be taken now to bring about meaningful change.

Discrimination within the system has been reported for years. Students of different races, cultures, socio-economic backgrounds and needs have suffered for far too long.

Previous governments allowed boards of education, staff, teacher unions and the college of teachers to deny, delay, deflect and find excuses for not addressing the root of the problem: institutionalized racism and able-ism.

Thanks to Lecce for letting everyone know they must begin to take appropriate and meaningful actions to achieve equity and inclusion for all students. Their roles and responsibilities have one major common component: to serve the students and to act in their best interests.

Christin Ferreira, Scarborough

Because Black Lives Matter, we applaud the Ministry of Educations decision to end streaming in Grade 9 and to stop suspending elementary school students.

It is essential to address systemic racism and promote equitable education and life opportunities.

The good news is that many teachers can and already do provide effective instruction for students of all backgrounds and abilities, learning together.

Faculties of education prepare educators to respect and encourage students as individuals, not according to levels and limits.

Students who are valued members of diverse classrooms learn better academically and learn how to create a more equitable society.

Paula Boutis, Integration Action for Inclusion

Sick Kids has recommended a full return to school in the fall, yet this is not Education Minister Stephen Lecces plan.

Instead, there is a potential plan for part-time schooling. This only serves those who do not work full time or have regular access to daycare. It does not address the needs of working parents.

Part-time school or hybrid models serve to create economic separations.

When child care spaces are not available, and family members are not able to help with care, it will be the parents, most likely mothers, who are forced to leave their employment or become under-employed.

A responsible government would be working directly with school boards, teachers and parents to ensure our children are cared for physically and mentally.

A responsible government would fund more janitorial services, have a cleaning plan for schools, stagger entrance and break times, and hire more teachers to reduce class sizes.

A responsible government would have a plan to support the mental well-being of our children who have suffered great stresses during this time.

Brenda Mackey, Burks Falls, Ont.

Step away from streaming a good first move for PCs, Cohn, July 11

Martin Cohns column on destreaming math makes some good points. And, in a perfectly funded classroom, with smaller class sizes so teachers can help students more effectively, and teacher assistants to provide one-to-one help, destreaming might live up to its promise.

However, one problem that has been overlooked is the math curriculum: For years it has been too wordy and confusing.

Students have been subjected to a math curriculum that has left most of them confused and unable to do math. So they view themselves as being no good at math and have no interest in considering careers that need math. Its our loss as a community.

Destreamed math courses in Grade 9 will have students who are products of this poorly designed and implemented grade school math curriculum. This combination will not add up to success.

Dianne Ness, East York

Ontario education requires transformational leadership, Gooch, July 12

Tiffanys Goochs column raises issues with which I agree completely: about the need for the government and the education sector to approach the very challenging opening of schools in a safe manner for all concerned in a collaborative manner.

However, when she places the blame solely on the minister for having sown distrust during the recent negotiations, I think she is missing some balance.

Salary negotiations between unions and employers are set up, by their very nature, as oppositional. Positions are taken, angry things are said in the heat of those sessions by both sides.

It would be nice if it werent so. But it is. It would be nice if co-operation were the way of conducting these negotiations. It would certainly be helpful at this time.

But to blame the minister solely for this state of affairs is not fair. The union leadership must take some responsibility.

Bill McInerney, Fonthill, Ont.

Ending streaming is long overdue, Editorial, July 6

The problem isnt streaming, but rather chronic neglect and underfunding of applied level programs by a succession of governments, both Liberal and Conservative, since the 1990s.

When I was a teenager in the 1980s, my small-town high school could boast of its first-rate woodworking, welding, auto and machine tool shops, all packed with industrial grade equipment.

The instructors were knowledgeable about their crafts and dedicated to the students who werent especially bookish or academically inclined, but loved to fix engines or create beautiful ironwork and hardwood furniture.

Sadly, fiscal austerity executed in the name of the Harris governments commonsense revolution decimated many of these courses, all of which are quite expensive to operate.

Much needed reinvestment in applied-level learning, not de-streaming, is what Ontario requires as part of a post-pandemic economy recovery.

Alec Lalonde, Ottawa

Streaming is an insidious form of systemic discrimination, Letters, July 9

Streaming was never created to discriminate against students of different races, backgrounds and abilities/disabilities; it was intended to give students an alternative to university who had little chance or interest to succeed in academics, but could enter into applied arts.

Faculties of education do teach all teachers the best practices to enable them to teach all students. But placing students of all levels in one classroom has proven to be an unworkable situation.

There are numerous barriers that exist for students in achieving equity in the classroom. But removing streaming wont solve that.
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Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Sun, July 19, 2020 06:43 549 6657ac82168da9fa101c8a4066776d49 4 City omnibus-bill,omnibus-bill-on-job-creation,riot,Jakarta-police,protest,rally,suspect,hip-bill,pancasila-ideology-bill Free

The Jakarta Police has named one of 20 arrested protesters a suspect for reportedly inciting a riot during a protest against the omnibus bill on job creation in front of the House of Representatives complex in Senayan, Central Jakarta, on Thursday.

Jakarta Police spokesperson Sr. Comr. Yusri Yunus said the suspect had allegedly thrown rocks at a police officer standing guard during the rally, without providing further details about the suspect.

We have yet to find out [who started the riot] because most of the detainees were students or unemployed, Yusri said on Saturday as quoted by kompas.com.

Read also: Thousands stage rally against controversial bills currently under deliberation

Labor groups, university students and other civil groups staged rallies in front of the House complex demanding that the legislative body stop deliberating the controversial omnibus bill on job creation, as well as revoke the Pancasila Ideology Guidelines (HIP) bill from the National Legislation Program (Prolegnas).

The rally turned into a riot, however, after several protestors began throwing rocks at the police, who responded by shooting tear gas. Twenty people were arrested for allegedly inciting the riot.

Yusri went on to say that the police had released the other 19 detainees on Saturday. They were questioned as witnesses and the police can summon them again at a later date, according to tempo.co. (dpk)
The coronavirus crisis has left many UK businesses in a worse position to cope with a no-deal Brexit, according to a think tank.

Three out of five firms have not even begun to prepare for the end of the transition period on 31 December due to ongoing uncertainty about the future relationship with the EU, the Institute for Government said.

Some are unwilling to spend money on preparations that may prove unnecessary and many feel they have been burnt before by the near miss of 2019, it added.

Since the pandemic took hold in February, and with the formal lockdown taking effect in late March, government and business resources have been focused on responding to the pandemic, rightly prioritising this over Brexit preparations, the IfG said in its latest report.

Firms reeling from the economic consequences of coronavirus are poorly placed to prepare for Brexit: in many cases, in a worse position than in the months leading up to the potential no deal in October 2019.

The think tank argued that the pandemic has starved firms of cash, derailing Brexit preparations such as investing in new customs processes or stockpiling.

It also suggested that even the best-prepared businesses could be severely affected by new friction at the EU-UK border.

Brexit does not end on 1 January 2021, the authors of the report say. Some aspects of a deal could take several months, or even years, to be implemented fully, and negotiations on certain areas may also continue.

Unilateral decisions taken by the UK or EU could, at a later point, alter the shape of the relationship and necessitate further legislative or practical steps to be taken by both sides. The UK will be adapting to the effects of Brexit for many years to come  which both business and government should be prepared for.

The IfG urged the government to take account of Brexit in its economic response to coronavirus and provide targeted support for the businesses least prepared for the end of the transition period.

It also criticised the Get Ready for Brexit campaign run in the lead-up to the possible no-deal Brexit 31 October.

Any communications campaign needs to build on clear, signposted information about what steps business needs to take  and when, the think tank said. The government should learn the lessons of the flawed Get Ready for Brexit campaign and present information in a way that reflects how business operates on the ground.

In rejecting an extension to the transition period, the government has set itself a monumental task. With time running out it must now begin fighting on two fronts: keeping the public safe while also preparing it for 31 December  and beyond.
Thousands in Khabarovsk, Russia Protest the arrest of regional governor

By VOA News July 18, 2020

Tens of thousands of people took to the streets of the Russian city of Khabarovsk Saturday to protest the arrest of the region's governor on charges related to multiple murders in 2004 and 2005.

Local media reported that 15,000 to 50,000 people joined the rally in the Far East city, 6100 kilometers from Moscow.

The protests of the arrest of Sergei Furgal have taken place every day this week in the city of 590,000 residents.

Many of the demonstrators believe the charges are politically motivated. They have questioned why investigators waited so long to accuse a public official.

Furgal, the popular Khabarovsk region governor and a member of the nationalist Liberal Democratic Party, has denied the charges. He was arrested two weeks ago and flown to Moscow where he was ordered jailed for two months.

Russia's Investigative Committee said he was suspected of involvement in several murders of businessmen, before his political career began.

Furgal was elected governor in 2018. His unexpected victory was seen as a challenge to President Vladimir Putin's policies and the main Kremlin party, United Russia.

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Copyright  2020 Albuquerque Journal

For weeks, the 2020 U.S. Census update/leave process  through which census packets are hand-delivered to homes without traditional mailing addresses  was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

In counties where most residents receive census packets this way, such as Rio Arriba and Taos counties, the self-response rates remained much lower than other counties, such as Los Alamos. In Rio Arriba, where nearly every resident gets their mail through a post office box, 97.5% of residents receive packets.

These packets invite residents to participate in the census and provide them with a 12-digit identification number that officials say is the most accurate way to respond.

Operations resumed in May when workers with the U.S. Census Bureau began dropping off census packets at residents doors in some of the most rural parts of the state.

Since the Bureaus update/leave operation resumed, response rates in harder to reach counties have started increasing, while still lagging behind many other parts of the state. As of Thursday, Rio Arriba had a response rate of 23% and 28% of households in Taos County responded. Catron County had the lowest rate, at 18%.

Officials with the bureau have said update/leave is now completed in New Mexicos non-tribal areas and their offices will now shift focus to door-to-door visits from census workers set to start in August.

However, census organizers from local counties and former bureau employees told the Journal that the bureaus update/leave process has left a lot to be desired.

We didnt start out on a level playing field, said Cristina Caltagirone, who heads census efforts for Rio Arriba County.

Caltagirone said many people have still not received their packets, while some residents have seen up to five packets on their doorstep. Others, not knowing they needed their packets, threw them away entirely.

Even she, whose full-time job is to focus on the census, has not received any packet from the bureau.

Half my road got their packets, half of them didnt, said Caltagirone, who lives in Velarde.

Officials from the state have also taken notice of the number of packets not dropped off. State Demographer Robert Rhatigan said its not clear why, but that the lack of forms received has become obvious in many counties, such as Rio Arriba and Taos.

It just continues to happen, Rhatigan said. Clearly, something in that operation has gone wrong and I dont know what that is.

For many residents in update/leave areas  where telephone and interview services can be minimal at best  not receiving a packet means they have to wait for a census taker through a process called Nonresponse Follow-Up (NRFU).

Gillian Joyce, 2020 Census outreach coordinator for Taos County, said getting a packet to someone the bureau missed is sometimes impossible.

If we have individual people who didnt receive packets, we dont have a way to get that information to the bureau, she said.

All those interviewed, including the bureau, said it is unknown how many people did not receive census packets.

Millions at stake

How, exactly, packets did not get dropped off or came in duplicates during the update/leave is unclear.

Mercy Alarid, senior partnership specialist for the bureau in New Mexico, said the bureau has worked to update and verify addresses through the Local Update of Census Addresses program (LUCA), which gives state and local governments the chance to review addresses before the census begins.

Alarid said they are not concerned about completing the census, even given the households that do not respond. However, an October 2019 report by the U.S. Government Accountability Office found the bureau reviewed only 16% of the more than 5 million address updates sent by local governments. All those unreviewed address changes could make for additional field work for the bureau.

Avoiding this unnecessary fieldwork could have saved the Bureau millions of dollars when following up with non-responding households, the report states.

The report also notes that while the state did participate in the LUCA program, many local and county governments in New Mexico did not, limiting the number of addresses verified. In fact, more than half of the counties, including Rio Arriba and Taos, did not participate at all.

Alarid said counties were given the opportunity to participate if they wanted.

On June 23, the Rio Arriba County Commission passed a resolution asking Attorney General Hector Balderas to investigate problems with the census, which sets the stage for a historic if not catastrophic undercount of our residents, the resolution states.

The catastrophe, county officials say, is the millions of dollars in federal funding lost if households are not counted. In Rio Arriba, a 1% undercount would result in $11 million less in federal funding over the next decade.

Operating in isolation

For local organizers, the lack of packets distributed comes after weeks of communication issues with the bureau. These issues were laid out in a June 9 letter sent by Rio Arriba and Taos counties, and other census organizers to New Mexicos Congressional delegation.

The Census Bureau is operating in isolation from our outreach operations at both the State and County levels, the letter states.

The letter goes on to highlight multiple alleged issues, including contradictory messaging from the bureau, the Census Bureaus lack of awareness of challenges facing northern New Mexico and census workers not wearing personal protective equipment.

Caltagirone said she is not allowed to communicate with local staff. Others interviewed for this story acknowledged organizers can contact only a select few within the bureau.

The lack of cooperation and collaboration at the local level to try to tailor the campaign to meet that situation is really striking, said Caltagirone, adding tribes are especially hard hit by the lack of communication.

Alarid said that communication between the bureau and complete count committees has been consistent and she denied many of the assertions in the letter to the Congressional delegation.

I dont agree with what theyre saying, that our messaging was inconsistent, she said.

Still, communication has improved slightly since the letter was sent, county organizers said.

The bureau has now begun shifting to the NRFU process, but some fear the same problems with finding correct addresses in update/leave areas will persist.

I feel for those folks, Rhatigan said of census workers. Theyre going to have a very hard time in some of our communities.

Peacetime effort

Caltagirone said the rural nature of many addresses makes it difficult for census takers to visit residences, especially if they are not from the area.

Theres no way they can get people to go to the fragmented and dispersed number of houses we have across the county, she said.

Caltagirone said its unlikely that the bureau will have enough workers for the NRFU process, given that theyve had trouble staffing what few events they have been able to put on. Others interviewed also said turnover in the bureau has been high, leading to a revolving door of employees that makes organizing difficult.

Alarid said they have enough workers for NRFU. However, she declined to disclose exactly how many workers and whether shes witnessed high turnover in the bureau.

I cannot disclose that, she said. We do not share that with the media. We just dont. Thats internal information for us, but we do have enough staff.

Alarid also said they have hired thousands of employees who will be on-boarded at an undisclosed location, since swearing in must be done in person.

Despite the organizing efforts surrounding NRFU, some feel the mistakes made with packets during update/leave have put some communities too far behind, leaving many rural residents unlikely to be counted in the census.

I feel at this point its inevitable, Caltagirone said.

The census is often referred to as the nations largest peacetime effort  but for some residents more can still be done.

It is the largest peacetime operation, but it still seems like its just falling short, Caltagirone said.

Residents have until October 31 to respond to the census, after the federal government extended the deadline due to the worldwide outbreak of COVID-19.
Market Segmentation & Coverage: This research report categorizes the Biodiesel to forecast the revenues and analyze the trends in each of the following sub-markets: On the basis of Feedstock, the Biodiesel Market is studied across Algae, Animal Fat, Jatropha, and Waste Vegetable Oil.

New York, July 08, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Reportlinker.com announces the release of the report "Biodiesel Market Research Report by Feedstock, by Application - Global Forecast to 2025 - Cumulative Impact of COVID-19" - https://www.reportlinker.com/p05913591/?utm_source=GNW





On the basis of Application, the Biodiesel Market is studied across Automotive Fuel, Cleaning, Heating Oil, Power Generation, and Solvents & Cement Manufacturing.



On the basis of Geography, the Biodiesel Market is studied across Americas, Asia-Pacific, and Europe, Middle East & Africa. The Americas region is studied across Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Mexico, and United States. The Asia-Pacific region is studied across Australia, China, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Philippines, South Korea, and Thailand. The Europe, Middle East & Africa region is studied across France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Qatar, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Spain, United Arab Emirates, and United Kingdom.



Company Usability Profiles:

The report deeply explores the recent significant developments by the leading vendors and innovation profiles in the Global Biodiesel Market including ACCIONA Energy, American Energy Producer, Archer Daniels Midland Company, BIOX Corp., Cargill Inc., China Biodiesel International Holding, Crimson Renewable Energy, Deerfield Energy, Green Earth Fuels LLC, Imperium Renewables, Neste Corp., and Wilmar International Limited.



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The FPNV Positioning Matrix evaluates and categorizes the vendors in the Biodiesel Market on the basis of Business Strategy (Business Growth, Industry Coverage, Financial Viability, and Channel Support) and Product Satisfaction (Value for Money, Ease of Use, Product Features, and Customer Support) that aids businesses in better decision making and understanding the competitive landscape.



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The Competitive Strategic Window analyses the competitive landscape in terms of markets, applications, and geographies. The Competitive Strategic Window helps the vendor define an alignment or fit between their capabilities and opportunities for future growth prospects. During a forecast period, it defines the optimal or favorable fit for the vendors to adopt successive merger and acquisition strategies, geography expansion, research & development, and new product introduction strategies to execute further business expansion and growth.



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Arguing that there is a statue of Robert Clive in Kolkata, a council in England has rejected a petition signed by thousands of people to remove the statue of the controversial 18th century colonialist in the wake of the Black lives matter campaign.

The Shropshire council has voted in favour of retaining the statue of the man who is credited with laying the foundation of the British empire in India. The first governor of the presidency of Fort William, Bengal, Clive died in London 1774, leaving behind a controversial legacy.

Peter Nutting, the Conservative leader of the council, mentioned the statue in Kolkata as one of the reasons to retain it, implying that when post-colonial India has chosen to retain it, the statue in the England should also be kept in place.

Steve Charmley, deputy leader and portfolio holder for assets, economic growth and regeneration, said the statue, which has stood in Shrewsburys square since 1860, is listed (a protected monument) and would require consultation with authorities to remove it.

Reports from Shropshire said that at the full council meeting, 28 councillors voted in favour of the recommendation of no further action on the removal of the statue, while 17 voted against the proposal and one councillor abstained.

After thousands signed a petition to remove the statue, thousands more signed a counter-petition, insisting that removing statues does not change history nor help us learn from it. Shropshire has been influenced by the actions of Robert Clive, whether we condone all of his actions or not.

Clives statue is among several across the UK sought to be removed by campaigners. They include Mahatma Gandhis statue in Leicester, where the local council is due to decide on a petition calling for it to be removed from the arterial Belgrave Road, the hub of Asian culture and business.

The BLM campaign witnessed protests across the UK after George Floyds death in the US, gathering momentum after the statue of slave trader Edward Colston was pulled down in Bristol in early June. The campaign has prompted a review of public spaces in London and elsewhere on symbols of racism, colonialism and slave trade.

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Patna, July 19 : Dubbing the coronavirus situation in Bihar as "explosive", a state Congress leader on Sunday demanded speeding up of the testing process and taking up this exercise at the doorsteps of people.

Senior Congress leader and former state Youth Congress President Lallan Kumar said that increase in corona cases in the state and decline in the recovery rate was a cause for "concern".

"The decreasing recovery rate is exposing Bihar's public health system," he told the media in Patna.

He said that the recovery rate in Bihar on Saturday was 63.17 per cent compared with 64.36 per cent a day earlier.

On July 12, Kumar added, the recovery rate among cured patients was 73.31 per cent while on July 13 and July 14 it fell to 70.97 per cent and 69.06 per cent respectively.

"The Health Department data confirms that the recovery rate is declining. On July 15, Bihar's recovery rate was 67.08 per cent while on July 14 the rate dropped to 69.06 per cent. This exposes the health system of Bihar," Kumar added.

The Congress leaders said that the detection of corona patients in Bihar was more than many states while the state government was busy covering it up. Testings have to be increased and people need to stay safe by following social distancing, he added.
Government is likely to make a decision today regarding the closure of schools that will attempt to satisfy those both for and against the closure of schools, according to a report by the City Press.

Department of Basic Education (DBE) minister Angie Motshekga has been in discussions with various stakeholders this week regarding whether schools should remain open.

According to the report, most unions contended with Motshekga on Friday that since South Africa has one of the highest rates of infection in the world, school closure discussions are urgent.

SADTU general secretary Mugwena Maluleke said that the call to shut down schools is about saving lives.

We cannot, as a developing country, adopt the Western countries approach in building community immunity by sacrificing lives. We must protect the public by suppressing transmission, said Maluleke.

Professional Educators Union president Johannes Motona agreed that schools needed to close.

More and more cases are being reported, and this makes the school environment not conducive for quality teaching and learning because there is a lot of anxiety for teachers and pupils, said Motona.

In response, Motshekga reportedly asked unions whether teachers should expect to be paid while not working.

A DBE representative said that this could set a bad precedent for the future.

This could just demoralise the whole public service, said the representative.

School calendar

On 11 June, Motshekga published the amended school calendar for 2020.

The four school terms for 2020 are gazetted as follows:

Term 1: 15 January  18 March

15 January  18 March Term 2: 8 June  7 August

8 June  7 August Term 3: 12 August  23 September

12 August  23 September Term 4: 5 October  15 December

This means that between Term 2 and Term 3 there will only be a single days holiday, as Monday 10 August is a public holiday and all but one of the other days between these two terms fall on weekends.

However, to make up for this, Term 3 will only comprise seven weeks.

Earlier this month, however, the government postponed the return dates of some grades.

It had been gazetted that Grade R, 1, 2, 3, 6, 10, and 11 learners would all return to school on 6 July.

However, only Grade R, 6, and 11 learners returned on this date.

We will adjust the reopening phases based on the risk-adjusted strategy, which is a considered attempt to balance our approach to school reopening taking into account all factors that affect the work we do, said DBE minister Angie Motshekga.

She said the DBE has come to this decision by observing the rising numbers of community COVID-19 transmissions throughout the country.

We recognised that schools are based in communities and learners live in the same affected communities and therefore a careful balancing act must be maintained, said Motshekga.

Big delays to original reopening

The DBE was criticised earlier this year for the significant delays in its strategy to return learners to school.

Following the closure of schools on 18 March, Grade 7 and 12 learners were set to return to school on 1 June.

However, this date was postponed by a week because schools had not been prepared for these learners return.

According to Godwin Khosa of the National Education Collaboration (NEC) Trust, learner PPEs were not widely available by 1 June.

Khosa said that many of the issues regarding PPE were on the supplier side.

These included shortages of stock  particularly in the cloth mask market  while some of the appointed suppliers did not have adequate stock themselves or the ability to produce them, said Khosa.

Some suppliers misrepresented their ability to supply this PPE, Khosa added.
The Christian Council of Ghana has raised concerns over what it describes as demonic forces Ghanas politics must be devoid of.



According to Rt. Rev. Prof. J. O. Y. Mante, I have observed some four demonic forces in Ghanas politics that must be exorcised. We may in future make time to break down and expatiate on them more carefully, but for the sake of time, I will only touch on them briefly.



To him, the demonic in Ghana's politics include sabotage, tribalism, hate speech, and abuse of power are the four activities they want to be addressed in the political sphere.



This was contained in the Councils Chairman, Rt. Rev. Prof. Joseph Obiri Yeboah Mantes speech read during the outdooring of the groups Eminent Persons.



The Four Demonic Forces in Ghana'[s politics include;



1. The demon of wishing the downfall of a ruling government just to gain political points. We should note that anytime this demonic trait is triggered we all lose as a country; we never progress in our development as a country in that kind of environment. This spirit must be exorcised.



2. The demon of ethnic or tribal polarization. There are people in this country who sometimes give the impression that some tribes are more Ghanaian than other tribes. The worse thing is that they use it politically during the elections period. This is a demon that must be exorcised. This position can be held by either the ruling government in power. Ghana does not belong to any particular ethnic or tribal group; it belongs to all of us-Dagombas, Kusaasis, Bonos, Asantes, Ewews, Fantes, Kwahus, Akyems, Akuapems, etc, we are all one people. The politics of tribal polarization during the electioneering campaign is demonic and it must be stopped immediately and exorcised from our growing democracy.



3. The demon of uncultured and hate speech and lies. Just because of elections people insult other peoples character and personalities; some very young men (small boys and girls) just insult others who are far older than them to even be their fathers and mothers. Sometimes one wonders who nurtured such people. This attitude is a disgrace in Ghanas politics and it must be eschewed. Do we want to teach the younger generation that politics ais a dirty game? Is that what we want to leave with our children? This is a shame and a demon that must be exorcised.



4. The demon of violence and abuse of power. There are people who talk about violence and act violently. They exhibit these characteristics during electioneering campaigns. Sometimes their leaders acquiesce and support them by not saying anything. When those who speak and act violently are supported by those in power then there is no country but anarchy. This is definitely evil.







Source: Josephine Acheampomaa/[email protected]









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(CNN)  Two towering figures of the American civil rights movement died Friday, a major loss for a nation still grappling with protests and demands for racial equality decades after their struggle.

John Robert Lewis died at age 80 after a battle with cancer. Rev. Cordy Tindell "C.T." Vivian died at age 95 of natural causes.

Both men were the epitome of "good trouble" -- Lewis' favorite saying and approach to confronting injustices guided by his belief in nonviolence.

They worked alongside the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. in the forefront of the historic struggle for racial justice in the 1960s.

At the time, their bloody beatings during protests shocked the nation and galvanized support that led to key changes in the fight for racial justice. For their years of jailings, confrontations and unyielding demands for justice, they both received the highest civilian honor from the nation's first Black President.

John Robert Lewis

John Lewis was more than an icon of the civil rights movement. He was also a beloved Georgia congressman, a political force and an ally for marginalized communities nationwide.

"Today, America mourns the loss of one of the greatest heroes of American history: Congressman John Lewis, the conscience of the Congress," House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said in a statement.

Lewis, a Democrat who served as the US representative for Georgia's 5th congressional district for more than three decades, was considered a moral conscience of Congress because of his belief in a nonviolent fight for civil rights. He called it good trouble.

His passion for equal rights was backed by a long record of action that included dozens of arrests during protests against racial and social injustice.

A follower and colleague of Martin Luther King Jr., he participated in lunch counter sit-ins, joined the Freedom Riders in challenging segregated buses and -- at the age of 23 -- was a keynote speaker at the historic 1963 March on Washington.

"We do not want our freedom gradually; we want to be free now," he said at the time.

"Sometimes when I look back and think about it, how did we do what we did? How did we succeed? We didn't have a website. We didn't have a cellular telephone," Lewis has said of the civil rights movement.

At age 25, he also helped lead a march for voting rights on the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, where he and other marchers were met by heavily armed state and local police who attacked them with clubs, fracturing Lewis' skull.

Images from that "Bloody Sunday" shocked the nation and galvanized support for the Voting Rights Act of 1965, signed into law by President Lyndon B. Johnson.

President Barack Obama awarded him the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2011.

Cordy Tindell Vivian

C.T. Vivian was also a major force in the civil rights movement. He worked alongside King and the Southern Christian Leadership Conference in the struggle for racial equality.

He was also part of the Freedom Riders.

His civil rights actions started decades ago with his first nonviolent protest in 1947 -- a lunch counter sit-in in Peoria, Illinois.

Vivian had a strong religious upbringing and he and other ministers founded the Nashville Christian Leadership Conference, an affiliate of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference. The group helped organize sit-ins and civil rights marches.

Some of the marches ended in violence against him. He once led a group of people to register to vote in Selma, Alabama, despite defiance by a local sheriff who blocked the group.

"We will register to vote because as citizens of the United States we have the right to do it," he told the sheriff. The sheriff responded by beating Vivian until blood dripped off his chin in front of rolling cameras. The images helped galvanize wider support for change.

Vivian also created a college readiness program to help care for children kicked out of school for protesting racism.

The US Department of Education used his program as a guide to create Upward Bound, which was designed to improve high school and college graduation rates for students in underserved communities.

In the late 1970s, Vivian founded an anti-racism organization that focused on monitoring the Ku Klux Klan.

Obama awarded him the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2013.

This story was first published on CNN.com "The US loses two icons of the civil rights movement in one day."
Most of the festival's activities are being planned for outdoors venues, including the opening and closing ceremonies

Related Egypt's Gouna Film Festival delayed by one month The fourth edition of the El Gouna Film Festival, which will take place from 23 to 31 October, will hold many of its activities at outdoor venues, including the opening and closing ceremonies, amid the challenging circumstances of the coronavirus pandemic.

To ensure social distancing, the festival will allow less than half of the total capacity at events inside cinemas, the festival organisers said on Wednesday.

The festival will also enhance its virtual capabilities to allow greater online participation, the statement said.

The dates of the event had been postponed by a month in light of the coronavirus.

The festival founder, businessman Naguib Sawiris, has renewed the leadership of director Intishal Al Timimi, assisted by co-founder and chief operations and foreign relations officer Bushra Rozza, artistic director Amir Ramses, and festival co-founder Kamal Zadeh, who is also financial advisor.

It will be the first public event hosted at the Gouna Conference and Culture Centre (GCCC).

Held in El Gouna, a luxurious Red Sea resort town established by businessman Samih Sawiris, the film festivals activities are organised by CineGouna Platform.

It is sponsored by Orascom Development Holding.

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New Delhi: With the highest single-day spike of 38,902 cases reported in the last 24 hours, India's total COVID-19 tally on Sunday reached 10,77,618, informed the Union Health and Family Welfare Ministry on Sunday.

The death toll has gone up to 26,816 with 543 fatalities reported in the last 24 hours. The Health Ministry said the total number of cases includes 3,73,379 active cases and 6,77,423 patients have been cured/discharged/migrated.

This was the fourth consecutive day when the number of COVID-19 cases increased by more than 30,000.

Maharashtra remains the worst affected state with 3,00,937 cases reported until Saturday.

Here's the state-wise data of coronavirus cases across India:

S. No. Name of State / UT Active Cases* Cured/Discharged/Migrated* Deaths** Total Confirmed cases* 1 Andaman and Nicobar Islands 53 145 0 198 2 Andhra Pradesh 22260 21763 586 44609 3 Arunachal Pradesh 373 274 3 650 4 Assam 7700 15165 53 22918 5 Bihar 9392 15536 208 25136 6 Chandigarh 203 485 12 700 7 Chhattisgarh 1551 3658 24 5233 8 Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu 186 414 2 602 9 Delhi 16711 101274 3597 121582 10 Goa 1425 2038 21 3484 11 Gujarat 11233 34035 2122 47390 12 Haryana 5885 19318 344 25547 13 Himachal Pradesh 410 1036 11 1457 14 Jammu and Kashmir 5797 7165 236 13198 15 Jharkhand 2685 2611 46 5342 16 Karnataka 36637 21775 1240 59652 17 Kerala 6420 5199 40 11659 18 Ladakh 173 985 1 1159 19 Madhya Pradesh 6193 14864 706 21763 20 Maharashtra 123678 165663 11596 300937 21 Manipur 709 1182 0 1891 22 Meghalaya 350 66 2 418 23 Mizoram 117 167 0 284 24 Nagaland 546 432 0 978 25 Odisha 4678 11937 86 16701 26 Puducherry 800 1066 28 1894 27 Punjab 3092 6454 246 9792 28 Rajasthan 6803 21144 553 28500 29 Sikkim 185 90 0 275 30 Tamil Nadu 49455 113856 2403 165714 31 Telangana 12764 30607 409 43780 32 Tripura 914 1735 5 2654 33 Uttarakhand 1143 3081 52 4276 34 Uttar Pradesh 17264 28664 1108 47036 35 West Bengal 15594 23539 1076 40209 Total# 373379 677423 26816 1077618

Meanwhile, as per the information provided by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), 1,34,33,742 samples have been tested for COVID-19 till July 18, of these 3,61,024 samples were tested yesterday.
The Duchess of York put on a very animated performance as she read a children's book for her YouTube Channel today.

Sarah Ferguson, 60, was reading The Dinky Donkey by Craig Smith for her series Story Time With Fergie and Friends.

Fergie has been very dedicated to her channel since the start of the coronavirus pandemic, sharing a video every day, and has not taken a break in spite of her own daughter getting married on Friday.

The video was shared just two days after the wedding of Sarah's eldest daughter Princess Beatrice, who tied the knot with Italian beau Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi at the Royal Chapel of All Saints at Royal Lodge on Friday.

The Duchess of York put on an animated performance as she read a children's book for her Youtube Channel today. Sarah Ferguson, 60, read The Dinky Donkey by Craig Smith for her series Story Time With Fergie and Friends

The mother-of-two, whose daughter Princess Beatrice tied the knot on Friday, appeared to have great fun in the video

Accompanied by an adorable toy donkey, the mother-of-two seemed happy and excited to share the story of Dinky Donkey with her 4.580 followers.

The Dinky Dinkey is a follow up to the viral sensation the Wonkey Donkey and marries Smith's prose with the charming illustrations of Katz Crowley.

It follows the adventures of the daughter of Wonky Donkey, who has the same boisterous character as her father.

The Dinky Donkey book is a fun ready full of tongue twisters sure to make little ones laugh all the way through.

Sarah's dog also made a guest appearance in the back of the camera shot - but Fergie appeared to engrossed in her story to notice

Royal fans took the opportunity to congratulate the Duchess on her daughter's beautiful wedding when she announced today's video on Instagram this morning.

'Congratulations to you all on Princess Beatrices wedding day, such beautiful pictures and she looked absolutely stunning,' wrote one, while a second penned: 'Congratulations Sarah ...your daughter looked absolutely gorgeous. What a lovely couple they make.'

A third added: 'Your daughter looks stunning in her wedding pictures,' while a fourth commented:'Congrats for your daughter Princess Beatrice, my favorite royal.'

Beatrice's wedding was initially due to take place on May 29, but had to be postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic.

She eventually decided to have an intimate ceremony in front of 20 close ones, which included her mother Sarah, father Prince Andrew, grandmother the Queen and grandfather the Duke of Edinburgh.

Prince Beatrice, 31, tied the knot with Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi at the Royal Chapel of All Saints at Royal Lodge on Friday
A dog travelled around 60 miles a week after missing from his family's home in Olathe, Kansas. The canine showed up at the front door of his former house surprising the present residents.

Colton Michael with his family had moved into their home in Lawson, Missouri two years ago, in November 2018.

Where did the dog come from? She wouldnt let us quite come near her, said Michael.

Michael checked the 4-year-old Labrador, named Cleo, for a microchip. It is 57 miles door-to-door and Cloe would have had to cross a river at some point to make it back to her former home. Michael came across Cloes owners Facebook post mentioning the missing of his dog, a week earlier. He discovered that the dog belonged to the house's former residents, who now live in Olathe.

"She finds her way home, and theres some strangers living in it. That would be scary for anybody, Michael said.

When Michael decided to inform Drew, Cleos, owner about the dog, he couldnt believe she walked home. Nonetheless

Drew felt happy to be reunited with Cloe as she meant everything to him and his family.

Neither of the families is able to understand and explain Cleo's long expedition. Its a mystery, something we will probably never know, said Michael.
Islamabad, July 19 : In an unprecedented move, the Pakistan government went public with the assets and nationalities of all 15 Special Assistants to the Prime Minister (SAPM), bringing to light that seven of them were either dual nationals or held another countrys permanent residency.

The details of their assets and nationalities have been put up on the website of the Cabinet Division, reports The Express Tribune.

Information Minister Shibli Faraz tweeted on Saturday that the information had been made public on the instruction of Prime Minister Imran Khan.

The list, however, does not include Adviser to the Prime Minister on Finance and Revenue Abdul Hafeez Shaikh and Adviser to Prime Minister on Commerce and Investment Abdul Razak Dawood.

The move comes in response to growing criticism and calls for declaring the assets of the people close to the Prime Minister.

The seven SAPMs are Sayed Zulfikar Bukhari (UK), Nadeem Afzal Gondal (Canada), Nadeem Babar (US), Moeed Wasim Yusuf (US), Shahzad Syed Qasim (US) and Tania Aidrus (Canadian by birth and holds the permanent residency of Singapore).

Meanwhile, SAPM on Political Communication, Shahbaz Gill, holds a Green Card.
News

Washington, DC - Friday, President Donald J. Trump announced his intent to nominate the following individuals to key positions in his Administration:

Andre Bauer, of South Carolina, to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to Belize.

Andre Bauer is a political leader, commentator, and real estate developer in South Carolina. Mr. Bauer served as a member of the South Carolina House of Representatives as a State Senator, and as the Lieutenant Governor of South Carolina from 2003- 2011. He was the National Chairman of the Republican Lt. Governor Association in 2005 and he appeared as a political analyst and commentator on CNN from 2016  2019.

Mr. Bauer also served as a Major in the South Carolina State Guard from 2010  2015. He has worked in real estate development since 1991 and currently is the proprietor of Bunk Aviation, a real estate holding company in Charleston, South Carolina.

Mr. Bauer received his B.A. degree from the University of South Carolinas College of Applied Professional Sciences in 1991. He is the recipient of a number of honors including the South Carolina Republican Party Terry Haskins Awards for Legislative Leadership.

Sue Ghosh Stricklett, of Maryland, to be Assistant Administrator of the United States Agency for International Development (Bureau for Asia).

Sue Ghosh Stricklett is an attorney in private practice with over twenty-five years of experience in national security law and foreign affairs. The scope of her practice includes Foreign Corrupt Practices Act compliance, intellectual property licensing and technology transfer, U.S. dual-use and defense trade control licensing, and sanctions law enforcement. She has served as an Asia policy advisor to three Presidential campaigns and several major Indo-American advocacy organizations.

Ms. Stricklett hails from Queens, New York, and is a graduate of the State University of New York, Buffalo. She earned her J.D. from the Columbus School of Law at the Catholic University of America.

Friday, President Donald J. Trump announced his intent to appoint the following individuals to key positions in his Administration:

Michael Miklos, of New Jersey, to be Deputy Administrator of the Transportation Security Administration, Department of Homeland Security.

Mary G. Vought, of Virginia, to be a Member of the National Council on Disability.

Daniel C. Schreck, of Connecticut, to be a Member of the National Council on Disability..
The noble family of Pacai (Pacowie) of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania and Lithuanian baroque (Kaunas, Lituanie)

Universite Vytautas Magnus, Kaunas, Lituanie

The noble family of Pacai (Pacowie) of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania and Lithuanian baroque

International scientific conference, dedicated to

the 400th birth anniversary of the GDL Chancellor Krzysztof Zygmunt Pac (16211684)

Universite Vytautas Magnus, Kaunas, Lituanie

13-14 mai 2021

The noble family of Pacowie (Pacai) is important to the history of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania in many respects. The members of the family  famous statesmen, public figures, the mouthpieces of religious culture, the patrons of art. The prominent members of the family: the Chancellor of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania Krzysztof Zygmunt Pac, his father Stefan Pac, the Vice-chancellor of the GDL, the Grand Hetman of the GDL Micha Kazimierz Pac, the Bishop of Vilnius Mikoaj Stefan Pac, the Bishop of Samogitia Kazimierz Pac, Samogitian Doyen Piotr Pac and the others. The noblemen Pacowie (Pacai) were extremely active and profitable in the Baroque period. The Baroque of the GDL is hardly imaginable without the churches and monasteries establishes by them. Not only their mansions in Vilnius and Warsaw astonished everybody with magnificent architecture, but the palaces in the provinces (in Jieznas, for example) as well. Nevertheless there are not enough fullscale research works analysing the influence of Pacowie (Pacai) on social-political life in the GDL and on the development of artistic culture.

Krzysztof Zygmunt Pac was the Chancellor of the GDL for a long period of time, during the reign of three kings (16581684); he was the founder of several churches and of the monastery, had his residence in several mansion-houses and constantly participated in diplomatic contests in the Commonwealth of Both Nations and abroad. The Chancellors French wife Claire Isabelle Mailly de Lascaris was the first lady at the Queens manor.

Our international conference The Noble Family of Pacowie (Pacai) of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania and Lithuanian Baroque is being organised feeling the need to spotlight the significance of the Pacowie (Pacai) and especially of the nobleman Krzysztof Zygmunt Pac for the Baroque culture. We kindly invite historians, art critics, literary researchers and other scholars of the humanities and social sciences to participate in the conference and to discuss the issues we propose:

 The problems of the genealogical research of Pacowie (Pacai) family, the biogramsof the most prominent members of the family

 The influence of Pacowie (Pacai) on the political life in the Commonwealth of Both Nations

 The political consciousness of the nobility in the GDL in early modern times

 Cultural contacts of the nobility in the GDL in the Baroque period

 Baroque art, the Church and the society in the GDL

 The tradition of Baroque Rhetoric and its expression in the GDL culture

 The phenomenon of church foundation and patronage by Pacowie (Pacai)

 The destiny of Pacowie (Pacai) heritage in Lithuania and abroad.

We kindly ask you to send the title and short abstract of your paper till October 15 via e-mail: ricardas.jaramicius@vdu.lt

The languages of the conference: the languages of the historiography of the GDL and English.

The conference will be held in Vytautas Magnus University (Kaunas) and in Pacowie (Pacai) mansion in Jieznas.

The steering committee:

Prof. Dr. Irena Buckley (chair)

Prof. Dr. Vaida Kamuntaviciene

Prof. Dr. Mindaugas Paknys

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Indre Zakeviciene

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ausra Vasiliauskiene

Ricardas Jaramicius

Milda Gineikaite

Sponsors:

Vytautas Magnus University, Kaunas City Municipality, The Embassy of France in Lithuania, Jieznas Eldership
Life will never be quite the same for any of us after 2020.

When Boris Johnson appointed me Secretary of State for Northern Ireland in February, I was honoured to be given a chance to take forward the huge advances which have been made in Northern Ireland.

After a three-year absence of devolved government, the New Decade, New Approach deal struck in January 2020 ensured Northern Ireland politics was in a positive place; a place of hope.

The Irish Government played a key role alongside the UK government in working together with Northern Ireland's political leaders to bring about a deal to get the Executive up and running again.

Last Thursday, I was glad to meet Taoiseach Micheal Martin during his first official visit to Northern Ireland since taking up office. I am pleased that Mr Martin has re-appointed Simon Coveney as the Minister for Foreign Affairs and I very much look forward to continuing our good working relationship.

Of course, there were bound to be challenges as the new Executive settles into a rhythm of work, but there was, and still remains, a real sense of purpose and a determination that all the political parties would put their shoulder to the wheel.

Little did any of us realise that the first challenge, not only for the Executive but for all of us was dealing with the global coronavirus pandemic. Close working between the health departments and administrations across these islands was a vital tool in the effort to fight coronavirus.

Together with our health service professionals and the public, we put in place comprehensive measures to protect our families and communities across the island of Ireland. We also saw many young doctors and nurses fly home to Ireland and Northern Ireland from right across the world to use their knowledge and skills in helping fight this pandemic. We owe them a huge debt of gratitude.

Earlier last week, I had the opportunity to attend a virtual meeting of the British Irish Chamber of Commerce. As well as delivering our guarantee on unfettered access for Northern Ireland businesses to the whole of the UK market, it was clear from the conversations with key business partners that we must continue to work together to maximise future opportunities for all businesses across these islands.

The UK has left the European Union and we are now in the final six months of the transition period, which ends on December 31. During this time, it is important that we build upon the close relationships that we have.

In the ongoing UK-EU negotiations, we want a relationship with the EU that is based on friendly co-operation between sovereign equals and centred on free trade.

We want to strike the best, fairest deal with the EU as has been successfully done with other friendly countries like Canada or Australia.

Throughout those negotiations, and as we implement the protocol, our top priority remains to preserve the huge gains from the peace process and the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement.

The protocol is a practical solution which means there will not be a border on the island of Ireland.

It was also never intended, and does not include any provision for creating a border in the Irish Sea. The protocol says, it "should impact as little as possible on the everyday life of communities".

We will proceed in a way that can command the broadest possible support across the community. That means a consensual pragmatic approach that respects the integral links across the UK on which so many rely for the flow of goods, for their businesses and to live their daily lives, and protects both the UK Internal Market and the EU's Single Market.

At the end of this year, the process of transition to this new relationship will be complete, and the UK will chart a new course into the future, in control of our laws, our borders and our own trade for the first time in decades. But the Taoiseach was right when he observed last week that where we have common ground, we should work together to maximise the benefit for all.

That is why the UK government will guarantee in law that NI businesses will have unfettered access to the whole of the UK - there can be no tariffs on goods remaining within the UK customs territory and there will be no need for any new customs infrastructure in Northern Ireland.

But we also want to see those same businesses having the opportunity to trade with their partners across the island of Ireland, and vice-versa.

Finally, but importantly, looking ahead to 2021, we will also mark 100 years since the creation of Northern Ireland, and the formation of the United Kingdom as we know it today.

We want to use this opportunity to promote Northern Ireland on the world stage and celebrate its people, culture, traditions and enterprise as well as its vital contribution to the United Kingdom, the island of Ireland and internationally.

I look forward to working with the Irish Government in reflecting on our past, as we have done throughout this decade of commemorations, also celebrating what Northern Ireland has become and its bright future - a vibrant, peaceful place, brimming with opportunities.

We want to celebrate our unique people and their history, and provide a platform for renewed and even stronger cooperation between our two countries.

Brandon Lewis CBE MP is Secretary of State for Northern Ireland
To the Times:

My state representative, Chris Quinn,R-168 of Middletown, sent me his weekly update and announced the passage of a bill to amend the Pennsylvania Constitution to ensure representation during emergencies. He proudly crowed the people you elected to represent you in these matters have been shut out of the process, effectively silencing your voice. We must ensure this never happens again.

I am irate.

Quinn and the Republican leadership in the House and Senate have shut me out of the process and effectively silenced my voice for years as they failed to bring HB 23/22 to a vote. Since 2016, I have volunteered and supported Fair Districts PA to end gerrymandering in our commonwealth. I helped organize educational programs, collected signatures, called my representatives, contributed money, and rallied in Harrisburg.

In the past four years, over 100,000 citizens have signed petitions in support of independent citizen commissions to draw the voting district boundaries. 354 governing bodies in the commonwealth, including 21 counties representing 8.8 million citizens, have passed bipartisan resolutions to urge redistricting reform. Two thirds of the citizens in the state support these efforts.

I had a personal meeting with Mr. Quinn on this important topic. He was pleasant and was a sponsor of these bills. However, it is completely obvious that he has no influence on the Republican leadership and that his party consistently refuses to bring important and widely supported bills out of committee.

Chris Quinn does not deserve a second term as my representative.

I am voting for Democrat Deb Ciamacca in the 168 District. I urge you to vote for Deb or the Democratic candidate in your district to make sure that the Republican Party cannot silence our voices in the future.

Martha B. Bryans, Newtown Square
COLONIE  The number of New Yorkers who report being affected by opioid abuse has grown in the last two years, with 59 percent reporting that they or someone they know has abused opioids and 29 percent reporting they know someone whos died of an opioid overdose, a new Siena College Research Institute poll shows.

Those figures are up 5 percentage points each since the poll was first taken in 2018, from 54 percent and 24 percent, respectively. Notably, however, a shrinking majority of New Yorkers believe the opioid crisis is getting worse: Just 65 percent say the problem of opioid abuse has gotten worse over the past two years, down from 83 percent in 2018.

Theres a sense that its still an incredibly serious and demanding problem, but theres a lessening of the worsening, said Don Levy, director of the Institute. I dont like to put those two words together, but thats the best way to describe it. The degree to which the problem is worsening is slowing.

A big caveat about the data: Siena surveyed New Yorkers on the opioid epidemic just as the coronavirus pandemic was starting to be felt in New York.

More than 1,370 people took the online poll from March 3 to 21. Since then, counties across the state and Capital Region have reported a significant increase in opioid and drug overdoses  a problem that public health experts believe is undoubtedly linked to the pandemic and the stress, isolation and upheaval it has caused.

Courtesy of Siena College Research Institute

Still, the survey reveals some important things about the publics shifting attitudes toward the opioid crisis, their beliefs about whos to blame and who should be held accountable, and their support for various solutions that have been proposed.

It also showed that opioids werent the only public health issue on peoples minds prior to the pandemic. Concern about e-cigarette use and vaping rose a whopping 20 percentage points from 2018 to 2020, with 85 percent of New Yorkers now reporting such use as very or somewhat serious.

Concern for marijuana use rose 4 percentage points from 52 percent to 56 percent. While the latter may reflect increased legalization talk in recent years, both attitude shifts follow last summers outbreak of vaping illness, which largely impacted those who had used THC-containing vapes from the black market and other informal sources.

Doctors have gotten the message

A majority of New Yorkers say awareness of the opioid crisis has grown and believe institutions are working collaboratively to solve it, the Siena poll found. They say doctors and pharmacies are behaving more responsibly when it comes to filling opioid prescriptions and warning of the risks associated with them.

Nearly seven in 10 New Yorkers said doctors have become more careful in the past two years about prescribing opioids. Of the 29 percent who said they were prescribed opioids in the past two years (this is up from 25 percent in 2018), 76 percent said they feel they were prescribed the right amount compared with 70 percent who said that in 2018. Only 19 percent said they were given too many opioids by a doctor, down from 23 percent.

Courtesy of Siena College Research Institute

Additionally, New Yorkers say doctors and pharmacies are talking more about the risks associated with opioids. Of those who were prescribed opioids in the past two years, 64 percent said their doctor talked about risks and 61 percent said their pharmacist talked about risks, up from 51 percent and 42 percent, respectively.

The data points to doctors having, in effect, gotten the message, Levy said. Theres a sense that doctors are not prescribing to the degree that they were, that theres more of a tendency to prescribe the right amount of pills, and that theres far more effort being made when they prescribe to say, here are the risks. Those are all, I think, real positives.

More pursue treatment, but barriers remain

Survey responses suggest that more people may be pursuing treatment for opioid addiction and that, when they do, theyre finding it easier to access.

Twenty-three percent of respondents said they, a family member or close friend has pursued treatment for opioid addiction in the past two years, up from 18 percent two years earlier.

The stigma, maybe, is lessening a bit, Levy said of the increase.

Special Investigation 147 NY dams are 'unsound,' potentially dangerous Thousands of dams have not been inspected in over 20 years.

There is also a growing perception that treatment is easier to access: 48 percent of respondents said they believe it is very or somewhat easy to access treatment in their area, up from 40 percent in 2018.

Courtesy of Siena College Research Institute

However, respondents also recognized that barriers to treatment exist: 48 percent of survey-takers said that insurance refusing to cover the cost of adequate treatment is a barrier they have heard of in their area. Other barriers respondents reported hearing of include: treatment programs not working with individuals for a long enough period (42 percent), poor follow-up after a patient completes a treatment program (42 percent), and insufficient space in treatment facilities (31 percent).

Support for once-controversial, evidence-based treatment modalities also appears to be growing: 68 percent of survey-takers said they would support improving access to medications like methadone and buprenorphine, which have been shown to reduce cravings and withdrawal symptoms. Thats up from 60 percent in 2018. More people also support syringe exchange programs (63 percent, up from 59 percent in 2018).

More striking was the 7-point increase (41 to 48 percent) in people who say they would support funding for supervised injection sites. The sites  which allow people to use illicit drugs under trained, hygienic supervision  have reduced fatal overdoses and infectious disease spread in Canada, Europe and Australia but remain controversial.

A number of them have been proposed in the U.S., including in New York City, but have been either outright blocked or stalled from moving forward. Leaders of progressive cities and states, such as New York, have said they support the sites but claim they fear legal retaliation by the Trump administration, which has threatened to shut them down. A judge in Philadelphia last year ruled that the sites, which would operate as pilot programs, do not violate federal drug laws.

According to the Siena poll, support for the proposal in New York comes largely from Democrats, Levy said. The idea remains unpopular among Republicans and Independents, he said.

New York is always so interesting in terms of, you know, where do the moderates, where do the independents fall on that type of issue, and at present theyre not on board, he said. So this is one of those issues where moderates look more like Republicans than they look like Democrats.

The Siena poll was commissioned by Prescription for Progress  a Capital Region-based coalition of leaders in health care, business, government, media and law enforcement working to combat the opioid epidemic locally and statewide.
The death of a one-month-old baby due to alleged lack of medical care spiralled into a controversy on Sunday, as opposition parties lashed out at the government here on Sunday. The Congress blamed rampant corruption and incompetency in handling the Covid crisis for the childs death.

The incident came to light after father of the child, Venkatesh Naik, staged a protest in front of the chief ministers residence on Saturday. His son was diagnosed with a heart-condition around a week ago and was recommended immediate hospitalisation. Though he along with his wife visited multiple hospitals in the city, they refused to admit the infant resulting in his death.

Its tragic that a one-month-old baby died due to lack of medical care. The devastated father protested in front of Chief Minister B S Yediyurappas residence. This governments rampant corruption and incompetency in handling this crisis is making peoples lives miserable, KPCC president D K Shivakumarvsaid.

He said that Venkatesh had travelled for 36 hours in Bengaluru and at least 10 hospitals denied him admission. Will you take responsibility for this tragedy? Shivakumar asked, adding that ministers in the government were busy looting while people suffered.

The Aam Aadmi Party also attacked the government over the infants death.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-07-20 01:06:05|Editor: huaxia

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HOUSTON, July 19 (Xinhua) -- U.S. Navy teams began to be deployed in Texas to help combat the spread of COVID-19, Texas Governor Greg Abbott said on Sunday.

Abbott announced that the U.S. Department of Defense has sent five U.S. Navy teams to four locations in south and southwest Texas. Beginning Sunday, one U.S. Navy Acute Care Team will provide support in southern Texas. Another four U.S. Navy Rural Rapid Response Teams will support hospitals in south and southwest Texas, said the governor.

These teams consist of medical and support professionals which are being deployed to help meet medical needs in hospitals throughout the state, Abbott added.

"The support from our federal partners is crucial in our work to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 in our communities throughout Texas," he said. "The State of Texas will continue to utilize every resource available to protect public health and keep Texans in every community safe."

At the governor's request and as part of a whole-of-nation approach, U.S. Army Urban Augmentation Medical Task Forces (UAMTF) arrived in Texas to support the Houston and San Antonio areas earlier this month.

Confirmed COVID-19 cases, deaths and hospitalization continue to soar in the southern state. According to Texas Health and Human Services, Texas added 10,158 new confirmed cases on Saturday, making the total number to 317,730, with 3,865 deaths. Enditem
A seven-feet-long crocodile, which had ventured out into the fields in Kelanpur village of Vadodara district, has been rescued and handed over to the State Forest Department.

We got a call from Kelanpur village about a crocodile entering their village. When we reached there, we found the crocodile in the field. We rescued it and handed it over to the Gujarat Forest Department for rehabilitation, a person involved in the rescue work said.

A crocodile was rescued by wildlife rescuers from Kelanpur. Crocodile was handed over to Forest dept.#vadodara #wildlife pic.twitter.com/r9MDkrw9Ex  My Vadodara (@MyVadodara) July 18, 2020

Gujarat: A crocodile was rescued by wildlife rescuers from Kelanpur village of Vadodara. It was later handed over to the Forest Department. pic.twitter.com/t2QAr11epM  ANI (@ANI) July 18, 2020

He said this is the seventh incident of crocodile entering an area with settlement in Vadodara district. We have to keep our safety in mind while rescuing the animals as they dont know that we are trying to help them and may attack us, he said.

Also Read | Team rescues baby gator chilling in family pool in Florida, netizens love the tiny reptile
People hold signs during a rally in support of the Supreme Court's ruling in favor of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, in San Diego, California June 18, 2020. About 7,000 Indian American youth receive protection under the DACA program, allowing them to remain in the U.S. without fear of deportation, and also to work. (Sandy Huffaker/AFP via Getty Images)
New Delhi: Megastar Amitabh Bachchan, who tested positive for coronavirus last week, is constantly sharing updates from the hospital on his social media accounts. In his latest post, he expressed gratitude to people for their wishes and prayers for him and his family. The picture shared by him also features his son Abhishek Bachchan, daughter-in-law Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and granddaughter Aaradhya Bachchan, who are also COVID-19 positive.

"We see your love .. we hear your prayers .. we fold our hands .. in gratitude and thanks," Big B wrote.

Amitabh Bachchan, Abhishek, Aishwarya and Aaradhya are admitted to Mumbai's Nanavati Hospital. Earlier, only Big B and Abhishek were hospitalised. However, on Friday, Aishwarya and Aaradhya, who were home qurantined, were also rushed to the hospital after they showed mild symptoms.

Amitabh Bachchan's wife Jaya Bachchan, daughter Shweta Bachchan Nanda and her kids Navya Naveli and Agastya, meanwhile, have tested negative for coronavirus.

The Bachchans' Jalsa residence has been declared a containment zone and sanitisation drive was carried out there and their other three homes in Mumbai.

Meanwhile, Mumbai Mayor Kishori Pednekar on Saturday told Zee News that Amitabh Bachchan and Abhishek are stable at present and as per BMC protocol, Nanavati Hospital will decide upon the next date for the Bachchans' swab test.

ALSO READ: Mumbai Mayor Kishori Pednekar urges Rekha to get tested for coronavirus COVID-19, updates on Amitabh Bachchan-Abhishek Bachchan health

Of Aishwarya's health, Kishori Pednekar said that the actress complained of slight fever and cough after which she was admitted to the hospital.
Amid the rising coronavirus COVID-19 cases in the country, the India Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has decided to conduct a study to evaluate the effectiveness of the BCG vaccination in preventing morbidity and mortality due to the highly contagious virus in elderly individuals between 60 to 95 years of age. The ICMR teams will conduct the study on the people living in COVID-19 hotspots across the country.

It is learnt that the ICMR will carry out the study in Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Delhi.

The stidy will be lead by Chennai-based ICMR's National Institute for Research in Tuberculosis (NIRT). In Chennai, the ICMR will conduct the study in collaboration with the Greater Chennai Corporation and Tamil Nadu's Department of Public Health.

"The study will document whether BCG vaccine can prevent the occurrence of the SARS-CoV-2 infection and its progression and death associated with COVID-19 among elderly individuals. The study uses the same BCG vaccine that is administered to newborn babies as a part of National Immunization programme for more than 50 years in this country," Dr Subash Babu, Scientific Director at National Institute of Research in Tuberculosis told ANI.

"Based on the capacity of BCG to reduce the incidence of respiratory tract infections in children and adults, to exert antiviral effects in experimental models; and to reduce viremia in an experimental human model of viral infection, the hypothesis is that BCG vaccination will partially protect against mortality in high-risk, elderly individuals," he added.

Babu also noted that several clinical trials using BCG vaccine are alreayd under progress on elderly individuals in different parts of the world.

"We have to evaluate the effectiveness of BCG vaccination in terms of reduction in the cumulative incidence of hospital admission and Intensive Care Admission, reduction in the incidence of other respiratory febrile illness, to determine the innate and adaptive immune responses, IgM, IgG and IgA antibody titers generated by BCG vaccination (both total and SARS-Cov2 specific) in a subset of individuals and to measure biomarkers induced by BCG vaccination as correlates of risk or protection against SARS-Cov2 in a subset of individuals," added Dr Babu.

Apart from Chennai's NIRT site, the five other centres are National Institute of Occupational Health, Ahmedabad in Gujarat, National Institute for Research in Environmental Health in Bhopal in Madhya Pradesh, GS Medical College and KEM Hospital in Mumbai Maharashtra, National Institute for Implementation Research on Non-Communicable Diseases in Jodhpur and AIIMS, New Delhi.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-07-19 19:23:24|Editor: huaxia

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JERUSALEM, July 19 (Xinhua) -- Witness testimonies in Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's criminal trial will begin in January 2021, the Jerusalem District Court announced on Sunday.

The trial's evidentiary stage will take place three times a week, said judge Rivka Friedman-Feldman, head of a three-judge panel, decided. The sessions will be held on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays.

Under Israeli law, Netanyahu is expected to be present at every session.

The trial has resumed on Sunday morning after a two-month break and amidst growing public criticism over the government's handling of the coronavirus outbreak and the ensuing financial crisis.

During the session, Netanyahu's lawyer Yossi Segev asked for a postponement in the beginning of the trial due to the coronavirus pandemic. "We cannot investigate witnesses when the witness is wearing a mask," he told the judges.

Netanyahu was not present as he and other defendants in the case were not obliged to attend.

Netanyahu's trial over bribery, fraud and breach of trust began on May 24. He is accused of receiving expensive gifts from billionaire friends and exchanging regulatory benefits with the control holder of a media conglomerate in return for positive coverage in the news.

Netanyahu, the first prime minister in Israel's history to stand to trial while in office, denies the allegations, charging they are part of "a witch hunt."

Israel's longest-serving leader is facing also a widespread public anger over his handling of the coronavirus crisis. Enditem
Dispatch from Crame No. 854:

Sen. Leila M. de Lima's statement on the malicious editing of Duterte's public speeches

7/18/2020

The surfacing of the unedited audio recording of the President's address in Sulu reveals not only the two-faced persona of the man but also the reprehensible propaganda machine that this regime operates on full blast, to hide the unvarnished truth from the Filipino people.

It shows that even the Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) cannot trust their own President in his public speeches, that they had to sort through his ramblings and edit out parts so that the media and the general public would be given a washed-out and tamer version of the state of mind that this sick man has.

Then comes the ever so lively Presidential Spokesperson who "interprets" and magnifies the "polished" statements of his boss, so he can survive through the questions asked by eager, truth-seeking reporters in daily press conferences.

Ito malamang ang dahilan kung bakit hatinggabi o madaling araw na ipinalalabas ang mga taped pronouncements ni Duterte. Bukod sa wala talaga siyang respeto sa oras natin, kailangang "ayusin" at "retokehin" pa ito para magmukhang matino at "on top of his game" siya.

I wonder what garbage he really churns out in those COVID-19 government response meetings with the IATF members.

The saddest part of it all is we're being deprived knowledge of the true state of the President's physical and mental health with no less the Supreme Court's complicity. ###

(Access the handwritten version of Dispatch from Crame No. 854, here: https://issuu.com/senatorleilam.delima/docs/dispatch_no._854)
The National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the Bole-Bamboi Constituency of the Savannah Region have vowed to stop the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Parliamentary candidate for the Bole-Bamboi Constituency Mr David Sei Demah from moving hundreds of people in the neighbouring Sawla-Tuna-Kalba Constituency to the the Bole Bamboi Constituency to register in the ongoing Electoral Commission Voter registration exercise.

A statement signed by the NDC Communication Officer for the Bole-Bamboi Constituency Mr Bashiru Amantana on 17th July, 2020 said; we intercepted a group of people, on our way to Gbogdaa Methodist polling station (in Bole-Bamboi) for monitoring numbering over 80 in six tricycles, some on motorcycles moving to Gbogdaa to register for the voters ID cards and in the course of our interrogation with the group, we were told by some of them that, they were going to register for Ghana cards at Gbogdaa which in actual fact there was no staffs at Gbogdaa doing Ghana card registration but rather voters ID and the group also revealed that Mr. David Sei Demah was the sponsor of their trip and that he was at their community three days ago to convince them to come and register at a community where they have never reside.

Mr Amantana said; Our further interrogations also revealed that they had no trace of origin in the community and were typical strangers of the community and as at the time we were interrogating them, some had already passed the Ghana card registration point (Doli) moving towards Gbogdaa community, the few that had passed were already at Gbogdaa Methodist polling station in the queue awaiting to be registered.

According to the Bole- Bamboi Constituency NDC Communication Officer, early on 17th July, 2020 around 8:30am they had information from some natives of Chencheri in the Bole-Bamboi Constituency that people from Chencheri in tricycles were entering Horriyiri from Sawla to register for the voters identify card.

In fact I expected Mr. Demah as a candidate who have successfully won his primaries and willing to represent the people of Bole-Bamboi in parliament to defend and protect the laws of the land which is stated in article 42 chapter 7 of the 1992 constitution, laws on registration in registration of voters public elections regulations, 1995. C.I.12, qualification for registration that says A person who is a citizen of Ghana and is of 18 years of age or above and is of sound mind and is resident or ordinarily resident in an electoral area; and is not prohibited by any law in force from registering as a voter.

Mr Amantana said it has now become clear that Mr. Demah is desperate and wants to use every means to violate the laws for his personal gain.

A candidate who is supposed to support peace in the constituency is rather displaying acts that can easily erupt confusion; he stated.

The Bole- Bamboi NDC Communication said; We are going to remain vigilante, and make sure that no foreigner gets into our territory with the attempt to register for votes ID.

He further said;

We have so far monitored this voters registration process peacefully and have built consensus with other political parties in this constituency but that does not mean we are going to allow Mr. Demah to make the process a flaw one with this desperate and barbaric actions of his, for this matter we want to send a clear warning to Mr. Demah and his followers that we will face them boot for boot and within the remit of the law.
Leah Juarez is many things.

Shes an accomplished entrepreneur, running several businesses in and around Casper. Shes a community advocate, helping a local movement to save Mills fire department last year after the mayor there threatened to defund it. Shes a proud Latina woman whos happy to talk about what her community means to her.

Juarez is also a member of a demographic that has long been underrepresented in American politics: a Republican woman running for elected office.

Traditionally, government at almost every level  from state legislatures to U.S. Congress  has been dominated by men. In Wyoming, just 14 of the 90 lawmakers in the statehouse are women. And when women do seek office, they usually run as Democrats. In the 2018 midterms, Democratic women ran for Congress at a rate three times higher than their Republican counterparts, according to the Center for American Women in Politics, while women continue to be chronically underrepresented in the statehouse.

Its an acknowledged problem in state and national politics, enough so that U.S. Rep. Liz Cheney and the Republican Party have committed to efforts to boost female representation throughout the GOP at the federal level through a mix of fundraisers, political events and candidate mentorship, according to Cheney spokesperson Jeremy Adler. Its an issue that Juarez, a Mills resident and House District 59 candidate, has encountered herself.

On Wednesday, Juarez  speaking at a candidate forum in Casper  told audience members that someone on her campaigns Facebook page called her a traitor for running as a Republican and, in their view, turning her back on her community and womens issues because of her conservative beliefs.

Juarez, however, sees her campaign as emblematic of the need for women to have an equal say in all levels of public life, whether they consider themselves a Republican or Democrat.

I think its important for people to understand that I can be a minority and I can be a woman and still have Republican values to the core, she said in a Friday interview with the Star-Tribune. I just think its so important for people to step up and not be intimidated by the political platform. Even if youre running for city council, it shouldnt be something that looks a specific way. It should encompass everybody and represent many different types of people.

Declining representation

Wyoming has a proud history of women in politics. The birthplace of womens suffrage, Wyoming notably appointed the nations first female justice of the peace, had the first town in the country to be governed entirely by women and elected Americas first female governor.

More recently, women held a number of key positions within the Wyoming Legislature in the 1980s and, within the past decade, both the House Minority and Majority Floor Leader positions within the Legislature were both occupied by women  a rare feat for a state body long dominated by men.

That legacy hasnt been reflected in Wyoming recently, however, where the states citizen legislature bears little resemblance to the composition of the citizenry it serves. According to a Star-Tribune analysis last year, state lawmakers are typically older and much more affluent than the citizens of their districts, while men outnumber women by a rate of more than 5:1 despite women making up 49 percent of the states population.

It basically sends a message right out of the gate that you dont belong here, said Jen Simon, the executive director of the nonpartisan Wyoming Womens Action Network.

This, in turn, has had a profound effect on policy: Conversations on womens issues and hot-button topics like child care access and abortion are dominated by men. Meanwhile, the Legislatures most powerful committees  including the influential Joint Appropriations Committee  have zero female members even as they discuss issues impacting all Wyomingites.

Were in a budget crisis, Simon added. And when you turn on during appropriations, and there are 12 white men who are making those decisions. There is no way that can possibly accurately reflect the lived experience of a huge portion of our state.

Working for change

Stories like Juarezs are why Simon and other women around the state are working for change.

Earlier this year, Simon announced a partnership with several other women in Wyoming politics to form the Cowgirl Run Fund, a nonpartisan political action committee committed to increasing the number of women represented in Wyoming politics, regardless of their party affiliation.

The PAC  which officially launched last Friday with a bipartisan list of 29 candidates it was supporting  hopes to provide its candidates with the financial support and mentorship needed to overcome a number of the systemic disadvantages facing women running for office in Wyoming.

Like with anything else, if theres something you want to get involved in but dont know anything about  like if I really want to start trail running or I really want to start fly fishing, but dont know anything about it ... if there was a group that said, Come, well show you how to do this, it makes it manageable, JoAnn Skeim-True, a member of the Natrona County Republican Partys executive committee and a co-founder of the fund, said in an interview. It makes it a target that you can actually do.

Simon hopes the groups efforts help draw attention to the many barriers to public office that women face not just in the Equality State, but around the country. On Thursday, Simon  who also serves as a senior policy adviser with the Equality State Policy Center  hosted a forum featuring a number of key figures helping to elect more women in politics.

The panelists  which included Vote at Home Institute founder Amber McReynolds and RepresentWomen CEO Cynthia Richie Terrell  outlined a number of policy decisions that have impacted womens ability to run for and hold office across the country, some of which could feasibly be implemented in Wyoming.

One solution, recommended by Richie Terrell, could be the return of multi-member districts, which allows voters to select numerous people to represent them in the Legislature, which could encourage voters to choose from a diverse field of candidates. These districts  which were once prevalent in Wyoming before being ruled unconstitutional by a federal judge in 1991  have been shown to increase the number of women holding elected office.

Other reforms, like ranked-choice voting, have been shown to substantially increase the amount of women elected in the cities that use it.

Then theres the financial side of the conversation, where the gatekeepers in state and national politics  be it wealthy donors or political action committees  tend to focus their attention on incumbents, reinforcing the often male-dominant status quo. By introducing organizations focused on electing women, like the Cowgirl Run Fund, women of all ages and incomes can participate on a more even playing field with male candidates who already benefit from the advantages that help elevate them to power, be that personal wealth, familial expectations or other factors.

Searching for success

Ultimately, the change that matters wont come until more women run for  and are elected to  public office.

So far, that hasnt happened in Wyoming. However, its not for a lack of trying. This year, 39 women are running for the Wyoming Legislature, according to candidate filings with the Wyoming Secretary of State, slightly up from the 34 who ran in 2018 and the 36 who did in 2016. Ultimately getting past that barrier, Simon said, will take time, and making a conscious effort to get women engaged at all levels of leadership, from the city council to Cheyenne.

Were trying to make sure that there are women in the pipeline, and that they are running for things like the (Laramie County Community College) board, said Simon. We need them running for these nonpartisan local offices so that there are women who understand the process, who have gotten the experience of running the campaign at a hyper local level, and are really building that base of women and creating a broader group of people who can not only rely on each other, but can also start to feed all those higher levels of office, too.

By not doing so, the state loses something valuable, Juarez said: the ability to legislate for all people, not just with good intentions, but with an innate understanding of what they need.

We really have to understand that women have a perspective on the world that is unique and should be valued, she said. Its not to say that men dont have our best interests in mind. But you know, when we walk through motherhood in pregnancy, thats just an experience that men unfortunately will never be able to understand. And so our views may differ slightly, but at the end of the day, we want the same goal. But you should be able to look at the House of Representatives and to see yourself there.

I hope that I can be a representation for other minorities or other women to say, Well, if she did it, I can do it, she added. I want them to think I can make a change, too.

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The Centre on Saturday sought a report from the Rajasthan chief secretary on allegations of phone tapping after two audio clips of conversations purportedly regarding a 'conspiracy' to topple the state's Congress government emerged amidst the ongoing political crisis in the state, officials said.

In a communication, the ministry of home affairs told the Rajasthan chief secretary to send a report on the allegations of phone tapping, an official said.

The chief secretary has been told to provide the details of the incident after two audio clips emerged, the official added.

The Rajasthan Police's Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) registered a case under the Prevention of Corruption Act in connection with the two clips of conversations purportedly regarding a 'conspiracy' to topple Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot's government.

The ACB Director General Alok Tripathi said it has registered a first information report on a complaint by Congress chief whip Mahesh Joshi.

The FIR mentions details of conversations of (Congress rebel MLA) Bhanwarlal Sharma with Gajendra Singh (Congress claims it is a reference to Union minister Gajendra Singh) and a third man called Sanjay Jain.

The Bharatiya Janata Party on Saturday asked if the Congress government in Rajasthan resorted to 'unconstitutional' methods to tap the phones of politicians and demanded a Central Bureau of Investigation probe into what it called a 'saga of illegalities and concocted lies'.

BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra said senior Congress leaders, including chief minister Gehlot, have been claiming that these audio clips are authentic even though the FIR registered by police does not say so.

Rajasthan police forms special team to probe audio tapes

Meanwhile, a special team of Rajasthan police officers has been formed to investigate and arrest the accused in the case registered with the special operations group in connection with audio tapes.

The eight-member team headed by SP CID (Crime branch) Vikas Sharma was formed Friday.

Other members of the team are Dharmendra Yadav (Additional SP-ATS), Jagdish Vyas (Additional SP-CID CB), Kamal Singh (assistant police commissioner-Jodhpur), Manish Sharma (Deputy SP- ATS), Kailash Jindal (inspector- CID CB), Suman Kaviya (Inspector- ATS) and Ramesh Pareek (inspector-ATS).

The team was formed by Additional Director General (ATS and SOG) Ashok Rathore.

The SOG has already arrested one Sanjay Sharma in connection with the conspiratorial conversation in the audio tapes and he is under police remand.
New Delhi:

Secretary Economic Affairs, Shaktikanta Das on Friday gave strict instructions to petrol pumps and government hospitals to accept demonetised currency of Rs 500 and Rs 1000 denomination till midnight on Friday. Any demand of commission or rejection at these places would invite serious action, he announced through a series of tweets. The central government on Nov 8 banned the currency notes of Rs 500 and Rs 1000 from immediate effect to fight black money and corruption, barring their limited use in emergency services till .



"Govt hospitals must receive old 500 & 1000 notes upto midnight (). Any refusal will invite serious action," he tweeted.



He also announced, "Petrol/diesel bunks must accept old 500 & 1000 notes upto midnight (). Any refusal will invite serious action."

Also read | Live updates: Chaos all around as ATMs go dry, protesters lathicharged in UP



Reacting over the reports of scuffles and illegal activities at petrol pumps in view heavy rush at the fuelling stations, Secretary Economic Affairs said that 'demand of commission by Petrol/diesel bunks is illegal and will invite very serious action.'



He, however, suggested people to fil their tanks for Rs 500 or Rs 1000 so that they do not have to go through any hassle for change. "In Petrol/diesel bunks customers have the choice of filling upto full 500 or 1000 rupees.Can avoid problems of getting back the change," he tweeted.

For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.
Jammu:

Jammu and Kashmir Governor N N Vohra on Friday asked the Army to heighten vigil along the international border in Jammu region in the wake of continued attempts of infiltrations, ceasefire violations and militant activities.

Maj Gen Sanjeev Kumar Sharma, GOC, 26 Infantry Division on Friday called on Vohra at the Raj Bhavan here and briefed the Governor about the security situation along the IB in the area of his responsibility, an official spokesman said.

Considering the continuing attempts at infiltration, ceasefire violation and militant activities in the hinterland, the Governor stressed on the need for heightened surveillance on all fronts.

For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.
Auditors have wrapped up a four-month investigation into concerns Australia's government-owned green bank improperly awarded lucrative contracts to fintech RateSetter, with Energy Minister Angus Taylor set to review the findings shortly.

Mr Taylor in March requested his department secretary carry out an inquiry into the $10 billion Clean Energy Finance Corporation's decisions to award contracts worth $100 million to RateSetter without going to tender, following widespread complaints by rival energy lenders.

An independent review was conducted into alleged conflicts of interest between the Clean Energy Finance Corporation and RateSetter. Credit:Justin McManus

Documents seen by The Age and The Sydney Morning Herald show the probe was carried out by auditors RSM Australia. Spanning four months, the auditors looked into Clean Energy Finance Corporation (CEFC) seed-funding decisions in 2016-17, whether there was evidence of improper treatment in dealings with RateSetter and what arrangements were in place for future engagements with the company. RSM's inquiry is now complete and has been submitted to the government.

"The independent review has been provided to Minister Taylor who will consider the report," a spokesman for the minister said.
San Francisco City Hall will be illuminated in red, white and blue Saturday night in honor of Rep. John Lewis, the civil rights icon who died on Friday at age 80.

Mayor London Breed announced that San Francisco will also lower its flags to half-staff to honor the congressman, whose legacy of racial and social justice activism in the United States spanned more than half a century.

He put his whole life into fighting the injustices that have long plagued this country, and he never stopped demonstrating unparalleled strength, perseverance, and dignity, Breed said on Twitter.

So many of us stand on his shoulders, and our hearts grieve for the loss of a true hero, Breed said.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi called Lewis a titan of the civil rights movement whose goodness, faith and bravery transformed our nation.

He was revered as one of the Big Six leaders of the civil rights movement, was one of the original Freedom Riders who protested racial segregation on public transportation, and led hundreds of protesters in a march across the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, Ala., where Pelosi said he faced down violence and death.

Every day of John Lewiss life was dedicated to bringing freedom and justice to all. As he declared 57 years ago during the March on Washington, standing in the shadow of the Lincoln Memorial: Our minds, souls, and hearts cannot rest until freedom and justice exist for all the people, Pelosi wrote. How fitting it is that even in the last weeks of his battle with cancer, John summoned the strength to visit the peaceful protests where the newest generation of Americans had poured into the streets to take up the unfinished work of racial justice. His visit with Mayor Bowser, the Mayor of Washington, painted an iconic picture of justice.

In December 2019, Lewis announced he was diagnosed with advanced pancreatic cancer.

In a series of tweets, California Sen. Kamala Harris described Lewis impact on social justice movements in the United States. She shared undated photos of Lewis and Harris at events, one in which they linked arms and another where they were holding hands, deep in conversation.

Drought Map Track water shortages and restrictions across Bay Area Check the water shortage status of your area, plus see reservoir levels and a list of restrictions for the Bay Areas largest water districts.

John Lewis was an icon who fought with every ounce of his being to advance the cause of civil rights for all Americans. I'm devastated for his family, friends, staff  and all those whose lives he touched, Harris wrote. He carried the baton of justice until the very end. Its now on us to pick it up and march on.

https://twitter.com/KamalaHarris/status/1284336828162637824

California Sen. Dianne Feinstein said in a statement that Lewis became a voice of justice for the nation.

John Lewis was a liberal lion, but he also had a fierce independence and innate decency, Feinstein said. He spoke his mind and wasnt afraid to rock the boat when he felt it was the right thing to do. Thats why John was called the conscience of Congress.

Lauren Hernandez is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: lauren.hernandez@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @ByLHernandez
In the wake of George Floyds killing, the term structural racism has moved from the academic world into the public conversation  a shorthand way to talk about why Black Americans can do everything right and still find themselves with less income and wealth than white Americans of similar education, consigned to live in poorer neighborhoods, with fewer opportunities, more repressive policing and worse life outcomes.

If the idea still sounds abstract to policymakers in Washington, they dont have to look far to observe its realities. They can just drive an hour north, to Baltimore  and see what is not there.

Sorely missing is a long-planned east-west transit route that would connect isolated Black Baltimore neighborhoods to downtown and suburban job centers and to other rail lines. In 2014, the Obama administration offered Maryland a selective New Starts grant of $900 million to finally build what was called the Red Line  a project that would not only have connected thousands of Black Marylanders to better jobs but would also create a comprehensive transit system that might restart the Baltimore regions economy and improve race relations by building literal connections between communities.

Today, theres no construction of rail in Baltimore. The $900 million has been returned to the federal government. The state of Maryland redirected $736 million of state funds originally set aside for the Red Line to building roads instead  in predominantly white areas. And the U.S. Department of Transportation, which was supposed to investigate whether that decision was illegal and discriminatory, quietly closed the case without making any public findings.

Transportation investment and disinvestment have been central in Baltimores long saga of racial segregation and inequity, and the Red Line was the most recent chapter. Since Gov. Larry Hogan killed the Red Line in 2015, it has become a rallying cry for transit and racial-justice activists in Baltimore and beyond.

Story continues

But the full extent of the injustice is just coming to light. Material obtained by a legal clinic I worked with at Georgetown Law School, through Marylands freedom-of-information statute, shows that federal officials acknowledged the potential racial impact of the decision to cancel the Red Line and the possibility that the decision violated civil rights law  and then for unclear reasons, dropped their investigation.

It was Hogans decision to cancel the Red Line. To give an idea of how insidious structural racism can be, as a matter of politics, consider that Hogan is considered one of the good guys among national Republican governors. He has a high approval rating in a blue state and is considering running for president in 2024. Hogan is also a Trump critic who advocates for a bigger-tent GOP that is inclusive and avoids divisive rhetoric.

But his budgetary treatment of Baltimore tells a very different story  one that is woven deeply into decades of discriminatory American policy.

In 1965, urban planners mapped routes for six rapid-transit lines that would radiate from downtown Baltimore to the suburban edges. But white suburbanites massively resisted both transit and open housing policies that would enable Blacks to move to their neighborhoods. As a result, Baltimore County grew whiter and Baltimore city blacker and more isolated from jobs and amenities. Plans for a comprehensive rail system remained a paper dream and only two transit lines were built.

What got built and where is telling. One of the lines is a light-rail route that largely serves whites in the northern reaches of the city and suburbs who wish to travel south to Baltimores tourist-centered Inner Harbor and the retro-style Camden Yards baseball stadium; it continues south to the Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport. The other is a subway line that runs 15 miles northwest from Baltimore to Owings Mill though the line stops well short of that suburbs signature town center and shopping mall, rendering it not entirely effective for commuters. These two lines do not even connect to each other.

In 2002, Gov. Parris Glendening, an advocate of so-called smart growth which integrates transit and housing development, supported new planning for what would be called the Red Line. (The name is ironic for a proposed corridor in which the majority of residents are Black Americans living in historically segregated and redlined neighborhoods.)

The proposed 14-mile line included a 3.4-mile tunnel that would have allowed riders to glide under congested downtown streets where cars crawl at less than 12 mph at peak periods. Planners also proposed stops connecting to Amtrak and the regional MARC train routes, to create a comprehensive rail system. Baltimore was more than a century overdue for racial healing and the city was going to be united, at least physically, through transit.

The planning process did begin to repair trust and relations between the city and its Black neighborhoods and between those neighborhoods and predominantly white ones. Dozens of individuals, organizations and state and local government officials signed the Red Line Community Compact  a blueprint for ensuring that Baltimore residents and businesses participated in construction, that the Red Line improved the environment, and citizens had a voice in fostering community-centered development.

West Baltimore communities denuded of commerce were rezoned for mixed uses, anticipating new economic and civic activity around each station. Each proposed station had an advisory committee to help shape their neighborhoods renewal. Edmondson-Westside High School, for example, was going to train local adults and students to enter jobs in construction, maintenance and transit operations. One elder advocated for new trees to beautify their station. Citizens planted many ideas  the kind of civic roots, if allowed to grow, that might discourage violence in poor neighborhoods.

By 2015, all the needed planning, engineering, environmental and health impact assessments, financing and political compromise for the Red Line route had been completed. The state of Maryland had spent $288 million on planning and right-of-way acquisitions. The Maryland General Assembly had approved a gas-tax increase to fund the project and the state had committed to pay $1.2 billion from the State Transportation Trust Fund for the states share of construction costs. Maryland had applied for and won the $900 million New Starts grant from the federal government. Construction was set to begin later in 2015.

In Jan. 2015, Gov. Hogan took office. Less than six months later, in June 2015, he announced that the Red Line was canceled.

Hogan at his Jan. 2015 gubernatorial inauguration.

Hogan, founder of an eponymous commercial real estate business, was an established skeptic of transit rail, which he deemed too expensive, and a believer in highway asphalt. In his first bid for governor, he argued against light rail  which opposing suburbanites sometimes derided as loot rail  and strenuously advocated for roads. Rail, no; roads, yes  polar positions that helped to defeat Black Democrat, Anthony Brown.

As governor, Hogans decision to reallocate funds away from the Red Line came two months after the uprisings in Baltimore over the death of Freddie Gray after mistreatment by Baltimore police officers. The violence had put Baltimore at the center of national debates and protests about anti-Black policing and disinvestment in Black neighborhoods. But Hogan called those who vandalized "thugs," and complained aloud about the $20 million the state had to spend in response to the protests. He all but used this extra cost to further justify canceling the Red Line.

Hogan dismissed the project as "a wasteful boondoggle" and defended rescinding it because he oppose[d] wasteful and irresponsible spending on poorly conceived projects. The planned 3.4-mile tunnel provoked him the most. He viewed it as a costly indulgence, even though running the Red Line under the worst of Baltimore traffic in order to facilitate rapid transit was a central feature of a system designed to dramatically reduce commute times and ease downtown congestion for everyone.

He returned the $900 million selective federal grant for the project and reallocated all of the state money that had been earmarked for the Red Line's first construction phase  $736 million  to road projects in exurban and rural areas. In the end, not a single road or pothole in Baltimore would be paved with the money that had been set aside for the Red Line.

Yet not all light rail got the ax. Hogan did not cancel the Purple Line, which will open in 2022 and run through Prince Georges and Montgomery counties in wealthier suburbs of Washington and connect to D.C.'s Metro subway system.

The Purple Line and Hogans other budgetary priorities at the time of the Red Line cancellation suggest a pattern of favoring white communities over Black communities in the allocation of public funds. Upon taking office he declared that Baltimore was declining rather than improving, and cut $36 million from its schools budget, but approved $30 million to build a youth jail in the city  a breathtaking message signaling what Hogan thought of the city and its youth.

Hogan also cut or lowered tolls on suburban highways and bridges while Baltimoreans endured fare increases on buses, rail and commuter lines. He supported expensive road projects of dubious necessity in sparsely populated rural areas while not scheduling needed road projects for Baltimore.

For Black Baltimoreans and allies watching, the pattern of investing public funds in white areas and disinvesting from Black neighborhoods could not have been more obvious.

The racial injustice of these decisions mobilized civil rights groups. The NAACP Legal Defense Fund filed a complaint with the federal Department of Transportation, arguing that whites received a 228 percent net increase in benefits from the Red Line cancellation and reallocation while Black Americans lost benefits at minus 124 percent and that this racial disparity violated Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

Title VI is a key provision in U.S. civil rights law, one that holds decision-makers accountable for the effects of their decisions, not just their avowed rationale. It prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color or national origin in any program or activity receiving federal financial assistance and prohibited racial discrimination may be intentional or unintentional. Most critically, the result of allegedly neutral practices can have a disparate impact on a racial group, and Title VI, as implemented in federal regulations, renders that illegal.

The iconic distressed neighborhoods of East and West Baltimore along the proposed corridor of the Red Line, on average, were 80 percent Black, 30 percent poor and 65 percent female-headed. Forty-four percent of residents along the planned corridor did not own a car. Fewer than 2 percent of jobs in Baltimore are located in Black neighborhoods along the proposed Red Line corridor. For carless residents of those neighborhoods, without the Red Line, commuting to the job-rich parts of the Baltimore region is a nightmare.

In this March 20, 2018 photo, student Imani Holt walks to a bus stop after school at Excel Academy in Baltimore.

The lives of carless single Black mothers who needed to get children to school and themselves to work were made incredibly difficult by a maddeningly slow MTA bus system in which a 20-minute car commute would stretch to 90 minutes on the bus. With the Red Line canceled, they lost the opportunity for nearly halving their commute times, for gaining a projected 10,000 new jobs in Baltimore that Black residents might apply for, and for spurring renewal and transit-oriented development in chronically disinvested Black neighborhoods. Lost, too, was the possibility of reducing air pollution for the city with the poorest air quality and highest rates of pediatric asthma in the state.

The Obama administration's Department of Transportation opened an investigation on the assertions that appear in the Legal Defense Funds complaint and a similar one filed by Baltimore transit activists. But the Trump administration closed the investigation without making any findings. In lieu of an investigation of the joined complaints, it said it would conduct a comprehensive review of Marylands transportation programs for compliance with Title VI.

The Georgetown Law Civil Rights Clinic sought to find out whether the Transportation Department followed through with that investigation. In January of this year, the Clinic filed freedom of information statutory requests with both the Maryland Department of Transportation and the federal Transportation Department. The Trump administration has yet to release any material in response to the Freedom of Information Act request, citing the Covid-19 pandemic for the delay, but this spring, MDOT disclosed a trove of documents and emails that my dedicated research assistant and I recently perused.

Most telling were email communications between U.S. and Maryland officials in 2018. Federal officials had opened a Corrective Action and informed MDOT that it had to conduct a comprehensive Title VI analysis of its transportation spending. They rejected MDOTs initial response, saying it had simply provided a conclusion that disparate impacts did not exist, which was insufficient evidence of compliance with Title VI. MDOT tried again; in a subsequent email it claimed that there was no disparate impact violation because large amounts of both State and federal funded investments in transit and other transportation modes closely correlated with the Census tracts with higher minority population.

In its answer, MDOT did not quantify what these large amounts were, for what projects or which minority communities allegedly benefited. It referred to funding formulas and maps provided in its previous, rejected explanation and offered a link to a previously published 565-page consolidated report that catalogued where transportation funds were allocated in given years. Those reports do not mention race at all. They were not designed to, and did not, assess racial equity.

Perhaps it is true, as MDOT claimed in its emails, that minority census tracts were near road projects in outlying areas and ostensibly benefited from those road investments and that the Washington and Baltimore regions, where many minorities live, received large amounts of transportation funds. It is also possible the alleged large amounts do not make up the difference from the cancellation of the Red Line. But we dont know, because the Trump administration officials accepted MDOTs answer at face value and closed the corrective action without any explanation of its reasoning.

In other words, the Trump and Hogan administrations never gave a considered response to the Title VI petitioners core claim: that in canceling the Red Line and reallocating its funds to other projects, Hogan and Maryland favored white areas to the detriment of Black citizens. The citizens and communities that toiled for more than a decade planning the Red Line, building trust and a multiracial coalition for renewal, deserved a published, reasoned answer that could be reviewed by a federal court to determine if the agencys logic was arbitrary or evaded the demands of Title VI. There was no opportunity, in short, for any public accountability.

Two years after rescinding the Red Line, Hogan did offer Baltimore a consolation project, $135 million for BaltimoreLink, an ostensibly revamped bus system. It was hardly a substitute, though, for the $2.9 billion unified rail system that was first envisioned in 1965. Though Hogan claimed the new bus system would be transformative, angry riders complained that commutes worsened as bus lines were eliminated.

Baltimore's iconic row houses sit behind a man waiting at a bus stop. In the distance, the downtown skyline looms.

The same year Hogan canceled the Red Line, Baltimore ranked last in the nation on Harvard economist Raj Chetty's rankings for social mobility of poor children.

This is what structural racism looks like and it is a product of public policy. For decades, governments have spent public funds disproportionately on white communities, particularly those that have more than enough, while excluding Black communities and Black people from government investments  in mortgages, education, infrastructure and other services.

One epochal example that shaped segregation in the Baltimore region and everywhere else African Americans in the Great Migration landed: The Federal Housing Administration invented the 30-year mortgage to bring homeownership to the white masses. Under this New Deal policy created by Democrats, from 1934 to 1962 whites received 98 percent of government-insured loans. Blacks were intentionally cut out of Americas signature wealth-building policy and the suburban American dream. This explains why today, for every dollar of wealth held by a typical white family, a typical black family holds 8 cents.

After a century of redlining, urban Negro Removal, intentionally concentrating poor Black Americans in segregated housing, disinvestment, foreclosures and predation, without an insistent effort to disrupt a legacy of plunder, the modern descendants of slavery in Baltimore cannot thrive. Black Democrats are not immune to the zero-sum politics of segregation. Despite being governed by a series of Black mayors, a recent equity analysis revealed that Baltimore neighborhoods that are less than half Black received nearly four times more the investment than neighborhoods that are overwhelmingly Black.

`

Education is supposed to be a ladder of social mobility, but education remains separate and unequal in America. Hogan recently vetoed a bill known as the Blueprint for Marylands Future that would have been a down payment on recommendations to transform Maryland public education from mediocre to world-class  recommendations from a commission, known as the Kirwan Commission, that Hogan himself helped set up.

According to Marylands Department of Legislative Services, Baltimore City Schools are underfunded by $342 million annually, causing Charm Citys children to endure among the highest student-to-teacher ratios in the state. All told, the Kirwan Commissions proposals, after a 10-year phase-in, were estimated to cost $4 billion annually. Last year, Hogan condemned the Kirwan proposals, dubiously claiming the plan would demand $6,000 in taxes from every Maryland family. Then the Covid-19 pandemic gave him a blunt fiscal defense for his veto.

The damage from Covid-19 extends far beyond the educational system, also wreaking havoc on Marylands economy and government tax revenues and laying bare the effects of structural inequality on Black lives. Black Americans die from the virus at higher rates than whites while having less access to health care. And now half of Black adults are unemployed.

As the pandemic shreds budgets, there is a serious risk that state investment in elites and preying on Black people for fees and revenue will worsen.

Repair or reparation of racial inequality in Baltimore would include funding the Red Line, the proposals of the Kirwan Commission and other possibilities. Yes, in Baltimore and elsewhere resources should be reallocated from policing to redress perennial defunding of Black communities. Other systemic work is also required, including encouraging rather than discouraging integrated schools and neighborhoods that offer opportunity to all.

But heres the crux: Dismantling unjust budgetary habits and reducing systemic racism will require sacrifices from white communities that have disproportionately benefited from these policies for decades. In a revolutionary moment where 96 percent of Americans are acknowledging that Black Americans face discrimination, are we finally ready to readjust our spending priorities?

If so, Baltimores Red Line would be a good place to start.
Eight people have now tested positive for COVID-19 after visiting a club on the NSW South Coast, with fears the venue could become the next virus cluster.

The cases come after a Sydney father and son, who unknowingly had the virus, dined at the Batemans Bay Soldiers Club's bistro on July 13. The club will now be closed for two weeks for a deep clean.

Anyone who attended the Batemans Bay Soldiers Club on the 13th, 15th, 16th or 17th is being urged to immediately self isolate. Credit:Google Maps

NSW Health announced late on Sunday that four new cases had been linked to the club including one staff member, two cases who dined at the club and one case who is a close contact of the previously reported cases.

Four cases who dined at the club had previously been reported, all members of the same family. One of the eight cases is a local resident.
With job cuts mounting and costly furlough programs that cant last forever, Europe is at risk of a devastating increase in unemployment that wont be easy to reverse.

Economies across the continent are recovering and company sentiment is brightening, but its a different story when it comes to hiring. After months of crisis, the outlook remains too uncertain for firms to commit to spending. Many may not even reinstate all furloughed workers when governments end subsidies that kept millions on payrolls.

All that raises the prospect of a job-poor -- or even jobless -- recovery, where unemployment stays high for a prolonged period even as growth appears to pick up. That could threaten consumer demand, hitting retailers, restaurants and bars that are already struggling, and feeding a damaging loop through the economy.

The initial phase of the recovery will be jobless, and thats very typical for a European recovery, said Nick Kounis, an economist at ABN Amro. A lot of the job losses are still ahead of us.

The potentially bleak employment outlook for Europe underscores how even a combination of policies that generally set the continent apart both in halting the spread of the coronavirus and mitigating its economic fallout cant ultimately completely protect labor markets.

In the euro area, unemployment could hit almost 10% by the end of the year as the economy slumps, according to a Bloomberg survey. A rebound in growth in 2021 wont be enough to reverse the damage. UK joblessness is forecast to reach 8%, more than double its tally earlier this year.

Furlough schemes to subsidize payrolls in the euro zones four biggest economies supported 26 million people at their peak, according to Bloomberg Economics. But even with such huge programs, the fallout on jobs is spreading. In recent weeks, Airbus SE, Commerzbank AG and Sanofi were among major companies to signal staff cuts.

The situation could deteriorate further once furloughs are wound down. If business hasnt recovered enough when that happens, dole lines will grow.

The worst of the impact on labour markets may be yet to come, European Central Bank Executive Board member Fabio Panetta said this month. Some workers on short-time work schemes and temporary lay-offs may not be able to return to their jobs, and hiring looks likely to stay subdued.

At Bank of America, analysts point to the European Commissions monthly confidence data, where the jobs outlook in key economies is lagging that for industrial output.

If production expectations improve more than employment expectations, the recovery may be job-poor, with implications for the labor market and household consumption, economists including Ruben Segura-Cayuela and Evelyn Herrmann said in a report.

That prospect is already troubling consumers. An Ipsos Mori poll covering 27 countries showed their second-biggest worry after the coronavirus was unemployment. In France, Italy and Spain, its the top concern, more even than the virus that killed almost 100,000 in those three nations.

Policy makers are acknowledging the dangers, highlighting issues such as scarring in the labour market as millions lose work.

Layoffs in the wake of bankruptcies are likely to leave many jobseekers struggling to retain their skills and attachment to the labor market, the European Commission warned on July 7.

What Bloombergs Economists Say...

If the furloughed become jobless, generous social safety nets mean the immediate impact on incomes would be limited. But, with millions more out of work, a model of saving behaviour suggests nervous consumers would cut back on spending, deepening the downturn.

The Bank of England also sees a threat of higher and more persistent unemployment. When its chief economist, Andy Haldane, offered a relatively optimistic take on the economy last month, it was tempered by labor-market worries.

Of these risks, the most important to avoid is a repeat of the high and long-duration unemployment rates of the 1980s, especially among young people, he said.

Governments are desperate to get ahead of the problem. UK Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak announced a new program to protect jobs this month to counter what he described as the most urgent challenge of unemployment. That announcement came two days after an Opinium survey showed almost half of businesses expect to cut staff when Britains furlough program ends in October.

German politicians are currently discussing an extension of their own program, while France has created a furlough mechanism that could last up to two years for companies that strike deals with unions on reduced working time in exchange for job guarantees. The French government has also pledged an annual incentive of as much as 4,000 euros ($4,566) for hiring young people.

The costs of such measures are too high for politicians to make them permanent, even if central bank bond-buying stimulus has bought them room for manoeuvre by containing yields for now. Analysts also wonder if even all that support will be enough to mitigate permanent economic damage.

For some industries, you can see structural changes which may mean that some jobs might not come back, ABNs Kounis said. The people who are sometimes laid off in an industry that is downsizing dont have the right skill sets straight away to fit into industries that are moving forward.
Democratic Representative Donna Shalala said Floridas Covid-19 outbreak is totally out of control and called for a lockdown of the third most-populous U.S. state.

Its terrible, and talking about reopening schools is ridiculous, Shalala, whose South Florida district sits within Miami-Dade County, said Sunday on ABCs This Week.

She faulted the Trump administration and Governor Ron DeSantis for reopening the state too soon, adding that low-income minority residents were bearing the brunt because employers are demanding they return to work.

Its the working poor, its seniors, its now young people and its totally out of control, said Shalala, who served as Health and Human Services Secretary under President Bill Clinton. We need to close down again in Florida.

DeSantis has declined to impose a mask-wearing mandate in Florida, which reported a record 156 virus-related deaths among residents on Thursday. Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos Gimenez has signaled he wouldnt rule out a full lockdown after imposing restrictions including a 10 p.m. curfew in an attempt to curb the spread of the virus.

Florida deaths and new infections have slowed in the last two days; on Sunday the state reported that cases had risen by 3.7% against the previous 7-day average of 4.1%.

I care deeply about the economy, but first I care about human life, Shalala said.

With our hospitals filled and the lack of appropriate testing and getting results, the lack of medicines -- weve had to beg for medicines that would save lives -- we simply cannot protect the economy if we dont protect the lives of the people in our community, she said.

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Linkedin (Kyodo News) Tokyo  Sun, July 19, 2020 12:48 549 6657ac82168da9fa101c8a4066784bd2 2 World Tokyo,Japan,travel Free

Japan's prefectural governors decided on Sunday to ask the central government to consider excluding more areas from a travel campaign when necessary to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus.

The governors said they hope the 1.35 trillion yen ($12.6 billion) subsidy initiative aimed at sparking domestic trips will help revive their virus-hit economies.

But "we have to avoid (the campaign) causing the virus to spread," they said in proposals to the central government compiled at an online meeting to discuss responses to the coronavirus.

The central government said Thursday that it will launch the Go To Travel Campaign on Wednesday as planned, but is excluding Tokyo from the program after a recent spike in cases in the capital.

"We are facing a critical phase where we have to deal with the movement (of people) in wider areas and prevent the spread of the virus at the same time," Tokushima Gov. Kamon Iizumi, president of the National Governors' Association, said in the opening speech, referring to a rise in nationwide infections.

Read also: Japan plans to expand airport PCR testing capacity to 10,000 per day

Tokyo remains the hardest-hit area with its new cases accounting for about a third of the nationwide tally. The Tokyo metropolitan government is expected to report at least 180 new infections later Sunday, Gov. Yuriko Koike said at the meeting.

Tokyo saw the figure reaching nearly 300 for three straight days through Saturday including a single-day record of 293 cases on Friday.

The daily figures reflect the most recent totals reported by health authorities and medical institutions in the capital.

Across the country, total cases stood at 24,860 Saturday, with more than 660 new cases reported, the highest since April 11, as a resurgence in infections has also become more apparent in other urban areas. The tally excludes 712 from the Diamond Princess cruise ship that was quarantined in Yokohama near Tokyo in February.

The governors urged the central government to run the campaign over the long term, as some areas in the Kyushu region are not able to accept tourists any time soon in the wake of devastating floods caused by torrential train.

They also asked the government for timely disclosure of information about infections at US bases in Japan after an increasing number of new cases has been reported by the US military.

In Okinawa, which hosts the bulk of US military facilities in Japan, 143 military personnel have tested positive, according to the prefectural government.

Topics : Tokyo Japan travel
By Express News Service

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Employees of five National Textile Corporation (NTC) mills in the state, including Vijayamohini Mills in Thirumala here, have urged the Centre to restart operations in textile mills, which were shut down in the wake of the Covid-induced lockdown. According to the joint trade union, the employees have been living penniless since the past four months.

The NTC, in a circular, had announced the shutting down of all mills on March 23 along with a 50 per cent cut in wages of workers. This was in contradiction to the circular published by the Union Ministry of Labour and Employment, which advised employers of public and private establishments to not terminate casual or contractual workers or reduce their wages.

On May 17, when the Centre allowed factories to continue operations following Covid-19 norms, NTC decided against reopening all its 23 units across the country. The south regional chapter of NTC even announced that all employee allowances would be done away with and that workers will only receive 50 per cent of wages from May 17.

However, the workers are yet to receive even this paltry sum. The management even asked workers to sign a petition stating that the latter only required 50% of wages. The delay in payment has caused hunger and poverty among workers, one of whom committed suicide on June 15. He was a permanent worker at a mill in Mahe. As per the staff union, Vijayamohini Mills alone has been paying a GST of Rs 40 lakh. But none of the mills care about their employees,said union members.
Private radiology practices have been especially hard hit by the COVID-19 pandemic, and the steps they take to mitigate the impact of the pandemic on their practice will shape the future of radiology, according to a special report from the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA) COVID-19 Task Force, published today in the journal Radiology.

The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in widespread disruption to the global economy. The resulting reduction in demand for imaging services had an abrupt and substantial impact on private radiology practices, which are heavily dependent on examination volumes for practice revenues. Examination volumes in radiology practices have decreased by 40%-90%. The volume reduction is anticipated to persist for anywhere from a few months to a few years.

Private practice radiologists make up a substantial proportion of the specialty, accounting for approximately 83% of all practicing radiologists in 2019.

The report describes specific experiences of radiologists working in various types of private practices during the initial peak of the COVID-19 pandemic and presents a detailed case study of a private radiology practice impacted by the pandemic. The authors outline factors determining the impact of the pandemic on private practices, the challenges practices have faced, and the financial adjustments made to mitigate losses.

For many practices, caring for patients with COVID-19 increased the complexity of the financial impact. Volumes of advanced imaging, a higher reimbursement service for many practices, were reduced while low reimbursement services, such as radiography, often increased. At the same time, performing these low reimbursement services in ways that minimized the risk of virus transmission to staff and other patients increased the time and resources required to perform these services. These challenges were often most pronounced in private practices that included a hospital-based component to their practice, and which cared for COVID-19 patients with moderate and severe symptoms." Richard E. Sharpe Jr., M.D., M.B.A., lead author, senior associate consultant at Mayo Clinic in Scottsdale, Arizona

In addition to financial burdens, tremendous variability in interpretations of state-level practice guidance existed, even in the early affected Seattle area. For example, some practices in Seattle maintained elective imaging appointments, while other groups only indicated plans to reschedule screening examinations. Still others requested that patients postpone all elective imaging. One group directed patients to reschedule only if they were symptomatic for coronavirus.

In the report, Dr. Sharpe, along with coauthors Brian S. Kuszyk, M.D., and Mahmud Mossa-Basha, M.D., lay out strategic efforts that practices are making to their mid- and long-term plans to pivot for long-term success while managing the COVID-19 pandemic.

Private radiology practices have crafted tiered strategies to respond to the impact of the pandemic by pulling various cost levers to adjust service availability, staffing, compensation, benefits, time off and expense reductions. In addition, they have sought additional revenues, within the boundaries of their practice, to mitigate ongoing financial losses.

Some practices may opt to adjust employed physician contracts to better mitigate practice risk from potential future volume disruptions. Base salary may comprise a smaller portion of overall compensation, with the balance dependent on the overall financial performance of the organization and/or individual productivity.

The longer-term impact of the pandemic will alter existing practices, making some of them more likely to succeed in the years ahead.

Some groups may prove unable to survive the COVID-19 pandemic, potentially fueling trends either toward consolidation into larger radiology groups or toward increased employment by hospitals.

"We anticipate that small radiology practices may be at greatest risk for consolidation with larger radiology groups that have a more diversified practice model regarding inpatient-outpatient mix, subspecialty service lines, and geography," said Dr. Kuszyk, president of Eastern Radiologists in Greenville, North Carolina.

RSNA is committed to providing trusted resources to the radiology community as they prepare for and manage patient surges caused by the spread of COVID-19. RSNA established the COVID-19 Task Force to lead RSNA's efforts in educating radiologists and health care professionals about the impact of COVID-19 and develop needed tools to help radiology departments handle the crisis. RSNA's COVID-19 Resources page houses the latest guidance, original research, image collection and more.
A 56-year-old person found dead near waterlogged Minto Bridge in New Delhi on July 19, police said.

The man, identified as Kundan Kumar, was a resident of Pithoragarh, Uttarakhand. He was driving a Tata Ace from the New Delhi Railway Station to Connaught Place when he got stuck in the waterlogged area, they said.

While he was trying to manoeuvre his vehicle through the waterlogged underpass, Kumar got stuck and allegedly died due to drowning, said a senior police officer.

He used to drive the vehicle, owned by his cousin Pritam, to transport goods, police said.

Kumar used to live near a taxi stand in Shankar Market area and is survived by his wife and two daughters, they said.

His body has been shifted to a mortuary at Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital wherein it will be handed over to his family after a post-mortem.

Police said they suspected that he died due to drowning since no external injury marks were found on his body.

Inquest proceedings have been initiated in this regard, they said.

Meanwhile, Delhi Chief Minister said that waterlogging has been removed from the Minto Bridge. "Since this morning, I was in contact with agencies and was monitoring the process of removing water from there. We are keeping an eye on more such places in Delhi. Wherever water is collected, it is being pumped immediately," the CM tweeted in Hindi.

North Delhi Mayor and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Jai Prakash held the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) responsible for the incident and said it will continue to occur until Delhi government gets rid of its irresponsible attitude.

Such incidents will continue to occur until the Delhi government gets rid of its irresponsible attitude. The Chief Minister should take responsibility and announce an ex gratia for the kin of the deceased. The government should ensure that such incidents don't happen again, Prakash told the news agency.

The national capital witnessed waterlogging in several areas due to heavy rains on July 19. The Delhi Traffic Police posted alerts on Twitter to inform commuters about waterlogged roads.

Delhi received its first spell of heavy rains in the morning which inundated low-lying areas. Several stretches where construction work is going on also reported waterlogging.
England's royal family is the most famous family in the world. That means that the spotlight is always on them and that they are not safe from conspiracy theories and rumors.

Tabloids have been releasing numerous articles about the royal family for years, and although some of them were true, there are those that are just outright absurd. Here are some of the craziest rumors about the Royal Family of England.

Kate Middleton used a surrogate

Duchess Kate Middleton of Cambridge is now a mother of three: Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis. However, people are starting to wonder why hours after giving birth, she already looked all dolled up. This is why a Russian newspaper released an article suggesting that the Duchess did not give birth to Princess Charlotte, but instead used a surrogate.

According to the article, Duchess Kate used a fake baby bump while she was out in public. Another story suggests that she gave birth to Princess Charlotte but she gave birthdays before her supposed birthday. Both stories are not true.

Also Read: Kanye West Still Running for President, Files for FEC

Prince Charles and Princess Diana had a secret child

The tabloid The Globe wrote an article that said Prince William and Prince Harry have an older sister. The alleged older sister was born through a surrogate and is the next in line to the throne after Prince Charles.

According to the rumor, before Prince Charles and Princess Diana were engaged, Queen Elizabeth had Princess Diana undergo testing to make sure that she can bear children. T

he rumor then continued that Princess Diana's embryos were stolen by the doctor and implanted them in his wife. The alleged older sister, Princess Sara, was sent to the United States. This rumor was completely made up.

Archie is not Prince Harry's son

The latest rumor surrounding the royal family is that Prince Harry is not the biological father of Archie Harrison. The tabloid The Globe posted an article about it just two weeks after Archie was born. The article stated that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle received results from a DNA test days before the birth.

The results allegedly confirmed that Prince Harry was not the father. This rumor turns out to be false since Archie is now looking more and more like his father, Prince Harry, as he grows. Also, it is unlikely that the royal family would conduct a DNA test and get the results days before Meghan Markle gave birth.

Prince Charles will never become King

Now, it is not a secret that many British people are still bitter about Prince Charles' infidelity, especially since Princess Diana was so well-loved by the public. This rumor may have rooted in that fact.

Prince Charles is next in line for the throne when Queen Elizabeth passes or steps down, but according to a royal butler who used to work for Princess Diana, the line-up might not happen.

The royal butler, Paul Burrell, thinks that Prince Charles will do the right thing and pass the throne to his son, Prince William. But if this is not true, then Prince Charles will become King.

Related Article: Most Absurd Celebrity Rumors of Katy Perry, Beyonce, Taylor Swift and more

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Six people were killed and at least 20 others injured when the private bus they were travelling in fell off the Lucknow-Agra Expressway after hitting another vehicle in Uttar Pradeshs Kannauj district on Sunday, police said.

The accident occurred at around 5:15am 122 kilometres from the state capital of Lucknow. The bus, according to police, had started from Darbhanga in Bihar and was going to Delhi.

A private bus with around 40 passengers toppled down the highway after colliding with a stranded SUV. Five passengers were killed on the spot while another died minutes after reaching the hospital, Amrendra PD Singh, Kannaujs superintendent of police (SP), said.

Around 20 other passengers have also sustained injuries. They have been admitted to hospital, Singh added.

Condition of some of the injured is said to be critical.

It appears that the bus driver failed to spot the SUV in time that led to the collision and then failed to control the bus which toppled down, Singh said.

A police team reached the spot within a few minutes and called an ambulance that carried the injured to hospital.

They were trying to identify the dead and the injured by the time this report was filed.

Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath expressed his condolences over the death of the passengers and directed officials to ensure proper treatment of those injured.
Egypt re-launched culture activities two weeks ago after a four-month suspension amid the coronavirus shutdown

Popular Egyptian band Massar Egbari will give a live concert on 22 July at the Cairo Opera House's newly-established open-air stage Fountain Theatre.

The band will introduce original songs addressing social topics, such as 'Fakrah' (Do You Remember), 'Mafish Haga' (Nothing), 'Hawy' (Magician), 'Tareeq Tany (Another Road) and many others.

Massar Egbari's last appearance was an online streaming concert in early June during the first season of the WE Online Music Festival.

Founded in 2005 and coming to prominence a few years later, Massar Egbari is at present one of the leading independent bands in Egypt, with the line-up of well-known musicians Hani El-Dakkak (guitar and lead vocal), Ahmed Hafez (bass guitar), Tamer Attallah (drums), Ayman Massoud (keyboards), and Mahmoud Siam (guitar).

The band has remained active during the general shutdown of cultural activities. It was the first independent Egyptian band to livestream a concert on 24 March.

After a four-month suspension amid the coronavirus shutdown, the Cairo Opera House re-launched activities on 9 July amid strict precautionary measures.

Programme

Wednesday 22 July, 8pm

afoura (Fountain) Theatre, Cairo Opera House grounds, Zamalek, Cairo

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Photo: The Canadian Press Asmaa Ali is photographed at home in Edmonton, Friday, July 17, 2020. She is the co-creator, along with her friend Habon Ali, of a Canada-wide comprehensive list of resources for survivors of sexual assault. This image was directed remotely while Aisha Ali operated the camera, because of COVID-19 related restrictions. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Amber Bracken

Two Somali-Canadian advocates have created an online resource specifically for racialized survivors of sexual assault, saying a centralized guide is necessary to fill gaps in both the health-care and justice systems that leave marginalized women behind.

Habon Ali of Toronto and Edmonton's Asmaa Ali said existing resources are either scarce in nature or scattered across the internet, making it difficult for victims to track down the help they need. The women contend the issues persist both in the immediate aftermath of sexual violence and further down the road when victims need medical rather than legal support.

Spurred on by both the patchwork of systems at home and the death of a Black Lives Matter activist abroad, the women compiled a 28-page document listing resources including help lines, legal services and places to obtain sexual assault kits across the country.

"It was important for us to put together these resources because there's a barrier in finding them and we did our best to remove them," said Asmaa Ali, a registered nurse and recent graduate of the University of Alberta.

She said sexual violence resources in Canada are seldom geared towards intersectional communities and often leave Black, Indigenous and other people from racialized communities out of the conversation.

She and Habon Ali sought out resources that included those communities, adding their focus was on providing support to vulnerable women with intersectional experience.

The guide is also intended to provide additional help for students and immigrants, groups Habon Ali cited as particularly likely to fall through the cracks of Canada's current systems.

She said language barriers often make it difficult for ethnic minority groups to find and secure the help they need.

"Sexual violence is pervasive across all social and cultural boundaries globally and its important we acknowledge the systemic inequalities that result in racial health disparities," she said.

Asmaa Ali said both women felt moved to take action in Canada after reading about the suspicious death of a young activist in the United States.

Oluwatoyin Salau was a 19-year-old advocate who went missing in early June after tweeting about being sexually assaulted by a man. She was found dead in Florida days later. Aaron Glee Jr. 49, is now charged with second-degree murder,kidnapping and sexual assault in connection with her death.

Both Canadian advocates said Salau's death highlights a stigma Black women face when they speak up against their assailants. The fact that some pay a heavy price for self-advocacy, bolstered by a growing number of online anecdotes detailing similar treatment, is what prompted them to make sexual assault supports more readily available at home.

"It's sad to see the way survivors are treated when they speak up about their sexual violence," Asmaa Ali said. "When BIPOC women online began to speak up about their experience it made it all the more real."

The decision to include students in the guide's scope was welcome news for Sara Reza, who attends York University's Schulich School of Business and founded the social media account SilencedatSchulich, where racialized sexual assault survivors can share their experiences of violence and racism.

She said the number of students of color who dont know where to turn after an alleged assault is "overwhelming and heartbreaking."

"Oftentimes, women of colour who are victims of sexual violence in this country come from marginalized communities that are underfunded and do not have the adequate resources to help them," Reza said.

That holds true long after the trauma of an assault, according to Siham Rayale at the University of Toronto.

The women and gender studies lecturer said systemic racism exists throughout the health-care system, citing questionable assumptions about women of colour that shape the way medical professionals have historically responded to their concerns.

"We know there have been countless studies that show what medical professionals are taught about the tolerance that women of colour have for pain," Rayale said, adding such attitudes give women in need of care short-shrift when they need help the most.

She described the new online resource guide as "necessary and lifesaving" for those who may not know how to navigate Canada's complex systems.
Shincheonji Church of Jesus members who have recovered from COVID-19 wait in line to donate blood plasma at Kyungpook National University Hospital in Daegu, 300 kilometers south of Seoul, July 13, to support the development of a vaccine or drug to treat the virus. Yonhap



By Bahk Eun-ji



The most promising drug shown to treat COVID-19 patients so far is remdesivir, an antiviral medication made by Gilead Science, but it requires more rigorous clinical trials at least here in Korea, according to the health authorities.



The Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC) said it has administered remdesivir to 42 COVID-19 patients from July 2 to 10. On July 13, it reported results from the group given the drug in different hospitals; nine showed an improvement, 15 showed no change, and three showed a worsened condition.



Because the result has yet to be compared with a control group, KCDC Deputy Director Kwon Joon-wook said the quarantine authorities would seek experts' opinions as well as conduct further analysis in order to ascertain its efficacy.



Plasma transfusions is one of two therapies that many researchers have proposed to treat the novel coronavirus with remdesivir. In a recent guideline of National Health Commission in China, Zhang Dingyu, director of Jinyintan Hospital in Wuhan, said a new treatment using the plasma of the patients recovered from the virus was effective in other patients battling it. He said the plasma contained a large number of immune antibodies.



Plasma extracted from blood of recovered patients is used to make products that are the most effective treatment for COVID-19 when there is no drug or vaccine. These products can significantly lower the fatality rate of patients with severe symptoms, Zhang was quoted as saying by The Global Times.



"Blood from recovered patients contains a high concentration of antibodies. Trials on patients in a severe condition using plasma from recovered patients have been carried out in Jinyintan Hospital, a facility designated for COVID-19 treatment, and we have seen good results so far," he said.



In the absence of a vaccine experts said the plasma appears to be the most reliable alternative.



Kwon said a clinical trial for plasma therapy is likely to start here in September, while the government already started a joint study on the treatment in March.



The number of plasma samples needed for the clinical trial is at least 130. As of July 14, health authorities received the plasma from 182 out of 390 recovered patients who expressed their intention to donate their blood plasma for the government's research. The number is expected to increase as more than 4,000 followers of Shincheonji Church of Jesus, the country's minor religious sect, who have recovered from COVID-19 have said they will donate their blood plasma to support the development of a treatment.



Shincheonji was at the center of the early stage of the virus outbreak in Korea from February to March. Some 4,000 followers, most of whom were from its branch in the southeastern city of Daegu, were infected with the virus.



Experts said the massive donation of blood plasma by the religious group could accelerate the development of blood plasma treatment in the country. In particular, the treatment success in cases previously identified in Korea has raised expectations for the development.



In April, a group of doctors at the Severance Hospital in Seoul, which administered plasma therapy on two elderly patients, uploaded their method of treatment to the website of the Journal of Korean Medical Science.



The two patients were a 67-year-old woman with a medical history of hypertension who tested positive on March 6, and a previously healthy 71-year-old man who was confirmed to have contracted the virus on Feb. 22, according to the article. Both patients recovered after being treated with plasma from coronavirus survivors.



Limitation to therapy



Blood plasma is the perfect medicine in theory, but in fact, there are many limitations and no country has yet succeeded in developing a vaccine. The theory goes that giving the plasma containing the antibody to people currently infected with COVID-19 helps them recover. This approach has been used in the past to treat severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) and Ebola, but results were mixed.



"It's an old technique," Scott Koepsell, medical director in the division of transfusion and transplantation support services at the University of Nebraska Medical Center who has collected plasma from Ebola survivors was quoted as saying by The Verge. He says that while plasma transfusions have been used for over a century, it's still a treatment of last resort.



"It's a really well-meaning approach, but it has a lot of variability and limitations," he said.



For example, every person who survives an infection will have a slightly different mix of immune substances in their plasma. Each sick person treated with plasma, then, is getting a slightly different treatment. That can make it really difficult for researchers to tell whether plasma therapy is generally effective (or ineffective) or whether it depends on if a patient gets a really good (or bad) batch of plasma.



Choi Joon-yong, an infectious medicine professor at Severance Hospital, who conducted an earlier study on the plasma treatment, said, "The treatment has its own side-effects and there is not enough scientific evidence as there have been no large-scale clinical trials yet."



"But it will be an alternative treatment for severe patients who are not seeing effects with anti-virus treatment if it can be combined with other drugs including steroids," he said.



GC Pharma, a Korean biopharmaceutical company, is in charge of developing the domestic plasma treatment. The company is currently preparing for clinical trials of the plasma with the aim of commercializing it in the second half of the year.


China's Y-9 medical aircraft completes maiden mission

PLA Daily

Source: Xinhuanet

Editor: Li Wei

2020-07-18 16:29:55

CHENGDU, July 18 (Xinhua) -- The Chinese air force's Y-9 medical aircraft has completed its maiden transfer mission this week, according to military sources.

A Y-9 plane refitted for medical transfer purpose flew a sick serviceperson surnamed Zhang from a plateau area to a major city in northwest China. The trip lasted about 4.5 hours. Zhang was injured during a training session, and his conditions deteriorated in a local hospital, the sources said.

Equipped with advanced facilities, the Y-9 medical aircraft can perform difficult medical transfers and enables medical workers to provide in-flight emergency treatment.

It was displayed in public for the first time during a grand military parade in Beijing marking the 70th founding anniversary of the People's Republic of China last year.

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ALBION, MI  Colleges and universities across the state are pressed for money right now, but Albion College recently received a $7.5 million unrestricted gift  the largest in Albion College history  that will be used for a multitude of things, including COVID-19 testing.

Robert Richmond attended Albion College from 1959-61, and while he didnt receive a degree from the college, his stepdaughter, Lori Troop, said it left an impression on him and his passion to help students learn.

He still had his Albion yearbook, so it must have meant something to him, Troop said. He just valued education in general.

Albion College President Mathew Johnson said the college received the gift almost a month ago, and because the funds are unrestricted, it can be used for a number of things. First and foremost, Johnson said the gift will be used to underwrite Albions Michigan 2020 Promise, which covers all tuition and fees for families making under $65,000 a year.

As the college prepares for the fall semester, though, Johnson said the funds from the gift will help outfit classrooms with new technology and health and safety measures, including automatic door openers, plexiglass in certain areas of campus and new desk configurations so students can maintain their physical distance.

Theres a whole sort of category of expenses we would not normally have that we have to prepare for bringing students back to campus, Johnson said.

According to Johnson, 95% of students want to return to campus, and the gift will help pay for COVID-19 kits that each student will receive when they arrive on campus, complete with cleaning solutions, a mask and other materials so theyre safe on campus. Students will also be tested multiple times for COVID-19 throughout the semester to keep track of any infection and to stop the spread of the virus.

Richmonds gift will be used over the next two and a half years as Albion College adjusts to the changing world, and Johnson said getting an unrestricted gift is essential for small colleges like Albion to remain relevant.

Unrestricted gifts allow for small colleges to be at their best, to be strategic, to seize opportunity and to focus with their students on the current challenge, issue or opportunity, Johnson said. Unrestricted gifts make that possible and allow for colleges to be nimble as well as strategic.

After attending Albion for two years, Richmond went to the University of Michigan before graduating from Central Michigan University with a degree in business administration, a college news release said. He went on to a career with IBM and helped businesses set up their computers.

If he had known the college would be using the gift for scholarships and to keep students safe, Troop says he would have been happy.

He would be happy that hes helping individuals, Troop said. He wasnt the type that would like some grandiose building with his name on it.

More information on Richmonds gift can be found here.

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The British government asked Japan to help build its 5G wireless networks without Huawei Technologies, the Nikkei said on Sunday, a further step in a global technology and security war between the United States and China.

Britain named NEC Corp and Fujitsu Ltd as potential alternative suppliers to Huawei, the business daily reported, without citing sources.

British officials met with their counterparts in Tokyo on Thursday, two days after Britain ordered Huawei equipment purged from its 5G networks by the end of 2027, the Nikkei said.

As Britain prepares to leave the European Union, fears over the security of Huawei have forced Prime Minister Johnson to choose between the United States and China, weighing a critical alliance against billions in investment.

The Nikkei said the latest move reflects Britain's effort to bring in new equipment suppliers to foster competition and help reduce costs for the country's wireless carriers.

The British embassy in Tokyo and Fujitsu did not immediately respond to email or text inquiries on Sunday. Japan's Cabinet Secretariat and NEC did not answer calls. Huawei and China's foreign ministry had no immediate comment.

British digital minister Oliver Dowden last week said Britain was working with its allies to foster stronger rivals to Huawei, naming firms from Finland, Sweden, South Korea and Japan.
ANTAKYA, Turkey  Millions remain displaced as the nine-year long civil war continues in Syria between Russian backed forces loyal to President Bashar al-Assad and rebels in the conflict-ridden country.

But even as the fighting continues, parliamentary elections began on Sunday in areas controlled by the long-time leader whose country has become an insoluble problem for world powers, drawing in the United States, Russia and Turkey.

Around 7,400 polling stations have been set up across the country for Sunday's vote, according to Syrias state-run SANA News Agency, which reported that 2,100 candidates will compete for 250 parliamentary seats.

For some Syrian citizens and experts alike, the result is a forgone conclusion  Assads Baath Party is expected to win comfortably.

"This is not an election, this is an absurd and cheap play done by the Syrian regime," Haitham Darwish told NBC News by telephone from a refugee camp in Syrias northern Idlib province.

"There is no such thing called democracy in the areas that are controlled by Assad's forces," said Darwish, 47. The father of six added that elections should be done when the country is united and when people can go back to their hometowns."

Image: Campaign posters of candidates in Syria (AFP - Getty Images)

His comments were echoed by Hatem Ismail, a member of Syrias Yeketi Party of Kurdistan, from the northern city of Raqqa.

Its not an electoral process, but rather a process that appoints the names of the parliamentarians who support the current regime, Ismail, 40, told NBC News by telephone. Where is the democracy here?

Lina Khatib, head of the Middle East and North Africa Program at London think tank Chatham House, agreed that the elections would not be free nor fair.

Assads regime was hoping to show that the Syrian state is functioning despite the pressures it is facing economically and politically, she said, adding that many of the candidates were business people who were internationally sanctioned, while some have close connections with Russia or Iran.

Story continues

The elections were more of a preparatory step for the presidential elections that are due to take place next year, she said. Assad, who has maintained a tight grip on power since he became president just over 20 years ago, expected to win those elections, she said.

While his rule has been mired by a nine-year civil war, which erupted in 2011 during the Arab Spring uprisings that swept across the Middle East, with the backing of Russian forces, in recent years his regime has gradually been able to reassert control.

It currently holds around 70 percent of the country, according to the London-based monitoring group, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. Turkish and Kurdish forces, along with other rebel groups hold the remaining territory.

The bloody conflict has caused "unprecedented devastation and displacement," according tothe United Nations, leaving hundreds of thousands dead and the country economically exhausted.

More than 5 million Syrians have fled the country  many to nearby Lebanon and Turkey  and the U.N. estimates that at least 6 million people are displaced within the country, so it is unclear how many people will be able to vote.

Some like Mohamed Sharif, who lives in the northeastern city of Qamishli have vowed not to vote in what he called an illegal election.

"The regime for nine years until now never presented a plan for national reconciliation, never presented a plan to solve the existing problems in Syria," Sharif, 51, told NBC News by telephone.

But Khatib said the election was nonetheless a way for the Assad regime to present itself as legitimate domestically, and to send a message of defiance to the international community.

Image: Bashar al-Assad (Rabih Moghrabi / AFP - Getty Images file)

NBC News has approached Syria's Presidential Office and Ministry of Foreign Affairs for comment about the election.

After casting his vote, Syria's Information Minister Imad Sarah told reporters: The elections confirm the true image of democracy in Syria."

It will be the second time parliamentary elections have taken place in the country since the conflict began. When the first took place in 2016, Western powers denounced the vote as illegitimate, while Russia, a staunch Syria-ally, said the elections were necessary to avoid a power vacuum.

This years election has already been postponed twice because of concerns about coronavirus in the country where 496 cases and 25 deaths from the disease have been recorded, according to Johns Hopkins University data.

Preventative COVID-19 measures are in place, such as social distancing and the use of personal pens, the SANA News Agency reported, but aid agencies have nonetheless expressed concerns about outbreaks in Idlib.

For Sharif however, it is not fear of the virus that is stopping him from voting, but anger about the election.

"We are mad They are illegitimate," he said.

Ammar Cheikh Omar reported from Antakya, Charlene Gubash from Cairo and Adela Suliman from London.

Reuters contributed to this report.
Kevin Penn, a Black store owner who was punched by a white police officer and knocked face down to the floor in March after initiating a 911 call about a shoplifting attempt, says he and other Black men in Decatur face a serious dilemma when they need police assistance.

Ive met some good officers, but there are some bad, and you dont know whos coming to the scene, Penn said in a lengthy interview detailing his recent encounters with police. Are you going to have a professional officer thats an asset to the department, who really understands how to serve and protect? Or are you going to have a rogue one thats capable of doing anything?

As a Black man, youre rolling the dice.

Police Chief Nate Allen, who also is Black, does not discount the vulnerability Black civilians feel when encountering white policemen.

I hear that quite frequently, and I believe it to be true, he said. Just look at it this way: It doesnt matter what your race is, when a police officer gets behind you, everybody tenses up. Oh God, Im going to get a ticket. It could be even worse on a Black male, in light of all the things that are going on around the nation and world. Yes, I can see the tension there.

The March 15 punch and takedown that left Penn with a broken jaw and missing teeth, and a later encounter in which another Decatur police officer pulled a gun while Penn was leaving a downtown cigar club, have definitely made the 48-year-old Penn tense.

Ill be driving and Im looking at a police officer driving. Everybody whos Black says the same thing  it has their head on a swivel, said Penn, the owner of Star Spirits & Beverages. Because if we get pulled over, we might not come out of that.  You see a big pothole and you dont want to swerve around it. You just slow down and ease over it. You dont want to be looked at as swerving.

Penns encounter with police at his liquor store received national attention when an in-store security video of the incident began circulating on social media June 7, almost three months after it happened. That was followed by a June 8 press conference in which Allen played an edited snippet of a policemans body camera footage from the same incident.

The security video showing the officer's fist making contact with Penn's jaw  released less than two weeks after a white Minneapolis policeman was videotaped killing a Black man, George Floyd  quickly became an exhibit in the Black Lives Matter movement. A change.org petition started by Giovanni Orozco of Decatur demanding "Justice for Kevin Penn" has collected more than 58,000 signatures.

Orozco, 22, had never met Penn, but he said after seeing the video he couldn't let it drop.

"I already felt really strongly about the injustices that I've been seeing. I'm Hispanic myself, so I've seen what minorities go through firsthand," Orozco said. "I saw the video and I couldn't believe it, and then I saw it was in my own city, in the place that I grew up in. I can't change what's going on in Minneapolis or New York, but I can do something about what's happening in my own community.

"I wanted to be part of the change that I wanted to see."

While Penn had filed a citizens complaint with the department immediately after the March 15 incident, it was not until the social media post and media attention that Allen placed the officer who punched Penn, Justin Rippen, on nondisciplinary desk duty as the departmental investigation continued. The investigation is over, Allen said in a recent interview, and Rippen has been dealt with. The city of Decatur has thus far failed to produce requested documents pertaining to the investigation or any discipline.

Beyond his statements at the June 8 press conference, Allen has refused to provide details on the incident, saying the threat of litigation by Penn prevents him from being transparent.

The incident

Penn gave a detailed account of the March 15 events.

At about 8:30 p.m. March 15 a man entered Star Spirits, Penns liquor store on Sixth Avenue Northeast near downtown. Based on the mans behavior, Penn suspected he planned to steal something. The man grabbed two bottles of liquor and ran toward the door, at which point Penn activated a magnetic door lock that he accessed from behind the shop counter.

Penn, who has a concealed carry permit, then pulled a gun to apprehend the shoplifter. He drew the gun, he said, in part because a past shoplifter had broken out of the store by throwing liquor bottles at the glass door, so not only did we lose the product, there was damage to the store.

At Penns request, a friend of his who was in the store called 911. According to Allen, the caller reported a robbery, so police came to the store thinking a robbery might be in progress. The city of Decatur has blocked The Dailys efforts to obtain a transcript of the 911 call because, according to City Attorney Herman Marks, it is part of a criminal proceeding. The proceeding to which he referred is not a prosecution of the robber or Rippen, but of Penn.

Minutes after the 911 call, several police officers showed up with guns drawn, standing outside the locked perimeter door. Penn, who had been standing near the shoplifter and holding his gun, said he motioned to the officers and went behind the counter to unlock the door for them and to place his gun on the counter. Two of the officers ordered the shoplifter to lie down, which he did.

I knew immediately I didnt want to be perceived as a threat, so the first thing I do is put the weapon on the counter and I dropped the magazine from it, Penn said. He also removed a bullet from the guns chamber. Just as they are outside the perimeter door, I had laid the weapon on the counter unloaded, unchambered, and I was putting the round into the magazine when they were starting to come in.

Thats when problems began, and they unfolded in seconds.

We do know there was a gun there, we do know the magazines were there, we do know that he was reloading the magazine, Allen said at the June 8 press conference.

Penn does not dispute this, except to point out that the magazine had been removed from the gun, the unloaded gun was on the counter, and he was merely returning the unchambered bullet to the detached magazine.

The store security video contains no audio, but in the short body-cam video played by Allen at the press conference, an officer can be heard yelling at Penn to drop his gun. Penn can be heard yelling back, but what he says is not clear.

Asked why he would argue with police who had guns pointed at him, he said it was because they clearly thought he was a robber and they were demanding something of him that was impossible.

Theyre asking for a weapon thats not in my hand. Im figuring, what are you planning to do to me? I dont have a weapon in my hand. Youre fixing to do something to me, and Im unarmed, Penn said. I said, Its on the counter. Ive got a permit for it. I have a right to it. I kept telling them, Im the owner. Im the owner, and thats when one of them said, You could be the robber. And I said, Listen, I called you!

Penn said the store security video suggests his pleas got through to one officer, who appears to be holstering his gun. At the same moment, however, Rippen rushes Penn and punches him in the chin. I felt the popping of the bone in my jaw, Penn said. He would later spend six weeks with his jaws wired together and eating through a straw.

Allen said Penn is wrong in suggesting the situation had deescalated before Rippen intervened.

The tension never subsided. I wish it would have subsided on either side, but no, the tensions never subsided on either side, Allen said. But thats all part of the litigation, so I really cant get into more of that case until it gets settled.

No lawsuit is pending, although Penn and his lawyer, Carl Cole, submitted a notice of their intent to sue.

After the punch, Penn said, Rippen grabbed one of his arms, another officer grabbed his other arm, and a third grabbed him around the neck from behind, all of which is visible on the store video.

So my jaw is already broken, and when they go around my neck they take me down. My floor is concrete and brick, so when I went down I couldnt brace myself. So when I went down, my face hit the floor. Thats when my teeth came out, Penn said.

Only seconds had elapsed between the arrival of the police and Penn finding himself face down on the floor with handcuffs being snapped on, and he said he was bewildered.

I kept telling them, Im unarmed. Im unarmed. Im the owner. You punched me in the face and Im unarmed. Im no threat to you. I was just so stunned, Penn said. Thats when the pain started to hit me in the face. And my friend, the customer, kept saying, Thats the owner! He was trying to explain it to them, too. They didnt believe I was the owner.

'I felt helpless'

He said he was moved to a police car in the store parking lot, handcuffed so tight that he felt searing pain under my arm, and his jaw was swollen and he was bleeding. He said police called an ambulance and it arrived, but they would not let it transport him to the hospital. Eventually police took him to the hospital, then transported him to the Morgan County Jail where he was advised he was being charged.

Im thinking they must be charging me with robbery, Penn said.

Instead, Rippen  the officer who punched him  swore out a complaint against Penn for misdemeanor obstructing governmental operations.

And when I heard the charge, Im like, What is this? I called you all for help. Im assaulted, Im sent to the hospital, Im embarrassed, Im going through all these feelings. Now Im getting arrested? Man, I could not even rationalize what was happening to me, Penn said.

It was a night that Penn said affected his view of the world.

The whole thing just landed on me, man, Penn recalls. I felt helpless. It was one of the times in my life when I felt the most vulnerable. I felt like the police could do anything to you, and theres nothing you could do about it. Absolutely nothing.

Penn's lawyer, who is defending him on the misdemeanor, said the charge is ludicrous.

"It's really a retaliation charge," Cole said, a response to Penn's expressed determination to initiate an internal affairs review of the incident. "Maybe the most frustrating thing about this aside from the injuries is that he's got to deal with an arrest, that he's out on bond, on a case that probably won't be heard until next year because of the coronavirus.

"It just speaks to the awesome power of an individual police officer to disrupt somebody's life. You can have a great appreciation for police and still want them held to a high standard and held accountable for misconduct."

Allen wont comment on what went wrong March 15 at Penns liquor store, but he acknowledges that police, like everyone else, are affected by prejudices.

I try not to use the term color blind, because color is always going to be a factor, Allen said. Its always going to be something Im going to see. We all have biases, he said.

While Allen believes many Blacks fear white police officers, he said the fear is not reciprocal. What some Blacks perceive as fear or hostility, he said, has more to do with training.

I dont think white police officers fear the Black guys, he said. I think its an officers safety strategy. We teach officer safety from the time they come to the academy to the time they retire. We teach awareness and we teach distance.

He said he's working hard to improve relations between police and the community generally, and especially between white officers and the Black community.

"I do have a very, very difficult role," Allen said. "Being a Black police chief makes it very difficult. The Black people feel that if you don't side with them, you're a sell-out. The white people feel like I'm going to side with the Black folks because I'm Black, and they're concerned about whether they can trust me on it."

Penn is convinced he suffered a broken jaw because a white police officer immediately assumed the Black man he encountered must be a robber and a threat, not a store owner seeking police assistance.

How many thousands of times have I thought, What could I have done? I cant see a thing I did that constituted a threat. Im unarmed. Im the owner. I had the magazine in my hand, Penn said. I dont know what I could have done to make them feel any safer than I did.

Im not oblivious to the fact that we have to deal with a systemic issue across the nation. But it starts local. Everything starts local.

Part 2, coming this week: Another policeman drew his gun during an encounter with Kevin Penn last month, and Police Chief Nate Allen outlines his efforts to improve relations between police and the community.

 eric@decaturdaily.com or 256-340-2435. Twitter @DD_Fleischauer.



2020 The Decatur Daily (Decatur, Ala.)

Visit The Decatur Daily (Decatur, Ala.) at www.decaturdaily.com

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After the traders body Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) issued an appeal to boycott Chinese rakhis, ahead of the Raksha Bandhan festival next month, local residents are preferring Made in India rakhis over Chinese ones.

From the past many years, rakhi imported from China has been ruling the market due to its looks, varieties and cheap cost.

It is considered to be the biggest wholesale and retail market for festive items.

A wholesale trader in Gurmandi Sumit Jain said that even traders are not interested in selling any Chinese products. Buyers are looking for India-made rakhi even though they are sold at a much higher price. Many people are coming to stores and asking for Indian rakhis, said Sumit.

Mainly, rakhis are manufactured in Kolkata and Ambala, but over the years Chinese rakhis, particularly the ones with cartoon characters and electronic bands, had swept the market.

The estimated business of China-made rakhis was over 1 crore.

This year, there is no demand for Chinese rakhis. This inclination towards local rakhi may be due to the ongoing stand-off between Indian and Chinese troops at the Galwan Valley. After so many years, we have witnessed that people are preferring to buy local rakhis. If such sentiment prevails in other festivals as well then it would be boon for the local industry, said Rajinder Singh, a local dealer.

Divya Jain, a resident of Sunder Nagar said that earlier she used to purchase Chinese rakhi but this time she decided to boycott Made in China products.

Sanjiv Sharma, a resident of Sarabha Nagar, said, After witnessing the India-China tensions at the border we have decided not to buy Chinese products. Further, Raksha Bandhan is purely a Hindustani festival so at no point in buying Chinese products for the occasion. We are encouraging our children to buy Indian products as much as possible.

Recently, the Confederation of All India Traders had issued an appeal to boycott Chinese rakhis. The CAIT, which has 40,000 trade associations has called for the boycott of Chinese products, the move which may cause a dent to Chinas estimated 4,000 crore of trade during the festival, said Badish Jindal, president of Federation of Punjab Small Industries Associations.
Iran Spokesman Says 'Stop Execution' Hashtag Was 'A Straightforward Demand' By Public

Radio Farda July 18, 2020

The Iranian government has for the first time reacted to the "Stop Executions in Iran" hashtag that has been used by more than 10 million Twitter users since Wednesday evening July 15.

The hashtag was first used to stop the execution of three young men who were arrested during the November protests in Iran, but it gradually turned into a call on Iranian officials to abolish capital punishment.

In a commentary published by the Iran newspaper, the mouthpiece of the presidential administration administration, on Saturday July 18, Ali Rabiei the spokesperson for Hassan Rouhani's government called for "respecting the natural call made by public opinion."

Rabiei described the promotion of the hashtag by millions of Iranians as "a civil action by citizens who want to be heard" and called for "the rulers' response and hearing out the people's straightforward call."

However, he criticized U.S. President Donald Trump's use of the hashtag and his support for Iranian netizens as "an unbelievable outrageous attempt to ride the wave."

Over 10 million tweets and retweets using the Persian hashtag "Stop Executions in Iran" created a storm in cyberspace after the Iranian Judiciary issued death verdicts for Amir Hossein Moradi, Saeed Tamjidi and Mohammad Rajabi for taking part in the demonstrationss against a sudden three-fold rise in the price of gasoline in November which soon turned into a nationwide protest against economic problems and financial corruption. Some protesters had even called for an end to the rule of clerics in Iran.

Using the same hashtag, President Trump wrote in tweets in Persian and English on July 15: "Three individuals were sentenced to death in Iran for participating in protests. The execution is expected momentarily," President Trump tweeted, adding, "Executing these three people sends a terrible signal to the world and should not be done! #StopExecutionsInIran."

Trump's tweets were followed by more similar posts by other statesmen from the rest of the world including the Foreign Ministers of Swede and Denmark who said they were "deeply shocked" by the verdict.

The spokesman for the Iranian government described these reactions as "noise" and opined that "They ride the waves in order to disrupt the process of dialogue in Iran and to create a deadlock."

Meanwhile, Rabiei who was a high-ranking intelligence official for many years, added that some of the reactions by the people were "fabricated voices guided by the enemies' propaganda machine."

The users who promoted the hashtag against executions in Iran also reminded each other and the government of many cases of murders, executions and tortures that took place during the past four decades, in a large part of which Rabiei was a key intelligence official at least partly responsible for "state-sponsored crimes."

In other parts of his commentary, Rabiei tried to distance himself and the administration from the events in the past, by blaming the Judiciary for the executions.

Iranian Judiciary officials have still not officially reacted to the hashtag. However, the action on social media appears to have had some impact as Babak Paknia, a defense lawyer for the three prisoners sentenced to death as well as two other lawyers, Hossein Taj and Mostafa Nili were allowed access to their case files for the first time.

Paknia said that Judiciary officials have finally agreed that the defense lawyers may intervene in the case.

Source: https://en.radiofarda.com/a/iran-spokesman- says-stop-execution-hashtag-was-a- straightforward-demand-by-public-/30734801.html

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

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Coronavirus Updates: All activities, except essential services, will be restricted during the lockdown, said chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan.

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With over 37.2 lakh reported cases till date, the United States is the worst-affected country in the world. The US is followed by Brazil, India, Russia and South Africa.

The total confirmed cases of COVID-19 across the world stand at 1.43 crore, according to the Reuters tracker. This figure includes COVID-19 patients who have recovered and the overall global death toll which stands at 6.01 lakh.

In just one week, the United States records about as many deaths as the 5,600 lives Sweden has lost since the pandemic began earlier this year.

America is losing about 5,000 people to the virus every week. By contrast, neighboring Canada has reported total deaths of 8,800 since the pandemic started.

US deaths from the novel coronavirus topped 140,000 on Saturday as cases continued to rise in 42 out of 50 states over the past two weeks, according to a Reuters tally.

The rainfall, decrease in temperatures and cooling of the atmosphere coupled with progression towards winter may environmentally favour the spread of COVID-19 in the country, according to the study led by V Vinoj, Assistant Professor of the School of Earth, Ocean and Climatic Sciences at IIT-Bhubaneswar.

A study conducted jointly by researchers at IIT-Bhubaneswar and the AIIMS here has shown that the spread of COVID-19 may pick up pace during peak monsoon and winter with a fall in the mercury.

The AIIMS Ethics Committee HAD gave its nod for a human clinical trial of the indigenously developed COVID-19 vaccine candidate Covaxin following which the premier hospital is likely to begin the exercise by enrolling healthy volunteers from Monday.

President Donald Trumps failure to contain the coronavirus outbreak and his refusal to promote clear public-health guidelines have left many senior Republicans despairing that he will ever play a constructive role in addressing the crisis, with some concluding they must work around Trump and ignore or even contradict his pronouncements, reports The New York Times.

The city's death toll reached 976 with 41 more people succumbing to the infection in the last 24 hours, the official said. A total of 730 patients were discharged from hospitals during the day, he added.

With the single-day spike of 1,508 new COVID-19 cases on Sunday, the overall count of Pune city in Maharashtra went past the 37,000-mark, reports PTI. The number of positive cases now stand at 37,386, he said.

Assam reports 1,018 fresh cases and four deaths. With this, the states tally is now 23,999 and the toll is 57, says Minister for Health and Family Welfare Himanta Biswa Sarma.

The extended lockdown is applicable for municipal corporations of Mira Bhayandar, Kalyan-Dombivali and Bhiwandi-Nizampur, which all fall under the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR), where cases are on the rise.

The ongoing lockdown in Thane district of Maharashtra, which was supposed to end on 19 July midnight, has been extended till 31 July in select areas in view of the rise in COVID-19 cases, reports PTI.

The FDA said that it reissued an emergency use authorization to Quest Diagnostics to use its COVID-19 test with pooled samples. It is the first test to be authorized to be used in this way.

The Food and Drug Administration has given emergency approval to a new approach to coronavirus testing that combines test samples in batches instead of running them one by one, speeding up the process.

India's COVID19 case total crosses 11 lakh mark with the highest single-day spike of 40,425 new cases and 681 deaths reported in the last 24 hours. The total cases stand at 11,18,043 including 3,90,459 active cases, 7,00,087 cured/discharged/migrated & 27,497 deaths, said health ministry.

With 3,10,455 confirmed cases of COVID-19 so far, Maharashtra remains the worst-affected state in the country, followed by Tamil Nadu (1,70,693) and Delhi (1,22,793).

American professional golfer Jack Nicklaus has revealed during the CBS telecast of the Memorial that he and his wife tested positive for the coronavirus at the onset of the pandemic. Nicklaus and his wife, Barbara, turned 80 a month apart at the start of the year.

India tested 2,56,039 samples on Sunday, says the Indian Council of Medical Research. 1,40,47,908 samples tested for COVID-19 up to 19 July, the ICMR adds

A circular sent by the Department of School Education and Literacy, Ministry of Human Resource Development (HRD), has also asked for parents expectations from schools as and when they reopen. The education secretaries of all states and union territories have been asked to revert with the feedback by 20 July (today).

The Union education ministry has asked states and union territories for parent's feedback on a likely period when they will be comfortable with reopening of schools, reports NDTV.

Srinivasamurthy Dikshitulu, the former Pradhana Archaka of TTD, succumbed to the virus in the wee hours today, the official told PTI. He was 73. He had served the TTD for more than three decades.

The former head priest of the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) that manages the famous Lord Venkateswara temple at nearby Tirumala, died due to coronavirus at a COVID care facility in Tirupati on Monday, a hospital official said.

Indias COVID-19 recovery rate now stands at 62.6 percent. As many as 7,00,086 COVID-19 patients have been cured and discharged so far and the reported active COVID-19 cases in India now stand at 3,90,459, according to the Union Health Ministry.

The minister had tested positive for the novel coronavirus on 17 June. In his absence, Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia was looking after the health and home departments, and PWD headed by Jain.

Delhi Health Minister Satyendar Jain, who has recovered from COVID-19, will resume work from Monday, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said. Jain will be resuming work after a month.

Rajasthan records 401 new coronavirus cases on Monday, taking the states total to 29,835. With four more deaths, the toll stands at 563.

Odisha reports 673 new COVID-19 positive cases and 6 deaths, taking the total number of positive cases to 18,110 including 5,533 active cases, 12,452 recoveries and 97 deaths.

"Different COVID-19 numbers are being given for Bihar by Centre and state. People are receiving test report even when they have not given any sample for test. Medical staff at COVID centres do not have PPE kits. We demand that state govt must give a clear picture, "said Yadav.

RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav took a swipe at the Bihar government over irregular data on coronavirus cases in the state. Demanding a "clear picture" from the Centre and the state government, Yadav alleged that there was inconsistency on the number of cases being reported.

Capital Complex reported the maximum number of the new cases at 56, followed by 14 in Papum Pare district.

For the first time, Arunchal Pradesh reported 90 COVID-19 infections in single day, taking the overall count to 740, a senior Health Department official said.

With 673 new coronavirus cases being reported in Odisha, the overall count climbed to 18,110 on Monday, said the state health department. Six more patients succumbed to the viral infection.

The lockdown will stay effective till 28 July in both the areas, according to the order issued by the Raipur District Administration. Essential services, however, will be exempted during this phase.

A seven-day lockdown will be enforced in municipal limits of Raipur and Birgaon beginning 22 July in view of the rising number of COVID-19 cases, an official said on Sunday.

Thirty-three more people tested positive for the novel coronavirus in Nagaland. Of the total fresh COVID-19 infections, 16 were reported in Dimapur, 12 in Mon and five in Kohima, said the Minister for Health & Family Welfare, Nagaland.

The inmates have been accommodated in a hostel facility in Devanampattinam.

As many as 18 inmates, including three life convicts, who were transferred from various sub-jails in Villupuram and Cuddalore districts to the Cuddalore Central Prison, have tested positive for COVID-19, reported The Hindu.

Delhi health minister Satyendar Jain on Monday confirmed that there is COVID-19 community spread. "There is spread in community, now it's very technical to say either it's local or community spread. Source of many (COVID-19 positive patients) remains unknown after test. Let's leave the technical battle on Center to decide over community spread," said Jain.

The district now has total 51,885 COVID-19 cases, while the toll due to the disease has reached 1,343, the official said.

As many as 473 people tested positive for COVID-19 in Maharashtra's Pune district on Monday, taking the overall count over 50,000, ANI reported quoting an official.

Minister for Primary and Secondary Education S Suresh Kumar on Sunday said that schools would be reopened only after making the atmosphere safe for students, reported The New Indian Express.

The Karnataka government has refuted claims that schools are reopening on 1 September. It has clarified that what was said during the HRD ministry meeting on 15 July was an opinion and not the final decision.

An experimental coronavirus vaccine has been shown in an early trial to prompt a protective immune response in people, news agency AP quotes scientists at Oxford University as claiming. According to the BBC, the injection was trialed on 1,077 and showed the shot led to them making antibodies and white blood cells that can fight coronavirus. In research published Monday in the journal Lancet, scientists said that they found their experimental COVID-19 vaccine produced a dual immune response in people aged 18 to 55 that lasted at least two months after they were immunized. The experimental COVID-19 vaccine caused minor side effects like fever, chills and muscle pain more often than in those who got a control meningitis vaccine. Larger trials to evaluate the vaccine's effectiveness are underway, said the scientists.

nternational Cricket Council has postponed this year's T20 World Cup which was scheduled to be held in Australia due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The I nternational Cricket Council has postponed this year's T20 World Cup which was scheduled to be held in Australia due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Union Health Secretary Preeti Sudan & ICMR DG Dr Balram Bhargava have written to all States to ramp up testing capacity. #COVID19 pic.twitter.com/OzUdbqfUJo

"With strong leadership, community engagement and a comprehensive strategy to suppress transmission and save lives, #COVID19 can be stopped. We do not have to wait for a vaccine. We have to save lives now"- @DrTedros

World Health Organisation's (WHO) Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus in a daily briefing said that the research for a COVID-19 vaccine need to be sped up, even while working with existing tools to prevent the further spread of the disease.

Human clinical trials of the country's indigenously developed COVID-19 vaccine is set to begin this week at a Bhubaneswar-based institute one of the 12 centres selected by the ICMR for conducting phase one and two of the process, a senior official told PTI.The human trials of BBV152 COVID Vaccine or Covaxin will begin on Wednesday in a special laboratory set up at the Institute of Medical Sciences and SUM (IMS & SUM) Hospital, in accordance with the protocols laid down by the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI), said the official, "All necessary arrangements have been made for conducting the human trials. We expect to start from Wednesday," Dr E Venkat Rao, the principal investigator of the trial process and professor of community medicine at the hospital, told PTI.

West Bengal recorded a new high of 2,282 COVID-19 cases, pushing the total in the state to 44,769, the health department said on Monday. At least 35 people succumbed to the infection, raising the death toll to 1,147, it said. The number of active cases climbed to 17,204.

There will be lockdown for two days consecutive days every week, including Sundays, in districts with high incidence of coronavirus cases in Madhya Pradesh, Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said on Monday. The government has also decided to enforce the night curfew in every district from 8 pm to 5 am in view of rising cases."All activities, except essential services, will be restricted during this period," Chouhan said in a review meeting. The two-day lockdown will include Sundays, but another day, either Saturday or Monday, will be decided by the district crisis management group, he said.

This is very positive news. A huge well done to our brilliant, world-leading scientists & researchers at @UniofOxford . There are no guarantees, were not there yet & further trials will be necessary - but this is an important step in the right direction. https://t.co/PRUTu8rlPF

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson, whose government helped fund the Oxford University COVID-19 vaccine research, termed the results from the early human trials of the vaccine as "very positive news" but struck a note of caution by saying that there are no guarantees yet and further trials need to be carried out.

A visiting three-member Central team on COVID-19 Monday expressed apprehension that Bihar could see a further rise in coronavirus cases in days to come, and recommended ramping up of the state's medicare facilities.Winding up its two-day visit to the state during which the health ministry team inspected some containment zones and dedicated COVID-19 hospitals in Patna and Gaya, the team assured all assistance to the state in fighting the virus, spreading fast in Bihar. As per the latest official count, Bihar has a total of 27,455 confirmed coronavirus cases while the death toll stands at 187. A total of 17,535 patients have recovered.

"The trials have shown promising results and we are extremely happy about it. We will be applying for the licensure trials to the Indian regulator in a week's time. As soon as they grant us permission, we will begin with the trials for the vaccine in India. In addition, we will soon start manufacturing the vaccine in large volumes," SII Chief Executive Officer Adar Poonawalla said.

With the trials of COVID-19 vaccine being developed by AstraZeneca and Oxford University showing encouraging results, Serum Institute of India (SII) on Monday said it will apply for licence from the Indian regulator to start clinical trials of the shot in a week's time. SII, the largest vaccine manufacturer in the world, has been chosen by Oxford and its partner AstraZeneca to manufacture the vaccine once it gets ready.

Human trials of #Covaxin , an indigenously developed vaccine for #COVID19 has begun at Redkar Hospital in Goa. This is a testimony of India's immense potential in healthcare innovation. My best wishes to the entire team working on #Covaxin . #IndiaFightsCOVID19

Karnataka Medical Education Minister K Sudhakar on Monday ruled out the possibility ofcommunity spread in the state and said an expert committee is undertaking a study on it."There is a larger spread in containment zones. We accept that reality, but that cannot be termed as community spread. We have already formed an expert committee to study about it. Once their report comes, I can say something," he said.

Coronavirus LATEST Updates: There will be lockdown for two days every week, including Sundays, in districts with high

incidence of coronavirus cases in Madhya Pradesh, Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said on Monday.

The International Cricket Council has postponed this year's T20 World Cup which was scheduled to be held in Australia due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The IBC Board will also continue to evaluate the situation with regards to the 2021 women's World Cup in New Zealand in February. In the meantime, planning for this event continues as scheduled.

Scientists at Oxford University say their experimental coronavirus vaccine has been shown in an early trial to prompt a protective immune response in hundreds of people who got the shot.

Stressing that a large number of asymptomatic coronavirus patients are still hiding their infection, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Monday asked officials to allow home quarantine only if all protocols related to the disease are followed.

Pune district now has total 51,885 COVID-19 cases, while the toll due to the disease has reached 1,343, the official said.

The lockdown will stay effective till 28 July in both the areas, according to Raipur District Administration. Essential services, however, will be exempted during this phase.

India's COVID19 case total crosses 11 lakh mark with the highest single-day spike of 40,425 new cases and 681 deaths reported in the last 24 hours. The total cases stand at 11,18,043 including 3,90,459 active cases, 7,00,087 cured/discharged/migrated & 27,497 deaths, said health ministry.

Maharashtra Cabinet Minister Aslam Shaikh has tested positive for COVID-19. 'Im currently asymptomatic and isolating myself. I request all those who have come in close contact with me to get themselves tested,' Shaikh said in a tweet.

India's COVID-19 case fatality rate is "progressively falling" and is currently at 2.49 percent, which is one of the lowest in the world, the Union Health Ministry said on Sunday. This statement came even as coronavirus cases in the country rose by more than 30,000 for the fourth consecutive day.

The focused efforts of the Centre and state and UT governments on efficient clinical management of hospitalised cases have ensured that India's case fatality rate has fallen below 2.5 percent, the ministry said.

The country reported 38,902 COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, pushing its tally to 10,77,618 on Sunday, while the total number of recoveries increased to 6,77,422, according to the Union Health Ministry data.

The toll due to the disease rose to 26,816 with new 543 fatalities even as 23,672 patients have recuperated in the past 24 hours, the highest so far in a day, the data updated at 8 am showed.

There are 3,73,379 active cases presently in the country. The total number of confirmed cases includes foreigners.

Case fatality rate falling, says govt

From 2.82 percent over a month earlier, India's COVID-19 case fatality rate declined to 2.72 percent on 10 July and has further reduced to 2.49 percent presently.

Under the guidance of the Centre, the state and UT governments have ramped up testing and hospital infrastructure by combining public and private sector efforts, the ministry said.

Many states have conducted the population surveys to map and identify the vulnerable population like the elderly, pregnant women and those with co-morbidities.

This, with the help of technological solutions like mobile apps, has ensured keeping the high-risk population under continuous observation, thus aiding early identification, timely clinical treatment and reducing fatalities, the ministry said.

"At the ground level, frontline health workers like ASHAs (Accredited Social Health Activists) and ANMs (Auxiliary Nursing Midwives) have done a commendable job of managing the migrant population and to enhance awareness at the community level.

"As a result, there are 29 States and UTs with CFR lower than India's average. This shows commendable work done by the public health apparatus of the country," the ministry said.

Manipur, Nagaland, Sikkim, Mizoram, Andaman and Nicobar Islands have zero case fatality rate.

States and Union Territories having a CFR below the national average include Tripura (0.19 percent), Assam (0.23 percent), Kerala (0.34 percent), Odisha (0.51 percent), Goa (0.60 percent), Himachal Pradesh (0.75 percent), Bihar (0.83 percent), Telangana (0.93 percent), Andhra Pradesh (1.31 percent), Tamil Nadu (1.45 percent), Chandigarh (1.71 percent), Rajasthan (1.94 percent), Karnataka (2.08 percent) and Uttar Pradesh (2.36 percent).

State-wise cases and deaths

Of the 543 deaths reported in the last 24 hours, 144 are from Maharashtra, 93 from Karnataka, 88 from Tamil Nadu, 52 from Andhra Pradesh, 27 from West Bengal, 26 from Delhi, 24 from Uttar Pradesh, 17 from Haryana, 16 from Gujarat and nine from Madhya Pradesh.

Bihar, Punjab and Rajasthan have reported seven fatalities each followed by Telangana with six deaths, Jammu and Kashmir five, Odisha and Puducherry three each, Assam, Tripura and Kerala two each, while Chandigarh, Chhattisgarh and Uttarakhand have registered a fatality each.

Of the total 26,816 deaths reported so far, Maharashtra accounted for the highest with 11,596 fatalities followed by Delhi with 3,597 deaths, Tamil Nadu 2,403, Gujarat 2,122, Karnataka 1,240, Uttar Pradesh 1,108, West Bengal 1,076, Madhya Pradesh 706 and Andhra Pradesh 586.

So far, 553 people have died of COVID-19 in Rajasthan, 409 in Telangana, 344 in Haryana, 246 in Punjab, 236 in Jammu and Kashmir, 208 in Bihar, 86 in Odisha, 53 in Assam, 52 in Uttarakhand, 46 in Jharkhand and 40 in Kerala.

Puducherry has registered 28 deaths, Chhattisgarh 24, Goa 21, Chandigarh 12, Himachal Pradesh 11, Tripura 5, Arunachal Pradesh 3, Meghalaya and Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu two each, while Ladakh has reported one fatality.

The Health Ministry stressed that more than 70 percent of the deaths occurred due to comorbidities.

Maharashtra has reported the highest number of cases at 3,00,937 followed by Tamil Nadu at 1,65,714, Delhi at 1,21,582, Karnataka at 59,652, Gujarat at 47,390, Uttar Pradesh at 47,036, Andhra Pradesh at 44,609 and Telangana at 43,780.

The number of COVID-19 cases has gone up to 40,209 in West Bengal, 28,500 in Rajasthan, 25,547 in Haryana, 25,136 in Bihar, 22,918 in Assam and 21,763 in Madhya Pradesh.

Odisha has reported 16,701 infections, Jammu and Kashmir 13,198, Kerala 11,659, while Punjab has 9,792 cases.

A total of 5,342 have been infected by the virus in Jharkhand, 5,233 in Chhattisgarh, 4,276 in Uttarakhand, 3,484 in Goa, 2,654 in Tripura, 1,894 in Puducherry, 1,891 in Manipur, 1,457 in Himachal Pradesh and 1,159 in Ladakh.

Nagaland has recorded 978 Covid-19 cases, Chandigarh 700, Arunachal Pradesh 650 and Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu together have reported 602 cases.

Meghalaya has reported 418 cases, Mizoram 284, Sikkim has registered 275 infections so far, while Andaman and Nicobar Islands has recorded 198 cases.

COVID-19 cases may rise in monsoon, winter: study

A study conducted jointly by researchers at IIT-Bhubaneswar and the AIIMS has shown that the spread of COVID-19 may pick up pace during peak monsoon and winter with a fall in the mercury.

The rainfall, decrease in temperatures and cooling of the atmosphere coupled with progression towards winter may environmentally favour the spread of COVID-19 in the country, according to the study led by V Vinoj, Assistant Professor of the School of Earth, Ocean and Climatic Sciences at IIT-Bhubaneswar.

The report titled "COVID-19 spread in India and its dependence on temperature and relative humidity" took into account the pattern of the coronavirus outbreak and the number of such cases in 28 states between April and June.

The study revealed that the rise in temperatures leads to a decline in the transmission of the virus, Vinoj said.

"The study, which is in its pre-print stage, shows that the temperature and relative humidity have a significant impact on the disease growth rate and doubling time.

"It suggests that a one-degree-Celsius rise in temperature leads to a 0.99 per cent decrease in cases and increases the doubling time by 1.13 days, implying a slowdown of the virus spread," he told PTI.

The study also found that an increase in relative humidity tends to decrease the growth rate and doubling time of coronavirus cases by 1.18 days.

The researchers, however, said since the study was not conducted during the period of high humidity starting from the monsoon and the onset of winter, more research needs to be undertaken to establish its exact impact.

Over 3.5 lakh samples tested in past 24 hours

The country's testing infrastructure has been substantially ramped up. The testing strategy prescribed by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) allows all registered medical practitioners to recommend testing.

The Rapid Antigen Point of Care (POC) Test, coupled with the facilitation of widespread gold-standard RT-PCR based testing by states and UTs, has resulted in a surge in the number of samples tested. A total of 3,58,127 samples were tested on Saturday.

With a total of 1,37,91,869 samples tested so far, the testing per million (TPM) for India has reached 9994.1, the health ministry said.

With inputs from PTI
ExecuJet's Bombardier Global 5500.

Niclas von Planta/ExecuJet

Private jet charter operator ExecuJet just took delivery of the first Bombardier Global 5500 in late-June, flying it back to its new home in Zurich.

The world's newest private jet is an upgrade to the existing Global 5000 but boasts a greater range and maximum speed thanks to new Rolls-Royce engines.

Business Insider obtained exclusive photos of the $46 million jet with the newest interior products and cockpit from Bombardier onboard.

Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

The world's newest private jet has arrived at its new home and is ready for action.

Switzerland's ExecuJet was the first to take delivery of Bombardier's newest private jet, the Global 5500, just last month. An enhanced version of the Global 5000, the newest member of the family boats greater range and speed at a time when long-range jets are peaking in popularity with the wealthy turning to private jets for their aviation needs.

Bombardier had already debuted the Global 7500, which can fly the furthest of any wide-cabin jet from competitors Gulfstream and Dassault, in 2018 with swanky add-ons like a shower and bedroom. But while the Global 7500 is the largest in the family, the Global 5500 is among the smallest, catering to those who want the longer range but don't need a larger plane.

The Canadian manufacturer introduced new Rolls-Royce engines with the Global 5500 and also gave it the newest cabin interior products and a highly-advanced cockpit. So while it may not be the largest, it's still a massive upgrade from its predecessor.

Business Insider was given exclusive photos of the plane that arrived in Switzerland less than a month ago and has been flying around Europe since from its new home in Zurich.

Take a look inside the $46 million private jet.

Here she is, the very first Global 5500 to roam the skies.

ExecuJet's Bombardier Global 5500.

Niclas von Planta/ExecuJet

Switzerland's ExecuJet has the honor of being the first to fly the Global 5500, using it for private charter operations based in Zurich.

Story continues

ExecuJet's Bombardier Global 5500.

Niclas von Planta/ExecuJet

The jet is painted in the red, white, and blue colors of the Luxembourgish flag as ExecuJet is a subsidiary of the Luxaviation Group, based in the tiny but incredibly wealthy European country of Luxembourg.

ExecuJet's Bombardier Global 5500.

Niclas von Planta/ExecuJet

The Global 5500 has the same build as its predecessor, the Global 5000, but the improvements are in the aircraft's engine, speeds, range, and interior cabin.

ExecuJet's Bombardier Global 5500.

Niclas von Planta/ExecuJet

The interior cabin features three living areas with an open concept configuration in the forward sections.

ExecuJet's Bombardier Global 5500.

Niclas von Planta/ExecuJet

The Global 5500 can seat up to 16 but ExecuJet opted for a 12-passenger configuration.

ExecuJet's Bombardier Global 5500.

Niclas von Planta/ExecuJet

The first communal section is the club suite, with two pairs of seats facing each other on each side of the cabin.

ExecuJet's Bombardier Global 5500.

Niclas von Planta/ExecuJet

It's the quintessential space found on nearly all wide-cabin private jets, ideal for sitting during take-off and landing.

ExecuJet's Bombardier Global 5500.

Niclas von Planta/ExecuJet

The jet features the new Nuage seat offered by Bombardier that uses a new tilt system to offer a deep recline. It can also go fully flat for sleeping and rotate to different angles.

ExecuJet's Bombardier Global 5500.

Niclas von Planta/ExecuJet

Each seat pair has a retractable table that's stored in the sidewall and can be used in-flight for enjoying drinks, eating meals, doing work on a laptop, or even a one-on-one card game.

ExecuJet's Bombardier Global 5500.

Niclas von Planta/ExecuJet

The next section is the dining and conference area, similarly with two pairs of seats that face each other.

ExecuJet's Bombardier Global 5500.

Niclas von Planta/ExecuJet

It's located at the center of the jet directly over the wings.

ExecuJet's Bombardier Global 5500.

Niclas von Planta/ExecuJet

The large dining room table is ideal for use during mealtimes and is another staple of wide-cabin jet travel.

ExecuJet's Bombardier Global 5500.

Niclas von Planta/ExecuJet

The adjacent counter can also hold food items for a cabin attendant to easily serve the passengers or put out a spread of food for passengers to enjoy in-between meal services.

ExecuJet's Bombardier Global 5500.

Niclas von Planta/ExecuJet

When not being used for meals, the table can also be used as a conference room table to hold business meetings.

ExecuJet's Bombardier Global 5500.

Niclas von Planta/ExecuJet

The final passenger compartment is the private suite in the very back of the jet.

ExecuJet's Bombardier Global 5500.

Niclas von Planta/ExecuJet

The enclosed space usually features a pair of divan couches that face each other but can be converted into beds for longer flights.

ExecuJet's Bombardier Global 5500.

Niclas von Planta/ExecuJet

With a range of 5,900 nautical miles, the Global 5500 is easily capable of flights over 10 hours in duration, making the beds useful.

ExecuJet's Bombardier Global 5500.

Niclas von Planta/ExecuJet

The jet can sleep seven passengers in total across six beds with each couch and seat pair able to be converted into a bed.

ExecuJet's Bombardier Global 5500.

Niclas von Planta/ExecuJet

The "executive" style is another option for the private suite that includes a couch opposite another seat pair.

A Bombardier Global 5500 rendering

Bombardier

Individual aircraft owners tend to prefer this configuration as it acts almost like a private office while also offering the couch as a bed.

A Bombardier Global 5500 rendering

Bombardier

Charter operators prefer the dual-divan couch configuration at is allows for a higher seat count while also offering more beds.

ExecuJet's Bombardier Global 5500.

Niclas von Planta/ExecuJet

The Global 5500 also offers pilots a modern cockpit with an advanced avionics suite.

ExecuJet's Bombardier Global 5500.

Niclas von Planta/ExecuJet

Bombardier calls this cockpit the Vision flight deck.

A Bombardier Global 5500 rendering.

Bombardier

Heads-up displays also give the pilots additional information when flying thanks to cameras and sensors located in the aircraft's nose.

A Bombardier Global 5500 rendering.

Bombardier

The business end of the jet offers high-definition displays and traditional W-shaped control yokes for pilots.

A Bombardier Global 5500 rendering.

Bombardier

The new jet can fly at a top speed of Mach .90, thanks to new Rolls-Royce Pearl engines, as opposed to a top speed of Mach .89 with the Global 5000.

ExecuJet's Bombardier Global 5500.

Niclas von Planta/ExecuJet

Accessible city pairs include Zurich-Los Angeles, San Francisco-Buenos Aires, and London-Cape Town.

A Bombardier Global 5500 rendering.

Bombardier

Bombardier also claims that the new wing design gives the Global 5500 the "smoothest ride" out of other aircraft in its class.

ExecuJet's Bombardier Global 5500.

Niclas von Planta/ExecuJet

Contending with the Global 5500 is the Gulfstream G500, one of the American manufacturer's newest offerings.

A Gulfstream G500.

Thomas Pallini/Business Insider

The Gulfstream jet can fly just slightly faster at Mach .925.

Gulfstream G500

Thomas Pallini/Business Insider

But Bombardier bests the Gulfstream is cabin width and length, with the Global 5500 offering a 7-foot, 11-inch cabin.

A Gulfstream G500.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

ExecuJet also allows pets onboard its Global 5500.

ExecuJet's Bombardier Global 5500.

Niclas von Planta/ExecuJet

Read the original article on Business Insider
Australias coronavirus hot spot, Victoria state, will enforce a mandatory face cover rule in view of rising new coronavirus infections in the state.

Victoria reported 363 new Covid-19 cases and three deaths in the last 24 hours, said state Premier Daniel Andrews.

We are going to be wearing masks in Victoria, and potentially in other parts of the country, for a very long time. Theres no vaccine to this wildly infectious virus, and its a simple thing but its about changing habits, Andrews said.

Common sense will guide the new rules, and despite being mandatory, Andrews advised the measure be done whenever practical.

If you are out of your home for one of the four (permitted) reasons, then you need to be wearing a mask and I stress it need not be a hospital-grade mask, he said, adding, Any face covering is better than no face-covering. Andrews said the move was the powerful next step in mitigating the spread of coronavirus in the state.

It doesnt come at an enormous cost to the Victorian economy, he said.

It still allows us to go about our business  particularly those who cant work at home and for going shopping for the basics. Anyone who fails to wear a mask could be fined 200 Australian dollars (Rs 10,479) with some exceptions including for those with a medical reason, kids under age of 12 years, those who have a professional reason.

The new rule will be enforced from 11.59 pm (local time) on Wednesday night.

Victoria is currently struggling with the second wave of coronavirus cases that has taken the states death toll to 38 as of Sunday and the national toll to 122.

About 80 per cent of our new cases since mid-May are being driven by transmission in workplaces, including private sector aged care, Andrews said.

Currently, there are 2,837 active cases in Victoria, 130 people in hospital and 28 of those in intensive care.

Meanwhile, New South Wales recorded 18 new cases in the last 24 hours while no new cases were recorded in Queensland and Western Australia.

NSW Health deputy chief health officer Jeremy McAnulty has asked residents to remain vigilant.

It wouldnt take much for us to be in Melbournes situation and we need everyones assistance, he said, adding, Everyone has got a role to play. Dont be complacent.
CLEVELAND, Ohio  An 8-year-old boy was hurt Saturday when he was hit by a vehicle, Cleveland police said.

Few details about the incident were made available Sunday morning.

The boy was hit just before 10 p.m. Saturday on the 1900 block of Columbus Road in Ohio City, Cleveland police spokeswoman Sgt. Jennifer Ciaccia said. He was taken to MetroHealth in a private vehicle.

The extent of the boys injuries was not immediately clear. Police did not say whether the vehicle that hit the boy stayed at the crash scene.

No arrests have been publicly announced.

This post will be update if more information is provided Sunday afternoon.

More Cleveland crime news:

63-year-old disabled woman shot in stairwell of Cleveland apartment complex, police say

Driver injured after crashing into Cleveland bus shelter, concrete median, police say

Man killed, two others injured in shooting during dice game in Cleveland, police say
Education is a hot topic this Legislative session. Here's what bills we're watching.

Here are some of the hot-button education bills were tracking at the Argus Leader. Check back each day to see where they stand as we update.
This is an opinion column.

This one hurt.

They all hurt now. Each loss. Each brick from the foundation upon which we all stand.

Each departure from this place of the men and women lived and march and bled for an America that truly embodied its founders self-evident truths.

This one, though. This one, it hurt.

Early Friday evening, I chatted with a friend about the loss that morning of C.T. Vivian, the vibrant, erudite preacher, sit-in organizer, Freedom Rider, and valued lieutenant of Rev. Martin Luther King. Vivians name isnt likely found in Alabama school childrens history books. But in the early 1960s, he helped 702 Alabama young people obtain college scholarships through a program called Vision, which conceived to [create] new leadership for the South, he once said in an interview.

I wanted every kid, particularly black kids, to get a college education, if they were capable of it, he said.

Vision was later renamed Upward Bound.

My friend and I talked about how so few were left  so few soldiers. Front-line, elbows-locked soldiers. Soldiers usually the first in harms way.

Andrew Young. Harry Belafonte. Rev. Jesse Jackson. Diane Nash.

Congressman John Lewis was on the list, too. Of course.

Then he was not  just a few minutes after we hung up. And it hurt.

A lot.

Ive shared having crossed paths with Lewis several times. As early as the late 1980s when I was a columnist at the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, arriving a year after he was elected to Congress, in 1986. Then often throughout the 1990s as he grew into the conscience of the institution and after moving to Birmingham in 2014.

In 2016, I marched just a few feet to his right during the annual re-enactment of Bloody Sunday, the 1965 crossing of the Edmund Pettus Bridge. Two years later, my daughter and I happened upon him as we strolled across the bridge on a sunny day before the commemoration. He was mostly alone, and, as always, friendly and sharing. Willing to pour a few moments of historic wisdom into a young woman.

On Friday evening, Lewis crossed the final bridge. He was with us for 80 years.

Lewis death, not surprisingly, unleashed a torrent of support for re-branding the bridge now named for a grand dragon of the Ku Klux Klan in honor of the diminutive giant whose DNA was spilled on the crossing by the butt of a state troopers baton.

Social media is clogged with calls for renaming, and an online petition boasting 100,000 signatures in June is now rocketing towards a half-million names.

If you think, though, the emotional swell makes the renaming an all-but-forgone conclusion, Ive got a 250-foot steel through arch bridge to sell you. A real famous bridge.

A bridge that right now does nothing for an economically deprived city struggling to breathe, struggling to live. Literally.

Between 2010 and 2019, Selma lost 17 percent of its population, the most of any Alabama city with more than 10,000 residents.

Even the annual influx of tourists and national politicians who come to town to pay homage to the iconic structure and the people who crossed it to gain equal voting rights for Blacks leaves behind little more than the change that falls out of their pockets.

Folks walk across that bridge, then go to Montgomery and spend the night, U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell told me Saturday afternoon. The Selma native represents the Congressional 7th District that includes her hometown.

Because theres little there to keep them  hardly anywhere for them to sleep and few places to spend their money. Many structures near the bridge are in embarrassing disrepair  like the federal courthouse where Sewells district office is the only tenant.

Selma, she says, is overwhelmed by needs.

Many in Selma, too, are either against the change or agnostic about it  unless it comes with a level of economic investment from Washington the city has yet to see.

Last month Sewell, in a reversal of an earlier stance, said she now favored re-naming the bridge for Lewis. On Saturday, she shared a caveat.

As a daughter of Selma, I understand completely that [re-naming the bridge] is controversial for those of us who grew up there, she said. While I think theres no better name for the bridge than John Lewis, it has to be decided by the community. Selma should decide.

A name change would have to come by a vote of the state legislature. Because lawmakers tend not to meddle in business in other legislators districts (unless the target is Birmingham, but thats another column), a bill renaming the bridge would most likely come from Sen. Malika Sanders-Fortier (she took over the seat long-belonging to her father, Hank Sanders, in November 2018) or Rep. Prince Chesnut in the House.

In June, Hank Sanders, in an op-ed, said the bridge should be renamed to The Bridge to Freedom. Think his daughter will initiate a bill to the contrary?

Chesnut isnt likely to be of much help, either.

In a three-page statement Chestnut outlines numerous objections to those seeking to rename the bridge.

Those persons not of Selma who want to see this change should be equally concerned about the lack of equity for Selma, the statement says, in part. I am in the trenches and I get no help from any of the people demanding a rename. Selma is left to its own devices.

So, it seems trying to initiate a name-change at this delicate juncture would not be  with homage to Lewis signature phrase  good trouble.

It also pales relative to the sweat and shoe leather Lewis put into the Sewells most personal bill, H.B. 4: The Voting Rights Advancement Act. It reinstates federal preclearance requirements for election changes in states with a history of voting rights violations.

Translation: It protects us from states doing creepy things to suppress voter participation. Like that doesnt happen.

It passed the U.S. House of Representatives in early December and has languished on the desk of Senate leader Mitch McConnell, along with about 275 other bi-partisan bills, Sewell says.

Man, clean your desk.

Now is a good time to dust it off and either vote on it or renegotiate and discuss what can work, she says. Putting teeth back into the Voting Rights Act is truly his legacy.

And doing it now. Before November.

Sewell calls this moment of national grief a perfect storm she hopes leads to an economic infusion for her hometown and the revival of national voting policies John Lewis spilled blood to gain.

They are how we must honor him  in ways that matter. More than whose name adorns the bridge he and so many others tread, and risked their lives, to build a better nation.

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
Written statement by H.E. State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi

to the ECOSOC high-level conversation

"Multilateralism after COVID-19: what kind of UN do we need at the 75th anniversary?"

17 July 2020

Secretary-General Antonio Guterres,

Madam President,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Seventy-five years ago, our fathers' generation won the epic victory of the World anti-Fascist War following a heroic struggle. The ensuing decades witnessed the founding of the United Nations, countries working together to promote peace, development and human rights, and an inexorable trend toward multilateralism.

Over the past three quarters of a century, the UN has traversed a momentous journey. It has evolved into the most representative, authoritative and full-fledged cooperation platform, and the centerpiece of global governance and the international system. It has played an irreplaceable role and made indelible contributions to maintaining world peace and promoting sustainable development.

Seventy-five years on, our world has seen profound shifts, accentuated by the enormous impact of COVID-19. The myriad challenges before us have driven home the fact that this is an era of intertwined traditional and non-traditional security threats as well as inter-connected interests of all countries, and our world is increasingly an indivisible community with a shared future.

What kind of UN do we need amid the once-in-a-century changes? This is a question requiring deep reflection by all. From China's perspective, our times calls for:

- A United Nations that safeguards world peace and security, and fairness and justice. Peace is humanity's eternal quest, and one of the core founding purposes of the UN. However, the dream of peace is yet to become reality. In 2019, ten conflicts left more than 20,000 civilians killed or injured in military attacks, and millions were displaced. The specter of the Cold War continues to haunt us, and the road to peace remains tortuous.

To live up to its mission of "saving succeeding generations from the scourge of war and untold sorrow", the UN must speak and act impartially and hold high the banner of fairness and justice. The Security Council needs to deliver on its primary responsibility of maintaining international peace and security.

The UN must stick to the three principles of peacekeeping, facilitate peaceful settlement of conflicts through dialogue, mediation, negotiation and other peaceful means, maintain strategic balance and stability, and push forward the international arms control and non-proliferation processes.

It must prioritize development as a route to peace, break the vicious circle of poverty, conflict and lack of development, and tackle root causes while addressing the symptoms. This is conducive to long-lasting peace, stability and security at the regional and international levels.

- A United Nations that advocates harmonious co-existence across different races, systems and cultures. With 193 member states, the UN is a family of more than seven billion people of over 2,000 ethnicities. No race, system or culture is superior to others. We do not subscribe to the idea of superiority of certain civilizations, even less the "clash of civilizations".

The UN should be a voice for mutual respect, equality and harmonious co-existence, and for a world where diversity is appreciated, differences are respected, and the people of all countries can choose their social systems and development paths in light of their national realities.

It should reject the export of ideologies and interference in others' internal affairs, and encourage exchanges and mutual learning. Good-faith dialogue will help bring down the wall of estrangement and misunderstanding, and enable common progress of all with openness and inclusiveness.

- A United Nations that champions common development by addressing the North-South gap. The right to subsistence and development are basic human rights. Peace and development would remain elusive if a billion people suffer persistent, abject poverty and hunger.

With the launch of the SDG Decade of Action, the UN needs to advocate a people-centered, pro-development agenda, strengthen its coordinating role in the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. It needs to make development front and center of the global macro policy framework.

It needs to steer the course of reform of international financial and trading systems, and foster an enabling global environment conducive to open, inclusive and balanced development beneficial for all.

It should be sober-minded about the difficulties and challenges COVID-19 brings to the implementation of the 2030 Agenda, and take concrete measures to help developing countries eliminate poverty and address the humanitarian crises caused by COVID-19. This will open up a bright prospect for a world free from want, and a world of development and dignity for all.

- A United Nations that keeps abreast of the times and effectively responds to global challenges. Our world faces a host of complex challenges, from peace and development to climate change and infectious diseases, and from terrorism and strategic security to new frontiers such as digital economy and artificial intelligence. None of them can be addressed without global efforts.

COVID-19 has accelerated the once-in-a-century shifts and exposed the deficit in global governance. Crises have renewed the de-globalization clamor, further fragmented the international trading system, and given rise to populist ideologies. There are growing attempts to stoke major country confrontation and decouple economies and systems. Such acts of regression must be stopped with united efforts.

The UN needs to stay committed to mutually beneficial cooperation, and take concrete actions to bring its member states together to improve global governance and tackle emerging challenges.

It needs to remain a member states led organization that abides by the principles of respecting countries' national realities and common but differentiated responsibilities, and advance reforms in various areas as appropriate to better reflect and safeguard the common interests of member states as much as possible and increase their resilience against risks and challenges.

Ladies and Gentleman,

To meet the challenges of our time, whether it is to pursue peace and stability, achieve common development, combat COVID-19 or improve post-COVID global governance, the world needs a stronger, not weaker, UN. The UN's authority must be upheld, not undermined. We all have a duty to respond to the call of the times. We need to firmly support the central role of the UN, advance multilateralism and work for a community with a shared future for mankind.

First, we need to uphold multilateralism and reject unilateralism and protectionism. Unilateralism is causing serious damage to the order and governance system of our world. It has put the common interests and development space of all countries in jeopardy. Protectionism only leads to self-constraint. Isolation, self-centeredness and beggar-thy-neighbor practices will never make any country great. This is not about differences between particular countries, but rather the choice to be made between win-win cooperation and zero-sum game and between right and wrong.

We must always stand on the side of multilateralism and international justice. We must uphold the international system built around the UN, safeguard the WTO-centered multilateral trading regime and speed up the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Paris Agreement on Climate Change. We need to say no to unilateralism. We need to oppose any act of walking away from international organizations and treaties or replacing them with something out of nowhere. No one should challenge or undermine universally recognized rules out of selfish interests.

Second, we need to support greater democracy in international relations and reject hegemonism and power politics. The future of humanity must be decided by people of the world together. Issues that matter internationally must be addressed through consultation between nations and governments. Any country claiming that its own interests should always come first and be placed above the common interests of the global community is morally unjustified and doomed to failure. The basic norms governing international relations, such as respect for national sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity and non-interference in internal affairs, must be observed by all.

Countries, irrespective of their size, strength and wealth, are equal. Consultation, cooperation and benefit for all should be our guiding principle to help make sure that the global governance system is responsive to the concerns and needs of the majority of countries, in particular the developing ones. Dialogue and consultation should be the way forward in addressing differences and disputes, rather than unwarranted unilateral actions such as economic blockade, financial sanctions, acts of bullying and power politics, and still less gross interference in other countries' internal affairs.

Third, we need to safeguard the international order underpinned by international law and reject unlawful acts and double standards. We all live in a global village. Development and progress will not be possible without order and the rule of law. Upholding the international rule of law is what our people want and what this globalized world needs. Honoring the spirit of contract and the international rule of law are essential. Commitments must be kept; rules must be followed; agreements must be fulfilled. We must firmly uphold the purposes and principles of the UN Charter and oppose unauthorized use of force, withdrawal from international organizations and agreements and other such behaviors that weaken the authority and sanctity of international law. We need one single set of rules, not double standards or selective application of these rules, when determining the merits of an issue. It is unacceptable to use the rule of law as a pretext to infringe on the legitimate rights and interests of other countries or even undermine peace and stability.

Fourth, we need to call for solidarity and cooperation and reject self-conceit and beggar-thy-neighbor practices. Solidarity and cooperation is the most powerful weapon against common challenges. COVID-19 has infected tens of millions of people and claimed over 500,000 lives worldwide. Cooperation against COVID-19 has become an urgent task. In fighting the disease, we must always follow a people-first approach and put saving lives above all else. The world needs to come together and give the World Health Organization (WHO) full support in playing its statutory role. Any politicization, stigmatization or name-calling associated with the virus must be rejected, so should scapegoating and blame-shifting.

We need to keep global industrial and supply chains stable and uninterrupted and seize the important opportunities provided by the Fourth Industrial Revolution to boost the growth of new business forms and industries. The world calls for healthy competition, rather than technological hegemony. Decoupling in whatever form must be rejected, so must smears and suppression. National security should not be used as a cover for discriminatory or exclusive policies. If a country shuts its doors, puts its own interests before anyone else's and habitually points fingers at others, these practices may not serve to protect itself, they may only pose risks to the common interests of the international community and even bring disasters on our world.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

China is a firm proponent and practitioner of multilateralism. As a founding member of the UN and the first country to put its signature on the UN Charter, China has all along supported the UN in playing an active role, upheld its authority and stature and followed the purposes and principles enshrined in the UN Charter.

China's response to COVID-19 has been open, transparent and responsible. We have provided timely information of the disease and made all-out efforts to cut off its transmission routes. We have shared our containment experience and fully supported the work of the UN. We have donated US$50 million to WHO and provided medical supplies in emergency assistance to over 150 countries and international organizations. China will fully deliver on the actions announced by President Xi Jinping at the 73rd World Health Assembly. China will help affected countries, especially developing countries, with their COVID-19 response and economic and social development. As part of China's contributions to the global COVID-19 response, we will set up a global humanitarian response depot and hub in China and implement the G20 Debt Service Suspension Initiative for the poorest countries.

Let us come together for peace and development in keeping with the trend of our times and guided by multilateralism. Let us build an open, inclusive, clean and beautiful post-COVID-19 world that enjoys lasting peace, security and prosperity for all.
A Dambusters hero's relative has been branded a racist after her petition to restore the name of RAF legend Guy Gibson's dog to its gravestone amassed almost 20,000 signatures.

Sarah Hobday, 41, launched a campaign to return black Labrador N****r's name to the headstone at RAF Scampton, Lincolnshire amid fury over its removal on Thursday.

Ms Hobday, whose great uncle Sydney Hobday was part of the crew who breached the Eder dam in May 1943, initially set a goal of 15,000 signatures which was eclipsed by Saturday. She has since gathered 19,574 supporters.

The campaigner wants the stone tablet 'back where it belongs' after RAF top brass paid for a new memorial, replacing where the dog's name was with an outline of the canine and the words 'The Dog.'

Ms Hobday, who called the act an 'eradication of history,' has now been 'reported for being a racist' amid the petition.

Sarah Hobday, 41, launched a campaign to return black Labrador N****r's name to the headstone at RAF Scampton, Lincolnshire amid fury over its removal on Thursday

Wing Commander Guy Gibson VC (right), Dambusters hero with his devoted dog 'N****r'. The black labrador was kiiled by a hit-and-run driver just hours before Gibson led the RAF's crack 617 squadron to drop 'bouncing bombs' on German dams in May 1943

David Green, who grew up at RAF Scampton in the 1980s and regularly visited the dog's grave, said: 'I hope people do support Sarah Hobday with this petition.

'It means a lot to her as a member of Dambusters, Sydney Hobday, was a family member.

'Sadly, due to her putting a lot of effort into this, some silly minded people have reported her for being a racist.

'I know her personally and she is not racist at all but so passionate about this cause. She isn't in the best of health and this is only adding extra health issues on her.

'I have to say well done to her for getting the petition going and all she has done to voice her views on this.'

The stone tablet honours Gibson's black Labrador N****r, who was run over by a car and killed just hours before his Wing Commander owner led the famous World War Two raid.

But the RAF carried out a 'review of its historical assets' and decided the term  which is an offensive slur against people of colour  had to go.

The airfield said it 'did not want to give prominence to an offensive term'.

Ms Hobday, whose great uncle Sydney Hobday was part of the crew who breached the Eder dam, initially set a goal of 15,000 signatures which was eclipsed by Saturday. She has since gathered 19,574 supporters

Wg Cdr Guy Gibson, Officer Commanding No. 617 Sqn, was awarded the VC for his part in leading the Dambusters raid but died in 1944 aged 26 when his plane crashed over Germany

The memorial had remained untouched at RAF Scampton - the World War Two base of 617 'Dambusters' Squadron  for years in the dog's honour.

The switch was only revealed when headstone firm Draper Memorials posted an image of the new tablet online.

Royal Air Force veteran Mark Dewberry told the company he was disgusted about the monument being changed.

He said: 'You have questions to answer about replacing N****r's memorial stone.

'You have upset thousands of veterans, like myself.

'Are you going to delete this post and start to disrespect your countries veterans. You all should be ashamed of yourselves.'

Despite having been paid for the work, Drapers' original comment next to their now-deleted post seemed to hint at their own disquiet over the change.

It said: 'This morning we have been out to replace the plaque to Guy Gibson's black Labrador at Raf Scampton. You can't rewrite history'.

Richard Todd played Wing Commander Guy Gibson VC in the 1955 film The Dam Busters

The dog, who served as the mascot of 617 Squadron, was run over by a car and killed on the day of the famous raid in May 1943.

He was buried at Scampton at midnight, the very moment his owner, who was killed a year later aged 26 during a late night sortie over Germany, was leading the daring attack on a series of dams in Germany's Ruhr Valley for which he won the Victoria Cross.

The gravestone was marked with his name at the top and the story of his demise beneath it.

An RAF Spokesperson said: 'As part of an ongoing review of its historical assets, the RAF have replaced the gravestone of Guy Gibson's dog at RAF Scampton.

'The new gravestone tells the story of Guy Gibson's dog, but the name has been removed.'
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, July 19)  The Office of the Vice President will temporarily suspend its operations after several of its staff tested positive for COVID-19.

In a statement Sunday, Atty. Barry Gutierrez, spokesperson of Vice President Leni Robredo, said a staffer who had been active in COVID-19 response operations tested positive for the virus last week.

"Following our safety protocols, office work was immediately suspended, and testing was done for concerned OVP personnel working at the office or deployed in the field, including Vice President Leni Robredo," he said.

While Robredo's test came out negative, three more staffers tested positive for COVID-19.

"The office has already started contact tracing procedures to identify all those who have interacted with the four staffers that tested positive. But as a consequence of this unfortunate development, office operations at the OVP will temporarily be suspended to make way for a full disinfection procedure," said Gutierrez.

In a separate statement on her Facebook page, Robredo said office work has been suspended since Thursday and would remain so until disinfection was completed.

"We will be managing all our other programs remotely but our operations will resume as soon as all the protocols have been followed strictly," she said.

Meanwhile, Gutierrez said they would not be deterred by this incident.

"This virus will not slow us down. This virus will not beat us," he said.
The Indian government on Saturday expressed appreciation for the Afghanistan government and the tribal leaders there for their efforts in rescuing Hindu and Sikh community leader Nidan Singh Sachdeva who was abducted by the terrorists.

"We convey our appreciation to the Government of Afghanistan and tribal elders from the area, whose efforts secured the return of Nidan Singh," Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement.

We welcome the safe return of Shri Nidan Singh Sachdeva, a leader of the Hindu and Sikh community in #Afghanistan.



We convey our appreciation to the Afghan leadership, security forces and tribal elders whose efforts secured the return.  Anurag Srivastava (@MEAIndia) July 18, 2020

READ | Full Interview: Kangana Ranaut Speaks To Arnab, Talks About Sushant Singh Rajput Case

READ | MHA Seeks Report From Rajasthan Secretary On Phone Tapping Amid Political Tussle: Sources

In a statement, the MEA said the "targeting and persecution" of minority community members by terrorists at the behest of their external supporters remains a matter of grave concern.

The day Sachdeva was kidnapped the Indian Government had condemned the act of the terrorists and hoped that the Afghanistan Government would be able to secure safe and early release of the Sikh leader. Sachdeva, a leader of the Hindu and Sikh Community of Afghanistan, was kidnapped in Chamkani district of Paktia province on June 22.

"We strongly condemn the abduction of Nedan Singh, a leader of the Hindu and Sikh Community of Afghanistan, by terrorists. The targeting and persecution of the minority community members by terrorists at the behest of their external supporters is a matter of grave concern," MEA spokesperson Anurag Srivastava had said.

This is not the first attack on the minorities in Afghanistan as the terror forces in the region with the help of their "external supporters" carry out attacks and abductions of minority leaders and community members. On March 25, a heinous and cowardly attack on the Kabul Gurudwara had killed at least 25 people and injured another 15 according to reports. Islamic State Khorasan Province (ISKP) which is an arm of Islamic State (IS) in Pakistan and Afghanistan, claimed the attack, while Indian intelligence also hinted at the role of Haqqani Network and Lashkar-e-Taiba.

The Indian Government has also decided to facilitate safe passage and return of Afghan Hindu and Sikh community members who are the minority of the land and are facing persecution or security threats in Afghanistan to India.

READ | Pakistan Charge DAffaires Summoned By MEA Over Ceasefire Violations Along The LoC

READ | Pakistan Makes Another Failed Attempt To Rake Up Kashmir At UN High-Level Session

(With ANI inputs)
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We are grateful to be avoiding the need to use draconian measures for resource allocation. We have been afforded the blessing of lead-time here in Los Angeles and have the chance to learn from other parts of the world, as well as other areas within the United States. We are preparing our personal protective equipment, re-organizing team structures and hospital workflow, taking new precautionary measures, and expanding the skillset of providers to maximize manpower. In case resource utilization reaches capacity, frameworks are in place to guide decisions in the most ethical and morally appropriate manner possible, and such frameworks remain available in future disaster scenarios. While we as health care providers address COVID-19 from the frontlines, there are still many ways the public at large can contribute to the battle against this pandemic that we all face, though the storm seems to slowly be calming.

Alexander Connelly is an internal medicine physician.

He shares his story and discusses his KevinMD article, A Los Angeles response to the pandemic.

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Gardner said his constituents are pressing him for more federal assistance and said he supports extending the enhanced unemployment benefit, although he is open to an amount less than the additional $600 per week. He said he is also open to Democrats demands for more aid for states and localities, although he didnt specify how much. McConnells proposal, as of now, is not expected to include new money for state and local aid, but rather flexibility for how cities, states and towns use their existing aid.
President Donald Trump has said he would not order Americans to wear masks to contain the spread of the coronavirus, saying people should have a "certain freedom." His comments came after Dr Anthony Fauci, the top US infectious diseases expert, appealed to state and local leaders to be "as forceful as possible" in getting people to wear masks in public places.

In a 'Fox News Sunday' interview, Trump said, "I don't agree with the statement that if everybody wear a mask, everything disappears."

Commenting on the initial comments from top health officials, Trump said: "Hey, Dr Fauci said don't wear a mask. Our Surgeon General - terrific guy - said don't wear a mask. Everybody who is saying don't wear a mask - all of sudden everybody's got to wear a mask, and as you know masks cause problems, too."

Trump, who has been seen wearing a face mask only once, said, I'm a believer in masks. I think masks are good."

But Fauci, the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, said social distancing, an important factor in blunting the spread of the coronavirus, can be difficult with more people going out.

"When you're living your life and trying to open up the country, you are going to come into contact with people. And for that reason, we know that masks are really important, and we should be using them everywhere," he said during a US Chamber of Commerce virtual event.

Americans are actually slowing down the re-opening the country by not wearing a mask, CNN quoted Fauci as saying during a US Chamber of Commerce event.

"If we could get more people to understand that, hopefully we'll get more people who'd be willing to wear masks," he said.

He said he would "urge the leaders -- the local political and other leaders -- in states and cities and towns to be as forceful as possible in getting your citizenry to wear masks."

The country needs to concentrate on the problems at hand and not worry about a second wave, he said.

"When you're having up to 70,000 new infections ... that's something you need to focus on right now, as opposed to looking at what's going to happen in September or October," he said.

There were 77,255 new cases reported on Thursday, crossing a previous record set two days ago, according to Johns Hopkins University.

Coronavirus in India: Highest-ever single day spike of 38,902 cases; tally at 10.7 lakh

Coronavirus vaccine: AIIMS to start COVAXIN human trials from Monday
The Empire Kosher poultry processing plant in Miffilintown, Pa. can be seen behind this chain-link fence. Due to strict kosher food processing requirements, rabbis from New York, New Jersey and Maryland commute here, increasing risk of COVID-19 transmission. For the Inquirer/Kalim A. Bhatti Read more

MIFFLINTOWN, Pa.  Every few minutes, the endless chain of poultry moving through Empire Kosher in Juniata County comes to a halt so a rabbi can inspect the knife he uses to cut clean through chicken necks.

The ritual blade, known as a chalef, must be kept impossibly sharp, so the rabbi runs a fingernail over its edge to check for nicks. Then he sharpens the tool once more, and the slaughtering at the nations largest kosher poultry supplier continues.

There cannot be any imperfections, Rabbi Menachem Genack, CEO of the Orthodox Union Kosher Division, said of the blade.

Empire is unique among Pennsylvania poultry suppliers because the company must have rabbis on the killing floor at all times, putting 65,000 chickens to death daily in the manner prescribed by the Torah. The Jewish community is small here near the states center, but Empire is one of Juniata Countys largest employers, with a workforce of 601 employees. Sixty of them are rabbis who travel back and forth between the rural plant and their homes in more densely populated areas including New York, New Jersey, and Maryland  places hit far harder than Mifflintown by the coronavirus.

Given the commuting rabbis, some of whom carpool, Empire has faced a unique challenge in keeping COVID-19 at bay over the last four months.

A lot of people depend on that plant for food, said Gregory Martin, a poultry expert for the Penn State Extension. Thats why the plant made such an extensive effort to keep its workers safe.

 READ MORE: Lebanon County poultry processor Bell & Evans hit with another month of bad salmonella test results

In May, according to a memo obtained by The Inquirer, the Pennsylvania Department of Health requested technical assistance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to help mitigate the spread of COVID-19 in six food processing and distribution centers in the state. The CDC subsequently visited three facilities: a Tyson plant in New Holland, Nicholas Meats in Loganton, and Empire. A July CDC report found 17,000 cases of COVID among U.S. meat-processing employees for April and May. Pennsylvania had 1,169 during that period, fourth highest among the 23 states that reported cases. Nebraska topped that list, with 3,438.

Some of those Pennsylvania cases stemmed from Bell & Evans, a poultry processor based in Lebanon County that sells its pricey organic birds at Whole Foods. In April, The Inquirer exposed a coronavirus outbreak at the companys Fredericksburg campus that killed at least three people and sickened many more. Workers who contracted the virus said recently that they were pressured to return before they fully recovered  a violation of CDC guidelines on limiting the virus spread.

Empire took a different approach.

The company closed voluntarily for two weeks in early April, during the height of the busy Passover season, after multiple employees tested positive for COVID-19. At the time, Wendell Young, president of United Food and Commercial Workers Local 1776 Keystone State, told the Lewistown Sentinel that the plant was closing out of an abundance of caution. He described Empire as likely the cleanest poultry plant youll find on the planet.

 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.

Theyve been very responsible

The CDC visited Empire on May 19, and its overall assessment of the protocols in place there was positive. The company has implemented many controls at the plant to help reduce and mitigate the spread of SARS-CoV-2 between workers while in the plant, the agency wrote.

In the 12-page report, the CDC documented how workers undergo temperature screenings, twice, before entering the plant. Empire, it noted, reduced production to implement more social distancing. The CDC pointed out that there was an empty hand sanitizer unit in a restroom and said most employees were wearing masks properly. Fliers about COVID-19 symptoms were prevalent, along with messages on televisions. The agency did find a hand-written sign, however, that read OK to go back to work when sick. The CDC did not go into detail about the sign, but Empire officials, Young, and one longtime employee all said it didnt mean what it said. It has since been taken down.

The intent of the written message was that, if an employee reported to the nurses office, was examined, and found not to be experiencing any symptoms of illness, that person could return to work, the company said in a statement.

 READ MORE: COVID in chicken town

Theyve been very responsible, Young told The Inquirer. If every meat processor across the country had done the same, we wouldnt have read about these outbreaks.

Employee Holly Bearley, 58, a shop steward at Empire who works in chicken evisceration alongside the rabbis, said she had neither seen nor heard of the sign, and said no employee would be expected to work while sick. Oh, gosh, no, she said. If you had any symptoms, you would not be working.

The CDC said about 44 Empire employees had tested positive by the time of the inspectors visit. Most had returned to work. Two required hospitalization, and one employee died.

Six of the confirmed COVID-19 cases were rabbis.

Because of the immense size of its operation, Empire said it has long been unable to staff the rabbinical team with enough rabbis solely from Pennsylvania and must reach out-of-state. The rabbis, according to the CDC, live in single-room, dormitory-style housing at Empire from Sunday to Thursday, then travel home. Those who live in the Baltimore area, about 115 miles south of Empire, were permitted to carpool back and forth during the week instead of living in the dorms, the CDC said. Empire even has an on-site synagogue, which was closed per Gov. Tom Wolfs orders.

In its recommendations for Empire, the CDC made no issue of the rabbis commutes and did not speculate about how the virus first came to the plant.

Young told The Inquirer that he worried about the rabbis travels early on, given the rate of infection in New York City, where many of them live, and said it was a factor in Empires decision to shut down for two weeks in April.

Again, Young said, they did the right thing.

A great sacrifice'

Kosher laws about food preparation, according to the Orthodox Union, date to the Bible and the Talmud, the body of Jewish law. In the U.S., the only fowl that can be kosher at chicken, turkey, duck, and goose. Eagles and owls cannot. The slaughtering process is known as shechita, and rabbis use the smooth, sharp blade to cause instantaneous death by cutting the trachea and esophagus in one motion. Afterward, rabbis inspect the chickens for defects. If approved, they are given the OU stamp, a symbol of being kosher on tens of thousands of products across the globe, including Coca-Cola.

Kosher is a basic tenet of the religion, but theres different levels of observance, Genack said. During Passover, a very large number of Jews observe kosher.

Before Empire opened its processing facility in the 1960s, the economy in this part of the state was largely agricultural and the population mostly white. Today, Empire is known as a hub for decent jobs, and the population is starting to diversify. About a quarter of the companys laborers are Latino.

Alice Gray, a Juniata County commissioner, said she even occasionally sees rabbis at the local supermarket now.

Its all very new, Gray said, and very positive.

 READ MORE: Philly meat workers family sues over COVID-19 death. Suit says JBS boosted production in early pandemic with Saturday kill.

But until the pandemic subsides, said Amesh Adalja, a senior scholar at the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security, Empire should rethink its commitment to kosher meat processing and ask the rabbis to stay home. The heightened risk that the virus could spread from them to other workers or spread among members of the communities where the rabbis live is not worth the reward, he said.

When physicians run up against someones religious beliefs as theyre trying to treat a patient  for example, if someone doesnt believe in blood transfusions but needs one to survive  we advocate for a suspension of the rules, said Adalja, who identified himself as an atheist. If the kosher meat production process puts lives at risk, you have to question the value of that process.

Empire doesnt believe it has endangered anyone by sticking with the kosher food preparation process.

Asked whether the rabbis commute to and from coronavirus hot spots may have contributed to the spread of the disease, Empire noted that incidents of COVID-19 had been reported in Pennsylvania well before the company had its first case. The hundreds of non-rabbinical employees who work at the plant commute from 11 counties within the state, all of which had confirmed cases of COVID-19 in March. The rabbis are essential employees, and any speculation that they were the source of the transmissions is hurtful, the company said in a statement to The Inquirer: The rabbis were cooperative and engaged with this effort, despite the significant disruption to their own personal lives including not seeing family and missing prayer services.

Rabbi Israel Weiss, executive vice president at Empire, said the companys rabbinical workers volunteered to stay in the dormitories and hotels for two weeks in April, instead of traveling home. They held synagogue services outside, in a tent, while six feet apart.

The rabbis, Weiss said, made a great sacrifice.
Like many of their colleagues, GOP Sens. Marco Rubio of Florida and Dan Sullivan of Alaska posted tributes to Rep. John Lewis on Saturday and included photos of themselves with the civil rights icon who died Friday. Rubio even made the image his Twitter profile picture.

There was just one problem. The photos they each posted were of Rep. Elijah Cummings, who died in October.

"It was an honor to know & be blessed with the opportunity to serve in Congress with John Lewis a genuine & historic American hero," Rubio tweeted with the photo of himself and Cummings.

"It was an honor to have served alongside John for a small portion of his impressive career of service, and to have joined him at the opening of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, a years-long effort of the congressman," Sullivan wrote on Facebook with the photo of himself and Cummings outside the museum.

Twitter

The response on Twitter was a mix of anger and ridicule, with many users posting photos of various white Republican congressmen and labeling them Rubio, whose blunder happened first. Others chided the senators for the faux pas of mixing up two people of color, especially given that they had interacted with both of them in person.

Rubio and Sullivan weren't the first to mix up the two men. It happened so often that Lewis even mentioned it in a tribute to Cummings on the House floor after his death.

"Sometimes people would confuse us and say, 'Hello, Elijah' to me or 'Hello, John Lewis' to him," Lewis said. "And we would joke about it, we would laugh about it."

Both Fox News and CBS have used photos of one when speaking about the other in their broadcasts.

In June 2019, Fox News aired a clip of Lewis and identified him as Cummings. Then, two months after Cummings passed away in October, CBS aired a segment about Lewis's cancer battle and used a photo of Cummings.

Both networks apologized.

About 20 minutes after Rubio posted the Cummings photo, he deleted it and replaced it with a video of himself and Lewis at a Martin Luther King Day event in 2017.

"Earlier today I tweeted an incorrect photo," Rubio wrote. "John Lewis was a genuine American hero. I was honored to appear together in Miami 3 years ago at an event captured in video below." He added, "[May] God grant him eternal rest."

Sullivan did not address his mistake. Instead, he removed the photo and deleted the reference to being with Lewis at the museum opening.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, July 19)  Instead of reconsidering Charter reforms, the government should prioritize more urgent issues associated with the COVID-19 pandemic, Vice President Leni Robredo said Sunday.

In her radio show, Robredo aired her frustration over fresh calls of local government officials for constitutional amendments despite the prevailing crisis.

"Dapat 'yung parati natin ditong target, ang tinututukan natin ngayon, lahat ng makakatulong para mahinto na itong COVID transmission dito sa atin," she said.

[Translation: What we should always target and focus on is everything that may help in addressing COVID transmission in the country.]

Robredo said government resources otherwise spent in pushing for Charter change should instead benefit hospitals and other health institutions grappling with another surge in COVID-19 infections.

Kung anu-anong iniisip na hindi naman nakakatulong sa COVID-19. Yung gusto pag-usapan yung Charter change, pag-usapan pero wag naman sana sa panahon ngayon, Robredo added.

[Translation: They keep thinking of things that are not even related to COVID-19. Those who want to talk about Charter change may do so, but please, not during these hard times.]

The Vice President also called out the other recent actions of the national government and questioned the administrations priorities amid the pandemic.

"Ang dami nating pinagkakaabalahan Anti-Terror [Law], pagpasara ng ABS-CBN, na hindi naman sumasagot sa pagpahinto ng COVID," she added.

[Translation: We have been so busy on other things  from the Anti-Terror [Law] to the shutdown of ABS-CBN, which do not in any way help in stopping COVID.]

The League of Municipalities of the Philippines (LMP), composed of 1,488 municipal mayors mostly allied with the Duterte administration, recently renewed support for Cha-cha by proposing to institutionalize the so-called Mandanas Ruling of the Supreme Court in the Constitution. Under the ruling, regions will also get their share from all national taxes, apart from internal revenue allotments.

The LMP also proposed to lift restrictions on foreign investment in industries currently limited to Filipinos.

Narvacan, Ilocos Sur Mayor Luis Chavit Singson had reportedly turned over the resolution dated June 19 to the Department of the Interior and Local Government.

Bayan Muna Party-list Rep. Carlos Zarate also opposed the move, noting the misplaced priority of the administration.

The move for Cha-cha especially now is a waste of time, effort and the much-needed funds that should be re-channelled in fighting COVID-19, he said Sunday, claiming that the budget should instead be used to augment funds for the Social Amelioration Program.

Back in May, House Committee on Constitutional Amendments chair Rep. Rufus Rodriguez of Cagayan de Oro recommended to shelve Cha-cha indefinitely to focus on the governments COVID-19 fight.

Senate President Vicente Tito Sotto III also said Saturday that Charter change is not among the priorities of the Senate when Congress resumes session later this month.
By Shlomo Ben-Ami





TEL AVIV  Twenty years ago this month, U.S. President Bill Clinton invited Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak and Palestine Liberation Organization Chairman Yasser Arafat to a peace summit at Camp David, in a bold effort to resolve one of the longest-running conflicts of modern times.



Though no agreement was reached, the summit, in which I participated, was not a failure: the framework it produced became the foundation upon which Clinton built his "peace parameters"  the most equitable and realistic rendition of a two-state solution ever created. Why did nothing come of them?



Under the so-called Clinton Parameters, a large swath of Israeli settlements would be dismantled, in order to create a Palestinian state encompassing 100% of the Gaza Strip and 97% of the West Bank. Territories would be transferred from Israel, in exchange for the land the Palestinians conceded in the West Bank.



The Palestinian state would include the Arab sections of Jerusalem, which would serve as its capital, while the Jewish sections of the city would become Israel's capital. This split would give the Palestinians sovereignty over al-Haram al-Sharif (which Jews call the Temple Mount), though Israelis would retain control over the Western Wall and its surrounding area.



A corridor would be created between Palestinian lands  Clinton called it a "permanent safe passage"  making the new state contiguous. Finally, Palestinian refugees would be able to choose to return without restrictions to the new state of Palestine, to return to the state of Israel with restrictions (as part of a family-reunification scheme), to resettle in a third country, and/or to receive financial compensation, funded by the international community.



Israeli negotiators wanted to translate the Parameters into an official settlement. That would have been a deal significantly better for the Palestinians than the one on offer at the Camp David summit. In fact, the improvement in terms vindicates Arafat's decision to reject Barak's proposals at Camp David.



But the Palestinians also resisted the Parameters, arguing that they should not be allowed to constrain future negotiations. During a last-ditch attempt to clinch an agreement in Taba, Egypt, Abu Ala, the chief Palestinian negotiator, admitted to us that Arafat was no longer interested in the offer. This was a devastating mistake, the consequences of which Palestinians suffer every day.



Arafat's decision can be explained less by a particular demand or concession than by the overarching, delusional, and self-defeating worldview to which many Palestinians cling. As the late Fouad Ajami, a senior fellow at Stanford University's Hoover Institution, wrote in a 2001 article, the Palestinians suffer from "an innate refusal to surrender to the logic of things, a belief that a mysterious higher power will always come to their rescue, as if the laws of history did not apply to them."



In a 2002 letter, one of Arafat's former ministers, Nabil Amr, condemned this approach. "There is something other than conspiracy that has made the whole world either stand against us or incapable of helping us. Because we have a just cause does not mean we are entitled to do what we want."



Throughout history, repressed nations have achieved liberation not because they had the right  human, legal, or divine  or because they held the moral high ground. Rather, they succeeded through a combination of wisdom, mettle, and restraint. Their emancipation rested on their ability to balance force and diplomacy, tenacity and compromise.



Energized by the scale of the Palestinian tragedy and the indulgence of the international community, Arafat never accepted that. Instead, he sought a deal that he knew was politically impossible for his Israeli interlocutors. This compulsive indifference to the political and strategic context destroyed the Palestinians' chances of securing a realistic, fair, and viable peace agreement  and not only in that moment. In fact, it may have doomed the Palestinian cause altogether.



"How many times," Amr continued in his letter, "did we accept, reject, and then accept? Our timing in saying yes or no was never good. How many times were we asked to do something that we could do but we did not do it? When this something became impossible, we begged the world to re-propose it to us." Amr seemed to recognize that the world would reach its limit, and the proposals would stop coming. Two decades after the Camp David summit, that is exactly what has happened.



Today, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict barely registers on the regional, let alone global, agenda. U.S. President Donald Trump's administration put forward its own peace plan, but it is heavily tilted toward the Israelis. The rest of the world barely responded.



As for Israel, there are virtually no forces for peace to be found among its leadership. On the contrary, Israel has abandoned any semblance of empathy or compassion for the Palestinian plight. Instead, emboldened by his rogue alliance with Trump, Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu is now pursuing, more aggressively than ever, his hyper-nationalistic dream of effectively annexing Palestinian lands, by unilaterally "applying sovereignty" over them.



Palestinians in these areas  including up to 30% of the West Bank  would be left stateless or, at best, "politically undefined." As Hannah Arendt wrote, it is "only with stateless people" that one can do as one pleases  though, of course, she had the Jews in mind.



The Clinton administration did not fail to clinch peace 20 years ago only because of Arafat's intransigence. The US negotiators viewed an agreement as a sentimental cause, rather than a security imperative. This came through in the talks, weakening their position. Now, as Netanyahu entrenches an apartheid state, Palestinians do not even have sentimentality going for them. And anyone who thinks that Russia, with its growing regional clout, can supplant America as a peacemaker should think again.



The two-state solution is dead and buried. Whatever "solution" may be found in the future will emerge not from an orderly peace process, but from chaos, the precise nature of which is impossible to predict. It could be unilateral annexation. It could be a sudden violent Israeli disengagement from parts of the West Bank. Or it could be direct conflict. This is the iron law of unintended consequences at work.





Shlomo Ben-Ami, a former Israeli foreign minister, is vice president of the Toledo International Center for Peace. He is the author of "Scars of War, Wounds of Peace: The Israeli-Arab Tragedy." His article was distributed by Project Syndicate ((www.project-syndicate.org).


New Delhi, July 19 : Vice-President M. Venkaiah Naidu on Sunday urged netizens to use social media for dissemination of only authenticated information about novel coronavirus or COVID-19 and avoid posting misleading myths related to the disease.

Naidu also sounded caution regarding some sections of electronic media, noting that they should have avoided and should, henceforth, desist from "hyping" the situation since creating panic would further play upon the already anxious minds of the people.

He expressed his views in a Facebook post titled "Media: Our Partner in Corona Times".

Calling media persons on the ground as 'frontline warriors' for their dedicated efforts in presenting the narrative on the pandemic for wider awakening, Naidu hailed their efforts for empowering people with necessary information, analyses and perspectives about various aspects of the outbreak and partnering with the anxious people in the ongoing fight against the disease.

Naidu said when people run into adversity, the media persons look for information regarding its causes and consequences, its duration and the means of coping with it. It falls on the central and state governments and the media to equip the people accordingly, he pointed out.

The Vice-President noted that the media played the role of a chronicler of the pandemic for use by prospective historians of the pandemic and as a bridge between the people and the governments for regular communication on the preparedness.

"With the economy contracting due to restrictions, advertisement revenues have dried up. Scales of operations had to be adjusted and a good number of media persons had to take pay cuts. But, by and large, the media persisted with the mission of empowering the people, when it is needed the most," Naidu said.

He also referred to the particular problem faced by the print media vis-a-vis distribution of hard copy as they were misrepresented as carriers of the virus.

Alluding to certain comments in the media, Naidu, who is also Chairman of the Rajya Sabha, said that that the Union government had recently reached out to him as well as Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on holding the Monsoon Session of Parliament.

Recounting that the last Budget Session of Parliament had to be adjourned sine die on March 23 a few days ahead of the schedule, the Rajya Sabha Chairman said that he and the Lok Sabha Speaker have held several rounds of discussions so far on enabling the meetings of the Parliamentary Committees.

The logistics of seating and participation of MPs in the proceedings during Monsoon Session of Parliament in the context of corona-induced social distancing norm also required detailed deliberation and planning, he pointed out.

He also said that parliamentary scrutiny of the handling of the pandemic is on course in the meantime.

Naidu said that with the easing of restrictions on domestic air travel and to a lesser degree on rail travel, the department-related standing committees of both the Houses of Parliament have resumed their meetings this month.

"They have undertaken examination of various aspects of management of the pandemic and its fallout. This, in effect means, the required parliamentary scrutiny of the handling of the pandemic started in about three-and-half months of the last sitting of the apex legislature of the country. Any other shorter time frame may not have been possible given the situation prevailing in the country." The Committee on Home Affairs this week reviewed various aspects of the pandemic management with the Home Secretary presenting evidence. Last week, the Committee on Science and Technology reviewed the research and scientific preparedness in the context of the pandemic. Each meeting lasted over three hours.
BRISTOL, Tenn.  Two months. Thats how long Andy Jimenez has been waiting to get his first unemployment insurance payment from the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development.

Jimenez, of Bristol, Tennessee, received confirmation that he is eligible, he files a weekly claim and hes tried to get in contact with someone from the state to find out what is going on  with no success.

Every week, Im filing the claim, filling out the applications, you know, and just waiting, said Jimenez, 32. But while Im waiting, the bills are not waiting.

Thankfully, he said hes been able to get some leniency on his car payments, but hes still got to pay rent for his apartment and cover other basic expenses.

Ive actually had to borrow money from one of my family members already, actually from a couple of different family members, Jimenez said. I realize that theyre having it tight right now also, so Im running out of family members, and theyre running out of money.

Jimenez, who was laid off from his call center job in mid-May, is just one of the tens of millions of Americans who are out of a job or temporarily unemployed as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. And like many others, he is dealing with financial insecurity and uncertainty.

Pandemic of unemployment

In March, the national unemployment rate was 4.4%. But in April, that number shot up to 14.7%, the highest level since the U.S. was in the midst of the Great Depression. Though the national unemployment rate fell to 13.3% in May, it still rests above the 10% peak caused by the Great Recession in the late 2000s.

In April, Washington, Smyth, Scott, Wise, Buchanan, Dickenson, Tazewell, Russell and Lee counties as well as Bristol, Virginia and Norton collectively had a slightly higher unemployment rate, 12%, than Virginias, which was about 10.8%. However, individually it varied. At 15% in April, Bristol, Virginias unemployment rate peaked higher than even the national rate and was the highest in Southwest Virginia. At 9.7% in April, Scott County had the lowest rate in Virginia.

In April, Sullivan Countys unemployment rate was at 14.5% and Washington County, Tennessees was at 13.4%, though both were lower than the states rate of 15%.

Fred Mackara, a professor of economics at East Tennessee State University, said the National Bureau of Economic Research, the official arbiters of whether there has been a recession or depression, wont make a determination for some time. However, he said the U.S. is under some form of economic contraction, though its one created when state governments shut down most of their economies to try to lessen the spread of COVID-19.

I would say were in a recession. But its different from other recessions weve had in the sense that this is a self-created recession, Mackara said.

He compared the economic shutdowns ordered by state governments to amputating a gangrenous leg. Its not ideal, he said, but its better than the other option  death. And these shutdowns, which have loosened in Tennessee and Virginia, minimized opportunities for the virus to spread but also resulted in permanent closings, supply chain issues, mass job losses and other hardships for employees and employers.

Since the pandemic began, there have been four Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act notices by employers in Southwest Virginia, with a total of 541 layoffs announced. In March, the Universal Companies in Abingdon announced that 61 employees were laid off and Cinemark USA in Bristol, Virginia announced it was laying off 26. In April, Scholle IPN Packaging in Chilhowie announced the layoffs of 128 and Utility Trailer Manufacturing Co. in Glade Spring laid off 326.

In Sullivan County in Tennessee, there were 725 layoffs announced under WARN notices since the pandemic began, and all were in Kingsport. They were 304 temporary layoffs by Domtar Paper Co, 257 layoffs for an unknown period of time by Worley Field Services and 164 layoffs for more than six months at the Marriot and Meadowview Conference Resort & Convention Center.

The way Jimenez, tells it, he was laid off from his call center job because of the pandemic, but not because of layoffs or the call center closing.

He said he was working for Teleperformance in Bristol, Tennessee, and when the pandemic hit most employees were asked to work from home. But the internet speed at his home isnt fast enough to handle the companys servers, so he was initially not allowed to work from home. Eventually, he was told he had to work from home and the technical issues prevented him from doing his job, he said.

He said he tried to work something out with his employer, but he was fired in mid-May and filed for unemployment shortly afterward.

State unemployment systems

Under the pandemic, the expectations placed on the systems that distribute unemployment insurance claims have changed. Joyce Fogg, communications manager with the Virginia Employment Commission, said from mid-March through early July, a total of $5 billion was paid out, covering more than 75% of claims filed during that period.

Chris Cannon, assistant administrator of communications for the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development, said unemployment benefits paid out in Tennessee from March 15 through July 4 was $3.2 billion, but the percentage of claims paid was not calculated.

Cannon said the number of claims they started to get as the pandemic hit was unprecedented. For the week ending March 14, he said they received roughly 2,700 new claims, but that number soared during the week ending April 4 to 116,000 initial claims.

From Sullivan County, a mere 31 initial claims were filed during the week ending March 14. But for the week ending April 4, a total of 2,132 initial claims were filed.

Likewise, collectively in Southwest Virginia  Washington, Smyth, Scott, Wise, Buchanan, Dickenson, Tazewell, Russell and Lee counties as well as Bristol, Virginia and Norton  75 initial claims were filed in the week ending March 14 versus 3,218 filed during the week ending April 4.

It was just an unprecedented surge of new claims and people seeking unemployment benefits that no one could have prepared for and no one had the resources at that very moment to handle such a surge, Cannon said.

In response to the unprecedented surges of new claims, both Tennessee and Virginia have expanded the number of employees taking calls and processing unemployment claims.

In March, Cannon said there were 400 people working in the unemployment insurance division in Tennessee, but as of early July, there were 900.

Fogg said since the pandemic, the Virginia commission has added staff to both its call centers in Grundy and South Boston as well as started taking calls on Saturdays. But they have also brought on a third party call center that is doing nothing but handling claims for gig workers, those who are self-employed and 1099 workers who in normal times dont qualify. Another call center assists with customer service emails and the filing of claims.

Despite the increased number of people working unemployment claims in Tennessee, Jimenez said what has frustrated him most as a claimant is the lack of communication. He said it was initially difficult to find clear instructions or guidance on what to do to register as unemployed and since he registered, he hasnt heard a word from the state.

Ive been doing it every week since mid-May, filing for claims and still no feedback. I dont know how long its going to take. I dont know if theyre ever going to answer, it could be this week, it could be a month from now, Jimenez said.

On top of that, he said the system is complicated and opaque, to the extent that he feels it may be difficult to deal with on purpose.

I almost feel like the complexity of it is meant to discourage people from applying, Jimenez said.

In Virginia, there has been an onslaught of complaints from filers who have complained that the process is difficult and confusing and they cant get answers to questions or problems with their applications because its almost impossible to reach anyone via the VECs customer service lines. There have been reports of people calling over and over, day after day with no success.

So many people have had so much difficulty applying for and receiving benefits through the VECs system that 34 Virginia state delegates and nine state senators sent a letter to the VEC Wednesday regarding the number of complaints theyve had from constituents.

A news release from the office of Del. Chris Hurst, a Democrat from District 12, states that legislative offices have sent 10,000 unemployment cases from constituents to VEC in the last month.

The letter states the number of new benefits claims filed under the pandemic has highlighted problems that have made it harder for elected officials to serve their constituents. Common complaints have been inaccessibility to the VEC via phone or online, a lack of initial or follow-up communication with claimants, the use of a complicated and outdated online system and a lack of transparency with claimants throughout the process, according to the letter.

Updating and streamlining the current processes should be the first step toward improvement, according to the letter, which states that the VEC should make establishment of an online portal its top priority.

The purpose of VEC is first and foremost to help employees who have lost their job, their income, their financial security, and are trying to navigate a bureaucratic nightmare in filing for unemployment. Our current unemployment system cannot be sustained in this rapidly changing climate with historic levels of unemployment. The system penalizes workers for being out of a job through no fault of their own, the letter states.

Ellen Marie Hess, the states employment commissioner, responded that while there is room for improvement, her staff has performed admirably during unprecedented times.

In a recent, unscientific reader poll by the Bristol Herald Courier, 4% of respondents said they filed but havent received payment, 12.7% said they had difficulty filing and have been unable to reach anyone at the Employment Commission for help despite numerous attempts and 7.9% had so much trouble, they finally gave up. However, 17.5% said they had no problems filing or getting their unemployment benefits.

The job market

Elizabeth Carico, director of workforce development with People Incorporated in Abingdon, works to help unemployed people find jobs and help workers find better jobs. Early in the pandemic, there was not an increase in the number of people reaching out for assistance, but as businesses started to lay off employees the need has increased.

Weve seen a lot more individuals out of work and a lot more uncertainty in what people see for their own futures, so, in turn, we have seen a lot of folks looking for what options they may have, Carico said.

And a lot of the new clients are ones who are recently unemployed. She said they have three programs, for youths, adults and dislocated workers.

We have seen more dislocated worker applicants than we have for the adult and youth applicants at this time, Carico said.

She added that with some employers closing and others laying off workers, there have been challenges. But many businesses in Southwest Virginia are still hiring and she said the agency has had success connecting workers and employers through the pandemic even though they switched to remote operations.

Some unemployed people like Jimenez are still trying to navigate the job market and find temporary or permanent work. Jimenez said hes applied for jobs and a lot of what is currently available are minimum wage jobs.

Daily, Im getting notifications that this place is hiring, that place is hiring, but a lot of whats hiring right now isnt enough to pay the bills, Jimenez said. I was making $10.50 an hour at my previous job and even that was tight.

He said hes had a couple of phone interviews, but more often than not hes been told he wasnt qualified or the employer hired someone else.

Moving forward

Employment rates fell in May with rates in most counties in Southwest Virginia and Northeast Tennessee resting around 9% or 10%, which was lower than the national unemployment rate of 13.3%.

After peaking in early April, the number of new claims filed each week has declined, though not quite back to pre-pandemic levels.

Cannon, with the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development, said the fewer new claims and the new employees in the unemployment division have lessened the burden somewhat, but now they are dealing with more difficult claims such as appeals.

Fogg, with the Virginia Employment Commission, said VECs workload is still exceptionally heavy, with employees working seven days a week and in some cases, 14- to 15-hour days.

Cannon said there havent been many discussions about what the road to normalcy looks like. There are just too many unknowns, he said.

So, there is no road map to whats happening because no one really knows what the future holds, he said. And obviously, were seeing spikes in cases around the state and what impact that will have on the job market going forward in the months to come. We just dont know at this point.

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Police said they were unable to shut down an illegal rave near Bath on Saturday night which was attended by more than 3,000 people, despite restrictions on large gatherings.

Avon and Somerset Police said officers were alerted to the event, which took place at the former RAF Charmy Down airfield, at 11.21pm last night and attended the scene within 10 minutes.

The force added that officers concluded the potential risks to public safety from attempting to stop the event were too great due to the large number of people in attendance and dark and wet conditions at the site.

Other significant incidents across the area, including 120 999 calls, also required an immediate police response and took resources away from the rave.

The event was so loud that residents as far away as the neighbouring city of Bristol complained they could hear noise throughout the night.

Recommended Police pelted with canisters and bottles in footage from illegal party

The music was eventually turned off by 1pm on Sunday, nearly 14 hours after police were called. Most of the site was closed by 4pm as officers tried to stop a group continuing the event in a neighbouring field.

One person was arrested for failing to comply with a notice to quit the land and five vehicles, a generator and other equipment were seized, police said.

Chief Superintendent Ian Wylie said the police investigation would attempt to identify and take appropriate action against those responsible for the event.

He added: Were sorry for the disruption caused to so many residents. Its frustrating that we are having to pull officers away from our 999 response to deal with the selfish actions of the organisers of this event and those attending it.

They knew full well the disruption this would cause and the ongoing risk to public health of large gatherings due to Covid-19.

We brought officers in from their rest days and called on support from neighbouring forces to close down this event.

It came after police in other parts of the UK broke up illegal events over the weekend, with clashes breaking out between officers and members of the public in London on Friday night.

Footage on social media appeared to show partygoers responding angrily to Metropolitan Police riot units which tried to disperse the gathering.

Two 18-year-old men were charged with attacking police officers at the unlicensed event on an estate in Finsbury Park.

Essex Police also broke up an illegal rave in an area of woodland near Theydon Bois on Saturday night.

In June, about 6,000 people attended two illegal events in Greater Manchester at which an 18-year-old woman was raped, three people were stabbed and a man died of a suspected drug overdose.

It is illegal for gatherings of more than 30 people to take place in private homes or in outdoor public space, with exemptions for organisations following public health rules, under coronavirus restrictions.
"Expressions of different political views are permissible as long as they do not violate the laws or other peoples rights," he said.

Deputy spokesman for the Royal Thai Police Pol Col Kissana Phathanacharoen said national police chief Pol Gen Chaktip Chaijinda expressed concerned over the young protesters.

Metropolitan police officers read a statement on violations against the emergency decree to the protesters.

Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police Bureau, Pol Lt Gen Phakkhaphong Phongphetra, travelled to the rally site to command officers providing security there. He confirmed the rally was staged without permission.

About 1,000 protesters showed up. They vowed to camp overnight at the Democracy Monument.

If the government does not respond to the demands within two weeks, the group said it would intensify the movement.

The Free Youth group demanded the government dissolve parliament immediately due to its failure to manage the economy, and stop threatening people by enforcing laws and using security reasons to silence them. The group also demanded the constitution be rewritten.

The protesters delivered speeches showing their contempt for the governments work which included calls for the revocation of the emergency decree during the COVID-19 pandemic, reported the Bangkok Post

Under the banner of "We Will No Longer Tolerate", the rally was joined by students from many institutions. Parit Chiwarak, aka Penguin, a Thammasat University student and political activist, was a rally leader.

Move Forward Party spokesman Nattacha Boonchaiinsawat said he agreed with the groups demands for the government.

If the students were prosecuted for protesting yesterday, MPs of the Move Forward Party would step out to protect them, he said.

The demonstration ended at about midnight, when Tattep Ford Ruangprapaikitseree, secretary-general of the Free Youth group, and Juthathip Sirikan, chairwoman of the Student Union of Thailand, read a joint statement announcing the end of the rally, the Bangkok Post reported.

They cited safety concerns and the lack of facilities and public utilities to accommodate the large number of people who joined the rally as a reason for calling off the demonstration.

The rally began at about 5pm. The leaders initially planned for the rally to continue overnight and end the rally at 8am on Sunday with demonstrators singing the national anthem.

Mr Tattep said that by ending the rally earlier than previously planned did not mean the demonstrators had yielded to the government nor they had been pressured by the authorities to do so.

He said the demonstrators had given the government two weeks to consider their three-point demand for it to immediately dissolve parliament, rewrite the constitution and stop intimidating the people. If the government did not respond to the demand within two weeks, the groups movement would be intensified, Mr Tattep added.

After the end of the rally, Rangsiman Rome, a Move Forward Party MP and former student activist who attended the rally as an observer, offerred to take the core leaders of the demonstration to their homes.

The rally ended peacefully. Nobody was detained or charged.
The death rate from the coronavirus in New Jersey nursing homes is the countrys highest.

Nearly 6,700 nursing home residents have died in the pandemic and the numbers continue to climb as COVID-19 has run rampant in nursing homes.

This month, more than half of the COVID-19 deaths have been nursing home residents, according to the Department of Health, up from about 40% in the two months since NJ Advance Media published an investigation into the failures and missteps into the states response to the deadly pandemic. On Friday, 16 of the 20 deaths reported by the state were nursing home residents.

Yet after vowing immediate action in the wake of that investigation, the state Legislature has yet to take any action and members of the state Senate are engaged in a back-stage political fight that has derailed any hint of progress.

Even as many experts say a second wave may hit as early as this fall, a bipartisan committee announced in May by state Senate President Stephen Sweeney, D-Gloucester, and Senate Minority Leader Tom Kean Jr., R-Union, has not held a single hearing to explore solutions.

Four Statehouse insiders say several members of the Democratic caucus have refused to sit on the committee, after the governors office perceived the select committee as a hit job on the administration by Sweeney  a political rival of Gov. Phil Murphy  rather than any effort at reform.

Separately, hearings by a Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee that were supposed to be fast-tracked have yet to be announced.

And proposals for major legislative initiatives  including raising the minimum wage of nursing home aides in an effort to cut COVID infections spread by staff working multiple jobs  remain in draft form and have yet to be introduced, weeks after the administrations much-heralded $500,000 study by outside consultants made a series of recommendations to the state Department of Health for change.

Republican state Sen. Joseph Pennacchio of Morris County, in exasperation, accused the Democratic leadership of failure to take a single meaningful step, suggesting that even now politics trumps all in Trenton, even when lives are at stake.

I hope its not politics. This is screaming for oversight right now. How do we allow 7,000 lost souls to die without answering why, why did this happen? Pennachio asked. Now, this shocking nightmare is being compounded by apathy.

Pennacchio said vulnerable seniors have been isolated, abandoned and exposed to this deadly virus in a pandemic genocide that stripped the lives of so many. Now, he said, innocent victims have been be deserted by the legislature and forgotten by the press.

Doesnt anybody care what happened to these victims? he asked. Its mid July. Time tempers memories and the passion we had. Weeks from now, well introduce a bill and it will get referred to the Assembly. And then weeks later, weeks and weeks will go by, before we get answers. Somebody has to take heed and start taking action.

While some may argue the delays are no more than legislators taking a deliberative approach to save lives, others say it shows the worst side of Trenton politics, with schoolyard alliances taking precedence over life and death issues.

We find it a bit disturbing that we still have a situation where politicos are driving policy, making decisions without any transparency of what they are really looking to do, said Milly Silva, executive vice president of 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East, which represents 8,000 nursing home workers in New Jersey.

The prominent union leader blasted the inaction and behind-the-scenes posturing by lawmakers. This reeks of business as usual in Trenton, Silva said.

Silva complained that she has not even seen the draft legislation that has already been shared with industry lobbyists. From the unions perspective, she said the state has whats left of the summer to be prepared for the flu season and the next wave of COVID-19, Silva said.

We have the end of August for our legislators to take action, Silva said, who also noted workers are still confronted with a lack of personal protective equipment, and not getting access to coronavirus testing.

The fact that weeks later, workers, family members, advocates for residents  that those three constituencies have not been invited to the table for a discussion of what a reform should look like  is patronizing to say the least. There has to be a full analysis of what happened, Silva said.

Sweeney declined to respond to questions, with a spokesman simply referring to what the Senate president had said a week earlier when asked about the panel: Nothing yet. We will get together, he told NJ Advance Media.

Kean did not respond to requests for comment.

State Sen. Troy Singleton, D-Burlington, who reportedly was to chair the bipartisan committee, denied he was asked to serve in that capacity. He said only that Sweeney asked me to consider playing a role.

When asked why nothing had transpired on this front since the announcement in late May, Singleton said to ask Sweeney.

He said hearings are warranted.

Its clear this is something we need to be better at, if this pandemic rears its head again, Singleton said.

IT JUST DIDNT GO ANYWHERE ...'

Politics long has colored the states oversight of its nursing homes.

Earlier this year before the coronavirus struck, legislation proposing minimum staffing ratios in nursing homes in a state where long-term care facilities are repeatedly cited for staffing shortages seemed destined for the governors desk.

The measure sailed through Senate. It was debated in the state Assembly, where furious lobbying by both the nursing home industry and the union representing nursing home workers waged war.

And then it died without explanation, never having been posted for a final vote on the floor of the lower house.

Assemblywoman Angelica Jimenez, one of the sponsors of the staffing bill, says she still does not know why it was pulled from consideration.

Its a great bill, said the Hudson County Democrat. It just didnt go anywhere.

Jimenez said the effort was about patient care.

Those are the most vulnerable patients, she said of nursing home residents. Many of them cannot fend for themselves. So I felt this was something that was fair. I didnt think it was unreasonable.

But outright war quickly broke out over the proposed staffing requirements in a high-stakes clash between nursing home owners and 1199SEIU, the nursing home workers union.

The politically potent New Jersey Hospital Association and the Health Care Association of New Jersey, the trade associations representing long term care providers, pushed back hard on the proposal, which they claimed would have cost nursing homes tens of millions of dollars. The long-term care industry  74% of which is owned by for-profit companies, is a consistent contributor to lawmakers campaigns.

The SEIU brought hundreds of its workers to protest outside the Statehouse in Trenton.

Nursing home workers last May demand Assembly action on staffing legislation.Michael Mancuso | NJ Advance Med

The bill mandated that every nursing home have at least one certified nursing assistant for every eight residents during the day. During the evening, one assistant would be required for every ten residents, and one for every 16 on the overnight.

The measure passed the Senate, but an Assembly committee sought to loosen the requirements. Jimenez recalled there had been a meeting in the office of Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin, a Middlesex County Democrat, to discuss a compromise.

It did not go very well, she said. We heard from both parties. It got really heated.

At issue was the insistence of nursing home operators that RNs and other types of nurses be counted when a facility calculated its patient-to-staff ratio. For the union fighting to get more help for nursing aides, who do the bulk of patient care, the compromise was a non-starter.

Shortly afterward, Coughlin pulled the bill.

Jimenez said she has since reintroduced it.

I still stand by it, she said. I want to continue it, given what has happened with nursing homes.

GRIM TOLL

What has happened in New Jersey nursing homes is unlike anywhere else in the country.

An analysis by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid shows that on a per capita basis, there were more deaths in the states nursing homes than in any other state. There were an average 120.3 deaths per 1,000 nursing home residents in New Jersey. The next highest state was Massachusetts, with 114.8 deaths per 1,000 residents.

Legislative leaders promised to take action, after an investigation in May by NJ Advance Media for NJ.com detailed how the state failed to react fast enough or take forceful, aggressive actions to slow the deadly spread of COVID-19 in nursing homes.

The governors office declined comment on the lack of action in the Legislature but said the administration has no issue with holding hearings.

The governor, from Day 1, has been saying we need to have a really full review of everything that happened. See what we got right and what we got wrong, said Dan Bryan, a spokesman for Murphy.

But Bryan added that such a review should not be done in the middle of the pandemic, when all the major players are involved in the states response to the crisis.

Bryan said many regulator changes have already been proposed in the recent report by Manatt Health, the consultants hired by the administration to look at the states oversight of states nursing homes and come up with recommendations.

It also proposed legislative reforms and we would love to see those moved, he said.

Matthew Hale, a political science professor at Seton Hall University, said the reluctance of the Legislature to get involved may be a political calculation that it is too early to start recriminations over Murphys handling of the pandemic.

The governor is getting great reviews overall and we are still in crisis mode in many respects, he remarked. There will be critiques of nursing homes and many other things, but it is easier to do those once we really turn a corner on the pandemic.

He wondered, too, if there even is a solution for the nursing home issue.

Smart people will be trying to figure all this out but it is not like there is a silver bullet solution on the table, Hale said. So hearings run the risk of becoming political theater without practical solutions.

At the same time, he said power tends to centralize around the executive branch in any crisis, and the legislative branch take a back seat.

That lasts until the disaster ends or the executive screws things up so badly that power moves elsewhere. I think Steve Sweeney and Phil Murphy both know this. It is in both their best interests to play these roles until things get back to normal or at least more normal, Hale said. Then they will beat each others throats again and the nursing home response could be issue number one.

While the dispute in the Senate may have stalled action, other lawmakers in the Assembly said say they are still aiming to have hearings and pass nursing home bills by the end of next month.

Assemblywoman Valerie Vainieri Huttle, who is working on reform legislation.NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

Assemblywoman Valerie Vainieri Huttle, D-Bergen, who chairs the Aging and Senior Services Committee, said she is working on six to eight bills that she hopes will move simultaneously in the Senate. The goal is to get them to Murphy by late August.

I want the long-term care facilities to be prepared in case there is a spike in the fall, she said.

Huttle said she and Sen. Joseph Vitale modeled the bills based on the recommendations from Manatt.

Vitale said he is also working with state Sen. Joe Cryan, D-Middlesex, Assemblyman Herb Conaway, D-Burlington, and other legislators. He said he expects the bills to come before his Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens committee in August.

He said Sweeney has been supportive of the issues and his work.

Huttle described the legislative package in the Assembly as an effort to improve the emergency response and preparedness of the state and long-term care facilities, and fix the lack of communications between the long-term care facilities and state officials.

Families were finding out much too late their loved ones were in jeopardy, she said.

The bills will also deal with staffing.

We have seen and tried to improve staffing, which was totally exacerbated by the pandemic. We had a bill in for years now on staffing ratios, Huttle said, referring to the Jimenez bill from the last session. We know and it was proved that most of the staff and aides critical to long-term care facilities are underpaid, they work two to three jobs, and many of them are women, minorities.

Other issues include policies on separating patients during an outbreak, and mandating stockpiles of personal protective equipment, such as masks and gowns.

Staff did not have protection. That needs to be addressed, Huttle said. We need to have those stockpiles ready for the fall.

Huttle added that inspection teams had been cut by one-third by prior administrations. The legislative package will include money to expand the inspection teams.

A copy of draft legislation obtained by NJ Advance Media is now being circulated among legislators, industry officials and others, and has incorporated some of the recommendations in the report to the Health Department by its consultant.

In includes a proposal for an $18-an-hour minimum wage for direct care staff members working in nursing homes, rising to $20-an-hour in 2022. It suggests as a pandemic response, a long term care facility wage supplement that would offer additional pay through Medicaid and other funding during any surges in the number of new COVID-19 cases. Separate from the Jimenez bill, it would set staffing ratios in nursing homes.

And it would have the Department of Human Services conduct a study on Medicaid reimbursement rates for nursing homes to cover direct care and administrative costs.

In addition, it proposed new rules on the transfer of ownership of a nursing home, including identification of all shareholders, disclosure of other health care facilities owned, and a projection of profits and losses for the next three years.

The proposal would also expand infection and outbreak control requirements at nursing homes, and increase penalties for non-compliance.

I am hoping we can do this simultaneously with the Senate, Huttle said. I would hate to move them out without the Senate moving this out as well. This has to go out in a bipartisan way.

Local journalism needs your support. Subscribe at nj.com/supporter.

NJ Advance Media staff writer Brent Johnson contributed to this report.

Susan K. Livio may be reached at slivio@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @SusanKLivio.

Ted Sherman may be reached at tsherman@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @TedShermanSL
In the last five years, Professor Yemi Osinbajo has been the most castigated and perhaps traumatized senior member of the Buhari administration. The humiliation and disrespect he suffered under the former Chief of Staff to the President were legendary. No public official should be put through such by another member of the same government.

Now, there seems to be a well-organized network of persons determined to denigrate and humiliate the VP with a constant barrage of malicious publications. Femi Fani Kayode, often without a good cause and lacking in merit, constantly demeans the Vice President for reasons that are not clear.

Just two weeks ago, Jonathan Ude, another PDP member who publishes a blog known as Pointblank News from a base in the US, manufactured a grievous rumour that the suspended EFCC Chairman, Ibrahim Magu, had given Prof Osinbajo N4 billion from the N39 billion he allegedly looted from the agency. Last year, there was a sensational, but false publication which alleged that Prof Osinbajo had collected some N90 billion from the FIRS to fund that years elections in Lagos.

Just this week, as I was concluding this piece, a man who claims to be an assistant to the suspended chairman of EFCC, Ibrahim Magu, has come up with another bizarre story and Fake News of how the VP had met with Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, some Igbo leaders and a judge to plot the imprisonment of Senator Orji Uzor Kalu so as to clear the way for Asiwaju to clinch the presidential ticket effortlessly. It has now come to air, no such assistant worked with Magu

As if this was not strange enough, it was further revealed in another publication that Shehu Garba, one of the Presidents spokespersons, was behind the tale of Magu giving billions to the VP. Garba has denied and the curiosity continues.

In all the cases, the Vice Presidents Media has strongly debunked his involvement in any sleaze, scheme, conspiracy theory or any wrongdoing in at all. Since this story broke over the weekend, I have tried unsuccessfully to speak to Garba and hear his own side of the story. I am so worried that his name could be linked to something so evil. It is not long ago that the First Lady, Mrs Aisha Buhari, accused him of spreading negative stories about her. May be Garba himself is a victim of another plot in a bigger plot! He should clear his name vigorously.

But who are behind these flurries of fabrications against the Vice President and for what purpose? I ask because what is clear is that some people somewhere are set to turnaround what many regard as Osinbajos sterling reputation and rising profile.

According to an official statement from his Office released soon after the Jonathan Ude publication: such mindless, vicious and reckless publications have now become the preferred tool of unscrupulous and reprobate elements in our society who are procured with monetary inducement to peddle blatant falsehood, tarnish the image of upright public officials and mislead unsuspecting Nigerians.

I believe that the attacks against the VP are mostly politically motivated. Nigerians will recall that Jonathan Ude, the main purveyor of these acerbities, had worked in the Public Affairs unit of the Jonathan administration with Dr. Doyin Okupe. The two were the major attack dogs hired by that administration, and together with FFK, the Campaign Communication Director, they sniped at President Jonathans opponents in the build-up to the 2015 elections.

So it stands to reason that both FFK and Ude are still bitter at the crushing defeat of President Goodluck Jonathan, and are still nursing grudges against the VP who remains a major asset to the APC ticket and has become an important member of the Buhari team.

There is also the view that the sponsors of these noxious publications are not comfortable with the warm relationship between the President and the Vice President. Their assumption is that the cordiality will give the professor a better competitive edge in the politics of 2023. The presidential interests of both Governors Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State, Nasir el Rufai of Kaduna and Asiwaju Ahmed Bola Tinubu are not hidden. I do not imagine that they are not concerned with a potential challenge from a Vice President who enjoys both the trust of the President and a rising profile among Nigerians. Although the VP has, apparently overburdened and distracted by all the scheming and permutations, recently announced that he has no such ambition, at least for now, Nigerians continue to expect that he will give it a shot. There are very few Vice Presidents in a presidential democracy who dont want to succeed their bosses. It is therefore reasonable to expect that other contenders will not take Yemi Osinbajo lightly. I have personally spent a long enough time in politics and political communication to know that desperate aspirants will do everything possible to destroy a perceived strong opponent before the race begins. They employ smear campaigns in the media and spread damaging rumours and unsubstantiated claims. Those of them with strong media influence, especially the newspaper publishers, can also instigate hostile press coverage against their perceived opponents.

Another possible source of the persistent attacks on the VP is some disgruntled persons in the State House and in the administration. The Villa boys, as these middle-level officials are called, have been known to play damaging roles in our politics. While some work with politicians to upstage or spread dirt on their opponents, others deceive desperate candidates to part with huge cash in the pretext of getting them party nominations, helping to tip court judgments in their favour or arranging meetings with the First Lady or the Chief of Staff. I know many candidates who have been duped by these Villa Boys. They are merciless and ruthless.

Prof Osinbajo has never really been a favourite of some of the Villa Boys, especially those who operated within the orbit of the late CoS. The reader may wish to refer to my article titled The Abba Kyari we did not know published soon after his passing in which I detailed how they and their late boss dealt with the VP. The VPs rave coverage in the media when he acted for his sick boss in 2017 stung some of them to the quick. They just could not stand the diminutive lawyer being presented as a better alternative to the ailing boss. Obviously, those grudges still persist three years after. The mention of Shehu Garbas name in connection with one of these has therefore alarmed me a great deal. I am waiting anxiously to hear from him. Can Shehu, a thorough media professional of over 35 years, be involved in a smear campaign against the nations number two citizen?

Prof Yemi Osinbajos credentials and reputation are never in doubt. The President himself regularly gushes over his intellect and youth. There is no doubt that the VP is loyal to his boss and is delivering on his assignments. The recently published Economic Sustainability Plan designed by him and Committee attests to his depth and rigor. A humble gentleman who connects easily with the people, he does not even flaunt these qualities like an Atiku Abubakar would. Remember how the former Vice President tried to upstage his boss midway into their tenure? As 2023 comes close, I have no doubt that those who see Yemi Osinbajo as their potential rival will not let up in their plan to make him look bad before Nigerians. It is up to him to push back vigorously in Defense of his true character. The good thing is that Nigerians already know who the real Osinbajo is. Lets hope truth prevails and good overcomes evil.
It all kicks off on a Friday afternoon. Rucksack-laden youths make their way past my home to head to Lough Dan. Many of them are carrying crates of beer. Some are pushing shopping trolleys full of alcohol and firewood. Others are dragging heavy trolley cases which clink and clank behind them as they make their way down the 20-minute trail to the lake.

Sadly, much of what is taken down to the lake shore by some of these campers is left there.

I live in the Wicklow Mountains opposite a well-known trailhead for Lough Dan. This is a popular walk with hikers, particularly in the summer months. Lough Dan is a stunning ribbon lake in the middle of a mountain valley surrounded by deep woods, green fields and rugged mountains.

Unfortunately, its beautiful shores - and the fields nearby - have been blighted this summer by rubbish left by some campers. Beer cans, beer bottles, raw and cooked meat, broken glass, barbecue grills and fire pits, plastic bags, plastic bottles, sweet wrappers, used toilet paper, cigarette butts, broken umbrellas and discarded clothing have all been left behind.

So, too, have tents, inflatable camping beds, sleeping bags, trolley cases and picnic chairs. Some campers have even cut down trees for firewood.

There are no sanitary facilities. Given the sheer numbers of people camping there in recent weeks, I dread to think what my children might step in if I allow them to paddle or walk along the sandy beach.

Wildlife is also at stake. There are deer, red squirrels, otters, foxes, hares, hedgehogs and bats here. I have seen birds which I have never seen in the city - such as woodpeckers and kingfishers.

Lough Dan is not a designated camping site. Much of the land around the lake is private. There is a 'no camping' sign on the trailhead which is blatantly ignored. Signs advising people that camping is prohibited were pulled down by some irate campers earlier in the summer.

It breaks my heart to see the complete lack of respect some have for such a beautiful spot. There are similar stories all across the country. Parts of the Glenmalure Valley in Wicklow have been destroyed. A number of beaches in Kerry and Cork have also been ruined.

Every summer, beauty spots around Ireland are littered by thoughtless people who see nothing wrong with walking away from a place where they picnicked or camped at - without even attempting to pick up their rubbish. However, this is the worst I have seen.

My neighbour - a farmer in his early 70s - has spent most of his Sunday mornings since Covid-19 lockdown restrictions were eased in early June picking up rubbish left by campers.

The Government has urged us to holiday at home this summer and rightly so if this saves lives. It shouldn't have to tell us to pick up our litter and take our rubbish home and to respect our surroundings. So for God's sake, if you're a camper, hiker or day-tripper - leave nothing behind but your footprints.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, July 19)  An unexploded device was turned over to authorities Saturday, after it was accidentally caught by a vessel at the Batangas Port.

The Philippine Coast Guard said they responded to "an unidentified explosive type object" which was accidentally caught by the anchor of the vessel MV St Ignatius of Loyola around 7:55 p.m. on July 18.

Members of the coast guard went to the area to assess the situation and it was verified that the device was a Projectile 155 MM, high explosive unexploded ordnance.

The device was carefully removed and stored inside a box before it was brought inside the Philippine Port Authority facility where it could be disposed of properly.
By Sam Bahour

July 18, 2020 " Information Clearing House " - The timer is now ticking on Israel. While Israel historically put Palestinians on the slow burner, gnawing at their lands and livelihoods, time was in Israels favor was the world turned a blind eye. Those days are over.

Israelis must now choose, allow the state of Palestine to emerge, or have it imposed upon them. The traditional options of two-states vs. one state of Israel without equality for all its citizens have passed long ago. Israelis can accept Palestine in all the occupied territory of the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, and Gaza Strip, or ultimately be forced to accept Palestine from the river to the sea.

For us Palestinians, like any normal human beings on this earth, it is natural for us to expect to be viewed as a people worthy of our rights, freedom, and independence. The days when this can be ignored are over too.

Today, all have been exposed to the naked eye. Thanks to decades of denial by Jewish Israeli citizens and the Jewish diaspora, US President Trump and his messianic entourage of Jared Kushner and David M. Friedman, Israels state-sanctioned settlement enterprise, financier Sheldon Adelsons fanaticism, Christian Evangelicals bent on personally witnessing the Armageddon, and none other than Israels own extremist prime minister Benjamin Netanyahus annexation frenzy, a frenzy on steroids attempting to divert his path to jail on three corruption charges.

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To force the timer to tick even faster, outgoing Israeli ambassador to the UN, Danny Danon, in an interview with Stephen Sackur of the BBC Hardtalk program, proudly proclaimed, I represent not only the people of Israel, I represented [sic] the Jewish people in the U.N.. He went on, We [Jews] do have biblical rights to the land. Whether you are Christian, Muslim, or Jew  you read the Bible, you read the stories of the Bible  its all there. It got worse. He went on to say, This is our deed to the land. Thats biblical. This from Israels top international diplomat! Regardless of how one views the Bible, its a religious text, not a document that can be submitted in a case of international law.

The further back Israel goes in time, the faster todays timer is ticking. Below I will touch on three momentous developments lubricating the timer.

Peter Beinart, Zionism, and the Jewish State

Enter Peter Beinart. A prominent and outspoken observant Jewish American columnist, journalist, political commentator, and professor of journalism and political science at the City University of New York. Born in Cambridge, Massachusetts, his parents were Jewish immigrants from South Africa. He is a self-defined Zionist, albeit from the flavor that most Israeli Jews would dismiss.

Earlier this month, Beinart penned a long-read essay titled, Yavne: A Jewish Case for Equality in Israel-Palestine, and then followed it up with a New York Times opinion piece titled, I No Longer Believe in a Jewish State. He makes a monumental shift from supporting a two-state solution, Israel and Palestine side by side, to arguing that Zionism does not require a Jewish State at all and calls for his fellow Jews to come to this understanding.

It is interesting to note that Palestinians have always made the point that they have nothing against Judaism, rather they view Zionism as having hijacked this noble religion to the detriment of Israelis and Palestinians alike. To be clear, the only version of Zionism Palestinians have experienced is the one that is a political ideology based on supremacy. This Zionism has held conferences starting in 1897 in Basel, Switzerland, and has left behind an incriminating and bloody paper trail.

Peter is my friend. We have interlocked as editor and writer, spoke on the same panel at the 2016 Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia, and he has attended many of the talks I have given to Jewish American audiences when they visited Bethlehem. He has universal values and does not discriminate when applying them. He knows how to actively listen, ask probing questions, and analyze in relation to reality rather than blindly forcing reality to fit a set of Israeli state talking points. Most importantly, he has opened the Pandoras box of global Jewry. For this, he will go down in history next to notable early Zionist thinkers such as Ahad Haam, Martin Buber, and Judah Magnes, among others.

There is much to discuss about Peters new revelation, but thats for another day. For now, he will have his hands full within his Jewish communal circles. Its a shame that Israeli Jews are, for the most part, missing out on this conversation. Israeli media has chosen to pretend that the call for equal rights in one state does not exist.

Yesh Din, Israel, and Apartheid

At the same time that Peter took to the global stage, another storm was brewing closer to Jerusalem. The renowned Israeli human rights organization, Yesh Din (There is a Law), released a landmark legal opinion titled, The Occupation of the West Bank and the Crime of Apartheid: Legal Opinion. This was written by Adv. Michael Sfard, one of Israels leading legal minds specializing in international human rights law and the laws of war. The opinion is damning for Israel.

The conclusion of this legal opinion is that the crime against humanity of apartheid is being committed in the West Bank. The perpetrators are Israelis, and the victims are Palestinians. The report further states that this is the case with or without another round of Israeli annexation, or as Benjamin Netanyahu, Benjamin Gantz, and Ambassador Danon like to call it, applying sovereignty over parts of Judea and Samaria. Call it what you may because it is all illegal.

But thats not all. Annexation does play a role; the opinion notes that Continued creeping legal annexation, let alone official annexation of a particular part of the West Bank through legislation that would apply Israeli law and administration there, is an amalgamation of the regimes. This could mean strengthening the argument, which already is being heard, that the crime of Apartheid is not committed only in the West Bank. That the Israeli regime in its entirety is an apartheid regime. That Israel is an Apartheid state. 

You read that correctly. Israel has gone from attacking former US President Jimmy Carter for using the A word in the title of his 2006 book, Palestine: Peace Not Apartheid, to having to deal with an Israeli organization making the legal case that the entire state may be an Apartheid state.

Israelis should take note. Yesh Din is not a newcomer to this issue. Neither are the many other Israeli human rights organizations that have been exposing reality for what it is for years. Organizations such as BTselem, Gisha, HaMoked (Center for the Defence of the Individual), Physicians for Human Rights (Israel), Rabbis for Human Rights, Shalom Achshav (Peace Now), Shovrim Shtika (Breaking the Silence), Who Profits?, and Yesh Gvul (There is a Limit), among many others.

The timer ticks faster and faster.

The above-broken taboos have awakened many Jews around the world. But anyone who missed out on the last three decades of facts being made on the ground, by gunships and bulldozers displaying the Star of David, would have found a summary of what was to come in a report released at the end of last year. Read on.

UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD)

One of the most important organs of the UN is The Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD). This entity is comprised of a body of independent experts that monitors implementation of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination by its State parties. In short, this body gives the pulse of todays rules-based world order, country by country.

Israel, being a State party, is obliged to submit reports to this Committee and they comply. Also, ever since November 29, 2012, when Palestine became a non-member observer State, Palestine also submits reports to this Committee.

In its December 2019 Concluding Observations on Israel, the Committee determined that Israeli policies and practices comprise of racial segregation and apartheid over the Palestinian people on both sides of the Green Line. This was earthshaking. Palestinian, regional, and international human rights organizations worked hard to bring the facts of the matter to the deliberations. Interestingly, even while Israels premiership bad mouths the UN at every opportunity possible, Israel engaged the committee, but to no avail.

However, the Committees Concluding Observations report did make an interesting catch. It noted that While acknowledging the willingness of the State [Israel] party delegation to discuss questions relating to the Occupied Palestinian Territory, the Committee regrets that the report did not contain any information concerning the population living in these territories.

So while the Israeli, and now the American, leaderships claim there is no military occupation to speak of, in the chambers of international law that matter for Israel to remain a member of the community of nations, Israel is actively engaging on issues related to the Occupied Palestinian Territory, even if they do so blind to the Palestinians they oppress.

Tick, tick, tick. One can hear the timer racing forward in their sleep.

Israel still has a choice

This is not about Peter, Yesh Din, or the UN. It is about Israel finally having to look in the mirror and reckon with itself.

For us Palestinians, our case is crystal clear. We demand our rights, freedom, and independence.

It took US presidential candidate Bernie Sanders, the Jewish Senator from Vermont who, in November 2019 drew sustained applause from the crowd at the MSNBC/Washington Post Democratic primary debate in Atlanta, to declare, It is no longer good enough for us to be pro-Israel, I am pro-Israel, but we must treat the Palestinians with the dignity they deserve. The audiences applause was rightly due because Sanders inserted the issue of Palestinians being human into the debate. That is an extremely low bar.

Sanders doubled down at the next Democratic debate in South Carolina in February of this year when he labeled Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu a reactionary racist and said hed consider reversing President Donald Trumps move of the U.S. Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.

The Israeli Foreign Minister at the time, Israel Katz, slammed Sanders in what he said was a Horrifying Comment while proclaiming that Israel does not intervene in the internal American electoral process The latter comment, for anyone even faintly familiar with the pro-Israeli lobby in the US, would be hilarious if the situation were not so dire.

Remember in 2015 when Netanyahu barged into Congress without White House approval which was met by objections from many supporters of Israel including prominent American Jewish leaders? This Bibi blunder sparked a letter from the Washington-based Israeli-American lobby group J-Street where they noted, Our Congress should not be used as a prop in another nations election. One of the central elements that underpins the alliance between our two nations is our common commitment to democracy and elections. That means that both nations stay out of the others democratic process. So much for not intervening in US politics.

Nevertheless, many Jewish Americans and Israelis remain blind to the clear shifts that have already taken place in the Democratic party.

But Palestinians do not need anyones affirmation that they are human. If what drives you is solely your love of Israel, even if it is blind love, then common sense is making a clarion call  now is the time to act to save Israel from itself.

Israel can end its 53-year-old military occupation and allow a real Palestinian state to emerge or end up with all the land it wants from the Jordan River to the Mediterranean Sea, along with a citizenry of 7 million Palestinians and 7 million Jewish Israelis. Either way, 5 million Palestinian refugees will still be demanding to return home.

Otherwise, Israel, and Jews everywhere, must forever hold their peace (and hasbara) because history is about to be made, again, based on the facts that successive Israeli governments have imposed on the reality between the river and the sea with their might is right policies over 73 years.

Soon, the choice will no longer be Israels to make. Tick, tick, tick.

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The views expressed in this article are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Information Clearing House.
(Newser)  Three friends on their way to go fishing were beaten and shot to death in a grisly scene in the backwoods of Florida that the Polk County sheriff is calling a "massacre." This is a horrific scene," Grady Judd tells the Lakeland Ledger. "Ive been to a lot of murder scenes in my life, and this ranks among the worst." The victimsDamion Tillman, 23, Keven Springfield, 30, and Brandon Rollins, 27had met up at a remote lake on Friday night to go fishing, with Tillman arriving first and being attacked by an unknown assailant or assailants who then beat and shot Rollins and Springfield when they arrived.

story continues below

Rollins was able to call his father for help at a little after 10pm, and was able to communicate when he arrived on the scene, though the Sheriff's Office won't disclose what he said. But in Brandons fathers excitement to run to help his son, he forgot his cellphone at home," Judd says, and had to run for help at a nearby convenience store. By the time help arrived, Rollins had died. These folks appear to be beaten and shot. ... We are seeking leads, we need help so we can solve this crime sooner rather than later, Judd says. He believes there was more than one assailant, notes the Tampa Bay Times. (Read more murder stories.)
Waleed Bhai's killing is a major achievement for security forces.

SRINAGAR: Three Jaish-e-Muhammad (JeM) militants  one of them termed by the authorities as being an IED expert  were gunned down during a fire fight with security forces in Jammu and Kashmirs southern Kulgam district on Friday.

The IED (Improvised Explosive Device) expert from Pakistan, who operated in the Valley using his codename Waleed Bhai, was among the twelve most wanted militants. His killing is a major achievement for security forces. Soon others too will be neutralized, claimed Inspector General of Police (Kashmir range) Vijay Kumar while speaking to reporters here.

The fighting broke out in Kulgams Nagnad-Chimmer area early Friday after the J-K polices counter-insurgency Special Operations Group (SOG) along with the Armys 9 Rashtriya Rifles and the 18th Battalion of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) laid siege to it to flush out militants dead or alive, the police said. It added that the joint operation was launched on specific input generated by the Kulgam police about the presence of militants in the area.

The IGP said that Waleed Bhai had escaped during four such cordon-and-search operations in south Kashmir earlier.

During the search operation as the presence of terrorists got ascertained they were given the opportunity to surrender. However, they fired indiscriminately upon the joint search party, which was retaliated leading to an encounter, a statement issued by the police here said.

The statement said that slain Waleed Bhai was a Pakistani national and an IED expert and a most wanted terrorist. The police said that the identifications of the other two slain militants are being ascertained but, at the same time, claimed that all the three belonged to proscribed outfit JeM.

The police statement read, As per police records, terrorist Waleed was involved in several terrorist attacks including civilian atrocities. He was involved in the killing of four civilians in Kulgam and in luring innocent youth to join terrorist ranks.

The police also said that one US made M-4 carbine, one AK assault rifle, a pistol, a grenade launched, grenades and other incriminating materials were recovered from the site of encounter. An Army commander said that the operation against militants was full of challenges.

Brigadier VS Thakur, Sector Commander of 9 RR, told reporters, After getting the information about their presence in Nangad-Chimmer area from the DIG Police, south Kashmir, a siege was laid to the area at around 4.30 am. The first challenge was that there was a single road access to the house where militants were hiding and the closest base was ten to twelve kilometers away. He said that the second challenge was the presence of civilians in the house as well.

He said, Our troops showed resilience and didnt even resort to speculative fire to target the house. Instead an appeal was made to the civilians to leave the premises.

The Army officer said that two militants fired indiscriminately at the security force, using small arms and also lobbed grenades with an Under Barrel Grenade Launcher (UBGL). However, both of them were killed in the retaliatory fire without causing any harm to civilians or damage to the house where they were hiding.

He further said that when the civilians were coming out of the house, one remaining militant was wearing pheran with a weapon concealing beneath the traditional Kashmiri gown in an attempt to move out with the civilians. He was physically stopped and when he tried to use his weapon, there was a hand to hand fight between him and a soldier who successfully shot him down. He was the Pakistani militant Waleed, Brigadier Thakur said.

He claimed that the Army has received credible inputs that suggest militants are planning to target Amarnath Yatra on a stretch of Jammu-Srinagar highway anytime after the commencement of the pilgrimage on July 21. He said, This stretch of the highway is a bit sensitive. We are all prepared to foil the militant design and to ensure smooth conduct of the pilgrimage, he asserted.
Fort Bend County Judge KP George has spoken out against hatred and racism he has encountered as county judge.

George, who was born in India but is an American citizen, took to Twitter and Facebook to share some of the racist comments hes received since taking office in January 2019.

George posted a collage featuring some of the hate-filled comments he has received. Many of the posts contained profanity, and others attacked his origin of birth. He redacted the posters names but left the profanities and racial epithets unaltered. The Katy Rancher has redacted the profanities and racial slurs.

One post said, Texans if KP George Tries to Take Away Our Freedom It will NOT Be the First Time a Foreigner has Attempted to do so KP George is NOT an American!!! How did Fort Bend County Let a Foreigner An American Hater become so Powerful??? How did we let this happen??? KP George is from Kerala India Remember the Alamo!!!

MORE BY CLAIRE GOODMAN: Fort Bend County Sheriffs Office deputy honored for life saving actions

In Facebook and Twitter posts on Saturday, George said that the comments have become more frequent and aggressive since the COVID-19 pandemic has made him the primary response authority in the county.

Ive had to make a lot of decisions over the last few months to tackle the COVID crisis head-on, George said. When someone criticizes my decisions, that is their right as Americans. However, when people choose to hurl racist, anti-immigrant garbage at my family, colleagues and me -- that crosses a line.

George also criticized an overarching xenophobia behind the racially charged comments. When I read some of these terrible comments online I realize they are coming from a place of deeply misplaced fear- fear that immigrants are taking their jobs, and they are replacing real Americans or setting out to hurt our own communities somehow.

ON HOUSTONCHRONICLE.COM: Houston TV anchor Shannon LaNier is the descendant of Thomas Jefferson  and the woman he enslaved

After Georges post, a broad spectrum of community leaders spoke out in defense of George and condemned the racist attacks against him. Those types of comments and that type of behavior is unacceptable, said Fort Bend County Precinct 3 Constable Wayne Thompson. I have known Judge George for some time. I know his character and his heart. He is a good man who cares for the community he serves.

Fort Bend County is the most racially diverse county in the U.S. Rep. Pete Olson, who has frequently praised the county for its diversity said, These are not the values of Fort Bend County that I have been privileged to represent in the United States Congress for 12 years. Hate is not welcome here.

Vile, hateful comments made to County Judge KP George are unacceptable. Probably written by bitter people who are unhappy with themselves lashing out at others, added Fort Bend County District Attorney Brian Middleton.

SUNDAY CONVERSATION: District Attorney Brian Middleton transforming justice system in Fort Bend County

George called upon the community to speak out against racism.

As a fellow American, I ask you this: the next time you hear or see someone making an anti-immigrant or racist comment, call them out. Stand up for your neighbors, your coworkers and your childrens classmates. Stand up for Fort Bend, our nation's most diverse county. In doing so, youll be standing up for a better future America, the land of the free and home of the brave.

claire.goodman@chron.com
The Chief Executive of the Ghana Bankers Association, Daniel Ato Kwamina Mensah has passed on to eternity last Friday after a short illness.



President of the Ghana Bankers Association, Alhassan Andani however informed members of the Association about the passing of Mr Daniel Ato Kwamina Mensah.



It is with a heavy heart and deep sorry that I on behalf of the Family of Mr D. K Mensah announce the passing of our beloved colleague.

The sad event happened yesterday (Friday )

I have on behalf of council spoken to Mrs Mensah and his son Eugene Mensah to convey our condolences and assurance of support to the family during this difficult time.

Let us all remember DK and his family in our prayers.



Late D.K Mensah and the Ghana Bankers Association



The Ghana Bankers Association recently announced that he was set to retire this year after years of service with the Association.



As the CEO of the Association, he was responsible for the day to day management of its Secretariat and is the liaison between all licensed banks and all other external institutions including the West African Bankers Association, government and the Bank of Ghana.



He has over the years initiated thought leadership activities to support efforts of the banking industry in shaping Ghanas economy.



Following his decision to retire, the Association then appointed former Chief Executive of UMB, John Awuah as the Deputy Chief Executive, who will eventually take over when Mr D.K. Mensah retires.



D.K Mensah and the Banking Industry



Daniel Ato Kwamina Mensah has been in the banking industry since 1985.



He previously worked as an Educationist, during which period he taught at the various levels of the educational structure (primary, secondary and tertiary levels).



Daniel Ato Kwamina Mensah held a B.A (Hons) degree in Economics with Political Science from the University of Ghana, an MSc (Econs) degree in International Trade and Finance from the University of Ibadan and an MBA degree from the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA).



He was a Member of the Chartered Institute of Marketing, Ghana and a Fellow of both the Chartered Institute of Bankers (FCIB)



He has also chaired several boards including :



President, West African Bankers Association  1995  1997

Trustee, Financial Investment Trust  Resigned

Director, Eximguaranty Company Limited -Resigned

Chairman, Board of Directors, West African Interbank Payments Systems (WAIPS) of West African Bankers Association.

Member, Ghana Health Service Council -Resigned

Member, Ghana Urban Transport Advisory Committee -Resigned

Trustee, Venture Capital Trust Fund. -Resigned

Director, National Investment Bank Limited -Resigned

Director, Opportunity International Savings and Loans Limited

Industry Work.

Mr. Mensah has done some great work in the banking and entire business community. Some of his research papers include:



Energy Demand  The Economies of Establishing Charcoal Briquette Plants in Ghana.

An Agro-Industrial Study: The Oil Palm Industry of Ghana (Published by the National Investment Bank)

A survey of the Shea nut Industry in Northern Ghana (This study was carried out for the Centre for the Development Industry of the European Union for the Cocoa Research Institute of Ghana which at the time was looking for funding to improve the technology for the extraction of shea butter from the shea nut for export).

Developing the Infrastructure (Soft and Hard) For a Credible Trade Settlement System to Support intra-ECOWAS Trade (Paper presented at African Export-Import Bank (AFREXIMBANK)/ West African Monetary Institute (WAMI) Seminar).

On Obstacles to Intra-Regional Trade in West Africa  The challenge of Non-Tariff Barrier and Poor Trade Settlement System) May 2010

Source: Daniel Adu Darko/Peacefmonline.com/[email protected]









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

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Video footage from a street party in Florida on 12 July 2020: Osceola County Sheriff's Office

Police in Florida have released footage of a large street party which took place earlier this month, where attendees flouted social distancing guidance as coronavirus cases soared in the state.

The Osceola County Sheriff's Office said it had broken up several parties at vacation rental homes in recent days, despite public health guidance in the state advising people to avoid large gatherings.

In video footage taken from a police helicopter, party-goers were filmed dancing in the street at an event in Kissimmee, near Orlando, which ran into the early hours of the morning on 12 July.

Large gatherings at vacation homes have been banned due to the risk of spreading Covid-19 during the pandemic.

Florida has recorded nearly 338,000 confirmed coronavirus cases and 5,002 deaths, as of Saturday evening.

The people attending these parties have no regard for what the virus is, trying to stop the spread of the virus, Major Jacob Ruiz, a police spokesperson, said.

These parties seem to be happening more often even now since the state has reopened and things are trying to get back to normal they even care less about it.

Russ Gibson, Osceola Countys sheriff, said earlier this week that more than 600 noise complaints had been filed in the area since March due to large parties.

Mr Gibson added that attendees appeared to be gathering at the events with the intention of spreading the virus among each other, suggesting young people did not think they could be at risk.

'They're being referred to, from what I'm being told, as Covid-19 parties where they're actually getting together and they're trying to mingle to potentially spread the virus amongst each other if they're asymptomatic or whatever the case might be, Mr Gibson told the local news website Click Orlando.

It came as Florida reported a further 10,000 confirmed cases on Saturday, with 90 additional deaths, and more than 9,000 patients in hospital with Covid-19.

Read more

Miami new epicentre of the pandemic as Florida cases surge
Government is working on a number of initiatives to address the challenges affecting the provision of affordable housing and resolving matters involving rent, Vice President Bawumia has revealed.



These measures include the design of a policy framework to address rental issues, and the submission to Cabinet and subsequently Parliament, for approval, a new Rent Control bill to replace the existing, moribund Rent Act of Ghana (Act 220), which was passed in 1963.



The Vice President made these disclosures when he paid an unannounced visit to the offices of the Rent Control Department in Accra on 15th July, 2020. Accompanied by the Minister for Works and Housing, Hon Samuel Atta Akyea and his Deputy, Hon Barbara Asher Ayisi, the Vice President was taken round by the Chief Rent Control Officer, Mr Twum Ampofo, who explained the operations and challenges involved in ensuring a peaceful rental environment.



Vice President Bawumia expressed worry about the lack of housing for low income earners, and disclosed that among others, government is working to address the uncertainties in the housing market, which has led to landlords demanding two to three years rent advance, well beyond the means of many, especially the youth who have just completed schooling and looking to enter the job market.



The heart of the problem is one of adequate supply of housing in our country. We are going to have to look at addressing that particular issue of improving the supply of housing stock. The issue of Rent Control brings tenants on the one and landlords on the other, together. They are working under a rather old, passed in 1963, but so much has changed, and this is why Hon Atta Akyea has submitted a bill to Cabinet, for approval and subsequent submission to Parliament. The proposed bill would allow for more enforcement and deals with the whole issue of rent advance and its associated problems.



What we want to do is to improve the operations of the Rent Control office. As I have gone round today, it is clear to me that so many of these queues that we see here can be avoided through digitisation of the operations of the Rent Control Office. There is really no need for everybody to queue here to lodge a complaint; you could do it online. We need a database that works from all landlords, tenants and the tenancy agreement, and once these are locked in with identifying features like the National ID and Digital addresses of these properties, you will then put together a database from which you can look at any breaches of the tenancy agreement and make adjudication much easier without any long winded processes.



Beyond that, we are looking very seriously at the issue of rent advance. Why are landlords continuously insisting on two years advance? What is clear is that there has been what Economists call a market failure. Tenants on the one hand know whether they are going to be able to pay the rent or not. Landlords on the other hand dont know if this tenant will pay the rent or not, so to protect themselves they usually want a large advance. Meanwhile the tenant doesnt earn enough to pay this large amount.



This is what the President has asked us to look at. How do we address this market failure? We are addressing it in a number of ways. The stock of housing must go up, especially the stock of low income housing. But to address this asymmetry of information between the landlords and the tenants, you need the government to come in to provide a bridge, so that whether its through insurance or guarantees, landlords can be a little more confident that these tenants will pay.



We are going to address this issue, we have some proposals which we will announce soon, to address the whole issue of rent advance, to modernise and digitise the Rent Control office. This is where the national ID and the digital addresses come into play. We have clear proposals that we will be announcing to the nation soon, Vice President Bawumia indicated.











Source: presidency.gov.gh









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Dominic Raab has criticised Russia for pariah-like behaviour after it allegedly stole research into coronavirus vaccines.

The foreign secretary said on Sunday he was "absolutely confident the Russian government had spied on British, US and Canadian research facilities.

Ahead of the publication of the Russia report next week, the UKs National Cybersecurity Centre said that attempts to hack coronavirus projects were "almost certainly" connected to Moscow's intelligence services.

"The key thing here is the deterrent of us, internationally with our partners, calling Russia out so that the world knows that they are engaged in this frankly pariah-like behaviour, when the rest of the world is trying to come together in the spirit of collaboration to tackle this awful virus," Raab told the BBC's Andrew Marr Show.

Foreign secretary Dominic Raab slammed Russia over the alleged data hacks. (PA)

Speaking on Sky News's Sophy Ridge On Sunday programme, Raab said it was "outrageous and reprehensible" that the Russian government is engaged in such activity.

He said: "We're absolutely confident that the Russian intelligence agencies were engaged in a cyber attack on research and development efforts and organisations in this country and internationally with a view either to sabotage or to profit from the R&D that was taking place.

"And I think the point is, first of all we've seen this as part of a wider systematic approach to cyber taken by Russia, and at the time that the world is coming together to try and tackle Covid-19, particularly come up with a global solution for a vaccine, I think it's outrageous and reprehensible that the Russian government is engaged in this activity.

Russia's ambassador to the UK Andrei Kelin denied the spying claims on Sunday. (PA)

"So what we're doing with our allies is making sure people know, making sure the organisations know so that they can better defend against it, but also just calling Russia out, we will do this.

"Now you will see us holding Russia to account and making sure that the world knows the nature of the reprehensible behaviour that they're engaged in."

Story continues

Raab added: "As a leading member of the international community, a permanent member of the Security Council, Russia should be engaged in that collaborative international effort."

Andrei Kelin, Russia's ambassador to the UK, rejected the claims and said there was "no sense" in the allegations made by Britain, the US and Canada.

"I do not see any point in using this subject as a matter of interference," he said.

"We do not interfere at all. We do not see any point in interference because for us, whether it will be (the) Conservative Party or Labour's party at the head of this country, we will try to settle relations and to establish better relations than now."

Asked about the alleged attempts to steal details of coronavirus research, Mr Kelin said: "I don't believe in this story at all, there is no sense in it."

He added: "I learned about their (the hackers) existence from British media. In this world, to attribute any kind of computer hackers to any country, it is impossible."

Coronavirus: what happened today

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Organisers issued demands including the dissolution of parliament and an end to harassment of government critics.

Around 2,500 Thai protesters took to the streets in Bangkok on Saturday night demanding the resignation of the government and the dissolution of parliament, defying a coronavirus ban on gatherings in one of the largest street demonstrations since a 2014 military coup.

People at the student-led rally near Bangkoks Democracy Monument cited a litany of complaints against the year-old civilian government of Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha, the former army chief who ousted an elected government six years ago.

Organisers issued three demands: the dissolution of parliament, an end to harassment of government critics, and amendments to the military-written constitution that critics say virtually guaranteed victory for Prayuths party in elections last year.

How can we be OK with the lack of democracy like this? student activist Tattep Ruangprapaikit told the crowds.

There were also some veiled public references at the protest to the powerful Thai monarchy, despite a law forbidding criticism of the king. Such references would once have been unthinkable.





Police were on standby but did not move to stop the protest. The monument was cordoned off with signs reading: No entry without permission. Maintenance in progress.

The protests started with student groups, but during the evening hundreds more arrived to join, swelling the numbers to about 2,500, according to organisers and estimates by reporters on the scene.

The demonstration dispersed at about midnight, but organisers said they would return to the streets in two weeks if their demands were not met.

Whose home is in Germany?

Public opposition to Prayuth has been growing in recent months.

Since last years election, a court has dissolved the second-largest opposition party, giving his ruling coalition firmer control in parliament.

Prayuth also saw several cabinet members resign on Thursday over internal disputes.

Prayuths Palang Pracharat Party campaigned on a vision of traditional Thai culture and loyalty to King Maha Vajiralongkorn.

https://twitter.com/Reaproy/status/1284545065835098117?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw

Thailand is officially a constitutional monarchy, but insulting the king is punishable by up to 15 years in prison, and many conservatives view the monarchy as sacrosanct.

Some signs and speeches at Saturdays protest made veiled references to the monarchy.

This is our country, but whose home is in Germany? said one of the student leaders on a small stage set up on the street.

King Vajiralongkorn has an estate in Germany, where he spends much of the year.

A protest sign read Lost faith is definitely not a crime!!! #Thiwakorn, in a reference to a separate protest in Thailands northeast on Friday in support of a man who was committed to a psychiatric hospital after he wore a T-shirt saying he had lost faith in the monarchy.

Another banner said The Peoples Party Isnt Dead  a reference to the political party whose revolution ended absolute royal rule in 1932.

Prayuth last month publicly warned political activists not to risk their futures by criticising the monarchy.

Earlier protests this year were fuelled by a February court ruling dissolving a popular opposition political party whose democracy-promoting policies had attracted substantial support among younger Thais.

The supporters of the Future Forward party believed the group was targeted for its popularity and for being critical of the government and the military.

Protests against the government had been drawing increasingly large crowds at the time, but tapered off quickly when several coronavirus clusters were confirmed and the emergency law was invoked.

Lockdown measures and social distancing have since helped the government contain the spread of the virus, but it has retained emergency powers, which critics say it wields as a political weapon.
A total of 7,279,237 eligible Ghanaian voters have been registered so far by the Electoral Commission in the ongoing voter registration exercise.



A lot of those captured are in the Greater Accra Region (1,524,600) followed by the Ashanti Region (1,319,498).



From the ECs data, 63.8 per cent of the registered persons used the Ghana card as a breeder document while 1.8 per cent used the passport and 34.4 per cent used guarantors.



Also, 11,818 persons representing 0.2 per cent of the registered voters had their eligibility challenged  majority of them from the Oti and Ahafo Regions.



Meanwhile, the Northern Regional Police Command, on 17 July 2020 at 0800 hours, acting upon intelligence, arrested one Mumuni Abilla Yusif, 26, a data entry clerk at the Kpanshegu registration cluster in the North-East Gonja district of the Savana region at Vittin in the Tamale metropolis.



A search in his room recovered one Biometric Voter Registration (BVR) kit, a statement issued by the command said.



Further investigation led to the arrest of a second suspect, Mohammad Yushaw Kongsoha, 32 years, and the registration officer at Kpanshegu cluster, the statement added.



The police command said at the time of the arrest of two suspects, 12 persons, including 10 males and 2 females, had been registered on 17 July 2020 between 0704 hours and 0800 hours at Vittin, which is not a designated registration centre.



The two are currently in the custody of the police assisting with the investigation, the statement noted.



The police says after investigation, the suspects will be charged with the appropriate cffences and put before court.

Source: Class News









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Source: Xinhua| 2020-07-18 22:36:44|Editor: huaxia

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Soldiers and armed police officers toiled day and night to help reinforce levees to prevent flooding in Anhui, China. Their move touched the hearts of many local residents.
Last year, GitHub revealed its plan to store all of its open source software in an Arctic vault as part of its Archive Program. Now the code-hosting platform is done making sure future generations can access them even if civilization collapses within the next 1,000 years. In a blog post celebrating the undertakings success, GitHubs Director for Strategic Programs Julia Metcalf has revealed that the services code collection was deposited into the vault on July 8th, 2020 after delays caused by the coronavirus pandemic.

GitHubs archive partner Piql wrote 21TB of repository data onto 186 reels of piqlFilm  a digital photosensitive archival film that can be read by a computer, or a human with a magnifying glass. You know, in case humanity suffers from global power outage. The service originally hoped to be done with the task by February, but it had to wait until it was possible for the Piql team to travel to the Norwegian archipelago of Svalbard, which only recently re-opened its borders. It also had to drop its plans to send its own team to the Arctic.

The collection now sits inside a chamber within a decommissioned coal mine, under hundreds of meters of permafrost. To recognize everyone who contributed to the software stored in the vault, GitHub is also rolling out a special badge thats displayed in the highlights section of a developers profile. Hovering over the badge shows the projects they contributed to, which ultimately became part of the Arctic Vault.
Taoiseach Micheal Martin has expressed concern at the deadlock over the EU's Covid-19 aid package and attempts by some member states to dilute the level of grants.

Attending a third day of EU leader talks in Brussels, he told media that significant differences remain on the deal, which aims to release up to 750bn in funds to member states.

But some members want the size of the grants reduced and instead are demanding long term loans.

I believe personally, and Ireland believes, that pouring more debt on debt, is not the way out of this and some member states find that very difficult. And so the grants element of this is very important.

"One has to make an assessment that at some stage in this process that if the package is diluted too much, does it really represent significant response that the Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President [Emanuel] Macron originally envisaged with their 500bn package and then the commission with the 750bn.

Read More EU leaders extend summit as they haggle over budget and virus

The absence of an agreement would be very negative in terms of the perception of Europe's capacity collectively to respond to a crisis that is unique and is a 100-year event, Mr Martin said.

The EU proposal had moved to release the grants totalling 500 billion, with a further 250 billion in the form of loans.

One draft of the EU leaders text saw the grants level reduced to 450 billion. But the so-called the Frugal Four - the Netherlands, Sweden, Austria and Denmark - are reportedly seeking a further reduction of 155 billion for the grants.

Explaining the stand-off, Mr Martin added: Significant differences still remain both in terms of the rule of law issue which took up a large proportion of the debate last evening at the plenary.

"Also the actual size of the package and the balance within the package between grants and loans. That's where significant disagreement still remains, notwithstanding movement yesterday and overnight in term of the balance and reduction in the grants.

Collectively, Europe must recover from this. Ireland being an exporting country, depends a lot on the success of the [EU] single market, and needs that to happen as well. There are significant differences and remains to be seen whether we can get agreement today.
Fox News

A New York Police Department union chief made an appearance on Fox News with a QAnon mug featured in the background.

Ed Mullins, president of the NYPDs Sergeants Benevolent Association, appeared on Fox News to discuss the increased gun violence in New York City and other parts of the US.

Viewers noticed a mug in the background of Mr Mullins interview with a logo on the front representing QAnon, a far-right conspiracy theory whose adherents believe in the existence of a deep state within the US government that is controlled by a Satanic cabal of child-abusing elites.

Believers of the QAnon conspiracy theory claim that these elites are largely made up of liberal politicians and celebrities whose goal is to oust President Donald Trump.

The mug situated directly behind Mr Mullins in the camera shot has the word QANON across the front with the hashtag #WWG1WGA, which stands for where we go one, we go all. The phrase is a popular slogan within the QAnon group.

q-anon-trump-supporters

A Trump supporter holds the QAnon logo up at during a rally in Pennsylvania in 2018 (Getty Images)

The 'Q' refers to an alleged government insider who posts clues on the internet to expose the deep state, according to the conspiracy theorist supporters.

This was not the first time Mr Mullins has appeared on television interviews with what is believed to be QAnon symbols in the background. Internet sleuths discovered the chief has appeared on at least two other conservative talk shows with something in the background in recent months.

Mr Mullins refused to confirm or deny if the mug in the background was his own when speaking to Business Insider.

Our country is falling apart, New York City is in crisis, and the only thing the news media is concerned about is a mug, he told the publication.

just called Ed and asked him about this. said he borrowed the office and has "no idea" what QAnon is.



wouldn't tell me what/whose office it is. then he called me "ridiculous" and hung up https://t.co/9LcEEBLm8h  Christopher Mathias (@letsgomathias) July 17, 2020

When contacted by the HuffPost, Mr Mullins said he had no idea what QAnon was and said he borrowed the office for the interview. But he was unable to provide information about the office he borrowed.

Story continues

Mr Mullins has a contentious relationship with New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio, a Democrat, and the two have even traded barbs in recent weeks after the mayor decided to transferred $1bn of the citys budget away from the NYPD.

A spokesman for Mr de Blasio retweeted an image of the mug, calling it delusional.

Read more

The Chicks reveal 'scary' meeting with Harvey Weinstein

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Trumps campaign troubles could see Ohio turn back into a swing state
<! ASUU President Professor Biodun Ogunyemi supports school closure till 2021 >

The Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU may be fighting the Federal Government over salary payment via IPPIS, but it has come out a surprise supporter of government shutting schools because of COVID-19.

President of ASUU, Professor Biodun Ogunyemi said his union supported the decision of the Federal Government to stop Senior Secondary School 3 pupils from partaking in the West African Senior School Certificate Examination earlier scheduled to commence on August 4.

Instead, ASUU wants schools shut till 2021.

On Friday government gave school owners up till 29 July to comply with specific guidelines towards reopening of schools. Some stakeholders have also expressed the need for final year students to be allowed to write their WASSCE.

Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, legal luminary Chief Afe Babalola, the House of Representatives, are in support of school reopening, at least for WASSCE.

But against the trend of opinion, Ogunyemi said no reasonable government would take chances to reopen schools, unless parents would be told to sign an undertaking.

Look, Kenya has said they have closed all their schools till next year (2021); they too have exams to write. Safety first. If it means closing the schools until next year to safeguard the lives of Nigerian children and safeguard the health of all Nigerians, so be it, Ogunyemi told The PUNCH.

So, if that will help us to address cases that can lead to increase in mortality, I think Nigerians should go that way and all of us should see reason for it. If they need to cancel admission for the year, it is good for them. Life matters first, people must have life first before they can go to university. Are the universities ready to work now?

Our position is that they should not experiment with the lives of our children. Nobody can tell; the situation may soon normalise and they can do their exams and there is another opportunity for external candidates around November. So, its not as if the door is totally closed.

The ASUU president added that the union had not seen any evidence to show that schools were secured for students to go back.

Read the Original interview in PUNCH

Related
Federal officers use tear gas and other crowd dispersal munitions on violent demonstrators in Portland, Ore., on July 17, 2020. (Mason Trinca/Getty Images)

Oregon Sues to Block Federal Arrests of Portland Protesters

Oregon has filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, the U.S. Marshals Service, and other federal agencies, alleging that their officers have violated the civil rights of Oregonians by detaining them without probable cause.

Ellen Rosenblum, the states attorney general, filed the lawsuit on July 17, saying she was concerned about the federal law enforcement tactics being employed. Some of the tactics the lawsuit alleges have happened include detaining protesters on the streets of Portland and placing them in unmarked vehicles without arresting them or stating the basis for an arrest.

In one incident on July 15, the lawsuit states, a man named Mark Pettibone was confronted by armed men dressed in camouflage who took him off the streets, pushed him into a van, then drove him to a building believed to be the Mark O. Hatfield U.S. Courthouse.

Pettibone alleged that he was put into a cell there and read his Miranda rights but was not told why he was arrested. He said he was released without any paperwork, citation, or record of his arrest, the lawsuit states.

These tactics must stop, Rosenblum said in a statement. They not only make it impossible for people to assert their First Amendment rights to protest peacefully, they also create a more volatile situation on our streets.

The U.S. Custom and Border Protection (CBP) released a statement on July 17 defending a similar arrest of a protester in Portland. In that incident, which had been captured on camera, the agency said they had information indicating that the individual in the video was suspected of assaults against federal agents and for destroying federal property.

Once CBP agents approached the suspect, a large and violent mob started moving toward them, the agency said, adding that the agents, who had identified themselves and were wearing CBP insignia during the encounter, then quickly made the decision to move the suspect to a safer location for further questioning to ensure everyones safety.

While the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) respects every Americans right to protest peacefully, violence and civil unrest will not be tolerated, the agency said in the statement. Violent anarchists have organized events in Portland over the last several weeks with willful intent to damage and destroy federal property, as well as injure federal officers and agents. These criminal actions will not be tolerated.

The lawsuit claims that the federal agencies violated the First, Fourth, and Fifth Amendment rights of Oregonians.

Rosenblum also announced that state prosecutors are launching a criminal investigation into an incident where a protestor was allegedly seriously injured by a federal law enforcement agent.

Donavan LaBella, 26, was seriously injured after allegedly being struck by an impact munition on July 11. The incident was captured on video, which shows him standing across from the Hatfield federal courthouse while holding a speaker over his head with both hands. At one moment, a canister of smoke or tear gas lands next to him, which he kicks away. After returning to his initial position, shots of impact munitions can be heard, and LaBella collapsed to the ground moments later.

The other agencies that were named in the lawsuit include the U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and the Federal Protective Services.

The Justice Department didnt immediately respond to a request by The Epoch Times for comment.
A British Muslim leader facing the death penalty in Bangladesh for alleged war crimes is suing Home Secretary Priti Patel for 60,000 in libel damages.

Chowdhury Mueen-Uddin, 71, who strenuously denies claims linking him to the killing of pro-independence activists during the countrys civil war in the 1970s, alleges that he was defamed in a Home Office report last year.

The lawsuit says the Challenging Hateful Extremism document by the Commission for Countering Extremism was shared on the Home Offices Twitter account, which has almost one million followers, and retweeted by Ms Patel and others  including BBC journalist Mishal Husain and the human rights campaigner Peter Tatchell.

Mr Mueen-Uddin, who helped found the Muslim Council of Great Britain and was pictured in 2003 with Prince Charles while vice-chairman of the East London Mosque, alleges the report libelled him by stating that he was responsible for serious criminal violence, including crimes against humanity, during the Bangladeshi war of independence in 1971.

Chowdhury Mueen-Uddin, 71, (left) who is facing the death penalty in Bangladesh for alleged war crimes is suing Home Secretary Priti Patel for 60,000 in libel damages. Pictured: The Prince of Wales meets Mr Mueen-Uddin in 2003

The father-of-four, who lives in North London, insists he has not committed war crimes, is not a link between the perpetrators of the 1971 violence and the leadership of the Islamist Jamaat-e-Islami partys UK branch and is not and never has been a senior leader of the Jamaat-e-Islami political group.

Seven years ago, Mr Mueen-Uddin was convicted in his absence of crimes against humanity for allegedly leading a militia said to have killed 18 intellectuals while it fought the split from Pakistan.

He was sentenced to hang by the International Crimes Tribunal in Bangladesh.

But he says the tribunal has been widely condemned and discredited, citing Liberal Democrat peer Lord Carlile, who described the tribunal as not fit for purpose and the case against Mr Mueen-Uddin as nothing short of farcical.

In 2012, The Mail on Sunday revealed that Mr Mueen-Uddin, who at the time had a senior role with the NHS, was facing prosecution by the tribunal which is based in Bangladeshs capital Dhaka.

His writ, submitted to the High Court last month, also claims that the Challenging Hateful Extremism report breached European data protection regulations and that his personal information was unlawfully used.

The lawsuit says the Challenging Hateful Extremism document by the Commission for Countering Extremism was shared on the Home Offices Twitter account and was retweeted by Ms Patel and others

The report, originally published in October last year, remained on the Governments website until March 20 after the Commission initially dismissed Mr Mueen-Uddins complaint. It later removed references to him and deleted his personal data.

Mr Mueen-Uddin, who fled Bangladesh after the war and gained British citizenship, claims the reports publication caused him severe distress and embarrassment which was aggravated by the Commissions failure to contact him before publishing the allegations.

He says he suffered further when the Home Secretarys lawyers wrote to him in February, suggesting it was fanciful that the report had seriously harmed his reputation.

A Home Office spokesman said: This relates to claims made within a report published by the Independent Commission for Countering Extremism.

However, given the Home Office is the sponsoring department for the commission, we are unable to comment further while legal proceedings are ongoing.
On Friday Alejandro Romero, a concierge at the Los Angeles building where Depp and Heard lived, testified that tech billionaire Elon Musk visited Heard regularly late at night from March 2015, while she was married to Depp.

Heard and the Tesla founder had a relationship after she and Depp separated.

The Suns lawyer suggested Romero had got the date wrong, but he said he remembered well because it was just after Depp had hurt his finger.

Depps fingertip was cut off while he and Heard were in Australia, where he was filming a Pirates of the Caribbean movie, in March 2015. Depp alleges that Heard severed it by throwing a vodka bottle at him, a claim she denies.

Romero said a friend of his was a big fan of Mr Depp and he was concerned about him not being able to play the guitar. Thats how I remember, and then the same day I saw Mr. Musk.

Depp is suing News Group Newspapers, publisher of The Sun, and the papers executive editor, Dan Wootton, at the High Court in London over the April 2018 article, which called him a wife-beater. He strongly denies abusing Heard.

A #MeToo activist said in a court document released Friday that she was misquoted and misused by a British tabloid newspaper in an article that accused Johnny Depp of physically abusing his ex-wife, Amber Heard.

The article claimed there was a backlash by #MeToo activists against author J.K. Rowling because she was defending her famous pal Depp, a star of the movie adaptation of her book Fantastic Beasts and Where To Find Them.

It quoted Katherine Kendall, an actress and activist who says she was assaulted by jailed film mogul Harvey Weinstein, as saying it seems that Amber got hurt and condemning violence.

In a written witness statement, Kendall said she spoke in April 2018 to a woman she later learned was a Sun reporter. She said she had been completely misquoted and misused by The Sun to accomplish their goal.

Although it was true that I was a victim of Harvey Weinstein, the rest was a lie, Kendall said. I was not going public on behalf of #MeToo or myself, to criticize J.K. Rowlings decision to cast Mr. Depp, nor did I accuse Mr. Depp of hurting Amber Heard, about which I have no first-hand knowledge.

Kendall also said she had heard several times that Heard was abusive to Depp.

Depp, 57, and Heard, 34, met on the set of the 2011 comedy The Rum Diary and married in Los Angeles in February 2015. Heard filed for divorce the following year, and the divorce was finalized in 2017.

The Suns defense relies on 14 allegations made by Heard of violence by Depp between 2013 and 2016, in settings including his private island in the Bahamas, a rented house in Australia and the couples downtown Los Angeles penthouse.

He denies them all and claims Heard was the aggressor during their volatile relationship, which he has likened to a crime scene waiting to happen.

In nine days of testimony at the High Court in London, judge Andrew Nicol has heard from Depp and from several current or former employees who have backed his version of events.

One of Depps security guards, Travis McGivern, said Friday that Heard spat at Depp and threw a can of energy drink Red Bull at him during an altercation at the couples Los Angeles penthouse in March 2015.
Lack of digital skills among parents, no access to smartphones, poor internet connectivity, and inability to recharge phones are some of the reasons why nearly half the students in the state have poor or no access to online education. The findings are a part of a survey conducted by the Maharashtra State Council of Educational Research and Training (MSCERT) in association with the United Nations International Childrens Fund (UNICEF) before the new academic year began on June 15.

A total of 737 schools and 6,855 students were interviewed for the study. The government had selected two blocks from each district  those with the highest and the lowest literacy rates  for the survey. While almost 59.8% of students had access to a smartphone, only about 57% had internet connectivity. Less than 1% of the total students surveyed had access to desktops and laptops.

Dinkar Patil, director, MSCERT, said, The survey was conducted to identify the hurdles that needed to be addressed before schools could reopen online. Efforts are now being taken to reach out to students through multiple mediums. After schools reopened online, we started conducting another leg of the survey to understand how students are managing to learn over the last one month.

The most common barrier for students who could not access online learning was the lack of digital skills among parents. Nearly 72% of the 3,391 students who had such issues, claimed this was a problem for them. Lack of access to smartphones (66.4%); no internet (52.3%); issues with connectivity (35.2%), and lack of family support (22.6%) were other major hurdles when it came to online learning. Nearly 8.5% of students were engaged in supporting their families through some type of unpaid work.

Issues concerning access were seen more in marginalised and socially-backward groups. As opposed to 59% of students from the general category who could access learning resources of the education department, only 40.5% of students from the scheduled tribes and 46.2% from the nomadic tribes could use them.

Vanita Mate, who has two children, both studying at a Mumbai-based school in Class 4 and Class 6, respectively, moved to her hometown Mangaon in Raigad district, when the lockdown began. She doesnt have enough money to recharge her phone to call people, let alone get a data pack. I want my children to learn but I cannot afford to pay for internet. Also, we have very poor network in our village, she said.

Even in a metropolitan city like Mumbai, several parents said they were struggling to take care of the expenses that come with online learning. Pushpa Sharma, who works as a domestic help, said, My son has online classes for two hours daily, and the internet pack we got is not sufficient even for a week. This is becoming a big hassle and we do not know how to afford it.

Anagha Madhukar, the principal of Ahilyadevi Holkar Secondary School, which is run by the Pune Municipal Corporation and iTeach Schools, said that a student requires 1-1.5GB data daily for a four-hour online class. This means a monthly investment of 200 to 250. Over the last few months, we are happy to see that a lot of parents have been able to keep aside some money for the purpose. Even children were saving for their recharges, she said.

Balu Bhoyar, principal, Karamveer Vidyalaya in Chandrapur, said that with most students not having access to technology, the only way to continue their education is through physical classes. We have started sending teachers to localities, where small groups of students can be taught daily. This is safe and also helps in continuous learning for such students, he said.

Kannan Moudgalya, Erach and Meheroo Mehta Advanced Education Technology chair professor, IIT-Bombay, said that when it comes to access, one needs to understand that it is of two kinds. It includes access to fast internet, which is required to see live videos, and slow internet, with which one can download videos and watch later. The first type of internet has limited reach, and several IIT students, too, do not have access to it, let alone school students from low-income families. For government schools, the second kind of access can be put to good use, he said.
A trio of Lloyds' top bankers have emerged as potential successors to the outgoing boss Antonio Horta-Osorio.

Horta-Osorio is quitting the bank after almost a decade at the helm, earning a total payout of more than 56million.

Change at the top: Antonio Horta-Osorio is quitting the bank after almost a decade at the helm

City insiders have speculated that Vim Maru, head of Lloyds' personal banking business, could be in line to replace him. David Oldfield, head of Lloyds' business bank, and William Chalmers, the bank's finance chief, have also been named as front-runners in the race for one of the top jobs in British banking.

Lloyds  Britain's biggest bank  will also seek out external candidates for the role.

Its next boss will spearhead efforts to support the British economy in the aftermath of the coronavirus crisis. The chief executive will also determine the pace of bank branch closures, and how much to invest into Lloyds' insurance and wealth products.

Lloyds has already started working on its next strategic review. However, it is believed the bank will not set out its plans for the next phase until the new boss is in place.

Analysts at JP Morgan said in a report that the bank had a 'solid internal bench' of candidates to replace Horta-Osorio.

The bank is also welcoming a new chairman, Robin Budenberg, in early 2021.

The analysts added: 'A new strategic plan is expected in 2021, with continued focus on growth in wealth management and insurance business lines to diversify away from interest-rate sensitive business.'

Lloyds declined to comment.
Belgian prime minister Sophie Wilmes and Luxembourg prime minister Xavier Bettel take a break from the EU summit and eat fries outside the Maison Antoine friterie in Brussels

BRUSSELS (Reuters) - As European leaders haggled in Brussels on Saturday over billions of euros to prop up their coronavirus-blighted economies, four prime ministers slipped away in search of comfort food: a paper cone of Belgian fries.

The snack that Americans call "French fries" - and Britons call "chips" - are such a staple dish in Belgium that roadside shacks and trailers selling "frites" were allowed to stay open during this spring's lockdown to curb the spread of COVID-19.

Belgian Prime Minister Sophie Wilmes tweeted a photograph of herself and Luxembourg Prime Minister Xavier Bettel outside the famous Maison Antoine "friterie" clutching their booty; she had "Andalouse" sauce with her fries and Bettel chose "Samurai".

They were joined by the prime ministers of Estonia and Malta, and all four sat together outside the restaurant in the Place Jourdan, which has also served German Chancellor Angela Merkel during breaks in previous European Union summits.

Belgium has sought to have "Belgian fries" and the culture around them recognised as a distinct part of global heritage, alongside its beer-making tradition.

Many Belgians say their country invented fries, and that it was only because U.S. troops stationed in the French-speaking part of Belgium during World War One mistakenly called them "French" that the name stuck.

(Writing by John Chalmers; Editing by Kevin Liffey)
Two firefighters were injured Saturday as they battled a major blaze at a steel plant in Beaver County.

The fire at Sukup Steel Structures in Ambridge raged for roughly six hours before being brought under control by the combined efforts of 23 fire departments from Beaver and Allegheny counties.

One firefighter suffered smoke inhalation; the other had burn injuries and was taken to West Penn Hospital in Bloomfield, according to Ambridge fire Chief Robert Gottschalk.

The fire at the manufacturing facility on 14th Street was reported around 4:50 a.m..

Sukup is a subsidiary of Iowa-based Sukup Manufacturing Co.

As a family-owned business, first and foremost we are relieved that no employees were injured in this fire, the company said in a statement. We will be communicating instructions directly with employees and assessing damage to the property.

The plant is near the Ohio River and the border between the counties.

Sukup Steel Structures designs, engineers, and manufactures steel construction buildings.
The Covid19 pandemic has by now affected every country in the world. Lockdown regulations implemented in most countries to slow the spread of the virus have impacted particularly severely on the poor, depriving them of their livelihoods and plunging them even deeper into abject poverty. As of 9 July 2020, Cameroon had recorded almost 15,000 confirmed cases (www.covid19info.live). This appears to be a relatively low number. However, it can be safely assumed that the true numbers are under reported, due to a lack of testing equipment, and inadequate medical facilities.

On 1 July 2020, the United Nations Security Council adopted Resolution 2532, calling on all countries in a conflict situation to observe a 90  day cease fire, to slow down the spread of the virus and to facilitate initiatives to combat the pandemic. The Resolution:

1. 2.

Demands a general and immediate cessation of hostilities in all situations on its agenda and supports the efforts undertaken by the Secretary-General and his Special Representatives and Special Envoys in that respect;

Calls upon all parties to armed conflicts to engage immediately in a durable humanitarian pause for at least 90 consecutive days, in order to enable the safe, unhindered and sustained delivery of humanitarian assistance, provisions of related services by impartial humanitarian actors, in accordance with the humanitarian principles of humanity, neutrality, impartiality and independence, and medical evacuations, in accordance with international law, including international humanitarian law and refugee law as applicable.

The adoption of Resolution 2532 has had little impact on the conflict in Cameroon. Since its adoption, there have been numerous attacks, including:
- Section of leaders from Murang'a county have thrown their weight behind former Gatanga lawmaker Peter Kenneth as the region's kingpin

- They claim Kenneth has a sparkling development record and as such, President Uhuru Kenyatta should consider him as a Cabinet secretary to help him achieve his development agenda

- Earlier, Kang'ata had warned Kenneth and his associates against engaging in 2022 succession politics claiming it was still too early to discuss such agenda

Section of political leaders from Mount Kenya region has asked President Uhuru Kenyatta to appoint former Gatanga MP Peter Kenneth as a Cabinet secretary if he plans to reorganise his Cabinet.

Led by Senate majority whip Irungu Kang'ata, the leaders who spoke in Murang'a on Saturday, July 18, the area leaders touted Kenneth as a visionary man whose services will be pivotal in boosting the president's scorecard before his tenure expired in 2022.

READ ALSO: Johnson Sakaja: Nairobi police boss says senator may not be charged for violating COVID-19 rules

Murang'a senator Irungu Kang'ata. Photo: Irungu Kang'ata.

Source: Facebook

READ ALSO: Papa Shirandula alikuwa ameambukizwa coronavirus, nduguye asema

Kang'ata's remarks came days after he claimed the Jubilee Party purge aimed at dewhipping renegade members will be headed to the Cabinet, targeting cabinet secretaries with allegiance to Deputy President William Ruto.

"If the president wants to reconstitute his Cabinet, let him consider one of us who is Peter Kenneth. We are rallying behind him. We know he can do a good job," Kang'ata said during a food distribution drive to area residents.

READ ALSO: FA Cup: Aubameyang brace sinks Guardiola as Arsenal sink Manchester City

READ ALSO: Machakos: Woman collapses while washing clothes, dies

His remarks were echoed by Maragua MP Mary Wamaua and her Gatanga counterpart Joseph Nduati who also revealed local leaders had agreed to support Kenneth as the region's political kingpin.

"Local leaders have agreed that Kenneth will be our leading figure from Muranga county," said Nduati.

Kenneth is a leader that is known both in the central and western parts of the country. He is a figure we are not shying away from, "Wamaua stated.

READ ALSO: Kenyans in solidarity with Njugush after Sarah Kabu reported his Instagram account

Peter Kenneth is a former presidential candidate. Photo: Peter Kenneth.

Source: Facebook

READ ALSO: Lady Maureen: Mourners break into song, dance ahead of Ohangla musician's burial

In a separate story, TUKO.co.ke reported that Kang'ata had earlier warned Kenneth against engaging in succession politics but his recent remarks mean he has made an about-turn.

Kang'ata was reacting to a meeting where a section of leaders from the devolved unit met to congratulate Kipipiri MP Amos Kimunya following his appointment as National Assembly majority leader.

"If the function was only about lunch, then that is okay. But if its agenda was succession politics, then this is not the right time.

I strongly believe that this is the time to talk about power provision, roads, agriculture and not politics," said Kang'ata.

READ ALSO: New survey ranks UoN Africa's 7th most popular higher learning institution

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.

Couple gives birth to triplets after 21 years of trying | Tuko TV.

Source: TUKO.co.ke
This new Android malware called BlackRock can steal credit card data and passwords from almost 337 apps including Uber, Gmail and Snapchat.

We have told you about BlackRock, the new Android malware that can steal data from at least 337 Android apps. This malware was spotted in May this year for the first time and its list of potential targets includes popular apps like Snapchat, Gmail, Uber etc.

Discovered by mobile security company ThreatFabric, here are 5 important things you need to know about this malware:

1. The BlackRock malware is based on the leaked source code of another malware strain called Xerxes. However, unlike what its based on, BlackRock has been upgraded with features that can steal credit card credentials and passwords.

2. It can target more Android apps than all its predecessors - 337 so far. And these include popular apps like Gmail, Uber, Twitter, Snapchat, Instagram, etc along with dating apps, shopping, lifestyle, news and productivity apps as well. The full list of the apps that BlackRock can target can be seen here.

3. BlackRock uses a method called overlays to trick users into filling in their log-in details and card details to start using a legitimate app. These overlays are fake windows that pop up when a user is trying to log into an app.

4. Most of BlackRocks overlays are concentrated on phishing social media, communication and financial apps. Once installed in the device, BlackRock gets the affected apps to ask the user to grant access to the phones Accessibility features. On Android, Accessibility features are very powerful as they can be used to automate and perform tasks on behalf of the user.

5. BlackRock uses this to grant itself access to other Android permission and uses the Android DPC (device policy controller) to get admin access and create overlays. This malware can key log, harvest SMS, send SMS, collect device information, lock screens remotely, hide app icons etc.

This malware is currently being distributed in the guise of fake Google update packages offered by third party sites, but going by how Android malwares work, it should reach the Google Play Store soon.
Newsham said the men opened up on a group that was in the block. He said the victims were all adults, including eight men and one woman. In addition to the man who was slain, two victims were in serious condition and the others have injuries that are not believed to be life-threatening, he said.
Copyright  2020 Albuquerque Journal

It took New Mexicos most populous county about three months to reach its first 1,700 COVID-19 infections.

The next 1,700 took approximately one month.

Bernalillo County  home to the city of Albuquerque  has seen its total reported infections grow 98% between mid-June and mid-July, according to numbers released by the New Mexico Department of Health.

Thats compared to 60% statewide growth in the same period.

New Mexico Human Services Secretary David Scrase said Friday that Bernalillo County has almost a vertical line uptick in cases. He blamed the recent increase on people leaving their homes more often as they grow tired of the health restrictions and are less cautious.

Mayor Tim Keller, meanwhile, has been warning Albuquerque residents not to forget the continuing threat despite what he calls coronavirus fatigue.

I think its important to remember  there is no quick fix right now, Keller said at a media briefing Wednesday, so weve got to really be prepared for the long haul.

Despite its surge, Bernalillo County is not the states hardest-hit county.

McKinley County in northwestern New Mexico has by far the most infections on a per-capita basis and also more total reported cases than any other county, but its recent daily infection numbers are now lower than their spring peak. Though Bernalillo Countys cases per capita are still far lower than McKinleys  and lower than several other counties  it is presently on pace to eclipse McKinleys total infection count in the next few days.

Bernalillo County coronavirus deaths, however, are climbing at a lower rate than its cases. Total fatalities increased 24% over the last month.

Albuquerque officials long anticipated COVID-19 problems due to the citys population density and because it has facilities  like the airport and shopping centers  that draw people from the rest of the state, Keller has said. The virus typically spreads person to person, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and it has battered many major American metropolitan areas.

Keller has repeatedly noted how the Albuquerque area has so far fared better than other metros around the region, including Phoenix and El Paso, which have higher per-capita case counts.

Bernalillo even saw daily case count averages fall and flatten after a bump in early-May.

But numbers are now spiking.

The recent surge in cases coincides with when youd expect more infections to be detected after Fourth of July social gatherings, according to Scrase.

I think its people getting tired of COVID and not really believing theyre going to get it, he said of the uptick in Bernalillo County.

Gov. Michelle Lujan Grishams administration had begun loosening statewide COVID-19-related restrictions in late May but has recently restored some of them, such as the ban on indoor restaurant dining. She also strengthened the states mask mandate, meaning everyone now must wear a face covering while in public unless they are eating, drinking or swimming.

Throughout the pandemic, Keller has reiterated that he could, and would, impose even stricter city-level limitations if necessary. He has largely avoided doing that, though on Wednesday he signed a new emergency declaration and launched a new strategy to enforce the mask mandate. It allows the city to now remove people from its airport, buses and other facilities if they are not wearing masks and refuse to use one the city provides.

City spokeswoman Jessie Damazyn said the new declaration also prepares the city to take measures beyond the state orders, but that will only come with guidance from state and local health professionals, and the citys Emergency Operations Center.

So far, Damazyn said that is not necessary.

At this time, we are following the level of restrictions in the state order because it works for Albuquerque, she wrote in a statement. But as the largest metro area, we know the impact of coronavirus wont be (the) same here as it is in rural areas and are closely monitoring the situation. Our most recent emergency declaration puts us on the right footing for a long haul, and prepares us to carve our own path if we need to make targeted restrictions beyond the states.

Dan McKay contributed to this report.
The Russian Federation's armed formations may not let people cross the contact line, relying on the data of the lists.

Russia's occupying forces in Donbas let people cross the entry and exit checkpoints according to the lists.

Read alsoDonbas occupying forces reopen checkpoint on Donetsk-Mariupol road corridor  border guards

"We have received information from the Trilateral Contact Group that the Russian occupying forces let people cross the entry and exit checkpoints according to the lists. In this regard, we would like to inform the Russian Federation's armed formations may not let people cross the contact line, relying on the data of the lists," the press center of Ukraine's Joint Forces Operation Headquarters said on Facebook.

At the same time, the JFO HQ said the Ukrainian side is open to carrying out border crossing operations and amid the quarantine provides an opportunity to cross the Stanytsia Luhanska, Maryinka, and Novotroyitske entry and exit checkpoints at a certain time.

As UNIAN reported earlier, Russian invaders have blocked the work of the Maryinka checkpoint since June 11, as well as the work of the Novotroyitske checkpoint since June 28.
A graphic is seen showing the areas of Melbourne that will be required to go into lock down as Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews speak to the media on July 07, 2020 in Melbourne, Australia. Darrian Traynor | Getty Images

Australia will reveal its first economic and fiscal update since the coronavirus outbreak on Thursday, as the nation navigates its biggest economic downturn in almost three decades.



"The coronavirus crisis has hit our economy hard, and it's hit our budget hard," Australia's Finance Minister Mathias Cormann told CNBC, just hours after liaising with fellow global policymakers at the G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors Meeting.



"We've had to make policy decisions with a fiscal impact of $56 billion (AUD) ($39 billion USD), and on top of that, there will be the impact of the economic hit on revenue and expenditure across the board," he added.



The July Economic Statement comes ahead of the government's official budget in October. Analysts say it will show the government's economic forecasts for the next two fiscal years, while outlining the next stage of the policy response and likely record budget deficits to follow as a result.



"We estimate deficits of $95 billion, 4.8% of GDP, for 2019-20," Westpac Chief Economist Bill Evans wrote in a research note this weekend. The firm forecasts a budget deficit in 2020-2021 of $240 billion and is expecting a further large deficit of the order of $150 billion in 2021-2022.



"Falling confidence amid concerns about 'second waves' will surely prompt the government to confirm a set of policy initiatives that will extend its stimulatory stance although there will be a significant wind down of that stimulus," Evans added.

Government to right-size job support measures despite rising virus count

Among the expected announcements on Thursday will be a review of the government's "JobKeeper" wage subsidy scheme  which allows eligible employers to receive $1,500 ($1,050 USD) per employee per fortnight. The measure was well received by domestic businesses and protected jobs, but will likely cost the federal government $70 billion before it expires in September. "The outlook right now is better than what we feared earlier this year, and some of the costings that we made for some programs like JobKeeper at the beginning, turned out to be less costly than initially anticipated," Cormann said. "There will be a further period of support for those businesses who really need it," he added, saying support will be "more targeted" to ensure the fiscal boost provided by the government goes to those businesses who need it most.

The focus on jobs comes as Australia battles to confront a surge in COVID-19 cases in its two most populous cities of Sydney and Melbourne. In Melbourne, in the state of Victoria, 363 new cases of the coronavirus were recorded on Sunday after 217 cases the previous day. "That's the unknown for the next quarter," Cormann said, warning that rising cases and extended lockdowns could threaten to prolong the economic malaise. Australia's unemployment rate hit 7.4% in June, the highest level in 22 years. "The June quarter was always going to be the worst quarter," Cormann said. "Seven point four percent is high for us, but it's not as high as we feared it would be. Back in March, when we were looking ahead, our expectation was for an unemployment rate of about ten percent. It has come in quite a bit below that."

"I think the Australian economy needs more support over the next six to twelve months," AMP Capital's Diana Mousina told CNBC. "We think the unemployment rate will probably remain between 7 to 8 percent over the next year, which is very high." "Before coronavirus, we were talking about a five percent unemployment rate," she added.

G20 mindful of stimulus "taper-tantrum" as economies recover
Growing up on Long Island, I was the most 'Irish' person I knew - and fiercely proud of it. My father was born and raised on the Cavan/Fermanagh border; my Bronx-born mother's dad was an immigrant from Monaghan and her maternal grandparents both grew up in Waterford. I ticked all the Irish-American boxes. Competitive Irish dancing. Playing trad music on the flute. Knowing all the lyrics to rebel songs and ballads. Never missing Mass. Attending Wolfe Tones and Paddy Reilly concerts. We had subscriptions to The Irish Echo and Long Island Catholic newspapers. Eventually, I graduated from the University of Notre Dame, home of the Fighting Irish - though even at the time I had a problem with their leprechaun mascot.

That Irish-American tendency to get shamrock and leprechaun tattoos, fly tricolours outside their houses and eat corned beef and cabbage on 'Patty's Day' always irritated me, but I had no concept of the attitude in Ireland towards the diaspora in the States until I moved to Dublin in 2006.

I was flabbergasted at the disdain - but it all made sense when I quickly learned the stark differences between Irish people and Irish-Americans. That's a given for everyone in Ireland, but I was oblivious - along with most Irish-Americans. Somehow, I'd made it to 24 years spending summers in Ireland and hosting cousins in the States without realising just how much Irish-Americans are the butt of jokes.

To make a sweeping generalisation, Ireland is liberal, modern and more globally aware. Irish America is more religious, more conservative, wildly patriotic when it comes to both countries - and churning out a lot of die-hard Trump supporters.

From my experience - working as a journalist in Ireland for more than a decade and returning to the States three years ago - I have a few thoughts as to why.

I moved to Ireland as a cub reporter in 2006 because I was living and working in Dallas - for my dream company out of college - but I could see the path my life was going to take. I'd have minimal vacation, I'd be stuck in cities I hated for the best years of my youth, and then I'd settle down with a mortgage and a family and a two-week holiday a year to - probably - Florida.

I looked at my Irish cousins taking gap years and moving to places like Dubai and New Zealand. I packed my Irish passport, got a job in communications in Dublin and gave myself a year to freelance and learn the journalistic lay of the land. I needed it. I couldn't pronounce Taoiseach. I didn't know what the Oireachtas was.

So I learned about road frontage. I found out that no one really wants to talk about the Troubles or the Brits or the North, even though I'd been raised with 26+6=1 bumper stickers in my locker and the misconception that everyone in Ireland is obsessed with reunification.

More than 10 years later, I had reported on major national stories from every county in Ireland. And being Irish-American actually helped me get through a lot of doors.

The Irish in the States have always been particularly closely wedded, though, to what they consider their ethnic history. A lot of that has to do with Catholicism. Irish-Americans are holding on to the same values of Catholicism brought over in the 1800s and early 1900s by their immigrant ancestors.

The anti-Catholic and anti-Irish sentiment their great- or great-great-grandparents faced engendered an us-against-them mentality, and that has been generationally passed down, often buried deep in the subconscious.

As the abuse scandals and the laundries revelations rocked Ireland, Irish-Americans were generally steadfast in their devotion. I have Irish-American friends and relatives who will refuse to watch the films Spotlight or Philomena. The scandals were overblown, they'll argue; the media is liberal and anti-Catholic and out to get the church. "You never hear about rabbis abusing children," is one (false) argument I've heard.

Many Irish-Americans are single-issue voters. If a presidential candidate is staunchly anti-abortion, that is who they will vote for. And Trump tapped into that.

Kellyanne Conway and Mick Mulvaney? Just like me, products of the East Coast Catholic school system. Every date and male friend I had as a teen came from the all-boys' Catholic high school on Long Island once attended by Bill O'Reilly, star of Fox News, before his fall from grace. The academic education is wonderful in these places but the communities are insular.

Even the traditional Irish-American Democratic base from the Kennedy years has skewed more Republican/Conservative in recent decades. It's because they've climbed the socioeconomic ladder, able to afford increasingly expensive schools.

Trump's policies favour the middle class; even I have ended up with more money in my pocket than I would have under Obama (I'm registered as an Independent and don't like to share my political leanings but will happily announce that I did not vote for Trump.)

Because Irish-Americans have advanced while clinging to their immigrant history, however, many also buy in to Trump's anti-illegal (his words) immigrant rhetoric. Their families, they argue, moved to America the 'right' way. (The undocumented Irish seem to not figure in their thought process.) They earned everything they have in their comfortable lives. Why can't immigrants now? They'll deny that these beliefs have anything to do with skin colour.

When it comes to the Black Lives Matter movement, forget it: there's a fundamental disconnect. For a group that loves talking about historical British persecution, on top of anti-Irish and anti-Catholic sentiment in America, there's a distinct absence of empathy - or even effort to understand.

Many middle-class Irish-Americans know or are related to cops and first responders. Battle lines have been drawn here: you're either Blue Lives Matter or Black Lives Matter. In Massachusetts and New York, where I've spent time during quarantine, Blue Lives Matter flags are usually accompanied by Trump paraphernalia and, often, tricolours or shamrocks.

But the pendulum swings both ways. Many Irish-Americans - usually with closer and more recent ties - criticise Ireland for becoming so liberal and, dare I say, tolerant. They are nostalgic for an Ireland that no longer exists, holding onto outdated ideas brought over multiple generations ago.

When the same-sex marriage referendum vote was passed in 2015, it was one of my favourite memories in Dublin. But I didn't dare bring up the conversation with my Irish-American friends and family. Ireland has lost its morality and its way, they said.

Talking last week with the Irish-American mother of a friend on Cape Cod, I said I was writing about the social and political differences between Irish-Americans and Irish people. "Oh - Ireland is way more conservative than the States, isn't it?" she said.

I don't see anything changing any time soon. Irish-American support for Trump will remain strong. I moved back to the States for a job the month after his inauguration and I cannot believe the world I am looking at right now.

I wasn't surprised by his election - I'd also been a reporter in Texas, Alabama and Indiana, Trump strongholds.

The division at the moment I find terrifying. And I've never missed the real, modern Ireland more.
Borrowers who took loan repayment 'holidays' at the height of the coronavirus crisis are struggling to obtain mortgages despite assurances the breaks would not affect their credit score.

Sources told The Mail on Sunday that banks were turning away customers who had taken payment holidays on home loans, credit cards and car finance, months after the Government and credit agencies said there would be no impact.

The sources said applicants could often get a provisional loan agreement from a bank, but were then rejected by the bank's credit checkers over fears they were not reliable borrowers.

Suffering: Many customers are struggling as they try to take out a mortgage or remortgage with a new lender

Business Secretary Alok Sharma said in March that banks had negotiated the rules around payment breaks with the financial watchdog, and that they would not affect a customer's credit score.

He said at the time: 'The FCA (Financial Conduct Authority) has talked to banks and lenders about this issue, particularly those who may need to delay payments on credit card bills. And I think the advice that's gone out is any changes need to be properly documented and it shouldn't affect your credit score.'

Credit agency Experian also reassured customers they would not be hit by taking advantage of the blanket payment freeze.

Jonathan Westley, chief data officer at Experian, said in a statement in March: 'Many lenders are offering payment holidays or other arrangements to help people who have been affected by the outbreak.'

He said Experian  and also credit agencies TransUnion and Equifax  'will then make sure that the agreement is reflected in your credit reports so that your score is not changed by any payment holiday you agree'.

But now many customers are struggling months later as they try to take out a mortgage or remortgage with a new lender.

One mortgage industry source admitted questions were being raised about those on Government support schemes, saying: 'Banks are asking if people have taken a payment holiday or if they are on furlough.'

Another said: 'It's reasonable that people looking to remortgage, or switch their mortgage will be asked if they have maintained payments or if they have missed any payments. Individual lenders might look at that in a negative way as a potential new borrower. They will say, 'Well, this person chose to take a payment holiday, did they do it because they needed one, or because they were lazy?' That person might be less of a good risk than someone who continued paying their mortgage regardless.'

But Siobhain McDonagh MP, who sits on the Treasury Select Committee, said: 'When the banks were in trouble, the taxpayer was there for them. Now the taxpayer is in trouble  it's time the banks step up and live by their promises.

'If they promised it wouldn't have an impact on your credit-worthiness, you generally expect the Government to tell the truth. When the banks weren't process ing loans to businesses, the Government was certainly in a position to put pressure on the banks, and you'd hope they do that for individual homeowners.'

McDonagh plans to write to the Chancellor raising the matter this week.

Banking lobby group UK Finance said lenders would consider a 'range of factors' before approving a loan. It has urged consumers to consult their bank before taking a payment holiday.

A UK Finance spokesperson said: 'Under FCA rules lenders must lend responsibly and consider the affordability of the mortgage or loan in the long term. It would not be in the customer's interest to lend more than they can reasonably afford.'

A Treasury spokesperson said: 'The FCA has been clear that payment holidays should not have a long-term impact on people's credit rating  and that where additional help is needed, lenders must be clear about the possible implications.'

But consumer experts said customers should be able to get payment holidays deleted from their credit histories. James Daley, at Fairer Finance, said: 'At the beginning of the crisis, it was an incredibly uncertain world and I don't think it would have been wrong to take a payment holiday. The lenders should be totally blind to these payment holidays  and lenders should not have been marking them on people's credit files.

'I don't see why they can't put that right, it's not impossible to change credit files when companies make mistakes.'
Biden Briefed On U.S. Intelligence, Says Russia Still Meddling In Electoral Process

July 18, 2020

U.S. presidential candidate Joe Biden says he is now getting regular intelligence briefings and has been told that Russia is continuing in its attempts to meddle in the upcoming U.S. election.

"We know from before, and I guarantee you that I know now, because now I get briefings again. The Russians are still engaged in trying to delegitimize our electoral process. Fact," Biden said on July 17.

Biden, the former vice president under President Barack Obama, is the presumptive Democratic nominee to face Republican President Donald Trump in the November 3 election. If Biden wins, he would assume office in January 2021.

Traditionally, the nominee for the leading opposition party begins receiving intelligence briefings ahead of the vote so that the candidate will be fully informed on the first day should he or she win the election.

Biden, speaking during an online fundraiser with supporters, warned that, if Moscow maintains its efforts to interfere, there will be "a real price to pay" if he wins the presidency.

Multiple U.S. intelligence agencies concluded that Moscow acted to help Trump in the 2016 election.

Russia denied the allegation. Trump has repeatedly called an investigation into whether his team colluded with Russia in the effort a "hoax."

Biden also said that China was conducting activities "designed for us to lose confidence in the outcome" of the 2020 election.

The White House did not immediately respond to requests for comment on Biden's statement.

Based on reporting by AP and Reuters

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/biden-briefed-on -u-s-intelligence-says-russia-still-meddling- in-electoral-process/30734376.html

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

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The photographer behind Princess Beatrice and husband Edoardo's official wedding snaps has opened up about capturing their special day.

Benjamin Wheeler, from London, was behind the lens as Beatrice, 31, and Italian property developer Edoardo Mappeli Mozzi said 'I do' during a surprise ceremony at the Royal Chapel of All Saints at the Royal lodge on July 18.

Taking to his Instagram account, Wheeler penned: 'I was so incredibly honoured to photograph their wedding day, a certain milestone of my career.

Buckingham Palace has so far released two pictures from the happy occasion - both taken by Wheeler.

One shows the happy couple locking hands as they exit the Chapel. In the other, beaming Beatrice and Edo stand next to her grandmother the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh in front of the chapel.

Benjamin Wheeler was behind the lens as Beatrice, 31, and Edoardo Mappeli Mozzi said 'I do' at the Royal Chapel of All Staints at the Royal lodge on July 18

The photographer said photographing the event was a 'milestone' of his career and had left him 'incredibly honoured'

In his Instagram post, Wheeler went on to thank Gillian Lawtie. a fellow photographer and founder of the Wedding Collective - a wedding directory providing contact details for wedding caterers, photographers, filmmakers and more.

Benjamin was one of the few people to attend the intimate ceremony on Friday, which saw Beatrice wed after postponing her grand May wedding to beau Edoardo.

Beatrice and Edo were due to tie the knot at the Chapel Royal of St James's Palace, in London, on 29 May. But their ceremony was postponed due to Covid-19 and no new date was given by the palace at the time.

Instead the couple chose to have an intimate ceremony attended by just 'close family', according to a statement released on Friday afternoon by Buckingham Palace.

In the sweet snaps, Beatrice and Edo beam, standing at a safe distance from her grandparents The Queen and Duke of Edinburg

The bride's parents, Prince Andrew and the Duchess of York as well as her sister Princess Eugenie, 30, are thought to have been included.

On marriage Beatrice becomes a stepmother to Edo's son Christopher, known as Wolfie, who is also thought to have attended.

The Queen, who has now watched six of her eight grandchildren wed, shared her joy in a conversation with Captain Sir Tom Moore, whom she knighted at Windsor Castle just hours after the nuptials. She told Sir Tom and his family: 'My granddaughter got married this morning both Philip and I managed to get there - very nice.'

The chapel, which can accommodate 180 people, was an ideal choice for social distancing, especially given the bride's grandparents are both in their 90s and in a high risk group.

Weddings of up to 30 people are allowed under current government guidelines. The reduced guest list means that the couple will have to celebrate with celebrity friends such as Ellie Goulding, Karlie Kloss and Cressida Bonas at a later date.

Flowers from well-wishers were seen being unloaded from vans after the wedding, as Buckingham Palace confirmed no reception or other event was taking place.

The dashing Italian property developer who won Bea's heart: Father-of-one Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi, 37, is a long-time family friend who swept her off her feet Princess Beatrice has married Italian property developer Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi in secret at Windsor Castle Princess Beatrice married fiance Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi in a secret wedding in Windsor earlier today - but who is the man that stole the royal's heart? The happy couple were due to wed at the Chapel Royal at St James's Palace in London with 150 guests on May 29, but Covid-19 meant they had to postpone their big day. Having kept their plans quiet, they tied the knot this morning in front of just 20 guests including the Queen, 94, and Prince Philip, 99, at All Saints Chapel in Windsor Great Park. Beatrice, 31, and Edo, 37, are long-time family friends, but started dating in October 2018 and got engaged in September last year. The pair said of their 11-month whirlwind romance in a statement: 'We are extremely happy to be able to share the news of our recent engagement. Property developer Edoardo is the son of former Olympic skier Count Alessandro Mapelli Mozzi and Nikki Shale, and has been a friend of the Yorks for some time. The father-of-one has a son, Christopher, with his former partner Dara Huang. He's said to enjoy an amicable relationship with Huang and prides himself on still being an active part of his son's life. Edoardo was educated at the prestigious Radley school in Oxfordshire before studying for a Master's in politics at Edinburgh. He is believed to have known Beatrice for years, the royal attended the funeral of Edoardo's stepfather, Christopher Shale, who died at of a heart attack at Glastonbury in 2011; Shale was a close friend of David Cameron. Father-of-one Edo has a young son, Christopher, whose nickname is Wolfie, with his former partner Dara Huang - meaning Beatrice is now a stepmother. Right, Beatrice with Edo Advertisement

A statement released by the palace said: 'The small ceremony was attended by The Queen, The Duke of Edinburgh and close family. The wedding took place in accordance with all relevant Government guidelines.'

It is understood the couple waiting to release their wedding photos because they did not want to overshadow the investiture of Captain Tom Moore, who received his knighthood from the Queen at Windsor Castle on Friday afternoon.

Edo and Beatrice are understood to have planned the day with the safety of the Queen in mind. The Queen and Prince Philip have been in isolation at Windsor Castle since the start of lockdown.

A friend told the Sun they chose All Saints Chapel because it is just a short three-mile drive from the castle, making it easy for the Queen to attend. They also chose a date before the Queen makes her annual trip up to Balmoral at the end of the month.

The friend added: 'So many guests were disappointed not to make the big day but understood the reason for it.

Edo is the son of Nikki Shale and Italian former Olympic skier Count Alessandro Mapelli Mozzi. Nikki split with Mapelli Mozzi when Edo was young, while her second husband Christopher Shale, a senior Tory and a close friend of former prime minister David Cameron, died of a heart attack at Glastonbury Festival in 2011.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-07-19 15:20:03|Editor: huaxia

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NEW DELHI, July 19 (Xinhua) -- Six people died and at least 20 were injured in a road mishap in India's northern Uttar Pradesh state early on Sunday, a local police officer told Xinhua over phone.

The accident occurred when a private bus hit a vehicle at around 5:15 a.m. local time in Kannauj district, said Superintendent of Police Amarendra Pratap Singh.

According to him, the bus was going from Darbhanga district of eastern state of Bihar to Delhi.

The bus with around 40 passengers on board toppled down the highway after the collision. Enditem
As the Ashok Gehlot government struggles to retain power in Rajasthan, the Bhartiya Tribal Party says it is now in a position to punch way above its weight despite its minuscule presence in the state assembly.

IMAGE: Bharatiya Tribal Party workers hand over their letter of support to Rajasthan chief minister Ashok Gehlot in Jaipur . Photograph: ANI Photo

We have two MLAs in a House of 200, yet we are in the position of kingmakers, party president Maheshbhai C Vasava said on Sunday.

At a joint press conference with the Congress on Saturday, BTP legislators Rajkumar Roat and Ramprasad Dindor made it clear that they are with chief minister Ashok Gehlot.

This ended days of uncertainty over where the Gujarat-based party's loyalties lie.

The two MLAs supported the ruling Congress in the state in last month's Rajya Sabha polls. But when the power tussle between Gehlot and his now sacked deputy Sachin Pilot re-surfaced recently, the BTP said it will remain neutral.

Vasava said the party is now extending support to Gehlot after an assurance that its demands related to the development of tribal areas will be met.

We have fought against the Congress and the BJP on tribal issues but if the government now assures full support on the issues raised by us, why shouldn't we support it? After all it is fulfilling the agenda of tribal welfare and development, he said.

When the crisis began last week, Vasava issued a whip directing both Roat and Dindor not to support any leader or party in case there is a floor test in the assembly.

However, Sagwara MLA Ramprasad Dindor expressed defiance of the whip, saying both of them will support the state government.

Later, party office-bearers and the MLAs held discussions with the chief minister on their demands.

We had supported the Congress government in the Rajya Sabha elections last month after an assurance by the chief minister on our demands, Chorasi MLA Roat said.

But the demands were not fulfilled. Some of them could have been met in just one day, he complained.

The party then thought of not extending support to him, the MLA said.

Last week, Roat appeared in two video clips, alleging that he was being stopped by Rajasthan police from travelling to his constituency in Dungarpur district.

He claimed that police personnel had come in two vans and taken away his car keys.

He also alleged that some people were forcing him to come with them.

The videos were circulated by the Sachin Pilot camp and the BJP had questioned the state government over them.

But Raut later dismissed the episode as a misunderstanding with police. He said the party's agenda is development of tribal areas and they have raised 17 demands before the CM.

Some of the demands are related to reservation in jobs and the utilisation of funds for tribal areas.

The BTP came into being in 2017 in Gujarat, and expanded into Rajasthan the next year.

In the December 2018 assembly elections, it fielded 11 candidates in the tribal belt in southern Rajasthan. Raot was 26 when he won and most other candidates too were young.

The youth are our power. Today's youth is educated, understands issues and understands how the tribal people were deprived of their rights. We fielded many young candidates and the party's performance was very good, BTP state president Velaram Ghoghra said.

The crisis in Rajasthan Congress has been brewing since the party picked Gehlot over Pilot for the chief minister's post. Pilot was sacked as deputy chief minister and the party's state unit president when he and 18 other MLAs stayed away from two Congress Legislature Party meetings.

The rebel MLAs were served notices by Speaker C P Joshi after the Congress sought their disqualification from the assembly. The Rajasthan High Court will on Monday resume hearing their petition challenging the notices.

Including the dissidents, the Congress has 107 MLAs in the 200-member assembly and the BJP 72.

If the 19 Congress dissidents are disqualified, the current strength of the state assembly will reduce to 181, slashing the half-way mark to 91 and making it easier for Gehlot to retain majority support.

In the past, the ruling party has claimed the support of 13 independents, two MLAs each from the CPM and the BTP), and one from the Rashtriya Lok Dal.
BAGHDAD - Irans foreign minister on Sunday stressed that Iran-Iraq relations would not be shaken ahead of the Iraqi prime ministers planned visit this week to Saudi Arabia, Irans regional rival.

Several hours after Mohammad Javad Zarif landed in Baghdad, three mortars struck near the U.S. Embassy in the heavily fortified Green Zone without causing any losses, according two security officials. The Green Zone is the seat of Iraqs government and home to many foreign embassies. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity in line with regulations.

Zarifs visit to Iraq was the first since the American assassination of top Iranian Gen. Qassim Soleimani outside Baghdads international airport in January. The drone strike catapulted Iraq to the brink of a U.S.-Iran proxy war that could have destabilized the Middle East.

The visit also came as the Iraqi government tussles with Iran-backed militia groups, some of which have become increasingly difficult to control in the absence of Soleimani and senior Iranian militia leader Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, who was also killed in the strike. In late June, Iraq raided the headquarters of the Iran-backed group Kataib Hezbollah over a spate of rocket and mortar attacks targeting the U.S. installations in Iraq. Most of the fighters were later released.

Facing near-weekly rocket attacks, the U.S. Embassy recently installed C-RAM defence systems. It was unclear if the system was operational during the attack Sunday afternoon. The daytime attack was unusual; most have occurred after nightfall. The U.S. has blamed Kataib Hezbollah for previous attacks.

Upon his arrival, Zarif paid a visit to the site where Soleimani was killed, saying Iran-Iraq relations will not be shaken despite the generals death, which Zarif called a major loss in the fight against the Islamic State group. Soleimani led Irans expeditionary Quds Force and was the architect of its regional military activities.

The Iranian minister met with Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi, a day before the premier was set to fly to Riyadh, then to Tehran on Tuesday.

Iraq seeks to assert its balanced and positive role in making peace and progress in the region, al-Kadhimi tweeted during the meeting with Zarif.

Al-Kadhimis advisors said his visit to Riyadh seeks to open new avenues for economic co-operation, while also enhancing Iraqs potential to be a regional mediator. But here, al-Kadhimi walks a fine line.

Both the U.S. and Saudi Arabia accept Iraq playing the role of intermediary, said Hisham Daoud, the premiers advisor. The Gulf and the Americans want Iraq to have its sovereignty, and to them this means distance from Iran.

Iran, meanwhile, wants Iraq to be a messenger, but this will not be acceptable to Iraq and to al-Kadhimi, he said.

Iraqs Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein said he and Zarif stressed that we want balanced relations with all neighbouring countries, based on Iraqi interests, mutual interests and non-interference in internal affairs.

We stressed the necessity of keeping the region and Iraq out from international tensions and protecting Iraqi sovereignty, Hussein told reporters after their meeting.

The two diplomats discussed trade, as border points were recently reopened and fortified with additional security forces in line with reform plans devised by Iraqs government. Talks encompassed energy and investment, with Iraq relying heavily on Iranian gas and electricity imports to meet power demands.

Iran has good relations with Iraq on the energy level and will continue to, said Zarif. There are many agreements with Iraq that will be activated.
John Lewis, the civil rights warrior who marched with Martin Luther King Jr and was nearly killed in police beatings before serving for decades as an American congressman, died on Friday.

Lewis, a Congressman from Atlanta who had announced in December that he had advanced pancreatic cancer, was 80.

The African-American icon spent his life getting into what he liked to call good trouble - the confrontations necessary to improve the US democracy by racial injustice.

John Lewis was a titan of the civil rights movement whose goodness, faith and bravery transformed our nation - from the determination with which he met discrimination at lunch counters and on Freedom Rides, to the courage he showed as a young man facing down violence and death on Edmund Pettus Bridge, to the moral leadership he brought to the Congress for more than 30 years, House speaker Nancy Pelosi said of the 17-term congressman from Georgia.

The son of sharecroppers, Lewis was just 21 when he became a founding member of Freedom Riders, who fought segregation in the US transportation system in the early 1960s. He was the youngest leader of the 1963 March in Washington, DC in which King delivered his famous I Have a Dream speech.

Lewis entered Congress in 1986 and became a figure of moral authority.

Lewis kept up the fight for civil rights until the end of his life. He made his last public appearance in June, as protests for racial justice swept the United States and the world.

He stepped away from his congressional duties in recent months for undergoing cancer treatment.

Our conscience, he was a griot of this modern age, one who saw its hatred but fought ever towards the light, said Stacey Abrams, a Democratic activist and founder of Fair Fight, a voting rights group in Lewis home state of Georgia.

(With inputs from Agencies)
Like many countries, Norway ordered all gyms to close in March to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. But unlike any other nation, Norway also funded a rigorous study to determine whether the closings were really necessary.

It is apparently the first and only randomized trial to test whether people who work out at gyms with modest restrictions are at greater risk of infection from the coronavirus than those who do not. The tentative answer after two weeks: no.

So this week, responding to the study it funded, Norway reopened all of its gyms, with the same safeguards in place that were used in the study.

Is there hope for gymgoers in other parts of the world?

I personally think this is generalizable, with one caveat, said Dr. Michael Bretthauer, a cancer screening expert at the University of Oslo who led the study with Dr. Mette Kalager. There may be places where there is a lot of Covid, or where people are less inclined to follow restrictions.

Norway is bringing its epidemic under control, and the number of new infections has fallen. But the incidence of the infection in Oslo, where the study was conducted, resembles that in such cities as Boston, Oklahoma City and Trenton, N.J.

The trial, begun on May 22, included five gyms in Oslo with 3,764 members, ages 18 to 64, who did not have underlying medical conditions. Half of the members  1,896 people  were invited to go back to their gyms and work out.

They were required to wash their hands and to maintain social distancing: three feet apart for floor exercises, and six feet apart in high-intensity classes. The subjects could use the lockers, but not the saunas or the showers. They were not asked to wear masks.

Another 1,868 gym members served as a comparison group; they were not permitted to return to their gyms.

During the two weeks of the study, 79.5 per cent of the members invited to use their gyms went at least once, while 38.4 per cent went more than six times. Some were overjoyed to restart their routines.

Goril Bjerkan, a 53-year-old economist who lives in Baerum, just outside Oslo, went to the gym three to four times a week during the study, using the treadmill, taking classes and doing strength training.

It was fantastic to get back to the gym again after almost 11 weeks of closure, she said. I suspect it was more risky to visit the shopping centre than to visit the gym.

Heide Tjom, a 57-year-old architect who bicycles into Oslo, leapt at the opportunity to return to the gym four times a week, where she works with a personal trainer and takes group cardio classes.

Keeping fit is very important to me, Ms. Tjom said. I feel it is important to my existence.

Over the study period, there were 207 new coronavirus cases in Oslo. Study participants and gym staff members were tested for the infection on June 8. (Antibody tests of participants are now being conducted.)

Dr. Bretthauer and Dr. Kalager also examined Norways extensive electronic health records database for outpatient visits and hospitalizations among the participants.

The results? The researchers found only one coronavirus case, in a person who had not used the gym before he was tested; it was traced to his workplace. Some participants visited hospitals, but for diseases other than COVID-19, the illness caused by the coronavirus.

There was no difference in hospital visits between the groups, and there were no outpatient visits or hospitalizations because of the coronavirus. The findings were posted online on Thursday, but had not been peer-reviewed nor published.

Some experts felt the results demonstrated that returning to the gym was relatively safe  but only in places where there were few infections.

This shows us that low-prevalence environments are safe for gyms and probably just about everything else, said Dr. Gordon Guyatt, a professor of medicine at McMaster University in Canada. It is very unlikely you will get infected.

If you were in a different environment where there is a substantially higher prevalence, we dont know what will happen, he added.

But Jon Zelner, an epidemiologist at the University of Michigan, did not find the study to be fully convincing: These findings dont tell me that going to the gym isnt riskier than not going to the gym, even in Oslo, he said.

A larger study is needed in places with a relatively low prevalence to determine whether the virus is more easily transmitted in gyms, Dr. Zelner added. Alternatively, a study with fewer people, but in a community with a high prevalence of infection, could answer the question.

Such a study may raise ethical concerns, since it may not be safe to send people to gyms in high-prevalence communities  kind of a Catch-22, Dr. Zelner said.

Still, how low does risk have to be before it is acceptable to reopen gyms and fitness centres?

Dr. Guyatt said the risks of infection in a community where the prevalence is low are outweighed by the advantages to society.

You cant stay locked down forever, he said. We are never going to be completely free of this thing. And in a low-prevalence environment, the risk is low wherever you go  gyms or grocery stores or even restaurants.

Now, Dr. Bretthauer and Dr. Kalager want to see whether the social-distancing measures they used in the study were necessary.

They hope to randomly assign 150 gyms to operate without restrictions or to maintain those in place now, then compare infection rates among gymgoers. The study is only in its planning stages.
Former central bank governor, Gideon Gono, claims that top government officials, judges, ministers of religion, parliamentarians, Zanu PF supporters and others, who benefited under the 2006 Farm Mechanization Program, are not expected to pay for tractors, combine harvesters and several implements acquired under the Reserve Banks quasi-fiscal activities.

Gono told the state-controlled Herald newspaper that the beneficiaries, who include President Emmerson Mnangagwa, the late former president Robert Mugabe, the late former vice presidents Joseph Msika, several top government officials and others obtained the equipment to kick-start the land reform program, which was spearheaded by the ruling party.

He said the government of then president Robert Mugabe ordered the central bank to parcel out farming equipment to mostly Zanu PF members and sympathizers under several statutory instruments.

He is quoted by the newspaper as saying,  No beneficiary of the farm mechanisation programme ever refused to pay for the equipment that they got and neither were they asked to pay.

A Zimbabwean living in the United Kingdom, Kent University lecturer Alex Magaisa, released a list of names of the farm mechanization program, which has not been published elsewhere, in his blog, the Big Saturday Read.

Gono claimed that Magaisa got it all wrong and was expected to contact him before releasing the list of the beneficiaries. Magaisa insists that he got it right.

Some beneficiaries are demanding accountability saying they have already paid for the farming equipment.

Former Zanu PF regional stalwart, Kudakwashe Bhasikiti, told VOA he paid for the equipment sourced from the central bank under the Farm Mechanization Program.

On tweeter, he said, Those who are saying Farm Mechanisation was for Free, are telling blatant lies. I paid 10bn for mine, which was worked out as the usd equivalent then. Everyone has to pay. CORRUPTION has to be exposed. THANK YOU ALEX MAGAISA,BSR.
The heads of the European Union are meeting in Brussels for a second day of discussions on issues pertaining to the coronavirus pandemic and the EU budget. The countries have so far failed to reach an agreement on the form the aid to pandemic-stricken countries should take.

President of the European Council Charles Michel has proposed a compromise agreement during the course of the EU budget discussions, envisaging a reduction in the sum of grants handed out to countries to restore their economies from 500 billion to 450 billion euros. Under the revised plan, designed to end the deadlock in negotiations among the 27 EU states, the remaining 300 billion of the 750-billion plan will be handed out in the form of loans.

Michels plan also included a so-called emergency brake on spending of grant funds by governments, as well as budget rebates for three EU countries  Austria, Denmark, and Sweden. If the plan is unanimously accepted, these three states will be able to contribute less to the EU budget in 2020. The emergency brake, in turn, will allow any EU member to bring up for discussion the issue of a grant recipients spending that raises doubts.

The new plan, offered by the EU council chief comes as the blocs members are struggling to negotiate a 1.85-trillion euro ($2.1 trillion) budget, as well as the 750-billion euro ($857 billion) fund, designed to help those countries hardest hit by the coronavirus pandemic. While the countries agree that the recovery fund is needed there has been little agreement on how much of the funds should be handed out in the form of grants and how their spending should be monitored, as the atmosphere of the meeting is getting ever grumpier, according to Dutch Prime Minister Rutte.

The Netherlands is among those nations pushing for additional strings to be attached to COVID recovery grants, such as economic reforms, with the countrys prime minister admitting that the discussion of the budget and the recovery fund is unlikely to be swift and painless.

The compromise plan was proposed by Michel hot on the heels of a meeting between representatives of different approaches to the way the recovery fund should function  the Netherlands, France, and Hungary. It is unclear if the plan was born during the course of that meeting and it remains to be seen how much support it will get from the remaining members of the EU.

(SPUTNIK)
Chennai:

The Madras High Court Friday granted three months time to the Centre to examine appointment of an additional expert member on regular basis to the National Green Tribunal (Southern Zone) here.

The court gave the directive while disposing a PIL by D Karthik, an advocate, who submitted that after constitution of NGT, Southern Zone, all the cases relating to environmental matters pending before various high courts in the south were transferred to the tribunal here.

ALSO READ: (NGT passes a number of directions; asks govt to set up monitoring panels on air pollution)

The previous expert member Nagendiran has resigned from the office a few months ago and no member has been appointed in his place till date, he submitted.

Due to want of more expert members, there has been huge delay as well as listing cases for hearing.

The volume of litigations with respect to environment has increased manifold in the southern states and it was only due to this fact, a second court was actually established a few years ago in Chennai. However, without there being sufficient expert members, the tribunal could not function effectively, he submitted.

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Heavy rainfall in Delhi-NCR on Sunday (July 19) morning brought much-needed respite to people living in Delhi and adjoining areas from sweltering heat but heavy showers also led to waterlogging on several roads of the national capital.

As a result of the waterlogging, a Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) bus got stuck under the Minto Road Bridge in New Delhi. The passengers of the bus called Delhi Fire Services for the help and they were later rescued by DFS personnel who used a makeshift bridge to rescue the passengers from the bus.

#WATCH Delhi: Fire Department personnel rescue people on-board a bus that was stuck in a waterlogged road under Minto Bridge following heavy rainfall in the national capital this morning. pic.twitter.com/wBCjSRtvqw  ANI (@ANI) July 19, 2020

Rainfall accompanied by lightning and thunderstorm brought down the temperature to 29 degrees celsius in Delhi and nearby areas.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) said thunderstorm with rain occurred in many places of Delhi and over and adjoining areas of Adampur, Hissar, Hansi, Jind, Gohana, Gannaur, Barut, Rohtak, Sonipat, Bagpat, Gurugram, Noida, Ghaziabad and Faridabad.

On Sunday morning, the weather department in its forecast said, ''The rain/thundershowers with lightning over Delhi-NCR region is likely to continue during next 2-3 hours due to clouds approaching from West/Northwest sector over Delhi. The Delhi radar image shows the cloud movement from west/northwest sector towards Delhi.''
Also, during this time, testing of staff and residents did occur at Canyon Creek. Residents and staff were screened daily for any signs or symptoms related to COVID-19. Any staff displaying symptoms were not allowed in the community and were advised to seek advice from their health care providers. Residents who displayed signs or symptoms were immediately quarantined and tested for COVID-19. These tests were done in conjunction with RiverStone Health or at local hospitals. All of these residents tested negative during this period.

Canyon Creek is a memory care community. Many of its residents are unclear about their whereabouts and often struggle to understand why certain medical procedures are performed. The COVID-19 test is an unpleasant procedure even for persons who fully understand what is happening. For those who dont, it can be frightening. Nonetheless, we proceeded to have all residents who may have been symptomatic tested under our rigorous monitoring and screening protocols.

Given the vigorous efforts at Canyon Creek to monitor and screen against the COVID-19 infection, the limited scope of the sentinel program and the potential impact of testing on residents, Canyon Creek along with many other Montana providers declined to participate in the voluntary sentinel testing program offered on June 16th.
About one in 10 U.S. babies is born early. Pregnancy usually lasts about 40 weeks, and any delivery before 37 weeks is considered preterm. The costs to children and their families  financially, emotionally and in long-term health effects  can be great. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, babies born premature, especially before 32 weeks, are at higher risk of vision and hearing problems, cerebral palsy and death.

The best way to avoid these costs would be to prevent early births in the first place, said Dr. Roy Philip, a neonatologist at University Maternity Hospital Limerick in Ireland.

Dr. Philip had been vacationing abroad when his country entered lockdown on March 12, and he noticed something unusual when he returned to work in late March. He asked why there had been no orders while he was gone for the breast milk-based fortifier that doctors feed to the hospitals tiniest preemies. The hospitals staff said that there had been no need, because none of these babies had been born all month.

Intrigued, Dr. Philip and his colleagues compared the hospitals births so far in 2020 with births between January and April in every year since 2001  more than 30,000 in all. They looked at birth weights, a useful proxy for very premature birth.

Initially I thought, There is some mistake in the numbers, Dr. Philip said.

Over the past two decades, babies under 3.3 pounds, classified as very low birth weight, accounted for about eight out of every thousand live births in the hospital, which serves a region of 473,000 people. In 2020, the rate was about a quarter of that. The very tiniest infants, those under 2.2 pounds and considered extremely low birth weight, usually make up three per thousand births. There should have been at least a few born that spring  but there had been none.
Rajasthan Political Crisis Highlights: Addressing a press conference on the ongoing political crisis in Rajasthan, Congress leader Ajay Maken demanded the resignation or removal of Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat. The party has alleged that Shekhawat and a slew of other people including a Sanjay Jain, ex-Congress MLA Bhanwar Lal Sharma were involved in the horse-trading of MLAs, releasing purported audio clips as proof of the matter.

"We have heard the tapes, the people in the tape have heard the tapes. Why is Gajendra Shekhwat not resigning? His audio is on the tape," he said, adding that if they were not guilty, they should actively help the investigation and give their voice samples.

Speaking about BJP's demand for a CBI inquiry into "phone tapping by Congress party", Maken said that there was no point of threatening the party through CBI, and it was clear that by doing so, BJP was trying to protect many loose ends, i.e. other powerful people involved in the current power tussle.

LIVE: Congress Party Briefing by Shri @ajaymaken, former Union Cabinet Minister in Jaipur https://t.co/XWVT0UwvEE Congress (@INCIndia) July 19, 2020

The state's opposition leader Gulab Chand Kataria, said today that the Bharatiya Janata Party had never demanded a floor test, and did not even currently. "We are watching their fight. When the time is right and we have to do something, we will discuss and move in that direction. As of now, we are being unnecessarily dragged into this matter," he said.

Meanwhile, Congress stalwart Kapil Sibal today took a swipe at the BJP-led Central Government amid the political crisis in Rajasthan, saying that a vaccine was needed against a "Wuhan-like facility in Delhi" spreading the virus of "toppling governments."

Need for Vaccine : Virus of  corrupt means  to topple elected governments has spread through a  Wuhan like facility  in Delhi Its  antibodies  lie in amending the Tenth ScheduleBan all defectors from : Holding public office for 5yearsFighting the next election Kapil Sibal (@KapilSibal) July 19, 2020

While the origins of the coronavirus pandemic still remain clear, it is widely believed and has been reported that it began at a scientific facility in the Chinese city of Wuhan. Sibal drew a parellel between the ongoing Covid-19 situation and the previous change in political regimes instigated by the saffron party in states such as Madhya Pradesh, often dubbed as "Operation Kamal".

The whereabouts of the MLAs supporting former Rajasthan deputy chief minister Sachin Pilot remain unclear, even as the dissident leader on Saturday appealed to all Indians to join the efforts in helping support those affected due to the floods in Assam and Bihar.

Pilot's appeal comes amid the raging political firestorm in Rajasthan where he declared open rebellion against the Ashok Gehlot government. Pilot was sacked as deputy chief minister and the state Congress chief earlier this week.

My thoughts & prayers with all those families affected by the Assam & Bihar floods. Over 68 lives lost & 3.6 million people affected in Assam alone. I appeal to all Indians, to come together, join in the efforts to help support those affected in these extreme flood situations. Sachin Pilot (@SachinPilot) July 18, 2020

Here are the Latest Updates on Rajasthan's Political Crisis:

 "Sanjay Jain (arrested by SOG, Rajasthan Police) had come to me eight months back. He had asked me to meet Vasundhara ji and others. There are other agents like him but they didn't succeed in their attempts. Sanjay Jain had been active for a long time," said Congress MLA Rajendra Guda.

We are more than 100 in number (MLAs). We have the majority. If we didn't have majority, they (BJP) would have demanded a floor test. They know that we have it, so they are not demanding floor test: Congress MLA Rajendra Guda. #Rajasthan https://t.co/BG06z6ATdX ANI (@ANI) July 19, 2020

 Elected representatives should be barred from holding public office for five years and from contesting the next election if they defect, senior advocate and Congress leader Kapil Sibal said on Saturday. Sibal, who was addressing a webinar, said that the "endemic" of defection is due to human greed and hunger for power.

"No law can prevent it (defection). The only solution is that if anyone defects they shall not hold public office for five years and cannot contest in the next election. These are the two elements that need to change," Sibal said in response to a question on the political crisis in Rajasthan.

 Meanwhile, MLAs supporting CM Ashok Gehlot's leadership in Rajasthan watched the Aamir Khan-starrer movie Lagaan at Hotel Fairmont Jaipur.

Rajasthan: Congress MLAs supporting Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot watch actor Aamir Khan-starrer Lagaan at Hotel Fairmont Jaipur. pic.twitter.com/EuySe0dWHj ANI (@ANI) July 18, 2020

 Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on Saturday met Governor Kalraj Mishra at Raj Bhavan in Jaipur shortly after two MLAs of the Bharatiya Tribal Party (BTP) handed over their letter of support to him.

BTP legislators Rajkumar Roat and Ramprasad asserted that their party's president and other leaders have agreed on extending support to the Gehlot government on the condition that demands related to development of the state are fulfilled.

 A team of Rajasthan Police officials who entered one of the two resorts in Manesar, Haryana, where 18 dissident Congress MLAs are lodged with Sachin Pilot, returned empty-handed on Friday after finding no rebel legislators there, said sources.

Led by IPS Vikas Sharma, the SOG team was initially stopped by Haryana police but later allowed. The team had gone to record the voice sample of MLA Bhanwar Lal Sharma, while also possessing a warrant against him. The Special Operations Group (SOG) team went as part of its investigation into two audio clips which allegedly indicate a plot to bring down the Congress government in Rajasthan. However, no rebel MLAs could be found there and the SOG has claimed that Haryana Police did not cooperate fully.

 Pilot has the support of 18 MLAs. There was little news of the Pilot camp. While the former PCC chief has been silent, there was little information on his whereabouts and those of the MLAs who mounted the rebellion with him.

They had been in a resort in Haryana till Friday evening when the Rajasthan special operations group reached for their voice samples but could not meet them. Some Congress leaders alleged that they had been taken to another BJP-ruled state but no one was sure.
The Congress on Sunday demanded the resignation of Gajendra Singh Shekhawat from the Union Cabinet, saying he has no moral authority to continue when he is heard on audio clips that suggest a Bharatiya Janata Party conspiracy to topple the government in Rajasthan.

Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot rejected the BJP's dismissal of the clip in which the minister's voice is purportedly heard, telling a television channel that he is prepared to quit politics over the charge that it is a fabricated tape.

The Congress demand for Shekhawat's resignation came amid speculation that Gehlot may seek a floor test in the state assembly early next week to prove that the majority of the MLAs are with him in the tussle for power with dissident Sachin Pilot.

The speculation was triggered by Gehlot's 45-minute meeting Saturday with Governor Kalraj Mishra, officially on the COVID-19 situation in the state.

"The decision on when and how the floor test will take place has to be taken by the chief minister and the government, senior party leader Ajay Maken said when questioned over the speculation.

It is the CM's discretion to go ahead when required and if it is required," he told reporters.

The BJP's Gulab Chand Kataria, who is the Leader of Opposition in the assembly, said only a floor test can tell whether the government is in majority or not.

The government's decision may also depend on Monday's proceedings in the Rajasthan high court, where a division bench is hearing a petition filed by Sachin Pilot and 18 other Congress MLAs against the speaker's disqualification notice.

The MLAs want the court to quash the notice sent by Speaker C P Joshi on a Congress complaint that they had skipped two legislative party meetings despite a whip, and should be disqualified from the state assembly.

The speaker, who has sought the MLAs' replies, will act on the notices on Tuesday evening.

Amid the face-off between the Gehlot camp and Pilot's group, Congress spokesperson Randeep Surjewala said it is now up to the rebel leader to fall in the BJP's illusory trap or return to the fold and discuss their differences with the family.

He said senior party leaders had talked to him several times in recent days.

In an interview to PTI, Congress veteran Digvijaya Singh said he had tried to get in touch with Pilot three or four times but the Rajasthan leader did not take the calls.

"Age is on your side. Ashok (Gehlot) may have offended you, but all such issues are best resolved amicably. Don't make the mistake that Scindia made, he advised, referring to Jyotiraditya Scindia witching sides to join the BJP months back.

In his press conference, Ajay Maken focused on the audio clips, on the basis of which the Special Operation Group of Rajasthan Police has registered an FIR.

The FIR does not identify Gajendra Singh referred to the clip as Union minister Shekhawat, a senior BJP leader from Rajasthan.

Shekhawat has earlier denied that he figures in the clip and said he is open to a probe.

"If Union minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat is claiming that it is not his voice and the reference in the audio clip is to some other Gajendra Singh, then why is he afraid of giving his voice samples," Maken asked.

He said the Anti-Corruption Bureau of the state police too has registered a case in connection with the audio clips.

The Congress leader claimed that police in Haryana and Delhi are giving protection to the rebel Rajasthan Congress MLAs.

He accused the Centre of invoking the CBI as a threat to the state government, so that it stops the probe into the conspiracy.

Maken also asked why a Rajasthan Police team was stopped by Haryana Police when it went to a Gurgaon hotel to collect the voice samples of MLAs Bhanwarlal Sharma and Vishvendra Singh.

The Congress says the MLAs in the Pilot group are holed up in two hotels in Gurgaon in BJP-run Haryana.

If the BJP has no role in the plot, why did the dissident MLAs take shelter in Haryana, he asked.

The MLAs belonging to the Gehlot camp are also camping together, at a resort the on outskirts of the Rajasthan capital.

On Saturday, the BJP had demanded a CBI probe, accusing the Congress government of illegal phone-tapping. The Centre has sought a report from the Gehlot government on the allegations.

Including the dissidents, the Congress has 107 MLAs in the 200-member assembly and the BJP 72.

If the 19 Congress dissidents are disqualified, the current strength of the state assembly will reduce to 181, slashing the half-way mark to 91 and making it easier for Gehlot to retain majority support.

In the past, the ruling party has claimed the support of 13 independents, two MLAs each from the CPM and the Bhartiya Tribal Party, and one from the Rashtriya Lok Dal.
On Mandela Day 2020, we share the successes that we have achieved and the lessons that we have learned as we battle the COVID-19 pandemic and its effect on societys most vulnerable and marginalized communities.

In a compelling video, Joy Ruwodo, Director of Public Affairs at the END Fund highlights why ending neglected tropical diseases (NTDs)  intestinal worms, bilharzia, river blindness, etc.  is critical in the fight for equality in Africa.

Today, there are over 600 million African suffering from NTDs. These diseases hinder people from achieving their full potential and also threaten social development. Joy makes a call to action for investment in water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) programs and services.

In addition, she also highlights the need for more robust cross-sector partnerships to strengthen disease response across all levels.

As we celebrate the life of Nelson Mandela who dedicated his life fighting for social justice for 67 years, the fight to end NTDs still continues. We must see an end to these diseases during our lifetime! After all, Nelson Mandela taught us that nothing is impossible; it only seems impossible until it is done.

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Will World Powers Manage A Compromise Over Iran Arms Embargo?

Hannah Kaviani July 18, 2020

Precisely three months from now, the international arms embargo on Iran will expire, a development that Washington strongly opposes and attempts to block through all available diplomatic means.

While veto-wielding China and Russia have so far voiced their opposition to Washington's approach toward the case, three European countries, Britain, France and Germany, struggle to find a compromise satisfying all parties involved.

Preliminary estimates and reports have already put July as a crucial month for Iran's arms embargo.

The "crucial month" began with reports on some behind the scenes developments at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) disclosing that Washington had submitted a draft resolution to the members of the UNSC to extend the international arms embargo on the Islamic Republic.

The U.S. draft would ban the sale, supply, or transfer of arms or related materiel by Iran and prohibits countries from selling, supplying or transferring arms or related materiel unless approved by a Security Council committee.

It requires countries to inspect cargo in their territory if they have reasonable grounds to believe the shipment contains banned items and calls on countries to check vessels on the high seas - with the flag state's consent - for the same reason.

However, three weeks into July, no attempts have yet been made to formally present the draft to the UNSC and put it to a vote.

But why Washington has so far hesitated? Some speculate that strong opposition to the draft is the reason behind the hesitation. Nevertheless, Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo, has categorically dismissed the speculation asserting that "there's enormous consensus" among UNSC members "around the objective" but "how to achieve that objective, there are different views on".

During a press conference on July 15, Secretary Pompeo stressed, "We've made clear both publicly and in private to all the members of the Security Council  we intend to ensure that this arms embargo continues".

Furthermore, he noted, "We hope that the U.N. Security Council resolution can do this, that all of the permanent members sign up for and, indeed, every member of the larger U.N. Security Council. But if that's not the case, we are still going to do everything in our power to achieve that. And we think we'll be successful ultimately, in doing that. The precise timing of that, we're going to keep to ourselves until such time as we're ready to move to the UN Security Council and introduce the resolution".

One of Washington's obstacles is Russia, which has been holding high-level talks on arms embargoes on Iran in recent days. Russian President Vladimir Putin who along with his Chinese counterpart, strongly opposes adopting a resolution extending the arms embargo, discussed the case with the Islamic Republic President Hassan Rouhani last Thursday, and earlier spoke to the German Chancellor Angela Merkel.

Europeans, including Germany, which has no veto power in the Security Council but chairs it in July, have expressed concern about the expiration of the arms embargo on Iran.

The Iran arms embargo dates back to 2010 when the Security Council passed Resolution 1929 to punish Iran for enriching uranium and not granting full access to U.N. inspectors. It aimed to prevent Iran from purchasing conventional armaments, such as tanks, and other dual-use materials, such as missiles and fighter jets that could also be used in a nuclear attack.

When Iran and major world powers in 2015 reached a nuclear deal, officially known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), the Security Council passed Resolution 2231, which stipulated the arms embargo on Iran would expire in five years, precisely on October 18.

Although the European trio, Britain, France, and Germany have raised concern over the prospect of lifting the embargo, they do not necessarily support Washington's approach.

The U.S. has specifically threatened that if the arms embargo is not extended, it will use the "snap-back" mechanism also stipulated in the UNSC resolution 2231.

Although Washington has left the JCPOA back in 2018, it has argued that it can still use the "snap-back" which keeps the arms embargo intact. It will also reactivate all previous UNSC resolutions, including sanctions, against the Islamic Republic.

Yet, Washington's allies on the other side of the Atlantic are not so much in sync with their western counterpart.

Meanwhile, Pompeo is set to visit Britain on Monday, July 18 and probably one of the unannounced topics on the agenda will be the extension of Iran's arms embargo.

Deputy director of Middle East and North Africa Program at the Chatham House in London, Sanam Vakil, says "Pompeo will definitely raise the issue of Iran's arms embargo on his trip to London".

"At the same time Johnson's government has an opportunity to take the lead and try and shepherd negotiations between E3 and the U.S.", Ms. Vakil noted.

"Britain vehemently opposes the U.S. strategy of linking the arms embargo extension to snap-back" Vakil asserts, adding "For the UK , The French and the Germans their primary issue of importance is protecting the JCPOA" and "I believe the E3 and specifically in this scenario the UK might be amenable to an informal code of conduct or agreement with the US as a concession to avoid or guarantee that the US will not pursue the snap back option".

"Such an informal agreement or code of conduct" Ms. Vakil says "would be the best possible scenario to demonstrate to the Islamic Republic that there is unity among the UNSC members and at the same time would send a strong signal that saving the JCPOA  which is in a very fragile state right now- is still on the agenda for all".

The compromise which is being suggested by some analysts is a "code of conduct" for UNSC members to follow certain considerations over arms sales to the Islamic Republic.

Nevertheless, neither Tehran nor Washington have reacted to the idea of such a compromise.

Tehran, which trumpets the lifting of the arms embargo in October as an important political success, has threatened to retaliate if that does not happen. Retaliatory actions could lead to the complete collapse of the JCPOA and even Iran's withdrawal from NPT, the non-proliferation treaty.

Source: https://en.radiofarda.com/a/will-world- powers-manage-a-compromise-over -iran-arms-embargo-/30735064.html

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

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Bengaluru, July 19 : Concerned over the abuses on social media during Covid times, the Bengaluru police on Sunday warned the public against believing fake videos in circulation over "conditions" in some city hospitals.

"A case has been registered in the city cyber crime police station against the fake videos circulating in the social media on the aconditions' in some Bengaluru hospitals," a police official said here.

Cautioning the people, the police advised them to refrain from creating or forwarding such videos and messages, which have the potential to create panic in society.

"The citizens should tip-off the police about such false videos than circulating or forwarding them in the social media, as the government, society and frontline warriors are fighting the pandemic.

In a related development, a dedicated control room has been set up for reporting on any Covid case by the police personnel and their families.

"Police personnel infected by the corona virus should call the control room for an ambulance to rush the Covid-affected to the nearest hospital for treatment across the city," said the official.

The state home department opened the 24x7 control room in the city police commissioner office after a whopping 756 police personnel tested positive to the dreaded disease, which claimed lives of 7 policemen since March 9.

"Police personnel or their family members can call the control room for sending an ambulance to rush the affected person to the nearest hospital for treatment," added the official.

According to Additional City Police Commissioner Hemant Nimbalkar, 256 police personnel were under treatment in designated hospitals across the city while 493 were discharged.

City police commissioner Bhaskar Rao went into home quarantine on Friday after his vehicle driver tested positive for the virus.

"Rao will undergo a Covid test on Monday, which will be 5th for him since April," the official added.

Of the 4,537 new cases reported on Saturday in the state, Bengaluru accounted for 2,125, taking its Covid tally to 29,621, including 22,449 active after 6,540 were discharged so far, with 250 in the last 24 hours, while 631 succumbed to the virus, with 49 since Friday.
By PTI

NEW DELHI: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Sunday attacked the BJP and accused it of "institutionalising lies" over COVID-19 deaths, GDP figures and the Chinese aggression at the border.

Hitting out at the BJP over the rise in the number of deaths due to COVID-19, he said India will pay its price when the "illusion" is shattered.

BJP leader and Union minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat hit back, saying India paid a huge price for the illusion that the Gandhis had created for decades.

He also attacked Gandhi for "wishing ill" for the country.

"BJP has institutionalised lies. 1. Covid19 by restricting testing and misreporting deaths. 2. GDP by using a new calculation method. 3. Chinese aggression by frightening the media. The illusion will break soon and India will pay the price," Gandhi said in a tweet.

He tagged a news report on the coronavirus situation with his tweet.

Responding to Gandhi, Shekhawat said in a tweet, "India paid a huge price for the illusion that the Gandhi's created for decades. Despicable of you to wish Ill for the country. Your vicious intentions get hopelessly displayed each time you try and mock Indians. But not any more."
Jet Linx's private terminal at Teterboro Airport.

Thomas Pallini/Business Insider

Private jet charter and management firm Jet Linx just opened its 18th private terminal in September at Teterboro Airport.

The exclusive facility is only available to passengers arriving or departing on Jet Linx planes, making it more private than the other shared-use terminals at the airport.

I visited the terminal to interview Jet Linx's CEO, Jamie Walker, about his latest acquisition of a competitor, Meridian Air Charter, also located at Teterboro Airport.

Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

One of the best perks of chartering an aircraft is getting to use the executive terminals at airports instead of piling into the crowded commercial ones with countless strangers.

Flying private affords the wealthy benefits like skipping the security checkpoint and in some cases, driving right up to the plane and jetting off. It's an experience that most commercial flyers will never get to enjoy and purposely so, as privacy, exclusivity, and convenience are the bulk of what most private flyers are paying for.

But even private terminals can fill up, especially with more wealthy travelers taking to the skies on chartered aircraft to avoid the airlines. Just like the commercial terminals, multiple flights can leave from the same time out of one private terminal, so one jet charter company built its own so its passengers wouldn't have to share.

Aircraft charter and management firm Jet Linx opened its terminal at Teterboro Airport in 2019 to serve its growing clientele at one of the country's busiest private airports. The New Jersey airport primarily serves New York City, less than 10 miles and a drive through the Lincoln Tunnel away.

Take a look inside Jet Linx's Teterboro terminal.

Jet Linx opened the facility in September on the first floor of an existing brick two-story building on Teterboro Airport's south side.

Jet Linx's private terminal at Teterboro Airport.

Thomas Pallini/Business Insider

It's one of the few private terminals operated by a jet charter firm at the busy Teterboro Airport with access limited to Jet Linx passengers and planes only.

Story continues

Jet Linx's private terminal at Teterboro Airport.

Thomas Pallini/Business Insider

Keeping it exclusive to Jet Linx passengers helps the firm ensure a truly private experience, especially during the era of social distancing.

Jet Linx's private terminal at Teterboro Airport.

Thomas Pallini/Business Insider

This is the main lounge where passengers will wait for their aircraft.

Jet Linx's private terminal at Teterboro Airport.

Thomas Pallini/Business Insider

Passengers are immediately welcomed by a table full of newspapers,

Jet Linx's private terminal at Teterboro Airport.

Thomas Pallini/Business Insider

And hand sanitizer, especially now in the era of COVID-19.

Jet Linx's private terminal at Teterboro Airport.

Thomas Pallini/Business Insider

Jet Linx's facilities and terminals are disinfected with a product called BIOPROTECT, which keeps surfaces germ-free for three months.

Jet Linx's private terminal at Teterboro Airport.

Thomas Pallini/Business Insider

The entire facility is only 3,000 square feet, which is on the small side for a private terminal at Teterboro, but the exclusivity is the main selling point for Jet Linx as it's often less crowded than its rivals.

Jet Linx's private terminal at Teterboro Airport.

Thomas Pallini/Business Insider

Teterboro Airport doesn't let ground transportation vehicles like limos or rental cars on the ramp so all passengers have to go through this terminal.

Jet Linx's private terminal at Teterboro Airport.

Thomas Pallini/Business Insider

Small seating areas cover the space with chairs and couches available depending on preference.

Jet Linx's private terminal at Teterboro Airport.

Thomas Pallini/Business Insider

One side has more direct views of the adjacent ramp with large windows aiding in plane spotting.

Jet Linx's private terminal at Teterboro Airport.

Thomas Pallini/Business Insider

While other areas are better for compact groups traveling together.

Jet Linx's private terminal at Teterboro Airport.

Thomas Pallini/Business Insider

Placards around the facility remind passengers that the facility is treated often with disinfectant, as well as Jet Linx's aircraft.

Jet Linx's private terminal at Teterboro Airport.

Thomas Pallini/Business Insider

It's a short walk from the lounge to the plane with planes able to pull up right to the door.

Jet Linx's private terminal at Teterboro Airport.

Thomas Pallini/Business Insider

Business travelers can make use of the high-top counter to get work down before boarding and take advantage of the leather bar stools.

Jet Linx's private terminal at Teterboro Airport.

Thomas Pallini/Business Insider

The counter comes with pop-up charging stations including 110v AC outlets and USB charging ports.

Jet Linx's private terminal at Teterboro Airport.

Thomas Pallini/Business Insider

And the snacks are not far away.

Jet Linx's private terminal at Teterboro Airport.

Thomas Pallini/Business Insider

Behind the counter is the kitchenette where Jet Linx offers snacks and beverages for passengers as they await departure.

Jet Linx's private terminal at Teterboro Airport.

Thomas Pallini/Business Insider

It's all complimentary and passengers can help themselves.

Jet Linx's private terminal at Teterboro Airport.

Thomas Pallini/Business Insider

Most FBOs or private terminals will offer small treats like popcorn but the snacks on offer at the Jet Linx off include premium cookies, chips, chocolates, and pretzels, among others.

Jet Linx's private terminal at Teterboro Airport.

Thomas Pallini/Business Insider

Premium beverages are also on offer in the refrigerator, including boxed water.

Jet Linx's private terminal at Teterboro Airport.

Thomas Pallini/Business Insider

A three-tap water dispenser also offers sparkling and still water.

Jet Linx's private terminal at Teterboro Airport.

Thomas Pallini/Business Insider

For hot drinks, there's a multi-beverage coffee machine with Jet Linx-branded coffee cups.

Jet Linx's private terminal at Teterboro Airport.

Thomas Pallini/Business Insider

And for those who want to imbibe before a flight, there's a bar station.

Jet Linx's private terminal at Teterboro Airport.

Thomas Pallini/Business Insider

Everything, from plastic cups to coasters, is branded with the Jet Linx name and logo.

Jet Linx's private terminal at Teterboro Airport.

Thomas Pallini/Business Insider

The terminal also has two rooms closed off from the main seating area.

Jet Linx's private terminal at Teterboro Airport.

Thomas Pallini/Business Insider

They're more quiet and intimate for private meetings or just a more secluded setting to hang out before a flight.

Jet Linx's private terminal at Teterboro Airport.

Thomas Pallini/Business Insider

There's also a formal conference room with a circular table with seating for six.

Jet Linx's private terminal at Teterboro Airport.

Thomas Pallini/Business Insider

The room has everything a team of businesspeople will need to hold a meeting including a large screen to display presentations,

Jet Linx's private terminal at Teterboro Airport.

Thomas Pallini/Business Insider

Coffee cups and drink carafes,

Jet Linx's private terminal at Teterboro Airport.

Thomas Pallini/Business Insider

And Jet Linx-branded stationery to boot.

Jet Linx's private terminal at Teterboro Airport.

Thomas Pallini/Business Insider

Tucked away behind the main lounge are three unisex restrooms.

Jet Linx's private terminal at Teterboro Airport.

Thomas Pallini/Business Insider

Each one is private with no stalls to be found.

Jet Linx's private terminal at Teterboro Airport.

Thomas Pallini/Business Insider

They're comparable in luxury to hotel suite bathrooms minus the shower and bathtub.

Jet Linx's private terminal at Teterboro Airport.

Thomas Pallini/Business Insider

But they do come complete with breath mints.

Jet Linx's private terminal at Teterboro Airport.

Thomas Pallini/Business Insider

Even though cars can't pull right up to the planes, the planes pull right up to the terminal for easy access.

Jet Linx's private terminal at Teterboro Airport.

Thomas Pallini/Business Insider

The facility is even in the same building as US Customs and Border Protection, making it easier for international passengers when they land here.

Jet Linx's private terminal at Teterboro Airport.

Thomas Pallini/Business Insider

Domestic passengers walk right into the terminal where they can meet their transportation or hang out for a bit before hitting the road.

Jet Linx's private terminal at Teterboro Airport.

Thomas Pallini/Business Insider

The facility is the flagship of the Jet Linx's 18 terminal scattered across the country.

Jet Linx's private terminal at Teterboro Airport.

Thomas Pallini/Business Insider

"The proximity to the city will continue to make Teterboro the airport of choice for the consumers we're serving right out of New York and obviously, New Jersey," Jet Linx CEO Jamie Walker told Business Insider in a previous interview when asked if expanding in Teterboro was the right choice as the airport is known for congestion.

Jet Linx's private terminal at Teterboro Airport.

Thomas Pallini/Business Insider

And with Jet Linx's latest acquisition of former competitor Meridian, the terminal will become more important as the firm grows its New York presence.

Jet Linx's private terminal at Teterboro Airport.

Thomas Pallini/Business Insider

Read the original article on Business Insider
The most common  and life-threatening  delays in care involve patients with heart disease, stroke and sepsis. Any delay in seeking care for these conditions places the patients life at risk and can have massive ramifications for future health. Stroke victims in particular have shown a dangerous trend of delaying care during the pandemic. New research shows patients are arriving at hospitals and treatment centers an average of 160 minutes later during COVID-19. When every second counts, this can be a matter of life and death.

COVID-19 may have changed daily lives in many ways, but emergency rooms have stood  and remain  a constant pillar that communities can rely on. With patient safety always the top priority, emergency care providers are going above and beyond in new health protocols. Just some of the steps being taken include: rigorous sanitation protocols; stringent screening processes; mobile units for patient care and procedures; and separate areas for those suspected of having COVID-19. Nothing is more important than protecting a patients life. Emergency medicine clinicians will continue to go the extra mile, to take every precaution possible to ensure a safe, reliable space for every patient who needs it.

A health emergency is just that: an emergency. It requires urgent, specialized care, and there should be no question, hesitation or delay in getting that care. As much as we work together to battle the pandemic, we must also work together to ensure proper health care is not neglected. You must trust that your emergency physicians are here to help  24 hours a day, seven days a week. Your lives depend on it.

Dr. Randy Hartman is an emergency physician in the Waco area and a member of the Texas College of Emergency Physicians.
Chinese conglomerate Tomorrow Holdings Co on Saturday lashed out at a move by regulators to seize nine of its affiliated financial firms, in rare public criticism that was quickly removed from its social media account.

The statement came a day after Chinese financial regulators announced that they had taken over for one year the brokerages, trust companies and insurers linked to the embattled group, amid a campaign to stem systemic financial risks in a slowing economy.

Tomorrow Holdings said it had been actively moving forward with asset disposals, which the surprise takeover had disrupted, and that none of the institutions had faced liquidity risks or group protests from investors, and that regulators had exaggerated risks.

"With tight regulation limiting the firms' business development, each institution still managed to operate normally," the statement said. "However, they were flagrantly announced to be taken over. What is the purpose of that?"

Tomorrow Holdings questioned the motives of the regulators.

"The regulators have been pushing hard on the takeovers, so some of them can become corporate executives to delay their retirement. How much trade-off of fortune and power is behind this?" it said.

The regulators could not immediately be reached for comment on Saturday about the group's statement.

On Friday, the China Banking and Insurance Regulatory Commission cited business violations in its takeover of Tianan Property Insurance Co of China, Huaxia Life Insurance Co, Tianan Life Insurance Co and Yi'an P&C Insurance Co., as well as New Times Trust Co and New China Trust Co.

The China Securities Regulatory Commission, meanwhile, said it had seized control of New Times Securities, Guosheng Securities and Guosheng Futures, accusing the firms of concealing shareholder information, among other violations.

The nine firms had combined assets of more than 1.2 trillion yuan ($170 billion) at the end of 2019, according to a calculation by Caixin, a Chinese financial media outlet, with Huaxia Life Insurance accounting for nearly half if that at 587.3 billion yuan.

Story continues

Tomorrow's statement was quickly replaced with a message from the WeChat Official Accounts Platform Operation Center saying that the content "violates regulations."

The group also said that Xiao Jianhua, who controls the Beijing-based conglomerate, had returned to mainland China in early 2017 to fully cooperate with investigations.

Xiao, a billionaire with links to China's Communist Party elite, vanished from public view in early 2017. He was last seen leaving the Four Seasons Hotel in Hong Kong in a wheelchair with his head covered, accompanied by several people described in media reports as mainland Chinese agents.

The group said in its statement that it sold assets in China and abroad for hundreds of billion yuan over the past three and half years, and has used 300 billion yuan of its own funds to repay principal and interests for investors of Tianan Property Insurance.

In 2019, regulators took over Baoshang Bank, a lender once controlled by Tomorrow, citing severe credit risks. The lender, which had operated nationwide, was revamped into a much smaller lender back in its home region of Inner Mongolia.

(Reporting by Shanghai newsroom and Cheng Leng and Tony Munroe in Beijing; Editing by Gerry Doyle and William Mallard)
GRAND RAPIDS, MI  A 23-year-old woman was in critical condition following a stabbing at a Grand Rapids restaurant early Sunday morning.

The woman, who arrived at Spectrum Butterworth Hospital at about 2:54 a.m. July 19, has since stabilized, according to Grand Rapids Police spokesperson Raul Alvarez.

Officers were already at the hospital with a fatal shooting victim when the woman arrived, Alvarez said.

Related: Man, 24, is Grand Rapids 20th homicide victim of 2020

A friend of the womans told officers her friend was stabbed by another woman during a fight involving a large group of people at New York Fried Chicken, 743 Division Avenue S., that took place earlier that night.

Also on MLive:

Grand Rapids police, community leaders plead for end of senseless violence

Two teens shot in Kalamazoos West Douglas neighborhood

Grand Rapids police investigating stabbing in Southwest Grand Rapids
An NHS hospital caterer who was stabbed on a hospital ward in Brighton has been pictured.

Joseph George, 56, was knifed on the 11th floor gynaecology ward of the Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton at around 8.40am.

Police arrested a 30-year-old man on suspicion of attempted murder on Wilson Avenue - around the corner from the hospital.

Witnesses said father-of-two Mr George - a member of the hospital's catering team - was the first person grabbed by the knifeman.

The man told Mr George to open a cabinet containing medicines using his staff pass, onlookers said.

But Mr George's pass is not authorised to open the cabinet and when it did not work he was stabbed three times before the suspect fled.

Mr George's distraught wife, neonatal nurse Beena, worked a night shift at the same hospital before the horrific attack and awoke to hear the news.

An NHS hospital caterer who was stabbed on a hospital ward in Brighton has been named as Joseph George, 56 (pictured with his wife Beena)

Mr George's distraught wife, neonatal nurse Beena (pictured together) worked a night shift at the same hospital before the horrific attack and awoke to hear the news

Witnesses said father-of-two Mr George (left, with his wife Beena), a member of the hospital's catering team, was the first person grabbed by the crazed knifeman

Mrs George told the Sun: 'We don't know anything, we don't even know how he is yet.

'He works in the catering department. I have been on a night shift all night and was woken up to this news.'

Sussex police said the injuries suffered by Mr George are not life-threatening and he is being treated in the Royal Sussex.

Up to 30 armed police were seen at about 9am as they hunted the alleged knifeman nearby.

A suspect was arrested an hour later as the site and neighbouring businesses were put into lockdown.

The hospital is now operating normally.

The attacker reportedly knifed Mr George on the 11th floor of the Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton at around 8.40am

Witnesses said armed police swooped on the scene at around 9am as they hunted the alleged knifeman

NHS workers wearing masks stand outside the hospital after the horrific incident on Sunday morning

Officers stand guard outside the hospital as it and neighbouring buildings were locked down during the manhunt

Bernard Bannister, 72, said he heard a commotion as police nicked the suspect in his front garden on Wilson Avenue.

He said he did not get a look at the alleged knifeman but was amazed by the massive police response.

He told MailOnline: 'I noticed the lights outside. When I looked out, as far as the eye could see, there was police vehicles with blue flashing lights.

'I could see nothing other than police vehicles. My grand daughter, who is visiting us, said she counted at least 30 police officers.

'They were all armed with the guns either in their hands or slung around them. Every officer was carrying a weapon. I did not see the person they apprehended.

'I stayed inside. His bag and other stuff are all still there. Some more armed police wanted to have a look round our back garden before they went.'

It is believed the suspect dropped a khaki rucksack used to carry a large knife. A green jacket was also still at the scene as forensic teams arrived to begin their probe.

Sussex Police erect a tent over a bag and other items where they arrested a 30-year-old man today

A bag at the scene in Wilson Avenue, Brighton, where a man was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder, and is currently in custody for interview and further inquiries

Police said the injuries suffered by the staff member - aged in his 50s - are not 'life-threatening'

A PCSO and staff at the Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton stand together after the incident today

Sussex Police said in a statement: 'At 8.42am on Sunday (19 July) police were called to the Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton after a report that a member of staff had sustained a stab wound.

'The hospital site was quickly secured while officers have been working with security staff to confirm that nobody else has been injured, and that staff and patients are safe.

'Following immediate police searches and enquiries a 30-year-old man was arrested in nearby Wilson Avenue at 9.40am on suspicion of attempted murder, and is currently in custody for interview and further enquiries.

'This apparently isolated and unexplained incident is not being treated as terrorism at this time and there is currently nothing to suggest that any other person has been involved or that anyone else is at risk.'

Brighton and Sussex University Hospitals said: 'An incident took place at the Royal Sussex County Hospital this morning in which one member of staff was injured.

'The staff member is in a safe and stable state, and is being cared for in the hospital.

'The police and hospital security staff have secured the site and currently the public are not being allowed into the hospital whilst a search of the premises is carried out.

'The police have arrested one person in relation to the incident. Further updates will follow.'

Police & Crime Commissioner for Sussex Katy Bourne tweeted: 'Dreadful event and thoughts with the injured NHS staff member's family and those police officers & health colleagues at the scene...'

Social media user Pedro Santos posted: 'Just had a couple fully armed police officers come into the room to check if anyone was here, must be doing a search for safety.'

Dan Dawson said online: 'Disgusting to think they've been working so hard fighting the virus only to be attacked. Thoughts with the and their family.'

Lewes District Lib Dem Councillor Sean Maclead said: 'My wife works at the Sussex County hospital. They have been absolute hero's all the staff through this crisis.

'For someone to go into the hospital and stab a member of staff is frightening. Thoughts and Prayers are with the victim.'

MP for Hove Peter Kyle put: 'Shocking news from our Hospital. We don't yet know why a member of staff was stabbed but I'm thankful to @BtonHovePolice for a swift arrest for attempted murder.

'All affected by this are in my thoughts, especially the victim who I wish a swift recovery.'

MP for Brighton Kemptown Lloyd Russell-Moyle added: 'My thoughts are with the worker and family. Last year Labour passed through a backbench bill a law to ensure that people who assault NHS workers got double time.

'This will be no relief to the person who was stabbed, but I hope it will ensure justice can be delivered when the person is Brighton to book.'
C orruption proceedings against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu are set to resume in January, a Jerusalem court has said.

Mr Netanyahu is charged with fraud, breach of trust and accepting bribes as part of a series of scandals in which the Prime Minister is alleged to have received gifts from billionaire friends and done deals with media owners in exchange for better coverage of himself and his family.

He denies any wrongdoing and has hit out at the allegations as a witch hunt by a biased media and law enforcement system.

The courts decision to resume in January followed the trials second hearing, a procedural deliberation. The trial began in May after a two-month delay amid coronavirus fears.

Supporters of Benjamin Netanyahu outside the court during the start of the trial in May / REUTERS

The announcement comes as Mr Netanyahu faces growing anger over the way the Israeli government has dealt with the coronavirus outbreak and its economic fallout.

Although Israel seemed to have got a first wave of infections under control, what critics have denounced as a hasty and erratic reopening has sent infections soaring.

Despite a rise in new cases Mr Netanyahu's emergency government, set up to manage the crisis, pushed on with plans to reopen.

Israel has since reimposed restrictions, including a weekend-only lockdown.

The country has seen nearly 50,000 virus cases since the outbreak began, with 406 deaths, a relatively low number. More than 21,000 people have recovered. But daily cases have risen to nearly 2,000 since lockdown first ended.

US President Donald Trump and Benjamin Netanyahu / AFP via Getty Images

Critics have also hit out at the government for the way it has handled of the economic fallout of the crisis.

While the government has pledged billions of dollars worth of aid, it has not all been doled out to those in need, and a plan to give a handout to all Israelis, even the wealthy, has been panned by the countrys leading economists.

Unemployment has jumped to more than 20 per cent, up from around 4 per cent before the lockdown.

Widespread anger has since led to protests in recent weeks and violent clashes with police.

It's unclear if Mr Netanyahu will need to be present at the hearings, although local media reported that this is the case.

Mr Netanyahu has served as Israel's Prime Minister since 2009, and previously from 1996-1999.
Heavily armed police are stationed inside a SWAT vehicle outside the scene at 15th Street and Erie Avenue August 14, 2019, where a gunman was holed up after six police officers were shot in a confrontation with gunmen in the Tioga section of North Philadelphia. The Philadelphia Police Foundation said it helped pay for the rifles used by SWAT officers during that standoff. Read more

A little-known nonprofit that raises private money to support the Philadelphia Police Department has come under scrutiny, sweeping some of the citys biggest companies and universities into the national debate over policing and its funding.

Activists seeking to defund the police after the death of George Floyd have turned their attention to the Philadelphia Police Foundation, which raises hundreds of thousands of dollars a year to pay for police equipment, training, and other initiatives. Protesters have pressured the nonprofits supporters to cut their ties to the foundation.

Already, two universities have withdrawn their support. But the foundation has also enjoyed backing from some of the regions largest employers, including Comcast, Independence Blue Cross, and Wawa. The foundation has removed the names of donors and its own board members from its website, and also took down its social media accounts. It declined to give The Inquirer a list of top donors.

 READ MORE: Philly police get new equipment thanks to foundation grants

In a statement, the foundation said it wiped much of its website to protect its donors, staffers, and board members from harassment amid the civil unrest that has gripped the country this spring and summer. The foundations website now directs viewers to a page that expresses support for Philadelphia police, condemns the killing of Floyd, and calls for ongoing police diversity and bias training.

While we are very proud of our work and support of the PPD [Philadelphia Police Department], recently our board members, staff and donors were targeted, threatened and harassed online by groups and individuals during the ongoing unrest in the city, the foundation said. Thus, as a precaution for their safety, we made an internal decision last month to streamline the information on our website.

The foundations efforts to shield donors and board members sheds light on a new front in the debate over police funding, one that could turn charitable donations to police agencies from positive public relations for corporations to a potential liability. Philadelphia is one of several large American cities whose police department gets support from such a foundation; others include Atlanta, Chicago, New York, and Los Angeles.

The Philadelphia Police Foundation spent more than $500,000 to support the police department last year, a drop in the bucket compared with the more than $700 million police budget. Still, critics of police foundations say the groups can buy equipment with little oversight, including weapons, and allow big companies to influence the police.

These foundations are really well-positioned to  if a lot of public funding gets taken away from police  to kind of swoop in and say, We can fund our police through private money, said Molly Gott, director of strategic initiatives at the nonprofit watchdog group Public Accountability Initiative, which recently released a report on police foundations. Thats part of why we want people to have their eyes on this.

 READ MORE: Temple says it will no longer give money to the Philadelphia Police Foundation

In Philadelphia, the University of Pennsylvania and Temple University recently said they will withdraw funding from the foundation. Activists have criticized some of the citys biggest companies for backing the foundation too, but Gott said shes unaware of any firms cutting their support.

The foundation says it fills crucial funding gaps in the city budget, paying for equipment and initiatives ranging from anti-bias training to 50,000 KN95 masks during the early days of the coronavirus pandemic. The foundation said it replaced antiquated rifles used by the SWAT team in high-stakes situations, including last years North Philadelphia shootout that left six officers shot. The rifles used in that standoff were funded entirely by private, individual donors, the foundation said.

As a result of our fundraising efforts, every dollar designated for the PPD is a dollar that the city does not have to expend on the police department, which can then be reallocated to other crucial needs within the community, the foundations statement said.

Some of the nations largest companies have helped police foundations raise money in major cities from New York to Seattle, including Amazon, Coca Cola, and Goldman Sachs, according to the Public Accountability Initiative report.

In Philadelphia, its hard to identify donors. The Philadelphia Police Foundation, a 501c3 founded in 1998, provided a copy of its IRS 990 disclosure form from 2018, but the pages that would include the names of contributors were blank. The foundations most recent 990 tax form available on Guidestar from 2017 did not include those pages.

Eric Cushing, the foundations executive director, said the Internal Revenue Service does not publicly release top donors, so they do not appear on public 990 forms. The foundation followed the same protocol when sharing the 2018 form with The Inquirer, he said.

The group was quite public about where it received support before it wiped its website.

For example, a deleted webpage called Wawa a partner, and the convenience store chain said it donated $50,000 to the foundation last year. Independence Blue Cross was identified as a partner and a sponsor of a 2018 gala, and donated $100,000 in 2014 to pay for bulletproof vests. In 2010, Comcast donated $20,000 and gave $60,000 worth of radio advertising, and one of its employees sits on the foundations board, according to deleted webpages.

The Inquirer was able to see deleted web pages using Internet Archive, a nonprofit that has been collecting web pages since 1996.

Wawa spokesperson Lori Bruce said the company supported the foundations efforts to enhance police-community relations. Comcast acknowledged its previous donations, but said it doesnt have a program in place to fund the foundation on an ongoing basis.

We understand the concerns regarding our support for Philadelphia Police Foundation at a time when there is a public outcry for police reform, said Independence spokesperson Donna Farrell. Independence looks forward to supporting foundation initiatives that focus on diversity, inclusion, and reforms that ensure fair, compassionate and equitable policing for all citizens regardless of race or other differences.

Two other companies that supported the foundation  Brandywine Realty Trust and television news station 6ABC  did not return two emails each seeking comment. Both were listed as sponsors of the 2018 gala and had employees on the foundations board.

Other companies or universities listed as foundation partners, event sponsors, or having employees as board members include Drexel University, Thomas Jefferson University, WSFS Bank, and 7-Eleven.

Last year, the foundation helped pay for 72 ballistic helmets, anti-bias training for police cadets, canine bulletproof vests, improved saddle padding for horses, a drone program, and renovations to the 18th Police District and Southwest District Division buildings at 55th and Pine Streets, The Inquirer reported. The items had not been included in the citys 2019 budget.

They provide money and support for different things that the police could not necessarily do themselves because they were part of city government, said Everett Gillison, who oversaw public safety and served as chief of staff under former Mayor Michael Nutter. Its not a secretive organization by any stretch of the imagination.
In this file photo the rebel Congress leader Sachin Pilot (R) is seen with the then Congress President Rahul Gandhi and Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot during a party function in Jaipur. PTI Photo

How Pilot crashed

The sordid bid to topple the Rajasthan government has exposed the worst in both the Congress party and the BJP.

Going by the confessions, the inspired leaks and the whispers, it is clear that chief minister Ashok Gehlot has not been on talking terms with his deputy, Sachin Pilot, since December 2018.

But Gehlot apparently had a line of communication with the former maharani of Dholpur and princess of Gwalior, Vasundhara Raje Scindia.

Sources in both the BJP and the Congress reveal that Gehlot was a step ahead of Pilot simply because someone from Vasundhara Raje's side was tipping him off about Pilots moves. Gehlot, a former magician, kept gathering information and piling up a dossier that read like a charge-sheet. The crafty Gehlot did not rush to Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi or Rahul Gandhi with this dossier.

A chartered plane was reportedly sent to Thiruvananthapuram to fetch AICC general secretary K.C. Venugopal, a favourite of Rahul; he, in turn, handed over the explosive material to the Gandhis.

The Gandhis are now in a dilemma. Their stated position of opposing anyone having truck with the BJP is compromised as both Gehlot and Pilot were reportedly in touch with the enemy.

Corona protocol

Covid-19 has changed a lot in Lutyens Delhi. In the Raksha Rajya Mantris office for instance, defence ministry personnel are not encouraged to visit unless they are summoned.

The informal list of dos and donts at Dr Subhash Bhamres office also demands that officers remain seated each time the minister walks in or out.

Baluni fortunate

Union urban development and civil aviation minister Hardeep Puri made a smart move by allocating Priyanka Gandhis bungalow  35, Lodhi Estate, New Delhi  to Amit Shahs right-hand man Anil Baluni, who also heads the BJPs media department.

Baluni is recovering from cancer so the sympathy factor also came into play. Puris statement that Priyanka tried seeking an extension was quickly denied by the AICC general secretary but it may have a grain of truth.

Apparently, without Priyankas knowledge or consent, Anand Sharma or K.T.S. Tulsi are suspected to have spoken to Puri even while Priyanka was all set to move out of Lodhi Estate.

Who broke quarantine

Covid-19 continues to bother the political class. At a recently held meeting of Parliaments Public Accounts Committee, a senior official sat close to Adhir Ranjan Chaudhary, the Congress party leader in the Lok Sabha.

The additional secretary rank babu tested positive for the coronavirus. Everyone, including Chaudhary, had to while away time in home quarantine  other than a BJP notable who is said to have ignored the advice.

Sun shines for PR

While the Ashok Gehlot-Sachin Pilot tussle has stressed out a section of the Congress party, some public relations companies are gloating. A prominent Delhi-based PR person, known to have near-perfect relations with many politicians, quickly grabbed Gehlots account.

Every morning, scribes and talking heads on TV covering the Rajasthan slugfest have been getting a healthy dose of talking points on WhatsApp. Pilots side is not sitting idle. Last heard, Pilot, an accomplished pistol shooter, has engaged some fine PR personalities. They are not missing the target either.
Two weeks after border officers forced Canadian Stephen Barkey and American Cathy Kolsch to separate at the Canada-U.S. border, the couple has reunited.

"We can't stop smiling and just looking at each other," said Kolsch, 61. She's currently quarantining with Barkey, 65, in their recreational vehicle (RV), which is parked at a friend's farm in Grenfell, Sask., located about 125 kilometres east of Regina.

It's been a difficult journey for the couple, who has struggled to prove their common-law status to Canadian border officers. They said they finally won their case by spending $1,500 to hire a lawyer, who compiled a 250-page document detailing their life together.

"It was so painful," said Kolsch of their ordeal. "My heart hurts for the [couples] who can't get back together."

To help stop the spread of COVID-19, Canada restricts foreigners from entering the country for non-essential travel. The Canada-U.S. land border also remains closed to non-essential traffic.

Last month, Canada loosened its travel restrictions to allow foreigners to visit immediate family in Canada  including spouses and common-law partners.

To qualify as common law, couples must have lived together for at least a year and prove it with documentation, such as shared household bills, or a joint mortgage or lease.

The rules have led to frustration and heartache for couples who can't easily prove their common-law status.

'I cried all the way'

Kolsch and Barkey said they've lived together for a year-and-a-half in their RV, dividing their time mainly between California and Barrie, Ont. As a result, they don't have shared, monthly household bills or a mortgage.

The couple had been living in their RV in the U.S. when they first tried to cross the border from North Dakota into Saskatchewan on June 22.

Kolsch was denied entry into Canada, because the couple didn't have the right documentation to prove that they're common law.

Story continues

Then, when they turned back to re-enter the U.S., Barkey was denied entry because the U.S. land border is now closed to Canadian visitors.

Consequently, the couple was forced to separate and retreat to their respective countries.

"I drove away and I cried all the way," said Barkey, who took the RV to Grenfell.

submitted by Cathy Kolsch

Desperate to reunite, Barkey and Kolsch hired a Canadian immigration lawyer who worked with them to compile 250 pages worth of documents into a binder detailing their year-and-a-half together.

It included a timeline, date-stamped photos, receipts from RV campgrounds, testimonial letters from friends and a previous CBC News article detailing the couple's struggle to prove their common-law status.

Kolsch then tried to enter Canada again, two weeks later on July 8. This time, she said she won over a border officer with the binder.

"He said, 'I can see what you were doing here with the lawyer papers, the timeline, the pictures and the article. I know what you're saying is truthful.'

"I let out a big sigh and tears flowed."

submitted by Cathy Kolsch

The couple's lawyer, Ali Esnaashari, suggested the Canadian government adopt more flexible common-law rules, so committed couples can more easily prove their status.

"If the goal is to reunite immediate family members and that's why it's there, then we need to have a more broader interpretation, more flexible interpretation of what we're considering common law."

Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) told CBC News the onus is on couples to prove they've been living together for at least one year.

"It must be established in each individual case, based on the facts," said CBSA spokesperson Jacqueline Callin in an email.

1-year ban at the border

Kolsch and Barkey won their battle, but another cross border couple's struggle to prove their common-law status has ended in defeat.

American Joseph Norris of Malone, N.Y., said he and his Canadian partner, Andrea Parraga of Ottawa, have lived together for at least one year. However, they don't have shared household bills, because they each own a home in their respective countries. Malone is about 125 km southeast of Ottawa.

Norris, 45, tried to enter Canada at the Cornwall, Ont., crossing on June 25, but said he was denied entry because he didn't have correct documentation.

He was told he needed a shared mortgage or lease agreement, or an official document certifying the couple was common law, said Norris.

So he dug up a common-law union document on the Canadian government's website.

submitted by Joseph Norris

Five days later, on June 30, Norris tried to cross the border again so he and Parraga, 46, could sign the document together and get it verified. He thought his trip would be considered essential travel.

But it wasn't. According to CBSA documents, Norris was denied entry again, and this time barred from entering Canada for one year.

"I was just beside myself. I couldn't believe that this was happening," he said.

CBSA said that when a foreigner doesn't meet the requirements to enter Canada during the border closure, they run the risk of receiving a one-year ban if they try to re-enter.

Norris said he was never warned of this consequence and was just trying to get the evidence required to reunite with his partner in Canada.

"In these sad times, this was just another disheartening blow in an already horrible situation."

The Canada-U.S. land border remains closed to non-essential traffic until at least Aug. 21. But for Norris, it remains closed until July 2021.

WATCH | U.S. politicians call for plan to reopen Canada-U.S. border:
WASHINGTON - Democratic lawmakers said Sunday that they don't want tweets or condolences to honor civil rights icon John Lewis. They want policymakers to get to work to honor the Georgia congressman's legacy.

Rep. James Clyburn, D-S.C., the House majority whip, urged President Donald Trump and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., to pass legislation that would expand voting rights in Lewis's name.

"It should be the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Act of 2020," Clyburn said on CNN's "State of the Union." "That's the way to do it. Words may be powerful, but deeds are lasting. "

Rep. Karen Bass, D-Calif., and Rep. Ayanna Pressley, D-Mass., also echoed this sentiment in interviews on Sunday morning and called for swift passage of the legislation, called the Voting Rights Advancement Act. The House in 2019 passed the legislation, which would restore key protections of the 1965 Voting Rights Act that the Supreme Court struck down in 2013.

Lewis lost his months-long battle with pancreatic cancer on Friday night, at a pivotal moment for race relations in the United States. Protesters in cities from coast to coast are demanding widespread reforms in the wake of the May killing of George Floyd, a black man, in police custody. Meanwhile, coronavirus cases are surging in states nationwide, shedding fresh light on the inequities black Americans encounter in health care.

Clyburn also called for the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, Ala., to be renamed in honor of Lewis, a lifelong friend.

The bridge, named after a former Confederate general and Ku Klux Klan leader, became a critical site during the civil rights movement. On Bloody Sunday in 1965, Alabama state troopers beat peaceful demonstrators there, including Lewis, who suffered a fractured skull.

"Edmund Pettus was a grand wizard of the Ku Klux Klan," Clyburn said during an interview on NBC News's "Meet the Press." "Take his name off that bridge and replace it with a good man, John Lewis, the personification of the goodness of America, rather than to honor someone who disrespected individual freedoms."

Photo for The Washington Post by Astrid Riecken

Today's protests have prompted cities nationwide to reconsider monuments and other honors granted to people with ties to the Confederacy or other racist legacies. An online petition to rename the bridge in Lewis's honor was drafted last month and has gained more than 450,000 signatures.

Lewis's death comes amid accusations that Trump has sought to foment racial divisions in the United States as Election Day approaches, rather than unite the country. Trump did tweet a message of sympathy and prayers on Saturday about the Georgia congressman, who was one of the most vocal critics of the president's policies and rhetoric in Congress.

Pressley, appearing on CNN, said she wished Trump didn't tweet at all.

"If you really want to honor the life of John Lewis, you don't do things like gut the fair-housing laws," she said on CNN. "You don't sow the seeds of division."

Pressley said she was a "beneficiary" of Lewis's activism. "There would be no Ayanna Pressley and countless others were it not for John Lewis," she said.

Many leaders on Sunday spoke of Lewis's impact on Congress, where he was known as a moral compass for both parties in an increasingly divided political environment.

"There is a need for more John Lewises," Colin Powell, a former secretary of state and chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. "Not just one, but many. We got a lot of work to do. "

In Atlanta, mourners gathered Saturday at the site of a 65-foot-tall mural depicting Lewis. The mural has stood in the Sweet Auburn district - the beating heart of the city's black business community during the days of segregation - for years. A steady stream of visitors stopped by Saturday to drop off flowers or notes, take pictures, or simply stand and look on.

Bouquets, posters and handwritten messages were left at the site. Some of them had simple messages such as "silence equals violence" and "love one another," while others shared deeply personal stories of encounters with the congressman or recollections of how he served as an inspiration.

Sisters Saundra Howard Jackson and Lorna Howard also were moved to pay a visit to the mural on Saturday. They live in nearby Decatur, Ga., but like Lewis originally hail from Alabama. They are planning to visit the Edmund Pettus Bridge and hope to see it renamed for Lewis.

"Something in me moved," Lorna Howard said about hearing of Lewis's death. She hasn't left her house much since the pandemic began but made an exception to pay tribute to him.

"They've left us," said Lorna Howard, referring not only to Lewis but also C.T. Vivian and Joseph Lowery. "Those civil rights icons have passed. Who is going to take the baton now? Who is going to keep it going?"

Lewis was just 23 when he delivered his famous speech at the March on Washington in 1963. Many mourners expressed hope that a new generation of leaders emerges from the wave of protests that swept the United States in recent weeks.

"Lewis started out when he was a student - 17, 18 years old," Howard Jackson said. "The movement struck a chord with him to endure, to get to meet Dr. (Martin Luther) King. He had the spirit. It took people like him to be courageous and lead peaceful protests to get things changed."
Maharashtra BJP spokesperson Keshav Upadhye termed the allegations as baseless and false

Mumbai: The political stalemate in Rajasthan has taken an interesting turn with the stunning allegation from the Maharashtra Congress that the BJP leaders collected a whopping `500 crore from the builders and traders in Mumbai to fund the efforts of toppling the Ashok Gehlot-led government.

We have got information that collection of more than 500 crores have been done from Mumbai in order to topple the @ashokgehlot51 ji led @INCIndia govt in Rajasthan. I have spoken to @AnilDeshmukhNCP ji and requested him to look into this serious matter to find the masterminds, Maharashtra Congress general secretary and spokesperson Sachin Sawant tweeted.

The Congress leader cited inputs from the intelligence agencies and independent sources for his claims and also alleged that the money was collected from the hawala transactions. He referred to the tweet from Congress leader Randeep Singh Surjewala, who said that there are audio tapes, which shows that plans were afoot to topple the Gehlot government in Rajasthan.

There are leaked tapes of conversation between a BJP leader and the suspended Rajasthan MLAs over the exchange of money to topple the Gehlot government. This proves that a huge amount was collected for horse trading in Rajasthan, Mr Sawant.

The Congress leader has asked the state home minister to probe the alleged hawala transaction of money. He has agreed to conduct a probe in the transfer of the funds, he added.

However, Maharashtra BJP spokesperson Keshav Upadhye termed the allegations as baseless and false.
JASPER, ALTA.Three people were killed and more than a dozen others were critically injured when a glacier sightseeing bus rolled at one of the most popular attractions in the Rocky Mountains, the Columbia Icefield.

RCMP said the rollover happened early Saturday afternoon. Pictures posted online by people at the scene showed one of the attractions big-wheeled ice explorers on its roof down a moraine embankment.

The iconic red and white coaches, which look like buses with monster-truck tires, regularly leave from a visitor centre and take tourists up a rough road onto the Athabasca Glacier in Jasper National Park.

Police did not say what caused the wreck, but Rob Kanty, who was on an earlier bus and witnessed the crash, said he believes a rockslide may have played a role.

We watched the event unfold from the parking lot, he wrote in an email. We could see the dust and rocks still sliding down the mountain towards the tour bus already rolled over on its roof.

Cpl. Leigh Drinkwater says there were a total of 27 passengers on the vehicle when it crashed.

Air ambulances were sent from all over the province to ferry the injured from the picturesque but remote location.

Alberta Heath Services said 24 patients were transported to hospitals in Edmonton, Grande Prairie and Calgary, 14 of them with life-threatening injuries. AHS said four others were in serious but stable condition while the remaining six were listed as stable.

Police said all of the dead were adults, but they did not release any names or ages.

Drinkwater said getting updates from the scene was difficult due to unreliable cellular service in the remote part of the mountains.

RCMP said that members from the Jasper detachment, with help from Lake Louise and Banff, were on the scene as well as crews from numerous fire departments and Parks Canada.

The injured were transported from the site by rescue helicopters then taken to hospitals by air and ground ambulances.

AHS said EMS crews from Calgary, Jasper, Nordegg, Banff, Rocky Mountain House, Canmore, Hinton, Edmonton and Sundre responded to the incident.

Fixed wing air ambulances from Slave Lake, Lac La Biche and Edmonton, along with two STARS helicopters, and a chartered helicopter out of Canmore, were also on scene.

STARS air ambulance spokeswoman Fatima Khawaja said the choppers brought a 31-year-old man and a middle-aged woman to hospitals in critical, potentially life-threatening condition.

She said a 27-year-old woman was taken to hospital in serious but stable condition.

Khawaja said a doctor was also sent to the scene, and was on board a private chopper that helped perform sling rescues off the icefield.

She said STARS sent choppers from its bases in Edmonton, Calgary and Grande Prairie.

Tanya Otis, a spokeswoman for Pursuit, the company that runs the tours, said the ice explorer was on its way to the glacier when it crashed.

Our immediate concern is with the injured and their families and we are supporting the efforts of first responders, she said in a statement.

Alberta Premier Jason Kenney tweeted about the crash, thanking emergency crews for their quick response.

Saddened to hear of this accident in the Icefields, Kenney said. Prayers for all involved in the incident.

The Columbia Icefield is one of the largest non-polar icefields in the world. It is located about 100 kilometres south of Jasper and accessed from Highway 93 North, the Icefields Parkway.

The parkway leads from Jasper down to Lake Louise through Banff and Jasper national parks and is one of the most picturesque drives in Canada.

Pursuit offers a Columbia Icefield Adventure, which it bills as a must-do experience for any resident or visitor in the Canadian Rockies.

The tour has guests board an ice explorer to drive onto the Athabasca Glacier, where guests can get off the bus to walk on the glacier and fill their water bottles with the pure, cold runoff.

The company reopened the icefield tours about a month ago with 50 per cent capacity after being closed due to COVID-19.

When full, Pursuit says the ice explorers can transport up to 56 passengers, including seated and standing room.

Most of Canadas national parks, including Banff and Jasper, reopened to visitors in early June.

The mountain parks are typically flooded with international visitors at this time of year but, with the pandemic squelching travel, officials have encouraged all Canadians to explore their national parks this summer while respecting provincial rules.

Some of the more popular sites in the two national parks have been getting busier in recent weeks.
A phlebotomist draws blood from my arm for a COVID-19 Immune Response test at Quest Diagnostics in Washington Twp., Gloucester County, N.J. on May 27, 2020. Read more

WASHINGTON  The Food and Drug Administration has given emergency approval to a new approach to coronavirus testing that combines test samples in batches instead of running them one by one, speeding up the process.

The FDA said Saturday that it reissued an emergency use authorization to Quest Diagnostics to use its COVID-19 test with pooled samples. It is the first test to be authorized to be used in this way.

With pooling, instead of running each persons test individually, laboratories would combine parts of samples from several people and test them together. A negative result would clear everyone in the batch. A positive result would require each sample to be individually retested. Pooling works best with lab-run tests, which take hours  not the much quicker individual tests used in clinics or doctors offices.

 READ MORE: Coronavirus antibody testing is now easy to get. But its hard to be sure what youre getting.

The potential benefits of sample pooling include stretching laboratory supplies further, reducing costs and expanding testing to millions more Americans who may unknowingly be spreading the virus. Health officials think infected people who arent showing symptoms are largely responsible for the rising number of cases in more than half the country. The approach might enable mass testing at schools or businesses, though it's unclear when that could happen.

Its a really good tool. It can be used in any of a number of circumstances, including at the community level or even in schools, Dr. Anthony Fauci, the nations top infectious-disease expert, told a Senate hearing last month.

 FAQ: Your coronavirus questions, answered.

Pooling is not always be the best option. It wont save time or resources when used in a COVID-19 hot spot such as a nursing home outbreak. Thats because the logistical and financial benefits of pooling only add up when a small number of pools test positive.

Experts generally recommend the technique when fewer than 10% of people are expected to test positive. For example, pooling would not be cost-effective in Arizona, where a surge has pushed positive test results to well over 10%. But the approach could make sense in areas with a lower rate of positive results.
Washington

The Trump administration is trying to block billions of dollars for states to conduct testing and contact tracing in the upcoming coronavirus relief bill, people involved in the talks said Saturday.

The administration is also trying to block billions of dollars that GOP senators want to allocate for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and billions more for the Pentagon and State Department to address the pandemic at home and abroad, the people said.

The administration's posture has angered some GOP senators, the officials said, and some lawmakers are trying to ensure the money stays in the bill. The officials, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to reveal confidential deliberations, cautioned that the talks were fluid and the numbers were in flux.

The negotiations center on a bill Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., is preparing to unveil this coming week as part of the negotiations with Democrats on what will likely be the last major coronavirus relief bill before the November election.

The two parties are far apart on a number of contentious issues, such as unemployment insurance, but the conflict between Trump administration officials and Senate Republicans on money for testing and other priorities is creating a major complication even before bipartisan negotiations get underway. Some lawmakers are trying to reach a deal quickly, as enhanced unemployment benefits for millions of Americans are set to expire in less than two weeks.

One person involved in the talks said Senate Republicans were seeking to allocate $25 billion for states to conduct testing and contact tracing, but that certain administration officials want to zero out the testing and tracing money entirely. Some White House officials believe they have already approved billions of dollars in assistance for testing and that some of that money remains unspent.

Roughly 3.7 million Americans have already tested positive for coronavirus in the United States, according to a Washington Post analysis. Wait times for test results can vary by state, but in some places people have to wait more than a week to find out if they have tested positive.

The administration is also seeking to zero out $10 billion in new funding for the CDC, while slashing spending for the Pentagon and State Department related to foreign aid, the person said.

President Donald Trump has repeatedly questioned the value of conducting widespread coronavirus testing, arguing that if there were fewer tests conducted, the numbers of infections would be lower. Coronavirus infections and deaths are on the rise in many states.

A White House spokesman declined to comment.

At the same time they push cuts in some areas, administration officials are trying to use the spending bill to fund priorities that appear not directly related to the coronavirus  including a new FBI building, which has been a longtime priority for Trump, according to people involved.
Experiences of discrimination over a lifetime is associated with high blood pressure in African American adults, according to findings published this month in the journal Hypertension from researchers at the Urban Health Collaborative at Drexel University's Dornsife School of Public Health.

High blood pressure is linked with many life-threatening conditions, including stroke, heart disease and dementia, and is also associated with higher risk of severe illness from COVID-19. This connection between poor heart health and higher risk of severe symptoms suggests the findings may also provide insights into current racial disparities in patient outcomes during the pandemic.

The authors used survey responses from 1,845 African American adults living in Mississippi who participated in the Jackson Heart study (and did not have high blood pressure at the start of the study). Those who had a systolic blood pressure of 140 mm Hg or higher or a diastolic blood pressure higher than 90 mm Hg and/or were taking medicine to manage their blood pressure at any follow up examination were considered to have developed hypertension.

Participants had a baseline visit between 2000 and 2004 and had two follow-up visits - one in 2005-2008 and the other in 2009-2013. At the time of study baseline patients reported previous experiences of discrimination via survey. The researchers counted instances of lifetime discrimination by counting any of nine domains -- such as in school/training, getting a job or housing, at work, etc. -- in which unfair treatment was reported.

After adjusting for gender, age, socioeconomic status and other high blood pressure risk factors, the team found that individuals reporting medium levels (in one to two domains) and high levels of lifetime discrimination (in three to nine domains) had a 49 percent and 34 percent increased risk for hypertension compared to those who reported low levels of lifetime discrimination (zero domains), respectively.

Our findings in a large population show that the stress resulting from discrimination may have a major impact on the health of African Americans." Allana T. Forde, PhD, lead author, postdoctoral research fellow at the Urban Health Collaborative

The authors said the study could have implications for treating African American patients, but also renews attention towards the conditions in which people live and the significant influence of environment on health.

"Structural racism affects health in many ways. The experiences of discrimination investigated in this study represent only one of the many ways in which racism has measurable health consequences," said senior author and Urban Health Collaborative Director Ana Diez Roux, MD, PhD, dean and distinguished professor of Epidemiology at Dornsife School of Public Health. "Addressing racism is critical to promoting health and achieving health equity."

High blood pressure -- that is 130/80 or above according to current guidelines -- plagues 103 million adult Americans, nearly half of all adults. More than 40 percent of African American adults suffer from high blood pressure.

Forde was awarded an American Heart Association grant to support this research. The Jackson Heart Study used in this paper is funded by the National Institutes of Health and implemented by the University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson State University; and Tougaloo College.
Russian Army's Snap Combat Readiness Check Unrelated to Armenia-Azerbaijan Border Tensions

Sputnik News

15:15 GMT 18.07.2020

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Russian Deputy Defence Minister Col. Gen. Alexander Fomin refuted on Saturday any connection between the combat training activities carried out by the Russian armed forces and the escalation of the situation on the Armenian-Azerbaijani border.

"When asked by reporters, Alexander Fomin has categorically rejected any connection between the military training activities carried out by the Russian Armed Forces and the escalation of the situation on the Armenian-Azerbaijani border," the ministry said in a statement.

It added that Fomin was expected to hold a briefing for foreign military attaches on Monday, during which they would be informed about the progress of the snap combat readiness check.

On Friday, Russia started a snap check of the combat readiness of its Southern and Western military districts, large troop units, airborne forces, and Northern and Pacific fleets. The ministry has informed foreign states about the goals and objectives of the military activities performed during the check.

An ongoing armed confrontation escalated on the Azerbaijani-Armenian border last Sunday, notably far from where the two usually exchange hostilities in the disputed territory of Nagorno-Karabakh.

The clashes took place near the Movses village along the contact line between Armenia's Tavush province and Azerbaijan's Tovuz province. Yerevan and Baku blamed the initiation of the firing on each other.

A Sputnik

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The president has dissolved the controversial court, one of the protesters key demands. Keita has said he is opening to re-holding the legislative election in those contested areas though no concrete plan has been laid out yet. The mediators, though, said their recommendations should be put into place this month.
Oil market bulls are in for a surprise if we believe the latest statements from OPEC+ leaders Saudi Arabia and Russia.



The official views proponed by the OPEC+ JMCC during the last few days were looked at as a positive sign as existing production cuts are being relaxed in August as a result of higher expected demand. The Saudi Minister of Energy and OPECs main power broker Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman added fuel to the fire by telling Al Arabiya yesterday that he could see a development in which the OPEC+ oil production agreement will be extended to the end of 2021 or even through the beginning of 2022. This news hasnt been digested by the markets yet and shows a possible split in views within OPEC+. The Saudi minister also reiterated that we still have a long way to go and actions will continue. Therefore, part of the recovery and coexisting with this situation until, God willing, this epidemic is gone, is that we decided to have a monthly meeting with the committee that monitors the market, to make sure of the obligations, and to make recommendations to the OPEC+ conference.



Prince Abdulazizs statements differ from Russian Energy Minister Novaks view on the market. On Wednesday, Novak said that the expected easing of oil output cuts by the OPEC+ group from August to 7.7 million barrels per day is justifiable and in line with the market trends. Novak made his remarks at the opening of the Joint Ministerial Monitoring Committee (JMCC) meeting. Russias views seem to be much more optimistic about the possible demand increase for oil and petroleum products globally.



Saudi Arabia has now made abundantly clear that it doesnt want to be confronted by a possible W-shape economic recovery and a possible 2nd wave of Corona. At least that is the official message. The underlying message could be more diffuse and could cause an internal OPEC+ discussion, in which Saudi Arabia could be threatening to stop making the lion share of the oil production cuts. Saudi Arabias grand oil strategy is facing critique at home as export revenues continue to decline. Official data provided by Riyadh and the Joint Organizations Data Initiative (JODI) show that the Kingdoms total oil exports, including crude and oil products, fell to 7.48 million barrels per day (bpd) in May from 11.34 million bpd in April. Exports in June and July could end up being even lower, and the same will apply to Russian oil production. The political and economic agendas, however, are now openly going into a different direction, judging Minister Novak and Prince Abdulazizs statements.

Related: Second Wave Of COVID-19 Wont Crush Oil Prices

Oil fundamentals are far from normal, even if OPEC+ members are stating something else in the media. OPECs monthly JMCC meeting outcome is a clear sign of a growing desire of Russia and some other OPEC members to relax the current oil production cut agreement. The current power struggle is masqueraded in media-friendly statements, but there is a clear and present danger that Moscow and Riyadh could be heading to a new collision. At present, theres no direct risk of a breakup, but Riyadh is fed up with taking the full brunt of the output cuts, while struggling to keep its economy afloat and the social contract in place.

International media have shown a lack of critical analysis of the underlying critical developments inside of OPEC+. The current relaxation of output cuts is a full-scale sign of a belief in a global economic recovery in the coming months. This belief leans on somewhat shaky fundamentals as a second wave of COVID-19 is already showing its ugly face in several places. Still, OPEC, Russia and its allies, have officially decided to change its reasonably successful strategy by August 1. Until now, oil production was cut by 9.6 million bpd, while the new target for August is 7.7 million bpd.

In order not to risk another internal crisis or outright oil price and market share war between Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Putin, a compromise, based on shaky fundamentals, is being presented. Oil demand fundamentals remain rather weak, to say the least. The global economic recovery narrative is currently being used to support the relaxation of output cuts.

Currently, oil markets are expected to be in deficit, resulting in a draw of crude oil in storage. In 2021, OPEC looks to further increase its overall production by another 6 million bpd. The need for higher revenues are the driver, not market stabilization. Optimism about a V-shaped recovery, bullish news from China and the removal of major lockdowns in Europe have been feeding the bullish sentiment within the OPEC+ group. The real economic recovery, however, remains fragile. Even in its own report, OPEC stated that it fears oil markets are still unbalanced, especially if a second wave of COVID-19 undermines the economic recovery.

OPECs decision to ease output cuts or increase production is a unilateral decision. The real problem is that once one OPEC member raises production, others will likely follow suit. Then theres the risk of a U.S. shale comeback. Current oil prices are high enough to bring back the production that was shut-in during the oil crash. Further production increases by OPEC+ will result in a growing glut, as other oil-producing nations will not feel obliged to keep cuts in place and will instead feel the need to save market share.

Related: Russia Looks To Woo Tech Companies As Oil Lags

Again, OPEC+s success seems to be blinding advisors. The very fragile balance at present between supply and demand could easily turn into a glut. After months of oil storage crisis headlines, rational reasoning now seems to be pushed overboard. Global inventories are still brimming and need to be drawn down to further stabilize the market.

The threat of a W-shape or even Triple-V recovery is clear. OECD markets are boosted by quantitative easing measures and markets are being artificially propped up by trillions euros and dollars of federal funds. The negative signs of the real economic impact of COVID in Europe are beginning to show as bankruptcies are increasing and unemployment levels continue to rise. The iceberg that the OPEC+ Titanic fails to see is that Chinas growth depends on its exports to OECD markets.

The current OPEC+ approach is not sustainable, there is no room for flexibility, and as long as oil inventories remain elevated and demand remains lackluster, markets will not see a full recovery. Moscow and Riyadh must find a long-term solution if they want to see a real recovery in oil markets. If this doesnt happen, a possible break-up between Saudi Arabia and Russia looms.



By Cyril Widdershoven for Oilprice.com

More Top Reads From Oilprice.com:
3 1 of 3 Bexar County Sheriff's Office Show More Show Less 2 of 3 Tom Reel /Staff photographer Show More Show Less 3 of 3





The 37-year-old woman who died Sunday in an apparent suicide while jailed on drug charges was identified by the Bexar County Sheriffs Office as Julie Marie Alvarado.

Alvardo was arrested Thursday on charges of possessing less than 1 gram of a controlled substance. She also was wanted in Wilson County on a theft charge, the sheriffs office said.
Recent research led by scientists from Kings College London, UK, revealed that there are six types of COVID-19 and each is distinguished by a particular cluster of symptoms in patients. According to the study published in medRxiv, the researchers used a machine-learning algorithm in a bid to analyse data of around 1,600 users in the US and the UK with confirmed cases of coronavirus, who had logged their symptoms using the app in March and April. The scientists believe that the recent findings have major implications for the clinical management of COVID-19 patients.

Claire Steves, a co-author of the study from King's College London, said, These findings have important implications for care and monitoring of people who are most vulnerable to severe COVID-19.

With the help of the data, the scientists analysed that if particular symptoms appeared together and how they were related to the progression of the disease. The researchers noted that the patient symptoms can fall under on the six following categories, including flu-like with no fever, 'flu-like' with fever, gastrointestinal, severe level one with fatigue, severe level two with confusion, and severe level three accompanied by abdominal and respiratory pain.

READ: Steroid's Coronavirus Benefits Confirmed, Immune Cells Recognise Virus Years Later: Study

Types of COVID-19

As per the study, the researchers explained that in the flu-like with no fever category, the COVID-19 patients also experienced other symptoms including loss of smell, muscle pains, cough, sore throat, chest pain, but no fever. In the second category, the researchers said that the patients had a headache, loss of smell, cough, sore throat, hoarseness, fever and loss of appetite. In the third category, which is gastrointestinal, the virus-infected patients had a combination of headache, loss of smell, loss of appetite, diarrhoea, sore throat, chest pain, but no cough.

Under the severe level one with fatigue, the scientists said that patients complained about a loss of smell, cough, headache, fever, hoarseness, chest pain, and fatigue. In the fifth category, that is the level two of severity the patients expressed similar aforementioned symptoms with the addition of loss of appetite, sore throat, confusion and muscle pain. Last but not the least, the sixth category, which is the most severe, the researchers noted that the patients had experienced headache, loss of smell, loss of appetite, cough, fever, hoarseness, sore throat, chest pain, fatigue, confusion, muscle pain, shortness of breath, diarrhoea, and abdominal pain.

READ: Hydroxychloroquine Found Ineffective On COVID-19 Patients With Mild Symptoms: Study

While the COVID-19 patients mostly experienced varying combinations of additional symptoms at various times with headache and loss of smell, the researchers noted that some symptoms such as confusion, abdominal pain and shortness of breath, are not widely known as coronavirus symptoms, however, they said that the symptoms are hallmarks of the most severe forms of the disease.

According to the study, the scientists analysed that people with cluster four, five or six symptoms tended to be older and frailer and most likely also overweight. The researchers said that these patients had pre-existing conditions such as diabetes or lung disease than those in the other types. Further, they noted that nearly half of the patients in cluster six ended up in the hospital, compared with just 16 per cent of those in cluster one.

(Inputs: PTI)

READ: COVID-19: Obese People At Greater Risk Of Severe Complications, Says Study

READ: COVID-19: CBD May Help Reduce Lung Inflammation In Patients, Says Study
Three men were killed after being beaten and shot while out fishing in Florida, with one of the men managing to call his father and cry 'help' before he died.

Damion Tillman, 23; Keven Springfield, 30; and Brandon Rollins, 27, were described by their families as having been best friends for years, and all died in the Friday night massacre.

The three men were fishing at a popular lake in Frostproof, 70 miles south of Orlando in central Florida.

Tillman traveled to Lake Streety first and arrived by himself, according to Grady Judd, sheriff of Polk County.

Brandon Rollins, 27, was murdered on Friday night on a fishing trip to a Florida lake

Three men were murdered by Lake Streety in Frostproof, Florida, on Friday night

When Rollins and Springfield arrived soon after, Tillman was being beaten by unknown attackers, and the two friends intervened to help Tillman and were shot.

Rollins called his father at about 10pm Friday and managed to only say 'help.'

The father jumped into his car and went to where his son had said he was going fishing.

'When he arrived he found his son Brandon barely alive, and his two friends deceased,' the sheriff's office said in a press release.

'Brandon was able to say a few things to his dad, which we are not releasing at this time.'

Rollins' father had left his home without his cellphone, so he returned to a nearby gas station and called 911, the sheriff's office said.

'I was just so upset last night, I just didn't know what to do,' said Cyril Rollins, the father of Brandon.

'We heard some background and they fussing all that,' he told WFLA 8.

'But I left, I went on out here. When I got there I was looking for my son. It was a mess.

'I found my son. I was holding him he was telling me what happened but I was too shocked to know what was going on.'

When authorities arrived at the scene, all three men were dead.

Grady Judd, sheriff of Polk Country, said the 'horrific' scene was among the worst he'd seen

'This is a horrific scene,' said Judd.

'I've been to a lot of murder scenes in my life and this ranks among the worst I've been to.'

The sheriff said they believe there was more than one killer, and that the victims knew their murderers.

'We are seeking leads; we need help so we can solve this crime sooner rather than later because there are one or more, we suspected more, murderers that killed three people in a quiet community,' he said.

Judd added that the suspect or suspects may have known the men.

'You don't just stumble upon somebody out here,' he said.

'It's not like there's a lot of people around here.

'As you can see, it's cow pastures and lakes.'

Police have issued a $5,000 reward for information over the attack.

Rollins's girlfriend Jessica Steenson told WFLA 8 that the sheriff promised to find the killers.

'That he will not stop until justice is served for them three boys, my boyfriend, and his two best friends,' she said.

'I moved here from Jacksonville, Florida, for him two years ago and this is not how it was supposed to be and I want justice for him.

'And I will not stop until he gets it.'

Dottie Payton, Rollins's mother, said she too wants justice to be done.

'I want it to be served the right way and I'm sure they're out there watching and seeing what's going on and they need to come forward,' she said.
" " Joanna the Mad (as this Spanish queen was known) was rumored to caress the corpse of her husband Philip. DeAgostini/Getty Images

Our understanding and treatment of mental illness has advanced quite a bit over the centuries -- and thank goodness for that. It wasn't so long ago that people who had been deemed "mad" (among other things) were routinely locked up and basically left to rot away in deplorable conditions. It was considered shameful and embarrassing to have an insane person in the family.

But what if that person happened to be the most powerful person in the country? Dealing with a mad monarch takes more than a little finesse. He or she could choose to execute the royal physician for suggesting that he or she might not be fit to rule. Meanwhile the country is falling into ruin. And in many places, the monarch was considered to have been divinely appointed, so questioning authority is akin to questioning one's god.

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This is why history is full of royals who may not have been diagnosed as mentally ill by a medical professional, but whose actions and behaviors have qualified as "crazy" to the layperson. We'll start with a possible case of mistaken identity just to complicate things.
By Express News Service

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Kerala Opposition, which has until now been demanding for the ouster of Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan owing to his office coming under a cloud of smoke in the gold smuggling case, has come up with a latest demand that a stage has come where he should be questioned.

Opposition Leader Ramesh Chennithala opined that the State has become consultancy Raj after consultant agencies have been appointed against the central CPM leaderships decision. Chennithala alleged that Pinarayi is a party to treason when Sandeep Nair, one of the key suspects in the case had claimed that M. Sivasankar, the former principal secretary to the CM had helped the suspects in the gold smuggling.

Talking to reporters at Cantonment House here, Chennithala unleashed his tirade against Pinarayi. He alleged that the Chief Minister has deliberately feigned ignorance about what is happening in his office. He maintained that Pinarayi has been cheating the people. Replying to the allegation of chief minister that the Opposition has been trying to defame the LDF Government, Chennithala said only if the ruling Government has any image, he can come up with such a claim.

They never had that quality to boast about, he said. Pinarayi had been claiming that those officials who had committed mistakes would be punished. If thats the case, then Pinarayi should also be questioned. Pinarayi had claimed that he is not aware of whats happening in his office. Moreover, party secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan had said in a television interview that it is surprising that Pinarayi was not aware of his former principal secretary being smart, said Chennithala.

The Opposition Leader also said that the Chief Minister cannot run away from the moral responsibility as CMO is having links in the gold smuggling case. He also demanded to know from the Chief Minister whether the LDF Government had taken a decision to cancel the consultancy agreement given to London based PricewaterhouseCoopers as there has been lack of clarity on it.

Chennithala also blamed the lapse of the LDF Government in combating the Covid -19 pandemic. Government should become a corrective force in combating the corona virus when so far they resorted to public exercise to garner the attention of the people. Out of 38 Covid -19 deaths so far, 24 of them were diagnosed with the virus after their death. The State Government should ensure 30,000 tests per day where its outcome should be known within 24 hours as per ICMR guidelines, added Chennithala.
Every individual has their own priorities and our priority is to handle the Covid crisis. However, some feel that the coronavirus pandemic will vanish by erecting the Ram Temple, said Nationalist Congress Party president Sharad Pawar indirectly hitting out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to lay the foundation stone (bhumi pujan) for the Ram Temple on August 5, according to the priests of Ayodhya. Pawar is currently on a tour of Solapur as it has the highest Covid-19 case fatality rate in Maharashtra (6.85%). According to the state health department as of July 19, Solapur has 5,615 progressive positive cases, 2,469 recovered patients, 385 deaths and 2,761 active cases.

Pawar added, Our priority is to handle the pandemic and effects of lockdown on industries, small businessmen and bring the overall economy back on track. I dont want a tussle between the Centre and the state government and urge all to work together to solve the Covid crisis. I will visit Delhi along with other MPs and speak to central government representatives about various issues.

Pawar and Maharashtra health minister Rajesh Tope were in Solapur to review the districts Covid-19 preparedness.

I am not part of the government. As I have personal affiliation with cities like Solapur, Kolhapur, Nashik and Jalgaon, which have more Covid-19 cases, I am visiting these cities. I will submit my observations and demands to the chief minister, deputy chief minister and others.

Promotion of plasma therapy

Health minister Rajesh Tope said, We are planning to promote plasma therapy and have allowed its implementation at 18 places, mainly hospitals, which are affiliated to medical colleges. As the case fatality rate in Solapur is high, I was instructed to promote institutional quarantine facilities in Solapur and not allow home quarantine facilities here.
DUBAI (Reuters) - President Hassan Rouhani said on Saturday that some 25 million Iranians may have been infected with coronavirus, as Iran reimposed restrictions in the capital and elsewhere. The figure, from a report Rouhani cited in a televised speech, was far higher than Saturday's official figure for infections of 271,606, and corresponds to more than 30% of Iran's 80 million population

DUBAI (Reuters) - President Hassan Rouhani said on Saturday that some 25 million Iranians may have been infected with coronavirus, as Iran reimposed restrictions in the capital and elsewhere.

The figure, from a report Rouhani cited in a televised speech, was far higher than Saturday's official figure for infections of 271,606, and corresponds to more than 30% of Iran's 80 million population.

Rouhani's office said the number of infections was based on an "estimated scenario" from a health ministry research report.

Iran has been the Middle East country hardest hit by the COVID-19 pandemic, with infections and deaths rising sharply since restrictions were eased, beginning in mid-April.

"Our estimate is that so far 25 million Iranians have been infected with this virus and about 14,000 have lost their lives," Rouhani said.

He added that "there is the possibility that between 30 and 35 million more people will be at risk", but did not elaborate on what he meant.

More than 200,000 people have been hospitalised, he said, adding the ministry expected that another 200,000 might need hospital treatment in the coming months.

An official at the government's coronavirus task force said the 25 million people mentioned by Rouhani were "mildly affected patients who ... did not need to seek medical advice", the semi-official news agency ISNA reported.

The Health Ministry reported 188 deaths in the previous 24 hours to take Iran's total to 13,979.

Authorities on Saturday reimposed restrictions for a week in the capital Tehran, including banning religious and cultural functions, closing boarding schools, cafes, indoor pools, amusement parks and zoos.

From Sunday, 22 cities and towns in the southwestern Khuzestan province will be under a three-day lockdown, the province's governorate announced on Saturday.

That will include Behbahan, where police on Thursday fired tear gas into a crowd protesting over economic hardships.

(Editing by Jason Neely and Clelia Oziel)

This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed.
A resident of Hasang-dong area in Siheung, Gyeonggi Province, some 16 kilometers southeast of Incheon, reported on July 16 of finding a 4-5 millimeter-long larva, above, from household tap water in the washroom. Yonhap



By Ko Dong-hwan



More citizens have reported bugs in their tap water, after the Incheon government launched an on-site investigation of the city's water distribution system following earlier complaints.



The additional reports, 15 from Seo-gu and one from Ganghwa County, came in last Friday and Saturday. During the period, meanwhile, 24 new reports were made from the two regions.



After the first report of chironomus plumosus, also known as the buzzer midge, in the city's tap water on July 9, the number of complaints peaked at 55 last Wednesday, with reports coming from Incheon and Siheung. The daily figure from then on dropped to 16 until last Saturday.



The bugs, according to the city, seem to have originated from a purification plant in Seo-gu's Gongchon-dong area, where the eggs were laid. The authority said larvae could have been transmitted to water pipes that connect to households in the regions.



The city said Sunday that the bugs found in the Gongchon purification plant and those found from households were the "same species," bolstering the theory the bugs were carried from the plant to the households.



Seo-gu and Ganghwa share the plant as a tap water provider.





The purification plant in Incheon's Gongchon-dong, above, is believed to be the hotbed of the city's latest tap water bug infestation. Courtesy of Incheon City Government
Indias largest private sector mortgage financier Housing Development Finance Corporation (HDFC ) Ltd has finalised a legion of as many as 19 merchant banks for its fundraising exercise aimed at raising up to Rs 14,000 crore and bolstering its balance sheet, multiple sources with knowledge of the matter told Moneycontrol.

This is arguably the biggest consortium of merchant bankers/advisors ever taken on board by an Indian corporate for fundraising purposes in the equity capital markets and sets a new record for India Inc, these sources said. Moneycontrol was the first to report the finance powerhouses fundraising plans on June 17, 2020.

Morgan Stanley, Kotak Mahindra Capital, Bofa Securities, Jefferies, JP Morgan, Citi, Nomura, HSBC Securities, BNP Paribas, Credit Suisse, UBS, Goldman Sachs, SBI Capital, ICICI Securities, JM Financial, Motilal Oswal, Axis Capital, HDFC Bank and IIFL Capital are the 19 merchant banks which have been shortlisted by HDFC Ltd, said an individual familiar with ongoing deliberations.

Three other individuals confirmed the names and quantum of the merchant bankers.

Typically, corporates engage multiple merchant banks for big-bang fund raises which can turn out to be complex, logistically challenging exercises and may be carried out in one or more tranches. Global and domestic merchant bankers are key to the success of these exercises and are involved in several aspects of the transaction based on their respective strengths. These include marketing the issue in India and overseas, tapping marque investors, due diligence and documentation, compliance and coordination with various parties including regulators amongst other functions.

Earlier this year, Reliance Industries had appointed 14 merchant bankers for its Rs 53,000 crore rights issue which kicked off on March 20, 2020. This was Indias biggest ever equity fund raise and the worlds biggest by a non-financial issuer in the last ten years.

Another instance of a big clutch of advisors being engaged was Bharti Infratels 2012 IPO which raised Rs 4,118 crore and had 13 merchant bankers. The Rs 4500 crore Mindspace Business Parks REIT IPO backed by K Raheja Corp and Blackstone, which is likely to be launched later this month, also has 13 merchant bankers on board, a second individual added.

HDFC Ltd is mulling a QIP of NCD + Warrants but hasnt taken a final call on the fundraising mechanism as yet or the number of tranches. The fund raise is likely to be launched in August post shareholder approval, a third individual told Moneycontrol.

HDFC Ltd has raised capital via the NCD + warrants route on two earlier occasions: in 2009 and 2015. The 43rd AGM of the firm is scheduled to be held on July 30, 2020. Other financial sector heavyweights like ICICI Bank and Axis Bank are also looking to raise up to Rs 15,000 crore each and strengthen their respective capital buffers.

All the four individuals spoke to Moneycontrol on condition of anonymity.

JP Morgan, Goldman Sachs, HSBC Securities, ICICI Securities, Credit Suisse, UBS and Jefferies declined to comment in response to an email query from Moneycontrol. Moneycontrol is awaiting an email response from HDFC Ltd and the other merchant banks and will update this article as soon as we hear from them.

HDFC Ltd: On the prowl for M&A?

On June 19, 2020, HDFC Ltd announced that the fundraising exercise was aimed at augmenting its long term resources, finance organic and inorganic business opportunities that may arise in financial services including housing finance and /or in areas where its subsidiaries operate, and to maintain sufficient liquidity and for general corporate purposes.

In the emerging scenario, there may be 'inorganic opportunities' for Housing Development Finance Corporation's (HDFC) group companies, HDFC Chairman Deepak Parekh said on July 2. He added that the company has identified new investment opportunities and some of its subsidiaries will require additional capital for their expansion plans.

The company reported a standalone profit of Rs 2,232.5 crore for the quarter ended March 2020, declining 22 percent due to higher provisions related to COVID-19 and high base last year. Provisions (expected credit loss) increased significantly to Rs 1,274 crore for the quarter ended March 2020 which included the impact of COVID-19, against Rs 398 crore in March quarter 2019.

HDFC said it has made provisions of Rs 10,988 crore as of March 31. This is Rs 6,800 crore over and above the regulatory requirement. To be sure, HDFC Ltd has a capital adequacy of 17.7 percent (of which 16.6 percent is tier one capital), which is one of the highest in the financial sector in India.

The gross non-performing loans as of March 31, 2020, stood at Rs 8,908 crore. This is equivalent to 1.99 percent of the loan portfolio. The non-performing loans of the individual portfolio stood at 0.95 percent while that of the non-individual portfolio stood at 4.71 percent.
The Houston Chronicles Live Updates blog documents the latest events in the coronavirus outbreak in the Houston area, the state of Texas and across the U.S. with a focus on health and economic impacts.

The Houston Chronicles ongoing coverage is available to subscribers. Subscribe now for full access and to support our work.

Total coronavirus cases:

 326,895 cases in Texas, including 3,918 deaths.

 78,787 in the Houston region, including 753 deaths.

 More than 3.7 million in the U.S., including 140,103 deaths. Click here to see a U.S. map with state-by-state death tolls and coronavirus case counts.

 More than 14 million in the world, with more than 600,000 deaths. More than 8 million people have recovered. You can view the worldwide totals here.

Resources on COVID-19 and Texas' reopening: Use our interactive page to track the spread of cases through Harris County and the rest of Texas. For a detailed look at our state, check out the Chronicle's Texas Coronavirus Map. To get regular updates on our coverage, sign up for our coronavirus newsletter.

Latest updates from today:

9 p.m. Well-known Houston restaurant owner Vincent Bubba Mandola died of COVID-19, his family announced Sunday.

Mandola is best known for opening a trio of restaurants on West Dallas Street Nino's, Vincent's and Grappino's  that became Houston favorites. He also owns Pronto Cucino in Montrose.

The Mandola family has lost one of our own to Covid, according to a statement from the family, shared on the Mandolas Deli Facebook page. Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife, children, grandchildren and siblings. Vincents many friends and cousins, including Frank, will miss him dearly His staff and loyal patrons will miss him too.

7:30 p.m. Texas on Sunday reported the lowest positive test rate in nine days, according to a Houston Chronicle analysis of state data.

The rate dropped from 16.05 percent to 15.03 percent. The state also saw the lowest single-day increase in new cases and deaths over the last two weeks, as fewer counties reported updated case numbers,

The statewide total rose from 326,895 to 334,586 -- an increase of 7,691 cases. Another 73 deaths brought the statewide fatality count to 3,991.



The counties that did not issue updates Sunday included Fort Bend and McLennan counties. The state's seven-day rolling average for new cases is now 10,261.9, a slight increase from Saturday.



The Houston region's case count rose by 1,107 cases to 79,894. Harris County added 963 new cases today and is now at 55,769 total. There have been 757 deaths in the Houston region, up 4 from Saturday.

Statewide, there were 10,592 patients hospitalized for lab-confirmed COVID-19, a slight decrease from Saturday. There are 11,072 beds available, including 943 ICU beds available.

- Reporter Matt Dempsey

5 p.m. The Houston Health Department is partnering with several outside agencies to provide free COVID-19 testing sites this week.

Texas Division of Emergency Management will will operate drive-thru testing sites, available by appointment only, at the following locations:

Sinclair Elementary School, 6410 Grovewood Lane,

Eden Event Center, 7450 N. Wayside

Crosby Community Center, 409 Hare Road, Crosby

Crump Stadium, 12321 High Star Dr.

HCC-Northeast Campus, 555 Community College Dr.

HCC  South Campus, 1990 Airport Blvd

Appointments can be made by calling 844-778-255 or visiting txcovidtest.org.

United Memorial Medical Center also will offer weekday testing at drive-thru test sites at the Southwest Multi-Service Center, 6400 High Star; Houston Community College-Southeast, 6815 Rustic; and Houston Community College-Felix Fraga, 301 N. Drennan St.

These sites do not require appointments. They operate from 8a.m. to 3 p.m. or until reaching the daily capacity of 250 tests.

Visit the city's website for a more complete list of testing sites.

4 p.m. The Houston Health Department reported 706 new cases of COVID-19 Sunday, bringing the city's total to 36,101. Three new deaths brought the fatality count to 322.

Newly reported cases in Houston have declined since Thursday, when the city reported roughly 1,000 new cases.

11:11 a.m. Gov. Greg Abbott announced Sunday that the U.S. Department of Defense would send Navy medical personnel to south Texas to help local hospitals manage the COVID-19 outbreak.

The federal teams will staff hospitals in Harlingen, Del Rio, Eagle Pass and Rio Grande City.

"I am grateful for this ongoing partnership with the Department of Defense and the U.S. Navy, and the State of Texas will continue to utilize every resource available to protect public health and keep Texans in every community safe," Abbott said.
Image: Twitter/@AamAadmiParty

Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLA Atishi, who recently recovered from COVID-19, took to Twitter on Saturday to say that she is now eligible to donate her plasma for plasma therapy that has gained currency among doctors in India to treat critically ill coronavirus patients.

Atishi added that she will be donating plasma at Delhi government's plasma bank in Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences (ILBS) on Sunday.



Happy to share that Im now eligible for donating plasma, as per medical protocols. I will be donating plasma at Delhi Govts plasma bank in ILBS today! https://t.co/iWoyQ2VuIC

 Atishi (@AtishiAAP) July 18, 2020

Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal, who has frequently urged Delhiites that have recovered from the deadly disease to come forward and donate plasma, commended the 39-year-old tweeting "V good Atishi!" in response to her tweet.

The MLA from Kalkaji constituency of South Delhi had tested positive for COVID-19 last month becoming the third MLA from AAP to contract the deadly virus after Vishesh Ravi and Rajkumar Anand.



According to the Union health ministry, Delhi has 120,107 cases of COVID-19 with 3,571 deaths so far. Close 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 Related stories Punjab Elections | AAP takes a calculated risk in naming Bhagwant Mann its CM face

Co-working firm Awfis plans to double office centres to 200 this year

Goa Assembly Polls 2022 | AAP, TMC further muddy the waters for Congress

"Happy to share that I'm now eligible for donating plasma, as per medical protocols. I will be donating plasma at Delhi Govt's plasma bank in ILBS today," the AAP tweeted.
Srinagar, July 19 : The Jammu and Kashmir government on Sunday cleared the way for the formation of a real estate authority in the Union Territory, an official statement said.

"The Administrative Council, which met here under the chairmanship of Lt Governor, G. C. Murmu, accorded sanction to the draft Jammu and Kashmir Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Rules, 2020 under the Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Act, 2016, which has been recently made applicable to the Union Territory by way of an Adaptation Order issued by Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India.

"The decision will facilitate establishment of Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Authority in the Union Territory for regulation and promotion of the real estate sector which includes sale of plots, apartments, building and real estate projects, in an efficient and transparent manner," it said.

The proposed authority will also protect the interest of consumers through established adjudicating mechanism for speedy dispute redressal, the statement added.

According to the statement, the new rules make it mandatory for all real estate projects and real estate agents to receive prior registration through a web-based online system.

"As such, details about the promoter in respect of track record, real estate projects executed, litigations, as well as details regarding registered agents, consultants, developmental plans, financial details among others will be made public." The Rules, in addition to defining powers of the Authority and Appellate Tribunal and prescribing penalties, have provisions for filing of complaint by aggrieved persons with the Authority for any violation under the Real Estate (Regulation and Development), Act, 2016, it said.

The Rules also provide for preparation of budget, maintenance of accounts and filing of an annual report by the Authority.

"The augmented legal framework in Jammu and Kashmir will bring transparency and boost investments in the real estate sector and bring a paradigm shift in working of the real estate industry," the statement added.
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.




Indigenous leader Jacinta Nampijinpa Price has slammed 'privileged' Meghan Markle for spreading a 'false narrative' of the Black Lives Matter movement.

The Alice Springs councillor called out the Suits star after she and Prince Harry filmed a video encouraging people to be 'a little uncomfortable' when tackling racism.

'Black Lives Matter continues to push a false narrative. There are a lot of people with a lot of goodwill who think by jumping on the bandwagon they are supporting Aboriginal Australians, but they are doing the exact opposite,' Ms Price told the Daily Telegraph.

Scroll down for video

Indigenous leader Jacinta Nampijinpa Price has slammed Meghan Markle for spreading a 'false narrative' of the Black Lives Matter movement

The Alice Springs councillor called out Meghan and Prince Harry after they filmed a video encouraging people to be 'a little uncomfortable' when tackling racism

Just weeks after her relative was bashed into a coma by her indigenous boyfriend, Ms Price said Black Lives Matter supporters only tend to care when the perpetrator is white.

'There is no interest in learning the truth. Aboriginal people are dying at a far greater rate at the hands of other Aboriginal people - that is something this movement is not interested in,' she said.

Ms Price described Markle as a 'woman of great privilege' who is 'completely removed from reality and circumstances on the ground'.

'Her lending her voice to the Black Lives Matter movement is silencing the voices of those people in the communities who are vulnerable to black-on-black crime,' she said.

Ms Price said said several of her family members have been murdered, including one woman who was stabbed to death by her ex-boyfriend a decade ago.

Since the alleged murder of African-American father George Floyd at the hands of a cop in Minnesota, Black Lives Matter supporters have been calling for police to be defunded.

But Ms Price said the push is 'ridiculous' when the 'most vulnerable members of society' are African-Americans.

She said that here in Australia, indigenous women and children who are suffering sexual abuse and family violence, need the support of police and authorities.

Black Lives Matter protests swept the U.S. and Australia in June, but Ms Price said the movement has actually created a 'racial divide' in our nation.

Prince Harry, 35, and Markle, 38, filmed the video earlier this month from their $11million California mansion during a call with young leaders from the Queen's Commonwealth Trust.

As part of the discussion on 'justice and equal rights', the Duchess of Sussex said people have to 'acknowledge whatever mistakes we've all made'.

Prince Harry, 35, and Markle, 38, filmed the video earlier this month from their $11million California mansion during a call with young leaders from the Queen's Commonwealth Trust

The Alice Springs councillor said Black Lives Matter supporters only tend to care when the perpetrator is white

'You have to look at each of us, individually. What have we done in our past that we put our hand up to,' she said.

'This is a moment of reckoning where so many people go: 'I need to own that. Maybe I didn't do the right thing there. I knew what I knew, but maybe it's a time to reset in a different way.'

Referring to the changes that need to be made, Meghan said the change requires people to feel 'uncomfortable' but come through the other side.

'We're going to have to be a little uncomfortable right now, because it's only in pushing through that discomfort that we get to the other side of this and find the place where a high tide raises all ships.

'Equality does not put anyone on the back foot, it puts us all on the same footing - which is a fundamental human right.'

Markle, who became the first mixed race person to marry a senior British royal, also highlighted the 'quiet moments' of unconscious bias as a key issue, drawing on her own 'personal experience'.

Ms Price described Markle as a 'woman of great privilege' who is 'completely removed from reality and circumstances on the ground'. Pictured: Prince Harry Meghan watch aboriginal dances at Victoria Park in Dubbo in 2018

Prince Harry admitted to having his own 'unconscious bias'. Pictured with Indiginous Australian Joe Gala during his visit to Fraser Island, in Queensland on October 22, 2018

Prince Harry said the Commonwealth needs to follow others who have 'acknowledged the past' and are 'trying to right their wrongs'. Pictured with aboriginal man Joe Gala on Fraser Island during the Duke and Duchess of Sussex's visit to Australia in 2018

'It's not even in the big moments right? It's in the quiet moments where racism and unconscious bias lies and hides and thrives,' she said.

She added: 'So much of what I've come to the understanding of, especially in learning even more about it of late, and obviously having had personal experience with it as well, in people's complacency, they're complicit.'

Harry added that the Commonwealth needs to follow others who have 'acknowledged the past' and are 'trying to right their wrongs,' and admitted to having his own 'unconscious bias'.

'When you look across the Commonwealth, there is no way that we can move forward unless we acknowledge the past,' he said.

'So many people have done such an incredible job of acknowledging the past and trying to right those wrongs, but I think we all acknowledge there is so much more still to do.'
News

Washington, DC - For years, the Swamp has interfered in the lives of private American citizens by piling regulations on nearly every form of economic activity. This expert rule from Washington has created thousands of jobs for bureaucrats while costing everyone else time, money, andfor manytheir careers.

Today, President Trump announced more results from his Administrations historic regulatory relief efforts. The White House Council of Economic Advisers (CEA) estimates that just 20 of the Administrations deregulatory actions will save U.S. consumers and businesses over $220 billion per year.

What does that mean for your family? According to the CEA, President Trumps deregulation program is projected to boost household incomes by upwards of $3,100 annually in the years ahead.

These benefits will take many forms: Americans will have access to cheaper cars, and patients will save nearly 10 percent on prescription drugs. Most important, these rollbacks on everyday items will help blue-collar and middle-class Americans significantly more than the richest among us.

Overregulation falls disproportionately on the shoulders of lower-income families, who spend a larger share of their incomes on heavily regulated goods and services. Those purchases include transportation, food, and healthcare. Government labor-market burdens also cost American jobs by causing workers to be replaced with lower-cost machines.
<! Arotile and Fani-Kayode >

Former Aviation Minister, Femi Fani-Kayode on Saturday said the idea that highly celebrated 23-year-old helicopter pilot, Tolu Arotile was killed by being knocked down at the Airforce Base by her best friends car is nonsensical.

Arotile, Nigerias first female combat helicopter pilot, died after sustaining head injuries from a road traffic accident at the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) Base in Kaduna on Tuesday.

Reacting to the development, Fani-Kayode said Arotiles death was sad and tragic.

According to him, The death of the highly celebrated 23 year old helicopter pilot, Tolu Arotile, is sad & tragic. She was courageous & formidable in battle, doing much harm to Boko Haram.

The idea that she was killed by being knocked down on the Airforce Base by her best friends car is nonsensical. Who is this best friend and what is his/her name?

Fani-Kayode added: I suspect that Tolu was murdered and the truth is bring covered up. I urge the Chief of Air Staff to investigate this matter thoroughly. So much is being read into it and it does not augur well for the reputation of the Air Force

Justice must be done. May Tolus soul rest in peace and may the Lord comfort her parents and family.

Related
Emlen Bage overseeing the papaya saplings she has planted

A tribal woman who rose against all odds to become agri-entrepreneur is currently inspiring others with her motto of organic farming

Once getting the confidence to move ahead in life, she started reaching to the government and different organisations to know about developmental schemes and how to avail them. In 2016, due to her continuous effort, her SHG was nominated by Jharkhand State Livelihood Promotion Society (JSLPS) in her panchayat to receive farm implements (a power tiller, a pump set, an electronic sprayer set for fertiliser, pipe for drip irrigation- 35 pieces, a paddy threshing machine, and a drum for mixing manure) worth Rs 2 lakh.

Emlen Bage making her organic fertilizer





Emlen is passionate about farming. She proudly says, I took 66 decimal of land on lease and cultivate vegetables and cereals through jaivik farming. She is ardent propagator of sustainable farming. According to her, the organic farming costs much less as the ingredients required to prepare organic fertilisers and pesticides are locally available and practically have no cost.

She makes her organic fertilisers like kechua khad (vermicompost), jivamrit (fertiliser), ghana jivamrit, and agniastra (an organic insecticide). The crops retain most of their natural values and are fresh and healthy. For her, chemical fertiliser is a thing of the past now. For three years now, she has been successfully growing organic vegetables and selling them in nearby markets.

Her motto is quite simple,  ,  ,         [(I will) plant organic, eat fresh, be healthy and at the same time, save the environment too].

In early 2020, Emlen Bage took technical training on Improved Papaya Nursery Raising, a one-day training programme from Indian Council of Agricultural Research- Research Complex for Eastern Region (ICAR-RCER) in Plandu, Ranchi along with other farmers of Lohardaga and Gumla District. This detailed training programme helped her to understand the village entrepreneurship model.

She studied the establishment of a nursery, maintenance, usage of fertilizers and appropriate tools. She also received some input materials like papaya seeds and poly bags for nursery raising under the Tribal Sub Plan of ICAR-AICRP on fruits from ICAR, Ranchi. I was very inspired, I thought I can raise a papaya fruit nursery and sell the seedlings.

She took it as a challenge and built her papaya nursery and raised almost 5,000 papaya seedlings of both, hybrid variety (Red Lady) and local variety (Ranchi Local) in her homestead. She sold these papaya seedlings to more than 50 farmers in and around her Panchayat during the lockdown period. She says:

Initially, because of the lockdown, it was difficult to sell the seedlings, people did not have enough cash to buy the seedlings. I reduced the prices and also asked to pay me later. I had contacted farmers who were interested to cultivate papaya and reached out to 45-50 farmers. I earned around Rs 30,000 by selling the hybrid variety plants at the rate of Rs 12-15 and local variety plants at Rs 5 during the lockdown.

Emlen Bage is currently planning to expand her organic nursery farm of just planting papaya to other fruits and vegetables by using this hard-earned money and through different linkages. She, thus, plans to expand her nursery and convert it into a full-fledged business.

Even in the difficult times as of Covid-19 pandemic, when a huge number of reverse migrations were occurring due to lockdown in our country, Emlen Bage stood against all the odds to show how a village economy can fight this epidemic all being just self-reliant. Her journey has been an extraordinary one, not because of the problems she faced but how she faced those problems, with dignity. She, thus, proudly establishes her identity as a female agri-entrepreneur.

She has compared this return with her experience. She has expressed how to create opportunities for them, so they will never want to go to cities for the livelihood, "Now, our sisters and brothers are returning back from cities to their villages. I also returned from a city, but now I am standing at a place where I dont have to depend upon anyone. It is a necessity that we pave new ways for our worker brothers and sisters, and stop them going back to cities."

---

*B.Tech from Biju Patnaik University of Technology, Odisha and MA in development studies from IIT, Guwahati, Chandrashekhar is development practitioner, working with rural communities in Jharkhand. Kriti is studying English (hons) at Lady Shri Ram College, Delhi University, and works as content writer; she has worked with student-run start-up, Shelfebook, facilitating educational material These schemes by the government and non-government organisations have proved advantageous for her. She urges others to benefit from such projects. Nowadays, there are many schemes and programmes that our government and several organisations are curating, we just need to connect with such schemes. Women have to step out of the houses, as we will gain nothing while sitting in our homes." The same year, she also received a drip machine through the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) project. She is even working as an active woman in Jharkhand Opportunities for Harnessing Rural Growth (JOHAR) Project and, had formed a Producer Group to start collective farming and collective marketing for small scale farmers.

Who is a farmer? Type this question in the google search and check out the images? You can see men thronging the screen. This is the popular perception around the globe. Well one can understand how difficult it would be for a woman to defy this perception. Breaking this stereotype is Emlen Bage, a rising entrepreneur in the agriculture sector. Her journey from a migrant labour to a farmer and an agriculture entrepreneur is no less inspiring. A native of Rania village in the Khunti district of Jharkhand, Emlen belongs to the Munda tribe of Jharkhand and speaks fluent Mundari, Sadri, and Hindi.A strict follower of routine, she sets to work sharp at 6 a.m. for her nursery. She remembers fondly, going into a haze of her sweet memories and says, "I have always followed a routine in my life since childhood throughout my marriage, I am still following it. I would work hard and then also take out time for the studies. Although education seemed inaccessible, she relentlessly pursued her education and almost completed her graduation.After her marriage, she stayed with her husband in Durgapur, West Bengal, for five years till 2003, where he used to work as wage labourer in a fertilizer company. The company closed down in 2002, and they both tried to find menial jobs in Durgapur but unable to sustain for long they returned to Latehar, her husband's native place.In search of better prospects for income and their child's education, they shifted to Kuru village in Lohardaga district and bought four decimals of land after taking loan from a relative. After settling down, she immediately joined an SHG named Mukti Mahila Mandal promoted by Pradan and started saving and credit activities. For her, joining Mahila Mukti Mandal was a new family.A tragedy struck home in 2006 as her husband succumbed to brain malaria and her effort to save him dried up their entire savings. An existing bank loan for a tractor became a burden for the family whose repaying responsibility fell upon her. She was devastated. But it was not the end of her story.During her tough times, Mukti Mahila Mandal, her self-help group (SHG), became her backbone and gave her a new breath of life. Mukti Mahila Mandal, thus, became an essential part of her life as they not only helped her in her financial needs, but they also provided her with the required emotional and social support.She talks very fondly about them, Mukti Mahila Mandal is my extended family, it has been there for me throughout my ups and downs and has always boosted my morale, it is because of didis that I have made an identity for myself." With their help, she started indulging in social work and learnt useful skills, most importantly, leadership.In 2013, she became the first executive member of Block Level Federation (BLF) and was trained on women's rights and empowerment by Pradan under the National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM) project. In 2014, she went for an exposure training to Society for Elimination of Rural Poverty (SERP), Andhra Pradesh where she learnt about the community-level work done by women, and how they are supporting each other and uplifting the community at the same time.She was highly impressed by this model and started applying this in her village. Inspired by the exposure, she took a loan of Rs 50,000 in the same year to start a stationery shop and later expanded it to a cosmetic shop to finally become financially independent.The next year, in 2015, she got the opportunity to visit Kudumbashree, Kerala, where she understood about the Pandhayati Raj Institute-Community Based Organization (PRI-CBO) collaboration through which several government schemes especially social security schemes were efficiently delivered to the last mile person. She even observed their organic-based farming which stayed there in her heart, on which she later started working.
Mumbai, July 19 : Warning of heavy job-losses by August, the Shopping Centres Association of India (SCAI) has urged the Maharashtra government on Sunday to urgently consider reopening the malls in the state.

In a memorandum to Tourism Minister Aditya Thackeray, the SCAI said at least five million (50 lakhs) jobs could be hit if the malls - shut since nearly mid-March due to the Covid-19 pandemic - are not reopened soon.

The SCAI has over 75 malls in the state, with more than 50 percent in Mumbai Metropolitan Region, besides 20 percent in Pune and the rest scattered across other cities, and plans of another 30 new malls are currently on hold.

Due to freeze in revenues in lockdown, the entire retail industry is hit hard, they can't meet routine expenses and salaries of staff, stocks worth crores of rupees will be damaged even as the industry has piled up losses of over Rs 100,000-crore, said SCI Chairman Amitabh Taneja.

"We have already taken several measures to maintain safety and hygiene, all Covid precautions," said Mukesh Kumar, SCAI's SOP Committee Chairman and CEO of Infiniti Malls, urging for reopening of the malls.

Taneja said several states have already opened up their 500 malls since June 8 with stringent SOPs implemented, including Delhi, Gurugram, Hyderabad, Chandigarh, Lucknow, Jaipur, Ahmedabad, Bhopal Agartala, Siliguri, Raiganj, Indore, Cuttack, etc.

CEO of Viviana Malls Manoj K. Agarwal just as other states have expressed confidence in the malls to strictly adhere to Corona guidelines for safe shopping the state government should also permit controlled operations for the industry's survival.

Palladium and High Street Phoenix malls President (West) Rajendra Kalkar said in Bangalore, Lucknow and Bareilly, serious shoppers are coming unlike the times when malls were seen as a hangout destination, and there is increased demand in certain categories like electronics, cosmetics, apparels, etc.

Taneja said that after the capping of visitors, crowd control and strict safety measures implemented, a recent quick survey revealed that malls are the safest places to visit.

SCAI has also recommended its own set of guidelines to Aditya Thackeray after malls are reopened including crowd control by adopting a 75 sq ft per person formula, mandatory Aarogya Setu app, single-shift operations with around 30-40 percent staff, food courts and restaurants seating at 50 per cent, reduced parking, encouraging contactless payments, isolation room facility, availability of oxygen cylinders, etc.
Britain has heard the call for reparations and ignored it for decades.

When the case for reparations is made, we are told to move on as then-British Prime Minister David Cameron put it to Jamaican politicians four years ago. When statues of imperialists and slaveowners come down, we are told that we are trying to bowdlerise or edit our history as Boris Johnson has recently said.

In other words, the conservatives insist we move on when the conversation of colonialism or slavery comes up, and when the statues that memorialise them come down, we are condemned for trying to move on from history. They cannot seem to make up their mind, but that should not be an obstacle to self-determination in its former (and some current) colonies. And that is what the case for reparations is about: self-determination.

On July 6, Caribbean Community (CARICOM)  an organisation of 15 countries in the Caribbean  renewed its calls for reparations, emphasising their importance for the second stage of independence in the Caribbean.

We were not given a development compact, Prime Minister Mia Mottley of Barbados argued, we were given political independence. According to her, the Caribbean has made great strides to reverse legal inequalities. But only reparations could help overcome the psychological, sociological, and economical inequalities that exist within Caribbean countries and between them and their former colonisers.

Here in Europe, progressives should understand that this is a call to action.

In his reflections on his friendship with Pan-Africanist George Padmore, the late Trinidadian scholar CLR James recalled that roughly 10 of his friends, mostly West Indian, were the ones that were agitating for the independence of Africa. They reared, trained and prepared young Africans to take the reign of government. They were all based in London, including several people who would become the first heads of states in their own independent countries.

Most of the people, he recalled, looked upon us as well-meaning but politically illiterate West Indians. The conversation for independence had not yet become mainstream, and some even said it would not happen for another 100 or so years. That was in 1935, only 20 years before the process would begin.

Now there are two reasons why this history is instructive. First, because the case for reparations, inspired by the works of thinkers like CLR James, Eric Williams, and Walter Rodney, is itself rooted in radical West Indian tradition that led to the agitation of African and Caribbean independence, and is indeed a continuation of that struggle.

Second, because that legacy of bringing the fight to London implied that the struggle could not be waged in the Caribbean and Africa alone. If the Caribbean right now is advancing the cause for reparations, then we need to bring that frame of thought and action back. People of African descent everywhere have to see this struggle through. There has never been a more opportune moment than the present, when we are fighting for the cause of Black lives.

At the University of Cambridge, there is a continuing inquiry into the legacies of slavery set to finish in 2022. In the best-case scenario, if all of the constitutive colleges get their act together and stop pedalling the simplistic lie that their only contribution to the slave trade was to train abolitionists, then the inquiry will follow the lead made by Glasgow University.

In 2019, Glasgow University publicly acknowledged its links to slavery and promised to raise and spend $26m in a reparative justice programme, which would include the establishment of a research centre to be shared with the University of the West Indies (UWI). UWIs Vice Chancellor Hilary Beckles praised them for taking the bold step of saying we are not going to research and run, we are going to research, and then we are going to stand up and repair.

Students, staff and faculty at Cambridge should do what they can to ensure the inquiry does not entail the research and run approach and that it should, in fact, move in the direction of Glasgow. But educational partnerships, and other forms of aid, cannot be rebranded as reparations either. That is just a PR exercise. We are at risk here of stripping that word of its meaning.

Cambridge ought to deal with Beckles  not in his capacity as UWI vice chancellor but as the chairman of the CARICOM reparations commission. The student governments of each Cambridge college ought to demand that the inquiries in their colleges come with a promise of reparations and that those reparations be provided directly to the CARICOM Reparations Commission.

Now, this admittedly would require a shift in perspective among many students. The biography of Eric Williams, the first prime minister of Trinidad and Tobago, and the man whom Beckles credits with developing the case for reparations, is replete with his experiences of facing racism as a student in Britain. But like many of his peers, he focused less on making the university a hospitable space for Black students and prioritised self-determination in the British colonies.

The two, are of course, not mutually exclusive. Imagine if university students in Bristol, Liverpool and Glasgow, which Williams identified as the three cities that provid the link between early industrial capitalism and slavery, stood with the CARICOM reparations commission. What a force would that be?

Today, Black and minority ethnic (BME) politics cannot be merely about making sure we get more scholarships and hires for Black people in universities in Britain. This is important, but should not be our only goal. As the Caribbean announces its fight for its own Marshall Plan, we ought to return to an older pro-independence legacy here as well: In our universities, in our neighbourhoods and parliament, we should agitate in solidarity with the struggle for reparations.

The views expressed in this article are the authors own and do not necessarily reflect Al Jazeeras editorial stance.
PORTLAND, Ore. - City officials on Friday demanded the Trump administration remove what they called a heavy-handed army of federal agents who have been grabbing protesters off the streets - tactics that federal officials defended as legal and necessary to quell ongoing unrest.

The fight between the White House and the left-leaning city government intensified Friday amid videos and firsthand accounts of mysterious federal agents driving around in unmarked rental minivans and detaining protesters.

Friday night saw additional clashes as federal agents used tear gas, rubber bullets, and flash bangs to disperse a group of protesters. At least one person was arrested.

The unrest intensified in the early morning hours, as some protesters hurled water bottles and set off smoke bombs and fireworks aimed at courthouse and police buildings.

"I wonder what country I'm living in," protester Beth Fernandez said. "Having the feds come in and try to quench this anger is not the right approach and we want them out."

Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler called the federal agents Trump's "personal army" and said they should leave the city.

"This is part of a coordinated strategy of Trump's White House to use federal troops to bolster his sagging polling data, and it is an absolute abuse of federal law enforcement officials," Wheeler said. "As we were starting to see things de-escalate, their actions last Saturday night and every night since have actually ratcheted up the tension on our streets."

Portland, a city with a long history of clashes between protesters and law enforcement, has been gripped for roughly 50 days by unrest since the death of George Floyd after he was arrested by police in Minneapolis. While other cities saw flashes of such conflict, Portland's clashes have been more intense and persistent.

Acting secretary of homeland security Chad Wolf traveled to Portland this week to supervise the federal actions there, and he sharply criticized local law enforcement for not getting tough with "violent anarchists."

Wolf told Fox News on Thursday night that he offered law enforcement assistance to the mayor and local leaders but was asked to "pack up and go home," which he said is "just not going to happen on my watch."

He accused local leaders of "fostering an environment that continues to breed this type of lawlessness."

One widely shared video showed two men in military garb on the street at night taking a young man wearing all black into custody. On the video, the two agents do not answer shouted questions before putting the man into an unmarked minivan and driving away.

On Friday, Customs and Border Protection issued a statement taking responsibility for the apprehension and asserting its agents were wearing gear that identified them as CBP personnel.

CBP agents went after that person because they suspected he was involved in "assaults against federal agents or destruction of federal property," the statement said. "Once CBP agents approached the suspect, a large and violent mob moved towards their location. For everyone's safety, CBP agents quickly moved the suspect to a safer location for further questioning."

The agency said the CBP agents identified themselves and were wearing CBP insignia during the apprehension.

One protester, 29-year-old Mark Pettibone, described being grabbed by several men in green military fatigues and generic "police" patches on their clothing in the early hours of Wednesday morning.

Pettibone said he did not know whether the men were police or far-right extremists, who frequently don militarylike outfits and harass left-leaning protesters in Portland.

"I was terrified," Pettibone said in an interview. "It seemed like it was out of a horror/sci-fi, like a Philip K. Dick novel. It was like being preyed upon."

Pettibone was taken to the city's federal courthouse and placed in a holding cell. Two agents eventually read him his Miranda rights and asked whether he would waive those rights to answer questions. He declined, and the agents let him go. The federal agents who detained him did not tell him why he was being held or provide any record of an arrest, he said.

The federal law enforcement response in Portland has prompted a debate among current and former law enforcement officials about whether DHS and Justice Department law enforcement agencies are being misused by the Trump administration.

"The idea that they are leaving the perimeter of that federal property and going out in the streets of Portland gives me a lot of personal angst about their concept of policing in general," said David Gomez, a former FBI official. "Policing is essentially a contract with the community. That's why a lot of these communities are erupting, because they feel the police have effectively violated the contract. When you have the federal government coming in there, acting as state police, you're effectively pushing the community away."

CBP's acting commissioner, Mark Morgan, tweeted Friday that his agents are not hiding their affiliation and are "clearly marked as federal [law enforcement officers] & have unique identifiers."

The incident and others like it have sparked widespread criticism of the DHS, particularly after an unidentified federal agent outside the courthouse fired a nonlethal round into a protester's face over the weekend. That protester was badly injured and suffered facial bone fractures.

Oregon's U.S. senators, Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden, along with U.S. Reps. Earl Blumenauer and Suzanne Bonamici, all Democrats, asked the Justice Department and DHS inspectors general to investigate what they called "the unrequested presence and violent actions of federal forces in Portland." The U.S. attorney for the District of Oregon, Billy Williams, said he had referred the shooting of the protester to the inspector general in the Justice Department.

A U.S. Marshals Service spokeswoman said Friday that the agency was not involved in the arrests and apprehensions described by Pettibone and others, adding that its agents always wear identifying insignia. However, nearly a week after the event, Marshals officials will not say whether the person who fired the impact munition into the protester's face was one of their employees.

On Friday night, Oregon state law enforcement officials said they and the local district attorney's office had opened an investigation into the July 12 incident.

"It's painfully clear this administration is focused purely on escalating violence without answering my repeated requests for why this expeditionary force is in Portland and under what constitutional authority," said Wyden.

Blumenauer, who represents part of Portland, said the "jarring reports of federal law enforcement officers grabbing peaceful protesters off the street should alarm every single American. This is not the way a government operates in a functioning democracy."

Civil liberties advocates said they will keep fighting in court against the use of federal agents to police the streets of Portland.

"The Trump administration has added escalation on top of escalation in our community," said Kelly Simon, the interim legal director of the ACLU of Oregon. "We won't stand for it, and we will see them in court more than once in the near future."

Jo Ann Hardesty, a Portland city commissioner, said in a statement that she was proudly "among the loud chorus of elected officials calling for the federal troops in Portland's streets to go home."

She said their presence "has escalated tensions and put countless Portlanders exercising their First Amendment Rights in greater danger."

Hardesty also called for the Portland police "to immediately disengage in any coordination or collaboration with the federal officers," saying they should not be "a subsidiary of [Trump's] federal forces."

The police bureau did not respond to a message seeking comment Friday about its involvement in the federal response and whether its officers had any role in the detention or questioning of anyone by federal officials.

Portland has a history of disagreement with federal law enforcement; the city council has voted to pull its police detectives out of the FBI's joint terrorism task force, out of concerns about the civil rights of Muslim residents.

An FBI spokeswoman said the agency is not responsible for crowd control, and she declined to say whether it is investigating any actions of law enforcement surrounding the unrest.
The Russian Ambassador to the UK has rejected allegations that the secret to give service to his country's hackers have access to information on a vaccine against the Coronavirus. Appropriate charges were levied last week, the United Kingdom, the United States and Canada. Andrei Kelin said in a Sunday broadcast Interview with the BBC, the allegations would "not make sense".

He did not know of the existence of hacking from the British media, said Kelin. It is impossible for computer hackers to a particular country.

The UK National centre for cyber security, declared on Thursday, Russian hackers spying on Corona-researchers. The group APT29, also known as the Cozy Bear, permanently try to gain access to academic and pharmaceutical research facilities, in which a vaccine against the novel Coronavirus is sought, said the center.

The findings came from a joint investigation with the United States and Canada. Cozy Bear is, according to the assessment of the three countries part of the Russian secret service. Russia has rejected the accusations. If in fact, research data has been captured, is unclear.

Raab wants to "reprehensible behaviour" of Russia brand

The British foreign Secretary, Dominic Raab explained, "Russian actors" have attempted, in the parliamentary election last year, to interfere, they would have reproduced, stolen government documents online. Kelin said in the Interview that his country had no interest in British domestic politics to interfere. To do this, as there was no reason, because Russia will strive for better relations with every government, no matter which party is in the country.

Updated Date: 19 July 2020, 13:20
How desperately humiliating it is for our country to claim that much progress has been made because we no longer dress up, pack lunches and drag our children along to a lynching, as if going to the county fair. Thousands of our citizens no longer gather in public squares to shout and cheer and celebrate the public, extralegal murder of an individual by stabbing, choking, battering and burning  as happened when 17-year old, mentally disabled Jesse Washington was tortured to death in the town square of Waco.

Officials who had given license to these public orgies of cruelty gradually began to realize that such extreme events, often widely publicized, did not benefit the reputation of their communities. There was no general moral awakening or renunciation of racism. But in an age of intense commercial boosterism, the realization finally dawned: If our town becomes known for outrageous violence, businesses wont want to locate here and our town wont grow and prosper.

Lynchings, of course, did not abruptly end. But they no longer took place in the town square at high noon. They were conducted by more and more marginalized individuals, often in remote rural areas under cover of night.
S unseekers have flocked to Barcelona's beaches, ignoring please from Catalan authorities to stay at home as coronavirus cases continue to rise.

People sunbathed and played in the sea along the coastline on Sunday in one of Spain's worst-hit regions.

Police were patrolling the coastline in masks to try and ensure social distancing.

But Barceloneta beach - a favourite with tourists - reached capacity and had to be closed to new bathers by the afternoon. People were queueing to access the beach.

Earlier in the day, authorities urged the more than 96,000 residents of three Catalan towns to stay home as part of a toughened response to the crisis.

A man plays as he enjoys the sunny weather at Barceloneta beach / REUTERS

On Friday, some four million people, including in Barcelona, were advised to leave their home only for essential trips.

"Staying at home in the summer is stifling and stressful," said Felipe, when asked why he had come to the beach despite the advice.

Police officers patrol at Barceloneta beach / REUTERS

"I work five days a week and can't spend every day at home. My mental health comes first," said the 24-year-old, who was wearing a mask.

The latest figures from Catalonia's regional health ministry on Sunday showed a daily increase of 944 cases.

People dance at Barceloneta beach / REUTERS

The stay-home call stops short of imposing a mandatory lockdown, but is the strongest measure taken to returning people to home confinement since Spain emerged from a nationwide lockdown on June 21.

The new measures also include a ban on meetings of over 10 people.

Bars and restaurants will be allowed to open, but at 50 per cent capacity inside and with a 2-metre (6.5-foot) distance between tables outside.

Spain was one of Europe's hardest-hit countries by Covid-19, the disease caused by the virus, with more than 28,000 deaths.

Since the national lockdown ended, more than 170 infection clusters have sprung up, prompting regional authorities to impose a patchwork of local restrictions.
Booksellers might need to shove Malcolm Turnbulls A Bigger Picture aside on their shelves to make way for a new Turnbull title.

High school teacher Daisy Turnbull - daughter to Malcolm - has written a parenting book, called 50 Risks to Take with Your Kids. Turnbull has been signed to Hardie Grant under publisher Sandy Grant - also publisher of A Bigger Picture. A book on building resilience, 50 Risks is apparently a practical take on the work of Coddling of the American Mind co-author Jonathan Haidt and others. Risks include letting your kid lose the thing and letting them navigate a socially awkward situation. Like stealing the show at a prime ministerial farewell press conference, perhaps?

Malcolm Turnbull, with daughter Daisy and granddaughter Alice. Credit:Tim Bauer

But shes not the only one in the former PMs orbit about to be published.

Grant has also signed up former Liberal MP Julia Banks to write her story about working in law, her time in parliament and  the Liberal Party. The Chisholm MP ditched the Liberals to join the crossbench after Turnbulls overthrow. Banks called the coup the last straw in an environment ridden with cultural and gender bias [and] bullying and intimidation" of women. Were already keen to hear more.
T J S George By

Admittedly the Covid pandemic is dangerous in multiple ways. But that is not the real issue. The real issue is whether Covid can be used for political purposes. The honest answer is Yes. Any development can be used by shrewd political leaders to promote their interests.

The idea of using a worldwide disease for personal purposes may look like human values reaching new lows. But, there is no running away from reality.

India has seen many prime ministers using their prerogatives to neutralise those who pose a threat to them. Jawaharlal Nehru himself dismissed Keralas elected Government in 1959 for trumped-up reasons. It is immaterial that the real force behind that coup was Indira Gandhi and that the unseen force behind her was the American lobby.

What Indira did in 1959 was repeated by her son in 1982. There was haughtiness in the way Rajiv Gandhi dismissed Andhra Chief Minister T Anjaiah. With the arrogance of dynastic power, he publicly called Anjaiah a buffoon. That the Congress lost Andhra for good after that never bothered him.

No prime minister has had a God-given opportunity like Covid to consolidate his power and put himself beyond challenge.

The gods  including the gods of Covid  are on the side of the present Prime Minister. And he is putting it to good use with an expertise that is unrivalled. Look at what might seem like an innocuous issue, the CBSE syllabus.

Many subjects have been dropped from this years syllabus to reduce examination stress on students.

What a considerate government, you might think. But take a closer look at the subjects that have been removed from the syllabus: Citizenship, Nationalism, Secularism, Federalism, Five-Year Plans. Got it?

Under such a syllabus, young new-gen Indians can grow up without realising that a modern, secular, justiciable democracy had evolved in Indias constitutional governance.

Evidently, the erasure of that part of history is what the power-wielders of the day want. Who will lose, who will gain from such contrived education?

After Jawaharlal Nehru, the only prime minster who looked at policy making from a historical and national perspective was P V Narasimha Rao.

And the Congress party went out of its way to make Narasimha Rao a non-person. The interior decay of the party that surfaced then was never set right.

In fact, it got worse under Sonia Gandhi because, despite her best efforts, she could not acquire the legitimacy of Indira. Sonia speaking for the Congress with the Presidents cap on somehow doesnt click.

In fact, it can be said that it diminishes the public appeal of the Congress. Add to this the new phenomenon of Rahul Gandhi trying to change his persona. Is some kind of personality shift taking place within him?

All of a sudden he is appearing with new hair styles and wearing collared shirts that make him look like a senior clerk in an export-import company in Connaught Place.

The Congresss curse  and Indias  is that no one dares look outside of the Gandhis. This is when it is obvious that dramatic changes will occur if Sonia retires and Rahul joins a team of leaders comprising Mallikarjun Kharge, Kapil Sibal and P Chidambaram on the one side and Milind Deora, Jitin Prasada and Deepender Hooda on the other, all working as a team of equals.

The days of Gandhi monopoly are over.India has marched ahead of many other countries because of its multiculturalism and liberal democracy.

Forces have lately developed in opposition to both these strong points. If they succeed, it will be at the cost of the strength India derives from the multiplicity of its civilisational components.

Chole-bhature and lassi are as integral to Indias continuance as a confluence of traditions as are kozhukattai and Mylapores kathrikkai fry.

Imagine a day when all these are taken off the menu and only dhokla and puri-chunda are permitted to be eaten. Life will lose its flavours. It is natural for rulers, in democracies as well as autocracies, to go for absolute power which corrupts many things absolutely.

It is the exercise of absolute power that made Delhi recently ban all liquor sales, knowing that liquor sale is a state subject.The lesson being taught is obvious: There is only one authority in India today and that is in Delhi. What Indira and Rajiv tried to do amateurishly is being done professionally, determinedly and comprehensively. Take it lying down because you have no choice.
20.07.2020 LISTEN

The Ashanti Regional branch of the opposition National Democratic Congress NDC has accused the Ghana Armed Forces of interference and intimidation of its agents in the ongoing voter registration exercise in the Ashanti Region.

The accredited NDC agents who were assigned at the Tepa SHS were denied access to the center by the military presence.

The military according to the NDC, said they were acting on the orders of NPP big guns to prevent any NDC person from the center.

This was contained in a statement release on Sunday to inform the general public of governments intention to turn the country into military state.

Ashanti Regional NDC is urging its members to remain calm as the leadership of the party will take any necessary steps to address the issue.

Below is the full statement:

We regret to make public that our registration agents accredited by the Electoral Commission to Tepa SHS in the Ahafo Ano North Constituency were physically prevented from undertaking their lawful duty by the Military.

It is important to state that the Tepa SHS as per the ECs gazette has two registration centres and does not qualify to be used as a special registration centre according to the Electoral Commissions own publication.

Again, the Electoral Commission in spite of the flagrant disregard for its own publication, deployed sixteen (16) BVRs to the Tepa SHS for registration.

Unfortunately, heavy Military officers were deployed by the state to the Tepa SHS and they prevented 14 of our agents from performing their lawful duties. Sadly, Not even our Regional party monitoring agent, Mr. Brogya Genfi, who has been duly accredited by the EC was granted access to the registration centres.

We were informed by the Military that they have been ordered to prevent all/any NDC officials and agents from accessing the registration centres.

A meeting convened by the District Police Commander over this unlawful restraint of deserving participants by the Military where all stakeholders were present did not yield the required results because the Military was determined to execute the orders for which they were deployed.

It is sad that our country is turning into a Military State where all is done by the failed Akufo-Addo government to use the Military to unlawfully intimidate citizens for political gains.

In spite of these challenges, we encourage all Party members in the Ahafo Ano North Constituency to be resolute even in the face of extreme intimidation.

The NDC shall prevail.

Kwame Zu (Regional Secretary)
Here are todays leading news stories:

Society

-- A hot weather pattern with high temperature and low humidity is forecast to linger in central Vietnam over the next days, posing a high risk of forest fires. Meanwhile, the scorching weather in northern provinces is expected to become less intense from Monday.

-- Four people were killed in two separate accidents involving four motorbikes in the southern province of Binh Phuoc on Saturday. Most victims in both cases were riding their motorcycles at a very high speed.

-- A scrap facility has been caught dumping chemicals into a stream in a residential area in the southern province of Binh Duong, causing its water to turn white and have an unpleasant stench.

-- A total of 241 Vietnamese citizens stranded in the Philippines were brought home on Saturday evening. They were all quarantined after landing in the Mekong Delta city of Can Tho.

-- The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment has proposed to the prime minister that environmental pollution in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City be monitored and controlled regularly, as the situation has recently escalated at an alarming level.

-- Authorities in the Central Highlands of Vietnam have asked the prime minister to consider the construction of expressways and the establishment of a railway network in the region to help boost economic development.

Business

-- National carrier Vietnam Airlines may face a liquidity shortage starting in September and a drop of VND50 trillion (US$2.16 billion) in revenue this year due to the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, CEO Duong Tri Thanh said.

Lifestyle

-- Thousands of visitors, including many foreigners, participated in the 2020 An Bang Beach Food & Music Festival at the namesake beach in Hoi An City, located in the central province of Quang Nam on Saturday.

World News

-- Over 14.4 million people have been infected with the new coronavirus around the world while more than 604,800 have lost their lives, according to the Vietnamese Ministry of Health's statistics. Above 8.6 million patients have recovered.

Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam!
Hong Kong: 108 COVID-19 cases reported

The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) today said it is investigating 108 additional COVID-19 cases, taking the number of confirmed cases in Hong Kong to 1,885.

The new cases involve 45 males and 63 females aged between seven and 91. Among them, 25 had travel history during the incubation period.

As for the local cases, the CHP will distribute deep throat saliva specimen bottles to residents of buildings with the confirmed cases and to those who have had contact with the patients during the infectious period.

As there are a large number of confirmed cases, the testing capacity remains limited even though the Department of Health has procured testing services directly from local private laboratories to enhance public testing capacity.

The CHP will therefore accord priority to people with higher risk such as residents of buildings with more than one unit with confirmed cases of unknown source when distributing specimen bottles.

People are urged to seek medical attention early even if mild symptoms develop to help prevent the diseases spread in the community.

Epidemiological investigations and contact tracing on the confirmed cases are ongoing.

Additionally, the Hospital Authority reported that 463 confirmed COVID-19 patients are currently hospitalised and 1,294 confirmed and suspected patients have been discharged.

For information and health advice on COVID-19, visit the Government's dedicated webpage.

This story has been published on: 2020-07-19. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
A well known Longford crime family has seen its financial clout seriously dented thanks to the latest wave of search operations carried out by gardai, the Leader can reveal.

It comes after over 140,000 in cocaine, ecstasy and cannabis were seized by gardai following three separate operations over the past 48 hours.

The first of those came last Wednesday night when suspected cannabis herb with an estimated street value of 20,000 and suspected cocaine with an estimated street value of 30,000 were seized during a search at Shroid, Co Longford.

A man in his 60s, who is a licensed taxi driver in Longford was arrested at the scene and appeared in court the following day in connection to the incident.

ALSO READ: Longford taxi driver granted bail following seizure of 50,000 worth of drugs in his vehicle

Then, on Friday 52,000 worth of drugs were seized by officers attached to Longford/Roscommon's Divisional Drugs Unit as a result of a search of farmlands in the Ballinalee area.

No arrests have been made but investigations continue apace with senior garda officials confident of further progress being made over the next number of days.

The third and final operation came during the early hours of this morning when Gardai in Longford seized cash in excess of 40,000 as a result of information received regarding suspected money laundering.

ALSO READ: Longford Gardai seize over 40k in suspected money laundering probe

The Leader understands that operation was very much intrinsically linked to a well documented Criminal Assets Bureau (CAB) operation two weeks ago which led to the confiscation of cars, caravans and luxury jewellery in a seizure which could fetch 500,000.

The prime target of this morning's raid is a notorious Traveller crime faction who are heavily involved in drug dealing, prostitution, intimidation and extortion.

It's understood members of the gang have been turning up the heat on beneficiaries of its money lending activities in a bid to recoup the losses sustained from the recent CAB raid.

However, it is understood this morning's seizure has inflicted another blow to those well laid plans with senior gardai vowing to continue to ensure those involved in organised crime endure the full rigours of the law.

"It's a serious effort and shows the level of commitment we have in clamping down on this type of activity. We always said we would act and act decisively and that's what we have been doing and will continue to do," said Supt Jim Delaney as he thanked members of the public for their co-operation in the gardai most recent efforts into tackling organised crime in recent weeks.
The Big Brother Australia hunk is known for his chiseled abs and muscular physique.

But on Sunday, Chad Hurst revealed he's been fat-shamed during his career as an international male model.

In an interview with Body+Soul, the resident heartthrob, 27, said: '[Before entering the house], I was spending a lot of time overseas modelling, most out of LA.'

Candid: Big Brother star Chad Hurst (pictured) opened up about facing 'fat-shaming' in the male modelling industry

'[But] I don't do fashion weeks because they're all after guys who are almost 7ft tall and skinny. I've done it in the past for experience but it's not worth it - you do 12-hour days and get paid peanuts,' he continued.

Chad went on to say that models face pressure while doing fashion shows as they've always got someone 'telling you that you're too fat'.

'With fashion shows, you've got someone ripping into you all the time and telling you that you're too fat... I'm not into that,' he said.

Chad's interview comes after he revealed that he'd been bullied as a child for being overweight, before he completely transformed his body.

'I'm not into that': Chad said models face pressure while doing fashion shows as they've always got someone 'telling you that you're too fat'

Speaking to TV Week this month, he confessed: 'Growing up, I was the fat kid. I was pale and freckly, and had bleached hair that went a bit ranga.'

'I got duct-taped to a tree once. They used to call me Ch**d, Little Blob and Fatty. I struggled.'

At 15, Chad started working out at the gym and went from 90kg to 75kg.

After becoming 'addicted' to lifting weights, he ended up putting the weight back on in muscle, eventually tipping the scales at 102kg with just seven per cent body fat.

Transformation: Chad's interview comes after he revealed that he'd been bullied as a child for being overweight, before he completely transformed his body

After being told to lose 20kg in order to pursue a career in modelling, Chad 'stopped lifting weights' and instead focused on doing 'cardio every day'.

Once he dropped some of the muscle, his modelling career hit new heights and he was eventually sent overseas for work.

Chad is one of five housemates left vying for the cash prize on Big Brother.

Big Brother continues Monday from 7:30pm on Channel Seven
She's become one of Channel Ten's most popular journalists after her stint as 2016's The Bachelorette.

And on Sunday in Melbourne, Georgia Love reported for duty in a face mask, amid the coronavirus pandemic.

The 31-year-old shared a candid selfie to Instagram with the majority of her face covered, and sarcastically remarked in the caption that 2020 'isn't good'.

Safety first! Former Bachelorette Georgia Love (pictured), 31, reported for Channel Ten duty in a face mask in Melbourne on Sunday, amid the coronavirus pandemic

In the photo, Georgia wore a chic tan ensemble, and angled the camera to capture her face mask and microphone with the Channel Ten logo.

The brunette sarcastically wrote in the post's caption: 'I don't know if I'm the first person to point this out but 2020 is....not good.'

It comes after Georgia and fiance Lee Elliott, 38, were forced to scrap their destination wedding in Italy due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Instead, they hope to say 'I do' in Georgia's home state of Tasmania, but are having trouble organising the day due to the lockdown in Melbourne, where they both live.

Trademark wit: Sharing a candid selfie to Instagram, the brunette sarcastically wrote in the post's caption: 'I don't know if I'm the first person to point this out but 2020 is....not good'

'We're just planning as if everything will be okay by next year, but we still don't know whether it will be,' Georgia recently told Now To Love.

'It's also hard to do a lot of it when we can't even get down to Tassie.'

The couple are unable to leave Victoria due to the lockdown, which has been put in place after a second wave of COVID-19 infections hit the state.

Change of plans: It comes after Georgia and fiance Lee Elliott (pictured), 38, were forced to scrap their destination wedding in Italy due to the coronavirus pandemic

New destination: Instead, they are planning to say 'I do' in Georgia's home state of Tasmania, but are having trouble organising the big day due to the lockdown in Melbourne

As the situation changes from day to day, Georgia acknowledged that her wedding plans may have to adjust once again.

'We still don't know if we actually will be able to go ahead with what we're planning,' she said.

Despite the challenges of lockdown, Georgia has enjoyed having 'so much time at home' to plan her special day.

'That's how Lee and I are looking at it, we feel grateful to have this dedicated time to plan and get excited,' she said.
Amid the ongoing political turmoil in Rajasthan, Congress MLA Rajendra Gudha said on Sunday that Sanjay Jain, the middleman arrested on charges of sedition and conspiracy to topple the Ashok Gehlot government, contacted him a few months back and offered to organise meeting with former CM Vasundhara Raje and other BJP leaders.

Jain approached me around eight months back and wanted me to meet Raje in Delhi but I refused, Gudha said.

He said the BJP has been playing this game for a long time and contacted him a few months back. They were trying but they failed.

The Congress MLA said, We supported Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot in his last and this government without any conditions. It is unjustified to make attempts to destabilize the government, especially when the country is suffering from Covid-19.

BJP spokesperson Mukesh Pareek questioned Gudha about the timing of his revelation. Why was he quiet for eight months? There was an assembly session; he could have raised it in the House, he said.

Rajasthan chief minister Ashok Gehlot has claimed that the rebel MLAs were acting in tandem with the BJP to bring down his government.

But rebel leader Sachin Pilot has refuted the allegations and denied that he was joining the BJP.

On Friday evening, there was a lot of drama at the hotel in Manesar where the dissident Congress MLAs are staying after an SOG team was not allowed to enter the premises by the Haryana Police.

They were eventually allowed to enter the hotel later.
Police had to use a dispersal order to break up a large crowd of Londoners illegally partying on Saturday night near Portobello Road.

Alarming footage showed several people dressed up for a night out singing and dancing in one of London's busiest areas despite a public health risk during the coronavirus pandemic.

A witness to the block party revealed that 'hundreds' attended the event in central London and claimed some people urinated on the locked-up food stalls belonging to market traders, took cocaine and defecated in the street.

Violent altercations also occurred at the block party, believed to be near Notting Hill, with police saying that the event was disruptive, illegal and posed a serious health risk.

Police had to break up a large party taking place on Portobello Road near Notting Hill, central London on Saturday night with a dispersion order

A witness to the block party revealed that 'hundreds' attended the event in central London and claimed some people urinated on the locked-up food stalls belonging to market traders, took cocaine and defecated in the street

The party, which was captured on video, was described as disruptive, illegal and police said it posed a serious health risk during the coronavirus pandemic

A Kensington and Chelsea Police spokesperson said on Twitter: 'There is a s35 dispersal zone in the Portobello Road area.

'Do NOT attend these areas. Officers have the power to move you on, and will do so. If you attend within this period you could be arrested.

'Unlicensed music events are illegal. As well as being very disruptive to communities and posing an increased risk of COVID-19 transmission, they have in some cases led to violent incidents affecting both those attending and the officers who have to shut them down.'

Oliver Gerrish, believed to be a witness of the event, tweeted: 'People defacating, taking cocaine, shouting and swearing - and in their hundreds. This is Portobello Road - our home - at this time of national crisis.

Members of the large crowd were seen dancing very close to each other like they were in a nightclub, which will remain closed until further notice

'This country is a mess. We can't leave our door on Friday or Saturday evenings without feeling we live by an open sewer. Sad.'

Another social media user, Michael Zeiter, said: 'It's been like this for weeks now - and nothing ever is done until late a night when trouble potential (and disturbance to the neighbours has been the greatest), which just makes no sense.'

Many people in the video were dancing like they were in a nightclub, an industry which Prime Minister Boris Johnson revealed on Friday would remain shut until further notice.

Kensington & Chelsea Police made a dispersal order in order to break up the crowds, which did turn violent on Saturday evening

Members of the public complained about the block party on social media on Saturday evening

Pubs in England reopened at the beginning of July as lockdown regulations were eased, much to the delight of many young people across the country.

On Saturday, Britain announced a further 40 coronavirus-related deaths, taking the overall total to 45,273.

Today's figures are down 140 from last Saturday's coronavirus-associated deaths across the UK, as recorded by the Department for Health and Social Care.

Police's five-hour battle to break up rave mob

By Scarlet Howes for the Mail on Sunday

Riot cops came under a hail of bricks and bottles as they shut down an illegal rave early yesterday  just hours after beleaguered police chiefs vowed a 'swift and robust' crackdown.

Officers were pelted with canisters of laughing gas and even a bicycle at the drug-fuelled party attended by up to 1,000 revellers who later complained that the event had 'barely got started' when police moved in.

The Metropolitan Police said two men, aged 18 and 19, were arrested for violent disorder and obstruction in Finsbury Park, North London, They remained in custody while one officer needed hospital treatment for bruised ribs.

Members of the Metropolitan Police were pelted with laughing gas in Finsbury Park on Friday

Angry residents called police who arrived at 11pm on Friday, only hours after Met Commissioner Cressida Dick said she would take tougher action against unlicensed music events following Home Secretary Priti Patel's criticism of a soft approach.

As a police helicopter circled above, riot police marched on to the Woodberry Down Estate where the rave was being held.

It took five hours to clear the area, with videos posted on social media showing revellers throwing kerbstone bricks and bottles at officers.

A dispersal zone was set up and trained public order officers entered the estate to try to disperse the group, but the Met said they were met with 'hostility and violence' and two officers were injured after items including canisters, bottles and a bicycle were hurled at them.

One was taken to hospital with bruising to his ribs and has since been discharged, and the other suffered a leg injury but was able complete the remainder of his duty.

Scotland Yard later vowed to deploy more officers on the streets in anticipation of more illegal raves and violent crimes in the event of warmer weather.

Deputy Assistant Commissioner Lucy D'Orsi said: 'Officers responded to calls from residents concerned about a large gathering, noise, anti-social behaviour and violence. The disorder they encountered is totally unacceptable as is the fear I am sure this generates amongst the local community, who called the police for help.'

Unlicensed music events have become a regular issue for police across England ever since lockdown restrictions were eased.

Earlier on Saturday, Greater Manchester Police (GMP) issued a statement saying they had dismantled a planned illegal rave by engaging with audio equipment suppliers.

The statement said: 'Following two large illegal raves that were held last month, GMP set up a dedicated operation to carefully monitor any planned future events.

'These raves pose significant risks as previous events have demonstrated and we're committed to working with our partners to prevent further raves from taking place.

'These events are unacceptable, they put lives at risk and they will not be tolerated.'
Instead, I must explain why Tamir Rice never celebrated his 13th birthday. I must tell my son why the officer who shot him was never arrested  another sobering, unjust and often repetitious outcome that has become commonplace when Black people have been killed during interactions with police officers.

My son is only 10 years old, just two years shy of Tamir Rices age when his life was stolen forever. Soon my son will join the world of licensed drivers and enter that horrifying space where simple traffic infractions can lead to life-altering and life-ending results for young Black boys. As Black parents, we are often forced to wear masks of feigned courage, armed with the frightening reality that even the most routine traffic stop can forever change the dynamic of a family.

Traumatizing my son is not my goal, but not preparing him for a world that has repeatedly rejected Black boys would be the ultimate act of negligence. Not everyone values him, cherishes him and loves him the way my wife and I do. Today, he is cute and harmless, still short of the threshold of being labeled as menacing or threatening. Yet one day, without proper warning or prior notice, he will be unceremoniously stripped of this innocence, forced to lean solely on the lessons and counsel that we have previously provided him. What terrifies me most is not being there to protect him when that moment occurs.
Other friends of the director, including Bajpayee, filmmakers Anubhav Sinha and actor Urmila Matondkar paid tributes to the late director

Mumbai: Filmmaker Rajat Mukherjee, best known for directing Manoj Bajpayee-starrer "Road" and romantic thriller "Pyaar Tune Kya Kiya", passed away due to kidney ailments in the wee hours of Sunday. He was in his late 50s.

Producer Anish Ranjan, a close friend of Mukherjee's, said the director breathed his last in Jaipur, where he had gone to be with his family for Holi but got stuck when the coronavirus-induced nationwide lockdown was announced.

Ranjan said the director had developed breathing issues over a month ago and had gone to get a COVID-19 test done, when the doctors realised that his "sodium potassium levels" were imbalanced.

"He had kidney and heart issues as well. About 12-15 days ago, one kidney was removed. He was on dialysis and had come back to his house. On Saturday, he went for dialysis and returned around 8 pm.

"His wife, who was taking care of him, realised something was amiss. By the time the ambulance arrived and he was taken to a nearby hospital, he was declared dead," Ranjan told PTI.

Other friends of the director, including Bajpayee, filmmakers Anubhav Sinha, Hansal Mehta and actor Urmila Matondkar paid their tributes to the late director.

Bajpayee recalled filming the 2002 thriller "Road" with Mukherjee and said his passing was shocking.

"I will always remember the shoot days of 'Road' and how we created it while having so much fun all because of you! Will miss you dearly my friend Rajat... Still can't believe that we will never meet or discuss our work ever again. Be happy, wherever you are," Bajpayee wrote on Twitter.

Matondkar, who worked with Mukherjee in "Pyaar Tune Kya Kiya" in 2001, said she was saddened to hear about his demise.

"A talented and live wire personality who made this rare gem of a Film. Deepest condolences to his family. Rest in peace dear friend," she wrote on the microblogging site.

Mehta said Mukherjee was one of his oldest friends from his struggling days.

"Rajat Mukherjee, director of 'Pyaar Tune Kya Kiya' and 'Road' was a friend from our early, early struggles in Bombay. Many meals, many bottles of Old Monk consumed. Many more to consume in another world. Will miss you dear friend," the "Aligarh" director wrote.

Sinha said that in Mukherjee's death, he had lost a friend.

"Another friend gone too soon. Director Rajat Mukherjee. He was dealing with multiple health situations past few months in Jaipur. Go well mate," he added. Mukherjee is survived by wife, mother and brother.
A senior civil servant has caused a storm by claiming that systemic racism exists in Britain and endorsing the Black Lives Matter (BLM) movement in an email to hundreds of staff.

Iain Bell, deputy national statistician at the Office for National Statistics, said he was learning about my white privilege and how that looks to others and expressed regret that a Census question on ethnicity had caused offence.

Elsewhere in his email, he described the vital role of the ONS in shining a light on todays society, but added that too often the collection of... statistics is done with only White People in the virtual room. He signed off his note: Black Lives Matter!

Iain Bell, deputy national statistician at the Office for National Statistics, said he was learning about my white privilege and how that looks to others and expressed regret that a Census question on ethnicity had caused offence

However, some staff claim his email is at odds with the principle of Civil Service impartiality and point out that BLM UK, the group behind the fundraising campaign that has raised more than 1 million, supports the dismantling of capitalism.

One staff member claimed: The ONS is completely divided and the saga wont go away. People are in absolute shock that he can stand by the actions of BLM.

In his email, Mr Bell wrote: Following the abhorrent killing of George Floyd, there have rightly been a string of protests about bringing an end to systemic racism in America, here and in many other countries. I know it has affected us all.

He added: It worries me how often we have caused offence in the development of the Census question on ethnicity. I know it means as a leader I have much more to learn and do.

The email prompted a flurry of internal emails. One, from an ONS field interviewer, said the phrase Black Lives Matter! with which Iain signs his email is not a politically neutral expression of the anti-racism we all feel in our bones. It is the name of a specific organisation with an explicitly radical agenda.

Last night, the ONS said: Impartiality and independence are fundamental principles of the ONS.
While raising eyebrows with that goal, the UAE has successfully built a space program with local talent working out of the Mohammed bin Rashid Space Center in Dubai. The Hope probe was built here by a program cooperating with other nations to quickly reach out to the stars. The UAE already sent its first astronaut to space last year on an eight-day mission to the International Space Station.
Pyar Tune Kya Kiya and Road director Rajat Mukharjee died on Sunday in Jaipur. As per the reports, he was suffering from some kidney-related issues from a long time.

Rajat Mukharjee, the Bollywood director, died on Sunday morning. Films made in his direction include Pyar Tune Kya Kiya and Road. His death news sent shockwaves across the industry. Actors took it to twitter to express their condolences. As per reports, Rajat Mukharjee was suffering from an illness for a long time. He also directed the film Love in Nepal.

The director was in his late 50s. He had close relations with many actors and directors in the industry. Rajat Mukharjee was in Jaipur when he died. He had some kidney-related problems for a really long time. He is survived by a brother, wife and his mother.

His friend Manoj Bajpayee shared the news of his death on Twitter. Manoj wrote that his friend and director of the movie Road, Rajat Mukharjee passed away on Sunday morning in Jaipur. Bajpayee also wrote that he died after fighting a long battle with his illness. He went on to write that he still couldnt believe that theyll never meet or discuss work ever again. Also, he wished for Rajat Mukharjee to stay happy wherever he is.

Also read: Threatened for refusing Sultan, felt like shaving off my head and leaving: Kangana Ranaut

My friend and director of Road ,Rajat Mukherjee passed away in the early hours today in Jaipur after a long battle with illness!!! Rest in peace Rajat !!Still cant believe that we will never meet or discuss our work ever again.khush reh jaha bhi reh.  manoj bajpayee (@BajpayeeManoj) July 19, 2020

Also read: Vyjayanthi Movies announces historic pairing of Prabhas and Deepika for their next!

Anubhav Sinha tweeted that his another friend has gone too soon. The director of Pyar Tune Kya Kiya and Road was dealing with multiple health situations from the past few months in Jaipur.

Hansal Mehta also tweeted that he just got the news of the passing of his dear friend. He mentioned that the director of Pyr Tune Kya Kiya and Road was his friend from his early days of struggle in the industry in Mumbai. Mehta shared that they had many meals and consumed bottles of Old Monk together. He wrote that theyll consume many more in other world and wrote that he will miss Rajat Mukharjee.

Also read: Sushant Singh Rajputs sister reminisces actors personal life with a special video, watch

Another friend gone too soon. Director Rajat Mukherjee (Pyar Tune Kya Kiya, Road). He was dealing with multiple health situations past few months in Jaipur. Go well mate.  Anubhav Sinha (@anubhavsinha) July 19, 2020

Just got news about the passing away of a dear friend. Rajat Mukherjee director of Pyaar Tune Kya Kiya and Road was a friend from our early, early struggles in Bombay. Many meals, many bottles of Old Monk consumed. Many more to consume in another world. Will miss you dear friend.  Hansal Mehta (@mehtahansal) July 19, 2020

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High-ranking Portland police officials told state lawmakers theyve tried to de-escalate violence at nightly downtown protests but a small group of anarchists intentionally try to injure officers and require them to use tear gas and other munitions that affect entire crowds.

Portland Police Deputy Chief Chris Davis testified Friday that officers who face off with violence-prone demonstrators know who a lot of them are, but the risks are usually too high to forge into the crowd and immediately arrest people they see engaged in criminal activity.

Its very challenging to go into a large, dynamic crowd and pluck one person out of there without creating an even bigger problem for ourselves, Davis said.

Davis and Captain Craig Dobson, a Portland police incident commander who has helped coordinate the bureaus response on the ground for all but a few of the last 50 nights, testified before the Oregon Legislatures Joint Committee on Transparent Policing and Use of Force Reform during a hearing on police use of tear gas in Oregon. Portland police was the only agency questioned by lawmakers during the hearing. The 12-member committee, co-chaired by Sen. James Manning Jr., D-Eugene, and Rep. Janelle Bynum, D-Happy Valley, sprang from the June special legislative session centered on racial justice.

In their testimony, the pair characterized a small group of protesters who gather downtown each night as harboring a very criminal element. They portrayed officers, many of whom are outfitted in body armor, as at serious risk of dying from the impact of items protesters throw at them from a distance, including rocks, water bottles and fireworks. Davis said leaders of the group are motivated by an anarchistic ideology.

Portland polices use of tear gas during protests has prompted lawsuits against the city as well as repeated objections from people whove said theyve been caught in the gas while at protests but refraining from criminal activity or, in some cases, simply being in their homes or stuck in their cars near a demonstration.

In mid-June, a federal judge banned Portland police from using tear gas except in cases where the lives or safety of officers or the public are at risk. And a state law that took effect June 30 says tear gas can only be let loose after police have declared a riot and given people time to disperse.

Portland police havent reported using tear gas since June 30. But federal officers, whove been in contact with Portland police during downtown demonstrations, have used tear gas as recently as Friday.

Davis told lawmakers while city and federal officers have no authority over what the other is doing, Portland police "try to coordinate as much as we can with the federal authorities."

He said a member of the Federal Protective Service has regularly been in the Portland Police command post during downtown demonstrations. This is as Mayor Ted Wheeler repeatedly says the city doesnt want or need federal aid during protests.

The police bureau announced Saturday that no one from the Federal Protective Service would be in the city police command post during protests that night.

The same day, Portland Commissioner Jo Ann Hardesty released a statement demanding Wheeler either stop local police from working with federal officers to use force against protesters or put her in charge of the police bureau.

Hardesty noted the latest police response came soon after she left a peaceful downtown vigil she organized that drew several hundred people. She said federal agents launched an unprovoked brutal attack on attendees still in the area that included her own staff members and members of the citys hip-hop community as they were performing for the crowd. Portland police later joined in, Hardesty said.

She accused Wheeler, the citys police commissioner, of putting her staff and the community in danger.

We need you to be better, Hardesty said of Wheeler. We need you to stop denying the violence being perpetrated by our own police force and make it clear and unambiguous: Portland police are directed from the top to never collaborate with (President Donald Trumps) goon squad, to take off their riot gear, and to stop contributing to the violence that was occurring before the feds arrived and still continues night after night.

Wheelers office didnt immediately respond to a request for comment Saturday.

When asked Friday by Bynum if Portland police may have used the new statute to escalate its use of tear gas, because it allows use of the toxin as soon as police declare a riot, Davis said no, citing an unusual level of violence police encounter at the demonstrations.

I can assure you that we have not somehow ratcheted down our standards so that we can get to tear gas faster, Davis said. Dobson said a riot is declared by police only after six or more people engage in tumultuous activity, such as throwing rocks, bottles, fireworks and other objects at officers.

Rep. Alissa Keny-Guyer, D-Portland, said that police use of tear gas and other force strikes her as far more violent than the protesters lobbing of hard items toward police.

Davis acknowledged deploying the gas doesnt look good. But he said he and all other Portland officers who control crowds have been subjected to it to know what it feels like and if people want to stop feeling its effects, all you have to do is walk out of the area.

Davis and Dobson said officers give several warnings and allow time for people to leave before they shoot out tear gas. Dobson later likened some of the fireworks thrown toward Portland officers to improvised explosive devices like those deployed against U.S. soldiers in Iraq and said that several officers have reported permanent or temporary hearing loss.

The water bottles arent just filled with water, often those water bottles are filled with urine or feces or some other kind of putrid type substance that theyre throwing at us, Dobson said. When we talk about fireworks, theyre not sparklers. These are fireworks that if they hit us and land correctly, they will kill us.

Davis and Dobson said officers try to keep out of the crowds view during protests unless incidents escalate to where they feel they have to intervene. He cited the time when protesters set a fire in a dumpster next to the police bureaus North precinct as a prime example of an urgent threat to officers lives that demanded police response.

When it comes to de-escalation, we run the gamut, but at this point, we wont present ourselves unless we have to, Dobson said. This group is an anarchist group who shows up with the purpose of continually poking at us and doing things until we do show our face and they present themselves so that they create life safety issues such as trying to burn a building down or hurting someone in the crowd.

Many members of the public testified in opposition of tear gas at protests, challenged police accounts of the conduct of protesters during demonstrations and that the collateral damage caused by the gas isn't worth the use.

Jordan Barbeau, a Portland-based attorney and member of the Multnomah County Bar Association, said she felt it was particularly grotesque for a chemical irritant to be used during a pandemic caused by an illness that affects the respiratory system. She said Davis and Dobsons statements on police de-escalation efforts dont match what people are experiencing nightly.

Were seeing officers reacting with overwhelming force and characterizing and identifying all of these people as working towards some nefarious aim together, she said. Its part of that problem mentality that prevents officers from seeing these people as their constituents and more as an enemy to fight.

-- Everton Bailey Jr.

ebailey@oregonian.com | 503-221-8343 |@EvertonBailey

Visit subscription.oregonlive.com/newsletters to get Oregonian/OregonLive journalism delivered to your email inbox.
This was revealed by British Board of Film Classification (BBFC). The BBFC report states that the DC origin movie received 20 complaints relating to the film's age classification, which is 15, reports digitalspy.com.

London, July 18 (IANS) Joaquin Phoenixs Oscar-winning starrer "Joker" is the most complained about film of 2019 in the United Kingdom.

Complaints said that the BBFC should have classified the film as suitable for an 18-rating owing to its "violence and tone", while some people felt it should have been banned altogether.

The BBFC feel that the movie doesn't "dwell on the infliction of pain or injury in a manner that requires an 18", despite scenes of strong violence, including stabbings, shootings and blood.

While "Joker" received the most complaints in 2019, its total number is far less than the amount of complaints "Red Sparrow" received in 2018.

The Jennifer Lawrence-starrer was BBFC's most complained-about movie in 2018 with 64 complaints. The total number of complaints filed to the BBFC dropped by nearly half from 2018 to 2019. There were only 149 total complaints filed in 2019.

Christopher Nolan's "The Dark Knight" had received a total of 364 complaints back in 2008.

Todd Phillips' "Joker" tells the story of the popular DC supervillain of the same name. The film traces the protagonist's early life as Arthur Fleck (essayed by Phoenix), who is an aspiring stand-up comedian struggling to make ends meet and constantly derided by society. The film narrates how circumstances push Fleck into the path of crime after he fails to find his way in Gotham's fractured society.

Apart from winning Oscars for Best Actor (Phoenix) and Best Original Score (Hildur Guonadottir), "Joker" was a global box-office success. The film's impact sparked conversations around mental health. A follow-up to the film is also in the works.

--IANS

sug/vn
Consumer Reports has no financial relationship with advertisers on this site.

You love a good latte. But maybe you've never thought of making one at home because you assumed you'd have to buy an expensive espresso maker. News flash: You don't actually need fancy equipment to make a latte.

We asked the coffee taster who helps assess coffee makers in Consumer Reports tests for his secrets to making great lattes without all the extra equipment (he's an anonymous tester who tastes coffee for boutique and major coffee brands).

Below, you'll learn everything from the kinds of coffee beans to buy to frothing milk without a milk frother. And if after reading the steps you decide youd like to upgrade to a coffee maker capable of making lattes after all, weve picked out the top models from our tests that turn out delicious espresso drinks lickety-split.

For more on our top-performing coffee makers and coffee grinders, CR members can view our coffee maker and coffee grinder ratings.

Secret #1: Start With Whole Beans

Believe it or not, you dont need to buy espresso beans. Medium to dark roast coffee thats finely ground is great for lattes, says our coffee taste tester. Grind them fresh for each brew to get the most flavor, though (oxygen robs flavor from pre-ground beans).

Use a high-quality burr grinder like those in our coffee grinder ratings or see our review of the best and worst burr coffee grinders. Our taste tester prefers Baratza grinders, and the Baratza Encore Conical Burr Grinder we tested earns a Very Good rating for fine grind performance.

Whatever you do, dont rely on a spice grinder. If all youve got is a spice grinder, then using the pre-ground beans is probably going to give you a better cup, says our taste tester. Thats because spice grinders use blades, which dont yield as consistent a grind as burr grinders that actually crush the coffee beans.

Story continues

Secret #2: Use an Espresso Maker Alternative

Skip the expensive espresso maker and use an AeroPress ($30) or a moka pot ($30 to $70 for those made by the popular Italian brand Bialetti) to brew espresso. Both use pressure to force water through the coffee grounds, similar to a real espresso machine. They yield brews that taste pretty darn close to the real thing (a regular coffee maker wont yield as rich a brew).

With the AeroPress, you just put it over a mug, and add fine coffee grounds and hot water. Then stir the water around for 10 seconds and use a plunger to slowly force the brew through the filter and into your mug.

Moka pots consist of three chambers that, when heated on a stove, force water through fine coffee grounds and a filter so you get espresso in the top chamber that you can pour out.

Secret #3: Skip the Milk Frother

You dont need a milk frother or an espresso makers steam wand to make foamed milk for your lattes. A blender, hand mixer, or French press will do the trick.

With a blender, simply pour warm milk into it and blend until you achieve your desired level of froth. The hand mixer method is similar, just pour warm milk into a bowl and aerate it. For the French-press method, our expert taste tester says to pour your warmed milk into the French press and pump it up and down repeatedly until you get a frothy milk.

Best Coffee Makers for Lattes

Youd rather have a machine do all the work? Below are three of the best combination coffee/latte makers from our tests, all of which come with a milk frother. For more options, see our guide for the best combination coffee makers.

Mr. Coffee Occasions BVMC-O-CT

CRs take: The Mr. Coffee Occasions BVMC-O-CT is a combination coffee and espresso machine with a twistit can brew coffee from either fresh grounds or Keurig K-Cup pods. This Mr. Coffee also features a built-in milk frother, allowing you to make lattes and cappuccinos. It earns a Very Good rating for brew performance in our tests, and our testers found it's fairly convenient to use. This model also comes with a thermal carafe, a removable water reservoir and drip tray, a permanent filter, and auto-shutoff.

Nespresso by DeLonghi Lattissima One Espresso Maker EN500BW/W

CRs take: If youre a fan of Nespressos proprietary coffee capsules, you might want to try the Nespresso by DeLonghi Lattissima One Espresso Maker EN500BW/W. Using Nespresso OriginalLine capsules, it can brew coffee and espresso as well as lattes and cappuccinos using a built-in milk frother and tank that dispenses milk foam right into your cup. (That means you wont have to froth milk in a separate cup, as you would with other machines.) This appliance receives strong scores in our lab tests, and Nespresso pod machines, as a group, receive an Excellent rating for owner satisfaction.

Ninja Specialty CM401

CRs take: A more affordable take on Ninja's Coffee Bar brewers, the Ninja Specialty CM401 is a terrific all-in-one machine, capable of brewing hot and iced coffee, lattes, macchiatos, and other specialty brews. In our tests it receives an Excellent rating for brew performance, and its glass carafe is easy to hold and pour. This model is also packed with features, including an over-ice brew mode for iced coffee, a built-in milk frother, brew-strength control, and brew-size adjustment for everything from travel mugs to full carafes. It's one of the most versatile coffee makers weve tested.





More from Consumer Reports:

Top pick tires for 2016

Best used cars for $25,000 and less

7 best mattresses for couples





Consumer Reports is an independent, nonprofit organization that works side by side with consumers to create a fairer, safer, and healthier world. CR does not endorse products or services, and does not accept advertising. Copyright  2020, Consumer Reports, Inc.
The income-tax department, which implemented faceless tax assessment from October 7 last year, has randomly selected 58,319 cases for scrutiny in the first phase and already resolved 7,116 of those, two finance ministry officials said.

The objective of the faceless assessment is to completely eliminate physical contact between the taxpayer and the taxman to make tax administration objective, transparent and corruption free, they said requesting anonymity.

The faceless assessment system has been a game changer in the arena of direct taxation. It has empowered the taxpayers and has, as a foremost mechanism, altered the facets and perception of overall tax administration in India, one official, who holds a senior position, said.

The official said this is the future of direct tax administration in India with automated and random allocation of income tax assessment cases without human interface at any stage.

Also Read: Stakeholders responsible for the manifold growth of NPAs: Urjit Patel

The second official mentioned above said, 7,116 assessment cases have been already disposed of and assessment orders issued without any additions in the first phase. In 291 cases additions are proposed and the cases have been sent to the risk management unit.

In all the above cases, the grievances of over-pitched assessment or harassment by the taxpayers/tax professional have been almost eliminated. The taxpayers have been advised to check their registered e-filing accounts or emails for notices or updates. Now, all the communications with taxpayers is made electronically by a central cell in Delhi and identity of all the assessing officers remains unknown to the taxpayers at all times, he added.

The faceless system was first proposed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2017. Finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced it in her first budget speech on July 5, 2019 and subsequently launched the system on October 7, 2019. The random selection of tax cases are done through artificial Intelligence and machine learning, with a reduced discretion or no human interface from the income-tax department, the officials said.

Also Read: At G20, Germany pledges 3 billion euros for poor countries: Finance ministry

Faceless Assessment has further brought in the concept of team based assessment with dynamic jurisdiction and has, thus, induced enhanced transparency, improved efficiency and resulted in superior standardisation of procedures, the first official said. The system works under National Assessment Center (NeAC) headquartered in Delhi and eight Regional Assessment Centers (ReAC) located in Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, Ahmedabad, Pune, Bengaluru and Hyderabad.

Now almost 99% returns are e-filed, the second official said. Out of more than 6 crore returns filed annually, only about 3 lakh returns come under scrutiny on the basis of select risk parameters, he said. He, however, added that some scrutiny cases are also selected manually on the basis of specified criteria. Old assessments can also be re-opened if the assessing officer has sufficient reason to believe that some income has escaped assessment, he added.
South Africa now ranks fifth in the world for confirmed coronavirus cases as the African continent faces the pandemic's first wave head-on, according to the Johns Hopkins University tally.



South Africa on Saturday reported 13,285 new confirmed cases for a total of 350,879. That puts the country ahead of Peru, and accounts for roughly half the cases in Africa.



Gauteng province, home to Johannesburg and the capital, Pretoria, is now Africa's epicentre for the virus. It has one-quarter of the country's population and many of the poor are crowded in township areas with inadequate access to clean water and sanitation.



South Africa has seen 4,948 reported virus deaths, but the South African Medical Research Council in its most recent report shows the country had 10,944 "excess deaths" between May 6 and July 7.

Source: aljazeera.com









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

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Plans for a premium plane to connect London with Barbados have been put on hold.

Caledonia Jets, based in Glasgow, had aimed to launch its 7,500 return flights from Stansted airport to the Caribbean island today.

But the firm says the link is waiting for Atol approval from the Civil Aviation Authority.

The plan is to use an Airbus A340 with just 100 lie-flat seats, about one-third of the usual capacity. It is owned by a Maltese carrier, Air X, and will be operated in association with a company called Blue Sky Luxury which rents villas in the Caribbean.

The jet would fly out of the private terminal at Stansted, previously used by the failed US carrier, Eos, carrying 100 passengers the 4,232 miles to Grantley Adams airport in Barbados.

Until the coronavirus pandemic, British Airways and Virgin Atlantic competed with daily flights from Gatwick. But Virgin will not resume services for some weeks, while British Airways will offer only a twice-weekly service from the Sussex airport from 22 July.

Caledonia Jets says: With first class seating throughout, the Airbus A340 allows passengers to feel relaxed with spacious distanced seating in a luxury environment.

A range of champagne, spirits, wine and beer will be served by a team of VIP attendants at your convenience, alongside gourmet dining in the form of a luxury lunch and afternoon tea on the outbound flight, and brunch and afternoon tea on the return.

The baggage allowance is a remarkable 90kg per passenger  four times the economy limit on BA and Virgin.

Travellers to Barbados are required to arrive either with evidence of a negative test for Covid-19 or be subjected to a mandatory test on arrival, according to the Foreign Office.

You will need to isolate until the test results are provided, says the FCO. This can take a maximum of 48 hours.

Instead, Caledonia Jets insists that prospective passengers stay in a designated hotel in close proximity to the private airport terminal thn night before departure.

Here you will be welcomed by a member of the Caledonia Jets team where you will check in while maintaining social distancing requirements.

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From here, we ask you to relax in your room where a healthcare professional will come and carry out a PCR Covid-19 test.

From this point, we kindly ask you to remain in your room while your test is being processed in a nearby lab. The following morning we will contact you with the results of your test. Providing your result is negative, we will inform you of the transport arrangement to the private terminal at Stansted Airport.

Here you are welcome to board and enjoy your onward journey to Barbados in the knowledge that nobody aboard is positive for the virus.

It is not known when the flights will now begin.
Parliamentary panels have started scrutinising the handling of the Covid-19 pandemic in the country a little over three months after Parliament was adjourned ahead of its schedule due to the virus and a shorter timeframe to hold the standing committee meetings would not have been possible given the present situation, Rajya Sabha Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu said on Sunday.

In a Facebook post hailing the medias role during the pandemic, the vice president also said Parliament is on course for holding the Monsoon session.

The Rajya Sabha chairman said he has held several rounds of discussions with Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on enabling the meetings of the parliamentary committees and the Monsoon session of Parliament. Given the corona-induced social distancing norm, the logistics of seating of MPs required detailed deliberation and planning. The government also recently reached out to both the presiding officers (Naidu and Birla) on holding the Monsoon session.

We are on course, Naidu said.

With the easing of restrictions on domestic air travel in May and to a lesser degree on rail travel, the department-related standing committees of both Houses of Parliament have resumed their meetings this month, he pointed out.

They have undertaken an examination of various aspects of the management of the pandemic and its fallout, Naidu said.

This, in effect, means the required parliamentary scrutiny of the handling of the pandemic started in about three and half months of the last sitting of the apex legislature of the country. Any other shorter timeframe may have not been possible given the situation prevailing in the country, he asserted.

Some members of Parliament had suggested holding the standing committee meetings online due to the pandemic and the resultant lockdown.

But the committees met physically.

At least four parliamentary panels have met in the last few days and the ones relating to home affairs and science and technology have discussed various aspects of the pandemic.

Naidu pointed out that the Budget session had to be cut short a few days ahead of the schedule as the MPs wanted to be with the people in this hour of crisis.

Both Houses were adjourned sine die on March 23. According to the provisions of the Constitution, Parliament has to meet within six months of the last sitting. Normally, the Monsoon session starts in July with some exceptions over the years.

This year, we are living in abnormal times due to the pandemic. The central and state governments are engrossed in handling the pandemic for the last over four months on a day-to-day basis, Naidu pointed out.

Referring to journalists, he said the media, as the fourth pillar of democracy, is often said to be the bridge between parliamentary institutions and people by enabling a two-way communication. This role has assumed even more significance during the time of the pandemic, the vice president said.
National medical team dispatched to Xinjiang responding to epidemic: China CDC official

Global Times

By Xu Keyue Source: Global Times Published: 2020/7/18 17:04:17

The National Health Commission (NHC) dispatched a medical expert team on Saturday to Northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region to investigate the epidemic amid a spike of domestic COVID-19 cases, the deputy director general of the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention (China CDC) told the Global Times.

Feng Zijian, deputy director general of China CDC said Xinjiang is now conducting an investigation over the source and route of infection regarding the confirmed cases as the region has reported 17 cases in the past two days after 149 clear days of no infection.

An expert team led by officials from China's NHC went to Xinjiang on Saturday, Feng said, noting that the scale of the epidemic in Xinjiang is unclear and needs further field investigations.

Xinjiang has seen a spike of local cases as it reported one confirmed case on Thursday and 16 on Friday, according to Chinese health authorities.

Apart from the national medical team, another team of 21 medical staff members from Wuhan, the city in Central China's Hubei Province once hit hardest by the coronavirus, on Saturday morning flied to Xinjiang to assist the fight against the epidemic.

The team is led by Wuhan's veteran doctors who are experienced in dealing with coronavirus cases.

The team carried medical detection instruments including nucleic acid detection kits, extraction apparatuses and PCR-Cyclers.

The team is expected to begin carrying out nucleic acid testing after arriving in Xinjiang.

A team of 21 medical staff members from East China's Jiangsu Province also flied to Xinjiang on Saturday to provide assistance in nucleic acid testing as the city is conducting full-scale screening of potential infections following a resurgence of coronavirus cases.

After the public health emergency, Xinjiang's capital Urumqi has suspended public transport, implemented closed management for residential communities. Many stranded tourists are also waiting to take nucleic acid tests before going outside.

Before the epidemic rebound, Xinjiang had reported one of the fewest caseloads in the country - 76 in China's administrative regions. The region fully resumed work, production and normal life on March 11.

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If young people are getting infected, they are transmitting that to older folks who usually are not so lucky, he said. They are putting their parents and grandparents, their friends parents and grandparents and the entire community at risk.

Jelane Stanley can attest to how devastating COVID-19 can be for those both young and old.

Shes not sure how she and her family first became infected. They had not recently been around anyone who had the virus.

She and Wayne first became sick together, though she was the sickest of the two and was the first to end up in a Sioux City hospital on April 26. She recalls as she labored to breathe, she at one point asked her caregivers about her chances to live.

We dont think you will make it until Monday, she was told.

Her husband also got worse, and soon they were in beds side by side in intensive care. Wayne was struggling so badly to breathe he was wearing an oxygen helmet that made him look like a spaceman. Even lying next to each other, they could communicate only through hand signals.
Dear Rusty: I have been a widow since November 2019. I retired under the Federal Civil Service Retirement System. Before my husband died, I made an appointment with Social Security to see if I could receive his Social Security if he passed on. I was told I could.

Since he passed, Social Security has adamantly refused to let me have my husbands Social Security. I have had many problems with them. Who is correct here? I have lost $1,400 per month. My Social Security check is about $126 per month. Signed: Frustrated Widow

Dear Frustrated Widow:

First, please accept my condolences on the loss of your husband. Unfortunately, I dont have good news for you.

Because of your Federal Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) pension, you are subject to the Government Pension Offset (GPO) provision of Social Security.

The GPO reduces the survivor benefit for anyone who also has a pension from an employer which did not participate in Social Security (neither the employer or the employee paid into Social Security), and your Federal CSRS pension falls into this category.

GPO reduces any survivor benefit you might otherwise be entitled to by 2/3rds of the amount of your CSRS pension, which often eliminates the survivor benefit. For clarity, GPO also applies to a Social Security benefit from a living spouse.

As you probably already know, your CSRS pension caused your own Social Security benefit, earned from other work outside of your Federal employment, to be reduced by the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP). Unfortunately, whoever you previously spoke with at the Social Security Administration prior to your husbands death gave you some incorrect information, because you are also subject to the GPO. And that is why Social Security will not now pay you a survivor benefit from your husband.

Im afraid you have no recourse on this, as both the GPO and WEP have been the law for decades.

The Federal Government has now changed to a Federal Employee Retirement System (FERS) which fully participates in Social Security (both employees and the employer contribute to Social Security), so more recent Federal retirees are not subject to the WEP and GPO rules.

But there are still many U.S. State and local government employers which, to varying degrees, do not participate in Social Security and whose employees are still impacted by both GPO and WEP.

Russell Gloor is a certified Social Security advisor with the Association of Mature American Citizens.
Mayor Jim Kenney's leadership style, including his proclivity to allow subordinates to take the spotlight, has been questioned by some as the city faces two unprecedented crises. Read more

With a strong economy that padded city coffers and a rising progressive movement that aided his agenda, Mayor Jim Kenney in his first term scored a series of high-profile victories, such as enacting the soda tax and returning Philadelphia schools to local control.

But Kenneys fortune ran out during the first seven months of his second term. The coronavirus pandemic has upended political agendas while blowing a $749 million hole in the city budget. And the administrations widely criticized handling of the protests over police brutality has jeopardized his support among progressives.

Through it all, Kenney has maintained his hands-off leadership style, allowing allies to take the spotlight mayors usually dominate and rarely overruling his subordinates. While Kenneys approach to the job hasnt changed, the political environment has, and many are now calling for a more assertive voice to lead the city through a period of unprecedented crises.

Kenneys management style is not an inappropriate problem-solving dynamic, said George Burrell, a former City Council member who served in John F. Streets mayoral administration. What I want now from the mayor is: Whats the vision, and what are they doing? How do all of these moving parts fit together to change our city to address the issues that everybody says uniquely impacts the Black community?

Last weeks surprise announcement that Managing Director Brian Abernathy will resign in September is emblematic of the way perceptions of Kenneys leadership have changed as the city has been rocked by 2020s catastrophes. A headstrong politico-turned-bureaucrat who oversees the operations of city agencies and reports to Kenney, Abernathy had become a leading face of the citys largely praised response to the pandemic, as well as a target of criticism for protesters disgusted with the heavy-handed crackdown on the demonstrations.

In a different administration, Abernathy may have been virtually unknown to the public during both emergencies. But the attention he has received in recent weeks led several members of Kenneys tight inner circle to encourage the mayor to seek a change. Two weeks after saying he had no plans to leave city government, Abernathy on Tuesday announced he would resign Sept. 4, a decision he said was reached mutually with Kenney.

 READ MORE: Brian Abernathy is one of the most powerful people in Philly. Coronavirus and protests put him in the spotlight.

Kenney said he prefers a collaborative approach to decision-making.

Im not a police command operations person. Im not a sanitation route person. Im not a health commissioner. I dont have those expertise. When we have decisions to make  I sit and collaborate, listen to the experts, Kenney said in a recent interview. I like this style. I dont think that dictating from the top down is always effective.

Kenney spokesperson Deana Gamble said the protests have given Mayor Kenney new clarity and a greater sense of urgency to transform Philadelphia into the equitable, thriving city that all Philadelphians deserve. She said the mayor has been planning to speak directly to Philadelphians about his vision for moving Philly forward soon.

I ignored what my instincts told me

The mayors hand-off approach, however, can backfire when his subordinates make mistakes. That dynamic appears to have factored into two high-profile decisions over the police response to the Floyd protests for which the city has been heavily criticized: a lack of preparation for the initial demonstrations, and the later use of tear gas on protesters.

On the first day, there were not enough police officers in Center City to simultaneously prevent looters from ransacking stores on Chestnut and Walnut Streets and guard City Hall and the Municipal Services Building, which some protesters had tried to break into. The Police Department weighed deploying a larger force that day, The Inquirer previously reported, but ultimately chose a smaller one.

 READ MORE: Peaceful Philly protests over George Floyds death give way to violence, looting, arrests

Abernathy said neither he nor Kenney were aware that there were two options the Police Department was weighing prior to the Saturday demonstration. He and Kenney simply asked Outlaw if the police were prepared, he said, because neither are experts in policing.

I didnt ask how many officers we had, how we deployed [them]. And even if I did, I wouldnt be able to say if its the right thing or the wrong thing, Abernathy said.

In a statement, Police Commissioner Danielle Outlaw acknowledged police were short-staffed but said the deployment plan was never scaled back to any significant degree.

I relied on the recommendations, and trusted the judgment of those who advised me, who have experience managing protests here in Philadelphia, Outlaw said.

At the other key decision point during the protests, the authorization of tear gas, Kenney was aware of the options and followed Outlaws suggestion.

As demonstrators and looters clashed with police along the 52nd Street corridor in West Philadelphia on the second day of protests, Outlaw proposed that police be allowed to deploy tear gas to disperse crowds, a tactic not used in Philadelphia since former Mayor Frank Rizzos administration.

 READ MORE: BLACK AND BLUE

Kenney has since said he regrets not overruling Outlaw.

I ignored what my instincts told me, Kenney said at a news conference apologizing for the gassing of protesters on I-676 a day after the 52nd Street incident. I have never believed tear gas was an effective tool when Ive seen other cities use it in protests. It always seemed to me to make situations worse. And it has.

Still their mayor

David L. Cohen, the Comcast executive who as chief of staff to former Mayor Ed Rendell, helped guide the city through its financial crisis in the early 1990s, praised Kenneys performance in recent months. He said each mayor must use the approach that matches his personality.

The management style and structure of decision-making has to be flexibly determined by the culture of the organization, by the personality of the mayor, Cohen said. Kenneys, he said, is a heavily delegated management style, and I dont think theres anything wrong with that style, in times of crisis or in good times.

The structure is not the problem, if there is a problem, Cohen said. The quality of people  and its deeper than just the first level of people  is the critical test.

For the first three years of Kenneys administration, Chief of Staff Jane Slusser and Managing Director Mike DiBerardinis, both ardent progressives, steered the mayor toward a more assertively liberal agenda.

 READ MORE: Philadelphia protesters gassed on I-676, leading to pandemonium as they tried to flee

Abernathy, however, is one of the most politically moderate voices in the top rungs of the administration and is especially friendly with the Police Department, a characteristic that the civil unrest over George Floyds death has made politically unpalatable. And Jim Engler, Kenneys longtime aide who became chief of staff in 2018, is seen as more task-oriented and less ideological than Slusser.

Even before the economic effects of the pandemic sapped the city of resources, Kenneys second-term agenda, highlighted by a new community college scholarship program and a promise to bring street sweeping to every neighborhood, was less ambitious than that of his first four years.

City Councilmember Maria Quinones-Sanchez said a consequence of Kenneys approach is that high-ranking administration officials have significant power to shape the agenda in their policy areas, creating a government that can lack cohesion and vision.

We have what has become a somewhat fragmented city administration built around portfolios around people and personalities, and weve got to go back to being a mission-driven government, said Quinones-Sanchez, one of Kenneys most outspoken critics on Council. We need a comprehensive plan that recognizes that, in order to get equity, you have to be committed to filling the structural, historical, socioeconomic gaps.

Quinones-Sanchez, who is rumored to be eyeing a mayoral run in 2023, also said Kenney needs to be more visible as the city moves forward. A willingness to share the spotlight can be a useful trait for leaders, for instance when building support for an ambitious initiative. But thats not what Philadelphians need now, she said.

For the process of moving from crisis to recovery, people want to see their mayor, they want to believe their mayor, she said. Theyre pissed off at him now, but hes still their mayor.
China, Germany ink $15 billion in deals

Chinese Prime Minister Wen Jiabao and German Chancellor Angela Merkel hold a joint press conference at the chancellery in Berlin. The two countries held their first joint cabinet meeting and inked more than $15 billion in business deals but Wen warned Europe against interfering in its internal affairs.

Chinese Prime Minister Wen Jiabao and German Chancellor Angela Merkel hold a joint press conference at the chancellery in Berlin.



German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Chinese Prime Minister Wen Jiabao review an honour guard during a welcome ceremony at the chancellery in Berlin. The two countries signed more than $15 billion worth of deals during the visit by high-ranking business and political leaders, Wen said.Germany and China held their first joint cabinet meeting Tuesday and inked more than $15 billion in business deals but Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao warned Europe against interfering in its internal affairs.



The new contracts, including one for the purchase of 62 A320s from European aircraft manufacturer Airbus, were signed at a press conference with Wen and Chancellor Angela Merkel after a meeting of 23 German and Chinese ministers.



Berlin rolled out the red carpet during the two-day stay of the Chinese delegation, starting with an informal dinner for Wen and his inner circle hosted by Merkel at a lakeside villa Monday.



But Wen insisted Tuesday that despite "growing and deepening ties," he would not accept lectures on human rights or the rule of law from European partners.



"China respects the political system and the development model chosen by the citizens of the EU," he told a conference of German and Chinese business leaders at a Berlin hotel.



"In exchange, we expect from the EU respect of our sovereignty, our territorial integrity and the autonomous choices of the Chinese people."



At the press conference, Merkel welcomed the release of prominent Chinese dissident Hu Jia and outspoken artist Ai Weiwei from custody amid a government crackdown on dissent.



But she said that Germany expected Ai\'s case and others like it to receive a "transparent" handling by Chinese authorities.



Western nations including Germany had repeatedly urged Ai\'s immediate release. But Berlin has expressed serious concerns about apparent restrictions on Hu and Ai including their freedom to speak to the media.



Human Rights Watch had urged Berlin to place the issue front-and-centre at the talks, saying that Ai\'s release showed "that political pressure on the Chinese government works."



While Merkel welcomed Wen to her chancellery with military honours, a few dozen demonstrators waved Tibetan flags and shouted "Freedom for Tibet!" in German.



And at the end of the press conference, a German protester held up a golden-coloured, waving cat figure emblazoned with Chinese characters and a club in its paw, which he called a "prize" for Wen.



"For the economy, for billions in deals," he shouted.



Relations between China and Germany hit a low point in September 2007 when Merkel welcomed the Dalai Lama, Tibet\'s exiled spiritual leader whom Beijing brands a dangerous separatist.



Wen told reporters in London Monday that China would not accept "finger-wagging" over human rights.



No financial details were given on the Airbus deal but press reports in Germany said the framework agreement was worth more than seven billion euros ($10 billion).



Other contracts signed included one on an electric car project between German auto giant Volkswagen and its Chinese partner FAW and a factory in Foshan.



VW also signed a deal with Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation, while Daimler and the Beijing Benz Automotive Company inked an agreement on investment in new products, engines and a research and development centre.



The ministers also signed a raft of agreements on deepening cooperation in areas including climate protection, energy efficiency, food safety, education and the arts.



The globe\'s number two economy, China, and number four, Germany, have seen trade volume rise by leaps and bounds in recent years, to hit a record 130 billion euros ($184 billion) in 2010.



Both sides hope to boost the figure to 200 billion euros annually by 2015.



"We want to encourage (Chinese companies) to invest even more in Germany," Merkel said, adding: "You are welcome."



But amid German firms\' concerns about protection of their intellectual property rights and widespread piracy in China, Merkel highlighted the need for "fair and reliable rules of play" between the two countries.
By Express News Service

VIJAYAWADA: The state government on Saturday sent two bills  the Andhra Pradesh Decentralisation and Inclusive Development of all Regions Bill and APCRDA Repeal Bill  to Governor Biswabhusan Harichandan for his approval. Once they get the Governors consent, the state government will go ahead with its plan of developing three capital cities  Visakhapatnam as executive capital, Amaravati as legislature capital and Kurnool as the judicial capital. The Governor is likely to approve the bills soon notwithstanding a demand by the TDP to refer them to the President.

Even as the opposition parties argue that both bills, despite getting the approval of the AP Legislative Assembly, are pending with the Select Committee in the AP Legislative Council, leaders of the ruling YSRC maintain that since a month has passed after tabling both bills in the Council, they are deemed to have been passed and can be sent for getting the Governors assent.

Though both bills were passed in the Assembly in January and introduced in the Council, the chairman referred them to the Select Committee. But the treasury benches claimed due procedures were not followed in referring the bills to the Select Committee, and again passed them in the Budget Session of the Assembly and introduced them in the Council on June 17. The bills could not be passed for the second time also as the House session ended abruptly amid pandemonium.

With one month lapsing, after tabling the two bills in the Council for the second time, by July 17, the government sent them for the approval of the Governor under Article 197 (1) and (2) of the Constitution, considering them deemed to have been passed. The fate of the bills will now be decided by the Governor. Sources said the Governor has various options, including sending the bills to the law department for legal opinion as the matter is sub-judice, or forwarding them to the Ministry of Home Affairs for advice. Alternatively, the Governor can approve the bills. Though a petition challenging the bills was pending with the High Court, the leaders of the ruling party are of the view that courts would have no jurisdiction over the bills once they were deemed to have been passed.

War of words over sending capital bills for Guvs assent

Meanwhile, the governments move to send the bills to the Governor triggered a war of words between the ruling and Opposition parties. When the TDP government enacted the CRDA Act, was it referred to the President? Was the Presidents approval sought before naming Amaravati as capital? Capital is the States prerogative. The Governor need not refer the bills to the President, an official source told TNIE.

TDP floor leader in the Council Yanamala Ramakrishnudu said the two bills are pending with the Select Committee and the capital issue is pending in the High Court and also conflicting with the AP Reorganisation Act. He appealed to the Governor to take the opinion of the Attorney General before taking a decision. Ramakrishnudu said that as per the AP Reorganisation Act, the Centre will facilitate the creation of a new capital for the successor State of Andhra Pradesh.

Therefore, the mandate was clear that the State of AP is to have one capital and not more, he pointed out. Countering Ramakrishnudu, Agriculture Minister Kurasala Kannababu lambasted the TDP for writing to the Governor. He said that instead of introspecting as to why it lost the public mandate, the TDP is demanding public opinion. It should first explain to the public why it is against decentralised development and administration and why Ramakrishnudu is obstructing the bills, which are meant for equal development of all regions, he said.

He added that the TDP is struggling to safeguard its interests in the guise of the Amaravati movement, and the public are well aware of the TDPs real motives. We are going as per the Constitution and set procedures. All are aware of what happened in the Legislative Council. The Council chairman, under the pretext of using discretionary powers, acted for Chandrababu Naidu, he said.

BJP state leadership pulled up

The BJP central leadership is learnt to have asked party state chief Kanna Laksh-minarayana why he wrote to the Governor against the partys stand, asking him not to approve the two bills
One of the worlds forgotten conflicts is now making headlines again. In the last week, the military conflict between Azerbaijan and Armenia has reignited, with the two nations having already been engaged in a military confrontation for decades. Nagorno Karabach, an Armenian enclave inside of Azerbaijan, is one of the main underlying factors for the conflict, but the growing rivalry between Russia and Turkey is also playing a part. More than 16 soldiers have been killed in the most recent round of fighting. Both sides are accusing each other of aggression and military action. The use of full scale armed forces and drones have been involved, killing several soldiers on both sides and reportedly an Azerbaijani general. The current outbreak of fighting has been the deadliest since the April War of 2016. While most clashes normally occur in and around the Armenian controlled Nagorno-Karabakh region, the current clashes are on the international border between Armenia and Azerbaijan. The international community is urging both sides to end the clashes. The United States, European Union, and the OSCE Minsk Group are trying to defuse the situation. While it remains unclear what reignited the conflict, it seems that Armenia played a large role in increasing tensions. Armenia recently constructed a new military outpost, which could have given Armenian armed forces a tactical advantage and tempted Azerbaijan to strike. At the same time, Azerbaijan is being buoyed by strong support from Ankara and may have wanted to test Russias support for Armenia. Remarkably, Armenia has called upon the Russia-led Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO), of which Armenia is a member, to intervene. The CSTOs response, from Yerevans point of view, however, is lacking. As of July 14, the CSTO has only called for a normalization of the situation on the border, not implying that it would provide military support for Armenia. The lack of vocal support from Moscow for Armenia is improving Azerbaijans position in the conflict. There is, however, a risk that the conflict will escalate to involve both Russia and Turkey.

While the military conflict may be drawing the majority of media attention, there is also an energy aspect to this conflict.

The military conflict gets full attention but another issue is a major threat to energy markets. The Caucasus is a major oil and gas transfer chokepoint, on which involves Russia, Turkey, Iran, Azerbaijan, Armenia and Central Asian countries. Energy market observers should be concerned about the proximity of the current military clashes to the Baku-Turkey oil and gas pipeline systems.

Threats to these important oil and gas pipelines, which not only connect the Central Asian producers to the global markets but also stabilize the region due to growth potential and revenues, are already significant. Gazprom Armenia, a subsidiary of Russias energy giant Gazprom, stated on July 14 that gas pipelines had been damaged near the border of Azerbaijan. Increased military action on both sides will only increase the danger to existing regional oil and gas infrastructure. Turkey will be hit hard if this conflict does escalate as it is largely dependent on oil and gas from the region.

Related: Second Wave Of COVID-19 Wont Crush Oil Prices



Regional analysts are already assessing the possibility that the current flare up may have been instigated by Russia. The Tovuz region where the fighting is taking place is particularly close to Azerbaijan's crucial South Caucasia pipeline (SCP). The SCP channels natural gas to Turkey's TANAP pipeline and is a key component of Ankara's efforts to decrease its dependence on Russian energy. For years, Turkey has been trying to diversify its energy imports, but Ankara is still heavily dependent on Moscow. Russian gas is twice as expensive for Turkey than it is for most European customers, which is why Ankara is so desperate to move away from Russia gas. By getting Azerbaijani gas via TANAP, Turkey has been able to significantly reduce its costs. The Azeri-Turkish partnership could deepen further as a new opportunity arises in 2021, when a major gas deal between Turkey and Russia is up for renewal. Those discussions stalled in April when the two counties failed to reach an agreement. All of this combined means that Russia could be looking at losing market share in a very important growth market. Related: Russia Looks To Woo Tech Companies As Oil Lags



The main pipeline, the Baku-Tbilisi-Erzurum pipeline, that supplies gas to Turkey from Azerbaijan, passes through the Tovuz region of Azerbaijan. This area borders the Armenian Tavush, where the clashes took place. Due to its geopolitically strategic location, a possible Turkish military intervention, especially considering its operations in Syria and Libya, is not unthinkable. Blowing up the current infrastructure in Azerbaijan would almost certainly ensure Turkish military involvement. "Turkey will never hesitate to stand against any attack on the rights and lands of Azerbaijan," Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Tuesday. Erdogan suggested a wider conspiracy lay behind the latest fighting. Turkish pro-government media have been quick to accuse Moscow of encouraging Armenia to attack Azerbaijan, albeit without substantiating evidence. Some analysts believe Turkeys actions in Libya and Syria are related to this new conflict. Ankara could be forcing a new front, and the hand of Moscow, to get some bargaining power in North Africa.

Whatever the cause of this latest conflict, the situation is on a knifes edge. Azerbaijan, via its defense ministry, has warned Armenia that it could launch missile attacks on its Metsamor Nuclear Power Plant. These threats could be easily be countered by Armenian actions on Azerbaijans weak point, its oil and gas transit pipelines. The fallout would be felt not only in European markets, but globally as well.

By Cyril Widdershoven for Oilprice.com

More Top Reads From Oilprice.com:
Source: Xinhua| 2020-07-20 04:37:29|Editor: huaxia

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CAIRO, July 19 (Xinhua) -- Egypt's National Defense Council (NDC), headed by President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi, discussed on Sunday the latest developments of the Libyan crisis and the Ethiopian grand hydropower dam built on the Nile River, said the Egyptian presidency.

The NDC comprises the parliament speaker, the prime minister, the defense minister, the army chief of staff, the intelligence chief, the ministers of foreign affairs, interior and finance and other senior officials.

The national defense body reiterated Egypt's commitment to end illegal foreign interventions that exacerbate the security situation in Libya and pose threats to neighboring states as well as international peace and security, Egyptian presidential spokesman Bassam Rady said in a statement.

"Libya's security is an integral part of the Egyptian and Arab national security," the NDC said, highlighting its commitment to a political settlement for the Libyan conflict, according to Rady.

Sisi has recently vowed that his country would not stand idle in the face of any direct threats to the security of Egypt and Libya.

Meanwhile, the Egyptian parliament is expected to have a vote this week on approving Egyptian military intervention in Libya to help defend the western neighbor against Turkish intervention.

Libya has been engaged in a civil war since the ouster and killing of former leader Muammar Gaddafi in 2011.

The situation escalated in 2014, splitting power between two rival governments with warring forces: the UN-backed Government of National Accord (GNA) based in the capital Tripoli and another in the northeastern city of Tobruk allied with Khalifa Haftar's Libyan National Army (LNA).

Egypt, Russia and the United Arab Emirates support Haftar's LNA, while the GNA is mainly backed by Turkey and Qatar.

The NDC also discussed the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), affirming that Egypt will continue working on reaching a comprehensive tripartite agreement between Egypt, Ethiopia and Sudan on the outstanding issues regarding the dam, including filling and operating the reservoir.

Over the past few years, tripartite meetings over the rules of filling and operating Ethiopia's grand dam have been fruitless, including those hosted by Washington, amid Egyptian concerns that the GERD would affect its 55.5-billion-cubic-meter annual share of Nile water.

Earlier this month, the 11-day talks between the water ministers of the three countries, sponsored by the African Union, also failed to reach a tripartite agreement on running the controversial dam.

Ethiopia has recently said it would soon start filling the reservoir, while Egypt has repeatedly warned against any unilateral action without a prior tripartite agreement.

Earlier in the day, Egyptian Minister of Irrigation and Water Resources Mohamed Abdel-Ati said Egypt will not stand idle in the face of the challenges posed by the GERD.

"We will never stand still or just as spectators," he warned.

The 4-billion-U.S.-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 has been a main point of their talks. Enditem
Micheal Martin's phone pinged at 7.30am last Tuesday with a message that changed everything and would ultimately force him to sack Barry Cowen as Agriculture Minister just 12 hours later.

Cowen spent much of his ill-fated 17 days as a member of the Cabinet dealing with the fallout from an incident that occurred nearly four years ago - the circumstances of which are now the subject of three separate probes by State agencies and a potential defamation action against a newspaper.

On the night of September 18, 2016, Cowen was breathalysed by gardai at Kilshanroe, near Carbury, Co Kildare, on his way home from Dublin where he had attended the All-Ireland final at Croke Park. He was found to be over the limit and was later hit with a three-month road ban, a fixed charge notice and a 200 fine.

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He has repeatedly and sincerely apologised for drink-driving and has admitted he should not have been driving on a learner permit at the age of 49 - though he has not explained why this was the case.

But the Laois-Offaly TD has been infuriated by the suggestion that he sought to avoid or evade the Garda checkpoint on that now infamous night. When this allegation was first put to him over two weeks ago, he vehemently denied it and warned of legal action against any newspaper, including the Sunday Times and Sunday Independent, if they published it.

He also denied it to Micheal Martin when they first discussed the matter on July 3, just as the Irish Independent was preparing to break the initial story of his three-month road ban for drink-driving.

Cowen had no issue making a Dail statement to outline the facts of the case from his perspective on July 7 and did so, expressing profound remorse for a "stupid, stupid mistake". He did not say anything about the allegations which were then swirling in media and political circles suggesting he had avoided or evaded the checkpoint. But by this stage Cowen, believing the leaking of information to be a "criminal offence", was seeking the Garda records of the incident. He rang An Garda Siochana - it's unclear who exactly - looking for these records and later submitted a subject access request.

These requests can take weeks to fulfil but Cowen, a Cabinet minister, got a transcript of what was on the Garda Pulse system about him within days. It is not a copy of the Pulse record itself, and does not include the details of others involved.

Politically the story appeared to be dying, with neither the Opposition nor Martin's coalition partners seeking further explanation. Martin gave Tanaiste Leo Varadkar and Green Party leader Eamon Ryan an assurance that there would be no further surprises.

Expand Close Driven out: Barry Cowen spent 17 days as agriculture minister before being sacked. PHOTO: ROLLING NEWS.IE / Facebook

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Whatsapp Driven out: Barry Cowen spent 17 days as agriculture minister before being sacked. PHOTO: ROLLING NEWS.IE

He was wrong.

Controversy

The report on the front page of the Sunday Times last weekend, based partly on the legal letter Cowen's solicitors had issued to the newspaper eight days previously, changed everything. In the letter, Cowen's legal representatives referenced the allegations that he was denying. "Our client did not turn or attempt to turn his car as he approached a garda," it said.

The story was deeply problematic for Cowen and the Government and gave the controversy new life. A senior Fine Gael source texted: "There's a real unease now that it's back again. Another week of it ahead."

They weren't wrong.

Just after 9am last Sunday a statement was issued in Cowen's name to a number of journalists denying the damaging allegations and outlining his intention to pursue legal avenues to rectify matters. "I did not evade, or attempt to evade, a garda. Such an act would constitute a serious criminal offence and I was not charged with such an offence. On being informed of its existence, I sought a copy of this incorrect record and am taking steps under the Data Protection Act to have it corrected."

Cowen said it was obvious that the disclosure of information was "a flagrant breach of the criminal law and my rights under data protection law" and "a disgraceful attempt to cause me the maximum personal and political harm".

The statement came through an email address linked to Mary Cowen, who is Cowen's wife. That it did not come through the Government press office, Fianna Fail, or his ministerial or Oireachtas office was perhaps the first indication that the minister was becoming increasingly isolated.

On Monday he deflected questions on the matter as he visited the scene of a bog slide in Leitrim, telling RTE: "Under legal advice, I've been advised not to comment any further on the matter".

For someone as steeped in politics as Cowen, the decision to adopt a strictly legal defence in the face of a growing political problem seemed out of character, but also tactically flawed and ultimately what would bring about his demise as a minister. Even Cowen's allies in Fianna Fail sensed danger. "He opened up a whole new frontier on the whole thing," said one TD.

Pressure was also growing from within the Government, where Green Party deputy leader Catherine Martin was making clear publicly that she had questions about the matter. Privately, she told colleagues she intended to pursue the issue - but it was not raised at the Cabinet meeting in Dublin Castle that afternoon.

The Taoiseach, however, knew it had to be addressed. After the Cabinet meeting, he instructed Cowen to bring the Garda record he had obtained and meet him at Government Buildings that evening.

Cowen showed up for a one-on-one meeting in Martin's office but without the record. Nonetheless, the pair met for an hour and 20 minutes. Cowen walked Martin through the entire incident, again denying that he had made any effort to turn away from the checkpoint. Martin was still not satisfied and Cowen gave an undertaking to send his leader a copy of the record. He did so at approximately 7.30am the following day. It was the last request from the Taoiseach that he would comply with as a member of Cabinet.

Questions

When Martin read the one-page sheet detailing the Garda version of events, that had been sent to his phone, he quickly formed the view that Cowen had to make another statement and answer questions in the Dail.

He met his embattled minister again at around 9.30am in Government Buildings and told him this, explaining it was not tenable to simply remain silent and go the legal route as it would completely undermine the Government's ability to do its job.

Cowen believed the matter would not be raised in the Dail later that day because he had gone the legal route. The Taoiseach was stunned by this assessment. Cowen acknowledged yesterday that there was a "difference of opinion" over how the matter would evolve.

In the Dail chamber at 2pm, Sinn Fein's Mary Lou McDonald and Labour's Alan Kelly sought to draw Martin into the debacle. Under siege from the two party leaders, Martin defended his Agriculture Minister, insisting that the Garda record of the incident that he had seen was "not quite as portrayed". A Fianna Fail TD looking on said Martin appeared increasingly exasperated. "He was extremely shook," said another TD.

After dealing with other Government matters, the Taoiseach left the chamber in the late afternoon and phoned Cowen, hoping that the earlier scenes in the Dail might have changed the minister's mind.

"He [Martin] was asking him to reflect on his position and if he wasn't going to go in [to the Dail] he would put himself and the Government in an impossible position. It would just go on and on," said a source. "If you have a certain opinion about what happened, you should be able to defend it."

The ultimatum, if it hadn't already been delivered that morning, was made abundantly clear to Cowen over the phone that afternoon. But the minister was unmoved.

At that stage, at around 7.30pm, Martin felt he had no choice but to sack Cowen and set in train the formal - and rarely used - process for doing this. He made contact with President Michael D Higgins, asking him to terminate Cowen as a member of the Government under Article 28.9.4 of the Constitution.

Given the events of the day - and the very clear message from Martin that morning - Cowen could not have been shocked at the outcome, and yet in his statement afterwards he said he was "surprised and disappointed" when he received the phone call from Martin confirming the news.

He informed his supporters and the text message to Fianna Fail councillors in Offaly dropped at around 8.15pm. It was to the point: "Barry has been in contact to say that he had been sacked by Micheal Martin from his position as Minister for Agriculture."

Less than an hour later, the Taoiseach was on his feet in the Dail explaining why he had to do it, while Cowen issued a statement in which he concluded that what Martin had done had "undermined and potentially prejudiced my entitlement to fair process".

Cowen has told colleagues that he was disappointed and felt very let down, but that no one had died. There has been an outpouring of sympathy for him from Fianna Fail TDs in recent days. Some believe Martin had no choice, others privately argue the Taoiseach mishandled the matter from the outset and has created yet more enemies, not just Cowen himself but the strong party organisation in Offaly.

Cowen struck a defiant tone on his local radio station, Midlands 103, yesterday, saying he had paid "a hard price" for his drink-driving offence following his sacking from Cabinet - but said "there will be opportunities in the future".

He added: "We have our health, we get over these obstacles, we get over these setbacks, and we put things into perspective and be thankful for what we have and I had a good job before I became a minister. I still have a good job after being a minister and, who knows, I might be again."

He is carefully watching what others, namely the media, say or infer about the matter. How and who leaked the information is now the subject of three separate inquiries by An Garda Siochana, the Garda Ombudsman (GSOC) and the Data Protection Commissioner (DPC).

Gardai have formally notified the DPC of a suspected unauthorised disclosure. The DPC has written to gardai seeking further information about the so-called breach notification.

Investigation

That a Government minister accused a member or members of An Garda Siochana of criminality fairly took the breath away of the force's most senior managers, an informed source said.

There was no option but to call in the Garda Ombudsman to investigate Cowen's allegation that a garda engaged in a criminal act by leaking the "incorrect" Pulse record.

Gardai are investigating, however, if the Pulse data about Cowen's drink-drive incident is actually correct.

The Garda's version of what happened after the All Ireland final is documented not only on the internal database and the Pulse system, but in a notebook used by the garda on the night in question.

According to one source, there may be a written report to the sergeant on duty that night and an audio recording if the garda involved phoned in his Pulse report to the Garda call centre, rather than typed it in himself.

One informed source said the narrative entry of the incident runs to "four or five lines" on Pulse and notes that the car "turned", at which point a garda approached the car. There is no reference to "U-turns" or "turning away" or evading the checkpoint, said the source.

As of Friday, a senior source said the garda who dealt with Cowen was standing by his account of what happened at the checkpoint.

But Cowen is also adamant. The solicitor's letter could not be clearer - it states he "did not turn or attempt to turn" his car. Cowen last week said that at no time did he "attempt to evade the gardai".

But perhaps the biggest issue for the force is whether any of its own members facilitated a devastating and blatantly political leak clearly designed to cut the legs from under a fledgling minister.

Everyone who accesses the Pulse system leaves a technological 'print' behind. And every member of An Garda Siochana who accessed Cowen's Pulse entry since it was first uploaded in 2016 is in the frame. It won't take long for the Garda Ombudsman to identify who they are, if it has not already been done. All will be contacted and will have to prove they accessed the record for legitimate reasons.

A source said most of the Pulse activity around Cowen's offence appears to have been after the Irish Independent broke the news of his drink- driving offence.

Cowen hopes the GSOC will identify the person who leaked it and that under data protection law, he will be able to correct the Garda record. Sources close to the former minister believe that he will pursue a defamation action against the Sunday Times.

Cowen, who declined to answer queries from the Sunday Independent this weekend, told his local radio station yesterday that he believed the outcomes from the various inquiries and processes his case is now going through would "ultimately paint me in a different light".




By Ko Dong-hwan







After comedian Noh Woo-jin embarrassed himself last week

, wife took to social media to apologize.







She apologized for her husband's "stupid act" and said that after first learning about it from the news, she was "very confused and disappointed" in him.







"When I saw him on the day of the incident when he returned home drunk, I thought it was typical of him because, not having a manager, he always hustled to meet people for business until late hours on his own," the apologetic wife said online. "I didn't have any suspicious doubt and went to bed."







She added that as a child-rearing mother, she "understands how dangerous drunk driving is" and would make sure her husband "ponders upon his wrongdoing."







A video of Noh zigzagging in a white SUV on Olympic Highway below Seoul's Han River made headlines last week. The video was recorded by a vehicle behind who called police, urging them to come to the "very dangerous" scene fast.







The video further showed Noh skidding to a left lane to evade police. The celebrity was eventually stopped by a taxi driver who braked in front of him, helping police to nab the comedian near Seongsan Bridge.







Noh, apprehended after having travelled at least 13 kilometers on the highway, was found to have a blood alcohol level well above the legal tolerance limit for license revocation.







Two days after the incident, Noh admitted his wrongdoing on Instagram.


(Natural News) Empirical and anecdotal evidence shows that Antifa is, in fact, highly networked, well-funded and has a global presence. It has a flat organizational structure with dozens and possibly hundreds of local groups.

(Article by Soeren Kern republished from GatestoneInstitute.org)

Antifas stated long-term objective, both in America and abroad, is to establish a communist world order. In the United States, Antifas immediate aim is to bring about the demise of the Trump administration.

A common tactic used by Antifa in the United States and Europe is to employ extreme violence and destruction of public and private property to goad the police into a reaction, which then proves Antifas claim that the government is fascist.

Antifa is not only officially tolerated, but is being paid by the German government to fight the far right.  Bettina Rohl, German journalist, Neue Zurcher Zeitung , June 2, 2020.

, June 2, 2020. Out of cowardice, its members cover their faces and keep their names secret. Antifa constantly threatens violence and attacks against politicians and police officers. It promotes senseless damage to property amounting to vast sums.  Bettina Rohl, Neue Zurcher Zeitung, June 2, 2020.

U.S. Attorney General William Barr has blamed Antifa  a militant anti-fascist movement  for the violence that has erupted at George Floyd protests across the United States. The violence instigated and carried out by Antifa and other similar groups in connection with the rioting is domestic terrorism and will be treated accordingly, he said.

Barr also said that the federal government has evidence that Antifa hijacked legitimate protests around the country to engage in lawlessness, violent rioting, arson, looting of businesses, and public property assaults on law enforcement officers and innocent people, and even the murder of a federal agent. Earlier, U.S. President Donald J. Trump had instructed the U.S. Justice Department to designate Antifa as a terrorist organization.

Academics and media outlets sympathetic to Antifa have argued that the group cannot be classified as a terrorist organization because, they claim, it is a vaguely-defined protest movement that lacks a centralized structure. Mark Bray, a vocal apologist for Antifa in America and author of the book Antifa: The Anti-Fascist Handbook, asserts that Antifa is not an overarching organization with a chain of command.

Empirical and anecdotal evidence shows that Antifa is, in fact, highly networked, well-funded and has a global presence. It has a flat organizational structure with dozens and possibly hundreds of local groups. Not surprisingly, the U.S. Department of Justice is currently investigating individuals linked to Antifa as a step to unmasking the broader organization.

In the United States, Antifas ideology, tactics and goals, far from being novel, are borrowed almost entirely from Antifa groups in Europe, where so-called anti-fascist groups, in one form or another, have been active, almost without interruption, for a century.

What is Antifa?

Antifa can be described as a transnational insurgency movement that endeavors, often with extreme violence, to subvert liberal democracy, with the aim of replacing global capitalism with communism. Antifas stated long-term objective, both in America and abroad, is to establish a communist world order. In the United States, Antifas immediate aim is to bring about the demise of the Trump administration.

Antifas nemeses include law enforcement, which is viewed as enforcing the established order. A common tactic used by Antifa in the United States and Europe is to employ extreme violence and destruction of public and private property to goad the police into a reaction, which then proves Antifas claim that the government is fascist.

Antifa claims to oppose fascism, a term it often uses as a broad-brush pejorative to discredit those who hold opposing political beliefs. The traditional meaning of fascism as defined by Websters Dictionary is a totalitarian governmental system led by a dictator and emphasizing an aggressive nationalism, militarism, and often racism.

Antifa holds the Marxist-Leninist definition of fascism which equates it with capitalism. The fight against fascism is only won when the capitalist system has been shattered and a classless society has been achieved, according to the German Antifa group, Antifaschistischer Aufbau Munchen.

Germanys BfV domestic intelligence agency, in a special report on left-wing extremism, noted:

Antifas fight against right-wing extremists is a smokescreen. The real goal remains the bourgeois-democratic state, which, in the reading of left-wing extremists, accepts and promotes fascism as a possible form of rule and therefore does not fight it sufficiently. Ultimately, it is argued, fascism is rooted in the social and political structures of capitalism. Accordingly, left-wing extremists, in their antifascist activities, focus above all on the elimination of the capitalist system.'

Matthew Knouff, author of An Outsiders Guide to Antifa: Volume II, explained Antifas ideology this way:

The basic philosophy of Antifa focuses on the battle between three basic forces: fascism, racism and capitalism  all three of which are interrelated according to Antifa. with fascism being considered the final expression or stage of capitalism, capitalism being a means to oppress, and racism being an oppressive mechanism related to fascism.

In an essay, What Antifa and the Original Fascists Have In Common, Antony Mueller, a German professor of economics who currently teaches in Brazil, described how Antifas militant anti-capitalism masquerading as anti-fascism reveals its own fascism:

After the left has pocketed the concept of liberalism and turned the word into the opposite of its original meaning, the Antifa-movement uses a false terminology to hide its true agenda. While calling themselves antifascist and declaring fascism the enemy, the Antifa itself is a foremost fascist movement. The members of Antifa are not opponents to fascism but themselves its genuine representatives. Communism, Socialism and Fascism are united by the common band of anti-capitalism and anti-liberalism. The Antifa movement is a fascist movement. The enemy of this movement is not fascism but liberty, peace and prosperity.

Antifas Ideological Origins

The ideological origins of Antifa can be traced back to the Soviet Union roughly a century ago. In 1921 and 1922, the Communist International (Comintern) developed the so-called united front tactic to unify the working masses through agitation and organization  at the international level and in each individual country against capitalism and fascism  two terms that often were used interchangeably.

The worlds first anti-fascist group, Arditi del Popolo (Peoples Courageous Militia), was founded in Italy in June 1921 to resist the rise of Benito Mussolinis National Fascist Party, which itself was established to prevent the possibility of a Bolshevik revolution on the Italian Peninsula. Many of the groups 20,000 members, consisting of communists and anarchists, later joined the International Brigades during the Spanish Civil War (193639).

In Germany, the Communist Party of Germany established the paramilitary group Roter Frontkampferbund (Red Front Fighters League) in July 1924. The group was banned due to its extreme violence. Many of its 130,000 members continued their activities underground or in local successor organizations such as the Kampfbund gegen den Faschismus (Fighting-Alliance Against Fascism).

In Slovenia, the militant anti-fascist movement TIGR was established in 1927 to oppose the Italianization of Slovene ethnic areas after the collapse of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. The group, which was disbanded in 1941, specialized in assassinating Italian police and military personnel.

In Spain, the Communist Party established the Milicias Antifascistas Obreras y Campesinas (Antifascist Worker and Peasant Militias), which were active in the 1930s.

The modern Antifa movement derives its name from a group called Antifaschistische Aktion, founded in May 1932 by Stalinist leaders of the Communist Party of Germany. The group was established to fight fascists, a term the party used to describe all of the other pro-capitalist political parties in Germany. The primary objective of Antifaschistische Aktion was to abolish capitalism, according to a detailed history of the group. The group, which had more than 1,500 founding members, went underground after Nazis seized power in 1933.

A German-language pamphlet  80 Years of Anti-Fascist Actions (80 Jahre Antifaschistische Aktion)  describes in minute detail the continuous historical thread of the Antifa movement from its ideological origins in the 1920s to the present day. The document states:

Antifascism has always fundamentally been an anti-capitalist strategy. This is why the symbol of the Antifaschistische Aktion has never lost its inspirational power. Anti-fascism is more of a strategy than an ideology.

During the post-war period, Germanys Antifa movement reappeared in various manifestations, including the radical student protest movement of the 1960s, and the leftist insurgency groups that were active throughout the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s.

The Red Army Faction (RAF), also known as the Baader-Meinhof Gang, was a Marxist urban guerrilla group that carried out assassinations, bombings and kidnappings aimed at bringing revolution to West Germany, which the group characterized as a fascist holdover of the Nazi era. Over the course of three decades, the RAF murdered more than 30 people and injured over 200.

After the collapse of the communist government in East Germany in 1989-90, it was discovered that the RAF had been given training, shelter, and supplies by the Stasi, the secret police of the former communist regime.

John Philip Jenkins, Distinguished Professor of History at Baylor University, described the groups tactics, which are similar to those used by Antifa today:

The goal of their terrorist campaign was to trigger an aggressive response from the government, which group members believed would spark a broader revolutionary movement.

RAF founder Ulrike Meinhof explained the relationship between violent left-wing extremism and the police: The guy in uniform is a pig, not a human being. That means we dont have to talk to him and it is wrong to talk to these people at all. And of course, you can shoot.

Bettina Rohl, a German journalist and daughter of Meinhof, argues that the modern Antifa movement is a continuation of the Red Army Faction. The main difference is that, unlike the RAF, Antifas members are afraid to reveal their identities. In a June 2020 essay published by the Swiss newspaper Neue Zurcher Zeitung, Rohl also drew attention to the fact that Antifa is not only officially tolerated, but is being paid by the German government to fight the far right:

The RAF idolized the communist dictatorships in China, North Korea, North Vietnam, in Cuba, which were transfigured by the New Left as better countries on the right path to the best communism. The flourishing left-wing radicalism in the West, which brutally strikes at the opening of the European Central Bank headquarters in Frankfurt, at every G-20 summit or every year on May 1 in Berlin, has achieved the highest level of establishment in the state, not least thanks to the support by quite a few MPs from political parties, journalists and relevant experts. Compared to the RAF, the militant Antifa only lacks prominent faces. Out of cowardice, its members cover their faces and keep their names secret. Antifa constantly threatens violence and attacks against politicians and police officers. It promotes senseless damage to property amounting to vast sums. Nevertheless, MP Renate Kunast (Greens) recently complained in the Bundestag that Antifa groups had not been adequately funded by the state in recent decades. She was concerned that NGOs and Antifa groups do not always have to struggle to raise money and can only conclude short-term employment contracts from year to year. There was applause for this from Alliance 90 / The Greens, from the left and from SPD deputies. One may ask the question of whether Antifa is something like an official RAF, a terrorist group with money from the state under the guise of fighting against the right.'

Germanys BfV domestic intelligence agency explains Antifas glorification of violence:

For left-wing extremists, Capitalism is interpreted as triggering wars, racism, ecological disasters, social inequality and gentrification. Capitalism is therefore more than just a mere economic order. In left-wing extremist discourse, it determines the social and political form as well as the vision of a radical social and political reorganization. Whether anarchist or communist: Parliamentary democracy as a so-called bourgeois form of rule should be overcome in any case. For this reason, left-wing extremists usually ignore or legitimize human rights violations in socialist or communist dictatorships or in states that they allegedly see threatened by the West. To this day, both orthodox communists and autonomous activists justify, praise and celebrate the left-wing terrorist Red Army Faction or foreign left-wing terrorists as alleged liberation movements or even resistance fighters.'

Meanwhile, in Britain, Anti-Fascist Action (AFA), a militant anti-fascist group founded in 1985, gave birth to the Antifa movement in the United States. In Germany, the Antifaschistische Aktion-Bundesweite Organisation (AABO) was founded in 1992 to combine the efforts of smaller Antifa groups scattered around the country.

In Sweden, Antifascistisk Aktion (AFA), a militant Antifa group founded in 1993, established a three-decade track record for using extreme violence against its opponents. In France, the Antifa group LAction antifasciste, is known for its fierce opposition to the State of Israel.

After the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989 and the collapse of communism in 1990, the Antifa movement opened a new front against neoliberal globalization.

Attac, established in France in 1989 to promote a global tax on financial transactions, now leads the so-called alter-globalization movement, which, like the Global Justice Movement, is opposed to capitalism. In 1999, Attac was present in Seattle during violent demonstrations that led to the failure of WTO negotiations. Attac also participated in anti-capitalist demonstrations against the G7, the G20, the WTO, and the war in Iraq. Today, the association is active in 40 countries, with more than a thousand local groups and hundreds of organizations supporting the network. Attacs decentralized and non-hierarchical organizational structure appears to be the model being used by Antifa.

In February 2016, the International Committee of the Fourth International advanced the political foundations of the global anti-war movement, which, like Antifa, blames capitalism and neoliberal globalism for the existence of military conflict:

The new anti-war movement must be anti-capitalist and socialist, since there can be no serious struggle against war except in the fight to end the dictatorship of finance capital and the economic system that is the fundamental cause of militarism and war.

In July 2017, more than 100,000 anti-globalization and Antifa protesters converged on the German city of Hamburg to protest the G20 summit. Leftist mobs laid waste to the city center. An Antifa group called G20 Welcome to Hell bragged about how it was able to mobilize Antifa groups from across the world:

The summit mobilizations have been precious moments of meeting and co-operation of left-wing and anti-capitalist groups and networks from all over Europe and world-wide. We have been sharing experiences and fighting together, attending international meetings, being attacked by cops supported by the military, re-organizing our forces and fighting back. Anti-globalization movement has changed, but our networks endure. We are active locally in our regions, cities, villages and forests. But we are also fighting trans-nationally.

Germanys domestic security service, in an annual report, added:

Left-wing extremist structures tried to shift the public debate about the violent G20 summit protests in their favor. With the distribution of photos and reports of allegedly disproportionate police measures during the summit protests, they promoted an image of a state that denounced legitimate protests and put them down with police violence. Against such a state, they said, militant resistance is not only legitimate, but also necessary.

Part II of this series will examine the activities of Antifa in Germany and the United States.

Read more at: GatestoneInstitute.org or Antifa.news
The Edo State Chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has condemned the destruction of the campaign billboards of the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Osagie Ize-Iyamu.

This was contained in a statement endorsed by Chris Osa Nehikhare, Edo Sate Publicity Secretary of the PDP, made available to BREAKINGTIMES, on Sunday.

The statement reads:

In a desperate attempt to change the narrative, the APC vuvuzelas have gone to town making frivolous and unsubstantiated allegations against the PDP and the State Government over the destruction or damages to their billboards.

Let me make it categorically clear that PDP or the State Government have no hands in the destruction or damage to billboard posted by APC. We condemn the act!

However, we advice APC to look inwards as it is common knowledge that the APC is seriously divided, populated by known thugs and brigands in the many factions that exist within it.

Edo people have not forgotten how they resorted to bombing each others residences as they battled for their gubernatorial ticket. Edo people have not forgotten the treachery, blackmail, threats and counter threats employed to arrive at their predetermined candidate.

We are indeed surprised that a party made up of characters that throw bombs at each other at will, shoot at their party members while they are holding meetings, exported to other states to rig elections and is lagging behind in an independent opinion poll it conducted itself would contemplate that PDP or its Government would pay attention to its posters or billboards without messages and want them destroyed or damaged. On the contrary! The quality of the messaging on their billboards exposes APC as empty and having nothing to offer or motivate Edo people.

PDP and Edo State Government cannot be blackmailed or distracted by these baseless allegations and besides, Edo people are too political sophisticated to fall for this scam!

We will concentrate on our agenda of Resetting Edo for a better and brighter tomorrow and not loose sleep over the rantings of a political ant the APC has become.
Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has sent an open letter to President Muhammadu Buhari urging him to use his leadership position to urgently set up a presidential investigative panel to probe grave corruption allegations in the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), including allegations that the agency illegally spent N81.5 billion, on travels, condolences, consultancy and public communication between January and July 2020.

The organization also asked him to immediately suspend Mr Godswill Akpabio, the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs and all those implicated in the allegations pending the outcome of any such investigation. Witnesses and whistle-blowers must be protected and the findings of the investigation should be made public. Where there is relevant admissible evidence, suspected perpetrators should be handed over to appropriate anti-corruption agencies for prosecution.

In the letter dated 18 July, 2020 and signed by SERAP deputy director Kolawole Oluwadare, the organization said: These are extremely serious allegations. Nigerians expect that those who run the NDDC should be free of corruption, and should enjoy no impunity. Nigerians who want to see development and prosperity in the Niger Delta will want you to take the lead to get to the bottom of these allegations and take appropriate and decisive action to address them.

According to SERAP, A special panel to probe allegations of corruption in the NDDC, and that is able to work closely with anti-corruption agencies would protect the integrity of the forensic audit, remove the possibility of obstruction of justice, and interference in the process by those suspected to be involved in alleged corruption in the NDDC.

SERAP said: The investigation by the National Assembly has been controversial, and has reportedly turned into a dirty fight between the NDDC and the National Assembly. Similarly, the hearings have reportedly indicted lawmakers of both the Senate and House of Representatives.

SERAP also said: Any perception of politicisation and bias in the investigation of the corruption allegations in the NDDC would undermine public trust in the process, and ultimately, the public interest and good government, as well as justice for the victims of corruption in the Niger Delta.

The letter, read in part: SERAP is concerned that allegations of systemic and widespread corruption in the NDDC are not only punishable offences but also directly undermine the human rights of Nigerians, especially the people of the Niger Delta.

SERAP notes that your government has expressed the commitment to get to the root of the problem undermining the NDDC. However, the most effective way to get to the root of the corruption problem in the agency, and to ensure and protect the integrity of a forensic audit is to establish a special panel to carry out credible, independent, impartial and effective investigations into the alleged corruption in the NDDC.

A decisive action is needed by you and your government to stop the corruption in the NDDC, ensure that anyone suspected to be responsible is brought to justice, and to fully recover stolen, mismanaged or misappropriated public funds.

Ensuring an independent, impartial, transparent and effective investigation into the corruption allegations in the NDDC would be entirely consistent with the Nigerian Constitution of 1999 (as amended), the NDDC Act, and Nigerias international obligations, including under the UN Convention against Corruption to which the country is a state party.

Section 15 subsection (5) of the Constitution requires your government to abolish all corrupt practices and abuse of power, including corruption allegations in the NDDC. Similarly, the UN Convention against Corruption requires your government to ensure effective investigation and prosecution of allegations of corruption.

Specifically, article 26 of the convention requires your government to ensure effective, proportionate and dissuasive sanctions including criminal and non-criminal sanctions, in cases of grand corruption. Article 26 complements the more general requirement of article 30, paragraph 1, that sanctions must take into account the gravity of the corruption allegations.

Your government should send a strong message of intolerance for grave corruption in the NDDC, and show that you are willing and able to enforce important constitutional, statutory and international principles and obligations.

SERAP also urges you to instruct the police authorities and security agencies to immediately end the harassment and intimidation of Ms Joy Nunieh, former Acting Managing Director of NDDC, or any other witnesses and whistle-blowers. Suspected perpetrators will escape justice if witnesses and whistle-blowers are intimidated, harassed or threatened. 

Effective investigation and prosecution will not be achieved if such crucial participants in the investigation are not sufficiently protected to perform their roles unimpeded. Stopping the harassment and intimidation would also ensure that innocent people are not wrongfully punished and that suspected perpetrators would not subvert the course of justice and escape sanctions.

We request that you take the recommended action within 14 days of the receipt and/or publication of this letter, failing which SERAP will institute legal proceedings to compel your government to act in the public interest.

These allegations and the apparent attempts to weaken the independence, work and freedom of action of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) including alleged deliberate targeting of some directors of the agency have undermined the public's confidence in the governments oft-repeated commitment to fight corruption.

According to reports, the Central Bank of Nigeria and the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation have indicted the NDDC of illegally spending 81.5 billion between January and July 2020. Further, the Bureau of Public Procurement has also reportedly stated that it did not issue Certificates of No Objection to the NDDC for the procurements made by the commission with the money.

The breakdown of the N81.5 billion reportedly include: community relations, N1.3bn; condolences, N122.9m; consultancy, N83m; COVID-19, N3.14bn; duty tour allowances, N486m; imprest, N790.9m; Lassa fever, N1.956bn; Legal services, N900m; maintenance, N220m; and oversea travels, N85.6m.

Others are: project public communication, N1.121bn; security, N744m; staffing related payments, N8.8bn; and stakeholders engagement (Feb 18  May 31, 2020), N248m. A senator also allegedly used 11 companies as fronts to secure for himself N3.6 billion contract in September 2016. The current managing director of the NDDC also reportedly said that the commission spent N1.5 billion for staff as COVID-19 relief funds.

Kolawole Oluwadare

SERAP Deputy Director

19/07/2020

Lagos, Nigeria

Emails: [email protected]; [email protected]

Twitter: @SERAPNigeria

Website: www.serap-nigeria.org

For more information or to request an interview, please contact Kolawole Oluwadare on: +2348160537202
In this Jan. 9, 2020, file photo, President Donald Trump points as he arrives to speak at a campaign rally, in Toledo, Ohio. AP-Yonhap



By Do Je-hae



The latest U.S. media reports are hinting at a possible reduction of U.S. troops stationed in Korea.



In an article titled "Trump administration weighs troop cut in South Korea," The Wall Street Journal reported on July 19 that the Pentagon had reported options to "reduce the American troop presence in South Korea" to the White House.



The WSJ report comes amid the rocky bilateral negotiations on the Korea-U.S. Special Measures Agreement (SMA) to determine Korea's share of the costs for maintaining U.S. forces here, raising speculation that Trump is willing to seriously consider a troop reduction as leverage to extract a better deal with Korea.



Quoting a U.S. military official, the WSJ reported that the Pentagon has "reviewed the structure of U.S. forces in South Korea as a part of a broader re-examination of how to reposition and potentially reduce military deployments world-wide," including the Middle East, Asia, Africa and Europe. In June, U.S. President Donald Trump confirmed plans to cut troops in Germany, down to 25,000 from the current 34,500, which has raised concerns from NATO and Berlin over mutual security.



"We routinely review global force posture, our forces remain postured to respond to any threat, and the president has been clear and consistent regarding cost sharing worldwide," a Pentagon official was quoted as saying to Yonhap.



The WSJ report comes as the two countries have been unable to close the gap on the SMA negotiations, as Trump has continued to criticize Korea for paying "peanuts" for the U.S. troops.



Seoul has proposed a 13 percent increase from the 2019 SMA, which was around $870 million. But Washington reportedly wants $1.3 billion a year, about a 50 percent increase.



The latest reports said Trump once again underlined his discontent over the U.S. presence in Korea, saying "they don't pay us" during a private event sponsored by the Republican Governors Association. The remark was made public in a column by Maryland Governor Larry Hogan in the Washington Post.



According to the governor who has a Korean-born wife, Trump made some derogatory remarks about President Moon Jae-in and South Koreans, describing them as "terrible people."



Trump's handling of the SMA and treatment of Korea is being criticized even among experts in Washington.



"I am all for asking allies and partners to pay more and share the burden of defense. However, treating South Korea like this is wrong. They do pay 'their fair share,'" Harry Kazianis, senior director of Korean Studies at the Center for the National Interest, said on Twitter.



Cheong Wa Dae has emphasized the need for an equitable share and close communication for mutual benefit.



"We checked on the progress of the defense cost sharing negotiations and will continue to engage in close consultations with the U.S. to settle the SMA at an early date," Cheong Wa Dae said in a statement after a National Security Council meeting on July 2.


A 20-year-old man was arrested by Sakinaka police for allegedly molesting a 13-year-old girl who lived in his neighbourhood. According to police the incident occurred on July 16 at around 8pm when she was alone at home.

In her statement the victim told the police that the accused on the day of the alleged incident he had come to their house and requested her for water. However, while taking the bottle the man grabbed the victims hand and molested her.

Victim later narrated the ordeal to her mother after which they lodged a complaint against the accused with Sakinaka police.

Kishor Sawant senior inspector from Sakinaka police station said, Following her complaint we registered the offence and have arrested the accused. The investigation is on,

Police booked the accused under sections 354 (Assault or criminal force to woman with intent to outrage her modesty), 509 (Word, gesture or act intended to insult the modesty of a woman) 506 (Punishment for criminal intimidation) of Indian Penal Code and section 8 (Punishment for sexual assault) and 12 (Punishment for sexual harassment) of Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (Pocso) Act.
The UKs coronavirus test and trace system would not stop the feared second wave because it can only find a third of the people it needs, a top civil servant admitted last night.

Alex Cooper, who looks after two of the five pillars of the test process, said it could only identify 37 per cent of the total contacts it needed to be fully effective.

The senior official admitted in an industry briefing, the number needed to be higher to make the system work properly.

Forms filled in as part of the system to help test and trace people who could be infected

Matt Hancock has describe the text and trace system as 'world-beating' in press conferences

He said: We need to be finding roughly half of the the people that have got Covid so that we can keep R down if test and trace is going to work.

Concerns over the effectiveness of the system will come as a blow to Government heads who are desperately trying to encourage people to return to work in an effort to save the economy.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson said last week he was hoping things would be nearly back to normal in time for Christmas.

Mr Cooper, in an update to industry figures reported by the Telegraph, Essentially where we sit with test and trace is we are identifying around a third of the the people we really should be finding.

Those who need to be contacted are sent messages by handlers who try to find other contacts

The UK has recorded 40 coronavirus -associated deaths today, bringing the total number of confirmed deaths during the pandemic to 45,273

So the main challenge for us now is to make sure that we can test more and identify those index cases.

Government figures released last week suggested that the tracing service was finding 77 per cent of those who tested positive to get details of their contacts.

Those associated individuals would then have to self-isolate until their own test came back.

The Department of Health said last night that the service relied on people  playing their part.

Blackburn with Darwen Council imposed local restrictions in an effort to avoid lockdown

It came as the Independent said the system had failed to reach over half of contacts named by infected residents in outbreak-hit Blackburn with Darwen.

Health Secretary Matt Hancock was also said to have bowed to pressure to release the names of positive tested people to their local councils.

The Observer said he was expected to let local authorities have the identities of those infected to help them fight the pandemic on the ground
Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti listens as California Governor Gavin Newsom speaks in front of the hospital ship US Naval Ship Mercy that arrived into the Port of Los Angeles on Friday, March 27, 2020, to provide relief for Southland hospitals overwhelmed by the coronavirus pandemic. Admiral John Gumbleton, U.S. Navy stands behind Mayor Garcetti. (Carolyn Cole/Los Angeles Times via AP, Pool)

Associated Press

LA Mayor Eric Garcetti said that the city is "on the brink" of another stay-at-home order on Sunday.

During an appearance on CNN, Garcetti criticized a lack of national leadership on stopping COVID-19.

Last week, Los Angeles County broke its record for a single day, with more than 4,500 new coronavirus cases on Thursday.

Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti told CNN's Jake Tapper Sunday that Los Angeles is "on the brink" of another stay-at-home order.

Los Angeles County has seen a surge of cases recently, with new record high hospitalizations and infections. The city has more than 150,000 cases.

"A lot of things went wrong," Garcetti said. He pointed out that cases haven't increased as quickly in LA as in some cities, but said there is "no national leadership" in efforts to slow or stop the pandemic. "It was politicized when it should have been unified."

Garcetti also mentioned that many people are "just exhausted," after the length of the pandemic, and have stopped social distancing, mask-wearing, and practicing diligent hand washing. He said that the city previously opened too quickly.

While LA isn't under stay-at-home orders just yet, many measures to fight the coronavirus resurgence have been reinstated. On June 28, Governor Gavin Newsom closed bars in several counties, including Los Angeles, and indoor dining at restaurants was put on hold on July 1. Garcetti mentioned that mayors don't necessarily have much power in coronavirus shutdowns, which primarily happen at the county and state levels.

Last week was the worst week for new cases in LA since the pandemic started, with several record-setting days for cases and hospitalizations. Thursday remains the record for infections, with more than 4,500 new cases.

Officials are warning residents about the danger for people under 40, who are seeing higher hospitalization rates than earlier in the pandemic. LA County is home to more than half of all the coronavirus deaths in California, The LA Times reported.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Madhya Pradesh Congress chief Kamal Nath held a meeting with his party legislators here on Sunday night, two days after one more MLA quit the grand old party and joined the ruling BJP, second one do so within a week and 24th since March.

Congress leaders said that Nath held talks with the party lawmakers to feel the pulse after two MLAs- Sumitra Devi Kasdekar and Pradymna Singh Lodhi- resigned from the state assembly in just six days and joined the BJP.

While Lodhi had resigned last Sunday, Kasdekar had done so on Friday. An MLA said on the condition of anonymity that during the meeting, the Congress Legislature Party (CLP) decided to expose those BJP leaders who come to them with allurements.

Former state minister Tarun Bhanot said, "We will go hammer and tongs against the BJP in the by-elections to 26 constituencies two of which fell vacant due to the demise of sitting MLAs."

"Our party is going to raise issues of public concern to corner the ruling BJP. Ever since the saffron party came to power in March, lawlessness has been on the rise in MP," he added.

Another MLA said that four to five party legislators, including former state minister Lakhan Gangoria who is unwell, could not attend the meeting.

"The meeting was called to decide that we will take the BJP head-on in the by-elections. We are not at all scared of the people leaving us and joining the BJP for selfish gains," state Congress spokesman Bhupendra Gupta said.

In March, 22 Congress rebel MLAs, mostly loyalists of former Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia had resigned, reducing the Nath-led government to a minority. Following Nath's resignation on March 20, the BJP returned to power with Shivraj Singh Chouhan as the chief minister for the fourth term.

More than a dozen MLAs, out of the 22 who had resigned, got cabinet berths in the Chouhan government. With the exodus of 24 MLAs, the Congress is left with 90 MLAs in the MP assembly, whose existing strength is 204. The actual strength of the House is 230.
WASHINGTON - The Trump administration is trying to block billions of dollars for states to conduct testing and contact tracing in the upcoming coronavirus relief bill, people involved in the talks said Saturday.

The administration is also trying to block billions of dollars that GOP senators want to allocate for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and billions more for the Pentagon and State Department to address the pandemic at home and abroad, the people said.

The administration's posture has angered some GOP senators, the officials said, and some lawmakers are trying to push back and ensure that the money stays in the bill. The officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity to reveal confidential deliberations, cautioned that the talks were fluid and the numbers were in flux.

The negotiations center around a bill Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., is preparing to unveil this coming week as part of negotiations with Democrats on what will likely be the last major coronavirus relief bill before the November election.

Negotiations are expected to kick off with increased urgency because of the rapid growth of cases - and steady uptick in deaths - in the United States. The number of cases began falling in April but accelerated sharply after Memorial Day, shattering records in the past two weeks.

In late May, there were fewer than 20,000 new cases of coronavirus reported each day. On Friday, there were more than 76,000 new cases reported of the extremely contagious virus.

The two political parties are far apart on a number of contentious issues, such as unemployment insurance, but the conflict between Trump administration officials and Senate Republicans on money for testing and other priorities is creating a major complication even before bipartisan negotiations get under way. Some lawmakers are trying to reach a deal quickly, as enhanced unemployment benefits for millions of Americans are set to expire in less than two weeks.

One person involved in the talks said Senate Republicans were seeking to allocate $25 billion for states to conduct testing and contact tracing, but that certain administration officials want to zero out the testing and tracing money entirely. Some White House officials believe they have already approved billions of dollars in assistance for testing and that some of that money remains unspent.

Roughly 3.7 million Americans have already tested positive for coronavirus in the United States, according to a Washington Post analysis. Wait times for test results can vary by state, but in some places people have to wait more than a week to find out if they have tested positive.

Trump and other White House officials have been pushing for states to own more of the responsibility for testing and have objected to creating national standards, at times seeking to minimize the federal government's role.

The last major coronavirus spending bill Congress approved, in April, included $25 billion to increase testing and also required the Health and Human Services Department to release a strategic testing plan. The agency did so in May, but the plan mainly reasserted the administration's insistence that states -- not the federal government -- should take the lead on testing.

Several Senate Republicans including Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-La., are exploring pushing a testing and tracing provision in the next stimulus package but are expected to meet resistance from the White House.

"Cases and deaths are now both rising again, including in many red states," said Sam Hammond, a policy expert at the right-leaning think tank the Niskanen Center, which has been working with Senate Republicans on testing legislation. "Senate Republicans have asked for funding to help states purchase test kits in bulk. As it currently stands, the main bottleneck to a big ramp-up in testing is less technical than the White House's own intransigence."

President Donald Trump has repeatedly questioned the value of conducting widespread coronavirus testing, arguing that if there were fewer tests conducted, the numbers of infections would be lower. Coronavirus infections and deaths are on the rise in many states.

The administration is also seeking to zero out $10 billion in new funding for the CDC in the upcoming bill, while slashing spending for the Pentagon and State Department related to foreign aid, the person said. Trump has been skeptical of State Department spending and foreign aid generally, but it was unclear why the Trump administration would seek to block money for the Pentagon for a variety of covid-related expenses such as reimbursing contractors for providing paid leave to employees.

A White House spokesman declined to comment.

Congress has already approved roughly $3 trillion in new spending and tax cuts as part of its response to the coronavirus pandemic. Some White House officials had hoped to keep the next bill at less than $1 trillion, but they also want to include numerous elements that could prove costly. For example, Trump has demanded a payroll tax cut as part of the legislation. And he also wants to include another round of stimulus checks, though lawmakers are split on how to design new payments.

White House officials have been sharply critical of the CDC's performance during the pandemic, complaining that its initial testing efforts were faulty and that it didn't know more about the virus earlier this year.

At the same time they push cuts in testing and CDC funds, administration officials are trying to use the spending package to fund priorities that appear not directly related to the coronavirus -- including a new FBI building, which has been a longtime priority for Trump, according to people involved.
Due to the surges of novel coronavirus cases seen in Laredo, the Red Roof Inn located at 1006 W. Calton Rd. is set to become a temporary hospital.

Although the company did not want to comment regarding its agreement with the federal government, it is believed it will be transformed like other venues have in cities like New York City. It will become completely concealed to the public and only focus on providing rooms for the patients. An employee who spoke on condition of anonymity said the operations will halt all business, and they will not work while the hotel is used for medical purposes.

This is a confidential agreement, and therefore Red Roof is unable to comment, said Andrea Thompson, the account director for Hill+Knowlton Strategies, a public relations consulting company that works for Red Roof Inn.

Although Red Roof Inn did not comment, the shift to a temporary hospital appears to already be underway. Phone lines to the front desk are no longer operational, and their booking website shows no available dates for months. When trying to book a room with just one guest, there were no available dates until the first week of October.

READ MORE: 121 new cases, three more deaths confirmed in Laredo

This could signify the hospital has been rented by the federal government to transform it into a temporary hospital for a period of more than 60 days. This could help offset the increasing capacity seen in local hospitals with an average of 162.7 patients over the past week. It marked a significant increase with an average of 119.9 the previous week.

The temporary hospital is expected to bring much needed resources to a city that is on the brink of exceeding capacity in hospitals.

Local residents have reacted positively to the support for the city.

I believe this is good and shows that the government does care for the people of Laredo as such help could have easily be provided to other larger cities in the country, but it also shows how bad the situation is here locally, Maria Ramirez said.

However, she also said she is concerned with the potential airborne spread of the virus since it is located next to Sams Club.

Jesus Bermudez said the temporary hospital should help illustrate how dire the situation is locally.

I think there is no better way to show the people the seriousness of a matter rather than showing them how much is needed just to care for the local people, Bermudez said. By having this serve as a temporary monument of the virus, then people may finally understand the gravity of the issue and of the tragedy that can be avoided if people simply stay home or wear masks all the time.
Photo credit: Paramount

From Digital Spy

The latest SpongeBob movie may have been deprived of a theatrical release by the coronavirus pandemic, but luckily Netflix has swooped in to save the day.

The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge on the Run is now heading to the streaming service, allowing UK and international fans of the Bikini Bottom inhabitant to watch his latest adventure from the comfort of their own homes.

There is a slight caveat to this, however. This international Netflix release excludes the US and China (the streaming service is currently unavailable in the latter).

Photo credit: Paramount

Related: Nickelodeon announces SpongeBob SquarePants is LGBTQ+ to celebrate Pride

Back in June, Paramount announced that the third SpongeBob movie in the franchise would be skipping cinemas entirely, instead being released on premium digital rental services in early 2021, before arriving on the streaming service CBS AllAccess in the US.

"We are thrilled to have The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge on the Run, a premier, first-run movie from one of ViacomCBS' biggest brands, join CBS All Access' expanding slate of franchise content from across ViacomCBS," said Marc DeBevoise, chief digital officer at ViacomCBS, and president and CEO of ViacomCBS Digital.

"This launch will be perfectly timed with our continued expansion and planned rebranding of the service in early 2021, as we welcome SpongeBob and the gang from Bikini Bottom to the service in the biggest way possible."

The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge on the Run is yet to have its UK and internationally release date on Netflix confirmed, while US audiences will be able to watch it on premium digital rental services in early 2021, and then CBS AllAccess.

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By PTI

JAIPUR: The Congress on Sunday demanded the resignation of Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat for his alleged involvement in a conspiracy to topple the Ashok Gehlot government in Rajasthan.

Citing the two audio clips, in one of which Shekhawat is allegedly heard during a conversation on a plot to bring down the state government, Congress leader Ajay Maken said the BJP leader should quit on moral grounds.

He said the Anti-Corruption Bureau of the state police has registered a case in connection with the audio tapes against Congress MLA Bhanwarlal Sharma, Shekhawat and one Sanjay Jain.

ALSO READ: Not my voice, ready to face probe, says Gajendra Singh Shekhawat on Rajasthan audio clips

"If Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat is claiming that it is not his voice and the reference in the audio clip is of some other Gajendra Singh, then why is he afraid of giving his voice samples," Maken asked.

He said Shekhawat has no moral authority to continue as a Union minister and should resign so that the investigation is not influenced.

Maken also alleged that the police in Haryana and Delhi are giving protection to the rebel Congress MLAs from Rajasthan.

He said the Centre is threatening in the name of the CBI because it wants to stop the probe into the conspiracy.

The former Union minister also asked why a team of the Rajasthan Police was stopped by Haryana Police to carry out its investigation and take voice samples of MLAs Bhanwarlal Sharma and Vishvendra Singh.

ALSO READ: No talks held between Sachin Pilot, BJP, says Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat

If the BJP has no role in it, then why the MLAs took shelter in the party-ruled Haryana, he asked in a apparent reference to the 19 Congress MLAs' stay at a hotel in Gurgaon.

On charges of horse-trading, Maken asked the BJP to reveal the route of black money" as it is being said that Rs 30-35 crore were offered to each MLA.

Maken, who has come to Jaipur as a Congress observer, said it is the betrayal of people's mandate and the murder of democracy if an elected government is toppled with money power.

If such attempts are not stopped, then people will lose faith over the voting process and democracy, he added.
From left are cover images of "Summer, Speed," "Times and Mood" and "The 11th Young Writer Award Collection." The titles were translated from Korean. Courtesy of Changbi Publishers and Munhakdongne Publishing



By Park Ji-won



The nation's leading publishers suspended publication of award-winning gay author Kim Bong-gon's books as they stirred up a controversy by revealing private information of acquaintances without their consent in his novels, even disclosing their sexual orientations.



Munhakdongne Publishing said Friday it will stop selling Kim's embattled "Summer, Speed" (2018) and "The 11th Young Writer Award Collection" (2020) over the complaints raised against the two books, while making apologies to the victims over the situation.



"We confirmed that there were complaints against author Kim Bong-gon's novel Summer, Speed on social media and Kim admitted it. To prevent further damage and take additional measures over the situation, we decided to stop publishing the book and The 11th Young Writer Award Collection We apologize to anyone affected," the publisher wrote on Twitter Friday.



Changbi Publishers also said it will stop publishing "Times and Mood" in Korean, a collection of Kim's works, as there are similar problems with his story "Such Lives" (2020). It apologized to those affected and readers.



"Changbi takes the situation very seriously while listening to the voices of the victims. We decided to suspend publication of Kim's Times and Mood and will take further measures over the situation. We again apologize to the readers and those unfairly affected," Changbi Publishers tweeted, Friday.



Kim, an openly gay author who debuted in 2016, has been gaining popularity for his autofictional books as a gay man and for paving the way for queer literature in Korea. "Summer, Speed" is highly assessed among viewers as it depicts the mentality of gay men. Kim was also awarded by the publisher for "Such Lives," which also explores sexual identity.



The remarks came after two person claimed for breach of privacy because Kim cited private text messages with them in his two novels "Summer, Speed" and "Such Lives" without their consents and modification.



A man claimed on Twitter Friday that the book outed him as gay without his consent and detailed his personal information including text messages between him and Kim in the novel "Summer, Speed."



The person said the description of the character is pretty much the same as himself except for the character's name. The person said he felt embarrassed and insulted after reading the book and asked Kim to fix the novel but it didn't happen.



He expressed anger and questioned the legitimacy of the literacy by saying "Can we define it as literature only because it is titled as a novel even though it took advantage of a person's private text messages and life as materials, which ended up outing and hurting someone?... I want to publicly call it as an (Kim's) exploitation with full of personal desire under the name of 'autofiction' which hurts living individuals."



A woman earlier claimed that she asked Kim to modify the novel "Such Lives" over the quotes of intimate text messages between her and Kim, but her request was ignored by Kim and the publishers.



"As you can see in the novel, there are expressions that could show shame on sexuality and self-loathing. As the author writes something for living, an ordinary person has a life which should remain private for living," the person said on Twitter on July 10.



Even though the publishers released statement to apology, but multiple authors started boycotting the publishers, pledging not to publish their pieces with the companies.



Stressing that she was disappointed by Changbi, author Kim Cho-yeop said on Instagram she will not publish her next book with Changbi and she already told the publisher that she will not send her piece for its quarterly publication.



Jeong So-yeon, a lawyer and science fiction writer, also said on Twitter that she asked Changbi to cancel the contract with her and will take her intellectual rights back citing the publisher's inappropriate countermeasures against the controversy.


THE chairman of An Taisce Limerick has said the heritage group locally has not considered taking further action over Curragower House.

There has been disappointment in some quarters after An Bord Pleanala overruled its own inspector and gave the green light to the demolition of the red brick building on Clancys Strand. In its place, one living space, three apartments and a cafe are proposed.

It caused the former chairperson of An Taisce Limerick Michelle Hayes to suggest a High Court judicial review to try and block the national appeals bodys ruling.

But John Logan, who took over from Ms Hayes last year, played down the chances of this happening.

A judicial review is a highly serious issue. An Taisce Limerick has not considered that as a possibility. We are not opposed to it, but we havent actively considered it, he told the Limerick Leader.

He said judicial reviews  which can cost in the six figures  are extremely rare.

They often centre on procedural matters.

I know An Taisce has done judicial reviews before, but its not something they enter into lightly. They do it very reluctantly, Mr Logan explained.

If I heard one of my friends was considering initiating a judicial review, my advice would be to be very very careful. Its hugely expensive. Its at least a day in court, and they very often last more than a day, he added.

Councillors had campaigned to have the red-brick building included on a list of protected structures.

But the fact that a planning application was active at the time they decided to do this presented legal problems.

Mr Logan said Curragower House is integral to an historic streetscape and warned other historical buildings face the same fate.
Germany pledged 3 billion euros ($3.4 billion) at a meeting of G20 finance ministers to help the worlds poorest countries, the finance ministry said on Saturday.

The funds will be made available as long-term loans for the International Monetary Funds Poverty Reduction and Growth Trust (PRGT).

IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva welcomed Germanys generous pledge and urged other donors to follow suit.

In April, IMF officials said they had received pledges of a combined $11.7 billion from Australia, Japan, Canada, France and Britain to replenish the PRGT. Spain has also contributed.

The United States has been noticeably absent from the relief drive.

US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin told the IMFs steering committee in April that Washington was exploring contributions to both facilities, but gave no details on the amount or timing of such a contribution.

With the funds ... low-income countries can receive greatly discounted loans and bridge liquidity bottlenecks, the German finance ministry said.

It added that Germany will provide a total of 8.7 billion euros for international aid measures in 2020 and 2021. ($1 = 0.8752 euros)

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Egypt's Minister of Irrigation and Water Resources Mohamed Abdel-Ati said on Sunday that Egypt will never stand idle in the face of the challenge posed by the Grand Ethiopia Renaissance Dam (GERD), Trend reports citing Xinhua.

The minster's statements came during a meeting held by parliament's small and medium-scale enterprises committee to explore the possibility of offering loans to farmers who wish to modernize their irrigation systems, state-run Ahram Online reported.

"It is by no means an easy case and we have a lot of challenges in this respect, but we will never stand still or just stand as spectators," Abdel-Ati said. "Egypt has internal tools to address the problems that might be caused by the GERD."

The Egyptian minister noted that Egypt's President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi is closely following the GERD negotiations.

He revealed that the ministry's current strategy focuses on rationalizing the use of Nile water in agricultural projects, pointing out that the government is now expanding the use of sprinkling irrigation systems instead of the old-fashioned flood irrigation system.

"The government is keen on helping farmers obtain soft-term loans to adopt modern irrigation systems that can save water," he added.

South Africa, the current chair of the African Union (AU), invited Egypt, Sudan and Ethiopia to participate in a mini-summit on the GERD on July 21.

The call for the summit came days after the three countries recently ended a round of talks on the GERD without reaching an agreement on the filling of the mega dam.

The three countries sent separate reports to the AU on the progress of the talks, waiting for the mini-summit to come out with a decision regarding the Ethiopian dam.

Ethiopia started building the GERD in 2011, while Egypt, a downstream Nile Basin country that relies on the river for its fresh water, is concerned that the dam might affect its 55.5-billion-cubic-meter annual share of the water resources.
The 90s had a ton of good things about it, but one of the best parts of the decade was the quality TV geared towards people in their teens and twenties. One of the standout series was Joss Whedons Buffy the Vampire Slayer, a series based on the 1992 film name of the same name.

Starring Sarah Michelle Gellar as Buffy Summers, the Sunnydale based series follows Buffy, a teen girl trying to juggle the regular duties of a teenager, school work, friends, boys, and cheerleading, along with her nightlife of slaying vampires.

Of course, because this was a teen drama, Buffy ended up falling for two vampires over the series, the evil vampire turned good, Angel (David Boreanaz) and the diabolical Spike (James Marsters). Whedon has been talking about rebooting the series for some time, and Marsters says hes down to embody his character once again under one condition.

RELATED: Sarah Michelle Gellar Was Annoyed With Buffy the Vampire Slayer, According to Co-Star

James Marsters wanted to give Spike a Southern accent

Marsters Spike was known for his platinum blonde hair and English accent, even though Marsters is American. Originally, the actor wanted to give Spike a Southern accent. I had done a play where I used like a Louisiana accent, like deep on south, way on down Louisiana like that, revealed on Michael Rosenbaums Inside of You podcast. However, Whedon had other plans for the character. Marsters explained,

Joss Whedon wanted an English punk rock vampire. Its not surprising that he said, No, that other accent is very cute but I want what I want.

RELATED: Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Cordelia Was Supposed to Be Played by a Black Actress

Josh Whedon wanted to kill off James Marsters character Spike immediately

Spike first appeared in Season 2 of the series, he was well known to Buffy because he had killed two Slayers previously. He was devious, diabolical, and dangerous and he was supposed to be killed off pretty early on. However, Marsters embodied the character so well that he became a fan favorite immediately. Whedon was disgusted by this.

He was angry at the situation I think, Marsters revealed. Why should he? If it had been me in his shoes, Id have killed me off immediately. He resented a situation where he had to deal with another romantic vampire when his theme was that vampires are the problems you have to get over in high school, in season 2 when hes trying to hold onto a really good theme and its getting corrupted by a surprise character.

Whedon eventually got over it with Marsters becoming a series regular in Season 4 and appearing on the Buffy spinoff Angel.

James Marsters as Spike stars in 20th Century Foxs Buffy The Vampire Slayer Year 5. | Online USA via Getty Images.

RELATED: Buffy the Vampire Slayer: James Marsters and Amber Benson Weigh in on the Upcoming Reboot

James Marsters would play Spike again under 1 condition

Following Angels cancelation, Whedon considered pitching a Spike spinoff, but that never came to fruition. Now, hes talking about rebooting the series with a Black actor playing Buffy. It appears that Marsters would be down to embody Spike again, but it would have to be sooner rather than later.

I told Joss, whether its one line or 50, Id come, no matter where I was in the world, Marsters explained. But if he wanted to film me doing Spike, he had seven years, because Im aging and Spikes a vampire, and I dont want to play an aged Spike. If there was a way, or if Spike was always in vampire face. Then that might work.
Life has been a struggle in recent months for Johanna Dixon as shes had to close her home daycare business due to COVID-19 and her own health issues.

The greatest obstacle shes facing is coping with having leiomyosarcoma, a soft tissue cancer she was diagnosed with in February.

The costs associated with driving from her St. Catharines home to Princess Margaret Cancer Centre in Toronto are also a major hurdle.

From February to late June, she travelled there for four days of chemotherapy before taking 21 days off and then repeating the cycle.

Starting Monday, she will need to go to Toronto Monday to Friday for five weeks for radiation treatment.

Dixon and her fiance John Guerreiro estimate they will need to spend $500 a week on gas, plus $20 for parking every two hours shes at hospital.

On Saturday, Tailgates, a bar in the Fitch Street Plaza in Welland, donated close to $1,000 toward Dixons treatment costs.

The restaurant heard about her story on social media, said co-owners Ryan Nava and Jevan Elia.

Dixon said the gesture from the local establishment is overwhelming and heartwarming.

Coping with cancer during a pandemic has been very difficult, she said Saturday.

I havent been allowed visitors. Ive been going to appointments by myself, said the 40-year-old mother of children aged three, 10 and 17.

Dixon and Guerreiro are still going ahead with a September wedding, a small gathering.

Hopefully everyone can attend, she said.

Donations can be made to support Dixon on a GoFundMe page created for her cause.

Dixon found a mass when she was pregnant with her youngest daughter three years ago. The results came back negative for cancer. She was hospitalized over Christmas due to intensive stomach pains, said her GoFundMe page.

The doctors found that the mass grew in size and changed colour. Throughout January and February, Johanna was in and out of hospital doing tests until she was diagnosed in late February with leiomyosarcoma.

The fundraiser, started Fathers Day weekend, aims to raise money to help support transportation costs, medical bills, life necessities and costs associated with their upcoming wedding.

Elia, one of the owners of Tailgates, said, it is so important for us to remember our community and if we can help out in any way we will.

Nava said Dixon and her family are frequent customers at their business.

With so much support given to them as young, new business owners who had their world turned upside down after opening in November and shutting down a few months later due to COVID-19, Nava said now is the perfect time to give back.
A 25-year-old terrorist named Ayesha Jannat Mohana was arrested on Friday in Dhaka by the Counter-Terrorism and Transnational Crime (CTTC) Unit for having links with the proscribed terror outfit Jamaat ul Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB).

During the interrogation, the police found out that the woman, Ayesha Jannat Mohana, was originally a Hindu before being converted to Islam when she was in Class 9. Before conversion, Ayesha was known as Pragya Debnath and she hailed from Paschim Keshabpur village that comes under the jurisdiction of the Dhaniakhali police station of Hooghly district adjoining Kolkata. Under the influence of her best friend, who was a Muslim, Pragya had converted to Islam in her high school back in 2009.

Ayesha recruited and radicalised by Jamaat ul Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB)

Following her conversion to Islam, Pragya adopted the name of Ayesha Jannat Mohona and was indoctrinated by the Salafi clergymen in her hometown. A few years after her conversion, she came into contact with the JMBs women cell and was enlisted in the organisation. According to the report, the cells chief, Asmani Khatoon alias Bondi Jibon played an instrumental role in her recruitment.

After being recruited for the JMB, Ayesha was tasked with luring Hindu girls to convert to Islam and then acquainting them with radical Salafi clerics to complete their radicalisation and subsequent induction into the terror outfit.

Ayesha procured fake Bangladeshi birth certificate, Bangladeshi National Identity Card

Since 2016, Ayesha has been regularly visiting Bangladesh, a report published in The Daily Star quoted CTTC assistant commissioner Sk. Imran Hossain as saying. She had reportedly procured a counterfeit Bangladeshi birth certificate and through it, a Bangladeshi National Identity card. Along with these fake documents, an Indian passport was retrieved from her.

Primary responsibility of recruiting teenagers who could be radicalised to join the JMB

Ayesha was entrusted with the responsibility of securing funding for the terror outfit. She had recently married a Bangladeshi national Amir Hossain Saddam over the phone as he is currently staying in Oman. Heeding her husbands advice, Ayesha started living in Bangladesh from August 10 last year. She took up residence in Dhaka and started preaching religious subjects in some madrassas in the citys Keraniganj and Narayanganj neighbourhoods. However, her main job was to identify potential teenagers and young adults who could be radicalised and brainwashed to join the JMB.

Ayesha stopped teaching at the madrassas after her mentor Asmani Khatun was arrested by CTTC earlier this year. Instead of the religious seminaries, Ayesha started becoming more active on social media platforms to reach out to young and impressionable youth and entice them into joining the JMB.

According to the police, Ayesha had successfully recruited some girls into the JMB over the past few months. She is also accused of crossing the international border illegally many times. The report quoting the police officials who arrested Ayesha claimed that the girl was uncharacteristically calm and composed and showed no signs of anxiety or trepidation on being arrested. The police believe that the girl is highly radicalised and committed to the terror outfit.

Porous border between India and Bangladesh aides JMBs rampant terror activities

The porous border between India and Bangladesh provides the terrorists associated with the JMB a reliable passage to recruit young and unwitting youth and continue their rampant terror activities. With the Hasina Sheikh government in Bangladesh coming down hard on the JMB, the very same passage has also provided a safe exit from Bangladesh to the terrorists. It is one of the reasons why so many JMB terrorists have been caught and terror modules busted on this side of the border.
A Long Pond man pleaded guilty Thursday to possessing child pornography while on supervised release for a previous conviction for receiving and distributing child pornography, according to the United States Attorneys Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania.

Jonathan Brownlee, 42, admitted he used a laptop to possess and access the images between August 2017 and April 10, 2018, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office.

Brownlee faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison due to his previous child pornography conviction.
Lionel Messi is only human and needs more support from Barcelona if the team is to return to become successful, says former team-mate Dani Alves. Messi was clearly unhappy when he Thursday's 2-1 defeat at home to Osasuna while Madrid beat Villarreal 2-1 to clinch the title. The Argentina ace warned that Barca will face Champions League elimination to Last 16 rivals Napoli if they do not improve their performances and claimed fans were "losing patience".

Dani Alves thinks Messi understands only too well what is wrong with the current side, having enjoyed so much success during his 16-year career at Camp Nou.

Full screen JESUS ALVAREZ ORIHUELA (DIARIO AS)

Messi can't be expected to do everything on his own - Alves

"Leo is a natural winner," the Brazilian told Catalunya Radio. "He doesn't like losing. When the team loses, it's normal he gets angry, he always wants to win. Just like me. We always want to win. He's been doing what he does for so long, he knows when a team gives one thing and when it gives another. That's why he says what works and what doesn't because he knows. He's spent so many years at Barca, experienced so many things, and he knows exactly what the team needs to win. He sees what I feel, and that's a lack of support. I'll always say that Messi is the main course and we were the perfect ingredients for that plate. Now I have the feeling that he's doing everything, all the time, and we must remember he's only human."

Full screen RODOLFO MOLINA (DIARIO AS)

Current Barcelona side is ordinary

Dani Alves won 23 major trophies alongside Messi, including six league titles and three Champions Leagues, during a glittering Barca career. Now, the Sao Paulo full-back thinks Quique Setien's side are just another team without the star quality that made them great in the past.

"What this Barca lacks is the identity it has always had, like Ronaldinho's Barca , our Barca," he explained. "The identity of a team that dominates for 90 minutes, 100 minutes, or 150 minutes. Barca are there for people to enjoy. Now what I see, from the outside, is that Barca are just another team. They used to have an understanding throughout the team and made things look easy."
Chinese Foreign Minister: US has been pursuing its egoism, unilateralism and bullying policy to the extreme

Global Times

By Global Times Source: Global Times - Xinhua Published: 2020/7/18 10:37:42

The US' "America First" policy and its egoism, unilateralism and bullying have become extreme, which are not how a big power is supposed to act, Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi said during a phone conversation with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on Friday.

The strategic guidance provided by the two heads of state is the biggest political advantage of China-Russia relations, Wang said.

After Russia carried out a referendum last week, the two heads of state had talks again by phone, confirming their firm support for each other and stressing that they regard China-Russia relations as the top foreign policy priority of the two countries, Wang said.

By shifting its own responsibilities, the US side has used the pandemic to smear other countries and shift the blame in every possible way, and even created hot spots and confrontations in international relations, Wang said, adding that Washington has lost its sense of reason, morality and credibility.

Wang said that the US side has revived its infamous McCarthyism and outdated Cold War mentality in its policy toward China, deliberately provoked ideological confrontation and crossed the bottom line of international law and basic norms governing international relations.

China will not be misled by a small number of anti-China forces in the US, but will firmly defend its legitimate interests and dignity, Wang said.

Lavrov said that the US has always believed in American exceptionalism and egotism, and had recently stripped off its pretense and was wielding sanctions against others.

Russia opposes unilateralism in international affairs, he said.

The two sides also had an in-depth exchange of views on holding a summit of the five permanent members of the UN Security Council, maintaining international strategic stability, and on the development of regional conditions and international hotspot issues of common interest.

During a high-level conversation of the United Nations Economic and Social Council on Friday, Wang stated in a speech that China supports multilateral frameworks, including the United Nations, in tackling challenges and seeking common prosperity.

In the face of unprecedented challenges, the role of the UN can only be strengthened, not weakened, while its authority must be safeguarded, Wang said.

He noted that the world needs to uphold multilateralism and reject unilateralism and protectionism, to support greater democracy in international relations and reject hegemony and power politics and to safeguard the international order underpinned by international law and reject unlawful acts and double standards.



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Press Release

July 18, 2020 As Anti-Terror Law Takes Effect: Yes to Vigilance, No to Disinformation More at: https://pinglacson.net/2020/07/18/as-anti-terror-law-takes-effect-yes-to-vigilance-no-to-disinformation/ Now that the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020 is in effect, the Filipino people are assured of a law that allows the Philippines to mount the needed strong response against the threat of terrorism. As the one who painstakingly sponsored the measure in the Senate, I will not allow anyone to pervert the legislative intent of the law, thus my commitment to go the extra mile in guarding against possible abuse in its implementation. It is the responsibility of all Filipinos to see to it the law is implemented properly - meaning, it is meant to go after terrorists and not anyone else. Thus, the efforts of some groups to similarly keep watch against abuses despite the safeguards already in place are very much welcome, so long as they avail of the proper venues and follow safety protocols. That said, we cannot afford to have disinformation campaigns aimed to make the public reject the Anti-Terrorism Law. Terrorism knows no timing or borders. I hope the day will not come that critics of the law - especially those behind the disinformation drives - will not be at the receiving end of terrorist attacks.
Bank chief executives have backed the government's revamp of a scheme to provide up to $40 billion in taxpayer-backed loans to help the recovery of small and medium-sized firms.

Use of the program has been limited so far, with only about $1.6 billion lent, but there is a view among banks the changes will allow lending for longer term investments, rather than to just support short-term cash flow.

Banks will be able to extend low-cost loans to a wider range of businesses under the government's revamp. Credit:Ryan Stuart

On Sunday night the government announced an overhaul of its coronavirus small and medium enterprise guarantee scheme. It will now allow banks to provide low-interest rate loans of up to $1 million for terms of up to five years whereas previously it allowed three-year loans of up to $250,000.

Commonwealth Bank chief Matt Comyn, who last week said support for small business would loom large in the government's thinking, said the expanded scheme would give businesses a deeper pool of financial support.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-07-19 08:56:47|Editor: huaxia

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ISLAMABAD, July 19 (Xinhua) -- The Pakistani intelligence agencies and police in southern port city of Karachi have arrested six terrorists who were planning a major terrorist attack in the city, police said on Saturday.

A senior police officer told a news conference in Karachi that the terrorists belonged to the Baloch Raaji Aajoi Sangar (BRAS), an alliance of Baloch armed groups, were arrested on Friday in an intelligence-based operation.

"They (terrorists) were busy planning a major attack in Karachi. They had been involved in terrorist attacks on the check posts and convoys of the army, police and other law enforcement agencies in Balochistan province. They confessed involvement in terrorism in their statements during interrogation," Senior Superintendent of Police of district West of Karachi Fida Hussain Janwari said.

A rocket launcher, grenades, rifles, pistols, ammunition and explosives were also recovered from their possession, according to the police officer.

Janwari said the intelligence agencies and police were on high alert since a terrorist attack on the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) building in Karachi last month, in order to break the network behind the attack. The proscribed Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), one of the armed organizations under the umbrella of BRAS, claimed the attack on the PSX building on social media.

The BLA had planned the attack on the PSX building, said Janwari, adding that the sleeping cells of the group operate in Karachi and its outskirts, which facilitate and guide the terrorists to their targets.

"This is a fact that the hostile intelligence agencies routinely plan terrorist attacks to destabilize the country. They use anti-state separatist and terrorist groups for attacks on the law enforcement agencies and key installations," the police officer said. Enditem
Other people are more direct, asking for proof of Covid-19 or antibody test results, or suggesting both parties get tested before a meet-up, especially if they live in an area where testing is free. Tarryn Feldman, 36, a makeup artist who works in Nashvilles music industry, gets tested frequently because of her job. She currently has a friend with benefits (her description) and is rigorously honest with him about banal interactions that she would never normally discuss. We check in, Ms. Feldman said. Im not afraid to ask him anything about what hes been doing and where hes been. When a houseguests personal trainer tested positive for Covid-19, for instance, Ms. Feldman informed her friend-with-benefits, and everyone got tested. (No one, except the trainer, had the coronavirus.)

For a first in-the-flesh date, keep it outside, where the risk of coronavirus transmission is lower. For the nearly 20 people interviewed for this article, walks were by far the top choice, followed by picnics and then backyard barbecues or a drink at a restaurant with outdoor seating. A clothing designer in Pomona, Calif., who requested anonymity because she didnt want to be judged for her choices, went over to a mans house for a dinner of takeout lamb and hummus after hed produced a screenshot of a negative Covid test  and hed just had the place cleaned. He sprayed me down with Lysol and he had a HEPA filter right by his front door, which he said would get all the germs, she explained. But it didnt matter: They werent a good match and didnt meet up again.

Embrace the mask.

Nearly all the daters interviewed for this article skipped the masks except if there were other people around  though most know its not necessarily a rational choice. Theres something psychologically when you like someone, you automatically trust that they dont have the virus, said Kaley Isabella, 31, who works in public relations in Los Angeles and has been dating a man she met during the pandemic. Its crazy. It doesnt make someone safe just because you like them.

Marie Helweg-Larsen, a professor of psychology at Dickinson College, says its true we are biased toward people we choose to go out with. We tend to underestimate our own risk, she wrote in an email, and of course we want people we know/love to share our umbrella of invulnerability.

This thinking can be tough to counteract; it requires recognizing your own bias in your risk assessment. My best advice is to tell the date beforehand that you intend to wear a mask and would like the date to do so as well, Dr. Helweg-Larsen wrote. You can also practice what to say if the date is resisting (something simple like, please put on your mask or, you are protecting me with your mask) or you can use non-verbal communication like stepping or turning away from someone.
Here's a list of six tips of Google Calendar that you may not be aware of.

With work from home being the new normal, were dependent on digital tools for streamlining work. There are multiple professional tools, apps and services available. Google Calendar is one thats probably being used quite frequently now owing to the number of virtual meetings taking place.

Google Calendar makes it easy for users as its part of the whole Google ecosystem. It syncs to your Google account and other Google apps. Google Calendar comes with many features that you may not be aware of. Here we list down tips Google wants you to know to make the most out of Google Calendar.

Different time zones

Virtual meetings are taking place not just locally but globally as well. Different time zones make it difficult to find one balanced time for meetings. To make things easier, you can set a designated time thats suitable for users from different countries. You can do this by going to Settings > Time zone, and then click the box for a secondary time zone. You can choose your preferred time zone here. If you want more time zones to be displayed then just go to World clock > Show world clock.

ALSO READ: Top 5 Gmail tips and tricks you should know

Working hours

Working hours can be maintained even when youre working from home. On Google Calendar you can do this by adding your official working hours so others can be notified of the same. To do this, open Settings > General/ > Working Hours > Enable working hours. Then select the day and times of your work shift. Your coworkers will be able to see your working hours when they schedule meetings with you.

Google Calendar working hours. (Google)

Out of office hours

If you wish to decline meetings when youre not on your shift Google Calendar can do it for you. Just select Out of office from the event details box and choose the dates. Once enabled, Google Calendar will automatically decline meetings scheduled during your Out of office duration.

Sharing your calendar

Google Calendar also lets you share your calendars with others. This can be done by opening My Calendars, then select the calendar you wish to share and click on More > Settings and sharing. You can choose to share your calendar with specific people.

ALSO READ: 5 features to get the best out of YouTube

Privacy for events

While you share your calendar with others you may want to keep some appointments private. You can do this on Google Calendar. Just open the event you want to hide and select Default visibility. Then select the privacy setting for that event and click save.

Tasks in Google Calendar

Google Calendar also comes with support for tasks. These will be visible only to you and you can do this by selecting Add a task from the side panel. Google Calendar also lets you sync tasks from other apps like Gmail, Google Drive, Docs, Sheets or Slides.
Egypts wheat storage capacity has increased to more than 4 million tonnes, up from a capacity of 3.6 million tonnes at the end of 2019, a supply ministry official told Reuters on Sunday.

Egypt, the worlds largest wheat importer, has been trying to increase its capacity by building more silos in recent years.

Sundays announcement comes days after Egypt said it has purchased a total of 3.5 million tonnes of wheat from local farmers as the harvest season, which began in mid April, concluded.

The figure is up 300,000 tonnes in comparison with wheat purchased last year, according to the supply ministry last week.

Egypt consumes around 20 million tonnes of wheat yearly and imports around 12 million tonnes, according to a recent report by the US Department of Agriculture.



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The Ghana Education Service (GES) today Sunday announced the death of Ms Cindy Aku Sika Addo of General Arts 4A, a final year student of the Methodist Girls Senior High School at Mamfe Akuapem.

She was diagnosed with acute malaria and died on Friday July 17, 2020.

This was in a statement signed by Mrs Cassandra Twum Ampofo, the Head of Public Relations, GES, and copied to the Ghana News Agency in Accra.

It said management of the school quickly rushed Cindy to Tetteh Quarshie Hospital at Mampong around 11pm on Thursday, July 16, when her friends detected she was not well.

It said her parents were immediately informed and they went to the Koforidua Hospital, where she was referred, to see her.

"Management of GES extends its deepest condolences to the bereaved family and stands with them at this difficult time.

The statement assured the family of the GES' support in giving the deceased a befitting burial.

May the good Lord grant her peaceful rest," it said.

GNA
After being forced to close its doors because of the coronavirus pandemic, a Midland preschool used the federal governments Paycheck Protection Program to keep teachers from being laid off or furloughed.

Holy Trinity Preschool closed in March following spring break, along with most schools and day care facilities, according to the Rev. Bob Hennagin, rector at Holy Trinity Episcopal Church. The school briefly reopened before closing again for the summer.

Hennagin said that after losing those months of tuition payments, paying preschool employees likely would have depleted the churchs savings had it not received a PPP loan.

We certainly needed it, he said. Theres always a couple months in the summer when we have to use money in reserves. Without the PPP, we would have possibly had to use all of the reserves.

Holy Trinity Episcopal qualified for a loan between $150,000 and $350,000, according to data released by the Small Business Administration. Eligible businesses were given a range and were able to receive a loan anywhere between the minimum and maximum values.

Hennagin said they borrowed $165,000 to pay the salaries of their 34 preschool employees for the months of June and July.

Several other churches received loans through the PPP program as well, including Crestview Baptist Church, First Methodist Church and Mid-Cities Church.

Some private schools also used the federal loans to subsidize employee incomes. In a statement to the Reporter-Telegram, a spokeswoman for Trinity School said the school used the program to pay the salaries of about 150 employees.

COVID-19 and the decline in the economy, in general, create huge uncertainties for independent schools like ours, which are dependent on tuition revenue, said Marketing Director Brandi Cooper. Through the PPP grant, we are doing our part to ensure that highly educated professionals can remain in the Midland area for both the short and long term.

Trinity School borrowed between $1 million and $2 million, according to SBA data.

The SBA data shows more than 600 businesses in Midland received $150,000 or more from the program, and about 25,000 jobs were retained because of it. Businesses that receive the loans are not required to pay them back  instead, they will be paid with taxpayer money.
Sanjay Jain, the man arrested on charges of offering money to MLAs to topple Ashok Gehlot government, was given a budget of 100 crore to buy out three MLAs, the Special Operations Group (SOG) claims to have found in its investigations.

Jain was arrested on Friday night and is currently in four-day remand of the SOG. The money game was being controlled from the National Capital Region (NCR), said police officers, who are part of the investigations.

The SOG is investigating three cases of alleged sedition and conspiracy, including the two based on the audio tapes, in which three people--Jain, Ashok Singh and Bharat Malani  have been arrested. Singh was tasked to give 25 crore to an Independent MLA, one of the officers mentioned above alleged.

The three arrested men were middlemen, he claimed.

SOG claims that its preliminary probe into the three cases suggests that Jain was a small link to a long chain trying to lure members of the legislative assembly (MLAs) with crores of rupees to topple the government.

Both Jain and Singh have strong financial background and political links, one of the police officers said.

State BJP spokesperson Pankaj Meena however refuted the claims calling it a trap laid by some senior Congress leaders to defame BJP. Jain has been block president of Congress in Bikaner in past and has nothing to do with our party, Meena said.

Reacting to the allegations of BJP, Archan Sharma, spokesperson of Congress party highlighted that the audio tape which has surfaced clearly reveals that Jain was acting as middlemen between central leadership of BJP and Sardarshahr MLA Bhanwarlal Sharma to topple the government.

Jain has been office bearer of BJP and this case it is clear that an attempt was made by him with some central leadership of BJP to topple the government, Sharma added.

A top police official related to the probe claims that other than Jain, there were at least three to four other chains of people including businessmen and politicians, who were trying to negotiate with Independents and Congress MLAs. The police are trying to trace the chain of links to the handlers behind the alleged attempt to topple the government.

There have been definite attempts to induce the independents and Congress MLAs and the police has obtained messages and recording to prove that. Messages which talked about arranging money in crores of rupees have been obtained. We are trying to find out the main source of the entire game plan. People like Jain, who was arrested on Friday night, Malani of Ajmer and Singh of Banswara, arrested on July 11, are just the middlemen of different chains, the police official quoted above added.

On Saturday along with the SOG, crime branch and city police were also roped in to investigate the different aspects of the case.

Jain was called at the SOG on Thursday night for interrogation followed by registration of an FIR on Friday that named him, Sardarshahar MLA Bhanwarlal Sharma and a person identified as Gajendra Singh.

The FIR was registered against the trio on the basis of three audiotapes of purported conversations relating to alleged attempts to destabilise the Gehlot government.

In one audiotape, one of the MLAs can be heard purportedly speaking to another agent discussing the plot.

In another tape, Jain is allegedly introducing one MLA to Singh and one person is heard saying that more legislators are needed to dislodge the Gehlot government and another person responds exuding confidence that the current dispensation would not last long.

In a claim made in a conversation, recorded in another audio clip, one person says Gehlot government is unlikely to last more than 10-15 days.
When Autumn Lee, a pre-med junior at the University of New Mexico, needs to download lectures or class assignments, she hops in her car and drives 45 minutes to the McDonalds nearest to her town of Sanders, Ariz., to connect to reliable Wi-Fi from her car. After the university sent students home because of the coronavirus pandemic, Ms. Lee grew frustrated with what she said is expensive and data-restricted internet service in Sanders, an unincorporated village of fewer than 1,000 people in eastern Arizona. Relying on her smartphone data plan wasnt much of an alternative. It took one or two hours to watch a 20-minute lecture, she said. I just got so frustrated, I figured there had to be another way. So she made the 40-mile trek several times each week  and shell likely have to keep doing it now that the school has canceled nearly all in-person classes for the fall.

Like Ms. Lee, many other Americans sheltering from Covid-19 are discovering the limitations of the countrys cobbled-together broadband service. Schooling, jobs, government services, medical care and child care that once were performed in person have been turned over to the web, exposing a deep rift between the broadband haves and have-nots.

Those rifts are poised to turn into chasms, as the global pandemic threatens another year of in-person schooling for American children. Large public-school districts like Los Angeles and Prince Georges County in Maryland, as well as a variety of colleges and universities, from Hampton to Harvard to Scripps, have canceled in-school instruction at the start of the coming year. Gov. Gavin Newsom on Friday announced rules that would require the vast majority of schools in California to begin the year remotely, meaning millions of pupils will need a reliable internet connection throughout the day for instruction. Additional districts that are going online only at the start of the year include Nashville, Houston and Atlanta.

Other districts will surely follow, as the raging contagion in their communities gives them little alternative. An adequate connection is no longer a matter of convenience; it is a necessity for anyone wishing to participate in civil society.
A manhunt is underway for two fugitives who escaped from a jail in Virginia nearly a week ago.

Jabar Taylor, 20, and Rashad Williams, 18, broke out of the Bon Air Juvenile Correctional Center in Chesterfield County on July 13 after assaulting a guard, according to the US Marshals Service.

The men were recently spotted about 230 miles from the jail in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, officials said Saturday as they urged the public to remain on high alert.

'The danger posed by these fugitives and their escape should not be taken lightly by anyone,' Nick E Proffitt, US marshal for the Eastern District of Virginia, said in a statement.

'The fugitives went to great lengths to affect the escape, and they pose a significant threat to any law enforcement officer or member of the public who may encounter them.'

A manhunt is underway for fugitives Jabar Taylor, 20, (left) and Rashad Williams, 18, (right) who escaped from a juvenile detention center in Chesterfield County, Virginia, on July 13

Taylor and Williams broke out of the Bon Air Juvenile Correctional Center (pictured) after assaulting a guard, according to the US Marshals Service

Taylor was behind bars after having been convicted of two counts of second-degree murder and aggravated malicious assault, officials said, while Williams was convicted of malicious wounding and robbery.

The Marshals Service said the men escaped by attacking a corrections officer and then slipping through a hole in a perimeter fence before fleeing in a getaway car that was parked outside the jail.

Officials believe that the men made their way north as they have 'significant known ties' to northern Virginia, Washington DC, Maryland, Delaware, Philadelphia, New Jersey, New York and North Carolina.

The agency said the pair are believed to be together but it's possible they may have separated.

The Lancaster County District Attorney's Office issued a press release on Saturday confirming that the fugitives were recently spotted in the area.

The men allegedly stayed at a Homewood Suites hotel in Lancaster earlier last week, and surveillance footage captured them at a nearby Turkey Hill store.

The Lancaster County District Attorney's Office issued a press release on Saturday confirming that the fugitives had stayed at the local Homewood Suites hotel (pictured) earlier this week

Surveillance video also showed the men at a Turkey Hill store in Lancaster (pictured)

Three people have already been arrested in connection with their escape, including a relative of Williams and two employees at Bon Air detention center, WTVR reported.

Williams' relative Gerald Thornton, 33, was arrested on two counts of aiding with the escape of a juvenile on July 14. He is currently being held in Pennsylvania awaiting extradition to Chesterfield County.

Bon Air employee Destiny L Harris, 23, was arrested on the same charges, also on July 14. She is currently being held at Chesterfield County Jail.

The following day the Virginia State Police arrested employee Darren Briggs, 42, on one felony count of providing a cell phone to a prisoner. He is also being held at Chesterfield County Jail.

The Marshals Service is offering a reward of up to $5,000 each for information leading to the arrests of the men.

Taylor is described as 5'9" and about 140 pounds, and Williams as 5'7" and about 140 pounds.

Officials asked anyone with information to contact the Marshals Service at 1-877-926-8332 or via the agency's website.


A business in southwest England is using an electric fence to enforce social distancing rules to stop the spread of COVID-19.

Johnny McFadden is the landlord of Star Inn, a public house  or pub  in the village of St. Just. He set up the fence in front of the pubs main drinking area to make sure that people keep at least two meters distance away from others.

McFadden said, If I had put a little bit of rope there, I dont think anybody would have taken this much attention as they have to an electric fence. He spoke to the Reuters news agency.

England is famous for its pubs, where locals gather to enjoy alcoholic drinks and sometimes food. The government gave pubs permission to reopen on July 4, but they must enforce social distancing measures. That includes limiting pub employees contact with customers, and reducing the time customers spend at the bar.

McFadden said the rules represented a big culture change for his business.

I run a very small bar. Everybody is accustomed to sitting at the bar, pushing at the bar. They cant do that now. Things have changed, he said.

The fence is not actually turned on. But McFadden said that the same logic which works in the nearby farms of rural Cornwall also works for the local drinkers.

He said, As long as theres a warning sign on an electric fence and you are warned about it, its totally legal. And theres the fear factor - it works.

McFadden added, People are like sheep. Sheep keep away, people keep away.

Im Jonathan Evans.

Tom Nicholson reported on this story for the Associated Press. Jonathan Evans adapted this story for Learning English. George Grow was the editor.

________________________________________________________________

Words in This Story

accustomed  adj. being in the habit or custom

customer  n. someone who buys goods or services from a business

factor  n. something that helps produce or influence a result

landlord  n. a man who runs an inn, pub, or rooming house

logic  n. a proper or reasonable way of thinking about or understanding something
"Forced demolition of mosques" in Xinjiang is totally nonsense: official

People's Daily Online

(Xinhua) 10:01, July 18, 2020

URUMQI, July 17 (Xinhua) -- The so-called "forced demolition of mosques" in Xinjiang is totally nonsense, an official of northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region said on Friday.

Commenting on the 2019 report on international religious freedom issued by the United States, which claims that Xinjiang is dismantling mosques, Mehmut Usman, director of the regional ethnic affairs commission, told a press conference that, as long as venues for religious activities are registered with the government under the law, they have legal status, and all their rights and interests are protected by law.

"Xinjiang has always attached great importance to the protection and repair of mosques, and the governments at all levels in Xinjiang have not only helped and supported the improvement of mosques, but also guaranteed the normal religious needs of religious believers," the official said.

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The federal government has extended the tenure of the Commandant General of Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Abdullahi Gana, by six months.

The NSCDC spokesman, Emmanuel Okeh, disclosed this in a statement made available to News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday in Abuja.

Mr Okeh said the Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbeshola, approved an extension of the tenure of the NSCDC boss for a six-month period and not five years as it had been speculated in some quarters.

He noted that the tenure extension would be effective from July 17, 2020 to January 2021 and not for another five years as speculated in the media.

It is therefore instructive to point out that the information, as being circulated in some sections of the media is untrue, incorrect and seriously misleading.

And a figment of the imagination of the writers in an attempt to cause confusion and disaffection in the system while at the same time projecting the leadership of the Corps in bad light, he said.

Mr Okeh said that the corps therefore wished to place on record that the interior minister had graciously approved an extension of the tenure of the NSCDC commandant-general for a six-month period.

Mr Okeh also assured the government and all Nigerians that the added time for the NSCDC boss would be utilized very to further develop and grow the organization to the standard expected of an international organization like civil defence.

(NAN)
Since George Floyd was killed by a Minneapolis police officer in late May, Black Lives Matter activists have taken to the streets demanding radical changes to police departments and other parts of government. So far, the political class is offering little more than words painted on streets.

That, at least, is the emerging sentiment toward the Black Lives Matters street murals popping up in cities around the country. These efforts, meant to represent a commitment to social justice in local communities, have received praise from community members and some public figures. But theyve also garnered criticism from activists who are pushing their mayors and governors to move past symbolism and institute immediate policy changes.

Rather than ordering the words painted on streets, activists argue, lawmakers should take action to protect Black lives in real time  by enacting the policies that Black organizers have been calling for since before the Floyd protests began. So far, few of those in power are getting the message.

It's not enough. What we're asking for is not, like, a symbolic recognition of how Black lives matter, said Delilah Pierre, an organizer with the Tallahassee Community Action Committee. The Florida state capital is one of the latest cities to paint the now-familiar yellow-and-black mural across a major intersection. We're asking for that to be something that's in practice. We're asking for real systemic change to the system that oppresses and marginalizes black people.

The Black Lives Matter street art, meanwhile, originated more as a way to troll President Donald Trump, who has called Black Lives Matter a hate group.

Washington, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser commissioned the first BLM mural in early June, in response to Trumps militarization of the citys downtown and use of chemicals to clear protesters in front of the White House. She re-named the intersection across from the White House Black Lives Matter plaza and had the words painted across the asphalt in bold yellow lettering.

Story continues

Duct tape covers the 16th Street NW street sign, renamed Black Lives Matter Plaza NW, near the White House in Washington, Wednesday, June 24, 2020. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

More than a dozen other cities have since adopted the practice. New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio was one of the first to follow suit, ordering Black Lives Matter to be painted on 5th Avenue, directly across from Trump Tower. Rev. Al Sharpton and members of the Central Park Five participated in its unveiling.

Still, activists say that in most places, political leaders have not matched those expressions of support with the kinds of policy changes that would tangibly improve peoples lives. As coronavirus cases continue to spike, Black and Latino patients comprise the majority of cases and deaths . Since Floyds killing in late May, more African-Americans have been killed by police officers, only further injecting energy into the protest movement against police violence.

State and national legislative leaders, meanwhile, have not responded with the kind of urgency the colliding crises demand. Congress has not passed a relief package since May while more than 30 million Americans could be without any income if unemployment relief is not renewed by the end of July. A rent crisis remains on the horizon as more than one-third of Americans missed rent and mortgage payments at the beginning of the month. Black and Latino populations stand to bear the brunt of these calamities, as unemployment remains disproportionately high in both communities.

Those realities prompted D.C. activists to immediately paint a counter-message on the street next to Mayor Bowsers Black Lives Matter mural: Defund the police. Black Lives Matter D.C. has also since released a statement condemning the mural and calling it performative.

The folks who painted that...they know very well that that wasn't a genuine thing by Muriel Bowser, said Sean Blackmon, an organizer with the D.C.-based Stop Police Terror Project, which organizes nationwide against police violence. And so what that really says is, if you think that Black Lives Matter, Muriel Bowser, then you must defund the police.

They paint the letters of your movement on a street and are hailed across the country but they're not willing to look you in the eye and talk about solutions, said Jessica Byrd, co-founder of Three Point Strategies and an organizer with the Movement for Black Lives. I mean, it takes an incredible amount of cognitive dissonance to believe that a mural is enough and that it could replace a conversation about structural change in the city.

In some municipalities, leaders have answered the protesters' calls for change. Minneapolis, the catalyst for the wave of anti-racism protests happening around the world, advanced a ballot measure that would disband the citys police department and establish a new security and violence prevention force. So far, it is the only city to pass legislation disbanding police since Floyds death.

But with pressure rising from local organizers and the national outcry, a growing number of state and local leaders have announced plans to decrease police budgets for the upcoming fiscal year and redirect the funds to communities of color. Los Angeles city council cut $150 million from its police budget. San Francisco has enacted similar measures, pledging to cut from the citys police budget and reallocate the funds to programs benefiting the local Black community.

Defenders of the murals say that art still has a special place in social movements, and the murals are not intended to be a substitute for policy changes. Some protesters have, themselves, erected Black Lives Matter art of their own. Its a different dynamic, however, Pierre explained, because there is a unique understanding behind the work.

I think when activists go out, and they create those symbols, and they've been doing the work of really trying to uplift black people in their communities, it's way different. Because they're coming from the perspective of love. And it's kind of a sign of what's to come, she said. We can't stop at paintings. We have to really change the system, especially the way that black people and the police interact.


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Jasmine Zheng & Benjamin Siegel-Wallace

Hello there

Jasmine and Ben, electronically acquainted by dating app, met in person for Popsicles.

They laughed when they realized both wore bright red shoes that spring 2018 night, then enjoyed unearthed coincidences, witty banter, and a whole lot of chemistry.

Both had moved to Philadelphia about a year prior. Ben, who is now 34 and works for Texas-based health-care tech firm Iodine, grew up in Center City and had moved back home from D.C.  on Jasmines birthday. Jasmine, who is now 33 and a physical medicine and rehab doctor specializing in cancer care, moved here for a job at Penn Medicine. Born in Shanghai and raised in suburban Toledo, Ohio, and Kalamazoo, Mich., she had lived in D.C. some of the years Ben was there. Her parents live near Ann Arbor, as do Bens brother and sister-in-law.

Alas, shortened by her 30-some minutes of lateness on one end, and his dinner plans with friends on the other, their fun first date was just 45 minutes long. Conflicting schedules meant a two-week delay for their second, but they talked and texted. While they didnt share the intel just yet, neither was interested in dating others.

With [Ben] every time I went on another date it was just better and better and I liked him more and more, Jasmine said. I didnt have to try.

Besides, the man can cook! One night, Jasmine joined Ben and his youngest brother/roommate Samuel  for Bens take on burgers. Each ate a burger. Eyeing the remaining one, Jasmine asked if she could have it. Bens heart soared.

Part of the family

Ben could hear the caring in his voice whenever he spoke of Jasmine. I kept telling [Samuel] how delightful and wonderful Jasmine was from the moment I met her. How absolutely gorgeous, driven, and funny she is, he said. It really was a no-brainer that she was what I had been searching for.

He adored the way she became part of his family. First, she befriended Samuel. Jasmine bonded with his mother, Ellen, over the shared experience of raising the puppy siblings they had adopted. And the still-new doctor cherished every discussion she had with a very experienced one: Bens father, Richard.

Watching his father and his girlfriend grow close, Ben knew he had to share some difficult news: Richard had been battling cancer for more than a year.

Jasmine supported Ben through the difficult experience. She also took on the role that would have been Richards had he not been the patient: answering with kindness and honesty every difficult medical question the family had.

How does forever sound?

In September 2019, Ben cooked up a plan, then cooked dinner. On their rooftop table, he had placed his yogurt-and-herb-marinated chicken and a lidded bowl. Jasmine, can you serve everyone some rice? he asked.

She lifted the lid and found a small black box.

Jasmine willed herself to stay calm while she opened it, to avoid any awkwardness if it wasnt what she was hoping for  but it was!

Jasmine pulled herself out of Bens embrace, put her hands on her hips, and smiled. Arent you going to ask me something? she asked. I want to see you get on that knee!

Ben knelt and the couples puppy, Leeloo, and Bens parents puppy, Skye, jumped and yelped excitedly.

After the question was asked and answered, they called Jasmines parents, Bob and Jean, and Bens mother, who had been visiting his father in the hospital. Ben always cooks extra, so Ellen joined them. They called Bens father to share the joy.

You could hear in his voice how happy and relieved he was, Ben said. It was like he knew that I was going to be OK, because I have Jasmine.

Bens father died a few weeks later.

It was so them

The couple postponed their Fairmount Horticulture Center wedding and reception, but married on their Graduate Hospital rooftop deck on May 16. Bens parents were married on May 19, Bens brother, Micah, and his wife, Rachel, on May 18, and Rachels parents, on May 17. Jasmine and Ben wanted to make it four in a row, and marrying within a year of Richards death felt like keeping a promise to him as well as to each other.

The couples wedding day began like a typical Saturday with brunch in the backyard. They and their photographer took socially distant photos outside the Horticulture Center. Coronavirus restrictions meant just five people would be physically present for the ceremony: the couple, Bens mother and local brother, and the photographer. More than 100 others would watch on Zoom.

The 6:30 p.m. start time came and went -- without Jasmine. She was ready, but a doctor who sees one of her patients had called seeking an opinion.

Bens mother gently told Jasmine that she needed to walk down the aisle. Im so sorry, I didnt want to interrupt you, but Im actually about to get married, Jasmine told the other doctor. With his mazel tov, the wedding began.

An instrumental version of Here Comes the Sun played as Bens mother walked him across the deck. Jasmine walked with Leeloo and Skye. She wore a silky dress in red  the Chinese color of joy. Ben felt much joy as she joined him beneath their chuppah, which was covered with the same tallits that his parents stood beneath at their wedding in 1979.

Samuel led the ceremony, made official with a self-uniting license. Ben and Jasmine spoke the vows they wrote. They danced to Acoustic by Billy Raffoul and then Samuel played some klezmer music for a tiny hora. Later, the couple, Bens brother and mother, and Jasmines parents -- seated at the head of the table via Zoom  ate together.

Ben will always remember Jasmines wedding day delay with fondness. If that had happened to me, I would have said, I cant talk right now; Im getting married,  he said. The only other person I know who this would have happened to is my dad.

Honeymoon staycation

The couple had planned a trip to Paris and the French Alps; Florence, Italy; and the Greek islands. They booked fishing and museum trips, pasta-making classes, and imagined picnicking on the Seine.

Instead, We went to France and Italy in Philly, said Jasmine.

One nights rooftop supper came from Parc. They followed an Italian womans video to make pasta. They filled a picnic basket with French wine and food from Rouge and enjoyed it at Schuylkill Banks.

An eventual reception

The couple hope to re-take their vows and celebrate at the Horticultural Center on May 16, 2021. But they will wait as long as it takes for everyone they love to laugh, sing, and dance close together safely. Whether next year, their fifth anniversary, or some other May 16 to come, Jasmine will wear the still-secret wedding dress that no shop was open to alter this year, and there will be lots of food, cake, and fancy Popsicles to share.
The Delhi government earlier this week told a 12-member committee, set up on directions of the Supreme Court to inspect Covid-19 hospitals in the national capital, to look into factors that can help reduce the deaths caused by coronavirus disease (Covid-19).

According to an office memorandum from Delhis principal health secretary Vikram Dev Dutt, the government also provided a checklist containing questions such as time taken for triaging (the practice of assigning treatment based on urgency) Covid-19 patients; whether early warning scores to determine whether a patient might deteriorate was followed; and whether the hospital had a standardised investigation protocol.

Since committees constituted for the inspection of hospitals in Delhi, consequent to orders passed by the Supreme Court, are already carrying out their mandate in a continuous manner, it would be appropriate that specific attention may now be focused upon aspects which have a bearing on the reduction of Covid-related mortalities, the memorandum read.

This comes after the Delhi government released protocols for management of Covd-19 patients, including having a dedicated health care worker monitoring each critical patient. The protocols had also said that availability of dialysis has to be ensured by all hospitals as patients with Covid-19 acute respiratory distress syndrome may also develop acute kidney problems.

The government had also said hospitals had to set up a proper holding area for Covid-19 patients, apart from ensuring an effective triage and monitoring of oxygen saturation.

Dr Mahesh Verma, a member of the committee and vice-chancellor of Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University, said, The government has provided us with a checklist of questions to look into whether the hospitals are following protocols for admission, triage, critical care, and infection control. Even one death that can be prevented should be prevented and the committee has just been asked to look into whether there is anything that can be done.

So far, most of the deaths in hospitals have been of patients who tried to managed their symptoms at home and reached hospitals only when their lungs were compromised or at a stage when they needed to be put on ventilators and the condition could not be reversed. Earlier, Covid-19 related deaths were also happening because doctors did not understand the progression of disease and there was a sudden coagulopathy (formation of clots) or drop in oxygen saturation, he said.

The data provided by the chief ministers office showed that 691 deaths took place in Delhi between June 24 and July 8, which works out to an average of 46 deaths a day. The numbers have gone down further, with just 26 deaths being reported on July 17 in the daily health bulletin.

Of the 691 deaths, the the CMs office said zero deaths happened in home isolation in July and only seven deaths were reported in home isolation between June 24 and 30.

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Source: Xinhua| 2020-07-19 11:47:28|Editor: huaxia

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PYONGYANG, July 19 (Xinhua) -- Kim Jong Un, top leader of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), presided over an enlarged military meeting on Saturday to discuss the strategic mission of the major units for coping with the military situation in the vicinity of the Korean Peninsula, the official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported Sunday.

The KCNA reported that the fifth enlarged meeting of the Seventh Central Military Commission (CMC) of the Workers' Party of Korea discussed the issues of intensifying the party's education and guidance of commanders and political officials of the army.

After the enlarged meeting, there was a closed-door meeting to "examine the strategic mission of the major units for coping with the military situation in the vicinity of the Korean Peninsula and the potential military threat," and to discuss the key issues of further bolstering a war deterrent of the country, it said.

An organizational matter was tabled at the meeting on dismissing or appointing commanding officers of major posts of the army, the KCNA said, without giving details of the military reshuffle.

Present at the meeting were CMC Vice-Chairman Ri Pyong Chol, members of the CMC and commanding officers of the armed forces organs at all levels. Enditem
Following the detection of its first omicron case Saturday in Haidian district of Beijing, the Chinese capital locked down certain communities and office buildings just weeks before the Winter Olympics and the Lunar New Year holiday. The city opened 30 emergency testing points in Haidian on Monday as it rushes to contain the spread

Jan 19, 2022 05:37 PM
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New Delhi, July 19 : With 38,902 new cases reported in past 24 hours India's total coronavirus cases on Sunday reached 10,77,618. With 543 deaths the toll stood at 26,816, Health Ministry data said.

Karnataka is the new hotspot state nearing 60,000 cases, as Maharashtra remained the worst-hit state, with 3,00,937 cases and 11,596 casualties. It crossed the 3-lakh-mark on Saturday with Mumbai reporting over 1 lakh coronavirus cases so far. It is followed by Tamil Nadu with total 1,65,714 cases, including 2,403 deaths.

The national capital, on the other hand is projecting an uplifting trend. For 17 of the last 20 days, including 11 in a row now, the number of people recovering from Covid in Delhi has remained higher than newly detected infections -- no other state has come close to such a trend.

According to Health Ministry data, as many as 6,77,422 patients have recovered, almost twice the number of active patients at 3,73,379, though India continues to be the third worst-affected country after the US and Brazil.

In the last 24 hours, 3,58,127 samples were tested, as the testing lab network continued to expand.

States with more than 10,000 cases include Karnataka (59,652), Gujarat (47,390), Uttar Pradesh (47,036), Rajasthan (28,500), Madhya Pradesh (21,763), West Bengal (40,209), Haryana (25,547), Andhra Pradesh (44,609), Telangana (43,780), Assam (22,918), Jammu and Kashmir (13,198), Kerala (11,659), Odisha (16,701) and Bihar (25,136).

The AIIMS Ethics Committee has given its nod for a human clinical trial of the indigenously developed COVID-19 vaccine candidate Covaxin following which the premier hospital is likely to begin the exercise by enrolling healthy volunteers from Monday.

Globally, over 14 million people have been infected with the virus and 602,656 have died. It has taken just four days to climb to 14 million cases from 13 million recorded on July 13. The WHO warned that fresh daily tallies are breaching all records.
U.S. army soldiers take part in a U.S.-South Korea joint river-crossing exercise near the demilitarized zone separating the two Koreas in Yeoncheon, South Korea, April 8, 2016. Reuters



The Pentagon has offered the White House options to reduce American troop levels in South Korea, the Wall Street Journal reported Friday.



Citing unnamed U.S. officials, the paper said the options were presented in March following a broader review of options for withdrawing troops from around the world, including in the Middle East, Africa, Europe and Asia.



The White House requested the review last fall, and by December, the Pentagon had come up with broad ideas, it said.



No decision has yet been made to reduce the number of U.S. forces stationed in South Korea from the current 28,500, according to the WSJ.






The Border Security Force (BSF) recovered 60 packets of heroin, weighing a total of 64.3kg, from the border outpost at Nangli Ghat near Dera Baba Nanak in Gurdaspur district of Punjab on Sunday.

BSF deputy inspector general (DIG) and public relations officer BS Rawat said the heroin was being smuggled into India from Pakistan through the Ravi river.

BSF sources said a boat patrol at Nangli Ghat found the contraband floating in the Ravi. The packets of heroin were tied in four cloth pipes held together with a rope and concealed with water hyacinth.

This is one of the major seizures made by the BSF in the recent past.

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The Trump administration is seeking to phase out funding for coronavirus testing and contact tracing, as well as funds for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the National Institutes of Health in a forthcoming GOP coronavirus relief package, according to two sources familiar with ongoing negotiations between the White House and Senate Republicans.

The Washington Post first reported these negotiations, which according to two officials are not going over well with Republicans.

Senate Republicans are proposing some $25 billion in grants to states for testing and contact tracing, as well as about $10 billion for the CDC and $15 billion for the NIH, the sources said.

PHOTO: St. Johns Well Child & Family Center workers prepare to test a woman for COVID-19 at a free mobile test clinic set up outside Walker Temple AME Church in South Los Angeles amid the coronavirus pandemic on July 15, 2020 in Los Angeles. (Mario Tama/Getty Images)

A senior White House official told ABC News, "the President is fully committed to a robust aid package that addresses real needs" and said "there have really been no negotiations to date."

The official did not directly dispute that the administration is seeking to zero out funding for contact tracing and testing, arguing that health experts even say it will never work, but said it's early in the negotiating process and talks will start in earnest Monday.

"There have really been no negotiations to date. There have been a couple of conversations about current funding needs and reserves from the previous legislative packages," the official said. "The President is fully committed to a robust aid package that addresses real needs. There remains 14.7 billion dollars in NIH and CDC from the previous cares act allocations and discussions will start in earnest on Monday."

MORE: Congressional leaders at odds over next coronavirus relief package

This news comes days after public health officials and lawmakers sounded alarms over a new program that directs hospitals to report COVID-19 data directly to the Department of Health and Human Services instead of to the CDC.

While the White House says the new requirement, which started Wednesday, will help make coronavirus data collection from hospitals more centralized and efficient, some fear HHS control and using a system run by a private contractor instead of existing CDC data collection channels could politicize findings and cut experts out of the loop.

Story continues

MORE: Tracking Trump and Fauci's tense relationship

The White House on Friday also blocked CDC Director Robert Redfield from testifying before Congress next week on how to reopen schools safely

PHOTO: Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Robert Redfield, speaks during a White House Coronavirus Task Force briefing at the Department of Education building Wednesday, July 8, 2020, in Washington. (Manuel Balce Ceneta/AP)

Congress is now racing to put together the next coronavirus stimulus package before lawmakers break for the August recess, tentatively scheduled to begin Aug. 10, and unemployment benefits -- desperately needed by so many Americans -- run out at the end of the month.

Tune into ABC at 1 p.m. ET and ABC News Live at 4 p.m. ET every weekday for special coverage of the novel coronavirus with the full ABC News team, including the latest news, context and analysis.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell is poised to introduce his bill this week as he prepares to sit down with Democrats to negotiate the next stimulus package before the November presidential election.

Two senior GOP aides said the Republican bill will come in at roughly $1 trillion to $1.3 trillion.

MORE: Coronavirus updates: Florida now has over 350,000 cases as hospitalizations rise

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi derided that sum as far too little, pointing to her chamber's passage of a more than $3 trillion coronavirus relief bill two months ago. It included $75 billion for testing, contact tracing and isolation measures.

"I have no doubt they will come around," Peolsi said in a Bloomberg interview. "In the beginning they said, 'No, we have spent enough money.' Now, they're at $1.3 trillion. That's not enough. We have $3.4 trillion."

McConnell has knocked the bill as a "liberal wishlist."

The two sides remain far apart in several key areas.

Democrats have insisted on the House-passed bill that includes aid for front-line workers, state and local governments, and more money for hospitals, testing, schools, nutrition and housing assistance. Senate Democrats are seeking to add an additional $430 billion for education-related needs. Thursday, Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer and his caucus also unveiled a $350 billion plan to target aid to communities of color, which have been disproportionately hit by the coronavirus.

Outlining his bill Thursday, McConnell said four key themes will prevail: liability protection, schools, jobs and health care.

MORE: Pandemic surge damages Trump, boosting Biden's White House bid: POLL

As the nation's unemployment rate remains historically high, it seems certain lawmakers will continue expanded pandemic jobless benefits. But Congress is unlikely to continue those benefits before they run out at the end of this month.

Republicans have fought against a flat $600-per-week rate created under the original CARES Act virus relief bill, claiming it is a disincentive to work for those who made less before the virus hit. Senate Finance Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley, who would manage that portion of the bill, has indicated that the benefit is likely to taper off and not end abruptly.

There is a lingering question about whether or not to send Americans of modest income another round of stimulus checks, one of the more popular provisions of the last stimulus bill. Trump has expressed support, and Sen. Roy Blunt, R-Mo., said Thursday he was "open to it."

PHOTO: People visit the Destiny USA mall during the reopening, as the coronavirus (COVID-19) restrictions are eased in Syracuse, N.Y., July 10, 2020. (Maranie Staab/Reuters)

The one area where there is far more agreement is aid to small businesses. The popular Paycheck Protection Program, which was renewed until Aug. 8, is likely to be reformed to target the smallest of businesses. Many businesses have requested a chance to apply for a second PPP loan, but it is unclear if Republicans will approve such a move as it would swell the overall price tag of the bill.

McConnell said on Thursday he knows the path forward will not be an easy one.

Unveiling his plan mid-week "will just begin the process," he said.

What to know about the coronavirus:

How it started and how to protect yourself: Coronavirus explained

What to do if you have symptoms: Coronavirus symptoms

Tracking the spread in the U.S. and worldwide: Coronavirus map

ABC News' Katherine Faulders, Mariam Khan, Libby Cathey, Anne Flaherty and Jordyn Phelps contributed to this report.

Administration seeks to zero out CDC, NIH funding in coronavirus relief bill: Sources originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
By Mitch Prothero

July 18, 2020 " Information Clearing House " - Israel is involved in an extended campaign to pressure or damage Iran before President Donald Trump can be voted out of office in the November election, a former Israeli defense official and a current European Union intelligence official told Insider.

Iran has seen weekly incidents, including explosions at a missile-production facility on June 22; the Natanz nuclear facility, Iran's largest uranium-enrichment center, on July 2; and an important shipyard in the port city of Bushehr on Wednesday.

These attacks have put the country on edge, with nearly daily reports of fires, explosions, and other mishaps treated as potential foreign sabotage.

A Middle Eastern official told The New York Times earlier this month that Israel's intelligence services were responsible for the nuclear-facility explosion. Israeli Foreign Minister Gabi Ashkenazi said at a press conference on July 5 that in regard to Iran, "we take actions that are better left unsaid."

The Israeli government's ongoing policy on Iran is clear, the former official added.

"It's been decided to follow the Trump administration's lead of exerting 'maximum pressure' on the Iranians," they said, referencing the US's economic-sanctions policy directed toward Iran.

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'Maximum pressure, minimal strategy'

The attacks appear to be part of a campaign of "maximum pressure, minimal strategy," said the EU intelligence official, who spoke on condition of anonymity because they cannot be named discussing active intelligence matters. Their identity is known to Insider.

The source said Iran could be considering a rash response after exhibiting relative patience in the wake of the January assassination of top commander Qassem Soleimani in a US drone strike.

"It's one thing to ask hard-liners to take the long view on an incident like Soleimani in light of the worldwide COVID crisis and a host of other factors," the official told Insider, referring to the shift in global attention to the coronavirus pandemic. "It's another thing to conduct a rapid series of operations without a strategy, and I fear the Israeli plan here is to provoke an Iranian response that can turn into a military escalation while Trump remains in office."

With a broad belief among America's allies that Trump is unlikely to win reelection, Israel's apparent shift in tactics toward high-pressure "kinetic" operations seem to reflect a belief that under a Biden administration, there would be a move to save the 2015 nuclear deal that had been scuttled by Trump.

"There would be a lot less appetite for adventures and secret missions to blow up nuclear facilities under a Biden administration," said the EU official.

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By Trend





Finance officials from the Group of 20 major economies on Saturday vowed to resolve major differences over taxing big tech companies and reach a broad, consensus-based solution on international taxation this year, Trend reports citing Reuters.

The United States has been at loggerheads over the issue with Britain, France and other key allies, who have adopted or are considering digital service taxes as a way to raise revenue from the local operations of big tech companies.

Critics say those firms profit enormously from local markets while making only limited contributions to public coffers, but Washington contends the taxes discriminate against U.S. tech firms such as Google (GOOG.O), Facebook (FB.O) and Apple Inc.

The Trump administration this month ratcheted up pressure on France over its 3% digital services tax, saying it would impose additional duties of 25% on French imports valued $1.3 billion but would hold off on implementing the move while talks continued in the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development.

G20 finance ministers and central bankers on Saturday acknowledged that the coronavirus pandemic had slowed work toward an international plan, but said they expected concrete proposals to emerge before their next meeting in October.

We remain committed to ... overcome remaining differences and reaffirm our commitment to reach a global and consensus-based solution this year, they said after a virtual meeting.

After the meeting, German Finance Minister Olaf Scholz said, Fair taxation of international companies and large digital groups is more urgent than ever.

French Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire said reaching an agreement by year end was indispensible.

The (pandemic) crisis proved that these digital giants were the big beneficiaries of the crisis. They must pay their fair portion of tax, he said.
In New Jersey, 55% of prison inmates are Black. Incarcerated youth, also disproportionately Black, can remain plagued by court fines into adulthood. In custody matters, Black children wait longer to get a permanent home.

These are some of the disparities in the states judicial system that the New Jersey Supreme Court has recognized in recent months, after the death of George Floyd sparked a racial reckoning around the world.

Last week, the Supreme Court announced a yearlong action plan, laying out steps it says will make the judicial system fairer for people of color, from ensuring more diverse, impartial juries to reducing probation terms and removing fines that keep people tied to the judicial system long after rehabilitation.

Judge Glenn A. Grant, acting administrative director of the courts, said the Supreme Court has been working to improve racial equity in the courts for years, most notably with the elimination of cash bail in the state, but the recent social unrest gave them an opportunity to reaffirm that commitment with specific goals and actions.

Reducing timeframes for supervision will have a direct impact on many, many individuals. Eliminating fines and penalties for juveniles, likewise an extraordinarily important area, Chief Justice Stuart Rabner said Friday.

Its a commitment that we will follow through in concrete areas that we believe will make an important difference in terms of equal treatment, access and fairness questions, he said.

New Jersey, like the rest of the country, is grappling with the impact of racism and bias, especially in policing and law. Attorney General Gurbir Grewal announced statewide police reforms and legislators are pushing bills aimed at diversifying jury pools and police forces and increasing police transparency.

At the same time, a lack of diversity in the judiciary remains an issue. Only 17% of the 447 judges in the states superior, appellate, supreme and tax courts are minorities, according to a 2019 report of the Supreme Court.

Faustino J. Fernandez-Vina, a Cuban native, is the only Supreme Court justice of color. If nominee Fabiana Pierre-Louis, a Haitian-American lawyer and former assistant U.S. attorney, is confirmed to the Supreme Court later this year, she will be the first Black woman and only the third Black justice ever to serve.

Fabiana Pierre-Louis, who was nominated to the New Jersey Supreme Court by Gov. Phil Murphy, speaks during a news conference Friday, June 5, 2020, in Trenton, N.J. (Chris Pedota/The Record via AP, Pool)AP

A need for diverse, unbiased juries

Recognizing the need to root out bias in jurors, the judiciary said it will expand juror orientation regarding bias, write new mandatory jury selection questions and mandatory jury charging instructions, and consider court rule changes regarding impartiality in juror selection.

Jennifer Sellitti, of the state Office of the Public Defender, said she thinks the judiciary can do more to ensure juries are unbiased.

One way, she said, would be to allow attorney-conducted voir dire, a practice used in most states where attorneys can question potential jurors instead of just judges. Now, she said, a judge can ask if the defendants race will affect the jurors ability to be impartial, but it generally doesnt go beyond that.

Our jury selection process is just not as robust as it is in other states. I would like to see us look at being able to have more frank discussions with jurors about race, because I think that is a way that you really test bias in the system, she said.

Rutgers Law professor Stacy Hawkins, a member of the Supreme Courts Committee on Diversity, Inclusion, and Community Engagement that advised the justices on this and other policy initiatives, said they are right to focus on diversifying juries.

Its one thing to inform juries of bias and train them on implicit bias, its another thing to just have diverse juries, so that the operation of implicit bias is reduced because you have a diversity of perspectives, Hawkins said. And we know that diverse juries tend to engage in more thoughtful discussion particularly around racial issues.

Last month, a bill passed the Assembly that could increase diversity by expanding the source list for potential jurors to include those with state ID cards, using public utilities or on government assistance.

A bill to eliminate past convictions as a disqualifier for jury service has also been proposed, but never got out of committee.

The state is also looking at whether peremptory challenges  which allow attorneys to exclude a limited number of jurors without giving a reason  are being used to whitewash juries.

Grant said the court has been working with external experts for roughly 18 months to analyze jury composition and peremptory challenge use, and hopes the results will be available this fall.

Attorneys must give a reason if their peremptory strike is challenged as potentially race-based, but every year cases across the country are still overturned because Black jurors were unfairly excluded.

Ending the cycle of court-involvement

The Supreme Court also committed to reforming the use of probation, so that defendants are not stuck in the court system for ages, always facing the potential for reincarceration for missing a probation appointment or drug test.

Others might be kept on probation for years for fees or unpaid child support, which then only impairs their ability to make a living, Grant said.

The science says the longer you have someone on supervision, the greater the probability that person reoffends, Grant said. If a person has satisfied all of the other conditions and youre simply keeping them on because they have a balance, that is not a benefit to anyone.

The plan said the court will codify recommendations for probation lengths for adults, reexamine durational requirements for probation, and look at ways to improve the effectiveness of juvenile probation terms.

In the juvenile system, the Supreme Court is looking at rescinding existing and possibly eliminating court-imposed fines for juveniles, including many who are now adults. The court would like to wipe out those debts to give people a fresh start, he said. It would be a similar move to the courts 2019 decision to dismiss more than 787,000 unresolved, minor offenses that were at least 15 years old.

Lengthy municipal court matters, including warrants issued for failing to appear on minor offenses, can also keep people stuck in a harmful cycle.

Grant said the court is already trying to make it easier for people to resolve these issues by expanding the number of offenses that can be handled by paying a fine online, never requiring a court appearance.

A new online dispute resolution system, where a defendant can work out a deal with the prosecutor remotely, should be rolled out statewide next month, Grant said.

The action plan also commits to the following goals:

 Making the ongoing anti-bias legal education mandatory for all judges and attorneys.

 Using new technology to make the expungement process easier.

 Improving language access for remote court proceedings and indigenous language services.

 Weighing whether some records that create inappropriate hardships for disadvantaged populations, including landlord/tenant complaints, should no longer be public.

 Improving the landlord-tenant process by sharing clearer information and ensuring tenants representing themselves get fair settlements.

The action plan also notes the court will continue to collaborate on and support legislative reforms, including possibly modifying or eliminating mandatory minimum terms, limiting incarceration, probation and fines for juveniles, and continuing municipal court reform, including possible consolidation of courts.

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A longtime San Antonio Fire Department employee lost his life due to COVID-19 complications Friday night.

Fire Apparatus Mechanic Hector Rodriguez had been hospitalized in recent days for COVID-19, according to fire officials.

Rodriguez served the SAFD and the city of San Antonio for 29 years. The fire department said in a statement that Rodriguez had kept our fire trucks and ambulances running so that the firefighters and paramedics of the SAFD could continually work to serve the people of San Antonio.

The department ended the statement by asking the community to honor Rodriguezs memory by doing everything you can to protect yourself and others from the disease.
Golden Globe winner Lena Dunham jokingly asked her 8.5M social media following if she should 'go pro' after giving herself a quarantine haircut on Saturday.

'During this quarantine, just like many of you, my contact with the outside world has been limited - and so, still no professional haircut,' the 34-year-old Once Upon a Time in Hollywood actress explained.

'I feel @sallyhershberger taught me well [because] it's working from all the angles. Am I ready to go pro!? Not quite but it'll do! I also shaved 2 dogs!'

'I also shaved 2 dogs!' Golden Globe winner Lena Dunham jokingly asked her 8.5M social media following if she should 'go pro' after giving herself a quarantine haircut on Saturday

The 34-year-old Once Upon a Time in Hollywood actress explained: 'During this quarantine, just like many of you, my contact with the outside world has been limited - and so, still no professional haircut. I feel @sallyhershberger taught me well [because] it's working from all the angles'

After California's COVID-19 numbers spiked, Governor Gavin Newsom ordered the closure of hair salons and barbershops in 30 counties on Monday in order to slow the spread of the virus.

As of Saturday, there have been over 150K confirmed COVID cases in Los Angeles County, which has lead to 4,048 deaths - according to Johns Hopkins University.

Lena's latest post received a glowing comment of clapping emojis from Ione Skye, who acted in HBO series Camping which Lena co-created in 2018.

DIY: After California's COVID-19 numbers spiked, Governor Gavin Newsom ordered the closure of hair salons and barbershops in 30 counties on Monday

Applause: Lena's latest post received a glowing comment of clapping emojis from Ione Skye, who acted in HBO series Camping which Lena co-created in 2018

Giving back: Through Sunday, fans can stream the Diana Oh play Dunham directed starring 13 Reasons Why's Tommy Dorfman (pictured) as part of The Homebound Project benefiting children affected by the coronavirus

Through Sunday, fans can stream the Diana Oh play Dunham directed starring 13 Reasons Why's Tommy Dorfman as part of The Homebound Project benefiting children affected by the coronavirus.

Next up, the C-Word podcaster executive produced and directed several of the eight-episode series Industry about young British bankers and traders premiering this fall on HBO/BBC.

Speaking of the cable network, HBO Max picked up a half-hour teen dramedy called Generation, which Lena executive produced alongside Daniel & Zelda Barnz.

Premiering this fall on HBO/BBC! The C-Word podcaster executive produced and directed several of the eight-episode series Industry about young British bankers and traders

'I cannot wait for people to see Zelda's brilliance come to life!' Speaking of the cable network, HBO Max picked up a half-hour teen dramedy called Generation, which Lena (2-R) executive produced alongside 18-year-old Zelda Barnz (3-L, pictured in 2018)

'I have fallen head over heels for this brilliant family, who have allowed their 18-year old daughter Zelda to express herself in a way that's both effortlessly funny and plumbs the depths of the adolescent experience,' Dunham told Deadline back in December.

'[Her father] Daniel's direction is sensitive and artful and as a producer, Ben is equally committed to rigor and fun. I cannot wait for people to see Zelda's brilliance come to life and to meet this insanely impressive cast of honest, powerful performers and I'm so excited to be a part of the soon to be juggernaut of HBO Max.'

The eight-time Emmy nominee's relationship with HBO goes as far back as 2011 before she created the millennial dramedy Girls, which aired for six seasons (2012-2017).
The series of pictures were taken in the Algarve in July 1999  eight years before the youngster was abducted from Praia da Luz

Mugshots of Madeleine McCann suspect Christian Brueckner dating back two decades prove Portuguese police knew about his sordid past but still dismissed him as a suspect.

The series of pictures were taken in the Algarve in July 1999  eight years before the youngster was abducted from Praia da Luz.

Brueckner, then 22, was being extradited back to Germany to be sent to jail for sexually assaulting a six-year-old girl in a playground in 1994.

The drifter served a two-year sentence before he returned to Portugal  living in towns and villages close to Praia da Luz.

The pictures, buried in court documents held in the provincial town of Silves, provide further evidence of the incompetence of the initial police investigation into Madeleine's disappearance from a holiday apartment in May 2007.

Brueckner's name should have been added to a police list of know sex offenders living in the Algarve.

But it was not and Portuguese detectives never considered the German could be involved in Madeleine's disappearance.

Brueckner (left and right in the 1999 mugshots), then 22, was being extradited back to Germany to be sent to jail for sexually assaulting a six-year-old girl in a playground in 1994

The drifter (pictured in the 1999 mugshots) served a two-year sentence before he returned to Portugal  living in towns and villages close to Praia da Luz

The drifter confessed to Portuguese authorities seven years later he was a sexual predator but this too was never recorded.

He told a Portuguese judge he had been in jail in Germany for sex crimes against children after he was arrested for stealing diesel in 2006.

Brueckner only became a suspect ten years later when he boasted to a friend in a bar in Hannover Germany while drinking that he was knew what had happened to Madeleine in Portugal.

Brueckner only became a suspect ten years later when he boasted to a friend in a bar in Hannover Germany while drinking that he was knew what had happened to Madeleine (pictured) in Portugal

The German Federal Police asked the PJ to investigate Brueckner and they discovered that the took a phone while he was in Praia da Luz just before the youngster vanished.

His former lover Nicole Fehlinger has been accused by a couple of acting as his apparent accomplice to steal their 100,000 life savings and think she might hold the key to solving the mystery of Madeleine's disappearance.

The police have never determined who stole the family money and neither Fehlinger nor Brueckner were arrested or charged in relation to the theft.

The mother-of-three has also always maintained she hardly knew the serial sex offender.

The German Federal Police asked the PJ to investigate Brueckner (pictured in 2018) and they discovered that the took a phone while he was in Praia da Luz just before Madeleine vanished

Last month German police named Brueckner as their prime suspect in the kidnap and murder of three-year-old Madeleine, who vanished on May 3rd 2007 while on holiday in Praia da Luz with parents Kate and Gerry McCann.

Detectives in northern Germany have spent six weeks making desperate appeals for information to link Brueckner to the youngster's abduction but have not so far secured the vital evidence they need.

Prosecutor Hans Christian Wolters, who is leading the investigation, has told the McCanns they have concrete evidence Madeleine is dead, in the biggest break-through in the 13-year-old case.

He said he hoped to be able to charge Brueckner within the next two months  but has added their investigation will not drag on forever.
American parents and policymakers hoping for a safe return to schools in the fall have been looking to Europe, where several countries reopened as early as April without a subsequent spike in cases.

Why it matters: Theres a growing body of evidence suggesting that schools can operate safely, at least under certain circumstances. But no country that closed schools has attempted to reopen them with outbreaks still raging as they are across much of America.

The first countries to bring students back, as Denmark did in April, didn't detect much spread in schools  but the virus was also under control in the broader communities.

Harder-hit countries, like France or Belgium, contained the spread through lockdowns before bringing students back  something the U.S. has largely failed to do.

Americas unenviable position as a global epicenter complicates matters, but the challenge is similar: adapting schools to our pandemic reality.

Social distancing: Danish class sizes were initially limited to around 12, and arrival times were staggered to avoid crowding.

As they plan for the fall, though, countries like Belgium are dropping distancing mandates for younger students, while France is trimming its spacing requirements from 4 meters (about 12 feet) to 1 (3 feet), per the Washington Post.

Thats due to space limitations and the difficulties of keeping children apart, as well as indications that young students are unlikely to spread the virus to one another.

Masks: Similarly, countries including Austria initially required masks but loosened those restrictions over time.

Masks are optional for both students and teachers in Denmark, Norway, the U.K. and Sweden, per Science. Some German schools force students to wear them in the hallway, but not in class.

Masks are required for both students and teachers in several Asian countries, including China. Some experts argue that mask requirements would make reopening safer, particularly for teachers and older students.

"Bubbles": When the U.K. fully reopens schools in September, smaller subsets of students will spend classes, lunch and recess together  an approach several other countries have experimented with.

If a student gets the virus, the logic goes, there are only so many people they could give it to, or who would need to self-isolate.

Italy is asking schools to open on Saturdays to allow for lower daily attendance, and schools are encouraged to hold classes outdoors or in larger venues like cinemas, per The Local. Funding has been allocated to update schools and hire more teachers.

Hybrid learning: Several countries have resumed in-person schooling on a more limited basis, supplemented by online education. School districts across the U.S. are designing such approaches now.

Belgian students over 12 will attend school four days a week in the fall, with an additional half-day online. If cases increase, so will the proportion of online education.

What to watch: It remains unclear how susceptible children are to the virus, though findings from a hard-hit town in France  which are consistent with other evidence  suggest it spreads significantly less easily among teens than adults, and hardly at all among young children.

The bottom line: The risks to schools remain uncertain, but will almost certainly depend on whats happening outside their walls.

Go deeper: The burden on teachers
Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, Running Mate of ex-President John Mahama, Flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), for Election 2020, has urged women in the country to turn the enthusiasm with which they receive her nomination into reality by voting the NDC into power in the upcoming December polls.



In a Facebook post on Saturday, July 18, this year, Prof. Naana Opoku-Agyemang, said "We should turn that enthusiasm into reality. And we all know we can. Yes We Can!"



Prof. Opoku-Agyemang who was addressing groups of women that called on her last Thursday, reminded the various women groups of the sterling qualities of women, encouraging them to vote for her party in order to experience women leadership.



Ex-President Mahama on July 6, 2020, selected Prof. Opoku-Agyeman to partner him to contest the upcoming December Presidential elections.



Below is the statement



When groups of women called on me on Thursday, I reminded them of the sterling qualities of women. I said the enthusiasm that has greeted the decision of former President John Dramani Mahama is not lost on any of us. We should turn that enthusiasm into reality. And we all know we can. Yes We Can!















Source: Daily Graphic









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

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Mark and Patricia McCloskey stand in front of their house holding firearms as activities walk through the gated neighborhood in the Central West End of St. Louis, Mo., on June 28, 2020. (Laurie Skrivan/St. Louis Post-Dispatch via AP)

Missouri Governor Says Pardon Likely If St. Louis Homeowners Are Charged

The Missouri couple who was seen brandishing firearms as Black Lives Matter protesters marched on a private street and allegedly broke down a gate will likely be pardoned, said Gov. Mike Parson in an interview.

Parson, a Republican, told a St. Louis radio station that he believes Mark and Patricia McCloskey, who are both lawyers, will be pardoned if they are charged in the June 28 incident.

I dont think theyre going to spend any time in jail, Parson said, adding that a pardon is exactly what would happen should they be convicted.

The McCloskeys displayed a pistol and an AR-15-style rifle as protesters walked on their street. The demonstrators were heading to the home of St. Louis Mayor Ldya Krewson after she read aloud the names and addresses of activists who sought to defund the citys police department in a Facebook Live conference.

After the incident, which was captured on video, prosecutor Kim Gardner launched an investigation and alleged the couple infringed on the demonstrators rights. Later, police in St. Louis seized a rifle from the couples home after getting a search warrant.

But Parson told 97.1 FM the McCloskeys did what they legally should do, reported The Hill. A mob does not have the right to charge your property, he said, according to the paper. They had every right to protect themselves.

Parson later commented on Twitter that his office will not allow law-abiding citizens to be targeted for exercising their constitutional rights.

Security personnel stand on the balcony the home of Mark and Patricia McCloskey as protesters gather outside their neighborhood in St. Louis, Mo., on July 3, 2020. (Michael B. Thomas/Getty Images)

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)

Gardner, a Democrat, has faced criticism from Parson, Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.), and President Donald Trump, while Parson cited Missouris castle doctrine law that justifies lethal force for people protecting their homes.

This means that if someone illegally enters your front porch or backyard, you can use deadly force against them without retreating first, according to the FindLaw website.

The McCloskeys have defended their actions in interviews, saying that they felt threatened by the protesters, who had allegedly made threats to them.

I didnt shoot anybody, Mark McCloskey said in an interview last week. I just held my ground, protecting my house, and Im sitting here on television tonight instead of dead or putting out the smoldering embers of my home.

The longtime lawyer said that the legacy media is right behind the mob, describing them as a loud crowd of angry people and they are supporting these entities which are, from my understanding, Marxist and oppose everything that I stand for and I hold dear and near.
Four people have been taken into custody in Pakistan's northwest Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province for vandalising a rare Gautam Buddha statue discovered during excavation at an agriculture farm, police said as per a PTI report.

The statue was discovered in tehsil Takhtbai of Mardan district. It was destroyed as ordered by a local Maulvi, according to residents in the area.



Four suspects have been arrested and an FIR under the antiquity act has been filed, police said.



AFP (Representational)

District Police Officer Zahidullah said the incident took place when a water line was dug up and construction workers discovered the statue.



"We have arrested contractor Qamar Zaman and his workers, Amjad, Aleem and Saleem for smashing the Buddha statue and have also recovered some of its pieces from them," he said.



The arrests were made after a video showing people damaging the statue with hammers went viral on social media.



A senior officer of the Tourism Department said after the video surfaced the authorities reported the matter to the police for action against the culprits.



AFP (Representational)

Takhtbai area is a tourist destination for people from Sri Lanka, Korea and Japan since it was a part of the Gandhara Civilisation - one of the earliest urban settlements documented in the history of the subcontinent.



Director of Archaeology Department Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Abdul Samad Khan expressed anguish over the incident and assured that proper action would be taken against the culprits involved in damaging the rare statue.



Khyber Pakhtunkhwa's old name is Ghandhara and the region is a highly revered place for the followers of Buddhism.



In 2017, two rare and ancient Buddha statues were unearthed at an archeological site in Bhamala in Hariput district. The largest ever statue found at the site depicts the death of Buddha and the second statue was a Buddha with a double halo.



The statue depicting the death scenario was the oldest of its kind in the world. It was also verified by the American laboratory which identified it as older than third century BC.



Peshawar Museum is also known for displaying one of the world's largest collection of architectural pieces on Buddha.



A couple of years ago, the museum's tallest statue of Buddha in schist stone was transported to Switzerland for display there for 100 days at an international exhibition.


Patna: A person was injured after Nepal Police opened fire and shot at three Indian nationals near the Indo-Nepal border in Bihar's Kishanganj. The incident is said to have taken place on Saturday (July 18) evening.

According to ANI, the injured was immediately rushed to a nearby primary health centre and an investigation was launched into the matter. Kishanganj SP confirmed the development and said a probe is underway.

The injured, identified as Jitendra Kumar (25) was first admitted to a primary health centre in Terhagachh from where he was referred to a Purnia hospital for better treatment. According to reports, his condition is said to be critical.

According to reports, the injured, along with two companions, had gone to a farm near Mafi Tola along the Indo-Nepal border in search of their cattle at around 7:30 pm on Saturday. Nepal Police deployed at the border opened fire at youths in which Jitendra Singh received bullet injuries.
Gurugram: A rare sighting of a long-billed dowitcher at Mohammedabad village in Sonipat has triggered excitement among birders in Delhi-NCR, with experts saying this is the first sighting of the bird in the region since it was last seen at the Sultanpur National Park in 2013.

Suresh Sharma, a veteran birder from Sonipat, spotted the long-billed dowitcher on Friday afternoon in a paddy field. I saw the bird and took a photograph, realising that it didnt look like any of the other birds in the marsh. I initially thought it was an Asian dowitcher, but closer scrutiny showed that it was actually a long-billed dowitcher, Sharma said, adding that the bird was in its brighter, breeding plumage. Breeding adults of the species are known to have orange undersides, with varying black and white stripes around their necks and sides.

Nikhil Devasar, a Delhi-based birder, explained that the long-billed dowitcher is a coastal bird that breeds in Central Asia before moving toward the tropics for the winter. Shorelines are the birds natural habitat. The specimen Sharma spotted on Friday is likely a vagrant, as it is rarely seen in the plains. The last sighting in Delhi-NCR is from at least five or six years ago, he said.

The birds affinity for a shoreline habitat, birders said, is the reason for multiple sightings in Indias coastal states Kerala, Maharashtra and Gujarat, though it has also been previously seen in Punjabs Harike region. Describing the sighting as a lucky find, Sharma said: I dont think I would have spotted the bird if it wasnt for the rains. A downpour in Sonipat on Saturday has submerged a paddy field, creating the right marshy habitat that dowitchers prefer.
West Bengal on Sunday registered 2,278 new Covid-19 cases and 36 deaths marking the highest single-day spike on both counts.

The total number of cases stood at 42,289 on Sunday. Of them, 24,883 people have been cured while 1,112 people have died of the infection till now, according to state governments daily health bulletin.

On Saturday, the state government said in a statement that only 13% of the total number of active Covid-19 patients in West Bengal need to be hospitalized.

That means only 1,912 patients out of the 14,709 patients need to be hospitalized. The rest 87% are asymptomatic and mild. There is no need to panic, the statement said.

The statement also said that the daily Covid-19 testing rate in West Bengal is 144 per million population, which is above the WHO threshold of 140.

Chief secretary Rajiva Sinha on Saturday also ruled out the possibility of clamping a total lockdown in Kolkata or across the state, asserting that the restrictions would be enforced strictly only in containment zones. He was reacting to a letter from the Union health ministry that expressed concern about rise in cases in the city and adjoining districts.

Coronavirus cases in Bengal rose exponentially in Bengal in July. On July 5, West Bengal registered 895 new Covid-19 cases and 21 deaths marking the highest single-day spike since the pandemic started. Till that day, 757 people had died and the number of active cases was 6,658.

It was first time the single-day spike crossed the 800-mark. Out of those 895 new cases, 244 cases were reported from Kolkata while the adjoining districts of North and South 24 Parganas registered 214 and 118 cases.

To contain the spread of the infection the state government has asked the civil aviation ministry to stop flights from Delhi, Mumbai, Pune, Nagpur, Chennai and Ahmedabad. Also, lockdown restriction have been placed in new areas in the districts.
Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teertha Kshetra Trust chairman Mahant Nritya Gopal Dass long wait for construction of the Ram temple will end with the groundbreaking ceremony likely on August 5. Das wrote an emotional letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi last month, requesting him to visit Ayodhya for the bhumi pujan.

It was after this letter that the Prime Ministers Office sought tentative dates from the trust for Modis maiden Ayodhya visit for the bhumi pujan. Now, with the PM likely to visit Ayodhya on August 5 for the ceremony, Nritya Gopal Das is about to see his dream come true. The Mahant wants bhumi pujan of the Ram temple on lines that was held for the Somnath temple in Gujarat.

A day after the trusts meeting in Ayodhya, Nritya Gopal Das interacted with Hindustan Times. Excerpts:

Q: You always wanted a grand bhumi pujan for Ram temple. But due to the Covid-19 pandemic, will the ceremony be low-key?

A: We had planned a grand bhumi pujan for Ram temple like the one organised for the Somnath temple. Then President of India Rajendra Prasad and home minister Sardar Vallabh Bhai Patel attended the Somanth temple bhumi pujan. The ceremony continued for three days. It was a grand and elaborate event. We wanted something like this. But due to the Covid-19 pandemic, this is not possible now. After much effort, we were able to get the PMs consent to attend the bhumi pujan.

Q: The tentative date for bhumi pujan is August 5. But, if due to some unavoidable circumstances, the PM is not able to visit Ayodhya, what will be the trusts plan?

A: We are confident that the PM will definitely come to Ayodhya for the bhumi pujan. However, if due to some unavoidable circumstances and national issues, the PM is not able to come to Ayodhya on August 5 for bhumi pujan then, in the nations interest, we will delay the ceremony and will wait for the PMs visit.

Q: Finally, has the trust agreed to make changes in the existing model of the proposed Ram temple?

A: The Ram temple model prepared by VHP (Vishva Hindu Parishad) in 1989 will not be changed. It will remain the same. Ram temple will be constructed on the existing model. But some additions have been made to the temples model and that is what saints had been demanding. Now, the temples height will be 161 ft instead of 128 ft. The number of domes has been increased from three to five. Ram temples chief architect Chandrakant Sompura has approved these changes. A grand Ram temple will be constructed. In the meeting (Trust meeting on Saturday), we also discussed these changes.

Q: Will the stone slabs lying at Shri Ramjanmabhoomi Nyas Karyashala be used in construction of the Ram temple?

A: Yes. All stone slabs carved at the Karyashala will be used in construction of the Ram temple.
Male sexual worries: What has changed in the post-Viagra age?

Scientists report a change in why men seek help for sexual problems, with fewer men complaining about impotence (erectile dysfunction) and premature ejaculation, and more men, especially younger men, complaining about low sexual desire and curvature of the penis (Peyronie's disease).

Presenting the work at the European Association of Urology (virtual) Congress, after recent acceptance for publication, research leader Dr Paolo Capogrosso (San Raffaele Hospital, Milan, Italy) said:

"Over a 10 year period we have seen a real change in what concerns men when they attend sexual health clinics. This is probably driven by greater openness, and men now accepting that many sexual problems can be treated, rather than being something they don't want to talk about".

The success of erectile dysfunction treatments such as Viagra and Cialis, and the availability of new treatments, means that men facing sexual problems have now have treatments for sexual problems which weren't available a generation ago. Now researchers at San Raffaele Hospital in Milan have studied why men come to sexual health clinics, and how this has changed over a 10-year period.

In what is believed to be the first research of its kind, the scientists questioned 3244 male visitors to the San Raffaele Hospital Sexual Health Clinic in Milan over a 10 year period (2009 to 2019), and classified the main reason for the visit. They found that the number of patients visiting with erectile dysfunction problems increased from 2009 to 2013, then started to decrease.

There were comparatively few patients complaining of low sex drive or Peyronie's disease in 2009, but complaints about both of these conditions grow from 2009 to the end of the study. In 2019 men were around 30% more likely to report Peyronie's disease than in 2009, and around 32% more likely to report low sexual desire.

The amount of men complaining of premature ejaculation dropped by around 6% over the 10-year period. The average age of first attendance at the clinical also dropped, from a mean of 61 to 53 years.

"Erectile dysfunction is still the main reason for attending the clinic, but this number is dropping, whereas around 35% of men attending the clinic now complain of Peyronie's disease, and that number has shown steady growth" said Paolo Capogrosso. "Our patients are also getting younger, which may reflect a generational change in attitude to sexual problems".

Dr Capogrosso continued "We need to be clear about what these figures mean. They do not indicate any change in the prevalence of these conditions, what they show is why men came to the clinic. In other words, it shows what they are concerned about. The changes probably also reflect the availability of treatments; as treatments for sexual conditions have become available over the last few years, men are less likely to suffer in silence".

These are results from a single centre, so they need to be confirmed by more inclusive studies. "Nevertheless there seems to be a growing awareness of conditions such as Peyronie's disease, with articles appearing in the popular press**. In addition, we know that the awareness of this condition is increasing in the USA and elsewhere, so this may be a general trend*** " said Dr Capogrosso.

Commenting, Dr Mikkel Fode (Associate Professor of Urology at University of Copenhagen), said:

"Although these data are somewhat preliminary as they stem from single institution they are interesting because they allow us to formulate several hypothesis. For example the drop in men presenting with erectile dysfunction may mean that family physicians are becoming more comfortable addressing this issue and that the patients are never referred to specialized centres. Likewise the simultaneous drop in age at presentation and increase in Peyronie's disease and low sex drive could indicate that both men and their partners are becoming more mindful to optimizing their sex lives. I will be very interesting to see if these trends are also present in other centres around the world."

Dr Fode was not involved in this work, this is an independent comment.

###

Notes

*This work has recently been accepted by the peer-reviewed journal, International Journal of Impotence Research, https:/ / www. nature. com/ articles/ s41443-020-0324-7

**For example, see recent newspaper articles in the Daily Star, and The Guardian.

***See https:/ / www. ncbi. nlm. nih. gov/ pubmed/ 26907743

The 35th European Association of Urology conference takes place online from 17-19 July, 2020. This replaces the physical conference which was scheduled to take place in Amsterdam. The EAU conference is the largest and most important urology congress in Europe, with up to 14,000 attendees. Conference website https:/ / eaucongress. uroweb. org/

Type of study: peer-reviewed*/observational study/people

This story has been published on: 2020-07-19. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
Francis Collins, director of the National Institutes of Health, said on NBC's "Meet the Press" Sunday that the reason the U.S. is doing "so poorly" with the coronavirus compared to Europe is because many states ignored federal reopening guidelines and let their guard down "imagining this was just a New York problem."

Why it matters: The U.S. leads the world with over 3.7 million confirmed cases and 140,000 deaths, according to data from Johns Hopkins University. While Europe was initially hit hard by the pandemic, most countries have successfully flattened their infection curve and lifted lockdown restrictions.

What he's saying: "We basically did a good job in New York and New Jersey and Connecticut with that terrible crisis that happened and took many lives. ... And basically steps were put in place and if you look to see what's happening now in those areas, they came down very close to zero," Collins said.

"But meanwhile, the rest of the country, perhaps imagining this was just a New York problem, kind of went about their business, didn't really pay that much attention to CDC's recommendations about the phases necessary to open up safely, and jumped over some of those hoops."

"And people started congregating and not wearing masks and feeling like it's over and maybe summer, it will all go away. And now here we are not only with 70,000 new cases almost every day, but from my perspective also, a quite concerning number of hospitalizations."

The bottom line: Collins insisted that Americans are fully capable of "rising to a crisis" and said that he does not consider masks to be "optional" when it comes to people protecting themselves and those around them.
China today accused Downing Street of 'dancing to America's tune' after Huawei was banned from the UK's 5G network as Beijing also warned imposing sanctions on officials over human rights abuses would be met with a 'resolute response'.

Liu Xiaoming, China's ambassador to the UK, said excluding the Chinese tech giant from the infrastructure represented a 'dark day' for Britain.

He said Beijing is 'still evaluating the consequences' of the decision amid claims British firms operating in China have been told 'retaliation is coming' and they could be 'in the firing line'.

Meanwhile, Mr Liu hit back over 'false accusations' of Chinese human rights abuses as he was confronted with video footage of Uighur people being detained and forced onto a train in Xinjiang province.

The UK Government is under growing pressure to impose sanctions on any Chinese government officials involved in any such action.

Mr Liu said it would be 'wholly wrong' for the UK to impose sanctions as he warned against engaging in a 'tit for tat' diplomatic battle.

But Dominic Raab said this morning it is clear that 'gross, egregious human rights abuses' are being perpetrated against the Uighur people in northern China.

Meanwhile, the Foreign Secretary also said he will deliver a statement in the House of Commons tomorrow setting out the Government's latest response to Beijing imposing a controversial national security law on Hong Kong.

Mr Raab has already offered a route to citizenship for to up to three million Hong Kongers with British National (Overseas) status.

And tomorrow he will announce the conclusion of a review into whether the UK will suspend extradition arrangements with Hong Kong.

Liu Xiaoming, China's Ambassador to the UK, said the decision to ban Huawei from the UK's 5G network represented a 'dark day' as he also dismissed accusations made against the Chinese government of human rights abuses

Dominic Raab, the Foreign Secretary, said it is 'clear that there are gross, egregious human rights abuses going on' in northern China

Relations between China and Britain are increasingly strained, with the two nations having repeatedly clashed in recent months over coronavirus, Hong Kong, Huawei and accusations of human rights abuses.

The UK Government announced last week that Huawei will be banned from the 5G network because of national security concerns with all of the Chinese tech giant's equipment to be stripped out by the end of 2027.

The decision to exclude the firm from the network prompted a furious response from Beijing while suggestions of the UK potentially imposing sanctions on Chinese government officials has further increased tensions.

Mr Liu told the BBC's Andrew Marr Show it would be 'wholly wrong' to impose sanctions as he suggested the UK's approach to China was actually being directed by the White House.

He said: 'We never believed in unilateral sanctions. We believe that the UN has the authority to impose sanctions and if the UK Government goes that far to impose sanctions on any individuals in China, China will certainly make a resolute response to it.

'You have seen what happened between China and the United States. They sanctioned Chinese officials, we sanctioned their senators, their officials.

'I do not want to see this tit for tat between China and the US happen in China and UK relations.

'I think the UK should have its own independent foreign policy rather than to dance to the tune of Americans like what happened to Huawei.'

Mr Liu said the Huawei decision was 'very bad' and meant the UK had 'missed the opportunity to be a leading country'. 'We are still evaluating the consequences,' the ambassador said.

During his interview Mr Liu was confronted with video footage which has been widely circulated online in recent days which experts believe shows Uighur people in China being detained and forced onto a train to be taken away.

Mr Liu rejected the accusations of human rights abuses as he said: 'Let me tell you this: The so-called Western intelligence keep making this false accusation against China.'

But Mr Raab, appearing on the same programme, said the UK was in no doubt that human rights abuses were taking place.

'It is clear that there are gross, egregious human rights abuses going on,' he said.

'We are working with our international partners on this. It is deeply, deeply troubling.

'The reports of the human aspect of it - from forced sterilisation to the education camps - are reminiscent of something we have not seen for a long, long time.

The UK has banned Huawei from the 5G network with all of the firm's equipment to be stripped out by the end of 2027 over security concerns

'This from a leading member of the international community that wants to be taken seriously and in fact who we want a positive relationship with. But we cannot see behaviour like that and not call it out.'

Mr Raab said there 'won't be business as usual' with China moving forward. He insisted the UK will not be 'slipping into some outdated, dogmatic approach' but will be 'very careful in our dealings' with Beijing.

The comments came after it emerged the leaders of UK businesses in Beijing had been summoned to a meeting where they were apparently told by a Chinese government official that their operations could suffer because of growing tensions with Britain.

A source told the Sunday Times: 'The message was that retaliation is coming and that British firms in China are in the firing line.'

It is thought some of the UK's biggest companies on the world stage like Jaguar Land Rover, BP and GlaxoSmithKline could all be targeted.
Seven has scored its sixth ratings week in a row after the surprise success of true crime documentary Murder in the Outback.

The CJZ doco on the Peter Falconio murder pulled just over a million viewers. But it was MasterChef that was the top drawcard outside of news bulletins. Nines week was led by News and current affairs.

Network

Seven: 29.5

Nine: 27.4

10: 18.5

ABC: 15.9

SBS: 8.7

Primary channel

Seven: 21.1

Nine: 19.1

10: 12.6

ABC: 11.1

SBS: 5.2

Multichannels:

10 BOLD: 3.6

7mate: 3.4

7TWO: 3.3

ABC KIDS Comedy / 9GEM / 9GO!: 2.5

10 Peach: 2.2

9Life: 2.1

7flix: 1.8

ABC News: 1.7

SBS VICELAND: 1.4

9RUSH / SBS World Movies: 1.1

SBS Food: 0.9

ABC ME: 0.5

NITV: 0.1

Sven won 16-39 and 25-54.

Seven claimed Sunday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. Nine scored Sunday and Monday. ABC bettered 10 on Wednesday, Friday and Saturday.

Seven led in Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth. Nine was victorious in Sydney and Brisbane.

Best brands last week were:

Seven: Seven News (Sun: 1.24m), Murder in the Outback (1.03m), Big Brother (Mon: 723,000) and AFL (695,000).

Nine: Nine News (Sun: 1.14m), A Current Affair (750,000), The Voice (748,000) and Emergency (591,000).

10: MasterChef Australia (Mon: 1.05m), Have You Been Paying Attention? (856,000), The Project 7pm (552,000) and Bachelor in Paradise (Launch: 507,000).

ABC: ABC News (811,000), Hard Quiz (706,000), 7:30 (639,000) and The Weekly with Charlie Pickering (638,000).

SBS: Tony Robinsons World by Rail (362,000), Great Asian Railway Journeys (312,000), The Windsors Lost Letters (243,000) and Extreme Railway Journeys (242,000).

Infograph supplied by Nine:
Traveling down Highway 41A from Sewanee is the little town of Cowan which is seven miles from the domain of the University of the South and is six miles from the county seat of Winchester in Franklin County, Tennessee. Nestled at the foot of the Cumberland Mountains, Cowan is a village that exists because of the railroad. Since 1849, when construction began on boring a railroad tunnel through the mountain two miles northeast of the town, the railroad has been an integral part of Cowan.

The Cumberland Mountain Tunnel was finished in 1852 before the railroad actually made it to Cowan from Nashville. In the 1840s a group of investors organized what would be the first railroad in Tennessee linking Nashville and Chattanooga. It was originally called the Nashville and Chattanooga Railroad. Later when the railroad expanded to Memphis and St. Louis, it was popularly known as the NC&StL Railroad.

In the 1850s engineers decided to dig a tunnel through the Cumberland Mountain because it costs a lot more to lay track over or through mountains than it does to lay track on flat land. The actual construction began in 1847. The digging of the 2,200-foot tunnel was the most difficult part of the project. The work was done mostly by either Irish immigrants or slaves leased to the railroad. The conditions were hard with the work being performed all day and the workers sleeping in makeshift shelters or on the ground. Three continuous shifts were employed to complete the project. All the work was done by hand and many workers died doing the tunnel project.

The railroad was completed in May 1851 and it was considered an important date in the development of the State of Tennessee. Cowan was not the only town to come into existence as a result of the railroad being built. Decherd, Tullahoma and Stevenson, Alabama all owe their existence to the railroad. During the Civil War the Union Army followed the Nashville and Chattanooga southeast through Murfreesboro from Nashville to Bridgeport and Stevenson, Alabama and then into Chattanooga.

The railroad line also led to the development of coal mining in Tracy City and other parts of Grundy County and the Sewanee area as well as the creation of the University of the South in 1858. A wooden frame depot was built in 1904 and that building is where the museum houses its collection. With decline of railroad passenger service, the NC&StL merged with the Louisville and Nashville (L&N) and would eventually become part of the CSX Railway system.

Also present at Cowan was an engine and car repair facility in support of the steam-powered pusher engines that hauled trains up and over the Cumberland Mountain because of the steep grade and sharp curves. Prior to the demise of passenger trains in the 1960s, the pusher (or helper) engines would be attached by coupling on to the front whereas freight trains were pushed from the rear.

The train station sat vacant for decades but was saved by a campaign by the citizens of Cowan not to tear it down. As a result the station has been turned into the Cowan Railroad Museum and the many railroad worker families in the community donated many items that relate to the historical existence of the railroad such as history books, model trains and antique maps. The museum grounds feature a Porter-type steam locomotive, a diesel-electric switch locomotive, boxcar, flat car and a rare NC&StL caboose.

One of the other local attractions that existed until December 31, 2019 was the old railroad hotel that was operated for many years. Hopefully a new owner will reopen the Franklin-Pearson Hotel across the tracks as it was Franklin Countys oldest hotel facility. In 2008, the Cowan Depot received a face-lift with an old bandstand being converted into a train watching platform and in 2011 the station was painted in green and yellow colors.

A Fall Heritage Festival is held every year and this year is tentatively scheduled for September 18-20, 2020. The museum is located at 108 Front Street, Cowan, and is normally open May through October on Thursday-Saturday 10 a.m.-4 p.m. (CST) and on Sunday from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. (CST). Other times can be arranged by appointment and information can be obtained at (931) 967-3078. Admission prices are $2.00/adult; $1.00/child with $5.00 per family. Members of the military get in free.

Take a step back in history to visit a railroad town!

* * *

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




GOVERNMENT has granted Sakunda Holdings, a company with diverse interests in energy and minerals, a coalbed methane (CBM) concession in Mbungu, Matabeleland North province, where the firm intends to set up a power plant.





The special grant (5 755)  measuring about 333 000 hectares  was previously owned by State-owned Zimbabwe Mining Development Corporation (ZMDC), which now becomes a minority partner in the new venture.





While providing an update on the partial restructuring of State-owned entities on Thursday, Finance and Economic Development Minister Professor Mthuli Ncube indicated that Sakunda had been granted a special grant for coalbed methane.





Sakunda chief operating officer Mr Charles Chitambo confirmed to The Sunday Mail Business that the company was now working with ZMDC on a special grant for coalbed methane in Matabeleland North.





I can confirm that we are indeed working with ZMDC on a coalbed methane special grant in Lupane area, he said.





We are assembling technical teams so that we can feed necessary expertise in the boxes. As what we intend to do, it all depends on the amount of the resources. At that stage we will be clear on what to do.





Zimbabwe has huge deposits of untapped CBM gas in the Hwange, Lupane and Gwayi areas.





Over the years, drilling and desorption tests have been conducted and resources that run into trillions of cubic feet have been discovered, according to Governments geological department.





Chinese firm Sinosteel has already completed preliminary exploration works on some of its CBM claims in Lupane.





Sinosteel is the majority shareholder in Zimasco  Zimbabwes largest ferrochrome producer, which, in turn, owns 90 percent of Shangani Energy Exploration (SEE).





SEE plans to exploit methane gas and build a power plant.





According to Sinosteel, an investment of about US$780 million is needed for the project to be implemented in three phases, from exploration to full-scale power generation of 400 megawatts over a 10-year period.





The investment is part of the US$1 billion deal signed by Presidents Mnangagwas administration and Sinosteel in May 2018, which will also see the building of additional chrome smelters at Zimascos Kwekwe smelting complex and in Mberengwa.





The project is among those expected to make the country energy self-sufficient.





SEE has carried out preliminary exploration work on two of its three special grants, where six core holes were drilled and three production wells sunk.





Overally, the assessment demonstrated that gas and water could be produced.





Although there is evidence proving the existence of a considerable methane gas resource, investors are in the process of establishing whether it can be exploited commercially.





The Chinese company completed a consulting contract with a petroleum geologist with extensive experience to produce a work programme with accompanying expenditures.





The programme will build on the preliminary works already done and will include more in-depth exploration work to confirm the commercial quantities of methane gas hosted by the three special grants.





The next phase of work would be the intense exploration work, which will start with the installation of bigger pumps on the three wells to drain water so that the gas can be released as part of work to establish commercial viability.





In addition to power generation, an integrated petrochemical industry, which has the potential to create new jobs and new revenue streams for the nation, will be established.





The whole CBM industry has the potential to spur local economic growth.





Matabeleland North is endowed with natural resources that can change the economic complexion of the province if exploited under a win-win arrangement.





President Mnangagwa, who was on a tour of coal mining companies in Hwange last week, called on mining companies operating in the country to partake in infrastructure development for the benefit of communities they operate in.





He made the call while officially opening South Mining (Pvt) Limiteds coking coal plant in Hwange.





He visited Western Coal and Energy Companys Western Areas coal project, South Minings coking plant, Jin Ans Tutu coking plant, as well as Hwange Colliery Companys Chaba Mine.




Push Back Against Operation Inclusion With Operation Restoration

Commentary

Did you know that the U.S. Army maintains an Equity and Inclusion Agency? Nor did I. But Operation Inclusion, its new course, is a vivid reminder of just how deep the cynical virus of anti-American racial redress has burrowed into the vital tissues of our culture.

Two excellent columns appeared last week exposing the pullulating wound.

The first, Teaching hate under the guise of inclusion by Hans Von Spakovsky and Charles Stimson, shows how the woke initiative violates the prohibition against military personnel engaging in overt political activities.

According to a graphic distributed as part of its seminar, Operation Inclusion instructs its studentsU.S. Army personnel, rememberthat voicing support for enforcing immigration laws or repeating phrases such as Make America Great Againwhere have you heard that?are evidence of covert white supremacy.

Thats not all. The list of verboten phrases is long and pointed. Youre a racist if you say (or even think) All Lives Matter, if you deny the reality of white privilege, if you support Columbus Day, the idea of American exceptionalism, or if you believe that there is such a thing as reverse racism.

The second column, White Fragility Comes to Washington, by City Journals Christopher F. Rufo, underscores the truth of the old adage that things are always worse than you think.

Rufo details the activities of a private diversity consultant who has imported far-left academic theories about white privilege into the upper reaches of several federal agencies, including the Treasury Department, the Federal Reserve, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp., the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, the National Credit Union Administration, and the Office of the Comptroller.

According to Rufo, the training begins with the premise that virtually all white people contribute to racism.

Since 2006, Howard Ross, the white consultant whose brainchild this toxic garbage is, has cost taxpayers more than $5 million in fees. Hence the great irony, as Rufo notes, that Ross used his own privilege to enrich himself at taxpayers expense. In the language of his own discourse, he has monetized collective black pain to create individual white profit.

Thats not the only irony.

Incredibly, Ross and his like-minded colleagues have expanded their footprint under the conservative Trump administration. Based on a review of federal contract data, since Trumps inauguration, Ross has conducted at least 17 trainings for federal agencies, including the Department of Justice, the National Institute of Health, and the Office of the Attorney General. The permanent bureaucracy understands that it can ignore the policies and priorities of any one administration, while building institutional power according to its own ideological agenda.

The permanent bureaucracy. People say that the president of the United States is the most powerful man in the world (though these days woke or nervous people would substitute person for man).

In some ways, thats true. But the enormous headwinds under which Donald Trump has had to maneuver remind us that there is an important sense in which the real power in Washington lies in the administrative apparatus, the deep state. President Trump came to Washington with a promise to drain the swamp. But the swamp is a self-perpetuating organism, as difficult to drain as the hydra was to kill.

Operation Restoration

Von Spakovsky and Stimson quote U.S. Rep. Mo Brooks (R-Ala.), who has demanded an immediate investigation into Army personnel illegally using federal government resources to distribute racist and partisan political propaganda in direct violation of federal law and military regulations.

That is all well and good, as are Rufos calls for the Senate Finance Committee to launch a probe into the activities of Howard Ross and for President Trump to issue an executive order banning federal agencies from engaging in what amounts to a new form of racism.

But all such measures are but stopgaps, palliatives that might at best suppress particular symptoms of the disorder in certain cases. The disease itself can only be overcome by a restoration of public sentiment in favor of America. A tall order? In some ways, yes.

But also a straightforward one. It isnt at all clear that federal agencies ought to be in the business of ideological indoctrination. But if they are going to go down that road, they should be required to promulgate a view of America that is historically accurate.

The more serious deficit, however, is in our schools and colleges, few of which any longer teach a non-tendentious history of this great country, the last best hope of earth, as Lincoln put it. Into that vacuum where civic literacy once stood has rushed the rancorous distemper of identity politics and whiny racialist narcissism.

America, as Wilfred McClay put it in the title of his new history textbook, is a Land of Hope. No honest telling of the story of the United States can deny that fact.

As with all countries throughout history, America has had its share of mistakes, tragedies, wrong turns, and crimes. But it has also had more than its share of successes and triumphs. The material triumphs are the easiest to catalog. The social-political successes are trickier to articulate but no less central to our success.

Perhaps the biggest task facing Americans today is the task of reaffirming our American identity. A good place to start is by returning to our founding conviction that all men are created equal  endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness.

Insisting on that in our schools is the surest way to restore our shared political consensus, that community of sentiment that gives life to the first-person plural, that We, the People, which made us who we are.

To the extent that we succeed in Operation Restoration, to that extent, the diversity-industrial complex will founder. More, it will appear as the grasping and juvenile confidence trick it is, contemptible, yes, but also pathetic.

Roger Kimball is the editor and publisher of The New Criterion, and publisher of Encounter Books. His most recent book is The Fortunes of Permanence: Culture and Anarchy in an Age of Amnesia.

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
Hong Kong: Expo's use as isolation centre mulled

(To watch the full press conference with sign language interpretation, click here.)

The Government is looking into using AsiaWorld-Expo (AWE) as a community isolation facility to combat the COVID-19 pandemic.

Responding to a question during a press conference this afternoon on how long it would take to transform AsiaWorld-Expo into an isolation centre, Secretary for Food & Health Prof Sophia Chan said the Government is inspecting the facility and moving in equipment.

We have already started looking into the AWE and checked, for example, the air changes and also other facilities.

We are also trying our best to put in the AWE, for example, the required furniture, such as beds and all those.

So those are almost ready and one of the halls should be ready towards the end of next week.

Prof Chan explained that AsiaWorld-Expo would be used for two purposes.

One is for the decanting of our elderly homes in case there are more outbreaks. And second is for some cases and some isolation facilities for the Hospital Authority.

At the press conference, Chief Executive Carrie Lam also announced measures to deal with the latest wave of the pandemic.

Along with the AsiaWorld-Expo, quarantine facilities in Lei Yue Mun Park & Holiday Village will soon be converted into an isolation centre as part of the measures.

The holiday village will provide about 300 units to isolate COVID-19 patients with mild or no symptoms, Mrs Lam said.

This story has been published on: 2020-07-19. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
Pentagon Says Turkey Sent 3,500 Syrian Fighters To Back Libyan Government

By RFE/RL July 18, 2020

The U.S. military says Turkey sent more than 3,500 Syrian fighters to Libya during the first three months of 2020 to help the North African country's internationally recognized government in its civil war against a rebel commander.

The Defense Department's report, seen by the Associated Press on July 17, was the U.S. military's first to detail the Turkish deployments that helped change the course of the war in Libya.

The country has been torn by civil war since a NATO-backed popular uprising ousted and killed the North African country's longtime dictator Colonel Muammar Qaddafi in 2011.

The current struggle pits rebel Libyan commander Khalifa Haftar's self-styled Libyan National Army (LNA) in the east of the country against the internationally recognized Government of National Accord (GNA), based in Tripoli.

Turkey has provided support for the GNA. Qatar and Italy have also backed the Tripoli-based government.

Russia has supported the rebels, mainly through the Kremlin-connected military contractor Vagner Group. France, Egypt, Jordan, and the United Arab Emirates also back Haftar.

Both Russia and Turkey have been criticized by the UN and Western officials, who say their efforts to arm their allies have led to an intensification of the violence.

The United States has accused Moscow of deploying military jets to Libya to provide support for the Russian mercenaries

Moscow has denied the Russian state is responsible for any deployments of the Vagner group and denied sending aircraft to Libya.

The new Pentagon report says Turkey paid and offered citizenship to thousands of mercenaries fighting alongside Tripoli-based militias against Haftar's forces.

The report said no evidence was found to indicate that the Syrian fighters were affiliated with the Islamic State (IS) extremist group or Al-Qaeda, saying instead that they were "very likely" motivated by financial reasons than by ideology.

A string of Turkish-backed victories by the Tripoli forces has driven Haftar's troops from the capital's suburbs and other strongholds since Ankara's deployment of forces.

The UN has been pressing the sides in the conflict to push forward with peace talks.

On July 18, Germany, France, and Italy warned that they were prepared to apply sanctions on those violating the UN embargo on arms flowing into Libya.

"We are prepared to consider a possible use of sanctions if infringements against the land, sea and air embargo continue," the three heads of government wrote in a joint statement on July 18, without naming a state or entity which could be the target.

"We therefore call on all Libyan parties as well as their international backers to put a stop to combat activities and the acquisition of arms in the entire country," said the statement, drawn up during a summit in Brussels, by German Chancellor Angela Merkel, French President Emmanuel Macron and Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte.

With reporting by AP

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/pentagon-turkey-3-500- syrian-fighters-libya-russia/30734486.html

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

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The stamp, designed by painter Nguyen Du, was unveiled on July 18 at a ceremony in Quang Ninh Province, where the battle took place.

It recreates the battle on Bach Dang River over 700 years ago when scores of Yuan-Mongol ships were pierced by iron-tipped wooden stakes as the tidal water receded.

To the powerful sound of war drums, the Tran army attacked and set the enemys ships on fire, throwing the adversaries into chaos.

The stamp also shows a map of the battle and depicts a Vietnamese general riding a horse as he commands the soldiers and people to repulse the Yuan-Mongol forces.

The illustration was created with warm colours to represent the seething power of the Tran army in one of the largest naval battles in Vietnamese history.

The stamp will be available on the postal network from now until June 2022.

From 1958 to 2019, Vietnam Post issued 15 stamp sets on Quang Ninh Province, including a two-stamp set issued in 1988 depicting the battle of Bach Dang to mark its 700th anniversary.
When the city council in Asheville, North Carolina, approved reparations this week for its African American residents and apologized for its history of slavery, the move was called historic and received global media attention. The resolution stood out as a first in the racially unsettled months since the killing of George Floyd and resonated because it happened in what was once a Confederate state.

But while Asheville's resolution promises reparations, it does not say when or how they will be paid for.

Another city has gone further down the road to reparations than any other and may be a model for the small but growing number of places considering making amends for past racial injustice, including Seattle; Providence, Rhode Island; and the state of California.

MORE: Asheville city council approves reparations plan as Providence explores idea

Last November, Evanston, Illinois, not only adopted a resolution for reparations as part of the city budget, it found an inventive source of funds: tax revenue from newly legalized marijuana sales.

"Evanston absolutely is the pioneer," said Nkechi Taifa, an attorney and member of the National African American Reparations Commission. "It basically is the first municipality to commit public dollars to reparations."

PHOTO: Evanston Ald. Robin Rue Simmons, 5th Ward, proposed a reparations fund that Evanston City Council approved at their meeting on Nov. 25, 2019. (Chicago Tribune/TNS via Getty Images)

The plan calls for using $10 million collected by the city in cannabis sales taxes over an estimated 10 years to provide African American residents with housing assistance and economic development benefits. As of the 2010 Census, the Black population of Evanston was about 13,400 people.

According to Alderman Robin Rue Simmons, who has led the effort, details for the first "remedy policy" are nearing completion: a $25,000 direct benefit payment to purchase a home. Those who qualify for such a check, according to the current proposal, are Black residents who lived in Evanston between 1919 and 1969 or their direct descendants.

"We are going to lead with housing," said Simmons, because homeownership is considered a "benefit that would build wealth," putting Black residents on the path toward bridging the "wealth gap."

Story continues

MORE: Marijuana sales in Illinois top $3M on first day of legal recreational cannabis in the state

The next round of benefits from the fund will be designed to encourage business development and entrepreneurship.

When Illinois readied to legalize marijuana sales last year, Simmons and others on the city council thought "there is no more appropriate place to use the sales tax from that industry."

Over 70% of Evanston's marijuana-related arrests were among African Americans, even though they are less than 17% of the population, according to Simmons.

"If there is going to be some benefit to the community from legalizing marijuana, then it certainly should be targeted to the Black community most damaged by this overpolicing," Simmons said.

PHOTO: In this Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2020, photo, cannabis is grown at Revolution Global's cannabis cultivation center in Delavan, Ill. (Charles Rex Arbogast/AP Photo)

So the council acted quickly, approving the reparations fund in an 8-to-1 vote.

"We did not want the cannabis sales tax folded into our general fund and be spent in some way. Then we'd have to take it away from something," Alderman Melissa Wynne recalled. "We realized before a penny of this arrives in our coffers, we have to decide right now, 'We're putting this in a fund.'"

Taifa said that since marijuana has been central to "a criminal punishment system that disproportionately sent Blacks to prison," it is "poetic justice" that cannabis serve as "the same entity that is seeking to close the Black-white wealth gap."

Evanston could "provide a blueprint for the rest of the country," Taifa said.

Evanston, Illinois, finds innovative solution to funding reparations: Marijuana sales taxes originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
Expectant registrants turn out in their numbers as the fourth phase of the Electoral Commissions (EC) Voter Registration Exercise began on Sunday, July 19, at Ablekuma North Constituency.



Mr Ernest Dagbui, Registration Officer for the Pentecost Church, Kwashieman Official Town (KOTA) Centre One, told the Ghana News Agency (GNA) that the turn out was impressive, taking into consideration the importance most Ghanaians attached to exercise.



It was interesting to meet people over here even when we arrived before 06:00 hours to set up the place for the exercise. They are really determined to get themselves registered, he said.



Mr Dagbui said the pressure at his Centre was minimal because most people had rushed to register at other centres without waiting for the team to bring the registration to their doorstep.



We are strictly enforcing all the COVID-19 protocols, ranging from hand washing, use of sanitizers and the like. If anyones nose mask isnt properly covering the nose, we ask them to do so. For those who do not come with it at all, we politely ask them to return home for them, he added.



Also, Ms Catherine Sebuabe, Registration Officer for Centre Two of the Pentecost Church, Kwashieman Official Town (KOTA), said the high turn out was because most churches were yet to resume meetings.



The Registration Officer said the Centres equipment were fully functional and expressed optimism that more people would be captured onto the electoral roll by close of the exercise.



She called on Ghanaians to take advantage of the opportunity to get themselves registered and advised each citizen to follow the laid-down protocols.



The comportment has been good so far; I am calling on everyone to maintain such discipline in all registration centres to ensure the success of the exercise, she added.

Source: GNA









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

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Chinese social media giant TikTok has reportedly shelved plans to build a global headquarters in the UK.

TikToks parent company ByteDance has been in discussions with officials from the Department for International Trade and No 10 to establish a worldwide base in Britain, creating 3,000 jobs.

However The Sunday Times reported ByteDance has made the decision to suspended those negotiations due to the wider geopolitical context.

The Chinese social media giant Tik-Tok has broken off talks to open a global headquarters in Britain, The Sunday Times reports pic.twitter.com/9Q6X5ofCR2  The Sunday Times (@thesundaytimes) July 18, 2020

It comes amid increasing tensions between London and Beijing, stemming from the UK Governments criticism of the Hong Kong security law and the recent decision to ban Huawei from the countrys 5G network.

An unnamed source reportedly told the paper that the plans could be revived should relations between China and the UK improve, however they added a decision would not be coming any time soon.

A statement from TikTok issued to the paper said: We remain fully committed to investing in London and inspiring creativity and bringing joy to our users around the world.

Meanwhile a Government spokesperson told the PA news agency: ByteDances decision on the location of their global HQ is a commercial decision for the company.

The UK is a fair and open market for investment where it supports UK growth and jobs.
India's third Covid wave likely to peak on Jan 23, daily cases to stay below 4 lakh: IIT Kanpur scientist

Coronavirus: India reports highest single day spike of 38,902 cases, total tally reaches 10,77,618

India

oi-Madhuri Adnal

New Delhi, July 19: With the highest single-day spike of 38,902 cases reported in the last 24 hours, India's total Covid-19 tally on Sunday reached 10,77,618, informed the Union health and family welfare ministry on Sunday.

The death toll has gone up to 26,816 with 543 fatalities reported in the last 24 hours.

Inter-state travellers responsible for spurt in COVID-19 cases in Bengaluru

The health ministry said the total number of cases includes 3,73,379 active cases and 6,77,423 patients have been cured/discharged/migrated.

Coronavirus: WHO reports single-day record global spike in Covid-19 cases | Oneindia News

With a surge in Covid-19 cases in Bihar, West Bengal, Assam, and Odisha, the Union health ministry has asked these states to make renewed efforts to suppress the transmission of the virus and keep the case fatality rate below one per cent. Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Friday confirmed community spread occurring in two coastal villages in the capital city, Thiruvananthapuram.

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Story first published: Sunday, July 19, 2020, 10:45 [IST]
The UK has decided to turn to Japan in quest of replacing China's Huawei in building 5 G services in the nation UK eyes the tech giants NEC Corp and Fujitsu as potential candidates for the 5 G investment .

, According to Japanese business news publication Nikkei that cited sources in both companies.

UK officials met with Tokyo counterparts earlier this week, days after Londons Secretary for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Oliver Dowden announced the ban on Chinese juggernaut Huawei from 5G development.

Also Read: Jio partners with Google to develop affordable 5G smartphones

Downing Street had initially greenlighted Huaweis move to develop the network in the country, despite US pressure, but has since appeared to cave in.

The parliaments Science and Technology Committee has held discussions with Samsung executives and other tech leaders for the role.Huawei has come under increasing attack from the US and UK over security and privacy fears. The Chinese firm is ahead of the pack in 5G technology development, which is seen by many as the main driver of US counteractions.

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Statues have long been a way to honor leaders, benefactors, heroes and the war dead, giving them permanence and a three-dimensional presence.

Over the years, they have come to mean many things to different people, including a way to remember, a work of art or simply a place for pigeons to roost.

But increasingly some of those statues, particularly those honoring Confederate leaders or victories and those connected with slavery have become a flash point for many -- removed or destroyed because of the pain, suffering or oppression they represent.

This push, which has ebbed and flowed over the years, recently gained renewed momentum after the death of George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis police in May, with statues either removed by protesters, the government or private organizations.

Not all agree that these historical representations should be taken down. President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo have denounced "rioters" for pulling down the statues.

Trump even signed an executive order to protect monuments, memorials and statues, and has tweeted about jailing protesters for up to 10 years.

"I have authorized the Federal Government to arrest anyone who vandalizes or destroys any monument, statue or other such Federal property in the U.S. with up to 10 years in prison," the president tweeted on June 23.

I have authorized the Federal Government to arrest anyone who vandalizes or destroys any monument, statue or other such Federal property in the U.S. with up to 10 years in prison, per the Veteran's Memorial Preservation Act, or such other laws that may be pertinent.....  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 23, 2020

But as some fight to preserve the monuments, even a descendant of Lee, Rev. Robert Lee IV believes they should be taken down now.

"Why are we protecting statues that symbolize oppression instead of protecting the people that were oppressed?" Lee said to ABC News in a July 3 interview.

Story continues

In some cases, looters and vandals used the guise of peaceful protests to destroy property including statues dedicated to slave owners, Confederate leaders or other white men with controversial reputations. Many of those historical figures were prominent slaveholders and slave traders who acquired their fortunes through unpaid labor.

But experts interviewed by ABC News say erasing the past isn't the answer to calls for justice, police reform and an end to structural racism. What to do with the statues, which are expensive to maintain, is a more complicated question, whether it be removal, which is also expensive, adding context, which may be insufficient, putting them in museums or destroying them altogether.

'Statues have always been about power'

Historians have debated the issue for decades, with some saying cities and other locales should keep the sculptures intact and accept the historical figures for who they were -- warts and all -- while others see them as symbols of racism, oppression and African American pain.

PHOTO: A crowd gathers at the statue of Confederate President Jefferson Davis after it was pulled down off of its pedestal on Monument Avenue in Richmond, VA., on June 10, 2020. (John McDonnell/The Washington Post via Getty Images)

"These individuals who are being celebrated ... their sole purpose was to destroy the country. And the second thing is that they lost ... a war to dissolve the country, and they were traitors," Lionel Kimble, vice president for programs at the Association for the Study of African American Life and History, told ABC News. "And I don't know of any other society, globally, where we hold up traitors and people who wanted to destroy the very fabric of ... society."

Erin Thompson, an art crime professor at the City University of New York's John Jay College of Criminal Justice, said statues generally weren't created to foster goodwill, but as an intimidation tactic.

"Statutes have always been about power," said Thompson, who has a doctorate in art history and a law degree. "From the beginning of human art-making, we see statues of rulers of powerful people and they're meant to send messages ... to keep reminding people that they're in charge."

PHOTO: CUNY John Jay College Art Crime Professor Erin Thompson. (Erin Thompson)

"And because statues are about power ... when someone in power fell, their statues were attacked ... a way of sort of humiliating someone whose actual body you can't touch," Thompson added.

MORE: Melania Trump statue in Slovenia torched, artist wants to speak with arsonists

Kimble agreed, explaining that many Confederate statues were meant to elicit fear in opponents, and said they were also used as tools to terrorize Black citizens, including those who fought on the side of the Confederacy in the South.

"I think there are really two conversations going on. On one hand you have the Confederate monuments, which have a very checkered history as many of them were created as instruments of racial terror, instruments to support Jim Crow to oppress Black people in the south," Kimble said. "And a lot of these statues came, not as a direct result of the Civil War, but really in response to Jim Crow and the civil rights movement. So a lot of these things were designed to terrorize black people."

Conversely, the statues of the country's founding fathers, who were also predominately slave holders with histories of racism, are generally regarded in a different light, despite their pasts.

PHOTO: Wisconsin's 'Forward' statue lies in the street on Capitol Square in Madison, Wis., June 23, 2020. (Emily Hamer/Wisconsin State Journal via AP)

"The argument around these individuals as slaveholders is really a historical fact. These guys were some of the original American capitalists ... they made their money through the buying and selling of human beings," Kimble said. "In the larger American imagination, the Confederate statues occupy a very different space than statues of the Founding Fathers, which were erected to commemorate their work," he added.

During the recent protest, statues of historic figures like Robert E. Lee, Christopher Columbus, Ulysses S. Grant, Edward Colston and Jefferson Davis were torn down in the United States and overseas.

But Kimble said this is the wrong direction to take.

"We essentially want to cancel these Civil War generals and monuments, which I think is a mistake. Tearing these things down should not be the goal in," he said. "But there is a place for these statues and the place is in some sort of museum and not in the public space, which is meant to be shared by all people."

Shifting opinion

A recent Quinnipiac University poll found that there are significantly more people who support removing Confederate statues from public spaces around the United States than from a couple years ago.

"Historic figures in granite and iron that seemed protected just a few years ago now face the wrecking ball of public opinion," said Quinnipiac University polling analyst Tim Malloy.

PHOTO: A statue of Confederate General Albert Pike lays on the ground after being toppled near Judiciary Square following a day of Juneteenth celebrations in Washington, DC, June 20, 2020. (Michael Reynolds/EPA via Shutterstock)

According to the poll, in August 2017, 39% supported the removal of Confederate statues compared to 52% who wanted to get rid of them in June. Of those who support the idea in the latest poll, 84% are Black, 58% are Hispanic and 44% are white. Those that opposed their removal are 52% from Southern states and 64% from rural areas.

In Bristol, England, where a statue of Colston, a 17th-century slave trader, was tossed into the river, the monument was unofficially replaced with a statue of Black Lives Matter activist Jen Reid.

Bristol Mayor Marvin Rees referred to the Colston statue as one of the city's "dirty" secrets, but did not condone the statue's unauthorized removal.

The statue of Reid is in honor of her "life's work," which is the ongoing movement against racism and police brutality there and abroad. Twenty-four hours after Reid's statue was erected, the city council ordered it taken down and placed into a museum along with Colston's statue.

What to do about controversial statues?

Thompson said there have been several ideas floated to avoid removing statues, which costs just as much in some cases as it does to take care of them.

MORE: Here's where Confederate statues and memorials have been removed in the US

She suggested re-contextualizing statues with plaques that give context. "But seeing somebody up on a pedestal is so powerful that it's hard to believe that putting up a little bit of additional text, or putting up another statue nearby is really going to overcome that effective," she added.

Friends of the Public Gardens, a Boston-based community restoration organization said that "the cost for cleaning a piece of sculpture is approximately $700, while the cost for full restoration can be $20,000-$25,000."

MORE: Christopher Columbus statue removed from St. Louis park

The Smithsonian Magazine found in 2018 that during a 10-year period, nearly $40 million of taxpayer funds were spent on cleaning and preserving Confederate monuments, including statues.

PHOTO: People dance in a circle around the Christopher Columbus statue after it was toppled in front of the Minnesota State Capitol in St. Paul, Minn., on June 10, 2020. (Leila Navidi/Star Tribune via AP)

"I also think a lot about where we allocate our preservation dollars because there are incredibly important Native American and African American historical sites that are just crumbling away because it's really hard to get funding to preserve," said Thompson.

And relocating controversial statues to museums isn't a simple solution.

"Museums have all sorts of stuff that they don't have room to display or don't have staff to conserve. And so it's not just as easy as treating a museum like the nation's attic for embarrassing racist stuff," said Thompson.

Historians debate America's history of racism and Confederate monuments originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
Sixty three CRPF personnel and three army personnel deployed in Manipur tested positive for Covid 19 on Saturday, taking the northeastern states coronavirus tally to 1,891 including 709 active cases, officials said.

The CRPF personnel found to be infected are stationed at a training centre in Kangpokpi district while the three army men are from Leimakhong Garrison, according to a statement released by Dr Khoirom Sasheekumar Mangang, additional director and spokesperson of state health department.

The release added that these personnel had recently joined their duty after a period of leave.

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As on Saturday, 91 persons including 82 male and 9 females were detected to have been infected with Covid 19. Sixteen of these samples were tested at RIMS (Regional Institute of Medical Sciences), 63 at JNIMS (Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Medical Sciences) three at the district hospitals of Tamenglong, eight at Thoubal and one at Ukhrul, the release said.

All the new cases were being shifted to Covid care facilities.

In the past 24 hours, 19 persons have been discharged from Covid care centres including from Meitram in Imphal West(6), Thoubal (1), Kamjong(7) and from RIMS(3) and JNIMS(2).

The total number of recovered cases has risen to 1,182, taking the recovery rate to 62.50 percent.

Meanwhile, a meeting of the state consultative committee for Covid 19 was held on Saturday with chief minister N Biren Singh taking stock of the situation.

The eminent members expressed their satisfaction to the efforts of the Covid-19 Rapid Response Team and all the frontline warriors in checking the dreaded virus from spreading to the community, a facebook post from CM Biren Singh said.

Also Read: Manipur: Top police officer hospitalised after allegedly shooting himself

The post further claimed that the state government had successfully managed to keep a check on the spread of the disease.

With the valuable advice and suggestions from the Honble Ministers, MLAs, intellectuals, HODs and other members of the Committee, the State Government has been able to contain the virus, it stated.
Russian company signs deal to release Oxford vaccine against Covid-19

AFP :

Russian pharmaceutical company R-Pharm signed an agreement on production of a coronavirus vaccine developed by British-Swedish AstraZeneca and the University of Oxford.

The company plans to supply the drug to 30-50 countries, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Russian company Alexey Repik said in an interview with Rossiya 24 TV channel.

"We formalized this intention in the form of a signed agreement on production and supply of a vaccine that was developed by AstraZeneca and the University of Oxford, using the technological capabilities of R-Pharm to implement the project. Moreover, R-Pharm will act as a kind of hub for vaccine supplies to a huge number of countries - to 30, 40, 50 countries, including the countries of the Middle East, including the countries of Southeast Asia, European countries, of course, the CIS, and Russia," Repik said.

The pharmaceutical company noted that the vaccine is currently undergoing research, which should determine how well it protects against coronavirus, and estimate its safety and immune response in humans. In late December 2019, Chinese officials notified the World Health Organization (WHO) about the outbreak of a previously unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan, in central China. Since then, cases of the novel coronavirus - named COVID-19 by the WHO - have been reported in every corner of the globe, including Russia.



On March 11, 2020, the WHO declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic.
Mastery of Constitution and Chinese proficiency should be prerequisites for national security judges: Hong Kong lawyer

Global Times

By Wang Wenwen and Zhao Juecheng Source: Global Times Published: 2020/7/18 20:53:35

A Hong Kong lawyer has refuted the UK Supreme Court's decision, which, according to a Reuters report on Friday, would continue to assess UK judges' positions in the Hong Kong Court of Final Appeal, the city's top court, amid the recent enactment of the national security law for Hong Kong.

"It shows the stark-naked truth that UK judges are subordinate to the UK government, and foreign governments are using their judges to interfere in Hong Kong's judicial independence and the enactment of the national security law, which will pose a threat to China's national security," said Maggie Chan Man-ki in an exclusive interview with the Global Times.

"The UK's Supreme Court still views Hong Kong as the country's former colony and the UK courts as superior to Hong Kong's judicial institutes," noted Chan.

Chan, who is also Hong Kong's deputy to the National People's Congress (NPC), attended the 20th session of the 13th NPC Standing Committee in late June when the national security law for Hong Kong was reviewed and passed. She has proposed that foreign judges be barred from national security trials.

She also contends that judges who hear national security cases in Hong Kong should comprehensively understand and master the Chinese Constitution and the Chinese language.

Chan told the Global Times that Hong Kong's legal system and judiciary always adhere to the principle that conflict of interests should be avoided. Judges who have dual nationality or have made a pledge to another country aren't fit to hear national security cases, she added.

The passed law, however, does not specify the nationalities of judges. Article 44 of the law empowers the chief executive to designate a panel of judges to handle cases concerning offenses endangering national security. The chief executive may consult the Committee for Safeguarding National Security of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and the Chief Justice of the Court of Final Appeal.

Chan believes this article is a combination of merits of the two laws - the national security law and the Basic Law, and does not conflict with article 92 of the Basic Law. Article 92 stipulates, "Judges and other members of the judiciary of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region shall be chosen on the basis of their judicial and professional qualities and may be recruited from other common law jurisdictions."

Chan told the Global Times that while the chief executive's selection of judges on hearing national security cases will adhere to the "judicial and professional" requirements stipulated in article 92 of the Basic Law, not all Hong Kong judges of the common law system have "professional qualities" to hear national security cases.

"As the national security law for Hong Kong is a national law that touches upon issues of the Constitution and the background and systems [both socialist and capitalist] of the country, if a judge cannot comprehensively understand and master the Constitution, he does not have the 'professional qualities' required to hear national security trials," Chan explained.

She also noted that as the language of China's legal system and national laws is Chinese, a mastery of the Chinese language should also be interpreted as a "professional quality" for judges concerning the national security law, and these two points are the main reasons that she proposes barring foreign judges from hearing national security trials.

Chan said the enactment of the national security law for Hong Kong shows the central government's fundamental authority and responsibility in looking after national security affairs in Hong Kong when the local legislation of article 23 of the Basic Law is absent. As for the circumstances when "a major and real threat to national security has occurred" that would lead to the Office for Safeguarding National Security of the Central People's Government in Hong Kong to exercise jurisdiction over a case, as stipulated in article 55 of the national security law, the power of interpretation shall be rested in the NPC Standing Committee to define the threat.

"There should not be too many restrictions on defining such a threat, as the aim of the national security law for Hong Kong is to solve problems that Hong Kong itself cannot solve," said Chan.

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With the spread of the COVID-19 pandemics, many theories have raised about the future of humanity and the numerous threats it is facing today.

One of these threats is related to an invisible enemy, as US President Donald Trump has mentioned. But, what is this invisible enemy?

In a very interesting article published on Exopolitics.org, renowned Australian researcher Dr Michael Salla analysed Mr Trumps speeches and concluded that he could actually be talking about a joint effort of extraterrestrials and the Deep State to destroy our civilisation.

While mainstream news outlets claim Trump is merely referring to COVID-19 as the invisible enemy that has afflicted the US and the rest of the planet, Mr Salla states, what emerges from examining the wider context of his remarks and [US CIA whistleblower] Qanon posts is that the real enemy Trump is alluding to is a Deep State which has a non-human dimension that is behind the plandemic, he adds.

In the opinion of the Australian professor, there is a fierce battle between the Trump administration and the Deep State. According to him, members of the world elite have been trying to undermine Trumps government in order to impose their agenda, which is based on subjugating humans to the extraterrestrial power. The civil war between the Trump Administration and the Deep State is a battle between those wanting to free humanity from an oppressive group of global controllers that has enslaved humanity through its domination of the mainstream media, and political, financial, cultural and religious institutions for centuries, if not millennia, he asserts. [] in humanitys far distant past, extraterrestrials directly ruled over humanity, and then installed human-alien hybrids to rule as proxies as described in historical documents such as Sumers Kings List and Manethos chronicle of pre-dynastic Egyptian rulers, the former Australian National University professor affirms.

If Trump and White Hats succeed in defeating the Deep State, humanity will have freed itself of an ancient invisible enemy that has manipulated human affairs through contrived global events for centuries if not millennia, Mr Salla claims. We are truly living in biblical times, as Archbishop Vigano asserts, where the children of light are locked in a spiritual war against the children of darkness, he expresses.

Draw your own conclusions
Congress' Ajay Maken alleged that Shekhawat's voice can be heard in one of the two audio tapes related to the conspiracy, adding that the ACB has registered a case against him.

Jaipur: The Congress on Sunday demanded the resignation of Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat for his alleged involvement in a conspiracy to topple the Ashok Gehlot government in Rajasthan.

Citing the two audio clips, in one of which Shekhawat is allegedly heard during a conversation on a plot to bring down the state government, Congress leader Ajay Maken said the BJP leader should quit on moral grounds.

He said the Anti-Corruption Bureau of the state police has registered a case in connection with the audiotapes against Congress MLA Bhanwarlal Sharma, Shekhawat and one Sanjay Jain.

"If Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat is claiming that it is not his voice and the reference in the audio clip is of some other Gajendra Singh, then why is he afraid of giving his voice samples," Maken asked.

He said Shekhawat has no moral authority to continue as a Union minister and should resign so that the investigation is not influenced.

Maken also alleged that the police in Haryana and Delhi are giving protection to the rebel Congress MLAs from Rajasthan.

He said the Centre is threatening in the name of the CBI because it wants to stop the probe into the conspiracy.

The former Union minister also asked why a team of the Rajasthan Police was stopped by Haryana Police to carry out its investigation and take voice samples of MLAs Bhanwarlal Sharma and Vishvendra Singh.

If the BJP has no role in it, then why the MLAs took shelter in the party-ruled Haryana, he asked in an apparent reference to the 19 Congress MLAs' stay at a hotel in Gurgaon.

On charges of horse-trading, Maken asked the BJP to "reveal the route of black money" as it is being said that Rs 30-35 crore were offered to each MLA.

Maken, who has come to Jaipur as a Congress observer, said it is the betrayal of people's mandate and the murder of democracy if an elected government is toppled with money power. If such attempts are not stopped, then people will lose faith over the voting process and democracy, he added.
Jeremy A Trapp, 24, was arrested on Friday in Brooklyn after cops said he cut the brake line on a marked NYPD van

A man has been arrested in Brooklyn after cops said that he crawled under a marked NYPD van and cut the brake line in broad daylight.

Jeremy A Trapp, 24, was charged with reckless endangerment, criminal mischief and other charges after police say they caught him red handed on Friday afternoon the Sunset Park neighborhood.

Cops were watching -- and filming -- after they spotted a person underneath the van, and apprehended Trapp as he got up and tried to flee, WNBC-TV reported.

Images provided to the outlet by police purport to show Trapp as he emerges from underneath the van, which was parked outside the NYPD's processing center for applicants at 4th Avenue and 42nd Street.

Police in the area began filming after they spotted someone under the police vehicle outside of the NYPD's processing center for applicants at 4th Avenue and 42nd Street

A police source provided this image to WNBC, which allegedly shows Trapp emerging from underneath the van. He was immediately taken into custody

An investigation by a department mechanic revealed that the brake line on the van had been severed and the brakes were no longer functional, according to police.

Cops call the incident a brazen attack on officers that could have injured or even killed NYPD officers.

Police officials told the NBC flagship station that Trapp was well known to cops, and had frequently been seen coming and going from the Occupy City Hall protest in Manhattan.

Protesters have been camped outside City Hall for weeks calling for the NYPD to be defunded, remaining even after Mayor Bill de Blasio slashed $1 billion from the department's $6 billion annual budget.

It is the latest disturbing example of violence directed toward police in New York, where protests over police practices and demands to defund the NYPD have grown in recent weeks.

Police say they discovered this cut brake line after a department mechanic checked the van

The police van was parked outside the NYPD's processing center for applicants at 4th Avenue and 42nd Street (seen in a file photo)

On Saturday night, a police officer was struck in the head by a bottle lobbed by a man in a Hawaiian shirt in the Brooklyn Crown Heights neighborhood. Police said no arrests had been made in the case.

On Wednesday, what was supposed to be a peaceful Black Lives Matter protest turned violent when a small faction assaulted police officers, including NYPD Chief of Department Terence Monahan.

Quran Campbell, 25, was released without bail after being charged with assault for allegedly punching Monahan in the face and striking a lieutenant.

On Friday, Monahan took to Twitter to blast the judge who ordered Campbell's release without bail, accusing him of putting police officers and the general public at risk.

'Quran Campbell is captured on video for the nation to witness him viciously assault 3 cops in uniform  1 who lost consciousness,' the chief wrote. 'Judge Robert Rosenthals reckless decision to release Mr. Campbell WITHOUT BAIL endangers every NYer and the officers who risk it all to protect them.'

A bicycle officer helping a fellow officer dress a head wound after protesters on the Brooklyn Bridge attacked multiple high-ranking officers on Wednesday

Other police photos of the aftermath showed a lieutenant with a bloodied face, and a detective holding a bandage to his head

Monahan, who suffered bruises and a jammed finger, also praised the Manhattan District Attorney's Office for requesting $75,000 bail.

Two other officers - a lieutenant and a sergeant - sustained more serious injuries in the fracas that broke out during dueling pro- and -anti-police protests on the iconic bridge spanning the East River.

'My sergeant who works with me was hit in the head with a cane,' Monahan told Good Day New York on Thursday. 'He got eight staples put in his head; one of the lieutenants out on the walkway was attacked by an individual  he had the broken orbital bone in his face.'

Monahan identified the person who attacked Lt Richard Mack as Campbell, and said that as he reached over to grab the suspect, the 25-year-old punched him several times before getting arrested.

On Thursday, a New Jersey woman was charged in the bridge brawl after allegedly beating beating two officers over the head with a cane.

Chanice Reyes, 24, was arrested during an early morning raid near City Hall, a day after footage released by the NYPD showed a suspect clubbing cops.
Begum travelled to Syria to join ISIS aged 15. (PA)

The taxpayer could be forced to foot a 10 million security bill if Shamima Begum is allowed to return to the UK, it has been claimed.

On Thursday, the Court of Appeal ruled Begum, who travelled to Syria to join ISIS - will be allowed back into the UK to mount a "fair and effective appeal" against the decision to strip her of British citizenship.

According to The Sun, the ISIS bride would need to be monitored round the clock by police officers and security guards while awaiting trial.

The cost of accomodating her could reach 70,000, and there would be extra costs to pay if Begum is put on a Terrorism Prevention and Investigation Measure.

Prime minister Boris Johnson said ministers are looking at changing the legal aid eligibility rules. (PA)

Dr Alan Mendoza, of the Henry Jackson Society think-tank, claims the bill could reach 10 million over the 20-year-olds lifetime.

It beggars belief that the taxpayer will likely have to fund a lifetime bill for Shamima Begum, Dr Mendoza said.

This money, that could reach 10million, would be better spent on the real victims of terrorism in the UK.

It comes as Boris Johnson said on Sunday that ministers are looking at changing the legal aid eligibility rules after the Court of Appeal ruling.

Mr Johnson told The Sunday Telegraph: "It seems to me to be at least odd and perverse that somebody can be entitled to legal aid when they are not only outside the country, but have had their citizenship deprived for the protection of national security.

"That, amongst other things, we will be looking at."

The Prime Minister said that the Government would also be looking at the whole system of judicial review to establish whether it had "perverse consequences".

"What we are looking at is whether there are some ways in which judicial review does indeed go too far or does indeed have perverse consequences that were not perhaps envisaged when the tradition of judicial review began," he said.

Begum, now 20, travelled to Syria in February 2015 and lived under IS rule for more than three years before she was found in a Syrian refugee camp in February last year.

Story continues

Then-home secretary Sajid Javid revoked her British citizenship on national security grounds later that month.

Begum took legal action against the Home Office, claiming the decision was unlawful because it rendered her stateless and exposed her to a real risk of death or inhuman and degrading treatment.

The Home Office spokeswoman said it would be applying for permission to appeal against the court's judgment.

Watch the latest videos from Yahoo UK News
It wasn't until Day 7 of her team's coronavirus investigation when it dawned on Linda Vail, the health officer for Michigan's Ingham County, that this was going to be a big one. It had started with just two infections at the college bar on June 18, not long after the state began reopening. But the numbers quickly jumped to 12, then 18, then 34.

As of Friday, she was staring at a spreadsheet with 187 infected at Harper's Restaurant and Brew Pub.

"The tables were six feet apart, but no one stayed there," she said. "The DJ was playing music so people were shouting, the dance floor started to get crowded. We had flattened the curve and then boom."

The East Lansing case is what's known as a superspreading event - possibly the largest so far in the United States among the general public. Many scientists say such infection bursts - probably sparked by a single, highly infectious individual who may show no signs of illness and unwittingly share an enclosed space with many others - are driving the pandemic. They worry these cases, rather than routine transmission between one infected person and, say, two or three close contacts, are propelling case counts out of control.

More than 1,000 suspected clusters - ranging from the single digits to thousands - have been logged in a database compiled by a coder in the Netherlands. A megachurch in South Korea. A political rally in Madrid. An engagement party in Rio de Janeiro. Nearly all took place indoors, or in indoor-outdoor spaces.

Even as the Trump administration pressures schools to reopen this fall, the latest research suggests that understanding how and why these events occur - and how to prevent them - is key to reopening safely. In recent days, governors from at least 18 states, including Michigan, have backtracked on plans to loosen restrictions due to outbreaks.

But even those efforts may fail if people ignore the most common ways the virus is considered to spread. Transmission, it turns out, is far more idiosyncratic than previously understood. Scientists say they believe it is dependent on such factors as an individual's infectivity, which can vary person to person by billions of virus particles, whether the particles are contained in large droplets that fall to the ground or in fine vapor that can float much further, and how much the air in a particular space circulates.

Donald Milton, a professor of environmental health at the University of Maryland, and other experts have wondered if superspreading events could be the "Achilles' heel" of the virus. If we could pinpoint the conditions under which these clusters occur, Milton argued, we could lower the transmission rate enough to extinguish the spread.

"If you could stop these events, you could stop the pandemic," Milton said. "You would crush the curve."

One key factor in such events may be airborne transmission - an idea gaining new adherents but that has not been proved conclusively. The World Health Organization has described most infections as occurring from close face-to-face contact involving large, virus-laced respiratory droplets that drop to the ground within a few feet of the person expelling them due to gravity. But this month, a group of prominent scientists made the case that superspreading clusters suggest the virus is sometimes being transmitted over longer distances through the air in far smaller and more numerous particles.

The coronavirus does not appear to be airborne in the same way as measles or tuberculosis, which have much higher rates of transmission. But the proponents of airborne transmission say it appears the virus could act similarly in some environments - a theory with major implications for the reopening of businesses and schools, as well as for nursing homes and residences dependent on ventilation systems that recirculate air.

Jose-Luis Jimenez, a researcher at the University of Colorado Boulder, was one of 239 scientists who penned an open letter to the WHO, calling for greater recognition of the role that clouds of fine aerosols containing the virus may play in its spread, prompting the agency last week to acknowledge "emerging evidence" of airborne transmission.

"It is becoming clear that the pandemic is driven by superspreading events, and that the best explanation for many of those events is aerosol transmission." Jimenez said.

As we enter the seventh month of the global pandemic, scientists are still frustratingly in the dark when it comes to key aspects of how the virus is transmitted.

Why, for instance, didn't the earliest infections in the United States, or the infamous Lake of the Ozarks party, spur lots of cases, while a much smaller gathering at a Michigan bar produced nearly 200? Why out of countless large gatherings held - church services, soccer games, choir rehearsals, and Zumba classes - did only a fraction ignite significant infections?

Part of the uneven spread of the coronavirus - and the phenomenon of superspreading - can be explained by extreme individual variation in infectivity, researchers say.

Some people will not transmit the virus to anyone, contact tracing has shown, while others appear to spread the virus with great efficiency. Overall, researchers have estimated in recent studies that some 10% to 20% of the infected may be responsible for 80% of all cases.

Scientists are only starting to understand the different factors - physiological, behavioral, environmental - that play a role in amplifying transmission.

An infected person's viral load can impact how much they "shed"; the differences have been shown to be on a scale of billions of virus particles. A recluse is less likely to spread the virus than a social butterfly. And being outdoors with masks, as we've been told countless times, is less likely to lead to spread than being indoors.

When many U.S. states imposed stay-at-home orders in mid-March, epidemiologists stressed the importance of the R0. Known as the basic reproduction number and pronounced "r-naught" (a Britishism for the number zero), it is a measure of how many people on average a single individual infects. In measles, that number is very high - somewhere between 12 to 18. In Ebola, it's about 1.5.

For the novel coronavirus, it's thought to be somewhere in between, around two to three. But researchers say that number obscures what is really happening on the ground.

A growing body of evidence suggests that SARS-CoV2, like other coronaviruses, expands in a community in fits and starts, rather than more evenly over space and time. Adam Kucharski of the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine has estimated that the value of what's known as the k-parameter - a measure of how much a virus tends to cluster - indicates that just 10% of people may be responsible for 80% of novel coronavirus cases.

Real world data corroborates the skewed transmission pattern.

In a detailed analysis of outbreaks in Hong Kong, for example, researchers found three distinct groups of incidents. The superspreading individuals, representing 20% of the total, were responsible for 80% of transmissions. A second group, involving about 10% of cases, transmitted the virus to one or two others. The final group, 70%, did not infect anyone else at all.

In Israel, investigators looking at 212 cases concluded that they could be linked back to 1% to 10% of people. And in an outbreak in a South Korea office tower, investigators found that about 45% of 216 workers got the virus from a single person. In the United States, an analysis from five counties in Georgia found that superspreading appeared to be "widespread across space and time," and that 2% of the infected seeded 20% of the cases.

Most of these events took place in coronavirus hot spots of which most people are now aware: buildings where people live in close quarters, such as nursing homes, prisons, worker dormitories and cruise ships. There have been a fair number of clusters at meat-processing and frozen food factories, as well as at a curling event in Edmonton, Canada, leading some to speculate that temperatures could be a factor.

"It is possible that the cold atmosphere in this setting has facilitated the spread of the virus," Gwenan Knight and others at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine wrote in an analysis of 201 events that was published in Wellcome Open Research.

The rest of the known superspreading events were set in a hodgepodge of social venues where people gather in crowds: concerts, sports games, weddings, funerals, churches, political rallies, restaurants, shopping centers. And nearly all took place indoors, or in venues with indoor-outdoor spaces.

Stanford researcher Morgan Kain, who focuses on mathematical modeling of disease transmission, said his analysis shows that regions that have not been greatly affected by the pandemic are most vulnerable because almost everyone would theoretically be susceptible to infection and a single unlucky confluence of an infectious person in the right environment could very quickly set off a chain reaction of transmissions. Kain and others argue that out-of-the-box ideas are needed to combat such spread.

"That's why it's particularly dangerous in the United States that places that don't have cases are opening up, going back to indoor restaurants, bars, gyms where infected people move about," he said.

One proposal, from a Moscow State University professor, calls for shifting testing resources from the general public to efforts to identify potential "super emitters" with high viral loads by using randomized testing. Other proposals focus on limiting people's more random interactions, such as on public transit, or at bars and restaurants, while loosening restrictions on their regular contacts, such as through work or school. This would still pose some risk but would theoretically help contain it to certain social "bubbles."

Scientists are also looking to technology to help prevent superspreading events. Several teams in far-flung parts of the world are trying to build breathalyzers or special paper that can detect active virus. Numerous governments and companies are experimenting with ultraviolet lights hooked up to ventilation systems to try to kill the virus as it passes through air conditioning and heating systems.

Yuguo Li, a professor at the University of Hong Kong who studies infection control and air, steers clear of the space between two tall buildings where there's no wind. He prefers to take his walks by the sea. And he avoids city buses.

After spending several months scrutinizing some of the most famous superspreading cases involving the coronavirus, Li is convinced virus transmitted through the air played a role in many of them.

In a case involving a restaurant in the Chinese city of Guangzhou where families from three adjacent tables were infected, for example, he describes how air currents near people flow in an upward plume, lifted by the warmth of the human body. He suspects the particles went into the air conditioning, which blew them toward those tables. None of the other diners or wait staff were affected.

He believes ventilation may also be to blame for a case involving a young man from China's Hunan province, who sat in the back of a bus but ended up infecting seven others in various areas of the vehicle and then two more on a second minibus he hopped onto next. Li interviewed the patient, driver, passengers and reviewed video footage and found it odd that few of those who became infected were nearby. In fact, at least one passenger who fell ill was as far away as possible at the front of the bus - 31 feet away - from the coronavirus-positive man.

Similar inferences have been made about the outbreak at the Skagit Valley Chorale in Washington state, where 52 of the 61 singers who attended a 2-hour practice became ill. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention wrote that the act of singing may have "contributed to transmission through emission of aerosols, which is affected by loudness of vocalization."

In addition, the researchers wrote, that "super-emitters, who release more aerosol particles during speech than do their peers, might have contributed to this and previously reported covid-19 superspreading events."

William Nazaroff, an environmental engineer from the University of California at Berkeley, explained that when people are indoors, they are literally breathing the same air as everyone else in the room. If the virus can be airborne, which he believes it can, then he said we need to consider whether every building that's open should modify its ventilation systems to be able to filter out more virus or use ultraviolet lights to kill it.

"It has to do with the plume of what is emitted and the extent it can infringe on your breathing zone," Nazaroff said.

While it's often impossible to identify the person who triggered an outbreak, there have been some commonalities among those who have been pinpointed as the likely source in studies. They tend to be young. Asymptomatic. Social.

Scientists suspect these "super-emitters" may have much higher levels of the virus in their bodies than others, or may release them by talking, shouting or singing in a different way from most people. Research based on the flu, which involved college students blowing into a tube, showed that a small percentage tended to emit smaller particles known as aerosols more than others. These particles tend to hang or float, and move with the flow of air - and therefore can go much farther and last longer than larger droplets.

In a study published in Emerging Infectious Diseases by Japan's Hitoshi Oshitani at Tohoku University of 22 superspreading individuals with the coronavirus, about half were under the age of 40, and 41% were experiencing no symptoms.

Julian Tang, a virologist at University Hospitals of Leicester in Britain, emphasized that whether someone triggers an outbreak often comes down to happenstance. Unlike some other viruses that may be contagious for a lifetime or months, the coronavirus has a very short window of infectivity - at most, four to nine days - according to multiple studies.

Tang said studies of other diseases have shown the asymptomatic can sometimes shed more virus for longer periods, although whether this applies to the coronavirus is unknown.

"Normally if you get very sick, you clear the virus quickly," he explained. "Ironically, if you are quite mildly ill, or not ill at all, your immune system might tolerate it more and you will shed longer with higher viral loads."

He said Typhoid Mary, the asymptomatic cook who was a superspreader of Salmonella typhi, was known to have a quirk in her immune system that did not allow her to clear the bacteria as well as others, so it was still present and more readily transmissible.

In the case of the Hunan man who transmitted the virus while riding two buses, Li said that "amazingly" after that four-hour window of infectivity, he is not known to have infected anyone else at all.

"Like autumn leaves suddenly all falling off," he said.

In the case of Ingham County, where the superspreading event occurred at the college bar, the surrounding community of about 280,000 had mostly experienced slow transmission throughout the pandemic. But even after the owners of Harper's Restaurant and Brew Pub in East Lansing closed June 20 after the outbreak - and after Michigan Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer shut indoor bar service throughout most of the state July 1 - the outbreak continued to spread.

Of the 187 total cases traced back to Harper's Restaurant as of Friday, 144 were among people who had been at the venue. The other 43 were their family members, friends, co-workers and other contacts. The infected spanned hundreds of miles and 16 counties.

Investigators were told there were 225 customers on two floors with a normal capacity of 950. The air conditioning was on, and some people were out on a deck. There was a line outside of people waiting to be let in.

Harper's did not respond to request for comment but said in a Facebook post that it is working to modify its heating and air conditioning system with air purifying technology.

Health officials have yet to find the first patient but are focusing on a few possibilities. Vail said it may be impossible to find the original source given that about a third of the initial cases were asymptomatic, as were 19% of people who caught it from those at the bar.

"It's just crazy," she said of how quickly infections climbed.

While the numbers have continued increasing for more than three weeks, Vail takes comfort in the fact that most people they have reached are providing lists of their contacts, and that new cases appear to be slowing down.

"I guess I might have thought that was going to go higher," she said, "which tells me that at least people paid attention when we told them to quarantine."

- - -

The Washington Post's Emily Rauhala contributed to this report.
Once-reticent Republican governors are now issuing orders on mask-wearing and business restrictions that run counter to Mr. Trumps demands. Some of those governors have been holding late-night phone calls among themselves to trade ideas and grievances; they have sought out partners in the administration other than the president, including Vice President Mike Pence, who, despite echoing Mr. Trump in public, is seen by governors as far more attentive to the continuing disaster.

The president got bored with it, David Carney, an adviser to the Texas governor, Greg Abbott, said of the pandemic. He noted that Mr. Abbott, a Republican, directs his requests to Mr. Pence, with whom he speaks two to three times a week.

A handful of Republican lawmakers in the Senate have privately pressed the administration to bring back health briefings led by figures like Dr. Fauci and Dr. Deborah Birx, who regularly updated the public during the spring until Mr. Trump upstaged them with his own briefing-room monologues. And in his home state of Kentucky last week, Senator Mitch McConnell, the majority leader, broke with Mr. Trump on nearly every major issue related to the virus.

Mr. McConnell stressed the importance of mask-wearing, expressed total confidence in Dr. Fauci and urged Americans to follow guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that Mr. Trump has ignored or dismissed.

The straight talk here that everyone needs to understand is: This is not going away until we get a vaccine, Mr. McConnell said on Wednesday, contradicting Mr. Trumps rosy predictions.
If you were looking for the Charlestown Democratic Town Committee website and ended up here, try this





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ASTON  Reopening plans for area schools are coming into focus this week despite changing guidance from state officials

On Wednesday, Gov. Tom Wolf signed new orders in response to the recent rise in COVID-19 cases, limiting indoor events and gatherings of more than 25 persons. One group that was affected was the Penn-Delco School Board, which had planned to meet that evening at the Northerly Middle School for its first in-person meeting in months.

We know the situation with COVID-19 is changing, my gosh, by the hour sometimes, said Superintendent Dr. George Steinhoff as he presented school board members with their Pathways to Reopening 20/21 held on the Zoom virtual meeting platform. How do we get our kids back to school? How do we get back to the place prior to March 13? If we cant get back to that place, what is the best option we can create for our kids so they have an experience that was better than most of the experience between March and June?

Steinhhoff said just a week ago most districts felt they were in a very good place to be able to reopen their doors and get back to school on a day-to-day basis and meet all their students needs, but the situation had changed as school administrators dug deeper in really examining what it all meant, getting students back in and having students and staff attend school in a healthy and safe manner. He said just a week ago they expected to open the schools for every student, five days a week; that is now uncertain.

It is much more challenging than much of us expected, Steinhoff said. Although regional conditions are more favorable than last spring, its still serious. Trends can redirect quickly and the country continues to set national records for total cases of COVID. Our experts continue to learn more about this virus, it seems, by the day.

On Friday evening, Steinhof said he anticipates recommending a hybrid model that will blend in-person and virtual instruction by creating separate cohorts of students. With school enrollment split in half, districts can manage the spacing regulations while having a greater confidence in the safety measures for student and staff. They will also offer an all-virtual option via the Penn-Delco Cyber program.

On Thursday, state Health Secretary Dr. Rachel Levine and Education Secretary Pedro Rivera announced updated guidance on reopening schools for in-person learning, saying it was up to each school entity to determine if classes resume in-person at school buildings, remotely or a combination of both options. The Department of Education had released a 13-page preliminary guidance for phased reopening for Pre-K to 12 schools in June.

Our goal is to ensure a safe return to school for students, educators and staff by following best practices to mitigate the spread of the virus, including wearing face coverings and maintaining social distancing, Levine said. In those instances when someone tests positive, public health staff from the department will immediately assist the school with risk assessment, isolation and quarantine recommendations, and other infection control recommendations.

The best practice recommendations include: Face masks must be worn by students and staff at school and on the bus; students or caregivers should do a daily symptom screening before leaving for school; social distancing throughout the day with 6 feet of separation; hold classes in gyms, auditoriums, other large spaces or outdoors, where physical distancing can be maintained; student seating should be facing in the same direction; class times should be staggered; one-way walking patterns should be created in hallways; and, when feasible, students should be kept in a classroom and teachers would be rotated instead; for breakfast and lunch, consider serving individually packaged meals in classrooms and avoid across-the-table seating; limit the number of students on playgrounds and encourage virtual technologies for gathering and extracurricular activities.

Last week, Upper Darby became the second Delaware County school district to have its reopening plan approved by its school board. In a video message on Youtube Thursday evening, Superintendent Dr. Dan McGarry went over the highlights of the plan; by Friday afternoon, it had been viewed nearly 2,000 times. He said the school board considered Pennsylvania Department of Educations four options to reopen schools and decided on in person instruction with flexible scheduling and remote learning.

The plan recognized the importance that students be in class and in front of teachers and was the result of numerous hours of preparation. It included recommendations from many other organizations such as the Chester County Department of Health, the American Academy of Pedriatrics as well other school districts, McGarry said.

Upper Darby has contoured its plans to the needs of the three separate grade levels. Elementary school students will meet in person four days a week with half-day schedules. During this in-person time, a morning meeting will be held and the primary mission will be math and reading. Other classes such as science, social studies and music will take place both remotely and in person.

The two middle schools will meet in person twice a week with three classes each day and six different classes each week. Middle school students will be broken up into a subset of teams, known as cohorts, and remain in their classrooms together while the teachers move from room-to-room.

High school students will also be broken up into smaller groups of cohorts rotating through morning, afternoon and remote learning classes. There will be eight-person sessions over a three week period. Special education students will meet four days a week. There will be no in-person classes held in Upper Darby on Wednesdays to allow for the opportunity for virtual office hours and teacher training and lesson prep; school and bus cleaning will also take place Wednesdays. Students will have remote learning on Wednesdays.

Families who dont want to send their children into school buildings can sign up for virtual-only classes, but must submit classes by July 23 to allow the district to plan.

By Friday there were many questions about the plans from parents on the school district Facebook page.

So is after care free? Youre making half-days mandatory. Whos going to watch my child while I work? asked one parent.

I am glad to hear that my autistic son will be getting four days in person. But what if you wanted to allow your other children virtual learning only? I have four kids. My two elementary I do not mind sending on flex but the two middle schoolers I would prefer to keep virtual learning. Is this an option? asked another.

Please be patient and please do not give up on us as we need your help navigating through this pandemic, McGarry said. He added more information had been sent directly to families and additional information would be going out soon.

Ridley School Districts plan, which has also been approved by its school board, was posted on its website (ridleysd.org) and be can be found at the eBackpack link. It has targeted early August to be at 100 percent workplace operations, which would indicate a return to full in-person instruction with classes beginning on Sept. 1.

Among the details Ridleys plan includes additional space will be made on campus with reconfigured classrooms for all students to face the same direction and allow for appropriate physical distancing of 6 feet. Buses will have only two students per seat, and students must wear a mask. Drivers will be trained to identify possible symptoms to alert the school nurse.

Families and staff will be responsible for all daily screening prior to arrival at school. School nurses will be the contact for any self-reporting by families and staff and individuals will be encouraged to stay at home if not feeling well.

Other school boards will be finalizing their plans in the next week. Wallingford-Swarthmore is expected to do so July 20. Haverfords plan will be up for approval on July 30, Rose Tree-Medias on July 25, Springfelds and William Penns on July 27, while Chichester and Garnet Valley will present their plans on July 28. Penn-Delcos plan is expected to go before the school board on July 29.

Haverford Township School District Superintendent Dr. Maureen Reusche spoke at her districts school board meeting Thursday evening about the state Department of Educations new guidance and added that the Centers for Disease Control was expected to weigh in in the coming days.

Reucsche compared the school cafeteria to a restaurants and noted that Wolfs recent plans reduced restaurants to 25 percent capacity. The district plan in elementary schools is for 46 students dining in the cafeteria and 40 in the school gymnasium. She said the hybrid model fits with Wolfs and state guidance.

We are really counting on parental support, said Reusche in reference to parents checking their students temperatures. We will only be successful if we partner together  and not sending to school children exhibiting those symptoms.

She added in a email Saturday there are numerous family situations and dynamics that make returning to school in a pandemic extremely emotional and challenging.

We know that none of our suggested plans are ideal, and ultimately it will be impossible to find a path forward that suits every one of our families and students. However, we have thoughtfully and carefully planned throughout the summer. We know that any plan we put forth may have to be adapted, based on the trajectory of the virus and state direction, she said.

Haverford expects to release information to parents next week.

Kenneth Gavin, spokesman for the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, wrote in an email Friday that Catholic schools throughout the five-county area will be releasing full information regarding its plans to parents and the media in the latter portion of next week.

Like other districts, Radnor has sent a survey to parents and staff with more than 1,350 community members and the 220 staff members responding. Among the results, of interest was that 62 percent of parents said they would allow the school to check their childs temperature upon entering the building while 37 percent would sign an agreement to do so. On the subject of masks, over half of the teachers agreed to masking with a number asking for additional information. A sizable number said they did not wish to have mask all day. On the parents portion of the survey, 73 percent said their children would wear a mask.

All staff will be provided a face shield for their protection and the protection of their students, was one of the recommendations from the Penn Delco presentation. Staff may also wear a personal cloth or N95 mask when not working in close contact with students. It added there needs to be understanding of the challenge of masks for certain special needs students or very young children. Principals are working on opportunities to get students in places where they can take a mask break with necessary distancing.

My mind keeps going back to our kindergarteners, first-graders, even sixth- and ninth-graders to a brand new building for the first time. Its nerve-wracking to begin with. Now theyre coming back in a completely alien type environment, where we have to operate with a structural program during a pandemic, said Penn Delcos Steinhoff. We have to be nurturing caring and welcoming. Thats our job, to care for kids.

Staff Writer Terry Toohey contributed to this story.
Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif met with his Iraqi counterpart Fuad Hussein for talks at the Foreign Ministry in Baghdad on Sunday. The two officials discussed relations between the two countries and regional developments.

Zarif was also expected to meet Iraq's president, the parliament speaker, and the prime minister to discuss regional security, bilateral relations, and investments. The visit comes amid tensions between the US and Iran, which escalated following the killing of Iranian Revolutionary Guard commander Qassem Soleimani in an airstrike in the Iraqi capital earlier this year.

Zarif visited a memorial to Soleimani at the site where he and Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis were killed in US airstrikes near Baghdad's international airport. Soleimani was the head of Iran's elite Quds force and mastermind of its regional security strategy.Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, the deputy commander of the Iran-backed Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF), was killed in the same strike.
Imphal, July 19 : Manipur's Additional Director General of Police, Law and Order, Arvind Kumar, who on Saturday reportedly shot himself, was flown to Delhi by an air ambulance on Sunday for further treatment at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), officials said.

A Manipur government official said that Kumar is out of danger after his treatment at a private hospital in Imphal.

Kumar's wife accompanied him in the air ambulance.

Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh, who visited the hospital here, spoke to the doctors attending Kumar and enquired about his health. Chief Secretary J. Suresh Baby, and top police officials including Director General of Police L.M. Khaute also visited the hospital.

Kumar, a 1992 batch IPS officer, shot himself with his service revolver at his official chamber at the 2nd Manipur Rifles Complex near the Police headquarters on Saturday afternoon.

He was immediately taken to a private hospital in Imphal and admitted to the ICU.

According to a senior police officer, Kumar used his service revolver and shot himself on his chin and the bullet pierced his cheekbone. Police is looking into the incident and efforts are on to ascertain the cause of the likely suicide attempt.

Kumar was earlier posted in the Intelligence Bureau at a very senior position in Delhi before returning to Manipur recently. "The police officer was staying alone in Imphal and he was in mental stress due to some unknown reasons," the official said.
By PTI

NEW DELHI: Amid the political firestorm in Rajasthan following Sachin Pilot's rebellion, senior Congress leader Kapil Sibal on Sunday called for amending the anti-defection law to ban all defectors from holding public office for five years and fighting the next election.

Sibal also said that the "antibodies" against the "virus of corrupt means" to topple elected governments lie in amending the Tenth Schedule of the Constitution (anti-defection law).

His attack comes in the wake of Pilot's open rebellion against the Ashok Gehlot government, which has been on shaky ground since, with at least 18 legislators backing the rebel leader.

Pilot was sacked as deputy chief minister and the state Congress chief earlier this week.

The Congress has accused the BJP of making efforts to topple the Gehlot government by indulging in horse-trading.

"Need for Vaccine: Virus of 'corrupt means' to topple elected governments has spread through a 'Wuhan like facility' in Delhi," Sibal tweeted, in an apparent swipe at the BJP.

"Its 'antibodies' lie in amending the Tenth Schedule. Ban all defectors from: Holding public office for five years, fighting the next election," he said.

Taking a swipe at Pilot over his claim that he is not joining the BJP, Sibal on Thursday had asked what happens to his "ghar wapsi" and whether Rajasthan's dissident legislators are vacationing in Haryana under the "watchful eye" of the saffron party.

In the house of 200, the Congress has 107 MLAs, including the 19 dissidents who have been issued notices of disqualification by the speaker and they have challenged them in the high court.

The Congress has maintained the claim that the Gehlot government has the support of 109 MLAs, including the two BTP MLAs.
AIIMS Ethics Committee has given its approval for conducting randomised, double blind, placebo-controlled human clinical trials for India's first indigenous Covid-19 vaccine developed by Hyderabad based Bharat Biotech, releases contact details and eligibility criterion for all who wish to participate.

The All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) Ethics Committee on Saturday gave its approval for conducting the human clinical trial of the indigenously developed COVID-19 vaccine candidate Covaxin.

Dr Sanjay Rai, Professor at the Centre for Community Medicine at AIIMS told ANI that the hospital will start enrolling healthy individuals from Monday onwards.

Today, we got approval from AIIMS Ethics Committee for starting the human clinical trial of the indigenously developed Covaxin. We are launching the enrollment process from Monday. We are going to select healthy participants with no comorbidities and without a history of COVID-19. The age group of the study population is 18 to 55 years. This would be a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial, Dr Rai told ANI.

The countrys top drug regulator had recently gave a green signal for human clinical trials for COVID-19 vaccine candidate Covaxin, which has been developed by the Hyderabad-based Bharat Biotech in collaboration with the ICMR and the National Institute of Virology (NIV).

Also read: Community spread has started, cases in rural areas a bad sign: Indian Medical Association

Also read: Andhra Pradesh: 5,000 beds in every district for Covid care

Asked about the concerns raised by AIIMS Ethics Committee a few days back regarding the trial, Dr Rai said that those concerns were addressed in the Ethics Committee meeting and the panel gave green signal to initiate the trial.

Any healthy individual who wishes to participate in the trial can send in an email on Ctaiims.covid19@gmail.com or send an SMS or call on 7428847499, he said, adding that in the first and second phase AIIMS (Delhi) will choose only 100 participants out of 375 volunteers and the remaining will participate at other sites.

We have already registered a few volunteers for the trial. From Monday onwards, our team will start their health screening before giving them vaccination, he said.

It may be noted that there are 12 places where the trial for Covaxin is taking place as per the Indian Council for Medical Research (ICMR).

Trials have started at AIIMS, Patna and few other places.

ANI had cited Director General of Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) Dr Balram Bhargava as saying on July 14 that as far as coronavirus pandemic is concerned the country has two indigenous candidate vaccines which scientists are trying best efforts to fast-track as their moral duty so that there should not be a delay of a single day for regulatory clearances for these vaccines to break the transmission of the virus as soon as possible.

There are two Indian indigenous candidate vaccines and they have gone successful toxicity studies in rats, mice and rabbits. The data was submitted to the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) following which both these candidate vaccines got clearance to start the early phase of human trials, he had said.

ANI had also reported that DCGI has given its permission to pharma giant Zydus Cadila besides Bharat Biotech International Limited (BBIL), which had partnered with ICMR to conduct phase I/II clinical trials on humans for COVId -19 vaccine.

Also read: AAP MLA Atishi donates plasma, Arvind Kejriwal responds

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Shankkar Aiyar By

In 1963, journalist Welles Hangen authored a book which asked After Nehru, who. The echoes of the chorus which followed signalled the morphing of the party from being a collective with political purpose into one of convenient ambiguity.

Shorn of the piety and nostalgia of the Independence movement, the Indian National Congress has largely been an idea, with a leader in the quest for power. In 2020, Congressmen are in a desperate hunt for an idea to revive the leader and a rapidly disintegrating party.

The saga of young Sachin Pilot, denied his due after he rebuilt the party, and his outrage at what he terms as being stabbed in the back is neither unique nor unprecedented. In 2003, the party made Sheila Dikshit, who single-handedly won a second term for the party, sweat it out for 10 days before re-nominating her as Chief Minister.Whether it is Kamaraj in 1970s, Vasantdada Patil in 1980s or P V Narasimha Rao in the 1990s, the old normal is the new normal in the Congress.

The cause of the convulsions, the bouts of fight or flight political epileptic fits are located in the structural decay and the absence of inner party democracy  last seen when the enigmatic K Kamaraj ensured the anointment of Lal Bahadur Shastri as Nehrus successor, thwarting Morarji Desai and Indira Gandhi.

Grass roots activism within the party is visible only when sponsored or fertilised by the high command. For three decades, between 1967 and 1990, first under Indira and then Rajiv Gandhi, the Congress followed the familiar model of election by selection wherein the high command would choose who gets elected to lead the party.

The substitution of merit with loyalty and popularity with sycophancy is best symbolised by D K Barooah of the Indira is India fame. The consequence is manifest in the electoral record of the party. Following its losses, the Congress has not returned to power in Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Gujarat for decades. The slide continued in the nineties and the new millennium  with losses in Odisha, MP, Jharkhand, with the Congress rarely repeating terms.

What happens in the States does not stay in there but creeps into the Centre. Its loss in 2014 was most eloquently described by Sanjay Nirupam who said even Modi would have lost had he contested on a Congress ticket. Worse was to follow in 2019 when the party scored a duck over a dozen states and Union Territories and won just one seat each in nine other states.

Market share in business or the business of politics depends on product and dealerships. By the 1990s, the Congress had national reach but no product. In 2004, it crafted a franchise model to acquire market share and came to power in the Centre. However, while management of power was professionalised with the adoption of the CEO route chosen by family enterprises, little was done to modernise the party or its management.

In the real world economy, the success of the enterprise  whether listed, privately owned or a family business  depends on how it operates in the market. Would an enterprise appoint juniors or nobodies to assess markets or divisional heads? The Congress persists in appointing rootless wonders as overseers to states. The fate of entrepreneurs who stacked boards with family retainers is known yet the Congress nominates non-entities to its highest decision making body.

The chasm between the anointed and the elected has widened disconnect between the idea and the market. And this explains the absence of a viable product line and the shrinking market and mind share.

Every failure is followed by the standard promise of introspection. If the party has introspected  in 1998, in 2014 or in 2019  it is largely a secret to its members. The 1998 A K Antony report on whether reforms are anti-poor could qualify for an archaeological dig.

Succession in the Congress has followed a pattern. Indira Gandhi slowly but surely got rid of Nehrus people. Rajiv Gandhi, pitchforked into politics after the death of brother Sanjay, grasped the connotation of carpe diem and brought his own team from Arun Nehru to Arun Singh. Sonia Gandhi used a mix and match approach to craft her core group even as she inducted advice from left of centre NGOs.

Seven years since Congressmen applauded the anointment of Rahul Gandhi as successor in January 2013, the leader to be is yet to be. The successor continues to be the young leader and remains surrounded by generations of geriatric leaders.

Authority in the party is diffused and decision-makers are divorced from accountability. He could have implemented his own structure  the primaries model, the politburo model or seized the idea signalled by his mother when she appointed Manmohan Singh as PM in 2004 and chosen the CEO and board approach. However, Rahul Gandhi or RaGa as he is pitched on social media is yet to compose his own raga.

A political party cannot be in perpetual paroxysm if it has ambitions of being a credible competitive idea. As a young traumatised leader put it, the monarchy must look at the Queens kingdom and learn to democratise.

Shankkar Aiyar is author of 'The Gated Republic - India's Public Policy Failures and Private Solutions', 'Aadhaar: A Biometric History of Indias 12 Digit Revolution', and 'Accidental India'.

He can be reached at - shankkar.aiyar@gmail.com
A resident of Sector 8, Panchkula, was duped of Rs 7 lakh on the pretext of getting job in Singapore.

As per Davinder Singhs complaint, Sachin Sharma, a resident of Penta Homes, VIP Road, Zirakpur, who runs an immigration business told him that hes part owner of a hotel in Singapore, and they could work together.

Singh met Sharmas associates, Kiran Geotra and Aarti Sharma, with whom he struck a deal for Rs 7 lakh. He paid Rs 1 lakh in advance and arranged the remaining amount by borrowing from his friends and taking a loan from the bank.

However the visa never arrived, and Singh went to meet Sharma at a hookah bar he owned in Sector 21, Panchkula, but he refused to meet him.

Singh later found out that Sharma had cheated another person, Sanjeev Garg, in the same way following which he lodged a complaint.

A case has been registered under Sections 420 (cheating) and 120B (criminal conspiracy) of the Indian Penal Code and Section 24 of the Immigration Act against Sachin Sharma and his associates. The accused are yet to be arrested, police said.
The University of Wyoming opened its doors in 1886 as Wyomings land-grant institution, created to be a partner with communities in our state. From partnerships with our community colleges, articulating courses to build toward seamless student transfer, to our partnership with the Wyoming Business Council to aid entrepreneurs and Wyoming business owners, we are committed to continue to serve the state across these troubling times.

Many of our partnerships may seem invisible  for example, 4-H programs across the state represent a decades-long partnership with our counties for youth development programming. And yet, our colleges, schools and our administrative units serve as important resources linking UW to our people across the state.

UW has gone virtual with many of its services since the coronavirus hit us. We reach every corner of the state with webinars addressing the business environment during the coronavirus pandemic from College of Business experts and services offered by the network of business incubators that advise and support high-growth startups in the early stages of business development.

The College of Health Sciences provided immediate expertise and assistance to the state Department of Health and Wyoming clinics, while the College of Engineering and Applied Science produced medical-grade masks for frontline health workers.

This summer, UW went online, offering affordable courses from resume building to the arts. The College of Education is serving our K-12 educators by sponsoring online curriculum and teaching workshops across the summer, with new resources available to all through the school year.

UW professors also continue to serve important advisory roles with Gov. Mark Gordon and state agencies, bringing their expertise to bear on pressing policy issues.

These are just a few of the multitude of examples of how UW as your university is stepping up to the plate. We dont know if we are hitting a home run, but if effort scores points, then we are batting a thousand.

As articulated by UWs Strategic Plan, Breaking Through: 2017-2022, as an institution we emphasize service and outreach that extend UWs talent and capacity to serve people in our communities, our state, the nation and the world. The UW Strategic Plan for Community Engagement emphasizes our commitment to communities providing a breadth of outreach activities, as well as building depth in our community engagement partnerships.

Today, every college, school and division of UW participates in numerous activities in the state, with significant impacts on communities in each of Wyomings 23 counties and on the Wind River Indian Reservation.

President Ed Seidel offers tremendous expertise and a new energy to roll up our sleeves to develop a process that will prioritize the key components necessary, even through tough times, so that UW can continue to fulfill its land-grant education, research and service mission at the highest level possible. Now starting my 21st year as a faculty member at UW, having seen many ups and downs, I and my colleagues join President Seidel in our commitment to serve our students and the communities of Wyoming.

Jean Garrison is a professor at UW and has led UWs community engagement initiative for the last three years. She currently serves as director of the Office of Engagement and Outreach. She can be reached at 307-766-6119 or garrison@uwyo.edu

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Beirut:

At least 11 people including four children were killed on Thursday in air strikes on rebel-held areas near Damascus, a monitor said.

One strike on the besieged town of Douma killed eight people including three children, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.

A separate strike on nearby Sabqa killed two women and a young girl, it said.

The raids are part of a six-month offensive by government forces that has chipped away at rebel-held villages and farmland across Eastern Ghouta, according to the observatory.

Douma, the largest town in the Eastern Ghouta area with more than 100,000 residents, is surrounded and regularly shelled by regime forces. Syria's five-year conflict has left more than 300,000 people dead.

For all the Latest World News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.
Historic Flooding Wreaks Havoc on Large Swathes of Southern China

Heavy rainfall in the regions downstream of the Yangtze River caused severe flooding in southern China, with the cities of Zhenjiang and Nanjing in Jiangsu Province upgrading their flood response alert to the highest level over the weekend.

Meanwhile, the Chinese minister of water resources hosted two meetings on July 18, instructing local authorities to arrange for dikes to be broken and the rural areas of Hubei, Hunan, Jiangsu, and Jiangxi provinces to be submergedsacrificing the countryside in order to protect the big cities.

The Yangtze River basin is home to roughly 459 million, with 51 percent (234 million) of them living in rural areas.

On July 19, water levels of the Yangtze River reached higher than the alert level throughout most of its roughly 3,900-mile length.

State-run media Xinhua reported on July 18 that the Three Gorges Dam had received the largest amount of floodwater to date, and that the dam had displacement, seepage, and deformation.

Chinas National Meteorological Center announced on July 19 that more heavy rain was due for the Yangtze River basin. The Yangtze and its affiliated three largest lakesPoyang, Dongting, and Tai Lakewere overflowing. Huai River, a major river north of the Yangtze, also faces the risk of embankment breaches.

Map of the Yangtze River Basin. (Cncs/CC BY-SA)

Due to the heavy rain, northeastern Liaoning, as well as Anhui, Hubei, Hunan, Guizhou, Guangxi, Yunnan, and Tibet in the south may experience mudslides on July 20, authorities warned. Other areas of northeastern China, Heilongjiang and Jilin provinces, may also have torrential rainfall, according to the meteorological center.

Chinas Ministry of Emergency Management announced on July 19 that over 23.86 million people from 24 provinces have been impacted by flooding in July. Residents believe that the true numbers could be higher.

Residents also told The Epoch Times that embankment breaches have caused floodwaters to submerge their hometown villages.

Our lives are very difficult this year. Very hard! said Mr. Sun, resident of Jianxin Zhou village in Maanshan city, Anhui Province, in a phone interview on July 17. Now we only hope that we can survive.

A flooded walkway in Nanjing, in Chinas eastern Jiangsu Province, on July 19, 2020. (STR/AFP via Getty Images)

Two Rivers, Three Lakes

E Jingping, Chinese minister of water resources, noted the severity of the flooding on July 18.

The level of the Yangtze River at Yichang city, Hubei Province reached the same level as the highest point during the 1998 flooding, while the water level at Nanjing city, Jiangsu Province became a new historical record.

In the summer of 1998, heavy rain caused flooding in the Yangtze, Min, Xi, Songhua, and Nen rivers, killing at least 4,150 people.

An aerial view shows the swollen Yangtze River in Jiujiang, in Chinas central Jiangxi Province on July 17, 2020. (HECTOR RETAMAL/AFP via Getty Images)

Moreover, regions upstream of the Yangtze River will experience heavy rain from July 21 to 23, authorities said, with rainfall reaching 50 millimeters (1.97 inches) per day. The midstream and downstream areas will have heavy rain until July 20, with rainfall of more than 50 millimeters per day.

E said the heavy rain would cause water levels to rise in the Yangtze River, Dongting Lake, Poyang Lake, Tai Lake, and Huai River.

To protect cities, E asked local authorities to release waters from the Yangtze into the rural areas between Yichang and Yueyang cities. Waters from Dongting and Poyang lakes would be discharged to rural areas around them; while water from the Tai Lake would be discharged to the rural areas to its north and south.

Residents Plea

Zhang is a doctor from Susong county, Anhui Province. He told the Chinese-language Epoch Times on July 18 that authorities had broken local dikes and submerged dozens of villages since July 12.

Just one order, and authorities sent out the police to push people to leave, Zhang said about the evacuation orders. Now all has been submerged under the flood.

Zhang said many villagers didnt have time to carry out their clothing or valuables as they were forced to leave their homes.

Li and over one thousand of his fellow villagers from Sizhou village in Susong county are now staying at a local school that has been converted into a shelter. The authorities sent troops to my village to force us to leave, he said.

Li said villagers had about six hours to evacuate, so most of them tried their best to move their belongings to the second floor or higher of their homes. However, the floodwaters submerged the entire village.

Cai, from Shaxi village of Nanchang city, Jiangxi Province, said he and over 1,000 others were staying at a middle school that was converted into a shelter. All our houses are under water now, Cai said.

An aerial view shows flooded residential buildings in Jiujiang, Chinas central Jiangxi Province, on July 18, 2020. (HECTOR RETAMAL/AFP via Getty Images)

Residents in big cities also reported flooding.

In Enshi city, Hubei Province, locals said the floodwaters had reached the second floor on July 17. A resident told The Epoch Times that the reason for the flooding was because authorities had discharged water from the nearby Dalongtan Reservoir.

A resident of Wanzhou district in Chongqing city said the situation in the metropolis was dangerous, very dangerous, with floodwaters reaching nearly five feet in his district. Many residential buildings were inundated, he said.
The sight of legislators being packed off in buses, and lodged in comfortable, even luxurious, hotels and resorts, has become a common feature of Indian politics. It usually happens when a state government is in crisis, when a crucial election for a Rajya Sabha seat is underway and numbers are fluid, or when a rebellion is underway to change the regime in a state. A political party  or the rebel faction  then rushes to consolidate the legislators who are in its favour. The objective is to ensure that these legislators dont succumb to temptations and inducements offered by the other side; and instead remain under constant surveillance. The method then adopted is to lock them in, till the crisis is resolved one way or the other.

While Rajasthan is only the most recent example  members loyal to Ashok Gehlot were sent off to a hotel on the outskirts of Jaipur and members loyal to Sachin Pilot were brought to a resort in Haryana  this is neither unique to one party nor to one state. Similar examples of resort politics were witnessed in Madhya Pradesh (rebel legislators went to Karnataka), Karnataka (legislators were brought to Maharashtra), Gujarat (to preserve numbers for a Rajya Sabha poll, legislators were taken to Karnataka), among others.

It is important to go back to first principles here, to understand how this growing pattern makes a mockery of Indian democracy, speaks poorly of elected representatives, is a reflection of the distortions in political party structures, and is an insult to the voter. Voters elect representatives, who belong to a political party or who may be an independent, for their ideas, agenda and ideology. These representatives are, within the framework of party discipline, understood to be autonomous leaders who act in public interest. But, instead, what resort politics shows is that these legislators can shift allegiances based on whoever can offer a better prize (either price or position); even parties have little faith in their integrity and so they are locked up; public interest is far-removed in these calculations; and money is an active determinant in how legislators make their choices. Resort politics is, in many ways, a symbol all that is wrong with Indian democratic politics.
An Australian beauty expert has shocked the internet by saying you should never let a face mask completely dry out when it's on your skin.

The founder of Beauty Affairs Luxury Skincare and Cosmetics business shared a video of herself on TikTok applying a white mask, explaining to her audience that dried face masks can dehydrate the skin.

'Do you want to know why you shouldn't keep your clay mask on until it dries all the way through? Because it dries you out - everything you knew is a lie!' she said in the footage, which has since been viewed more than 84,000 times.

Scroll down for video

An Australian beauty and cosmetic expert has revealed a shocking insight as to why you should never let a face mask dry soon after applying it

The woman said it's best to apply face masks in the shower or bath to allow it to stay wet and moist

While face masks are a popular product that thousands incorporate into their skincare routines, using them incorrectly can be detrimental to the skin.

The woman said it's best to apply face masks in the shower or bath to allow the product to remain wet and moist.

Alternatively a mist spray can be used to keep the masks from drying.

'This is why in an old school facial they'll use a facial steamer over the clay mask so it doesn't dry completely - that way we're drawing impurities out of the skin, but not all the water,' the woman said in the video.

Certified dermatologist and the founder of Curology Dr David Lortscher agreed and told Insider that dried face masks can lead to dryer skin and redness

WHY YOU SHOULD NEVER LET A FACE MASK DRY OUT * If face masks are left to dry for too long this can dehydrate the skin. * An Australian beauty expert said it's best to apply face masks in the shower or bath to allow it to stay wet and moist. * Alternatively a mist spray can be used to keep the masks from drying. 'This is why in an old school facial they'll use a facial steamer over the clay mask so it doesn't dry completely - that way we're drawing impurities out of the skin, but not all the water,' the woman said in a TikTok video. Certified dermatologist Dr David Lortscher agreed and told Insider that dried face masks can lead to dryer skin, tightness, itchiness and redness. Advertisement

Certified dermatologist and the founder of Curology Dr David Lortscher agreed and told Insider that dried face masks can lead to dryer skin and redness.

'While it is true that the 'harder' a mask dries, the more dead skin cells it may remove as the mask is peeled off, for some complexions this can be over-drying,' he said.

'When the mask reaches the flaking stage, this may result in feelings of dryness, tightness or even itchiness - and you may want to remove the mask before it reaches that stage.'

While face masks are a popular product that thousands incorporate into their skincare routines, using them incorrectly can be detrimental to the skin

Thousands of other TikTok users were shocked by the new information, with many praising the woman in the comments of the video

Thousands of other TikTok users were shocked by the new information, with many praising the woman in the comments of the video.

'What!? My whole life has been a lie,' one person said.

'I've been doing beauty for 13 years and I never knew this, clearly I've got no idea at all,' another said.

A third added: 'I literally just took my clay mask off after letting it dry and now TikTok wants to let me know I'm wrong. no wonder my face is feels like the Sahara.'

Others agreed and said they always put on their clay masks in the shower.

'Yes! Always do mine in the shower - multi tasking masking,' one woman said.

'I love doing clay masks in the shower, I put it on after shampoo and conditioner,' another said.
Sudanese forces arrested around 160 people on the border with Libya who were en-route to the war-torn neighbouring country to work as "mercenaries", a state-linked paramilitary group said Sunday.

"The joint security forces stationed at the Sudanese-Libyan border arrested 160 people who were going to work as mercenaries to fight in Libya, including two foreigners," Sudan's Rapid Support Forces (RSF) said in a statement.

The RSF is led by Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, a leading member of Sudan's transitional ruling council.

"Sending Sudanese to fight in Libya as mercenaries is unacceptable," said General Jaddo Hamdan, the RSF's commander in North Darfur state.

"We have been monitoring and securing the border with Libya to combat illegal migration, human trafficking and all cross-border criminal enterprises," he added.

Sudan is currently undergoing a fragile democratic transition after massive protests last year prompted the military to topple long-time autocrat Omar al-Bashir.

In January, a United Nations panel of experts said many Arabs from Sudan's conflict-wracked region of Darfur and neighbouring Chad were fighting as "individual mercenaries" in Libya.

The panel said they belonged to the same tribes that made up a majority of RSF personnel, but said there was no "credible evidence" that the RSF itself had deployed in Libya.

The UN experts' report also said several Darfuri armed groups operating in Libya "have participated in various clashes and military operations alongside Libyan warring parties".

Sudan's Darfur region itself remains scarred by war after a rebellion in the early 2000s against al-Bashir was brutally suppressed.

Libya has turned into a regional proxy-war in recent years, amid chaos following the 2011 uprising that toppled and killed dictator Moamer Kadhafi.

Since 2015, a power struggle has pitted Libya's UN-recognised, Tripoli-based Government of National Accord (GNA) against forces loyal to Libyan National Army (LNA) commander Khalifa Haftar, who is based in the east of the country.

Last month, Khartoum arrested 122 people including eight children in western Darfur who were allegedly intending to serve as mercenaries in Libya's civil war.

In an interview with AFP in June, Sudan's then foreign minister Asma Abdalla denied that Sudanese forces were involved in the conflict in Libya.

*This story was edited by Ahram Online.

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Britain's largest gym group is drawing up plans to close individual clubs in coronavirus 'hotspots' with as little as two hours' notice in a package of measures being deployed by chains to navigate a way through the crisis.

Gyms have been given the green light to open on Saturday. It is understood that around 11million people had club membership six months ago but an estimated twomillion have since cancelled. PureGym chief executive Humphrey Cobbold said his plan to track outbreaks using publicly available Government data is being prepared for use as lockdown lifts. He said it will allow him to identify hotspots using infection data which is matched with postcodes.

Cobbold has already offered to share the data with others in the industry. And he is prepared to share the fruits of the analysis with other business sectors and local councils as Britain prepares to combat local outbreaks or even a second spike this winter.

Fighting fit: Gyms have been given the green light to re-open after the coronavirus lockdown was eased

The analysis is being run by just three people including two at PureGym and one at OC&C, a business consultancy employed by the firm,

It sits within PureGym's raft of measures to reduce the risk to staff and customers while making its outlets as accessible as possible. That includes reducing the number of people in gyms at peak times and maintaining two-metre distancing.

Cobbold said that would mean peak capacity could be around 40 per cent lower in some gyms compared with pre-crisis levels.

But he said demand could be 'smoothed' out if customers planned visits. 'They just can't come at 6 o'clock on a Tuesday evening with the same regularity and in the same numbers. But if we can move some of the demand to either side of peak: a little bit earlier, a little bit later, we can actually serve a pretty similar number of people as long as they can be flexible.'

Members can gauge the busiest times on the company's app to avoid queuing outside while customer volumes subside and it is testing a booking service that could be introduced to its busiest gyms.

Caroline Macklin, head of brand for Virgin Active, said it will reopen all of its gyms bar six on Saturday. Virgin is offering to freeze memberships for free until August 31 for those hesitant about returning. Those over 70 or with underlying health conditions can freeze their memberships indefinitely.

Virgin has also launched a service on its app to allow members to gauge how busy their local club is  green for low occupancy, through amber to red for high occupancy. Safety measures also include overnight deep cleaning and cleaning in high-use areas every three hours.

David Lloyd Clubs is offering to freeze membership until the end of next month. It is reducing fees by 10 per cent through August 'as our clubs get used to the new way of operating'.

Optimist: Humphrey Cobbold says a lot of people may leave more costly gyms to join his members at PureGym

Cobbold said that before the crisis hit, 'things were on a tear'. He added: 'We're not alone in that. Things were going really well and then the s*** hit the fan.'

He accepted that some gym goers have cancelled their contracts despite only paying 20 a month at his chain. But he said: 'Lots of people cancelled all their direct debits for everything because they were worried financially  it wasn't specific to gyms.'

Cobbold admitted the 'hassle' of visiting gyms with restrictions in place may be too much for some. But he said it could also drive competition for customers.

'I think lots of people will come out of mid-market gyms where they pay 50 or 60 a month and say, 'Actually, PureGym looks pretty good at 20 or 25 a month so I'll cut my cloth to fit.'

'But actually the cancellation rate was below what was expected and we'll reopen with about 80 per cent of the members compared with the forecasts we had for the end of July before the crisis hit. I view that as a positive  on day one we have 80 per cent revenue. That puts us, financially, in a pretty good position. And clearly we haven't had any joiners for four months.'

Cobbold suggested the current trend for exercising outdoors  partly through necessity  may wane further as the weather cools.

He said: 'There's a reason why nearly 11million people were members of gyms in February or March when they could easily have run in the park, or ridden a bike or jumped around in front of a television. Instead they chose to pay.

'They chose that because they got something out of going to the gym.

'Nobody has an Olympic lift platform, a full set of dumbbells, a treadmill and a rowing machine  all that mix of stuff is there. And it's pretty important for people's lives. Plus there are lots of people, when you talk to them, that realise now more than ever that health and wellbeing really matters  mental health as well as physical health.'

Citing coronavirus as one reason to return to gyms, Cobbold said: 'The deputy chief medical officer was saying recently exercise stimulates the immune system.

'It gives you a greater ability to fight this virus or any virus  go out and get fit.

'You've got three months before this thing might come back. That's long enough to make a material difference to your wellbeing.'
Their proposal, coming as the Republican-led Senate prepares, very belatedly, to engage on a new round of economic relief, points to how the next stimulus bill should be judged. Above all, does it do enough to lift up those facing the greatest hardship from the downturn, through the tax credits, an expansion of food stamps, renters assistance and other forms of relief?
On Sunday, PM Narendra Modi's following crossed 60 million on Twitter. Narendra Modi is the most followed Indian on Twitter.

On Sunday, PM Narendra Modis following crossed 60 million on Twitter.

Narendra Modi is the most followed Indian on Twitter. He is known for reaching out to masses through social media.

This is another proof of his massive popularity!

Also read: BJP has lied on Covid-19, GDP and Chinese aggression: Rahul Gandhi

Also read: Chinas loss is Japans gain?| UK explores Japan as Huawei replacement

In 2014, Modi assumed the office of Prime Minister and since then his popularity grew overwhelmingly. He started using Twitter in 2009 when he was the CM of Gujarat.

PM Modi regularly puts out information on everything, his speeches at various platforms, the places he went, the people he met. He is very active on Twitter.

Modi stands tall among the world leaders on Twitter. US President Donald Trump has 83 million followers on Twitter, @narendramodi (handle of Prime Minister on the microblogging site) is a little behind him.

On Twitter, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is the third most followed political leader. Not a single Indian politician is close to the number of followers of Modi.

Former US President Barack Obama is not only the most followed leader but also the most followed man on Twitter who has 120 million followers. Current US President Donald Trump stands at number two position.

Modi is quite famous for his oratory skills. As of September 2019, Modis number of followers was around 5 crore.

The official Twitter handle of the Prime Ministers office has also crossed 37.4 million followers.

On Twitter, Amit Shah has two crores and 16 lakh followers.

Twitter is a tough platform to gain traction on as it has 330 million monthly active users, as per estimates.

Also read: Pyar Tune Kya Kiya director Rajat Mukharjee passes away: Manoj Bajpayee, Anubhav Sinha share condolences

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WASHINGTON - As coronavirus cases and hospitalizations climb, state and local officials nationwide are sounding the alarm, warning that they're missing key resources to confront the surge.

They are weighing new restrictions and complaining of persistent backlogs in the mass-testing systems considered key to tracking and containing the virus as the Trump administration seeks to block billions of dollars for states to conduct testing and contact tracing and billions more that Republican lawmakers want to give the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Labs in some places are taking a week or longer to provide test results, and health experts say such wait times render tests nearly useless in controlling the virus's rampant spread.

"The national testing scene is a complete disgrace," Colorado Gov. Jared Polis, a Democrat, said on NBC News's "Meet the Press" on Sunday, adding that tests sent to out-of-state private labs were taking as many as nine days to return results.

National Institutes of Health (NIH) Director Francis Collins acknowledged Sunday that "the average test delay is too long," while former FDA commissioner Scott Gottlieb said on CBS News's "Face the Nation" that the country lacks "excess capacity that we can surge into these epidemic cities." Testing companies were falling behind not just in hotbeds such as California, Florida and Texas, he said, "but now they're pulling testing out of other regions and you're seeing delays there."

"We've had plenty of time to get this right," he said.

In Florida - where new coronavirus cases reported each day have topped 10,000 a dozen times this month - more than 100 hospitals have maxed out beds for adults in their intensive care units, according to the Agency for Health Care Administration, with just over 1,200 adult ICU beds listed as open statewide. More than 80,000 of the state's roughly 350,000 known cases have come during the past seven days.

In South Carolina, which on Sunday announced record-high new daily infections, lawmakers have requested military installations to help speed testing and reporting of the results. "This is an all-hands-on-deck time for us," state Sen. Tom Davis, a Republican, tweeted this weekend.

Florida and South Carolina are among the states where governors - left to make their own choices about restrictions and reopening - have been more reluctant to impose sweeping economic shutdowns aimed at curbing the virus's spread. As cases, deaths and hospitalizations trend upward in many states, leaders are facing renewed pressure to take painful measures.

In California, where Gov. Gavin Newsom, a Democrat, has progressively rolled back reopening with statewide or near-statewide business closures, the mayor of Los Angeles warned Sunday that the city is "on the brink" of another stay-home order.

Mayor Eric Garcetti, a Democrat, said on CNN's "State of the Union" that the city reopened too quickly, and he called for patience as businesses close again. In the past week, Los Angeles County has reported its highest number of coronavirus hospitalizations since the pandemic began.

Garcetti said "a lot of things went wrong" leading up to the dismal numbers but focused his blame on what he called a vacuum of national leadership.

"They said this was under control," he said of federal leaders. "They said this would be over soon. And I think when leaders say that, people react, and they do the wrong things."

Collins, director of the NIH, said he thinks the public did not take the virus seriously enough.

"Why are we doing so poorly?" he said Sunday on NBC's "Meet the Press." Tough restrictions in the pandemic's early U.S. hot spots - the tri-state area of Connecticut, New Jersey and New York - helped reduce transmission of the virus significantly in those devastated regions, he noted.

"But meanwhile, the rest of the country, perhaps imagining this was just a New York problem, kind of went about their business, didn't - really pay that much attention to CDC's recommendations about the phases necessary to open up safely and jumped over some of those hoops," Collins said.

President Donald Trump continued to dismiss concerns about the spike in infections, telling Fox News Channel in an interview aired Sunday that he would be "right eventually" about his oft-repeated prediction that the virus would "disappear" and saying "many of those cases shouldn't even be cases."

"Many of those cases are young people that would heal in a day," the president told Fox News host Chris Wallace. "They have the sniffles and we put it down as a test."

Although young people make up an increasing share of new cases, the virus has affected people in all age groups. Health officials are saying the country could soon surpass its peak in coronavirus hospitalizations, which occurred in April, though they also say that doctors have gotten better at treating the disease and that this has helped push down intensive care unit admissions as a share of total hospital admissions.

With that milestone looming, some states say they're cut off from key information. Missouri authorities wrote online that because of an "abrupt change in data measures and the reporting platform issued by the White House," the state and its hospital association will be temporarily "unable to access critical hospitalization data."

Rep. Donna Shalala, D-Fla., whose district encompasses parts of Miami that have widespread infections, pushed back on the notion that the new cases were limited to young, healthy people and were not a cause for concern.

"It's the working poor, it's seniors, it's now young people, and it's totally out of control," Shalala, a former health and human services secretary, said on ABC News's "This Week." "We need to close down again. . . . That's our worst nightmare, and we're going to have to do that."

Leaders are increasingly requiring masks as a way to tackle soaring cases while trying to stave off more intrusive measures such as new stay-home orders. Face masks are now mandated in most states and recommended by the country's top health authorities in public settings where social distancing is not feasible.

The CDC released new reports in the past week supporting face coverings' effectiveness and suggesting that most of the country was following its recommendations on masks within days in April.

Mandating masks, however, remains a point of tension. Governors in some places with the most significant case surges have rejected statewide orders, calling them unnecessary and impractical.

In Georgia, Gov. Brian Kemp, a Republican, and Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms, a Democrat, continued to spar openly about the issue: After Bottoms mandated masks in her city, Kemp responded last week with a lawsuit seeking to block the order, saying it was not enforceable. Part of the lawsuit requested a court order barring Bottoms from making public statements saying she has "the authority to impose more or less restrictive measures" than those ordered by the governor.

"Far more have sacrificed too much more for me to be silent," Bottoms tweeted Sunday in response to the lawsuit.

Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves, a Republican, affirmed Sunday on CNN's "State of the Union" that he would not make face coverings mandatory, saying, "If I believed that was the best way to save lives in my state, I would have done it a long time ago."

- - -

The Washington Post's Cat Zakrzewski and Jacqueline Dupree contributed to this report.
After months of working from home, stir-crazy Americans have finally reached the long, hot days of summer only to watch their vacation horizons dim, with travel options shrinking as the country's coronavirus cases soar. "All I've been doing this year is canceling trips," 61-year-old Keith Gibbons said with a sigh, a new reality that the government contractor called "very frustrating." Trips abroad are mostly out: The overwhelming majority of countries now bar American citizens amid a sharp US resurgence of COVID-19. The country's caseload has climb to over 3.7 million -- more than one-fourth the world's total -- and deaths have reached over 140,000. As for cross-country trips, it's not that simple: In the vast US, laws on mask-wearing and social distancing vary dramatically, and sometimes confusingly, from one jurisdiction to another. Some states are even imposing quarantines on visitors. Hawaii, for example, has ordered those arriving on the Pacific archipelago to self-quarantine for 14 days. Its governor, David Ige, announced Thursday that beginning September 1, visitors will also have to submit to a coronavirus test within 72 hours of departing for the state and present proof of a negative result upon arrival in Hawaii. Meanwhile, New York has extended its list of US states -- totaling 22 now -- whose citizens will be required to self-quarantine after arriving in the northeastern state. And in the city of Chicago visitors from 17 states must self-isolate for two weeks -- or face fines of up to $500 a day. Complicating many Americans' travel plans, the summer destinations of Florida and California are among the hardest-hit by COVID-19, even if the popular Disney World park in Orlando, Florida has partially reopened and a Disney-linked shopping district in California reopened earlier this month. As for ocean cruises, a highly popular travel option in normal years, they remain banned by a federal "No Sail Order" through September. - 'It doesn't seem wise' - At this point, Gibbons said, "It doesn't seem wise to go anywhere, either because of the local health situation or because the hotels and other establishments are taking steps to deal with COVID in a manner that makes the trip less interesting." So if "you want to go to a nice hotel for the weekend but the restaurants are closed, the pool is closed, services are limited, it doesn't sound like a lot of fun." Saher Rizvi, a 40-year-old neurologist in Washington, was supposed to leave in early July for a 10-day vacation to Monaco with her husband and two sons, aged five and seven. The trip had to be canceled. Today, she draws a sharp red line: Her family will not travel by plane or by train. "I don't think it is safe," said Rizvi, who as a physician has followed the evolution of the pandemic closely. While some people may have to travel by plane or train for important professional purposes or for family emergencies, "for pleasure, it just seems like the risk/benefit doesn't seem worthwhile," Rizvi said. Instead, her husband had been trying to persuade her to rent an RV for a road trip, but she has her doubts. "From a Monaco vacation to the RV, well," she burst out laughing, making clear that the lure of traveling in a compact camper was not compatible with the level of luxury she expected from a hotel overlooking the Mediterranean. Summer vacation has long been a staple for Americans. This year has not been kind to them. The recent surge in COVID-19 infections -- coupled with the devastating blow to the economy and jobs -- has sharply impacted travel plans, according to the US Travel Association (USTA): Bookings for future airplane and hotel reservations dropped a sharp 73 percent year-over-year in early July. A recent survey by the research institute Longwoods International found that 76 percent of Americans were prepared to change their travel plans for the next six months because of the pandemic. Indeed, 45 percent have already canceled their plans. "I can't complain," Gibbons said. "A lot of people have lost their lives, or are sick; others lost their jobs. So I'm fortunate that I've still got a job and have these choices to make." At this point, Gibbons has successively canceled planned trips to Florida, Delaware and Portugal. USTA, which represents the hotel, restaurant, leisure and air-travel sectors, said most Americans are now planning to travel by car and to stay relatively close to home, even if a few hardy souls are taking the chance of traveling to national parks. Result: With domestic travel spending expected to drop by 40 percent, this year will be no holiday for the travel and leisure sectors.
Nash 19

19 Princes St, Cork,

T12 W718

Tel. 021 427 0880

www.nash19.com

Phew, that was a long time to wait for a table! Almost four months and another lifetime ago, Id arranged to meet an old comrade, a South Mall lifer, for lunch around the corner in Nash 19. Wed catch up and Id also get to knock out a long overdue review of a venerable Cork culinary institution.

That was back before the world ceased turning and time stood still or at least did no more than re-run the same 24 hours over and over like Groundhog Day with a fada. Back then, a whole month might pass in a single hyper-frenetic day and what seemed a relatively reasonable proposition days before gradually began to seem foolhardy.

Whats more, my colleague Leslie Williams and I had been discussing with our editor for some weeks whether this august organ should even be reviewing in such fraught times, when even a rave might be forever tainted with the miasma of dread and anxiety that hung over the hospitality sector and the country at large.

We postponed lunch, three days later, Ireland went into lockdown.

Fast forward nearly four months and it seemed half the country was banging on restaurant doors, gagging for the great June 29 re-opening, craving a return to normal, whatever normal means in the wake of such a cataclysmic global event. It certainly wasnt going to be business as usual for restaurants.

The seismic fiscal shock of forced closure was then followed by further pre-opening costs incurred implementing HSE guidelines on social distancing and retraining of staff. Despite initial public enthusiasm and support in recent days, many, including older diners usually so supportive of the sector have yet to return. And what happens if we face a second wave of Covid 19? It was, and remains, akin to starting an entirely new business.

The Irish Examiner took the decision to delay reviews, affording establishments a chance to find their feet and, for the moment, Leslie and I will be avoiding the scoring system and leaving (always well-intentioned and hopefully constructive) criticism for the future. For now, we intend act as guides to the changed face of Irish dining, always illuminating the many reasons to celebrate our world class hospitality sector.

On Leeside, the Big Bang of re-opening was best encapsulated in a temporarily pedestrianised Princes Street lined with tables and chairs outside its restaurants and bars, al fresco seating as some compensation for interior space lost to social distancing guidelines.

Naturally, it is a permanent hostage to the whims of Irish summer weather but even on this half-decent day it is humming before midday, a queue forming for Nash 19 tables. It is no trouble, especially when I acquire a serendipitous dining partner, Agatha Christie, an old comrade of long standing, perfectly happy to become my new plus one.

Claire Nashs eponymous daytime restaurant/deli shop/gallery has long held a deserved reputation for wedding finest local seasonal produce to the elemental ethos of the late Myrtle Allen, cooking excellent ingredients simply yet well. While scone and cuppa or light lunch suffices for many, order dinner in the middle of the day with a nice bottle or two on the side, and you can wind up passing an afternoon to give any night on the tiles a run for its money in terms of good food and all round conviviality.

Today, I am here for occasion as much as grub and am happy to brunch on crunchy grilled sourdough toast sandwiching crispy bacon and nicely fried eggs, house relish on the side. It is utterly perfect in its elemental simplicity, a comforting and surprisingly emotional return to dining out.

Agatha opts for a big, bawdy sausage roll, succulent spicy pork in buttery pastry; her fluffy, light scone is equally more-ish. A nicely bitter espresso with hot milk and I head off to take the temperature of the city for a few hours, including a heartwarming return to the English Market.

Later, I happen upon #51, on the Coal Quay, deeply unfortunate to open just five weeks before lockdown, but delightful and perfectly battered courgette flowers with curried housemade mayo, and excellent cold brewed coffee, also enjoyed al fresco, suggest a bright future for Annie Zagar and Dave Devereauxs new restaurant, and Ill be returning for a deeper dive.

Its good to be back!
Florida Senator Marco Rubio shared a tribute tweet where he wrote his thoughts on the death of civil rights icon Georgia Rep. John Lewis, who died Friday. However, the photo he shared did not show him with Lewis.

"It was an honor to know & be blessed with the opportunity to serve in Congress with John Lewis," the Florida senator wrote Saturday afternoon. "May the Lord grant him eternal peace."

The tribute tweet had a photo that Rubio also used as his profile image, but the photo wasn't him with John Lewis. It was a photo of him with late lawmaker Maryland Rep. Elijah Cummings, who died in 2019.

The tweet was later deleted, and Rubio's profile image was also changed, reported Business Insider. This time, the photo that replaced the wrong one is that of him and Lewis.

Lewis died after fighting with Stage IV pancreatic cancer. He was a civil rights icon who served over 30 years in the Congress.

Rubio admitted to the mistake

Rubio acknowledged his mistake in a post later that afternoon.

In a follow-up tweet, he said he "tweeted an incorrect photo" and said he was honored to have appeared with Lewis in Miami three years ago. The tweet had an attached photo of what seems to be a screenshot from a video of them together in the said Miami event.

He, again, honored Lewis and said he was a "genuine American hero."

"Wrong, black guy."

Wesley Lowery, 60 Minutes correspondent, noticed the error and shared a screenshot of the tweet, saying, "Wrong, black guy."

Even when Lewis was still alive, he was often confused with Cummings. In a statement last year, he said someone came up to him at church in Maryland and told him, "Hi, Mr. Cummings! I vote for you all the time".

He simply said thanks to the person as he didn't know what to say. "What else could I say? That's when I decided; I should just grow a beard," he said.

Lewis said it was most probably because both he and Cummings are African American lawmakers who were bald. He jokingly called the confusion "baldist."

It's not just Rubio who made the mistake but also media outlets like CBS News and Fox News. During a segment on Lewis' cancer diagnosis, CBS showed a photo of Cummings instead of Lewis.

Lewis tried to clarify this before, saying Cummings is a good friend, but they're not the same person. He shared that he even considered getting a tattoo on the back of his head "just to clear things up" and tried to convince Cummings to do the same, but it "didn't go over so well."

Cummings also experienced getting lots of pictures from people thinking he was Lewis, USA Today reported. But, just like his look-alike, he spared people the embarrassment of correction.

DeSantis declines to remember Lewis

While Florida officials remember Lewis, Governor Ron DeSantis was asked about Lewis in a news conference, and he declined to answer the reporter's questions.

He said it was off-topic for a news conference about the coronavirus, Tampa Bay Times reported.

But, in the past, the governor has gone off-topic at news conferences about the coronavirus he holds several times a week.

Want to read more? Check these out!
A major transformation is underway at the Hudson County Correctional Center.

In the wake of a series of deaths between 2017 and 2018, the Kearny facility has embarked on a $10 million slate of improvements to its cells, infirmaries and common areas.

Corrections Director Ronald Edwards, who took the position in 2017 amid controversy over the deaths, said that before the renovations, the jail never could fully address the medical and mental health needs of those committed to our facility.

If you treat individuals (like) you dont care about your building, thats what theyre going to take  that you dont care about them, he said.

On a recent tour of the facility, which serves as both a prison and jail  housing both pre-trial detainees as well as inmates serving sentences Edwards highlighted the renovations.

Hudson County put roughly $6.5 million towards expanding the capacities of the prisons medical facilities. In 2017, the male medical wing had 11 beds and the female section had only three. Around 8% of the prisons total population of roughly 430 are women, according to Edwards.

Now, the male and female infirmaries can fit 54 and 12 patients, respectively. The new infirmary cells have been outfitted with measures to prevent suicide and self-harm; fixtures have rounded edges and there are no places where people can tie ropes to.

On-site physical therapy and dialysis services are also in the works, and Edwards said the jail has expanded its talk therapy and family therapy programs.

The county is also spending about $4 million in capital improvement funds to replace old windows and showers in common areas and cells. The old showers were disgusting Edwards said, and windows were so scuffed and dirty that they were no longer clear.

Youre not going to wake up in the morning in a jail and say, You know what? This is a great day. Im glad to be alive, Edwards said. Youre not. Its compounded when you cant see out the windows.

The jail is also benefiting from a $28 million county partnership with appliance company Honeywell, which outfitted the facility with LED lighting, solar panels, and a system that monitors and limits water usage.

Edwards said the system is saving taxpayer money and resources, though detainees have reportedly claimed that they are only allowed to flush toilets twice an hour.

County spokesman Jim Kennelly said the renovations, which are slated for completion late 2021, are the proper humane thing to do and said the medical facilities are now the best in the state.

The expenditures underscore how seriously officials took concerns about conditions at the troubled correctional center, which has seen the deaths of at least 17 detainees and inmates since 2013.

The facility has long been a subject of controversy in the county.

Over the span of eight months between 2017 and 2018, six of the facilitys detainees died, three from suicide. That spate of deaths led to the termination of the countys $29 million contract with the jails then-healthcare provider, CFG Health Systems, and led to the renovations underway today.

A number of lawsuits  three of which were filed earlier this year  have alleged medical mistreatment and neglect at the facility. Activists and immigrant advocates have also criticized the countys contract with Immigration and Customs Enforcement, under which the federal agency pays the county $120 per day per detainee housed at the jail.

Alexander Shalom, a senior supervising attorney at the American Civil Liberties Union New Jersey, said the countys renovations are a positive change, but said they need to go hand in hand with measures to reduce incarcerated populations.

To the extent there are going to be people in jail, we want to have adequate and appropriate health services available to them, Shalom said. But if what were doing is saying, Oh great, now we have big facilities and can lock more people up without worrying about harm coming to them, then were ignoring the harm that is inherent in incarceration.

In the spring, as COVID-19 swept through prisons across the country, prisons and jails became a cause for greater concern. Five Hudson County jail employees died of the virus, and at least 63 residents and staff tested positive. Defense attorneys described an unprecedented effort to get their clients released from detention.

The facility released a total of 43 prisoners due to concerns over COVID-19, Edwards said. Inmates were also moved from dormitory-style housing to cells with an occupancy of two.

Roughly three weeks ago, the jail resumed family and attorney visitations after shutting them down in March. But social distancing measures mean that the jail has instituted stricter limits: officials placed partitions in visiting rooms to separate inmates and attorneys, and the jail is allowing access to only half its family visitation booths. Detainees can speak with family members for 30 minutes a day and for attorneys only 45 minutes per day.

Its the only way that we can do it with the amount of individuals that are here and to make it safe, Edwards said.

But Shalom said that improvements to the facility can only do so much for inmates well-being.

The best way we can improve the health of people in jails is to not have people in jails, he said.
A European Union plan to breathe life into economies throttled by the coronavirus pandemic hung in the balance as leaders quarreled over the level of spending they would need.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) and Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-Ore.) condemned in a joint statement Saturday the Trump Administration for what they called "egregious abuses of power" against protesters in Portland, Oregon.

Why it matters: Their claims that the Trump administration has used "violent tactics" comes amid reports of Department of Homeland Security officers in unmarked vehicles detaining the protesters without explanation.

"We live in a democracy, not a banana republic. We will not tolerate the use of Americans as props in President Trumps political games."

 Pelosi and Blumenauer's statement

What they're saying: Pelosi and Blumenauer said that as the nation mourns civil rights icon Rep. John Lewis, who died Friday, the Portland demonstrations were a good reminder of "the immense power of peaceful protest in the fight against racial injustice and police brutality."

"Yet time and time again, the Trump Administration shows its lack of respect for the dignity and First Amendment rights of all Americans," the statement continued, pointing to peaceful protesters being forcibly cleared in Washington, D.C. last month.

"Now, videos show them kidnapping [protesters] in unmarked cars in Portland  all with the goal of inflaming tensions for their own gain," they added. "While Portland is the Presidents current target, any city could be next."

After the U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon called for an inspector general to investigate the Department of Homeland Security officers' actions, Pelosi tweeted Friday, "Trump & his stormtroopers must be stopped."

"Unidentified stormtroopers. Unmarked cars. Kidnapping protesters and causing severe injuries in response to graffiti. These are not the actions of a democratic republic. @DHSgovs actions in Portland undermine its mission."

 Pelosi's tweet

The big picture: Oregon Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum said Friday night that her office opened a criminal investigation into the events that surrounded one protester's injuries. She filed another suit in Federal District Court in pursuit of a restraining order, accusing federal agents of unlawful tactics.

The American Civil Liberties Union added the Department of Homeland Security and the Marshals Service as defendants in its ongoing lawsuit seeking to stop the Portland police from assaulting neutrals such as journalists and legal observers documenting law enforcement's violent response to protests.

Of note: Federal officers have charged at least 13 people with crimes associated with the demonstrations. Others have been arrested and released, according to NPR.

The other side: The Trump administration did not immediately respond to Axios' requests for comment, but Trump tweeted early on Sunday, "Oregon officials are running scared when it comes to Portland."

Acting Homeland Security Secretary Chad Wolf described Portland protesters in a statement Thursday as a "violent mob."

"Instead of addressing violent criminals in their communities, local and state leaders are instead focusing on placing blame on law enforcement and requesting fewer officers in their community. This failed response has only emboldened the violent mob as it escalates violence day after day."

Go deeper: In photos: Federal force prompts backlash from Portland protesters

Editor's note: This article has been updated with new details throughout.
The Cuban government announced Sunday that there were no new domestic coronavirus cases for the first time in 130 days, Reuters reports.

Why it matters: The elimination of community spread is a milestone for the communist-led island nation, which will now move into the final phase of its reopening plan, according to Reuters.
Kansas City, Kansas Catholic Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann, chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops Committee on Pro-Life Activities, celebrated the news.

We thank the Department of Health and Human Services for promulgating regulations restoring the long-standing position of the federal government that discrimination on the basis of sex means just that and does not refer to termination of pregnancy nor gender identity, Naumann said in a statement joined by Archbishop Paul S. Coakley of Oklahoma City and Bishop David A. Konderla of Tulsa.

President Donald Trump Finalizes Rule Confirming Abortion is Not a Human Right The Trump administration finalized another pro-life regulation Monday, this one to clarify that the definition of sex discrimination in Obamacare does not include abortions. The new rule officially ends a 2016 regulation from the Obama administration that could have forced medical workers to help abort unborn babies.

White House action this week proved important to local Catholics but was overlooked by KC MSM news . . .Read more:
CLEVELAND, Ohio  A Cleveland strip club received its second citation in as many nights for violating state health orders put in place to deter the spread of the novel coronavirus.

Club Paradis, a gentlemans club on Frankfort Avenue between West 6th and West 9th avenues, was cited on both Friday and Saturday nights, according to information provided by the Ohio Investigation Unit, a division of the state highway patrol.

OIU agents, alongside officials from the Cleveland Department of Public Health and the Cleveland police and fire departments, went to Club Paradis Saturday and observed immediate violations.

Notes from the OIU state that while the clubs overall occupancy was less than it was Friday night, patrons, dancers and staff were still congregating or coming in direct contact with one another. Cleveland police issued a misdemeanor summons to the clubs owners for violations to Ohio and Cleveland public health orders.

Club Paradis was the only Cleveland establishment to receive a second OIU citation this weekend. On Friday, three night spots were cited  Dantes Inferno and Backyard Bocce and FWD on the East Bank of the Flats and Club Paradis.

The cases will go before the Ohio Liquor Control Commission for possible penalties, including fines or the suspension or revocation of liquor permits.

More Cleveland coronavirus news:

Cleveland reports 70 more people confirmed as positive for COVID-19 coronavirus

Cleveland Clinic to work with Clorox to create Covid-19 cleaning protocols

Owners of four Put-in-Bay bars, Clevelands Luchitas Mexican Restaurant among 12 Ohio liquor permit holders cited for coronavirus safety violations
(Natural News) Elijah Schaffer, host of Slightly Offensive posted a tweet Monday afternoon that revealed the anti-right wing bias of PayPal. Screenshots from an internal PayPal meeting held on Zoom showed one screen that posted examples of accounts that the payment processing company have deemed as hateful or offensive activity.

(Article by Haley Kennington republished from Loomered.com)

Schaffers tweet reads, EXPOSED: anti-right wing bias at PayPal Leaked images from an internal Zoom meeting at the company Show how extreme right wing groups/individuals are banned while similar left wing groups are not This is a payment processing site that cares about your views on immigration

Note: disagreeing with the militancy of far left LGBTQ political activist groups is also considered extreme Companies will not do business with you if you oppose this community, Schaffer added in a subsequent tweet.

Note: disagreeing with the militancy of far left LGBTQ political activist groups is also considered extreme Companies will not do business with you if you oppose this community  ELIJAH (@ElijahSchaffer) July 6, 2020

One specific screenshot showed a shot from the internal PayPal Zoom meeting that featured a table of group or individual accounts listed along with their alleged hate/offensive activity. The screenshot also shows what appears to be examples they have based their decisions on including a June 2nd article from Daily Mail about Matthew Rupert, and examples of tweets from both Katie Hopkins and Irish journalist Gemma ODoherty:

Proud Boys: Western chauvinism, white nationalism, racist actions, violence towards those who disagree, organized and raised money

Matthew Rupert: Agitator who advocated for extreme violence, posted videos supporting throwing bombs at the police, handed out explosives at public events

Stefan Molyneux: Philosophy YouTube/social media channels, white nationalist, touts eugenics

Katie Hopkins: TV/social media personality focused on anti-immigration, anti-Islam and far right ideals, crass expression of hate

Gemma ODoherty: Irish journalist, anti-immigration, anti-LGBTQ

The very bottom of the screenshots show the PayPal logo along with  2020 PayPal Inc. Confidential and proprietary.

Its important to note that Katie Hopkins was banned permanently from Twitter on June 19th, followed by Stefan Molyneux losing hundreds of hours of content (14 years worth) just ten days later when YouTube deleted his entire channel on June 29th. Molyneux responded by posting the following video on Twitter:

My statement on my YouTube ban. Please share. It is essential. pic.twitter.com/m3veHfgPsk  Stefan Molyneux, MA (@StefanMolyneux) June 29, 2020

The second screenshot is of a different screen that appears to be from the notes that were being delivered during the meeting. The second screenshot reads: What the Program Prevents?, with the subheading, The foundation of our program is built on PayPals guiding values of inclusion and diversity.

A new table is introduced titled, Our current scope includes: along with the following terms, Advocacy of Violence, Violent Group Affiliation, Dehumanizing Language, False Claims (Crime, Violence), Holocaust Denial, Hate Event Involvement, White Advocacy/Nationalism, Intolerant Religious Content, Prejudiced News/Commentary, Anti-Immigration

On the PayPal website under User Agreement they state, PayPal, in its sole discretion, reserves the right to suspend or terminate this user agreement, access to or use of its websites, software, systems (including any networks and servers used to provide any of the PayPal services) operated by us or on our behalf or some or all of the PayPal services for any reason and at any time upon notice to you and, upon termination of this user agreement, the payment to you of any unrestricted funds held in your PayPal account.

In other words, they can suspend your account for any reason, at any time, as well as hold all funds that remain in your account at the time of suspension or termination. The full PayPal Acceptable Use Policy can be found here.

The story first broke on July 4th by National Justices Eric Striker who wrote, According to another slide, this work is deferred to the Jewish organization the Anti-Defamation League, a group funded by the Democracy Alliance called Color of Change, the FBIs Civil Rights Division, Scotland Yard and others. Government and non-governmental organizations are both presented as external partners helping make decisions on what political views and personalities are allowed.

Striker continues, According to another training slide, 1800 accounts belonging to individuals, non-profits and businesses in the last year have been eliminated for political reasons using guidelines provided by their partners. 65% were for what they categorize as white nationalist activity, while the next most censored group is people and organizations who advocate for immigration restrictions. A person cannot support Donald Trumps winning issue from his 2016 campaign and still keep their Paypal, in other words. There is even a category for prejudiced academic work.

In February of last year, Conservative journalist Laura Loomer, who is now running for Congress in Floridas 21st District was permanently banned from using PayPal. Loomer had already been banned from Venmo, Lyft, Uber, and GoFundMe at the time. In a post on Instagram Loomer wrote, I have nothing to lose anymore, so trust me when I say I will stop at nothing to make sure justice is served for the way Silicon Valley has disenfranchised me, falsely accusing me of being a white supremacist, a Nazi, anti-Muslim, a racist, a bigot, and every other smear in the book. Loomer has since been banned from Instagram, and had already been banned from Twitter in November, 2018.

Prior to PayPals banning of Loomer, Gavin McInnes and Tommy Robinson had both been banned from the platform in November 2018. Conservative journalist and former Breitbart editor Milo Yiannopoulos had been banned even earlier from PayPal and PayPal-owned Venmo, in June 2018.

Big Tech will stop at nothing to snuff out Conservative voices, and with the 2020 presidential election on the horizon, you can count on more being added to this growing list  for even more vague reasons, with no notice and little to no explanation.

Read more at: Loomered.com
The Queensland government will examine a bid for new wildlife hospital for the RSPCA, when a business case comes forward, Environment Minister Leeanne Enoch said on Saturday night.

"The RSPCA has not yet provided a business case for this proposal, but were happy to consider any formal proposal on its merits," Ms Enoch said.

The government on Saturday announced $1.9 million in funding for the network of existing wildlife hospitals and an injured wildlife hotline that received 31,000 calls in 2019-20.

Environment Minister Leeanne Enoch said the Queensland Government will examine a business case for a new wildlife hospital for the RSPCA. It has extended funding for 2020-21.

Ms Enoch said she would like to see federal government assistance to a new RSPCA wildlife hospital.
SARATOGA SPRINGS Steve Mastro cant pinpoint how old he was when he started watching the horses race at Saratoga. He simply says, Ive been coming since I was this big, holding his hand a little below his waist.

Now, instead of heading to the track, on Saturday he said he was headed to Saratoga Casino Hotel to watch the races on TV. The Belle Harbour, Queens, man decided to come to here, even with the much-changed atmosphere.

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Mastro's story is familiar one during the first weekend in an upended 2020 racing season marred by the coronavirus pandemic. The city that bills itself as the place of Health, History and Horses must deal with a lack of cheering fans in the stands, while those few who get inside need to follow restrictions including the size of the group. City streets are less bustling with visitors from all over the country and beyond. Concerts were postponed or canceled.

So when you can't see the thoroughbreds run like you used to, you gotta take things in, well, stride.

Bruce Cable of Albany thinks there are some benefits at least from watching someplace other than the track. He said its much cheaper to watch it at the casino.

When you go to the track Its $7 to get in, youre paying for parking, then your program, youre $24 down before you even walk into the track. Here its $10 and your in, Cable said. Youre also in the air conditioning.

But some business owners have a different take. Charlie Hoertkorn, co-owner of The Horseshoe Inn Bar and Grill, said racing season makes up 90 percent of his business.

Hoertkorn said his restaurant used to be the after party once the races ended. He has a large open patio at his restaurant, right across from the track. It used to just be a stage and space for mingling. Now the dance floor is filled with picnic tables so the restaurant can have more outdoor seating.

Normally at about 5:30 or 6:00 we have about 2,000 people, Hoertkorn said. Now thats 100 people.

Peak business hours are more like 1 p.m. He does see a steady amount of people come in during the day, and has noticed the demographic of people he serves has shifted a little.

Its now an older crowd that enjoys sitting at a picnic table watching races under a tent while having food and drinks, Hoertkorn said.

Hattie's, a restaurant about five minutes away from the track, is also feeling the pinch. Jasper Alexander, who is the chef and co-owns the business with his wife, Beth, said hes seeing numbers that are consistent with the spring.

Although business is tough, Alexander said a fanless track is better than another shutdown.

I appreciate the course were on, which is safety and health first, Alexander said. Whatever business were doing now is better than what we would face if we had to shut down again, so Id rather be careful and measured.

Christine Bessette, who lives on Regent Street, has been renting out her house on Airbnb during racing season since 2013. Many people book with her a year in advance, but in March cancellations came rolling in.

Ive had people whove come to me for years cancel, but I also have people who still want to come, Bessette said. They want to come to Saratoga and figure out where can we watch it?

This type of customer is exactly the type of person The Adelphi Hotel is targeting -- someone looking for a watch party.

There is a large outdoor event space behind the hotel equipped with a large white tent, plenty of tables and a stage. Typically its used for weddings, but since the wedding season has been indefinitely put on hold, the hotel transformed the space to where people can watch the races. A large projector is mounted up on the stage, and there are two flat screen TVs on the far sides of the tent.

Patrick Toomey, director of restaurants, said a lot of people showed interest in a watch party since they first announced it. He estimates about 100 people came to watch on opening day.

When we put out the email blast the phone wouldnt stop ringing, Toomey said. People want to watch the race.

The hotel started talking about creating a watch party little over a month ago.

Before then we were still holding out hope, Toomey said. Then we started to see states go in the other direction.

Many people from Florida and Tennessee come up for racing season, he said, but now they are on the long list of states that must quarantine before coming to New York.

Youre just not going to get people to come here and quarantine for two weeks before the races, Toomey said. It just doesnt add up.

Toomey said he feels fortunate that Adelphi and its three restaurants have a great deal of outdoor seating. He said the business hasnt been too heavily affected by the unconventional racing season. Between seating in the front of the hotel and the patios out back, Toomey said he believes the restaurants at Adelphi Hotel are among the places with the most seating in the Capital Region.

Weve been booming. Its an unusual combination of a pent up demand for tables and limited table space, Toomey said. We have less seats (than before the pandemic), but were filling them up more times a day.
A street artist spray paints a protective face mask over an old mural featuring a Venezuelan Indigenous man, in Caracas, Venezuela, Saturday, July 18, 2020, amid the new coronavirus pandemic. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)

South Africa on Saturday became one of the top five worst-hit countries in the coronavirus pandemic, as breathtaking new infection numbers around the world were a reminder that a return to normal life is still far from sight.

The World Health Organization again reported a single-day record of new infections with 259,848.

South Africa's 350,879 cases make up roughly half of all confirmed infections on the African continent and its struggles are a sign of trouble to come for nations with fewer health care resources. South Africa now trails the U.S., Brazil, India and Russiaall far more populous countriesin the number of infections, surpassing Peru, after health authorities announced 13,285 new cases.

"The simple fact is that many South Africans are sitting ducks because they cannot comply with World Health Organization protocols on improved hygiene and social distancing," the foundation of former South African archbishop and Nobel Peace Prize winner Desmond Tutu and his wife, Leah, warned in a statement.

South African Health Minister Zweli Mkhize said, "This is an urgent and important plea to all South Africans. The fight against COVID-19 is in our hands. We must act now." He expressed concern that "fatigue seems to have set in" and people are letting down their guard, with little social distancing and face masks abandoned.

Healthcare workers dressed in full protective gear organize their documents of data they have collected during a house-to-house new coronavirus testing drive, ringed by a produce market in the Villa Dolores neighborhood of El Alto, Bolivia, Saturday, July 18, 2020. (AP Photo/Juan Karita)

Elsewhere, daily death tolls have been reaching new highs in several U.S. states and India's infections are over 1 million. Experts believe the true numbers around the world are higher because of testing shortages and data collection issues in some nations.

The world on Saturday marked Mandela Day, remembering Nelson Mandela, South Africa's first Black presidentanother Nobel Peace Prize winnerand his legacy of fighting inequality. The country, however, remains the world's most unequal, and health officials have warned that the pandemic will lay that bare.

South Africa's new coronavirus epicenter, Gauteng province, hosts the cities of Johannesburg and Pretoria and one-quarter of the country's population of 57 million, with many poor people living in crowded conditions in the middle of a frosty Southern Hemisphere winter.

Health workers wait to screen people for COVID-19 symptoms at a temple in Mumbai, India, Saturday, July 18, 2020. India crossed 1 million coronavirus cases on Friday, third only to the United States and Brazil, prompting concerns about its readiness to confront an inevitable surge that could overwhelm hospitals and test the country's feeble health care system. (AP Photo/Rafiq Maqbool)

Mandela's message is "more relevant than ever," WHO Africa chief Matshidiso Moeti said, calling for equitable access to care.

U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, who delivered the Nelson Mandela Annual Lecture, said that "COVID-19 has been likened to an X-ray, revealing fractures in the fragile skeleton of the societies we have built," adding that developed countries have "failed to deliver the support needed to help the developing world through these dangerous times."

Confirmed virus cases worldwide have topped 14.1 million and deaths rose above 600,000, according to Johns Hopkins University data. Infections are soaring in U.S. states like Florida, Texas, Arizona, fueled by the haphazard lifting of coronavirus lockdowns and the resistance of some Americans to wearing masks.

In the U.S., teams of military medics have been deployed in Texas and California to help hospitals deluged by patients. The surge of infections means that millions of American children are unlikely to return to classrooms full time in the fall.

A health worker takes a swab test of a women at a temple in Mumbai, India, Saturday, July 18, 2020. India crossed 1 million coronavirus cases on Friday, third only to the United States and Brazil, prompting concerns about its readiness to confront an inevitable surge that could overwhelm hospitals and test the country's feeble health care system. (AP Photo/Rafiq Maqbool)

A health worker screens an elderly woman for COVID19 symptoms at a temple in Mumbai, India, Saturday, July 18, 2020. India crossed 1 million coronavirus cases on Friday, third only to the United States and Brazil, prompting concerns about its readiness to confront an inevitable surge that could overwhelm hospitals and test the country's feeble health care system. (AP Photo/Rafiq Maqbool)

An elderly woman walks down a flight of stairs, helped by a policewoman, after she gave her swab sample, at a temple in Mumbai, India, Saturday, July 18, 2020. India crossed 1 million coronavirus cases on Friday, third only to the United States and Brazil, prompting concerns about its readiness to confront an inevitable surge that could overwhelm hospitals and test the country's feeble health care system. (AP Photo/Rafiq Maqbool)

Parents wearing face masks to protect against the coronavirus take photos of students as they pose for a group photo at the Temple of Heaven in Beijing, Saturday, July 18, 2020. Authorities in a city in far western China have reduced subways, buses and taxis and closed off some residential communities amid a new coronavirus outbreak, according to Chinese media reports. They also placed restrictions on people leaving the city, including a suspension of subway service to the airport. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)

People wearing face masks to protect against the coronavirus sit on a railing at the Temple of Heaven in Beijing, Saturday, July 18, 2020. Authorities in a city in far western China have reduced subways, buses and taxis and closed off some residential communities amid a new coronavirus outbreak, according to Chinese media reports. They also placed restrictions on people leaving the city, including a suspension of subway service to the airport. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)

People protest against coronavirus trials in Africa, outside Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospita in the township of Soweto in Johannesburg, South Africa, Saturday, July 18, 2020, The first clinical trial in Africa for a COVID-19 vaccine started last week in South Africa. Experts note a worrying level of resistance and misinformation around testing on the continent. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)

People walk along a skywalk to Chris Hani Bardgwanath Hospital in the township of Soweto in Johannesburg, South Africa, Saturday, July 18, 2020. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)

An Indian paramilitary soldier walks back after performing religious rituals during the cremation of his colleague who died of COVID-19, at a crematorium in Srinagar, Indian controlled Kashmir, Saturday, July 18, 2020. India crossed 1 million coronavirus cases on Friday, third only to the United States and Brazil, prompting concerns about its readiness to confront an inevitable surge that could overwhelm hospitals and test the country's feeble health care system. (AP Photo/Dar Yasin)

Indian paramilitary soldiers carry the body of a colleague who died of COVID-19 for cremation at a crematorium in Srinagar, Indian controlled Kashmir, Saturday, July 18, 2020. India crossed 1 million coronavirus cases on Friday, third only to the United States and Brazil, prompting concerns about its readiness to confront an inevitable surge that could overwhelm hospitals and test the country's feeble health care system. (AP Photo/ Dar Yasin)

Palestinian medics wear protective suits as they take part in a simulation of possible coronavirus infections in Gaza City, Saturday, July 18, 2020. (AP Photo/Khalil Hamra)

Palestinian Hamas police officers wear protective suits as they take part in a simulation of possible coronavirus infections in Gaza City, Saturday, July 18, 2020. (AP Photo/Khalil Hamra)

Angami Naga boys wearing face masks sit vigil at a gate erected to check the entry of non-residents into Kohima village, one of Asia's largest villages, in the northeastern Indian state of Nagaland, Saturday, July 18, 2020. The indigenous Nagas have largely taken the fight against the coronavirus as the responsibility of the community, with local youth organizations and churches, among others, aiding government agencies. (AP Photo/Yirmiyan Arthur)

In this photo released by the official website of the office of the Iranian Presidency, President Hassan Rouhani attends a meeting of the national headquarters of the fight against the COVID-19, in Tehran, Iran, Saturday, July 18, 2020. He estimated as many as 25 million Iranians could have been infected with the coronavirus since the outbreak's beginning, citing an Iranian Health Ministry study that has so far not been made public, the state-run IRNA news agency reported. Writing in Farsi at top right reads, "The Presidency." (Iranian Presidency Office via AP)

Numerous beach visitors are at summery temperatures on the North Sea beach of Schillig, Germany, Saturday, July 18, 2020. (Mohssen Assanimoghaddam/dpa via AP)

Children wearing face masks to protect against the coronavirus sketch the Temple of Heaven in Beijing, Saturday, July 18, 2020. Authorities in a city in far western China have reduced subways, buses and taxis and closed off some residential communities amid a new coronavirus outbreak, according to Chinese media reports. They also placed restrictions on people leaving the city, including a suspension of subway service to the airport. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)

Two women look at the beach in Barcelona, Spain, Saturday, July 18, 2020. Police in Barcelona are closing access to a large area of the city's beaches due to the excess of sunbathers who decided to ignore the urgings of authorities to stay at home amid a resurgence of the coronavirus. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti)

In India, a surge of 34,884 new cases was reported as local governments continue to re-impose focused lockdowns in several parts of the country.

In Iran, the president made the startling announcement that as many as 25 million Iranians could have been infected, the state-run IRNA news agency reported. Hassan Rouhani cited a new Health Ministry study that has not been made public. Iran has the Middle East's worst outbreak with more than 270,000 confirmed cases.

In Bangladesh, confirmed cases surpassed 200,000 but experts say the number is much higher as the country lacks adequate labs for testing. Most people in rural areas have stopped wearing masks and are thronging shopping centers ahead of the Islamic festival Eid al-Adha this month.

Scientists, meanwhile, poured cold water on British Prime Minister Boris Johnson's hope that the country may return to normal by Christmas.

A world where people can "go to work normally, travel on the buses and trains, go on holiday without restrictions, meet friends, shake hands, hug each other and so onthat's a long way off, unfortunately," without a vaccine, said epidemiologist John Edmunds, a member of the government's Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies.

Explore further South Africa surpasses the UK in confirmed coronavirus cases

 2020 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's graft trial resumed on Sunday after a two-month break amid mounting protests over his alleged corruption and handling of the coronavirus crisis.

Netanyahu, the first serving Israeli prime minister to go on trial, did not attend what a spokesman for the prosecution said would be a technical discussion.

His presence was not required at the session in Jerusalem District Court, where he appeared in May at the opening of the trial to deny charges of bribery, fraud and breach of trust.

Netanyahu, 70, was indicted in November in cases involving gifts from millionaire friends and for allegedly seeking regulatory favours for media tycoons in return for favourable coverage.

After clinching a coalition deal three months ago with centrist Benny Gantz, his main rival in three inconclusive elections since April 2019, Netanyahu took centre stage in ordering restrictions that flattened Israel's first wave of coronavirus infections.

But after a sharp rise in COVID-19 cases, high unemployment and reimposed coronavirus curbs in recent weeks, Israelis have taken to the streets in almost daily demonstrations against him, with public anger compounded by the corruption allegations.

On Saturday, police used water cannons to disperse demonstrators around Netanyahu's Jerusalem residence. In Tel Aviv, Israel's commercial hub, thousands gathered to demand better state aid to businesses hurt in the health crisis. [nL5N2EP0E7]

Bribery charges carry a sentence of up to 10 years in jail and/or a fine. Fraud and breach of trust carry a prison sentence of up to three years.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-07-19 20:09:58|Editor: huaxia

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A child poses for photos with a Peking Opera mask ornament during the Matariki-Chinese Multi-cultural Festival 2020 in Auckland, New Zealand, on July 19, 2020. The Matariki-Chinese Multi-cultural Festival 2020 was held here on Sunday. (Xinhua/Guo Lei)

AUCKLAND, New Zealand, July 19 (Xinhua) -- The first major public cultural event in New Zealand's Auckland after COVID-19 lockdown showcasing both Maori and Chinese arts and performance was warmly welcomed by community members and audiences on Sunday.

The Matariki (Maori New Year)-Chinese Multi-Cultural Festival, the first of its kind supported by local government and multiple community organizations, had attracted several hundred people in Auckland.

Being the first major public cultural event in Auckland after COVID-19 lockdown, people spent an unrestricted afternoon enjoying cultural performances and art exhibitions that showcased Maori and Chinese cultures.

Blessed by the Maori tribe leader Matua Ngaro Pita for the auspicious Matariki, the event started with a Maori Haka dance and a Chinese dragon dance.

New Zealand Ethnic Communities Minister Jenny Salesa and Chinese Consul General in Auckland Ruan Ping jointly dotted the eye of the dragons for the event. They also joined the public in learning the performing techniques from traditional Chinese shadow play artists.

Traditional dances by the Auckland-based Chinese community members, multi-cultural performances featuring various ethnic groups in New Zealand, painting and calligraphy art exhibitions, paper-cutting, shadow playing and traditional Maori and Chinese food have all contributed to a tasteful multi-cultural gathering that many Aucklanders have been longed for in the post COVID-19 recovery.

Jackson Rao, Chairman of New Zealand Culture and Arts Foundation said he was proud to host the event, which played an important role in uniting the multi-cultural New Zealand society during the post COVID-19 recovery.

Rao's foundation aims to be a bridge for bringing together ethnic groups in New Zealand and promoting culture understanding.

"Matariki Maori New Year brings new life and hope. It also brings opportunity for people across New Zealand with various culture backgrounds to communicate with each other and to know more about each other's culture. This event is aimed to bring together the Maori and Chinese culture as well as to promote ethic harmony in New Zealand," said Rao.
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Drug major Sun Pharma aims to gain market share in all the verticals it is present in amid challenges posed by the coronavirus pandemic, as per a top company official.

"Our endeavour will be to gain market share in each of our business by doing better. Despite the near-term uncertainties related to COVID-19, we hope to be able to do better consistently," Sun Pharmaceutical Industries MD Dilip Shanghvi said in an analyst call.

The drug major, which has presence in around 150 countries, caters to various various segments like psychiatry, anti-infectives, neurology, cardiology, oncology, among others.

Shanghvi said that the company is also looking at supply chain protection, ensuring optimum utilisation of its factories and working closely with vendors to ensure continuity of supply while at the same time continuing focus on improving productivity throughout.

In times of COVID-19, the Mumbai-based company also looks to focus on cash preservation and finding a way to reduce the overall debt for the company, Shanghvi said.

"You will see that the total borrowings have come down by almost USD 400-plus million (about Rs 3,000 crore) in one year. And we will continue the same focus reducing the overall debt," he noted.

Commenting on company's plans to expand its domestic business, Sun Pharma Head (India Business) Kirti Ganorkar said the the drug firm is in the process of expanding its field force in order to increase its reach.

"We want to expand (field force) by 10 per cent. Out of that, 7 per cent to 8 per cent we have already achieved, so that we cover a large number of doctors and we cover some of the territories, which we have not covered," he noted.

At the same time, the company also wants to build new brands and turn its existing brands into mega brands, Ganorkar said.

"We want to introduce new products ahead of the competition. And we want to make products available in supply chain. So looking at all these factors, long-term will help us to increase our market share," he added.

Things were going in the right direction, but COVID-19 pandemic has put a new challenge for the company, he said.

Commenting on company's growth plans in the US generics business, Sun Pharma CEO (North America Business) Abhay Gandhi said the drug maker has a pipeline of 98 ANDAs (Abbreviated New Drug Application) and five NDAs.

"So the pipeline is strong. On pricing, we still see pressure on pricing, and we don't see that abating in the near term or even in the mid-term, if I say so. So we keep hoping, but I haven't seen that happening," he noted.

On a question related to Japanese business, Shanghvi said the company continues to look at opportunities to invest in the country.

"The first priority and focus for us, of course, would be to launch Ilumya once it is approved in Japan and for which we would be creating a significant organisational capability," he said.

Besides, the company will continue to look at attractive opportunities, where it can leverage effectively existing presence and look at opportunity to grow the business, Shanghvi added.
Egypts Ministry of Finance has banned the states administrative bodies from making bilateral deals or signing agreements with banks and companies outside the electronic payment system that has been applied recently, the ministry said in a statement on Sunday.

The ministry obliged all the states administrative bodies to collect all payments and dues electronically through the centre established by the ministry for this purpose, which is managed by E-finance, a financial technology company, to guarantee the utmost precision and data security levels, in addition to preparing financial settlement reports for revenues, according to the statement.

The ministry said that this action is part of its efforts to enhance the governments financial system through integrating the governments financial management information system (GFMIS) with the banking system of the public treasurys consolidated account (TSA) and the gathering and payment system (GPS).

These procedures are expected to contribute to boosting non-cash public revenue collections and government dues, in addition to entrenching the financial and administrative governance, through which the governments targets can be achieved, according to the statement.

During the lockdown period imposed to contain the impact of COVID-19, Egypts government banked heavily on technology, especially for financial and banking payments, in an attempt to entrench using digital payment and lessen resorting to cash payments to keep individuals health safe.

The government has pledged to expand in digital transformation, especially in financial and banking services, and urged citizens to use credit cards and mobile portfolios.

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Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teertha Kshetra Trust chairman Mahant Nritya Gopal Dass long wait for construction of the Ram temple to begin will end with the bhumi pujan ceremony likely to place on August 5. Das wrote an emotional letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi last month, requesting him to visit Ayodhya for the ceremony.

It was after this letter that the Prime Ministers Office sought tentative dates from the trust for PM Modis Ayodhya visit for the bhumi pujan. Now, with the PM likely to visit Ayodhya on August 5 for the ceremony, Das is close to seeing his dream being fulfilled. The Mahant wants a bhumi pujan on lines of the one performed for the Somnath temple in Gujarat.

A day after the trust, formed to construct the Ram temple in Ayodhya, held a meeting, Das, who heads the trust, spoke in an interview with Hindustan Times. Excerpts from the interview

You always wanted a grand bhumi pujan for the Ram temple. But will the Covid-19 pandemic keep the ceremony low-key?

We had planned a grand bhumi pujan for Ram temple like the one organised for the Somnath temple. Then President of India Rajendra Prasad and home minister Sardar Vallabh Bhai Patel attended the Somanth temple bhumi pujan. The ceremony continued for three days. It was a grand and elaborate event. We wanted something like this. But due to the Covid-19 pandemic, this is not possible now. After much effort, we were able to get the PMs consent to attend the bhumi pujan.

The tentative date for bhumi pujan is August 5. But if due to some unavoidable circumstances, the PM is not able to visit Ayodhya, what will the trust do?

We are confident that the PM will definitely come to Ayodhya for the bhumi pujan.

However, if due to some unavoidable circumstances and national issues, the PM is not able to come to Ayodhya on August 5 for bhumi pujan then, in the nations interest, we will delay the ceremony and will wait for the PMs visit.

Finally, has the trust agreed to make changes in the existing model of the proposed Ram temple?

The Ram temple model prepared by VHP (Vishva Hindu Parishad) in 1989 will not be changed. It will remain the same. Ram temple will be constructed on the existing model. But some additions have been made to the temples model and that is what saints had been demanding. Now, the temples height will be 161 metres instead of 128 metres. The number of domes has been increased from three to five. Ram temples chief architect Chandrakant Sompura has approved these changes. A grand Ram temple will be constructed. In the meeting (Trust meeting on Saturday), we also discussed these changes.

Will stone slabs lying at Shri Ramjanmabhoomi Nyas Karyashala be used in construction of the Ram temple?

Yes. All stone slabs carved at the Karyashala will be used in construction of the Ram temple.

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We knew that this was a time bomb because the percentage of obesity, hypertension, diabetes is so high, said Dr. Adolfo Kaplan, a critical care physician who works with Dr. Brown at DHR Health in Edinburg, Texas. We knew that if the hospital was hit, it was going to be a disaster, and thats what we are living through.

More than 57,000 people are now hospitalized around the country, according to the Covid Tracking Project, reflecting a sharp increase that is approaching the previous national peak in April, when the center of the U.S. outbreak was in New York.

The three facilities this hospital is using to treat patients with Covid-19 have been filled to capacity since the first week of July. At times, a dozen or more ambulances have waited outside for beds to become available.
The syracuse.com | The Post-Standard police blotter of arrests from police agencies around Central New York has been updated today.

Most of the new arrests are from the last couple weeks.
A self-employed hairdresser has won the right to claim for notice, holiday and redundancy pay in, what her lawyers say, is a 'landmark' case for thousands of beauty industry workers.

Meghan Gorman, 26, has won an Employment Tribunal judgement in Manchester arguing that, although her contract was as a self-employed hairdresser, the level of control she had over her working practices effectively made her an employee.

Ms Gorman, from Clitheroe in Lancashire, worked for six years at a Terence Paul salon in Manchester city centre, until it closed in 2019.

Meghan Gorman, 26, has won the right to claim for notice, holiday and redundancy pay after an Employment Tribunal case in Manchester

She claimed she had to work hours set by the salon, who she also said kept 67 per cent of her takings.

The reasons for the Employment Tribunal ruling were released this week, after Judge Marion Batten ruled in the hairdresser's favour in March.

Ms Gorman's lawyers claim that the judgement in her favour furthers recent legal decisions on 'worker' status, in the case of Pimlico Plumbers at the Supreme Court and Uber drivers, which is currently on appeal from the Court of Appeal.

Judith Fiddler, of Direct Law & Personnel, said the preliminary judgment could affect thousands of hairdressers nationwide.

Ms Fiddler also added that it could influence people in other professions, for example dentists, hygienists, delivery drivers and bookkeepers.

She said: 'The whole hairdressing industry and many others will be affected by this decision.

'The significance is huge, as many people who think they are self-employed are actually not.

'The influence of the Pimlico Plumbers and Uber drivers' cases has changed the climate.

'Our case was that Meghan was treated as an employee and was not genuinely self-employed, and therefore should benefit from employment law rights.

'At all times she was treated as an employee and her bosses exercised tight control over all aspects of her work.'

Around 330,000 people work in the beauty industry in the UK and more than 80% of them are women, according to industry figures.

Ms Gorman, from Clitheroe in Lancashire, worked for six years at a Terence Paul salon in Manchester city centre, until it closed in 2019

Ms Gorman will also pursue other claims against Terence Paul, including unfair and wrongful dismissal sexual discrimination and a failure to provide a written contract of employment. She will also be claiming for holiday pay, her lawyers said.

The hairdresser joined Terence Paul, which at the time ran six luxury salons, as a 19-year-old trainee in 2013.

She later began work on a contract, headed 'Independent Contract for Services', as a self-employed hairdresser.

Terence Paul have claimed the company's self-employed hairdressers had control over the hours and days they worked, their starting and finishing times, treatments they could give and their holidays.

But Ms Gorman has disputed this, saying she had to work from 9am until 6pm from Monday until Saturday.

She also claimed that she had no control over pricing or offering discounts, had to use the company's products, conform to Terence Paul's standards of dress, and had to tell the salon if she wanted time off.

Ms Gorman said: 'They clearly had the power and control. I did not believe it could be considered I was in business on my own account.

'I had thought for some time that the contract they had in place was not right, saying I was self-employed when they had all those rules in place.'

TUC senior employment rights officer Tim Sharp said: 'This is yet another case of the courts calling out false self-employment.

'The Government needs to use its planned Employment Bill to ensure that everyone gets full rights unless the boss can prove they are genuinely self-employed.'

MailOnline have approached Terence Paul for comment.
Seventeen-year-old Gaurangi Patil, a resident of Bhiwandi, is unable to attend online classes as her family cannot afford internet connectivity. However, she has been able to keep up with her peers thanks to her teachers going the distance to provide her with study material.

Like Patil, many students from poor financial backgrounds would be unable to get an education during the lockdown if it wasnt for extra efforts taken by their teachers.

Initially attended a few classes, however, I noticed that my family was struggling to make ends meet and I did not want to burden them further for internet access. My parents are daily-wage workers; we have not had any steady income since the lockdown has been implemented. The first week after classes began, I had to miss out on lectures one by one as my data pack got over too soon, said Patil.

After she shared her trouble with her teacher, she was provided with recorded videos of the online sessions and her teachers also offered to be available on call to solve any of her doubts.

Nitin Barve, professor, BK Birla College, Kalyan, said, It has been hardly a week since online classes commenced for college students, but we have noticed that many of them are facing connectivity issues. Moreover, there are a handful of students who are not able to attend lectures due to their financial situation; we have helped by paying for their internet charges.

Meanwhile, a Shahapur-based couple who teaches in a zilla parishad school is taking extra efforts to ensure students from Varyachapada village within Thane district, are getting an education. The internet connectivity is weak in this village as it is in a tribal area and most families do not have smartphones. With the commencement of online classes, Pramod Patole and his wife Sharmila prepared notes based on the syllabus and started visiting the homes of their students to provide the study material.

We gathered different explanation methods and easy-to-understand concepts for students of Class 1 to Class 5. We started taking printouts of these materials along with test papers as well. Twice a week, we visit the houses of the students to provide the materials and collect the previous test papers. These tests help us understand if the student can grasp the study material well, said Patole.

The material has a lot of illustrations and pictures that make the information easier to understand. Moreover, teachers help solve doubts when they visit us. During every visit, the teacher brings a question paper based on the previous days teachings, said Rishabh Pawar, a Class 3 student from Varyachapada Zilla Parishad School.

Thane Municipal Corporation conducts online admission for civic schools

Thane Municipal Corporations (TMC) education department has shifted admissions online for the first time and is providing application forms on the civic bodys website. This has been introduced so that people need not step out of their homes for admissions.

We had already started our admission process before the lockdown began; we have now given this additional facility to those who may have missed out. Keeping in mind the current situation, we have gone online, said Rajesh Kankal, education officer, TMC.
On the 20th August 2019, Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, CCIE, assumed duty as Director-General/CEO, National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), at a relatively young age of 39. He is one of the few young Nigerians to have that privilege in recent history.

I was opportune to pass through the same Secondary School with Kashifu, between 1995 and 1997, having joined the School a year earlier than I did. Science Secondary School Kafin Hausa was and is still ranked as one of the best Science Schools in Jigawa State. The Schools admission process was and still is second to none as one has to pass through a rigorous screening process, including examination before securing admission. It was the dream of every young Science student in the state to join the School. It may interest many to know that Kashifu joined Science Secondary School Kafin Hausa from an Arabic Secondary School where he successfully completed his Junior Secondary School education. Having passed through the rigorous admission process and passed with flying colours, he was given admission to complete his senior secondary education at Science Secondary School Kafin Hausa in 1994.

Kashifu was very popular as he was the best Mathematics student. Those that studied around that time may recall that Mathematics was being taught alongside Further Mathematics. Interestingly, despite the difficulty associated with Mathematics as well as joining a Science School from an Arabic School, he happened to be the best in all categories. Furthermore, instead of keeping the talent that Allah bestowed upon him to himself, he spent most of his time helping his classmates as well as the junior ones to understand the concepts being taught.

With the challenges of not having enough Teachers at the time, I can clearly recall the various instances of him coming to our class to support us with some of the topics in our Mathematics syllabus. Interestingly, he was the first that introduced me to Algebra  Fundamentals of Algebraic Functions. This was what endeared him to everyone that resulted into him made the School Prefect, a position he held until he graduated in June, 1997.

Kashifu later secured admission at the prestigious Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Bauchi, popularly known as ATBU, to study Computer Science, graduating in 2003. He then joined Galaxy Backbone Limited, where he served for nine years, from 2004  2013 as well as held several positions such as Network Engineer, IP Network Field Engineer, Senior Network & Lead, IP Operations Team, and Senior Solution Architect & Lead, Technical Solution Design.

Kashifus determination to succeed made him to become the first Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert (CCIE) in Nigerias Public Sector. He went further to earn several other professional certifications in Project Management, Networking, Telecommunications, Service Management and Solution Design.

Kashifu joined the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) in 2014, as a Technology Architect. While at CBN, he dedicated his time to developing a Technology Architecture Repository that gives 360 views of the Banks IT Infrastructure and facilitated ease of decision making on new IT investment. He was part of the team that executed software license rationalization that has increased cost savings for the Bank in annual license subscriptions.

While at Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Kashifu was one of the highly committed and dedicated students of Dr Isa Ali Ibrahim (Pantami), FNCS, FBCS, FIIM, the Honourable Minister of Communications and Digital Economy. His invitation to join NITDA in 2017 as Technical Assistant to the then Director-General/CEO now Honourable Minister of Communications and Digital Economy was not a surprise. Furthermore, his appointment as Honourable Ministers successor was Allahs way of exemplifying His mercies. It was well deserved and a reward for his kindness, commitment and dedication, hard work, resilience, honesty, and determination to succeed.

With this development, it can be fair to say that Nigeria has finally answered the call for youth participation in Governance; President Buhari has set the pace by Kashifus appointment. Interestingly, upon assumption of duty, he immediately hit the ground running. He seems to focus on implementing the National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy for a Digital Nigeria as well as in contributing to Mr Presidents promise of lifting 100 million Nigerians out of poverty in 10 years. His achievement so far on Youth Empowerment is unprecedented. He initiated and successfully executed several programmes that empowered close to 30,000 youths. Programmes such as the Start-Up Friday, Start-Up Clinic, FutureHack, Tech4COVID-19 Challenge, Capacity Building for Artisans, Girls, Women and People Living with Disabilities, are examples of such programmes. He is also introducing the Technology Innovation and Entrepreneurship Support Scheme that aims to provide opportunities for building the capacity of both hub owners and start-ups to ensure massive creation of technology entrepreneurs and jobs within the industry. Another Achievement is the Launching of the NITDA Academy for Research and Training on the 29th April, 2020 as well as the unveiling of the Virtual Training Programme by the Honourable Minister of Communications and Digital Economy. I was made to understand that the programme that started in April has so far attracted over 23,000 participants  an unprecedented achievement indeed.

I also noticed a new and transformed NITDA when I visited the Agency recently. I was amazed with what has been achieved with a period of less than a year. If you were in NITDA around August last year and you visit the Agency today, you will agree with me that Kashifu is indeed a visionary and transformational leader who is focusing on making NITDA favourably compete with any other IT Regulatory Agency in the world.

With what Kashifu has achieved so far, I can boldly say that his performance is excellent and he has indeed made us  the Nigerian youthproud. He is our worthy ambassador in Mr Presidents administration who has shown that we are Not Too Young to Lead. When given the opportunity, we will by Allahs Mercy carry out the responsibility diligently, knowing that it is a trust. It is also a call to all of us, particularly the youth, to have hope in the future of our country. We urge all to give him and his team all the support they may need in coordinating our transition from the traditional economy to the digital economy in line with the National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy for a Digital Nigeria.

Comrade Mustapha Yau Gumel wrote from Dutse, Jigawa State. He can be contacted via at e-mail mustaphayau7@gmail.com or phone at +234-803-879-5965
The lawyers sometimes referred to each other by their first names, a no-no under courtroom decorum.

Stranger still, no one stood or bowed when the judge appeared. But, then, she was presiding over the trial from her office, not perched up on the dais. And she wasnt wearing her judicial robe and red sash, just conservative business attire.

But with only minimum social distancing and no need for masks to prevent the spread of COVID-19, Ontarios first major criminal Zoom case is winning rave reviews from two veteran defence lawyers representing the men on trial for gun-trafficking charges.

The process is much more efficient and, more importantly, egalitarian and fair, Reid Rusonik wrote in an email. The accused arent shoved away in a box, and the defence also has its office and resources nearby.

During the global pandemic, videoconferencing apps such as Zoom have emerged as tools for people looking to carry on as before, with everything from business meetings to yoga classes shifting online.

As people get used to the idea of also conducting trials on the internet, the technology could be a game-changer for efficiency, added John Struthers, who is president of the Criminal Lawyers Association.

Four months after COVID-19 forced the near shutdown of courts across Ontario, courthouses across the province are slowly resuming in-person hearings, including major criminal cases. And although more logistically challenging jury trials remain on hold at least until September, experts say this weeks experiment in virtual justice could help reduce the backlog of cases that has ballooned since March while just maybe revolutionizing justice in the process  for better or for worse.

Its not business as usual in Canadian courts, Ottawa law professor Amy Salyzyn observed in a column in Slaw, Canadas online legal magazine.

While emergency measures have been in place since the spring  allowing bail hearings by teleconference, for instance  there is reason to believe that this moment may well mark the start a shift toward increased use of virtual hearings in the longer term, she writes, noting that the move presents new risks to public access to court, protecting privacy and maintaining the integrity of court proceedings.

Struthers and Rusonik say they agreed to videoconference because the trial otherwise would not have happened until next May  three years after their clients Bill Allison and Kamar Cunningham were arrested as part of a 2018 Toronto police investigation called Project Patton.

The nature of the case, which primarily involves the playing of wiretaps and surveillance footage, and the fact there were only police witnesses also suited the virtual format, the lawyers said.

It was not a classic credibility case, such as a sex assault, in which the demeanour of a civilian witness is important during cross-examination, Struthers explained. With police officers, their manner in court is very rarely as important as the logical destruction of their stories, he added.

Rusonik, who like Struthers is known for aggressively grilling witnesses in cross-examination, added he found the virtual format almost better than in a traditional court setting.

Cross-examination is actually easier because youre seated and more comfortable with all of your preparation at your fingertips, he said.

Still, a multi-screen virtual courtroom via Zoom does not replicate the real thing. And, of course, as anyone with a computer or smartphone knows, technology is far from infallible  although the trial, which continues next week, has been relatively glitch-free.

Court staff are currently being trained on how to host Zoom trials. Judges and lawyers are being trained as well but this is still in the early stages.

Meanwhile, a best practices guide produced by a number of legal organizations has been released.

The guide notes that eating and drinking is still not allowed, and advises participants to be mindful of facial expressions when not speaking, and to use appropriate names.

Participants should test their connections, reduce background noise and ensure they appear in front of a suitably neutral backdrop, the guide says.

Rusonik appeared from his office. Prosecutors Carolyn Otter and Sam Scratch were also in an office setting, seated in front of whiteboards. The two accused men, Allison and Cunningham, who are not in custody, appeared in front of blank walls from nondescript rooms.

Struthers explained his client, Cunningham, had no difficulty hearing or seeing the proceeding, watching from a local, safe location with good internet.

Meanwhile, the lawyer himself picked a courtroom as a digital background, a suitable option for virtual hearings, according to the guide.

Throughout, Superior Court Justice Jane Kelly seemed relaxed and comfortable with the process, going out of her way to acknowledge a reporters presence  and to offer assurances that access to exhibits would be granted, which they were. She also made clear that just like in a real courtroom, it was still illegal to take photos, screen captures, or recordings for broadcast. How that would be policed if Zoom trials become widespread is unclear.

The next generation will do this easily, Kelly commented at one point, smiling.

Still, Struthers, Rusonik and others say Zoom wont work for every case. And no one in Ontario is seriously talking about the much more complicated prospect of virtual jury trials, at least not yet. (Although one did recently take place in the United States in a civil case.)

Daniel Brown, a Toronto defence lawyer and CLA vice-president who wasnt involved in the gun-trafficking case, said there is some evidence to suggest that people may seem less trustworthy over a videolink than in-person.

With Zoom, there are also concerns that a witness might secretly refer to notes.

Another major concern is whether accused people and witnesses, especially from marginalized communities, have access to the necessary technology  a computer, stable Wi-Fi, video-conferencing software, a cellphone, headphones  as well as a quiet space where they can sit for several hours. There are also unanswered questions about language barriers, disability accommodations and technological literacy.

Some lawyers have observed that Zoom courts do not have the same gravitas and weight of a physical court.

When a witness comes to court and puts their hand on the Bible ... in front of the judge and promising to tell the truth and is surrounded by all these eyes on them, it kind of drives home to them the importance of the situation and the solemnity of the situation, Brown said.

It even changes a lot of what trial lawyers are used to in court  theres no pacing, not even standing.

Theres a bit of theatre and drama in a courtroom, Brown said. Thats simply lost over Zoom.

Omar Ha-Redeye, executive director of Durham Community Legal Clinic, said his biggest concern about Zoom trials relates to witnesses.

The entire purpose of a testimony is about credibility, and contrasting the testimony of various witnesses, he said. Its going to put enormous challenges on the trier of fact  judges are going to have an incredibly difficult time executing this.

The barriers that low-income accused persons and witnesses will face  such as a slower connection freezing or even appearing via a low-quality camera  means they potentially are going to be presenting less effectively within the legal system, he said.

It also can take more time to prepare for a Zoom trial  from testing software to sending emails in lieu of having a quick hallway conversation with opposing counsel.

(Struthers and Rusonik unreservedly said this weeks proceeding was more, not less, efficient.)

Ha-Redeye is also concerned that journalists and members of the public can no longer simply walk into a courtroom.

Theres a risk the need to request permission and to be identified to be in a courtroom can have a chilling effect on the open court principle, he said. There are other issues, too: How many people can watch a Zoom trial? Are privacy issues invoked differently when a trial is occurring by Zoom than in person, where there is more of a barrier to entry?

On the other hand, Jacquelyn Burkell, a professor at Western University who researches the impact of video technology on human interactions, says there could be positive implications for a witness who may feel more comfortable testifying from a familiar space at home rather than in an imposing courtroom.

But she also wonders about Zoom fatigue, how it can be tiring and difficult to concentrate for long periods  in part, she said, because it requires more for our brains to process than we realize.

Meanwhile, the province has so far been enthusiastic about the technologys potential  It opens up so many possibilities to move things along faster, more efficiently, cheaper, Attorney General Doug Downey said in a recent interview.

Law professor Karen Eltis, an instructor at the University of Ottawas Centre for Law, Technology and Society, said the challenge is how to use technology to enhance access to justice.

There must be careful consideration about relying on private technologies such as Zoom for public services because, in the end, whats at stake is the confidence in the justice system, she said.

We absolutely have to move forward. But we have to move forward cautiously  the justice system cant afford to, in Facebooks words in a different context, move fast and break things.
Rabbi Yisroel Goldstein, then-senior rabbi of Chabad of Poway synagogue in the San Diego area, addresses the United Nations General Assembly's meeting last year. (Bebeto Matthews / Associated Press)

The Clarence S. Brooks Foundation is in a nondescript three-story building on Wilshire Boulevard in Los Angeles that also has a Wells Fargo bank branch and an urgent care center among its tenants.

From there, the small charitable foundation established in 2004 that had $5.8 million in assets at the end of 2018 makes grants primarily to Jewish educational organizations. The half-dozen or so annual awards run in the mid-to-low six figures each, records of the charity show.

So it probably was not much of a surprise when in 2013 the foundation received an application for a grant from Chabad of Poway and its leader Rabbi Yisroel Goldstein. The grant application said the money would be used to run one of the several programs at the Poway synagogue, helping to pay for rent, remodeling costs and payroll.

The application was a winner. In early 2013 the foundation made a $600,000 grant to Goldstein, distributing the money in four $150,000 installments from February through November. It was one of the largest grants it made that year.

But the money didnt go to the synagogue for remodeling, payroll or rent.

Instead, it went to Goldstein. He put some of the money in personal bank accounts and converted much of it to cash after churning the grant funds through several bank accounts he controlled. After the final payment arrived from the foundation, Goldstein handed over the bulk of the money, about $400,000, to another person who had cooked up the scheme with him, and pocketed the balance.

The Brooks Foundation scam is just one of numerous frauds described in detail in court documents related to Goldsteins shocking plea last week to tax fraud and wire fraud. The 58-year-old rabbi  who gained international notoriety after an April 27, 2019, shooting attack on Chabad of Poway synagogue that killed congregant Lori Gilbert-Kaye and injured three others, including Goldstein  admitted to years of illegal schemes involving taxes, government programs, real estate and public and private grant programs.

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The court records illustrate in detail a spectrum of frauds that are staggering in their amount, scope and duration. They also reveal that after federal agents served a search warrant on Goldsteins offices at Chabad of Poway and at his home in October 2018, the rabbi  now knowing he was under federal scrutiny  tipped off no fewer than five others who had allegedly participated in various schemes over the years.

One of them was an individual identified in the documents only as M.S., who had allegedly participated in the Brooks Foundation fraud with Goldstein and got the lions share of the misappropriated funds. In December 2018, five years after divvying up the foundation money and two months after the search, Goldstein warned M.S. about the investigation, the records say.

Goldstein pleaded guilty Tuesday to conspiracy to defraud the government and wire fraud charges. The charges cover a period from 2010-18, but prosecutors said he had been engaged in fraud as far back as the 1980s. The FBI put the total amount of money in play in the scheme at $18 million.

U.S. Atty. Robert Brewer said Tuesday that his office has already decided not to seek a prison term for Goldstein, citing his cooperation with an ongoing investigation that has led to five others pleading guilty and as many as 20 more under investigation, and his conduct in the wake of the attack.

After the shooting, he called for tolerance, love and forgiveness in numerous appearances and speeches. He was invited to the White House, met President Trump, and hosted Vice President Mike Pence at the Poway synagogue.

At the time, however, he was under investigation by the federal government and had agreed to cooperate with a probe into years, perhaps decades, of serial frauds he allegedly had orchestrated. That information became public for the first time Tuesday.

No one from the Brooks Foundation responded to several requests for an interview last week. Neither Goldstein nor his lawyers have responded to numerous requests for comment over the last year from the San Diego Union-Tribune, and they declined to comment after his guilty plea.

Citing exhaustion, Goldstein retired from Chabad of Poway, which he founded in 1986, in November.

But the court records show that he signed the plea agreement that same month. And the world headquarters of Chabad in New York said it learned of his crimes late last year and forced him out.

The court records describe a long-running tax evasion scheme that Brewer called the 90-10 fraud at a news conference after the guilty plea Tuesday. It involved donors writing large checks to Chabad as donations to the tax-exempt organization, and in return getting a receipt on Chabad letterhead that they could use to claim a large tax deduction.

They also got 90% of their money back secretly. Goldstein kept 10%, according to prosecutors and the plea documents he signed.

In the court records, donors in on the scam are identified only by initials. In one case, Goldstein accepted dozens of contributions of $8,000 per month between 2010 and 2018 from S.W., who owned a grocery business. The records say Goldstein kept half and kicked back the balance by regularly hand-delivering cash at the grocers business.

Other schemes were more complex. Along with Alex Avergoon, another defendant who pleaded guilty to wire fraud, identity theft and money laundering in connection with a separate real estate Ponzi scheme, Goldstein defrauded the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the state Office of Emergency Services of nearly $250,000 in emergency grants.

To do so Avergoon created a company out of thin air with the perhaps intentionally ironic name Imagination Construction Co. Avergoon created false invoices complete with a bogus contractors license number for carpet removal, HVAC repairs and other work. Goldstein backdated checks from Chabad accounts to meet reimbursement requirements from the state agency.

The scheme netted about $185,000 in 2011 and $75,000 in 2012, according to the plea agreement.

Goldstein engaged in another scheme involving a fictitious entity  this time a religious congregation.

Along with an individual identified as Z.B., Goldstein submitted bogus invoices totaling $76,750 to be reimbursed by FEMA and Cal OES from a program making grants specifically for upgrades to security.

Goldstein claimed that the upgrades were to be made to something called Congregation Bnei Yisroel, according to the court records. That was not a real congregation, but instead Goldsteins own residence. Working with Avergoon and Z.B., the rabbi secured $75,000 in government grants in 2017 and 2018 and kept an unspecified portion for himself.

It is unclear from the records if any of the money was spent on security upgrades. However, the lawyer who filed a lawsuit on behalf of a congregant injured in the attack said there was very little security such as gates or locked doors at Chabad of Poway.

Federal agents began to investigate Goldstein in late 2016 in the course of the probe into Avergoon, who collaborated with Goldstein on some of the grant frauds and recruited donors for the tax fraud, prosecutors said. The investigation began to close in on the rabbi in May 2018, when an undercover FBI agent met with Goldstein at Lake Poway Park and, later, in his office at Chabad of Poway. The agent posed as someone who wanted to lower his tax liability and launder proceeds from what the agent said was an insurance scam.

Goldstein agreed to both, according to the plea records, taking $50,000 and providing documents of a donation of that size to the synagogue, while wiring back half to a bank account provided by the undercover agent and keeping the other half. Then in June he accepted $50,000 in cash in five stacks of crisp $100 bills at his office, and returned 31 gold coins with a value of about $40,000 to the agent.

Four months later, on Oct. 17, 2018, agents from the FBI and Internal Revenue Service descended on Chabad of Poway and Goldsteins nearby home. They told him he was under investigation and had been for nearly two years, and that the person he met with at Lake Poway and his office was an undercover agent.

Prosecutors said Goldstein agreed to cooperate and is being rewarded for that in his plea deal. The documents show that soon after the raid he warned others who had engaged in the tax scheme that he was a target of federal investigators.

In one case, he warned Yousef Shemirani, 58, of Poway, who pleaded guilty last week to filing a false tax return and admitted claiming fake donations of $137,650 to Goldstein and Chabad of Poway from 2011-16.

Shemiranis plea said Goldstein knocked on his door the night of Oct. 20, 2018, and told him about the raid, then warned him the next time they met he might be wearing a wire. Days later Shemirani tried to sign up for an IRS voluntary disclosure program that allows people to avoid some penalties  if they voluntarily admit erroneous tax reporting.

Another defendant, Bijan Moosazadeh, 63, of San Diego, tried to enter the same program after learning of the investigation. Another individual identified as V.R. met Goldstein in December 2018 with $10,000 he wanted to disguise as a donation under the tax scheme. Goldstein instead warned him of the investigation and, according to the plea records, told V.R. he was out of business.

At some point after the raid, Goldstein cooperated with investigators and was actively doing so when the attack on Chabad of Poway occurred  and catapulted Goldstein into the public spotlight.

Since then Chabad has been sued by Almog Peretz, a victim who was wounded in the attack. The suit contends the synagogue did nothing to improve security despite getting a $150,000 grant to upgrade security just before the shooting.

Yoni Weinberg, the lawyer for Peretz, said those accusations now carry more weight because of Goldsteins admissions to diverting grant funds. Money that was supposed to be coming in to help the congregation obviously was not going to help the congregants, he said.

Weinberg was also critical that Goldstein will not go to prison.

One problem I have is they are taking it easy on him, he said. Hes not going to do jail time and will get probation. They say that is because of the leadership he displayed in the days following the attack. To me, its not leadership when you stand in front of congregants you have been stealing from and make them believe you are doing all this for them.

In a statement, Brewer said every sentence had to take into consideration both the seriousness of the crime and the circumstances of the defendant. He again noted Goldsteins post-shooting cooperation and conduct.

His work to bring people together in the aftermath of the shooting is part of who he is, Brewer said. A fair and just sentence has to account for that, as well as his lifetime of service and his significant cooperation. We made this decision solely based on the facts and circumstances of this case and this defendant.

Goldsteins appearances with Trump and Pence did not weigh in the sentence, according to a Department of Justice official in San Diego. We have not conferred with the White House about any prosecution decision or outcome in this or any other case, the official said. The DOJ in Washington supported our handling of this case.

Jason Forge, a former federal prosecutor who earned convictions in the Randy Duke Cunningham case and later in private practice was a key member in a team of lawyers that got a $25-million settlement in a lawsuit against Trump University, said it was unlikely Goldstein would go to prison given his age and the lighter treatment white-collar crimes get.

Forge said that while defendants are often rewarded for cooperating with prosecutors, he was less convinced that Goldstein should be given so much credit for his actions after the shooting. Still, he said Brewer should be acknowledged for not dropping the case after the shooting and the notoriety.

You have to give Bob Brewer credit, Forge said. "I guarantee you there are a significant number of U.S. attorneys who would not have the stomach for it.

Goldstein is set to be sentenced in October.

Sources have told the San Diego Union-Tribune that the pleas were supposed to take place in the spring, before the coronavirus outbreak ground much court business to a halt. Indeed, several of the plea agreements from co-defendants were signed in February.

Moran writes for the San Diego Union-Tribune.




By Lidia Kelly

MELBOURNE (Reuters) - Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison on Saturday delayed the opening of parliament for several weeks as the new coronavirus continued spreading through the country's two most populous states.

Morrison asked the speaker of the parliament to cancel a two-week session due to start on Aug. 4, out of concern about the COVID-19 pandemic. The request was seen as a formality as the speaker is a member of Morrison's Liberal Party and the opposition Labor Party accepted the call.

Lawmakers are to meet at the next planned session on Aug. 24.

"The government cannot ignore the risk to parliamentarians, their staff, the staff within the parliament and the broader community," Morrison said in a written statement, adding he acted based on the advice of medical authorities.

Victoria state reported 217 new infections after a record 428 cases on Friday. Neighbouring New South Wales, the most populous state, which has also been struggling to contain a new wave of infections, saw 15 new cases.

Victoria forced nearly five million people into a partial lockdown for six weeks on July 9, as expectations of harsher social-distancing restrictions were growing with the virus continuing to spread.

Victoria Premier Daniel Andrews left open the possibility of further curbs, urging people not to leave their houses except for work, exercise or essential shopping.

"The likelihood of a longer lockdown, the likelihood of even more restrictions - that really does rest with individuals and families and members of the Victorian community embracing the spirit of the rules and erring on the side of caution," Andrews said at a televised briefing.

Australia's Treasurer Josh Frydenberg said the government will issue further income support to tackle deteriorating confidence across the country, in addition to an existing A$70 billion ($49 billion) in wage subsidies.

"There's a lot of uncertainty in the economic environment, and the Victorian situation is a significant setback," Frydenberg told The Age newspaper in an interview published on Saturday.

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"It's diminished confidence beyond the Victorian border, and the recovery is a confidence game. So, maintaining business and household confidence is going to be critical."

The government is expected to announce details of the support measures on Thursday, before sending them for a vote to the parliament.

In March, all parliamentary sittings were cancelled until August. But as Australia appeared to be succeeding in controlling its outbreak in the following months, some sittings took place, including a one-day special session to vote on the initial wage subsidy scheme.

(Reporting by Lidia Kelly; Editing by William Mallard)
People come to begin a new life in the US for a wide variety of reasons. In 2017, over 44 million people in the US were born someplace else.

The vast majority (77%) of immigrants living in the US are legal immigrants, and just under half (45%) are now naturalized US citizens.

From about 1990 until 2007 a large wave of unauthorized or illegal immigrants came to live on US soil, tripling in number, but this level has now come down again.

Where are people coming from? In 2017, the top countries immigrants came to the US from included India, Mexico, China, and Cuba, among others, totalling about 1 million new immigrants.

Why are people leaving their homes and traveling so far to start anew?

Here are some of the top reasons people immigrate to the US.

For Work

Some people native to the US may feel that finding solid work that pays well is hard to come by. Compared with the rest of the world, however, the US has good work opportunities. The US is home to the most active economy in the world, as the planets biggest superpower.

Some people may fear that immigrants take jobs away from Americans already living in the US. Economists argue that this could be the case in the short-term but in the long run, the economy adjusts to new immigration. While regrettably not everybody is open to having new immigrants in the labor force, research shows that the majority of the general public in the US does support high-skilled immigration.

To Escape Persecution And Violence

Many people currently live in places that are more violent than the US. The highest number of immigrants coming to the US originate from Mexico, which is part of Latin America, one of the most violent regions on Earth. In 2019, almost 35,000 people were murdered there, breaking down to about 95 people each day. Part of this high number can be attributed to the violence associated with the illegal drug trade in this country.

Many people coming from Mexico to the US not only come to chase a better financial future, but also to escape the violence.

People come to the US from other places as well, to escape violence. The highest number of refugees seeking asylum in the US in 2019 came from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Millions of people were displaced in the DRC between 2016 and 2019 due to fighting and political turmoil.

Authorities dealing with illegal immigrants. Image credit: Fishman64/Shutterstock.com

Better Living Conditions

The US may not be revered for its social systems like the Nordic countries are, but being poor in the US is a better situation for many than being poor abroad. Many developing countries do not have a social safety net such as welfare, government-backed medical services, or systems like food stamps to help the hungry.

Of course, people who immigrate to the US do not do so exclusively for the food stamps. The fact that there are social welfare systems that exist however, makes the US a more attractive place to try to restart your life. It can be difficult to up and leave your home country, but if you know there are systems in place to help you get settled when you arrive, and that you will not starve while doing so, you may be more likely to take the risk of starting over there.

The US also has better overall living conditions than many countries worldwide. While the country is not perfect, urban and populated areas have running water, access to electricity, shelter, roads and community services. This is a big plus for many migrants.

Tapachula, Suchiate, or Ciudad Hidalgo in Mexico: Central American Refugees are boarding a Truck on their way north to the US border. Image credit: Saeschie Wagner/Shutterstock.com

Educational Opportunities

People also immigrate to the US to obtain an education, or to increase the educational opportunities for their children. The country is home to some of the best-known institutions of higher education in the world.

According to reports online, there were over 1 million international students studying in the US in 2020. The majority came from China, India, or South Korea.

Of course, being an international student in the US is not easy. You must keep a full course load, you can only work part-time on campus, and you have to prove you have the money to support your tuition and living costs. Not an easy feat, but still, many do it.

International students are often so-called temporary immigrants and will return to their home countries with their foreign degrees upon graduating. A US diploma can increase their chances of being hired for lucrative jobs abroad. Some stay and seek more permanent status in the US, however.

To Be With Family

MADISON, WI, USA - February 18, 2016 - Thousands of people protest new anti-immigration legislation in Wisconsin. Image credit: AAraujo/Shutterstock.com

Immigrants also choose to move to the US to reunite with their family members. Sometimes people meet over the internet or abroad, and decide to get married. If one of the spouses is an American citizen, the other can immigrate in time.

Other people leave their homeland and come to the US seeking a better future. They leave their children, extended family, and sometimes even their spouse, behind. They may come to the US seeking asylum, or they have been given the chance to have a green card, or permanent resident status. Once these immigrants become citizens, they may then sponsor other family members to join them.

Americans love to debate the perceived benefits and drawbacks to allowing immigrants into their country. The truth is, the US as we know it was built by immigrants: everyone living in the US but the Native Americans can trace their roots back to someone who immigrated in the past few centuries.

According to the Bush Center, immigrants help raise the pace of economic growth, and strengthen the country. When new immigrants enter the workforce, they also increase the GDP. This eventually raises the incomes of all working people. Immigrants add cultural richness and new points of view to society that help to make America what it is. In this way, immigration is to be celebrated.
Narendra Modi, Prime minister of India | Though almost all of Indias Prime Ministers have come from the nearly 80% of the population that is Hindu, only Modi has governed as if no one else matters, writes Karl Vick, Time editor. (Image: Reuters)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, known for reaching out to masses through social media, has gained 60 million followers on Twitter.

The PM started using the platform in January 2009 when he was the Chief Minister of Gujarat and his popularity grew overwhelmingly as he assumed the office of Prime Minister of India in 2014. Currently, his total followers on his Twitter handle @narendramodi stands at 60,032,132.

Even the number of followers on the official Twitter handle of the Prime Ministers Office has crossed 37 million.

The Prime Minister stands tall among the world leaders on Twitter. However, he is still behind US President Donald Trump who has 83.7 million followers. Former US President Barack Obama remains on the top spot with over 120 million accounts following him.

In India, no politician is even close to Prime Minister Modi. Former Congress President Rahul Gandhi has 15.2 million followers. Aam Aadmi Party chief Arvind Kejriwal, who contested against the Prime Minister in 2014 general elections, has 19.9 million followers.

PM Modi is quite active on Twitter and regularly communicates about issues concerning the country, foreign policy and his interactions with the people.

Besides Twitter, the PM is highly popular on other social media platforms.

He has 45 million followers on Facebook and 45.3 million on the photo-sharing app Instagram.
As summer dawned and the Fourth of July holiday approached, I learned I wont be allowed to visit my son and daughter-in-law in New York or my sister and her family in Massachusetts unless I first self-isolate there for two weeks. Tack that onto the driving time and there goes the whole vacation.

Youre out of luck, too, if youre considering a trip East (Connecticut and New Jersey too) and youre in one of those 16 states whose residents are also under orders to sequester because they havent gotten their COVID-19 numbers under control.

And thats even if you did everything right: heeded the experts, wore masks, avoided crowds, stayed out of restaurants. If your states leadership refused to issue mandates and left those measures voluntary  or lifted restrictions too soon  youre going to be paying the price.

Youre paying it for all those Americans who refuse to go masked into superstores and cant stay out of the bars or practice social distancing. For those heady beachgoers showcased in national news reports clucking about their constitutional rights to cluster.

With the most cases of any country in the world, nearly 2.6 million as of this writing, the U.S. is now barred from the 27-member European Union nations that opened up to visitors July 1. NPR reported that new cases in the EU and the U.K. were 82% lower than at the peak April 9, while the U.S. recently reported more than 32,000 new cases on two days straight.

Why has the worlds richest, most powerful nation been hit the hardest by the pandemic? All the traditional measures we would normally use to control or eradicate the virus have not worked in the United States in particular, for a variety of reasons, virologist Dr. Joseph Fair told NBC News Savannah Guthrie last week.

To some extent, Americans have always pushed back on new safety regulations. One reader wrote to remind us about seat belt laws passed in the 1960s, child car seats being required in the 1980s and cigarette smoking banned in restaurants and workplaces in the 1990s and early 2000s. All met with initial resistance. But with strong leadership, people came around to see they saved lives.

So Im not going to put the major blame on a lack of personal responsibility. Im blaming the lack of strong leadership at the top, the kind that makes such a compelling medical case for why curbs are necessary, and an ethical case for why we are all responsible for our brothers and sisters, so we dont mind making short-term sacrifices.

Instead, weve had denial, deflection and deference to industry and ideology. As Novembers election approaches, our president has wanted to show his base he wont cave to the politically correct by disrupting anyones freedoms. Donald Trump has mostly been interested in minimizing the seriousness of the scourge.

In January he said he had it totally under control: Its one person coming in from China.

In February he said, A lot of people think that (COVID) goes away in April, with the heat.

In March he said he wanted the country open and just raring to go by Easter.

In April he announced he was suspending U.S. funding for the World Health Organization, because it had mismanaged the pandemic.

In May he boasted of taking hydroxychloroquine as a preventive.

At a campaign rally in June, he said he wanted testing slowed because youre going to find more cases, something an adviser later called tongue-in-cheek. Which would be fine if the president had shown any real concern or commitment.

Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds at least took it seriously enough to have daily COVID-19 news briefings for a few months. Now those have been cut back, along with restrictions on gatherings, leading infections to rise  especially among young adults in college towns.

Reynolds has shown disproportionate concern for businesses taking a financial hit during this pandemic over Iowans succumbing to the virus. And she has employed gimmicks to that end. Previously, Iowa businesses werent required by law to report coronavirus outbreaks at their facilities. Then the governor said the state only needed to release the names of businesses in which 10% of the workforce had confirmed COVID cases. But even then, she wouldnt necessarily disclose it unless a reporter asked.

If people want to file suit against a business, church, or other organization at which the was virus contracted, theyll have to prove it was malicious or showed reckless disregard for the risk of COVID-19. That means most businesses, including nursing homes, cant be sued for COVID deaths.

The governor also announced this month that she would start reporting as recovered anyone who had been diagnosed 28 days earlier, unless public health officials were specifically notified the person was still sick. Thats a broad assumption.

But the most disturbing relaxation has been the states decision not to require students to wear masks or do social distancing when they return to school in person. Now its up to individual school districts to implement safeguards.

Maybe this is a good time to re-examine the meaning of personal freedom when it bumps up against the greater public good.

Rekha Basu is a columnist for the Des Moines Register
'A dumpster fire', 'a shambles', 'chaotic' - just some of the terms used around Leinster House and in the media to describe the Government's first three weeks in office.

With the sacking of Barry Cowen coming on top of squabbling over who got (and who didn't get) what in the ministerial carve-up, there have been headlines about rifts in Fianna Fail and powerful enemies waiting in the long grass for a chance to scupper Micheal Martin.

In the words of the Harry Enfield 'Scousers' characters, everybody - political correspondents included - needs to "calm down, calm down".

Has it been a good start for the Government, particularly Fianna Fail? No. But there is an even more resounding 'no' answer to the question as to whether it will have an impact on this coalition ultimately being successful.

None of the events of the past three weeks will remotely matter when it comes to the next general election.

In fact, none of it will be remembered by the vast majority of the electorate in a month or two.

The Barry Cowen controversy was embarrassing and a distraction for the Government. But the notion that voters are this weekend poring over the events that led up to Cowen's sacking; wondering if a supposedly 'damaged' Taoiseach acted too slowly - or why he seemed to change his position between Tuesday afternoon and that night - is risible. The Opposition and the media may be doing that. The public are more detached.

If anything, Martin's decisive - and pretty ruthless - action in dealing with the issue by dispatching an arguably unlucky Cowen to the backbenches might play well with voters, given the Taoiseach's previous reputation as a bit of a ditherer.

The reality is that ministers resign or get sacked in every Dail term. Leinster House works itself into a near hysterical frenzy for a few days and voters shrug their shoulders and get on with real life.

The sensational resignation of Ray Burke just four months into Bertie Ahern's first Fianna Fail-Progressive Democrat coalition had no impact on that government's electoral prospects. Nor did another high-profile resignation, that of Progressive Democrat minister of state Bobby Molloy. Though it came just a few weeks before the 2002 election, the Progressive Democrats still doubled their seat tally and Fianna Fail came within a few hundred votes of an overall majority.

Huffing and puffing aside, Fianna Fail TDs know the score. They have sympathy for Barry Cowen on a personal level. But they know it wasn't tenable that he could continue as minister without making a statement to the House on the garda report of the incident.

When Cowen refused to do so, there was only one possible outcome.

In normal circumstances perhaps the talk of rifts and Martin creating hostages to fortune because of his ministerial appointments (and sacking) might be relevant. But these aren't normal circumstances. Martin is going to be Taoiseach until the end of 2022 and then he's gone, not just as Taoiseach but presumably as leader of Fianna Fail as well.

There's little or nothing any malcontents can do, other than nurse their grievances for the next 30 months. For them, Martin is untouchable. He doesn't need to worry about currying favour or keeping whingey TDs onside and that gives Martin a freedom that no Taoiseach in modern times has enjoyed.

The lack of Fianna Fail party discipline on display over the past three weeks is a more real concern. Some degree of turmoil was inevitable, given the historic departure involved in going into government with Fine Gael (not to mention the lack of ministerial jobs on offer). Presumably things will settle down in time. But if the sniping was to continue, it would be a problem for Fianna Fail and whoever takes over from Martin. Either the party TDs hang together or they will hang separately come election time.

The same holds for the three coalition parties. No government can afford a reputation of being accident-prone, stumbling from mini-crisis to mini-crisis. While it would have wished for a better start, this Government is a long way off that territory.

Ultimately though, it won't be judged by a volatile electorate on what happens in the political bubble. For most voters, what happens in Leinster House, stays in Leinster House - and the only Cowengate they're interested in is the baby food. The new coalition will succeed or fail on real issues: its record on Covid, the economy, housing and health.

On Covid and the economy, so much depends on luck. The same probably goes for health - a second wave of the coronavirus and all the reforms in the world won't matter.

That leaves housing.

Voters in their 20s and 30s, hardest hit economically by the lockdown remember, will rightly expect big and quick progress in this area.

Crack that conundrum and the typical bumps and bruises of government will be but a media sideshow. If they build it, voters may yet come.

Shane Coleman presents 'Newstalk Breakfast', weekdays from 7am
Iran seizes back oil tanker hit by US sanctions; vessel anchored off Iranian coast

Iran Press TV

Saturday, 18 July 2020 10:08 AM

Iran has successfully retaken an oil tanker wanted by the United States for allegedly skirting sanctions on the Islamic Republic, and now the vessel is located off the coast of the country near the strategic Strait of Hormuz.

The Dominica-flagged MT Gulf Sky was seized back on July 5 off the coast of the United Arab Emirates. Satellite pictures showed it is now moored in Iranian waters, according to TankerTrackers.com.

David Hammond, the CEO of the United Kingdom-based group Human Rights at Sea, told the Associated Press that he took a witness statement from the captain of the MT Gulf Sky, confirming the ship had been recovered.

Hammond added that 26 of the Indian sailors on board had made it back to India, while two remained in Tehran, without elaborating.

"We are delighted to hear that the crew are safe and well which has been our fundamental concern from the outset," he said.

In May, the US Justice Department filed criminal charges against two Iranians, accusing them of attempts to purchase the tanker, then named the MT Nautica. The vessel then took on Iranian oil from Kharg Island to sell abroad.

The report comes amid tensions between Iran and the United States, after President Donald Trump on May 8, 2018 officially announced Washington's unilateral withdrawal from the landmark 2015 nuclear deal officially known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).

Following its withdrawal, the US unleashed the so-called maximum pressure campaign against Iran and targeted the Iranian nation with the "toughest ever" economic sanctions.

Back on July 19 last year, Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) naval forces seized the 30,000-tonne UK-flagged tanker Stena Impero, when the vessel ignored distress calls as it collided with a fishing boat on its route.

IRGC said the ship had also used a wrong path to enter the Strait of Hormuz.

A day after the seizure of the Stena Impero, Iran released footage showing Iranian speedboats cruising near the tanker as a military helicopter hovered over the vessel.

An Iranian marine could be heard communicating with the command center in the southern port city of Bandar Abbas.

On September 27, 2019, the British-flagged oil tanker finally set sail and left Iranian waters for Dubai in the UAE.

Tensions between Iran and the UK began in early July last year, when British naval forces seized an Iranian oil tanker in Gibraltar under the pretext that it was carrying oil to Syria in violation of European Union sanctions against the Arab country. Iran strongly denied the claim.

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Actual case load of COVID in the country only 3,58,692

India PIB

Ministry of Health and Family Welfare

Recovered cases increase to 6,53,750

Special Central Team being rushed to Bihar

Posted On: 18 JUL 2020 2:18PM by PIB Delhi

Timely, proactive, and graded strategy initiatives for effective COVID-19 management in the country, led by the Center and implemented by the State/UT governments, have ensured that actual case load of COVID patients remains manageable. The actual case load of COVID in the country is only 3,58,692 today. The number of recovered cases has further increased to 6,53,750. The difference between recovered and active cases is progressively growing. It stands at 2,95,058 today. Medical attention is being provided to all the 3,58,692 active cases, either in home isolation or in hospitals for severe cases.

Coordinated measures taken by the Union and State/UT governments have ensured effective overall management of the COVID pandemic. The Union Government continues to support and supplement the efforts of the State governments by sending Central teams of experts to areas witnessing increase in caseload. A central team has been deployed to Bihar to assist the State in assessment of COVID management in the state and to provide all necessary support. The team consists of Shri Lav Agarwal, Jt Secy (Public Health), MoHFW; Dr S K Singh, Director, NCDC; and Dr Neeraj Nischal, Associate Professor (Medicine), AIIMS, New Delhi. The team will reach Bihar tomorrow.

The focus of containment strategy remains on house-to-house survey, perimeter control activities, timely contact tracing, surveillance of containment and buffer zones, aided by effective clinical management of severe cases through a Standard Of Care approach. Continuously expanding hospital infrastructure has aided in increased recoveries.

The last 24 hours saw 17,994 COVID-19 patients recovering. The recovery rate is now 63%.

The latest testing strategy of ICMR allows all registered medical practitioners to recommend testing. RT-PCR tests and Rapid Antigen Point of Care POC) Tests, boosted by TruNat and CBNAAT have contributed to a surge in the number of samples tested; 3,61,024 samples have been tested in the last 24 hours; The cumulative number of 1,34,33,742 samples tested has raised the testing per million for India to 9734.6.

Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has issued Guidelines for Gated Residential Complexes Desirous of Setting Up Small COVID Care Facility by Resident Welfare Associations / Residential Societies / Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs). The details can be accessed at:

https://www.mohfw.gov.in/pdf/CovidCareFacilityinGatedcomplexes.pdf

The Ministry also issued an Advisory for Gated Residential Complexes with regards to COVID-19. For details:

https://www.mohfw.gov.in/pdf/AdvisoryforRWAsonCOVID19.pdf

For all authentic & updated information on COVID-19 related technical issues, guidelines & advisories please regularly visit: https://www.mohfw.gov.in/ and @MoHFW_INDIA.

Technical queries related to COVID-19 may be sent to technicalquery.covid19@gov.in and other queries on ncov2019@gov.in and @CovidIndiaSeva .

In case of any queries on COVID-19, please call at the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare helpline no.: +91-11-23978046 or 1075 (Toll-free). List of helpline numbers of States/UTs on COVID-19 is also available at https://www.mohfw.gov.in/pdf/coronvavirushelplinenumber.pdf .

****

MV/SG

(Release ID: 1639598)

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In an operation that included fighter jets, warships and 8,000 servicemen, Taiwan conducted a five-day drill in which they repelled a simulated coastal assault. The recent military drill was a part of Taiwans largest annual live-fire exercise and comes at a time when China is beginning to exert more military pressure on the tiny island.

Read: Taiwan Readies For Hong Kong Residents' Influx As 'freedom Haven' After China's Crackdown

Taiwan thwarts 'invasion' from China

Beijing has long regarded Taiwan to be a part of China's sovereign territory and has not hidden its ambitions to take back the island. The live-fire exercise began on July 13 and was observed by Taiwanese president Tsai Ing-wen who, in a tweet later, said that the exercise demonstrated Taiwans robust military capabilities and its strong determination to resist China.

According to reports, Taiwan has existed under the threat of Chinese invasion ever since the island split from the mainland after a civil war in 1949. With the exponential growth of Chinas Peoples Liberation Army, Taiwan finds itself outgunned. Over the years, China has repeatedly tried to isolate Taiwan from the rest of the world by using its enormous influence to convince other nation-states that Taiwan is a part of China.

Read: Taiwan Conducts Live-fire Drills To Beat Hostile Forces Amid Rising Threats From China

The animosity between Taiwan and China has increased even since the election of Tsai Ing-wen in 2016, as per international media reports. Tsai Ing-wen and her party has taken a tough stance against China and has repeatedly refused to acknowledge Chinas claims that Taiwan is part of one China.

However, the military gap between China and Taiwan has only grown with rising Chines influence in the region. Moreover, western nations are unwilling to sell advanced military equipment to Taiwan as they fear incurring the wrath of China.

One of the few countries that freely trades with Taiwan in regards to military hardware is the United States. As per reports, the Trump administration recently agreed to sell Taiwan F-16s as well as other major military hardware. The US also offered to upgrade Taiwans Patriot missile systems, drawing flak from China who decided to impose sanctions on defence company Lockheed Martin in response.

Read: Taiwan Holds Military Drills Against Potential China Threat

Read: China Imposes Sanctions On US Lockheed Martin Over Arms Sales To Taiwan
An oppressive summer heat wave with "feels like" temperatures over 100 degrees is about to envelope much of the eastern half of the nation. About two dozen daily maximum heat records are in jeopardy, especially across the Northeast.

The worst of the heat will be felt across the Ohio Valley and Northeast on Sunday and into Monday, where daytime heat records may fall in Cleveland, Buffalo, Washington D.C. and Philadelphia, just to name a few.

Records that could be broken by this weekend's heat wave. / Credit: CBS News

Around 75 million people are covered by heat advisories or excessive heat watches and warnings  including Philadelphia on Sunday and Monday, where the National Weather Service warned that "Extreme heat and humidity will significantly increase the potential for heat related illnesses, particularly for those working or participating in outdoor activities."

An Excessive Heat Watch has been issued for much of the area for Sunday afternoon through Tuesday. The combination of heat and humidity may result in heat indices of 100 to 110 degrees. Stay weather aware. #pawx #njwx #dewx #mdwx pic.twitter.com/BgBrYARpJz

 NWS Mount Holly (@NWS_MountHolly) July 16, 2020

For about a week, scorching heat has been trapped across Texas and the Deep Southwest, where many temperatures at the start of the heat wave last week topped 110 degrees. But the pattern is now changing, as the lid is being pulled off the heat bubble and sweltering air is surging north and east.

Over the next week about 280 million people  87 % of the continental U.S. population  will experience high temperatures at or above 90 degrees. Because of increasing humidity, heat index numbers will top 100 for most  and for some, it will last for several days.

All areas in blue & red will see highs at or above 90 degrees over the next week. That's 87% of the continental US. It does not mean "every" day... just that during that time period the max will breach 90 at some point. But some areas will see several days+ of a #heatwave pic.twitter.com/Eo5rXsYqiq

Story continues

 Jeff Berardelli (@WeatherProf) July 17, 2020

The worst of the heat on Saturday will be found from the Plain States, Midwest, Great Lakes and Ohio Valley. The Plains will roast with highs soaring to near 105 in cities like Wichita, Kansas. With humidity factored in, Minneapolis, Omaha, Des Moines, Kansas City, St Louis and even Chicago will feel like 100 to 110 degrees.

When agriculture, like corn, adds humidity to the air  a concept called "corn sweat"  it can drastically alter localized "feels like" temperatures. Areas of the Corn Belt and along the Missouri River  where extra evaporation of moisture takes place, saturating the air  may even experience heat index numbers near 115.

On Sunday, the core of the heat will move to the east, into the Ohio Valley, Northeast and Middle Atlantic states. Once again, highs will top out well into the 90s in many areas, with "feels like" temperatures reaching 105 to 110 degrees.

Cities like Cleveland, Pittsburgh, Syracuse, Albany, New York City, Philadelphia and even just outside Boston are forecast to near or exceed 95 degrees for actual highs.

The hottest air may be found at Washington's Dulles Airport, where the mercury is expected to top out near 100 degrees on Sunday. The current record is 98 degrees, set back in 1977. Reagan National Airport just fell one day short of an all-time record streak of 21 days in a row with highs 90 degrees or higher.

But on Friday, Washington D.C. re-started the 90-degree streak  which is forecast to last, at the very least, another week or more. That's because a cold front that will help to cool down cities like Chicago and Buffalo will never reach most of the middle Atlantic.

On Monday, record highs near 100 are forecast for Washington D.C. and Philadelphia. The humidity will make it feel even hotter, with heat index numbers topping out at 110.

For those looking for a break from the summer heat, the National Weather Service is not offering much hope. The 8 to 14-day forecast calls for the likelihood of above-normal temperatures for more than two-thirds of the nation.

Remembering the life of civil rights icon John Lewis

Tributes pour in memory of Congressman John Lewis

Sweltering summer heat wave hits the Eastern U.S.
Lawyer Abraham Amaliba has accused Special Prosecutor Martin Amidu and the ruling government of masterminding an arrest warrant for Samuel Adam Mahama and three others mentioned in the Airbus bribery scandal.



The red notice alert was issued by Interpol a few days.



The NDC thinks it is much ado about nothing.



Lawyer Amaliba speaking in an interview on Kumasi-based Hello FM said "things are moving in the wrong direction for the ruling government and the only way for them is to destroy the image" of former President John Mahama



"What is the basis for a red notice alert when the person can be easily reached...we are approaching elections and the NPP knows things are not going well for them. They know the image of the former president keeps soaring and everybody knows the alternative is Mahama and so govt is behind this to create the impression that he is not the best choice".



"if not why is Martin Amidu not taking note of all the other corruption allegations. It's a grand scheme to make it look like former President Mahama is not fit for President; otherwise, you won't issue a red alert which is fake and improper" he said.



Listen to him in the video below







Source: Peacefmonline.com









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After the normalization of bilateral relations between Vietnam and the U.S. in 1995, post-war issues remain a sensitive topic.

>> Part 1: Cooperation to tackle COVID-19 pandemic

>> Part 2: A debonair 'lock breaker'

>> Part 3: The ambassadors of education

In response to the ardent support by Vietnam for the repatriation of American prisoners of war/missing in action (POW/MIA), the United States has shown good faith and dedication in resolving the legacy of the war, including issues relating to unexploded bombs and Agent Orange  the heavy-duty poison that the U.S military sprayed in Vietnam which caused long-lasting health issues to those exposed, as well as their descendants.

According to former Vietnamese Ambassador to the United States Nguyen Quoc Cuong, resolving the war legacy has become one of the biggest aspects of the Vietnam-U.S. relations over the last decades and also an issue that highlights the ability of the former enemies to reintroduce themselves to a state of friendship and partnership.

'The best ever ambassador'

It is remarkable how a tiny program we started 25 years ago to help a few people walk again, turned out to be the catalyst for tackling one of the most difficult legacies of the war and, in the process, built a whole new relationship between two former enemies, said U.S. Senator Patrick Leahy, who contributed to the tackling of war legacies in Vietnam from the American side.

Leahy first came to Vietnam in 1996 to meet with stakeholders and discuss a compromised resolution for unexploded ordnance in Vietnam.

He continued to visit Vietnam several times after being elected president pro tempore of the United States Senate in order to promote efforts aimed at dealing with the war legacy.

Leahys effort to support persons with disabilities (PWDs) in Vietnam started during the presidential term of George H.W. Bush.

In 1989, the Leahy War Victims Fund became the first American aid program to support Vietnamese people post-war, helping thousands of war victims, including the amputated, gain mobility and independency through humanitarian packages of prosthetic limbs, wheelchairs, and job training.

During his tenure as Vietnams ambassador to the U.S. from 2011 to 2014, Cuong encountered Leahy and heard an emotional story on his humanitarian aid journey in Vietnam during a ceremony held to celebrate sending wheelchairs to victims of unexploded ordnance.

One of the victims at the event asked to be lifted into the wheelchair and the U.S. senator agreed. The man then pulled Leahy close and thanked him.

Patrick Leahy said what the Vietnamese man did was a moment he could never forget, Cuong said.

This story was brought up again when Cuong visited Leady to bid farewell at the end of his term as ambassador.

There, Cuong was called a distinguished ambassador of Vietnam by the U.S. senator.

At that moment, I thanked him for the advice and encouragement, yet I referred to the amputated man who wrapped his hands and said thank you to him as the best ever ambassador of Vietnam to the U.S. He turned emotional, shook my hand, and confirmed that I was right, Cuong recounted.

The Vietnamese woman who navigated American support

Senator Leahy established a good rapport with Nguyen Thu Thao, former Vietnam country representative of the Vietnam Veterans of America Foundation (VVAF), thanks to their shared concern about dealing with war legacies in Vietnam.

Such an issue was put forward in Leahys speech at the U.S. Senate on September 16, 2010, where VVAF was exalted as an indispensable leading figure in the American effort.

Nguyen Thu Thao (second right) poses with U.S. Senator Patrick Leahy (right) and his wife Marcelle Leahy (second left) on a flight to Vietnam in 2014 in a supplied photo.

The work to mend these wounds of war came into Thaos life in a truly advertent way: right on her wedding day of November 17, 2000, she saw the televised speech of then-U.S. President Bill Clinton at Vietnam National University, Hanoi.

He was the first U.S. president to visit Vietnam during the post-war era.

We are eager to increase our cooperation with you across the board. We want to continue our work to clear land mines and unexploded ordnance, Clinton said as Thao listened.

Circa the time of Clintons visit, the 1997 Nobel Peace Prizewinning organization VVAF launched a series of surveys on unexploded ordnance in cooperation with Vietnams Ministry of National Defense.

Curious about the VVAF mission, she decided to apply to the foundation despite working well as an ethnic minority program officer of the United Nations Development Fund (UNDP) at the time.

Although having limited knowledge on ordnance remains in my homeland, [I hoped] joining this project would help me see the legacies of the war in Vietnam from a different perspective  from the other side and the trauma it left on American society, Thao said as she recalled her motivation to apply to VVAF.

In 2004, Thao went on to pursue her studies in America as a Fulbright scholar, keeping only one goal in her mind: any school is great as long as it is in Washington D.C., where the VVAF is headquartered.

Thao worked at the VVAF headquarters during the day and attended school at night. She was also tasked with accompanying Bobby Muller, the VVAF president, in meetings with political figures and local scholars, as well as hearings on Vietnam-related issues at the U.S Senate and House of Representatives.

After a year and a half in America, Thao concluded her work and returned to Vietnam. In 2006, she was contacted by Bobby Muller and commissioned to establish an Agent Orange impact-correcting program in Vietnam.

Thanks to the support of Leahy and his assistant Tim Rieser  a person with more or less affinity for Vietnam, the United States in May 2007 pledged US$3 million to correct the environmental and health damage in Agent Orange-struck territory across Vietnam.

The United States has so far invested over $100 million in the detoxification of Da Nang airport in the namesake central city and committed another $300 million to clean up Bien Hoa airport in the southern province Dong Nai.

On top of that, the U.S. has provided $125 million to support programs for PWDs in Vietnam since 1989, having impacted over one million individuals.

Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam!
Eighty-five babies have tested positive to coronavirus during an outbreak in Texas.

Nueces County public health director Annette Rodriguez told the media on Friday the babies have not even had their first birthdays yet.

Please help us to stop the spread of this disease, Ms Rodriguez said.

Stay social distanced from others; stay protected. Wear a mask when in public and for everyone else, please do your best to stay home.

Its not clear what conditions the babies are currently in.

Republican Governor Greg Abbott is also stressing the widespread use of face coverings could avoid another lockdown, which he hasnt ruled out.

People received COVID-19 testing at temporary testing site in Houston, Texas. Source: Getty Images

Texas health officials reported more than 10,000 new cases for a fifth consecutive day on Saturday and said 130 more people have died due to COVID-19, the disease caused by the virus, bringing the number of reported cases to 317,730 and the number of deaths to 3,865.

The true number of cases is likely higher because many people have not been tested, and studies suggest people can be infected and not feel sick.

For most people, the coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms that clear up within weeks.

But for others, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, the highly-contagious virus can cause severe symptoms and be fatal.

Members of the medical staff rest on a stretcher in Houston's United Memorial Medical Center. Source: Getty Images

The US surpassed 140,000 deaths from COVID-19 on Saturday (local time).

Since late June, the US has seen a resurgence in new cases and now, six weeks later, deaths have also begun rising, according to a weekly Reuters analysis of state and county data.

America is losing about 5,000 people to the virus every week. By contrast, neighbouring Canada has reported total deaths of 8,800 since the pandemic started.

In just one week, the US records about as many deaths as the 5,600 lives Sweden has lost since the pandemic began earlier this year.

In the hardest-hit US counties, officials are running out of places to store bodies as their morgues fill up.

Story continues

Arizona's Maricopa County, home to the state's largest city of Phoenix, is bringing in 14 coolers to hold up to 280 bodies and more than double morgue capacity ahead of an expected surge in coronavirus fatalities, officials said on Thursday (local time).

In Texas, the city of San Antonio and Bexar County have acquired five refrigerated trailers to store up to 180 bodies.

The appearance of such mobile morgues has fed the sense in some Southern states that the pandemic appears to be spinning out of control.

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The Indian Air Force could deploy its new Rafale fighter jets in the Ladakh sector as part of Indias overarching plan to strengthen its military posture in the region, where Indian and Chinese forces are locked in a tense border confrontation and disengagement has turned out to be a challenging process, people familiar with the developments said on Sunday, ahead of a key IAF commanders meet this week.

Acting on a special request by the IAF, France is speeding up the deliveries of Rafale fighters to India and six jets are likely to land at their home base in Ambala on July 27 --- instead of four that were originally planned to be delivered in the first batch.

Also read: Galwan braves get a pat on the back from Rajnath Singh in Ladakhs Lukung

Air and ground crews have undergone full training on the aircraft including advanced weapons systems over the last one year in France, said one of the officials cited above, speaking on the condition of anonymity.

The IAF is looking at means to operationalise the Rafale in the quickest possible time and the new fighters could be deployed wherever there is a requirement including Ladakh, he said.

The possible role of Rafale fighters could be discussed at the IAF commanders conference in New Delhi from July 22 to 24 where the air force brass is expected to focus on the ongoing border row with China, the IAFs preparedness and new purchases that have to be made to stay prepared for any eventuality, said a second official, who also spoke on condition of anonymity.

Also read: Has Modi government accepted Chinese occupation in Ladakh, asks Congress

India-specific enhancements on the jets include cold engine start capability to operate from high-altitude bases.

India ordered 36 Rafale jets from France in a deal worth Rs 59,000 crore in September 2016 as an emergency purchase to arrest the worrying slide in the air forces combat capabilities.

The arrival of the Rafale will add punch to the IAFs capability, said Air Vice Marshal Manmohan Bahadur (retd), additional director general, Centre for Air Power Studies.

For sure, there will be a period of integration with other systems, and it (Rafale) would be put to use as the operational planners deem fit, Bahadur said.

According to the original delivery schedule, the first 18 jets (including the four in the first batch) were to be delivered to the IAF by February 2021, with the rest expected in April-May 2022. Future deliveries will also being accelerated.

France handed over to India its first Rafale fighter during a ceremony attended by defence minister Rajnath Singh and his French counterpart, Florence Parly, in Merignac on October 8 last year.

In the Ladakh sector, the IAF is projecting its capability to carry out day-and-night, all-weather combat missions, with front-line fighter jets, attack helicopters and multi-mission choppers getting airborne regularly for demanding night-time missions from a forward base in the area.

Also read: Navys forward posture against PLA aggression in Ladakh muscles out Chinese threat on high seas

The air forces MiG-29 fighter jets, Sukhoi-30s, Apache AH-64E attack helicopters and CH-47F (I) Chinook multi-mission helicopters are among the platforms that are undertaking night missions in the mountainous terrain.

The Indian Rafales will be equipped with Meteor beyond-visual-range missiles whose no-escape zone is touted to be three times greater than that of current medium range air-to-air missiles.
A 16-year-old boy has died following a horror car crash on Sydney's Northern Beaches on Saturday night.

Police and emergency services were called to Caladenia Close at Elanora Heights about 11.20pm after reports a car came off the road and hit a fence.

The 16-year-old was suffering critical head injuries and received treatment from NSW Ambulance crews before he died at the scene.

He was travelling in an overloaded Holden Commodore with one female and four male teenagers at the time of the accident.

A 16-year-old passenger has died after an overloaded Holden Commodore crashed on Sydney's Northern Beaches on Saturday night. Pictured: people grieving at the scene

The four surviving passengers and 17-year-old driver on his red p-plates were taken to Royal North Hospital for precautionary checks.

The driver also underwent a blood and urine test for drugs and alcohol.

The Crash Investigation Unit have spent the morning analysing the crash site, with Caladenia Close expected to be closed for a few hours.

Police have urged anyone with information on the crash to come forward.
Mass rallies challenging the Kremlin rocked Russias Far East city of Khabarovsk again on Saturday, as tens of thousands took to the streets to protest the arrest of the regions governor on charges of involvement in multiple murders.

The massive unauthoritized crowds gathered despite local officials attempts to discourage people from taking to the streets, citing the coronavirus epidemic and an alleged averted terrorist threat.

Local media estimated the rally in the city 3,800 miles east of Moscow drew 15,000 to 50,000 people, while city authorities put the number at 10,000. Hundreds of people have rallied in the city every day this week against the arrest of Sergei Furgal, reflecting widespread anger over the arrest of the popular governor and a simmering discontent with the Kremlins policies.

Furgal, the Khabarovsk region governor, was arrested on July 9 and flown to Moscow where he was put in jail for two months. Russias Investigative Committee says he is suspected of involvement in several murders of businessmen in 2004 and 2005.

Furgal has denied the charges, which relate to his time as a businessman importing consumer goods ranging from timber and metals. Khabarovsk residents dismissed the charges against him as unsubstantiated and denounced the Kremlin for targeting a governor they elected.

Its not only about this (whether Furgal arrest is legal or not). People are fed up with the way we are treated, that they can simply take away our choice, protester Mikhail Yerashchenko told The Associated Press on Saturday.

A member of the nationalist Liberal Democratic Party, Furgal was elected governor in 2018, defeating the Kremlin-backed incumbent. His victory was unexpected: Furgal didnt actively campaign and toed the Kremlins line, publicly supporting his rival.

People voted for him nonetheless, delivering a humiliating blow to the main Kremlin party, United Russia, that has been losing seats in regional governments over the past two years.

During his two years in office, Furgal has earned a reputation of being the peoples governor. He cut his own salary, ordered the sale of an expensive yacht that the previous administration bought, met with protesters when rallies happened and significantly reduced flight fares for residents in remote areas.

Furgal became a political symbol for the residents of the region, and all accusations  no matter how grave  are from another, non-political dimension, political analyst Abbas Gallyamov said in a Facebook post.

Last Saturday, crowds of reportedly up to 35,000 people rallied in Khabarovsk. Protesters demanded that Furgals trial be moved to Khabarovsk, with one saying we have elected him and its up to us to judge him. Some questioned the timing of the arrest, pointing to Furgals decade-long stint as a lawmaker in the Russian parliament before running for governor, during which the murder charges never came up.

The unauthorised protests are the largest ever in Khabarovsk, a city of 590,000. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov called the situation not standard this week. Moscow has not yet appointed an acting governor 11 days after Furgals arrest.

Police didnt interfere with Saturdays rally. Protesters held banners demanding Furgals freedom and chanted I, you, he and she  the entire country is for Furgal.

Smaller rallies in support of Furgal also took place Saturday in Komsomolsk-on-Amur, another big city in the Khabarovsk region, and in the city of Vladivostok in the neighbouring Primorye region.

Though Im almost 70, I worry sincerely about my region, about Russia and our nation, about Furgal and freedom. I want us to be free, Alla Sokolova, a protester in Khabarovsk, told the AP. (AP) MRJ

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The Hindu nationalist government recently amended Indias laws in a way that critics say blatantly discriminates against Muslims, giving a fast track to citizenship for migrants who are Hindu or members of five religious minorities  but not Muslim migrants. The law is one reason Muslims feel increasingly demonized and marginalized in India, though they are the second-largest religious group, making up one-seventh of the population.

The status of Afghan religious minorities is more uncertain than ever, as the United States withdraws troops after more than 18 years and the Taliban, who ruled oppressively in the 1990s, prepare for talks with the government over power-sharing.

The battlefield has grown more chaotic, joined by more extreme groups such as a branch of the Islamic State which specifically target vulnerable minorities.

The Hindu and Sikh communities in Afghanistan once numbered in the tens, if not the hundreds, of thousands, with well-established businesses and high-ranking positions in the government. But nearly all have fled to India, Europe, or North America over decades of war and persecution.

In the eastern province of Nangarhar, only 45 families remain from thousands before. In Paktia, another eastern province, only a single family remains  Jagmohan Singh, an herbal doctor, and his wife and two of their children. Their other two children have already decamped for Kabul.

A few decades back, there were around 3,000 families of Hindus and Sikhs in different areas and districts of Paktia, Dr. Singh said. Except my family, all of them fled.

As their numbers have shrunk, Hindus and Sikhs in Afghanistan often live in the same large compounds and sometimes also share a place of worship.
Outfielder Jon Jay will be part of the Diamondbacks 30-man roster on Opening Day, the team announced. A future transaction will need to take place to officially select Jays minor league deal to the active roster, but the 35-year-old will be on pace to play in his 11th Major League season.

As per the terms of the contract Jay signed with Arizona in February, making the MLB roster will guarantee him the prorated portion of a $1.5MM salary. Prior to the league shutdown, Jay was already making a strong case for himself by posting a .947 OPS over 28 Spring Training plate appearances, though Jays ability to play all three outfield positions is probably more of a factor than a bat that has been increasingly shaky in regular-season action.

Jay hit .267/.311/.315 over 182 PA with the White Sox last season, though he was slowed by hip problems that eventually required surgery last August. Overall, Jay generated a negative (-0.9) fWAR, thanks in large part to his struggles against right-handed pitching  over his career, the left-handed hitting Jay has been a decent (.286/.348/.389) if unspectacular performer against righties.

Jay and Tim Locastro will be Arizonas primary backup outfielders behind the starting trio of David Peralta, Starling Marte, and Kole Calhoun. Second-year player Josh Rojas still has a shot at making the team as a utility player, while Ketel Marte may get the occasional start in center field when he isnt in his primary second base spot. Trayce Thompson is also still an option for the outfield, though he was sent to the Diamondbacks minor league camp today.
A fast-rising tide of new coronavirus cases is flooding emergency rooms in parts of the United States, with some patients moved into hallways and nurses working extra shifts to keep up with the surge.

Patients struggling to breathe are being placed on ventilators in emergency wards since intensive care units are full, officials say, and the near-constant care they require is overtaxing workers who also are treating more typical ER cases like chest pains, infections and fractures.

In Texas, Dr. Alison Haddock of the Baylor College of Medicine said the current situation is worse than after Hurricane Harvey, which swamped Houston with floodwaters in 2017. The state reported a new daily record for virus deaths Friday and more than 10,000 confirmed cases for the fourth consecutive day.

"I've never seen anything like this COVID surge," said Haddock, who has worked in emergency rooms since 2007. "We're doing our best, but we're not an ICU."

Patients are waiting "hours and hours" to get admitted, she said, and the least sick people are lying in beds in halls to make room for most seriously ill.

Around Seattle, which was the nation's first hot spot for the virus that causes COVID-19, a new wave of patients is showing up at emergency departments, nurse Mike Hastings said.

"What's really frustrating from my side of it is when a patient comes into the emergency department, and is not really having symptoms of COVID, but they feel like they need that testing," said Hastings, who works at an area hospital and is president of the Emergency Nurses Association. "Sometimes we're not able to test them because we don't have enough test supplies, so we're only testing a certain set of patients."

In Florida, another state that is seeing surging case numbers, hospitals say they are in desperate need of remdesivir  a medication that has been shown to shorten average hospitalization times  to treat the coronavirus patients who are filling up beds.

In response, Gov. Ron DeSantis announced 30,000 vials of the drug were being shipped to the state  enough to treat about 5,000 patients.

On Saturday, Florida reported more than 10,200 new cases of the virus and 90 additional deaths, while Missouri recorded a pandemic-high 958 new cases in one day. Arizona, which conducts periodic reviews of death certificates, reclassified 106 deaths as having been from COVID-19, bringing the number of fatalities reported Saturday to 147.

Confirmed coronavirus cases around the world have surpassed 14 million, and deaths neared 600,000, according to a tally from Johns Hopkins University. On Saturday, the World Health Organization, which also tracks the virus, reported a single-day record of new infections  over 259,000 worldwide  for the second day in a row. The true toll of the pandemic is thought to be even higher, in part because of shortages in testing and shortcomings in data collection.

Special Investigation 147 NY dams are 'unsound,' potentially dangerous Thousands of dams have not been inspected in over 20 years.

The United States, Brazil and India top the list of cases. South Africa  with more than 350,000 cases, roughly half of all confirmed infections in Africa  was poised to join the top five countries most affected by the pandemic.

In the United States, where infections are soaring in many Sunbelt states, Megan Jehn, associate professor of epidemiology at Arizona State Universtiy in Tempe, said it's important to monitor emergency room visits since increases there can signal the virus is spreading more rapidly.

But it's difficult to get a complete picture of how emergency rooms are faring in many places. In Arizona, one of the few states that reports data on visits to the emergency room by people with confirmed or suspected COVID-19 symptoms, numbers started to spike in early June and peaked earlier this month. More than 2,000 people went to an ER with symptoms on a single day, July 7.

On Friday, COVID-19-related hospitalization figures for Arizona were near but below recent records set after the state became a national hot spot.

Burnout could await these health workers, as it did some in New York City, when it was the epicenter of the nation's outbreak in the spring.

ER doctors and nurses were caught off guard by the relentless stream of severely sick patients during shifts that often lasted 12 hours, said Dr. Bernard P. Chang of New York-Presbyterian/Columbia University Medical Center.

"It was a brutal, sustained battle."
Many government employees are working from home these days, and since telephones work perfectly fine in peoples homes and one cannot catch the virus by answering calls - the fact that no one in government is answering telephone calls any longer leads me to believe some are using the epidemic as an excuse not to work.

I realize there are many complications and difficulties and it is awkward and complex for government workers to suddenly be expected to perform their jobs from their kitchen table -- granted -- but government offices answering the telephone should not be a thing of the past -- not even now.

That New York City keeps the telephone numbers of its agencies a secret from the public (whose taxes fund those agencies) is also ridiculous. Citizens left listening to 10 minutes of recorded messages at 311 only to be eventually told by an operator that there is no way to reach the agency you seek is absurd, and it strains credulity when elected officials claim they have no way to reach any agency except through some website.

That simply cannot be true. If Borough Hall or the mayors office wants to speak to the Department of Finance, are we really expected to believe they go hunting around the internet for a website? Cmon.

(David Carnivale is a Richmond resident.)
Foreigners wait at the Immigration Bureau's temporary office at the Central Investigation Bureau Building

in Muang Thong Thani last week, seeking visa extensions after the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted their travel plans.

(Photo: Thai Immigration Bureau)

Foreign tourists who are unable to leave Thailand would be given a grace period from August 1 to September 26 to apply to stay for a specified period, said Pol Lt Gen Sompong Chingduang, the bureau commissioner.

However, if they do not obtain extensions and are still in the country after September 26, they would face legal action and be blacklisted, Bangkok Post reported.

He urged foreigners to contact the bureau as soon as possible to prepare for their next steps in order to avoid crowding as the September 26 deadline approaches.

Foreign visitors must specify their reasons and submit necessary documents when seeking to renew short-term visas, which will be granted for 30 days, he said.

If they are unable to return because there are no flights or due to lockdown measures in their countries, they must submit proof. The granting of a short-stay visa will be made on a case-by-case basis.

He said the bureau had asked the Council of State about the proposed short stay and it had advised that the Interior Ministry could issue an announcement.

He said the Interior Ministry's visa relief measures for foreign visitors would be submitted to the cabinet for approval next week. The bureau would later issue guidelines on how to apply for a visa extension.

He estimated that between 300,000 and 400,000 foreigners were stranded in the kingdom due to the lockdown./.
The Ili family poses outside their Long Beach condo. From left are Taylor, 22; Aoga, 46; Lina, 46; and Pele, 26. Taylor, Aoga and Lina were all hospitalized with the coronavirus in a matter of days. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

It was still early in California's coronavirus outbreak when Lina Ili started feeling the symptoms that would soon turn her familys life upside down.

Coughing and running a fever, she holed up inside the bedroom of her Long Beach home for weeks. But breathing grew increasingly difficult, Ili, 46, said. "You couldnt even lie down because it felt like a heaviness on your chest.

On April 5, her husband, Aoga Ili Jr., decided it was time to take her to a hospital, where she tested positive for COVID-19.

The next day, her 22-year-old son, Taylor, was hospitalized. A few days later, her husband was too. In a matter of days, three of the five members of their household were put in the intensive care unit. Lina had it worst and spent four days on a ventilator.

I wouldnt wish it upon my worst enemy, she said. Just as simple a thing as to breathe, I dont take it for granted anymore.

The Ilis, whose parents came from Samoa more than 40 years ago, are among nearly 1,400 Californians with ancestry in Hawaii, Samoa, Fiji, Tonga and other Pacific islands who have been infected with the coronavirus, which is sickening and killing members of the small but close-knit community in disproportionate numbers.

In L.A. County, Pacific Islanders suffer the highest infection rate of any racial or ethnic group, more than 2,500 per 100,000 residents. That's six times higher than for white people, five times higher than for Black people and three times higher than for Latinos, according to county health demographic data that exclude Long Beach and Pasadena, which have their own health departments.

Health experts say the reasons are similar to why Black people and Latinos are falling ill and dying at higher rates: reduced access to healthcare; higher levels of poverty; crowded housing; multigenerational households that make it more difficult to physically distance or quarantine; and higher rates of underlying health conditions that increase risk for severe illness from COVID-19, such as heart and lung disease, asthma and diabetes. Many Pacific Islanders also work in front-line jobs, such as food service, hospitality and healthcare, at which they are more likely to contract the virus and bring it home.

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But community leaders say there are other factors that are unique to the culture of Pacific Islanders, and they say that public health officials have failed to adequately address them.

Among these factors are cultural traditions that center on large family gatherings, in-person church services, funerals and birthday celebrations that, in some cases, have continued despite orders to maintain social distance. Leaders in the Pacific Islander community say also that a cultural stigma associated with a positive diagnosis may be facilitating the spread of the virus.

The shame factor of it is real, said Dr. Raynald Samoa, an endocrinologist at City of Hope in Duarte who battled COVID-19 himself. People are not getting their families tested. Theyre not speaking out, theyre not getting identified because theyre afraid that theyre going to have to stay home from work or that its going to negatively impact their family.

Samoa has helped raise awareness by speaking about his experience in Facebook videos and other appearances and urging Pacific Islanders to take the virus seriously and heed health guidelines.

Samoa faulted health officials for taking no proactive measures to reduce rates of transmission and infection in Pacific Islander communities.

I wish there were things in place, but there was nothing, Samoa said. That left it to Pacific Islander groups to assemble their own COVID-19 response team, devise their own strategy and messaging based on past work with chronic diseases such as diabetes and cancer, and push the county to use it.

California is home to nearly 317,000 Pacific Islanders, and more than 55,000 of them reside in Los Angeles County, according to census data that include people who identify as multiracial, which is common in the community.

Statewide, Pacific Islanders have experienced infections and deaths at higher rates than most other groups, but the disparities arent as pronounced as they are in L.A. County. Their statewide infection rate is three times higher than that of white Californians, and 20% higher than Latinos' infection rate, while their death rate is nearly 60% higher than that of white people but lower than that of Black residents.

Although numbers remain small overall  California has reported 35 deaths and 1,389 confirmed cases among Pacific Islanders as of July 15  they reveal an outsize toll on a community that already experiences higher rates of underlying health conditions. Sixteen Pacific Islander residents in L.A. County have died, for a rate of 83 per 100,000 people  twice as high as white and Latino county residents.

Health officials say they are not surprised by the high rates of illness.

Sadly, these disparities are consistent with other health disparities we see and reflect deeply rooted and pervasive inequities in our society that are in part fueled by racism, xenophobia, and a lack of opportunities and resources to support optimal health, Natalie Jimenez, a spokeswoman for the L.A. County Department of Public Health, said in an email.

The county health department has examined statistics on Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders "from the beginning of the COVID epidemic" but did not initially report them to protect confidentiality "due to the low numbers of reported cases and deaths," Jimenez said.

Local health officials began releasing data on infections and deaths among Pacific Islanders at the urging of community groups that saw a lack of targeted response. Pacific Islander leaders began pushing officials, county by county, to release data on their community rather than lump them together with Asians.

In L.A. County, health officials began publishing those numbers in late April, two days after Pacific Islander groups requested them in a Zoom meeting.

Jimenez said that the reason we began publishing the disaggregated data was that, based on the communitys input and the unprecedented threat posed by the COVID epidemic, we felt that the benefits outweighed the risks of posting the statistics.

Those statistics have been crucial for getting people in the community to take the threat seriously, said 'Alisi Tulua, a program manager with the Orange County Asian and Pacific Islander Community Alliance, which pushed for their release. Weve been using the data as our biggest, most convincing talking point.

With the partial reopening and recent surge in cases, however, community groups and faith leaders fear they'll only see the trend compounded as waves of the virus spread through their families and churches.

"Our community is back to work and more exposed. So its going to be twice as hard to quarantine and try to get tested," Tulua said. "While its flattening for other people, its still climbing in our community. If we bring it home, maybe were OK, but our parents will suffer. And if were not careful, were going to kill off a whole generation of our people."

Pastor Kitione Tuitupou, left, livestreams services from inside First United Methodist Church of Bellflower, whose congregation of about 100 is majority Tongan. (Christina House / Los Angeles Times)

Jimenez said the L.A. County health department has been working with Pacific Islander groups for a few months to create "culturally relevant and sensitive materials" that resonate with the community. That includes tailored outreach with educational graphics that will be shared on social media in the Tongan, Samoan, Chamorro and Marshallese languages, public service announcement videos featuring Tongan, Samoan and Chamorro community leaders and photos of Pacific Islander families wearing masks. Those materials are being distributed to community leaders, she said.

Because health officials had not yet released data on Pacific Islanders, the Ilis didnt know their community was seeing higher rates of coronavirus infection when they started getting sick.

The oldest son, Pele Ili, 26, quickly became the only healthy adult in his household, and suddenly found himself the caretaker for his whole family, tending to his sick parents and brother while trying to protect his 12-year-old brother, Solo, from falling ill too.

On Easter Sunday, Pele, a service manager at a payroll company who also blogs, posted about his familys experience on Instagram in an effort to get others to take the stay-at-home orders seriously.

I was naive to think this couldnt touch my family. I was ignorant to think that me feeling healthy meant that I was okay to attend a few small gatherings but little did I know my house was compromised, Pele wrote on April 12. ... This could happen anywhere, anytime, and to anyone whenever youre not home. No one is above this.

Being outspoken was important to combat the stigma, Pele later said. "Pacific Islanders have this sense of pride, where they can take care of themselves and they want to keep everything in house, you know, just to not draw as much attention on our family."

He documented his family's ordeal, shooting extensive video and posting it on YouTube, and now looks back on it as one of the most overwhelming and emotional times of his life.

"There were times where I didn't know if they were ever gonna come back out," he said. "They could barely talk. And I think the hardest part was just not knowing what was going to happen."

Dr. Samoa and other leaders worry that, in addition to being exposed to the virus at the workplace, people are being exposed to COVID-19 at churches that are the heart of many Pacific Islander communities.

Although some have taken health precautions, others have seemingly ignored them, including one church that held an in-person fundraiser last month that was also streamed online, Samoa said. I didnt see a mask in that place, and the social distancing was minimal.

Churches are where people congregate; its the village center, Samoa said. So if the village leadership is not promoting safe behaviors, then the community suffers.

Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, First United Methodist Church of Bellflower Pastor Kitione Tuitupou now livestreams Sunday services. (Christina House / Los Angeles Times)

The Rev. Kitione Tuitupou, pastor of First United Methodist Church of Bellflower, a multiethnic congregation of about 100 people that is majority Tongan, has been playing it safe, livestreaming Sunday services since stay-at-home orders were issued in March.

Although people are eager to return, they are also fearful, he said. "Peoples faith really holds them up at this time. So even though they really want to come back to church, we remind them to be patient."

For the Ilis, the sudden suspension of in-person gatherings has been difficult and isolating.

They had to halt their weekly attendance at St. Cornelius Church and the meals they shared with extended family afterward in favor of a livestreamed Mass. Yet theyve adopted new traditions to stay connected, like a 5:30 p.m. Zoom prayer hour with out-of-state family members.

"Were learning to be creative," Pele said.

Lina Ili, now recovered, to this day doesn't know where she contracted the virus but is still dealing with the stigma.

People are still kind of afraid to be in the same area as us, she said. But, at this point, she said she only regretted trying to fight off the illness at home for too long.

She, like her oldest son, now speaks at webinars urging other Pacific Islanders who may be feeling symptoms to get tested and seek medical help.

The hardest part for our culture is admitting you need help, Lina said. You could be helping someone else, or saving a life.
Once they made for a quintessential A-lister couple of Hollywood who would give goals to fans and peers alike. It was four years ago, when their marriage hit the roof and took an ugly turn. It made for a mud-slinging fest which left many jaws on the floor.



the blast

It hit another low when Amber accused Depp of physical and mental abuse, which he vehemently denied. Four years after their divorce, this duo locked horns at a public legal battle.

New details have emerged in Johnny Depp-Amber Heards much publicized libel case. According to details revealed in the court during the actors defamation lawsuit against The Sun, The Hollywood Reporter, in its detailed feature, has chronicled details from the 132-page ruling from Justice Andew Nicol.

According to the same, Depp had texted his sister Christi Dembrowski, a movie producer with some influence at Warner Bros, to get Amber Heard axed from Aquaman.

I want her replaced on the WB film, the message read, which Depp admitted he sent while in court.

In the 2 November ruling, Justice Nicol sided with Heard over claims that Depp had assaulted her on multiple occasions, and made her fear for her life, calling the article in question 'substantially true'.

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The ruling might not have come out in his favour but Depp hasnt given up yet. He is heading to the U.K. Court Of Appeal in a bid to overturn a High Court verdict last month which was in favour of The Sun that described him as a wife-beater.



As per an application with the Court Of Appeal, spotted by Press Association, Johnny Depp will continue a legal wrangle.

While its too soon to pick a side, most people stand neutral in this regard and are following every update that has been coming out. Heres a timeline of their relationship:

2009

Depp and Heard first caught each others fancy on the sets of The Rum Diary, in which they played each others love interests. Soon after, this duo had a whirlwind love affair.

2012

Almost three years after their first movie collaboration, Johnny and Amber started dating officially soon after Depps split with Vanessa Paradis, who was his partner of 14 years and the mother of his children. In an interview with Rolling Stone, he had said spoken about his split with Paradis,

The last couple years have been a bit bumpy At times, certainly unpleasant, but thats the nature of breakups, I guess, especially when there are kiddies involved.

screen Greek

Vanessa and Johnny together had Lily-Rose Depp, 21, and John Christopher Depp III, 18.

After being tight-lipped about Amber, he made his relationship public with their first official appearance at the Heaven Gala in 2014.

2014

It didnt take them long to announce their engagement, once they made their relationship public. A source cited by People Magazine revealed,

Of course, they couldnt be happier to be engaged and excited to share the rest of their lives together. Amber has really taken well to the kids and really enjoys spending time with them. And shes even taken Lily shopping on her own for some bonding time.

2015

Johnny Depp and Amber Heard entered holy matrimony on the private island of the actor in the Bahamas on February 5, 2015. It was an intimate and private ceremony attended by only close friends and relatives.

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The newly wedded bliss didnt last long as trouble started brewing soon after they got hitched. According to a report by Variety, Depp suffered a hand injury while filming Pirates Of The Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales in Australia. Depp reportedly received the injury during an argument with Heard.

According to reports, Depp got into an argument with his then wife Amber and ended up smashing bottles, windows and other glass items around their house. This resulted in slicing off a portion of one of his fingers. Instead of immediately seeking medical attention for his finger, Depp allegedly stuck the stump in a can of paint and used it to write Billy Bob and Easy Amber on a mirror, referring to Depps accusations that Heard cheated on him with her London Fields co-star Billy Bob Thornton.

2016

15 months after they tied the knot, the couple headed for divorce. According to Vanity Fair, Heard cited irreconcilable differences while filing for divorce. Following this, Amber Heard also filed a temporary restraining order against Depp, forbidding the actor to go within 100 yards of her.

showbiz cheat sheet

The divorce was settled almost immediately after reaching a $7 million settlement, which Heard went on to donate to the Childrens Hospital Los Angeles and the American Civil Liberties Union.

2017 - 2018

Johnny and Amber went their separate ways and it seemed like things got over for the better. Turned out it was just a lull before the raging storm. Unbeknownst to many, Heard was romantically involved with Billionaire and founder of Tesla and SpaceX Elon Musk. Their affair was short lived and in August 2017, Amber shared on social media that the couple had broken up but would remain close.

Amber then stirred a storm when she wrote an op-ed piece for The Washington Post titled

I Spoke Up Against Sexual Violence  And Faced Our Cultures Wrath. That Has To Change.

us weekly

In this piece, she wrote about receiving death threats and her career taking a big hit. However, she never mentioned Johnny Depp directly while detailing her harrowing experiences of abuse. It didnt take long for people to interpret her piece as being in reference to him because of the wide media coverage of their split.

Two years ago, I became a public figure representing domestic abuse, and I felt the full force of our cultures wrath for women who speak out. Friends and advisers told me I would never again work as an actress  that I would be blacklisted. A movie I was attached to recast my role. I had just shot a two-year campaign as the face of a global fashion brand, and the company dropped me. . . . I had the rare vantage point of seeing, in real time, how institutions protect men accused of abuse,  she wrote.

2019

After her op-ed got enough limelight and virality, Depp filed a $50 million lawsuit against Heard for defamation, arguing that the claims she made were categorically false, and that the op-ed was written to generate positive publicity for Heard and advance her career.

Depps lawyers stated in the complaint that the op-ed depended on the central premise that Ms. Heard was a domestic abuse victim and that Mr. Depp perpetrated domestic violence against her, a premise they described as categorically false.

agencies

They argued that Heard was the one who had actually abused Depp, referring to an incident she previously referred to as self-defense. Depp also blamed Heard and her op-ed for Disney dropping him from the Pirates franchise four days after it was published.

Depp's legal team also suggested that the op-ed was released to promote Heards film Aquaman which was released just three days after the piece was published.

In her motion to dismiss, Heard stated a declaration citing that Depp began to hit her about a year into their relationship, when she began to witness him abusing drugs and alcohol or would notice that he was drunk or high. She detailed more than a dozen instances of alleged abuse, ranging from late 2012 to the May 2016 incident that directly preceded the divorce filing. She sometimes referred to Depp as the Monster.

2020

This year in February, Depp attended a preliminary hearing for the libel trial at the High Court in London. In this trial, the text messages that Depp sent to actor Paul Bettany in 2013 were read out. One of them said, Lets burn Amber. Another read: Lets drown her before we burn her!!! I will f*** her burnt corpse afterwards to make sure she is dead.

farm week

The 3-week hearing for Johnnys libel case against The Sun is underway in London. The 57-year-old actor is suing the tabloids publisher News Group Newspapers (NGN) over an article which called him a wife beater which he strenuously denies. Here is everything that we know so far:

1. Amber Heards diary entry was read aloud in the court which described their alleged terrible fight on a train during their honeymoon. According to Press Association, Heard wrote: Our fight was terrible. Johnny at one point found himself with his shirt wrapped around my neck. Amazing to think about (the) precision, co-ordination that required considering the close circumstances I dont even know how I wound up with this huge, rather annoying knot on the back of my head. F*ck, I hate that. She added: We finally fell asleep with one another smashed together in desperate, childlike anger, fear and love.

2. Shedding light on the accident where he lost his finger tip, Johnny Depps bodyguard told the trial court that one of the first things Depp said to him as they stood outside a rental property before going to hospital was: Shes just cut my finger off. When asked if he had ever seen or heard Johnny raising his hand on Amber, he insisted that it never happened, he said, I would not tolerate any man striking a woman. No matter who he is. Not even if he is my boss. Not even if he is the pope.

3. According to Depp, the couple separated after an argument that followed Heards 30th birthday party in April 2016. He had attended a meeting before the party began because he had been told that his former business managers had stolen my money. Asked how much was stolen, Depp said this is a ludicrous amount to have to state, its quite embarrassing  apparently I had made $650 million, much of it through his involvement with the Pirates of the Caribbean films. In addition to losing 650 million dollars, Depp was $100 million in the hole because I had not paid the government my taxes for 17 years.

the jakarta post

Once the party got over, he went to bed and Heard accused him of ruining her birthday dinner before throwing a haymaker at him. A haymaker is a type of a wild swing, a roundhouse punch  effective if it reaches the target, Depp said.

As per court documents, details of sex scenes Amber Heard was to play on screen were kept from her husband, Johnny Depp. The Pirates of the Caribbean star, who admitted to having jealous feelings, told the judge hearing his London libel case against the Sun that he was uncomfortable with the idea of her doing nudity.

When Asked whether he interfered with his wifes film contracts, Depp replied: She was upset that she was being objectified and she wanted to do deeper material, more profound, something where she could show her abilities as an actress.

4. Johnny Depp's former estate manager told the High Court how he found a piece of the actor's finger following a now infamous argument with Amber Heard in Australia.

5. Depps former staffer Ben Kings written statement said that he never saw the actor "be violent or unkind towards Ms Heard, or indeed towards anyone else".

6. On the fiasco when Depp allegedly found poop in his bed in 2016, Kevin Murphy, the house manager, told court that Amber Heard told him that it was "a harmless prank".

7. Alejandro Romero, a concierge at the Los Angeles building where Johnny Depp and Amber Heard lived, testified that tech billionaire Elon Musk visited Heard regularly late at night from March 2015, while she was married to Depp. Heard and the Tesla founder had a relationship after she and Depp separated.

insider

From March 2015 onwards, Ms Heard was visited regularly late at night, at around 11pm to midnight, by Mr Elon Musk. For his initial visits, I would receive a call from Ms Heard who would tell me to give Mr Musk access to the garage for the building and then send him up to the penthouse, the statement read, as per Deadline. After he had made a few visits, Ms Heard provided Mr Musk with his own garage remote and a fob to Mr Depps penthouse. I believe he visited Ms Heard a few times a week and he would always visit when Mr Depp was not at home.

8. As per a report by BBC, Depps former girlfriend, Winona Ryder who was in a relationship with him for over four years said in a video testimony,

the independent

"I understand that it is very important that I speak from my own experience, as I obviously was not there during his marriage to Amber, but, from my experience, which was so wildly different, I was absolutely shocked, confused and upset when I heard the accusations against him.

"The idea that he is an incredibly violent person is the farthest thing from the Johnny I knew and loved.

"I cannot wrap my head around these accusations. He was never, never violent towards me. He was never, never abusive at all towards me. He has never been violent or abusive towards anybody I have seen."

9. In her witness statement, musician, actress and model Vanessa Paradis said she had known Mr Depp for more than 25 years - including 14 years when they were partners and raised their two children together.





ABC

"Through all these years I've known Johnny to be a kind, attentive, generous and non-violent person and father," she said according to a BBC Report.

"I have seen that these outrageous statements have been really distressing, and also caused damage to his career because unfortunately people have gone on believing these false facts," she further added.

The trial of Johnny Depp's libel case is underway and this week will see Amber Heard taking the stand and testifying her claims.
Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal has stated that he was personally monitoring the work to clear water logging from capital roads that resulted in the death of at least one person, allegedly due to drowning at the Minto road overbridge Sunday morning. Kejriwal said that the civic agencies were busy fighting coronavirus this year and therefore it was not the time for blame game over the issue.

Road under the Minto bridge has been cleared of water logging. I was in contact with agencies since morning and was monitoring the process of removing water. We are keeping an eye on more such places in Delhi. Wherever there is water logging, it is being pumped out immediately, Kejriwal tweeted.

Earlier this morning, the body of a 60-year-old man was found floating under the Minto bridge around 10 am. Police said the man could have drowned while trying to take his tempo through the water logged underpass.

Kundans body was discovered by a trackman working at New Delhi railway station yard, who fished it out.

Delhi fire service officials quoted by the news agency claimed they had saved 10 lives this morning from water logging while responding to distress calls.

Three people were saved in the ITO area, six people were saved near Zakhira Flyover and one person was saved at Lawrence Road, ANI quoted Delhi fire service as saying.

Kundans death had earlier raised questions if civic bodies had done enough work to prevent occurrence of such events. North Delhi mayor Jai Prakash had attacked the Delhi government on the issue.

Such incidents will continue to occur until the Delhi government gets rid of its irresponsible attitude, ANI quoted him as saying. He added that the government should ensure that such incidents dont happen again.

Aam Aadmi Party leader Sanjay Singh later said that the MCD had the largest responsibility for clearing the drains. MCD is controlled by the BJP.

Three agencies-- MCD, PWD and Jal Boardare responsible for clearing drains. The biggest share of responsibility among these lies with the MCD. Nobody had any idea that it would rain so much suddenly. Mistakes should be rectified. This time is not a blame game, Sanjay Singh said.

Deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia, too, reacted little later and said that all agencies including the PWD (public works department), Delhi jal board (DJB), Delhi Municipal Corporation (MCD) and the flood department were working to deal with the problem.

Some part of our management was busy with Coved 19 but we are doing the needful. CM Arvind Kejriwal is monitoring the situation personally, he was quoted as saying.

Kejriwal, too, claimed that preoccupation with battling coronavirus could have left some gaps in preparation for the Monsoon rains.

This year all the agencies, whether under Delhi government or MCD, were busy with Coronavirus containment. They have faced several difficulties due to the Corona crisis. This is not the time for a blame game. All have to come together and act responsibly. We will try to clear up all areas that report water logging, he tweeted.

Three people had to be rescued by the fire service department after it received an SOS call about a DTC bus and two autorickshaws being submerged in the water-logged Minto road underpass this morning.

Overnight rains led to water logging at several stretches including Azadpur underpass, South Avenue road, Pul Prahladpur underpass, Paharganj side of New Delhi railway station, Moolchand underpass and near Batra Hospital, among others.
As the arrest of four people sheds light on the case of vandalisation of Buddha's statue, PM Imran Khan's Pakistan gets exposed on its attempts to demolish minority rights and unleashing a militaristic radicalisation of its society.

The vandalisation of the ancient Buddha statue prompted by the Pakistan Army has brought much embarrassment for the Imran Khan-led government.

Four persons have been arrested in countrys northwest Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province for smashing the ancient Buddha statue found during construction work in the Takhtbhai area of Mardan.

The military has actively promoted radicalisation of society in Pakistan to serve its purpose. This has left little space for people of other religion or for people with moderate views in Pakistan.

According to a Dawn report, the viral video showed a man breaking the statue with a sledgehammer, parts of which were still embedded underground even as others can be seen looking on as the statue is being destroyed. Some were seen making videos of the incident.

Also read: Kanye West to hold first presidential campaign rally on Sunday

Also read: Exiled Tibetans hold anti-China protests in Dharamshala

Dr Abdul Samad, KP director archaeology and museums, termed the destruction of the statue a crime and said disrespecting any religion is intolerable. Dawn quoted him as saying that the statue belonged to Gandhara civilisation and was approximately 1700 years old.

Pakistan has shared trouble relationship with minorities, who are subjected to oppression in the country often with the tacit support of the authorities.

Recently construction of a temple in Islamabad was stopped under pressure from Islamists.

The new temple planned for Islamabad, the citys first, was supposed to be a symbol of tolerance. Instead, violence and controversy have turned it into an emblem of Pakistans troubled relationship with its religious minorities.

Several Muslim clerics ruled that no Hindu temple should be built because Pakistan is a Muslim country.

Also read: Nepal to initiate talks with India on flooding issue

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New York, July 19 : A team of researchers has for the first time discovered hybrid fungus involved in lung infections and are investigating the role of fungi in Covid-19.

Several Covid-19 patients have died owing to concomitant infection by Aspergillus.

Aspergillus latus, a species of fungus previously found only in soil or plants, has been found for the first time in a hospital environment by an international group of researchers.

The group sequenced its genome and discovered that it is actually a hybrid and is up to three times more drug-resistant than the two species from which it derives.

In collaboration with German researchers, Gustavo Henrique Goldman, a professor in University of Sao Paulo in Brazil with Antonis Rokas, a professor at Vanderbilt University in the US, are now assembling samples of fungi present in the lungs of Covid-19 patients.

The aim is to investigate how these organisms can aggravate their condition as a basis for developing strategies to avoid and combat infections, said the study published in the journal Current Biology.

Aspergillosis is a lung disease caused by fungi of this genus, especially A.fumigatus, which is widely found in plants and soil.

"In about 90 per cent of cases, infection by Aspergillus is caused by A.fumigatus, but in some human genetic diseases, A.nidulans is a more frequent cause.

"To our surprise, six out 10 samples contained a fungus that had never before been found to infect people," said Goldman.

The fungus gains significant advantages from being a hybrid.

"We currently have four strains that were isolated from patients who died of COVID-19 in Europe and will sequence their genomes to identify the species and see if they're favoured by the disease,a informed Goldman.

Cases of concomitant COVID-19 and infection by fungi of the genus Aspergillus evidence the importance of knowing more about these microorganisms.

For example, A. fumigatus is found worldwide and capable of surviving under extreme conditions, such as temperatures of up to 70 degree Cencius and a scarcity of nutrients. It can even extract food from water.

"We've now brought to light another feature of the genus, which is the formation of hybrids," Goldman noted.
Princess Beatrice wore a vintage dress borrowed from the Queen for her wedding to property tycoon Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi.

Designed by British couturier Norman Hartnell, the ivory gown is made from Peau De Soie taffeta and features a square neckline and organza puff sleeves. Understated, feminine and laced with history, it is encrusted with diamante and has a geometric checkered bodice.

Princess Beatrice chose a vintage gown on loan from the Queen for her wedding to Edoardo Mapelli. Credit:Royal Communications

The evening gown was first worn by Queen Elizabeth II in the '60s. She wore it on at least two occasions, including in 1962 at the world premiere of the film Lawrence of Arabia and at the State Opening of Parliament in 1967.

Angela Kelly, the Queen's senior dresser, and designer Stewart Parvin helped to remodel and fit the dress to Princess Beatrice's measurements, adding sleeves and choosing to forgo the voluminous skirt.
1 Market Buzz

The current market environment has led to several fundamentally sound stocks being available at a valuation that is minuscule, as compared to pre-COVID levels. However, for those who closely monitor stock markets with a keen eye for opportunities, COVID-19 and the subsequent lockdown presented a unique challenge. How does one keep track of ongoing market developments amidst uncertainty and volatility to spot that one opportunity to capitalise? Being able to leverage such prospects at a moments notice is valuable. And this is where technology has simplified investing, making it easy to invest through a few taps on your mobile phone or laptop. Read here.

2 Big Story

Global coronavirus infections passed 14 million, according to a Reuters tally, marking the first time there has been a surge of 1 million cases in under 100 hours. The first case was reported in China in early January and it took three months to reach 1 million cases. It has taken just four days to climb to 14 million cases from 13 million recorded on July 13. The United States, with more than 3.6 million confirmed cases, is still seeing huge daily jumps in its first wave of COVID-19 infections. The US reported a daily global record of more than 77,000 new infections on July 16, while Sweden has reported 77,281 total cases since the pandemic began. Read here

3 Your money

When Franklin Templeton announced its decision of winding up six of its debt funds, did it serve any stakeholders interest at all? The fund house has sought up to five years for fully liquidating the portfolios. Of course, shorter tenured schemes would get their dues sooner than that. But with some investors taking Franklin court, the Karnataka High Court will now decide what the fund house should do. Now, Franklin isnt the only fund house to decide whats best for the investor. One fund house decided to roll over its fixed maturity plans in 2019, when some of their underlying Essel Group securities could not repay lenders (including mutual funds) on time. Read here

4 Global Watch

The Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) from the US to India has crossed the $40 billion mark so far this year, reflecting the growing confidence of American companies in the country, the head of an India-centric business advocacy group has said. The American companies, during the COVID-19 pandemic, which has battered the world economy, have shown great confidence in India and its leadership, said Mukesh Aghi, president of the US-India Strategic and Partnership Forum (USISPF), which keeps a track of the major US FDIs in India. In recent weeks alone, the announcement of the FDI into India has been over $20 billion, he said, referring to the announcements made by some of the top companies like Google, Facebook and Walmart. Read here

5 Tech Tattle

Smartphone shipments in India fell 48 percent in June quarter this year to 17.3 million units as the country faced an unprecedented shutdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In a report, research firm Canalys said smartphone vendors faced a "diabolical situation", dealing with both low supply due to a complete halt in production and diminished demand, as online and offline retailers were prohibited from selling smartphones. As local production suffered through the early stages of the second quarter, vendors like Xiaomi and Oppo imported smartphones to meet pent-up demand. Read here

6 Startup Tales

Online food aggregators Swiggy and Zomato have launched new advertising campaigns and offers aimed at attracting customers and reviving demand amid the COVID-19 pandemic. The hope is that, with people stuck indoors and dine-in restaurants currently out of commission, the online catering business can keep the sector afloat. Designed to show customers that food delivery from the online platforms is safe, Zomatos new video ad  airing on TV, YouTube and online streaming sites, shows a mother allowing her son to order from the platform. Swiggy, on the other hand, has introduced multiple discounts and offers. Read here

7 Tailpiece

Google has unveiled new augmented reality features that will let the users virtually travel to the Jurassic World where dinosaurs ruled the Earth. The search engine giant, in partnership with Universal Brand Development, Amblin Entertainment and Ludia, has brought 10 augmented reality dinosaurs that users can search for and view in their own space using their phone. To experience this feature, users need to search for a dinosaur on Google using a mobile device and tap View in 3D to rotate or zoom in and see it up close. Users can then bring the dinosaur into their space with AR and adjust its size to understand how big it is in relation to the things around you. Read here
Los Angeles, July 19 : Hollywood star Cate Blanchett, who is married to playwright Andrew Upton, says she was mistaken for actress-model Kate Upton because of her marital surname.

Blanchett, who is mother of Dashiel, 18, Roman, 16, Ignatius, 12, and five-year-old Edith was mistaken for Kate, when her sons went to secondary school because their fellow students thought she was the model, reports femalefirst.co.uk.

"A fun thing happened when my boys started at their all boys' school. Their surname is Upton so I'm down on the register as Cate Upton.

"Now, there's another Kate Upton who is a rather attractive young swimsuit model and the boys at my son's school asked, 'Wait... is your mum Kate Upton?' They said, 'Yeah'," Blanchett told OK! magazine.

She added: "And so, when I showed up on the first day to pick them up, I could see the utter disappointment on those 12-year-old boys' faces. I thought, 'What have I done?' The disgust and disappointment was incredibly real! They were so looking forward to those play dates." The "Thor: Ragnarok" star says her meal times with her children are for "robust" discussions.

She said: "I definitely think that, as one gets older, our opinions can calcify - that's why I am so grateful to my teenage children for keeping me current. Our family meals are a time for very robust and challenging discussions - and we welcome that. We push back and they push back at us. It's wonderful!" Blanchett says she finds it hard to "let go" of her children now as they are growing up.

She said: "I think the hardest thing is having to let go. My mother always used to say it to me and I'd roll my eyes. She would say, 'You'll always be my child so you have to forgive me because I don't mean to treat you like a child - but that's just how I will always feel about you'.I now completely understand that and it drives my eldest son nuts. It's very hard to let go."
The Pune rural police have booked 11 doctors and two resort managers for hosting a birthday party at a resort on Friday night in Shirur, Pune.

The incident occurred at the Aroha Shrishti Agritourism resort located in Talegaon dhamdhere, Shirur. The manager of the resort denies any such action by the cops. However, the name of the resort was confirmed by the police.

We received an anonymous tip that there was gathering of people inside a resort area on Friday night when they are supposed to be shut. A team was sent and they were found there. It was a birthday party of one of the doctors, said police inspector Sadashiv Shelar of Shikrapur police station.

The doctors all have a private practice and were celebrating the birthday of a fellow doctor.

The doctor whose birthday was being celebrated was hosting a dinner party. Whether alcohol was served or not is not confirmed.

While no arrests were made in the case, the case will be sent to court along with a charge sheet, according to PI Shelar.

A case under Sections 188, 269, 270 of Indian Penal Code; Section 11 of Maharashtra Covid19 Regulations; and Sections 2, 3, and 4 of Epidemic Diseases Act was registered against the 13 at Shikrapur police station. Police sub-inspector Rajesh Mali of Shikrapur police station is investigating the case.
Have brown eyes? Thats beautiful.

Got blue eyes? Thats beautiful, too.

Being proud of whatever attributes one is born with was one of the messages of Saturdays peaceful Childrens Art Walk for Inclusivity.

We always want what we dont have, but we need to start being appreciative of what we do have, said Sofia Talwalkar, 18, who is a member of the 2020 Darien High School graduating class.

If you have green eyes, purple eyes  whatever you have, be appreciative that you have these beautiful eyes to see the world, Sofia said.

The goal of the walk, which began at the Darien Library and ended on the grass near Town Hall, was to encourage conversations about diversity, bias, race and inclusion in families with children.

More than 100 people participated. All wore masks and kept a safe social distance.

Darien mothers Armel Jacobs and Diane Urban were among the many local mothers who organized the event, which took several weeks to plan.

Art, activities

For the walk, children were asked to create an original piece responding to the prompt: celebrating our differences.

Inspiring messages and drawings with that theme were displayed on posters and carried by children of all ages.

Several planned activities for children included a wishing tree, where they were asked to think about a wish they have for the town or for the world. Children as well as event organizers read some of the wishes out loud.

Their artwork and written wishes were also displayed on tree branches. They were also encouraged to send their work to childrensartwalk@gmail.com, where it will be displayed in a virtual art show.

There was also a station to get the art work photographed.

There was a special musical performance by two teens, as well as a reading of the Shel Silverstein poem Colors by an 11-year-old Darien resident.

Empowering kids

Its really about empowering the kids and having them feel like what they have to say is also important, Jacobs told The Darien Times while on the march.

She said whenever there are intense issues the adults around them are talking about, the children feel it too.

Darien resident Mackenzie Maier, 14, said its cool that were starting educating children younger and keeping the inclusivity throughout all ages, so that they can all learn about diversity. 

Alison Gurusaransingh of Weston, who was at the walk with her 3-year-old son Chase, said growing up in the 1980s in Darien, she doesnt remember noticing people of color. There was no differences in Darien at that point, she said.

Its important for our children to learn to celebrate differences. Its as simple as that, she said. Especially in a town thats very homogeneous, its important to talk about race and to not ignore it. Some of these kids grew up maybe not even seeing someone of a different color. By celebrating it, were encouraging equality.

Darien resident Joanna Walsh said she came to the walk to teach her children that, even though not everyone looks like us, theyre still the same as us. I always say that the world would be very boring if we were all the same.

Keeping the conversation going

Jacobs gave a shout out to the youth of Darien for holding so many inclusivity events over the past few weeks.

I really feel that what theyve done around town, the spark they lit, we are so inspired by them, she told The Darien Times. We want to show the kids in our town that were also engaged in this conversation and that we hear the call as well.

Jacobs continued, We said well do something that keeps the conversation going.

For more, read here: PHOTOS: Hundreds turn out for Dariens Cross Walk Sunday

Additionally, she said she is grateful to everyone who had a role in planning the event.

We were happy to make time and its been an incredible team effort by so many amazing mothers who are giving up their evenings, their little bit of kid free time, to do Zoom calls, she said. They have been heroes, making this come alive.

She added she hopes for a more inclusive world that will speak to all and engage in ways to build our community stronger together.

Urban, a mother of three, said families can continue the conversation on inclusivity at home with their children. More information, ideas, and resources on teaching children about inclusivity can be found on the Instagram account: @childrensartwalk.

Making kids aware

Darien resident Kate Dempsey, who helped organize several of the recent Black Lives Matter marches in town, said the event is an amazing way to sustain the momentum in the movement.

Kate said shes proud of the organizers, since theyll inspire the next generation to celebrate diversity and be more inclusive to one another.

New Haven resident Laura Koehler said she and her family have been participating in a lot of inclusivity events close to home, and especially at Elm City Montessori School.

We have been talking a lot about these issues, and our kids are very, very aware, Koehler said. The more we can be out there and allow them to really feel like theyre participating and making a difference, we like to do that as much as we can.

Five-year-old Eden Brown of Darien said she came to the art walk because she wants to celebrate our differences.

Edens mother Emily said all children should experience inclusivity events such as this one. Were in a town where theres not much diversity, so to expose them to this as much as we can, I think its so important, she said.

Darien artist

Darien artist Nobu Miki said shes very happy to come to the art walk.

Im so lucky to witness the mothers who have young children and babies but could manage to organize this, for this new movement, Miki said. Im so proud of them.

Miki is organizing a support group for minority women in town.

For more, read here: Darien artist forming support group for minority woman in town

Miki also brought her own piece of art to the event, a painting she named Imagine, which she said is inspired by John Lennon and in honor of George Floyd.

Miki said the message of the painting, which shows people of all races in a row boat together, holding hands, is for Dariens future.

I put 2020 there because this is a new era in this area and the D stands for Darien, she said.

Rock star powers

After the walk, Jacobs spoke about the importance of treating everyone equally.

If you see someone not being nice to another person because of how they look, or the color of their skin, or how they dress, or who they like, use your superhero rock star powers to tell them thats not OK, Jacobs said. Youre all so powerful and so strong. Use your strength to love and to be kind to all people. We love the way your art has celebrated our differences and you make our world so special.

Jacobs continued, Raise your art high and be proud and show it off to everyone. Show everyone that Darien is an inclusive place.

Jacobs paid tribute to the life of former U.S. Rep. John Lewis, an American politician and Civil Rights leader, who died Friday.

We honored his legacy today, and theres something poetic in the symmetry of this moment, she said. One of the worlds greatest activists passed, but hopefully today, a few were born.

sfox@darientimes.com
101 South Korean experts, managers and high-tech workers from Incheon City were quarantined Sunday upon arrival on Phu Quoc Island in southern Vietnam.

They arrived in Phu Quoc to work for a major business group that owns a billion-dollar project on the island. The group was not identified by the authorities of Kien Giang Province, off which the island is located.

The South Koreans arrived in normal health at the Phu Quoc International Airport and will remain in quarantine for 14 days as per the nations Covid-19 protocol.

Airport director Nguyen Minh Dong said it was the first international flight to land on the island since March 25, when Vietnam closed its borders and suspended all international flights to curb the spread of the novel coronavirus. It also stopped issuing visas for foreign nationals since March 18.

Only Vietnamese citizens, foreigners with diplomatic passports, foreign experts or highly skilled workers are allowed the enter the country. Everyone has to be quarantined for 14 days on arrival.

During a Friday meeting with the Advisory Council for Administrative Reform and South Korean businesses in Vietnam, Ambassador Park Noh-wan said South Korean companies want Vietnam to be flexible with quarantine requirements for experts and executives entering the country for work.

Specifically, they wanted Vietnam to reduce the quarantine period and considers exemptions in some cases like people coming for short-term work and for important tasks like investment and signing contracts.

So far 4,300 South Korean experts have been granted permission to enter Vietnam for work since the pandemic broke out.

With 357 recoveries, Vietnam now has 26 active Covid-19 patients. By Sunday, the nation has gone 94 days without detecting a single case of Covid-19 infection caused by community transmission. No Covid-19 deaths have been recorded to date.

The pandemic has killed more than 605,600 worldwide.
A Niagara Falls woman has organized a demonstration this week against Niagara Falls Mayor Jim Diodati, claiming he has a problem with women.

Angela Peebles, former owner of The Regal Diner on Main Street, said her anger stems from Diodatis dismissive treatment of Coun. Lori Lococo at Tuesdays council meeting and his ongoing treatment of Coun. Carolynn Ioannoni.

I think hes a bully for sure, said Peebles, who ran for council in the 2018 municipal election and finished 18th out of 34 candidates. She is co-organizing the event with resident Debra Jackson.

I dont think he likes powerful or outspoken women. He doesnt like a woman to stand up to him.

The hourlong demonstration, dubbed Not My Mayor  Peaceful Demonstration 4 Women in Politics, will be Thursday outside city hall on Queen Street. It starts at 3:30 p.m.

At last weeks council meeting, Peebles said, Diodati and other male members of council  she refers to them as the Old Boys Club  undermined Ioannonis attempts to have council adapt a mandatory mask bylaw in Niagara Falls. When Lococo said the vast majority of emails to council were in favour of masks, Diodati said they were irrelevant because they were from a fringe group.

Peebles also said Lococo was psychologically abused by Diodati when she asked about councillors being part of the citys Back to Business team.

Weve already got a team, Diodati responded. It depends, if youre not happy with what were doing.

Lococo did not respond to a request for comment.

Since the meeting, Peebles has shared several angry posts on Facebook, prompting responses from other members of council and even Diodatis wife, Yvonne, who said women who falsely label men as misogynistic are prostituting gender issues for sensationalistic personal causes and personal agendas.

Reached Friday, Diodati called the attacks untrue and its hurtful, saying disagreements at council are not tied to gender.

This is not a male-female thing at all and its very unfortunate that theyre trying to turn that into this.

Diodati was especially disappointed because he has worked with Peebles on the citys homelessness issue and recently helped start her mask-making business. He said he also brought her a gift on her last day at The Regal Diner a few years ago before she moved west (she eventually returned to reopen the restaurant).

Diodati said he has worked with several female politicians with no issues and has two daughters who are taken aback by the online attacks.

Its very disappointing, he said. I hope its not related to the fact she has aspirations to getting elected. I hope this isnt the basis of a negative campaign to try and get elected.

Peebles said she will not run again.

Diodati suspects Peebles friendship with Ioannoni is at the heart of the attack. Ioannoni and Diodati have been bitter rivals for several years, and he said the demonstration may be a smoke screen to distract from an upcoming report to council on the cost to taxpayers of Ioannonis repeated code of conduct violations.

Shes angry and shes lashing out, so shes making me the target of her anger.

Diodati gets especially angry at social media posts which bring up the children of city councillors. A recent post by Peebles called Coun. Chris Dabrowski a puppet to the mayor and said the saddest part is that he has a daughter, what a horrid example to set for her. Dabrowski responded it was offside and out of line.

Thats an unwritten rule of politics, said Diodati. People need to understand what kind of person were dealing with here, who brought Coun. Dabrowskis young children into the discussion.

Peebles said her anger over the mayor has been brewing for a while, and hopes the demonstration sheds more light on how council is representing the city.

Hes not my mayor, she said. Hes not representing me at all right now. He hasnt really been during the pandemic.
A medic works on samples taken for testing the new coronavirus infection in Hanoi, April, 2020. Photo by VnExpress/Ngoc Thanh.

A Myanmar sailor has raised Vietnam's Covid-19 tally to 383 and active cases to 26, the Health Ministry confirmed Sunday afternoon.

The sailor, 40, works for the IPANEMA, a container ship registered in Liberia. The ship left Japan on June 6 and arrived at the Hon Gai Port in Ha Long Town, Quang Ninh Province on June 23.

The man was quarantined on the vessel upon arrival. On July 7, he disembarked and was sent to quarantine at the Van Long Hotel in the northern province.

His first test two days later showed negative but the second test Friday came positive. "Patient 383" has been transferred to the National Hospital for Tropical Diseases in Hanoi for treatment.

With 357 recoveries, Vietnam now has 26 active Covid-19 patients.

By Sunday, the nation has gone 94 days without detecting a single case of Covid-19 infection caused by community transmission. No Covid-19 deaths have been recorded to date.

The novel coronavirus pandemic has killed more than 605,600 worldwide.
Kaziranga: The Assam floods that have affected around 26 districts across the state and have displaced more than 27.6 lakh people have also killed over 108 animals, including 9 rhinoceroses at the Kaziranga National Park.

"Around 80 per cent of the area is still under inundation. The rhinos that went out of the national park are back again. As regards mortality, 108 animals have died so far, including nine rhinos," Shiv Kumar, Director, Kaziranga National Park, was quoted by ANI news agency.

"The death toll may increase as water is receding and we are conducting a survey of all areas to find out mortality," Shiv said.

He added that they have also rescued 136 animals.

According to the park authorities, other than the nine rhinos, four wild buffaloes, seven wild boars, two swamp deer, and 82 hog deer have died due to floods.

Recently, Assam CM Sarbananda Sonowal had also visited the Centre for Wildlife Rehabilitation and Conservation at Kaziranga to take stock of the flood situation and conditions of animals in the park.

With Ministers Shri @ATULBORA2, Shri @keshab_mahanta & MP Shri @KamakhyaTasa, visited Centre for Wildlife Rehabilitation and Conservation (#CWRC) at Borjuri village near #KazirangaNationalPark and took stock of flood situation and conditions of animals in the park. pic.twitter.com/a4A3comxCt  Sarbananda Sonowal (@sarbanandsonwal) July 16, 2020

Earlier in the day, CM Sonowal inspected flood affected Madanabari village in the Morigaon district.

CM Shri @sarbanandsonwal on his way to flood affected Madanabari village under Mayong revenue circle, Morigaon district. The CM will assess on-ground flood situation and meet the affected people there. pic.twitter.com/PYPnoeHyQU  Chief Minister Assam (@CMOfficeAssam) July 19, 2020

The CM also handed over ex-gratia amount of  4 lakh each to the next of kin of flood victims at Jhargaon in the Morigaon district.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi also talked to CM Sonwal on Sunday and assured all support to Assam in dealing with the flood havoc.

Discussing the flood situation with CM Sonowal over the phone, PM Modi also enquired about the COVID-19 scenario and the ongoing efforts to douse the raging blaze at Oil India's Baghjan gas well.

Hon'ble PM Shri @narendramodi ji took stock of the contemporary situation regarding #AssamFloods2020, #COVID19 and Baghjan Oil Well fire scenario over phone this morning. Expressing his concern & solidarity with the people, the PM assured all support to the state.  Sarbananda Sonowal (@sarbanandsonwal) July 19, 2020

According to the Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA), there have been 79 flood-related casualties in the state, while as of July 18, a total of 1,16,404.01 hectare of crop area has been affected in Assam.

A flood report issued by the ASDMA stated that the river Brahmaputra was flowing above danger level in several places in the state.

The topography of Assam and meteorological factor (high rainfall) are the obvious reason behind Assam floods every year.

Floods are also caused by human interventionlike encroachment of river banks and wetlands, lack of drainage, unplanned urban growth, hill cutting and deforestation.

As per the Brahmaputra boards latest annual report, the main reasons behind the instability of the river are high sedimentation and steep slopes.

Additionally, the entire area falls in an earthquake-prone zone and experiences high rainfall. The region is also extremely vulnerable to breaches of embankments.
The All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) will start human trials of coronavirus vaccine candidate COVAXIN developed by Bharat Biotech on Monday. Dr Sanjay Rai, Professor at Centre for Community Medicine at AIIMS said that an ethics committee has approved the trials. "Today, we got approval from AIIMS Ethics Committee for starting the human clinical trial of the indigenously developed Covaxin. We are launching the enrollment process from Monday. We are going to select healthy participants with no comorbidities and without a history of Covid-19. The age group of the study population is 18 to 55 years. This would be a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial," Dr Rai said.

Drug regulator Drug Controller General of India had recently given the nod to conduct human trials for Bharat Biotech's COVID-19 vaccine candidate. The vaccine has been developed in collaboration with ICMR and National Institute of Virology (NIV).

Dr Rai said that any healthy individual who wishes to be included in the trial can send in an email on Ctaiims.covid19@gmail.com or send an SMS or call on 7428847499. Only 100 participants out of the 375 volunteers would be picked for the first and second phases. The rest would participate in trials at other sites. ICMR had approved 12 sites for the trials of COVAXIN. AIIMS Patna has started trials.

ICMR Director General Dr Balram Bhargava had earlier said that there are two coronavirus candidates in the country. Scientists are trying their best to fasttrack these vaccines. "There are two Indian indigenous candidate vaccines and they have gone successful toxicity studies in rats, mice and rabbits. The data was submitted to the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) following which both these candidate vaccines got clearance to start the early phase of human trials," he had said.

The other COVID vaccine candidate to have been approved for human trials is Zydus Cadila's.

Also read: COVAXIN's phase-1 trials start; COVID-19 vaccine likely by 2021 end

Also read: Coronavirus vaccine update: COVAXIN human trials start at PGI Rohtak
EU leaders will meet again Saturday to try to save a huge post-coronavirus economic rescue plan after running into a brick wall of defiance from "frugal" countries led by the Netherlands and Austria. Europe is in the depths of its deepest recession since World War II and the 27 national leaders are seeking common ground on the terms of a 750-billion-euro ($857 billion) stimulus package that would help lift those hardest hit by the pandemic. But 12 hours of difficult haggling on Friday failed to yield a result as Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte refused to give ground on his demand for strict controls on payments to his struggling southern partners. The 27 leaders are scheduled to reconvene at 11:00am (0900 GMT) on Saturday but diplomats are increasingly gloomy about the prospect of a deal being struck this weekend. The Dutch in particular -- but backed by Austria, Sweden and Denmark -- are reluctant to hand out cash to countries such as Spain or Italy they see as too lax with public spending. Germany's Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Emmanuel Macron are backing a package of loans and subsidies to member states to revive economies shattered by the virus and preventive lockdowns. As she arrived for the summit -- the first to be held in person since the pandemic began -- Merkel warned that the differences among the leaders were "very very large", while Macron described it as a "moment of truth". But, despite the long talks among all the leaders and small group meetings to try to break the deadlock, a diplomat said they had run into "a blockage on the question of governance for the recovery plan". According to diplomatic sources, European Council president and summit host Charles Michel had suggested granting the members a form of "emergency brake" on payments, to appease the Dutch. This would enable governments to call a summit if they have concerns about a national economic plan, but other members insisted it must not amount to giving the Dutch a veto over recovery measures. "We'll have to restart things differently," one senior diplomat said, of Saturday's talks. - 'Difficult to swallow' - Another diplomat from a non-frugal state warned: "What the Netherlands wants is legally impossible and politically difficult to swallow." Before the talks Rutte insisted he wanted to show solidarity with countries that don't have the budget to stoke a meaningful recovery. "But at the same time, you can also ask those countries to do everything possible to solve this yourselves the next time. And you do this through reforms, in the labour market, in pensions etc," he added. The draft plan put forward by Michel, foresees a recovery package, made up of 250 billion euros in loans and 500 billion in grants and subsidies that would not have to be repaid by the recipient member states. This package is in addition to the planned 1,074-billion-euro seven-year EU budget from 2021 to 2027 that the leaders must also agree in the coming weeks or months. - 'Broken systems' - Rutte's position has been backed to varying degrees by fellow members of the so-called "Frugal Four" -- Sweden, Denmark and Austria. Finland has also been calling for cuts to the Michel plan. Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz wants the recovery fund to be smaller, tweeting to say he "clearly rejects" the sum of 500 billion euros in grants. He also insisted he would not accept anything leading to a "permanent 'Transfer Union'," -- where Europe's richer countries would subsidise their under-performing neighbours. The frugals want any loans or grants to come with strict conditions attached to ensure that heavily-indebted countries carry out labour market reform. This is furiously opposed by the south. "If the money is not used to invest in the future, if it does not go hand in hand with necessary reforms in states that are simply broken in their systems... then all this will fizzle out," Kurz warned. The summit could even stretch into Sunday, but few in Brussels were confident of a breakthrough, despite the tight timetable, so another summit may well follow later this month. The leaders elbow greeted each other and social distancing was strictly enforced Czech Republic's Prime Minister Andrej Babis addresses the press via videoconference during the EU summit in Brussels French President Emmanuel and German Chancellor Angela Merkel haven't masked their hopes for an EU deal Merkel and Michel were on the same page but socially distancing in Brussels
The government should freeze the assets of Chinese officials over the persecution of the Uighur people, Labour has said.

The shadow foreign secretary, Lisa Nandy, argued that new Magnitsky-style legislation should be introduced by the government and used against any officials involved in human rights abuses.

Theres one thing that the government could do in relation to helping the Uighur people at the moment and that is to freeze the assets of any of the Chinese officials involved in those human rights abuses over in China, she told Sky News.

Weve got new legislation now; weve been pushing the government to do that for two years. The UK should not be a haven for people who abuse human rights overseas.

But her government counterpart, Dominic Raab, said sanctions could not just be applied willy-nilly and that an evidence base had to be built up to identify those responsible.

On 6 July, the government announced its first wave of asset freezes under the new legislation, targeting 25 Russian nationals, 20 Saudi nationals, two Burmese military generals and two organisations with links to North Korean forced labour camps.

However, Chinese officials were notable by their absence from the list, despite growing concerns about repression by authorities in Xinjiang. Downing Street also has concerns about Chinas involvement in UK infrastructure, such as its nascent 5G telecommunications network.

Human rights groups say recent Chinese policy in the long-running conflict with the Muslim minority in Xinjiang has involved mass surveillance and the incarceration without trial of over one million people in re-education camps.

There are reports that the camps are being used for forced labour. China says its policies are in response to political extremism and the threat of terrorism.

Liberal Democrat foreign affairs spokesperson, Alistair Carmichael, said: The images we have seen in recent days are harrowing and inhuman. The government has a duty to take a lead and do all we can to save the Uighur people.

We must be clear what is happening here. The Chinese government is engineering a genocide. The foreign secretary must come before MPs before the recess and set out what urgent actions the government will take, both on an international level and unilaterally.

Speaking on the same programme as Ms Nandy, Mr Raab said of the UKs relationship with China: I think we need to be very careful in our dealings. On the one hand we want a positive relationship with China  there are all sorts of areas and scope for cooperation, not least on investment and trade and things like that, but also on climate change.

Equally, with various efforts  cyberattacks, the resilience of our vital interests like 5G  and when it comes to standing up for our values as weve done very clearly on Hong Kong ... we will always make clear our position on those key interests and values to China. Thats the calibrated approach well take.

Mr Raab said there wont be business as usual and the UK would be clear-eyed in its dealings.

He told the BBC that it was clear there were gross, egregious human rights abuses being perpetrated against the Uighur people.

We are working with our international partners on this. It is deeply, deeply troubling, he said.

The reports of the human aspect of it  from forced sterilisation to the education camps  are reminiscent of something we have not seen for a long, long time.

This is from a leading member of the international community that wants to be taken seriously and in fact who we want a positive relationship with. But we cannot see behaviour like that and not call it out.

On the issue of sanctions, he said: Its not quite right as Lisa Nandy suggested that you can just willy-nilly decide to sanction X or Y. You have to, as we have done with Magnitsky, with the Rohingya, with North Korea, build up an evidence base and that takes a long time to do because you have to identify accurately and responsibly those involved.

Mr Raab said he would be making a Commons statement on Monday in relation to what further measures the UK would take following Chinas imposition of a new national security law in Hong Kong.

Chinas ambassador to the UK, Liu Xiaoming, said any measures to sanction officials would be met with a response.

We never believe in unilateral sanctions. We believe the UN is the authority, has the authority to impose sanctions. If the UK government goes that far to impose sanctions on any individuals in China, China will certainly make a resolute response to it, he told the BBC.

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

Youve seen what happened between China and the US  they sanction Chinese officials, we sanction their senators. I do not want to see this tit-for-tat in UK relations. I think the UK should have its own independent foreign policy rather than the dance to the tune of Americans like what happened to Huawei.

On the issue of Uighur persecution, the ambassador told the broadcaster: The so-called western intelligence agencies keep making up this false accusation against China, that 1 million Uighurs have been persecuted. You know how many population Xinjiang has? Forty years ago it was four or five million. Now its 11 million people  and people say we impose ethnic cleansing, but the population had doubled in 40 years.

Responding to questions about forced sterilisation, he said: I can easily refute this accusation. Theres some small group of anti-China elements working against the interests of China, but the majority of people in Xinjiang are happy with what is going on. In the past three years, theres been not a single terrorist attack in Xinjiang.

People can enjoy a harmonious life. Uighur people enjoy peaceful, harmonious coexistence with other ethnic groups of people. The Uighur people is just one small portion of the Chinese population even among the Muslims  but the majority of them are living happily and peacefully with other ethnic [groups]. The success of China is we have a very successful ethnic policy; we treat every ethnic group as an equal.

Speaking on other issues, Ms Nandy said her party had got it wrong in its earlier response to concerns about the Russian government.

By prevaricating about issues like [the poisoning in] Salisbury, we let the Tories off the hook. I strongly believe that that has to change and that we have to have a much more strategic approach to Russia, she said.
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Armed anti-mask protesters gathered outside the Ohio statehouse on Saturday for a 'civil disobedience rally' guarded by armed militia and military veterans.

Ohio does not yet have a statewide mandate on wearing masks but several groups converged Saturday afternoon to push back on the requirements already introduced in several counties.

Hundreds of maskless people crowded together outside the courthouse in Columbus to voice their anger, claiming a requirement for face coverings is an overreach by local officials.

Nearby, Black Lives Matter and civil rights activists held their own protest.

Armed anti-mask protesters gathered in their hundreds outside the Ohio state courthouse in Columbus on Saturday where 'security' was provided by 'militia and military veterans'. They mounted a watch around the protest

Militia members arrive during the Stand For Freedom Ohio anti-mass 'civil disobedience rally' on Saturday as hundreds gathered to stand against a mask mandate in several Ohio counties. There is, as yet, no statewide mask mandate

A counter-protest began as demonstrators came out to support Black Lives Matter. One woman was pictured holding a BLM sign as she had a stand off with the anti-maskers before police came to form a line between the two groups

Many signs at the anti-mask protest questioned to risk of coronavirus in Ohio

There was reports of only one person being detained from the protests, following a physical altercation not between anti-mask protesters and Black Lives Matter protesters but between two members of different far-right groups. A member of the Boogaloo Movement wearing a Hawaiian shirt was pictured attempting to strike members of the Proud Boys

Black Lives Matter protesters gather near anti-mask rally downtown Black Lives Matter protesters gather near anti-mask rally downtown *Content Warning* https://bit.ly/32uf7cY Posted by WTTE FOX 28 on Saturday, July 18, 2020

No violence was reported between the different groups of protesters but the atmosphere was described as tense.

Pictures from the protest showed that police were forced to detain one person following a physical altercation between far-right protesters from two different groups.

A member of the Boogaloo Movement wearing a Hawaiian shirt was pictured attempting to strike members of the Proud Boys before police officers took him away.

The first protest to kick off was the Stand for Freedom Ohio rally which saw hundreds of attendees collect to stand against mask mandates.

According to ABC 6, the anti-mask protest was advertised as an open-carry event where 'security' would be provided by 'militia, military veterans, bikers and patriot groups'.

The group also spoke out against coronavirus shutdowns and in favor of the police.

Armed men and women in camouflage surrounded the protest, many others wearing American flag clothing.

Several of the protesters were seen waving Trump 2020 signs as they brandished firearms.

'I will not wear someone else's fear' signs read, as others called for schools to be reopened.

'Let out people go. We don't need masks. We don't need out businesses shut down,' one protester told ABC. 'We are free.'

Some claimed that the doctors who are encouraging masks to be worn are wrong and alleged that coronavirus cases numbers and deaths are being manipulated, according to The Columbus Dispatch.

A militia member holds a position on the State Capitol grounds in Columbus, Ohio, during an anti-mask rally on Saturday

Many of the armed anti-mask protesters wore clothing supporting President Trump

A protester hugs a self-ascribed Black Panther member during the Stand For Freedom Ohio anti-mass civil disobedience rally

'It's not connecting to the science. It's propaganda,' said Cherrelyn Pierson, who told the Dispatch she works in a health-related field.

'I trust myself. I am the science,' she added, claiming that the risks of respiratory and airborne transmission of coronavirus are being overstated.

Others claims that masks could be harmful, despite doctors' advice.

'What about breathing in your own carbon all day?' Lia Ivko told the Dispatch.

'Why is it only the left that wears masks? There's a lot of things that don't make sense to me.'

Others watching the protest were dismayed to see the large group refusing to cover their faces.

'My brother just died of the virus last week. He was in a nursing home,' said Nicholas Two Feathers Gonzalez. 'How can these people be against masks? The numbers don't lie.'

'I understand people's rights. But this seems so silly,' he added.

Heated exchanged erupted between the groups of protesters as the protests grew

Only a few of the anti-mask protesters were seen covering their faces

Shouting matches erupted between protesters but no violence was reported between the two groups

Columbus police were forced to form a line between the two groups of protesters

The counter-protest mounted later in the afternoon following speeches from the anti-mask rally, as Columbus police were forced to form a line between the two groups.

The Black Lives Matter protesters shouted 'No justice, no peace' as they shouted down the other demonstration.

'I came out today specifically to add my body to a crowd for Black Lives Matter because I knew they were coming but I've been down here numerous times,' a counter-protester said to ABC.

Heated exchanges erupted with yelling and shouting but the groups remained peaceful.

Police were later forced to close down surrounding streets as the protests grew and spilled over.

All the protesters had peacefully left the area by Saturday evening.

Black Lives Matter protesters arrive at Ohio Statehouse during the anti mask 'Stand for Freedom' rally in Columbus Saturday

The anti-mask was described as open carry and many protesters brandished firearms

Men and woman in the anti-mask crowd were seen holding firearms

The events was held after the Ohio Department of Heath on Friday confirmed 1,679 new coronavirus cases, a state record.

There were also 20 new deaths bringing the state's death toll to 3,132.

While deaths in the state are currently on the decline, hospitalizations are on the rise.

There is a growing fear of the recent surge in coronavirus cases among young people.

ABC 6 reports that the average age for coronavirus cases in the state is lowering steadily.

A milita member is seen with a bull whip during the Columbus protests

Despite the criticism from the anti-mask protesters on Saturday, Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine has not yet implemented a statewide mask order but counties such as Franklin and others in central Ohio have introduced restrictions as a result of their rising cases.

The protest in Columbus came days after a similar anti-mask demonstration in Oklahoma clashed with a black pastor calling for reparations over the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre that left an estimated 300 African Americans dead.

Footage shared to social media earlier this week shows Rev. Robert Turner speaking into a megaphone outside Tulsa City Hall with a small group of supporters.

The activists then become surrounded by large crowd of demonstrators protesting against mandatory mask-wearing.

The group of anti-maskers - who waved placards that read 'Fire Fauci' and 'Masks Harm Health' - attempted to down out Turner by changing 'USA! USA!'

However, Turner was not deterred, telling the crowd about the city's historic race massacre.

'An angry racist mob of white descended upon Greenwood [in 1921] and killed black people. Not one of those racist, white angry fools had a trial for the cause,' he stated into the megaphone.

A white anti-mask demonstrator then stated: 'Sweetie, let us have our voice and you can have yours!'

She subsequently yelled at Turner: 'You're racist! You're racist!'

Turner continued, saying into the microphone: 'It is a travesty that you care more about face masks then you do about justice.'

He went on to call for reparations for the families of those killed in the massacre, saying that Tulsa has enough money to pay up.


Delhi Police On the initiative of Delhi Police, a 'Plasma Donation Campaign' has been launched at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi, on Sunday. Union Minister of Health & Family Welfare Dr Harsh Vardhan, was the Chief Guest while Commissioner of Police, S.N. Shrivastava, was the Guest of Honour, on the occasion. "The objective of the campaign is to encourage people to come forward to donate plasma to be used for the treatment of Covid-19 patients," said Additional PRO Delhi Police Anil Mittal. In all, 26 personnel including a woman constable of Delhi Police kicked off the campaign by donating their plasma. "More than 650 Delhi Police personnel are likely to donate their plasma during the week-long campaign," the officer said. Dr Randeep Guleria, Director AIIMS, appreciated the initiative of Delhi Police and termed the donor police personnel 'Super Corona Warriors', as being affected by the deadly virus they first fought against it and then voluntarily donated their plasma to save lives of others. He appealed to people to come forward and donate plasma as it would help treat critical patients. Speaking on the occasion, Shrivastava underlined, "dealing with coronavirus has been a unique experience as none of us knew what to do. Police had two major responsibilities -- to maintain law & order and to enforce the lockdown. At the same time, managing our own health and motivation of force were also a challenge. Being visible arms of the government, police must ensure implementation of government's directions." Being frontline warriors police personnel were most susceptible to exposure of the virus. As a result more than 2,500 personnel got infected and a dozen succumbed to the virus in the line of duty. However, the recovery rate is more than 84 per cent as more than 2,100 personnel have recovered and resumed duties. Lauding the efforts of Delhi Police for taking initiative to build plasma bank, Harsh Vardhan, called the event as pious, noble and inspiring in its spirit. " Delhi Police personnel have set an example by voluntarily donating plasma in order to save lives of others, while ignoring their own sufferings. It will inspire other corona warriors to donate their plasma," he said. The Chief Guest profoundly appreciated Ct Om Prakash of PS Amar Colony, who donated his plasma thrice. He called plasma donors as 'Plasma Warriors'.




EDWARDSVILLE  Fridays announcement that Madison County is filing a claim against Purdue Pharma L.P. for opioid crisis damages came after a long silence on the issue in county government.

Madison County States Attorney Tom Gibbons announced his office is filing the claim against to recover some of the cost of the countys fight against opioid addiction and large numbers of overdose deaths over the past decade.

On Saturday, he said some have mischaracterized his action with the lawsuit, noting there was not unified support in the county for joining the suits.

The litigation has already essentially occurred and is over, he said. We did not participate in that.

Instead, Gibbons said, the county will file a claim from part of the settlement with funds specifically set aside for local governments. The total settlement is between $10 billion and $12 billion, he said, divvied up in a few different piles.

Were just participating in what is still available to us, Gibbons said. Its not the absolute best position to be in.

In a Friday release, Gibbons said his office has been working with Illinois Attorney General Kwami Raoul and a group of Illinois states attorneys to secure compensation from a mass settlement with Purdue Pharma L.P. Specific amounts to be paid will be determined through a claims management process.

Illinois, along with other states, sued Purdue for losses suffered as a result of opioid prescription pain killers, such as OxyContin. Purdue Pharma L.P. has filed bankruptcy, which requires part of the process to go through the federal bankruptcy court.

The issue was extensively discussed in the Madison County Boards Judiciary Committee some time ago, but no participation decision was reached.

It was a year and a half ago, and we had really never come to a consensus on it, said Madison County Board Member Mike Walters, R-Godfrey, who chairs the boards Judiciary Committee. We havent mentioned anything at all about it.

Talk about joining the county joining the lawsuits began in Fall 2017. Part of the discussion in early 2018 was the allegation pharmaceutical companies had created a conspiracy for the proliferation of opioid prescriptions.

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

Later, prescription opioids were supplanted by heroin. That was later overshadowed by Asian-produced fentanyl illegally entering the U.S. drug market.

Madison County Coroner Steve Nonn started tracking overdose deaths specifically from opioids after noting a spike in 2009. However, no litigation decision was reached by the following spring and the county discussion died off.

There were a couple of people interested in this, Gibbons said. I tried to keep the conversation going, but I think there was an overabundance of discussion about what the lawyers might make rather than what we were going to accomplish.

Gibbons had maintained he could initiate action without county approval. But on Saturday he said that would have been difficult.

This was a really big effort, he said. From my end it would have required financial support from the county board.

Over the weekend Walters said there are some other things that have been going on but he declined to elaborate.

Gibbons said he s working with officials from the coroners, sheriffs and health departments,among others, and plan to file a claim by July 31. He said reimbursing county agencies for costs  as well as additional support, education and treatment options  is expected to be part of the claim.

Gibbons wants most of the eventual award to go to the families of those who died.

Everything weve done from the beginning about the opioid epidemic was because we saw people suffering, he said. Its hard to watch families losing loved ones.

He said the county should take care of those people.

Every family Ive ever talked to spend extraordinary amounts of money trying to save their loved ones, he said. It will never measure up to what was lost, not even close.

Ultimately, Gibbons said, the county board will decide exactly how the settlement money should be spent.

But we wanted to start the discussion, Gibbons said.
South Korea's new daily virus cases hovered below 40 for the second straight day on Sunday, but the number of local transmissions outpaced that of imported cases for the first time in over a week.



- Seoul reports 34 new coronavirus cases with total caseload at 13,745

- 1 additional coronavirus-related death, total now at 295

- 37 more released from coronavirus treatment, total now at 12,556



South Korea's new daily virus cases hovered below 40 for the second straight day on Sunday, but the number of local transmissions outpaced that of imported cases for the first time in over a week.



The country identified 34 new cases, raising the total caseload to 13,745. Of the newly reported cases, 21 were locally transmitted, according to the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC).



It marks the first time in eight days that the country reported more locally transmitted cases than imported cases.



Still, the tally marks a steady decline from 61 new infections reported Thursday and 60 on Friday, largely due to high numbers of imported cases.













As of Sunday, South Korea has seen double-digit figures of imported cases for 24 consecutive days.



The recent high numbers of imported cases have partly been attributed to a number of South Korean workers returning from Iraq and a series of cluster infections on Russian-flagged vessels docked in the country's southeastern port city of Busan.



Seoul plans to send a chartered flight to the Middle Eastern country this week to bring home more citizens.



Of the 21 local transmissions, 10 were identified in Seoul, with 10 cases reported in Gwangju, located some 330 kilometers south of Seoul. One case was confirmed in Daejeon, some 120 kilometers south of Seoul.



The country's death toll came to 295, with one more virus-caused death reported, according to the KCDC.



As of Sunday, 12,556 of the infected have been released after a full recovery, up 37 from a day before.



The number of the infected still in quarantine or under treatment came to 894, down from 898 on Saturday. (Yonhap)
Police in the central Vietnamese province of Quang Nam are hunting for three suspects who raped a 19-year-old nun before stealing her money in a local pagoda.

Officers in Tam Nghia Commune, Bui Thanh District confirmed on Saturday they were collecting statements and extracting CCTV footage to identify the suspects.

Preliminary reports showed that three masked men broke into a local pagoda at around 11:30 am on Friday.

Q., a 19-year-old nun, found the suspects as they were looking for valuable objects.

The nun screamed for help and ran toward her bedroom and locked the door.

The suspects then forced open the door and took turns to rape the nun, before taking VND1.5 million (US$64) from the victims handbag and escaping the scene.

Q. later kept the head of the pagoda informed of the incident, and the case was reported to police officers on the same day.

Officers have examined the scene and brought the victim to a local medical center for a health check and evaluation of injury.

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This is an open letter to Santa Fe Mayor Alan Webber and the City Council:

We, the Los Alamos Study Group, have now written to the Santa Fe City Council and the mayor of Santa Fe numerous times regarding two very important resolutions we have proposed, with no response of any significance from anyone.

These resolutions are of great import to the safety, health and welfare of the city and citizens of Santa Fe, and we are very concerned the City Council and mayor are ignoring these issues.

The City of Santa Fe has had a long-standing policy of resolutions supporting nuclear disarmament, supporting environmental impact statements and opposing production of nuclear weapons, specifically plutonium pit production.

Santa Fe has also been and is still a member of Mayors for Peace, which states that nuclear weapons are inhumane and calls for their abolition.

Recently, Mayor Webber attended a peaceful protest regarding racial issues. Is the destruction of humanity and the planet less important in keeping the peace?

The safety, health and welfare are only a part of the impact created from nuclear weapons production at Los Alamos National Laboratory. It uses and diverts much-needed funding for education, health care, sustainable jobs, and real safety and security away from New Mexico. The proposed FY2021 federal budget solely for plutonium pit production at LANL is now $1.1 billion (an increase since our last letter). How many truly beneficial programs for New Mexico would this support?

Nuclear weapons production creates vast amounts of toxic waste that has no safe method of disposal, with the potential to contaminate our environment from spills, leakage, fire hazard, seismic activity and human error. The waste currently being stored at LANL will not be transported for disposal any time in the near future. Where will the new waste be stored?

The recent exposure to LANL workers from a breach in a plutonium glove box is foreshadowing of things to come with the proposed plutonium pit factory at the facility. LANL has a history of safety failures.

The last plutonium pit factory, Rocky Flats (in Colorado), was forcibly closed for egregious environmental violations, worker injuries and deaths. Is New Mexico willing to create Rocky Flats II?

Why would the city officials not support asking for a Site-Wide Environmental Impact Statement (which is part of one of the above-referenced resolutions) that can help protect not only Santa Fe, but also the entire northern New Mexico region in this crucial matter?

The other resolution would bar the city from entering into development agreements with LANL or other nuclear weapons agencies. (There has been talk of a LANL presence on the city-owned Midtown Campus).

Your lack of concern and response is disturbing, and we ask once more for a prompt response to the request for support and implementation of these two resolutions, and an explanation to the public of the position of the city of Santa Fe in matters of peace, sustainability, environmental protection, and the health and welfare of our citizens, and the citizens of New Mexico.

Do not allow our city to become a nuclear sacrifice zone.

Lydia Clark is outreach director-Santa Fe for the Los Alamos Study Group.
Congress MLA Rajendera Guda accused Sanjay Jain of asking him to meet former Chief Minister of Rajasthan Vasundhra Raje. Check out other information claimed by Guda here.

Congress MLA Rajendra Guda on Sunday alleged that Sanjay Jain, who is among the accused in the ongoing investigation into horse-trading in Rajasthan, had asked him to meet former state Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje. He informed that Sanjay Jain (arrested by SOG, Rajasthan Police) had come to him eight months back. Sanjay Jain had asked him to meet Vasundhara Raje, former chief minister of Rajasthan and others.

According to the Congress MLA, there are other agents like Sanjay Jain but they didnt succeed in their attempts. Sanjay Jain had been active for a long time. At that time Jain was asking Guda to join the BJP. Media asked Guda about the number of MLAs in his party, Guda told that they are more than 100 in number (MLAs). They have the majority.

Guda told that if they didnt have a majority, BJP would have demanded a floor test. BJP knows that Congress has the majority thats why they are not demanding a floor test. A Jaipur court on Saturday sent Sanjay Jain, an accused in the alleged horse-trading case in Rajasthan and linked to the purported audio-tapes, on four-day custody of the Special Operations Group (SOG) of the state police.

Also read: Assam floods: PM Modi takes stock, assures all support

Also read: India China standoff: IAF top brass to discuss Rafale deployment, border situation during key meet

According to the police, Jain was arrested by a team of SOG under Sections 124A (sedition) and 120B (criminal conspiracy) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) on Friday. On Friday, two FIRs were registered by the SOG based on the complaint filed by Congress chief whip Mahesh Joshi about audiotapes, which Congress alleged, had conversations about an alleged conspiracy to topple the Ashok Gehlot-led government.

Also read: Delhi Rains: Houses collapse in Anna Nagar after heavy downpour, video goes viral

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Sunday, July 19, 2020 at 9:00AM

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Do you have a Netflix account that you haven't used in a long time? The company will help make it easy for you to ditch the account by automatically pausing subscription payments if you haven't used it in two years. The move was revealed last Thursday in a letter to investors released along with its second-quarter earnings. Netflix acknowledges that it will take a "slight hit" to its revenue, but the long-term goal is customer satisfaction. And that it would be easy for you to jump back into your account, too.

"While this change resulted in a slight hit to revenue, we believe that pro-consumer policies like this are the right thing to do and that the long term benefits will outweigh the short term costs," the letter explained. "In a world where consumers have many subscriptions, auto-pause on billing after an extended period of non-use should be how leading services operate."

Source: Deadline
The parliament speaker told MPs that Mondays plenary meeting is very important and that all should be keen to attend

Egypt parliament speaker Ali Abdel-Aal revealed on Sunday that the House will hold a long and important plenary meeting on Monday where parliament will discuss a presidential decree aimed at extending the state of emergency for another three months, beginning on Monday 27 July.

Tomorrow, Monday 20 July, will be a long and highly important meeting and I hope that all will be keen to attend, said Abdel-Aal.

Abdel-Aal indicated that a number of important economic legislations that were discussed and approved in principle in the past weeks will be put to a final vote on Monday.

We will also a take a final vote on laws that form a basic part of the constitution, some of which with retroactive effect, and so I hope that all will attend tomorrows important meeting, said Abdel-Aal.

Mondays meeting is also of note because it will discuss granting President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi a mandate to intervene militarily in Libya. The mandate comes after President El-Sisi said during a meeting with leaders of Libyan tribes on 16 July that he should seek approval from the Egyptian parliament before he intervenes militarily in Libya to stand up to Turkish occupation.

In its meeting on Sunday, parliament approved amendments introduced by the State Council to two laws on regulating the performance of the Central Bank of Egypt (CBE) and the Public Enterprise Companies Sector.

Parliament rejected a proposal for the administrative prosecution to be authorised to question CBE staff and employees. Parliament speaker Ali Abdel-Aal said the proposal was rejected because it could undermine the CBEs independence and negatively impact the performance of the banking sector as a whole.

When we discussed the CBE law in principle last May we agreed that the CBE will be completely independent and so the proposal submitted by the administrative prosecution is rejected, said Abdel-Aal.

Speaker Abdel-Aal said a final vote on the 294-article CBE law will be postponed until a two-thirds majority is available.

The same is true for the Public Enterprise Companies Law, which will be also put up for a final vote when we get a quorum of two-thirds majority, said Abdel-Aal.

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3/5/2019 Ruth Morrissey pictured speaking to the media on leaving the Four Courts after a High Court judgement .Pic: Collins Courts

12/3/2019 Ruth and Paul Morrissey, pictured at the Four Courts for a High Court action.Pic: Collins Courts

Neither the HSE nor the State has ever apologised to Ruth Morrissey and now it is too late, her husband Paul said in a statement today following her death.

The 39-year-old Limerick woman who died after a cervical cancer battle today fought fiercely to stay alive for the family she adored, he said.

"It was 2014 when Ruth found out that she had cervical cancer and 2018 before she learned that there had been grievous mistakes in the screening programme that were to cost her life."

A statement from Mr Morrissey referred to the courage and determination she showed throughout a 36 day High Court marathon case, and how she attended a Supreme Court hearing for one day last December despite being very sick and weak.

Expand Close Ordeal: Ruth Morrissey and her husband Paul leave the Four Courts after a High Court judgment. Photo: Collins Courts / Facebook

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Whatsapp Ordeal: Ruth Morrissey and her husband Paul leave the Four Courts after a High Court judgment. Photo: Collins Courts

"Despite using Ruth as a test case through the final years and months of her life, neither the HSE nor the State has ever apologised to her, and now it is too late."

In recent days, the Supreme Court has been told that Ms Morrissey and her husband Paul had been paid the full amount of 2.16m damages awarded to them by the High Court over misreading of her cervical smear tests.

Ms Morrissey (39) passed away this morning with her husband Paul by her side.

She died in the care of the staff at Milford Hospice where her family said she has received such loving care over the past year or so.

In a statement, her husband Paul added: "Ruth had a sparkle to her smile, her wit and her intelligence. That sparkle made her wonderful company and her friendship was a gift she gave generously to anyone who knew her."

The statement added: "The Morrissey and Moloney families, in their grief, wish to thank all those who have given help, support and medical care to Ruth over these past few difficult years.

"Ruths life was a very happy one and none of the hardships of recent years robbed her of her good cheer and positive spirit.

"She fought fiercely to stay alive for the family she adored. The example she set stands as an enduring inspiration of strength and determination that should help many others through difficult times in the future."

Cervical cancer survivor Lorraine Walsh described Ms Morrissey as "a beautiful gentle lady."

Writing on social media, she said: "Your life has been cut short far too soon, you shouldered a great burden for many of us." She extended her sympathies to the family.

Vicky Phelan, said that she was on her own this morning at home when she received the news of Ms Morrisseys death, a fellow CervicalCheck campaigner and "good friend."

"Ruth was one of the strongest women I know, and also one of the most positive. I never once saw her without a smile on her face and I saw her when she was very ill.

"My thoughts today are with Ruths husband, Paul and their beautiful daughter Libby, who Ruth adored."

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Stephen Teap, a CervicalCheck campaigner whose wife Irene died of cervical cancer in 2018, also paid his respects to Ms Morrissey.

"Struggling to find the words to display my sadness at hearing this news this morning, #ruthmorrissey was a kind and gentle soul who I was honoured to know,always checking up on me and my boys even in the middle of her own battles, this world is at a loss without her, may she now RIP."

The Dublin Well Woman clinic commended Ms Morrissey for her bravery.

"We are deeply saddened to learn of death at 39 of #RuthMorrissey, and we extend our sympathies to her husband and daughter, and to all who loved her.

"Her courage in speaking on behalf of women impacted by #cervicalcancer was extraordinary."

Taoiseach Micheal Martin also paid tribute to Ms Morrissey.

I was deeply saddened to learn of Ruth Morrisseys passing this afternoon. Ruth was a brave, courageous woman who worked tirelessly for others and for future generations of women in this country," he said.

She was generous of spirit and had the interests of others at heart.

I wish to extend my sympathies to her husband Paul, her daughter Libby, her family and friends. May she rest in peace."

President Michael D Higgins said joined Martin in paying tribute.

He said: "So many people across Ireland will have learned with great sadness of the passing of Ruth Morrissey.

"Ruth Morrisseys tremendous courage in an arduous campaign for truth and justice leaves a legacy of courage for all Irish people, and for those campaigning for womens right to healthcare in particular.

"Sabina and I send our sincere condolences to her husband Paul, their daughter, her family and friends, and to all those who have shared Mrs Morrisseys journey."

Leader of the Labour Party, Alan Kelly praised Ms Morrissey for facing the Government following the CervicalCheck controversy.

"Rest in peace Ruth Morrissey who took on the state and shouldered a huge burden for the women of Ireland. She fought the state not once but twice," the Tipperary TD said.

"I spoke about her case many times in Dail Eireann. The state promised no woman would have to go through the courts again. They didnt honour that."
Dragged by the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the national carrier Vietnam Airlines is seeking measures to ease pressure on its cash liquidity.

An aircraft of Vietnam Airlines

According to CEO Duong Tri Thanh, Vietnam Airlines may face a liquidity shortage starting in September and a drop of 50 trillion VND (2.16 billion USD) in revenue this year.

After record profit made in 2019 and positive profit growth in the past 10 years, Vietnam Airlines may suffer a net loss of 13 trillion VND though the aviation firm has applied measures to cut costs.

To ease the impact of COVID-19, the company had cut 1.7 trillion VND worth of salaries, 24 trillion VND worth of operation expense and 1.7 trillion VND worth of monthly fuel purchase, Thanh said.

In addition, the company had negotiated with lenders to reschedule debts, worth 1.94 trillion VND, he said.

Vietnam Airlines had also proposed its Japanese investor All Nippon Airways (ANA), which owns an 8.6 percent stake, provide cash package to ease pressure on its cash liquidity, the CEO said.

ANA had to borrow 10 billion USD to fund its own activities, so the Japanese partner was unable to help Vietnam Airlines, Thanh said.

According to experts and specialists, those measures are only short-term solutions and it would not help the aviation firm completely remove obstacles.

In the long term, the Government needs to provide cash stimulus for the firm and beneficial policies to boost its performance, they said.

The Government, through the State Capital Investment Corporation (SCIC), is the largest shareholder at Vietnam Airlines, holding more than 86 percent of the capital.

Thus, Vietnam Airlines wants SCIC to inject cash into the company. But SCIC is uncertain about the deal, saying the investment may not expand in the future.

According to SCIC, the two sides have sat with each other several times but there are some issues that need more time to be settled.

As a financial investor, SCIC wants to study the case, evaluate and conduct due diligence reports. Those may take SCIC six to nine months to complete the evaluation process and that may not meet Vietnam Airlines expectations.

As Vietnam Airlines reported a loss in the first quarter of the year, it will be unable to sell additional shares to raise capital, SCIC warns. If the company still wants to do so, the directors must acquire the approval of the National Assembly.

SCIC also wants some special policies if it is permitted to inject cash into Vietnam Airlines and Vietnam Airlines needs to prepare an overall, transparent and clear plan on how to use the cash to save its business.

The Government needed to keep executing its policies on tax cuts and exemptions and give priority to Vietnam Airlines, economic specialist Ngo Tri Long said.

The Government may also allow aviation firms to borrow low-interest money from banks to fund their operation and the Government could provide additional aid using the central banks reserves, he said.

As the global airlines industry faces difficulties caused by COVID-19, it was normal that the Government injects cash into local firms as other governments do to keep companies from bankruptcy, Truong Thanh Duc, chairman of the board of members at law firm Basico, said.

The Government and ministries also had to remove barriers in policy making, he said, adding if the measures were implemented now, Vietnam Airlines may recover quickly./. VNA

Help for Vietnam Airlines discussed Though Vietnam has largely been recovering quite rapidly from the COVID-19 pandemic, the countrys aviation industry remains significantly affected, with national flag carrier Vietnam Airlines suffering the most damage.
Four million residents of Barcelona have been urged to stay at home as virus cases rise, while EU leaders wrangled for a second day in Brussels on Saturday, seeking to rescue Europe's economy from the ravages of the pandemic.

Spain's COVID-19 death toll of 28,400 is one of Europe's worst and the country has identified more than 150 new virus clusters across the country.

Barcelona, one of Europe's most visited cities, effectively went back into lockdown as EU leaders met in Brussels.

The regional government of Catalonia urged nearly four million residents of metropolitan Barcelona to stay home unless absolutely necessary, banning gatherings of over 10 people and shutting cinemas, theatres and nightclubs, after the number of new cases tripled in a week.

"It's a disaster," wails Maria Quintana, looking at her empty bar terrace by the Sagrada Familia in Spain's second city.

"We'd just started to see things coming back to life with the arrival of a few foreign tourists, so this is a step backwards," said Quintana, 35.

The virus has now killed more than 596,000 people and infected over 14,074,000 as it continues to surge across the globe despite months of unprecedented lockdowns to stop its spread.

A growing number of countries and cities have been forced into reimposing restrictions, with Barcelona only the latest example.

Watching clusters

France, where masks will be compulsory in indoor public spaces from Monday, was watching coronavirus clusters in neighbouring Spain very closely, Prime Minister Jean Castex said, less than a month after the border between the two countries was reopened.

French authorities were particularly concerned about at the clusters popping up in Catalonia, one of the border regions.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Emmanuel Macron are in Brussels to try and thrash out an EU coronavirus rescue package. By STEPHANIE LECOCQ (POOL/AFP)

"We are monitoring this very closely, here in particular, because it is a real issue that we also need to discuss with the Spanish authorities," Castex said in response to a question about the possible closure of borders.

India hit the million mark on Friday, the day after virus cases in Brazil topped two million -- although the World Health Organization said that Brazil's contagion has "plateaued" with the rate of infection stabilising after 77,000 deaths.

Difficult negotiations

European Union leaders returned to the negotiating table on Saturday with fierce resistance from the Netherlands and its "frugal" friends dominating a second day of intense debate.

European Council president Charles Michel proposed a fresh plan after his initial blueprint for a 750-billion-euro ($850-billion) post-virus recovery package ran into stiff resistance from the richer northern member states.

Barcelona is only the latest example of places reimposing restrictions. By Josep LAGO (AFP)

G20 finance ministers and central bankers meanwhile held talks aimed at spurring global economic recovery from a coronavirus-triggered recession amid growing calls to widen debt relief for crisis-hit poor countries.

The ongoing virtual talks, hosted by Saudi Arabia, come as the surging pandemic continues to batter the global economy and campaigners warn of a looming debt crisis across poverty-wracked developing nations.

Addressing the impact of the virus on the world's poorest, United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres said it had revealed the "fragile skeleton" of societies and could push 100 million people into extreme poverty.

' Brought to our knees'

Speaking on the 102nd birthday anniversary of the late Nelson Mandela -- South Africa's first black president -- Guterres said coronavirus was "shining a spotlight" on global injustice.

"We have been brought to our knees -- by a microscopic virus. The pandemic has demonstrated the fragility of our world," he said.

"Entire regions that were making progress on eradicating poverty and narrowing inequality have been set back years, in a matter of months," he warned at a virtual memorial lecture organised by the Johannesburg-based Nelson Mandela Foundation.

The United States marked a record number of coronavirus cases for the third consecutive day Friday, notching more than 77,600 new infections in 24 hours, according to a tally by Johns Hopkins University.

Lockdowns have been imposed on millions of people in India, where more than 600 are dying every day.

India's hotspots had previously been the megacities of Mumbai and New Delhi, but smaller cities and rural areas -- where 70 percent of Indians live -- have recently begun to raise the alarm.

burs/cdw/bfm/har/spm
Overcame late entry

The last challenger to enter was Rokita, 51 days before the voting began.

I dont want to gloss over the fact that 51 days when youre trying to reach over 1,800 delegates, there are a lot of factors going into that, but the organization that was required to go from a dead stop, when the rest of the field was already down the road, was pretty phenomenal, Rokita told me.

He reached out to an old friend, state Sen. Erin Houchin, to organize the strategy. He said that Houchin was one of just a few people he knew who had the organizational skills the task demanded. Eleven years ago, Houchin became 9th Congressional District Republican chair when she was nine months pregnant, winning the chair on Saturday and delivering her son, Graham, the following Monday.

Shes as serious as a heart attack when she puts her mind to get something done," Rokita said.
Sushant    Khulke Jeene Ka   ,    Viral | FilmiBeat

After the foot-tapping title track and love ballad 'Taare Ginn,' the makers of Sushant Singh Rajput- Sanjana Sanghi's Dil Bechara have now released the third song titled 'Khulke Jeene Ka from the film. The beautiful number features the lead pair and Swastika Mukherjee, enjoying their time in Paris.

Sanjana shared the song video on her Instagram account and wrote, Youre finally going to be witnessing Manny, turning Kizies cants into cans; and her dreams, into plans. Aa jao? #KhulkeJeenKa tareeka hum tumhe sikhate hain. This, is Kizie & Mannys magical bond in the City of Love, to the even more magical track by @arrahman x @arijitsingh x @sashasublime OUT NOW! (sic). Check out the song below:

The beautifully shot number has been sung by Arijit Singh and Shashaa Tirupati and boasts of Amitabh Bhattacharyas lyrics. Speaking about the soundtrack of Dil Bechara, music composer AR Rahman earlier shared, "When I write songs, I let them breathe for some time and then present them to the director. It was a great experience collaborating with Mukesh (director Mukesh Chhabra) on this film; his enthusiasm is infectious. This album is carefully curated because the film has so much heart, and now, memories of Sushant."

Dil Bechara marks casting director Mukesh Chhabra's first film as a director. The film is a Bollywood adaptation of John Green's best-selling novel 'The Fault In Our Stars'. As a tribute to Sushant Singh Rajput, who passed away on June 14, 2020, the film is slated for a digital release on Disney+ Hotstar on July 24, 2020, and will be available to both, subscribers and non-subscribers of the streaming platform.

ALSO READ: Shreya Ghoshal: Sushant Singh Rajput Was A Very Emotional Actor

ALSO READ: Dil Bechara Actress Swastika Mukherjee Exposes Cyber Bully: Man Arrested For Rape Threat
The lynching began with a knock on the door.

It was 3 a.m. on Sept. 12, 1936, a steamy late summer morning in Atlanta.

Thomas Finch and his family were sound asleep. Then, the knocking. When Finch's father opened the front door, he found five white men standing there: two police officers and three other burly men the family had never seen before.

"We want your son Tom," an officer said.

Finch got dressed and went with the officers. An hour later, he was dumped outside Grady Hospital, where he worked as an orderly. His face was pummeled. He was shot multiple times.

"Oh Lord," he said, as nurses placed him on an operating table. "Oh Lord."

Those were his last words. He was 28.

Authorities never investigated Finch's death or charged anyone for it, and it was clear why. The horrific killing was orchestrated by one of the men on Finch's doorstep - Samuel Roper, a police officer who went on to lead the Georgia Bureau of Investigation and then, upon retirement, Georgia's chapter of the Ku Klux Klan.

The circumstances of Finch's lynching - one of more than 6,500 between 1865 and 1950 - were brought to light in 2017 by Carissa Aranda, a civil rights attorney in western Massachusetts who at the time was a Northeastern University law school student investigating cold cases for the school's Civil Rights and Restorative Justice Project.

As part of her investigation, Aranda examined an unpublished investigation into Finch's death conducted by the Commission on Interracial Cooperation, a race reform organization founded in segregated Atlanta in 1919. She also tracked down Finch's last known surviving relative: his niece, Joyce Finch-Morris. Now 71, she still lives in Atlanta, which became an epicenter of Black Lives Matter protests following the police shooting of Rayshard Brooks in June. The white officer who shot and killed Brooks has been fired and charged with felony murder.

Finch also died in police custody. His niece knew little about his death until Aranda shared her findings. Now Finch-Morris finds herself wishing her parents and other relatives were around not just to learn what really happened that night in 1936, but to see the police brutality protests sweeping the country.

"As painful as his death was, they died knowing that their son, their brother, their uncle died with no recourse, with no justice whatsoever," she said. "The difference now is that society is outraged. People are just tired of it. These things won't just be swept under the rug like what happened to my uncle. We need justice."

- - -

One of seven children, Finch was a descendant of sharecroppers. In his early 20s, while his father supported the family as a haberdasher, Finch got a job as an orderly at Grady Hospital, which had two buildings - one for black patients, the other for whites. Finch worked in the white building.

In early September 1936, a white woman named Ozella Smith arrived at the hospital with a fracture. Finch placed her on a gurney and transported her to the emergency room, where doctors treated and released her.

Thirty-six hours later, Smith went to the Atlanta police headquarters to file a rape complaint. She had been assaulted, she said, in a tiny office near where she was treated. Smith identified the rapist as Thomas Finch. According to Finch-Morris, Smith may have been secretly dating her uncle - a verboten relationship that could have led to the rape allegation.

Back in the 1930s, police officers in Atlanta openly lived double lives. When they weren't in uniform, many wore the white robes of the Ku Klux Klan. The police department's own history acknowledges that the "Klan-dominated police union" wasn't officially abolished until 1947, though historians and criminologists say connections with white supremacy lasted even longer.

"This was not unusual and limited to Georgia," said Taimi Castle, a professor of justice studies at James Madison University and the author of an academic paper titled "Cops and the Klan." "During the same period of time, in some jurisdictions all local officials were members, including the sheriff."

When Finch was accused of rape, Roper caught the case.

Roper joined the Klan in the early 1920s, according to "A Measure of Freedom," a 1950 Anti-Defamation League investigation of KKK involvement in anti-Semitism and white supremacy in America. While Roper served as a police officer and later the head of Georgia's prestigious Bureau of Investigation, his local Klan titles included Exalted Cyclops and Imperial Nighthawk.

In 1949, 13 years after Finch's lynching, Roper became Imperial Wizard of Georgia's Klan organizations. The appointment was widely covered in Atlanta's newspapers, which referred to him as Wizard Roper. "Roper has a reputation," the Anti-Defamation League investigation said, "for planning his moves with calculated force."

When Roper came to the Finch family's home that September night, Finch asked why he was being arrested. All the officers would say was that there was an investigation underway. Finch was placed in a car and driven away. His wife, nervous about the strange 3 a.m. arrival of officers and several other unidentified men, called police headquarters and the county jail trying to find him.

Nobody knew where he had been taken.

- - -

When Finch-Morris was growing up, her mother had told her that her uncle had been accused of raping a white woman and that he was lynched. But Finch-Morris's father, even if he knew the whole story, didn't talk much about his brother's death.

"My father was a forthright person, but when I asked about this it was very painful for him, and he didn't want to talk about it," she said. "I knew he was going out with a white woman, and he was lynched. That's it."

Then a few years ago, Finch-Morris received a phone call from Aranda, the Northeastern University law school student.

Aranda had grown up in the South with dreams of becoming a civil rights attorney. Northeastern, with its renowned Civil Rights and Restorative Justice Project, was an ideal place. The clinic has investigated hundreds of lynchings, bringing closure to scores of families whose loved ones were killed without any justice at all.

Finch's case was assigned to Aranda in 2017. Scraping through archives and news clippings, she was led to an unpublished and undated investigation into his death held in the archives of the Commission on Interracial Cooperation, at the University of North Carolina's Wilson Special Collections Library,

In the papers, Aranda found a document titled, in part, "Concerning the Death of Tom Finch." The author was Arthur F. Raper, a white sociologist who studied lynching and investigated them for the commission. (There are other investigative reports in the commission files, though it is not clear whether Raper is also the author.)

One of the reports begins with an account of Finch being awakened by Roper and another officer.

"Where they had taken him," the report says, "for what purpose, and by what authority, and why had they had found it necessary to beat him and shoot him to death are questions that invite investigation."

Raper and the commission's investigation was a thorough inquiry, the sort of investigation Atlanta police would have conducted had the murder victim been white. The idea that Finch raped Smith was dismissed by his supervisors, including white nurses and doctors who comforted the family and a sent floral wreath to his funeral.

The office where the alleged attack occurred was near a busy reception area.

"Everybody interviewed at the hospital," one of the commission reports said, "were unanimous in their conviction that the alleged was not and could not have been committed. It is unbelievable that the woman would have submitted silently to such an attack when the slightest outcry would have brought a dozen people to her rescue."

If Smith made up the attack, why did she do it? Raper's report doesn't pinpoint an exact motive, but Aranda, in her own report, wrote that Smith "and the Atlanta police detectives insisted on painting Finch as the stereotypical black rapist, a false image used by the press and law enforcement authorities to excuse of justify 'vigilante' lynchings."

In the commission report, Raper noted that Smith "tends to desire publicity" and, on other visits to the hospital, was diagnosed by a psychiatrist as being "mentally subnormal and irresponsible" and unable to adequately state her name and address.

The day Smith alleged the attack to police, cars began to circle Finch's home, honking their horns. Somewhere between his house and his arrival at Grady Hospital on the verge of death, Finch was beaten and shot.

In a newspaper article later that week, police told reporters that Finch attacked Roper and attempted to escape, prompting police to defend themselves and kill him.

Raper found that story nearly impossible to believe, because Roper had brought civilians to the house and especially because Finch was never taken to the police station, which was only a few blocks from Finch's home. All of that, plus the allegation of rape by a white woman, suggested the "probability" that police and friends of the girl murdered Finch.

"It seems obvious," Raper concluded, "that Finch was lynched."

- - -

Finch-Morris was startled when Aranda explained what happened to her uncle. The killing was also investigated by the Center for Investigative Reporting and WABE, an Atlanta NPR affiliate.

"It was all very, very shocking," she said.

The lynching, of course. But also the role of the police.

"As far as I could tell, the KKK and the police were one and the same," Finch-Morris said. "That's just the way it was. There was no way for anybody to get any recourse."

Nowadays, there is at least some chance. Officers are wearing body cameras. And citizens are wielding an important technological weapon against police brutality - cellphones that have recorded black Americans being beaten and killed by police, from George Floyd in Minneapolis to Brooks in Atlanta.

But something else important has changed, Finch-Morris added.

"It's not just black people who are making their voices heard," she said. "Now everyone is speaking out. That definitely didn't happen back in 1936. That is progress."
19.07.2020 LISTEN

The Founder/Leader of the All Peoples Congress (APC) Dr. Hassan Ayariga on Saturday joined farmers in Bawku in the Upper East Region to demonstrate his farming skills.

he demonstrated to farmers how to weed in the farm using the hoe.

Dr. Hassan Ayariga further demonstrated to farmers how to apply fertiliser on their maize farm at the early stage of the crop.

He advised farmers to adopt improved seed methods to double yields as compared to the conventional ways.

Dr. Hassan later distributed some bags of fertilisers to the farmers.

He is monitoring the ongoing voter registration exercise at the various registration centres in the Bawku municipality.
BEIRUT (Reuters) - Former Nissan Motor chairman Carlos Ghosn is helping everyone who stood by him, he said in an interview broadcast on Saturday, though he declined to comment on cases of people accused of helping him flee to Lebanon from Japan.

Ghosn, the ex-chairman of an automaking alliance of Renault SA, Nissan Motor Co and Mitsubishi Motors Corp was arrested in Japan in late 2018 on charges of underreporting his salary and using company funds for personal purpose - charges he denies.

In late December, he made a dramatic escape from house arrest in Japan, where he was awaiting trial, and fled to Beirut, his childhood home.

Japan has asked the United States to extradite U.S. Army Special Forces veteran Michael Taylor and his son Peter Taylor, who are accused of helping Ghosn flee and were arrested in May.

Asked in an interview with Al Arabiya TV if he was trying to help the Taylors and others involved in his escape, Ghosn said: "You are talking about specific people, and I will not comment on those people who you are singling out.

"What I'm saying is that I am helping everyone who helped me; I'm helping them with my means, with my thinking, and in any way I can," he said. "I am not talking about those people you mentioned specifically," he said, adding that he was talking about people who helped him "in general".

Ghosn has refused to discuss details of his escape from Japan, saying it would put in danger those who helped him.

A U.S. judge said on Friday that Michael and Peter Taylor posed too great of a flight risk to be released on bail given the "spectacular" allegations against them.

Ghosn told Al Arabiya he made "the entire plan" for his escape but he had needed information and assistance from people whom he was not ready to endanger by talking about the matter.

Earlier this month, an executive from a Turkish private jet operator, four pilots and two flight attendants appeared in court on charges of helping to smuggle Ghosn via Istanbul.

Ghosn also said Japan had yet to send his case file to Lebanon as requested by the Lebanese government. "It has been six months and they haven't sent the file. Why haven't they sent the file?"

(Writing by Tom Perry; Editing by Daniel Wallis)
Taiwan donates 100,000 face masks to Brazil to fight COVID-19

ROC Central News Agency

07/18/2020 01:30 PM

Sao Paulo, Brazil, July 17 (CNA) Taiwan earlier this week donated 100,000 surgical face masks to Manaus, a city in Brazil which has been hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic.

To help the city's residents fight the disease, Chang Tsung-che (), Taiwan's representative to Brazil, on Tuesday donated the face masks to the city on behalf of the Taiwanese government in a virtual meeting with Marcelo Magaldi, director of Manaus's health department.

The donation was conducted under the "Taiwan Can Help" program to provide aid to counties in need of assistance as they combat the virus' rampant spread.

Magaldi expressed gratitude on behalf of Mayor Arthur Virgilio Neto and the people in the city to Taiwan's government for extending a helping hand to Brazil in its time of need.

Brazil has the second highest number of cases, behind the United States, reporting more than 77,500 deaths amid more than 2 million confirmed cases, as of Saturday, according to the Johns Hopkins University's Coronvirus Resource Center.

Manaus' mayor has also been infected with COVID-19 and is currently hospitalized for treatment.

Magaldi said the Manaus health department will distribute the face masks donated by Taiwan to public hospitals in the city so that they can provide the supply to medical personnel on the frontline of the fight against the virus.

Magaldi said it was very important for these medical staffers to be well protected by wearing the face masks when they are treating COVID-19 patients.

Chang told Magaldi that Taiwan, which has also recorded COVID-19 infections albeit only a small number, is willing to provide assistance to other countries to contain the virus' spread.

Chang said the Taiwanese government was grateful to the Manaus city government for allowing Taiwan to provide this particular humanitarian aid under the Taiwan Can Help program.

Taiwan has recorded 454 COVID-19 cases since the outbreak started in December. Of the 454 cases in Taiwan, 363 have been classified as imported, 55 as locally acquired, and 36 as a cluster infection on board a naval ship, an outbreak that was later confirmed to have originated in Taiwan.

(By Tang Ya-ling and Frances Huang)

Enditem/cs

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ST. LOUIS  City police officers on bikes cleared a few dozen protesters from in front of City Hall on Sunday morning.

A group has occupied the area in front of City Hall a few times this month, setting up camp on sidewalks and calling for the resignation of Mayor Lyda Krewson. The latest occupation started Friday night; the protest spread from the sidewalk into the southbound lanes of Tucker Boulevard, one of downtown's busiest thoroughfares. Police had asked the protesters on Friday not to block traffic on Tucker.

Images shared on social media about 9 a.m. Sunday appeared to show dozens of police officers on bikes lined up outside City Hall after the protesters were cleared out.

A small group of protesters who were still near the scene after police left said there had been no arrests, but that police towed two cars parked on Tucker. While there have been 150-200 protesters at times during the demonstrations, protesters said there were just a few dozen on Sunday morning.
China will take anti-dumping measures against n-Propanol (NPA) imported from the United States, the Ministry of Commerce said Friday.

The domestic industry has suffered substantial damage due to the dumping of such products by the United States, the ministry said in a preliminary ruling based on an anti-dumping investigation that started in July last year.

From Saturday, importers of such products into China will be required to pay deposits at rates of between 254.4 percent and 267.4 percent at Chinese customs.

NPA, which is formed naturally in small amounts during many fermentation processes, is used as a solvent in the pharmaceutical industry, mainly for resins and cellulose esters.
Tech entrepreneur, Victor Asemota, is of the opinion that fornication has become an industry in Nigeria.



In a Twitter thread, Asemota reflected on how men in Nigeria go the extra mile to satisfy themselves sexually. According to him, some Nigerian legislators left the county for South Africa in 2001 and had already made plans to court their side chics.



Read his tweets below-



''We traveled with Nigerian legislators to a conference in South Africa 2001. Minutes after we arrive before we get to Sun City, we stop at Sandton and they have call-forwarded babes. I wish Nigerian men can be as efficient in governance as they are at organizing fornication.



Nigerian men go to extreme lengths and commit great resources to cheat. I asked a guy once and he told me it was the thrill of it and not really the sex. A girl once confided in me that one big Oga just likes to be cuddled and seen with hot girls, he doesn't even do the sex part.



I mean, people buy yachts and beach houses just for fornication. A whole ass yacht!!! Fornication in Nigeria is an industry on its own. Most hotels survive based on adultery and fornication yet we have religious institutions in every corner. Nigeria is full of vibes.



As a bachelor, I had friends in Lagos who got together to equip a Lekki flat complete with housekeeper and a car just for extra-curricular affairs. They started this as bachelors and I can't say if they continued as married men. I didn't. Yes, I fornicated a lot as a bachelor.



@EmekaOkoye saved me with a dare and it turned into a serious relationship. The last one I had in Nigeria. Why did that relationship end? You guessed it. Cheating. The thing is I was not the one who did. She did, with a married dude in my estate. Again, Nigeria is full of vibes.



Nigerian men need more sports. Sex is not a sport even though they think it is. It causes more social problems when resources are diverted to it. Maybe the government should legalize some aspects and have a sex tax. A legislator was caught in a sex shop once.



I digress Nigerian men are all vibes. I challenge them to commit a portion of their sex allowance to turning our governance around with just 10k Naira a month for two years. The site will be up soon.













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 PERFORMING arts school in Henley has had to put its 20th anniversary celebrations on hold due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Lockdown restrictions forced StageWorks founder Emma-Jane Taylor to cancel all physical classes and plans for a surprise flash mob in the town centre this summer.

A production of Jack and the Beanstalk has also been postponed until next May.

Ms Taylor, 47, who lives in Henley, said: I was really sad when I was forced to close StageWorks due to covid-19. I will be honest, I had a little cry into my T-shirt.

Stopping during such uncertain times always leaves a little apprehension and of course to think StageWorks would not be celebrating our 20 years as we had hoped was also a real blow. It certainly wasnt the celebratory year I had expected.

Two days into the lockdown, Ms Taylor introduced online-only sessions for children and adults and about 300 of her 400 members have taken part.

She said: We went into lockdown on the Wednesday and then two days later we were fully up and running virtually with all our activities. We had to do it  its our 20th year and we couldnt just stop  and it has been working well.

I know how hard it has been for many people but the community spirit shown during lockdown has proved how loved StageWorks is. We have worked hard to ensure our community of young minds is well entertained and looked after.

Online sessions feature reduced class sizes and last 45 minutes each for younger children and 90 minutes for older ones. The activities have ranged from poetry to dance.

Ms Taylor said : I know how hard it is for youth which is why it has been great to interact with children during these unprecedented times.

She works with more than 27 part-time associates as well as having a personal assistant and eight people in her production team.

As they are all self-employed they have not been furloughed and she has not taken out a business grant from the Government.

Ms Taylor explained: I have reduced our fees because it is important to maintain some sort of cash flow and because we want them to keep coming back later.

Never one to wallow and always one to see the positives in life, I have been liaising with my team, the theatre and my admin crew to find new ways of doing business and, of course, planning our celebratory year or maybe years.

Ms Taylor, who has an 11-year-old daughter, Betty-Mae, was born in Marlow. The youngest of three children. Her childhood hobbies included dancing and she had lessons in jazz, tap, modern, ballet and acrobatics from a young age.

She danced professionally from the age of about 10 to 15, appearing in a West End production of Cinderella with Dennis Waterman and Rula Lenska as well as regional performances of Andrew Lloyd Webbers Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.

After leaving school at 16, she wanted to become a hairdresser so took an NVQ course at The Henley College until dermatitis forced her to abandon it as a career.

She then had a series of temporary jobs from bar and secretarial work to being a PA and a sales representative and also spent three summers working in Spain.

Ms Taylor was abused as a child, leading to mental health problems, but she says it was returning to her love of dance that gave her life focus once more.

She became a professional dancer at 19 and joined a cabaret dance troupe called Cameo. The group, which was based in Henley, toured the UK performing variety dance shows.

Ms Taylor said: Performing was an outlet for me as it helped me to get through my difficulties and I learned to express myself.

Back then, you didnt talk about mental health but I understand the power of it now and how it can help people.

As a young girl, I was shy and nervous but performing gave me a bit of liberation. Dancing was always my thing and in my early twenties I performed at Wembley Arena in leather as part of a fetish crew.

She started teaching dance part-time when she was 24 and qualified as a personal trainer in order to supplement her income the following year.

She gradually scaled back on her temping commitments as her classes grew until she was able to go full-time. She launched StageWorks in 2000, when she was 28.

Ms Taylor explained: I was quite old to be a performer but I knew I wanted to work with children.

When I launched StageWorks I started with 15 to 20 children and two other people helping me. I was so nervous that I had sick in my mouth but it was one of those things that I knew that I had to do so much. I wanted the kids to like me, which they need to if they are going to buy into what you are doing. I do remember having a lot of fun and one of the kids, Olivia-Grace Shanahan, became one of my teachers and she still talks about how fun it was.

Teaching is a really different thing from performing as a performer. You always have to think about what you are saying, you have to respect the children and bring them with you while being entertaining.

At the end of that first year we pushed out to four classes in Henley and split the ages. In the beginning we had everyone together but you couldnt have a four-year-old in the same class as someone who is 12.

In the second year, she launched a talent competition.

Ms Taylor recalled: It was for kids to perform and the winner received 100, which was a lot back then, and that really helped to establish us as a business. Now we were not just a dance club, we put on events as well.

The competition showed what talent there is out there locally and we did that for four or five years in the summer. Then we started to put on productions and showcases at the Kenton Theatre and that allowed my team to grow.

The arts school expanded over the next 20 years with branches in Benson, Caversham, Cookham, Somerset and, finally, Cholsey, which opened this year.

Ms Taylor said: At the beginning I had a bit of impostor syndrome where you feel you are unable to do something even though you have the intelligence and ability to do it.

But after it began to take off, I began feeling that yes, I had got a job and, yes, I was good at it. I am really proud and sometimes I get a bit overwhelmed and feel I should slap myself on the back.

Ms Taylor says its due to her own difficulties with mental health that she wanted to help children through her teaching and believes her company is successful because parents buy into it.

She said: Growing up with my own difficulties, I remember a headmistress told me she didnt want me back at the school and that I would not go anywhere with my failure attitude.

Putting negativity on a child is never going to help them, so it doesnt matter if you are good or bad at this or that, everyone has a talent and the ability to be successful at something. Its the same when we put on productions, whether you are a rabbit, a tree or Cinderella, they are treated the same and the children know they are as important as each other.

I think that parents like the approach we take their children. I am very focused on their mental health and their mental and physical wellbeing and making sure that they have that connective relationship because it is good for their development, whether its with me in the classes or in the wider world.

Ms Taylor is also proud that she has been able to nurture young child actors, such as Ted Wilson, who starred in Matilda in the West End and then on Broadway, and Harry Stott, who was in Oliver! and Mary Poppins in the West End.

She said: If you have talent there are opportunities because we are signed up with a talent agency and we recognise talent and star quality.

Ms Taylor hopes to re-open fully in September within what government guidelines are then in place.

All the students due to take LAMDA exams, which is the speech and drama equivalent of music grades, will do so as soon as possible.

In November, each branch will produce an end of term showcase for families and friends to mark 20 years of StageWorks before a drinks reception in December.

Ms Taylor said: I will be playing everything by ear, day-by-day but remaining positive. I was always taught from a young age to always find the positive in a difficult situation. I have learned that our community is brilliant and the support is out there. This challenge has given me the opportunity to

refocus on the important things.

She has planned an informal drinks party at the Kenton Theatre on January 31 to mark the schools 21st year and from May 23 to 29, the postponed pantomime will take place at the New Street venue. Next summer, the cancelled flash mob will take place and then from November 13 to 17 it will stage a musical extravaganza at the Kenton.

In the meantime, Ms Taylor is keeping a positive mental attitude during lockdown.

She said: I exercise every morning with my daughter, eat healthily and I take a walk, usually to Hambleden or Shiplake. Sometimes my daughter comes with me, sometimes its just me and the dog and Ive really enjoyed the recent beautiful weather.

Before lockdown I was insanely busy but I have now been able to see what work was important and what wasnt and it has allowed me to readjust my work and home life balance a little bit, which has been a positive.

It will be important to get the business up and running from a financial point of view and it will be good for my daughter to go back to school full-time but I have enjoyed sharing breakfast, lunch and dinner with my partner and daughter every day.
Eva Longoria has been giving her 7.9 million Instagram followers a glimpse at some of her playtime while in quarantine in recent months with husband Jose Antonio Baston and their two-year-old son Santiago.

But on Saturday the former Desperate Housewives star opted to shine the spotlight on her gorgeous figure when she posted a selfie snap of herself on Instagram.

In the photo the Texas native struck a confident pose alongside a pool in a black bikini with a scenic waterfront in the background.

Lovely: Eva Longoria, 45, was the picture of confidence in a bikini selfie she shared on Instagram

'Saturday Chillin ........... Thank you @jessicalemariepires and @kyminaswim for the gorgeous Eva bikini!' she gushed in the caption.

It turns out her bathing suit was from Jessica Lemarie-Pires' swimwear brand Kymina was specifically named after the television and movie star.

To go along with the revealing two-piece, the 45-year-old actress and activist also sported a stylish wide-brim black hat.

Fun in the sun: Just three days earlier, Longoria shared a photo of what appeared to be herself navigating a boogie board on the water in a bikini

Just three days earlier, Longoria shared a photo of what appeared to be herself soaking in the fun in the sun while navigating a boogie board on the water.

'This week is flying by..... ' she wrote in the caption.

There's no official word on where her latest images were taken, but in recent weeks Longoria revealed that she and her family have been enjoying the outdoors at her Mexican estate.

Going strong: The former Desperate Housewives star and husband Jose Antonio Baston celebrated their fourth wedding anniversary on May 21; they are pictured with their two-year-old son Santiago

Over these last four to five months, the proud mom has been sharing some of her secrets to keeping in shape while in lockdown amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

It turns out she has been working out in her makeshift gym inside her home garage and backyard.

Many times she gets little Santiago involved in the physical activity and posts videos and pictures on her social media platforms.

Longoria and Baston just celebrated their fourth wedding anniversary on May 21.
As protesters nationwide call for reforms to public safety following the death of George Floyd - including a growing effort to defund police departments and reallocate funds to social service agencies - many across Massachusetts are reassessing their police departments use of force policies and budgets.

Multi-day protests have led to action in local governments. From cutting $100,000 from a city police departments budget in the Berkshires to 20% of the Boston Police Department budget for overtime.

For the largest police department in Massachusetts, 20% of overtime funds for Boston police officers amounts to $12 million. Those funds will be reallocated to support public mental health services, provide housing support for homeless youth and support strategies the city is taking after Mayor Marty Walsh declared racism a public health crisis.

This is not a question around taking away tools that will make our officers less safe, Boston City Councilor Andrea Campbell said during a recent council hearing. We know that there are other tools or other ways of protecting our officers.

After hours of impassioned discussion, the Boston City Council narrowly approved a $3.61 billion operating budget for the 2021 fiscal year. But there appeared to be a consensus among the city lawmakers: structural changes to address racial inequities are needed.

How many times in our history have we told people of color to wait for another time or another moment? Campbell said. We need a budget that resonates in every single neighborhood in the city of Boston.

The Massachusetts Senate passed far-reaching policing reforms this month that would ban chokeholds, limit the use of tear gas, license all law enforcement officers and train them in the history of racism.

The bill, S.2800, if passed by the House and signed by Gov. Charlie Baker, would create a certification process for police officers, prohibit officers from shooting at fleeing vehicles, make school resources officers optional, temporarily ban government use of facial recognition, ban chokeholds and limit tear gas use.

The Boston Police Patrolmens Association and other law enforcement groups say their members are frustrated by the Massachusetts Senates passage Tuesday of a sweeping reform bill that did not undergo a public hearing.

The ongoing movement for police reform has led to shifting opinions long held by some local leaders and residents across the state.

Under my watch, Springfield Mayor Domenic J. Sarno said in a recent interview with MassLive, Were not going to be defunding our police department.

The comment came weeks before his office announced the formation of a new Street Outreach Workers Program to promote better communication between police officers and community members. The program was proposed to start with $250,000 in funding, $125,000 of which would be reallocated from the city police department.

When the Springfield City Council approved a $727.6 million budget for the new fiscal year, the reallocation was increased to $200,000 and $800,000 from the Facilities Department budget, which was intended for a new police firing range.

Results from a new Suffolk University statewide poll from WGBH News, MassLive, The Boston Globe and the State House News Service indicate Massachusetts residents feel racism is the most serious problem facing the state, greater than the economy/unemployment, even amidst the coronavirus pandemic and record unemployment.

Nearly 30% of Massachusetts residents believe racism is the most serious issue facing the commonwealth, eclipsing fears over the economy and coronavirus, according to a new Suffolk University poll with compelling signs that the public is overwhelmingly convinced Black people still face persistent discrimination by police.

The poll, released on June 24 by WGBH News, MassLive, The Boston Globe and the State House News Service, revealed clear acknowledgment of systemic racism amid protests and urgent calls to address excessive force by police in cities nationwide, including Springfield, Worcester, Boston and others across the Bay State.

The findings show that most Massachusetts residents views are aligned with calls for police reform.

Results of the two-year investigation by the U.S. Department of Justice into the Springfield Police Departments use of force couldnt have come at a worse time for the department. The DoJ determined Springfield Police Departments Narcotics Bureau engages in a pattern or practice of using excessive force.

The department already had 30 officers wearing body cameras but Commissioner Cheryl Clapprood said that as a result of the report, almost every officer will be required to wear a body-worn camera, including narcotics and plainclothes officers.

One of the numerous proposals packed into the Massachusetts Senates new police reform bill is a task force to develop regulations into the procurement, use and storage of body-worn cameras for officers, bringing debate over the technology back into the forefront.

In Feb. 2019, the Massachusetts State Police announced the beginning of a body camera pilot program involving 100 troopers. The Boston Police Department rolled out body cams in May 2019 after completing its pilot program.

Last year, the Worcester Police Department took part in a six-month pilot program in which 46 officers volunteered to wear body cameras. City Councilor Sean Rose has recently filed an order, calling for members of the police department to begin wearing body cameras permanently.

The order comes following weeks of demands from dozens of residents to defund the Worcester police. Residents wanted to see a fiscal 2021 budget increase for the police department reallocated to social services.

While Boston and Springfield - the first and third largest cities in Massachusetts - announced cuts to their cities police department budgets, the second largest did not.

Worcester police gather in the Main South neighborhood to push back a group of people who continued to march after the peaceful protest ended.

In Worcester, police response to protest questioned

Hundreds of protesters gathered in Worcester last month demanding a portion of the proposed budget for the city police department be reallocated.

Protests in Worcester continued into the night. A group of roughly 60 or 70 people marched down Main Street.

They were there for about 90 minutes without incident. However, when police arrived in tactical gear the display turned violent.

Nineteen people were arrested including four students from Clark University. As a result of that incident the school severed any ties it had with the police department and hired a law firm to independently conduct a review of the actions taken that evening.

Worcester Mayor Joseph Petty, Police Chief Steven Sargent and City Manager Edward Augustus Jr. all endorsed the composure and technique the department displayed during the events.

Unfortunately, after that protest, there was a small group not looking to share outrage about George Floyd, but bent on destruction and chaos, Augustus said after the arrests. To the credit of the Worcester Police Department, they showed tremendous restraint. I look at that group much different than the protesters that held themselves very appropriately and admirably during the rally at City Hall.

Those at the protest described police responding forcefully offering the latest example of why reform is needed.

Any violence, looting, rioting that happened in Worcester that night was a direct effect from the police officers being violent, said protester Sheliah Morgan. They attacked and they gave no one way to really escape. They attacked for no reason. They were brought in for absolutely no reason.

Videos from the protest show police in riot gear shouting in unison Move back! Move back! while protesters stand peacefully in front of them. Protesters said police surrounded them. Videos show protesters asking where they should go, only to have police respond Move back! or Disperse!

Another video shows police forcefully shoving a young woman with their batons.

One social media post shows multiple riot officers grabbing an individual and forcing them to the ground after the person appeared to yell something at the officers.

There were regular cops telling the riot cops what to do, said protester Jaime Lee Simmons. Those cops at this point were giving orders to take whatever means necessary. They were like We will shoot you. We will do this. You will be getting arrested. They did warn us, but we kept saying For what cause? What are we doing thats illegal? You want to say were disrupting the peace? How about your 30-plus vehicles on the streets with sirens on for the past hour and a half.

A video released by police shows a large group of individuals walking toward a police SUV and nearly surrounding it. City officials offered it as evidence of a rowdy unruly crowd, which sparked the riot polices response. Morgan remembered it differently.

He got out of his car and acted like he was going to march with us, along with another police officer, Morgan said. Not even a minute later all of these police in riot gear just show up.

Sargent said for any large event, the department uses intel before and during to judge when to activate a tactical response.

Sargent said tactical responses are deployed when crowds become violent, wont disperse and are a threat to public safety and said that call would be made at the scene.

Worcester District Attorney Joseph Early Jr. and Clinton Police Chief Mark Laverdure in front of the Clinton Police Department (Noah R. Bombard | nbombard@masslive.com)

We prepare for the worst-case scenario and hope for the best-case scenario, Sargent said.

A solvent was sprayed during the protest, Sargent said it is a pepper spray mixture. Some protesters also alleged they had witnessed rubber bullets. However, Sargent told MassLive that the department doesnt use them.

Theyre not necessary, Sargent said. I dont believe theyre necessary.

There are rubber pellets within the pepper spray solvent that helps spread the mixture, according to Sargent.

In regard to restraints, according to Lt. Sean Murtha, the Worcester Police Department has not allowed the use of chokeholds or neck restraints for at least 14 years.

Every time a member of the Worcester Police Department engages in any kind of force, it is reported. If an officer even removes their taser without using it, thats considered a use of force. If an officer engages in force three times in a six-month period, the individual is flagged for a review by Sargent, their commander, their deputy chief and through the bureau of professional standards.

A virtual City Council meeting was arranged and many wanted to address some of the concerns raised at the demonstrations, June 9.

Roughly 150 residents signed into the virtual meeting and waited to speak.

After three and a half hours, 97 people spoke, each of which advocated to defund the Worcester Police Department.

Due to time constraints, Worcester officials stopped the discussion to move onto other points of the meeting. The council members highlighted that the conversation was not over, just tabled for a later date.

A virtual raucous exploded. Dozens attempted to speak over each other, creating an impossible task of continuing the meeting.

As quickly as the chaos erupted, it fell to silence, in what seemed to be a coordinated effort, residents combined short, succinct sentences each picking up immediately after the other to create an overall statement, You need to let us all speak!

The City Council of Worcester seems to feel that its a favor of them to listen to us rather than their job, said Eliana Stanislawski, member of Defund Worcester Police Department, who was present at the virtual council meeting. Those are where the conversations are originating. It will be interesting to see as this develops, who will be willing to sit down and have good faith conversations with us about this.

Online, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram accounts called Defund WPD have asked residents to share information about the citys proposed 2021 budget.

The groundswell of support shown at the meeting for defunding the Worcester Police Department came as the city increased the departments budget for fiscal 2021 by $250,000.

Protesters gather outside the Springfield Police Headquarters to show solidarity with George Floyd, who was killed while in police custody in Minnesota. (Douglas Hook / MassLive)

In Springfield, a pattern of issues

In Springfield, concerns regarding use of force by officers on- and off-duty have simmered for years and recently the U.S. Justice Departments investigation into multiple accusations of police misconduct in the Narcotics Bureau found that officers routinely punch suspects in the head or neck impulsively, as a form of control rather than to stop a threat.

The routine reliance on punches during arrests and other encounters that we discovered during our investigation indicates a propensity to use force impulsively rather than tactically, the report reads.

The investigation included an in-depth review of more than 114,000 pages of policies and procedures, training materials, video footage and investigative files. Agents also spoke to dozens of others including criminal defense lawyers, the Hampden District Attorneys office, FBI agents and community leaders including religious leaders.

Police Commissioner Cheryl Clapprood addresses the need to call on the National Guard to support the city of Springfield's police during the COVID-19 pandemic. (Douglas Hook / MassLive)

On April 8, 2015, another incident took place when a group of off-duty Springfield officers were engaged in an altercation with four patrons inside the bar that became physical later in a nearby parking lot.

Witnesses told a statewide grand jury that the four civilians, Black men, said they were jumped by a bunch of white boys, some of whom were off-duty police officers. Various cruisers responded, first for the confrontation inside the bar, which resulted in the civilians getting bounced, and the second for the fight outside the East Forest Park pub.

The evenings events led to charges being filed against 14 current or former members of the Springfield Police Department and two of the bars owners. Off-duty officers were charged with assault; on-duty officers and others were charged with covering up the fight.

In the months since charges were first filed, some have been dropped, others remain pending. The Nathan Bills case has cost the city $885,000 in legal settlements.

Springfield Police Commissioner Cheryl Clapprood announced in April she would restore five of the officers involved in the Nathan Bills incident to full-time duty as a result of understaffing in the department during the pandemic, a decision that was hotly contested by the city council and later reversed by Mayor Domenic J. Sarno.

This was hotly contested by the City Council and Hurst, who issued a statement on April 22 was critical of Clapproods decision, saying that placing the five officers back on duty is unconscionable, unjustifiable and indefensible.

My apologies, said Sarno. I meant no disrespect or any ill intent to our Black Community on the reinstatement of five officers, who were involved in the Nathan Bills incident, because of the shortage in our police ranks due to the COVID-19 Coronavirus pandemic, this was a mistake.

None of the city council were notified before the announcement was made, according to Hurst.

A Black Lives Matter rally in front of Nathan Bill's Bar & Restaurant on Island Pond Road in Springfield on June 6, 2020. (Hoang 'Leon' Nguyen / The Republican)

My biggest issue was that the mayor said he made a mistake and didnt realize how much he offended black people, said City Council President Justin Hurst. I was a little taken aback by that. The rehiring of those officers, was a smack in the face to anybody who believes in justice. It doesnt matter what color you are. There were a number of folks across the board who were calling for those officers to be re-suspended until their cases are adjudicated. I just dont know what profession theyre in, where something like that is allowed to happen.

The department gained national attention in recent weeks when a newly promoted Latina detective in the Special Victims Unit was fired about a month after posting a pro-Black Lives Matter image to her personal Instagram account while off duty.

The image showed Florissa Fuentes niece protesting in Atlanta. Flames leap up in the background and her niece holds a sign that reads: Shoot the F--- Back. A friends sign reads: Who do we call when the murderer wears the badge?

Passionate about her work as an officer, Fuentes said she wanted to support her niece and the Black Lives Matter movement. Later she realized how the post inflamed some of her co-workers.

After I posted it, I started getting calls and texts from co-workers, Fuentes said during an interview with The Republican. I was initially confused, but then I realized they thought I was being anti-cop. I wasnt. I was just supporting my nieces activism. I had no malicious intent, and I wouldnt put a target on my own back. Im out there on the streets every day like everyone else.

She was given an option, resign or be fired. She chose to be fired.

Springfields city councilors have long lobbied for a five-member police commission to oversee the police department. The commission would be responsible for hiring, firing and other disciplinary matters.

The city council has already passed legislation related to police oversight. We passed the law that created a board that has disciplinary authority, an independent board that has disciplinary authority over the police department and its officers, said Ramos. That law is called the police commission ordinance. The police commission ordinance has been ignored by the mayor and the commissioner and the mayor has refused to enforce that law since we passed it.

City Councilor Tracye Whitfield launched a signature petition drive on June 9, that called for a resurrection of a citizen police commission.

Demand Springfield Mayor Domenic J. Sarno to implement the Citizens Police Commission Ordinance voted on by the Council, December 2018, stated Whitfields Facebook page.

To date, the mayor has not appointed the Civilian Board of Police Commissioners and vetoed the commission.

The City Council voted in recent weeks to accept the free services of two Northampton lawyers, Thomas Lesser and Michael Aleo, to aid the council in a prolonged dispute with Sarno. Hurst was authorized by the online meeting vote to sign an agreement with the lawyers before the legal discussions begin.

If approved in the future by councilors, the lawyers could bring an action to litigate this dispute in the courts on the councils efforts to bring back the five-member commission, which was abolished in 2005.

The argument from the [city] solicitor is that we dont have the power to create such a structure, said Hurst. Our argument is that we absolutely do have the power, as long as were not taking any appointment powers away from the mayor.

Hundreds of protestors gathered in Boston's South End on Friday, May 29, 2020 to demand justice for George Floyd, a black man who died while in custody of Minneapolis Police after an officer used his knee to pin Floyd to the ground. (Kristin LaFratta / MassLive)

In Boston, a call for structural changes

Following weeks of protests across the city, activists headed to the home of the mayor on a Sunday. Outside his Dorchester home, they called for him to remove police officers from Boston Public Schools and put a cap on the police overtime budget.

Such protests have prompted some change.

Walsh declared racism a public health crisis, and submitted a new budget to the city council, reallocating 20% of the Boston Police Departments overtime budget towards community programs for youth, for homelessness, for people struggling with the effects of inequality.

After hours of impassioned discussion, the Boston City Council narrowly approved a $3.61 billion operating budget for the coming fiscal year. But there appeared to be a consensus among the city lawmakers: structural changes to address racial inequities are needed.

We share politics, we all feel the urgency of this moment, but the council cannot speedily negotiate a new better budget from the mayor without a counter-proposal, Councilor Kenzie Bok said. That is like saying you can lean out over a cliff without attaching the rope that is supposed to pull you back.

The 8-5 vote to pass the budget was not without considerable reservations about existing inequities with respect to the proposed allocations for the police department and its overtime budget compared to programming that would benefit neighborhoods of color.

How many times in our history have we told people of color to wait for another time or another moment? Campbell said. We need a budget that resonates in every single neighborhood in the city of Boston.

The total police department budget for fiscal 2020 stands at $414,237,376, which represents about a $50 million increase over the past three years. Nearly half of the departments money is put toward the Bureau of Field Services, which oversees community policing, as well as general, tactical police services.

People march in protest against police brutality in Boston, Wednesday, June 3, 2020, following the death of George Floyd, who died after being restrained by Minneapolis police officers on Memorial Day. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)AP

The citys police department enjoys four times as much funding as its own Public Health Commission. Its overall public safety allocation, which includes fire services and emergency management, for 2020 came in at $686,738,600.

The Boston Police Department in the wake of Floyds death released data detailing police stops and investigations -- a dataset produced by the Field Interrogation and Observations program. The data showed that while police stops have been declining in recent years, Black Bostonians make up a disproportionate number of encounters -- nearly 70%, compared to others.

Asked about the disparity, Boston Police Commissioner William Gross said in an earlier report, the data showed that a small number of individuals accounted for nearly 40% of the interactions.

Unfortunately, the majority of the crime -- the shootings, the stabbings and everything -- are happening in neighborhoods of color, he said. And when we stop to talk to people, it doesnt mean they are targeted; sometimes were just talking to them.

Gross comments came during a press conference detailing charges against dozens of members and associates of a Boston-based gang that were the result of a year-long investigation into gang violence in the region. Gross touted the partnership between federal investigators and his department as something thats needed in this time of civil unrest.

He added, For Gods sake, I wish you all would interview some of the people in the neighborhoods because theyre tired of this, he said, referring to those whove suffered because of gang violence. They deserve better.

Got a news tip or want to contact MassLive about this story? Email newstips@masslive.com or message us on Facebook orTwitter. You can also call our news tips line at 413-776-1364.

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She revealed she was dating a new man in June, six months after splitting from model Elliott Reeder.

And Montana Brown was looking radiant as she splashed around in the sea with actor Damson Idris on Saturday.

The Love Islander has not named her new beau but she appeared close to the Black Mirror star, 28, during their French Riviera holiday.

New beau? Montana Brown was looking radiant as she splashed around in the sea with actor Damson Idris

The pair were relaxing on a beach in Cannes in the south of France and looked cosy with each other.

Montana was a beach goddess in a navy bikini as she showed off her enviable figure with her potential new man.

The reality star also donned a sunhat and sunglasses as they paddled in the water together.

Beach trip: The Love Islander has not previously revealed her new relationship but she appeared close to the Black Mirror star, 28

Holiday: The pair were relaxing on a beach in Cannes in the south of France and looked cosy with each other

Good match: Montana was a beach goddess in a navy bikini as she showed off her enviable figure with the actor

Stylish: The reality star also donned a sunhat and sunglasses as they paddled in the water together

Damson also showed off his toned physique in a pair of black swim shorts as the pair enjoyed their holiday.

Damson is an acclaimed actor who is starring in Snowfall and has also appeared in The Twilight Zone.

The Peckham-born star won the Emerging Talent Award at the National Film and TV awards in 2017.

Damson has also appeared alongside Kate Beckinsale in the 2018 film Farming.

Rising star: The Peckham-born star won the Emerging Talent Award at the National Film and TV awards in 2017

Talent: Damson is an acclaimed actor who is starring in Snowfall and has also appeared in The Twilight Zone

Love is in the air: In June, Montana confirmed she was dating a new man during lockdown after her split from model Elliott Reeder

Relaxing: Montana showed off her enviable figure and stunning curves as she paddled in the water

In June, Montana confirmed she was dating a new man during lockdown after her split from model Elliott Reeder.

The beauty said she was planning to meet up with her potential date for a walk as she chatted to pal Joanna Chimonides on FUBAR Radio.

Montana, who split from Elliott in January after two years together, said: 'We have a light at the end of the tunnel okay.

'This guy, we're going to go on a walk, and he was like, "I'm gonna come pick you up". He lives like quite far from me and where we're going is not near me either.

Sizzling: The reality star looked stunning in the two-piece which had gold detailing on the top and bottoms

Beach bodies: Montana recently said she didn't want a high profile romance as she was 'craving normality'

Happy holidays: The pair were enjoying a dip in the sea during their holiday to the French Riviera

All smiles: Montana was close to the actor as they walked along the picturesque beach together

Enjoying herself: Montana was sunning herself as she worked on her tan during the holiday

At ease: The former Love Islander looked very happy as she paddled with the actor

Star: Montana looked every inch a beach goddess as she showed off her stunning physique

Peachy: Montana also shared an Instagram snap of her day out at the beach, saying 'catch me if you Cannes'

Wow: The star showed off her incredibly toned legs and svelte physique in the sizzling snaps

'He's like, "no I'm gonna pick you up. I'm gonna swing by, pick you up. Do you have any allergies? Because I'm gonna grab some food on the way for our walk".

'I was like," would you like to marry me?!"

And Montana said she didn't want a high profile romance as she was 'craving normality'.

The television personality revealed at the time: 'He's not famous which is actually ideal for me because I'm craving normality.

Tight-lipped: Montana has been keeping her cards close to her chest about her love life

Beauty: The reality star caught the eye in her beach wear as she also donned a hat and sunglasses when taking to the water

Splashing: Montana wore her hair in a ponytail as she enjoyed a day at the beach on her holiday

Eye-catching: The beauty jetted off to France this week to relax as lockdown measures continue to ease

Friends holiday: Montana was also joined by influencer Grace Beverley on the beach

'I just want someone who only wants me and not a million other girls I just want to find a doctor in Sheffield that no one knows, who lives with his grandma or something, got a farm maybe, and that's me sorted.'

When asked about the attention she's received since being on the show three years ago, Montana explained: 'You do get boys talking to you but they're just so odd.

'This boy right, I was like, "oh you know, he's attractive, I'll match him on whatever". So I match with him  "do you have snap?" 'No I don't have snap!' I don't want your What?! I was like, "are you taking the p**s"?!'

Elliott and Montana dated for two years and went Instagram official back in February 2018, just eight weeks into their relationship.

Success: Grace is an entrepreneur who has built a fitness brand after leaving Oxford University

Gorgeous: Grace makes sustainable vegan gymwear and started her business from scratch

Outing: Montana took to the water wearing a silver bracelet and a silver watch

Playing hard: Grace, 23, has founded the fitness company Tala, an ethical athleticwear outlet

Beach body ready: Montana showed off her curves in the navy bikini as she enjoyed her day out
In fact, we emptied out our Homewood Adoption Center in the first four days of being open, she said. However, foster interest is waning significantly. It has now switched where there are more pets at the shelter than in foster care.

Fitzpatrick said that while shelter director Jessica Petalas-Hernandez has worked hard to plan ahead and anticipated a possible influx of intakes due to COVID-19 patients being unable to care for their pets, they have not seen that happen so far.

Wildlife woes

Also part of Humane Indiana is Humane Indiana Wildlife, which was added in 2014 in Valparaiso as a facility to rehabilitate orphaned and injured wildlife.

In addition to caring for the animals, Humane Indiana Wildlife also provides learning opportunities at its education center and by visiting schools, libraries and other venues. At least it used to. But that all stopped in March. And even though the education arm came to a halt, the need for wildlife rehabilitation continues. Last year it reached 17,000 through its programs and it barely got two months of programming and education in before the coronavirus cancellations.
We were taught that if you wanted to get to the bottom of a great story, you had to follow the money. Thats what Deep Throat told Robert Redford in a seedy Washington car park at two oclock in the morning in All the President's Men. In actual fact, Mark Felt the Deputy Director of the FBI who provided the Washington Post reporters with the crucial leads didnt have such a flair for well-rounded sentences, but he guided Bob Woodward until the Post journalist realised that the key to the Watergate scandal was that the cash payments made to the team that broke into the HQ of the Democratic National Committee came from the Nixon campaign. Tracing the source of the cash led them to the mastermind of the GOPs clandestine op and uncovered the White House tapes that proved Nixons attempt to cover up the scandal and exposed Tricky Dicks narcissism.

As ever, reality is far less glamorous than the movie, but the motto follow the money together with cherchez la femme, or the man, I guess still work when you are following a lead to unravel the knots of corrupt power in the US and in Spain. Today Spains monarchy is being threatened by business deals and feelings, following the scandal caused by King Juan Carlos conduct and the ambition of his mistress, Corinna Larsen, something which historian Paul Preston refers to as the Lady Macbeth effect. Juan Carlos private life is a combination of Shakespeare drama and comic opera, but it could potentially destroy his successor, King Felipe.

Renouncing the legacy

From what we know today, Juan Carlos has ruined the work of a lifetime: to secure the continuity of Spains monarchy beyond him. After being appointed head of state by General Franco, thus fulfilling his fathers dream, and having persuaded the less enthusiastic supporters of the monarchy to stand by him, both in government and in the streets, his reign came to an abrupt end and every day the future of King Felipe is looking increasingly precarious, despite the kings express PR visits to the Spanish provinces.

It is not that Spain has become republican unlike 70 per cent of the Catalan people. Rather, the King Emeritus has dishonoured himself and has torpedoed the monarchys constitutional role one that is purely symbolic with every revelation from his mistress about Juan Carlos shady business dealings.

Today ARA publishes a special report on the scandal of Juan Carlos money stashed away in a Swiss bank account and Corinna Larsens role in the transfer of the cash, which the King Emeritus tried to get back after having gifted it to his mistress, something that he had made clear. Larsens London lawyers have spoken to our reporter, Quim Aranda, about the ongoing harassment that their client has been subjected to. Her ties to former police superintendent Villarejo, currently in jail, promise new entertaining episodes that might have major political consequences. Larsen has no intention of giving up her gold pot or being convicted for providing her royal lover with a front.

Our dossier provides insight into Juan Carlos own feelings of impunity afforded by the monarchs constitutional immunity and the acquiescence of Spains king-friendly media and a whole generation of political leaders. So much so that he has jeopardised the very institution he helped to restore thanks to General Franco, the Spanish dictator.

The limits of diplomacy

The man who used to represent Spanish diplomacy before the various royal families mistook the state coffers with his own. Juan Carlos himself is quoted admitting the risks involved in Jose Luis de Villalongas El Rey: Let me put it this way: I exert a modicum of influence, but I am very prudent about it, because in my case the boundaries are dangerously blurry. And then he added that Sometimes my prestige is at stake  An Arab head of state might call me and ask me to convey a message to the King of Morocco. It happened a lot during the Gulf War.

Reading our interview with Paul Preston today, you could conclude that, at one point, the King Emeritus decided to cash in the chips from the the services rendered to Spain and the crown. When involvement in the public sphere is understood as a sacrifice or it lasts (nearly) a lifetime, eventually it provides self-justification for corruption and abuse of power. Is thinking yourself untouchable an evil that is exclusive to monarchs? It isnt. It doesnt apply just to Juan Carlos, but to all politicians who confuse their public office with personal ownership over public assets, seeing themselves as irreplaceable figures and turning into leaders who resemble a messiah more than a public servant.

This brings back an old Catalan oath of fealty to the king: We, who are as worthy as Thou, pledge our allegiance to Thee and accept Thee as our King, provided Thou uphold our laws and liberties. Today the pact between the Spanish and their crown is more obsolete than ever.
By Lauren Manni

It is summer in New Jersey, the best time of year. We yearn for the hot summer days, cool summer nights, crashing waves at the Jersey Shore, pizza and cheesesteaks on the boardwalk, ice cream cones melting in our hands and spending time with friends and family.

But this summer is different. As much as Im dying to be with my friends at the Shore, I know its not the safest choice. So Im staying home, turning down invitations left and right because Im trying to protect my family: my husband, our 3-year-old daughter, 1-year-old son, and most importantly, my parents who are approaching 70. Im being overly cautious of absolutely everything. Friends laugh at me, family members tell me Im crazy, but Im OK with it because I know that the ones I care most about are safe. But heres the catch .

Im a school counselor, and school will resume in September. The coronavirus is still very much here. There is no vaccine, no proven therapeutics, Gov. Phil Murphy repeatedly touts that, this virus is lethal indoors, yet here we are. School is scheduled to resume in September and, This virus is lethal indoors!

As an elementary school counselor and a mom of toddlers, distance learning was nothing short of awful this past semester. Would I give anything to be back in my school building, going into classrooms, meeting with students, having parent conferences and feeling that human connection with my students? Absolutely. Did I do my job and go into Google Meets with my students and have parent conferences and assess for self-harm, suicidal ideation and child abuse/neglect? Yes. Was it hard? Yes. Would I change a lot? Yes.

But as I think about returning to school in September, my mind spins in a million directions. None of the worries I have are about me. This is about my children and my parents. When I return to work in September, my daughter will enter pre-school, ideally wearing a mask. We experimented with mask-wearing today. It was 80 degrees and humid. She kept her mask on for maybe three minutes. Thats pretty good for a 3-year-old. But the scary part is that her school is half-day, so my parents will pick her up and watch her until Im finished with work. My mom is a cancer survivor, thankfully in remission but we know that chemotherapy lowered her immunity to infections.

Theyll be watching my daughter who has just worn a mask for all of three minutes and been exposed to 15 other children and four adults for 240 minutes. Whatever she has contracted will now be transmitted to my parents.

And then theres me. A typical day as an elementary school counselor is very different from a classroom teacher. Instead of having a classroom of 25, I am fortunate to work with 475 students in my school, through classroom lessons, one-on-one interactions or just passing in the hallways. I pride myself on knowing each and every one of the students in my building. I have formed relationships with parents through frequent parent conferences, I meet daily with teachers and other faculty members to discuss student concerns. Overall, Id categorize my exposure to others as high.

Now lets picture September. Likely upper 80 degrees, which means classrooms are nearing 90 degrees. Needless to say, the building is hot. So hot that classroom lights are kept off to create the illusion that rooms are cooler by a few degrees. So hot that districts close schools early because of heat advisories. This is nothing new, we know this and we deal with this. But now there is a virus that breads in respiratory droplets. A virus that can be lethal in spaces with limited airflow. Spaces like school buildings.

That first day of school, parents, students and teachers all feel the same butterflies from nervousness and excitement. But this year will be different. Four-hundred-and-seventy-five students and their parents will gather outside on a hot playground. Most kids are fine. They find their teacher, line up with their class and the day is started. But there are always a handful of kids, mostly kindergarteners, who are just not ready to start their school day. So Im called to help the screaming, crying, clinging-to-their-mommy 5-year-olds. This takes a lot of coaxing, hugging, back-rubbing, reassuring, hand-holding, water-sipping, snot-wiping, non-distancing human interaction. This is just Day 1. And Im already covered in multiple 5-year-olds bodily secretions.

Elementary school is a different beast. These kids dont know social boundaries, they dont know social norms, they dont know social awareness. But were expecting them to social distance. Its just not a concept that these growing brains can grasp.

Children wearing masks is also not realistic. Teachers, teaching, wearing masks is not realistic. We all know this.

I know this is the time were living in, but the clear answer is to wait until there is a proven vaccine or successful therapeutics and then reopen schools. Office buildings are not reopening, restaurants are not reopening, indoor activities are not reopening. It sounds utterly insane to reopen schools. The thousands of lives that will be in jeopardy are heart-stopping, including my own, my childrens, my parents.

Governor Murphy, I watch your press conferences religiously. The last thing I want to see is you memorializing one of my parents because I went back to in-person learning too soon.

Lauren Manni has been a school counselor in Passaic County for 10 years.

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A local business owner established a movement against racial injustice in the Lake Houston area.

Akilah Glaspie, owner of The Gingerbread School, organized the Humble TX Stand Up event on July 19 that in turn grew into more of an unofficial organization. Glaspie said Stand Up is a group of Black-owned Humble-area business owners who want to make it clear that they stand against racial division in their community.

The quarterly event is a way to approach these topics collectively with all businesses and individuals in the Lake Houston area, she said.

BUSINESS: Humble area Black-owned businesses get economic boost on Blackout Day 2020

The family-friendly awareness event will be held from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. in the parking lot of Daddys Daiquiri and Howards Barber Shop at 11411 N. Sam Houston Pkwy E. There will be voter registration, opportunities for mingling, surveys for a spectrum of experiences with racial injustice and opportunities for people to meet their neighbors.

The group will come together for a diversity and inclusion presentation that will teach business owners about the benefits of making a more supportive community. There will also be music, speakers and activities for children.

The goal is to provide resources for the community to realize racial injustices and learn ways to be proactive and combative against it. Attendees will be provided with masks and gloves and the event will be welcoming for social distancing.

We want to be proactive and be on the forefront of making sure that here in Humble, Texas, were setting the standard and the precedent that these types of things are not tolerable. These kinds of things are not condoned, and that we as a Humble, Texas community, residents and business owners are committed to making sure that we proactively put things in place to prevent these types of things from occurring here.

The group has a long term goal of establishing a diversity and culture education core curriculum subject requirement in Humble ISD, starting at the elementary level, to provide children with the knowledge to recognize racial and cultural differences as well as to understand international courtesies and customs.

CORONAVIRUS: Essential workers, missed messages: COVID is raging through Houstons Hispanic communities

They are also hoping for a directory of the Humble Police Department so residents can learn more about the officers that patrol the community. On those web pages, Glaspie said they would want more opportunities to provide feedback.

What were seeing on media, these are what you call extreme cases, extremities, but they dont necessarily represent the smaller things that are taking place on a daily basis that are kind of being overlooked, Glaspie said. So if we could start building a merit system where police officers are able to be provided feedback as to how their daily interactions are with people, and if they are inappropriate they can address some kind of merit or probationary or retraining system to help them meet their standards.

Businesses supporting the event include Howards Barber Ship, Vanity Beauty Bar, Daddys Daiquiri, Prison Youth Ministries, Queens of Hair, Right Way Tax and Finacial Services LLC, The S.W.A.G.G. Boiz, A.G. Ministries, Below My Feet Performing Arts, Keeping Up with Chello, Yvonne Rose Foundation USA, Winkelmann Interpreting Services, Inc., Shots by Charmaine, as well as Glaspies business The Gingerbread School.

We didnt choose this location just because it was great for business, we choose this location because we believe in the spirit of the community, Glaspie said. We believe that we are opening up a business in a place that would be accepted and patronized by all people.

savannah.mehrtens@chron.com
The detention of the suspended chairman of the anti-graft agency, EFCC, Ibrahim Magu, came to an end last week as he was released after spending about ten days in police custody.

He was arrested on July 6 and was appearing before a presidential panel investigating allegations of corruption and insubordination levelled against him by Abubakar Malami, Nigerias justice minister. The duo have in recent times, disagreed on the anti-corruption war and many Nigerians believe Mr Magus ordeal is part of a power play with Mr Malami.

A combined team of police officers and operatives of the State Security Services (SSS) had searched Mr Magus house in Karu, Abuja but nothing incriminating was found during the search, PREMIUM TIMES learnt.

Prior to his release, prominent international groups involved in anti-corruption efforts globally wrote to President Muhammadu Buhari on what they said, is the unfortunate treatment of Mr Magu. They said Nigerias anti-corruption war might suffer a setback and that Mr Magu has proved himself to be up to the task.

Shortly before he was released, Mr Magu wrote to the Ayo Salami investigative panel, debunking media reports linking him to corruption and published while he was being detained.

He accused the panel of not giving him adequate time and facilities to defend himself and insisted that the panel is yet to serve him the petitions containing the allegations against him, as well as a copy of the report of the Presidential Committee on Audit of Recovered Assets (PCARA).

Edo and Ondo polls

Ahead of the September governorship election in Edo State, the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva, has expressed optimism that the All Progressives Congress (APC) will reclaim its mandate.

The minister, who chaired the APC National Campaign Council for the coming poll, said the partys South/South stakeholders had agreed to reclaim the state in the upcoming poll and that Edo was taken from the party through the back door and would be recovered.

In a similar development, a coalition of some registered political parties, under the aegis of Coalition of Political Parties (CPP), in Edo, endorsed the re-election bid of the governor, Godwin Obaseki, and his deputy, Philip Shaibu, for another four years.

Mr Obaseki is contesting under the platform of the People Democratic Party (PDP).

Also, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has published the final list of candidates for the election.

The list of the 14 political parties published by the commission shows that 12 of the 14 governorship candidates are male while two are female. It also showed that only two of the deputy governorship candidates are female.

Meanwhile, in Ondo State, the APC has cleared all 12 aspirants jostling for its governorship ticket.

READ ALSO:

This was after the partys screening panel chaired by Tijjani Tumsa, screened the states incumbent governor, Rotimi Akeredolu, alongside 11 aspirants at an undisclosed venue in Abuja between July 8 and 9.

The party also appointed the governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, as the chairman of the Ondo State governorship primary election committee. This is even as the chairman of the caretaker committee of the APC, Mala Buni, cautioned the governorship aspirants of the party in Ondo State not to dictate on its mode of primary after the party chose the indirect primary.

The APC primary in Ondo State holds on July 20.

Other reports

Aformer National Security Adviser (NSA), Sambo Dasuki, said that as the NSA between 2012 and 2015, he never campaigned for the APC nor Mr Buhari, before, during or after the 2015 presidential election.

This was in reaction to media reports that he discreetly campaigned for Mr Buhari and his party APC, while serving as Mr Jonathans NSA.

He said he was only involved in the unsuccessful attempt at forging an alliance between the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) and the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), prior to 2011 elections.

Also reacting to a media report was the Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, who denied having a 2023 presidential ambition.

Consultations were ongoing among major stakeholders in the party to make Mr Lawans goal to succeed President Muhammadu Buhari in office a reality, Sahara Reporters had reported.

In other news, the APC chapter in Mashi LG, Katsina State, asked the member representing Mashi/ Dutsi federal constituency in the House of Representatives, Mansur Mashi, to resign over his abusive comments on the president.

A party official said his failure to do this may lead to his constituency recalling him.

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The official quoted the lawmaker as saying, Buhari had to leave the scene the way the late (late ex-president) YarAdua did, so that his deputy, Yemi Osinbajo, would take over, and that such is the only way Nigeria could make progress before 2023.

And on Saturday, gunmen kidnapped the wife and son of the late former Speaker of Edo State, Zakawanu Garuba.

The two victims were abducted while travelling from Abuja to Auchi with other relatives for the burial rites of Mr Garuba when they were attacked by gunmen.

Mr Garuba had died earlier on Saturday in Abuja as a result of an undisclosed illness.
John Lewis, the congressman and civil rights leader who died Friday, encouraged crowds large and small to continue pushing for racial equality during trips to Philadelphia in recent years. Here are excerpts from three speeches he gave in the region.

Camden: Sept. 19, 2016

In September 2016, Lewis came to Philadelphia to accept the prestigious Liberty Medal. The visit occurred shortly before the National Museum of African American History and Culture opened in Washington  an effort that Lewis championed.

Ahead of the award ceremony, Lewis spoke in Camden, where community advocates were pushing for historic recognition of a house where the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. spent time. Haddon Heights activist Patrick Duff recalled on Saturday that he was stunned when Lewis joined his fight to preserve the home.

Next Saturday, an African American museum is going to open on the Mall in Washington, Lewis said. I sponsored the legislation to get it passed. I went there a few days ago. I almost cried. You can feel the spirit of Dr. King there. You can feel the spirit of our ancestors in that museum.

He encouraged the gathered crowd to keep the faith: So I think its important for this city, for this state, and for our nation to save this local place, where Martin Luther King Jr. stayed while he was trying to get an education at Crozer Theological Seminary. ... I would love to come back here and visit when the marker is placed and this building is restored. It will be a day of jubilee.

National Constitution Center: Sept. 19, 2016

That evening, Lewis was honored with the Liberty Medal at the Constitution Center. He told the audience that he never set out to win any awards:

My plan wasnt to seek fame or fortune. All I wanted to do is to help out. To do what I could to help make this country and the world community a little bit better, more just, a little more peaceful for all of its citizens. ... We were just ordinary people, but we had an extraordinary vision to live in a society that respected dignity and the worth of every human being. We wanted to build what we called  what Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and others called  the beloved community. We truly believed that by refusing to comply with what was wrong, we could get our nation to do what was right.

During those remarks, Lewis also invoked the promise of the Declaration of Independence:

We overcame great distance, but we the people still have a great distance to go to fulfill the promise of a true democracy. Let the Declaration of Independence, fashioned by the founders of our great nation, right here in this city, the city of Brotherly Love, be our guide. Its beautiful words affirm the equality of all humanity. Let us continue to put aside, and push and pull, to protest and to dissent, and be prepared to struggle to move the society forward. ... We must stay in this struggle until we build a society based on simple justice.

St. Josephs University: April 16, 2018

In a nearly 30-minute speech at St. Josephs in 2018, Lewis encapsulated the sweep of his life, from raising chickens on his familys Alabama farm as a boy, to joining with King in the civil rights movement, to battling for immigration reform in his later years. He shared how he committed to nonviolent protest  inspired by the teachings of Jesus, Gandhi, and King  as the threat of arrest loomed:

When I got involved in the sit-ins, wed sit in there in an orderly, peaceful, nonviolent fashion, waiting to be served. And someone would come up and spit on us, put a lighted cigarette out in our hair ... pour hot water, hot coffee, or hot chocolate on us. Beat us.

We were told over and over again, if we continued to sit in, we would get arrested, we would be arrested. We would be taken to jail. And I thought about it, and I said, if we were going to be arrested, and go to jail, I wanted to look clean. I wanted to look fresh. ... I had very little money as a student. So I went to a used mens store in downtown Nashville, Tenn., and bought a suit. I paid $5 for the suit. A vest came with it. And when I was first arrested, the first time, on February the 27th, 1960, I did look clean. I did look fresh. I did look sharp. And I tell you, my first arrest, I felt free. I felt liberated. I felt like I crossed over.

Lewis closed that speech by reflecting on the assassinations of King in April 1968, and Robert Kennedy, killed two months later:

If these two men had lived, our nation and our world would be better. All of us, each one of us, have an obligation, a mission, and a mandate, to pick up where Dr. King and Robert Kennedy left off. We can do it, and we must do it. So hang in there. We have miles to travel. We have to save our country, save our democracy. I wish each and every one of you well. May God bless you and may God keep you.

Correction: This story has been updated to correct the location of Lewiss familys farm. It was in Alabama.
With just three days left for the completion of lockdown in Bengaluru, there seems to be respite from COVID cases for Karnataka. While the state recorded 4,537 cases, Bengaluru witnessed 2,125 cases. The total tally is nearing 60k and stands at 59,652 cases. Dakshina Kannada reported more than 500 fresh cases while other cases reported less than 200 cases.

The state witnessed 93 deaths since Friday evening. And Bengaluru continued to add up with 49 out of 93 deaths.

With repeated complaints of private hospitals refusing to admit Covid 19 positive patients and they inturn making rounds in the city and succumbing to death, Karnataka Chief Minister Mr Yediyurappa has directed private medical college hospitals to reserve 50 percent of beds from Sunday onwards.

Mr Yediyurappa said that Bengaluru should continue to lead the country as a role model in COVID management and asked private medical colleges to provide around 4500 beds as agreed by them earlier. This would make total beds available in government and private medical colleges at 6500 beds.

"During this emergency situation we should respond with humanity. COVID and Non COVID patients should not be denied treatment. All support including providing doctors and nurses, if need be will be provided" he said.

Nodal officers have already been appointed to monitor the availability of beds in these medical colleges and it was decided to issue notice to Vaidehi Medical College for their absence.

As Mr Anil Kumar who held the post of BBMP Commissioner expressed his views that the lockdown has to be extended for another one more week to break the chain of Coronavirus spread in Bengaluru, the BJP led state government which had a contrary view to this, quickly shunted and replaced him with former BBMP Commissioner Mr Manjunath Prasad.
The Pentagon is researching better ways to detect and respond to electromagnetic pulse weapons, which can disable or destroy electronic devices in a devastating sneak attack.

The Pentagon's Defense Threat Reduction Agency is working on sensors to detect and analyze EMP attacks under its Conventional Nuclear Integration/Battlefield Nuclear Warfare program.

EMPs can range in size from narrowly targeted cannons that could disable an aircraft to massive atmospheric nuclear blasts that could wipe out the entire nation's electricity grid.

Increasingly, war planners fear an EMP sneak attack that could cripple key capabilities, with China, North Korea, Russia and Iran known to be developing such weapons.

A US soldier is seen during exercises in Poland on Saturday. The Pentagon is developing detection systems to respond to potential EMP attacks on American forces

A map shows the impact zone (red) for a nuclear EMP blast at certain altitudes (black numbers)

What is an EMP? An EMP is a short, powerful burst of electromagnetic energy that can disable or destroy electronics. EMPs can be naturally occurring, as with a lightning strike, or man made using microwave generators or nuclear blasts. Nuclear EMPs are the most powerful, and at sufficient altitude could fry the nation's power grid. Advertisement

In 2017, the United States Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs reported: 'A successful nuclear electromagnetic pulse (EMP) attack against the United States could cause the death of approximately 90 percent of the American population.'

Because the weapons consist of invisible, silent radio waves that disable electronics without hurting humans, the Pentagon fears that soldiers in the field could be caught unawares, and that commanders would have no quick way to assess the scope of the attack.

'The modern battlefield is heavily dependent on electronic systems and near real-time data,' Tom Cartledge of the DTRA's Nuclear Detection Division, told Forbes contributor David Hambling.

'Warfighters would benefit by being able to rapidly assess why these essential systems are not functioning properly so that appropriate troubleshooting or alternate procedures can be initiated.'

Cartledge said that if communications were knocked out, soldiers need a way to quickly determine whether they had been hit with an EMP, or if a routine malfunction was to blame.

The effects of an EMP blast are tested on Army Humvees in an anechoic chamber at White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico in 2013

'Our initial assessment is that we'll likely need a family of sensors to fully inform the battlefield,' says Cartledge.

What will happen to the U.S. after a nuclear EMP attack? According to a 2018 Pentagon report: Military will be cripped as weapons will be downed, military and commercial jets will be degraded, bases cut off and power and GPS will go dark

Military may also be unable to identify who launched attack without electricity

Nuclear reactors will melt down and 4.1million people living near them will be displaced

90 per cent of East Coast population will die after a year

No electricity will interfere with transportation, food, and healthcare

Cell phone service will go out

Civil unrest would start within hours

It'll take 18 months to restore order

A foreign attack by an EMP weapon will shut down electricity in the U.S. Advertisement

'This would include sensors for dismounted warfighters, mobile command posts, and fixed facilities. Because of size, weight, power, and data constraints with these different platforms, it is likely these sensors will vary in capability,' he said.

The smallest sensors could be no larger than a 'sticker' worn by individual troops that could quickly tell them if they'd been exposed to an EMP blast.

Larger sensor nets could quickly inform command officers of the scope and intensity of the blast, indicating which equipment might be damaged, and how badly.

'These sensors would most likely be networked within larger systems to sharing early warning information and enable collaborative analysis,' says Cartledge. 'However, communications is one of the capabilities impacted by an EMP so the sensors must be able to work stand-alone.'

DTRA confirmed in a statement that it has long been working on the issue of countering EMP weapons, dating back as early as 1962.

Experts have warned that China's network of satellites, high-speed missiles, and EMP super-weapons could destroy the nation's power grid and wipe out American society as it exists today.

In recent years, the EMP threat has grown in prominence, as North Korea developed nuclear weapons that could be used in an atmospheric blast to inflict widespread damage.

Last week, Russian state news reported the successful test of an EMP cannon that could disable a ground vehicle or aircraft up to six miles away.

And in April, Iran successfully launched a military satellite, demonstrating ballistic missile capabilities that many fear could be used in an EMP strike.

The Russian Krasukha is a Russian mobile, ground-based, electronic warfare (EW) system. This system is produced by the KRET corporation on different wheeled platforms

Last year, President Donald Trump issued an executive order for the Pentagon to assess the risks of a man-made or natural EMP hit.

'Some people might think that things similar to the 'Pearl Harbor incident' are unlikely to take place during the information age,' Peter Pry, executive director of the EMP Task Force on Homeland and National Security, has written.

'Yet it could be regarded as the 'Pearl Harbor incident' of the 21st century if a surprise attack is conducted against the enemy's crucial information systems...' he continued.

'Even a super military power like the United States, which possesses nuclear missiles and powerful armed forces, cannot guarantee its immunity.'
100 Years Ago  1920: Chief of Police James H. Deavenport is celebrating his birthday today. The chief has just passed his thirty-eighth milestone. He planned several things to observe the event, but decided to stick at his desk and is distributing cigars to all callers. Friends of the chief visited the station house today and wished him continued success and many happy birthdays.

75 Years Ago  1945: Hope for the revival of the once flourishing shad fishing industry on the Delaware River was revealed Wednesday at the annual meeting of the Interstate Commission on the Delaware River Basin, held in the Warwick Hotel under the chairmanship of Ellwood J. Turner, Chester attorney and member of the State Legislature. The anti-pollution campaign being waged by the Incodel commission has been bolstered by the efforts of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the fisheries department of Pennsylvania, New York, Jew Jersey and Delaware, plus the Atlantic State Marine Fisheries Commission.

50 Years Ago  1970: An off-duty rookie Chester policeman foiled a holdup attempt in the Acme Supermarket on MacDade Boulevard, near Bullens Lane, when he shot and seriously wounded a man in the store about 9:20 a.m. yesterday. Chester Patrolman Theodore Pokoy was doing some last-minute shopping before going to the shore for the weekend, returning fire at the gunman with his service revolver carried in a holster tucked into plaid bermuda shorts.

25 Years Ago  1995: Upper Darby residents attempting to stop an 18th century home from being razed to make way for a drug store want their protest heard in court. According to a civil suit filed yesterday by attorney William J. McDevitt on behalf of Darlene Cesarini, who lives across from the house, the Upper Darby Zoning Hearing Board failed to apply appropriate zoning standards when it granted a variance for developer Raymond Konyk Jr. to raze the historic white stucco home near Lansdowne Avenue and State Road, which was built before the Revolutionary War.

10 Years Ago  2010: Darby Township Commissioners ratified the curfew ordinance in the 1st and 2nd wards. Commissioner Arnold Covert moved to ratify the curfew ordinance so the evening curfew will remain 9 p.m. seven days a week. Those caught in violation of the curfew, in place since spring, will receive a warning on their first offense and a fine on their second offense. Weve seen a positive difference since we posted the new curfew, Covert said after the meeting. If kids get fined once for violating the curfew, we usually dont see them in violation again.

 COLIN AINSWORTH
Mumbai: Actors Deepika Padukone and Prabhas are set to collaborate for the first time for a multilingual sci-fi film, to be directed by Nag Ashwin.

Vyjayanthi Movies, which completes 50 years in the industry, announced the project on on Sunday to mark the golden jubilee of the banner.

Deepika took to Twitter and wrote she was "beyond thrilled" to be a part of the project.

"Cannot wait for what we believe is going to be an incredible journey ahead," the 34-year-old actor said.

Sharing the announcement video on his Instagram page, Prabhas, 40, said the team is excited to have Deepika on board.

The actor was last seen in the 2019 action thriller "Saaho" co-starring Shraddha Kapoor, while Deepika's latest release was Meghna Gulzar's"Chhapaak".

Ashwin, who helmed the National Award winning "Mahanati", said the pairing of Deepika and the "Baahubali" star will be the highlight of the film.

"I'm very excited to see Deepika play this character. It is something no mainstream lead has done before and will be quite a surprise for everyone.

"The pairing of Deepika and Prabhas will be one of the main highlights of the film and the story between them, I believe will be something audiences will carry in their hearts for years to come," Ashwin said in a statement.

C Aswini Dutt, producer and founder of Vyjayanthi Movies, said the film is a "golden opportunity" for the production house to cement its place in the "annals of Indian Cinema history."

"It is also an incredible opportunity to enthrall the Indian audiences like never before, through the coming together of such extraordinary cinematic talents," Aswini said.

Co-producers Swapna Dutt and Priyanka Dutt said getting the "Padmaavat" star on board for the film was thrilling.

"What better way to mark our golden jubilee than welcoming the marvellous Deepika Padukone on board, to create some extraordinary magic on screen with Prabhas, in a Nag Ashwin film," Swapna and Priyanka added.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus bribery trial resumed on Sunday. However, the PM was not in attendance at the Jerusalem District Court hearing. His attorney Yossi Segev asked the court to delay proceedings because of Covid-19. Its hard to tell if a masked witness is telling the truth, he said.

The PM Judge Rivkah Friedman Feldman decided the evidence phase of the trial will begin next January, with testimony to be given three times a week.

Netanyahu was indicted last November for allegedly taking gifts from billionaires in return for political favors, and for making deals with media owners for less critical coverage. He denies the charges.

The process comes amid repeated protests against the Israeli leader as well as government handling of the Covid-19 crisis. Police used water cannon against demonstrators gathered outside Netanyahus home on Saturday and arrested two people. In Tel Aviv, arrests were also made when protesters clashed with police, who deployed tear gas to disperse the crowds.
- Ilocos Sur Governor Ryan Luis Singson is now urging the Sanggunian Panlalawigan to pass a resolution against three comedians who reportedly violated quarantine protocols and to declare them as "persona non grata"

- The three comedians are Roberto Mejia or Long Mejia, Romy Pastrana or Dagul, and Gene Baldivia or Gene Padilla

- As per the official statement of Singson, the comedians, along with their staff had unsanctioned visits and social activities without proper coordination with the LGU

- Singson stated that they refused to undergo quarantine checkpoint protocols and also evaded checkpoint personnel

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Governor Ryan Luis Singson of Ilocos Sur is urging the Sanggunian Panlalawigan to pass a resolution to declare three comedians as persona non grata after they reportedly violated quarantine protocols of the province.

According to Singson's official statement, Long Mejia, Dagul and Gene Padilla did social activities without proper coordination with the local authorities.

Photo: @mejia_long/Instagram

Source: Instagram

He also said that the comedians and their staff refused to undergo quarantine checkpoint protocols and evaded checkpoint personnel.

"These people are personalities fo the show business with broad patronage, which should all the more be the reason that they take it upon themselves to comply to existing rules in a place they visit."

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The government faced problems when they imposed the initial community quarantine, which was elevated into enhanced community quarantine. It also suspended transportation causing massive problems with commuters.

Doctors have died after being infected by COVID-19. They are among the frontliners who attend to the patients rushing to hospitals amid pandemic.

The COVID-19 outbreak started out in Wuhan, Hubei Province of China. Scientists believed that the virus came from an animal at one of Wuhan's wet markets. The Philippines has slowly eased quarantine measures and Filipinos are starting to adapt to the new normal.

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As the COVID-19 pandemic stretches on across the commonwealth and the country, medical professionals in the Poconos are preparing for potential case spikes and second waves.

Though each of Pennsylvania's 67 counties have made their way through Governor Tom Wolf's reopening strategy to the green phase, concerns are mounting as COVID-19 cases begin to spike in previously heavily-hit areas like the southwest and southeast regions of the state.

This has inevitably raised concerns about the northeast, which may not have seen infection rates like Pittsburgh and Philadelphia, but still experienced more than enough pandemic problems.

On Wednesday, Wolf and Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine singed off on new targeted mitigation efforts to address the increase in case counts, with the governor citing the potential for a new peak in infection rates as a concern.

"During the past week, we have seen an unsettling climb in new COVID-19 cases," Wolf said. "When we hit our peak on April 9, we had nearly two thousand new cases that day with other days' cases hovering around 1,000. Medical experts looking at the trajectory we are on now are projecting that this new surge could soon eclipse the April peak. With our rapid case increases we need to act again now."

Spikes and second waves have been a hot topic as the summer stretches on in Monroe County, with some residents worrying that the threat of COVID-19 may only increase as time goes on.

Both Lehigh Valley Hospital-Pocono and St. Luke's Monroe Campus have been working diligently to make sure that the county's health care systems can handle whatever the near future may hold.

Though both hospitals were fortunate to not reach capacity even during the height of the pandemic thus far, resting on their laurels is not an option  many professionals fear that spikes could interfere with recovery and reopening efforts, and a second wave could prove to be more dangerous than the first.

Elizabeth Wise, president of Lehigh Valley Hospital-Pocono, and senior vice president of Lehigh Valley Health Network, said that her staff has been debriefed on "things that we did well, (and) things that we could do better," and have since developed an action plan to address those gaps.

Processes were established for the pandemic, such as the screening of patients before they enter facilities, along with consistent cleaning schedules for high-touch surface areas.

"Additionally, across LVHN, we've been preparing for a second wave, which we hope does not happen, but in the event it does, we are making sure even during the initial crisis that we have adequate equipment," Wise said. "Obviously ventilators, adequate medication supplies, and adequate resources."

Lehigh Valley Heath Network has developed a surge plan to ensure that a proper amount of space and equipment would be available for COVID-19 patients, and there was even an overflow facility established by PEMA and the Pennsylvania National Guard at East Stroudsburg University in case non-COVID-19 patients needed to be protected. Though it was never used, the infrastructure remains in place in case it may be needed in the near future.

Don Seiple, president of St. Luke's University Health Network's Monroe campus, said that his staff developed similar plans during the onset of the first wave, and those protocols and procedures could go a long way toward helping patients during a potential spike or second wave.

"During the first wave the St. Luke's Monroe Campus, with the assistance of the St. Luke's Network, was able to develop an effective surge plan," Seiple said. "We created additional critical care capacity, retrained/reassigned staff, and addressed PPE (personal protective equipment supply and usage). Also, very early into the pandemic, the St. Luke's clinical team developed treatment protocols that kept the majority of patients off ventilators and out of the intensive care unit."

Seiple said that St. Luke's also developed surge care units during the first wave, doubling their intensive care capacity, and procuring enough ventilators for patients. With planning and preparation already complete, they will be able to quickly create capacity to address increased caseloads.

Both hospitals are carefully monitoring COVID-19 data  locally, statewide and even in bordering states  to stay on top of any developments.

"One of the important things during this pandemic has been the ability for hospitals or health care systems to take care of the volume of patients," Wise said. "So, I follow not only 'is there a spike?' but 'what is the number of people that need to be hospitalized as a result of the exposure?'"

Wise said that in order to get a good idea of how prepared a county is, one needs to look at some of the points of interest highlighted by the Department of Health  how many critical care beds are available, how many patients are being hospitalized, and can care be provided for patients

"If the answer is yes, then even if there is a spike, we can still provide the care that's needed," Wise said.

One of the biggest issues to hit health care providers during the pandemic was scarcity of personal protective equipment. Highly-coveted N95 face masks were near impossible to find, and not too long thereafter, surgical masks and even bandanas became rare.

Wise said that community support helped get her staff through the pandemic, especially local groups that provided masks to hospital workers.

"For those employees that do not care for patients, they wear cloth masks," Wise said. "We had many community members sew masks for us, and generously donated their time and materials, so we were grateful for that. For those that are taking care of patients, they wear a mask, goggles, a gown and gloves, depending upon what's required."

Wise said that she wears a cloth mask at work like other employees who do not interact with patients in order to maintain an adequate supply of personal protective equipment.

Seiple said that the staff at St. Luke's has been focused on maintaining a sufficient supply of personal protective gear for all as well.

"In addition to our development of treatment protocols, we continue to focus on our management of PPE," Seiple said. "It remains a top priority that our employees have the appropriate PPE when they need it. We continue to source and manage PPE responsibly and aggressively."

In order to stay ready for any spikes or second waves, medical professionals from both health networks have been adamant to stay on top of new developments, as we continue to learn more about COVID-19 the further the pandemic continues.

"We continue to monitor the rates of new cases daily and hospitalizations," Seiple said. "Currently the 10 counties in the Northeast region have done and continue to do a good job of reducing and maintaining the rate of new positive cases."

Some of that success could be thanks to a weekly broadcast presented by LVHN and St. Luke's, who joined the Pocono Mountains Visitors Bureau and key local business leaders to present important pandemic information to the community over a number of weeks.

While the hospitals have strived to prepare for the continuation  or second wave  of the pandemic, it is incredibly important for average citizens to take simple steps to protect their own health and that of others.

It comes down to staying informed and vigilant, which will go a long way toward protecting community members from falling ill, and ensuring that hospitals will be capable of treating the most severe cases. And all it really takes is those same mitigation tactics you have been hearing about for months.

The three most important things the residents of the Poconos can do are: Hand washing, social distancing and masking, Seiple said. Masking is more about protecting others, and I am encouraged when I see people in the Poconos masking. This will help keep our hospitalization rate low and ensure healthcare is available for those who will need it.
Signs emerged that leaders of northern European Union countries were willing to compromise on a 1.8 trillion ($2.93 trillion) coronavirus stimulus plan on Monday as talks in Brussels extended to a fourth day.

Divided and slow to respond at the start of the coronavirus outbreak in Europe, EU leaders believe they now have a chance to redeem themselves with an aid plan that would show Europeans the bloc can react to a crisis.

European Council President Charles Michel. Credit:Reuters

But old grievances between countries less affected by the pandemic and the indebted countries of Italy and Greece, whose economies are in freefall, have resurfaced, pitting Rome against The Hague and its allies in Stockholm, Copenhagen and Vienna.

With leaders not expected to restart until the afternoon, much rested on European Council President Charles Michel's efforts to present a new basis for a deal, taking into account the competing demands of north and southern Europe.

"An agreement is a necessity", French Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire told French BFM TV on Monday as weary diplomats slept or prepared for another day in what could be the longest-ever EU summit.

In the small hours of Monday, French President Emmanuel Macron lost patience with the "sterile blockages" of the Netherlands, Sweden, Denmark and Austria, later joined by Finland, banging his fist on the table, one diplomat said.

A second diplomat confirmed the outburst, saying tensions rose until Belgium's Prime Minister Sophie Wilmes called for calm.

Michel had earlier urged the 27 leaders to achieve "mission impossible", reminding them that more than 600,000 people had now died from COVID-19 around the world. The EU must stand together, he said.

That appeared to edge towards a potential breakthrough.

Within the 750 billion recovery fund, 390 billion could be considered as non-repayable grants, diplomats said, a compromise between the 350 billion level of the five "frugals" and the 400 billion demanded by France and Germany.

There was no immediate clarity on whether a deal was in the making, but Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz told ORF radio he was satisfied with the negotiations. He also praised the blocking minority tactics.

"It was definitely the best decision that the group of the frugals...has been formed," Kurz said.

"There were the four of us, now there are five of us. These are all small countries, which alone would have no weight at all."

Reuters
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High Throughput Screening Market Size 2019 HTS Industry Analysis, Growth Segments, Leading Manufacturers, Phenomenal Growth and Business Boosting Strategies till 2025

Market Research Future published a research report on High Throughput Screening Market Research Report  Global Forecast till 2025 Market Overview, Segmentation, Progress, Regional analysis, key Trends, Major Players and Forecast to 2025. Global Wearable Sensors Market is likely to value of USD 13,460 million with a CAGR of 7.5% during the forecast period

Competitive Landscape:

Better integration of diverse plans in the global high throughput screening (hts) market and introduction of several strategic moves that encompasses mergers, acquisitions, tie-ups, and others are expected to inspire growth. Companies impacting the growth in the market are Danaher (US), Aurora Biomed Inc. (Canada), Tecan (Switzerland), PerkinElmer (US), Axxam (Italy), Hamilton (US), Corning (US), Merck Group (Germany), Beckman Coulter, Inc. (US), BioTek (US), Luminex Corporation (US), Agilent Technologies Inc. (US), and Roche (Switzerland).

Overview

High-throughput screening (HTS) can be defined as a method that includes scientific experimentation needed for various drug discovery and deciding typical moves in the the fields of biology and chemistry. The procedure includes data processing/control software, liquid handling devices, robotics, and sensitive detectors. This allows the system to get into the procedure of conducting tests for millions of chemical, genetic, or pharmacological processes. The process has evolved as necessary to find active compounds, antibodies, or genes that can cover various biomolecular pathway. This process assists in the designing of various market process.

The High Throughput Screening Market is getting traction from high technological advancements in HTS and hike in expenditure for research and development. The government funding for the procedure is also providing better scope for growth.

Segmental Analysis

The global market for high throughput screening, by product & service, can be segmented into instruments, reagents & assay kits, consumables & accessories, and software and services. The reagents & assay kits segment can find growth with increasing demand from the diagnostic segment.

By technology, the global market report on high throughput screening can be segmented into cell-based assays, Bioinformatics, 3D cell culture, 2D cell culture, perfusion cell culture, 3D cell culture, Ultra-high-throughput Screening, lab-on-a-chip (LOC), and Label-free Technology. The 3D cell culture segment includes scaffold-based technologies and scaffold-free technologies. The scaffold-based segment comprises hydrogels, inert matrix, and micropatterned surfaces. The scaffold-free technologies segment consists ultra-low binding plates, hanging-drop plates, microplate, and other scaffold-free technologies.

By application, the global market for high throughput screening includes primary and secondary screening, toxicology assessment, target identification & validation, and others. The application segment is showing signs of fastest CAGR owing to its inclusion in the research and development sector.

By end user, the global market for high throughput screening can be segmented into contract research organizations, academic & government institutes, pharmaceutical & biotechnology companies, and others.

Global High Throughput Screening Market Research Report- https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/reports/high-throughput-screening-market-1280

In October 2019, researchers at Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute revealed that they have developed a machine-learning algorithm that would assist in the high throughput screening of epigenetic drugs.

About Market Research Future:

MRFR team have supreme objective to provide the optimum quality market research and intelligence services to our clients. Our market research studies by Components, Application, Logistics and market players for global, regional, and country level market segments, enable our clients to see more, know more, and do more, which help to answer all their most important questions.
PORTLAND, Ore.  Protesters broke into a building, set it on fire and started dumpster fires late Saturday night in Oregons largest city, police said, as demonstrations that have been taking place since the death of George Floyd intensified for another night in Portland.

The fire at the Portland Police Association building was put out a short time later, Portland police said on Twitter. The department declared the gathering a riot and began working to clear the downtown area.

Tear gas was deployed, according to pictures and video from the scene. Fencing that had been placed around federal courthouse had also been removed by protesters and made into barricades, police tweeted.

President Donald Trump has decried the demonstrations, and Homeland Security Secretary Chad Wolf blasted the protesters as "lawless anarchists" in a visit to the city on Thursday.

Before the aggressive language and action from federal officials, the unrest had frustrated Mayor Ted Wheeler and other local authorities, who had said a small cadre of violent activists were drowning out the message of peaceful protesters in the city. But Wheeler said the federal presence in the city is now exacerbating a tense situation and he has told them to depart.

"Keep your troops in your own buildings, or have them leave our city," Wheeler said Friday.

Oregon Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum late Friday sued Homeland Security and the Marshals Service in federal court. The complaint said unidentified federal agents have grabbed people off Portland's streets "without warning or explanation, without a warrant, and without providing any way to determine who is directing this action."

Rosenblum said she was seeking a temporary restraining order to "immediately stop federal authorities from unlawfully detaining Oregonians."

The administration has enlisted federal agents, including the U.S. Marshals Special Operations Group and an elite U.S. Customs and Border Protection team based on the U.S.-Mexico border, to protect federal property.

But Oregon Public Broadcasting reported this week that some agents had been driving around in unmarked vans and snatching protesters from streets not near federal property, without identifying themselves.

Tensions also escalated after an officer with the Marshals Service fired a less-lethal round at a protester's head on July 11, critically injuring him.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and U.S. Rep. Earl Blumenauer, D-Oregon, issued a joint statement Saturday denouncing the Trump administration's actions.

"We live in a democracy, not a banana republic. We will not tolerate the use of Oregonians, Washingtonians  or any other Americans  as props in President Trump's political games. The House is committed to moving swiftly to curb these egregious abuses of power immediately," they said.

Hundreds of people had gathered Friday night for a vigil outside the downtown Justice Center, which is sandwiched between two federal buildings, including a courthouse, The Oregonian/OregonLive reported. Across the street, dozens of other protesters entered two recently closed city parks after dismantling chain-link fencing that blocked access.

Federal agents emerged from an office building next door and used impact munitions, stun grenades and tear gas to clear the area, the news organization reported. It said its journalists did not observe any incident that might have prompted the use of the weapons.

Federal officers deployed tear gas again just before midnight after a few protesters placed dismantled fencing in front of plywood doors covering the entrance of the federal courthouse.

Early Saturday, Portland police declared the gathering unlawful, saying protesters had piled fencing in front of the exits to the federal courthouse and the Multnomah County Justice Center and then shot off fireworks at the Justice Center.

Federal officers and local police then advanced simultaneously on the demonstrators to clear the streets, making arrests as protesters threw bottles and pieces of metal fence at police, the Portland Police Bureau said. Portland Police Chief Chuck Lovell told reporters Friday that his officers are in contact with the federal agents, but that neither controls the others' actions.

The overnight action by Portland's police was condemned Jo Ann Hardesty, a prominent member of the City Council. Hardesty said Saturday that local police "joined in the aggressive clampdown of peaceful protest."

Hardesty also slammed Wheeler, telling the mayor he needed to better control local law enforcement. Hardesty, who oversees the city's fire department and other first-responder agencies, said in an open letter to Wheeler if "you can't control the police, give me the Portland Police Bureau."

In a statement Saturday, Portland Police said as they responded to the overnight protests  which included people throwing projectiles at them  some federal agencies took action "under their own supervision and direction." Portland Police said city officers arrested seven people, and one officer sustained a minor injury.

The statement said the citys police supports peaceful protests, and beginning Saturday night Department of Homeland Security police wouldnt work in the Portland Police incident command center.

Andrew Selsky and Gillian Flaccus of The Associated Press wrote this story.
President Donald Trump declined in an interview that aired Sunday to say he would accept the results of the 2020 election, adding that he will "have to see" and claiming without evidence that mail-in voting will "rig the election."

Trump's comments came during a wide-ranging interview with "Fox News Sunday" host Chris Wallace in which he criticized so-called cancel culture and repeatedly downplayed the coronavirus, which has infected more than 3.7 million people in the U.S. and killed at least 140,131, according to data compiled by Johns Hopkins University.

During the interview, which was conducted earlier in the week, Wallace debuted the results of Fox News' latest national poll, which showed Democratic candidate for president Joe Biden leading Trump by 8%. The poll showed Biden leading on specific issues as well, including a 1% lead over Trump on the economy.

When presented with the results, Trump downplayed the findings as "fake polls."

"First of all, I'm not losing because those are fake polls," he said. "They were fake in 2016 and now they're even more fake."

Later in the interview, when Wallace asked whether Trump is a "gracious" loser, the president responded that "it depends" and repeated claims he has made in the past that mail-in voting could lead to widespread voter fraud.

With the coronavirus spreading rapidly across large swaths of the U.S., some states have made efforts to more readily accommodate mail-in voting to reduce the risk of infection at in-person voting locations come November. Trump has previously attacked efforts made by officials in Michigan and Nevada to expand vote-by-mail access, repeatedly saying that they will lead to voter fraud, though he hasn't presented evidence to back up that claim.

"I think mail-in voting is going to rig the election," he said in the interview. "I really do."

Wallace pressed Trump on whether he will accept the results of the 2020 election, but Trump declined to answer the question directly.

"I have to see. Look, youI have to see," he said. "No, I'm not going to just say yes. I'm not going to say no."

Asked for comment on Trump's remarks, Tim Murtaugh, communications director for Trump's reelection campaign, said in a statement to CNBC on Monday that mail-in voting is just one way Democrats are trying "to eliminate protections for election integrity."

Earlier in the interview, Trump downplayed the coronavirus pandemic, attributing the recent surge in cases to increased testing and saying that many infected people "automatically" recover from the virus. Health officials have repeatedly pointed out that new cases have outpaced the increase in testing, which indicates that the virus is spreading rapidly in communities across the country.

When Wallace pointed to the European Union, which he said is reporting about 6,000 new cases per day, Trump said it's because "they don't test" and declined to acknowledge differences in policy responses between Europe and the U.S.

The U.S. has reported on average 66,498 new cases of the coronavirus per day over the past seven days, up more than 15% compared with a week ago, according to a CNBC analysis of data from Hopkins. Thirty-six states and the District of Columbia have reported growth in cases by at least 5%, on average over the past week. And Covid-19 deaths, which lag the diagnosis of cases, have begun to tick up nationally, driven by a number of states with expanding outbreaks.

"No country has ever done what we've done in terms of testing. We are the envy of the world," Trump said. "You look at other countries, they don't even do tests. They do tests if somebody walks into the hospital."

When asked about his relationship with White House health advisor Dr. Anthony Fauci, one of the nation's top infectious disease experts, Trump said he had spoken with Fauci the day before the interview, but added that "he's a little bit of an alarmist." Trump also said that he doesn't agree with Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Dr. Robert Redfield, who said earlier this week that if everyone wore a mask, the U.S. could bring the virus under control in one to two months.

The president continued to tout the strength of the economy before the virus arrived in the U.S. in January, adding that Democratic officials are "purposefully" keeping the economy shutdown to hurt his reelection effort. Many states have implemented costly public health measures to curb the spread of the virus such as shutting down bars and other businesses, closing schools and banning large gatherings. Trump specifically bemoaned his campaign's inability to host campaign rallies in Michigan, Minnesota and Nevada.

"The Democrats are purposely keeping their schools closed, keeping their states closed," he said. "We're not allowed to have rallies in these Democrat-run states."

Correction: An earlier version incorrectly reported when Trump made his remarks in the interview. The interview aired Sunday but was recorded last week.
Ross and other analysts say Netanyahu almost certainly obtained Trump administration consent, if not collaboration, for the Israeli offensive, if only because the United States is a likely target for Iranian retaliation. So far, the regime of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, which is struggling with multiple crises, has played down the attacks, attributing some of them to gas leaks or other accidents. But if it chooses to respond, its targets could include U.S. bases in Iraq or shipping in the Persian Gulf, both of which it has already struck in the past year.
Hackers accessed Twitter's internal systems to hijack some of the platform's top voices including Joe Biden, Kim Kardashian, Barack Obama and Elon Musk, and used them to solicit digital currency.

Twitter said on Saturday that hackers were able to download account information for up to eight accounts involved in the hack of its systems this week, but said none of them were verified accounts.

The company said the unidentified attackers targeted 130 accounts, and were able to reset passwords to take control of 45 of them and tweet from those accounts.

Hackers accessed Twitter's internal systems to hijack some of the platform's top voices including US presidential candidate Joe Biden, reality TV star Kim Kardashian, former US President Barack Obama and billionaire Elon Musk and used them to solicit digital currency.

Publicly available blockchain records show the apparent scammers received more than $100,000 worth of cryptocurrency.

In the attack that occurred on Wednesday, Twitter said hackers were able to view personal information including email addresses and phone numbers of the 130 targeted accounts, but unable to view previous account passwords.

"In cases where an account was taken over by the attacker, they may have been able to view additional information", Twitter said in the statement without specifying the type of information accessed.

Hackers may have also attempted to sell the user names of some of the accounts, it said.

The high-profile accounts that were hacked also included rapper Kanye West, Amazon.com founder Jeff Bezos, investor Warren Buffett, Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates, and the corporate accounts for Uber and Apple.

In its latest statement, Twitter said attackers "manipulated a small number of employees" to gain access to the internal support tools used in the hack.

The company said it was holding back some of the details of the attack as it continues its investigation and reiterated that it was working with impacted account owners.

The FBI's San Francisco division is leading an inquiry into the hacking, with many Washington lawmakers also calling for an account of how it happened.
One of the worlds forgotten conflicts is now making headlines again. In the last week, the military conflict between Azerbaijan and Armenia has reignited, with the two nations having already been engaged in a military confrontation for decades. Nagorno Karabach, an Armenian enclave inside of Azerbaijan, is one of the main underlying factors for the conflict, but the growing rivalry between Russia and Turkey is also playing a part. More than 16 soldiers have been killed in the most recent round of fighting. Both sides are accusing each other of aggression and military action. The use of full scale armed forces and drones have been involved, killing several soldiers on both sides and reportedly an Azerbaijani general. The current outbreak of fighting has been the deadliest since the April War of 2016. While most clashes normally occur in and around the Armenian controlled Nagorno-Karabakh region, the current clashes are on the international border between Armenia and Azerbaijan. The international community is urging both sides to end the clashes.

The United States, European Union, and the OSCE Minsk Group are trying to defuse the situation. While it remains unclear what reignited the conflict, it seems that Armenia played a large role in increasing tensions. Armenia recently constructed a new military outpost, which could have given Armenian armed forces a tactical advantage and tempted Azerbaijan to strike. At the same time, Azerbaijan is being buoyed by strong support from Ankara and may have wanted to test Russias support for Armenia. Remarkably, Armenia has called upon the Russia-led Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO), of which Armenia is a member, to intervene. The CSTOs response, from Yerevans point of view, however, is lacking. As of July 14, the CSTO has only called for a normalization of the situation on the border, not implying that it would provide military support for Armenia. The lack of vocal support from Moscow for Armenia is improving Azerbaijans position in the conflict. There is, however, a risk that the conflict will escalate to involve both Russia and Turkey.

Story continues

While the military conflict may be drawing the majority of media attention, there is also an energy aspect to this conflict.

The military conflict gets full attention but another issue is a major threat to energy markets. The Caucasus is a major oil and gas transfer chokepoint, on which involves Russia, Turkey, Iran, Azerbaijan, Armenia and Central Asian countries. Energy market observers should be concerned about the proximity of the current military clashes to the Baku-Turkey oil and gas pipeline systems.

Threats to these important oil and gas pipelines, which not only connect the Central Asian producers to the global markets but also stabilize the region due to growth potential and revenues, are already significant. Gazprom Armenia, a subsidiary of Russias energy giant Gazprom, stated on July 14 that gas pipelines had been damaged near the border of Azerbaijan. Increased military action on both sides will only increase the danger to existing regional oil and gas infrastructure. Turkey will be hit hard if this conflict does escalate as it is largely dependent on oil and gas from the region.

Related: Second Wave Of COVID-19 Wont Crush Oil Prices



Regional analysts are already assessing the possibility that the current flare up may have been instigated by Russia. The Tovuz region where the fighting is taking place is particularly close to Azerbaijan's crucial South Caucasia pipeline (SCP). The SCP channels natural gas to Turkey's TANAP pipeline and is a key component of Ankara's efforts to decrease its dependence on Russian energy. For years, Turkey has been trying to diversify its energy imports, but Ankara is still heavily dependent on Moscow. Russian gas is twice as expensive for Turkey than it is for most European customers, which is why Ankara is so desperate to move away from Russia gas. By getting Azerbaijani gas via TANAP, Turkey has been able to significantly reduce its costs. The Azeri-Turkish partnership could deepen further as a new opportunity arises in 2021, when a major gas deal between Turkey and Russia is up for renewal. Those discussions stalled in April when the two counties failed to reach an agreement. All of this combined means that Russia could be looking at losing market share in a very important growth market.

Related: Russia Looks To Woo Tech Companies As Oil Lags



The main pipeline, the Baku-Tbilisi-Erzurum pipeline, that supplies gas to Turkey from Azerbaijan, passes through the Tovuz region of Azerbaijan. This area borders the Armenian Tavush, where the clashes took place. Due to its geopolitically strategic location, a possible Turkish military intervention, especially considering its operations in Syria and Libya, is not unthinkable. Blowing up the current infrastructure in Azerbaijan would almost certainly ensure Turkish military involvement. "Turkey will never hesitate to stand against any attack on the rights and lands of Azerbaijan," Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Tuesday. Erdogan suggested a wider conspiracy lay behind the latest fighting. Turkish pro-government media have been quick to accuse Moscow of encouraging Armenia to attack Azerbaijan, albeit without substantiating evidence. Some analysts believe Turkeys actions in Libya and Syria are related to this new conflict. Ankara could be forcing a new front, and the hand of Moscow, to get some bargaining power in North Africa.

Whatever the cause of this latest conflict, the situation is on a knifes edge. Azerbaijan, via its defense ministry, has warned Armenia that it could launch missile attacks on its Metsamor Nuclear Power Plant. These threats could be easily be countered by Armenian actions on Azerbaijans weak point, its oil and gas transit pipelines. The fallout would be felt not only in European markets, but globally as well.

By Cyril Widdershoven for Oilprice.com

More Top Reads From Oilprice.com:

Read this article on OilPrice.com
On Saturday, a small group of protesters joined the Jericho March to protest discrimination, negligence and violence they said was linked to the local police department and the Bexar County Jail.

The group gathered at Columbus Park before noon for a series of speakers before marching along Santa Rosa Street to the front of police headquarters. Later that afternoon, the group was scheduled to march to the Sheriffs Office.

Activist Julianna Pope, Justice Martinez and Mario Marcel Salas hosted the event. In the past weeks, the park was the site of demonstrations aimed at the removal of a statue of explorer Christopher Columbus. On July 1, the Christopher Columbus Italian Society took down the statue to prevent it from being damaged.

Pope, 20, said she named the march after the biblical story of the Joshua and the Israelites who brought down the walls of Jericho with their horns.

I think its time to make some noise, she said. Its time for the walls that shield the racist institutions to fall.

Community activist Ananda Tomas, with FIX S.A.P.D. said the organizations focus is to repeal chapters 143 and 174 of the Texas Local Government Code.

She said code 143 makes it impossible to fire bad cops and keep them fired and code 174 favors the San Antonio Police Officers Association where its needs come before those of the people.

This is one of the ways to take on the system and fix it so that it represents and protects us, Tomas said.

She said the activist organization is focused on compassionate policing, responsible budgeting, civic accountability and reliance on best practices that can rebuild trust between officers and the community they serve.

By noon, 37 participants had arrived at the COVID compliant protest where volunteers provided hand sanitizer, masks, food and water. Registrars stood at tables ready to sign people up to vote.

Salas, a community activist, said there is a history of police-involved violence in the city. He cited the case of Bobby Joe Phillips who was arrested and beaten by local police in 1968 and died from his injuries.

That didnt happen in Mississippi, that happened here in San Antonio, Texas, said Salas, chairman for the San Antonio Coalition for Police Accountability and Reform.

He thanked the activists and groups from the past such as Martin Luther King Jr., NAACP and the Southern Christian Leadership Conference.

All of these movements fought for so long and so hard and it is at this moment that we live in their legacy and stand on their shoulders, he said. And certainly we stand on the shoulders of Rep. John Lewis who passed away yesterday and the Rev. C.T. Vivian who died within hours later.

Judy Lerma, 75, brought her granddaughter Layla Lerma, 13, to the event she said was a survival issue.

The grandmother said she believed race is an artificial construct that was invented to divide the people of the nation.

Were all the same; were all equal, Layla said. Its been happening for way too long in the United States of America. It really is just unfair.

Vincent T. Davis is a reporter in the Greater San Antonio and Bexar County area. To read more from Vincent, become a subscriber. vtdavis@express-news.net | Twitter: @vincentdavis
The Airports Authority of India (AAI) has decided to procure 198 body scanners for 63 Indian airports that will replace the existing door frame metal detectors and hand-held scanners, besides pat-down searches of passengers to detect metallic objects, officials said.

"The process for procurement of body scanners started earlier this year before the COVID-19 pandemic. It has become important to get these scanners as soon as possible as frisking of passengers by security personnel has already been minimised since March due to the pandemic," the AAI officials noted.

Out of these 198 scanners, 19 will be for the Chennai airport, 17 for the Kolkata airport and 12 for the Pune airport, the officials told PTI.

The AAI owns and manages more than 100 airports across the country.

"Seven body scanners will be deployed at the Srinagar airport, six at the Visakhapatnam airport, and five each at airports in Tirupati, Bagdogra, Bhubaneswar, Goa and Imphal," they added.

Four body scanners each will be put at airports in Amritsar, Varanasi, Calicut, Coimbatore, Trichy, Gaya, Aurangabad and Bhopal, the officials mentioned.

They said the tender to procure 198 body scanners for 63 airports has been issued and three companies have put in their bids.

"These three companies have put in their technical bids. If they pass our technical criteria, we will ask them to submit financial bids. An award of contract will then be given to one of them," the officials stated.

Passengers have to remove their jackets, thick clothing, shoes, belts as well as all metallic items before entering into the body scanner of an airport. A mannequin-like image is generated by the machine, and if there is a yellow spot on the screen, it means that area on the body may need further screening.

Once the body scanners are installed at an airport, pat down searches will not be required for passengers, the officials said.

The Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) on March 19 had stated, "CISF personnel deployed at 63 domestic and international airports have been sensitised to adopt 'minimum touch' concept and also wear masks, surgical gloves and not to touch any item or article of the passenger during pre-embarkation screening."

Staffers at these airports have also been advised to interact with passengers from a distance without compromising security procedures, the CISF said.

India resumed its domestic passengers flights from May 25 after a gap of two months due to the coronavirus-triggered lockdown.

While scheduled international passenger flights continue to remain suspended in the country since March 23, India has established bilateral air bubbles with four countries -- the US, the UAE, France and Germany -- in which airlines of both the countries are permitted to operate international passenger flights with certain restrictions.

With inputs from PTI

This story has been published from a wire agency feed without modifications to the text. Only the headline has been changed.

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Germany pledged 3 billion euros ($3.4 billion) at a meeting of G20 finance ministers to help the world's poorest countries, the finance ministry said on Saturday.

The funds will be made available as long-term loans for the International Monetary Fund's Poverty Reduction and Growth Trust (PRGT).

IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva welcomed Germany's "generous pledge" and urged other donors to follow suit.

In April, IMF officials said they had received pledges of a combined $11.7 billion from Australia, Japan, Canada, France and Britain to replenish the PRGT. Spain has also contributed.

The United States has been noticeably absent from the relief drive.

U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin told the IMF's steering committee in April that Washington was exploring contributions to both facilities, but gave no details on the amount or timing of such a contribution.

"With the funds ... low-income countries can receive greatly discounted loans and bridge liquidity bottlenecks," the German finance ministry said.

It added that Germany will provide a total of 8.7 billion euros for international aid measures in 2020 and 2021. ($1 = 0.8752 euros)
S ir Keir Starmer has called on the Government to provide extra childcare support for parents to help them get back to the office.

The Labour leader said families are being put in an impossible position over returning to their workplaces just as the summer holidays begin.

He issued the warning after Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced an end to the Governments stay at home messaging.

In an announcement on Friday, Mr Johnson scrapped official guidance to work from home if you can as he seeks to revive the crippled economy.

The Labour leader said families are being put in an impossible position over returning to their workplaces due to a lack of childcare support / PA

From August 1, employers will be able to discuss with staff proposals for them to return to offices and workplaces that have been made safe against Covid-19.

But Sir Keir said on Sunday that parents would be penalised due to no extra help being provided for families over the holiday period.

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

He said: We all want society to get moving again, but it requires a clear plan and national leadership from the Government.

Despite ordering millions of parents back to the office, the Prime Minister has refused to provide any extra help for families, penalising parents by putting them in an impossible position.

Parents got a back-to-work notice on Friday just as the summer holidays began.

But they got no support for structured activities, no summer catch-up schemes, and no support for a childcare sector on its knees.

If we are going to reopen our society and economy safely and successfully, we need the public to have confidence in the Governments advice, we need test, track and trace to be working properly, and we need proper support for children to learn and for parents to get back to work.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-07-19 20:34:41|Editor: huaxia

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CANBERRA, July 19 (Xinhua) -- Australian Health Minister Greg Hunt supports the decision to make face mask wearing mandatory in Melbourne amid a spike in coronavirus cases.

Hunt told reporters on Sunday that the coronavirus challenge in Melbourne "remains great," committing federal government's support to the state.

As of 3:00 p.m. local time on Sunday, a total of 11,802 cases have been reported in Australia, and 8,272 have been reported as recovered from COVID-19, according to the latest figures from Department of Health.

The number of new cases in the last 24 hours was 381.

Authorities in Victoria state on Sunday confirmed 363 new cases and another three deaths, taking the national death toll to 122.

In response to the outbreak, the state government announced on Sunday that people living in metropolitan Melbourne and Mitchell Shire will be required to wear a face covering when leaving home and the new rule will not be enforced until after 11:59 p.m. local time on July 22 so as to give people time to purchase or make a face covering.

"We know today's numbers will be distressing for so many Australians because these are not just numbers. These are Australians who have been infected by a virus which can be deadly or deeply debilitating," Hunt said.

There were 18 new cases in New South Wales (NSW) state, only five of which were recently returned travellers in hotel quarantine, as community transmission in the state continues. Enditem
At least 40 different aged care homes in Victoria now have at least one positive COVID-19 case, with a number of regional Victorian homes also dealing with infections.

The number of facilities which have an active case of the virus has doubled in five days according to state government data, after only 20 aged care homes were affected on July 14.

And the number of active virus cases connected to aged care facilities has risen from 86 to 216.

Australian Health Minister Greg Hunt announced on Sunday that the federal and state governments would provide funding to help aged care facilities ensure staff do not work across multiple centres or homes.
A 56-year-old man died allegedly due to drowning after his mini-truck was submerged in water under the Minto Bridge in central Delhi, following a heavy downpour in the city on Sunday morning, police said.

IMAGE: A DTC bus almost submerged at waterlogged Minto Bridge underpass after rains in New Delhi. Photograph: Atul Yadav/PTI Photo

The man, identified as Kundan Kumar, was a resident of Pithoragarh, Uttarakhand. He was driving a Tata Ace from the New Delhi Railway Station to Connaught Place when he got stuck in the waterlogged area, they said.

While he was trying to manoeuvre his vehicle through the waterlogged underpass, Kumar got stuck and allegedly died due to drowning, said a senior police officer.

He used to drive the vehicle, owned by his cousin Pritam, to transport goods, police said.

Kumar used to live near a taxi stand in Shankar Market area and is survived by his wife and two daughters, they said.

His body has been shifted to a mortuary at Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital wherein it will be handed over to his family after a post-mortem.

IMAGE: Waterlogged roads at Zakhira after rains. Photograph: Shahbaz Khan/PTI Photo

Police said they suspected that he died due to drowning since no external injury marks were found on his body.

Inquest proceedings have been initiated in this regard, they said.

The national capital received its first spell of heavy rains, which led to waterlogging in low-lying areas and brought traffic to a standstill at key stretches in the city.

WATCH: Driver and conductor rescued from bus stuck on waterlogged road

The Minto Road underpass also witnessed heavy waterlogging, following overnight heavy rains.

Meanwhile, a DTC bus and two auto-rickshaws were stuck at the Minto Bridge underpass due to waterlogging, following which three people were rescued, Delhi Fire Service officials said.

A call regarding the stranded vehicles at the Minto Bridge underpass was received around 7.54 am. A team from the Delhi Fire Service was rushed to the spot for rescue work, Atul Garg, Director, Delhi Fire Service, said.

IMAGE: A DTC bus stuck at waterlogged Zakhira underpass as children play. Photograph: Shahbaz Khan/PTI Photo

"A DTC bus and two autos were trapped due to waterlogging. The driver and conductor of the bus and an auto driver were safely rescued by our personnel. There was no passenger in the bus," he said.

The fire service personnel used a ladder to bridge the gap from a footpath and the low floor bus, which was submerged in the heavily waterlogged underpass, to rescue the stranded.

Waterlogging at the concave railway underpass (Minto Bridge) during the rainy season is a recurring issue.

IMAGE: A man rides a two-wheeler on a waterlogged road in New Delhi. Photograph: ANI Photo

Incidents of vehicles getting stuck and people being rescued have been reported in the past as well.

According to the Delhi traffic police, jams were reported from Azadpur to Mukarba Chowk, Yashwant Place to Ashoka Road, at Ring Road, Bhairon Road, and near Mundka metro station due to heavy waterlogging.

The India Meteorological Department said the Safdarjung Observatory, which provides representative figures for the city, recorded 74.8 mm rainfall till 8:30 am.

Ridge, Lodhi Road, Palam and Ayanagar weather stations recorded 86 mm, 81.2 mm, 16.9 mm and 12.2 mm rainfall, respectively, it said.

IMAGE: Traffic jam at Azadpur after rains in New Delhi. Photograph: Shahbaz Khan/PTI Photo

Rainfall below 15 mm is considered light, between 15 mm and 64.5 mm moderate, and above 64.5 mm heavy, according to the IMD.

Residents shared on social media videos and pictures of rainwater gushing into their houses and vehicles navigating waterlogged roads.

The Youth Congress also shared a video of their inundated Raisina Road office.

The rains also led to power outages in some areas.
David Wilcox I edit The Citizen's features section, Lake Life, and weekly entertainment guide, Go. I've also been writing for The Citizen and auburnpub.com since 2006, covering arts and culture, business, food and drink, and more. Follow David Wilcox Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Save Manage followed notifications Close Followed notifications Please log in to use this feature Log In Don't have an account? Sign Up Today

In the middle of the 19th century, a war for the Mormon church was waged in the Midwest between two men who came through Cayuga County.

Most know of the first man: Brigham Young. And most in Cayuga County know he had ties here, having spent some of his young adult years living in Port Byron and laboring on the Erie Canal.

But few know of the second man: James Jesse Strang.

And few in Cayuga County know that this rival to Young, this challenger to his leadership of the nascent religion, was born in the town of Scipio.

Strang's birthplace, however, may be the least interesting part of his story. His power struggle with Young, manipulation of the press and all-around megalomania are the subject of a book released July 14, "The King of Confidence: A Tale of Utopian Dreamers, Frontier Schemers, True Believers, False Prophets, and the Murder of an American Monarch" by Miles Harvey.

There's an obvious reason why Strang isn't well-known in Cayuga County, Harvey said in a phone interview with The Citizen: He only lived about a year in Scipio. Born in 1813, he was taken to Chautauqua County in August of the following year by his parents, Clement and Abigail, to live there with them, his older brother, David, and younger sister, Myraette.

Scipio Historian Dodie Rowlands told The Citizen that records of the family are scarce, limited to a few birth, marriage and death certificates.

If you read BOOK: "The King of Confidence: A Tale of Utopian Dreamers, Frontier Schemers, True Believers, False Prophets, and the Murder of an American Monarch" by Miles Harvey PUBLISHER: Little, Brown and Co. COST: $29, hardcover LENGTH: 416 pages INFO: Visit milesharvey.com

But one piece of Scipio history may have been important in forming Strang's personality. In an outtake from his book, Harvey wrote about Rachel Baker, a "girl-somniloquist" who drew as many as 400 people a night to the small town in the early 19th century. They came to Scipio, Harvey wrote, to witness her talk in her sleep. Her unconscious recitation of hymns, sermons and Scripture was believed to be the word of God. And the author believes Strang not only heard stories about Baker growing up, but took heed of her ability to command attention and gain influence.

"The King of Confidence" traces the rest of Strang's life in compulsively readable fashion, according to critics. Author Dave Eggers called the book a "ludicrously enjoyable, unputdownable read."

The book follows Strang from western New York to the Mormon capital of Nauvoo, Illinois, where he was baptized by the founder of the religion, Joseph Smith, in 1843. After Smith was killed by a mob the next year, Strang said he received a letter from the late prophet appointing him the heir to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Meanwhile, most followers supported the claim of Young, who was organizing Mormon pioneers on an exodus west, toward Utah. So Strang and his followers headed north to Wisconsin and then Beaver Island in Lake Michigan.

At first, Strang sought to solidify his claim to the church's leadership. He came out against polygamy  while having four secret wives  and delivered a prophecy to rival Smith's by using "seer stones" he said were loaned to him by an angel to translate three brass plates he directed his followers to exhume from the base of a tree. Both moves put him at odds with Young.

But at Beaver Island, Strang sought to do much more. Anointing himself King of Earth and Heaven in 1850, Strang led his breakaway colony into counterfeiting money, starting their own newspaper and even piracy. And those moves put him at odds with the U.S. government. The island was raided by Navy forces dispatched by, as it happens, another Cayuga County native: Summerhill-born President Millard Fillmore. Strang was prosecuted on charges that included murder and treason, but acquitted. In 1856, he was shot and killed by a group of enemies and excommunicants.

Harvey first learned of Strang about 20 years ago, he said. Though the man was "clearly a scoundrel," he nonetheless left an impression on the author. Then, about five years ago, he was pitched a book on Strang by publisher Little, Brown and Co. And Harvey immediately realized he wanted to approach the lesser-known figure differently than the few previous books about him.

"People have always treated him as a Mormon story, or a Midwestern story," Harvey said. "I saw Strang from the start as a national story, a story about an essential time in American history."

It was during Strang's lifetime that the term "confidence man" was coined, Harvey noted, and the Mormon leader was as good an example as any. Strang wasn't even terribly religious, declaring himself an atheist in his teens despite his parents being Baptist. But other people were rapt when he talked about religion, Harvey said. And the economic turmoil and technological changes of the mid-century made it easy for charismatic men like Strang, and contemporaries like P.T. Barnum, to prey on people's trust and become famous  or, rather, infamous  in the process.

However, Strang was a product of his time in another way. It's no coincidence that both he and Young had ties to Cayuga County, Harvey said. During their time, much of western and central New York comprised what was known as the Burned-over District, a region that became home to several religious movements and revivals during the Second Great Awakening. The name evokes the fiery nature of spiritual fervor, Harvey said. And while Cayuga County lies just outside the district, lying inside is neighboring Wayne County, which contains Smith's early home of Palmyra.

"These were two men out of this same intense, crazy world," Harvey said of Strang and Young.

If Harvey wasn't sure that Strang's story was timelessly American when he began writing "Confidence King," he quickly became sure  when Donald Trump ran for and was elected president.

Though the parallels between Strang and Trump are many, Harvey said the one that may be most instructive in our current moment is their similar relationship to the media. Strang started his newspaper, The Northern Islander, knowing he could use it to plant stories in other papers because they freely, and unquestioningly, shared each other's work, Harvey said.

"He understood how to pit people against each other," Harvey said. "That the more you confuse people, the more truths there are, and the more your truth has a chance to be the accepted one."

Trump's election helped the author understand Strang, Harvey continued, and the reverse was true as well. He went so far as to say he wouldn't have written the book the same way if he didn't write it during Trump's campaign and administration. That's perhaps why he couldn't help obliquely referencing the president in the beginning and end of the book. Harvey considered making the parallels between Trump and Strang even more explicit, but decided against that so he wouldn't date the book. The author also trusts readers to see the parable for themselves.

"That's what history and the humanities are supposed to do: give us new ways of thinking about the present and the future through the past," he said. "I think this book helps accomplish that."

Lake Life Editor David Wilcox can be reached at (315) 282-2245 or david.wilcox@lee.net. Follow him on Twitter @drwilcox.

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Copyright  2020 Albuquerque Journal

While U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement last week rescinded a directive that would have kept international students from attending colleges in the United States this fall if their college offered a full load of courses online, it doesnt do United World College-USA any good.

Really a two-year international high school, about three-quarters of the 220 teenage students at UWC-USA are from foreign lands. But most of them now find themselves shut out from entering the country because of travel bans and their inability to obtain F-1 visas due to the closure of U.S. consulates worldwide as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

F-1 visas are issued to students wishing to study in the United States. In order to get one, students must fill out paperwork and participate in a visa interview with a consular officer in their native country.

U.S. consulates and embassies across the globe were closed and workers sent home in March after the pandemic hit.

The travel bans are impacting more than 100 of its students in 31 countries, according to UWC-USA.

Sure, the school in Montezuma near Las Vegas, New Mexico, does offer foreign students the opportunity to attend classes through online courses. But the students in many countries dont always have easy access to the internet where they are.

And, besides, distance learning is not the United World College way.

We decided months ago when the pandemic first hit that, given our mission, it was important for students to meet face to face, UWC-USA President Victoria Mora said. Not only would it interfere with how we function operationally, it would have precluded us from fulfilling our mission as an institution.

Founded in 1962 at the height of the Cold War, UWC maintains that education is a force to unite people, nations and cultures for peace and a sustainable future.

Among its core values are international and cultural understanding, celebration of difference, compassion and service, and a sense of idealism.

Ideally, Mora says, those things are best accomplished through first-hand, non-virtual experiences and interactions between students from 90 countries.

I understand, of course, that theres concern in this country (about spread of the virus), and we are being careful with regard to health and safety, she said, but, educationally, the importance of diversity among international students we feel is very real.

The ICE directive from earlier this month was a surprise to many, and it received considerable pushback from colleges and universities, and students themselves.

The Institute of International Education estimates there are more than 1 million foreign students studying in America, or about 5% of the students attending college in the U.S.

But just a week later, ICE rescinded the decree, the Department of Homeland Security saying that the rule complicated immigration enforcement.

Safeguarding students

United World College is a global school system that teaches an International Baccalaureate curriculum at 18 schools on five continents, but only three in the western hemisphere. The picturesque campus surrounding the iconic Montezuma Castle nestled in the hills north of Las Vegas along the Gallinas River and a short walk from pool natural hot springs is the only UWC site in the United States.

Mora said the other 17 UWC schools around the globe are in better shape when it comes to opening school. If not all, nearly all of them are expected to continue operating as usual, and that is an odd position for us to be in, she said.

While some public school districts in New Mexico are favoring a fully remote approach to opening schools for the fall semester, UWC-USA says it is a unique case. The school is already located in a relatively isolated, largely self-contained area in a county that has experienced fewer than 30 coronavirus cases in all. Mora said school officials are hard at work preparing the school for a safe and secure environment for students on campus.

She said the college is also in position to verify that students are quarantined from the moment they are met at the airport, and all the other things that we need do to ensure a safe, healthy community.

A handful of students are on campus now. Students from China, Ecuador, El Salvador, Nepal and Timor-Leste remained here over the summer. Theyve been working five days a week on a farm, the harvest of which is distributed in the community.

The rest of the schools second-year students are due to report August 1. First-year students are scheduled to show up August 15.

Carl-Martin Nelson, director of communications at UWC-USA, said many of the incoming students are ready to go, but they cant go anywhere without a visa. And they wont be able to get one until consulates reopen.

Last month, UWC-USA launched a campaign urging people to appeal to President Trump and members of Congress to lift the travel bans and reopen consulates.

The UWC community is typically focused on action to solve problems rather than just talk about them, Nelson said in a statement. We can all write letters and call our representatives in Washington to support these students and the international study community as a whole. Were better off as a country when we have opportunities to learn with and from people from other places and with different backgrounds.

Up for the challenge

Nelson said the school will open next month well short of capacity with the foreign students able to travel or who remained in the U.S. over the summer and 50-55 American students. More will show up as travel bans are lifted, he said.

In the meantime, Mora said the college will blend in-person and distance learning, though that presents another unique challenge. When its 1 p.m. in New Mexico, for instance, its midnight in Nepal. International students will have to dramatically adjust their lifestyle to participate in class and interact virtually with classmates. The school will adapt the best it can.

We will be providing synchronous and asynchronous learning offered at different times, she said, adding that sessions will be recorded and archived for later viewing.

Mora acknowledged UWC-USA could also take a hard financial hit without students.

It will absolutely be a financial challenge if we dont bring in our students, she said.

Not only will the UWC-USA, which functions with about 110 contract employees, lose income from tuition, but also the school wouldnt be able to access endowment funds that help pay scholarships.

We rely on philanthropy. How we deal with that challenge of not being able to distribute scholarship money is another concern. There are layers and layers of challenges here, she said.

But Mora says UWC-USA is ready to meet the challenges in the only way it knows how  uniting people for a sustainable future.

Whats really important, given the rhetoric thats out there blaming countries for the virus or blaming others in geographical areas where there are spikes in cases in the U.S., its important to note that weve been working with local officials, partner organizations and experts to make sure we can bring our students back safely. We want to be an example of the American tradition of working with the best science and without fear of one another. Were setting an example for ourselves and the country for what it is to work corroboratively for the common good.
Two men were charged Friday in an alleged assault against a Black man who was seen in a viral video being held against his will in the woods near an Indiana lake on the Fourth of July.

Sean Purdy and Jerry Cox are charged with various crimes, including confinement and battery against a 36-year-old Bloomington, Ind., man, Vauhxx Booker, according to the Indianapolis Star. Monroe County Prosecutor Erika Oliphant has filed two active warrants for the two men and says Booker will face no charges.

Purdy is charged with criminal confinement, battery resulting in injury and intimidation, all felonies. Cox is charged with aiding or causing criminal confinement, felony battery resulting in injury, intimidation and two misdemeanor counts of battery.

Booker, a member of the Monroe County Human Rights Commission, posted his account of the July 4 incident along with video to his Facebook account, writing, I dont want to recount this, but I was almost the victim of an attempted lynching. He went on: On July 4th evening others and me were victims of what I would describe as a hate crime. I was attacked by five white men [with Confederate flags] who literally threatened to lynch me in front of numerous witnesses.

Booker said he and his friends were visiting a public beach on Lake Monroe outside Bloomington to join a gathering when a group of white men said they were on private property and began following them.

Some of the men became belligerent, he said. When he approached sober seeming group members to see if we could smooth things over a bit, the confrontation escalated. Video posted to social media shows a group of white men holding Booker to a tree as his friends plead with them to release him. In the video, one man shouts at the camera, You happy about this, you nappy-headed bitch? You and your five white friends? As Bookers friends leave, one of the men follows, shouting, Those Black boys want to start it all.

Facebook

Attorneys for one of the men in the video claimed Monday that Booker was the instigator.

Story continues

Mr. Booker needs to tell the truth about punching people and apologize to the people he has harmed and to all real victims of racism because he has diminished them, said four attorneys representing Purdy in a statement. Also, those who were there with Mr. Booker and know the truth should also come out and tell the truth. Mr. Booker was the instigator and agitator. There was no problem until Mr. Booker returned for no legitimate reason. He was the aggressor and became threatening. Mr. Booker was the first to throw punches. Mr. Booker was then restrained. Not beaten. Restrained. For his own safety and the safety of others. He then started race-baiting. Then stuck around after his alleged near lynching to video his attackers.

In his Facebook post, Booker claimed there were shouts of get a noose and white power, although those are not heard on the video. The Indiana Department of Natural Resources (DNR), which responded, did not make any arrests at the scene. Booker told the Indianapolis Star that a DNR law enforcement supervisor kept talking about the property owners rights.

This officer was clearly elevating property rights above my life, Booker said. Thats something were seeing on a macro level throughout society where Black lives arent as important as property.

Booker believes hes alive because strangers stopped to help and film the altercation. The reason why Im here today is simply because these folks, they didnt just stop and watch and film my execution, Booker said in an interview with NPRs Mary Louise Kelly. They became involved. They became active participants. They put themselves in danger when they stepped forward for me.

He added, I saw the face of George Floyd in my mind.  I didnt want to be a hashtag.

Last week, the FBI confirmed it was investigating the incident as a potential hate crime, and Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb called it beyond disturbing.

The brief video clip that I viewed with my own two eyes was beyond disturbing, Holcomb said during his weekly coronavirus update. And thats why its very important that the DNR ... complete their investigation sooner rather than later.

Katharine Liell, a Bloomington attorney representing Booker, had criticized the justice systems response, saying that the officers present hadnt interviewed witnesses or collected copies of their videos.

I believe those DNR officers were in the prosecutors office by 8:45 this morning, and Im sure there were some tough questions that they had to ask those officers, Liell told Yahoo News last week. What were trying to do is coordinate with them to make sure they have the information necessary to make a good charging decision.

Bloomington Mayor Greg Hamilton (left) and Vauhxx Booker. (Yahoo News/Facebook)

Bloomington Mayor Greg Hamilton, who said he has known Booker personally for at least five years, said his city had work to do.

I dont know what would have happened in the woods around Lake Monroe if there hadnt been other individuals there and if there hadnt been a video taken, Hamilton told Yahoo News. Its incredibly important that we as a country, and then me and my community, that we make clear that has no place in our community, and we want to root it out.

We believe in inclusion, but in our community we know we have hate incidents every year, added Hamilton. We know theres racism in our community and around our community, and we cant pretend thats not the case.

Following a peaceful Black Lives Matter demonstration in support of Booker last Monday at the Monroe County Courthouse in Bloomington, two people were injured after being struck with a car. Christi Bennett of Greenfield, Ind., was booked into the Monroe County Jail two days later on preliminary charges of criminal recklessness and leaving the scene of an accident, a jail official said. She was later released after posting $500 bond.

On his personal Facebook page, Booker posted about Bennetts arrest with the comment Justice can only be delayed, but never denied.

_____

Read more from Yahoo News:
Why should we take Hardik Patel seriously? The young Patidar leader who has just been appointed working president of the Gujarat unit of the Congress is, after all, up against heavy odds. Although he campaigned for the Congress in the 2017 Assembly polls, Patel formally had joined the party only 15 months ago, ahead of the 2019 parliamentary elections.

Such a rapid elevation in a party like the Congress is nothing short of meteoric. Immediately on being appointed, Patel told local newspapers: I am taking off in a car to cover 6,000 villages, to make a note of and discuss all their ...
Mob goes on rampage in Bengal after alleged gang-rape, murder of student

India

pti-PTI

Raiganj, July 19: The suspected rape and subsequent murder of a teenaged girl in North Dinajpur district on Sunday triggered protests in the area with a mob blockading National Highway 31 and setting ablaze government buses and police vehicles, demanding arrest of the culprits, police officers said here.

The girl was allegedly abducted after she went out of her house at Sonapur village near Siliguri on Sunday morning to answer nature''s call. She was found dead after a few hours, and the villagers alleged that she was raped before being murdered.

West Bengal: Notice after BJP's video enacting rape goes viral

Coronavirus: WHO reports single-day record global spike in Covid-19 cases | Oneindia News

As police personnel were trying to lift the blockade, the mob set three North Bengal State Transport Corporation (NBSTC) buses on fire and also set ablaze three police vans, the officers said.

Police reinforcements, including Rapid Action Force, were brought in to lift the blockade and remove the protesters, the officers said.
A former British military translator and his sick wife have pleaded to come to the UK after being trapped in the worst refugee camp on Earth on a Greek island.

Nesar, who served alongside UK troops for almost two years in Helmand in Afghanistan, fled for Britain with his wife after facing Taliban threats.

But he is now stuck in hell with 19,000 migrants in the squalid Moria camp on Lesbos and is facing deportation back to Afghanistan.

Nesar, who served alongside UK troops for almost two years in Helmand in Afghanistan, fled for Britain with his wife after facing Taliban threats

Nesar, 29, and his wife Nazarine, 28, have been there for six months. Speaking from the camp, he said: I had no choice but to leave [Afghanistan] if I wanted to stay alive  and to keep my wife alive.

But now we are stranded in a camp which resembles hell and told we face being returned to Afghanistan where the Taliban will hunt me down and kill me.

Nesar worked with the British in Helmand from September 2009 until 2011. He then spent three years with US special forces.

The couple reached Europes largest migrant camp on Lesbos after crossing the Aegean in a dingy of 49 migrants, meant to carry ten.

Nesar said: We hoped to come to Britain where so many soldiers have told me I would be welcome after my work with them. They knew of the risks I took and the death threats I received.

Nesar worked with the British in Helmand from September 2009 until 2011. A US Marine is seen above in Helmand in 2008 in a close call with Taliban fighters

The overcrowded Moria migrant camp has previously been branded the worst refugee camp on Earth and is notorious for robberies, stabbings and food shortages.

Nesar said: Every night we wonder if we will be the next victims of an attack.

There is no electricity and little sanitation  there are 210 people per toilet and 630 per shower in the camp.

Nesars asylum application to Greece was rejected and he now faces deportation to Afghanistan  a move he believes would be his death sentence. He is appealing against the decision.

Ex-Lieutenant Peter Gordon-Finlayson, who survived an explosion in Helmand in 2011, said: There is a howling hole in our duty of care to the interpreters whose lives, and those of their families, are threatened by what they did for us.

The Daily Mails award-winning Betrayal of the Brave campaign has highlighted the cases of translators who say they have been abandoned to the Taliban by the British.

A Ministry of Defence spokesman said it was identifying which Afghan interpreters were eligible for relocation.
Americans across the country cheered when Prince Harry decided to marry U.S.-born actress Meghan Markle, making her the first American princess (okay, duchess) of this generation. While most Americans celebrated their union, however, many staunch supporters of the monarchy apparently werent so pleased with Prince Harrys choice.

The U.K. media were brutal to Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, and tabloids were filled with thinly veiled racist remarks against her. This led to her and her prince famously stepping down from their royal duties and dropping their royal titles.

Now, its been revealed that not only was Meghan understandably hurt by the tabloids remarks against her, but she was frustrated by the royal familys response (or lack there-of) as well.

Who is Meghan Markle?

Meghan, Duchess of Sussex | Mark Large  Pool/Getty Images

RELATED: Prince Harry and Meghan Markles Alarming Vice Shocked and Disappointed Royals Like William, Kate and Queen Elizabeth

We know Meghan ended up marrying into the royal family, but she wasnt just an ordinary citizen before that, either. Meghan has been acting since she was a child, but her big break came when she landed the role of Rachel Zane in USAs hit series Suits. She was fantastic as the paralegal-turned-attorney Rachel, and the series only lasted one season after she left.

Meghan has also been known to be outspoken against racism, being a mixed-race woman of color herself. Her stance on this matter was made even more crystal clear when she recently spoke out against the murder of George Floyd.

Although she had been laying low since leaving the royal family and moving to LA with her husband and son, she spoke at the virtual commencement of her alma mater high school and addressed the murders and the issue of systemic racism.

The media vilified Meghan, leading to her royal exit

The moment Meghan became engaged to the Duke of Sussex, the tabloids have treated her as a villain. This media treatment was in stark contrast to the adoration that Prince Williams wife, Kate, received when she wed into the royal family  understandably making people wonder, were the attacks race-based?

There were rumors that Meghan was a diva or that she didnt respect royal protocol, but these rumors were never backed up with fact. Most of the media attacks, describing Meghan using words like exotic and narcissistic, were barely suppressed racist tropes that have always been used to attack women of color.

Because of this treatment, Meghan and her husband both decided to drop their royal duties and move to LAs to raise their son, Archie. Meghan filed a lawsuit against two British tabloids for the attacks that they launched against her, which she claims harmed her health and emotional well-being during her pregnancy with Archie.

Markle says that the Palace silenced her voice

A source recently revealed to People that Meghan was not only devastated by the medias attacks, but also by the Palaces frustrating instructions on how to deal with untrue tabloid stories  in a word, dont. The source shared, People actively prevented her from responding to stuff that we knew to be untrue, referring to the Palaces No Comment approach to any gossip that was shared about any of the royal family members. Understandably, this left Meghan feeling like she wasnt allowed to protect herself from these vicious attacks.

The go-to position [at the palace] was no comment or to ignore stories, and people actively prevented her from responding to stuff that we knew to be untrue. That is what she is taking issue with, the source claimed.

Furthermore, the legal documents that were filed for the lawsuit against the media outlets state that Markle felt unprotected by the institution and prohibited from defending herself from the false reports, which caused tremendous emotional distress and damage to her mental health.
Thailands capital saw thousands of anti-government protestors take to the streets on July 18 to demand a new constitution, new elections and an end to repressive laws. According to reports, the demonstrators mainly consisted of young people and converged on Bangkoks iconic Democracy Monument while chanting slogans and waving placards.

Demonstrators take to the streets

As per reports, Thailand declared a state of emergency in March due to the growing coronavirus pandemic and this recent protest which was organized by the Liberation Youth group was the biggest anti-government movement since the emergency was declared. Even before the declaration of emergency, Thailand saw huge protests against former Army chief Prayut Chan-o-cha but the protest lost its momentum once the number of coronavirus cases started rising and the country declared an emergency.

Read: Thailand: Researchers Plan To Begin Human Trials Of Potential COVID-19 Vaccine

Read: Toyota Corolla Cross Launched In Thailand, Check Specs And Price Here

The protest in Thailand before the emergency was declared, revolved around a court ruling in February which effectively dissolved the pro-democracy opposition party. The Future Forward partys supporters believe that the party was unjustly targeted because it was gaining in popularity (mostly young voters) and was also critical of the current regime and the military.

According to reports, the demonstrations on July 18 saw speeches being made about demands for sweeping changes, a radical rap group was also present at the rally and sang a popular political song. The organisers of the event have claimed that the rally attracted around 2,000 participants with more arriving in the evening. The authorities responded by deploying the police and trying to prevent the demonstrators from occupying the streets and areas.

Read: Thailand Rejects Claims Of Animal Abuse In Coconut Industry

Read: Lack Of Tourists Allows Turtle Hatching In Thailand

The emergency declared by the government allowed it to swiftly tackle the coronavirus but the ruling political party had not relinquished its emergency powers and is using them as a political weapon against the demonstrations. The police reported set up large speakers near the rally and blasted messages that claimed that emergency was still in effect and this gathering by demonstrators was illegal.
At least seven members of Prime Minister Imran Khan' Cabinet are either dual nationals or hold another country's permanent residency, according to the details issued by the government amid growing demands by the Opposition to disclose assets and nationalities of non-elected members.

The details of their assets and nationalities have been put up on the website of the Cabinet Division. Information Minister Shibli Faraz tweeted that the information had been made public on the instruction of Prime Minister Khan.

The move comes in response to growing criticism of the government and calls for declaring assets of the people close to the prime minister.

When Khan was in the Opposition, he had criticised foreign nationals holding public offices.

All dual nationals were non-elected and working as special assistants to the prime minister, also called as SAPM, a notification issued by the Cabinet Division showed.

The details of assets and dual nationalities of 20 advisers and special assistants to the prime minister were made public.

Those holding dual nationalities include SAPM on Political Affairs Shahbaz Gill (US), SAPM on Petroleum Nadeem Babar (US), SAPM on Overseas Pakistanis Syed Zulfiqar Bukhari (UK) and SAPM on National Security Moeed Yousuf (US).

The list also includes SAPM on Power Division Shahzad Qasim (US), SAPM on Parliamentary Coordination Nadeem Afzal Gondal (Canada) and SAPM on Digital Pakistan Tania S Aidrus (Canada and Singapore).

The Cabinet Division also published details of all non-elected advisors which showed that Babar had worth Rs 310 million properties in Pakistan and worth over Rs 310 million in the US. His business capitals amount to over Rs 2.15 billion.

Bukhari owns properties both in Pakistan and the UK. He also owns a Toyota Land Cruiser in Pakistan and four vehicles in the UK -- Bentley (2017), Range Rover and two Mercedes. Aidrus owns properties in the US, Britain and Singapore.

SAPM on Information and Broadcast retired Lt Gen Asim Saleem Bajwa owns eight properties, including a house, plots, commercial plots and agricultural land (65 acres), worth over Rs 1.4 billion.

Adviser on Finance Hafeez Shaikh has properties and assets worth around Rs 300 million. Adviser on Commerce Abdul Razak Dawood owns assets worth over Rs 2 billion.

In Pakistan, a foreign national cannot contest an election. All the people contesting an election declare their assets before the polls. But there is no such provision for non-elected members.
Businesses are calling for The Rocks to be reimagined to draw locals back to its sandstone streets and fill the vacuum of international tourism amid fears the area is suffering an identity crisis.

With the historic suburb's famed markets having resumed this month, the Sydney Business Chamber has named the precinct as being among commercial hubs that need "supercharging" to lift them out of the COVID-19 slump.

Cafe owner Ron Danieli wants to see Sydneysiders drawn back to The Rocks. Credit:Steven Siewert

The chamber's executive director, Katherine O'Regan, last week sent a letter to Place Management NSW CEO Sam Romaniuk, whose agency oversees the area, asking the government to work with the business sector to develop a tourism strategy aimed at bringing Sydneysiders back to The Rocks.

"I talk about it as an exercise in recovery and revitalisation. Lifting all that history and heritage to make it real and fit into the context of today," Ms O'Regan said.
India's third Covid wave likely to peak on Jan 23, daily cases to stay below 4 lakh: IIT Kanpur scientist

Scientists identify 6 distinct types of COVID-19

India

oi-Vicky Nanjappa

New Delhi, July 19: Scientists have claimed that there are six distinct 'types' of Covid-19, each distinguished by a particular cluster of symptoms in patients, findings, if validated, can help physicians better diagnose and monitor those infected with the novel coronavirus.

The yet-to-be peer reviewed study, published in the medRxiv preprint platform, used a machine learning algorithm to analyse data from a subset of around 1,600 users of the Covid Symptom Study app in the UK and US with confirmed Covid-19, who had regularly logged their symptoms between March and April.

COVID-19 testing of plane, ship wastewater can be valuable contact tracing tool, study says

It analysed if particular symptoms appeared together, and how this was related to the progression of the disease.

According to the scientists, led by those from King's College London in the UK, the findings have major implications for the clinical management of Covid-19 patients.

Coronavirus: WHO reports single-day record global spike in Covid-19 cases | Oneindia News

"These findings have important implications for care and monitoring of people who are most vulnerable to severe Covid-19," said Claire Steves, a co-author of the study from King's College London. They said the research can also help doctors predict who is most at risk and likely to need hospital care in a second wave of coronavirus infections.

The study noted that patient symptoms can fall under one of the six following categories: 'flu-like' with no fever, 'flu-like' with fever, gastrointestinal, severe level one with fatigue, severe level two with confusion, and severe level three accompanied by abdominal and respiratory pain.

In the first category of patients who reported 'flu-like symptoms with no fever, the scientists said the manifestations included loss of smell, muscle pains, cough, sore throat, chest pain, but no fever.

According to their analysis, those in the second category had headache, loss of smell, cough, sore throat, hoarseness, fever, and loss of appetite, and those in the gastrointestinal symptoms cluster had a combination of headache, loss of smell, loss of appetite, diarrhea, sore throat, chest pain, but no cough.

Under the 'severe level one with fatigue' category, the scientists said patients reported loss of smell, cough, headache, fever, hoarseness, chest pain, and fatigue, and those with the level two of severity expressed these same symptoms with the addition of loss of appetite, sore throat, confusion, and muscle pain.

COVID-19: ICMR to conduct study on effectiveness of BCG vaccine among elders

In the most severe category, the study noted that patients experienced headache, loss of smell, loss of appetite, cough, fever, hoarseness, sore throat, chest pain, fatigue, confusion, muscle pain, shortness of breath, diarrhea, and abdominal pain.

According to the research, all people reporting symptoms experienced headache and loss of smell, with varying combinations of additional symptoms at various times.

It said some of the manifestations, such as confusion, abdominal pain and shortness of breath, are not widely known as Covid-19 symptoms, yet are hallmarks of the most severe forms of the disease.

The scientists also analysed if people experiencing particular symptom clusters were more likely to require breathing support in the form of ventilation or additional oxygen.

They discovered that only 1.5 per cent of people with cluster one, 4.4 per cent of those with cluster two and 3.3 per cent in cluster 3 required breathing support.

For clusters four, five, and six, the researchers said these figures were 8.6, 9.9, and 19.8 per cent respectively.

Nearly half of the patients in cluster six, according to the study, ended up in hospital, compared with just 16 per cent of those in cluster one.

People with cluster four, five or six symptoms tended to be older and frailer, and were more likely to be overweight, the scientists said, adding that these patients had pre-existing conditions such as diabetes or lung disease than those in the other types.

"If you can predict who these people are at day five, you have time to give them support and early interventions such as monitoring blood oxygen and sugar levels, and ensuring they are properly hydrated -- simple care that could be given at home, preventing hospitalisations and saving lives," Steves said.

Carole Sudre from King's College London, one of the lead scientists part of the study, said the research illustrates the importance of monitoring symptoms over time to make predictions about individual risk and outcomes more sophisticated and accurate.

"This approach is helping us to understand the unfolding story of this disease in each patient so they can get the best care," Sudre said.

"Being able to gather big datasets through the app and apply machine learning to them is having a profound impact on our understanding of the extent and impact of Covid-19, and human health more widely," added Sebastien Ourselin, a senior author of the study from King's College London.
A team of the Special operation Group (SOG) of the Rajasthan police has again reached Manesar in Haryana late Sunday evening to quiz Sardarshahar MLA Bhanwarlal Sharma whose name had surfaced in one of the audio tapes which Rajasthan government says is proof of attempted horse trading.

Acting on a tip-off, a team has been sent to Manesar to question Sharma. A notice has been sent to the residences of Sharma in Churu and Jaipur, said Ashok Rathore, additional director general of police, SOG.

He added that in the first case of toppling the government registered on July 10, notice has been sent to a person identified as Karni Singh.

Many important details have been obtained from Jain. We are verifying that, Rathore said.

Rajasthan chief minister Ashok Gehlot claims the rebel MLAs were acting in tandem with the BJP to bring down his government.

But Pilot has refuted the allegations and denied that he was joining the BJP.

This is the second time in three days that the SOG has showed up to quiz Sachin Pilot loyalists.

On Friday evening, there was heavy drama at the hotel in Manesar where the dissident Congress MLAs are staying after an SOG team was not allowed to enter the premises by the Haryana Police.

They were eventually allowed to enter the hotel.

The SOG had registered two first information reports (FIRs) after two audio tapes surfaced in which a Congress lawmaker was purportedly talking to a middleman and a person named Gajendra Singh about toppling the Gehlot government.
The federal government's JobKeeper and JobSeeker payments could be extended as part of the first economic forecast in more than six months.

Calls to extend the government payments beyond their September deadline will be outlined in the 'mini-budget' on Thursday on the back of the horror second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic currently sweeping across south-eastern Australia.

The traditional handing down of the May budget was postponed until October 6 because of the coronavirus pandemic.

While vague on detail, Finance Minister Mathias Cormann has given a broad outline of what to expect from that response, indicating there would be ongoing support in terms of the JobKeeper program.

The federal government are set to respond to a Treasury review of JobKeeper and JobSeeker payments on Thursday. Pictured: a queue at a Melbourne Centrelink office in April

'Once we get to the end of September it will be a matter of making sure that any ongoing support is appropriately targeted to those businesses who genuinely need it,' Senator Cormann told Sky News' Sunday Agenda program.

The JobKeeper payment of $1500 a fortnight was made available to eligible businesses to enable them to pay their staff even if they were not open during the pandemic.

Opposition finance spokeswoman Katy Gallagher said there was room to 'target, test and taper' the payment.

'Obviously there is going to be a need for continued support,' she told reporters in Canberra.

The introduction of JobKeeper did include unions agreeing to be more flexible in their work arrangements during the crisis, a position Senator Cormann hopes will continue.

ACTU president Michele O'Neill wants to see the program extend for at least six months for those who need it.

'As far as the provisions in the Fair Work Act, we will look at what the government announces,' she told ABC's Insiders program.

'If people get JobKeeper, we can see that there's aspects of that that we'll consider. But in relation to people who are not going to get JobKeeper, we see no basis or justification for that change at all.'

The JobSeeker dole payment, formerly known as Newstart, was effectively doubled to $1100 per fortnight through a $550 supplement.

Senator Cormann did not rule out raising the payment once the supplement ends in September.

Finance Minister Mathias Cormann (pictured) indicated there would be ongoing support for JobKeeper

'We're making judgments on the most appropriate arrangements into the future,' he said.

There has been widespread calls for some time for the dole payment to be increased from its pre-pandemic level of $40 a day, including from the Business Council of Australia, ACOSS, Deloitte Access Economics, the Reserve Bank, as well as from Labor and the Greens.

'Certainly $40 a day is not acceptable. We have got 1.6 million relying on the JobSeeker payment,' Senator Gallagher said.

Deloitte Access Economics partner Chris Richardson said confidence among business and families was getting better economic outcomes.

'The government will need to spend more and they'll probably also need to spend differently in a range of ways,' Mr Richardson told ABC television.

'JobKeeper will need to change. JobSeeker will need to stay strong.'

In terms of other initiatives, Senator Cormann indicated people may have to wait until the full budget on October 6.

He said targeted tax initiatives to give businesses confidence to invest and hire more Australians is going to be 'part of the tool kit'.

There has also been talk that legislated income tax cuts due in 2022 will be brought forward.
The appointment is being seen as an attempt to balance the caste equations in the state, where politics revolves around Jats and non-Jats.

New Delhi: OP Dhankar, who was a cabinet minister in the BJP government in Haryana, was on Sunday appointed the president of the party's state unit.

By appointing Dhankar, the BJP has continued with a Jat face, the most dominant caste in the state.

The BJP, in a statement, said party chief JP Nadda appointed Dhankar the Haryana unit head.

The appointment is also seen as an attempt to balance the caste equations in the state, where politics revolves around Jats and non-Jats.

Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar is also a non-Jat.

Dhankar will replace incumbent Subhash Barala, who was also a Jat.

Both Dhankar and Barala had lost the Harayana Assembly elections held in October last year. Dhankar was a cabinet minister in the BJP government in Haryana.

The appointment has been delayed by more than eight months as it was expected that a new president would be appointed after the announcement of the state Assembly results.

Dhankar has also been the national president of the Bharatiya Janata Party's Kisan Morcha twice.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-07-19 23:34:13|Editor: huaxia

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AMMAN, July 19 (Xinhua) -- Jordan's Lower House Palestine Committee on Sunday called for expelling the Israeli ambassador from Amman due to Israeli annexation plan.

The committee issued the warning on the backdrop of Israeli plans to annex parts of the Palestinian territories, and in light of unilateral Israeli measures that seek to undermine the Palestinian issue, the state-run Petra news agency reported.

"Israel's provocative measures under the cover of the United States will fuel more tension in the region, and Israel's plans to annex Palestinian territories in the West Bank is a stark violation of the international law," said Yahia Saud, head of the committee.

"Jordan will continue to support the steadfastness of the Palestinians and reject any Israeli annexation plans," Saud added.

Jordan, which signed a peace treaty with Israel in 1994, started an international diplomatic effort to lobby support for the two-state solution and to stress on the rejection of any Israeli plans to annex Palestinian territories. Enditem
OAKLAND, Calif.  A Twitter hacking scheme that targeted political, corporate and cultural elites this week began with a teasing message between two hackers late Tuesday on the online messaging platform Discord.

yoo

bro, wrote a user named Kirk, according to a screenshot of the conversation shared with The New York Times.

i work at twitter

dont show this to anyone

seriously

He then demonstrated that he could take control of valuable Twitter addresses  the sort of thing that would require insider access to the companys computer network.

INVESTIGATION: Twitter struggles to unpack a hack within its walls

The hacker who received the message, using the screen name lol, decided over the next 24 hours that Kirk did not actually work for Twitter because he was too willing to damage the company. But Kirk did have access to Twitters most sensitive tools, which allowed him to take control of almost any Twitter address, including those of former President Barack Obama, former Vice President Joe Biden, Elon Musk and many other celebrities.

Despite global attention on the intrusion, which has shaken confidence in Twitter and the security provided by other technology companies, the basic details of who were the people responsible, and how they did it, have been a mystery. Officials are still in the early stages of their investigation.

But four people at the center of the scheme spoke with The Times and shared numerous logs and screenshots of the conversations they had on Tuesday and Wednesday, demonstrating their involvement both before and after the hack became public.

The interviews indicate that the attack was not the work of a nation-state or a sophisticated group of hackers. Instead, it was done by a group of young people  one of whom says he lives at home with his mother  who got to know one another because of their obsession with owning early or unusual screen names, particularly one letter or number, like @y or @6.

THE HACK: Biden, Gates, other Twitter accounts hacked in Bitcoin scam

The Times verified that the four people were connected to the hack by matching their social media and cryptocurrency accounts to accounts that were involved with the events Wednesday. They also presented corroborating evidence of their involvement, like the logs from their conversations on Discord and Twitter.

Playing a central role in the attack was Kirk, who was taking money in and out of the same Bitcoin address as the day went on, according to an analysis of the Bitcoin transactions by The Times, with assistance from the research firm Chainalysis.

But the identity of Kirk, his motivation and whether he shared his access to Twitter with anyone else remain a mystery even to the people who worked with him. It is still unclear how much Kirk used his access to the accounts of people like Biden and Musk to gain more privileged information, like their private conversations on Twitter.

The hacker lol and another one he worked with, who went by the screen name ever so anxious, told The Times that they wanted to talk about their work with Kirk in order to prove that they had only facilitated the purchases and takeovers of lesser-known Twitter accounts early in the day. They said they had not continued to work with Kirk once he began more high-profile attacks around 3:30 p.m. Eastern time Wednesday.

RELEASE NOTES: Get Dwight Silverman's weekly tech newsletter each Monday

I just wanted to tell you my story because i think you might be able to clear some thing up about me and ever so anxious, lol said in a chat on Discord, where he shared all the logs of his conversation with Kirk and proved his ownership of the cryptocurrency accounts he used to transact with Kirk.

lol did not confirm his real-world identity but said he lived on the West Coast and was in his 20s. ever so anxious said he was 21 and lived in the south of England with his mother.

Investigators looking into the attacks said several of the details given by the hackers lined up with what they had learned, including Kirks involvement both in the big hacks later in the day and the lower-profile attacks early Wednesday.

The Times was initially put in touch with the hackers by a security researcher in California, Haseeb Awan, who was communicating with them because, he said, a number of them had previously targeted him and a Bitcoin-related company he once owned. They also unsuccessfully targeted his current company, Efani, a secure phone provider.

This article originally appeared in The New York Times.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, July 19)  Quezon City's most wanted criminal was arrested by authorities on Saturday morning.

Quezon City Police District Director, PBGen Ronnie Montejo announced the arrest of Joselito Conlu in a statement Sunday, saying he was nabbed in Novaliches via a warrant of arrest issued by Roberto Buenaventura, presiding judge of Regional Trial Court 86.

Conlu, who is 54 years old, is wanted for rape. No bail was recommended.

Meanwhile, two other people were arrested in separate operations in Quezon City on Saturday as well.

Alfred Pineda, who is wanted for qualified theft was arrested at Barangay Quirina 2-A. His bail was set at 30,000.

Anthony Villanueva was arrested at Barangay Bagong Pag-asa. According to the QCPD, he has a warrant for estafa issued by the Metropolitan Trial Court Branch 52 of Caloocan City. No information was given on whether any bail was recommended on his case.
How far would you go for butter chicken?

A man in Australia travelled 32 kilometres for the perfect butter chicken. According to reports, he travelled all the way from Werribee, which is 30km south west of Melbourne's CBD, for the specific kind of butter chicken he likes. He also violated lockdown restrictions to satiate his butter chicken cravings.

The man was allegedly caught while on his way and was fined $1652.

According to the local police, dozens of people were fined over the weekend for gathering at public or private places even during the ongoing lockdown. Around 74 people were fined, while at least ten people were stopped at vehicle checkpoints.

Australia has recorded about 11,800 cases of Covid-19, a fraction of what has been seen in other countries or even some US states, but an outbreak of community transmission in Victoria has been growing, prompting authorities to restrict social distancing.

Five million people in Australia's Melbourne began a new lockdown Thursday, returning to tough restrictions just weeks after they ended as Melbourne grapples with a resurgence of Covid-19 cases.

READ: Australian City Melbourne to Lock Down Dozens of Suburbs For a Month

According to new guidelines, residents will face fines if they leave home for reasons other than to give or receive care, to exercise, to buy essentials or to go to work or school. People who live outside those suburbs will only be allowed to enter them for the same reasons.

(With inputs from agencies)
N. secretary-general made a sweeping call Saturday to end global inequalities that sparked this year's massive anti-racism protests and have been further exposed by the coronavirus pandemic, warning the world was at "breaking point". "Covid-19 has been likened to an X-ray, revealing fractures in the fragile skeleton of the societies we have built," Antonio Guterres said as he delivered the Nelson Mandela Annual Lecture. "It is exposing fallacies and falsehoods everywhere: The lie that free markets can deliver health care for all, the fiction that ...

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Next CDS of India: Rajnath Singh to receive list of probables soon

India tells France, have the political will, ability to counter misadventure by China

Want to manufacture BrahMos so that no country has audacity to cast evil eye on us: Rajnath Singh

IAF chopper crash: Rajnath Singh likely to be apprised of probe team's findings in next couple of days

Rajnath Singh meets jawans of 16 Bihar Regiment that gave Chinese a bloody nose

India

oi-Madhuri Adnal

New Delhi, July 19: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Saturday met Indian Army jawans of 16 Bihar, who fought aggression of Xinjiang military district troops at Galwan Y nullah on June 15, during his visit to a forward post near the Line of Control in Kupwara district of Jammu and Kashmir.

The defence minister's office tweeted the video where Singh is seen interacting with the jawans in Lukung base camp near Pangong Tso in Ladakh.

He also shook hands of the battalion officers and men while praising them for their bravery against all odds.

Raksha Mantri Shri @rajnathsingh met the soldiers from Bihar Regiment at Lukung during his visit to forward areas in Ladakh. He had a brief interaction with them. pic.twitter.com/81YS0T960a    / RMO India (@DefenceMinIndia) July 19, 2020

It should be noted that it was this 16th battalion of Bihar regiment, or 16 Bihar, whose soldiers fought off numerically superior Chinese troops at the cost of their own lives in the remote Galwan Valley on June 15.

No power in the world can touch even an inch of India's land :Rajnath Singh in Ladakh

An attack on the commanding officer of the 16 Bihar Colonel Santosh Babu was reported to be the trigger for the bloody scuffle.

With both sides now involved in dis-engagement at Galwan sector, 16 Bihar and the PLA unit from Sichuan it faced on June 15 have been taken out of the frontline as it could spark of conflagration again.

Singh, accompanied by Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat and Army Chief General MM Naravane, also interacted with the soldiers deployed there.

Coronavirus: WHO reports single-day record global spike in Covid-19 cases | Oneindia News

Later, Singh, along with Rawat and Naravane, also offered prayers at the Amarnath Temple, just two days ahead of the commencement of the Yatra.

On Friday, Defence Minister reviewed the overall security scenario in Jammu and Kashmir with the top military brass, officials said.

He asked the armed forces to give a fitting reply to any "misadventure" by Pakistan.

At a high-level meeting, the defence minister had also asked the armed forces to maintain a strict vigil along the Line of Control (LoC) with Pakistan.

For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications

Story first published: Sunday, July 19, 2020, 15:57 [IST]
KALAMAZOO, MI  Three out of four suspects were arrested overnight in Kalamazoo after allegedly firing multiple rounds into an occupied home in the 1800 block of South Burdick Street.

Officers responded to a call at the home at about 2:40 a.m. July 19. Upon arrival, they located numerous spent shell casings on the ground and numerous bullet holes into the house, according to a news release.

At the time of the call, a witnesses provided officers with a vehicle description, the release states.

A few minutes later an officer located the suspect vehicle in the 3600 block of Stadium Drive, about three miles from where the incident occurred. The vehicle was seen pulling into a hotel parking lot and four occupants exited, the release states.

Three of the occupants were located at the hotel and arrested for carrying a concealed weapon and shooting into an occupied dwelling. The fourth occupant was not located, the release states.

Three handguns were found inside the suspect vehicle along with spent shell casings. No one was injured during this incident, the release states.

About 12 hours earlier, officers were dispatched to the same block on South Burdick after receiving report of a suspicious vehicle in which the occupants were likely armed and looking for a target, a separate release states.

Within a few minutes of the first call, which came in at 2:16 p.m. July 18, dispatch received another call regarding the same vehicle in the 200 block of East Maple Street, approximately two blocks away from the first call.

This caller reported he had been threatened by a male armed with a handgun, the release states.

Officers began checking the area and located a vehicle nearby in the 2000 block of Portage Street that matched the description. When Officers made contact with the vehicle occupants, they located two handguns, as well as other evidence indicating that shots had been fired from inside the vehicle recently, the release states.

The three occupants, men aged 17, 21, and 23, were arrested for multiple charges, including felonious assault, carrying concealed weapons, and outstanding warrants, according to the release.

Anyone with information about either incident is asked to contact the Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety at 269-337-8139 or Silent Observer at 269-343-2100 or www.kalamazoosilentobserver.com.

Also on MLive:

Two teens shot in Kalamazoos West Douglas neighborhood

Body recovered from water near South Haven pier

Muskegon woman stabbed to death after early morning confrontation, police say

Man charged with homicide in killing of 1-year-old child in Kalamazoo County
Australian chocolate enthusiasts now have another reason to purchase more blocks of Cadbury's cult favourite Caramilk.

Not only has the popular chocolate returned to Coles supermarket shelves, but for a limited time customers who purchase three or more Cadbury chocolate blocks will be able to claim a smart watch.

Keen shoppers will have until July 22 to purchase the chocolate and enter the promotion online, but there are only 25,000 smartwatches in total so you'll need to be quick.

For a limited time customers who purchase three or more Cadbury chocolate blocks will go in the draw to win a smartwatch

One customer who spotted the promotion in stores took a photo and shared it to the Markdown Addicts Australia Facebook group, where more than 600 people commented to share their excitement.

'So buy three blocks of chocolate then go walk it off,' one person said.

'Three blocks of Caramilk and a free watch? Doesn't get better than that,' another added.

A third joked: 'What a coincidence I need chocolate this week.'

Each smartwatch is valued at $28 and for more information, customers can view the promotion details on the Cadbury website

The restock of the popular chocolate has fans hoping the confectionary is here to stay permanently.

'So sick of it coming out for a couple of weeks then it goes into hiding again,' one angry shopper said on Facebook.

Customers were also left disappointed after the news surfaced that Cadbury's limited-edition Caramilk Hokey Pokey will be unavailable to purchase in Australia.

Customers were also left disappointed after the news surfaced that Cadbury's limited-edition Caramilk Hokey Pokey will be unavailable to purchase in Australia

As a result, chocolate enthusiasts have resorted to making their own similar versions at home.

The Hokey Pokey product combines Caramilk's caramelised white chocolate with crunchy pieces of sweet honeycomb.

One woman posted on Facebook and shared her four-step replica recipe using Caramilk and Violet Crumble.

One woman posted on Facebook and shared her four-step replica recipe using Caramilk and Violet Crumble

Dee shared images and said it was very simple to make by combining the two popular chocolates together.

'So easy - just melt Caramilk, cut chocolate off Violet Crumble, then mix together and let set in fridge,' she said.

Other chocolate lovers online were impressed with the recipe and were eager to make it themselves.

'Shut up and take my money!' one person said.

'Amazing, easy as!' another said, a third added: 'I'm making it tomorrow!'
Epidemic in Xinjiang's Urumqi 'overall controllable,' residents adapt to 'new normal'

Global Times

Source: Global Times Published: 2020/7/18 11:02:46

Despite public concerns over Xinjiang's newly reported COVID-19 cases which led to the cancellation of nearly 90 percent of flights from Urumqi on Friday, local residents say they have adapted to the "new normal."

Local officials are advising people not to panic as the epidemic situation in the city is "overall controllable," local news site ts.cn reported on Saturday. All the confirmed COVID-19 cases and asymptomatic patients are under centralized medical observation, and the situation in Urumqi is "overall controllable," Rui Baoling, director of the disease control and prevention center in Urumqi said on Friday, adding that the center will guide the public to take preventive measures and timely disclose the epidemic situation.

The Global Times has learned that several residential communities were put under "sealed-off management" at midnight Thursday after newly reported cases of COVID-19 were discovered in the city.

A resident of one of the communities who asked not be named told the Global Times on Saturday that residents are free to move about within their residential community and must wear a mask, she said.

"Management of the residential communities have sent detailed information to each resident notifying to make preparations such as purchasing daily necessities," the resident said, noting that the wholesale market near her home had sufficient supplies.

She said residents can purchase goods within the community, and community workers will also make sure that elderly residents receive daily necessities at their homes.

Local authorities in Northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region have launched an emergency response plan, and have fully carried out an epidemiological investigation to trace transmission paths to make sure no one is missed, reads a post on Xinjiang Fabu, the region's official government Sina Weibo account on Saturday.

"I don't feel panicked," she said, noting that her neighbors have experienced the epidemic months ago, and have adapted to the "new normal." The resident and her family are waiting to hear when they can take COVID-19 nucleic acid tests.

From 12 pm to 12 am on Friday, Xinjiang reported 11 new confirmed COVID-19 cases from Urumqi, who are under centralized medical observation, according to another post on Xinjiang Fabu on Saturday. As of Friday, 17 confirmed cases and 11 asymptomatic patients were confirmed in Urumqi, while 269 close contacts are under medical observation, according to the post.

A student surnamed Wang at Suzhou University didn't expect his graduation trip to Xinjiang would end with a rush to get back home due to the sudden spike in local COVID-19 cases. Wang told the Global Times on Saturday that he and his friends are waiting at the local train station after testing negative for the coronavirus. Wang also expressed his gratitude to the local police for their help.

Since Friday, Xinjiang has conducted intense screening to identify infected and asymptomatic people and their close contacts. Nearly 90 percent of Urumqi flights were cancelled on Friday after new COVID-19 cases were reported.

Food supplies are abundant and the price of products remains normal in Urumqi, according to media reports. Local authorities said they will strictly crack down those who raise commodity prices illegally.

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The services at the UNM Behavioral Health Clinic in Rio Rancho are expanding, even amid the pandemic.

The clinic, at the University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center campus in City Center, is serving about 200 patients and has openings for more, said clinical director and psychologist Christopher Morris. The staff is growing as well.

Weve been able to add our prescribing providers, Morris said, explaining that the clinic can now offer psychiatric medication management.

The three providers who can write prescriptions are each available one day a week.

They all have different backgrounds, different specialties, which is good, he said.

Morris plans to recruit more providers, including prescribers, to the clinic, but said its difficult due to the shortage of behavioral health care workers in New Mexico. Now, the clinic has two psychologists, a full-time therapist, three prescribing providers, two wraparound care specialists and one certified family peer support worker.

The wraparound care specialists and family peer support worker are part of the New Mexico Systems of Care program, a partnership with the state Children, Youth and Families Department. The program supports youth with the most complex behavioral health needs and their families.

Those youth have been involved with multiple systems, such as child protective services, juvenile justice and special education.

It can be challenging when a family has to deal with all those systems, he said.

Morris said the programs goal is to help the youth and their families identify and move toward goals, with support that includes friends and extended family.

Its operating with a four-year grant the clinic received last October. Morris said getting the program going took several months.

He expects to make it sustainable so it can keep going after the grant period. The program has capacity for 20 families and is accepting referrals.

It will continue to grow to meet the needs, Morris said.

Hes looking for a wraparound-care team leader. People with a behavioral-health or social-work background can apply at unmjobs.unm.edu.

The aim of the whole clinic is to grow to meet the needs in Sandoval County, he continued.

We have seen increasing demand in the current pandemic, Morris said.

Mental-health providers commonly see patients fail to keep appointments 20-25 percent of the time, he said.

And that no-show rate has dropped to near zero in COVID-19, which is significant, he continued. People are anxious and stressed.

At the beginning of the pandemic in New Mexico, Morris said, clinic providers switched to telephone services and found they could still do most of what they normally would. When they were able to offer video visits, that service was even better, he said, because the provider and patient could see each other.

The clinic returned to holding face-to-face sessions in June, but patients can still choose video or telephone visits.

We just want to be sure people can access the care they need, Morris said.

Another big project at the clinic is the Mental Health First Aid program. Its a national evidence-based curriculum designed to teach people about mental-health challenges and learn how to help someone in a mental-health crisis or an ongoing behavioral-health struggle.

Its a course that is available virtually, by video, as everything else is, Morris said.

The clinic offers it quarterly and a decision on the next class date is pending.

Also, Morris said the clinic is partnering with Rio Rancho Public Schools to offer a new Youth Mental Health First Aid program in all four district high schools. The curriculum, which has virtual and in-class portions, teaches teenagers how to support and get adult help for peers with mental-health problems.

Its a brand-new curriculum, and theres a lot of competition nationally for schools to be involved, Morris said.

RRPS is one of the few selected.

For questions about the clinic or to participate in any of its programs, call 994-5050.
Some of Australia's wealthiest private schools are reaping millions of dollars from the JobKeeper coronavirus subsidy.

Australia's most expensive school, Geelong Grammar School, which costs $269,820 for senior school due to compulsory boarding fees, is one of those receiving the taxpayer subsidy to pay some staff.

Geelong Grammar is an elite school which has a campus in Melbourne's exclusive suburb of Toorak and earnt $38million in 2018 including $7million from Federal Government funds.

Australia's most expensive school, Geelong Grammar, is paying staff members with JobKeeper

Geelong Grammar (pictured) charges $269,820 for a high-school education and almost 80 percent of its students are boarders including international students

At least one quarter of Victoria's 219 independent schools are receiving the $1500 per fortnight subsidy, which comes on top of millions of dollars in federal handouts, alumni donations and fees of up to $40,000 per year.

The Australian Taxation Office has said 26,185 education and training organisations across Australia are enrolled in the JobKeeper scheme.

To be eligible for JobKeeper, a business or a school must have a 30 per cent fall in turnover for an aggregated turnover of $1 billion or less, the Federal Government says on its website.

The JobKeeper subsidy is for businesses that lose 30 percent of their revenue in order to keep people employed during the pandemic. Pictured: hundreds queue at Centrelink in March

Many private schools have struggled since schools were closed in March for coronavirus.

Some granted hardship fee deferrals, or introduced payment plans, or even gave discounts to parents of up to a quarter off their fees.

Nearly 80 per cent of Geelong Grammar's students are boarders.

Last semester it was forced to turn away international students and could not charge boarding fees due to the coronavirus.

Geelong Grammar principal Rebecca Cody told the Herald Sun that Australia's most expensive school would be adversely affected until it can resume normal services, fees and billing.

Other schools paying staff through JobKeeper include Wesley College, which charges $216,520 in compulsory fees to put a child through high school and which earnt $115 million in 2018 including $11 million in federal funds.

Wesley has received up to $13.5 million from the JobKeeper scheme.

Wesley College principal Nicholas Evans said his school had given financial hardship fee deferrals to more than 400 families and had suspended residential programs.

'The harsh reality was that up to 200 staff members would have lost their employment in 2020 if not for the JobKeeper program,' Mr Evans said.

Wesley College has received up to $13.5 million from JobKeeper. It charges $216,520 to put a child through high school

The Knox School, Melbourne, which charges up to $25,000 per year in fees, is also paying staff through JobKeeper.

The Knox School, which charges up to $25,000 per year in fees or $142,258 for a high school education, earnt $16 million in 2018 including $3.6 million in federal subsidies, and is also paying staff through JobKeeper.

Knox School principal Allan Shaw said many families had been hurt financially and his school had lost 30 percent of its revenue in the pandemic.

'International students make up 10 percent of our income and this has also impacted our revenue,' he told the Herald Sun.

In April, the National Catholic Education Commission (NCEC) warned that a business approach to the coronavirus JobKeeper subsidy wouldn't work for schools.

NCEC Executive Director Jacinta Collins said high fee private schools would be able to access federal wage subsidies to retain crucial staff, but low fee non-government schools could miss out.

'High fee Independent schools will be assessed as losing more income because they are starting from a much higher base,' she said in a statement on the NCEC website.

Some in the industry believe that JobKeeper is benefiting some schools over others, giving them an advantage.

Catholic Education Melbourne which represents 153,352 students, issued a memo stating schools must apply their measurement of loss in good faith so as not to call into question the school's integrity.

The Australian Tax Office has also warned schools not to change invoice times or defer fee payments in order to meet Jobkeeper eligibility requirements.


Hong Kong: New tech yields bumper crop

Growing nutritious vegetables faster through the use of technology instead of soil may sound like science fiction, but for the Agriculture, Fisheries & Conservation Department it is fast becoming science fact.

It has been proactively exploring different modernised production methods to enhance the development of Hong Kongs agricultural industry and recently introduced two new technologies for hydroponic farming - changeable spectrum grow light technology and nanobubble technology, which can effectively speed up the growth of crops.

The two technologies were developed by the Nano & Advanced Materials Institute and have undergone trials at the Controlled Environment Hydroponic Research & Development Centre in Cheung Sha Wan.

Optimised growth

The changeable spectrum grow light technology works by enhancing the growth of vegetables through adjusting the spectrum to fit different growth stages of plants.

The departments Agricultural Officer Chan Siu-lun explained that trial results showed with the support of the spectrum, the growth of red oak leaf lettuce sped up 20%, red coral lettuce 30%, while that of green oak leaf and green butterhead lettuce sped up by at least 50%.

The nanobubble technology increases the amount of dissolved oxygen in water to improve the seed germination rate and growth rate.

The seed germination rate of different vegetables increased by 3% to 36%, while the growth of vegetables also sped up significantly, Mr Chan added.

Good harvest

Hydroponic farms chief executive officer Ray Lok set up one of his farms in a Tsuen Wan industrial building. The 900 sq ft facility uses the two technologies to grow vegetables.

Mr Lok noticed that by using the nanobubble technology to grow lettuce, the vegetables weight usually increased by 20% to 30%.

It was also more cost-effective than importing the technology from Japan.

They are relatively affordable, they are cheap and they are locally developed so we have a lot of support from the Government. It has been quite useful so far.

Farming future

The department hopes the two technologies can be widely used in agricultural production in the future.

The two technologies can effectively speed up the growth rate of hydroponic vegetables. As a result, farmers enjoy a good harvest and higher quality vegetables can be supplied to the market for consumption, said Mr Chan.

He noted that choosing a site for a hydroponic farm is more flexible as planting racks can be stacked vertically in layers for increased production while still maximising the amount of space needed to grow the produce.

By also using controlled environment technology, cultivation can be conducted indoors and ensure a steady supply throughout the year.

The department will continue to promote the research and development of applied technology for hydroponic farming to diversify the production method for local vegetables. This can help boost the industrys competitiveness and be conducive to its modernisation and sustainable development, Mr Chan added.

This story has been published on: 2020-07-19. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
NEW YORK, July 18, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Pomerantz LLP announces that a class action lawsuit has been filed against Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft (Deutsche Bank or the Bank) (NYSE: DB) and certain of its officers. The class action, filed in the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey, and indexed under 20-cv-08978, is on behalf of all investors who purchased or otherwise acquired Deutsche Bank securities between November 7, 2017, and July 6, 2020, both dates inclusive (the Class Period), seeking to recover damages caused by Defendants violations of the federal securities laws and to pursue remedies under Sections 10(b) and 20(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the Exchange Act) and Rule 10b-5 promulgated thereunder, against the Bank and certain of its top officials.



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

[Click here for information about joining the class action]

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

CONTACT:

Robert S. Willoughby

Pomerantz LLP

rswilloughby@pomlaw.com
Tehran, July 19 : The Iranian Foreign Ministry said that the blackbox of a Ukrainian plane that crashed in January after taking off from Tehran, has been sent to France for decoding.

The black box of the Ukrainian airplane was taken to Paris on Friday by the officials from Iran Civil Aviation and an Iranian judge, Xinhua news agency quoted Mohsen Baharvand, deputy foreign minister for international and legal affairs, as saying on Saturday.

The process of analyzing its data will begin on Monday, said Baharvand.

On January 8, the Ukrainian Boeing 737-800 aircraft en route to Kiev crashed near Tehran's Imam Khomeini International Airport, killing all 176 passengers and crew members on board.

Later, Iran's armed forces confirmed that an "unintentional" launch of a military missile shot down the Ukrainian airliner.
A group of seven Hong-Kong-based VPN (virtual private network) apps were reportedly found exposing Personally Identifiable Information (PII) of potentially over 20 million VPN users on their servers without any password protection or authentication.

What is surprising is that each of these VPNs claims to follow a no-log policy, which means they do not record any user activity on their respective apps.

According to the vpnMentor research team who uncovered the unsecured live server, a massive 1.207 TB of data with 1,083,997,361 records were found exposed to public access.

The compromised user data include activity logs, PII (names, emails, home address), cleartext passwords, Bitcoin payment information, support messages, personal device information, tech specs, account info, and direct Paypal API links.

The affected VPN apps are UFO VPN, FAST VPN, Free VPN, Super VPN, Flash VPN, Secure VPN, and Rabbit VPN. They all appear to be connected by a common app developer and white-labelled or rebranded for use under multiple names.

Based on the following findings, vpnMentor believes that the VPNs exposed in this leak share the same developer:

The VPNs share a common Elasticsearch server

They are hosted on the same assets

They have a single recipient for payments, Dreamfii HK Limited

At least three of the VPNs on the server share almost identical branding on their websites

To confirm if user data was actually being collected, the researchers carried out their own tests using UFO VPN.

To confirm our initial findings, we ran a series of tests using UFO VPN. After downloading it to a phone, we used the UFO VPN app to connect to servers around the world. Upon doing so, new activity logs were created in the database, with our personal details, including an email address, location, IP address, device, and the servers we connected to, the researchers said.

Furthermore, we could clearly see the username and password we used to register our account, stored in the logs as cleartext. This confirmed that the database was real and the data was live.

Amusingly, the data collection by UFO VPN is contradictory to what it states in its privacy policy: We do not track user activities outside of our site, nor do we track the website browsing or connection activities of users who are using our Services.

This creates a high risk for affected VPN users, as malicious hackers and cybercriminals could create very effective phishing campaigns using the exposed PII data through the ElasticSearch server. Similarly, spamming, financial fraud, utilizing the leaked payment data of either the Paypal or Bitcoin, extortion, blackmailing, doxing are other consequences. In some cases, it could also lead to arrest or persecution if the users accessed websites that are banned in their home countries.

All the affected VPN firms were contacted by the researchers on the 5th of July, 2020, the day on which the unsecured live server was discovered. However, the live server was closed only on 15th July.

If you are using one of the VPNs affected in this data leak, we recommend you to opt for a more secure provider that follows strict privacy protocols. You can check out our list of some of the best free and paid VPN services.
Follow our latest coverage of the Biden vs. Trump 2020 election here.

ADAMS, Wis.  Nate Zimdars, a Democratic candidate for the Wisconsin State Assembly, arrived at the V.F.W. lodge here after marching in the local Independence Day parade, ready to meet voters at an annual outdoor chicken cookout called the Chic Nic. Although the event was hosted by the local Republican Party, Mr. Zimdars was far from nervous being behind enemy lines. He was eager.

The county flipped from blue to red in 2016, Mr. Zimdars noted, which meant it could flip again. Plus, national Democrats had done him a favor  they chose former Vice President Joseph R. Biden Jr. for the top of their ticket.

Biden comes across as someone whos moderate and has experience on both sides of the aisle, Mr. Zimdars said. My close family and friends, who are a little more on the Republican side of the fence, said if Biden became the nominee they would vote for him.

Such persuasion is at the core of Mr. Bidens campaign strategy, designed to bring together moderates, seniors, working-class voters across races and former supporters of President Trump. The approach has helped him jump out to an early lead in polling, both in national surveys and in swing states like Wisconsin, where Mr. Trump won by less than 23,000 votes in 2016. It has also helped him fend off attacks from Mr. Trump, who has sought to cast Mr. Biden as a radical progressive despite his lengthy career as a moderate lawmaker.
Ram Janmabhoomi Trust General Secretary, Champat Rai, has assured on Saturday that the construction of a grand Ram temple at Ayodhya will be completed within 3-3.5 years; PM invited for 'bhumi poojan' in August.

The construction of a grand Ram temple in Ayodhya will be completed within 3-3.5 years from the date its construction starts, said Champat Rai, General Secretary, Sri Ram Janmabhoomi Tirth Kshetra Trust said on Saturday.

Rail said they have written a letter inviting the Prime Minister to conduct the bhumi pujan at the foundation laying ceremony.

Nritya Gopal Das, Trusts president, has written a letter to Prime Ministers Office (PMO) inviting Prime Minister Narendra Modi to conduct bhumi pujan on its foundation laying ceremony. It is up to PMO to finalise the date of Prime Ministers visit, Rail told ANI.

He said they have informed about the dates to PMO. He said all 15 members of the trust participated in the meeting, four of them through video conferencing.

Also read: Rajasthan political crisis: Eight-member team constituted to investigate the matter

Also read: Assam floods: 76 dead, 54 lakh affected in 30 districts

Rai said Larsen and Toubro (L&T) is collecting samples for soil testing.

Drawing of temples foundation will be made on basis of the strength of soil 60 m below. Work to lay down the foundation will begin on the basis of the drawing, he said.

Rai said it has been decided that bricks will be provided by Sompura Marble bricks and Larsen & Toubro will carry out the work assigned to them and together they will work for building a grand temple.

He said it was discussed that 10 crore families across 4 lakh localities of the country will be contacted for financial support to build the temple after the monsoon and when the coronavirus situation eases.

After the situation becomes normal, funds have been collected and all drawings for the construction of the temple are complete, we think the construction will be completed within 3-3.5 years from the start of its construction work, he added.

The Ram Janmabhoomi Teertha Kshetra Trust, set up in accordance with the Supreme Court verdict to supervise and facilitate the construction of the Lord Ram temple in Ayodhya conducted its second meeting at Circuit House. Uttar Pradesh Additional Chief Secretary Home Department Awanish K Awasthi was also present in the meeting.

In March this year, the Ram Lalla idol was shifted to a temporary structure near Manas Bhawan in Ram Janmabhoomi premises till the completion of the construction of Ram temple.

The Supreme Court had on November 9 last year directed the Central Government to hand over the site at Ayodhya for the construction of a Ram temple and set up a trust in its verdict on the Ayodhya issue.

The Prime Minister had on February 5 announced the formation of a trust for construction of Ram Temple in Ayodhya.

The 15-member Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust has been mandated by the central government to oversee the construction of Ram temple in Ayodhya.

Also read: Rajnath Singh visits Amarnath shrine

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Imperial Valley News Center

President Trumps Regulatory Relief Helps All Americans

Washington, DC - President Trumps actions to roll back regulations are lifting up American families and businesses. Between FY 2017 and FY 2019, the Trump Administration has cut nearly eight regulations for every new, significant regulationmore than fulfilling the promise of Executive Order 13771 to cut two regulations for every new regulation imposed.

The Council of Economic Advisers (CEA) estimates that this pro-growth approach to Federal regulation will raise real incomes by upwards of $3,100 per household per year. In fact, 20 of these actions alone are expected to save American consumers and businesses over $220 billion per year. Moreover, the CEA estimates that, by 2026, Safer Affordable Fuel Efficient (SAFE) Vehicles will reduce the quality-adjusted price of a new vehicle by $2,200.

This deregulatory action will increase the real incomes of Americans by $53 billion per year over the period of 2021-2029.

These deregulatory efforts add up to real savings for American families and businesses. Recent work by Casey Mulligan, former Chief Economist at the CEA, proves as much. According to his analysis, overturning the Presidents deregulatory rules, reviving the regulatory state, and imposing a ban on fracking would severely damage the financial health of Americans at the bottom 20 percent of the income distribution.

For example, the revolution in the shale industry reduced the global price of oil by 10 percent, saving the poorest quintile of Americans almost 7 percent of household income alone. Furthermore, significant cost savings from the deregulation of prescription drugs and internet access helped the poorest fifth of households eight times more than the richest fifth. Mulligan finds the net effect of these deregulatory actions, once fully realized, will represent nearly 15 percent savings for the bottom quintile of households, as illustrated in Figure 1.

Cutting red tape has overwhelmingly benefited Americans previously left behind. As the economic comeback continues, President Trumps commitment to reducing needless anti-growth measures will assure Americans, particularly the most vulnerable, that the economy is working for them.

Prior to the global pandemic, regulatory reforms contributed to a historically strong labor market and economy, lifting more than 2 million Americans out of poverty and liberating 7 million Americans from food stamps. This is the direct result of President Trumps actions, and his plan for further deregulatory overhaul will ensure that Americas workers and families prosper.
CHESTER  Gov. Tom Wolf has appointed a receiver for the city, a move that has been approved by Commonwealth Court Judge J. Andrew Crompton.

The appointment of Michael T. Doweary comes after years of the state forewarning the city of Chester it would be placed under this control should its finances not be balanced. The concept of the receiver flowed into the controversies surrounding the Chester Water Authority, the state Department of Community & Economic Development, Econsult and Aqua America Inc.

According to the DCED, Chester is the only municipality in Pennsylvania currently in a receivership.

After Wolf appointed Doweary, Dennis M. Davin, Secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Community & Economic Development, petitioned the Commonwealth Court. On June 22, Commonwealth Court Judge J. Andrew Crompton signed the order establishing Doweary as Chesters receiver.

There is no one clear answer on a way out, Doweary wrote in an open letter to the community. I do not have any preconceived ideas about actions to take, and everything is on the table. My decisions will be made based on the answer to this question: Is it in the best interest of Chester residents?

Doweary served as business administrator for the city of York from 2013 to 2018. From 2018 through this year, he served as Director of Administrator for Capital Region Water, Harrisburgs municipal water system. Last fall, Capital Region Water interviewed four private companies to take over its system. One of those was Aqua Pennsylvania. By November, Harrisburg Mayor Eric Papenfuse said the system had ceased privatization efforts.

Here, in Delaware County, Aqua made a $320 million offer to buy the Chester Water Authority in May 2017. The CWA board had been under the citys control until Act 73 of 2012 became effective, changing the board to include representatives from Chester and Delaware counties as well. A year earlier, in 2016, DCED hired Econsult Solutions to draft Chesters Act 47 Recovery Plan. Chester has been in Act 47 since 1995 and previously adopted recovery plans in 2006, 2013 and 2016.

One of the measures Econsult recommended to the city to emerge from the financially distressed status was to sell the CWA. That issue remains tied in the courts, where ownership and rate payer beneficiary issues are set to be resolved.

Under Mayor Thaddeus Kirkland, Chester has crafted a string of balanced budgets while making motions such as lowering the business privilege tax to create a more business-friendly environment. Despite this progress and others such as a plethora of new business tenants and the investment in a waterfront development master plan, the mayor has said the city remains in dire straits particularly in funding police and fire department pensions.

At a June 15 hearing before Commonwealth Court, Chester Chief Financial Officer Nafis J. Nichols said the city has not met its monthly municipal obligation to the police pension fund since 2013. He also told the court that the police pension balance was approximately $2 million, which was likely not sufficient to make beneficiary payments over the next four months.

Nichols told the court that the pension funds constitute a $540,000 expense per month, that the city has insufficient assets to fund that expense, incurring a $505,000 deficit each month. In many of the past several years, he said, the city contributed only what it received in state pension aid and that the current unfunded liability of the police pension alone is more than $25 million.

In addition, city officials have stated that the city makes an annual contribution agreement of approximately $440,000 to Delaware County. This contribution was negotiated as a part of the deal that brought the soccer stadium to Chester.

At the Commonwealth Court hearing, Nichols said that as a result of the virus-related closure of the casino, the city lost a significant revenue stream with Harrahs alone compromising 20 percent of Chesters annual budget.

He also testified about historically high real estate taxes and earned income taxes in the city. He said the collection rate of real estate taxes is at 81 percent.

And, Nichols said that even with furloughs and layoffs of 127 employees, of which 39 were part time, the city will be insolvent, or unable to pay its debts, in October.

In his testimony, he spoke of the long-term systemic economic problems recently exacerbated by the reduced collections of the earned income tax and other revenue. Nichols said the city had insufficient funds to continue making payroll and was consistently underfunding its police, fire and and employee pensions.

Of the receiver appointment, the mayor said, Myself and council are pleased to welcome Michael Doweary to the city of Chester. His appointment to the position of receiver expands the longstanding partnership that the city has with DCED and the state. As we all work collaboratively to ensure perpetual financial stability for this community, I am confident that his efforts will move us onto that trajectory. Michael Doweary is an asset, whose skills and expertise will help this administration accomplish goals that benefit residents and stakeholders alike.

In crafting and implementing a recovery plan, Doweary will receive support from a multi-disciplinary team. That includes Campbell Durant as counsel; PFM Group Consulting as financial advisor; The Kapoor Company as Chief of Staff and Workforce Advisor; Fox Chase Advisors for operational audit assistance; The Quarks Group with communications and community engagement; and Shilvosky M. Buffaloe Consulting & Resources LLC with economic development.

In announcing the receiver, the Receivers Office noted that great resources are being assigned to the city through this team but its extremely important that city officials and stakeholders be committee to working together to make the tough decisions to get the City of Chester back on its feet.

Doweary himself said, My team and I will work hard to help Chester make the necessary and vital changes that are essential to bring this great city back to fiscal stability.

Once created, a recovery plan is submitted to Commonwealth Court, Secretary Davin, Chester City Council and Kirkland. Commonwealth Court will hold a hearing on the plan within 30 days of its receipt, after which the court has up to 60 days to confirm the plan.

Among the things Doweary said he would evaluate is the police pension, which he said is close to depleted, with only a couple of more months until it runs out of money to make payments to retired officers.

He said that COVID-19 has only worsened the financial situation of the city.

But I am not just concerned about the financial state, Doweary said. Chesters murder rate is among the highest in the state. Several children were shot and killed this year and we are only halfway through 2020. Our youth poverty rate is among the highest in the state. Almost half of  Chesters kids live below the poverty line. All of this must change. The children and the families of Chester deserve the same opportunities that any other Pennsylvania child and family have.

He continued, In the coming weeks and months, we will be developing a plan to get Chester out of receivership and put it back on its feet. As I mentioned previously, everything is on the table. We will start by listening, and we will be meeting many people, including spending time with residents and various stakeholder community groups. We will need your help and we will need the help of others. We realize the challenge that is in front of us, and I look forward to working with you to address it.

Under Act 47, the receiver must have an advisory board to review any actions he wants to take and Delaware County Council unanimously appointed Kelly Diaz as the county appointee to that board Wednesday night. County Councilwoman Christine Reuther explained council did not have enough time to publicly post this position. Diaz is a resident of Ridley Township and is a senior accountant in the Delaware County Controllers Office.

We met with him, he seems very competent, she said of Doweary. He seems to really be committed to looking for long term solutions in the city of Chester.
Ronnie Bell, one of many unlicensed marijuana growers in Anza, Calif., cultivates young cannabis plants in a guest room. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)

Ronnie Bells prized possessions arent the collectible toys or bongs that clutter his ranch-style house. What the 65-year-old values most is his extensive indoor marijuana grow.

Bells bachelor pad features a guest-bedroom-turned-nursery with a reflective grow-tent. There are racks of marijuana plants in the next room. This farmer, who served 21 years in the U.S. Marines and 21 years in the U.S. Postal Service, is one of many unlicensed marijuana cultivators in the unincorporated township of Anza.

Over the 24 years Bell has grown marijuana, he has been raided eight times and arrested seven. When he was arrested in May, Bell said, he suffered a torn rotator cuff. His old friend, marijuana, made the pain bearable.

Ronnie Bell smokes cannabis oil in his living room. The drug helps with back pain and a shoulder injury he suffered when deputies twisted his arm, Bell said. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)

In the Inland Empire, Anza, population about 3,000, is a small place with a big reputation  when it comes to weed. If you smoked it and it didnt come from a legal source, many locals said, it might well have come from Anza. Drive into town and it seems impossible to run into someone who cant point you to a neighbor who grows cannabis; said pointer may grow it too.

The town has the optimal microclimate for marijuana cultivation; access to water, hot, dry summers. And the sale of cannabis supplements the income of people who might otherwise live below the poverty line.

Riverside County supervisors have so far shown little inclination to support the small, thriving marijuana growers of Anza. Meanwhile, the county Sheriffs Department has conducted frequent raids in recent years.

Illegal marijuana cultivation is harmful to the environment and community, said sheriffs Sgt. Albert Martinez. The Riverside County Sheriffs Department has responded to crimes of homicide, theft, robbery, kidnapping, the theft of utilities, illegal chemical waste dumping (which ends up in the water table) all associated with illegal grows.

Since Proposition 64 took effect in 2017, California residents have been allowed to grow up to six plants. The year before, Riverside County passed an ordinance allowing qualified medical cannabis patients in unincorporated townships like Anza to grow 12 plants. For households with two qualified patients, the number doubles to 24. But Anzas zoning prevents most from growing and selling cannabis.

Story continues

So theres nothing legal about Bells operation.

His small cannabis grow helps supplement his income and supplies him with medicinal marijuana to treat a back injury, Bell said, and the onset of a pandemic-caused recession has made his operation all the more essential.

Im just a peaceful farmer. I want to give this farm to my son one day, Bell said. Ive put everything Ive got into this. Were not trying to make a million bucks, Im just passionate about this plant and the people involved with it.

For dozens of small growers in Anza, where the median household income sits at $41,200, the cannabis farms are crucial, said Edison Gomez-Krauss, a founding member of the High Country Growers Assn., which advocates for laxer cannabis cultivation laws.

The sprawling fields in Anza are home to more greenhouses than local merchants. Small markets, gas stations and the prized Dairy Queen are among the few signs of mainstream commerce. Farming is the towns life force, and the smell of marijuana is omnipresent.

Mondays are nervous times for Bell. The Sheriffs Department dubs them Marijuana Mondays because of the frequency of raids.

And so on Mondays, Bells attention is focused on the security cameras monitoring the front gate. One recent Monday saw him slowly stripping away at the skeleton of his two remaining greenhouses, which he said the Sheriffs Department deemed a code violation.

On May 13, Bell was one of 10 people busted by the Sheriffs Department. He was startled by the sound of deputies over a loudspeaker as they charged through his gate. As he headed to the front porch, he shrank away from the guns pointed in his direction, he said. Officers zip-tied his wrists, pulling his arms back farther than they could bend, he said. He watched investigators enter his house.

Bell heard crashing. Deputies slashed through greenhouses that cost about $6,000 each, kicked down lights and confiscated 10 pounds of weed, a generator and 1,898 plants, according to the Sheriffs Department property report. He was slapped with a code enforcement violation for his greenhouses.

Ronnie Bell inside a greenhouse he said was damaged by Sheriff's deputies during a raid. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)

In total that day, authorities eradicated nearly 10,000 plants and collected 298 pounds of processed marijuana, according to Martinez.

Bell said he keeps half of the product he grows for personal medicinal use, and his son sells the other half to trusted black marketeers. Dubbed OG Kush 371, the plants are an homage to the road to Anza, Highway 371.

Shaken by the most recent raid, Bell grows on a smaller scale and dedicates his time to the 10-month cultivation process.

In March, he starts by planting seeds or cloning plants. After two months, his son or hired hands take the plants and move them into a greenhouse. By September or October, Bell harvests the plants and hangs them to dry for 10 days before starting the two-month trimming process.

When finished, he places the product into a nylon bag and uses a hydraulic press to create cannabis oil.

Despite raids and arrests by deputies, Bell continues to grow cannabis to supplement his income and supply himself for medicinal use. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)

Most mornings he inspects each plant for blemishes or seeds  a sign that the plant would be unsalable  and sets the large carbon dioxide tank to 1,015 parts per million. The gas is directed through a series of tubes to a fan that blows it onto the plants for 12 hours a day. He makes sure the grow lights are set to stay on for 12 hours. He has perfected this setup to speed the growing process.

Years back, he also tended a larger indoor nursery that allowed him to harvest year-round. But now he spends more time raising baby chicks and fish.

Bell ran away from home at age 15, hitchhiking from Kansas City, Mo., to Anaheim.

We was selling drugs and pills just to make enough to eat and stuff, he said. I didnt have the best childhood. But eventually someone told us about a hippie commune up in Idyllwild, so we went.

Kendall Steinmetz of Anza, Calif., at his living room table, where he trims his cannabis buds. Steinmetz, too, has had several run-ins with law enforcement, but continues to grow. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)

Just across town, fellow HGCA founding member Kendall Steinmetz, 67, contemplates putting up plywood to surround his legal outdoor grow with a note that reads: Civil forfeiture is unconstitutional.

He starts the day at 9 a.m. trimming last years harvest  a laborious process that has taken him months  while watching the morning news. He smokes the first of 10 joints and checks on his outdoor plants and fruit trees.

Kendall Steinmetz checks on his cannabis. "We're like any other farmer," he said, "We're just passionate about our plants." (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)

Were like any other farmer, were just passionate about our plants, Steinmetz said.

Anza residents are divided on the issue of cannabis cultivation. While it has existed here for decades, legislation that has made enforcement less tough has led to tensions as the area became more attractive to prospective growers. In 2016, Take Back Anza was formed.

The group is concerned about the impacts of farming, including dips in water supply in the Santa Margarita Watershed, an increase in illegal operations and properties ruined by renters who leave after harvesting.

Take Back Anza founder Gary Worobec said men brandishing guns have occasionally blocked roads. Worobec said the group is focused on removing large, illegal grows. But small growers felt they have been targeted in the past.

In the last year, Martinez said, the Hemet sheriffs station conducted or assisted in 31 raids, eradicating 163,704 plants and more than 41 tons of marijuana.

Martinez estimated $170 million in plants and processed marijuana were eradicated this year alone. The station will likely double 2019s number of raids.

In their downtime, Bell and Steinmetz work with HCGA to propose alternative zoning policies to legalize small growing operations. According to a report by the Anza Valley Municipal Advisory Council, 97% of Anza residents live on rural residential or agricultural land, which prevents them from growing and selling cannabis but allows other commercial farming.

A close-up of one of Kendall Steinmetz's cannabis plants. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)

No permits have been granted to cannabis cultivators in Riverside County, said County Supervisor Chuck Washington, who oversees Anza Valley.

Admittedly our process is overly burdensome for the small growers, Washington said. The licensing process by its nature ... [is] bureaucratic. It becomes very expensive and out of reach. We havent figured out a way to manage that.

For Bell and Steinmetz, attempting to fit in the legal framework is a trip in itself.

This is the Napa Valley of marijuana cultivation, Bell said. So much revenue comes in from this plant, and we just want to positively contribute to the revenue stream in Anza. This town is asleep, and its begging for life.
The Queen and Prince Philip are to move to Balmoral early for a socially-distanced summer holiday with her family  who will stay in separate buildings so she can stay safe from coronavirus.

Her Majesty, 94, had been self-isolating in Windsor Castle for the past four months but has now decided on a change of scene.

She and the Duke of Edinburgh will head to the Highlands next month for the break but will impose and follow some strict rules.

The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh had been self-isolating in Windsor Castle in lockdown

The Royal couple will soon set off for Balmoral where they will stay the rest of the summer

Although other members of her family will join them for the traditional summer get-together this time they will not be able to get close to the monarch.

When they get to the 50,000-acre estate in Aberdeenshire she will not host them in the castle, instead staying in other properties on the grounds.

They will be able to meet her for outside activities instead including walks, horse riding and picnics.

A source said a Balmoral bubble of staff numbering some will join the Queen and Philip.

The Royals at Balmoral back in 2003, with their pet dogs walking in the grounds

They holidayed in Balmoral back in 1960, with the Queen, Prince Philip and their children, Prince Charles, right, Princess Anne and Prince Andrew, seen here

The Queen had been isolating in Windsor Castle and had to hold her audience with the Prime Minister by telephone as the Coronavirus spread around the UK

They include Vice-Admiral Tony Johnstone-Burt, master of the household; Sir Edward Young, the Queens private secretary, and Paul Whybrew and William Henderson, her pages.

Major Nana Kofi Twumasi-Ankrah, her equerry; Terry Pendry, her head groom; Angela Kelly, the Queens personal assistant and her senior dresser; Jackie Newbold, Kellys PA; and three assistant dressers will also join, according to The Sunday Times.

The Queen has spent a 12-week break at Balmoral for each of the past 68 years of her reign.

Since the coronavirus crisis started, Her Majesty and the Duke of Edinburgh have been in joint isolation at Windsor Castle since the start of lockdown in March.

The Queen rides Balmoral Fern, named after the famous Scottish residence for the Royals

Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall recently moved from Birkhall, on the Balmoral estate, to their London home of Clarence House as they lead the royal family in returning to public engagements after lockdown.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge remain at Anmer Hall, Norfolk, with their three children, Prince George, six, Princess Charlotte, five, and Prince Louis, two.

Buckingham Palace said: Balmoral is a private time and we would not comment on any plans or arrangements.
PORTLAND  Top leaders in the U.S. House said Sunday they were alarmed by the Trump administrations tactics against protesters in Portland and other cities, including Washington, D.C., and called on federal inspectors general investigate.

This is a matter of utmost urgency, wrote House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerrold Nadler, D-New York, Homeland Security Committee Chairman Bennie G. Thompson, D-Mississippi, and Oversight and Reform Committee Chairwoman Carolyn B. Maloney, D-New York, in a letter to the inspectors general of Department of Justice and Department of Homeland Security.

The Democratic lawmakers are seeking an investigation into the use of federal law enforcement agencies by the Attorney General and the Acting Secretary of Homeland Security to suppress First Amendment protected activities in Washington, D.C., Portland, and other communities across the United States.

President Donald Trump has decried the demonstrations, and Homeland Security Secretary Chad Wolf blasted the protesters as lawless anarchists in a visit to the city on Thursday.

We are trying to help Portland, not hurt it, Trump tweeted Sunday. Their leadership has, for months, lost control of the anarchists and agitators. They are missing in action. We must protect Federal property, AND OUR PEOPLE. These were not merely protesters, these are the real deal!

-- The Associated Press
Joan Murray had been home with COVID-19 for about a week when she ran into trouble. She had a fever of 103 degrees and chills that sent shivers up and down her spine. Her oxygen levels were dropping, and the tightness in her chest felt as if somebody had bound up my lungs with string.

But the 77-year-old, a retired registered nurse who lives alone in Westbury, New York, was adamant that she wanted to fight the illness at home. As a nurse, maybe I knew too much, she said. The last place I wanted to be was the hospital.

So the hospital came to her.

Northwell Health, which has cared for thousands of coronavirus patients in its network of facilities in New York state, sent a nurse manager to Murrays home in May. Covered head to toe in protective gear  gown, gloves, mask, shield and disposable bootees  she spent nearly eight hours doing an assessment.

Murray was dehydrated and in need of supplemental oxygen. Within hours, she was hooked up to an intravenous line, set up in her bedroom to replenish her fluids. A phlebotomist in an N95 mask came to draw blood, an oxygen machine was delivered to her home, and Murray was prescribed a powerful blood thinner to prevent clots.

Over the course of the next week, nurses dropped by every day, and a Northwell critical care physician and lung specialist, Dr. Gita Lisker, called daily to talk with Murray.

I was always waiting for her call  I would tell her all my troubles, and she would reassure me, Murray said. I was like a child at that point, and she was my security blanket.

So-called wraparound home care services were created, on the fly, by Northwell Health to deal with the surge in coronavirus cases that New York experienced this spring. Now this model may help relieve health systems in the Sun Belt and other parts of the United States, where rising numbers of cases are putting extraordinary pressure on hospitals, filling intensive care units and sending providers scrambling to hire extra nurses and secure medical supplies.

Northwell doctors are already discussing the program with physicians in Miami, where several hospitals have reached capacity. Florida has more than 300,000 COVID-19 cases, and more than 10,000 new cases were identified on Thursday.

The concept of hospital-at-home programs is not new, but they had been used primarily to treat patients with flare-ups of chronic conditions like heart failure.

In response to the coronavirus epidemic, Medicare relaxed the requirements for such care. Now patients are considered homebound if a medical practitioner advises them not to leave the home because of a diagnosis of confirmed or suspected COVID-19 or a condition that makes them more susceptible to contracting the virus.

In those situations, if a doctor says skilled services are needed, a home health agency can provide them under the Medicare Home Health benefit, officials said.

Since the start of the pandemic, some hospitals have switched to at-home services to open up hospital beds for COVID-19 patients or to provide follow-up care after COVID-19 patients are discharged from the hospital.

Northwells outreach is different because it focuses on acutely ill COVID-19 patients in the community. A team of Northwell specialists uses telehealth to advise doctors and patients in the community with mild or moderate illness.

When necessary, a comprehensive health service sends nurses and equipment into the homes of patients with severe symptoms or underlying medical conditions who might need hospitalisation without such close monitoring. Pulmonologists use telemedicine to follow these patients.

During New Yorks crisis, 80 to 90% of the patients who had the virus never went to the hospital, said Dr. Thomas McGinn, Northwells senior vice president and deputy physician-in-chief, who helped create the program.

Many COVID-19 patients did not need to be hospitalised, while others  including some who would have been admitted  simply refused to go, he said: Hospitals were becoming this place that scared everybody.

With a shortage of diagnostic tests, many sick patients were afraid that if they didnt already have the virus, theyd catch it at the hospital. And they were put off by the knowledge that theyd be cut off from friends and family, because visitors had been barred from health facilities to prevent further spreading of the virus.

At first, physicians were nervous about managing patients at home, McGinn and Lisker said. Since then, experts have learned a lot and have developed evidence-based protocols that rely on educating patients on how to monitor their temperature fluctuations, track their blood oxygen levels using pulse oximeters and report changes to their health care providers.

Pulmonologists, experienced in caring for very sick patients with lung disease, consulted with patients over the phone, Lisker said.

I can have a phone conversation with a patient, and after the first two sentences, I can tell if theyre going to have respiratory problems, she said. Were trained to listen.

Any patient in respiratory distress would be hospitalised, she added. But most patients were able to ride out their illnesses at home.

Between April 27 and June 1, Northwell enrolled 182 patients in its home care program. They ranged in age from 24 to 100, and many had underlying chronic conditions like diabetes or obesity, which have been linked to worse outcomes in COVID-19 cases.

Several, like Murray, were older and lived alone. But they had been carefully screened by their regular doctors; only two eventually needed hospitalisation, Lisker said.

Roni Caryn Rabin c.2020 The New York Times Company
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(Photo : 5 Hacks to Save on Your Prescription Meds)

Prescription medicine can be very expensive! In the U.S, it is estimated that an average person spends about $1200 every year on medication. According to various researches, a significant portion of adults doesn't take medicine as prescribed to reduce cost.

Others skip doses, split drugs, go for over-the-counter drugs, or avoid their prescriptions at all. If you are in such a situation, you must learn some of the hacks to save on your prescription medications. Let us give you a few tips to help you save more.

1. Ask why the drug is expensive.

Sometimes it is essential to understand why your prescription medication is sold expensively. This will give an insight into the genesis of the higher cost and consequently help you in making a decision. Most of the drug providers may not have sufficient knowledge regarding drug pricing. However, pharmacists may help you get a clear picture of this and ways to save.

Tip: There are also options that can help you save more as you buy prescription drugs. One of the best ways is to use a Prescription Savings Card when purchasing drugs. You can save up to 80% on drugs using cards, coupons, and manufacturer discounts, among others.

2. Try Various Stores

The cost of prescription medicines varies across different outlets. One of the best ways to save is to research the prices of various outlets. Other stores will offer unique purchase options like coupons and prescription discounts. Try to dig deep to understand whether you qualify for these offers and that the businesses behind the coupons are concerned with customer's privacy. Also, check the requirements to access other programs like the Manufacturer savings program and free trial programs. By navigating to the brand's website, you can access invaluable information about these options.

3. Choose your Insurance Wisely

Before choosing your insurance provider, you must get all the relevant details regarding your provider. It doesn't matter whether it is state-funded or a federal insurance program. Try to understand the monthly premium, deductible amount, and specific plan details. Other insurance providers cover specific medication brands, pharmacists, or order services. Also, check out the pricing structure under circumstances of different drugs treating the same disease. Generally speaking, select the insurance cover that allows you to cover your medications at an affordable price.

4. Consider Generics

If the original drug is hurting you financially, you can try out the generic versions of the same drug. Generic drugs are less costly because the manufacturers don't incur money for research and development of the medicine. They use the existing formula to produce an equivalent drug legally. However, these drugs may not be so identical, and the brand-name medication is always much favored. Before switching to generics, please consult with your doctor to avert any possible risks like the side effects.

5. Speak with your Doctor

It has been found that few people talk to their doctors about buying drugs. Well, it is important to ask your doctor about some aspects of medication such as brands, cheaper substitution, terminating drugs, and non-drug options to your problem. You can also inquire about the cost of not sticking to prescriptions so that you get an understanding of the consequences.

Final remarks

There are lots of hacks to save on your prescription medication. We have covered some of the great options in lowering your prescription cost. Try them out, but always beware of fake drugs and deals in the market.

See Now: What Republicans Don't Want You To Know About Obamacare
The man whose body was found floating on the heavily waterlogged underpass at Minto Road Bridge on Sunday morning was last seen perched on top of his submerged min-truck and desperately waiting for help, his relative said.

Kundan Kumar, 56, came to Delhi before the nationwide lockdown was imposed and had planned to return home in Pithoragarh in Uttarakhand for his elder daughter's marriage but his family had asked him to wait for the COVID-19 pandemic to stabilize.

The sole bread earner in the family, which included his elderly parents, wife and two daughters, aged 22 years and 12 years, he used to earn Rs 15,000-20,000 per month by ferrying goods across the city and would send the money home to his family.

His cousin Pritam Singh said Kumar lived near a taxi stand in Shankar Market where he parked his vehicle. He used to leave for work around 5am and return by 7pm.

Singh, who owns the vehicle Kumar drove, said his cousin was last seen by a boy who knew him. The boy told him around 8:30 am that Kumar was sitting on the roof of his submerged Tata Ace stuck under the railway bridge at Minto Road.

"When he returned with help my brother was not there. May be he got scared and could not escape or may be he slipped. Later, his body was retrieved from the water," Singh said.

Delhi police said the pick-up truck driver was trying to manoeuvre his vehicle through the waterlogged underpass but he got stuck and possibly drowned as no external injury mark was found on his body.

Waterlogging at the underpass during the rainy season is a recurring problem and incidents of vehicles getting stuck and people being rescued have often been reported.

"I last talked to him Saturday evening. Around 8.30am today, I got a call after that I sent some men to Minto Bridge where they found Kumar's body was fished out of the water," Singh said.

"He (Kumar) wanted to go back home as his elder daughter's marriage was fixed in November but was advised by his family to wait till the situation gets normal," he said.

He used to work in Delhi for 3-4 months at a stretch and then go back home for a few months. He was doing this for many years, he added.

The body has been shifted to a mortuary at Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital and it will be handed over to police after post-mortem.

Following a heavy downpour this morning, some other vehicles were also stuck at Minto Bridge. Delhi Fire Service Personnel rescued the driver and the conductor of a DTC bus and an auto driver from the waterlogged underpass.
Ever since its announcement at the end of last month, the Realme C11 has been soaking-up a lot of attention within the budget Android realm. A few days ago, the handset managed to arrive in India, as well and its market conquest might not be over yet. According to industry sources, the Realme C11 should be landing in Europe really soon.

realme C11, realme' entry level offering will soon arrive in Europe.

Will be be available in Mint Green & Pepper Grey color options, and should cost between 100 - 120#realmeC11 pic.twitter.com/ycJ7NG8ePp  Sudhanshu (@Sudhanshu1414) July 18, 2020

The expected price point as a bit steeper than the RM429 and INR 7,499, it is currently retailing for in Malaysia and India and puts the phone at around EUR 100 to 120. Even so, that remains perfectly competitive with global pricing for the Redmi 9A and 9C  its direct rivals, currently selling for EUR 99 and EUR 119, for base configurations.



Realme C11 in Mint Green and Pepper Grey colors

The Realme C11 is built around a MediaTek Helio P35 chipset, alongside 2GB of RAM and 32GB of expandable storage and a 6.5-inch, HD+, LCD display. It has two cameras on the back, in a new square layout, including a 13MP main snapper and a 2MP depth module. Backed-up by Ai Camera tech, these promise good portrait mode, 1080p video capture and slow-motion. Theres an impressively-big 5,000 mAh battery keeping the light on, capable of 10W charging via a microUSB port. Realme says one charge should be good for up to 12.1 hours of gaming, 21.6 hours of video and 31.9 hours of calls, as well as a massive 40 days of standby time.

Available colors include Mint Green and Pepper Grey on a body that is marketed as splash-resistant. A fingerprint reads is a notable omission from the features list, but other than that, the Realme C11 manages to deliver quite the value proposition. You can read our hands-on review for a more in-depth look.

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A father has been charged with the attempted murder of his three-year-old daughter.

Shaun Mate, 43, and his daughter Eloise were rushed to hospital after being found unconscious in a bedroom a home in Eden Hills in Adelaide's south-east just after midnight on Thursday.

Police were called to home following a frantic Triple-0 call from the man's distraught wife.

She told the operator she found him and their three-year-old daughter unconscious in a 'gas filled bedroom'.

His wife and the couple's six-month-old daughter were in another room at time and were unharmed.

Shaun Mate and his daughter Eloise (pictured together) remain in a critical condition after the pair were found unconscious in a 'gas filled bedroom'

Mr Mate and his daughter were treated at the scene before they were transferred to Flinders Medical Centre in a critical condition.

Eloise was later transferred to the Women's and Children's Hospital and placed in a induced coma, with her mother remaining at her bedside.

The little girl's condition has since improved and she is no longer in an induced coma.

Mr Mate's condition has also improved, allowing police to formally arrest him at the Flinders Medical Centre on Sunday.

He has been refused bail and is due to appear in the Christies Beach Magistrates Court on Monday.

Mr Mate's wife is a doctor with an interest in mental health.

The couple are also believed to be keen scuba divers and recently celebrated their five year wedding anniversary.

Mr Mate's wife (pictured with her husband) made the frantic Triple-0 call just after midnight

Shaun Mate (pictured with paramedics on the stretcher) was rushed to Flinders Medical Centre, where he remained in a critical condition on Thursday night under police guard

Crime scene investigators remained at the single storey home on Thursday, where they were seen leaving with several bags of evidence - including a computer hard drive, oxygen tanks and several gas cylinders.

Police also door-knocked nearby homes as they tried to piece together what happened.

Police Commissioner Grant Stevens said the investigation was in its 'very early stages' but said it was believed to be a 'domestic violence related'.

'Obviously very tragic circumstances but at this stage the indications are that it may be domestic-violence related but it's too early for us to be specific about the causes,' he said.

Shaun Mate remains under police guard at Flinders Medical Centre in a critical condition

Police are trying to piece together how Shaun Mate and his daughter Eloise ended up unconscious in a 'gas filled bedroom'

He added the incident had taken a toll on the emergency workers who responded to the Triple-0 call.

'I can speak from personal experience and I think most police officers can as well, when you're involved in a set of circumstances that involves injury or harm to a small child it does make the job that much more difficult and there's a personal toll that comes with dealing with those sorts of situations,' Commissioner Stevens said.

'You can't take away from the fact that you're dealing with a tragic set of circumstances.'

'Once the treatment is provided and we have a clearer picture of exactly what's happened,' Commissioner Stevens said.

News of the harrowing incident shocked neighbours in Kinedana Street.

Shaun Mate and his wife, a doctor, recently celebrated their five year wedding anniversary

'We saw someone was being sent into the ambulance and someone was crying,' Ben Xiong told the Adelaide Advertiser.

Professor Vincent Megaw has lived in the quiet neighbourhood for three decades.

'It's just total disbelief,' he said.

'This is the most unquiet thing that has happened since we've been here.'

Betty Malavazos said her granddaughters played chasey with the little girl at a nearby park only a few days ago.

'She is a beautiful little girl  a sweet little girl  and I pray to god for her,' she told reporters.

Fellow neighbour Peter Kavouras' only thoughts were for the little girl.

'My heart goes out to her and I hope she pulls though as quickly as possible,' he said.

For confidential support call Lifeline: 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue: 1300 22 4636.
Bamako (AFP) - West African mediators proposed a route out of Mali's political crisis on Sunday, but admitted the opposition's main demand was a significant stumbling block.

ECOWAS team chief and former Nigerian president Goodluck Jonathan said the West Africa bloc could not call for President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita's resignation, as demanded by the opposition.

"We met with the M5 four times and we couldnt resolve our differences," he said, referring to the opposition June 5 Movement.

"ECOWAS cannot come to Bamako and see to the setting up of an interim government," he added, explaining that this would trigger a "major crisis".

"We have to take one step at a time."

President Keita and the June 5 Movement -- which is set on his resignation -- are locked in a political standoff that last week spiralled into violent clashes, leaving 11 dead.

On Sunday, the mediators from the 15-nation Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) capped days of talks between the parties and proposed a raft of measures to soothe soaring tensions.

These included forming a new power-sharing government under which 50 percent of members would be from the ruling coalition, 30 percent from the opposition and 20 percent from civil society groups.

But the prospect of the proposals ending the impasse looked highly uncertain.

The June 5 Movement had already spurned proposals put to them by the mediators on Friday, after days of talks, insisting that Keita must resign.

The opposition alliance has been tapping into deep-seated frustrations in Mali over the 75-year-old president's perceived failures in tackling the dire economy, corruption and the country's eight-year-long jihadist conflict.

Many Malians are also incensed at the outcome of long-delayed parliamentary elections in March and April that handed victory to Keita's party.

AFP was unable to immediately reach either Mali's government or the June 5 Movement for comment.

Story continues

-- Opposition resistance --

Mali's current crisis has concerned its allies and neighbours, who are anxious to avoid the poor, war-torn state sliding into chaos.

Swathes of the country lie outside of government control because of a jihadist insurgency that began in the north in 2012, and has since claimed thousands of lives and driven hundreds of thousands from their homes.

Fighting has also spread to neighbouring Burkina Faso and Niger.

Keita, who first came to power in 2013 on hopes of change, has been under increasing pressure to resolve the conflict.

But much of the current tension in Mali was sparked in April, when the constitutional court tossed out 31 results from the parliamentary elections, which led to protests.

The June 5 Movement then emerged -- channelling anger over a range of issues -- and staged two mass rallies demanding Keita's resignation last month, before organising the July 10 rally which turned violent.

The movement is an alliance of political, social and civil-society leaders gathered around powerful imam Mahmoud Dicko, who is seen as its de facto leader despite not being a formal member.

On Sunday, ECOWAS mediators suggested appointing new judges to the country's constitutional court so that they could revisit the decision on the disputed seats.

Their proposals were substantially similar to conciliatory gestures unsuccessfully floated by Keita himself in a bid to soothe anger, but rejected by the opposition.

Jean-Claude Kassi Brou, a member of the ECOWAS mediation team, suggested there was room for progress despite opposition hostility, however.

"Dialogue is not over," he said. "I can tell you that imam Mahmoud Dicko accepts the broad outlines of our recommendations."

AFP was unable to immediately reach Dicko for comment.

Speaking to reporters on Sunday, Jonathan suggested that Malians unhappy with Keita should focus on the next presidential election.

"In most countries, when the president is on his second term, nobody thinks about that president again," he said.
Photojournalist Beth Nakamura was on assignment on the Warm Springs Reservation last week when the woman she was talking to shared a connection.

The woman, now 32, had attended The Oregonians High School Journalism Institute as a teenager. She was a student at Madras High School and remembers it as life-changing.

It was the first time I had been in a group of young people and mostly people of color who were passionate about journalism, said Carina Miller, a member of the Confederated Tribes of the Warm Springs. One of the pieces she wrote that week was published in The Sunday Oregonian.

It was the first time a group of adults made it clear that my voice mattered, that my views mattered, she said. The experience inspired her to go on to the University of Oregon, where she studied journalism and received a degree in ethnic studies. And Miller, now a candidate for the state Legislature, believes it was integral to starting her on her path to civic engagement and politics.

Typically in July, theres one Oregon newsroom guaranteed to be bursting with fresh energy and ideas. Thats the home base housing more than a dozen young journalists attending our weeklong high school journalism camp.

Held for the past several years at Oregon State University, the camp teaches the craft of newspapering to high school students who otherwise might not have the benefit of a journalism class.

The students stay for a week in the dorms and report for duty to the media center on campus. Each is assigned a full-time professional mentor from The Oregonian/OregonLive or other participating newsrooms around the state.

They are trained in the fundamentals of our craft, then go out and report, photograph and write news stories, some of which appear in The Oregonian and on OregonLive. All are collected into a print product, the Pride, which showcases the students and their work.

The High School Journalism Institute is a launching pad for aspiring young journalists whose diverse perspectives are too often missing from newsrooms today, said Molly Young, an editor at The Oregonian/OregonLive and director of the institute. Most media organizations in Oregon do not fully reflect the racial, ethnic, linguistic and socioeconomic backgrounds of the communities they serve. Thats not OK.

This summer, however, the High School Journalism Institute was derailed like so many other gatherings by the coronavirus pandemic. Instead, we will offer students a virtual training experience later this year.

Because it remains uncertain how school will take shape this fall, we are working to provide virtual training sessions students can access throughout the state, Young said. Over the course of the school year, we will work with schools to address accessibility barriers to make sure the programming reaches all interested students.

It will be challenging to replicate the buzz of the newsroom and the transformative experience of the on-campus week, however. For some students, like Miller, it can be life-changing, sparking a love of writing, inquisitiveness, media awareness and critical thinking.

Ryan Nguyen, who will be a senior at the University of Oregon this fall, is one of our summer interns and a graduate of the camp.

He said, even though he was editor of his Aloha High School paper, he had not considered a career in journalism until his camp mentor encouraged him to apply to the Emerald, the student newspaper in Eugene. That experience changed everything, and this fall he will be editor of the Emerald.

Working in journalism gave me the skills to write about the world in a critical and informed lens. Everything that drew me to reporting  a drive to make change in ones own local community, a desire to tell others about the important current events that they need to know about and the unique community that journalists in the newsroom have  was planted in me from my summer at the HSJI, Nguyen said.

That mentor who encouraged him? He is now a colleague in our virtual newsroom this summer, Eder Campuzano. Campuzano is The Oregonian/OregonLives education reporter and also a graduate of the camp.

The camp is supported financially with a generous donation from the Samuel I. Newhouse Foundation, named for S.I. Newhouse, who founded Advance in 1922. Advance is The Oregonian/OregonLives parent company.

Oregon State also contributes in-kind to the camp, and newsroom fundraisers with a company match help make sure there is no cost to the students who attend.

Weve also created a GoFundMe page so readers can help students attend camp. Funds for this year will go to supplies, any paid trainers and technology to ensure students can participate in a virtual camp.

Many of the students come from disadvantaged communities, which is why it has been important to us to keep the camp free of charge. With your support, our virtual training may be able to reach hundreds of students.

The camp is one way we are helping to build newsrooms of the future, filled with energized, passionate, diverse, smart journalists who reflect the communities they cover.

Therese Bottomly is editor and vice president of content for The Oregonian/OregonLive. Reach her at tbottomly@oregonian.com or 503-221-8434.
A day after Rajasthan chief minister Ashok Gehlot met governor Kalraj Mishra, Congress sources on Sunday said a brief session of the state assembly may be called this week.

IMAGE: Rajasthan chief minister Ashok Gehlot calls on governor Kalraj Mishra at Raj Bhavan in Jaipur. Photograph: ANI Photo

"The government has all options open, including a brief assembly session," they said amid a political crisis caused by party leader Sachin Pilot's rebellion against chief minister Ashok Gehlot.

Meanwhile, Congress leader Ajay Maken in a press conference said, "The decision on when and how the floor test will happen, it has to be taken by the chief minister and the government. It is the CM's discretion to move forward when required and if it is required."

Gehlot had met Rajasthan governor Kalraj Mishra on Saturday and the meeting lasted for 45 minutes.

However, a Raj Bhavan spokesperson said the CM briefed the governor about the efforts being made to protect the state from the coronavirus pandemic.

On the other hand, party sources said the chances of calling a brief assembly session are there but nothing has been finalised yet.

The party claims the Ashok Gehlot government has the numbers to prove majority in case there is a floor test.

In the 200-member state assembly, the Congress has 107 MLAs, including former deputy chief minister Sachin pilots and 18 MLA loyal to him, who have rebelled against Gehlot.

Rajasthan speaker C P Joshi had earlier sent disqualification notices to the rebel MLAs after which they moved the state high court.

The next hearing in the matter will be held on Monday.

The RLD, which has one MLA, is a Congress ally while the ruling party has the support of 10 of 13 Independent MLAs.

The Bhartiya Tribal Party, which has two MLAs, has officially announced its support to the Ashok Gehlot government on Saturday.

The state government considers both CPI-M MLAs on its side.

However, the CPI-M says their stand is clear that they have to defeat the BJP but any decision regarding support to the state government will be taken by the party leadership in case a floor test is conducted.
About 40 current and former employees of the outdoor equipment store REI in Grand Rapids, Mich., regularly communicate using the messaging app GroupMe. On July 6, they received a jarring note from a colleague.

Hey guys just so everybody knows I tested positive for Covid-19, the employee wrote. I was told not to tell anybody and that the store would let everybody know what was going on. I assumed everybody knew but apparently that was not the case. Im glad the store is now taking it seriously and we are closed for a while. I have no symptoms and am feeling good.

The sender, according to screenshots reviewed by The New York Times, was immediately bombarded with well wishes  and questions. When? The results came in at 10:30 p.m. on July 2, just before a holiday weekend that included travel with family for some employees. Why didnt store managers alert employees? I was told that management would let people know what was going on and to not post or say anything on social media, the employee wrote.

The Grand Rapids store was closed on July 3 to investigate potential Covid-19 exposure, but according to voice mail messages that managers left for the staff, they said no one had been exposed to the virus and the store reopened the next day.
"There's tremendous love for the Blue Jays in Buffalo," the mayor said, referring to the teams' affiliation that dates to 2013. "... We have flattened the curve in New York State and it's a very safe place to play. We are still a top-100 American city, so there are a lot of things to do in Buffalo and players' families could come to our city and have a great time in the city, which is in Phase 4 of reopening."

Wherever they play, time is of the essence and the Blue Jays are now in scramble mode to have a site for their regular season games. The home opener is July 29 against Washington.

The Pittsburgh option makes sense for the Jays. New Pirates GM Ben Cherington left his post as vice president of baseball operations in Toronto to head to Pittsburgh last fall and the city would still give the Jays an Eastern base to mitigate travel for visiting teams.

There are seven current conflicts between the Jays' home schedule and that of the Pirates that MLB would have to work through, either by shifting some games or perhaps playing a doubleheader or two.

"We're professionals. We're going to try to win games wherever we play," manager Charlie Montoyo told reporters Sunday.

The Blue Jays have been training in Toronto for the last two-plus weeks and head on the road to play exhibition games Tuesday and Wednesday night in Boston. They open their season Friday night at Tampa Bay.

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Chinese mainland reports 22 new confirmed COVID-19 cases

People's Daily Online

(Xinhua) 14:31, July 18, 2020

BEIJING, July 18 (Xinhua) -- Chinese health authority said Saturday that it received reports of 22 new confirmed COVID-19 cases on the Chinese mainland Friday, of which 16 were domestically transmitted.

All domestically-transmitted cases were reported in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, the National Health Commission said in its daily report.

No deaths related to the disease were reported Friday, according to the commission.

On Friday, 21 people were discharged from hospitals after recovery, and one new suspected case was reported in Xinjiang.

As of Friday, the overall confirmed cases on the mainland had reached 83,644, including 252 patients who were still being treated, with three in severe condition.

Altogether 78,758 people had been discharged after recovery, and 4,634 had died of the disease, the commission said.

Six new imported cases -- three in Guangdong Province, two in Shandong Province and one in Fujian Province -- were reported Friday, bringing the total number of imported cases to 2,004. Of the cases, 1,920 had been discharged from hospitals after recovery, and 84 remained hospitalized with three in severe condition. No deaths from the imported cases had been reported.

The commission said four people were still suspected of being infected with the virus.

According to the commission, 4,072 close contacts were still under medical observation after 129 people were discharged from medical observation Friday.

Also on Friday, 14 new asymptomatic cases, including five from overseas, were reported on the mainland and no asymptomatic cases were re-categorized as confirmed ones.

The commission said 109 asymptomatic cases, including 77 from overseas, were still under medical observation.

By Friday, 1,713 confirmed cases including 11 deaths had been reported in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR), 46 confirmed cases in the Macao SAR, and 454 in Taiwan including seven deaths.

A total of 1,264 patients in the Hong Kong SAR, 46 in the Macao SAR, and 440 in Taiwan had been discharged from hospitals after recovery.

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The leader of the Taliban has reshuffled his team of negotiators ahead of peace talks with the Afghan government, adding four close aides to the group, sources in the movement said Saturday. Mullah Haibatullah Akhundzada made the appointments to strengthen his control over the team, a Taliban commander, based at an unknown location in Pakistan, told AFP. The aides are all members of the militant group's leadership council, which should help the team to make quicker decisions, two other sources in the Taliban movement who confirmed the move told AFP. The talks with Kabul were originally supposed to have started in March, but there have been repeated delays, with the Taliban accused of increasing violence. The four new negotiators, who were appointed last month, are Taliban chief justice Sheikh Abdul Hakeem, Maulvi Saqib, former chief justice during the Taliban's rule in the 1990s, Mullah Shireen, a close aide and bodyguard of the late Taliban founder Mullah Omar, and Maulvi Abdul Kabir, former governor of Afghanistan's eastern Nangarhar province. The reshuffle also saw three to four earlier members of the team removed, including Mullah Amir Khan Muttaqi, a senior militant leader, the sources said. It comes after Akhundzada appointed Mullah Yaqoob, the son of Mullah Omar, as head of the group's military wing. "Yaqoob is young, energetic and experienced," the military commander said and added that Yaqoob was respected in the Taliban because of his family background and experience. Yakoob is already a member of the Taliban's central Shura council and a deputy to Akhundzada. The Taliban have a political office in the Qatari capital Doha, which has emerged as a likely venue to host the initial round of peace talks after the militants and Kabul complete an ongoing prisoner exchange. The peace negotiations hinge on a prisoner swap, in which Kabul pledged to free about 5,000 Taliban prisoners in return for around 1,000 Afghan security force captives held by the insurgents. So far, Afghan authorities have released about 4,400 Taliban inmates, Afghan officials said. Afghan officials, meanwhile, accused the Taliban of continuing to carry out deadly attacks across the country. "Taliban had a choice to cease the fire and halt taking innocent lives, instead, they chose to kill more and showed no will for peace," National Security Council spokesman Javid Faisal said on Twitter on Saturday.
Scientists and engineers are preparing for possible travel into interstellar space, the area in between stars, in the distant future.

A new report examines the possible problem of changes in language on long space trips.

Only two spacecraft from Earth have reached the mysterious area known as interstellar space. Scientists identify interstellar space as the area outside the area of particles and magnetic fields created by the sun.

Experts believe it will likely take many years before the technology and equipment are developed to send humans to this unexplored area of space. But if it does happen, massive spaceships could carry humans on long trips to distant stars.

Two American researchers have explored one possible problem with such travel. They considered the possibility that changes in human language could develop over time and lead to major communication problems with people on Earth.

The language experts are professors Andrew McKenzie from the University of Kansas, and Jeffrey Punske, of Southern Illinois University. The two recently published a paper on the subject that appears in the European Space Agencys online publication Acta Futura.

The paper considers very long trips necessary to reach interstellar space, estimated to be about 18 billion kilometers from Earth. It also examines the possibility of future colonization of distant stars.

Languages naturally change as communities grow more isolated from each other, the researchers note in the paper. The long isolation of a community could lead to enough differences in language to make it impossible for community members back home to understand.

If you're on this (spaceship) for 10 generations, new concepts will emerge, new social issues will come up, and people will create ways of talking about them, McKenzie said in a statement. Such vocabulary would become specific to only that spaceship.

People on Earth might never know about these words, unless there's a reason to tell them. And the further away you get, the less you're going to talk to people back home, McKenzie said.

The researchers noted that in addition to new words being used, the language of people traveling on spaceships and living in colonies would experience many other changes.

For example, the sounds of different letters would likely change over time, affecting not only individual words, but the whole grammatical system, the paper states.

Major changes in word and sentence structure could also create systematic language barriers over time, the researchers said. Given more time, new grammatical forms can completely replace current ones, McKenzie said.

The paper provides examples of how languages developed on our own planet because communities became isolated over time. Examples include the Polynesian settlement of far-flung Pacific islands, and dialect development in relatively isolated European colonies.

McKenzie identified an example of a major language change on Earth during modern times. He described a way of speaking called uptalk, when speakers end statements with a rising tone. He said this way of speaking is often mistaken for a question tone by those who are not aware of it. Uptalk has only been observed occurring within the last 40 years, but has spread from small groups of young Americans and Australians to most of the English-speaking world, McKenzie said.

The researchers say one possible solution to limit communication problems would be to include language experts on spaceship crews. Another suggestion is to use sign language as a form of communication.

McKenzie added that space travelers might question whether it is even worth trying to learn how to communicate with people on Earth. But he believes there will always be a need, even if it is very limited. You have to learn a little Earth English to send messages back, or to read the instruction manuals and information that came with the ship, he said.

Im Bryan Lynn.

Bryan Lynn wrote this story for VOA Learning English, based on reports from the University of Kansas and Acta Futura. Mario Ritter, Jr. was the editor.

Quiz - How Future Space Travel Could Create Language Communication Issues Start the Quiz to find out Start Quiz

________________________________________________________________

Words in This Story

isolate  v. separate someone or something from other people or things

concept  n. an idea or principle

emerge  v. appear from somewhere

vocabulary  n. all the words in a particular language

dialect  n. a form of language people speak in a particular part of a country

tone  n. the quality of a sound

occur  v. to happen

manual  n. a book that contains directions for doing something


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First UAE interplanetary mission launches 'Hope' to Mars



July 19, 2020  The launch of a new interplanetary probe carries with it the "Hope" of a young nation that is poised to make history while studying the global atmosphere of Mars.



The United Arab Emirates' (UAE) "Hope" ("Al-Amal" in Arabic) spacecraft lifted off on a Mitsubishi Heavy Industries' H-IIA rocket from the Tanegashima Space Center in Japan on Saturday (July 19). If all proceeds to plan, the robotic probe will enter Mars orbit in early February 2021, coinciding with the 50th anniversary celebration of the UAE becoming an independent country.



The 5:58 p.m. EDT launch (2158 GMT or 6:58 a.m. local time on July 20) marked the beginning of the $200 million Emirates Mars Mission, the UAE's first space project to reach beyond Earth orbit and first Arab-led mission to another planet. If Hope succeeds, the UAE will become the fifth, or possibly sixth, government to place a vehicle into Mars orbit, depending on when China's soon-to-be-launched Tianwen-1 mission also arrives at the Red Planet.



To date, only the United States, Russia, the European Space Agency and India have operated robotic probes in orbit about Mars.



"This mission places UAE as one of the world leaders in space exploration, which will be a wonderful inspiration to the young men and women of the UAE when considering their roles in the future. It should provide a major incentive for young Arab scientists to embark on a career in space engineering," said UAE Minister of State Zaki Nusseibeh during an online discussion hosted by the Office of Public & Cultural Diplomacy in Abu Dhabi.



The path to Mars



The Hope spacecraft entered Earth orbit 11 minutes and 21 seconds after launch. Still attached to the H-IIA's second stage, the probe coasted for 45 minutes before the stage reignited for 4 minute and 54 seconds to accelerate Hope away from the planet.



Separating from the rocket stage 57 minutes after leaving the ground, Hope began its 200-day cruise that will span the 306.6 million miles (493.5 million kilometers) between Earth and Mars. The small spacecraft  measuring just 25 feet wide (8 meters) when its two solar arrays are deployed and 10 feet tall (3 m)  made contact with mission managers in Dubai (as relayed through NASA's Deep Space Network tracking station in Madrid, Spain) about 15 minutes later.



After system checks, the next major milestone for Hope will be the first in a series of thruster firings to refine its trajectory.



"Soon after commissioning, there's a series of course corrections that need to be made in order to hit the target that's required to get into Mars orbit. It's a very small target. It's equivalent to an archer hitting a 2 millimeter [0.08 inch] target 1 km (0.6 miles) away, so this is not for the faint of heart," said Pete Withnell, program manager at the Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics at the University of Colorado, Boulder, where Hope was built. "It takes a series of course correction maneuvers to hit that target."



"The next six months will be largely ensuring that we know exactly where the spacecraft is, how it is moving through space and how we are in terms of targeting that specific bullseye in making all the corrections needed along the way," Withnell said in a pre-launch press conference.



Into the atmosphere



Arriving at Mars, the Hope probe will expend nearly half its fuel firing its thrusters to slow its approach to be captured by the planet's gravity. About six weeks after entering an initial orbit, during which its systems and instruments will be checked out, the spacecraft will transition to its science orbit, circling Mars once every 55 hours while following an elliptical path between 12,430 and 26,700 miles (20,000 and 43,000 km) above the surface.



Hope is equipped with infrared and ultraviolet spectrometers, as well as a multi-wavelength camera to collect data about the global Martian atmosphere over the course of one Martian year.



"We focus on three primary objectives ... to characterize the weather system of Mars throughout an entire year, and, more importantly, fill in the gap of the day-to-night transitions within the weather of Mars," said Sarah Amiri, deputy project manager for the mission. "We also look at how far out hydrogen and oxygen extend into space. That provides a better understanding on atmospheric escape."



"So if there is a dust storm on Mars [or] changes in temperature, how does that impact rates of atmospheric escape and, particularly, the escape of hydrogen and oxygen in the outer atmosphere," she said.



The bottom to top approach is novel to Hope's mission, according to Amiri.



"Prior missions, their orbits were mostly locked at a local time, so they captured an understanding of the lower atmosphere of Mars at a particular time of the mission, [while] other missions, perhaps, looked also at atmosphere escape. This mission provides us a full understanding of the atmosphere throughout a day, so it covers all regions at all local times and that's a comprehensive understanding that fills in the gap of changes through time through different seasons of Mars throughout an entire year," Amiri said.



A new 'Hope'



In addition to advancing science, the UAE is also leveraging the Mars mission to establish its position in the Arab world as a "beacon of progress."



First announced in July 2014, the Emirates Mars Mission has the goal of inspiring Arab youth to become involved in science and technology fields.



"The message here is that if the UAE is able to reach Mars in less than 60 years [as a country], then you can do much more, given your history, given how this region used to be a generator of knowledge [and] how scientists in this region came up with new knowledge," Omran Sharaf, project director for the Emirates Mars Mission, said. "The objective was to use this mission to cause a disruptive change in the mindset of the youth to create a research and development culture to support the creation of an innovative, creative and competitive knowledge-based economy."



"Since the mission was announced, we saw students shifting majors, going from international relations and finance into the sciences. We saw universities that didn't have any science programs actually start science problems. The mindset of the youth has changed, the mindset of different sectors has changed and we've seen that impact," he said.



A Mitsubishi Heavy Industries' H-IIA rocket lifts off with the United Arab Emirates' (UAE) Hope probe from the Tanegashima Space Center in Japan on Saturday, July 19, 2020. The spacecraft will enter Mars orbit to study the atmosphere in February 2021. (MHI)





United Arab Emirates' "Hope" probe with its solar arrays extended during final checks prior to its launch to Mars. (MBRSC)





United Arab Emirates' "Hope" probe during final checks prior to its launch to Mars. (Emirates Mars Mission)





Emirates Mars Mission journey infographic. (UAE Space Agency)





Emirates Mars Mission "Hope" mission patch floating in the Cupola aboard the International Space Station. The patch was flown by Hazzaa AlMansoori, the first UAE astronaut, during his September 2019 mission to the orbiting laboratory. (MBRSC)





Artist's rendering of the United Arab Emirates' "Hope" spacecraft in orbit around Mars to study the atmosphere. (Mohammed bin Rashid Space Center)



 2022 collectSPACE.com All rights reserved.
BERLIN - German police officers were pelted with bottles to applause from a large crowd after they tried to end a brawl in central Frankfurt early Sunday, leading to clashes that ended with 39 arrests, the citys police force said.

Frankfurt police chief Gerhard Bereswill said a small group of police tried to intervene after the brawl involving up to 30 people broke out at around 3 a.m. in the citys central Opernplatz square.

Participants in the fight turned on the officers and threw bottles at them, along with others standing nearby, he said. The other 500 to 800 people in the square began to jeer and clap when bottles hit our colleagues, Bereswill added. Police called in reinforcements, who he said were also pelted with bottles, and then cleared the square.

Bereswill said police arrested 39 suspected bottle-throwers, eight of whom were still in custody Sunday. Most were young men aged 17-21 from the Frankfurt area, many of them with immigrant roots, he said.

At least five police officers sustained slight injuries such as bruises and several police cars were damaged, Bereswill said.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-07-20 02:50:42|Editor: huaxia

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RIYADH, July 19 (Xinhua) -- The Saudi Interior Ministry announced on Sunday the kingdom's readiness for the upcoming Hajj season, the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported.

Zayed Al Tuwailan, commander of Hajj Security Forces, told a press conference that the forces are ready to ensure the safety of pilgrims, SPA said.

He revealed that pilgrims of 160 nationalities, 70 of whom are foreign residents in the kingdom, would take part in this year's Hajj season.

"It is an extraordinary season with extraordinary measures to tackle the coronavirus for the safety of pilgrims," Al Tuwailan said.

The commander warned of jail terms and fines against violators, noting non-Saudis would also face deportation.

On Sunday, the Saudi health ministry reported 2,504 new coronavirus cases, raising the total number in the country to 250,920.

The recoveries from the disease rose to 197,735 after 3,517 patients recovered, while 39 more fatalities were recorded in the past 24 hours, increasing the death toll to 2,486. Enditem
ALBANY - Before the coronavirus pandemic hit New York, state lawmakers were making strides to address systemic racism in housing practices.

Riding on the heels of an earlier passage of tenant protections, legislators convened a hearing late last year to examine discriminatory practices in Long Islands real estate market whereby realtors steered people of color to certain homes and neighborhoods  findings that were originally disclosed in a three-year investigation by Newsday.

Legislative leaders had subpoenaed multiple real estate agencies to probe the alleged discriminatory practices, and had planned a hearing in April, but that was derailed by COVID-19.

The pandemic has only further highlighted the longstanding disparities in housing practices and pushed policymakers to reckon with the systemic issues ingrained in the process.

"I think we can all see the coronavirus has, sadly, magnified the inequities in every part of our lives, and housing is no different," said Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins, the first Black female leader in the state Senate. "Because of the practices of segregation and inferior housing for Black communities and brown communities, the ability to deal with COVID, having the social distancing and all of the kinds of things that would be required to have a safer outcome during a situation like this for far too many families of color don't exist because the options were never there."

Housing policies nationwide have deep roots in racism and injustice, from the displacement of Native Americans to the discriminatory practices of the 1930s New Deal Era of the Home Owners Loan Corporation, which redlined areas that the American government deemed unsafe for investment. Those areas were typically racially diverse urban neighborhoods, and the consequences are still felt today with those communities suffering from divestment and concentrations of poverty.

There have been well-documented racial disparities within housing for a long time. Some of them are about the quality and cost, and others are about where affordable housing is available, said Solomon Greene, a housing policy expert at Urban Institute in Washington, D.C. Were paying a lot of attention now on the surge of evictions were already seeing in some states and expected when moratoriums are lifted in others.

Since COVID-19 made its way to New York, lawmakers have warned of a looming housing crisis if significant resources arent dedicated to ensuring people dont lose their homes because of their inability to pay rent or mortgage payments amid a public health crisis.

How its handled will have racial justice implications, Greene said, as those who struggle most with housing security are people of color. They are more likely to hold lower paying jobs and rent their homes. People of color also have reported being more uncertain of their ability to pay rent during the pandemic compared to their white counterparts, Greene said.

State lawmakers said as the pandemic inundated New York, the focus became ensuring residents had the basic needs.

Figuring out how to keep people in their homes is going to be the focus, said state Sen. Rachel May, D-Syracuse. It would be great if we could take the imminent reshuffling of people in their homes to promote a more racially diverse approach to housing people. I think its going to be such a crisis that were going to have to focus on making sure people get enough resources to have a roof over their head.

While $100 million in federal funds has been allocated for rental assistance to the most needy New Yorkers, legislators said much more will be necessary in order to avoid a housing crisis.

Manhattan Democratic Sen. Brian Kavanagh, who chairs the Senate housing committee, said efforts to create thoughtful legislation and policy that both addresses current issues and aims to dismantle the systemic problems are being pursued.

Special Investigation 147 NY dams are 'unsound,' potentially dangerous Thousands of dams have not been inspected in over 20 years.

I think a crisis like this has a real danger of exacerbating inequalities in our society and the way to prevent that is to ensure we are proactively addressing the underlying economic crisis as well as the public health crisis, he said.

That includes pushing for an extension of the eviction moratorium and additional funding for rental and mortgage assistance, but also continuing the efforts that were re-energized with a shift in power from the 2018 elections, Kavanagh said.

Things that have languished for a very long time moved very rapidly and in (a) dramatic way because of the change in the Legislature, he said of Democrats taking control of the Senate. We took big steps forward. This was an issue that I think we were ready to move on this year.

That includes ensuring financial resources to do fair housing tests  dispatching a diverse group of people to seek out housing in a region and analyzing how they are treated; passing good-cause eviction protections; pursuing policies and programs that ensure affordable, quality housing; as well as a statewide affirmative fair housing policy, legislators said.

Kavanagh said he has proposed a fair housing policy since the federal government rolled back its policy earlier this year. The policy required cities and towns receiving federal funding to examine their local housing patterns for racial bias and to design a plan to address any bias.

Kavanagh and Stewart-Cousins also pointed to legislation proposed by Sen. James Gaughran that would revoke or suspend the license of a real estate broker or salesman found using discriminatory tactics, a measure proposed in response to the issues uncovered in Long Island. This bill could be enacted on this year as legislators return for session on Monday.

"We're working on a number of things, but I think that any opportunity we have to educate and stop discriminatory practices and push for a fairer and more just society in every area, including housing, is where you will find our conference," Stewart-Cousins said.
Inside polling stations, all workers were wearing masks and gloves, and voters had to use their own pens in the sanitized booths. Once their ballots were cast, they had to leave immediately, as no gatherings were allowed inside. People also had to keep a safe distance while waiting for their turn.
Research by the University of Southampton shows European countries need to work together when lifting lockdown measures, to prevent COVID-19 cases rising again on the continent.

A study by WorldPop, experts in population mapping, has found any resurgence of the virus would be brought forward by up to five weeks if well-connected countries prematurely end their non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs), such as social distancing and self-isolation, without coordinating efforts. This would give less time to expand testing programs and develop new treatments or vaccines. Detailed findings are published in the journal Science.

Our study shows the timing of any second epidemic across Europe depends on the actions of countries that are populous, well-connected and currently have strong interventions in place. The uncoordinated easing of NPIs can lead to much earlier secondary epidemics, while coordination can mean much higher likelihoods of eliminating all local cases." Dr Nick Ruktanonchai, Lead Author of the Study

Director of WorldPop, Professor Andy Tatem, says: "Intergovernmental organisations, such as the World Health Organization, have stressed the importance of international solidarity to share resources and expertise to combat COVID-19. Our results underline this and suggest that coordination between countries removing lockdown measures is vital. One country ending NPIs before others could lead to an accelerated resurgence of the disease."

The researchers used anonymised Vodafone mobile phone data and a Google mobility dataset to provide information on trends of population movement. They combined this with publicly available COVID-19 infection data. Using a sophisticated model, the team ran multiple exit strategy scenarios - each estimating the effect of relaxing different lockdown measures in different country combinations among 35 European countries, to examine how this affected virus spread in Europe over a six month period (April 2020 onwards).

The researchers concluded that if countries work together, it could greatly improve the likelihood of ending community transmission of COVID-19 throughout the continent. In particular, they showed that synchronizing intermittent lockdowns across countries would lead to half as many lockdown periods being necessary to achieve an end to transmission of the virus among people in Europe.

Across 1200 simulations, the researchers found that if countries synchronised implementation and relaxation of NPIs, an end to community transmission (over the six months period) was always the most likely outcome. If this was achieved, it would shift the emphasis to testing, tracing and quarantining cases coming to the region from elsewhere.

The study also showed that certain countries have a higher potential to cause a resurgence of COVID-19 than others. France, Germany, Italy, Poland and the UK were all identified as being a greater risk to triggering any new wave of infection.

Furthermore, the way in which each country would contribute to any resurgence varies. For example, Germany was shown as most likely to spark epidemics in neighbouring countries, whereas virus spread from France tends towards adversely affecting main population centres continent-wide. This suggests the most effective interventions may depend on the country considered. For instance, airport closures might be more useful for France, while limits on local travel may be more effective for Germany.

The researchers believe their approach could be used to study virus resurgence beyond Europe and plan to undertake future work to examine the effect of coordinated relaxation of NPIs at a global level.
Chopra in North Dinajpur district in north Bengal turned into a battleground on Sunday afternoon, hours after a 15-year-old girl was allegedly raped and murdered. But police said the post mortem revealed that she died of poisoning.

The girl had appeared for the class 10 state board examination this year.

Local people torched three government buses and two police vehicles and vandalised a number of other vehicles. Shouting we want justice, the mob also attacked policemen while Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders took up the issue alleging that the girl belonged to a family of BJP supporters and thus became a target of goons backed by the ruling Trinamool Congress party.

At least 30 people, including some police personnel, were injured in the pitched battles. Tension was palpable in the area till late evening.

Watch: Police fire teargas to control violent protests in West Bengal

The area where the alleged rape and murder took place comes under the Chaturagaj-Sonapur gram panchayat area of the Darjeeling Lok Sabha constituency. She was found by the roadside early in the morning, around 700 metres away from her home, and taken to Chopra hospital and subsequently to Islampur sub-divisional hospital where doctors pronounced her dead.

The family of the victim claimed that a mobile phone and a cycle of the suspected murderer were recovered from the spot but a police officer who requested anonymity said A bottle of poison was also found.

Local people and BJP supporters blocked the Chopra state highway for hours. In the afternoon, they blockaded NH-31. When police tried to remove the roadblocks, the protesters hurled stones. Several clashes ensued and police had to use baton-charge tear gas shells to bring the situation under control.

Kartik Chandra Mondal, additional superintendent of police, Islampur said, The body has been sent for post mortem examination.

The elder brother of the girl alleged that his sister was raped and murdered because his family supports the BJP. He claimed that he is a local BJP leader and blamed the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) for the incident.

Surajit Sen, vice president of the BJP Uttar Dinajpur district committee said TMC-backed miscreants committed the heinous crime.

Gautam Deb, state tourism minister condemned the murder and blamed the BJP for resorting to dirty politics over her death.

Deb said Two state ministers and a member of Parliament will visit the girls house. We are with the family.

Darjeelings BJP MP Raju Bista said, Local people informed me that she was raped and poisoned. In the past few years, Chopra has seen exponential rise in illegal infiltration and crime. This was once a peaceful region.

The West Bengal Police on Sunday night said in a series of tweets that preliminary report of the post mortem examination pointed at death caused by poisoning and did not show any sign of rape. The tweets also said that the girls family did not lodge any complaint and police acted on its own.

Today morning Islampur PD received a reliable information about the death of a young girl of Chopra PS area. Family members or any other associated persons didnt inform Police. Police contacted the family and sent the body for Post Mortem, said one of the tweets.

Inquest by a magistrate and videography of the Post Mortem was done. As per the PM report cause of death is effect of poison. No injury marks anywhere in the body has been found. There is no sign of sexual or physical assault. Though law and order problem has been created over the issue, yet no complaint has been lodged with police, the police said in another tweet.

The incident in Chopra happened six days after Debendranath Roy, a BJP legislator from Hemtabad in North Dinajpour was found hanging around two km away from his home. The BJP has demanded a CBI inquiry, calling it a political murder. Chandima Roy, the legislators wife has moved the Calcutta high court demanding CBI enquiry. The state CID has arrested one man in the case
By Kim Hyun-bin



The Korea Fair Trade Commission (FTC) is reviewing Tesla's "misleading" ads after a court in Germany recently banned them.



Tesla has been promoting its autopilot technology as having full autonomous vehicle capabilities. The country's top antitrust regulator was looking into whether Tesla's description may have violated Korea's advertising laws.





Tesla CEO Elon Musk.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, July 19)  Families of 88 overseas Filipino workers who died in Saudi Arabia watched quietly as the remains of their loved ones finally arrived Sunday.

Overseas Workers Welfare Administration chief Hans Leo Cacdac said 45 of them died due to COVID-19.

The agency assured the families that they will shoulder the cremation and burial expenses for the deceased OFWs.

Their relatives will also receive livelihood and scholarship assistance.

There have been earlier repatriations of the bodies of migrant workers from the Middle East.

The repatriation included the remains of Jomar Tanyag, who before his passing made a video calling on the Philippine government to help him come home.

Hirap na hirap na po ako, 'di ko na po alam gagawin ko hirap na hirap na po ako. Sa totoo lang, malapit na ko sumuko kasi hirap na hirap na ko huminga, said Tanyag as he tried to catch his breath.

[Translation: I've been having such a difficult time, I don't know what to do anymore. In truth, I am on the brink of giving up because it's so difficult to breathe.]

According to his relatives, that was the last time that Jomar was seen alive.

They say Jomar was not even sent to the hospital to confirm if he was positive for COVID-19.

The black shirt he was wearing in the video was said to be the same shirt that was on him when his body arrived.

Sa punenarya po nabuksan and naconfirm naman namin na siya. And naconfirm din namin na di siya dinala sa ospital kasi kung anong suot niya nung namatay siya habang nagvivideo, yun din po suot niya nung nakuha namin siya," said Marjorie Tanyag-Hadloc, sister of Jomar. "For 23 days hindi siya nilinis, na ospital kasi sana man lang nakaputi o kung ano man yung sinusuot pag namamatayyung lab gown ba o ganon."

[Translation: We were able to confirm his identity in the funeral home. We were also able to confirm that he wasn't brought to the hospital, because he was wearing the same thing he wore when he filmed himself before he died. For 23 days, he wasn't cleaned or brought to the hospital, because otherwise he would be wearing what those who die in the hospital wear  lab gown or something like that.]

Some of his relatives say they feel guilty for not being able to send help to Jomar.

Its hard to watch the video because its a human being and somebody close to me asking for help and no one came to help him. I feel guilty also cause I saw the video when he was already gone, said Nanding Josef Tanyag, Jomars uncle.

It is too late for Jomar, and his family only hopes his employers can finally release his benefits which will be used to support his children.

Saudi Arabia, which has the biggest Filipino community in the Middle East, has asked the Philippine government to send home the bodies of migrant workers since cremation is not allowed in the country.
Leave the doors open and all the lights on. Thats one of the many new guidelines for people opening their homes  perhaps for the first time in months  so real estate agents can host open houses.

Some provinces are now allowing open houses, with new rules in place, after regulators clamped down on showings amid the COVID-19 outbreak.

The Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver said earlier this month that open houses will resume, with warnings to potential house hunters. Visitors to open houses there can expect to see signs displaying health precautions, use hand-washing stations and sign a visitor log for contact tracing.

Ontarios Stage 3 reopening plan, which hit much of the province on Friday, also includes open houses under its new gathering limits of 50 people, or 30 per cent capacity, with physical distancing enforced.

Regina-based real estate agent Tim Otitoju says minimizing the need to touch doors and light switches is one of several ways the open house process has changed.

At showings, he is the one to open any front door  with gloves, sanitized hands and a mask  and he limits the number of people in the home at one time.

Before entering, potential home buyers and sellers answer questionnaires and sign waivers about any symptoms or exposure to COVID-19. Sellers who agree to the open house must sanitize the home.

The situation is all the trickier when landlords look to show properties occupied by tenants.

The Real Estate Council of Ontario has been discouraging unnecessary in-person private showings as well as open houses. But RECO doesnt have the power to require agents to get a tenants consent.

The imbalance of power that exists between landlord and tenant means renters are not always in a position to speak up and they should not be made to feel unsafe in their home, said Mazdak Gharibnavaz, in a statement from the Vancouver Tenants Union, opposing the return of open houses.

While open houses are once again an option in many areas, that doesnt mean every seller is on board, says Otitoju. Many still prefer to stick with virtual showings, and Otitoju himself opts for Zoom instead of in-person meetings for reviewing offers.

Ive got little shoe covers in the back of my car. My realtor tools have certainly changed, says Otitoju, an agent with Platinum Realty Specialists.

Im finding that this is working. Now, a lot of people coming out to open houses are in the market to buy that type of house. The time to go around to open houses as a hobby  its not the time to do that right now. Buyers know that. Sellers know that. Realtors know that.

Its all part of the changing sales process in real estate.

It might seem obvious that for a purchase as big as a house, no one wants to buy sight unseen. But Anthony Hitt says even buyers of expensive properties are seeing the upsides of virtual tools that were popularized during the pandemic.

A tour where a seller or agent carries a camera around the house, for example, can allow buyers to look closely at finishes, views through windows and inside cabinets, says Hitt, president and CEO of Engel & Volkers Americas.

For sellers, it reassures them that those who end up at in-person showings are interested in buying, he says.

Cameron McNeill, who does marketing of pre-build properties in the Vancouver area with MLA Canada, says that although showrooms have been open for a month, people continue to do more research online before coming to in-person appointments.

McNeill predicts that shopping for homes will become more like car shopping, where much of the research and emotional buying journey is done before hitting the lot.

The most valuable thing you have is your time, says Hitt, saying that online tours cut down on travelling.

I dont think we are going to eliminate open houses. We may see less of them and they may come at a different time in the process ... I dont think a lot of consumers, even with masks and all the precautions , are ready to run out and be in a crowded property.

It used to be common to share a meal with a client, but thats not on Otitojus mind these days, he says.

I dont remember the last time I shook someones hand, Otitoju says. Its not the only way to build relationships. You build relationships with your actions, and people see that.

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Even as the heat threatens the health of many, the coronavirus spread in the region remains a concern. Those who go to a cooling center will be required to wear a mask or face covering while inside the facility, and those who dont have one will be provided one. Seating will be spaced apart, D.C. officials said in a news release. Those who need transportation to a cooling center can call the hyperthermia hotline at (202) 399-7093 or dial 311.
You know who Gaggan Anand is, of course. You have read about the decade of triumph after triumph for the Kolkata-born, Bangkok-based chef, who is counted amongst the worlds most influential culinary personalities. His underdog chaat-to-ceviche success story is also well documented in a much-watched miniseries on Netflix (his episode was nominated for an Emmy Award) and is widely written about by the global media.

What you probably dont know is that Anand has had his life turned upside down in the last year. Yes, even before the pandemic.

Almost like a farcical Bollywood movie script, in which the hero is struck incessantly by seemingly bizarre circumstances, Anands gilt-lined career began careening out of control. His critics had written him off, his friends and family were concerned, and a Bangkok-style happy ending seemed far-fetched.

The terrible three

Three major events took place in close proximity that changed his life:

First, he lost his much-celebrated restaurant. After a bitter fall-out with his erstwhile partners last year, Anand walked out of the eponymous restaurant, he had spent his life creating in Bangkok. The legal terms forbade him from using the name Gaggan in future projects, as he didnt own the trademarks. He would also lose all his coveted awards, such as the two-Michelin star rating the restaurant had been awarded.

If I wasnt a chef, I would have been a drummer like Dave Grohl

Second, he lost all his savings. When the restaurant, Gaggan, in its previous avatar and location shuttered, Anand felt a strong moral responsibility to his staff of young, hopeful chefs that he had mentored. My dream team, 65 lives, handed in their resignation to the company. They have put their future in my hands, he shared on social media last year. He took it upon himself to support his loyal team members financially. The result was that Anand had to scrap his plans to move to Fukuoka in Japan. Instead, he invested his life savings into a new restaurant in Bangkok, taking on a substantial financial burden and even a fresh mortgage.

After a bitter fall-out with his erstwhile partners last year, Anand walked out of the eponymous restaurant, he had spent his life creating in Bangkok (Rohit Chawla)

Third, his marriage broke up. Already dealing with a business separation and an existential crisis, the timing of the divorce could not have been worse. I havent spoken about it before, and not many know. But today, there are no ill-feelings, there is no bitterness anymore, we are on good terms and we will continue to be there for our daughter, he shared during our conversation last week.

For many chefs, the compounded impact of events like these would destroy their spirits and perhaps even lead them to hang up their chefs whites. But Anand wasnt ready to give up. Instead, he decided to reinvent himself.

Never Surrender

I first met Anand sometime in 2011, when I ate his 25-course tasting menu at Gaggan, in a dimly-lit, dingy lane off Bangkoks Soi Langsuan district. This was before he had become a global sensation or had his eatery rated as Asias Best Restaurant. Though I enjoyed my dinner and thought the food was good, it was Anand himself who was the real revelation. He was unlike any chef I had met before; a larger-than-life personality; gregarious, garrulous and mercifully unfazed by the pretensions of his industry. That night, I watched him hop from table to table pouring generous servings of expensive Sauternes into unsuspecting customers glasses, all on the house.

Everything negative in my life has been cut off like a cancer and I am in a happy place

We struck up a rapport, and the following day, at 1pm, he arrived at my hotel, dressed in floral green shorts and a black tee, to take me to a secret spot for his favourite Thai food. We drove in his bright red BMW M3, and he told me about his love for rock music and his dream to go for a Foo Fighters concert one day and watch his idol Dave Grohl perform live. I dont know if I will ever get to do these things but if I wasnt a chef I would have been a drummer, like Dave, he said.

(Above) Gaggan Anands daughter Tara, 4; (Top and right) Gaggan with his mother in Puri, Orissa, and as a toddler (Instagram @gaggan_anand)

I distinctly recall moments from that drive: Anand blasting loud music and singing along to the chorus of the bands hit track, Pretender:

What if I say Im not like the others?

What if I say Im not just another one of your plays?

Youre the pretender

What if I say that Ill never surrender?

Perhaps these lyrics best define Anands resilience. Whatever life throws at him, he fights back and never gives up.

Full speed ahead

In the last couple of weeks, a more mature Anand has emerged since Bangkok re-opened for business.

Everything negative in my life has been cut off like a cancer and I am in a happy place, he tells me. His new restaurant is called Gaggan Anand and hes had to undertake a re-branding exercise; which includes a new logo and the addition of his surname to the restaurant title, to get around the trademark complications. We are full night after night. And I am proud to say, I have protected every job, we havent fired a single employee during the Covid pandemic, he asserts.

Anand credits his buoyant temperament to an unusual combination of meditation and rock music that he feels healed his bruises and ignited a new-found conviction. Though it is unclear whether the two are meant to be experienced in unison.

The period he spent in lockdown has been constructive, he says, and allowed him to delve into new projects.

We will open [a culinary academy] in Thailand at the end of next year and I will create the full syllabus... Well only teach things that we practice

Two weeks ago, he opened a new casual restaurant (distinct from the more formal Gaggan Anand), called Ms. Maria and Mr. Singh, which serves a hybrid menu of popular Mexican-Indian dishes. If not for Covid, we would have opened branches in Paris, London, New York and Los Angeles by now. But it will happen by next year, he says. The Mexican-Indian restaurant has plans to debut in Mumbai soon, and it will be Anands first venture in India if things go as planned.

Also on the radar is a newer avatar of Wet, his suggestively-named natural wine bar that shut down last year as a consequence of the fall out with his previous partners. He is scouting for a new location in Bangkok.

We are dry now, but Vlad and me are ready to get wet next year! he jokes, referring to Vladimir Kojic, his long-serving Serbian sommelier and now principal partner in the bar venture.

Anand credits Vladimir for his appreciation of natural wines (wine fermented naturally without additives). Vlad taught me about organic and biodynamic wines. It is still a novel concept in Asia, but we will make it popular, he says.

But before the wine bar, Anand will foray into coffee. Teaming up with his protegees, the Suhring brothers  the celebrated German identical twin chefs  to open a coffee shop in Bangkok this year. The project is called C Degree and is backed by a popular Thai fashion brand. Anand hopes to open multiple branches across Thailand. I will make the coffee and the Suhrings will do the bakery, it will open from 9am to 9pm every day, he says.

Theres more: Anand has been toying with the idea of opening his own culinary academy for some years and says plans are progressing rapidly. We will open in Thailand at the end of next year and I will create the full syllabus. It will be unlike any other existing school because we will only teach things that we practice in reality, says Anand, who had a stint at an institution run by the legendary El Bulli in Catalonia, Spain.

Gaggan says the period he spent in lockdown has been constructive for him (Rohit Chawla)

The academy will be open to international students and provide formal training as well as certificates for aspiring chefs. Admission fees will be very high but we will offer scholarships to at least five deserving students from the bottom rung of society every year, he says. The academy appears to be the project he is most enthused about; perhaps this is because it will allow him to leave behind a legacy much bigger than any restaurant could.

The Fighter!

With multiple projects in the pipeline, it is fair to say that Anand is back and hungrier than ever. His zeal has been channelised towards his work and his reinvention is almost complete. And if his detractors are still sceptical, heres something to chew over: since the time we met nine years ago in Bangkok, he has befriended David Grohl and attended 10 live Foo Fighters concerts around the world.

Which is fair enough, because Gaggan has turned into something of a food fighter himself!

Raaj Sanghvi is the CEO of Culinary Culture and contributes to various international and Indian media publications. He can be found on social media @raajsanghvi

Note: The photo shoot with chef Gaggan Anand was conducted before lockdown

From HT Brunch, July 19, 2020

Follow us on twitter.com/HTBrunch

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Three best friends killed after being beaten and shot while out fishing in Florida may have been the victims of a targeted attack, police say.

Damion Tillman, 23; Keven Springfield, 30; and Brandon Rollins, 27, all died in the Friday night massacre. They were found by the father of one of the men who managed to call for help just before he died.

Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd said: 'You dont just stumble upon somebody out here.' He described the crime scene as 'the worst I have ever seen'.

The three men were fishing at a popular lake in Frostproof, 70 miles south of Orlando in central Florida.

Brandon Rollins, 27, left, Damion Tillman, 23, center, Keven Springfield, 30, right, and all died in the Friday night massacre. They were found by the father of one of the men who managed to call for help just before he died

Three men were murdered by Lake Streety in Frostproof, Florida, on Friday night

Tillman traveled to Lake Streety first and arrived by himself, according to sheriff Judd.

When Rollins and Springfield arrived soon after, Tillman was being beaten by unknown attackers, and the two friends intervened to help Tillman and were shot.

Rollins called his father at about 10pm Friday and managed to only say 'help.'

The father jumped into his car and went to where his son had said he was going fishing.

'When he arrived he found his son Brandon barely alive, and his two friends deceased,' the sheriff's office said in a press release.

'Brandon was able to say a few things to his dad, which we are not releasing at this time.'

Rollins' father had left his home without his cellphone, so he returned to a nearby gas station and called 911, the sheriff's office said.

'I was just so upset last night, I just didn't know what to do,' said Cyril Rollins, the father of Brandon.

'We heard some background and they fussing all that,' he told WFLA 8.

'But I left, I went on out here. When I got there I was looking for my son. It was a mess.

'I found my son. I was holding him he was telling me what happened but I was too shocked to know what was going on.'

When authorities arrived at the scene, all three men were dead.

Tillman, left, traveled to Lake Streety first and arrived by himself, according to sheriff Judd.. Rollins, right, called his father at about 10pm Friday and managed to only say 'help.'

Keven Springfield. The sheriff said they believe there was more than one killer, and that the victims knew their murderers

'This is a horrific scene,' said Judd.

'I've been to a lot of murder scenes in my life and this ranks among the worst I've been to.'

The sheriff said they believe there was more than one killer, and that the victims knew their murderers.

'We are seeking leads; we need help so we can solve this crime sooner rather than later because there are one or more, we suspected more, murderers that killed three people in a quiet community,' he said.

Judd added that the suspect or suspects may have known the men.

'You don't just stumble upon somebody out here,' he said. 'It's not like there's a lot of people around here. As you can see, it's cow pastures and lakes.'

Grady Judd, sheriff of Polk Country, said the 'horrific' scene was among the worst he'd seen

Police have issued a $5,000 reward for information over the attack.

Rollins's girlfriend Jessica Steenson told WFLA 8 that the sheriff promised to find the killers.

'That he will not stop until justice is served for them three boys, my boyfriend, and his two best friends,' she said.

'I moved here from Jacksonville, Florida, for him two years ago and this is not how it was supposed to be and I want justice for him. And I will not stop until he gets it.'

Dottie Payton, Rollins's mother, said she too wants justice to be done.

'I want it to be served the right way and I'm sure they're out there watching and seeing what's going on and they need to come forward,' she said.
There are three streams of raised beadwork. One being the in-community personal attire and religious items worn and used by the Haudenosaunee. Another is the whimsey stream that was created to appeal to Victorian tourists to Niagara Falls and down the East Coast in the mid-1800s.

The third is the type Hoffman creates. It is deeply connected to the cultural roots but uses modern materials to advance cultural history.

In the 1990s, Samuel Thomas and Lorna Hill, renowned Cayuga artists from Ontario, came to Wisconsin to teach traditional Haudenosaunee beadwork and it lit a fire under Hoffman as an artist. She had dabbled in beaded earrings and bracelets in the 1970s and 80s, but the class made her realize that the beadwork was more than just pretty, it was important culturally.

Hoffman works on a much larger scale than what is typical of raised beadwork. All her forms are original patternmaking designs and all her beadwork embellishments are original to her.
With Quantum of the Seas being redeployed to Alaska, China will have a two-ship line up from Royal Caribbean International in 2021.

The highlight is Spectrum of the Seas, which will be based in Shanghai from January to November. The 2019-built vessel will offer cruises ranging from four to eight nights, visiting 12 different ports in Japan.

From December 2021 to January 2022, Spectrum will be based in Hong Kong, operating four to nine-night cruises to Vietnam, Japan and other destinations.

According to Royal Caribbean, the Quantum-class ship has been well received in the Chinese market, accumulating a 95% satisfaction rate since it first arrived in Shanghai in June 2019.

Returning for its ninth season in Asia, the Voyager of the Seas will be based in Tianjin from May to October. The 1999-built vessel will offer four to sevent-night cruises to 10 different destinations in Japan. In a statement, Royal Caribbean called the ship an "old friend" of the market, highlighting its recent $100 million refit.

Together, the Spectrum and Voyager will offer a total of 111 cruises from Chinese ports in 2021.

With cruises ranging from four to nine nights, the ships will offer 35 different itineraries, visiting 26 Asian destinations.
A huge problem is coming soon. Authoritarian blue-state governors and mayors thought they could conduct lockdowns without dire consequences. But all that these fools have done is deferred disaster. That disaster is the reduction in city and state taxes due to the business shutdowns that they ordered.

State and local government officials are starting to hear about this lack of income from their finance teams, and they are mighty concerned. As a result, all across the country, panicked conference calls have been conducted and are probably still going on this weekend.

Specifically, the problem is balancing state and local budgets. Sales taxes from closed businesses are way down, and expenses due to precautions for the coronavirus are way up. There is no way to make these numbers balance. As a result, governments are burning through their reserves, safety funds, slush funds, and rainy day set-asides that they had managed to squirrel away in better times. But within weeks, if not months, the situation will become dire.

What will happen?

The first casualty appears to be our schools. School closures may be blamed on the coronavirus, but the actual reason has more to do with saving money. Next to go will be the consultants, contractors, and temps. After that will come the layoffs and furloughs of nonessential personnel such as secretaries, clerks, and construction and maintenance workers. Social services, housing, public transportation, sanctuary policies, prisons, and medical services may be the next to be affected. Outlandish management salaries and retiree benefits might get be looked at. Finally, what will be left intact will be police, medical, and fire personnel plus essentials such as sewer and water  but bring your own garbage to the dump. Most of these belt-tightening measures will not be popular with the general public, thus the impending disaster for state and local officials.

The reason all this is happening is 99.9% politics and 0.1% science. Our blue city and state officials, in their haste to virtue-signal to the media and to make President Trump look bad with lockdowns and business closures, have merely traded their short-term popularity for long-term disaster. They may kick this can down the road for a brief period of time, but most won't make it through the next elections.

It's ironic. At a time when Democrats and radicals in our society are screaming to "defund the police" and attempting to expand government by putting more people on the dole by destroying our economy, most of America is moving in a conservative direction with greater focus on first responders and less government.

A new social media trend could arise: #DefundtheGovernment!

Image: Pat Arnow via Flickr.
After making waves on the fifth season of 90 Day Fiance, Elizabeth Potthast and Andrei Castravet have decided to continue their journey on its spinoff Happily Ever After? The latest season follows the couple as they continue to work through their issues and try to find their footing in the United States, but as viewers know, its no cakewalk.

As their story plays out on television, Elizabeth recently took to social media to respond to fan questions. When a viewer asked if theres anything she hates hearing, Elizabeth was quick to let them know how fed up she is with one inquiry.

Elizabeth Potthast and Andrei Castravet | Elizabeth Potthasts Instagram/TLC

The question Elizabeth hates being asked

According to SoapDirt, Elizabeth was in a Q&A session earlier in July when a fan asked her to share her most-hated question. Acting like a viewer of the show, she stated several variations of the question she hates hearing from fans. Does Andrei have a job and does he [Andrei] have a job yet? Elizabeth mused.

RELATED: 90 Day Fiance: Fans Are Divided About Whether Andrei Castravet and Elizabeth Potthast Castravets Storyline Is Staged

Its no surprise Elizabeth hates that question so much

Viewers know that Andreis employment status has been a major talking point on the show and also a point of contention in their relationship.

The pair met a couple of years ago when Elizabeth was visiting Ireland, where Andrei had been working as a bouncer. A native of Moldova, Andrei has conservative views and often expresses his support for traditional gender roles. But ever since he moved to Florida with Elizabeth, he has failed to maintain employment. Instead, he has been a stay-at-home dad to their daughter, Eleanor Castravet, while Elizabeth foots their bills.

Making matters worse, Andrei tends to demand help from Elizabeths parents. He even wants them to pay for their second wedding in Moldova  something he wants so his friends and family can attend. His request led to a fight between them that has yet to be resolved.

RELATED: 90 Day Fiance: Fans Commend Elizabeth for Finally Taking a Stand Against Andrei

Elizabeth and Andrei clashed over his lack of employment in the latest episode

Elizabeth and Andrei were visiting Moldova in the July 12 episode when they got into an argument at breakfast. Elizabeth had been asking Andreis mom about her cooking routine and how often she does it when Andrei started to compare their cultures and bragging about how Moldovans are more energized.

Is that why you have a job? Is that right? Youre a man, right? Youre the head of the household? she shot back. Andrei warned her not to insult him in front of his family, but the back-and-forth continued.

I dont know what is going on with Andrei since we arrived acting like a chauvinistic Alpha male that talks about Moldovan housewife traditional roles when he lives in America and hes a stay-at-home dad and Im the breadwinner, she vented in a later confessional.

The couple managed to get over that particular incident, but they had another fight in the episode set to air on July 19. Tune in to TLC at 8 p.m. ET to see what happens.

Read more: 90 Day Fiance: Fans Call Asuelu Pulaa Verbally Abusive After He Gets Into a Heated Argument With Kalani Faagata
A request to create a new health department position, specializing in environmental health, will go before the Midland County Board of Commissioners at their Tuesday meeting.

In a letter sent to the board on July 6, Midland County Health Director Fred Yanoski asked commissioners to consider the creation of the full-time position in the Midland County Department of Public Health.

"I strongly feel that this position is essential in order to meet the present and future challenges that Midland will face, and will promote growth in science, technology and service delivery," Yanoski said.

Midland County is among a small minority of Michigan counties to not have a designated environmental health director, Yanoski said, and his need to be involved in all department operations and public health initiatives, in addition to environmental health operations, poses a "great challenge" that could be alleviated by the introduction of an additional director.

In addition to the timely threats posed by the COVID-19 pandemic and May 19 flooding event, Yanoski said Midland County faces many environmental risks including large chemical manufacturing, flooding and many environmental contamination concerns from past decades.

Other items up for approval at Tuesday's meeting include:

 A grant award in the amount of $125,000 from the Charles J. Strosacker Foundation to the Pinecrest Farms long-term care facility located at 413 North Homer Road, to fund the building of an 1,800 square-foot addition to the existing facility, while providing upgrades to its health and wellness services.

 An agreement with the Troy-based Signal Restoration Services for the provision of property restoration services at Sanford Lake Park.

UPDATE: This article was updated on June 21, 2020 to clarify that the health director position is a mid-level position, not equal to a second health director.
Twenty years after her husband was abducted by criminals and then killed, a woman will get a job to support the family and also Rs 2 lakh in damages.

Sharing its empathy, the Supreme Court has ordered Bharat Coking Coal Ltd (BCCL) to give compassionate appointment and also pay in compensation Rs 2 lakh to the woman, whose husband was abducted when he resisted a burglary at the PSUs factory in West Bengal.

She has been running from pillar to post for 20 years now. You should not oppose it anymore and give her and the family what they are entitled ofhave some empathy for her, a bench headed by Justice DY Chandrachud told Additional Solicitor General Vikramjeet Banerjee.

The law officer was appearing for the subsidiary of the Coal India Ltd, and was arguing in appeal against the judgments of the Calcutta High Court in 2013 and 2019.

While the ASG raised certain technical points to resist the claim of the family of the BCCL worker, Justice Chandrachud was emphatic that this was a case that demonstrated extremely unfortunate events.

Look at the family here. The man was abducted in 1999 and nobody has seen him ever since. You have a report of the Superintendent of Purulia to state that he was killed. What more do you want? We think you should not oppose this, the judge told Banaerjee.

Banerjee sought to point out that there is no declaration by a civil court that the worker, Gopal Paswan, is to be presumed as dead. He also contended that Paswans wife should have gone to the Jharkhand High Court and not Calcutta High Court since BCCL had its office in the former state.

But the bench was categorical that when a family has been put to such extreme agony, raising such hyper-technical points was uncalled for.

Here is a family that has been waiting for relief since 1999 but you want us to examine these hyper-technical points. This may not be fair. We feel sympathy for the family, replied Justice Chandrachud.

The bench said that the BCCL must give compassionate appointment to either the wife or the major son of Paswan. We see no reason to entertain the Special Leave Petition which is accordingly dismissed, said the bench, directing the BCCL to comply with the order within a month.

It also decided to give compensation to Paswans family for its protracted suffering. Since the family of the deceased has been made to run from pillar to post for twenty years after his death, we are of the view that an order for payment of costs to the respondent would be warranted, held the bench

It said that the BCCL shall also pay costs quantified at Rs 2 lakhs to the widow of the deceased, and also sought for a report of compliance within a period of six weeks.
China has been throwing its weight around from Hong Kong to India. Why the new aggression? Here's everything you need to know:



What is China doing?

In the past few months, Beijing has exploited the U.S.'s and the world's preoccupation with the coronavirus pandemic to assert China's hegemony throughout Asia. It has threatened or sunk boats from Vietnam, the Philippines, Japan, and Malaysia, and flown fighter jets into Taiwanese airspace eight times. It instigated a skirmish with India in the Himalayas that killed dozens, the worst such fighting along the disputed border in decades. "It's a quite deliberate Chinese strategy to try to maximize what they perceive as being a moment of distraction," said Peter Jennings of the Australian Strategic Policy Institute. Beijing has also been emboldened by Trump's "America First" isolationism, Jennings said. In passing a draconian security law for Hong Kong, Beijing shredded all pretense that it would keep its pledge to respect the former British colony's "one country, two systems" arrangement, or Hong Kongers' right to free speech. Its domestic oppression of its mostly Muslim Uighur minority became more gruesome with the recent revelation of a campaign to prevent Uighur births through forced birth control and abortion.

How is China's military involved?

Chinese Coast Guard vessels have been muscling into other countries' territorial waters all over the South China Sea, a body of water China claims as its sole domain even though nine other countries also border it. In April, the Chinese rammed and sank a Vietnamese fishing boat, harassed Malaysian and Philippine ships, and declared that lands long claimed by the Philippines  including the Spratly Islands, Scarborough Shoal, and Fiery Cross Reef  were now Chinese districts. In June, it menaced Taiwan with bombers and fighter jets in Taiwanese airspace, a rare occurrence before this year. But the military isn't China's only tool: It is also exerting its economic might and its soft power.

Story continues

How is Beijing doing that?

When Australia asked for an international investigation into how the coronavirus spread from Wuhan to the world, China's wrath was swift. It hit Australia with a shocking 80 percent tariff on barley and a ban on beef imports, and launched a huge cyberattack on all levels of Australian government. Meanwhile, conservative lawmakers in Australia and the U.S. have raised concerns about the growing penetration of the United Front, an arm of the Chinese government that sponsors Chinese cultural and educational groups all over the world. In Canada, for example, the Front mobilized Chinese groups to buy up masks and gloves in the early days of the pandemic and send them to China. Chinese President Xi Jinping calls the Front one of China's three "magic weapons," along with the Communist Party and armed struggle.

What is the global response?

Other countries are enacting sanctions and reorienting their military strategies to confront the Chinese threat. The Philippines, which under President Rodrigo Duterte had been openly anti-American and deferential to China, has just changed course, deciding not to go through with a planned withdrawal from a military treaty with the U.S. Australia unveiled new military spending of $186 billion over the next 10 years, with a focus on deterring China itself rather than supporting U.S. missions. Britain is following suit. "We need to work out how we will deal with a China that economically, technically, and militarily is going to surpass the U.S. within our lifetimes," said Tobias Ellwood, head of Parliament's defense committee.

What has the U.S. done?

President Trump has reversed his early praise of Xi on the coronavirus response, now blaming China for "worldwide killing." In May, his administration canceled visas for Chinese grad students with links to the Communist Party. More recently, the Pentagon sent three aircraft carriers to the region and conducted huge exercises in the South China Sea involving dozens of ships and hundreds of warplanes. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has criticized Beijing for "aggressive expansionism." Congress passed the Uighur Human Rights Policy Act, which sanctions specific Chinese officials responsible for "gross human rights violations," and it is planning to spend an additional $7 billion over two years to boost Pacific forces.

Will that deter China?

No. International criticism of China over the pandemic and Chinese aggression has only produced more swaggering defiance from Beijing, which believes it will soon surpass the U.S. as the world's great superpower. "Xi Jinping's attitude now is that he can't fail," said Taiwanese defense analyst Huang Chung-ting. Xi is also emboldened by what he sees as a vacuum in American leadership. Chinese officials have openly cheered for Trump's re-election, saying that he is not only a weak leader but also, through his incessant tweeting, "easy to read" and therefore "the best choice in an opponent for negotiations." Trump spurns alliances, so he won't lead an international effort to rein in Beijing, and he is openly indifferent to human rights abuses. Beijing knows, Chinese specialist Minxin Pei told The Atlantic, that "Trump can be persuaded if the price is right."

Steamrolling Hong Kong

The national security law that Beijing imposed on Hong Kong in late June effectively destroys freedom of expression and the rule of law in the territory. It threatens with life in jail those who engage in secession, subversion, and "collusion with foreign forces"  an offense so vague that it could include texting a foreigner or working with any international organization. Those charged with such crimes could be sent for trial to mainland China, where the conviction rate is 99.9 percent. Already, hundreds of protesters have been arrested under the law. Taiwan, which broke away from Communist China in 1949 but which China still claims, fears a military invasion. The Taiwanese are alarmed by the fact that the new security law asserts "universal jurisdiction," meaning anyone in any country can theoretically be prosecuted for criticizing Beijing. China has already accused Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen of a "separatist plot" for speaking at a democracy forum. "Our sense of fear has increased," said Taiwanese lawmaker Chen Po-wei. "Because of China's nature, there is a high possibility of conflict."

This article was first published in the latest issue of The Week magazine. If you want to read more like it, you can try six risk-free issues of the magazine here.

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MELBOURNE, Australia - After a one-day respite, coronavirus cases in the Australian state of Victoria have risen again, prompting a move to make masks mandatory in metropolitan Melbourne and the nearby shire of Mitchell.

Health officials on Sunday recorded 363 new cases in the past 24 hours. Two men and a woman in their 90s died, taking the national death toll from COVID-19 to 122.

On Saturday, Victorias new cases fell to 217 from a record high of 428 the previous day.

By Wednesday, masks or face coverings will be mandatory for people who leave their homes to exercise or to purchase essential goods.

Victoria Premier Daniel Andrews said up to 3 million face masks are on order by the state government and the first batch of 300,000 is due to arrive this week.

Andrews said those who fail to wear a mask will be fined 200 Australian dollars ($140).

Theres no vaccine to this wildly infectious virus and its a simple thing, but its about changing habits, its about becoming a simple part of your routine, Andrews said.

In other developments in the Asia-Pacific region:

 A record 24-hour surge of 38,902 new cases has taken Indias coronavirus total to 1,077,618. The Health Ministry on Sunday also reported 543 additional deaths for a total of 26,816. The number of people who have recovered continues to grow. The Health Ministry data shows 677,422 patients have been cured so far across the country, putting the recovery rate at 62.82%. Experts say India is likely to witness a series of peaks as the infection spread in rural areas.

 Hong Kong is tightening anti-coronavirus measures following a recent surge in cases. The wearing of masks will be mandatory in all public places and nonessential civil servants will again work from home. Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam introduced the measures on Sunday. Travellers flying to Hong Kong from areas where the risk of infection is considered particularly severe will have to show a negative coronavirus test before boarding their flight, undergo another test upon arrival and undergo a 14-day quarantine in a hotel. Previously, those arriving could quarantine themselves at home. The nations included in the new regulation were given as Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Nepal, Pakistan, the Philippines and South Africa.

 China on Sunday reported another 13 confirmed cases of the coronavirus in the northwestern city of Urumqi, raising the total in the countrys most recent local outbreak to at least 30. An additional three cases from overseas increased Chinas total number of confirmed infections to 83,660 with 4,634 reported deaths. Despite the Urumqi outbreak, China has just 251 people remaining in treatment for COVID-19. Another 151 people were being monitored in isolation for showing signs of having the virus or for testing positive without showing symptoms. At least 23 of those asymptomatic cases were in Urumqi, although China does not include them in confirmed cases. Urumqi has responded by reducing subway, bus and taxi services, closed off some residential communities and is now conducting citywide tests, beginning with areas where cases had been reported, according to state media. Some restrictions on people leaving the city have also been imposed, with the number of flights from the city reduced.

 South Korea has reported less than 40 additional cases of the coronavirus for a second straight day, as authorities struggle to suppress an uptick in local infections. The Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Sunday the 34 new cases raise the countrys total to 13,745 with 295 deaths. The agency says 21 of the newly confirmed cases were domestically infected, all of them in the densely populated Seoul area or two central cities. The rest were from overseas. Health authorities have said imported case of COVID-19 are less threatening than local transmissions because South Korea is mandating testing and enforcing two-week quarantines on all people arriving from abroad.

___

Follow all of APs pandemic coverage at http://apnews.com/VirusOutbreak and https://apnews.com/UnderstandingtheOutbreak
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates  The 91-year-old emir of Kuwait underwent a successful surgery on Sunday that required the crown prince of the oil-rich nation to be temporarily empowered to serve in his place, its state-run news agency reported.

Kuwait has yet to explain why the emir, Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad al-Sabah, needed to seek a previously unannounced medical treatment beginning Saturday. However, Sheikh Sabahs sudden surgery could renew a power struggle within Kuwaits ruling family.

The state-run KUNA news agency had described Sheikh Sabahs hospitalization on Saturday as medical checks, citing a statement from the countrys royal court. Several hours later, KUNA published a second report saying that the 83-year-old crown prince, Nawaf Al al-Ahmad al-Sabah, had assumed some of Sheikh Sabahs powers temporarily, without explaining why that was necessary.

But a copy of the ministerial decree posted by Kuwaits official gazette, Kuwait Al-Youm, and seen by The Associated Press on Sunday said the crown prince would be empowered for the duration of a surgical procedure until the health event is over.
New South Wales recorded 18 new coronavirus cases on Sunday, with the origins of four a complete mystery to officials.

The total number of active cases in NSW is now 99, with one in intensive care, while authorities are concerned the spread of COVID-19 is out of control.

Officials said three people - two in Sydney's south and one the south-west - have not been linked to any known clusters.

One of the cases is still currently being investigated by contact tracers.

New South Wales recorded 18 new coronavirus cases on Sunday, four of which officials have no idea how they originated (someone being tested at the Crossroads Hotel testing centre)

One of new locally acquired cases attended Holy Duck! restaurant in Chippendale (pictured) on the evening of July 10

The total number of cases associated with the Crossroads Hotel cluster is 45, while one of new locally acquired cases attended Holy Duck! restaurant in Chippendale.

The restaurant has closed for cleaning after the person dined there between 7.15pm and 9.30pm on July 10.

Another case visited the Anytime Fitness Gym in Merrylands on July 14 from 9pm to 10:30 pm.

NSW Health has advised anyone who may have gone to the venues on the same day to self-isolate for up to two weeks and get tested if any symptoms occur.

All NSW residents are being urged to avoid all non-essential travel and to stay away from high-risk venues such as restaurants, pubs, gyms and social gatherings.

NSW Health is directing anyone who attended Holy Duck! or the gym to immediately self-isolate for 14 days since they were there and get tested if they show symptoms.

Another new case visited the Anytime Fitness Gym in Merrylands (pictured) on 14 July from 9pm to 10:30 pm

The total number of cases associated with the Crossroads Hotel cluster is 45 (Pictured: NSW Health worker administering tests outside the pub)

Tests are carried out at a pop-up COVID-19 testing clinic at Victoria Park in Picton on July 14

The restaurant was closed last night and is being cleaned and all close contacts are being identified.

Five of the new cases were travellers returned from overseas and are in hotel quarantine.

CORONAVIRUS CASES IN AUSTRALIA: 27,244 Victoria: 20,269 New South Wales: 4,273 Queensland: 1,161 Western Australia: 692 South Australia: 473 Tasmania: 230 Australian Capital Territory: 113 Northern Territory: 33 TOTAL CASES: 27,244 ESTIMATED ACTIVE CASES: 269 DEATHS: 897 Updated: 5.31 PM, 11 October, 2020 Source: Australian Government Department of Health Advertisement

Another five cases are linked to the Thai Rock Restaurant at Wetherill Park in Sydney's south-west and five were from hotel quarantine.

Two people were members of the same household that involved two cases reported on Saturday.

NSW Health has issued a statement urging people to put more effort into stopping the virus from spreading.

'People are urged to avoid non-essential travel and gatherings,' it read.

'Of particular concern is transmission in venues such as hotels and restaurants, the gym and social gatherings.'

The news comes as authorities fear the spread of COVID-19 is out of control as testing is being urgently increased to find the origins of mystery cases.

Of the 15 cases recorded on Saturday, five remained under investigation on Sunday.

These cases included a man and a teenager from the same house who visited a bistro at Batemans Bay and McDonald's in Albion Park.

Coronavirus detectives are still trying to determine the origin of these cases, leading to fears the rate of community transmission could be on the rise.

'They're the ones that make us really concerned,' Dr McAnulty said of the mystery cases.

'Where we are unable to find links between cases that means we haven't been able to lock down that cluster and there may be other people out there.'

The duo attended the bistro at the Soldiers Club in Batemans Bay on July 13 between 7 and 9.30pm and McDonald's at Albion Park on July 15 between 2 and 2.30pm.

Dr Jeremy McAnulty said residents who live on the NSW South Coast should be on high alert after two people who tested positive to COVID-19 visited a bistro and a McDonald's restaurant. Pictured: Albion Park McDonald's

Dr McAnulty said health authorities are asking residents who were at the bistro over the same time period to immediately self-isolate for two weeks.

McDonald's diners have also been advised to watch for symptoms.

'We're also asking anybody at Albion Park McDonald's on the 15 July between 2pm and 2:30pm to watch carefully for symptoms and if they develop any respiratory symptoms, coughs, sore throat, runny nose, shortness of breath or fever, to come immediately forward for testing and isolate themselves,' he said.

NSW Health is urging residents to consider wearing masks if social distancing in public is not possible.

They are also encouraging people with the 'mildest of symptoms' to come forward and be tested.

A member of the public is seen getting a test for the coronavirus disease at the Crossroads Hotel testing centre following a cluster of infections in Sydney

'Don't host, or go to, a gathering of more than 10 people at home,' NSW Health said.

'Don't go to the gym unless the equipment is thoroughly cleaned before and after customer use by supervising staff or yourself, and there is good spacing between machines and customers.'

Meanwhile, face masks will become mandatory across Melbourne and Mitchell Shire in a bid to stop the spread of COVID-19.

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews announced the drastic new measure on Sunday as the state recorded another 363 cases and three more deaths from the infectious respiratory disease.

Those who disobey the new government directive - effective from 11.59pm on Wednesday - will face a $200 fine.

He said the mask did not necessarily need to be hospital-grade, and could be a home-made face covering like a scarf.

The Victorian premier arrived at Sunday's press conference in a face mask before announcing the new measures

Face masks will become mandatory across Melbourne in a bid to stop the spread of COVID-19 (pictured, masked police officers at locked-down North Melbourne tower block on Sunday)

Victoria's number of cases spiked again on Sunday to 363 after a brief reprieve on Saturday with only 217 infections

Victorian Health Minister Jenny Mikakos has meanwhile announced the state's state of emergency will be extended to August 16 as case numbers continue to rise.

Mr Andrews said there would be exceptions to the order in cases where it's not practical or masks cannot be worn for professional reasons.

'Those who have a medical reason, kids under 12 years of age, those who have a professional reason or if it's just not practical, like when running [will be given an exemption],' he said.

'However you will still be expected to carry your face covering at all times to wear when you can.'

Mr Andrews stressed the stage three restrictions already in place would still apply and Melbourne residents could only leave the home for one of the four permitted reasons - for essential shopping, to provide care, for work or study or for exercise.

'I just want to make a point about the fact that whilst a mask or a face covering will be of benefit, it doesn't mean that we can be shaking hands again,' he said.
Bindu Gopal Rao By

Hari Krishna Nayak from Koraput sits in a corner of his house, his fingers busy stringing together rice grains on bamboo slivers.

He holds the structure in place with the help of naturally dyed coloured yarn. Associated with prosperity, spirituality and wellbeing, paddy is revered in rural India.

It can often be seen in the form of torans (door hanging), decorating entrances to the homes in South Canara district in Karnataka.

Moving to the East of the country, the grain takes on a more divine formDhaan Murti. The craft has its origins in tribal communities of Odisha, especially in Balasore, Kalahandi, Koraput and Bolangir districts.

Typically, colours such as yellow, red and green are used. The bamboo slivers and rice grains are soaked in turmeric water and sun-dried to help retain the yellow hue of the turmeric. These strings are then shaped into idols or in any other way required.

I have been doing this since I was a child, says Hari, adding that when he began working on the craft, there was no one in his community who was doing it. I was taught by someone from another community, he says.

Today, besides his own family, only one more from the community practices the artform. It is beauty in its rawest form. Light-weight and brightly coloured, the idols have an aura of culture, richness and rootedness to them.

Goddess Saraswati

Using unhusked rice grains, idols of Goddess Saraswati, Lakshmi and Lord Ganesha are made during Diwali.

It helps supplement their income from farming, Hari admits. But he knows that this work may not find takers with the new generation.

It is boring work and the art needs a lot of patience. Working with something as small as a paddy grain is not easy. I have three children. I hope one of them would take it forward, he says.

His wife Asha picked up the art after she got married and has been doing it for 20 years now.

Now I enjoy doing it, she says. Though the younger generation is yet to show any interest, the couple is hopeful of the crafts revival. Before the lockdown, they had showcased at the Dastkar Samelan Committee in Bengaluru. This has rekindled their hopes of many such opportunities in the future.

Today, apart from idols, the craftsmen also make traditional combs and jewellery. In an effort to reach a larger audience, the figures are also stitched on to clothes and at times new styles are crafted based on individual orders.

The Nayaks primarily display their creations at local exhibitions. Have they thought of teaching others the craft?

I am ready to teach anyone. I hope others also learn. I am ready to train people as it is important that the tradition continues, says Hari. Holding on to what is indigenous is more imperative today than ever before. A craft technique untapped can say a lot about a culture unrevealed thus far.
Press Release

Nokia deploys Self-Organizing Network software for Telstra to boost automation across its mobile network and support 5G

Nokia's Self-Organizing Network (SON) software will boost automation of Telstra's Australia-wide radio access networks (RAN), better supporting the evolution to 5G

The SON software will help Telstra to minimize complexities from multi-technology and multi-layered networks

20 July 2020

Espoo, Finland - Nokia has deployed its EdenNet Self-Organizing Network (SON) software for Telstra to help the Australian operator centralize and automate network operations and to support its move to 5G.

Nokia's EdenNet SON solution will automate Telstra's radio access network (RAN) configuration management, improving network performance and efficiency to support the increased demands of 5G.

Partnering with Nokia will allow Telstra to migrate legacy tools to an open, scalable and future-proof platform and increase automation. The agreement will see Telstra roll out Nokia's SON solution on its multi-vendor, nationwide 3G, 4G and 5G RAN. It will be delivered across model, staging, and production environments.

Nokia's EdenNet SON is an open, 3GPP standards-based platform that enables mobile operators to efficiently realize the full potential of their existing networks, as well as drive transformation to 5G. As a centralized solution, the cognitive EdenNet SON platform eliminates complexities from multi-vendor, multi-technology and multi-layered networks.

Nokia's EdenNet SON has helped over 100 communications service providers globally to enhance their radio network reliability while improving efficiencies.

Ashley Hunter, Network Engineering Executive, Telstra, said: "Telstra is a world leader in adopting new radio and platform technologies, and Nokia's EdenNet SON solution will help enable us to automate our network configuration and operations to improve cycle time, repeatability, reliability and cost. Nokia's Open SON framework APIs hide the complexity of the underlying network, allowing Telstra to focus on automating the configuration of our network to help provide greater reliability, faster speeds and peace of mind for our customers."

Vishal Singh, Senior Vice President, Nokia Software , said: "As Telstra laid the groundwork for its 5G rollout, it was looking for an opportunity to enhance its network performance with new RAN technologies and software releases. Nokia was the obvious partner thanks to our EdenNet SON, which allows Telstra engineers to customize and automate network configurations in a cost effective and timely manner."

Additional resources

Web page: Nokia 5G (https://www.nokia.com/networks/5g/)

(https://www.nokia.com/networks/5g/) Web page: Nokia EdenNet (https://www.nokia.com/networks/solutions/edennet/)

About Nokia

We create the technology to connect the world. Only Nokia offers a comprehensive portfolio of network equipment, software, services and licensing opportunities across the globe. With our commitment to innovation, driven by the award-winning Nokia Bell Labs, we are a leader in the development and deployment of 5G networks.

Our communications service provider customers support more than 6.4 billion subscriptions with our radio networks, and our enterprise customers have deployed over 1,300 industrial networks worldwide. Adhering to the highest ethical standards, we transform how people live, work and communicate. For our latest updates, please visit us online www.nokia.com and follow us on Twitter @nokia.

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Hundreds of Protesters in Bangkok Demand Govt's Resignation, Adoption of New Constitution

Sputnik News

19:43 GMT 18.07.2020(updated 19:47 GMT 18.07.2020)

BANGKOK (Sputnik) - Several hundred demonstrators gathered on Saturday at the Democracy Monument in the historic center of the Thai capital city of Bangkok, demanding the government's resignation and the adoption of a new constitution.

The first mass rally since the lifting of some of the coronavirus-related restrictions is organized by a group calling itself Liberation Youth, which convened hundreds of young protesters through a call on social media.

People began to gather at the Democracy Monument at about 4.00 p.m. local time (09:00 GMT) and continued to rally until late at night. The protest's organizers, on behalf of the participants, put forward three demands to the government of Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha, the former army chief who ousted an elected government six years ago.

The demands included the dissolution of parliament, an "end to harassment of government critics", and amendments to the military-written constitution followed by new elections.

"We will stay on this square until morning, and if we do not receive any response from the authorities, we will give them two more weeks to rewrite the constitution, and if this does not happen, we will again gather for a mass rally, and next time it will not be for a day," the movement's leader said.

The police soon cordoned off the square and constantly appealed to protesters to disperse.

 Sputnik

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SPRINGFIELD (AP)  Gov. J.B. Pritzker took the unusual step Thursday of preemptively filing a lawsuit to ensure school children wear face coverings to prevent the spread of the coronavirus when schools reopen in a few weeks.

The action filed late Thursday in Sangamon County Circuit Court by the state attorney general seeks a judges approval of Pritzkers order that schoolchildren, teachers and staff wear coverings over mouths and noses among other measures to reduce the chance that the highly contagious and potentially deadly virus can spread.

As a father, I would not send my children to a school where face coverings are not required because the science is clear: face coverings are critical to prevent the spread of coronavirus, Pritzker said in a prepared statement.

Its typical for the governor to be in court as a defendant seeking validation of a policy or action. In this instance, no lawsuit has been filed, but a public school district and two private academies have informed the Illinois State Board of Education that Pritzker no longer has authority under emergency rule-making to require face masks in schools and that they will be developing their own safety rules.

It was time to get ahead of the issue, Ann Spillane, Pritzkers chief legal counsel, told The Associated Press.

Students need to prepare, parents need to know whats coming, administrators need guidelines. Confusion on these things leads to risk, Spillane said. Were sending a signal that this issue is not up for debate. The governor doesnt have an option.

A lawyer representing Hutsonville Community Unit School District No. 1 in southeastern Illinois, Parkview Christian Academy in Yorkville and Families of Faith Christian Academy in Channahon wrote letters in the last month to the state board explaining that the Illinois Supreme Court ruled in a 1922 case that government cannot make rules which merely have a tendency to prevent the spread of infectious diseases, particularly if arbitrary and unreasonable.

Thomas DeVore of Greenville also noted that Pritzker has said theres not enforcement for violators of the guidelines, which DeVore contends turns rules into recommendations. He did not return a message left at his office after hours Thursday.

With the surging spread of COVID-19, the illness caused by the coronavirus, Pritzker on March 13 ordered public schools closed  eventually for the rest of the term. Despite a leveling off of cases in Illinois, there are concerns here and, especially in other parts of the nation where case numbers are rising again, about reopening the classic community center, the school, in an age where people are urged to wear face masks, stay 6 feet apart, and step up the hygiene protocol dramatically.

Pritzker in June released of a set of guidelines for safe congregation in schools from kindergarten through college, but among others, the states two major teachers unions have continued worries about keeping congested classrooms, hallways and playgrounds safe.

With public health officials announcing 25 additional deaths Thursday among 1,257 newly confirmed COVID-19 cases, the state has now lost 7,251 lives to virus-related complications. Nearly 160,000 have been infected; tens of thousands of those have recovered.

Dissidents who bristle at government telling them what to wear and how to act in public gained traction last spring when Republican Rep. Darren Bailey of Xenia, represented by DeVore, won an opaque victory in Clay County against Pritzker, arguing that his ability under state law to impose emergency rules ended after 30 days  on April 8.

Despite the fact that it only applies to Bailey, and the ruling precludes further challenge, supporters have taken up the charge. DeVore has notified the government on behalf of individuals, retail establishments, and now schools, that they dont plan to comply.
PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry hosted a virtual conclave on Blockchain Technology: Leveraging Business Innovation and Application with Mr. Arun Kumar Jha, Director General, National Productivity Council, Department of Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India along with an august gathering of industry stalwarts.

The objective of the conclave was to get an overview of Blockchain technology, its tools, open-source, platforms, and ecosystems that will help in practical application and use cases of Blockchain. It was to understand the legal and regulatory framework including Bitcoin and its implications. The conclave focused on getting institutional perspective on Blockchain-Enabled Platforms and its adoption in terms of Blue Print for adoption, implementation, and running Blockchain-based systems and to evaluate its integration with Emerging Technologies like IoT, AI, ML, Cloud, Edge, Fog Computing, Big Data, and Data Analytics.

Mr. Arun Kumar Jha deliberated about the blockchain, the subject which needs an understanding by the industry. An industry 4.0 revolution that is taking place is a golden opportunity for the industry that needs to be adopted at the earliest. We have got low-cost automation techniques available that include machine measuring data that can be connected by all MSMEs to grow their businesses, said Mr Jha.

In these changing times, industry has the potential to swiftly shift to blockchain technology. He cited examples of the industry which can use blockchain that can ease the business process and share data in one kind. He urged the members of PHD Chamber to start adopting blockchain, as that will be the next game-changer.

The conclave witnessed the deliberation of august industry stalwarts including Dr. S D Sivakumar, Director, Agribusiness Development, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University; Mr. Ryan Soh, Founder and CEO, Edufied; Mrs. Shanthini Raja, Founder, Chairperson and CEO, Rsquare Technologies W.L.L; Mr. Surinder Kalra, Blockchain Expert, and Mr. Rahul Kumar, CEO, EGW Capital.

Dr. S D Sivakumar gave a detailed presentation on BlockChain for Agriculture with focus on relevance of Blockchain relevant for Indian Agriculture. He cited sample of the flow of the food chain and how the process can be smoothened and amplified with the help of blockchain. He discussed the end languages that include C++, Javascript, Python, Solidity, and many more and explained in working on the blockchain that includes Transaction, Block, Verification, Hash, and Execution.

Mr. Ryan Soh, in his deliberation, shared insights about Blockchain-Enabled Platforms and their Blockchain adoption in the world of today. He shared

industry perspective and the implications in the Legal and regulatory framework of Blockchain technology including Bitcoin and its implications.He highlighted the focus area in expanding Massive Open Online Courses(MOOCs) and the ways to transform education using blockchain that included

improvement in record keeping; increase efficiency in existing business processes; create a new market for digital assets and create a disruptive business. He also shared practical process and cited examples related to blockchain.

Mrs. Shanthini Raja gave a presentation on BlockChain in Banking and Insurance Sector and explained the different aspects and need for blockchain in sectors like banking and insurance. She also threw light on the use of cryptocurrency and how it makes its special from traditional currencies.

Mr. Surinder Kalra, deliberated on the Integration of Blockchain in Agriculture/ production, trade, and overall business to increase its productivity and production. He also covered the convergence of blockchain, data analytics, and artificial intelligence that will aid in the adoption features of blockchain and building the blocks. He also explained how to define the business process, its scope, and its application.

Mr. Sanjay Aggarwal, Senior Vice President, PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry while giving an overall industry perspective gave an overview of the blockchain technology that can help to amplify the business development in the country leading to ease in doing business, governance, and living of the country. He deliberated about the various benefits of the application of blockchain that mainly included privacy, record keeping, cost efficiency, better time management, and the go-to technology that will impact the future. He shared industry reports of different sectors which are leveraging blockchain technology. He lauded the efforts and initiatives of government bodies to propagate the usage of blockchain in the country that has opened several opportunities in various sectors of the country.

Mr. Ashish Aggarwal, Chairman, Startup Forum, PHD Chamber while moderating the session gave an industry perspective and how blockchain can leverage the industry can leverage the technology for business development and growth in Indias developing economy.

Mr. Sumit Duggal and Mr. Bharat Singh Mehta, Startup Forum, Co-Chairman, PHD Chamber gave their concluding remarks and delivered a formal vote of thanks to all the delegates and participants.

The session was moderated by and Mr Ashish Aggarwal and Dr. Jatinder Singh, Director, PHD Chamber. The virtual conclave witnessed participation of more than 290 industry stalwarts around the country. Thesession was supported by Master IoT.
Geneva, July 19 : The number of new cases of coronavirus rose by almost 260,000 in 24 hours -- the largest single-day increase since the pandemic began, the World Health Organization (WHO) has said.

According to WHO, this is the first time the number of new daily infections has surpassed a quarter of a million, BBC reported.

The biggest increases were in the US, Brazil, India and South Africa.

The global death toll from coronavirus also rose by 7,360 -- the largest daily increase since May 10.

The previous record rise in new confirmed cases was recorded by WHO just one day earlier.

The total number of confirmed cases of coronavirus passed 14 million on Saturday, with over 600,000 recorded deaths, according to the tally kept by US-based Johns Hopkins University.

Cases are surging in several US states, particularly in southern states that were initially reluctant to enforce lockdowns or mandate the wearing of masks. Florida, Texas and Arizona have seen particularly high surges.

Florida is currently the epicentre of the US epidemic. The state recorded more than 10,000 new infections and 90 more deaths on Saturday, bringing its total number of cases to more than 337,000 and its death toll to more than 5,000.

In recent weeks, hospitals across the state had also warned that their ICUs were at capacity and that they were unable to accept any new patients.

Measures to stem the spread of the virus, including wearing masks, have become highly politicised in the US.
Situation not conducive for resuming of tourism Jammu and Kashmir: Report

Covid-19: Bank unions write to Maharashtra CM over employees safety in state

36 new Covid-19 positive cases reported in Dharavi area of Mumbai today

Total number of Covid-19 positive cases in Himachal Pradesh stands at 1,483

Maharashtra records a total of 310,455 Covid-19 cases with 9,518 new cases

Lockdown in Kerala capital extended till July 28 in view of rising number of Covid-19 cases

US continues to see massive spikes in the number of coronavirus cases rose by 1.4%. Texas reported more than 10,000 cases for the fifth consecutive day and Arizona reported a record number of Covid-19 deaths. The European Union is yet to finalise a economic recovery plan as the southern European nations expressed their displeasure accusing the northern counterparts of being frugal.

Click here for the complete coverage of the Covid-19 pandemic

India which stands the third worst-hit nation by the pandemic recorded its highest ever single day spike of 38,902 cases. The country's tally has now reached 1,077,618.

States such as Bihar and Karnataka saw spikes in Covid-19 cases and deaths. Bihar health minister said that the state is increasing its testing capabilities and asked citizens not to panic. More than 90 people have died in Karnataka due to Covid-19 in last 24 hours.
KANSAS CITY, Mo. - A local mother is grieving and fighting for justice for her son and many other families who have lost a loved one. Charron Powell lost her 4 year-old son LeGend Taliferro in June. LeGend was asleep inside a Kansas City, Missouri, apartment when he was shot and killed.
Plastic bags of Fentanyl are displayed on a table at the U.S. Customs and Border Protection area at the International Mail Facility at O'Hare International Airport in Chicago, Ill., on Nov. 29, 2017. (Joshua Lott/File Photo via Reuters)

US Sanctions 4 China-Based Individuals, Firm Over Fentanyl

WASHINGTONThe United States announced sanctions against four China-based individuals and a company run by alleged Chinese drug kingpin Zheng Fujing for links to trafficking in fentanyl.

The U.S. Treasury Department on July 17 identified the individuals as Ji Songyan, Zhang Longbao, Cheng Guifeng, and Zheng Guangfu, and the firm as Global United Biotechnology Inc., which it said was owned and operated by the Zheng Drug Trafficking Organization (DTO) run by Zheng Fujing.

The Treasury identified Zheng Fujing and the Zheng DTO as significant foreign narcotics traffickers under the U.S. Kingpin Act last August.

Fentanyl and other drugs have caused overwhelming devastation to communities across America, Deputy Treasury Secretary Justin Muzinich said. The United States is committed to holding drug traffickers and those who facilitate their operations accountable for the suffering they impose upon American families.

The four individuals were designated for allegedly facilitating purchases of fentanyl and other drugs for the Zheng organization, a Treasury statement said.

It said the Zheng DTO laundered drug proceeds using digital currency such as bitcoin and transmitted proceeds into and out of bank accounts in China and Hong Kong.

Global United Biotechnology was a virtual storefront for the Zheng DTO, Treasury said. The designation means all property of the individuals and Zheng DTO in the United States must be blocked and reported.

Fentanyl is a cheap painkiller 50 times more potent than heroin that has played a major role in a devastating opioid crisis in the United States; more than 28,000 synthetic opioid-related overdose deaths were recorded in 2017.

U.S. officials say China is the main source of illicit fentanyl. President Donald Trump has accused Chinese Communist Party leader Xi Jinping of failing to meet promises to help stop the flow of the drug into the United States.

By David Brunnstrom
Amid rising novel coronavirus cases and ongoing debates about anti-black violence and police brutality, another alarming development is making headlines. Unidentified federal officers in unmarked vans reportedly stormed the city of Portland, Ore., resulting in the surveillance and arrests of peaceful protesters. Federal officers from the U.S. Marshals Service and Department of Homeland Security were there purportedly to "assist" local law enforcement. In a scathing news release, acting DHS secretary Chad Wolf detailed every alleged incident of "lawless destruction and violence" "perpetrated by anarchists" since May 29 as the reason for federal agents' presence in Portland.

The involvement of DHS in surveilling and detaining protesters in Portland lays bare how the federal immigration regime and local policing have become increasingly entangled. During the recent marches against anti-black violence, local police within and beyond the 100-mile border zone received assistance from DHS through the deployment of Customs and Border Protection (CBP) drones and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents to monitor nationwide demonstrations.

This matters. Historically, partnerships between local police and federal immigration authorities have made possible the surveillance and arrests of noncitizens and U.S. citizens presumed "alien" during extraordinary moments and manufactured narratives of crisis. These collaborations have contributed to the simultaneous expansion of the carceral state and deportation regime. And now, these expanded surveillance and policing capabilities are not only targeting and constraining the lives of immigrants, but U.S. citizens increasingly caught in the immigration dragnet - such as those who were forcibly detained into unmarked vehicles in Portland.

The history of policing immigrants and U.S. citizens assumed to be foreign-born or accused of engaging in activities unfavorable to the government goes back nearly a century. In the years after the 1929 stock market crash, the United States entered a historic recession that saw record unemployment and widespread food insecurity. Politicians, journalists and members of the American public scapegoated Mexicans as the reason for the employment crisis, because of the concentration of Mexican and Mexican American workers in agriculture, one of the hardest-hit sectors.

In conjunction with county welfare officials and local law enforcement, immigration authorities decided to deport hundreds of thousands of Mexicans as a "solution" to the national crisis - often without respect for citizenship status, age, familial integrity or rights to due process. In short, people were targeted on the basis of race and ethnicity. To identify, track and apprehend migrants, the Immigration Service surveilled labor strikes that involved foreign-born workers, while welfare and labor officials entertained proposals that would have fingerprinted migrant workers with and without U.S. citizenship as they moved with their children.

The raids ended up separating families and deporting or repatriating an estimated 1 million Mexicans - about 60 percent of whom were U.S.-born citizens.

In the mid-1950s, the Border Patrol tackled another "crisis" of migration with a mass deportation campaign. Legal immigration of Mexican workers in this period was largely limited by the terms of the temporary guest worker Bracero program. But farmers were unwilling to comply with wage and labor regulations and the bureaucratically cumbersome and costly nature of formal Bracero recruitment. So they continued recruiting undocumented immigrants from border areas willing to work for low wages.

In Mexican border towns and Southwestern U.S. cities, the Border Patrol enlisted informants to infiltrate smuggling networks and gain intelligence about immigrants seeking unauthorized entry into the United States. Immigration officials also offered local police officers in Texas border cities $1 to $2 bounties for every Mexican woman and child they apprehended and transferred to Border Patrol offices.

The end of the Bracero program in 1964 and the 1965 Hart-Celler immigration reform didn't stop these practices.

In fact, the federal government soon expanded its surveillance capabilities - this time with data collection technologies. In 1969, the government created a centralized databank called the Migrant Student Record Transfer System (MSRTS). The database recorded the names, addresses, birth dates, birthplaces and migration patterns of predominantly Mexican children and parents with and without U.S. citizenship. It tracked migrant students who moved between districts with their farmworking parents during the school year, purportedly to enhance their education.

But this data collection occurred within the context of heightened anti-immigrant nativism, the expulsion of noncitizen youths from public schools, the scapegoating of migrants for straining the welfare system and burgeoning mass incarceration.

When local migrants' rights advocates accused state officials of using the MSRTS to "track down" migrant Mexican children and their families, education authorities publicly stated that the MSRTS was developed to help migrant children - not to surveil them. But internal MSRTS guidelines and private government correspondence told a different story.

The guidelines issued in 1970 instructed teachers and school clerks on how to "track" "Mexico Students." Additionally, an internal policy memo of the California Department of Education made clear that MSRTS files could be released to law enforcement officers seeking information about "alien" pupils. The MSRTS allowed data collection in the 1970s to fuel the U.S. deportation machine and carceral state, making children and their parents vulnerable to identification by police and immigration agents.

When migrant parents spoke out against hostile school administrators with access to the MSRTS database, local police and federal immigration officers targeted them for arrest. Undocumented minors also risked being turned over to law enforcement when they protested the policies of schools reliant on the MSRTS and joined class-action lawsuits like Plyler v. Doe in 1982 - the Supreme Court case that ensured educational access regardless of immigration status, but which remains vulnerable to reversal.

And now, a Freedom of Information Act lawsuit recently revealed that ICE has access to databases with personally identifying information about Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipients, despite multiple assurances to the contrary. Whether ICE will actually use this information and how remains to be seen, but the discovery is still alarming because databases and technology created to support vulnerable young people have long been refashioned for insidious purposes.

The history of immigration demonstrates that access to sensitive data and surveillance powers doesn't help migrants. Rather, it expands detention and removal efforts, thereby eroding their fundamental rights while also expanding the authority and reach of federal law enforcement agencies. Doing this once again will continue to balloon the deportation machine and surveillance state - to the detriment of us all.

- - -

Padilla-Rodriguez is a U.S. history Ph.D. candidate at Columbia University and a visiting scholar at the University of California, Berkeley's Latinx Research Center specializing in the 20th-century legal history of child migration.
Sesa Sen By

Express News Service

NEW DELHI: Indias retail sector has racked up a whopping Rs. 15.5 lakh crore in losses ever since the lockdown was imposed on March 24, leading many businesses to down shutters as the coronavirus-induced lockdown wreaked havoc on the industry. According to the Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT), which represents around seven crore traders and about 40,000 trade associations, at least 20 per cent or 1.4 crore more retailers are likely to wind up their businesses in the next few months in the absence of any support from the government.

COVID-19 has caused a huge dent in retail trade with losses crossing Rs.15.5 lakh crore in the past 100 days. Even after 45 days from Unlock-1, there has been no clear-cut improvement, CAIT Secretary General Praveen Khandelwal said.

The traders body has also urged the government to award a substantial package to traders to ensure their survival. Their demands include: Relaxation in payment of taxes, extension in repayment of bank loans and EMIs without any further interest or penalty as well as measures that would provide money directly in the hands of the traders.

In April, the losses stood at about Rs. 5 lakh crore whereas in May it was estimated to be about Rs. 4.5 lakh crore, followed by Rs. 4 lakh crore in June. Losses stood at about 2.5 lakh crore in the first fortnight of July offering a grim snapshot of the effect of the pandemic on consumer spending. Even as the lockdown was relaxed, store footfall was only 10 per cent. Most of these traders do not have deep pockets to sustain this severe economic catastrophe and on the other hand have several financial obligations to meet. At this crucial time, handholding of these traders is all the more much required, Khandelwal said.

Retailers have also pointed out that their working capital has completely dried up leaving them even more vulnerable. Payment for goods supplied between December and March to customers on credit has been delayed due to lockdown restrictions, which is now expected to begin flowing in from September, 2020. The rule of economics describes such a situation, when input is low and the output is high, as unhealthy business eating capital. Therefore, a helping hand from the government is much needed, the traders body said in a statement.

Earlier, the credit rating agency CARE ratings gave the retail sector, which contributes about 10 per cent of Indias Gross Domestic Product (GDP), a Negative outlook.

The impact on demand, which is expected to remain muted at least for the next three four quarters, will be more in case of players with presence in non-essential items and luxury segments, it wrote in a note. Apart from weakness in discretionary spending on the backdrop of potential job losses and wage cuts across sectors, the rising count of fresh covid-19 cases and the subsequent intermittent lockdown in some of the states to curb the contagion is likely to aggravate the woes of retailers. The resulting job losses will continue to mount.


FM refutes US official's groundless accusations about China 'replacing the US'

Global Times

Source: Global Times Published: 2020/7/18 1:03:58

China has never sought to confront or replace the US as the top power in the world, but has the right to fight back against "malicious slander" and attacks by the US, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying said during a regular press conference on Friday.

Hua's comments came in response to a reporter's question noting that US Attorney General William Barr said during a speech on Thursday that China is now engaged in an economic blitzkrieg. Barr also noted that China is launching a campaign to grasp the commanding heights of the global economy and is trying to surpass the US to be the main superpower in the world. He also warned that China will take advantage of globalization to spread its political ideology.

Despite being the country with the most developed and advanced medical technology in the world, the US has the most COVID-19 cases and deaths, Hua said, noting that four former directors of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have claimed that the US administration has been unprecedentedly politicized in its approach to science.

Washington is playing a real version of "House of Cards" at the cost of people's lives and social disruption, which is a misfortune for the American people, Hua said.

The US reported a record high of more than 77,000 new cases of COVID-19 on Thursday, bringing the total number of infections to 3,560,364, according to Johns Hopkins University.

Hua stressed that China's major concern was improving the livelihoods of the country's citizens and the rejuvenation of the nation. China hopes to maintain global peace and stability, Hua noted, saying that those who claim China wants to surpass the US to become a major power and attempt to overthrow the existing rule system, obviously misjudge and misunderstand China's strategic intentions.

Barr also called some US technology companies "pawns of Chinese influence" and warned that the Communist Party of China has threatened to use retaliation and ban market access to influence American companies.

When asked to comment on this issue, Hua noted how the US government has brutally and unscrupulously cracked down on Chinese companies such as Huawei, adding that Meng Wanzhou, Huawei's chief financial officer, is still being detained illegally.

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Amaravati, July 19 : Andhra Pradesh's Covid-19 tally skyrocketed on Sunday with 5,041 new cases detected in the 24 hours ending 9 a.m., state health officials said.

This is the highest ever single-day tally and comes on the back of successive records set over the preceding four days.

The day also saw a record 56 deaths due to coronavirus in the state.

Sunday's update takes the overall tally of Covid cases in the state to 49,650. Yet again, all the thirteen districts reported Covid cases in triple figures. East Godavari reported the highest tally of 647 positive cases, while Anantapur followed with 637 cases. Srikakulam with 535 cases and Chittoor with 440 cases were the other districts that reported high numbers.

Other districts that reported high Covid cases over the previous 24 hours include Krishna with 397, West Godavari with 393 cases, Nellore with 391 cases, Guntur with 354 cases and Visakhapatnam with 266 cases. Vizianagaram with 241 cases, Kadapa with 226 cases, Prakasam with 150 cases and Vizianagaram with 118 cases were the low incidence districts over the previous 24 hours.

Sunday's figures also included the highest death toll on a single day. The state reported 56 deaths compared to the all time high of 52 deaths on Saturday. As per the latest update, deaths have occurred in 11 of the 13 districts in the state. The overall death toll in Andhra Pradesh has now shot up to 642, state health officials said.

East Godavari recorded the day's high of 10 deaths, while eight deaths were reported from Srikakulam and seven each were reported from Kurnool, Visakhapatnam and Krishna districts. Similarly four deaths were reported from Prakasam district and three deaths each were reported from Anantapur, Kadapa and Vizianagaram districts. At the bottom of the list, Guntur and Chittoor districts reported two deaths each.

Over the past 24 hours, 1,106 persons were discharged from hospitals and Covid treatment centres. There are 26,118 active cases while 22,890 persons have been declared as cured and discharged in Andhra Pradesh.

On the brighter side, not a single positive case was detected among returnees from other states to Andhra Pradesh.

Till date, 2,461 cases have been identified as Covid positive among persons who returned from other states. The active cases tally in this category currently stands at 290, while 2,171 persons have been declared as recovered till Sunday.

Similarly, there were no new cases detected among overseas returnees. The cumulative tally of Covid patients in this category stands at 434, while 390 persons have been discharged after getting cured. As of Sunday, 44 patients are receiving treatment for Covid infection in the state.
WASHINGTON - President Donald Trump is refusing to publicly commit to accepting the results of the upcoming White House election, recalling a similar threat he made weeks before the 2016 vote, as he scoffs at polls showing him lagging behind Democrat Joe Biden. Trump says its too early to make such an ironclad guarantee.

I have to see. Look ... I have to see, Trump told moderator Chris Wallace during a wide-ranging interview on Fox News Sunday. No, Im not going to just say yes. Im not going to say no, and I didnt last time, either.

The Biden campaign responded: The American people will decide this election. And the United States government is perfectly capable of escorting trespassers out of the White House.

Trump also hammered the Pentagon brass for favouring renaming bases that honour Confederate military leaders  a drive for change spurred by the national debate about race after George Floyds death. I dont care what the military says, the commander in chief said.

Recent polls show Biden with a clear advantage over Trump. Most polls throughout the campaign in 2016 similarly showed Clinton ahead until Trumps base solidified in the final weeks before the election to secure him his narrow win.

The Republican president described the nations top infectious diseases expert, Dr. Anthony Fauci, as a a little bit of an alarmist about the coronavirus pandemic, and Trump stuck to what he had said back in February  that the virus is going to disappear. On Fox, he said, Ill be right eventually. The United States tops the global death toll list, with more than 140,000, and has the most confirmed infections, with 3.7 million.

Its remarkable that a sitting president would express less than complete confidence in the American democracys electoral process. But for Trump, it comes from his insurgent playbook of four years ago, when in the closing stages of his race against Hillary Clinton he said he wouldnt commit to honouring the election results if the Democrat won.

Pressed during an October 2016 debate about whether hed abide by the voters will, Trump responded hed keep you in suspense. His remarks to Fox are certain to fuel conversation on Capitol Hill, where lawmakers had already been airing concerns in private about a scenario in which Trump disputes the election results.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, asked Monday about Trumps interview, told MSNBCs Morning Joe: The fact is, whether he knows it yet or not, he will be leaving. Just because he might not want to move out of the White House doesnt mean we wont have an inauguration ceremony to inaugurate a duly elected president of the United States.

Tim Murtaugh, a campaign spokesman, said in a statement Monday that Trumps concerns are driven by a push to expand the availability of mail-in voting and pointed to recent problems with mail-in voting in New York and New Jersey.

Against this backdrop, we dont know what kind of shenanigans Democrats will try leading up to November, Murtaugh said.

Trump has seen his presidential popularity erode over his handling of the coronavirus pandemic and in the aftermath of nationwide protests centred on racial injustice that erupted after Floyds death in Minneapolis nearly two months.

Trump contends that a series of polls that show his popularity eroding and Biden holding an advantage are faulty. He says Republican voters are underrepresented in such surveys.

First of all, Im not losing, because those are fake polls, Trump said in the taped interview, which aired Sunday. They were fake in 2016, and now theyre even more fake. The polls were much worse in 2016.

Trump was frequently combative with Wallace in defending his response to the pandemic, weighing in on the Black Lives Matter movement and trying to portray Biden, the presumptive Democratic nominee, as lacking the mental prowess to serve as president.

On policing, Trump said he could understand why Black Americans are upset about how police use force disproportionately against them.

Of course I do, he said, adding his usual refrain that whites are also killed, too.

He said he was not offended either by Black Lives Matter, but defended the Confederate flag, a symbol of the racism of the past, and said those who proudly have their Confederate flags, theyre not talking about racism.

They love their flag, it represents the South, they like the South. Thats freedom of speech. And you know, the whole thing with cancel culture, we cant cancel our whole history. We cant forget that the North and the South fought. We have to remember that, otherwise well end up fighting again. You cant just cancel all, Trump said.

Wallace challenged Trump on some claims, such as when Trump falsely asserted Biden wants to defund the police. The former vice-president has not joined with activists rallying behind that banner. He has proposed more money for police, conditioned to improvements in their practices.

Trump stood behind his pledge to veto a $740 billion defence bill over a requirement the Defence Department change the names of bases named for Confederate military leaders. That list includes Fort Bragg in North Carolina, Fort Hood in Texas and Fort Benning in Georgia. The president argued there were no viable alternatives.

Trump, 74, stuck to a campaign charge that Biden, 77, is unable to handle the rigours of the White House because of his age. As for polls showing the incumbent is trailing, Trump noted he was thought to be behind for much of the 2016 contest. I wont lose, he predicted.

The president and top advisers have long accused Biden of using the pandemic as an excuse to stay in his basement in his Delaware home. Biden has indeed shifted much of his campaign online but frequently travels in Delaware and Pennsylvania, organizing speeches and small gatherings with voters and community leaders within driving distance of his home. Bidens campaign says itll begin resuming normal travel and campaign activities when health officials and state and local authorities say its safe.

Questioned about the coronavirus, Trump chided Fauci, the National Institutes of Health expert, and repeated false claims that anybody could get a test and that increased testing was the only reason that the U.S. was seeing more cases.

Cases are rising because people are infecting each other more than they were when most everyone was hunkered down. The percentage of tests coming back positive for the virus has been on the rise across nearly the entire country.

___

Associated Press writers Hannah Fingerhut, Hope Yen and Lisa Mascaro contributed to this report.
Two Ugandan nationals were arrested late Friday night by the Pimpri-Chinchwad police for running a sex trade at their apartment.

The two were staying at a housing society in Padwalnagar, Thergaon and are natives of Kampala Masaka in Uganda. The duo was staying in the country on expired visas, according to police.

They were staying on student visa that expired in 2018. We are yet to get any college admission records from them, said senior inspector Vivek Muglikar of Wakad police station.

The two used a WhatsApp number to fix alleged meetings with clients, according to the police.

The police sent a decoy customer and caught them in a raid at 8pm on Friday.

Assistant inspector Sapna Devtale of Wakad police station is the complainant as well as the investigating officer in the case.

The two were booked under Sections 3, 4, and 5 of Immoral Traffic Prevention Act and Section 14 of the Foreigners Act. The case was registered at Wakad police station.

The two were produced in court for further custody. The police will also initiate deportation process for them.
I spent a little while recently contemplating life after my death. The lives of others, that is. I have no illusion about my lights staying on in some parallel universe. When the lights go out, they go out. This looking to the future was prompted by some legal eagles of my acquaintance in Carlow who persuaded me to register a will during lockdown. It didn't take long to sort out where to leave my worldly possessions. But what was to be done with 'me' after my lights go out? I had an idea, so I thought I had better write it down.

I have a very clear memory of being on the Bateaux Verts many summers ago doing the 20-minute journey across the bay from Saint Maxime to St Tropez in the south of France. It was a Saturday morning and we were going over to walk the market and probably buy nothing. It is a nice way to spend a morning. You can have very sticky, very expensive hot chocolate at the port and look at the rich people who rent/own the yachts. Ivana Trump sat beside me once. Myself and my companion chatted about her 'as Gaeilge'.

Halfway across the bay, the captain stopped the boat and announced that there was a funeral party on board and that they were going to take a minute to spread the ashes of a loved one on the bay. I thought this was a great idea for my final resting place and have never had a better idea since. Some years later, I announced this to my extended family and was met with horror. This was not because of my request. They shrieked, "but you weren't even on the boat. We told you that story." Apparently my very clear memory just did not happen.

I am always wary of memory. When people recount to me a 'he said' and then 'I said' story, I usually take it with a pinch of salt. I know it is being reconstructed, no matter what they tell me. I often wish I could take out a recording and play it the way Woody Allen pulled Marshall McLuhan out of the queue in Annie Hall. It is just that no one can remember anything verbatim. They remember in a way that suits them. Things get modified along the way with each retelling.

I have a scar on the fourth finger on my left hand. It was a childhood accident. We were on the slipway in Dunmore East harbour after a day on the beach. My father thought I was in the car and shut the door just as I was trying to get in. The door closed on my finger. I have a clear memory of my crushed finger with the bone exposed. Only problem is it never happened. There was a small incident at the car but my father spotted me in time and I barely got a bruise. It was cured by an ice cream. Where the scar came from, I am still not sure, but it was not as I, so clearly, remember it.

Several people have told me that they had very vivid and unusual dreams in lockdown. Old memories surfaced. I suspect it was because we had a lot of time to rummage around our brain without the usual distractions of commuting and socialising.

I spent a few hours looking at photos from the pre-digital days. They jogged a lot of stories and reconstructions of what was going on at the time. If my nocturnal mental activity was anything to go by, a lot of things were taken out of one memory box and put in another one.

I enjoy rummaging through my memories. But I am never all that confident that my memory coincides with what actually happened. With one exception. I still think I was on that boat, whatever other people say. And if I wasn't, I now know I will be one day. Not too soon, I hope. You are invited.
Note: This story was updated at 10:33 p.m. to show that police have put the ceremony on hold.

Madison city officials have halted their plans to present departmental medals to police officers involved in the controversial shooting death of a Black man outside a gym.

AL.com on Sunday afternoon reported that the city planned to award three police officers for their actions on the night Dana Fletcher was killed by police. It happened October 27, 2019 in the parking lot of Planet Fitness after someone called to report that Fletcher was taking pictures and asking questions inside the gym.

In a statement released Sunday night, Chief Dave Jernigan said the timing of the ceremony was not optimal. Jernigan said he decided to put the ceremony on hold after speaking with Mayor Paul Finley.

AL.com obtained a screenshot from a departmental email, which said the officers would be awarded the Medal of Honor  the Madison Police Departments highest award  for their bravery on the night of Fletchers death. The awards were to be presented in a private ceremony on the afternoon of Tuesday, July 28.

The city and police department wont release the names of the officers involved in the shooting, and the officers names were redacted from the email concerning awards obtained by AL.com.

AL.com on Friday spoke to Finley, who confirmed the medal ceremony would be held at City Hall but said he couldnt provide details about why the awards are being given to three officers. An attempt to reach Jernigan for comment wasnt successful on Friday.

In his statement Sunday night, Jernigan said he and Finley decided late Friday afternoon to halt the ceremony.

In the departmental email obtained by AL.com, Jernigan said only police department and city employees, city council members and the officers family and friends could attend the ceremony. No media is authorized for this event, Jernigan wrote in the email.

Fletchers family continues to protest each weekend at the corner of Wall Triana Highway and U.S. 72  the intersection where Planet Fitness is located. They are calling for the release of body camera videos and the 911 call tape.

After the shooting, five officers  including two who fired their guns at Fletcher  were put on leave for the authorities to investigate. All of the officers were cleared to return to work after an internal investigation and a probe by the Madison County Sheriffs Office.

The officers acted according to department policies and procedures, city officials said after their internal review.

Madison County District Attorney Rob Broussard said the officers were entirely justified after reviewing body camera footage, which appeared to show Fletcher holding a gun when he was pulled from his van by police. The district attorneys office said Fletcher pointed the gun toward officers.

The officers involved in this incident displayed bravery in defending themselves, other officers and the public at Planet Fitness last fall which was was validated following the Madison County District Attorneys official report presented to the community on November 15, 2019, Jernigan said in the statement Sunday night.

5 Dana Fletcher shooting press conference

The district attorneys office showed news reporters still images taken from the body camera video, but the authorities have declined to release complete footage.

Asked about Fletchers familys calls to release the videos, Finley said the district attorneys presentation to the news media had already answered many questions about the case, including showing that Fletcher was armed during the encounter.

He declined further comment.

Fletchers family released the following statement in response to AL.coms reporting on the ceremony:

The more they double down in support of their unnecessary aggression against regular law-abiding people like Dana, the more obvious it will be once the truth comes out that the most dangerous criminals are the ones currently running Madison County. But until then, all we can say at this point is Enjoy your ceremony.

This story was updated at 10:33 p.m. to include a statement from Chief Dave Jernigan, announcing the ceremony was put on hold.
Iran's Ambassador to Baghdad Iraj Masjedi said on Saturday that Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif's trip to Baghdad will take place in line with enhancement of bilateral relations, Trend reports citing IRNA.

Masjedi tweeted late on Saturday that the visit is aimed at promoting strategic relations in all fields between the two countries.

Zarif is scheduled to arrive in Baghdad on Sunday at the head of a high-profile delegation.

During the visit, he will discuss common challenges and taking advantage of opportunities in line with the joint interests.

Zarif is also slated to hold meetings with the Iraqi president, prime minister, his counterpart, and parliament speaker.
Idaho is one of a few states which allows citizens to bring proposed legislation to the ballot for citizen approval, a process known as initiative, which has become the preferred way of groups to add laws where the state wont do so. But its an open question as to whether the process is a fair or effective one.

Last year, Idaho Gov. Brad Little vetoed two proposals which would have tightened the initiative signature gathering process, which many in the Legislature thought was too lenient.

The governor disagreed, saying he thought bills were likely to be overturned in court, Hence, the vetoes.

Then, just last week, another group, known as Reclaim Idaho, went to federal court to force the state to allow it to gather more signatures for a new initiative which would give huge new boosts for teacher pay. The state has appealed, saying time has run out.

The reasoning for these disputes is the changing nature of the American republican form of government. Citizen groups, like Reclaim Idaho dont want to rely on legislatures to get what they want. They want new laws which give them more money (Its always about the money.) by putting issues before the people as they did with medicaid expansion.

Others say that opens the door to allowing a non-elected body to determine what citizens pay. If we go down that road, theres no reason for a Legislature at all. Why not let voters determine, up or down, whether to fund this or that?

Thats what happens in some states like Maine, where a new but small proposed police barracks gets on the statewide ballot.

Groups like Reclaim Idaho say the initiative process reflects the peoples voice where none is now heard, but thats not true. Most states dont allow initiatives at all, and of those which do, including Idaho, there are often restrictions on how petitions can be gathered, the time line allowed and the density of populations to assure fairness for rural communities.

Idahos approach was thought to be about right until the Reclaim group successfully passed the Medicaid expansion initiative in 2018, which Reclaim now wants to use again to raise peoples taxes.

The teacher pay initiative would pour new tax money into teacher and administrator salaries but doesnt help other professions such as law enforcement and nursing. Futhermore, it appears to be driven by out-of-state, mostly California, union interests, as well as union backing in Idaho and among lefty journalists.

A dedicated revenue stream for new and larger raises just for educators and administrators may sound nice, but there are many objections to the proposal, including its basic fairness, the amounts of money involved (over $150 million annually), and the equity of a particular groups effectively dictating Idahos financial path.

The tax proposal has been floated past fall in various forums and has won approval from Idaho Democrats who see any tax jump as a positive thing. To those on the left, its a pro-Socialist, soaks the rich, class-envy, Warren-ista change. But there are a number of reasons why this idea should arrive statewide in a hearse.

One. This is Idaho, not California. Reclaim Idaho is part of a national union-driven initiative effort with money coming chiefly from California unions. (https://Eastidahonews.com. (3/31/2019) Vote for enhanced union influence in Idaho? Not a good idea.

Two. There are very few Republicans who will vote for a Democrat tax increase, and the GOP makes up roughly two-thirds of the electorate. Its an election year and if theres one thing people arent likely approve, its to raise their own taxes.

Three. Reclaim Idahos proposal is essentially a wealth transfer from people whove earned money to others who havent, otherwise known as a redistribution or reparations, a common liberal ploy.

Four, Idaho already pumps about $100 million in new money annually into Idahos public schools budget and has for the past half dozen years. That apparently isnt enough for Reclaim Idaho. Theyre effectively saying, we want all your tax money.

Five. With the 2020 election shaping up as an up-or-down on the Trump economy, Idahos a good example how prudent fiscal policies drive growth. Vote for more taxes? Nah. Particularly since theres no accountability here, nothing like relying on school test scores Its just a pay-us-more scheme.

Idaho is growing nicely with businesses coming in and local businesses expanding; incomes are rising and people are moving on up in many sectors, including, food processing, health care and agriculture. Who wants to give more personal income increases to the government? (https://www.bea.gov/news/2019/state-personal-income-second-quarter-2019/.

Reclaim Idaho presents its income tax increase idea as an investment in Idaho, but the numbers really reflect at least a huge 16 percent jump in income taxes. Wanna pay more taxes? Thought not.

Just as big a hurdle is Reclaim Idaho premise that Idaho needs a tax increase initiative because, well, Idaho just needs it. The group hasnt been elected by any voters in the state to anything, arent accountable to anyone and are unlike duly-elected legislators who delve into real budgets and the real numbers.

Reclaim Idaho answers to no one in Idaho. Theyre an outside, California, liberal lobby, plain and simple. Theyre in it for the money, yours.

Idaho has a long and proven tradition of prudent spending, fiscal responsibility and living within our means. Reclaim Idaho would sharply raise taxes by diluting voters power within the state with a pie-in-the-sky scheme of union interests.

Handing Idaho voters decisions to an out-of-state entity wont strike many as a very good idea. Turn a sows ear into a silk purse by calling it an investment? Nah. Same old story.

Stephen Hartgen, Twin Falls, is a retired five-term Republican member of the Idaho House of Representatives, where he served as chairman of the Commerce & Human Resources Committee. Previously, he was editor and publisher of The Times-News (1982-2005). He is the author of the new book Tradition & Progress: Southern Idahos Growth Since 1990. This column was first published in www.idahopoliticsweekly.com. He can be reached at Stephen_Hartgen@hotmail.com

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Staff of Shinhan Bank's branch in Yangon, Myanmar, address customers in this photo provided by Shinhan Bank. / Courtesy of Shinhan Bank



By Kim Bo-eun



Banks are expanding their presence in Myanmar, as they seek new opportunities in the fast growing Southeast Asian country.



Myanmar is drawing the attention of financial firms, as a rising economy which has recorded an average of 7 percent GDP growth since 2012, and has a young working population.



Nonghyup Bank is preparing to expand its existing presence, to offer specialized services in agricultural finance.



The lender said last week it acquired approval from local authorities to set up an office in Yangon.



The bank has been offering micro financing services via its subsidiary Nonghyup Finance Myanmar since 2016.



"Setting up an office paves the way for us to set up a branch as well as a subsidiary," a Nonghyup Bank official said.



While he said plans have not yet been specified as the lender is currently in the stage of setting up an office, Nonghyup is seen to be planning to begin a banking business there, based on its area of expertise.



Nonghyup Bank, as a commercial bank offers both retail and wholesale banking services, but it is primarily an agricultural bank which provides financing for farmers.



"Myanmar is an agriculture-based economy and with our expertise in agricultural finance, we will be able to offer relevant services," the official said.



KB Kookmin Bank, along with Industrial Bank of Korea (IBK) and Korea Development Bank (KDB), received regulatory approval to set up a subsidiary in Myanmar in April.



KB Kookmin plans on expanding a mobile banking base there, as well as provide housing finance.



KB Kookmin is planning to launch its mobile-based financial services platform "Liiv" in Myanmar. The plan comes after the lender introduced the platform in Cambodia. The platform had 100,000 users as of the end of last year.



"The plan is to connect the services of offline bank branches with mobile-based services available on mobile phones," a KB Kookmin Bank official said.



"We are seeking to become a global digital banking platform there, because the region lacks competitive digital banking services."



As for housing finance, this is an area of expertise for KB Kookmin Bank as the current lender is a merger of Kookmin Bank and Housing & Commercial Bank.



"We plan to provide education and consulting on setting up related systems, based on an agreement with the government in Myanmar," the official said.



Meanwhile, the state-run IBK and KDB are set to provide financing for Korean firms doing business in Myanmar. There are about 300 Korean companies there.



IBK is preparing to change its existing office into a subsidiary in January next year.



Shinhan Bank became the first Korean bank to enter Myanmar in 2016, setting up a branch in Yangon.


Islamabad: Indian authorities have been accused of using the country's surging coronavirus pandemic as a chance to round up and hold critics protesting against Narendra Modi's treatment of minorities.

While attention has in recent weeks been focused on accelerating deaths in the country, as many as a dozen prominent activists have been held under tough sedition and anti-terrorism laws.

A caretaker in a graveyard splashes rose water on the body of a Muslim man who died from coronavirus in Delhi. Credit:Getty

India's coronavirus restrictions, which have closed the courts, have left lawyers unable to file bail applications or even meet their detained clients, The New York Times reported.

The nation of 1.3 billion is currently wrestling with one of the world's largest outbreaks of the virus and its case toll last week passed one million.
Rajesh Kumar Thakur By

Express News Service

PATNA: The doctors and other subsidiary health professionals working as frontline warriors at different Covid-19 treatment centres are proving highly vulnerable to the infection in Bihar.

So far, according to a release of Bihar chapter of Indian Medical Association (IMA), more than 200 medical professionals besides other paramedic staffs have tested positive for COVID-19 so far in the state.

Unfortunately, two of them namely Dr. NK Singh, posted as associate professor at ENT department in Patna Medical College and hospital and Dr. Ashwani Kumar, a private physician of Gaya, have died in the last few days.

Concerned over this alarming situation with the people in the medical fraternity, the Bihar chapter of IMA has demanded fortnightly COVID-19 tests for all doctors and the paramedics staff working as frontline warriors mandatory along with a 15-day break for relaxation for the state's health professionals, working in the frontline against the COVID-19.

One can well gauge the severity of infection in Bihar from the fact that even the director of IGIMS, Dr NR Biswas, has tested positive.

Recently, more than 50 doctors, technicians, ANMs, laboratory incharges and other staffs of PMCH were also tested positive. According to sources of health department, a dozen of technicians of RMRIMS have also tested positive besides half a dozen staffs of NMCH's microbiology department.

At AIIMS also, as many as 15 medical staff have tested positive and have been admitted in addition to staffs and doctors of other medical institutions testing positive so far.

"In such a situation, a delegation of IMA representatives has met health minister Mangal Pandey on Thursday with a demand to reserve 50% of total beds for doctors and other health workers in AIIMS besides other important demands including mandatory COVID-19 tests for all doctors, health workers and a 15-day long relaxation break", Dr Sunil Kumar, IMA secretary, said.

He said that demand by IMA has been made for Rs 10 lakh compensation from the state government and Rs 50 lakh insurance cover announced by the central government to be given to the family members of two doctors died recently due to coronavirus.

"The IMA has also strongly put a demand for filling the existing vacancies of assistant professors and revocation of suspension of doctors immediately to meet the challenges emerging during the pandemic times here", he said.

The IMA has also expressed serious concerns about poor condition of infrastructure and human resources in government-run hospitals in the state in a letter sent to Ashwani Kumar Choubey on July 7.

The letter stated that AIIMS in Patna has about 800 beds and 90 ICU beds but only 200 beds and 40 ICU-beds for the COVID-19 patients are not sufficient to cater to the needs.

Apart from them, junior doctors at PMCH and NMCH have also demanded safety kits and arrangments for doctors fighting against the COVID-19 on a war footing.

Meanwhile, Bihar Chemist & Druggists Association has also demanded COVID-19 tests of CNF, distributors, stockists, wholesalers, and retailers of medicines on the part of the government.
Representative image

With the novel coronavirus infection surging past 10 lakh in India, the Indian Medical Association (IMA) has said the country now shows community transmission of COVID-19 has started and the situation looks bad.

According to news agency ANI, Dr VK Monga, Chairperson of IMA Hospital Board of India said "this is now an exponential growth".

Every day the number of cases is increasing by more than 30,000 in the country, said the doctor. This is really a bad situation for the country. There are so many factors connected with it but overall this is now spreading to rural areas. This is a bad sign. It now shows a community spread, he told the news agency.

Speaking further about the current situation, Dr Monga said now the novel coronavirus infections are "penetrating down" into towns and villages where it will be "very difficult to control the situation".

"In Delhi, we were able to contain it, but what about interior parts of the country in Maharashtra, Karnataka, Kerala, Goa, Madhya Pradesh (which may be the new hotspots)?" Dr Monga said.

COVID-19 Vaccine Frequently Asked Questions View more How does a vaccine work? A vaccine works by mimicking a natural infection. A vaccine not only induces immune response to protect people from any future COVID-19 infection, but also helps quickly build herd immunity to put an end to the pandemic. Herd immunity occurs when a sufficient percentage of a population becomes immune to a disease, making the spread of disease from person to person unlikely. The good news is that SARS-CoV-2 virus has been fairly stable, which increases the viability of a vaccine. How many types of vaccines are there? There are broadly four types of vaccine  one, a vaccine based on the whole virus (this could be either inactivated, or an attenuated [weakened] virus vaccine); two, a non-replicating viral vector vaccine that uses a benign virus as vector that carries the antigen of SARS-CoV; three, nucleic-acid vaccines that have genetic material like DNA and RNA of antigens like spike protein given to a person, helping human cells decode genetic material and produce the vaccine; and four, protein subunit vaccine wherein the recombinant proteins of SARS-COV-2 along with an adjuvant (booster) is given as a vaccine. What does it take to develop a vaccine of this kind? Vaccine development is a long, complex process. Unlike drugs that are given to people with a diseased, vaccines are given to healthy people and also vulnerable sections such as children, pregnant women and the elderly. So rigorous tests are compulsory. History says that the fastest time it took to develop a vaccine is five years, but it usually takes double or sometimes triple that time. View more Show

Follow our LIVE blog for the latest updates of the novel coronavirus pandemic

Calling the issues "very important", the doctor said the state governments should take full care and seek the help of the central government to control the situation.

This report has come at the time when the Union Health Ministry has been maintaining that community transmission of COVID-19 has not started yet in India.

Talking about the containment of the disease, the doctor gave two options. Firstly, 70 percent population contracts the disease and gets immune, and the other is getting an immunisation, he was quoted as saying.

India registered 34,884 new COVID-19 cases on July 18 that took the countrys tally to 10,38,716, according to the union health ministry data. It was the third consecutive day when the number of COVID-19 cases increased by more than 30,000. The death toll due to COVID-19 rose to 26,273 with 671 fatalities reported in a day.

Follow our full coverage on COVID-19 here
The Ghana Developing Communities Association (GDCA), a non-governmental organisation, has advised the citizenry to take personal responsibility at their homes, workplaces and social gatherings to protect themselves and loved ones from the COVID-19.



The COVID-19 pandemic has come to redefine the way we relate, and this will definitely affect the way we work, it said.



This was in the Annual Report of the GDCA presented at its 36th Annual General Meeting (AGM) held at Dalun in the Kumbungu District of the Northern Region.



Alhaji Osman Abdel-Rahman, the Executive Director of GDCA, presented the Report on behalf of the Chairman, Dr Osman Al-Hassan.



It covered projects undertaken in 2019 by the NGO and its subsidiary organisations including School for Life, Changing Lives in Innovative Partnerships, and Dalun Simli Centre.



Projects implemented during the year under review included the Empowerment for Life Programme (E4L), Project to Support Livestock Mobility for better access to resources and markets in West Africa, Enhancing Participation in Revenue Mobilisation, European Volunteers Aid, Community Volunteer Teacher, and Education Quality Initiative.



GDCA works to empower citizens of deprived communities to achieve political, social and economic development and engage in sound environmental practices for sustainable living.



Dr Al-Hassan said: A lot was achieved in our effort to bring the desired development to our people. The lives of thousands of people in deprived communities have been made better as a result of the interventions of the programmes. Many women have benefited from our various E4L programmes, which have improved their businesses and families.



Potable water and sanitation facilities have been provided to communities and schools in the past year, which did not only reduce the drudgery of looking for water but also improved their health status.



He said through the various capacity building and advocacy programmes, community people had gained awareness on issues of governance and human rights and were able to participate in decision-making.



Dr Al-Hassan spoke about various government policies that continued to support the GDCAs efforts at contributing to the development of communities and these include the Planting for Food and Jobs through which many farmers were able to grow more to feed their families and improve income.



He mentioned the One Village One Dam and the National Health Insurance Scheme as two policies that provided the development context and enabling environment for the GDCAs operations and promoted the welfare of beneficiaries.



Dr Al-Hassan said challenges that hindered the smooth operations of the organisation included floods causing destruction to crops, livestock and other property.



That resulted in high food prices, which were worsened by the global hikes in fuel prices, he said.



Mr Inusah Atchulo, the Acting Northern Regional Director of the Department of Social Welfare, commended the GDCA for implementing a number of interventions to bring social change, expand access to education and improve livelihoods.

Source: GNA









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Abu Dhabi Capital Group (ADCG) has announced that Imkan Properties CEO Walid El Hindi has decided to step down from his role to pursue his own interests, after leading the Emirati property development company for five years.

Announcing the planned departure, Fadel Al Ali, board member of both ADCG and Imkan, said: "El Hindi had played a major role in establishing and growing Imkan from a vision to one of the leading developers in the region and for presiding over a phase of significant growth for the business."

"Under his leadership, Imkan has grown to have offices in Abu Dhabi, Egypt and Morocco and has successfully launched six master planned communities with 11 projects completed or currently under construction,," stated Al Ali.

Imkan Properties has a portfolio of 30 million sq m of land, which spans 26 projects across six countries and is valued at over Dh100 billion ($27.2 billion). The brand has positioned itself as a world class place-maker using its unique research-based approach to property development.

The first Abu Dhabi community, Nudra on Saadiyat Island, is near handover, substantial progress has been made across other Capital-based projects; Makers District, AlJurf and Sheikha Fatima Park and over 250 units of our Alburouj project in Egypt have recently been handed over.

"Amongst his most significant achievements, Imkan saw a 300 per cent year-on-year increase in sales across its collection of projects last year," remarked Al Ali.

"His commitment and vision have put Imkan in a strong position to move forward to the next phase of its success story and I would like to wish Walid the very best for the future," he added.

In addition to his role as Imkan CEO, Walid also held the position of managing director of Imkan Misr, board member of HHRM, an international hotel management company as well as being on the executive committee for Imkan Moroc.-TradeArabia News Service
Minor Hotels, together with Seven Tides Limited, are pleased to announce the launch of Oaks Ibn Battuta Gate Dubai Hotel.

Located in the Jebel Ali area of Dubai and in close proximity to the Expo 2020 Dubai site, the 396-key property and Ibn Battuta Gate complex are well known for the iconic gate design which has become a landmark sight in the city.

The hotel is situated opposite Ibn Battuta Mall, with the Dubai Metro close by allowing visitors to travel conveniently across the city, including being able to reach many of Dubais tourist highlights and business districts. Dubai Marina is also easily reachable, with its many attractions including Marina Mall, multiple dining options, sky diving and the beach. Dubai International Airport (DXB) is 30 minutes drive, with Dubai Al Maktoum Airport (DWC) also easily accessible and Abu Dhabi International Airport under an hour away.

Marking the second Oaks property in Dubai and the third in the UAE, Oaks Ibn Battuta Gate offers modern accommodation options for both business and leisure travellers. These include 352 guest rooms across three different categories, plus 44 suites. The three guest room types  Premier, Deluxe and Executive  are stylishly furnished with Moroccan influences, whilst the Suites have decor inspired by the explorer Ibn Battutas adventures across the world.

The 13 Family Suites offer 55-sq-m of flexible space, with the 29 Battuta Suites providing a generous 85-sq-m including living area and a spacious terrace with city views. The two, Two Bedroom Royal Suites, each an impressive 140-sq-m, have two king bedrooms, a living and dining area, plus an outdoor terrace. All room types offer a 40-inch HD LCD television, complimentary wifi, tea and coffee making facilities and a bathroom with walk-in shower and separate bathtub.

Restaurants and bars at the property include Mistral, the all-day dining restaurant offering international cuisine and live cooking stations, Revo Cafe for freshly brewed coffee, pastries and healthy options, Moroc Lounge & Bar, a Moroccan-inspired terrace and lounge to enjoy sundowners and shisha, and a pool bar. Additional hotel facilities are a swimming pool and gym, a spa and a kids club, plus guests at Oaks Ibn Battuta Gate have complimentary access to the beach at a private beach club on Palm Jumeirah.

For business guests or those looking to organise events and celebrations, the hotel is the perfect venue for meetings of all sizes, with exceptional flexible spaces, the largest able to accommodate up to 350 guests. Pre-function areas both indoors and outdoors and a business centre further add to the picture.

We are delighted to add Oaks Ibn Battuta Gate to our portfolio of hotels and resorts in Dubai, commented Dillip Rajakarier, CEO Minor Hotels and Minor International. With its close proximity to Dubai Exhibition Centre and the site for Dubai Expo, the property is perfectly situated to capitalise on this hugely significant global event, now rescheduled to a year later and therefore extending the opportunity further. We look forward to working with our partners Seven Tides, to build on the success of this impressive hotel.

Abdulla Bin Sulayem, CEO, Seven Tides, said: The Minor Hotels group is no stranger to Seven Tides, we have worked with them on a range of successful projects, including Anantara The Palm Dubai Resort. Having witnessed first-hand the success the group contributes to a property, I am confident this strategic decision to partner with Minor on Oaks Ibn Battuta Gate will allow us to adapt seamlessly to the parameters of the 'new normal.

Recognised as a hotel owner, operator and investor, Minor Hotels currently operates 11 properties in the UAE across three hotel brands  Anantara Hotels, Resorts & Spas, Avani Hotels & Resorts and Oaks Hotels, Resorts & Suites  and a total of 18 properties in the GCC region. Minor Hotels and Seven Tides have an existing partnership in the hospitality market in Dubai, with Minor Hotels operating two properties owned by Seven Tides International  Anantara The Palm Dubai Resort since 2013 and Avani Deira Dubai Hotel since 2016. Oaks currently operates over 60 properties in five countries, including Oaks Liwa Heights in Dubai and Oaks Liwa Executive Suites in Abu Dhabi. - TradeArabia News Service
Photo by cottonbro from Pexels

American conservative cable television news channel, Fox News, broadcast an exclusive interview of a virologist from Hong Kong Dr. Li-Meng Yan on July 13. In the interview, the virologist has accused China of covering up coronavirus cases and claimed to have fled from Hong Kong to the United States (US) for her life.

In the wake of airing the interview, some Western politicians and media have created quite an uproar around the world as if they were waiting for such an interview. They have bought no time to label the Hong Kong virologist as a whistleblower.

Western media have given the interview such uncritical coverage that they even haven't felt the need for cross-checking her statements. However, after going through the interview, many questions have popped up in my journalistic mind about the authenticity of her claims.

I would like to share a few of them with my readers in this article. For example, the virologist has said, 'She believes the China knew about the coronavirus well before it claimed it did.' I have found this statement untrustworthy. Because she couldn't or didn't cite any evidence for the verification of her claim. It appears to be a repetition of the accusation oft-made by some of the Western forces against China.

Dr. Yan also claimed that she was one of the first scientists in the world to study the novel coronavirus. She was allegedly asked by her supervisor at the University/WHO reference lab, Dr. Leo Poon, in 2019 to look into the odd cluster of SARS-like cases coming out of the Chinese mainland at the end of December 2019.

Her claim to be one of the first scientists in the world to study the novel coronavirus is also contradictory to her own statement. Because she later in the interview said, 'The Chinese government refused to let overseas experts, including ones in Hong Kong, do research in China.' If the government didn't allow any Hong Kong experts, how she, despite being a Hongkonger, could study the coronavirus.

Besides, in an official statement, her university, Hong Kong University (HKU), has clarified that Dr. Yan never conducted any research on the human-to-human transmission of the novel coronavirus at the university during December 2019 and January 2020.

Dr. Yan has apparently made another dubious claim of fleeing Hong Kong. It's an absurd claim because no Hongkonger is barred from traveling to the US. The virologist also told Fox News that she landed in Los Angeles on April 28 and told customs officials at the airport that she wanted to reveal the so-called truth about China.

Her statement has raised a question of why she has taken around two and a half months to appear before the camera, that too from an undisclosed location. I think it won't be strange to ask if she had been being groomed by any agency during the period to face the media to reveal her so-called truth!

The virologist also expressed that she believes her life is in danger saying she knows how China treats whistleblowers. But I think she has forgotten or might not be allowed to talk about how Western governments treated Edward Joseph Snowden and Julian Paul Assange for revealing the real truth.

Putting aforesaid analysis into perspective, I have enough reasons to consider the virologist a Western propaganda puppet instead of a true whistleblower.

Moreover, the interview of the virologist has reminded the world of Nayirah testimony once again. It was a false testimony given before the Congressional Human Rights Caucus of the US in 1990 by a 15-year-old girl who provided only her first name, Nayirah. The testimony was widely publicized and was cited numerous times by US senators and then-president George H. W. Bush in their rationale to back Kuwait in the Gulf War.

But in 1992, it was revealed that Nayirah's last name was al-Sabah and that she was the daughter of Saud Al-Sabah, the Kuwaiti ambassador to the US. Furthermore, it was revealed that her testimony was organized as part of the Citizens for a Free Kuwait public relations campaign, which was run by the American public relations firm Hill & Knowlton for the Kuwaiti government. Following this, al-Sabah's testimony has come to be regarded as a classic example of modern atrocity propaganda.

It is crystal clear that the virologist is used as a Western propaganda puppet. Her interview is very similar to the Nayirah testimony. Because the testimony was used to justify the US invasion in Iraq, while Dr. Yans interview might be orchestrated to help President Donald J Trump confirm his second term at the White House by blaming China to cover up his failures in the fight against the coronavirus. The interview has again proved that Western imperium can stoop to any lower for withholding their opponents and attaining their ulterior motives.

The author is the China Correspondent of the Bangladesh Post.
BJP asked if the Congress government in Rajasthan resorted to 'unconstitutional' methods to tap politicians' phones and demanded a CBI probe

New Delhi: The Centre on Saturday sought a report from the Rajasthan chief secretary on allegations of phone tapping after two audio clips of conversations purportedly regarding a "conspiracy" to topple the state's Congress government emerged amidst the ongoing political crisis in the state, officials said.

In a communication, the Ministry of Home Affairs told the Rajasthan chief secretary to send a report on the allegations of phone tapping, an official said. The chief secretary has been told to provide the details of the incident after two audio clips emerged, the official added.

The Rajasthan Police's Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) registered a case under the Prevention of Corruption Act in connection with the two clips of conversations purportedly regarding a "conspiracy" to topple Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot''s government.

The ACB Director General Alok Tripathi said it has registered an FIR on a complaint by Congress chief whip Mahesh Joshi.

The FIR mentions details of conversations of (Congress rebel MLA) Bhanwarlal Sharma with Gajendra Singh (Congress claims it is a reference to Union minister Gajendra Singh) and a third man called Sanjay Jain.

The BJP on Saturday asked if the Congress government in Rajasthan resorted to "unconstitutional" methods to tap the phones of politicians and demanded a CBI probe into what it called a "saga of illegalities and concocted lies".

BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra said senior Congress leaders, including chief minister Gehlot, have been claiming that these audio clips are authentic even though the FIR registered by police does not say so.
By Caitlin Johnstone

July 18, 2020 " Information Clearing House " - OMG you guys Putin hacked our coronavirus vaccine secrets!

Today mainstream media is reporting what is arguably the single dumbest Russiavape story of all time, against some very stiff competition.

Russian hackers are targeting health care organizations in the West in an attempt to steal coronavirus vaccine research, the U.S. and Britain said, reports The New York Times.

Hackers backed by the Russian state are trying to steal COVID-19 vaccine and treatment research from academic and pharmaceutical institutions around the world, Britains National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) said on Thursday, Reuters reports.

Russian news agency RIA cited spokesman Dmitry Peskov as saying the Kremlin rejected Londons allegations, which he said were not backed by proper evidence, adds Reuters.

To make news gathering easier, we should just always assume that Russia has tried to hack everything stored on every computer ever  emails, recipes, Atari consoles  and only report it when anonymous US & UK intel officials determine that Russia has NOT hacked something https://t.co/XfOAbNr7pJ  Aaron Mate (@aaronjmate) July 16, 2020

I mean, there are just so many layers of stupid.

First of all, how many more completely unsubstantiated government agency allegations about Russian nefariousness are we the public going to accept from the corporate mass media? Since 2016 its been wall-to-wall narrative about evil things Russia is doing to the empire-like cluster of allies loosely centralized around the United States, and they all just happen to be things nobody can actually provide the public with hard verifiable evidence of.

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Ever since the shady cybersecurity firm Crowdstrike admitted that it never actually saw hard proof of Russia hacking the DNC servers, the already shaky and always unsubstantiated narrative that Russian hackers interfered in the US presidential election in 2016 has been on thinner ice than ever. Yet because the mass media converged on this narrative and repeated it as fact over and over again theyve been able to get the mainstream headline-skimming public to accept it as an established truth, priming them for an increasingly idiotic litany of completely unsubstantiated Russia scandals, culminating most recently in the entirely debunked claim that Russia paid Taliban-linked fighters to kill coalition forces in Afghanistan.

Secondly, the news story doesnt even claim that these supposed Russian hackers even succeeded in doing whatever they were supposed to have been doing in this supposed cyberattack.

Officials have not commented on whether the attacks were successful but also have not ruled out that this is the case, Wired reports.

Thirdly, this is a vaccine which does not even exist at this point in time, and the research which was supposedly hacked may never lead to one. Meanwhile, Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University reports that it has successfully completed tests on volunteers of the worlds first vaccine against coronavirus, in Russia.

Fourthly, and perhaps most importantly, how obnoxious and idiotic is it that coronavirus vaccine secrets are a even a thing??? This is a global pandemic which is hurting all of us; scientists should be free to collaborate with other scientists anywhere in the world to find a solution to this problem. Nobody has any business keeping secrets from the world about this virus or any possible vaccine or treatment. If they do, anyone in the world is well within their rights to pry those secrets away from them.

Watch this. They're literally just saying Russians talked about already leaked documents on the internet. That's the whole entire news story. https://t.co/pZdqWC75IW  Caitlin Johnstone  (@caitoz) July 16, 2020

This intensely stupid story comes out at the same time British media are blaring stories about Russian interference in the 2019 election, which if you actually listen carefully to the claims being advanced amounts to literally nothing more than the assertion that Russians talked about already leaked documents pertaining to the UKs healthcare system on the internet.

Russian actors sought to interfere in last winters general election by amplifying an illicitly acquired NHS dossier that was seized upon by Labour during the campaign, the foreign secretary has said, reports The Guardian.

Amplifying. Thats literally all there is to this story. As we learned with the ridiculous US Russiagate narrative, Russia amplifying something in such allegations can mean anything from RT reporting on a major news story to a Twitter account from St Petersburg sharing an article from The Washington Post. Even the foreign secretarys claim itself explicitly admits that there is no evidence of a broad spectrum Russian campaign against the General Election.

The statement is so foggy and contradictory that it is almost impossible to understand it, responded Russias foreign ministry to the allegations. If its inappropriate to say something then dont say it. If you say it, produce the facts.

Jeremy Corbyn refuses to answer questions about Russian involvement in last year's general election.



Leaked government documents highlighted by Mr Corbyn during the campaign were almost certainly amplified online by Russia, the UK Government has said https://t.co/aZBxub1VzE pic.twitter.com/2cOuLC3JbU  ITV News Politics (@ITVNewsPolitics) July 16, 2020

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See also Graham releases newly declassified documents on Russia probe : FBI officials were skeptical of reports in early 2017 of contact between the Trump campaign and Russian intelligence officials.

The views expressed in this article are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Information Clearing House.
European Union leaders failed to agree on a massive stimulus fund to revive their coronavirus-hammered economies on Saturday after two days of fraught negotiations, but extended their summit for another day to try and overcome their differences.

As the 27 leaders scurried back to their hotels after a late, inconclusive dinner, German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Emmanuel Macron stayed behind in the EUs headquarters in Brussels to haggle with the Dutch-led camp of thrifty countries demanding cuts to the 1.8 trillion euro ($2.06 trillion) package.

The negotiations were heated, said Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte of Italy, one of the EU countries most affected by the coronavirus crisis that are seeking generous aid from the bloc. Europe is under the blackmail of the frugals.

We have to do all what is possible to reach a deal tomorrow. Further delays are not useful to anybody.

Summit chairman Charles Michel was due to hand new proposals before the 27 reconvene on Sunday.

With the pandemic dealing Europe its worst economic shock since World War II, leaders first locked horns on Friday over a proposed 750 billion euro ($857bn) recovery fund and a 2021-27 EU budget of more than a trillion euros ($1.14 trillion).

But a group of wealthy and fiscally frugal northern states  the Netherlands, Austria, Denmark and Sweden  blocked progress in the first face-to-face EU summit since spring lockdowns across the continent.





They favour repayable loans rather than free grants for the hard-hit indebted economies mostly on the Mediterranean rim, and they want stricter control over how the funds are spent.

Hopes for an agreement grew earlier on Saturday when Michel proposed revisions to the overall package designed to assuage the Dutch concerns.

Proposed cuts sink early deal

Under his new plan, the portion of grants in the recovery fund would be reduced to 450 billion euros ($514bn) from 500 billion euros ($571bn) and an emergency brake on disbursement would be added.

But hopes that this would be enough faded quickly as Sweden asked for grants to be cut to 155 billion euros ($177bn), according to diplomatic sources. Some pointed out the recovery scheme would risk being irrelevant at that much-reduced scale.

Conte also said a de facto veto on national applications for aid sought by The Hague was politically and legally improper and also largely unfeasible.

The budget commissioner of the blocs executive branch reminded the leaders  who wore masks and kept their distance from each other  that COVID-19 was still among them and that they needed to act.





Just a solemn reminder: the Corona crisis is not over: infections on the rise in many countries, Johannes Hahn tweeted. High time to reach an agreement which allows us to provide the urgently needed support for our citizens+economies!

Diplomats said the frugals also pressed through the day for bigger rebates for net payers into the core EU budget, among other demands.

Other countries had their own demands in negotiations criss-crossing different regional and economic priorities, putting in doubt an unprecedented act of solidarity for the EU under which the executive European Commission would borrow billions of euros on capital markets on behalf of them all.

The exact size of the EUs long-term budget and how far to use payouts as leverage for reforms  or whether to withhold money from countries that fail to live up to democratic standards  were issues unresolved as the leaders left on Saturday.
Countries including the US, South Africa and India are struggling to hold down rising rates of coronavirus as global deaths from Covid-19 surged past 600,000.

Concerns are rising that the pandemic has found fresh legs over the past few weeks, with Johns Hopkins University and the World Health Organisation (WHO) both recording daily highs in newly reported infections.

Pope Francis said that the pandemic is showing no sign of stopping and pointed to those whose suffering from the outbreak is worsened by conflicts.

While the US leads global infections, South Africa now ranks as the fifth worst-hit country in the pandemic with 350,879 cases  roughly half of all those confirmed on the African continent.

Its struggles are a sign of trouble to come for nations with even fewer healthcare resources.

India on Sunday reported a 24-hour record surge of 38,902 new cases, taking the countrys total to 1,077,618.

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Elsewhere in Asia, China confirmed 13 new cases in the northwestern city of Urumqi.

The outbreak is the latest to pop up since China largely contained the domestic spread of the virus in March.

At least 30 people have been infected and authorities are conducting universal testing in communities where cases were discovered, later to be expanded to other parts of the city and major businesses.

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South Korean authorities are also struggling to suppress an uptick in local infections, with 34 additional cases, 21 of them domestic and 13 from overseas, raising the countrys total to 13,745 with 295 deaths.

Both countries are mandating testing and enforcing two-week quarantines on all overseas arrivals.

After a one-day respite, Covid-19 cases in the Australian state of Victoria rose again, prompting a move to make masks mandatory in metropolitan Melbourne and the nearby shire of Mitchell.

Health officials on Sunday recorded 363 new cases in the past 24 hours.

Two men and a woman in their nineties died, taking the national death toll from Covid-19 to 122.

The WHO on Saturday again reported a single-day record of new infections with 259,848.

South Africa now trails the US, Brazil and India  all far more populous countries  in the number of infections, surpassing Peru, after health authorities announced 13,285 new cases.

The simple fact is that many South Africans are sitting ducks because they cannot comply with World Health Organisation protocols on improved hygiene and social distancing Foundation of Desmond and Leah Tutu

South Africas new coronavirus epicentre, Gauteng province, hosts the cities of Johannesburg and Pretoria and one quarter of the countrys population of 57 million, with many poor people living in crowded conditions in the middle of a frosty southern hemisphere winter.

The simple fact is that many South Africans are sitting ducks because they cannot comply with World Health Organisation protocols on improved hygiene and social distancing, the foundation of former South African archbishop and Nobel Peace Prize winner Desmond Tutu and his wife Leah warned in a statement.

Confirmed global deaths from or with Covid-19 rose to more than 602,000, according to data compiled by Johns Hopkins.

The United States tops the list with 140,119 deaths, followed by 78,772 in Brazil, 45,358 in the United Kingdom and 38,888 in Mexico, where a surge in cases has frustrated plans to reopen the economy.

The number of confirmed infections worldwide has passed 14.2 million, out of which 3.7 million are in the United States.

There are over two million in Brazil and more than one million in India.

Experts believe the true numbers around the world are higher because of testing shortages and data collection issues in some nations.

Infections are soaring in US states such as Florida, Texas, Arizona, fuelled by the haphazard lifting of lockdowns and the resistance of some Americans to wearing masks.

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Teams of military medics have been deployed in Texas and California to help hospitals deal with a deluge of patients who are flooding emergency rooms in parts of the US.

Some patients are being moved into hallways to make room for the most seriously ill and nurses are working extra shifts to keep up with the surge.

Patients struggling to breathe are being placed on ventilators in emergency wards since intensive care units are full, officials say.

Patients are waiting hours and hours to get admitted, said Dr Alison Haddock of the Baylor College of Medicine in the state of Texas, which reported a new daily record for virus deaths on Friday and more than 10,000 confirmed cases for the fourth consecutive day.

More than 80 infants have tested positive for the virus in the state.

Ive never seen anything like this Covid surge, said Dr Haddock, who has worked in emergency rooms since 2007.

Were doing our best, but were not an ICU.

Following a recent surge in cases, Hong Kong made the wearing of masks mandatory in all public places and told non-essential civil servants to work from home.

Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam said the situation in the Asian financial hub is really critical and that she sees no sign that it is under control.

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Police in Barcelona are limiting access to some of the citys beaches because sunbathers are ignoring regulations amid a resurgence of coronavirus.

Authorities in Amsterdam are urging people not to visit the citys famous red light district and have closed off some of the historic districts narrow streets because they are too busy.

Local governments in India continued to reimpose focused lockdowns in several parts of the country following a surge in cases.

And in Iran, the president made the startling announcement that as many as 25 million Iranians could have been infected, the state-run IRNA news agency reported.

Hassan Rouhani cited a new Health Ministry study that has not been made public.

Iran has the Middle Easts worst outbreak with more than 270,000 confirmed cases.

In Bangladesh, confirmed cases surpassed 200,000 but experts say the number is much higher as the country lacks adequate labs for testing.

Most people in rural areas have stopped wearing masks and are thronging shopping centres ahead of the Islamic festival Eid al-Adha this month.
(Natural News) Your favorite woke and socially conscious brands may be profiting off the products of slave labor, a new report has revealed.

Think tank Australian Strategic Policy Institute (ASPI), in its report titled Uyghurs For Sale, noted that big, well-known global companies and brands such as Amazon, GAP, H&M, Nike, Apple, Samsung, Sony and Victorias Secret, among others, are part of a massive supply chain that uses Uyghur Muslims as forced labor in their factories in China.

Incidentally, the majority of the mentioned brands have positioned themselves as ethical and progressive entities aligned with social justice campaigns.

In their report, ASPI noted that ethnic minorities such as Xinjiangs Uyghur Muslims, are often trafficked from their home provinces and brought to factories where they are forced to work.

Between 2017 and 2019, we estimate that at least 80,000 Uyghurs were transferred out of Xinjiang and assigned to factories through labor transfer programs under a Central government policy known as Xinjiang Aid, the Australian think tank said, adding that they were able to identify 27 factories that currently use Uyghur labor.

The factories in which these Uyghur Muslims are made to work, ASPI said, form a major chunk of the supply chain of big, global brands such as Nike. The popular shoe and sportswear brand, ASPI said, gets its shoes from Qingdao Taekwang Shoes Co. Ltd., which, as of January this year, has over 600 ethnic minority workers from Xinjiang  most of whom are Uyghur women.

Ironically, Nike released a campaign meant to uplift women just last year.

Another factory, Haoyuanpeng Clothing Manufacturing Co. Ltd., which was discovered to have strategic partnerships with global companies like the Italian-South Korean fashion label Fila, German sportswear companies Adidas and Puma, was also found to be a part of the Xinjiang Aid network and has Uyghur Muslims as part of its labor force.

Tech-related corporations were equally complicit in unethical labor practices, ASPI said, noting that O-Film Technology  a camera manufacturer that supplies tech giant Apple with parts for its world-famous line of smartphones  has Uyghur Muslims in its employ, again, as part of the Xinjiang Aid system. (Related: Theres blood on your phone: Tech giants linked to slave labor in Chinese factories.)

Apple, the ASPI report has uncovered, also has ties with Foxconn Technology, a Taiwanese company whose facilities in Zhengzhou also employ Uyghur workers.

Considered to be one of the biggest contract electronics manufacturers in the world, Foxconns Zhengzhou facility makes half of the worlds iPhones  a reputation that has since caused it to be dubbed by locals as iPhone City.

More than being a site for technological advancements, however, the companys Zhengzhou factory, has been called out by the New York-based labor organization China Labor Watch for worker exploitation, with the company making its workers  including Uyghur Muslims  put in at least 100 overtime hours in a single month.

This inhumane treatment of its workers has since led to several cases of employees committing suicide.

Apple, on its website, claims to be a donor to the Equal Justice Initiative project, a non-profit organization that aims to challenge racial injustice.

China now a hotbed of modern slavery

Chinas use of forced labor was first documented by human rights workers during the height of Deng Xiaopings wave of economic reforms.

According to a paper by Karine Leppillez of the University of Denver and the Society of Gender Professionals, Dengs reforms led to the Communist partys adoption of a doctrine called reform through labor, which promotes labor as a way to transform dissidents into people who can be of use to the state and help further its development.

In practice, however, that doctrine merely led to the creation of a vast network of prison labor camps known as Laogai across the country.

These camps, Leppillez said, have been used to suppress and indoctrinate petty criminals, political dissidents, religious adherents and others who are seen as threats to governmental and social stability.

The same thing continues to happen today, as per the Walk Free Foundations Global Slavery Index, which found that over 3.8 million people are living in conditions akin to modern slavery in China. This estimate by the foundation does not include figures on organ trafficking, however.

This correlates with the findings reported by ASPI.

In their report, ASPI noted that the current program that brings Uyghurs to the factories is disguised as the governments way to provide Uyghurs and other minorities with training and employment.

Chinas foreign ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian, in an earlier statement denouncing ASPIs findings, even noted that the workers mentioned in the report are actually graduates of the countrys vocational centers  the new, Party-approved name for the countrys network of extrajudicial re-education camps in which Uyghur detainees are made to erase all traces of their cultural heritage and religion in preparation for their integration into the rest of the Han-dominated population.

The workers in these factories are brought [to] and kept in dormitories after they finish their re-education in the camps. In their workplace, they lead a harsh and segregated life. They are forbidden to practice religion and are required to compulsorily take Mandarin lessons. Most strikingly, local governments and private brokers are paid a price per head by the Xinjiang provincial government to organise the labor assignments, the Australian think tank said.

The Trump administration, earlier this year, asked U.S. companies to exercise caution before doing business with Chinese suppliers that have been linked to human rights abuses, such as the forced labor of Uyghurs and other minorities in Xinjiang.

The advisory will make businesses aware of the potential exposure in their supply chains to entities that engage in human rights abuses in Xinjiang  or elsewhere in China, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said in a statement, and the associated reputational, economic, and legal risks of such involvement.

Sources include:

BlackListedNews.com

ASPI.org.au

News.Yahoo.com

SundayGuardianLive.com

TheDrum.com

VentureBeat.com

ChinaLaborWatch.org

CBSNews.com

Apple.com

DU.edu

GlobalSlaveryIndex.org

APNews.com

State.gov
The mother of a Tamil asylum-seeker family detained on Christmas Island has been medically evacuated to Australia, according to lawyers and friends of the family.

A series of court orders have stopped the federal government from deporting parents Priya and Nadesalingam and their Australian-born daughters, Kopika, 4, and Tharunicaa, 3, to Sri Lanka since they were moved to Christmas Island last August.

Priya and Nadesalingam and their Australian-born daughters Kopika and Tharunicaa.

The parents came to Australia separately by boat in 2012 and 2013 following Sri Lanka's civil war and established themselves in Biloela, near Gladstone. The couple claims they face persecution in Sri Lanka due to links to the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam.

Mother Priya was allowed to leave Christmas Island to travel to Perth Hospital on Saturday night in order to undergo a CT scan for "debilitating" abdominal pain, to the family's supporters.
President Donald Trump declined to say whether he will accept the results of the November election, claiming without evidence that mail-in voting due to the coronavirus pandemic could "rig" the outcome.

In a wide-ranging interview with "Fox News Sunday" host Chris Wallace, the president also continued to play down the severity of the coronavirus crisis in the country, declined to say whether he is offended by the Confederate flag and dismissed polls showing him trailing former vice president Joe Biden by a significant margin.

The interview comes as the 2020 campaign has been upended by the pandemic, which has claimed more than 137,000 lives in the United States. Most in-person events have been canceled, and both political parties are planning to hold smaller-scale conventions to limit the spread of the virus.

Several states switched to primarily vote-by-mail primaries earlier this year, and the U.S. Postal Service is bracing for an onslaught of mail-in ballots this fall as states and cities seek alternatives to in-person voting.

In the "Fox News Sunday" interview, Wallace asked Trump whether he considers himself a "gracious" loser.

Trump replied that he doesn't like to lose, then added: "It depends. I think mail-in voting is going to rig the election. I really do." Trump's comment echoed unfounded claims he has made in recent weeks that mail-in voting is susceptible to widespread fraud.

"Are you suggesting that you might not accept the results of the election?" Wallace asked.

Trump responded, "No. I have to see."

Later in the interview, pressed on whether he will accept the results of the November election, Trump again declined to say.

"I have to see," he said. "Look, you - I have to see. No, I'm not going to just say 'yes.' I'm not going to say 'no.' And I didn't last time, either."

During the final presidential debate of the 2016 campaign - which was moderated by Wallace - Trump similarly suggested that he might consider the November election results illegitimate because the process is rigged.

"I will keep you in suspense," Trump said at the time. Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton described Trump's answer as "horrifying," saying he was "talking down our democracy."

Elections officials are anticipating a high turnout in November, along with a dramatic increase in voters who choose to mail their ballots instead of risking exposure to the coronavirus at polling places.

Biden's campaign responded to Trump's remarks in a statement Sunday morning."The American people will decide this election," Biden spokesman Andrew Bates said. "And the United States government is perfectly capable of escorting trespassers out of the White House."

On "Fox News Sunday," Trump played down the recent spike in U.S. coronavirus cases, arguing that "many of those cases shouldn't even be cases."

"Many of those cases are young people that would heal in a day," he claimed. "They have the sniffles and we put it down as a test."

More than 20 states are reporting seven-day averages in coronavirus-related deaths higher than at the end of June, underscoring the turnaround since May and June, when deaths declined nationally.

Wallace pressed Trump on the issue, noting that there are currently about 6,000 cases in the entire European Union. "Is it possible that they don't have the virus as badly as we do?" he asked.

"It's possible that they don't test, that's what's possible," Trump replied. "We find cases, and many of those cases heal automatically."

The president also defended his oft-made prediction that the virus will "disappear" one day.

"I'll be right eventually," he said. "I will be right eventually. You know I said, 'It's going to disappear.' I'll say it again. ... It's going to disappear, and I'll be right."

On the issue of the Confederate flag, a symbol that for many represents the country's racist past and history of slavery, the president declined to offer his own feelings.

"It depends on who you're talking about, when you're talking about. ... When people proudly have their Confederate flags, they're not talking about racism," he said when asked whether the flag is offensive. "They love their flag. It represents the South."

Amid a nationwide debate over Confederate monuments and symbols, Trump has previously said he views the flag a matter of freedom of speech. He went further in the "Fox News Sunday" interview, appearing to equate the flying of the Confederate flag to the Black Lives Matter movement against systemic racism and police brutality.

"So you're not offended by it?" Wallace asked Trump of the flag.

"Well, I'm not offended, either, by Black Lives Matter," Trump said. "That's freedom of speech."

Amid a raft of polls showing him trailing Biden, Trump has remained defiant, and in the interview with Wallace, he again dismissed the survey results.

"I'm not losing, because those are fake polls," he said.

- - -

The Washington Post's Michelle Ye Hee Lee contributed to this report.
Mexico City: Carrying sniper weapons, the men could be mistaken for members of Mexico's beleaguered army.

However, a closer look at the video that went viral in the country on Friday reveals that they are wearing bullet-proof vests emblazoned with "CJNG" - the acronym for the New Generation Jalisco Cartel, one of the biggest and most violent of the gangs that now operates across almost all of the country.

New Generation Jalisco Cartel displays its hardware.

The camera slowly pans along the line of heavily armed men and a huge convoy of armoured vehicles.

The video, now being investigated by the authorities, is the latest show of power from the group.
Streets across Karnataka bore a deserted look on Sunday as the state observed a complete lockdown today in a bid to control the rise in coronavirus infections. The state government decided to impose a full day lockdown every Sunday from July 5 till August 2 to tackle the rising cases of Covid-19 in the state.

Karnataka is the fourth worst-affected state in the country after Maharashtra, Delhi and Tamil Nadu. It has more number of active cases than the national capital which has reported over 80 percent recovery rate. As of Sunday, as per the data released by the health ministry, Karnataka has registered over 59,000 coronavirus cases and is nearing the 60,000 mark. The death toll here stands at 1,240 while 21,775 people have recovered from the disease.

Also read: India reports record 38,902 new Covid-19 cases in one day, tally over 10.77 lakh

A major chunk of the infections come from capital city Bengaluru where nearly 30,000 people have contracted the disease.

Karnataka observes complete lockdown today. Visuals from Chennamma circle, Hubli. State govt is imposing complete lockdown every Sunday till August 2 due to #COVID19.



Weddings already fixed on Sundays&essential activities allowed during night curfew permitted on Sunday lockdown. pic.twitter.com/01yJCwodoF  ANI (@ANI) July 19, 2020

The government has said that inter-state travellers have led to the rise in infections in the state, saying those from hotspot states like Maharashtra could have brought the infection.

State minister for Medical Education K Sudhakar said there was no community transmission of the pandemic, adding if it were to be the case, the number of infections would be running into lakhs.

As you know, Bengaluru is a cosmopolitan city. So from every nook and corner people came here. When they came they were not mindful of what they were supposed to do (health precautions, apparently) and they spread the infection, he told news agency PTI.

I am not washing away the governments role. The government can do every bit to contain, to treat them, but citizens should cooperate. Society should actively come forward in controlling this pandemic, he pointed out.

(With inputs from PTI)
By Jan Strupczewski and John Chalmers

BRUSSELS (Reuters) - European Union leaders appeared close to agreement on a massive stimulus plan for their coronavirus-blighted economies late on Monday after the chairman of their fractious four-day summit presented a new proposal to bridge gaps between them.

EU Council President Charles Michel said he was confident the compromises he offered the 27 leaders would clinch a deal on the 750 billion euro recovery fund that many say is critical to dispel doubts about the bloc's very future.

"I know that the last steps are always the most difficult but ... I am convinced that an agreement is possible," he said.

The EU was slow to coordinate its initial response to the COVID-19 pandemic and, already weakened by Britain's departure from the bloc, it needs the deal on economic aid to demonstrate publicly that it can step up to a crisis and stay united.

"It has been a long summit and a challenging summit but the prize is worth negotiating for," Irish Prime Minister Micheal Martin said as the Brussels summit dragged into its fourth day - approaching the record length set at a 2000 meeting in the French city of Nice.

European nations have done a better job of containing the coronavirus than the United States after a devastating early few months that hit Italy and Spain particularly hard, collaborating on medical, travel and economic fronts.

The European Central Bank has pumped unparalleled money into economies to keep them going, while capitals hammer out their recovery fund.

Diplomats said the leaders appeared to have put aside the rancour that stood in the way of a compromise over hours of haggling through the weekend, and one said they were "on the home stretch".

'STINGY AND EGOTISTIC'

Emotions ran high at a dinner on Sunday as a group of fiscally frugal northern nations led by the Netherlands stood their ground on the level of free grants within a proposed special recovery fund of 750 billion euros overall.

Story continues

French President Emmanuel Macron lost patience in the early hours of Monday, banging his fist on the table in frustration at "sterile blockages" by the "frugals", two diplomats said.

Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki also railed against the "frugals", branding them "a group of stingy, egotistic states" that looked at things through the prism of their own interests.

Poland would be a top beneficiary of the recovery package, receiving tens of billions of euros in grants and cheap loans, along with high-debt Mediterranean-rim countries that have taken the brunt of the pandemic in Europe.

Despite the continued rhetorical skirmishing on Monday, diplomats from across the bloc sounded optimistic that an accord on the stimulus package and, linked to it, the EU's 2021-2027 common budget of around 1.1 trillion euros, were at hand.

Hopes for a deal to help address Europe's deepest recession since World War Two sent Italy's borrowing costs to their lowest since early March and pushed the euro to a 19-week high.

Michel proposed that within the 750 billion euro recovery fund, 390 billion should be non-repayable grants, down from 500 billion originally proposed, and the rest in repayable loans.

The Netherlands had pushed for a veto on aid for countries that backslide on economic reform, but diplomats said it was now willing to back a "stop-the-clock" mechanism by which member states could put a brake on disbursements for three months and have them reviewed.

Disbursements will also be linked to governments observing the rule of law. Hungary, backed by eurosceptic ally Poland, had threatened to veto the package if funds were made conditional on upholding democracy, but diplomats said a way forward on that had now been found.

($1 = 0.8728 euros)

(Reporting by Jan Strupczewski and John Chalmers; Additional reporting by Roboin Emmott, Kate Abnett and Yun Chee Foo in Brussels, and by Reuters bureaus across Europe; Writing by John Chalmers; Editing by Hugh Lawson and Peter Cooney)
File image

As the Ashok Gehlot government struggles to retain power in Rajasthan, the Bhartiya Tribal Party says it is now in a position to punch way above its weight despite its miniscule presence in the state assembly.

We have two MLAs in a House of 200, yet we are in the position of kingmakers, party president Maheshbhai C Vasava told PTI on Sunday.

At a joint press conference with the Congress on Saturday, BTP legislators Rajkumar Roat and Ramprasad Dindor made it clear that they are with Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot.

This ended days of uncertainty over where the Gujarat-based party's loyalties lie.

The two MLAs supported the ruling Congress in the state in last month's Rajya Sabha polls. But when the power tussle between Gehlot and his now sacked deputy Sachin Pilot re-surfaced recently, the BTP said it will remain neutral.

Vasava said the party is now extending support to Gehlot after an assurance that its demands related to the development of tribal areas will be met.

We have fought against the Congress and the BJP on tribal issues but if the government now assures full support on the issues raised by us, why shouldn't we support it? After all it is fulfilling the agenda of tribal welfare and development, he said.

When the crisis began last week, Vasava issued a whip directing both Roat and Dindor not to support any leader or party in case there is a floor test in the assembly.

However, Sagwara MLA Ramprasad Dindor expressed defiance of the whip, saying both of them will support the state government.

Later, party office-bearers and the MLAs held discussions with the chief minister on their demands.

We had supported the Congress government in the Rajya Sabha elections last month after an assurance by the chief minister on our demands, Chorasi MLA Roat said.

But the demands were not fulfilled. Some of them could have been met in just one day, he complained.

The party then thought of not extending support to him, the MLA said.

Last week, Roat appeared in two video clips, alleging that he was being stopped by Rajasthan police from travelling to his constituency in Dungarpur district.

He claimed that police personnel had come in two vans and taken away his car keys. He also alleged that some people were forcing him to come with them.

The videos were circulated by the Sachin Pilot camp and the BJP had questioned the state government over them.

But Raut later dismissed the episode as a misunderstanding with police. He said the party's agenda is development of tribal areas and they have raised 17 demands before the CM.

Some of the demands are related to reservation in jobs and the utilisation of funds for tribal areas.

The BTP came into being in 2017 in Gujarat, and expanded into Rajasthan the next year.

In the December 2018 assembly elections, it fielded 11 candidates in the tribal belt in southern Rajasthan. Raot was 26 when he won and most other candidates too were young.

The youth are our power. Today's youth is educated, understands issues and understands how the tribal people were deprived of their rights. We fielded many young candidates and the party's performance was very good, BTP state president Velaram Ghoghra said.

The crisis in Rajasthan Congress has been brewing since the party picked Gehlot over Pilot for the chief minister's post. Pilot was sacked as deputy chief minister and the party's state unit president when he and 18 other MLAs stayed away from two Congress Legislature Party meetings.

The rebel MLAs were served notices by Speaker C P Joshi after the Congress sought their disqualification from the assembly. The Rajasthan High Court will on Monday resume hearing their petition challenging the notices.

Including the dissidents, the Congress has 107 MLAs in the 200-member assembly and the BJP 72.

If the 19 Congress dissidents are disqualified, the current strength of the state assembly will reduce to 181, slashing the half-way mark to 91 and making it easier for Gehlot to retain majority support.

In the past, the ruling party has claimed the support of 13 independents, two MLAs each from the CPM and the BTP), and one from the Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD).
CLEVELAND HEIGHTS, Ohio -- Officials continue putting together a proposal they hope will alleviate some of the rate shock associated with the federal consent decree aimed at bringing the citys antiquated sewers into compliance with the Clean Water Act.

What the city and its ratepayers may have working in their favor is a rather "uncommon phased approach" sanctioned at least for now through the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

But at this point the potential cost figures are what City Manager Tanisha Briley described as "some of the scariest numbers I've ever seen," to the tune of more than a half-billion dollars, broken down into three tiers of projects.

Likely first up on the slate of projects would be correcting more than half of the 40 sanitary sewer overflows or "SSO's" in the city that can discharge raw sewage into tributaries of Lake Erie, as well as cause backups that flood basements with as little provocation as a "five-year rainfall," as opposed to a 50- or 100-year storm.

While the initial pricetag for this "Tier 1" fix is preliminarily set at $50 million, consultant Kevin Vander Tuig estimates that 30 percent -- about $15 million -- is still earmarked as "contingency" funding.

"We want to extend the program out with an affordability analysis, and that's going to bring the cost down," as he expects actual project implementation will do as well, Vander Tuig told City Council's Municipal Services Committee on July 13.

The projected big ticket item would be "Tier 2," calling for the remediation of the city's "over-under" sewers, that is, those that were dug in a common trench, probably to save money because of the shallow rock underground in northeast Ohio.

With 87 percent of Cleveland Heights' sewers dug in common trenches and 33 percent "over-under" -- the storm sewer generally on top of sanitary line -- that projected cost is set at $440 million.

As the sometimes century-old systems age, they tend to leak more, so that heavier rainfall sends stormwater rushing into the sanitary sewers with the mix winding up in basements.

One possible solution might be to dedicate the existing common trenches to sanitary flow and build new stormwater systems, noted Vander Tuig, the senior project manager for Wade Trim, which received a $2.1 million contract extension from the city in 2018 to help oversee the early phases of the consent decree.

There is also a "Tier 3," which would include work beyond the "over-under SSO's" but still subject to flooding, at a possible cost of $130 million.

Keeping costs, rates affordable

Attorney Lou McMahon recommends proposing nothing more than a 5-to-10 year solution with another affordability analysis after that, as opposed to a "sweeping" 30-year plan for the system.

"The city has to be nimble," McMahon said. "If there's a street renewal project, a housing repair or utility work, take advantage of the opportunity to fix the sewers and get a 'two-for-one.'"

Public Works Director Collette Clinkscale thinks some of the proposed work in the $620 million layout may be "overkill," with the city considering a questionnaire for residents to check actual performance and whether their basements are prone to flooding.

Briley arrived in Cleveland Heights in 2013. Entering into the partial federal consent decree in 2017, the city froughly quadrupled its sewer rates from the previous average of $7 a month in order to provide $12 million in the early going to study the required sewer overhaul.

So far about 75 percent of the city's 117 miles of sewers have been cleaned and "televised," and an overall study of "capacity, monitoring, operations and maintenance (CMOM)" is 90 percent complete.

Due to the EPA by June 1, 2021 is the development of an integrated overflow control master plan. Briley was expected to get permission from council this week (July 20) to seek requests for proposals (RFPs) from financial experts to put together a package to submit to the EPA.

Councilman Mike Ungar called the numbers "horrifying -- even more so in a post-COVID world. This city isn't reeling in wealth these days."

Noting that compliance with the Clean Water Act is "not optional; it's mandatory," Ungar asked "how sensitive are federal regulators to the new economic realities being visited upon all communities that are hard hit, and egregiously so? The timing of this is regrettable and challenging."

A little history

After the EPA issued administrative orders in 2007 and 2012, officials there started pursuing vigorous enforcement in 2015, having determined that the city's progress was "not fulsome or robust, to be kind," McMahon said.

The perceived complacency led to a punitive consent decree from the EPA through the U.S. Department of Justice, although it took an uncommon phased approach, McMahon noted.

"This is a unique sewer system in northeast Ohio," particularly with the inner-ring suburbs," McMahon said. "We cannot take any solutions right off of a shelf, and it's taken a long time for the EPA to recognize that. It's a hopeful thing as we go into Phase Two negotiations."

Among the first fixtures to arrive at the Top of the Hill construction site have been large culverts and other pieces of stormwater management infrastructure.

Ungar asked if there was any possibility of piggybacking or capitalizing on the tunneling effort by the Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District for the Doan Brook and Euclid Creek watersheds, the former just down the hill in University Circle.

But the massive Doan Valley Storage Tunnel Project and others are being built to store runoff from "combined sewer overflows (CSO's)," part of NEORSD's own $3 billion consent decree with the EPA, known as Project Clean Lake.

Cleveland Heights' sewer system is supposed to be tied into the Heights-Hillcrest area interceptor and that remains the plan going forward.

Councilwoman Mary Dunbar, who chairs the Municipal Services Committee, asked about work that was done along Fairfax Road that included a trench measuring several feet, as well as a deep tunnel along Coventry Road.

Vander Tuig said that was part of work done by NEORSD from around the late 1970s to the mid-1990s that "did a lot of good in alleviating basement flooding and some of the problems caused by SSO's."

More recently was a project along Fairmount Boulevard to eliminate sewer overflows in recent years, as well as the $1.34 million "Delamere Drive Basement Flooding Relief Project" currently being undertaken with a grant through the NEORSD.

Also working in the city's favor is the Water Infrastructure Improvement Act passed by Congress last year that allows cities under consent decrees to argue affordability to federal regulators as they make improvements to their systems.

"The city now needs to put forward a defensible plan that protects taxpayers from rate shock and undue burden," McMahon said.

Briley said the presentation was meant to bring new committee and council members "up to speed on our journey through the sewer consent decree and a very big project and process."

She also thanked McMahon and Vander Tuig for their ongoing work to keep the potential costs of the massive project in line.

"I'm not sure if we have the cardiac capacity to deal with something worse at this point," Briley added.

Read more from the Sun Press.
Long before George Floyd, Penn State University Brandywine associate professor Dr. Marinda Kathryn Harrell-Levy had been deeply entrenched in the work of affirming Black lives, in particular women.

And even as she and five colleagues have been creating safe spaces for younger Black and Latina women, they have decided to host a two-day open conversation called Breaking Bread & Breaking Barriers, an open call to the community for any wanting to learn more about the perspective of people of color.

Part of what this country is hungry for is productive conversation that is honest but not aggressive, that is open and healing but doesnt necessarily burden people of color, Harrell-Levy said. When people of color can have these conversations on their own terms, it is very helpful.

So, she and her colleagues with more than 60 years of collective experience in higher education decided to create this two-day Zoom conversation to have a space where such discussion can take place.

Yet, this is not their first foray into racial healing work.

What began as this group of Black and Latina women backing each other as they progressed through their academic careers evolved into Sistas of the Pride, a no-cost empowerment group.

We started somewhat as a support group for each other, the Pen State adolescent researcher and trauma educator said, adding that they were all passionate about these issues so they talked about challenges, racism, sexism and reaching the youth.

Harrell-Levy said that evolved into a way to work with youth, as they collectively agreed, Lets work together. Lets work together and see what we can do.

From that, Sisters Caring, Reconciling, Empowering and Mentoring, or S.C.R.E.A.M. LSL (Like Someone is Listening) emerged about a year ago.

This is a healing group where young Latina and Black women from high school through graduate school meet with the Sistas of the Pride as they assist them in preparing for success in their path. They meet once a month, virtually now.

Harrell-Levy said the Sistas prepare these young women for the event they may experience institutional racism or sexism, even if they are never victims of it. While the Sistas are not de facto therapists or college advisors and clearly explain that, participants in these groups are equipped with tools as they move ahead.

Its a free service, Harrell-Levy said. We are literally doing this out of our compassion and concern.

She explained that this affinity group, which is kept intentionally small, allows participants to be free of judgement and they are allowed to act in any way. It is, she emphasized, a safe space.

Last week, the group discussed graduate school preparation as anxiety associated with that was addressed, as was whether it was the right path for every attendant.

It provided them space for people whove already traveled this journey, the associate professor explained.

Harrell-Levy talked about the title: S.C.R.E.A.M. Like Someone is Listening.

We needed a way to organize ourselves and the conversations we were having, she said. It was important to give People of Color permission to scream, to reclaim their voices and to be able to take agency over their lives  Youre screaming because you think no one is listening.

That also comes from her own experience as a trauma educator with an expertise in youth.

Im also focused on helping people getting a better look from my lens, Harrell-Levy shared.

That perspective was among the catalysts that led to the creation of Breaking Bread & Breaking Barriers.

She explained that Trayvon Martins death in 2012 had impact.

The country was so upset, Harrell-Levy said. He was a child, he was in his fathers neighborhood. He was treated like he was a foreigner in his own country. To be so visible and so invisible at the same time, his youth and his innocence and the fact that nothing happened.

Then, more recently where was a cluster of deaths of Ahmaud Arbery, Brionna Taylor and George Floyd.

When this series of events began, the country said, Enough is enough,' Harrell-Levy said.

Part of what happened as a result, she said was that compassionate people feel like theyre late to a party, but they dont even know what to wear. Even my friends who had thought of themselves as allies have to assess what that needs to be. Its one thing to be an ally but am I actually anti-racist? I realize that I have been complicit in racism because I have stood by knowing what was happening was unjust and unfair.

That, Harrell-Levy said, is a whole other level of accountability, and part of the Breaking Bread & Breaking Barriers is to begin having needed discussions.

One of our motivations was actually protecting People of Color, she said.

For example, Harrell-Levy explained that many workplaces will have discussions or workshops on race and in those situations, the three or four Black or Latinx employees then by default, become responsible for educating everybody else.

That person is highly unlikely to be honest, she said, explaining that the power dynamics of that situation is not balanced or safe. Theyll commend you in the moment and sabotage you later. The lack of balance and representation makes it very hard for people to have accurate conversations.

And, she explained, for people of color, this is not just a talk.

The activism is about your own life, she said. Its activism about my own worth and dignity. Its hard, its laborious.

The organizers of Breaking Bread & Breaking Barriers envisioned that the two-day conversation are targeted for individuals who are interested in better allyship; a person of color looking for productive conversations without being required to take the lead or risk exposure; a representative of an organization working to create more inclusive spaces; a member of a community struggling to respond to racial incidents; a youth advocate or educator who wants to be more attuned to the needs of Black and Latinx youth; and people who care about the trajectory of the United States and who want to be a part of conversations that lead to change.

She said the conversation welcomes all.

Its not an Us v. Them, she said. I believe in change.

She spoke of Malcolm Xs path, how he went from absolute hate of white people  to more nuance. He lived in an age when people were allowed to change. Sometimes, in 2020, we dont.

Harrell-Levy said Breaking Bread & Breaking Barriers is an open forum, but that respect is central to the discussion.

I want to invite people to the table that says, There is space for you here. Theres not space for your racism but theres space for our interpretations of racism,' she said.

She expressed the intention that it is meant as a sincere step for what do we do next.

We hope that there are enough people out there who want to do more than just march, they want to grow, Harrell-Levy said.

Breaking Bread & Breaking Barriers will be held from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Aug. 4 and 5. Attendance is a donation of pay what you wish and registration is through SCREAMLSL.com/events.
FREDERICK, Md. - They say they've been stalked, stopped and harassed by police officers.

And when they tried to tell their stories - the way these stories are now being told across the nation - they were yelled at, waved away and belittled in a fist-pumping, flag-waving show of aggression.

"Go get a job!" yelled a woman flicking two small American flags at a group of protesters in this charming downtown of outdoor cafes and flower boxes, the way you might shoo away an animal. "Go back to where you came from!"

There were chants of "Black lives matter!" in downtown Frederick on Monday night. But this group of protesters also said "Brown lives matter!" and that distinction triggered the ongoing, nasty immigration debate that has festered in this place for years.

Frederick is a town of about 72,000 with a restaurant scene banging enough to draw Washingtonians from 50 miles away. And it has a sheriff who has been loudly and gleefully catching and jailing immigrants for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement for years under the 287(g) program - a controversial agreement that the federal agency can make with municipalities across the nation to deputize local cops with ICE powers.

Long problematic for the racial profiling it encouraged and the federal cash that local departments ka-chinged when they detained suspects, the 287(g) program was coming to a close after more than a decade in use until President Donald Trump revived it. Since 2017, 287(g) agreements mushroomed in red jurisdictions across the nation. Prince William County in Virginia, which several months ago saw a Trump protege leave as chair of the Board of Supervisors, ended its involvement with the program a few weeks ago.

There have been plenty of lawsuits over the way Sheriff Chuck Jenkins, a Republican, uses the program to allegedly profile and target the Latino population of Frederick, and a county audit scrutinizing the program's costs is due this week.

Just last month, Frederick County settled the decade-old case of Roxana Orellana Santos, who was arrested by sheriff's deputies while on her lunch break. Essentially, she was lunching while Latina.

The ACLU is currently working on the case of grandmother and 13-year Frederick resident Sara Medrano, who was pulled over for an allegedly malfunctioning taillight that turned out to be working just fine after deputies found all her papers in order. So, driving while Latina.

And I spoke with Josefina Romero, 27, who said she was recently followed by a sheriff's deputy for seven miles on her way home from her restaurant job until he finally pulled her over for not stopping at a stop sign. She said she stopped properly at the sign and then pulled out her perfectly legal Maryland driver's license. "I have my papers," she said. Again, driving while Latina.

Sound familiar?

These cases echo the dangerous and too-often deadly traffic stops that the black community has endured and fought for years.

African Americans are killed by police at the highest rate in the nation - 31 out of every million black people are killed by a cop. The Washington Post's database shows police kill 23 of every million Hispanics. The rate is 13 for every million whites.

The protests following George Floyd's death spawned demonstrations in Texas and California by Latino communities joining in solidarity - and familiarity.

And that happened Monday night in Frederick, a majority-white town with a population that's 18% black and 17% Hispanic.

Protesters intended to stand on the steps of Winchester Hall, the county government building, and read the testimonies of Hispanic and black residents who have been profiled by police.

But the building was blocked off by the flag-waving counterprotesters who thwarted the group with their signs, their insults and, in at least one case, their spittle.

"I'm tired of having to turn away when these people are yelling, screaming and spitting in our faces," Blair Hudnall, 19, said.

Hudnall is black and came to the march to stand in solidarity with the Latina women who said they've been profiled, just like her.

"A lot of us standing right here know what it feels like to be discriminated against," Hudnall told the crowd, who had regrouped in front of a boutique furniture store as the counterprotesters sang "The Star-Spangled Banner." "Today is the end of that. They want to see us divided, but today we stand united. Our lives have always mattered."

Then Romero spoke up, telling her story of always fearing that she would be detained and separated from her three children, even though she left El Salvador as a small child and is in the United States legally. Her husband was deported last year after being stopped by a sheriff's deputy.

The stops made by deputies emboldened with ICE superpowers are not that fruitful.

"Eighty percent of the people that have been processed through the 287(g) program were detained for nonviolent and minor offenses," said Juliana Downey, coordinator for RISE, the Resources for Immigrant Support and Empowerment Coalition of Western Maryland, and one of the protest organizers.

Sixty percent of those people got nothing more than minor traffic violations, Downey said.

So much for all the violent crime the program's stopping.

As the all-white counterprotesters grew louder and angrier behind a line of stone-faced police officers, a woman tried to pull the black and Latino protesters away.

"They're not worth it," Dajah Gee, 21, said. "We're not here to argue with them, we're here for black and brown lives."

Gee spoke with me as the crowd broke away from the chaos and walked through the swank restaurant district filled with outdoor cafes and surprised diners.

"I'm just standing with my brown brothers and sisters," said Gee, who is black. "We're all tired of being dehumanized."

And as they walked past diners eating Mexican food beneath colorful market umbrellas, they chanted.

"Black lives matter! Brown lives matter!"

And they left a thick stack of the stories and pleas they didn't get to read on the steps. Stories of being stopped, of being afraid.

Giovanni Zevallos simply wanted to say "Gracias" - thank you.

Dilicia Rosabell Fuentes said "Necesitamos ayuda" - we need help.

Josefina Romero didn't use that chance to tell government officials about being stalked and stopped. Instead, she left them with this: "We are USA."
Will there be a war between China and the US?

Global Times

By Hu Xijin Source: Global Times Published: 2020/7/18 12:08:57

Toward the end of my dialogue with Qiu Zhenhai, a Phoenix TV commentator, Friday night, in a video chat about the current US crackdown on China, a netizen asked: Will there be a war between China and the US?

Here's my answer:

First, as the strategic mutual trust between China and the US has almost evaporated and the US has strengthened its military presence in China's close neighborhood, the risk of accidental military frictions between China and the US has increased compared with the past. Moreover, when and if such friction occurs, it will be more politically difficult to keep it under control through peaceful means or to stop it from simmering beyond peaceful intentions.

Second, neither China nor the US wants a military conflict with the other side. Although both militaries are preparing for the worst-case scenario, neither wants a military showdown. There is therefore room for both sides to manage risks and avoid a military crisis.

Third, China is peace-loving in nature. We have no ambition to establish hegemony and replace the US. We will not go further in the Pacific or the Indian Ocean to challenge US interests. China has a profound historical conclusion that a belligerent state will eventually perish. China is a cautious major country.

Fourth, China has a very restrained definition of its core interests, all of which are as close as just on its doorstep. But if China, as a great power, is still subjected to serious military provocation, we have nothing to think about except for taking the challenge. China will take the call and will surely defeat the US on our doorstep. When it comes to our ability to mobilize people and resources to safeguard China's core interests, when it comes to the will to fight to the end, Washington can hardly compare with Beijing, and Washington knows this better than we do.

Even though I don't know what the lowest ebb in US-China relations might be, I know China has a clear principle that makes hegemons like the US cautious when making moves around China. Of course, I hope that China and the US can manage all accidents well.

The author is editor-in-chief of the Global Times. opinion@globaltimes.com.cn

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(Natural News) We have now confirmed that the FAA has declared NOTAM flight restrictions at the Battle Ground Vortac (BTG) near Portland, Oregon, described as, Temporary flight restrictions for Special Security Reasons.

Under NOTAM (Note to Airmen) number FDC 0/1203, published by the FAA at this link, the FAA warns that, No pilots may operate an aircraft in the areas covered by this NOTAM (except as described).

The notice describes the exceptions to the flight restrictions as involving, active national defense, homeland security or disaster response missions.

Radical left-wing terrorist groups  such as Black Lives Matter and Antifa  continue to operate in the area, firing explosives at government buildings and assaulting federal law enforcement officers, all while Mayor Ted Wheeler is now fully siding with the terrorists. The entire U.S. media has been ordered by the CIA into a nationwide news blackout of the real events there, so that left-wing media can continue to falsely describe the Black Lives Matter terrorist group as a peaceful operation.

The FAA notice further warns that pilots operating aircraft within the restricted airspace may have their aircraft seized or destroyed. The notice refers to the Battle Ground Vortac in Southern Washington, which is a navigation beacon system for pilots. See full details at PilotNav.com.

The FAA notice seems to indicate that unmanned aircraft may pose a security threat to government buildings or personnel. The altitude described in the order is from zero to 1000 feet, which is the very low altitude where buildings are located.

From the notice: (emphasis added)

A. UAS OPERATIONS MAY BE AUTHORIZED WITHIN THE DEFINED SSI AIRSPACE IF IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE REQUIREMENTS LISTED BELOW: 1) AN APPROVED SPECIAL GOVERNMENTAL INTEREST (SGI) AIRSPACE WAIVER HAS BEEN GRANTED FOR OPERATIONS IN DIRECT SUPPORT OF AN ACTIVE NATIONAL DEFENSE, HOMELAND SECURITY, LAW ENFORCEMENT, FIREFIGHTING, SEARCH AND RESCUE, OR DISASTER RESPONSE MISSION; AND, 2) UAS OPERATORS IN SUPPORT OF EVENT OPERATIONS, WITH A SGI AIRSPACE WAIVER. 3) ANY APPROVED UAS FLIGHT OPERATIONS MUST COMPLY WITH ALL OTHER APPLICABLE FEDERAL AVIATION REGULATIONS.

B. UAS OPERATORS WHO DO NOT COMPLY WITH APPLICABLE AIRSPACE RESTRICTIONS ARE WARNED THAT PURSUANT TO 10 U.S.C. SECTION 130I AND 6 U.S.C. SECTION 124N, THE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE (DOD), THE DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY (DHS) OR THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE (DOJ) MAY TAKE SECURITY ACTION THAT RESULTS IN THE INTERFERENCE, DISRUPTION, SEIZURE, DAMAGING, OR DESTRUCTION OF UNMANNED AIRCRAFT DEEMED TO POSE A CREDIBLE SAFETY OR SECURITY THREAT TO PROTECTED PERSONNEL, FACILITIES, OR ASSETS.

The restrictions are in place through August 16, 2020. See full details at this FAA link.

Heres a closer look at the map:

This air restriction declaration by the FAA may indicate that the U.S. government is planning imminent action against the armed, illegal insurrection in Portland which is being aided by Portlands treasonous Mayor Wheeler, who obviously should be arrested and charged with treason (along with the Mayor of Seattle).

It also indicates that Americas civil war is rapidly moving into the kinetic phase, with armed left-wing forces now confirmed to be receiving support and, in some cases, funding from 269 U.S. corporations, some of which is being used to purchase full-auto military weapons upgrades (and silencers) that are confirmed by U.S. Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) to be smuggled into at least three U.S. cities.

We now have an actual civil war breaking out in America, where corporations like McDonalds, Google, Nike and Netflix are supporting militant terrorist insurrection groups, while the treasonous corporate-controlled media is pretending the terrorists are all peaceful. Meanwhile, the entire GOP is doing nothing, largely out of fear of being called racists if they demand enforcing the rule of law on Americas streets.

Heres a video of the peaceful rioters barricading federal agents inside a building, which they no doubt plan to set on fire in future attacks:

50th night of riots in Portland. https://t.co/9MOBSpCjZ0  Cassandra Fairbanks (@CassandraRules) July 18, 2020

Read CivilWar.news for more daily coverage.
As soon as the statement of U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo was released, the U.S. Position on Maritime Claims in the South China Sea triggered a sensation among the countries surrounding the sea and beyond.



The statement, clearly signifying that the United States had chosen its side regarding rival claims, is nothing more than biased stance on China's legitimate maritime claims in the South China Sea.

It claims to share with the rest of world a "common interest" in the South China Sea. However, given that the United States lies well outside the region, this statement sounds somewhat bizarre to those inside.

After all, it is difficult for a country outside the region to understand the history of the people-to-people exchange underway for many centuries in the South China Sea, and their shared values even in the face of competing interests.

One immediately recalls the 19th Century Monroe Doctrine in which the U.S. warned off European powers seeking to challenge its paramount position in determining affairs in the Americas.

The present U.S. position on the South China Sea is allegedly based on international law, i.e., the United Nations Convention on the Law of Sea (UNCLOS). It is interesting to note that the United States is not a signatory to this document.

Therefore, it's somewhat baffling to find a non-contracting state trying to convince those who have signed up to accept its position based on its outsider's interpretation of the convention.

It becomes even more curious when one realizes that the United States for ages had been sticking to a policy of neutrality on competing claims in the South China Sea, which seems to suggest it was up to the countries directly involved to sort out their competing claims. That stance suddenly seems to have been abandoned.

Again, the timing of this political move is also quite intriguing. The statement was not made at the very beginning when the claims of the coastal countries in the South China Sea became known to the outside world. It was even not made at the time an internal arbitration tribunal rejected China's claim.

Instead, it was made when the tension has accumulated to its height in the South China Sea for the routine yet often highlighted patrol in the waters by the U.S. Navy.

If one is curious enough to probe more deeply into this statement, then one finds it is basically blind to the history of the South China Sea, and based merely on selective interpretation of the UNCLOS, as a means to achieve American geopolitical goal against China.

Firstly, China's maritime claim is based on historical evidence. There is no need to go back to ancient times when Chinese people harnessed the riches of the South China Sea for living and Chinese officials exercised clear jurisdiction over the region.

It will suffice to mention how the Chinese government, in the immediate aftermath of the Second World War, re-claimed and resumed control over the various islands and islets in the South China Sea, and how the famous dash lines denoting maritime territorial boundaries were drawn up without opposition of any country, if not, indeed, with the actual encouragement by the United States  it was the U.S. that provided the military vessels patrolling the South China Sea in those early days.

Secondly, compared with the long history of Chinese activities in the South China Sea, the UNCLOS emerged as a result of the recent endeavor to institutionalize the law of the sea. As a general principle of international law, it should be interpreted in good faith.

Unfortunately, the South China Sea arbitration tribunal totally disregard these elements in the face of disputed jurisdictional claims. For this reason, among other things, the award has been boycotted by the Chinese government.

With or without the arbitration award, a due account of history does no harm to the furtherance of the principle. The U.S. position statement is a full-throated endorsement of the controversial award without looking into the true merits of the UNCLOS rules vis-a-vis the specific history of the South China Sea.

Thirdly, the betrayal of the American longstanding neutral position is naturally viewed as an attempt to sow discord between China and other littoral countries, and a political move with geopolitical implications.

As a matter of fact, China and ASEAN countries (including those abutting the relevant waters) are in the process of negotiating a Code of Conduct of the Parties in the South China Sea (COC), which can be viewed as a body of special rules for the region to supplement the international law of the sea. Needless to say, the COC is expected to further promote peaceful cooperation among China and other littoral countries in the South China Sea, but the U.S. position statement will serve no role other than a discouraging one to early conclusion of the COC.

Moreover, it is no secret that the United States views the South China Sea issue as a lever to contain China. Its position statement is conveniently used as a tool, which also lends "legitimacy to its ever-increasing regional military presence.

To conclude, the American statement on the maritime claims regarding the South China Sea does not help countries in the region to manage their competing claims and promote stability of the region.

It not only portends more worrying external interference in the region e.g., in the form of military operations, but also unwisely misleads other littoral countries in the South China Sea to distrust and even antagonize a neighboring giant country.

Professor Kong Qingjiang is dean of the School of International Law, China University of Political Science and Law.

Opinion articles reflect the views of their authors only, not necessarily those of China.org.cn.

If you would like to contribute, please contact us at opinion@china.org.cn.
In the church where I grew up, in the front of the room, right below the pulpit was a table with the words Do this in remembrance of me inscribed. I distinctly remember this and have seen it written out in some form in many churches since then. Why do these words hold such a prominent position in our faith?

Remembrance is an important aspect of Christianity. As believers we are encouraged and strengthened by remembering the faith and deeds of those who have gone before us. We remember that ours is an ancient faith, we remember the promises of Gods word, and as we do so our confidence is built in trusting God and living in his truth.

There are several places in Scripture where we are encouraged to remember, but the commandment from Jesus spoken on the night he was betrayed stands out from the rest. There is a deep and vibrant meaning to this instruction, and this remembrance continues to be a cornerstone of our faith.

The Origin of Remembrance and Its Fulfillment

And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me. In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you (Luke 22:19-20).

Events in the Old Testament often serve the dual purpose of fulfilling Gods promises to his people in the moment, while also providing a view of what is to come. This occurrence is one of the most obvious of these, as Jesus fulfills the meaning of Passover.

This verse takes place within the context of the Last Supper Jesus had with his disciples. This meal was a part of the Jewish festival of Passover, which had been observed annually since Moses led the people of Israel out of Egypt. The original Passover was a miraculous occurrence, and the pivotal event in the formation of Gods people as a nation. After having been enslaved in Egypt for centuries, this represented the night that their tormentors were punished and the Israelites were freed from slavery according to Gods promise of restoration. The account from Exodus 12:12-14 describes what happened:

On that same night I will pass through Egypt and strike down every firstborn of both people and animals, and I will bring judgment on all the gods of Egypt. I am the Lord. The blood will be a sign for you on the houses where you are, and when I see the blood, I will pass over you. No destructive plague will touch you when I strike Egypt. This is a day you are to commemorate; for the generations to come you shall celebrate it as a festival to the Lorda lasting ordinance.

The Jewish people had observed this meal every year in order to remember Gods fulfillment of his promise. Every year they reenacted the preparation of fleeing Egypt, and being prepared for whatever came next. Jesus takes this concept to its completion as he reveals that he is the true fulfillment of the Passover.

Here we see Jesus commemorating, observing, and remembering what God has done while simultaneously revealing what God is doing and will do. Just as the blood of the lamb covered the doorposts, the blood of Jesus covers our sins. The disciples would certainly observe this meal again, as would the entire nation of Israel and the church to come, but Jesus is now adding a deeper meaning to it. As we remember freedom from physical slavery, we also remember the sacrifice of Jesus that frees us from spiritual slavery.





Photo credit: Getty Images/IngridHS

Is Luke the Only Gospel That Includes This Phrase?

For such an important command spoken by Jesus, we might imagine that it would be recorded in all four Gospels. Yet, this is not the case, and the phrase Do this in remembrance of me is only found in Lukes Gospel. Does this give it less significance? Not at all!

It is clear from Pauls writings later on that this phrase was well known and well understood within the church. Paul repeats it verbatim in 1 Corinthians 11:23-26:

For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me. In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me. For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lords death until he comes.

It is clear that these words of Jesus held significant importance and were cemented into the hearts and minds of the early Church.

How Can Christians Practice This Command Today?

The most obvious way we can practice this command is through doing what the Church has done for centuries: observing communion together regularly, prayerfully and thoughtfully considering together what the Lord has done for us.

In John 6:56, Jesus says something strange that makes no sense out of context: Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me, and I in them. In that moment, these words caused many to turn away from him, but we can now clearly see what he was referring to; the fulfillment of the Passover meal in his life, sacrifice and resurrection. As we observe Communion today, we are declaring ourselves to be in community with him and with one another.

In our immediate context, in this trying time of quarantine and pandemic, it seems nearly impossible to remember Jesus through communion as he instructed his disciples to do. In that way, we can be discouraged. However, we cant assume Jesus didnt foresee this! Regardless of our situation, we can faithfully remember his sacrifice for us daily in all of our thoughts, words, and deeds.

Photo credit: Getty Images/Suwaree Tangbovornpichet

Jason Soroski is a homeschool dad and member of the worship team at matthias lot church in St. Charles, MO. He spends his free time hanging out with his family, exploring new places, and writing about the experiences. Connect on Facebook or at JasonSoroski.net.
But he will need a coalition of progressives and centrists to unite around it.

Hunkering down in his Delaware basement has not protected Joe Biden from political attacks.

That he is receiving jabs from those on the political right is expected, especially as polls show the presumptive Democratic Party nominees lead over President Donald Trump increasing almost daily.

What is more of a worry for Bidens electoral ambitions are the critiques coming at him from the left of the political spectrum.

In this regard, the question is if Biden can thread the political needle  that is, unite progressives and centrists on the American left to beat Trump in November.

Where we are seeing some life from the Biden campaign precisely on this point is in his latest economic proposal  his $700bn economic recovery plan. While not exactly red meat for leftists, the plan contains critical elements that have the potential to serve as the basis for putting together a broad coalition.

If Biden plays his cards right and builds from his plan, then he could help lead the charge behind the creation of a new New Deal, or in other words, a series of policies with a coalition behind them that would address critical problems in environmental policy, race relations and infrastructure.

Read Bidens plan in detail, and one cannot help but see shades of other radical plans from the left.

For instance, even though Bidens proposal is not as ambitious as the Green New Deal, his plan does pay significant attention to addressing climate change by promising net-zero emissions by 2050, as well as pledging to reform trucking, shipping, and aviation technologies to reduce their collective carbon footprint.

On racial justice, Biden has said that he does not support calls to defund the police. Still, his billion-dollar economic recovery plan addresses various issues of concern to communities of colour.

More specifically, Bidens plan features a section on ensuring clean drinking water  calling attention to Flint, Michigan. In this city, people of colour suffered disproportionately from lead poisoning after state and city officials decided to switch the citys water source from Lake Huron to the Flint River in 2014.

Additionally, Bidens proposal features a section on including historically marginalised communities in decisions pertaining to transportation planning. Not only is he making a point to involve people of colour in the decision-making processes concerning future projects, such as the construction of highways and airports, but he also proposes the creation of a Community Restoration Fund that would distribute resources to people in areas who have been negatively impacted by past investments.

Bidens vision for infrastructure includes making substantial repairs to roads and highways, investing billions in education, and ensuring that everyone in the country has access to high-speed internet.

The focus on infrastructure is not simply about making things. The idea, at least according to the plan, is to have people doing this work in union jobs, earning pay that would put them into, at least, the middle class.

When considering the impetus for this plan, we must recall that Biden is making these proposals due to the overlapping health and economic crises that the coronavirus pandemic has forced upon us.

That, as well as the brutal murder of George Floyd, at the hands of Minneapolis police, which has triggered protests around the world against white supremacy.

If there has been a historical moment somewhat analogous to what we are witnessing now, then that would be when the Great Depression brought the world to its knees in the 1930s.

At that time, the global economic crisis shot unemployment to close to 25 percent in the United States. Franklin Delano Roosevelt, when he was elected president in 1933, initiated a series of programmes to address a country in economic freefall. His administration proceeded to enact a variety of substantial measures, including the creation of social security, the legalisation of collective bargaining for private-sector unions, as well as a series of government-funded infrastructure projects that put unemployed people to work.

Those policies did not emerge from presidential fiat  they were forged with a coalition of actors, including labour and farm movements, as well as people of colour in urban areas in the northern US and Democrats in the South.

The New Deal had serious faults  principal among them excluding rural workers from unionising. The reason at the time was to ensure the support of Southern landowners, many of whom employed African American and poor white sharecroppers on their large-scale operations.

We should assess Bidens multibillion-dollar plan in the context of the New Deal. Seemingly, his proposal carries within it enough different proposals to build a coalition the likes of which we have not seen since many different groups of people came together in the 1930s.

More than that, perhaps, we may see this rising coalition  with Biden ostensibly reaching out to people demanding environmental, racial and economic justice  address the shortfalls that the first New Dealers failed to.

Biden may neither be the perfect messenger, nor the ideal candidate. Regardless, we need to remember that the presidency is not one person, but an administration of thousands. This means that influence has potentially many ways to reach the top. This also means that now there is reason for optimism on the left  as nationwide protests have caught the candidates attention, perhaps Bidens campaign will continue to hear the call for change and see it through.

The views expressed in this article are the authors own and do not necessarily reflect Al Jazeeras editorial stance.
MONTGOMERY, Ala.  It was a dark winter night in Troy, Alabama, when Bernard Lafayette said goodbye to John Lewis for what he feared might be the last time.

The two Black men, college roommates and friends at the American Baptist Theological Seminary, wanted to try to integrate the interstate bus system during their Christmas holiday in 1960. Despite some minor trouble in Nashville, where they boarded a segregated bus from an integrated bus station, they were able to make it to Troy, Lewis's hometown and final destination.

As Lewis stepped off the bus at a shuttered service station, the town's bus stop, Lafayette stayed on the vehicle to make it to his hometown in Florida. After hours of camaraderie, sitting in the front seat shoulder-to-shoulder, both faced the coming hours alone.

"It was dark, the lights were out," Lafayette remembered Saturday. "He got off and was waiting for his ride there. I was worried about him. I didn't know if I would see him again. When I said goodbye, there was some finality there"

Participation in Nashville, Tennessee's lunch counter demonstrations landed John Lewis, left, Bernard LaFayette, second from left, and Paul Brooks, far right, in court on Nov. 21, 1960.

But it wasn't goodbye forever. The two survived the trip and each would go on to shape the 1960s civil rights movement, turning late-night dormitory philosophy conversations into social justice leadership for decades to come.

On Friday night, Lewis, a U.S. congressman and civil rights icon, died following a pancreatic cancer diagnosis. Lafayette was able to speak with his lifelong friend days before his passing, though he didn't realize it would be for the last time.

"A week before he passed, he wanted to talk to me," Lafayette said. "I realized he was ill and was going through these struggles with his health. When it was over with, I found out he just wanted to hear my voice. We didn't have a long conversation, it was only about his health and how he was doing. I didn't expect this to happen. I didn't expect him to leave us this soon."

Appreciation: For John Lewis, a lifetime of making 'good trouble' left scars and a legacy

Story continues

More: Rep. John Lewis, who 'risked his life and his blood' as a giant of the civil rights movement, dies of cancer at 80

Another friend and enduring civil rights leader, C.T. Vivian, died hours before Lewis on Friday, heartbreaking losses for those who knew and loved the men.

"To be honest, I'm still struggling with it," Lafayette said from his Tuskegee home on Saturday afternoon. "To be honest, it's an emotional time."

Lewis' death has triggered an outpouring of public grief, as tens of thousands across the country mourn a gifted leader who championed a life of "good trouble," a nonviolent but forceful activism that did not shy away from civil disobedience to change hearts and minds.

"The world feels different without him in it," said Dorothy Walker, the director of Montgomery's Freedom Rides Museum. "He had such a guiding presence, not just in our state as an Alabamians, but in our country and to a lot of people across the world. To carry on this work without him creates a void, but it also renews in us a commitment to the sense of urgency he felt in his life for this work."

Lafayette remembers Lewis' preternatural leadership qualities welling up from an early age.

"He had a tremendous appeal to people. He didn't go out of his way to do that," Lafayette said. "He was quiet, in terms of his spokesmanship, but people had confidence that he had a sincerity. There was no arrogance on his part. He never put anybody else down. He had respect. People had confidence in him in terms of his leadership. That's the thing that made the difference."

Federal Judge Myron Thompson greets Freedom Rider Bernard Lafayette, Jr., during the 2020 Congressional Civil Rights Pilgrimage in Montgomery, Ala., on Saturday March 7, 2020.

Lafayette credits Lewis for starting him down his own activism path. While roommates in Nashville, Lewis began pressing Lafayette to attend nonviolence activism workshops with him.

On Saturday, Lafayette chuckled while recalling how disinterested he was at the time, as he juggled full-time seminary work with a new job as an on-campus librarian.

"I didn't have time for any more workshops!" Lafayette said.

John Lewis 'Note to Self': 'One day, youll be elected to the Congress,' Lewis tells younger self

More: John Lewis was 23 at the March on Washington. His life in service to justice, in 12 images.

But Lewis kept pressing. He knew Lafayette had a heart and a mind for the civil rights work, as the two young men burned through midnight hours discussing philosophy and ideals. "This is what we talk about in the dormitory at night," he told Lafayette.

"All night long, we would talk about segregation and racism. John convinced me to go to these workshops, and I got stuck," Lafayette said with a chuckle. "That was it. That was the beginning of the journey for me."

Months after their goodbye at the Troy service station, the Freedom Rides would begin in earnest. Integrated groups of Black and white activists planned to travel interstate bus routes through the Deep South, where states regularly and openly defied federal law that found segregated bus systems unconstitutional.

"The plan was to stop in different cities along the way, to meet local movements and inspire people. The irony is that you could ride all the way from Virginia on a segregated bus and when you got to Nashville, you got out at an integrated bus station. Then you had to get on a segregated bus all the way to Montgomery, which ironically had already integrated its local bus system. That's why it was important to get these other local communities to start implementing the change, because if people don't implement the change, the change doesn't take place."

A group of Freedom Riders from Tennessee stands at the door of a Greyhound bus in Birmingham waiting for a bus to leave for Montgomery. 5/19/1961 Archivist's note 2013: (names of riders, taken from caption of AP Wide World photo in Raymond Arsenault's book, "Freedom Riders.") Left to right: Joseph Carter, Susan Hermann, Susan Wilbur, Catherine Burks, Lucretia Collins, and Bernard Lafayette. John Lewis is the partially obscured figure standing behind Lafayette.

Lewis was accepted into the initial Freedom Riders. But Lafayette was under 21, younger than his friend by just a few months, and needed parental permission to join. His parents, fearful for his life, refused to sign off. Still Lafayette, who had already worked with Lewis at the Nashville sit-ins to integrate lunch counters, was undeterred and continued training in nonviolent activism.

When violent mobs in Anniston and Birmingham suspended the original Freedom Rider route, Nashville's college students began fielding groups to travel as replacements.

"During our training, we became aware of the possible physical injuries that we would get. We made out our wills. Prior to our going, the buses burned in Anniston, Alabama. The people who set it on fire held the doors close. They expected to kill people," Lafayette said. "We knew the possibility. We were prepared for it. We felt that we had to endure whatever confronted us to show that nonviolence would work. We also knew that whatever happened to us, we had a backup group, because we had people being trained in Nashville to take our places in case we wouldn't make it."

Lafayette said he and Lewis led two groups from Birmingham to Montgomery on May 20, 1961. Though they were given federal supervision as they left Birmingham, Lafayette said it fell away as they entered Montgomery to suspiciously quiet streets. At the Greyhound Bus Station, a racist mob descended on the group and accompanying press.

The Freedom Rides Museum, the old Greyhound Bus Station in downtown Montgomery, Ala., on Friday, May 11, 2012.

"A mob came out of the bus station doors and started beating up the media, the press. Smashing the cameras. We didn't know what to do. We knew the mob would come to us next, the only reason they were beating up the media is they didn't want this recorded," Lafayette recalled. "There was one cab there. We tried to get the girls into the cab, to at least get somebody saved.The cab driver refused to drive the cab because there were two white girls among us. He said it was against the local law in Montgomery, for a black cab driver to drive white women."

"We said OK, we'll just join hands and sing 'We will overcome.' And the mob came after us."

Newspaper reports from the melee report "white men, cheered by women, seemed to work with precision" in beating the activists until bloody and unconscious. The Alabama Journal newspaper reported one white woman held up a small child to allow him to hit a Black activist in the face.

"Five or six would concentrate on one person, holding him down while others kicked and beat him," the newspaper reported. Law enforcement failed to initially respond to the mob violence, later claiming nobody had called to report it, despite it spilling into the streets in downtown Montgomery.

Lewis was knocked unconscious when a member of the mob swung a wooden Coca-Cola crate at his head. Soon after, a local attorney general would hand over an injunction to a "bloodied" Lewis barring the group from remaining in Alabama.

"The fact that we would be injured or even face death was not a deterrent," Lafayette said. "We understood that you had to make a personal commitment. Those of us who started to go on the Freedom Rides thought it was a worthwhile cause to give our lives to."

The rides inspired renewed civil right activism and led to the desegregation of interstate transportation in 1961.

On Saturday morning, someone laid a small bouquet of flowers on the South Court Street pavement in front of the former Greyhound Bus Station. It now stands as the Freedom Rides Museum, where the pictures of Lewis and Lafayette, among many others, are commemorated on the very spot their blood was once spilled.

A wreath honoring civil rights icons John Lewis and C.T. Vivian sits outside the Freedom Rides Museum in Montgomery, Ala., on Saturday, July 18, 2020.

Dorothy Walker, the site director of the museum, worked in blistering July sunlight on Saturday afternoon to set up a wreath, ringed in mourning black, to honor Lewis and Vivian.

"I had the dual emotions of a heavy heart, complete sadness, but also incredibly inspired to have had the opportunity to know who he was, to know of his work, to understand his legacy," Walker said of Lewis's passing.

"It's critical for people to understand the commitment, the sacrifice, the courage it must have taken, and the length of time people committed themselves. Congressman Lewis and other Freedom Riders, a lot of them were so young. The ones that were attacked here were 18- to 22-years-old. To meet hatred and violence with such commitment and sacrifice, they were willing to risk their lives not even known if that would change anything. They just knew it needed to be addressed, it needed to be confronted, and the only way they knew had was to sacrifice themselves in a peaceful, loving way."

This article originally appeared on Montgomery Advertiser: Bernard Lafayette remembers John Lewis from Nashville to Montgomery
When COVID-19 arrived, ProtoCall Services could have classified its workers as essential and they could have stayed in the office.

But to company leaders, it was more important to make sure the employees and the surrounding community stayed safe and healthy.

We have an obligation as an employer to pay attention to the fears and anxieties and concerns of our staff, ProtoCall CEO Phil Evans said. The more people that ProtoCall can keep out of congregate areas, the better for our communities.

ProtoCall Services, based in Portland, provides around-the-clock call monitoring and over-the-phone behavioral health services, such as crisis intervention and referring callers to counseling services, for other businesses clients. This year, the company is a first-time winner in The Oregonian/OregonLives Top Workplaces competition, now in its ninth year.

The organization was originally a division of what once was Metro Crisis Intervention Services, a nonprofit suicide crisis hotline. The division, which was created in 1992, was meant to leverage the hotlines ability to answer calls 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and sell that service to other businesses to generate revenue.

ProtoCall Services is a winner in The Oregonian/OregonLive's 2020 Top Workplaces competition. CEO Phil Evans wears a shirt with the company logo and motto, "Here, when help is called for."Randy L. Rasmussen/For The Oregonian/OregonLive

Now, ProtoCall is a separate entity with four contact centers in Portland; Grandville, Michigan; Albuquerque, New Mexico; and Tempe, Arizona, with 250 employees and 400 customers. The organizations annual revenue was $17 million last year.

At the time ProtoCall was established, organizations that were required to have somebody always available to answer calls had their regular daytime staff stay on call at night, Evans said. This system exhausted employees and made it more difficult for them to effectively handle calls.

The kind of service that we were envisioning at the time just didnt exist anywhere, Evans said. We saw a real opportunity to bring the dedicated professionalized role of immediate crisis response to these other types of behavioral health organizations.

Evans said its important that this service is provided, and monitored 24/7, because any one of the calls they receive can range from someone searching for counseling services to someone standing on a bridge. Either way, the people who answer the calls, and support staff such as the tech team or supervisors, can have a big impact on whoever is calling.

We have the opportunity to make that part of the process really smooth and friendly and accessible, Evans said. Our call taker has been able to be one of those early voices in that persons journey towards a more fulfilling life.

ProtoCall Services is a winner in The Oregonian/OregonLive's 2020 Top Workplaces competition. CEO Phil Evans stands in the Portland office, looking at a photograph his father took of him with Muhammad Ali.Randy L. Rasmussen/For The Oregonian/OregonLive

Because the calls carry so much weight, its important to take care of the people answering the phones.

ProtoCall is trying to do some of the toughest work there is to do, Evans said. We have to be better than your typical workplace because we are asking people to do work that is harder than a lot of other work.

Various policies and programs help make sure employees are supported and recognized.

Employees can earn up to eight hours of paid time off through a health and wellness program where they set health goals for the year and complete and log tasks to achieve the goals.

Employees can also receive benefits such as free food and prizes for working during mission critical days, which is what ProtoCall employees call holidays.

ProtoCall Services is a winner in The Oregonian/OregonLive's 2020 Top Workplaces competition. The Portland office and other locations are closed as employees work from home.Randy L. Rasmussen/For The Oregonian/OregonLive

ProtoCall continued to offer programs and assistance when all employees started working remotely on March 21. Assistance included support from IT staff, who made sure employees were able to set up all of their equipment at home and keep it running, and company-made videos which included instructions on how to create a home office space and tips for working from home. The company also hosted a virtual talent show to help keep people connected.

Senior clinical specialist Nina Gilliland, 64, has been an employee at ProtoCall for almost eight years since starting as a call taker.

I feel like we are so valued, Gilliland said. Even before I was an SCS, I always felt understood by and valued by and supported by all of the people above me.

Gilliland believes this is partly because many of the people in leadership roles started as call takers.

The company offers many opportunities to grow, specifically for call takers looking to work in senior or supervisor positions, Evans said. This is important because it not only provides opportunities to move up, but it also means those who are making the big-picture decisions understand what is going on at the lower levels.

ProtoCall Services is a winner in The Oregonian/OregonLive's 2020 Top Workplaces competition. CEO Phil Evans checks in on the Portland office, which along with other locations is closed as employees work from home.Randy L. Rasmussen/For The Oregonian/OregonLive

Having folks who have mastered other roles in the organization step up to want to master other roles in the organization, thats huge, Evans said. The more of that we can do, the stronger we are as an organization.

Because the work the call takers do is fulfilling but stressful, it creates a supportive work environment. Gilliland said one way this shows up is when people send each other notes on specific calls they take.

Once the call is over, I always try to say, Great work on that call, or, Thanks so much for your hard work on that, " Gilliland said.

Evans said that during exit interviews, employees consistently talk about how much they enjoyed working with their coworkers.

You almost always find people talking about their love of their colleagues, Evans said. The thing that they value most at ProtoCall are their colleagues.

-- Madison Smalstig l msmalstig@oregonian.com l @madi_smals l

Read more Top Workplaces stories at oregonlive.com/topworkplaces. Keep up with Oregon business and economic news by subscribing to our Oregon Business Insights newsletter.
Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler said on CNN's "State of the Union" Sunday that he "absolutely" believes the Trump administration is violating the Constitution by deploying unidentified federal agents to arrest protesters in the city.

The state of play: President Trump and acting Homeland Security Secretary Chad Wolf have defended the use of federal law enforcement by claiming that violent anarchists have overrun the city, which has seen more than 50 nights of protests over the killing of George Floyd.

The U.S. attorney for the District of Oregon has called for an investigation into reports that officers have arbitrarily detained protesters in unmarked vans.

Trump tweeted on Sunday: "We are trying to help Portland, not hurt it. Their leadership has, for months, lost control of the anarchists and agitators. They are missing in action. We must protect Federal property, AND OUR PEOPLE. These were not merely protesters, these are the real deal!"

What they're saying: "The president has a complete misunderstanding of cause and effect," Wheeler told Jake Tapper. "What's happening here is we have dozens if not hundreds of federal troops descending upon our city and what they're doing is they are sharply escalating the situation."

"Their presence here is actually leading to more violence and more vandalism, and it's not helping the situation at all. They're not wanted here. We haven't asked them here. In fact, we want them to leave," he continued.

"The tactics that the Trump administration are using on the streets of Portland are abhorrent. ... People are being literally scooped off the streets into unmarked vans  rental cars, apparently. They are being denied probable cause, and they are denied due process. They don't even know who's pulling them into the vans."

Go deeper: U.S. attorney calls for investigation into federal officers arresting Portland protestors
Coronavirus cases have continued to climb in the United States, and more major retailers are moving from recommending to requiring customers wear masks if they are to enter their stores. Here are some of the largest that currently are requiring face coverings, or will very soon.



The grocery chain announced that shoppers will need face coverings as of July 27. Workers will continue to wear masks as they have for months, the company said.

Apple

The tech company announced back in May that face masks "will be required for all of our teams and customers, and we will provide them to customers who dont bring their own."



Best Buy

Best Buy will require customers to wear masks in the store, and can provide masks to those who don't have any. However, "small children and those unable to wear one for health reasons may enter without one." The requirement began Wednesday.



Costco

Costco, similar to Best Buy, will require all customers to wear a mask, with the exception of "children under the age of 2 or to individuals who are unable to wear a face covering due to a medical condition."

CVS

"We're joining others in taking the next step and requiring all customers to wear face coverings," CVS tweeted Thursday. The policy goes into effect July 20.

Dollar Tree and Family Dollar

As of Aug. 10, Dollar Tree Inc., which owns the two chains, says it will now be enforcing a mask requirement for all customers at all of its locations. On their websites, both companies say the new mask requirement was to comply with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines.

In early July, Dollar Tree and Family Dollar said shoppers, vendors and employees must wear face coverings, before reversing course two weeks later. The chains then said it would only require customers wear masks if mandated by state or local rules.

USA Today reports it is unknown when exactly the latest face mask order went into effect.

Harris Teeter

Supermarket chain Harris Teeter, which has locations in seven states and Washington D.C., will begin requiring masks on Wednesday, according to a press statement issued Thursday.

"Starting July 22, we will require all shoppers to wear a mask when visiting our stores, joining our associates who continue to wear masks," store officials said in a statement. "We are taking this extra step now because we recognize additional precautions are needed to protect our country."

Home Depot

Home Depot announced that shoppers will be required to wear masks or facial coverings while inside all U.S. stores beginning July 22. Small children or those who have a valid medical condition will not be required to wear a mask.

According to a news release from the home improvement chain, about 85% of Home Depot stores already require face masks to comply with local and state regulations. All Home Depot employees are also required to wear masks in stores, distribution centers and other locations.

We appreciate all of our associates who have been working so hard to serve our customers with the essential products they need throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, and we want to thank our customers for their cooperation as we work to protect everyone in our stores, said Ann-Marie Campbell, executive vice president of stores for The Home Depot.

Kohl's

Beginning Monday, July 20, Kohl's will "require all customers to wear a face covering while shopping in our stores."



Related video: Kohl's to require customers to wear face masks in stores



Kroger

Kroger announced that all customers nationwide must wear face masks if they are to enter their stores. The policy takes effect July 22.



Lowe's

Lowe's announced it would begin requiring all customers to wear masks or face coverings in all U.S. stores effective July 20. Lowe's will also offer free masks at the customer service desk of every store for customers who need them, while supplies last, a news release from the company says.

"As a retailer offering essential goods, we have a responsibility to our associates, customers and small businesses in communities nationwide to help provide a safe shopping experience," said Marvin R. Ellison, Lowe's president and CEO. "Throughout this pandemic, our associates have worked tirelessly so customers could get the goods and services they needed for their homes and small businesses. For the safety of everyone in our stores, we ask that customers wear masks, and to make this new standard less restrictive, we will make masks available to those who need them."

Publix

The company said signs for the requirement will be posted at store entrances, and in-store announcements will be made. Young children and those with medical conditions will not be required to wear face coverings. It starts July 21.



Sam's Club

Sam's Club, along with sister-store Walmart, will begin requiring all customers to wear a mask in their stores on Monday, July 20.



Starbucks

On Wednesday, the coffee company began "requiring customers to wear facial coverings while visiting all company-owned cafe locations in the U.S."

Target

Special Investigation 147 NY dams are 'unsound,' potentially dangerous Thousands of dams have not been inspected in over 20 years.

Target said in a statement it would start requiring masks or face coverings starting Aug. 1 in all stores.

"This builds on the more than 80% of our stores that already require guests to wear face coverings due to local and state regulations," it said.

Target said it would provide disposable masks at entrances to customers who don't have one.

Trader Joe's

Trader Joe's is requiring all customers to wear a face covering while shopping in its stores.

The retailer says the policy does not apply to young children and those with medical conditions who are not able to wear face coverings.

Walgreens

Walgreens has expanded requirements for customers to wear face covers while in stores across all of its locations.

Face covers had already been mandatory at thousands of Walgreens in states and jurisdictions where they are required.

The retailer says starting July 20, there will be new and additional signage on exterior doors with this information, stores will also be increasing the frequency of reminders to customers via the stores intercom system.

We support the new CDC guidance that urges the use of face covers to help prevent the spread of COVID-19, said Walgreens Chief Medical Officer Kevin Ban. As cases continue to rise in many parts of the country, its critical we, as businesses and members of the community, do everything we can.

Walmart

The largest retailer in the United States will require customers nationwide to wear a face covering if they are to enter the store. The policy begins July 20.

Winn-Dixie

Winn-Dixie reversed its stance on masks and is now mandating that all customers wear face coverings while shopping in stores, CNN reported. The mandate goes into effect July 27.

Last week, Winn-Dixie said it would not require shoppers to wear masks in its stores, even after its competitors announced that they would.

Stop the spread of COVID-19

To help stop the spread of the coronavirus, the CDC recommends wearing a face mask.

Masks are required in public places in some states and businesses.



The CDC also recommends you keep 6 feet of distance between yourself and others.

Make sure to wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds and avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth.

For more tips on how to stay safe, CLICK HERE.
MANISTEE COUNTY  The Manistee County Library is offering new resources for patrons who suffer from memory loss.

The library partnered with the Alzheimers Association Michigan chapter to present a series of free educational programs online.

The first aims to help individuals recognize common signs of Alzheimers, including what to watch for in themselves and others.

The webinar is titled the 10 Warning Signs of Alzheimers and includes tips on how to approach someone about memory concerns and it explains the importance of early detection. The free event will begin at 6 p.m. on Wednesday.

The Michigan chapter of the Alzheimers Association also plans to offer a free online version of its program called Healthy Living for your Brain and Body at 6 p.m. on July 29. This program outlines lifestyle habits that are associated with healthy aging.

To register for these programs, call 1 (800) 272-3900 or visit helplinegmc@alz.org for more information.

Additionally, the Manistee County Library is offering new memory care kits for patrons. Each kit is different and comes with several activities intended to benefit cognitive skills and memory retention.

The kits were designed to promote a better sense of independence, a greater sense of purpose, perhaps faster thinking skills and they may also improve motor skills, writing and drawing skills, said reference librarian Carol Shively.

Shively added that some activities focus on social skills, while others are intended for when people are alone.

Sometimes people are sitting home alone; no one visits them, no one calls them and the brain just declines, Shively said. So, we thought these were great to get out to people.

The kits can be checked out at any library branch location and include puzzles and games. To reserve one of the 10 kits available, call the Manistee County Library at (231) 723-2519.
"Supporting our physicians through the COVID-19 crisis is at the top of my mind," says Dr. Ely. "The health of this nation is reliant on a physician force that is under-resourced, overworked and at risk of both physical and mental health consequences. We must meet this challenge head-on."

The AOA represents more than 151,000 osteopathic physicians (DOs) and osteopathic medical students, many of whom serve on the front lines as emergency physicians, family doctors, hospitalists, and physicians in other specialties.

Advocacy will be a priority

"We've seen some advances in telehealth because of the pandemic, but there's more to be done to protect the health, and livelihood, of our health care community and public," says Dr. Ely. "Appropriate protection is required for physicians and all healthcare providers on the front lines on the front lines, and appropriate compensation is needed for physician practices who invest in the services that enable care to continue."

The AOA offers telemedicine resources for osteopathic physicians interested in updating their practices. The professional organization also offers members access to masks and other PPE through a carefully selected industry relationship. At the federal level, the AOA has been advocating continuously for Congressional legislation for support for all healthcare providers.

"On the public health front, it is my personal mission to advocate for vaccinations and immunizations," says Dr. Ely. "We must fight this war on all sides and prevent future disease from spreading. Please get your flu shot and take your children to the doctor to get their scheduled vaccinations."

A leader with a team-based approach

Dr. Ely credits his years of military and private practice experience for his strong leadership capabilities. His decades of leadership experienceincluding 20 years in the military, and two combat tours in Vietnamwill be critical to the continued growth of the profession.

An aeromedical evacuation pilot with the Army early in his career, Dr. Ely later worked for the Army Surgeon General. His success in that role led him to pursue medical school at what is now the Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences College of Osteopathic Medicine (KCU-COM).

After decades of service, he opened a private practice in Clarksville, Tennessee, with a fellow KCU-COM graduate, eventually joining with other physician practices to form a large physician led multispecialty medical group. Later, he joined hospital leadership, transitioning from chief of medical staff to director of medical affairs and finally chief medical officer for 13 years. Currently, Dr. Ely is a health care consultant.

"When I applied to medical school in 1976, there were only eight DO schools," says Dr. Ely. "Leading this proud profession through the pandemic and into another period of sustained growth will be my greatest honor."

There are now 38 colleges of osteopathic medicine, located on 59 campuses. Approximately 7,000 new physicians graduated from osteopathic medical schools in 2019, bringing the total number of DOs to 121,006, the highest number in history. In the last three decades, the number of DOs has grown by nearly 300%.

About the AOA

The American Osteopathic Association (AOA) represents more than 151,000 osteopathic physicians (DOs) and osteopathic medical students; promotes public health; encourages and funds scientific research; serves as the primary certifying body for DOs; and is the accrediting agency for colleges of osteopathic medicine.

To learn more about DOs and the osteopathic philosophy of medicine, visit www.DoctorsThatDO.org.

About the AOA House of Delegates

The AOA's House of Delegates, comprised of more than 500 delegates, representing osteopathic state medical associations, specialty societies, residents, fellows, and students from throughout the country, meets annually in July to set organizational policies for the American Osteopathic Association and elect its Board of Trustees and officers.

SOURCE American Osteopathic Association

Related Links

www.osteopathic.org


Singapore urges China to come clean in island dispute

>> China preps huge oil platform for deployment in East Sea

>> PetroVietnam vows to continue operations in East Sea

Singapore on Monday urged China to be more open about the extent of its territorial claims in the South China Sea, saying Beijing\'s ambiguity was causing international concern.

Singapore has urged China to be more open about the extent of its territorial claims in the South China Sea, saying Beijing\'s ambiguity was causing international concern

The foreign ministry said while Singapore had no claims of its own, the city-state was a major trading nation whose interests could be affected by issues relating to freedom of navigation in the area.

Tensions between China and other rival claimants to the strategically vital South China Sea -- home to two potentially oil-rich archipelagos, the Paracels and Spratlys -- have escalated in recent weeks.

The Philippines and Vietnam in particular have expressed alarm at what they say are increasingly aggressive actions by China in the disputed waters, but Beijing has insisted it is committed to resolving the issue peacefully.



Singapore\'s statement was issued after a Chinese surveillance vessel, the Haixun 31, docked in the island-state after passing through the South China Sea.



"We... think it is in China\'s own interests to clarify its claims in the SCS (South China Sea) with more precision as the current ambiguity as to their extent has caused serious concerns in the international maritime community," the Singapore statement said.



"Singapore is not a claimant state and takes no position on the merits or otherwise of the various claims in the SCS," it added.



"But as a major trading nation, Singapore has a critical interest in anything affecting freedom of navigation in all international sea lanes, including those in the SCS."



Manila on Friday said it would deploy its naval flagship to the South China Sea a day after China announced the Haixun 31\'s mission, while up to 100 Vietnamese rallied outside the Chinese embassy in Hanoi for the third weekend in a row against Beijing\'s claims.



Vietnam and China have held separate live-fire military exercises in the area after Hanoi accused Chinese ships of ramming one oil survey ship and cutting the exploration cables of another.



The Philippines, China, Brunei, Malaysia, Taiwan and Vietnam claim all or part of the territories in question.
Though the coronavirus testing landscape continues to expand, most patient samples must still be routed through laboratories for processing, and the demand is once again straining supplies, equipment and trained technicians and causing shortages.

Its very important for people to be able to get the results in time, so they dont continue infecting people, said Pamela Martinez, an expert in disease dynamics at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.

That has become increasingly essential, Dr. Martinez added, as mounting evidence has indicated that the virus can spread from people who dont have symptoms. Maybe if I take a test, but I dont have many symptoms, Im not going to take the same precautions, she said.

Health workers typically advise their patients to quarantine at home while they await their test results, out of an abundance of caution. To the extent that one can, The best thing to do is to act as if youve been infected in this interim period, said Olivia Prosper, an infectious disease modeler at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. But the longer people are forced to wait, the more difficult that advice is to follow  and the larger toll their absence from work or family responsibilities can take.

Additionally, negative results can be of little use if they are delivered after too long of a delay. Diagnostic testing, which searches for bits of the coronaviruss genetic material, can only assess a persons health status from the time the sample was taken, and cant account for any subsequent exposures to the virus.
UP assembly polls will be about '80 per cent vs 20 per cent'; BJP will win: Yogi Adityanath

Have info on Vikas Dubey? You could share it with SIT

India

oi-Vicky Nanjappa

Lucknow, July 19: A SIT set up to enquire into the Kanpur ambush in which eight policemen were killed by Vikas Dubey and his henchmen, has sought information from the people on the gangster's criminal antecedents, including his alleged connivance with various authorities.

The three-member Special Investigation Team, headed by Uttar Pradesh Additional Chief Secretary Sanjay R Bhoosreddy, on Friday issued a mobile number besides an e-mail id and postal addresses for the people, including their representatives, to contact the SIT to apprise it of whatever they may know about a nine-point probe agenda of the enquiry team.

Uttar Pradesh: Gangster Vikas Dubey's wife, son arrested

Maintaining that it has to submit its probe report to the office of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath by July 31, the probe panel, also comprising Additional Director General of Police Hariram Sharma and DIG J Ravindra Goud, said people can contact it between July 20 and 24 in the afternoon.

"The enquiry will be conducted at the office of ACS Bhoosreddy. Those who want to provide evidence, documentary or oral, can meet him personally between Jul 20 and Jul 24 in the afternoon," an official statement issued here said.

Those interested in providing details or evidence can also give the same on phone and email or through a letter, it said.

The team is probing the sequence of events leading to the Kanpur ambush and the role of Dubey's sympathisers and political patrons and had visited Kanpur on Sunday, said an official.

The SIT had also gathered information from the Kanpur's district magistrate and senior superintendent of police Kanpur about Dubey's rise and the cases lodged against him apart from the post-ambush actions, the official said.

They had also asked the DM and SSP to explain as to why no process was initiated to cancel the gangster's bail in earlier cases lodged against him and the arms licenses issued to Dubey's henchmen.

Coronavirus: WHO reports single-day record global spike in Covid-19 cases | Oneindia News

Vikas Dubey encounter: UP to file status report, SC to hear pleas on July 20

The SIT is probing how despite being involved in several criminal cases, the gang members could manage to get arms licenses, it said

The team has been asked to probe into what effective action was taken in all the cases against Dubey.

The SIT will also ascertain what actions were taken to cancel the bail of "such a dreaded criminal", besides the actions against him under the Goonda Act, the National Security Act, Gangsters Act, and if there was any laxity and at what level, it added.

On July 3, eight police personnel, including a DSP, were gunned down in Bikru village in Kanpur by the henchmen of Dubey.

Dubey was killed in an encounter on July 10 after a police vehicle carrying him from Ujjain to Kanpur met with an accident and he tried to escape from the spot in Bhaunti area in Kanpur.

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Story first published: Sunday, July 19, 2020, 9:08 [IST]
Washington DC: The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has said that they are targeting an August 2 return of the SpaceX's spacecraft from the International Space Station (ISS) to Earth.

Jim Bridenstine, NASA's Administrator, wrote on his official Twitter account, "We're targeting an Aug. 1 departure of @SpaceX's Dragon Endeavour spacecraft from the @Space_Station to bring @AstroBehnken and @Astro_Doug home after their historic Launch America mission. Splashdown is targeted for Aug. 2. Weather will drive the actual date. Stay tuned."

NEWS: We're targeting an Aug. 1 departure of @SpaceX's Dragon Endeavour spacecraft from the @Space_Station to bring @AstroBehnken and @Astro_Doug home after their historic #LaunchAmerica mission. Splashdown is targeted for Aug. 2. Weather will drive the actual date. Stay tuned. pic.twitter.com/VOCV51gzLi  Jim Bridenstine (@JimBridenstine) July 17, 2020

Earlier on May 30, the Billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk-owned SpaceX created history by becoming the first private rocket company to launch two American astronauts (NASA's Bob Behnken and Doug Hurley) towards orbit from Florida.

Just before the liftoff, Hurley had said, "SpaceX, we're going for launch. Let`s light this candle," paraphrasing the famous comment uttered on the launch pad in 1961 by Alan Shepard, the first American flown into space.

SpaceX`s Crew Dragon capsule carrying Bob and Doug docked with the ISS on May 31, within 19 hours of the launch, making it the first US space capsule to do so with a crew since 2011.

This is the first time in human history @NASA_Astronauts have entered the @Space_Station from a commercially-made spacecraft. @AstroBehnken and @Astro_Doug have finally arrived to the orbiting laboratory in @SpaceX's Dragon Endeavour spacecraft. pic.twitter.com/3t9Ogtpik4  NASA (@NASA) May 31, 2020

The Crew Dragon had lifted off from the Kennedy Space Center after their second attempt as the first one was deferred due to the poor weather conditions.
- Man United, Chelsea and Leicester all stand a pole position to finish in the top four

- Only a point is separating Chelsea in third and Man United who sit fifth

- Leicester have a golden chance to move to third should they earn points away at Spurs

Gary Neville has claimed the top four is Leicester City's to lose as the the 2019/20 season heads into the final week.

There are just two matches left to end the campaign, with the top four race set to go down the wire.

READ ALSO: Ian Wright includes David Luiz among six Arsenal players who impressed during FA Cup win over Man City

READ ALSO: Man United vs Chelsea: Preview, possible starting line up as Red Devils take on Blues

With Man City and Liverpool already confirming their Champions League qualification, Leicester, United and Chelsea have been left to fight for the two remaining two slots.

The Blues are currently occupying third place with 63 points, with just a point separating them and the Red Devils in fifth.

United have been in fine shape among the three teams and are on a 19-game unbeaten streak in all competitions.

READ ALSO: Manchester United: Red Devils complete signing of teenage stars Pye, Hugill and Vitek

However, they dropped points against Southampton in their league clash to miss out on a glorious chance to go third on the charts.

Neville, a former Man United defender now says the result would have given Leicester an edge over the Red Devils in the race for top four.

"They would have been two points clear with Leicester needing to go to Tottenham and West Ham. Its really up for grabs. Tottenham v Leicester is a big, big game. Leicester beating Sheffield United was big," Metro UK quoted the former England international saying.

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"It looked to me that Manchester United were, not in cruise control, but were pulling back at Leicester. But that Southampton goal has given Leicester a lifeline. Manchester United did well against Palace but Leicester winning [against Sheffield United] means its all going to come down to the last week," Neville added.

The Foxes will play Tottenham in their next match on Sunday, July 19.

Do you have an inspirational story you would like us to publish? Please reach us through news@tuko.co.ke or WhatsApp: 0732482690 and Tuko news.

We lost five children before our daughter Charisa came - Shinel Wanja | Tuko Talks | Tuko TV

Source: SportsBrief.com
Published on 2020/07/19 | Source

Cho Nam-joo's feminist novel "Kim Ji-young, Born in 1982" has been longlisted for France's Emile Guimet Prize for Asian Literature.

Advertisement

The prize is awarded by the Guimet Museum of Asian Art to works of literature every year.

In 2018 it was won by fellow Korean Hwang Sok-yong for "At Dusk".

"Kim Ji-young" became a bestseller here in 2016 and has sold more than a million copies in Korea alone. The rights have been sold to 16 countries including China and Japan. "Kim Ji-young, Born in 1982" was made into the movie "KIM Jiyoung: Born 1982".

Meanwhile, the Korean novels "On the Origin of Species" by Jeong Yu-jeong and "The Hole" by Pyun Hye-young were shortlisted for Germany's LiBeraturpreis award given to female authors from Africa, Asia, Latin America or the Arab world.
London copper fell on Friday, hit by worsening U.S.-China relations and rising coronavirus infections that could dampen global economic recovery and demand for metals.

The Trump administration is considering a ban on travel to the United States for all members of the Chinese Communist Party and their families, a person familiar with the matter said on Thursday.

The virus has infected more than 13.84 million people globally, with more than 588,000 deaths.

"Geopolitical and domestic political risks remain elevated," Fitch Solutions said in a note on Friday.

"The uneven recovery... and risks of second-waves slowing down the pickup in industrial commodities poses demand side risks."

The U.S. presidential election in November could also rattle investor sentiment, it added.

Three-month copper on the London Metal Exchange fell $0.2% to $6,426.50 a tonne by 0704 GMT, still up 0.2% on a weekly basis and set for its ninth straight weekly gain. The contract hit its highest in nearly 25 months on Monday.

The most-traded August copper contract on the Shanghai Futures Exchange rose 0.3% to 51,430 yuan ($7,348.93) a tonne, tracking overnight gains in London.

However, Fitch Solutions remained bullish about the base metals sector, citing better-than-expected Chinese demand, supply disruption, stimulus measures and economic re-openings around the world.

Fundamentals

Copper Outlook: Tight supply could help a further rally in copper prices in July-December, but downside risks are also rising.

Nickel: The global nickel market surplus widened to 9,000 tonnes in May from an overhang of 5,100 tonnes the previous month.

Other Metals: LME aluminium eased 0.5% to $1,661.50 a tonne, zinc decreased 0.7% to $2,209.50 a tonne, while Shanghai lead fell 1.1% to 14,925 yuan a tonne and Shanghai nickel was down 0.9% to 106,320 yuan a tonne.

Coronavirus in India: Highest-ever single day spike of 38,902 cases; tally at 10.7 lakh

Coronavirus vaccine: AIIMS to start COVAXIN human trials from Monday
United Citizens of Zongoiri made up of son and daughters of Zongoiri both home and abroad whose aim is to turn around the developmental challenges and to improve the lives of residents has donated health equipment to the Bulinga health centre to help run the facility.

Bulinga health centre and its unique geographical location in the north-south corner of Zebilla of Bawku West, is close proximity to the neighbouring Gambaga Scap in the North East Region and Togo, and so, a significant volume of patients/clients are drawn from these places.

The items which worth thousands of Ghana cedis include; 2 infrared thermometer gun, 3 hospital beds, Veronica buckets, 10 mattresses, 6 OPD chairs and 5 benches.

Dr. Joseph Ayembilla, leader of the United Citizens Zongoiri said the rationale for the donation and forming the group was to come together as Citizens of Zongoiri to develop the area.

Dr. Joseph Ayembilla noted that the group is nonpolitical and that it was initiated to help fill the developmental gaps in Zongoiri and its environs.

Dr. Joseph called on Ghana Health Service to elevate the health centre into a hospital status considering the growing population size.

Receiving the items, the District Directorate of Health Services Alhassan Lawal expressed gratitude to the united Citizens of Zongoiri and called on others to emulate same.

Mr Lawal said as part of efforts by the district directorate of health services, the office of directorate has renovated Bulinga health centre with funding from their IGF.

He lauded the staff of the facility for their commitment in serving the people.

Naba Asuguru Abugbabilla II, Chief of Zongoiri was excited for the initiative and said he is ever ready to release land for any other developmental projects that the group may want to execute in his jurisdiction.

Naba Asurugu admonished his subjects to be each others keeper and desist from all forms of criminal activities noting that Zongoiri as peaceful and the focus of the people is development.

However, the medical assistant of Bulinga health centre, Amoro Peter said telecommunication services in the area pose a challenge to their daily activities whenever they had to communicate or send information to seek assistance from the district health directorate.
Being vision-impaired is not stopping Christine Norman from seeking ways to bring light and cheer to others.

The Tauranga woman has opened a post office box so that she can write to and receive letters from people who may be shut in or experiencing isolation.

I got one of those Thats Life magazines from the op shop and read an article in there about Abbie Williams.

Shes 24 and living in the Gold Coast. She wondered how she was going to connect with her nanna and granddad back in the UK and realised shed have to write a letter because they dont do Facebook or email.

On an invalids benefit and experiencing the challenges of life with complications from diabetes, chronic fatigue and anaemia, Christine Norman wondered if there may be people living in New Zealand who might like to receive a letter.

I was inspired by Abbie. She writes what she calls Letters of Hope, writing to people spreading some good cheer.

The idea behind Letters of Hope is to show people in their darkest hours that there are good people, people who care and people who will take time out of their day to make them happy.

She is worldwide and has written more than 700 letters. I dont think I want to go that far. I just want to do Bay of Plenty, but Ill see.

Christine returned to New Zealand at Christmas after living in Australia for a year supporting her daughter who has been in a Womens Refuge with seven children. She crochets baby blankets for special care units at Tauranga and Rotorua Hospitals, also donating them to the Womens Refuge and community centres.

Christine has decided to call her own letter writing network Friendship from the Fountain Pen and wants to write personalised letters and cards to people.

Abbie has really inspired me to spread kindness.

Word of mouth about her letter writing is spreading through friends, local churches she attends and a Welcome Bay craft group she has been running for about four years.

Friends are saying: Ive got a son in jail or: Ive got a friend who is suicidal. Theres all these people giving me names.

When I shared the idea with a friend, she said: thats beautiful what youre doing, my son would love a letter, hes in prison, hes a young family man. And hes sharing his cell with someone who doesnt get any phone calls, any letters and no communication from any family. So thats just two guys there in one prison cell.

And I was thinking rest homes, because there may be oldies who dont get a letter from one year to the next.

She plans to deliver some handwritten cards to local resthomes offering the opportunity for anyone to receive a letter.

I would like to encourage anyone who would like a letter from me to reach out, also if they know anyone who might appreciate a letter.

If you are having a hard time, struggling with your mental health or simply need a pick-me-up, contact Christine and she will mail you a handwritten letter to brighten your day.

Christine Normans Friendship From the Fountain Pen address is PO Box is PO Box 55026, Welcome Bay, Tauranga 3156.
With over 1.2 million people affected in Germany alone and over 50 million people worldwide, Alzheimer's disease, also referred to simply as Alzheimer's, is one of the greatest medical and social challenges of our time. Due to pathological changes in the brain, patients become increasingly forgetful and disoriented as the disease progresses. In the worst cases, even close relatives are no longer recognized and simple household tasks can no longer be carried out independently. This means care is needed for those affected. Despite intensive research, Alzheimer's disease is still considered incurable today. Researchers at the University of Gottingen and the Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology Leipzig-Halle have described a promising approach to treating Alzheimer's disease. The results have been published in the journal Biochemistry.

For the study, Professor Kai Tittmann from the Gottingen Centre for Molecular Biosciences worked together with researchers from the Faculty of Chemistry at the University of Gottingen and the team led by Professor Hans-Ulrich Demuth from Fraunhofer IZI in Halle. Several years ago, the team from Halle discovered that a specific enzyme that is part of the human brain's hormone metabolism plays a critical pathophysiological role in the development of Alzheimer's disease, in addition to its actual biological function of hormone maturation. The first inhibitors of this enzyme, which inhibit specific pathological processes, have already produced promising results.

In order to give these active ingredients a chemical "tailor-made suit," the research team investigated the enzyme's reaction mechanism using protein crystallography. "This enabled us to obtain 'snapshots' of the working enzyme for the first time," says senior author Tittmann. This made it possible to build novel inhibitors where the principle of the design is based on the natural reaction. These inhibitors therefore lead to highly selective binding without the risk of dangerous side effects. The scientists also succeeded in determining an atomic structure of the human enzyme with the new substance. This forms an important basis for further development of the inhibitors. "We are confident that our results will lead to the development of a new, highly selective generation of Alzheimer's drugs," explained Demuth.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-07-20 03:05:15|Editor: huaxia

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CAIRO, July 19 (Xinhua) -- Egypt supports Yemen's security and stability and rejects any foreign, non-Arab intervention in the country, Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly told reporters on Sunday.

Egypt backs the efforts of legitimate Yemeni President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi to reconstruct Yemen and restore security and stability across the country, Madbouly told a joint press conference with his visiting Yemeni counterpart Maeen Abdulmalik.

For his part, Abdulmalik said Yemen and Egypt have the same position on national security, noting "Yemen is going through a difficult period due to foreign interventions and the policies of Houthi militias."

Earlier in the day, the two prime ministers, along with a number of ministers and officials from both countries, held discussions in Cairo on various aspects of joint cooperation.

Yemen has been mired in a civil war since late 2014 when the Iran-backed Houthi militia seized control of much of the country's north and forced Hadi's government out of the capital Sanaa.

A Saudi-led Arab coalition has been fighting Houthi rebels since early 2015 in support of Hadi's government.

The conflict in Yemen has killed tens of thousands, mostly civilians, displaced 3 million and pushed more than 20 million to the verge of starvation. Enditem
Mount Greylock District Weighs Wastewater Testing

WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass.  The interim superintendent of the Mount Greylock Regional School District Tuesday expressed interest in pursuing wastewater testing as a method for identifying early the presence of COVID-19 at the district's three schools.

Robert Putnam was reacting to a suggestion from parent Foster Goodrich, who offered his comments during a meeting of the Education Subcommittee of the School Committee.

Goodrich told the panel that he works with engineering firm AECOM, one of the companies using wastewater analysis to test sewage, a strategy that the City of Pittsfield announced the week before that it will employ in the fight against the novel coronavirus.

"I wanted to make the subcommittee aware that there are other ways to test for COVID as a whole," Goodrich said. "[Wastewater testing] is a precursor to symptoms. Because you're testing in the parts per billion and everything is passed through your system, there is the ability to test, and there is data that shows that those test results show up seven to 14 days ahead of symptoms.

"The best way to test, quite frankly, is test on a Monday and test on a Friday. I'm not advocating for testing every day. But if we were to test twice a week, I think it would be relevant."

Putnam indicated he agreed the data could be relevant.

"I was very interested in Foster's comment," Putnam said. "That was an interesting idea.  I think it's valuable for us to have a sense of what is the data on transmission in the county, within our town areas. I'm not sure how to get that information.

"Foster's suggestion, I thought, 'This is interesting.' We're not necessarily going to get accurate information on the number of folks who are living in our towns who have tested positive. This, at least would allow us  to know. I would feel assured if we knew there was no incidence of COVID that was discernible through our wastewater."

The waste testing was just one topic in a wide-ranging discussion by the subcommittee, which took reports from five of the district's working groups tasked with helping develop a plan for the reopening of schools in September.

Goodrich said tests can be conducted at a community's sewage treatment plant; Lanesborough, home of one of the district's two elementary schools, sends its sewage to Pittsfield. But the wastewater also can be treated wherever there is a manhole, Goodrich said.

Cost is a major consideration, he noted.

"The single greatest impediment to a national platform on this is funding," Goodrich said. "The federal government is not supporting it, currently. There's a vague, gray zone in which FEMA may or may not support it, and currently the state of Massachusetts, as well as other state and municipal governments do not support it because of the financial implications and the decline in tax revenue.

"As a ballpark figure, in Berkshire County, if there was only one testing source, it would be about $125,000 a year to test one source, once a week. There are economies of scale, so if all the school districts and the jail and others in Berkshire County decided to sign on board, that test cost drops down to about $500 a test [$26,000 per testing site, per 52-week year]. And given a school year, obviously, that drops the price dramatically."

Putnam indicated that $500 per test sounded like it could be a manageable number given the need for good data about the virus' spread, and he promised to raise the issue on Wednesday at a meeting of the county's superintendents.

The interim superintendent of the Lanesborough-Williamstown district, who was hired by the School Committee on July 7, has plunged head-first into the work of devising three different plans for the fall as mandated by the commissioner of education: a full return to the classroom for all students, a fully remote teaching model and a "hybrid" model that combines in-person and remote learning.

Districts across the commonwealth have until July 31 to submit those plans to the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.
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UPDATE 3pm: The NZ Transport Agency advise that State Highway 25A remains closed today due to slips.

State Highway 25 between Hikaui and Whangamata will also remain closed following a large slip.

Work to clear two separate slip sites on SH25A continues today, however SH25A is closed between Kopu and Hikaui and is expected to be closed until at least Monday.

An alternate route is using SH25 via Coromandel and Whitianga.

Following a large slip, SH25 between Hikuai and McBeth Rd will remain closed until later this evening.

Motorists are advised to delay their journey or allow extra time for alternative routes. An alternative route is using SH2 via Karangahake Gorge.

Earlier, 10am: The NZ Transport Agency advise that State Highway 25A remains closed today due to slips.

State Highway 25 between Hikaui and Whangamata is also closed following a large slip.

"Work to clear two separate slip sites on SH25A continues today," says an NZTA spokesperson. "However SH25A is closed between Kopu and Hikuai and is expected to be closed until at least late Sunday afternoon or possibly longer with further slip activity.

Motorists are advised to delay their journey or allow extra time for alternative routes. An alternate route is via SH25 through Coromandel and Whitianga.

SH25 is also closed between Hikaui and McBeth Rd following a large slip.

"And will remain closed until at least late afternoon, or possibly longer with further geotechnical assessments ongoing."

Motorists are advised to use SH2 via Karangahake Gorge until further notice.
President Donald Trump is refusing to publicly commit to accepting the results of the upcoming White House election, recalling a similar threat he made weeks before the 2016 vote, as he scoffs at polls showing him lagging behind Democrat Joe Biden. Trump says its too early to make such an ironclad guarantee.

I have to see. Look ... I have to see, Trump told moderator Chris Wallace during a wide-ranging interview on Fox News Sunday. No, Im not going to just say yes. Im not going to say no, and I didnt last time either. The Biden campaign responded: The American people will decide this election. And the United States government is perfectly capable of escorting trespassers out of the White House.

Trump also hammered the Pentagon brass for favoring renaming bases that honor Confederate military leaders  a drive for change spurred by the national debate about race after George Floyds death. I dont care what the military says, the commander in chief said.

The president described the nations top infectious diseases expert, Dr. Anthony Fauci, as a a little bit of an alarmist about the coronavirus pandemic, and Trump stuck to what he had said back in February  that the virus is going to disappear. On Fox, he said, Ill be right eventually. The United States tops the global death toll list with over 140,000 and confirmed infections, with 3.7 million.

It is remarkable that a sitting president would express less than complete confidence in the American democracys electoral process. But for Trump, it comes from his insurgent playbook of four years ago, when in the closing stages of his race against Hillary Clinton, he said he would not commit to honoring the election results if the Democrat won.

Pressed during an October 2016 debate about whether he would abide by the voters will, Trump responded that he would keep you in suspense. The presidents remarks to Fox are certain to fuel conversation on Capitol Hill, where lawmakers had already been airing concerns in private about a scenario in which Trump disputes the election results.

Trump has seen his presidential popularity erode over his handling of the coronavirus pandemic and in the aftermath of nationwide protests centered on racial injustice that erupted after Floyds death in Minneapolis nearly two months.

Trump contends that a series of polls that show his popularity eroding and Biden holding an advantage are faulty. He believes Republican voters are underrepresented in such surveys.

First of all, Im not losing, because those are fake polls, Trump said in the taped interview, which aired Sunday. They were fake in 2016 and now theyre even more fake. The polls were much worse in 2016.

Trump was frequently combative with Wallace in defending his administrations response to the pandemic, weighing in on the Black Lives Matter movement and trying to portray Biden, the presumptive Democratic nominee, as lacking the mental prowess to serve as president.

Among the issues discussed was the push for wholesale changes in policing that has swept across the nation. Trump said he could understand why Black Americans are upset about how police use force disproportionately against them.

Of course I do. Of course I do, the president said, adding his usual refrain that whites are also killed, too.

He said he was not offended either by Black Lives Matter, but at the same time defended the Confederate flag, a symbol of the racism of the past, and said those who proudly have their Confederate flags, theyre not talking about racism.

They love their flag, it represents the South, they like the South. Thats freedom of speech. And you know, the whole thing with cancel culture, we cant cancel our whole history. We cant forget that the North and the South fought. We have to remember that, otherwise well end up fighting again. You cant just cancel all, Trump said.

Wallace challenged Trump on some of his claims and called out the president at time, such as when Trump falsely asserted that Biden wants to defund the police. The former vice president has not joined with activists rallying behind that banner. He has proposed more money for police, conditioned to improvements in their practices.

Trump continues to insist that Biden signed a charter with one of his primary rivals on the left, Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont. At one point in the interview, Trump calls on aides to bring him documentation to support his assertion. Trump, however, is unable to point to language from a Biden-Sanders task force policy document released this month by the Biden campaign.

Trump stood behind his pledge to veto a $740 billion defense bill over a requirement that the Defense Department change the names of bases named for Confederate military leaders. That list includes Fort Bragg in North Carolina, Fort Hood in Texas and Fort Benning in Georgia.

The president argued there were no viable alternatives if the government ever tried. Were going to name it after the Reverend Al Sharpton? Trump asked, referring to a prominent civil rights leader. What are you going to name it?

Trump, 74, stuck to a campaign charge that Biden, 77, is unable to handle the rigors of the White House because of his age. As for polls showing the incumbent is trailing, Trump noted he was thought to be behind for much of the 2016 contest. I wont lose, he predicted.

The president and top advisors have long accused Biden of using the pandemic as an excuse to stay in his basement in his Delaware home. Biden has indeed shifted much of his campaign online, but frequently travels in Delaware and Pennsylvania, organizing speeches and small gatherings with voters and community leaders that are within driving distance of his home. Bidens campaign says it will begin resuming normal travel and campaign activities, but only when health officials and state and local authorities say it is safe.

Questioned about the coronavirus, Trump chided Fauci, the National Institutes of Health expert, and repeated false claims that anybody could get a test and that increased testing was the only reason that the U.S. was seeing more cases. When Wallace cited criticism about the lack of a national plan to confront the virus, Trump said, I take responsibility always for everything because its ultimately my job, too, and claimed, I supplied everybody.

Case are rising because people are infecting each other more than they were when most everyone was hunkered down. The percentage of tests coming back positive for the virus has been on the rise across nearly the entire country.
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People in the Mekong Delta province of An Giang do not mind getting dirty and inhaling toxic dust as they spend days afloat collecting ash and selling it for compost to make a living.

Unlike fruit, flower, and vegetable sellers who typically gather at floating markets on rivers crisscrossing the Mekong Delta, these traders deal in ash, a greyish agricultural by-product which was considered waste in the past.

Dirty work

Tra Thon Canal, snaking through Long Dien B Commune in Cho Moi District, An Giang Province, is lined with dozens of sampans heaped with ash.

According to Cao Van Bet, 45, who has earned his living as an ash trader for 15 years, each ash collecting trip takes seven to ten days.

The lack of agricultural machinery in the region in the 1970s meant farmers had to thresh rice manually and pile the leftover straw into heaps on the paddies without knowing what to do with it.

There was no need for more fertilizers because the soil was already naturally enriched by silt-laden rivers, so traders like Bet saw an opportunity.

We would go to the field owners to ask for unused straw after harvest and collect ash reduced from burning it. One hectare of paddy would yield 20 to 22 kilograms of straw ash, he recalled.

As the stock in their own locality ran out, the traders turned to neighboring districts or even provinces nearby including Dong Thap for more straw to turn into ash.

Apart from straw, other sources of ash include charcoal and wood, Bet added.

Ash compost is applied to paddies and orchards or sold to flower growers in the Sa Dec Flower Village in Dong Thap Province or its Cai Mon counterpart in nearby Ben Tre Province, which have become well known amongst locals and foreigners.

The fertilizer later found new markets in the provinces located north of Ho Chi Minh City including Binh Duong and Tay Ninh, where farmers applied it on the soil which is less fertile than that in the Mekong Delta so they can grow peanut, papaya, and cassava crops.

With Tra Thon Canal alone home to around 300 ash trading households ranging from sourcers, sellers to buyers, the area is usually bustling with commotion.

The otherwise valueless by-product has earned many locals a good living.

Many families have bounced from daily grind to a financially secure life. They can provide for their families, support their childrens education, and build houses, Tran Phi Long, 53, who has been on the job for more than 30 years, said, adding each trip earned them a profit of about VND1 million VND (US$43), which is less than what they had previously received.

Ash compost is currently a favorite among farmers in An Giang Province and neighboring localities in Vietnams Mekong Delta. Photo: Thanh Nhon / Tuoi Tre

It is taxing work, involving early mornings, inhaling the dust, and getting ash in their eyes.

After one day of hard work, we can get about 200 sacks, or two metric tons at best. Its really irritating to have ash in your eyes or nose, Long said, adding the job also gives collectors what they call ash tan.

Sacks are then loaded onto sampans for sale, each of which can carry up to 1,500 sacks in one go.

Ash vending trips normally last from one week to 20 days, with two or three men on board to help with the sacks.

I quit the job some years ago over old age after accompanying him on the trips for dozens of years. Those who stick to the job now just scrape by earning a modest profit, Lam Thi Kim Dung, Longs wife, said.

Many have given up as the job takes us away from home for up to one month and poses health hazards, 68-year-old Nguyen Minh Hai shared.

Family tradition

Despite meager profits and health risks, some young men are still keen to follow in their fathers footsteps.

Long said he is considering retiring and passing the trade altogether on to his son, 31-year-old Tran Phi An, who has picked up the tricks after working as Longs assistant for the past few years.

Im terribly homesick during the trips, but Ill try to follow my fathers career, An said.

Similarly, Cao Huu Duc, Bets son, has also lent a hand to his father during ash vending trips for nearly three years.

Ill hold on to the job as long as there is still demand for ash. Every job has its own merits, the 19-year-old man shared.

Cao Van Bet, from Cho Moi District, An Giang Province in Vietnams Mekong Delta, prepares for a days-long ash selling trip. Photo: Thanh Nhon / Tuoi Tre

Seasonal job

In recent years, traders have switched to rice husks over the scarcity of straw and wood ash. Their clients are mostly brick kilns and factories which use the husks as burning materials.

Hoa Do Canal, snuggled in Lai Vung District, Dong Thap Province, is the meeting point of sampans loaded with tons of rice husks.

Le Quoc Tuan, 39, who has been on the job for nine years, said he now boasts a fleet of three sampans with a capacity of approximately 12 metric tons of husks.

We dont make handsome profits, but can get by on the job, which is done seasonally, along with rice crops, he said.

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A black man holding an American flag has been filmed telling protesters in Portland 'none of you guys represent Black lives'.

The unidentified demonstrator stood outside the Federal Courthouse on Saturday evening, footage shared on Twitter shows. In the clip he attempts to protect the building from vandals who tore down a fence.

Portland has seen nearly two months of nightly protests since the killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis. Late Saturday, demonstrators broke into a building, set it on fire and started dumpster fires, police said.

The man tells protesters: 'If you stand for justice come here and stand with me, stand with me because I stand for justice. Im not here to tear down this f***ing fence, Im not here to spray-paint.'

He adds: 'Its going on every day. If you dont want to get gassed, stop! It has to stop! None of you guys represent Black lives.'

Fencing that had been placed around the federal courthouse was removed by protesters Saturday and made into barricades, police tweeted.

WARNING: GRAPHIC LANGUAGE

A black man holding an American flag tells protesters in Portland 'none of you guys represent Black lives' as he tries to protect the Federal Courthouse from vandals

A man with an American flag ask why the mob is ripping down the fence in front of the Federal Courthouse #Portland pic.twitter.com/XP5QZtLTRO  Jorge Ventura Media (@VenturaReport) July 19, 2020

A demonstrator hits pieces of fencing blocking a door used by federal law enforcement officers deployed under the Trump administration's executive order to protect federal monuments and buildings, during a protest overnight Saturday

A protester dances around a fire set by protesters while burning a peace sign near the Federal Courthouse in Portland on Saturday night

The mayor of Portland said Sunday the presence of federal agents is exacerbating tensions in Portland. Speaking on CNN's Democrat Ted Wheeler said federal officers 'are not wanted here. We haven't asked them here. In fact, we want them to leave.'

He said: 'Well, the president has a complete misunderstanding of cause and effect. What's happening here is, we have dozens, if not hundreds of federal troops descending upon our city. And what they're doing is, they are sharply escalating the situation. Their presence here is actually leading to more violence and more vandalism.

'And it's not helping the situation at all. They're not wanted here. We haven't asked them here. In fact, we want them to leave. What we're seeing is a blatant abuse of police tactics by the federal government, by a Trump administration that's falling in the polls. And this is a direct threat to our democracy.'

President Donald Trump has decried the demonstrations, and Homeland Security Secretary Chad Wolf blasted the protesters as 'lawless anarchists' in a visit to the city on Thursday.

'We are trying to help Portland, not hurt it,' Trump tweeted Sunday. 'Their leadership has, for months, lost control of the anarchists and agitators. They are missing in action. We must protect Federal property, AND OUR PEOPLE. These were not merely protesters, these are the real deal!'

A fire at the Portland Police Association building was put out a short time later, Portland police said on Twitter Saturday. The department declared the gathering a riot, and began working to clear the downtown area.

'As the crowd was dispersed, several people in the crowd were arrested and officers were able to extinguish the fire. Portland Police did not use any CS gas,' the bureau said in a statement early Sunday.

Tear gas was deployed, according to pictures and video from the scene, but it was not necessarily CS gas.

Police said protesters had gathered Saturday evening at the Portland Police Bureau's North Precinct, vandalizing patrol vehicles and taunting officers as they reported for work.

The unidentified demonstrator stood outside the Federal Courthouse on Saturday evening, footage shared on Twitter shows. In the clip he attempts to protect the building

Portland has seen nearly two months of nightly protests since the killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis. Protesters are pictured on Friday night

Protesters disagree over the presence of a US flag during a protest in Portland Saturday

Later, as police dispersed a group that had gathered near North Interstate Avenue, people threw rocks and paint-filled balloons at officers. Some were injured, the statement said.

Before the aggressive language and action from federal officials, the unrest had frustrated Wheeler and other local authorities, who had said a small cadre of violent activists were drowning out the message of peaceful protesters in the city. But Wheeler said the federal presence in the city is now exacerbating a tense situation.

'What we're seeing is a blatant abuse of police tactics by the federal government, Wheeler said Sunday.

Oregon Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum sued Homeland Security and the Marshals Service in federal court late Friday.

The complaint said unidentified federal agents have grabbed people off Portland's streets 'without warning or explanation, without a warrant, and without providing any way to determine who is directing this action.'

Rosenblum said she was seeking a temporary restraining order to 'immediately stop federal authorities from unlawfully detaining Oregonians.'

However, federal officers and Portland police advanced simultaneously on demonstrators to clear the streets early Saturday, making arrests as protesters threw bottles and pieces of metal fencing.

Protesters push a chain-link fence against an entrance to the Multnomah County Justice Center in an attempt to prevent police from leaving the building during a protest Friday

A smoke grenade burns in front of federal law enforcement officers, deployed under the Trump administration's new executive order to protect federal monuments and buildings

The action by Portland's police was condemned by Jo Ann Hardesty, a prominent member of the City Council. Hardesty said Saturday that local police 'joined in the aggressive clampdown of peaceful protest.'

Hardesty also slammed Wheeler, telling the mayor he needed to better control local law enforcement. Hardesty, who oversees the city's fire department and other first-responder agencies, said in an open letter to Wheeler if 'you can't control the police, give me the Portland Police Bureau.'

In a statement Saturday, Portland Police said as they responded to the overnight protests some federal agencies took action 'under their own supervision and direction.' Portland Police said city officers arrested seven people, and one officer sustained a minor injury.
Charleston's 350th Commemoration

In 2020, the City of Charleston and its citizens will commemorate its 350th anniversary of the arrival of English settlers from Barbados to Charles Towne Landing in 1670 and share Charlestons full and accurate story up to the present day. Throughout the year, we will honor the customs, diverse cultures, and rich heritage through a deep reflection and true representation of the citys history.
Most people worry about turning up to work too late.

But Dr Ranj Singh's weakness is turning up to work too early, as he admitted that he accidentally rocked up to work two months too soon at Guy's and St Thomas' Hospital in London on Sunday.

The Strictly Come Dancing contestant, 41, revealed that he arrived at work to cover his colleague's NHS shift, unaware that he had mixed up the dates by eight weeks.

Blunder: Dr Ranj Singh admitted to fans on social media that he confused the date for his NHS shift at Guy's and St Thomas' Hospital in London and accidentally turned up two months early

In a social media post, the NHS doctor made light of the fact that he turned up on the wrong date and blamed the current lockdown circumstances for playing havoc with his mind.

He wrote in a Tweet: 'Guess which idiot turned up to work for his shift this morning... 2 months early #lockdownbrain.

'An explanation: colleague asked me to swap into his shift for the 19th... I thought he meant July. Turns out he meant September.'

Face palm: The TV personality, 41, who is also an NHS doctor agreed to cover one of his colleague's shift at the hospital unaware that the date was for September instead of July

When he's not rocking up to work two months too soon, Dr Ranj is dispelling any myths about mask-wearing.

He has encouraged others to wear face coverings when out in public and clarified that there is 'no evidence6' to suggest wearing a mask is bad for your health.

The doctor said via the Mirror: 'Unless you have a medical reason not to, or cannot manage them, they should be worn where recommended. Small children are also exempt.

'There is NO evidence that masks/face coverings are bad for you. This is nonsense.

Multi-talented: Ranj is a man of many talents as he appeared on the BBC show Strictly Come Dancing in 2018 and was the sixth contestant to be eliminated

'If I can wear one of these for 12 hours on shift and be absolutely fine, then you can wear a face covering on public transport and to the shops!

'Remember: masks are mainly about protecting each other!'

Dr Ranj frequently presents on TV to provide important medical advice, he even received a HIV test live on air to inspire others to get tested and show how 'quick and easy' it is.

He appeared on ITV program, This Morning, as he showed how it is simply a case of pricking your finger and collecting the blood in a vial.
Bambi Northwood-Blyth has finally found romance, three years after splitting from her fashion designer husband Dan Single.

The 29-year-old model was spotted in the arms of a hunky mystery man as they strolled around Bondi, New South Wales, on Saturday.

Bambi, who was previously linked to male model Jordan Barrett, made her feelings for the unnamed hunk crystal clear as they canoodled on the sidewalk.

She's smitten! Model Bambi Northwood-Blyth, 29, was spotted kissing a mystery man in Bondi on Saturday - three years after her split from husband Dan Single

At one stage during their stroll, Bambi's man slung a protective arm around her slender shoulders and nuzzled his face close to hers.

The couple were also seen packing on the PDA outside a local take-away chicken shop.

After ordering their food at the counter, the pair retreated to the sidewalk and began kissing and cuddling while their food was being prepared.

She's taken! Bambi, who was previously linked to male model Jordan Barrett, made her feelings for the unnamed hunk crystal clear as they canoodled on the sidewalk

Winter warmers: Bambi was dressed for comfort, looking cosy in a cream sweater, black Nike leggings and black-and-pink sneakers

Bambi was dressed for comfort, looking cosy in a cream sweater, black Nike leggings and black-and-pink sneakers.

The genetically-blessed catwalk star went makeup-free and left her striking bob-style hair to fall loosely.

Her male companion meanwhile wore a black hoodie, khaki shorts and white sneakers.

Cosy: The couple were also seen packing on the PDA outside a local take-away chicken shop

Can't keep their hands off each other! After ordering their food at the counter, the pair retreated to the sidewalk and began kissing and cuddling while their food was being prepared

He slung a beach towel over one shoulders, suggesting that a dip in the ocean could have been on the couple's agenda for the day.

Bambi split from her husband Dan Single in 2017, one month after he fell 'feet first' from a bedroom window at the Hotel Grand D'Amour apartment in Paris.

Following the horrific accident, Bambi was seen rushing to a nearby hospital, where Dan was placed in an induced-coma.

It's official! The pair enjoyed a romantic smooch outside the popular take-away restaurant

Natural beauty: The genetically-blessed catwalk star went makeup-free and left her striking bob-style hair to fall loosely

A month later, previously supportive fans turned on him, labelling him 'pathetic' for using fundraising website Go Fund Me to ask for $250,000 to cover hospital bills.

It was later claimed Bambi was 'mortified' about Dan's decision to ask for money, and reports subsequently emerged speculating the pair had split during the fallout.

However the lauded fashion icon has since vehemently denied that was the case, instead revealing that there were still 'good vibes' between the pair.

Alongside an image of the model staring out to sea posted to his Instagram, Dan explained: 'By the way [she] didn't leave me because of a stupid go fund me page I don't even remember writing, days out of a coma in a complete morphine haze.'

'She has her own dreams to chase and it's her time to do it now. She works hard and is making those dreams come true and I am very proud of her, nothing but good vibes... Go girl!' the clothing entrepreneur added.

Delicious! The glamazon was seen sipping on a purple take-away beverage
The name Veerappan which was synonymous to dacoity in the 2000s has a new identity today. The sandalwood smugglers daughter, Vidhya Veerappan, is the new vice-president of the BJPs Tamil Nadu youth wing, according to a report by the Indian Express.

The 29-year-old law graduate runs a school of children in Krishnagiri and does social work. She joined the BJP party, which is grasping at last straws in the southern state, in February 2020. I dont relate to any particular community, I believe in humanity, she adds.

Vidhya came to know about her appointment through a Facebook post by the state party leadership and almost immediately, the talk was all about her father.

Her infamous father made the national headlines in 2000 for kidnapping and releasing Kannada movie star Rajkumar. He was believed to be responsible for the deaths of over 150 people, police and forest officers included, poaching of over 100 elephants and smuggling sandalwood. Four years later, he was killed in a shootout by the Tamil Nadu Police Special Task Force (STF) headed by K Vijay Kumar.

Vidhya met her father once in her life. I had seen him only once, during a school vacation, when I was at my grandfathers village Gopinatham, near Hanur in Karnataka. There was a forest nearby, I was hardly six or seven years old. He came to where we were playing, spent a few minutes talking to me, and left. I remember him asking me to do good, study well to become a doctor and serve people, Vidhya said.

But by the time I started knowing the world, he had lived his lifeI believe it was the situation around him that made him choose a problematic path. But some of the stories I heard about him motivated me to do social service, she added.

Vidhya was born in a Chennai hospital after her mother surrendered to the police. Her mother was lodged in a womens hostel where she was dubbed Vidhya Rani by an STF officer, Kumar in his book Veerappan: Chasing the Brigand wrote.

There is a popular narrative which sees Veerappan as the Robin Hood figure for the Vanniyars, an influential OBC community that he belonged to.

He was never into politics but his approach and actions were based on his understanding of the world around him. There are many interpretations about his work for the Vanniyar community, says Vidhya.

She joined the BJP after a local leader introduced her to the then Union Minister Pon Radhakrishnan. She admits that the arena of politics is unknown to her. I was interested in social service, and Radhakrishnan suggested that I do the same work for the party, she said.

Her mother, Muthulakshmi is still affiliated to Tamizhaga Vazhvurimai Katchi (TVK), an offshoot of the PMK, a Vanniyar party and NDA ally.
Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot may go for a floor test as early as Wednesday to end the political challenge his government faces after the rebellion by a faction of MLAs led by now-sacked deputy chief minister Sachin Pilot. Having secured the support of two Bhartiya Tribal Party MLAs, Gehlot met Governor Kalraj Mishra on Saturday evening at Jaipur Raj Bhawan.

The BTP's support came as a shot in the arm for Gehlot who was asked by Leader of Opposition in Assembly, Gulab Chand Kataria, to prove his majority.

Sources said Gehlot informed Mishra about the support extended by the two lawmakers and claimed a majority amid the political crisis in the state. However, an official statement from the Raj Bhavan made no mention of the crisis, describing the meeting between Gehlot and Mishra as a "courtesy meeting". A Raj Bhavan spokesperson said during the meeting, which lasted for about 45 minutes, Gehlot briefed the governor about the efforts being taken to protect the state from the coronavirus pandemic.

Sources aware of the development said the assembly session could be called on Wednesday for a floor test. The calling of the session serves twin purposes; it will not only test Gehlot's strength on the floor of the House, but will pose another challenge to the 19 MLAs who have gone to court seeking a stay on the disqualification notice served to them by speaker CP Joshi on a complaint filed by Congress chief whip in the state assembly Mahesh Joshi.

In the house of 200, Congress has 107 MLAs, including 19 of those who have been issued notices of disqualification by the assembly speaker on complaint by chief whip Mahesh Joshi. The party claims that the Gehlot government has 109 MLAs, including Congress, independents and other supporting party legislators, in its support to run the government.

The sacking of Pilot from the Congress and his imminent exit have once again ignited the debate of young turks vs old guards and spawned fears of a fresh wave of defections from the party. The former Rajasthan deputy chief minister's refusal to yield to the party high command's overtures is already being linked to his proximity to Jyotiraditya Scindia, who earlier revolted and left the Congress in March.

(With PTI inputs)
Online classes are posing as much of a challenge to teachers as students, with many educators complaining that they are unable to have disciplined classes.

Weeks after the management of St Xaviers College in Dhobi Talao suspended three Class 12 students for sharing their online class IDs with outsiders, who, in turn, abused the teacher during a class, a large number of teachers are complaining about similar problems.

A handful of colleges have already started lectures for Class 12 as well as second and third-year degree courses, and teachers are finding it difficult to handle students, most of whom keep their videos and audios off during class, leaving the teacher unsure of their presence during the lecture.

The rule is that only the teacher gets to talk during the class, while students can ask questions in a chat window, or at the end of the class. The problem is that at any given point, Im unsure of the students presence because the screens are mostly blank. Theres no way of finding out if the students are present or not, said Archana Sachdeva, a visiting faculty at a host of suburban colleges.

Several colleges are using free video chat apps to conduct lectures, and many teachers believe it is the reason security cannot be upgraded for online classes.

The paid apps are for around 90-100 people per class, but our junior college classes have anywhere between 100-120 students, so we will end up paying for two classes per lecture, which is not feasible. At present, we are trying to plug the loopholes with the help of our information technology team, said Rajendra Shinde, principal of St Xaviers College. He added that while a first information report (FIR) has not been registered against the perpetrators, the incident has been shared with the deputy commissioner of police, cyber crime cell.

Recently, a senior professor from a Delhi-based university took to social media to share his experience of conducting an online class, in which he faced constant abuse and was made fun of by some users. His post went viral within hours, and teachers affiliated with Mumbai colleges shared similar problems faced by them during online classes.

While regular lectures as per a timetable are yet to begin, many colleges have started conducting classes online to ease teachers and students into the process. This insistence on starting online classes, however, has not gone down well with many teachers.

None of the colleges have thought things through, and have dived into the online class bandwagon without considering security protocols and precautions for teachers as well as students. In some cases, the colleges have not even bothered to check if teachers or students have access to good internet, and still, classes have started, said a lecturer of a prominent south Mumbai college, on condition of anonymity.

As of now, the Maharashtra Federation of University and College Teachers Organisation (MFUCTO) has not received official complaints from their members, but the problem is real, said the spokesperson. Classes have commenced due to the compulsion laid down by colleges, and teachers are bearing the brunt. To date, not a single notification to start classes has been released by the University of Mumbai (MU) or state government. On what basis then, have classes begun, asked Tapati Mukhopadhyay, president, MFUCTO.

She added that amidst confusion on the status of exams for final-year students, no notification has been released by universities to the colleges. Whats worse is that colleges have started lectures without waiting to find out about the syllabus. Since the 2020-21 academic year is being reduced to seven months instead of nine or 10, the University Grants Commission (UGC) has clarified that the curriculum will have to be compressed. Yet, some colleges have started lectures, she added.

As of now, state universities have asked their affiliated colleges to promote all students, except those in the final year, but no clarity on commencement of regular academics has been shared yet.

We still request colleges to call off classes until further clarity from the government, added Mukhopadhyay.

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By Express News Service

KOLKATA: Fugitive Ayesha Jannat Mohona spent three years in India and last one year in Bangladesh before she was arrested in Dhaka on Friday on the charges of recruiting youths and raising funds for Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB), said an official of the central intelligence wing in India.

The 25-year-old woman with Hindu origin from Kolkatas adjoining Hooghly district who changed her religion to Islam joined JMB, an outlawed terror outfit in Bangladesh.

The sleuths of the Subsidiary Intelligence Bureau (SIB), the central intelligence wing, are looking for leads to track Ayeshas footprint in West Bengal and other parts of the country since she had left home four years ago.

"Bangladesh police are interrogating her. We have been told that they would share her activities in India before she settled in Bangladesh with us. Now our prime concern is what Ayesha did for three years in India after leaving home," said a SIB officer.

The daughter of daily wage earner Pradip Debnath, who named her Pragya, left home in September 2016 saying she was going to Kolkata. "She never returned home. On the day she left home, we kept calling my daughter but her cellphone kept ringing. At night, her cell phone was not reachable. In December, she called and told that she changed her religion to Islam. We were shocked. That was the last time I heard my daughters voice," recounted Pradip.

Ayeshas family members were stunned when they were searching for her photographs to lodge a missing diary on the day she had left home. "She destroyed all her photographs, including those which were clicked during her childhood, and took away all the documents related to her education," said Pradip.

The SIB sleuths came to know Ayesha had changed her religion in 2009 when she was studying in school. "She disclosed it to her family three months after leaving home in 2016. She started visiting Bangladesh from 2016 but started living there from August 19 in 2019 in the garb of a teacher at a religious institute. She first rented house at Keranigaj and then shifted to Fatullah, said a SIB officer.

The central agency came to know Ayesha had 13 Facebook accounts using different names."She used to communicate using the messenger call facility of the social web portal. We are waiting for the information that Bangladesh police will share with us," said the officer.

Ayeshas mother Geeta said she never imagined her daughter would become an active member of a terror outfit. "We tried our best to provide her education. I want her to be punished for her actions," the mother said.
We will be kingmakers, says BTP as Rajasthan crisis unfolds

India

oi-PTI

Jaipur, July 19: As the Ashok Gehlot government struggles to retain power in Rajasthan, the Bharatiya Tribal Party says it is now in a position to punch way above its weight despite its minuscule presence in the state assembly.

"We have two MLAs in a House of 200, yet we are in the position of kingmakers," party president Maheshbhai C Vasava told PTI on Sunday.

At a joint press conference with the Congress on Saturday, BTP legislators Rajkumar Roat and Ramprasad Dindor made it clear that they are with Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot.

Act on plaint against Congress demands Rajasthan BJP

This ended days of uncertainty over where the Gujarat-based party's loyalties lie.

The two MLAs supported the ruling Congress in the state in last month's Rajya Sabha polls. But when the power tussle between Gehlot and his now sacked deputy Sachin Pilot re-surfaced recently, the BTP said it will remain neutral.

Vasava said the party is now extending support to Gehlot after an assurance that its demands related to the development of tribal areas will be met.

"We have fought against the Congress and the BJP on tribal issues but if the government now assures full support on the issues raised by us, why shouldn't we support it? After all it is fulfilling the agenda of tribal welfare and development," he said.

When the crisis began last week, Vasava issued a whip directing both Roat and Dindor not to support any leader or party in case there is a floor test in the assembly.

However, Sagwara MLA Ramprasad Dindor expressed defiance of the whip, saying both of them will support the state government.

Later, party office-bearers and the MLAs held discussions with the chief minister on their demands.

"We had supported the Congress government in the Rajya Sabha elections last month after an assurance by the chief minister on our demands," Chorasi MLA Roat said.

"But the demands were not fulfilled. Some of them could have been met in just one day," he complained.

The party then thought of not extending support to him, the MLA said.

Last week, Roat appeared in two video clips, alleging that he was being stopped by Rajasthan police from travelling to his constituency in Dungarpur district.

He claimed that police personnel had come in two vans and taken away his car keys. He also alleged that some people were forcing him to come with them.

The videos were circulated by the Sachin Pilot camp and the BJP had questioned the state government over them.

But Raut later dismissed the episode as a "misunderstanding" with police. He said the party's agenda is development of tribal areas and they have raised 17 demands before the CM.

Some of the demands are related to reservation in jobs and the utilisation of funds for tribal areas.

The BTP came into being in 2017 in Gujarat, and expanded into Rajasthan the next year.

In the December 2018 assembly elections, it fielded 11 candidates in the tribal belt in southern Rajasthan. Raot was 26 when he won and most other candidates too were young.

"The youth are our power. Today's youth is educated, understands issues and understands how the tribal people were deprived of their rights. We fielded many young candidates and the party's performance was very good," BTP state president Velaram Ghoghra said.

The crisis in Rajasthan Congress has been brewing since the party picked Gehlot over Pilot for the chief minister's post. Pilot was sacked as deputy chief minister and the party's state unit president when he and 18 other MLAs stayed away from two Congress Legislature Party meetings.

The rebel MLAs were served notices by Speaker C P Joshi after the Congress sought their disqualification from the assembly. The Rajasthan High Court will on Monday resume hearing their petition challenging the notices.

Coronavirus: WHO reports single-day record global spike in Covid-19 cases | Oneindia News

Including the dissidents, the Congress has 107 MLAs in the 200-member assembly and the BJP 72.

If the 19 Congress dissidents are disqualified, the current strength of the state assembly will reduce to 181, slashing the half-way mark to 91 and making it easier for Gehlot to retain majority support.

In the past, the ruling party has claimed the support of 13 independents, two MLAs each from the CPM and the BTP), and one from the Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD).
A Christian author has revealed that he is gay and announced that he and his wife are getting a divorce.

Matthew Paul Turner took to social media to inform his readers and followers that he is splitting with wife Jessica, who is also a writer.

The Nashville-based couple, who married in 2004, have three children together.

Turner is a former editor of CCM, a twice monthly online magazine about contemporary Christian music, and is also known for penning a series of rhyming children's books some of which have sold more than 100,000 copies each.

'Dear friends, I have difficult news to share. After much thought, prayer, and counseling, Jessica and I have made the decision to end our marriage,' Turner began.

'While we're best friends and thoroughly love doing life, parenting, and pursuing our dreams together, ending our marriage is necessary because I am gay.'

Christian children's book author Matthew Paul Turner came out as gay on social media and announced that he and his wife are divorcing on Instagram

Turner was the former editor of CCM, a magazine covering contemporary Christian music, left. He is also the author of bestselling children's books, right, which have sold more than 100,000 copies

Turner posted some sweet photos as he celebrated Father's Day last month

The couple had three children together and plan to co-parent while 'moving on' with their lives

He added: 'Being gay isnt a new discovery for me. However, as someone who spent 30+ years in fundamentalist/evangelical churches, exploring God through conservative theologies, Ive lived many days overwhelmed by fear, shame, and self-hatred.

'Though my own faith evolved long ago to become LGBTQ+ affirming, my journey toward recognizing, accepting and embracing myself took much longer.

'But for the first time in my life, despite the sadness and grief Im feeling right now, I can say with confidence that Im ready to embrace freedom, hope, and God as a gay man.'

His wife Jessica also posted on Facebook explaining how the couple 'are moving forward with ending our marriage, while remaining deeply committed to our family and each other.'

Wife, Jessica Turner, is also an author and founder of the blog The Mom Creative and wrote a lengthy post on Facebook detailing the couple's spit

Matthew Paul Turner said he seeks to 'embrace freedom, hope, and God as a gay man'. The Nashville couple married in 2004

She revealed that the couple worked for more than a year on trying to make their marriage work, despite knowing her husband's truth.

Ultimately the couple felt that it wasn't fair to either of them or their children.

'Our three incredible children have taken the news remarkably well,' Jessica wrote. 'We are all adjusting to a new normal, with our home now extended under two rooftops. I am so grateful for the way we love each other... We are both grieving the loss of what we had and taking hope in what is to come.'

Jessica Turner explained how the couple had worked on their marriage for more than a year but ultimately decided that a divorce was best for everyone involved

The couple had been married for 16 years having met online.

'I fell in love with her 17 years ago and still love her deeply,' Matthew wrote. 'Despite her own grief and pain, she has loved and encouraged me to be fully me.'

The couple have not stated when their divorce is to be finalized.

Turner has said he hoped to continue to write children's books with the backing of his publisher.

Jessica is founder of popular blog The Mom Creative and writes about her family, motherhood alongside tips for DIY and how to save money.
It's not you. It's us. The new Malibu Times website is coming soon!

We are doing some maintenance on our site. It won't take long, we promise. Come back and visit us again tomorrow. Thank you for your patience!
The first Arab space mission to Mars blasted off Monday aboard a rocket from Japan, after weather delays set back the launch of the probe dubbed Hope.

A live feed of the launch showed the rocket carrying the unmanned probe, known as Al-Amal in Arabic, lifting off from the Tanegashima Space Centre in southern Japan.

We have launched the H-IIA Launch Vehicle No. 42 (H-IIA F42) carrying aboard the Emirates Mars Missions (EMM) HOPE spacecraft... at 6:58:14 (JST) (2158GMT), rocket manufacturer Mitsubishi Heavy Industries said in a statement shortly after the launch.

Five minutes after launch, the rocket carrying the probe was on course, carrying out the first separation of its flight.

The Emirati project is one of three racing to Mars, including Tianwen-1 from China and Mars 2020 from the United States, taking advantage of a period when the Earth and Mars are nearest.

In October, Mars will be a comparatively short 38.6 million miles (62.07 million kilometers) from Earth, according to NASA.

Hope is expected to reach Marss orbit by February 2021, marking the 50th anniversary of the unification of the UAE, an alliance of seven emirates.

Once there, it will loop the planet for a whole Martian year, or 687 days.

While the objective of the Mars mission is to provide a comprehensive image of the weather dynamics in the Red Planets atmosphere, the probe is a foundation for a much bigger goal -- building a human settlement on Mars within the next 100 years.

The UAE also wants the project to serve as a source of inspiration for Arab youth, in a region too often wracked by sectarian conflicts and economic crises.

Several dozen probes -- most of them American -- have set off for the Red Planet since the 1960s. Many never made it that far, or failed to land.

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Agra, July 19 : Women in the modern era are comparatively safer, better empowered and they enjoy a more dignified life than women during the days of 'rajas and maharajas' in ancient India. Often, women were publicly disgraced as victims of war or despicable politics practiced by feudal lords, says historian Dr. S. Chandnibi, Associate Professor, in the Department of History, Aligarh Muslim University.

Women had no political role in ancient India, nor were they empowered to play any significant role in the governance of the state. Their presence was merely ceremonial, says Chandnibi.

Talking to IANS, she said ancient literature available suggests clearly that women were not allowed to participate in politics, as in the 21st century. But despite their non-involvement in political matters, they were the worst sufferers and the most vulnerable group during those days of autocracy. The Tamil Sangam literature gives a vivid picture of the pathetic life of the royal women of the loser kings.

Even in the epic Mahabharata, the rivalry between the Kauravas and Pandavas climaxed with the public disgrace of Draupadi, the wife of the five Pandava brothers.

Chandnibi said women captives were made a part of the victors' domestic establishment. Their living area was called as Velam. These women and children were forced to do all kinds of degrading work assigned to them in the palace. In many cases, they were compelled to become part of the king's harem, where they were sexually abused against their will.

Pattinappalai, a Sangam literature (poem 246-249) explains that these women took bath publicly in a pond or a tank and lighted a perpetual lamp in the podiyil, which was a common meeting place and had to pray to God probably to secure their own deliverance and to save the souls of their dead husbands.

Clearly they had no freedom even to worship their own Gods and follow their own religious rituals. A commentator describes this as a compulsory service by the females which brought glory to the victorious king.

"As time passed, in the 7th century, we hear Rajyashri, the sister of Harsha Vardhana who escaped from the hands of the enemy and tried to commit suicide to get rid of such treacherous treatment. In south India, King Rajendra Chola I who ruled in the beginning of 11th Century AD boasted himself for having cut the hair of the royal women of the enemy king. The description in an inscription says that the royal chariot was pulled by using the enemy's royal women's hair as rope. As if this subjugation was not enough, we hear the king boasting how he created the perennial streams of tears rolling off the eyes of the women whose men failed to pay the tribute." In certain wars, the inscriptions describe the items of war booty to include hordes of women and detail how the king destroyed the honour and chastity of the enemy kingdom. Such descriptions are common in many inscriptions and copper plates of many Chola rulers, like the Tiruvangadu and Karandai Plates. This description which appears in the inscription is again supported in the literature called KaliThogai etc.

"This was rather the first time that a king openly took pride for such an atrocious behaviour towards women, although such inhuman treatment to women seemed frequent and often unquestionable. This might have been in practice to victimize the women in the war, as a political hate action at least for quite some time before Rajendra. The difference is that they never openly glorified such activities but it was Rajendra I who committed this grave blunder." Dr Chandnibi said for thousands of years we have been hearing and reading of gory details of subjugation and humiliation of women all over the world during and after the wars, in conflict zones. Women have been subjected to the cruelest and inhuman treatment for no fault of theirs throughout human history. Men have waged and fought wars, women, and children have had to suffer the consequences. This is the tragic tale, unfortunately.

In the modern era, such crimes would be unpardonable and considered highly objectionable especially among warring states or political parties in rivalry, Chandnibi added.

(Brij Khandelwal can be contacted at brij.k@ians.in)
In all its shades and hues, Harris County prides itself in its racial and ethnic diversity, with large Latino, white, Black and Asian populations that have put our region at the forefront of the changing face of America. But a new report on government contracts finds that diversity ends when the color in question is green.

Less than 10 percent of county contracts go to women- or minority-owned businesses, according to a study sponsored by the Harris County Commissioners Court. And yet those same firms make up 28 percent of the market for available vendors.

The disparity breaks down differently across industries, but the shared feature in each is that businesses owned by white men get disproportionately large shares of the county contracts. For instance, the county spent $525 million on road and bridge contracts between March 2015 and May 2019. The total amount paid to minority- or women-owned businesses? Just $35.5 million, or less than 7 percent, despite the fact that those firms make up 35 percent of the available market. On a smaller scale, less than 10 percent of the $10.4 million Harris County paid for dry-walling and insulation during that same period went to minority- or women-owned firms, despite the latter making up 20 percent of the market.

All minorities are disproportionately underrepresented compared to the share of businesses owned. Out of every $100 spent by the county, 50 cents went to Black business owners, 60 cents to Asian-owned businesses, $4.60 to Hispanic businesses, 10 cents to Native American companies and $3.20 to companies owned by white women.

As the country grapples with its history of systemic racism and inequality, it must address these economic disparities.

The study, conducted by the government consulting firm Colette Holt & Associates, found a host of obstacles faced by women and minority business owners, including discriminatory attitudes and assumptions that these companies are less qualified, pressure to lower prices when subcontracting, lack of access to capital and entrenched relationships that leave minority firms out of the loop.

These relationships are seen as key by some of the minority business owners interviewed for the study and quoted anonymously.

Youre not in the frat. You didnt get the letter, you know? You didnt get the call. But whatever you need to do to get in, you need to figure it out, one owner said.

Figuring it out may mean political contributions.

When you go back and you look at whos paid the most money to Commissioner X, and then whos got the most work out of the commissioner those following months, theres a correlation. And as a small business, we cant afford to pay, another owner told researchers.

Allegations of a pay-to-play culture are common. There is little oversight and even less incentive for politicians and contractors to change the system. Most of the money donated to Harris County commissioners political campaigns comes from vendors and contractors who do or want to do business with the county. Despite the obvious conflicts of interest this system entails, these contributions are legal.

Colette Holt was also tasked with making recommendations for how to fix the problem, and the commissioners should pay close attention.

The first step, the firm says, is to create a system of incentives that help boost minority- and women-owned participation naturally. This can mean hosting mixers so that large prime contractors can meet smaller firms who can later compete to be subcontractors. Nearly 23 percent of the $1.26 billion handed out by the county in the study period was paid to subcontractors. Or it could mean the county breaking up larger contracts into smaller ones, so that a wide range of firms could compete to be the prime contractor on a job.

Those steps and many like them will change the playing field without specifically establishing goals for minority participation. But the firm also urged the county to set such goals as a second step.

How can we have a county spending $1 billion and the numbers be that low? Its just embarrassing, Precinct 1 Commissioner Rodney Ellis told the editorial board. Ellis, who was involved in creating minority participation programs in the city of Houston in 1984 and at the state level in 1991, spearheaded the studys creation.

Those programs have been largely successful. Houstons most recent disparity study, which is set to be updated this year, found that minority- and women-owned businesses make up about 35 percent of the construction market and received 30 percent of contracts.

The citys efforts havent been problem-free. Questions of pay-to-play culture dogged the last mayoral race and the city has been bedeviled by lax monitoring of how well prime contractors follow-through on pledges to hire minority firms as subs. Beyond that, Colette Holt also recommends the county set goals for awarding contracts to minority firms based roughly on how big a share of the labor market they represent. To get those targets right, and for the program to withstand legal scrutiny, Harris County will have to make good on plans to collect better data on how its contracting dollars are spent  something Colete Holt said it had to painstakingly put together manually.

Minorities and women are driving the growth of new businesses in our area, making inclusive economic policies essential to long-term success. We commend the county in taking these first steps and helping ensure that our diverse region includes shared benefits.
President Donald Trump assailed likely opponent Joe Biden as not competent to lead the country, speaking as polls over the weekend showed deepening voter disenchantment with his own handling of the coronavirus pandemic.

Hes shot, hes mentally shot, Trump said about Biden in a wide-ranging interview with Fox News Sunday.

He said that if Biden is elected on November 3, he will destroy this country.

Facing the multiple challenges of a spreading pandemic, racial unrest and a struggling economy, Trump made several unfounded or highly speculative accusations against the former vice president, saying Biden would triple your taxes and defund the police.

He added, Religion will be gone, referring to Democratic officials banning large church services to stem the virus spread.

Asked whether he would accept the election result in November, even if he loses, Trump echoed his position of 2016, saying, I have to see ... Im not going to just say yes.

The interview, which was taped in advance, came as new polling results showed support for Biden surging as doubts about Trumps handling of the pandemic grow amid a resurgence in many states.

Interviewer Chris Wallace told the president that a new Fox opinion poll showed Biden with a substantial lead over Trump not only on his ability to manage the pandemic (with a 17-point edge) and to deal with racial unrest (by 21 points), but even -- by a single point -- on handling the economy, long a Trump strong point.

And a new Washington Post-ABC News poll has Biden leading Trump among registered voters nationwide by a resounding 15-point margin, 55-to-40 percent.

Trump dismissed such polling as fake, saying White House surveys show him winning both nationally and in key swing states.

- Mommy, Mommy... -

He repeatedly pummeled Biden, who has kept a relatively low profile amid the restraints imposed by the pandemic.

Trump claimed that the Democrat wanted to defund the police -- a battle cry of some anti-racist protesters -- and insisted that such language was in a Biden policy document, though he was unable to produce it when challenged by Wallace.

As he repeatedly questioned his rivals mental acuity, Wallace asked him directly if thought Biden was senile.

I dont want to say that, Trump replied. I say hes not competent to be president.

He questioned whether the Democrat could pass a cognitive ability test that he said he had aced, and said the former vice president would fall apart under tough questioning.

Let Biden sit through an interview like this, hell be on the ground crying for Mommy. Hell say, Mommy, Mommy, please take me home.

- Envy of the world -

Trump again defended his handling of the pandemic, claiming that we are the envy of the world on testing; and, of his early prediction that the virus would someday disappear, said, Ill be right eventually.

He again opposed any national mandate for mask-wearing, saying, I want people to have a certain freedom.

Referring to the racial unrest in the country, and a recent spike in violent crime in some cities, the president blamed Democrat-run cities, which he said were stupidly run.

Asked about statistics showing American blacks are twice as likely to be shot and killed by police as whites, Trump replied, Many whites are killed also. You have to say that.

And he equated those who fly the Confederate flag with those saying that Black Lives Matter, adding, Its freedom of speech.

- Long overdue -

Trump again stated his opposition to renaming US military bases named after Confederate generals -- even after the military supported the idea.

I dont care what the military says, the president said.

Were going to name it after the Reverend Al Sharpton? he asked rhetorically, referring to a prominent African-American civil rights leader.

There was no immediate response to the interview from Biden or his campaign, though the former vice president did tweet that Banning the Confederate flag from military installations was long overdue.

On other subjects, Trump said the economy was doing very well, even as millions remain jobless, with some states reimposing lockdowns. The stock market, he said, was near record highs.

bbk/jm
Students in the United States are unlikely to return for in-person school reopening as the number of COVID-19 infections and deaths continues to spike.

It is very important to protect the life and health of our children because they are the beholder of our future. In this time of the global pandemic, they should be the first to be protected against the virus. If the majority of them will get infected due to haphazard in-person school reopening, then we have to start asking what future we're going to have.

Even though there are only few COVID-19 infections among the children, it does not mean that they are not exempted to observe the basic health and safety protocol. Though, the younger you are the less that you are susceptible not unless you have pre-existing medical conditions.

However, the increasing number of COVID-19 infections in the country is very alarming. In fact, of the world's more than 14 million cases and over 600,000 deaths, the United States has recorded over 4 million infections and more than 140,000 according to worldometers.

Despite these surprising numbers of infections and deaths, some states will still pursue the in-person school reopening while others decided not to. While it is true that children are less likely to get hospitalized once they get infected but virus transmission within the family might lead to the death of our loved ones most especially the elderly.

In California, Governor Gavin Newsom laid strict protocols for school reopening. Around 6.7 million students are going to have online classes but those who will have in-person classes are required to wear facemasks most especially the second grade and the essential staff.

Meanwhile in Texas, the state officials gave the public schools to remain close until fall for the safety of 5 million students. However, the guidelines said that they can hold online-only instruction up to the first eight weeks and they are expected to return to campus in November.

However, students in Chicago will need to return to the classroom two days a week and they will spend their three days remotely. The final decision of the fall classes of more than 300,000 won't come until late August. Chicago has the nation's third-largest school district.

On the other hand, the decision of Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds to require the students to spend half of their classes in the school, as she will override school districts, drew criticisms from the teachers' union who are adamant to have the in-person schooling.

The number of hospitalizations and deaths in the country continue to increase everyday. The number of infections of those who belong in the adult group has also increased. In fact, some states are already ordering cooler trucks to store the dead bodies because morgues of some states are already in full capacity.

The resurgence of the virus began when the lockdown was lifted. It was the time that people seemed not to follow the basic health and safety measures like social-distancing anymore but instead go to a bar just like what happened in Florida.

Now, that the World Health Organization recognized the possible transmission of the virus through the air, the federal and state government should think for a thousand times if they will push through for the in-person schooling, delay it for a while, or have the online classes.

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Long traffic delays are expected around Kangaroo Point and Brisbanes Gabba stadium on Sunday afternoon due to a large protest against refugee detention.

Queensland Police failed in a court bid to block the protest on Friday, which has been organised on behalf of about 100 refugees detained in the Kangaroo Point Motel under Medevac laws.

Refugee advocates blockade the Kangaroo Point motel where refugees are being held last month.

The protest is scheduled to run from 12:30pm and will close Main Street at Kangaroo Point until 1:30pm.

The official protest is expected to move to nearby Walmsley Street from 1:30pm to 3:30pm.
Congressman John Lewis, the son of sharecroppers and a proponent of nonviolence who was battered and beaten at Selma, passed away Friday night.

How fortuitous it is that while we mourn the loss of John Lewis, a veteran of some of the most pivotal moments in the history of the civil rights movement, we also observed Mandelas Day Saturday.

George Santayana, the English philosopher and poet was right after all when he crooned, there is no cure for birth or death save the interval.

Congressman Lewis was a true champion for change. He battled and sacrificed for black people to have the right to vote. As one of the original Freedom Riders, he suffered a fractured skull at the hands of the Alabama State Troopers on Bloody Sunday on that bridge at Selma. He was the youngest speaker (only 23 years old) to speak with Martin Luther King Jr (MLK Jr) from the steps of the Lincoln Memorial at the 1963 March on Washington where the latter gave the famous, I Have A Dream speech. Mr Lewis was one of Americas famous civil rights leaders and was dubbed the conscience of the Congress. He represented Georgia State for 33 years.

He was a strong advocate of nonviolent protest. The essence of the nonviolent life, he wrote, is the capacity to forgive  even as a person is cursing you to your face, even as he is spitting on you, or pushing a lit cigarette into your neck  and to understand that your attacker is as much a victim as you are. At the bottom, this philosophy rested upon the belief that people of goodwill  the Beloved Community, as Mr Lewis called them  would rouse themselves to combat evil and injustice.

I was privileged to meet Congressman John Lewis five years ago in Washington DC- at the Embassy of Haiti specifically, where he was invited to come to share his experience and insights on issues confronting the globe. Meeting this enigma for me was one of the most poignant and surreal moments of my life. It was akin to taking a ride on a time machine. A trip exploring the remarkable life of the son of an Alabama sharecropper who became an icon of the civil rights movement and preserved his ideals through a career in Congress fighting for equality, fairness and justice. He has seen progress on this front, but As a nation and as a people were not quite there yet. We have miles to go, he said.

He spoke to my soul every time he used the phrase good trouble. Mr Lewis after hearing MLK Jr. on the radio said, I would ask my mother and my father and my grandparents, my great grandparents, Why? And they would say, Thats the way it is. Dont get in the way. Dont get in trouble. As he recalled in a 2015 speech, The action of Rosa Parks and the leadership of Martin Luther King, Jr. inspired me to find a way to get in the way, to get in trouble  good trouble, necessary trouble.

Writer with Congressman John Lewis at the Embassy of Haiti, Washington, DC, 2015.

And good trouble he did get into  because sometimes it is good to cause trouble. John Lewis caused trouble for a racist American South in his early 20s. He caused trouble for a conflicted congress once elected. His good trouble helped bestow on me rights he was born with. When I met with him, I knew I had not even scratched the surface in impacting my world. The many confrontations with authorities that I had read and watched on him showed a man who was deeply courageous and passionate about his convictions  one that aspired toward a Beloved Community. He said he had been arrested 40 times in the 1960s, five more times as a congressman.

Congressman Lewis through his lifes work has helped bend the arc of the moral universe (which Dr King alluded to as long) towards justice.

President Obama hugs John Lewis during event commemorating the 50th Anniversary of Bloody Sunday.

As former American President, Barrack Obama, rightly put it in his eulogy to the one he called a friend and mentor Not many of us get to live to see our own legacy play out in such a meaningful, remarkable way. John Lewis did.
CARACAS, Venezuela - The "biological" threat was gathering on the western border, Venezuela's socialist government claimed. So, besieged President Nicolas Maduro, ever vigilant against potential invasion, dispatched gun-toting reinforcements to the frontier.

The 57-year-old authoritarian wasn't worried about the Colombian army. Rather, he was targeting his own people - Venezuelan migrants abroad, left jobless by the coronavirus pandemic, now returning home.

Many are stealing in from Colombia, entering the country through illegal crossings, without testing for the novel coronavirus. Maduro says they're fueling a dangerous spike in cases in this uniquely vulnerable nation.

"Those who cross (back home) illegally, you are killing your families," Maduro said in a televised speech last week. "The Colombian virus has sneaked everywhere, and is killing good people."

Venezuela's U.S.-backed opposition says Maduro's government is making a bad situation worse by penning new arrivals in ill-equipped quarantine centers, where opposition figures say the virus is spreading.

The sides agree on at least one point. This South American nation, whose tattered health system, experts say, is among the least prepared in the world to cope with the pandemic, is now belatedly witnessing a long-feared coronavirus outbreak, with cases soaring and hospitals overwhelmed.

More than 5 million people have fled starvation, poverty and government repression in Venezuela in recent years, with most settling elsewhere in Latin America, where the poorest have scraped out precarious lives as domestic workers, laborers and street vendors.

But as the coronavirus has torn through the region, and countries from Mexico to Argentina have locked down, many of these refugees, left jobless and hungry on the streets of Quito, Lima and Bogota, are heading home. In recent weeks, a rush of 60,000 returnees has caused bottlenecks at Colombian border-control points. Some have spilled over to illegal crossings, known as trochas, along the lawless frontier between Colombia and Venezuela.

Waiting for the returnees are Maduro's soldiers and mandatory quarantines in the border states of Zulia, Tachira and Apure, the region seeing by far the most alarming spike in cases. Returnees say they are being held without face masks or social distancing.

Mayra Jimenez, a 37-year-old manicurist, lost her job in Colombia when the country locked down. At the border, she said, she was given two rapid tests - one by the Colombians, the other by the Venezuelans. Both, she said, came out negative.

Five days after returning home, however, she tested positive. She was sent for 35 days to a public hospital in Apure state. The facility had no working X-ray machine, so at one point she was transferred to the nearest hospital that had one - seven hours away.

"I remember asking God to take care of my family," said Jimenez, who has since recovered. "I swore to God that I would never leave my country again if He saved me."

Border-state hospitals, already ravaged by years of equipment breakdowns and chronic shortages of medicines and supplies, are struggling to cope with rising demand.

Venezuela has reported more than 10,000 coronavirus cases and 96 deaths. But with limited testing and the authoritarian government in control of the data, both are widely believed to be undercounts.

Staff at University Hospital Maracaibo last week said the facility, designated by the government as the city's primary hospital for the coronavirus, was averaging 500 patients with symptoms, double the number a month ago. All eight ICU beds and 10 ventilators were in use, with dangerously long waiting lists for others who needed them.

One medical resident spoke of alarming mortality.

"The number of deceased is increasing," she said. "We're seeing normal days in which we lose up to 10 patients."

Staff say most of Maracaibo's dead have not yet been included in the official count because tests are sent to Caracas for processing and take up to a month to get back.

The resident, who, like other staff, spoke on the condition of anonymity for fear of government reprisal, said conditions at the hospital were so bad that many infected people are choosing to forgo care.

"There's no air conditioning, and we have to endure 100-degree heat," she said. "It's suffocating."

There's also no running water, so nurses and doctors wash their hands in buckets. The hospital is one of the few in Zulia state to have recently received face masks, but they're being reserved mostly for health workers. The lack of personal protective equipment for janitors has meant that ward floors sometimes go days without cleaning.

The local physicians' association says 44 doctors and nurses in Zulia have been stricken by the coronavirus. Nine have died, according to the nonprofit Doctors United for Venezuela. A dozen remain in intensive care.

Staff say the pro-government hospital administration has threatened them with criminal charges if they do not keep reporting for duty. The sicknesses and deaths of doctors and nurses, they say, have worsened already severe staff shortages.

One nurse who tested positive for the coronavirus was escorted to a quarantine center by armed soldiers.

"Now there's practically no staff," she said.

Venezuela was among the first nations in South America to impose a strict national lockdown. That move, along with the country's relative isolation - even before the pandemic, only a handful of airlines flew here - appeared initially to keep infections low.

But cases have soared ninefold since late May, according to the official count, with the highest spikes in states along the Colombian and Brazilian borders.

The data suggests that 70 percent of new infections are from community transmission. But doctors say the high concentration of cases near the Colombian frontier suggests a link with border crossings. Maduro's government is openly blaming returnees, and the traffickers helping them, who are avoiding legal crossings and the tests that are administered there.

"Any person who violates the immigration system and enters the country (illegally) will be considered a biological weapon," said Lisandro Cabello, a senior member of Maduro's party in Zulia. On Tuesday, Maduro announced a Gmail address for Venezuelans to denounce countrymen who enter at illegal crossings.

Maduro has accused the Colombians of lax procedures and weak border control. The Colombians reject the charge.

"What's really sad is that over 5 million Venezuelans left the country, and now they're trying to stigmatize the few thousands who are trying to return to their own land," said Felipe Munoz, a senior adviser to Colombian President Ivan Duque.

Some doctors who are allied with the Venezuelan opposition say the government's quarantine facilities, which lack running water, electricity, soap or masks, are promoting the spread of the coronavirus.

"It's the migrants," said Julio Castro, the epidemiologist who is spearheading a team monitoring the crisis for the opposition. "We're sure about that. But our theory is that they're getting sick in the camps, not that they're all somehow entering the country as coronavirus carriers."

Aid workers and doctors express concern about conditions in the quarantine centers but say authorities are testing rigorously. They also say some returnees are bribing soldiers to avoid being quarantined.

"People in the border can pay $20 to the guards to get them in," said Martin Carballo, an infectious-disease doctor in Caracas. "Now we have a well-established community transmission."

Maduro's government and the Venezuelan opposition signed an agreement last month to coordinate relief efforts through the Pan American Health Organization. The deal would use government funds frozen by the U.S. and European governments to purchase protective gear, medicines and medical equipment.

Jarbas Barbosa da Silva, the health organization's assistant director, said he hoped for a final deal, with transparency measures required of the Venezuelan government in exchange for the supplies, this month. It can't come soon enough.

The organization has already supplied Venezuela with shipments of personal protective equipment.

"But of course they need more," Barbosa said. "We are still trying to get more. When health workers are not protected, it's a problem. Other health workers will be afraid to go to the hospitals.

"It's very important the process move more quickly."

- - -

Faiola reported from Miami.
In about a month, the fall school year will begin for many American students. But what will school look like? Some districts are attempting business as usual. Los Angeles is starting the year entirely online. Some schools are giving parents options. Plenty of districts still dont know what they are going to do.

All parents want their kids to go back to school. Yes, some of us are more comfortable than others with the idea of in-person school right now. But we all want our children to learn. We want them to see their friends. We want them to be out of the house so we can work or just, like, think for a second. Many of us are also scared for their health, for our health, for everyones health. And, if I may be so bold as to speak for millions of parents I do not know, were angry that the country, now and in all the years leading up to now, hasnt done what it needs to do to make school a priority.

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The Trump administration has been clear on how it feels about the issue, from the presidents tweets demanding that schools reopen to Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos threatening schools that dont open full time with defunding. Government agencies like the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and professional organizations like the American Academy of Pediatrics have released their guidelines and recommendations. Opinion columnists and education experts have weighed in. But until recently, the voices of teachers have largely been missing.

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What about the teachers? What do teachers want their jobs to look like in the coming school year? What kind of guidance are they getting from their principals and superintendents? What options do they have, including the many who are parents themselves? How do they feel about the loud and persistent complaints from working parents? Or from the parents who are so fed up with the school system that they are threatening to pull their kids out? And how are teachers talking with one another about the position that our country has put them in?

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I asked four teachersall writers for Slates Ask a Teacher columnto join me on Slates parenting podcast, Mom and Dad Are Fighting, to talk candidly about what its like to be a teacher facing the great unknown of fall 2020. They are Matthew Dicks, a fifth grade teacher in West Hartford, Connecticut; Brandon Hersey, who teaches second grade in Federal Way, Washington, and is also on the Seattle school board; Cassy Sarnell, an early childhood special education teacher in Albany, New York; and Amy Scott, an eighth grade English teacher in Durham, North Carolina. Below is an edited transcript of our conversation.

Dan Kois: Youre all talking to your colleagues and friends. In three words or fewer, how would you characterize the emotional state of teachers right now?

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Matthew Dicks: Well, my wife is also a teacher, a kindergarten teacher, and today she told me she was frightened and angry. I think I probably possess a little bit of those two things, as well as hopeful. I think Im more hopeful frankly than my wife is.

Cassy Sarnell: Im going to go with frustrated, scared, and sad.

Brandon Hersey: Confused as fuck.

Amy Scott: I was going to say disappointed. But given what I know about the Trump administrationyoud have to have an expectation in order to be disappointed.

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So can each of you please tell me where your school system stands today? What do you, as a teacher, know about your fall 2020?

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Hersey: In Federal Way, we have not received any real update on what school is going to look like. I think that we are playing around with the idea of the A/B model. And for those of you who might not know, its this idea that 50 percent of the kids will come to school on Monday and Tuesday; the other 50 percent will come on Thursday and Friday; and Wednesday will be kind of a check-in day, mostly virtual. As cases continue to spike, and as were starting to see more and more come out of the CDC around how dumb of an idea it is to send kids back, those decisions are changing.

Amy, whats the story in Durham? Whats the plan right now?

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Scott: The school where I am right now, its planning to be fully remote, K through 8, for 30 days. And then, to go to what Brandon was talking about with the A/B planit is still up in the air. Nothing is board approved, and who knows? Things could change in a moment.

Dicks: Right now, as of this moment, were going back full time. Were in Connecticut, so the infection rate is actually the lowest in the country right now. And I have not seen a person in public not wearing a mask where I live. So people are taking it very seriously here. And as a result, were in a better position, I think, than in a lot of places in the country. So we are offering full-time school at school, and also full-time distance learning, and parents can choose between the two.

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But Ive been telling my teacher friends that everyone has a plan until you get punched in the face. You know that famous Mike Tyson quote? Because we have a thousand teachers in our school district and what will happen, 100 percent, will be: A kid or a teacher will die over the course of the school year. And when a kid or a teacher dies, everything is going to change.

Sarnell: Im in a bit of a different boat than everyone else here, because I teach preschool. So I dont work in one district [in Albany]. I work with up to 20 different school districts at my school. Right now, every district that Im working with, they are all in the process of figuring out how to open in person. Theyre all very secretive. None of them will say what their plan is. Nobody has any information out.

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This question of what happens when someone dies, that Matthew brought up, seems very crucial. Because no one in my kids school district in Arlington, Virginia, has given me any sense that there is a plan for what happens when someone tests positive. When a teacher tests positive, or a student, or a students dad. Which is another way of saying, is there any kind of benchmark for when a school shuts down or changes its policy? Have you been given any kind of guidance as to what that future planning looks like?

Dicks: I know that in our school district, one of the goals we have is to sort of bubble kids. And so the teacher and the students are going to remain as isolated from the rest of the school as possible. So that if I have a class of 20 kids and one of my kids, or I, or one of the parents tests positive, that group of kids theoretically can then enter quarantine. And if the teachers healthy, we can begin distance learning for the two to three weeks that were going to decide quarantine is necessary, and then come back into the school, theoretically having not contaminated anyone else in the process. I stress the word theoretically because Im not quite sure how that is possible, given the physical space that we occupy. But I think its a reasonable attempt by the school district to maintain school in the event that someone tests positive.

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Hersey: I think that we also need to really give space to the socioeconomic and racial barriers, and issues that come along with thinking about schooling in person. A lot of times when we are thinking about coming back, were only looking at this pandemic from a medical standpoint, but were also facing a pandemic of racism. And as we think about the safety of our children, what Im really concerned about is that I know for my students, a lot of their families dont and didnt have the luxury of quarantining. They still had to go to work. So if we are sending kids back home, a lot of our students also are living in multigenerational family settings. So youve got grandma, youve got aunt, youve got uncle.

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But also we need to be prepared as a school system because we found that, honestly, we are the social safety net for children. Were where they get food. In a lot of places, were where they get counseling, or where they get clothing. If we dont have a clear and consistent plan for how were going to address those disparities, the opportunity gap is just going to continue to widen.

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It seems like that problem cuts both ways. If you close the school for safety reasons, youre cutting that safety net for all of those kids who depend on school, but if you dont, youre exposing them to a much greater level of risk, which is then transmitted right down the line to those families they live with. The ones who maybe cant afford to quarantine. It seems to me that no one has been able to quantify, either through research or even through argument, what the answer is for how to best serve students who both need school and are most threatened by in-person school right now. Thats not really a question. Thats just me expressing my angst.

Hersey: Yup. Thats the work.

Are you afraid for your own health?

Hersey: Yeah, man. I mean, we have health insurance. But I can tell you right now, districts are going to fight tooth and nail not to provide the adequate PPE needed to do our job effectively. Our school doesnt provide any type of hand sanitizer. We have soap and water, but some schools dont even have sinks.

Sarnell: Before I taught preschool, I taught middle school. And I loved my middle schoolers dearly, but they were always licking each other or sticking their fingers in each others ears. Dumb kid things. I went from that to my preschool where I walked out to the playground, I leaned over to see what some kid that I didnt quite have my eyes on was doing, and shes sucking on another kids finger in the corner of the playground.

Scott: Middle schoolers do that too.

Sarnell: In what scenario are you going to keep kids from spreading normal germs? Because I think a lot of schools are going to pretend that, Oh, well, you know, I think if you guys just keep them from licking each other, itll be fine. But if we could keep them from licking each other, we would have by now.

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Dicks: Its the students, I think, that concern me the most. And my own children. And frankly, my wife, who is a kindergarten teacher. I worry about her a great deal. Because kids come to kindergarten and theyre crying on the first day of school, and the only way to get them to stop crying is you hug them. My wife is trying to figure out, what is she going to do to crying children who are leaving their parents for the first time? And you say, Please stay six feet away. Im behind some plastic and so are you. Stand over there and cry.

Listen to the full conversation on Mom and Dad Are Fighting:

Many of you have brought up how all these plans are theoretical, and were eventually going to see the plans break down. And it sort of seems to me that the breakdowns are happening even now, as plans are in theoretical form. Where I live in Arlington, a few weeks ago, the district announced what the plan was: Parents had a choice. You could choose between the A/B plan, where your kid has two days in school and three days at home, or you could choose full-time distance learning. And then about an hour ago today, a brand new email went out from the superintendent saying, basically, Nope. We changed it. Schools going to be all virtual for everyone, at least for the first quarter.

They didnt say why, but my hunch is that it has something to do with the huge gulf between the number of parents who wanted their kids to go to school, and the number of teachers who felt safe going into that school environment. Because they asked all the teachers, Well, what do you want to do? Do you want to teach remotely, or do you want to go into class? Are you all seeing this kind of disparity between parents expectations or needs, and teachers expectations or needs?

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Hersey: Yeah. I dont know how were going to thread that needle between parent expectations and good policy. But I think that your district did the right thing, Dan. I think that your district realized that, for our workforce, this is not the best move.

Dicks: I think districts are very concerned right now about the workforce, in terms of how many actual adults they can get to go back to the building. The number of immunocompromised teachers, based upon either age or health conditions, is really going to limit the workforce. There will be teachers who just say, Im out, or there will be teachers who say, Im going to stay home and home-school my kids this year. Have a nice time.

Were going to be short-staffed in many, many circumstances. Dont even start to think about substitute teachers. Can you imagine the situation when a teacher gets sick? Because, as soon as you have the sniffles, in the era of COVID, you cant muscle through. You cant say, Ive got a cold, but Im going to go to school. If you have anything, you cant go to school anymore, and just the dearth of substitute teachers alone is going to collapse the system.

Scott: And what they pay substitutes. I cant imagine being a substitute and being like, Yeah, Im going to risk my life for, what is it? Eighty bucks a day, or something. Its ridiculous.

Ive seen a lot of chatter on my very North Arlington, very white, very upper-middle-class Facebook feed that what parents should do right now, if they have the choice, is to not send their kids to school. Pick the all-distance option, create a home-schooling pod if you need to for a year. Ease the pressure on the system, so the lower-income kids have more access to the resources they need, including if they need in-person learning. What do you guys think of that idea?

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Hersey: I think thats racist as fuck. We have these 13 schools [with] high African American populations that we focus on as a district in Seattle, in terms of policy and resources, to boost those schools up. And folks are saying, like, Well, why dont you just keep those schools open and send the kids who are experiencing homelessness, the special education kids, to those schools to get in-person learning? So what youre saying is, you want us to create a COVID hotbed that only the students that are experiencing the most trauma will have access to?

And thats the exact type of policy recommendations that we, as educators and policymakers, need to be really wary of. Because on the surface, that sounds like a great idea. Ill keep my kid home. Ill home-school them, and then that frees up resources for everybody else. When actually, collectively, we need to be uniting our voices and demanding a system that best serves all students, regardless of if you have the resources to choose a different one or not.

Dicks: Yeah. It makes you feel good.

Hersey: Exactly.

Dicks: Like, I can keep my kids home and save the world. Meanwhile, over at that school, all the teachers are sick and three kids have died, but I saved the world by keeping my kids at home.

Brandon, youre on the school board in Seattle. Lets say the Department of Education suddenly did an about-face and just was like, We are going to throw $10 billion at the problem of opening schools up. How would you want to spend it? What could we do with money that would increase safety to any kind of acceptable level?

Hersey: Support efforts for municipal broadband. We need a device for every student. We need adequate and real rigorous professional development as educators to provide distance learning. We need a communications specialist for every district, so that for the kids who, for whatever reason, have not been as engaged in distance learning, we can actually reach their families and get them plugged in.

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There are so many things that we could ask for, but I havent been asked, so thats the thing.

Scott: Having one device per child makes a huge difference as a teacher. Theres a lot to say for getting kids technology. But its not enough. In the district where my kids are zoned, theyre doing the one-to-one device for the kids; theyve ordered all these Chromebooks. Are they going to be here in time, first of all, for the school year to start? And the district ordered all these laptops but didnt add any additional staff to inventory them, to label them, to distribute them. So far, they havent had sufficient professional development on Canvas, the system that theyre using. Its like, Oh, OK, well just get laptops and thatll solve the problem, but theres so many layers underneath that that need to be addressed.

Sarnell: The professional development piece is so important because you could give every person in the country a Chromebook, but if you dont teach teachers what tools they have and how to use those tools to best reach students, its not going to matter.

Cassy, if my child has an IEP (individualized education program) or otherwise benefits from special education in some way, what is this coming year going to look like for them? And how should parents be thinking about the role that special education can and should be playing in a mostly distance learning scenario?

Sarnell: Yikes. Thats how your years going to look: yikes.

I think for a lot of those kids, the IEPs that were written before the quarantine started are just meaningless. If the district lets you, you can physically scrap the document and start over. If they dont, youre just going to have to know in your heart that your teachers are doing what they can, but the document they wrote under the assumption that they could be there in person to provide therapy and they cant, thats just not going to be a realistic goal to set for yourself. And the point of an IEP is to be a realistically meetable goal.

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Matt, you alluded to this a little bit earlier. Do you all think that we are going to see a mass exodus from teaching in the coming year? Are people bailing?

Dicks: I think that this is an opportunity for people who are on the back end of their teaching career to retire. If I was 55 to 65 and I was looking at a school year like the one thats coming and I was being sent to school, I might just say, I will take my retirement now, thank you very much, and move on. Frankly, I also believe that if we move forward with jamming people into schools and not having plans and PPE and all these things, theres just going to be people who die, and those people are going to have to be replaced too.

Hersey: I dont know. I think teaching for a lot of folks is probably one of the safer positions. I know a few teachers in my building who are taking an early retirement and chucking up deuces and calling it good. I know others who are actively applying for jobs and receiving jobs right now. I think that were going to lose a lot of institutional knowledge around the field, but I also think that were going to get a lot of young people who are really, really excited to get into the classroom and repair a lot of the harm that has been done, not only from this pandemic, but from our racist school system, in the aim of truly reimagining what school looks like. So Im hopeful. Cautiously optimistic.

What should parents do to make your jobs easier and safer?

Hersey: Buy us N95 masks. Donate them to the school.

Dicks: Thats a pretty good suggestion. I would say that if were going back in any kind of in-real-life setting, youve got to keep your kid home if your kid is sick, and youve got to let us know that your kid is sick. Do not send your child to school when theyre sick.

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Sarnell: I mean, I think the only answer to me is dont leave the house until then. Like, everybody go back into a full lockdown. If you want us to reopen in September, then you cannot leave your house from now until September. Thats it.

Whats the best-case scenario for your school and your job as a teacher in 2020?

Dicks: I think in a perfect circumstance, because Im in Connecticut and our infection rate is very, very low, if it stayed low, like it is now, and every teacher had an N95 mask and every kid was masked, my perfect scenario would be a school year where I get to be with my kids in a very safe environment. I just dont know if thats going to be possible.

Scott: I do my best teaching in-person, obviously, and I, like Matt, would love to be in the classroom with my kids. With the North Carolina infection rate still going up, I dont think its safe. And until it goes down, until we have a vaccine, until were clear, I would advocate for full online education.

Sarnell: I would love it if we could open in a way that was safe. Even if we could have them like once or twice a week, just to come to the school for a couple hours to be outside with their peers. But also in my perfect, perfect world, wed be able to wait until there was a vaccine and until it was fully safe.

Hersey: Outdoor school, if your community can support it, is critical. It allows us to build closer partnerships with our community-based organizations who often have closer relationships with our students than we do. It allows us to actually socially distance ourselves in some meaningful way. It takes kids out of these institutionally racist buildings and gives them the opportunity to engage with curriculum in the way that we as human beings have been doing since our beginnings as a species, educating ourselves outside.

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So many folks are having these conversations about reimagining schools. And I really want us to be pushing ourselves to think about that more deeply. If we are going to reimagine this system, if we are looking at this as an opportunity that needs seizing, then we cant approach this with the same models and the same skill sets that weve been doing this so poorly, quite frankly, for the past several hundred years, right? Like if we are serious about rethinking and reimagining our school systems, an A/B model isnt going to do that.

If we dont take bold action right now, like Matthew and others have been saying, people will die. Children will die. And I really need superintendents, school boards, elected officials, parents, I really need all of the folks who are pushing us to go back to really take into consideration how many people, how many students, how many children, how many babies are you willing to lose to try something that we know is a really, really bad idea?
There is an alley in Lemon Grove you dont want to avoid.

Five street artists armed with dozens of cans of spray paint and buckets of paint have been working for several weeks to paint six walls and two electrical boxes behind a home health care business.

They splashed the formerly beige concrete walls of San Diego Homecare Supplies, and the walls of a metal storage building across the alley, with vivid shades of yellow, orange, purple and blue, leaving behind a tapestry of bright flowers, plants, geometric shapes, animals and creatures that pique your imagination.

They did so at the invitation of Sydel Howell, who with her mother, Sara Cummings, has operated the business more than 20 years. The store stocks thousands of items related to wellness and recovery  from leg compression stockings to post-mastectomy needs to wheelchairs.

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The circa 1950s building used to house a hardware store. Howell said the dull outdoor walls have been a graffiti target for years and she was at a loss what to do.

Then she became inspired during a January visit to the Wynwood Art District in Miami, which turned a blighted area into a hip and happening gallery-filled hotspot. Howell hired Beth Emmerich, who lives in Grass Valley, to paint a couple of walls on the back of her building at 7846 Broadway, across from a small city parking lot.

Howell had seen Emmerichs work on the side of a tattoo shop in North Park, found her on Facebook and brought her down to San Diego, where Emmerich once lived (and has plans to move back).

I was like a kid in a candy store when Sydel showed me the walls, Emmerich said. There was so much space to work in.

Emmerich decided she would spread the work around, inviting four of her friends who are savvy in mural art to help  Gloria Muriel, Alex Banach, Maxx Moses and KJ Ashley.

It has been absolutely amazing, Howell said. Its beyond what I ever imagined. Im so excited about it. A positive change is what everybody needs, especially in these times. My hope is that when you create pride in something, it makes you want to take care of it. Thats my hope.

I told the optometrist next door, Youre next! He tells his clients now to park in the alley he is so proud of it.

The bold and bright murals have only been up a few weeks but have already created a buzz among other Lemon Grove businesses, residents and visitors.

San Diego-based artist KJ Ashley adds some finishing touches to an electrical box in an alley behind San Diego Homecare Supplies in Lemon Grove. (Karen Pearlman/San Diego Union-Tribune )

On a recent afternoon, four of the artists were gathered in the alleyway discussing and touching up some of their work. While they were there, San Diego resident June Elliott, a self-employed food deliverywoman, drove up.

Elliott, 70, told them she now drives down the alley twice a day, five days a week, to look at the murals. She said she thought it was a shame that theyre back here instead of in the front.

Theyre gorgeous, she told the artists. It makes you happy when you drive up. These walls have always been dull and oppressive, really kind of depressing. It takes you on a little trip without drugs. And Ive heard that murals like these discourage graffiti, too.

City Councilwoman Jennifer Mendoza has seen the tagging on the walls. Mendozas manicurist is next door to Howells business. She said the area has been blighted for years.

Ive seen what goes on back there, and its not good, Mendoza said. So now I think this is something that is going to give this area such a lift. People are going to stop and look at those murals and its going to be so uplifting and give positive momentum in that back area.

Mendoza said she gets much of the same feeling from when she drives by the Lemon Grove Bakery, which has on its side an award-winning, five-part mural. Those paintings  65-feet wide by 18 feet tall, filled with art depicting the Kumeyaay people, the 15th and 16th century Spanish Conquest, 1800s Mexican heritage, 19th century buildings and a current look at Lemon Grove  were created over an eight-year span, starting in 2005.

The new murals behind the medical supply store are just around the corner from the city-sponsored Lemon Grove Breezeway Mural Painting Project that was completed last year. That work, on the side of a wall off Lester Street, boasts bright orange, green, purple and yellow tones, painted trees and the words Lemon Grove in cursive writing inside a painted lemon.

Additionally, just down the street, the city in 2015 used a $30,000 grant to turn both sides of an underpass at Buena Vista Avenue near state Route 94 into huge murals featuring flowers and birds.

Howell said all the art in Lemon Grove is a positive that can have a domino effect  with a reason to visit and a reason to stay.

Mural art, including this piece by Maxx Moses, is on display in an alley behind San Diego Homecare Supplies in Lemon Grove. (Karen Pearlman/San Diego Union-Tribune )

People like to go where they feel good, to be uplifted, to be joyful, that positive energy, she said. I would love that our customers come to us after being recommended by a doctor or friend, and then that they come back to Lemon Grove because of the feeling they got... to have them say, Lets to go the place with the murals. Then to have them shop at our stores in the area and eat at one of our restaurants.

Howell said theres no reason Lemon Grove businesses cant work together to continue the work all the artists have started.

She brought up her motivating visit to the Wynwood district in Florida, which she said she learned was an area that used to be very derelict with tagged buildings and homeless people.

The businesses beautified the area, all these amazing restaurants and shops and art galleries opened up, Howell said. I see no reason we cant do something like this in Lemon Grove. I hope other businesses will be inspired too and get on board. I hope this is just the tip of the iceberg and not the end.

karen.pearlman@sduniontribune.com
In a shocking development, a rare statue of Gautam Buddha was found vandalised in Pakistan's northwest Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province on Sunday. Video of the incident went viral on social media, after which an FIR was filed under Pakistan's antiquity act. As per reports, four suspects have been arrested so far. Quoting local residents, news agency PTI said that the statue was discovered in tehsil Takhtbai of Mardan district and was destroyed allegedly on the orders of a local Maulvi.

District Police Officer Zahidullah said the incident took place when a water line was dug up and construction workers discovered the statue. "We have arrested contractor Qamar Zaman and his workers, Amjad, Aleem and Saleem for smashing the Buddha statue and have also recovered some of its pieces from them," he said. A senior officer of the Tourism Department said after the video surfaced the authorities reported the matter to the police for action against the culprits.

Heart breaking.



A life sized statue of Buddha was discovered in a construction site in Takhtbhai, Mardan recently.

However, before the Archaeology dept was informed about it, the contractor had already broken it into pieces as the local molvi warned him that he would lose.. pic.twitter.com/nWHHzkOxe7  Ahsan Hamid Durrani (@Ahsan_H_Durrani) July 18, 2020

Takhtbai area is a tourist destination for people from Sri Lanka, Korea and Japan since it was a part of the Gandhara Civilisation - one of the earliest urban settlements documented in the history of the subcontinent. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa's old name is Ghandhara and the region is a highly revered place for the followers of Buddhism.

Earlier in May, Buddhist rock carvings in the Chilas area of Pakistan-occupied-Kashmir (PoK)'s Gilgit-Baltistan were found to be vandalised. The rock carvings belong to 800 AD and are archeologically important. Visuals show slogans and the Pakistani flag painted over the carvings.

READ | Pakistan reports 1,918 coronavirus cases, total rises to 261,917

READ | Pakistan Charge dAffaires summoned by MEA over ceasefire violations along the LoC

Buddhist carving in PoK vandalised

In May, sources reported that the vandalized carvings were found by local Buddhist residents and the vandalism was allegedly in retaliation to the protests over the Pak-China DiamerBhasha dam project, which will reportedly destroy this archeological site. 19 years ago, the Taliban had demolished the carved statue of Buddha in Bamyan valley of Afghanistan in 2001.

As per reports, the Taliban's 'Commander of the Faithful' - Mullah Mohammed Omar ordered the destruction of all statues and non-Islamic shrines located in different parts of Afghanistan on February 26, 2001. Explosives, tanks, and anti-aircraft weapons blew apart two colossal images of the Buddha in Bamiyan Province in stages. Initially, the statues were fired at for several days using anti-aircraft guns and artillery, and then anti-tank mines were placed at the niches, as per reports. Later, 25 men were lowered down the cliff-face to drill holes and place explosives, damaging more parts of the statues. Ultimately, the Taliban launched a rocket leaving a hole in the remains of the stone head, justifying it 'in accordance with Islamic law'.

READ | Locust invasion wreaks havoc on Pakistan's crops, orchards

READ | Buddhist carvings in PoK's Gilgit-Baltistan vandalised, Pakistan flag, slogans painted
Source: Xinhua| 2020-07-19 22:45:56|Editor: huaxia

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CAIRO, July 19 (Xinhua) -- Egypt's Minister of Irrigation and Water Resources Mohamed Abdel-Ati said on Sunday that Egypt will never stand idle in the face of the challenge posed by the Grand Ethiopia Renaissance Dam (GERD).

The minster's statements came during a meeting held by parliament's small and medium-scale enterprises committee to explore the possibility of offering loans to farmers who wish to modernize their irrigation systems, state-run Ahram Online reported.

"It is by no means an easy case and we have a lot of challenges in this respect, but we will never stand still or just stand as spectators," Abdel-Ati said. "Egypt has internal tools to address the problems that might be caused by the GERD."

The Egyptian minister noted that Egypt's President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi is closely following the GERD negotiations.

He revealed that the ministry's current strategy focuses on rationalizing the use of Nile water in agricultural projects, pointing out that the government is now expanding the use of sprinkling irrigation systems instead of the old-fashioned flood irrigation system.

"The government is keen on helping farmers obtain soft-term loans to adopt modern irrigation systems that can save water," he added.

South Africa, the current chair of the African Union (AU), invited Egypt, Sudan and Ethiopia to participate in a mini-summit on the GERD on July 21.

The call for the summit came days after the three countries recently ended a round of talks on the GERD without reaching an agreement on the filling of the mega dam.

The three countries sent separate reports to the AU on the progress of the talks, waiting for the mini-summit to come out with a decision regarding the Ethiopian dam.

Ethiopia started building the GERD in 2011, while Egypt, a downstream Nile Basin country that relies on the river for its fresh water, is concerned that the dam might affect its 55.5-billion-cubic-meter annual share of the water resources. Enditem
Protesters march in France to remember a young Black man who died in police custody as his family continue their campaign for justice.

A protest march took place in northern France, in memory of a young Black man who died in police custody four years ago.

Adama Traore was arrested on his birthday after running away from officers who approached him for an identity check. But hours later, he was declared dead.

Nobody has been convicted over his death.

Al Jazeeras Natacha Butler reports from Persan, France.
Merak Capital, a leading an asset management firm, has formally launched its operations from Saudi Arabia under the Capital Market Authority (CMA) license.



The firm is founded by Abdullah Altamami, Othman Alhokail and Abdulrahman Bin Mutrib, Saudi nationals with extensive track record in technology and investments. The core focus of the company is building a technology-centric team and investing across different asset classes from early stage ventures into later stages, as well as special technology projects.



Merak Capital technology focus is aligned with the Kingdoms Vision 2030 plan which has identified the technology sector as a key catalyst for economic development. One of the key themes of the Vision is to invest heavily in technology and digitization to create a flourishing business ecosystem that is ready to meet the challenges of the future. With more than 34 million in population, 60% of which is at age under 35 years, and with almost 90% online presence, the kingdom is utilizing its market size and infrastructure to further technological growth.



Abdullah Altamami, Founding Partner and CEO of Merak Capital, said: We are delighted to officially launch Merak Capital. Technology has become a primary engine of growth across sectors, with the acceleration of e-commerce and direct-to-consumer adoption, increased digitization in enterprises and governments, and financial technologies changing consumer and business behaviour at a rapid pace. The launch of our technology-focused firm has come at a critical time for the Kingdom as we pave the way to a new future.  TradeArabia News Service
As many as 2,500 Russian mercenaries from the shadowy "Wagner Group" have faced off against 3,500 Syrian civil war veterans recruited by Turkey in the proxy battle for control in Libya, according to the Pentagon's Inspector General.

U.S. Africa Command, which is focused on rooting out Islamic State and al Qaida-linked groups in the region, is essentially on the sidelines in Libya while closely monitoring activities in the civil war, the IG's quarterly report on counter-terror operations in Africa states.

Read next: Pentagon Bans Confederate Flag on Military Bases Without Mentioning It by Name

AFRICOM told the IG "that it has no credible reports of ISIS or al Qaida-affiliated militants among the mercenary forces from Syria, and assessed that the mercenaries are 'very likely' fighting in Libya for personal and financial reasons rather than ideological or political motivations," according to the 81-page report sent to Congress on Thursday.

AFRICOM put the number of Syrian fighters at about 3,800 at the end of March and said they were recruited by NATO ally Turkey in support of the U.S. and United Nations-recognized Government of National Accord (GNA) in Tripoli, the report states

Russia, Egypt and the United Arab Emirates have lined up behind the so-called Libyan National Army (LNA) led by former Libyan Gen. Khalifa Haftar, who holds U.S. citizenship, while Qatar and Turkey support the GNA.

"In Libya, fighting in the year-long civil war intensified following a significant increase of foreign mercenary forces," Acting IG Sean O'Donnell said in his preamble to the report.

"As many as 2,500 fighters associated with the Wagner Group, a Russian paramilitary company, and as many as 3,800 Syrian fighters were in Libya during the quarter" as peace efforts floundered, O'Donnell said.

To complicate an already confusing civil war, Russia has also been recruiting Syrians who fought against the Moscow-backed Syrian regime of President Bashar al-Assad to bolster the Wagner Group, the IG's report adds.

The Syrian fighters aiding the Wagner Group "are former Syrian opposition rebels who reportedly agreed to fight in the Libyan civil war in exchange for $1,000 per month and clemency from the Assad regime," it states.

The report did not estimate how much the Russians with the Wagner Group were being paid but said the Russians have "provided advanced equipment, such as unmanned aerial vehicles, and advanced capabilities, such as trained snipers, to the conflict, resulting in significant casualties to forces aligned with the GNA."

In a release Wednesday, AFRICOM said that the Russian mercenaries are planting land mines and improvised explosive devices around Tripoli and stretching east to the city of Sirte, Haftar's stronghold.

In May, Army Gen. Stephen Townsend, the AFRICOM commander, charged that Russia had sent 14 advanced MiG-29 Fulcrum fighter aircraft to Libya in an effort to prop up Haftar's forces.

Russia has repeatedly denied involvement in the Libyan fighting or knowledge of the Wagner Group's support for Haftar.

The overall conclusion of the IG's report is that "violent extremist organization (VEO) activity appears to be outpacing U.S., European, and African efforts to counter it" in East, North and West Africa.

In Somalia and East Africa, the al Qaida-linked al-Shabab terrorist organization "remains adaptive, resilient, and capable of attacking Western and partner interests," AFRICOM told the IG.

"During the quarter, al-Shabab maintained its capability to conduct operations, using insurgent-style tactics, including harassing and hit-and-run attacks, ambushes, and improvised explosive device operations" against Somali and African Union forces, the report states.

In West Africa, violence by extremist organizations increased in Burkina Faso, Mali, Nigeria, Niger, Chad and Cameroon during the quarter, "reflecting a steady increase in violence over the past two years, the report adds.

"The security situation in West Africa is a result of a complicated commingling of longstanding ethnic hostilities and the use of jihadist ideology that seeks to vanquish Western influence," the IG said.

-- Richard Sisk can be reached at Richard.Sisk@Military.com.

Related: Russian Mercenaries Are Planting Mines in Libya to Shore Up a Rebel Leader, AFRICOM Says
The NCP chief's comment comes a day after the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teertha Kshetra Trust invited Prime Minister Narendra Modi to lay the foundation stone next month.

Mumbai: Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Sharad Pawar on Sunday said some people think building a temple will help eradicating

the COVID-19 pandemic, a day after the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teertha Kshetra Trust suggested two dates in the next month for laying the foundation stone for a Ram Temple in Ayodhya.

The trust had invited Prime Minister Narendra Modi to lay the foundation stone either on 3 or 5 August.

"Eradication of COVID-19 is the priority of the Maharashtra government, but some people think constructing a temple will help in its mitigation," Pawar told reporters in Solapur when asked about the proposed date for laying of the foundation stone for a Ram temple.

Meanwhile, Arvind Sawant, the Shiv Sena MP from Mumbai South, told news agency PTI that Lord Ram was a matter of faith for his

party, and that it will not indulge in any politics over the issue.

"Shiv Sena is a leading light of the Ram Mandir movement. (Sena president) Uddhav Thackeray had visited Ayodhya before becoming chief minister and even after taking charge," he said.

The Sena, the NCP and the Congress are partners in the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government.

Sawant said ensuring health of people and providing them safety are priorities of the Sena-led state government, which is the concept of 'Ramrajya' (a rule of justice and truth).

"....We are doing precisely this in our (the state government's) fight against the coronavirus in Maharashtra," he said.
Kalaburagi, July 19 : Four pigs and half a dozen piglets were seen in a corridor of a state-run hospital in Karnataka's northern Kalaburagi district, an official admitted on Sunday.

"As one of the doors was open, the pigs strayed into the corridor of the hospital's general ward in search of food, which some in-patients throw in the dustbin in the corner," a district health official, speaking on condition of anonymity, told IANS on phone.

The official hastened to clarify that the corridor was not in the hospital's Covid ward, which is sanitised and where entry is restricted.

Though the pigs were seen strolling in the corridor and exiting from the open door 2-3 days ago, their video clip went viral on the social media on Sunday.

"As the city is under lockdown again since July 15, civic workers have not been reporting to work daily to keep the premises secure from dogs and pigs, which stray into the hospital some times in search of food," said the official.

Incidentally, the country's first coronavirus fatality was a 76-year-old man from Kalaburagi who tested positive after he died at a private hospital in Hyderabad on March 11.

Reacting to the incident, state Health Minister B. Sriramulu said he directed the district hospital staff to act against the pigs' owner for letting them off free to roam outside and stray into the hospital.

"The video clip of pigs in the Kalaburagi hospital clip is 3 days old. All the pigs in the vicinity have been captured and relocated. I have told the hospital to ensure such an incident does not recur," Sriramulu told reports at Ballari when the incident was brought to his notice.
A crime reporter who witnessed the execution of a white supremacist last week has revealed that the convicted murderer claimed he was innocent before he was put to death.

According to Associated Press reporter Michael Balsamo, Daniel Lewis Lee was asked if he wanted to make a final statement from the execution chamber just moments before his execution on Tuesday morning.

Balsamo said Lee leaned his head up and they locked eyes as he said: 'You're killing an innocent man.'

Balsamo said Lee's last words were: 'You're killing an innocent man'

Lee's execution was one of two that Balsamo witnessed over the last week at the Federal Correctional Complex in Terre Haute, Indiana.

His execution marked the first lethal injection carried out by the federal government in nearly two decades.

According to Associated Press reporter Michael Balsamo (pictured), Daniel Lewis Lee, was asked if he wanted to make a final statement from the execution chamber just moments before his execution on Tuesday

Balsamo said there was 'a lot of waiting' before Lee's execution.

'Prison officials searched me extensively each time I arrived, then sent me back to my hotel during the legal maneuvering, only to call me back to the maximum-security facility,' Balsamo wrote.

Lee, who was convicted of killing an Arkansas gun dealer, his wife and young daughter in the late 1990s, was scheduled to be executed Monday at 4pm, but the execution kept getting put off due to legal appeals.

At 2.10am on July 14, the Supreme Court ruled the execution could proceed.

Balsamo said that a Bureau of Prisons official called him to let him know that the execution was scheduled for 4.15am.

'We were brought into a small witness room,' Balsamo recalled. 'The curtain was shut, but I could hear noises coming from the other side of the wall. We couldn't make small talk. A man, albeit a convicted murderer, who was supposed to die soon could probably hear us.'

'There was no clock in the room. We lost track of how long we had been in there. Eventually someone asked if anyone knew what time it was. When a correction officer replied it was 6.10am, there was a collective gasp of surprise,' Balsamo said.

Lee, who was convicted of killing Arkansas gun dealer, William Mueller, his wife, Nancy (pictured together), and Mueller's young daughter in the late 1990s, was scheduled to be executed Monday at 4pm, but the execution kept getting put off due to legal appeals

Lee was convicted of murdering eight-year-old Sarah Powell (pictured)

Lee's execution marked the first lethal injection carried out by the federal government in nearly two decades. The federal prison complex in Terre Haute, Indiana, is pictured

It was around 7.46am, when the curtain began to rise slowly, according to Balsamo, who said that Lee was strapped down with a light blue sheet covering most of his body.

Balsamo also witnessed the execution of Wesley Ira Purkey (pictured)

A US marshal inside the room with Lee picked up a black phone hanging on the wall and spoke to Washington headquarters, saying: 'This is the marshal inside the execution chamber.'

The marshal asked if there were any legal impediments that would prohibit the execution. He listened, then said: 'I understand there are no impediments.'

Moments later, Lee said his final words before the injection did its deadly work.

'His lips turned blue. His chest stopped moving. He was pronounced dead,' Balsamo recalled.

Balsamo said there wasn't much time to dwell on what he had just witnessed because a second execution was scheduled for the next day.

Wesley Ira Purkey was convicted of kidnapping a 16-year-old girl from her Kansas neighborhood, raping and killing her in the late 1990s and also killing an 80-year-old.

His execution was also met with delays until Purkey's legal avenues were exhausted by the morning of July 16.

According to Balsamo, the curtain of the execution chamber rose around 7.55am.

Balsamo said that Purkey apologized to the family of the teenage girl he killed and to his own daughter.

'This sanitized murder really does not serve no purpose whatsoever,' Purkey said. 'Thank you.'

A few minutes later, Purkey was declared dead just after 8am.
First it came for your wetlands. Now its coming for your crawfish and your rice.

A foreign snail that appeared in Louisiana just over 10 years ago and quickly infested ponds, bayous and streams in about 30 parishes has recently found its way to the farms that produce two of the states favorite foods.

The invasive apple snail has shut down harvest at some crawfish farms in Vermilion, Acadia and Jefferson Davis parishes and has made its first devastating appearance in rice fields. In March, the invasive mollusks wiped out a 50-acre field of rice, marking the first reported case of the snail damaging the crop in Louisiana.

"Where its hit em, its hit em hard, said David Savoy, a Church Point crawfish farmer and chairman of the Louisiana Crawfish Promotion and Research Board. In Vermilion, its so bad, you pick up a trap and theres 5 to 10 pounds of them. Its horrible.

Attracted by the bait in traps, the snails crowd in, leaving little or no room for crawfish. At some farms, apple snails are being caught in such high numbers  sometimes 12 crates per day  that disposal of the thick-shelled snails is becoming a problem.

Some farmers have had to halt harvests and drain their ponds early, suffering revenue reductions of as much as 50%, said Blake Wilson, an LSU AgCenter researcher.

The impact on some of those farms, particularly where snail populations have been building for years, has been immense, he said.

Only about 10 crawfish farms have been affected, but new reports keep coming in.

Louisiana is by far the nations biggest crawfish producer. The industry contributes more than $300 million to the state economy each year and employs about 7,000 people, according to the research board.

If the problem spreads to the whole industry, economic impacts could be tens of millions of dollars annually without effective control tactics, Wilson said.

Those tactics are currently limited to pesticides. But what kills snails will also likely kill crawfish.

Native to South America, the apple snails first appearance in Louisiana was in a Gretna drainage canal in 2006.

Theyre popular in the aquarium trade partly because they eat the algae that dirties tanks. But they get quite big  sometimes growing shells 6 inches in diameter  and they often have a strong, swampy odor. Their presence in the wild is likely due to aquarium owners dumping them in ditches and ponds.

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 snails stay below the water's surface and arent often seen, but their bubblegum pink eggs are hard to miss. In clusters of 200 to 600, the tiny eggs have become an all-too-common sight on tree trunks and pilings just above the water line. Destroying the eggs is one of the best ways to reduce their numbers.

The state Department of Wildlife and Fisheries recommends people scrape the eggs off with a stick and crush them, or at least knock them into the water. Be careful not to touch them because the eggs contain a neurotoxin that can irritate skin and eyes.

The snails are edible but are known to carry rat lungworm, a parasite that can kill humans and other mammals.

Rapid reproducers and voracious eaters, the snail overpopulates waterways and kills off habitat important to native fish and other wildlife.

The snails appearance in crawfish farms comes at a particularly bad time for the industry. Crawfish have been hit with white spot syndrome, a deadly virus that was first discovered in farmed shrimp in Asia in the early 1990s and first appeared in Louisiana 2007.

The coronavirus pandemic has taken a toll as well. The AgCenter reported that some crawfish producers have been able to sell just 15% of their catch due to pandemic-related restaurant closures and occupancy limits.

Scientists and farmers are perplexed about how the snail arrived in crawfish farms and why certain farms are swarming with them.

Its weird, AgCenter researcher Greg Lutz said. It pops up in certain regions. You can have a farm with nothing, and three or four miles down the road theyre overrun.

It could be that the snails benefit from flooding. An Acadia Parish farm started having a snail problem after its fields were flooded from a bayou linked to the Mermentau River, which is loaded with apple snails.

The snail has been identified in just one rice field so far, but the potential for widespread destruction is strong. Its a major pest for rice growers in Spain, Asia and Central America. In the Philippines, the snail is considered a national menace, infesting about half the nations rice fields during the late 1980s.

The snail left almost nothing at the rice field near Rayne. Wilson estimated the field had two snails per square foot.

There was no trace of rice, he said. If you didnt know better, youd think it was a snail production farm.
Jammu, July 19 : Pakistan again violated ceasefire on the Line of Control (LoC) on Sunday in Jammu and Kashmir's Rajouri district on Sunday, a defence official said.

"Pakistan initiated unprovoked ceasefire violation by firing with small arms and intense shelling with mortars along the LoC in Sunderbani sector of Rajouri at about 7.15 p.m.," Defence Ministry spokesman, Colonel Devender Anand, said.

"Indian army is retaliating befittingly." On Friday, three civilians - a couple and their son - were killed in indiscriminate shelling by Pakistan in Khari Karmara sector of Poonch district.

Pakistan has so far this year violated ceasefire on the LoC and the international border in J&K 2,711 times, killing 21 civillians and injuring 94 others.
By Trend

Military units of the armed forces of Armenia violated ceasefire 70 times throughout the day in various direction of the front, using large-caliber machine guns and sniper rifles, Trend reports on July 19 referring to Azerbaijani Defense Ministry.

At present, relative calm is observed in the direction of the Tovuz region of the Azerbaijan-Armenia state border.

Armenian armed forces, located in Jil village and on nameless hills in Chambarak region subjected to fire the positions of the Azerbaijan Army located in Zamanly village and on nameless hills in Gadabay region.

The positions of Azerbaijan Army were also fired from the positions of Armenian military units located near the occupied Goyarkh, Chilaburt villages of Terter region, Yusifjanly, Marzili villages of Aghdam region, Kuropatkino village of Khojavend region, Ashaghy Veysalli, Garakhanbayli, Ashaghy Seyidahmadli, Gorgan, Kurdlar, Horadiz villages of Fuzuli region, Mehdili village of Jabrayil region, as well as from the positions located on nameless hills in Goranboy and Terter regions.

The enemy was suppressed by retaliation fire. Our units fully control the operational situation.

--

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
As the coronavirus epidemic brought the worlds second-largest economy to a near-halt during the early part of the year, Chinese crude importers engaged in a massive buying spree, but now the Chinese bounty appears to be evaporating, and the bulls have been put on high alert by the weakening of a key oil price catalyst. In May, China's crude imports soared to an all-time high, with imports clocking in at 47.97 million tons, or 11.34 million barrels a day, according to Bloomberg.

The furious buying by the worlds largest crude importer was a key reason why oil prices were able to stage a quick come back from their historic lows in April.

But after two consecutive months of heightened purchases, Chinese imports of crude oil slowed quite dramatically in the month of June, with traders from Houston to Geneva to Singapore reporting that the countrys appetite for crude had cooled considerably in recent weeks. Customs data from 27 producer countries shows that exporters loaded ~2.55 million barrels a day, or 22%, less of crude headed for China during the month of May.

Related: The Robinhood Phenomenon Is Fueling An Electric Vehicle Boom Theres a method to the madness though (hint: the second wave of Covid-19 is not to blame).



Unsustainable Pace

The export slump could be taken to mean either of two things: Chinas oil demand is hitting reverse gear once again, maybe due to the so-called second wave of Covid-19, or the pace of crude buying was unsustainable and is now reverting to the mean.

Luckily for the bulls, the second option appears to be a more valid reason for the unfolding scenario.

Chinas price-sensitive independent refiners--aka the teapots--took advantage of the oil price crash in April to stock up on cheap crude and cut their purchases sharply after crude prices rebounded. China imported a record 19.1 million barrels of Russias Urals for April loading. The journey from Russias Baltic Sea ports takes about 40-50 days, meaning much of the April-loaded oil would have arrived at Chinese ports in June.

What some traders are latching onto is the hope that Chinas teapot refineries are still hungry--desperately so--for crude imports, if only to hold on to their government licenses to import at a certain quota.

Further noted by traders is the fact that imports by the Chinese giants--China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC), China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC), and China Petroleum & Chemical Corporation (Sinopec)--didnt miss a beat.

This in turn means that imports are likely to remain lackluster in July and July and probably recover in September. This optimism, however, fails to account for the fact that the teapots make up over one-fifth of Chinese crude processing capacity.

But theres another problem on the horizon for teapots in particular, if not for global traders: China is gearing up to build a mega refinery (400,000 barrel-per-day) in Shandong. That refinery is slated to come online in 2024, and it would render a lot of teapots irrelevant.

Regarding demand being wrecked by the pandemic, China has been successful at dealing with its second Covid-19 wave, quickly bringing the situation under control in a matter of weeks and has remained relatively stable for at least a month now.

Unfortunately, the same cannot be said for the giant North American markets.

Global Demand Still Recovering



You can expect to see more of this kind of trader-driven ebb and flow from the Chinese market in the future.

Despite a slump in demand by a key customer, the price of Urals has held up pretty well. Russias flagship brand as well as Saudi and OPEC crude have been enjoying much better pricing power as we explained here thanks to the deep production cuts.

Overall, global oil prices appear to have consolidated ~$40/barrel and are likely to remain range-bound until another big catalyst emerges (Covid-19 vaccine, anyone?)

Related: Russia Looks To Woo Tech Companies As Oil Lags

In the meantime, its worth keeping an eye on Chinas yuan-denominated crude-oil futures, launched in March 2018, because global interest is gathering--even if slowly. Challenges remain to this becoming a global benchmark, but its clearly headed in that direction.

Global interest has increased because of fairly stable Chinese oil prices this year thanks to price controls that allowed it to slide through the oil price war that saw prices go negative for WTI in April, according to the Wall Street Journal.

In 2018, there were only 45 international brokers offering up Chinese yuan-denominated oil futures. Now, there are 60, says WSJ, and they include JPMorgan and Goldman Sachs.

Further, for the first time, its profitable for traders to deliver this contract. Industry sources told Reuters on Tuesday that BP has now officially become the first major global firms to deliver oil to the Shanghai contract in July. BP reportedly delivered 3 million barrels of Iraqi oil to the contract, and is set to deliver another million barrels next month.



By Alex Kimani for Oilprice.com

More Top Reads From Oilprice.com:
"Communal BJP", "Goonda RSS", "Demonetisation" in 2019 to "Phirey Daekha Ekushey July (Looking Back At The July 21 Martyrs' Day) in 2020  Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee is ready with a new chant as she gears up to lead a virtual Shahid Diwas mega rally on July 21 in West Bengal to mark the killing of 13 Youth Congress activists on that day in 1993.

Armed with a crackdown on her own corrupt party leaders, an image makeover and highlighting her governments achievements before the people  Didi's Shahid Diwas speech is undoubtedly in many ways going to decide the future trajectory of peoples mood in the state considering the crucial 2021 assembly polls, observers say.

The heart-wrenching pictures of thousands of migrant workers walking miles after miles and some states diluting labour laws during the Covid-19 crisis would very likely be in West Bengal chief minister's mind as themes to attack the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) with in her July 21 speech.

Every year, the day is observed by Mamata in remembrance of the 13 Youth Congress workers who were killed in Kolkata police firing on July 21, 1993, while pressing their demand to make voter identity card the sole document required for voting. The chief minister, who was in the Indian National Congress at the time, was leading the protest.

Over the years, the rally has transformed into an opportunity for Mamata to show her strength to political opponents. Lakhs of people gather at Kolkatas Maidan area to attend the Shahid Diwas programme, but this time Mamata will make her speech on a virtual platform because of the pandemic.

A lot of water has flown under the bridge since last year's event, and and a-bit-wary Mamata (particularly after the 2019 Lok Sabha poll results showed the BJP had made massive gains in Bengal) has changed her stance substantially to get her party leaders organised for the 2021 assembly polls amid allegations of "syndicates", "cut money" and "Cyclone Amphan relief loot" involving some TMC members.

A recent example was the show-cause notices sent to 200 party workers from just the Nandigram assembly constituency in East Midnapore  the place which helped Mamata form her government in Bengal for the first time in 2011 by ending the Left Front's 34-year rule in the state.

Perform or perish; I will bring a new face. There is no place for corruption in my party, she recently warned her party leaders through a videoconferencing meet.

Party insiders said that besides highlighting the transparency in her governance, she will try to project the BJP as "rich, communal outsiders" and that it doesn't have a place in the "Bangaliana" culture of Bengal.

The strategy to mobilise people based on their social and economic status worked well for Mamata when she came to power in 2011 with her famous "Amra-Ora (Us vs Them)" slogan.

This time, on the same lines, Mamata is likely to highlight the intentions of political leaders from other states who have been levelling a series of allegations against her government without even knowing the geography, culture and emotion of the state. For example, recently BJP MP Tejasvi Surya from Karnataka tweeted about the Hemtabad BJP MLA death case. Our condolences to the deceased's family members, but do you actually think he should tweet without knowing the facts? Or do you think the people in Bengal actually care who Tejasvi Surya is? a senior TMC leader said.

Forget about Tejasvi Surya. Do you think, except a few, people know the state BJP leaders by their faces and names?

Mamatas clout in Indian politics can be gauged by the occasion when former President Pranab Mukherjee, a Bengali and an intellectual, described her as a "born rebel" and recalled how she once stormed out of a meeting, which left him "humiliated" and "insulted".

Following her 2011 poll victory, instead of grand processions, Mamata had decided to walk down to the iconic Writers Building (state secretariat) in her flip-flops as lakhs of people marched behind her amid slogans of "Bodla Na, Bodol Chai (We want change, not revenge)".

TMC district presidents, party leaders, block presidents, booth-level workers, MLAs and MPs have already swung into action with aggressive campaigning (involving small groups of people to ensure social distancing) with slogans like, "Phirey Dekha Ekushey July", "Didi Aachhe Chinta Nei (Dont worry, Didi is here)", Hridoye Aachhe Mamata (Mamata is in our hearts)" and "Banglar Gorbo Mamata (Mamata is Bengals pride)".

They are also highlighting how the CMs schemes like Kanyashree, Sabuj Sathi, Khadya Sathi, Sabujshree, Shikshashree, Gatidhara, Gitanjali, Lok Prasar Prakalpa, Fair Price Medicine Shops, Shishu Sathi, Shishu Aloy, Pathasathi, Swasthya Sathi, Sabala, Anandadhara, Yuvashree, Samabyathi, Baitarani, Swabalamban, Khelashree, Safe Drive Save Life, Mission Nirmal Bangla, etc, have transformed Bengal in the past nine years, party leaders say.

The Trinamool Congress has been organising Shahid Diwas every year since 1998 and this years commemoration will be a mega event as Mamata will kick off her assembly poll campaign via Facebook at 2 pm on July 21.

Due to the Covid-19 pandemic this year, it is not possible to mark July 21 at the Maidan. Therefore, I have decided to address my people through a virtual platform at 2 pm. I would like to request my people to gather at their respective booths from 1 pm to hoist flags and pay respects to the martyrs. Please dont gather in large numbers and maintain social distancing, Mamata said recently.

This will be Mamatas first virtual political rally in Bengal. Arrangements are in full swing to take her speech among the people at nearly 80,000 booths in the state. More than 3 lakh people across Bengal are likely to participate in this event.

The TMC has also decided to circulate an audio version of Mamatas speech to party workers and supporters for maximum coverage.
President Trump may be dissatisfied with some recent Supreme Court decisions, but voters who want the bench to lean conservative don't seem too worried about the direction it's going, The New York Times reports, and that could potentially have an effect on the 2020 election.

Trump won some supporters in 2016 who were wary of his candidacy but felt his presidency was necessary to shift the balance of the country's highest court, and Trump did indeed fill two vacancies with justices who are considered adherents to conservative jurisprudence. As it turns out, the court has issued some surprising rulings with Chief Justice Roberts building a reputation as the court's swing vote, although Justices Neil Gorsuch and Brett Kavanaugh have sided with the more liberal members of the court on certain issues too.

The Trump re-election campaign is therefore once again bringing the Supreme Court to the forefront in the 2020 election, arguing it's necessary to instill another conservative judge should a vacancy open up. That will surely appeal to some Trump voters, but the Times reports it might not resonate as broadly as it did in 2016 because people are more or less satisfied with the Supreme Court's performance since Gorsuch and Kavanaugh took their seats. Trump himself may have played a role in that. "It's harder to make the case this year than it was in 2016 that there is an existential threat to the courts," said Rory Cooper, a Republican strategist. "Part of the problem is that the president and Senate Republicans have been so vocal about what a good job they've done on judicial confirmations, that some voters may think the job is done."

More stories from theweek.com

7 ferociously funny cartoons about Trumps fight with Fauci

Trump's chief of staff reportedly wants him to 'avoid drawing attention' to COVID-19

Coronavirus treatment reduces number of intensive care patients in clinical trial, biotech firm says


Regarding the July 15 opinion piece by Tung Yin about Minoru Yasui, a Japanese Oregonian, (Rename a Portland school for the deserving Minoru Yasui), I was reminded of the wonderful Oregon Reads book of 2009 called Stubborn Twig: Three Generations in the Life of a Japanese Family by Lauren Kessler. The book is a fascinating history starting with Minoru Yasuis father arriving in Seattle and then moving to Hood River where he started his fruit farms around 1913. It includes all the struggles the family endured over the years including those of Minoru Yasui, as described by Mr. Yin. Every Oregonian should read this book which highlights exceptional courage and fortitude.

If there is an Oregonian who deserves to have a place of learning named after him, it is Minoru Yasui. Thanks to Tung Yin for highlighting one of the many remarkable Oregonians who've come before us.

Susan Bexton, Portland
The diamond industry has already suffered heavy losses due to the pandemic. In fact, today rough diamond sales are suspended globally, and so far, the time limits for this pause are unclear. The possible second wave of COVID-19 threatens with new losses, which may result in aggressive measures to save the diamond mining companies, the most capital-intensive part of the diamond pipeline. Against this background, the old discussion about the diversification of ALROSAs products is particularly urgent, which, from the point of view of some participants, can be considered as a real anti-crisis measure to hedge the risks due to the current problems facing the rough and polished diamond industry.

As far as is known, this opinion is shared by vice-premier Yury Trutnev who instructed to develop proposals for ALROSAs participation in the development of precious and rare metals deposits. Vyacheslav Shtyrov, state adviser to the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia) insists on the ALROSAs participation in the hydrocarbon production. At the same time, Sergey Ivanov, the current executive of ALROSA, is very skeptical about the idea of diversifying the Company.

In our opinion, the only cause of the systemic crisis of any raw material company is the depletion of the mineral resources supporting its activities. Other reasons including the competition in the raw material market, financial problems of the companies processing raw materials, the problems in the final product distribution market are secondary, they require prompt actions and are temporary as previous experience shows.

From this point of view, applying the term crisis to the current state of ALROSA is absolutely wrong, hence the emergency measures - including changing the line of business - are not required.

ALROSA has diamond reserves in the amount of 1.0 bn carats on its balance sheet, these are the raw minerals of industrial categories approved by the State Committee for Mineral Reserves of the RF. The Company has a comfortable loan debt burden, high operational profitability and, most importantly, can count on the state support in the form of purchasing a part of marketable products by Gokhran. A combination of factors shows that ALROSA has obvious competitive advantages in the industry. The Company's management has a wide range of tools for making decisions during this difficult period, and minimizing losses depends on the management personnels proficiency.

Supporters of the ALROSA diversification, as a rule, avoid assessing the impact of this process on the town-forming role - if not the geopolitical one - of the Company in the countrys Far East. However, this factor is crucial.

The transition of the state economy from the planned regulation principles to the market economy in the early 1990s was not accompanied by complete privatization of the industrial sector. As a result, in various spheres of production, companies were set up with the participation of government agencies - both federal and municipal ones.

As of the beginning of 2019, 59,300 enterprises of various organizational forms were registered in Russia that are indicated as the public sector of the economy category in the statistical reports. The general list of the public sector enterprises includes the companies playing a town-forming role, both of the regional and supra-regional levels. Of course, ALROSA is among them.

By the volume of goods and services produced at the level of 250-300 bn roubles per year, ALROSA is inferior to the leaders of the state sector represented by Gazprom, Rosneft, Rosvooruzhenie (Russian State Arms Export Company), and many others. However, taking into account its town-forming role, ALROSA is among the leaders in Russia.

The Company's total deductions into budgetary and extra-budgetary funds of the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia) amount to 50% of the cumulative business volume. However, the area of this entity of the Federation makes 20% of the total area of the country. ALROSA supports and fully develops the infrastructure network in the areas where it operates, from the transportation network to the energy supply facilities. The development of the public sector in the areas where ALROSAs enterprises are located is adequate to the state of the Company. This applies equally to the work of service firms including trade, supply, personal services, housing and utilities sector.

The ALROSA's production activities are ensured by a significant consumption of material resources. These are fuels and lubricants, metal, construction materials, gas, electricity. In total, the Companys activities determine the development of the productive forces and production relations not only on a regional, but on a broader scale taking into account that ALROSA provides partner companies located outside Yakutia with work orders.

Of course, changing the line of business of the Company will upset the balance of the production relations in the region and beyond.

Any large-scale diversification, especially the one oriented towards new capital-intensive projects involving the production of solid minerals and (or) hydrocarbons will inevitably affect the ALROSA's dividend yield.

Receiving dividends and the investments in the development are oppositely directed, since the source is the same - the profit from the companys activities. Attention should be paid to the indicators of the investment and dividend policy of the ALROSA Supervisory Board for the period from 2012 through 2019 (the data is taken from the annual reports).







The data indicates that since 2016, there have been fundamental changes in the investment and dividend policy: prior to 2016, the funds exceeding the dividends by 4.0 times were allocated for the investments, and from 2016, the dividends began to exceed the investments by 2.0 times against the background of the decreased investments in absolute terms.

There is no doubt that the shortage of raw materials in 2030-2040 will increase, which will necessarily raise the question of its partial compensation at the expense of the deposits that are in reserve. There are many previously discovered deposits that are on the balance sheet of ALROSA and its subsidiaries; the results of their Investment Feasibility Studies show a negative cash flow. This group of deposits is sometimes referred to as low margin deposits. Some blocks of mined deposits are also included in this category, such as pit reserves and rough diamonds reserves located below the boundaries of design mine workings.

Obviously, the investments in the development of this category of reserves and their subsequent mining will reduce the total margin indicator of the integrated project that can be called the ALROSA Group Project. This resulted in a decrease in the high level of dividend yield in 2016-2019. From the strategic point of view, the shareholders have a difficult choice - to maintain a high level of dividends in the short term while keeping on reducing the capital investments in the raw material sector, or to increase the capital investments to the detriment of the dividend yield in order to get the geological reserves of raw materials prepared for long term mining. The second option is certainly preferred from the point of view of the development of the productive forces and production relations in the region and beyond taking into account the town-forming mission of the Company.

Sergey Mityukhin and Sergey Goryainov




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Linkedin Carol Mang and Jessie Pang (Reuters)  Sun, July 19, 2020 16:27 549 6657ac82168da9fa101c8a40667940e0 2 World Hong-Kong,coronavirus,COVID-19 Free

Hong Kong tightened coronavirus restrictions on Sunday, with non-essential civil servants told to work from home from this week, as the global financial hub reported a record number of daily cases.

Earlier on Sunday, an event by pro-democracy politicians to mark the one-year anniversary of an attack in a train station by an armed mob was stopped by police in riot gear for breaking coronavirus measures already in place that restrict group gatherings to four people.

Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam told a news conference the city recorded more than 100 cases in the past 24 hours, the most since the pandemic took hold in late January, taking the tally close to 2,000 patients, 12 of whom have died.

"The situation is very serious and there is no sign of it coming under control," Lam said.

Amusement parks, gyms and 10 other types of venues will remain closed for another seven days, while a requirement for restaurants to only provide takeaway after 6 p.m. was extended. Face masks will be mandatory in indoor public areas.

Read also: Chinese law could see UK judges stop serving at HK court

Yuen Long anniversary

Police in riot gear halted an event in the northern district of Yuen Long, where pro-democracy politicians planned to mark the anniversary of the attack on demonstrators and bystanders by more than 100 men with pipes and poles on July 21 last year, in which 45 people were injured.

The Yuen Long attack was one of the most violent scenes of last year's pro-democracy protests, which plunged the global financial hub into its deepest crisis since it returned from British to Chinese rule in 1997.

At the time, police were criticized for not responding quickly enough to calls for help, and for not arresting any alleged culprits at the scene. They later made several arrests and said the assailants had links to organised criminal gangs, or triads.

A small number of protesters marked the anniversary chanting slogans in a shopping mall.
Slate is making its essential coronavirus coverage free for all readers. Subscribe to support our journalism.

Anthony Fauci, the countrys top infectious disease expert, says the data is clear that it is young people who are driving this new surge of coronavirus infections. While the young may feel invincible and theyre right that most of them wont get sick, they need to understand the role they play in making sure the virus keeps spreading to others with sometimes lethal consequences. Theyre not going to get very sick. They know that, Fauci said in an interview with WebMDs chief medical officer John Whyte. So what I think is happening is that, understandably, innocently, but not correctly, the younger individuals are saying, Well, if I get infected, so the chances of it is that I wont even have any symptoms, so who cares? Thats a big mistake.

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Recent data shows that the biggest age group reporting new COVID-19 infections is at least 15 years younger than a few months ago, he said. And even though its true that statistically those people are less likely to develop severe symptoms, people need to analyze the consequences of their actions. By allowing yourself to get infected or not caring if you do get infected, you are propagating a pandemic. Because it doesnt end with you, Fauci, the head of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, said. You get infected and have no symptoms. The chances are youre going to infect someone else, who will then infect someone else. And eventually in that chain the virus could reach someone whos vulnerable either because of their age or because they have a compromised immune system. All of a sudden, youre not operating in a vacuum, he said. Youre part of the problem as opposed to being part of the solution. Fauci emphasized that he didnt want to blame anybody, characterizing it as a messaging problem. These are people that are doing this innocently and inadvertently, he said.

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Fauci spoke as the surge in new COVID-19 infections is leading to packed emergency rooms in some parts of the country. New infections are rising around the world too, as the World Health Organization reported a record increase in cases for a second day in a row with a rise of 259,848 in 24 hours. The United States led the ranking with 71,484 new cases, followed by Brazil with 45,403 and India with 34,884.

Fauci, who is currently locked in a tense relationship with much of the White House leadership, said he stands by his prediction last month that the United States may very well start reporting as many as 100,000 new COVID-19 infections per day. Although getting to that number isnt inevitable, avoiding it would require people to follow social distancing guidelines and wear masks. I do hope we dont reach that and that we actually turn it around in time, Fauci said. But, you know, the virus is a very formidable foe here.

In an interview with Facebooks Mark Zuckerberg on Thursday, Fauci had warned that while most young people wont develop serious symptoms, there are growing reports that many do get sick for weeks, and that could have long-term consequences. Its the people who really get knocked out badly, particularly those who require hospitalization, that its going to take months to a year or more to determine if there are any long-lasting, deleterious consequences of the infection, Fauci said. We just dont know that now. We havent had enough time.
EU leaders prior to a round table meeting at an EU summit in Brussels (John Thys, Pool Photo via AP)

Marathon European Union talks to agree an unprecedented 1.85 trillion euro (1.68 trillion) EU budget and coronavirus recovery fund have entered a third day.

However, German Chancellor Angela Merkel warned that the summit of 27 leaders could still end without a deal.

The bitter negotiations, which are taking place amid the unprecedented crisis of the coronavirus pandemic, have underscored the deep fissures within the 27-nation bloc, with the traditional Franco-German alliance struggling to get its way.

Whether there will be a solution, I still cant say, Mrs Merkel said as she arrived early for the extra day of talks at what had been planned as a two-day summit in Brussels.

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There is a lot of goodwill, but there are also a lot of positions. So I will join in working for it. But there may also be no result today.

Mrs Merkel and French President Emmanuel Macron walked out of heated talks late on Saturday, with a group of nations led by the Netherlands pushing to limit the amount of grants given to countries whose economies have been hardest hit by the pandemic and to impose strict conditions on how the money is spent.

They run off in a bad mood, Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte said in the early hours of Sunday after Mrs Merkel and Mr Macrons departure from talks.

The fact that we continue talking shows we all have optimism.

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Whatsapp Dutch PM Mark Rutte, right, with Swedens PM Stefan Lofven, left, Austrias Chancellor Sebastian Kurz, second left, and Denmarks PM Mette Frederiksen (Francisco Seco/AP)

Mr Rutte is widely seen as the leader of the nations known as the Frugal Four  the Netherlands, Austria, Denmark and Sweden.

Mr Macron and Mrs Merkel met deep into the night with Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte and the leader of the EUs executive commission, Ursula von der Leyen.

On Sunday morning, they continued their talks along with summit host Charles Michel before the summit restarted.

The urgency of the talks is clear.

The coronavirus pandemic has pitched the bloc into its worst recession ever and killed around 135,000 of its citizens.

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The EU executive has proposed a 750 billion euro (682 billion) fund, partly based on common borrowing, to be sent as loans and grants to the most needy countries.

That comes on top of the seven-year, one trillion-euro EU budget that leaders have been haggling over for months.

All nations agree they need to help but the four richer nations in the north, led by the Netherlands, want strict controls on spending, while struggling southern nations such as Spain and Italy say conditions should be kept to a minimum.

Mr Macron said leaders need to compromise on Sunday.

I think it is still possible, but these compromises, I say very clearly, will not be made at the cost of European ambition, he said.
Portland, Oregon: Top leaders in the US House said on Sunday they were alarmed by the Trump administrations tactics against protesters in Portland, Oregon, and other cities, including Washington, DC, and called on federal inspectors general investigate.

Militarised federal agents deployed by the President to Portland, Oregon, fire tear gas at protesters. Credit:AP

This is a matter of utmost urgency, wrote House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerrold Nadler, Homeland Security Committee Chairman Bennie G. Thompson, and Oversight and Reform Committee Chairwoman Carolyn B. Maloney, in a letter to the inspectors general of Department of Justice and Department of Homeland Security.

The Democratic lawmakers are seeking an investigation into the use of federal law enforcement agencies by the Attorney-General and the Acting Secretary of Homeland Security to suppress First Amendment protected activities in Washington, DC, Portland, and other communities across the United States.

The mayor of Oregon's largest city said on Sunday the presence of federal agents is exacerbating tensions in Portland, which has seen nearly two months of nightly protests since the killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis.
Hotels warned against price gouging under domestic tourism scheme

BANGKOK: Deputy government spokeswoman Traisuree Taisaranakul on Sunday (July 19) warned all hotels joining the Rao Tiew Duay Kan (We Travel Together) programme not to increase their room rates to take advantage of the 40% subsidy from the government.

tourismeconomicsCOVID-19

By Bangkok Post

Sunday 19 July 2020, 06:56PM

A woman holds a phone displaying the Rao Tiew Duay Kan (We Travel Together) website offering hotel subsidies to promote tourism. Photo: Chanat Katanyu / Bangkok Post

With a ban on foreign tourists in place, the government is relying on local travellers to inject money into the tourism sector with the Rao Tiew Duay Kan domestic tourism drive, which subsidises 5 million nights of hotel accommodation.

Under the scheme, tourists pay only 60% of normal room rates, with the government responsible for the other 40%, with the subsidy capped at B3,000 per night for up to five nights.

More than 3.6 million people have signed up for the package since registration on the website began on Wednesday.

Ms Traisuree said any hotels caught price gouging will be terminated from the programme immediately, reports the Bangkok Post.

Most of the registrants had reserved one-night stays in hotels in eastern and western provinces. Krabi was the most popular long-distance tourist destination so far, she added.

The warning came after several registrants complained of inflated room rates on social media. One person wrote on a Facebook page that a hotel where she planned to stay had advertised a rate of B2,200 per night, but the amount increased when she tried to register with the tourism promotion campaign.

The rate was now B4,000 per night, or B2,400 after the 40% discount rate, she wrote without naming the hotel.

NEW CASES

The warning came as the Centre for COVID-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) on Sunday reported that three new COVID-19 infections were found in Thais returning to the country from abroad.

Two of the cases returned to the country from Singapore: a 60-year-old man who arrived in Bangkok on July 6 and tested positive five days later, and a 43-year-old man who was tested after showing symptoms when he arrived at Suvarnabhumi airport on Friday.

The third case was a 39-year-old man who arrived from Sudan on Saturday. He also showed symptoms at the airport, was tested and then diagnosed with the disease.

CCSA spokesman Dr Taweesin Visanuyothin said all three new patients had no contact with the public and are now hospitalised.

The total number of confirmed cases was now 3,249, with fatalities unchanged at 58.

Although the country has been free of local transmissions for 55 days, a Suan Dusit Poll issued on Sunday indicated that public sentiment was still against plans to open the doors to foreigners, the Bangkok Post noted.
Patna: Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Sunday (July 19) expressed condolence on the deaths of 10 people due to lightning strikes during thunderstorms in at least seven districts of the state. He announced a compensation of Rs 4 lakh to the next of kin of each deceased.

CM Nitish appealed to the people of the state to remain vigilant and stay indoors as long as possible during the bad weather. He also asked people to follow advisories issued by the Disaster Management Department in this regard.

At least 10 people were killed in lightning strikes in the state on Sunday. Three people were killed in Purnea, two in Begusarai and one each in Patna, Saharsa, East Champaran, Madhepura and Darbhanga districts, a Disaster Management Department official said.

More than 160 people have died due to lightning strikes in the state in the past three weeks.

The highest number of 83 people were killed in lightning strikes in 23 districts on June 25.
As European leaders haggled in Brussels on Saturday over billions of euros to prop up their coronavirus-blighted economies, four prime ministers slipped away in search of comfort food: a paper cone of Belgian fries.

The snack that Americans call "French fries" - and Britons call "chips" - are such a staple dish in Belgium that roadside shacks and trailers selling "frites" were allowed to stay open during this spring's lockdown to curb the spread of COVID-19.

Belgian Prime Minister Sophie Wilmes tweeted a photograph of herself and Luxembourg Prime Minister Xavier Bettel outside the famous Maison Antoine "friterie" clutching their booty; she had "Andalouse" sauce with her fries and Bettel chose "Samurai".

They were joined by the prime ministers of Estonia and Malta, and all four sat together outside the restaurant in the Place Jourdan, which has also served German Chancellor Angela Merkel during breaks in previous European Union summits.

Belgium has sought to have "Belgian fries" and the culture around them recognised as a distinct part of global heritage, alongside its beer-making tradition.

Many Belgians say their country invented fries, and that it was only because U.S. troops stationed in the French-speaking part of Belgium during World War One mistakenly called them "French" that the name stuck.
KYODO NEWS - Jul 19, 2020 - 20:25 | All, Coronavirus, Japan

Japan's prefectural governors on Sunday decided to ask the central government to consider excluding more areas from a travel campaign as necessary to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus.

The governors said they hope the 1.35 trillion yen ($12.6 billion) subsidy initiative aimed at sparking domestic trips will help revive their virus-hit economies.

But "we have to avoid (the campaign) causing the virus to spread," they said in proposals to the central government compiled at an online meeting to discuss responses to the coronavirus.

The proposals will be submitted to the central government in the near future.

The government will launch the Go To Travel Campaign on Wednesday as planned, but is excluding Tokyo from the program after a recent spike in cases in the capital.

"We are facing a critical phase where we have to deal with the movement (of people) in wider areas and prevent the spread of the virus at the same time," Tokushima Gov. Kamon Iizumi, president of the National Governors' Association, said in the opening speech, referring to a rise in nationwide infections.

Tokyo remains the hardest-hit area with its new cases accounting for about a third of the nationwide tally. On Sunday, the Tokyo metropolitan government reported 188 new infections.

Tokyo saw the figure reaching nearly 300 for three straight days through Saturday including a single-day record of 293 cases reported on Friday.

Related coverage:

Japan's travel campaign thrown into disarray after minister's remarks

Japan reports over 660 new cases of COVID-19, most in over 3 months

1 in 4 commute by bicycle to avoid crowds amid pandemic: survey

The daily figures reflect the most recent totals reported by health authorities and medical institutions in the capital.

Across the country, total cases stood at some 25,300 as of Sunday afternoon as a resurgence in infections has also become more apparent in other urban areas. The tally excludes 712 from the Diamond Princess cruise ship that was quarantined in Yokohama in February.

The governors urged the central government to run the campaign over the long term, as some areas in the Kyushu region are not able to accept tourists anytime soon in the wake of devastating floods caused by torrential rain.

They also asked the government for timely disclosure of information about infections at U.S. bases in Japan after an increasing number of new cases has been reported by the U.S military.

In Okinawa, which hosts the bulk of U.S. military facilities in Japan, 143 military personnel have tested positive, according to the prefectural government.
A group calling itself Concerned Photojournalists in the Western Region has declared a total boycott of programmes organised by the Minister of State and Member of Parliament for Evalue-Ajomoro-Gwira, Catherine Afeku.

The photojournalists claimed that their decision has to do with the alleged manhandling of a Metro TV Cameraman, Alhaji Mustapha Ashaley, by Afekus bodyguard at Axim.

The group, made up of cameramen of television stations, say they are not happy that their colleagues recordings were deleted at the premises of an Axim Court on July 10, 2020, during a defamation suit the MP was pursing.

The group of photojournalists has thus asked the MP to distance herself from the conduct of her bodyguard, cause his arrest and also apologize.

The Convener of the Concerned Photojournalists group, Charles Agyir gave the ultimatum to the MP during a press conference in Takoradi following Catherine Afeku's continues denial and justification of the incident.

Before the commencement of the court proceedings, the Metro TV Cameraman, Alhaji Mustapha Gilbert Ashaley was taking video footages (cutaways) outside the court premises to support his story since recordings or picture/video in the courtroom is not allowed. This was after he had sought permission from the court clerk. Without any provocation, the said bodyguard identified as (Appiah) who arrived in the company of the MP and Minister of State, Mrs Catherine Afeku and the husband, Seth Afeku, and the Municipal Chief Executive, Frank Okpenyen, upon seeing the cameraman outside the court premises videoing the entrance of the court, rushed to the cameraman, interrupted him and ordered him to hand over the Metro TV branded video camera to him. The refusal of Alhaji Mustapha Gilbert Ashaley to hand over his official camera to the bodyguard resulted in a fierce confrontation and heckling, which attracted the intervention of a policeman.

Another senior officer who was at the scene asked the cameraman to hand over the camera under duress to the junior police officer which he did. However, surprisingly, the Member of Parliament for Evalue-Jomoro Gwira Constituency and Minister of State and MCE looked on unconcerned and gracefully walked to take their positions in the courtroom. It was interesting to note that, after the camera was handed back to the Metro TV Cameraman after the court proceedings, all visuals on the camera had been deleted under the supervision of officers of the Ghana Police Service.

Following this, the Concerned Photojournalists say they wont attend any of the programmes organised by Catherine Afeku until she apologizes.

We would resist any attempt by Catherine Afeku to use her office to suppress media freedom. Therefore, we would stand firmly together with our colleague until the right thing is done. Again, we are declaring a total boycott of all programs of Catherine Afeku, the Nzema East Municipal Assembly, until the MP Catherine Afeku, and the MCE for Nzema East Frank Okpenyen distance themselves from the bad conduct of the bodyguard who appears to have gained notoriety in pummeling people. We would also like to throw our weight behind the Ghana Journalists Association (Western-GJA) for the call made for the immediate arrest of the bodyguard of the Member of Parliament for Evalue-Jomoro Gwira Constituency and Minister State at the Presidency for assaulting the Cameraman and deleting his video footages from his camera.

The Concerned Photojournalists of the Western Region also challenged the Western Regional Police Command to conduct an independent investigation to bring to book the police officer and the bodyguard.

We, therefore, view this as a clear human rights abuse and would like to condemn this unwarranted attack on Alhaji Mustapha Gilbert Ashaley while he was on duty, which is an affront to press freedom. We want to remind the police and the Minister of State that we are in a democratic era, governed by the rule of law, and therefore the era of tyrannical conduct belongs to the past. We are shocked that after the recent adaptation of a framework on Police Media Relations and safety of Journalists in the country, Axim Police supervised the bizarre seizure and deletion of the reporter's professional work. That obviously could not be anything less than an attack on press freedom. The reason why we are rallying support for our colleague to secure justice is because, journalists continue to face challenges such as physical attacks and threats in the discharge of their duties and if we dont stand together, any of us could become victims of such political attacks.

We are reminding the Western Regional Police Command of our decades of good working relationship with them, and all security agencies. They should therefore not allow their men to be used by Catherine Afeku and the political class to undermine press freedom or curtail the freedom of the public unduly. We know that the cameraman, Alhaji Mustapha Gilbert Ashaley with many years of experience, followed due process in the court reporting protocols when it comes to court reporting even to the extent of seeking clearance. We once again wish to call on the Regional Commander to investigate the said senior officer why he ordered the reporter to hand his camera over to the junior officer. We also want to know who deleted the video footages from the Metro TV Camera and why?

When Citi News contacted MP, Catherine Afeku for her response, she said her response would come from the police.

It's being prepared by the police you will get a copy soon, she said.

citinewsroom
Bollywood actor Kangana Ranaut recently appeared on Republic TV and made allegations against some Hindi film fraternity members. She was speaking to journalist Arnab Goswami in the wake of actor Sushant Singh Rajputs death by suicide last month.

During the course of discussion, she called Taapsee Pannu a B-grade actress who would come to Karan Johars defence at times. Now, in an interview with the Hindustan Times, Pannu has hit back at Ranaut.

She said, I never mentioned anywhere I like Karan Johar or anyone she alleges, but I have never said I hate them either. So, the fact that you dont hate someone she hates, is equivalent to you like that person and you suck up to that person?

Read: Kangana Ranaut Claims Aditya Chopra Threatened Her for Refusing Sultan

In her TV interaction, Ranaut called Pannu and Swara Bhasker better looking and more talented than Ananya Pandey and Alia Bhatt. In response, Pannu said, First of all I dont think my existence has got anything to do with looks primarily. And, I have had my share of struggles and just because I dont glorify them and deal with them with a positive outlook, doesnt make me any less of the outsider.

Pannu also tweeted, Maine suna class 12th n 10th ke result ke baad humaara result bhi aa gaya hai! Humaara grade system ab official hai? Abhi tak toh number system pe value decide hoti thi na.

Maine suna class 12th n 10th ke result ke baad humaara result bhi aa gaya hai! Humaara grade system ab official hai ? Abhi tak toh number system pe value decide hoti thi na #MaLifeMaRulesMaShitMaPot  taapsee pannu (@taapsee) July 19, 2020

Ranaut has been very vocal after Sushants death and has been calling some Bollywood members a part of the movie mafia. She has also accused Aditya Chopra and Karan Johar of conspiring against outsiders in the film industry.
Doris Group, Schneider Electric and Aveva have agreed to develop a strategic partnership to deliver Digital Twin technology for the upstream oil and gas markets.

These new solutions will support the goals of oil and gas organisations to improve asset performance, increase sustainability and maximise return on capital on projects.

Doris is a global Engineering and Project Management company in the energy industry, Schneider is the leader in digital transformation of energy management and automation and Aveva is a global leader in engineering and industrial software.

The three companies will combine offerings to bring engineering capabilities, an asset lifecycle software solution and digital specialisation in order to create a fully formed digital twin to serve as a backbone for improving performance for the upstream sector.

The new solution will:

*Bring new assets on stream faster through the use of cloud-enabled software that improves collaboration and increases engineering efficiencies;

*Deliver enhanced safety leading to better business outcomes;

*Improve traceability through a single point of accountability; and

*Enable remote operations and production assurance through a fully functional Living Digital Twin that mirrors all aspects of the operating asset.

Oil and Gas owner operators have struggled to go digital due to the lack of a structured offering and orchestration as no single vendor currently delivers what is required to achieve this. Large amounts of data of various types, from different sources is another challenge they face, often leading to data inaccuracy and incompatibility, as well as difficulties in organising that data and identifying trends.

Similarly, the oil and gas sector is under considerable pressure to quantify, track and reduce CO2 emissions as well as reduce overall pollution  this can be even more difficult with limited monitoring, no established method and no data-driven decision making.

Together, Doris, Aveva and Schneider Electric will offer a structured digital and collaborative solution across the lifecycle of projects that will help oil and gas owner operators address many of these challenges.

Christophe Debouvry, CEO of Doris Group, stated: Combining our complementary expertise will go a long way to providing a powerful enabler to offer our customers embarking on their digital transformational journeys with optimised solutions throughout their assets lifecycle.

Craig Hayman, CEO Aveva, commented: Leaders driving the next wave of transformation are moving quickly and thats why this partnership with Schneider Electric and Doris Group is so opportune. Our common aim is to support organisations on their digital journey especially in the current environment, helping them accelerate the use of digital technology, realise the value of a digital twin and also work towards a more sustainable future. Its never been easier to begin a digital transformation programme, as access to cloud computing, great connectivity, a merged edge and enterprise combined with analytics and machine learning, means that the ability to digitally drive productivity improvements into

the industrial world is now unprecedented.

Christopher Dartnell, President Oil & Gas and Petrochemicals at Schneider Electric, commented: This partnership is in line with Schneider Electrics objectives around Digitisation and Energy Transition and we will bring our expertise in both energy and process efficiency to the industry. Our goal is to support customers looking to adopt a digital twin model, by offering our experience to facilitate the overall digital transformation for our clients enable them to improve lifecycle performance and safe operations while also making their operations more sustainable. -- Tradearabia News Service
This summer, tens of millions of people across China have been affected by torrential rains that caused floods and landslides and battered cities and villages in dozens of provinces.

It is the worst flooding to hit China in decades. Heavy rains have lashed 27 of the countrys 31 provinces since June, affecting more than 37 million people and leaving 141 dead or missing, the Ministry of Emergency Management said on Monday. Economic losses have been estimated at 86 billion yuan (US$12.3 billion) so far.

By comparison, the Great Flood of 1993 along the Mississippi and Missouri rivers and their tributaries  one of the most costly and devastating floods seen in the United States  resulted in about 50 deaths and 54,000 people being evacuated. Economic losses were put at US$15 billion to US$20 billion.

Get the latest insights and analysis from our Global Impact newsletter on the big stories originating in China.

Vehicles are submerged in Congjiang county, Guizhou province in early June. Photo: Xinhua

Chinas floods started in the south, in the Guangxi Zhuang region and Guizhou province, in June. Heavy rains have since wreaked havoc across large swathes of the country, including Jiangxi province in the east, Anhui in the southeast and Hubei in the centre, with the emergency response for flood control raised to its highest level in some places.

The scale of the disaster is vast, with the water level of 433 rivers going above the flood control line since June, and 33 of them at record high levels, according to the Ministry of Water Resources.

In some of the hardest-hit areas such as Jiangxi, levees have collapsed and houses have been destroyed, reminding stranded locals of the devastating floods in 1998 that killed more than 3,000 people and left 15 million homeless.

Were on higher ground so we did not expect the floods to be so serious, but the water rushed in and I had to take a car to my shop to pack up, said Ping Ping, a porcelain shop owner in Jingdezhen, Jiangxi.

I had only ever seen floods on the news. That night, the floodwater came up to my knees at first, then there was a swell of water again, she said.

Story continues

The Jingdezhen government must think about this problem. We hear that there are floods every year, so shopkeepers with experience usually know when to prepare, she said, questioning why they were so unprepared this summer.

Why are this years floods so severe ?

China has perennial flooding in summer but a combination of climate reasons and human behaviour have contributed to a longer-than-usual duration and incessant rainfall in some regions.

The subtropical high pressure system over the western North Pacific was strong this year, said Song Lianchun, a meteorologist with the National Climate Centre. Its intersection with cold air has led to continuous heavy rainfall in the Yangtze River basin.

Another reason was global warming, he said.

We cannot say a single extreme weather event is directly caused by climate change, but seeing it over the long term, global warming has led to an increase in the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events, Song said.

From 1961 to 2018, there has been an increase in extremely heavy rainfall events in China, according to the China Climate Change Blue Book (2019). And since the mid-1990s, the frequency of extreme rainfall has increased dramatically.

Over the past 60 years, the number of days of heavy rain has gone up by 3.9 per cent a decade, according to Song.

Aside from the rainfall, human behaviour has also contributed to the severity of the floods in China.

Fan Xiao, a geologist with the Sichuan Geology and Mineral Bureau, said decades of land reclamation and dam-building on nearby rivers had reduced the area and volume of Poyang Lake, the countrys largest freshwater lake which is located in Jiangxi.

Some 1,300 sq km (502 sq miles) of land was reclaimed there from 1954 to 1998, which caused the surface area of the lake to shrink from 5,160 sq km (1,992 sq miles) to 3,860 sq km (1,490 sq miles), according to a study by University of Alabama geographer David Shankman.

Environmental volunteer Zhang Wenbin said he had investigated illegal land reclamation activities at Tuolin, another lake in the province. He said some of the projects around the lake were still under way last year, even though they had been ordered to stop by environmental inspectors from Beijing.

There are many similar cases, Zhang said, adding that Tuolin Lake had also shrunk in size, reducing its storage capacity for floodwaters.

A fisherman rows his boat past a submerged house in the village of Longkou, Poyang county in Jiangxi on Thursday. Photo: AFP

How does it compare to other years?

Chinas worst known floods were in 1931, when more than 2 million people were killed. The flooding inundated an area the size of England and half of Scotland combined, affecting about 25 million people  or a tenth of the population at the time, Chris Courtney, an assistant professor at Durham University, wrote in The Nature of Disaster in China.

Since the Peoples Republic of China was founded in 1949, there have been two catastrophic floods. The first was in the summer of 1954 along the Yangtze River, resulting in over 30,000 deaths and affecting 18 million people.

The second was in 1998, again along the Yangtze but also in the south and north of the country. It was the worst flooding in recent years, with more than 3,000 people killed, 15 million left homeless, and US$24 billion in economic losses.

But Song Lianchun, head of the National Climate Centre, told reporters on Wednesday that this years downpours had not affected such a broad area of the Yangtze River basin as in 1998.

The floods in 1998 had an impact on the whole Yangtze region, but this year torrential rains have mainly affected the middle and lower reaches of the river, so the affected area is smaller, Song said.

What about flood defences?

After the disaster in 1998, Beijing increased its spending on flood defences.

Chinas investment in water resource [infrastructure] in the five years after 1998 was more than the total from 1949 to 1999, according to Cheng Xiaotao, who sits on an expert panel of the National Disaster Reduction Committee.

Cheng said reservoirs built on Chinas major rivers after 1998, including the huge Three Gorges Dam, had a key role in relieving flood pressure in the lower reaches of the Yangtze.

The controversial Three Gorges Dam in Yichang, Hubei is again under scrutiny. Photo: Reuters

However, experts have questioned whether massive dams can effectively control flooding downstream, and the controversial Three Gorges Dam  built in 2006 to help tame the Yangtze  is again under scrutiny.

Fan, the geologist from Sichuan, said the dam could partially intercept flooding upstream, but it had a limited effect on controlling floodwaters in the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze.

According to Peter Gleick, a hydroclimatologist and member of the US National Academy of Sciences, one of the lessons from the Three Gorges was that no dam  no matter how large it was  could prevent the worst floods from occurring.

But Gleick added that it was not known whether Chinas floods would have been better or worse without the dam.

What is known is that the growing risks of human-caused climate change is worsening the risks of extreme rainfall events and floods, which makes it even more likely that dams like the Three Gorges will be unable to prevent the worst flooding from occurring in the future, he said.

Liu Junyan, a climate and energy campaigner with Greenpeace East Asia, said the growing intensity and frequency of extreme weather events meant climate risks should be a consideration for Chinas urban planners.

Planning and construction should be able to deal with [climate] risks in the future, she said.

Additional reporting by Phoebe Zhang

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A note to the editors of the New York Times:

When Bari Weiss says youre too liberal, youre too liberal.

Weiss is the Times opinion editor who went out last week with a bang by firing off a resignation letter in which she stated that a new consensus has emerged in the press, but perhaps especially at this paper: that truth isnt a process of collective discovery, but an orthodoxy already known to an enlightened few whose job is to inform everyone else.

That letter caused a big splash in the media, with many outlets labeling Weiss as a conservative.

A conservative?

Heres how Weiss described herself on a widely viewed interview with podcaster Joe Rogan:

Im a centrist. Im a Jewish, center-left on most things, person who lives on the upper west side of Manhattan and is super socially liberal on almost any issue you can choose.

Among those issues, she told Rogan, is the right to keep and bear arms. I would repeal the Second Amendment, she told Rogan.

Theres plenty more where that came from, all of which would exempt Weiss from membership in my personal circle of right-wing reactionaries.

Yet even her tame objections to Times orthodoxy got her harassed by her fellow journalists, Weiss wrote. Still other New York Times employees publicly smear me as a liar and a bigot on Twitter with no fear that harassing me will be met with appropriate action, she wrote. They never are.

In the letter, Weiss also mentioned the recent flap at the Times over the decision to run an op-ed piece by Senator Tom Cotton headlined Send in the Troops in which he advocated using the military to keep the peace in American cities.

This is where the Times truly went over the edge. The op-ed section and the news section are separate entities there, as they are at most newspapers. The writers in the former are supposed to be subjective, the writers in the latter objective.

At least thats the ideal. But many reporters uttered howls of indignation at the thought that the Times ran the piece in question.

This is reminiscent of the flap a few months ago in which the editors at the Hachette book publishing company walked out in opposition to plans to publish Woody Allens recent book.

In a column on that, I wrote that the publisher should have informed the staff that Book editors are a dime a dozen and weve got a lot of dimes.

The same goes for the members of the Times news staff. The publisher should have told the reporters that if they wanted to express their opinions they should resign and apply for work in the opinion section.

But in both cases, the publishers succumbed to the cancel culture. Hachette dropped Allens book and the Times accepted the resignation of the opinion editor.

In the case of the Times, the news staffers employed a particularly devious and dishonest new meme to camouflage their assault on freedom of expression.

Instead of stating frankly their desire to suppress speech with which they disagreed, a number of reporters tweeted out the columns headline followed by the sentiment Running this puts black @NY Times staff in danger.

Just how these staffers were put in danger was not stated. In Cottons op-ed, he argued that the troops would be used to prevent violence, not engage in it. He cites the 1962 decision by President Kennedy to introduce troops to keep the peace when white protesters tried to prevent the integration of the University of Mississippi.

Whether his approach is preferable is subject to debate. But the Times staffers dont want to hear it debated.

I confess I lack whatever gene causes writers to want to suppress the writings of others. I for one enjoy reading the opinions of people with whom I disagree. Most the time I have a horse laugh at their naivete. But sometimes I learn something I didnt know.

Either way, I wouldnt want to suppress such speech. But thats the way the so-called cancel culture works. Its gotten so bad that earlier this month Harpers Magazine ran a letter signed by several hundred writers attacking the culture of stifling speech.

We uphold the value of robust and even caustic counter-speech from all quarters, they wrote. But it is now all too common to hear calls for swift and severe retribution in response to perceived transgressions of speech and thought.

The letter of course soon brought a response from other writers attacking the signers.

The signatories of the letter seem to be suggesting that all viewpoints should be published in opinion pages, with no limits on what those viewpoints might be, they wrote.

I dont know if thats what those signatories were suggesting.

But it sounds good to me.

ADD - ANDREW SULLIVAN GOT THE SAME TREATMENT:

Later in the week, writer Andrew Sullivan, who is considerably more conservative than Weiss, was squeezed out at New York Magazine. Note the same meme of a phony physical threat to justify suppression of speech. Heres what Sullivan said of his critics at the magazine:

They seem to believe, and this is increasingly the orthodoxy in mainstream media, that any writer not actively committed to critical theory in questions of race, gender, sexual orientation, and gender identity is actively, physically harming co-workers merely by existing in the same virtual space. Actually attacking, and even mocking, critical theorys ideas and methods, as I have done continually in this space, is therefore out of sync with the values of Vox Media. That, to the best of my understanding, is why Im out of here.
Florida reported 12,523 new cases of the coronavirus on Saturday, marking the fifth consecutive day the hot-spot state reported more than new 10,000 infections, according to the state's health department.

The state has reported more than 11,865 new cases of Covid-19 on average over the past seven days, up 29% from a week ago, according to a CNBC analysis of data compiled by Johns Hopkins University. The Florida Department of Health says the virus has infected more than 350,047 people in the state and killed at least 4,982 people.

The state has reported more than 10,000 new cases per day since Tuesday. Of the past 10 days, Florida has reported more than 10,000 new cases on nine of those days, according to the state health department. It reported a record spike of 15,244 new cases on July 11.

Hospitalizations have risen in recent weeks as well. As of Sunday, 49 hospitals had no more available adult intensive care units, according to Florida's Agency for Health Care Administration.

"The residents here are terrified and I'm terrified, for the first time in my career because there's a lack of leadership," Democratic Rep. Donna Shalala, whose district is in Miami-Dade County, said on ABC's "This Week." "It's terrible. We have community spread, which means the virus is out of control."

The lack of both federal and state leadership from Gov. Ron DeSantis, a Republican, has hampered local officials' ability to bring the virus under control, said Shalala, who was secretary of Health and Human Services under President Bill Clinton. She added that the state did not shut down for long enough to "starve the virus" and that the governor has declined to issue a statewide mask order.

DeSantis' office did not immediately return CNBC's request for comment.

"In my district, it's low-income minorities: Hispanics and African Americans," she said, "who are forced to go back to work for economic reasons and because their employers demanded they go back to work."

She added that the people in her district live in multigenerational households, so those who become infected often pass it on to their older family members.

Over the past seven days, the median age of newly infected people in Florida was above 40, according to the state's health department. That marks a steady rise since mid-June, when DeSantis noted that the median age of those testing positive had fallen from 65.5 years old in March to 37 in June, hitting a low of 33 on June 24.
Imperial Valley News Center

Proclamation on Captive Nations Week, 2020

Washington, DC - Tragically, hundreds of millions of people around the world continue to suffer under repressive regimes. During Captive Nations Week, we condemn the cold grip of tyranny that holds nations under unjust rule, and we reaffirm our commitment to all who are fighting to overcome oppression. We renew our deep devotion to the principles of liberty, justice, and the rule of law, and we know the United States will continue to shine as an unparalleled example for all nations.

President Dwight D. Eisenhower first proclaimed Captive Nations Week in 1959 to declare our Nations steadfast support for people throughout the world who are denied fundamental rights by their governments. The belief that a just governments powers are derived from the consent of the governed is sacrosanct in our country, but it is not shared universally. In many countries, citizens who peacefully speak their views, practice their religion, or strive to hold their governments accountable for abuses experience reckless disregard for their rights. Recently, authoritarian regimes have used the coronavirus pandemic to justify increased restrictions on individual human rights. These regimes have suppressed the free flow of timely and accurate information about the pandemic by censoring or imprisoning people who dare to share unapproved information or opinions. The most notable example today is China, where the virus originated and government suppression led directly to this global pandemic. In addition, the Chinese government has seized upon this opportunity to snuff out freedom in Hong Kong, which had been the only bastion of liberty in that captive nation.

The United States encourages all nations to respect individual liberty, uphold the rule of law, and be accountable to their people through consent-based governments. Authoritarian regimes that do not respect the inherent dignity of every individual hold the dreams and potential of their people captive, enabling poverty, repression, and anguish to flourish as they deny their people their God-given rights. We will never waver in our firm belief that liberty, justice, and the rule of law unleash the fullness of life that God intended for everyone. This week and always, we stand with all people who yearn to live freely, securely, and prosperously under rights-respecting, transparent, and accountable governments rooted in the consent of the governed.

The Congress, by Joint Resolution approved July 17, 1959 (73 Stat. 212), has authorized and requested the President to issue a proclamation designating the third week of July of each year as Captive Nations Week.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, DONALD J. TRUMP, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim July 19 through July 25, 2020, as Captive Nations Week. I call upon all Americans to reaffirm our commitment to supporting those around the world striving for liberty, justice, and the rule of law.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this seventeenth day of July, in the year of our Lord two thousand twenty, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and forty-fifth.

DONALD J. TRUMP
Track-and-trace staff have failed to reach half of people who have been in contact with Covid-19 patients in Blackburn - as the town hurtles towards a local lockdown.

Professor Dominic Harrison - public health director of Blackburn with Darwen Council - revealed the figures and warned of an 'exponential growth' of new infections if the system did not become more efficient.

Speaking to BBC Radio 4 he said the Lancashire area faces a 'rising tide' of infections.

'The key issue here is that 40 per cent of people who are infected by someone with Covid-19 who goes for tests because they have symptoms, will be infected by them before they have those symptoms,' he told the programme.

Track-and-trace staff have failed to reach half of people who have been in contact with Covid-19 patients in Blackburn - as the town hurtles towards a local lockdown. Pictured: a warning sign in Blackburn town centre

'So, there's a 48 hour window which is critical to get the contacts of the first case contacted, and if we don't get them contacted, and if they don't then get tested and self-isolated, and they then have symptoms, we do risk the spread progressing.'

It is not clear why the contacts provided were not able to be reached and the government said the NHS scheme had helped identify thousands of cases.

It was revealed earlier this week that Blackburn could be the next area to be plunged into local lockdown after a spike of coronavirus cases.

Civic chiefs imposed new restrictions - set to stay in place for 'at least a month' - in a bid to prevent such measures as those put in place in Leicester following a Covid-19 outbreak in the Midlands city last month.

It was revealed earlier this week that Blackburn could be the next area to be plunged into local lockdown after a spike of coronavirus cases. Pictured: an elderly woman wears a face mask to do her shopping in Blackburn town centre this weekend

Blackburn with Darwen Council announced on Tuesday that only two people can now visit another person at home. Face coverings should be worn in enclosed public spaces and people are being encouraging people to swap handshakes for 'elbow bumps' to help reduce hand-to-hand contact.

Recent statistics from the government show that of the people in England who tested positive for Covid-19 between July 2 and 8, 17.1 per cent could not be reached by NHS track and trace and a further 4.1 per cent did not provide their phone number.

It said 71.1 per cent of the contacts provided were reached, but 21.8 per cent of those who originally tested positive said they had not been in close contact with anyone during the time frame.

Fewer than half of contacts were reached in Oldham, St Helens, Manchester and Rochdale, according to The Independent who saw a leaked report.

Professor Harrison has called for testing and tracing to be carried out at a local rather than national level, and for Public Health England to share more data with local authorities.

What rules have Blackburn with Darwen Council put in place? These are the rules which Blackburn with Darwen Council announced on Tuesday: A limit of 2 people from the same household allowed to visit another household

Please wear face coverings in all enclosed public spaces Avoid hugging or shaking hands with anyone outside of your immediate family

Small shops - we will be stepping up our Public Protection advice to ensure that guidelines around face coverings, social distancing, good hygiene and increased ventilation is being followed

Get tested - even if you don't have symptoms this will help with case finding Advertisement

He added that PHE had only started sharing data about the areas where new infections were being registered on 29 June.

He said: 'That has made a great difference in three weeks for us in being able to identify what our local outbreak issue is.'

'Had we had that data much earlier in this pandemic, I think we could have made progress much more rapidly.'

The Department for Health and Social Care said the scheme had so far helped test and isolate more than 180,000 cases.

It said: 'The service is working closely with local authorities across England to help manage local outbreaks and data is shared daily.

'The service relies on everyone playing their part - please book a test if you have symptoms, self-isolate and help us trace anyone you've been in contact with.'

The NHS test and trace scheme began on June 1 and Prime Minister Boris Johnson claimed it would be 'world beating'.

It comes after a top civil servant admitted last night that the UK's coronavirus test and trace system would not stop the feared second wave because it can only find a third of the people it needs.

Alex Cooper, who looks after two of the five pillars of the test process, said it could only identify 37 per cent of the total contacts it needed to be fully effective.

The senior official admitted in an industry briefing the number needed to be higher to make the system work properly.

He said: 'We need to be finding roughly half of the the people that have got Covid so that we can keep R down if test and trace is going to work.'
Imagine you are a smoker who drives for a living. Every day you throw burning cigarette butts from the car. It's happened many thousands of times without incident. The smouldering stub lands, bounces and dies. Occasionally one may singe a clump of grass. You drive on in blissful ignorance.

This analogy, say virologists, is a good way of thinking about zoonotic spillover events like the one which sparked the Covid-19 pandemic. They are happening all the time but are seldom noticed. Only very rarely, when environmental conditions are just right, do they spark a violent wildfire that spreads exponentially.

"These things happen every day around the world, and we miss them because we don't focus enough on supporting surveillance of unusual illnesses in underserved and often distant rural communities", says Dr Peter Daszak, the veteran virus hunter, and one of the world's foremost experts on coronaviruses.

Working backwards to find the origin of Covid-19 is necessary - but to focus on this is to miss the main point, adds Dr Daszak. If you are very lucky, you might find the smoker who sparked the wildfire, but that won't stop the next one unless something fundamental changes.

"The key problem is that too many ill-informed people are working outside of their own experience to try to 'trace back' from ground zero", says Dr Daszak. "What we need to do is look at it the other way round: from the bats to the people".

The idea that zoonotic spillover events are much more widespread than we realise is not just a theory but a fact, and variants of the Sars-Cov-2 virus are a case in point.

A study published in 2018 by Dr Daszak and Shi Zhengli - Wuhan's famous "batwoman" - documented how they took blood from 218 people who live in close proximity to bat caves in Yunnan province, China. Most were farmers, and 97pc of them had a history of exposure to or contact with livestock or wild animals.

In total, six of those tested (2.7pc) were found to have antibodies to a Sars-Cov variant carried by local bats. The virus did not appear to have caused harm, but even if it had, we may never have known. In the 12 months before the sampling date, only one of those infected had travelled outside of Yunnan. Several of the others had never left their village. This particular spark - like the vast majority of them - briefly smouldered, then died.

But that's not always the case. Sometimes the conditions are right for things to catch fire. And on occasion, the blaze can be vast: one recent outbreak, HIV, has cost 30 million lives to date and is still burning.

Take Hendra virus. Its traits mean it has never triggered a major outbreak - it isn't contagious enough - but every so often, it still sparks a lethal blaze.

The first reported outbreak was in 1994 in Hendra, a small suburb in Brisbane, Australia, when a racehorse called Drama Series fell ill. Within 24 hours she was dead. Drama Series was the first of 21 racehorses to die in that outbreak. But the disease also jumped to two humans, killing one - a horse trainer called Vic Rail. It took years to find where the Hendra virus came from, but in the end it was traced to fruit bats.

A bigger viral blaze was sparked in Yambuku, a village with a Belgian missionary outpost deep within the Congolese forest, in 1976. A mysterious hemorrhagic fever killed well over 200 people in just three weeks before apparently petering out. The virus - later named after the nearby Ebola river - has now sparked more than 28 different outbreaks (each a separate spillover event) and in the process has killed more than 22,000 people over the last 40 years.

The worst occurred in West Africa between 2013 and 2016, when the first spark fell near a major road, enabling its spread. At least 11,323 people died.

Experts suspect the "natural reservoir" for Ebola is also bats - but they are far from the only animal to carry zoonotic viruses. The Spanish Flu of 1918 is thought to have started in North American poultry and then spread through a globe ravaged by World War I.

Middle East respiratory syndrome (Mers), another coronavirus, comes from camels and has killed 858 people since it was first discovered in Jordan in 2012. The vast majority of spillover events go unreported, say experts.

"We're continually exchanging viruses with animals, that's what happens", says Dr David Redding, from the Centre for Biodiversity and Environment Research at Unversity College London.

It is HIV that best illustrates the point, a virus now known to date back to the early 1900s. Its simian version (SIV) is thought to have jumped from monkeys to humans through hunters and butchers in Africa. Dr Daszak describes HIV, which has killed an estimated 32 million people, as the "ultimate" example of spillover.

After many decades of repeated small-scale flare-ups, it exploded as a pandemic in the early 1980s. What had changed was not so much the virus itself - the spark - but the society it landed in. The population boom in Africa, the globalisation of air travel, the sexual revolution in the west all played a part.

"Changes to human behaviour increase the transmission of viruses between people," says Dr Dazak.

Covid-19 may also have been circulating longer than thought. Today there are roughly 300 animal pathogens from 25 "high risk" viral families, which are known to infect people. That more will emerge is inevitable. Researchers estimate that as many as 1.7 million viruses from these same families exist in the wild, including some 700,000 with "zoonotic potential".

That's a lot of sparks.

Telegraph

Visit our Covid-19 vaccine dashboard for updates on the roll out of the vaccination program and the rate of Coronavirus cases Ireland

Telegraph Media Group Limited [2021]
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The opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) will on Friday, July 24, commemorate the eighth anniversary of the death of late President Professor John Evans Atta Mills.

A wreath-laying ceremony will be held at Asomdwee Park, near the Osu Castle in Accra at 0800 hours.

A statement issued by Mr Kraka Essamuah, Director of Communications of the NDC, which was copied to Ghana News Agency said the ceremony would be conducted in accordance with the COVID-19 protocols.

"Further details of the programme will be communicated in the course of the coming week," it said.

GNA
A potential cluster of coronavirus infections is being investigated in Lanarkshire.

It comes amid reports that there has been an outbreak at an NHS Test and Trace call centre.

Measures have been brought in by the regions health board to try and suppress the potential flare-up.

NHS Lanarkshire said it had been notified about potentially linked cases of Covid-19 infections in the area on Sunday.

Dr David Cromie, NHS Lanarkshire consultant in public health medicine, said: We became aware this morning of a number of potentially linked cases of coronavirus in Lanarkshire.

We instigated some immediate measures to reduce risk and are currently investigating the situation.

The outbreak involves a call centre which carries out coronavirus contact tracing, according to the BBC.

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

One employee told the broadcaster he believed at least seven of his colleagues had tested positive.

The news comes as Scotland recorded 23 new confirmed cases of coronavirus  the highest increase in almost a month.

Three of these were in the Lanarkshire health board area.

This figure has now risen in each of the last five days  up from three on Tuesday  although no further deaths of people with the disease have been recorded.

It is the highest record for new cases since June 21, when there were 26 positive test results.

A total of 18,445 people in Scotland have now tested positive for Covid-19.

There were 302 coronavirus patients in hospital as of Saturday evening, three of whom were in intensive care along with another patient who is suspected of having the infection.

Scotlands national clinical director Jason Leitch previously said he would not be concerned with fluctuating figures when there was a recorded spike of 21 new cases on Saturday.

He told BBC Scotland: I expect day-to-day variation and the next thing I look at is the spread around the country.

So 21 in one small town would worry me much more than 21 spread around the country  and these 21 are spread around the country.

A Scottish Government spokeman said: We are aware that contact tracing is underway following detection of a small number of potentially linked cases in North Lanarkshire.

"Where potential clusters of cases develop we must find them and act quickly to prevent further spread and we are grateful to local partners for their swift response. We are monitoring the situation and will support partners in containing this outbreak.

A small increase in the number of cases is not unexpected as lockdown is lifted and that is why it is essential that people follow the rules with regards to contact tracing and leaving contact details when asked."

The Department of Health has been contacted for comment.
The Government today clarified that the existing exemption arrangement under the compulsory quarantine regime is essential to maintain the necessary operation of society and the economy and to ensure an uninterrupted supply of daily necessities.

The Government made the statement in response to criticisms that the quarantine exemption arrangement has brought about loopholes in the quarantine regime and that the latest wave of epidemic was attributable to the arrangement.

The statement emphasised that this is a misunderstanding.

The Government has been closely monitoring the risk and pressure on public health brought about by imported cases and would continue to adopt relevant coping measures in a resolute manner.

It pointed out that there had not been any confirmed COVID-19 cases among exempted people arriving from the Mainland, Macau and Taiwan.

Under the Compulsory Quarantine of Certain Persons Arriving at Hong Kong Regulation (Cap 599C) and the Compulsory Quarantine of Persons Arriving at Hong Kong from Foreign Places Regulation (Cap 599E), all people arriving in Hong Kong, except those exempted by the Chief Secretary in accordance with provisions of the regulations, are subject to compulsory quarantine for 14 days.

The purpose of the two regulations is to suppress the passenger flow in order to minimise the risk of disease transmission into Hong Kong.

Nonetheless, the quarantine exemption arrangement must be in place to ensure the normal operation of Hong Kong on all fronts under the epidemic, including the need to safeguard adequate supply of food and necessities, ensure normal governmental operation and sustain commercial activities in the interest of Hong Kong's economic development.

The categories of people exempted under the regulations are essential personnel which include cross-boundary goods vehicle drivers, aircrew, sea crew and foreign consular staff.

The Government clarified that since early March, Hong Kong has not recorded any imported cases from the Mainland. As for imported cases from foreign places, as non-Hong Kong residents have been denied entry to Hong Kong since March 25, the majority of the current imported cases concern returning Hong Kong residents.

Since the implementation of the exemption mechanism, the Department of Health has been requiring exempted people to undergo medical surveillance for 14 days during their stay in Hong Kong.

People under medical surveillance are required to wear masks and check their temperatures twice daily. They must also report any discomfort to the department. In addition, exempted people are also subject to temperature checks and health declaration procedures carried out by the department at boundary control points upon arrival.

In light of the latest situation of the COVID-19 outbreak and on the premises of protecting the health of Hong Kong people and safeguarding the city's robust healthcare system, the Government has enhanced the testing arrangement for exempted people arriving in Hong Kong from foreign places.

Currently, people exempted from quarantine entering Hong Kong from Hong Kong International Airport are subject to COVID-19 testing in addition to undergoing medical surveillance for 14 days.

All aircrew and sea crew members must proceed to the Temporary Specimen Collection Centre at the AsiaWorld-Expo to have their deep throat saliva samples collected.

In view that aircrew members arriving in Hong Kong from overseas make up the largest group of exempted people, enhancing testing for this group of people can help further lower the chance of the virus spread in Hong Kong.

The Government has been imposing additional exemption conditions in accordance with the risk level of respective exemption categories.

Shipping companies have been requested to arrange all crew members of cargo ships and passenger vessels to undergo nucleic acid tests at the point of departure within 48 hours before travelling to Hong Kong.

Only those who are able to produce negative test results can travel to Hong Kong.

If the above conditions are not met, the crew member will not be granted exemption and will be denied entry into Hong Kong. The shipping agents must arrange isolated accommodation and point-to-point transfers to and from the vessel for sea crew members to ensure they will not enter public places.

Additionally, for the categories of exempted people arriving in Hong Kong from the Mainland, the regular COVID-19 testing arrangement has been put in place for cross-boundary goods vehicle drivers and cross-boundary students which form the two largest exemption categories.

Having regard to the latest public health risk assessment, the Government announced on July 18 to impose conditions on travellers who had visited the seven specified high-risk places of Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Nepal, Pakistan, the Philippines and South Africa, to reduce the health risk they may bring to Hong Kong.

These conditions include the provision of a negative nucleic acid test result for COVID-19 and confirmation proof of a hotel room reservation.
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PARIS  The eyewear wars are not over. Casting uncertainty on its latest acquisition project, EssilorLuxottica has taken GrandVision to court to gain access to information on how the company has managed during the coronavirus crisis and assess the extent of breached obligations of an agreement between the companies.

The proceedings, filed in a court in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, are intended to gain information in order to assess the way GrandVision has managed the course of its business during the COVID-19 crisis, as well as the extent to which GrandVision has breached its obligations under the support agreement, said EssilorLuxottica in a statement.

Despite repeated requests, GrandVision has not provided this information on a voluntary basis, leaving EssilorLuxottica with no other option but to resort to legal proceedings, the eyewear giant continued, without elaborating further. GrandVision was not immediately available for comment.

EssilorLuxottica purchased a 76.72 percent stake in the Dutch optical retailer a year ago, at a price of 28 euros per share, a deal that valued the firm at more than 7 billion euros.

If the deal goes through, the acquisition would reinforce the eyewear giants retail network, which already includes the LensCrafters chain. The area is rich in opportunity for business improvement, analysts have said.

Formed in 2018 from the 46-billion-euro merger of France-based Essilor and Italys Luxottica, EssilorLuxottica has suffered a number of challenges along the way, with early stages of integration complicated by disputes between top managers of the French and Italian factions of the company.

The group had reported a strong start to the year, but ended up withdrawing guidance a few weeks later when store closures rolled across Europe and North America. Behind the initial optimism was the return to business in China, where production was fully operational with spare capacity in March. To deal with the crisis, EssilorLuxottica has adjusted production according to demand, implemented cost and cash control measures, and suspended lower priority investments. It also restructured its top management structure, and reduced the management board by a third to simplify decision-making.

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President Akufo-Addo is set to resume work on Monday, July 20, after self-isolating for two weeks as someone close to the President tested positive to the new coronavirus.



The Information Minister, Hon Kojo Oppong Nkrumah in a press briefing on Sunday at the conference room of the Ministry of Information told journalists that the President is doing well and preparing to get back to work.



Two weeks ago, Akufo-Addo President announced to the general public that he is going self-isolation after at least one person within his close circle tested positive for Covid-19.



Hon. Oppong Nkrumah in a statement said that the self-isolation the President went through was based on the advice of his doctors so, from July 4, 2020, the president took a 14-day precautionary self-isolation measure in compliance with Covid-19 protocols.



Without mentioning the name of the Presidents inner circle who has tested positive, the Minister however pointed out that the president himself has tested negative as of July 4 since that day the news broke that someone close to him has tested positive.



That negative test notwithstanding, the Minister said, the president elected to take this measure out of the abundance of caution, he said.



Last Sunday, the presidency released a Facebook Livestream of the president interacting with some members of the New Patriotic Party via Zoom.



During his weekly update, Mr Oppong Nkrumah announced that president Akufo-Addo is hale and hearty as he continues to work from the Presidential Villa.



Cabinet met for the 80th time via Zoom on Tuesday with the president in isolation.



The president is expected to resume home engagement from tomorrow [Monday] after a 14-day precautionary self-isolation period, Mr Oppong Nkrumah said announcing his resumption to duty from Monday.



The president has during the period been working from the Presidential Villa at the Jubilee House.



He is expected to from Monday, attend to business from his office at the Jubilee House. Additionally, he will attend to some engagement outside Accra during the week, he said.

Source: Daniel Adu Darko/Peacefmonline.com/[email protected]









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

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29 year Old Woman, Suliyat Tijani and Husband, Shakiru are currently stranded in Dubai after she was delivered of Quadruplets in Dubai.

Suliat Tijani is said to be an indigene of Oyo State, but sometime in 2017, she relocated to join her Husband, Shakiru who is working as a Chef in Dubai.

The mother of quadruplets revealed they had been fine all along, not until the news about her having up to four babies came up. There is no money now, and the lockdown, made everything worse. Truth is I honestly didnt think myself giving birth to four babies, she added.

Meanwhile the husband, stated that the first time the wife talked about being pregnant, after going for a scan seemed like a prank.I taught she was joking with news.

The restriction imposed by the government, which banned air travel between travelers going from Nigeria to Dubai or otherwise, had made it practically impossible to return back to their country, as a result of cost of the Hospital services there in Dubai.

The proposed hospital bill that is owed by the couple, after the wife delivered the quadruplets, is estimated to be around a whopping sum of N30m.

Shakiru in response to this, is soliciting with Nigerians to please come to their aid, that the salary he gets from cooking is currently being slashed in two in other to cover the owed debt. At the moment, I have no money to pay for my wifes medical fees or money to provide for my new born babies.

A support group, came to aid them partially as they contributed 5,000 dirhams to help support the young couple, although, more money is needed if they are to settle the wifes hospital bill explicitly.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-07-19 20:44:54|Editor: huaxia

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SHANGHAI, July 19 (Xinhua) -- Shanghai New York University (NYU Shanghai) has announced that it would host more than 3,000 Chinese students from New York University and New York University Abu Dhabi for the fall semester in response to travel restrictions caused by COVID-19.

The students, consisting of some 2,300 undergraduates and 800 postgraduate students, will join some 1,700 students already registered in NYU Shanghai, according to the university's announcement made public Friday.

NYU Shanghai said it would convert seven floors in the nearby WeWork spaces into classrooms to cope with the exceeded capacity of its existing academic building.

An additional 75 faculty members from NYU and other universities will join the NYU Shanghai faculty in leading nearly 200 courses for undergraduates, and another 40 for graduate students at the temporary campus.

These students may also cross-register for traditional NYU Shanghai courses.

Since COVID-19 has largely been brought under control in Shanghai, the majority of the classes will be taught offline, the university said. NYU Shanghai will also take strict epidemic control and prevention measures at the temporary campus to ensure the safety of students from its sister campuses.

A "mixed mode" of online and offline teaching will be applied and these students will also be able to take online classes offered by their home campuses.

"All of us at NYU Shanghai are looking forward to welcoming these visitors to our community this fall," said Jeffrey Lehman, vice chancellor of NYU Shanghai.

"These are challenging times, and it is gratifying to know that our university can continue to promote healthy bridges between China and the rest of the world while we await the restoration of more normal opportunities to travel across national borders," Lehman said.

NYU Shanghai was established in 2012 as China's first Sino-U.S. university operated as an independent legal entity. Enditem
Concerns about President Donald Trump's dishonesty began before he entered the White House, but the consequences of his not being trustworthy are now fully evident.

Trump surpassed 20,000 false or misleading claims, according to The Washington Post Fact Checker's tally, just a week before the latest Washington Post-ABC news survey showed that more than 60% of Americans deem him untrustworthy when it comes to the coronavirus pandemic.

The Fact Checker team wrote:

"The coronavirus pandemic has spawned a whole new genre of Trump's falsehoods. The category in just a few months has reached nearly 1,000 claims, more than his tax claims combined. Trump's false or misleading claims about the impeachment investigation - and the events surrounding it - contributed almost 1,200 entries to the database."

The impact of a lack of trust in the president has often seemed minimal as his approval ratings have never consistently dropped below 40%, partly because of the faithfulness of his base. But with more Americans concerned about the state of the country amid a pandemic - 60% disapprove of his handling of the outbreak, according to the Post-ABC survey - it seems voters' lack of confidence in Trump could have real ramifications this November.

For what it's worth, in September 2016, only about a third of Americans said Trump was trustworthy and honest, according to Gallup, but he still won the election a couple of months later. But the numbers have gotten worse since then, especially among groups he needs to retain, and he isn't running against a candidate like Hillary Clinton, who many voters also believed untrustworthy.

The foundation of the Trump campaign's re-election strategy has been turning out the base - a unique approach to trying to remain in office. Historically, presidents use re-election campaigns to attempt to win over voters who didn't support them in the previous election. But aides on the Trump campaign have argued that the president could be successful by focusing on turning out those who have supported him.

The problem is that there are weaknesses in that group. According to the Post-ABC survey, nearly 30% of Republicans - one of the most pro-Trump voting blocs - said they don't trust what the president says about the outbreak. And neither do nearly 2 in 3 political independents, a voting bloc that was key to helping deliver the White House to Trump in 2016.

And losing the confidence of independents could lead to an overall loss in November.

In part because of the declining support of independents, the president is performing poorly against presumed Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden in battleground states, including those where he and other Republicans have historically performed well. According to the most recent NBC/Wall Street Journal poll, Biden is leading Trump in 11 battleground states, such as Arizona, Florida and North Carolina. The former vice president is also leading Trump in Michigan, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin - the three states whose support for Trump helped seal the election for him in 2016.

The Post reported that while Trump aides are aware of his declining popularity, even with some of the voting blocs that he won in 2016, the president shows little sign of changing his behavior or words to increase confidence in him:

"Numerous Republicans and Trump allies said Thursday that the personnel overhaul - demoting Brad Parscale and replacing him with Bill Stepien as campaign manager - does little to address the main problem facing the struggling Trump campaign: the president himself and his chronically self-destructive behavior.

"In Trump's orbit and Republican circles, there is growing unease and even panic over Trump's conduct as allies fret that the president, who lags behind presumptive Democratic nominee Joe Biden in both public and private polling, is free-falling into a political abyss."

It's hard to imagine that Trump's trustworthiness rating could improve unless the things he is saying about the novel coronavirus - like that it will just disappear - actually happen. Many Americans don't seem to think they will.

And if that is the case, the current trends and polling could continue and ultimately prevent him from getting what he's been making all these dishonest claims with the goal of achieving: a win in November.
The two-term state senator, who is finishing her final year in the Legislature where she has been a member of the Appropriations Committee, believes she enters this race with an advantage of her own.

Bolz points to her agricultural roots, growing up as "a child of rural Nebraska" who lived on a family farm that grew corn and beans, and she attended school in Palmyra.

"I would be an advocate for rural Nebraska," she says.

* * *

Fortenberry says he has delivered for Nebraskans as a member of Congress.

Recently, he said, he intervened on behalf of Nelnet to make sure the Lincoln-based company will have an opportunity to make its case with the U.S. Department of Education after the department abruptly announced that Nelnet would no longer be servicing federal student loans.

And, he said, he has been in dialogue with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service to seek "a bipartisan fix" for the approach of unpaid furloughs that could impact hundreds of employees working in Lincoln.
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There's no doubt that money can be made by owning shares of unprofitable businesses. For example, biotech and mining exploration companies often lose money for years before finding success with a new treatment or mineral discovery. But the harsh reality is that very many loss making companies burn through all their cash and go bankrupt.

So, the natural question for Mali Lithium (ASX:MLL) shareholders is whether they should be concerned by its rate of cash burn. In this article, we define cash burn as its annual (negative) free cash flow, which is the amount of money a company spends each year to fund its growth. The first step is to compare its cash burn with its cash reserves, to give us its 'cash runway'.

See our latest analysis for Mali Lithium

How Long Is Mali Lithium's Cash Runway?

You can calculate a company's cash runway by dividing the amount of cash it has by the rate at which it is spending that cash. In December 2019, Mali Lithium had AU$3.8m in cash, and was debt-free. Looking at the last year, the company burnt through AU$5.3m. So it had a cash runway of approximately 9 months from December 2019. That's quite a short cash runway, indicating the company must either reduce its annual cash burn or replenish its cash. Depicted below, you can see how its cash holdings have changed over time.

How Is Mali Lithium's Cash Burn Changing Over Time?

Mali Lithium didn't record any revenue over the last year, indicating that it's an early stage company still developing its business. So while we can't look to sales to understand growth, we can look at how the cash burn is changing to understand how expenditure is trending over time. We'd venture that the 62% reduction in cash burn over the last year shows that management are, at least, mindful of its ongoing need for cash. Admittedly, we're a bit cautious of Mali Lithium due to its lack of significant operating revenues. We prefer most of the stocks on this list of stocks that analysts expect to grow.

Story continues

How Easily Can Mali Lithium Raise Cash?

While we're comforted by the recent reduction evident from our analysis of Mali Lithium's cash burn, it is still worth considering how easily the company could raise more funds, if it wanted to accelerate spending to drive growth. Generally speaking, a listed business can raise new cash through issuing shares or taking on debt. One of the main advantages held by publicly listed companies is that they can sell shares to investors to raise cash and fund growth. We can compare a company's cash burn to its market capitalisation to get a sense for how many new shares a company would have to issue to fund one year's operations.

Since it has a market capitalisation of AU$40m, Mali Lithium's AU$5.3m in cash burn equates to about 13% of its market value. As a result, we'd venture that the company could raise more cash for growth without much trouble, albeit at the cost of some dilution.

So, Should We Worry About Mali Lithium's Cash Burn?

On this analysis of Mali Lithium's cash burn, we think its cash burn reduction was reassuring, while its cash runway has us a bit worried. We don't think its cash burn is particularly problematic, but after considering the range of factors in this article, we do think shareholders should be monitoring how it changes over time. Taking a deeper dive, we've spotted 4 warning signs for Mali Lithium you should be aware of, and 1 of them can't be ignored.

Of course, you might find a fantastic investment by looking elsewhere. So take a peek at this free list of interesting companies, and this list of stocks growth stocks (according to analyst forecasts)

This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.



Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team@simplywallst.com.
Tolulope Arotile

Fresh facts have emerged that the ex-classmate who knocked down Flying Officer Tolulope Arotile is a civilian who had no valid driving papers, The PUNCH reports.

The country was thrown into mourning on Tuesday when the Nigerian Air Force first announced that the countrys first female combat helicopter pilot died from a road traffic accident at the NAF base in Kaduna State.

The air force said the female officer sustained head injuries from the accident when she was inadvertently hit by the reversing vehicle of an excited former Air Force secondary school classmate while trying to greet her.

Quoting military sources on Saturday, Channels Television reported that the sources, who preferred to remain anonymous, said the civilian driver, accompanied by his friends, visited his relations at the Airforce base located in Mando area of Kaduna metropolis on the day of the incident.

It added that upon interrogation, the driver and former classmate, who is now in custody with another occupant of the vehicle, has no valid drivers licence.

Meanwhile, NAF Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Ibikunle Daramola, said Arotile would be buried Thursday, July 23, at the National Military Cemetery, Abuja, with full military honours.

Arotile, a member of the Nigerian Defence Academy Regular Course 64, hailed from Iffe in the Ijumu Local Government Area of Kogi State, and contributed to the efforts to rid the North-Central states of bandits and other criminal elements by flying combat missions.

She was a squadron leader in Operation Gama Aiki in Minna, Niger State.

Notable Nigerians, including the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd), had since Wednesday expressed shock over her death.
https://www.aish.com/jw/s/The-Pope-who-Printed-the-Talmud.html

Pope Leo X allowed a remarkable group of men to produce the first printed set of Talmud.

A volume of the Talmud  dedicated to the Pope? It seems unlikely but the very first printed edition of the Talmud was in fact dedicated to Pope Leo X, who reigned as pope from 1513 until his death in 1521.

For millennia, copies of the Talmud had been painstakingly written by hand. It could take many years to complete a set of all 63 masechtot, or tractates, of the Talmud.

In 1450, a German bookmaker named Johannes Gutenberg invented the very first printing press. He used it to print pamphlets and calendars, and several copies of the Bible. The Gutenberg Bible is considered the very first printed book ever produced in Europe. In the ensuing years, other printers copied Gutenbergs invention and began printing books. Several Jewish books were printed using the new mechanical invention but nobody ever attempted to print an entire copy of the Talmud. For years, sets of the Talmud continued to be written laboriously by hand.

That changed in 1519, after years of bitter debates, when the very first complete edition of the Talmud was produced using the new invention the mechanical printing press.

Daniel Bomberg: Christian Printer of Hebrew Books

One of the very first printers to produce Hebrew books in Europe was Daniel Bomberg, a Christian printer who moved from his native Antwerp to Venice in 1515 and opened a printing press business there. Venice at the time was home to a vibrant Jewish community, and Bomberg realized that he could prosper by catering to this under-served market.

Printing Jewish books wasnt so easy. His initial requests for a license were repeatedly turned down by Church and city officials. Bomberg started offering local officials ever larger bribes to allow him to print Jewish books. After paying 500 ducats  an enormous sum  he was granted a ten-year license to print Hebrew books.

Bomberg got to work immediately, hiring learned Jews to help him. He petitioned Venices officials for permission to hire four well-instructed Jewish men. Jews living in Venice at the time could only live in the Ghetto and were forced to wear distinctive yellow caps whenever they left the Ghettos gates. Bombergs assistants were granted permission to wear black caps like other non-Jewish workers.

Together, they started printing copies of the Chumash, the Five Books of Moses, and other Jewish books. Bomberg and his Jewish assistants decided to include the text of Targum Onkelos, the translation of the Hebrew text written by the celebrated First Century Jewish scholar Onkelos, a popular custom still in practice today.

Jacob Ben Jehiel: Jewish Nobleman Advising an Emperor

Bombergs pro-Jewish business activities were made somewhat easier by the climate in Europe overall, which was becoming more tolerant of Jews, thanks in part to an Austrian Jewish physician named Jacob Ben Jehiel (also known as Jacob Lender).

Very little is known about Jacob Ben Jehiels personal life. Whats clear is that he was a learned Jew, fluent in Hebrew, who worked as a doctor. He died in about 1505 in Linz, Austria. Unusual for a Jew, he rose to become one of the most influential men in the Holy Roman Empire, working as the personal assistant of Emperor Frederick III, who ruled from 1452-1493. It was noted that the two men were fast friends, and Jacob Ben Jehiels friendship influenced Frederick III to be sympathetic to his Jewish subjects. At the time the emperors enemies complained he was more a Jew than a Holy Roman Emperor. Jacob was so beloved by the Emperor that Frederick III knighted him, raising him from a lowly Jewish outcast to the ranks of the nobility.

One day, a young German nobleman named Johann von Reuchlin contacted Jacob, asking for his help in learning Hebrew. Hed studied with a Jew named Kalman in Paris, von Reuchln explained, and had learned the Hebrew alphabet. Now he wanted to learn more. Jacob Ben Jehiel agreed to tutor the Christian nobleman and taught him to read and write Hebrew. They struck up a friendship that would lead to von Reuchlin defending Jewish scholarship across Europe and to the first printing of the Talmud.

Johann von Reuchlin: Defending Jewish Books

Now fluent in Hebrew, Reuchlin championed Jewish books, defending Jewish scholarship from Catholic zealots who wanted to ban Jewish literature and burn Jewish books. He had many Jewish friends and was remarkably tolerant of Jewish viewpoints and scholarship. When Catholic officials demanded that he and other scholars condemn the Talmud, von Reuchlin replied contemptuously that one not condemn what one had not personally read and understood. The Talmud was not composed for every blackguard to trample with unwashed feet and then to say that he knew all of it.

Johann von Reuchlin

In the early 1500s, von Reuchlin engaged in what was known as the Battle of the Books, arguing that Jewish scholarship had merit and that Hebrew books ought not to be banned.

Johannes Pfefferkorn: Condemning his Fellow Jews

Reuchlins main adversary in the Battle of the Books was Johannes Pfefferkorn, a Jew who converted to Christianity. He turned on his fellow Jews and caused years of pain and misery for Jewish communities across Germany.

Pfefferkorn was a butcher by trade but he was also in trouble with the law. He was arrested for burglary in his 30s, spent time in prison, and subsequently found himself unemployable. In order to reverse his ill fortune, he volunteered to convert to Christianity and to have his wife and children convert as well. Pfefferkorn embraced Catholicism under the protection of the Dominicans, the strict Catholic order that administered the feared Inquisition. The Dominicans wasted no time in using Pfefferkorn to help bolster their attempts to persecute Jews and to ban Jewish books.

In the years between 1507 and 1509, Pfefferkorn wrote a series of booklets claiming to illuminate the secret world of Jewish thought. Although Pfefferkorn's writings show that he had a very poor grasp of Jewish scholarship, that didnt deter him as he churned out booklet after booklet excoriating Jews and the Jewish faith. His pamphlets were written in Latin and aimed at Catholic scholars and priests. They had names such as Judenbeichte (Jewish Confession) and Judenfeind (Enemy of the Jews), and Pfefferkorn falsely claimed that Jews were devious and blasphemous and that their literature ought to be banned. Though he wasnt educated enough to study it himself, Pfefferkorn demanded that the Talmud be banned in Europe.

Using Pfefferkorns booklets as proof, Dominical authorities demanded that Jews be expelled from towns which had large Jewish communities, including Regensburg, Worms and Frankfurt. Their campaign succeeded in Regensburg and the citys Jews were expelled in 1519.

Pfefferkorn and his supporters managed to convince Emperor Maximilian I to briefly ban the Talmud and other Jewish books in cities across Germany and to destroy any and all Jewish books that could be found. This alarmed more liberal Catholics, including Johann Reuchlin, whod spent so long learning Hebrew and studying Jewish holy books with Jacob Ben Jehiel. Reuchlin objected and wrote passionate defenses of the Talmud and other Jewish books. Eventually, Maximilian I reversed his decree.

Pope Leo X and the Battle of the Hebrew Books

The Battle of the Books raged across German cities and was debated among the educated class: should the Jewish Talmud and other holy books be banned, or were they worthy of preservation and study? Historian Solomon Grayzel notes that There was not a liberal Christian in Europe, nor a single critic of the forces of bigotry within the Church, who failed to range himself on the side of Reuchlin in defense of the Jewish books Everyone who was not a peasant in Europe was thus ranged on one or the other side in the controversy. The only people who were forced to stand aside and not participate were the ones most directly concerned  the Jews. (From A History of the Jews by Solomon Grayzel. Plume: 1968)

Reuchlin eventually gained a powerful ally: Pope Leo X. A cultured, educated man, Leo X came from the fabulously wealthy Medici family. He was disposed to be tolerant towards Jews  so much so that at one point the Jews of Rome wondered if his benevolence towards them was a sign that the Messiah was on his way: community elders even wrote to Jewish leaders in the Land of Israel asking if they, too, had seen signs of the Messiah coming.

Pope Leo X

In 1518, Leo X took a public stand in the Battle of the Books: not only should the Talmud not be banned and burned, he stated, but he gave a Papal Decree allowing it to be printed using the new mechanical printing presses that were all the rage in Europe. Some individual volumes of the Talmud had already been printed; now, the Pope was allowing a complete set of all 63 volumes of the Talmud (called Shas in Hebrew) to be produced. Joannes Bomberg, whod already built up a Jewish business at his printing press in Venice, was given the commission to print this first complete set of Shas on his printing presses. It was an unprecedented show of support for Jews in Europe.

Jacob ben Chaim ibn Adonijah

But Pope Leo X imposed one crucial condition: Daniel Bomberg could print the Talmud only if he included anti-Jewish polemics in the books. Realizing that this would alienate potential readers, Bomberg successfully lobbied against including anti-Jewish screeds in his Jewish books. He did, however, make one concession to the Popes generosity: the first four volumes of the set of Talmud he was printing were dedicated to Pope Leo X.

Bomberg Babylonian Talmud, Venice Pesachim

Local Jews were reluctant to buy expensive new volumes of the Talmud dedicated to a Catholic leader whose Church regularly persecuted Jews and Jewish communities across Europe, even if Pope Leo X himself was sympathetic towards Jews. Sales were sluggish and Bomberg realized he had to make some changes, including dropping the dedication to the Pope. He also turned to Jacob ben Chaim ibn Adonijah, a Jewish proofreader from Tunisia, for help. (There is some evidence that ibn Adonijah might have converted to Christianity, like some other printers who specialized in Hebrew books in Venice at the time.)

Bromberg and ibn Adonijah devised a layout of their printed editions of the Talmud that is still in use today. They placed the Talmud text in the middle of the page, and included key commentaries on the Talmud around the central text. The commentary by Rabbi Shlomo Yitzhaki (known as Rashi), a Medieval French scholar was printed on one side of the page. Commentaries by a group of other Medieval Jewish sages known as the Tosefotists are found on the opposite side of the page.

This layout made it easy to read and study, and proved an immediate hit with customers. Though their title pages no longer carried a printed dedication to Pope Leo X, these beautiful books continued to be printed with his permission, enabling even more Jewish communities to study and learn from complete sets of the printed Talmud.

For further reading, see these books:
Decorated Invader sat off Get Smokins pacesetting effort before overtaking the front-runner from the outside in the stretch and pulling away for a 1 1/4-length win in the Grade 2, $150,000 National Museum of Racing Hall of Fame for 3-year-olds on a sun-swept day at Saratoga Race Course.

Owned by West Point Thoroughbreds, William Sandbrook, William Freeman and Cheryl Manning, Decorated Invader won for the fifth time in seven career starts for trainer Christophe Clement and improved to 3-for-3 as a sophomore. The Declaration of War colt, who won the Grade 1 Summer and ran a competitive fourth in the Grade 1 Breeders Cup Juvenile as a juvenile, started 2020 with wins in the Cutler Bay in March at Gulfstream and followed with a 4 3/4-length score in the Grade 2 Pennine Ridge on June 20 at Belmont Park.

Returning to Saratoga for the first time since breaking his maiden at second asking last August, Decorated Invader sat in second position as Get Smokin surged to the front, opening up seven lengths on the five-horse field through an opening quarter-mile in 23.85 seconds on the firm inner turf. Get Smokin, under Jose Ortiz, pushed forward, posting a half-mile in 48.98 and three-quarters in 1:13.52.

Out of the final turn, jockey Joel Rosario set down Decorated Invader, taking command with the Chad Brown-trained Domestic Spending making a late move to his outside. But Decorated Invader pressed on and handled his first attempt at 1 1/8 miles with aplomb, hitting the wire in 1:49.29 to give Rosario his third Hall of Fame win in the last four runnings.

When I got to the horse on the lead [Get Smokin] turning for home, he kept running a little bit, Rosario said. He had been all alone on the lead but I could feel I had a lot of horse underneath me and he was moving much the best.

I thought I would be a little closer, but the other horse was off the rail and in the middle of the track, he added. I followed him for a little bit but I ended up letting my horse be comfortable. I took my time and made my move when it was the right time to move.

Off as the 2-5 favorite, Decorated Invader paid $2.80 on a $2 win wager. He improved his career bankroll to $453,035.

Hes a top-class horse and has been since Day One for me, Clement said. I love him. I love the way he trains. I love the way he races. Its a different scenario every time we run him, but the final outcome is the same. I thought he looked better in the last sixteenth of a mile than he did before that. He actually won going away at the end.

With three graded stakes wins, Decorated Invader could now be a possibility for the $500,000 Saratoga Derby, part of NYRAs Turf Triple Series, on August 15.

That is one of the targets, Clement said. Well have to see how he comes out of this and see how he trains, but thats a logical spot at the moment.

Get Smokin, trained by Tom Bush, edged Domestic Spending by a nose for second. He has finished as the runner-up in both career graded stakes appearances, starting with the Grade 3 Kittens Joy in January at Gulfstream.

He ran big. The first quarter of a mile we went a little faster than I wanted to because hes so used to going a mile [and running splits] in 45 or 46 and thats why I kept him off the rail, Ortiz said. When I got to the turn he relaxed and I dropped in a little bit. On the backside, I had him where I wanted him. I tried to get the jump on the other horse [Decorated Invader] but the other horse is a very nice horse. I think my horses game is a mile flat. It was a lot to ask him to go a mile and an eighth, but he showed up.

Moon Over Miami and Ever Dangerous completed the order of finish. Gufo and main-track only entrant Money Moves were scratched.

Live racing resumes Sunday with a 10-race card showcasing the Grade 2, $150,000 Lake Placid for 3-year-old fillies in Race 9 at 5:46 p.m. Eastern. First post is 1:10 p.m.
House Majority Whip Jim Clyburn (D-S.C.) told NBC's "Meet the Press" on Sunday that in order to honor the legacy of Rep. John Lewis (D-Ga.), the Senate should pass and President Trump should sign the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Act of 2020, which the House passed under a different name in 2019.

Why it matters: In 2013, the Supreme Court struck down a core part of the landmark Voting Rights Act of 1965 that had required certain states with a history of racial discrimination to get federal approval before changing voting laws. Lewis, a civil rights icon who dedicated his life to fighting for voting rights, did not live to see the law restored before his death on Friday.

What he's saying: "America is great because its people are good. If the people of America ever cease to be good, America will cease to be great. John personified the goodness of this country, and I do believe that that's what the fight is all about now. Restoring America's goodness," Clyburn told CNN's Jake Tapper.

" I really think that we would honor him, and we should honor him by creating a new Voting Rights Act to replace the 1965 Act that was gutted by the Supreme Court decision in Shelby v. Holder seven years ago."

I really think that we would honor him, and we should honor him by creating a new Voting Rights Act to replace the 1965 Act that was gutted by the Supreme Court decision in Shelby v. Holder seven years ago." "So when I get back, I'm going to ask the leadership of the House to consider reintroducing that bill that passed as HR4, I believe, reintroducing that bill and name it the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Act of 2020."

"Let's send it over to the Senate and then Mitch McConnell and the president can demonstrate their real respect for the life and legacy of John Lewis by passing that bill in the Senate and the president signing it."

Clyburn also suggested renaming the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, Alabama, after Lewis, who was beaten along with hundreds of peaceful civil rights marchers by Alabama police in 1965. The bridge is named after a former Confederate general and Ku Klux Klan leader.

"I believe that will give the people of Selma something to rally around," Clyburn said. "I believe that would make a statement for people in this country that we do believe in that pledge, that vision of this country that's in the last phrase of the pledge  with liberty and justice for all."

Go deeper: John Lewis remembered as "one of the greatest heroes of American history"
Source: Xinhua| 2020-07-19 21:24:28|Editor: huaxia

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Farmers wait to sell their muskmelons at a rural cooperative in Bachu County of northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, on July 15, 2020. In recent years, the local government in Bachu County has led muskmelon farmers to standardize their planting process and helped them sell products via e-commerce platforms. (Xinhua/Ma Kai)
Re: Crimes are mainly committed by the young, and for this reason merely [ #permalink

eyunni wrote:

Crimes are mainly committed by the young, and for this reason merely increasing the number of police officers or expenditures on police services has little effect on reducing the crime rate. In fact, the only factor associated with a crime-rate drop is a decrease in the number of people in the community aged fourteen to thirty.



The findings above can best serve as part of an argument against



(A) the likelihood that any law enforcement program will be effective in reducing the crime rate within a short time

Best answer.



(B) increasing prison terms for young people found guilty of crimes

Increasing prison terms will reduce the number of young people in the streets, therefore decreasing the crime rate.



(C) introducing compulsory military conscription for people aged seventeen to nineteen

Again, this will reduce the number of young people on the streets --> reducing crime rate



(D) raising the age at which students are permitted to leave school

Will reduce the number of young people on the streets --> reducing crime rate



(E) a communitys plan to increase the number of recreational and educational activities in which young adults can participate

Will reduce the number of young people on the streets --> reducing crime rate



Can someone please help me with this?

Thanks.

Unless I am missing something here, it is a pretty straightforward A.The findings can actually be used to support all other answer choices.
If you are one of the millions of people around the world wearing a face mask because of the coronavirus pandemic, this footage may concern you. It shows a group of Uighurs arriving at a textile company that started producing masks in response to the pandemic. The Uighurs are a long-persecuted, largely Muslim ethnic minority. This slickly produced video from Chinese state TV appears to show grateful workers getting ready for their new jobs. But behind this propaganda is a hidden story about a longstanding and highly controversial government labor program that experts say often puts people to work against their will. We reviewed hundreds of videos, photos, government documents and shipping data to reveal how the surging demand for face masks is linked to this problematic program. We identified several Chinese companies that use Uighur labor to produce P.P.E. And we tracked some of their shipments to consumers in the U.S. and around the world. The rural poor that are being put into factory work are not going by choice. There are these coercive quotas that cause people to be put into factory work when they dont want to be. And that could be considered forced labor under international law. This is all driven by supply and demand. Chinese companies have been rushing to produce masks as the pandemic spread across China and the rest of the world. In Xinjiang, where a majority of Uighurs live, only four companies produced medical-grade protective equipment before the pandemic. Now, that number is 51. We found that at least 17 of those participate in the labor transfer program. Any company that is procuring masks or other personal protective equipment that wants to avoid forced labor content in those products should not be sourcing them from Xinjiang. Lets take a closer look at one factory in Xinjiang: the company we showed you earlier, where Uighurs were arriving for their first day. Its called Tianshan Textile. China proudly promotes the transfer program as a way to reduce poverty. So we are able to follow the workers to their new living quarters at the factory, thanks to reports on state media. It all started here. In mid-March, the government moved almost 2,000 Uighurs from Hotan, in the south of Xinjiang. Their destination is Urumqi, Xinjiangs capital city in the north. Fifty were sent to Tianshan Textile for a very specific task. Tianshan didnt respond to our request for comment. But its a clear example of how Uighur workers are fulfilling the increasing need for P.P.E. Now, lets look at companies that use the labor program to make products that are shipped to the United States and around the world. We are first going to look at a company called Hubei Haixin. It uses Uighur workers from the labor transfer program. Its factory is located here, almost 2,000 miles away from Hotan, where the Uighur workers were transferred from. We tracked one of Hubei Haixins face mask shipments from its port of departure in Shanghai to the United States. It arrived at the port of Los Angeles in late May. Then, the shipment was received by MedWay US, a medical supply company in Suwanee, Ga. Although MedWay US wouldnt respond to questions from The Times about the origins of their products, we can see they do sell face masks online. Protective gear made by Hubei Haixin is also readily available to U.S. consumers on popular online shopping websites. Images of the Uighurs living conditions at the Hubei Haixin factory, proudly broadcast on state media, help explain why the labor transfer program is so controversial. They are required to attend a weekly national flag-raising ceremony to pledge loyalty to China. They also must learn to speak Mandarin. This form of political indoctrination is common, and we see it in even greater detail at another exporting company we identified. This is Medwell Medical Products. According to state media, Uighurs make up over 25 percent of the companys labor force. Although an employee who answered the phone at Medwell told The Times that they have no workers from Xinjiang, we know there are Uighurs at Medwells factory. In satellite imagery, we can clearly see their segregated living quarters. They have an assigned area on the factory grounds. Theyre surrounded by government indoctrination and take mandatory Mandarin language classes three times a week. In the governments view, fluency in Mandarin and skills in factory work are key to assimilating to Chinese society. Its unclear how many masks Medwell sends abroad. But a Medwell representative openly promoted its robust export business in an interview on state TV. And we found that its also shipping to current virus hot spots in Latin America. A Brazilian company called MedTrace received a shipment of face masks from Medwell but told us they were unaware that it uses Uighur workers. The labor transfer program is part of a larger system of repression and mass incarceration. Over one million Uighurs and mostly Muslim minorities have been detained in recent years, some simply for their religious practice. The Chinese Communist Party says its tight control over Xinjiang is necessary to fight what it says is religious extremism. Its virtually impossible to know who in the transfer program was forced to participate. Speaking out is incredibly risky. And the government is shaping the narrative. In Xinjiang, it is not a practical possibility at this moment to do effective worker interviews because no worker can be expected, whether onsite or offsite, to feel comfortable speaking candidly and openly with an interviewer, particularly if the matter under discussion is the issue of forced labor, which is the burning issue in Xinjiang from a labor rights standpoint. But we do know that the transfers are widespread and often coercive. Authorities provide regions with subsidies for each worker that they take in. They also impose quotas on the number of workers that must be transferred. That puts enormous pressure on those government officials to find those workers. And that increases the risks that those workers are not working willingly. Those who refuse to work in the program can be penalized. A local government directive from 2018 describes a system that grades workers on their level of cooperation. Those with low scores are subject to more indoctrination, and their movements are restricted. Since 2017, almost three million people per year have been put in the program. The spokesman for Chinas embassy in the U.S. told The Times that the rights of Uighur workers are protected and that the measures, quote, help local residents rise above poverty through employment and lead fulfilling lives. Earlier this year, an Australian think tank identified 83 major international brands whose supply chains were connected to the Uighur labor transfers, including Nike and Apple. The situation has become so troubling that the U.S. government in July 2020 warned U.S. companies of the risk of forced labor from Xinjiang. And U.S. lawmakers introduced a bipartisan bill to restrict imports from the region. Its injected forced labor into American and global supply chains. We know that many U.S., international and Chinese companies are complicit in the exploitation of forced labor. But despite the concern, we found that protective gear from problematic supply chains is continuing to make its way into the U.S. and around the world. Hey, its Haley here, one of the reporters on this video. Our team spent months investigating companies in China that use Uighur labor to produce P.P.E., but we only realized how widespread the issue really is when we tracked a shipment of face masks from one of those companies to the U.S. If you want to see more work like this, let us know what we should investigate next, and dont forget to subscribe for more Visual Investigations.
After suffering two strokes and being deemed unable to earn a living by doctors, Armindo De Olizeara was forced to live in squalor in a private rooming house.

The 57-year-old shared household facilities with other men around whom he did not always feel safe.

Armindo De Olizeara (right) outside his new home at a social housing development in Footscray, with Unison acting CEO James King. Credit:Jason South

"When I lost my job, I struggled with my bills and I was living in a private rooming house which [was] disgusting ... especially the kitchen and toilet  [it was] not clean at all," he said.

"I don't drink. I don't smoke, that sort of thing, and the other people ... most of them [were] using drugs."
The oil and gas sector is a volatile place right now, but there's opportunity if you know where to look. One place is among the oil majors, who tend to pay high dividends.

Not all oil majors are created equal, though, and there are many reasons why Chevron (NYSE:CVX) is a better dividend stock to buy right now than BP (NYSE:BP).

Dividend yield and history

With a current yield of 11.2%, BP's dividend certainly looks more attractive than Chevron's, with its 5.8% yield. But there's more to a dividend than just its yield.

BP's dividend history is a little shaky. The company has cut its dividend in half more than once in the past 13 years and it now sits at $0.63.

On the other hand, Chevron has raised its dividend for 32 consecutive years, earning it the coveted status of Dividend Aristocrat.

Dividend feasibility

Even though BP doesn't have as clean of a dividend track record as Chevron, it was able to increase free cash flow (FCF) the most of any supermajor on a percentage basis from 2015 to 2019. But this year, BP's cash flow and net income have fallen off a cliff, meaning it will likely have to use debt to cover its short-term dividend obligations.

Recently, BP's FCF turned negative, and its recent dividend payment of 10.5 cents per ordinary share ($0.63 per American depositary share) was well above its 3.9 cents of earnings for the first quarter of 2020, making the company's dividend look unaffordable at the moment.

Although Chevron's FCF has taken a hit -- and it raised its long-term debt load by 20% to get through these tough times -- the company has made moves to ensure that it will be able to afford its dividend. In late March, Chevron decided it would cut spending by 50% in the largest onshore U.S. oilfield, the Permian Basin, as well as cut total 2020 spending by 20%. Chevron also halted its $5 billion share buyback program. Such precautions help ensure that Chevron retains its financial strength.

Similar to Chevron, BP raised debt when it received $7 billion in new bonds in early April, which will help BP afford its dividend in the short term. Its investment-grade credit rating from top agencies such as Standard & Poor's and Moody's was also reaffirmed, and it said it would look to reduce costs over the next two years.

Balance sheet comparison

With both companies taking on more debt, it's important to look at where each company stands today in terms of its balance sheet. The result couldn't be more different.

BP has double the total net long-term debt of Chevron, more than twice the debt-to-capital (D/C) ratio, and about four times the debt-to-equity (D/E) ratio.

In fact, BP has the highest D/C and D/E ratio of all oil majors, whereas Chevron has the lowest. Therefore, although both companies are raising debt to handle low commodity prices, Chevron is coming from a place of financial discipline. In fact, Chevron's growth strategy was purposefully prudent so that it could raise debt if faced with unexpected challenges.

Conclusion

After Royal Dutch Shell's historic dividend cut, BP now yields the most out of the oil majors. Yet this high yield is supported by arguably the weakest oil major from a balance sheet perspective. Although BP had been generating strong FCF for the past five years, its business is now struggling, pressuring the company to either cut its dividend or take on more debt. It has chosen the latter, which makes its balance sheet even weaker.

Although Chevron yields half as much as BP, a nearly 6% yield isn't chump change. Chevron's also arguably the strongest oil major. Go with Chevron over BP for a better overall company and a more reliable dividend.
A man has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after a member of staff was stabbed at a hospital.

The Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton was put in lockdown on Sunday morning following the shocking incident.

A Sussex Police spokesman said it was not being treated as a terrorist attack and no-one else has been hurt.

He added that a 30-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder.

Brighton hospital stabbing - in pictures 1 /16 Brighton hospital stabbing - in pictures Armed police at the Royal Sussex County Hospital PA Police at the Royal Sussex County Hospital after a worker was stabbed PA Armed police at the Royal Sussex County Hospital PA Counter Terrorist Specialist Firearms Officers at the Royal Sussex County Hospital PA Counter Terrorist Specialist Firearms Officers at the Royal Sussex County Hospital PA Counter Terrorist Specialist Firearms Officers at the Royal Sussex County Hospital PA Police at the Royal Sussex County Hospital PA Police at the Royal Sussex County Hospital PA A PCSO and staff at the Royal Sussex County Hospital PA Staff at the Royal Sussex County Hospital PA Police and staff at the Royal Sussex County Hospital PA Staff at the Royal Sussex County Hospital PA

The victim, a man aged in his 50s, is not in a life-threatening condition. The hospital trust said he is "safe and stable".

Twitter user Dan Dawson, who reported the attack on Twitter, posted: The victim is a member of staff. One of the hardworking cleaners. Disgusting to think theyve been working so hard fighting the virus only to be attacked."

The police spokesman said: At 8.42am on Sunday police were called to the Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton after a report that a member of staff had sustained a stab wound.

Hospital staff outside the building after the attack / PA

The hospital site was quickly secured while officers have been working with security staff to confirm that nobody else has been injured, and that staff and patients are safe.

Following immediate police searches and inquiries a 30-year-old man was arrested in nearby Wilson Avenue at 9.40am on suspicion of attempted murder, and is currently in custody for interview and further inquiries.

This apparently isolated and unexplained incident is not being treated as terrorism at this time and there is currently nothing to suggest that any other person has been involved or that anyone else is at risk."

Police officers at the scene as an investigation gets under way / PA

Brighton and Sussex University Hospitals NHS Trust posted on Twitter: An incident took place at the Royal Sussex County Hospital this morning in which one member of staff was injured. The staff member is in a safe and stable state, and is being cared for in the hospital.

It added: The police and hospital security staff have secured the site and currently, the public are not being allowed into the hospital whilst a search of the premises is carried out.

The police have arrested one person in relation to the incident. Further updates will follow.
Do mosquitoes carry the novel coronavirus and can they transmit Covid-19 to humans? Maybe not. In a new study, the researchers have confirmed that Covid-19 virus cannot be transmitted to people by mosquitoes.

The findings, published in the journal Scientific Reports, provide the first experimental investigation on the capacity of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes Covid-19 disease, to infect and be transmitted by mosquitoes.

"While the World Health Organisation (WHO) has definitively stated that mosquitoes cannot transmit the virus, our study is the first to provide conclusive data supporting the theory," said study researcher Stephen Higgs from Kansas State University in the US.

For the results, three widely distributed species of mosquito -- Aedes aegypti, Aedes albopictus and Culex quinquefasciatus -- representing the two most significant genera of arbovirus vectors that infect people, were tested.

Also, all three of the species are present in China, the country of origin of the novel coronavirus.

The study found that the virus is unable to replicate in three common and widely distributed species of mosquitoes and therefore cannot be transmitted to humans.

"We have demonstrated that even under extreme conditions, SARS-CoV-2 virus is unable to replicate in these mosquitoes and therefore cannot be transmitted to people even in the unlikely event that a mosquito fed upon a viremic host," the study authors wrote.

"I am proud of the work we are doing at the university to learn as much as we can about this and other dangerous pathogens," said Higgs.

Research has been ongoing with other animal pathogens that can be transmitted from animals to people, including Rift Valley fever, Japanese encephalitis, African swine fever and classical swine fever.

"We have remarkable talent and capabilities working within our research and training facility at the university's Biosecurity Research Institute (BRI)," said study researcher Peter Dorhout.
New Delhi:

Pakistan becomes the 104th country in the world to ratify the landmark Paris Agreement on Climate Change at a ceremony held at United Nations Headquarters in New York.

UN Maleeha Lodhi deposited the Instrument of Ratification signed by the President of Pakistan."With the ratification, Pakistan has become 104th countryto ratify the agreement, which entered into force earlier this month," the Foreign Office said in a statement on Friday.

The agreement obliges member states to keep global warming below 2 centigrade regarded as the threshold for safety by experts and scientists. Pakistan's ratification is in line with its firm commitment to the purposes and objectives of the Climate Convention. It also highlights the resolve of Pakistan to remain fully committed to the implementation of the Paris Agreement, the statement said.

It said that Pakistan played a leading role in the Climate Change negotiations. The Prime Minister of Pakistanhad himself led the delegation to Paris last December wherePakistan joined the international consensus on Climate Change.

This ratification by Pakistan also coincides with the ongoing Marrakesh Climate Change Conference, which is intendedto take important decisions for the comprehensiveimplementation of the Paris Agreement and maintain themomentum achieved in Paris and subsequently, it added.

For all the Latest World News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.
A. The main complications revolve around difficulty of enforcement, volume of sales, the need for regulation, and polarized views of fireworks. Fireworks violations in Omaha are a low level misdemeanor in most cases. Officers must personally observe the illegal activity or have substantial evidence of criminal activity in order to issue a criminal citation. As stated earlier, most calls are anonymous or there is significant delay between when the activity is observed and when officers are available to respond. This makes the likelihood of observing the crime or obtaining further information very difficult. Fireworks can be purchased in Omaha during its fireworks season, but individuals can easily drive to surrounding communities and obtain fireworks as well. State regulations on fireworks allow for sizable amounts of fireworks to be possessed by individuals and stored at residences. Lastly, we have found that some people believe fireworks are an important part of the Fourth of July, an expression of freedom, or even a right. However, there are also many that believe that fireworks in Omaha have gone far too far. They argue that they disturb the peace of the neighborhood, rattle pets, harm some veterans and litter the streets.
She introduces the Polish brothers Jacek and Jaroslaw Kurski, who marched with the dissident labor union Solidarity in the 1980s. After the Soviet empire dissolved, Jaroslaw kept the liberal faith and now edits a major opposition newspaper, but Jacek hooked up with Law and Justice and became the director of Polish state television and chief ideologist of the would-be one-party state. In Jacek, Applebaum diagnoses a toxic sense of entitlement, a conviction that he had not been aptly rewarded for standing up to Communism.

Resentment, envy and above all the belief that the system is unfair  not just to the country, but to you  these are important sentiments among the nativist ideologues of the Polish right, so much so that it is not easy to pick apart their personal and political motives.

A recurring problem in this book is that most of the clercs refuse to talk to Applebaum, leaving her dependent on the public record and the wisdom of mutual acquaintances. But she makes the best of what shes got. She is most sure-footed when appraising intellectuals who have lived in, and escaped, the Soviet orbit. From Poland, she moves on to Hungary, then to Britain and finally to Trumps United States, with detours to Spain and Greece, in pursuit of the fallen intellectuals.

She identifies layers of disenchantment: nostalgia for the moral purpose of the Cold War, disappointment with meritocracy, the appeal of conspiracy theories (often involving George Soros, the Hungarian-American and, not incidentally, Jewish billionaire). She adds that part of the answer lies in the cantankerous nature of modern discourse itself, the mixed blessing of the internet, which has deprived us of a shared narrative and diminished the responsible media elite that used to filter out conspiracy theories and temper partisan passions. This is hardly an original complaint, but no less true for that.

As polarization increases, the employees of the state are invariably portrayed as having been captured by their opponents. It is not an accident that the Law and Justice Party in Poland, the Brexiteers in Britain and the Trump administration in the United States have launched verbal assaults on civil servants and professional diplomats.

Virulent populist movements have always existed in America, on the right (the Klan, say) and the left (the Weather Underground, say). Applebaum finds it surprising that its current incarnation emerged in the Republican Party. For the party of Reagan to become the party of Trump  for Republicans to abandon American idealism and to adopt, instead, the rhetoric of despair  a sea change had to take place, not just among the partys voters, but among the partys clercs. This is probably the place to note that Applebaum deserted the Republican Party in 2008, over the nomination of the proto-Trump Sarah Palin.

Her sampling of the American clercs consists mainly of Pat Buchanan, Franklin Graham, Steve Bannon and Laura Ingraham, none of whom talked to her, but all of whom are copiously on the record. She is struck by the way their Reaganite optimism gave way to a dark sense of a decadent and doomed America where universities teach people to hate their country, where victims are more celebrated than heroes, where older values have been discarded. Any price should be paid, any crime should be forgiven, any outrage should be ignored if thats what it takes to get the real America, the old America, back.
Iran has suspended the execution of three men linked to anti-government protests in November 2019, one of their lawyers says.

Babak Paknia said in a Twitter post on July 19 that the Iranian judiciary had ordered a retrial for the three.

The lawyer's announcement comes after a massive social-media campaign calling for Iran to halt state executions. The online protest has been joined by many Iranians -- including ordinary citizens as well as intellectuals, former politicians, and prominent artists.

Amnesty International recorded 251 executions in Iran during 2019, making Iran second to China for state executions.

Using the Persian-language hashtag #Don't_Execute -- # _ -- the campaign was launched in response to confirmation on July 14 by Iran's powerful judiciary that death sentences had been upheld against Amir Hossein Moradi, 25, Saeed Tamjidi, 27, and Mohammad Rajabi, 25.

The three were among many who were arrested in a brutal crackdown against demonstrators who took to the streets in dozens of cities and towns across Iran in November 2019.

Analysts said the social-media campaign was unprecedented in its scope and the level of participation of Iranians both within and outside Iran.

Many took to Twitter, which is blocked in Iran, and Instagram, the only social-media platform that has not been blocked in the Islamic republic.

The hashtag #Don't_Execute in Persian has trended globally on Twitter, being used more than 7 million times.

Other social-networking platforms also were used to share pictures of the three Iranian men on death row and to call for their executions to be halted.

The protests, sparked by a sudden hike in the price of gasoline, focused on Iran's deteriorating economy, rising poverty, and government corruption. But they quickly turned political with chants against the clerical establishment.

Amnesty International has said at least 304 people were killed in the crackdown.

With reporting by AFP and Reuters
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Linkedin Panu Wongcha-um (Reuters) Bangkok  Sun, July 19, 2020 09:30 549 6657ac82168da9fa101c8a406677dcea 2 SE Asia protest,Thailand Free

Around 2,500 Thai protesters on Saturday evening demanded the resignation of the government and the dissolution of parliament, defying a coronavirus ban on gatherings in one of the largest street demonstrations since a 2014 military coup.

People at the student-led rally near Bangkok's Democracy Monument cited a litany of complaints against the year-old civilian government of Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha, the former army chief who ousted an elected government six years ago.

Organizers issued three demands: the dissolution of parliament, an end to harassment of government critics, and amendments to the military-written constitution that critics say virtually guaranteed victory for Prayuth's party in elections last year.

"How can we be OK with the lack of democracy like this?" student activist Tattep Ruangprapaikit told the crowds.

There were also some veiled public references at the protest to the powerful Thai monarchy, despite a law forbidding criticism of the king. Such references would once have been unthinkable.

Police were on standby but did not move to stop the protest. The monument was cordoned off with signs reading: "No entry without permission. Maintenance in progress."

The protests started with student groups, but during the evening hundreds more arrived to join, swelling the numbers to about 2,500, according to organizers and estimates by reporters on the scene.

The demonstration dispersed at about midnight, but organizers said they would return to the streets in two weeks if their demands were not met.

Public opposition to Prayuth has been growing in recent months.

Since last year's election, a court has dissolved the second-largest opposition party, giving his ruling coalition firmer control in parliament.

Prayuth also saw several cabinet members resign on Thursday over internal disputes.

Prayuth's Palang Pracharat Party campaigned on a vision of traditional Thai culture and loyalty to King Maha Vajiralongkorn.

Thailand is officially a constitutional monarchy, but insulting the king is punishable by up to 15 years in prison, and many conservatives view the monarchy as sacrosanct.

Some signs and speeches at Saturday's protest made veiled references to the monarchy.

"This is our country, but whose home is in Germany?" said one of the student leaders on a small stage set up on the street.

King Vajiralongkorn has an estate in Germany, where he spends much of the year.

A protest sign read "Lost faith is definitely not a crime!!! #Thiwakorn", in a reference to a separate protest in Thailand's northeast on Friday in support of a man who was committed to a psychiatric hospital after he wore a T-shirt saying he had lost faith in the monarchy.

Another banner said "The Peoples Party Isnt Dead" - a reference to the political party whose revolution ended absolute royal rule in 1932.

Prayuth last month publicly warned political activists not to risk their futures by criticizing the monarchy.

Topics : protest Thailand
By William Schwartz | Published on 2020/07/18

The title of "The Boy From Nowhere", as well as the script, frequently refers to lead character Kim Soo (played by Kwak Min-gyoo) as a kid. This is odd, and a frustrated Kim Soo comments on it as odd, because Kim Soo looks to be maybe thirty years old. But then, Kim Soo isn't exactly an adult. He rides around on his scooter-bike running errands in the illegal migrant trade, making little progress to any obvious goal in beautiful Jeju Island. So he instead decides to take up surfing.

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The Korean title of "The Boy From Nowhere" is literally something like, the boy who rides the waves, and that's how this apparently incongruous transition is handled. Kim Soo himself is a product of wave riding, having in part an ethnic Chinese background. He assists migrants in securing work in South Korea, as they come to the country through whatever circumstance has led them to go overseas to seek their fortune.

And yet for someone with no prospects or responsibilities, Kim Soo comes off as surprisingly haggard. Having just been released from the criminal justice system onto probation, Kim Soo has simply gone back to the life he's always known because...well, because it's the life he's always known. And that's no way to live at all. Hence why he ends up taking up surfing. Because after all, that's a fairly obvious metaphor for his life trajectory. Kim Soo's trying to take control of a current over which he has no control. He's just riding along.

From a strict narrative perspective "The Boy From Nowhere" is technically a gangster movie, which is funny mainly because the whole situation is weirdly subdued. Kim Soo's boss Gap-bo (played by Kang Gil-woo) is not a particularly violent man. Indeed, the movie's only particularly violent scene of note is shocking mainly becomes it comes out of nowhere. The migrant trade is a business, after all, and it functions well in Jeju Island mainly because the tropical paradise is so sleepy that acts of extreme violence would likely be very quickly noticed.

The gangster half of "The Boy From Nowhere" is the only one with any real plot to speak of. The surfing half is more a travelogue than anything else...except that no one really goes anywhere new. It's always just the beach. "The Boy From Nowhere" depicts a simple, easy rhythm to life with minimum responsibility. Where another movie would show the surfers as slackers, writer/director Choi Chang-hwan-I posits their lifestyle as a viable alternative to work for the sake of work.

This is very appropriately demonstrated by the not particularly subtle means through which Gap-bo keeps Kim Soo as well as Kim Soo's best friend Pil-seong (played by Kim Hyun-mok) employed. There's interest payments, emotional manipulation and free dinners, but nothing all that impressive. When Hae-na (played by Kim Hae-na) calls out Gap-bo's obvious scam, there's barely even any serious acknowledgment of it. Because Kim Soo knew that all along. He just didn't want to think about it.

Review by William Schwartz

___________

"The Boy From Nowhere" is directed by Choi Chang-hwan-I, and features Kwak Min-gyoo, Kim Hyun-mok, Min Dong-ho-I, Kim Hae-na, Kang Gil-woo, Kim Jae-hyung. Release date in Korea: 2020/05/14.
Joan Murray, a registered nurse who contracted the coronavirus, at her home in Westbury, N.Y., July 13, 2020. Murray was adamant that she wanted to fight the illness at home. As a nurse, maybe I knew too much, she said. The last place I wanted to be was the hospital. (Johnny Milano/The New York Times)

Roni Caryn Rabin

Joan Murray had been home with COVID-19 for about a week when she ran into trouble. She had a fever of 103 degrees and chills that sent shivers up and down her spine. Her oxygen levels were dropping, and the tightness in her chest felt as if somebody had bound up my lungs with string.

But the 77-year-old, a retired registered nurse who lives alone in Westbury, New York, was adamant that she wanted to fight the illness at home. As a nurse, maybe I knew too much, she said. The last place I wanted to be was the hospital.

So the hospital came to her.

Northwell Health, which has cared for thousands of coronavirus patients in its network of facilities in New York state, sent a nurse manager to Murrays home in May. Covered head to toe in protective gear  gown, gloves, mask, shield and disposable bootees  she spent nearly eight hours doing an assessment.

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

Murray was dehydrated and in need of supplemental oxygen. Within hours, she was hooked up to an intravenous line, set up in her bedroom to replenish her fluids. A phlebotomist in an N95 mask came to draw blood, an oxygen machine was delivered to her home, and Murray was prescribed a powerful blood thinner to prevent clots.

Over the course of the next week, nurses dropped by every day, and a Northwell critical care physician and lung specialist, Dr. Gita Lisker, called daily to talk with Murray.

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I was always waiting for her call  I would tell her all my troubles, and she would reassure me, Murray said. I was like a child at that point, and she was my security blanket.

So-called wraparound home care services were created, on the fly, by Northwell Health to deal with the surge in coronavirus cases that New York experienced this spring. Now this model may help relieve health systems in the Sun Belt and other parts of the United States, where rising numbers of cases are putting extraordinary pressure on hospitals, filling intensive care units and sending providers scrambling to hire extra nurses and secure medical supplies.

Northwell doctors are already discussing the program with physicians in Miami, where several hospitals have reached capacity. Florida has more than 300,000 COVID-19 cases, and more than 10,000 new cases were identified on Thursday.

The concept of hospital-at-home programs is not new, but they had been used primarily to treat patients with flare-ups of chronic conditions like heart failure.

In response to the coronavirus epidemic, Medicare relaxed the requirements for such care. Now patients are considered homebound if a medical practitioner advises them not to leave the home because of a diagnosis of confirmed or suspected COVID-19 or a condition that makes them more susceptible to contracting the virus.

In those situations, if a doctor says skilled services are needed, a home health agency can provide them under the Medicare Home Health benefit, officials said.

Since the start of the pandemic, some hospitals have switched to at-home services to open up hospital beds for COVID-19 patients or to provide follow-up care after COVID-19 patients are discharged from the hospital.

Northwells outreach is different because it focuses on acutely ill COVID-19 patients in the community. A team of Northwell specialists uses telehealth to advise doctors and patients in the community with mild or moderate illness.

When necessary, a comprehensive health service sends nurses and equipment into the homes of patients with severe symptoms or underlying medical conditions who might need hospitalization without such close monitoring. Pulmonologists use telemedicine to follow these patients.

During New Yorks crisis, 80 to 90% of the patients who had the virus never went to the hospital, said Dr. Thomas McGinn, Northwells senior vice president and deputy physician-in-chief, who helped create the program.

Many COVID-19 patients did not need to be hospitalized, while others  including some who would have been admitted  simply refused to go, he said: Hospitals were becoming this place that scared everybody.

With a shortage of diagnostic tests, many sick patients were afraid that if they didnt already have the virus, theyd catch it at the hospital. And they were put off by the knowledge that theyd be cut off from friends and family, because visitors had been barred from health facilities to prevent further spreading of the virus.

At first, physicians were nervous about managing patients at home, McGinn and Lisker said. Since then, experts have learned a lot and have developed evidence-based protocols that rely on educating patients on how to monitor their temperature fluctuations, track their blood oxygen levels using pulse oximeters and report changes to their health care providers.

Pulmonologists, experienced in caring for very sick patients with lung disease, consulted with patients over the phone, Lisker said.

I can have a phone conversation with a patient, and after the first two sentences, I can tell if theyre going to have respiratory problems, she said. Were trained to listen.

Any patient in respiratory distress would be hospitalized, she added. But most patients were able to ride out their illnesses at home.

Between April 27 and June 1, Northwell enrolled 182 patients in its home care program. They ranged in age from 24 to 100, and many had underlying chronic conditions like diabetes or obesity, which have been linked to worse outcomes in COVID-19 cases.

Several, like Murray, were older and lived alone. But they had been carefully screened by their regular doctors; only two eventually needed hospitalization, Lisker said.

The program also provides care for COVID-19 patients who have been discharged from the hospital but have lingering symptoms that require care. Other hospital systems, like Mount Sinai Health System in New York, have also created post-discharge programs that provide care across several specialties to COVID-19 patients and evaluate the long-term effects of the disease.

Murray, who has recovered from her illness, said that it was fortuitous that the hospital team had intervened when it did, because her condition was deteriorating. I dont know what I would have done otherwise, she said.

Now Northwell is expanding the program, in preparation for potential uptick in cases in New York. If there is resurgence in New York, on a dime we can get this up and running in huge numbers, and other cities can do this, too, Lisker said. Its a win for the patient and a win for the health system.

c.2020 The New York Times Company
A woman holds a photo of a man killed by the Chinese regime's persecution of Falun Gong, during a parade in Washington on July 17, 2014. (Larry Dye/The Epoch Times)

Over 600 Lawmakers From 30 Countries Ask Beijing to Immediately Stop Falun Gong Persecution

More than 600 current and former lawmakers from 30 countries are calling on the Chinese regime to end its hostility against Falun Gong, saying the 21-year persecution campaign is one of the harshest against a faith group in modern history.

The lawmakers urge the Chinese government to respect international norms  and to immediately stop the persecution of Falun Gong in China, and to unconditionally release all detained Falun Gong practitioners and other prisoners of conscience, reads the statement signed by 606 lawmakers from nations in North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, and the Middle East.

The persecution of Falun Gong in China has been one of the harshest campaigns against a faith group in modern times.

Police detain a Falun Gong protester in Tiananmen Square as a crowd watches in Beijing on Oct. 1, 2000 photo. (AP Photo/Chien-min Chung)

The statement notes that Falun Gong, also known as Falun Dafa, is a meditation discipline based on the principles of truthfulness, compassion, and tolerance. The practice was, at one point, praised by authorities in China for its espousal of moral standards and for improving the health of adherents.

But its rapidly growing popularitywith government surveys showing that between 70 million and 100 million people were practicing by 1999was more than then-Chinese leader Jiang Zemin could tolerate. Jiang rose to power after leading the bloody confrontation against the Tiananmen Square democracy activists during the 1989 protests.

The 20th of July, 2020, marks 21 years since the Chinese Communist government launched a systematic and brutal campaign to eradicate Falun Gong, the statement reads. Since July 1999, millions of Falun Gong practitioners in China have been arbitrarily arrested and jailed without due process and many have been tortured and even killed.

Canadian member of Parliament Peter Kent said the international community should speak up more forcefully and more publicly in denouncing the Chinese regime for its suppression of human rights.

Canadian MP Peter Kent, co-chair of Parliamentary Friends of Falun Gong, speaks at an event on Parliament Hill in Ottawa marking the 25th anniversary of Falun Gong, May 9, 2017. (Evan Ning/Epoch Times)

We must continue to work and hope that China will one day respect rule of law, the freedom of speech, assembly, and religion; a day when the tenets of Falun Gong can be spoken aloud in Tiananmen square: truthfulness, compassion, tolerance, Kent, a former cabinet minister and former anchor with NBC and CBC, said in a statement. Kent, who also co-chairs the Parliamentary Friends of Falun Gong, is one of the 63 current and former Canadian members of Parliament who signed the statement.

George Christensen is among the 24 Australian federal and state-level members of Parliament who are signatories.

The persecution of Falun Gong practitioners, who have suffered oppression, torture, and victimization, is one of the most appalling campaigns undertaken by the Chinese Communist Party, Christensen said.

I will always stand in sympathy and support with those who practice this peaceful spiritual observance.

Tommy Sheppard, one of the 29 current and former UK parliamentarians who signed, noted that Falun Gong adherents have been subject to deplorable persecution in China, adding that Beijing should be held accountable.

Swedish lawmaker Ann-Sofie Alm, one of the 26 current and former Swedish parliamentarians to put their names on the statement, said the free world is gradually getting to understand the cruelty of the Chinese Communist Party.

Swedish lawmaker Ann-Sofie Alm at an event to protest the persecution of Falun Dafa in China at the Chinese Consulate in Gothenburg, Sweden, on April 25, 2020. (Ella Kalogritsa)

I want to raise awareness about the many Falun Gong practitioners who have been detained in reeducation through labor camps, prisons, and other detention facilities as prisoners of conscience. There have been reports of torture and even organ harvesting, Alm said.

This is why this joint statement is so important. The Communist Party of China needs to know what the free world wants.  [The persecution] needs to stop right now.

Drs. H. Guspardi Gaus, a member of Indonesias House of Representatives and a signatory to the statement, called the persecution of Falun Gong inhuman and very barbaric, and asked for a legal process to end it.

Taiwanese lawmaker Wang Ting-Yu, who also signed the statement, said the CCP has used the techniques it learned through persecuting Falun Gong against other groups as well.

Therefore, solving the Falun Gong issue is fundamental in solving all these problems, Wang said. Well let the Chinese Communist Party know that if you persecute Falun Gong, you will have nowhere to go in the world, nowhere to hide.

Separately, around 30 U.S. lawmakers have issued their own statements expressing support for Falun Gong and condemning the persecution, as have about a dozen German lawmakers.

Organ Harvesting and Other Forms of Persecution

The joint statement outlines a number of reports from governments, the United Nations, and human rights organizations that have documented the persecution campaign against Falun Gong.

It notes that last year, an independent peoples tribunal in London found that China has been harvesting organs from Falun Gong adherents for years on a significant scale.

Falun Gong practitioners reenact organ harvesting to raise awareness about the human rights issue in China, in Santa Monica, Calif., in a file photo. (Xu Touhui/Epoch Times)

The China Tribunal was chaired by Sir Geoffrey Nice QC, who previously led the prosecution of former Yugoslav President Slobodan Milosevic for war crimes at the International Criminal Tribunal.

The statement notes that the European Parliament passed a resolution in 2013 expressing deep concern over the president and credible reports of systematic, state-sanctioned organ harvesting by Beijing from Falun Gong practitioners in large numbers. It added that the U.S. Congress passed a similar resolution in 2016.

The statement also points to findings by the U.N. special rapporteur on torture, which stated that two-thirds of victims of alleged torture by the Chinese regime are Falun Gong adherents.

Another report cited in the statement, by Amnesty International, says Falun Gong adherents continue to be subjected to persecution, arbitrary detention, unfair trials and torture, and other ill-treatment.
"The whole gamut of sanctions to this country has caused serious and unintended consequences. I have always called it a weapon of mass destruction because () it deters investors who'd like to come into this country despite the fact that Zimbabwe is open for business," Zimbabwe's Foreign Minister Sibusiso Moyo told host Sarah Kelly on DW's Conflict Zone.

"We believe that these sanctions are now irrelevant as far as the situation in Zimbabwe is concerned. But they are causing untold sufferings, not probably to the leadership, but particularly to the total mass population of the people," said Moyo.

Moyo addressed the country's economy, described by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) as the 'worst economic crisis in over a decade': "We are changing. We are reforming. And we are undertaking specific key decisions which are orientating the economy. And a key among them is the stabilization of the exchange rate. But we're also doing a lot of other economic reforms, which ensures that even the investment community is free to come in within our mantra of 'Zimbabwe is open for business'."

The Foreign Minister defended the government's attempts at currency reform stating that "it was an appropriate decision" which was done "so that our own currency can operate side by side with foreign exchange operations and that has been the desire of this government."

On reports that the government purchased luxury vehicles for officials amidst an economic crisis, the Foreign Minister said: "We have had to ensure that our diplomats are mobile and that was quite a serious issue when we took over because the conditions of our diplomats externally was really at a state of collapse because they were moving with Ubers (...) Something which is not appropriate for a diplomat who is assigned in a foreign mission (...) the cost of those vehicles was not necessarily the issue which has caused the economy to be where it is. The economy has been like this."

Speaking on the firing of the Health Minister this month over inappropriate conduct after he was accused of illegally awarding a multi-million dollar contract for COVID-19 medical supplies: "There's justice in this country. He's going to appear in court and every evidence is going to be presented. And then it will be up to the judiciary either to convict him or not."

Renowned journalist Tim Sebastian has been presenting DW's top political talk show Conflict Zone with German and international decision-makers since September 2015. DW News anchor Sarah Kelly joined the team as host in February 2020.

Watch the interview: https://p.dw.com/p/3fNwq
A man who said he was travelling across Melbourne to go fishing was one of 127 people fined on Saturday for flouting coronavirus restrictions, as Premier Daniel Andrews warned that the chance of being caught has never been greater.

A driver stopped by police in Langwarrin said he was travelling from Keilor Downs, in the city's north-west, to a spot on the Mornington Peninsula, south-east of Melbourne, to go fishing. He was fined $1652 for breaching restrictions.

ADF personnel and Victoria Police at a checkpoint on the Princes Freeway on the outskirts of Melbourne last week. Credit:Luis Ascui

Fines were also issued to nine adults after 30 people were found at a party at a home in Kyabram, in the state's north, and to five people caught gathering in a public place in Dandenong.

Nineteen of the 127 fines issued were at vehicle checkpoints. In total, police issued over $209,800 worth of fines on Saturday.
Prostate cancer: How can we decide when to treat?

You have been diagnosed with prostate cancer and your doctor gives you the option of not being treated, but of remaining under observation: is there any objective way you can decide to be treated or not treated? What should you do? Now using first results from analysis of the world's biggest Active Surveillance prostate cancer database, the GAP3 consortium* has begun to identify which patients are at risk of the disease developing and which patients can continue to safely delay treatment. This work is presented at the virtual European Association of Urology congress.

As lead researcher, Dr Mieke Van Hemelrijck (King's College London) says: "Current methods of deciding whether or not to recommend treatment are not reliable. Our analysis shows that we should be able to produce a single global methodology, which will give accurate estimates on how aggressive these cancers are. These will feed directly into the treatment decision, and give men the reassurance they need to decide on treatment".

Prostate cancer is one of the leading causes of death in men, but many men who discover they have prostate cancer are not in any immediate danger: they have Low Risk Prostate Cancer. Over the past 10 years, an increasing number of these men have been given the option of going on active surveillance, rather than being immediately treated. Active surveillance means that men continue to be monitored and tested (via PSA levels, biopsy, and other tests), with treatment only starting when the cancer shows signs of developing. The number of men on active surveillance varies from country to country, with up to 80% of men delaying treatment in some countries. However, there are no generally accepted ways of understanding who is at risk, and as many as 38% of men who start active surveillance drop out within 5 years.

Van Hemelrijck said: "Prostate cancer treatment can have significant side-effects such as erectile dysfunction and incontinence, so often avoiding intrusive surgery or radiotherapy can benefit the patient. Nevertheless, being told you have cancer puts great psychological pressure on men to agree to treatment, so understanding just how aggressive the cancer is before deciding on treatment is essential. At the moment we just don't have that reassurance".

Although active surveillance is considered a real step forward in management of low risk prostate cancer, there is surprisingly little agreement on which men will benefit. Doctors consider a range of factors, such as age, PSA score, biopsy details, technical details of the cancer, and so on. But the decision on whether or not to start treatment is still often subjective. Erasmus MC , department of Urology was tasked by Movember to coordinate the development of a global database on Active Surveillance (the GAP3 consortium). Dr Van Hemelrijck worked with a team of researchers from the GAP3 Consortium to develop the world's most accurate active surveillance nomogram.

A nomogram is a treatment calculator, similar to an App: you feed in the details and it gives you advice on whether or not to treat. Local nomograms exist, but a global version is needed to be generally applicable. Working with data from the 14,380 patients on the Movember database (the world's largest), they were able to input data such as age, size and condition of the tumour, PSA, biopsy details, time on active surveillance, genetic factors, etc.

"Not surprisingly, we have found that even accounting for these factors there was still differences in outcomes between participating centres. But this work has shown that it will be possible to produce a nomogram which can guide treatment. Just as importantly, the work shows which additional factors need to be included in the nomogram in future to enable us to eliminate this variation and produce accurate estimates of tumour aggressiveness".

Commenting, EAU Adjunct Secretary General Professor Hendrik Van Poppel (University of Leuven, Belgium ) said;

"This work shows that it should be possible to develop a global nomogram - in other words, a system which allows us to predict whether active surveillance will be suitable for individual low and intermediate risk prostate cancer patients. This would be an important step forward in terms of the reassurance we can offer patients, and in choosing treatment pathways. The urology community would welcome this, and will be happy to cooperate in taking this project forward".

This is an independent comment; Professor Van Poppel was not involved in this work.

###

For more information on the GAP3 projects see https:/ / gap3. movemberprojects. com/

The 35th European Association of Urology conference takes place online from 17-19 July, 2020. This replaces the physical conference which was scheduled to take place in Amsterdam. The EAU conference is the largest and most important urology congress in Europe, with up to 14,000 attendees. Conference website

https:/ / eaucongress. uroweb. org/

Note: the release summary was edited to compy with Eurekalert text limits.

Type of research: Not peer reviewed/observational research/ people

This story has been published on: 2020-07-19. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
Numerous times since we entered into the complex and controversial world of COVID-19, Alabama Governor Kay Ivey has been forced to make tough decisions. Reactions are always mixed, with some lauding her leadership and some criticizing it. I, personally, have agreed with some moves and disagreed with others.

Those mixed reactions are a burden that naturally comes with the mantle of leadership, especially in times like these. Youll never please everyone in our hyper-political age.

What I have noticed, however, is that when individuals disagree with Ivey's decisions, they quickly pivot to demeaning her as a person. They call her "Governor Memaw," or some derivative thereof. The implication is that she is simply a doddering old lady who should be rolling out biscuits in Wilcox County, rather than leading our state.

It's both sexist and ageistquite an accomplishment for a single two-word phrase.

Governor Ivey is 75, and numerous prominent leaders are of a similar age.

Former Gov. Robert Bentley was 74 when forced to resign from office.

Alabama's senior member of the US Senate, Richard Shelby, is 86.

President Donald Trump is 74 and currently seeking a second term.

We have scores of folks in prominent public offices who qualify for the senior coffee discount at McDonalds. Yet Ive never heard one of the men in this category referred to as President Papaw, or Senator Papaw, etc.

Sure, Bentley was dubbed "The Luv Guv." But that was about something he did--not who he was. There's a difference.

When we disagree with older male leaders, we simply disagree. But when we disagree with a female leader, we are quick to dig at her very person. To assign to her a familial or domestic label that reduces her.

What's more, some of the individuals who have reveled in the Governor Memaw business consider themselves quite progressive. They think themselves too enlightened for blatant sexism. And yet they diminish the Governor in this way without a thought.

I understand the temptation to underestimate Ivey. Her thick-as-honey Black Belt drawl and carriage evoke memories of innumerable Alabama grandmothers we all have known. In certain moments, she reminds me of my own--in a good way.

But my sainted grandmothers never spent decades in the highest levels of public service and power in this state. They were wonderful, but they never campaigned against and defeated some of Alabama politics' most prominent names for key offices.

Kay Ivey has more leadership experience than many in our state government right now. Of course, her years of service don't make her always right.

But they do make her worthy of our respect.

So before you decide to dress up your challenge of her policies with a smart alec dismissal of her very person, I urge you to ask yourself why. Robust policy debate is a good and necessary thing. Agree or disagree with the recent mask ordinance. Agree or disagree with her policies in any number of areas. But if you wouldn't condescendingly label other leaders based upon their gender, or age, or race, you need to cease and desist with the Governor Memaw business.

If you dont, your Memaw needs to take you to the woodshed for being a hypocrite.
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VAALCO Energy, Inc. (NYSE:EGY) shareholders will doubtless be very grateful to see the share price up 45% in the last quarter. But that doesn't change the reality of under-performance over the last twelve months. After all, the share price is down 34% in the last year, significantly under-performing the market.

Check out our latest analysis for VAALCO Energy

VAALCO Energy isn't currently profitable, so most analysts would look to revenue growth to get an idea of how fast the underlying business is growing. When a company doesn't make profits, we'd generally expect to see good revenue growth. That's because fast revenue growth can be easily extrapolated to forecast profits, often of considerable size.

In just one year VAALCO Energy saw its revenue fall by 14%. That looks pretty grim, at a glance. The stock price has languished lately, falling 34% in a year. What would you expect when revenue is falling, and it doesn't make a profit? It's hard to escape the conclusion that buyers must envision either growth down the track, cost cutting, or both.

The company's revenue and earnings (over time) are depicted in the image below (click to see the exact numbers).

If you are thinking of buying or selling VAALCO Energy stock, you should check out this FREE detailed report on its balance sheet.

A Different Perspective

VAALCO Energy shareholders are down 34% for the year, but the market itself is up 11%. However, keep in mind that even the best stocks will sometimes underperform the market over a twelve month period. Unfortunately, last year's performance may indicate unresolved challenges, given that it was worse than the annualised loss of 3.6% over the last half decade. Generally speaking long term share price weakness can be a bad sign, though contrarian investors might want to research the stock in hope of a turnaround. While it is well worth considering the different impacts that market conditions can have on the share price, there are other factors that are even more important. Consider risks, for instance. Every company has them, and we've spotted 2 warning signs for VAALCO Energy you should know about.

Story continues

If you would prefer to check out another company -- one with potentially superior financials -- then do not miss this free list of companies that have proven they can grow earnings.

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.
Nine universities in the UK rely on Chinese student for more than a fifth of their total tuition income, it has been revealed.

The startling numbers come as ministers brace themselves for a reduction in the 120,000 Chinese students on British soil next year as tensions rise with Beijing.

This morning, China warned British businesses 'retaliation is coming' and they could be 'in the firing line' after the UK banned Huawei from the nation's 5G network.

Ministers fear a retaliation in the education sector as well, with less Chinese students expected to join British universities next year.

New data shows the extent to which universities across the country are reliant on Chinese students, with the University of Glasgow topping the league table.

Nine universities in the UK rely on Chinese student for more than 20 per cent of their total tuition income, it has been revealed. Pictured: the University of Glasgow is most proportionally reliant, with a staggering 31 per cent of all tuition fees coming from students from the Asian country

The University of Liverpool relies on Chinese students for 29 per cent of its tuition fees, making an estimated 89million in income from Chinese students

New data shows the extent to which universities across the country are reliant on Chinese students (stock photo)

The UK has more Chinese students than any other country and they account for 1.7billion in tuition fees every year.

University College London tops the list as the university taking in the most income from Chinese students at 127million, followed by the University of Manchester at 110million.

But in terms of the proportion of tuition income paid by Chinese students, the University of Glasgow is most reliant, with a staggering 31 per cent of all tuition fees coming from students from the Asian country.

The University of Liverpool follows closely at 29 per cent, while the University of Sheffield comes in at third with 26 per cent.

University College London tops the list as the university taking in the most income from Chinese students at 127million. Pictured: The university's Pearson building

The top ten universities that rely most on Chinese students 1) University of Glasgow 31% of total tuition income paid by Chinese students 70million estimated income from Chinese students 10% of students from China 2) University of Liverpool 29% of total tuition income paid by Chinese students 89million estimated income from Chinese students 19% of students from China 3) University of Sheffield 26% of total tuition income paid by Chinese students 85million estimated income from Chinese students 16% of students from China 4) Imperial College London 23% of total tuition income paid by Chinese students 73million estimated income from Chinese students 14% of students from China 5) University of Manchester 23% of total tuition income paid by Chinese students 110million estimated income from Chinese students 14% of students from China 6) University College London 23% of total tuition income paid by Chinese students 127million estimated income from Chinese students 15% of students from China 7) University of Warwick 22% of total tuition income paid by Chinese students 76million estimated income from Chinese students 12% of students from China 8) University of Birmingham 22% of total tuition income paid by Chinese students 77million estimated income from Chinese students 12% of students from China 9) Edinburgh University 20% of total tuition income paid by Chinese students 71million estimated income from Chinese students 10% of students from China 10) University of Leeds 19% of total tuition income paid by Chinese students 77million estimated income from Chinese students 11% of students from China Source: The Sunday Times Advertisement

Imperial College London, the University of Manchester and University College London make up the next three down the table, all relying on Chinese students for 23 per cent of their income.

The Universities of Warwick and Birmingham both rely on Chinese students for 20 per cent of their tuition income.

And the University of Leeds is the tenth most reliant university, taking in 19 per cent of its tuition fess from Chinese students.

A minister told The Sunday Times last week that officials were 's******g themselves' at the prospect of less Chinese students joining British universities.

The UK has more Chinese students than any other country and they account for 1.7billion in tuition fees every year

Nick Hillman, director of the Higher Education Policy Institute, said: 'Not only are university finances threatened by the withdrawal of Chinese investment.

'It also means they would struggle to pay for research, which is a fundamental part of what makes our universities so attractive.'

The threat of Chinese withdrawal of investment in British universities' research comes after it emerged that Beijing could target British businesses operating in China today.

Leaders of UK businesses in Beijing were summoned to a meeting where they were apparently told by a Chinese government official that their operations could suffer because of growing tensions with Britain.

It is thought some of the UK's biggest companies on the world stage like Jaguar Land Rover, BP and GlaxoSmithKline could all be targeted.

Liu Xiaoming, China's Ambassador to the UK, said last week that Chinese businesses could pull out of Britain following the Huawei decision.

He said 'the way you treat Huawei will be followed very closely by other Chinese businesses' and that the decision had 'undermined the trust between the two countries'.

The move comes after ministers announced last week that Huaweii was being excluded from British 5G infrastructure, with all of its equipment to be stripped out by 2027 over security concerns.
Officials in then Gov. John Hickenloopers administration helped an influential Colorado Springs nonprofit privately lobby a member of the state mining board to kill plans for a granite quarry, setting up a secret briefing that legal experts described as a potential violation of state law and that proponents of the quarry believe doomed their chances at success.

In the end, the proposed quarry in southwest El Paso County was sidelined, dashing the hopes of those who argued it would deliver the county jobs, decrease construction costs across the West and generate millions of dollars in new revenue to school districts in the state.

State records show that members of the board of the Colorado Springs-based El Pomar Foundation, among the largest nonprofits in the state, relied on relationships with officials in the Hickenlooper administration to privately press their case that a permit for the quarry, at Hitch Rack Ranch south of Colorado Springs, should be denied due to environmental concerns.

After the Colorado Mined Land Reclamation Board rejected the permit, lawyers for the applicant, Chicago-based Transit Mix Concrete, alleged in a private demand letter threatening a lawsuit that El Pomars backdoor lobbying of the Hickenlooper administration subverted the legal hearing process and exerted undue influence on deliberations. El Pomar ended up paying a confidential $15 million settlement to Transit Mixs parent company after the demand letter was sent to the foundations board, according to six people familiar with the negotiations.

Among the officials in the Hickenlooper administration who listened privately, outside the view of the public, to the concerns of El Pomar, was Colorado Natural Resources Executive Director Bob Randall, a key state official who also was a member of the state board that would decide the fate of the project, records show.

Randall, a member of Hickenloopers Cabinet, also scheduled policy matter discussions on the Hitch Rack quarry with other top Hickenlooper officials, including Hickenloopers Chief of Staff Patrick Meyers, Hickenloopers chief legal counsel, Jacki Cooper Melmed, and Lt. Gov. Donna Lynne, state records show.

Randall originally expressed support for the quarry, but reversed his stance when he voted, though he denies his private discussions with an El Pomar official and Hickenlooper administration officials swayed his vote and also contends his discussions were legal. He cast the deciding vote in April 2018 when the Colorado Mined Land Reclamation Board denied, on a 3-to-2 vote, a permit for the quarry, quashing a Chicago firms hopes of generating hundreds of millions of dollars in quarry revenue over 40 years.

The private discussions on the quarry permit Randall held with El Pomar and officials in the Hickenlooper administration occurred despite a state law barring the state mining board from considering in its deliberations ex parte communications, or communications from one party to the quarry permit application without the other party being present or being notified.

El Pomar Senior Vice President and general counsel Maureen Lawrence said in the statement that the foundations opposition to the quarry stemmed from its commitment to protect, enhance and promote awareness of the beautiful natural assets of the Pikes Peak region along with the fact the foundation had been gifted land adjacent to the Hitch Rack Ranch. She did not respond to specific questions about the communications between El Pomar officials and Hickenlooper administration officials, but in her statement she said that the foundation acted appropriately in all facets of this matter relating to the development of an open quarry on the Hitch Rack Ranch.

There are good reasons why the law bars ex parte communications for state agency boards that must rule on divisive subjects, said Justin Pidot, a professor at the University of Arizona school of law and former deputy solicitor for land resources for the U.S. Department of Interior in the Obama administration.

The core issue is that the parties have a right to understand the material and have a right to cross-examine proponents of information and understand the basis of an agencys decision, said Pidot, who from 2011 to 2019 was a professor at the University of Denvers school of law and also is a former appellate litigator in the U.S. Justice Department on environmental issues.

He added that the state law barring ex parte communications doesnt just ensure fairness during a state boards proceedings. The prohibition also is meant to ensure that theres a record that accurately reflects the agency decision so a court can review it.

If an agency based a decision on something submitted ex parte then a court cant later examine that and test it to determine if what was presented is legally adequate, Pidot said. You want agencies acting in a fashion that is sufficiently transparent so that if a judge later gets involved, the judge can decide what is legal and what is not legal.

Another legal expert on administrative state agencies agreed with Pidots analysis, though he asked to not be identified.

Pidot said Randalls discussion with Kyle Hybl, then El Pomars president and chief operating officer and a vocal opponent, appeared to be a clear violation of the prohibition on ex parte communication, but discussions Randall had with other officials in the governors office about the quarry permit application are murkier. Case law is less settled on whether such discussions with the governors staff would be allowed because the governor has executive authority to allow Cabinet-level discussions with a voting board member, Pidot said.

Randall, in an interview, said he recalled that at the time he took the private briefing on the quarry from Hybl, the permit application had not yet been scheduled for a hearing before the board. The technical team at his agency still was reviewing the merits of the application, giving him the ability to hear an opponents concerns despite the law barring ex parte communications, he said.

Its not a ripe matter for the board at that point, Randall said. As an executive member of the department I would meet with proponents and opponents not infrequently. That is part of the business of state department heads. Thats part of the business to resolve matters.

Records show that Transit Mix had filed its application for a permit in November 2017, nearly three months before Kyle Hybl privately briefed Randall. By February 2018, the issue had become so divisive that the department he heads had received more than 567 comment letters. In April, the departments technical team recommended approval of the quarry permit.

Randall said nobody in the Hickenlooper administration, including the governor, directed his vote against the permit for the quarry.

I based my vote in opposition on the information presented at the hearing, said Randall, who is now a lawyer in private practice.

The Colorado Supreme Court has found violations of the law barring state boards from ex parte communications serious enough to set aside a state boards orders and require a new board hearing.

In 1975, the Colorado Supreme Court set aside the Colorado Unemployment Commissions denial of unemployment benefits for an employee of Anheuser-Busch after finding that a commissioner held a private phone call with the employer on the merits of the case.

In another case, in 1981, involving a gas providers challenge of a ruling from the Colorado Utility Commission, the Colorado Supreme Court issued an opinion stating, we have no doubt that questionable ex parte exchanges between an advocate and an adjudicatory tribunal may not arbitrarily be screened from appellate scrutiny.

Details of Randalls private discussion with Kyle Hybl werent revealed at the time of the hearing and werent discovered and documented by Transit Mix and its lawyers until months after the state boards official vote.

Key players who ruled on the permit said they werent aware of the private briefing at the time. Karin Utterback-Norman, a member of the state mining board who voted in favor of the quarry permit, said in an interview this month that she never knew that Randall had been briefed by the opposition prior to the board hearing and vote.

Although El Pomars opposition was widely known, officials with the foundation did not testify during the hearing, choosing instead to submit written comments against the quarry permit.

The discussion Randall had with Hybl and several other discussions between Randall and other high-ranking officials in the Hickenlooper administration were revealed in a stream of emails lawyers for the quarry applicant, Transit Mix Concrete, obtained through a Colorado Open Records Act request after the denial of the permit.

Six sources have confirmed that the lawyer for Transit Mix used the details contained in the state emails to press El Pomar for a multimillion dollar payment, threatening litigation on behalf of Transit Mix. The firms lawyers alleged the secret meetings and communications by El Pomar with the Hickenlooper administration amounted to undue influence restricting the free flow of commerce.

The lawyers for Transit Mix contended in a private demand, contained in a thumb drive and sent to El Pomar board members, that top officials at the nonprofit foundation should not have asked officials in the Hickenlooper administration to help in the attempt to kill efforts to obtain a permit for the quarry. The demand for a settlement included details about El Pomars lobbying campaign of the Hickenlooper administration as detailed in the emails, according to people familiar with the demand.

One individual familiar with the negotiations said Transit Mixs lawyer, John Cook, sought $40 million from El Pomar to head off litigation over the matter.

Randall, the head of the department of natural resources and a member of the board that denied the permit, was seen in the lobby refreshment area at the Colorado Springs hotel where the hearing on the permit was held, talking with an El Pomar official and a developer moments before the final day of the hearing began, according to notes detailing concerns a Transit Mix lawyer later raised.

The notes, which were reviewed by The Gazette, state that Cook later told Transit Mix officials he had evidence that Randall conversed in the hotel lobby area moments before the final day of the hearing with R. Thayer Tutt Jr., the chief investment officer for El Pomar, and developer Warren Dean, who hired a consultant to fight the quarry who spent more than two decades working for the state mining division. In a split vote, the mining board rejected the permit later that day after meeting twice in executive session for board members to discuss matters outside the view of the public. Those voting against the permit said they were swayed by concerns the quarry would harm groundwater quality in the area.

Randall said he did talk to Tutt and Dean, two avowed opponents of the quarry, on the day of the hearing, but not about the merits of the quarry. He said the discussions were merely small talk, including about mountain biking. He said he received no communication from the governor about the quarry the day of the hearing. Tutt and Dean did not return telephone messages seeking comment.

Five individuals familiar with the matters confirmed that the board of directors of El Pomar eventually approved a confidential $15 million payment in 2019. Transit Mix agreed as part of the settlement to not renew its efforts for a permit for the Hitch Rack Ranch quarry, one person familiar with the negotiations said. The people familiar with the deliberations asked that their names not be revealed due to the sensitivity of the matters involved.

Asked about the payment by The Gazette, El Pomar issued a statement that didnt acknowledge or deny the payment and said it would not comment about any alleged agreement with Transit Mix. Lawrence, the El Pomar general counsel, added these additional comments: The mining permit matter related to the Hitch Rack Ranch was decided over two years ago, after the state of Colorado rejected the permit application for a second time because it failed to protect groundwater quantity and the hydrologic balance in the area. El Pomar Foundation was one of hundreds of individuals and organizations from the community to publicly oppose the development of an open quarry mine on the historic ranch which features abundant wildlife, beautiful pasture land, ponderosa forest and several ponds and creeks.

Hickenlooper, who no longer is governor and is running for the seat held by U.S. Sen. Cory Gardner, denied through a campaign spokesman having a role in influencing the board vote.

Gov. Hickenlooper did not weigh in on the decision made by the independent Mined Land Reclamation Board, and that insinuation is another unfounded attack, said Mellissa Miller, the communications director for the Hickenlooper campaign.

The Gazette learned about the private discussions and the El Pomar payment through individuals familiar with the details. The newspaper also obtained 81 pages of the state email communications and calendars and agendas for some of the meetings the Hickenlooper administration held with El Pomar officials by filing its own open records requests with the Colorado Department of Natural Resources and the governors office, though the records obtained were not a comprehensive account.

Additional records, more than 120 pages, released from the governors office to Transit Mix in 2018, were purged in the transition from the Hickenlooper administration to the incoming administration of Gov. Jared Polis, according to an official who worked in both administrations. The records were destroyed in violation of the states records management manual, which requires state agencies to keep for two years documents provided in response to an open records request.

The proposed quarry was one of the most hotly debated issues in El Paso County in recent years. On one side was Transit Mix Concrete, a Chicago firm that had angered Colorado Springs residents who said the company had left unsightly scars in the Pikes Peak foothills at gravel mines it owned.

Supporting Transit Mixs case for a new granite quarry were key Republicans who agreed to lobby on the firms behalf, and also Cindi Allmendinger, a retired school teacher who had agreed to lease her land south of Colorado Springs to Transit Mix for a new granite mining operation.

Transit Mix and Allmendinger pointed out the quarry wouldnt generate just a stream of revenue for them. The quarry also would yield millions of dollars in mineral royalties for public schools and ensure low-cost aggregate and concrete for roads and other construction in Colorado, they said. They hoped to mine the quarry for 40 years, with the quarry generating as much as $750,000 annually in royalty revenue for school districts in the state, according to one state analysis.

Their plans drew the opposition of several environmental groups as well as El Pomar, which had been gifted about 150 acres adjacent to the Hitch Rack Ranch for an eventual nature preserve from property owned by Harold Buck Ingersoll, who died in 2015, and his wife, Barbara. Also opposed were some wealthy homeowners, 13 of whom lived within a mile of the proposed quarry. El Pomars statement noted the gift of the land and said the foundations commitment to protect the environmental integrity of the Ingersoll Ranch and fulfill the donors wishes drove our decision to oppose the quarry mine, which we felt was incompatible with those goals. The statement further added that the foundation remains heartened that there is no mining operation on the site today, and we are not aware of any proposals to do so in the future.

El Pomar is among the largest nonprofit foundations in the state. It was established by Spencer Penrose, who died in 1939 after making a fortune in the mining business and contributing to many Colorado Springs landmarks, including his construction of The Broadmoor hotel. In 2019, El Pomar reported assets in excess of $560 million and reported handing out in 2018 more than $17.2 million in charitable grants and contributions to organizations throughout Colorado.

Members of the El Pomar board are politically active. Bill Hybl, who stepped down as CEO of El Pomar Foundation in February 2019 but remains chairman of the board, contributed $1,050 in 2010 and $1,100 in 2012 to Hickenloopers gubernatorial campaigns, though he has much more often financed the political campaigns of Republican candidates. His son, Kyle Hybl, who replaced his father as CEO of the foundation, was an elected member of the Board of Regents for the University of Colorado system from 2007 through 2018, serving two stints as chairman. That board is responsible for hiring the universitys president, setting tuition rates and approving the systems nearly $5 billion budget.

Allmendinger said she found El Pomars opposition to the quarry cynical, saying that the foundation acted as if its a solid do-gooder in the community while it took a stance that in the end blocked her private property rights.

I feel thats business as usual in Colorado Springs, Allmendinger said. Its not fair. Theres a good old boys club here, and if youre out, theres no business that happens. Its strange that a property owner of just 150 acres was able to block something that was such a benefit to everyone in Colorado Springs and maintain so much control over the process.

She said she believes the private communications El Pomar held with Hickenlooper officials tilted the playing field in El Pomars favor.

Before this I expected the system to play by the rules, said Allmendinger, who said she didnt receive money from the settlement between Transit Mix and El Pomar, but was aware of the negotiations. I expected a fair game. It feels wrong to learn this process might have been tainted by what appears to be backdoor dealings.

James Gidwitz, a Chicago resident and the owner of Transit Mix, declined comment, saying he did not want to revisit what he considered a painful episode that impacted his business.

Transit Mix was owned by Chicago-based Continental Materials, which reported in a government filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission that the company had reached a settlement agreement in January 2019 to resolve a business dispute. Under the terms of the settlement, Continental Materials was paid $15 million, with no admission of wrongdoing from either party, the filing states.

El Pomar has not yet submitted its IRS form 990 for that particular year.

Continental Materials has since sold Transit Mix to Aggregate Industries-WCR, a Colorado company, and the efforts to seek another permit to mine Hitch Rack Ranch quarry have not been pursued.

Back in 2018, Transit Mixs permit application to mine Hitch Rack Ranch quarry won the support of the staff at the Colorado Division of Reclamation, Mining and Safety in the Department of Natural Resources, which recommended that the state mining board approve the permit. But Randall, the member of that board and the executive director at the Department of Natural Resources, would end up, when the matter came up for a board vote, bucking the recommendation of his staff.

Emails show that months before he voted, Randall agreed to hear from an El Pomar official about El Pomars concerns over the quarry.

Jamie Van Leeuwen, at that time Hickenloopers senior adviser, on Dec. 23, 2017, sent an email to Randall, thanking him for a great conversation yesterday about Hitch Rack Ranch. Van Leeuwen also states in the email, that per our conversation I am looping you in with my two dear friends, identifying both Kyle and Bill Hybl, and copying them on the email.

Any wise advice or consult you could offer would be most appreciated! Van Leeuwens email to Randall reads. I will turn over to you all and lets go take it from there.

After that introduction, Kyle Hybl reached out by email four days later to Randall asking for a call, or, if preferable, an in-person meeting on January 8, 2018. Randall replied back to Kyle Hybl in an email, copied to others, including Bill Hybl, that hopefully we can find a time that works.

On New Years Day, Randall sent an email to Kyle Hybl, setting up a meeting by telephone for later that week, stating that he would ask Ginny Brannon, the Department of Natural Resources director of the Division of Reclamation, Mining and Safety, to attend. Also copied on that email was Bill Hybl and Van Leeuwen.

In April of that year, Randall cast the deciding vote as a member of the Colorado Mined Land Reclamation Board denying Transit Mixs permit application.

The communications between Hybl and Randall werent the only El Pomar communications tracked in the state emails obtained by The Gazette.

Other email communications provided to The Gazette show that Kyle Hybl also asked Meyers, Hickenloopers chief of staff, and Melmed, Hickenloopers chief legal counsel, to hear his concerns, and that those two Hickenlooper staffers met with Hybl and R. Thayer Tutt Jr. Melmed then relayed Hybls concerns to Randall, alerting him of arguments from an opponent of the quarry without the company seeking the permit having a chance to review or rebut those arguments.

Kyle Hybl, in a series of emails in December 2017 and January 2018 to Meyers and Van Leeuwen, asked them to address a matter of potential interest to the governor, and detailed for them El Pomars objections to the quarry. The emails included a draft video he said had been prepared in opposition to the quarry.

In one email to Hybl in late February, Meyers wrote: Kyle, we never spoke on this. Given that the permit is pending, were pretty limited but happy to talk if youd like. In previous emails sent before that one, Meyers had agreed to review material Hybl had sent by email and also agreed to get back to him.

In a March 2018 email, Meyers agreed to set up a meeting between himself, Tutt, Kyle Hybl and Melmed to discuss the quarry. In a March 9 email, Kyle Hybl thanked Meyers and Melmed for meeting with him and Tutt to go over their concerns. Hybl went on to detail in the email a host of El Pomar concerns about the quarry.

We would respectfully request the governors various agencies make a full and complete examination of the proposed quarry and its impacts, Hybl asked in that email.

A clear and transparent review by the governor and the governors agencies will reveal how disturbing and damaging Transit Mixs application is, he further said in the email.

Melmed on March 18, 2018, forwarded to Randall an email from Kyle Hybl, detailing Hybls concerns, and asked Randall in her own email to review the material and let her know his thoughts. Please keep this email between us for now, but you can discuss the position he takes below with anyone you think is necessary, Melmed wrote to Randall. Im mostly interested in the way he characterizes process here.

Randall replied by email a little over a week later to Melmed, telling her he was a voting member of the board that would decide the quarry permit and telling her that his staff, including five environmental protection specialists, who reviewed the permit, would recommend approval of the permit during the hearing.

I take issue with Mr. Hybls assertion that agencies within DNR have failed to perform a sufficient examination of the proposed quarry, Randall wrote in the email to Melmed.

The governors office, when it responded in 2018 to Transit Mixs open records request, redacted the emails between Melmed and Randall but eventually relented and released those emails after Transit Mix threatened to go to court for their release, records show. Melmed, who declined comment for this article, has continued as chief legal counsel in the Polis administration. Meyers could not be reached for comment.

Theres nothing untoward about her asking me to answer questions shes received, Randall said in an interview. She was just saying, Help me understand this.

On April 12, Randall was scheduled to hold a meeting with top officials in Hickenloopers office, the records show. The agenda for the meeting states those expected to attend the meeting with Randall were Lt. Gov. Donna Lynne; her chief of staff, David Padrino; Hickenloopers chief of staff, Meyers and Hickenloopers deputy chief of staff, Amy Venturi.

The draft agenda for the meeting states the fourth item that will be discussed will be policy matters, regarding Hitch Rack quarry, which was identified as the only policy matter to be discussed.

Randall, in an interview, said he recalled scheduling that meeting as a courtesy to Hickenloopers staff to give them a heads up that the quarry vote was coming up in a couple of weeks. He denied that Hickenlooper officials pressured him during the meeting to vote against the quarry permit.

It was a significant public debate, he recalled. You dont want the governors office blindsided.

Randall said in an interview that his eventual vote against the permit for the quarry was based solely on what was presented during the boards hearing and was not based on what was discussed in the meeting with Lynne and Hickenloopers staff or earlier discussion with El Pomar officials or state officials.

Since the rejection of the quarry permit, the producer price of mined granite, the type of material the quarry would have produced, has increased by more than 10%. Allmendinger and supporters of the permit say that price would be significantly less if the quarry permit had been approved.

The quality of material elsewhere, as I understand it, is not as good a quality as we would have produced, Allmendinger said. And there also is not as much material on the market now as there would have been.

As the price of granite has shot up, El Pomar has approached Allmendinger and asked if she has interest in selling her familys ranch to the foundation. She said that after the mining board rejected the permit, an El Pomar official toured the ranch and offered to have the foundation buy her out for what she considered a low-ball offer. She said that when she has pushed back for a higher price, El Pomar officials and their lawyer have told her that the land isnt very valuable because theyve successfully blocked her efforts to have it mined.

Gazette writer and editor Tom Roeder contributed to this report.
NSW Labor members who produce evidence of branch stacking in one of its western Sydney electorates will be given a 12-month amnesty from expulsion or suspension from the party.

The party's head office will also do a sweeping membership audit of the Granville electorate in the wake of a branch stacking scandal which forced MP Julia Finn to stand down from the frontbench.

Labor member for Granville Julia Finn has stepped down as she tries to clear her name of branch stacking allegations. Credit:Christopher Pearce

Labor's powerful administrative committee agreed at its July meeting to offer protection from disciplinary action "for members who come forward with honest and direct evidence about the falsification of branch records" in several of the party's Granville branches.

"An audit of party membership in the Granville state electorate will take place to establish the bona fides of members ... and to examine branch membership anomalies and irregularities in accordance with the NSW and national rules," the committee also resolved.
TRENTON  The death of civil rights champion John Lewis has reverberated across America, including here in New Jersey.

When I came to Congress, one of my greatest joys was the opportunity to serve alongside John Lewis, Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman said of her late colleague. Just seeing him in a meeting or on the House floor brought me awe and appreciation. I have said this over and over, but he is one of my heroes, and without him we have lost one of our greatest voices for what is right, what is just, and what represents progress for this country. My heart is broken.

A pioneer of the 1960s Civil Rights Movement who served in the U.S. House of Representatives since 1987, Congressman Lewis of Atlanta died Friday following a battle with pancreatic cancer.

Gov. Phil Murphy on Saturday signed an executive order for American and New Jersey flags to be flown at half-staff at all state buildings and facilities in recognition of Lewis. The flags will remain at half-staff from Saturday until the date of the congressmans interment.

Murphy described Lewis as a true American icon.

For 60 years, from his seat among the Freedom Riders to his seat in the U.S. House of Representatives, John Lewis stirred the soul of America to live up to our greatest ideals of equality, Murphy said Saturday in a press statement. In each and every action, large and small, John Lewis was the conscience of our nation. When he spoke, it was with authority and compassion.

U.S. Sen. Bob Menendez also weighed in, saying, Today is a sad day for America.

John was a trailblazer who paved the way for Black Americans and other minority groups in this country, the senior senator from New Jersey said Saturday in a press statement. When they felt voiceless, he was their voice and champion. And I know if it wasnt for his leadership and unwillingness to back down from a fight, I wouldnt be a U.S. Senator today.

Racist mobs attacked Lewis and his fellow Freedom Riders in 1961, subjecting them to physical violence in the South. He never wavered in his activism and became one of the six leaders who organized the March on Washington in 1963, where Dr. Marin Luther King Jr. delivered his famous I Have a Dream speech.

Lewis, then 23, was the youngest speaker to address the March on Washington.

On March 7, 1965, Lewis led over 600 marchers in a peaceful march across the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, Alabama, where Alabama State Troopers subjected them to police brutality. Lewis suffered severe injuries, including skull fractures, in the Bloody Sunday attack.

More recently, Lewis visited Trenton in 2012 to talk about marriage equality at a time when then-Gov. Chris Christie called for a voter referendum to determine whether same-sex couples had a legal right to get married in New Jersey.

Lewis died Friday at the age of 80.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi achieved yet another milestone when his Twitter handle crossed 60 million followers on Sunday.

PM Modi is one of the most followed world leaders on social media and his popularity continues to soar.

PM Modi started using Twitter in 2009 when he was the Gujarat chief minister. In 2010, he had one lakh followers. His follower count had reached four lakh in November, 2011.

PM Modi uses the platform to connect with his followers and make political statements.

In March, PM Modi had said in one of his cryptic tweets that he is thinking about giving up his social media accounts. That turned out to be his way of celebrating Womens Day (on March 8). At that time, he had 53.3 million followers on Twitter.

His account was managed by seven women achievers on Womens Day.

Combined with his Facebook profile and YouTube channel, PM Modis messages gwt massive reach among the audience. He has used these social media platforms for Clean India campaign, women safety, and also to give up subsidy for the Ujjwala programme of the government which provides subsidised cooking gas to financially weaker sections.

He has also used the platform extensively to inform people about the steps the government is taking to stop the spread of the coronavirus disease.

In 2018, an international survey ranked PM Modi among the top three leaders of the world.

Former US President Barak Obama has retained the top spot with over 120 million followers. His successor and current US President Donald Trump has close to 84 million followers.
The number of Covid-19 clusters in Ireland has jumped again to beyond the 2,000 mark with close contact responsible for most of the infection groups.

As the National Public Health Emergency Team warned this week about a new surge in cases, latest published official figures show that there were 2,101 clusters notified to health authorities by July 15.

From Sunday, July 12 Wednesday, July 15 an extra 168 clusters were identified. Almost half of these cases were confirmed between Tuesday and Wednesday.

The number of clusters in Ireland has risen substantially through June and July.

Since the start of June, 1,229 new clusters case were identified. Just 86 clusters emerged between March 16 and May 30. The number has increased at a fast rate since late June.

On June 21, 1,100 had been identified. This has almost doubled within a month to 2,101 in the past week.

Travel abroad was responsible for half cluster in March. Travel bans have led to just 2% clusters being due to overseas trips at present. Community transmission was responsible for nearly 70% of clusters in early April but this has since dropped back to a third of clusters due to lockdown and other restrictions.

Close contact makes up almost two-thirds of clusters - rising steadily since late May. Close contact was responsible for just 20% of cases in March.

A confirmed cluster/outbreak involves contact with two or more cases of laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 infection regardless of symptom status. This includes cases with symptoms and cases who are asymptomatic.

A confirmed cluster can also be contacted with two or more cases of illness with symptoms consistent with COVID-19 infection, and at least one person is a confirmed case of COVID-19.

A suspected cluster/outbreak involves two or more cases of illness with symptoms consistent with COVID-19 infection.

The figures are prepared by the Ordnance Survey Ireland, the All-Island Research Observatory, the Health Protection Surveillance Centre, the Health Service Executive, the Central Statistics Office and the Department of Health.

DETAILED DATA TAP HERE

Know the symptoms of COVID-19. They are:

a fever (high temperature - 38 degrees Celsius or above)

a cough - this can be any kind of cough, not just dry

shortness of breath or breathing difficulties

loss or change to your sense of smell or taste

flu like symptoms

If you have symptoms, self-isolate and contact your GP immediately.
In the Indian context over the past few years, there has been a lot of buzz around Fintech, Neo-Banks, open banking, API Banking et and it suffices to say that we are at an inflection point.

For the longest period of time in human history, it was believed that Earth was the center of the universe until a scientist named Copernicus challenged the priori notion to set in motion the theory that offered an alternate world view and changed the way we understood the universe.

You may ask whats the relevance of this to banking?

Well, a renowned VC from the Valley, compares this to the older beliefs in banking, like banks wanting to own all customers, serve all categories, manufacture all products etc, are more likely to be destroyed in the near future much like how Copernicus destroyed a 1,500-year-old belief.

In the Indian context over the past few years, there has been a lot of buzz around Fintech, Neo-Banks, open banking, API Banking et all and it suffices to say that we are at an inflection point with the confluence of robust regulatory framework aided by a sustained creation of digital infrastructure as a public good and a nascent, yet thriving, entrepreneurial ecosystem makes it a great pedestal for an exciting phase of growth over the next decade.

Where does this leave the banks and other regulated entities, will they be disrupted or will they reinvent themselves to be the disruptor or due to the regulatory moat, will banks become the new arms dealers?

While there is no textbook definition of Neo Banks, they have morphed into different avatars in different parts of the world. In most parts of Europe where the payments experience is broken, Neo Banks or Challenger banks took a licensing route to offer financial services products aimed at serving customers with mobile as the branch, teller and customer service desk. So most aspects that one would otherwise do from a bank branch, could be serviced from the phone.

While the Neo Banks in Europe have had a great run in the past few years, they are yet to become profitable and have recently started serving other products like insurance, investments etc meaningfully.

In the US though, the license is far and few in-between. The national charter for a country-wide banking license is very limited, thereby, many Neo Banks have collaborated with incumbent small banks by renting out their license and have been able to roll out innovative banking products similar to their European counterparts.

Similarly, Neo Banks in Brazil have scaled to over several million customers before taking a license from the regulator. In most of the western markets described above, the fundamental problem solving of Neo Banks centered on taking a mobile-first approach and making payments more efficient.

In the Indian context, as an ecosystem, we have done very well on payments in general in urban centers. Access to mobile data and the larger push from the government around DBT and JAM trinity augurs well for the adoption of banking services at all levels and beyond the urban locations. Coupled with this, the regulators have been measured in awarding new bank licenses.

So, where does this leave Neo Banks in India?

It is clear that Neo Banks in India will have to work with incumbent banks. It is also clear that as an ecosystem we have made extremely good progress with payments and many of the incumbent banks in India offer products that are best in class and are catching up with some of the most innovative products offered worldwide. Hence, Neo Banks will have razor-focus in identifying and solving issues for very niche customer segments like -

Students/millennials:

Here, the concept is to build the whole product around experiences, offers and something the young adult segment will relate to. Also to inculcate saving habits and provide sachet investment products.

Blue-collar Neo Banks:

These Neo Banks will aim to solve financial service access for people in a segment that is typically not eligible for loans, create financial literacy tools that are served on mobile as video content and in local languages so that barriers to seeking advice get blown away.

SME Neo Banks:

These will aim to serve the burgeoning SME segment with banking products aimed at making it easy for them to manage their business and help get access to finance, insurance and investment products.

And there can be a farmer Neo Bank, fisheries Neo Bank, trucker Neo Bank, etc - each of which will identify customer cohorts and build products that address the challenges faced by them and offer financial products that will make their better.

Given the fact that there is heightened activity around new companies in other financial services industries like insurance that are building out sachet products aimed at better serving these customer cohorts, we are entering a golden period in broader financial services access. Much like how humankind eventually reckoned that the sun as the center of the universe, rightfully, we will have customers at the center of banking - we are super excited about the ensuing decade and Neo Banks are here to stay.

This article is written by Madhusudanan R, Co-Founder, YAP.
(CNN) -- President Donald Trump says his reelection campaign will hold telephone town halls to speak to supporters as the coronavirus pandemic has made holding large, in-person campaign rallies more difficult.

Trump held what was described as his "first ever TELE-Rally" on Friday, delivering 23 minutes of stream-of-consciousness remarks on a variety of topics, including his administration's Covid-19 response to criticisms of presumptive Democratic nominee Joe Biden.

"I wanted to be with you, and this is really replacing our rallies that we all love so much," Trump told supporters dialed into a telephone call, noting that, given the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, "we're doing really well with the therapeutics and vaccines, but until that gets solved it's going to be tough to have those big massive rallies, so I'm doing telephonic rallies, and we'll call them the Trump rallies, but we'll do it by telephone."

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The decision to hold a tele-rally comes on the heels of a Trump campaign rally in Tulsa, Oklahoma, that saw depressed turnout and forced the campaign to scrap outdoor remarks from the President at the last minute when supporters failed to materialize.

Another rally, scheduled for last weekend in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, was canceled shortly before it was set to happen due to weather concerns, and it has yet to be officially rescheduled. Tulsa saw a surge in Covid-19 cases following the President's rally while several staffers were forced to quarantine after eight campaign staffers on the ground tested positive for coronavirus.

Trump's remarks during the Wisconsin tele-rally were largely directed at Wisconsin voters, though the President departed from the script at times to offer race-based swipes at Biden, who he warned "wants to hurt the suburbs," by enforcing Obama-era housing regulations aimed at fighting segregation.

The President also took the opportunity to tout his administration's response to coronavirus, telling supporters on the line, "We've done a great job, gotten very little credit for it. They've given credit to other people, we've, who frankly had much less to do with it than we did," later adding, "Our testing program is the best in the world, we've tested almost 50 million people, and when you do that it's going to show more cases, and so we show more cases but it's still the right thing to do."

Visit CNN's Election Center for full coverage of the 2020 race

Trump drew fire last month for suggesting he'd asked officials to "slow down" testing, a claim staff dismissed as a joke (but he claimed was in earnest).

So far, the President has resisted the digital campaign trail, even as Biden has fully pivoted to a digital campaign operation, with Trump campaign communications director Tim Murtaugh telling CNN earlier this month, "There is nothing like a Donald Trump rally. It is a unique phenomenon in American political history; it is difficult to replicate that experience."

Still, the campaign has hinted that as coronavirus cases continue to rise nationwide, the campaign may have to rethink its strategy -- the President is scheduled to participate in his first digital fundraiser Tuesday, which he'll headline with Trump Victory finance committee national chair Kimberly Guilfoyle. The fundraiser comes after two months of being outraised by the Biden campaign, which deployed star-studded digital fundraisers at the outset of the coronavirus pandemic back in March.

This story was first published on CNN.com 'Donald Trump holds 'tele-rally' in campaign first amid coronavirus pandemic'
Amid the ongoing political drama in Rajasthan, Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on Saturday (July 18) met Governor Kalraj Mishra at Raj Bhavan in Jaipur and handed him a letter confirming that two MLAs of the Bharatiya Tribal Party (BTP) are backing his government.

"Governor Kalraj Mishra on Saturday evening met Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot in his official residence. It was a courtesy meeting. Mr Gehlot informed the Governor about the measures taken by the state government against the coronavirus pandemic. The meeting lasted 45 minutes," the Governor's office said in a Hindi statement.

A Raj Bhavan spokesperson said the meeting between CM Gehlot and Governor Mishra lasted for about 45 minutes and during the meeting CM Gehlot also briefed Governor Mishra about the steps taken by his government to curb the spread of coronavirus COVID-19 in Rajasthan.

Earlier on Saturday, the two BTP MLAs addressed a joint press conference with Rajasthan Congress chief Govind Singh Dotasara, announcing their support to CM Gehlot-led government.

"Both MLAs of the Bharatiya Tribal Party (BTP) announced their support to the government after meeting their state executive officials and discussing with their demands," Gehlot tweeted.

Meanwhile, BJP leader and former Rajasthan chief minister Vasundhara Raje broke her silence on the ongoing political crisis in the state and said, "It is unfortunate that the people of Rajasthan have to bear the brunt of the infighting in Congress...They are attempting to put the blame on BJP. Public interest should be paramount for the Rajasthan government, the Congress is trying to shift the blame on the BJP and the BJP leadership."

In 200-member Rajasthan Assembly, Congress currently has 107 MLAs, including Sachin Pilot and 18 other MLAs who have been issued notices of disqualification by Rajasthan Assembly Speaker CP Joshi on complaint by chief whip Mahesh Joshi.
The steel ministry has taken measures to arrest likely disruptions in iron ore supply and cut India's import dependence on select countries for coking coal, a key steel making raw material, says a report. In its Annual Report for Financial Year 2019-20, the ministry said the steel industry is facing challenges both in the short and as well as in the long term in terms of raw material security.

Therefore, the ministry is working to ensure raw material security for the sector, the report said.

Iron ore and coking coal are the two key raw materials used for steel making.

"A disruption in supply of 45-50 million tonnes (MT) iron ore is expected in 2020-21 owing to the expiry of about 37 working merchant mines (250+ mines in total) on March 31, 2020. The Ministry of Steel along with the Ministry of Mines has worked out a strategy to mitigate the likely shortfall," the report said.

Country's largest integrated steel producer SAIL was given permission to sell 70 million tonnes of low-grade fines lying at its mines. The company was also allowed to sell 25 per cent of the total fresh quantity mined from its captive mines.

Steel Authority of India Ltd (SAIL), under the Ministry of Steel, has over 20 captive mines spread across Jharkhand, Odisha, Chhattisgarh and West Bengal.

The ministry said it has also submitted a proposal to the Ministry of Mines for reducing the royalty on iron ore fines from the existing 15 per cent to 5 per cent in order to incentivise beneficiation and pelletisation as well as reduce the stockpile of low-grade fines dumped at mine heads. "Amendment made in Minerals (Mining by Government Company Rules) 2015 by the Ministry of Mines will help the steel CPSEs to get their mines renewed with certainty...," it said.

On supply of coking coal, the ministry said an attempt is being made to diversify the coking coal import sources by importing the fuel from countries like Russia and Mongolia.

The total import of coking coal in the country is about 56 million tonnes annually.

The ministry estimated its cost at about Rs 72,000 crore.

Out of 56 MT, about 45 MT is imported from Australia alone, while the remaining quantity is imported from South Africa, Canada and the USA. The ministry is in talks with Russia and Mongolia for supply of coking coal. This will provide India more options to source coking coal.

Meanwhile, SAIL has been granted renewal of its Tasra coking coal mine by the government of Jharkhand in November 2019.

Request has also been made to the Ministry of Coal to consider granting long term linkage of raw coking coal to SAIL from Kalyaneshwari coking coal block allocated to BCCL (Bharat Coking Coal Limited), a Coal India subsidiary. This coking coal shall be washed at SAIL's Chasnalla washery in Jharkhand.

"Ministry of Coal has also agreed to allocate through the reservation route, Rabodih and Rohne coking coal blocks to RINL and NMDC, respectively, for which these CPSEs shall be setting up washeries with 2.5 MTPA and 2.24 MTPA capacity, respectively," it said.
Parents, fearing their kids won't see the inside of a classroom this fall, are ginning up an alternative familiar to the Home Depot crowd: do it yourself.

Amid the pandemic, enterprising families, especially those with means, are hiring tutors on their own or in groups, or joining the already growing movement of home schooling. Their efforts include preschoolers, as well as elementary and beyond.

For five Los Angeles families, that has meant spending $22,500 in the last three months to create what they're calling a "micro-school" for their preschool aged kids. They hired an interior designer to build a makeshift classroom with an art pavilion at one of their homes and contracted the services of a local teacher to come three days a week. She creates bespoke lesson plans about age appropriate topics, like the alphabet and human emotions.

"This is healthier for the both of us," said Jodi Lederman, a single mom who sought out the alternative to her daughter's preschool to keep working as head of global communications for streaming service Pluto TV. Starting in September, the teacher will come Monday through Friday.

Weeks away from the start of the academic year, millions of families across the U.S. still don't know what school will look like this fall. U.S. Education Secretary Betsy DeVos said on Sunday it's not dangerous for children to be in school and threatened to withhold federal funding for districts that don't fully resume classes in schools. Health officials quickly pushed back, noting the science is murky, especially as Covid-19 surges in parts of the country.

Thus far, cities have taken varying approaches. Some, like Los Angeles, will be online only, while others, such as New York City, will attempt a hybrid model: Students will come in for class up to three days each week and study online for the rest of the time.

Outside the U.S., countries that have reopened schools have had mixed success. Denmark, the first European nation to send kids back to classrooms, hasn't seen a Covid spike since it resumed in-person learning in April. Israeli public health officials, however, blamed in-person learning for the country's latest wave of infections.

Back in the U.S., some parents with means aren't waiting to see what the fall will look like. In the last three months, Weekdays, a Seattle-based company that helps parents set up in-home day cares and schools, said it has helped organize 100 micro-schools around the country. "We've been overwhelmed with inquiries," Shauna Causey, Weekdays's founder, said.

The costs vary, but can run into the thousands of dollars each month. Some parents say they pay $100 to $200-an-hour for private tutors. On Weekdays and a similar service called School House, teachers are encouraged to set their own rates, but the organizations say the cost is comparable to day care.

Parents who can't afford additional child-care costs will have far fewer options this fall. In addition to the spotty plans for school reopenings, surveys have found that thousands of day-care centers have permanently closed due to the pandemic. A bill introduced to the U.S. Senate to provide $50 billion in grants for child-care providers has stalled.

Educational experts worry these class divides will exacerbate inequalities. In families who can't afford private child care, "those children are going to miss out on a lot of educational opportunities," said Simon Workman, director of early childhood policy at the Center for American Progress. "Or, the family is not going to be able to work-and that has a huge financial and economic impact."

Rather than send her daughter back on-site to Chicago Public Schools for second grade, Jenny Ludwig plans to keep her home for remote learning, which means putting her own career on hold so she can help monitor lessons. She already has a master's degree in English but was hoping to go back to school for social work. Her husband is a high school teacher, and what his work-life will look like this fall is unclear.

"Our kids learning remotely is better than our kids sick or dying," Ludwig said.

Just 3.3% of the 59 million school-aged children in the U.S. were home-schooled in 2016, but the Home School Legal Defense Association says it has seen a jump in membership recent months. HSLDA, which charges $130 a year for access to consultants and curriculum help, now has a record 85,000 members in the U.S.

Nicole De Los Reyes hasn't decided what she'll do for her stepchildren, ages 9 and 6, this fall. The project coordinator at a Portland law firm doesn't know if her family can handle another semester of virtual school for her first and fourth graders. Before the pandemic, De Los Reyes and her husband spent $400 per month for an after school program, for which they also received financial aid. Now, finding a full-time option in her budget is proving difficult.

"My stepdaughter is starting out her educational career really far behind," De Los Reyes said. "She can't read and she can't write yet, and she missed basically half of a year's worth of instruction."
Jaipur, July 19 : Rajasthan MLA Rajendra Guda, who later joined the Congress camp with other five BSP MLAs, on Sunday, said that Sanjay Jain, named by the Congress accused in horse trading, had contacted him a few months back and had also asked him to meet former Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje.

"Jain wanted me to meet BJP MLAs. He also insisted I meet Raje. At that time, we had not merged with the Congress and were BSP MLAs," he said, adding that the BJP had started making plans to topple the Congress government a long time back.

Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot's OSD Lokesh Sharma, two days back, released three audio clippings which allegedly had discussions regarding horse trading of MLAs between purportedly Congress MLA Bhanwarlal Sharma, Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat and Jain.

Guda confirmed that he stands with the Gehlot government. "Our government shall pass the floor test for it has majority numbers in hands," he said.

The Congress government is witnessing a major crisis after Sachin Pilot announced that the Gehlot government was in minority and he has support of 30 MLAs.

Since then, Gehlot camp MLAs are camping in a five-star hotel while Pilot camp MLAs are reportedly camping in different hotels in Delhi after vacating a Manesar hotel.

BSP Chief Mayawati on Saturday demanded President's rule in Rajasthan accusing the Gehlot government of poaching six BSP MLAs.

She said Gehlot cheated the BSP and made its six MLAs join the Congress a few months back.

"Gehlot is accusing the BJP of poaching his MLAs, but he himself did the same with six BSP MLAs in Rajasthan," said Mayawati.

Gehlot openly violated the Anti-Defection law and cheated the BSP for a second time by getting its MLAs included in the Congress, she alleged. "Governor Kalraj Mishra should take note of the political instability in the state and recommend President's rule," she demanded.
Three Section 8 recipients will soon be able to use their vouchers to pay their mortgage on a home as part of a pilot program in Newark.

It is one of the first programs to be rolled out under the citys newly established land bank, a soon-to-be-created online database of vacant or abandoned properties that are up for sale. Invest Newark, a nonprofit whose sole client is the city, operates the land bank by being able to acquire property on the citys behalf.

The Newark Housing Authority will also assist with the Section 8 Homeownership Conversion Program, which aims to increase homeownership for Newark residents regardless of income level.

Through this partnership with Invest Newark and the Newark Housing Authority, numerous residents will enjoy the independence and empowerment of achieving the American Dream of home ownership, said Newark Mayor Ras Baraka. At the same time, it achieves other goals of the Land Bank: transforming blighted properties, restoring our citys economic strength and reviving neighborhoods.

The city transferred the title of the three properties to Invest Newark, formerly known as the Newark Community Economic Development Corporation. The properties will be rehabilitated by three local developers or contractors and then sold to qualified Section 8 recipients through a lottery process for $190,000 with a 20-year, 4% interest mortgage.

The Section 8 voucher will then be used to help pay the mortgage.

Invest Newark is still in the midst of acquiring more property and hopes to expand the program once it has more inventory. The nonprofits agreement with the city to act as its agent and acquire property was just finalized in April.

The plan is for another 100 or 150 families to go through the same process for another 100 to 150 properties, Invest Newark President and CEO Bernel Hall told NJ Advance Media.

The Newark Housing Authority will start opening the lottery process to pre-qualified residents in the coming weeks.

Its a way to build wealth by building equity, Newark Housing Authority Director Victor Cirilo told NJ Advance Media. And were working with folks who wouldnt otherwise have the knowledge on how to become homeowners.

For this pilot program, local minority or women-owned business enterprises will contract with Invest Newark to rehabilitate the homes, said Newark Economic and Housing Development Director Allison Ladd. The process will ultimately revitalize neighborhoods and grow the citys tax base while avoiding gentrification, officials say.

Owning a home is the cornerstone of the American Dream, providing families with emotional and financial stability as it builds wealth, said Ladd. This exciting and innovative Land Bank project will help to create strong, stable and safer communities.

Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com.

Rebecca Panico may be reached at rpanico@njadvancemedia.com.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 19

By Fidan Babayeva - Trend:

Azerbaijans gross domestic product (GDP) decreased by 2.7 percent from January through June 2020 compared to the same period of 2019, and amounted to 33.8 billion manat ($19.9 billion), Trend reports citing the Azerbaijani State Statistics Committee.

Added value decreased by 2.9 percent in the oil and gas sector of the economy and by 2.5 percent in the non-oil sector.

In the structure of GDP, 35.7 percent accounted for industry, 11.3 percent - for trade and repair of vehicles, 7.5 percent - for transport and storage, 5.6 percent - for construction, 7 percent - for agriculture, forestry and fisheries, 2.1 percent - for hospitality and catering, 2 percent - for information and communications, 19.1 percent - for other sectors, while net tax revenue from product imports amounted to 10.63 percent of GDP.

The countrys GDP per capita amounted to 3,393.7 manat ($1,999.2).

(1 USD = 1.7 AZN on July 19)

----

Follow the author on Twitter: Fidan_Babaeva
19 July 2020

Type Media Article



Organic dairying is a relatively small but growing sector within the dairy industry in Ireland. Latest figures from DAFM show that there are 62 organic dairy operators with an average herd size of 79 cows (2019). Dan Clavin, Teagasc Organic Specialist gives us an insight into the organic dairy sector in Ireland and outlines the various conditions of organic farming.



Introduction:

Organic dairying is a relatively small but growing sector within the dairy industry in Ireland. Latest figures from DAFM show that there are 62 organic dairy operators with an average herd size of 79 cows (2019). Organic dairy farmers are located right around the country with a high proportion in Cork, Tipperary and Limerick.

Organic dairy farming offers an excellent opportunity as a profitable enterprise option but success is dependent on you having a good interest in organic methods and having a market price secured for your milk. Important issues include grassland management, winter feeding (especially for Winter milk producers), housing and cow health.

Market:

The market for organic milk looks positive. There are 5 main companies (Glenisk, Arrabawn, Aurivo, The Little Milk Company and The Village Dairy) handling most of the organic milk. Demand at present exists for both Summer and particularly Winter milk. Premium prices are available for organic milk compared to conventional milk with relatively larger premiums available for Winter milk. Contracts are available from some of the processors. In recent years winter milk price has been 55-60c/litre for 5 months. Summer milk price has ranged from 30 to 44 c/litre.

Profitability:

Organic dairy farming compares favourably to conventional systems. Typically, organic dairy farmers are stocked in the region of 1.4 LU/ha and therefore, require access to more land compared to the average conventional dairy farmer. On a return per litre basis, some of the most profitable dairy farmers in the country are farming organically. This is clearly in evidence at Teagasc/Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) organic demonstration farm walks. Maintaining high output levels, coupled with lower production costs, and achieving a premium market price for milk contribute to higher margins on organic farms.

Stocking rate:

There is a stocking limit of 170kg N/ha. Organic farming is being practiced successfully in Ireland at stocking rates up to this level. Average stocking rate is in the region of 1.4 L.U. /ha.

Breed Type:

High yielding Friesian and Holstein animals at the expense of quality beef calves for meat production versus cross breeding and using lower yielding robust cows that require less feeding are the most obvious considerations. The capacity of the animal to adapt to local conditions, their resistance to diseases and your ability to grow quality clover and other legume based forages for feed are important factors which should also be considered.

Organic conversion period:

Grass based farms go through a 24 month conversion period on the land during which time it must be managed to full organic standards but milk cannot be supplied to an organic market.

The cows must be managed to full organic health and welfare/housing standards and fed to full organic standards (100% feed from organic sources) for at least the last 6 months of conversion. Note: from the conversion start date, all feed must be GMO-free.

Housing and Bedding:

More space is generally required over conventional standards. In organic farming, animals must have access to a bedded area. A 100% slatted area is not permitted. Cubicles are also permitted but they must have dry bedded material on top of the cublcle. Rubber mats alone on cubicle beds are not a substitute for bedding. Straw (conventional is permitted), sawdust (un-treated) and woodchips for bedding of animals are permitted.

Animal health:

An animal health plan is prepared by your veterinary surgeon and submitted as part of the conversion plan prior to conversion. In essence, animals are treated if a treatment is required but under more formal arrangements. Withdrawal periods may have to be doubled or trebled under organic standards. For mastitis, antibiotics can be used in clinical cases with permission form your vet and where no other treatments would be effective. Two courses of antibiotics within 12 months are permitted, otherwise the cow is removed from the milking herd.

Replacement heifers:

On conversion, permission may be sought to source replacement heifers from non-organic farms up to a maximum of 10% of the herd size or in special circumstances, up to 40% of the herd size eg. in the latter case, a major extension of stock on the farm, breed change or new livestock specialisation. Therefore, prior to conversion, perspective organic dairy farmers are advised to source appropriate breeds of livestock that are required for breeding purposes on their organic holding.

AI and use of a bull:

Organic farmers are permitted to buy a bull from a non-organic farm for breeding purposes. Use of artificial insemination (AI) is also permitted. Sexed semen is permitted once the semen is not chemically separated.

Soil fertility:

Good clover swards (especially white clover for grazing and red clover for quality silage), and targeted use of lime, farmyard manure and slurry mean that coping without chemical fertiliser can effectively be managed. Soil fertility inputs that are commonly imported onto organic farms include:

Lime

Cattle slurry from another grassland based farmer (either organic and conventional farmer; derogation farm source >170 kg N/ha is also permitted)

Organic and or free range chicken manure

Dairy sludge from approved dairy processing plant and;

Certain mineral sources of fertilisers eg. Ground Rock Phosphate and Basic Slag etc.

Note: organic manures from factory farms including commercial pig and non-organic or non-free range chicken farms are not permitted.

Weed control:

As all herbicides are prohibited in organic farming, weed control must be achieved by management practices and mechanical methods. Maintenance of good levels of soil fertility and appropriate soil pH, regular topping, and rotation of silage and grazing ground can help achieve good control. A dense, well managed sward will minimise infestation since seedling weeds are poor competitors to grass-clover swards.

Feed:

As 100% of the feed must be from organic or in-conversion sources you need to ideally produce all your feed from the farm. Organic grain and compound ration is fairly widely available. Prices for organic concentrate feed generally cost around double the price of conventional. Contact details of where to buy organic feed may be found on the organic certification body (OCB) websites.

______________________________________________________________

For further information and useful contacts on organic farming go to:

www.teagasc.ie/organics
The federation said it aims to achieve a group business turnover of Rs 1 lakh crore by 2024-25

The consolidated turnover of the Amul brand of products exceeded Rs 52,000 crore during 2019-20. (PTI Photo)

Ahmedabad: The consolidated turnover of the Amul brand of products exceeded Rs 52,000 crore during 2019-20, the Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation (GCMMF), which sells and produces Amul products, said on Saturday.

The federation said it aims to achieve a group business turnover of Rs 1 lakh crore by 2024-25.

"The group turnover of GCMMF and its constituent member unions, representing consolidated turnover of all products sold under Amul brand is exceeding Rs 52,000 crore or USD 7 billion. GCMMF aims to achieve a group business turnover of Rs 1 lakh crore by 2024-25," it said in a statement after the 42nd AGM held at Anand.

The GCMMF said it registered a sales turnover of Rs 38,542 crore in 2019-20, which is 17 per cent higher than the previous financial year.

A rapid expansion has helped Amul record a turnover almost five times higher than Rs 8,005 crore in 2009-10, it said.

Daily milk procurement was 215.96 lakh litre per day in 2019-20, GCMMF said, quoting its Chairman Ramsinh Parmar.

"This enormous growth was a result of the high milk procurement price paid to our farmer-members which has increased by 127 per cent, from Rs 337 per kg fat in the year 2009-10 to Rs 765 per kg fat in the year 2019-20," the GCMMF said quoting Parmar.

Parmar further said that during lockdown, when private milk firms stopped procuring from farmers, milk unions of Gujarat procured an additional 35 lakh litres of milk per day, giving around Rs 800 crore extra to the rural milk producers.

India continues to be the world's largest producer of milk, and is likely to retain its prime position with an annual growth rate of 5.5 per cent during the last three to four years as against global growth of 2 per cent, GCMMF Vice Chairman Jethabhai Bharwad said.

GCMMF Managing Director RS Sodhi said the Rs 15,000 crore dairy infrastructure fund announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman for setting up supply chain and dairy plants will help Indian dairy industry to build around 4 to 5 crore litres of extra capacity.

"These extra five crore litres of milk collected and processed by the organised dairy industry will provide livelihood to approximately 30 lakh people in rural India.

This is really the need of the hour, when hundreds of thousands of people have migrated back to their villages from urban centres," he was quoted in the statement as saying.

The Board members also expressed their "heartfelt gratitude" to the Government of India for taking a firm stand during Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) negotiations that will benefit 10 crore dairy farmers of the country, it said.
With all due respect to Neil Sedaka

Don't say that this is the end

Instead of breaking up I wish that we were masking up again.

In the past week I have said good-bye to a favorite restaurant and even the place where I buy feed for our horses. A preferred grocery story almost was banished.

I wont be returning to any of them because the employees dont wear masks or dont require customers to do so. Or both. This is not just the law, an ordinance or a lax company policy.

This is a moral absolute: If you arent wearing a mask indoors in public places, you could be a killer.

And Im not going to aid and abet your crime. Im not going to let you coat me in your unfettered particles that I might carry them home to a family member who is high-risk to the coronavirus.

Youve heard this sermon and didnt have to stand for benediction. Youve seen it flow from my fingers to your eyes, and youve read it many places as the COVID-19 killer blows through our communities on the wind of your insolence.

You arent an adherent to this religion. You dont see the need, dont believe the facts and dont bow to those who do. You arent going to don the mask, no matter who advises it. Do you not care about anyone but yourself?

Lets go back to that benediction, because, friends, prayers are all you have going for you.

Do you not pay attention to how rapidly this virus is saturating our summer-funning fellow countrymen? Do you not hear of mass outbreaks because people go into bars and restaurants and even family gatherings of the maskless and come out infected?

I tried preaching this sermon to an outspoken cousin whose defense was that she would rely on God to protect her. I hope God sends an angel to stand between her public-exposed lips and her 80-year-old fathers face. I offer my prayers for that.

Otherwise Ive gotten to the point where I look askance with slitted eyes at anyone I see indoors without a mask. Weve changed ice cream shops, UPS stores, other restaurants and a home improvement store. I wont go back. I wont invest in them if they wont invest in protecting mankind.

So this week was a venture into the restaurant for carryout for the first time since the pandemic began. There was a bevy of employees and dozens of nicely spaced customers, but no employee was wearing an ordinance-required mask, and the attitude was why should we?.

I told the woman who helped me load my horse feed that she should be wearing a mask. She looked at me funny. I said its the law. She said, Its the something. Shes in her 20s, and I wonder how she socially separated herself before picking up my bags of grain.

The grocery store issue may become moot, now that Walmart, Target, Kroger and others have said all customers must wear masks. Im hoping more customers comply.

To be clear none of those businesses is in Martinsville or Henry County, but they are nearby, in an area even more heavily infected. Without my lined mask, I easily could pick up the virus and carry it to the corner of Broad and Church.

About 70% of Americans say in polls that they wear a mask almost all the time when they leave home. I must be encountering the 3 of every 10 who dont.

The New York Times on Friday published a density map that shows mask-wearing tendencies down to the county line. If you can believe the data  based on a broad sampling  68% of people in the Martinsville/Henry County/Patrick County area wear a mask frequently or always. Only 16% say they rarely or never do. I dont see it that way.

Now Im not perfect. I dont mask up while driving. I dont think you have to wear a mask on a trail, for instance, but you need to have the ability to extend your distance. If you think of the threat you could pose to the other person, you will know when you need a mask.

Another cousin asked me: Dont you think, if you are keeping your distance, you are OK?

My response: Whats the downside when scientists say two people wearing a mask reduce the chance of infection by 90%?

Remember, you dont have to have symptoms to be infected and carry the disease to others. So put on the mask, so I dont have to break up with you.

Steven Doyle is Local Editor of the Martinsville Bulletin. Contact him at 276-638-8801 ext. 245. Follow @StevenLDoyle.

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Scientists in a Nordic study have found that keeping primary schools open during the coronavirus pandemic may not have had much bearing on contagion rates.

There was no measurable difference in the number of coronavirus cases among children in Sweden, where schools were left open, compared with neighboring Finland, where schools were shut, according to the findings.

The study compares two countries that share similar societal models, including access to universal health care, but that adopted very different strategies to tackle Covid-19. Sweden avoided a proper lockdown, while Finland imposed tougher social distancing.

Indicative data show there is no difference in the overall incidence of the laboratory-confirmed Covid-19 cases in children aged 1 to 19 years in the two countries; contact tracings in primary schools in Finland found hardly any evidence of children infecting others, according to the working paper by the Public Health Agency of Sweden and the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare. Whats more, theres no increased risk for teachers, according to a Swedish comparison of cases among daycare and primary school staff, compared with risk levels in other professions.

Its not the first time researchers have raised questions about the merits of shutting schools during the pandemic. A French study last month found that school children dont appear to transmit Covid-19 to peers or teachers. That investigation established that kids seemed to show fewer symptoms than adults, and to be less contagious. But the authors also said more research was needed.

Hanna Nohynek, chief physician at the infectious diseases unit of Finlands health authority and a co-author of the Nordic research, said that children get sick with Covid-19 much more rarely and less severely." She also cautioned that more data is needed, and that childrens role in the transmission needs further study."

But for now, it would appear that their role in transmitting Covid-19 isnt at all as big as with other respiratory infections, such as influenza," Nohynek said. After two months of remote learning, Finnish children returned to school in May, and national infection rates have continued to decline since then.

Israel

But some countries have had dangerous outcomes when reopening schools, albeit for older children. In Israel, bringing students back to the classroom accelerated the spread of Covid-19 among middle and high-school students.

Israels example underlines how countries varying circumstances on the ground can make all the difference, Nohynek of Finland said.

The situation in Israel is very different, with a worse outbreak in society, but also bigger classes in schools and smaller rooms," as well as larger families, she said.

Swedens strategy for fighting Covid-19 is among the most controversial in the world. Its decision to leave much of society open, including primary schools, has coincided with a considerably higher death rate than in the rest of the Nordic region. About 95% of those who have died are over 60.

Swedish health authorities say theyve managed to stabilize the spread of the virus, thanks to citizens voluntarily adhering to social distancing guidelines. In a recent interview, Prime Minister Stefan Lofven said recently he remains convinced" that his country has chosen the right strategy.

This story has been published from a wire agency feed without modifications to the text. Only the headline has been changed.

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Source: Xinhua| 2020-07-19 14:34:30|Editor: huaxia

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SHARAN, Afghanistan, July 19 (Xinhua) -- Four Afghan police officers, including a district police chief, were killed in an improvised bomb explosion in Sarobi, a district in Afghanistan's eastern Paktika province Saturday night, a provincial police spokesman confirmed on Sunday.

"Darya Khan Talash, police chief of Sarobi, and three district police officers were martyred following an improvised bomb explosion Saturday night," spokesman Shah Mahmoud Arian told Xinhua.

One police vehicle was destroyed, he said, adding "the martyred police officers were on the way to a scene where Taliban militants attacked a security checkpoint in surrounding areas of Sarobi, they were part of a unit of responding police."

In a separate development, three pro-government militiamen and three Taliban militants were killed and three fighters and a militant were wounded during clashes at a security checkpoint in Qara Bagh district of neighboring Ghani province during Saturday night, Wahidullah Jumazada, spokesman of provincial government told Xinhua.

The eastern Afghan mountainous provinces have been the scene of heavy clashes for long years.

The Taliban militants intensified attacks, using fight and run tactic as they have regularly attacked security forces' positions across the country since February's peace deal between the Taliban and the United States. Enditem
By Roxane Hill

Photo courtesy of EYN Disaster MinistryA womens security and peacebuilding seminar in Nigeria is one of the events made possible by the Disaster Ministry of EYN.

The Disaster Ministry of Ekklesiyar Yanuwa a Nigerias (EYN, the Church of the Brethren in Nigeria) has been operating for more than five years. The staff work in numerous humanitarian sectors specifically in Nigerias northeast. One of their constant struggles is knowing who to help, as there is always more need than funds and materials to go around.

Emergency Disaster Funds (EDF) from the Church of the Brethren are still supporting the EYN Disaster Ministry. Mission 21 also provides some funding, and Mennonite Central Committee is providing programing and funding for the trauma workshops. Despite insecurity due to the ongoing Boko Haram attacks and the COVID-19 pandemic, the Disaster Ministry has accomplished a lot in the first half of this year.



The effort this year has helped whole communities as well as individuals. One well helped a community of 1,000 people who were getting water from a stream that also was used for watering animals, bathing, and clothes washing. This well is greatly appreciated by the entire area. On the individual level, a displaced Christian woman living in Cameroon was given assistance for basic needs after her husband rejected her when he converted to Islam. These are just two examples of the larger work being conducted by the Disaster Ministry.

Also this year, the team visited the International Christian Center in southern Nigeria, which is providing schooling and a place to live for 4,000 children. Many of the students are EYN orphans displaced by Boko Haram violence. The team provided a large quantity of food and spiritual care, which buoyed their spirits.

Two special workshops were held earlier in the year. One was a training through the Boys Brigade for disaster preparedness and emergency response. The other workshop on security tips and peace building was held for 152 women and girls. Gender-based violence has increased during the insurgency, and the workshop gave women safety tips to help avoid becoming victims of this violence. Those who attended were encouraged to teach others in their families and home communities.

Photo courtesy of EYN Disaster Ministry

EYNs Disaster Ministry drills a bore hole

Funds provided this year: $151,500 from the EDF, $26,000 from Mission 21, and $12,275 from MCC.

2020 activities have included:

 Purchase of a truck to facilitate travel and conveyance of materials.

 Medical assistance for three communities.

 Repair of 43 homes in 3 remote communities.

 Provision of fertilizer and maize seed to 1,200 families.

 Support for the soybean project of EYNs agricultural development work.

 Wells dug in 3 communities.

 Food distributed to 9 areas.

 One-on-one counseling for 25 individuals.

 Improvements to the school at Masaka IDP Camp and 3 teachers employed for the year.

 Oversight for the building of a new church at the Yola IDP Camp, built in memory of Chrissy Kulp.

 Administration of the EDF COVID-19 grant, which provided awareness, wash stations, and aid to 300 widows.

 Roxane Hill is interim office manager for the Church of the Brethren Global Mission.

Go to www.brethren.org/Newsline to subscribe to the Church of the Brethren Newsline free e-mail news service and receive church news every week.
WASHINGTON  The Pentagon, without once mentioning the word Confederate, announced a policy Friday that essentially banned displays of the Confederate flag on military installations around the world.

In a carefully worded memo that Defense Department officials said they hoped would avoid igniting another defense of the flag from President Donald Trump, Defense Secretary Mark Esper issued guidance that listed the types of flags that could be displayed on military installations  in barracks, on cars and on signs.

According to the guidance, appropriate flags include those of U.S. states and territories, military services and other countries that are allies of the United States. The guidance never specifically says that Confederate flags are banned, but they do not fit in any of the approved categories  and any such flags are prohibited.

Problem solved  we hope, one Defense Department official said Friday, speaking on the condition of anonymity so as not to anger Trump.

That senior military leaders are contorting themselves to such an extent shows the gap that has developed between the White House and the movement for racial justice that has swept across the country since the killing of George Floyd while in police custody in May in Minneapolis. As protests ignited, senior Defense Department officials began grappling with the legacy of racism in the military.

Gen. Mark Milley, chair of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said last week at a House hearing that the Pentagon needed to take a hard look at changing the names of Army bases honoring Confederate officers who had fought against the Union during the Civil War, explicitly laying out a course that diverges from his commander in chief. Ten Army bases that honor Confederate generals who fought to defend the slaveholding South have been the focus of a growing movement for change; Trump, for his part, has sided with those who want symbols of the Confederacy to remain in place.

The United States of America trained and deployed our HEROES on these Hallowed Grounds, and won two World Wars, Trump wrote in a string of Twitter posts. Therefore, my Administration will not even consider the renaming of these Magnificent and Fabled Military Installations. Our history as the Greatest Nation in the World will not be tampered with. Respect our Military!

In the hearing, Milley echoed senior military leaders who also wanted to remove the Confederate symbols and base names. There is no place in our armed forces for manifestations or symbols of racism, bias or discrimination, he said.

Espers memo Friday did not address the issue of bases named after Confederate generals; one senior military official said this week that the Pentagon would wait until after the November election before further raising the issue. But the memo goes after the many American soldiers, Marines and airmen who display Confederate flags and other symbols in their barracks and in parking lots on military installations.

Flags are powerful symbols, particularly in the military community, for whom flags embody common mission, common histories and the special, timeless bond of warriors, Esper said in his memo, before quoting former Justice John Paul Stevens that the U.S. flag is a symbol of freedom, of equal opportunity, of religious tolerance and of goodwill for other peoples who share our aspirations.

Esper added in his memo that the flags we fly must accord with the military imperatives of good order and discipline, treating all our people with dignity and respect and rejecting divisive symbols.

A Defense Department official said that the new directive meant that Black Lives Matter and LGBTQ flags would not be allowed, either. The ban applies to public and shared spaces; troops and military officials can display Confederate flags in areas deemed private and personal, like lockers and single rooms.

Its absolutely outrageous that Defense Secretary Mark Esper would ban the Pride flag  the very symbol of inclusion and diversity, said Jennifer Dane, interim executive director of the advocacy group Modern Military Association of America. In what universe is it OK to turn an opportunity to ban a racist symbol like the Confederate flag into an opportunity to ban the symbol of diversity? This decision sends an alarming message to LGBTQ service members, their families and future recruits.

Next week, senators will continue their own bipartisan push to strip military bases of Confederate symbols, advancing an amendment to the annual defense bill spearheaded by Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., that would require the Pentagon to eliminate Confederate names, monuments or symbols from military assets in three years. The House is expected to press ahead on a similar measure as lawmakers consider their version of the military policy legislation.

Top Republican leaders in Congress have indicated they would broadly support such measures. Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky. and the majority leader, said this week in an interview with The Wall Street Journal this week that he would not block the effort to rename the bases despite Trumps pledge to veto the broader defense bill if Warrens amendment was included. Rep. Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif. and the House minority leader, told reporters last month he was not opposed to renaming the bases.

The Marine Corps this year banned the Confederate flag, and the Army was moving to do the same until Esper intervened, saying that he wanted to issue uniform guidance across all services.

This article originally appeared in The New York Times.
Mickey Rourke has reignited his decades-long feud with Robert De Niro, calling him a punk a** and a cry-baby.

The two actors have had many public fallouts over the years since they starred together in the 1987 psychological horror Angel Heart, when Rourke claimed De Niro declined to talk to him on set because of the complicated relationship between their characters in the film.

On Friday (17 July), Rourke referred back to one of their more recent arguments that began last year when he claimed that he lost out on a role in Martin Scorseses The Irishman because De Niro refused to work with him.

De Niro's representatives released a statement at the time, saying Rourke was never asked to be in The Irishman nor was he ever even thought of, discussed or considered to be in the movie.

Hey Robert De Niro, thats right I am talking to you, you big f***ing cry-baby, wrote Rourke, 67, in the new Instagram post.

A friend of mine just recently told me that a few months back you're quoted as saying to newspapers Mickey Rourkes a liar he talks all kind of s***.

Listen Mr.Tough Guy in the movies, you're the 1st person that ever called me a liar and it was in a newspaper.

Let me tell you something, you punk a**, when I see you I swear to God on my Grandmother, on my brother and all my dogs, I gonna embarrass you severally 100%.

De Niro, 76, who is yet to respond to Rourkes post, can next be seen in comedy The War with Grandpa, alongside Uma Thurman and Christopher Walken.

Rourke will next appear in the thriller Girl with Bella Thorne.
An Australian woman who created the world's first skincare brand made from sea cucumbers has launched a sell-out new product that claims to rejuvenate your skin in six weeks.

Renee Alyce, 32, started starting Bache De Mar in August 2019, making $19,000 in the first month of sales of her $119 Sea Cucumber Collagen Regeneration Night Serum.

Now the Queenslander is back with the Sea Cucumber Collagen Anti-Ageing Day Cream ($129), which sold out within days of bringing it to market in July.

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Renee Alyce (pictured) started starting Bache De Mar in August 2019, making $19,000 in the first month of sales of her $119 Sea Cucumber Collagen Regeneration Night Serum

Renee herself (pictured) has experienced great success applying the serum every night, reducing her pigmentation considerably over a six month period

This breakthrough moisturiser combines sea cucumber collagen, squalane, hyaluronic acid and kakadu plum extract for visible and immediate improvement in the appearance of the skin's tone, texture, and firmness.

Renee learned about the healing properties of sea cucumbers ten years ago while living on a secluded island in the Pacific, which had limited access to modern-day products and conveniences.

'My skin was at its worst. So after running out of foundation with no way possible of replacing it, I went on a mission to find other ways of protecting, covering and rejuvenating my skin,' she told FEMAIL.

This breakthrough moisturiser combines sea cucumber collagen, squalane, hyaluronic acid and kakadu plum extract for visible and immediate improvement in the appearance of the skin's tone

'Sea cucumbers are among only a few animals that have the capacity to regenerate damaged or lost body parts,' Renee said

She spent weeks investigating her surroundings - soil, land and ocean - and noticed local islanders applying sea cucumber extracts to small wounds and infections.

Within days their cuts and rashes were vanishing.

'Sea cucumbers are among only a few animals that have the capacity to regenerate damaged or lost body parts,' Renee said.

'They contain collagen, have antibacterial properties and a rare peptide that can rapidly influence collagen production, encouraging a boost in cell turnover.'

She spent weeks investigating her surroundings - soil, land and ocean - and noticed local islanders applying sea cucumber extracts to small wounds and infections

Researchers at the University of London confirmed that sea cucumbers have the ability to boost the elasticity of collagen in the human body

All things everyday skincare products aspire to be for their customers.

Researchers at the University of London confirmed that sea cucumbers have the ability to boost the elasticity of collagen in the human body.

Renee knew she was onto a winning idea and returned to the Gold Coast to build her brand.

Her first product, the Sea Cucumber Regenerative Serum ($119), has been a huge success, with customers posting glowing reviews online.

'Your serum has been the best thing I ever bought. I just wanted to send a big, big thank you for giving me the pleasure of having skin I love now and for helping me feel more confident being myself,' Lisa Ingham from the United Kingdom said.

'It changed my life and the way I feel about my myself. I no longer have to wear foundation,' Renee said (pictured)

'After using your serum for one night, the surface of my skin was instantly refreshed and rehydrated,' a customer said

What is so special about the sea cucumber? The sea cucumber is a marine invertebrate that possesses regenerative and healing properties. Sea Cucumbers are rich in bio-active compounds that not only allows them to survive but also thrive and regenerate themselves in the harshest environments on the planet. Sea Cucumbers are fascinating because they fast track healing their wounds and have the capacity to regenerate damaged or lost body parts. Advertisement

'My skin immediately responded to the Sea Cucumber Collagen Regenerative Serum with improvement in texture and hydration, but most astonishingly it cleared my solar keratoses within the first 14 days of use,' Compounding charmacist and skincare specialist Brigette Paroissien said.

A third added: 'After using your serum for one night, the surface of my skin was instantly refreshed and rehydrated.

'After using the serum for one week, the consistency of my skin had started to even out, especially around the eye and forehead area. Then after using the product for one month, the texture of my skin was noticeably different with fewer fine lines and a subtle firmness was visible.'

Renee herself has experienced great success applying the serum and moisturiser every night, reducing her pigmentation considerably over a six month period.

'It changed my life and the way I feel about my myself. I no longer have to wear foundation,' she said.

'That's why I can't keep it a secret anymore. I feel it's my calling to share it with the world.'
As protests against police violence against Black Americans sparked a larger discussion about racism, new attention has focused on an idea that has long been relegated to the political fringes: reparations for slavery and the discrimination that followed. The debate may be more tangible in the U.K., where financial institutions are wrestling with the ways they benefited from slavery.

In the U.S., former Vice President Joe Biden, President Donald Trump's presumptive opponent in the November election, has pledged to study what role reparations might play in closing the country's racial wealth, educational, and health disparities.

Here are answers to some common questions.

Q: What are reparations?

A: Reparations are usually understood as monetary compensation for a widespread injustice. But it can mean more: the United Nations states in its Basic Principles "that States are under legal obligation to provide reparations for gross violations attributable to them," and defined the concept's elements as restitution, rehabilitation, compensation, satisfaction (apologies) and guarantees of non-repetition.

Q: What's its history in the U.S.?

A: When the federal government ended slavery in the District of Columbia during the Civil War, it paid slaveholders $300 for every emancipated slave, while enslaved people were offered assistance only if they agreed to emigrate to Africa. As he led Union armies through the South, General William Sherman promised formerly enslaved Black Americans 40 acres of confiscated Confederate land. President Andrew Johnson put an end to that plan in 1865 and ex-slaves never received compensation for the wealth they generated. More recently, Rep. John Conyers, D-Mich., introduced a bill in 1989 to establish an exploratory committee on reparations for that he reintroduced every year until his resignation in 2017. In 2019, the House Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights and Civil Liberties held a hearing on a resolution calling for a commission to investigate reparations and make formal recommendations.

Q: What's driving the debate in the U.K.?

A: The American-born Black Lives Matter movement has garnered global support. Recent protests in London have brought the U.K.'s racist history to the forefront of social discussion, particularly in the financial sector. The U.K. abolished slavery in 1833, but enslaved people received nothing and had to remain "apprentices" for several years. Enslavers, however, were compensated by the government from a fund that was equivalent to 40% of the annual budget then, a payout that amounted to multiple billions of dollars in today's money. Researchers at UCL uncovered the slave-based origins of some the country's most influential companies. In response, two firms, Lloyd's of London and Greene King have announced what some have called reparations in the form of investments into Black, Asian, and minority ethnic communities.

Q: Have reparations been given in the past?

A: Perhaps the most famous example is Germany paying reparations to Holocaust survivors following World War II. Its reparations have varied in amount and form, but historians estimate that Germany has made over $80 billion in social welfare payments to Jewish people who suffered under the Nazi regime. In 1995, the South African government established the Truth and Reconciliation Commission to publicly confront its history of apartheid and later paid reparations to 18,000 victims who gave testimony. In 1988, the U.S. gave $20,000 to each of the 82,219 Japanese Americans who survived internment during World War II.

Q: What are reparations for?

A: It depends on who you ask. In the U.S., some demand a share of the wealth generated via slave labor. Many more recent proposals include the damage of the Jim Crow era of segregation and for discrimination today. Scholars William Darity and Darrick Hamilton argue that generations of unequal treatment have contributed to the disparities Black Americans face in the workplace, financial sector, health care arena and classroom. In an influential 2014 essay in the Atlantic, author Ta-Nehisi Coates described reparations as "more than recompense for past injustices -- more than a handout, a payoff, hush money, or a reluctant bribe. What I'm talking about is a national reckoning that would lead to spiritual renewal."

Q: What forms can reparations take?

A: The simplest form is a cash payout. In the U.S., alternatives that have been proposed include scholarship funds and trust funds for the descendants of the victims. Senator Cory Booker of New Jersey, among others, has suggested so-called baby bonds: annual payments into an account for children set up at birth and cashed out at age 18. Some argue that broader efforts to change the nation's culture, such as education programs and historical markers, are important ways of reducing racism. When the city council of Asheville, North Carolina passed a resolution in July supporting reparations in their community, they said they would not be making direct payments, but making investments in areas like affordable housing and minority business ownership meant to close the wealth gap.

Q: How much might U.S. reparations cost?

A: That depends on the method adopted. Economist Robert Browne argued in 2000 that between $1.4 trillion and $4.7 trillion is needed to "restore the black community to the economic position it would have if it had not been subject so slavery and discrimination." The amount is what Browne calculates as the income produced by enslaved people for their White owners prior to 1860. Yahoo Finance reporter Kristin Myers estimates a $17.1 trillion price tag on compensating African Americans for the cumulative damage of slavery, segregation and the present inequalities in American society. BET founder Bob Johnson in June called for reparations of $14 trillion, the amount he said was needed to equalize wealth between Black and White households.

Q: What do critics of these ideas say?

A: On a practical level, they point out that determining who is or isn't a descendant of the U.S. slave force would be next to impossible. Prominent Republicans such as Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell argue that White Americans should not have to pay for acts that predated their birth, a position seconded by Tim Scott of South Carolina, the only African American Republican senator.

Q: What do polls show?

A: In the U.S., reparations has never been a broadly popular idea. In 2019, 29% of Americans believed that the government should make cash payments to Black Americans who are the descendants of enslaved people, a Gallup poll reported, but that number was up from 14% in 2002. In the newer poll, 73% of Black Americans supported the idea, up from a simple majority before; support among Whites went from 6% to 16%. The 2019 poll showed a partisan divide: Only 5% of Republicans supported reparations, compared with 42% of Democrats.

Q: What do the presidential candidates say?

A: Trump has called the idea of reparations an "unusual thing" that he "doesn't see happening." Biden has come out in support of a study into the topic of reparations, while a growing number of members of his party who describe themselves as progressives are giving reparations strong support.
Angela Deem has finally touched down in Nigeria again on 90 Day Fiance: Happily Ever After? and its already been an eventful trip. Angela plans to marry Michael Ilesanmi this time around, but first she needs to see the new apartment he picked out for them for their stay. Read on to learn about the surprising visitor in the apartment that made Angela scream and run into the bedroom.

Angela is pleasantly surprised with the apartment

Angela Deem and Michael Ilesanmi | deemangela via Instagram

Walking up to the new digs, Angela says shes nervous about what Michael has found for their stay. However, when she enters the residence, shes pleasantly surprised with the accommodations for the most part.

She goes into the bedroom, which will serve their needs, that is until Angela sits down on the bed. She says its extremely hard. You gotta correct some things, and if he wants some sex, he better do it quick, Angela explains.

The kitchen has a surprise visitor in it

RELATED: 90 Day Fiance: Fans Discuss 1 of the Most Talked About Moments Between Angela Deem and Michael Ilesanmi

Angela goes into the kitchen, and she seems happy with it. It even has a table and chairs they can eat meals at, which she seems to like as well. Then she sees something in the corner of the kitchen, and she changes her attitude completely.

Michael, what is that? Angela says as she points to something on the floor. Oh my god, its a f****** rat. Michael, get it out of here.

Angela holds her head in disbelief, and its understandable. That rat was huge, Angela tells the cameras. I havent even seen a rat that big in d*** Georgia.

Michael explains that the rat is dead, since its laying lifeless in a trap. Angela tries to explain that means there are germs. Get that son of a b**** out of here, Angela tells him again.

Michael runs at Angela with the rat

Pick it up and holler when youre done, Angela insists. Michael puts his hand in a bag in an attempt to pick up the lifeless creature. Angela yells from the room that shes an American woman, and she doesnt pick up rats. We have our men do that, Angela says.

Michael says he picked it up, and Angela ventures out of the room. Michael runs toward Angela with the dead rat, and she screams and runs into the room. She closes the door just in time, and Michael cant stop laughing about it. Youre done, she tells him through the door.

Michael leaves the dead rat outside the apartment on the ground. Angela tells the cameras that overall, Michael did a good job. They only have three weeks to plan the wedding, so now they need to hammer out the details. However, Angela does mention to Michael that if a rat runs across her foot, shes out of there.

Angela and Michael seem to be off to a good start, despite the hard bed and dead rat in the kitchen. Well keep you updated on all the latest having to do with the memorable couple.
Clinicians from the 360 Clinic administer COVID-19 test kits at the Anaheim Convention Center July 15. (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times)

Orange County reported 25 more deaths connected to the novel coronavirus on Saturday, the third-highest day on record as the number of confirmed cases continues to surge.

Health officials said that 109 deaths have been reported in the last two weeks, and 494 since the pandemic began. The deaths reported Saturday included seven people who lived in institutional settings such as nursing homes.

The number of confirmed COVID-19 cases countywide climbed to 29,011, with 702 new cases reported Saturday. The number of infections in Orange County has grown dramatically over the last month, and is now second only to Los Angeles County.

Across California, transmission rates for coronavirus continued to rise. The total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases topped 375,000 Friday, and the number of deaths exceeded 7,600.

Gov. Gavin Newsom added Orange County to his coronavirus watchlist because the share of COVID-19 tests that have come back positive, and the number of people infected per 100,000 residents, are too high to meet state benchmarks.

Over a seven-day period, 13.9% of COVID-19 tests came back positive. Over the last two weeks, officials have confirmed 12,531 new cases, an average of 396 positive tests per 100,000 Orange County residents  a rate equivalent to that of L.A. County.

Orange and Riverside counties have seen the number of hospitalized patients with confirmed COVID-19 infections nearly triple in the last two months. In San Bernardino County, that number has more than quadrupled. All three counties allowed many businesses to reopen a week before Los Angeles County.

California has mandated face coverings in public settings since June 18. But Orange County has become a hotbed of opposition to that rule, sparking concern from public health officials who say the coverings are among the most effective tools to slow the spread of the virus.

Orange Countys former health officer resigned after receiving weeks of verbal abuse, including a death threat, over her mandatory mask order.

Last week, education officials approved recommendations that would allow public schools to reopen in the fall without requiring social distancing or mandatory mask policies, prompting immediate backlash.
Want to participate in a short research study? Help shape the future of investing tools and earn a $40 gift card!

In this article we are going to estimate the intrinsic value of Pental Limited (ASX:PTL) by estimating the company's future cash flows and discounting them to their present value. Our analysis will employ the Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) model. Believe it or not, it's not too difficult to follow, as you'll see from our example!

Companies can be valued in a lot of ways, so we would point out that a DCF is not perfect for every situation. If you still have some burning questions about this type of valuation, take a look at the Simply Wall St analysis model.

Check out our latest analysis for Pental

Crunching the numbers

As Pental operates in the household products sector, we need to calculate the intrinsic value slightly differently. Instead of using free cash flows, which are hard to estimate and often not reported by analysts in this industry, dividends per share (DPS) payments are used. Unless a company pays out the majority of its FCF as a dividend, this method will typically underestimate the value of the stock. The 'Gordon Growth Model' is used, which simply assumes that dividend payments will continue to increase at a sustainable growth rate forever. The dividend is expected to grow at an annual growth rate equal to the 5-year average of the 10-year government bond yield of 2.3%. We then discount this figure to today's value at a cost of equity of 7.1%. Compared to the current share price of AU$0.4, the company appears around fair value at the time of writing. Valuations are imprecise instruments though, rather like a telescope - move a few degrees and end up in a different galaxy. Do keep this in mind.

Value Per Share = Expected Dividend Per Share / (Discount Rate - Perpetual Growth Rate)

= AU$0.02 / (7.1%  2.3%)

= AU$0.3

dcf

The assumptions

Now the most important inputs to a discounted cash flow are the discount rate, and of course, the actual cash flows. If you don't agree with these result, have a go at the calculation yourself and play with the 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 Pental 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 7.1%, which is based on a levered beta of 0.800. 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.

Story continues

Looking Ahead:

Whilst important, the DCF calculation is only one of many factors that you need to assess for a company. It's not possible to obtain a foolproof valuation with a DCF model. Rather it should be seen as a guide to "what assumptions need to be true for this stock to be under/overvalued?" If a company grows at a different rate, or if its cost of equity or risk free rate changes sharply, the output can look very different. For Pental, we've compiled three essential factors you should further examine:

Risks: To that end, you should be aware of the 3 warning signs we've spotted with Pental . Management:Have insiders been ramping up their shares to take advantage of the market's sentiment for PTL'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 Australian 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.
Russias ambassador to Britain has rejected allegations that his countrys intelligence services sought to steal information about a coronavirus vaccine.

Andrei Kelin said in a BBC interview broadcast Sunday that there was no sense in the allegations made last week by the United States, Britain and Canada.

I dont believe in this story at all, there is no sense in it, he said when asked about the allegations. I learned about their (the hackers) existence from British media. In this world, to attribute any kind of computer hackers to any country, it is impossible.

Intelligence agencies in the US, Britain and Canada on Thursday accused the hacking group APT29  also known as Cozy Bear and believed to be part of Russian intelligence  of using malicious software to attack academic and pharmaceutical research institutions involved in Covid-19 vaccine development. It was unclear whether any useful information was stolen.

British Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab also said that Russian actors had tried to interfere in last years general election by amplifying stolen government papers online.

Kelin said in the interview that his country had no interest in interfering in British domestic politics.

I do not see any point in using this subject as a matter of interference, he said. We do not interfere at all. We do not see any point in interference because for us, whether it will be (the) Conservative Party or Labours party at the head of this country, we will try to settle relations and to establish better relations than now.
(Natural News) The National Association of Police Organizations (NAPO) has dropped its endorsement of former Vice President Joe Bidens presidential campaign. The organization, which represents over 1,000 police associations and 241,000 officers nationwide, will now instead throw their support behind President Donald Trump.

NAPO President Michael McHale made the announcement in a letter Wednesday, addressed to the White House.

Our endorsement recognizes your steadfast and very public support for our men and woman on the front lines, especially during this time of unfair and inaccurate opprobrium being directed at our members by so many, wrote McHale in the letter.

NAPO backs Trump after having backed Bidens previous election bids

The move to endorse Trumps reelection bid is a significant change for the NAPO. The organization had previously supported the Obama-Biden presidential ticket in 2008 and 2012  though it did not endorse a candidate in 2016.

According to McHale, one of the reasons that the organization is endorsing Trump is because how the Justice Department under the latter has prosecuted individuals who have attacked police officers. In addition, the letter also cited the signing of the Law Enforcement Mental Health and Wellness Act and the support for the 9/11 first responders fund as reasons for the NAPOs support.

Police officers have face routine disparagement as part of the nationwide protests that followed the killing of George Floyd while under police custody in Minneapolis. As part of this, some have called out Biden, the presumptive Democratic nominee, for not condemning anti-police rhetoric.

While Bidens campaign has opposed the idea of police departments, the former Vice President has said that some funds should absolutely be redirected away from the police.

Last month, Biden campaign Rapid Response Director Andrew Bates said that the presumptive Democratic nominee supports the urgent need for reform, which he said includes separating funding for policing from that for public schools, summer programs, and mental health and substance abuse treatment, so that officers can focus on the job of policing. (Related: Biden promises to diversify Americas suburbs even more than Obama did  bring on the crime!)

Despite the Biden campaigns best efforts to align with both the protestors and the police, it seems that police unions are now concerned that he has embraced anti-police rhetoric, causing many to throw their support behind Trump instead.

Joe Biden was a very strong supporter of them years ago, and hes been kidnapped now by the anti-police rhetoric, stated Paul Digiacomo, the president of the Detective Endowment Association, to Fox Business. Theres a big question amongst our members if Joe Biden is going to stand up and support the police.

NAPO support comes after meeting with Trump

Trump, who has billed himself as the law and order president, met with the NAPO on Monday to make his pitch for why the organization should endorse him.

Our officers have been under vicious assault, Trump said Monday. Reckless politicians have defamed our heroes as the enemy  These radical politicians want to defund and abolish the police.

My administration is pro-safety, pro-police and anti-crime, he added.

Following the organizations endorsement of the President, Trump 2020 Senior Advisor for Law Enforcement and Labor Unions Bob Paduchik sent out a statement, thanking the NAPO, while also taking shots at the Bidens unwillingness to take action.

Joe Biden has done nothing to stop his partys defund the police movement and remains silent as police officers across the country are being attacked by violent rioters and protesters, Paduchik said. This endorsement for President Trump highlights that as the Law and Order President, he is defending the hardworking people who risk their own lives every day to keep our communities safe.

Sources include:

Breitbart.com

FoxNews.com
Indian nationals gather at Dubai airport before leaving the Gulf nation on a flight back to their country (AFP)

Thousands of emigrants from the Telugu states continue to be stuck in the Middle East.

The Vande Bharat Mission (VBM), the Centres repatriation effort which entered its fourth phase in July, has not helped a vast majority of them.

Many of them, who hail from lower middle class backgrounds, have been unemployed since March due to the economic slowdown.

There is anger among Telugu immigrants that they are being ignored in favour of those from states like Kerala and Tamil Nadu. Of the VBM 926 flights in the fourth phase, 255 are headed for Kerala and 107 for Tamil Nadu.

Hyderabad will receive 64 and Visakhapatnam and Vijayawada 11. Around half the flights to the Telugu states originate from the Middle East.

Many emigrants have created Twitter accounts only to appeal to Telugu politicians, ministers and officials for assistance. They tag ministers such as K.T. Rama Rao, the office of Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao, and the Indian Embassy or consulates in their countries. Some have even tagged actor Sonu Sood, who helped guest workers a few weeks ago.

M. Ali Aboud, an emigrant in Dubai, said the consulate-general had been unhelpful. It was going well when I got a ticket on a Dubai-Hyderabad flight. For some inexplicable reason, it got cancelled, he said.

Twitter user Syed Fazullah, who lives in Dammam, Saudi Arabia, has been pleading with officials and politicians to help him get a ticket to Hyderabad on July 30.

M. Bheem Reddy, an activist for TS emigrants welfare, said that based on Lok Sabha data of 2018, the state has at least 15 lakh emigrants in the Middle East. Based on reports of unemployment in these countries, I believe at least a quarter of these people will come home. According to official figures, less than 9,000 have been brought back. There is a huge need for flights to Hyderabad, he said.

Emigrants tried to charter flights, which are generally more expensive than the VBM. They are expected to pay Telangana Tourism the fee up front for institutional quarantine to get permissions.

Each passenger is expected to pay around `8,000 for a week in a single-occupancy room and `6,000 for a shared room. Reddy said, This creates a further burden on the emigrants, many of whom have exhausted all their savings.
New Delhi: In a major disclosure, it has been revealed that the Imran Khan government in Pakistan reportedly spent Rs 30 lakh on members of a British Parliamentary group  All-party Parliamentary Kashmir Group', which visited the country and the Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) region.

The group was led by Labour MP Debbie Abrahams, who was reportedly denied a visa to India due to her expired e-visa. On February 17 this year, she was deported from India to Dubai after reaching Delhi with her PIO parliamentary aide Harpreet Uppal. She was informed at the airport that her e-visa was not valid and hence was barred entry in the country.

According to reports, the following day she flew to Pakistan and met PM Imran Khan, where she received monetary benefits in February this year.

Zee News has assessed the payment receipt showing the amount received by the All-party Parliamentary Kashmir group from the Pakistan government. The receipt reveals that the APPGK group received the monetary benefits of between PKR 29.7 lakh and 31.2 lakh from the Imran Khan government for a visit to PoK between February 18-22.

The purpose, which the receipt highlights, is  "To support the right to self-determination of the Kashmiri people through dialogue; to seek support from British parliamentarians; to highlight the abuses of human rights in Kashmir; and to seek justice for the people there."

Debbie had raised questions after her visa was denied by the Indian government as she had been critical of the Centre's decision on the abrogation of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir. "Why did the Indian Government revoke my visa AFTER it was granted? Why didn't they let me get a visa on arrival? Is it because I have been critical of the Indian government on #Kashmir human rights issues?" she had tweeted.
Egypt seeks to stabilise the situation in Libya and not to cross declared lines, according to its National Defence Council

Related Egypt Parliament delays session on mandating Sisi for military intervention in Libya to Monday African Union to hold mini-summit on GERD on Tuesday Egypt says 'significant harm' to water security from GERD would be a 'red line' Egypt's National Defence Council has said that the country will continue work to reach a comprehensive agreement concerning the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), and that it seeks to stabilise the situation in Libya by not crossing the declared lines, according to a presidential statement. The statement was released after Egypt's President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi chaired Sunday a meeting of the country's National Defence Council (NDC) to discuss pressing political, security and military situations on all strategic fronts, including the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) issue and the crisis in Libya.

El-Sisi reviewed the council on trilateral negotiations on GERD between Egypt, Sudan and Ethiopia and efforts aiming to reach a comprehensive agreement that fulfils the three countries' aspirations and demands and preserve riparian rights in a fair and balanced manner, El-Sisi's spokesman Bassam Rady said in a statement.

The council emphasised that Egypt will proceed to reaching a comprehensive deal on the outstanding points of the GERD issue, especially the rules for filing and operating the dam, in a way that secures the three countries' water and development interests and maintains regional security and stability.

A mini-African summit will be held Tuesday to continue discussing the dispute around GERD after the recent round of negotiations mediated by the African Union (AU) saw no resolution of differences on major issues of contention over the hydropower project Addis Ababa is building on the Blue Nile, one of two tributaries of the Nile River.

The statement added that the NDCs meeting also touched on the developments in Libya as Egypt seeks to stabilise the current field situation and not to cross declared lines  referring to the Libyan cities of Sirte and Al-Jafra  with the aim of bringing about peace between all Libyan parties.

"Egypt will spare no efforts to support the sister Libya and help its people to bring their country to safety and overcome the current critical crisis, grounded in the fact that Libya is one of the highest priorities for Egypt's foreign policy, taking into account that Libyan security is inseparable from Egyptian and Arab national security," the statement stressed.

The NDC affirmed commitment to a political solution to put an end to the Libyan crisis, in a manner that maintains its sovereignty and national and regional unity, eliminates terrorism, and prevents the chaos of criminal groups and extremist armed militias.

Sundays meeting asserted the importance of limiting illegal foreign interference that contributes to aggravating the security situation and threatens neighboring countries and international peace and security, Rady noted.

It also assured the importance of guaranteeing a fair and transparent distribution of the wealth of Libyan national resources, and preventing any extremist groups from having power over these resources.

Last month, President El-Sisi threatened to send troops into Libya if the internationally recognised Government of National Accord (GNA) in Tripoli and allied Turkish forces tried to seize Sirte, which is located around 900 kilometres from the Egyptian-Libyan border.

El-Sisi in June called Sirte a "red line" for Egypt and said any intervention by Egypt would mainly be aimed at protecting Egypts western border, achieving a ceasefire, and restoring stability and peace in Libya.

No single government has had full control over the oil-rich country since 2011 when then-leader Muammar Gaddafi was killed.

The oil-rich country has since been ruled by two governments, one in the east represented by the House of Representatives, which is the countrys only elected body, and one in the west, where the capital Tripoli is located, under the UN-recognised Government of National Accord (GNA) led by Prime Minister Fayez Al-Sarraj.

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Source: Xinhua| 2020-07-20 04:10:50|Editor: huaxia

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AMMAN, July 19 (Xinhua) -- Jordan on Sunday warned that the Israeli annexation of Palestinian territories would have catastrophic repercussions not only on the two-state solution but also on efforts to achieve peace in the region.

Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi made the remarks in a press statement after meeting with his Egyptian counterpart Sameh Shoukry in Amman, said a statement by the foreign ministry.

On the issue of the Libyan crisis, Safadi underlined Jordan's support for all efforts to reach a political solution and maintain Libya's unity.

He said Jordan supports all UN resolutions about reaching a settlement by Libyans themselves, while defending the outcomes of the Berlin conference and Cairo declaration. Enditem
Danny Dyer arrives on the red carpet during The British Soap Awards 2019 at The Lowry, Media City, Salford in Manchester. (Photo by Keith Mayhew/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)

Danny Dyer once accidentally got f***ing hammered during EastEnders filming - due to the real beer pumps used at the Queen Vic.

The star, who plays landlord Mick Carter, became unintentionally inebriated at work after over-indulging during a scene, according to co-star Danny Hatchard.

Hatchard, who plays Mick's son Lee Carter, revealed it happened when the cast had access to the beer pumps which had actual booze in.

Read more: Danny Dyer shares special letter from Dame Barbara Windsor when he joined EastEnders

Speaking to the Daily Star, the 28-year-old said: "Behind the bar in the Vic, one of the pumps used to be a real pump. It used to let out real beer.

"We was filming a scene where me and him would down half a pint. But there was quite a few technical difficulties going on, so me and him were downing seven or eight or nine half-pints. By the end we was f**king hammered.

Danny Hatchard attends The British Soap Awards at The Lowry Theatre on June 3, 2017 in Manchester, England. The Soap Awards will be aired on June 6 on ITV at 8pm. (Photo by Jeff Spicer/Getty Images)

"And then we had a full day's worth of filming to film. Luckily we were able to sober ourselves up, but it was a rookie mistake."

One of the perks of the job it would seem. Though according to comments back in 2018, Dyer is now sober.

THE QUEEN VICTORIA PUBLIC HOUSE - MORE USUALLY KNOWN AS THE QUEEN VIC, ON THE EASTENDERS SET AT BBC ELSTREE. (Photo by Ben Curtis - PA Images/PA Images via Getty Images)

The 42-year-old told Piers Morgan on Good Morning Britain: Ive been off it for 18 months since my well-documented problems.

The problems mentioned likely refers to a boozy night at the 2017 National Television Awards.

He was forced to take six weeks off work by Eastenders bosses when a video clip emerged of the actor looking worse for wear and acting aggressively.

Read more: Mick Carter to leave The Queen Vic in EastEnders?

Asked by Morgan if he missed having a drink, he responded: A bit, but not really. I hate what it does to me, the way it makes me behave. Problem is, once I start, I cant stop.

Dyer found fame staring in movies such as Human Traffic and The Football Factory. He joined EastEnders in 2013.
Hong Kong: Govt clarifies exemption arrangement

The Government today clarified that the existing exemption arrangement under the compulsory quarantine regime is essential to maintain the necessary operation of society and the economy and to ensure an uninterrupted supply of daily necessities.

The Government made the statement in response to criticisms that the quarantine exemption arrangement has brought about loopholes in the quarantine regime and that the latest wave of epidemic was attributable to the arrangement.

The statement emphasised that this is a misunderstanding.

The Government has been closely monitoring the risk and pressure on public health brought about by imported cases and would continue to adopt relevant coping measures in a resolute manner.

It pointed out that there had not been any confirmed COVID-19 cases among exempted people arriving from the Mainland, Macau and Taiwan.

Under the Compulsory Quarantine of Certain Persons Arriving at Hong Kong Regulation (Cap 599C) and the Compulsory Quarantine of Persons Arriving at Hong Kong from Foreign Places Regulation (Cap 599E), all people arriving in Hong Kong, except those exempted by the Chief Secretary in accordance with provisions of the regulations, are subject to compulsory quarantine for 14 days.

The purpose of the two regulations is to suppress the passenger flow in order to minimise the risk of disease transmission into Hong Kong.

Nonetheless, the quarantine exemption arrangement must be in place to ensure the normal operation of Hong Kong on all fronts under the epidemic, including the need to safeguard adequate supply of food and necessities, ensure normal governmental operation and sustain commercial activities in the interest of Hong Kong's economic development.

The categories of people exempted under the regulations are essential personnel which include cross-boundary goods vehicle drivers, aircrew, sea crew and foreign consular staff.

The Government clarified that since early March, Hong Kong has not recorded any imported cases from the Mainland. As for imported cases from foreign places, as non-Hong Kong residents have been denied entry to Hong Kong since March 25, the majority of the current imported cases concern returning Hong Kong residents.

Since the implementation of the exemption mechanism, the Department of Health has been requiring exempted people to undergo medical surveillance for 14 days during their stay in Hong Kong.

People under medical surveillance are required to wear masks and check their temperatures twice daily. They must also report any discomfort to the department. In addition, exempted people are also subject to temperature checks and health declaration procedures carried out by the department at boundary control points upon arrival.

In light of the latest situation of the COVID-19 outbreak and on the premises of protecting the health of Hong Kong people and safeguarding the city's robust healthcare system, the Government has enhanced the testing arrangement for exempted people arriving in Hong Kong from foreign places.

Currently, people exempted from quarantine entering Hong Kong from Hong Kong International Airport are subject to COVID-19 testing in addition to undergoing medical surveillance for 14 days.

All aircrew and sea crew members must proceed to the Temporary Specimen Collection Centre at the AsiaWorld-Expo to have their deep throat saliva samples collected.

In view that aircrew members arriving in Hong Kong from overseas make up the largest group of exempted people, enhancing testing for this group of people can help further lower the chance of the virus spread in Hong Kong.

The Government has been imposing additional exemption conditions in accordance with the risk level of respective exemption categories.

Shipping companies have been requested to arrange all crew members of cargo ships and passenger vessels to undergo nucleic acid tests at the point of departure within 48 hours before travelling to Hong Kong.

Only those who are able to produce negative test results can travel to Hong Kong.

If the above conditions are not met, the crew member will not be granted exemption and will be denied entry into Hong Kong. The shipping agents must arrange isolated accommodation and point-to-point transfers to and from the vessel for sea crew members to ensure they will not enter public places.

Additionally, for the categories of exempted people arriving in Hong Kong from the Mainland, the regular COVID-19 testing arrangement has been put in place for cross-boundary goods vehicle drivers and cross-boundary students which form the two largest exemption categories.

Having regard to the latest public health risk assessment, the Government announced on July 18 to impose conditions on travellers who had visited the seven specified high-risk places of Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Nepal, Pakistan, the Philippines and South Africa, to reduce the health risk they may bring to Hong Kong.

These conditions include the provision of a negative nucleic acid test result for COVID-19 and confirmation proof of a hotel room reservation.

This story has been published on: 2020-07-19. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
The dacoit gangs in the ravines of Uttar Pradesh (UP) and Madhya Pradesh (MP), especially the Banda and Patha area of Chitrakoot of the latter, were always a serious challenge for successive state governments. But these dacoit gangs were successfully wiped out, largely in the 1980s. It was then that the terror of the urban mafia surged in UP.

The inception and subsequent rise of the urban mafia did not come out of the blue. It flourished thanks to open political patronage. The Samajwadi Party (SP) and Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) are mainly responsible for its rise. Members of the mafia were not only given political protection, but, in many cases, tickets to facilitate their entry into the state legislature and Parliament.

Let us look at a few such entrants  Hari Shankar Tiwari, Virendra Paratp Shahi, Atiq Ahmad, Mukhtar Ansari, Vijay Mishra, Uday Bhan Singh, DP Yadav, Madan Bhaiyya, UmakantYadav, Sonu , Monu Singh, PawanPandey, Aruna Shankar Shukla Anna.

This trend has continued until now with criminals such as Vikas Dubey emerging from the protective shadow of politicians. While not enough attention is being paid to the massacre of policemen at Bikru in Kanpur , an outrageous and horrific incident, people are comparing the encounter of the main accused Vikas Dubey with the incident of Telangana where four criminals, accused of a rape/murder , were killed by the police while on an evidence-gathering mission at night. It is fallacious to compare these two incidents. The Telangana killing was clearly a criminal act by the police.

Dubey was a criminal who had a history of challenging the sanctity of constitutional institutions and the judiciary. In early 2000s, he killed the then minister of state Santosh Shukla inside the premises of a court and was then absolved. It turned him into a vicious and unrestrained criminal, as was evident in the manner he killed eight policemen. He seemed to believe he could not be touched. But he did not factor in the resolve of the Yogi Adityanath government in UP.

Unlike in the encounter in Telangana, Dubey was killed after he tried to escape taking advantage of the situation as the police van carrying him overturned. Dubey had, in fact, snatched the rifle of a policeman accompanying him and opened fire at the police party. Two constables sustained injuries because of this. The police returned fire to minimise further casualties and, in this fracas, Dubey was killed on July 10.

The police were prepared to produce him in the court to undergo the legal process. They took him from Ujjain but the unforeseen accident of the police van, and reckless and indiscreet action on the part of the criminal as the party neared Kanpur, prompted the police to act in self-defence. Dont forget that it was just a few days earlier that he had murdered eight uniformed personnel.

In the Telangana incident, all of four accused had no case against them in any police station. In contrast, Dubey had 64 criminal cases pending against him and he was a notorious historysheeter, carrying a reward of ~5 lakh on his head.

The UP government has appointed a probe commission to enquire into this encounter. It has also set up a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to take an in-depth look into his crimes, his political connections and other activities. The district magistrate of Kanpur has also requested the district judge to institute an inquiry under the supervision of a judicial magistrate. No such action was taken by the Telangana government.

The policy of zero tolerance towards organised crime and criminals adopted by the Yogi Adityanath-led government has resulted in the elimination of over 100 criminals in the approximately 4,000 encounters that have taken place in his term.

Such has been the effectiveness of the UP polices effectiveness that criminals with rewards on their heads started surrendering in police stations holding up placards. Members of mafia groups such as those run by Mukhtar Ansari and Atiq Ahmad,who controlled their empires from jail, are languishing in penal facilities in Punjab and Ahmedabad.

Any mafia can be demolished if its economic backbone is broken. The Yogi government did it with precision and attacked the illegal financial network of the mafias and gangsters. In a planned manner in western UP, the properties of gangsters such as Badan Singh Baddo, Anil Dujana, Sunder Bhati, Udhan Singh Karnawal, Manish Chauhan, Yogesh Bhadaura, and Amit Kasana were attached or demolished. This dealt them a crushing blow.

It is now only a matter of time before the UP government destroys the entire mafia network in the state and makes it safer for people, especially the most vulnerable.

Brij Lal is former DGP, Uttar Pradesh

The views expressed are personal
President Donald Trumps failure to contain the coronavirus outbreak and his refusal to promote clear public-health guidelines have left many senior Republicans despairing that he will ever play a constructive role in addressing the crisis, with some concluding they must work around Trump and ignore or even contradict his pronouncements.

In recent days, some of the most prominent figures in the GOP outside the White House have broken with Trump over issues like the value of wearing a mask in public and heeding the advice of health experts like Dr. Anthony Fauci, who the president and other hard-right figures within the administration have subjected to caustic personal criticism.

They appear to be spurred by several overlapping forces, including deteriorating conditions in their own states, Trumps seeming indifference to the problem and the approach of a presidential election in which Trump is badly lagging his Democratic challenger, Joe Biden, in the polls.

Once-reticent Republican governors are now issuing orders on mask-wearing and business restrictions that run counter to Trumps demands. Some of those governors have been holding late-night phone calls among themselves to trade ideas and grievances; they have sought out partners in the administration other than the president, including Vice President Mike Pence, who, despite echoing Trump in public, is seen by governors as far more attentive to the continuing disaster.

The president got bored with it, David Carney, an adviser to the Texas governor, Greg Abbott, a Republican, said of the pandemic. He noted that Abbott directs his requests to Pence, with whom he speaks two to three times a week.

A handful of Republican lawmakers in the Senate have privately pressed the administration to bring back health briefings led by figures like Fauci and Dr. Deborah Birx, who regularly updated the public during the spring until Trump upstaged them with his own briefing-room monologues. And in his home state of Kentucky last week, Sen. Mitch McConnell, the majority leader, broke with Trump on nearly every major issue related to the virus.

McConnell stressed the importance of mask-wearing, expressed total confidence in Fauci and urged Americans to follow guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that Trump has ignored or dismissed.

The straight talk here that everyone needs to understand is: This is not going away until we get a vaccine, McConnell said Wednesday, contradicting Trumps rosy predictions.

The result is a quiet but widening breach between Trump and leading figures in his party, as the virus burns through major political battlegrounds in the South and the West, like in the states of Arizona, Texas and Georgia.

Amid mounting alarm in a huge portion of the country, Trump has at times appeared to inhabit a different universe, incorrectly predicting the outbreak would quickly dissipate and falsely claiming the spread of the virus was simply a function of increased testing. With his impatient demands and decrees, Trump has disrupted efforts to mitigate the crisis while effectively sidelining himself from participating in those efforts.

The emerging rifts in Trumps party have been slow to develop, but they have rapidly deepened since a new surge in coronavirus cases began to sweep the country last month.

In the final days of June, the governor of Utah, Gary Herbert, a Republican, joined other governors on a conference call with Pence and urged the administration to do more to combat a sense of complacency about the virus. Herbert said it would help states like his own if Trump and Pence were to encourage mask-wearing on a national scale, according to a recording of the call.

As a responsible citizen, if you care about your neighbor, if you love your neighbor, let us show the respect necessary by wearing a mask, Herbert said, offering language to Pence and adding, Thats where I think you and the president can help us out.

Pence told Herbert the suggestion was duly noted and said that mask-wearing would be a very consistent message from the administration.

But no such appeal was ever forthcoming from Trump, who asserted days later that the virus would just disappear.

Trump has offered only hedged recommendations on wearing masks and has rarely worn one himself in public; in a Fox interview that was broadcast Sunday, the president said he would not issue a national mask order, because Americans deserve a certain freedom on the matter.

Some of the states where outbreaks have worsened most in recent weeks are led by Republicans who spent months avoiding stringent lockdowns, in some cases because state leaders were uneasy about creating space between themselves and a president of their own party who rejected such steps. That dynamic has been particularly pronounced in Southern states like Mississippi, Alabama and Florida, where governors have either continued to resist tough public-health restrictions or have only recently and partially embraced them.

A few Republicans have grown more open with their misgivings about Trumps approach, including Gov. Asa Hutchinson of Arkansas, who said this month that he would require people to wear masks at any Trump rallies in his state. After issuing a broad mask mandate last week, Hutchinson said on the ABC program This Week on Sunday that an example needs to be set by our national leadership on mask-wearing.

Gov. Mike DeWine of Ohio, a Republican, in an interview on Meet the Press on NBC, did not answer directly when asked if he had confidence in Trumps leadership in the crisis. DeWine said he had confidence in this administration and praised Pence for doing an absolutely phenomenal job.

Judd Deere, a White House spokesman, rejected criticisms of Trumps approach.

Any suggestion that the president is not working around the clock to protect the health and safety of all Americans, lead the whole-of-government response to this pandemic, including expediting vaccine development, and rebuild our economy is utterly false, Deere said in a statement.

With only a few exceptions, Republicans have avoided direct confrontation with Trump. Theyve come to view public criticism as an exercise in political futility  one guaranteed to produce a sour response from Trump without any chance of changing his behavior.

But many Republican lawmakers have grown exasperated with the administrations conflicting messages, the open warfare within Trumps staff and the presidents demands that states reopen faster or risk punishment from the federal government.

Sen. Ben Sasse, R-Neb., said he wanted the administration to offer more extensive public-health updates to the American people, and condemned the open animosity toward Fauci by some administration officials, including Peter Navarro, the trade adviser, who wrote an opinion column attacking Fauci, the nations top infectious disease expert.

I want more briefings but, more importantly, I want the whole White House to start acting like a team on a mission to tackle a real problem, Sasse said. Navarros Larry, Moe and Curly junior-high slap fight this week is yet another way to undermine public confidence that these guys grasp that tens of thousands of Americans have died and tens of millions are out of work.

Sen. Roy Blunt, R-Mo., was more succinct: The more they turn the briefings over to the professionals, the better.

A group of Republican governors have for months held regular conference calls, usually at night and without staff present, according to two party strategists familiar with the conversations. Unlike the virus-focused calls that Pence leads, there are no Democratic or White House officials on the line, so the conversations have become a sort of safe space where the governors can ask their counterparts for advice, discuss best practices and, if the mood strikes them, vent about the administration and the presidents erratic leadership.

Trump himself seems less interested in the specific challenges the virus presents and is mostly just frustrated by the reality that it has not disappeared as he has predicted. The disconnect is only growing between him and other party leaders  not to mention voters. A poll published Friday by ABC News and The Washington Post found that a majority of the country strongly disapproved of Trumps handling of the coronavirus crisis, and about two-thirds of Americans said they had little or no trust in Trumps comments about the disease.

Trumps political standing is now so dire that even Republicans who have spent years avoiding direct comment on his behavior are acknowledging his unpopularity in plain terms. Former House Speaker Paul Ryan, for instance, offered a bleak assessment of Trumps electoral standing at a recent event hosted by Solamere, a company with close ties to Sen. Mitt Romney, R-Utah, and his family.

According to a partial transcript of the comments, shared by a person close to him, the usually tight-lipped Ryan said Trump was losing key voting blocs across the Midwest and in Arizona, a Republican-leaning state that Ryan described as presently trending against us.

While Ryan did not criticize Trumps handling of the outbreak, he said the president could not win reelection this year if he continued losing badly to Biden among suburban voters who were wary of both candidates but currently favor Biden.

Biden is winning over Trump in this category of voters 70 to 30, Ryan said, and if that sticks, he cannot win states like Wisconsin, Michigan and Pennsylvania.

Some of Trumps closest advisers are adamant that the best way forward is to downplay the dangers of the disease. Mark Meadows, the chief of staff, has been particularly forceful in his view that the White House should avoid drawing attention to the virus, according to people familiar with the discussions.

Meadows has for the most part opposed any briefings about the virus, while other Trump advisers, including Hope Hicks and Jared Kushner, have been open to holding briefings so long as they are not at the White House  where Trump could show up and commandeer them. Pences team would like to hold more briefings with the health experts, but some of Trumps communications aides do not want the vice president to be part of them.

A large number of rank-and-file Republican lawmakers share Trumps aversion to the disease-control practices.

Gov. Brian Kemp of Georgia, a Republican closely aligned with Trump, issued an order Wednesday blocking local governments from mandating mask-wearing, then sued the mayor of Atlanta, Keisha Lance Bottoms, for imposing such a requirement. Kemps edict came hours after Trump visited his state, declining to wear a face mask at the Atlanta airport.

Yet some in the GOP now see no alternative to parting ways with Trump, on policy if not politics.

Glenn Hamer, president of the Arizona Chamber of Commerce and Industry, a powerful business federation in the crucial state, said he saw Gov. Doug Ducey, a Republican, walking a prudent line  breaking with Trumps policy demands but not blasting the president for issuing them.

Everyone knows that the president doesnt react well to criticism, constructive or not, he said.

Hamer, who was among a group of business leaders who sent a letter to the White House urging the creation of clearer national standards for facial coverings, said Trump presented a challenge to Republican leaders seeking to foster responsible behavior.

On the mask side, it is difficult when the leader of the party had been setting a pretty bad example, Hamer said.

This article originally appeared in The New York Times.
WASHINGTON>> President Donald Trumps aides are misrepresenting the record on kids and the coronavirus as they push for schools to reopen.

White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany on Monday inaccurately characterized what the chief of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has said on the matter. A day earlier, Education Secretary Betsy DeVos also was wrong in stating that the research shows there is no danger in any way if kids are in school.

No such conclusion has been reached.

Their comments came as Trump continued to spread falsehoods about a pandemic that is taking a disproportionate hit on the U.S. and is not under control.

A look at recent claims and reality:

SCHOOLS

McENANY: Just last week you heard Dr. Redfield say that children are not spreading this.  Monday on Fox News Channels Fox and Friends

THE FACTS: No, Dr. Robert Redfield, the CDC director, did not say that. He said officials dont have evidence that children are driving infections at this point. But they have not ruled out that children spread the virus to adults.

Dr. Deborah Birx, the White House coronavirus coordinator, said last week the government doesnt have enough data to show whether and to what degree kids can infect others.

The bulk of data has been collected from adults and particularly from those who were sick, leaving questions about children still unanswered, Birx said. She said children under 10 are the least tested age group.

The officials did not reach a conclusion that children are not spreading this. Nor does the evidence prove that they are.

The government has counted tens of thousands of children who have been infected with the virus and in some cases hospitalized. Overall, public health officials believe the virus is less dangerous to children than adults.

___

DEVOS: Theres nothing in the data that suggests that kids being in school is in any way dangerous.  Sunday on Fox News Sunday.

THE FACTS: Not so. Like McEnany, DeVos is suggesting certainty where none exists as she urged schools to provide full-time, in-person learning in the fall even with community transmission of COVID-19 rising in many parts of the U.S.

Its premature to claim that there are no risks in any way seen in data. How significant a risk has not been established.

The CDC in April studied the pandemics effect on different ages in the U.S. and reviewed preliminary research in China, where the coronavirus started. It said social distancing is important for children, too, for their own safety and that of others.

Whereas most COVID-19 cases in children are not severe, serious COVID-19 illness resulting in hospitalization still occurs in this age group, the CDC study says.

In May, the CDC also warned doctors to be on the lookout for a rare but life-threatening inflammatory reaction in some children whove had the coronavirus. The condition had been reported in more than 100 children in New York and in some kids in several other states and in Europe, with some deaths.

The agencys current guidance for communities on the reopening of K-12 schools says the goal is to help protect students, teachers, administrators, and staff and slow the spread of COVID-19. The guidance says full sized, in person classes present the highest risk of spreading the virus and advises face masks, spreading out of desks, staggered schedules, eating meals in classrooms instead of the cafeteria and staying home when appropriate to help avert spikes in virus cases.

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VIRUS

TRUMP: Deaths in the U.S. are way down.  tweet on July 6, one of at least a half dozen heralding a drop in daily deaths from the virus.

THE FACTS: Its true that deaths dipped as infections spiked in many parts of the country. But deaths lag sickness. And now, the widely expected upturn in U.S. deaths has begun, driven by fatalities in states in the South and West, according to data analyzed by The Associated Press.

Its a false narrative to take comfort in a lower rate of death, Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, said Tuesday. He advised Americans: Dont get yourself into false complacency.

The new AP analysis of data from Johns Hopkins University shows the seven-day rolling average for daily reported deaths in the U.S. increased to 664 on Friday from 578 two weeks ago, as deaths rose in more than half the states. Thats still well below the lethal numbers of April.

Its consistently picking up, said William Hanage, a Harvard University infectious diseases researcher. And its picking up at the time youd expect it to.

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TRUMP: For the 1/100th time, the reason we show so many Cases, compared to other countries that havent done nearly as well as we have, is that our TESTING is much bigger and better. We have tested 40,000,000 people. If we did 20,000,000 instead, Cases would be half, etc. NOT REPORTED!  tweet Thursday.

THE FACTS: His notion that infections are high only because the U.S. diagnostic testing has increased is false. His own top public health officials have shot down this line of thinking. Infections are rising because people are infecting each other more than they were when most everyone was hunkered down.

Its true that increased testing also contributes to the higher numbers. When you look harder, youre going to see more. But the testing has uncovered a worrisome trend: The percentage of tests coming back positive for the virus is on the rise across nearly the entire country.

Thats a clear demonstration that sickness is spreading and that the U.S. testing system is falling short.

A high rate of positive tests indicates a government is only testing the sickest patients who seek out medical attention and is not casting a wide enough net, says the Johns Hopkins University Coronavirus Resource Center, a primary source of updated information on the pandemic.

Americans are being confronted with long lines at testing sites, often disqualified if they are not showing symptoms and, if tested, forced to wait many days for results.

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TRUMP on the coronavirus: We have the lowest Mortality Rate in the World.  tweet Tuesday.

THE FACTS: This statement is wholly unsupported.

An accurate death rate is impossible to know. Every country tests and counts people differently, and some are unreliable in reporting cases. Without knowing the true number of people who become infected, it cannot be determined what portion of them die.

Using a count kept by Johns Hopkins University, you can compare the number of recorded deaths with the number of reported cases. That count shows the U.S. experiencing more deaths as a percentage of cases than most other countries now being hit hard with the pandemic. The statistics look better for the U.S. when the list is expanded to include European countries that were slammed early on by the virus but now appear to have it under control. Even then, the U.S. is not shown to be among the best in avoiding death.

Such calculations, though, do not provide a reliable measurement of actual death rates, because of the variations in testing and reporting, and the Johns Hopkins tally is not meant to be such a measure.

The only way to tell how many cases have gone uncounted, and therefore what percentage of infected people have died from the disease, is to do another kind of test comprehensively, of peoples blood, to find how many people bear immune system antibodies to the virus. Globally, that is only being done in select places.

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ECONOMY

TRUMP: Job growth is biggest in history.  tweet Wednesday.

THE FACTS: Yes, but only because it is following the greatest job losses in history, by far.

The U.S. economy shed more than 22 million jobs in March and April, wiping out nearly a decade of job growth in just two months, as the viral outbreak intensified and nearly all states shut down nonessential businesses. Since then, 7.5 million, or about one-third, of those jobs have been recovered as businesses reopened. Even after those gains, the unemployment rate is 11.1%, down from April and May but otherwise higher than at any point since the Depression.

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TRUMP: Economy and Jobs are growing MUCH faster than anyone (except me!) expected.  tweet Wednesday.

THE FACTS: Not really. Its true that Mays gain of 2.7 million jobs was unexpected. Economists had forecast another month of job losses. But most economists projected hiring would sharply rebound by June or at the latest July, once businesses began to reopen. The gains kicked in a month earlier than forecast.

Now, though, coronavirus cases are rising in most states, imperiling the climb back. In six states representing one-third of the economy  Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Michigan, and Texas  governors are reversing their reopening plans, and the restart is on pause in 15 other states. Such reversals are keeping layoffs elevated and threatening to weaken hiring.

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TRUMP TEAM ON BIDEN

TRUMP campaign ad, playing out a scenario where a person needing help calls the police in a Biden presidency and gets a voice recording: You have reached the 911 police emergency line. Due to defunding of the police department, were sorry but no one is here to take your call. The ad closes with the message: You wont be safe in Joe Bidens America.

THE FACTS: Biden has not joined the call of protesters who demanded defund the police after Floyds killing. Hes proposed more money for police, conditioned to improvements in their practices.

I dont support defunding the police, Biden said last month in a CBS interview. But he said he would support tying federal aid to police based on whether they meet certain basic standards of decency, honorableness and, in fact, are able to demonstrate they can protect the community, everybody in the community.

Bidens criminal justice agenda, released long before he became the Democrats presumptive presidential nominee, 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 existing federal community policing grant programs.

That adds up to more money for police, not defunding law enforcement.

Biden also wants the federal government to spend more on education, social services and struggling areas of cities and rural America, to address root causes of crime.

Democrats, meanwhile, have pointed to Trumps repeated proposals in the administrations budget to cut community policing and mediation programs at the Justice Department. Congressional Republicans say the program can be effectively merged with other divisions, but Democrats have repeatedly blocked the effort. The program has been used to help provide federal oversight of local police departments.

Despite proposed cuts, Attorney General William Barr last month said that the department would use the COPS program funding to hire over 2,700 police officers at nearly 600 departments across the country.

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VICE PRESIDENT MIKE PENCE: Biden said that he would, quote, absolutely cut funding for law enforcement.  remarks Thursday in Philadelphia.

REPUBLICAN NATIONAL COMMITTEE email: In the wake of rioting, looting, and tragic murders ripping apart communities across the country, Joe Biden said Yes, absolutely he wants to defund the police.  email Wednesday from Steve Guest, RNCs rapid response director.

THE FACTS: Thats misleading, a selective use of Bidens words on the subject.

The RNC email links to an excerpted video clip of Bidens conversation with liberal activist Ady Barkan, who endorsed Biden on Wednesday after supporting Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders during the Democratic primaries. A full recording of that conversation, provided by the Biden campaign to The Associated Press, shows he again declined to support defunding police.

Barkan raises the issue of police reform and asks whether Biden would funnel money into social services, mental health counseling and affordable housing to help reduce civilian interactions with police.

Biden responds that he is calling for increased funding for mental health providers but thats not the same as getting rid of or defunding all the police and that both approaches are needed, including more money for community police.

Asked again by Barkan, so we agree that we can redirect some of the funding, Biden then answers absolutely yes.

Biden then gives the caveat that he means not just redirect federal money potentially but condition it on police improvements.

If they dont eliminate choke holds, they dont get (federal) grants, if they dont do the following, they dont get any help, Biden replied.

The vast majority of all police departments are funded by the locality, funded by the municipality, funded by the state, he added. Its only the federal government comes in on top of that, and so it says you want help, you have to do the following reforms.

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BIDEN ON TRUMP

BIDEN: President Trump claimed to the American people that he was a wartime leader, but instead of taking responsibility, Trump has waved a white flag, revealing that he ordered the slowing of testing and having his administration tell Americans that they simply need to live with it.  statement Wednesday marking the rise in U.S. coronavirus infections to more than 3 million.

THE FACTS: To be clear, the government did not slow testing on the orders of the president.

Trump at first denied he was joking when he told a Tulsa, Oklahoma, rally on June 20 that he said to my people, Slow the testing down, please' because they test and they test. Days later he said he didnt really mean it.

In any event, a succession of his public-health officials testified to Congress that the president never asked them to slow testing and that they were doing all they could to increase it. But testing remains markedly insufficient.
White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows, then-U.S. representative from North Carolina, speaks to media while other impeachment defense team advisers look on at the Capitol in Washington on Jan. 27, 2020. (Charlotte Cuthbertson/The Epoch Times)

Stimulus Negotiations Will Start In Earnest on Monday, White House Chief of Staff Says

Mark Meadows, the White House chief of staff, said negotiations between the Trump administration and both chambers of Congress will start Monday on stimulus legislation, setting up the possibility for another round of direct stimulus checks, expanded unemployment insurance, and small business safeguards.

As weve started to engage with our Senate and House colleagues up on Capitol Hill, those will start in earnest starting tomorrow, Monday, Meadows said in an interview on Sunday, adding that the meetings will occur on July 20 with earnest discussions.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) and House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) will meet with President Donald Trump and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin to actually start to fine-tune it, he added.

The specifics of the bill proposed by the GOP are expected to be revealed later this week. Congress is operating on a tight deadline to negotiate the passage of the bill as the next break starts in early August, while expanded $600-per-week unemployment insurance ends in late July.

In the interview, Meadows said the White House has a set of priorities for the next package, including protections for the American workers and those that employ individuals.

Republicans like McConnell have expressed an unwillingness to keep the expanded unemployment insurance payments, saying they create a disincentive for people to return to work or find another job that pays better.

Whether its a payroll tax deduction, whether its making sure that unemployment benefits continue without a disincentive to return to work, Meadows added, saying it appears the bill will be above $1 trillion dollars. The previous CARES Act cost $2.2 trillion, while House Democrats HEROES Act would be worth about $3 trillion.

Democrats have pushed to keep the extra benefits until start of next year.

The CARES Act was passed in Marchauthorizing direct payments of up to $1,200 and the expanded unemployment paymentsto offset potential economic losses suffered due to the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus pandemic and as governors had implemented statewide stay-at-home orders.

McConnell earlier this month suggested that direct payments in the next bill would be sent out to low-income Americans who make $40,000 or less per year, although he did not elaborate on the details. Trump also said he wants to see more direct checks to Americans but with greater payments than what Democrats have suggested.

Last week, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) told reporters that she believes Republicans will align with the Democrats proposal.

I have no doubt theyll come around, Pelosi told Bloomberg News. They know theres going to be a bill.  First it was going to be no bill. And then it was going to be some little bill. Now its $1.3 [trillion]. Thats not enough, she told reporters in Washington.
Local BJP leader Makhan Singh Lobana, 50, was arrested on the complaint of Baldev Raj of Naggals Metla village for his alleged involvement in an immigration fraud, police said on Sunday. The accused has already been sent in five-day police remand.

Baldev has accused him and one Surinder Singh of cheating him on the pretext of sending his son to the US. DSP Munish Sehgal said, Another case was registered against him at the Ambala City police station. He has been arrested twice in cases registered against him at Barara and Shahazadpur police stations, but was released on interim bail.

Kaithal: Travel agent arrested

A travel agent has been arrested for allegedly taking 56 lakh from a person for sending him to the US illegally.

As per the police, action was taken following the complaint from the family of the victim, who is lodged a jail in the US.

Mandeep Singh of Pundri alleged that accused Mahabir of Dherru village took 56 lakh from him to send his son to the US in February 2019.

He claimed that his son had to face hardships as he undertook a rigorous journey via bus, boat and on foot through Mexican jungles. He was later forced to cross the US border in July 2019 illegally and was subsequently arrested by police and sent to Jail, he added.

Earlier this month, he was deported and filed a police complaint.

Kaithal superintendent of police Shashank Kumar Sawan said the accused was taken in police remand for two days for interrogation.
An Oodua group has protested that the Flying Officer Tolulope Arotile, who was the first female combat helicopter pilot in Nigeria, may have been murdered.

Apapo Oodua Koya (AOKOYA) had in a statement said it has strong reasons to believe that Tolulope Arotile of the Nigerian Air Force was murdered; the group, therefore, demanded the International community to investigate her death.

The AOKOYA said in the statement signed by Captain Abigo Oritsebugbemi (rtd) as well as the Middle Belt Coordinator, Akeem Meduna, declared: We have very strong reasons to assume that Tolulope Arotile was murdered. We are aware she had altercations with top military commanders before her death and some hated her to a tilt for her brilliance and exploit against the Boko Haram and bandits.

The group contended that the theory that Arotile died in motor accident in the Airforce base is a cock and bull story, adding that it is doubtful.

The AOKOYA further declared: We want full investigation into this suspicious death. We find it difficult to believe the story based on the information at our disposal.

How can she have died in a traffic accident right inside the Airforce base in Kaduna? We have made preliminary findings and all officers who spoke to us could not understand how that could have happened. One officer, her colleague in Kaduna, specifically, said the case of murder was the strongest motive.

There must be an independent enquiry for anyone to be convinced Tolulope Arotile was not murdered. The Fulani hegemony hated bright officers of Southern origin. Tolu was exceptional and her brilliance was a threat to the establishment.

AOKOYA decried the late female pilot died at the age of 23, adding that she was one of the youngest fighter pilots in the world.

The group also complained that a former Yoruba Chief of Airforce, Shittu Alao, was assassinated in 1960s by the Fulani oligarchy, adding that Dr. Ademola Adetokunbo who carried out the autopsy was also murdered by the Federal authorities controlled by the Fulani. It further decried that the Commandant of Nigerian Naval School, Mrs. J.O Ogundana, was murdered few months ago. Her body was mutilated and packed in a Ghana Must Go.

In the same manner, Dr Yomi Oniororo a 29-year-old officer of the Nigerian Intelligence Agency (NIA) was murdered in Abuja, 2002.His body was mutilated. Dare, a senior police officer investigating the murder of Dele Giwa was also assassinated. His senior brother is the popular journalist, Prof Olatunji Dare.

We are taking records. At the last count, some 413 junior and senior Yoruba officers have been murdered by the Fulami oligarchy. Many of them were killed in a neat job that looked like an accident, AOKOYA highlighted.

The Nigerian Airfare had said that Arotile died mysteriously from head injuries sustained in road traffic accident at the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) Base Kaduna.

Arotile is from Iffe in Ijumu Local Government Area of Kogi.
Top Congress leaders are still parked in Jaipur more than a week after Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot set the ball rolling for a high-stakes political drama in the state after making a sensational claim about attempts to topple his government.

They say they are on a mission: not just to survive this crisis but also to show the mirror to the BJP, as well as to Sachin Pilot and his supporters.

The Congress leadership, sources said, is keeping track of the developments in the Pilot camp and is in touch with some MLAs at the resort to learn what their next plan of action is. But this is not all. There is a plan to constitutionally outsmart them as well.

So in a sudden move, chief minister Ashok Gehlot went to meet Governor Kalraj Mishra on Saturday, with letters of support from two MLAs of the Bharatiya Tribal Party, which withdrew support from the Congress government but has now announced they will back the administration.

Bolstered by the move, sources said Gehlot is likely to call an assembly session next week to showcase his strength in the House. His camp says he has at least 103 MLAs loyal to him  88 from the Congress, 2 from the BTP and CPM each, 1 from RLD and 10 independents.

But what is the Congress plan behind calling an assembly session and a possible trust vote later? Sources in the party say it will show the confidence of Gehlot and with him looking in control, Congress hopes to win over some of those legislators who may still be in two minds to crush the revolt once and for all.

The Pilot camp has claimed that it has 30 MLAs, who were willing to walk away from the government - a number enough to bring down Gehlots government.

Calling the session, sources said, could also force the rebel MLAs, who have been near Delhi since last week, to come back and take part in the floor test when it happens. Speaker CP Joshi maintains that he has the right to disqualify the 18 MLAs, but will wait for the high court verdict on the pleas against the disqualification notice.

The Congress hopes that the high court verdict will go in their favour and by calling an assemble session, it hopes it will put pressure on the court to take a decision soon.

But the party remains hopeful it will have the numbers whichever way the court decides. If the MLAs are disqualified, it will help Gehlot in numbers and the Congress will sail through the floor test.

But the Congress is confident that even if they are not disqualified, Gehlot has the numbers to stave off the challenge. An abstention or absence by dissident MLAs during floor test would also help Gehlot.
ATLANTA  John Lewis, a lion of the civil rights movement whose bloody beating by Alabama state troopers in 1965 helped galvanize opposition to racial segregation, and who went on to a long and celebrated career in Congress, died. He was 80.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi confirmed Lewis passing late Friday night, calling him one of the greatest heroes of American history.

All of us were humbled to call Congressman Lewis a colleague, and are heartbroken by his passing, Pelosi said. May his memory be an inspiration that moves us all to, in the face of injustice, make good trouble, necessary trouble.

Lewiss announcement in late December 2019 that he had been diagnosed with advanced pancreatic cancer  I have never faced a fight quite like the one I have now, he said  inspired tributes from both sides of the aisle, and an unstated accord that the likely passing of this Atlanta Democrat would represent the end of an era.

Lewis was the youngest and last survivor of the Big Six civil rights activists, a group led by the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. that had the greatest impact on the movement. He was best known for leading some 600 protesters in the Bloody Sunday march across the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma.

At age 25  walking at the head of the march with his hands tucked in the pockets of his tan overcoat  Lewis was knocked to the ground and beaten by police. His skull was fractured, and nationally televised images of the brutality forced the countrys attention on racial oppression in the South.

Within days, King led more marches in the state, and President Lyndon Johnson soon was pressing Congress to pass the Voting Rights Act. The bill became law later that year, removing barriers that had barred Blacks from voting.

Lewis joined King and four other civil rights leaders in organizing the 1963 March on Washington. He spoke to the vast crowd just before King delivered his epochal I Have a Dream speech.

Lewis was born on Feb. 21, 1940, outside the town of Troy, in Pike County, Ala. He grew up on his familys farm and attended segregated public schools.

He was a teenager when he first heard King preaching on the radio. They met when Lewis was seeking support to become the first Black student at Alabamas segregated Troy State University.

Lewis wife of four decades, Lillian Miles, died in 2012. They had one son, John Miles Lewis.

Calvin Woodward is an Associated Press writer.
CAFES and restaurants in Henley have welcomed the Governments latest efforts to boost the hospitality sector.

Chancellor Rishi Sunak hopes to stimulate the economy by offering customers 50 per cent off their bills, an initiative which will run throughout August.

The eat out to help out scheme means people can get up to 10 off per head if they visit an eligible business from Monday to Wednesday.

But the discount only applies to food and soft drinks and does not include alcohol, meaning pubs that dont serve food will not benefit.

At the same time, the industry is being assisted by a reduction in VAT from 20 per cent to five per cent, which will be effective for the next six months. Again, this will not apply to alcohol.

Many businesses re-opened for the first time in more than three months on July 4 as part of the easing of the coronavirus lockdown.

Lorraine Hillier, who runs the Hot Gossip coffee shop on Reading Road, described the measures as fantastic news.

She said: These are very welcome announcements and I have thought that the VAT needed to be five per cent for a very long time.

I know it is only until January, but who knows it might get extended. I think it will be such a lift to the economy and really help the hospitality sector in particular.

I think the eating out scheme is a great idea and we will definitely participate in that. Because a lot of people are working from home and the offices arent open, the lunchtime trade is down across the town with people not going out to get a sandwich.

I hope it will entice people to go out and have a break from work if they know they are getting a good deal.

We arent losing out because the Government will be paying us for participating, so I think that is a win-win situation.

It is very difficult for coffee houses when they are having to pay VAT because 20 per cent is a lot to put on the price of a sandwich or a cup of coffee. That is a lot of money.

Miss Hillier, who is also a town councillor, re-opened her shop earlier this month with protective measures in place, such as screens and hand sanitiser stations.

She added: It has been much better than I expected. It has been quiet but people are slowly getting their confidence back and knowing that we are open again.

I have taken a great deal of care to make as safe an environment as possible without it looking like a prison. Hopefully, as the weather gets better, there will be more people out and about.

Cindy Gillett, director of Spoon cafe in Duke Street, believes the VAT reduction is more likely to benefit the business.

She said: You have got to adjust everything on your till, but the VAT cut will certainly help.

I havent investigated it fully, but the eat out to help out scheme seems like it will be more for the bigger restaurants and chains.

I dont think it is something that would work for most of the independents. I know it is a maximum of 10 and with us being a coffee shop a lot of transactions are under 10 anyway.

We have not looked into it fully, but we are working with our accountant on the VAT reduction and we will be implementing it as soon as possible.

Mrs Gillett says that shopper confidence seems to be returning.

She said: It feels like every day is getting busier. It is sometimes a strain managing peoples distancing in the cafe. Some are relaxed, but most people abide by the rules.

We can only seat 11 and our maximum capacity inside is 26. We have a small property and we dont have the luxury of space on a good day, let alone in a situation like this.

Our regulars have been thrilled to come in and sit down and have a bit of a chat. It feels like we are starting from the beginning and finding our way again.

Nestor Castillo, who runs Cafe Buendia in Bell Street, is waiting to find out more, but is grateful to receive help from the Government.

He said: The VAT reduction is amazing  it is fantastic and is particularly important at the moment. It is a big drop and we will be having a meeting with our accountant to see what we will do about that.

I like these measures and I think everything they are doing is a big help. I am not so sure about the eating out scheme because we only have a small place. We will have to check with our accountant to see what he recommends.

Andrew Sanders, head of Harris + Hoole on the corner of Duke Street and Hart Street, said: We are still evaluating the announcement but we are positive about anything that aims to support our industry.

Apart from our Henley shop, all of our shops are operating at a loss currently because of the amount of business we are getting. So any support from the Government that will allow us to continue to operate for longer and allow us to get to a point where trade picks up is welcome.

If VAT is cut and the company keeps all of that, it gives us extra help towards running the business. Like a lot of companies, we are going to have to work out how best to adopt this to support both the business and encourage customers to come out.

Vivienne Lee, owner of the Chocolate Cafe in Thames Side and a branch in Goring, praised the cut in VAT but many cafes and restaurants may not be open when the offer applies. She said: It is amazing  what a fantastic chancellor we have. A cut in VAT is just amazing. The offer is for the first three days of the week and I dont know how many restaurants would be open because you have no idea who is going to come out and you have to cover all of your costs. In order to open up, you need more than one person spending 10.

But it is a fabulous gesture and I think anything the chancellor offers up is amazing. I think if I had been the chancellor and I was giving 10, I would have given it to retail shops to get more people into the shops.

She added: Henley is an amazing place and we all pull together to get through times like this, but I am sure there are places that are struggling right now.

Nuno Rosado owns The Square in Market Place and Al Forno on Reading Road.

He said: I think it is a good idea to try and encourage people to eat out in a restaurant environment. I am not sure how they are going to police it and patrol it to make sure people are honest with what they are doing.

Monday to Wednesdays are a little bit quieter, but I think it is a very good idea to try and get people out.

The VAT reduction is probably one of the best things the Government have done to help us up until now, because VAT is a real killer in our business, so I am pleased about that.

Our first week back was a little quiet and the weekend was very good. I think people are getting more comfortable with idea of coming out to eat.

All of our staff are back off furlough. They are all positive and I am really pleased to be back and have some kind of normality back.

Shaun Dickens, owner of Bistro at the Boathouse on Station Road, is also pleased with the VAT reduction.

His restaurant is currently only open from Thursday to Saturday with a maximum capacity of 25 customers.

Mr Dickens said: I think the VAT reduction is fantastic and is going to give businesses a little bit of a helping hand to survive. I hope people will realise that the 15 per cent isnt a reduction in food prices  it is there to help the industry survive.

It is costing tens of thousands of pounds just to get to this stage where we can re-open. It is a huge boost to enable us to survive the dark winter that is coming our way.

Mr Dickens says the eat out to help out scheme is more likely to benefit chains than independent restaurants.

He said: It is a nice deal but I think it will help the chains more than the local independents. I think you will find that the vast majority of local independents dont open Monday to Wednesdays because the demand isnt there.

In my opinion, getting 10 off your food bill wont make a big difference in terms of driving people out.

It is going to be a horrible year regardless and I dont think there is anything that the budget, or the Government, could have done to prevent it from being a terrible year.

Customer confidence is the biggest thing and you wont get that from any sort of financial aid or funding package. It has to happen naturally.

There are still a lot of tough times ahead and I am all for the Government trying to support us. They have done a lot for the industry but we are not the woods just yet.

Neil Wornham, co-owner of Shellfish Cow in Reading Road, welcomed the measures.

He said: I think both the VAT reduction and 50 per cent off are very well intentioned and I think both will help. They are pretty straightforward to implement.

Restaurants certainly need some help and this is very welcome. I think the truth of the matter is we dont know just how much help we need, so truly what chance has anybody got.

We are treading water. I dont anticipate making any money this year and our objective is to make sure we are still in business  and all of the indicators are that we will be  when the dust has settled.

In our first full week back, we have had very quiet lunches with only three or four tables and then 30 per cent of what we would normally do in the evenings.

People are being a bit cautious and I hope the extra assistance with VAT isnt going to be needed because I hope, as each week goes by, people feel more confident.

We have been full on certain nights, but with a reduced number of tables. It is a bit like Valentines Day where the restaurant is full, but the vast majority of bookings are tables of two.

He added: The atmosphere has been terrific and I was slightly concerned that taking out so many tables to abide by the metre-plus rule would affect us, but it hasnt.

Pub landlords who dont sell food say the announcements are of little benefit to them.

Claire Wakefield, who runs The Old Bell in Bell Street, Henley, said: For any wet-based pub it doesnt help a jot although I appreciate it is difficult for the Government to create schemes that encourage people to go out and drink.

She took over as landlord of Henleys oldest pub just before the lockdown was introduced and has been unable to claim any financial support as a result.

Ms Wakefield said: I think I was one of only two pubs in the whole of Oxfordshire that didnt receive any help at all.

It is much quieter than normal and I would say people are incredibly hesitant and cautious. People arent concerned about the measures I have put in place but how the rest of the public will behave.

Graham Steward, the landlord of the Bird in Hand pub in Greys Road, said: This wont make any difference to me because I dont do food. I am not complaining though, because we have been looked after quite well in terms of getting grants up to this point.

For those that do food, good luck to them. The VAT is only on soft drinks and food and it is impossible for me separate them  it is just not worth the grief.

Neil Ainsworth, who runs The Argyll in Market Place, does not believe the Government has done enough to protect the industry.

He said: The VAT is only on food and that is not going to help wet-lead pubs. I would imagine they are going to be very disappointed that they have not been given further assistance.

I think the Governments PR machine has been working overtime, but is it actually going to be helpful to the industry when it is in freefall? The grants took ages to be paid, the furlough has been difficult and this is just a sweetener by the Government.

Helen Barnett, the town and community manager, said residents and visitors need to support the hospitality industry in Henley.

She said: The Government initiatives are part of giving confidence to the industry and the hospitality businesses in Henley need our support, especially having missed the revenue generated by Henley Royal Regatta.

The Henley Standards Think Local campaign says it all. The world is a different place now and we must all shop, eat and drink local.
A Korean boat on the East Sea. Circa 1900s. Robert Neff Collection



By Robert Neff



Life aboard the Two Brother became too unbearable for some of the crew and they decided to take their chances with the sea. It is not clear how, but soon Melville Kelsey (23), Thomas McGuire (21), David Barnes (20), and Edward Brailey (18) soon found themselves in one of the small wooden boats the whaler used to hunt down whales. Perhaps they did it in the middle of the night while on watch or maybe, while giving chase to a whale and out of view of the ship, they decided to desert and set out for Japan.



At this time of year, storms often terrorized the region, but they were fortunate and met only with powerful winds that forced them west, toward the hostile Korean peninsula. They eventually crashed on the east coast of Korea, about 30 miles south of Wonsan City near Toncheon in Kangwon province, their boat, stoved in, was rendered useless and they found themselves marooned on the "hostile shores" of Korea. They were the first known Americans to set foot in Korea.



Almost immediately they were discovered by the Korean villagers. According to the Korean reports, the small boat was seen in the evening being blown to shore by the wind. The boat was badly damaged and the four strangers were in a dire situation. Their appearance had caused alarm throughout the region.

A minor official tried to talk with the Westerners but, because he did not speak English and they did not speak Chinese or Korean, they had to resort to gestures and signs. According to the Korean official, the Americans kept bowing and gesturing they wished to be saved.





The rugged coast of Gangwon Province circa 1930s. Robert Neff Collection





A sketch of one of the sailors. Song Byoung-gi, "Korea's First Meeting with Americans," Gojuwon Publishing, 2005

Through gestures, the Americans were told to leave but after an examination of the small boat, it was determined to be unseaworthy. Much to the Americans' surprise, they were fed and well-treated by the Koreans. Like other shipwrecked survivors, they were quickly confined to an area and guarded to prevent them from leaving or being molested by the native population, while waiting for instructions from the Korean central government. Finally, after a month of captive care, orders were received and the four Americans were taken by horseback to the Manchurian border, and handed over to the Chinese magistrate there.



The men were escorted by a Manchurian magistrate and his men to the Chinese capital, Peking. On the journey to Peking they were forced to stop and rest for the night, and each time they stopped, they were treated well, but placed in jail cells and guarded. China in the 1850s was still a dangerous place for Westerners, especially away from the Western enclaves on the coast, and the men probably wondered what would become of them.



Once they reached Peking they were again placed in cells but they were greatly relieved to discover there were Russian missionaries in the city. The Russian missionaries were not able to speak much English, but they occasionally visited the Americans and provided them with food and clothing. For nearly three weeks they were confined before the missionaries relayed to them through writing that they were to be taken to Shanghai and released.





Gangwon province in the 1930s. Robert Neff Collection



The subsequent trip from Peking to Shanghai and the treatment they received at the hands of the Chinese was far different from the earlier treatment they had received from the Koreans and Manchurians. They were poorly supplied at the beginning of the journey to Shanghai and given only a small allowance on which to live. This allowance was reduced daily as their Chinese escort increased their own profits at the expense of the Americans. The Americans would not be the last to complain of the difference of treatment given to them by the allegedly hostile Koreans and the friendly Chinese.



They arrived in Shanghai in late December 1855 and reported their circumstances to the American consul there. They were questioned about their adventures in Korea, but because they were "very unsophisticated young men" they were unable to provide much information other than they had seen no women while in Korea. Deemed as "not [having] profit[ed] much by their opportunities of travel," they were eventually sent back to their ship, where they made amends with Captain Childs and were allowed to finish the voyage.



When the ship returned to New Bedford a couple of years later there was no mention in the local press (that I could find) of the desertion incident. Most of the crew appear to have given up whaling, at least in New Bedford, and, like the desertion incident and the subsequent landing in Korea, disappear from the pages of history.





China in the 1930s. Robert Neff Collection
Vineet Upadhyay By

UTTARAKHAND: Two years back, the Uttarakhand High Court took a serious note of rampant child marriages in the state which resulted in early pregnancies risking the lives of young mothers.

The court told the state to enforce the provisions of the Prevention of Child Marriage Act, 2006. The court also directed the state government to appoint child marriage prohibition officers in each district.

For Basanti (52), fondly called Basanti Behen, it was the most significant news.

Widowed at the age of 12, she vowed to do whatever she could to stop the marriage of minor girls. As she grew up, the first thing she realised was to study further, beyond her Class IV education.

She is now a teacher and has taken up womens empowerment, environment and bringing about social awareness in Kausani in Almora district of Uttarakhand and elsewhere.

She goes door-to-door, explaining parents about the irreversible damage a child marriage can cause to a girl.

Whenever I am able to convince the parents against marrying off their minor daughters, I feel a sense of achievement; as if I have saved a life, says Basanti.

She is a great reformer she has changed the mindsets of so many people who now prefer to look after their daughters in terms of their health and education so that they become independent, says Amit Upreti, a resident of Almora district.

Parvati Goswami, her friend and a companion in her every mission, says, Basanti has been a determined woman. She does not rest until she is convinced about the outcome of a task she is set out to do. There are several instances of how she has changed lives for hill folks.

 Basanti spearheaded a forestation campaign along the Kosi river so that traditional water sources are revived. It wasnt easy as villages fought over sharing the river water.

I couldnt believe that the land of Gangotri and Yamunotri is drying up. I decided to take it up with the people, recalls Basanti.

She explained to them the benefits of planting the oak tree, which is believed to retain groundwater. Her persistence paid off. The drive resulted in an understanding between the forest department, which allowed removal of dry wood, and locals who agreed not to chop off the green wood.

The area is now rich with native species of oak and kaafal and natural water sources are revived. Ravi Chopra, an eminent environmentalist based in Dehradun is all praise for her work. We need more people like her. We need to follow in her footsteps.

She is now working for the empowerment of local women, whose representation in the panchayat system, she says, must rise.

Thats a mission, she wont until she achieves it, says Parvati. Parag Madhukar Dhakate, conservator of forest, Western Circle of Kumaon division, says he has been following her work for almost a decade. She has convinced people that they are the guardians of Jal Jangal and Jameen (water, forest and land). Forest department officials and locals are now working in tandem.
Ambassador of Armenia to Russia Vardan Toghanyan and Head of the Department for Trade and Services of Moscow Alexey Nemeryuk have discussed the situation regarding the fact that Armenian produce isnt allowed to be sold at Food City market in Moscow, RIA Novosti reports.

According to Nemeryuk, Armenias truckers entered the market and didnt face any problems today.

I talked to the Ambassador a short while ago. All the apricots have been sold, and three truckers were allowed to enter the market today and didnt face any problems, Nemeryuk said.

Earlier, the Ambassador of Armenia to Russia had reported that the trade of fruits imported from Armenia has been normalized in Moscow, and the owners of Food City market have promised to let Armenian truckers bring their produce.

The Embassy of Armenia in Russia is following the situation at Food City. The owners have promised that everything will be fine, if Armenian truckers decide to bring their produce to the market. Two truckers were able to enter the market last night, he said.

Yesterday, in an interview with the Russian RBK agency, Toghanyan informed that the employees of the Embassy of Armenia in the Russian Federation had visited Food City market to regulate the situation, but were told to leave the premises.

The Embassy of Armenia in Russia received messages from Armenian exporters according to which they had been prohibited from trading at Food City. The Embassy explored the situation, informed the Moscow authorities about the discrepancies, and representatives of the diplomatic mission visited the market. Food Citys administration didnt wish to listen to the representatives and used force to make them leave.

News about trucks filled with Armenian goods being brought out of Moscows Food City market at midnight was posted on social networks Friday. Some suppliers reported that the food was already rotten.

The Food City market belongs to the Food City group of companies, which is owned by natives of Azerbaijan, entrepreneurs God Nisanov and Zarakh Iliev.

The trucks have been offered alternative locations in Moscow to sell their goods. The owner of Tashir Group Samvel Karapetyan has earlier today offered a point where farmers from Armenia could sell the product free of charge.

Armenian social media users, in turn, launched a flashmob. To support goods, Armenians from different Russian cities have come to the sites to buy fruits.

The host of events Edgar Hambardzumyan took to his Facebook to go live from the scene. He also said that umbrellas were distributed to those present to protect them from the rain.

Musicians also arrived. Armenian songs and dances were performed in the wholesale shopping center.

The apricot from two trucks has already been sold, the third and fourth trucks have arrived, including those with cherries and plums.
New Delhi: India's drug regulator DCGI has sought a clarification from Glenmark Pharmaceuticals over its alleged "false claims" about the use of anti-viral FabiFlu on COVID-19 patients with comorbidities. Also, the "pricing" of the drug is in question after a Member of Parliament complained about the same.

The letter was issued by the office of Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) Dr V G Somani on July 17 drawing attention to the 'false claims' and 'over pricing' of tablet FabiFlu (favipiravir). A clarification was sought for taking further necessary action in the matter.

The letter also said that a representation from an MP was filed agianst the total cost of the treatment with FabiFlu (favipiravir) which is around Rs 12,500 and that such a cost is not in the interest of the poor, lower middle class and middle-class people of India.

Glenmark had claimed that the drug is effective in co-morbid conditions like hypertension, diabetics, while the protocol summary states that this trial was not designed to assess the FabiFlu in comorbid condition, the letter read.

No clinically sufficient data specific to these conditions are available, the DCGI said in its letter.

There was no immediate comment from the company.

The Mumbai-based pharma had on July 13 said it has cut the price of its antiviral drug Favipiravir, under the brand name FabiFlu, for the treatment of patients with mild to moderate COVID-19 symptoms by 27 per cent costing upto Rs 75 per tablet.

The company had launched FabiFlu last month at a price of Rs 103 per tablet.

The letter sent to the firm by the DCGI encloses the representation made by the MP which refers to an online press conference by Glenmark Pharmaceuticals and media reports that the cost of FabiFlu per tablet is Rs 103.

"As per the claim by Glenmark, a patient has to take the tablet for 14 days, which means one patient will have to take approximately 122 tablets (18 tablets on Day 1 and 8 tablets per day from day 2 to day 14). Total cost of the treatment will be around Rs 12,500," the representation read.

However, the cost proposed by Glenmark is definitely not in the interest of the poor, lower middle class and middle-class people of India, the representation noted.

On June 19, the drug regulator had approved anti-viral drug favipiravir for "restricted emergency use" in mild to moderate cases of COVID-19.
Artist Emile Norman went all-in when he built 45955 Pfeiffer Ridge Road in Big Sur in 1954. Timber adorns the interior and facade, as sunlight streams through vertical and clerestory windows. The nearly 40-acre estate is now on the market and listed for $2 million.

This property is a one-of-a-kind opportunity to possess the inspiring ocean view ranch and home of renowned artist, Emile Norman, who hand-built this artistic haven to blend the magic of Big Sur with the comforts and spaces ideal for an artist soul, said Tim Allen of Tim Allen Properties, the propertys listing agent.
In a drastic business overhaul, the Edelweiss Group will be completely exiting the wholesale credit business by 2022, shifting its focus solely to retail credit along with asset and wealth management verticals.

Since the IL&FS bankruptcy-induced liquidity crisis in the shadow banking sector in September 2018, the group has been reducing its wholesale loan book and it is down 43 per cent from peak in FY18. The group will be selling down Rs 3,000 crore more of wholesale loans by March and completely exiting by 2022, says group chairman and chief executive Rashesh Shah.

Wholesale lending has been the mainstay for the 25-year-old group for long, bust since IL&FS pulled down the whole industry, quantum of sticky loans, mostly extended to commercial realty, ballooned forcing it to re-align the focus now.

The group also reported its maiden losses in the March quarter 2020, booking a whopping Rs 2,245 crore in net losses as it made a Rs 900-crore additional one-time provision towards the pandemic taking the total provisions to Rs 2,549 crore.

With focus shifting away from wholesale credit, total income came also down to Rs 9,603 crore in FY20 from Rs 11,161 crore in FY19 when it had a net income of Rs 995 crore.

ALSO READ: Edelweiss books Rs 2,819 cr pre-tax loss in Q4 on spike in provisions

The group has three credit verticals wholesale arm ECL Finance, housing finance arm EHFL and retail credit arm ERFL, which respectively netted interest income of Rs 1,191 crore, Rs 188 crore and Rs 115 crore, respectively.

Their respective credit loss stood at Rs 2,335 crore, Rs 41 crore, and Rs73 crore and net profit of minus Rs1,414 crore, Rs 2 crore and Rs 1 crore with gross NPAs of 3.8 per cent, 1.7 per cent and 2.4 per cent.

The group is also into asset reconstruction where it is the largest player fetching it a management fee of Rs 800 crore and wealth and asset management where it is a strong player with a steady fee income of Rs 1,095 crore in FY20.

Capital adequacy of these credit subsidiaries stood at 21 per cent for ECL, 28.6 per cent for housing arm and for retail credit at 29.4 per cent and that of ARC at a high 32.5 per cent and a group level liquidity of 24 per cent and as a result plans to borrow less this year. It plans to borrow only Rs 25,000 crore this fiscal, down from Rs 33,000 crore in FY20, and Rs 50,000 crore in FY19.

Edelweiss Retail Finance offers retail mortgage, SME and business loans, margin financing, agri and rural finance, and structured collateralised credit. It had a loan of book of Rs 4,326 crore in FY20, while the retail credit arm closed the year at Rs 1,391 crore of AUM.

Shah, however, did not elaborate on loan growth target for the current year as it shifts focus to SME-focused retail lending, given the pandemic and given the 25 per cent of customers in moratorium, though he expects normalcy to return from the third quarter.

As of March, outstanding wholesale loan came stood at Rs 10,000 crore, down 43 per cent from FY19 when it stood at Rs 19,100 crore.

"ECL Finance had a total loan book of Rs 19,100 crore in FY19, and is just about Rs 10,000 crore as of March 2020, having sold Rs 4,000 crore to global investors in the year and we are selling Rs 3,000 crore more before March 2021 and a complete exit by 2022," Shah told PTI recently.

"The objective is to have zero exposure to wholesale credit by 2022," said Shah, adding, however the group will do wholesale lending through the AMC business, which has assets under management of Rs 21,000 crore.

He is bullish on wealth and asset management as he sees them to be highly scalable and have the potential to fetch high fee income, which in FY20 stood at Rs 1,095 crore and an AUM of Rs 1,13,700 crore, making it the second largest standalone player.

These two businesses contributed Rs 491 crore in net income in FY20 on fee incomes of Rs 1,900 crore, he said, adding the AMC business has an AUM of Rs 50,800 crore.

And so is the ARC business, which is the industry leader and is profitable with steady management fee income of Rs 800 crore with an AUM of Rs 43,188 crore and a networth of Rs 2,035 crore and booked a net income of Rs 306 crore in FY20. It has recovered Rs 20,850 crore from over 350 accounts in the past three years.

Terming the pandemic as "an accelerator of change", Shah said, the group will use the crisis to shift faster to a capital-light model, which will involve collaborating with banks for co-lending, on-lending, loan origination and loan securitisation.

In the co-lending model, an NBFC takes only 20 per cent of the direct credit risk as the balance born by bank. It has already tied up with SBI, BoB, PNB and Central Bank for co-lending, he said, adding after the lockdowns, they will tap more banks.

Shah expects NBFCs as a whole to shrink by 10-20 per cent by March and sees lots of consolidation taking place to the leading players, becoming more capital efficient going forward.

Also Read: DCGI sends show cause notice to Glenmark over 'false claims', steep pricing of Fabiflu

Also Read: Coronavirus in India: Highest-ever single day spike of 38,902 cases; tally at 10.7 lakh
Former AFL Footy Show host Sam Newman has accused the league of racism after an email was sent to clubs about their Indigenous players.

Newman described the AFL's demand Indigenous and Torres Strait Island players get a pneumococcal vaccination was the 'epitome of racism'.

His comments came after the league was forced to apologise over the email, saying it had misinterpreted Queensland Health's advice.

Former AFL Footy Show host Sam Newman (pictured) has accused the league of racism after it was forced to apologise over an email singling out Indigenous and Torres Strait Island players for vaccination

After the AFL released a statement saying their had misunderstood health advice Newman took to Twitter to slam the league over the email (pictured)

'Isn't it often the way, the people who accuse you of something usually end up doing it far worse,' Newman posted on Twitter.

'The AFL requiring Aboriginal players to adhere to different safety protocols IS the epitome of "racism". Waiting for the pathetic explanation. #BLM.'

Newman labelled the league's statement about misunderstanding health advice as the 'first pathetic excuse'.

On Saturday the AFL released a statement apologising for the email and 'not providing sufficient clarity'.

'The AFL acknowledges it could have obtained and shared more information from the Queensland Government health authorities regarding the vaccination.

'The AFL is committed to working closely with the AFLPA and the players, our clubs and our doctors to resolve the situation.'

The league also apologised for any distress the email had caused staff and player's families.

Newman also labelled the league's statement about misunderstanding health advice as the 'first pathetic excuse'

Following the email and apology from the AFL former Gold Coast Suns defender Joel Wilkinson slammed AFL CEO Gillon McLachlan claiming there was a pattern of racism under his leadership

Meanwhile former Gold Coast Suns defender Joel Wilkinson slammed AFL CEO Gillon McLachlan claiming there was a 'pattern of racism' under his leadership.

'Gillon McLachlan you continue to fail Indigenous and African players past and present,' Wilkinson wrote on Twitter.

'There's a continuous pattern during your reign that is racist, dangerous and must be stopped. You will resign, we'll be making sure that happens. Your position is untenable.

'Also, that racist letter I received from you Gillon and other parties June 6th is so racist you won't get away with it. Along with all the incidents of racism for years.'

Earlier the player's association released a statement saying they would decide on their next step after an investigation into the email was completed.

'We are very concerned about this issue,' the statement read.

'We've had various conversations with players and the AFL and are in the process of gathering more information to inform what actions we may take.

'The fact that these vaccinations were not discussed with the AFLPA as part of the return play protocols or otherwise is a significant issue we have raised with the AFL.'
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It is not uncommon to see companies perform well in the years after insiders buy shares. The flip side of that is that there are more than a few examples of insiders dumping stock prior to a period of weak performance. So before you buy or sell Monadelphous Group Limited (ASX:MND), you may well want to know whether insiders have been buying or selling.

Do Insider Transactions Matter?

It's quite normal to see company insiders, such as board members, trading in company stock, from time to time. However, most countries require that the company discloses such transactions to the market.

We don't think shareholders should simply follow insider transactions. But it is perfectly logical to keep tabs on what insiders are doing. As Peter Lynch said, 'insiders might sell their shares for any number of reasons, but they buy them for only one: they think the price will rise'.

See our latest analysis for Monadelphous Group

Monadelphous Group Insider Transactions Over The Last Year

The Independent Non-Executive Director Christopher Michelmore made the biggest insider purchase in the last 12 months. That single transaction was for AU$94k worth of shares at a price of AU$9.42 each. So it's clear an insider wanted to buy, at around the current price, which is AU$9.75. Of course they may have changed their mind. But this suggests they are optimistic. We do always like to see insider buying, but it is worth noting if those purchases were made at well below today's share price, as the discount to value may have narrowed with the rising price. In this case we're pleased to report that the insider bought shares at close to current prices. Christopher Michelmore was the only individual insider to buy shares in the last twelve months.

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!

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Monadelphous Group is not the only stock that insiders are buying. For those who like to find winning investments this free list of growing companies with recent insider purchasing, could be just the ticket.

Insider Ownership of Monadelphous Group

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 appears that Monadelphous Group insiders own 3.9% of the company, worth about AU$36m. This level of insider ownership is good but just short of being particularly stand-out. It certainly does suggest a reasonable degree of alignment.

So What Do The Monadelphous Group Insider Transactions Indicate?

There haven't been any insider transactions in the last three months -- that doesn't mean much. On a brighter note, the transactions over the last year are encouraging. Overall we don't see anything to make us think Monadelphous Group insiders are doubting the company, and they do own shares. So these insider transactions can help us build a thesis about the stock, but it's also worthwhile knowing the risks facing this company. At Simply Wall St, we found 2 warning signs for Monadelphous Group that deserve your attention before buying any shares.

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.
The following events are planned for the upcoming week throughout the region:  Colin Mochrie, the star of the long-running Whose Line Is It, Anyway?, joins forces with master hypnotist Asad Mecci, for the return of their hit show HYPROV:...
You have been diagnosed with prostate cancer and your doctor gives you the option of not being treated, but of remaining under observation: is there any objective way you can decide to be treated or not treated? What should you do? Now using first results from analysis of the world's biggest Active Surveillance prostate cancer database, the GAP3 consortium has begun to identify which patients are at risk of the disease developing and which patients can continue to safely delay treatment. This work is presented at the virtual European Association of Urology congress.

As lead researcher, Dr Mieke Van Hemelrijck (King's College London) says: "Current methods of deciding whether or not to recommend treatment are not reliable. Our analysis shows that we should be able to produce a single global methodology, which will give accurate estimates on how aggressive these cancers are. These will feed directly into the treatment decision, and give men the reassurance they need to decide on treatment".

Prostate cancer is one of the leading causes of death in men, but many men who discover they have prostate cancer are not in any immediate danger: they have Low Risk Prostate Cancer. Over the past 10 years, an increasing number of these men have been given the option of going on active surveillance, rather than being immediately treated. Active surveillance means that men continue to be monitored and tested (via PSA levels, biopsy, and other tests), with treatment only starting when the cancer shows signs of developing. The number of men on active surveillance varies from country to country, with up to 80% of men delaying treatment in some countries. However, there are no generally accepted ways of understanding who is at risk, and as many as 38% of men who start active surveillance drop out within 5 years.

Van Hemelrijck said: "Prostate cancer treatment can have significant side-effects such as erectile dysfunction and incontinence, so often avoiding intrusive surgery or radiotherapy can benefit the patient. Nevertheless, being told you have cancer puts great psychological pressure on men to agree to treatment, so understanding just how aggressive the cancer is before deciding on treatment is essential. At the moment we just don't have that reassurance".

Although active surveillance is considered a real step forward in management of low risk prostate cancer, there is surprisingly little agreement on which men will benefit. Doctors consider a range of factors, such as age, PSA score, biopsy details, technical details of the cancer, and so on. But the decision on whether or not to start treatment is still often subjective. Erasmus MC , department of Urology was tasked by Movember to coordinate the development of a global database on Active Surveillance (the GAP3 consortium). Dr Van Hemelrijck worked with a team of researchers from the GAP3 Consortium to develop the world's most accurate active surveillance nomogram.

A nomogram is a treatment calculator, similar to an App: you feed in the details and it gives you advice on whether or not to treat. Local nomograms exist, but a global version is needed to be generally applicable. Working with data from the 14,380 patients on the Movember database (the world's largest), they were able to input data such as age, size and condition of the tumor, PSA, biopsy details, time on active surveillance, genetic factors, etc.

"Not surprisingly, we have found that even accounting for these factors there was still differences in outcomes between participating centres. But this work has shown that it will be possible to produce a nomogram which can guide treatment. Just as importantly, the work shows which additional factors need to be included in the nomogram in future to enable us to eliminate this variation and produce accurate estimates of tumor aggressiveness".
For Davey, a resident of the city of Huntington Beach in southern California, the requirement to wear a mask to curb the spread of coronavirus is not something he takes seriously. "It's a hoax," the 51-year-old told AFP as he exited a clothing store maskless, referring to a state rule that people in most public places wear face coverings. "The more you test people, the more you come up with new cases," he said, echoing words from President Donald Trump as he attempted to explain the record number of infections recently recorded in California and several other states. Davey is not the only resident of this city in Orange County, which has a large Republican presence, to revolt against lockdowns and mask rules. "It's my constitutional, God-given right not to wear a mask," said Davey, who declined to give his last name. While the number of COVID-19 cases in Orange County has not exploded like in some particularly hard-hit cities across the country's south and west, the disease's incidence is still worrisome. An employee at a nearby shop said many business owners had given up trying to ensure mask compliance, given how sensitive the issue has become. "We had a lot of protests against beach closures and masks here," said the employee, who did not wish to be named. "Basically, a lot of shops around here are doing what they can not to lose customers." Few people encountered along city streets on a recent afternoon wore masks. Among them was Tracy, a 25-year-old walking back from the beach carrying her surfboard. She said she initially tried to convince friends to wear masks but eventually gave up. "It sometimes ended up quickly in a fight," she said. "I don't know why, but the issue is totally sensitive. I decided to let it go." - 'New behavior for Americans' - Controversy over the issue prompted the county's chief health officer, Nichole Quick, to resign last month after weeks of defending her countywide face mask order. Her successor scrapped the mandate, saying that masks would be "strongly recommended," not required. Meanwhile, County Sheriff Don Barnes has said he won't enforce the statewide mask order, opting instead for "education first." Wendy Wood, a psychology professor at the University of Southern California, compared the pushback against masks to the opposition that emerged when laws first required the use of seat belts. "This is a new behavior for most Americans," she told AFP. "And you can think of it like seat belts." Complicating the face mask issue, Wood acknowledged, is the mixed messaging that has come from local, state and particularly the federal government. "It's become politicized and actually has come to represent your political orientation," she said, with Democrats more inclined to follow the mask-wearing exhortations from health experts like top US infectious disease specialist Anthony Fauci, and Republicans more likely to be influenced by Trump's skepticism and mixed signals on masks. Alison Dundes Renteln, a political science professor at USC, said the controversy goes beyond political identity. "I'm not denying that there is a kind of a tribalism, hyper-politicization," she told AFP. "But I think it is much more complex... Americans don't like the government to tell them what to do. "You know, 'give me liberty or give me death.'" Orange County Sheriff Don Barnes has said he won't enforce California's statewide mask order including in cities such as Huntington Beach, seen here on July 16, 2020 People enjoy the waves in Huntington Beach, California on June 14, 2020 A man shops in a California surf store without a mask on July 16, 2020, disregarding a state mask-wearing mandate A waitress takes an order at tables temporarily set up in the street on July 16, 2020 outside a restaurant in Huntington Beach, California
This is even worse than it sounds. First, not only can most of those affected not afford to pay the required amount, the Florida system is so messed up that the state cant even tell people what they owe and wont even be able to begin to do so until 2026. Meanwhile, voting while ineligible is itself a crime, meaning that those who guess wrong about how much they owe could be open to prosecution.
Kendallville, IN (46755)

Today

Overcast. Morning high of 43F with temps falling sharply to near 20. Winds WNW at 10 to 20 mph..

Tonight

Cloudy skies early, then partly cloudy after midnight. Low 13F. Winds N at 10 to 20 mph.
Iranian health officials have tried to play down President Hassan Rohani's estimate that as many as 25 million Iranians could have been infected with the coronavirus since the beginning of the outbreak.

Rohani on July 18 cited a new study by the Health Ministry in offering the unprecedentedly high number of 25 million coronavirus cases. Iran's population is around 81 million people.

"Our estimate is that until now 25 million Iranians have been infected with this virus and about 14,000 have lost their dear lives," Rohani said in his remarks.

A Health Ministry statement carried by Iranian media on July 19 said the figure given by the president was based on numbers produced by a deputy in the ministry.

The statement said the estimate was based on serological blood tests that measure exposure to the illness.

"It is not possible to rely on serological tests to diagnose the current state of the disease," the statement said.

Serological tests determine if a person has been exposed to a disease by showing their antibody response.

In the coronavirus pandemic, they have been used by countries to survey samples of the population and estimate overall infection rates -- whether or not people have had severe, mild, or no symptoms of COVID-19.

Iran has been hardest hit by the pandemic in the Middle East, with infections and deaths rising sharply since restrictions were eased, beginning in mid-April.

Official case numbers rose to 273,788 on July 19, with 14,188 deaths, Health Ministry spokeswoman Sima Sadat Lari said.

Authorities on July 18 reimposed one-week restrictions in the capital, Tehran, including banning religious and cultural functions, closing cafes, indoor pools, amusement parks and zoos, in an effort to contain the deadly pandemic.

In related news, Turkey has suspended flights to Iran because of coronavirus worries, a spokesman for Iran's Civil Aviation Organization, Reza Jafarzadeh, was quoted as saying on July 19 by the official IRNA news agency.

With reporting by IRNA and Reuters
Egypt has named Mohamed Ahmed Morsy as the new Minister of State for Military Production following the death of former minister Mohamed El-Assar, who passed away earlier this month.

Morsy was sworn in by President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi on Sunday.

Egypts parliament approved during its plenary on Sunday morning the appointment of the new minister.

Al-Assar's successor served as a former director of the country's Arab Organisation for Industrialisation (AOI) and a former assistant to the defence minister.

The late minister Al-Assar held the position since 2015 and died on 6 July at the age of 74 after a battle with disease.

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Biden is seen as having the better personality and temperament to serve as president by 26 points among adults overall. He is seen as likely to do more to unite the country by 24 points, of better understanding problems of people like you by 17 points, as more honest and trustworthy by 14 points, as better representing your own personal values by 12 points and as having a better idea of what America should stand for by 10 points. Trump and Biden are even at 45 percent on the question of who is seen as the stronger leader.
Honda started the weekend in Hungary with problems with Pierre Gasly's car in the first free practice. In qualifying, problems with his power source reappeared and so he got a new one before the race. Is it something all Honda drivers should be worried about?

That's something Honda is now going to investigate, Toyoharu Tanabe says to the Japanese Auto Sport Web. "We're going to look in detail at the causal relationship [between the problems in VT1 and Q2]. Although we drove without any problems after VT1. In both VT2 and VT3 there was nothing wrong, not even in the lung runs".

Engine sent to factory

Tanabe hopes that a definitive cause and solution will be found in the factory in Japan, where the power source has already been sent to, but for the time being the manufacturer is in the dark. The only information they actually have is the comments of the drivers.

"'It doesn't feel right, said the driver [Gasly]. It feels like the engine is failing at any moment," said Tanabe, who was able to reassure anxious Verstappen a little later. The Dutchman asked to check his engine after the failure of Gasly, but "there was no problem," said Tanabe.
Kildare writers, Ruth Ennis and Kevin Conroy has been selected by Words Ireland to receive professional literary mentoring over the next eight months from an acclaimed Irish writer of their choice.

After a national call out, a total of 24 writers were selected from 250 applicants.

County Kildare Arts Service funded the literary mentorship along with the Arts Council of Ireland to guarantee that the best applicant from the county would be selected. Their support will ensure that the chosen mentee receives this potentially life-changing support for free. It is also an investment in the long-term literary reputation of the region.

The mentoring process involves four two-hour meetings between the selected mentee and their chosen professional writer.

The mentor reads up to 10,000 words of the awarded mentees writing in advance of each, then shares their hard-earned critical feedback and advice. The hope is that the chosen mentees will go on to write great works of literature to match or beat the quality of their mentors. Its a form of peer to peer teaching that is increasingly popular across all sectors of Irish life  in industry as well as the arts.

Ruth Ennis is a bookseller and the co-founder of teen and YA literary journal Paper Lanterns. Originally from Rathcoffey, now living in Maynooth, she has an MPhil in Childrens Literature from TCD. Ruth has been published by Sonder, The Blue Nib, The Mouldy Bike, Caveat Lector and the Irish Times. She is an aspiring childrens writer. You can find her online at @rurooie.

Kevin Conroy from Naas has been published in The Irish Times, the Stony Thursday Book, One by jacar press, the moth, THE SHOp, Southword, Burning Bush II, Boyne Berries, The Blue Max Review, The Curlew, Sixteen Literary Magazine, erbacce, The Runt magazine, Skylight 47.

Writer Kevin Conroy

He was shortlisted in several competitions and the runner-up in The Patrick Kavanagh Poetry Award 2016. A new poem appears in the issue of Skylight 47 which will launch on Zoom on July 23. His debut collection will be published October 2020 by Salmon Poetry.

Arts Officer for Kildare County Council, Lucina Russell congratulated the awardees and acknowledged the exciting partnership with Words Ireland. The Arts Service is very committed to the professional development and mentoring of artists across art form, through a range of initiatives. We look forward to hearing how this opportunity shapes what the award recipients progress their work, she said.
An Irish specialist emergency physician who played a key role in handling the Ebola outbreak with the World Health Organisation (WHO) has said that Ireland should adapt a traffic light system of risk to avoid a further lockdown.

Dr Ian Norton, who is from Co Cork but based in Australia, has said that the virus will be with us for another 18-24 months, with more waves to come. "Nobody is predicting a first wave and flat line, nobody," he told the Sunday Independent.

But he said companies can take a number of steps to protect their business, staff and customers by understanding the 'science' of the disease.

He also said that companies must make sure they do not incur reputational damage by becoming a Covid-19 hotspot.

Norton is advising companies in Australia, but also businesses in Kinsale, which is close to where he was born, on how to best deal with the coronavirus. The Cork town is using his methodology in an effort to be known as one of the safest tourist areas in the country.

"The lockdown approach is very black and white," said Norton, who set up social enterprise Response Global in January. "And that of course is not how normal business mitigation works. On a work health and safety approach, there are usually incremental controls that are put in place. That's the approach that we are helping businesses go through here in Australia and it absolutely resonates in Ireland as well."

He said that a traffic light system would allow businesses to continue to operate, albeit with restrictions.

"Instead of going black and white, let's go for a staged approach or a traffic light approach. When you have low community transmission like in Ireland, you don't go back to zero restrictions, there are still controls in place but they are not as stringent," said Norton. "But then if your town becomes a hotspot or there is a true large outbreak in your area, then these extra controls are added but you continue to run your business. Risk mitigation could be to send people to work from home... also we are looking at mask wearing, hand washing and all those things."

He also said that some of the advice handed down by official bodies was difficult to navigate and hard to apply to specific sectors.

"The business community were being hit by a tsunami of information, but they didn't know how to process it and make it clear how to implement it at a business level," said Norton. "I was really struck by the fact that public health people, like my old world, don't really translate information to make it digestible by business. And we spent the last three or four months now working with businesses on helping to explain and debunking myths about Covid."

He said that meant taking practical steps to reduce risk.

"If you're a business like a restaurant, even a business in offices, from a continuity point of view you need to understand what the health department will do when it comes to investigate a positive case in your business - I used to be one of those people so I can talk to businesses about what it's like when they come."

He said sometimes health authorities take a checklist approach. "Once we know that and we know what they are looking for we can make sure that your business is safe on a business continuity side of things. So if you're going to lose the entire cohort of staff because they've all mixed in the same area then let's look at having a team A and a team B, separated approach."

He said this would reduce the risk of all employees being sent home but ensuring one team would not infect the other.

Norton also said that companies could suffer if an outbreak was associated with their business. "We talk about reputational risk as well. If you become known as a place where other clients got infected, that really is not acceptable in the business world.

"It's acceptable to have a case - it's in the community, so you may have a case - but it's not acceptable to become a hotspot."

He said that Kinsale was "pushing the envelope on what can be achieved", and praised businesses and tourism bodies for joining forces.

"They looked at outdoor activities and closed off sections of the streets to make them pedestrianised and make them attractive to families," he said. "Doing stuff outdoors is much, much safer than indoors."

He said a balance must be struck between health needs and economic needs.

"I think we can be on the front foot in business now. If you go to amber quickly, you can avoid going to red or black, which is complete lockdown," he said.
China's ambassador to the UK Liu Xiaoming said the British government had made a mistake over Huawei. (BBC)

The Chinese ambassador to the UK has said Britain missed an opportunity to be a leading country with the decision not to use Huawei for its 5G network.

Liu Xiaoming said he believed the British government had made a mistake with the decision and said Boris Johnson would struggle to fulfil his pledge to complete the UKs 5G network by 2025.

This is a very bad decision, he told the BBCs Andrew Marr Show. When the decision was announced I said this is a dark day for Huawei, its a dark day for China-UK relations and an even darker day for the United Kingdom because you missed an opportunity to be a leading country.

Asked whether China had plans to punish British companies trading in Chinese markets, Liu said his country had no desire to politicise economic matters.

Foreign secretary Dominic Raab attacked China over alleged human rights abuses on Sunday. (PA)

That is wrong. In the same way its wrong for the UK to discriminate against Chinese companies because of pressure from the US, he said.

People talk about this national security risk but there is no hard, solid evidence to say Huawei is a risk to the UK.

They have been here for 20 years and made a huge contribution to the telecoms industry in this country and helped the UK to develop.

Boris Johnson has an ambitious plan to have full 5G coverage by 2025, I think Huawei can deliver that, but it now seems to me the UK has just kicked them out under pressure from the US.

On the same programme, foreign secretary Dominic Raab hit back by accusing China of carrying out "gross, egregious human rights abuses" against the Uighur people.

Raab - who is facing calls to impose sanctions on the Chinese officials involved in the actions - said Britain was determined to "call out" such behaviour.

"It is clear that there are gross, egregious human rights abuses going on. We are working with our international partners on this. It is deeply, deeply troubling," he said.

"The reports of the human aspect of it - from forced sterilisation to the education camps - are reminiscent of something we have not seen for a long, long time.

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"This from a leading member of the international community that wants to be taken seriously and in fact who we want a positive relationship with. But we cannot see behaviour like that and not call it out."

However, Liu warned that Beijing will make a "resolute response" to any moves by Britain to sanction Chinese officials for human rights abuses.

"We never believe in unilateral sanctions. We believe the UN has the authority to impose sanctions. If the UK Government goes that far to impose sanctions on any individuals in China, China will certainly make resolute response to it," he said.

"You have seen what happened between China (and) the United States. They sanctioned Chinese officials, we sanctioned their senators, their officials. I do not want to see this tit-for-tat between China-US happen in China-UK relations.

"I think UK should have its own independent foreign policy rather than dance to the tune of the Americans like what happened to Huawei."
The icons of Spains occupation and conquest of New Mexico are front and center again. The attention is intense, so intense it is to wonder how it was that the conquistador imagery and other representations of Spanish colonialism entrenched themselves in New Mexicos public spaces. What historical circumstances led citizens in this part of the world to value the symbols of imperialistic power?

New Mexico Hispanics, or Nuevomexicanos, began to define a historical legacy for their regional ethnic group in the late 19th century. Many things prompted such a search. A major one appeared in the early 1880s. Civic-minded Anglos associated with the New Mexico Historical Society concerned themselves with the fact that the New Mexico territory did not have its own distinct history. President William G. Ritch, the territorial secretary, urged members to recover and preserve artifacts, including ancient texts, for the project of constructing New Mexicos story.

Ritch and colleagues asked who were the founders of New Mexico?

In their prejudiced view, indigenous peoples did not have a history or histories. The way Indians looked and behaved at present, they observed, was the same as when they were first discovered. Nor did the Mexican Republic go back far enough. New Mexico settlements appeared long before Mexico won its independence in 1821.

As Ritch pitched it in a report, Spanish explorers were the first to cart Western civilization, including Christianity, into the region. They were the ones to have established New Mexico in the Southwest.

Anglo business elements saw that having a history could help showcase New Mexico to draw capital investment from the states for the territorys economic development. In 1883, Santa Fe boosters organized the Tertio Milennial, an exposition to put the areas resources on exhibit. Stretched across a month, the event drew thousands  hundreds from outside the territory. 

Prominent Nuevomexicanos in Santa Fe made sure they were going to stage the Spanish colonial procession in the Tertios grand historical pageant. After all, they had familiarity with the regions history through the pages of Spanish-language texts. They determined to make clear that this historical legacy was theirs by virtue of their ancestors. 

In the pageant, Nuevomexicano leaders enacted the 16th century war between Coronado and Zuni Pueblo in the Tiguex War. The drama included a battle scene and a highly choreographed skit of Coronado, played by former Santa Fe Mayor Jose D. Sena, and his military entourage accepting the surrender of the Zunis.

It was the first modern depiction of a conquistador subduing natives. Nuevomexicanos went on to strengthen their ties to Spanish colonial New Mexico. They and Anglo leaders formed the Society of First Settlers of New Mexico. Interesting for present times, in 1901-03 the society raised funds to commission statues and commemorations of the heroes of the Spanish conquest, including de Espejo, Juan de Onate, Cabeza de Vaca and Diego de Vargas.

The movement for statehood spurred Spanish colonial heraldry. Intense white racism against Nuevomexicanos back East caused the delay of statehood for New Mexico for several decades until 1912.

For New Mexico to become a state, its electorate needed to ratify the 1910 Constitution. The politician Octaviano Larrazolo, an immigrant from Mexico no less, spoke eloquently before Spanish-speaking crowds, imploring them to vote yes on the Constitution because New Mexico was theirs by their lineage to conquistador founders. When statehood finally came, George Washington Armijo famously celebrated by sporting a conquistador outfit at the Santa Fe Fiestas.

Statehood sealed the Spanish colonial legacy. Standing alongside Native American and Anglo heritages in New Mexicos quasi-official identity, it signaled to Nuevomexicanos that they truly belonged to the new state. The ethnic labels Spanish, Spanish-American and Hispano referenced Nuevomexicanos for decades to come. 

Not until the Red Power Movement in the 60s and 70s did Native Americans go after the symbols of their historical oppression and subjection to Spanish imperial power.
New Delhi:

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday invited Japanese investments, saying India has a huge and substantial need for finances and his government was pursuing reform policies to make the country the worlds most open economy.

1) PM in Japan: Modi woos investors, talks about economic reforms and progress on GST

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday invited Japanese investments, saying India has a huge and substantial need for finances and his government was pursuing reform policies to make the country the worlds most open economy.

2) Live updates: Chaos all around as ATMs go dry, protesters lathicharged in UP

Long queues were witnessed at banks and ATMs, which opened after two days, as people rushed to get new banknotes in lieu of their old defunct bills.

3) States have right to levy entry tax on goods coming in: Rules SC

The Supreme Court upheld on Friday the constitutional validity of the state legislations with regard to levy of entry tax on goods coming into its territory.

4) Video: Blaze at unauthorised garment factory kills 13, locals accuse fire brigade of apathy

At least 13 people were killed while 17 others suffered burn injuries when a massive fire broke out at an unauthorised garment factory in Ghaziabad's Sahibabad area on Friday.

5) Tata Sons seeks Nusli Wadia's removal for backing Cyrus Mistry

The ongoing boardroom battle between Ratan Tata-Cyrus Mistry took yet another turn on Friday after Tata Sons pushed for an EGM to seek Nusli Wadia ouster.





















For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.
The Sri Lankan government is convinced that demon king Ravana was the first person in the world to fly an aircraft but needs more documented evidence to prove it.

To help the government in this ambitious mission, the Sri Lankan Ministry of Tourism and Aviation has put out an advertisement in newspapers, urging people to share whatever inputs and literature they have on Ravana to help establish the fact.

According to a News18 report, the Sri Lankan government believes that the king of Lanka  who is portrayed as a villain in the Indian epic Ramayana  was the worlds first aviator. They claim he flew an aircraft more than 5,000 years ago.

The Civil Aviation Authority of Sri Lanka now wants to understand how Ravana could employ such advanced technologies thousands of years ago, and what method he may have used, etc. For this, supporting documents and research material will be required and it would not be possible for the island nation to reinstate itself as the pioneer of aviation without the help of its citizens.

Commenting on the exercise, Shashi Danatunge, ex-Vice Chairman, Civil Aviation Authority, said: King Ravana was a genius. He was the first person to fly. He was an aviator. This is not mythology; it is a fact. There needs to be detailed research on this. In the next five years, we will prove this.

A conference of civil aviation experts, historians, etc was held last year in Sri Lankas Katunayake, where it was concluded that Ravana, who is a revered figure in the country, first flew from Sri Lanka to India and back, 5,000 years ago. They, however, had dismissed stories that he had travelled to India to abduct Lord Rams wife Sita and snubbed it as only the Indian version of the story.
By Adam Borowski





"Porando kaiko" or "Reminiscence of Poland." A poem written by Naobumi Ochiai. It was based on the story of Fukushima Yasumasa, a Japanese general who traveled on horseback from Berlin to Vladivostok in 1892-1893. A part of the journey took him through the formerly Polish territories. The poem was a warning for Japan, so that it would not repeat Poland's mistakes. Internally divided and no longer powerful, Poland was partitioned by her neighbors in 1795. "Porando Kaiko" was also a soldier's song popular in Japan up until 1945.



Poland has had cordial relations with South Korea, North Korea (Kim Il-sung visited Poland in 1984) and Japan for years.



Polish spies cooperated with Japan in World War II. Frederic Chopin continues to be revered in Japan. Was the famous pianist Polish, French  maybe both? Well, it depends on who you ask. Polish poet Cyprian Kamil Norwid said it best: "A Varsovian by birth, a Pole in his heart, a citizen of the world by virtue of his talent.'' There are several Polish scientists and artists whose nationality is contested. Hardly surprising, given there was no Polish state for over a century.



South Korean companies have been present in Poland for a long time, with Samsung probably the most recognizable. The popularity of the Korean Cultural Center in Warsaw is a perfect example of the ties between the two countries. Polish and South Korean history has many parallels which makes it much easier to maintain fruitful diplomatic relations. Cultural exchanges between citizens are an integral part of diplomacy  wouldn't it make sense to popularize bowing as a greeting in Poland? Hopefully, the hand-kissing of women as a greeting in Poland is now a relic of the past.



On the political front, the curse of internal division is adversely affecting both countries. When I read that South Korea is becoming an increasingly divided society, I immediately see similar problems in Poland. The Polish presidential election runoff on July 12 is the most important event since the historic June 1989 elections that ended the communist rule in Poland. In 2020, Poland is as divided as ever, locked in an ideological battle between individualism and collectivism.



Sowing ideological division and hatred can have tragic consequences, such as the public stabbing of the mayor of Gdansk at a charity event in 2019. Weak-minded individuals are easily manipulated by hate speech, as they have no filter. There are people in Poland that accuse anyone who doesn't support the dominant political narrative of being a "German agent.'' This level of social polarization is the result of vitriolic language.



Otto von Bismarck said: "You can't destroy the Polish national consciousness or Poles on the battlefield but if you give them power they will destroy themselves.'' These words are becoming unsettlingly accurate.



I'll finish on a lighter note. My South Korean friend thinks the Polish character is perfect for K-pop. She has never explained what she means. Who knows, maybe in some alternate reality, Poland is awash with Korean Wave fever. I am sure my friend would find it absurdly amusing.





Adam Borowski (adam.borowski1985@gmail.com) is a technical Polish-English translator and an international relations aficionado. He is the author of an alternate reality novel titled: ''Planetary Entrapment Syndrome.''


Source: Xinhua| 2020-07-19 18:52:13|Editor: huaxia

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WASHINGTON, July 19 (Xinhua) -- The United States has reported 140,000-plus COVID-19 deaths and more than 3.71 million cases as of Sunday morning, both figures ranking first worldwide, as the global tally of cases has topped 14.3 million with a death toll above 602,000.

Despite skyrocketing caseloads, U.S. President Donald Trump said Friday he won't issue an order at the national level mandating the use of masks, even as the country continued to break its single-day coronavirus case record amid a pandemic that is far from being contained.

By contrast, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on Tuesday called on people in a statement to wear masks to prevent the pandemic's spread, with CDC Director Robert Redfield saying, "Cloth face coverings are one of the most powerful weapons we have to slow and stop the spread of the virus."

In this challenging era brought about by the pandemic, another move by the White House has led to increased worry among health experts, as the Trump administration on Tuesday ordered hospitals to sidestep the CDC and report real-time patient data directly to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) via a new platform "HHS Protect," or through a system called "TeleTracking."

Although the move casts doubt upon data transparency and credibility, Redfield defended the policy change, saying this would reduce their reporting burden, while the CDC team and other COVID-19 response teams still have access to hospital data, according to a CDC statement.

However, Senator Patty Murray of Washington, the top Democrat on the Senate health committee, was skeptical about the TeleTracking contract, describing it as a "non-competitive, multimillion-dollar contract" for a "duplicative health data system," according to a report by The New York Times.

The newspaper also quoted Rep. Donna E. Shalala of Florida, who served as Health Secretary under former President Bill Clinton, as saying, "only the CDC has the expertise to collect data."

"Any move to take responsibility away from the people who have the expertise is politicizing," she said.

Meanwhile, racial disparities in the United States have already made things worse.

During a live chat with Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg on Thursday, Anthony Fauci, the nation's top infectious disease expert, described the racial disparities that have cropped up during the pandemic as a "very disturbing phenomenon that is a reality."

Fauci reviewed the situation of minority groups in the country, who are facing a higher incidence of chronic diseases and are at greater risk of infection with the coronavirus, calling on allocating resources to minority communities "right away."

Although the racial problem is "not going to change overnight," Fauci said "let's at least do the things that we can fix now."
Bollywood actor Sonu Sood has been helping migrant workers reach their respective villages in UP, Bihar, Jharkhand, Assam, Uttarakhand and various other states of India amid the coronavirus pandemic. Apart from arranging transport facilities for distressed citizens during lockdown, Sonu recently announced that he will also be transferring funds directly into the account of some workers.

People, political personalities and celebrities have been praising Sonu for his efforts in helping migrants workers stuck in different parts of India. Now, a person, who was helped by the actor during these difficult times, has expressed his gratitude by naming his welding shop 'Sonu Sood Welding Work Shop'. The signboard has been adorned with a picture of Sonu as well. Reportedly, the concerned person was airlifted by Sonu from Cochin to Odisha. Take a look.

Meanwhile, Sonu will also be coming up with a book recounting his experience of helping migrant workers reach their hometowns during the Covid-19 lockdown.

"I have now found new friends and made deep connections. I have decided to put these experiences, stories that are embedded in my soul forever, in a book," Sonu said, about the book that is to be published by Penguin Random House India.

(With inputs from IANS)
SAGINAW, MI  Dozens of people and impassioned speakers gathered to rally on a sweltering afternoon in front of the Saginaw couples house where a noose and racist note were left days earlier.

The prevalent mood was one of renouncing racism while stressing the solidarity of Saginaws residents that such hateful displays will not stand.

Speakers addressed the crowd from the front porch of Donald and Regina Simons home at 2274 N. Carolina St. on Saturday, July 18. Black Lives Matter T-shirts and stickers were available for a donation. Grilled hot dogs and bottled water were provided for attendees.

About 7:30 a.m. on Sunday, July 12, Donald Simon went to his truck parked outside his home. Inside the truck he found a noose with a handwritten note saying, Accessory to be worn with your BLM T-shirt! Happy protesting!

The noose and note had been slipped through his trucks open window overnight.

Brazenness is what Im calling it, said Regina Simon as people gathered on her lawn Saturday. Just outright, open hate. I think this person thinks people support that. What were doing today is showing we dont. Every time we see it pop up, were going to show up and squash it down again, every single time.

Donald Simon is Black. Regina says she is Mexican-white. Theyve been married 12 years. Regina Simon had been wearing a Black Lives Matter shirt as she played with a new family puppy in her front yard on Saturday, July 11, though no one made any comment to her about it, she said.

Were still just stunned and in shock, she said, a week from the incident. Just walking around on adrenaline, barely eating, barely sleeping, just so nervous. But then fired up for the cause, because this cant happen here.

The Simons alerted police, who have launched an investigation along with the FBI. Saginaw Police Detective Sgt. Matthew Gerow said there have not been any developments as of Friday, July 17.

Regina Simon said a second incident happened Friday, July 17, when she and her husband visited a local Walmart and returned to the parking lot to see another noose with an identical note next to it on the pavement a few spaces from their vehicle. She said she heard of another noose being recently found at a nearby Kroger as well. The incidents were also reported to police.

In her speech, state Rep. Vanessa Guerra, D-Bridgeport Township, referenced civil rights icon U.S. Rep John Lewis, who died the prior night of cancer at age 80.

As we think about John Lewis and we honor his life today, this is exactly the sort of work that he was talking about, said Guerra, who is term-limited and is now running for Saginaw County Clerk. Power rests in the people.

She stressed that change comes from organizing, voting and talking to relatives.

That racist brother-in-law at Thanksgiving, standing up to him and letting him know its not OK to say those things, Guerra said. The more that we stand up to people who say things like that, they will recognize that that behavior is unwanted in our community.

Saginaw City Councilman Bill J. Ostash said when he heard of the incident, he immediately called the Simons to offer his support.

This was domestic terrorism, Ostash said. This was KKK mentality. We are not going to tolerate this. This is not normal behavior for people. This is not who Saginaw is. This is not how I see Saginaw. We need to call it out as-is.

Clint Bryant, who resigned from the Saginaw City Council in February to run for Guerras seat in the 95th District, said that what has happened to the Simons could happen to any one of us. Like Ostash, he also reached out to the Simons, the NAACP and community leaders.

We have to support our own, Bryant said. In these troubled times and in these moments, we have got to cling to our faith, to our family, to our neighbors, and to our friends and support them as much as possible. Now, this is not the first time that we have seen racism within the city of Saginaw, but, as leaders what we have to do is make sure that this stops.

Bryant led the crowd in a call-and-response chant of Stand up!

This is about justice, this is about the battle to end racism in our community and across this nation and, frankly, across the world, said Terry Pruitt, president of the NAACP Saginaw Branch. If anything, this is another one of those circumstances or instances that confirms that racism is still alive.

Pruitt added the police investigation is moving forward.

Were gonna nail this person, OK? he said. Applause rang from the crowd. All I want you to do is remain committed to the cause of eliminating racism.

Democratic candidate for Saginaw County sheriff Kevin Stevens said he does not understand how anyone in this community cannot be outraged by this. This cannot be tolerated anywhere.

Carly Hammond, who is also running for Guerras seat in the 95th District, lauded the Simons for their bravery in coming forward, saying victims of hate crimes can become targets for further crimes by speaking up.

We know the person who did this knew they werent alone in their thoughts here in Saginaw, she said. We do have to stand against them as a community. We have to stand against it united, together. Sometimes were tempted to say as leaders this act, this very public, grotesque display, this act of domestic terrorism  isnt us. But unfortunately, here in Saginaw, it is. When you look at the history of how this entire state, this country was founded, were looking at slavery, were looking at genocide, were looking at segregation, were looking at gentrification (and) a lot of it is still happening, practiced and promulgated today.

Once the speakers finished, the crowd marched through the neighborhood, holding aloft placards bearing anti-racist sentiments. Led by Saginaw resident William Hystad, they chanted slogans like No justice, no peace and Black Lives Matter.

This cannot happen in Saginaw, Regina Simon reiterated. Theres way too much love here.

Related:

Saginaw police investigate possible racially motivated crime after noose found inside vehicle

Saginaw police officer fired for excessive force against woman, 57, hed arrested

Saginaw police officer suspended without pay on complaint of excessive force

Saginaw police chief says department changed its policies and culture after Milton Hall shooting

When the temperatures surge, so does the violence, police say of recent trend in Saginaw

When Saginaw police killed a homeless black man, the protests led to change
Its not easy to get to the left of Noam Chomsky, the academic intellectual whos always ready to take to the ramparts in protest of this or that.

The Father of Modern Linguistics, Professor Chomsky is is famous in his circle for propounding such obscure topics as as transformative grammar and syntactic structures. But it was as a political activist that he sought to connect with the lumpen proletariat.

The bilious professor maintains a rigorous inventory of complaints regarding Americas myriad and proliferating moral, social, economic and political failings.

To get to the left of him, youd have to be listed on one of those maps of long ago as way out there where it was said Thar be dragons.

But the various screeching protesters who lately have been serving as the Democratic Partys stalking horse  Black Lives Matter, Antifa and such  nevertheless have managed to accomplish the singular feat of getting to the left of the Lefts most leftward ideologue. Professor Chomsky says so himself.

He and 149 other self-nominated intellectuals have signed a joint statement in Harpers Magazine lamenting the intolerant and self-righteous turn leftist protests have taken lately in the name of progressivism.

These protests, Chomsky et al. say, have weakened our norms of open debate and toleration of differences in favor of ideological conformity. Free exchange of views is daily becoming more constricted, the intellectuals add, bringing America, they say, to its moment of trial.

Its actually a mild, even timid statement, not really consistent with the apoplectic, hyperventilating screeds many of the signatories typically issue.

The intellectuals might have noted, but didnt, that the vociferocity of Black Lives Matter/Antifa protests is reminiscent of the French Revolutions Jacobin leftists who unleashed the infamous Reign of Terror on those who declined to toe the fashionable ideological line.

The Chomsky intellectual gang is careful not to name names in its statement  except, of course, Trumps. In hopes of discouraging the Woke mob from turning its wrath in their direction, the intellectuals throw in some boilerplate verbiage characterizing Trump as a threat to democracy.

There are, of course, countless grounds on which Trump can be condemned and constantly is: his petty Twitter squabbling, his blowhard blather, his fact-averse hyperbole, his insufferable egotism and all the rest.

But its the epitome of intellectual dishonesty to portray as a menace to democracy a president who has faulted the foreign adventurism of the Pentagon generals; who has dared to criticize the sinister activities of the Swamps vast intelligence apparatus; who has resisted the immigration arrangements big business counts on as a source of cheap labor, and who has questioned the cozy relations the transnational tech billionaires maintain with the authoritarian colossus of China.

These are hardly the moves of a wanna-be right-wing dictator on the model of a Berzelius Windrip, as it is fashionable to say in leftish circles.

A wanna-be authoritarian seeks to protect and expand the powers and imperium of government and major economic interests, not to constrain and limit them. Theres nothing in the above Trump agenda thats even remotely antithetical to democracy.

But the Chomsky gang of intellectuals is onto something in suggesting that the Woke mob has gone overboard, that in its self-righteous zeal it has become a 21st Century book-burning Savonarola; that it has, itself, become a menace to democracy.

The latter-day Black Shirts of Wokeism seem to be bringing their bullying tactics to bear not just in the realm of politics but now also in the realm of science.

In this column recently, I cited a study published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences regarding policing and blacks. The study concluded that violent crime rates  not race  are the controlling factor in lethal confrontations between blacks and law enforcement.

After the publication of my column, I received an email from the co-author of the study. Joseph Cesario, at Michigan State University in E. Lansing, Mich. His email sounded, well, maybe not quite panicked, but definitely worried, urgent in tone.

He voiced no complaint about the accuracy of my column, but wanted it noted that his study is being challenged by other researchers. Very odd. He seemed eager to diminish his own work.

That his study is being challenged is hardly a surprise.

Thats the routine way of science. Studies are published, then they are challenged. Points are debated, often heatedly. Round and round it goes. Theres a free exchange of views. Its how democracy works. Its how science advances.

Cesario politely requested that his quotes in my June 15 column be deleted, although he didnt contest the accuracy of the quotes. In any event, it was too late for that.

I agreed, however, that if I wrote about the topic again  as I am doing now  that I would forgo his quotes and note that his study is being challenged.

I inferred from this curious exchange that Cesario was under intense pressure  and maybe something more coercive  as a result of his having arrived in his research at the wrong, which is to say the politically incorrect, conclusion.

In fact, Cesarios study (co-authored by David Johnson of the University of Maryland) set off a furor at Michigan State. According to published accounts, the universitys vice president for research, Stephen Hsu, was canned for having approved funds for the study.

George Orwells totalitarian Oceania had its Ministry of Truth to perpetuate the official line and squelch all other views. America today has its marching-in-lockstep universities.

In a July 8 column in the Wall Street Journal, author Heather Mac Donald, who delves deeply into crime and policing statistics, suggested that the Cesario-Johnson study is headed straight for the black hole of oblivion, with even its own authors declining to defend it. Another triumph for academes Ministry of Truth?

Joe Biden famously declared  and this is a verbatim quote  We choose truth over fact. Maybe he meant to put the word truth in quote marks. Whatever.

In any event, the Ministry of Truths decrees notwithstanding, facts remain facts. Regarding policing and blacks, lethal confrontations are statistically rare to the ten-thousandths and hundred-thousandths of a decimal point. These are the facts:

 About 1,000 civilians annually die in encounters with police. That is a scant 0.0001 of the 10 million arrests police make annually.

 In 2019, 28 of those 10 million arrests  just 28, 0.0000028 of that total  involved fatal shootings of civilians who later were determined to have been unarmed. And most of those 28  19  were whites.

 While the rate of black civilians killed in confrontations with police is significantly higher than the rate of whites, those confrontations tend to occur in high-crime environments. In any case, the fatality rates, though regrettable, are thankfully minuscule: 30 per 1 million population for blacks; 28 per million for Latinos; 12 per million for whites and four per million for Asians and other minorities.

In other words, the Black Lives Matter/Antifa allegations of wanton, depraved, endemic, racist police brutality among law enforcement is propagandistic hogwash.

It should go without saying that police misconduct, when it does occur, should be vigorously prosecuted to the full extent of the law  but strictly in accordance with the law, not in response to mob pressure in the streets, not in response to slogan-chanting, not in response to vandalism, arson and looting.

Heres a checklist of items virtually all surely can agree that the cities  and especially the cities African-American neighborhoods  urgently need:

 Effective law enforcement and less crime.

 More economic investment and opportunity.

 More social stability and a better overall quality of life.

 More effective education.

 Less racial demagoguery of all varieties.

The police are the least of the problems confronting the cities and the cities black communities today. To suggest the opposite only guarantees that all of those checklist items will continue to constitute pie-in-the-sky fantasy, ever beyond reach.
On July 18, 1970, Greg Hargis celebrated his 11th birthday with his family on board the Brackenridge Eagle outside of the San Antonio Zoo.

During the ride, he received a birthday memory hell never forget: Two armed, masked men robbed the miniature train also known as Old No. 99.

On Saturday, the zoo commemorated the 50th anniversary of the Great (Little) Train Robbery with re-enactments of the heist that many have called the last train robbery in Texas.

The re-enactments were part of a fundraiser to buy two new miniature trains for whats now called the San Antonio Zoo Eagle.

On each trip, costumed zoo actor/educators held up the train with toy guns that spewed bubbles as they asked for donations. An audio recording that detailed the event from 50 years ago played from overhead speakers during the rides.

Related: San Antonio Zoo to celebrate 50th anniversary of the Great (Little) Train Robbery with re-enactments

Recently, Hargis and his brother Jeff recalled the incident in a video filmed by zoo personnel.

It was a Saturday, when the Eagle emerged from a dark tunnel into the afternoon sun in 1970, and the masked men rushed up and shouted for the engineer to stop the train.

Many of the 75 passengers laughed and thought it was a stunt. Within seconds, the young men, wielding handguns, convinced the riders their demands werent a joke.

Greg Hargis put his watch in his sock. His father, who kept his cash in a pants pocket, showed the men an empty wallet.

It was the first time I had ever seen a handgun, Jeff Hargis said.

Several people jumped from the open air cars and tossed purses and cameras in nearby brush. Greg Hargis recalled that the robbers yelled for the passengers to get back on the train.

As the robbers walked to the back of the train, the engineer radioed ahead to zoo headquarters on his walkie-talkie.

According to columnist Paula Allen, the robbers fled with a white laundry bag stuffed with $500 worth of cameras, purses, credit cards and checkbooks.

Days later, acting on a tip, San Antonio police arrested two soldiers who were stationed at Fort Sam Houston. Each was sentenced to 10 to 20 years in prison.

Tim Morrow, president and CEO of the zoo, said he had been looking forward to the event since putting the anniversary on his calendar two years ago. He said the zoo gave the Hargis family members gift baskets with souvenirs and annual passes for the birthday that was robbed from them 50 years ago.

This is probably one of the strangest crimes thats ever happened in our city, Morrow said. The fact it was a train robbery in Brackenridge Park and probably the last train robbery in the United States makes it really unique. And to have riders reconnecting with the zoo was really something special.

Morrow said the zoo looks forward to making the re-creation an annual event and hopefully reconnecting with more passengers from that Saturday 50 years ago.

Related: 50 years ago, daring train robbery in San Antonio park targeted tourists; anniversary recreation to help zoo

Jeff Hargis said Saturday was the first time he had rode the small train since 1970.

Its always been part of our family lore that we were on the last train robbery in Texas, Greg Hargis said. What are the odds?

Vincent T. Davis is a reporter in the Greater San Antonio and Bexar County area. To read more from Vincent, become a subscriber. vtdavis@express-news.net | Twitter: @vincentdavis
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The general neglect of the goose that lays the golden egg (the Niger Delta) by successive government in Nigeria, which led to violent agitation for attention from the youths of the region, prompted the then President of Nigeria, late Umaru Musa YarAdua to offer amnesty to the youths order to drop their violent agitation. Much as the then government action was laudable, it equally, brought its own problem. Those Niger Deltans that believe in democratic and peaceful agitation for a better Niger-Delta region were left on their own. On the other hand, government amnesty progamme in the Niger-Delta to imply that being peaceful and patriotic is not rewarding.

The promoters and the people of Isaba Warri South-West Local Government Area by their action and conduct strongly believe that peaceful and democratic agitation for a just and better Niger-Delta region for all is the right path to take. They have not deviated from this noble path till date. This writer believes that President Muhammdu Buhari-led government should reward this wonderful conduct by the people of this LGA. In doing that, federal government should look beyond those parading themselves as the representatives of the people of the Niger-Delta; by investing her trust in genuine grass-root representatives of the region when it comes to appointment.

It is the considered view of this writer that if government searches out for real representatives of the people of the core Niger-Delta region and allow them to pilot the affair of the region in terms of getting the area comprehensively developed; real peace and development will be achieved. The core Niger-Delta states of: Rivers, Delta, Bayelsa, Akwa-Ibom, Cross-Rivers and Edo, also boast of Isaba Warri South-West Local Government Area and its promoters. In effect, we can find grass-root leaders and representatives, if careful search is conducted in core Niger-Delta region. Worthy of mentioning here is the selfless contribution of Dr. Barrister Clarkson M. Aribogha, to the peaceful and democratic nature of Isaba Warri South-West LGA. It may amount to exaggeration to attribute Barrister Ariboghas resourceful representation of his people to his professional background. This may not be case as there are many lawyers in leadership positions in the Niger-Delta; yet, violent agitations are still prevalent in many places because of inept leadership or selfish representation.

Perhaps Barrister Ariboghas impressive positions of trust held in the past and the experience garnered, as well his honesty endeared him to his people. For instance, he was elected delegate to the National House of Assembly, Abuja on Presidential bill over 10% for the Oil producing states of the Niger Delta (Host Communities) in 2004. Delegate on 50% of 13% Oil Derivation Fund to Oil Producing Communities (Host Community) Delta State Towards Creation of DESOPADEC 2004-2012. Secretary General, Landlords of Oil Producing Communities of SPDC West Niger-Delta, 2010-2012. Secretary General, Delta State Oil & Gas Producing Communities Executive Council HOSTCOM, Ijaw Chapter, 2007- 2014. For Isaba Warri South-West Local Government Area to have invested their trust on Aribogha, it shows that each time he was sent to represent them, he delivered.

Genuine community promoters like of Dr. Barrister Aribogha can be found throughout the core states of Niger-delta. It will not be difficult for federal government to find out these people. Federal government can dispatch people to go to the grass-root in this region and fish them out. A situation where federal government patronizes some Niger-Delta indigenes on account of their being politically exposed without grass-root appeal is clearly proving to be counterproductive. The current scandal rocking the Niger-Delta Ministry and Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) is a clear case of insensitivity of privileged elites to the plight of the people of the region. Since the actors in the current scandal are not true representatives of their people, they careless about their people in running the affairs of the commission.

This writer has taken time to project Isaba Warri South-West Local Government Area because of my strong believe that what Niger-Delta in particular and Nigeria, in general, need now is peaceful democratic conducts by Nigerians; for it is only in a conducive atmosphere that real development and growth can take place. Now, is the time for government to reward patriotism and good conduct as clearly exemplified by Isaba Warri South-West Local Government and its promoters.

Emeka Oraetoka

Information Management Consultant & Political Researcher

Wrote in from Abuja. e-mail: giltsdaimension@gmail.com
By PTI

WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump is considering an Indian American lawyer to head the Asia Bureau of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), the White House said.

If confirmed, Sue Ghosh Stricklett from Maryland would become Assistant Administrator of USAID (Bureau for Asia).

Stricklett is an attorney in private practice with over 25 years of experience in national security law and foreign affairs, the White House said.

The scope of her practice includes Foreign Corrupt Practices Act compliance, intellectual property licensing and technology transfer, US dual-use and defense trade control licensing, and sanctions law enforcement.

"She has served as an Asia policy advisor to three Presidential campaigns and several major Indo-American advocacy organisations," the White House said.

Stricklett hails from Queens in New York and is a graduate of the State University of New York.

She earned her Juris Doctor from the Columbus School of Law at the Catholic University of America.
Micheal Martin, who made his first visit as Taoiseach to Northern Ireland on Thursday, remains something of an unknown quantity to most people here, despite being around the Irish political scene far longer than his predecessor.

Leo Varadkar only became a TD in 2007. By that point, Martin had been in the Dail for 18 years and had already served as a Cabinet minister in three different departments.

It's a measure of how little people on both sides of the border still know about each other that he remains such a mystery, despite one of those previous posts being Minister for Foreign Affairs which meant that he was constantly in and out of Belfast.

As it happens, people in Northern Ireland didn't get much of a chance to find out about him on Thursday, either. The Corkman made a flying visit to Stormont, gave a Press conference that was full of the usual bland soundbites, then went home.

His face is now slightly more familiar, but who is Micheal Martin really? And what difference will he make as Taoiseach?

The first thing to say is that coming north probably came as something of a relief in the present circumstances. He's had a rough ride in his first few weeks in the job and has already been forced to sack one colleague, Barry Cowen, when the former, brief-serving Agriculture Minister refused to give further statements to the Dail about the circumstances in which he was charged with drink-driving in 2016, when he still held a provisional licence.

Martin was already facing pressure from within party ranks over his appointments to the Cabinet. Fianna Fail has been out of office for nine years, an unprecedented period for the party, which held office for more than 60 of the 79 years before the disastrous 2011 election.

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There were many in the party with expectations that they would be rewarded with plum jobs, but it simply wasn't possible to satisfy them all, considering that Fianna Fail is now in a three-way coalition with Fine Gael and the Greens.

Resentment was inevitable and sacking the younger brother of an ex-Taoiseach doesn't come without political cost.

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There are already rumblings of discontent in pockets of the party at how Martin has handled his first few weeks as Taoiseach. The malcontents probably won't make a move against him yet, but he won't be foolish enough to be complacent.

He's already had one near-miss. February's election, which saw Sinn Fein come out as marginally the largest party in terms of vote share and only one seat behind Fianna Fail when it came to TDs in the Dail, led to months of tense negotiations.

Had talks on a Programme for Government fallen apart, it's unlikely that Fianna Fail would have headed into another election with Martin at the helm.

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Whatsapp Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Brandon Lewis meets with Taoiseach, Micheal Martin (left) in Stormont House, Belfast

He must know he was blessed to avoid that fate, but the divisions inside the party still harbour the potential to cause him serious problems.

Micheal Martin wouldn't have wanted to sack Barry Cowen, but that he put the government's collective well-being above personal loyalty is a pointer to his character.

He may sometimes be guilty of a lack of pizzazz, or imagination, but he takes his public service responsibilities seriously and that caution will probably be to Northern Ireland's benefit over the next few years. His instinct is always to steady, rather than rock, the boat.

More than any other senior politician in Ireland, he's also given thought to what any future united Ireland would have to look like in order to win the loyalty of unionists and he's managed to do that in a way which is authentically inclusive and non-threatening.

When many nationalists talk about Irish unity, they do so with an implied threat that it's coming anyway, so unionists had better get used to the idea. Micheal Martin has never taken that tone.

The idea of a tolerant and pluralistic Republic is not merely a slogan to him, but something he regards as his duty to promote. His meetings with the various parties on Thursday took place in the same spirit.

Ulster Unionist leader Steve Aiken said afterwards that it was an opportunity to "reset relations". First Minister Arlene Foster talked about showing "mutual respect for both jurisdictions and an understanding of each other's differences".

That's what he brings to the table in what is still a fractious atmosphere at Stormont. His public remarks while in Belfast may have been anodyne, with much vague talk of north/south and east/west co-operation, but he made sure to reaffirm his opposition to a divisive border poll.

This refusal to wrap himself in the green flag is one of the reasons why Micheal Martin is genuinely despised by Sinn Fein.

Mary Lou McDonald can get stuck in verbally to Leo Varadkar, but the republican leader can probably imagine herself working alongside the current leadership of Fine Gael much more than she can Micheal Martin, despite the superficial resemblances between their two parties with republicanism in their blood.

Some in Fianna Fail may welcome the chance to kiss and make up with Sinn Fein, from whom they split in 1926 over the Anglo-Irish Treaty, but Micheal Martin has never been one of them and Sinn Fein knows it. When Mary Lou talks about the new Taoiseach, it is with undiluted enmity.

For the past few years, her party and his have jostled as rivals to lead the Opposition. Fianna Fail had the numbers in the last Dail to take on that role officially, but providing support to the Fine Gael minority government as part of a Confidence and Supply agreement undermined some of their claim to provide an alternative.

Martin's sense of responsibility meant that he stuck with the agreement anyway as the EU and United Kingdom fumbled towards a Brexit deal, but his party undoubtedly suffered in the polls as a result.

Many were itching to pull the plug on the government and force an election. It's arguable they might have fared better had they done so earlier.

Sinn Fein was better able to present itself as an alternative government, only to miscalculate badly when the time came in February's election by not running enough candidates to capitalise on the mood for change, which was undoubtedly there, even if it wasn't as strong as many commentators have since pretended.

(The new government represents 52% of the voters who went to the polls in February. Sinn Fein got just 24.5%, which, unless maths has changed, is very far from being a majority).

Sinn Fein was exultant at the result in February, but stung, too, by an inability to capitalise on the result by translating it into power.

The long delay before the other parties could put together a working majority helped them to regroup. They were shut out of talks, or shut themselves out, depending what view one chooses to take of it, and that further helped cement their posture as outsiders.

They play that game to perfection, even managing to talk and act like an Opposition when in government in Northern Ireland.

The electorate down south has no direct experience of Sinn Fein being in power and younger voters, in particular, don't seem all that curious to look at what the party does when it actually holds office, choosing instead to buy the fantasy about Westminster being to blame for everything that's wrong in Northern Ireland.

Now that Fianna Fail has gone into government and will, in due course, be judged accordingly, Sinn Fein has that space in Opposition to themselves and can make wild promises to its heart's content.

They're the only real alternative now, with only a weakened Labour Party, a smattering of far-Left agitators and some Independents and others alongside them on Opposition benches. That gives them a ready-made platform for the next four years, or however long the new government lasts.

It won't be easy to translate that into future support, because, after the coronavirus crisis, many voters may welcome some dull stability for a while as the country gets tentatively back on its feet, meaning there will be no desire for disruption and, reassuringly for unionists, certainly none for a border poll.

But there are still huge social and economic challenges facing Dublin that could play right into Sinn Fein's hands.

A post-Covid-19 economic slump would be a gift to Left-wing populists and, even if that disaster is avoided, the two issues which helped the party among disaffected voters in February - housing and health - are far from solved.

Fianna Fail has admirably taken on the mantle of those two departments in the new government, while Fine Gael and the Greens took the easier options.

It means that Fianna Fail and Sinn Fein will be going head-to-head for the next few years on those key issues.

Mary Lou (below) has promised that Sinn Fein will provide "one hell of an Opposition" and the fact they now have the considerable resources available to the official Opposition to use as weapons against the new government will give them added clout. A compliant Dublin media will also be to their advantage.

The ball is still the new government's to drop. There's no reason why, with discipline, it shouldn't go the full term and maybe beyond, not least because Sinn Fein faces an additional hurdle, which is how to form a future government from the ragbag of parties who sit alongside them on the Opposition benches.

The numbers just aren't there and Sinn Fein doesn't exactly make friends and alliances easily. They like to be top dog, rather than build coalitions of equals.

Being the largest party isn't enough; they need to bring in a sufficient number of Left-leaning TDs at the next election to form a government, which is hard to do when you're fishing for votes in the same pool of support.

But Sinn Fein will not be caught napping again, as they were in February. Micheal Martin knows that, which is why his instinct will be to make friends as a bulwark against Sinn Fein's advance.

That should suit Northern Ireland over the next few years, when calm heads will be needed more than ever.

In the time before the top job reverts to Leo Varadkar in their weird "rotating Taoiseach" arrangement, Micheal Martin may even find being in Belfast a welcome distraction from party infighting in Dublin.
She's forged a successful career as a swimsuit and lingerie model, since starring in the 2011 season of Australia's Next Top Model.

And Simone Holtznagel certainly turned heads on a wild night out at Sydney's Bondi Beach on Saturday.

Enjoying dinner with Bachelor In Paradise star Abbie Chatfield and pals, the 27-year-old drew attention to her ample cleavage in a very plunging black polka dot dress.

Out and about: Model Simone Holtznagel (right), 27, showed off her ample assets in a VERY plunging dress as she enjoyed a night out at Sydney's Bondi Beach on Saturday

Simone styled her signature blonde locks out and wavy, and opted for a glamorous makeup palette.

She appeared in high spirits, throwing her head back in laughter as she engaged in friendly banter with Abbie, 25, and their crew.

Abbie also turned heads in a black Dion Lee dress with racy cut-out detail, which she teamed with black-heeled ankle boots and a coordinating leather jacket.

Daring ensemble: The blonde bombshell turned heads in the black polka dot frock, at times struggling to contain her ample assets

Glam: Simone styled her signature blonde locks out and wavy, and opted for glamorous makeup

Familiar face: The swimsuit and lingerie model was joined on the night by friends including Bachelor In Paradise star Abbie Chatfield (right), 25

Turning heads too: Abbie also wore a glamorous ensemble, opting for a black Dion Lee dress with racy cut-out detail

She styled her strawberry blonde locks out and in curls, framing her striking facial features.

At one stage during the night, Simone seemed cautious of spilling out of her racy ensemble, using her hands to cover her chest.

The blonde bombshell shot to fame in 2011 when she placed second runner-up on Australia's Next Top Model.

Gesture: Simone accentuated her ample cleavage as she used her hands to articulate her point

Giggles: The star, who appeared on the 2011 season of Australia's Next Top Model, shared a laugh with friends

Trendy: The group enjoyed cocktails and dinner at a trendy restaurant in the beachside locale

Great pals: Simone and Abbie looked to have 'pinky promised' on something

Simone landed her first Playboy cover back in October 2015, 'The College Issue'.

She recently relocated back to her native Australia after carving out a career in Los Angeles.

Simone also starred on the 2018 Australian season of I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here!

Staying connected: Abbie checked her iPhone intermittently on the outing

Chit chat: The pals looked to have a lot on their minds as they engaged in friendly conversation

Exit: Abbie has made headlines of late, having just been sent home from Bachelor In Paradise
New Delhi:

The Supreme Court upheld on Friday the constitutional validity of the state legislations with regard to levy of entry tax on goods coming into its territory.

A 7:2 majority verdict by the apex court ruled that the tax legislation by the state does not require the consent of the President under Article 304 B of the Constitution.

The nine-judge bench headed by chief justice TS Thakur said though state governments are empowered to impose tax on goods coming from other states there cannot be a discrimination between the goods.

The apex court further said if a state imposes entry tax on products made within the state it was not empowered to impose higher tax on the identical products entering from other states.

The majority view also left it for the smaller regular bench to adjudicate upon the term 'local area' whether it would refer to the entire state or some pockets within its territory.

Besides the CJI, the majority view was held by justices AK Sikri, SA Bobde, SK Singh, NV Ramanna, R Banumathi and AM Khanwilkar.

Justice DY Chandrachud and justice Ashok Bhushan delivered the separate minority judgement.

Justice Banumathi, who shared the minority view also read out, a separate verdict expressing her disagreement on some of the points by saying that in her opinion the term 'local area' implied the entire territory of the state.

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IF THE R513 Limerick to Mitchelstown road is busy now what will it be like when work eventually starts on the M20 and traffic is diverted?

Cllr Martin Ryan raised the issue at a Cappamore-Kilmallock municipal meeting. He put down a motion calling for the council and Department of Transport to review the heavy traffic loading on the R513; assess what improvements can be put in place and if it needs to be upgraded to national route status.

Cllr Ryan said it is the main artery through the municipal district and the main connection of Limerick and Cork outside the N20.

Safety is a concern in parts. It is a very busy road. I put this motion down for the work to be done because when the M20 works start there are going to be a lot of diversions to the R513, said Cllr Ryan.

Many motorists switched to the R513 due to the works and long tailbacks in Buttevant and continue to use that route since. There is also better access to Cork airport or the hospital compared to the N20.

Cllr Ryan pointed to stretch at Kilglass near Mitchelstown which has no safety barriers.

Any mishap and you are straight down into the valley. The foundation and structure of the road between Herbertstown and Caherconlish is not good. It is subsiding and moving. There arent even cats eyes.

If it needs to be upgraded to a national road then the TII should get involved, said Cllr Ryan.

The Cappamore man referred to the number of accidents on the R513.

The safety of commuters and local people using the road is a priority. Improve it sooner, rather than later, said Cllr Ryan, who knows a thing or two about roads as he and his brothers run Martin Ryan & Sons Haulage from Cappamore.

Cllr Ger Mitchell has an auctioneering business in Hospital on the R513 and says he can hardly cross the road due to the volume of traffic.

He repeated his call for the M20 to be scrapped and the motorway be put in east Limerick. Cllr Mitchell argues that if you connect up to the Northern Distributor Road you improve access to UL, industrial estates, bypass Tipperary Town and connect to Cahir where there is already a motorway.

Then go left for Dublin or right for Cork. Due to Brexit we need better connectivity with Rosslare. With the new economic climate it needs to be looked at again. It is half the cost of the M20. A feasibility should be carried out, said Cllr Mitchell.

Cathaoirleach John Egan said there were some desperate dangerous spots on the R513. He called for a barrier to be erected where the school bus crash was in 2018 between Caherconlish and Herbertstown.

Getting through Hospital can be a pure nuisance if cars are parked up on the kerb, said Cllr Egan.

Cllr Eddie Ryan made the point that a lorry going from Foynes to Rosslare has to go through Tipperary Town.

They are not exploring all the angles, said Cllr Ryan.

Cllr Mike Donegan asked if he could get clarity on the numbers of vehicles using the R513 daily.

Cllr Brigid Teefy said the R513 is particularly busy with many trucks. She said this is reflected by the amount of people living in the towns and villages calling for traffic calming measures.

In reply to Cllr Martin Ryans motion, Brendan Kidney, senior executive engineer, said Limerick City and County Council will carry out a detailed review of the traffic loadings on the R513 Caherconlish to Mitchelstown Road, which will involve detailed traffic counts, volumes and vehicle types at several locations on the route.

When the information is compiled, a detailed request for funding will be submitted to the Department of Transport to carry out improvement works.

At present Limerick City and County Council have no plans to apply for upgrade of the status of the road to a national road, said Mr Kidney.
An Indian national was injured after Nepal police opened fire at three Indian men near the border in Bihar's Kishanganj on Saturday. The injured individual is critical and is currently receiving treatment at a hospital in Purnia district. The men had wandered near the border as they were looking for their cattle.

Speaking to ANI, Kishanganj SP Kumar Ashish said, "Nepal police fired on three Indian nationals of Kishanganj district on Saturday night. A young man was injured in this firing and he is critical and receiving treatment in the hospital in Purnia district. These men said they were looking for their cattle and police fired on them. We have talked to the Nepal police. The matter is peaceful as of now. Further investigation is underway."

READ | 'No Intention To Hurt Sentiment': After Backlash, Nepal Clarifies PM Oli's Ayodhya Remark

According to locals, the three men had gone to the farm outside the village near Mafia Tola on the Indo-Nepal border in search of their cattle at around 7:30 pm. Earlier on June 12, one Indian national was killed and three others were injured after Nepal's security forces opened fire at a group of Indian along the border region.

Relations between New Delhi and Kathmandu have been strained ever since Nepal government released a new political map that incorporates Indian territories to increasing Chinese influence in the bilateral relationship. This was followed by PM KP Oli claiming that the birthplace of Lord Ram  Ayodhya is in Nepal. According to him, Lord Ram is Nepali and India had encroached upon the country's cultural heritage by setting up a "fake Ayodhya". The Nepalese Prime Minister received severe backlash for his remarks after which he had issued a clarification.

READ | 'May Lord Ram Give You Wisdom': Sena's Chaturvedi Unsurprised By Nepal PM's Ayodhya Claim
A Joe Biden presidency wouldnt just be a win for the Democrats, it would be a win for managed care organizations (MCOs). Back in March, the former Vice Presidents strong showing on Super Tuesday fueled a rally from large health insurance stocks. Why?

It came down to Senator Bernie Sanders proposed Medicare for All program that would largely do away with the need for health insurance, posing a major threat to the spaces top players. Bidens policy, on the other hand, supports the strengthening of the Affordable Care Act, which is ideal for the companies currently on the exchanges established by that legislation. Additionally, his approach would focus on reducing drug prices and promoting the development of generic drugs.

With the polls indicating that the Democratic nominee is well ahead of President Trump, GOP pollster Frank Luntz believes the election is Joe Biden's to lose. As a result, even though there's still four months left in the race to the White House, Wall Street focus has locked in on MCOs.

Bearing this in mind, we used TipRanks database to take a closer look at three MCOs highlighted by SVB Leerink analyst Stephen Tanal. Each of these tickers, which have received Buy ratings from other members of the Street, stand to gain should Biden come out on top in November, boasting substantial upside potential from current levels.

Anthem Inc. (ANTM)

First up we have Anthem, which has placed a significant focus on revamping its cost structure throughout 2020. Combine this with a possible Joe Biden win, and you get significant praise from one member of the analyst community.

Tanal points out that 2020 marks the first full year in which ANTMs pharmacy costs will be insourced with its wholly-owned PBM subsidiary, IngenioRx. Based on discussions that have been going on since 2017, the company believes this cost structure reset will yield savings of $4 billion per year. In addition, over 20% is set to be directed towards the bottom line. One quarter into 2020, the cost savings have become apparent, and ANTM has already suggested that it is accruing more than the 20% threshold it has spoken to for ~2.5 years now, the analyst commented.

Story continues

Adding to the good news, Tanal reminds clients that ANTM is the second largest operator of fully-insured commercial plans and has a locally-concentrated Medicare Advantage (MA) business, which speaks to its vertically-integrated nature. He added, Its recent acquisition of Beacon Health should provide ANTM with another synergistic means of converting medical costs into affiliated company profit.

If that wasnt enough, a swoon in utilization is slated for the near- to intermediate-term, which could drive significant upside to consensus earnings in 2Q stemming from a lower MCR, dampened in part by elevated operating expenses as ANTM likely pulls forward investments to depress 2020 earnings  including some amount of discretionary spending that can be dialed back in future years in order to bolster earnings growth, in Tanals opinion.

Expounding on this, the SVB Leerink analyst stated, A layup year for earnings in 2020 will give way to the permanent repeal of the HIF in 2021, which should manifest in faster MA enrollment growth (an earnings tailwind for 2022) while boosting earnings growth in 2021 by an incremental mid-single-digit percentage or more.

It will be important for ANTM to meet its goal of growing PMPM profit from its commercial ASO members relative to its commercial risk members, especially due to the shift of its members from risk to ASO witnessed over the last few years. That said, Tanal believes that the MCO is up for the task. IngenioRx and a savvy strategy of incentivizing pharmacy carve-ins from its existing ASO customer base, only ~20% of whom use ANTM for PBM today... have us optimistic that ANTM can deliver against its goal over the next 3-5 years, he explained.

Everything that ANTM has going for it prompted Tanal to kick off his coverage by putting an Outperform rating and $325 price target on the stock. Should the target be met, a twelve-month gain in the shape of 22% could be in store. (To watch Tanals track record, click here)

Judging by the consensus breakdown, most other analysts also like what theyre seeing. 8 Buys and 3 Holds add up to a Moderate Buy consensus rating. Based on the $337.82 average price target, the upside potential comes in at 27%. (See Anthem stock-price forecast on TipRanks)

Humana Inc. (HUM)

Representing the closest thing to an MA pure-play, Humana also got a thumbs up from SVB Leerink recently.

Scoring a rave review from Tanal, he argues that the long-term investment case is the strongest among the MCOs in his coverage universe thanks to its line of business exposure. According to the analysts estimates, roughly 63% of HUMs earnings come from MA and another 8-9% is generated by other government-sponsored lines of business. He further noted, The secular growth of the Medicare population due to the aging of the Baby Boomers has proven to be a powerful earnings driver for HUM for years now, and the tailwind should persist for at least another decade to come.

Its also important to consider the fact that HUM was an early adopter of the integrated care model. Expounding on this, Tanal commented, Its captive PBM and care delivery businesses should continue to support even faster enterprise earnings growth than its core MA business derives from natural market forces and deft execution  which the company has demonstrated in each of 2018, 2019, and 2020-todate, in our view. HUMs care delivery business is underpinned by high levels of local market share in its core MA business across HUMs broad geographic footprint, reducing its dependency on third-party payors even as it seeks to grow external revenue from them.

When it comes to the repeal of the HIF in 2021, HUM is poised to benefit the most based on its high exposure to MA, as there is no reimbursement mechanism for the HIF. We expect HUM to reinvest the entirety of the pre-tax fee toward enhancing benefits  which should manifest in faster MA enrollment growth (an earnings tailwind for 2022 given the ramp up in underwriting margins on new MA members)  while the absence of its tax burden alone should provide at least a 10% tailwind to adjusted EPS year-on-year, Tanal explained.

Management has also mentioned that the company typically breaks even on new MA members in the first year, before seeing a boost in underwriting margins in the second year and a ramp higher from there driven first by effective risk-coding and over time via care management processes that prioritize preventive health and site of care optimization, among other factors.

Tanal added, As MA enrollment grew by 15.5% year-over-year in 2019, we expect the ramp in underwriting margin to benefit earnings in 2020. We model MA members up another 10.6% in 2020, which should similarly benefit 2021. This pace of enrollment growth is differentiated  HUM is taking share in part due to embracing faster-growing sales channels and better-funding them.

In line with his optimistic take, Tanal joined the bulls. To this end, he initiated coverage with an Outperform call and set a $465 price target, suggesting 15% upside potential.

The bulls have it on this one. Out of 14 total reviews assigned in the last three months, 10 analysts rated the stock a Buy and 4 gave it a Hold rating. So, HUM gets a Moderate Buy consensus rating. The $435.62 average price target puts the potential twelve-month gain at 8%. (See Humana stock analysis on TipRanks)

Cigna Corporation (CI)

When it comes to the last MCO on our list, Cigna actually is at somewhat of a disadvantage due to its lack of diversification.

Currently, most of CIs earnings come from its PBM business, and Tanal argues that growth in this area is likely to remain slower. Not to mention it boasts the lowest percentage of earnings from MA among diversified MCOs, no meaningful exposure to managed Medicaid, and the greatest proportion of its commercial business in ASO  where revenue growth depends in large part on enrollment growth  and the aggregate number of commercially-insured individuals looks likely to be flat-to-down long-term.

Although its ASO segment has performed well over the last few years, its enrollment growth has decelerated. With full-risk premiums poised to inflate at a slower clip into 2021  due in part to the repeal of the HIF as well as some pricing effect of COVID  we would expect a smaller impulse for fully-insured plan sponsors to move to ASO... In the short term, COVID-19 is likely to negatively impact commercial enrollment, and while earnings for other MCOs should come out ahead due to lower medical costs on fully-insured members and an uptick in Medicaid enrollment, CI looks likely to have fewer, smaller offsets, due to its line of business mix, Tanal said.

Despite this disadvantage, Tanal does see a path forward for CI. Following its recent acquisition of Express Scripts, CI can expand its fully-insured businesses, especially MA, and to a lesser extent, Medicaid and commercial risk.

Higher exposure to insured businesses coupled with the ownership of Express Scripts could allow CI to capitalize on what we consider to be one of the biggest enterprise earnings growth opportunities in front of MCOs today  vertical integration... CI is, however, well-positioned to grow its commercial risk business organically, in our view, given its best in class commercial medical cost trend and improving pharmacy cost position related to the ownership of Express Scripts, Tanal explained.

The addition of Express Scripts should also fuel major earnings upside, in Tanals opinion. Into 2021, CI should benefit from the absence of ~$200 million of stranded costs associated with the earlier transition of ANTM away from Express Scripts (per CI), which burdens 2020, as well as the direct and indirect profit ramp on its Prime Therapeutics PBM contract  further compounded by the absence of related new business start-up costs that will be incurred during 2020, he added.

Still waiting to see how things play out, Tanal started off his coverage by issuing a Market Perform call. In addition, the price target lands at $112, implying shares could surge 22% in the next twelve months.

The rest of the Street is more optimistic than Tanal. 8 Buys and 2 Holds have been published in the last three months, making CI a Strong Buy. At $246.30, the average price target brings the upside potential to 37%. (See Cigna 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.
(Natural News) With the start of the academic year fast approaching, school districts and parents everywhere are rushing to figure out how to resume childrens education in the middle of the Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. With this in mind, many are turning to remote schooling over the internet as a way to address the issue. However, remote schooling could end up pushing some of Americas most vulnerable students behind their peers.

As school districts move to teach students remotely over the internet, they have to weigh the potential public health risks of bringing students into classrooms against the shortcomings of remote schooling programs, which were hastily rolled out in the spring.

These shortcomings are amplified for children in the nations worst-performing schools, where the majority of the students come from low-income families. Giving these students access to remote learning materials and connecting them to their teachers have been a challenge.

Low-income students hurt the most

Ever since her sons school in Jackson, Mississippi shut down in March, 41-year old single mother LaKenya Bunton has had to play teacher to her son Amarius. The latter received no remote-learning materials from his school and he did not hear from most of his teachers. As such, Bunton spent whatever free time she had between her night-shift job at a factory acting as a teacher, at times only getting a few hours of sleep at the most.

Im educating him the best way I can, said the 41-year-old single mother. I dont want him to be behind.

According to Bunton and other parents, they had tried to get homework packets with the rest of the years curriculum from their childrens schools, but they were told that none were available.

Dr. Errick Greene, Superintendent for Jackson Public School District, said that their district was ill-prepared for the pandemic. Beyond issues with connectivity and equipment needed to go remote, Greene noted that some parents have had their own problems helping their children study at home. A five-year estimate by the Census Bureau in 2018 stated that about 28 percent of parents age 25 and up in the district had no more education than a high-school diploma, and almost 12 percent actually had less schooling than that.

Jackson has the highest child poverty rate in the nation, and nearly all of its students rely on free- and reduced-price school lunch. About a third of them have no access to computers or cannot get on the internet at home.

Single mother Jasmine Grant, 29, is one of those without internet at home. With little chance to study, her 10-year-old son, Javonta Eubanks instead has spent most of his time during the lockdown playing with a remote-controlled car outside their home.

Grant does try to teach her son, reading to him and having him read to her. However, she says that he doesnt understand the work provided by his school and that she also didnt have time to help him while working a full-time cleaning job in the next city. Javonta is learning disabled, which has already resulted in him being held back for a year.

Her 8-year-old daughter, Jamya Eubanks, on the other hand, largely finished the year on her own with the packets sent by her school. Jamya has also made the occasional visit to her grandmothers house, where there is internet access, to check in with her teachers.

Its frustrating, but theyre my kids and Im going to do my best, Grant said.

Theres an education crisis with no solution in sight

That remote learning would hurt students from lower-income families isnt surprising. In early June, a report by the United Nations International Childrens Fund (UNICEF) had warned that inherent inequalities in terms of access to learning tools would only deepen the global learning crisis.

Access to the technology and materials needed to continue learning while schools are closed is desperately unequal. Likewise, children with limited learning support at home have almost no means to support their education. Providing a range of learning tools and accelerating access to the internet for every school and every child is critical, said Robert Jenkins, UNICEF Chief of Education Robert Jenkins.

A learning crisis already existed before COVID-19 hit. We are now looking at an even more divisive and deepening education crisis.

The UNICEF report had largely focused on remote learning in developing countries and not the United States. However, the current crisis has shown that even American students arent immune.

Whats more worrying, however, is that there seems to be no concrete solution for the education gap created by the pandemic, with school districts still unsure of how to proceed in the fall. Most are still looking at remote learning, especially with the possibility that letting children back to school too quickly could cause COVID-19 caseloads to soar.

For the Jackson School District, the plan is for teachers to go right into next years curriculum and just fill in any learning gaps along the way. Its estimated that most students will have missed about a quarter of the last school year.

According to experts, those missed months will leave some children, especially those already behind, struggling to catch up.

I think of it as an academic death spiral, said Robin Lake, director of the University of Washington Bothells Center on Reinventing Public Education. I dont know how you do algebra without pre-algebra.

The 22,500 public school students in Jackson were already behind their peers academically, with only a quarter meeting the states proficiency standards in math and English. With the gap created by the ongoing pandemic, it looks like these students might not be catching up any time soon.

Sources include:

WSJ.com

UNICEF.org
Australian shares are tipped to rise as investors await detail from the federal government on its COVID-19 support plan after September, as well as the depth of the economic damage so far.

SPI futures are up 0.24 per cent on Sunday and point to early gains for the benchmark ASX 200 on Monday.

US shares should provide a positive lead. Credit:AP

US shares will provide a positive lead after fresh economic hopes helped Wall Street finish higher on Friday.

A strong run for the iron ore giants helped the local bourse add 1.9 per cent in a volatile week.
New Delhi: Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare, Harsh Vardhan on Sunday (July 19, 2020) flagged off a Plasma Donation Campaign at All India Institue of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in Delhi.

The event was co-organized by Delhi Police where 26 police personnel who had recovered from coronavirus volunteered to donate their blood plasma.

Expressing his gratitude to the Delhi Police for this initiative Harsh Vardhan said, "It is very sad that a dozen Delhi police personnel died due to Corona. In spite of these casualties, they are doing a great job deploying personnel to contain the spread, while the number of containment zones has jumped from 200 to 600."

Harsh Vardhan also saluted the contribution of these volunteers by conferring certificates to 26 Police constables. Of these, Om Prakash was donating his plasma for the third time today.

The Union Minister stated that these donations will have a long-lasting impact on other countrymen who will get inspired to donate their plasma. "Every single donor counts in our journey towards victory over COVID-19 and we need more and more of these plasma warriors to help fight the pandemic till a definitive treatment or vaccine is developed," he added.

Harsh Vardhan acknowledged the huge potential of this strategy and the governments will to tap into it and commented, "As of now convalescent plasma therapy has been approved for compassionate use with various plasma banks being set up to ensure round the clock availability. Despite the fact that India has one of the highest cure rates amongst COVID-19 patients, the plasma donations has yet to pick up. I am happy that AIIMS, New Delhi is organising this plasma donation campaign with the support of Delhi Police Corona Warriors."

Fondly remembering the contribution of Delhi Police as an integral part of the success of Pulse Polio campaign in 1994, Harsh Vardhan stated that tens of thousands of police constables had joined the Abhiyaan and created a huge awareness drive.

The 100 phone number was also dedicated for this cause, he reminisced.

Plasma from recovered coronavirus patients contains protective antibodies to the novel SARS-CoV-2 virus. It can provide immunity to patients of COVID-19 when transfused.

Considering its potential benefit, plasma therapy is provided to those patients who are not responding to conventional treatment. Anyone who has recovered from COVID-19, and has completed 28 days after the completion of treatment or home isolation, is between 18 to 60 years of age with a weight of more than 50 kg is eligible to donate their blood plasma.

The Blood Bank will assess their eligibility for blood donation and check the level of COVID-19 protective antibody levels in their blood before they can donate.

The blood of a survivor usually has a high concentration of such antibodies and when given to a susceptible person, these antibodies circulate in blood, reach tissues and neutralize the virus. The process of donation is completed in one to three hours and plasma can be collected on same day.
Vu Tan Cong - Deputy director-general Vietnam Automobile Industry and Trading Business Consulting Co., Ltd.

Like many other countries, sales of automobiles largely depend on the governments policies on the industry, for car consumers, and on the population and the nations economic situation.

There have been many new policies and happenings which have noticeably affected the Vietnamese automobile market since the beginning of 2020. In February, the government promulgated Decree No.17/2020/ND-CP, revising and adding some conditions relating automobile business in Decree No.116/2017/ND-CP dated 2017 on requirements for manufacturing, assembly and import of automobiles and trade in automobile warranty and maintenance services.

Accordingly, the requirements of vehicle type approval (VTA) of and lot-by-lot checking and inspections on completely-built-up import vehicles are lifted. This makes it easier and lower costs for automobile importers to import such vehicles from overseas.

These have special importance in countries where there is no agency authorised to check or test vehicles, or issue a VTA. Thanks to Decree 17, there is a wider road to import automobiles, especially from Thailand, Malaysia, and Indonesia.

The current pandemic has had very bad effects on the economy of many countries, including Vietnams automobile manufacturing industry, meaning lots of factories in Vietnam and elsewhere have had to temporarily close for weeks or even months.

Moreover, due to social distancing, sales of new cars in Vietnam during the first five months of 2020 dropped about 35 per cent on-year. The car stock has also become bigger, increasing worries for car manufacturers and dealers.

Sell whenever possible

With the aim of minimising person-to-person contact, THACO introduced 10 new models of BMW cars online in April. Shortly after that, the same type of event was implemented by Audi with three new vehicles of their own. These online introductions are the first-ever events of this kind by Vietnamese automobile distributors. More and more potential consumers prefer visiting car dealer websites to find cars suitable to their demands and to learn of promotional packages by dealers and manufacturers.

Facing drops in sales volume and bigger car stocks, both carmakers and car dealers are doing all they can to sell their products. The first thing they can do is to reduce vehicle prices for both popular and luxury cars.

Car price reductions have been seen at anywhere from $2,000 to $20,000 per unit depending on brand, model, and version. As a result, lower prices will increase the sales volume.

Moreover, new local carmaker VinFast has supported their customers by providing car ownership registration fees for free, and better vehicle warranty terms and conditions, of up to five years or 165,000km, whichever comes first.

The rescue service for any failed cars are also free. Besides that, VinFast also buys back used cars of any brand to sell their new cars to customers. Both carmakers and car dealers also implement many other promotions to reach the highest sales volume.

Compared to other regional nations, Vietnams car owner rate sits at just 23 per 1,000 people. Photo: Le Toan

Supporting consumers

The governments Decree No.70/2020/ND-CP dated June 28 takes effect until the end of the year and regulates that locally-produced automobiles will enjoy a 50 per cent reduction in ownership-transferring fees when the cars are registered. This is a strong incentive for car consumers to buy locally-manufactured vehicles. By doing so, more locally produced cars will be sold, benefit local automakers, and create more pressure on importers.

Some say that Decree 70 is causing unfair treatment between imported and locally-produced cars. Lately, EuroCham proposed to the government that cars to be imported from the EU should be treated in the same way as local cars in terms of ownership transfer fee support.

However, some carmakers have started raising their prices after many reductions and promotions, right after Decree 70 took effect. These price increases are to compensate carmaker losses due to such price reductions.

However, car consumers can enjoy some benefits from the governments support even when carmakers and car dealers increase prices and cut down promotions.

Decree No.57/2020/ND-CP, promulgated by the government on May 25 and taking effect on July 10, regulates some amendments and additions to 2016s Decree No.122/2016/ND-CP and 2017s Decree No.125/2017/ND-CP, amending and revising Decree 122.

In line with Decree 57, imported materials, parts, and components that are not produced by automotive support industrial local enterprises will be removed from import tax rates.

For automobile makers, the same import tax rates are applied if these manufacturers meet minimum production volume for one model of as many as 2,600 units for six months, and total production volume of 6,500 units for six months as well. These figures are much lower than the numbers regulated in Decree 125 (4,000 and 10,000 units, respectively).

Abolishing import tax rates for parts and components for locally-produced vehicles will further decrease vehicle prices. In the past, Toyota, TC Motors, and THACO were the automobile manufacturers who enjoyed benefits from Decree 125.

The decrease in committed production volumes makes the possibility for other automakers to enjoy benefits from zero import tax rates of imported parts and components for the local automobile production.

The changes in the governments policies to support local automobile manufacturers and to support consumers will make local automakers change their production plans, turning them to locally-assembled models that were completely built-up imports previously. Toyota Fortuner, Honda CR-V, and the Mitsubishi Xpander are planned to be locally produced.

These local automobile productions will support automakers, create more jobs, and attract more foreign investment. Some world-class automobile manufacturers are keeping their eyes on the governments policies on the industry to make their decisions on whether to invest in Vietnam or not.

Slight market decrease

With the governments support to both car consumers and local carmakers and estimated GDP growth rate of 3-4 per cent in 2020, the Vietnamese automobile market is forecasting a decrease of about 15-20 per cent as compared to 2019. Automobile sales in the market usually speed up in September to January, just before the Lunar New Year. Sales also sharply increase in October when the Vietnam Motor Show takes place. Year-end car sales in 2020 are hoped to greatly increase with Decree 70 ending by December 31.

Vietnam has a low automobile number per 1,000 people at just 23 units, much lower than the same figure of other countries in the ASEAN and further afield, so the market has big room to develop.
WATERLOO REGION  Strong storms fueled by summer humidity and a passing cold front sliced through southern Ontario Sunday, prompting tornado warnings, downing tree limbs and flooding streets.

The tornado warning issued for Waterloo Region by Environment Canada had ended by about 1 p.m., but a severe thunderstorm watch and heat warning remained in place.

As the cold front swept through, temperatures at the Region of Waterloo International Airport dropped from a steamy 29C at 10 a.m. to 21C at 1 p.m.; the humidex fell from 39C to 29C.

A number of power outages were reported across the region in the storms wake, including a large outage in and around the Chicopee area of Kitchener affecting more than 4,600 customers. Other outages were reported in east Galt, north Hespeler and in a handful of smaller pockets throughout the townships.

Weather Network storm chaser Mark Robinson was in Waterloo Region and surrounding areas as the storms moved through, and described their potency in video updates posted to Twitter.

Most frightening for me is its almost impossible to see anything in there, he said, having emerged from the tornado-warned storm near Milverton. You just couldnt see. It was just grey and green and blue.

He estimated that the line of storms, with intense lightning and torrential rain, was sweeping eastwards at up to 120 km/h. This is a very dangerous storm, moving very fast, he said. This is not one to fool around with.

Tornado warnings were also issued for another cluster of morning storms in central Ontario and cottage country.

A second round of storms was moving into extreme southwestern Ontario before 2 p.m., and Environment Canada said severe thunderstorms with strong wind gusts and heavy rain were possible in Waterloo Region again throughout the afternoon until the system weakened and moved east Sunday evening.

The passage of the cold front should bring an end to the sweltering conditions that saw humidex values nearly reach 40C on the weekend. Mondays forecast calls for a mix of sun and cloud, with a high of 27C, feeling more like 31C with the humidity. Rain could move in again Tuesday night.
Victoria had the best social distancing in the nation as its horror second wave began - indicating just one person may have been responsible for its deadly COVID-19 outbreak.

Mr Andrews on Sunday made face coverings compulsory from Wednesday night, while ordering Victorians to still only leave home just four essential reasons.

But a report compiled by Melbourne's highly-regarded Doherty Institute has revealed residents in the state are actually taking social distancing more seriously than those elsewhere in Australia.

Using information from population surveys and mobility data from Google, Facebook, Apple, researchers found Victoria's estimated effective reproduction rate beat all other states with a level on July 1 of just 0.92.

People wearing masks in Union lane in Melbourne on Sunday. Victoria is the best at social distancing in the country despite its horror second wave in recent weeks

The figure estimates the number of people any given member of the population would transmit the virus to if they were to become infectious.

HOW GOOD IS YOUR STATE AT SOCIAL DISTANCING? Statewide estimated effective reproduction number (the number of people any given member of the population would transmit the virus to if they became infected) ACT 1.08 NSW 1.09 NT 1.51 QLD 1.06 SA 1.14 TAS 1.00 VIC 0.92 WA 1.26 Source: Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity Advertisement

'Putting aside the actual outbreak, Victoria is a place where the virus is less able to spread than NSW, Sydney, South Australia, Western Australia,' University of Melbourne mathematical biology Professor James McCaw told The Sydney Morning Herald.

'What it says is an unlucky, random event has led to dramatic consequences in Victoria of an enormous outbreak. It has probably restarted from one or two or a very small number of infections.'

The institute's data also revealed on July 1 - as the state's second wave surged - the average number of non-household contacts per day for each Victorian was just 5.9.

By comparison, New South Wales had 8.1 contacts and Northern Territory residents were the most social in Australia with 11.5 contacts.

Deakin University epidemiologist Professor Catherine Bennett said Victorians should be credited for their adherence to social distancing and that if the second outbreak had happened in NSW the case numbers may have been worse.

'We're still the best in the country on July 1. It's important that Victorians are acknowledged for that. It's a win, but it's not enough,' she said.

The data comes as an inquiry into Victoria's bungled hotel quarantine program begins on Monday.

The probe will be led by retired judge Jennifer Coate, assisted by Tony Neal QC.

Researchers found Victoria's estimated effective reproduction rate - based on mobility data from Facebook, Google and Apple - beat all other states with a level on July 1 of just 0.92. Medical workers and police are pictured at a Government Commission tower in North Melbourne on Saturday

An Australian Defence Force member conducts a swab test a drive-through COVID-19 testing facility in Hoppers Crossing in south-west Melbourne on Friday. Researchers said an 'unlucky, random' event was likely the cause of Victoria's second outbreak

The inquiry was ordered by Premier Daniel Andrews after it was revealed protocol breaches by security guards at two Melbourne hotels led to outbreaks.

Management of the hotel quarantine program is now being conducted by Corrections Victoria and police will also provide additional support, the premier confirmed on Sunday.

'It just makes sense to take those extra steps ... to try and make sure that you protect what is a particularly volatile environment from a virus point of view,' Mr Andrews told reporters.
Neena Gupta, 61, shared a special birthday post for Priyanka Chopra, who turned 38 on Saturday. The Badhaai Ho actor posted a video in which she talked about how The Sky Is Pink actor inspired her to stretch her limits to achieve success in life.

Neena shared in the video how she once got a call for an audition for a very big, important film in Los Angeles without prior notice. She was shooting for a film at the time and could only manage a three-day break in between the shooting schedule. Neena wondered how she would manage flying to the US at such short notice and return immediately. She asked the concerned agency to allow her 10 days time but they did not agree to it.

She went on to share, I recalled watching one of Priyanka Chopras videos where she was talking about having to attend two different functions in India and abroad around the same time. She attended both the functions after changing five flights, sleeping during the flight and prepping for the function on the flight. I remembered that and said, Yes, I can also do it. She then flew to Los Angeles and came back within three days. Although I didnt get the film but Priyanka inspires me a lot. So wish you a very happy birthday Priyanka, she added.

Also read: Priyanka Chopra sits in Nick Jonas lap to stare in his eyes, he says I am so grateful we found one another. See pic

Neena is doing great at the work front and registered major success with her performance in the National Film Award winning film Badhaai Ho. She was again seen with her Badhaai Ho co-stars Ayushmann Khurrana and Gajraj Rao in Shubh Mangal Zyada Saavdhan and will now be seen in a cameo appearance in Kabir Khans 83. She recently announced her new project, Masaba Masaba on Netflix, and can be seen trying her hands on the sitar in the first look.

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A three-member Central team has asked the state to ensure better management of its hospitals and increase their capacity given the recent spike in Covid-19 cases in the state.

Citing Bihars case doubling rate, which was around 12 days, the team cautioned the state to prepare itself to admit new cases in hospitals as they were rising alarmingly.

Bihar with 26,379 cases, after 1,412 new infections were added on Sunday, could be looking at touching 50,000 cases in the next 12 days and 1 lakh in the next 24 days from now if the case doubling rate remained the same.

The Central team asked the state government to brace up for this challenge by creating capacity in hospitals to accommodate a rising number of patients while also improving its patient pick-up system through ambulances.

The Central team also stressed on increasing testing capacity in the state through reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), which was the confirmatory test for Covid-19. For this, it stressed on creating greater capacity for RT PCR. Bihar has the lowest testing rate in India.

The Central team also visited the Patliputra indoor stadium where the MSF (Medecins Sans Frontiers or Doctors Without Borders) has supported a 100-bed Covid-19 treatment facility.

It also visited a medical college hospital in Patna, besides the Rajeev Nagar locality to assess a containment zone, before leaving for Gaya late in the evening. The team would return to Delhi on Monday.

As the Centre stressed on RT-PCR tests, the state government assured to provide on demand testing facility to all Covid-19 symptomatic patients.

Testing target is not relevant anymore as the government has decided to provide on demand testing facility to all Covid-19 symptomatic patients up to primary health centre (PHC) level, said Anupam Kumar, secretary Information and Public Relations Department (IPRD), at a media briefing on Sunday.

District hospitals had initiated the facility of rapid antigen Point of Care (POC) testing. The facility will be extended at sub-divisional hospitals on Monday and to PHCs this week itself, said Bihar health secretary, Lokesh Kumar Singh during the joint media briefing.

Around 500 people were screened in Patna on the first day Saturday, after the government introduced the rapid antigen POC test in Patna through 25 testing centres and five mobile testing vans.

Together with rapid antigen POC test, RT-PCR, TrueNat and CBNAAT-based testing, Bihar tested 10,276 samples on Saturday as against 10,502 on Friday. The state health department has stopped sharing break-up of tests.

Two deaths were reported in the state, one each from Khagaria and Saran, as per the Covid-19 bulletin shared by the health department through its Twitter handle.

Seven deaths were reported from the AIIMS-Patna and the Nalanda Medical College Hospital (NMCH), the two designated Covid-19 hospitals in Patna.

Singh said 836 people had recovered during the last 24 hours, taking the total recoveries to 16,597. The states recovery rate of 62.91% was almost at par with the national average of 62.86%.

Patna recorded the highest number of Covid infections, which rose by 119, with 62 cases on July 18 and 57 on or before July 17, as per a tweet of State health department. The cumulative cases in Patna had climbed to 3,696, followed by Bhagalpur (1,601), Muzaffarpur (1,151), Siwan (1,102) and Begusarai (1,076).

Among other cases reported on Sunday, Rohtas accounted for 112, Samastipur 90, Muzaffarpur 64, Nalanda 62 and Gaya 59.

Covid-19 patient gives birth at AIIMS

A 25-year-old woman, suffering from Covid-19, gave birth to a baby girl at the AIIMS-Patna on Sunday.

This was the first caesarean section delivery done on a known Covid-19 patient at our institute, said Dr Sanjeev Kumar, nodal officer for Covid-19 at the AIIMS-Patna.

The woman was admitted on Saturday evening with leaking amniotic fluid at full term pregnancy. Our team of specialists, comprising Dr Monika Anant, Dr Ritu, Dr Swmkar, Dr Sompraph and anaesthesiologist Dr Neeraj Kumar and Dr Mithun waited over 12 hours for spontaneous labour, with full monitoring of mother and baby. Suspecting foetal distress, our team decided on C-section delivery. Mother and baby (weighing 3kg) are both doing fine, said Dr Kumar

The husband of the woman had tested positive in June before recovering on July 6.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-07-19 14:41:49|Editor: huaxia

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TASHKENT, July 19 (Xinhua) -- China's 3.2 percent growth in gross domestic product (GDP) in the second quarter of this year amid the COVID-19 pandemic shows the great potential of the Chinese economy, an Uzbek expert said Saturday.

"Thanks to the far-sighted policy of the country's leadership, China's economy has returned to growth in the second quarter of 2020 after a historic decline," Khasan Abulkosimov, professor at the National University of Uzbekistan, told Xinhua.

"The prompt mobilization of all forces and means against COVID-19, the highly organized discipline, the unity of the people and the use of modern medical technologies" have contributed to not only controlling the pandemic but also a significant rise in the country's economy, said the expert.

Abulkosimov added the gradual revival of China's economy in the first half of the year demonstrates the sustainability of its development.

"However, it will take some time before the Chinese economy fully recover its previous level due to the severe consequences of the pandemic for the global economy, as well as noticeably growing external risks and challenges," he said.

Noting China is one of the main investors and trading partners of Uzbekistan, Abulkosimov said China's economic growth will have a positive effect on the Uzbek economy.

"Today more than 1,700 joint ventures and Chinese enterprises operate in Uzbekistan. The growth in Chinese economy contributes to the revival and regeneration of these enterprises," he said. Enditem
Falneshia Adams (left) with niece Ashley and sisters Shani and Sonya. The three sisters were also best friends. Read more

People Weve Lost Falneshia Adams

49 years old

Lived in Prospect Park

An adventurer, she came to Philly to embrace city life More Memorials

Her mother found out that Falneshia Adams was in Philadelphia only because her oldest daughter called and broke the news.

I wasnt going to tell, said younger sister Shani, who knew of the plot.

Ms. Adams left her home in South Florida for the Philly skyline all those years ago because she wanted to live in the big city. So she followed her older sister Sonya.

The plan worked. She got good jobs, made tons of friends, danced up a storm, and had a beautiful daughter.

Ms. Adams, 49, died on Saturday, May 16, of the coronavirus.

She was so full of life, said Shani. We loved to hang out together. She loved to dance and dress up. She said, Dont tell Mom, when she left, and I knew she would make it fine.

Born as the middle of three sisters in 1971 in Orangeburg, S.C., Ms. Adams moved with her family to Pahokee, Fla., when she was young. She enrolled at Bethune-Cookman University after high school to study hotel management. She stayed there for two years until Philly beckoned.

Once she established herself in her new home  and explained to her folks why she left  Ms. Adams worked at the old Bellevue-Stratford Hotel and then the Childrens Hospital of Philadelphia. She made friends easily, and they had all kinds of fun.

Ms. Adams loved to drive. She learned to navigate Philadelphia by cruising the streets, and she often drove a carload of friends to the Atlantic City casinos. When the sisters took trips  Shani eventually came to Philly, too  and arranged their yearly birthday parties, Ms. Adams would usually be the chauffeur. They went to Ocean City, Md., on Jan. 5 for Ms. Adams 49th birthday.

A fashionable dresser throughout her life, Ms. Adams loved to mix and match outfits for just the right look. Her glasses, before she switched to contacts, even matched her clothes. Her favorite look was leopard print, and she had shoes, a bedspread, and curtains of it.

She danced with pompoms on her high school drill team and then to golden oldies in a line dance as an adult. She was the first one to rise each morning and was often dressed and ready to go while her sisters were still yawning.

Her daughter ENieshia was born 10 years ago, and the two were peas in a pod.

Ms. Adams fell ill with the virus in late April and was hospitalized, but she and her sisters were able to talk on the phone every day for most of that time.

We were roommates as kids all through high school, and we supported each other, Shani said. She was special.

In addition to her sisters and daughter, Ms. Adams is survived by her parents, three nieces, an aunt, and other relatives. The family held a private memorial.

 Gary Miles, gmiles@inquirer.com
Ukraine Gaming Week 2020 Set for October

Published July 19, 2020 by Lee R

Smile-Expos UGW 2020 hits at the perfect moment to follow up new legislation.

Ukrainian Gaming Week is welcoming the countrys new era of legislation.

Passage Nears

The event comes on the heels of the June 30 Parliament Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine consideration of a second reading of the draft of law 2285-d About regulation of activities related to organization and conduct of gambling.

Clearing for Regulation

With some 3,500 amendments on the docket, the reading left only 1500 left for consideration after the last reading before full regulation in Ukraine can commence.

The Event

This all adds up to a comprehensive regulatory model in the Ukraine, with conference superpower Smile-Expo now set to host the massive industry exhibition Ukrainian Gaming Week 2020 in Kyivs International Exhibition Center.

The Topics

From October 6-7, event participants will present advanced gambling solutions and reveal key insights into Ukrainian gambling legislation, advantages, and prospects of the this burgeoning new market.

The Exhibition Space

The exhibition space will feature over 100 exhibiting companies and some 2,000 attendees, with a floor area comprised of 6,000 square meters.

Exhibitors

UGW exhibitors will range across software developers; gambling hardware manufacturers; affiliate networks and programs; banks; payment aggregators; gambling operators; bookmakers; marketing; and SEO agencies; consulting; law companies; and many others.

Some exhibitors include Americas IGT, a leading provider of stationary slot machines; lottery and betting terminals; video slots; mobile and social games; along with software for online casinos, betting companies, and lotteries; supplier Alfastreet, which will have on display its array of automated roulette, gambling terminals, electronic games, casino equipment, and slot machine models; and leading poker and casino club supplier and manufacturer Gamebridge.

Ukraine Gaming Week Speakers

UGW 2020 further features a leading array of international gambling experts, Ukrainian lawmakers, and specialized organization representatives.

Expert speakers include local government official and Ukraine Verkhovna Rada member Anna Romanova; Endorphina Legal Department Head Jakub Kolomicenko; Ukrainian Gaming Industry Association President Iryna Sergienko; and Playtech Chief policy Officer Francesco Rodano.

Awards Ceremony and Party

In addition, a conference and awards ceremony will determine the best companies in the sector and feature a festive UGW Awards ceremony party.

Sunny New Outlook

New arrivals to this emerging space should attend with confidence and excitement, and trust that international conference organizer Smile-Expos 14 years of innovation conference experience will translate to a superb, memorable and opportunity rich UGW 2020.
A Queensland proposal to potentially make life easier for border residents once the interstate boundaries were closed by COVID-19 was rejected by New South Wales officials four months ago.

After seeing the long queues at the border crossings since restrictions were eased, Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk will put the same idea to her NSW counterparts again on Monday.

The Queensland leader has written to NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian requesting the interstate border checkpoint be moved south to the Tweed River, from its current location in Coolangatta.

"My understanding is that conversations did take place back in March between the two respective police ministers ... [and the idea] was rejected in March," Ms Palaszczuk said.
This is the dissident republican whose DNA police believe is linked to the New IRA gun used to murder Lyra McKee.

Niall Sheerin is a supporter of Saoradh, the political wing of the terrorist gang which fatally shot the journalist during a riot in the Creggan area of Londonderry last year.

The 27-year-old is a follower of hardline republican culture groups on Facebook and backs the Irish Republican Prisoners Welfare Association, which supports dissident inmates in Northern Ireland.

The former runner, who works in a bookmakers, is charged with possessing a firearm in suspicious circumstances and possessing a firearm with intent to endanger life.

The father-of-two, from Tyrconnell Street in the Brandywell area of the city, denied the offences when he appeared via videolink at Derry Magistrates' Court last week.



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An officer told the court that a DNA trace found on a Hammerli X-Esse .22 pistol recovered in searches last month was 70 million times more likely to belong to Sheerin than anyone else.

He added that a second trace recovered from the weapon was one million times more likely to belong to Sheerin than another individual.

The traces were found on the slide of the semi-automatic gun, which is used to open the chamber when loading and unloading.

"It is not just the DNA on the gun, but also the fact where it was on the gun," an officer told the hearing.

"We believe he was actively involved in possessing, in storing, in loading and unloading the gun and in preparing it for a shooting and unloading it after the shooting."

The firearm, a quantity of ammunition and a command wire explosive device were discovered during an extensive police operation focusing on fields near the Ballymagroarty estate in the city.

The officer told the court the gun had been stolen from a registered firearms dealer in Fermanagh in 2008 and was linked to four dissident republican shootings.



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He said Sheerin, who has convictions for public order offences, told officers during interviews that he was "at a loss" as to how his DNA came to be on the gun.

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The officer also said a number of witnesses to Ms McKee's murder were still afraid to come forward because of the risk of reprisals by the New IRA.

District Judge Stephen Keown granted Sheerin bail as two other men charged in relation to Ms McKee's murder were released on bail and living in the city.

But he ordered him to live at an address outside the city's 30mph zone and to stay away from the Saoradh offices on Chamberlain Street.

It came just under two weeks after Paul McIntyre, who is charged with killing Ms McKee, was granted bail.

The 52-year-old, from Kinnego Park in the city, is also charged with possession of a firearm and membership of a proscribed organisation, namely the IRA. He denies all the offences.
BOISE  An initial surge of coronavirus infections after young adults ignored social distancing and didnt wear face coverings when the state started reopening is now playing out among older generations who subsequently became infected and are being hospitalized.

Many of these people said they were staying home, they were trying to be careful, said Richard Augustus, chief medical officer at West Valley Medical Center. But they had family members coming into the home to take care of them.

West Valley Medical Center is in the southwestern Idaho city of Caldwell. Augustus said most of the 41 admissions due to COVID-19 have been in the last week. He said ages range from the early 30s to 70s, but the majority are over 65.

Were having outbreaks in nursing homes, and those are staff bringing it in, Augustus said, noting nursing homes arent allowing visitors. It has to be young folks who dont know theyre sick.

Andrew Southard, medical director of the emergency department at Saint Alphonsus, which has two hospitals in southwestern Idaho, said hes seeing the same.

I think the older adults, even if they try to play it safe, as the disease prevalence increases, youre going to see it infect subgroups of people, he said.

On Monday, the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare said there were 153 patients hospitalized with suspected or confirmed COVID-19.

The Trump administration earlier this week directed that information on the availability of hospital beds and intensive care units be sent to a private technology firm instead of the Centers for Disease Control, making it no longer public.

Idaho officials reported that through Thursday, Idaho had 98 intensive care unit hospital beds available. Thats a key metric as the state wants to stay above 50 beds available to care for those experiencing the worst symptoms of the disease.

Idaho had more than 13,000 confirmed cases and 114 deaths through Thursday, according to a tally by Johns Hopkins University.

And the 14-day trend for the percentage of people testing positive for COVID-19 on Friday was at 15.6%, according to The COVID Tracking Project. The positivity rate is a measure of how widespread the disease is in the community, and Idaho guidelines say that number needs to be under 5% to lift restrictions.

Augustus said it usually takes several weeks for someone infected to start experiencing the difficulty in breathing that will force them to a hospital, and he expects more patients.

I dont think were going to get better, he said. I think its only going to get worse in the next few weeks. You look around the country, you see those places, Texas, Florida  thats going to be us in two weeks if we dont do something different.

Texas and Florida are seeing thousands of new infections each day.

The COVID Tracking Project said that Idaho had about 373 new cases per 100,000 people over the past two weeks, ranking ninth in the country for new cases per capita on Friday.

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.

Southard said he expected another increase in hospitalizations from gatherings during the July 4 holiday. He said a wildcard is the possibility of children returning to school this fall. He also said flu season could complicate things when it arrives later this year.

I think were in this for kind of a long haul, he said.

Both Southard and Augustus recommend face coverings, social distancing and hand washing.

For most people, the new 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.

Copyright 2020 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
Health officials are investigating a coronavirus outbreak at an NHS test and trace centre in Lanarkshire.

All staff at the site in Motherwell, which is run by the private outsourcing company Sitel, have been told to work from home while the building is deep-cleaned.

The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) said employees would be offered a test within the next 24 hours.

One worker told the BBC that at least seven members of staff at the call centre had tested positive for Covid-19.

It comes after The Independent revealed Englands world beating coronavirus test and trace service is failing to reach more than half the contacts named by infected residents in Blackburn with Darwen  where health chiefs are battling a major outbreak. The data also showed that less than half of close contacts were being reached in Oldham, St Helens, Manchester and Rochdale.

One senior source said: The contact tracing service is now part of the problem we are trying to solve, not the solution.

NHS Lanarkshire said it was notified about the potentially linked cases of Covid-19 infections at the call centre in Motherwell on Sunday morning.

David Cromie, consultant in public health medicine, said: We instigated some immediate measures to reduce risk and are currently investigating the situation.

The DHSC confirmed the outbreak at the Sitel site in Motherwell in a statement to the Independent on Sunday night.

This is being managed by Sitel and colleagues in NHS Lanarkshire, who are following appropriate test and protect action in line with Scottish Government advice, an NHS Test and Trace spokesperson said.

We take the safety and wellbeing of our staff very seriously. Everyone at the site is currently working from home while a deep clean takes place, and will be offered a test within the next 24 hours.

Scotland recorded 23 new confirmed cases of coronavirus on Sunday, including three in the Lanarkshire health board area.

It is the highest daily figure for new cases since 21 June, when 26 positive results were reported.

The number of confirmed cases has now risen in each of the last five days, although no further deaths of people with the disease have been recorded.

Scotlands national clinical director Jason Leitch said on Saturday that he was not overly concerned with the fluctuating figures as they were spread around the country.

A total of 18,445 people in Scotland have now tested positive for Covid-19.

Meanwhile, Rochdale has brought in immediate new measures to avoid a reintroduction of lockdown, as the town's director of public health warned the "fight against coronavirus is not over".

The borough follows Blackburn with Darwen and Pendle in urging residents to follow extra precautions such as wearing face coverings in shops and limiting home visitors to two people.

Rochdale Council's director of public health, Andrea Fallon, said: "The fight against coronavirus is not over.

"Although lockdown measures are being relaxed across the country, we can see from our local data that we need to remain vigilant to the threat posed by the disease.

"We have increased testing and that has shown us that we need to take action and ask everyone to help keep our infection rate down."

The measures will be reviewed in two weeks.

From June 29 to July 12 the borough had the fourth highest rate of cases per 100,000 population in England, behind only Leicester, Blackburn and Bradford, said the council.

With agencies
From scanning hospital entrants to disinfecting hospital areas and floors, robots are being roped in for tasks considered high-risk, says Peerzada Abrar.

IMAGE: A robot checking a man before entering Fortis hospital in Bengaluru. Two robots, Mitra and Mitri, are being installed at the hospital. Photograph: Shashidhar Byrappa/ANI Photo

As you step inside a Chennai hospital which is treating Covid-19 patients, you hear a soft, humming sound.

Look around, and you find that it's the sound of a robot moving around the lobby and the hallway.

Its task? To go to various parts of the hospital and disinfect them.

The robot, named Astra-C, uses its ultraviolet light (UVC)-based disinfection equipment to kill the coronavirus.

It communicates directly with the elevator to reach a particular floor and empty isolation wards which need to be disinfected.

Astra-C is programmed to carry out the disinfection on its own since UVC light is harmful for humans.

Astra, which means "weapon" in Sanskrit, has been developed by a Bengaluru-based company called Invento Robotics.

Several hospitals in India such as Yatharth in Noida and Apollo in Bengaluru are already using the robot to disinfect their wards and protect frontline health workers.

IMAGE: Astra kills Coronavirus in the air with powerful UVC radiation and can be used in hallways, rooms, elevators etc. Photograph: Kind courtesy, balajivis/Twitter.com

UVC has been traditionally used in operation theatres for its germicidal properties.

More recently, it was successfully used in Wuhan and in Italy which saw some of the worst outbreaks of Covid-19.

So far, the disinfection units were either stationary or moved by humans.

Invento Robotics improved upon the idea and built a robot that can move to specific areas on its own and kill micro-organisms.

"Human workers are sometimes afraid to go into the Covid wards," says Balaji Viswanathan, co-founder and CEO at Invento Robotics.

"Even if they do, the normal way of cleaning is not sufficient for the coronavirus."

Viswanathan -- a robotics engineer who started his career at Microsoft in Redmond, US --says that UVC radiation is one of the most effective ways to kill the coronavirus as this light reaches every bit of a surface.

IMAGE: Balaji Viswanathan, co-founder and CEO at Invento Robotics. Photograph: Kind courtesy, balajivis/Twitter.com

Built on self-driving technology, the Astra robots can create their own maps, go on a patrol and reach particular places for disinfection.

Six lamps mounted on the robot emit intense UV light at 253.7 nm wavelength, as per current medical device standards.

The lamps, made in Germany, are certified for medical standards.

Invento's key innovation lies in making the robot mobile using technologies such as LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) and SLAM (Simultaneous Localisation and Mapping).

LiDAR is a laser-based remote sensing technology that uses light to measure distances.

SLAM allows the robot to create its own maps by aligning the sensor data they collect in real time with those they have already collected.

IMAGE: An Astra robot disinfecting an operating theatre at Apollo Hospitals. Photograph: Kind courtesy, balajivis/Twitter.com

Viswanathan says that before building Astra earlier this year, Invento had witnessed a huge demand for its temperature screening robots in China.

The company was planning to export these to China and was in the process of setting up a sales office there.

But in the last week of March, everything came to a complete halt in India due to the lockdown and that's when Invento started the work on building the Astra robots.

IMAGE: Invento's Robodoc helps augment the capabilities of doctors and nurses fighting the pandemic. Photograph: Kind courtesy, balajivis/Twitter.com

Invento has created another robot called Robodoc, which helps augment the capabilities of doctors and nurses fighting the pandemic.

This robot comes with a range of onboard tools such as thermal imaging cameras and sensors for remotely detecting temperature, pulse level and the electrocardiogram (ECG) of patients.

The Robodoc is propelled by proprietary self-driving technology and is constantly monitored and assisted by human pilots from a remote location.

Once it is near a patient, Robodoc uses facial recognition technology to identify them and starts an automatic conversation via voice.

This is to get patients to answer routine questions regarding their state of health.

Following this, a doctor is brought on board through video.

The patient can have a video consultation with the doctor, who can even perform remote auscultation using an on-board digital stethoscope.

Robodoc is currently in the process of commercialisation.

IMAGE: Invento's 3 robots fighting COVID. (from right) Mitra does the screening, Mitri does telemedicine and Astra kills coronavirus in the air with powerful UVC radiation. Photograph: Kind courtesy, balajivis/Twitter.com

As for Astra, Invento says that it has been certified in India by the National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories (NABL).

Designed for Indian conditions, the robot is priced at about Rs 8 lakh which, the company says is one-third the price of its competitors.

The firm is also providing these robots to hospitals on a pay-as-you-go model.

According to Invento, going forward, one of its key markets could be the US, where it is competing with global players such as InTouch Health and MetraLabs.

The company is in the process of getting approval from the US Food and Drug Administration.

IMAGE: The Milagrow iMap 9, a floor-disinfecting robot. Photograph: Kind courtesy, Milagrowhumantech.com

Invento is not the only company in the country which is building robots to fight Covid-19.

Gurugram-based robotics brand Milagrow is helping the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) contain the spread of the pandemic amongst doctors and healthcare workers.

The company's artificial intelligence-powered robots -- Milagrow iMap 9 and Humanoid ELF -- are being tested in the advanced Covid-19 ward at AIIMS, Delhi.

The Milagrow iMap 9 is a floor-disinfecting robot which can navigate and sanitise floors without any human intervention.

It can destroy Covid spores on floor surfaces using sodium hypochlorite solution, as recommended by the Indian Council of Medical Research.

The robot moves around autonomously without falling and avoids obstructions.

It plans its own path, guided by LiDAR and advanced SLAM technology.

The firm's other product, Milagrow Humanoid ELF, enables doctors to monitor and interact with Covid-19 patients remotely.

Feature Production: Ashish Narsale/Rediff.com
It is no longer big news to say that the restaurant industry is gripped by a crisis so severe that many restaurants may not last much longer. Lakhs of people will be out of jobs, restaurant owners will go bust and an important aspect of the social lives of our cities will vanish, possibly forever. There are different estimates of how many restaurants will close, ranging from 40 per cent to a high of 70 per cent.

What you may not know, however, is that this carnage is avoidable; at least in part. Covid has had terrible consequences for the restaurant industry in many countries of the world. But in several of them, governments have stepped in to try and minimise the damage.

In the US, Donald Trump tweeted as soon as the crisis began that the government would look after the industry and, by and large, the US F&B industry has been shielded from the worst economic effects of the pandemic.

For restaurants and bars like Diablo, the owners are pushing for outdoor dining with rooftops included

All over Europe, governments have stepped in to help by contributing towards salaries and offering tax breaks.

In the UK, Chancellor Rishi Sunak has added to the existing slew of restaurant-friendly measures by slashing VAT rates on restaurant meals and by encouraging people to eat out. (The most common sentiment you hear among Indian restaurateurs these days is: Yaar, why couldnt Rishi just be our Finance Minister? Why is it that an Indian can do so much good in the UK while here, in India, we continue to suffer?)

We are now in the extraordinary situation of being the only major economy in the world where the government has pretended that the restaurant sector does not exist. Even Thailand has done more for its restaurants than India has.

There is a second thing that you might not immediately realise. As badly off as restaurants are, there is one segment that is even worse hit: the bar sector.

In such countries as the UK and the US, governments tend to treat restaurants and bars roughly on par. Nobody disputes that there are important differences. On the whole, you sit at tables when you eat at restaurants, which makes it easy to ensure social distancing. On the other hand, when people stand near a bar counter, it can be more difficult to check that social distancing norms are being enforced.

Bar owners just have to survive this phase and next year could be much better

But equally, nobody also disputes that, with a little effort, it is possible to make sure that bars are relatively safe too. In the UK, when restaurants were allowed to re-open, bars and pubs were included in the same category.

In India, of course, the bureaucratic-political mindset is that places where liquor is served are dens of evil (which is why politicians can only drink themselves silly at home), so the rules are skewered to harm them the most. When restaurants were allowed to re-open, bars were specifically excluded. You could argue that this made some sense. But how about this: if you went to a restaurant, sat at a table and observed social distancing, you were still not allowed to drink alcohol.

It is one thing to not help an industry, quite another to be stupid and illogical.

Priyank Sukhija is the restaurant and bar king of Delhi

Out of sheer exasperation, our bars have stopped expecting any money and soft loans from the government. All they want is an input tax credit on GST and longer hours of operation. But even that has been denied.

I spoke to Priyank Sukhija, the restaurant and bar king of Delhi and his suggestions were modest in scope.

In London and in many European cities, they have closed off streets to create new pedestrian and eating-and-drinking areas. In India, there is no uniform policy even on using outdoor areas. As Priyank says: Outdoors is safer than indoors but the NDMC does not have a policy for outdoor or rooftop dining. Cities all over the world are giving public land. We should at least be allowed to use our own outdoor areas.

Faced with governments and municipal corporations that dont even offer policy support (let alone financial support), the bar business has tried to look for support from those it regularly deals with. The liquor companies are one obvious source of support. Rahul Singh, past president of the National Restaurants Association of India (NRAI) and owner of The Beer Cafe, went to all of the liquor companies to see if they could help.

He came back with a commitment of Rs 1.4 crore from Pernod Ricard and Rs 1 crore from Beam Suntory. The NRAI used this money to give actual cash benefits to bartenders and bar workers who had been hit by the lockdown. Anurag Katriar, the current president of NRAI, told me, We have collected data of bartenders and other bar workers from our member-restaurants and have so far transferred about Rs 5,000 each in the accounts of 3,300 people, totalling to ~1.65 crore so far. More will follow as more money comes in.

Rahul Singh is past president of NRAI and owner of The Beer Cafe

Rahul Singh agrees that this is not much, but says that at this time of crisis any cash helps income-less bar workers. He is especially grateful, he says, to Vijay Shekhar Sharma of Paytm who made sure the money reached the workers, many of whom had gone back to their villages.

The big boy on the block is, of course, Diageo, maker of Johnnie Walker and other iconic brands that have a resonance in the Indian market. Rather than just give cash to other organisations, Diageo has instituted a global $100-million fund called Raising the Bar to help bars prepare for the new normal and to take care of the many additional expenses bars will face in the months ahead.

Of that $ 100 million, $10 million (around ~75 crore) has currently been earmarked for Indian bar outlets. Because this is a global initiative (and bars have re-opened in much of the world), it draws on the experiences of other countries to prepare bars for re-opening and for surviving in a post-lockdown world, where the pandemic still remains a key factor influencing behaviour.

I hadnt realised this myself but cash-strapped bars will now have to make new investments in hygiene and social distancing. Diageo reckons they will need sanitisers and dispersers, Perspex screens to separate guests, thermal temperature scanners, new reservation systems, and contactless menus and drinks lists. Diageo will pay for much of this.

Anurag Katriar is the current president of NRAI

All of this is not easy for everyone to do, so there will be special training in how to run hygienic bars, how to keep the bartender-customer relationship alive while applying social distancing measures, how to make the bar seem warm and welcoming while discouraging crowding near the counter, and how to reassure guests that bars and kitchens are safe.

At present, the bar industry, focussed as it is on mere survival, has not even wondered about what the future will be like.

But if you stop and think about it, theres no doubt that it cant be business as usual again. In India, more than any Western country, people still seem scared of going out to restaurants (and presumably, to bars when they do open). There is even a widespread resistance all over India to the idea of ordering food in on grounds of safety. (Delivery sales are still only about 30 per cent of what they were before the lockdown.)

How will bar owners lure customers back to their establishments? How will they get them to order bar snacks? The Raising the Bar initiative reminds us that it may be more difficult than they realise. Most restaurants that have opened during this partial unlockdown are making only 25 per cent of what they used to earn.

The owner of The Beer Cafe approached all liquor companies to seek their cooperation

The key to success lies in making customers feel that a) that there is no health risk because the bar follows the best hygiene protocols and b) that bars still have so much to offer in terms of ambience and atmosphere that they are worth going to even if you have to spend more than you would if you simply drank at home. (The liquor companies make money even if customers drink their products at home, so the commitment to spend large sums of money to help bars is a largely altruistic act.)

The Raising the Bar initiative aims to train bar staff to cope with both factors. Rahul Singh of The Beer Cafe concedes that it will not be easy for bars to restart because the new normal entails new expenses. But he remains an optimist. He gives the example of New Orleans, which was devastated by Hurricane Katrina. Of the citys 985 restaurants and bars, nearly all were destroyed. But New Orleans bounced back. There are now 1,300 outlets, more than there ever were.

So, bar owners just have to survive this phase and next year could be much better. All they need to do is, to focus on Raising the Bar!

From HT Brunch, July 19, 2020

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LAS VEGAS (AP)  A federal judge has dismissed a lawsuit filed by nine women who alleged they were sexually harassed by former casino mogul Steve Wynn.

The women, manicurists and makeup artists in a salon at the Wynn Las Vegas, were unnamed in the lawsuit and instead identified by their attorneys as Judy Doe No. 1 through Judy Doe No. 9. Their decision to stay anonymous was one reason the judge dismissed the case in a Wednesday filing, arguing they hadn't legally justified the need to stay anonymous to continue their case.

They sued the Wynn Las Vegas and Wynn Resorts Ltd, alleging that the companies did not do enough to prevent a hostile work environment. They alleged that the companies were aware of misconduct by Wynn towards female employees but did not investigate it and covered up any reported misconduct.

Wynn, 78, resigned in February 2018 as chairman and chief executive of Wynn Resorts. He has consistently denied sexual misconduct allegations, which were first reported in January 2018 by the Wall Street Journal.

Wynn was not named as a defendant in the womens lawsuit. Wynns attorney L. Lin Wood said in an email message Friday night that he was not representing Wynn in the matter and would forward the message seeking comment to another Wynn attorney who was, Nate Lloyd. A voicemail message seeking comment from Lloyd was not immediately returned Friday night.

In the order dismissing the lawsuit, Judge James C. Mahan agreed with another judge's earlier ruling that the women did not sufficiently justify their need to file their lawsuit anonymously using pseudonyms.

The women said in court filings that they chose to file anonymously because of fear of legal retaliation by Wynn, potentially being ostracized in their workplace and sensitive details that would upend their lives if made public.

Mahan also said the women did not sufficiently make their case in the complaint, using generalized and vague statements without individualized factual support for their allegations.

Story continues

The lawsuit was dismissed without prejudice, which means it can be refiled.

Phone and email messages seeking comment from the women's attorneys, Wynn Resorts and attorneys for Wynn Resorts were not immediately returned Friday night.

The lawsuit was originally filed in a Nevada court in September 2019 but was moved to a federal court a month later.

Wynn Resorts paid a $20 million fine in February 2019 to settle a Nevada gambling regulatory probe of claims that executives failed to investigate sexual misconduct claims against Wynn before he resigned. Massachusetts gambling regulators then levied a $35 million fine against the company two months later for failing to disclose years of allegations of sexual misconduct against Wynn.
The coronavirus vaccine candidate being developed by AstraZeneca and Oxford University induces a strong immune response and appears to be safe, according to preliminary trial results.

The early stage trial, which involved 1,077 people, has found that the vaccine trains the immune system to produce antibodies and white blood cells capable of fighting the virus. It also causes few side effects.

Professor Sarah Gilbert, co-author of the Oxford University study, described the findings as promising but said there is still much work to be done before we can confirm if our vaccine will help manage the Covid-19 pandemic.

The results came as the UK secured 90 million doses of other promising Covid-19 vaccines, while clinical trials of a new inhaled coronavirus treatment showed it significantly reduced the number of hospitalised patients needing intensive care.

Boris Johnson, the prime minister, said the results were very positive as he congratulated the team of scientists working on the vaccine.

There are no guarantees, were not there yet and further trials will be necessary  but this is an important step in the right direction, he said on Twitter.

Matt Hancock, the health secretary also told MPs the virus was on the back foot in Britain as the number of new cases and hospital admissions continue to fall.

In research published on Monday in the journal Lancet, scientists said the vaccine produced a dual immune response in people aged 18 to 55  provoking a T-cell response within 14 days of vaccination and an antibody response after 28 days.

More trials will need to be conducted to establish how long these cells last within the body. It is also unclear whether the vaccine can prevent people from falling ill or lessen the symptoms of Covid-19.

Researchers said the vaccine caused minor side effects more frequently than a control group, but some of these could be reduced by taking paracetamol, with no serious adverse events from the vaccine.

The data included in the paper covered the first 56 days of the trial and is ongoing.

Phase two and three trials evaluating the vaccines effectiveness have been expanded beyond the UK to South Africa, Brazil and the US, where infections rates are still high, to allow researchers to assess whether it can block or limit transmission among large populations.

As well as continuing to test our vaccine in phase three trials, we need to learn more about the virus  for example, we still do not know how strong an immune response we need to provoke to effectively protect against Sars-CoV-2 infection, Professor Gilbert added.

The studys authors have also noted that more research is needed to confirm the findings in different groups of people  including older age groups, those with other health conditions, and in ethnically and geographically diverse populations.

Rankin unveils portraits of NHS workers on the coronavirus frontline Show all 12 1 /12 Rankin unveils portraits of NHS workers on the coronavirus frontline Rankin unveils portraits of NHS workers on the coronavirus frontline Marc Lyons ICU Consultant, East Cheshire NHS Trust PA Rankin unveils portraits of NHS workers on the coronavirus frontline Emma Kelly Critical Care Nurse, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust PA Rankin unveils portraits of NHS workers on the coronavirus frontline Laura Arrowsmith COVID-19 Ward Cleaner, Leighton Hospital, Crewe PA Rankin unveils portraits of NHS workers on the coronavirus frontline Stuart Brookfield Paramedic, South Central Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust PA Rankin unveils portraits of NHS workers on the coronavirus frontline Claudia Anghel Midwife, University Hospital Coventry and Warwickshire PA Rankin unveils portraits of NHS workers on the coronavirus frontline Sarah Jensen Chief Information Officer, Barts Health NHS Trust PA Rankin unveils portraits of NHS workers on the coronavirus frontline Anne Roberts District Nurse, Midlands Partnership NHS Foundation Trust PA Rankin unveils portraits of NHS workers on the coronavirus frontline Ali Abdi Porter, University Hospitals Bristol NHS Foundation Trust PA Rankin unveils portraits of NHS workers on the coronavirus frontline Jack Hannay Manikum 111 call handler, West Midlands Ambulance Service PA Rankin unveils portraits of NHS workers on the coronavirus frontline Ade Williams Superintendent Pharmacist, Bedminster Pharmacy in Bristol PA Rankin unveils portraits of NHS workers on the coronavirus frontline Farzana Hussain GP, Project Surgery, Newham PA Rankin unveils portraits of NHS workers on the coronavirus frontline Roopak Khara General Adult Psychiatrist, West London NHS Trust PA

The vaccine, called AZD1222, is made from a genetically engineered virus that causes the common cold in chimpanzees.

It has been weakened to ensure it does not trigger any disease in humans and is modified to express the spike protein seen on Sars-CoV-2  the tool used by the virus to invade human cells.

When this genetic material enters the human body, it helps teach the immune system to recognise the Sars-CoV-2 virus, according to co-author professor Andrew Pollard.

Oxford University has partnered with AstraZeneca to produce the vaccine globally, with the pharmaceutical giant already committed to making two billion doses.

The UK has ordered 100 million doses of the vaccine, while a number of other governments around the world, including the US, France and Germany, have entered into supply deals with the company should the candidate prove effective and gain regulatory approval.

AstraZeneca has said it will not seek to profit from the vaccine during the pandemic.

If our vaccine is effective, it is a promising option as these types of vaccines can be manufactured at large scale, said Professor Gilbert.

A successful vaccine against Sars-CoV-2 could be used to prevent infection, disease and death in the whole population, with high-risk populations such as hospital workers and older adults prioritised to receive vaccination.

Global Justice Now, which campaigns on issues of trade, health care and justice in the developing world, said AstraZenecas claim that it will sell the vaccine at no profit during the pandemic is not good enough.

Heidi Chow, a senior policy manager, told The Independent: It needs to fully disclose its costs and prices so that this can be verified. The company has also left the door open to profiteer from this publicly-funded vaccine after the pandemic, when the need for vaccination may still exist.

This vaccine has been paid for by the public purse and if it ultimately proves to be safe and effective, it should be a global public good and openly licensed.

AstraZenecas vaccine is among the leading candidates currently being developed, with about a dozen others in the early stages of human testing or poised to start, mostly in China, the US and Europe.

The American biotech firm Moderna, based in Massachusetts, was the first to announce that its vaccine candidate had produced an immune response within people.

The company said in May that the levels of antibodies developed by participants in its phase one trial mirrored those seen in patients who have recovered from the virus.

BioNtech and Pfizer have also delivered positive results from early trials into their MRNA-based vaccine.

An ideal vaccine against Sars-CoV-2 should be effective after one or two vaccinations and work in target populations including older adults and those with other health conditions, researchers say.

They add that it should confer protection for a minimum of six months, and reduce onward transmission of the virus to contacts.
There is no room for complacency or self-isolation in foreign policy. Especially when events require constant vigilance on our part. Greece is a country that exercises an active foreign policy on all levels. It does not hide from new developments. Moreover, Greece is a country that is always open to dialogue, pursuing good-faith and honest two-way communication with everyone it talks to.



With the recent decision to convert Hagia Sophia into a mosque, Turkey sparked reactions on a global level. Erdogans action marks a resounding shift in Turkey, from secular republic towards a post-Kemalist Islamic republic. Turkey is choosing to follow a neo-Ottoman path that is far from European values. Hagia Sophia is not a Greek-Turkish issue. It Euro-Turkish; it is global. And as the Prime Minister said, it is also universal.



In the face of this reality and Turkeys ongoing provocations, we do not refuse to take part in a dialogue initiated by major powers, such as Germany, which currently holds Presidency of the EU. In light of this, Greece had no reason not to participate in the trilateral meeting in Berlin between Greece, Turkey and Germany. It is important, in the midst of this difficult situation, to keep the channels of communication open, even on the level of ministry officials.



This is a key principle of international diplomacy  a principle no country can ignore if it wants to get results, rather than simply propagating wishful thinking. Especially at a time when it is pointing to its interlocutors bad faith and intransigence. Otherwise, it runs the risk of appearing untrustworthy and inconsistent. Whats more, in foreign policy it is important to avoid any traps your opponent may set for you. The oppositions allegations of so-called secret diplomacy are groundless.



While striving to promote Greeces positions in all European and international fora, the government of Kyriakos Mitsotakis has also made it a priority to promote domestic institutional dialogue and keep the political parties and Parliament apprised of developments. Especially in the current state of affairs, our country does not have the luxury of internal division. It needs to present a unified and solid front against all challenges.
City to offer free rent for companies opening new offices here



By Kim Bo-eun





The Park One complex on Yeouido / Korea Times file
Veteran broadcaster Annie Nightingale knew about John Lennon and Yoko Onos relationship before it was made public  but did not report the story for fear of breaking her bond of trust with The Beatles.

Nightingale, 80, the first female presenter on BBC Radio 1 and its longest-serving host, tells BBC Radio 4s Desert Island Discs today that as a frequent guest at the Fab Fours Apple Studios sessions in London, she learned secrets about the band long before they became public.

I was accepted but also knew that they had a kind of code  one strike and youre out.

Veteran broadcaster Annie Nightingale (pictured in the 1960s) knew about John Lennon and Yoko Onos relationship before it was made public  but did not report the story for fear of breaking her bond of trust with The Beatles

You let them down, you break that trust, and thats it, its over, she tells host Lauren Laverne.

And I thought that was perfectly fair. I knew about John and Yoko before it was announced.

If that story breaks then theyll think, Oh, its your fault. And when they did go public it was a great relief because sometimes its not good to be in the right place at the right time.

Lennon and Onos relationship is often blamed for the break-up of The Beatles in 1970. They were married from 1969 until his murder in 1980.

Lennon (middle) and Onos (left) relationship is often blamed for the break-up of The Beatles in 1970. They were married from 1969 until his murder in 1980

Nightingale, whose Desert Island Discs include songs from Billie Eilish and Beyonce, began her Radio 1 career in 1970, three years after the station was established.

She tells Laverne she asked for a job when it started but was turned down because she was a woman.

Nightingale says: They came out with this wonderful line, they said, Our disc jockeys are husband substitutes. That set up a lot of assumptions that all the women pop fans were housewives at home doing the ironing.

Annie Nightingale is on Desert Island Discs on Radio 4 at 11am today.
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...
Washington: Twitter disabled a campaign-style video retweet by US President Donald Trump, citing a copyright complaint.

The video, which included music from the group Linkin Park, disappeared from the President's Twitter feed late on Saturday (US time) with the notification: "This media has been disabled in response to a report by the copyright owner."

US President Donald Trump. Credit:AP

Twitter removed the video, which Trump had retweeted from White House social media director Dan Scavino, after it received a Digital Millennium Copyright Act notice from Machine Shop Entertainment, according to a notice posted on the Lumen Database which collects requests for removal of online materials.

Machine Shop is a management company owned by the rock band Linkin Park, according to its LinkedIn page.
When you invest in a stock while taking a long-term buying perspective, you naturally expect that it could be five or 10 years before you start to see a reasonable return on your investment. By tracking your portfolio returns, you can hone your buying strategy and learn how to identify stocks positioned for substantial growth.

Understandably, economic recessions can be scary times for investors. But there are opportunities to be found by those who can take the big picture view and know the market always recovers, and who have cash on the sidelines to deploy. For example, if you invested $1,000 in Bristol Myers Squibb (NYSE:BMY) during the last recession, you might be amazed at how much that initial investment would have offered in returns by now.

The Great Recession officially started in December 2007 and ended in June 2009. Assuming you purchased Bristol Myers Squibb shares during this economic downturn, let's see how much your investment would be worth today.

Today, $1,000 would be worth...

To set the stage for your initial investment, let's assume that you purchased BMS stock in 2008, smack dab in the middle of the recession. That year, its stock price was around $20. With $1,000 to spend on your starting investment, you would have been able to buy about 50 shares.

Fast forward to today: Despite the stock taking a nosedive in March due to the emerging threat of the coronavirus in the U.S., shares have since rebounded to the region of $60 per share since mid-April. Today, your initial investment would be worth about $3,000. That's a whopping 200% return on your investment -- meaning your money tripled.

If you had started with a somewhat larger sum at the time, say $4,000, you could have purchased about 200 shares of Bristol Myers Squibb stock in 2008. Over a decade later, that investment would now be worth $12,000. It just goes to show that even starting off with a more modest investment could reap significant returns in a relatively short period of time.

Important updates for investors

Bristol Myers Squibb entered the rocky stock market of 2020 after a solid performance in 2019. The company amassed revenue totaling $26.1 billion last year, and in the final quarter of 2019, revenue was up 33% to $7.9 billion. In the United States alone, BMS experienced a 42% spike in revenue in the final quarter of 2019 at $4.8 billion. Q4 2019 also marked the closing of the company's acquisition of Celgene, a $74 billion deal that brought an impressive portfolio of drugs into Bristol Myers' stable.

During the first three months of 2020 -- the early days of COVID-19, when investors were just beginning to worry -- Bristol Myers Squibb rang in another stellar quarter. Revenue in Q1 2020 went up by a staggering 82% on a year-over-year basis, to $10.8 billion, mainly because of the Celgene acquisition.

A few notable assets BMS gained from this acquisition include blood cancer drug Revlimid and blood thinner Eliquis, which raked in $2.9 million and $2.6 million in Q1, respectively. The company's purchase of Celgene was responsible for 71% of the overall growth achieved in the first quarter of 2020. In the U.S., Q1 revenue was up 96%, totaling $6.8 billion. Earnings results for the second quarter of the year are due on August 6.

What about this recession?

The U.S. officially entered recession territory in February. Of course, the recession caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and the widespread lockdowns to stop the spread is a very different animal than the last recession. But one thing hasn't changed: there are profitable opportunities for nimble and brave investors.

Given its low share price and exceptional performance, it's not hard to see why this blue-chip stock is popular with growth investors. With a nearly 3% dividend yield and boast-worthy portfolio of existing and pipeline drugs, Bristol Myers Squibb stock presents an excellent buying opportunity for budding and veteran investors alike.
LIMERICKs growing craft beer scene is set to get a further boost, with a new microbrewery opening at the old Fire Station.

The landmark building in Thomas Street is set to be re-purposed and become home to Crew Brewing, which plans to open by the autumn.

Jono Crute, a director of the firm and a master brewer said a unique experience will be on offer, with both a pub experience and tours of the brewery.

He said: We have a full seven day pub licence so unlike a lot of other breweries in Ireland who are only able to offer tours we are able to fully open our doors to visit as a normal pub and are able to sell both our own beer as well as beer, cider and spirits from other producers.

He promised a rotating selection of both Irish and global independent beer both on draught and in bottle.

Its own beer will be produced in a brewery to the rear of the pub, which will be served direct from serving tanks behind the bar.

The bar offering will naturally be beer focused as we are beer lovers with an ever rotating selection of the best in Irish and global independent beer on draught and in bottle and can format alongside our own beer, produced on site in a highly visible brewery at the back of the pub, which will be served direct from serving tanks behind the bar."

Jono and co-founder Gareth Cash, have been aiming to open a business like this for over a decade.

We embarked on a road trip to Dublin, Cork, Limerick and Galway to decide where we'd like to live and open the business and fell in love with Limerick almost immediately. We moved down here then in January of last year, found the premises in June of last year and have been working on planning permission, licence requirements, grant applications and fundraising ever since, he explained.

The Covid-19 lockdown has delayed their progress  but its hoped the premises will open at the end of August.

Crew will join two other craft beer pubs in that part of the city.

The Wickham Tap is located in Wickham Street and Mother Macs is near the Milk Market in High Street.

And Treaty City opened a microbrewery in Nicholas Street last year.
(Natural News) Researchers have found that the infection rate for the Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) among inmates in American prisons is 5.5 times higher than among the general public. They also found that prisoners were three times more likely to succumb to the disease than the regular population.

To come to their conclusions, the researchers from the Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Medicine (JHSPH) analyzed data gathered from federal and state prisoners about COVID-19 cases and deaths between March 31 and June 6. The data was collected as part of the University of California, Los Angeles School of Laws (UCLA Law) COVID-19 Behind Bars project. This is further combined with data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the U.S. Census Bureaus American Community Survey due to the need to compare the cases and deaths of prisoners with the overall population.

The results of their study showed that the case rate for inmates is 3,251 cases per 100,000 prisoners, which is 5.5 times higher than the case rate for the general population, which sits at 587 cases per 100,000.

Despite the fact that the rate of COVID-19 cases in state and federal prisons was initially significantly lower than the national average, the daily case growth rate among the prison population is now a lot higher than that of the general population. It sits at around 8.3 percent for prison inmates, which is over two times more than the 3.4 percent growth rate in the general population.

The authors of the study believe that the case rate in prisons is likely to be a lot higher than what they have reported, as testing protocols vary from prison to prison. Some prisons only test people with COVID-19 symptoms, while others dont even bother testing their inmates at all.

Furthermore, during the period of the study, the researchers recorded 510 deaths among the prison residents included in their analysis, which represents a death rate of 39 deaths per 100,000. This is higher than the national average of 29 deaths per 100,000 people.

However, when the researchers accounted for demographic differences, they found that the death rate in federal and state prisons was actually three times higher than in the general population.

While these numbers are striking, we actually think the disparities within prisons is much greater, said Brendan Saloner, lead author and associate professor in the Department of Health Policy at JHSPH.

Some prisons are not reporting any cases; others are not even testing inmates, so the need for policies to protect incarcerated populations is more important than ever.

Saloner and the other researchers are recommending that prisons implement better measures to control the spread of COVID-19 among their prison populations.

Some of their other recommendations include conducting comprehensive testing on the whole prison population, thereby allowing prison officials to isolate infected inmates, and the release of low-risk inmates.

As of July 16, the UCLA Law COVID-19 Behind Bars project reports that there are nearly 70,000 cases of COVID-19 in prisons nationwide.

Listen to this episode of the Health Ranger Report, a podcast by Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, as he talks about how the upcoming second wave of the coronavirus will drastically affect the food supply, causing the price of many food items to skyrocket.

Prison population down eight percent

Between March to June, the U.S. prison population has decreased by eight percent, which accounts for the release of more than 100,000 people from both state and federal prisons. This analysis was done by The Marshall Project and The Associated Press. By comparison, in 2019 the state and federal prison population decreased by just 2.2 percent.

The population drop varies per state. In Virginia, the prison population decreased by just two percent, while in Rhode Island, that number is at 32 percent. Some of the other states with the highest drops in prison population are Connecticut at 22 percent, North Dakota and West Virginia both at 18 percent, and Delaware and Illinois at 14 percent. Meanwhile, Oregon, Louisiana and Arizona follow along behind Virginia for having a smaller decrease at just three percent each.

However, the significant decrease in prison population is not coming from a massive program to release low-risk inmates, such as what California is currently attempting to do. (Related: Calif. Gov. Newsom to release 8,000 prisoners as part of nationwide destabilization scheme run by Democrats.)

Rather, the population drop comes from the fact that many prisons have outright refused to accept new prisoners from county jails. This border closure may have helped many prisons around the country keep the coronavirus out of their own walls. Furthermore, lockdowns and court closures have meant that fewer people were being sentenced and parole officers were sending fewer people back to prison.

This means that its likely that the prison population will substantially increase once courts reopen and prisons begin accepting new inmates again.

The global coronavirus pandemic is far from over. Learn about the latest developments at Pandemic.news.

Sources include:

DailyMail.co.uk

MedicalNewsToday.com

WSWS.org

TheMarshallProject.org
Senior Congress leader Anand Sharma hit out at External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Sunday, saying he cannot be in denial of the "failures" of foreign policy and should answer them instead.

A day after Jaishankar's defence of India's foreign policy, the senior spokesperson of the Congress said engagements with strategic partners demand seriousness and cannot be trivialised and reduced to event management.

He also hit out at the external affairs minister for referring to the Balakote and Uri strikes, saying he should not politicise or monopolise the country's armed forces.

"Amused by Foreign Minister S Jaishankar's defence of a directionless foreign policy. Rhetoric and tweets do not change ground reality. Neighbourhood first has been a priority of India's foreign policy but sadly derailed by a cavalier approach," Sharma said.

Noting that India and Nepal have historically shared a relationship based on trust, friendship and mutual respect, the former Union minister said, "The present drift and tension are a matter of national concern."

"The Foreign Minister cannot have the luxury of denial but should answer for the failures," he said in a series of tweets."Foreign policy must have gravitas and depth. Engagements with strategic partners demand seriousness and cannot be trivialised and reduced to event management. You may create illusions by your optics, but history will judge you by outcomes," Sharma said.

Jaishankar hit out at Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Friday for his criticism of the government's foreign policy, saying India's major partnerships are stronger, international standing is higher and it engages China on more equal terms politically under the Narendra Modi dispensation.

"Pakistan (that you skipped) surely notes the difference between Balakot and Uri on the one hand, and Sharm-el-Sheikh, Havana and 26/11 on the other. Ask yourself," Jaishankar said, attacking Gandhi over his comments.

The external affairs minister's no-holds-barred attack on Gandhi came after the former Congress chief, in a video message posted on Twitter, trained his guns on the government, saying over the last six years, India has been "disturbed and disrupted" with regard to its foreign policy and economy.

He shared his thoughts on why China chose to be aggressive now and alleged that Prime Minister Modi's "indiscretions" have weakened the country and left it vulnerable."Rahul Gandhi has questions on Foreign Policy. Here are some answers: Our major partnerships are stronger and international standing higher. Witness regular summits and informal meetings with US, Russia, Europe and Japan. India engages China on more equal terms politically. Ask the analysts," Jaishankar said in a series of tweets, in which he made a point-by-point rebuttal of the Congress leader's criticism.

India speaks its mind more openly now on issues such as the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), China's Belt and Road initiative, South China Sea and UN-sanctioned terrorists, he said, adding, "ask the media".

Hitting back at the minister, Sharma said Jaishankar's reference to the Mumbai terror attack was "oddly out of place". As a former ambassador and senior diplomat, he had articulated India's position, which, "for political expediency, he has chosen to criticise and disown", the Congress leader said.

"India's response was robust and mobilisation of International support exposed and isolated Pakistan. Why use Balakote, Uri and every brave action of Indian armed forces for partisan propaganda? Every Indian is proud of them.

"Do I have to remind that Indian Army, Airforce and Navy existed before May 2014 and their heroics and valour respected globally. Army belongs to the nation and fights under the tricolour. Advising in national interest. Do not politicise or monopolise our defence forces," Sharma said.

The Congress has been criticising the foreign policy of the Modi government, alleging that it has become "individual-centric", a charge denied by the government, which has said India's position and voice have strengthened globally.
A civic group has urged President Muhammadu Buhari and the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) to probe allegations of misconduct against a former Managing Director of the Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading (NBET), Marilyn Amobi.

PREMIUM TIMES had on June 10 exposed how Mrs Amobi continued to run a private firm, ESL Economics and Management Limited, registered in the United Kingdom while being a public officer in Nigeria in violation of the countrys code of conduct for public officials.

She also continued to run a foreign account in violation of Nigerian laws.

Perhaps because of the exposure, President Muhammdu Buhari ordered her dismissal days after.

The anti-corruption group, Human and Environmental Development Agenda (HEDA), called for her investigation for alleged misconduct.

HEDA In a statement on Sunday signed by its chairman, Olanrewaju Suraj, said it had sent a letter last month to the CCB with a copy sent to President Buhari calling for the probe of the allegations against Ms Amobi.

It is important to investigate these allegations. Mrs Amobi cannot be running a private company and at the same time holding a sensitive public-driven position in Nigeria. That is against the constitution and runs against the Code of Conduct Bureau rules, Mr Suraj said.

The group also asked Nigerias international partners in the UK to beam the searchlight on Mrs Amobi with the hope of assisting local investigative efforts.

HEDA also attached documents indicating that Mrs Marilyn Amobi signed financial documents on behalf of the private company. HEDA pointed out by her act, the Code of Conduct for Public Officers has been breached.

The above conveyed constitutes a flagrant abuse of office and the undue exercise of privilege and impunity by a public officer. It portrays total disrespect for democracy and Nigeria as a whole.

We most humbly hold that the above allegations levelled against the Managing Director at the Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading Company is a strong disdain for public accountability and established checks and balances under the laws, Mr Suraj said.

Citing Section 1, 2 of the 1999 Nigerian constitution HEDA said A public officer shall not put himself in a position where his interest conflicts with his duties and responsibilities

HEDA also noted that Section 18 of the Code of Conduct of Public Officers stipulates that an officer if found guilty of such infraction should be disqualified from holding of any public office for a period not exceeding ten years; and seizure and forfeiture to the State of any property acquired in abuse or corruption of office.

Nigerias constitution prescribes a code of conduct for public officers, including those in public companies, such as NBET.

The code stipulates that public officers shall not engage or participate in the management or running of any private business except it is farming.

NBET is a wholly-owned Nigerian government company incorporated in 2010 in line with the Electric Power Sector Act, 2005.

In the power industry, it is the manager and administrator of the electricity pool.

HEDA said In the light of the information and the allegations by some Nigerians and report by the Premium Times Newspaper including that the Managing Director at the Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading Company, allegedly served as a Managing director of the ESL Economics and Management Associates Limited, private Company Limited by Shares, incorporated in the United Kingdom, the conflict of interest is obvious.

We believe strongly in due process and the rule of law which is why we have forwarded this petition to your office for urgent action. We humbly demand that an urgent and immediate investigation be initiated on the above report to uncover the true position of these allegations with the aim of shedding light and possible prosecution.

CONTROVERSIAL STINT

Ms Amobis sack last month ended a controversial stint at NBET. She was variously accused of abuses, including misuse of funds and maladministration.

On December 24, Ms Amobi was suspended by the power minister, Mr Mamman, who claimed that the move was in continuation of the governments effort to reorganise and sanitise the Federal Ministry of Power and its affiliate agencies.

Consequently, a five-member investigative committee was constituted to probe the myriad complaints levelled against Ms Amobi.

The suspension, last December, of Ms Amobi came after PREMIUM TIMES reported how she instigated the arrest and detention for several hours of nine top officials of the bulk trader by the State Security Services (SSS, also called DSS). The embattled MD had been accused of abuse and intimidation of employees in recent time, with concerns over workplace safety and teamwork among staff members.

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But in January, Mr Buhari curiously overruled the minister, reinstating Ms Amobi despite indictments by anti-graft agencies, EFCC and ICPC.

Apart from the two main anti-graft agencies, EFCC and ICPC, Nigerias auditor-general also found Ms Amobi culpable of maladministration.

Earlier in February 2019, PREMIUM TIMES reported how Ms Amobi controversially paid at least N2 billion to two power generating companies and made controversial payments to law firms and other consultants.

Documents obtained by Leaks NG  a coalition of Nigerian newsrooms and civil society groups  revealed that Ms Amobi was also involved in a series of alleged corrupt acts such as subversion of board approvals and infraction of procurement laws. She had denied all the allegations.
White House Blocks CDC Officials' Testimony on School Openings

By VOA News July 18, 2020

The White House will not allow any Centers for Disease Control and Prevention officials, including Director Robert Redfield, to testify before a House Education and Labor Committee hearing next week on reopening schools during the coronavirus pandemic.

Bobby Scott, the Democratic chairman of the House committee, said in a statement, "It is alarming that the Trump administration is preventing the CDC from appearing before the Committee at a time when its expertise and guidance is so critical to the health and safety of students, parents and educators."

A White House spokesman said, "Dr. Redfield has testified on the Hill at least four times over the last three months. We need our doctors focused on the pandemic response."

President Donald Trump has said he wants schools to open with fill time in-classroom learning and has threatened to withhold federal funding from municipalities that do not do so.

The president, however, has received pushback on that goal from teachers unions, parents and politicians concerned about the safety of opening schools during a coronavirus pandemic.

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Prashant Kumar Pradhan, a 32-year-old plumber from Odisha, has expressed his gratitude towards Sonu Sood with a sweet gesture. He has opened up a welding shop and named it after the actor - Sonu Sood Welding Shop.

The Times of India reports that Prashant was able to return to his hometown in Odisha from Kerala after Sonu arranged a special flight for him and other stranded migrant workers on May 29. I was working as a plumber in a company near the Kochi airport. I was earning around Rs 700 per day. After the lockdown, I lost my job and money started drying up, he told the newspaper.

After failing to get a seat on a Shramik Special train and getting no help from local leaders, Prashant had given up all hopes of returning home. However, Sonu appeared as an angel in his life. Now, he has opened a welding shop at Hatina, around 140 km from Bhubaneswar.

Sonu said that Prashant reached out to him and took permission to use his name and picture for the shop. I have endorsed so many brands, but this is something special and very close to my heart, the actor said, adding that whenever he visits Odisha, he will not only drop by the shop but also try his hand at welding.

Also read | Taapsee Pannu reacts to Kangana Ranaut rating her, Swara, Alia, Ananya: After 10th and 12th, our grades are in too

Sonu has been at the forefront of relief efforts during the coronavirus pandemic, arranging buses, trains and flights for stranded migrant workers to return to their hometowns. He launched a toll-free helpline so that people could reach out to him and his team with their requests. He has also been responding to every plea for help on Twitter.

Later this year, Sonus rescue missions will be documented in a book that will be published by Penguin Random House Indias Ebury Press Imprint.

Follow @htshowbiz for more

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Someone said the land rent in IZs has surged to $150-200 per square meter. But rent of $100 is considered high already, said Do Nhat Hoang, director of the Foreign Investment Agency (FIA).

According to MPIs Economic Zone Management Department, there were 561 IZs as of the end of May with total area of 201,000 hectares, accounting for 0.6 percent of total area of the country.





These include 374 established IZs with the area of 114,400 hectares (accounting for 56.9 percent of total programmed area), and 259 unestablished zones with the area of 86,600 hectares.



More and more investors have poured money into industrial real estate projects, believing that demand for land in IZs will soar in the time to come as foreign investors are flocking to Vietnam because of the US-China trade war and Covid-19.



News about the FDI wave has pushed the land rent in IZs up. Hoang from the Foreign Investment Agency (FIA) also thinks that IZ land rents have become too high.



In order to invite big foreign investors to the country, they need to prepare land resources well. However, a problem has arisen that the land fund is shrinking and land rent is increasing.



Analysts also point out that there are many problems in IZ development. While the land rent is on the rise, infrastructure conditions have not improved. Infrastructure development is going slowly and potential investors need to seek alternative solutions.

According to Pham Ngoc Thien Thanh from CBRE Vietnam, the total supply of ready-made workshops and storehouses in the north will reach 2 million square meters by 2020, an increase of 25.3 percent over the year before.

According to Pham Ngoc Thien Thanh from CBRE Vietnam, the total supply of ready-made workshops and storehouses in the north will reach 2 million square meters by 2020, an increase of 25.3 percent over the year before.



In the south, the total supply will be 2.7 million square meters, an increase of 28.2 percent. After the pandemic is contained, the rents to be offered may increase by 4-11 percent.



While agreeing that IZ development is a very promising business, analysts warned that not all investors will succeed.



Le Trong Hieu from CBRE Vietnam said the development of industrial real estate requires huge capital for site clearance and infrastructure development, and therefore is not a game that can be played by everyone, but just big investors.



He said that individual investors could get indirect benefits from IZ development by building houses for specialists, located next to the IZs.



Meanwhile, investors complain that complex procedures may make them miss opportunities.



Under current laws, it will take at least two years to obtain a license to develop IZs. During the two years, many opportunities may be missed," said Nguyen The Chinh from Viglacera.

Chi Mai

Zero-dong supermarket opened in Thang Long industrial zone to help COVID-19-affected workers A zero-dong supermarket was opened on Saturday to support 1,500 workers of the Thang Long Industrial Zone in Hanoi who have been financially affected by the coronavirus pandemic.
Republican Gov. Brian Kemp ordered cities and counties in Georgia to rescind their local mask mandates. (Mike Stewart / Associated Press)

To the editor: Columnist Virginia Heffernan's criticism of the right's mask-refusal policies was well-written and erudite, but a little long-winded for me. I was hoping for something a little more pithy, like:

You microcephalous idiots, what's wrong with you? Don't you read anything? Masks protect you, but more importantly they protect your neighbors. If everyone wears one, ultimately you are protected, especially from the un-symptomatic carrier.

Non-mask wearers only exhibit their ignorance. If you don't wear a mask, you are selfish as well as stupid.

I write this as a right-wing, conservative Republican.

Megan Wagner, Newport Beach

To the editor: It's an article of faith with many conservatives that climate science has been politicized by the leftist educational establishment in order to scare people into voting left.

Evidence comes in the form of actual climate scientists (typically older ones) who concur on climate change and agree that much of it is anthropogenic, but complain it's been wildly exaggerated and resent being told what they may teach and publish in order to keep their jobs.

Unfortunately, many on the right have made the leap from that to the notion that all science is now political, including health science  hence the vaccine deniers, the mask scoffers and the idea that leftists are using the "communist" pandemic to destroy the American economy.

Many Republican leaders, led by the president himself, evidently believe this. The result is that they've been effectively killing off their own voting base.

The moral of the story is that you can't fight the left with stupidity; it's counterproductive.

Patrick M. Dempsey, Granada Hills

..

To the editor: Wearing a bandage to protect an open sore against infection is a hoax. It is best to let that open sore ooze and fester.

So, don't be caught wearing a bandage in America; someone might think you care.

Ben Shaw, Chino

..

To the editor: For those who refuse to wear a mask because doing so makes it harder to breathe and is uncomfortable, try a ventilator.

Anne Riswold, Los Osos
<! A doctor checks a coronavirus patient in a New York hospital >

By Agency Reporter

For the second day in a row, the World Health Organisation reported a record increase in global coronavirus cases, with the total rising by 259,848 in 24 hours.

The biggest increases reported on Saturday were from the United States, Brazil, India and South Africa, according to a daily report.

The previous WHO record for new cases was 237,743 on Friday.

Deaths rose by 7,360, the biggest one-day increase since May 10.

Deaths have been averaging 4,800 a day in July, up slightly from an average of 4,600 a day in June.

Total global coronavirus cases surpassed 14 million on Friday, according to a Reuters tally.

This marked another milestone in the spread of the disease that has killed nearly 600,000 people in seven months.

The surge means that 1 million cases were reported in under 100 hours.

The WHO reported 71,484 new cases in the United States, 45,403 in Brazil, 34,884 in India and 13,373 in South Africa.

India on Friday became the third country in the world to record more than 1 million cases of the new coronavirus, behind only the United States and Brazil.

Epidemiologists say India is still likely months from hitting its peak.

Cases in Brazil crossed the 2 million mark on Thursday, doubling in less than a month and adding nearly 40,000 new cases a day.

A patchwork of state and city responses has held up poorly in Brazil in the absence of a tightly coordinated policy from the federal government.

The United States, which leads the world with over 3.7 million cases, has also tried to curb the outbreak at the state and local levels.

But it recorded only limited success.

Related
More than seven lakh Jharkhand farmers would be deprived of compensation for crop loss due to drought last year because the Centre has rejected states proposal to declare 55 blocks across seven districts as drought-hit, officials said on Sunday.

In April this year, the Jharakhand cabinet had passed a proposal seeking relief according to the drought manual after it approved 55 blocks across seven districts- Bokaro, Chatra, Pakur, Deoghar, Giridih, Godda and Hazaribag, as drought hit. The state disaster management department sent the proposal to the Centre in May

Joint secretary of state disaster management department Manish Tiwary said, We had sent the proposal to the Centre but it has rejected it.

On farmers compensation for crop loss, he said, Disaster management department cannot give the compensation, as it gets the fund from the Centre. If we dont get funds from the Centre, how could we give it to farmers?

The state could not devise a relief package because of the Centres rejection of its proposal. The package could not be finalized, as the request to declare drought itself was rejected.

Raju Mahto, 45, a farmer from Bokaro said, We had already lost hope for the compensation against our crop loss. We faced loss in August-September last year but the government sent its request to the Centre in April this year. He said he had sown paddy on one two acres of land which was damaged due to scanty rainfall last year.

The Centre has rejected the states proposal, as the process of declaring drought by the state had already expired on October 31 last year, officials said.

As per the Centres manual, the state could declare drought following three parameters----Trigger-1 (rainfall parameter), Trigger-2 (impact indicators such as crop, remote sensing, soil moisture and hydrology, and Verification (ground truth).

The state had been asked to complete required parameters including cabinet approval for drought declaration and send its recommendation to the Centre by October 31, officials said.

As per the norms, the state cabinet has to declare drought and send its request to Centre for assistance. Based on the states claim, a team from the Centre visits the state to assess the ground situation of drought and recommend for assistance.

The ruling Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) alleged that the previous BJP government neither declared drought nor did it send its request for assistance to the centre even after expiring the deadline for recommending drought.

Since it was election time, the then BJP government was engaged in its branding. Farmers were not in the priority list of the BJP government. Now, lakhs of farmers would suffer due to the anti-farmer approach of the previous government, said JMM general secretary Supriyo Bhattachargya.

The BJP, however, blamed the current JMM-Congress government for the farmers loss. Everyone knows that the drought proposal could not be sent to the Centre then due to the model code of conduct coming into effect for the assembly polls. The current government must have pursued it after the model code of conduct was withdrawn in January. Had the Hemant Soren government sent the proposal in January or February, farmers would not have suffered now, said BJP spokesperson Pratul Shahdeo.
Four persons have been arrested in Pakistan's northwest Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province for vandalising a rare statue of Gautam Buddha discovered during excavation at an agriculture farm, police said on July 18.

The statue that was discovered in tehsil Takhtbai of Mardan district was destroyed on the orders of a local Maulvi (prayer leader), local residents said.

Four suspects have been arrested and an FIR under the antiquity act has been filed, police said.

District Police Officer Zahidullah said the incident took place when a water line was dug up and construction workers discovered the statue.

"We have arrested contractor Qamar Zaman and his workers, Amjad, Aleem and Saleem for smashing the Buddha statue and have also recovered some of its pieces from them," he said.

The arrests were made after a video showing people damaging the statue with hammers went viral on social media.

A senior officer of the Tourism Department said after the video surfaced the authorities reported the matter to the police for action against the culprits.

Takhtbai area is a tourist destination for people from Sri Lanka, Korea and Japan since it was a part of the Gandhara Civilisation - one of the earliest urban settlements documented in the history of the subcontinent.

Director of Archaeology Department Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Abdul Samad Khan expressed anguish over the incident and assured that proper action would be taken against the culprits involved in damaging the rare statue.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa's old name is Ghandhara and the region is a highly revered place for the followers of Buddhism.

In 2017, two rare and ancient Buddha statues were unearthed at an archeological site in Bhamala in Hariput district. The largest ever statue found at the site depicts the death of Buddha and the second statue was a Buddha with a double halo.

The statue depicting the death scenario was the oldest of its kind in the world. It was also verified by the American laboratory which identified it as older than third century BC.

Peshawar Museum is also known for displaying one of the world's largest collection of architectural pieces on Buddha.

A couple of years ago, the museum's tallest statue of Buddha in schist stone was transported to Switzerland for display there for 100 days at an international exhibition.
Military court documents don't say what kind of information he's accused of giving the Russian or how he knew the person.

A U.S. Navy sailor stationed in Portsmouth is facing charges that he gave classified information to a Russian he knew.

Chief Petty Officer Charles T. Briggs is scheduled to be arraigned next week at a general court-martial, according to Military.com.

Read alsoCNN: Russian court sentences U.S. citizen Paul Whelan to 16 years in prison

Military court documents don't say what kind of information he's accused of giving the Russian or how he knew the person.

Briggs, who works in information and technology at Naval Medical Center Portsmouth, is charged with unauthorized distribution of classified information obtained from a government computer, obstructing justice, communicating defense information, possessing child pornography, attempting to view child pornography, two counts of violating a general regulation and three counts of making false official statements.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-07-19 20:56:29|Editor: huaxia

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Khan-e-Charbagh district governor Ms. Durtaj Khaleqi (R) visits a guesthouse in Khan-e-Charbagh district of Faryab province, Afghanistan, July 14, 2020. (Photo by Mohammad Jan Aria/Xinhua)

by Abdul Haleem, Chen Xin

MAIMANA, Afghanistan, July 19 (Xinhua) -- Afghanistan's Faryab province is among the most restive provinces in the country's northern region, but Khan-e-Charbagh district in the province is relatively peaceful, and thus enabling local business to flourish.

Bordering Turkmenistan, Khan-e-Charbagh district has at the moment been spared by the war, becoming the most peaceful area, as locals boast, not only in Faryab province but also in the entire northern region,

Faryab province, with Maimana as its capital, is among the insurgency-battered provinces as the Taliban militants remain active in parts of the province and have been controlling vast areas in some districts such as Qaisar, Almar and Shirin Tagab where the conflicts have severely undermined development projects.

"Thank God that our district is peaceful and we have no security incident since district governor Ms. Durtaj Khaleqi took office three years ago," a resident of Khan-e-Charbagh district Mohammad Rasoul Sardash told Xinhua recently.

Praising Khaleqi as a patriotic woman, Sardash said three years ago the district was among the poorest and most insecure one, but the situation has gradually changed.

"Three years ago we had no asphalted road in Khan-e-Charbagh. Today all the roads and streets inside the district are asphalted," Sardash said.

With a peaceful environment, locals have established their businesses and bazaars are in hustle and bustle as many people are busy in their grocery shops or other work, according to Sardash.

Travelling from provincial capital Maimana to other districts is not easy, but the way to Khan-e-Charbagh, a three-hour drive, is safe and convenient, locals said.

"The living condition of people in Khan-e-Charbagh has been improved by essential projects such as asphalting roads, building clinics, schools, and many more projects that provide job opportunities," said Somia Mudabir, a women's rights activist.

Aqina port, which connects Afghanistan with Turkmenistan, is located in Khan-e-Charbagh district and hundreds of oil tankers that enter Afghanistan daily also contributed to providing jobs for people in the peaceful district, Mudabir added.

District governor Khaleqi visits the police checkpoints every day and thanks the police for fulfilling their duties in ensuring peace and stability in the district.

"Working honestly for the people and wining their support is key element for having peace and security," Khaleqi told Xinhua.

The district chief said she would soon launch the construction of residential townships, industrial parks and guest houses in Khan-e-Charbagh district to attract investment and provide job opportunities.

"If the people are happy with you, they won't allow the enemy to enter your territory to create security problems," she said.
An 8-year-old girl has died and a woman is charged with impaired driving following a collision west of London, Ont.

Ontario Provincial Police from Middlesex responded to a two vehicle collision Friday at 9:54 p.m. in the Municipality of Adelaide Metcalfe, about 40 kilometres west of London.

Four people from one of the vehicles were transported to hospital; three with minor injuries and the young girl with life threatening injuries.

The young victim, identified Sunday as as Nihal TOOR of London, died in hospital following the crash.

Officers investigating the crash learned that one driver's ability to operate a motor vehicle had been impaired, provincial police said in a press release.

The driver was arrested and taken for testing at the Strathroy OPP detachment.

Police have not disclosed which vehicle the suspect was allegedly driving.

A 33-year-old woman from Strathroy, Ont., has been charged with operation of a vehicle while impaired and operation causing death.

The accused has been released from custody and is scheduled to appear in court September 10.

The collision closed the intersection of Egremont Drive and Hickory Drive for several hours as officers from the OPP Technical Traffic Collision Investigation Team investigated.
Brussels Summit Struggles as EU Leaders Haggle Over Pandemic Recovery Plan

By Jamie Dettmer July 18, 2020

European Union leaders met face-to-face Friday in Brussels for the first time since the coronavirus pandemic emerged on the continent five months ago, but they didn't see eye to eye, and most seasoned observers don't think they will, as they ended their second day of talks, with plans to resume Sunday.

The need to maintain physical distance meant there could be no public back-slapping, no shaking of hands, no friendly hugs as the leaders wrangled  and face masks were de rigueur at the largest gathering of heads of government and state since the start of the global pandemic.

EU Leaders Resume 'Grumpy' Summit on Budget, Virus Fund

Tensions are running high, and a full day and night of discussions by the 27 leaders on Friday only added to the irritations over how the huge sums should be spent and what strings should be attached

The absence of the normal bonhomie at EU summits further underscored the cracks in a 27-member alliance that still has not managed to bridge deep rifts triggered by the 2008 financial crash, the subsequent migration crisis, and ongoing disputes over rule-of-law standards that have seen Brussels clash repeatedly over the judicial reforms being pursued by populist governments in Poland and Hungary.

Now the pandemic has widened some of those rifts and has given rise to new ones, as member states squabble over how best to recover from a virus that's roiled the continent, left tens of thousands of dead, wrecked economies and left millions fearing for their livelihoods. The EU economy is projected to contract by 8.3 percent this year.

On Friday agreement remained elusive on a proposed 1 trillion ($1.1 million) seven-year budget for the EU and on an ambitious 750 billion ($826.5 billion) economic rescue plan for the hardest-hit countries. The recovery package is aimed at managing the biggest economic shock the bloc has ever had to confront in its history. In the run-up to the summit, negotiations over the plan, which were conducted for weeks via bilateral and group video conferences, became increasingly fraught.

Earlier this week, German Chancellor Angela Merkel expressed her doubts about a deal being struck at the summit, predicting negotiations would have to continue for weeks after the summiteers had packed their bags and headed back to their capitals.

And as Saturday dragged on, her gloomy forecast seemed likely as negotiations faltered, undermined the complex crisscrossing of rival regional and national economic and political priorities. That is complicating the European Commission's bid, backed by Germany and France, to secure a mandate to borrow billions of euros on capital markets for the first time and to mutualize the debt. This is so all member states share responsibility to pay back the money funded mainly by future EU taxes, in addition to the customs duties and a small share of national sales taxes Brussels already receives.

At its heart, the division this time pits a group of four small north European countries, nicknamed the frugal four, against the powerhouses of Germany and France, whose leaders, Angela Merkel and Emmanuel Macron, along with the hard-hit countries of southern Europe, are pushing for a recovery plan that would see states, mainly the southerners but also France, bailed out with grants drawn from the proposed $750 billion recovery fund.

For weeks The Netherlands, Austria, Denmark and Sweden have argued that the fund is too large and the hard-hit countries should only receive repayable loans rather than grants. The Dutch prime minister, Mark Rutte, also wants a veto on how the money is spent by the recipients, and all four states blocking a deal want structural reform conditions placed on the cash received and for its expenditure to be heavily monitored and policed by the finance ministers of the bloc.

"I'm doing this for the whole of Europe, because it is also in the interest of Spain and Italy that they emerge from this crisis with strength," Rutte told reporters Saturday. European Council President Charles Michel, who is chairing the summit, circulated amended proposals overnight Friday trying to squeeze out a compromise, especially over the conditions the frugal four want attached to any financial assistance.

A Dutch diplomat told Reuters: "The proposal on governance as put forward by Michel is a serious step in the right direction." But he cautioned, "in the end, this is a package and there are many more issues to solve." His boss, Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte repeatedly has told reporters that he believes there is a less than 50 percent chance of reaching an agreement on the recovery fund by Sunday.

For France, Italy, Spain, Portugal and Greece, the likely main recipients, the frugal four's demands amount to an incursion into their own national sovereign rights. Their diplomats warn that the summit is emphasizing the lack of European solidarity. "It is getting harder to believe the EU will ever live up to the motto of the Three Musketeers  all for one and one for all," an Italian diplomat, and a member his country's negotiating team at Brussels, told VOA.

Hungary, backed by its populist nationalist ally Poland, has been threatening to veto the whole recovery package because of a proposed condition that would see countries perceived as flouting democratic principles blocked from any bail-out cash. Poland and Hungary are in the doghouse in Brussels because of judicial reforms they are enacting that the EC and some other member states view as eroding the independence of judges.

Hungary and Poland and some other central European states also fear that they will be short-changed and that Italy, France and Spain, the three European countries hardest hit by the virus, will receive the lion's share of the grant money. They note all three have bigger economies than they do.

Some analysts  as well as some national leaders  insist a deal is essential for the bloc's long-term survival. A view seemingly shared by Michel, who told the national leaders Friday the substance of the debate wasn't just about money but of the future and unity of Europe.

Ill-natured squabbling leading up to the summit has prompted warnings from Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte that the EU project itself could be placed in jeopardy unless the richer northern states are generous in helping those in the south. His country is seeing a marked change in public attitudes toward the EU with many Italians expressing anger at the lack of support they received from their neighbors as the pandemic took its toll of Italians in the north of the country.

Far from bringing Europe together in solidarity, the pandemic and its economic impact risk deepening fissures in a bloc already split over foreign, defense and migration policies and states' rights. Economic inequality between member states also is likely to increase  whether the recovery package is agreed upon or not.

Richer states have been doling out huge amounts of state aid and subsidies to support their pandemic-struck businesses, giving them an even greater competitive edge over rivals in poorer countries, who can't match the subsidies. That will aggravate, analysts say, the endemic imbalance within the eurozone between creditor countries in the north and debtor countries in the south.

Additionally, an uneven economic recovery across the bloc risks fueling populist anger and anti-EU sentiment in the countries that lose out. The recovery package may help to blunt that, but an overly generous bail-out risks triggering a backlash in northern states, with taxpayers in the frugal four countries and Germany questioning why their money is heading south.

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The south of the city will see the highest level of activity, he said. Chicago will remain mainly dry for the rest of the day. Theres been some scattered showers and storms here so far which will be mostly all well see.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-07-19 09:23:45|Editor: huaxia

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CAPE TOWN, July 19 (Xinhua) -- South African Health Minister Zweli Mkhize urged Saturday the public to help the government implement measures to contain the COVID-19 pandemic.

He voiced concern that fatigue seems to have set in and South Africans are letting down their guard when the number of infections is surging.

"We see poor or no social distancing in communities. Masks are abandoned or not worn properly and there is laxity on frequent hand-washing," the minister said in a statement.

The minister made the appeal as the national tally reached 350,879 on Saturday, up by 13,285 from the previous day.

The death toll stood at 4,948, up by 144 in the past 24 hours.

"We must all appreciate that there is a direct causal link between the surge of cases and our ability, or inability, to adhere to these very basic principles," Mkhize said. Enditem
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Linkedin Laksmi Pamuntjak (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Sun, July 19, 2020 08:38 549 6657ac82168da9fa101c8a40667782ef 3 Books Book,book-recommendation,Toni-Morrison,Sally-Rooney,margaret-atwood Free

Being asked what your favorite novels are is like being asked the story of your life.

There are books that inspired you when you were young, books you feel compelled to revisit at different stages of your life and books you just picked up and enjoyed so much you want everybody to read them now. There are those so-called timeless books, which bring joy, solace and sustenance at any given time, and there are books that speak more forcefully to the times we are living in.

And those times, right now  need we be reminded  are like no other.

One of the blessings of the lockdown is the great big space it opens up for us to think about how we have lived and how we are going to live. We can choose to hang on to our old prejudices, stale ideas and polluted rivers and oceans or to keep the positive lessons of our isolation  our heightened gratitude, our greater mental and physical discipline and our renewed sense of purpose. We can choose to wallow in our miseries or to enlarge our solicitude toward others and advance causes that are bigger than us. We can learn to listen better and rethink what it means to be alive  and to live with difference.

Now, with borders closed and spaces hemmed in, we can think of ways to travel imaginatively rather than lament our canceled trips and non-reimbursable flight tickets. We may be in retreat and much of our struggle may be inward, but we are also surprisingly at our most open: to new thoughts, new reflections and even new sources of wisdom and hope.

And I find this so true of my reading list of the past few months, which is, at best, a mixed bag of genres and styles, old and new, read and reread. Here are some of them.

The Overstory by Richard Powers

Richard Powers Pulitzer Prize-winning paean to the wisdom of trees. This is a big book of 502 pages  by no stretch a quick read  but its prose is so sublime, its imaginative flights stunning, you will be long immersed in its world even after youve finished reading it.

The novel reminds us that there is a world alongside ours  vast, interconnected, endlessly inventive and almost imperceptible to us.

It also speaks to us, if only we knew how to listen: A chorus of living wood signs to the woman: If your mind were only a slightly greener thing, wed drown you in meaning.

Homesick for Another World by Otessa Moshfegh

Hands down the best short story collection Ive read in the past 10 years.

Psychologically astute, superbly crafted and funny as hell, these stories are near perfect examples of the form. There is not a single person in these stories who is not weird, broken, frequently pathetic, just as there is not a single story that is not dark, unsettling, even violent.

At times the authors searing wit and crackling prose remind you of A.M. Homes and Lorrie Moore, as does her willingness to make us squirm. Yet there is much wisdom and compassion in Otessa Moshfeghs gaze that leaven her characters somehow, making you want to sit down and have a beer with them.

Conversations with Friends by Sally Rooney

One of the surprise joys of the past year: A debut novel that doesnt read like a debut  and one that had me in tears more than I could remember. It is set in modern-day Dublin and tells of two college students and the curious connection they forge with a married couple.

Narrated by one of the students, a gifted but fragile millennial protagonist, it is a tender, poignant and perfectly observed study of modern love and friendship, of growing pains and lost innocence, and of what it means to be young and female today.

Milkman by Anna Burns

First, a warning: Coming-of-age is not the easiest of genres and Milkman is not an easy read. Even though it won the Booker Prize in 2018, it remains at its core a strange, intense, intricate construction whose rewards have to be earned.

The characters and the setting are nameless, though it appears to be the authors native Belfast in the 70s during the period known as the Troubles, a time when Northern Ireland was felled by a series of sectarian murders.

There is no political explanation for all the forces at play; even England is referred to simply as "the country over the water". Yet the novel so eerily embodies the disquiet of our own era, from terrorism to sexual harassment to the gnawing divisions in a hair-trigger society plagued by violence, distrust and paranoia. As Washington Post declares, it is a #MeToo testimony in the context of a civil war.

There is also a haunting, visceral quality to the 18-year-old narrators stream of consciousness patter that keeps you transfixed  and ultimately, moved.

Beloved by Toni Morrison

You dont encounter this sort of premise often: a runaway slave willing to slaughter her own children rather than be dragged back to captivity. A staggering study of love and goodness in the face of so much evil, this is what Toni Morrison does best, melding the beauty and precision and poetry with the great themes of humanity: racism, slavery, injustice, gender and class inequality.

The prose can be overripe sometimes, but it is utterly warranted, as is the authors absolute moral majesty.

There is also all the food talk. Try this for the erotic version of corn-on-the-cob: How loose the silk. How quick the jailed-up flavor ran free [] No accounting for how that simple joy could shake you.

And there is this: Freeing oneself is one thing; claiming ownership of that freed self is another.

It's the one line that made me want to be a writer when I first read this 1987 piece de resistance in the early 1990s.

The Invisible Man by Ralph Ellison

"I am an invisible man [] I am a man of substance, of flesh and bone, fiber and liquids  and I might even be said to possess a mind. I am invisible, understand, simply because people refuse to see me."

So Invisible Man opens  the novel that won the National Book Award in 1953 and named one of the Best 100 Novels of the 20th Century.

The unnamed narrator is angry at the world, his world, the unjust world of young black people in America in the 1950s, and what seems like the impossibility of changing it.

Even if the novel was written 67 years ago, we find the narrator enduring the same challenges as African-Americans today in their long and awful fight against racism. It was as if Ellison had anticipated the events of the past two months, including the inevitable rise of Black Lives Matter.

Julys People by Nadine Gordimer

Nadine Gordimers 1981 masterpiece set in a fictional South Africa at the end of apartheid. The story centers on a white family forced out of their home by black rioters, who are taken in by their servant July and must now live as he lives, trusting him with their lives.

Spare, unsentimental, written almost with cold candor, it looks at the nature of power reversal, the incompatibility between fear and true intimacy, and sex as a liberating form of self-exile.

The Real Odessa by Uki Goni and A Handmaids Tale by Margaret Atwood

The former is a chilling study on the extent to which Argentinas mass killing program  resulting in some 30,000 "disappeared"  might have been influenced by the countrys harboring of numerous Nazi war criminals such as Adolf Eichmann and Joseph Mengele after the war. It looks at the premise of the latter, inspired by the Lebensborn program of keeping women alive as human incubators, murdering them after they gave birth and handing their babies to them to raise as their own.

It also speaks to our times, that a society that separates children from their parents is a society that is already on the path of totalitarianism.

The Right to Have Rights

A slim book of essays published in 2018 by four academics each trying, focusing on one word, to unpack the famous Hannah Arendt phrase, The right to have rights.

It also looks at Arendts initial skepticism of the 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights, as she later enshrined in her 1951 masterpiece The Origins of Totalitarianism.

Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte

Part of me has always been stuck in the 19th century, with Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte and Portrait of a Lady by Henry James as its linchpins.

Jane Eyre follows the story of Jane, a seemingly plain girl as she battles through the many obstacles in her life: her cruel and abusive Aunt Reed, the grim conditions at Lowood school, her love for Rochester and Rochester's tortuous marriage to Bertha. However, Janes courage and wit win the day; she ends up marrying Rochester and they have children of their own.

Upon rereading, I just realized that the novel also gives us an insight into life during an epidemic. Even if Janes friend, Helen Burns, dies from consumption, not typhus, it reminds us that with COVID-19, we are just, as Amy Davidson Sorkin argues, as vulnerable as the Victorians were  given the novelty of the virus, our lack of immunity and the inequalities that made its depredations worse. (kes)

***

Laksmi Pamuntjak is an award-winning, bilingual novelist, poet, essayist, journalist and food writer. Her debut novel, Amba/The Question of Red, won the German LiBeraturpreis in 2016, and the sequel, Fall Baby, was published last year by Penguin Random House SEA.

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not reflect the official stance of The Jakarta Post.
4-year-old LeGend Taliaferro was shot and killed last month while he was sleeping. It's just one of the many unsolved homicides this year in Kansas City. Mayor Lucas wrote a letter to the governor of Missouri expressing his concern over the trend, which resulted in the announcement that more than 200 federal agents will be coming to the city to help.
Want to participate in a short research study? Help shape the future of investing tools and earn a $40 gift card!

Today we'll do a simple run through of a valuation method used to estimate the attractiveness of Genix Pharmaceuticals Corporation (CVE:GENX) as an investment opportunity by taking the expected future cash flows and discounting them to their present value. The Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) model is the tool we will apply to do this. Don't get put off by the jargon, the math behind it is actually quite straightforward.

We generally believe that a company's value is the present value of all of the cash it will generate in the future. However, a DCF is just one valuation metric among many, and it is not without flaws. Anyone interested in learning a bit more about intrinsic value should have a read of the Simply Wall St analysis model.

View our latest analysis for Genix Pharmaceuticals

Crunching the numbers

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. Seeing as no analyst estimates of free cash flow are available to us, we have extrapolate the previous free cash flow (FCF) from the company's last reported value. We assume companies with shrinking free cash flow will slow their rate of shrinkage, and that companies with growing free cash flow will see their growth rate slow, over this period. We do this to reflect that growth tends to slow more in the early years than it does in later years.

A DCF is all about the idea that a dollar in the future is less valuable than a dollar today, so we discount the value of these future cash flows to their estimated value in today's dollars:

10-year free cash flow (FCF) forecast

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2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 2026 2027 2028 2029 2030 Levered FCF (CA$, Millions) CA$110.3k CA$191.5k CA$291.2k CA$398.6k CA$503.6k CA$598.9k CA$681.2k CA$750.2k CA$807.1k CA$853.9k Growth Rate Estimate Source Est @ 104.41% Est @ 73.59% Est @ 52.01% Est @ 36.9% Est @ 26.33% Est @ 18.93% Est @ 13.75% Est @ 10.12% Est @ 7.58% Est @ 5.81% Present Value (CA$, Millions) Discounted @ 6.6% CA$0.1 CA$0.2 CA$0.2 CA$0.3 CA$0.4 CA$0.4 CA$0.4 CA$0.4 CA$0.5 CA$0.4

("Est" = FCF growth rate estimated by Simply Wall St)

Present Value of 10-year Cash Flow (PVCF) = CA$3.0m

The second stage is also known as Terminal Value, this is the business's cash flow after the first stage. For a number of reasons a very conservative growth rate is used that cannot exceed that of a country's GDP growth. In this case we have used the 5-year average of the 10-year government bond yield (1.7%) to estimate future growth. In the same way as with the 10-year 'growth' period, we discount future cash flows to today's value, using a cost of equity of 6.6%.

Terminal Value (TV)= FCF 2030  (1 + g)  (r  g) = CA$854k (1 + 1.7%)  (6.6% 1.7%) = CA$17m

Present Value of Terminal Value (PVTV)= TV / (1 + r)10= CA$17m ( 1 + 6.6%)10= CA$9.2m

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 CA$12m. In the final step we divide the equity value by the number of shares outstanding. Compared to the current share price of CA$0.2, the company appears around fair value at the time of writing. Valuations are imprecise instruments though, rather like a telescope - move a few degrees and end up in a different galaxy. Do keep this in mind.

dcf

Important assumptions

We would point out that the most important inputs to a discounted cash flow are the discount rate and of course the actual cash flows. If you don't agree with these result, have a go at the calculation yourself and play with the 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 Genix Pharmaceuticals 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 6.6%, which is based on a levered beta of 0.828. 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.

Moving On:

Whilst important, the DCF calculation ideally won't be the sole piece of analysis you scrutinize for a company. It's not possible to obtain a foolproof valuation with a DCF model. Preferably you'd apply different cases and assumptions and see how they would impact the company's valuation. For example, changes in the company's cost of equity or the risk free rate can significantly impact the valuation. For Genix Pharmaceuticals, there are three essential aspects you should look at:

Risks: As an example, we've found 5 warning signs for Genix Pharmaceuticals (3 shouldn't be ignored!) that you need to consider before investing here. 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! Other Top Analyst Picks: Interested to see what the analysts are thinking? Take a look at our interactive list of analysts' top stock picks to find out what they feel might have an attractive future outlook!

PS. Simply Wall St updates its DCF calculation for every Canadian 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.
New Delhi:

A landmark civil nuclear cooperation deal, the main highlight of Prime Minister Narendra Modis visit to Tokyo, was on Friday signed by India and Japan. The deal was signed after PM Modi held talks with his Japanese counterpart Shinzo Abe.

When Abe visited India in December last year, the two countries had reached a broad agreement for cooperation in civil nuclear energy sector. However, the deal was not signed because some issues were required to be worked out.

Here is why the civil nuclear deal matters for India:

#This move will boost bilateral economic and security ties between India and Japan

#The deal will facilitate US-based players to set up atomic plants in India

#The India-Japan civil nuclear deal will allow Japan to supply nuclear reactors technology to India

#Indias negotiations are in advanced phase with Japan's Toshiba-owned US-based Westinghouse Electric to make six nuclear reactors in southern India

ALSO READ | India, Japan sign civil nuclear deal; PM Modi says it's historic step to build clean energy partnership

#India has plans to ramp up its nuclear capacity by 2032

#India has now become the first non-NPT signatory to have such a deal with Tokyo



#India has a similar nuclear agreement with the US, which was signed in 2008, giving India an access to nuclear technology after decades of isolation

#The deal is crucial in view of Chinas rising influence in South Asia

For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.
By Patrick J. Buchanan

July 18, 2020 " Information Clearing House " - Is the U.S., preoccupied with a pandemic and a depression that medical crisis created, prepared for a collision with China over Beijing's claims to the rocks, reefs and resources of the South China Sea?

For that is what Mike Pompeo appeared to threaten this week.

"The world will not allow Beijing to treat the South China Sea as its maritime empire," thundered the secretary of state.

"America stands with our Southeast Asian allies and partners in protecting their sovereign rights to offshore resources ... and (we) reject any push to impose 'might makes right' in the South China Sea."

Thus did Pompeo put Beijing on notice that the U.S. does not recognize its claim to 90% of the South China Sea or to any exclusive Chinese right to its fishing grounds or oil and gas resources.

Rather, in a policy shift, the U.S. now recognizes the rival claims of Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia, Brunei and the Philippines.

To signal the seriousness of Pompeo's stand, the U.S. sent the USS Ronald Reagan and USS Nimitz carrier battle groups through the South China Sea. And, this week, the guided-missile destroyer USS Ralph Johnson sailed close by the Spratly Islands.

But what do Mike Pompeo's tough words truly mean?

While we have recognized the claims of the other littoral states of the South China Sea, does Pompeo mean America will use its naval power to defend their claims should China use force against the vessels of those five nations?

Does it mean that if Manila, our lone treaty ally in these disputes, uses force to reclaim what we see as its lawful rights in the South China Sea, the U.S. Navy will fight the Chinese navy to validate Manila's claims?

Has Pompeo drawn a red line, which Beijing has been told not to cross at risk of war with the United States?

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If so, does anyone in Washington think the Chinese are going to give up their claims to the entire South China Sea or retreat from reasserting those claims because the U.S. now rejects them?

Consider what happened to the people of Hong Kong when they thought they had the world's democracies at their back.

For a year, they marched and protested for greater political freedom with some believing they might win independence.

But when Beijing had had enough, it trashed the Basic Law under which Hong Kong had been ceded back to China and began a crackdown.

The democracies protested and imposed economic sanctions. But the bottom line is that Hong Kong's people not only failed to enlarge the sphere of freedom they had, but also they are losing much of what they had.

The Americans, seeing Hong Kong being absorbed into China, are now canceling the special economic privileges we had accorded the city, as the British offer millions of visas to Hong Kong's dissidents who fear what Beijing has in store for them.

In June, Pompeo also charged Beijing with human rights atrocities in Xinjiang: "The world received disturbing reports today that the Chinese Communist Party is using forced sterilization, forced abortion, and coercive family planning against Uyghurs and other minorities in Xinjiang, as part of a continuing campaign of repression."

These reports, said Pompeo, "are sadly consistent with decades of CCP practices that demonstrate an utter disregard for the sanctity of human life and basic human dignity."

China has rejected U.S. protests of its treatment of Uighurs and Kazakhs and of its handling of Hong Kong as interference in its internal affairs and none of America's business.

As for the South China Sea, China dismissively replied, the U.S. seems to be "throwing its weight around in every sea of the world."

These American warnings, and Beijing's response, call to mind the darker days of the Cold War.

So, again, the question: Is America prepared for a naval clash in the South China Sea if Beijing continues to occupy and fortify islets and reefs she claims as her own? Are we prepared for a Cold War II -- with China?

While China lacks the strategic arsenal the USSR had in the latter years of the Cold War, economically, technologically and industrially, China is a far greater power than Soviet Russia ever was. And China's population is four times as large.

?????????????????????????????Can we, should we, begin to assemble a system of alliances similar to what we had during the Cold War -- with NATO in Europe and Asian security pacts with Japan, South Korea, the Philippines, Taiwan, Australia and New Zealand? Should we adopt a policy of containment of Communist China, which, says Pompeo, is an expansionist and "imperialist" power?

Should we start issuing war guarantees to China's neighbors? Should we start putting down red lines China will not be allowed to cross?

Before we plunged into our half dozen Middle East wars, we didn't think through where those would end. Have we considered where all our belated bellicosity toward Beijing must invariably lead, and how this all ends?

Patrick J. Buchanan is the author of "Nixon's White House Wars: The Battles That Made and Broke a President and Divided America Forever." To find out more about Patrick Buchanan and read features by other Creators writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators website at www.creators.com.
Ex-President Jerry John Rawlings on Sunday paid tribute to John Lewis, a civil rights leader and Congressman of Georgia, United States of America, who died on Friday, July 17, at age 80.

In a tweet, he said: "Congressman John Lewis dedicated most of his life to combatting racial segregation, confronting violence with non-violent activism".

"Abused and beaten for seeking equity, he remained fearless and unrelenting."

GNA
A potential cluster of coronavirus infections is being investigated at a Scottish Covid-19 test-and-trace call centre.

Measures have been brought in by North Lanarkshire's health board to try and suppress the outbreak.

One employee said they believed at least seven colleagues had tested positive.

NHS Lanarkshire said it had been notified about 'potentially linked cases' of Covid-19 infections in the area on Sunday.

A potential cluster of coronavirus infections is being investigated at a Scottish Covid-19 test-and-trace call centre

Dr David Cromie, NHS Lanarkshire consultant in public health medicine, said: 'We became aware this morning of a number of potentially linked cases of coronavirus in Lanarkshire.

'We instigated some immediate measures to reduce risk and are currently investigating the situation.'

The news comes as Scotland recorded 23 new confirmed cases of coronavirus - the highest increase in almost a month.

A further 27 people who tested positive for coronavirus have died in hospital in Britain today, bringing the total number of confirmed deaths during the pandemic to 45,300

NHS Lanarkshire said it had been notified about 'potentially linked cases' of Covid-19 infections in the area on Sunday

Three of these were in the Lanarkshire health board area.

This figure has now risen in each of the last five days - up from three on Tuesday - although no further deaths of people with the disease have been recorded.

It is the highest record for new cases since June 21, when there were 26 positive test results.

Scotland's national clinical director Jason Leitch previously said he would not be concerned with fluctuating figures when there was a recorded spike of 21 new cases on Saturday.

He told BBC Scotland: 'I expect day-to-day variation and the next thing I look at is the spread around the country.

'So 21 in one small town would worry me much more than 21 spread around the country - and these 21 are spread around the country.'

A further 27 people who tested positive for coronavirus have died in hospital in Britain today, bringing the total number of confirmed deaths during the pandemic to 45,300.

It comes after track-and-trace staff have failed to reach half of people who have been in contact with Covid-19 patients in Blackburn - as the town hurtles towards a local lockdown.

Professor Dominic Harrison - public health director of Blackburn with Darwen Council - revealed the figures and warned of an 'exponential growth' of new infections if the system did not become more efficient.

Speaking to BBC Radio 4 he said the Lancashire area faces a 'rising tide' of infections.
Jaipur, July 19 : The Congress on Sunday upped the ante on Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat's alleged role in the attempts to topple the Ashok Gehlot government in Rajasthan and demanded his resignation or removal from the Union Cabinet.

Senior Congress leader Ajay Maken put forth pointed questions to the BJP and asked why Shekhawat was still a Union Minister and "resisting" to come forward to give his voice sample after his name cropped up in the audio clippings related to horse-trading of MLAs in the desert state.

"Isn't it the moral duty of the Prime Minister to divest Shekhawat of his portfolio so that he doesn't interfere in the fair investigation in this case? Also, why is he shying from giving a voice sample despite registration of a case against him under the Prevention of Corruption Act?" Maken said.

The former Delhi PCC chief also asked why the Haryana government and Delhi Police were "stopping" Rajasthan Special Operations Group (SOG) team from collecting voice samples of Congress MLAs Bhanwarlal Sharma and Vishvendra Singh who belong to the Sachin Pilot camp.

"If they are innocent, they too should have no issues in giving their voice samples," he said.

"Why is the BJP coming into the picture and threatening a CBI probe and also orchestrating ED and IT raids in the state? This proves their nexus." Maken also asked why the BJP was demanding a CBI probe into alleged phone-tapping after his party released the audio clips.

"Is it because there are many other prominent leaders involved in horse-trading and a fair investigation will reveal their identities?" It is akin to a criminal admonishing a law-enforcer, the Congress leader remarked while referring to a Hindi idiom.

Maken also brought up the issue of black money used in horse-trading. "Who is supplying the black money? How is it being transferred? Whom is it being delivered to? These questions need to be answered." Finally, the former Union Minister asked, if the BJP had no role in the attempts to topple the Gehlot government, why were Haryana Police and Delhi Police providing security to rebel Congress MLAs and the Income Tax and Enforcement Directorate come into the picture to obstruct fair investigations by the Rajasthan Police.

Maken asserted that the state ACB had launched a fair investigation against MLA Bhanwarlal Sharma, Shekhawat and BJP leader Sanjay Jain after registering an FIR against them in the audio clips case.

The Congress leader emphasised that the BJP had played a major role in the attempted toppling which, he claimed, was very much evident from the fact that Manesar and Gurgaon hotels played host to rebel Congress MLAs and the Haryana government ensured them complete security.

"In fact, all limits were crossed when the BJP government allowed the MLAs to move out of a hotel in Haryana from the back door after the Rajasthan Police went there as part of their probe," he added.

Now, reports are coming that Delhi Police under union Home Minister Amit Shah is protecting these Congress MLAs lodged in different hotels and are being shunted to different places to thwart SOG investigations, Maken alleged.
Dominic Raab today tried to pour cold water on growing claims of a split between Boris Johnson and his top scientist Sir Patrick Vallance over whether the UK could face a second nationwide coronavirus lockdown.

Mr Johnson said he 'certainly' does not want to impose draconian restrictions again as he likened the 'tool' of national lockdown to the UK's Trident nuclear deterrent which he does not want to ever have to use.

But Sir Patrick, the Government's chief scientific adviser, told MPs on Friday coronavirus 'challenges will be very much greater' this winter and if there is a spike in infections 'national measures' could be required.

Mr Johnson and Sir Patrick also clashed on the issue of working from home with the PM urging people to head back to their desks in August despite the latter saying there was 'absolutely no reason' to change the current approach.

Despite the appearance of divisions between the two men, Mr Raab insisted this morning that they are on the same page as he said ministers listen to Sir Patrick's advice 'very carefully and seriously'.

The Foreign Secretary also argued that 'national measures and national lockdown aren't the same thing'.

Meanwhile, Mr Raab defended the shift on working from home guidance as he said the UK needs to get its economy 'back firing on all cylinders'.

Dominic Raab today rejected claims that Boris Johnson and Sir Patrick Vallance are increasingly 'out of step'

Mr Johnson said he does not want to impose a second nationwide lockdown, comparing it to the nuclear deterrent which he never wants to have to use. But Sir Patrick warned on Friday a spike in coronavirus in the winter could require the reimposition of 'national measures'

Told on Sky News that Mr Johnson and Sir Patrick appeared to be increasingly 'out of step', Mr Raab replied: 'No, I don't think that is right. National measures and national lockdown aren't the same thing.

'We take Sir Patrick Vallance, one of our finest public servants, advice very carefully and seriously and we look at it right the way across the board and ultimately politicians, the Prime Minister, myself and others, take responsibility.

'The key thing is, that the Prime Minister has been emphasising, is the ability to take locally targeted measures and we have got new powers for local authorities that are going to be put in place this week.

'[They] will enable us to take targeted action to avoid a national lockdown and indeed, that is what has allowed us, having that power, whether it is on the testing and the tracing but also the targeted local measures we can take also allows us to move forward and ease restrictions as we have been doing consistently but only when the conditions are right, when we know we have made the progress I have just described in getting the prevalence of this disease down.

'But also when we have got the infrastructure, the NHS infrastructure, the ventilator beds, the testing and the tracing, in the kind of shape which means we can be confident in getting life back to something akin to normal.'

On the issue of working from home Mr Raab said: 'What we have said is from August 1 while we are carefully monitoring the virus we do need to get the economy back firing on all cylinders as best we can.

'We know we are in the middle of a severe downturn so we are making sure with employers that they have got the Covid secure work places in place. We have had great cooperation with business.

'We are also saying to employers you have got this remote working facility, we know that that is important, I think we will all do a bit more remote working in the future, but we also trust employers to say actually, do you know what, we do need more people coming back to work and therefore we are giving them that discretion and I think that is right.'

Mr Johnson set out at a briefing on Friday his timetable for the further loosening of coronavirus restrictions as he said he hopes the UK will be back to something close to normal by Christmas.

Sir Patrick and Professor Chris Whitty, the chief medical officer, were both notably absent from the PM's press conference, in a move which further ignited speculation of a worsening split between ministers and their experts.

Mr Johnson told The Sunday Telegraph that he does not want to impose another national lockdown as he said he does not believe one will be required.

'I can't abandon that tool any more than I would abandon a nuclear deterrent,' he told the newspaper.

'But it is like a nuclear deterrent, I certainly don't want to use it. And nor do I think we will be in that position again.'

His comments appeared to be in stark contrast to remarks made by Sir Patrick to a Lords committee on Friday.

He told peers: 'As you release measures it is inevitable as you get more contacts that you will see more cases.

'Come winter, the challenges will be very much greater and of course there is a risk that this could need national measures'.

The Government will want to avoid a second national lockdown at all costs after the economic damage caused by the first one.

Mr Johnson said on Friday he hoped there could be a 'significant return to normality' by November at the earliest and hopefully in time for Christmas.

At the same time, he said the Government had given local authorities new powers to close specific premises, shut outdoor spaces and cancel events.

Mr Johnson told the Sunday Telegraph: 'It's not just that we're getting much better at spotting the disease and isolating it locally, but we understand far more which groups it affects, how it works, how it's transmitted, so the possibility of different types of segmentation, of enhanced shielding for particular groups, is now there.

'We're genuinely able now to look at what's happening in much closer to real time, to isolate outbreaks and to address them on the spot, and to work with local authorities to contain the problem locally and regionally if we have to.'
With scorching temperatures and high humidity posing a threat of heat-related illness for Connecticut residents Sunday, some municipalities have already announced restrictions on beach access.

The National Weather Service has issued a heat advisory from noon to 8 p.m. for Fairfield, New Haven, Middlesex and New London counties, as well as regions of New York and New Jersey.

Signs of heat exhaustion include feeling faint or dizzy, excessive sweating, cool pale or clammy skin, nausea, a rapid weak pulse and muscle cramps.

Signs of heat stroke include a throbbing headache, a lack of sweating, a body temperature above 103 degrees, red hot dry skin, nausea, a rapid strong pulse and possibly loss of consciousness.

Updates

3:54 p.m.: Lake Waramaug State Park in Kent, Mount Tom State Park in Litchfield, Devil's Hopyard State Park in East Haddam, Satans Kingdom State Park in New Hartford, Burr Pond State Park in Torrington and Black Rock State Park in Watertown closed as their parking lots filled to capacity.

12:30 p.m.: Gardner Lake State Park in Salem, Silver Sands State Park in Milford, Harkness Memorial State Park in Waterford and Wadsworth Falls State Park in Middletown have all been temporarily closed due to parking.

The state Department of Public Health reminded parents to be careful not to leave children in a hot car.

10:58 a.m.: Sherwood Island State Park in Westport, Hammonasset Beach State Park in Madison and Millers Pond State Park in Haddam have also closed for the day after parking reached capacity.

9:40 a.m.: Before 10 a.m. Sunday, the Department Energy and Environmental Protection Tweeted three Connecticut state park closures as parking lots filled to capacity. The closures include Bigelow Hollow State Park in Union, the Powder Hollow portion of Scantic River State Park in Enfield and Rocky Neck State Park in East Lyme.

In Norwalk, high temperatures predicted over the weekend were part of what led Mayor Harry Rilling to issue an order restricting access to Calf Pasture Beach to city residents only through Monday night.

Fairfield Police reminded residents of the potential for heat stroke ahead of the weekend on Friday.
A crowd of Armenians have gathered in front of the Embassy of Azerbaijan in Paris and are protesting against Azerbaijans aggression.

With Armenian national flags and posters, they sang the Armenian national anthem, and now they are screaming Artsakh is Ours.

There are many police cars parked in front of the Embassy of Azerbaijan, and police officers are overseeing the protest.

Armenians around the world are holding protests in front of the Azerbaijani embassies, and a similar protest was held in front of the Embassy of Azerbaijan in the Netherlands.
As a rising senior at Virginia Tech, Andrew Williams is strongly encouraged to test negative for COVID-19 before arriving on the Blacksburg campus next month.

But he probably wont get that test. Not unless such an opportunity becomes more widely available around his home in the Hampton Roads area, where he works as a construction site inspector.

Its definitely ideal, but its definitely not as realistic, Williams, 21, said of Techs testing plan, which includes asking students to quarantine for two weeks before returning. People are doing different things, and some people cant just have that time to isolate before they go back.

Meanwhile, Williams sister, who attends the University of Virginia, will be sent a test kit in the mail, which she is required to return with a negative result. Radford University plans to test 1,700 on-campus students upon their arrival, while Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond aims to mail tests to all residential students.

As Virginia colleges prepare to reopen next month guided by a patchwork of plans, questions are arising from faculty, parents and students about whether universities, and the students themselves, can control the spread of COVID-19: Are college testing plans stringent enough? Will students take physical distancing seriously? Is it safe to hold classes on campus?

If we continue on this trajectory in a month, there are no ways that any schools at any levels are going to be open, Katie Carmichael, an associate professor of English at Tech, said Tuesday about national trends, noting that increased travel, especially to small college towns, will increase spread of the virus. I think that any amount of movement is tempting fate.

Amid a spike in COVID-19 cases in the Hampton Roads area, mostly among the young, Hampton University on Monday reversed course on reopening campus and announced classes would be online only. Big-name schools, including Harvard and Yale universities, have said all their classes will be remote for the fall.

But elsewhere in Virginia, 31 out of 33 colleges are planning for some type of in-person classes, according to a Chronicle of Higher Education tally as of Thursday.

I am concerned about the return of students to campus because they are in the classroom for only a few hours a day, and we cant control what they do during the other hours of the day, Linsey Marr, a Tech professor and expert on the airborne transmission of diseases, said in an email Wednesday.

Although Marr isnt teaching this fall, she said she would be comfortable holding in-person classes  so long as students wore masks and the room had proper ventilation, which she would measure with a portable carbon dioxide sensor.

But outside the classroom is another matter.

I am not confident that 20-year-olds will follow guidelines for distancing and avoiding crowds because I remember being that age and highly valuing socializing with friends and taking risks, she said. I expect to see a lot more cases in Montgomery County.

Issues with testing

Anyone who wants a COVID-19 test can get tested, the U.S. president said in March and again in May. That remains untrue today, according to the Virginia Department of Health.

At this time, the New River Health District does not have the capacity to test every person returning to a college or university campus, and VDH does not recommend campus-wide testing of students or faculty/staff upon arrival or at certain set intervals, Bobby Parker, a department spokesman, said in an email Friday.

So with the prospect of thousands of people on campuses, Virginia colleges must submit a plan to the state that includes a testing strategy. Local health departments help guide those.

Again, one size does not fit all, and these are complicated and difficult decisions to make, Gov. Ralph Northam said Tuesday.

Testing by colleges only makes sense without certain restrictions, said Thomas Kerkering, a Virginia Tech professor in the field of infectious disease and a member of the Roanoke health districts communicable disease team, since 40% to 80% of people who test positive have no symptoms.

So it doesnt really do any good to limit testing to only those who have symptoms, Kerkering said Tuesday on a health department conference call. It would have to be a more generalized population thats returning.

Yet some college testing plans, such as those at Roanoke College and Hollins University, do not initially involve the testing of students who may be asymptomatic. Both colleges said the plans, which are subject to change, were made in consultation with VDH epidemiologists.

In its four-page interim testing recommendations for colleges, VDH recommends testing for asymptomatic persons who have had close contact with people who tested positive for COVID-19, only as resources permit.

If anything is to help Tech reopen in the fall, President Tim Sands said in May, its going to be the ability to test significant numbers of individuals, not just on campus but in the community, with less than 24-hour turnaround.

A university spokesman Friday said the amount of testing supplies and the capacity to analyze them will become clearer closer to the start of the semester. Techs testing plan asks an estimated 9,000 on-campus students to get tested, which the university says would give a representative snapshot of 30% of the total student population.

The plan also encourages other students to get tested off-site and remain in quarantine, recommendations students and parents say will be hard to do.

Im just spinning in circles because I refuse to pay for a test that could be false negative, false positive, Gail Asher, 59, of Newport News said about trying to secure a test for her son, who does not have symptoms. He could pick it up on the way down to Blacksburg.

Virginia Tech recognized that access to COVID tests is not consistent across the country, Tech spokesman Mark Owczarski said in an email Friday. That is why in the plan testing prior to returning is a recommendation. The additional recommendation to quarantine for 14 days prior to return minimizes the opportunity to return to Blacksburg with the virus.

Deborah Mayo, a professor emerita at Tech who studies the philosophy of statistics, said Techs testing plans vague and not enforceable rules risk causing an outbreak.

I think its completely an ill-laid out plan, Mayo said. Something has to be done to fix it, to improve it, or were really going to have a serious problem in the fall.

She said the university should consider pooled testing, which can test more people cost-effectively, but whose efficacy remains in its infancy when it comes to COVID-19.

The university considered numerous options, Owczarski said. If or as guidance evolves or circumstances related to the pandemic change, Virginia Tech (as it has done) will consider or reconsider other options.

Containing the spread

Testing alone is not a panacea.

A person can become infected after the test has been taken, the health departments guide to colleges notes. The test results should not be seen as implying that someone who tested negative on the date of the test will continue to not pose a risk to the campus community.

Wearing masks, physical distancing and frequent hand-washing will be critical.

Laura Hungerford, head of the Department of Population Health Sciences at Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, said while estimates from the Centers for Disease Control estimate 40% to 60% of spread is asymptomatic, that means 40% to 60% of spread is symptomatic.

So, if one person infects 2 others, this would mean that one of them, on average, would show signs and we would find them after just one transmission cycle, Hungerford said in an email.

This is why health districts strongly emphasize contact tracing. When we find the case that shows signs  it should lead us to find and test others to determine who gave the infection to them and then trace where the disease may be spreading.

Aris Spanos, a professor of economics at Tech, also expressed concern about the potential for COVID-19 to spread on campus by those without symptoms.

I predicted that were going to rush the opening and get ourselves in trouble, and thats exactly what happened, Spanos said about recent nationwide case trends, noting that Virginia, and Tech itself, do not exist in a vacuum.

I expect in a group of 15,000, we will have, lets say, at least 100 who will show absolutely no symptoms, he said. And that is enough to start a real problem within a couple of weeks.

Parker, the health department spokesman, did not respond to a direct question about how many contact tracers the New River Health District has or hopes to have by September. He said, We are currently handling our caseload and have a plan for surge, as we do expect an increase in cases as the students return and our population increases.

If one is worried about transmission, Hungerford said, then the best thing we can do is to adopt practices that stop spread  wearing masks, physical distancing, and using good hygiene  which have been shown to inhibit spread even when there are infected people among us.

Thats why masks are required on campuses, faculty will teach behind shields, and most classroom occupancy is reduced by about 75% and capped at 49 students.

Blacksburg Mayor Leslie Hager-Smith said the town works closely with Tech, and she doesnt share her Charlottesville counterparts assessment that UVas opening will be a recipe for disaster. In her view, testing is the least effective part of staying safe, and that none of that is as important as practices we can put into play, such as physical distancing and wearing masks.

The bugaboo, really the big concern, is that there are going to be out-of-control parties, Hager-Smith said.

Dr. Noelle Bissell, director of the New River Health District, said that residents shouldnt hold students to a higher standard.

The students are not bringing in COVID. Its here, she said Thursday at an economic development conference. Its all over the New River Valley.  Theres no bad place. Theres bad behavior. Its not where you go, its what you do.

Williams, the rising Tech senior, expects he wont travel over fall break or engage in as much activities as usual.

We have this kind of imaginary vision of what college was like before the pandemic, he said. A lot of things that make college fun, I think, like concerts that we have, and social gatherings that would be organized at the beginning of the semester, and hanging out with friends, are just not going to happen.

And hes left with his own unanswered questions: Will football happen? Will he work his campus dining job? How will buses deal with physical distancing?

I dont think anybody knows whats really going to happen, he said. Everything changes, every single day.

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The clock is ticking for those behind on their utilities.

Beginning July 25, We Energies will once again be able to disconnect services. Heres what you need to know to keep the lights on.

What is happening?

If you are behind in payments and have not made arrangements, your utility provider can disconnect services starting July 25.

In addition, utilities can now charge late payment fees on debts incurred after July 15, refuse service for failure to provide documentation to prove identity and residency after July 25, and require a cash deposit as a condition of new service starting July 31.

I thought residents got a pass on paying utilities. What happened?

Last month, the Public Service Commission, or PSC, lifted a temporary prohibition against disconnecting or refusing service. The commission, an independent agency that regulates Wisconsins public utilities, allowed utilities to restart issuing disconnection notices on July 15.

The utilities, however, must allow a 21-day medical extension of service when a customer or a member of a customers household has tested positive for COVID-19.

If a member of the household is still under a COVID-19 quarantine after 21 days, he or she can apply for a temporary waiver so long as they can provide documentation from a medical provider.

What can I do if I havent made payments?

The PSC strongly encourages customers behind on payments to arrange for a payment plan or apply for assistance.

If customers cannot reach an agreement with their utility, they may contact the PSC by calling 1-800-225-7729 or file a complaint on the PSC website.

My provider is We Energies. What should I do?

We Energies recommends that customers who are having difficulty paying their bill call 800-842-4565 as soon as possible to discuss options, including payment plans and the potential for financial assistance.

"Disconnection is always a last resort," said Brendan Conway, manager of media relations at We Energies. "We have been working closely with customers during the COVID-19 crisis and are continuing to do so."

What other resources are available?

In addition to calling We Energies directly to ask about payment plans, Milwaukee County also offers energy assistance for low-income residents through Community Advocates and UMOS.

Income requirements for energy assistance are based on the number of people in your household and can be found on the Department of Health and Human Services website. Unemployment income and stimulus checks do not count as income when applying for energy assistance.

Additionally, if your utilities are included in your rent, but you still meet the income requirements, you may still be eligible to receive energy assistance.

Due to COVID-19, applicants only have to provide income statements from the month prior to the month they are applying. This means that people applying in July only have to provide proof of income for June. Previously, applicants had to provide evidence of income for three prior months.

Cleopatra Echols, program manager for Milwaukee Countys energy assistance program, says that it is best to apply now if you think youll need it  even if you are unsure whether you qualify or if you have not received a disconnection notice.

"People think that if they dont have a past due bill they wont qualify, or they dont have kids they wont qualify, or if they receive unemployment they wont qualify," Echols said. "But this isnt true, you can still qualify if you are on unemployment, dont have kids or dont have a past-due bill."

How do I apply?

To apply for energy assistance, you can schedule an appointment or call 2-1-1. You can also call 414-270-4MKE to schedule an appointment, but due to an unexpected high volume of calls, you may be on hold for an extended period of time.

"If you need help, call us, even if you are not sure if you qualify," Echols said. "Even if you dont qualify, we know about other resources we can refer you to."

Other resources

Stay in touch

Are you worried about your utilities being disconnected during or after the pandemic? Share your experiences with News414.
She is expecting her first child with husband, Chris Pratt, any day now.

And Katherine Schwarzenegger put her growing bump on display during her daily walk with a friend on Sunday morning.

The 30-year-old beauty dressed in head-to-toe black while out and about her Los Angeles neighborhood with a mask over her face.

Mom-to-be: Katherine Schwarzenneger was spotted putting her baby bump on display on Sunday morning while out with a friend

Katherine sported a black T-shirt and teamed the look with a pair of full-length maternity tights.

The author completed her look with sneakers and accessorised with a cap and shades over her face.

Her brunette tresses were styled back into a messy bun and she appeared to be makeup free.

Bumping along: Katherine sported a black T-shirt and teamed the look with a pair of full-length maternity tights

Biking: Also out and about on Sunday morning was her dad, Arnold Schwarzenegger, who has regularly been seen out in Los Angeles on bike rides with his kids on separate occasions

Also out and about on Sunday morning was her dad, Arnold Schwarzenegger, who has regularly been seen out in Los Angeles on bike rides with his kids on separate occasions.

Sunday's adventure saw him opt for time with his 22-year-old bodybuilder son, Joseph Baena, and Arnold's girlfriend, Heather Milligan.

Arnold rocked a blue colored T-shirt and a matching pair of shorts.

He accessorised with a cowboy style cap and a some slide on shoes.

Bonding: Sunday's adventure saw him opt for time with his 22-year-old bodybuilder son, Joseph Baena

Family time: Arnold was also joined by his girlfriend, Heather Milligan, for the outing

Joseph opted for a maroon colored shirt that read 1965 on the front.

Besides Katherine and Joseph, he is also the father to Christina, 28, Patrick, 26 and Christopher, 22.

The actor and athlete welcomed Katherine, Christina, Patrick and Christopher with his ex wife, Maria Shriver, who he married in 1986 and split from in 2011.

Their 25-year marriage ended after it was revealed he had fathered a child, Joseph, with his housekeeper, Mildred, while married to Maria.

Loading up: The trio were later seen loading their bikes back onto the car

Family: The movie star is the father to, Katherine, 30, Christina, 28, Patrick, 26, Christopher, 22 with Maria Shriver and Joseph, 22 (not pictured) with his former house cleaner

Maria and Arnold's youngest son, Christopher, was born on September 27, 1997, while Joseph was born merely five days later on October 2, 1997.

The actor wrote in his memoir, Total Recall: My Unbelievably True Life Story, that the journalist had previously asked him if he was the father to Joseph but he had denied it.

While Arnold didn't have any confirmation he was the father for the first few years, as Joseph grew up, 'the resemblance was so strong that I realized there was little doubt that he was my son,' he wrote.

And while Maria and his four kids have remained close, they don't have a relationship with Joseph - regularly sharing family photos without him.
It could mean jobs for local adults and teenagers and more accessible and healthy food choices for residents as well. The big ifs: If they can open a store that is not upscale but affordable for residents, and if they follow through on a commitment including financial and management support. It takes a while to grow a business with a following so it can become self-sustaining and profitable. They have the finances and connections to make this idea a reality.
For the second consecutive day, the World Health Organisation reported a record increase in global coronavirus cases, with the total rising by 2,59,848 in 24 hours.

The biggest increases reported on Saturday were from the United States, Brazil, India and South Africa, according to a daily report. The previous WHO record for new cases was 2,37,743 on Friday. Deaths rose by 7,360, the biggest one-day increase since May 10. Deaths have been averaging 4,800 a day in July, up slightly from an average of 4,600 a day in June.

Total global coronavirus cases surpassed 14 million on Friday, according to a Reuters tally, marking another milestone in the spread of the disease that has killed nearly 6,00,000 people in seven months. The surge means that 1 million cases were reported in under 100 hours.

PTI

The WHO reported 71,484 new cases in the United States, 45,403 in Brazil, 34,884 in India and 13,373 in South Africa.

On July 17, India became the third country to record more than 1 million cases of the new coronavirus, behind only the United States and Brazil.

Epidemiologists say India is still likely months from hitting its peak.

Peak in September but there's a catch

An expert has said that India may witness the peak in September. COVID-19 cases may peak in India as early as mid-September provided strong public health measures are in place and people behave in a responsible manner to contain the virus, President of Public Health Foundation of India, Professor K Srinath Reddy, told news agency PTI.

Speaking to PTI, he expressed concern over the microbe spreading with renewed vigour, as confirmed infections and deaths crossed one million and 25,000, respectively, in India earlier this week.

BCCL

"Ideally we could have and should have prevented it reaching this level, but even now we should try our best and contain it as quickly as possible," the public health expert said.

"Different places (States) would peak at different times," Reddy said on the rising COVID-19 cases.

He added a rider to the prediction saying that India may see COVID-19 cases peaking as early as in two months if there are strong public health measures and people take all precautions like wearing face masks and maintaining physical distance.

India recorded its highest 38,902 cases in the last 24 hours, taking the total number of cases positive coronavirus cases to 10,77,618 - including 3,73,379 active cases, 6,77,423 cured/discharged/migrated and 26,816 deaths.
(CNN)  A group of former Twitter (TWTR) employees who watched in shock as a hack compromised the accounts of some of the most prominent people on the social network, including Barack Obama, Joe Biden and Elon Musk, are among those trying to figure out how an attack of such staggering proportions could have happened. As they conduct their unofficial investigation in a closed Slack group, the former employees, including some who were members of Twitter's security team, are attempting to reconstruct the events leading up to the takeovers based on their knowledge of the social network's internal protocols and technical systems.

They are not the only ones searching for answers. So are members of Congress, cybersecurity experts, and Twitter itself. The FBI is involved, too: Officials said Thursday they are investigating the incident, and law enforcement sources have told CNN the agency is reviewing what appear to be screenshots of Twitter's internal account management software circulating on social media.

The former employees' analysis focuses on the same software, a powerful tool that gives a significant number of authorized Twitter workers the ability to manage high-profile accounts, including by viewing protected user information and even changing email addresses linked to the accounts, according to interviews with several former employees, all of whom spoke with CNN on condition of anonymity to discuss a former employer. The former employees concluded that hackers likely used the tool to access the accounts and then reset passwords.

"It's been a lot of comparing notes, people refreshing their memories and trying to piece together how this happened," said one of the people involved in the discussions. "It included some security people that tend to be the most creative in thinking of, 'Well, if I were the bad actor, how would I do this?'"

Their analysis could help to address some of the many unanswered questions that still remain two days after the attack unfolded. Twitter has outlined in broad strokes a sophisticated and coordinated "social engineering" attack on its workforce that the hacker or hackers launched in order to "take control" of the accounts. In a worst-case scenario, this type of hack could have led to false market-moving tweets, fake declarations of war or nuclear attacks, or even misinformation that could change the course of an election  or worse.

Twitter declined to comment for this story.

Searching for clues

So far, the company has revealed some important clues. It has said hackers targeted workers who had administrative privileges. Once a number of them had been compromised, the hackers used their access to internal controls to send out tweets promoting a Bitcoin scam under accounts owned by Bill Gates, Kanye West, Kim Kardashian West, Warren Buffett, and others. On Friday, the New York Times reported, citing interviews with people involved in the events, that the hack was the work of a group of young people who opportunistically leveraged their access to the tool.

But that still doesn't explain how the hackers could take control of the accounts. And a person close to the Biden campaign told CNN Thursday that Twitter has not shared much more with victims of the attack than it has released to the public.

Based on Twitter's preliminary explanation and the circulating screenshots, the former employees quickly concluded that hackers had accessed an administrative platform known internally as "agent tools" or the "Twitter Services UI." This internal tool is intended for employees to handle customer support requests and to moderate content, said a person familiar with Twitter's security.

Hundreds of Twitter employees have access to agent tools, according to one of the people who participated in the former-employee discussions. It is a powerful platform that can show Twitter users' cellphone numbers if they have registered them with the company, as well as users' geolocation and any IP addresses that have been used to access the account, the person said.

Ashkan Soltani, a security expert and former chief technologist at the Federal Trade Commission, said it's not unusual for tech companies to have internal tools such as these. While the exact features and permissions might differ from company to company, he said, the bigger question concerns the scope of the compromised employees' access.

"The question at the end of the day is, 'What level of [employee] account was accessed?'" Soltani said. "And if it was a lower-level account, is Twitter doing anything to properly segment it from [employee] superuser rights?"

One of the most sensitive capabilities associated with Twitter's tool is the ability to change the email addresses to which Twitter sends password-reset instructions. What likely occurred, the former employees said, is that the attackers used the tool to change the email addresses associated with the targeted Twitter accounts, then sent password-reset instructions to new email addresses under the hackers' control. Once the hackers were able to alter the user passwords, they could log into the Twitter accounts as if they were the rightful owners.

The attack could have happened right under the noses of the people whose accounts were taken over. Many social media companies have built their user login systems to be frictionless, meaning that consumers are rarely logged out of an app after they change their passwords.

"So if you are a celebrity, someone using this method could have changed your password but you wouldn't necessarily be locked out and you wouldn't necessarily know about it," said a former employee.

In other words, the hacked users could have been looking at their Twitter accounts as if nothing had changed.

In principle, security techniques such as two-factor authentication are meant to thwart unauthorized logins. An account protected by two-factor authentication will ask users to provide not only a correct username and password, but also a verification code sent to a separate device that a legitimate user would control.

In this case, any two-factor authentication on the victims' accounts could have been bypassed, the former employees said. One of agent tools' capabilities is the power to disable two-factor authentication, one of the people said. (According to Soltani, this type of capability, along with the power to change user email addresses, is often used by companies to help customers recover their accounts if they lose access to their cellphones or email.)

If the former employees' theory is correct, then all the hackers needed to do in taking over these prominent accounts was to disable two-factor authentication if it was enabled, change the destination address for password resets, then surreptitiously change the victims' passwords and log in with the new credentials.

There are some things agent tools do not allow, according to one of the people: The platform does not directly grant access to the contents of users' direct messages, for example. But by logging in to an account as the rightful owner, a hacker would still be able to access those messages. Twitter has said there is no evidence passwords were stolen, but it is still investigating whether "non-public data" may have been compromised.

The person close to the Biden campaign said that in the case of Biden's account, there are no compromising messages to be found. "I've seen the DMs over there, and it's nothing special," the person said. "It's all just outreach to voters."

How the hackers got access is still unknown

While the nature of the attack is becoming clearer, what remains a mystery is how the hackers gained access to agent tools in the first place.

Twitter has blamed the security incident on "coordinated social engineering," a term that Michael Coates, a former chief information security officer for Twitter, said could encompass a range of threats.

"This could be any number of techniques being used, from phishing emails [to] some sort of bribery," he said Thursday on CNN's "Quest Means Business."

The company faced a bribery scandal last year when federal prosecutors accused two former Twitter employees of spying for Saudi Arabia. At the time, Twitter said it "limits access to sensitive account information to a limited group of trained and vetted employees."

Access to agent tools is limited by a number of safeguards, the former employees said.

"I can confirm there are many layers of controls," Coates said, speaking of Twitter's internal systems broadly. "There's analysis, there's logging, data science analysis, minimum privilege  all these things that you would expect in these systems."

At least two other layers of protection are involved, according to the former employees. Under normal circumstances, agent tools can only be accessed while employees are connected to the company intranet  meaning they must be physically in the office or logged into the network via VPN. And to log into agent tools itself, the employees must provide their own corporate username and password.

It's unclear whether the pandemic may have led to remote work policies that could have made it easier to log into agent tools, several former employees said. While it is a possibility, they acknowledged, there is no evidence that Twitter relaxed its security to accommodate working from home. Twitter declined to comment on its remote work policies.

Even within agent tools, employees' roles within the company can limit which user accounts they may access, one of the former employees said. For example, a person whose job is to handle support requests from journalists may be able to access journalist accounts, but perhaps not others. These limitations may help explain why the hackers targeted a wide range of current Twitter employees.

Due to the activity records that Twitter keeps on its employees, tracking down which worker accounts accessed the accounts of VIPs would be a trivial task, the former employees said. A more difficult challenge  one that would likely require the help of law enforcement  would be determining whether the employees themselves were knowingly involved, or if they were simply used as unwitting accomplices by the outside hackers.

Investigators have also not ruled out the possibility of nation-state involvement in the attack, though at the moment there does not appear to be evidence of it, according to a person familiar with the matter.

Alex Marquardt, Evan Perez and Donie O'Sullivan contributed to this story.

This story was first published on CNN.com "How the massive Twitter hack may have happened"
Members of the ARF-D Armenian National Committee of the Netherlands and the Federation of Armenian Organizations in the Netherlands gathered in front of the Embassy of Azerbaijan in Amsterdam and held a protest against the provocations that Azerbaijan has been carrying out in the direction of Armenias Tavush Province since July 12.

With Armenian national flags and posters, the young members sang the Armenian national anthem and respected the memory of the four servicemen killed during the recent attacks in Tavush Province. They also screamed Azerbaijan  Aggressor near the Embassy of Azerbaijan.
Guwahati: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday (July 19) assured all support to Assam in dealing with the flood havoc, which has claimed 81 lives so far this year. Discussing the flood situation with Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal over phone, Modi also enquired about the COVID-19 scenario and the ongoing efforts to douse the raging blaze at Oil India's Baghjan gas well.

"Hon'ble PM Shri @narendramodi ji took stock of the contemporary situation regarding #AssamFloods2020, #COVID19 and Baghjan Oil Well fire scenario over phone this morning. Expressing his concern & solidarity with the people, the PM assured all support to the state," CM Sonowal tweeted.

An official at the Chief Minister's Office said that Sonowal informed Modi about all the measures the state has taken so far in dealing with the problems faced by the people.

The total number of people killed in this year's flood and landslide has gone up to 107 across the state, of whom 81 were killed in flood-related incidents and 26 died due to landslides, according to the Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA).

At least 27 lakh people in 26 of the 33 districts of Assam ahve been hit by the floods. Hundreds of houses, roads and bridges across the state along with crops have been destroyed in the deluge.

COVID-19 situation in Assam:

On the COVID-19 front, Assam has recorded 22,981 cases, of which 10,503 have been reported from the Guwahati city alone. The total number of persons losing their lives due to COVID-19 in the state has gone up to 53.

The damaged Baghjan gas well of the PSU major Oil India Ltd in Assam is spewing gas uncontrollably for the last 54 days since the blowout took place on May 27, followed by the inferno on June 9.

The Assam government handed cheques of Rs 20 lakhs each as compensation to 11 affected families by the oil company.
By Ed Stier

In 1970, shortly after his election as Newarks first Black mayor, Ken Gibson, ambiguously said, Wherever Americas cities are going, Newark will get there first. At the time, Newark was in the throes of a violent struggle for power between a historically entrenched, white-dominated, political establishment and insurgent Black and Hispanic politicians. I got a clear sense of what Mayor Gibson meant early in his first term, when he secretly came to my office at State Police headquarters, broke down emotionally and told me he was convinced that because of his unwillingness to leave control of the police department in the hands of the old establishment, he feared being murdered by members of the department.

But Mayor Gibson continued his lonely struggle, making fundamental changes in police recruitment and leadership, believing that he might ultimately overcome his sense of powerlessness in reforming Newarks police. That struggle outlasted him and rages on to this day. Today, cities around the nation are racing to transform their departments in reaction to mass demonstrations against police killings of Black citizens. By examining Newarks efforts to achieve Mayor Gibsons goal we may find some of the answers to todays crisis of confidence in the police.

This is, of course, not the first national outcry against racial inequities in the criminal justice system. Fifty-two years ago, Dr. Kenneth Clark, the eminent scholar and civil rights leader warned the Kerner Commission -- created to study the violent disturbances of the late 1960s -- that many studies of the subject had been done throughout the 20th century and he feared this one would make the same recommendations and result in the same inaction.

The issue is, as it always has been, whether our reforms will finally create a perception in the Black community that the criminal justice system is a source of protection rather than an instrument of oppression. Are more reforms in police recruitment, training, procedures and even accountability going to be enough? Will we get it right this time?

To succeed, we must finally overcome centuries of collective dehumanizing experience, at all levels of Black society, ranging from acts of wanton police brutality to routinely demeaning and humiliating encounters with the police. Nothing engenders a sense of helplessness and alienation more than being treated as an anonymous stereotype with no power to influence ones fate at the hands of the police. As we reform and sensitize the police, we must also empower neighborhoods to clearly express their expectations for the kind of police services that will most effectively meet their needs, and the police must hear them.

A long-forgotten experiment took place in Newark in the late 1980s to determine whether it would be possible to create a relationship between the police and a crime-plagued neighborhood based on trust that the police were there for the protection of its residents. The project was part of Newark Fighting Back and it lasted for the better part of four years. It was funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation as part of a nationwide effort to reduce the demand for drugs and alcohol in our cities as an alternative to the mass incarceration strategy that had become national policy. Newark Fighting Back became RWJFs most ambitious project, ultimately receiving $3 million in implementation funding.

The creation of Newark Fighting Back was organized by Ray Chambers, a Newark native, philanthropist and at the time the chairman of the Boys and Girls Clubs of Newark. City government enthusiastically got behind the effort, appointing Congressman Donald Payne, Sr., former Attorney General Cary Edwards and me as cochairmen. To help refine and guide our thinking, we brought into Newark, professor Ronald Ferguson, an MIT economist and one of the nations foremost experts on urban culture.

The collaboration with police lasted only about four years but conditions in the neighborhood changed dramatically, Ed Stier says. One resident said that before the police arrived, it had been so dangerous he wouldnt even send his dog out of his apartment. Now that it was safe, his young daughter was able to go outside and play. Stier says he was told that after the collaboration ended, criminals again took control of the streets and the man's daughter was hit by a stray bullet and killed.

The goal of Newark Fighting Back was to strengthen the social infrastructure in the neighborhood centered around Spruce Street and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard. As a result, the hope was that residents social values would become incompatible with drug and alcohol abuse, as well as criminal behavior in general.

To achieve its goal, Newark Fighting Back sent a university-trained, highly experienced community organizing team into the neighborhood to identify existing organizations -- such as tenants associations, block watch organizations, and church groups. The team would help each organization maximize its effectiveness and then form a neighborhood coalition comprised of the leadership of those organizations. The idea was to find the natural leaders in the neighborhood and strengthen their roles and their support. The neighborhood coalition would then negotiate with social service providers to deliver services to the neighborhood in a form that would best meet the needs of its residents. Newark Fighting Back called this process social capacity building.

Most important among the social service providers was the police department. The effectiveness of the neighborhood coalition in working with the police would be critical to building support and strengthening the neighborhoods social infrastructure. The Newark Police Department agreed to establish a mini-precinct in a neighborhood apartment building. It would be staffed by uniformed officers and New Jersey State Troopers, whose reputation still suffered from their heavy-handed role in quelling the 1967 uprising in the city.

Within a few short months, conditions in the neighborhood changed dramatically for the better. The policemen began to get to know the residents individually and to empathize with them. They provided opportunities for residents to walk the streets safely and for their children to play without fear of being caught in any crossfire between drug gangs.

Residents began to express the desire to clean up their neighborhood and to provide the police with information about criminal activity. In fact, when someone broke into the mini-precinct and stole equipment, neighborhood pressure resulted in its return the next day. Feeling a new sense of personal respect emanating from the police and recognizing that neighborhood priorities were driving police decision making, residents began to address other important social service issues, like finding child care so young mothers might safely enroll in substance abuse treatment.

Unfortunately, Newark Fighting Backs police reform experiment ended when local politicians began to realize that public expectations were rising and threatening to disrupt their hold on political power. A new police director, Bill Celester, was appointed who immediately ended the neighborhood empowerment program. His leadership not only undermined Newark Fighting Back, but returned the police department to a new era of corruption for which he was finally sent to federal prison.

The cost to the community can be understood in one anecdote. When the demonstration neighborhood began to change, we held a forum in a neighborhood church. Newarks dignitaries all attended, but it was the neighborhoods residents who spoke. They all expressed their gratitude for the new role the police were playing and committed themselves to doing their part in response. One resident said that before the police arrived, it had been so dangerous he wouldnt even send his dog out of his apartment. Now that it was safe, his young daughter was able to go outside and play and he deeply appreciated their new freedom. I was told that after the collaboration with the police ended, and criminals again took control of the streets, his daughter was hit by a stray bullet and killed. I dont remember that mans name and his daughter was just one more anonymous victim of callous inhumanity, but his image is seared into my memory and has inspired me to write this in their honor.

Now is the time to revisit the notion of social capacity building and to aligning social service providers, including the police, with neighborhood leadership. Ras Baraka, Newarks current mayor, understands community organizing and has built his career on strengthening neighborhood social networks. His public safety director, Anthony Ambrose, in several interviews, has expressed a strong commitment to collaborating with Newarks residents in instituting reforms.

Already we have seen peaceful protests in Newark that seem more collaborative with the administration than adversarial to it. If Mayor Baraka and Director Ambrose continue to build support within Newarks neighborhoods, and if as a result, community residents sense a new empowerment, we may see the same dramatic results that Newark Fighting Back achieved over 30 years ago and Newark will lead the rest of the nation in solving our most daunting social problem.

Ed Stier is a former state and federal prosecutor. He also served as director of the state Division of Criminal Justice and chairman of the Police Training Commission. After government service, he was appointed to the New Jersey Advisory Committee on Police Standards. He currently serves as the court-appointed Trustee for the Newark Watershed Conservation and Development Corporation.

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Dr Ebenezer Oduro-Mensah, Superintendent of the Ga-East Municipal Hospital, has reiterated the need for people to report early for medical treatment when they experience COVID-19 symptoms.



This is because the earlier such symptoms are reported, the better the chances of those infected to get cured, Dr Oduro-Mensah told the Ghana News Agency after receiving assorted Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) from the GaDangme Community Action Response Team (GACART) in Accra.



He said COVID-19, though currently a pandemic, could be easily managed and cured with the right approach and attitude.



He described as unfortunate the tendency of some people to try all sorts of self-medication when they had COVID-19 symptoms, until they realised they were very sick.



"They then end up in the hospital anyway, but by then they are typically critically ill and have to bear a lot more discomfort than would have been the case if they had reported earlier," he said.



Doctor Oduro-Mensah said: "The Ga-East Municipal Hospital has cured and discharged 450 COVID-19 patients out of 500 cases. What we have experienced so far tells you that COVID-19 is absolutely curable with the right medical attention."



He commended GACART for the donation and urged other organisations, groups and individuals to assist health workers through such gestures.



Doctor Oduro-Mensah said health personnel now more than ever needed PPE in the fight against COVID-19, mainly because most of the equipment they needed must be replaced from time to time.



Madam Rebecca Bondzie, Team Member of GACART and Chairperson of the GaDangme Professionals Association, who presented the items, said the NGO aims to assist with the provision of PPE to health workers mainly within the Greater Accra Region.



She said with Accra being a key epicenter of the pandemic, such assistance was crucial to the fight against the disease.



Madam Bondzie urged the public to continue practicing the safety measures such as wearing of face masks in public, washing one's hands thoroughly before touching the face, and maintaining a good distance from other people at all times among other things.



She called on well-meaning individuals and organisations, especially the media, to continue educating people on the pandemic as that would promote preventive behaviour and, in effect, reduce infections.

Source: GNA









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

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Portland, Ore.

An aggressive federal campaign to suppress unrest in Portland appears to have instead rejuvenated the city's movement, as protesters gathered by the hundreds late Friday and into Saturday morning  the largest crowd in weeks.

Federal officers at times flooded street corridors with tear gas and shot projectiles from paintball guns, while demonstrators responded by shouting that the officers in fatigues were "terrorists" and chanting, "Whose streets? Our streets." Protesters in Portland have gathered for more than 50 consecutive nights.

While the protesters have repeatedly decried the city's own police tactics, Mayor Ted Wheeler, who also serves as police commissioner, and other leaders have united in calls for federal agencies to stay away. City commissioner Jo Ann Hardesty went to join protesters gathered outside the county Justice Center downtown, saying the city will "not allow armed military forces to attack our people."

"Today we show the country and the world that the city of Portland, even as much as we fight among ourselves, will come together to stand up for our constitutional rights," Hardesty said Friday.

Officials from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security have described the stepped-up involvement of federal officers as part of an effort to oppose lawlessness in the city.

State and local leaders Friday contended that the federal officers themselves may be violating the law.

Prosecutors have opened a criminal investigation into the injury of one protester, who appeared to have been shot in the head with a less-lethal weapon outside the federal courthouse in downtown Portland.

Oregon's attorney general, Ellen Rosenblum, has filed a lawsuit.

She is accusing federal officers of unlawful tactics in how they went about detaining people by pulling them into unmarked vans.

The pushback against the militarized federal deployment involving officers in fatigues and tactical gear has also extended to the streets.

The presence of those federal agents has rejuvenated a movement that had shown signs of slowing down after weeks of protest against police violence and militarization.

Hundreds continued to demonstrate after midnight Saturday, playing music, holding shields, tearing down temporary fences and throwing fireworks at the county's Justice Center.

Along with street medics, protesters also have the support of a snack van that offers free Gatorade and instant noodles, and a makeshift kitchen called Riot Ribs that cooks bratwursts and even a Beyond Meat sausage.

Someone Saturday had set up a stand selling T-shirts promoting racial equity and hand washing.

The protests have long featured a mix of tactics, with some there to sustain a Black Lives Matter movement that emerged in the aftermath of George Floyd's death in May.

Special Investigation 147 NY dams are 'unsound,' potentially dangerous Thousands of dams have not been inspected in over 20 years.

Others have engaged in more unruly responses, such as graffiti or throwing objects at officers. Dozens have been arrested over the weeks, including some by federal officers, such as a man accused of hitting an officer with a hammer last week.

Protests around the federal courthouse  tagged with messages such as "Stop Using Violence On Us" and "History Has Its Eye On You"  have drawn the ire of federal leaders.

Chad F. Wolf, the acting secretary of Homeland Security, got a tour there this past week and shared images of himself in front of graffitied walls.

The arrival of a more aggressive federal presence came after President Donald Trump, who at one point called on states to "dominate" protesters, directed federal agencies to increase their presence to protect federal properties, including statues and monuments that have at times been the target of protesters.

Trump said last week that he had sent personnel to Portland because "the locals couldn't handle it."

Oregon Gov. Kate Brown said in an interview she believed the protests were starting to ease before the federal officers waded into the scene.

She said that she asked Wolf to keep federal agents off the streets but that he rejected the suggestion.

Wheeler, the mayor, said he got the same response. But he said he believes the unified local response could change the federal tactics and keep federal officers off the streets.

"I can't recall a single instance where we have had federal, state and local officials all in alignment, saying the presence of federal troops in our city is harmful to our residents," Wheeler said.
A disease prediction model proposed by a Nobel laureate and tailored for India by an IIT Bombay professor suggests that the peak of Covid-19 death count in Indian hotspot states would be over in another 2-2.5 months barring Karnataka where the toll has begun to rise.

Several Indian researchers tracking the pandemic using their own models, however, didn't give credence to such a prediction citing technical flaws associated with the model.

Proposed by 2013 Nobel laureate Michael Levitt, the scheme relies on a simple mathematical formula, which has been applied to India by Bhaskaran Raman, a computer science professor at Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay.

Follow live updates on the coronavirus here

Going by the prediction, Mumbai will witness the peak in Covid-19 deaths in another two weeks whereas for Delhi, it is still two and half months away. For Chennai city, the peak would come after a month.

Looking at the states, the same model suggests a peak in the death toll in Tamil Nadu in six months whereas for Maharashtra, it would come after two more months. Gujarat has already achieved it but the pandemic pain for Karnataka has just begun. For Kerala, the data is too small to make any meaningful prediction.

The model is childishly simple and hence blindingly brilliant. It has been known since March-April when Michael Levitt proposed this metric based on his analysis of Hubei data, and later for other countries data, Raman said in a presentation. The model can be used to predict both Covid-19 deaths and cases.

Several researchers disagree with the formula. "This method does not take the disease dynamics and biological characteristics of the outbreak into account and linearly extrapolates the growth rate observed over a finite period, which is bound to deviate later on," Tanmay Mitra, a scientist at Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Germany told DH.

"In case of India, this method is bound to fail as we still have a time-dependent reproduction number (Rt) with a value substantially more than 1 (about 1.4 for India as a country around the second week of July) and we are still continuing on a rising phase of the pandemic."

"The problem in Levitt's method is that it linearly extrapolates the growth rate observed over a finite period for future times, with no physical/epidemiological basis. We need much better evidence for reliability of this simple extrapolation," noted Ramachandran Shankar, a retired professor at the Institute of Mathematical Sciences, Chennai who provided some of the data for the study.

Mitra, however, conceded that the metric might be useful to anticipate the peak of the reported daily deaths, owing to the fact that the growth curve of reported deaths were less exponential than that of an infection curve.

The analysis is not based on any epidemiological model but on a curve fitting of the available data. So it would "explain" the past data well. In predicting when the pandemic will end, the team makes the assumption that the future behavior of disease spread will be determined by its past behaviour. This may or may not be the case, observed Dibyendu Nandi, a professor at Indian Institute of Science, Education and Research, Kolkata.

This may match the future behavior of some states but fail to do so for others. It will depend on whether or not the epidemic dynamics, specifically containment measures, remain the same or change from the fitted behaviour, he added.
TVs Steph and Dom Parker, 53 and 55, draw on their 22 years of marriage to solve your relationship problems . . .

Q: My husband and I are arguing about our holiday plans for this summer and I don't know what to do.

We booked our trip to Spain well before the virus hit and I assumed that, of course, we wouldn't fly abroad while it is still circulating. However, he has started talking non-stop about the trip.

I think it's madness to travel at our age  I'm in my 60s and he's higher risk, being over 70. But he gets very cross when I say this and tells me it's the only thing that's been keeping him going. He says it will be fine at the hotel  and says we could be out of pocket if we don't go.

Reader asked Steph and Dom for advice as her husband wants to go on holiday (pictured a beach in Spain)

But it's the journey by plane that worries me and I don't think I will be able to relax. He's always been the happy-go-lucky one, while I've been the practical one in our marriage.

He says he will go without me if I won't go. What should I do?

STEPH SAYS: I can see this is an explosive issue and I understand why. I'm just sorry you're at loggerheads about it. Personally, this is not something I would take lightly.

I understand why your husband is being so stubborn. We are all desperate for this coronavirus nightmare to be over and he's clearly had his heart set on this holiday. As he says, it's been keeping him going.

But I'm afraid he has to get over his fury and recognise that this is bigger than a summer holiday, bigger than sangria and sand between the toes.

Fingers crossed, you may have the opportunity to travel again in the future but, if you risk it this time around, you may not.

We all have to look at the bigger picture at the moment. We must also think about other people, because the decision you make now doesn't just affect you, it affects the person you brush past in the street  or in the airport for that matter.

STEPH (left) SAYS : I can see this is an explosive issue and I understand why. I'm just sorry you're at loggerheads about it. Personally, this is not something I would take lightly.

But back to you as a couple. If you capitulated and said yes, and you went and wrapped yourself in bubble wrap and tried to be as safe as you could, you'd have a miserable time.

It will be a gruelling, anxious experience you'll want to get over with as quickly as possible. You won't be happy about being there  and he'll be grumpy because you're unhappy.

I understand why your husband is being so stubborn. We are all desperate for this coronavirus nightmare to be over and he's clearly had his heart set on this holiday. As he says, it's been keeping him going.

So my advice is, firstly, to get your flight tickets refunded. Then, I think you should be strong. Sit down and tell him you know he's disappointed and you understand; that you hear him and you've thought it all through. It's important for him to realise that you have truly considered his points and are respectful of them.

But  you are not prepared to let him go out of the front door to catch that plane because, if he does, you're worried he might not walk back in again. Is two weeks on the Costa del Sol really worth it? Be firm and tell him you are not going together  and he's not going on his own.

I might sound neurotic but no holiday is worth the risk. You are both more precious than the costs of lost flights.

I know restrictions have been lifted, but my advice is that you remind him that this is about protecting you both.

I know he's going to be disappointed but, as his wife, you are responsible for his health and happiness; and, as your husband, he is responsible for yours.

Remind him that you're doing this because you love him  and promise him that when you do have that holiday, you will raise a glass together and enjoy every last minute. Please stay home and stay safe!

DOM SAYS : What an interesting letter to receive. We are definitely living in strange times, aren't we? The virus has upended all of our lives and affected so many people  and, sadly, it's not over yet.

DOM SAYS: What an interesting letter to receive. We are definitely living in strange times, aren't we? The virus has upended all of our lives and affected so many people  and, sadly, it's not over yet.

I think we are all worried about a resurgence, which means that making plans is hard.

So I don't think you're being at all unreasonable by worrying about this.

As you say, your husband is clearly more happy-go-lucky than you, and that's absolutely fine, too. Many couples are going through something similar, when one is more relaxed than the other about venturing out.

Personally, I'm not quite ready to go back to the pub yet but, happily, Steph and I are pretty much on the same page.

I went out to a restaurant for the first time recently, which I found to be perfectly acceptable. But the worry is still there  and I think will still be there for a very long time.

All I can say is, what a shame your husband didn't make this easy for you and say: 'Stuff the holiday this year!' I really do wish that he had done  and I'm sure you do, too.

Now, I understand he would be fed up with having paid for his holiday and then not getting it. Has he looked into a refund?

I also understand he desperately wants to go away. I would love to be heading to a beach for two weeks of rest and relaxation after all the stress of lockdown. I've spent four and a half months doing nothing and I'm utterly exhausted!

I also understand he desperately wants to go away. I would love to be heading to a beach for two weeks of rest and relaxation after all the stress of lockdown. I've spent four and a half months doing nothing and I'm utterly exhausted!

But I also do understand your concerns, too. So, what I'd suggest you do is talk to your husband and figure out which parts of the holiday you're most worried about and try to work around it. The thing is, the whole world is still taking the pandemic very seriously, so it's not as if there won't be social distancing when you're away.

Of course, it depends on the kind of holiday you like to have, but, if it were me, that's lying by the pool (outdoors), interspersed with trips to the pool bar (again, outdoors). Maybe find out what the hotel's arrangements are for spacing out sunloungers and the like. I can understand you don't want to lie there in a mask.

If it's the flight you're worried about, then do some research with the airline. If you're still not comfortable, why not suggest you turn it into a romantic road trip and drive, instead?

What this comes down to is how much risk you and your husband are prepared to take. But, of course, when you live together, the risks taken by one are also taken by the other.

If you have a question youd like Steph and Dom to tackle, write to: stephanddom@dailymail.co.uk
London, July 19 : Men are now 32 per cent more likely to report low sexual desire than a decade ago, suggests new research that detected a change in why men seek help for sexual problems.

The research showed that while fewer men are now complaining about erectile dysfunction and premature ejaculation, more men, especially younger men, are complaining about low sexual desire and curvature of the penis, known as Peyronie's disease.

"Over a 10 year period we have seen a real change in what concerns men when they attend sexual health clinics," said research leader Paolo Capogrosso of San Raffaele Hospital in Milan, Italy.

"This is probably driven by greater openness, and men now accepting that many sexual problems can be treated, rather than being something they don't want to talk about," Capogrosso said while presenting the work at the European Association of Urology (virtual) Congress being held from July 17-19.

The success of erectile dysfunction treatments such as Viagra and Cialis, and the availability of new treatments, means that men facing sexual problems now have treatments for sexual problems which were not available a generation ago.

The new research, published in the International Journal of Impotence Research, looked into why men come to sexual health clinics, and how this has changed over a 10-year period.

For the study, the scientists questioned 3,244 male visitors to the San Raffaele Hospital Sexual Health Clinic in Milan over a 10 year period, and classified the main reason for the visit.

They found that the number of patients visiting with erectile dysfunction problems increased from 2009 to 2013, then started to decrease.

There were comparatively few patients complaining of low sex drive or Peyronie's disease in 2009, but complaints about both of these conditions grew from 2009 to the end of the study.

In 2019, men were around 30 per cent more likely to report Peyronie's disease than in 2009, and around 32 per cent more likely to report low sexual desire.

The number of men complaining of premature ejaculation dropped by around six per cent over the 10-year period.

The average age of first attendance at the clinic also dropped, from a mean of 61 to 53 years.

"We need to be clear about what these figures mean. They do not indicate any change in the prevalence of these conditions, what they show is why men came to the clinic. In other words, it shows what they are concerned about," Capogrosso informed.

While these are results from a single centre, awareness about conditions such as Peyronie's disease is increasing in the US and elsewhere, Capogrosso said.
The death of Representative John Lewis on Friday has renewed interest in a campaign to rename the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, Ala., the site of a turning point in the fight for civil rights.

Named after a former Confederate general and Ku Klux Klan leader, the bridge became the focus of national attention on March 7, 1965, when Alabama state troopers beat demonstrators who were marching for Black voting rights in what became known as Bloody Sunday.

Mr. Lewis, who was then the chairman of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee, helped lead the march and sustained a cracked skull after a state trooper beat him to the ground with a nightstick. Mr. Lewis returned to Selma every year to commemorate the anniversary of the march, whose destination was the state capital in Montgomery.

An online petition created last month to rename the Edmund Pettus Bridge after Mr. Lewis has garnered over 400,000 signatures, including that of the director Ava DuVernay, whose Oscar-nominated film Selma recreated the Bloody Sunday confrontation.
B oris Johnson has played down the prospect of a second national coronavirus lockdown.

The Prime Minister insisted that he did not want to use such an extreme measure any more than Britains Trident nuclear deterrent.

He added that the authorities were getting better at identifying and isolating local outbreaks, although it was important that the power to order national action was held in reserve.

I cant abandon that tool any more than I would abandon a nuclear deterrent," he told The Sunday Telegraph.

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

"But it is like a nuclear deterrent, I certainly dont want to use it. And nor do I think we will be in that position again.

His comments could lead to further tensions between ministers and their scientific experts after the chief scientific adviser Sir Patrick Vallance warned on Friday there was a risk that national measures could be needed as winter approaches.

Announcing another easing lockdown restrictions in England, Mr Johnson on Friday said he hoped there could be a significant return to normality in time for Christmas.

At the same time, he said the Government had given local authorities new powers to close specific premises, shut outdoor spaces and cancel events.

Mr Johnson told the Telegraph: Its not just that were getting much better at spotting the disease and isolating it locally, but we understand far more which groups it affects, how it works, how its transmitted, so the possibility of different types of segmentation, of enhanced shielding for particular groups, is now there.

Were genuinely able now to look at whats happening in much closer to real time, to isolate outbreaks and to address them on the spot, and to work with local authorities to contain the problem locally and regionally if we have to.
The alcohol industry is fighting back against the governments decision to reimpose the ban on alcohol.

The Sunday Times reports that the four liquor groups have written to finance minister Tito Mboweni and SARS asking that they not be required to pay excise duties of R2.5 billion in each of July and August.

The industry and its entire value chain are facing an enormous financial crisis, and its capacity to make these payments is severely constrained, said industry spokesperson Sibani Mngadi.

The sustainability of the sector, now and in the post-COVID era, is dependent on this deferment if job losses are to be avoided.

Distell has also committed to taking every possible avenue available to it to get the alcohol ban lifted.

Distell CEO Richard Rushton said it is seeking legal advice regarding the fact that it was not consulted  a matter with Mngadi also highlighted  and whether the decision is fair and reasonable.

We reiterate our commitment to partner with the government to create a social compact that drives behavioural change regarding the use and consumption of alcohol, said Mngadi.

Why the ban was reinstated

Speaking during a briefing on Monday 13 July, Mkhize provided the governments reasoning behind the reinstatement of the alcohol ban.

Mkhize cited data from the World Health Organisation (WHO) which shows that the average South African drinker consumes 64.6g of absolute alcohol per day  or about 5-6 drinks of 12g absolute alcohol content  as opposed to the afro-region average of about 40g.

Mkhize also said that almost 6 out of 10 South African drinkers are binge drinkers  which poses a significant risk for the national health system given the current situation.

When we look at the end of the day, it is more about limiting the damage each particular set of circumstances tends to create, said Mhize.

It would be inexcusable to end up with beds blocked by something that is completely preventable and avoidable as the consumption of alcohol.

Mkhize added that modelling has been done to predict what effect the ban would have on the health system.

It found that the ban would result in a 20% reduction in all trauma cases, including a 40% decrease in alcohol-related trauma cases, by the third week of the ban.

We plead for understanding and patience as we try to navigate through a very difficult time, said Mkhize.

Balancing lives and livelihoods

Minister of Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma has also provided insight into the ban on alcohol.

When people are drinking in groups, they let their guard down, said Dlamini-Zuma.

She noted that alcohol consumption often results in people not wearing masks, social distancing, or sanitising.

When people have taken liquor, they get drunk  some become violent, start fighting, killing each other, or even at home they become violent, she added.

She noted that these people then have to be rushed to hospital, which results in them taking up a bed which should be used to treat those who are seriously ill with COVID-19.

Alcohol ban decision may undermine rule of law

Economic and legal analyst at the Free Market Foundation Jacques Jonker told MyBroadband that the decision to ban alcohol with immediate effect is problematic.

He claimed that the government had not gazetted the regulations at the time of the announcement.

Granted, it was published soon after his speech, but these technicalities matter from a legal standpoint since it speaks to governments constant undermining of the Constitution and the Rule of Law, Jonker said.

It offends the very notion that the law should, at least in theory, only punish individuals and entirely suspend certain freedoms based on their own conduct and not that of others.

Individuals freedom should not be dependent on the conduct of criminal elements within society, he said.
Mumbai:

With a special PMLA court allowing its plea for further attachments, ED will soon seize fresh assets worth Rs 1,700 crore, under CrPC laws, of liquor baron Vijay Mallya in connection with its money laundering case against him and others.



Officials said orders for the fresh attachment of freezed shares and pledged shares in the name of Mallya will be issued as soon as the agency receives a signed copy of Thursday's court judgement.



The special Prevention of Money laundering Act (PMLA) court of judge PR Bhavke here had on Thursday declared Mallya a proclaimed offender and directed the Enforcement Directorate (ED) to attach movable properties which were listed by the agency in its plea to the court.



The total value of these movable assets which includes shares is worth Rs 1,700 crore. This seizure will be carried out under the provisions of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) and will be over and above the two earlier attachments worth Rs 8,041 crore issued under anti-money laundering laws, they said.



The court had yesterday ordered ED that freezed and pledged shares belonging to accused Vijay Mallya be attached by way of seizure and by prohibiting the delivery of such property to the accused or any other person on his behalf untill further order.



The court had, however, rejected EDs request forattachment of the liquor barons overseas properties.



The agency had moved the court last month seeking that Mallya be declared a proclaimed offender and his properties be attached as he did not comply with a proclamation order issued against him in June requiring him to appear before the court.



The agency had sought an order from the court under section 82 (proclamation of absconding person) of CrPC as several arrest warrants were pending against him.



A person against whom a warrant has been issued can be declared a proclaimed offender if the court believes that he or she has absconded or is evading execution of warrant.



ED wanted Mallya to join the investigation in person in connection with probe under the PMLA, and in cases related to a Rs 900-crore loan from IDBI Bank.



It had said it had exhausted other legal remedies like seeking Interpol arrest warrant and getting his passport revoked to make Mallya join the probe.



The total attachment made by the agency in this case has now shot up to Rs 8,041 crore as it had attached assets worth Rs 1,411 crore and Rs 6,630 crore a few months back. This is one of the largest attachment of assets made by ED in a PMLA case till now.

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An illegal car rally took place in Tameside, Greater Manchester on Sunday which caused traffic jams on nearby motorways.

Police were called to an industrial estate in the town of Denton after hundreds of people brought their cars to the location just outside the M60 motorway.

Alarming footage from the Sunday event shows large rows of cars being lined up near the industrial estate, with several members of the public not wearing face masks nor conforming to any sort of social distancing.

An illegal car meet took place at an industrial estate in Denton, Greater Manchester, with emergency services called to break up the event

Hundreds of motorists attended the event in Tameside, which clearly abused social distancing advice put forward by the government

The event gained a lot of attention on social media, including complaints from members of the public and the local MP for Denton

Witnesses compared the event to 'bonfire night' and a Formula 1 race due to the popping of cars and Greater Manchester Police from the Tameside & South West force were called to the scene.

A police helicopter was also needed as emergency services became concerned with the large meet.

A statement from Greater Manchester Police said: 'Officers are currently dealing with an incident at Tameside Business Centre, Windmill Lane in Denton where there is an increased activity in vehicular traffic.

Can we please ask that you avoid this and the surrounding area. Sadly this is putting a massive strain on our services at this time and it is causing a back log of traffic, however we hope we can quickly have things resolved with your help.'

A resident living near the industrial estate said: 'The whole of Denton is gridlocked. It sounds like bonfire night with the cars popping.'

Denton MP Andrew Gwynne displayed his disapproval for the car meet, tweeting: 'Completely irresponsible and Im informed the Police are on it. In fact as I type, the Police helicopter is overhead.'

The car rally caused long traffic jams on the M60 motorway while the M66 and M66 routes were also affected by the illegal event.

Those who attended the event did not conform to social distancing and many chose not to wear face masks despite coronavirus fears

Cars line up at the industrial estate as the illegal car rally grew alarmingly in terms of numbers. It was compared to bonfire night and a Formula One race due to the popping of cars

There were also reports on social media of dangerous driving around the Denton area, including drivers speeding up and down the hard shoulder of the M60.

North West Motorway Police assured members of the public that patrols had been put in place in the relevant areas.

'M60, junction 24 both anticlockwise and clockwise we have heavy congestion - this is due to an apparent car meet off the motorway network.

The car meet caused several traffic jams at junction 24 of the M60 while the M66 and M67 were also affected by the illegal meet-up

'It is however impacting around M60, M67, M66 - we are getting numerous re vehicles using the hard shoulder at speed, please take care.'

North West Motorway Police then confirmed that the traffic had eased just before 6pm.

Illegal raves have been taking place across England in the last couple of days. On Saturday night, police were called to break up a block party near Notting Hill in central London.

Meanwhile in Bath, police struggled to shut down a party of 3,000 revellers fifteen hours after it started.
New York:

After Donald Trump victory in 45th US presidential elections, Chief executives from PepsiCo and Starbucks CEO called for a renewed commitment to inclusion of members of all communities.

PepsiCo chief executive Indra Nooyi, who backed Democrat Hillary Clinton, said she hoped President-elect Donald Trump's controversial statements on immigrants and minorities during the election battle were "just campaign rhetoric."

"Our employees, especially our employees who are non-white or who are LGBT, are asking, 'Are we safe?'" said Nooyi, who was born in India.

"The first thing we have to do is assure everyone in the US that everyone is safe." Starbucks chief executive Howard Schultz, who also backed Clinton, bemoaned the "vitriolic" nature of the campaign and said he was disturbed by some of the after-effects.

"One has to be concerned with what's happened over the last few months and even over the last 24 hours," he said. "We've seen things that are very disturbing. I have recently seen a picture of a swastika. It's difficult to understand."

The remarks came at the New York Times Dealbook conference on Thursday, held less than 48 hours after Trump's shock win in the battle for the White House. Election returns showed Trump won large majorities with white voters, but badly lagged Clinton with minority groups.

Social media on Wednesday and on Thursday recounted cases of immigrants and minorities facing bigotry in schools and stores. Thousands of anti-Trump protesters took to about 10 cities, some carrying signs declaiming "Not our President" and "Love trumps hate."

Nooyi congratulated Trump, but suggested he needs to set a much more inclusive tone. She also expressed disgust with Trump's excuses following a leaked 2005 video in which the president-elect spoke lewdly about women.

In the clip, Trump described groping and forcing himself on women in vulgar, predatory language.

"How dare we talk about women that way?" Nooyi said.

"I don't think there's a place for that kind of talk, not in a locker room, not anywhere," she said. "If we don't nip this in the bud, it's going to take over our society."

Schultz said he was shocked by the election result and that it reflects "years and years of a great many people in America feeling they've been left behind."

Starbucks briefly got into a tiff with Trump in late 2015 after the Republican mogul suggested the coffee chain should be boycotted over bright red holiday cups that contained no explicit Christmas imagery. Some evangelicals viewed the cups as anti-Christian.

Schultz said he was baffled by the flap. "Every now and then you wake up and you say, 'What?'" Schultz said. "The irony is we had our best Christmas ever and our business went up, so I thank him."

The Starbucks chief did not rule out a run for public office, but said he has no interest in serving in the Trump administration.

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The past few months have witnessed an ever-growing brotherhood and solidarity between China and Africa, which are joining hands in tackling the still-unfolding COVID-19 pandemic.

When the first case was confirmed on the African continent on Feb. 14, China, despite being ravaged by the virus then, rushed forward to help its African brothers by unreservedly providing medical supplies, sharing experience, as well as sending expert teams.

So far, Africa's anti-epidemic efforts have achieved gratifying results despite the growing number of confirmed cases, maintaining a mortality rate far below the global average, according to the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC).

SUCCESSIVE MISSIONS WIN ACCLAIM

On April 16, a 12-member team of health experts from the Chinese city of Tianjin arrived in Burkina Faso.

Visiting the Tengandogo University Hospital in Burkina Faso's capital Ouagadougou twice, the Chinese experts shared their experience in fighting the virus with their local counterparts, who are caring for an increasing number of COVID-19 patients.

Alexandre Sanfo, director-general of the hospital, told Xinhua that the experience shared by the Chinese experts boosted the country's COVID-19 prevention and control work, as well as its response system.

According to the Chinese Embassy in Burkina Faso, the team made a total of four field visits, and held eight training workshops, 14 interdisciplinary meetings, and 40 technical sessions during their stay in the West African country.

After the heavy workload in Burkina Faso, the team went to Abidjan, the capital city of Cote d'Ivoire, on a similar mission at the invitation of the Cote d'Ivoire government.

As of June 2, China has sent a total of 148 medical workers to 11 African countries, according to Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Zhao Lijian.

Furthermore, 46 Chinese medical teams already stationed on site are also mobilized to help African nations contain the pandemic.

The Chinese medical workers are shuttling back and forth on the continent to race against the virus, which has won admiration from local medical staff and officials.

"It is a great show of solidarity," said 57-year-old Legesse Alemu, a medical doctor at a public health facility in Ethiopia's capital Addis Ababa.

"They brought with them highly needed know-how and first-hand experience, without which we would not be able to effectively respond to the virus," said Alemu.

Grateful to the Chinese experts, Burkina Faso's Minister of Health Claudine Lougue said their help will allow the country to minimize the risk of the COVID-19 spread.

"The mission was fruitful and the Chinese experts made relevant recommendations which we will contextualize according to our realities," said the health minister.

Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa wrote to the leader of the visiting Chinese medical team a letter, which read, "I write to express to you, and your colleagues, my deep personal gratitude, and that of my government and the people of Zimbabwe, for your unwavering support by sharing the expertise garnered from China's victorious battle against the COVID-19 pandemic."

CHINESE DONATIONS PROVIDE TIMELY HELP

Since March, massive medical supplies donated by the Chinese government, companies and individuals have been distributed to over 50 African countries and regions.

The timely donations, including face masks, disposable protective clothing, forehead thermometers as well as other equipment, have helped alleviate the continent's shortage of medical supplies in the face of the epidemic.

The latest donation was made on July 14, when the All-China Federation of Trade Unions (ACFTU) donated a consignment of medical supplies, including 20,000 masks and 1,000 bottles of hand sanitizers, to African labor unions to help curb the spread of the novel coronavirus among African workers.

ACFTU's donation to the Organization of African Trade Union Unity also included office equipment, such as printers and laptops, to support the work of the union across the continent.

On June 30, the Communist Party of China (CPC) donated various medical supplies to Zambia's governing party, the Patriotic Front (PF), as part of the efforts to help the country deal with the pandemic.

The materials were donated to the PF by the Chinese Embassy in Zambia on behalf of the CPC International Department. The donated items included 30,000 surgical face masks, 500 protective clothing and 240 thermometers.

Meanwhile, Chinese companies and individuals are also making their own contributions.

Jack Ma, Chinese tech entrepreneur and philanthropist, has donated three batches of medical supplies to 54 African countries via the Jack Ma and Alibaba foundations.

Following Ma's announcement of donating the third batch of medical supplies, African Union (AU) Commission Chairperson Moussa Faki Mahamat said "I thanked Jack Ma for the donations of supplies to the AU Commission. This includes 4.6 million masks, 500,000 test kits, 200,000 personal protective equipment, as well as 300 ventilators."

The chairperson of the 55-member pan African bloc also stressed that "these vital supplies will enhance the Africa CDC's strategic stockpile to assist member states in the COVID-19 fight."

LONG-LASTING SOLIDARITY

The joint efforts to combat COVID-19 illustrate the enduring relationship between China and Africa.

Since 1963, more than 22,000 Chinese health professionals have been sent to Africa to support local programs, which benefited about 220 million patients, according to Chinese Ambassador to Togo Chao Weidong.

The outbreak has boosted bilateral collaboration in the health sector between China and Africa, which will certainly enhance their shared vision of win-win cooperation.

When chairing the Extraordinary China-Africa Summit on Solidarity against COVID-19 in June, Chinese President Xi Jinping said the two sides should work together to build a China-Africa community of health for all and take their comprehensive strategic and cooperative partnership to greater heights.

Noting that China and Africa have withstood the immense challenge of COVID-19, Xi said the two sides must mobilize necessary resources, collaborate to protect people's lives and health, and minimize the fallout from COVID-19.

Xi called on both sides to stay committed to fighting COVID-19 together, saying that China will continue to do whatever it can to support Africa's response.

The Chinese president's remarks were echoed by African leaders, who agree that solidarity and cooperation between China and Africa are the key to ultimately defeating COVID-19.

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa said at the meeting that the summit "demonstrates the depth and resilience of solidarity between China and Africa."

"Sino-African solidarity and better multilateral cooperation is key to winning the battle against this pandemic," he said, calling on both sides to continue to strengthen the bonds of solidarity and take collective action to secure the future of humanity.

Rwandan President Paul Kagame said that joint success in combatting COVID-19 was the result of years of bolstering ties under the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, whose 20th anniversary will be marked later this year.

"The strength of the bond between Africa and China is clear," Kagame said.

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MIDDLETOWN  When Noah Baerman was a young child, he saw Stevie Wonder perform on Sesame Street, and it changed the course of his life.

Since that moment, Baerman has spent his life trying to recreate the feeling he got when listening to Stevie Wonder through his own musical career and by supporting other artists, he said.

I pointed to the TV, and I said That is what I am going to do, Baerman said. Which is a cute story but one thing I have been trying to unpack since then is what I meant by that. It wasnt like Oh, Im going to be a fireman or an astronaut. It really was a moment of clarity that has essentially guided the rest of my life since then.

Baerman, one of the 2020 Middletown Arts Advocacy Award Winners is still chasing that moment of clarity by promoting the arts in his community.

His parents got him a used piano and signed him up for lessons. After proving he was serious, they invested in a nicer piano. He began to study European Classical music which he enjoyed, but didnt excite him the way Stevie Wonder did.

When he was in high school, Baerman started taking guitar lessons with George Racchio, who he credits for helping him discover his passion.

I was and continue to be a pretty terrible guitar player, Baerman said. But he was a great teacher and started to give me access to theory and improvisation instruction and exposed me to music that set me more specifically on the path of studying jazz.

Baerman was able to translate what Racchio taught him on the guitar onto the piano and got accepted to music school.

This wasnt just the path of my heart but also very concretely the thing I was going to undertake professional study for, Baerman said.

When Baerman settled in Middletown, he didnt think he would stay for long.

I honestly did not intend to spend my adult life here when I moved here at age 24 in 1998, Baerman said. My wife, Kate, was working here and it made more sense for me to move here than for her to move to New Jersey. I liked Middletown and always got a good vibe here, but it was sort of a pragmatic step.

The city that he viewed as a place to hang his hat on, and then move on, is still his home.

I pretty quickly fell in love with the city, the way Middletown values the arts is really special, Baerman said.

Seeing places like Oddfellows and traveling as a performer and seeing that not all cities are like that, he said. The focus on social justice combined with the focus on the arts  it became clear this is a city that really values the things that I view as the centerpiece of my life and career.

Baerman founded Resonant Motion, a non-profit organization and record label that links music and positive change in 2012. The organization runs various programs in the Middletown area.

I try to help people understand how the music works and have a more emotionally potent experience with it, Baerman said. Its not just understanding it for pure intellectual education but there is value in that as well. The idea is that if you understand what is happening, there are fewer barriers between you and the emotional potency.

In Middletown, while Baerman is an advocate of the arts, he said that being an advocate doesnt feel any different than doing what he loves.

Its difficult for me to separate in that way, Baerman said. Like this is the art, the activism and this is the vibe of being in Middletown. To me its just all sorts of ways of accessing that same substance that I felt bursting forth from my insides when I saw Stevie Wonder on TV when I was 5 or 6.

Much of Baermans time is spent as an organizer and advocate of the arts in Middletown because of Ehlers Danlos Syndrome, which makes it difficult for him to perform on the piano as frequently as he used to. But Baerman said his life has been full of so many blessings that he does not let this disability get him down.

Ehlers Danlos Syndrome is a group of disorders that affect connective tissues, according to the National Institutes of Health.

I am still able to create gratifying art that moves people, and I am able to help and nurture others who are pursuing art, and I get to live in a community that values that, Baerman said.

I really dont have anything to complain about and if my body hurts and there are gigs that I fantasize about doing that are not accessible to me, it would take a pretty big loss of perspective to pity myself for those things in the face of all of the blessings that I have, he said.
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Portland, Oregon, Mayor Ted Wheeler wants federal agents to leave his city as soon as possible, he told CNN's Jake Tapper during Sunday's edition of State of the Union.

Tensions have been high in Portland this week amid demonstrations against police brutality, with protesters and local and state officials accusing troops associated with the Department of Homeland Security of arresting people without identifying themselves, as well as without probable cause. Oregon's Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum is suing the federal government over the issue.

On the flip side, defenders of the federal intervention, like Acting Deputy Homeland Security Secretary Ken Cuccinelli, say the agents' presence in the city is necessary because of increased vandalism. On Saturday night, Portland law enforcement declared a riot after protesters allegedly broke into and lit a Portland Police Association office on fire.

Wheeler told Tapper that violence only increased after the arrival of the federal troops, arguing that local authorities had things under control already. He said he believed the demonstrations were losing steam and would peter out soon, but then the DHS agents showed up and "used their unconstitutional tactics," causing the "whole thing" to blow up again "like a powder keg."

Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler on federal troops descending upon the unrest in his city: "Their presence here is actually leading to more violence and more vandalism. And it's not helping the situation at all. They're not wanted here" https://t.co/20VH2GZFlS #CNNSOTU pic.twitter.com/uTi9qC5mBY  State of the Union (@CNNSotu) July 19, 2020

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday spoke to chief ministers including those of Assam, Tamil Nadu and Uttarakhand to discuss the Covid-19 situation in those states.

In his telephonic conversation with Assam chief minister Sarbananda Sonowal, Modi also assured all support to the state in dealing with the flood havoc, which has claimed 84 lives so far this year. He also enquired about the ongoing efforts to douse the raging blaze at Oil Indias Baghjan gas well in Tinsukia district that has been raging since June 9.

Honble PM Shri @narendramodi ji took stock of the contemporary situation regarding #AssamFloods2020, #COVID19 and Baghjan Oil Well fire scenario over phone this morning. Expressing his concern & solidarity with the people, the PM assured all support to the state, Sonowal tweeted after the call from the PM.

Assams Covid-19 tally is almost 23,000 while active cases are close to 8,000.

Modi also spoke to Uttarakhand chief minister Trivendra Singh Rawat to enquire about army troopers affected by Covid-19 and gave necessary directions to curb the virus spread in the state, officials said.

On Saturday, Rawat had said that a total of 110 army personnel have tested positive for Covid-19 in the state out of which about 100 cases have come in the past 3 to 4 days.

PM Modi spoke to CM Rawat in the afternoon in which he enquired about the health condition of the army personnel affected by Covid-19 virus.

During the conversation he asked him to provide every possible help to the army personnel in treatment with proper coordination between the state government and army, an official said.

Uttarakhands Covid-19 tally is over 4,200 .

Modi also called up Tamil Nadu chief minister K Palaniswami to discuss the preventive measures taken by the state to contain the spread of Covid19 and also aspects related to treatment amid a continued surge in new infections in the state. With a tally of over 1.65 lakh, Tamil Nadu is the second worst-affected state after Maharashtra.

Palaniswami briefed Modi on the prevention measures, treatment procedure and facility for Covid positive patients and highlighted the states high rate of testing with about 48,000 samples being tested daily on an average, the state government said in a statement.

Indias Covid-19 tally is close to 11 lakh after the highest single-day spike of 38,902 cases reported in the last 24 hours. There are more than 3.73 lakh active cases while more than 6.77 lakh people have recovered.

Almost 27,000 people have died of Covid-19 so far.
A car crash killed two individuals in Northeast Portland on Saturday evening.

The deceased were identified Monday by police as 34-year-old Camile Bailey and 13-year-old Udell Peterson.

According to the Portland Police Bureau, officers learned a vehicle was traveling westbound on Northeast Lombard Street from Northeast 60th Avenue around 6 p.m. at a high speed when the driver lost control.

The vehicle crossed into oncoming traffic before hitting an unoccupied parked truck and fifth-wheel trailer, police said.

Officers said the impact started a fire which killed both the driver and passenger.

The Portland Police Bureau said no additional information was available.

-- Celina Tebor

ctebor@oregonian.com

@CelinaTebor
A Canadian woman has told of the moment she was stopped from boarding an Air Canada flight along with her one-year-old daughter, for refusing to wear a face mask.

Angelique Bibby, 42, from Kelowna, British Columbia, had been visiting her sister in Ottawa and was returning back to her home on the other side of the country.

She was carrying a doctor's note, requesting she be able to fly without a face mask because of her 'severe claustrophobia and anxiety'.

Bibby had already taken two flights on her journey over from the west coast without any issues.

But she was stopped in her tracks while attempting to board a connecting flight in Montreal.

Angelique Bibby, 42, from Vancouver was returning home from an trip to Ottawa when she was refused boarding on her flight from Montreal

Bibby said she had already flown two flights without a face mask but on the third she was stopped

'I thought it would be fine...I already went through this once. They wouldn't let me get on the plane,' she said to Castanet News.

'They told me because I can't wear a mask, that I'm a risk on the flight and they wouldn't let me on the plane, and left me stranded in Montreal bawling my eyes out.

'They told me it wasn't their problem. When I asked them how I was going to get back to Kelowna, they told me it wasn't their problem. I got yelled at, treated like a complete criminal, and they wouldn't even look at me.'

Bibby was surprised by the airline's staff reaction because she had already taken two flights on her journey.

Bibby was forced to purchase another flight with WestJet at a cost of $1,300. She is pictured here with her husband Dylan Bibby, left, and right in her workout clothes

She also carried with her a doctor's note stating her inability to wear a mask due to her tendency to suffer from claustrophobia, which she claims leads to her suffering from anxiety and having panic attacks.

Boarding her flight from Vancouver to Ottawa the previous week, an airline manager contacted an Air Canada doctor, who cleared her to fly.

Expecting similar medical clearance for her return trip, Bibby presented her note but it seemed to make no difference when she showed it to airline officials who called a company doctor. Only on this occasion, she was denied boarding.

'They literally didn't give a c*** about me. Because I got upset, and they wouldn't give me any answers, they threatened to call security and have me kicked out of the airport,' she explained.

Bibby ended up having to fly back on WestJet for which she had to shell out another $1,300

The aggravating exchange took place in front of Bibby's one-year-old daughter.

In the end, Bibby was able to secure a seat back to Vancouver on Air Canada's competitor, WestJet at a cost of $1,300.

'Everybody was aware of what was going on. They were really kind, and completely generous. They gave me food and wine and made me comfortable,' Bibby recounted.

Bibby says she tried to contact Air Canada, but was told she had to do everything online.

Like many airlines at the present time, Air Canada say that face coverings are mandatory throughout a passenger's entire journey. For travelers that don't have masks, the airline is able to provide them both at the airport and on board.

Air Canada said it can't comment on specific cases, but said in a statement: 'Face masks covering nose and mouth are mandatory onboard all flights as part of our multi-layered biosafety requirements and medical approvals are required ahead of time for any exemptions.

'We're reviewing the situation to ensure it is consistently applied to ensure the comfort, health and safety of all passengers, and are following up directly with the customer.'
The race is on for a COVID-19 vaccine, with scientists working around the clock to discover the key to stopping the potentially deadly disease.

But health officials are also planning for how they can safely administer hundreds of thousands of doses of a vaccine thats already available, to prevent a perfect storm of infection in the fall.

Theyre bracing for more demand while trying to navigate how theyll deliver that vaccine in a new COVID reality that makes mass immunization clinics tricky.

If theres one year to get your flu shot, this is going to be the year, said Dr. Natasha Crowcroft, a senior technical adviser for measles and rubella at the World Health Organization and professor in the Centre for Vaccine Preventable Diseases at the University of Toronto.

Every year, flu season means a surge of patients at hospitals that can strain health-care systems even without any coronavirus cases. Both at once could be a dangerous combination.

The good news is measures like hand washing, physical distancing and masks could mean less flu, but the risk if you do get it is going to be higher, Crowcroft said.

Flu can really knock the socks off people, and then theyre going to be much more vulnerable to COVID-19.

In Australia, where the flu season is already underway, theres been a drop in cases due to COVID lockdowns but there has also been increased demand for the vaccine, from people wanting to protect themselves, the Guardian reported in May. Other countries including the U.K. are considering making the flu vaccine universal, and scrambling to stock up on doses to prepare for the flu hitting at the same time as a possible COVID resurgence during the colder months. Both viruses thrive inside, where theyre more easily spread.

In Ontario, where the flu vaccine is free for anyone who wants it, the province has procured more influenza doses than last season, said Health Ministry spokesperson Alexandra Hilkene in an email, and officials are looking to purchase additional doses to meet the demand.

Planning for the universal flu vaccine immunization program is underway, taking into account COVID-19, she added, and more details will be available later this summer.

In Toronto, health officials are already starting to think about what that might look like.

In terms of our vaccination clinics, we obviously have to take a different approach this year, said Dr. Vinita Dubey, an associate medical officer of health for the city.

Toronto Public Health typically holds clinics at places such as shelters, she said. Theyre thinking of offering smaller clinics, and even considering drive-thru or at-home vaccinations.

The public should also expect that it wont be as easy as strolling into a Shoppers Drug Mart or No Frills pharmacy on a whim.

You wont just easily walk in and get a flu vaccine, she said. There will be precautions that will have to be on board.

This is the time to consider a whole host of options for providing the vaccine.

They cant start offering the vaccine until they get it from the province, which gets it from the feds. The best time to receive the vaccine is fall, before the height of the flu season, which can continue into the spring. If a COVID vaccine is available around that same time, thats something that could complicate or delay the manufacturing.

Vaccine manufacturing is actually not as nimble as we might like because its so rigorous, she said. I think this is a very real thing to consider.

The flu vaccine is only about 50 per cent effective year over year, Dubey added, depending on what strain it targets, which the WHO recommends at the beginning of the year. But being able to prevent even half of the cases is going to be extremely important, she said.

Every year during flu season we see people that are vulnerable have to go to the hospital, said Dr. Azim Kasmani, public health and preventive medicine resident physician at Kingston, Frontenac, and Lennox & Addington Public Health. And some young people, too, they get very sick. Some people need ventilators and ICU.

If we have both viruses circulating at the same time, it could place a tremendous amount of stress on our acute care system.

Its also going to be hard to tell if you have the flu or COVID, because the symptoms are very similar, so its best to avoid getting the flu if you can, he said.

Thats why Kingstons Board of Health is calling for a mass immunization plan from all levels of government for the coming season, and ensuring that theres enough flu vaccine to go around.

I think there will be more demand and more people seeking it out, so we want to make sure that the influenza vaccine is available for people to get, he said.

The logistics of delivering the vaccine will be more challenging than last year, or in 2009 during H1N1, when everyone could at least be in the same room for a large vaccination clinic.

Some people may also be nervous to get a flu vaccine, said Crowcroft, because of COVID risk, and theyre the ones who probably need it most because many of them are also at a higher risk if they get the flu.

Trusted health-care providers can help spread the message. She also urges people to get the shingles vaccine (free in Ontario for adults 65-70) and pneumonia vaccines (free to people over 65), if they qualify.

Even if theres less flu around, you want to do everything you can to stay as healthy as possible, she said.

COVID is much more deadly than the flu, but the flu can be serious and even kill. Its especially dangerous for the very old, very young, and people with medical conditions such as asthma, or weakened immune systems.

So were lucky to have both a vaccine and treatments that people should take advantage of, said Toronto Public Healths Dubey.

If anything, COVID kind of shows us, when we dont have these things, we get stuck.

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The new Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment, Eamon Ryan TD has accepted an invitation from Senator Micheal Carrigy to visit county Longford.

During Fridays Seanad discussion on the second stage of the National Oil Reserves Agency (Amendment) and Provision of Central Treasury Services Bill 2020, Senator Carrigy asked Minister Ryan to come to the county to meet the people on the ground in Bord na Mona and ESB who are losing their jobs.

Longford / Westmeath Fine Gael Senator Carrigy said thousands of people in Longford relied on jobs from Bord na Mona and the ESB over the past number of decades.

He continued, We were hit with a hammer blow by the decision by An Bord Pleanala to turn down the ESB's application, and it has brought forward massive changes in our community.

A local collaborative group has been working for the past number of years to try to bring forward plans for alternative jobs in our area. I ask that we would be prioritised as an area, along with Offaly, as the area that is most affected and has the largest number of job losses because of these changes with the ESB and Bord na Mona.

As part of the planning conditions of the closure of the ESB power stations in Lanesboro and Shannonbridge, the structures must be demolished. Senator Carrigy asked the Minister, as a matter of priority, to intervene and stall this to allow the groups to examine alternatives for the use of the power stations as they currently exist.

He also asked for the development of the mid-Shannon Wilderness Park to be promoted. Our local authority in Longford and the county tourism committee has been working towards developing a natural park in the 20,000 acres of bogland in that part of county Longford.

Roscommon / Galway Fianna Fail Senator Eugene Murphy pointed out that decarbonisation is no longer a buzzword. It is a reality for every part of our society. How we achieve it and overcome difficulties will be challenging but those difficulties will not be overcome by creating us-and-them situations. Incorrect material is sometimes put out in order to frighten people.

Senator Murphy suggested that the situation relating to Bord na Mona and Just Transition is shocking. The transition was to occur over an eight-year period but has happened virtually overnight. That has created a great challenge. I know that the Minister has taken a keen interest in the matter. The people of Shannonbridge, Ballinasloe, Lanesboro, Longford and Roscommon look forward to engaging on the matter. Let us come forward with jobs. All the better if they are green jobs.

Senator Murphy highlighted that Bord na Mona and the ESB were the economic lifeline of our locality for 70 years and thousands of people relied on them, adding We all must acknowledge that change is coming rapidly but we must ensure that those communities are not left behind.

Minister Ryan said Just Transition will be good for rural Ireland, including Roscommon and Longford. It has to be. Many of these energy projects will be located in rural Ireland and I absolutely agree with Senator Murphy that this cannot be a case of them and us.

Responding to Senator Carrigy, the Minister suggested Bord na Mona going from brown to green is a real possibility for the company.

Minister Ryan continued, The question being asked locally is the correct one, with regard to what we will do with the power stations. They have grid connection links and Bord na Mona has real expertise in energy. Perhaps this can be deployed in a new hydrogen economy. Certainly, it should be applied in the renewable economy. Bord na Mona will start doing this as well as bog rehabilitation. I look forward to visiting Senator Carrigy in Longford.
The coronavirus disease is wreaking havoc on the health of communities throughout the world and may have lasting cardiac effects on those who have recovered from the virus. Early observations show that up to a third of patients who have been hospitalized with COVID-19 have evidence of heart involvement.

In an article published online on June 26 in the journal Heart Rhythm, lead author Raul Mitrani, M.D., and co-authors with the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine's Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, examine the varied cardiovascular injuries and complications that patients who have recovered from the acute COVID-19 infection may experience largely based on evidence from other viral infections or inflammatory injury to the heart. The authors also recommend developing screening and tracking measures to detect cardiac injury and potentially mitigate long-term impact.

Our manuscript focused on potential mid- and long-term cardiovascular effects among patients who recovered from acute COVID-9 infection. There is concern for patients having subtle or overt cardiovascular abnormalities in heart function or in cardiac rhythm disturbances." Dr. Raul Mitrani, professor of clinical medicine and director of clinical cardiac electrophysiology

Titled "COVID-19 Cardiac Injury: Implications for Long-Term Surveillance and Outcomes in Survivors," the article notes that acute cardiac injury in patients hospitalized with COVID-19 is associated with higher morbidity and mortality, myocarditis from other viral pathogens can evolve into overt or subclinical myocardial dysfunction, and sudden death has been described in the convalescent phase of viral myocarditis.

"Myocarditis, inflammation of the heart from a virus, can recover without sequelae or can be associated with some degree of heart damage," said co-author Jeffrey Goldberger, M.D., M.B.A., professor of medicine and chief of the Cardiovascular Division. "Even small amounts of heart damage can predispose to heart rhythm problems, some of which may be lethal. How shall we best prepare for this possibility?"

The article builds on UM's existing COVID-19 cardiac research into how the virus impacts the heart and the university's unique COVID-19 Heart Program to address the cardiac needs of COVID-19 patients post infection and the larger patient population who had significant cardiac symptoms during the pandemic but did not seek treatment because of concerns about COVID-19.

Linking COVID-19 and cardiac injury

In the article, the authors note that the spike protein that causes COVID-19 enters the body's cells through the ACE2 receptor. The ACE2 is a protein that is attached to many cells in the body, including those of the heart. This may explain why up to a third of patients hospitalized with COVID-19 show evidence of myocardial injury (injury to the muscle tissues of the heart) and elevated levels of troponin (proteins that release when the heart is damaged).

In the short term, cardiac injury can worsen a COVID-19 patient's prognosis, increase the need for mechanical ventilation and increase the risk of death. However, the long-term effects are still unknown.

Since there is no study about the long-term cardiovascular effects of COVID-19, the authors reviewed data from a large number of studies relating to other types of virus-related myocardial injury. For instance, in one study, patients with viral myocarditis (inflammation of the heart muscle) had an increased prevalence of atrial and ventricular arrhythmias. When evaluated alongside other data, this information may shed light on the possible long-term effects of COVID-19 cardiac injury.

Analyzing data is just the first step. As the report emphasizes, there is a need to start planning for ongoing clinical trials that screen patients during their recovery phase. With so many unknowns related to COVID-19, implementing this surveillance is easier said than done. Nothing seems standard with this virus. Symptoms differ from patient to patient. Severity is mild to severe. Treatments are experimental and evolving. This can lead to diverse responses.

To ensure optimal monitoring, the authors suggest defining the highest-risk population. One model would identify this group as patients with COVID-19 who also have elevated levels of troponin or BNP. This population is already providing short-term prognostic information about COVID-19.

Envisioning what a clinical study will look like

Long-term surveillance will help determine the best course of action for patients with COVID-19 cardiac injury. In the meantime, Dr. Mitrani and co-authors recommend using standard ECG and echocardiograms from two to six months after recovery. If this testing shows abnormalities, advanced imaging, such as MRI with gadolinium enhancement, may be necessary.

Now is the time to plan for the long-term effects of COVID-19 cardiac injury. By using existing data, identifying high-risk patients, and planning for long-term clinical studies, researchers can potentially mitigate the long-term effects of COVID-19 cardiac injury.

"One of the key features of the COVID-19 illness is that it clearly has unique and novel aspects associated with it," said Dr. Goldberger, who co-authored the editorial along with UM cardiology fellow Nikita Dabas, M.D., M.P.H.

"Because it is novel, we simply do not know what to expect. Our medical system is getting trained very quickly on the treatment for the acute illness, but we should also begin to focus on the long-lasting effects."
Two arms suppliers held in Delhi

India

oi-Vicky Nanjappa

New Delhi, July 19: Two men who supplied illegal weapons were arrested here and one of them fired at a police constable in a bid to escape, a senior officer said on Saturday.

On Friday, police received information that Rafiq (24) and Akhtar (31) would be coming to Kabristan Mukarba Chowk in Jahangirpuri. A trap was laid and they were arrested from near a park, Deputy Commissioner of Police (northwest) Vijayanta Arya said.

Two arms smugglers held with 10 country-made pistols in Rajasthan

Rafiq tried to mislead the police team on the pretext of showing them the spot in the park where he claimed to have hidden a weapon, Arya said.

Coronavirus: WHO reports single-day record global spike in Covid-19 cases | Oneindia News

Meanwhile, he excused himself to answer nature's call but took out a pistol and fired at the police team in a bid to escape, the officer said.

Rafiq fired at Constable Pradeep but missed. As the duo engaged in a scuffle, another policeman fired at Rafiq who received a bullet injury in his leg and was taken to a hospital.

Pradeep received an injury in his right shoulder and fractured his wrist, they said.

Earlier, Rafiq had fired at a police team which had gone to arrest him from near Mayur Vihar Phase 2 market, Arya said.

While Rafiq is involved in 54 cases of theft and burglary, Akhtar is involved in 14 cases of robbery and burglary, police said.

Three country-made pistols and six live cartridges were seized from the possession of the duo who are residents of Jahangirpuri, police said.
Fashion has always been subject to perception and interpretation, much like beauty. Culturally, it has influenced society in how one must look to be accepted. Designers innovate to stay relevant and a step ahead; models define a certain sense of aspiration. Both do this to lure clients into following an aesthetic they believe in. This portrayal of fantasy that seems unattainable for the masses translates into fashion being perceived as for the elite.

Then came social media, where you and I could fashion ourselves in a certain way and create an individual niche. Fashion moved from exotic locations to the living room; statuesque models werent the only definition of beauty, and the ordinary became the extraordinary. It created an influence, a voice of the masses, and a vertical in the fashion fraternity came to life  the fashion influencers.

London-based fashion model and influencer Rahi Chadda appears on the cover of Elle India this month

Is this influence new?

Fashion influencers is a recent term for what we already knew as doyen, maven, expert or socialite. A self-proclaimed category, which seemed interesting at first with many influencers making an impact globally, now seems mundane because its purpose is solely monetary, says designer Gavin Miguel. According to globally-acclaimed influencer, Rahi Chadda,The definition of an influencer is subjective to each person. People use social media as an outlet to express their creativity and opinions on fashion. Youre creating your own interpretation and visions. If that fits well with your followers and you enjoy the creating process, thats what matters.

Influencers connect with the general public. This connection and their ability to entertain make it work.

Lakshmi Rana, Model

However, many self-styled influencers use the word loosely, says designer Suneet Varma. I think people who are in a position to influence can be called influencers. They could be Bollywood stars, sportspersons, successful young entrepreneurs and, of course, people who consume luxury. But the term fashion influencer is used very freely and is not relevant in most cases, he says.

The new game in marketing

Two years ago, I didnt believe in the concept of fashion influencers. But I came across a few when my PR team asked me to invite them for my show and it made a world of difference. They do generate sales, says designer Siddartha Tytler.

Clients connect with influencers because their audience base is versatile. As model Lakshmi Rana says, It is a good way to market. Influencers connect with the general public. This connection and their ability to entertain make it work.

Juhi Godambe, a fashion influencer with a following of 403k on Instagram, stresses the importance of knowing what the viewers want

Juhi Godambe is one of the most popular fashion influencers in the country. Its all about the concept, uniqueness of the content, and how well the quality of the content is executed, she says. Most importantly, its about knowing what the viewers want.

Influencers do model clothes as well in that sense, but today even models are becoming influencers Siddartha Tytler, Fashion designer

Brands pick influencers precisely because of their ability to connect. If a celebrity tells you to buy a certain product, you might take it with a pinch of salt. But when someone you have been following for a while recommends a product and tells you about it in detail, chances are you will buy it, explains designer Mandira Wirk.

Rahi adds, Brands are also using social media as a major form of marketing, so to have influencers with a niche audience promote their products is a genius strategy.

Are you being followed?

But there are such things as fake followers  bots. People are doing ridiculous things to increase followers, says designer Rohit Bal. People within our fraternity are notorious for buying followers. It honestly serves no purpose and its quite despicable.

Mens lifestyle blogger Tejeshwar Sandhoo  @blueberryblackout  models a Siddhartha Tytler creation

There is also such a thing as inorganic content, says Gavin. Social media has become a tech fairyland, he adds. Most of the content is not organic and natural. It all looks staged.

The term fashion influencer is used very freely and is not relevant in most cases Suneet Varma, Fashion designer

Brands are aware of this and analyse each influencer account to see who has genuine followers and who doesnt, says model Sonalika Sahay. But is the audience aware?

Content is the hero

The primary goal of a fashion influencer is to create content that keeps the audience engaged. But this does not mean that pictures and videos alone can create an effective influencer. You need dedication to create quality content that appeals to the masses, says model Candice Pinto. It requires passion.

Entrepreneur Malini Agarwal in a Mandira Wirk creation

It also requires a certain kind of a follower, someone who is open to influence. Whenever we have tried to use an influencer, it has not worked, says Suneet. Either my clients dont identify with the influencer or they dont want to wear anything thats been seen in the public domain.

You need dedication to create quality content that appeals to the masses Candice Pinto, Model

An absence in formal training, education or knowledge has led to people jumping on the bandwagon, says Rohit Bal. Barring a few who create effective content, the rest are a whole lot of hogwash, he says. This trend of more influencers arriving every day needs to stop. Its harassing, excessive. They might have a creative outburst, but they need to channelise it into something worthy. Originality takes hard work. One must be a leader and not a part of the herd.

Juhi disagrees with Rohit. Fashion is an expression of ones personality. Its not about the kind of knowledge you have in the industry. Its about being true to what you like and how you want the world to see you, she says.

Blurring the Model-Influencer Line

Models are natural influencers, says Gavin. So, will influencers replace models?

Actor Roshni Chopra in a Mandira Wirk creation

Most models havent had the time to market themselves. There is enough work in the industry to keep good models busy. But with the pandemic, even models are at home and have the time to focus on creating content, says Sonalika. Having said that, a model could be low on her social media game, but that wont take away from how strong her modelling game is.

When someone youve been following recommends a product, chances are you will buy it Mandira Wirk, Fashion designer

Juhi adds, A few years ago, models were required to look a certain way. Though fashion today has fewer rules, theres a huge difference between a public figure and a professional model. Modelling requires different skills.

There is now a very fine line between models and influencers, says Siddartha. When designers make a collection, the first people they think of are models. Influencers may take the same clothes and put their spin on it. Influencers do model clothes as well in that sense, but today even models are becoming influencers, he explains.

Is it a phase?

I think its a brilliant, interactive form of social media. To be able to endorse and influence masses is a huge deal, says Pinto. Mandira agrees: At the end of the day, it is helping brands to market and sell their products better.

General physician Dr Gita Prakash in a Mandira Wirk creation

Having made it her full-time profession, Juhi says, Many known influencers are some of the highest-earning individuals in the fashion industry, so it is a modern profession. I have a team of six people and some freelance photographers constantly working with me.

This trend of more influencers arriving every day needs to stop. Its harassing, excessive... One must be a leader and not a part of the herd Rohit Bal, Fashion designer

Rohit Bal, however, hasnt found a connect with the concept of influencers. I believe in only one thing: what I do, he says. If you stay true to who you are, you will have an influence on people. You dont become a fad or a trend; you become an icon of style.

Siddartha has been disappointed with influencers of late. In this time of the pandemic, they have failed to deliver, he says. Apart from just a handful, there has literally been no content, he complains. Influencers cant only depend on brands. If youre stuck at home, find your creativity. If life gives you lemons, you need to learn how to make lemonade.

At the end, it is about freedom of expression. Everyone has some kind of a creative side to them. Its amazing how social media has given them the opportunity to share their creative expression, says Rahi.

Bharat Gupta is a fashion commentator, consultant and stylist

From HT Brunch, July 19, 2020

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Connect with us on facebook.com/hindustantimesbrunch
Federal officers fire tear gas at protesters Friday in Portland, Ore. (Dave Killen / Oregonian)

Undeterred by civil rights lawsuits and pleas from local officials to stand down, federal agents in camouflage have continued their crackdown against demonstrators in Portland, Ore., into the weekend, launching impact explosives and tear gas late Friday at downtown protesters shouting, "Go home."

Since early in the week, agents dispatched by the Trump administration, some in unmarked vehicles, have confronted and detained activists, according to Oregon state officials, charging at least 13 with crimes related to demonstrations. One protester was hospitalized with skull fractures July 11 after a federal agent shot him in the face with a projectile.

By the administrations move to make Portland an example in a national law and order initiative just months before the presidential election, the conduct of federal forces here has accomplished what weeks of strife between protesters and Oregon officials had failed to do  uniting them, at least momentarily, in common cause.

Every American should be repulsed when they see this happening, state Atty. Gen. Ellen Rosenblum said in a statement. If this can happen here in Portland, it can happen anywhere.

Rosenblum on Friday sought an injunction against federal law enforcement agencies, accusing them of seizing protesters without probable cause, pulling activists into unmarked vehicles and detaining and questioning them without basis for arrests. She said agents in Portland wore no identifying information other than the label police on their military fatigues.

Democratic members of Oregon's congressional delegation, meanwhile, demanded an investigation.

Donald Trump is doing this because it plays well with the right-wing media and his political base," Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) said in an interview Friday. "If Trump thinks he can get away with this in the Pacific Northwest, hes going to try this elsewhere.

Protests that erupted across the nation after George Floyd was killed in Minneapolis police custody May 25 have quieted in many cities, but not in Portland, where nightly clashes have continued downtown outside two federal buildings and a tower containing police headquarters and a county jail.

Story continues

Hundreds of people gather nightly in streets and parks, where volunteers distribute donated bullhorns, hand sanitizer and medical supplies and operate Riot Ribs, a sidewalk barbecue providing free ribs, hamburgers, hot dogs and fixings.

Stay together, stay tight, we do this every night, protesters chanted Friday as federal agents appeared behind fencing for the nightly face-off.

Protesters say reforms enacted by the city thus far, including modest cuts to the police budget, are insufficient, and they are demanding defunding or abolishing the department.

Portland police have faced off repeatedly with the protesters, including early Saturday when they bull-rushed a crowd, trampling some of the demonstrators. In doing so, they reclaimed an area that the city had partitioned with chain-link fencing, which activists had torn down.

The unrest continued Saturday night, with the Associated Press reporting that protesters broke into the Portland Police Assn. building and set it on fire. Police declared the gathering a riot and began working to clear the downtown area.

Tear gas was deployed, and fencing that had been placed around the federal courthouse had been removed by protesters and made into barricades, the AP reported.

Yet at the same time, political leaders are seeking to have the federal government butt out, concerned that the Trump administration may be using the intervention as a test case for a campaign strategy of confronting peaceful protesters in cities across the country.

Wyden and other Democratic members of Oregon's congressional delegation called Friday for the inspectors general of the federal Justice Department and Department of Homeland Security to investigate the conduct of federal forces in Portland.

"We demand not only that these acts end, but also that they remove their forces immediately from our state," said Sen. Jeff Merkley, in a joint statement with Wyden and Reps. Earl Blumenauer and Suzanne Bonamici.

Merkley tweeted Saturday that he and Wyden would add an amendment to the defense bill in the coming week to stop the Trump administration from sending its paramilitary squads onto America's streets.

U.S. Atty. for the District of Oregon Billy Williams, who was reappointed by President Trump in 2017 to a four-year term, has also called for an investigation by the Homeland Security inspector general, saying that in limited instances agency officers may have engaged in questionable conduct such as unmarked-vehicle arrests.

He said federal agents had spent the previous 50 nights defending the Mark O. Hatfield U.S. Courthouse and other federal property. Agents had been "met with an onslaught of commercial fireworks, laser strikes, glass, mortars, paint and anything else near at hand," he said.

Acting Homeland Security Secretary Chad Wolf, who visited Portland on Thursday, has condemned "rampant, long-lasting violence" in the city, alleging violence by "anarchists." He met with federal law enforcement officials but not Mayor Ted Wheeler, who said he would have turned down a meeting anyway.

Wolf's visit came three days after Trump praised federal authorities in Portland for doing a great job.

Portland was totally out of control, and they went in, and I guess we have many people right now in jail and we very much quelled it, and if it starts again, well quell it again very easily, he said during a public appearance at the White House. Its not hard to do, if you know what youre doing.

In an interview with NPR broadcast Friday, a top Homeland Security official said that federal agents were picking up people suspected of being violent rioters and destroying federal property  and may also do so in other cities in coming days.

I fully expect that as long as people continue to be violent and to destroy property that we will attempt to identify these folks, Deputy Homeland Security Secretary Ken Cuccinelli said. This is a posture we intend to continue not just in Portland but in any of the facilities that were responsible for around the country.

The ACLU of Oregon has sued the Department of Homeland Security and U.S. Marshals Service, two of the agencies deploying agents in Portland, asking a federal judge Friday to add them to an order that he issued in response to a previous suit by the organization, banning local law enforcement agencies from dispersing, arresting or using force against journalists and legal observers at protests. Another court ruling has largely prohibited local police from using tear gas.

"There's a beautiful national uprising against police brutality, and the response from law enforcement cannot be more brutality," Vera Eidelman, an ACLU attorney in New York, said Saturday. "Let's not forget that the president fired tear gas on protesters for a photo opportunity in Washington, D.C., and what's happening in Portland and around the country is unconstitutional and has to stop."

On Friday evening, several hundred people held a candlelight vigil outside the downtown jail. City Commissioner Jo Ann Hardesty encouraged them to push for police reforms and decried the federal presence in Portland.

Later about 200 people blocked downtown traffic outside the police headquarters and jail, and some protesters took metal fencing from nearby parks, using it to barricade doors of the building and a federal courthouse next door.

Dozens of federal agents wearing gas masks gathered behind fencing that held back a few hundred protesters and, with no warning, detonated an impact blast and began spreading clouds of tear gas. Many protesters walked away from the billowing gas, but some who remained in range fell to the street, gasping and choking.

One of the protesters, a 28-year-old woman wearing a bicycle helmet and black mask, stood out of range, coughing and wiping a pair of swim goggles. The woman, who declined to give her name for fear of retaliation, said that after protesting nightly for weeks, she had stayed away and then recently resumed demonstrating because of anger at the federal agents.

"We haven't been more violent than any protesters in other cities, but because we're a small city we make an easier target," she said.

Another protester, who gave only her first name, Mars, said she had demonstrated for more than 50 nights, at first to express outrage at Floyd's death and then at the Portland police department. She said local officials seem to be trying to have it both ways.

"It's upsetting to watch the same elected officials who authorized violence against us by the Portland Police Bureau condemn similar conduct by federal agents," she said.

At 1:30 a.m. Saturday, police declared an unlawful assembly and told demonstrators to leave. Officers charged protesters, the police department said, after several threw glass bottles, rocks and broken pieces of metal from fencing. Police made arrests, but did not say how many.

The unrest has transformed Portland's downtown, where many businesses remain boarded up and covered with graffiti.

Some suburban residents say they avoid the city center and welcome the federal presence.

Diane Gudmundsen, 61, who lives in the western suburb of Hillsboro, said she thought Portland's mayor and City Council members had allowed widespread damage to businesses already crippled by the COVID-19 pandemic. Gudmundsen, a chiropractor who collects food donations for farmworkers, said that while she opposes Trump's presidency, something must be done to halt destruction in downtown Portland.

"I think perhaps it's proper to have some federal intervention," she said, adding that she believed agents would not target people indiscriminately. "I think they're looking for certain people they have on their watch lists, certain people who have thrown boards with nails at police or that kind of thing."
Imperial Valley News Center

Presidential Message on the 75th Anniversary of the Trinity Nuclear Test

Washington, DC - Seventy-five years ago today, on a rainy morning in the Jornada del Muerto desert of New Mexico, the United States ushered in the nuclear age with the detonation of the worlds first nuclear explosive devicean event code-named Trinity. This remarkable feat of engineering and scientific ingenuity was the culmination of the Manhattan Project, which helped end World War II and launch an unprecedented era of global stability, scientific innovation, and economic prosperity.

After Trinity, nuclear testing conducted by the United States laid the groundwork to maintain our stockpile and further our ability to understand and prevent nuclear threats around the world. Since 1992, we have observed a moratorium on such testing and have relied on the scientific and technological expertise of our weapons complex to ensure our deterrent is safe, secure, and effective. True to our word, we maintain our moratorium, although Russia has conducted nuclear weapons experiments that produce nuclear yield, and despite concerns that China has done the same.

Our nuclear deterrent has also greatly benefitted our Nation and our allies around the world, even as they have adhered to their nonproliferation commitments. Nuclear deterrence and nonproliferation work together to further global security. Our nuclear weapons continue to underwrite American national security and are the backstop of our national defense. Having robust and diverse capabilities constrains global nuclear proliferation, deters adversaries, and assures allies and partners that rely upon American nuclear deterrence as a key component of their security.

In order to continue protecting Americas vital security interests, I have directed my Administration to revitalize and modernize Americas nuclear security complex to preserve a credible deterrent. We are investing in the capability to produce plutonium pits to support our stockpile needs and to improve the infrastructure of the weapons ecosystem. We continue to advance the Ground Based Strategic Deterrent, the B-21 Bomber, the Long Range Standoff Weapon, and the Columbia-class submarine, all of which help ensure that we can deter aggression and preserve peace for future generations.

At the start of my Administration, I also resolved to begin a new era of arms control that moves beyond the bilateral treaties of the Cold War. The arms control of the future must include measures that advance the security of America and our allies, are verifiable and enforceable, and involve partners that comply responsibly with their obligations. I call, once again, on Russia and China to join us in these efforts, working together to make the world safer and to stave off a new arms race.

Today, on the 75th anniversary of the Trinity test, we reflect on the incredible tradition of ingenuity and innovation that has defined our Nation for generations. We also recognize the dedication and skill of the men and women of the current American nuclear enterprise, and we thank them for their contributions to our national security and the strength of our deterrent capabilities.
An ambulance carrying a patient from Holland America's cruise ship Zaandam leaves from Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, on April 2, 2020. (CHANDAN KHANNA/AFP via Getty Images)

Florida Counted Young Motorcyclist Who Died in Fatal Crash as COVID-19 Death

Update: The death was removed from the COVID-19 fatality list.

Original story below.

A young motorcyclist who died in a fatal crash was counted as a COVID-19 death in a Florida county, according to local media.

The authorities have since removed the motorcyclists death from the list of CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus fatalities, Fox 35 reported.

According to the latest report (pdf) released by the authorities, there is only one person in his 20s who has died from COVID-19, the disease caused by the CCP virus, as of July 18. A screenshot from a previous report shows the young motorcyclist included in the non-updated CCP virus fatality count.

Screenshot via Florida Department of Health in Orange shows one person in his 20s died from COVID-19 as of July 19, 2020. (Screenshot via Orange County Health Office)

Raul Pino, an Orange County Health Officer, told Fox that one of the two COVID-19 victims listed in the earlier report as being in their 20s didnt have any underlying conditions of COVID-19 contribute to their death.

The first one didnt have any [underlying conditions]. He died in a motorcycle accident, he told Fox 35.

Pino said he will double-check if the victim should be removed from the COVID-19 death toll list.

We were arguing, we were discussing, or trying to argue with the state. Not because of the numbersits 100  it doesnt make any difference if its 99but the fact that the individual didnt die from COVID-19  died in the crash, he told Fox 35. But you could actually argue that it could have been the COVID-19 that caused him to crash. I dont know the conclusion of that one.

This is not the first time questions were raised about the accuracy of Floridas CCP virus death data.

Hospitals told The Epoch Times that some sky-high positivity rates listed by the Florida Department of Health are wrong.

It looks like there is an error in the data report. Lee Health has not experienced 100 percent positivity in our lab testing, Pat Dolce, a spokeswoman for Lee Health, told The Epoch Times in an emailed statement on Tuesday. We are reaching out to the Department of Health to resolve the discrepancy.

Another hospital, Orlando Health, also said that the reported 98 percent positivity rate in their hospital is incorrect.

The positivity rate refers to the percentage of CCP virus tests that come back positive.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis explained during a July 16 press conference that positivity rates are unrealistically high because some hospitals dont report negative test results.

The reporting of the negative test results is not required by the law, but mandated by the binding orders, he said.

What weve seen because of some of the backlogs is sometimes they want to get the positives out because obviously thats important. And then the negatives get backlogged. Now sometimes theyll do a big negative dump. And sometimes, as weve seen on some of these, you may not see [that data], he said. But its not the Department of Health per se. It is the labs that are inputting this [data]. And some of those labs on there have inputted under multiple different entries.

DeSantis told reporters that he will discuss with the labs how to improve the states completeness of the data.

I want all the negatives there, he told reporters. Thats better, to have more negatives and so I certainly would want to do that. But I also know that theres just a lot of labs throwing in a lot of information into the system. Its their responsibility to do it.

They are required under our binding orders and I think that they should be doing it. he said.

The Florida Department of Health in Orange County didnt respond to a request for comment.

The Epoch Times reporter Zachary Stieber contributed to the report.
Almost from the beginning, the COVID-19 pandemic has shown a light on inequities in America.

Minorities have been disproportionately infected by the virus, with experts putting the blame on less access to health care exacerbating underlying health conditions; less access to fresh groceries in food deserts; denser living conditions; and other problems associated with poverty.

Minorities are also more likely to fill the essential jobs that havent been pared back despite pandemic closures, such as those in supermarkets, and in many health care and first responder fields, a situation that is a positive for family finances, but which puts the workers at more risk of exposure to the virus.

The disparity among COVID-19 impacts is very clear in Santa Fe. Reporting by Journal Norths Kyle Land in last Sundays Journal North shows there are stunning differences among Santa Fe neighborhoods when it comes to how the pandemic has played out.

In the 87507 ZIP code that encompasses areas along Airport Road on the citys Southside, there were 136 COVID-19 cases as of the week prior to Lands story being published. That is an infection rate of 28.04 cases per 10,000 residents in this area, which has a mostly Hispanic population (72%, according to census data) with lower incomes than the rest of Santa Fe, and which is the center of the citys migrant population.

A mostly Midtown and Southside area, with ZIP code 87505, had 65 cases, a rate of 21.20 infections per 10,000 residents.

But only a handful of infections had been reported in Santa Fes most affluent neighborhoods on the north and east sides. The norths 87506 ZIP code had just 13 cases, a rate of 9.84 per 10,000 residents, and the downtown and east side 87501 ZIP code had 19 COVID-19 infections, a rate of 11.97 per 10,000 people.

Miguel Acosta, co-director of local nonprofit Earth Care, said the high number of cases on the Southside has become a crisis all its own that hasnt been acknowledged by city government.

But elected officials appear to be starting to pay attention. City Councilor Chris Rivera says the city has begun working on ways to provide more COVID-19 information in Spanish.

Thats an absolute must. A University of New Mexico professor recently presented the results of a statewide survey of Hispanic residents that showed that 24% said their biggest concern about the pandemic was the need for more factual information about the virus.

Rivera adds that he and County Commissioners Anna Hansen and Rudy Garcia have started discussing ways to cooperate on trying to improve infection numbers on the Southside.

One of their goals should be to promote convenient COVID-19 testing on or near Airport Road, and push for more. There now is at least one testing center in south Santa Fe, at Presbyterian Santa Fe Medical Center. A high-profile site smack dab on Airport Road likely would help drive up the testing numbers and is something government leaders need to advocate for.

Its become clear during this public health crisis that when it comes to COVID-19, were all connected. One groups lack of care, be it with mass gatherings or failure to mask, can increase health risks for others.

Earth Cares Acosta makes a good argument that, in Santa Fe, theres a link between the Southsides bad infection numbers, and recent efforts to reopen restaurants, hotels and other businesses in the Plaza area. A lot of Santa Fes hospitality industry jobs are filled by Southsiders and those workers bear whatever risks there are in getting businesses up and running again.

There are no easy solutions here. Most Southsiders dont live in large homes with plenty of separation from neighbors. Many cant work from home. As a group, they are younger than the rest of Santa Fe and infections among the young are on the rise, possibly because young people cant resist getting together in groups. Southsiders, like everyone else, need to wear masks and practice social distancing.

Mayor Alan Webber and the City Council have been serious in their responses to the pandemic, providing housing for the homeless in city-owned dorms and hotels, and imposing a city requirements to wear masks.

A sharp focus on the Southside neighborhoods most affected by the growing pandemic has to be the next step.
The first thing youll notice is the quiet. If Joe Biden wins this thing, there will be no disgraceful presidential tweets and no furious cable segments reacting to them on Inauguration Day.

Donald Trump himself may fume, but hated and alone. The opportunists who make up his administration will abandon him. Republicans will pretend they never heard his name. Republican politicians are not going to hang around a guy they privately hate and who publicly destroyed their majority.

But there will be a larger quiet, too. For two decades American politics has centered on a bitter culture war between the white working-class heartland and university-bred coastal elites.

Bill Clinton, Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton were all emblems of this university class, and it was easy for the Republican media wing to gin up resentment against them. In 2016, Trump beat Clinton among the white working class by a crushing 28 points.

But Biden is not an emblem of this coastal elite. His sensibility was nurtured by his working-class family during the postwar industrial boom of the 1950s and 1960s. He graduated from the University of Delaware in 1965 and missed the late 1960s culture war that divided a generation.

Its very hard for conservatives to demonize Biden because he comes from the sort of background that Trumpian conservatives celebrate. He eludes all the culture war divides. He doesnt act superior to the deplorables, because his family taught him to despise status games of all sorts.

It will become immediately clear that in a Biden era politics will shrink back down to normal size. It will be about government programs, not epic wars about why my sort of people are morally superior to your sort of people. In the Trump era a lot of people who dont care about government got manic about politics.

It will also become immediately clear that in a highly ideological age, America will be led by a man who is not ideological.

This week a few of us columnist types spoke with Biden about his economic plans. His most telling sentence was, Ive kind of tried to shed the labels and focus on the nuts and bolts of this.

I asked him to describe the big forces that have flattened working-class wages over the past decades. Other people would have spun grand theories about broken capitalism or the rise of the corporate oligarchy. But Biden pointed to two institutional failures  the way Republicans have decentralized power and broken Washington and the way Wall Street forces business leaders to focus obsessively on the short term.

Bidens worldview seems to come mainly from lived experience, not a manifesto somewhere. He has lived experience of a time when there were good manufacturing jobs, when unions protected workers, when the less affluent had a ladder to climb.

His economic agenda, promoted under the slogan Build Back Better, is about that, not some vast effort to remake capitalism or build a Nordic-style welfare system. The agenda is more New Deal than New Left.

In the two speeches he has delivered so far there are constant references to our manufacturing base  infrastructure, steelworkers, engineers, ironworkers, welders, 500,000 charging stations for electric cars. When I think of climate change, the word I think of is jobs, he declared.

The agenda pushes enormous resources toward two groups: first, African-Americans, who have been pummeled by deindustrialization for decades; and second, white working-class Trump voters. This looks like an attempt to rebuild the New Deal coalition and win back the white working class who should be a core of the Democratic base. Bidens populist Buy American messaging is just icing on that cake.

Can he pull off this manufacturing revival and this political realignment?

Ill be curious to see if its possible to create millions of manufacturing jobs  or if technology means theres only a need for relatively few workers. Ill be curious to see if he can tamp down the Democratic media and activist wings, with their penchant for wildly unpopular moral gestures like defund the police and decriminalize the border.

I wonder if the economic crisis will obviate all this. With mass unemployment the need will be to get money out the door immediately on Day 1. Launching infrastructure projects and clean energy industries takes a lot of time.

But I do know that if he can win a chunk of the white working class (44% of the electorate, according to Ruy Teixeira), he will realign American politics. I also know that from that first day the Biden agenda will put the surviving Republicans in Congress in an awful bind. Do they cooperate and work with Bidens infrastructure and manufacturing plans? If they oppose him they give him a clear shot to win their voters while also inviting him to end the filibuster.

Everybody says Biden is a moderate, and in intellectual and temperamental terms that is true. But he has found a way to craft an agenda that could reshape the American economy and the landscape of American politics in fundamental ways.

Joe Biden may turn out to be what radical centrism looks like.

David Brooks writes a syndicated column for the New York Times.

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Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, July 19) High-profile convict Jaybee Sebastian died on Saturday due to complications from COVID-19.

A death certificate obtained by CNN Philippines on Sunday showed that the New Bilibid Prison inmate suffered acute myocardial infarction or heart attack, with the viral disease listed as a significant condition contributing to his death.

Sebastian passed away at the Bilibid hospital in Muntinlupa City, the document further noted.

His remains were cremated at the Panteon de Dasmarinas on the same day, according to the crematoriums officer-in-charge Liezl Camaganacan.

Camaganacan said Sebastians remains arrived at the facility at around 9:22 p.m., adding that the cremation process took about two hours.

The ashes will be picked up by the Bureau of Corrections, she added.

Bakante naman 'yung isang machine namin kaya pinasalang na agad namin yung patay, the crematorium officer said.

[Translation: One of our machines was vacant, so we cremated the deceased immediately.]

Other inmates succumbed to COVID-19?

Data obtained by CNN Philippines showed that apart from Sebastian, there were over 20 other Bilibid inmates who died from COVID-19 or suspected COVID-19 from May 30 until the present.

BuCor, for its part, confirmed there were detainees who died due to the infectious disease, but said it cannot release names due to the Data Privacy Act.

As much as we want to inform the public with respect to the names of PDL who died due to COVID-19, the data privacy act prohibits us from doing so. Rest assured that the bureau is doing its best to address this pandemic, BuCor Director General Gerald Bantag said in a statement, noting authorities have rolled out isolation and treatment programs to combat the spread of the virus.

Sebastian previously identified by fellow inmates as the top drug lord inside the Bilibid had earlier testified against detained Senator Leila de Lima at a 2016 House probe.

He had admitted to helping detained Senator Leila de Lima fund her 2016 senatorial campaign using drug money. De Lima has repeatedly denied allegations and said Sebastian was "pushed to the wall" after being pressured to testify and make up stories against her.

Meanwhile, Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra said he has summoned Bantag to his office on Monday, to discuss the reported deaths of high-profile inmates, as well as other protocols needed in the Bilibid.

CNN Philippines' Xianne Arcangel, Anjo Alimario, and Paolo Barcelon contributed to this report.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell plans to release his phase four legislation this week  more than two months after House Democrats unveiled their $3 trillion plan. McConnell's will be far more narrow in scope and include a roughly $1 trillion price tag, sources familiar with the bill tell Axios.

Why it matters: Several states, including some key to President Trump's re-election strategy, say more help is needed as new coronavirus cases are forcing them to shutter their economies again or at least slow their reopenings.

The Senate GOP bill's release will officially kick off bipartisan negotiations between Congress and the White House on the next round of coronavirus funding.

But time is running short. The House is scheduled to break on July 31, and the Senate is scheduled to break on Aug. 7.

Sources familiar with McConnell's forthcoming measure tell us the proposal will include:

A heavy emphasis on education, giving schools increased funds to help prepare for fall reopenings.

giving schools increased funds to help prepare for fall reopenings. Widespread liability protection , including for restaurants, hotels, hospitals, universities and school districts. (Many Democrats are strongly opposed to this, but McConnell has said this is a red line).

, including for restaurants, hotels, hospitals, universities and school districts. (Many Democrats are strongly opposed to this, but McConnell has said this is a red line). Increased funding for COVID-19 testing and vaccine research and development. The bill is also likely to include a tax credit for vaccine R&D.

and vaccine research and development. The bill is also likely to include a tax credit for vaccine R&D. Extension of the Paycheck Protection Program . Republicans will propose that the $134 billion left in the previous programs coffers be reappropriated for phase four. Small business' revenue loss will be a key parameter for eligibility, one source said.

. Republicans will propose that the $134 billion left in the previous programs coffers be reappropriated for phase four. Small business' revenue loss will be a key parameter for eligibility, one source said. A payroll tax cut is having a renaissance moment, another source said, who says to expect something on that given Trump's insistence it be included.

There will not be additional money for state and local governments. But Republicans want to ease previous guidelines for how states can spend the leftover money appropriated in the CARES Act to ensure money gets to smaller localities.

House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy sees that as "an absolute must-have," one of the sources said.

Worth noting: The final bill still hasn't been written, and the details and dollar amounts are still being debated.

What's next: McConnell will brief the Republican conference on Tuesday then roll it out publicly later this week.

The House and Senate would then have a short window to hash out a compromise bill before they break for the August recess.

COVID-19 legislation will also compete with other big priorities, including the National Defense Authorization Act and a series of appropriations bills.

House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer tells Axios: "I've told members not to schedule anything for the first week in August, even though we're not scheduled to be in. We're going to be in as long as it takes us to get something done."

Between the lines: Republicans have been asserting for months that the government must evaluate the economic impact of reopening the country before passing another large stimulus bill, and many had privately hoped that a phase four bill would be more of a longer-term stimulus than emergency relief.

But as one Senate Republican aide put it: "We still need to do surgery to stop the bleeding."

Says Hoyer: "The crisis is still with us. Almost every economist tells us if you don't respond, it's going to cost you more in the long run."

The big picture: Unlike in the early months of the COVID-19 outbreak, the latest economic bill comes as rural, red states  like Texas, Arizona and Florida, are being hit the hardest.




Two positive Covid-19 cases have been recorded at Chikurubi Maximum Security Prison, adding to unofficial reports of a coronavirus death at the same place and a third case at the correctional services department's downtown Harare building.





The two are a prisons officer and an ex-soldier, who is the husband of another member working for the Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services, who resides in the Chikurubi camp, according to a source.





"There are two confirmed Covid-19 cases so far. One is a female prison officer and the other one is a retired army officer, who is the husband of a female (prison) officer," the source said.





"There is panic among neighbours, who have made contact with them. It is suspected that there could be more cases among officers as we share transport and other things."





The female officer who tested positive is believed to be working at the headquarters in the city centre and reportedly interacts regularly with camp residents.





"The situation is tense in the camp, but i am not sure what the situation is inside the prison walls," said the source.





Harare City Council workers were called in to spray the ground close to the infected persons' houses, but neighbours complained that they had not been advised on how to avoid infection.





The reports have caused panic among prison officers and their families at the sprawling Chikurubi complex just outside the capital, with fears rising that Covid-19 is spreading to Zimbabwe's poorly resourced jails.





Prison officers said the source of infection remained unknown.





In a snap investigation supported by information for Development Trust, a non-profit media organisation promoting access to information on governance, The Standard learnt that the ZPCS offices located along mbuya Nehanda Street were on Thursday evacuated after a secretary reportedly tested positive too.





Said an insider: "The mbuya Nehanda offices were evacuated on Thursday after the secretary to one of the senior officers tested positive.





"The building was subsequently fumigated." Justice ministry secretary Virginia mabhiza confirmed the two positive cases, but hastened to add the situation was "under control".





She could not confirm the reported death as she was yet to get her daily briefing.





"The situation is under control," Mabhiza said. "Wherever we have a suspected case or confirmed case of Covid-19, we are isolating.





"We have our isolation facilities, which we created way before the crisis."





Mabhiza seemed to hint that inmates were also at risk of the coronavirus spread.





"The prison is just a sample of the community, so we are bound to also encounter problems of Covid-19 among the inmates, some of whom are coming straight from their respective communities and some of whom have been in prison for quite some time," she added.





"But it is a situation we are very much on top of."





Under 15 tests were conducted on both inmates and prison officers at Chikurubi last week, according to Mabhiza, and there are fears that more positive cases could emerge.





"I cannot confirm the [actual figures of people, who tested positive] right now because these were tests that were conducted in the course of this week and whose results we expect to get either by end of day or tomorrow (today)," Mabhiza said.





Insiders blamed the low rate of testing on the unavailability of testing kits at Chikurubi and other prison complexes.





As part of its investigation, The Standard established through several officers and those residing at Chikurubi that those, who tested positive remained in their places of residence, albeit under constant monitoring, sparking concerns that they could infect family members and other residents.





Inside sources said names of those affected had not been made public yet the positive cases could have come into contact with other people, who would need to be tested and monitored.





Prison officials, The Standard learnt, have since imposed strict vetting procedures on visitors to Chikurubi and numbers of outsiders getting in have been drastically reduced in response to the Covid-19 scare.





Prisoners are not getting masks and sanitisers, it was also established, and they are also exposed to severe cold this winter in the absence of adequate bedding and proper clothing, exposing them to the virus that has already affected more than 1 400 Zimbabweans and led to 25 deaths by yesterday.





Some of the prisoners already have underlying conditions that make them vulnerable to Covid-19, among them Tb, HiV and other diseases.





Zimbabwe association for Crime Prevention and Rehabilitation of the Offender (Zacro) CEO Edson Chiota urged government to speedily address the vulnerabilities faced by prisoners.





"Currently, the situation in the prisons is that there is no protection in terms of masks.





"It is also difficult to observe social distancing because of the high numbers of prisoners," Chiota said.





"We have heard that Beitbridge and Plumtree (prison complexes) were affected.





"The challenge is that there are some prisons where there is no testing and so on and the only thing they do is to fumigate them now and then, but to what extent, no one is sure of."





The national lockdown that was decreed in march has made it difficult for organisations like Zacro to monitor conditions in prisons due to restrictions on travel and gatherings, he said.





There was no testing or monitoring of new inmates, some of whom would have committed petty crimes, said Chiota, and this put other prisoners at risk of infection.





Police detention points could also be contributing to the spread of the virus, he added.





"If you go to a police station, there are no tests or sanitisers," Chiota said.





"The holding cells house numerous people, including those coming from high-risk source countries like South Africa.





"So, when the suspects go to remand prison, no one knows their status."





Rita Nyamupinga of the Female Prisoners Support Trust said the situation in prisons was dire in the wake of Covid-19, adding that her organisation was also following up on the suspected death at Chikurubi maximum Security Prison.





"I was made to understand that there is a woman who passed on yesterday at the Chikurubi prison hospital," Nyamupinga said.





"I am trying to establish if that is true and whether she is a staffer or an inmate and where she has been residing all along."





She said while government decongested prisons when Covid-19 first surfaced in Zimbabwe, little was being done to hedge prisoners against the spread of the disease.





"We are still in lockdown and it is difficult to get information on who has tested positive except for the three prison officers in Beitbridge and Whawha, I think," Nyamupinga added.





"Are our police safe, and are our arresting officers safe?





"What measures are being put in place to monitor suspects who might have violated Covid-19 regulations?





"How safe are our police cells?" queried Nyamupinga, who also expressed concern that courtrooms tended to be overcrowded.





"There is no social distancing in the courts," she said. "Your temperature is tested, yes, but not Covid-19 itself.





"If bail is denied and i am remanded in custody, am i not a danger to those in prison? Are they (the prisoners) really safe if people can go in there?





"We have heard about problems of shortages of foodstuffs in prisons and prisoners usually depend on outside help.





"We can only wonder how they are faring at the moment," she added.





Police spokesperson assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi said police were on high alert and doing all they could to ensure the safety of arrested suspects.





"We have a full-fledged medical directorate that deals with suspects who come to police stations and are brought into custody, to have their temperatures checked and then sanitised," Nyathi said.




Boris Johnson has said ministers are examining 'odd and perverse' legal aid eligibility rules after a court ruled Shamima Begum could return to the UK.

On Thursday, the Court of Appeal ruled she could only mount a 'fair and effective appeal' to fight the decision to strip her of British citizenship if she was in the UK.

Ms Begum will be monitored round the clock by police and security services on her return if she does not face immediate custody.

The surveillance costs for Ms Begum  one of three east London schoolgirls who travelled to Syria to join the so-called Islamic State group (IS) in February 2015  could reach up to 10million over her lifetime.

Boris Johnson has said ministers are examining the legal aid eligibility rules after a court ruled Shamima Begum, 20, could return to the UK

The Prime Minister says the government will be looking at the 'odd and perverse' legal aid rules after the Court of Appeal ruled Ms Begum could only mount a 'fair and effective appeal' to fight the decision to strip her of British citizenship if she was in the UK on Thursday

Mr Johnson told The Sunday Telegraph: 'It seems to me to be at least odd and perverse that somebody can be entitled to legal aid when they are not only outside the country, but have had their citizenship deprived for the protection of national security.

'That, amongst other things, we will be looking at.'

The Prime Minister said that the Government would also be looking at the whole system of judicial review to establish whether it had 'perverse consequences'.

He said: 'What we are looking at is whether there are some ways in which judicial review does indeed go too far or does indeed have perverse consequences that were not perhaps envisaged when the tradition of judicial review began.'

Ms Begum is overjoyed that she will see her family and her country again after a court ruled she should be allowed to come back to Britain.

Mr Johnson's statements come after it was revealed surveillance for Ms Begum, now 20, could cost the British government 10million over her life time.

Her accommodation costs alone could reach 70,000 with tracking costs on top if she is put on a Terrorism Prevention and Investigation Measure.

Dr Alan Mendoza, of the Henry Jackson Society think-tank, told The Sun: 'It beggars belief that the taxpayer will likely have to fund a lifetime bill for Shamima Begum.

'This money  that could reach 10million  would be better spent on the real victims of terrorism in the UK.'

Ms Begum travelled to Syria in February 2015 and lived under IS rule for more than three years before she was found, nine months pregnant, in a Syrian refugee camp in February last year.

Begum, now 20, left Britain in 2015 to join the jihad in Syria

Then-home secretary Sajid Javid revoked her British citizenship on national security grounds later that month.

Ms Begum took legal action against the Home Office, claiming the decision was unlawful because it rendered her stateless and exposed her to a real risk of death or inhuman and degrading treatment.

The Home Office spokeswoman said it would be applying for permission to appeal against the court's judgment.

Ms Begum is overjoyed that she will see her family and her country again after a court ruled she should be allowed to come back to Britain.

Having lived in the Al-Roj refugee camp in northern Syria for nearly a year, she has few possessions to her name as she awaits the outcome of a government appeal against the decision to allow her to return

A member of the security forces holding Begum at the camp told MailOnline: 'Shamima has been very happy since she got the news that she will be going home to Britain.

'She is in a good mood because she will see her family and her country again. But everything is very uncertain.

'She is also very nervous about what will happen to her and how people will look at her there.'

Jihadi bride Shamima Begum is overjoyed that she will see her family and her country again after a court ruled she should be allowed to come back to Britain, MailOnline can reveal

Ms Begum was pictured wearing jeans, a shirt and a blue hat while walking through the refugee camp on Friday.

The lawyer representing the Ms Begum's family made the extraordinary admission that 'nobody can be sure' if she is still a terror threat to Britain - but insisted that she should be allowed to return to the UK anyway.

Tasnime Akunjee also declared that a 'lack of technology' in the Syrian camp where Begum is living means she cannot fairly fight for her British passport to be returned.

Speaking to ITV's Good Morning Britain Mr Akunjee was asked if she could be a terror threat or groom others following her extremist past and said: 'No one can be sure including her family that that won't happen - but that is pure speculation'.
Thieves took advantage of Covid-19 situation and broke into the house of a coornavirus patient house in Jamshedpur on Thursday night. Before decamping with cash and jewelry, the thieves had feast with mutton and rice.

The bizarre incident was reported from Jamshedpur's Haludboni area, police said.

Thieves stole Rs 50,000 cash and jewellery worth Rs 50,000 from the house of a Covid-19 patient undergoing treatment at Tata Main Hospital (TMH) here. Police guards have been deployed and the areas have been declared a containment zone. We are investigating the case, Alok Ranjan, deputy superintendent of police (DSP), was quoted as saying by the Hindustan Times.

The thieves had reportedly cooked mutton, chapattis and rice before fleeing with the valuables.

According to the brother of the patient, the house and the adjoining area was declared a containment zone after the man tested positive on July 8. The family came to know about the theft after the they went to check the house.

In another incident, thieves ran away with cash, mobile phones and even hand santisers from the house of student leader Khushboo Lama's home in Old Sitaramdera on Thursday night. Lama has filed a police complaint in connection with the theft.
T wo teenagers have been charged with assaulting officers as revellers clashed with police an illegal rave in Hackney.

Police received more than 30 calls from residents saying there were around 300 people at an unlicensed music event on the Woodberry Down Estate from around 11pm on Friday.

When the force attempted to engage with those involved, they were met with "violence and hostility," Scotland Yard said.

Two police officers were injured.

Devonte Perkins, 18, was charged with assaulting an emergency work and using threatening, abusive, insulting words of behaviour to cause fear of violence.

He has been remanded in custody to appear at Thames Magistrates' Court on July 20.

Meanwhile, Brandon Elabor, 18, was also charged with assaulting an emergency worker and he has been bailed to appear at Thames Magistrates' Court on September 11.

The Met Police said that residents had reported noise and instances of anti-social behaviour.

After engagement and encouragement failed, specially-trained public order officers entered the estate to disperse the group.

But these were met with further resistance and items including canisters, bottles and a bicycle were thrown at police.

All those in attendance were cleared from the area by around 4am.

In a statement yesterday, Deputy Assistant Commissioner Lucy D'Orsi said: "We deployed officers to the Woodberry Down Estate N4 after we received upwards of 30 calls from residents.

"These residents were scared to leave their homes and scared about what they would face outside their front doors in the morning," she said.

"It is always an anxious moment for us as we deploy our officers into such situations but I draw confidence from my knowledge of the outstanding training they receive.

"As I waited for news last night I hoped that residents and officers were okay.

"It is always humbling to see the work of my colleagues, who tirelessly attended call after call last night to help some of the most vulnerable members of our communitie," she added.
Protesters seen near the Multnomah County Justice Center on July 17, 2020 in Portland, Oregon. Federal law enforcement agencies attempt to intervene as protests continue in Portland.

House Democrats on Sunday called for an immediate investigation into reports that federal law enforcement agents have unlawfully arrested protestors in Portland, Oregon in recent days.

House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerry Nadler, Homeland Security Committee Chairman Bennie Thompson, and Oversight and Reform Committee Chairwoman Carolyn Maloney co-signed a letter on Sunday condemning the recent law enforcement actions authorized by the Trump administration in Portland and last month in Washington D.C. and called for the Inspectors General of the Department of Justice and Department of Homeland Security to open investigations.

"The Attorney General of the United States does not have unfettered authority to direct thousands of federal law enforcement personnel to arrest and detain American citizens exercising their First Amendment rights. The Acting Secretary [Chad Wolf] appears to be relying on an ill-conceived executive order meant to protect historic statues and monuments as justification for arresting American citizens in the dead of night."

Reports surfaced that as early as July 14, federal law enforcement agents have been using unmarked vehicles in Portland to arrest those participating in protests, which were initially sparked by the Minneapolis police killing of George Floyd on Memorial Day weekend. Federal authorities, including the U.S. Marshals' Special Operations Group, and a tactical unit from U.S. Customs and Border Protection, have allegedly arrested, searched and detained individuals without proper notification of their Miranda Rights.

On Sunday, Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler told CNN's Jake Tapper on "State of the Union" that the presence of federal troops and enforcement officers is actually leading to "more violence and more vandalism," adding that it's not helping the situation.

"The tactics that the Trump administration are using on the streets of Portland is abhorrent," Wheeler says. "People are being scooped off the streets into unmarked vans and rental cars," he added, saying that those detained are being denied their right to due process.

U.S. Border Patrol said in a statement that its "agents have been deployed to Portland in direct support of the Presidential Executive Order and the newly established DHS Protecting American Communities Task Force (PACT)."

"As a law enforcement component under DHS, CBP will be providing support, as needed at the request of the Federal Protective Service, to protect Federal facilities and property," Border Patrol said.

A Marshals' Service spokeswoman told CNBC that while the agency does use unmarked vehicles, its personnel wear clear identification on their uniforms. Additionally agents do let individuals know why they are being detained.

Acting Secretary of Homeland Security Wolf condemned local leaders' resistance to additional law enforcement, saying in a letter issued Thursday that Portland "has been under siege for 47 straight days by a violent mob while local political leaders refuse to restore order to protect their city."

President Trump also defended sending in federal agents on Sunday, saying that his administration is "are trying to help Portland, not hurt it."

In addition to the recent events in Portland, the House Democrats are also asking the inspectors general to investigate the actions taken by President Trump to clear protestors in Washington D.C. Last month, riot police from several federal agencies, including the Bureau of Prisons Crisis Management teams, were called in to forcibly clear protestors from Lafayette Square in front of the White House in Washington D.C. so President Donald Trump could participate in a photo-op in front of St. John's Church.

"The legal basis for this use of force has never been explainedand, frankly, it is not at all clear that the Attorney General and the Acting Secretary are authorized to deploy federal law enforcement officers in this manner," the Democratic lawmakers write.
90 Day Fiance stars Andrei Castravet and Elizabeth Potthast Castravet have always clashed somewhat when it came to gender roles. But on the fifth season of TLCs 90 Day Fiance: Happily Ever After, their cultural differences have come to the forefront more than everespecially when it comes to Elizabeths family.

In a recent episode of 90 Day Fiance: Happily Ever After, Andrei and Elizabeth traveled to Andreis home country for their second wedding in Moldova and a baptism for their young daughter, Eleanor. While meeting up with Andreis longtime friends, Elizabeth opened up about exactly why her family didnt care for her husbandand Andrei had a few harsh things to say about his wifes sister, as well.

Andrei Castravet, baby Eleanor, and Elizabeth Potthast Castravet | Elizabeth Potthast Castravet via Instagram

Elizabeth told her husbands friends that her family thought he was rude and controlling

After arriving in Moldova, Elizabeth and Andrei spent an evening having drinks at a local bar with Andreis friends, brother, and sister-in-law. Elizabeth sneaked off to have some alone time with the other women in the group.

How is [it] to be a bride the second time? Ina, Andreis sister-in-law, wanted to know.

While the 90 Day Fiance star replied that she was excited about the upcoming nuptials, she admitted she was worried about Andreis relationship with her family. Elizabeths sister, Jenn, would be attending the wedding, and she wasnt sure how her sisters visit would turn out.

Andrei and Jenn, they butt heads. They fight a lot, Elizabeth told Ina and Loredana, one of Andreis friends.

The Moldovan women asked Elizabeth why her family wasnt fond of her husband. Elizabeth responded bluntly, They think that Andrei is controlling, and they think that he is rude and mean and lazy. He is rude, but I think that they just dont understand him yet.

Elizabeth asked Loredana if most Moldovan men were like Andrei. Yeah, actually, yes, Loredana admitted. I think that they just want to show theyre strong, you know?

RELATED: 90 Day Fiance: Some Fans Wonder Why Andrei Castravet Didnt Marry a Moldovan Woman

RELATED: 90 Day Fiance: Andrei Says He Has No Relationship With Elizabeths Family, Calls Them Two-Faced

Elizabeth worried that her sister wouldnt get along with Andreis family

Elizabeth explained that she was especially concerned about Jenns arrival in Moldova because her sisters behavior was so outspoken.

Jenn is an American woman, the 90 Day Fiance star pointed out. Shes loud and doesnt care what anybody thinks. Elizabeth worried that Jenn would speak her mind on any given subject and accidentally offend someone in Andreis family or close circle of friends.

And while Elizabeth said she could assimilate into Moldovan cultureat least for nowshe wasnt so sure about how the other women in her family would act.

Moldovan women compared to American women are very, very different. They arent loud. They dont really speak their mind, the 90 Day Fiance star said. Honestly, Im really scared, because I can bite my tongue, but I dont think that my family will.

Andrei told his wife that his family wouldnt take s*it from Elizabeths sister

On the way home from their evening with friends, Elizabeth opened up to Andrei about her concerns. Jenns gonna be here, she said warily, pointing out that Andrei knew the type of person she was. Andreis wife worried that Jenn would clash with Elizabeths in-laws.

By contrast, Andrei didnt seem overly concerned. The 90 Day Fiance star told his wife sarcastically, She might sleep in the basement if she offends somebody here. And shes gonna go the second day home, because its not America.

Visibly annoyed, Elizabeth retorted, Im glad that youre taking this so lightly.

Andrei told Elizabeth in no uncertain terms that he expected Jenn to adhere to his cultural norms around gender, not the other way around. Why are you worried about Jenn? Men here have balls, now, and theyre not gonna take s*it from her, he said harshly.

Great, Elizabeth responded, rolling her eyes in frustration. Exactly what I wanted to hear.

Andrei told 90 Day Fiance producers that he wasnt expecting his relationship with his in-laws to improve anytime soon.

I am planning to show Elizabeths family around because Elizabeth is my wife, and she asked me to, he said reluctantly. But I already see them getting in trouble with their stupid loud mouths. Im just hoping for the best and expecting the worst from them.
Nigerian Foreign Minister Geoffrey Onyeama said on Sunday he had tested positive for COVID-19, and became the first member of President Muhammadu Buhari's cabinet to contract the new coronavirus.

Onyeama, 64, said on Twitter he had taken a COVID-19 test because of a throat irritation.

"Did my fourth Covid-19 test yesterday at the first sign of a throat irritation and unfortunately this time it came back positive," he tweeted. "Heading for isolation in a health facility and praying for the best."

Buhari's cabinet has been conducting executive council meetings virtually as part of measures to keep the government working while abiding by social distancing rules.

The government started a phased easing of lockdowns in May after implementing measures to slow the spread of the virus, which has killed 778 people in Nigeria and infected more than 36,000.

Onyeama has played a role in repatriating Nigerians stranded because of travel restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Buhari's former chief of staff, Abba Kyari, died in April from the novel coronavirus, making him the most high profile person in the country to die from the virus.

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In May, New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio said a group of protesters whod been intentionally run over by police officers had created the situation in which they were injured by blocking the officers car. In June, the NYPD cited the general threat of looting to justify repeated violent attacks against protesters who were charged with loitering-level crimes like unlawful assembly and violating curfew. In the District of Columbia, federal park police argued that they were justified in tear-gassing protesters near the White House because the protesters had ignored orders to move so the president could take a photo at a church. In Buffalo, officers enforcing a curfew shoved over a 75-year-old man, causing a severe brain injury. Police in Philadelphia bombarded a group of protesters who were trapped against a hill with tear gas, the citys mayor explained, because they had threatened public safety by walking on a highway.

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On Friday, Georgia Congressman John Lewis died. Lewis is perhaps most famous for having been smashed in the skull with a baton by a highway patrol officer after crossing the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, Alabama, during a 1965 voting rights march, but he was also beaten and arrested during a number of other critical civil rights actions. Many contemporary Americans have taken the occasion of his death to retell a familiar story about his righteous cause, one that ends with everyone in todays United StatesRepublican and Democrat, Black and whiteon the right side of history.

But history continues around us on terms that would have been familiar to a young John Lewis. Just as it has been made clear since the Shelby v. Holder ruling that the United States journey toward fulfilling its ideals of democratic equality did not end in the 1960s, it is being made clear this year that the countrys belief in itself as a place that honors free speech and dissent has never been fully justified either. The police crackdowns Lewis was subject to were, like those happening now, justified by authorities as the necessary maintenance of public order, with no distinction made between righteous resistance and criminality. When activists were arrested for sit-ins at whites-only lunch counters (Lewis led several in Nashville, Tennessee, in 1960), they were charged with crimes like trespassing. When Lewis was sent to Mississippis Parchman Farm prison for 37 days in 1961 during the Freedom Ride protests, which involved entering segregated areas of bus stations, it was on a charge of disorderly conduct. The three men killed in Philadelphia, Mississippi, during the Freedom Summer voter registration drive, which Lewis helped organize, were initially held by police for speeding. The Bloody Sunday march in Selma was nominally illegal because Alabama Gov. George Wallace said the presence of protesters on a state highway would be disruptive to the orderly flow of traffic and commerce. The march itself had been inspired by the death of activist Jimmie Lee Jackson, who was killed in nearby Marion by an officer who claimed to have believed Jackson was trying to take his gun and kill him.*

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In June, Arkansas Sen. Tom Cotton wrote in the New York Times that the U.S. military should be deployed to restore order in major cities. Cotton, in a gesture of faux reasonableness, wrote that he had no problem with law-abiding protesters. Yet people like Lewis protest because laws dictate a system that is intolerable. The individuals who attacked Lewis acted with the support of superior officers, elected officials, and court systems that claimedlike todays mayors and police chiefsthat they were only enforcing rules. When police beat someone for challenging a morally diseased system, the phrase beaten for challenging a morally diseased system rarely gets written in the incident report. John Lewis nearly died 60 years ago to tell his country that laws can protect the guilty and the innocent alike. Did we listen?
The Winneba District Magistrates Court presided over by Isaac Oheneba Kufuor, has granted bail in the sum of 5,000 with one surety each to two Nigerians over allegedly kidnapping 39 other Nigerians.



Duru Favour, 26, Artist, and Paul Okafor, 29, Businessman, are said to have kidnapped 39 other Nigerians trafficked into the country and kept at Gomoa Pomadze near Winneba Junction using the victims to allegedly commit cyber fraud.



The two pleaded not guilty to the charges of kidnapping and use of trafficked persons. They are to re-appear on July 23, 2020.



Narrating the fact of the case, Chief Superintendent Samuel Okanta, officer in charge of the Winneba Police Command, said Charles Ikorohk, a Nigerian, was the complainant who said he arrived in Ghana (Accra) on January 22 to visit a friend by name Collins but could not reach him on his phone and got stranded as a result.



Chief Supt. Okanta said whilst at Kwame Nkrumah Circle Ikorohk met Uzo, also a Nigerian, who introduced him to his senior brother called Arisuezo, who offered to assist him to get a place to sleep until he found his friend (Collins).



He said Arisuezo transported both his junior brother Uzo and Ikorohk to Winneba and kept them in a walled house at Gomoa Pomadze.



Ikorohk, on the third day, could not see Uzo again, hence he tried to leave the house but he was prevented and was locked up in a different room by Arisuezo where he met seven other Nigerians and he was fed once a day.



Chief Supt Okanta said Ikorohk attempted to escape twice but he was arrested and subjected to inhumane treatment.



All these while, Arisuezo used them to perpetrate cybercrime with the assistance of Favour and Okafor, who acted as supervisors.



Chief Supt. Okanta said from January 26, Ikorohk could not step out of the house until Sunday, July 12, at 0800 hours, when he and others were asked to weed the compound.



Ikorohk scaled the wall and sought refuge in a nearby house after the two accused persons went out with one of the victims to withdrew money from a nearby mobile money vendor.



The occupants of the house later called the Effutu Municipal Joint Police and Military Patrol Team to go to the rescue of the complainant.



The police is doing everything possible to arrest Arisuezo, Chief Supt. Okanta said.

Source: Daniel Adu Darko/Peacefmonline.com/[email protected]









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Linda Thompson had love affairs with some of the most famous men. Thompson dated Elvis Presly and married Caitlyn Jenner prior to her transition from Bruce Jenner. Thompson had her own career and never relied on the success of a man.. Thompson is a talented songwriter. While Thompson was married to David Foster, she co-wrote Whitney Houstons I Have Nothing.

Whitney Houston 1993 | Chris Grieve/Mirrorpix/Getty Images

Linda Thompson co-wrote Whitney Houstons I Have Nothing with her then-husband, David Foster

Foster and Thompson married five years after Thompsons divorce from Jenner. The former pageant queens songwriting career took off in 1985 with Kenny Rogers Our Perfect Song. Thompsons other songwriting credits include songs for Celine Dion and Josh Groban.

Foster produced the soundtrack of The Bodyguard, which starred Houston. Houstons mentor and label head, Clive Davis, insisted more musical performances be added throughout the film.

Related: How Whitney Houstons Role In The Bodyguard Catapulted Her Career

Typically, the head of any record label is going to want more music throughout the film but unless you establish Whitneys stardom, the script didnt provide that, Davis explained in Fosters documentary David Foster: Off The Record. 

So I wrote a letter to the director and Kevin [Costner] saying just that If you dont get more music, if you dont get more performance from Whitney, you do not have a great film, Davis continued.

David Foster and Linda Thompson 1993 | Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images

The number of songs in the film increased and Foster also contributed a few original tunes for the soundtrack. Davis explained that Thompson helped Foster write I Have Nothing, a song Houstons character performed in the film. The song was also on the soundtrack.

Thompson said of Houston after Houstons unexpected death in 2012:

She was an amazing person as well as being an incredible talent. She was an astonishing person and she was so kind to my father who was elderly and to my children. It says a lot about a person when they reach out to elderly people and to children, she said. [In the studio] she was a racehorse, stepped up to the microphone without any warmups, and just hit those big notes.

I Have Nothing is one of Whitney Houstons most successful singles

I Have Nothing was the third single released from The Bodyguard soundtrack. The song peaked at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100.

Foster and Thompson received a nomination for Best Song Written Specifically for a Motion Picture, Television of Other Visual Media at the 1993 Grammy Awards. The song was also nominated for Best Original Song at the 1993 Academy Awards.

Source: YouTube

I Have Nothing was also an international success, charting in Australia, France, Germany, Ireland, and Belgium to name a few. It spent 18-weeks on the charts in Canada.

The song was a staple during Houstons The Bodyguard World Tour. Houston typically performed her signature hit I Will Always Love You at every major concert but I Have Nothing was solely related to The Bodyguard.
RASA make QTC magazine directly available as a PDF In response to requests from their readers the Radio Amateur Society of Australia have made their popular magazine QTC directly available as a free downloadable PDF



Following the RASA's recent change to a new online distribution system it was only possible for readers to download a somewhat lower quality PDF by using a "Print to PDF" feature.



Readers asked if a separate PDF file could still be available and the RASA speedily responded to the request.



Among the articles in the latest issue are:

 Getting started with QRM Guru

 Getting started in  HF DX

 A simple 40 metre Vertical

 The Origin and Attributes of Radioteletype



You can download the QTC PDF from

https://vkradioamateurs.org/qtc-e-magazine/



RASA have also available a PDF of the Welcome to Amateur Radio guidebook that provides an introduction to our hobby for newly licenced Foundation amateurs. Download a copy from

https://vkradioamateurs.org/welcome-to-ar-guidebook-for-newcomers/
Maken also alleged that the police in Haryana and Delhi are giving protection to rebel Congress MLAs from Rajasthan

Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot gestures to the media after a meeting with the party MLAs at his residence in Jaipur. PTI

Jaipur: The Congress demanded Union minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat's resignation on Sunday for his alleged involvement in a conspiracy to topple the Asok Gehlot government in Rajasthan.

Party leader and former Union minister Ajay Maken said the Anti-Corruption Bureau of the Rajasthan police has registered a case in connection with the audio tapes of a purported conversation between Congress MLA Bhanwarlal Sharma, Shekhawat and one Sanjay Jain.

"If Union minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat is claiming that it is not his voice and the reference in the audio clip is of some other Gajendra Singh, then why is he afraid of giving voice samples?" Maken asked.

He said Shekhawat has no moral authority to continue as a Union minister and should resign so that the investigation is not influenced.

Maken also alleged that the police in Haryana and Delhi are giving protection to rebel Congress MLAs from Rajasthan.

He said the Centre is threatening in the name of CBI because it wants to stop the probe into the conspiracy.
Davangere, July 19 : A 9-year-old sniffer dog ran 12 km in the night to trace a murder accused and helped the police arrest him in Karnataka's Davangere rural area, an official said on Sunday.

"Doberman Pincher Tunga ran 12 km non-stop from the crime spot at Basavapattana in the city to a house at Kashipur in the rural where murder accused Chethan, 25, was hiding and helped us arrest him on July 17," Davangere Police Superintendent Hanumantha Rai told IANS on phone.

Davangere is 260 km northwest of Bengaluru.

"Though Chethan allegedly shot dead his friend Chandra Nayak with a stolen service revolver on July 10 over sharing the booty (gold ornaments) of the theft they had committed recently with two others. We took female dog Tunga to the crime spot on July 16. She led the sleuths to the area where Chethan was hiding with two accomplices," Rai recalled.

While trained sniffer dogs normally run 4-5 km from a crime spot, Tunga could track the accused 12 km away.

When Tunga's handler (Head Constable Prakash) took her to the crime scene at 9.30 pm, she sniffed around and ran 12 km non-stop to Kashipur. She halted at a wine shop and went to a food joint later. Then she stopped at a house nearby at 12.30 am.

The prime accused (Chethan) was present in the house of his relative. He was arrested after he confessed to the theft and the murder.

The police are on the hunt to trace Chethan's two accomplices who fled from the house they were hiding in.

Karnataka Additional Director General of Police (law and order) Amar Kumar Pandey felicitated Tunga on July 17 at a function here for cracking the murder case with its exceptional sniffing traits.
As of Monday, it is compulsory in France to wear a face masks in all indoor public spaces. The term is not defined in French law and the prime minister has had to clarify the places concerned and how measures will be enforced, including fines of 135 for non-compliance.

The compulsory wearing of facemasks was originally scheduled for 1 August but concerns over a resurgence in new Covid-19 infections pushed the government to bring forward the decree to 20 July.

As of Monday, wearing a mask will be compulsory in enclosed spaces, as announced by Prime Minister Jean Castex. This concerns shops, establishments open to the public, covered markets and banks, health minister Olivier Veran tweeted on Saturday.

Preventative measures and screening remain essential to effectively fight the virus.

The notion of a closed public space is not precisely defined in French law, but given the idea is to target places frequented by large numbers of people, the decree will likely be based on what is known as an ERP (establishment welcoming the public).

Masks are already required in concert halls, cinemas, theatres, on public transport and in care homes for the elderly. In bars and restaurants, staff are required to wear them all the time and customers on entering and when they move away from their table.

No shopping without a mask

As from Monday, masks will have to be worn in all shops, indoor markets, banks, museums and monuments, indoor car parks, hotel lobbies, train stations and university amphitheatres.

The issue of wearing masks in shops had been a bone of contention.

Until now it was up to individual businesses to decide on whether or not to require customers to wear a mask on entering, putting shop assistants in complicated situations. From Monday all customers will have to wear masks in all shops, whatever their size.

Francis Allard, a specialist on aerosols with the French Scientific Research Centre (CNRS) welcomed the measure, particularly in shopping centres.

Story continues

Theres a real risk, he told Le Parisien. In shopping centres, air conditioning means air is often recycled internally. Little fresh air comes in, favouring the spread of the virus.

Customers refusing to wear a mask will not be allowed in, warned Jacques Creyssel, general delegate with the Trade and Retail Federation (FCD), an umbrella group for Frances main supermarket chains.

Grey areas

Private companies are not concerned by the decree, and can decide on their own policies on a "case by case basis prime minister Jean Castex told Le Parisien-Aujourdhui en France.

In general, however, employees will be required to wear masks during meetings or if the minimum 1-metre distancing cannot be respected.

New recommendations will be added to existing health protocols, the prime minister told the Senate.

It is still unclear whether people will have to wear masks in church, or when watching a film at the cinema.

Since cinemas reopened on 22 June, they must respect physical distancing measures, leaving free seats between spectators. People have had to wear masks in lobbies and when they move around the cinema, but not during the film itself.

We need regulations to be harmonised so they are easy to read and everyone can understand them, otherwise people wont respect them," Allard said.

Fines

Failure to wear a mask in defined public spaces will incur a fine of 135, as is the case for public transport.

The Prefet of Mayenne in western France, which has recently seen a spike in the number of Covid-19 cases, had already introduced such a fine and made the wearing of masks obligatory throughout the department.

Belgium recently introduced fines of 250 for failing to wear masks in designated areas and England is to introduce a 110 fine for people caught shopping without a mask.
UPDATE: Urumqi in Xinjiang vows to conduct mass testing as city fights COVID-19 resurgence

Global Times

Source: Global Times Published: 2020/7/18 17:55:56 Last Updated: 2020/7/18 21:07:17

Urumqi, the regional capital of Northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, with 3.5 million residents, vows to accelerate nucleic acid testing in the entire city, with local hospitals fully deploying testing capabilities in recent days as reported by media on Saturday.

The National Health Commission dispatched 10 medical teams including over 200 members from 10 provinces and municipalities to help carry out nucleic acid testing in Urumqi. Free testing has been carried out in groups in the city, authorities said on Saturday.

One local hospital has been conducting nucleic acid testing on over 8,000 residents per day, according to media reports.

The city plans to carry out nucleic acid testing in communities with key populations such as confirmed and suspected cases, asymptomatic infections, close contacts, and patients with fever starting from Friday. The next step will be to ask other communities and employees from certain companies to undergo the tests.

Urumqi has declared a "wartime mode" as all local residential communities have been put under "sealed-off management" in its fight against the resurgence of COVID-19, local authorities announced during a press conference held on Saturday afternoon.

Numbers of waves of coronavirus cases are commonplace and "subject to the rules of the virus," Yang Zhanqiu, deputy director of the pathogen biology department at Wuhan University, told the Global Times on Saturday.

Yang also called on the public not to panic. "It's impossible to remain at zero cases for long," Yang noted.

Urumqi launched an emergency response plan and set up 15 special groups for anti-epidemic actions, according to the local authorities.

Several major measures are being strictly implemented in the city. These include carrying out comprehensive epidemiological investigations and disinfection in key areas, and eliminating the source of viral infection; treating patients with all-out efforts; entering a "state of wartime" and stopping group gatherings, implementing "sealed-off management" for residential communities; discouraging local residents from going outside of Urumqi unless necessary; those who need to leave are requested to undergo nucleic acid testing and authorities are to launch testing in the entire city of Urumqi.

Instead of implementing full lockdowns and curbing work and production resumption, Yang addressed two key measures.

"Tracing the origin and infection routes of the disease is the priority," Yang said, noting that it's significant to "isolate key groups" including patients suspected of and confirmed to have been infected with the coronavirus in a timely manner.

From midnight Wednesday to midday Saturday, Urumqi reported 17 confirmed COVID-19 patients, and 23 asymptomatic cases, according to local authorities. The current outbreak is related to a group gathering which is developing rapidly, and local health authorities have advised people not to panic as all the confirmed cases have mild to moderate symptoms, who are also under centralized medical observation.

The Urumqi health authority has reported to the National Health Commission to coordinate the sequencing and analysis of the coronavirus genes, in order to further understand the origin and transmission routes of the virus, Rui Baoling, director of the disease control and prevention center in Urumqi, said at Saturday's press conference.

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S

oon after Japan opened its doors to the world in the second half of the 19th century, the Ginza district in central Tokyo became its showcase. When Japans first railway opened in 1872, its Tokyo terminus was at the edge of Ginza which rapidly became the center for shops selling all that was new and fashionable. It was soon also the hub of the media business and home to the many cafes and bars that were the new meeting places for artists and writers.

Today, Ginza remains synonymous with all that is glamorous and exciting about Tokyo and is, in many respects, Japans window on the world. Ginza is also home to Seiko. The brand was established in Ginza in 1881 and the Seiko clock that sits atop the Wako store, where the company was long headquartered, is a much-loved Ginza landmark.

When Japans first railway opened in 1872, its Tokyo terminus was at the edge of Ginza which rapidly became the center for shops selling all that was new and fashionable.

Capturing the spirit of Ginza

The new Seiko Lukia collection celebrates the glamour, vivacity and refinement of todays Ginza. Since 1995, Lukia has been adorning the wrists of women in Japan and it is now, for the first time, available outside of Asia. The collection comprises six creations, each of which has a dial featuring a traditional Japanese color overlaid on a mother-of-pearl base with a flower motif and eight diamond hour markers.

Each dial is colored from both sides, which allows the full richness of the color to blend harmoniously with the texture of the mother-of-pearl dial. The case offers a soft, delicate feeling on the wrist thanks to its perfectly rounded edges.

Five of the six new creations are available from July 2020, with a limited edition to follow in September. All will be available in selected Seiko Boutiques.

The collection comprises six creations, each of which has a dial featuring a traditional Japanese color overlaid on a mother-of-pearl base with a flower motif and eight diamond hour markers.

Powered by Seikos latest automatic calibre

The new Lukia series is powered by Seikos latest automatic calibre, 6R35, which delivers a power reserve of 70 hours. It can be seen through the sapphire case back, marking time at 21,600 beats per hour. Each watch is water resistant to 10 bar and has a sapphire crystal that is resistant to scratches.

The 2020 limited edition

To celebrate the arrival of Lukia on the international stage, a special watch is offered in a limited edition of just 250. Its dial is the colour, Tsukishiro, of the blue-white evening sky that frames the Ginza skyline as the moon is about to appear. It has 55 diamonds on the bezel and eight diamonds on the dial.

The unique and distinguished look of the strap is made possible by a special, two-stage dyeing method. After the leather is first dyed white, the grooves in the pattern are then dyed light blue.
Sylvia Jeffreys has revealed her son Oscar suffered a health scare at nine-weeks-old during the coronavirus pandemic shutdown.

The Channel Nine star, who gave birth in February, spoke about the 'scare' to Sydney Morning Herald's Sunday Life magazine.

Sylvia said she initially worried about being unable to get adequate care for her baby if an emergency arose, but confirmed all is well now with mother and bub.

Scare: Channel Nine star Sylvia Jeffreys, 34, has revealed her son Oscar's health (both pictured) scare during the pandemic shutdown while speaking to Sunday Life this week

'You jump at every noise they make when you're a first-time parent. Everything can raise some level of anxiety,' the Today Extra host said.

Sylvia chose not to reveal the condition.

She explained the shutdown caused by the coronavirus pandemic created an 'extra layer of anxiety' for her as a new mother.

Balancing a busy career at Nine alongside the demands of motherhood, Sylvia praised Libby Trickett's book about post-natal depression as a valuable tool.

'I found that [book] a really useful resource as an expectant mother,' Sylvia said.

'As soon as things started shutting down and GPs were only taking people in an emergency, I started worrying about how I would get care for Oscar if something happened,' Sylvia said

Support: Sydney-based Sylvia, who hails from Brisbane, added it can also be difficult when you don't have 'family members' close to help with a new baby

Sylvia and Peter welcomed Oscar in February and announced the news on Instagram.

Sylvia shared a sweet image of their son in a blue onesie at the time.

Last month, Sylvia told Today Extra how she was finding motherhood so far. She said on the show: 'It's just been the most wonderful and surprising experience.'

Inspiration: Now balancing a busy career at Nine alongside the demands of motherhood, Sylvia praised Libby Trickett's (pictured) book about post-natal depression as a valuable tool

'It is every emotion at its extreme and all mixed in together. It is an extreme and deep joy, it is rational anxiety.'

'But mostly just joy and wonder, and in awe of this beautiful little boy,' she added.

Sylvia also revealed she and Peter 'go to bed at night and just watch videos' of their little boy.
KALAMAZOO, MI  Tami Rey and Andrew D. Sellin are vying for the Democratic nomination in the upcoming race for the District 1 seat on the Kalamazoo County Board of Commissioners.

The countys District 1 seat is currently occupied by Commissioner Stephanie Moore, who is running for state House rather than seek reelection. The county district represents several Kalamazoo city precincts and Kalamazoo Township precincts 10 and 11.

Tami Rey serves as chairperson of the city of Kalamazoo Community Development Act Advisory Committee and recently worked as a property manager at Herman & Kittle, where she was a member of the public safety review and appeals board. Rey is a member of the ISAAC gun violence task force and has worked as a NAACP branch secretary.

Sellin has worked as a machine operator at ARVCO Container Corporation since 2014.

MLive Media Group has again partnered with the League of Women Voters of Michigan Education Fund to provide candidate information and other voting resources to our readers. Each candidate was asked to answer a series of questions about their policy stances.

Reys answers to the questions are below. Sellin did not submit answers in response to the request sent to candidates.

Information on all state and federal races and many of Michigans county and local races will be available at Vote411.org.

What are your top three priorities for the office you seek? What do you hope to accomplish?

TAMI REY

I have lived in Kalamazoo my entire life and have spent the last 8 years working with my neighbors and friends to elevate their issues. My campaign is about inclusive, transparent, and equitable actions. It is my goal to restore the trust between the County Commission and its residents. If elected my top priorities will be the expansion of affordable housing, addressing the flooding, and working to create a more diverse and inclusive workforce for county employees. A diverse community is a smart community and thus each of my policy points has an inclusive component.

The current pandemic illustrates the importance of preparing for unexpected events. Describe one type of unexpected event that would seriously disrupt Kalamazoo County government services. How would you ensure that the County is prepared?

TAMI REY

In normal times it might be more difficult for me to imagine an unexpected disruption in county business. However, in the past two years, there has been a polar vortex, a global pandemic and a state of emergency. These unexpected events have illuminated the need for our Commission to develop a concrete plan of action, one that includes the most vulnerable people. These plans should be easy to access & should be reviewed annually in order to remain current. Under my leadership, I would call for the creation of an action plan that included direct and clear steps. This plan would provide residents with a reference point tp hold us accountable.

Describe an example of how someone in the office you seek should work effectively with governmental departments and officials. What skills and talents qualify you to be the best person to play such a role?

TAMI REY

The most pressing issues that plague our community require a bipartisan & multi layered government approach. For example, in order to fix the housing shortage & provide more affordable options, the county will need to work in tandem with other government officials. Interagency collaboration is not only vital to our success, it also demonstrates our commitment to the people we serve. For the past 8 years, I have worked with both local & national organizations to build coalitions. It is done by first listening, drafting policy, and then seeking responses to the proposed solutions. My drive & dedication to transparent communication is unmatched.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-07-19 14:18:20|Editor: huaxia

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Myanmar's State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi, daughter of General Aung San, pays tribute during a ceremony to mark the 73rd Martyrs' Day in Yangon, Myanmar, July 19, 2020. Myanmar commemorated 73rd Martyrs' Day on Sunday amid COVID-19 outbreak to honor fallen national heroes including General Aung San and eight others who sacrificed their lives in 1947 for regaining the country's independence. (Ye Aung Thu/Pool via Xinhua)

YANGON, July 19 (Xinhua) -- Myanmar commemorated the 73rd Martyrs' Day on Sunday amid COVID-19 outbreak to honor fallen national heroes including General Aung San and eight others who sacrificed their lives in 1947 for regaining the country's independence.

General Aung San, founder of Myanmar's armed forces, along with eight others including his bodyguard and seven councilor members, were all assassinated at Yangon's Secretariat Building (then known as Prime Ministers' Office) on July 19, 1947, before Myanmar regained independence on Jan. 4, 1948.

With Myanmar's national flag flown half-mast, President U Win Myint, First Vice President U Myint Swe, Speaker of the House of Representatives (Lower House) U T Khun Myat, Speaker of the House of Nationalities U Mann Win Khaing Than, Union Attorney General U Tun Tun Oo, Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Sen-Gen Min Aung Hlaing and officials paid tribute to the fallen national heroes and laid wreaths at the Martyrs' Mausoleum.

State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi, daughter of late General Aung San also laid wreaths at the tombs as status of a bereaved family member among others.

Government ministers and Yangon Region Chief Minister U Phyo Min Thein, representatives from political parties and different walks of life joined the commemorative ceremony .

A siren was sounded by Myanmar Radio and Television to observe the time of the assassination of the martyrs.

Following the official ceremony, the martyrs' mausoleum was open to the public for paying tribute and the General Aung San Museum has prepared a online exhibition this year to curb the spread of the COVID-19 virus.

It was learned that Martyrs' Day celebration is the very first state-level ceremony amid the pandemic.
It's one of the most popular shows on TV and fans are counting down the days until the next series of Strictly Come Dancing hits our screens.

Only one professional dancer has appeared in every series so far  the charming Anton Du Beke  and last year he came as close as he ever has to winning the Glitterball trophy, finishing runner-up with his celebrity partner, EastEnders actress Emma Barton.

If you have always wanted to see Anton perform live  or even meet him in person  this is your chance to join him and his long-term professional dance partner and fellow Strictly favourite Erin Boag on an exclusive eight-day Danube river cruise.

Capital idea: See the magnificent Hofburg Palace in Vienna

OUR SPECIAL GUESTS You will be joined by Anton and Erin Anton du Beke and Erin Boag have danced together for 20 years and are two of the nations all-time favourite ballroom stars. Their charisma, chemistry and dazzling choreography have wowed audiences around the world. Anton, affectionately known as the king of ballroom, is the longest-serving professional dancer on Strictly Come Dancing. YOUR ITINERARY DAY 1 Munich to Passau Day 2 Passau DAY 3 Linz to Cesky Krumlov DAY 4 Melk to Durnstein DAY 5 Vienna DAY 6 Bratislava DAY 7 Budapest DAY 8 Budapest Advertisement

Travelling on a stylish Emerald Waterways Star Ship, you will sail from Passau with stops at Linz and the Unesco World Heritage-listed town of Cesky Krumlov.

Youll pass terraced vineyards and apricot orchards on the way to Melk, before visiting three of Europes great capitals  Vienna, Bratislava and Budapest.

You will see Anton and Erin perform at an intimate and historic venue in the Austrian capital, plus the pair will take part in a special dance masterclass on board.

Anton and Erin will also host an entertaining Q&A session, during which you can ask them about their lives and careers and find out what goes on behind the scenes on Strictly.

One Mail on Sunday reader, who enjoyed this special trip when we previously offered it, said: Its been such a wonderful experience seeing Anton and Erin perform. I cannot imagine anything better.

REASONS TO BOOK

See Anton and Erin dance: Anton and Erin will give an unforgettable one-off performance in Vienna, the home of the waltz.

You will also join the stars for a cocktail reception and photo opportunity.

Join a dance masterclass: Perfect your waltz and finesse your foxtrot during a fun dance class on board with Anton and Erin.

You will also have the chance to hear them talk about their long-term partnership and love of dance during a private Q&A session.

Sail in style: Youll travel on the elegant Emerald Destiny, where youll find an indoor pool with retractable roof, open-air terrace, cinema and putting green as well as stylish staterooms and indoor and outdoor dining.

The cruise includes EmeraldPLUS and EmeraldACTIVE excursions in each city, such as a Hungarian folklore show in Budapest or a guided biking tour from Melk to Durnstein.

The best of the Danube: Enjoy a guided tour of Budapest, the enchanting Old Town in Bratislava and through the Wachau Valley, with a stop at Durnstein.
Earnest, bespectacled, boyish, Nathan Law, 27, has a gentle, scholarly air that belies the fierceness of his convictions.

Speaking to me from a small apartment in London  he will not disclose the location  the fear that drove him to flee his native Hong Kong is tangible.

'Wherever I am in the world, I'm still a target,' he says. 'I can't stay in the same place for more than a month. I'll be constantly moving.'

But when I told him that the Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab was to announce that the UK planned to terminate its extradition agreement with Hong Kong, he was visibly relieved.

Earnest, bespectacled, boyish, Nathan Law, 27, has a gentle, scholarly air that belies the fierceness of his convictions. He is pictured right with activist Joshua Wong in 2016

'That's such good news because it means that Britain recognises that Hong Kong's rule of law does not exist,' he says.

'For me, it's important that they can't extradite me back to Hong Kong.'

It was a couple of weeks ago that Law  the timeline is intentionally vague  crammed a few possessions into a backpack and fled the former British colony for the relative safety of the British capital.

'I was worried that I'd be stopped when I got to the border which is why I'd made the painful decision to leave so much behind: letters I'd received in prison that meant so much to me,' he says.

He was just 23 when he became Hong Kong's youngest ever legislator and he achieved instant notoriety by using his swearing-in ceremony as a platform for his campaign. Nathan Law is pictured alongside Joshua Wong

'And when I put my ID card in the machine I was shaking with fear, worried that it would pop up that I was a blacklisted person.' In the event he got through unchallenged.

A political activist, he was propelled to leave by the threat of imprisonment by the Chinese government that on July 1 imposed a draconian new security law on the city whose democratic freedoms he will defend until his last breath.

Law would certainly have been in Beijing's crosshairs. He was just 23 when he became Hong Kong's youngest ever legislator and he achieved instant notoriety by using his swearing-in ceremony as a platform for his campaign. In his opening statement he argued that the oath ceremony itself had become a 'political tool' of the regime.

He also added a quote from Mahatma Gandhi that included the words: 'You can chain me, you can torture me, you can even destroy this body, but you will never imprison my mind.'

Just over a year later he had been disqualified from holding office and within a month of that ruling he was arrested for taking part in a protest deemed illegal by the authorities.

He was detained at the Tong Fuk Correctional Institution on Hong Kong's Lantau Island and served two-and-a-half months before being granted bail.

'We lived 20 to a cell. The conditions weren't good,' he says with studied understatement.

'The food was bad and there was no privacy. But I felt lucky. If I'd been sent, as other protesters were, to a prison in mainland China I would have been tortured.'

A political activist, he was propelled to leave by the threat of imprisonment by the Chinese government that on July 1 imposed a draconian new security law on the city whose democratic freedoms he will defend until his last breath. Caricatures mocking activists Joshua Wong and Nathan Law were seen outside the High Court in Hong Kong in 2017

Following the introduction of the new law, he felt he had no option but to leave.

'I left Hong Kong with tears in my eyes. It was very emotional for me and it was a difficult choice to go. But if I stayed and challenged its community to hold China accountable, that would have led to years if not lifelong imprisonment.

'The threat is imminent. If the Chinese government wants to prosecute now, it is equipped with the legal weapons to do it. Ordinary citizens are deleting Facebook accounts if they've posted anything in support of the democracy movement. They are afraid it will be used as evidence to prosecute them.

'They are not chanting slogans like 'free Hong Kong' any more. This is the effect of the white terror. And the most chilling thing? That the new security law has banned subversion and inciting hatred of the Chinese government but has not defined what they are.'

China's wide-ranging new security law not only makes it easier to punish protesters but makes 'inciting hatred' of the Chinese Communist Party illegal. It also permits secret trials and phone tapping of suspects and allows them to be tried on mainland China where they face torture.

Law's mission in the UK is to continue doing what he can no longer do in his birthplace. He issues a rallying cry to the Government to stand up to the diktats of Beijing.

'Wherever I am in the world, I'm still a target,' he says. 'I can't stay in the same place for more than a month. I'll be constantly moving.' But when I told him that the Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab (above) was to announce that the UK planned to terminate its extradition agreement with Hong Kong, he was visibly relieved

'Britain must form a coherent, united front with other western democracies to protect the democratic and liberal values we share,' he urges.

'I am here to share my story, to advocate for democracy in Hong Kong, to urge the UK and Western democracies to form an alliance to combat the authoritarian expansion of China and to ensure human rights are prioritised over trade in their dealings with them.'

But he is still constantly looking over his shoulder. The tentacles of the CCP stretch far and wide.

'The [security] law applies anywhere in the world,' he says.

'I cannot go back to Hong Kong and that's heart-breaking, but this is about more than personal choice.

'I have a duty, a responsibility, to speak out on behalf of the people of Hong Kong and I am willing to sacrifice a long period of my life, maybe decades  until there is democracy there.'

Asked if he fears for the safety of his Chinese-born parents, still in Hong Kong, he says: 'I prefer not to talk about them. The more I talk, the more I endanger them. I worry that my father is under surveillance, that he could be arrested. I don't know whether these things could happen.'

He adds: 'I don't know when I will go back. I am not optimistic in the short term. I will continue to fight until democracy is won.

'I came to the UK because it has a very special relationship with Hong Kong, a historical obligation and ties with it. I hope Britain continues to take this relationship seriously. China must be held accountable for its human rights violations.'
With a heat index value of 103 expected, much of the Harrisburg region is now under a heat advisory.

The heat advisory is in effect from now until 8 p.m. Monday for Dauphin, Cumberland, Lancaster, York, Lebanon, Franklin and Adams counties.

The National Weather Service at State College advises staying indoors in the air conditioning and drinking plenty of water. They also advise checking on neighbors and relatives and providing pets with shelter from the sun and plenty of water.

If you do venture outdoors, try to reschedule strenuous activities for the early morning or evening, wear loose fitting, light clothing and try to stay in the shade.

While temperatures are expected to hover in the mid 90s for much of the week, we have not broken any heat records yet, but this July is on track to be one of the hotter Julys on record.

Today will be mostly sunny and hot with a 20 percent chance of isolated showers. Expect a high of 94 and a low of 75.

Monday will be mostly sunny and hot with a high of 94 and a low of 72.

Tuesday will be another mostly sunny and hot day with a high of 94 and a low of 73. Expect a 30 percent chance of nighttime showers and thunderstorms.

A 70 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms is in store for Wednesday, which will otherwise be partly sunny with a high of 91 and a low of 71.

Thursday will be partly sunny with a high of 90 and a low of 69 and a 50 percent chance of showers.

Friday will be mostly sunny with a high of 89 and a low of 67. Expect a 30 percent chance of showers.

And Saturday will be mostly sunny with a 30 percent chance of showers and a high near 90.

Visit PennLive.com/weather for your latest weather updates.

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.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-07-19 19:21:52|Editor: huaxia

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WELLINGTON, July 19 (Xinhua) -- The Multicultural Festival in celebration of the Matariki (Maori New Year) Gala Performance was held in Wellington, capital of New Zealand on Sunday.

The event, co-hosted by the Multicultural Council of Wellington and the China Cultural Center in Wellington and supported by the Wellington City Council, featured dumpling making workshop, Maori Kapa Haka, Matariki crafts, Chinese group dance, Indian classical dance, Russian Kalinka dance, Maori pipe music and Afro-beat music, among others.

Wellington is "a city and a community with people coming from the outside and get welcomed," New Zealand Minister of Finance Grant Robertson said.

"We don't always get it perfectly right but we try hard in Wellington, because so many of us come from somewhere else to be here. We do well here and welcome people, and we can always do better and make sure that we look after each other," he said.

Member of the New Zealand Parliament Brett Hudson said it is "absolutely fantastic" that the Multicultural Council of Wellington and the China Cultural Center in Wellington host the celebration of the Maori new year the second year in a row.

"Their celebration of Maori new year is far more obvious in the general consciousness of New Zealanders, no matter what their background and race. The Maori new year became an event celebrated by all peoples of this country."

Rachel Qi, president of Multicultural Council of Wellington told Xinhua that there are shared values and traditions between Maori and Chinese culture, such as the respect for life, family gatherings to honor their ancestors, holding banquets, and making delicious food, among others. "The purpose of this event is to build an inclusive and a multi-cultural society understanding, respecting and acknowledging all traditions and cultures to mark a strong diverse nation."

The celebration of Maori new year is based on the Maori Lunar Calendar known as Maramataka. In 2020, the rising of the Matariki star cluster on July 15 ushered in the Maori new year.

Traditionally, this was a time to remember the deceased of the past year and to plan for the next year. Today, Matariki has been revived as a celebration of people, culture, language, spirituality, and history. It is a time for family and friends to come together to reflect on the past 12 months and look towards the year ahead. Enditem
FILE PHOTO: A smartphone with the Huawei and 5G network logo is seen on a PC motherboard in this illustration

TOKYO (Reuters) - The British government has asked Japan to help build its 5G wireless networks without Huawei Technologies [HWT.UL], the Nikkei said on Sunday, a further step in a global technology and security war between the United States and China.

Britain named NEC Corp <6701.T> and Fujitsu Ltd <6702.T> as potential alternative suppliers to Huawei, the business daily reported, without citing sources.

British officials met with their counterparts in Tokyo on Thursday, two days after Britain ordered Huawei equipment purged from its 5G networks by the end of 2027, the Nikkei said.

As Britain prepares to leave the European Union, fears over the security of Huawei have forced Prime Minister Johnson to choose between the United States and China, weighing a critical alliance against billions in investment.

The Nikkei said the latest move reflects Britain's effort to bring in new equipment suppliers to foster competition and help reduce costs for the country's wireless carriers.

The British embassy in Tokyo and Fujitsu did not immediately respond to email or text inquiries on Sunday. Japan's Cabinet Secretariat and NEC did not answer calls. Huawei had no immediate comment.

China opposes the exclusion of companies from certain countries without evidence, and doing so can damage the progress of humanity, said Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin when asked about the report at a daily news conference in Beijing on Monday.

British digital minister Oliver Dowden last week said Britain was working with its allies to foster stronger rivals to Huawei, naming firms from Finland, Sweden, South Korea and Japan.

(Reporting by Makiko Yamazaki in Tokyo; Additional reporting by David Kirton in Shenzhen and Ryan Woo in Beijing; Editing by William Mallard)
Hazel Lee Helton McMillan, age 75, of Dalton, Georgia, departed this life Thursday afternoon, July 16, 2020 at her home surrounded by her loving family.

She was born Jan. 21, 1945 in Ducktown, Tn., a daughter of the late Clarence and Pauline Millholland Helton. She was also preceded in death by her grandson, Danny Guynn; sister, Joann Bowling; and sister-in-law, Virginia Helton.

She is survived by her daughters and sons-in-law, Kathy and Danny Lively, Patricia and Robert Bell of Dalton, GA; brother, Buster Helton of McCaysville, GA; sister and brother-in-law, Helen and Buck Williams of Blue Ridge, GA; grandchildren, Tara Guynn, Christian Bell, Eli Bell, Christina Dockery, Waverly Calcanis, Justin Lively; great-grandchildren, Evelyn Calcanis, Jason Lara, Skylar Moore, Peyton Lively; and nieces and nephews.

Graveside service to celebrate the life of Ms. Hazel Lee Helton McMillan will be held Wednesday, July 22, at 10 a.m. at the Ponders Whitfield Memorial Gardens with Pastor Wayne Cofield officiating.

The family will receive friends at the cemetery from 9-10 a.m. on Wednesday. Mitchell Dayton, Billy Taylor, Joseph Taylor, Robert Bell and Eli Bell will serve as pallbearers.

Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.pondersfuneralhome.com.



Arrangements are by Ponders Melrose Chapel 138 Melrose Drive Dalton, GA 30721, (706) 226-4002.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-07-19 22:00:02|Editor: huaxia

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by Sanaa Kamal

RAMALLAH/GAZA, July 19 (Xinhua) -- After Google and Apple removed Palestine from their online maps saying they want to display disputed territories "objectively," Palestinians decided that they will not sit idly by.

Venting anger at the two giants, youths in the West Bank and Gaza launched a Twitter campaign with the hashtag #FreePalestine calling the deletion move biased with Israel, demanding the companies to withdraw their decision.

Speaking to Xinhua, Ibrahim Hribat, a history teacher from the West Bank city of Nablus, said he believed the two companies were being "complicit" with the political approach taken by the United States that does not have a place for Palestinians on world maps.

"Removing Palestine from the maps was not a coincidence. Rather it was a prelude to the implementation of Washington's Middle East plan and the last nail in the coffin for the Palestinian issue," he told Xinhua.

He added that the U.S. administration and its institutions "may be able to remove the name of Palestine from the maps, but they will not be able to remove it from the souls of the Palestinians, no matter how long it takes."

Abdul Sattar Qassem, a Nablus-based political expert, also told Xinhua that deleting Palestine from the maps of Google and Apple is "part of a continuous series of measures aimed at implementing the U.S. foreign policy that wants to cleanse the Palestinian land from the Palestinians in a bid to establish a national homeland for the Jewish people only."

The anger even drew Palestinian Foreign Minister Riyad al-Maliki to comment on the matter. He blamed Israel for "blackmailing" the companies and forcing them to erase Palestine from the maps.

The minister also offered an ultimatum, saying "if they do not comply with our demand, we will file a lawsuit against them to the international legal authorities."

However, that is not the only step planned to be taken by the Palestinian side.

Palestinian Ministry of Telecommunication and Information Ishaq Sidr told Xinhua that the ministry is already mulling over the possibility of adopting an alternative search engines that are not biased against their issue.

In addition, the Palestinian government also tries to put pressure on the giants through powerful consumers who advocate against Google and Apple, a measure that the Palestinian leadership used before in 2016, when Google tried a similar trick, erasing Palestine from its maps.

Anger and dissatisfaction have also been felt in the Gaza Strip, where Hamas, the Islamic group that controls the enclave, said that the companies adopted the narration of the "Israeli occupation" surrendering to Israel's pressure.

Hazem Qassem, Hamas spokesman in Gaza, said in a press statement that the companies' move is "a denial of historical facts and a move that contradicts international and humanitarian laws ... making it possible for Israel to continue and violate international laws and decisions." Enditem
President Donald Trump is refusing to publicly commit to accepting the results of the upcoming White House election, recalling a similar threat he made weeks before the 2016 vote, as he scoffs at polls showing him lagging behind Democrat Joe Biden. Trump says its too early to make such an ironclad guarantee.

I have to see. Look ... I have to see, Trump told moderator Chris Wallace during a wide-ranging interview on Fox News Sunday. No, Im not going to just say yes. Im not going to say no, and I didnt last time either. The Biden campaign responded: The American people will decide this election. And the United States government is perfectly capable of escorting trespassers out of the White House.

Trump also hammered the Pentagon brass for favoring renaming bases that honor Confederate military leaders  a drive for change spurred by the national debate about race after George Floyds death. I dont care what the military says, the commander in chief said.

The president described the nations top infectious diseases expert, Dr. Anthony Fauci, as a a little bit of an alarmist about the coronavirus pandemic, and Trump stuck to what he had said back in February  that the virus is going to disappear. On Fox, he said, Ill be right eventually. The United States tops the global death toll list with over 140,000 and confirmed infections, with 3.7 million.

It is remarkable that a sitting president would express less than complete confidence in the American democracy's electoral process. But for Trump, it comes from his insurgent playbook of four years ago, when in the closing stages of his race against Hillary Clinton, he said he would not commit to honoring the election results if the Democrat won.

Pressed during an October 2016 debate about whether he would abide by the voters will, Trump responded that he would keep you in suspense. The presidents remarks to Fox are certain to fuel conversation on Capitol Hill, where lawmakers had already been airing concerns in private about a scenario in which Trump disputes the election results.

Trump has seen his presidential popularity erode over his handling of the coronavirus pandemic and in the aftermath of nationwide protests centered on racial injustice that erupted after Floyd's death in Minneapolis nearly two months.

Trump contends that a series of polls that show his popularity eroding and Biden holding an advantage are faulty. He believes Republican voters are underrepresented in such surveys.

First of all, Im not losing, because those are fake polls, Trump said in the taped interview, which aired Sunday. They were fake in 2016 and now theyre even more fake. The polls were much worse in 2016.

Trump was frequently combative with Wallace in defending his administrations response to the pandemic, weighing in on the Black Lives Matter movement and trying to portray Biden, the presumptive Democratic nominee, as lacking the mental prowess to serve as president.

Among the issues discussed was the push for wholesale changes in policing that has swept across the nation. Trump said he could understand why Black Americans are upset about how police use force disproportionately against them.

Of course I do. Of course I do, the president said, adding his usual refrain that whites are also killed, too.

He said he was not offended either by Black Lives Matter, but at the same time defended the Confederate flag, a symbol of the racism of the past, and said those who proudly have their Confederate flags, theyre not talking about racism.

They love their flag, it represents the South, they like the South. Thats freedom of speech. And you know, the whole thing with cancel culture, we cant cancel our whole history. We cant forget that the North and the South fought. We have to remember that, otherwise well end up fighting again. You cant just cancel all, Trump said.

Wallace challenged Trump on some of his claims and called out the president at time, such as when Trump falsely asserted that Biden wants to defund the police. The former vice president has not joined with activists rallying behind that banner. He has proposed more money for police, conditioned to improvements in their practices.

Trump continues to insist that Biden signed a charter with one of his primary rivals on the left, Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont. At one point in the interview, Trump calls on aides to bring him documentation to support his assertion. Trump, however, is unable to point to language from a Biden-Sanders task force policy document released this month by the Biden campaign.

Trump stood behind his pledge to veto a $740 billion defense bill over a requirement that the Defense Department change the names of bases named for Confederate military leaders. That list includes Fort Bragg in North Carolina, Fort Hood in Texas and Fort Benning in Georgia.

The president argued there were no viable alternatives if the government ever tried. Were going to name it after the Reverend Al Sharpton? Trump asked, referring to a prominent civil rights leader. What are you going to name it?

Trump, 74, stuck to a campaign charge that Biden, 77, is unable to handle the rigors of the White House because of his age. As for polls showing the incumbent is trailing, Trump noted he was thought to be behind for much of the 2016 contest. I wont lose, he predicted.

The president and top advisors have long accused Biden of using the pandemic as an excuse to stay in his basement in his Delaware home. Biden has indeed shifted much of his campaign online, but frequently travels in Delaware and Pennsylvania, organizing speeches and small gatherings with voters and community leaders that are within driving distance of his home. Bidens campaign says it will begin resuming normal travel and campaign activities, but only when health officials and state and local authorities say it is safe.

Questioned about the coronavirus, Trump chided Fauci, the National Institutes of Health expert, and repeated false claims that anybody could get a test and that increased testing was the only reason that the U.S. was seeing more cases. When Wallace cited criticism about the lack of a national plan to confront the virus, Trump said, I take responsibility always for everything because its ultimately my job, too, and claimed, I supplied everybody.

Case are rising because people are infecting each other more than they were when most everyone was hunkered down. The percentage of tests coming back positive for the virus has been on the rise across nearly the entire country.
July 10

A 57-year-old man was arrested on July 10 at the 200 block of SE 6th St. just after 2:30 p.m. The individual was charged with public intoxication with three prior convictions.

A 29-year-old man was arrested on July 10 at the 600 block of W. 29th St. just before 3 a.m. in reference to a reported terroristic threat. The individual was charged with making a terroristic threat of a family/household.

Police responded to a hit-and-run resulting in injury at the 1200 block of Interstate 27 on July 10 around 2 p.m.

Theft from a vehicle was reported at the 1500 block of Yonkers St. on July 10 around 1:20 p.m.

A crash resulting in vehicle damage was reported at the 2200 block of W. 11th St. on July 10 around 5:30 p.m.

An assault was reported at the 400 block of Cedar St. on July 10 around 8:30 p.m.

Stolen property was reported at the 4000 block of Olton Road on July 10 around 12:30 p.m.

A burglary was reported at the 200 block of SW 10th St. around 11:15 a.m.

A burglary from a vehicle was reported at the 600 block of W. 8th St. on July 10 around 9:30 a.m.

July 11

An assault was reported at the 600 block of W. 29th St. on July 11 just before 9 p.m.

A crash resulting in vehicle damage was reported at the intersection of 10th St. and Joliet on July 11 around 8:20 p.m.

Police responded to the 2400 block of N. Columbia St. on July 11 just before 3 p.m. in reference to a theft and criminal trespassing.

A theft was reported at the 300 block of SE 8th St. on July 11 just before noon.

An assault was reported at the 2500 block of E. 5th St. on July 11 around 12:30 a.m.

July 12

Plainview Police arrested 28-year-old Marcuis Anthony Martinez and 25-year-old Randy Plasencio, Jr., on July 12 at the 1900 block of W. 5th St. around 1:30 p.m. Each individual was charged with unauthorized use of a vehicle, which is a felony offense.

Lucy Nicole Cortez, 32, was arrested at the 2000 block of W. 5th St. on July 12 around noon for outstanding felony warrants and a misdemeanor warrant. The warrants include one for theft of property and two for forgery of a financial instrument, which is a felony.

A 30-year-old woman was arrested on July 12 at the 1100 block of Lexington St. just after 6:30 a.m. after police were called to the location in reference to an assault. The individual was charged with assault causing bodily injury to a family member.

A 33-year-old man was arrested for assault/family violence causing bodily injury. The individual was arrested at the 1100 block of Lexington St. around 9 a.m. on July 12.

A 25-year-old man was arrested for assault at the 2400 block of the west frontage road of I-27 on July 12. Officers arrived at the location of the arrest around 3 a.m.

Officers responded to the 2400 block of W. 24th St. on July 12 around 1:30 a.m. in reference to a call about public intoxication.

Officers were called to the 400 block of S. Columbia St. on July 12 around 10:30 p.m. in reference to a crash resulting in vehicle damage.

Criminal mischief was reported at the 1600 block of Portland St. on July 12 just before midnight.

Officers were called to the 1200 block of W. 21st St. on July 12 around 12:15 p.m. in reference to an assault.

A burglary was reported at the 500 block of Ash St. on July 12 around 9 p.m.

A crash with vehicle damage was reported at the 700 block of the west frontage road of Interstate 27 was reported on July 12 just before 9 p.m.

July 13, Monday

Frank Pelvith Lopez, 22, was arrested on Monday at the 900 block of Kokomo St. Officers responded to the location just after 11:15 p.m. and arrested Lopez for a felony warrant for cruelty to livestock animals.

Fraudulent use of a credit/debit card was reported Monday at the 3500 block of Olton Road around 3:40 p.m.

Burglary of a habitation was reported at the 3300 block of Quincy St. on Monday around 1:45 p.m.

A theft was reported at the 1300 block of W. 24th St. on Monday around 4:50 a.m.

Burglary of a vehicle was reported at the 2000 block of W. 11th St. on Monday around 8:40 a.m.

Burglary of a building was reported at the 700 block of W. 5th St. on Monday just after noon.

Assault and abandon/endangerment of a child were reported at the 600 block of W. 29th St. on Monday around 10:45 a.m.

A crash resulting in vehicle damage was reported at the 800 block of W. 5th St. on Monday around 5:15 p.m.

A burglary was reported at the 200 block of Cedar St. just after 10 p.m. on Monday.

Criminal mischief was reported at the 2000 block of W. 8th St. on Monday around 10:30 p.m.

A crash resulting in vehicle damage was reported at 5th St. and Quincy on Monday just before 1 p.m.

July 14, Tuesday

Police arrested 60-year-old Jose Angel Valenzuela on Tuesday at the 2400 block of W. 16th St. just after 11:30 a.m. for two out-of-county felony warrants.

Unauthorized use of a vehicle was reported at the 100 block of Yonkers St. on Tuesday around 3:50 a.m.

Burglary of a vehicle was reported at the 1400 block of Lometa St. around 6:30 a.m. Tuesday.

A theft was reported at the 700 block of Galveston St. on Tuesday around 7:45 a.m.

A crash resulting in injury was reported at the 2600 block of W. 16th St. on Tuesday around 10:15 a.m.

Criminal trespassing was reported at the 2900 block of Lometa St. around 11:20 a.m. on Tuesday.

A crash resulting in vehicle damage was reported at the 2900 block of Dimmitt Road on Tuesday around noon.

A crash resulting in injury was reported at 5th St. and Columbia on Tuesday around 12:30 p.m.

Officers conducted a stop at the 600 block of S. Broadway around 1:15 p.m. in reference to a health or safety incident. The incident report shows it included sale of a cigarette, e-cigarette or tobacco product to a minor.

July 15, Wednesday

A 31-year-old woman was arrested Wednesday at the 1300 block of Thunderbird St. around 11:45 p.m. where officers responded to a hit-and-run that caused vehicle damage. The individual was charged with driving while intoxicated and striking an unattended vehicle.

A theft was reported at the 900 block of Denver St. around 10 a.m. on Wednesday.

Theft and damaged property were reported at the 1000 block of Denver St. on Wednesday around 11:15 a.m.

A theft from a yard was reported at the 1500 block of Milwaukee St. on Wednesday around 1:30 p.m.

Criminal mischief resulting in property damage to a business was reported at the 1200 block of W. 21st St. on Wednesday around 1:45 p.m.

A hit-and-run resulting in vehicle damage was reported at the 2000 block of Kokomo St. on Wednesday around 3:10 p.m.

A burglary from a vehicle was reported Wednesday at the 2100 block of W. 6th St. around 4:15 p.m.

July 16, Thursday

An assault was reported Thursday at the 1500 block of Houston St. around 6:45 p.m.

A crash resulting in injury was reported at the 1800 block of the west frontage road of I-27 on Thursday around 9:50 a.m.

An assault was reported at the 1700 block of W. 15th St. on Thursday around 2:45 a.m.

A crash resulting in vehicle damage was reported at the 400 block of E. 5th St. on Thursday around 10:45 a.m.

Trespassing and criminal mischief were reported Thursday at the 700 block of Galveston St. just after 9 p.m.
Police arrested 25-year-old D.S. Pavan Srinivas, a native of Guntur in Andhra Pradesh and a resident of Hyderabad, who himself had donated a kidney and after realising the huge money potential, started arranging kidney donors.

Hyderabad, July 18 (IANS) Hyderabad police on Saturday claimed to have busted a kidney racket with the arrest of a youth who cheated a family after collecting Rs 34 lakh from them for arranging a kidney transplant surgery in Sri Lanka or Turkey.

Joint Commissioner A.R Srinivas told reporters that the accused, a MBA graduate, facilitated around nine kidney transplants.

For each transplant, the accused used to earn a commission of around Rs 6 lakh.

The Banjara Hills police had registered a case of cheating and criminal breach of trust against Pavan in June last year on a complaint by a family which had paid him Rs 34 lakh towards the cost of a kidney transplant surgery, accommodation and payment to a kidney donor.

The police said after collecting the money, the accused had cut off contacts with the family and was missing.

Bijjala Bharathi had lodged a complaint with Banjara Hills police station that they came in contact with Srinivas at a hospital in the city where her husband, a dialysis patient, was undergoing treatment. He promised them to provide donor and get the transplantation done through his known sources in Sri Lanka or Turkey for which he collected the money.

The police investigations revealed that the accused spent the amount lavishly in Casino games in Sri Lanka and cheated the family by not arranging the donor and transplant.

The probe also revealed that after incurring loss in share market, the accused went to Sri Lanka in 2013 where he sold his kidney to get money and developed contacts with some doctors. In order to earn easy money he hatched a plan to work as an agent to provide donors for needy patients. He started to lure poor people through social media and made them ready to donate their kidneys for money.

He used to get the kidney transplants done through his contacts in some hospitals in Sri Lanka and Turkey.

Pavan was involved in three cases registered in the two Telugu states. He had also spent nearly one and half years in jail in Sri Lanka for overstaying.

--IANS

ms/rt
Former Vice President Joe Biden has managed to obtain a commanding national lead over President Donald Trump in large part due to growing distrust of the presidents handling of the coronavirus pandemic. The presumptive Democratic nominee enjoys a 15-point lead55 percent to 40 percentover Trump among registered voters, according to a Washington Post/ABC News poll released Sunday. That marks a 5-point increase since May and a 13-point increase since March, when Biden only enjoyed a minor edge over Trump as the coronavirus was just starting to spread in the United States. Among likely voters, Bidens lead falls to 10 points54 percent to 44 percent.

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The poll still shows that despite the positive numbers for Biden, the former vice president faces several clear risks, namely that there is a significant lack of enthusiasm for his candidacy. But that may not really matter because the vast majority of Bidens supporters see the election as more about beating Trump than it is about electing Biden. In fact, voters on both sides of the aisle see the November election as a referendum on Trump more than anything else. Among Bidens supporters, 67 percent say that defeating the president is the most important factor in the election, while 72 percent of Trumps voters say they see reelecting the president as most important.

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The increased advantage for Biden comes as Americans increasingly trust the former vice president over Trump in handling the coronavirus pandemic. Biden leads Trump on whom voters trust to deal with the coronavirus by a whopping 20 points54 percent to 34 percent. When the question is about whom voters trust on the economy, Trump still leads47 percent to 45 percentalthough by a notably narrower margin than in March, when he enjoyed an 8-point lead on the issue. Overall, approval of the way Trump has been handling his job as president has been on the decline and now stands at 39 percent, representing a 9-point decline from March.

The Washington Post/ABC News poll released Sunday is the fifth consecutive high-quality national poll that shows Biden ahead of Trump by at least 10 points, notes Politico. That is a historic advantage and marks the widest margin for a challenger since Bill Clinton. That is in large part due to the coronavirus but also because Bidens long career has made it more difficult for Trumps campaign to figure out an effective line of attack that could help negatively define the presumptive Democratic nominee.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-07-19 16:15:41|Editor: huaxia

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Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi attends and presides over the first China + Central Asia (C+C5) foreign ministers meeting via video link, on July 16, 2020. (Xinhua/Liu Weibing)

"Strengthening constructive cooperation in a period of turbulence of the world economy is a requirement of the time," Anri Sharapov, an Uzbek political scientist, said.

TASHKENT, July 19 (Xinhua) -- The first China + Central Asia (C+C5) foreign ministers' meeting held via video link on Thursday has great historical significance amid the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, an Uzbek political scientist said Saturday.

As the world economy and politics are facing crucial tests, the first C+C5 foreign ministers' virtual meeting reflects the stable relationship between China and the Central Asian countries, Anri Sharapov, head of the Department of Economics and Politics of China at the Tashkent State Institute of Oriental Studies told Xinhua.

"These countries are friendly neighbors with a high degree of mutual political trust and are expanding mutually beneficial cooperation," he said.

A freight train leaves for Tashkent of Uzbekistan from Weihai port in east China's Shandong Province, Aug. 31, 2018. (Xinhua/Tang Ke)

With the Central Asian countries in the process of economic modernization, China's investments are playing an important role in the region, he said, adding that "strengthening constructive cooperation in a period of turbulence of the world economy is a requirement of the time."

Sharapov highlighted the importance for the bloc to work together to combat the COVID-19 epidemic, strengthen trade ties and ensure food security, calling on accelerating the development of a digital economy and diversified transportation systems.

The foreign ministers' meeting is expected to push for the new development of relations among the countries and create favorable conditions for their cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative, the political scientist said.

In the meeting hosted by Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi, China and five Central Asian countries agreed to launch a foreign ministers' meeting mechanism to meet regularly to jointly address challenges, and pursue development and prosperity, according to a joint statement issued by the ministers on Thursday. 
Ten emergency 'Nightingale courts' have been set up to help the justice system cope with the backlog of cases built up during the coronavirus pandemic.

One of the ad hoc courts, which take their nickname from the temporary Nightingale hospitals set up to deal with a surge in demand earlier in the pandemic, will be based in Peterborough Cathedral.

In March 2020, almost half of all courts were closed and jury trials were paused to minimise social interaction between court users.

Magistrates' courts in England and Wales are facing a backlog of some 480,000 cases, with trials delayed during the coronavirus lockdown.

Ten emergency 'Nightingale courts' have been set up to help the justice system cope with the backlog of cases built up during the coronavirus pandemic, including 480,000 magistrates' courts cases in England and Wales. One of the ad hoc courts will be based in Peterborough Cathedral (pictured)

Another Nightingale court will be based in the Swansea Council Chambers in Wales (pictured). In March 2020, almost half of all courts were closed and jury trials were paused to minimise social interaction between court users

Crown courts, where the most serious offences like rape and murder are dealt with, are dealing with a pile-up of some 41,000 cases, according to Ministry of Justice data for June.

The courts will hear non-custodial crime cases, tribunals, family and civil matters to ensure 'the wheels of justice keep turning'.

Where will the ten 'Nightingale courts' be based? Former county court at Telford, Shropshire

Hertfordshire Development Centre, Stevenage

Swansea Council Chambers, Swansea

Cloth Hall Court, Leeds

Middlesbrough Town Hall, Teesside

East Pallant House, Chichester

102 Petty France, London

Prospero House, London

Former magistrates' court at Fleetwood, Lancashire

Knights' Chamber and Visitor Centre, Bishop's Palace, Peterborough Cathedral Advertisement

The MoJ said the new courts would create more space for existing courts to hear serious jury trials, which were temporarily paused as lockdown took effect.

Caroline Goodwin QC, chairwoman of the Criminal Bar Association, welcomed the news as a 'start'.

She said: 'Now let's get serious and open up 50 more buildings and focus on criminal trials. Time is of the essence.

'Two months of delay getting these 10 on-stream just piles on the human suffering to get trials on that have already been delayed for between one and three years, impacting tens of thousands of those left waiting.'

Ms Goodwin said some 26,000 crown court trials have piled up and are waiting to start, 'more than twice the number than those which took place last year after Government cuts forced court rooms to shut'.

She said the Government's 'destructive slashing' of justice system budgets had led to backlogs pre-pandemic, noting that 12,473 trials with fixed dates last year were 'simply bumped due to cuts to court sitting days, while perfectly good court rooms were kept idle just to shave costs'.

A court set up in East Pallant House, Chichester, is expected to begin hearing cases next week, with all 10 locations aiming to be operational by next month, the MoJ said.

After jury trials were halted in March and around half of courts closed, up to nine in 10 hearings have used remote technology to continue making progress throughout the pandemic.

Some jury trials resumed in May, after almost two months on hold, but last month Justice Secretary Robert Buckland QC warned that clearing the lockdown-induced backlog could continue into next year.

A court set up in East Pallant House (pictured), Chichester, is expected to begin hearing cases next week, with all 10 locations aiming to be operational by next month

Crown courts, where the most serious offences like rape and murder are dealt with, are dealing with a pile-up of some 41,000 cases, according to Ministry of Justice data for June. Another court will open in Middlesbrough Town Hall, Teesside (pictured)

The ad hoc courts take their 'Nightingale' nickname from the Nightingale temporary hospitals set up earlier in the coronavirus pandemic

Mr Buckland said of the new interim courts: 'Our action to keep the justice system running throughout the pandemic has been globally recognised, with these Nightingale Courts being the latest step in this effort.

'They will help boost capacity across our courts and tribunals  reducing delays and delivering speedier justice for victims.

'But we won't stop there.

'Together with the judiciary, courts staff and legal sector, I am determined that we must pursue every available option to ensure our courts recover as quickly as possible.'
Floods are an annual feature of Assams calendar and each year three to four waves of deluge hit the state and affect millions. But this year theres the additional scourge of the coronavirus pandemic as well.

Thousands uprooted by floodwaters are taking shelter in relief camps and local administrations are trying to implement a new set of rules which require safety and social distancing among the people housed in them.

There have been no reported cases of Covid-19 infection yet from the relief camps, which are usually located in government educational institutions and temporary structures.

In view of Covid-19, we issued fresh guidelines in May itself on the management of flood relief camps. District administrations have followed those rules, but floods this year have been unrelenting making it tougher for them, said Pankaj Chakraborty, the state project coordinator of Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA).

As per the new guidelines, district officials had to identify additional relief camps as per population density of villages to earmark space for social distancing.

Unlike earlier when 3.5sq m of space in relief camps was earmarked for each person, the figure was doubled to 7sq m to ensure theres one-metre distance between two camp inmates.

We have been staying at a relief camp since July 13. Local officials informed us about maintaining hygiene and social distancing and we are trying to follow as much as possible, Ramen Doley, a farmer in Golaghat, who is staying at a relief camp at Mungilal lower primary school along with 126 others.

Adequate toilet facilities, provisions made for hand-wash, sanitizers and face masks for inmates, daily monitoring of the health of inmates and isolation and tests of those showing Covid-19 symptoms were some of the other rules.

We have 52 relief camps at present and over persons are staying in them. Our personnel are ensuring all safety and social distancing protocols are followed. Health workers are visiting camps and conducting tests of those showing symptoms. No one has been found infected yet, said Nandita Dutta, district project officer of the disaster management authority in Barpeta.

According to an ASDMA bulletin on Saturday, more than 27.63 lakh people in 26 of the states 33 districts are affected by floods, which have claimed 79 lives this season. Over 47,000 displaced people were taking shelter in 649 relief camps in 21 of the affected districts.

There are 22 relief camps in our district at present and 3240 persons are staying there. We have provided face masks, sanitisers, soaps at the relief camps. Though we have had cases of inmates suffering from cough, cold etc., no one has been found Covid-19 positive yet, said Ronney Rajkumar, district project officer of the disaster management authority in Golaghat.
Despite a rising number of Covid-19 cases in Pune, the city is reporting a shortage of essential drugs including Anti-viral drug remdesivir and tocilizumab (a drug that modifies the immune system or its functioning), itolizumab and favipiravir all of which are used for critical patients or those with moderate symptoms. The Food and Drugs Administration (FDA), Pune division has made a list of all the registered suppliers of these drugs and brought in a three-point check to ensure that city hospitals do not hoard the drugs and the needy patients get it on time.

As of Friday, there are 666 critical patients among 1,530 active cases in the district.

The FDA issued a list of 23 registered suppliers of these drugs for the entire Pune division of which 10 are in Pune district. One of the distributors, Girish Lunavat from Prakash Medical Centre, said, We are facing a shortage of essential drugs mainly remdesivir and tocilizumab. The demand is huge and rising, but the supply is not regular. We give full advance payment, but still the supply is not consistent. Only if the production increases will the supply become smooth. However, we have been assured by the company that by next week, the shortage of both these drugs will be fulfilled.

SB Patil, FDA joint commissioner (drugs) Pune division, said, There is a shortage, but we will regularise the supply by the end of this month. However, we have also seen that doctors are prescribing these drugs to even those who are in home isolation whereas these drugs are for those who are hospitalized and are critical. We get around 400 vials of remdesivir and 100 vials of tocilizumab every day, but the demand is high.

Patil further said that to ensure that the drug reaches the right patient for every vial the hospital/distributor has to provide the hospitals admission card, patients identity proof, relatives identity proof who has come to buy the drug and Covid-19 report.

He said, The drugs are supplied either through distributors to individuals or to the hospitals medical store. The same documents have to be provided. Each hospital has to provide a daily report of the opening balance of drugs, closing balance and details of the patients who have been administered with the drugs. We also keep a three-way check at the companys depot, distributor level and the hospital level to ensure that the drugs are not kept away from needy patients.

Patil further added that by next week the supply will be regularised as about 20 per cent of the drugs which the state will receive will be diverted for Pune.

Remdesivir is the only drug approved by the United States food and drug administration for treating Covid-19 patients. While tocilizumab is still imported, remdesivir has now been certified to be manufactured by two Indian companies Cipla and Hetero Drugs.

Families of Covid-19 patients and doctors have said that generic brands of remdesivir and tocilizumab are in short supply in Mumbai too. However, stocks of remdesivir and tocilizumab are likely to improve from next week, according to manufacturing companies and the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC). Hetero Healthcare on Friday announced that it will distribute 60,000 units of the Covifor injection, which is its generic brand of remdesivir, across the country between July 13 and July 20.

Of these, 12,500 units will be distributed in Maharashtra. Cipla, the other company permitted to manufacture the drug, started production of CIPEMI (remdesivir) on Monday. Around 80,000 vials will be available within the first month, said Nikhil Chopra, executive vice president and chief executive officer (India, business), Cipla.
New Delhi, July 19 : Amid the ongoing political drama in Rajasthan, at the centre of attention are three Congress MLAs who switched their loyalties at the last minute and dashed Sachin Pilot's hopes of pulling the rug from under the Ashok Gehlot government in the state.

These MLAs are - Danish Abrar, son of late MP Abrar Ahmed, who is close to a powerful functionary in Delhi in the Congress setup, Chetan Dudi who is MLA from Didwana and Rohit Bohra, MLA from Rajkhera.

These three MLAs were considered close to Pilot and came to Delhi on the first day itself but later returned.

The other MLA whose audio clips have been leaked is Bhanwar Lal Sharma who was allegedly heard negotiating with the BJP.

The three young MLAs returned to Jaipur after intervention by a top AICC functionary who convinced them to return and also got to know the plans of the Pilot camp and exact numbers of MLAs in touch with Pilot for a possible coup, sources said .

The coup had to aborted midway as the Congress came to know of the plans and guarded its MLAs who did not reach Delhi.

Meanwhile these three MLAs on reaching Jaipur denied any meeting with the BJP and briefed the press "We are the soldiers of Congress and will be with the party till our last breath" said Bohra. Dudi said his leader is Sonia Gandhi while Danish Abrar maintained that the government is under no threat.

The three MLAs returned to Jaipur and maintained that they were on a personal visit to Delhi, but the leak of tapes of Bhanwar Lal Sharma has put the Pilot camp in the dock.

Congress spokesperson Pawan Khera slammed the BJP, said, "The entire shamelessness of this admission is very shocking they are not worried about the fact that they caught redhanded but they are worried about the fact that they were being recorded and asking if was it legal." However, Union minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat has denied that he was in touch with Sharma but Congress on Sunday demanded removal of Shekhawat.

"Congress demands that either Gajendra Singh Shekhawat resigns or else he should be removed so that he cannot influence the probe," said party leader Ajay Maken in Jaipur.

Meanwhile 19 MLAs who were staying in Gurugram have shifted to a south Delhi hotel, said sources however it's not clear in which hotel they are as earlier the MLAs were in ITC Grand Bharat in Gurugram but after the Rajasthan Special Operations Group reached there the MLAs shifted base and the Pilot camp is tightlipped about it.
The government is responsible for ensuring adequate capital for banks that are under its ambit on a durable/sustainable basis. The dominant owner pre-2014 didnt question risk controls in government banks even as it received significant dividends. A number of government banks did not have senior management in place, and governance suffered. This is a perennial shortcoming on account of bureaucratic inertia and political meddling. Ditto for the banks board of directors; it is common knowledge that this has traditionally been a placeholder for sinecure to political supporters. Key committees of the board, like the audit committee, have suffered from both inadequate membership, as seats go unfilled, as well as paucity of talent/domain knowledge to carry out fiduciary responsibilities to the level that is required and expected.

The regulator fell short on several counts in the period leading up to 2014. It failed to challenge assumptions through, for example, more rigorous stress-test scenarios at bank level, as well as sensitivity analysis on (demand) assumptions, and sector (policy) risks. The scale of exposure  or risk build-up  was not appreciated enough and contested by the regulator to effectively slow down or tighten the lending norms, say, by increasing sector risk weights to ensure protection by increasing capital requirements. Indias credit practices have been informed, inter alia, by a confidence that income recognition and associated prudential parameters had scope for exceptions built in; lenders, led by the government, and large borrowers felt that the requisite leaning could lead to dilution. Implicitly, on balance, discretion is the default rather than the rule. An extenuating reality is that the regulator in our system does its work by constantly looking over its shoulder. High professional integrity notwithstanding, the RBIs reputation has been that of a soft regulator  deterrence has been undermined. [] The regulator, prior to 2014, not only neglected to take away the punch bowl from the credit-binge party  thereby missing an opportunity to signal that it is cognizant of a potential risk to sector stability  but may have contributed to spiking the punch bowl by reinforcing forbearance through perpetuating practices like designating NPAs as standard restructured assets, a non sequitur.

The supervisors role is to ensure that stringent risk-management processes and requirements are adhered to. There was a failure to acknowledge and rectify government banks inability to identify poor performing assets; and restructure and react quickly to improve recovery or cut losses (by way of illustration, iron and steel companies, airlines, generators, real estate, etc). The regulators inspection reports rarely cautioned banks to the extent required about the high credit growth, which was running well ahead of real growth.

The banks themselves applied little risk analysis in sifting good from bad assets; they kept lending without much (or the requisite) due diligence, scepticism, concern for exposure concentration, high leverage and, overall, dynamic assessment over the cycle (in other words, closed loop control was abjured). Inadequate risk management in banks didnt allow them to identify poor performing assets, and they may also have been in denial that there was a severe problem of poor quality assets (a build-up possibly as early as 2011 onwards). Instead, they seemed to have continued with extending further credit to poorly performing loan cases; this was done without commensurate enhancement of collateral; borrowers seem to have proffered their name/personal net worth in the form of personal guarantees as substitute. Furthermore, some large borrowers, allegedly, may have taken equity out of the business (if investigations under way are anything to go by) or, at any rate, they did not inject more equity nor, it would seem, did the banks demand this as a precursor to further extension of credit. In other words, the scale, nature and complexity of these exposures were allowed to balloon out of hand. The banks were too big to fail because the individual entities that they had lent to were deemed as too big to close down or change ownership. On an average, board-level firewalls did not fulfil remit adequately. Assets tucked away by banks under the cloak provided by the Corporate Debt Restructuring cell were seriously impaired; these loans should have been evaluated for what they were  those meriting advance capital provisioning against likely recognition as NPAs in due course.

What about the fourth and fifth stakeholders? Not much to say here except for the deafening silence of otherwise voluble business associations on the subject of defaulting borrowers. There have hardly been any notable declarations supporting rules-based resolution and liquidation, or urging members to honour debt-servicing obligations. The dereliction is baffling, as the top leadership of business associations comprise bankers, and the carry cost of NPAs is driving up the margin on loans for all borrowers.

The financial media in the country routinely bestows banking awards on banks that have been fined, sometimes more than once, by sector regulators for transgressions. One would think that the rules for qualification would include, at a minimum, a transparent criterion that any bank that has been penalized by a regulator  since this has to be disclosed to the stock market, it makes for easy and costless verification  say, in the twelve months prior to the date of announcement of award, will not be considered. Further, there are instances of jury members affiliated to an institution that has been fined by a financial regulator. A reputation for abiding by regulations should matter. Is sponsorship of annual awards and banking conclaves worth the implicit condoning of wrongful actions?

As an example, consider the following. In July 2019, the regulator imposed fines on eleven banks for a wrongdoing. A few months later, in September 2019, one government bank in that list received an award from a financial publication. In October 2019, a private bank that had been punished in July won an award from another financial publication. One can go on, as there are other such instances.

In conclusion, all stakeholders were too slow and too late, and also possibly too naive or in denial up to 2013/14. The RBI only started collating large exposure data in June 2014. It is reasonable to conclude that stakeholders have been in reactive mode.
Washington Post photo by Matt McClain

D.C., Maryland and Virginia reported 2,049 new coronavirus infections on Sunday, the highest single-day increase since late May. The seven-day average in cases for the region has been trending upward for nearly two weeks. The region also added 11 deaths, nine of which were in Maryland.

Virginia reported 1,057 new infections, including 80 in Fairfax, 51 in Loudoun and 48 in Prince William counties. Virginia Beach, where the surge in infections has been concentrated, recorded 146 new cases - the highest single-day increase in the state.
When the heavily armed New Mexico Civil Guard stationed themselves in front of the La Jornada monument outside the Albuquerque Museum on June 15, they made their intent clear.

Their presence was meant to deter protesters from tearing down or damaging the controversial Juan de Onate statue, which is part of a 100-foot-long public artwork. They saw their role as a quasi-law enforcement unit to protect the monument.

It didnt work. Protesters went ahead with assaulting the statue with a pickaxe and wrapping chains around its middle amid heated verbal exchanges with members of the guard.

During the protest, there was shoving, shouting, people thrown to the ground  and one protester was shot and critically injured.

It was a textbook example of why the authorities entrusted  and paid  to keep the community safe should have stepped up and taken charge. And it exemplified the danger of allowing unauthorized civilian wanna-be military to take the role of law enforcement  in this case, their presence heightened the tension and charged emotions.

Mayor Tim Keller and the Albuquerque Police Department have said they are looking into the actions and decisions made by APD that evening but have acknowledged officers were ordered to hang back in the nearby museum and police substation as the Civil Guard took on APDs role and protesters were allowed to openly damage public property.

It was not until the protester was shot that police intervened. By that time, members of the Civil Guard surrounded the alleged shooter, saying they were covering him until police showed up.

Now it is up to New Mexicos legal system to determine whether allowing civilians to swoop in to play cop or soldier, as the New Mexico Civil Guard did, is unconstitutional.

Second Judicial District Attorney Raul Torrez insists it is. Last week, he filed a civil complaint asking that the Civil Guard be prohibited from showing up at protests as a military unit and assuming law enforcement functions.

At the same time, Torrez acknowledges the fine line that cannot be crossed  protecting the First Amendment Rights of protesters and counter-protesters and the Second Amendment rights of all New Mexicans, as we live in an open-carry state.

Which means an individual can still show up at a protest with an unconcealed weapon.

What Torrez and Georgetown Law Schools Institute for Constitutional Advocacy are asking a judge to do is prohibit the Civil Guard from assuming law enforcement functions by using or projecting the ability to use organized force in response to perceived threats at protests, demonstrations, or public gatherings.

The DA says there is a very clear and undeniable reason for that. We need to maintain legitimate forms of accountability and legitimate forms of oversight for those individuals who have the responsibility and the power to exercise this kind of force in society.

Members of this group were wearing law enforcement knock-offs and wielding semiautomatic rifles, at least one with a 75-round drum magazine.

The complaint names 14 members of the militia, most of whom live in Bernalillo County and some who are associated with white supremacist and neo-Confederate organizations. It says they are operating as a military unit in violation of the New Mexico Constitution, and adds the fatigues worn by Civil Guard members were virtually indistinguishable from those worn by the citys riot police, down to the inked names on the pockets of their uniforms.

But while they may take on some of the accoutrements of local law enforcement, they have not been willing to put in the hard work and training needed to achieve that role. And, more importantly, be willing to answer to a publicly accountable chain of command.

And that piece is the crux of Torrezs argument, because New Mexico law forbids unregulated private security forces and unregulated paramilitary organizations because they are not accountable to the people, they pose a threat to public safety, and they encourage rather than deter or quell violence.

Bingo! If these militia groups are allowed to attempt to quell violence, whose methods would they use, and who would discipline them for abuses? Whats to stop them  or an antifa group  from paying a visit to your workplace or home next week? And how free will your speech be when facing an arsenal of ammo?

Torrez emphasizes that folks who want to carry a sidearm out in public can.

And that while the New Mexico Civil Guard is free to organize, train and operate, the unregulated militia group has no authority to attempt to exercise control of citizens or property as it did June 15.

Torrez says his complaint is the first time a district attorney has taken such action in the United States. A similar case unfolded in Charlottesville, Virginia, after the Unite the Right protest in August 2017 at which a counter-protester was struck by a car and killed. The Institute for Constitutional Advocacy won a major victory in that case  the defendant militia group was prohibited from participating in protests and rallies as an unauthorized armed group.

We have to nip this in the bud before it turns into something else, Torrez told the Journal Editorial Board.

Following the June 15 protest, City Attorney Esteban Aguilar Jr. insisted that Albuquerque police could not intervene with the Civil Patrol because members had not committed any crimes. Torrez disagrees, which is why he is pursuing the suit.

Bryce Provance, the Civil Guards chaplain and founder, told the Journals Matthew Reisen in early July that the militia group wanted nothing to do with the controversial statute of Onate and showed up to give protesters something to think about.

You know what the police are going to do, you dont know what were going to do, Provance said. Our goal was to be that question mark in their minds that made them think maybe this isnt the greatest idea to go burning through Old Town.

New Mexico doesnt need a question mark with an arsenal. Provances words should seal the case against the Civil Guard. Those members who truly want to play enforcer can apply for the law enforcement academy or military  and leave policing and protecting to those trained, entrusted and accountable.

And that means those sworn officers have got to be allowed to step up.

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.
The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has released its preliminary report on the death of Tolulope Arotile, Nigerias first female fighter helicopter pilot.

PREMIUM TIMES reported the death of Ms Arotile last week. She was killed in a car accident, according to an earlier statement by the NAF.

There have been rumours that Ms Arotile was deliberately murdered and many Nigerians including members of her family have called for investigations.

The air force, in its preliminary investigative report released on Monday, said such rumour was false.

Ms Arotile was killed by her friend who mistakenly hit her with his vehicle, the air force wrote in the report while providing details of the incident.

Upon recognising their schoolmate, Arotile, after passing her, Mr Adejoh, who was driving, reversed the vehicle, ostensibly in an attempt to quickly meet up with the deceased, who was walking in the opposite direction. In the process, the vehicle struck Flying Officer Arotile from the rear, knocking her down with significant force and causing her to hit her head on the pavement. The vehicle then ran over parts of her body as it veered off the road beyond the kerb and onto the pavement, causing her further injuries, air force spokesperson, Ibikunle Daramola, said in a statement containing the report.

The air force also said it was handing over further investigations to the police.

See the details of the report below.

PRELIMINARY INVESTIGATION REPORT ON THE DEATH OF FLYING OFFICER TOLULOPE AROTILE

1. On 14 July 2020, the Nigerian Air Force (NAF), and indeed the entire Nation, was thrown into mourning as a result of the death of one of our shining young stars in the person of Flying Officer Tolulope Arotile, the NAFs first female combat helicopter pilot.

Her unfortunate demise has elicited an overwhelming outpouring of condolences, prayers and support to the NAF as well as the Arotile Family. This has no doubt been so, not just for Tolulopes outstanding accomplishments at the tender age of 24, but also because of her sterling personal qualities of excellence, hard work, dedication to duty, confidence and courage, which endeared her to her superiors, subordinates and peers in the Service. Unfortunately, because of the peculiar circumstances of the incident that led to her death, a rash of falsehoods, innuendos, conspiracy theories and the likes have been propagated in the public space, especially on Social Media.

The NAF sincerely hopes that the findings of the just-concluded preliminary investigation into this unfortunate and painful incident will address the misinformed issues raised in the Social Media on the tragedy.

2. Moreover, while it would have been ideal for the entire investigation to be concluded before details on the incident are released, the NAF, in sensitivity to public concerns occasioned by the spread of false information, appreciates the imperative to provide more clarity at this very difficult moment. Please note that the details being revealed today have already been communicated to the Arotile Family, who ideally should be allowed to mourn their daughter and sister in peace, but for the unfortunate nature of the sad occurrence.

3. In line with the normal procedure in the Nigerian Air Force during such occurrences, an investigation was immediately instituted to formally determine the circumstances of the incident. Accordingly, the preliminary investigation has revealed the following details: a. The Late Flying Officer Tolulope Arotile, a Squadron Pilot at the 405 Helicopter Combat Training Group (405 HCTG) Enugu, attached to the Air Component of Operation GAMA AIKI in Minna, having recently completed her Promotion Examinations, was in Kaduna awaiting deployment for her next assignment. During this period, she stayed with her sister, Mrs Damilola Adegboye, at Sabo Area in Kaduna, visiting the NAF Base whenever necessary.

b. On 14 July 2020 at about 10.55am, Late Flying Officer Arotile received a phone call from her colleague, Flying Officer Perry Karimo, a fellow helicopter pilot from the 405 HCTG, who wanted to discuss arrangements for their return to Enugu, requesting that she comes to the Base so that they could work out the modalities. Subsequently, at about 10.58am, the Late Arotile placed a call through to Squadron Leader Diepiriye Batubo, the Group Operations Officer (GOO) of 405 HCTG, who was in Minna at the time, to clarify issues regarding her deployment. It must be highlighted that the call FROM Flying Officer Karimo as well as the one TO the Squadron Leader Batubo both took place before 11.00am, over 5 hours before the incident which led to her death.

c. Flying Officer Arotile was later conveyed from Sabo to the NAF Base Kaduna by her sister, Mrs Adegboye, where the Deceased dropped her phone for charging at a house in the Instructor Pilots Quarters belonging to Squadron Leader Alfa Ekele. Her elder sister later dropped her off at the Base Mammy Market at about 4.00pm, where she proceeded to photocopy and laminate some documents. It was while she was returning from the Mammy Market at about 4.30 pm that 3 of her former schoolmates at the Air Force Secondary School (now Air Force Comprehensive School) Kaduna; Mr Nehemiah Adejoh, Mr Igbekele Folorunsho and Mr Festus Gbayegun, drove past her in a Kia Sorento SUV, with Registration Number AZ 478 MKA.

It is noteworthy that Messrs Adejoh, Folorunsho and Gbayegun are all civilians who live outside NAF Base Kaduna, but were on their way to visit one Mrs Chioma Ugwu, wife of Squadron Leader Chukwuemeka Ugwu, who lives at Ekagbo Quarters on the Base.

d. Upon recognising their schoolmate, Arotile, after passing her, Mr Adejoh, who was driving, reversed the vehicle, ostensibly in an attempt to quickly meet up with the Deceased, who was walking in the opposite direction. In the process, the vehicle struck Flying Officer Arotile from the rear, knocking her down with significant force and causing her to hit her head on the pavement. The vehicle then ran over parts of her body as it veered off the road beyond the kerb and onto the pavement, causing her further injuries.

e. Flying Officer Arotile was subsequently rushed to the 461 NAF Hospital Kaduna for treatment, while Mr Folorunsho (one of the occupants of the vehicle) who is also an Accident & Emergency Nurse at the St Gerard Catholic Hospital Kaduna, administered First Aid.

f. Flying Officer Arotile was confirmed dead by the On-Call Doctor at the 461 NAF Hospital at about 4.45 pm on 14 July 2020, as a result of the head injuries.

g. The trio of Messrs Nehemiah Adejoh, Igbekele Folorunsho and Festus Gbayegun were immediately detained at the Air Provost Wing, 453 Base Services Group Kaduna as investigations began. They were subjected to Toxicology Tests at the 461 NAF Hospital but no traces of alcohol or psychotropic substances were found in their systems. It was however discovered that the driver of the vehicle, Mr Nehemiah Adejo, did not have a valid drivers license.

h. Traffic Officers from the Kawo Police Station and the Kaduna State Police Command, as well as Road Traffic experts from the Federal Road Safety Corps, were also called in to provide support during the investigation.

4. Having carefully considered the foregoing, the preliminary investigation concluded that: a. The death of Flying Officer Arotile was caused by blunt force trauma to the head and significant bleeding resulting from being struck by the vehicle.

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b. Being a civil case, the matter will be handed over to the Nigeria Police with a view to further investigating and charging the suspects to court in accordance with extant laws.

5. The Nigerian Air Force, being a highly professional and disciplined organization, will not join issues with any individuals or groups regarding the spurious allegations of foul play espoused in some quarters. Suffice it to say that Flying Officer Arotile was a pride of the NAF in whom the Service had invested massively in terms of resources, time and energy. Consequently, it is ludicrous for anyone to even remotely insinuate malevolent intent on the part of the Service against one of its most prized assets.

6. Furthermore, it is extremely sad and disheartening that, rather than allow the Arotile Family and the Nigerian Air Force to grieve for our dearly departed Tolulope in peace, many have chosen to politicize her death, while others are using the incident to push meritless, misguided ethnic and religious agendas. The Nigerian Air Force wishes to implore everyone to respect the sensibilities of all those who have suffered most by this loss, those who really knew Tolulope  her family, her friends and her Nigerian Air Force colleagues. It is of absolute importance that the memory of this Fallen Hero and our precious child is not tainted by the propagation of misplaced sentiments and wild shenanigans. Before I end this august address, may I respectfully, on behalf of the Chief of the Air Staff, the entire personnel of the NAF as well as members of the Arotile Family, express my profound appreciation to all those who in one way or the other have shown concern, support and sympathy over this unfortunate incident.

Thank you for your attention.

IBIKUNLE DARAMOLA

Air Commodore

Director of Public Relations and Information

Nigerian Air Force
We're now almost seven months into the Covid-19 crisis. And time keeps dragging on. Early on, the world turned to experts to explain what was going on. Politicians brought them in to advise on what to do. Terms like 'epidemiology', 'R number' and 'cytokine' now trip off many people's tongues. And everybody now knows the name of an immunologist: Tony Fauci.

You can even buy Tony Fauci merchandise. He's on socks, shirts, blankets and even doughnuts. You can buy a T-shirt that says: "What would Fauci do?" And he was recently nominated for an award. No, not the Nobel Prize, but Sexiest Man Alive. Previous winners include Idris Elba and David Beckham. At the time of writing, 16,000 people had already voted for him. Even Brad Pitt got to play him in a sketch on Saturday Night Live. Vanity Fair asked the 79-year-old if he ever saw himself as a candidate. He said: "Well, no. Absolutely not. When they show me this at my age, I say: 'Where were you when I was 30?'"

And yet, in spite of all this, all is not well in the world of experts - Fauci included. They are increasingly being attacked. There are signs of burnout. Some are resigning because they are not being listened to. Or because of sustained vicious criticism in that children's playground where passive-aggressive bullies lurk called social media. And yet we need them now more than ever.

Difficult times

There are a number of challenges for the experts. First and foremost, when it comes to Covid-19 there is often not enough data. Science loves data. A scientist will say: 'This is my conclusion and I'm coming to it because I have data to back it up'. This allows scientists to sleep at night.

An early fight was: 'This is a serious disease' versus 'It's just another flu'. When scientists said the evidence indicated that 0.5pc to 1.5pc of people who are infected will die, which is much higher than flu, critics said: 'You're just scaremongering. You don't care about the economy'.

When scientists said: 'If everyone wears face masks, transmission of the virus will drop by 99pc' they were attacked with: 'There's no evidence that face masks work and you're taking away my freedom by making me wear one'.

When they said: 'Opening the economy too soon will lead to a huge increase in infections' they were met with: 'We'll be fine. We must get the economy back'. And yet the scientific consensus is that the death rate is indeed of the order of 0.5pc, face masks work, and if you want evidence for what opening an economy can do, look at the US, where the death rate began climbing once economies opened, reaching a current total of 138,000, more than were lost in World War I and over twice the number lost in the Vietnam war.

Fauci and other experts were ignored. Result: many needless deaths. And yet the debate on these issues rages on. Scientists' opinion criticised because it's based on incomplete data. Politicians having to make a decision, or perhaps dithering, which might annoy the experts who are trying to do their best. All of these tensions are leading to burnout and resignations at a time when we need expert advice and science most of all.

Repeated warnings

The epidemiologist Saskia Popescu was recently interviewed in The Atlantic magazine. Her job is to prepare hospitals in Arizona for outbreaks of emerging diseases. She saw the surge coming in Arizona but nobody listened. She said: "To actually see it play out is heartbreaking. It didn't have to be that way."

She feels duty-bound to help her country at a time of need. She watched in horror as beds in her hospital began to fill up, increasingly with younger people - huge lines of people trying to access emergency care.

"Because of poor political decisions that every public health person I know disagreed with, everything that could go wrong did go wrong," she said. She is very tired and dispirited.

Another epidemiologist said: "It feels like writing, 'bad things are about to happen' on a napkin and then setting it on fire." Many have been thrown into the spotlight, which they are uncomfortable with. One person saw his Twitter followers jump from 2,000 to 130,000. They have entered the highly constrained world of tweets, where there is no room for debate. They are accused of being happy when their dire predictions come true. Nothing could be further from the truth. Most feel that America wasted its chance of controlling the pandemic.

Public health experts have become a target for trolls and bots, which is especially evident against women. One renowned expert in Scotland, Devi Sridhar, recently spoke out against her attackers and quoted one: "Whores like you would love coronavirus to kill millions." She keeps fighting.

But several others have resigned because of harassment. Dr Siegal Sadetzki is the Israeli Fauci. She recently resigned. In May, Israel had the virus under control. Jump to July and the country is in the middle of a large outbreak, with a 499pc increase in the number of cases. The economy is collapsing with unemployment at 23pc. Schools, bars and gyms that had reopened have closed again. No enforcement of mask wearing was implemented. She said: "Despite systematic and repeated warnings through various channels, we are watching with frustration. My professional opinion is not accepted - I can no longer help."

Poor reflection

But let's return to Fauci. The Trump administration has tried to discredit him. An anonymous White House official issued a list of mistakes he had made. He acknowledged that the advice he provided shifted over time. Scientists make mistakes from time to time, including me, but importantly, we correct them when they are pointed out to us by other scientists or if it's clear we were wrong as new science emerges. That's how science works. This is what Fauci did. He did it before during the Aids crisis when he was accused of being a murderer, because he delayed the hunt for treatments. He responded by creating a programme to make unapproved drugs available to patients. To give you a measure of the man, five years ago he suited up to treat a patient with Ebola, saying that he "wanted to show his staff that he wouldn't ask them to do anything he wouldn't do himself". That's what leadership is.

He has called the attacks on him "bizarre" and has said: "Ultimately it hurts the president to do that. It doesn't do anything but reflect poorly on them." He has received death threats and his wife and children have been targeted and harassed. He has had to have security protection. And yet he keeps going.

In a recent Financial Times interview he laid it on the line in his usual truthful way. He stated that this virus is "spectacularly efficient at spreading from human to human". He made it clear that it can make people really sick (as many as 15pc of those who become infected) and has a relatively high mortality rate. He called it "the big one" and "the perfect storm right now". It's for that reason he won't give up. We all need to listen to him and other experts who aren't afraid to speak out. They need our support.

If we listen to them and they are wrong, what will we have lost, as long as we all stand together and help each other in these difficult times? If they are right, and we don't listen to them, how will we feel when we realise that we could have done something to save people from dying but didn't?

Luke O'Neill is professor of biochemistry in the School of Biochemistry and Immunology at Trinity College Dublin.
Kabul, July 19 : The Afghan government has launched a new COVID-19 relief program as part of its efforts to help households facing economic hardship due to the ongoing pandemic.

Speaking at the launch event on Saturday, President Ashraf Ghani said that 90 per cent of the population in the country is living below the poverty line and that the new package will cover 90 per cent of households, reports TOLO News.

Based on the program, in the first stage, the government will allocate $86 million and then $158 million in the second phase to provide food to people across the country.

The first stage will cover over 1.7 million families in 13,000 villages in 34 provinces of the country.

"If we collect both figures, over 90 per cent of the population in Afghanistan will benefit from the package, the second phase will cost $158 million," said Amrullah Saleh, the first vice president of Afghanistan.

"Still there are serious dangers, therefore we all need to take the guidelines seriously," said Mohammad Sarwar Danish, the second vice president of Afghanistan, referring to the dangers of COVID-19.

In May, the government had announced a free bread distribution program to the needy people in Kabul and in the provinces.

The initiative was designed to provide aid through the city's bakeries to those in need during the lockdown.

But later on, the needy families claimed that the program was compromised by corruption, said the TOLO News report.

According to the Ministry of Finance, the bread distribution process in the first phase cost Afs2.8 billion ($36 million), of which Afs1.15 billion ($14.8 million) was spent in Kabul.

Based on the statistics, 38 per cent of the population in Afghanistan was living under the poverty line in 2014 when Ghani became President.

The figure rose to 55 per cent in 2017.

So far, Afghanistan has reported 35,301 COVID-19 cases, with 1,164 deaths.
Stanford GSB accounting professor Lisa De Simone teaching remotely from her home

Stanford GSB accounting professor Lisa De Simone teaching remotely from her home

As the COVID-19 case count and the death toll from the virus continues to surge in California, plans for the reopening of in-person classes at Stanfords Graduate School of Business have become increasingly complicated and stubbornly challenging. Shifting state and county guidelines, still-to-be-unveiled university protocols along with the spread of the coronavirus itself have forced the business school to plan for not one but several scenarios this autumns forthcoming quarter.

For the core curriculum, the school plans to adopt a hybrid format that will mix in-person and online learning components for most courses. Some classes, however, will be entirely online. But in communicating its plans to both incoming and second-year MBA students, the school is warning all students that its ability to offer any in-person classwork is dependent on both state and county restrictions. We are hopeful that these restrictions will ease before the quarter begins, but we also acknowledge, especially given recent trends in virus cases, that we may be forced to hold classes largely online, wrote Paul Oyer, senior associate dean of academic affairs, in a recent email to the Class of 2022.

Of course, university administrators all over the world are dealing with the frustrations of planning at a time when little certainty is possible. What is really difficult is trying to manage the tradeoff between waiting longer for better information so you can optimize vs. the sooner you start the better prepared you will be, sighs Oyer in a Poets&Quants interview. We have had to make redundant investments in time to plan for both the hybrid and worst-case scenarios.

MAKING DECISIONS WITH A LOUSY SET OF OPTIONS AND LIMITED INFORMATION

The uncertainly is not something I have ever had to deal with in any position Ive ever had, adds Oyer who joined Stanford 20 years ago as an economics professor. Things are getting a little better, but in the early days, we were making decisions day after day from a lousy set of options with limited information. And that gets old after awhile. On the other hand, we have students who are wonderful and rising to this challenge, and we have the resources to deal with these challenges. It is not easy and it is taxing our resources in ways we never imagined but we are very lucky.

Story continues

The No. 1 ranked business school in the world is inviting its new MBA students to come to campus for Week Zero, for orientation activities on Sept. 4 and the start of classes on Sept. 14. Second-year MBA classes are set to begin on Sept. 21. Students coming from outside of California are required to quarantine for 14 days upon arrival. Exactly what those students will experience when coursework starts is unclear, though an internal task force has been diligently working on a reopening plan since mid-May. The goal: Not to simply put classes online and call it a day.

Planning around this has been incredibly difficult, adds Oyer. We are going down two paths at this point: One is how can we set up the most in-person experiences possible under the restrictions we face, and the problem is that is a new model. In the Spring, we were fully online but we are not just replicating that and making it better. We want to increase the in-person experience as much as possible. The other is entirely online. We live in a world of constraints and we are working very hard to make this as great an experience as it can possibly be in all dimensions.

FACULTY ARE REIMAGING THEIR COURSES FOR THE REOPENING OF CAMPUS

Brian Lowery, senior associate dean of academic affairs

Among other things, Stanford is planning staggered class schedules so all the students arent streaming into and out of the in-person class sessions at the same time. The school is ordering more furniture to allow for socially distanced student interactions outside of class. It is putting up extensive signage to control the flow patterns of students in its buildings. Faculty, meantime, are reimaging their courses, deciding what should be taught in-person and what should go online.

Stanfords iconic Interpersonal Dynamics course, often dubbed by students Touchy Feely, plans to have class lectures and activities online, while smaller eight-person groups are expected to meet in person. In a finance elective on private equity investing, faculty are planning an A/B format where students will alternate between attending the class in person and attending via Zoom. In virtually every Autumn course, students who are not able to come to campus or attend in person will be able to participate remotely. With access to campus severely restricted, all guest speakers will participate remotely during the Autumn quarter.

Despite all of the uncertainty, the faculty seems game. A lot of the faculty want to teach in person, says Brian Lowery, another senior associate dean involved with the plans to reopen. They trust the university and the school. They are telling us, If you say I can do it, I assume there will be sufficient protocols in place to make it safe. We dont feel the need to push anyone and demand that people go in and teach. Its tough because you really want to give the students an incredible experience, and you want to make sure the faculty is in a place to be successful. Yet, everyone is under such stress.

ONE OF THE HARDEST PARTS OF THIS IS HOW DO WE ESTABLISH A CULTURE WHERE ITS OKAY TO TELL SOMEONE TO PUT YOUR MASK ON

Key to the success is preparation. We are doing a lot of preparing for in-person classes that may pay off someday but it might not be in the fall quarter, admits Oyer. On the non-academic side, we are asking what are other things we can do to facilitate small group meetings. How do we bring people together in a world where they all wear masks and be six feet apart? One of the hardest parts of this is how do we establish a culture where its okay to say, Put your mask on, and its the norm to call out a classmate if they dont. Our students are very naturally community-minded and its just a matter of getting them to understand the need to wear a mask and not to have a big party or anything that leads to a super spreader event. In the pre-COVID world, a lot of what occurred at the GSB was a super spreader event every day. If we went back to normal life tomorrow, there would be a lot of spread.

In email and webinar communications, in fact, school administrators have been discouraging students from taking trips together before they come to campus. Oyer told returning MBAs that their individual and collective behaviors before arrival will impact their experience during the reopened quarter. We are aware of the unofficial leisure travel that occurs in a typical year before students matriculate, he wrote. We do not endorse or sponsor such travel. Our observation over many years is that these events do not reflect well on the GSB and the student community, nor are they an effective way to build an inclusive class dynamic, as many students are unable to participate. These issues are especially salient given the current trajectory of Covid-19 in the U.S. and throughout the world. Not only will gathering in large groups prior to arrival compromise the health and safety of others, but such gatherings may also create unintended consequences for the experience you will be able to have on campus. If there is a cluster of COVID-19 cases within the GSB, our ability to hold class meetings in person and have social gatherings will be jeopardized.

Planning for the fall began in mid-May with the creation of a task force that included students, faculty facilities staff, the MBA program office, the teaching and learning team, and representatives from the deans office. The group has met at least weekly and often more frequently to deal with the mountain of details necessary to build contingency plans for nearly every scenario. One conclusion: In-person classes are critical to the MBA experience so every effort should be made to have them. The students really missed that intense in-person experience in the spring, says Lowery. By no fault of anyone here was it taken away, but we are trying to make sure they have social connection when they return.

Paul Oyer, senior associate dean for academic affairs

THE CALIFORNIA ADVANTAGE: WE CAN SIT OUTSIDE FOR INFORMAL MEETINGS

Oyer agrees. If we have people coming into class every day, even if that class wasnt as good as having it online, we still want to do it so people have a reason to come to campus every day, says Oyer. As long as it is done with the proper protocols because that serendipitous running into people is an important part of the community. Being in California is a good advantage to us because we can sit outside for informal meetings. In fact, the school plans on installing more furniture outside to encourage those encounters, all socially distanced, of course.

The school began running test classes over the summer to both allow faculty to get more comfortable teaching in a hybrid format and to iron out any kinks, including the realization that faculty who write on whiteboards in their online classes need to make sure the glare from camera angles or lighting in the room does not interfere with students ability to read what theyre writing.

When people say hybrid that can be a number of things, explains Lowery. One version is teaching in two modalities at the same time. We had a test with that. Some people might use that. There is going to be a range of what we do so faculty can really tailor the experience to the material and so students have the best possible experience. We are trying to create as much flexibility as possible.

NO IDEA WHAT PERCENTAGE OF THE CLASSES WILL BE IN-PERSON

Katherine Casey at Stanford

Katherine Casey, an associate professor of political economy at Stanford GSB, emerged as a star in the abrupt shift to remote instruction during the spring

Asked to estimate what percentage of Stanfords MBA classes will actually be in-person in the autumn quarter, Lowery could not provide a reliable estimate. I would not hazard a guess, he says. It matters based on first and second years and what second year students choose to take. Things are changing so quickly that anything I tell you right now could be outdated tomorrow.

While many details are yet to be finalized, Stanfords 80-seat, tiered classrooms, of course, will not be completely filled. Right now my sense is that maybe somewhere to a quarter to a third of the seats will be used, says Lowery. The university is telling us what is possible. In any case, in-person classes also will be broadcast so they can be taken by students remotely. Some students might not be able to make it back so we want them to have the opportunity to stay on track by taking classes online, adds Lowery.

MBA candidates who come back to the reopened campus will benefit, in part, from the abrupt transition to remote instruction that occurred in the spring. The amount we learned about Zoom-based teaching was incredible, says Oyer. We have a bunch of people who did such a great job in the spring quarter, and they are spreading best practices. One task force member was an absolute star in adopting her class. He cites Katherine Casey, an associate professor of political economy at Stanford GSB. In the spring, you saw a little bit of the reversal of the teaching experience. The great teachers were always the great teachers but some of the newer teachers who hadnt yet found their sea legs were more tech savvy to begin with and were absolute stars. For them, there was nothing to unlearn and nothing to adapt.

ITS A GOOD TIME TO BE IN SCHOOL

Beyond the classwork, the task force is also grappling with how to reimagine the required global experience for second-year MBAs. Currently, all university-sponsored travelwhether domestic or internationalhas been suspended. So the school is working closely with we will focus on working with student leaders on a reimagined experience. For incoming MBAs, theres the opportunity to participate in what the school is calling Global Dialogues in August prior to the start of the MBA program.

Some European schools that have already reopened their campuses have adopted some unique aspects to minimize the dangers of an outbreak. IE Business School in Madrid, Spain, for example, has UV-ray robots patrolling the classes and offices in the evening to disinfect them and has installed thermal imaging cameras to detect students with elevated temperatures. We dont have any new fangled fancy thing, says Lowery. We are waiting to see what the testing and quarantine regime will be. There will be a health app that people will use to check in before they come to campus, and we will limit off-campus visitors while increasing the number of guess visitors to classrooms via Zoom. But the protocols of people coming to campus is driven by the university.

Its all part of the new normal: A raging, still out-of-control pandemic. An ensuing recession with record unemployment. And a country convulsed by a national discourse over racial justice. Yet from Oyers standpoint, its also an ideal opportunity for young professionals to take a break and become students. Its a good time to be in school, he says flatly. This is exactly the time you want to be in school gathering human capital, even if the experience isnt exactly what you expected or hoped for.

DONT MISS: How Yale Brought Its First MBA Students Back To Campus or MBA Classes This Fall: Daily Temperature Checks, Masks, Plexiglass & Smaller Classes

The post Inside Stanfords Efforts To Welcome MBA Students Back To Campus appeared first on Poets&Quants.
Signage of Sina Weibo (C), widely known as China's version of Twitter, is displayed in Beijing on April 16, 2014. (WANG ZHAO/AFP via Getty Images)

Former Internet Police Reveals Censorship Operations at Chinese Social Media Companies

Working as a content reviewer in China, Liu Lipeng was in charge of sifting through social media posts and flagging those that violated the Chinese regimes censorship guidelines.

He saw many postswhich were slated for deletionabout Hong Kongs 2014 Umbrella Movement, when masses occupied the citys main thoroughfares to demand universal suffrage in elections. Upon Hong Kongs transfer of sovereignty from British to Chinese rule in 1997, the city was promised free and fair electionsbut Beijing had instead hand-picked candidates for the citys highest official.

Watching videos from the 2014 protests, Liu saw with his own eyes Hong Kong peoples fight for freedom and democracy. Watching them made him feel eager and compelled for freedom in his own life.

Hong Kong is the frontline for Chinas freedom and democracy. It needs support from the world, he said.

During his interview with The Epoch Times, Liu, who recently moved to California, wore a black-colored T-shirt printed with a yellow umbrella and the word strong underneath.

The yellow umbrella became an icon for the 2014 pro-democracy movement, after 10s of thousands of Hong Kong protesters used umbrellas to protect themselves from police who had fired tear gas in an attempt to disperse them.

Liu Lipeng in the United States. (The Epoch Times)

With Beijing recently implementing a national security law for Hong Kongcriminalizing acts deemed as subversion, secession, terrorism, and collusion with foreign forces with up to life in prisoninternational tech firms operating in the city suspended their reviews of government requests for user data, citing concerns about violating users freedom of expression.

TikTok, the popular Chinese-owned video-sharing app, soon announced that it would leave the Hong Kong market. Liu, who previously considered working for the companys China office in a role that would monitor and censor overseas users content, said the firm would likely have no choice but to comply with Hong Kong authorities requests for user data. But the companywhich has recently faced intense scrutiny in the United States and elsewhere for its data collection on international userswould be wary of a public relations fallout resulting from such compliance.

They know it is impossible for them to take a stand against the Chinese Communist Partys new security law in Hong Kong, said Liu.

He added that it would be impossible for a Chinese-owned app like TikTok to be completely transparent, though the firm promised to build a transparency center to alleviate public concerns about its operations. The app is developed and owned by Beijing-based tech firm ByteDance.

The Past

Liu worked for two years as a content reviewer for Weibo, a Chinese social media platform similar to Twitter. He also worked for four years as a manager of content moderation for Leshi, a Chinese social media platform similar to YouTube.

Liu described the role of content reviewers or moderators in China as labor-intensive and high-stress positions that were closely watched and controlled by the central governments chief censorship agency, the Cyberspace Administration.

He said that reviewers in China need to remember many words, names, or subjects considered politically sensitive by the regime. He gave the following examples: Falun Gong, an ancient meditation practice with moral teachings based on the principles of truthfulness, compassion, and tolerance, that has been severely persecuted by the Chinese regime since July 1999; June 4, also known as the Tiananmen Square Massacre of 1989, when authorities sent troops and tanks to crush a student-led pro-democracy movement in Beijing;

Liu Xiaobo, a political dissident who won the 2010 Nobel Peace Prize; and Xi Jinping, the name of Chinas leader, are all considered politically sensitive.

Chinese social media users have tried in many ways to avoid their comments related to Xi from being censored. As a result, Liu said there were more than 35,000 words, symbols, or different combinations of words and symbols related to Xi that were considered politically sensitive, and thus, slated for removal.

Liu said that in most job recruitment notices for this kind of role, companies say that members of the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) and Chinese Communist Youth League are preferred. Job requirements also include: candidates need to have political sensitivities, meaning, toeing the Partys line.

Higher education backgrounds are usually required, but without requirements for specific majors, Liu said. Liu graduated from university with a major in human resources. He naturally became a target of headhunters for content reviewer jobs.

Liu believed that the real reason for the college requirements is because in China, college graduates go through political indoctrination in their education.

Liu said fear was a part of daily life for content reviewers in China: you wouldnt see it, but you know its there. Its in the air.

Liu stated that CCP has party branches in all social media companies offices. We all know who the Party members are in our offices, and they usually are very friendly to everyone, Liu said. They never tell you what to do. But on the important issues, they will speak loudly about what they believe, and you know thats [the] official [stance], he added.

TikTok

TikTok and its Chinese-language version Douyin both belong to ByteDance, a Chinese social media company founded by Zhang Yiming in 2012. The social media platform allowing users to upload 60-second-long videos quickly became popular after its launch.

In April 2018, ByteDances most popular social media program Neihanduanzi, was forced to stop its operations by one of Chinas censorship authorities, the National Radio and Television Administration.

Following the ban, Zhang made a public apology and admitted that the product was going in the wrong direction, and deviated from socialist core values  [the company] has focused too much on technology, but ignored that the uses of technology have to be under the direction of socialist core values.

After the ban, ByteDance announced an expansion of its content reviewers team by 67 percent.

In a previous Epoch Times report, Liu recalled his experience in 2018 being interviewed for a role at ByteDance monitoring and policing videos posted by international users of TikTok.

At the time, Liu explained that American users were accustomed to freedom of speech and therefore would be dissatisfied with their content being overregulated. He was ultimately passed over for the job.

Though he was a professional censor, Liu tried to expose the truth to the Chinese public. On January 25, Liu posted the American CDC (Center for Disease Control and Prevention)s guidelines for preventing the spread of COVID-19, including frequently washing hands, via his account on Toutiao, another social media platform owned by ByteDance.

I thought it was totally legit, not political, said Liu. But his post was taken down by ByteDances censors.

The Chinese version of TikTok, called Douyin, also published a Chinese foreign ministry spokesmans outlandish claim that COVID-19 was brought to China by the U.S. army.

Liu became disillusioned with life under authoritarian rule and decided to move to California with his family.

In May, he received a text message from a headhunter asking if he would go back to China to have a job interview with ByteDance again. Liu declined.

We want to stay away from fear, he said, with his wife and children standing around him.
An Australian UFC fighter has vowed not to wear a mask despite Melburnians being told they are compulsory from Wednesday to stem the spread of COVID-19 in Victoria.

Premier Daniel Andrews announced the measure for all of Melbourne and Mitchell Shire on Sunday morning as he confirmed Victoria's horror second wave had infected a further 363 people and taken three more lives.

As news broke of the government order, mixed martial arts fighter Vik Grujic posted a stance of defiance on Twitter - claiming he will not be following the new rule.

But his opinion was immediately met by criticism by many of his followers who called his stance 'selfish'.

Australian UFC fighter Vik Grujic has defiantly revealed he will not 'bow down' to the Victorian government's order enforcing compulsory mask wearing from Wednesday

The mixed martial arts fighter defiantly revealed his stance on Twitter as news broke of the government order

'I will never bow to a dictatorship. I'm a proud Aussie. Born free. Will die free,' Grujic wrote.

He then followed that up with another post: 'I will not wear a mask. I will not pay a fine. I will not comply. I will not bow down to you.

'Whatever your next set of demands are, I will not comply to either.

'I'm a proud Australian. Born free. Nothing will take that away from me. No virus. No dictator.'

Poll Do you agree with it being compulsory to wear a mask in public? Yes No Do you agree with it being compulsory to wear a mask in public? Yes 345 votes

No 156 votes Now share your opinion





In response, some of his fans accused him of caring more about himself than others in society.

'To save Australian lives I would wear one. Only selfish people would refuse to,' one person wrote in response.

'A proud Aussie who talks like an American. Masks are to protect everyone - but sure, your ego is far more important than our society,' another said.

'I am a proud Aussie. Born free. Will die free. And I will not transmit the virus to my elderly friends without a fight,' one commenter added.

Some did take the UFC fighter's side - with one mocking other commenters for going 'bananas'.

'They are losing it. It's glorious,' Grujic replied.

His fiery rant follows similarly critical remarks about Mr Andrews on Monday - in which he even suggested the pandemic was fabricated to allow the government to 'destroy our way of life'.

Grujic last week suggested the pandemic was fabricated by the government - saying it was 'an attempt from the Marxist text book to destroy our way of life'

His stance divided opinion on social media - with some accusing him of caring more about himself than society

Victoria's horror second wave of COVID-19 has infected a further 363 people and taken three more lives in the 24 hours to Sunday morning, Premier Andrews confirmed

At a press conference on Sunday, Mr Andrews said the new government directive making mask-wearing mandatory would be effective from 11.59pm on Wednesday and enforced by a $200 fine.

He said the mask did not necessarily need to be hospital-grade, and could be a home-made face covering like a scarf.

Mr Andrews said there would be exceptions to the order in cases where it's not practical or masks cannot be worn for professional reasons.

Some did take the UFC fighter's side - with one mocking other commenters for 'bananas'

'Those who have a medical reason, kids under 12 years of age, those who have a professional reason or if it's just not practical, like when running [will be given an exemption],' he said.

'However you will still be expected to carry your face covering at all times to wear when you can.'

Teachers will not have to wear a mask while teaching, but students attending for VCE and VCAL secondary qualifications or for onsite supervision will not be exempted.

Premier Daniel Andrews announced all of Melbourne and neighbouring Mitchell Shire must wear a mask in public from Wednesday

Mr Andrews stressed the stage three restrictions already in place would still apply and Melbourne residents could only leave the home for one of the four permitted reasons - for essential shopping, to provide care, for work or study or for exercise.

'I just want to make a point about the fact that whilst a mask or a face covering will be of benefit, it doesn't mean that we can be shaking hands again,' he said.

Sydneysiders meanwhile are advised to wear masks in public and avoid public transport, 'non-essential' gatherings, pubs, and restaurants.

NSW detected 18 new coronavirus cases on Sunday, including four where the origin of the infection is unknown, sparking fears of a wider outbreak.
On denying entry to Labour MP Debbie Abrahams, the Indian embassy in the UK had clarified that the Labour lawmaker did not hold a valid visa and there is no provision for visa on arrival for UK nationals.

A British parliamentary group, chaired by Labour MP Debbie Abrahams, who was denied entry into India earlier this year, received Rs 30 lakhs from Pakistan government for a visit to Pakistan and Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (PoK).

According to the register of All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG), the All-Party Parliamentary Kashmir Group (APPGK) received benefit in kind of 31,501- 33,000 on February 18 this year for a visit to Pakistan and PoK. Earlier in February this year, Abrahams, was denied the entry at the Indira Gandhi International Airport after she arrived on Emirates flight from Dubai.

A day after Abrahams was denied entry into New Delhi, the Indian embassy in the UK had clarified that the Labour lawmaker did not hold a valid visa and there is no provision for visa on arrival for UK nationals.

Also Read: Ram Mandir countdown: PM Modi to lay foundation stone on Aug 5th

Also Read: Intolerant Pak exposed, 4 held for Buddha statue vandalism

Mission has confirmed from the Indian immigration authorities that Debbie Abrahams did not hold a valid visa. Further, there is no provision for visa on arrival for UK nationals. She was accordingly requested to return, Indian mission in the UK had tweeted. Abrahams had raised a question that her visa was denied as she has been critical of the Indian Government on Kashmir.

Why did the Indian Government revoke my visa AFTER it was granted? Why didnt they let me get a visa on arrival? Is it because I have been critical of the Indian Government on #Kashmir human rights issues? she had tweeted.

Also Read: Kanye West to hold first presidential campaign rally on Sunday

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European Union (EU) countries are first implementing circular economy themselves. Re-manufacturing is important to circular economy particularly, for the sake of maintaining environmental balance.

The volume of Bangladesh's bilateral trade with the Netherlands is around $1.5 billion. Of this, Bangladesh's exports make up about $1.2 billion.

King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands gave this assurance to Bangladesh's Ambassador Muhammad Riaz Hamidullah on Thursday.

Several industries in India have already prepared to meet the European market in these new circumstances.

A notice issued by the Bangladesh Embassy in the Netherlands on Friday, said that King Willem-Alexander praised the astute and strong leadership of Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and the country's socio-economic development.

Ambassador Riaz conveyed his thanks to the Dutch government for the continued cooperation ever since Bangladesh's independence.

He said that the two deltaic countries could enhance cooperation in various sectors such as climate change, women's development, sustainable manufacturing, technology, economy, and more.

Ambassador Riaz presented his credentials to the King on Thursday at the royal palace in The Hague.

As chairman of the UN water and sewerage advisory committee, King Willem-Alexander had visited Bangladesh 30 years ago.

While recalling the memories with the envoy, various issues of Bangladesh were discussed, including the matter of circular economy.

The Netherlands and other European countries had attached the concept of the circular economy to manufacturing too.

The King has shown interest in how the Netherlands could assist Bangladesh in the future in this regard.

By means of circular economy, the aim of the EU is to reduce carbon emissions to a specific level by 2030 and cut expenditure by at least 60,000 billion euros, as well as to ensure a minimum 80,000 jobs.

According to the EU website, the bloc has been working in accordance to a work plan drawn up in 2015.

In the continuity of the concept of 'green growth', Europe and the rest of the developed world are now placing emphasis on circular economy.

According to the circular economy work plan, people will be provided with high quality and safe products at economical prices. The products will be more sustainable than past products and can be remanufactured too.

The focus is on improved living, creative employment, and ensuring higher knowledge and skills.

The Ambassador apprised the king of the existing and potential investment benefits for Dutch investors in Bangladesh's agriculture, technology, energy, water, and various other sectors.

Europe is the destination of 60 per cent of Bangladesh's readymade garment exports. It is therefore essential for Bangladesh to speedily adapt to this system.

The Ambassador thanked the Dutch government for their various initiatives and support during the COVID-19 pandemic, and also for the Dutch brands for maintaining the readymade garment supply orders.

From 2025, EU countries are going to export goods to 27 EU countries will have to follow that system of production in order to remain in the competition.

It will be compulsory to make it possible to remanufacture one-fourth of a product of countries exporting to the EU.

The Ambassador informed the Kng that both of the two countries could benefit equally from such cooperation.

He said Bangladesh is doing well in economic growth as well as in various social indicators, and that there was scope for cooperation with the Netherlands in various creative fields, not just in manufacturing.

In dealing with the global changes brought about by the pandemic, everything is now 'touch-free' in the Netherlands. Instead of dealing in cash, transactions are online.

--IANS

sumi/ksk/
Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross has been admitted to a hospital in upstate New York, his spokesperson told Fox News on Saturday.

The big picture: A spokesperson said the 82-year-old was being treated for "minor, non-coronavirus related issues," per CNN. He's "doing well and we anticipate his release soon," the spokesperson told Fox News. The investor has served as the Trump administration's commerce secretary since February 2017. The Commerce Department did not immediately return Axios' request for comment.

Editor's note: This article has been updated with further details on Ross' condition and more context.
The biggest problem was doctors couldnt control and stop the fluid leak. They eventually decided surgery was the best option. After more than a weekeight daysas doctors were getting ready to perform the procedure, the leaking finally stopped. Very quickly, Eugene started acting normally. A couple of days later, doctors discharged Eugene, and we were free to go home.

One problem. We couldnt fly because the pressure inside an airplane was dangerous and could cause Eugenes spine to start again leaking fluid. Our next choice? Drive 15 hours from Columbus to our home in Dallas.

Knowing we didnt want to do the drive in one day, we mapped out where childrens hospitals were on our route homejust in case. All along, we felt if we could get back home, everything would be OK, and Eugene would continue to improve. It took us three days to travel home, but we did arrive in Texas with no issues, and we were so thankful to be home safely.

Of course, what happened was incredibly serious, but fortunately, Eugenes accident occurred not far from one of the biggest and best childrens hospitals in the world. The staff at Nationwide Childrens Hospital couldnt have been nicer. The doctors and nurses were professional and kind in every way. When Soyoung and Eugene arrived at the hospital, everyone was so attentive. Before the day was over, 10 doctors had come to Eugenes room and checked on him. It was so scary, but everybody did what they could to put my wife at ease. They did the same for me after I got there.

The whole episode is not something I enjoy remembering, but the care Eugene received brings back a flood of good memories.

Eugene does have some hearing loss in his left ear because of nerve damage associated with his fall. Other than that, though, hes doing well and is happy. The accident, though, isnt far from my mind, and I will often check on Eugene to see how he is doing. Hes just a normal little boy, hes so active, he climbs up to everywhere and he jumps around. He also doesnt remember anything about what happened. While you cant tell anything was ever wrong, I still get kind of scared of what could happen to him. If he could suffer such a major injury falling from a bed, imagine what could happen when hes doing regular kid stuff. I do call my wife a lot to make sure hes doing well, and we do keep an eye on him.

Today, were extraordinarily grateful hes recovered, and we know he will have a long and happy life. We have Nationwide Childrens Hospital to thank for that.
A week after 18-year-old ShaiIndia Harris was shot and killed in Southeast Portland, hundreds gathered downtown Saturday evening to demand justice and celebrate her life.

Harris died July 10 after being shot in the Lents neighborhood. Across Portland, shootings and homicides have spiked in July.

The suspect is still at large, and now the Portland Police Bureau says its seeking the publics help to solve Harris homicide.

Harris friends and family spoke at the vigil Saturday evening at Salmon Street Springs, overlooking the Willamette River.

The vigil concluded shortly before 8 p.m. Saturday. Multiple other protests across the city will continue into the night on Saturday for the Black Lives Matter movement.

Those with information about Harris death can submit anonymous tips here.

-- Celina Tebor

ctebor@oregonian.com

@CelinaTebor
New Delhi: Amid the ongoing tensions with China, top air force commanders will meet this week to discuss the situation on the Line of Actual Control with China in Eastern Ladakh and rapid operational station of the Rafale combat aircraft arriving later this month.

The top commanders will meet this week for the two-days commanders' conference starting from July 22 where they will deliberate on a range of security issues.

One of the main agenda points during the conference headed by Air Chief Marshal RKS Bhadauria and attended by all seven of his commanders-in-chief would be about the situation on the borders with China and the forward deployments done by the force in the Eastern Ladakh and northern borders, sources said.

The IAF brass will also discuss the rapid deployment and operationalisation of the Rafale fighter jets arriving in the country by end of this month from France.

The most advanced jets of the South Asian region are going to give an edge to the air force over their adversaries as they are fitted with most advanced weapon systems, officials said.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-07-13 15:55:35|Editor: huaxia

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ULAN BATOR, July 13 (Xinhua) -- A 15-year-old boy has died of bubonic plague in the western Mongolian province of Govi-Altai, the country's health ministry said Monday.

Preliminary laboratory testing results revealed he was diagnosed with the bubonic plague, Dorj Narangerel, head of public relations and surveillance department at the ministry, told a press conference.

The official result of the test is expected to be released in the coming few days.

The deceased was found to have eaten marmot meat with his two friends three days before his death, Narangerel said.

His two friends and 15 others who had contact with them have been isolated and treated at local hospitals, the official said, warning citizens not to eat marmot meat.

The bubonic plague is a bacterial disease spread by fleas living on wild rodents such as marmots. The disease can kill an adult in less than 24 hours if not treated in time, according to the World Health Organization. Enditem
A 46-year-old former middle school theater teacher who taught in a school district in Minnesota and is accused of sexually abusing students was arrested in Massachusetts. The former teacher also used to be an assistant professor of theater education at Emerson College in Boston.

The Anoka County Sheriffs Office in Minnesota said Jefferson Jerome Fietek, who was living in Malden, Massachusetts, was arrested by Malden police Friday. He will remain in custody until he is brought to Minnesota to face sexual assault charges in Minnesota.

In a news release, the Anoka County Sheriffs Office said authorities received a report of sexual assault that occurred roughly nine years ago and allegedly involving a former staff member at the Anoka Middle School for Arts. The report was made on June 25.

A second report of sexual assault was then received. Investigators said they then identified two other alleged victims.

An investigation led to a criminal complaint being issued against Fietek charging him with several counts of criminal sexual conduct, the sheriffs office said. Seven charges in total were filed.

A criminal complaint released by the sheriffs office accuses the former teacher at the middle school of sexually assaulting four middle school boys between 2009 and 2019.

The alleged assaults occurred at the school, in the Anoka County area and Fieteks home in Minnesota, records said. The boys were either 14 or 15 when the alleged abuse began.

Investigators claim in court records that the former teacher gained the students trust and sexually assaulted them. One of the former teens told investigators that Fietek had a lot of Peter Pan and Muppets memorabilia in his home.

Fietek met one alleged victim through a childrens theater group and another after the teen auditioned for a middle school play.

According to investigators, the former teacher who resigned in 2019, moved to Massachusetts the same year and kept in touch with one teen through text messages and Snapchat.

Fietek asked the teen to send nude pictures, but the teen eventually stopped after starting to realize it was kind of weird for a grown man to be asking for a fifteen-year-olds nude, according to court records.

Fietek told that teen he bought him an airline ticket for him to fly out to Massachusetts, records said.

The Anoka-Hennepin School District 11 said in a statement to WCCO that school officials did investigate three complaints against Fietek while he worked in the district.

None of those investigations led to discipline, the school district said.

I can confirm that if a complaint came forward regarding criminal sexual conduct the district would immediately report it to law enforcement and to the Minnesota Department of Education as required by law, a spokesperson told WCCO in the statement.

This is what happened when the district was alerted to information on a Facebook post on June 25.

Emerson College told NBC10 that it cut ties with Fietek after hiring him last year.
The UK is powerless to force the extradition of the suspected killer of Harry Dunn, the foreign secretary said as the teenagers mother called on the government to make her son a top priority.

Dominic Raab said the UK government is on the familys side and will raise the issue with Mike Pompeo, the US secretary of state, when he visits London on Monday.

However, Mr Raab said he wanted to be realistic about the possibility of the return of suspect Anne Sacoolas so as not to raise expectations which are then going to be dashed.

Mr Raab told Sky News: Theres a denial of justice here.

Theres an extradition request thats outstanding, weve called on Anne Sacoolas to return and our American partners to facilitate that.

But theres no measures that we could I think credibly, realistically take which is somehow going to force the US or indeed Anne Sacoolas to comply with this.

Dunn, 19, died when his motorbike collided with a car outside a US military base in Northamptonshire on 27 August last year.

Suspect Ms Sacoolas, 42, the wife of a US intelligence official, claimed diplomatic immunity following the crash and was able to return to her home country, triggering an international controversy and a diplomatic row.

She was charged with causing death by dangerous driving in December.

The Home Office submitted an extradition request in January, but Mr Pompeo rejected it. A State Department spokesperson said the decision was final.

Dunns family has made repeated calls for Ms Sacoolas to face justice in the UK.

The 19-year-old died when his motorbike collided with a car in August last year (Family handout/PA)

On Sunday, his mother Charlotte Charles said it has been beyond excruciating every single day since her sons death, and appealed to Boris Johnson, Mr Raab and Mr Pompeo to make his case top priority.

In a video statement, Ms Charles said: Mr Raab, Mr Pompeo, Mr Johnson, when you get together next week with all of your families fully intact whilst mine is in complete tatters and my family has been ripped apart, can you please, please discuss Harry?

Weve been assured hes high on your list of priorities to discuss amongst all of the other important global issues that you have surrounding you but please, please make him top priority.

The Dunn family spokesman Radd Seiger said Mr Raab needs to stand up to the US now.

Speaking to Sky News, he added: This is the United Kingdoms opportunity, Mr Raabs opportunity, to show the nation that he is going to fulfil his first duty, which is to safeguard and protect the lives of UK citizens.

Additional reporting by Press Association
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.

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As soon as we receive the name from the seller, we start the transfer into your account and guide you through the whole process.

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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.
Pakistan is set to resume vaccinations against polio on July 20, months after the effort was halted by attacks on aid workers and as the coronavirus pandemic overwhelmed the country's health system.

The anti-polio campaign is scheduled to last three days and aims to vaccinate some 800,000 children, officials said.

National authorities have asked police departments to ensure the safety of the polio workers.

Rana Mohammad Safdar, who oversees Pakistans anti-polio effort, said workers would adhere to social-distancing regulations while conducting their operations.

Pakistan Army chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa told Microsoft co-founder and billionaire philanthropist Bill Gates in June that despite the challenge presented by COVID-19, the government planned to restart vaccinations throughout the country.

The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation has assisted Pakistan and other countries to battle the disease.

Polio is a disabling and life-threatening disease caused by the polio virus. Pakistan, neighboring Afghanistan, and Nigeria are the only countries in the world where polio is still endemic.

Some experts have blamed new cases in Pakistan on the refusal of parents to allow their children to receive the polio vaccine.

Pakistan in December 2019 launched a five-day vaccination campaign as the number of people affected by the crippling disease surged to more than 100 in the year.

Even before the coronavirus pandemic overwhelmed hospitals in the country, a series of attacks on polio workers disrupted the aid operation.

The Taliban and other militants regularly stage attacks on polio teams and security forces escorting them. Militants claim the anti-polio drive is part of a Western conspiracy to sterilize children or collect intelligence.

In February, a roadside bomb targeted a police vehicle in northwestern Pakistan, killing a police officer and wounding three others. The police officers were assigned to escort health workers during an polio vaccination campaign in the region.

In January, unidentified attackers shot dead two female polio workers in northwestern Pakistan.

Late last year, Taliban militants in Pakistan shot and killed two police officers who had been deployed to protect a polio vaccination team in the northwestern province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

As it prepares to restart the vaccination program, the country is still battling the coronavirus pandemic, which has infected more than 253,000 people and killed at least 5,320.

With reporting by AP, Radio Mashaal, Reuters, and Dawn
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has ordered flags be flown at half-staff in honor of U.S. Rep. John Lewis, who helped champion the civil rights movement in the 1960s.

Whitmer issued the order Saturday, July 18.

Congressman John Lewis was a civil rights legend who stood firmly on the front lines of our nations history, Whitmer said in a written statement. Congressman Lewis dedicated his life to building a more just, equitable nation for Black Americans everywhere, and his unwavering commitment to public service has set an example for leaders across the country. His work with leaders like Dr. Martin Luther King transformed our nation.

John Lewis was an icon, and I know that people everywhere will feel the impact of his passing. May we honor his legacy by continuing the work to fix the systemic racism Black Americans face every day and build a country where everyone, no matter the color of their skin, can find opportunity. My heart goes out to the congressmans family and loved ones during this time, she said.

The flag order applies to the state Capitol complex and all public buildings and grounds across the state of Michigan. Flags are to be returned to full staff on Sunday, July 19, according to the order.

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Taking a dig at Sachin Pilot over his rebellion in Rajasthan, veteran Congress leader Margaret Alva on Sunday asked why the former deputy chief minister was in such a "hurry" and whether he was "aspiring" to become the prime minister by 45 years of age by joining the BJP.

The former Union Minister also lashed out at Pilot over the timing of his rebellion and said when the entire country is fighting COVID-19 and China in the wake of the border standoff, he is seeking appointment as Rajasthan chief minister.

"Congress formed a majority government in Rajasthan and Sachin Pilot became his (Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot's) deputy. He got four important portfolios also, as well as the post of PCC (state Congress unit) chief," Alva told PTI Bhasha in an interview.

Pilot became an MP at 26, was a Union minister and later he became Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) chief followed by deputy chief minister, she said.

"Where did you want to reach in such a hurry? Whether you wanted to become chief minister at 43 and prime minister at 45 by joining the BJP," the former Rajasthan governor asked of 42-year-old Pilot.

Alva's remarks come amid the raging political firestorm in Rajasthan where Pilot declared open rebellion against the Gehlot government. Pilot was sacked as deputy chief minister and state Congress chief last week.

Though Pilot had asserted that he is not joining the BJP, the Congress has accused him of taking support from the saffron party in efforts to topple the Gehlot government.

While criticising Pilot for his actions, Alva, however, pitched for giving voice to the young leadership in the party's decision-making process.

She also said that former Congress president Rahul Gandhi should be allowed to form a new "young team" to instil "new approach and enthusiasm" in the grand old party.

"About 50 per cent of our total population is below the age of 25 years. Young voters have different aspirations and approach. What is the average age of so-called decision makers in the CWC (Congress Working Committee)? Barring four or five, rest are between 75 to 85. They are never allowing Rahul ji to come forward," Alva said.

The former Congress general secretary said this is not a "tussle" with state leadership. The young leadership in the party today feels "uncomfortable" as it wants to involved in the decision-making process, she said.

"Allow Rahul ji to build his young team in Delhi. Then, the party will have a new approach and new enthusiasm. We need to bring these people in the decision-making process. The younger generation is in discomfort. They think, how long they will keep clapping sitting outside," Alva said.

Hailing Gandhi's leadership as Congress chief, Alva said the party won elections in Goa, Manipur, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh and Bihar but at a later stage, people's mandate was upended by the BJP.

"They are doing the same in Rajasthan. The BJP is not getting popular mandate except in a few states such as Haryana, Himachal Pradesh and Assam. They didn't get it in Kerala, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu. They were defeated in Bihar but what happened later we all know. People of this country are watching such kind of politics," she said.

On Gandhi stepping down from the post of president after the Lok Sabha polls, she said no one was happy in the party when he resigned as Congress chief.

"We all wanted him to continue. When he resigned, the party's rank and file was not happy. It was not right of him to take all the blame on his own shoulder," Alva said.

She said the leadership problem exists not only in the Congress but also in regional parties.

"Be it TDP or TRS or NCP under Sharad Pawar. No one is willing to vacate...see the CPM leadership in Kerala. What I mean to say is that there is a need in every party to relook at the leadership issue," Alva said.

Alva, who is no longer in active politics, said if there are differences or any issues within the party, it should be addressed within party forums and senior leaders cannot leave every problem for interim party chief Sonia Gandhi to deal with.

"There is a disciplinary committee, there is a working committee, there are general secretaries...what are they doing? What are these senior leaders doing? If you can't do it, leave. Give opportunity to the youth to come forward," she said.

"There is a small group which has no mass base, but is taking decisions in every party," the veteran leader said.

Asked whether it was the right time for the Congress to have a full-fledged president, Alva said no one was willing to take on the responsibility.

"If someone wants, let him come forward...in fact no one is willing to take this responsibility," she said.

Alva said she had suggested in the past that the Congress should appoint three vice-presidents for North, South and North-East but her suggestions went unheard.

"Give these responsibilities to the younger generation," she added.

On the rebellion by Jyotiraditya Scindia in Madhya Pradesh, Alva said every demand can't be met and such leaders have no commitment for the party and its ideology.

She said Scindia was general secretary of the party and was offered the post of deputy chief minister in Madhya Pradesh, which he refused. Scindia after leaving the Congress joined the BJP.

"Congress is a big party. There are so many states. Everyone's demand can't be met," she said and added that during the times of Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi, no one had the courage to seek any "post" for himself or herself.

"This is a new era. They are the new generation...There is no commitment for ideology. There is no commitment for problems in the party and for its solutions. Those joining the BJP, have no commitment for the ideology, they are joining it just for the greed and for the sake of power," she said.

"But remember one thing, Congress can never be finished. It has a history of 150 years. During these times we won, we lost, we went to jails and we also enjoyed power, but there is none who can finish the Congress," Alva asserted.
Three women stopped for speeding on Interstate-91 in Western Massachusetts were arrested for trafficking cocaine Friday night.

Faith Torres, 23, Angelique Woodson, 33 and Aniaya Ellis, 22, all of Brooklyn, New York, were arrested at about 8:30 p.m. and charged with trafficking cocaine, possession to distribute heroin, conspiracy to violate drug laws and for having an open container of alcohol in the car, Massachusetts State Police said.

Troopers Adam Couture and Officer Michael Leslie, who are assigned to the Shelburne Falls barracks, were patrolling the Interstate-91 north, when they pulled over the driver of a Nissan Maxima for speeding and driving without headlights, police said.

Officers found about 130 grams of cocaine and six grams of heroin after searching the women and the car, police said.

The driver was issued a criminal summons for motor vehicle violations and released.

A bail commissioner set bond at $35,000 for Torres and $5,000 for Woodson and Ellis. They were transferred to the Franklin House of Correction and are scheduled to be arraigned in Greenfield District Court on Monday.

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Uplifting of Columbia River basalts has allowed University of Oregon researchers to better understand of how magma 14-16 million years ago shaped the region and why greenhouse gases released during a series of volcanic eruptions did not trigger a global extinction event.

The insights, published in Scientific Reports, were drawn from analyses of oxygen and hydrogen isotopes in crustal material, a mix of magma and original rocks, that is now exposed by geological uplifting and erosion.

The Columbia River Flood Basalts represent the youngest continental flood basalt province on Earth and one of the best preserved. It covers roughly 210,000 square kilometers, extending from eastern Oregon and Washington to western Idaho and part of northern Nevada.

Pivotal to the research were 27 samples from 22 different dikes -- wall-like bodies of magma that cut through the sheeted lava flow landscape during the eruptions. A 10-meter-thick feeder dike into the Wallowa batholith, formed from a mix of basaltic magma and granite 16 million years ago, for example, likely acted as a magma conduit for up to seven years. It formed one of the largest surface lava flows and chemically altered about 100 meters of surrounding bedrock.

"We found that when hot basaltic magma intruded into the crust it boiled groundwater and volatilized everything in and near its path, causing chemical and isotopic changes in the rocks and the release of greenhouse gases," said Ilya Bindeman, a professor in the Department of Earth Sciences, who led the study.

Collectively, the effects of the heating throughout the flood-basalt region may have lasted about 150 years after magma stopped flowing, building the landscape that is visible today across the region, the seven-member research team from three countries concluded.

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"The Columbia River basalts that are so dear to us in the Pacific Northwest," Bindeman said. "They are now uplifted and eroded to the level that allows us to sample the contacts of these basalts with the previous rocks. The same process today is happening every hour and everywhere under midocean ridges and also on continents. By studying these not-so-ancient rocks we have learned what is going on under our feet."

Computer modeling done with the chemical data suggests that the hydrothermal heating of the region's original metasedimentary rocks -- a metamorphic rock formed through the deposition and solidification of sediment -- and relatively low levels of organic matter affected by the eruptions would have generated the release of about 18 gigatons of carbon dioxide and methane. One gigaton equals a billion metric tons.

The individual Columbia River basalt eruptions were each 10 to 100 times larger than the largest historically experienced eruptions of Iceland's Eldgja and Laki volcanic eruptions in the years 934 and 1783, respectively, noted study co-author Leif Karlstrom, a professor of earth sciences, who along with Bindeman is a member of the Oregon Center for Volcanology.

The Laki eruption, which killed thousands of people, released volcanically derived greenhouse gases that generated a year without summer followed by a warm year across Europe and North America, Karlstrom said.

While the Columbia River eruptions released 210,000 cubic kilometers of basaltic magma over 1.5 million years, leading to global climate impacts, the researchers concluded, they did not cause mass extinctions such as the one triggered by eruptions over a similar timescale about 250 million years ago that formed the Siberian Traps.

The difference, the research team theorized, is in the geology of the regions. The Columbia River basalt eruptions occurred in igneous crust that contained low levels of organic matter that could be released by hydrothermal heating. Eruptions in the Siberian Traps occurred in organics-rich sedimentary rocks.

While the new findings suggest that similar regional-scale groundwater circulation around dikes is a signature of flood basalt volcanism globally, the researchers noted, the consequences may not always be catastrophic on a broad scale.

In the Columbia River basalts and the likely related Yellowstone hotspot, hydrothermal circulation is manifested as subtle isotopic signals, a depletion of oxygen isotopes, in the rocks, the research team found.

The research, primarily completed in Bindeman's Stable Isotope Laboratory, was funded by the U.S., Russian and Swiss National Science Foundations.
Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross has been hospitalized with an unrevealed illness.

'Secretary Ross has been admitted into the hospital for minor, non-coronavirus related issues. He is doing well and we anticipate his release soon,' a department spokesperson told Fox News.

Ross, 82, was admitted to a hospital in upstate New York on Friday night after feeling unwell, sources told the outlet.

The oldest member of President Donald Trump's cabinet, Ross took the post in February 2017, and has been key during negotiations in the US-China trade war.

Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross has been hospitalized with an unrevealed illness

As secretary of commerce, Ross also oversees the 2020 United States Census, which is currently underway.

He courted controversy by approving a move to add a question to the Census asking whether the person is a U.S. citizen. The question was later struck down by the Supreme Court.

The 2020 census - a once-a-decade head count - helps determine how $1.5 trillion in federal spending is allocated and how many congressional seats each state gets.

Ross has been working remotely since coronavirus began spreading widely in the U.S in mid-March.

A former banker, Ross has an estimated net worth of $600 million.
This June 1, 2020, file rendering provided by Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre shows the Hope probe. A Japanese H-IIA rocket carrying a United Arab Emirates Mars spacecraft has been placed on the launch pad for Monday's scheduled liftoff for the Arab world's first interplanetary mission, officials said Sunday, July 19, 2020, in Japan. The launch of the orbiternamed Amal, or Hopefrom Tanegashima Space Center on a small southern Japanese island was initially scheduled for this past Wednesday, but was delayed due to bad weather in the region. (Alexander McNabb/MBRSC via AP, File)

A Japanese H-IIA rocket carrying a United Arab Emirates Mars spacecraft has been placed on the launch pad for Monday's scheduled liftoff for the Arab world's first interplanetary mission, officials said Sunday.

The launch of the orbiternamed "Amal" in Arabic, or "Hope"from Tanegashima Space Center on a small southern Japanese island was initially scheduled for this past Wednesday, but was delayed due to bad weather in the region.

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, the provider of the H-IIA rocket, announced Sunday that the launch would proceed at 6:58 a.m. Monday (2158 GMT Sunday). The preparation has been completed, and the rocket is now on the launch pad, Mitsubishi said.

Hope is expected to reach Mars in February 2021, the year the UAE celebrates 50 years since its formation. A successful Hope mission would be a major step for this OPEC-member nation home to the skyscraper-studded tourist destination of Dubai. The Emirates have set ambitious plans for space, including pledging to build the first inhabitable human settlement on Mars by 2117.

While raising eyebrows with that goal, the UAE has successfully built a space program with local talent working out of the Mohammed bin Rashid Space Center in Dubai. The Hope probe was built here by a program cooperating with other nations to quickly reach out to the stars. The UAE already sent its first astronaut to space last year on an eight-day mission to the International Space Station.

"It sends a very strong message to the Arab youth that if the UAE is able to reach Mars in less than 50 years, they could do much more," Omran Sharaf, the project director of Emirates Mars Mission, told The Associated Press on Sunday as his colleagues prepared for the launch.

Omran Sharaf, the project director for the Emirates' Hope space probe to Mars, speaks on his mobile phone at the Mohammed bin Rashid Space Center in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Sunday, July 19, 2020. A Japanese H-IIA rocket carrying a United Arab Emirates Mars spacecraft has been placed on the launch pad for Monday's scheduled liftoff for the Arab world's first interplanetary mission, officials said Sunday. (AP Photo/Jon Gambrell)

Two other Mars missions are planned in the coming days by the U.S. and China. Japan has its own Martian moon mission planned for 2024.

Hope will carry instruments to study the upper atmosphere and monitor seasonal changes in the climate on Mars. It is scheduled to circle the red planet for at least two years. The UAE says it will provide a complete view of the Martian atmosphere during different seasons for the first time.

A newcomer in space development, the UAE has so far successfully launched three observation satellites, but has not gone beyond the Earth's orbit. Hope may change that.

The Emiratis involved in the program also acknowledged it represented a step forward for the Arab world, the home of mathematicians and scientists for centuries before the wars and chaos that have gripped wide swathes of it in recent times.

"So the region has been going through tough times in the past decades, if not centuries," Sharaf said. "Now we have the case of the UAE, a country that's moving forward with its plans, looking at the future and the future of region also."

"Because of accepting differences, because of coexistence and having people from different backgrounds living together, we were able to move forward."

Explore further UAE Mars mission liftoff on Japan rocket reset for Monday

 2020 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
The U.S. Attorney for Oregon will request that the Department of Homeland Security Office of the Inspector General investigate the arrests of Portland protesters by unidentified federal agents. A headline in Saturday editions misstated who would lead the investigation.
British Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said on Sunday it was clear the Uighur minority in China had suffered abuses of their human rights.

It is clear that there are gross, egregious human rights abuses going on, which is why in Geneva at the UN we raised this with 27 partners ... to call out the government of China for its human rights abuses of the Uighurs, also of Hong Kong, Raab told the BBCs The Andrew Marr Show.

Beijings ambassador to Britain Liu Xiaoming told the same programme that most Uighurs were living happily and that ethnic minorities in China were treated as equals.
Supreme Court Expedites NY Grand Jury Request for Trump Tax Returns

The Supreme Court fast-tracked a request by Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus Vance Jr. last week to allow lower courts to move forward ahead of schedule on its ruling earlier this month that a New York grand jury may continue to seek his tax records.

President Donald Trump vowed to fight on after the Supreme Court rejected his claim earlier this month that he enjoys immunity from state criminal proceedings while in office. Trump has refused to make his tax returns available to the public, something that other presidents have been doing for decades.

The 72 decision in Trump v. Vance on July 9, which stems from a criminal investigation spearheaded by Vance, a Democrat, dealt with legal issues surrounding how far investigators may go in probing the president. Vance tried to enforce a subpoena issued for eight years of the presidents tax returns.

Trump had claimed the records in question were temporarily privileged during his presidency, he did nothing wrong, and inquiries were politically motivated fishing expeditions that his political enemies are gambling will uncover past wrongdoing.

Despite that, the nations highest court ruled that the grand jury investigating Trump in his original hometown must be given access to the documents.

The Supreme Court ruled in the New York case that the arguments presented here and in the Court of Appeals were limited to absolute immunity and heightened need.

The Court of Appeals, however, has directed that the case be returned to the District Court, where the President may raise further arguments as appropriate, Chief Justice John Roberts wrote for the majority at the time.

But there is still normally a 25-day waiting period before decisions of the high court take effect.

On July 17, at the request of Vance and with the consent of Trump, the Supreme Court ordered that the decision would become effective immediately, a move that would allow the case to proceed more expeditiously in the lower courts.

The one-page housekeeping order, signed by Roberts, states simply:

Upon consideration of the application of counsel for the applicant, and in light of the consent of President Donald J. Trump to the relief sought, it is ordered that the application for an order to issue the judgment forthwith to the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit is granted.

The presidents attorneys say they will continue to resist the grand jury subpoena.

We are pleased that in the decisions issued today, the Supreme Court has temporarily blocked both Congress and New York prosecutors from obtaining the Presidents financial records, Trump lawyer Jay Sekulow wrote on Twitter on July 9.

We will now proceed to raise additional Constitutional and legal issues in the lower courts.

The other side says Trump is dragging his heels.

What the presidents lawyers are seeking here is delay, Carey Dunne, a lawyer with the district attorneys office, said in Manhattan during a July 16 court hearing, according to The Hill newspaper.

I think thats the entire strategy. Every day that goes by, the president wins the type of absolute temporary immunity hes been seeking in this case, even though hes lost on that claim before every court thats heard it, including now the Supreme Court.

The presidents lawyers reportedly have until July 27 to raise new legal challenges to the subpoena.
Today marks the 87th day our business has been forcefully closed. 87 out of 116 days that we have not been allowed to generate sales or income and 80 days that an entire industry has been dismissed, ignored and shackled, without due process by Gov. Abbott and his Strike Force team.

Texas bars, their owners, employees, vendors, cleaning staff and musicians are being discriminated against and decimated. While the governor and his team still receive checks, we are applying for unemployment. We are taking out loans we cant afford. We are losing health insurance. We are draining safety nets and savings. We are riddled with anxiety, stress and sleepless nights.

Understand that we can take this virus very seriously, while still operating the businesses that we pay taxes on and that keep a roof over our heads. I cant speak for every bar, but I can speak for most. We trusted Gov. Abbotts judgment, and we followed his directives. When threatened with TABC checking up on bars, we welcomed it, because we knew we were operating as safely as possible under the circumstances.

While some bars werent complying, lets be honest, there are many restaurants, venues and box stores that arent complying either. Why not hold the bad actors in every industry accountable, and let the others earn a living? Instead, Gov. Abbott has chosen to make a moral judgment, and to pick and choose where to place the blame. He is crippling and destroying businesses, families and futures in the process.

When our industry was shut down a second time, we were given a three-hour notice. That was 25 days ago. We have not heard from our governor. We have not been given the dignity or grace of a conversation or an estimation of a timeline. Instead, we have been threatened that if we do anything to try to eke out some sales, we will lose our liquor license. Anyone who knows me knows my adoration for this great state, but this hardly feels like the Texas I know and love.

This is what I know: If our leaders truly believe that we cant operate safely, then they must provide relief until we are allowed to reopen. Our property has essentially been seized, and we demand compensation until it is released back to us.

Our expenses did not go away when they ordered us to shut our doors. Our expenses did not go away during the 87 days of being forcefully closed. Our expenses havent stopped, even if the hope sometimes has.

Once again, we have been put into the position of groveling to our elected officials to either let us work, or to provide us compensation so that we, our staff and our businesses can survive. Please, fellow Texans, spread this message far and wide. Share on social media. Send it to anyone you believe has the power to help.

For 87 days, we have felt voiceless. Help us be heard.
Scientists report a change in why men seek help for sexual problems, with fewer men complaining about impotence (erectile dysfunction) and premature ejaculation, and more men, especially younger men, complaining about low sexual desire and curvature of the penis (Peyronie's disease).

Presenting the work at the European Association of Urology (virtual) Congress, after recent acceptance for publication, research leader Dr Paolo Capogrosso (San Raffaele Hospital, Milan, Italy) said:

"Over a 10 year period we have seen a real change in what concerns men when they attend sexual health clinics. This is probably driven by greater openness, and men now accepting that many sexual problems can be treated, rather than being something they don't want to talk about".

The success of erectile dysfunction treatments such as Viagra and Cialis, and the availability of new treatments, means that men facing sexual problems have now have treatments for sexual problems which weren't available a generation ago. Now researchers at San Raffaele Hospital in Milan have studied why men come to sexual health clinics, and how this has changed over a 10-year period.

In what is believed to be the first research of its kind, the scientists questioned 3244 male visitors to the San Raffaele Hospital Sexual Health Clinic in Milan over a 10 year period (2009 to 2019), and classified the main reason for the visit. They found that the number of patients visiting with erectile dysfunction problems increased from 2009 to 2013, then started to decrease.

There were comparatively few patients complaining of low sex drive or Peyronie's disease in 2009, but complaints about both of these conditions grow from 2009 to the end of the study. In 2019 men were around 30% more likely to report Peyronie's disease than in 2009, and around 32% more likely to report low sexual desire.

The amount of men complaining of premature ejaculation dropped by around 6% over the 10-year period. The average age of first attendance at the clinical also dropped, from a mean of 61 to 53 years.

"Erectile dysfunction is still the main reason for attending the clinic, but this number is dropping, whereas around 35% of men attending the clinic now complain of Peyronie's disease, and that number has shown steady growth" said Paolo Capogrosso. "Our patients are also getting younger, which may reflect a generational change in attitude to sexual problems".

Dr Capogrosso continued "We need to be clear about what these figures mean. They do not indicate any change in the prevalence of these conditions, what they show is why men came to the clinic. In other words, it shows what they are concerned about. The changes probably also reflect the availability of treatments; as treatments for sexual conditions have become available over the last few years, men are less likely to suffer in silence".

These are results from a single centre, so they need to be confirmed by more inclusive studies. "Nevertheless there seems to be a growing awareness of conditions such as Peyronie's disease, with articles appearing in the popular press. In addition, we know that the awareness of this condition is increasing in the USA and elsewhere, so this may be a general trend" said Dr Capogrosso.
Haryana chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar on Sunday ruled out the imposition of an immediate lockdown in the national capital region (NCR) districts in view of the large number of Covid-19 cases being reported.

Five NCR districts  Faridabad, Gurugram, Sonepat, Rohtak and Rewari  account for 63% of the total active coronavirus infections in the state.

Speaking to mediapersons at a press briefing, the chief minister said the government did not want to create panic by imposing lockdown in the NCR.

Things have started coming back on track gradually. At this juncture, imposition of lockdown would be meaningless. Our focus remains on ensuring social distancing, wearing of masks, making people aware about taking precautions, and more testing, Khattar said.

The chief minister said infections were being reported from only certain small pockets in every district. So, there is no need for a lockdown in the entire district. Instead, we are pursuing an aggressive strategy in the containment zones whereby we screen more people and conduct more sampling, including rapid antigen tests, the chief minister said.

Khattar said the state now has a recovery rate of over 75% which once fell down to about 32%. The mortality rate is also coming down, while our testing rate (14,000 per million) has gone up, he added.

Dont pay heed to false propaganda: CM to farmers

The chief minister said two ordinances promulgated by the Centre  Farmers Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Ordinance and Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance and Farm Services Ordinance  were beneficial for the farmers and they should not pay heed to any false propaganda.

These measures will help in doubling the income of the farmers. It will create an environment where farmers and traders have a free choice of sale and purchase of farm produce. It will also eliminate barriers to inter and intrastate trade and commerce outside physical market premises.

Khattar said its a false propaganda that the minimum support price (MSP) will be done away with after the implementation of these measures.

Cant bring ordinance against SCs decision

In response to a query regarding the demand made by opposition parties to accommodate 1,983 physical training instructors (PTIs), whose selections have been set aside by the Supreme Court, by bringing in an ordinance, the chief minister said the government cannot bring an ordinance against the apex courts decision.
Against the roar of water, the sounds of normalcy could be heard at the base of Sherman Falls on Saturday afternoon.

Laughter, chit-chat, babies screeching and the occasional shout of, Take my picture! peeked through the gushes of fresh water for the first time in months.

This weekend marked the first in which many of Hamiltons 100-plus waterfalls and associated parking lots had reopened since closing due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

With a heat warning in effect, visitors from near and far came out in droves to beat the heat and cool off.

Parking lots at both Tiffany and Sherman Falls were jam packed with traffic coming in and out early in the afternoon.

A single bylaw officer could be seen patrolling Albion Falls. Its parking lot was also full.

Nikki Taylor and her daughter Abbey had travelled from St. Marys to cool off at Tiffany Falls. The pair said that despite the fair number of visitors, people were respectful.

They were waiting for each other on the bridge and going around each other as much as possible, said Nikki. I assumed people would be respectful and they were by and large.

Abbey said they saw a couple people wearing masks but most were not.

Trang Ho, who travelled down from the Toronto-area with her family, said it was amazing that the falls had reopened. Saturday was their first time visiting the falls.

Ho said she wasnt concerned about difficulties of physical distancing  which was why the Hamilton Conservation Authority originally shuttered the parks at the onset of the pandemic.

As long as we keep our distance, we should be good, said Ho.

This weekend marked the first in which many of Hamiltons 100-plus waterfalls and associated parking lots had reopened since closing due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

At Sherman Falls, people were getting soaked through their clothes, youngsters were playing in the run-off streams and the more adventurous folk had scaled their way to the upper level of the cascade.

Others were taking selfies and posing at the falls edge. At least 50 people were in the water around midday.

Stoney Creek resident Zoe Dodgson said most people were doing okay with keeping their space, but not as well as shed thought they would.

Nobody is wearing masks  on the trails I only saw one or two, said Dodgson, sporting a maple leaf patterned mask. They just need to make it mandatory  provincewide, indoors and outdoors until this pandemic is done.

Walking her dog Shona, Dodgson was also surprised that so many folks were in the water, so close to one another.

We dont know what is safe and what is not safe as far as water is concerned, said Dodgson.

Other families, including the Stuarts and the Ellahis of Ajax, opted for picnics on the forest floor and at the parking lots edge, much farther away from others.

Playing a game of cards on a patterned blanket, Eva Stuart said the sit-down outing was the familys first since the beginning of the pandemic. Otherwise theyd only been to the grocery store.

We chose here so we could be away from everybody, said Stuart.

The same rang true for the Ellahi family, said Naureen, who were kind of worried about the ability to physically distance themselves.

But, its nice to be out, said Naureen.

Beaches packed

Down around Hutchs at the Beach, parking lots were already filling up just after 11 a.m. At the Burlington end, the three parking lots were already full by 11:30 a.m., with one parking lot designated as a drop-off zone.

The conservation authority also continued a pattern of closing some of its beaches due to capacity limits Saturday.

According to its Twitter account, Christie Lake Conservation Area as well as Fifty Point Conservation Area were temporarily closed around just before 2 p.m.

Valens Lake Conservation Area had also reached capacity just before noon.
by Melani Manel Perera

"Students and staff must be able to go to school with confidence. That's why the government has decided to close schools," said the statement from the Ministry of Education. The concern of the population grew after hundreds of detainees and staff from a drug rehabilitation center in the north central province tested positive for the virus in the past few days.

Colombo (Asia News) - The Sri Lankan government has decided to close all schools for a week from today, 13 July. Classes, private schools and Catholic schools have been invited to consider the government's decision and to close schools during this period.

A statement from the Ministry of Education says that parents, schoolchildren, principals and officials "have become fearful" due to some false social media information about COVID-19.

The concern of the population grew after hundreds of detainees and staff from a drug rehabilitation center in the north central province tested positive for the virus in the past few days. And several thousand detainees, their family members from various parts of the country and even staff were sent to quarantine after a detainee was found positive on July 7th.

Subsequent tests found that more than 300 of the 1,140 inmates and staff at the center are infected. Although the government insists that there is no community transmission of the virus, health authorities have not yet offered an explanation as to how an inmate in the camp was infected.

"Students and staff must be able to go to school with peace of mind. That's why the government has decided to close schools," said the statement from the Ministry of Education issued by the additional secretary Ranjith Chandrasekara.

According to the director of Catholic schools, Father Ivan Perera, "In line with the government's decision to close schools, all Catholic schools will also be closed from July 13 to 17".

The Ministry of Education has also set up an information center with the provincial directors of education and health promotion staff at the Ministry's headquarters for information on all the places where the schools are located.

The center can be contacted via the 1988 hotline or fax 011-2-78 58 18 and by email info@moe.gov.lk

Meanwhile, the ruling party, Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna, temporarily suspended the rallies yesterday. of the election campaign planned with President and Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa until further notice. August 5 is the day scheduled for the parliamentary elections in Sri Lanka.
By PTI

NEW DELHI: Former Rajasthan deputy chief minister Sachin Pilot has appealed to the people of the country to extend support to those affected by floods in Assam and Bihar.

Pilot's appeal comes amid the raging political firestorm in Rajasthan where he has declared an open rebellion against the Ashok Gehlot government.

Pilot was sacked as deputy chief minister and the state Congress chief earlier this week.

"My thoughts and prayers with all those families affected by the Assam & Bihar floods.Over 68 lives lost & 3.6 million people affected in Assam alone," Pilot tweeted on Saturday.

"I appeal to all Indians, to come together, join in the efforts to help support those affected in these extreme flood situations," he had said.

Floods have hit over 27 lakh people in 26 of the 33 districts of Assam and destroyed houses, crops, roads and bridges at several places The tweet by Pilot was his first in four days.

His last tweets were on July 14, the day he was sacked from both the posts.

Soon after his removal as Rajasthan deputy chief minister and PCC chief, Pilot on Tuesday had said "truth can be rattled, not defeated".

Later that evening, Pilot had tweeted, "My heartfelt thanks and gratitude to all those who have come out in my support today".
GRAND RAPIDS, MI -- Police are investigating after a man showed up at a Grand Rapids hospital with two stab wounds.

Police responded about 2:40 p.m. Saturday, July 18 to Spectrum Health Butterworth Hospital and found a man with wounds to his face and neck.

Police believe the stabbing happened in the 500 block of Shamrock Street SW.

The severity of the mans injuries was not immediately known.
Peter Bogdanovich had a meteoric rise during the New Hollywood era with The Last Picture Show, Paper Moon and Whats Up Doc?

He went to helm some 20 movies, but there had been no major work examining his career until now.

Picturing Peter Bogdanovich: My Conversations with the New Hollywood Director by Peter Tonguette is the book Bogdanovich fans have wanted for so long. It looks at Bogdanovichs career from those early days to later work including Mask, Texasville and The Cats Meow.

Published by University Press of Kentucky, Picturing Peter Bogdanovich includes an in-depth interview with the filmmaker about his work and personal life, which included highly publicized relationships with Polly Platt, Cybill Shepherd, the late Dorothy Stratten and her sister, Louise.

Tonguette graciously fielded questions about his book and Bogdanovichs career:

Given his own books interviewing John Ford and Orson Welles, how did Bogdanovich react to being the subject of such an extensive interview and look at his work?

When I first interviewed Peter in 2003 and 2004, it was for an article I was writing about his work. While I always had it in the back of my mind that I would like to continue interviewing him, and one day do a book on his life and work, I didnt come out and say that at first. Happily, Peter really liked what I wrote, so when I eventually told him Id like to turn our conversations into a book  and do a bunch of new interviews expressly for such a book  I think he was pleased.

Back in 2004, when Peter sent me a copy of his book The Killing of the Unicorn, he wrote in the inscription that my article was just about the smartest stuff hed read about his own pictures  so I felt, at least, that we had a solid basis from which to begin!

What surprised you most over the course of your interviews?

I wasnt surprised by Peters honesty and candor, but I was always impressed by it. I could ask him about anything, and I knew he would be game. Maybe its because Peter has been in my shoes  interviewing sometimes-uncooperative directors. But Peter is anything but.

Bogdanovich has some 20 films to his credit as a director, what five would you deem essential and why?

The Last Picture Show, because it made Peters reputation and remains a powerful, influential movie; Whats Up, Doc?, because it never fails to inspire authentic laughter in audiences; Daisy Miller, because it brilliantly captures the tragic side of Peters personality; They All Laughed, because it is Peters most personal film; and the directors cut of Mask, because it shows what a large and generous heart Peter has.

Do you agree with Martin Scorseses assessment that Bogdanovichs work reflects classic American films?

Absolutely. Peter was the only member of the New Hollywood generation who sought to further the tradition established by (John) Ford, (Howard) Hawks and (Orson) Welles. Peter was much misunderstood by critics who thought he was merely paying homage to those directors. In fact, he was following in their footsteps, directing as though the Golden Age had never ended. Even when Peter was directing movies that never would have been made in the classical era (such as the sexually candid Last Picture Show), he directed them in a classical manner.

In addition to Bogdanovichs feature narratives, your book includes his documentaries: Directed by John Ford, Runnin Down a Dream and The Great Buster. How do you rate his work as a documentarian?

Peters documentaries are so personal. Peter tells the story of Buster Keaton, in Peters own words and his own voice, in The Great Buster. In Directed by John Ford, we even see Peter  in over-the-shoulder shots as he interviews John Wayne or Jimmy Stewart. That personal quality makes his documentaries quite distinctive.

Bogdanovich had a number of high profile relationships: Polly Platt, Cybill Shepherd, the late Dorothy Stratten and her sister, Louise. You remark that Dorothy Stratten was his soul mate. Did she have an impact on his work?

As Peter told me, They All Laughed would never have become the joyous, life-affirming movie that it is without Dorothy Stratten. Her presence in the film, and in his life, is the wellspring from which that movie emerged. Her memory inspires Peters work to this day, in big and small ways, but especially in the way his films celebrate and venerate women.

Bogdanovich will turn 81 at the end of this month. Do you think we will see another feature film from him?

Like Welles, Peter is a relentless worker. My impression is that hes constantly developing projects, or coming up with ideas for potential projects. I know he has several films he very, very much wants to make, especially Wait For Me, a ghost comedy directly inspired by Dorothy Stratten. When I asked him about that project in our book, I said it sounded to me like a personal project on the order of Chimes at Midnight. Peter agreed. I hope we get to see it, and soon.

(Picturing Peter Bogdanovich: My Conversations with the New Hollywood Director can be ordered online through University Press of Kentucky, Barnes and Noble and Amazon.)
The Covid-19 pandemic is likely to have derailed the redevelopment process of old and dilapidated buildings in the city. There are nearly 40,000 such buildings in the city housing lakhs of citizens.

Builders are wary of taking up these projects due to a range of reasons including liquidity crises, high premiums, lack of manpower as well as negative sentiments in the realty sector.

Forget new ones, we are worried about executing our existing ongoing projects. We are facing acute shortage of funds and also dont have labour to carry out work at construction sites, said Harrish Jain, vice-president of Brihanmumbai Developers Association.

He added, Builders are not in a position to take up any new projects; many may even exit current negotiations which have been going on since before Covid-19 lockdown.

Ashok Mohanani, chairman of Ekta World, a group specialising in redevelopment projects for affordable and luxury segment in Mumbai, said it is unviable to take up new projects in the current circumstances. It is impossible to take up projects if the government continues to charge us such high premiums and taxes, said Mohanani. Even the banks are not supporting us in these difficult times. In such circumstances, how can we execute any project, he said.

For years, builders used to secure developmental rights of old buildings, wherein they would construct new building in the plot have and give existing tenants bigger apartments for free, while selling the other apartments at market price.

Even tenants who have given developmental rights to builders are in a fix. There is fear among residents that they may end up on streets if builders fail to execute the project. Hence, many are deferring redevelopment plans, said Ramesh Prabhu, chairman of Maharashtra Societies Welfare Association.

State housing minister Jitendra Awhad agrees that these are hard times but added that the government is committed to ease the solution. We are planning to reduce premiums in the coming days. To speed up projects, we will now fix deadlines where permissions have to be given within a fixed period, said Awhad.

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Quebec's new mandatory mask rule went into effect over the weekend with widespread support from customers and merchants, as well as some small but vocal resistance.

Premier Francois Legault announced the provincewide rule last week. It requires face coverings in indoor public spaces, such as stores, restaurants and office buildings.

Though several cities in Canada (including Montreal) have adopted similar measures, Legault's is the first provincial government to do so.

Across the province, store owners reported the first two days of the new rule went relatively smoothly. Many handed out disposable masks to clients who either forgot theirs or were unaware of the rule.

"For the first week, we'll have an adaptation zone, where we'll give them a disposable mask. The clients are really okay with it," said Mathieu Viens, who owns a grocery store in Carleton-sur-Mer on Quebec's Gaspe Peninsula.

One small town in the Eastern Townships hired a security guard for the local corner store, where he made sure people were wearing a mask before heading inside.

"The rule is really being widely respected," the security guard, Jean Galipeau, told a Radio-Canada reporter in Saint-Camille, Que.

Enforcement falls to business owners

The task of enforcing the mandatory mask rule was given to merchants. They are liable to be fined between $400 and $6,000 if someone is caught in their store without a mask.

In the Saguenay region, 230 kilometres north of Quebec City, merchants said most customers were co-operating. "For the moment, we haven't had to play police," said Roch Delisle, who owns a clothing store called Laflamme.

The new mask requirements are being applied as Quebec is witnessing a modest but steady rise in the number of cases of COVID-19. The province reported 166 new cases on Sunday, the highest daily total in a month.

Graham Hughes/The Canadian Press

"The vast majority of Quebecers are respecting the rule. I'm so proud of the solidarity of Quebecers," Legault said in a tweet on Sunday.

Story continues

Business lobby groups, though, have expressed concerns that store owners aren't equipped to be enforcing the law and worry it could expose them to confrontations with clients.

On Saturday, police in Montreal pepper sprayed and arrested a man who they said wasn't wearing a mask and who refused to leave a Tim Hortons. The incident was captured on video and quickly made the rounds on social media.

Andre Durocher, a spokesperson for the SPVM, said that was the only mask-related incident this weekend where Montreal officers were called to intervene.

"We're not asking merchants to start to get physically involved with people. They can call the police and a police officer will respond," Durocher said.

Radio-Canada

He said officers will inform clients about the mask rule, and invite them to leave the store if they remain unwilling to put one on.

"If they refuse to comply, well, there comes a point where [the officers] have to apply the law," Durocher said. "The merchant doesn't want to be fined. They're asking for police assistance."

Small anti-mask protests around the province

A more organized form of anti-mask sentiment has expressed itself at several protests in recent days.

An anti-mask demonstration was attended by around 80 people in Alma, a city of around 30,000 residents in the Saguenay, on Friday.

Demonstrators held signs saying "I have the right to choose" and gave each other hugs at the end of the protest.

An estimated 100 people took part in a similar protest Saturday in Sherbrooke, Que., and several hundred more were at an anti-mask demonstration the same day in the Beauce, south of Quebec City.

Radio-Canada

The organizers of the Beauce protest said they didn't object to masks per se, only the fact they are now mandatory, which they fear will hurt businesses in the area.

"This is a place with a lot of [small businesses]. We want them to survive. We want the freedom of choice, and for everyone to respect each other," said Mathieu Lacroix, who owns a manufacturing company and a gym.

Some of Quebec's far-right groups have also joined the anti-mask cause. La Meute, known for its Islamophobic and anti-immigrant positions, helped promote the rally in the Beauce.

Several other figures within the radical nationalist blogosphere released a video saying they would organize further anti-mask demonstrations in order to defend their "rights and freedoms."

They released the video, they said, after attending a rally in support of health-care workers in Repentigny, Que.
These two rappers are the kings of the music industry but put them together and theyre much more. Will Jay-Z and Kanye West collaborate on music again? Will they release a second Watch Time Throne album? Heres what we know about these rappers and their future projects.

Kanye West and Jay-Z released Watch The Throne back in 2011

These rappers are dominating the charts and the music community. Jay-Z released award-winning music songs like Empire State of Mind and Run This Town. Kanye West released songs like Power and FourFiveSeconds. Together, though, theyre even more powerful.

Kanye West and Jay-Z collaborated on music in the past, both performing on the 2005 song Diamonds from Sierra Leone. On the 2011 release, Watch The Throne, both artists rapped alongside one another. Almost 10 years later, fans are asking for these artists to reunite for another album.

Back in 2018, Rolling Stone reported that Watch The Throne 2 was on the way following a promising tweet from Kanye. Only two years prior, Kanye West said that the album was never coming, so some fans took his announcement with a grain of salt.

There will never be a Watch The Throne 2, Ye said at the 2016 Seattle stop of the Saint Pablo tour. You know why? Because thats the reason why I wasnt on the song [Pop Style]. I wasnt on this song, because of Hov.

Kanye West and Jay-Z onstage at the Tidal launch event #TIDALforALL | Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images for Roc Nation

Will there be a Watch The Throne 2 album?

There no word regarding if or when Jay-Z and Kanye West will drop music together or even if theyre still talking. Since Kanye Wests brush with gospel music and Christianity, some fans think that this collaboration may be farther away than originally anticipated.

In fact, since Kanye West premiered Jesus is King, the artist rarely appeared working together. The artists have been considerably busy, though. Kanye West hosted Sunday Service gospel concerts.

Jay-Z appeared on the song for Beyonces The Lion King: The Gift, an album inspired by the story of Disneys photo-real film. Due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, production and the release date of a number of albums have been paused or canceled.

Kanye West is now running for president

Kanye West differs in political opinion from Beyonce and Jay-Z quite a bit. While Beyonce advocated for and empowered the Black community, Kanye stated that slavery was a choice.

Beyonce also posted a picture for Instagram, endorsing Democrat Beto ORourke for Senate. Kanye West endorsed President Donald Trump, later running for president himself. He even earned early support from Telsas Elon Musk, although he later retracted his support.

Presumably, more information regarding Kanye Wests political campaign will be announced in the coming weeks. Music by both Kanye West and Jay-Z are available on streaming platforms like Spotify, Apple Music, and Tidal.

RELATED: Is That Actually Blue Ivy in the Hand-Washing Video? Fans React to the Adorable PSA From Beyonces Daughter

RELATED: Beyonce Shares Video to Show What the Personalities of Her Twins, Rumi and Sir, Are Really Like
(UroToday.com) As part of the Thematic Session 10: New Technology for Urology plenary session at the 2020 European Association of Urology (EAU) Virtual Meeting, Dr. John Heesakkers discussed the consequences for urology of the new European Medica Devices Regulation (MDR).

In May 2021, there was the implementation of the European Medical Devices Regulation, replacing the prior Medical Devices Directives (MDD) with the primary goal to increase the safety and effectiveness of all commercialized medical devices.



Such a change was necessary for a number of reasons:

1. Outdated regulations that had not kept up to date with technological developments such as the hybrid of hardware devices and software

2. A lack of consistency between European Union (EU) member states as the MDD were directives, not laws

3. A focus on approval rather than postmarket performance, with continued clinical assessment not mandated

4. Limited accountability, with liability upon the manufacturer rather than the distributor

5. An insufficient scrutiny of notified bodies, with a focus on one-time approval rather than an ongoing assessment of safety and quality



To address these issues, the new MDR has a number of changes:

1. A regulation with more binding characteristics, thus reducing inconsistency but still allowing for national autonomy to ban high-risk devices

2. Strict guidelines for notified bodies, which are to act in a more prescriptive nature with greater use of audit and post-marketing surveillance

3. Extension of definition of medical devices to include implantable and invasive devices but also software for medical purposes, products with medical attributes that are not intended for medical use, and those for cleaning, disinfecting, or sterilizing medical devices

4. Stronger regulations with a stricter criteria for equivalence including documentation and clinical data as well as a transition to a life-cycle style approach with ongoing follow-up and periodic safety reports

5. Expanded accountability measures including the need for manufacturers outside the EU to designate authorized representatives who share legal liability

6. Traceability and transparency including a unique device identifier that will be used across the EU to improve monitoring of safety-related outcomes, block falsified devices, and improve stock management. This will be integrated into the European Database on Medical Devices.



The implications of these changes may be widespread with both benefits and some consequences. Hopefully, this will result in safer devices and increased transparency, though at the cost of higher costs and commercialization delays. This may marginalize smaller companies and require others to make strategic decisions to prioritize certain products. Dr. Heesakkers feels that these changes make Europe less attractive as an entry point in the global medical device market place.



Presented by: John Heesakkers MD, PhD, Head of Unit of Functional Urology and Neurourology, Department of Urology, Radboud University, Nijmegen, the Netherlands



Written by: Christopher J.D. Wallis, MD, PhD, Urologic Oncology Fellow, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, Twitter: @WallisCJD at the Virtual 2020 EAU Annual Meeting #EAU20, July 17-19, 2020
No arrests had been made and investigators were looking for additional information as of Sunday. Anyone who witnessed the crash or was traveling in or around the area and may have information to share is encouraged to contact the state police 847-294-4400.
SOFIA, Bulgaria  Leaked photographs of the prime minister. A police raid on the presidents office. A business tycoons takeover of a public beach. A looming no-confidence vote in the government. And the largest street protests in seven years.

Bulgaria is gripped in a political crisis, its biggest since 2013, when sustained protests against corruption brought down a center-left government. Now demonstrators are trying to oust their right-wing successors, who face similar accusations of corruption, judicial interference and servility to wealthy businessmen.

The poorest member of the European Union, nestled on the blocs southeastern frontier, Bulgaria is both a focus of the tussle for influence between the West and Russia, and an example of a decline in democratic standards in several parts of the continent.

But it is also a specific and unusual case.

In Hungary and Poland, Europes two most prominent victims of democratic backsliding, the governing party is driving the subversion of the democratic process. In Bulgaria, the charge is led by a wider range of actors, both inside and outside the government  including a small group of wealthy businessmen.
Police take back the streets at around midnight after firing copious amounts of tear gas to disperse protesters and rioters outside the Minneapolis Police 5th Precinct during the fourth night of protests and violence following the death of George Floyd, in Minneapolis, Minn., on May 29, 2020. (Charlotte Cuthbertson/The Epoch Times)

Minneapolis City Council Passes Resolution to Declare Racism a Public Health Emergency

The City Council of Minneapolis declared racism a public health emergency on July 17, about two months after George Floyds death in Minneapolis police custody, and following measures that seek to defund the citys police department.

Systemic racism is among the greatest long-term threats our city and nation are facing, and the last two months have made that reality painfully clear, said Mayor Jacob Frey, a Democrat, in a news release. For Minneapolis to be a place where everyone can live and thrive, we must recognize this crisis for what it is and approach policymaking with the urgency it deserves.

The resolution (pdf) also claims that racism has various forms including historical, individual, systemic and that has not only continued to present day, but has been institutionalized to ensure the concentration of material, power, and resources into the hands of white-bodied individuals. The resolution also noted that Minneapolis ranks as one of the worst regions for racial gaps in homeownership, poverty, median income, and obtaining a high school diploma.

The resolution seeks to decrease the incarceration rate while only making arrests for violent and major crimes, providing a comprehensive rapid response protocol to immediate needs and long-term work to address systemic inequities, and easing and dismissing cash bail. The text of the resolution didnt say how those proposed measures would ameliorate problems such as gaps in homeownership, income, or increasing high school graduation rates.

A Dollar Tree store is broken into and looted near the Minneapolis Police 5th Precinct during the fourth night of protests and violence following the death of George Floyd, in Minneapolis, on May 29, 2020. (Charlotte Cuthbertson/The Epoch Times)

Fire guts a Dominos Pizza shop near the 3rd Precinct Police Station after a night of protests and violence after the death of George Floyd, in Minneapolis, Minn., on May 29, 2020. (Charlotte Cuthbertson/The Epoch Times)

Most of the Minneapolis City Council have already vowed to disband the local police department and replace it with a new model of public safety, although details about the new agency are not clear. Frey has publicly said he doesnt want to abolish the citys police force.

In June, the Minnesota Department of Human Rights filed a civil rights discrimination charge against the citys police department and is investigating the departments policies and practices.

City leaders and law enforcement officials have said that the months of COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns, rising unemployment, and the fallout from mass protests over the Floyd killing have helped create conditions for a rise in violent crime in Minneapolis. A number of businesses were forced to shut down or leave during weeks of riots, looting, arson, and vandalism in the city.
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Market Scenario

Global Medical Automation Market is expected to reach US$ 140Bn by 2026 from US$ 58Bn in 2017 at CAGR of 11.6%.

Global medical automation market segmented by application, end user and region. Based on applications, the global medical automation market is segregated into diagnostic and monitoring automation, lab and pharmacy automation, therapeutic automation and medical logistics and training. End user are classified into research laboratories & institutes, home & ambulatory care, hospitals & diagnostic centres, and pharmacies. Region-wise divided into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East & Africa, and Latin America.

Global Medical Automation Market

Various technological advancements managed to the automation of the medical sector which enabled the controlled use of medical systems and related technologies. This reduced the necessity for human work in the production of goods and services. The growing prevalence of chronic diseases like cancer, diabetes, and others along with the growing pharmaceutical & biotechnology sector are the major drivers for the market growth during the forecast period. Medical institutions are channelling more funds into global medical automation systems and software enticed by benefits such as cost containment, increased speed, greater transparency in processing, and reduction in errors. The top trends that are shaping the global medical automation market are affordable automation software and systems that make daily tasks easier.

Based on the application, therapeutic automation segment is estimated to hold the largest share of the global medical automation market in 2017. The increasing application of automated devices (such that defibrillators, surgical robots, surgical navigation systems, and automated medication systems) in therapeutics and rising incidences of various chronic diseases are driving the growth of this market segment.

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On the basis of an end user, hospitals and diagnostic centres dominating the medical automation market. Diagnostics represents one of the most lucrative markets in the domain. Moreover, the market has developed strongly in enhancing disease prevalence and rising consumer awareness. Inflows into sectors such as hospitals & diagnostic centres and medical appliances stood at US$4.1 billion and US$1.45 billion, respectively, during the forecast period.

In terms of region, North America accounts for the largest share of the medical automation market followed by Europe. The dominance of these regions in this market is seen due to increasing government investments and funding. Additional, collaboration among the key players and increased investments by the venture capitalists are some of the reasons which have augmented the demand for medical automation in North America and the European region. In the U.S market medical automation in therapy segment accounts for the major share of the market followed by diagnostics & monitoring and logistics & training. Asia-Pacific region is expected to show healthy growth in the upcoming future majorly in India, China, Taiwan and Japan. The reason behind an expansion would be a rapid decline in the number of rural labour, the rise in government investments towards automation and economic developments.

Key players operating on the global medical automation market are, Medtronic Inc., DePuy Synthes (Johnson & Johnson), Koninklijke Philips N.V., Ge Healthcare, Siemens Healthineers, Cardinal Health Inc, Stryker Corporation, Becton, Dickinson and Company, Baxter, Danaher Corporation, Stanley Black and Decker Inc., Intuitive Surgical, Swisslog Holding AG, Tecan Group Ltd., iCad INC, Given Imaging Ltd., Brainlab AG, Accuray Incorporated, Clearcount Medical Solutions, eScreen, Quiqmeds and Acrobot Company.

Scope of the Global Medical Automation Market Report

Global Medical Automation Market, by Application

 Diagnostic and monitoring automation

 Lab and pharmacy automation

 Therapeutic automation

 Medical logistics and training

Global Medical Automation Market, by End user

 Research laboratories & institutes

 Home & ambulatory care

 Hospitals & diagnostic centres

 Pharmacies

Global Medical Automation Market, by Region

 North America

 Europe

 Asia Pacific

 Middle East and Africa

 Latin America

Key players operating in Global Medical Automation Market:

 Medtronic Inc.

 DePuy Synthes (Johnson & Johnson)

 Koninklijke Philips N.V.

 Ge Healthcare

 Siemens Healthineers

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" " NOAA Fisheries/Brittany Dolan A juvenile Hawaiian monk seal was found with a spotted eel in its nose at French Frigate Shoals in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands this past summer. And it wasn't the first time it happened.

Sometimes you think you're having a bad day, and then you see the above photo of an endangered monk seal (Neomonachus schauinslandi) with an eel stuck in its nose, and you realize you're doing pretty OK.

The photo was taken by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and according to NOAA's Hawaiian Monk Seal Research Program, this happens from time to time. Strangely enough, though NOAA has been monitoring the monk seal population in the northern islands of Hawaii for almost 40 years, this eel-in-the-nose problem has been observed a handful of times, but only since 2016.

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But, why? Well, it's hard to say. Researchers have noted the trend seems to be in juvenile seals, and they've offered a few possible explanations. For starters, monk seals are ocean-bottom foragers  they like to root around for little animals to eat, flipping over rocks and shoving their faces into coral reefs where eels like to hide. When faced with the ferocious maw of a monk seal, an eel might decide in the heat of the moment to rush up the predator's nose to escape danger. Researchers also have suggested the seals may be eating the eels and then regurgitating them  only their lunch come up the wrong pipe. Which sounds ... painful.

But don't worry! When researchers see a monk seal with an eel dangling from its nostril, they capture the animal and gently remove it, and the seal goes on to live a freewheeling, eel-in-the-nose-free life. The eels, on the other hand, don't make it.

Monk seals are closely monitored in the Hawaiian islands because there are only around 1,400 individuals left, and researchers estimate about 30 percent of those animals are alive because of conservation efforts. Their numbers are dwindling due to things like hunting, entanglement in ocean trash and human interference with their habitat and food sources.

Now That's Interesting In the Hawaiian language, the name for a monk seal is "Ilio-holo-i-ka-uaua," or "the dog that runs in rough waters."
The Singapore State Courts. (PHOTO: Dhany Osman / Yahoo News Singapore)

SINGAPORE  An undergraduate dental student at the National University of Singapore was sentenced to a short detention order of 12 days on Friday (17 July) after he strangled and thumbed the eye of an ex-girlfriend who wanted to break up with him.

Yin Zi Qin, 23, then in his second year of the dental course, had accessed her house with a card and later climbed through a window to her bedroom.

He pleaded guilty to one count of voluntarily causing hurt to the 21-year-old woman with one count of unlawfully remaining in her house to annoy her taken into consideration for sentencing. A short detention order means that Yin will not have a criminal record upon his release.

The victim, also a university student, had been with Yin for two years before breaking up with him on 9 May last year over WhatsApp.

That night, Yin entered her house with an access card the victim had earlier passed to him. He then told the woman that he was at her house and wanted to talk to her before they broke up.

The victim, then out with her friends, rushed home to meet him. The pair met at the basement of her house before climbing into her bedroom via a window from an adjacent showroom unit. The womans family members were unaware of their presence.

At the room, Yin gave the victim roses, begged for her forgiveness, and pleaded with her not to end the relationship. When the victim declined his request, Yin banged his head against the wall and remained silent for a while.

As they resumed talking, Yin began strangling the womans neck. She screamed and struggled, causing Yin to release her but press his thumb against her left eye. Her eye bled from the incident.

The woman lost consciousness momentarily and found herself on the floor when she woke up. Yin apologised to her and the woman told him to leave. Yin then climbed out of her bedroom into the showroom unit.

Meanwhile, the womans mother heard the commotion and approached her daughter to ask who had hit her. Hearing the exchange, Yin returned to the bedroom to seek the forgiveness from the womans parents.

Story continues

However, he encountered the womans stepfather, who pinned him to the ground. Yin asked him to call for an ambulance as the woman was injured, while the mother called the police.

The victim experienced blurry vision and pain in her eye. She also suffered abrasions over her neck, and swelling and a conjunctival infection to her eye for five months.

Apart from physical injuries, the woman has insomnia and suffers from nightmares of Yin breaking into her house.

She describes herself to be in constant paranoia about bumping into Yin at school. The family now ensures that all windows and doors are locked before heading to bed.

District Judge Marvin Bay said in an earlier hearing that Yin was not suitable for probation but that his relative youth, rehabilitative prospects and lack of criminal history made community-based sentences a viable option.

The judge sentenced Yin to 12 days short detention order, community service of 80 hours and a day reporting order for five months.

Stay in the know on-the-go: Join Yahoo Singapore's Telegram channel at http://t.me/YahooSingapore

Other Singapore stories

Poly student admits to spitting over railing at Bugis Junction, towards Subway diners



Early closures, late starts for TEL train services from 20 Jul to 30 Aug



Man fed 3 elderly women insomnia drug to steal from them
TikTok logo seen displayed on a smartphone. (Omar Marques/SOPA Images/Sipa USA/PA Images)

TikTok faces further question marks over basing its international headquarters in UK, as the US considers banning the app.

ByteDance, the Chinese company that owns the video-sharing app, has been in talks with the UK government about basing its HQ in London.

But the US is looking at banning all Chinese social media apps, especially TikTok, secretary of state Mike Pompeo announced earlier this month.

The US may only allow TikTok to keep operating if it splits from China and becomes an American company.

"With respect to Chinese apps on people's cell phones, I can assure you the United States will get this one right. I don't want to get out in front of the President [Donald Trump], but it's something we're looking at, Pompeo said during an interview with Fox News' Laura Ingraham.

READ MORE: Highest earning TikTok influencers 2020

It remains unclear how the Trump administration would be able to implement the ban, as ordering Americans not to use the app would mostly likely be unconstitutional and infringe on their First Amendment rights.

However, digital rights group Electronic Frontier Foundation told Fortune it could potentially ban federal workers from using the app and block federal funding.

TikToks plans to invest in the UK have come under doubt as a result of pressure from the US.

It follows the UK governments decision to remove Chinese telecoms firm Huawei's 5G equipment from Britain's mobile networks by 2027, after the US brought multiple sanctions, criminal charges, trade restrictions, geopolitical threats, and special designations against the company.

READ MORE: Two arrested for kicking a Nandi idol to make TikTok video

ByteDance said it will go ahead with the UK HQ plans. "We remain fully committed to investing in London," a spokesman told BBC News.

A spokeswoman for the Department for International Trade told the BBC: "ByteDance's decision on the location of their global HQ is a commercial decision for the company."
(UPDATE: Amber Alert canceled after 15-year-old girl found safe)

An Amber Alert has been issued Sunday afternoon by Michigan State Police as part of an effort to try and find a 15-year-old girl missing out of the Traverse City area.

Anna Mae Taylor was last seen between 2 a.m. and 4 a.m. Sunday, July 19.

The alert states she is believed to be with 20-year-old Brandon Reyes in a silver Chrysler 300 with Michigan license plate BREYES.

The Grand Traverse Sheriffs Office issued a statement Sunday afternoon noting its believed Reyes, of Garfield Township, may have assaulted Taylor. Neither the family nor law enforcement have been able to contact or determine the whereabouts of the pair.

They were last seen during the early morning hours in the area of Keystone and Hammond roads in Garfield Township, south of Traverse City.

Taylor is described as 5-feet-4 inches tall, 110 pounds, brown hair, green eyes and last wearing a gray T-shirt, black Nike spandex pants, and a neon waistband.

Reyes, of Garfield Township, is believed to be armed with a handgun and hammer, per the alert.

The Grand Traverse Sheriffs Office called Reyes armed and dangerous.

He stands 5-feet-6 inches tall, weighs 110 pounds, with brown hair and brown eyes.

Anyone who has information should call Grand Traverse Central Dispatch at (231) 922-4550.

Anyone with information on her whereabouts is asked to call 911 or the Grand Traverse County Sheriffs Office at 231-922-4550.

More on MLive:

Tens of thousands without power across Michigan due to storms

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Michigan reports 483 new cases of coronavirus, 2 deaths
OAKBROOK TERRACE, Ill., July 18, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- SIRVA, Inc., a leading global relocation and moving company, today issued the following statement in response to the Delaware Court ruling to dismiss litigation between Realogy Holdings Corp. (NYSE: RLGY) and SIRVA, Inc. regarding the previously announced purchase agreement for the acquisition of Realogy's Cartus Relocation Services business.

We are pleased the Court dismissed Realogy's attempt to force closing of the SIRVA - Cartus transaction. As the Court concluded, Realogy -- not SIRVA -- caused the transaction to fail and nothing about SIRVA's business or financial position factored into the Court's determination that the transaction would not proceed. Moving forward, SIRVA remains financially strong and well positioned to continue serving our clients with best in class service and support through our leading array of capabilities, technologies and services as they navigate the challenging global market environment, and we will continue to vigorously defend ourselves and assert our rights in any further litigation with Realogy.

About SIRVA Worldwide Relocation & Moving

SIRVA Worldwide Relocation and Moving is a global leader in moving and relocation services, offering solutions for mobility programs to companies of every size. With 75 owned locations and more than 1,000 franchised and agent locations in 177 countries, we offer unmatched global breadth supported by localized attention and innovative technology that strikes the right balance of self service and human support. From relocation and household goods to commercial moving and storage, our portfolio of Brands (SIRVA, Team Relocations, Allied, northAmerican, Allied Pickfords & SMARTBOX) provides the only integrated moving/relocation solution in the industry. By leveraging our global network, we deliver a superior experience that only a "one-stop shop" can provide.

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Mowi, a Norwegian seafood company formerly known as Marine Harvest, said it could invest 22m in the Irish market to create up to four new fish farms.

The Irish subsidiary, which has 13 operations across five coastal counties and employs around 300 people here, recently added 46 new staff to its operations. It typically hits annual sales of around 66.1m, but anticipates exceeding 80m this year.

Jan Feenstra, managing director of Mowi Ireland said the Irish operation had been performing ahead of budget.

He said the investment could follow if it can attract more fishing licences.

"If we get the licences we are looking for, and we have new ones in, we could double our employment in a matter of four to five years," he said. "We have very good solid backers, and they are happy with the way we are approaching our business.

"One new site represents an investment of working capital of around 6m and 7m," he added. "They would easily support us opening another four sites over the next five years."

Feenstra said Mowi Ireland had managed to keep the business going as the company offers a niche product with its organic Irish salmon, which performed well in the supermarkets. "Our main customers are people who smoke salmon," he said. "The smoked salmon business is extremely competitive, and they are fighting for the shelf space in the supermarkets. Those kinds of products actually partially compensated for what we lost with the hotel trade."

Feenstra said that it was also slowly tapping into new international markets, but the product was a bit more seasonal than Mowi would like it to be, with not enough available for the whole year. "To go into Asia and places like that is very difficult without being able to guarantee supply for 12 months of the year."

Issues in the meatpacking sector had caused Feenstra some "sleepless nights", but he was proud of how Mowi had implemented Covid-19 measures.

Feenstra hopes that the new Government will resolve some of the outstanding licensing issues that the fish-farming industry is facing.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-07-19 20:29:45|Editor: huaxia

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HONG KONG, July 19 (Xinhua) -- Chief Secretary for Administration of China's Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government Matthew Cheung pledged unswerving efforts on Sunday to safeguard national security and expressed firm opposition to U.S. interference.

In response to the United States signing into law the so-called "Hong Kong Autonomy Act" and announcing a series of restrictive measures with the U.S. president's executive order, Cheung wrote in an online article that the U.S. moves seriously violate international law and the basic norms governing international relations, and constitute blatant interference in China's internal affairs.

The HKSAR government will fully support the central government in adopting countermeasures against the U.S. hegemony, Cheung stressed.

While the United States announced the revocation of Hong Kong's special trade treatment, Cheung noted Hong Kong's status as a separate customs territory under "one country, two systems" is conferred by the Constitution and the Basic Law and is recognized by multilateral organizations such as the World Trade Organization, but not granted or revocable by an individual country.

Cheung said the United States introduced measures to attack China by creating issues in Hong Kong under the pretext of human rights, democracy and autonomy out of its own political agenda.

It is hypocritical for the United States to undermine the relationship between the HKSAR and the central authorities under "one country, two systems" and to whitewash its abhorrent acts by the political slogan of "supporting Hong Kong people," Cheung wrote.

The U.S. sanctions will not only harm the China-U.S. relations and the common interests of the two countries, but also bring substantial damages to U.S. businesses and people, he noted.

In the article, Cheung also pledged that the government will track the development of the lastest COVID-19 outbreak and roll out proper measures when needed.

As the Legislative Council election is due on Sept. 6, the HKSAR government will as always guarantee that the election will be held in a fair, open, honest and orderly manner, Cheung wrote. Enditem
A Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) crest is seen on a member's uniform, at the RCMP "D" Division Headquarters in Winnipeg, Manitoba Canada on July 24, 2019. (Shannon VanRaes/File Photo via Reuters)

3 Dead, Several Injured After Glacier Tour Bus Rolls Over in Canadian National Park: CBC

A glacier tour bus rolled over in Canadas southern province of Alberta, killing three people and injuring several, CBC News reported on Saturday.

The sightseeing bus overturned en route to the glacier near the Columbia Icefield in Albertas Jasper National Park, according to the report.

CBC News said the incident involved one of the off-road buses that ferry visitors onto the glacier, owned by Pursuit, the company that operates tours of the ice fields, which are part of the Athabasca Glacier.

Three adults were killed out of the 27 passengers, and several emergency workers and fire departments were descending on the scene, the report said, citing The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP).

Critically injured passengers were being transported from the crash site to various Alberta hospitals on helicopter ambulances, it said.

The report said several hospitals in the province were preparing to receive patients, some in critical or serious condition, citing a spokesperson for Alberta Health Services.

RCMP are investigating the cause of the roll-over with the support of a collision analyst, according to CBC News.
Federal law enforcement officers, deployed under the Trump administration's new executive order to protect federal monuments and buildings, face off with protesters against racial inequality in Portland, Oregon, U.S. July 18, 2020: Reuters

Portlands mayor has called the Trump administrations use of federal agents to quell protests there a direct threat to democracy which could be replicated in other cities across the country.

Local lawmakers and national Democratic leaders have called for the removal of the masked, militarised federal agents from the city, following their deployment ostensibly to protect federal buildings.

Those agents have been accused of driving unmarked cars and seizing people from the street in recent days in the city, which has seen nightly protests for racial justice since the police killing of George Floyd.

Their presence here is actually leading to more violence and more vandalism. And it's not helping the situation at all. They're not wanted here, mayor Ted Wheeler said on Sunday. The tactics that the Trump administration are using on the streets of Portland are abhorrent, he added.

He told CNN: This could happen in your city and what were seeing is a blatant abuse of police tactics by the federal government, by a Trump administration that's falling in the polls and this is a direct threat to our democracy.

His comments come after Donald trump defended the deployment, claiming he was trying to help Portland, not hurt it.

Their leadership has, for months, lost control of the anarchists and agitators, Mr Trump tweeted on Sunday.

They are missing in action. We must protect Federal property, AND OUR PEOPLE. These were not merely protesters, these are the real deal!

The deployment has been roundly condemned by Democrats as an abuse of power.

US House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi has accused the Republican president of deploying stormtroopers.

Unidentified stormtroopers. Unmarked cars. Kidnapping protesters and causing severe injuries in response to graffiti. These are not the actions of a democratic republic, she said.

The agents are from the US Customs and Border Protection, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and the Department of Homeland Securitys Federal Protective Service. Video and witness testimony has emerged in recent days showing them detaining people without cause far from the federal buildings they are mandated to protect.

Story continues

Police declared a riot in the city on Saturday night as clashes continued, when a Portland Police Association building was set on fire briefly.

Local lawmakers have called for the removal of the federal agents from the city in a letter condemning the Trump administration's actions.

Incredible scene in Portland right now. A group of Moms are chanting, Feds stay clear! Moms are here! at the federal courthouse.



pic.twitter.com/gexQJJM6ck  Joshua Potash (@JoshuaPotash) July 19, 2020

The message crafted by the Trump administration to justify this escalation of force and intimidation in Portland borders on propaganda, apparently to serve the presidents perceived political interests. This is unacceptable under our Constitution, said a letter signed by Oregon Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley, together with House Representatives Earl Blumenauer and Suzanne Bonamici.

The letter, which was addressed to acting Department of Homeland Security secretary Chad Wolf, who deployed the agents, and US attorney general William Barr, accuses the federal agents of operating without identifying insignia in an apparent effort to evade accountability, and of snatching people off the street with no apparent reason.

These actions are out of control [...] They are more reflective of tactics of a government led by a dictator, not from the government of our constitutional democratic republic, the officials wrote.

Acting DHS secretary Wolf justified the deployment of the federal agents with a press release that detailed a litany of alleged crimes carried out by violent anarchists. Many of the incidents listed are graffiti of federal property or removing fences.

The city of Portland has been under siege for 47 straight days by a violent mob while local political leaders refuse to restore order to protect their city, said the release by Mr Wolf.

Each night, lawless anarchists destroy and desecrate property, including the federal courthouse, and attack the brave law enforcement officers protecting it.

Read more

Portland leaders demand removal of federal troops from city
CLIFTON PARK  The town's two judges are raising concerns about the recent hiring of a former Milton supervisor as one of two armed court officers.



Judge Robert Rybak said he and Judge James Hughes were not consulted about the appointment of Scott Ostrander, whose one-term as town leader was filled with controversy - including an incident that involved someone wiping town computers clean just after Ostrander's term ended.



Ostrander, who is a part-time Ballston Spa police officer, was appointed on Monday, July 6 to secure Clifton Park Town Court along with fellow part-time police officer Michael Welch. Rybak said the surprise hires were a departure from past practice of justices sitting in on interviews, as well as examining references, qualifications and civil service lists.



We are concerned that we were not part of the process, Rybak said. Every other court officer who was hired, we always had the opportunity to meet with them before they were hired and look at their qualifications. We are not saying they arent qualified, its just that these are the eyes and ears of the court. These are the people we rely on for our personal protection. This is the first time people were hired without our knowledge.



In an email to the town board, Rybak and Hughes wrote we would like to know why we were not involved in the process" and questioned if Ostrander and Welch are licensed and qualified to be armed security officers. The judges also wanted to know if other applicants from Clifton Park were interested in the position. Welch lives in Clifton Park while Ostrander lives in Milton. Finally, the judges wrote in an email asking if anyone checked their personnel records at the Ballston Spa police department.



We havent gotten answers, Rybak said.



Supervisor Phil Barrett brought forward the candidacy of Ostrander and Welch, which was approved unanimously by the town board. They will each earn $25.47 an hour for the part-time jobs. Barrett said that both are overly qualified for the part-time position.



We are very fortunate to quickly hire in a fairly short period of time after receiving word that the current court officers decided to resign, Barrett said.



He also said "the town doesn't consult with the justices when they hire security guards.



Barrett, who supported Ostranders failed bid for re-election in 2019 and partnered with him on county initiatives, said that there is nothing in Ostranders past as a police officer that would make him hesitate to hire him for security. If there was, he said, it would have come out already.



I wouldnt change a thing, Barrett said about Ostranders appointment. "We are not here to make deals with favorite people or give people what they want because they feel entitled to something. Its not the way we do business here."



Furthermore, Barrett told the justices in an email that, The town has conducted a thorough hiring process.



As a leader of the Town of Milton and a member of the Saratoga County Board of Supervisors, Ostrander, a Republican, was controversial. Before running for supervisor in 2017, Ostrander headed a security company, Saratoga International Group, which among other things, provided security for Congresswoman Elise Stefaniks wedding. However, his business, which has since disbanded, was not licensed by the state Department of State. As of Sunday, the state still does not have a license on file for Ostrander. In 2017, Ostrander said he didnt need one because he was a police officer.



Though fully backed by the town and county Republican party, Ostrander lost in Novembers election to fellow Republican Benny Zlotnick who ran on the Independence, Conservative and Democratic lines.



When Zlotnick took office in 2020, he discovered that the computers in the supervisor's office had all information deleted off of them. After initially reporting the breach to the state, Zlotnick decided to withdraw a formal complaint.



Ostrander said last January that the computer debacle was hearsay. However, that case was one of the concerns that Rybak raised. He was also concerned about their short-notice availability as both men still work part-time. The former court officers, Dan Kuhn and Andy Jupin, were fully retired from the Saratoga County Sheriff's Office and the New York State Police, respectively.

It is unclear if Welch, who could not be reached by the Times Union on Sunday, is licensed with the state as a security officer.
The Coastal Development Authority (CODA), led by Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Lawyer Jerry Ahmed Shaib, has taken its public education against the spread of the new coronavirus to the ongoing voters registration exercise being undertaken by the Electoral Commission.



The Authority on Wednesday, 15th July, 2020, collaborated with the Members of Parliament for Ledzokuku and Krowor Constituencies to visit some registration centres and distributed facemasks, hand sanitizers and soft drinks to electoral officials, applicants and security officers.



Ledzokuku Constituency



At Ledzokuku, MP for the Constituency, who doubles as the Deputy Minister of Health, Dr. Bernard Okoe Boye supported the CEO to call on EC registration officials and registrants to strictly adhere to government-prescribed measures to help stop the spread of the virus.



Dr. Okoe Boye, addressing registrants, stressed the need for all Ghanaians to approach COVID-19 with a sense of urgency. He also commended constituents for coming out in their numbers to participate in the current exercise to compile a new voters register.



Some of the registration centers visited by the team were Osabu Kojo Square Market, Ataa-Okoe Forward 3 and Jem Palace 1 registrations centers. The team also stopped over at Jem Palace 2, Ebenezer Junction and Penny Teshie registration centers. The rest were Muji Park, Teshie; Malik Park, Tsuibleoo North, Teshie; and Okpoi Gono Railway Station.



Krowor Constituency



At Krowor Constituency, the CEO was supported by the MP and Minister of Fisheries and Aquacultural Development, Hon Elizabeth Afoley Quaye to educate applicants about safety measures laid down by government and urged them to comply with same to ensure their safety as well as the safety of their family and loved ones.



Hon. Afoley Quaye implored constituents to endeavor to go through the registration process peacefully and without incident. The Minister congratulated constituents for taking part in the registration exercise and, while at it, for making efforts to ensure compliance with COVID-19 safety measures.



Among centers visited were Obene Tso Shishi Center and the Ghana National Preparatory School Nungua 3 Center.



CODA anti-coronavirus education



Addressing the media, CEO of CODA, Lawyer Jerry Ahmed Shaib lauded registrants for exercising their civic duty by enthusiastically partaking in the ongoing compilation of a new voters register. He called on all stakeholders to comply with all safety protocols namely frequent handwashing, use of hand sanitizers, wearing of facemasks and maintaining social distancing.



CODA has gone a step further in the Authoritys public education drive by visiting voter registration centers to educate stakeholders through a public address system. This effort is expected to keep Ghanaians aware of preventive protocols as they go through the registration process.

Source: Daniel Adu Darko/Peacefmonline.com/[email protected]









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

Featured Video
Cryptocurrency entrepreneurs are preparing to sue Google, Facebook and Twitter in an Australian class action lawsuit that could cost the tech giants up to US$300 billion (A$436 billion).

The David-and-Goliath case has attracted litigants with US$600million (A$872million) worth of claims so far - a number that has increased as more people join.

The no-win no-fee case has now been put before a senior barrister for review, pending funding to file.

Cryptocurrency entrepreneurs are suing Google, Facebook and Twitter in Australia under anti-cartel laws, saying the big tech firms colluded to ban crypto and blockchain ads

The companies and individuals, represented by Sydney-based firm JPB Liberty, say their businesses were harmed when Google, Facebook and Twitter all banned cryptocurrency advertising in 2018.

The social media giants acted within weeks of each other, and included the ban in their terms and conditions of service.

Google announced it would partially reverse the sweeping ban in September of 2018, to allow regulated exchanges to buy ads in the US and Japan.

Facebook said in 2019 it would no longer require pre-approval for ads related to blockchain technology, also caught up in the ban, however those advertising cryptocurrency would still have to go through a review.

Australia's Moneysmart government website warns of people losing their money in speculative cryptocurrency initial coin offerings on unregulated exchanges, saying many have turned out to be scams.

JPB Liberty's Vice President of Technology Brian Bishko (left) and chief executive Andrew Hamilton (right) pictured in July last year. The pair are spearheading the lawsuit

Other cryptocurrencies, most famously Bitcoin, have turned into widely used products useful for moving money across borders, while the blockchain technology that underpins it is revolutionising data security.

The entrepreneurs say there were very few regulated exchanges in 2018 so the social media advertising ban hurt their legitimate business growth as they were prevented from using the world's largest online advertising platforms to reach potential customers.

JPB Liberty is organising funding for the case from institutional litigation funders, venture capital and ideologically aligned investors.

Claimants will get 70 percent of any eventual settlement or damages while the funders will get 30 percent.

Brian Bishko, JPB Liberty's Israeli-based Vice President of Technology & Public Affairs, and himself a conservative blogger, said the social media giants had become too large.

'I think Facebook is too powerful to exist in the world - I honestly think its a danger to the world,' he said.

Dr Bishko said the ban on cryptocurrency advertising was also crushing new social media networks that run on blockchains such as Hive which pays content creators in its own Hive cryptocurrency.

'Hive, which back then was called Steem, had been growing and growing - and suddenly they couldnt advertise on Facebook and get new users,' he said.

Social media giants Facebook, Twitter and Google cannot be held accountable for content on their platforms in the US despite increasingly making editorial decisions like a publisher

'It caused enormous damage.'

'If your business had as a component of it anything that looked like a cryptocurrency, you got caught in the same net.

'So maybe youd get a few adverts but eventually theyd do a review and your account would be blocked.'

These new emerging social media platforms that use blockchain technology are a threat to YouTube and Facebook, Dr Bishko said.

Draft code of conduct for digital platforms due at the end of July The power and market dominance of the social media giants has been on Australia's radar over the past year. The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) launched a lawsuit last year against Google in October last year over alleged misleading conduct over the tech giant's use of personal location data. The Morrison Government then moved this year to force the social media giants to share revenue with traditional news media. Treasurer Josh Frydenberg directed the ACCC to develop a code of conduct on digital platforms after the media giants failed to come to a voluntary agreement. A draft code is to be finalised by the end of July and will include enforcement, penalties and ways to deal with disagreements between the global platforms and local media companies. It will cover issues such as data sharing, ranking and display of news content in search engines, monetisation and revenue sharing. Advertisement

Once a content creator puts a post up on Hive, it can't be taken down as it is on the blockchain - and the decentralised system cannot be controlled.

'Its like theres a power to it, its decentralised, its not controlled by a central authority called Mark Zuckerberg,' he said.

By contrast the big four social media giants own all content posted to their platforms and can censor or delete at will.

'You dont own your stuff when you post it on Facebook, you dont own it on Twitter  your account can be taken away,' said Dr Bishko.

The social media giants cannot be held accountable for the content on their platforms due to a US legal protection that deems them to be a platform not a publisher, however they are increasingly making editorial decisions over what content they will host.

They may delete or demonetise accounts, and ban or deplatform people and businesses who make their living on social media with ideas that Silicon Valley disagrees with.

Social media giants such as Google's parent Alphabet have the power to demonetise content creators who spend years producing videos for YouTube. It can also deprive websites of advertising dollars

Google Ads recently demonetised finance and free speech website ZeroHedge.com on June 16 for racist content that stemmed from unmoderated comments beneath the site's articles.

Google and Facebook combined accounted for 60.9 percent of all US digital ad spending in 2019 according to digital advertising projections by eMarketer.com in October last year.

The pair also dominated the UK with a combined share of digital advertising revenue of 63.3 percent in 2019, according to eMarketer's forecast.

Google was projected to take 38.8 percent of the 2019 UK market worth 5.72 billion, while Facebook would account for 24.5 percent or 3.62 billion.

Google's parent company Alphabet also owns YouTube and thus controls the advertising on that platform also.

Together with Twitter, the social media giants control the majority of online advertising platforms in the English speaking world.

Daily Mail Australia has contacted Google, Facebook and Twitter for a response.
By Elizabeth Kwiatkowski, 07/19/2020



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[ Spoiler Warning: This report features spoilers revealing if Kalani and Asuelu have split or if the : Happily Ever After? couple is still together.]

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Did Kalani and Asuelu's relationship fall apart or is the couple still together?

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Elizabeth Kwiatkowski is Associate Editor of Reality TV World and has been covering the reality TV genre for more than a decade.

star Kalani Faagata apparently feels there is a wedge between herself and Asuelu Pulaa after many fights and misunderstandings as shown on Season 5 of : Happily Ever After?, so did the couple work through their issues or split -- and are they still together now?Kalani, a 31-year-old from Orange County, CA, and Asuelu, a 24-year-old from Samoa, met in July 2016 when she was visiting a resort where Asuelu worked as the activities director. They first starred on Season 6 of in 2019.The couple remained in contact, and after dating long distance, Kalani returned to Samoa and their relationship blossomed quickly. In fact, Kalani lost her virginity to Asuelu, which resulted in an unplanned and unexpected pregnancy.The surprise pregnancy rocked and initially disappointed Kalani's Mormon family because they never really approved of Kalani dating Asuelu to begin with and were uncertain whether Asuelu could provide for a wife and family.But Kalani and Asuelu went forward with the K-1 visa process anyway so that Asuelu could move to the United States and become a hands-on father.When Asuelu moved to America, his son Oliver was already five months old.Although Kalani and Asuelu had their fair share of struggles -- such as Asuelu having to adapt to life in the United States and the responsibilities of being a new father -- the pair got married in September 2018.'s sixth season ended with Kalani and Asuelu's wedding as well as Kalani learning she was pregnant again.Kalani and Asuelu found out they were expecting their second child together less than a year after she had given birth to Oliver, which was another big surprise!Kalani reacted to the pregnancy news poorly at first as shown on an episode of 's sixth season and was the target of criticism as a result."I had antepartum depression while pregnant with Oliver, to the point that I wanted to kill myself," Kalani explained in her defense in December 2018."Once the baby came, I had postpartum depression: I wasn't bonding with him, I cried all the time and wanted to die again. Please know that I was concerned about the well-being of my son because of my mental state when I'm pregnant, not that I was ungrateful to be pregnant."Kalani and Asuelu are now parents of two sons: Kennedy, who was born in May 2019, and Oliver, whom the couple welcomed in January 2018.But life with two young children has proved to be very difficult for Kalani, who feels she has taken on most of the care, cooking and cleaning at home.In September 2019, Kalani took to her Instagram Stories and posted a poll about gender roles and married life.While she did not name Asuelu directly in her post, she made it clear she was venting about her husband's alleged laziness and his unrealistic expectations of her as a wife and mother of two."Do all husbands expect their wives to pay bills, clean the whole house, do all the laundry, feed/watch the kids 24/7 (unless said husband is in public or wants a selfie)?" Kalani asked in the poll."Asking for my gottdamn self. Is this normal?" she added.Apparently 70 percent of Kalani's followers who participated in the poll answered "No."However, the couple appeared to be a very happy family at Christmas time in December 2019.On : Happily Ever After?'s fifth season, Asuelu was shown at work passing out free samples. The couple had been married for one year and three months at the time of filming.Kalani suggested her marriage was suffering and she was exhausted all the time, so her parents moved in with the couple to help them out with Oliver and Kennedy, which made Asuelu feel a bit uncomfortable since he could no longer be the man of the house.Kalani said she wanted Asuelu to help out more with the babies and also help out more around the house, but Asuelu grew up believing those are the wife's responsibilities.Kalani argued Asuelu would rather play volleyball or video games after work than assist her and spend time with his family. She also complained they hadn't been on a romantic date in four months."I just wish that Asuelu and I could get back to the point where we were in the beginning of our relationship, where we loved to be around each other. I just miss that, and if Asuelu refuses to change, I don't know if I can keep doing this anymore," Kalani said in a confessional.Kalani's dad Low also wanted Asuelu to "step up" and stop "f-cking around." Low said Asuelu would get his "ass whooped or sent back to Samoa" if things didn't change for the better.Asuelu therefore brought Kalani out on a fun date, but their happiness didn't last long because Asuelu asked his wife to travel to Samoa with him so their children could see where he grew up.Not only would the trip cost thousands of dollars in plane fare alone, but Asuelu's sister also told him there had been a Measles outbreak recently and children were dying from it.Asuelu and Kalani's son Kennedy wasn't vaccinated and wasn't supposed to get that MMR vaccine until 12-24 months old, according to his doctor.Given Kennedy was only seven months old at the time, Kalani was worried and decided to postpone the trip until a later date, which left Asuelu feeling angry, resentful and unsupported.Instead of going to Samoa, Kalani drove her family to California in order to celebrate Oliver's second birthday, but Asuelu was noticeably in a bad mood.Kalani said if Asuelu is mad at her or things don't go his way, he'll criticize her and try to make her feel bad about everything she does.During the car ride to California, Asuelu called Kalani's job as a mother "easy" and then admitted he thinks American women's jobs in general are easy. Asuelu rattled off a list of chores such as cleaning, loading the dishwasher and laundry. He said the kids can watch TV while the mother cooks and cleans."Then why don't you do it, if it's so easy?" Kalani asked."Because [there's] other stuff I do," Asuelu replied, later adding that women in Samoa don't complain about the tasks they must do. "I think Kalani can't do what mother in Samoa do."In the car, Kalani told Asuelu that she was the one up all night with both of their sick kids when she was sick too, and Asuelu called her out for being a "lying b-tch.""I'm the one that planned Oliver's birthday. I do everything for them. It's nowhere near fair, and if it's so easy, why don't you do any of it then?" Kalani asked."Because that's a woman job. And the sound of your voice is so f-cking annoying too," Asuelu countered.Kalani's mother was driving the car and scolded Asuelu for talking to her daughter that way, which only made Asuelu more frustrated."I don't know how your husband talk to you when you guys been together. But it's my wife; I can talk whatever," Asuelu said. "Your daughter asks stupid questions."Kalani's mother called Asuelu "disrespectful," and Kalani felt Asuelu was trying to sabotage the weekend and ruin it for everyone as a way to get back at her for canceling their trip to Samoa."It just shows me that he doesn't really care about me and the boys and he's just No. 1 to himself," Kalani complained in a confessional, later adding that she'd never be "subservient" to a man.During a heated confrontation in the backyard, Kalani called Asuelu "a manipulator" because of his attempts to change the subject every time he wanted to back himself out of an uncomfortable conversation.Kalani told Asuelu that she wanted him to change from a boy into "a man" and was tired of making excuses for him. She desired "an equal partnership" and felt she was "doing everything."Since the pair couldn't reach a resolution and Asuelu felt Kalani didn't respect what he contributed, Asuelu took off with his suitcase and left the house. Oliver followed Asuelu out the door, but he just kept walking.After walking all the way down the road, Asuelu hopped on a random bus that was apparently heading to Utah, and he said he was going to find a place to stay. Kalani called Asuelu "ridiculous."That night, Asuelu apparently sent Kalani three false locations to drive to in order to pick him up, and once she was ready to give up, he gave his actual location.Kalani said Asuelu didn't want to talk to her once he got home, and Kalani's dad admitted he was pissed off and didn't appreciate how Asuelu disrespected his wife and daughter.Kalani's father said Asuelu owed Kalani an apology, and Kalani's sister Kolini worried future holidays were going to be the same way. Kolini thought Asuelu "sucked the life" out of her sister, and she acknowledged it was hard to see.Kalani agreed with her family that Asuelu was "in the wrong" and had behaved rudely, and so she hoped Asuelu would come around and apologize. But instead, it appeared Asuelu just wanted to play video games alone in their bedroom."Whatever, do what you want," Kalani said in frustration.Once Oliver's party commenced, Asuelu refused to leave their room, and so Kalani didn't even know if her husband was going to attend. Kalani noted it was "typical Asuelu" to make their son's birthday party all about him.Kalani later talked to Asuelu in the bedroom behind closed doors, and he said he didn't care if she was frustrated. Kalani essentially begged her husband to come outside and join the party, but he wouldn't listen and didn't want to budge."It's frustrating. It's like talking to a four year old," Kalani vented to her sister.Kalani's family felt Asuelu was "acting like a little child," and so her father Low decided to pull Asuelu aside for a chat. Low told Asuelu that he needed to put his problems aside because it was his son's birthday and he needed to spend time with his wife and child.Asuelu nodded his head and agreed to put on a good face, and so he went outside and told his wife that the decorations looked good. Kolini said Asuelu was just "putting on a show for everyone, which is what he does.""Asuelu is a fine actor. I know his bullsh-t -- but whatever makes him feel better," Kolini told the cameras.Asuelu felt good about making the babies happy but he didn't apologize to his wife. Kalani said they had a history of sweeping problems under the rug, and so she didn't really know what was happening between them.Asuelu is still working at the same nutrition store in Utah -- which is near the home he shares with Kalani -- where he was shown passing out free samples on an episode of : Happily Ever After?.Also, the pair definitely appear to still be married based on their social-media activity.In early July, Asuelu wished Kalani a happy birthday on his Instagram account by posting a video of his wife and son. He wrote over the video "love of my life."And in the caption, Asuelu gushed, "My wife's birthday. Cheers for 32nd years my love @kalanifaagata and many more to come."Not only has Kalani also posted recent photos with Asuelu on Instagram, but the couple has additionally shared two YouTube videos on their channel in the last month after not uploading anything on their channel for almost a year.As recently as June 30, Kalani posted a sweet photo of Asuelu cuddling with their boys on Instagram Stories.One week earlier, Kalani posted a smiling selfie with Asuelu, a video of Asuelu laughing in a massage chair, and brief throwback clips of the couple's axe-throwing date.Kalani uploaded the photos and videos shortly after the June 21 episode of : Happily Ever After? aired on TLC, and she captioned the slideshow, "BTS of tonight's episode. What'd y'all think?"On May 24, Kalani posted a video clip on Instagram of Asuelu and herself talking about how they had once walked through a jungle in Samoa and explored a cave together.The couple was promoting a video they had posted on YouTube."In honor of #samoanlanguageweek, we posted a YouTube video where I butcher basic Samoan, and we talk about our dating life in Samoa (pictures included)," Kalani wrote on Instagram.A couple of weeks earlier on May 8, Kalani and Asuelu posted a YouTube video of how they celebrated Kennedy's first birthday.Kalani and Asuelu enjoyed many laughs as Kennedy was spoiled with a fun pool day, gifts, cake, bubbles and a pinata.On April 27, Kalani posted a slideshow of photos with Asuelu and captioned the post, "Pretending we're in Samoa."And going back to March 1, Kalani uploaded a photo of the married pair, revealing they had met Robyn and Kody from TLC's Sister Wives.The two couples met each other while enjoying brunch at a restaurant and Kalani mentioned they should double-date soon.Want more spoilers or couples updates? 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Sao Paulo, July 19 : Brazil has registered 921 new deaths from COVID-19 in the last 24 hours, bringing the nationwide count to 78,772, the country's Health Ministry said.

Meanwhile, 28,532 newly confirmed cases were reported, taking its total to 2,074,860 nationwide, Xinhua news agency quoted the Ministry as saying on Saturday.

The southeast state of Sao Paulo, the country's most populous state, is the worst-hit, with 412,027 cases and 19,647 deaths, followed by Rio de Janeiro with 134,449 cases and 11,757 deaths.

Brazil is one of countries hardest hit by the pandemic, second only to the United States, both in terms of death toll and caseload.
The Vice Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) South-South, Chief Dan Orbih, on Saturday joined other party leaders to mourn the death of the former Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon Zakawanu Garuba.

The PDP National Vice Chairman in a statement on Saturday declared in part, The devastating news of the passing on of our dear Speaker, Rt. Hon Zakawanu Garuba, is very difficult to come to terms with. Full of life, Vibrant and cerebral. What a loss. I pray God to grant Him eternal rest.

Chief Dan Osi Orbih in the statement at the Edo State PDP Secretariat remarked that until his death, Rt.Hon. Zakawanu Garuba, was a very happy, cheerful, friendly and easy going man, as a politician he served his people to the best of his ability, he was indeed a very loyal party man.

The late Speaker was buried on Saturday evening.
As the YSR Congress party governments move to create three capital cities for Andhra Pradesh reached its penultimate stage with the administration sending two crucial bills to Governor Biswabhushan Harichandan for his assent, the opposition parties in the state stepped up their efforts to stall the process.

Telugu Desam Party president and former chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Sunday wrote a six-page letter to the Governor, requesting him not to accept the bills in the best interest of the state, keeping in view the aspirations of the people.

The two bills  the first one, abolishing AP Capital Region Development Authority (APCRDA) which was formed in 2014 to develop Amaravati as the capital city and the second one, to form three capital cities for decentralised administration, were sent to the Raj Bhavan on Saturday.

The Jagan government brought in these bills to create executive capital at Visakhapatnam and judicial capital at Kurnool, while retaining the present capital city of Amaravati as the legislative capital.

The Governor sought some time to study the bills before giving his consent. In all probability, the bills might get the Governors nod by Monday, an official in the chief ministers office familiar with the development said.

Once the Governor gives his assent to the two bills, they would be sent to the Centre for Presidential assent, since three capitals have to be notified by the Centre, the official said.

Strongly resisting the bills, Naidu wondered how the bills could be sent to the Governor as the state legislative council had referred them to the select committee. While the government stalled the formation of a select committee, it reintroduced the bills in the legislative assembly and got them passed. When the bills were unlawfully brought before the upper house for a second time, the council did not consider the same, he pointed out to the Governor.

He pointed out that the issue of the shifting of administrative capital from Amaravati to Visakhapatnam was pending before the state high court. Approval of the two bills at this juncture would amount to contempt of the court, he said.

The TDP chief said the two bills were in violation of Section 6 of AP Reorganisation Act 2014 under which Amaravati was finalised as the capital city through an experts committee. He pointed out that the Act had suggested only one capital for AP.

Naidu alleged that YSRC government was bent upon destroying Amaravati in the name of decentralisation only out of political vendetta. Amaravati had been a long-standing cultural centre and centrally located place for the capital. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who laid the foundation for the capital, had said Amaravati would be developed as a more beautiful city than Delhi, he said.

He further said the Centre had recognised Amaravati as a smart city and allocated 700 crore, besides providing 2,500 crore for developing secretariat, assembly, council, high court and other basic facilities. It has attracted national and international partnerships with prestigious groups like the Singapore Consortium, Japanese engineers, World Bank and the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), he said.

Till now, 10,000 crore has been spent on developing the basic infrastructure in Amaravati. This massive project was built on a unique self-financing model that would create huge wealth for the whole state as the city develops by leaps and bounds over time, Naidu said and requested the Governor to consider all these issues before thinking of giving any assent to the bills.

BJP state president Kanna Lakshminarayana and Communist Party of India secretary K Narayana also wrote separate letters the Governor requesting him not to give assent to the three capitals bill.

The decentralisation bill is against the AP Reorganisation Act, 2014, which has a provision for only one capital, and against the wishes of the people, the BJP leader said.
In March 2020, two months before her fellowship at the University of Torontos Massey College was to end, Carlie Manners penned a formal complaint to the colleges administration.

Since September 2019, I have experienced and witnessed anti-Blackness in its various forms, from explicit actions to ongoing microaggressions, wrote Manners, a doctoral student and junior fellow at Massey College researching 19th-century Afro-Caribbean religious history.

The letter offered specifics. At dinner events hosted by the college, some members touched Manners hair without permission, she wrote. Some demanded she reveal her ethnicity, refusing to accept that Manners was born and raised in Toronto. In a one-on-one meeting, a member told her that Black people dont need Black History Month when everyone else only gets one day, she wrote.

The individuals who touched her hair or made offhand remarks were often members of the colleges senior fellowship and Quadrangle Society, two groups consisting mostly of established academics, renowned authors and journalists, and members of the legal world, Manners said.

Manners added that she also regularly heard members of the college refer to the principal as master, a title that was decisively rejected after a widely-publicized incident in 2017.

Between these specific events sit months of microaggressions from other non-Black junior fellows, she wrote. This has created an exhausting and harmful environment in which I feel I can no longer participate as a Black student.

The prestigious academic institution located in the heart of U of Ts St. George Campus has, in recent years, been wracked by instances of anti-Black racism, prompting departures from some of the colleges junior fellows and senior faculty. While the college has made attempts at fostering a more inclusive environment for racialized members  creating committees aimed at tackling racism and introducing anti-bias training for many of its members  problems have persisted within the college.

In June, a controversy erupted when former Globe and Mail columnist Margaret Wente, who has been accused in the past of promoting pseudo-science claiming genetic racial differences in her writing, was briefly appointed as a member of the colleges Quadrangle Society. In response to accusation of promoting pseudo-science, Wente told the Star in an emailed response for an earlier story, the fact that there are some genetic differences between human population groups is acknowledged by a wide range of mainstream scientists.

Monica Espaillat Lizardo, also a Black doctoral student, is among those who has come forward to put her experiences on the record with school leaders. In March, she filed a complaint citing systemic and institutionalized anti-Blackness at Massey College as her reason for leaving. In June 2020, two more Black members of the college, professors Alissa Trotz and George Dei, resigned their positions as senior fellows following Wentes appointment.

In a written response to Manners letter, shared with the Star, Massey College Principal Nathalie Des Rosiers wrote that the college would take action in light of the complaint. Among other promises, Des Rosiers wrote that the colleges governing board would strike a committee to help the college deal proactively with the issue of anti-racism, and have all committee members take anti-bias and anti-discrimination training.

When asked by the Star about Manners and Espaillat Lizardos complaints, Des Rosiers acknowledged ongoing problems experienced by racialized members, and said the college has developed a plan to combat anti-Black racism.

It aims to facilitate the process of complaints for violations of our code of conduct, educate the entire community on diversity and anti-Black racism and inclusion, and increase our programming on issues of diversity, anti-Black racism and inclusion, Des Rosiers said.

Rifts within the college burst out into the open in September 2017, when historian Michael Marrus resigned from the college after an outcry over a remark he made to a Black junior fellow at an event. When approached by Hugh Segal, at the time head of the college (then a position referred to as master), Marrus turned to a Black student at the table and allegedly said, You know this is your master, eh? Do you feel the lash?

After ongoing requests from junior fellows and racialized members of Massey College, senior administrators implemented some changes. They changed the title of the colleges head from master to principal, hosted panels aimed at discussing racism in academia and put some senior fellows through sensitivity training sessions.

But problems at Massey have persisted. Following the formal complaints from Manners and Espaillat Lizardo in March, the college found itself embroiled in controversy once again in June when a firestorm of internal and external backlash forced the college to reconsider Wentes recent appointment to the Quadrangle Society.

A publicly-circulated petition calling on the college to rescind Wentes nomination garnered approximately 2,500 signatures from students and faculty across Canada. An internally-circulated petition among Massey Colleges junior fellows, shared with the Star, garnered signatures from 74 students.

Massey College is an institution that was originally created to preserve and celebrate the economic, social, and cultural capital of upper-class white men while excluding others either explicitly or implicitly, stated the petition from the junior fellows.  ... Experiences of hostility [at Massey College], as well as the appointment of Ms. Wente as a Quadrangler, are not coincidental but rather the most recent manifestations of the exclusionary creeds upon which the institution was founded.

Two more professors, historians Rick Halpern and Margaret MacMillan, resigned their posts at the college following Wentes appointment. While Trotz, Halpern and Dei resigned due to their concerns with Wentes columns, MacMillan resigned reportedly due to her concerns with the colleges decision to reconsider Wentes appointment.

Sources familiar with the situation told the Star the college has provoked the ire of the university itself, who reportedly see the colleges repeated controversies as an increasing liability to its reputation and public perception.

Massey College technically operates independently from U of T, despite its close affiliations with the university.

Established by the Massey Foundation in 1962 as a graduate residential college, the college functions as a legally registered charity with a governance structure consisting of senior fellows from the college and two members of the university, namely the schools president and the dean of graduate studies.

Surrounded by high brick walls and a brass gate at its entrance, the college is predicated on the Medieval Oxbridge design  a central courtyard, an ecunemical chapel and a bell tower that, during the school year, rings three times a day to mark meal times.

The college relies on funding from private donors. The university provides limited maintenance services to the college.

In the wake of the controversy surrounding Wentes appointment, the university called on the college to implement changes.

The appointment process points to the need for fundamental reform in the operations and practices of Massey College, U of Ts media relations team wrote in an emailed statement.

We are hopeful that under Principal Nathalie Des Rosiers thoughtful, student-centred leadership, this task will be accomplished in a timely manner and by including as many diverse voices as possible.

Lance McCready, a professor at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education and a senior fellow at Massey College said he joined the college 10 years ago at the request of one of his graduate students.

He asked me to join because of my liberal arts college background and the lack of diversity at the college, said McCready. Those are the reasons I joined in the first place.

According to demographics data collected by the college, 50 per cent of newly admitted junior fellows and 43 per cent of incoming senior fellows in 2019 self-identified as a visible minority, Des Rosiers said.

The school does not have data for the overall demographic makeup of its junior or senior fellows, according to Des Rosiers.

Over the years, McCready said hes seen other Black fellows and members struggle to find their place in the college.

There are always people trying to breathe new life into the institution ... people like [Trotz] or myself. But then these incidents, that we so often talk about, happen, and suddenly you start to feel like, why do I want to be involved here?

Thats the difficulty, said McCready. You get in here, you want to be committed, and then you run into this kind of blatant elitism and systemic racism, or whatever you want to call it, and youre not sure if you want to stick around.

Trotz, a professor of women and gender studies and Caribbean studies at U of T, resigned from Massey College immediately following Wentes appointment. In her publicly-circulated resignation letter, she wrote about her experience as one of few high-ranking Black members at the college.

I am the only Black person on the governing board, one of two senior fellows in all of my time there, someone who has had to endure remarks about equity having to take a back seat to excellence, Trotz wrote.

I am tired. Tired of the loneliness, of feeling as if the few of us have to shoulder this work. That we cannot afford to take a step back, or to miss a beat, or to slip, because there are no guarantees.

Akwasi Owusu-Bempah, a senior fellow at the college, has been involved in efforts to diversify Massey Colleges junior fellowship since joining the admissions committee in 2014. He said he gets the feeling that there is a segment of the college thats somewhat resistant to change.

As someone that studies this type of change in institutions, anytime there is a concerted effort to effect change, those are met with resistance, said Owusu-Bempah, who studies the intersections of race and criminal justice.

His experience with the college has been positive, but he said being a large, extroverted, lighter-skinned straight man could have factored into that and he does not want to discount the experiences of other people.

Egag Egag, a current junior fellow, said hearing about Black junior fellows who decided to leave Massey College made him reflect on some of his own experiences at the college.

He said while his interactions with other junior fellows have been great, it was mostly at high table events that he attended monthly where hed find himself in conversations with some senior fellows, Quadranglers and visiting alumni, in which the topic would often only be about race.

Egag recalled party small talk would open with the remark that they dont see a lot of students who look like you at Massey. From there, the conversations would be focused on race and questions about addressing race, Egag said, as opposed to speaking about other academic topics.

Im happy to talk about racial issues. Im happy to talk about anti-Black racism, but  [they would] ask you questions where they could get the answers by doing the research themselves.

Although he said he doesnt think the members had bad intentions and race is a focus of his research in his masters of social work program, he didnt find the conversations enriching.

Theres such a long history of both in the United States but also in the American medical model of Black people being studied  its almost like an anthropological experience, Egag said. I really dont think they understand how it impacts us on the receiving end and I think it speaks to their privilege.

Egag also pointed to the fact that members outside of junior fellows are often donors, high-earning professors and established alumni who likely come from a more privileged economic background than junior fellows and could contribute to some of the friction.

A current junior fellow who spoke with the Star on the condition of anonymity said the college has deep class and racial divides that make it challenging to be a member.

She says that Massey College is considered an academic entity by some and a country club or lunch club by other senior affiliates.

She also mentioned that the atmosphere at events can be more masculine and may not be very welcoming to queer people and women. She recalled a conversation with a prominent senior fellow at an event that she says was sexually inappropriate and later hearing about a similar conversation another Asian woman had with the same fellow.

She has witnessed many microaggressions living at the college the past year, from unwelcome debates with peers at dinners to her brown-skinned friends being mistaken for staff, despite living there as well. Where she herself is concerned, she said she and other Asian fellows were frequently mistaken for each other.

[We had] a running joke in my friends that I and four other Asian girls would get mistaken for each other by colleagues and associates consistently. She said it became less funny when a friends academic mentor kept mistaking her for their mentee.

Des Rosiers said she is soliciting views from the colleges community on how to continue the reinvention of Massey.

The priority of the college is to support junior fellows who look to the college for a source of critical interdisciplinary thinking that will help them in the challenges that they will face. This includes profound inequities of race, class and gender, particularly with regard to the Black community and the legacy of colonialism toward Indigenous communities, Des Rosiers said.

Manners, who completed the final term of her yearlong fellowship and decided not to renew it after submitting her formal complaint, said she hopes the college goes beyond measures like sensitivity training to combat anti-Black racism at Massey.

They already did do anti-bias training. They already did change the code of conduct, she said. Were those measures effective, then I wouldnt have had to write these complaints.

Correction  July 24: This article was edited to clarify that Massey College does not receive funding from endowments from the University of Toronto. As well, the university provides some maintenance services to the college but does not cover costs like catering services as previously stated. The photo caption was also edited to make clear that Massey College does not have faculty.

Jacob Lorinc is a breaking news reporter, working out of the Stars radio room in Toronto. Follow him on Twitter: @jacoblorinc
Walt Disney has become the latest company to slash its advertising spending on Facebook Inc as the social media giant faces an ad boycott over its handling of hate speech and controversial content, the Wall Street Journal reported n Saturday, citing people familiar with the situation. Disney joins other companies like Starbucks Corp, Unilever Plc, Adidas AG and others that have pulled advertising from the tech giant. ALSO READ: Facebook takes on YouTube, set to launch licensed music videos next month The time frame for Disney's pullback wasn't clear as ...
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According to Sun News, the ongoing investigation by the Niger state House of Assembly into the activities of the state TaskForce on COVID 19 took a dramatic dimension at the weekend when the House discovered a secret warehouse where food items contributed by individuals and corporate organizations for palliatives were stacked.

The food and other items worth millions of Naira donated to the state government for onward distributions to the people as palliative to reduce the hardship being experienced as a result of the lockdown occasioned by the outbreak of Coronavirus were discovered in different warehouses in Minna, the state capital.

Worried by the outcry from members of the public on ways and manner in which the state TaskForce on COVID-19 headed by the Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Ibrahim Metane, handled its activities, including how the monies approved for the committee were expended, the house set up an adhoc committee to investigate the activities of the committee.

The committee which is chaired by Mallam Malik Madaki Bosso, the member representing Bosso constituency, after two weeks of sitting decided to visit these warehouses where these items are being stacked following tip off from the public.

The warehouses visited by the House Members include stores belonging to the state Supply Company and Agriculture Development Programme (ADP) both in Minna, the state capital where they discovered that thousands of bags of rice, spaghetti, vegetable oil, among other items were being stacked, and are rotting away.

The Legislators who could not believe that such items meant to be distributed as palliative to the public amidst hardship being faced by the people could be stacked to the extend of rotting away, expressed disappointment over the action of the COVID-19 TaskForce for not considering the Plights of Masses.

The principal store officer with the state supply company, Alhaji Abdullahi Kasimu who took the members round the store claimed that the Task Force was yet to develop a template for the distribution of the items three months after they were donated.

Also defending the action of the Taskforce, the Chairman who is also the Secretary to the State Government told the members that the distribution could not be done haphazardly, hence the delay.

It could be recalled that the Taskforce had earlier in march at the heat of lockdown said that it has flag off the distribution of palliative to the people across the 25 local government areas of the state.

The Chairman of the Taskforce had also told the house adhoc committee when he appeared before it that the COVID 19 committee has so far expended N795,015,000 to fight the spread of pandemic in the state, including providing palliative to the public.
The wanted former chief operating officer of the collapsed German fintech giant Wirecard is in Belarus or Russia, according to reports.

Jan Marsalek, the shady central figure in the implosion of the German digital-payment-services provider, remains at large with his whereabouts unknown since he was last seen on June 18.

Using travel information, Der Spiegel and the investigative outfit Bellingcat reported on July 18 that Marsalek arrived by private jet at Minsk airport just after midnight on June 19.

Der Spiegel reported that a travel database showed no departure from Minsk, indicating that one of the world's most wanted men is still in Belarus or Russia.

The neighboring countries have limited border controls.

In the aftermath of Wirecards implosion, there had been speculation Marsalek fled to the Philippines and then onward to China.

However, Bellingcat reported that the trip had been a red herring and had been forged.

Wirecard, a DAX-listed company, plunged into crisis last month when auditors pointed to a massive 1.9 billion-euro ($2.2 billion) hole in its accounts, sending the once high-flying company into insolvency.

Marsalek, an Austrian national, is wanted by German and Austrian authorities on suspicion of embezzlement and fraud.

Since the collapse of Wirecard, interest in Marsalek has expanded beyond his role in Wirecard to include his other business and political interests.

Britains Financial Times newspaper reported earlier in July that Marsalek is a person of interest to at least three Western intelligence agencies over his association with individuals or networks linked to Russia's GRU military intelligence.

With reporting by Der Spiegel and Bellingcat
Britain's longest-suffering coronavirus patient has been moved to a recovery ward after battling the disease for 130 days.

Fatima Bridle, 35, is hoping to be reunited with her husband Tracy, 56, within weeks after the couple spent four months apart.

Mrs Bridle fell unwell after flying back from a month-long trip to Mohammedia, Morocco, on March 6, the Sun on Sunday reported.

While her husband suffered the symptoms first, Mrs Bridle had to be rushed to Southampton General Hospital on March 12.

She is now able to talk more and can take trips out using her walker to gradually build her strength after spending 105 days on a ventilator.

Of the nurses who cared for her, she said: 'They are incredible  I would like to thank every one of the doctors and nurses who have given me a chance of a new life. I am happy to be here. It feels like a dream.'

Fatima Bridle, 35, is hoping to be reunited with her husband Tracy, 56, within weeks after spending four months apart

By March 18, after several days of antibiotics failed, she was moved into intensive care. She spent 40 days in a coma battling pneumonia, coronavirus and sepsis.

She had a lavage tube inserted into her mouth a saline solution was used to flush out her lungs.

Soon her ability to breath increased to 40 per cent as her health dramatically improved. It is now at 70 per cent.

The couple have ruled out speaking on FaceTime because they both find it too emotional to talk through a screen after so much time apart.

Tonight Health Secretary Matt Hancock said he was 'absolutely thrilled' by news of Fatima's recovery. He added: 'It proves that no matter who you are, the NHS is there for you and your family.'

Ex-soldier Tracy said of his wife: 'She's my medical miracle. To be on a ventilator that long and survive is extraordinary. I can't wait to see her again.'

By the end of April Fatima was free of Covid, but still had pneumonia. The next month she was supported by a ventilator but not totally reliant on it.

Her husband said: 'The first words she said were, "I want to speak to my Tracy." She didn't know what had happened or realise how long she'd been there.'

One of Fatima's lungs collapsed so she will never be able to breath at full capacity again.

The couple have ruled out speaking on FaceTime because they both find it too emotional to talk through a screen after so much time apart

Tracy, who met Fatima online in 2016 and has four children from other relationships, said the couple had travelled back from Morocco without checking the news.

They had no idea of the increasing threat of coronavirus as the disease rapidly spread across the world.

It comes as daily updates on coronavirus-related deaths have been suspended amid concerns the way fatalities are recorded may have exaggerated the toll in England by more than 4,000.

The UK recorded 40 coronavirus -associated deaths on Saturday, bringing the total number of confirmed deaths during the pandemic to 45,273.

There were 827 positive tests for the coronavirus across the UK on Saturday, while Scotland recorded 21 positive tests - the highest since June 21, when there were 26.

The UK recorded 40 coronavirus -associated deaths on Saturday, bringing the total number of confirmed deaths during the pandemic to 45,273

There were 827 positive tests for the coronavirus across the UK on Saturday, while Scotland recorded 21 positive tests - the highest since June 21, when there were 26

Data shows that the trend of deaths charted by when they actually happened (dotted blue line), not when the paperwork was finished, is significantly lower than the number of deaths being announced by the Department of Health (red line)

Dr Loke's analysis shows that 'all settings' deaths (red bar) remain very high in England even as hospital deaths (blue bar) - which the Office for National Statistics says should make up two thirds of the total - have plummeted

The announcement posted on the Department for Health website regarding death statistics

Public Health England counts any death as Covid-related if the person had ever tested positive for the virus  even if they recovered from it months ago.

This has raised concerns that some who plainly did not die of the illness  for example, if they were killed by a road traffic accident long after a positive test  are being mis-recorded as Covid-19 deaths.

On Friday, Health Secretary Matt Hancock ordered a review of the way PHE counts coronavirus deaths, which is different to the way they are recorded in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

And yesterday the Department of Health and Social Care stopped publishing daily updates of Covid-19 deaths  underlying how seriously Ministers are taking the matter.

The gov.uk website said the numbers for Covid-19 deaths in all settings were not available.

In a sign of growing tensions, PHE yesterday stuck to its guns and continued to publish the disputed daily deaths figure on its Covid-19 dashboard.

However, PHE also tweeted an analysis which calculated that, if England brought its way of calculating Covid-19 related deaths into line with the devolved administrations, its toll would fall by 4,149 deaths  or almost ten per cent.
US air carriers will be allowed to resume passenger services to India starting from July 23, said a report.

The Indian government, citing the Covid-19 pandemic, had banned all scheduled services, said a report in Hindustan Times citing a Reuters report.

Indias Ministry of Civil Aviation said on Twitter it was moving to further expand our international civil aviation operations and arrangements from some flights with the US, the UAE, France and Germany are being put in place while similar arrangements are also being worked out with several other countries.

Under this arrangement, it added, airlines from the concerned countries will be able to operate flights from and to India along with Indian carriers.
Ties between the neighbours have been turbulent since the US assassinated the Iranian commander in Iraqi in January.

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif is visiting Iraq, for the first time since the killing of Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps commander Qassem Soleimani in January.

Zarif and his Iraqi counterpart Fuad Hussein stressed the necessity for a stable Iraq for the good of the region as the two top diplomats discussed their ties and regional developments in Baghdad on Sunday.

Zarif is also expected to meet Iraqs president, the speaker of parliament and the prime minister during the visit as regional security, bilateral relations and business investments feature on the agenda.

Zarifs visit to Iraq comes amid tensions between the United States and Iran, which escalated following Soleimanis killing in an air attack in the Iraqi capital.

In a joint news conference with Hussein, Zarif said a stable and powerful Iraq was in the interest of both the countries.

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That is why we look forward to continued constructive bilateral negotiations. The stability, security and peace in Iraq is the stability of the entire region, he said.

Again, we reiterate that we are keen on maintaining the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Iraq.

Fuad Hussein said his country looked forward to continuing its balanced relations with all the countries in the region.

[The relations are] based on first our national interest, then on mutual interest with our neighbours without any interfering in our domestic affairs.

Zarif visits Soleimani memorial

During his visit, Zarif visited a memorial to Soleimani at the site where he and Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, the deputy commander of the Iran-backed Popular Mobilisation Forces (PMF), were killed near Baghdads international airport.

Tehran had retaliated by firing a volley of ballistic missiles at US troops stationed in Iraq.

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While the attack on the western Iraqi base of Ain al-Assad killed no US soldiers, dozens were reported to have suffered brain trauma.

Zarif said the assassination of Soleimani was a criminal act.

It is a loss to our country and to the entire region, and it undermines the international efforts for combating ISIL (ISIL) and terrorism in the region, he said.

This was Zarifs first visit to Iraq since the killing of Soleimani and formation of the new Iraqi government.

Al Jazeeras Simona Foltyn, reporting from Baghdad, said the recent months have been turbulent for relations between Iran and Iraq.

New Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi has been stressing the importance of Iraqs sovereignty, she said.

He also recently moved against armed groups present in Iraq, such as Kataib Hezbollah, which is considered close to Iran, she said, referring to the Iraqi armed group backed by Tehran.

This visit is aimed at recalibrating mutual relations and making sure Irans security, economic and political interests are represented in Iraq.

Zarifs visit comes a day before al-Kadhimi travels to Saudi Arabia and Iran next week in apparent attempt to balance his countrys ties with regional rivals in his first foreign trip as Iraqs prime minister.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-07-19 07:11:53|Editor: huaxia

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Police are on duty at the European Quarter in Brussels, Belgium, July 19, 2020. A special summit grouping heads of state and government of the European Union (EU) member states on Saturday failed to reach consensus on its multiannual budget and an ambitious recovery plan designed to lift the bloc out of the crisis triggered by the coronavirus pandemic. The leaders will reconvene on Sunday noon, a spokesman for the European Council President Charles Michel said on Twitter late Saturday night. The summit was supposed to run from Friday to Saturday. (Xinhua/Zheng Huansong)

BRUSSELS, July 18 (Xinhua) -- A special summit grouping heads of state and government of the European Union (EU) member states on Saturday failed to reach consensus on its multiannual budget and an ambitious recovery plan designed to lift the bloc out of the crisis triggered by the coronavirus pandemic.

The leaders will reconvene on Sunday noon, a spokesman for the European Council President Charles Michel said on Twitter late Saturday night. The summit was supposed to run from Friday to Saturday.

The summit, the first face-to-face one since the outbreak of the pandemic, came at a critical moment as the bloc is seeking a consensus on the European Commission-proposed 750-billion-euro recovery plan. The next seven-year EU budget worth more than one trillion euros is another focus of the summit.

In the debt-financed 750-billion-euro recovery plan, 500 billion euros will be paid as non-repayable grants to crisis-hit countries and 250 billion as loans. But the EU member states differed greatly in discussions on Friday.

The Netherlands, Denmark, Sweden and Austria, nicknamed the Frugal Four, opposed the non-repayable grants, and called for linking aid to reform plans, while Spain and Italy, the hardest-hit countries by the pandemic, called for reaching the consensus as soon as possible.

As the host of the summit, Michel proposed a compromise on Saturday, cutting the portion of the grants in the recovery fund to 450 billion euros from 500 billion and an "emergency brake" on disbursement would be added.

Michel held eight-hour one-on-one discussions and then explored further solutions before asking all 27 leaders to dinner together. The positions were apparently still too far apart for an agreement.

Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte on Saturday afternoon described the negotiations on the recovery fund as unexpectedly difficult. According to him, there were still many unresolved problems, and the ratio of grants and loans remained controversial.

However, Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz said that "things are moving in the right direction."

The talks are complicated because the recovery fund is negotiated in a package with the bloc's next seven-year financial framework, which is largely based on contributions from the countries.

In addition, Hungary and Poland refused to link the recovery grants to compliance with the rule of law in the future.
CHEBOYGAN, MI - A microburst of wind contributed to a roof collapse during Sundays high-velocity storm in Northern Michigan.

Aerial photographs show that part of the roof at Bishop Baraga Catholic school collapsed on July 19.

The National Weather Services Northern Michigan branch in Gaylord have initially determined that the wind was not a tornado, but a microburst, because of the way the roof pushed in from the top and downward.

A message was left with the Bishop Baraga Catholic School for comment.

In addition, at least one person has suffered injuries related to this weekends storms, weather officials said. A tree fell on a trailer parked in Onaway State Park. An individual, who is a relative of a National Weather Service employee, suffered two broken ribs, according to a weather service alert at 11:51 a.m. on Sunday, July 19.

The man did not require a trip to the hospital, officials said. The winds at the time were as fast as 30-40 mph with gusts reaching as high as 50 mph, officials said.

A full storm summary report will be released once damage investigation is completed, according to the National Weather Servic.

Read more from MLive:

Strong storm winds topple trees, damage building in Petoskey area

Coronavirus recoveries now exceed 55,000 as daily cases stay above 600

Michigan leaders react to death of civil rights icon John Lewis
(CNN) Instagram believes that it can do TikTok better than TikTok  and this August, people will be able to decide for themselves.

Instagram announced Friday that it's preparing to launch its own video-sharing feature, Reels, in the United States and 50 other countries, just one week after it began testing the platform in India.

The Reels announcement comes as TikTok finds itself in a newly weakened position, after India banned the short-form video app and the Trump administration indicated he would do the same.

"We always look at what people want, and innovate every day to find new ways to improve experiences for people," a Facebook spokesperson told CNN. "Many platforms have come before us to create products that meet people where they are  Snap, TikTok, others  but we think we can do this in a way that's unique to Instagram, and meets the demands of our community."

Reels will let people record and edit 15-second videos set to music and audio, and upload them to their stories and Instagram's Explore feature. An official launch date has not yet been announced.

Instagram and its parent company, Facebook, have a history of mimicking other apps' new features  and succeeding. In 2016, the company launched its Stories feature, which allows people to share content that disappears after 24 hours. Eight months later, the competitor to Snapchat surpassed Snapchat's daily user count. By mid-2018, Stories was more than twice as popular as Snapchat.

Instagram is apparently not the only company looking to compete against TikTok. YouTube is developing its own TikTok rival, Shorts, to be released by the end of the year, according to The Information. And Snapchat, like TikTok, will soon let users explore public content with a vertical swiping gesture. Neither company immediately responded to a request for comment.

Still, TikTok welcomes the challenge.

"It's great to see that tech companies appreciate the refreshing and creative experience TikTok brings people, which has been even more evident as families have been stuck at home in recent months," a TikTok spokesperson told CNN. "We've always believed that open competition provides tremendous benefits to consumers."

This story was first published on CNN.com, "Instagram's TikTok clone is going global."
Inter-state travellers responsible for spurt in COVID-19 cases in Bengaluru

India

pti-PTI

Bengaluru, July 19: With the city witnessing a sharp increase in COVID-19 cases in the past few days, the Karnataka government holds inter-state travellers responsible for the spurt in infections, saying those from hot spot states like Maharashtra could have brought the infection.

State Minister for Medical Education K Sudhakar said there was no community transmission of the pandemic, adding if it were to be the case, the number of infections would be running into 'lakhs.' Sudhakar, in-charge of Karnataka vis-a-vis COVID-19 management, told PTI the spurt in cases was bound to happen, but said the government's "vigilant approach" has slowed down the spread of the virus by two months in this city. The state capital has so far reported 29,621 positive cases, including 6,540 discharges and 631 deaths.

Bengaluru top cop Bhaskar Rao quarantines himself after driver tests COVID positive

According to Sudhakar, when the lockdown was eased, people from various parts of the country, including high prevalence states of Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, came to Karnataka.

"As you know, Bengaluru is a cosmopolitan city. So from every nook and corner people came here. When they came they were not mindful of what they were supposed to do (health precautions, apparently) and they spread the infection," he charged. The surge in coronavirus cases, according to Sudhakar, was bound to happen in every city and every state because of the global phenomenon of the disease. However, the government has delayed it by another two months compared to other states as it was "vigilant," he said.

"I am not washing away the government's role. The government can do every bit to contain, to treat them, but citizens should cooperate. Society should actively come forward in controlling this pandemic," he pointed out. The minister ruled out community spread of the disease in Bengaluru though the city is witnessing a massive scale-up in cases. Sudhakar maintained that he cannot say that there was a community spread unless there was proper research. "If that was the case (community spread), it would not have been in thousands, it would have been in lakhs," Sudhakar said.

Bengaluru: BBMP pourakarmika dies of COVID-19, third in a week

Coronavirus: WHO reports single-day record global spike in Covid-19 cases | Oneindia News

The spread is still in the first and second levels, and "the third level of the community spread can be prevented with government's proactiveness and mindful conduct of the citizens," he added. Speaking about the measures taken by the government, Sudhakar said 8,134 local polling booth level task force committees have been constituted, which will play an important role along with the officers of various agencies. He added that the administration was trying to prevent its spread at the micro level, even as testing of samples has been ramped.

While the government has clamped a lockdown till July 22 to curb the spread of the virus, it will take up various key measures like door-to-door survey, even as citizens venturing out during this time without valid reason is a strict no-no.

By strictly implementing the curbs, the government hopes to break the virus chain. To a question, the minister ruled out any shortage of life saving drugs related to Coronavirus treatment. "There is no such shortage. We have enough and more. We have ordered more. Absolutely there is no dearth of medicines," he added.
BROKEN Law, the latest movie from award winning Offaly film director Paddy Slattery, will hit selected cinemas nationwide at the end of this month.

The film tells the story of two estranged brothers on opposite sides of the law. Dave Connolly is a respected member of the Gardai but his loyalty to the force gets tested by his ex-convict brother Joe following a botched robbery.

Broken Law has been described as a ''taut and tense thriller that examines family loyalty, legacy and how far we will go to protect the ones we love.''

The film is already receiving very positive comments, with the Guardian describing it as ''A headbutt of a thriller.'' Joe.ie said it was ''A deadly directorial debut,'' while Cineuropa said ''Slattery's debut is ''a must see.''

The film stars Tristan Heanue who has appeared in Vikings, Game of Thrones and Fair City to name but a few, Graham Earley, (Cardboard Gangsters), John Connors, (Love /Hate) and Gemma Leah Devereux (The Tudors.)

Broken Law opens in cinemas on Friday July 31 and is having a special preview screening at the 65th Cork International Film Festival in the Gate Cinemas Cork on July 30.

The film will be screened at the Omniplex in Portlaoise for those from Tullamore who wish to see it. It is also playing at a number of cinemas in Dublin, including Point Village, Dublin.

Paddy Slattery is an award winning film maker and has won several accolades over the years.
Top commanders of the Indian Air Force will carry out an in-depth review of the country's air defence system at a three-day conference beginning Wednesday in view of the bitter border row with China in eastern Ladakh as well as evolving regional security scenario, military sources said.

The commanders are also expected to specifically deliberate on deployment of first batch of around six Rafale fighter jets which are expected to join the IAF's fighter fleet later this month, they said.

The main focus of the commanders' conference will be to deliberate on the overall situation in eastern Ladakh and on ways to enhance the IAF's combat prowess and surveillance over the country's air space in all sensitive sectors including in Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim and Uttarakhand, the sources said.

"The commanders will also review the evolving security architecture in the region and ways to boost IAF's combat capability," said a source.

The conference will be chaired by Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal RKS Bhadauria. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh is also expected to address the IAF commanders.

The IAF has been carrying out night time combat air patrols over the eastern Ladakh region in the last few weeks, in an apparent message to China that it was ready to deal with any eventualities in the mountainous region.

A number of IAF platforms participated in a military drill in Stakna in eastern Ladakh on Friday during the defence minister's visit to the region. The exercise showcased integrated combat prowess of the Army and the Indian Air Force in dealing with complex security scenarios in the high altitude terrain.

The IAF has deployed almost all its frontline fighter jets like Sukhoi 30 MKI, Jaguar and Mirage 2000 aircraft in key frontier air bases in eastern Ladakh and elsewhere along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China notwithstanding disengagement of troops by Chinese military from a number of friction points.

The IAF has also deployed Apache attack choppers as well as Chinook heavy-lift helicopters to transport troops to various forward locations

The IAF has pressed into service a fleet of C-17 Globemaster III transport aircraft as well as C-130J Super Hercules in transporting heavy military equipment and weaponry to several forward bases in the region.

The sources said the commanders will also deliberate on preparations to received the first batch of the Rafale jets from France. The jets are expected to reach India by end of this month.

The aircraft is capable of carrying a range of potent weapons. European missile maker MBDA's Meteor beyond visual range air-to-air missile and Scalp cruise missile will be the mainstay of the weapons package of the Rafale jets.

The disengagement process between Indian and Chinese militaries began on July 6 after a telephonic conversation between National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi the previous day. Doval and Wang are Special Representatives for the boundary talks.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-07-19 23:20:51|Editor: huaxia

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AMMAN, July 19 (Xinhua) -- King Abdullah II of Jordan on Sunday emphasized that any unilateral Israeli measure to annex lands in the West Bank is unacceptable.

The Jordanian leader made the remarks at a meeting with Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry, where he said any Israeli annexation would undermine the prospects of achieving peace and stability in the region, according to a Royal Court statement.

The king reaffirmed Jordan's stable position and the need to achieve a comprehensive and just peace, based on the two-state solution, guaranteeing the establishment of an independent, sovereign, and viable Palestinian state on the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital.

The meeting also covered means of expanding cooperation across all sectors, and joint efforts to counter COVID-19 and its humanitarian and economic implications.

On pan-Arab ties, the king said he looks forward to the next trilateral Jordanian-Egyptian-Iraqi summit, aimed at bolstering economic, development, and trade ties across various sectors, in the best interest of the three countries and their peoples. Enditem
Fort Bend County District Attorney Brian Middleton was elected in 2018, and since taking office, he has focused his attention on pushing judicial reform in the county. Middleton, a Democrat, has also joined forces with Republicans to combat bipartisan issues like animal cruelty and human trafficking.

Since taking office, youve tackled some heavy issues in the county. Human trafficking, bail reform and improving the juvenile justice system are among your most notable efforts. What can you tell us about the work youre doing and the changes youre trying to implement?

My first priority will always be the safety of the community. My office has taken the lead on human trafficking investigations and has been zealous in prosecuting the most serious crimes, including violent offenses and crimes against children and women. My office has concentrated its resources on major offenders and providing alternatives to incarceration for low-risk, low-level offenders. Low-risk, low-level offenders who meet certain qualifications are offered pre-trial diversion. Our pre-diversion programs require accountability and rehabilitation for program participants. Defendants who do not fulfill the requirements of pre-trial diversion programs are prosecuted.

My office is committed to evidence-based decision making and utilization of best practices. I have increased training and developed performance metrics in an effort to develop and recruit top litigators. I formed a partnership with New York University for the development of data-science tools to help manage cases and identify patterns. I created a public integrity division to investigate crimes involving public servants. In accordance with best practices, I have requested funding from the commissioners court for a civil rights division that will investigate allegations of police misconduct.

We were awarded a grant from Governor Abbotts office for investigation of human trafficking. I have worked with other county officials and stakeholders to implement bail reform consistent with the requirements of the United States Constitution. In cooperation with other stakeholders, we have implemented policy changes within our juvenile division to eliminate the school to prison pipeline.

I hope to eliminate double standards and maintain fairness and equality within our criminal justice system.

MORE BY CLAIRE GOODMAN: We feel like were being targeted: Katy bar owners suffer under governors shutdown order

Youre a Democrat, but in order to do your job effectively, youre constantly working hand-in-hand with Republican individuals. Youre part of the anti-human trafficking task force with Constable Wayne Thompson, a Republican, for example. Whats it like crossing party lines like that? How do you think it benefits the county when both political parties work together?

Criminal justice should never be political. In fact, criminal justice reform has bipartisan support. President Trump championed the First Step Act which implemented a number of criminal justice reforms, including provisions that allow federal inmates to reduce certain sentences imposed under mandatory minimum laws. Moreover, Texas leads the nation in criminal justice reform. So crossing party lines has been natural and necessary for me to fulfill my duties as district attorney.

Not everyone has been receptive to my efforts to cross party lines due to extreme partisanship. Extreme partisanship can cause people to abandon their values and logic in order to maintain the party line.

At the beginning of my term, I was criticized for hiring three former Republican judges- Brad Hart, Chad Bridges and Michael Fields. Each of the former judges lost their elections in 2018. I hired them because I knew they were adept, progressive thinkers, and they all eagerly agreed to follow my vision for the office.

Constable Wayne Thompson, a Republican, also shared my vision for eradicating human trafficking and animal cruelty, so working with him on those matters was logical and without friction. My collaboration with Constable Thompson has resulted in several joint operations and positive results for the community.

Our county and our nation are best served when elected officials disregard political affiliation and focus on the merits of policies and legislation. Unfortunately, some people will oppose a good policy just because of the party affiliation of its proponent. Consequently, partisanship has the tendency to promote double standards and gridlock.

When political parties work together, the integrity of the process is enhanced, and we obtain better legislation and better public policy because of the free-flow of ideas and evidence-based decision making.

ON HOUSTONCHRONICLE.COM: Weighing risks: What makes one gathering safe, while another is declared dangerous?

Fort Bend County is the most diverse county in the nation, yet youre the first Black DA in the county. Why do you think its taken this long for a person of color to hold your position? Do you think we can anticipate a more diverse representation moving forward?

During Reconstruction, residents of Fort Bend county elected two African-Americans: Walter Moses Burton (sheriff, elected 1869) and William A. Price (county attorney, elected 1876). Fort Bend County was the location of the Jaybird Woodpecker War (1888 to 1889) which resulted in all-white primaries from 1889 until 1953. The United States Supreme Court declared the discriminatory practice unconstitutional in Terry v. Adams 345 U.S. 461 (1953). In the years following the Terry v. Adams decision, Fort Bend lacked diversity for many years. However, Fort Bend County has experienced a lot of growth over the last decade. During that time, the demographics of the county changed significantly. Until recently, voter turnout was low, which allowed one party to dominate politics. Now that the county is more diverse and has greater voter participation, I would expect that there will be greater diversity among our elected officials.

Ive noticed that youre very outspoken about the importance of voting. What would you say to people that think their vote doesnt matter?

Decisions by local officials have a direct impact on your quality of life. If you have an opinion about the way you are being governed or the quality of the services that you receive from government, you should express that opinion by casting a ballot for the candidate that has your best interest at heart. Margins of victory send a signal to elected officials as to how popular their platform or past performance was among voters, which will likely influence their decision-making during their subsequent term of office. An elected official who is planning on running for re-election will be mindful of the will of voters. Therefore, whether your chosen candidate wins or not, your vote has influence. Moreover, voter attitudes are highly contagious. One voters enthusiasm about voting may cause others to vote. So people should appreciate their right to vote and share positive attitudes about voting if they want to see meaningful improvements in society.

claire.goodman@chron.com




Haiti - News : Zapping...





2 police officers targeted

Friday, July 17 in Delmas 32 unidentified armed individuals opened fire on two police officers, killing one of the two police officers and seriously injuring the second.



Belizaire case order on appeal

Following the order made on July 13, 2020 by the investigating judge Annie Fignole referring Arnel Belizaire to the criminal court, Narcisse Solage, deputy Government Commissioner Narcisse Solage appealed this order Wednesday July 15 despite the Commissioner of the Government of Port-au-Prince, Jacques Lafontant had declared as a proceeding, not wanting to appeal the decision of the investigating judge https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-31295-haiti-justice-former-deputy-belizaire-faces-a-maximum-sentence-of-15-years-in-prison.html



The novel Gouverneurs de la rosee in Japanese

The masterpiece of Haitian literature, the novel "Gouverneurs de la rosee" by Jacques Roumain, already translated into fifteen languages since its first edition in 1944, has just been translated into Japanese.



The Association of Magistrates does not reject the new Penal Code

The New Penal Code has not been rejected according to the Association of Haitian Magistrates but corrections must be made to it, underlines the Association.



No scarcity of diesel

"80% of petrol stations in the country have Diesel," said Jonas Coffy, the Minister of Trade and Industry who sees in all the rumors circulating about a shortage, the hidden hands of black market speculators.



The relocation of the Art Center is progressing

The Art Center has been advancing in recent weeks on its relocation project in the "Maison Larsen" located on rue Casseus in Pacot, by carrying out the building surveys and carrying out the shoring work necessary to secure the structure during the time of renovation works. This work was carried out thanks to the expertise of the FOKAL gingerbread program and the support of the Daniel and Nina Carasso Foundation (under the aegis of the Fondation de France) and the Fondation de France. See also : https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-29570-haiti-heritage-the-art-center-buys-the-gingerbread-house-of-the-larsen-family.html



HL/ HaitiLibre


















Sinn Fein's Pearse Doherty, whose party has taken charge of the Complaints Department for the duration of the new Government, managed to get the Apple judgment 180 degrees wrong last week.

The European Court concluded, in very explicit language, that the Apple company did not owe 13bn, or any other figure, to the Irish Government. But Pearse managed to befuddle his media interlocutors with a superior narrative better tuned to their attention span.

The 13bn was there to be taken from a dreaded multinational to help pay for the costs of the Covid pandemic, to build more houses, or whatever you are having yourself. The image conveyed to the less attentive viewers and listeners is that the folks in charge have taken a huge cheque and set fire to it.

Pearse and his colleagues would lodge the cheque and distribute the proceeds to the long-suffering voters, who could do with the money. Vote for change and no cheque will go uncashed.

This is the triumph of surface plausibility over the inspection of the facts. It is tragic that smart politicians are confident that they will go unchallenged with this level of codology.

Had Pearse gone to the trouble of Googling the European Court judgment, he would have noticed that the arguments of the Apple lawyers won the day. There is no cheque, and no free 13bn. His star interviewers had not pressed the Google button either.

Had the Irish Government declined to tog out for this fixture, Apple would have won anyway. The court concluded that no money was due in Ireland.

The loser in Luxembourg was not the Irish Exchequer or the long-suffering Irish voter. It was the EU commissioner, Margrethe Vestager, who chose the media-friendly line, watch me take on the dreaded tech companies.

There are good reasons for European concern about the Big Tech outfits, but Vestager drew a bead on the Irish Government and she got it wrong. Apple were told by Vestager and her employers, the European Commission, to pay a vast amount of money to the tax authorities, their advisers objected, and the judges concurred. In a well-run outfit, Vestager would be considering her position.

The straightforward shamelessness of politicians should bother everyone who cares about the content of the public debate. Deputy Doherty, who could easily be a front-rank member of the next Government, has no excuses.

The Irish Government did not win the case in Luxembourg, Apple won the case. The outcome would have been precisely the same had the Irish Government chosen not to join Apple in opposing the European Commission, which sought to impose a 13bn tax bill on Apple which the company resisted.

The judges decided that the Commission got it wrong, and the bill was not due. Apple did not dodge any tax in Ireland and the Irish State did not screw up. There was no 13bn left on the table, as deputy Doherty, who is not a fool and must know better, has sought to persuade the public courtesy of an asleep media. The narrative that the Irish Government, heavily borrowed and destined to expand further the national debt over the next few years, has chosen to pass on a large bunch of free money is a shocking abuse of the intelligence of the Irish public.

Pearse Doherty is not really the abuser. If there were no pliant and fast-asleep news outfits, there would be no politicians peddling codology.

There is an important sapling struggling to sprout at the back of all this, the Magic Money Tree in Merrion Square, just across the road from the Department of Finance, already deployed to fight the pandemic. This unloved little shrub has recruited a whole new host of admirers these last few months, its capacity to blossom expanding as the real economy contracts.

The pretence that the Irish economy has found the capacity to finance schemes deemed unaffordable before the economic disaster of Covid came along is testament to the destructive potential of an unserious press.

Vestager must now consider whether further dollops of taxpayer cash should be forwarded to the lawyers, happy no doubt to parse the judgment already delivered.

It would be nice if the Irish deputies at the European parliament hold the commissioner to account next time she appears before them.

Last week IFAC, the fiscal advisory council, released an unsurprising report on Ireland's long-term budget and borrowing position. It concluded that there are off-balance-sheet liabilities that would worry any responsible person.

During the General Election, and later through the inter-party talks that finally yielded a new Government, the pension age became a vehicle for the competitive expression of political empathy. Essentially, politicians who care the most think that the retirement age should be reduced the fastest.

Since life expectancy has been rising in Ireland, as in almost all countries around the world, there has been a trend towards higher labour force participation among older people.

If you expect to live a little longer, it makes sense to keep on working for an extra year or two. Unless you are a politician, in which case you can promise earlier and earlier retirement, nice pensions, and please stop asking awkward questions about the money.

The IFAC report explains that a national exchequer cannot deliver high levels of retirement income if the population lives longer and longer unless adequate provision is made. The consumption requirements of the retired must be met from the current output of the working population, no matter what financial model is chosen. An Apple bonanza every year, forever, is the kind of money involved here.

The money needed to fund decent pensions is not available if everyone decides to clock off at 65 and then declines to expire on schedule.

The retirement age in Ireland, at which the ''old age pension'' becomes payable, was 70 until competitive politics got involved back in the 1970s. Then it became 69, an election loomed and then another, and the figure settles on 65.

Meanwhile, life expectancy continued to improve and is described as a ''demographic crisis''. There is really no need to employ experts at IFAC to figure out that retirement income for an expanding portion of retirees cannot be delivered at a constant retirement age.

The State has become the underwriter of all risk, including the ''risk'' that everyone stays healthy and lives longer. Or that Covid comes along and threatens to reverse this happy development.

The sums cannot be made to add up through an exercise in political imagination, an Apple a day.
(Newser)  The executive assistant who allegedly dismembered his boss this week has pleaded not guilty to second-degree murder, CNN reports. Tyrese Haspil, 21, who apparently has no criminal record, is accused of decapitating and cutting up tech entrepreneur Fahim Saleh at the CEO's Manhattan condo. "We are in the very earliest stages of ferreting out the truth," Haspil's attorneys said Sunday in a statement. "The life of this case promises to be long and complex. As the attorneys for Mr. Haspil, we urge the public to keep an open mind." Saleh, 33, was head of the Nigerian ride-hailing company Gokada. In other developments:



Hardware store: Authorities say Haspil was caught on surveillance video buying cleaning supplies and an electric saw later found by Saleh's body, the AP reports. The video was shot Tuesday morning at a hardware store on the Lower East Side, per a criminal complaint. (There's also video of a masked man following Saleh to his condo on Monday.)

story continues below

Swanky home : Other video footage caught Haspil hiding "in plain sight" after his boss' death, NBC New York reports. The native New Yorker was spotted getting out of an Uber at roughly 11pm Wednesday with a backpack and overnight bag before entering his tony $18,000-a-month AirBnb in NoHo.

: Other video footage caught Haspil hiding "in plain sight" after his boss' death, NBC New York reports. The native New Yorker was spotted getting out of an Uber at roughly 11pm Wednesday with a backpack and overnight bag before entering his tony $18,000-a-month AirBnb in NoHo. 'Mystery' female : Two hours later he was seen walking through NoHo with a "mystery female companion" and buying a bunch of birthday balloons, the New York Post reports. Seems he picked up a foil balloon that spelled out "22," a gift for his 22-year-old girlfriend on her birthday, police say. A law enforcement source responded to his nonchalant behavior by calling him "the new American Psycho, only dumber."

: Two hours later he was seen walking through NoHo with a "mystery female companion" and buying a bunch of birthday balloons, the New York Post reports. Seems he picked up a foil balloon that spelled out "22," a gift for his 22-year-old girlfriend on her birthday, police say. A law enforcement source responded to his nonchalant behavior by calling him "the new American Psycho, only dumber." His childhood : Haspil's aunt, Marjorie Sine, says he had a difficult childhood but didn't seem dangerous. She tells the New York Daily News that Haspil's mother was institutionalized and his grandmother raised him, but died when he was 12. Haspil ended up in a foster home. "I thought (police) made a mistake because he never showed his emotions," the 52-year-old said of her nephew. "His behavior, the way he was, he acted nonchalantly. He would do whatever he wanted."

: Haspil's aunt, Marjorie Sine, says he had a difficult childhood but didn't seem dangerous. She tells the New York Daily News that Haspil's mother was institutionalized and his grandmother raised him, but died when he was 12. Haspil ended up in a foster home. "I thought (police) made a mistake because he never showed his emotions," the 52-year-old said of her nephew. "His behavior, the way he was, he acted nonchalantly. He would do whatever he wanted." Motive : As for possible motive, unnamed sources tell the Daily News that Haspil had been caught embezzling $90,000 from his former boss. The tech CEO apparently fired Haspil but let him pay it back to avoid charges. Investigators say they learned about the alleged embezzlement via credit card statements, electronic records, and text messages between Haspil and Saleh, per CBS New York. Haspil's next court date in August 17.

: As for possible motive, unnamed sources tell the Daily News that Haspil had been caught embezzling $90,000 from his former boss. The tech CEO apparently fired Haspil but let him pay it back to avoid charges. Investigators say they learned about the alleged embezzlement via credit card statements, electronic records, and text messages between Haspil and Saleh, per CBS New York. Haspil's next court date in August 17. The family: "Please understand our devastation and our desire to remain private about the most recent developments surrounding this tragedy," Saleh's family said in a statement, per WABC. They thanked law enforcement and said "funeral arrangements for Fahim are underway."

(Read more murder stories.)
BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 25

Trend:

Over the past 24 hours, Armenian armed forces have violated the ceasefire along the line of contact between Azerbaijani and Armenian troops 30 times, Trend reports on June 25 referring to Azerbaijani Defense Ministry.

The Armenian armed forces were using large-caliber machine guns and sniper rifles.

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.
(Natural News) Democratic Senators Kamala Harris and Cory Bookers Orwellian anti-lynching bill will allow the feds to throw Americans in prison for 10 years for slapping someone and uttering a racial slur, Senator Rand Paul revealed Thursday.

(Article by Chris Menahan republished from InformationLiberation.com)

The bill, which Cory Booker said last year was inspired by Jussie Smolletts supposed lynching, does not make lynching illegal as its already illegal but instead creates a new crime called conspiracy to lynch that will allow the feds to ramp up mass incarceration for thought crimes.

Senator Paul is single-handedly holding this atrocious bill up as the GOP-controlled senate is too cowardly to stand against it, lest they be perceived as pro-lynching.

Hey @CoryBooker and @KamalaHarris lynching is already illegal but slapping someone is not lynching, We shouldn't conflate someone who has an altercation with minor injuries, with lynching, That's my opposition to this without my amendment to fix it. https://t.co/vmyuk55Dcc

Rush transcript:

I think its important to know and to let the record show that Ive been working with Senator Bookers office for three months on the amendment to this bill that Im willing to have unanimous passage of the bill today, but I think its incredibly important that we get this right. A woman in New Jersey, a black woman in New Jersey, assaulted three Jewish women and slapped them. It was terrible and she uttered racial epithets about these Jewish women. She was charged with third degree misdemeanor assault up to a year in prison, which actually sounds to me pretty significant for slapping, but she was then charged with a hate crime in addition to that that would be four years in addition. So we do have to get this right. If slapping someone and hurling a racial epithet could get you 10 years in prison, this is exactly what weve been fighting about in criminal justice reform, that we set up a system, we didnt pay attention to the penalties, and all of a sudden, things we didnt intend happen. So we have to be smart about this. Im willing to pass the bill today, as amended, which would simply say not that you even have to harm someone, you have to attempt to harm them, but it has to be an attempt to harm them.

So all of the discussion about bruising while trying to lynch someone, yes thats attempted murder, it would be covered by this bill. Nothing in the bill would stop, would prevent the prosecution of heinous behavior. Thats what its intended for. What Im intending is  What Im trying to do is to make sure we dont get unintended consequences. Weve fought the battle against mandatory minimums for a decade now because we tie up people in sentencing that makes no sense. 10 years for slapping someone would be an abomination and it couldnt happen to anyone. Do we want a black woman who slapped three Jewish women in New Jersey to get 10 years in prison? If there was a group of them, its now a conspiracy to lynch. We have to use some common sense here. We should not have a 10-year prison sentence for anything less than at the very least an attempt to do bodily harm. The statute lists what bodily harm is, but it could still be an attempt, it doesnt mean you actually have to have it, but what it would preclude is somebody shoves somebody in a bar and they fall down and they have an abrasion and they say he did it because of a racial animus towards me, and you have a 10-year penalty, thats not right.

So all of us here are advocates on the same side of criminal justice reform, we all have argued on the same side that the law is screwed up, and has incarcerated too many people unfairly. Thats what Im trying to prevent here, and so the thing is is I understand the emotions on it. You think I take great joy in being here? No. Im a sponsor of 22 criminal justice bills. You think Im getting any good publicity out of this? No, I will be excoriated by simple-minded people on the internet who think somehow I dont like Emmett Till or appreciate the history and the memory of Emmett Till. Ill be lectured to by everybody and Ive got no right

 in the memory of Emmett Till. Ill be lectured to by everybody. Ive got no right to have an opinion on any of these things. I should be quiet. But we cant just not read our bills. You know, I have worked in an honest way with Senator Bookers office for three months on this bill. We have gone back and forth. We gave them some language. They came back to us and said it wouldnt work. And I said, Well, what about this? And then we havent gotten any more responses.

So we havent gotten responses back in a month or more, and the thing is, is now theyre litigating in the press and trying to accuse me of somehow being in favor of something so heinous that it makes my skin crawl, that it makes me sick to my stomach to even read the accounts of what happened.

But we also ought to be fair and honest about this. Lynching is illegal. People who are saying theres no federal law against lynching or not telling the truth. The law says, if you kill somebody and you have racial animus under the Hate Crime statute, it is illegal. You cant do that. Its also illegal in all the states. This bill does not make lynching illegal. So for all the discussion of that, this bill creates a new crime called conspiracy to lynch. Well, yeah, Im for it. If theres a crowd, lets arrest of the whole mob. All four policemen should be responsible for what happened to Mr. Floyd.

But the thing is, is when we do that, we have to be careful that we dont then put a crowd of people in where someone pushed into someone or someone slapped someone. There has to be justice. People are chanting justice. Justice has to have a brain and has to have vision and cant be hamstrung into something that could give someone 10 years in prison for a minor crime.

This is a very minor attempt. Everything we left in here, we have worked with Senator Bookers office to make sure it is inclusive. They came back and said, What about attempted? And we said, Lets change the language. So we have in there, attempt to cause seriously bodily harm. So there could be no injury, but someone will have to have a discussion of whether there was an attempt and it was an attempt that looked like it would be serious.

So I think slapping someone isnt, but under the current statute, as is, people will say, Oh, nobody will ever do it. Maybe, but were putting it on the books. The mandatory minimums have kept people in jail for decades. There are people in life for nonviolent crimes. All of us have worked on the same side of that issue.

Im asking for a very minor change. Ill pass it right now. Im completely out of the way. Im for the bill. Im asking unanimous consent to pass a bill today with one amendment that just says, lets be careful not to arrest people for slapping someone or not to arrest somebody for pushes into someone and get them 10 years in prison.

This isnt about someone trying to kill another person or someone attempting bodily harm. Those people would be included in this language, even if they did not have a mark on the person, but if they were rounding them up, tying them up, and theyd thrown a rope over the tree, thats attempted murder. And they would still be included under this bill, even without a mark on them.

But what we have to preclude and what were trying to preclude is that the bill doesnt get used for the wrong purposes. Were all on the same side about who we want to punish and who we should prevent. And were also on the same side on the symbolism of this, but we cant pass laws that do exactly what all of us have said is wrong with our penal system, all the unintended consequences.

There is one here and I ask in a very polite way, and Ive been asking for three months for one small change, and I would let the bill go today, on this day, if we could have it. And the changes have been out there. Theyre not brand new and theyve been in Senator Bookers office for three months and weve tried to, as hes had objections, work with him on his objections. So I would ask unanimous consent, once again, to pass the bill as amended.
At least 23 Nigerian troops were killed when they were ambushed by a gang of "bandits" in a remote village in the northwest of the country, security sources said Sunday.

The gang opened fire Saturday on the soldiers who were on foot in a forested part of the Jibia district in Katsina state, the sources said, speaking on condition of anonymity.

"The bodies of 23 soldiers have been accounted for while some are still missing," the sources said.

Search Keywords:

Short link:


Iran Sends Crashed Ukrainian Jet's Black Box to France, Diplomat Says

Sputnik News

12:36 GMT 18.07.2020

TEHRAN (Sputnik) - A black box from a Ukrainian plane downed near Tehran in January has been sent to France for reading, Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Mohsen Baharvand said Saturday.

"The black box from the Ukrainian plane has been delivered to Paris", Baharvand was quoted as saying by the Etemad newspaper.

The diplomat, who is in charge of international and legal affairs, said the flight data recorder was brought to the French capital on Friday by Iranian civil aviation officials. The reading will begin on Monday, he added.

Earlier in July, Ukraine, Canada, Afghanistan, the United Kingdom, and Sweden, whose citizens were aboard the plane, signed a memorandum of understanding and cooperation in talks with Iran about the downed aircraft. According to Kuleba, Kiev will negotiate with Iran on behalf of that group

, which lost citizens to the crash. The Iranian Embassy in Kiev said last week that Tehran was ready to begin negotiations with Ukraine regarding the downed aircraft on 20 July.

On 8 January, the Ukraine International Airlines Boeing 737-800 was downed shortly after takeoff from Tehran's Imam Khomeini International Airport, killing all 176 people on board. The Iranian authorities said at a later date that the jet had been unintentionally shot down after military personnel confused it with a hostile target amid fears of US strikes.

A Sputnik

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L ocal residents have complained of being kept awake by the "extreme noise" coming from a huge rave at a disused RAF air base near Bath.

Police are still trying to clear crowds from the area, after being called to the scene at RAF Charmy Down on Saturday night following noise complaints.

Tanya Rich, who lives about eight miles from the former air base, told the Standard that she was "bothered by the extreme noise level" and was "awakened at 5" with "no respite".

Ms Rich continued: "It got louder from 4am. I got woken up at 5. I think the police should have stopped it in the first place. The organisers were clearly not intimidated or worried by the police presence.

"We are still in the midst of a pandemic. It is the thoughtless attitude of people that will make this disease spike again. I understand people want to let off steam, so do we all! But allowing these raves to go on undermines all that the rest of us are trying to do to save the NHS resources, and to reduce our chances of catching Covid.

"And now...loads of cars parked illegally on the A46. The farmer who's cows all got out because of the fences and hedges the attendees trampled, and hardworking people who needed a lie-in getting told they are just moaners by a small faction of 'yoof'!"

Avon and Somerset Police said the organisers were "selfish" for putting on the event despite "the ongoing risk to public health".

Officers were alerted to the gathering just after 11pm on Saturday. They found thousands of people on the site and decided not to break up the rave because "the potential risks to public safety of an intervention to close an event attended by more than 3,000 people in dark and wet conditions were too great".

They added in a statement: "Officers closed off the approach routes, however people were abandoning vehicles and making their way to the site on foot.

"Officers were still turning vehicles away at 6.40am on Sunday.

"There were also other significant incidents across the force area including 120 999 calls which required an immediate police response and the attention of our resources. Therefore the decision was taken to contain the event until daylight hours."

Chief Superintendent Ian Wylie said police are trying "to close down this event in a controlled way".

He added: "We're sorry for the disruption caused to so many residents by the selfish actions of the organisers of this event and those attending, knowing the problems it would cause and the ongoing risk to public health of large gatherings due to Covid-19.

"We will take appropriate action against those responsible."
KP Vishnuprasad By

Express News Service

MALAPPURAM: Reminiscing about his son who died of Covid-19 in Dubai, Kodalil Kunhu Mohammed is virtually inconsolable. The pandemic had claimed Abdul Kareem, 48, on May 29, leaving Mohammed and other family members devastated.Whenever Kareem returned to Dubai after spending his holidays with his family here, he would hug me warmly. His parting glance before leaving for the airport is still vivid in my memory. But when he left for ever, he didnt hug me or give a parting glance, Mohammed told friends of Kareem.

For the past 24 years, the deceased had been working with a private contract company in Dubai. A voice clip which Kareem had sent, while undergoing treatment for Covid in the emirate, went viral on social media. In the clip sent three weeks before his death, Kareem can be heard consoling a friend deeply disturbed by the Covid situation in the Gulf. Dont worry about the Covid deaths and related news. If we always think of them, we will be putting ourselves in a tight spot. Follow the instructions of the health authorities and that is the only way forward. We have lived till our current age, but many of our friends werent so lucky. Dont worry, God has a plan for each one of us, Kareem can be heard saying.

He was an active member of many organisations including the Kerala Muslim Cultural Centre (KMCC). Kareem planned to help out his friends in Tirur, who are plagued by financial issues, during his next visit home. But death snatched him away, said Vinod Thalapilly, a friend. Kareem leaves behind wife Sakeena, son Shahal, 14, and daughters Suha Fathima, 10, Sidhara, 4.

Forced to grieve from afar

Likewise, sorrow has engulfed the family of Kanhikkoth Saithalikutty, alias Kunhu, 70, from Pudiyangadi near Tirur who died of Covid in Doha(Qatar) on May 26. Along with the sudden exit of a beloved member and the vacuum caused by his physical absence, Saithalikuttys family members are forced to endure the agony of grieving from afar. He passed away at the Hamad Hospital in Doha on May 26 where he was undergoing treatment for the deadly virus. Prior to this, he had been admitted to the Hamad Hospital in Al Wakrah. He had also developed pneumonia.

His body was buried in Doha following the Covid protocol. Kunhi Bava, younger brother of Saithalikutty, who was in Qatar, completed the legal formalities related to the burial in the sultanate. We authorised Kunhi Bava to complete the formalities related to the burial in Doha. However, it is truly heartbreaking that we could not bid him a final farewell. But while his last rites were being performed in Qatar, we prayed for his soul and that he may find everlasting peace, said the family members.
Brian De Palma is an acclaimed movie director, and has been for more than 50 years. His best known films include Carrie, Dressed to Kill, Scarface, and The Untouchables.

De Palma first came to attention with Greetings (1968). It starred Robert De Niro as a young man trying to avoid the draft. De Palma followed up Greetings with Hi Mom! (1970), in which De Niro plays the same character. This time, hes a fledgling film maker.

Hi Mom! is best known for its Be black, baby sequence. If memory serves (I havent seen Hi Mom! in at least 20 years), this summary of Be black, baby is accurate:

The films most memorable sequence involves a black radical group who invite a group of WASPs to feel what it is like to be black, in a sequence titled Be Black, Baby. . . .[I]t features a theater group of African American actors interviewing white-skinned Caucasians on the streets of New York City, asking them if they know what it is like to be black in the United States. Later, a group of white theater patrons attend a performance by the troupe. First they are forced to eat soul food. The white audience is then subjected to wearing shoe polish on their faces, while the African American actors sport whiteface and terrorize the people in blackface. The white audience members attempt to escape from the building and are ambushed in the elevator by the troupe. As two of the black actors rape one of the white audience members, Robert De Niro arrives as an actor playing an NYPD policeman, and arrests members of the white audience under the pretense that they are black. . . . The sequence concludes with a thoroughly battered and abused audience raving about the show, showering praise on the black actors, crowing Clive Barnes [New York Times theater critic] was right!

De Palma was prescient. Remove the rape and some of the worst abuse, and you have an approximation of how diversity trainers are teaching whites about what, supposedly, its like to be black in America 50 years after Hi Mom! During such training whites reportedly are instructed to keep silent and to sit in the discomfort of their racism.

Indeed, if we broaden our focus to include zones like CHOP, the rape and hard core abuse De Palma depicted can probably be included in the modern mix.

There are some differences between Be black, baby and contemporary efforts to show what its like to be black in America. In Hi Mom! those attending the performance did so voluntarily. I take it that much of the diversity training that goes on these days is mandatory.

Moreover, the government, I imagine, didnt pay the theater troupe to put on Be black, baby. But according to this report, Howard Ross, the consultant who created a noxious diversity training program, has billed the federal government more than $5 million for training since 2006.

Hi Mom! shows that the kind of diversity training people like Ross provide is not beyond satire, after all. But its doubtful that De Palmas satire in Hi Mom! could survive the cancel culture of today.
(Natural News) Residents of the town of Xihongmen, located in the Daxing District in southern Beijing, have fought several running battles with Chinas Ministry of Public Security, over having to pay for entry passes to their village. According to authorities, these passes were set up to monitor the movements of residents in an effort to prevent the spread of the Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19).

While the worst of the coronavirus pandemic may be over in China, sporadic outbreaks have occurred in recent weeks. Fengtai District, directly to the north of Daxing and Xihongmen, was put on wartime alert on June 13 after a cluster of COVID-19 cases were detected at the Xinfadi market  Beijings largest wholesale market  which is just a 10-minute walk from Xihongmen.

Forty-five people were confirmed to have the coronavirus after 517 tests were administered. Not long afterward five new COVID-19 cases were discovered in Daxing, prompting Xihongmen to increase its coronavirus risk level to high following the discovery.

Residents only given four days to purchase entry passes

The Chinese Communist Party has used the recent outbreaks of the coronavirus as an opportunity to pass a series of directives to help them monitor the movements of every resident of Xihongmen. These came into effect July 9, when the partys commission in the town changes its entry pass. (Related: Return to China or commit suicide: FBI Director says Chinas Fox Hunt program a way to silence and imprison Chinese dissidents abroad.)

Xihongmen town  has changed its entry pass, stated a letter from the commission that was widely circulated on Chinese social media. Everybody has to use the new entry pass to enter and leave the village  Anyone who does not apply for the pass will be treated as giving up his and her right to live in our village.

All of the towns approximately 140,000 residents had to apply for the new pass between Friday, July 10, and Monday, July 13. It costs 30 yuan ($4.29), and if a villager loses it they will have to pay for another for 100 yuan ($14.30).

Anyone who passes the checkpoint without the new pass is violating the law, and will be held liable, concluded the announcement.

Authorities justified the new pass, saying that its necessary due to Xihongmens high threat level for the coronavirus. However, this raises the question of why health authorities downgraded Xihongmens threat level to medium. Furthermore, the new passes do not contain any information that would be helpful for contact tracers and other health workers should any of the residents test positive for COVID-19.

Clashes occurred between authorities and Xihongmen residents

Footage taken from Xihongmen showed large groups of the towns residents, including women and elderly people, gathering at one of the checkpoints into the town to protest against the new entry pass.

In one video shared on social media, the restless villagers are seen surrounding the checkpoint. In another, several of the more vocal members of the crowd start asking the local authorities to come out of their office. One person could be heard shouting The ones that beat people, come out.

In a third clip from the same source, one man is recording the crowd while saying 30 yuan exit fee. If you dont pay, they will beat you. Wont you say the police are tough?

More police officers eventually arrived to try and hold back the restless residents. The villagers, however, used this opportunity to repeat their demand that, rather than purchasing new entry passes, they be allowed to use the passes that they bought in June.

Eventually, a group of younger villagers attempted to pass the checkpoint without procuring the new entry passes, they were stopped by the police. This led to an altercation as police tried to beat back the residents from being allowed to leave the town.

According to the New Tang Dynasty Television, a Chinese-language broadcaster based in New York, one resident was arrested after the altercations with the police.

Furthermore, the station received word from an anonymous local official telling them that they had to pay for the new fines because it was the communitys regulation.

The charging of 30 yuan comprehensive service fee for the entry-and-exit certificate this time was required by the village. Everyone who lives there must abide by the rules.

Several Xihongmen residents told Radio France International (RFI) that even people who tested positive for the coronavirus could receive an entry pass so long as they bribed local officials.

RFI further stated that the clashes in Xihongmen represent a series of escalating social conflicts in Beijing due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Learn more about how the coronavirus in once again spreading in China by following Pandemic.news.

Sources include:

TheEpochTimes.com

Reuters.com

News.CGTN.com

DailyMail.co.uk

Twitter.com

RFI.fr
The EUs coronavirus recovery plan is hanging in the balance as leaders quarrelling over the level of spending for the bloc entered their third day of negotiations on Sunday.

After two days of tense discussions in Brussels, the 27 EU member states on Sunday failed to reach a compromise.

A deal envisaging 400bn in grants  down from a proposed 500bn  was rejected by the north, which said it saw 350bn as the maximum.

Earlier German chancellor Angela Merkel cast doubt over the success of the talks by suggesting that an agreement might be beyond reach.

Whether there will be a solution, I still cant say, Ms Merkel said as she arrived early for the talks.

There is a lot of good will, but there are also a lot of positions. So I will join in working for it. But there may also be no result today.

Meanwhile, Austrias chancellor Sebastian Kurz said a deal was possible but there was still a way to go at the summit.

Disagreements remain over the size of the fund and the split between grants and repayable loans, with countries such as the Netherlands trying to limit the use of grants.

The talks, which some fear could be a make-or-break moment for the bloc, have underscored the gulf between the EUs north and south and raised serious questions about the viability of the union.

A 1.8 trillion (1.6 trillion) package for the EUs next long-term budget and a recovery fund to haul Europe out of its deepest recession since the Second World War are on the table at the summit.

The proposed 750bn recovery fund, which is to be raised on capital markets by the EUs executive European Commission, would be funnelled mostly to hard-hit Mediterranean countries.

One contentious issue in the talks is a proposed new rule-of-law mechanism which could freeze funding to countries flouting democratic principles.

Hungary, backed by its Eurosceptic ally Poland, has threatened to veto the package over the rule-of-law mechanism, which is supported by the Netherlands.

Dutch prime minister Mark Ruttes position has been informed by political difficulties in his country, where voters have objected to the Netherlands being, proportionately, among the largest net contributors to the EU budget.

Mr Rutte and his conservative VVD party are also facing a strong challenge from far-right Eurosceptic parties in elections next March.

Viktor Orban, Hungarys far-right prime minister, has claimed the Dutch leader has a personal grudge against him.

I dont know what is the personal reason for the Dutch prime minister to hate me or Hungary, but he is attacking so harshly, Mr Orban told reporters.

I dont like blame games but the Dutchman is the real responsible man for the whole mess.

On Saturday, Ms Merkel and French president Emmanuel Macron walked out of heated talks with the so-called frugal countries.

The two leaders have refused to water down their proposals for aid and objected to plans for the level of free grants in the package to fall below 400bn.

Giuseppe Conte, Italys prime minister, had earlier accused the Netherlands and its allies, Austria, Sweden, Denmark and Finland, of blackmail in the talks.

Additional reporting by agencies
President Nana Akufo-Addo has sent his best wishes to students who are expected to write this years West African Senior Secondary School Certificate Examination (WASSCE).



The examination is expected to commence Monday, July 20, 2020.



In a statement, the President urged everyone to follow the COVID-19 protocols and that face masks continue to remain our weapons in the fight to defeat COVID-19.



We, therefore, must do everything possible, even in the midst of a pandemic, to guarantee the prospects of our youth, protect their potential, and, thereby, help preserve our collective future, he said.



In all, about 313,837 final year Senior High School students will be taking part in the exams.



The Ghana Education Service (GES) has assured parents and guardians of final-year Senior High School (SHS) students in the country that it will do everything humanly possible to protect their children against COVID-19.







Source: Peacefmonline.com









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

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China's ambassador to the U.K., Liu Xiaoming, struggled on Sunday to explain drone footage from the region of Xinjiang that appears to show prisoners with shaved heads shackled, blindfolded and being led to trains.

Why it matters: The video, which first appeared in October 2019 but resurfaced and went viral recently, has prompted fresh scrutiny of the human rights abuses China is carrying out against Uighur Muslims and other ethnic minorities.

Since 2017, China's government has detained an estimated 1 million2 million Uighurs in "re-education camps" that it claims are being used to root out extremism.

Last month, AP reported that China is engaging in a sweeping campaign of forced birth control and sterilization on Uighurs and other minorities that is "far more widespread and systematic" than was previously known  efforts that some experts have described as "demographic genocide."

What he's saying: Liu, who was confronted with the video by BBC talk show host Andrew Marr, defended Xinjiang as the "most beautiful place" and claimed he did not know where the footage came from. "Sometimes you have a transfer of prisoners," he said.

Liu said there has been "no so-called restriction of the population" in the region, despite research that shows birth rates in Xinjiang fell by 24% last year alone, compared to 4.2% nationwide.

Uighur people enjoy peaceful, harmonious coexistence with other ethnic groups of people, he claimed.

The other side: U.K. Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said later on the show that while "genocide" is "such a specific definition you have to be very careful" with, it's clear there are "gross, egregious human rights abuses going on" in Xinjiang.

The reports of the human aspects of it, from forced sterilization to the re-education camps, are reminiscent of something we have not seen for a long, long time. And this is from a leading member of the international community, who wants to be taken seriously, and whom we want a positive relationship. But we cannot see behavior like that and not call it out, albeit with our partners and in the right way.

 Dominic Raab

Go deeper: U.S. sanctions Chinese officials over Uighur human rights abuses
The Electoral Commission (EC) has described as false reports that it prevented some party agents of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) from observing the Voters Registration Exercise at the Tepa Senior High School and Prempeh College in the Ashanti Region.

The EC said in line with laid down procedures, it informed all political parties about the planned exercise and requested to have their agents at the centres in the schools.

The Commission, in a statement copied to the Ghana News Agency, (GNA) said in the case of the Tepa Senior High School, it made available 16 kits for the exercise.

It said as part of measures taken by the School to protect the students against COVID -19, the authorities limited the agents for each political party to two, with the consent of the National Democratic Congress and the New Patriotic Party.

The Commission said midway through the registration process, the NDC expressed dissatisfaction with the number of their party agents present and, consequently, requested to have an agent monitor each kit.

The EC said the School authorities opposed the idea and called in security officers who restored calm for the continuation of the exercise without any intimidation or assault as alleged.

The Commission said, regarding the registration exercise at the Prempeh College, the agents of the NDC did not show up despite a notice to all political parties about the registration.

It said in the spirit of transparency and accountability, the Commission delayed the registration until 1300 hours, five hours after the approved start time of 0700 hours.

The Commission said the representatives of the NDC, however, arrived at the centre at 1700 hours, after 129 out of over 1,000 eligible applicants had been registered.

The statement restated the commitment of the EC to a successful registration exercise and called for the support of all.

---GNA
Express News Service By

NEW DELHI: A group of 72 concerned citizens, including former bureaucrats, lawyers and activists have written a letter to the President of India, Ram Nath Kovind, seeking a probe into the Delhi Riots in February this year under a sitting or retired judge of the higher judiciary.

The letter mentions that a credible and unbiased probe in the violence which resulted in the loss of 53 lives, is necessary.

The violence in North-East Delhi took place between February 23 and February 26, and the Delhi Police has set up three Special Investigation Teams (SITs) led by its officials to conduct a probe into the matter. The ongoing probe by the Delhi police, therefore, does not inspire confidence.

ALSO READ | Delhi riots: AAP objects to L-G Baijal's 'intervention' in appointment of special public prosecutors

"With serious allegations against several senior police officials, of being complicit in the violence or assisting the mobs or standing mutely and watching the violence, there is bound to be a perception that the agency is shielding its own, said the letter.

They also mentioned the report by the Delhi minorities commission saying, It is equally concerning that a 10 member fact-finding committee constituted by the Delhi Minorities Commission to look into the riots, has suggested that the failure to prevent violence by Delhi police was not due to individual or sporadic breaches, but was a pattern of deliberate inaction over several days.

They said that a credible and unbiased probe is crucial to ensure public trust and the investigation cannot be allowed to become a fishing and roving expedition aimed at causing a chilling effect on dissent and protest in the country.

ALSO READ | Delhi riots: Police examining speeches of Sonia Gandhi, Anurag Thakur, Kapil Mishra, others

We, therefore, call upon the Government of India to institute an inquiry into this investigation under the Commission of Inquiry Act, 1952, by appointing sitting/retired judge(s) of the higher judiciary, the letter said.

72 sign letter for action

The letter has been signed by personalities such as Aruna Roy (activist), Prashant Bhushan (lawyer), Anjali Bhardwaj (activist) and others. It mentions that a credible and unbiased probe in the violence which claimed 53 lives, is necessary. The violence took place in between February 23 and February 26.
Prism Digital, a leading full-service digital marketing company, has won the digital mandate for La Maison du Savon de Marseille, a popular manufacturer, exporter, and supplier for bath and daily well-being natural products from France.

This business was won after a Pan Arab Multi-agency pitch conducted earlier this year.

As a part of the mandate, Prism has built an e-commerce website along with a mobile application for the local distributer and has started to handle digital advertising, social media marketing, SEO, for the brand.

Prism, with its core expertise in digital marketing and advanced creative approach to web design, has just launched their progressive web app-based e-commerce store with native iOS and Android mobile apps. The application and the website were built keeping in mind all the key features which are essential for its ecommerce business and delivering a seamless purchasing experience for the customer.

Prism, an industry leader in ecommerce web design and development in the UAE, created the website as a Progressive Web Apps (PWA), built on with Laravel, an open-source MVC framework with a complete bespoke shopping cart solution that provides digital entrepreneurs with software enabling them to build, manage, and grow their online business with Mobile apps under the same MVC Framework.

Commenting on the association with Prism, Mohamed Hediya, Managing Director of La Maison Trading LLC., expressed: We have selected Prism after a thorough pitch process. They understood our business model and have tremendous experience in ecommerce website design and development. They guided us through every step of the way including setting up our payment gateways and coordinating with our banks. The interaction was flawless and seamless. We are confident that Prisms strategic approach towards our digital marketing management and website design approach will go a long way in making La Maison du Savon de Marseille a well-known brand in the bath and daily well-being products industry."

Lovetto Nazareth, Director Prism Digital, commented: We are excited to work with La Maison du Savon de Marseille, Dubai. With our expertise in the website and mobile application design and development, we are looking at creating a progressive web app for La Maison. I am sure this partnership will become a fruitful one and will unlock new doors for Prism as well." - TradeArabia News Service
Demonstrators calling for refugees to be released from detention have blocked a busy Brisbane street, vowing to target an even more high-profile route if their demands are not met.

About 500 people gathered on Sunday outside the Kangaroo Point Hotel on Main Street, Kangaroo Point, where about 120 men are being held after being brought to Australia under medevac laws.

Protesters sat in silence for seven minutes outside the Kangaroo Point hotel where 120 refugees are being kept, to mark seven years of offshore detention. Credit:Stuart Layt

Dane de Leon from protest group Refugee Solidarity Meanjin, said they were marking seven years of Australias current offshore detention policy for refugees.

Weve been blockading [outside the hotel] for 38 days straight, so today we want those in charge - ABF, Serco, Peter Dutton, Scott Morrison - [to speak to us] they know where to find us, Ms de Leon said.
NSW Health is doubling the size of its contact tracing team and capping international arrivals, as the state grapples with two separate clusters of COVID-19 and five mystery cases that have virus detectives "really concerned".

The five cases still under investigation last night included a man and a teenager from the same household who visited the Soldier's Club in Batemans Bay on July 13 and McDonald's in Albion Park two days later.

In the 24 hours to 8pm on Friday night, NSW recorded 15 new cases and conducted a record 27,702 COVID tests, including about 3000 in the south-western Sydney area at the epicentre of the recent outbreaks. Four of the new cases were returned travellers in hotel quarantine.

Meanwhile, Victoria reported another 217 new cases - although this was a significant drop from the 428 recorded on Friday, reducing the chance that state will be plunged into stage four lockdowns.
SARATOGA SPRINGS - Crowded streets near bars and restaurants in the city - which continued during the opening week of the Saratoga Race Course - are prompting concerns over potential spikes in coronavirus cases.

City Commissioner of Public Safety Robin Dalton said she receives complaints "that trickle in steady" about specific businesses that are crowded and in apparent violation of New York state pandemic guidelines, which require 50 percent occupancy, as well as a ban on serving just alcohol. She said she has received the complaints since outdoor dining was allowed in phase three of the reopening.

Want more news from the Saratoga Race Course? Sign up for our newsletter.

She said that establishments that attract night life, like those along Caroline Street, "are going to cause more issues." She urges everyone to adhere to regulations on wearing masks and social distancing while out on the town. The crowds reportedly continued as the racing season began Thursday.

"I'll take a walk down to Caroline Street at 8 o'clock at night and there are big groups of 20-somethings and teens," Dalton said. "It's a mess. The bars and restaurants know their capacity, but we can't control the streets."

This past weekend was the first of the Saratoga Race Course season. But with no fans allowed in the stands or on the grounds because of the pandemic, many have wondered if it would make the city's streets quiet as well. That, however, does not appear to be the case.

Many restaurants and bars have offered outside viewing of race action on televisions during the day, provided that crowd limits are adhered to.

"This is a critical time for Saratoga Springs to show that we can handle being open and hosting visitors responsibly - for the health and economic welfare of our city," Dalton said.

Bartender Nick Canterino of the Ice House, which is on Putnam Street, said that he and the staff are turning people away at the door to keep their place below 50% capacity.

Earlier in the week New York also put in place a requirement that patrons must purchase food along with drink orders, and that only table service will be allowed.

Harvey's Restaurant & Bar in Saratoga got national media coverage after naming a dish after Gov. Andrew Cuomo - the Cuomo Chips - in response to the new food requirements.

"It's definitely challenging," Canterino said. "People used to come in and stand up at the bar and hang out. Now, it's 100 percent table service. We have to adapt with sanitization, extra staff, serving staff. We used to have bartenders and a cocktail waitress. That's not enough staff now. We are still hiring."

It lays a financial burden on the business, too, he said, because they pay more staff and to serve fewer patrons.

After this story ran in Monday's paper, Charlie Hoertkorn who owns the Caroline Street Pub called to say that it's not the bars and restaurants that are packed, it is the streets, because his bar and others cannot allow many inside. His pub generally can handle 200. But for the reopening, no more than 32 people are allowed inside. That is forcing people to gather outside, on Caroline Street.

"We can't stop people from coming into town but we can stop them from coming inside," Hoertkorn said. "We have been turning people away at the door. We don't let them congregate outside our door."

He that he and his partners and staff are working hard to "do the best we can to keep the business afloat" by complying with all state guidelines.

Special Investigation 147 NY dams are 'unsound,' potentially dangerous Thousands of dams have not been inspected in over 20 years.

Dalton said the city will follow the Gov. Andrew Cuomo's "three strikes, you're closed" initiative. Announced on Thursday, the initiative is meant to ensure that bars and restaurants are "complying with state social distancing and face covering orders." Any establishment with three violations will be forced to closed.

"Egregious violations can result in immediate loss of liquor license or closure before a third strike," the initiative states. "Additionally, any establishment facing disciplinary charges by the State Liquor Authority will have its name and location posted publicly and updated on a weekly basis. If the state is alerted to similar noncompliance in other regions of the state, these restrictions will be extended to those areas immediately."

The state Liquor Authority has shut down very few establishments, based on its news releases on cases.

Dalton said the guidance is important to follow.

"Not only do we need to prioritize the public health of our residents and visitors, but we do not want to see businesses get shut down down or go out of business for failure to comply," she said.

Currently, she said Saratoga Springs police do not have the authority to do anything other than monitor crowds at city bars and restaurants. However, she said, the city is looking to change that.

"Last week the first municipality in New York State passed local law-enforcement measures and we are looking at that and an amendment to public health law to see if we can use anything to put enforcement measures in place," Dalton said.

Note: This story was updated on Wednesday morning.
The thesis of Bjorn Lomborgs False Alarm is simple and simplistic: Activists have been sounding a false alarm about the dangers of climate change. If we listen to them, he says, we will waste trillions of dollars, achieve little and the poor will suffer the most.

Science has provided a way to carefully balance costs and benefits, if we would only listen to its clarion call. And, of course, the villain in this false alarm, the boogeyman for all of societys ills, is the hyperventilating media. As with others in this camp, theres the pretence in this ...
For Dr. John OReilly, chief of the division of general pediatrics at Baystate Medical Center, back-to-school physicals have always been about more than ensuring his young patients are current with year-to-year immunization requirements.

The long-time pediatrician uses these sessions to keep updated on patient lives, and especially so this summer as the many lifestyle disruptions and health care concerns ushered in this spring by the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic continue until a vaccine can be safely developed and administered against the new respiratory virus first identified in China earlier this year and known as SARS-CoV-2.

The pandemic has made it clear that there will be no business as usual for the new school year, said OReilly who sees patients at Baystates High Street Health Center.

Many of OReillys patients started with him as newborns and he was asked here what impact he sees from COVID-19 on them and their families as they prepare for a new academic year shaped by infection control precautions to reduce community spread of the novel virus.

How much are families talking to you about the impact of COVID-19 on their lives?

A. I bring up the topic in every patient encounter that I have, whether that be on the phone, on a video visit, or in person. COVID-19 has created great stress on many levels for everyone. Every patient and every family is unique, and it is important to understand how everyone in the family is dealing with that stress to begin to care for any individual patient.

How anxious are families to have their children back to attending school in the fall? Or, are they worried about exposure risks to their children and family?

A. Many parents are anxious about their children going back to school. Like many aspects of the pandemic, parents are trying to find the proper balance between their desire to see their children get a good education and their need to keep their children safe.

Parents know that for many school-aged children the last few months of web-based home schooling has not provided the educational, experiential and social experiences that children need to grow and thrive. Parents want their children to have the full experience of school, but they want to do that in a safe manner.

As a pediatrician do you feel it is better for children to be in school if community transmission appears to be low?

A. A good school experience provides the academic, social, and experiential, that is, band, theater, sports, art, that lead to maximal personal and brain development. Our goal should be to create the conditions that will allow our children to go back to school safely.

What food insecurity are you seeing among your patients?

A. The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the great disparities in food access, especially in Springfield.

The majority of our patients qualified for subsidized or free meals at school, and that guaranteed them access to two nutritious meals a day.

I applaud the Springfield school and citys efforts to provide outreach to families, but food insecurity persists despite their best efforts.

With parental layoffs or furloughs family income decreased which increases food insecurity when money for food did not last all month.

The pandemic also had an impact on food banks and other community sources for food for our most vulnerable families. Community agencies are working hard to fill in the gaps, but it will take everyones advocacy and action.

Infants, children and adolescents need adequate nutrition to grow and develop.

Food insecurity has a delirious impact on the physical and psychological development of my patients and prevents them from reaching their full potential.

How have you been reaching out to parents to continue to bring in their children for checkups and vaccinations? Are kids falling behind in getting their checkups?

A. Children of all ages are falling behind on their immunizations.

COVID-19 has for the most part only produced mild illnesses in children. I fear that the drop off in well-child visits and vaccinations due to fears of COVID-19 will create a far more devastating outbreak of vaccine preventable illnesses such as measles, whooping cough (pertussis), and meningitis.

I have not seen any of my patients have severe cases of COVID-19, but I have seen over my career many children die and become permanently disabled from those vaccine preventable diseases.

To prevent such a catastrophe, we have been reaching out to our families to come into the office to get their childs well child visits and vaccines. We have put in great efforts to reassure parents that it is safe to come into the office.

We have changed schedules and patient flow so that we can ensure social distancing and separation of patients coming in for sick or well visits.

We have enhanced cleaning protocols to ensure that all spaces within the clinic are safe.

We screen everyone prior to entering the clinic for fever and COVID symptoms, and require everyone in the clinic to wear masks and do frequent hand washing.

Many children have lost grandparents to COVID-19. Are you seeing the impact of this loss on your patients and their families?

A. Many of our families have lost friends and relatives to COVID -19, and that has had a traumatic impact on many of our patients.

The loss of grandparents may be particularly hard because they often played an integral part in a familys daily life and had close connections to their grandchildren. The trauma is doubly compounded since both the parent and the children in that family have suffered a great loss and they may be experiencing grief differently.

Social distancing has prevented the usual community and ritual supports that we need to get through difficult times and that isolation only compounds distress and grief.

We have an integrated behavioral health team in our clinic who reaches out to families experiencing trauma and loss of any kind and helps arrange supports for both parents and children.

What is the biggest emotional impact the pandemic is having on children and does it differ by age group?

A. I think we all have experienced some degree of stress and anxiety during the pandemic. The same way each adult may process his or her stress differently, individual children will experience their stress and anxiety differently based on their temperament, their environment and their developmental stage.

Younger children interact with the world in a more concrete manner, and may react to stress through their behaviors such as sleep difficulties, irritability, and tantrums. Parents should treat those behaviors as a sign that their child is stressed and not as being bad.

Older children and adolescents have more abstract thinking and may have more existential concerns, that is, what will happen if...

For all parents the most important thing they can do is let their children know that they are safe and that they are loved. Parents who are concerned about their childs behavior should contact their pediatricians office.

How are you trying to talk to them about coping with the academic year ahead?

A. Pediatricians are used to giving their August speech about getting kids ready for school. We always talk about getting kids into sleep and daytime routines that will get the kids ready for the school day schedules. Getting kids eyes off of screens and into books is always part of the speech.

Each age groups gets specific advice about how parents can prepare their student for the upcoming year. Now we will be incorporating pandemic safety routines such as frequent hand washing, social distancing, and mask wearing into the speech.

Pediatricians have always made sure that the returning athletes have been getting their bodies ready for their fall sport. After a few months of lounging have they been doing their stretches and their daily exercise program to get ready for a successful season?

We will now need to be sure that after many months of a layoff do all our students have their brains and bodies ready to learn? Are they doing some reading and writing daily? Have they used their YouTube time to look at any of the math or science videos for their grade?

The brain is the most important part of any students body, and it needs to get in shape for the school year ahead.

How much do you talk with kids about wearing masks and social distancing? What do you say?

A. Again, it depends on their developmental stage. For the youngest kids their mask may be part of their superhero costume with magic hand sanitizer and force field social distancing.

For older kids we can add a little more of the science, but address the social issues that are important developmentally for someone finding their identity and their group.

I think finding ways for children to be involved in their precautions such as helping design or draw on their masks may help empower them and make it more likely they will comply with the pandemic precautions.

Are you seeing any unexpected increase in any certain health conditions in kids?

A. Quarantine and social distancing have really limited the usual range of other infections such as viral illnesses and strep throats that usually fill our office.

I think we are seeing an increased number of patients who are experiencing stress and anxiety that manifests as a wide range of behaviors. It runs the gamut from kids who wont go to bed and kids who wont get out of bed or out of their rooms.

Parents should reach out to pediatricians with their behavioral concerns just as they would their physical concerns about their children. Behavioral health issues like most physical health issues are best treated when identifying issues early and getting the proper treatment as soon as possible.

What advice are you giving parents in terms of keeping up with their childrens medical needs?

Parents and pediatricians are partners in keeping children healthy and thriving. Good communication and good teamwork are an important part of any partnership.

Each child has unique needs and parents should feel free to contact their pediatricians office if there are any concerns about either acute illnesses or chronic conditions such as asthma.

Pediatricians are ready to help keep children healthy with needed vaccines, medications, and either in person or virtual visits.

Are you screening for multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children?

A. Yes. We have been trying to educate parents about the symptoms of MIS-C, and we have been asking parents to call in with any concerns. Our triage nurses are aware of the syndrome and ask about symptoms when they speak to parents. Luckily it is a rare complication of COVID-19 but we know early detection and treatment is key to successful treatment so we are on alert to detect it.
Indian ship worker Tejasvi Duseja is desperate to go home after months stranded offshore by coronavirus border closures and lockdowns that have left more than 200,000 seafarers in limbo.

From engineers on cargo ships to waiters on luxury cruise liners, ocean-based workers around the world have been caught up in what the United Nations warns is a growing humanitarian crisis that has been blamed for several suicides.

Many have been trapped on vessels for months after their tours were supposed to end as travel restrictions disrupted normal crew rotations.

"Mentally, I am just done with it... but I'm still holding up because I have no other option," Duseja, 27, told AFP via WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger in late June as the Indian-owned cargo vessel he works on floated near Malaysia.

Duseja, one of roughly 30,000 Indian workers unable to leave their ships, had extended his seven-month contract a few months before the pandemic struck. "The last time I stepped off from this 200-metre (650-foot) ship was in February," he said.

Seafarers typically work for six to eight months at a stretch before disembarking and flying back to their home countries, with new crews taking their place.

But as the deadly virus whipped around the world and paralysed international travel, that was suddenly impossible.

Underscoring the growing urgency of the situation, more than a dozen countries at a UK-hosted International Maritime Summit this month vowed to recognise seafarers as "key workers" to help them get home.

Uncertainty

Philippine luxury cruise ship technician Cherokee Capajo spent nearly four months on ships without setting foot on land due to virus shutdowns.

The 31-year-old had barely heard of COVID-19 when he boarded the Carnival Ecstasy in Florida in late January.

Soon, a number of Carnival-owned cruise ships were stricken with severe outbreaks -- including the Diamond Princess in Japan. After the Ecstasy passengers disembarked in Jacksonville on March 14, Capajo and his colleagues were forced to stay on board for the next seven weeks.

Finally, on May 2, the ship sailed to the Bahamas where Capajo says he and 1,200 crew members were transferred to another boat that took them to Jakarta before arriving in Manila Bay on June 29.

He wanted to "kiss the ground" when he came ashore nearly two weeks later after finishing quarantine. "This could probably be the hardest part of my experience as a seaman because you are not sure what will happen every day," Capajo told AFP via Facebook Messenger last week, as he endured a second quarantine near his hometown in the central Philippines.

"You worry if you'll ever come back home, how long will you be stuck on the ship. It's difficult. It's really sad."

Filipinos account for around a quarter of the world's seafarers. About 80,000 of them are stranded because of the pandemic, according to Philippine authorities.

Mental strain

The ordeal has taken a toll on the mental health of many seafarers, with reports of some taking their own lives.

In one case, a Filipino worker died of "apparent self-harm" on the cruise ship Scarlet Lady as it anchored off Florida in May, according to the US Coast Guard.

Shipping industry groups have expressed their concerns about "suicide and self-harm" among workers in a joint letter to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, who said last month some seafarers have been "marooned at sea for 15 months".

An International Labour Organization (ILO) convention widely known as the Seafarers' Bill of Rights limits a worker's single tour of duty to less than 12 months.

The strain is also being felt by families waiting at home. Priyamvada Basanth said she did not know when she would see her husband who has been at sea for eight months on a ship owned by a Hong Kong company.

"The government is not even doing anything," said Basanth, from Kochi. "I just want him to come home."

Lala Tolentino, who runs the Philippine office for a UK-based seafarers support group, said they had been swamped by "hundreds" of pleas for help from stranded workers since March.

"They want to know what will happen to them, where they are going. Will they be able to get off their ships," she told AFP.

Many of those stuck onboard completed their tours more than four months ago and were exhausted, the ILO said last month.

For Duseja, who comes from the northern Indian city of Dehradun at the foothills of the Himalayas, the end of his ordeal is in sight. "I'm still on the ship," he told AFP in a WhatsApp message last week.

"But mentally, I am feeling slightly better because I've been told that I'm finally getting off the ship mid-August."
RTHK: Man detained over Nantes fire denies involvement

The lawyer for a 39-year-old Rwandan refugee detained after a fire at the 15th-century cathedral in the French city of Nantes said nothing directly linked his client to the incident.

"To my knowledge, as things stand there is nothing that directly links my client to the cathedral fire. I'd like to remind everyone of the presumption of innocence for my client," lawyer Quentin Chabert told reporters on Sunday.

He also said "politicians are meddling in the situation" and that should not prevent a sense of perspective over a fire that had not endangered human life, although it caused significant damage.

The blaze at the Cathedral of Saint Pierre and Saint Paul destroyed stained glass windows and the cathedral's grand organ.

The man, who was not named, worked as a volunteer for the cathedral and had been in charge of locking up the building on Friday night, LCI television said, citing prosecutor Pierre Sennes.

Sennes said the man was being held to clear up inconsistencies in his schedule.

On Saturday, he said three fires had been started at the site and there had been no signs of a break-in. Authorities said an investigation for suspected arson had been opened.

The cathedral's rector Father Hubert Champenois told BFM TV the man in custody had worked for several years at the cathedral and he trusted him completely.

The fire began on Saturday morning and engulfed the inside of the Gothic structure. Firefighters brought it under control after several hours and extinguished it completely by the afternoon.

It happened just over a year after a fire at the Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris destroyed its roof and main spire. (Reuters)

This story has been published on: 2020-07-19. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
Fox News Chris Wallace corrected President Donald Trumps false claim about Sen. Bernie Sanders and former Vice President Joe Biden in a pre-taped interview set to air Sunday.

They run them poorly, said Trump of Democrats who lead large cities. It was always bad but now its gotten totally out of control and its really because they want to defund the police and Biden wants to defund the police.

Sir, he does not, said Wallace.

He signed a charter with Bernie Sanders, Trump replied, referring to a platform proposal released last week by Biden, the Democratic partys presumptive presidential nominee. The unity platform, made in conjunction with Sanders team, suggests police reforms like banning chokeholds and ending racial profiling.

Wallace replied, It says nothing about defunding the police.

Oh really? It says abolish, it says. Lets go, get me the charter, please, said Trump.

The full list of proposals, which does not include abolishing the police, can be found here.

Trump told Wallace that Chicago and New York are liberally run and stupidly run, which he blames for a recent increase in shootings and other forms of violence.

When Wallace pointed out Democratic politicians have been running American cities for decades, Trump countered, poorly.

Watch the Fox News Sunday preview clip above, via Fox News.

Read original story Watch Chris Wallace Rebut Trumps False Claim That Biden Wants to Defund the Police (Video) At TheWrap
JOHANNESBURG - The number of people around the world who have died as a result of the coronavirus has passed the 600,000 mark as countries from the U.S. to South Africa to India struggle to contain infections. Hong Kong also warned of a resurgence in the virus as it issued tougher new rules on the wearing of face masks.

Concerns are rising that the pandemic has found fresh legs over the past few weeks, with Johns Hopkins University and the World Health Organization both recording daily highs in newly reported infections.

Pope Francis said that the pandemic is showing no sign of stopping and pointed to those whose suffering from the outbreak is worsened by conflicts.

While the U.S. leads global infections, South Africa now ranks as the fifth worst-hit country in the pandemic with more than 350,000 cases, or around half of all those confirmed on the continent. Its struggles are a sign of potential trouble to come for nations with even fewer health care resources.

India, which has now confirmed more than a million infections, on Sunday reported a 24-hour record surge of 38,902 new cases.

In Europe, where infections are far from their peak in the spring but local outbreaks are causing concern, leaders of the 27-nation European Union haggled for a third day in Brussels over a proposed 1.85 trillion-euro ($2.1 trillion) EU budget and coronavirus recovery fund.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel said there is a lot of good will, but there are also a lot of positions in the talks, which have have laid bare the fissures in the bloc about how the countries hit hardest by the pandemic, such as Italy and Spain, should be helped and under what conditions. She said the talks, which were initially scheduled to end on Saturday, could still end without a deal.

Confirmed global deaths from or with COVID-19 rose to more than 602,000, according to data compiled by Johns Hopkins. The United States tops the list with over 140,000, followed by more than 78,000 in Brazil, 45,000 in the United Kingdom and 38,000 in Mexico.

The number of confirmed infections worldwide has passed 14.2 million, with 3.7 million accounted for by the United States alone. Brazil has witnessed more than 2 million while India has recorded over 1 million. Experts believe the true numbers around the world are higher because of testing shortages and data collection issues in some nations.

Infections have been soaring in U.S. states such as Florida, Texas, Arizona, with many blaming a haphazard approach to the lifting of the lockdowns as well as the resistance of some Americans to wearing masks.

Even where the situation has been largely brought under control, new outbreaks continue to worry authorities and prompt the return of some restrictions.

Following a recent surge in cases, Hong Kong made the wearing of masks mandatory in all public places and told non-essential civil servants to work from home. Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam said the situation in the Asian financial hub is really critical and that she sees no sign that its under control.

Police in Barcelona are limiting access to some of the citys beaches because sunbathers are ignoring regulations amid a resurgence of the coronavirus. Authorities in Amsterdam are urging people not to visit the citys famous red light district and have closed off some of the historic districts narrow streets because they are too busy.

Slaughterhouses also have featured in several outbreaks. Authorities in northwestern Germanys Vechta county said Saturday that 66 workers at a chicken slaughterhouse tested positive. That is much smaller than a recent outbreak in western Germany that prompted local authorities to order a partial lockdown.

Cases in the Australian state of Victoria rose again on Sunday, prompting a move to make masks mandatory in metropolitan Melbourne and the nearby district of Mitchell for people who leave their homes for exercise or to purchase essential goods.

Victoria Premier Daniel Andrews said those who fail to wear a mask will be fined 200 Australian dollars ($140).

Theres no vaccine to this wildly infectious virus and its a simple thing, but its about changing habits, its about becoming a simple part of your routine, Andrews said.

Speaking on Sunday from his studio window overlooking St. Peters Square, Pope Francis renewed his appeal for an immediate worldwide cease-fire that he said will permit the peace and security indispensable to supplying the necessary humanitarian assistance.

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Moulson contributed from Berlin. Associated Press writers around the world contributed to this report.

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Follow AP pandemic coverage at http://apnews.com/VirusOutbreak and https://apnews.com/UnderstandingtheOutbreak
The Department of Health used to be the place to dump a minister. It was once described as 'Angola' - a place where only problems emerged and never solutions. Now that title seems to have been transferred to education, and last week we had another example of how not to do things.

The new minister, Norma Foley, spoke in the Dail last Thursday. There wasn't a mention of the Leaving Cert but that evening came an announcement that the results would not be available until September.

Last Friday, the minister said she did not give the news in the Dail as she wanted to inform the "education partners first". That obviously does not include school principals, parents or the students themselves.

Those students, who have been kicked around from pillar to post, had given their email addresses to the department about seven weeks ago. Why could the department not have banged out an email to all of them, outlining the changes? And one to the schools too.

We principals have got used to getting drip-fed information from education correspondents in newspapers or from RTE. A little bit of courtesy would go a long way.

A minister who has come straight from the classroom has no understanding of the complexities of management. Why would they? It's not their job. But it is disappointing that Foley appears to be just reacting rather than directing.

She needs to learn quickly that the officials in the various bodies associated with education - not just the department itself - work for her, not the other way round. And when she has nothing to say, then say nothing. An interview in this newspaper last Sunday was very ill-advised.

I can never understand why CAO offers cannot come out on the same day as the Leaving Cert results. A student should get them together. One body argues it's not their business to liaise with another. It is up to the minister just to say: "Get it done."

It's only a piece of software which is needed and the CAO has the results well before the students get them.

It would mean less stress and anxiety for students and parents as they wait those extra days to see if they have their preferred college place. With results running into September, the importance of getting on with the process is of greater significance. Getting accommodation in Dublin, Cork, Limerick, Galway or some other town becomes critical.

The only advice I would offer the minister is that all results in September should go straight to students. The last thing principals and teachers need while we're trying to get up and running for a new year is to have disgruntled students and parents wandering around with an axe to grind.

With disappointments in the past, at least we could all blame some outside body. Now it is all too close to home and students and parents will direct their fire at teachers in their own schools. That is as sure as night follows day.

Of course there is a pastoral and advice role which schools carry out at this time, but that can wait until the dust settles.

A lecturer in engineering long ago always finished up by saying "and flat roofs leak".

My finish from now on will be "we should have had the Leaving".

Since it was cancelled, we have lurched from one mess to another - and it's not over yet.

Not by a long way.

Colm O'Rourke is principal of St Patrick's Classical School in Navan, Co Meath
UOB and Getz collaboration dishes up lower food delivery costs for F&B businesses and helps them build their online storefronts quickly

UOB clients who take up Getzs solution will enjoy lowered transaction fees for online sales

getz

Image credit: Harshil Shah (no changes were made to original image)

United Overseas Bank (UOB) on July 16 announced that it is collaborating with Getz, an end-to-end food and beverage (F&B) digital solution provider, to help F&B businesses set up their online storefronts quickly while also lowering the cost of delivering food to consumers.

With almost seven in 10 consumers saying that they will continue to order food online even as COVID-19 restrictions are eased, UOB has tied-up with Getz to help F&B businesses provide home delivery services more cost effectively. Under the collaboration, F&B merchants using Getzs food delivery solution will only need to pay transaction fees capped at a maximum of four per cent of their online sales  a discount of up to 50 per cent from Getzs usual rates. This enables them to retain more income from each online food order they have delivered through Getzs network of logistics providers.

For F&B merchants without an online presence, the UOB-Getz tie-up will also enable them to set up their online store, complete with digital payment capabilities, in less than a week.

Getzs solution also enables F&B operators to overcome their cash flow concerns, a top concern for more than one in two small businesses in Singapore (55 per cent), according to a UOB survey. Using the Getz solution, they will receive payment in just two business days, thereby providing some cash flow relief.

Mr Mervyn Koh, Country Head of Business Banking Singapore, UOB, said, As a result of the business disruptions caused by COVID-19, many F&B companies have suffered significant falls in revenue. Even as many went online, many smaller companies found setting up their online storefront and managing the cost of using food delivery services an added stress during already challenging times.

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As such, we not only wanted to help more of our nations restaurants, cafes and hawker stalls generate revenue by going online, but also enable them to retain most of the profits from their toil. Through the collaboration, we not only help F&B businesses overcome their immediate cost challenges but also support them in enhancing their business models for the long term by having multiple revenue streams and a wider customer base.

Under the collaboration, UOB will also support F&B merchants who are using Getzs solution with their marketing efforts. The Bank will feature these F&B merchants on UOBs The Dining Advisor online marketplace which attracts more than 43,000 diners monthly. The Bank will also offer UOB cardmembers promotional codes to order from these merchants, helping them attract new customers and build customer loyalty. These promotional codes will be featured on The Dining Advisor and the Banks all-in-one mobile banking app, UOB Mighty.

Mr Steve Wah, Managing Director, Getz, said, While more F&B businesses are going digital to cater to the change in consumer dining habits, many are finding it a challenge to stand out and to attract new customers. As such, it is important for them to market their business in order to receive online orders. Our collaboration with UOB enables us to provide our F&B merchants an edge as they will be able to reach an existing pool of consumers who are actively looking for dining options.

In addition, merchants will also be able to use Getzs solution to create a digital customer relationship management system. This will help them to market to their customers more easily and cost-effectively, thereby helping to improve customer retention for more sustainable sales growth across their in-store and online channels.

A F&B business who has taken up the solution is Mr Sylvester Soon, second-generation owner of Melben Seafood Restaurant. While the economy has re-opened gradually, my experience during the circuit breaker period highlighted the importance of having an online sales channel to increase my business resilience. Through Getzs solution, I was able to double my online sales, thus helping to minimise the impact of the circuit breaker on my overall sales revenue. I was also able to manage my online food orders and the delivery processes efficiently and easily.

I am looking forward to the cost savings that I will be able to gain from fulfilling food deliveries under UOBs and Getzs collaboration. The savings will make a big difference in ensuring that it is profitable for me to continue offering food delivery options to my customers in the long run. The collaboration will also give us a boost in our marketing efforts, enabling Melben Seafood Restaurant to reach new customers, Mr Soon said.

Mr Paul Ho, chief officer at iCompareLoan, said, ride hailing and food-hailing apps are especially useful in a crisis like this.

DBS Bank and Gojek on 15 July announced that more than 1.7 million DBS PayLah! users can now book and pay for their Gojek rides directly through the PayLah! platform. The move will provide more convenient access to transport services and boost the adoption of digital payments.

The integration of Gojeks services into the DBS PayLah! platform deepens the strategic partnership between the two companies, which was inked in 2018 at the time of Gojeks launch in Singapore, where all five million DBS/POSB customers enjoyed exclusive early access to Gojeks services. More than 100,000 Gojek rides were booked by PayLah! users in the first month of the launch.

The post Getz and UOB collaboration helps lower food delivery costs for F&B appeared first on iCompareLoan Resources.
Nick Cannon on Wednesday issued a lengthy apology on Twitter to the Jewish community for his "hurtful and divisive words" but offered no apology for calling white people "evil" subhumans and "savage barbarians."





First and foremost I extend my deepest and most sincere apologies to my Jewish sisters and brothers for the hurtful and divisive words that came out of my mouth during my interview with Richard Griffin.  Nick Cannon (@NickCannon) July 16, 2020

While the Jewish experience encompasses more than 5,000 years and there is so much I have yet to learn, I have had at least a minor history lesson over the past few days and to say that it is eye-opening would be a vast understatement.  Nick Cannon (@NickCannon) July 16, 2020

I want to assure my Jewish friends, new and old, that this is only the beginning of my education am committed to deeper connections, more profound learning and strengthening the bond between our two cultures today and every day going forward.  Nick Cannon (@NickCannon) July 16, 2020

I just had the blessed opportunity to converse with Rabbi Abraham Cooper director of global social action @SimonWiesenthal My first words to my brother was, I apologize for the hurt I caused the Jewish Community....  Nick Cannon (@NickCannon) July 16, 2020

On my podcast I used words & referenced literature I assumed to be factual to uplift my community instead turned out to be hateful propaganda and stereotypical rhetoric that pained another community For this I am deeply sorry but now together we can write a new chapter of healing  Nick Cannon (@NickCannon) July 16, 2020



"Notice he hasn't apologized (nor will he) for his racist beliefs about white people being 'evil' because of 'genetics,'" conservative commentator Mark Dice remarked on Twitter. "That kind of 'hate speech' is allowed."





And....the crisis management team has stepped in trying to salvage what's left of Nick Cannon's career. Notice he hasn't apologized (nor will he) for his racist beliefs about white people being "evil" because of "genetics." That kind of "hate speech" is allowed. https://t.co/OOLkplODik  Mark Dice (@MarkDice) July 16, 2020



Cannon had refused to apologize just one day earlier.





INBOX: ViacomCBS terminates relationship with Nick Cannon after he refuses to apologize or acknowledge wrongdoing by spreading blatantly anti-Semitic conspiracy theories pic.twitter.com/BD94qu5jws  Peter J. Hasson (@peterjhasson) July 15, 2020



Breakfast Club radio host Charlamagne responded to news of Cannon's firing by saying: "If there's one thing Jewish people have showed us, it's they have the power."



"I can't wait until the day black people are able to fire people for saying things about us that we deem racist," Charlamagne said.





"If theres one thing Jewish people have showed us, its they have the power. I cant wait until the day black people are able to fire people for saying things about us that we deem racist."@cthagod defends Nick Cannon after firing.https://t.co/9tGUnz36Jn  Washington Examiner (@dcexaminer) July 15, 2020



Charlamagne has yet to apologize.







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Two bodies have been found inside a home on the New South Wales Central Coast.

Police were called to a home in Ettalong Beach about 4.30pm on Sunday amid concerns for the occupier's welfare.

When they arrived, they found the body of a 90-year-old woman in one room.

The body of a 70-year-old woman was found in another room.

The women were found inside a unit near the back of a villa complex on Breen Street.

Police have established a crime scene and investigations are underway.

Initial investigations suggest there were no suspicious circumstances in the death of the two women.

LIFELINE 13 11 14

More to come.
While San Mateo County has yet to be placed on Californias coronavirus watch list, beauty salons, houses of worship and other indoor businesses are trying to hang onto a small sense of normalcy, despite a potential countywide shutdown looming.

As of Saturday, San Mateo remained the only Bay Area county not on the states watch list of places struggling to contain the coronavirus spread. But that could change soon, which would cause the automatic closure of many indoor businesses, as well as distance learning for schools.

Having a second closure is going to hurt. If the governor tells us to shut down, is he going to pay my commercial rent? Do they want me to declare bankruptcy? Im going to lose my business. Im going to lose my shop, said Jose Rodriguez, owner of J. Vincent Hair Loft in Redwood City. It messes me up. I worked hard to get where Im at. And having it just go away, its very painful.

Rodriguez said his financial struggles began in March when he shut down his downtown salon following the first shelter-in-place order. He reopened on June 22, as did Reconnect Hair Design in Burlingame. At Reconnect, Melissa Macarai, who works as a hair stylist and receptionist, said several employees had to file for unemployment during the closure.

Its our livelihood, and we cant make it unless we are making money, she said. Its getting so defeating and so discouraging. The worst part is the uncertainty, the unpredictability.

Macarai said her business has numerous safety protocols in place, including customers having their temperature taken; everyone having to wear a mask; and customers shampooing their hair at home before coming to the salon. But the efforts wont be able to forestall a closure.

At St. Brunos Catholic Church in San Bruno, the churchs executive secretary, Roger Tellez, said a potential shutdown has spurred the church to plan alternative settings for services. As of now, the church is continuing to host service indoors, but Tellez said tents and covered areas are going to be placed outside of the building so the community can still worship if the state orders a renewed shutdown.

Its happening all around us right now so it would be crazy not think its going to happen here, he said.

The state criteria to determine whether a county needs to be placed on the watch list include the number of coronavirus cases, number of tests performed, rate of positive results, a rise in hospitalizations, available ICU beds and available ventilators. Counties are placed on the list if they trend poorly in at least one area for three consecutive days. San Francisco was added to the list on Friday.

As of Friday, San Mateo County had just 13% of acute-care beds and 16% of ICU beds available, though it has the capacity to add more beds in the event of a surge.

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.

Were not on the watch list now, but I wouldnt be surprised if we were added early next week, Supervisor David Canepa told The Chronicle on Saturday.

The coronavirus continues to spread rapidly across the area. On Saturday, Alameda County reported 161 new cases, Contra Costa County 130, Santa Clara County 169 and San Mateo 58. Not all counties report numbers on weekends.

In a statement to The Chronicle on Saturday, Louise Rogers, chief of San Mateo County Health, said the countys infection rate would probably have it on the list soon.

Like many other counties, we are concerned about being put on the COVID-19 monitoring list by the state. It impacts our community significantly from economically to mental health challenges, Rogers said. If we are put on the monitoring list, we are prepared to rapidly distribute this information into the community to allow residents and businesses to dial back activities the state will limit as they have for other counties.

Justin Phillips is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: jphillips@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @JustMrPhillips
A surge in the deadly attacks by Baloch separatists in Pakistan has sent the risks and costs of China's ambitious Belt and Road projects soaring while Beijing's interests at the strategic Gwadar port on the Arabia Sea were caught up in the proxy war between Islamabad and Tehran, according to a media report.

IMAGE: Baloch human rights activists protest against Pakistan and China over human rights violations in Balochistan. Photograph: ANI Photo

Security risks and costs of the $60 billion China-Pakistan Economic Corridor are rising amid a resurgence of the deadly attacks by separatists in the troubled Balochistan province, home to the Chinese-operated port of Gwadar, a report in Hong Kong-based South China Morning Post said.

The Belt and Road Initiative aims to link Southeast Asia, Central Asia, the Gulf region, Africa and Europe with a network of land and sea route.

The CPEC is the flagship project of President Xi Jinping's ambitious BRI.

In the third such attack since May, militants opened fire on a patrolling paramilitary convoy in Panjgur district on Tuesday, killing three soldiers and wounding eight others, including an army colonel.

Militant ethnic Baloch factions have also recently expanded their range of operations to adjoining Sindh province and its provincial capital Karachi, according to the report.

Beijing's stakes in Sindh are as high as they are in Balochistan, it said.

China's state-owned enterprises run container terminals at Karachi port and have invested in nuclear and coal power projects established both under the umbrella of the CPEC and in partnership with local corporations, it said.

On June 29, four militants were killed by police commandos when they tried to shoot their way into the Karachi Stock Exchange, which is 40 per cent owned by a consortium of three Chinese bourses.

Baloch groups have not only intensified their attacks but also expanded the outreach of their terrorist violence beyond Balochistan, but it is hard to predict whether this trend will persist, Mohammad Amir Rana, director of the Pakistan Institute for Peace Studies, an Islamabad-based think tank, told the Post.

He said Baloch insurgent factions had historically preferred to conduct low-intensity attacks, while their high-intensity attacks had tended to come in waves lasting only for a few weeks.

Rana said the CPEC projects and Chinese personnel remained well protected by the dedicated 13,700-strong Special Security Division, led by a two-star Pakistani army general, established in 2017.

Only low-intensity attacks have been reported around the CPEC project sites, but the financial cost of the security [to Pakistan] is high, he said.

Beijing's political risks are also escalating because of a renewed wave of public anger in many parts of Balochistan against human rights abuses by Pakistani troops deployed to crush the low-intensity insurgency in the province, the report said.

In June, Akhtar Mengal, leader of the Balochistan National Party-Mengal, parted ways with the ruling coalition led by Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan's party, citing the government's failure to bring a halt to state-enforced disappearances.

In a subsequent interview with the BBC's Urdu-language service, Mengal said more than 1,500 Baloch had disappeared since Prime Minister Khan took office in 2018 and claimed that he had personally secured the release of nearly 500 people from the custody of the security forces.

Because of the political and security situation in Balochistan, China's CPEC investments in the province have hitherto been limited to the development of the Gwadar Port and a road linking it to the coastal highway to Karachi.

The port is not yet fully operational and only recently handled its Afghan transhipment cargo. The city continues to suffer severe power and water shortages, the report said.

Also, Chinese geopolitical interests at Gwadar, the Arabian Sea outlet of the corridor running overland from Xinjiang, have become caught up in a web of espionage and proxy warfare involving Pakistan and Iran, it said.

Both have accused each other of allying with each other's nemeses, India and Saudi Arabia respectively, to support cross-border attacks, it said.

Iran is highly suspicious of Pakistan and its relationship with arch-rival Saudi Arabia, especially since Riyadh was invited in late 2018 to establish a USD 10 billion oil refinery and storage facility at Gwadar.

The Iranians feel that Pakistan is not doing enough to secure the border on its side, said Seyed Mohammed Marandi, a professor of English literature and oriental studies at the University of Tehran and renowned political commentator.

A lot of Saudi money has gone to extremist groups in this region and the Saudis have funded these [Jaish ul-Adl] terrorists, he told the Post.

Similarly, Pakistan is deeply concerned about India's involvement at Iran's Chabahar Port, which is competing with Gwadar for transit cargoes heading to landlocked Afghanistan.

Politicians have warned that popular resentment towards federal government policies in Balochistan is dangerously close to igniting a wider uprising, it said.

Pakistan's former president Asif Ali Zardari last month said the state needed to be more careful in Balochistan.

Journalist Kiyya Baloch said Chinese security concerns would continue to drag on the pace at which CPEC projects in Gwadar have been developed.

Despite increasing diplomatic engagement, it is highly unlikely Beijing will make any significant further investment in Gwadar until security is improved, Baloch said.
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Israeli police used water cannons on hundreds of demonstrators around Benjamin Netanyahu's home last night as protests mounted against the Prime Minister over corruption claims and his handling of the coronavirus crisis.

Hit by high unemployment, a sharp rise in COVID-19 cases and reimposed coronavirus curbs, Israelis have taken to the streets in almost daily demonstrations against the government.

Public anger has been compounded by corruption alleged against Netanyahu, who went on trial in May for bribery, fraud and breach of trust - charges he denies.

In Jerusalem hundreds gathered outside the prime minister's residence and then marched through the streets, calling for Netanyahu's resignation as police used water cannons to disperse the crowds. At least two people were arrested, police said.

Meanwhile, in Tel Aviv, Israel's commercial hub, thousands gathered at a rally by the beach, demanding better state aid to businesses hurt by coronavirus restrictions and to people who have lost jobs or have been put on unpaid leave. Unemployment presently stands at 21%.

A young protester kneels and holds the Israeli flag aloft as he is drenched with a water cannon by police in Jerusalem

Demonstrators raised their arms and put their hands on their head as they were soaked with water cannons by police last night

Hundreds of Israelis, many wearing face masks and holding torches and flags, took to the streets last night for the protest

A masked protester in Tel Aviv, where thousands gathered last night, holds up a sign in Hebrew which reads 'Out of touch, we are fed up'

Public anger has been compounded by corruption alleged against Benjamin Netanyahu, who went on trial in May for bribery, fraud and breach of trust - charges he denies

An Israeli policeman speaks with a protester lying under the police water cannon truck during a protest against Benjamin Netanyahu

A woman holds flowers as she participates in a protest against the Israeli government's handling of coronavirus pandemic

Demonstrators, many wearing face coverings, raise their hands as they clash with police officers during the protest in Jerusalem last night

A poll by the nonpartisan Israel Democracy Institute on Tuesday found only 29.5% of the public trust Netanyahu's handling of the coronavirus crisis

Protesters run as police deploy water cannons during the demonstration around the Prime Minister's residence last night

Israeli protesters chanted slogans and raised their arms aloft during a demonstration against alleged corruption in the country

Israel's Reshet TV News said police in Tel Aviv used tear gas to try to disperse the demonstrators who had marched through the streets.

It broadcast footage of scuffles with police. Police said arrests were under way at that demonstration.

Israel appeared to have largely contained a first wave of coronavirus infections earlier this year.

However, a reopening of schools and businesses that critics say was hasty sent infections soaring and the country has begun to reimpose new restrictions on gatherings.

The crisis has battered the economy and sent unemployment skyrocketing.

The number of Israelis who have died from COVID-19 is nearing 400 and officials have reported about 47,000 confirmed cases of coronavirus infections among its population of nine million.

A poll by the nonpartisan Israel Democracy Institute on Tuesday found only 29.5% of the public trust Netanyahu's handling of the crisis.

Netanyahu has announced numerous economic aid packages, some of which have been slow to come through while others have drawn criticism for being ineffective.

Hit by high unemployment, a sharp rise in COVID-19 cases and reimposed coronavirus curbs, Israelis have taken to the streets in almost daily demonstrations against the government

Israelis wearing protective face masks burn a rubbish bin as they take part in a demonstration in the coastal city of Tel Aviv

Demonstrators holding placards are blocked off by a group of Israeli police during a demonstration in Tel Aviv last night

In Tel Aviv, many protesters stuck to advice to limit the spread of coronavirus by wearing face coverings and maintaining a distance

Israel's Reshet TV News said police in Tel Aviv used tear gas to try to disperse the demonstrators who had marched through the streets

Israel appeared to have largely contained a first wave of coronavirus infections earlier this year, but a reopening of schools and businesses that critics say was hasty sent infections soaring and the country has begun to reimpose new restrictions on gatherings

A member of the security personnel appears to push a protester during a demonstration in Tel Aviv, Israel, last night

The number of Israelis who have died from COVID-19 is nearing 400 and officials have reported about 47,000 confirmed cases of coronavirus infections among its population of nine million

Netanyahu has announced numerous economic aid packages, some of which have been slow to come through while others have drawn criticism for being ineffective

Protesters crouched down as Israeli police used water cannons to disperse crowds of hundreds in Jerusalem last night
Andhra Pradesh Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president Kanna Lakshmi Narayana on Saturday (July 18) wrote a letter to Andhra Pradesh Governor Biswabhushan Harichandan, requesting him not to approve state capital decentralisation bills.

Narayana wrote the letter after the Decentralisation of Capital bill and the Capital Region Development Authority (CRDA) repeal bill was sent to Governor Harichandan on Saturday by Andhra Pradesh government for his assent.

In his letter, Narayana mentioned that the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act provides for only one capital and also listed several reasons why the state government should stick with Amaravati as the only capital of Andhra Pradesh.

It may be recalled that both these bills have been approved by Andhra Pradesh Assembly but are yet to be passed by council.The Opposition TDP, which enjoys a majority in the Council, has sent the bills to a select committee.

On January 20, the Andhra Pradesh Cabinet had approved three capital formula-- Secretariat at Visakhapatnam, High Court at Kurnool and Assembly at Amaravathi. The decision was taken during a meeting of the Council of Ministers ahead of the special Assembly session called by Chief Minister Jagan Mohan Reddy.
Indias petrochemical industry faces challenges posed by workforce shortages and supply chain disruptions across the country including weaker domestic demand.

The widespread of Covid-19 has presented these challenges to the Indian petrochemical industry, since the nation-wide lockdown imposed in late March 2020 (eased over the past few weeks).

Most of the upcoming projects are largely concentrated in developed western states such as Gujarat and Maharashtra, mostly targeting the growing demand in the country. Additionally, companies are likely to implement contingency plans to mitigate the impact on vendor services and equipment deliveries due to the lockdown and restrictions, says GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company.

Dayanand Kharade, Oil and Gas Analyst at GlobalData, comments: Globally, India leads with the largest pre-construction capacity additions in the world. The outbreak of Covid-19 pandemic and consequent lockdowns has set forth new constraints in the progress of petrochemical projects. Companies are likely to re-evaluate their investment plans on new projects and this could alter the financial investment decisions (FIDs), especially the projects targeting FIDs in 2020 foresee higher risk of postponement. Global oversupply concerns and weaker domestic demand are also expected to elevate risks of project/FID delays over the short term.

The pandemic has significantly impacted business operations of the companies through interruptions in production and supply chains, labor shortages, idling/closure of plants etc.

Producers are likely to maintain lower utilisation rates and would continue to closely monitor changes to future economic conditions, which looks challenging in the short-term. Companies are likely to slash capital and operational spend, in response to demand crunch and drop in oil prices caused by the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic

Kharade concludes: The demand for petrochemicals in India is likely to be hit hard in 2020, as growth concerns in key end-use segments such as construction, automotive etc. have been impacted. Some of the other end-use segments such as packaging, healthcare, consumer etc., often termed as essential services, continue to grip demand going down further. Demand growth of key polymers in India is expected to deteriorate in 2020 to around 1%, after an average growth of around 5% in recent times. -- Tradearabia News Service
As the corona pandemic takes its checkered course of high infliction and decline, uneven territorial spread and threat of relapse, there is a universal consensus on setting off initiatives for reviving the economic activity that had been pushed to a near paralysis over the months of this crisis. The latter had quite simply brought lives of individuals, societies and nations to a standstill and put the country's economy on the path of negative growth.

Understanding the pandemic would have come easier to individuals with a scientific temperament but systems of governance generally were so overtaken by the pace of the unknown contagion that dissemination of appropriate information among the general masses became a casualty initially. Consequently, people in general were early on seized by a disproportionate pall of fear which had the effect of delaying the mitigation processes. Fortunately, India having made up for some lost time, is in a position to formulate a strategy of economic recovery resting on an assessment of the 'predictability' of corona's spread based on analysis of data, study of its pattern of advance on the ground and identification of the sources of vulnerability among its human targets.

This has, in turn, helped the determination of ways and means of preventing its incidence and reducing its severity through calibrated 'counter -measures'. The whole challenge bears resemblance to working out an Intelligence-based response to a threat which, in this case, happened to endanger the socio-economic existence of the people around the world.

The strategic framework of this response -- that would also be conducive to economic recovery -- has to have five basic planks.

First is the universal acceptance of a working hypothesis that an equation had to be envisaged between 'life and livelihood' in which the risk had to be made minimal to the point where it could be intelligently avoided by all, regardless of distinctions of class and creed. Social distancing -- now well understood as the pivot of all mitigation efforts -- had to be continued during the return to work. Secondly, 'regional calibration' of the pandemic is a realistic requirement for business or production activity that is re- launched either as part of an old established enterprise or as a startup. Lifting of the lockdown, return of public transport and reappearance of the local supply chain presaged the resurrection of business operations and these are all part of a heavily regionalised context . Even where the reinstallation of a project was achieved, its business connectivity with adjoining areas in terms of the level of demand generation there would determine its success.

The third paradigm is the 'adequacy of medical infrastructure in the area' which would create the external environ of optimism so basic to economic revival in the context of the pandemic. Fourth, economic recovery would not gather significant pace without an effective 'private-public partnership' coming into play in a clinical sense of business without political or ideological colouration. The strengths of both sides can complement each other to the advantage of the people and the nation. And last but not the least, the 'leadership in business' is going to be tested by the calls made on it by the learning that this pandemic has yielded for all stakeholders. Human resource management in particular, is no more a delegated function -- the top men have to directly guide the policy implementation in that sphere after monitoring the current scales of availability of skilled manpower, feasibility of increasing the work output and the desired level of empathy for the employees that was now an extremely important determinant of economic revival in the post- pandemic scenario. Business development and management has acquired a local facet and cannot be blindly governed by global norms -- even though the objective of acquiring global status for it would remain in place.

The lockdowns and the accompanied enforcement of restrictions were meant to break the unimpeded advance of the coronavirus and take stock of the country's capacity to work out the plan of countering the threat. If that did help solution finding this did not happen before people at large suddenly became deeply embedded in the fear of death at the hands of 'an unknown enemy' and took to desperate measures to somehow escape 'dying far away from home'. This is what created the tragic saga of migrants as the upshot of an inadequately understood policy decision and its blind implementation in the 'curfew' mode by the local authorities. With passage of time, however, people have by and large understood the logic of how the lockdown was meant to bring home the point that this invisible contagion followed a pattern of spread and could be avoided if the combination of social distancing, norm of face covering and discipline of hand wash for surface hygiene was consciously adopted.

India's economy substantially ran on temporarily employed labour and will now have to bank on workers being brought back to jobs on better terms and assurance -- which would mean fundamentally altering the old ways of doing business that the unorganised sector here was notorious for. In India businesses can revive more easily by utilising locally available hands -- technically trained or otherwise -- and Prime Minister's call for being 'vocal for local' undoubtedly shows a deep understanding of the new situation in the business world. The importance of building a supply chain that could link up with global business, whenever the post- pandemic world would so demand, remains undiminished.

Economic revival in a situation of near 'depression' showing up in many parts of the world, is heavily dependent on the support and involvement of the state by way of giving financial impetus to enterprises in some form or the other, furthering the ease of doing business and offering private-public partnership. Rebuilding the Indian economy after the hit it had taken because of corona pandemic is a national task and no ideological barriers should be allowed to obstruct the cooperation that state and private business players enter into for the larger interests of the country. If the Modi government can keep corruption out of any such collaboration projects, people will support them. For enhancing efficiency, capability and output, entry of private sector into public undertakings can be considered -- it will create job opportunities, strengthen competitiveness in global terms and even add to the transparency of democratic governance. Private-Public Partnerships make for trustworthy investments at a time when the nation needs them -- they will also help to reduce trade imbalances India had for instance with China. In the post-Covid months the government has to do all that is possible to restart business and trade at all levels -- the strong indigenous base of Indian economy can bounce back with a little support and empathy from regulators, tax agencies and local authorities. Happily, Prime Minister Modi is fully cognisant of the innate capability of our home economy.

Post-pandemic, world is laying down new norms of product development, customer relations, human resource utilisation , work place concept and business management in general. Corporate governance is on test as the situation favours flat organisations that cut down on unproductive bureaucratic hierarchies, demands hands-on leaders who can inspire their men to give off their best and not mind putting in an extra hour of work and calls for new strategies of human resource development. Re-skilling, introducing flexibility of working hours and instilling confidence among the employees about decision making while functioning alone at work place, are parts of the new approach. Above all, business leaders today are mandated to handle change and, in fact, ride change by discovering new opportunities of collaboration, M&A and diversification of product and services.

There is a premium on seeking partnerships for quicker growth and opting for long-term objectives rather than the gains of profiteering in the immediate range. India's economic scene is going to throw up entrepreneurs whose strength is their merit and produce business leaders who are attuned to facing socio- economic challenges of these times and even enjoying them.

(The writer is a former Director Intelligence Bureau. The views expressed are personal.)
A&M United Methodist Church is hosting a drive-up food drive where locals can donate items to the Brazos Church Pantry without leaving their vehicle.

According to a press release issued by the church, from 5:30 p.m. until 7 p.m. Wednesday, the church will host a Christmas in July food drive at the church parking lot on Church Avenue in College Station. Those wishing to donate are asked to give any of the following: 1-pound bags of rice, packages of dried beans, spaghetti noodles, canned fruit, cans of V8 juice, fruit cups, tuna packets, granola bars, small boxes of cereal, canned vegetables, packaged sanitation wipes, or cash/check donations made out to the Brazos Church Pantry.

This food drive will benefit those in need in the local community.

A map showing the donation site asks that donors enter the parking lot by lining up along Tauber Street and entering the parking lot at the Church Avenue-Tauber Street entrance, exiting near the intersection of Church Avenue and College Main.
By Christine Flowers





There were church burnings this month, and statues of the Blessed Virgin were vandalized. You wouldn't know it, though, if you depended on the local media for your news.



When I searched the internet for "Catholic churches vandalized" near "the newspaper of record," or used the terms "Catholic relics destroyed" near "papers for which I do not write," the only thing that came up were cases from almost ten years ago. And there was scant mention in the national media as well.



So I will talk about hate crimes, the kind that rarely gets the type of attention they deserve. The following incidents happened in July:



 Queen of Peace Catholic Church in Marion County, Florida, was set on fire after a man named Steven Anthony Shields (why do they always have three names?) rammed his vehicle into the vestibule and poured gasoline in the foyer;



 The Church of San Gabriel in Los Angeles caught fire under suspicious circumstances, right before its 250th anniversary;



 A statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary which had been set up decades before in honor of World War II veterans was set on fire outside of a Boston church;



 A similar statue of Mary was vandalized outside of Cathedral Prep School and Seminary in Queens, N.Y.



And in June, the statue of Father Junipero Serra was forcibly pulled down from its pedestal in the park bearing his name in Los Angeles. Serro was a Franciscan friar who is credited as the principal architect of the California Mission system when that part of the country was under Spanish colonization. Native Americans have long argued that Serra was behind the forced conversion of indigenous to Catholicism, and that the terms of that conversion were often brutal.



While I strongly oppose the removal of that piece of history from its legitimate location, just as I condemn the attacks on statues of Christopher Columbus in Philadelphia and other historical figures, and while I definitely place this trend to "cancel the culture we don't like" in the category of vandalism, there is an argument to be made that controversial figures can be expected to attract this sort of attention in contentious times.



What is not legitimate, what is not acceptable and what is not something that the media should be ignoring with the blithe attitude of "what the public doesn't see won't hurt them" is the deliberate, obvious, coordinated and (to my mind) condoned attacks on my faith. As someone once told me, anti-Catholicism is the last acceptable prejudice.



There are those who object to the term "anti-Catholicism" when it comes to anything that smacks of a hate crime. They prefer the sanitized phrase "anti-clericalism," which acts as a form of gaslighting. In other words, if a Catholic such as myself dares to raise the specter of sectarian bigotry, we are generally told that it's not the Catholics that people hate, it's the people and the policies of the church. This is commonly employed when those self-styled "cleric-haters" criticize the church's position on same-sex marriage, or abortion, or most commonly when they want to describe my faith as a training ground for pedophiles. "We don't hate Catholics," they say with a straight face. "We hate what they stand for."



Well I am here to say that when you burn a church to the ground, you are setting me on fire. When you paint vile words on a statue of the Blessed Mother, you are smearing those words onto my own skin. When you throw rocks through the windows of a chapel to destroy the jewel-like stained glass, you are bruising my body. And when you are a member of the media, and you look away as this is happening but make sure to point out every offense perpetrated against every other group that has you as its free P.R. director, you are ignoring my righteous cries and my pain.



Just as swastikas painted on tombstones at a Jewish cemetery are evidence of bigotry, and just as the vilification of women in hijabs is bigotry, and just as crosses burning on an African-American's lawn is bigotry, so is the torching of my spiritual home and the defiling of my mother's image.



The difference is that I need to scream louder to get noticed. And that, in and of itself, is the most insidious sort of prejudice.





Christine Flowers (cflowers1961@gmail.com) is an attorney and a columnist for the Delaware County Daily Times,. Her article was distributed by Calge Cartoons Inc.


Gross interference in Hong Kong affairs doomed to fail

People's Daily Online

By Zhong Sheng (People's Daily) 09:17, July 18, 2020

The White House signed the so-called "Hong Kong Autonomy Act" into law on July 14, local time, regardless of the solemn representations from the Chinese side.

China strongly condemns and opposes such gross interference in Hong Kong affairs and China's internal affairs, as the U.S., maliciously denigrating the national security legislation for Hong Kong and threatening to impose sanctions on China, has seriously violated international law and the basic norms underpinning international relations.

No matter how external elements try to exert pressure, it cannot shake China's resolution and will to safeguard sovereignty and security and uphold Hong Kong's stability and prosperity. The U.S. attempts to thwart implementation of the Law on Safeguarding National Security in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) are doomed to fail.

The so-called "Hong Kong Autonomy Act" is an evil act fabricated by some U.S. politicians. Boasting "responsibility" and "obligation", they are indeed grossly trampling on international law and the basic norms underpinning international relations. They turns a blind eye to facts and calls white black, revealing their ignorance of and prejudice against the "one country, two systems" principle. The so-called "rights" and "freedoms" in the mouth of the U.S. are just its "rights" to contain China's development through the chaos in Hong Kong, and the "freedoms" to trample on international law and meddle in China's domestic affairs.

The approval of the so-called "Hong Kong Autonomy Act" and the decision to make it a law, which were completed after the proclamation and implementation of the Law on Safeguarding National Security in the HKSAR, fully exposed the hegemony and ugliness of the U.S. on Hong Kong affairs.

The legal basis of China's governance over the HKSAR lies in the Chinese Constitution and the Basic Law of the HKSAR, not the Sino-British Joint Declaration, whose essence is China's resuming the exercise of sovereignty over Hong Kong.

After Hong Kong's return to its motherland, the principles and policies proposed by the central government of China in the Declaration concerning Hong Kong have all been included in the Basic Law of the HKSAR, and they have also been comprehensively and effectively implemented. The so-called China's violation of international obligations is a total mistake. The "Hong Kong Autonomy Act" fabricated by the U.S. and the sanctions on China reflect typical hegemonic thinking and bullying mentality.

"One country, two systems" is a basic state policy adopted by the Chinese government. No one understands it better or cherishes it more than China does. Since the protests over the proposed amendments to the HKSAR's extradition bill in June 2019, the radical violent crimes in the special administrative region have seriously challenged the limits of the principle.

By making and implementing the national security law in Hong Kong, China has provided strong institutional and legal guarantee for the long-term stability of the "one country, two systems" principle. The legislation is an effective remedy to Hong Kong's governance, and will be sure to bring orders back to the special administrative region.

Based on the ignorance of and prejudice on the "one country, two systems" principle and its practices, the U.S. made the so-called "Hong Kong Autonomy Act" and tried to stop China from implementing the national security law. What it does is to realize its evil intentions in the name of law, which seriously violates international law and justice.

The so-called "rights" and "freedoms" in the "Hong Kong Autonomy Act" exposed American hypocrisy. The radical violent crimes taking place in Hong Kong threaten the life and property safety of the Hong Kong residents, and are way beyond the boundary and limits of the legal freedoms and rights. However, some U.S. politicians called these practices "a beautiful sight to behold" and blatantly supported the anti-China forces.

When China is implementing the national security law in Hong Kong which targets a very narrow category of criminal acts and activities that endanger national security and protects the safety and rights and freedoms the vast majority of the Hong Kong residents enjoy in accordance with the law, the U.S. is fanning up the so-called "rights" and "freedoms." What lies behind is only an evil heart.

Recently, over 70 countries voiced support to China's adoption of the Law on Safeguarding National Security in the HKSAR at the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC), opposing the interference in China's domestic affairs in the name of human rights. A young representative from the HKSAR to the UNHRC also voiced opposition to the anti-China forces in Hong Kong. The aspiration of Hong Kong residents, as well as the call for justice from the international society are solemn condemnation against U.S. wrong deeds.

China is firmly determined in safeguarding national sovereignty, security and development interests, implementing "one country, two systems" fully and faithfully, and opposing foreign interference in Hong Kong affairs. Practices will prove that the Law on Safeguarding National Security in the HKSAR will offer solid institutional guarantee for Hong Kong's long-term prosperity and stability.

China urges the U.S. to understand the situation, obey international laws and norms underpinning international relations, and stop any form of intervention in Hong Kong affairs and China's domestic affairs. China is resolute to safeguard its legitimate rights and interests, and will react strongly to the U.S. wrong deeds. The U.S. shall bear all consequences.

(Zhong Sheng is a pen name often used by People's Daily to express its views on foreign policy.)

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Copyright  2020 Albuquerque Journal

Almost three years ago, in August 2017, groups of white nationalists and civilian militias converged on the city of Charlottesville, Virginia, for a Unite the Right rally, which protested the planned removal of a Confederate statue. The weekend erupted in violence, and James Fields, an avowed neo-Nazi, plowed his car into a crowd of counterprotesters, killing 32-year-old Heather Heyer.

The rally, and the murder, captured the nations attention.

Two months later the city of Charlottesville, joined by neighborhood associations and local businesses, sued several militia groups to prevent them from attending rallies in the future. The lawsuit was successful, and by the following summer 23 defendants had agreed to no longer attend demonstrations in groups of two or more while armed.

Last week, more than 1,700 miles away in Albuquerque, 2nd Judicial District Attorney Raul Torrez filed a similar lawsuit against the New Mexico Civil Guard  a heavily armed, self-proclaimed militia group that has been showing up at protests around the city. Torrez is assisted by the same attorneys from the Georgetown University Law School Institute for Constitutional Advocacy and Protection who drafted the lawsuit in Charlottesville.

(The rally in Charlottesville) was a much more massive event than what happened in Albuquerque, said Mary McCord, the legal director for ICAP. But the theories underlying the cases are very similar. In both cases we had unauthorized, unlawful, private militias who were usurping the role of law enforcement and the role of the military when it is called up lawfully by the governor. They were usurping that role and functioning as law enforcement without any authority to do so.

The 33-page lawsuit is filed against the New Mexico Civil Guard and 14 of its members who include some individuals associated with white supremacist and neo-Confederate organizations, according to the complaint for injunctive and declaratory relief filed in the 2nd Judicial District Court on Monday. It argues that the New Mexico Constitution says civilian militias can only be activated by the governor and the group is acting like law enforcement  by holding trainings, outfitting itself with military equipment and gear, and patrolling protests armed and in uniform  but has no legal authority to do so.

The suit asks a judge to prohibit the civil guard and any successor groups from organizing and operating in public as a military unit independent of New Mexicos civil authority and without having been activated by the governor of New Mexico and from assuming reenforcement functions by using or projecting the ability to use organized force in response to perceived threats at protests, demonstrations, or public gatherings.

Paul Kennedy, an attorney representing the NMCG, declined to comment, telling a Journal reporter that he had read the complaint, and I have lots of thoughts on it but I cant share them with you, Im afraid.

Bryce Provance, the NMCGs founder and a defendant named in the lawsuit, said everyone has the right to conscientiously object to any orders that you believe are unconstitutional so he doesnt need the governor to activate the NMCG.

When the governor sits unconstitutionally and tells her police forces to stand down and let riotous and looting behavior ensue, and mayors and police chiefs and things like that, then you will see private citizens standing up for others in their community, Provance said.

Provance and other members of the civil guard were at the June 15 protest calling for the removal of a statue of Spanish conquistador Juan de Onate from the Albuquerque Museum grounds and members were detained for questioning following the shooting of a protester. Although the man charged in the shooting, Steven Ray Baca, does not appear to be a member of the group, Torrez and other officials have said its presence exacerbated tension in the crowd, leading to violence.

Guns at protests

Torrez stressed that the suit is not meant to curtail anyones right to protest, assemble or exercise free speech and its not meant to encroach on the Second Amendment right to bear arms. But he said he felt it was necessary for someone to clearly articulate that there are boundaries in terms of who can act as law enforcement and who can exercise military authority.

I have the feeling there are a lot of folks on one side of this debate who look at the NMCG and they say, I dont see any problem with that because theyre stepping in to fill a void when (the Albuquerque Police Department) wasnt there,' Torrez said. Then the question becomes if the polar opposite of the civil guard, maybe an antifa brigade or someone else showed up and they were heavily armed and now theyre claiming authorityFor most folks theres a long pause and then they go, Oh, I never thought of it that way. 

Torrez said he was frustrated by city officials saying they could not do anything to prevent militia members from showing up, heavily armed at demonstrations. At a news conference the day after the shooting, City Attorney Esteban Aguilar had said New Mexicos open carry law, as well as the First and Second Amendments in the U.S. Constitution, prevents law enforcement from intervening if a person is legally allowed to carry a gun.

There is some misunderstanding among frontline police officers and some of the command about what the boundaries are on other peoples rights, Torrez said. You saw that in statements that folks made after the event where in official press conference they said theres nothing we can do. The lawsuit we filed yesterday fundamentally objects to that position.

When asked if the city had itself considered filing a lawsuit against the Civil Guard, spokesman Matt Ross said in a statement Cities are prohibited by the state Constitution from passing legislation on guns  including their presence at protests. Despite that, over the last year Albuquerque has boldly enacted a prohibition on guns in City spaces like community centers  . This is being challenged in court and as we continue to explore our legal options in other areas, we welcome any help the DA is now ready to provide.

The Virginia Constitution, written in 1776, included a clause that said in all cases the military should be under strict subordination to, and governed by, the civil power  meaning, attorneys with Georgetown ICAP say, the governor and administration. Forty-eight other states, including New Mexico, include this clause in their constitutions, McCord said.

The original states were very concerned about the federal government overreaching and federal military power overreaching, so each governor wanted to have the ability to call into service the militia under the civilian power, McCord said. It was really about installing all ability to call forth any type of military or militia by the governor only. The last thing the governor or state authorities wanted to do was worry about rogue militias that disagreed with them.

In New Mexico there are three classes of militia: the National Guard, a State Defense Force  a volunteer, reserve military force  and the unorganized militia, which is defined as all able-bodied men living in the state between the ages of 18 and 45 who can be activated to serve in the National Guard or State Defense Force, according to the lawsuit filed against the NMCG. But, it states, the unorganized militia lacks authority to operate as a military force unless called by the governor.

When asked on Friday if there are instances in which Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham would consider activating a militia, a spokeswoman said no.

McCord said ICAP has consulted with other jurisdictions, and helped Dayton, Ohio, prevent a spin-off of the Ku Klux Klan from attending a rally, but litigation wasnt the answer for many of the other cities.

In the times when I think its most warranted are situations like you saw in Bernalillo (County) where you have an event where the militia showed up, it did usurp law enforcement authority and theres reason to believe its not a one-time thing, McCord said. This is what happened in Charlottesville as well after the Unite the Right rally  the organizers of that rally, the militias that attended were already talking about doing the same thing over and over. The same with Bernalillo theres indications by NMCG that this is what they intend to do.

City park gun ban

As for the New Mexico Civil Guard, on Thursday members attended a Protest for Freedom at Albuquerques Civic Plaza which was held to denounce the states public health orders  including mandatory quarantine and mask wearing and the shuttering of businesses  during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Torrez said his office is not seeking any action to prevent the civil guard from showing up to protests while the litigation moves through court, but will do so if necessary.

Gilbert Gallegos, an APD spokesman, said at Thursdays protest uniformed officers approached about 10 armed people and asked them to leave and everyone complied.

After two dozen protests, marches and demonstrations, we appreciate that the District Attorney has now stepped up to help with a legal strategy, Gallegos wrote in a statement. APD continues to adapt and improve, including efforts to notify armed individuals at Civic Plaza during the latest protest about the gun ban at city parks.

The lawsuit, which cites an Albuquerque Journal article on the New Mexico Civil Guard more than a dozen times, along with Facebook posts and other media, references Provance saying the group has the same escalation of force as the police department and is an auxiliary force to law enforcement. But when reached by phone Friday, Provance walked that sentiment back and said the NMCG members were acting like concerned citizens.

However, he said they will change tactics in the future and have a less visible armed presence at protests.

Maybe instead of carrying an AR15 and a bullet proof vest we go in with freaking just a uniform and sidearms, Provance said. We havent worked it all the way out but until we do were just going to be monitoring these types of things and not engaging like we did.

And, Provance said, a couple of members are preparing to run for sheriff as Republican candidates in Bernalillo, Santa Fe, Dona Ana, and possibly Los Alamos counties in the next elections.

A couple days after the shooting at the protest, a voter rally by a Republican candidate for the state Legislature was slated to include Steve Pearce, the state GOP chairman and former congressman, as well as the Civil Guard as special guests. The NMCG didnt show up and in a phone interview Friday, Pearce denied knowing the groups members.

He said he will let the civil suit and constitutional questions play out in court rather than make any comment on it one way or another.

We havent talked to the candidates, Pearce said. They havent approached me and havent asked for our support. We havent offered it or withheld it or anything. We really dont have a lot of contact with that group.

NM Civil Guard Filed Verified Complaint by Albuquerque Journal on Scribd
Rajasthan former deputy chief minister Sachin Pilot on Saturday appealed to all the people of the country to unite in support of those families affected by the Assam and Bihar floods.

My thoughts and prayers with all those families affected by the Assam and Bihar floods. Over 68 lives lost and 3.6 million people affected in Assam alone. I appeal to all Indians, to come together, join in the efforts to help support those affected in these extreme flood situations, Pilots tweet read.

Pilots tweet has come amid the ongoing political drama in Rajasthan, in which the ruling Congress has accused the BJP of horse-trading in an attempt to topple the Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot government.

BJP, on the other hand, has raised questions over tapping of phones in Rajasthan saying that authorities have denied giving permission and asked if it was not a violation of civil rights of people to tap phones without authorisation. It also said that if Chief Minister Gehlot thinks he has a majority, he should prove it in the Assembly.

At least 79 people have lost their lives in Assam due to severe flooding, informed the Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA) on Saturday.

A Flood Report issued by the ASDMA stated that the river Brahmaputra was flowing above danger level in several places in the state, and a total of 26 districts have been affected so far. The total number of revenue circles affected is 79 and over 2,678 villages were devastated by the floods.

Additionally, around 96 animals have died in the Kaziranga National Park in Golaghat district of Assam due to floods, the state government informed on Saturday.
Discrimination against Dalits continues even today in the form of honour killings, and other caste-based crimes like untouchability, etc.

Editor's note: This article was originally published on 19 July. It is being updated and republished to include Justice Markandey Katju's response, which appears at the end of the article.

On 13 July, my article titled The Supreme Court must note that reservation is a fundamental right appeared in The Wire. On the very next day, I found that Justice (Retd) Markandey Katju has written a piece responding to my article. At the outset, I thank him for initiating a debate on this issue.

At the beginning of his reply, he gracefully admits that caste-based discrimination exists, but he notes that he is against caste-based reservation. Notably, discrimination was the only ground which justified the incorporation of the provision of reservation in state services. In the Constituent Assembly, Harijan representatives such as RM Nalavade, P Kakkan and HJ Khandekar explained that Harijan candidates and those from other Scheduled Castes apply for government jobs but they are not selected because the people who select the candidates do not belong to that community.

A similar caste bias continues even today with respect to those posts for which either names of candidates are recommended for selection, or interviews are conducted for promotion, or for fresh recruitment. As a result, there have been very few judges (in the high courts and the Supreme Court), vice-chancellors, professors, bureaucrats, attorney generals, advocate generals, solicitor generals, etc belonging to the Dalit community. If reservation is not the solution to this problem, then, within the existing mechanisms, what else can ensure the entry of Dalits in state services?

In society in general, discrimination continues in the form of honour killings, and other caste-based crimes like untouchability, etc. Discrimination is a part of the lived experience of Dalits; others can be sympathetic to their cause, but cannot feel what they feel. The law, and legal institutions, have not attempted to address this issue.

Justice (Retd) Katju further argues, without empirical proof, that only 1 percent of Scheduled Castes can benefit from reservation, while creating an illusion that the entire Scheduled Caste population of 22 crores is benefited. However, this contention cannot be a ground for discarding reservation. Even if only 1 percent have got the advantage of reservation, the number should be compared with the total number of government jobs, not the entire population of Scheduled Castes. This is because the figure of 22 crore includes all persons, irrespective of their age, occupation, educational qualification, etc. Moreover, if one were to go by the argument made by Justice (Retd) Katju, welfare policies such as reservations in jobs and admissions, scholarships, etc put in place for women, widows, persons with disabilities, etc become meaningless.

Justice (Retd) Katju further says, perhaps relying on conjecture, that because of reservations, Dalit students don't study hard. It must be pointed out that Tina Dabi (IAS topper), Kalpit Veerwal (IIT mains topper), Riya Singh (TISS entrance exam topper) and several other toppers on state level belong to the Dalit community. Second, reservation doesn't mean that the requirements of qualifications and selection procedures are done away with. A relaxation of few percentage points cannot be taken to mean exemption from minimum educational qualifications, short-listing standards, screening tests and interviews. Article 335 of the Constitution safeguards efficiency of administration while providing reservation.

Justice (Retd) Katju says that Scheduled Castes must say "in a manly way that they will work hard and show by competing with upper castes on merits that they are not intellectually inferior to upper castes." This statement is not just a reflection of upper caste masculinity, but also reinforces the 'superior caste'-oriented mindset. First, let me point out that Scheduled Castes are hard-working classes and, thus, are not reluctant to put in effort. Second, upper caste standards cannot be considered as a benchmark of professional quality and intellect. At the same time, several candidates from the Scheduled Castes have performed better than upper caste candidates under far more hostile circumstances.

The retired judge further advises Scheduled Castes to join hands with the enlightened section of the upper castes, and fight along with them. But he ignores the fact that whenever Dalits try to associate with the so-called upper castes, they are killed in the name of honour killings and harassed by colleagues and seniors, at times even leading to suicides. They are systematically discriminated against in their ordinary social lives. The increasing crime rate against SCs and STs offers sound proof (see NCRB Report, 2018, Annex 7). Therefore, this invitation of 'joining hands' cannot find favour from the Scheduled Castes. In trying to emancipate themselves, Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes need to preserve their 'femininity' rather than internalise brahminical 'masculinity'.

Justice (Retd) Katju summarily rejects my submission that reservation is a fundamental right, by saying that there is no direct provision for it in the Constitution. But many rules and principles have become part of the Constitution by interpretation or through judicial decisions. Instances of these are various interpretations of Article 21 and the collegium system. I had explained this point in my earlier article as well.

While opposing reservation, the retired judge overlooks many aspects integral to reservation. He puts the entire burden of eliminating reservation on Scheduled Castes by tendering several pieces of advice to them. But he makes no mention of steps that need to be taken by other castes in renouncing discriminatory practices. He expresses his discontentment towards the present scheme of reservation, but doesn't oppose the age-old undeclared reservation in temples for the post of a priest. Nor does he question the sanctity of the 10 percent reservation for economically weaker sections. He is sympathetic to students of the general category who do not get a job, or admission in a college, despite more marks. However, he does not utter a single word about the torture, harassment and dehumanisation suffered by Dalits for centuries at the hands of the so called upper castes in the name of untouchability, devdasi system, social boycotts, slavery, bonded labour, breast tax, manual scavenging, etc.

Therefore, instead of Scheduled Castes being asked to give up reservations and work hard, other castes must be educated on how they must refrain from continuing discriminatory and torturous practices against Dalits. Only this can help do away with the need for reservation.

Kailash Jeenger teaches at Faculty of Law, University of Delhi. He can be reached at kailash333bj@yahoo.co.in. The author expresses his gratitude to his colleague Haris Jamil for his help.

***

Justice Markandey Katju responds: I read Kailash Jeengar's article in response to my article published in The Week and have a few observations to offer. Jeengar says that Dalits today are still oppressed and discriminated against. But I never denied that. The question is how does one destroy the caste system, which is one of the biggest social evils in India today. I submit that caste-based reservations further entrench the caste system, instead of helping to abolish it.

I have expressed my views on the caste system in two articles 'The caste system in India' published on my blog Satyam Bruyat and 'It is a myth that Dalits were always disrespected in India' published in The Week. Since I have expressed my views in detail there, I shall refrain from repeating them here.

In my opinion, the caste system can only be destroyed if India is transformed into a highly-industrialised country. Even in India, the hold of caste is much weaker in a state like West Bengal, which was partially industrialised by our British rulers, as compared to states like Uttar Pradesh and Bihar that remained largely feudal.

But how does one industrialise? I submit that this is possible only after a revolution led by patriotic modern-minded leaders  and it cannot be achieved within the present system. This is because the present constitutional system provides for parliamentary democracy, which in India runs largely on the basis of caste and communal vote banks. Casteism and communalism are feudal forces that have to be destroyed if India is to progress, but parliamentary democracy further entrenches them. So how can India progress with it?

Our present political leaders  of all parties  are not really interested in rapidly industrialising the country, but only in winning the next elections, and for that their principal tool is casteism and communalism.

I submit that a political and social order under which India rapidly industrialises can only be created after a mighty, historical united people's struggle led by patriotic modern-minded persons determined to rapidly industrialise the country and sweep away the filth of feudal ideas, customs and practices. This will automatically destroy the caste system ( See my articles 'India's moment of turbulent revolution is here' and 'India edges closer to its own French Revolution').

But such a major struggle to transform India and bringing it into the ranks of the developed, highly-industrialised countries can only be successful if we are united, and I submit that caste-based reservations divide us. Far from benefiting the Dalits and OBCs they really benefit our crooked and crafty politicians, who polarise society and spread caste and communal hatred to get votes. So reservations are just a ploy to get votes and far from helping destroy caste, they have further entrenched it and further divided the Indian people.
GREENVILLE, S.C.  Eight Black teenagers helped to remake Greenville 60 years ago this week, changing their lives, and possibly forever altering the course of the city.

They expected to be arrested for walking into the whites-only Greenville library on Main Street.

In less than 15 minutes, they were, said Dorris "Deedee" Wright, one of the teens who have been known ever since as the Greenville Eight.

It was a simple act, getting books at a library. It made history because they did it at a white library and they were Black.

It's both no more complicated than that and yet, so much more complicated.

"Greenville really grew from the protest movement," Wright said. "If they wanted to become something other than a textile town, they knew change must come. I would like to think because of our activities it made Greenville the city it is today, the mecca it is for people coming from the North and the East and all over."

Rev. Jesse Jackson speaks during a Rainbow PUSH Coalition press conference Friday, Jan. 24, 2020.

Seven of the eight are still alive, and they are living testaments to segregation and overcoming segregation.

In recent interviews with The Greenville News, three of them spoke about how their library protest, and the events that led to it, helped shape Greenville and their own lives as well as how they view current protests as the next iteration of their own work.

Their efforts helped to lead to other desegregation steps throughout the Upstate, said Joan Mattison Daniel, one of the Greenville Eight.

"We were able to integrate Upstate, South Carolina," Daniel said.

A segregated library

The Main Street library wasn't to be used by Black people, who were relegated to a "Negro" branch, about the size of a normal room, on McBee Avenue, Wright said.

The Black library didn't have out-of-town newspapers or the range of magazines the white library had. The Encyclopedia Britannica, new editions at the white library, were a decade old, if they existed at the Black library. There was not enough to do a good report for school.

Story continues

Patrons could request books from the larger library but it often took weeks to make it happen and many reference books were not allowed to be shared with the Black library, according to a current account of the history by the library system.

The Greenville 8 pictured in 1960.

Some form of acknowledgment of the anniversary of the arrests is planned but due to coronavirus concerns, it may take a digital form rather than a physical exhibit, according to a spokesman for the library system.

From humiliation to integration

It was humiliating to not have access to books, said the Rev. Jesse Jackson, another of the Greenville Eight, at the time a college student home for the summer.

The July library protests in 1960 had long and numerous roots but one key moment was when Jackson went to the library at Christmastime in 1959, he said.

"I went to the colored branch of the library, I couldnt get the books for a week or more," Jackson told The Greenville News. "I was humiliated and I cried. And I said I planned to use it."

More: Jesse Jackson rose from poverty in Greenville to become a national civil rights leader

Daniel said Jackson's resolve was a critical spark.

Soon after that moment, civil rights momentum and the nation's eye landed on Greenville.

On Jan. 1, the Rev. James Hall led a large group in a march and a protest at the Greenville airport, where months before Jackie Robinson had refused to use a bathroom marked "colored."

Benjamin Downs, who was one of the Greenville Eight, talks about his role in the sit-in at the all-whiteEGreenville main library that eventually led to integration of the city's library system, is pictured on Wednesday, Jan. 24, 2018.

It was a pivotal protest, with national attention, and helped to inspire Greensboro, North Carolina, sit-ins at diners and the activism continued in Greenville through sit-ins, kneel-ins at churches and wade-ins at swimming pools.

Many of the actions are lesser-known today but the continuation of efforts that year helped galvanize young people into the summer, Daniels said.

It gave momentum and meaning to the library plans, which would begin to unfold.

Desegregating the Greenville library and earlier arrests

There had been at least two other notable attempts in March 1960 at integrating the library.

The first was on March 1, when about two dozen people, described in newspapers as unidentified high school students, were joined by the Rev. S.E. Kay.

Kay told reporters he only learned of it when he saw the students headed toward the library and he and another person offered rides and he joined them as an adult figure when he learned of their efforts. Later accounts indicate that local civil rights attorney Donald Sampson also had been aware of the effort.

The students refused the chief librarian's request to leave and library trustees, who arrived by that time, ordered the library closed for the day. The closing was peaceful and it was witnessed by officials including the chief of police and the city attorney. There were no arrests.

Two weeks later, seven people, including three who would later be part of the Greenville Eight, were arrested at another attempt to desegregate the library.

The arrests came after library trustees decided, following the first protest, that more would be needed if there was another attempt.

In a first-hand account of the second protest, Greenville Piedmont newspaper journalist William Ballenger wrote, "(a) person not aware of the customs of the South might have walked through and thought nothing amiss," as seven Black teenagers sat quietly reading or doing homework.

They were just as quietly arrested, and released within 20 minutes.

Sampson, who represented the teenagers in their disorderly conduct charges, said they would have done so whether he had given prior approval or not.

It is against this backdrop that the group of high school and college students made their most-noticed stand.

The Greenville Eight and July 16, 1960

It was about five degrees cooler than average on Saturday, July 16, 1960, never passing 85 degrees, as several teens made a decision that would define their lives, and reverberate for years to come in Greenville.

Some of the parents, like Rev. Jackson's, knew ahead of time. Others, like Daniel's, only found out afterward.

They had been assured by Hall, a leader with the state's NAACP and the airport protest organizer, that they would not only be arrested but also be quickly released.

It began around 11 a.m., when seven Black people entered the library. They left under threat of arrest.

Around 2:10 p.m. the group, now with eight people, showed up, well aware of their pending arrests.

They were Jackson, Daniel, Dorris "Deedee" Wright, Hattie Smith Wright, Elaine Means, Willie Joe Wright, Benjamin Downs and Margaree Seawright Crosby.

Typically described as a group of college students, Daniels said that half of them were high-schoolers.

A week later, a federal lawsuit was filed seeking to allow Black people access to the libraries.

It was based on the March arrests, the trial for those seven had been delayed several times. The second set of arrests increased the pressure.

The rest of the summer saw tension build until a sudden decision to close both library branches on Sept. 3.

The city's mayor and council requested the closure, it meant that a judge was unable to force the integration of the libraries as the judge found he could not force something that was closed to all, to reopen.

But it was a temporary victory for the city, they couldn't keep the libraries closed without refunding taxpayer money and there was enough pressure to reopen that the city did so, without openly acknowledging the obvious: The libraries would be desegregated.

Benjamin Downs, who was one of the Greenville Eight, talks about his role in the sit-in at the all-whiteEGreenville main library that eventually led to integration of the city's library system, is pictured on Wednesday, Jan. 24, 2018.

That's how, in a courtroom on Sept. 13, both the lawsuit to force integration and the city's rationale for keeping it segregated, collapsed.

A federal judge based in Spartanburg, C.C. Wyche, warned that if the library reopened and remained segregated, a lawsuit could come back and prevail.

The next day, the charges from both sets of arrests were dismissed.

The libraries would end up being closed for about two weeks in September.

When the libraries opened again, on Monday, Sept. 19, they opened for all. And would stay open.

Desegregation, what's next?

The protesters said they all believed it was the right decision.

It had costs  immediately and for the rest of their lives.

There was the relatively minor issue of their bonds, $20 and $30.

Jackson said his family feared someone would bomb his mother's beauty shop or their home. Wright said her family ended up having to leave Greenville by 1962 and head to New York after repeated threats.

It was also a necessary decision for them, a proud moment.

In a 2018 interview with The Greenville News, one of the Greenville Eight, Benjamin Downs, said Spartanburg and Columbia libraries had already desegregated.

"We felt as though it was a good institution to demonstrate against. It was new," he said, of the protests.

There's a sense of contribution, in looking back 60 years after the moment, Daniel said.

"Im glad I was able to do something," she said. "I feel that every generation has a responsibility for his or her community and I just feel like I did something in my time."

Jackson and the two women said they are happy to have lived to pass the torch to a new generation, a continuation of their civil rights struggles and successes.

The three each praised non-violence, a key pillar of their activism.

Seeing George Floyd killed by a police officer on video was a reminder, Jackson said.

"A Black man lynched in real-time, it touched something deep in humanity everywhere," he said.

The three each expressed support for the Black Lives Matter movement and for civil rights progress to continue.

Jackson said he didn't realize, when he and the others went into the library, how thick the nation's walls of racism were.

His advice to his successors in civil rights movements is to keep dreaming.

"Dont let the force of limitations alter your dreams," Jackson said. "Dream of becoming a US citizen, dream of becoming a governor, a mayor."

Greenville will someday join other South Carolina cities and get a Black mayor, he said.

The library efforts helped to create a better South Carolina, paving the way for today with big businesses like Boeing and BMW and contributing to remaking the South, Jackson said.

Daniels said it was about getting the same rights as everyone else.

Wright, who is waiting on editing for her book about her civil rights experience, said it was something that needed to be done at the time.

"No matter what one's goal is in life," she said, "there has to be education to be the basis for that."

Follow Mike Ellis on Twitter: @MikeEllis_AIM.

This article originally appeared on Greenville News: Greenville 8: Protesters talk 60 years after library desegregation
Alleging that 2,426 companies have "looted" people's savings to the tune of Rs 1.47 lakh crore from banks, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Sunday asked if the government will conduct a probe into it to punish those guilty.

"2,426 companies looted 1.47 lakh crore rupees of people's savings from banks. Will this government investigate this loot and punish the culprits?" Gandhi said on Twitter, without elaborating.

"Or will it allow them to flee like Nirav and Lalit Modi?" he asked.

Gandhi's attack came after media reports claimed that the All India Bank Employees Association (AIBEA) had released a list of 2,426 borrower accounts that have been categorised as wilful defaulters with dues amounting to Rs 1,47,350 crore to the banking system.
Ipswich City Council could have sought permission to name former councillors in a trove of controversial business and financial information but has instead protected their identities for fear of litigation, according to a legal expert.

This month, Ipswich published thousands of documents relating to the previous council and council-owned companies, including councillor expenses and the handling of millions of dollars of ratepayer funds, via a special website.

Names have been removed from the information, with the council chief executive citing privacy concerns. The council confirmed it did not approach any former councillors to seek their permission to be identified.

"To date, council has not sought the express consent of former mayors and councillors and former directors of the controlled beneficial entities to have further details of their expenses published in the Transparency and Integrity Hub," a council spokesman said.

Queensland Right to Information and privacy consultant Rebecca Murray said the council appeared to have taken "a very conservative approach" with a view to avoid being sued that did not help serve the public interest.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 18

Trend:

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, who had recently pretended to be infected with COVID-19, suddenly recovered and departed to Minsk to take part in a meeting of representatives of the countries of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU).

It should be noted that the EAEU summit was held in Minsk at the level of the prime ministers of the organization's member states, but formally, Pashinyan should not have attended this event due to his rank as the head of state. According to the status, it was the deputy prime minister of the Armenian government who should have participated in the summit. Armenia is a parliamentary republic where the prime minister has broader powers.

To repeat: due to his status, he may have not arrived in Minsk and sent instead his deputy. On the other hand, Pashinyan is officially the Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Armenian Armed Forces, and in the context of the aggravation of the conflict with Azerbaijan, his flight to Belarus to participate in this meeting looked at least out of time. Why did Pashinyan fly to Minsk?

Firstly, Pashinyan rushed to Minsk to meet with Russian Prime Minister Mishustin; despite the fact that the Armenian prime minister is treated with contempt in the political elite in Russia, the meeting in Minsk gave a chance to obtain the favor of the Russian leadership.

Secondly, Pashinyan, through his own fault, has accumulated numerous negative factors including the provocation organized by him on the border with Azerbaijan, a bad epidemic situation in Armenia, and a sharp decline of his rating in the country.

Thirdly, Pashinyan desperately needs help in the confrontation with Azerbaijan that relies on a powerful army and influential allies, especially after Azerbaijan's threat to launch a missile strike at the Armenian nuclear power plant in response to Yerevan's promise to strike at the dam of the Mingachevir reservoir.

Even prior to the Minsk summit, vigorous statements were made in Armenia, which expressed hope for Russian mediation in the settlement of the border conflict. Moreover, Armenians also counted on the political support of the Pashinyan regime from the Kremlin. But none of this happened for one simple reason: Moscow knows very well what a bad politician Pashinyan is and quickly saw through his provocation game on the border.

Besides, Moscow did not forget that Pashinyan showed open disrespect for the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) by ordering the arrest of the current secretary general of the organization, Colonel General Yuri Khachaturov. In response to Pashinyan's demand to urgently convene a CSTO meeting to complain about Azerbaijan's behavior, the "allies" said that "the meeting was postponed for an indefinite period."

This was a serious blow to the political reputation of Pashinyan and his entourage. Everything that he managed to "achieve" in Minsk was reflected in his own statement: "There is no alternative to peace negotiations."
S.C. Sen. Greg Humbree (a lawyer) said if South Korea and Sweden can reopen their schools, we can, too, except Swedens numbers are nothing to brag about and South Korea got the epidemic under control before opening its schools. South Korea listened to its doctors, not its lawyers. Humbree said the virtual learning experiment got a D-minus. S.C. third-graders are a full year behind in math and a semester behind in English, but how did he complete such a detailed assessment of a significant sample of rising fourth-graders when the children are not in school? On the other hand, he might be right. The state offered no leadership based on best practices, but it made each district develop its own unique solutions with meager resources.

Wait. Why does that sound so familiar? Oh, I get it: When this lack of leadership fails  again  Humbree, Lucas and McMaster get to assign blame. Again. Heads they win, tails we lose.

State school Superintendent Molly Spearman is a music teacher with years of classroom experience and was an assistant principal. Why wasnt she at this news conference? Probably because she does not agree with this trio of lawyers. ... McMaster refuses to give a mask order (that will save lives) but has no problem ordering teachers to the classroom like lambs to the slaughter.
This is the time to tell a story. When I was a graduate student at the University of Loyola, Chicago, I had my first academic paper accepted in a conference at Cleveland State University. After I finished my presentation, I wanted to celebrate my academic accomplishment. I walked out of the university and found a random pub in downtown Cleveland. I was enjoying a beer or two. A few white men were standing behind me. We cheered along as we all celebrated our happiness. After some time, another group of white men rushed to the bar where I was standing. One of the fellas came up to me and said, We need space in the bar to have some shots, so why dont you move along, spic.

Truth be told, at that moment I felt confused. I did not understand this sudden aggressiveness toward my being. I felt violated and angry, however more defenseless than not. At that very moment, the guys who had been interacting with me intervened against the aggressors comment. He said, What is your problem? This guy is doing nothing to you and you are behaving like an (expletive). The aggressor replied, It is none of your business and identified himself as a police officer. This made the situation even worse; all of a sudden a brawl broke out in front of my eyes. I had two opposing groups, both American, fighting not because I was doing something wrong but because of the color of my skin and non-acceptance.

No escalations to a tragic realm, however. This simple story reflects the structural racism that occurs in the United States on a daily basis; furthermore, it is not new. There are individuals who see color and accept the other with all their differences. There are those who see color and neglect, violate and perpetrate the other because of being different. This is a critical point in the history of the U.S.A. This is only one of many stories about discrimination that I can illustrate growing up as a Mexican-American in the country that I love.

According to the Aspen Institute, structural racism is a system in which public policies, institutional practices, cultural representations and other norms perpetuate racial group inequalities. Among the conversations that I have endured throughout the years: Im not racist, I have Black or Latino friends and I do not see color, I see the person for who they are. My intention is not to shame anyone; what I intend to do is invite people all around the world to see color  because we have different colors of skin and in many societies being Black or brown or yellow places you in a category of disadvantage, even before the individual opens his or her mouth. We need to recognize color and accept and dignify people of color. That is the tone of the conversation that in 2020, humans, who as a global society are experiencing a pandemic, should engage upon.

One of my biggest concerns is that I hear when will things go back to normal? George Floyd is just the straw that broke the camels back.  I really do hope that we do not go back to normal; this is the time to change and to begin a new social dialogue around the world, a dialogue that defends the ideology that being different is OK and that all human beings are ends, and never means.

Isaias Rivera works for Universidad Autonoma de Chihuahua; Corvinus University, Budapest, and is a visiting professor at the University of Nevada in Reno.
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Linkedin (Agence France-Presse) Washington  Sun, July 19, 2020 14:07 549 6657ac82168da9fa101c8a4066788ea2 2 Science & Tech astronaut,SpaceX,space,NASA Free

The two US astronauts who reached the International Space Station (ISS) on board the first crewed US spacecraft in nearly a decade will leave for Earth on Aug. 1, NASA's chief said Friday.

"Splashdown is targeted for Aug. 2. Weather will drive the actual date. Stay tuned," tweeted the US space agency's administrator Jim Bridenstine.

Bob Behnken and Doug Hurley took off from Florida aboard SpaceX's Crew Dragon capsule on May 30, becoming the first astronauts to hitch a ride to the ISS on board a commercial spaceship, which is under contract with NASA.

It was the first time a crewed spaceship was launched from the United States since 2011 when the space shuttle program was ended.

Between then and this mission, American astronauts traveled exclusively on Russian rockets.

Eventually, Dragon will regularly bring four astronauts to the ISS at a time, from NASA and partner space agencies in Canada, Japan, Europe and potentially Russia.

This will be the first time the SpaceX capsule will make the journey to Earth with astronauts, having successfully completed an uncrewed test run last year.

It will splash down in the Atlantic, like the Apollo capsules did in the 1960s and 1970s.

Topics : astronaut SpaceX space NASA
Source: Xinhua| 2020-07-19 19:15:24|Editor: huaxia

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Medical staff move wheelchairs at Health Point Upper East Medical Center in Harare, Zimbabwe, July 17, 2020. (Xinhua/Chen Yaqin)

Three Chinese firms operating in Zimbabwe have teamed up with a local medical institution to establish a COVID-19 treatment and isolation center in the country.

By Tafara Mugwara and Zhang Yuliang



HARARE, July 19 (Xinhua) -- Three Chinese firms operating in Zimbabwe have teamed up with a local medical institution to establish a COVID-19 treatment and isolation center in the country.

Hongyu Enterprises, Jin'an Corporation and China Mingchang Engineering Corporation partnered with Health Point, a private medical institution in establishing the facility.

Health Point is providing medical expertise while the Chinese firms are providing medical equipment and funding at an investment of more than 3 million U.S. dollars.

The Harare-based facility, named Health Point Upper East Medical Center, will have a capacity to accommodate more than 80 intensive care patients at a time when it officially opens next week.

Photo shows the Intensive Care Unit at Health Point Upper East Medical Center in Harare, Zimbabwe, July 17, 2020. (Xinhua/Chen Yaqin)

The development comes at a time when Zimbabwe is witnessing a spike in locally transmitted COVID-19 cases.

A total of 1,420 cases were reported as of Friday evening, with 24 deaths and 438 recoveries.

Michael Li, Executive director of Health Point Upper East Medical Center, said in an effort to complement government efforts in responding to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Chinese community in the country decided to partner a local institution to establish the facility.

"After we started this project, the first major decision we made towards opening and receiving patients is that we realized that none of us in the Chinese community were experts in the medical field, so the first major decision we made was to partner with Health Point."

Li said the Chinese embassy also provided support to the project.

Photo shows a general ward at Health Point Upper East Medical Center in Harare, Zimbabwe, July 17, 2020. (Xinhua/Chen Yaqin)

"The Chinese embassy gave us a lot of help as well, from finding the equipment to helping us with the logistics," he said.

Li said the motivation behind the establishment of the facility was not profit driven, but was driven by the desire to serve the community.

He said they will also consider opening a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) center at the facility.

"We are definitely thinking of opening a TCM center here. But anything that is new to society and community takes time."

"So we are looking forward to working together with the Zimbabwean health authorities and health professionals to share our knowledge and to collaborate together so that the community will accept TCM in a good way," he said.

Medical staff pose for group photo at Health Point Upper East Medical Center in Harare, Zimbabwe, July 17, 2020. (Xinhua/Chen Yaqin)

Since the first case of COVID-19 was recorded in Zimbabwe, China has made a notable contribution to the country's fight against the pandemic.

In addition to providing technical support, China has donated a significant amount of medical supplies to the country to help it combat the coronavirus.

Chinese companies operating in the country offered over 500,000 U.S. dollars in March for the rehabilitation of Wilkins Hospital in Harare, one of Zimbabwe's isolation and treatment centers for COVID-19.

The renovation enhanced the hospital's capacity to handle infections, increasing beds for COVID-19 patients to about 60 from 35. 
RIYADH/WASHINGTON -- Finance officials from the Group of 20 major economies vowed on Saturday to continue using all available policy tools to fight the coronavirus pandemic and bolster the global economy, warning that the outlook remains highly uncertain.

G20 finance ministers and central bankers, in a communique issued after a virtual meeting on Saturday, said the global economy would recover as economies gradually reopen, but said further actions were needed to ensure growth.

We are determined to continue to use all available policy tools to safeguard peoples lives, jobs and incomes, support global economic recovery, and enhance the resilience of the financial system, while safeguarding against downside risks, they said in statement after the meeting ended.

COVID-19, the disease caused by the virus, has infected more than 14.14 million people and killed 596,576, according to a Reuters tally. The United States, the worlds largest economy, tops the list of deaths.

Sweeping shutdowns aimed at halting the spread of the disease have caused massive disruption to the global economy, and are hitting the worlds poorest countries hardest.

G20 finance officials said 42 of the worlds 73 poorest countries had requested a freeze in official bilateral debt payments through the end of the year, amounting to about $5.3 billion in deferred payments.

Reflecting concerns raised by the World Bank that China, a G20 member and the largest creditor to developing countries, was not participating fully, the officials urged all official bilateral creditors to implement the Debt Service Suspension Initiative (DSSI) fully and transparently.

They also strongly encouraged private creditors to participate on comparable terms, and said they would consider extending the debt standstill in the second half of 2020.

Private creditors had not received any formal requests from countries for debt service suspension under the G20 initiative, the Institute for International Finance (IIF) said on Wednesday, ahead of Saturdays meeting.

We encourage the private sector investors to participate in this, but we need to be very careful not to interfere on private agreements, Saudi Finance Minister Mohammed al-Jadaan said in a press conference at the end of the meeting.

Saudi Arabia is the current G20 chair.

The officials also reaffirmed their commitment to resolving differences over how to tax digital services and reaching a broad, consensus-based solution this year.

They said they expected to see proposals on international tax reform by October, when they meet again.

Fair taxation of international companies and large digital groups is more urgent than ever, German Finance Minister Olaf Scholz said after the meeting.
Trump Says Hes Helping Portland After Crackdown on Unrest

President Donald Trump wrote on Twitter Sunday that he is trying to assist Portland after months of protests and riots by sending in federal law enforcement, which triggered a backlash from the citys mayor and Oregons governor.

We are trying to help Portland, not hurt it, the president wrote. Their leadership has, for months, lost control of the anarchists and agitators. They are missing in action. We must protect Federal property, AND OUR PEOPLE. These were not merely protesters, these are the real deal! Trump added, without elaborating.

Over the weekend, meanwhile, rioters broke inside a Portland Police Association building and set it on fire, also setting fire in dumpsters nearby, according to the Portland Police Bureau.

As the crowd was dispersed, several people in the crowd were arrested and officers were able to extinguish the fire. Portland Police did not use any CS gas, the bureau said on Sunday.

They were also seen dismantling a fence around a federal courthouse, hours after it was put up. The U.S. Attorneys office in Oregon said that the fence was to de-escalate tensions between protesters and law enforcement officials and asked people to leave it alone.

Mayor Ted Wheeler, a Democrat, has said that a small group of violent anarchists was drowning out the overarching Black Lives Matter protest in the wake of George Floyds death. But the mayor called on the Trump administration to pull back, claiming that it is exacerbating the unrest.

Keep your troops in your own buildings, or have them leave our city, Wheeler said Friday.

Rioters use fencing to barricade an exit from the Mark O. Hatfield Courthouse in Portland, Ore., on July 17, 2020. (Mason Trinca/Getty Images)

Federal officers prepare to disperse the crowd of protestors outside the Multnomah County Justice Center in Portland, Ore., on July 17, 2020. (Mason Trinca/Getty Images)

In a lawsuit against the federal government, Oregon Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum requested that the Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Marshals Service, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and the Federal Protection Service stop making more arrests in the city.

These tactics must stop, Rosenblum said in a statement. They not only make it impossible for people to assert their First Amendment rights to protest peacefully, they also create a more volatile situation on our streets.

The methods, she added, are entirely unnecessary and out of character with the Oregon way, without elaborating.

The federal administration has chosen Portland to use their scare tactics to stop our residents from protesting police brutality and from supporting the Black Lives Matter movement, she said. Every American should be repulsed when they see this happening. If this can happen here in Portland, it can happen anywhere.

But the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) pushed back against those assertions.

The [Customs and Border Protection] agents identified themselves and were wearing CBP insignia during the encounter, the DHS said in a statement. The names of the agents were not displayed due to recent doxing incidents against law enforcement personnel who serve and protect our country.
Gov't needs to address apprehension over housing market with well-thought out plans



The flare-up over comments made by Rep. Jin Sung-joon of the Democratic Party of Korea after a televised debate reflects if anything the high distrust in government policies for the volatile housing market.



After a TV debate ended Friday, the lawmaker, unaware that the YouTube broadcast was still on, said, "Regardless, (housing prices) will not go down," adding, "This is not a new problem."



To be fair, he was ostensibly responding to former United Future Party lawmaker Kim Hyun-ah's comment that plummeting housing prices would not be good for Korea's economy.



Many interpreted Jin's comments as an admission that the government policies may well be ineffective. Jin is a member of the National Assembly's Land, Infrastructure and Transport Committee, and a former political affairs secretary to President Moon Jae-in. The lawmaker explained that he was arguing that it was undesirable to protest the anti-speculation measures with the logic that falling housing prices would impact the economy. However, it would be hard to deny that the comments touched off public nervousness verging on panic that the people may end up with the short end of the stick by adhering to the administration's housing measures.



The declining approval ratings for President Moon Jae-in are another gauge of public apprehension. Approval last week fell to 44.1 percent, the lowest in nine months, in a Realmeter poll taken from Monday to Wednesday on 1,510 adults. The fall was mainly due to housing policies.



To provide quality housing and to stabilize the market, the government has announced 22 measures so far. The government is apparently considering options to increase the housing supply to counter the rising real estate prices. Instead, ruling bloc members are pre-emptively floating raw real-estate policy ideas here and there.



A centralized, well-thought out scheme  not the flustered and politicized reflexive measures  is required here and now.




Actor Amitabh Bachchan has shared a picture with his family on Twitter, thanking fans for their prayers and blessings for them. Amitabh, his son Abhishek Bachchan, daughter-in-law Aishwarya Rai and granddaughter Aaradhya have been diagnosed with Covid-19. They are all currently admitted to the Nanavati Hospital in Mumbai.

Sharing a throwback picture from when they all greeted their fans outside their house Jalsa, Amitabh wrote that the family sees the love. We see your love .. we hear your prayers .. we fold our hands .. in gratitude and thanks, he wrote in his tweet.

T 3598 - We see your love .. we hear your prayers .. we fold our hands  .. in gratitude and thanks ! pic.twitter.com/PMMCRMS4FT  Amitabh Bachchan (@SrBachchan) July 18, 2020

He talked further about the value of prayers on his blog. The value of connect is supreme .. the value of your presence is supreme .. the value of all the prayers, the duas, .. from Mandirs, Masjids, Churches , Gurudwaras , from the Synagogues .. that you so generously give reaches us .. and we are overwhelmed by your love and care, he wrote.

We are so fortunate to have all of you in our lives .. to give us strength and to tell us each moment that we are not alone .. thank you seems so inadequate .. but it does carry with it much more than what it means in mere letters ..Love, he added.

Also read: Shekhar Kapur reacts to R Balkis find me better actors than Alia Bhatt, Ranbir Kapoor comment: Just saw Kai Po Che again

The family is reportedly responding well to the treatment. Amitabh and Abhishek are in the isolation ward of Nanavati hospital since July 11 after they were diagnosed with Covid-19, while Aishwarya, 46 and eight-year-old Aaradhya were shifted to the facility on Friday night, almost a week after they tested positive for the virus.

They all (referring to Amitabh Bachchan, Abhishek, Aishwarya and Aaradhya) are ok. They are responding well to the treatment. They are in the isolation ward. Amitabh Bachchan and Abhishek Bachchan will be in the hospital maybe for a day or two, a hospital source told PTI. Aishwarya had cough. She is ok now. Aishwarya and Aaradhya will have to be in the hospital for a couple of days, the insider added.

Since his diagnosis, Amitabh has been regularly updating his admirers about his health on social media. In happy times, in times of illness, you our near and dear, our well wishers, our fans have ever given us unstinting love , affection care and prayer .. we express our bountiful gracious gratitude to you all .. in these circumstances hospital protocol, restrictive, the screen icon tweeted on Friday evening.

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Source: Xinhua| 2020-07-19 09:58:34|Editor: huaxia

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BELGRADE, July 19 (Xinhua) -- China's role in fighting COVID-19 is immense, and its Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) will prove as key to mitigating negative effects caused by the pandemic globally, a Serbian scholar has told Xinhua.

The BRI is important to both global health and economic development amid the pandemic, said Ivona Ladjevac, head of the center for the Belt and Road Initiative at the Institute of International Politics and Economics in Serbia, on Friday.

She expressed her confidence that the initiative will continue to be an engine of international economic growth thanks to the timely measures taken by Chinese authorities,

Commenting on China's response to the economic fallout caused by the pandemic, Ladjevac said that the country used "milder and less invasive" economic measures to deal with economic consequences of the pandemic than the European Union or the United States.

"China has primarily focused on fiscal policy measures and measures to maintain liquidity, rather than monetary measures," she said.

In the second quarter, China posted a positive growth in gross domestic product (GDP) of 3.2 percent, showing that the country has turned around the negative trends from the first quarter.

Ladjevac said that China is facing the biggest challenge to diminish the negative effects of the COVID-19 pandemic in China and to contribute to economic recovery across the world.

"This challenge is the biggest and the most serious since the establishment of the People's Republic of China. Since the economic rate was negative in the first quarter of this year, the Chinese government will continue to insist on promotion of economic and social development, providing necessary assistance to enterprises in order to maintain jobs," Ladjevac said.

"With China being an engine of the international economy, it is more than necessary to keep its economy stable," she said.

Recalling how the steel friendship between the two countries helped Serbia prevent the worst scenario in the early days of the epidemic, she commended the contribution of the BRI to global health and economic development.

Noting that China sent tons of medical equipment and two teams of epidemic experts to help combat the outbreak and provide treatment to patients in Serbia, Ladjevac said "China has provided selfless professional, moral and material assistance, more than envisaged by the comprehensive strategic partnership agreement between our countries."

Were it not for the experts, lab equipment, testing kits, medical devices and protective equipment from China, Serbia would have been in an even more difficult situation, she added.

With 20,498 confirmed COVID-19 cases and 461 deaths, the country's death rate from the disease stands at 2.25 percent, which is well under the global average.

Ladjevac said that Serbia, now faced with the resurgence of the epidemic, continues to look forward to cooperation with China for the development of its economy, especially on projects within the BRI.

She said that some of the BRI projects will be of crucial importance to Serbia's future after the epidemic, such as the construction of Shandong Linglong Tire Factory in Zrenjanin, the modernization of the Kostolac thermal power plant, and the construction of the Belgrade-Budapest railway as well as the Belgrade-South Adriatic highway.

Most recently, in June Chinese construction company Shandong Hi-Speed started the construction of the 18.3-km Lajkovac-Iverak expressway in Western Serbia, which is expected to bring benefits to local residents and boost employment in this part of the country.

"Since the Belt and Road Initiative is the widest world initiative that gathers so many countries, it is necessary to overcome current problems posed by the pandemic and add new impetus to the initiative, which serves as the engine of not only regional economic growth but global economic development," Ladjevac said. Enditem
President Donald Trump had a combative interview with Fox News Sunday anchor Chris Wallace that aired on Sunday in which he downplayed the coronavirus death toll, defended his past misstatements on the virus, and attacked former Vice President Joe Biden. There are plenty of noteworthy moments in the sit-down that marked the presidents first Sunday morning show interview in more than a year. Here are some of the moments that stood out.

Wallace fact-checks Trump

At one point of the interview, Wallace fact-checked Trump after he falsely claimed the United States has the lowest mortality rate in the world for the coronavirus. Trump was making the point as he dismissed the importance of the statistic that the United States has the highest number of confirmed cases in the world, attributing it to increased testing. As Wallace and Trump argued over figures, Trump called on his press secretary, Kayleigh McEnany, for the statistics. I heard we have one of the lowest, maybe the lowest, mortality rate anywhere in the world, Trump said. McEnany ended up handing Trump a chart from the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control. The chart showed Italy and Spain doing worse, Wallace explains to viewers. But countries like Brazil and South Korea doing better. Other countries doing better, like Russia, arent included in the White House chart.

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"Ready? Will you please get me the mortality rate? Kayleigh is right here... I heard we have the best mortality rate" - the WH just flat out made up a chart to create a false impression that the US has the best mortality rate in the world during Trump's interview w/ Chris Wallace pic.twitter.com/yw8QGBTRVs  Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) July 19, 2020

In another portion of the interview, which had been released on Friday, Wallace challenged Trumps assertion that Biden wants to defund the police. It came during a conversation about violence in cities run by Democratic mayors. Theyve run them poorly, Trump said. It was always bad, but now its gotten totally out of control. And its really because they want to defund the police, and Biden wants to defund the police. Thats when Wallace stepped in: Sir, he does not. Trump stood by his claim.

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NEW: Chris and President Trump sit down to discuss the recent spike in violence in major cities across the country. Tune in Sunday to catch the full interview. #FoxNewsSunday pic.twitter.com/r7hwgyVhKM  FoxNewsSunday (@FoxNewsSunday) July 17, 2020

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Ill be right eventually

Wallace dedicated a portion of his interview to misstatements by Trump, including his many statements early in the pandemic in which he predicted that the coronavirus would soon cease to be a problem. Wallace also highlighted how Trump insisted earlier this month that the virus was going to sort of disappear at some point. Trump defended his claim, suggesting that his statements may have been early but hell be proved right at some point. I will be right eventually, Trump responded. You know I said, Its going to disappear. Ill say it again: Its going to disappear. And Ill be right. The president then went on to claim, Ive been right probably more than anybody else.

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Chris Wallace: You've been wrong a lot on coronavirus, claiming it will quickly disappear and go down to zero/



Trump: "I will be right eventually...I'll say it again, it's going to disappear." pic.twitter.com/LonHZVO8qB  Justin Baragona (@justinbaragona) July 19, 2020

Trump also played down the severity of the coronavirus, saying many of those who contract the virus would heal quickly. Many of those cases are young people that would heal in a day, Trump said. They have the sniffles, and we put it down as a test. Many of them, dont forget, I guess its like 99.7 percent, people are going to get better, and in many cases, theyre going to get better very quickly.

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"They have the sniffles ... many of those cases shouldn't even be cases" -- Trump is still downplaying the severity of contracting Covid-19 pic.twitter.com/cT24njBK9n  Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) July 19, 2020

Trump dismisses Fox News poll as fake

Trump was optimistic about his prospects of reelection in November despite the recent polls that show Biden with a commanding lead. When Wallace mentioned a Fox News poll showing the president trailing Biden by 8 points, Trump dismissed it as irrelevant. Im not losing, because those are fake polls. They were fake in 2016, and now theyre even more fake, Trump said. I have other polls that put me leading, and we have polls where Im leading. I have a poll where were leading in every swing state.

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"First of all, I'm not losing. Because those are fake polls" -- Trump dismisses a Fox News poll showing Biden up by 8 points pic.twitter.com/VAyZKn1YEK  Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) July 19, 2020

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I dont care what the military says

At one point of the interview, Wallace mentioned Trumps threat to veto the National Defense Authorization Act because it would include a plan to rename Army bases named for Confederate generals. When Trump defended the move, Wallace interjected, But the military says theyre for this. Trump was not too happy about being interrupted. Excuse me, excuse me. I dont care what the military says, Trump said. Im supposed to make the decision. Trump then went on to specifically focus on Fort Bragg. Go to the community, say, How do you like the idea of renaming Fort Bragg, and then what are we going to name it? Were going to name it after the Rev. Al Sharpton? What are you going to name it, Chris? Tell me what youre going to name it.

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"We won two world wars. Beautiful world wars. That were vicious and horrible. And we won them out of Fort Bragg, we won them out of all of these forts, and now they want to throw those names away" -- Trump pic.twitter.com/ICGy2GTnXn  Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) July 19, 2020

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Trump declines to say if hell accept election results

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Trump refused to commit to accepting the results of the election in November if he loses to Joe Biden. Asked about the possibility he would lose, Trump said he doesnt handle losing very well and said that mail-in voting is going to rig the election. When Wallace asked whether that meant he would not accept the results, Trump said, I have to see. When pressed on the issue, he continued to refuse to give a straight answer. No, Im not going to just say yes. Im not going to say no, and I didnt last time either.

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When asked if he can give a direct answer about whether he will accept the election, Trump replied, "I have to see." pic.twitter.com/QgRWyCM3D4  Talking Points Memo (@TPM) July 19, 2020

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Its not the hardest test

What was perhaps the most bizarre exchange of the whole interview came when Wallace asked Trump if Biden was senile after the president claimed that Biden cant put two sentences together. Trump refused to answer the question. I dont want to say that, Trump said. Id say hes not competent to be president.  He doesnt even know hes alive. Wallace then pointed out that a Fox poll had found that more people believe Biden is more mentally sound than Trump. Ill tell you what, lets take a test. Lets take a test right now. Lets go down, Joe and I will take a test. Let him take the same test that I took, Trump said. The president had previously boasted that he aced a cognitive test. Incidentally, I took the test too when I heard that you passed it, Wallace said. When Trump asked how he did, Wallace answered: Well, its not the hardest test. They have a picture and it says, Whats that? and its an elephant. Trump took offense at what he said was a misrepresentation, insisting that while the first few questions are easy, they get harder. Ill bet you couldnt even answer the last five questions. Wallace then said, Well, one of them was count back from 100 by seven.

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Chris Wallace to Trump on Trump's cognitive test: "Well, it's not the hardest test. It shows a picture and it says, 'what's that'. And it's an elephant." pic.twitter.com/7hnZphc1Rp  Kyle Griffin (@kylegriffin1) July 19, 2020

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If you want to know who really controls Argo Group International Holdings, Ltd. (NYSE:ARGO), then you'll have to look at the makeup of its share registry. Generally speaking, as a company grows, institutions will increase their ownership. Conversely, insiders often decrease their ownership over time. We also tend to see lower insider ownership in companies that were previously publicly owned.

With a market capitalization of US$1.4b, Argo Group International Holdings is a decent size, so it is probably on the radar of institutional investors. Our analysis of the ownership of the company, below, shows that institutional investors have bought into the company. Let's take a closer look to see what the different types of shareholder can tell us about Argo Group International Holdings.

View our latest analysis for Argo Group International Holdings

What Does The Institutional Ownership Tell Us About Argo Group International Holdings?

Institutions typically measure themselves against a benchmark when reporting to their own investors, so they often become more enthusiastic about a stock once it's included in a major index. We would expect most companies to have some institutions on the register, especially if they are growing.

As you can see, institutional investors have a fair amount of stake in Argo Group International Holdings. This can indicate that the company has a certain degree of credibility in the investment community. However, it is best to be wary of relying on the supposed validation that comes with institutional investors. They too, get it wrong sometimes. When multiple institutions own a stock, there's always a risk that they are in a 'crowded trade'. When such a trade goes wrong, multiple parties may compete to sell stock fast. This risk is higher in a company without a history of growth. You can see Argo Group International Holdings's historic earnings and revenue, below, but keep in mind there's always more to the story.

Story continues

Since institutional investors own more than half the issued stock, the board will likely have to pay attention to their preferences. It looks like hedge funds own 7.4% of Argo Group International Holdings shares. That worth noting, since hedge funds are often quite active investors, who may try to influence management. Many want to see value creation (and a higher share price) in the short term or medium term. Looking at our data, we can see that the largest shareholder is The Vanguard Group, Inc. with 7.6% of shares outstanding. In comparison, the second and third largest shareholders hold about 7.4% and 6.3% of the stock.

After doing some more digging, we found that the top 14 have the combined ownership of 51% in the company, suggesting that no one share holder has significant control over the company.

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. There are a reasonable number of analysts covering the stock, so it might be useful to find out their aggregate view on the future.

Insider Ownership Of Argo Group International Holdings

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.

I generally consider insider ownership to be a good thing. However, on some occasions it makes it more difficult for other shareholders to hold the board accountable for decisions.

Shareholders would probably be interested to learn that insiders own shares in Argo Group International Holdings, Ltd.. The insiders have a meaningful stake worth US$42m. Most would see this as a real positive. If you would like to explore the question of insider alignment, you can click here to see if insiders have been buying or selling.

General Public Ownership

The general public, with a 18% stake in the company, will not easily be ignored. This size of ownership, while considerable, may not be enough to change company policy if the decision is not in sync with other large shareholders.

Next Steps:

I find it very interesting to look at who exactly owns a company. But to truly gain insight, we need to consider other information, too. For example, we've discovered 2 warning signs for Argo Group International Holdings that you should be aware of before investing here.

Ultimately the future is most important. You can access this free report on analyst forecasts for the company.

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.
High profile British feminists have rallied behind Amber Heard amid her ex-husband Johnny Depp's bombshell libel trial.

Cherie Blair, the barrister and wife of former Prime Minister Tony Blair, is understood to have spoken with the actress' legal team last week, as Depp's High Court trial entered its second week.

The pair met last year when they both spoke at the United Nations general assembly in New York to campaign against women being unjustly imprisoned, the Sunday Times reported.

Labour MP and Shadow Minister for Domestic Violence and Safeguarding Jess Phillips has also spoken to Heard.

'When I spoke to [Heard] about violence against women policies and the UN, I didn't know how she is remaining so calm and strong,' she said. 'She seemed incredibly together.'

High profile British feminists have rallied behind Amber Heard (pictured in London) amid her ex-husband Johnny Depp's bombshell libel trial

Cherie Blair (left) is understood to have spoken with the actress' legal team last week, as Depp's High Court trial entered its second week. Pictured right: Jess Phillips

Ms Phillips added she is worried the trial has focused so much on Heard, who is 'not even party to the proceedings'. She claimed some of the analysis of Heard's character was 'dangerous' and 'irrelevant to the facts of the case'.

Depp is suing News Group Newspapers, the parent company of the Sun, for libel over a 2018 article which labelled him a 'wife-beater.'

'It is very problematic because this is not a trial [Heard] is party to, she is a witness,' Ms Phillips added.

'People think this is her taking him to trial. As a bystander, I feel like Heard is on trial, and she's not even party to the proceedings.'

Heard, who is due to give evidence at the High Court tomorrow, has been supported through the nine-day trial by her partner Bianca Butti, her sister Whitney and her barrister Jennifer Robinson.

Robinson works at Doughty Street Chambers alongside Amal Clooney.

Depp is suing News Group Newspapers, the parent company of the Sun, for libel over a 2018 article which labelled him a 'wife-beater'

Amanda de Cadenet (pictured with Heard) said she felt she had been 'misled by Miss Heard in relation to Miss Heard's account of her relationship with Mr Depp and the violence between them'

But despite appearing to gain the support of several British feminists, Heard has lost the backing of close friend and longtime women's right activist Amanda de Cadenet.

Cadenet, who was expected to give evidence on behalf of publisher News Group Newspapers, said she felt she had been 'misled by Miss Heard in relation to Miss Heard's account of her relationship with Mr Depp and the violence between them'.

The statement was read out in the High Court on Friday.

On Thursday, the court heard that British TV host Miss de Cadenet had been 'abandoned' as a potential witness.

David Sherborne, for Depp, said: 'Miss de Cadenet was originally going to be a witness for the defendant [the newspaper]. She was listed on the friends of Miss Heard coming to give evidence.

'Then Miss de Cadenet felt she had been misled by Miss Heard in relation to Miss Heard's relationship with Mr Depp and violence between them.'

Pirates of the Caribbean actor Depp, 57, has taken action against News Group Newspapers over a headline published by the Sun labelling him a 'wife-beater'.

Depp, 57, has rejected allegations he was physically abusive towards Heard as 'sick and completely untrue'.

Depp, 57, and Heard, 34, met on the set of the 2011 comedy 'The Rum Diary' and married in Los Angeles in February 2015. They are pictured at the film's premiere in London in November 2011

Depp, 57, has rejected allegations he was physically abusive towards Heard as 'sick and completely untrue'

On the ninth day of the court case on Friday, it was alleged Heard had secretly recorded her interior designer raging against Depp's lawyer for pressuring her to make a critical statement about the actress.

Laura Divenere, who furnished the couple's Los Angeles penthouse, said in her witness statement she never saw Heard with any injuries following a fight with Depp in May 2016.

She even claimed in her written statement that Heard, 34, never spoke about being the victim of domestic abuse during her time with Depp who she described as 'delightful' and never aggressive.

The alleged row has become a focal point of Depp's High Court showdown against The Sun newspaper.

But evidence of a conversation between her and Heard in which Divenere vented against Depp's US attorney Adam Waldman for leaning on her to brand Heard physically abusive in her High Court statement was then shared.

In the conversation, Ms Divenere called Waldman the 'biggest a**hole under the sun' after he asked her to abandon Heard's version of the contentious 2016 fight.

Last night Depp's lawyer told MailOnline: 'This is another false narrative. In reality, Elon Musks and Amber Heards employee Laura Divenere was with Ms Heard the entire week following her May 21, 2016 iPhone-to-the-face hoax and has testified that Ms Heards face was visibly uninjured.

'In a recent email Divenere wrote to her own and the Suns lawyers that was read out in court, Ms Divenere reaffirmed that her sworn declaration was true, and that she had herself written the final version.'

The trial continues.
The New Sextons House on Manorhamiltons Church Lane beside the Church of Ireland is almost completed, and the Sextons House Steering Committee is currently promoting a competition that invites local children to design a logo for it and win 100 for doing so.

The Sextons House is funded by Peace IV and Leitrim County Council and will be used to host activities and events which promote inclusiveness and friendship in our community.

This project has been supported by the EU's Peace IV Programme, managed by the Special EU Programmes Body. Rita Day, who is the Chair of the Sextons House Steering Committee, invites all the Logo design competition entrants to make your mark on Manorhamilton  create a logo to represent the Sextons House, Church Lane  the exciting new shared space, located in Manorhamilton.

Meanwhile the winning Sextons House logo design entrant will receive a prize of 100 and the design idea will be used as part of the signage at the Sextons House.

The winner will also be invited to attend the official opening of the Sextons House during 2020. The logo competition design rules are - the competition is open to Primary-level pupils; all entries should be returned on the competition template to Rita Day by Wednesday July 24; entrants should include his or her full name and contact details; in the case of entrants who are under 18 years, consent to take part in the competition should be signed by a parent /guardian and a contact number provided.

For further information about the New Sextons House logo design competition and to obtain entries forms, etc., plus please contact Rita, phone 083-4239485.

Logo competition entries should be sent to Manorhamilton Shared Space/Sexton House Logo Competition, c/o The North Leitrim Womens Centre, The Bee Park (Community) Resource Centre, Manorhamilton, Co. Leitrim.
Anti-mask protesters are finally covering up as the coronavirus gets deadlier. But instead of a mask that actually does anything, they're using masks made of yarn, mesh and lace.

KHOU posted a report from Indianapolis showing how these ineffective masks have grown in popularity as wearing masks become more of a political statement. President Donald Trump finally sported his own mask on July 11.

LIFE IN THE PANDEMIC: Coronavirus means we have to use hand sanitizer more often. But why does it smell so gross now?

Make your own Anti Mask! said the seller of a pattern to create an "anti-mask," according to the report. Stylish, breathable and don't protect you from a darn thing! Masks required? No problem! Breath free while making a statement.

Harris County is under a mandatory mask order until until Aug. 26, mandating all businesses in the county to require customers wear masks or face coverings.

The Houston area is also reporting a death count of 717 from COVID-19, and the city has become a hotspot for the virus.

The CDC director said the coronavirus could be under control in weeks if everyone wears a mask.

"I always say we are not defenseless against this virus. The most powerful weapons we have are face coverings ... washing our hands and really being smart about social distancing. If we all rigorously did this, we could really bring this outbreak back to where it needs to be and shut down transmission," Dr. Robert Redfield, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, said in a discussion with the Journal of the American Medical Association.

That should be encouragement enough to cover up.
Smartwatches had more success in space than they did on Earth. That used to be the case, anyway, as wearables market is on the rise these days. We'll now trace their history all the way back to the early gadgets, which weren't all that "smart".

You may remember two "3G watch phones" from 2009 - the Samsung S9110 and LG GD910. Having a phone on your wrist was cool, but these couldn't really run apps (not even J2ME). Texting on them was tricky, web browsing was out of the question. And with no Wi-Fi and tiny battery, tethering wasn't really an option either. So what was the point?

Sometimes companies try things out before the tech is ready. And it had been 10 years since the SPH-WP10 - Samsung's first watch phone - so having another go at it probably made sense.

The WP10 may have taken the name "watch phone" a little too seriously - it very much looks like a phone from the era, including the external antenna, just with a wrist strap. It weighted 50g and measured 20 mm thick, but it was all worth it since you could make calls on a 2G network for up to 90 minutes.

This was before Bluetooth, though, so unless you wanted to hold it up to your ear (and look weird doing it), you had to use a wired headset.

The Samsung S9110 and LG GD910 got that much right at least, they were ideally used with a Bluetooth headset. Then they were just like any other phone, except strapped securely to your wrist - you can't forget it or lose it and you don't have to keep it in your pocket when going out for a run.



Samsung S9110  LG GD910

The LG model even had a camera and made use of its 3G connection to send and receive MMS - just imagine going out in 2009, snapping a photo and instantly sharing it with your friends, all without your phone. Actually, imagine doing that today. It's not impossible, but not easy either, despite another 10 years of technological progress.

The Sony Ericsson LiveView from 2010 was an early example of a smart band. Okay, it was watch-shaped, but unlike true smartwatches it was completely useless without a phone. It was just a wireless display that showed content that the phone pushed to it. Seriously, this couldn't even keep the time, instead it needed to synchronize with your phone at every boot-up.



Sony Ericsson LiveView  Sony SmartWatch  Sony SmartWatch 3 SWR50

Two years later Sony would release the so-called "Sony SmartWatch" that still had no smarts built in, it was just a better LiveView. It wouldn't be until the Sony SmartWatch 3 (sadly, the last of its kind) that the company would make the jump to Android Wear. The 3 was one of the first smart watches to have a GPS receiver built in, by the way.

The Motorola Motoactv was similar to the LiveView. It came out in 2011 and had much more advanced exercise-tracking features. ANT+ enabled it to connect to a speed/cadence sensor on a bike or to external pulse sensors (Bluetooth could be used as well). Exercise tracking is still a major use case for smart watches. It didn't have "apps", though it did support plug-ins for Facebook and Twitter, for example.



Motorola Motoactv

In 2013 Samsung tried its hand at making a smartwatch again. The Galaxy Gear was an actual smart watch as there was no telephony or mobile data. Note that despite the "Galaxy" branding, this ran Tizen on an 800 MHz processor with 512 MB of RAM and 4 GB storage (smart watch memory capacities have changed surprisingly little since then).

The Galaxy Gear had a 1.9MP camera that could shoot 10-second video clips in 720p. You had to share those from your phone, however. Still, you could read SMS, view MMS and make calls using the watch (as long as your phone was within Bluetooth range).

And more importantly, there were apps - 70 of them at launch, including Twitter, Facebook, Evernote, MyFitnessPal and RunKeeper.



Samsung Galaxy Gear  Samsung Gear Live  Samsung Gear S

A year later came the Samsung Gear Live, which did run Android on a Snapdragon 400 chipset. But the Gear watches (and more recent Galaxy watches) have been based on Tizen exclusively.

Before we go on, we'd like to mention the Gear S, which featured a curved Super AMOLED display back in 2014 - at 2" it was huge for a watch and an impressive demo of what AMOLED displays could achieve. The nubia Alpha and Amazfit X are more recent examples of this design.

LG also returned to the segment with 2014's LG G Watch, which ran Android Wear and had a square LCD. The LG G Watch R was similar, though it did switch to a circular P-OLED display.



LG G Watch W100  LG Watch Urbane W150  LG Watch Urbane LTE

The next year brought the Urbane watches, which were a bit weird. The LG Watch Urbane also ran Android Wear and had a circular P-OLED display but no telephony or mobile data. The Watch Urbane LTE, however, did offer a 4G connection, but used a different OS instead - webOS, believe it or not. Palm's OS lives on in LG TVs, though unlike Samsung's Tizen it is no longer part of the smart watch market.

Here's a bit of trivia: this wasn't the first time Palm was involved with smart watches. The Fossil Wrist PDA from 2003 ran Palm OS (this was pre-webOS). It had 160 x 160 grayscale display (16 levels) that was touch enabled - well, you had to use a stylus stashed in the clasp of the wrist band. Still, it supported grafitti handwriting recognition, which wasn't all that useful since the only wireless connection on the watch was an IR blaster. It was a great idea that came before technology was ready to implement it properly.



Fossil Wrist PDA

Motorola introduced the Moto 360 in 2014 with a mostly circular display - the display controller had to go somewhere, which led to the so-called "flat-tire" shape. With an affordable price tag and Android Wear on board, this proved fairly popular.



Motorola Moto 360 (1st gen)

Huawei jumped in the fray in 2015 with the Huawei Watch. With a Sapphire crystal above the circular 1.4" OLED display, this was a pretty stylish Android Wear watch. Yes, Android, this was before the company moved on to its in-house wearable platform.



Huawei Watch

There are other smart watches, ones we've left out of this list. But we'll end on the most important one - the Apple Watch from 2015. It was the one that took smart watches out of geeky circles and propelled them into the mainstream. It sold a whopping 4.2 million units in the first quarter of availability and would go on to outsell regular mechanical and quartz watches.



Apple Watch 42mm (1st gen)

Smart watches have exploded in popularity in recent years. Some run OSes based on smartphone software, others are more restricted. Still, they come in all shapes and sizes, with various features and price tags.

And they've regained their independence with built-in LTE modems, so they can be used without a nearby smartphone. But they haven't really shed their status of accessories - smartphone screen sizes have been growing bigger and bigger as they became the primary messaging, browsing and media consumption device for many.

By necessity, smartwatches have smaller screens, so while advancements like speech-to-text make communication fairly easy, they are still not great at scrolling through Facebook or watching Netflix. Maybe foldable displays will change that, enabling some sort of smart-watch-phone-bracelet type devices. We've already seen attempts at it, but the tech isn't ready. Maybe 10 years after the Gear S things will be different.

PS. For a closer look at early smart watches check out our earlier post on the matter. There have been some kooky ideas like putting an iPod Nano on a wrist strap.
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Linkedin (Inquirer.net/Asia News Network)  Sun, July 19, 2020 15:11 549 6657ac82168da9fa101c8a406678cdad 2 People skydiving,death,teenagers Free

An 18-year-old girl who was to start her first year in college this August died in a skydiving accident with her instructor in the United States.

Jeanna Renee Triplicata and her grandmother planned to go skydiving, which was on the teens bucket list. The teen was with her instructor, experienced skydiver Nick Esposito, conducting a tandem jump when their parachute failed to open, Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported on July 14.

The teens parents, siblings and a family friend went with Triplicata and her grandmother Sunday, July 12, to watch them. The family saw the grandma land within their view. When it was Triplicatas turn, the family did not see the students parachute land.

The teens father, Joey Triplicata, said that his family saw a parachute spinning out of control, but they were not certain it was Jeannas.

It was the worst day of our lives, Joey was quoted as saying. It doesnt even seem real. Were going to miss her every day for the rest of our lives.

Some employees from the skydiving company, Skydive Atlanta, told the family that they would search for the teen. When they returned without Jeanna, the father decided to personally search the field.

Read also: Passion for skydiving leads to Indonesian woman jumping in 46 countries

Upson Sheriff Dan Kilgore later confirmed to the family that the teen and her 35-year-old instructor had died.

He said that after the two exited the aircraft, the primary parachute failed to open. The emergency parachute, on the other hand, did not deploy until the tandem was at an extremely low altitude. It also did not fully open, according to the report.

Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) is conducting the autopsies of the two victims bodies. A videographer, who was documenting Jeanna and Espositos flight, was not injured. After the investigation is completed, the family will be allowed to see the girls final moments.

Im hoping and praying that she was just having the time of her life, the father said in the report.

Skydive Atlantas owner sent his condolences to the family and declared that their community was devastated and at a loss for words after to the incident.

After turning 18, Jeanna apparently had three things she wanted to check off her list. Aside from skydiving, the student wanted to get a nose ring and a small tattoo to honor her late grandfather. Her father said in the report that Jeanna wasnt scared a bit to try the extreme sport. She was meant to go to the University of North Georgia to study education.

A GoFundMe page was set up in memory of the teen last Tuesday to help with the familys funeral expenses.

Topics : skydiving death teenagers

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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
The panelists who gathered Saturday over Zoom were somber as they watched the video of Muhlaysia Booker, a black transgender woman, being brutally beaten in Dallas last year.

When the video ended, the silence didnt. A year later, its still incredibly hard to see.

But Marlon A. Smith, CEO and founder of Black Greeks Speak Social Justice and Human Rights Council, felt it was important to watch again.

In the wake of George Floyds death and the recent Black Lives Matter protests across the world, all black lives need to matter  including LGBTQ ones, he said.

We need to cultivate and curate a conversation around all black lives matter, Smith said. The LGBTQ community shows up for all black folks, but we see in some instances  when our trans siblings are being murdered, we dont often see our straight siblings showing up for the LGBTQ community.

The council, a nonprofit focused on social justice and human rights, hosted the virtual panel Saturday to foster a dialogue between the African American LGBTQ community and the rest of the Black community.

Though Smith said some people refused to participate when they heard the focus of the panel, about 60 individuals joined the Zoom call Saturday with more tuning in on Facebook Live.

In 2019, at least 27 transgender or gender-nonconforming people in the U.S. died because of fatal violence, according to the Human Rights Campaign. Most of those individuals were black, transgender women.

Unfortunately, that statistic is not surprising, said Assata Richards, executive director of the Sankofa Research Institute. The institute focuses on community-based participatory research to develop strategies for social change.

In a world ruled by white supremacy, she said, how could their lives matter?

This idea that black trans lives matter  they cannot matter in this system of oppression, she said Saturday. People get killed when they present themselves as women because women dont matter.

Thats why Monica Roberts, founded editor of TransGriot, said its important that transphobia and homophobia be eradicated from within the African American community. TransGriot is a blog that focuses on issues faced by transgender women of color.

Hello, Im Black and Im trans and I cannot separate nor will I separate my blackness from my transness, Roberts said. We are also part of the larger Black community, and we have been at the forefront and fighting alongside many of you, doing a lot of civil rights work.

Kaleb Elijah, a Black trans activist, said the key is to remove the adjectives.

Within our community, we focus on the adjectives and the subject, he said. We focus on transness, we focus on woman  so we have separated ourselves at the seams. A house divided against itself cannot stand.

Though there was disagreement among panel members about how much to focus on all black lives during the two-hour Zoom call versus how much to focus on transgender people of color, all members largely agreed that a united front was the goal.

And Rep. Garnet Coleman, D-Houston, said that needed to go beyond the protests.

Marching is always good and we should protest at the Capitol, but we have to go to (legislators) offices, he said. Its very powerful having someone standing in my office and talking to me and saying I want you to do something.
Only 10 per cent of the koala habitat cleared in NSW and Queensland between 2012 and 2017 was assessed by the federal government, despite national environment law requiring protection for threatened species.

Koalas were listed as a vulnerable species in 2012 and of the 160,000 hectares of known and likely habitat cleared up to 2017, 90 per cent was not reviewed by the federal government for its impact to the species. The new figures are revealed in an analysis of government development approval registers by the Australian Conservation Foundation (ACF).

Koalas were listed as a threatened species in 2012, and of the habitat cleared up to 2017, 90 per cent was not reviewed by the federal government for its impact to the species. Credit:iStock

Significant challenges confront koalas after last summer's bushfires. Environment Minister Sussan Ley warned earlier this year that their status in some areas of their range may be upgraded to endangered. But since the species was listed as threatened, there has not been one enforcement action taken by the federal government against unapproved clearing of habitat.

The Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act requires the federal government to assess developments which could impact the health of threatened species, as well as World Heritage areas.
Apparel retailer Madame is expecting a 40 percent decline in revenue in the current financial year due to disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The company may also end up giving up to 20 percent of retail space (shut stores) if the situation does not improve in the current September quarter.

"There is a slow rise in business number post lockdown. With uncertainty and ad-hoc restrictions being imposed every day across major cities, the impact is fairly visible with the consumer preferring to stay inside... We expect a 40 percent reduction in business numbers seeing how the market has behaved in the first quarter and 2 weeks of the second quarter," Madame Executive Director Akhil Jain told PTI.

Madame has reported a turnover of Rs 275 crore for 2019-20.

Jain said, at present Madame has over 150 standalone stores and 600 multi-brand stores and about 85 percent of its standalone retail stores are now operational.

"We are trying to maintain the retail space by liaisoning with landlords. Most of them have supported the brand so far in terms of reduction in...rentals or change to revenue share models. If the second quarter doesn't show considerable numbers, then we may end up giving up to 20 percent retail space," he added.

Jain said prior to the disruptions caused by COVID-19, the company had planned to open 20 new stores in the current fiscal, out of which 7 are already under fit-outs.

Jain said consumer preference has changed significantly and hi-fashion isn't in demand today.

"Comfort wear, loungewear, and athleisure that were smaller categories for any fashion brand have significantly gained momentum. We have introduced a range for work-from-home fashion to elevate some numbers," he added.

Jain said fashion masks have also become a category and are expected to stay for another 2-3 quarters.

"We are soon coming up with a new collection of coordinated t-shirts and masks in August. Styles in loungewear and nightwear will see an increase in the coming quarter," he added.
The visit also came as the Iraqi government tussles with Iran-backed militia groups, some of which have become increasingly difficult to control in the absence of Soleimani and senior Iranian militia leader Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, who was also killed in the strike. In late June, Iraq raided the headquarters of the Iran-backed group Kataib Hezbollah over a spate of rocket and mortar attacks targeting the U.S. installations in Iraq. Most of the fighters were later released.
Residents have been urged to evacuate their waterfront homes with fears several houses may be at risk of slipping into the sea.

The coast lined with luxury properties in Wamberal, on the NSW Central Coast, has been eroding away for years and while residents along the coast are bracing for intense storms, police are recommending people evacuate.

A NSW Police spokesperson said residents in 30 houses along Ocean View Drive in Wamberal have been advised to evacuate after structural engineers were consulted.

Coastal erosion is seen from the air over Ocean View Dr, Wamberal on the NSW Central Coast on Saturday. Source: AAP

Two homes on the coast have already been impacted, partially slipping into the sea.

Wamberal Protection Society Vice-President Margaret Bryce says the damage is more extreme than in 2016 when another severe weather event caused significant erosion along the coastline.

"It's worse in that we've got two houses falling into the sea," Ms Bryce told ABC TV on Saturday.

"Police had come last night and told people not to sleep there and people are being displaced."

In addition to residents being advised to evacuate, the Central Coast Council has pleaded with people to stay away from the area if they do not need to be there.

One of houses in Wamberal that has lost one of its walls. Source: 10 News First Sydney

Sightseers and other non-resident or non-essential visitors make it difficult for residents and essential services to do their work, Central Coast Council wrote on Facebook.

They also endanger their own and others safety if they enter or go near eroded areas.

Chris Rogers, who lives on Ocean View Drive, said State Emergency Service workers were cutting off power, water and gas to homes along the street on Saturday morning.

"They're saying it's a safety precaution," he told AAP.

"A few of the owners refused to leave. I'm not going anywhere at the moment."

Residents on Ocean View Dr, Wamberal at Terrigal Beach, on the NSW Central Coast have been told to evacuate, after two homes have already partially fallen into the ocean. Source: AAP

Concrete blocks are craned onto the beach to stop coastal erosion next to houses at Wamberal Beach. Source: AAP Image/Darren Pateman

One home was completely exposed as the wall fell away from the building overnight, Mr Rogers said you could see inside the home.

They'll lose their decks and maybe that might pull half a wall off but the house isn't going to topple in, he said.

"There's a lot more verandahs and balconies that have been toppling in and hanging over the edge.

Story continues

"There's just cliff faces now. There's no stairs. There's no access. It's just a dead-set drop."

The Bureau of Meteorology forecast large and powerful surf conditions on the Central Coast for Saturday night.

Residents are pointing their fingers at the Central Coast Council for not erecting a seawall to protect their seafront properties.

This situation has been going on for four years with Central Coast Council and all we ever wanted to do four years ago was have the right as a basic Australian to protect our property, Warren Hughes, who lives on the south end of Wamberal Beach, previously told Yahoo News Australia.

If this dune breaches, that lagoon behind us, all those lower-lying houses which have no meaningful foundations, will be breached too, Ms Bryce told AAP.

Residents are blaming the Central Coast Council for not taking action. Source: AAP

"As well as the $200 million worth of... infrastructure, road, NBN network, utilities - all wasted."

In a statement to AAP, a spokesperson for the Central Coast Council said staff would focus on the emergency recovery and response.

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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.
Surgery reported a day after the 91-year-old ruler was admitted to hospital for medical checks.

Kuwait said its 91-year-old ruler has undergone successful surgery, without elaborating on what ails him, according to a report published on the state-run KUNA news agency on Sunday.

The Gulf nation has yet to elaborate on what required Sheikh Sabah Al Ahmad Al Sabah to seek a previously unannounced medical treatment on Saturday.

Sheikh Sabahs sudden surgery could inspire a renewed power struggle within Kuwaits ruling family.

KUNA news agency had described Sheikh Sabahs hospitalisation on Saturday as medical checks, citing a statement from the countrys royal court.

Several hours later, KUNA published a second report saying 83-year-old Crown Prince Nawaf Al Ahmad Al Sabah had assumed some of Sheikh Sabahs powers temporarily, without explaining why that was necessary.

However, a copy of the ministerial decree posted by Kuwaits official gazette, Kuwait Al-Youm, and seen by The Associated Press news agency on Sunday said the crown prince would be empowered for the duration of a surgical procedure until the health event is over. The decree did not elaborate further.

Kuwaits Ministry of Information did not immediately respond to a request for comment.





The emirs hospital visit comes as the nation continues to fight the coronavirus pandemic, which has seen more than 58,000 cases and 400 related deaths.

The Ministry of Health says more than 49,000 people have recovered from the COVID-19 disease it causes.

In August last year, Kuwait acknowledged the emir suffered an unspecified medical setback that required him to be hospitalised.

Sheikh Sabah has ruled Kuwait since January 2006. He has pushed for diplomacy to solve regional issues, such as the continuing boycott of Qatar by four Arab nations, and hosted major donor conferences for war-torn nations in the region, including Iraq and Syria.

He had a pacemaker implanted in 2000 and underwent successful urinary tract surgery in the United States in August 2007.

The governor of the Central Bank of Kuwait issued a statement after news of the emirs hospitalisation, stressing the strength and stability of the dinar currency, which is pegged to a weighted basket of the countrys big trading partners.

Sheikh Sabahs ascension upset an informal power-sharing arrangement between branches of Kuwaits ruling family.

While Kuwait has since remained politically stable with the most-empowered parliament of any Gulf Arab nation, there have been internal power struggles behind the scenes of his rule.

Kuwait, a nation  home to 4.1 million people  that is slightly smaller than the US state of New Jersey, has the worlds sixth-largest known oil reserves.

It has been a staunch US ally since the 1991 Gulf War expelled the occupying Iraqi forces of Saddam Hussein. Today, Kuwait hosts some 13,500 American troops, many at Camp Arifjan south of Kuwait City.
AUSTIN, Texas  As the start of a new semester draws nearer, universities across the state are preparing to welcome students back to classes and, in some cases, back to classrooms.

But with cases of coronavirus continuing to climb in Texas, some are apprehensive about returning to face-to-face instruction.

The University of Texas System, which oversees 14 health and university institutions and nearly 240,000 students, says it will offer courses in a hybrid format, with some classes online and some in-person.

At a Board of Regents meeting last month, UT System Chancellor James B. Milliken defended the choice to bring some classes back to campus. The decision was not merely a choice between fiscal viability and safety, he said. If classes are only online this fall, many students will drop out, which could hurt their chances at graduation, the chancellor said.

Through surveys of our students as well as national surveys, we knew that many students were reconsidering plans for the fall, and that many indicated they would not enroll if universities were planning to be completely online for the fall, Milliken told regents at a June 29 meeting.

We know from student surveys that if we do not open, many students will choose to pause their education, and we know from research that pausing has an impact on persistence and graduation, he also told regents.

But when The Austin American-Statesman asked to see the surveys the chancellor was referencing, a spokeswoman said he was actually referring to national surveys, and sent along three links to national studies, which varied in results.

An April survey from a research group called EY-Parthenon found that 23% of those who expect remote classes would consider withdrawing, but 65% said they would expect tuition to decrease if classes remained online. (UT leaders say costs will remain the same for the fall semester, regardless of how theyre presented.)

Another national survey, conducted in May by an organization called BrightSpot, found that 81% of students will return in the fall, a figure that is consistent with typical retention, the study said. Meanwhile, only 39% of respondents reported thinking that their education was worth the cost. In fact, the survey found that the pandemic has doubled student perceptions that their education isnt worth the cost.

A third national survey of more than 20,000 students from the Higher Education Data Sharing consortium, or HEDS, found that 73% of students reported that they would return this fall. Four percent said either definitely no or probably no.

The system spokeswoman also pointed to a late-spring survey at the University of Texas, Arlington that found 46% of students were holding off on enrolling because of uncertainties around the coronavirus.

Later, the spokeswoman sent along the results of a May survey from the University of Texas, El Paso that asked students about their preferences for the fall semester  46% said they preferred either all online or mostly online classes, and 39% said they preferred either all or mostly face-to-face classes. Fifteen percent said they may not enroll.

On Friday, Milliken said in a statement that online-only was not the best way to go for the fall semester, and that the current model gives students options to tailor their education to individual circumstances.

An online-only experience is not optimal for many students, particularly those who have limited access to technology or an adequate study environment, Milliken said. If we want students to stay in school and on track, we have an obligation to offer and deliver the educational experience they need and deserve.

UT-El Paso will offer 75% of its courses completely online, with about 5% completely face-to-face. The rest of the 3,400 courses will be offered in some sort of hybrid model.

President Heather Wilson said if a student isnt able to safely return to campus, the university will work to accommodate them.

Wilson also said the university is really worried about the possibility of students not reenrolling because of a bad experience with remote learning in the spring.

Over the summer, UT-El Paso staff had one-on-one video calls with students to encourage them to stay in school. So far, the university hasnt seen any increase in its withdrawal or incomplete rates, and fall enrollment isnt falling off.

The students persisted, Wilson said. And I hope they dont get tired of persisting.

When it comes to the largest flagship campus, UT Austin, students were not surveyed about their preferences for the fall semester.

A spokesman for the university said students were not asked if the type of classes offered would affect their fall enrollment, although they were surveyed about the quality of the spring semester. In May, a survey of UT Austin students found 94.2% of undergraduates and 95% of graduates intended to enroll in the fall, the spokesman said.

UT Austin plans to hold many of its 11,000 classes online this semester and will end the term early, sending home most students after Thanksgiving break.

Students may choose to conduct their semester online, in person or as a hybrid of the two. Not all classes will be available online, however, so UT is encouraging students to assess how such a choice would affect their paths toward graduation.

Although there was a student working group that offered input for fall plans and the university held focus groups in the spring, some UT Austin students said they feel their input hasnt been considered.

Student leaders in UTs Senate of College Councils said it was for this exact reason that they decided to launch their own survey this week, with hopes of getting results by the end of the month.

I think just many students overall felt disconnected from the decision-making process and that their voices werent heard, said Apoorva Chintala, a UT senior and membership director for the Senate of College Councils. Throughout our experience with the working group, the university has been pretty set in the reopening plan, not changing the modality of it. Theyre really heading towards this hybrid model of learning.



Lara Korte of the Austin American-Statesman wrote this story.

2020 Austin American-Statesman, Texas

Visit Austin American-Statesman, Texas at www.statesman.com

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
White Island volcano survivor Stephanie Browitt has shared harrowing details about her road to recovery.

Ms Browitt, 23, suffered third degree burns to 70 per cent of her body, while her sister and father were killed in the December 2019 eruption off the east coast of New Zealand.

On Sunday the Victorian woman, from Craigieburn in Melbourne, described the agonising process of undergoing skin grafts and having to learn to walk again.

'My legs needed multiple surgeries before they were fully covered, so I'd be up and walking (sort of) and then I'd need another surgery and I'd be set back all over again. It was really upsetting,' she said.

White Island volcano survivor Stephanie Browitt (pictured) has shared harrowing details about her long road to recovery and the frustration around having to learn to walk again

The Victorian woman shared a picture after her recent skin graft surgery describing the agonising pain she has had to endure during her recovery

After having more skin taken from her thighs and behind her knee to help heal other areas of her body, Ms Browitt said the pain was almost unbearable.

'Let me tell you, the donor sites are the most painful things Ive ever experienced,' she wrote.

The young woman also recalled a moment she felt at her lowest when a burns nurse told her she would be walking within two days.

'Me being in such pain angrily saying ''nope'', she goes ''yeah you will'' and walks off,' she wrote.

Ms Browitt said the session began with her struggling to stand with the aid of a walker and nurses.

After struggling through a few steps her frustration boiled over before the burns nurse returned and saw her walking.

Ms Browitt suffered third degree burns to 70 per cent of her body in the December, 2019 eruption also and had to have her fingers amputated in June (White Island volcano pictured)

Ms Browitt's 21-year-old sister Krystal (pictured right) and father, Paul, were killed along with 19 other tourists when the volcano erupted on December 9, 2019

'Honestly when I think of this moment it makes me laugh so much, but it also taught me something,' she wrote.

'You can do anything as long as you dont tell yourself the opposite.'

Meanwhile, back in June, Mr Browitt revealed her fingers had to be amputated.

'I wasn't that upset,' she said of the experience. 'I was grateful I still had my hands because when the eruption happened I remember seeing my hands and realising how bad they were.

'My nails were hanging off, skin in shreds and also peeling off and they were black and red in colour, (blood/ash)'.

Surgeons at The Alfred in Melbourne worked tirelessly to save her hands, and Ms Browitt said she was eternally grateful for the efforts of staff.

'They put so much care into my hands with my skin grafts... They've healed amazingly,' she said.

In June Mr Browitt revealed her fingers had to be amputated (pictured) but said she wasn't upset about it because of how badly her hands had been injured in the eruption

The 23-year-old survivor (pictured) has been supported by her mother, Maria, who chose to stay back on the cruise ship before the eruption

She has been supported by her mother, Maria, who chose to stay back on the cruise ship rather than visit the island with her husband and daughters.

Ms Browitt's 21-year-old sister Krystal and father, Paul, were killed along with 19 other people when the volcano erupted on December 9, 2019.

When first responders arrived on the scene after the explosion, Mr Browitt urged them to save his girls before coming back for him.

Krystal was tragically killed in the initial blast, while Mr Browitt died later in hospital.

Ms Browitt has spent the last seven months painstakingly rebuilding her life and recovering in hospital.

Ms Browitt has spent the last seven months painstakingly rebuilding her life and recovering in hospital but said the tragedy still feels like it happened 'just yesterday'

She said despite the time that has passed, she remembers the eruption like it was 'just yesterday'.

'Honestly, every time it's the ninth of each month I can feel my heart racing and my body tense as the memory of it floods back in my mind,' Ms Browitt wrote on Instagram.

'I get anxious. I hate it so much, it does not get easier. It just hurts more and more when I think about how much time has passed since I was last with my dad and sister.'

She said she keeps wishing she could turn back time and at least have looked for her sister and father and sat with them during the aftermath.

'We're just picking up the pieces of our new lives and doing the best that we can do.

'I just want to thank everyone for your kindness, compassion and constant support. You guys manage to put a smile on my face, even if just for a second.'
Victoria has recorded 363 fresh COVID-19 cases and three more deaths, prompting a move to make face masks mandatory in coming days.

Two men and a woman, aged in their 90s, with the virus have died, taking the states toll to 38, Premier Daniel Andrews said on July 19. The national toll is 122.

There are 2,837 active cases across the state, with 130 people in hospital, of those 28 are in intensive care.

Thirty-six of the new cases are linked to outbreaks and 327 cases are under investigation. There have been 5,696 COVID-19 cases in the state.

Face masks or face coverings will be mandatory for people who leave their homes for the four legal reasons in metropolitan Melbourne and in the Mitchell Shire from 11.59 p.m. on July 22, Andrews said.

If you are out of your home for one of the four reasons, then you need to be wearing a mask and I stress  or a face covering  it need not be a hospital-grade mask, it need not be one of the handmade masks  it can be a scarf, it can be a homemade mask, Andrews said.

Any face covering is better than no face-covering.

Up to three million face masks are on order by the state government and the first batch of 300,000 is due to arrive this week, he added.

We are going to be wearing masks in Victoria, and potentially in other parts of the country for a very long time. Theres no vaccine to this wildly infectious virus. It is a simple thing but its about changing habits, Andrews said.

Most of us wouldnt leave home without our keys, we wouldnt leave home without our mobile phone, you wont be able to leave your home without the mask and then where it is absolutely essential to stop the spread of this virus.

Students who are able to wear face masks at school must too, he said.

Anyone caught not wearing a face mask or covering can be fined $200 (US$140).

More than 1.3 million tests have been done in the state, with 26,674 tests done on July 18 alone.

Meanwhile, many public housing residents in North Melbourne are coming out of a two-week hard lockdown after a coronavirus outbreak.

The state government had enforced the shut-in of public housing residents at 33 Alfred Street since July 4 ended late Saturday night.

They can now leave their homes for food, medicine, exercise, study and work  like the rest of Melbourne.

But 123 of the towers residents, who either have the virus or are a close contact of someone who does, must remain in their units until they are cleared.
The Armed Forces of Armenia could have struck Azerbaijans infrastructures a long time ago, but they never have had and dont have such a desire. This is what ex-spokesperson of the Ministry of Defense of Armenia Artsrun Hovhannisyan told reporters today.

This is a new propagandistic statement addressed to the outside world and a false statement being circulated by Azerbaijan. Technically speaking, the Armed Forces of Armenia could have struck the countrys infrastructures a long time ago, but we havent had and dont have such a plan. Let Azerbaijan be rest assured that Armenia is a guarantor of security and can ensure the security of the oil and natural gas pipelines belonging to international companies and passing through Azerbaijans territory better than any other country in the region, he said, adding that the situation on the border last night was relatively calm and that the adversary had violated the ceasefire regime nearly 70 times, mainly with rifles of a small caliber.
A man has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after a member of staff was stabbed at a hospital in Brighton.

The Royal Sussex County Hospital was placed into lockdown following the incident on Sunday morning.

Sussex Police said the attack was not being treated as a terrorist attack and no-one else had been hurt.

They added that a 30-year-old man had been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder. He is currently in custody.

The staff members wounds were assessed as not life threatening.

A spokesperson said: At 8.42am on Sunday police were called to the Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton after a report that a member of staff had sustained a stab wound.

The hospital site was quickly secured while officers have been working with security staff to confirm that nobody else has been injured, and that staff and patients are safe.

Following immediate police searches and inquiries a 30-year-old man was arrested in nearby Wilson Avenue at 9.40am on suspicion of attempted murder, and is currently in custody for interview and further inquiries.

This apparently isolated and unexplained incident is not being treated as terrorism at this time and there is currently nothing to suggest that any other person has been involved or that anyone else is at risk.
As ballots for the second round were being tallied, Ramirez and McGuire struck a deal: The one who did not advance to the third round would endorse the other over Freitas. Ramirez started spreading the word about an hour before the results were announced. As it turned out, she was the one who had to do the endorsing.
The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has explained that Nigerian universities may not be reopened even if the federal government orders the resumption of all schools amidst the coronavirus pandemic.

The president of the union, Biodun Ogunyemi, in a telephone interview with PREMIUM TIMES, on Sunday, also clarified his position on the reports that the union urged the government not to reopen schools until 2021.

The government on March 19 ordered the closure of all tertiary, secondary and primary schools nationwide over the outbreak of the deadly virus in the country.

A few days after the governments directive, ASUU commenced an indefinite strike, which is still on.

The union commenced the strike over the federal governments decision to withhold the salaries of its members who defied the order of government to enrol in the Integrated Personnel and Payroll System (IPPIS).

While the federal government has now issued a guideline for resumption dates for final year students in primary and secondary schools, nothing has been said about tertiary institutions.

Mr Ogunyemi while speaking with our correspondent said, First, we did not say schools should not be reopened until 2021. We only advised that schools be reopened anytime it is considered safe for our children.

They have brought out guidelines and conditions for school resumption, they must now supervise and ensure that those conditions are met. Beyond formulating a policy, they must see to its implementation. So, we are saying it is not just a matter of putting things on papers but implementation from primary schools to tertiary institutions.

Speaking further, Mr Ogunyemi said even if the government eventually reopens schools, it has nothing to do with universities battling with a series of crisis.

Talking of universities, it should be noted that the crises are beyond COVID-19. There are fundamental crises that will make universities reopening longer and impossible for now. We had long told government our position and until they meet necessary conditions, universities are not resuming even after COVID.

There are outstanding issues and government is not ready to fix our universities and provide enabling learning environment. For instance, we are talking about revitalisation if our institutions are well equipped, there is no reason why coronavirus should stop academic activities.

You cannot talk about social distancing in universities without talking about additional lecture rooms. So, we have two crises delaying resumption. The health crises and the refusal of government to make our universities standard, he said.

Mr Ogunyemi urged the government to pay as much attention to education as it is paying to health.

Government should not pay attention to health sector and neglect education sector. If the could raise taskforce to look into COVID-19, they should do so to address the challenges of education sector which include revitalisation funds for universities so that our institutions can be up to standard.

In the same view, the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) and some other students who spoke with PREMIUM TIMES have expressed their displeasure over the long closure of Nigerian institutions.

In a statement by its Zone D coordinator, Kowe Amos, NANS said the refusal of authorities to take proactive steps shows a lack of political will linked to years of unseriousness and recklessness on the part of our political office holders.

However, it must be made known that at the receiving end of this indecisiveness are students that are left idle at home with nothing worthwhile being done to ensure that students resume to classes.

Should the federal government eventually ask schools to resume, university administrators will comply, but Mr Ogunyemis explanation indicates the lecturers will not be resuming classes until ASUUs concerns are addressed.
A relative of Tyrese Haspil (pictured) has revealed the troubled childhood that led up to the 21-year-old's arrest for the murder of his tech entrepreneur boss

The personal assistant charged with murdering his wealthy tech entrepreneur boss had a troubled childhood but never showed a violent streak, one of his relatives has revealed.

Tyrese Haspil, 21, was arrested and charged with second degree murder Friday over the grisly death of Fahim Saleh, 33, in his Lower East Side apartment last week.

Police say Saleh was beheaded and dismembered inside the $2.2million residence on the afternoon of July 13, before his remains were found by a family member the following day.

Haspil's aunt, Marjorie Sine, expressed her shock over the stunning allegations against her nephew in an interview with the New York Daily News published Sunday.

Sine said that Haspil was quiet and 'at times annoying' as a child, when he was bounced around between relatives and foster homes.

'I thought [police] made a mistake because he never showed his emotions,' Sine, 52, said of Haspil. 'His behavior, the way he was, he acted nonchalantly. He would do whatever he wanted.'

Haspil allegedly displayed that nonchalance in the days between Saleh's murder and the suspect's arrest, as a series of surveillance videos purportedly showed him strolling around Manhattan's NoHo neighborhood a mile from the crime scene without a care in the world.

Law enforcement sources said Haspil was even seen purchasing a bouquet of birthday balloons he bought with a credit card he'd stolen from Saleh.

'This guy is the new American Psycho, only dumber,' one police source told the New York Post.

Haspil (left) was arrested on Friday and charged with second-degree murder in the death of his boss Fahim Saleh (right). Saleh, the 33-year-old CEO of Nigerian ride-sharing firm Gokada, was found decapitated and dismembered at his Lower East Side apartment on July 14

Police said Saleh was killed in his $2.2million apartment building (pictured) on Monday

Haspil's aunt described his unstable upbringing in her interview with the Daily News, revealing that he was just a child when his mother landed in a mental institution.

Sine, who lives in Valley Stream, said Haspil's maternal grandmother stepped in to raise him until she died when he was just 12 years old.

Haspil then moved in with Sine for about five years, but she turned him over to a foster care family when he was 17 after he became increasingly disrespectful to his aunt.

'He wasn't listening to me so he left,' Sine said. 'That's what happened, we went to court. I couldn't deal with it anymore.'

The last time Sine saw Haspil was during the court proceedings before he went into foster care, she said, noting that his father died a year later.

Roughly four years later, she learned on Friday that her nephew had been accused of brutally executing his boss after allegedly stealing $100,000 from the tech tycoon.

Sine said that while Haspil was a handful as a teen, he never showed any signs of violence while living with her.

'Not here, because I would not tolerate it,' she said. 'I was thinking about it all last night and there wasn't anything else I could say or do.'

A series of surveillance videos purportedly showed Haspil strolling around Manhattan's NoHo neighborhood - less than a mile from the crime scene - with an unidentified female friend over the two days between when Saleh's body was found and when he was arrested

A much darker narrative about Haspil has emerged from authorities who obtained video of him buying an electric saw and cleaning supplies just hours before he allegedly murdered Saleh, the 33-year-old CEO of Nigerian ride-sharing firm Gokada.

Prosecutors have not released the name of the store where Haspil was recorded buying the supplies, which were later discovered inside Saleh's apartment.

The personal assistant normally resides near Prospect Park in Brooklyn, and prosecutors said footage showed him making the transaction late in the morning of July 13.

Investigators believe Saleh was killed around 1.45pm that afternoon.

Surveillance footage from Saleh's luxury apartment building - located at 265 East Houston St - shows him followed into a elevator by a man wearing a black suit and mask. It's believed that man was Haspil.

Saleh, who was dressed in shorts and a t-shirt, reportedly appeared suspicious when the masked-man fumbled with the elevator, which requires the use of a key fob to operate.

The footage shows the victim collapsing to the ground as the elevator doors opened directly into Saleh's full-floor apartment. The doors then closed and obscured the camera's view of what happened next.

Autopsy results released on Thursday revealed that Saleh was tasered and then stabbed multiple times before being dismembered.

Detectives are seen escorting Haspil out of the 7th Precinct for transport to central booking on Friday. The suspect was dressed in Tyvek coveralls and a surgical mask

Investigators believe Haspil returned to Saleh's apartment on Tuesday to dismember the tech entrepreneur's body after first stabbing him on Monday afternoon.

Law enforcement officials say the alleged killer may have been waiting for the victim's blood to coagulate before dismembering him.

When police arrived at the scene, Saleh's torso was found in the corner of his living room and his head, arms, and legs had been separated into plastic bags.

An electric saw that was still plugged in, a vacuum cleaner and cleaning products were found nearby.

Police declined to specify the cause of death, saying the investigation was ongoing.

They have also refused to reveal why only second-degree murder charges have been brought against Haspil, despite the grisly nature of the crime and their assertion that he was caught buying supplies beforehand.

NYPD Chief of Detectives Rodney Harrison said Haspil, who handled Saleh's finances as his personal assistant, owed the victim a 'significant amount' of money before his murder, and there are reports that Haspil may have been embezzling from his employer.

Police sources told the Daily News that Saleh discovered his assistant had allegedly stolen $100,000 from him, and that he set up a payment plan for Haspil to repay the money instead of reporting him to authorities.

Detectives started investigating Haspil after finding text messages in which Saleh accused Haspil of stealing the money, according to police sources.

NYPD Chief of Detectives Rodney Harrison said Haspil, who handled Saleh's finances as his personal assistant, owed the victim a 'significant amount' of money before his murder, and there are reports that Haspil may have been embezzling from his employer

Detectives are seen outside Saleh's apartment building on Wednesday as they investigated the tech guru's grisly murder

Prior to his arrest, Haspil was reportedly staying at a luxury loft-style condo at 172 Crosby Street in Noho - less than a mile from the murder scene.

Surveillance video obtained exclusively by DailyMail.com shows Haspil on Wednesday around 12.30pm leaving the Crosby Street building where he was later arrested.

A property manager in a neighboring building told DailyMail.com that he believed Haspil had taken up residence at 172 Crosby Street as recently as this week, possibly through a short-term vacation rental service.

Other surveillance videos obtained by the New York Post purportedly showed Haspil coming and going from the apartment with an unidentified female companion.

Authorities have not said if the woman was being sought for questioning and there is no indication that she had knowledge of Saleh's murder.

As investigators canvassed the gruesome crime scene, Haspil allegedly went on a shopping spree across upscale stores near his apartment using Saleh's stolen credit card, sources told the Post.

In several videos Haspil's mystery pal was seen carrying a leather tote bag he is believed to have purchased for her, one source said.

At one point the pair were filmed stepping out of an Uber with a shopping bag from Christian Louboutin, the Post reported.

And in one video recorded at 2.20pm Wednesday, a man believed to be Hapsil was seen accepting a delivery of three shiny gold birthday balloons - two shaped like the number 2 and a third shaped like a heart.

The Post noted that its unlikely Haspil bought the birthday balloons for himself as he'd just celebrated his 21st in January.

The suspect's final two days of freedom came to an end of Friday morning as detectives swarmed his NoHo apartment and led him out in handcuffs.

Hours later, Haspil was filmed being escorted out of the 7th Precinct wearing a surgical mask and Tyvek coveralls for transport to central booking.

Detectives take Haspil into custody on Friday morning in the NoHo area of Manhattan

Haspil, who is from Elmont, New York, had worked for Saleh at his investment firm Adventure Capital.

It appears he attended Hofstra University where he studied arts and marketing. It is not yet clear how he came to work for Saleh.

Saleh was the chief executive officer of a ride-hailing motorcycle startup called Gokada that began operating in Nigeria in 2018.

The firm, Gokada, recently faced severe setbacks after being banned earlier this year by the Nigerian government. It was forced to lay off staff and pivot from being a ride-sharing service to a delivery courier.

The ban came at a difficult moment for Gokada which had just raised $5.3 million in funding from Rise Capital, a Silicon Valley-based venture capital firm, in May 2019.

After the ban was enacted, the firm stopped bringing in money and around 800 bikers working for Gorkada were also immediately laid off.

Saleh was working on new ideas and a new direction for the firm.

Saleh (pictured in May 2019) was the chief executive officer of a ride-hailing motorcycle startup called Gokada that began operating in Nigeria in 2018

At the time of his death, Saleh was also being sued by a former prison guard turned criminal who was jailed for using his app PrankDial, which he founded in 2015, to secretly record and listen to employees' phone calls.

The app let Kirk Eady, the former deputy director of Hudson County Correctional Facility, place a call between two employees without them knowing he was behind it, then listen to whatever they said.

He listened to their complaints about him and about their jobs then retaliated against them in the workplace, according to prosecutors.

He was jailed for 15 months and in 2017 and sued Saleh for fraud, claiming the app made him think what he was doing was legal.

Whilst living in New York, Saleh resided in a number of luxury apartments. He is pictured at one of the residences in a photo taken in June 2018
The Government is not scared to make tough calls to prioritise public health as Ireland continues to emerge from lockdown, the agriculture minister has said.

Dara Calleary said pushing back the reopening date for all pubs demonstrated that ministers would not baulk at taking unpopular decisions in order to suppress Covid-19.

Mr Callearys remarks came as the Government continues to deliberate on a green list for safe travel and an economic stimulus package aimed at supporting businesses and workers worst hit by the pandemic.

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The newly formed coalition, and in particular freshly appointed education minister Norma Foley, are also facing intensifying calls to provide clarity on plans for schools reopening at the end of August.

Mr Calleary, who replaced Barry Cowen as agriculture minister last week following his sacking, said public health would be at the heart of all the Governments considerations.

We made the tough call on the pubs during the week, he told RTEs The Week In Politics.

We have shown as a Government that we will make tough calls, were not going to progress the (recovery) roadmap unless its safe to do so.

It might be popular to do so, but unless its safe and unless public health stands up we cannot do so.

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Whatsapp Irelands travel green list is due to be published on Monday (Brian Lawless/PA)

Ministers are set to decide what countries will be included on Irelands green list for safe travel.

The list had been due to be finalised at a cabinet meeting on Monday, but that meeting was postponed late on Sunday due to the Taoiseachs need to remain in Brussels for an extended EU summit.

Currently, people arriving in Ireland from overseas  with limited exceptions such as essential supply chain workers  are required to fill in a passenger locator form and self-quarantine for 14 days.

People crossing the border from Northern Ireland are not subject to restrictions on their movement.

Travellers arriving in Ireland from countries on the new green list will not be required to isolate for two weeks.

Only countries that have a coronavirus infection rate the same or lower than Ireland will be included on the list. That means Great Britain and the US are both set to be excluded from the list, as potentially are other popular holiday destinations such as France, Spain and Portugal.

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Whatsapp Mr Calleary said the safe reopening of schools was the Governments number one priority (Niall Carson/PA)

People can still enter Ireland from countries not on the green list, but they will be required to self-isolate. That includes returning Irish holidaymakers.

The Irish Government continues to advise citizens not to travel abroad for holidays this summer and has encouraged people to have a staycation in Ireland.

That has prompted claims of mixed messaging from political rivals, who have accused the Government of adopting contradictory positions by designating safe destinations but warning people not to go overseas for holidays.

Opposition politicians have highlighted that people who have already paid for foreign holidays are unlikely to be able to claim back the money if the Government categorises their chosen destinations as safe to travel to.

Mr Calleary insisted the Government was putting out a clear message on travel.

The advice is non-essential travel is still out, it's not recommended, but we have to have a structure in place for business travel, for necessary business travel Dara Calleary, agriculture minister

The green list is going to be established purely because were going to be living with Covid for some time, he said.

And we do have to have a structure. The advice is non-essential travel is still out, its not recommended, but we have to have a structure in place for business travel, for necessary business travel.

Asked whether the Government needed to also introduce coronavirus testing at airports, Mr Calleary said: Thats going to be looked at.

He added: We cannot shut down the country.

The July stimulus package is set to include a series of measures to boost the economy.

It is expected to deliver extensions to the wage subsidy scheme and the waiver on commercial rates.

Restart grants for business are likely to be offered, as are low interest loan options.

We have to protect the economy, Mr Calleary said.

We have to protect those that create jobs. And, yes, theres a lot of sectors taking a particular hit and I would hope to see them getting a focus in this stimulus package as well.

But we have shown this week that we will make the hard decisions in relation to public health and that we will protect public health and public health will be at the heart of any decisions in the coming weeks.

Responding to calls from school leaders for detail on the planned restart of classroom learning, Mr Calleary insisted huge work was ongoing.

He said ensuring the safe reopening of schools in the autumn was the Governments number one priority.

There were no new coronavirus-linked deaths reported in Ireland on Sunday, leaving the toll since the outbreak began standing at 1,753.

The National Public Health Emergency Team did report 10 new confirmed cases of the virus, taking the total number of Covid-19 cases to 25,760.

Dr Ronan Glynn, Acting chief medical officer, said: All it would take for Covid-19 to regain a foothold in our communities is complacency.

As the pandemic accelerates around the world, we must remain vigilant here in Ireland. Every day, in our individual actions, we have the power to limit the spread of this virus.

Our priority going forward has to be the reopening of schools and resumption of non-Covid-19 healthcare services  and every time we stay two metres apart, wash our hands, practice good respiratory etiquette and wear a face covering, we are working towards those shared goals together.
The cash margin for U.S. LNG exporters improved slightly in the second quarter, but will likely remain negative for the duration of 2020, according to a new report. The LNG glut is hurting both buyers and sellers. In Japan, the largest power generator, JERA, is losing tens of billions of yen because it has contracted to buy LNG at prices linked to crude oil, but because it cannot use all of the gas, it typically resells some cargoes. The problem is that JERA has to resell cargoes on the spot market, where prices are much lower than the oil-linked price. In effect, the group is buying high and selling low.

The worldwide glut has funneled more natural gas into storage around the world. With storage elevated in Europe, the market signaled that supply cuts were necessary. The U.S., which has the most flexible contracting terms (which the industry sold as a feature), is shouldering the burden of rebalancing.

The margin for exporting LNG is negative, and could remain negative for the duration of 2020, according to a new report from the Oxford Institute for Energy Studies (OIES). This means that an average US LNG cargo would not cover its short-run marginal cash costs delivering to Europe or Asia at current prices, OIES said.

U.S. LNG exporters have seen dozens of cancelled cargoes because of the glut, although for companies like Cheniere Energy, their finances are somewhat protected because buyers still have to pay fees even if they cancel the cargoes.

The markets are pricing in an improvement in 2021, which is based on either a very significant surge in Asian gas demand in 2021 or another round of LNG shut-ins to support the gas price, OIES said. The report forecasts margins remaining below levels that might signal new investment in new capacity through the end of 2023.

It is therefore clearly relevant to ask whether we should expect to see any new US LNG investment decisions being taken in the foreseeable future, especially with buyers not rushing to sign new long-term contracts, OIES wrote.

In the short run, cancelled LNG cargoes could divert more natural gas into inventories. U.S. gas storage levels are at the top end of the five-year average range, and Henry Hub prices averaged $1.81 in the first half of the year, a record low for that six-month period.

On the other side of the globe, buyers are growing anxious with an arrangement that has them locked into rigid agreements. The financial losses for JERA are accelerating a push to seek more flexible contract terms, a trend that was already growing in recent years as LNG markets became larger and more liquid (no pun intended).

Related: Shells Big Bet On Floating LNG May Be A Flop

Long-term SPAs [sales and purchase agreements] with rigid terms are no longer suitable for a rapidly changing market, Hitoshi Nishizawa, a senior executive officer at JERA, said at a recent energy conference in Japan, according to Asia Times Financial.

The change occurred earlier in Europe with the steady demise of oil-linked pricing. In Asia, the market evolution has been a bit slower, but now appears ready to accelerate with the oil-linked price so detached from JKM spot prices. Although Covid-19 issues remain more important at present, there seems little doubt that if this trend persists we could see a real challenge to oil-linked pricing of LNG in Asia, with the JKM marker already becoming an increasingly important price benchmark, OIES wrote in its report.

Japan  the largest LNG importer in the world  saw LNG imports decline by nearly 19 percent in May, year-on-year.

The pandemic-related downturn is hollowing out investment in both oil and gas. The number of projects receiving final investment decisions is expected to fall by 75 percent this year, according to Rystad Energy. The total amount of money funneled into new projects will drop to just $47 billion, a very low number that is actually inflated by a set of projects in Norway and Russia. In 2019, the amount of money invested in new oil and gas projects reached $197 billion.

By Nick Cunningham, Oilprice.com

More Top Reads From Oilprice.com:
Sports Mole previews Sunday's La Liga clash between Alaves and Barcelona, including team news and predicted lineups.

Barcelona, who conceded the La Liga title to Real Madrid on Thursday night, will round off their 2019-20 domestic campaign with a trip to Alaves on Sunday.

The Spanish champions will enter this weekend's clash off the back of a 2-1 home defeat to Osasuna, while Alaves recorded an impressive 2-1 victory away to Real Betis in their last match.

Match preview

 Reuters

Alaves appear set for their lowest finish in La Liga since earning promotion back to the top flight at the end of the 2015-16 campaign, but the fact that they have not been relegated during a tough season is a huge positive.

Under the management of Juan Muniz until the end of the campaign, the Basque club have lost 18 of their 37 league matches this season to sit down in 15th position in the table.

El Glorioso cannot be relegated, though, as they sit four points clear of 18th-placed Leganes, with their survival guaranteed courtesy of an impressive 2-1 victory at Real Betis on Thursday night.

The win in Seville was actually their first success in Spain's top flight since June 18, while they have lost each of their last six league games against Barca, including a 4-1 defeat at Camp Nou back in December.

 Reuters

Barca, meanwhile, as mentioned, will enter this match off the back of a shock 2-1 home defeat to Osasuna on Thursday night.

As it transpired, the result did not mean too much as Real Madrid's 2-1 home success over Villarreal ensured that Zinedine Zidane's side would win the title with a game to spare.

There is no question that it was still a desperately disappointing defeat for the club, though, and Lionel Messi aired his displeasure in the immediate aftermath.

Relinquishing control of the La Liga title will have seriously hurt the club, but they still have the Champions League to play for this season and will face Napoli in the second leg of their last-16 clash on August 8, with the tie delicately poised courtesy of a 1-1 draw in Italy back in February.

Barca have actually dropped points in 10 of their 18 away league matches this season, while they could finish the campaign as many as 10 points behind the champions, which would be a huge disappointment.

Alaves La Liga form: LLLLDW

Barcelona La Liga form: DDWWWL

Team News

 Reuters

Alaves will be without the services of Rodrigo Ely due to the red card that the central defender picked up against Betis last time out, while Ruben Duarte and Fernando Pacheco are both definitely out through injury.

The home side also have concerns over the fitness of Javier Lopez, Ximo Navarro and Ismael Gutierrez, but Martin Aguirregabiria will be back from the suspension that saw him miss out on Thursday.

Lucas Perez is set to return to the attack alongside Joselu, while Aleix Vidal and Tomas Pina are also expected to return in midfield positions for the home side.

As for Barca, Ousmane Dembele is again out with a long-term hamstring injury, while Antoine Griezmann and Samuel Umtiti are also likely to miss out with thigh and knee problems respectively.

The Catalan giants also have three players suspended in the shape of Gerard Pique, Ivan Rakitic and Junior Firpo, meaning that there could be a spot in central defence for Ronald Araujo.

Araujo, Ansu Fati and Riqui Puig have actually been prevented from turning out for Barcelona B in their Segunda Division playoff against Real Valladolid's B team this weekend as they are needed in the first team.

Sergio Busquets, Jordi Alba and Luis Suarez could all return to the starting XI, with Martin Braithwaite among those expected to drop out of the side.

Alaves possible starting lineup:

Jimenez; Aguirregabiria, Laguardia, Magallan, Marin; Mendez, Pina, Camarasa, Vidal; Joselu, Perez

Barcelona possible starting lineup:

Ter Stegen; Semedo, Araujo, Lenglet, Alba; Puig, Busquets, Roberto; Fati, Suarez, Messi

We say: Alaves 0-2 Barcelona

This match does not have anything significant riding on it, but there is no question that Barca will be determined to return to winning ways following the disappointment of the Osasuna result. Alaves are capable of causing Quique Setien's side problems, but we are fully expecting an away victory here.



Previews by email
New Delhi, July 19 : Close to 39,000 new cases were reported in past 24 hours taking India's total coronavirus cases to 10,77,618. With 543 deaths the toll stood at 26,816, Health Ministry data said.

Karnataka is the new hotspot state nearing 60,000 cases, as Maharashtra remained the worst-hit state, with 3,00,937 cases and 11,596 casualties. It crossed the three-lakh mark on Saturday with Mumbai reporting over 1 lakh coronavirus cases so far. It is followed by Tamil Nadu with total 1,65,714 cases, including 2,403 deaths.

The national capital, on the other hand is projecting an uplifting trend. For 17 of the last 20 days, including 11 in a row now, the number of people recovering from Covid in Delhi has remained higher than newly detected infections -- no other state has come close to such a trend.

According to Health Ministry data, as many as 6,77,422 patients have recovered, almost twice the number of active patients at 3,73,379, though India continues to be the third worst-affected country after the US and Brazil.

In the last 24 hours, 3,58,127 samples were tested, as the testing lab network continued to expand.

States with more than 10,000 cases include Karnataka (59,652), Gujarat (47,390), Uttar Pradesh (47,036), Rajasthan (28,500), Madhya Pradesh (21,763), West Bengal (40,209), Haryana (25,547), Andhra Pradesh (44,609), Telangana (43,780), Assam (22,918), Jammu and Kashmir (13,198), Kerala (11,659), Odisha (16,701) and Bihar (25,136).

The AIIMS Ethics Committee has given its nod for a human clinical trial of the indigenously developed COVID-19 vaccine candidate Covaxin following which the premier hospital is likely to begin the exercise by enrolling healthy volunteers from Monday.

Globally, over 14 million people have been infected with the virus and 602,656 have died. It has taken just four days to climb to 14 million cases from 13 million recorded on July 13.
NEW DELHI: From Margaret Alva and Tarun Gogoi to Digvijaya Singh and Salman Khurshid, many Congress veterans have advised Sachin Pilot that he needs to be patient before he eventually realises his dream to become the chief minister.

At nearly 43, Pilot indeed has many years left in his political career and appears to have a bright future ahead. But, the Congress has had a history of grooming young leaders and making them chief minsiters very early.

Two of them, Digvijaya and Ashok Gehlot himself, who is at the centre of the ongoing Rajasthan political crisis, became CMs for the first time when they were in their mid-forties.

While Gehlot was 47, Digvijaya was a year younger, 46.

Other Congress leaders who were picked to be CMs when they were young are Sharad Pawar (now with the Nationalist Congress Party), V P Singh and P A Sangma, among others.

With the party high commands blessings, all these leaders grabbed the top post, pipping the then old guard.

But there is one crucial difference between the young Congress CMs of the past and the wannabe CMs of the present.

While Gehlot, Pawar, VP, Sangma and Digvijaya cut their teeth in politics from the grassroots, todays impatient brigade such as Pilot, Jyotiraditya Scindia (now with the BJP), Milind Deora and Jitin Prasada are all dynasts who parachuted into the party solely on the strength of their fathers.

None of them really went through the grind in the true sense. All of them had big boots to fill and were made central ministers when they were very young, whetting their appetite perhaps.

In contrast, todays party veterans have risen from the ranks, giving their blood and sweat on their way to the top.

Ashok Gehlot:

The Rajasthan chief minister began his political career through social work. Influenced by Gandhian ideology in his youth, he spent lot of time at the Wardha Gandhi Ashram. In 1971 during the India-Pakistan war, he worked as a volunteer in Bangladeshi refugee camps in Jodhpur. It is said this is where Indira Gandhi noticed him.

Gehlot entered student politics, becoming the first state president of the NSUI in 1974. He later became the district Congress committee president of Jodhpur and in 1980, he was elected to the seventh Lok Sabha at only 29.

After serving as a minister in the Centre in various capacities, he became the CM for the first time in 1998 at 47.

He outwitted several senior leaders, among them Parasram Maderna, a towering Jat leader and an influential figure in state politics. Maderna was also the PCC chief.

Senior journalist Suresh Vyas remembers how Gehlot was chosen.

After the Congress won a huge mandate, AICC observers came to Jaipur. Balram Jakhar managed to convince Maderna to become the Speaker, paving the way for Gehlot to become the CM.

Digvijaya Singh:

There is no doubt that his royal lineage helped his rise in politics, but it cannot be said that he did not work his way up. When he was only 22, he became the president of the Raghogarh Nagar Palika in 1969-71 and joined the Jana Sangh. He switched to the Congress in 1970.

He was elected to the Madhya Pradesh Assembly from his native Raghogarh seat in 1977 at only 30. He was re-elected and went on to serve as a minister in the Congress government led by his political mentor Arjun Singh in 1980-1984.At 37, Digvijaya became a Lok Sabha member, winning the Rajgarh seat in 1984. Nine years later in 1993, as the state Congress president he led the party to victory in the state assembly polls.

Being the PCC chief many considered him the natural choice for the CMs post but he had to fend off competition from several seniors such as Arjun Singh, Motilal Vora and Shyama Charan Shukla, besides OBC leader Subhash Yadav and rising star Madhavrao Scindia. He was sworn in as the CM at only 46.

Congress CMs in the past rose through the ranks after grassroots training

Sharad Pawar:

The Maratha strongman also began his career in politics from the grassroots. In college he was active in student politics. He joined the Youth Congress in 1958 and became the president of the Poona district Youth Congress in 1962.

But he came into his own when Yashwantrao Chavan, the biggest politician from Maharashtra at that time, took Pawar under his wings. In 1967, he was elected to the Maharashtra Assembly for the first time when he was only 27.

Then at 38, he broke the Congress led by Indira Gandhi to become Maharashtras youngest chief minister in 1978. Pawar returned to the Congress despite stiff opposition from the then chief minister, S B Chavan, and senior Congress leader V N Gadgil.

One day in 1998, then Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi called Pawar at 4 in the morning. When asked what he was up to, Pawar told Rajiv he was only doing what people generally at that hour, sleep.

Pawar was summoned to Delhi and the next day, on June 24, 1988, Pawar was made the CM again at 48, this time as a Congressman.

His rival Chavan was made the union finance minister.V P Singh: Born into a zamindar family, the Raja of Manda, as he was popularly known, was initiated into politics as a student.

He was elected the vice president of the Allahabad University students union. He joined the Congress prty and was elected to the Uttar Pradesh assembly in 1969.

There was no looking back after that, becoming a junior minister in the Indira Gandhi cabinet. Then in 1980, he was made the UP CM at 49.

The party high command chose him over old foxes N D Tiwari, Kamlapati Tripathi, Sheila Kaul, C P N Singh and Brahmadutt.

PA Sangma:

The late leader from Meghalaya joined the Congress early.

He became the vice-president of Meghalaya Youth Congress in 1973 and its general secretary in 1975. In 1977, he was elected to the sixth Lok Sabha from Tura and represented it for the next two terms as well.In 1988, he switched to state politics and became the CM when he was only 41.

His senior rivals for the chief ministers post were D D Lapang and Salseng Marak but Sangma had the blessings of the partys central leadership.

(With inputs from Richa Sharma, Rajesh Asnani, Sudhir Suryawanshi, Anuraag Singh, Namita Bajpai and Prasanta Mazumdar)
COVID-19 has continued to surge in the state of California, with many businesses being forced to shut their doors in an attempt to deter the virus' spread.

And Leslie Mann erred on the side of caution on Saturday afternoon as she braved the open air with husband Judd Apatow, 52, and their youngest daughter Iris, 17, in Malibu.

The 48-year-old George Of The Jungle star and her family each donned a white face mask during their outing.

Mask on: Leslie Mann erred on the side of caution on Saturday afternoon as she braved the open air with husband Judd Apatow, 52, and their youngest daughter Iris, 17, in Malibu

Leslie showed of her toned arms in a white linen sundress that featured a ruffled hem and spaghetti straps.

Her golden blonde hair was styled into a side ponytail and secured with a black scrunchie.

Mann sported a pair of chic cateye shades on her face and slipped her feet into a pair of snakeskin sandals.

Iris wore a dress similar to her mother's but layered up her look with a black, bleach dyed sweatshirt.

Summer-ready: Leslie showed of her toned arms in a white linen sundress that featured a ruffled hem and spaghetti straps

Like mother, like daughter: Iris wore a dress similar to her mother's but layered up her look with a black, bleach dyed sweatshirt

Her darling chin length hair was neatly combed out and she had a flower tucked behind her ear.

Iris had her cellphone in her hand as she walked alongside her famous parents in a pair of white Nike sneakers.

Judd sported a light peach polo and a pair of cargo shorts as carried an Urban Outfitter shopping bag over his shoulder.

Leslie and Judd - who wed in 1997 - also share eldest daughter Maude, 22, who recently starred in the acclaimed Netflix series Hollywood.

Family: Leslie and Judd - who wed in 1997 - share Iris and their eldest daughter Maude, 22; the family pictured in 2015

King of Staten Island: Maude Apatow stars in the new film King of Staten Island, which was directed by her father Judd; Maude and Pete Davidson pictured in King of Staten Island

Her new film King of Staten Island starring SNL alum Pete Davidson was made available to stream on June 25.

The dark comedy is a 'semi-autobiographical comedy-drama about Pete Davidson growing up in Staten Island' and was directed by Maude's father Judd.

She told Variety of claims she had benefited from nepotism: 'I didn't know if I wanted to do it because I knew people would give me s*** for it.'

'But it's so special to me; I don't know when I'm ever going to work with my dad again, and he's taught me everything I know. He's my mentor. Why would I not do it?'
* The Organization Department of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) has issued a circular to call on primary-level CPC organizations and members to fully play their roles in flood control and relief work. Noting that recent floods and waterlogging disasters in southern China have caused casualties and property losses, the circular described the situation in flood control as very severe. The circular urged officials in affected regions to put themselves on the frontline, and adopt effective measures to combat the floods to ensure the safety of people's lives and property.

* Thailand's National Rice Policy and Management Committee (NRPMC) chaired by Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, announced on Friday that Thai rice prices for the 2020-21 crop year will remain unchanged from those of the previous season. The price guarantee policy will cover five types of Thai rice.

* The government of India has agreed to allow US air carriers to resume passenger services in the US-India market starting July 23, the US Transportation Department said on Friday. The Indian government, citing the coronavirus, had banned all scheduled services, prompting the US Transportation Department in June to accuse India of engaging in "unfair and discriminatory practices" on charter air carriers serving India.

* Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki said on Friday there was no consensus among EU leaders on a proposed EUR750-billion recovery fund to lift the bloc's economies from a recession triggered by the coronavirus pandemic. Morawiecki said the northern countries disagreed with their southern peers on rules for disbursement of the recovery aid, and with the east on the size of the core EU budget for 2021-27.

* Chinese health authority said Saturday that it received reports of 22 new confirmed COVID-19 cases on the Chinese mainland Friday, of which 16 were domestically transmitted. All domestically-transmitted cases were reported in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, the National Health Commission said in its daily report. No deaths related to the disease were reported Friday, according to the commission.

* COVID-19 cases in Indonesia rose by 1,752 within one day to 84,882, with the death toll adding by 59 to 4,016, Achmad Yurianto, a Health Ministry official, said at a press conference Saturday. According to him, 1,434 more people had been discharged from hospitals, bringing the total number of recovered patients to 43,268.

* The number of COVID-19 cases in the Philippines surged to 65,304 after the Department of Health (DOH) reported 2,357 new cases on Saturday. The DOH said that the number of recoveries further rose to 22,067 after 321 more patients have survived the disease. The death toll also increased to 1,773 after 113 more patients have succumbed to the viral disease, the DOH said.

* Brazil registered 34,177 new confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus and 1,163 new deaths on Friday, the health ministry said. Total cases in Brazil, the world's second most affected country after the United States, have now risen to 2,046,328 while deaths totaled 76,688.

* Mexico registered 7,257 new confirmed COVID-19 cases and 736 new deaths, bringing the nationwide caseload to 331,298 and death toll to 38,310, the Mexican Health Ministry reported on Friday. As the testing capacity grows, the government estimates the real number of infections is likely higher than the current confirmed cases.

* India's health ministry Saturday morning said 671 new deaths due to COVID-19, besides fresh 34,884 positive cases, were reported during the past 24 hours across the country, taking the number of deaths to 26,273 and total cases to 1,038,716. On Friday morning the number of COVID-19 cases in the country was 1,003,832, and the death toll 25,602. According to ministry officials, so far 653,751 people have been discharged from hospitals after showing improvement.

* A new case of COVID-19 was reported in managed isolation in New Zealand, the Ministry of Health said on Saturday. There is no one in New Zealand receiving hospital-level care for COVID-19. It has been 78 days since the last case of COVID-19 was acquired locally from an unknown source, said the ministry. New Zealand laboratories completed 2,403 tests on Friday and the total number of tests completed in New Zealand to date is 441,123.

* Germany's COVID-19 cases rose by 529 within one day to 201,372, the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) said on Saturday. The death toll in the country rose by one to 9,083, it added.

* As of Friday morning, 293,239 people have tested positive for COVID-19 in Britain, a daily increase of 687, the British Department of Health and Social Care announced. The figures for coronavirus-related deaths are unavailable Friday on the official website as Health Secretary Matt Hancock has ordered a review into the Public Health England's (PHE) data.

* Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison on Saturday delayed the opening of parliament for several weeks as the new coronavirus continued spreading through the country's two most populous states. Morrison asked the speaker of the parliament to cancel a two-week session due to start on Aug. 4, out of concern about the COVID-19 pandemic.

* The Argentine government announced on Friday that it has extended the national quarantine aimed at slowing the spread of COVID-19 to Aug. 2. Argentina reported its first case of COVID-19 on March 3 and as of Friday, the country has reported 114,783 cases, with 2,133 deaths.

* Egypt reported 703 new coronavirus cases on Friday, the health ministry said, the lowest figure since late May. In total, 86,474 COVID-19 cases have been reported and 4,188 deaths, including 68 on Friday, the ministry said in a statement.

* Indian farmers have planted 69.2 million hectares with summer crops, up 21.2% from this time a year earlier, according to the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers' Welfare, boosted by bountiful monsoon rains that spurred sowing in most parts of the country. Farmers typically start planting their summer-sown crops June 1, when monsoon rains usually reach India. Planting usually continues until the end of July or early August.

* At least 50 militants have been confirmed dead and more than 30 others injured in Dand-e-Ghori district of the northern Baghlan province, Abdul Razeq, a senior army officer of Afghanistan, said Saturday. According to the official, the government forces launched operations against Taliban bastion in Dand-e-Ghori district from ground and air on Thursday night and the operations lasted until Friday morning.
Inside the small boathouse at Lake Cuyamaca, about 1,200 small trout busily swim in six aquarium tanks.

They represent a small-scale, fish-farming experiment with lofty goals. If the lakes staff can make it work at Cuyamaca, General Manager Butch Paddock said, perhaps larger lakes in the county with greater resources can do the same, but on a much bigger scale.

In about a month, the two- to three-inch trout will be transferred to a holding pen by the dock. A couple months later, when they are larger, theyll be released into the lake where they are destined to be caught by fishermen or eaten by other fish or fowl.

The lake has a problem thats been getting worse for several years.

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The amount of trout the states Fish & Wildlife Department provides them under the terms of a contract has been declining due to hatchery problems. At the same time, the cost of trout the lake buys from vendors has continued to go up.

A pound of farmed trout used to cost under $2. Now it costs more than $4.

Lake Cuyamaca Ranger Jay Blaylock explains how the trout farming system works. (J. Harry Jones/U-T )

Not too long ago, 40,000 pounds of trout would be dumped into the lake annually. Thats down to about 19,000 pounds now because thats all the lake can afford.

Although located in Cuyamaca-Rancho State Park, the lake is independent of the state park system and gets almost all its revenues from the sale of daily fishing permits.

That severely limits the amount of money they have to buy from fish farming vendors, yet its the trout that fishermen most want to catch at Cuyamaca.

Were looking for ways to augment our trout, Paddock said Tuesday. We used to be a trout mecca. Were trying to build that back up now.

Which is where the fish-farming experiment kicks in. A couple years ago, on a very small scale, the lake began trying to raise its own trout. There were failures at first as they figured out the intricacies.

They got better at it and then early this year they were the beneficiaries of a decision by the owners of Lakeside Bait & Tackle to move back to Texas. They sold everything in the store, including a system to Lake Cuyamaca that included the tanks and filtration system they had used to raise bait fish.

We were very fortunate, Paddock said. They sold everything off. Thats where we got our system and we got it for a song and a dance.

The idea is to raise their own fish, show others in the county that it can be done, and then hopefully inspire others to copy what they are doing.

Up at Big Bear Lake, they are soon going to be putting in their own hatchery, Paddock said. They are going to raise their own trout. They are going to be in a position in another year or two to be able to not only provide themselves with all the trout they will want, but also to distribute trout to other lakes in the area.

In the future I see that happening in San Diego, he said. If our little operation can do what were doing right now, then I believe these larger organizations that do have tax-based revenues  can provide all the trout for all the lakes in the county.

Ranger Jay Blaylock said farmed trout are not a self-sustaining species. They are genetically bred not to reproduce. They grow faster that way, he said.

That means the only way trout can exist in the lake is to put them there.

Paddock said if the experiment doesnt work, the lake may be forced to concentrate less on the popular trout and more on fish that can reproduce and are already in the lake like catfish, blue gill, sturgeon and crappie.

What were trying to do is show what can be done, Paddock said.

All you have to do is be diligent about keeping them clean and keeping them fed, he said. If larger organizations with a few bucks behind them try it, I believe they can absolutely provide fish for many, if not all of the lakes in the county.

jharry.jones@sduniontribune.com; 760/529-4931; Twitter: @jharryjones
By Trend

Nizami Ganjavi International Center has sent an open letter to the UN and the European Union titled Peace and Justice for Nagorno-Karabakh, Trend reports.

We fully support the territorial integrity and sovereignty of the Republic of Azerbaijan within the borders as recognized by the United Nations and the whole international community.

Azerbaijan has received strong international legal support: no less than four resolutions of the UN Security Council demanding unconditional withdrawal of the Armenian troops from the occupied territories. That and the international community has reaffirmed that it does not recognize the acquisition of territory by war.

The situation resulting from the illegal use of force can in no way be justified.

We strongly condemn indiscriminate targeting of Azerbaijani civilians and civilian objects along the border of Armenia and Azerbaijan. Illegal acitivities, as well as illicit settlement in the occupied lands of Azerbaijan must be ceased.

And today, despite the provocations, and the breach of the ceasefire agreement, Azerbaijan is seeking redress through the appropriate legal channels, not rushing into armed response. Conflict is frequently indecisive, and invariably costly in blood as well as resources.

This is the time to activate all possible diplomatic channels, the UN and the European Union should call for an immediate ceasefire, and use every means available at the international level to prevent any further military action. But it is also essential to advance the search for a final settlement of that long-standing conflict.

To work for peace through peaceful means, that is one of the tenets of the Nizami Ganjavi International Center (NGIC). Thus, we call on the international community to live up to its previous resolutions, particularly United Nations Security Council Resolutions to restore the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan under international law, ensure withdrawal of Armenian armed forces from all seized lands of Azerbaijan as demanded and hopefully reach a lasting settlement of the Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict.

The negotiation process mediated by the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs  Russia, France and the United States  has not brought any tangible result for the resolution of conflict. The Co- Chairs based on their mandate stemming from the Helsinki Final Act and the UNSCR should redouble their efforts to ensure meaningful negotiations towards achieving lasting peace.

At a time when all of humanity is fighting a common enemy in the Coronavirus and COVID- 19, it is not sensible for humanity to divert our energies and resources to unleash death and destruction on each other. Let us appeal to reason and the rule of law in our pursuit of a peaceful and just settlement to the conflict of Nagorno-Karabakh.

Peace, true peace, is more than the cessation of war. It can only be built on justice and inclusion. That is a fitting task for the EU to assist in bringing about, and it would be an appropriate revival of the spirit of the United Nations on its 75th birthday. So let us work with the international community to overcome the unjust legacies of the past, to address our global challenges and to lay the foundations for better tomorrows, reads the letter.

---

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
COVID-19 cases may peak in India as early as mid-September provided strong public health measures are in place and people behave in a responsible manner to contain the virus, President of Public Health Foundation of India, Prof. K Srinath Reddy, said on Saturday.

Speaking to news agency PTI, he expressed concern over the microbe spreading with renewed vigour, as confirmed infections and deaths crossed one million and 25,000 respectively in India earlier this week.

"Ideally we could have and should have prevented it reaching this level, but even now we should try our best and contain it as quickly as possible", the public health expert said. "Different places (States) would peak at different times", Reddy said on the rising COVID-19 cases.

He, however, added that India may see COVID-19 cases peaking as early as in two months if there are strong public health measures and people take all precautions like wearing face masks and maintaining physical distance. "If everybody does what needs to be done", he said when asked if he is confident that the cases would peak within two months.

"It depends on public and government action", Reddy, who formerly headed the Department of Cardiology at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences, said.

COVID-19 Vaccine Frequently Asked Questions View more How does a vaccine work? A vaccine works by mimicking a natural infection. A vaccine not only induces immune response to protect people from any future COVID-19 infection, but also helps quickly build herd immunity to put an end to the pandemic. Herd immunity occurs when a sufficient percentage of a population becomes immune to a disease, making the spread of disease from person to person unlikely. The good news is that SARS-CoV-2 virus has been fairly stable, which increases the viability of a vaccine. How many types of vaccines are there? There are broadly four types of vaccine  one, a vaccine based on the whole virus (this could be either inactivated, or an attenuated [weakened] virus vaccine); two, a non-replicating viral vector vaccine that uses a benign virus as vector that carries the antigen of SARS-CoV; three, nucleic-acid vaccines that have genetic material like DNA and RNA of antigens like spike protein given to a person, helping human cells decode genetic material and produce the vaccine; and four, protein subunit vaccine wherein the recombinant proteins of SARS-COV-2 along with an adjuvant (booster) is given as a vaccine. What does it take to develop a vaccine of this kind? Vaccine development is a long, complex process. Unlike drugs that are given to people with a diseased, vaccines are given to healthy people and also vulnerable sections such as children, pregnant women and the elderly. So rigorous tests are compulsory. History says that the fastest time it took to develop a vaccine is five years, but it usually takes double or sometimes triple that time. View more Show

He added that up to the second phase of lockdown, control measures were very strict as India tried to contain the spread. But subsequently after May 3, when relaxation started -- resumption of economic activities were important -- very strong levels of public health activities like household survey for any cases with symptoms, quick testing and isolation and vigorous contact tracing, among others, should have been maintained, he said.

"All those precautions...public health measures, as well as personal cautionary measures in terms of how to behave in a public place, started slipping since then, and slipped further after lockdown was fully lifted", according to him. So it appeared as though we were in a "sudden release phenomenon".

"It was almost like students celebrating immediately after school exams, even though results were a few months away," Reddy, who presently serves as an Adjunct Professor of Epidemiology at Harvard, said.

There has been slipping up of necessary cautions in public gatherings, as well as in public health activity, he said.

"We spent too much time focusing on hospital bed capacity...that was also necessary, but the whole area of contact tracing was left essentially to policemen rather than seen as a public health function", he said. "Building up strong contact tracing, household surveillance of people with symptoms, getting them tested quickly, all of these measures should have been taken much more".

Not following up with strong public health measures and a dilution of cautionary behaviour in public contributed to the rapid spread of the virus, said Reddy, who has been involved in several major national and international research studies, having been trained in cardiology and epidemiology.

"Our main thing now is to prevent the virus getting deep into rural India. Small towns and rural areas must be protected as much as possible, particularly rural areas because that is where two-thirds of India is. If we can prevent that, we can still prevent the damage", Reddy added.
Egyptian Ambassador to Serbia Amr Aljowaily recently received members of the board of directors of the Belgrade International Book Fair at the chancery, in the presence of the French ambassador in Belgrade.

In his capacity as president of the Group of Francophone Ambassadors in Belgrade, Aljowaily said that it was agreed, during the meeting, to allocate a pavilion for the Francophonie, for the first time ever, at the 65th session of the exhibition to be held from 24 October to 1 November 2020, on the occasion of the celebration of the 50th anniversary of the creation of the International Organisation of the Francophonie.

This initiative is a continuation of the active role that Egypt has played in the organisation since its foundation, and the presidency of the late Dr Boutros Ghali of its general secretariat, he noted.

In related activity, Ambassador Aljowaily, in his capacity as the president of the group, opened the Francophone book exhibition of works translated into the Serbian language held at the French Institute in Belgrade, featuring books by 94 writers from 19 countries, including Egypt.

He pointed out that there are several current projects for translating Egyptian literature from Arabic into Serbian as one of the results of Egypt's participation as guest of honour in the previous session of the exhibition, held last October, through the General Book Authority headed by Dr Haitham Ali Al-Hajj.

The board of directors of the Belgrade International Book Fair praised Egyptian participation during the meeting, adding that it was also a portal for the participation of the Francophonie, given Egypt's role in this group.
A leading health expert has said Ireland's best option is to crush the coronavirus completely, and declared it such an error to leave the door open to incoming foreign travel.

Professor Gabriel Scally, president of the public health section at the UKs Royal Society of Medicine, said Ireland should be seeking to apply very strict quarantine measures to incoming visitors from foreign shores in the same manner as nations such as Taiwan and New Zealand, which have effectively crushed the virus within their borders.

He said that the key to achieving that goal would be a need for strong cooperation between the Northern Assembly executive and the Government in order for the issue of the land border between the two to be handled efficiently.

Speaking on RTE Radio 1s This Week, Prof Scally expressed scepticism as to the current quarantine procedures, which are limited to visitors filling out passenger locator forms upon arrival in the country while committing to spending two weeks in isolation at a named address.

However, the policing of those measures is limited at best, with only a fraction of those arriving followed up on regarding their quarantine, and with even fewer answering those calls.

We are reaching crisis point across the world  it is such an error to leave the door open. We need to remember that the virus came to Ireland via international tourist travel, and it could come back in really substantial numbers from across the world, he said.

Regarding the pending publication of a so-called green list of countries from where travellers will not be expected to quarantine, due to be published after today's meeting of Cabinet, he said, the controls are not strong enough.

We will take flights from Athens who then get to Dublin, but from where did the people come from to get to Athens?

Prof Scally argued that Ireland could be zero Covid and life could go back to normal, if heightened quarantine was observed.

We are at a seminal moment, a fork in the road, here, he said. One way leads to a zero-Covid Ireland, the other time we have a very bumpy time over the next number of months, and who knows what the winter will bring?

He argued that one method of quarantine that could be considered would be to have incoming travellers tested three days before embarking on their journey, with another test being taken upon arrival, and the people in question being held until its negative.

Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Michael McGrath, said that the point of the green list was a need to acknowledge that some countries are doing better than others.

I think we have won the argument so far, and I think that is why Ireland is doing quite well, he said.
New Zealands two main political parties have been embroiled in fraud investigations over their handling of donations with possible links to China, prompting increased concern about the sources of party funding and possible manipulation of the democratic process.

The Serious Fraud Office said on Monday it had started an investigation into donations made to Prime Minister Jacinda Arderns Labour Party in 2017.

The SFO has not released details of the case, but the party has disclosed it received donations through an auction held by a Chinese community organisation whose founder has been accused of ties to the Chinese Communist Party.

Get the latest insights and analysis from our Global Impact newsletter on the big stories originating in China.

Similar fundraising events have already prompted investigations by police, and Labour officials and media reports have suggested the event may be at the centre of the latest investigation.

The groups founder, Zhang Yikun, is also facing fraud charges that resulted from an earlier investigation into the main opposition party, the National Party, along with two other businessmen and a member of parliament.

The SFOs new probe coincides with an election year and comes at a time when concerns about election interference by foreign countries are on the rise around the world.

Political observers have warned that New Zealand, a member of the Five Eyes intelligence group, could be at greater risk of manipulation without more robust safeguards.

The Serious Fraud Offices actions are unprecedented. And they indicate that there is a systemic problem that goes beyond one or two bad actors, said Andrew Geddis, a professor of election law from Otago University in New Zealand.

Rather, it suggests that a range of political parties and candidates for local government roles may have been prepared to accept donations in ways that raise questions about their sources and what is expected in return, he said.

Story continues

The SFO has not given any details of the investigation into Labour, but the partys president Claire Szabo said two of the businessmen charged in the National case, brothers Zheng Shijia and Zheng Hengjia, had previously donated to the Labour Party.

Labour said the pairs donations in 2017 and 2018 fell below the NZ$15,000 (US$9,800) legal threshold for declaring donations, and therefore did not appear in the partys 2017 electoral filing.

Ahead of the election that year, the party raised NZ$60,000 from an auction at the Chao Shan General Association of New Zealand, which was founded by Zhang and where Zheng Hengjia is a senior office holder.

The auction donation was included in the filing but the name of the association was not disclosed. The Labour Party has said that all donations were filed in accordance with the rules.

The association is a philanthropic and community organisation for Chinese immigrants with roots in the Chaoshan area of Guangdong province.

Geddis said the SFO was also investigating the funding of two former Labour ministers mayoral campaigns in Auckland and Christchurch after opposition candidates triggered a police investigation with a complaint that items of little to no value were auctioned off at inflated prices.

What the SFO is looking at with regards to those donations is the way that auctions were used to disguise the identity of donors to candidates, he said.

So items would be auctioned, allegedly at an inflated value, and the identity of who had bid on those things was not made clear.

Geddis said that given the complaints the local campaigns had acted not strictly in compliance with the law, it may well be that similar questions have been asked about fundraising at a national level  although he said this was still speculation.

MP Jami-Lee Ross is facing trial on fraud charges. Photo: AP

Meanwhile, Zhang and the Zheng brothers are also facing trial for fraud next year along with a serving MP, Jami-Lee Ross.

The four were charged following an earlier SFO investigation and are accused of concealing the origins of two NZ$100,000 donations to the National Party. They deny the charges.

Ross, who has resigned from the Nationals, previously told a parliamentary inquiry into foreign interference that the security service had warned the partys former leader Simon Bridges not to make one politician who had support from the Chinese community a minister if the party was in government because of espionage concerns.

The New Zealand Security Intelligence Service declined to comment on specific intelligence and Bridges has denied sharing intelligence with Ross.

Ross and his lawyer did not respond to emails and phone calls requesting comment, and lawyers for the Zheng brothers did not reply to similar emails.

John Katz, the lawyer representing Zhang Yikun said criminal proceedings were active and could not be discussed.

Allegations of foreign interference in New Zealand have highlighted concerns about its role in the Five Eyes intelligence-sharing alliance, whose other members are the US, Britain, Canada and Australia.

The small size of New Zealand and its growing closeness to China, could pose a risk to the alliance, according to China scholar Anne-Marie Brady from the University of Canterbury in Christchurch.

New Zealand is valuable to China, as well to other states such as Russia, as a soft underbelly to access the Five Eyes Intelligence, she wrote in a 2017 paper, which examined Chinas influence campaigns and how they were carried out in New Zealand.

Former National Party leader Simon Bridges was allegedly warned about one politician by the security services. Photo: New Zealand Herald

Brady alleged that Zhang, one of the defendants in the National Party donation case, was a Communist Party designated United Front Work representative for New Zealand, in a series of tweets made early this year.

Zhang has not responded to the allegations and both he and his lawyer declined to comment when contacted by the South China Morning Post.

Jason Young, an associate professor of New Zealand-China relations at Victoria University in Wellington, said it was important to distinguish interference from New Zealands diverse Chinese community exercising their right to engage in politics.

The New Zealand Chinese community is really important for business and family links to China, it's a really valuable part of New Zealand's relationship with China, said Young, who is the director of the New Zealand Contemporary China Research Centre.

The other problem is that because the Chinese economy is often very closely linked to the government, it creates an opportunity for people to criticise those links. Theres a lot of grey areas there.

China has always maintained that it does not interfere in the domestic politics of other countries and has denied claims of meddling in Australia and the United States.

But Alex Tan, a political science professor from the University of Canterbury, said there were loopholes in New Zealands electoral laws  including a high threshold for undisclosed donations, loose reporting requirements and allowing permanent residents to vote  that left the democratic process open to manipulation.

This could be very easily done because you can have a front, [and] front people who will take in money and theyre the ones doing the donation, he said.

Part of the increase in Chinese donations  whether they are connected to a foreign state or not  is the fact that the Chinese vote is a significant portion of the electorate especially in Auckland, where there are more members of parliament, he said.

The alleged irregularities such as misreporting and non-disclosure of donation in the mayoral elections in Auckland and Christchurch have already prompted SFO investigations.

To prevent questionable practices like these, experts have called for electoral reforms such as more transparency over political donations, setting a maximum limit for all donations and only allowing citizens to vote.

Confidently acknowledging these problems is a strength, rather than a weakness. It will help reassure New Zealands international partners as well as our citizens and residents that the New Zealand government is determined to maintain sovereignty and national security, and that it upholds our values and democratic institutions, Brady wrote in her 2019 submission to the inquiry into foreign interference.

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This article Fraud probes into New Zealands main parties raise questions over Chinese money and influence first appeared on South China Morning Post

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Its peak monsoon with Goa witnessing rainfall in excess of 100mm a day on average. The shacks and sea facing hotels have battened down the hatches as the wind howls across.

At first, nothing may seem amiss  after all, beach tourism shuttering for the monsoon is an annual affair. But no sooner does the rain abate and people begin to move out a bit, does the odd foreigner stand out in the crowd. Not unusual in coastal villages of Goa, but certainly uncommon during the peak monsoon months when backpackers from Europe and other parts of the world head back home for the summer or to other destinations.

The pandemic has meant that there were never so many foreigners in Goa in the monsoons as there are this year, with those who have remained behind -- by choice or by fate -- choosing to make the most of their time here.

Pavel Boloyangov, a visitor from Russia, decided to roll up his sleeves and begin collecting garbage at Arambol, a beach village in North Goa that is a popular haunt for foreigners.

I had arrived in India along with my companion to see majestic temples and holy places, when the pandemic hit. I saw a group of guys gathering plastic in bags and bringing them to a designated area. I started doing the same. Fifteen more people joined. More people from around the world came to the next event. There were many Indians who wanted to join it. More people came to the third event. We cleaned Arambol on a regular basis. This time, I collected a list of 40-50 volunteers from 15 countries, Boloyangov, who is a professional fighter and stunt performer, said.

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Boloyangov, who is a fitness trainer back in Russia, had first visited Goa in 2017, when he claims to have first noticed unattended piles of garbage in different corners of the tourist paradise. This year offered him the opportunity to do something about it.

A colleague reported our initiative to Dhiraj Vagale, assistant director of tourism, Goa. The Government responded immediately. Sanjeev Joglekar (an official with the environment department) got in touch with me and offered me help. He sent an officer-in-charge who arranged garbage removal. Besides, he instructed an officer whose company is responsible for cleanliness of the Arambol beach to help us clean Sweet Lake. The Panchayat has provided us with special bags and gloves. Approximately 50 volunteers from many countries including India cleaned Sweet Lake. It took exactly 10 days of hard work, Boloyangov said.

The HT Guide to Coronavirus

For Nick Chung, an English teacher from Atlanta, Georgia in the USA, a trip to India from China was meant to be only a week long holiday with his girlfriend and colleagues, during the Chinese New Year Holidays. Its now August and he is pretty sure about not returning to get his teaching job in China back.

Its actually a great place to be stuck. The weather is perfect and the people are nice, Chung said.

Chung and his friends with the help of local volunteers spent a day in the fields of Taleigao, a village on the outskirts of the state capital Panaji, assisting local farmers with sowing, transplanting and tending to the rice crop.

It was a great experience to understand the trouble it takes to grow your own food and it also helps you come closer to the earth and mother nature, Chung told HT.

There have been a few repatriation flights -- 44 in total that have left from Goa airport carrying around 10,000 tourists to destinations in their home countries. However, many have chosen to stay put out of choice, some have stayed due to the prohibitive cost or unavailability of a repatriation flight to their countries.

Locals, too, are happy to host them as they continue to contribute to the tourism industry. Many home and hotel owners have halved their room rates so that the tourists choose to stay on and are also making sure they are well cared for, Stephen Fernandes a resident of Arambol village said. There were many more in June, by July some of them moved out, he added.

Many tourists will leave over the coming weeks as flights are arranged either from Goa or Mumbai. We came for 3 months as we usually do. We were only here three weeks, when we had the lockdown. Everyone has been so helpful. We went for walks before the rains got really bad to sit and watch the fishermen catching their meals, said Lorraine Dodd whos from the UK and is hoping her flight back to the UK scheduled for early August goes through.
House Democrats on Sunday sent a letter to the inspectors general of the Justice Department and Homeland Security Department requesting an investigation into the Trump administrations use of federal law officers to suppress anti-racism protests.

In a letter to DOJ Inspector General Michael Horowitz and DHS Inspector General Joseph Cuffari, the leaders of three House committees  Jerry Nadler of the Judiciary Committee; Bennie Thompson of Homeland Security; and Carolyn Maloney of Oversight  said they were increasingly alarmed by the situation.

The departments have increasingly abused emergency authorities to justify the use of force against Americans exercising their right to peaceful assembly, the Democrats wrote.

The letter comes amid weeks of nationwide protests following the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis on May 25. Massive demonstrations demanding justice in Floyds case, as well as for the many other instances of police brutality, have erupted in every state. Some cities have seen more than 50 consecutive days of protests.

The protests have grown into a nationwide reckoning on racism, including forceful demands that monuments honoring the Confederacy be removed.

President Donald Trump has condemned some of the protesters as anarchists and lowlifes and vowed last month to use military force against those engaging in civil unrest. He also signed an executive order directing the Justice Department to prosecute anyone who damages a federal monument.

As anti-racism protests continued in Portland, Oregon, last week, federal law enforcement agents driving unmarked vans were recorded detaining people during late-night demonstrations. The officers were seen in videos posted to social media dressed in green military fatigues with police patches but no agency affiliation on clear display.

The Administrations insistence on deploying these forces over the objections of state and local authorities...

Continue reading on HuffPost
In a tragic incident, a 28-year-old youth from Kinnigoli drowned in Salmiya Beach in Kuwait, while attempting to rescue a drowning Egypt national.

The youth was identified as Mohammed Anees, son of Hasanabba and Nafeesa. He along with his friends had visited the beach during the weekend. On noticing the Egypt national drowning, he went to rescue him and was washed away in the waves.

The body was retrieved by the Kuwait navy and other security agencies on Sunday.

The family members have decided to bury the body in Kuwait.
COVID-19-Related Hunger, Disease Stalk World's Poorest

By Lisa Schlein July 18, 2020

U.N. agencies say a lack of money is threatening the lives of millions of people in developing countries from COVID-19-related hunger and disease.

The United Nations recently appealed for more than $10 billion to help hundreds of millions of people in the poorest, worst-hit countries in the world survive the pandemic. Nearly half the amount of the updated appeal is slated for food assistance, with an additional $500 million to be spent on famine prevention.

However, the international response has been tepid since the U.N. launched its first of three Global Humanitarian Response Plans for COVID-19 in March, asking for $2 billion. To date, only $1.7 billion of the $10.3 billion needed has been received.

The U.N. warns the number of hungry people caught in a state of crisis could increase from the current 149 million to 270 million before the end of the year without international aid.

World Food Program spokeswoman Elisabeth Byrs said the agency's director, David Beasley, has warned the world runs the risk of a famine of biblical proportions.

"Millions of the world's very poorest families have been forced even closer to the abyss," Byrs said. "Livelihoods are being destroyed at an unprecedented level. Now, to prevent the worst, WFP is scaling up its operation to provide food assistance to 138 million people who face a desperate level of hunger."

The U.N. children's fund runs humanitarian operations in 155 countries and territories. It said it had received less than half of the $2 billion needed to support its activities for women and children.

UNICEF spokeswoman Marixie Mercado said projections by the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health show COVID-19 is affecting children in ways that will have lasting impact.

She said the study showed that 6,000 children could die from preventable causes every day over the next six months because of disruptions in essential services related to COVID-19.

"The data from the first four months of 2020 already show a substantial drop in the number of children completing three doses of the vaccine against diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis.  We know that at least 30 measles vaccination campaigns were or are at risk of being canceled," Mercado said. "And, this, of course, could result in further outbreaks in 2020 and beyond."

The pandemic also is having a devastating impact on education. UNESCO estimated that nearly 1.2 billion students in 150 countries had been affected by school closures, causing mental and psychological distress for many. And according to the U.N. Population Fund, millions of girls and women are subject to violence because of COVID-19 lockdown measures.

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The Airports Authority of India (AAI) has decided to procure 198 body scanners for 63 Indian airports that will replace the existing door frame metal detectors and hand-held scanners, besides pat-down searches of passengers to detect metallic objects, officials said.

"The process for procurement of body scanners started earlier this year before the COVID-19 pandemic. It has become important to get these scanners as soon as possible as frisking of passengers by security personnel has already been minimised since March due to the pandemic," the AAI officials noted.

Out of these 198 scanners, 19 will be for the Chennai airport, 17 for the Kolkata airport and 12 for the Pune airport, the officials told PTI.

The AAI owns and manages more than 100 airports across the country.

"Seven body scanners will be deployed at the Srinagar airport, six at the Visakhapatnam airport, and five each at airports in Tirupati, Bagdogra, Bhubaneswar, Goa and Imphal," they added.

Four body scanners each will be put at airports in Amritsar, Varanasi, Calicut, Coimbatore, Trichy, Gaya, Aurangabad and Bhopal, the officials mentioned.

They said the tender to procure 198 body scanners for 63 airports has been issued and three companies have put in their bids.

"These three companies have put in their technical bids. If they pass our technical criteria, we will ask them to submit financial bids. An award of contract will then be given to one of them," the officials stated.

Passengers have to remove their jackets, thick clothing, shoes, belts as well as all metallic items before entering into the body scanner of an airport. A mannequin-like image is generated by the machine, and if there is a yellow spot on the screen, it means that area on the body may need further screening.

Once the body scanners are installed at an airport, pat down searches will not be required for passengers, the officials said.

The Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) on March 19 had stated, "CISF personnel deployed at 63 domestic and international airports have been sensitised to adopt 'minimum touch' concept and also wear masks, surgical gloves and not to touch any item or article of the passenger during pre-embarkation screening."

Staffers at these airports have also been advised to interact with passengers from a distance without compromising security procedures, the CISF said.

India resumed its domestic passengers flights from May 25 after a gap of two months due to the coronavirus-triggered lockdown.

While scheduled international passenger flights continue to remain suspended in the country since March 23, India has established bilateral air bubbles with four countries -- the US, the UAE, France and Germany -- in which airlines of both the countries are permitted to operate international passenger flights with certain restrictions.
Zhang Yiming, founder of the wildly popular but recently besieged TikTok, has done everything he could to localize the short video app in global markets to ease rising political pressures. But he appears to be increasingly boxed in, said a Chinese investor in the apps parent company ByteDance.

TikTok, the worlds fastest-growing social media app with more than 2 billion downloads worldwide, faces bans or threats of bans from countries around the world amid allegations of violating user privacy. Its expanding popular influence has made the app a force that cannot be ignored by any government. In the U.S., TikTok has become part of the political debate. The November election will be a challenge for TikTok, the ByteDance investor said.

There is not much disagreement between the Democrats and Republicans on current sanctions against Chinese companies, he said. After ZTE and Huawei, TikTok will be the next target.

The European Unions data protection watchdog set up a task force in early June to investigate TikToks data processing activities and privacy practices. India imposed a ban on TikTok, citing data security and privacy issues. India was the apps biggest overseas market with more than 200 million users in India. A week later, TikTok faced a threat of being banned from its second-largest overseas market, the United States, with 70 million monthly active users.

The United States is considering banning Chinese social media apps, including TikTok, U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said July 6. He cited protecting American national security and the American people from having their information end up in the hands of the Chinese Communist Party.

From fun viral to political influencer

Pompeos comments followed the appearance of an underwhelming crowd at President Donald Trumps June 20campaign rally in Tulsa, Oklahoma. A number of TikTok users sought to sabotage the event by posting videos on TikTok urging people to register for tickets but not show up. Only 6,200 people were present in an arena with 19,200 seats after Trumps campaign manager Brad Parscale bragged on Twitter of receiving more than 1 million ticket reservations.

The prank showed how influential the three-year-old app has become in some markets outside China. The international versions of other Chinese apps mainly target overseas Chinese users, such as Tencents WeChat. But TikTok has been going after local users in foreign markets, not just Chinese who are abroad.

Since 2019, TikTok has ranked at the top of the most-downloaded apps in global markets. It was the first app in six years to exceed 2 billion downloads worldwide behind Facebooks WhatsApp, Instagram and Messenger.

In May, TikTok launched a costume-transforming feature in which users appear to change what theyre wearing or otherwise alter their appearance in one swipe while cleaning a mirror to the song Wipe It Down, by Kenneth Coby, also known as BMW Kenny. The wipe it down challenge attracted more than 1 billion clicks and the participation of many celebrities, including actor Will Smith.

Investors are nervous

Zhang spent half of 2019 in Washington trying to shore up relations with the American government. Meanwhile, TikTok localized its overall operations, including branding and personnel.

TikToks employees and business are separate from those of its parent ByteDance, an insider from a ByteDance overseas investor told Caixin. Zhang has discussed options with investors for addressing the American governments concerns, including a new board, Zhang giving up his super voting power and key executives changing their nationalities.

Zhang cant travel to the U.S. right now amid the Covid-19 pandemic, but TikToks overseas investors, including KKR and General Atlantic, are actively lobbying for the company, the person from an investor said.

The apps scale and popularity have encouraged speculation that it could become a viable acquisition target for Facebook.

This is just a market speculation, an investor said. Zhang has no interest to sell it. And if TikTok is banned in the U.S., its users are gone. It makes no sense to buy it.

Read More

TikTok Releases Transparency Report as Global Scrutiny Mounts

Investors have grown increasingly nervous. In 2019, TikTok and the apps Chinese version Douyin contributed 60 billion to 70 billion yuan ($8.58 billion to $10 billion) to its parent, more than half of ByteDances total revenue.

In its latest round of financing in 2018, ByteDance raised $3 billion from a group of investors led by SoftBank Group, KKR and General Atlantic. That valued the company at $75 billion, more than double its valuation from the previous round of financing less than a year earlier. The companys value on paper has risen at least a third to more than $100 billion in recent private share transactions. But that figure is now only theoretical as no one wants to buy in, investors say.

Last year, many potential investors made an inquiry about private share sales from existing investors, but no one would like to sell, because an initial public offering was expected to come soon, the Chinese investor said. Now, with the threat of a ban from the U.S., Zhang has no momentum to push for an IPO.

Unlike Huaweis founder and Chief Executive Officer Ren Zhengfei, who has repeated defended his company in the media when facing sanctions from the U.S., Zhang is low-key. The 37-year-old entrepreneur rarely talks to the media. The companys executives and employees are also strictly restricted from doing so.

During the World Economic Forum in January at Davos, Switzerland, Caixin reporters encountered Zhang and Alex Zhu, then the head of TikTok, at a coffee shop. Zhang declined an interview request, saying he would look for other opportunities after returning to China. An accompanying German reporter voiced amazement that Zhang refused to talk to Caixin reporters.

Is that the big boss of TikTok? the German journalist asked. So many people are using TikTok now. He cant be a mysterious Chinese man.

Localization is not enough

Concluding that overseas markets need a reliable face representing TikTok, Zhang in May tapped former Disney veteran Kevin Mayer as TikToks new CEO. He also recruited a whole team of Western executives. They include former Microsoft Chief Intellectual Property Counsel Erich Andersen as global general counsel, former ADP executive Roland Cloutier as chief information security officer, former Hulu brand chief Nick Tran as head of marketing for North America and former Facebook and Yahoo senior executive Blake Chandlee as head of strategic partnerships. Last month, TikTok also hired former Google executive Lee Hunter as general manager of its newly launched Australian office.

As the entire management team was replaced with local faces, ByteDance pulled back all Chinese employees overseas and replaced them with local hires.

In addition to personnel localization, Zhang also weighed moving the headquarters of the international operation overseas. He considered locations including London, Singapore and Dublin, a person close to ByteDances senior management told Caixin in late 2019.

Earlier this month, TikTok announced plans to move responsibility for protecting the personal data of its European users to its Irish and U.K. branches from its U.S. entity amid growing concerns over privacy. The company also opened a content moderation transparency center in Los Angeles. It gave outside experts a panoramic view of TikToks daily operations as part of its efforts to ease U.S. lawmakers concerns about the apps handling of user data and whether it censors content at Beijings request.

But these efforts seem to have had little effect in reversing hostile political postures. Last week, White house trade adviser Peter Navarro called TikToks new CEO Mayer an American puppet, saying that the strategy of putting a U.S. citizen in charge is not going to work. Trump is expected to take strong action on TikTok and other Chinese apps, he said.

Contact reporter Denise Jia (huijuanjia@caixin.com) and editor Bob Simison (bobsimison@caixin.com)
Israeli prime minister is charged with fraud, breach of trust, and accepting bribes in a series of scandals.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus corruption trial will resume in January with witnesses and evidence given three times a week, a Jerusalem court ruled on Sunday.

It was not immediately clear if Netanyahu will be required to be present at each hearing, although some Israeli media reported he would.

The grueling judicial schedule will keep Netanyahus legal woes firmly in the national consciousness and conversation, and continue to raise questions over whether he can keep serving while simultaneously standing trial.

The courts decision came after the trials second hearing, a procedural deliberation that set the pace for the remainder of the proceedings.

Netanyahus trial resumed on Sunday as the long-serving leader faces mounting discontent over his handling of the coronavirus pandemic.

His lawyer asked for a delay in the proceedings because of the virus, saying mask-wearing impeded his job of questioning witnesses.





At the first hearing in May, just before appearing in front of the judges, Netanyahu took to a podium inside the courthouse and flanked by his party members bashed the countrys legal institutions in an angry tirade. The prime minister did not appear at Sundays hearing.

Although his base remains firmly behind him, only a smattering of supporters turned up outside the court to voice their backing for the prime minister, far fewer than the throngs who converged at the trials opening.

Media-orchestrated witch-hunt

Netanyahu, 70, is charged with fraud, breach of trust and accepting bribes in a series of scandals in which he is alleged to have received lavish gifts from billionaire friends and exchanged regulatory favours with media moguls for more agreeable coverage of himself and his family.

Netanyahu denies wrongdoing, painting the accusations as a media-orchestrated witch-hunt pursued by a biased law enforcement system.

Bribery charges carry a sentence of up to 10 years in jail, while fraud and breach of trust carry a prison sentence of up to three years.

The anti-government anger in Israel has sparked protests over the past few weeks that saw violent clashes with police [Getty Images]

Widespread anger

Netanyahu faces widespread anger over his governments handling of the coronavirus crisis. While the country appeared to have tamped down a first wave of infections, a hasty reopening sent infections soaring.

But Netanyahu and his emergency government  formed with the goal of dealing with the crisis  appeared to neglect the numbers and moved forward with other policy priorities and its reopening plans.

It has since paused them and even reimposed restrictions, including a weekend-only lockdown set to begin later this week.

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Netanyahus government has been criticised for its response to the new wave, which has seen daily cases rise to nearly 2,000. It has been slammed for its handling of the economic fallout of the crisis.

The anger has sparked protests over the past few weeks that have culminated in violent clashes with police.

On Saturday, police used water cannon to disperse demonstrators around Netanyahus Jerusalem residence.

In Tel Aviv, Israels commercial hub, thousands gathered to demand better state aid to businesses hurt in the health crisis.

While Israel has pledged billions of dollars worth of aid, it has not all been doled out to those in need.
The Ghana Non-Communicable Diseases (NCD) Alliance, has challenged policy makers, health care institutions and professionals not to relegate the health needs of patients with cancers, stroke, hypertension and diabetes onto the sidelines, as they focus on rolling back covid-19 cases.



Though covid-19 is fatal and deserves the needed attention, we are nonetheless encouraging hospitals to give equal attention to NCD patients as evidence has shown that underlying conditions, predominantly NCDs, rather hasten the death of covid-19 patients, hence the need to fight both head-on.



The chairperson of the Alliance, Dr. Beatrice Wiafe Addai, who appreciated the urgency in fighting covid-19, however said patients suffering from Non Communicable diseases, risked being crowded out, and encouraged health care givers to give as much treatment and attention to NCD patients, while attending to covid-19 patients.



Dr. Wiafe, also the Chief Executive Officer of the Peace and Love Hospitals, and President of Breast Care International, in a press statement issued in Accra, expressed worry there could be a surge in NCDs if the media spotlight remained solely on covid-19 at the expense of other conditions, notably, NCDs.



The statement cautioned that Covid-19 should not stop our treatment cycle for NCD patients, and urged healthcare professionals and policy makers not to forget about NCDs and people living with NCDs, who still require attention" more than ever, because of the Pandemic.



The Alliance renewed its readiness to partner the Government and allied institutions to roll back the fatal effects of both NCDs and Covid-19.



"We have resolved to protect the lives of patients with Cancers, Hypertension, Diabetes, and Stroke among others, but this could be hampered if the media failed to shine the spotlight on these conditions which have ravaged families, the basic unit of life", it emphasized.



The statement noted that increased public education and awareness creation were needed at this critical period of over concentration of media reportage on covid-19 related issues, and reiterated the need for the Alliance to collaborate with civil society and public institutions to reduce NCDs through good nutrition, physical activity and advocacy.



Working for a nutrition policy for schools, implementation of policies and regulations on NCDs, and the meaningful involvement of persons living with non-communicable diseases as brand ambassadors, will remain our priority, it assured.



The Alliance advised persons living with Non Communicable Diseases to adhere to the Covid 19 protocols, (washing the hands with soap and running water, use alcohol based hand sanitizers, social and physical distancing, use of face masks outside the home), medical prescriptions while refraining from alcohol and tobacco intake.



The statement also encouraged members of the public to exercise regularly, eat healthy foods, and routinely go for medical check-ups.



Concluding, the Alliance promised increased collaboration with all stakeholders, visibility and mileage through integration of social media into its national communication strategy.









Source: Daniel Adu Darko/Peacefmonline.com/[email protected]









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

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Malaysias financial watchdog says Binance and eToro dont comply with the countrys securities law; its unlikely to make much of a difference to their local operations, however.

The Malaysian Securities Commission (SC) added exchanges Binance and eToro, which offer a series of crypto-based products, to a list of companies not permitted to operate in the country.

The regulator blacklists companies that offer financial services without its approval or authorization.

Its not clear when the SC added Binance and eToro to its non grata list. An official told CoinDesk that this information was not readily available.

Binance tested its newly launched debit card in Malaysia. The countrys currency, the ringgit, has been supported in Binances peer-to-peer platform since March.

In May, the SC told local media that eToro was not authorized to operate in the country and was liable for a $2.4 million fine.

Being blacklisted by the SC, however, is unlikely to disrupt either Binances or eToros local operations.

The SC does not have the authority to block websites  that rests with the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC), which so far has said nothing on the matter.

An eToro spokesperson told CoinDesk the companys Asian operations are all regulated by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission; Malaysian clients are effectively onboarded on an entity that falls out of the SCs jurisdiction.

Binance has resisted calls to publicly divulge where its headquartered.

Bobby Ong, COO of price aggregator CoinGecko, which is based in Malaysia, said the SC may have fired a warning shot as Binance did not get the proper licenses before it started offering a ringgit gateway for its peer-to-peer marketplace.

Binance is one of the most high profile exchanges, but Ong said there were many other unregulated p2p ones operating in Malaysia.
The old way of selling vehicles crashed into a new pandemic in mid-March, fundamentally altering the nature of an exchange that went back decades.

Although some national chains were already pushing an online-shopping model, many traditional dealerships and used-car lots still depended on the familiar in-person experience, where a buyer would browse a website but still stroll among the available stock, talk with a sales representative, take a test drive, negotiate a price with the rep, have the deal approved by a manager and come back at another time to pick up the vehicle.

"Not to have handshakes or be able to see their smile because they've got a mask on, waving at them through the window  it was all very sudden and very strange," said Toby Oliver, sales manager at Keeler Mini in Latham. A 20-year veteran of the business with eight years at Keeler, Oliver said he was bothered and disoriented by the altered operating procedures from late March to mid-April, when showrooms were closed, test drives not allowed (though a return policy was implemented) and finalizing a sale involved leaving folders of paperwork on counters then retreating, so the buyer could walk over to pick it up.

"The way everything had worked for so long suddenly didn't anymore," said Oliver.

"Social distancing was a problem to get used to," said Bill Lia Sr., patriarch of a family that owns 22 dealerships in New York, Connecticut and Massachusetts, including seven from Albany to Glens Falls. Lia said, "Masks definitely made communication more difficult."

"We had to go to by-appointment only," said Michael Rubinchuk, who has owned Michael's Auto Plaza in East Greenbush for more than 16 years. Known in TV spots and billboards as "Mike the Russian," Rubinchuk said the conviviality of his advertising persona was somewhat hampered during the sales experience by health and safety restrictions dictated by COVID-19 concerns. But, he added, there was a benefit, too: "You only got the serious buyers who really needed a car. They said what they needed, you settled on a price  it's done. No (B.S.)."

Nationally, vehicle sales plummeted after the economic shutdown and quarantining took hold across the country. The automotive-information service Edmunds said April sales were the worst in at least 30 years, with a 52.5% decrease from April 2019. But they began to rebound, local dealers said, building strongly since late May.

"It has affected the business, but overall it hasn't cost me too much," said Lia. "People still have to drive.

"Our June was probably higher than last June," said Oliver, who said Keeler Mini sold 12 to 15 new and used vehicles per week during the month.

In general, dealers said, sales early in the pandemic were to established customers.

"People know me, they come back to me when things are tough," said Rubinchuk.

"Some of our (customers) are on their seventh, eight, ninth Mini. They know what they want," said Oliver, adding that people new to the brand started shopping as the weather warmed and restrictions eased somewhat even as the pandemic stretched on.

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In some aspects, dealers said, having to adapt very quickly to a new way of doing business pushed the industry forward in positive ways, for buyer and seller.

"The silver lining to all this COVID and coronavirus stuff is that it made everybody get used to doing things faster and more in the digital world," said Oliver, citing Keeler's adoption of online signatures for most documents and a host of other advances.

"With the Internet, people can do research, know exactly what they want and exactly what we have," said Rubinchuk. "All goes faster."

Lia agreed, saying online browsing and extensive website information about vehicles in inventory have largely replaced the tire-kicking of yore, though he doesn't foresee anytime soon a complete adoption of an Amazon.com style of selling cars.

Said Oliver, "Most people still need to get behind the wheel, see what it really feels like." He compared it to his experience recently purchasing electronics from a big-box retailer.

"I ordered online, pulled up, the guy came out and tossed it it through my back window. It was great," said Oliver. "But I don't think we'll ever get to that with cars."
Shamima Begum was one of three east London schoolgirls who travelled to Syria to join the so-called Islamic State group (PA)

The government is reviewing legal aid eligibility rules following the decision to allow Shamima Begum to return to the UK to face trial, Boris Johnson has said.

Earlier this week the Court of Appeal ruled that Begum, who travelled to Syria to join ISIS in 2015, should be allowed to fight the decision to strip her of her citizenship in person in a British court.

The court decided that the 20-year-old, who is currently in refugee Camp Roj in northern Syria, could only mount a "fair and effective appeal" if she was in the UK.

But the prime minister called the decision odd and peverse on Sunday, adding that the government would be reviewing the legal aid rules.

"It seems to me to be at least odd and perverse that somebody can be entitled to legal aid when they are not only outside the country, but have had their citizenship deprived for the protection of national security, Johnson told The Sunday Telegraph.

"That, amongst other things, we will be looking at."

Boris Johnson, wearing a face mask, during a visit to the headquarters of the London Ambulance Service NHS Trust.

The prime minister said that the government would also be looking at the whole system of judicial review to establish whether it had "perverse consequences".

"What we are looking at is whether there are some ways in which judicial review does indeed go too far or does indeed have perverse consequences that were not perhaps envisaged when the tradition of judicial review began," he said.

Begum travelled to Syria and lived under IS rule for more than three years before she was found, nine months pregnant, in a Syrian refugee camp in February last year.

Then-home secretary Sajid Javid revoked her British citizenship on national security grounds later that month.

Begum took legal action against the Home Office, claiming the decision was unlawful because it rendered her stateless and exposed her to a real risk of death or inhuman and degrading treatment.

The Home Office spokeswoman said it would be applying for permission to appeal against the court's judgment.

The Court of Appeals ruling means the government must now find a way to allow Bergum to appear in court in London despite repeatedly saying it would not assist removing her from Syria.

Story continues

Lord Justice Flaux  sitting with Lady Justice King and Lord Justice Singh  said: "Fairness and justice must, on the facts of this case, outweigh the national security concerns, so that the leave to enter appeals should be allowed."

The judge also said that the national security concerns about her "could be addressed and managed if she returns to the United Kingdom".

Daniel Furner, Begum's solicitor, said: "Ms Begum has never had a fair opportunity to give her side of the story.

"She is not afraid of facing British justice, she welcomes it. But the stripping of her citizenship without a chance to clear her name is not justice, it is the opposite."
Communities must continue to work against complacency to ensure Covid-19 does not regain a fatal foothold in Ireland, according to the doctor who is leading the fight against the pandemic in Ireland.

Dr Ronan Glynn, Acting Chief Medical Officer, issued the rallying call to communities around Ireland as the National Public Health Emergency Team issued its latest daily report on the virus.

It said there were no deaths reported to the Health Protection Surveillance Centre today.

There has now been a total of 1,753 COVID-19 related deaths in Ireland.

It added that as of midnight Saturday, July 18, the HPSC has been notified of 10 confirmed cases of COVID-19. There is now a total of 25,760 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Ireland.

While the new infections have dropped compared to recent days, Dr Glynn, said people must remain alert.

All it would take for COVID-19 to regain a foothold in our communities is complacency. As the pandemic accelerates around the world, we must remain vigilant here in Ireland. Every day, in our individual actions, we have the power to limit the spread of this virus. Our priority going forward has to be the reopening of schools and resumption of non-COVID-19 healthcare services  and every time we stay 2 metres apart, wash our hands, practice good respiratory etiquette and wear a face covering, we are working towards those shared goals together.

The HSE is working to identify any contacts the patients may have had to provide them with information and advice to prevent further spread.

The COVID-19 Dashboard provides up-to-date information on the key indicators of COVID-19 in the community.
Irans Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif has arrived in Baghdad for a visit weeks after a new prime minister was appointed in Iraq, who seems to have a tougher stance toward Irans proxy militias is scheduled to visit Tehran on July 21.

Upon his arrival Zarif told reporters, according to Iranian media, that he will review the case of former Iranian Qods Force commander Qassem Soleimani who was killed by a U.S. drone attack in Baghdad on January 3.

Zarif said the purpose of his trip was to follow up on agreements reached during President Hassan Rouhanis visit to Iraq in March 2019, when the two countries agreed on several economic and trade deals, including building a railway linking Iran with Iraq.

Iraq, which receives financial and military support from Washington, has attempted to balance its relations with the United States and Iran, which carries significant political influence among Iraq's Shiites and controls a vast network of armed militias. This has led to anti-Iran sentiments that has manifested itself in popular protests since October 2019.

The protests brought down the previous Iraq government and after months of uncertainty Mustafa Al-Kadhimi became prime minister. He has exhibited more independence from Iran and a tougher stance against Irans armed proxies.

Zarif in Baghdad said he will meet with the Iraqi president, prime minister and many other leaders.

Al-Kadhimi will travel to Saudi Arabia and Iran on Monday and Tuesday, in what is a traditional approach by Baghdad to balance relations with its two powerful neighbors who are each others arch enemies.

Zarif however said that his visit to Baghdad was planned long before and is not a visit to plan Al-Kadhimis trip to Iran.
My partner had been allowed into a few ultrasound scans. Still wearing masks, he beamed, so happy to see our little tacker spinning and flicking its limbs. Although not a DHHS guideline, different hospitals set their own rules tailored to ensuring the safety of staff and patients. The Royal Women's Hospital eased restrictions and two support people were allowed in a birthing suite. Now, as the second wave sweeps metropolitan Melbourne and Mitchell Shire, and at 36 weeks, it seems I'll be giving birth under stage 3 restrictions. Will my partner be present at the birth? Will our parents be allowed to visit? What happens if we get sick in the lead-up and the doctors and midwives have to wear full personal protective equipment? But I've come to terms with the realities. Two support people have been reduced to one again. The birthing partner must also wear a mask and can no longer use the waiting room. As Ryan says, they are in it for the long haul. Almost six months since COVID-19 began spreading, there is still very little known about its impact on pregnant women. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently released a report that found pregnant women may be at increased risk for severe COVID-19.

But researcher Dr Clare Whitehead from the Royal Womens Hospital says she thinks this isn't the case. Whitehead has spearheaded a national registry of 28 Australian maternity hospitals alongside Dr Kirsten Palmer from Monash Health and a research project to try to improve the limited evidence on the impact of coronavirus on mothers and babies. Since March there have been 50 pregnant women in Australia who have contracted COVID-19. "I think, on the whole, the outcome from a pregnancy point of view is pretty reassuring,

the outcomes if you catch it when you are pregnant seem to be very similar to if you're not pregnant," she says. They are working closely with researchers in Britain, Europe and the US to contribute their information into a global understanding. She also says pregnant women shouldn't be deterred from coming to hospital for their antenatal appointments. Mordialloc mum Frances Domingo gave birth to her baby Minda at the start of the first lockdown in Melbourne.

"There's a lot of procedures that's gone into making sure people are safe and healthy. I think we've put good structures in place for pregnant women." Mordialloc new mother Frances Domingo went into labour at Jessie McPherson Private Hospital in Clayton on March 24. When we arrived at the hospital, the lockdown strategies weren't entirely in place yet, everything was much stricter by the time we were discharged five days later, she says. But Domingos husband, Chris, was the only one allowed in the birthing suite. My obstetrician said the last patient had been bawling her eyes out because she wasn't going to be able to bring her son to the hospital, she was going to have to leave him with someone.

Only having one person in the birthing suite can be a challenge for some people, due to cultural reasons, not having the support of a doula or the inability to have sons or daughters visit. Loading It was a bit strange being in lockdown with a newborn. In a way, it was good because I really appreciated the quiet time to bond with my baby, she says. But what was hard was not having that face-to-face advice when you want it. We had no maternal health visits at all. We only had phone calls, no one saw [my daughter] Minda in person between her birth and when I took her in to get weighed at four to five weeks. PANDA CEO Julie Borninkhof says they'd seen an increase in Victorian-based callers with the second lockdown announced. "We're expecting that rate to rise," she says.

Parenting groups have also been migrated online. Borninkhof says it was important people reached out to friends, support networks or agencies like PANDA. "There are so many disruptions and things that can trigger the way that you cope with life, your ability to be resilient," she said. "We allow people to check in and find out how they're travelling, we're able to connect them up with localised services and supports when they need that." For me there have been positives to being in a lockdown; I've had the privilege of throwing up in my own toilet when I've been nauseous, of wearing leggings all day and of working comfortably in the weeks before my maternity leave kicks in. I've also had my partner working from home, which has meant we've had more time to "nest" together. Amid the outside chaos, the dance of new life continues. As my partner keeps saying, global health crisis or not, this baby is coming out.
As Connecticut lawmakers consider police reform and accountability legislation in the wake of George Floyds murder, they should join several other states around the country in recognizing that our antiquated drug policies play an instrumental role in the over-policing of communities of color.

Since President Nixon launched the War on Drugs, which was later explained by a top adviser as a pretext to enable government to harass and arrest Black Americans and anti-Vietnam War activists, enforcement of cannabis laws has been staggeringly unequal. According to the FBI, there were 663,367 marijuana arrests or citations in the U.S. in 2018, and 92 percent of these arrests were for marijuana possession alone. That same year, Connecticut arrested 1,788 people for marijuana possession. Within these numbers, wide racial disparities exist. According to a 2020 ACLU report, between 2010 and 2018, Blacks were four times more likely than whites to be arrested for marijuana possession in Connecticut, despite virtually identical rates of marijuana use.

In 2011, Connecticut decriminalized marijuana, reducing the penalty for less than half an ounce to a $150 civil fine. This reform has saved thousands from the trauma of incarceration and the stigma of a criminal record, but it does nothing to reduce unequal stops, searches, and citations. We know that traffic stop interactions can lead to violence and even death for Black Americans. Only legalization  not decriminalization  will dramatically reduce the number of unnecessary police-civilian interactions that target Black and Brown communities.

Meanwhile, at a time when hundreds of thousands of Connecticut residents are newly unemployed, a $150 fine can prevent individuals from making rent, putting food on the table, or keeping the lights on.

We have also witnessed cannabis-consumption-as-justification used in civil rights tragedies across the nation. The police officer who killed Philando Castile claimed the smell of burnt marijuana made him fear for his life. Before the grand jury, prosecutors argued Michael Brown was aggressive due to the presence of cannabis, after he was shot and killed by an officer. And, after George Zimmerman shot and killed Trayvon Martin, the presence of a minimal amount of marijuana in Martins system was raised in his trial to smear his character.

Furthermore, a quarter of all deadly no-knock drug raids involved cannabis during a seven-year period according to The Washington Post. Those killed include James Wescott, who had only 0.2 grams in his possession, and Henry Magee who had 12 plants in his home  both African American men. All of these lost lives represent intolerable crimes under a system that has weaponized cannabis against people of color.

Data have shown that legalization has significantly reduced the number of searches and arrests in states that have legalized among people of all races. In the first two legalization states  Colorado and Washington  there have been dramatic decreases in traffic searches, which are disproportionately performed on cars with Black or Latino drivers.

But, nearly a decade after Connecticut decriminalized cannabis possession, and as compared to other states in the region and throughout the country, Connecticut has a low decriminalization threshold and relatively high fines. Most other decriminalization states  including New York and Rhode Island  have at least a one-ounce limit. The fine is $50 in New York. Meanwhile, in Massachusetts, Maine, and Vermont, possession and cultivation is legal for adults. New Jersey voters are expected to legalize marijuana at the polls in November, meaning Connecticuts policies will soon be even more out of step with those of our neighbors.

Even southern states that have historically punished drug offenses harshly are beginning to recognize that marijuana policy reform is necessary to advance racial and criminal justice. Virginias law to decriminalize one ounce of marijuana with a $25 fine instead of jail time recently went into effect. The Virginia Legislative Black Caucus is also pushing for legalization in a special session in August. In Georgia, lawmakers proposed marijuana decriminalization as part of a broader policing reform bill.

By legalizing even just one ounce of marijuana, Connecticut could bring its marijuana laws in line with the region, eliminate the number one pretext for stopping Black and Brown people, reduce the burden on our overwhelmed criminal justice system, and reduce the harm inflicted on communities of color by the failed war on drugs.

At the onset of the COVID public health emergency, Gov. Lamont declared medical marijuana businesses as essential. At the same time, Connecticut law enforcement continue to put themselves and civilians at risk by citing and arresting individuals for marijuana. And our prisons, which are largely made up of Black and Brown residents, continue to deprive individuals of their liberty for actions that 65 percent of Connecticut voters think should be legal.

While legalizing marijuana will not alleviate all the challenges faced by communities of color, it will remove a powerful tool that has been used to harm them. Dismantling systematic racism in Connecticut can only begin in earnest when it includes reforming our marijuana policies.

DeVaughn L. Ward, a New Haven resident, is the Senior Legislative Counsel for the Marijuana Policy Project.
Funding allocations for four promising Australian cyber security startups marked an escalating presence for the government-backed cyber industry group AustCyber, which is enjoying a heightened profile in the wake of the countrys significant recent cyber security investments.

AustCybers recent flurry of activity reflects a growing understanding within government that cyber security will be fundamental to ensuring a strong and secure foundation for Australias digital-led recovery as businesses undergo rapid transformation in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic.

[ Keep up on the latest thought leadership, insights, how-to, and analysis on IT through CSO Onlines newsletters. ]

A new report, commissioned by the organisation and based around economic modelling by Synergys Advanced Modelling group, found that cyber security would be fundamental to this recovery by providing critical trust for investors.

The final four cyber security projects funded by the AustCyber Projects Fund

The final four proposals to receive financial support under AustCybers Projects Funda three-year, $15 million initiative targeting high-potential local cyber startupsincluded a range of projects by vocational school South Metropolitan TAFE, startup Cybermerc, the University of Adelaide, and training firm Untapped.
D onald Trump has refused to publicly commit to accepting the results of the upcoming presidential elections if he looses.

It harks back to a similar threat he made during the 2016 race against Hillary Clinton.

The US President has been lagging behind his rival Joe Biden in recent polls.

But speaking during an interview on Fox News Sunday, Mr Trump scoffed these numbers.

The US President has been lagging behind his rival Joe Biden in recent polls / Getty Images

On being asked if he would honour the result if Mr Biden won, he told interviewer Chris Wallace: I have to see. Look  I have to see.

No, Im not going to just say yes. Im not going to say no, and I didnt last time either.

Four years ago, in the closing stages of Mr Trumps presidential race, he said he would not commit to honouring the election results if the Democrat won.

Pressed during an October 2016 debate about whether he would abide by the voters will, Mr Trump responded that he would keep you in suspense.

Mr Trump has seen his presidential popularity erode over his handling of the coronavirus pandemic and in the aftermath of nationwide protests centred on racial injustice that erupted after George Floyds death in Minneapolis nearly two months ago.

He contends that a series of polls that show his popularity eroding and Mr Biden holding an advantage are faulty, saying he believes Republican voters are underrepresented in such surveys.

First of all, Im not losing, because those are fake polls, Mr Trump said in the recorded interview, which was broadcast on Sunday.

They were fake in 2016 and now theyre even more fake. The polls were much worse in 2016.




Haiti - Security : Release of 3 hostages by SWAT





Contrary to the information that some circulate on social networks the National Police of Haiti (PNH) is not idle, for proof, Saturday July 18 at around 11:55 am, an operation led by the Central Direction of the Judicial Police (DCPJ) supported by the special SWAT unit and coordinated in person by Rameau Normil, the Commander-in-Chief of the PNH, enabled the release in the Damien area (Croix-des-Missions) of 3 hostages : Marie Jude Mickelcie Bertrand Meristil (42), Chadd Yvan Meristil (10) and Mickenson Laurore (26).



Remember that these kidnappings took place on Friday, July 17 in the Vivy Mitchell area (route de Freres) at around 6:00 p.m. by three individuals traveling on motorcycles, while the victims were trying to return to their homes in their vehicles. The kidnappers demanded a ransom of $1 million in exchange for the release of the hostages.



The kidnappers who were not present at the scene are currently being actively sought by several PNH units.



PI/ HaitiLibre


















125 years ago

1895: Thurmans Stage has made trips to the Grand Canyon every day, taking visitors to our city to see our world-renowned Grand Canyon.

F. Emans made a shipment of horses from his place to Gardner, Massachusetts.

E.S. Wilcox who broke his hip a few weeks ago is improving.

Thomas Devine, whose leg was amputated two weeks ago, is doing well.

Go To Coffins for fresh fruit, dressed poultry and full cream cheese.

T. J. Ross lost a $100 cow Thursday from overeating rolled barley.

It is not probable that a term of the District Court will be held here until December.

Babbitt Bros. Gray Dray Team caused considerable excitement Tuesday evening by running away with their driver. Fortunately no real harm occurred, although it was a wild ride that cut several downtown corners before they were finally brought to a halt.

The survey of the Flagstaff-Grand Canyon Railroad was completed on Monday. W. W. Follett of Denver is the chief engineer on the project.

The A. & P. Railroad will put a force of men at the cinder pits next week.

100 years ago

1920: The first meeting of an organization that will be dedicated to improving the conditions in our town cemetery was held Wednesday night at the office of the County Clerk Tom L. Rees. Mr. Herrington was elected as chairman and Mr. Rees secretary. It was agreed that the lodges and various organization holding title to the various part of the cemetery need to get together in a united organization.

There is considerable talk among businessmen of getting together and incorporating to take a future wild west show and perhaps make it an annual affair. If the plan comes into being, it is likely that all of northern Arizona will become involved.

Mrs. D. S. Mathis and her 2-year-old daughter were nearly killed on Saturday while driving home to Doney Park. Mrs. Mathis was driving a double-horse team hitched to a wagon. Going down the first hill east of Flagstaff the wagon dropped its tongue and the team ran away, overturning the wagon. They are both at Milton Hospital. Mrs. Mathis has several broken ribs and a severely twisted back. At first it was thought that she would not live. The baby has a broken leg and arm. Mrs. Mathis is only 18 years old and her husband is 21. They have a ranch at Doney Park and the citizens of Doney Park and of Black Bills are holding a benefit dance for them at the Community Hall on Saturday night and are hoping the crowd will be a large one.

75 years ago

1945: During Tuesdays afternoon thunder storm, 0.73 inches of rain fell upon the City of Flagstaff according to the records of the local weather service. This is the heaviest fall of rain we have had so far this season.

The City of Flagstaff tentative budget for the year 1945-46 shows a slight decrease over the previous year.

On Wednesday morning the Service Sanitary Dairy and Flagstaff Dairy were halted from delivering milk within the city when their city delivery permits were canceled upon order of W. F. Standfill, city and county sanitary officer. The operators immediately appealed the order to the city and the county boards of health. It is probable that both companies will be able to return to making deliveries soon.

50 years ago

1970: Two days of nearly steady showers mixed with thunder have left Flagstaff and surrounding area bathed in traditional summer rainfall, and more moisture is predicted.

Two men parachuted safely to the ground 25 miles southwest of here Thursday afternoon after having been unable to control their Air Force Trainer before it crashed. A private helicopter based at the Grand Canyon Air Port picked the men up shortly after they landed and took them back to the Grand Canyon, where they then took a return flight to Hamilton Air Force Base in San Rafael, California. A crew from the Air Force guarded the planes remains until a cleanup crew arrived.

Three young men and three juvenile girls were in the county jail and the juvenile home following their arrest on the North Rim of the Grand Canyon on charges of the possession of marijuana.

25 years ago

1995: We need to defend and preserve the open space remaining downtown as a focal point and not allow it to be swallowed up by a big building, according to Richard Wilson, a backer of the Heritage Square Plan Group. They have raised $60,000 in the past several days and hope to bring $150,000 in private money to offer toward an open-space plaza on the northeast corner of North Leroux Street and East Aspen. It is often called the Empress Lot because the Empress Theatre was built on the site about 1915.

The lot currently provides parking for about 70 vehicles, and critics of the Heritage Plaza plan argue that it would rob the city of much-needed downtown parking spaces -- as would other plans for the site. There have been several plans initiated over the past several months. This one includes about 20,000 square feet of open space out of the 28,000 square foot area.

All events were taken from issues of the Arizona Daily Sun and its predecessors, the Coconino Weekly Sun and the Coconino Sun.

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Linkedin Dyaning Pangestika (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Sun, July 19, 2020 09:50 549 6657ac82168da9fa101c8a406677ef80 1 National corruption,corruption-case,Polri,National-Police,djoko-tjandra,fugitive,red-notice,Interpol,Propam Free

National Police chief Gen. Idham Azis has removed two high-ranking police generals from their posts for their alleged roles in allowing fugitive and graft convict Djoko Soegiarto Tjandra to travel within the country.

The generals were the National Polices international relations division head, Insp. Gen. Napoleon Bonaparte, and National Central Bureau (NCB)-Interpol Indonesia secretary Brig. Gen. Nugroho Wibowo.

National Police spokesperson Sr. Comr. Argo Yuwono confirmed Napoleon and Nugrohos removal.

Read also: Police under fire over alleged role in Djoko Tjandra's travel spree

He said Nugroho allegedly removed the red notice status for Djoko, allowing the fugitive to return to his home country.

[Napoleon] violated the code of ethics, while [Nugroho] did not supervise his staff properly, Argo said in a statement on Friday.

Napoleon was replaced by Brig. Gen. Johanis Asadoma, while Brig. Gen. Amir Chadra Juli Buana replaced Nugroho as the NCB-Interpol secretary.

Napoleon and Nugroho are not the only police generals to find themselves in hot water for their alleged roles in assisting Djoko.

The National Polices internal affairs division (Propam) has launched an investigation into Brig. Gen. Prasetyo Utomo, the head of the Civil Servant Investigator Supervisory and Coordination Bureau at the Criminal Investigation Department (Bareskrim), for allegedly signing a travel letter on June 18. Thanks to the letter, Djoko was able to fly from Jakarta to Pontianak in West Kalimantan on June 19 and returned on June 22 in his capacity as a consultant.

Argo previously said that Nugroho issued the travel letter on his own initiative.

Read also: Minister Yasonna claims no trace of Djoko Tjandra in immigration system

Djoko Tjandra was sentenced to two years imprisonment and ordered to pay Rp 546 billion (US$37 million) in restitution by the Supreme Court in 2009 for the Bank Bali corruption case in 1998. He escaped to Papua New Guinea and his whereabouts remained unclear, but he has reportedly traveled across the country undetected for the past three years.

He obtained an e-ID card from the South Grogol subdistrict in Jakarta and filed a request for a case review with the South Jakarta District Court on June 8.
A mother of seven who had been on the run pending the execution of a European arrest warrant for robbery travelled to Longford from Co Clare to steal five mobile phones worth almost 900, a court has been told.

Julietta Rostas, of Apartment 2 Dunnahinse, Ennis, Co Clare walked out of Tesco, Longford Shopping Centre with the phones concealed in an aluminium lined bag in a bid to avoid detection on June 11, 2020.

It emerged Ms Rostas, a mother of seven, left her children at home on the day of the incident by accepting a lift from a man named Chris.

The court was told Ms Rostas should have been behind bars having been sentenced last December to nine months in prison for a similar theft related offence.

She was, however, granted early release owing to the fact she was pregnant at the time culminating in her serving just one month and 12 days in prison.

Sgt Paddy McGirl, for the prosecution revealed Ms Rostas had 30 previous indiscretions to her name, ten of which were for theft.

He said the most recent of those came at Galway Circuit Court on December 18 last and which coincided in the Eastern European native being handed a nine month sentence.

Before that, Ms Rostas was issued with a three month concurrent sentence to one she had already been serving in November under the Public Order Act.

In defence, solicitor Frank Gearty accepted his client was facing another spell behind bars owing to the existence of a European Arrest Warrant which had yet to be executed.

She is in a very serious predicament and she is a mother of seven children, he said.

Her partner is no longer on the scene and (she is) without support.

In making it clear to the court he was not in any way making excuses for Ms Rostas actions on the day, Mr Gearty said he believed his client was susceptible to being easily duped by coercive and unscrupulous others in dabbling in such activity.

He conceded an aggravating factor in the episode was the bag she had been found in possession of was lined.

It was also discovered, during her arrest, that a warrant for her arrest on a robbery charge was also outstanding against her.

Ms Rostas, who wore a mask and red jacket throughout proceedings, addressed Judge Hughes to reveal she had lost her fourth husband in a serious car accident back home in Romania, leaving her in a coma for three months.

Upon learning she had travelled from Ennis to carry out the theft in Tesco, Ms Rostas through her solicitor, revealed she had been promised a cut, or one sixth of the booty for stealing the phones.

She was also questioned by Judge Hughes as to why she decided to leave her children at home unsupervised and travel to Longford to commit crime.

Ms Rostas replied by indicating she had brought one of her daughters along for the journey on the day.

That caused Judge Hughes to remark: You have had an eventful life to say the least.

Mr Gearty, meanwhile, said he had organised appropriate legal representation for Ms Rostas in Dublin when her European Arrest Warrant hearing comes before the High Court.

After being told none of the phones taken were recovered, Judge Hughes advised Ms Rostas she faced an immediate custodial sentence if caught stealing in his midlands court district again.

Sure, if I dont let her out, the (Prison) governor will let her out, he told the court while handing down a six month prison sentence, suspending the term for a period of three years.
Kathmandu:

Nepals central bank has once again banned the utilisation of Indian currency pertaining to denominations of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 after allowing them for the past one year.

The decision comes a day after India demonetised the high-value notes.

Nepal's central bank has issued a directive to the Nepali banking and financial institutions as well as "currency exchange centres" to stop transacting the two currency notes.

The Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) issued a directive in this regard on Wednesday. It also decided to write to the Reserve Bank of India for the management of the higher-denomination notes in Nepal, according to officials.

Limited use of Indian currency notes of Rs 500 was allowed in Nepal in 2015 with restrictions after they had been restricted for 13 years since 2002.

India's ban on the currency notes on Tuesday is likely to trouble traders in border areas, who rely heavily on Indian currency because of their businesses and imports from India through the "open borders".

Indian currency is widely used in Nepal for day-to-day transactions, especially in the border areas.

Also, a large number of Nepalese citizens working in India send remittances to their family in Nepal in higher denomination notes.

Nepal, a landlocked country, depends on India for trade and supplies.

For all the Latest World News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.
For many survivors of COVID-19, the silver lining of the grueling illness is the hope that they will have gained permanent immunity and can never contract the disease again. But new studies suggest this may not be the case and that immunity to the coronavirus may be short-lived.

A U.K. study published on July 11, which has not yet been peer-reviewed, found that antibodies may start to decline 20 to 30 days after the onset of COVID-19 symptoms and that detectable amounts of antibodies fell rapidly in the weeks afterward.

A Chinese study published in June found that antibody levels in patients who had recovered from COVID-19 fell sharply within two to three months after infection.

Were seeing in other countries evidence that people may be losing their antibodies over a period of time, says Yahoo News Medical Contributor Dr. Dara Kass.

And so we need to continue to test and track patients not just when theyre actively infected but also as they recover to understand more about what it means to be recovered from this coronavirus.

A health care worker prepares to administer a drive through antibody test at Belmont Medical Care in Franklin Square, N.Y. (Getty Images)



An antibody is a protective protein produced by the immune system, binding to foreign substances, like viruses, so they can be neutralized and removed from the body. Antibody testing, which can detect if a person was previously infected, has slowly been ramping up in the United States in tandem with nasal swab testing, which detects active infections. Yet the limitations of antibodies have been acknowledged for a while.

The World Health Organization has for months cautioned against the notion that antibodies provide permanent immunity. Some governments have suggested that the detection of antibodies to the SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, could serve as the basis for an immunity passport or risk-free certificate that would enable individuals to travel or to return to work assuming that they are protected against re-infection, WHO said on its website in a post dated April 24. There is currently no evidence that people who have recovered from COVID-19 and have antibodies are protected from a second infection.

Story continues

And on Monday, WHO addressed concerns raised by recent studies that antibodies developed against the coronavirus may diminish over time.

People infected with COVID-19 do have an immune response, said Dr. Maria Van Kerkhove, an epidemiologist and WHOs COVID-19 technical lead, in a press conference. What we dont know is how strong that protection is and for how long that protection will last, she added, noting that studies are underway looking to better understand that question.

Dr. Maria Van Kerkhove during a World Health Organization press briefing on COVID-19. (Fabrice Coffrini/AFP via Getty Images)

While theres been a lot of focus on antibodies, scientists are also looking at other immune responses, such as T cells, to better understand how immunity  preferably long-term immunity  against the coronavirus could be acquired. But if immunity to COVID-19 does indeed wane over time, it would make the disease similar to other coronaviruses such as the common cold.

When you look at the history of the common coronaviruses that cause the common cold, the reports in the literature are that the durability of immunity thats protective ranges from three to six months to almost always less than a year. Thats not a lot of durability of protection, top infectious disease expert Dr. Anthony Fauci said in an interview with JAMA.

It may be completely different with this coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2, he added. It may be that people induce a response thats quite durable. But if it acts like common coronaviruses, it likely is not going to be a very long duration of immunity.

The chance of dwindling immunity leaves open the question of whether reinfection could happen. In the U.S., stories have been popping up from doctors claiming they have patients who have been reinfected by the virus after testing negative  mirroring concerning reports out of China and South Korea earlier in the pandemic in which recovered patients were said to have tested positive again. But Kass and others caution that its too soon to interpret such antidotes without broader studies.

The truth is, we dont actually know exactly what happened, Kass said. We dont know if they were positive, it was a false negative and then they were positive again or if they actually did develop a new strain of the virus. We just dont know.

People stand in line without social distancing outside a restaurant in Gotland, Sweden. (Martin von Krogh/Getty Images)

The possibility that people could lose immunity to the coronavirus over time would put a damper on the idea of achieving herd immunity through natural infection, which has been touted as a possible solution to COVID-19 almost since the beginning of the pandemic. Herd immunity occurs when most of a population is immune to an infectious disease, either through prior infection or a vaccine, providing indirect protection to those not immune to the disease. According to Johns Hopkins University, usually 70 percent to 90 percent of a population needs to be immune in order to achieve herd immunity.

Unfortunately, with a virus like the coronavirus, if antibodies or immunity stops working after a period of time, that would affect the idea of natural herd immunity, Kass says. We also know that weve never seen herd immunity to any infection just by natural infection alone. Its always been a vaccine. So Im not waiting for herd immunity to get us out of this mess.

Sweden received a lot of attention early in the pandemic when, unlike many other European countries, it chose not to impose lockdown measures in the hopes of achieving herd immunity through natural infection. Yet by late May, only about 6 percent of Swedens population had developed antibodies to the virus, according to a study by Swedens Health Agency, while death rates were significantly higher than European countries that imposed stay-at-home measures.

There are so many questions about what happens after you recover from the coronavirus and how long those antibodies last for, Kass says. Do you get more antibodies if you get sicker? Do those antibodies last for a minimum amount of time, or do they all go away by maybe a year?



These same questions will be critical to any vaccine, according to Kass. Will this be a vaccine that we have to give more than once like a booster, or something we give every single year? We just dont know.

But Kass says any new studies or information on whether reinfection may be possible or whether immunity may diminish over time shouldnt alter peoples behavior.

For people out there that have had the coronavirus and are fortunate enough to have recovered, this should not be something that changes your life very much, Kass says, because you should have still been wearing a mask, washing your hands and responsibly distancing from other people.

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Read more from Yahoo News:
Kicking off cover from second over, Ready For Moni ripped to the lead late and won the fastest of two $142,250 divisions of the Stanley Dancer Memorial, scoring in his sophomore debut with a 1:51.4 mile.

Gangster Hanover set the tempo through early splits of :27 and :55.4. Chestnut Hill then charged first over heading to the far turn, carrying Ready For Moni into contention second over. Gangster Hanover clung to command past three-quarters in 1:24.1 and soon gave way turning for the finish.

Chestnut Hill took a narrow lead but stalled as driver Yannick Gingras uncorked Ready For Moni. The son of Ready Cash slid to the lead entering the final eighth as Beads weaved out of the pocket and Hollywood Story rallied widest on the track. Ready For Moni maintained command as Hollywood Story took second from Beads, while Nylander came from third over for fourth.

Winning his fifth race from nine starts, Ready For Moni has earned $352,575 for owners John Fielding, Lindy Farms Of Connecticut, Herb Liverman and Bud Hatfield. The Nancy Takter trainee paid $7.40 to win.

Ake Svanstedt trainee Back Of The Neck cruised off cover under minimal urging to win with a 1:52 mile in the opening division of the Stanley Dancer Memorial.

With freshman star Real Cool Sam going on a gallop into the first turn, Third Shift took command with Big Oil sitting second and Amigo Volo third moving to a :27.2 first quarter. Into the backside Amigo Volo circled from the pocket past Third Shift to take the field past the half in :54.4.

Moving to the final turn, driver Scott Zeron tipped Back Of The Neck first over and grabbed cover as stablemate Third Shift popped pocket approaching three-quarters in 1:23.3.

Third Shift edged past Amigo Volo to lead narrowly in the stretch before Zeron pulled Back Of The Neck to the center of the track and powered past rivals in the final sixteenth to win. Big Oil shot through an opening at the pylons for third while Amigo Volo held fourth.

He was really handy today; really relaxed, Zeron said after the race. Hes progressively getting a little smarter out on that track, and every start is just leading up to the Hambletonian in my eyes. Today was just like a leave, let him sit, see how he feels in a hole. When I moved him over and Ake had pulled the two hole, it was even better. Down the lane he finished strong; he was very well within himself.

A colt by Ready Cash, Back Of The Neck won his second race from three starts this season and his fifth from 12 overall, earning $207,375 for owners Howard Taylor, Order By Stable and Judith Taylor, who purchased the colt for $150,000 as a yearling.

[Judith] always says to me You have all these good horses, I never had one. And I said Every time I buy a horse for you, I own part of it too. Im not looking to give you a bad horse. But its just never worked out that way now it has, co-owner Howard Taylor said after the race of his colt now trained by Ake Svanstedt after a two-year-old campaign in Marcus Melanders barn.

Taylor said on the stable switch It was more Stefan [Belaszi of Order By Stable] than me. He just felt that Marcus had a lot of horses. Marcus is a great trainer; he did a great job training him down. [Stefan] just felt that Ake would have a little bit more time to spend with this horse and he decided to make the change.

Back Of The Neck paid $3.60 to win.

The Stanley Dancer Memorial was part of a stakes-packed Saturday card at The Meadowlands. Read about the rest of the action in the Meadowlands Pace News Centre.
Workers' Party Secretary-General Pritam Singh, left, and Chairman Sylvia Lim, second left, arrive at a nomination center with their team to submit their nomination papers ahead of the general election in Singapore, Tuesday, June 30, 2020. Campaigning has begun for Singapores general elections, with the opposition hoping to dent the ruling partys supermajority in parliament. (AP Photo/Yong Teck Lim)

SINGAPORE  The Workers Partys ability to formulate realistic policy alternatives is dependent on the People's Action Party (PAP) governments willingness to share information, said WP chief Pritam Singh on Saturday (18 July).

In a statement to The Straits Times that was later posted on Facebook, Singh said, "The extent to which realistic policy alternatives can be advanced both in public and in Parliament is also a function of the PAP's approach to democratic politics."

Nevertheless, the WP will continue to give "forward-looking suggestions for the welfare of Singaporeans", even though it can only rely on its volunteer base for political work. By contrast, the government can tap on the 120,000-strong civil service as a resource for parliamentary debates.

For example, the WP has proposed a redundancy insurance scheme, as well as alternatives to the Protection from Online Falsehoods and Manipulation Act, in Parliament. It will also release public working papers on key issues affecting Singaporeans.

The newly-appointed Leader of the Opposition was responding to National Development Minister Lawrence Wong, who had said that the WP "cannot just continue asking the Government questions". With 10 Members of Parliament, it is now incumbent on the WP to put forth serious policy alternatives to be scrutinised and debated.

In a virtual speech to PAP activists that was only open to media outlets from Singapore Press Holdings and Mediacorp, Wong gave a preliminary review of the partys recent electoral performance. He noted that the nationwide swing against the ruling party probably came from middle-class voters rather than younger voters, according to media reports.

In a move that sparked speculation about the state of leadership succession, Wong, who also co-chairs the multi-ministry taskforce on COVID-19, fronted the briefing rather than PM-designate Heng Swee Keat or the partys second assistant secretary-general Chan Chun Sing. While the 47-year-old sits on the PAPs central executive committee, he is not an office-holder.

Story continues

Asked why he was conducting the briefing, The Straits Times reported that Wong replied, "I'm doing it today but it could have been any one of us. I don't think you need to read too much into who is the spokesperson."

Holding the government to account

National Development Minister Lawrence Wong speaking at a multi-ministry taskforce press conference on 1 June 2020. (PHOTO: MCI)

Singh, a Member of Parliament for Aljunied GRC MP, had said on Polling Night that even an historic 10 opposition seats is still not a quantum leap, as it falls far short of the number required to deny the PAP a two-thirds majority in Parliament. With its existing supermajority, the PAP is able to amend the constitution at will.

In his statement on Sunday, the 43-year-old stressed that questioning the government remains a "fundamental role of a responsible opposition - not just in Singapore, but in any parliamentary democracy anywhere in the world".

"This duty is critical in holding the government to account and it will remain fundamental to the WP's work in Parliament."

For its new term in Parliament, the WP will focus on key bread-and-butter concern such as jobs for Singaporeans, healthcare for seniors and the cost of living. In addition, said Singh, it will also highlight political issues that have a direct impact on transparency, accountability, balance and fairness.

The WP chief also responded to Wongs comments that the WP tells voters that it only aims to serve as a check on the government because it is a message they know voters want to hear". Wong added, "I have no doubt that they want to displace the PAP and form the government one day, except that they find it inconvenient to acknowledge this now. And there is nothing wrong with that ambition... It is part of a democracy at work. So we must be clear-eyed about this."

Singh noted that the WP remains far short of its medium-term goal of securing one-third of the elected seats in Parliament. This would require the party to have 32 elected MPs. "Even so, such an outcome would still give the ruling party a very strong mandate with 61 elected seats, allowing it to advance its agenda and policies."

He concluded, "Whatever the expectations the PAP have of the WP, the WP's purpose and approach in Parliament is to advance and achieve better outcomes for Singapore, and to champion the welfare of Singaporeans. We will remain steadfast and fully committed to that cause."

Stay in the know on-the-go: Join Yahoo Singapore's Telegram channel at http://t.me/YahooSingapore

Follow Yahoo News Singapores GE2020 coverage here.

Related stories:

GE2020: WP will also be 'soul searching' as PAP 'tries its hardest' to take back lost wards  Pritam Singh

COMMENT: Pritam Singh is the man of the moment, but there is a long road ahead

'A flight from the status quo': Analysts break down GE2020 results

GE2020: PAP loses most seats to opposition since independence, vote share falls to 61.24%
By PTI

INDORE: As many as 129 new COVID-19 cases were reported in Indore in the last 24 hours, taking the tally in Madhya Pradesh's worst hit district to 6,035, an official said on Sunday.

There has been a rapid rise in the number of COVID-19 cases in the state's industrial hub during the last 10 days.

"Out of 1,957 samples tested in the last 24 hours, we have found 129 new patients," Indore's Chief Medical and Health Officer Praveen Jadia said.

In the last four months, 292 patients in the district have died of coronavirus, while 4,238 people have recovered after treatment, he said.

According to official figures, the number of COVID-19 cases in the district crossed the 5,000-mark on July 8.

In the last 10 days, about 1,000 new cases have been added.

The health department estimates that the coronavirus outbreak in the district may reach its peak later this month or early August.

An analysis of the data showed the COVID-19 mortality in the district was 4.84 per cent on Sunday morning, higher than the national average of 2.49 per cent.

The fatality rate in Indore has been higher than the national average since a long time.

The outbreak of the deadly viral infection was first reported here on March 24, when four patients tested positive for it.

The state on Saturday recorded 682 new COVID-19 cases, taking the tally in the state to 21,763, health officials said.

With nine more people succumbing to the viral infection, the death toll went up to 706, they said.

Four deaths were reported from the worst-affected Indore district.

One patient each died in Gwalior, Khandwa, Sagar, Tikamgarh and Sehore districts, officials said.

Indore district reported the highest 145 new cases, followed by 109 in Bhopal, 51 in Gwalior and 36 in Jabalpur, officials said.

On the other hand, 350 persons were discharged from hospitals after recovery on Saturday.

The number of coronavirus cases in Indore has reached 5,906 and death toll in the district is now 288.

Bhopal has reported 4,085 COVID-19 patients including 125 who died due to the viral infection.

The case count in Gwalior went up to 1,578, and that in Jabalpur to 752.

No new coronavirus case was reported from eight districts since Friday evening while all 52 districts have active cases as of Saturday, officials said.

There are 2,262 active containment zones in Madhya Pradesh.

Meanwhile, an officer of deputy superintendent of police (DSP) rank, posted in Bhopal, died due to COVID-19 at a private hospital on Saturday, a police official said.

In the last one week, since July 11, the state has witnessed a new surge in cases.

4,562 fresh cases and 62 deaths have been reported during this period.

Coronavirus figures in MP are as follows: Total cases 21,763, active cases 6,193, new cases 682, total death toll 706, recovered patients 14,864, total number of people tested 5,83,655.
Dominic Raab yesterday urged workers to return to the office to get the economy 'firing on all cylinders' again.

The Foreign Secretary admitted there will be more remote working even after the coronavirus threat has passed.

But he warned that the country was in the middle of a 'severe economic downturn' and it would help if fewer people worked from home now that the virus is receding.

Dominic Raab yesterday urged workers to return to the office to get the economy 'firing on all cylinders' again

Raab warned that the country was in the middle of a 'severe economic downturn' and it would help if there were fewer people working from home

Fewer than one in six workers in cities have returned to the office  fuelling fears over the survival of cafes, pubs and restaurants.

But a poll at the weekend suggested attitudes were changing. It found 54 per cent believed it was worth the risk of travelling back to work to avoid an economic crash, the Sun on Sunday found.

In an interview at the weekend, Boris Johnson said he wanted to avoid a second nationwide lockdown, comparing it to a 'nuclear deterrent'.

He told the Sunday Telegraph that he 'certainly' does not want another blanket shutdown and 'nor do I think we will be in that position again'.

On Friday, the Prime Minister changed Government guidance that people should work from home if they can and said employers should be free to decide whether they needed staff back.

The new guidance states that from August 1, employers can urge workers to come back to their office so long as it is Covid-secure.

Mr Raab said yesterday on BBC1's Andrew Marr Show: 'What we have said is from August 1, while we're carefully monitoring the virus, we do need to get the economy back firing on all cylinders as best we can.

'We know we're in the middle of a severe downturn. And so we're making sure, with employers, that they've got the Covid-secure workplaces in place and we've had great co-operation from business.

'And we're also saying to employers  you've got this remote working facility, we know that's important. I think we'll all do a bit more remote working in the future.

'But we also trust employers to say, 'Actually, do you know what? We do need more people coming back to work'. And therefore we're giving them that discretion. I think that's right.'

Boris Johnson told the Sunday Telegraph that he 'certainly' does not want another blanket shutdown and 'nor do I think we will be in that position again'

Some of Britain's largest employers say they will allow staff to work from home for months to come.

In London, only one worker in eight has gone back. In the City, just 800 of Goldman Sachs' 6,000 London staff have returned.

Fewer than 2,000 of the 12,000 at JP Morgan are back. The figures come from an analysis of mobile phone data in 67 cities by the Centre for Cities think-tank on behalf of the Times.

The data suggests that Basildon in Essex has seen the highest proportion of staff go back, at 49 per cent, and Edinburgh the least at 12 per cent.

Workers in the biggest cities are the least likely to have returned amid fears over the risk of long commutes on public transport.

The figures correspond with official data showing that rail services were operating at only 16 per cent capacity. The roads are back to 86 per cent of normal levels.

Andrew Carter, of Centre for Cities, said: 'Many office workers understandably will continue to work from home even as Covid-19 restrictions lift, and whilst this may well be the right decision for them as individuals, for the national economy the sum of these decisions will have a cost.'
Asia's first spaceport, located at Oita Airport on the Japanese island of Kyushu, is readying support for Virgin Orbit as the company looks to fire off its LauncherOne rocket in 2022.

Virgin Orbit -- a space venture of the Virgin Group -- will use a modified Boeing 747, christened "Cosmic Girl," as the launch platform for LauncherOne, which carries small commercial satellites into either a sun-synchronous or low-Earth orbit, depending on customer requirements.

In addition to its prime Oita location, the U.S.-based company has chosen four airports in the U.S. and Europe for launching satellites, including Mojave Air and Space Port in California and the U.K.'s Spaceport Cornwall at Cornwall Airport Newquay.

The Oita prefectural government welcomed Virgin Orbit's decision to use its airport in hopes of nurturing a local space industry, using the spaceport project as a catalyst.

The envisioned Oita Spaceport will also give Virgin Orbit an edge as it tries to attract Asian customers, owing to the airport's regional proximity. It will also boost Japan's aerospace industry.

"We are eager to host the first horizontal takeoff and landing spaceport in Japan," Oita Gov. Katsusada Hirose said in a statement. "We are also honored to be able to collaborate with brave technology companies solving global-level through their small satellites. We hope to foster a cluster of space industries in our prefecture, starting with our collaboration with Virgin Orbit."

On May 25, the company conducted the first test launch of its satellite delivery capabilities off the coast of California. Although the test was quickly aborted, it succeeded in igniting LauncherOne's engine after release from the airborne Boeing 747.
19.07.2020 LISTEN

Heinz Wohlfarth did not know what to say or how to react. Many thoughts went through his min crossed from left to right, from front to back and vis versa. He looked up to the heavens and said: When I think that he had thrown that smoke bomb all-round the room, from bed to bed, from table and...no way...no way. Oh, my God...when I think about the situation...when I imagine what could have happened...."

"In fact, you could be no more by now!" said Tina Ratherford offering him a drink to cool down. "In this world," did she continue to relax him and take away his fears, "your life can end at any time. There is no certainty that the next moment you will still be alive...no matter where you are in which country, in which time. It can be the end of your life at any time, that is what everyone must be aware of. Being young does not mean to have a right to live...por to live a life in stable and good conditions unshaken. Life is a journey and by grace...not by your own might. Yes, you can decide at what age you want to die and when you have made that decision your inner compass will guide you not to smoke, not to take too much alcohol, relax and not get high blood pressure, to avoid certain people and situations...but at the end of the day when it comes to the final decision about your life, you realize it is not at all in your own hands. To live anyhow is a life with anyhow outcome, but to live a life with sense, a life you put meaning into...that is a truly blessed life!"

"These days I get the impression not many people know that...I mean they simply have life and live it anyhow...specially the young once thinking they have the right inherited for a good long life. They do not think it can end for them at any time, they believe death is the privilege for the old and sick...not for them. And they waste therefore with so many stupid thinking and activities precious time when used clever and with brain could bring them far ahead of their age mates and even overtake old people that had started once having no sense for life at all," lectured Heinz Wohlfarth back to straight forward thinking. "In such moments like now I realize that life is not for granted but a great and blessed privilege...a gift indeed to hold tied and meaningful in my hands."

Tina Ratherford looked at him with great surprise and complimented him:" You seem you be a very mature man already...even at your young age...great!" She gave him her hand; he took it and was shaking it several times.

"So, what is now going to happen to Thomas?" asked Heinz Wohlfarth seeing how a blond mother guided her son with pitch black short hair into the pool, one step at a time. She watched over him that he would not slip while the tiles before the pools were wet from the water that sloshed out of the pool.

"he has been dismissed from the Kibbutz. They now arrange for him to be taken to Tiberias from where he can catch the next bus to Tel Aviv and from there to take the next flight back to Switzerland."

"So harsh...no second chance given? I am sure it was not intention at all to do any harm to anyone!"

Tina Ratherford explained in simple, straight forward, easy to understand plain words:" We do not entertain such people in our country." She got up and into the pool. He followed her and both enjoyed the warm fresh water. Ten minutes later both got out of the pool again, laid down in the green grass under trees to give shadow as he still was not able to take direct sunlight for long.

"As you are a clever...I mean, sorry, a very wise woman and a mother on top of it...," started Heinz Wohlfarth his investigation, "so let me ask you simply, what is that strange thing with us, I mean that it seems to be rooted so deep in us...I mean that we want to be loved by others? Some seem to deny themselves to the extent that they want to please people always with no space left in their heart to even love themselves unconditionally."

Tina Ratherford sat upright, her hands around her knees, her look straight ahead to see others enjoying themselves or relaxing on their blankets and said:" A very good question, in fact an essential, basic question that also bothered me for years and years with no end. When we are born," she turned her face towards Heinz Wohlfarth that paid his highest attention to her words, "we are just a human being, not a person that knows of itself. We cry, we eat, we observe, we hear, we drink and use the pampers for whatever we do not need any longer. In that moment we are totally dependent on other people. If no one will feed us, give us water, we simply die by the roadside. The basis for survival is therefore not the drink we take, the meal we eat, but fundamentally the care and love we get. When we are in our mother`s womb it is the same, even worse as there we depend on the mother absolutely with no exception, physically, the space we occupy is not the one we can choose but we feel all enclosed in like a body bubble all around...and of course emotionally, we depend on our mother. The moment we get out from this enclosure we have taken a vital step in our life as at that moment other people can immediately take care of us if the mother is not around and not available. Depending on the mother completely while inside the womb once we are out slowly going over to the next phase in our life into loving care. Education is not only necessary to guide us and to us the way, but it is in its deepest form a toll, the tool of love. This information is in us in all that we are, ion our spiritual life, in our genes, our mind our soul and our emotions for which reason to forget about it is hard to do. Like the program of a computer we function accordingly to what has been implanted in our human totality. Out of that human totality as adults, step by step, time after time, we realize that we are ourselves, an individual person, a personality that has its destiny and that this destiny no one except us knows about as the destiny is in us. We carry our destiny with us each and every day, and no one else around us; not our family, not our friends, not our bosses, not our society...simply no one except us. To understand that and know who we truly are we must take time...time to understand the world and see its reflection onto us. We must feel, we must try...and by time we find our true self. When we have eventually reached that point, maturity comes in and understanding of life`s matters. Then we can observe the once that reach maturity statues and the once that will always be infants in an adult body. The later once are the one that misunderstand the development of life, life in general and life on an individual level. They still feel the womb of the mother around them the breath she had given to their flesh. They do not understand that a human is not only a living something, than we would be plants, flowers or animals, but that humans have the mandate to mature to greatness and distance themselves from the womb that once had surrounded their entire life, their entire being. These people, most people, do not realize that life is all about being faithful to life given...and in the end this means to stop wanting to be loved, wanting to be nice, wanting to please others and the entire world...but have the understanding and strength to stand alone for oneself in the middle of others, simply among them, and use what the individual can see, hear and understand to move forward to its own glory often it means to move away from family and constantly from friends, friends from level to level."

Heinz Wohlfarth looked at Tina Ratherford and how she had spoken her words with great enthusiasm: "What you are telling me is a bit complicated and needs time for understanding, I mean I have to get deeper down to the bottom of your idea. But already now I can tell you...your words seem to make sense. It must now be understood by my mind of how this must and can be used for my own life...as my own life is only for me...right?"

"Never forget that simply fact and the meaning of it!" advice Tina Ratherford, got up, wrapped the blue towel around her arms and looked at her German friend. "Time for me to leave!" She smiled at him with wisdom in her eyes. He looked after her and saw her disappearing behind a bush following a small passageway leading to her home.

Heinz Wohlfarth close his eyes for few minutes when opening them again he shouted out for all around the pool to hear: "I cannot believe my eyes. I simply do not believe them! Oh my God, how on earth is that possible?"

"You better believe your eyes...as it is true...I am here!"

"Yes, I guess I should better believe my eyes as in fact, you look better, more beautiful than ever!"

"You need a girl-friend?"

"A girl-friend like you?"

"Possibly?"

"Possibly? Oh gosh...what an offer! Are you on offer?"

"I am still off the market!"

"That is too bad...off the market?"

"Yes, that is too bad...but that is how it is, my dear!"

"Lets sit down here in the shadow of this magnificent palm tree and simply enjoy each others company!"

"Very well, lets enjoy it," said Linda Evans finishing off her ice-cream, dark chocolate with almonds.

Heinz Wohlfarth was all over the moon and had a hard time to sort out his thoughts to make sense of his words: "You must tell me all...I mean how did you get here. How possible for you to be still in the country?"

Linda Evans smiled at him touching his cheek tenderly saying: "I was spared at the office in Tel Aviv. While the boys all had to go, the people there had mercy on me. They thought that I am not really one of them but able to behave to their expectations. So, I had the choice to stay until my official end or leave with Fred. I decided to leave as originally scheduled and Fred was okay with that. So... you will have me around for a few more days."
A WOMAN who submitted a false bank statement in an application for a 20,000 personal loan has received the benefit of the Probation Act.

The defendant, whose aged in her 40s, has admitted altering the bank statement to give the appearance that she had a credit balance of more than 10,000 in her account when, in fact, the actual balance was just 5.77.

She has also admitted providing the bank with a number of fake wage slips to give the impression that she was working when she was not.

Detective Garda Anthony ODriscoll told Limerick Circuit Court the woman presented the false documents at the Limerick branch of KBC on June 20, 2018 but that she did not receive any money.

A complaint was subsequently made to gardai and when questioned the woman, who has no previous convictions, told them she didnt realise what she did was illegal.

She said she had lost her job a short time earlier and had applied for the loan to clear her mortgage arrears and get back on her feet.

Pat Barriscale BL said his client has secured a new job since and that she appreciates now how serious a mistake she made

Judge Tom ODonnell commented that what the woman did was wrong but he accepted it was very amateurish and that she is unlikely to come before the courts again.
Hot, perfectly melted cheese with moisture that allows you to eat the sandwich without a drink is how Vishal Patel describes Firehouse Subs.

Patel along with his two cousins, Purvang and Pete Patel, have opened their third location as franchisees of the rapidly growing sandwich chain.

Their newest shop, at 295 Fourth Ave. in St. Catharines, has taken off in popularity since opening June 30.

The Patels opened their first location in Niagara Falls more than a year and a half ago, then opened a second shop in Stoney Creek (Winona) last September.

Niagara Falls took us a little bit longer than normal, Vishal said, adding that at that time the closest location was in Oakville, so the distance didnt allow for people to know the brand.

Stoney Creek and the early days of St. Catharines have received a lot of support.

Vishal said the reason the three businessmen decided to bring Firehouse to the Niagara area was because of its product and how the company gives back to local communities.

The sandwiches are steamed, which Vishal said allows the sub to stay hot longer, melts the cheese to perfection and the moisture ensures the sub isnt dry. He said its different from a typical toasted sandwich.

The biggest thing for us is the product itself, Vishal said. Wed love for the sub to be eaten right here in house because thats the true experience of hot, but at the end of the day were going to live through COVID times.

The company also has the Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation of Canada, which raises funds for many initiatives that support first responders. Vishal said their locations have been able to raise a combined $54,000 that has been given back to the community.

COVID-19 did stall the opening of the St. Catharines location, which was scheduled to open in March. With city hall closed, the owners couldnt get the required permits they needed.

Asked which subs have been the most popular, Vishal laughed, saying steak and cheese seems to be a Niagara thing.

Niagara Falls had it, (and) here same thing.

He also said the Firehouse meatball sub receives a lot of love.

The owners dont seem ready to stop at three locations.

Maybe a little bit early because were a little bit exhausted right now, but I mean we do think St. Catharines, there could be another location coming up, maybe closer to Thorold area just to spread it out a little, Vishal said. We are going to continue to grow.

He added: Our goal is between Winona and here that we are the franchisees and we want to make sure everywhere that the public can support it, we would be happy to open up.

The location offers third-party delivery and in-house catering services, while also having online ordering features through the Firehouse Subs app and website.

There are now 34 Firehouse Subs locations in Canada.
Pune, July 19, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Global  Dental Diagnostics and Surgical Equipment Market  is predicted to reach USD 12 Billion by 2026. The dental diagnostics and surgical equipment are used for the analysis and cure of dental problems such as periodontitis, gingivitis, tooth decay, dental caries, other forms of oral cancers and injury. The global scenario for the dental diagnostics and surgical equipment market is expected to boost over the forecast period. Rising inclination towards junk food consumption and improper eating habits by individuals along with augmenting demand for cosmetic dentistry are considered to be the major drivers of the market.

Further, the increasing incidence of dental diseases, rising demand for minimally invasive painless surgeries, technological advancement, and growing geriatric population is expected to drive the dental diagnostics and surgical equipment market. Elder patients suffer from various dental disorders such as caries, oral candidiasis and xerostomia that thrust the dental diagnostic and surgical equipment market growth.

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Dental Diagnostics & Surgical Equipment Market  Segment Analysis



 Dental radiology equipment accounted for highest share of the global dental diagnostics and surgical equipment market.



 The dental chairs segment is likely to capture around 20% share of the global dental diagnostics and surgical equipments market by 2026.



 Dental hand piece captures third highest share of the global dental diagnostics and surgical equipments market driven by factors like the rise in oral diseases, aging population, and an increase in dental clinics.



 With rising implementation of CAD/CAM system in Dentistry, this segment is anticipated to grow at a faster rate.



 In the past decade, the market for lasers in dentistry has grown rapidly owing to acceptance of dental lasers by the FDA.



Dental Diagnostics & Surgical Equipment Market - Regional Analysis



 North America is the leader in global dental diagnostic & surgical equipment market followed

by European region.



 Asia-Pacific dental diagnostic & surgical equipment market is expected to grow at a faster rate during the forecast period.



 Rest of the world is showing low market share, lack of oral hygiene care is the main reason behind it.



Dental Diagnostics & Surgical Equipment Market - Key Players Analysis



 In the third quarter of 2019, Danaher transferred its Dental businesses to Envista Holdings Corporation.



 BIOLASE, Inc. offers two categories of laser system products: WaterLase (all-tissue) systems and Diode (soft tissue) systems.



 In August 2019, Henry Schein, Inc. announced the acquisition of a majority equity stake in Cliniclands, an innovative distributor serving dental practices throughout Sweden, Denmark, and Norway.



 In October 2019, Dentsply Sirona has signed an agreement to acquire OraCheck.



 In August 2019, Midmark Corp. acquired the True Definition intraoral scanner platform from 3M.



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Global Dental Diagnostics & Surgical Equipment Market (By Segment and Region), Impact of COVID-19, Company Analysis - Forecast to 2026 provides a comprehensive assessment of the fast-growing Dental Diagnostics and Surgical Equipment Market.



This 208 Page report with 50 Figures and 4 Tables has been studied from 7 View Points:



1. Global Dental Diagnostics and Surgical Equipment Market and Forecast (2010 - 2026)

2. Global Dental Diagnostics and Surgical Equipment Market Share and Forecast (2010 - 2026)

3. Impact of COVID-19 on Global Dental Diagnostics and Surgical Equipment Market

4. Global Dental Diagnostics and Surgical Equipment Market and Forecast - Segment Analysis (2010 - 2026)

5. Global Dental Diagnostics and Surgical Equipment Market and Forecast - Regional Analysis (2010 - 2026)

6. Dental Diagnostics and Surgical Equipment Market - Key Players Analysis (2010 - 2026)

7. Global Dental Diagnostics and Surgical Equipment Market - Growth Drivers & Challenges



Global Dental Diagnostics and Surgical Equipment Market - By Segment



1. Dental Radiology Equipment

2. Dental CAD/CAM Systems

3. Dental Lasers

4. Dental Chairs

5. Dental Handpieces

6. Dental Curing Lights

7. Dental Scaling Units

8. Instrument Delivery Systems



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Global Dental Diagnostics and Surgical Equipment Market - Regional Analysis



1. North America

2. Europe

3. Asia-Pacific

4. Rest of The World



Global Dental Diagnostics and Surgical Equipment Market - Key Players Analysis



1. Danaher Corporation

2. Biolase, Inc

3. Henry Schein

4. Dentsply Sirona

5. Straumann

6. Patterson

7. Zimmer Biomet

8. Planmeca OY

9. Ivoclar Vivadent AG

10. 3M Company

11. Midmark

12. Envista Holdings Corporation

Key Benefits to purchase this Dental Diagnostics and Surgical Equipment Market Report:

To gain insightful analyses of the Dental Diagnostics and Surgical Equipment market and have comprehensive understanding of the global market and its commercial landscape.

Assess the production processes, major issues, and solutions to mitigate the development risk.

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New Delhi: The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) - Delhi on Sunday (July 19, 2020) clarified that there are no plans to change the syllabus of the Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) (Advanced) 2020 entrance examination.

Taking to their official Twitter account, IIT-Delhi wrote, "In reference to a news report published in the media that JEE (Advanced) 2020 could see some changes in the examination pattern, IIT Delhi, the organising institute, would like to clarify that there are no plans to change the syllabus of the entrance examination."

In reference to a news report published in the media that JEE (Advanced) 2020 could see some changes in the examination pattern, IIT Delhi, the organising institute, would like to clarify that there are no plans to change the syllabus of the entrance examination. pic.twitter.com/MeC64VrV3e  IIT Delhi (@iitdelhi) July 19, 2020

They also stated that there is no plan to discuss this matter in the next Joint Admission Board (JAB) meeting.

As of now, the JEE (Advanced) 2020 is slated for September 27, 2020.

Earlier on July 17, the Union HRD Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank had announced that JAB has decided to relax the admission criterion this year in view of partial cancellation of class 12 exams by various boards.

He said, "Due to the partial cancellation of class XII exams by several Boards, Joint Admission Board (JAB) has decided to relax the eligibility criterion for JEE (Advanced) 2020 qualified candidates, this time."

"Qualified candidates who have passed class XII examinations will now be eligible for admissions irrespective of marks obtained," the Minister tweeted.

Qualified candidates who have passed class XII examinations will now be eligible for admissions irrespective of marks obtained.@HRDMinistry @PIB_India @MIB_India @DDNewslive  Dr. Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank (@DrRPNishank) July 17, 2020

For admissions to IITs, apart from qualifying the JEE (Advanced), the eligibility was to secure either minimum score of 75 per cent marks in class 12 board exams or rank among the top 20 percentile in their qualifying examinations.

The unprecedented outbreak of coronavirus had postponed the JEE (Advanced) 2020, which was initially scheduled for May 17, 2020.
The intent of the devil "is to hinder the work of salvation, to ensure that the Kingdom of God is hindered by unjust workers, sowers of scandals". "This is always the devil or our temptation: when we fall into the temptation to gossip and to destroy others".

Vatican City (AsiaNews) - Pope Francis launched a fresh appeal at the Angelus calling for a "global and immediate ceasefire", which will allow the peace and security necessary to provide the necessary humanitarian assistance "to the populations suffering from the economic and social consequences of the pandemic "whose suffering is aggravated by situations of conflict. In this regard, he said he was still following "with concern the renewed tensions of armed conflict in the Caucasus region between Armenia and Azerbaijan in recent days. While - he continued - I assure you of my prayers for the families of those who lost their lives during the clashes, I hope that with the commitment of the international community and through dialogue and the goodwill of the parties, a lasting peaceful solution can be reached, which has the good of those beloved populations at heart."

Before the recitation of the Marian prayer, a few thousand people present in St. Peter's Square, Francis, commenting on the Gospel passage of the wheat and the chaff, returned to condemn "gossip" which destroys others.

With the parable, he underlined, Jesus helps us understand Gods patience, opening our hearts to hope. Jesus narrates that, in the field in which good seed was sown, weeds sprout as well. This term sums up all the toxic vegetation that infests the soil. . Among us - he added - we can say that even today the soil is infested with many herbicides and herbicides that are bad for the earth and for us too ".

A way of looking at history can be read in this parable. Alongside God  the master of the field  who only and always sows good seed, there is an adversary, who sows weeds to impede the wheats growth. The master acts in the open, in broad daylight, and his goal is a good harvest. The other, instead, takes advantage of the darkness of night to and works out of envy and hostility to ruin everything. The adversary has a name: it is the devil, Gods quintessential opponent. The devils intention is to hinder the work of salvation, to stonewall the Kingdom of God through wicked workers, sowers of scandal. In fact, the good seed and the weeds do not represent good and bad in the abstract, but we human beings, who can follow God or the devil."

"Often - he added - we heard that a family that was at peace, then wars began, envy ... a neighborhood that was at peace, then bad things started ... And we are used to saying: 'Eh, someone came there to sow weeds', or 'this person of the family, with small talk, sows weeds'. It is always to sow evil that destroys. And this always is the work of the devil or our temptation: when we fall into the temptation to gossip to destroy others ".

"The servants intention is to eliminate evil immediately, that is, evil people. But the master is wiser, he sees farther. They must learn to wait because enduring persecution and hostility is part of the Christian vocation. Certainly, evil must be rejected, but those who do evil are people with whom it is necessary to be patient. This does not mean that type of hypocritical tolerance that hides ambiguity; but rather, justice tempered by mercy. If Jesus came to seek sinners more than the righteous, to cure the sick first before the healthy (cf Mt 9:12-13), so must the actions of His disciples be focused not on suppressing the wicked, but on saving them.".

Today's Gospel presents two ways of acting and of living history: the masters vision on the one hand; the vision of the servants on the other. What the servants care about is a field without weeds; the master cares about good wheat. The Lord invites us to adopt His own vision, one that is focused on good wheat, that knows how to protect it even amidst the weeds. Those who are always hunting for the limitations and defects of others do not collaborate well with God, but, rather, those who know how to recognise the good that silently grows in the field of the Church and history, cultivating it until it becomes maturity. And then it will be God, and He alone, who will reward the good and punish the wicked. May the Virgin Mary help us understand and imitate Gods patience, who wants none of His children to be Lost, whom He loves with the love of a Father..
BTS debuted in the K-pop industry in 2013 with very little fanfare. By 2015, they had managed to climb to the top of music charts in South Korea. A few years later, the group was well on their way to international superstardom.

However, despite the fact that BTS is now famous around the world, many fans believe they are not always treated well for an artist of their status. Recently, BTS fans also discovered another unfair treatment the group receives.

BTS | JTBC PLUS/Imazins via Getty Images

Fans often voice complaints about BTS being treated unfairly in the American music industry

In August 2019, MTV found itself in hot water after it debuted a K-pop category for the annual Video Music Awards and announced BTS as one of the nominations. BTS fans found the move offensive because they saw it as a way to sideline BTS instead of allowing them to be nominated under much bigger categories like Artist of the Year or Video of the Year.

Fans also pointed out that BTS already outperformed artists like Ariana Grande, Taylor Swift, and the Jonas Brothers when it comes to album sales and streams, which means they should have received nominations in big categories like any other popular artists.

This incident was just one in a long list of complaints fans have made about how BTS is sometimes not thought to be on the same level as artists who sing in English or artists who originated in Western countries.

What is another unfair and problematic treatment fans discovered?

In mid-July, Nielsen Music released a mid-year report to highlight music sales and consumption in the first half of 2020. In the report, fans pointed out that BTSs recent release, Map of the Soul: 7, did not make it to Nielsens Top Five Albums list despite outselling other artists on there, such as Justin Bieber, Billie Eilish, and Lady Gaga.

Why does Nielsen think BTS is world music?



(Thread.)



Last week, some ARMYs asked why @BTS_twts #MAP_OF_THE_SOUL_7 wasnt listed under pops Top Five Albums in Nielsen's mid-year report despite ranking ahead of Billie Eilish in another chart. pic.twitter.com/1Rg0sRy7lg  Brian Patrick Byrne (@bybrianbyrne) July 16, 2020

RELATED: Does BTS Write Their Own Songs?

Journalist Brian Patrick Byrne allegedly reached out to Nielsen for a clarification and received the response that it was because BTS had been categorized differently.

When I asked Nielsen about this discrepancy, they told me, We used Core genre and BTS core genre is World. While BTS is eligible for Pop charts, the Core genre keeps genres unique, Byrne wrote on Twitter.

Byrne also shared that, unlike other non-American artists like Justin Bieber and Harry Styles, BTS has reportedly been categorized as World because they do not sing in English. Additionally, according to Byrne, Nielsen compared BTS to Latin pop artists, noting that the latter would be under the Latin category instead of Pop.

However, many fans took to social media to call this move by Nielsen unfair and problematic.

One person wrote on Reddit: The term world music is so off putting. It feels really disrespectful to any of the musicians classified under that label, like theyre so seen as other that they dont deserve any consideration beyond the fact that it was made by people who arent white (or as this guy puts it English speaking) If they really had to have a world music category, the least they could do is pretend its not racist by grouping all non-American artists into that category.

This is so problematic and unfair, another fan said. Musical elements transcend the language in which songs are sung. All the elements of their songs are all part of the pop genre, and the only difference is language, making this blatant discrimination in my opinion.

Some fans pointed out another possible reason why BTS is not considered pop

RELATED: Why the BTS Members Dont Have Their Own Twitter and Instagram Accounts

While a lot of fans are understandably upset about BTS being considered labeled differently than other artists, some pointed out that there is another logical explanation for this.

Blackpink, a fellow K-pop group with music released in the U.S., are under the Pop category as listed by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). Fans believe this is because Blackpink is fully signed to an American record labelin this case, Interscope Recordswhereas BTS only has a music distribution deal with Columbia Records.

Of course, Nielsen and RIAA are two different entities with possibly different ways of categorizing artists. Nielsens mid-year recap also includes just the best-selling artists, so it is unclear whether Blackpink would have been considered Pop or World by Nielsen had their numbers been high enough to be included in the mid-year report.
I can tell you my own heart and what goes into it for me. We all know we have a lot of qualified black women that are being considered . . . and that needs to be stated up front, she said during the event hosted by All In Together, a group aimed at increasing civic participation among women. Ultimately, its going to be his decision, but I will carry with me Fannie Lou Hamer, I will carry with me Harriet Tubman, I will carry with me my grandmother Lucille, who was a union leader, and my grandmother Helen Blunt, who raised four kids in the projects of Philly, who was a nurse. I will carry all these people with me, including my 31-year-old daughter.
New Delhi: Much of Jalaluddin Rumi's work was in rhyming couplets and retaining their meaning, thought or metaphor and yet delivering the English in rhythm and rhyme are a challenge, says Farrukh Dhondy who has translated a new collection of the 13th century Persian poet's verses.

A translation, the India-born British writer said, is a delicate thing and entails rendering a construction from one country, one culture, one century even, into an equally alluring construction in another.

The popularised phrase in our time is "lost in translation" and the virtue of a translated verse, then, is keeping the loss of meaning and music to a minimum, he said.

"Rumi writes for much of his work in rhyming couplets. To retain the meaning of the couplet, the thought or metaphor that it contains, and yet deliver the English in rhythm and rhyme is a challenge," Dhondy, also a playwright, screenwriter and activist, told PTI.

He said, "Translations from one language, culture and century to another pose the two questions of all relationships: Is the beauty of one reflected in the other and is the other faithful to the one?"

"Rumi: A New Translation", a HarperCollins India publication, is a selection from the vast ocean of works of the poet, in which Dhondy attempts to "convey both the allure and the message of his verses".

Asked if he has adopted any set of rules for translating Rumi, he replied: "The only rule is to render as much of the truth of the verse, while ensuring that the English is presented with good grammar and not in some outlandish invention - and using rhyme and rhythm is not a rule, it's avoiding the label of vandalism."

Dhondy said all his life he had been brought up on English poetry and Hindi songs, and knew nothing of Rumi, except that his great grandfather had translated several Persian poets, including Rumi and Omar Khayyam, and copies of the books were proudly kept in the family.

A friend of his presented him an anthology of Rumi translations once when he was catching a plane to go to Australia.

"The translations were tedious, boring and without rhyme, rhythm or charm and written in a pedestrian if pretentious Americanese or in some ungrammatical chopped-prose English. I stopped reading," he said.

"On my return to Mumbai I casually said to my mamaji that I thought his favourite poet was rubbish. He was absolutely shocked and began to recite Rumi verses in Persian which he had studied and memorised. His recitation was melodic and mesmeric," he said.

Dhondy asked his uncle to translate and soon started to take notes in English and Hindustani. He sat up for hours and attempted to render these notes into verse. This was how Dhondy was attracted towards Rumi.

He believes Rumi and the Sufis' search for ways of orienting the mind and the emotions to accept that God or the primal energy of the universe, the essence that infuses all living things, is within oneself and discoverable.

"Human beings, however bound by empirical science, however sceptical about religion and God, are never free from wonder about life and creation. The Sufi path is a very attractive manifestation of this wonder and humans, in any age and culture, can find a resonance, if not solace, in it."

A scholar and poet, Rumi (12071273) founded the Mawlawi Sufi order, a leading mystical brotherhood of Islam. He wrote the six-volume epic work, the "Masnavi", known as the Persian "Quran in verse".

The popularity of Rumi in Iran is a manifestation of the continuity of a national culture - he may have lived in Konya in Turkey but wrote essentially in Persian, said Dhondy.

His popularity in the US and in Europe is one of the clearest symptoms of the rejection by millions of the materialism that modern life, and its essentially capitalist organisation, traps them in, he added.

"It's a search for a meaning that an 'alienated' way of life doesn't give them. It can induce a feeling, however shallow, of absorbing a 'spiritual' message," he said.

"In India, some readers of the verse may be subject to the same motivation, but I sincerely hope that a few at least will recognise the closeness of the Sufi doctrine to those of Advait Vedanta."

The Sufi professions of love, according to Dhondy, are expressed in terms of devotion to the 'beloved'.

"The beloved in all Sufi expressions is not the girl-next-door or the person you met on Tinder, but 'God' or the eternal spirit, the 'brahmand' (universe) of which you are part. Very many of the idiotic American translations mistake this devotion to the 'beloved' as professions to an active or desired sexual partner," he said.

"It perhaps accounts for their popularity. If Rumi, wherever he is, can read these translations, there will certainly be a rotating motion within a tomb in Konya," he added.
By PTI

MUMBAI: Bank unions have raised concerns over lack of regular sanitisation and adherence to social distancing norms at various bank branches in Maharashtra, putting lives of employees at risk from COVID-19.

Unions have written a letter to state Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray seeking his intervention in issuing directives to banks and local authorities for safety of bank employees.

In the letter, United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU) said, "Despite standard operating procedure (SOP) prescribed by the central government as also state government and local administration, banks are not complying with regular sanitisation of branches."

Banks are not deploying security guards at the entrance of bank branches to manage the crowd, it further stated. "This is resulting in violation of basic norms of distancing and cleanliness and thus banks have become a cause to spread the pandemic, in view of which we seek your indulgence to arrest the spread," the letter said.

It said that in Mumbai alone, more than 15 bank employees have lost their lives and more than hundred employees are infected by coronavirus.

The UFBU is an umbrella body of nine unions, including All India Bank Officers' Confederation (AIBOC), All India Bank Employees Association (AIBEA) and National Organisation of Bank Workers (NOBW).

Unions said banks in rural areas are currently flooded with farmers for crop loans but social distancing is not maintained, posing a risk to bank employees. "We request you to please advise the state administration to deploy police personnel to regulate the rush at branches and to avoid any untoward incidents at bank branches," the letter said.

It said the local administrations from Raigad, Alibaug, Panvel, Ratnagiri and Sindhudurg have asked bank officials to keep their branches open even during weekly offs and holidays. The letter said that banks were asked to work on all holidays in June and July too.

Unions have requested the chief minister to direct administrative officials from these areas to refrain from asking bank employees to report to duty on weekly offs and holidays.
KOCHI: Faisal Fareed, the prime accused in smuggling of gold using diplomatic baggage sent from UAE to its consulate official in Thiruvananthapuram, has been intercepted by the Dubai Police at UAE.

Officials in Customs and NIA confirmed that Faisal of Kaipamangalam in Thrissur district is in Dubai Police custody now. Faisal who has a business in the UAE is residing with his family at Al Rashidiya in Dubai. He was picked up from his residence on Friday and is being interrogated by the police.

It was Faisal who sent a consignment to UAE consulate Charge d' Affairs Rashed Khamis Alshemelli in which 30 kgs of gold were found. The NIA also registered a separate case claiming the involvement of terrorist elements behind the smuggling. Customs so far have arrested 13 persons and NIA arrested two persons. Rashed Khamis Alshemelli has returned to UAE.

ALSO READ: Crime Branch arraigns Swapna Suresh as second accused in forgery case

"We can confirm that Faisal is in the custody of police in Dubai. The Indian Embassy had passed on all information about Faisal based on the probe conducted by agencies in India to UAE. UAE is also conducting a probe into smuggling gold from Dubai and the involvement of diplomats in it. It was found that some documents were forged including emblem of UAE mission in Thiruvananthapuram to send gold inside baggage addressed to a diplomat which is a matter of concern for UAE. He is likely to be sent back to India soon," sources in the NIA told TNIE.

Faisal is third accused in the case registered by NIA. NIA court on Tuesday issued an open-end Non-Bailable Warrant against him. Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has issued a Lookout Circular to intercept him if he arrives or exits the country through any entry port in India. NIA also approached Interpol to issue a Blue Notice against him.

However, it is not yet clear whether Faisal will be given to NIA or the Customs first. With terrorism charges made by NIA against Faisal, the counter-terrorism agency is likely to get the custody of Faisal first. "There is a counter-terrorism treaty signed by India and UAE in 2018 which will help in expediting the extradition of accused from abroad. Faisal will be sent back to India after the probe carried out by UAE," the sources said.

Earlier, Faisal denied his involvement in the case and said that he did not know other persons who were arrested for smuggling the gold. However, both NIA and Customs maintained that he is a seasoned smuggler operating for gangs from Dubai. Customs also had raided his house in Kaipamangalam.
Girls in a car watch a drive-in concert at Gyeongbok Palace parking lot in Seoul, Friday. AP



New COVID-19 cases fell back to below 40 here Saturday, but the health authorities are keeping their guard up as imported cases and infection clusters continue to put a strain on their efforts to contain the deadly disease.



The Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC) reported 39 new infections, including 28 imported cases, raising the total caseload to 13,711.



The tally marked a sharp fall from 62 cases reported Monday; 61, Thursday; and 60, Friday. The daily rise in virus cases stayed below 40, Tuesday and Wednesday, with 33 and 39, respectively.



The number of people arriving in the country who were infected overseas has been at a higher level for weeks, with double-digit numbers for 23 consecutive days. Imported cases have also been outnumbering local infections since July 12.



Of the 28 additional imported cases, 12 were detected at quarantine checkpoints in airports and seaports. The total number of imported cases is now 2,032.



Among the cases from overseas, the government has been keeping close tabs on workers returning home from Iraq after dozens of them tested positive for COVID-19 in recent days.



To bring the remaining workers home safely from Iraq, the government will send chartered flights to the Middle East nation next week.



Health authorities are also on alert over potential group infections tied to Russian-flagged vessels docked in the southern city of Busan. More than 20 crewmen were confirmed to have contracted the virus on three ships in recent days.



The number of new local infections dropped below 20 again  it had been below this from Monday to Thursday before the country reported 21 cases Friday.



Of the 11 local transmissions, nine were reported in the Seoul metropolitan area  six in the capital, two in Gyeonggi Province and one in Incheon.



The country's southern resort island of Jeju and the southeastern industrial city of Ulsan each added one case.



The KCDC reported one additional death from the virus, bringing the total to 294.



The number of people released from quarantine after a full recovery stood at 12,519, up 59 from the previous day, while 898 are currently under treatment, down 21 from a day earlier.



South Korea has carried out 1,460,204 tests since Jan. 3. (Yonhap)


Worse, Egypt's ruler can't expect much help from his admirer in the White House. The collapse of negotiations over the Nile dam represents a failure of American mediation - the U.S. Treasury had tried to broker a deal - and Trump, beset with domestic problems amid a reelection campaign, is unlikely to give the matter much more attention. In Libya, the U.S. president seems to have come to an understanding with Turkey, which backs the other side in the civil war.

Nor can el-Sissi hope for much succor from Saudi Arabia. Although the Saudis mediated the 2018 Ethiopia-Eritrea peace accord, they have had little influence on the Nile negotiations. And Saudi relations with Turkey are openly hostile, ruling out any role for Riyadh in easing the Cairo-Ankara confrontation over Libya.

Egypt isn't entirely friendless in Libya, but it is not clear that rebel commander Khalifa Haftar's other backers - notably the United Arab Emirates and Russia - will boost their support if Libya's government forces, with more help from the Turks, storm the strategic port of Sirte. El-Sissi had declared Sirte as his line in the sand, suggesting Egypt may intervene directly if Turkey crosses it. The Emiratis, no less hostile to Turkey than the Saudis, may hold the line; Russia, which is allied with the Turks in Syria, may not.
A woman was injured early Saturday morning after her boat ran aground in the Manahawkin Bay, police said.

The impact caused the woman to hit her head on the 32-foot Boston Whaler boat when the crash happened around 2 a.m. off the coast of Stafford, New Jersey State Police Trooper Charles Marchan told NJ Advance Media.

It was unclear if there were any other passengers on the boat.

The woman was flown to a local hospital to be treated for her injuries but her status was not disclosed by Marchan Saturday evening.

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.
19.07.2020 LISTEN

The Deputy Ashanti Regional Youth Organizer of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), Onasis Kobby has called on the Electoral Commission (EC) to as a matter of urgency punish officials who tempered with the Phase 1, batch 1 Ashanti regional figures of the ongoing voters registration exercise to restore public confidence in their activities.

In a claim, the NDC alleged on Wednesday, July 15, that the Electoral Commission as part of its conspiratorial drill to rig the December polls in favour of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) has reduced the figures for Phase 1, batch 1 in the Ashanti region from 423,802 to 399,507 in the ongoing voters registration exercise.

However, the Ashanti regional EC Chair, Mr Bannor Bio in a media interview acknowledged the existence of the disparity and indicated that the current figures are provisional data.

He assured that the provisional figures have no direct consequences on the final figures which would be automatically generated by the registration machines after their exercise.

All tabulated figures remain provisional and have no direct consequences on the final figures which would be automatically generated by the registration machines after the exercise. Mr Bannor Bio noted.

But in a subsequent reaction on Kumasi-based Pure FM with Kwame Adinkra on the stations Pure Morning Drive program monitored by MyNewsGh.com on Thursday, July 16, Onasis Kobby called on the EC to sanction the officials responsible for the anomaly and restrain them from continuing as officials of the commission to forestall a reoccurrence of the error.

Election is a serious matter. Many countries have been plunged into chaos as a result of misconduct of the Electoral Commission and mistrust of the electoral processWe cannot sit here and countenance this abnormality.

The EC must act to restore our confidence in the electoral process. This is an inexcusable mistake and we must publicly see that the officers who tapered the figures are held responsible. They must be punished. The Deputy Ashanti Regional Youth Organizer of the NDC told Kwame Adinkra.


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Detained socialite Ghislaine Maxwell believes that her former lover and convicted sex abuser Jeffrey Epstein was murdered in his Manhattan prison cell last year and that she may meet the same fate.

Maxwell, 58, cried as she was denied bail on Tuesday and learned she must stay locked up until her trial next summer, after she pleaded not guilty to sex trafficking charges brought against her.

Epstein, 66, was found hanged in his New York City prison cell in August 2019 after he was arrested on sex trafficking charges, and his death was ruled a suicide.

But Maxwell reportedly believes he was murdered.

According to The Sun, her friends say that she now fears for her life amid concerns she may be killed behind bars after receiving death threats before her arrest two weeks ago.

Friends say Ghislaine Maxwell believes Jeffrey Epstein was murdered in his prison cell

Maxwell, picture with Epstein, now fears she will meet the same grisly end

Epstein was found hanged in his cell, pictured, in August 2019. It was ruled a suicide

It was revealed Wednesday that Maxwell's brother had recruited ex-British soldiers to protect the socialite as she attempted to hide in her New Hampshire property amid fears of attempts on her life.

But she fears she can't be guaranteed the same protection as she now faces a year-long wait for her trial behind bars inside Brooklyns maximum security Metropolitan Detention Center.

'Everyones view including Ghislaines is Epstein was murdered. She received death threats before she was arrested,' a friend told The Sun.

When died, Epstein had pleaded not guilty to sexually abusing girls as young as 14 and young women in New York and Florida in the early 2000s. In lawsuits, women say the abuse spanned decades.

His death was ruled a suicide, but he had been taken off suicide watch weeks before despite being injured from either an attack or another suicide attempt.

The manner of Epstein's death has sparked conspiracy theories that he did not die by suicide and was, in fact, murdered - a theory that friends say Maxwell also believes.

Maxwell is being held in Metropolitan Detention Center as she awaits her trial

Maxwell is being held in isolation in the prison. Pictured, Metropolitan Detention Center

Maxwell, 58, cried as she was denied bail on Tuesday and learned she must stay locked up until her trial next summer, as Jeffrey Epstein's accused madam pleaded not guilty to the sex trafficking charges brought against her. Friends say she fears she will die in prison

Maxwell, a long-time associate of pedophile Epstein, is under investigation over her alleged role in grooming girls for the disgraced financier to abuse.

She pleaded not guilty Tuesday to helping him recruit and eventually abuse girls as young as 14, as well as lying about her role in depositions in 2016.

Ghislaine Maxwell's denied charges One count of conspiracy to entice minors to travel to engage in illegal sex acts One count of enticement of a minor to travel to engage in illegal sex acts One count of conspiracy to transport minors with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity One count of transportation of a minor with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity Two counts of perjury Advertisement

Maxwell is accused of grooming girls for Epstein to abuse between 1994 and 1997, a period when she was his girlfriend.

She faces up to 35 years in prison if found guilty of the charges, as prosecutors successfully argued that along with her three passports, connections to some of the world's most powerful people and her own fortune of more than $10 million - Maxwell had every incentive to try and flee.

Maxwell now remains in the fortress-like Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn where she has been given paper clothes to ensure she doesn't kill herself.

She is also being kept in solitary confinement with the lights of her cell on constantly.

The prison she is being held in was once described by a former governor as 'the most troubled federal facility in the prison system'.

During her bail hearing Tuesday, however, prosecutors said that the prison had made substantial efforts to accommodate Maxwell and keep her safe.

Attorney General Bill Bar has also insisted that the government will not allow her to die in jail like Epstein.

Asked an interview with ABC News if the government had Maxwell's security 'locked up' to ensure she would neither be able to kill herself or be harmed, Barr answered firmly: 'Yes. We have asked them to tell us specifically the protocols they're following and we have a number of redundant systems to monitor the situation.'

He added that he was 'livid' when Epstein killed himself and that he wanted to see him brought to justice.

The case against Maxwell is said to be 'strong' and multiple victims have provided 'detailed, credible evidence of the defendant's criminal conduct' - with more women coming forward in the past week.

Pictured, the cell in the Manhattan prison where Jeffrey Epstein was found dead

The victims have made clear they want Maxwell remanded in custody and say they were 'directly abused as a result of Ghislaine Maxwell's actions'.

Epstein's victims have long demanded Maxwell's arrest and lawyers for them say that a slew of new accusers have come forward since she was apprehended.

Prosecutors will likely be looking to do a plea deal with Maxwell to lighten some of the six charges against her, two of which are perjury for allegedly lying during depositions.

They will be questioning her about powerful men in Epstein's orbit including Bill Clinton with whom she flew on Epstein's private jet, called the 'Lolita Express', on a tour of Africa in 2002.

Maxwell was also good friends with Prince Andrew and one of Epstein's victims, Virginia Roberts, claims she was loaned out to the Duke three times for sex when she was 17.
EU's Borrell vows full work to preserve Iran nuclear deal

Iran Press TV

Saturday, 18 July 2020 5:11 PM

The high representative of the European Union for foreign affairs and security policy has once again stressed the importance of preserving a 2015 nuclear deal signed between Iran and major world powers, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, pledging to work with other relevant parties to that effect.

"I discussed the #JCPOA on its 5th anniversary during the #med2020 dialogue organised by @ispionline. We need to preserve the #Irandeal and I will continue to work in my role as coordinator of the Joint Commission," Josep Borrell said in a post on his official Twitter page on Saturday.

In his tweet, he provided a link of the full video of his virtual address to the annual Mediterranean Dialogues 2020 conference on July 14, concurrent with the fifth anniversary of the conclusion of the JCPOA.

"I am frankly convinced that we need to preserve this deal for two reasons. First, there is no other effective alternative around the corner. The idea that we can build another deal and we call it "Trump deal", it is not possible, you know," Borrell said to the participants at the time.

In his remarks, he pointed to the beginning of the discussions in 2003 which led to the conclusion of the JCPOA and said, "It took 12 years to break the differences and to cut a deal," and added that "it was a big success for effective multilateralism and it has been a success because the JCPOA has delivered on its promises."

He highlighted that International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), had in "15 consecutive reports" confirmed that "Iran has met all their nuclear obligations until June 2019."

Borrell emphasized that no administration, even in the United States, would be able to put on the table a peaceful alternative to the JCPOA.

The historic deal was reached between Iran and a group of countries then known as the P5+1  which included the United States, Britain, France, Russia, China, and Germany  on July 14, 2015. However, in May 2018, President Donald Trump unilaterally pulled the US out of the JCPOA and re-imposed the sanctions that had been lifted under the deal.

Verified by the IAEA, Iran remained fully compliant with the JCPOA for an entire year, waiting for the co-signatories to honor their commitments and offset the impacts of the US withdrawal.

But, as the European parties continued to renege on their obligations, the Islamic Republic moved in May 2019 to suspend some of its JCPOA commitments under articles of the deal covering Tehran's legal rights in case of non-compliance by the other side.

Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister for Political Affairs Abbas Araqchi said on July 18 that the three European signatories to the JCPOA have not abided by their commitments and this is why Iran has requested the activation of the deal's dispute resolution mechanism in a letter to the European Union's foreign policy chief.

Speaking on the fifth anniversary of the conclusion of the Iran deal on Wednesday, Iran's President Hassan Rouhani said the country maneuvered with political skill following the United States' withdrawal from the JCPOA to prove that "American lawbreakers" are to blame for any shortfalls with regard to the agreement.

"Since the beginning [of the diplomatic engagement], an evil triangle of Zionism, reactionism, and hard-liners in America were opposed [to diplomacy with Iran]," the Iranian president said, detailing attempts by the deal's opponents to throw a wrench into the works as it was being negotiated and after its conclusion.

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Trump has said he will cut the number of US troops in Germany by 9,500, citing NATO members not meeting funding pledges.

The leaders of four German states have appealed to the United States Congress to block plans by the administration of President Donald Trump to withdraw American forces from Germany.

Trump last month said he would cut the number of US troops in Germany by 9,500, to 25,000, faulting the fellow NATO member for failing to meet the North Atlantic alliances defence spending target and accusing it of taking advantage of the US on trade.

The appeal from leaders of the southern German states, all home to American bases, was addressed to 13 members of Congress and included Senators Mitt Romney and Jim Inhofe.

We therefore ask you to support us as we strive not to sever the bond of friendship but to strengthen it, and to secure the US presence in Germany and Europe in the future, wrote the premiers of Bavaria, Hesse, Baden-Wuerttemberg and Rhineland-Palatinate.

With their bases, combat units, military hospitals and other key infrastructure, the US armed forces in Germany form the backbone of US presence in Europe and NATOs ability to act, read the letter seen by Reuters news agency and several German newspapers.

Germany hosts more US troops than any other country in Europe, a legacy of the Allied occupation after World War II.

Abrupt withdrawal

Trumps announcement in mid-June that he would order troops home from Germany caught some US politicians by surprise and sparked a bipartisan backlash in Congress, with many saying it will weaken the blocs position against Russia.

The White House has insisted the move would enhance Russian deterrence, strengthen NATO, reassure Allies.

Meanwhile, Trump has repeatedly called Germany delinquent in its contributions to NATO.





While Berlin does not actually owe NATO money, like many alliance members, it is not meeting the pledge all member countries take to spend 2 percent of annual economic output on defence.

Members of both chambers of Congress have been working on legislation that would prevent the president from starting the significant troop withdrawal.

A spokesman for the US embassy in Berlin declined to comment.
G20 members have urged international collaboration to ensure governments and businesses plan properly for an anticipated Covid-19 rebound at a virtual meeting recently organised by B20 Saudi Arabia.



The B20 Saudi Arabia, the official voice of the global business community across all g20 members, hosted a virtual discussion entitled Preparing for the Second Wave, amid concerns the global business community is ill prepared for a second surge in Covid-19. The event, attended by over 500 participants, was moderated by Linda Yueh, former BBC Chief Business Correspondent and Adjunct Professor of Economics at London Business School.



While the majority of participants do not foresee a viable and readily available vaccine in the near future, they were committed to the fact that business must continue to operate or risk the possibility of a global economic depression. Rather, they believe business must collaborate across the public and private sector to re-engineer the way we work so the protection of our employees and citizens remains at the forefront and the economy can function at a high level.



We recognize the severity of the virus and its continued pressure on business across the world, even as some economies move past their first wave of cases. We must safeguard the future of business together through collaborative action and dutiful preparedness in a way that supports those most vulnerable to the disruption caused by the pandemic, such as women in the workforce and micro, small and medium-sized businesses, said Yousef Al-Benyan, Chair of B20 Saudi Arabia.



"Placed at the intersection of business and policy, the B20 is in a unique position to lead the conversation on how global issues such as the coronavirus pandemic impact the worlds economic well-being.



According to the OECD, should a second wave occur triggering a return to global lockdowns, world economic output is expected to plummet 7.6% in 2020, before climbing back 2.8% in 2021. At its peak, unemployment for OECD countries would more than double the rate prior to the outbreaks, with little recovery in the next year.



In the first panel discussion, The Macroeconomic Picture, Luiz de Mello, Director of the Policy Studies Branch at the Economics Department of the OECD said. Support will continue to be needed as the recovery gathers steam, and especially if there is a second wave. Over time, we will need to move away from rescue towards recovery and reallocation. The policies we put in place will need to consider this anglefor instance, job protection initiatives for individuals who work in sectors that suffer the most. We don't want to come out of this crisis with high structural unemployment or stranded assets.



B20 Finance & Infrastructure Taskforce Chair Rayan Fayez added: As we learn our lessons from the first Covid-19 wave, we must now focus our efforts on implementing a coordinated, cross-border action plan. While the global financial system continues to contract, we must ensure it can withstand a potential second wave and emerge stronger post-pandemic. In an intricately inter-connected and co-dependent global system of finance, trade, investment, technology, and governance, the crisis should be contained with globally coordinated measures.



The second panel discussion addressed The Business Imperative.The first wave of the pandemic showed the value of community and of consensus. And in the world of work, when employers and workers and their representative organizations embed social dialogue into their standard operating procedures, it enables negotiation and compromise on difficult issues, the sorts of hard socioeconomic problems that the world will face in confronting a second wave, commented Guy Ryder, Director General of the International Labour Organization.



In a fireside chat on The Healthcare Perspective, Dr. Hans Kluge, Regional Director for Europe of the World Health Organization, said: The global business community will play a fundamental role in minimizing the impact of a resurgence on Covid-19 and through collaboration across the public and private sector, must re-engineer the way we work to ensure the protection of employees and citizens. We urge the private sector to subscribe to an economy of wellbeing, where health is the vanguard of economic recovery and sustainable development leaving no one behind.



Covid-19 has exacerbated the digital divide for people and businesses, particularly women and MSMEs. Entrepreneurs all over the globe have demonstrated agility and resilience as they quickly adjusted their ways of operating to ensure business continuity. As the world may face potential new waves of infection, we need a coordinated effort between business leaders, governments and multilateral organizations to ensure businesses of all sizes have the financial, technological and regulatory support necessary to keep economies moving, said Diane Wang, Founder & CEO, DHgate and B20 Co-Chair, Digitalization Taskforce.



The event also follows the publication of the B20s Special Report to the G20entitled Jump-starting the Global Economy in a Post-Covid-19 Phase, outlining a six-point plan designed to combat the current global pandemic and lay a foundation to address future resurgences of the disease.



Both the discussion and the Special Report are products of the B20 Covid-19 Initiative, a cross-border and cross-industry group established to assess the key issues for business arising from the pandemic and how industries will react to the effects of the crisis.  TradeArabia News Service
Saudi-based Alkhabeer Capital, a leading asset management company specialising in alternative investments, said a 10-day subscription period to boost the assets of its real estate investment trust (REIT) fund begins tomorrow (July 19).

Last week, the funds unit holders approved increasing the funds total assets by SR722.8 million ($197 million) through issuing of additional units and securing extra shariah-compliant financing to acquire new assets, as well as paying the related costs and expenses, said a statement from Alkhabeer Capital, the fund manager.

The additional units will be issued at a price of SR8.91 per unit and the subscription will be available until August 6 for all investors, it stated.

The units offered will be first allocated to unit holders registered at the Securities Depository Center on the general meetings day and those willing to participate in the additional units on a pro rata basis. The remaining units (if any) will be allocated to the remaining investors, said Alkhabeer in its statement.

The subscription will be available through Aljazira Capital as the offering lead manager and Banque Saudi Fransi (BSF), it added.-TradeArabia News Service
Twitter cannot decide if it loves Netflixs latest reality show, Indian Matchmaking, or furiously hates it. However, one thing is for sure, everyone thinks it is cringeworthy beyond belief.

Lying somewhere in the same universe as Love Is Blind and Too Hot To Handle, Indian Matchmaking is also about men and women finding their romantic partners, minus the sex, the bikinis but plus the nosey, sexist and judgemental aunties.

On the show, a bunch of NRI kids rope in matchmaking aunty, Sima Taparia, to find them their perfect matches. Of course, fair girls, rich boys and mummy-pleasing partners are high up on everyones list. No one can call out the show for fictionalising the arrange marriage set-up of the desi community as it is quite close to the truth. But we guess no one wanted this dark reality get represented on Netflix and beamed to streaming devices across the world.

Yes, twitterverse, yes. Indian Matchmaking is exactly how all of us desis get married. With parents pre-buying jewelry & clothing for a certain neck, hand & body size & then deploying professionals who roam the world to fill that boy or girl shaped hole.  Hemant Mohapatra (@MohapatraHemant) July 19, 2020

28 minutes into Indian Matchmaking and I am mortified. Full body mortification. Seven-lives worth of mortification. Arranged marriages are embarrassing/shameful to watch in real life, what was the point behind taking it to the reel, read a tweet.

Im watching #IndianMatchmaking and Im cringing so hard. Because while non desis see this as a reality show... this is kind of actually legit. People actually act like this, its not even fake. Ok a lil fake for the show but still, read a comment. Another wrote, This show on Netflix #IndianMatchmaking is so cringey. Its everything about indian culture I hate and Im so glad I stood up for myself to be with someone outside of that culture and who loves me FOR ME and not just cause Im successful or pretty.

wow Indian matchmaking is really a cesspool of casteism, colourism, sexism, classism and what is this matching kundlis and all. are we in the 21st century?? @NetflixIndia wtf do better!!  Riddhi (@riddhhiiii) July 16, 2020

This show on Netflix #IndianMatchmaking is so cringey. Its everything about indian culture I hate and Im so glad I stood up for myself to be with someone outside of that culture and who loves me FOR ME and not just cause Im "successful or pretty"  Priyanka Bhakta (@Priyankiee) July 16, 2020

Regardless, many are quite unashamedly into the show. Twitter has already been divided into Camp Aparna and Camp Nadia, and the memes are flooding in. How the hell did #Netflix produce a program like #IndianMatchmaking? It is wrong on so many levels. Some of these things are appalling - sexism, classism. I, however, cannot stop watching it, read a tweet. Yes, Im going to watch every episode of this show. I already have too much to say about this. #IndianMatchmaking, wrote another, sharing a clip of a particularly bratty contestant Aparna being her usual self, wondering if she has to see her husband all the time.

If Nadia on #IndianMatchmaking is an 11/10 and getting ghosted then there is no hope for the rest of us   jigglypuffs inner demon (@ItsEliTime) July 17, 2020

Yes, Im going to watch every episode of this show. I already have too much to say about this. #IndianMatchmaking pic.twitter.com/gmHAnmUtBc  Serena Vora Chandra (@serenavora) July 16, 2020

Also read: Shekhar Kapur reacts to R Balkis find me better actors than Alia Bhatt, Ranbir Kapoor comment: Just saw Kai Po Che again

A few, are also hoping for Indian Matching making to ultimately be revealed as a satire on arranged marriages. I can see how #IndianMatchmaking is problematic. But I think its also fascinating in the way that it shows how for most people the opposite of loneliness is marriage. Nothing in between, wrote one. Glad Netflix made this show Indian Matchmaking so the whole world can know how crazy this country is. Its really hard to tell whether some parts of it are real or parody.

Glad Netflix made this show Indian Matchmaking so the whole world can know how crazy this country is. It's really hard to tell whether some parts of it are real or parody.  dorku (@Dorkstar) July 17, 2020

Wait, Indian Matchmaking on Netflix ISNT a parody????!!  also a cake (@Dhink_Chika) July 17, 2020

But looks like Indian Matchmaking is a cringe-watchers paradise already. It is currently at the 10th spot on Netflixs most watched list in India.

Follow @htshowbiz for more

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Parents Express Hope That Distance Learning Will Improve in Fall

SANTA CLARA, Calif.Next to a quiet street is an even quieter school. Normally thriving with students, it now sits empty, with the doors closed and the lockers and desks collecting dust.

This could describe any of a number of schools in the San Francisco Bay Area, where schools have been closed to in-person teaching since April due to the CCP virus (commonly known as the novel coronavirus). Students have been taking classes from home, and parents have been adjusting their schedules for this reason.

Now that some school districts have announced that they plan to start the new school year with distance learning, parents are sharing concerns about this but also expressing hope that distance learning will be better in the fall.

The Epoch Times called several parents to hear what this past spring was like and how they feel about the new plan.

Six-year-old Leo completes a homeschool activity suggested by the online learning website of his infant school, as his mother Moira, an employee of a regional council, works from home in the village of Marsden, near Huddersfield, northern England on May 15, 2020, during the novel coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic. (Photo by OLI SCARFF/AFP via Getty Images)

Frustration in Spring

Kimberley Williams is a full-time working mom of a 10-year-old daughter in the Santa Clara Unified School District. She felt disappointed in the spring, as nothing went perfectly.

Im not going to sugarcoat it. Its hard to juggle kind of being there with your kid, giving her what she needs as far as being able to ask questions about assignments. Because you kind of fill in for that teacher role, Williams said.

Lonette Cooper is a mother of five daughters, ranging from a toddler to a high school graduate, in the San Leandro Unified School District. She works graveyard shifts about 30 hours per week and normally sleeps during the day, but she has gotten less sleep since her kids started distance learning.

Her husband has a set schedule and works across the Bay in San Francisco, so they cannot flexibly alternate.

They have to be strategic to have a quiet space for online Zoom meetings, because their apartment is small. She is concerned that her children are not as attentive with distance learning as they would be in a classroom setting, so she has had to fill the teachers role.

I have to make sure that theyre disciplined, theyre focusing, their work is getting done, follow up with them to make sure that they dont have any questions that I need to redirect to the teachers, Cooper said.

Albert Ko is a father of four children, ranging from fourth grade to college, in the San Francisco Unified School District. He is also the executive vice president of the Second District of the California State PTA.

He said it was hard getting the younger ones to focus on Zoom calls.

Both he and his wife work full time. As an essential worker, he goes to work every day. His wife has been telecommuting, but when she does need to go in for work, they trade off.

When she goes in, then I have to flex my work schedule so that I could be at home to watch the kids and help them, he said.

Lydia Oey is a mother of a middle schooler and a high schooler in the San Leandro Unified School District. She was overwhelmed trying to juggle her workload while monitoring her childrens well-being.

I dont know how single parents could have done it. How can you take care of your own child, especially the seventh grader who would go to different sites and gaming and chat rooms and everything? she said. And then I would have to have my own Zoom meetings. You cant have people talking to you at the same time as youre trying to focus. It was crazy.

She tries to set up a chore chart to get everyone to help around the house.

I cant make all the food; lets organize a food chart. And then, okay, I cant do all the housework. Okay, whos got Monday bathroom, whos got Tuesday floors, or whatever, Oey said.

She feels frustrated when it does not always work out and she ends up doing it all.

Maria Chierichetti is a working mom of three children in the Santa Clara Unified School District. Two are in elementary school, and the youngest is a toddler.

She was able to balance her full-time job and kids, thanks to the help of a hired worker. But the worker recently finished her job and returned to her home country, so now Chierichetti worries about juggling the duties with her husband in the fall.

Jefferson Elementary in San Leandro. (Ilene Eng/The Epoch Times)

Working to Improve in Fall

The parents look forward to having a better experience in the fall by adjusting their schedules to be more flexible.

Both Williams and her husband work full time at home, so they can take turns helping their daughter.

We get together, we talk about what calls we have and meetings, and we figure out how we can best support her, depending on her school schedule. We just map it out, she said. What I end up doing is taking more of a break in the middle of the day, which Im lucky to do. My boss is open to that. And he takes on more of the evening stuff, and I just work a little bit later.

Similarly, Chierichetti and her husband have to take care of their kids themselves, since they do not have relatives in the area to help.

Chierichetti is freer in the summer, but in the fall she may hire another worker and send her toddler to daycare. She imagines she will work a lot of early morning and late night shifts.

I wasnt very happy with the distance learning that they did this year [in spring], but there seems to be a lot of changes to the new plan [in fall], so hopefully the kids will be able to progress with schools, Chierichetti said.

Lien Dang is the mother of an 11-year-old and a 13-year-old in the Evergreen School District in San Jose. She has been working from home and goes to work once a week. Her husband is an essential worker and goes to work every day.

Dang prefers that her children stay home rather than using a hybrid arrangement, because she is concerned about setting days to watch her children at home. She also doesnt want her mom to watch her kids, for fear that the elderly are more vulnerable to the virus.

If they go back to school, theres a high chance that they will be exposed to a lot of people, Dang said.

To make up for the lack of social interaction, she often tries to take them out to hike or visit close friends and relatives.

Oey will have to manage most of the situation on her own, since her husband has gone back to work. Her job will be more organized, and she can work around her kids schedules. For now, distance learning is far better than being exposed to the disease, she said.

Ko and his wife will juggle their schedules to fix their kids schedules.

We have more flexibility in our own work schedule. We can reschedule meetings, but they cant reschedule classes. So those are the things that are immovable objects, and well just put those down on the calendar first and just coordinate, he said.

Ko said that luckily each person has a device and enough space to spread outone in the bedroom, one in the kitchen, one in the dining, and one in the office.

Cooper hopes to see more parent involvement, like checking her childrens progress and curriculum for the upcoming weeks. She also hopes to see more extracurricular activities in the fall.

The Santa Clara Unified School District released a draft of the planning timeline and guiding principles to start on Aug. 17.

Similarly, the San Francisco Unified School District announced plans to start the school year with distance learning on Aug. 17.

On behalf of the Second District of the California State PTA, Ko emailed The Epoch Times a statement.

The safety and welfare of our children are paramount, and while distance learning in the fall is not preferred, it is a necessity at this time. Distance learning creates a plethora of problems for parents, however, who oftentimes have to stay at home to help facilitate learning while also working from home concurrently.

To deal with the non-instructional issues, parents are leveraging heavily on technologiesusing phones and tablets for playdates and meet and greets to socially interact and creating Zoom calls for a virtual happy hour for parents and PTA meetings, Ko wrote.

He also mentioned that they suffer socially and emotionally, and he suggested nearby outdoor activities as a solution.

Other districts are still taking surveys, planning, or looking into hybrid options as of the time of this writing.

On July 17, California Governor Gavin Newsom announced new guidelines for distance learning.

Science will determine when a school can be physically openand when it must close. But learning must be non-negotiable, he tweeted.
(Reuters) - Politicians and activists voiced an outpouring of grief and appreciation for U.S. Representative John Lewis, who died on Friday of pancreatic cancer at age 80

(Reuters) - Politicians and activists voiced an outpouring of grief and appreciation for U.S. Representative John Lewis, who died on Friday of pancreatic cancer at age 80.

Here are some of their quotes:

Former U.S. President Barack Obama

"He loved this country so much that he risked his life and his blood so that it might live up to its promise. And through the decades, he not only gave all of himself to the cause of freedom and justice, but inspired generations that followed to try to live up to his example."

Bernice King, the daughter of civil rights icon Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

"Farewell, sir. You did, indeed, fight the good fight and get into a lot of good trouble. You served God and humanity well. Thank you. Take your rest."

U.S. Vice President Mike Pence

"Congressman John Lewis was a great man whose courage and decades of public service changed America forever, and he will be deeply missed. John Lewis will be remembered as a giant of the civil rights movement whose selflessness and conviction rendered our nation into a more perfect union and his example will inspire generations of Americans."

Joe Biden, presumptive Democratic presidential nominee in 2020 and former U.S. Vice President

"Johns life reminds us that the most powerful symbol of what it means to be an American is what we do with the time we have to make real the promise of our nation  that we are all created equal and deserve to be treated equally. For parents trying to answer their childrens questions about what to make of the world we are in today, teach them about John Lewis. For the peaceful marchers for racial and economic justice around the world who are asking where we go from here, follow his lead."

Former U.S. President George W. Bush

"As a young man marching for equality in Selma, Alabama, John answered brutal violence with courageous hope. And throughout his career as a civil rights leader and public servant, he worked to make our country a more perfect union. America can best honor John's memory by continuing his journey toward liberty and justice for all."

Former U.S. President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton

"John Lewis gave all he had to redeem Americas unmet promise of equality and justice for all, and to create a place for us to build a more perfect union together."

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi

"John Lewis was a titan of the civil rights movement whose goodness, faith and bravery transformed our nation  from the determination with which he met discrimination at lunch counters and on Freedom Rides, to the courage he showed as a young man facing down violence and death on Edmund Pettus Bridge, to the moral leadership he brought to the Congress for more than 30 years."

Republican Majority Leader of the Senate Mitch McConnell

"The Senate and the nation mourn the loss of Congressman John Lewis, a pioneering civil rights leader who put his life on the line to fight racism, promote equal rights, and bring our nation into greater alignment with its founding principles."

Nathan Law, Hong Kong pro-democracy activist and former legislator

"RIP Congressman John Lewis. Thank you for your support. Thank you for your activism. Thank you for your lessons."

Alabama Governor Kay Ivey"Our country has lost one of its most beloved Civil Rights leaders. I join my fellow Alabamians and the nation in mourning the death of Rep. John Lewis. He dedicated his life to serving his community and advocating for others. Well forever remember his heroism and his enduring legacy."

Stacey Abrams, Democratic activist and founder of Fair Fight, a voting rights group in Lewis home state of Georgia

"Our conscience, he was a griot of this modern age, one who saw its hatred but fought ever towards the light... And never once did he begrudge sharing its beauty. I loved him & will miss him.

Senator Kamala Harris

"John Lewis was an icon who fought with every ounce of his being to advance the cause of civil rights for all Americans. I'm devastated for his family, friends, staff - and all those whose lives he touched."

(Reporting by Trevor Hunnicutt and Peter Szekely in New York and Lucia Mutikani, Patricia Zengerle and Chris Prentice in Washington; Writing by Gerry Doyle; Editing by William Mallard and Sonya Hepinstall)

This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed.
The Rajasthan High Court is set to hear a petition filed by Sachin Pilot and 18 other dissident Congress MLAs, challenging the disqualification notices issued by the assembly Speaker.

The group of former deputy chief minister had on Thursday challenged the disqualification notices under the anti-defection law, citing that they hadn't done or said anything that would indicate that they were parting ways from the Congress.

Pilot's team termed the notices under the Tenth Schedule a way to suppress their 'freedom of speech' and to impose the 'majoritarian views of the party on them'.

Meanwhile, ahead of the hearing, the Special Operations Group (SOG) of the Rajasthan Police has been hunting for the legislators of the Pilot camp. While it reached the State House in Delhi earlier in the day, by evening the team arrived at Manesar's Best Western Resort near Gurugram.

The Congress, however, asserted that it has "absolute majority" in the Rajasthan assembly.

News agency PTI stated that its sources in the Congress also did not rule out the possibility that an assembly session could be convened, even as party chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala saying it is the prerogative of the state cabinet and the chief minister, and "they will decide appropriately".

The Congress is mulling convening a session of the state assembly to checkmate rebel party MLAs, who are led by Sachin Pilot, in voting in favour of the government in the House or face disqualification, sources claimed.

"To seek a floor test or otherwise is the sole discretion of the cabinet of Rajasthan and the chief minister. It is the domain of the chief minister and the ministers in the cabinet and the legislature party, and they will decide appropriately," Surejwala told reporters when asked whether the Congress was mulling calling a session of the state assembly.

On the BJP's claims that the Congress does not have a majority in the state assembly, Surjewala asked what has changed in the last 48 hours that BJP state president Satish Poonia is so scared that he is not seeking a trust vote.

"They are conceding that we have an absolute majority, which we have," he said, adding that the Congress has the support of 109 MLAs in the 200-mmeber assembly.

"The Congress has the strength and majority, and BJP leaders in Rajasthan are accepting it. They are now saying, BJP is not demanding President's rule and the Congress government should not convene the assembly session," Surejwala said.

As far as the Congress rebel MLAs are concerned, he said they are part of the Congress and a family matter can be resolved by a family, and not through the media.

Pilot was stripped of his position as deputy chief minister and Rajasthan Congress chief after he rebelled against the Ashok Gehlot government in the state.

"Sachin Pilot and his loyalists should leave BJP's hospitality and return to the family and discuss the issues, if any, within the family," he said in message to Pilot.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-07-20 00:09:39|Editor: huaxia

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DAMASCUS, July 19 (Xinhua) -- Syrians on Sunday headed to the polling stations to cast their ballots in the parliamentary elections amid hopes that the new lawmakers could make a difference in the tough economic situation.

Started in the early morning, a total of 7,277 polling stations opened across the government-controlled areas for the one-day elections as voters have the chance to vote for 1,656 candidates for the 250-seat parliament amid medical consideration due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Workers with disinfectants and thermal-checking devices were at the gates of most centers, checking the temperature of the voters and spraying sanitizers on their hands before letting them in.

The parliament elections this year are the third during the more than nine-year-long war in Syria.

The Syrian government highlighted the event with campaigns urging people to vote and take part in the electoral process.

President Bashar al-Assad and his wife, Asma al-Assad, took part in the elections.

The Presidential Media office posted photos, showing Assad and his wife wearing masks while casting their ballots at a polling station in the Presidential Affairs Ministry in capital Damascus.

The president postponed the elections twice this year from their original date in April due to the COVID-19 crisis.

According to the law, after the parliamentary elections, Assad will name a new prime minister and ask him to form a new government.

Over the past few days, the streets in Damascus were filled with posters of the candidates, many of whom are already members of the parliament and had run for the elections four years ago.

The new thing this year is the number of young candidates that have not been noticed in the previous elections. Still, the footprint of the ruling al-Baath party is expected to be obvious in this election like in the previous ones as more than half of the candidates are members of the party.

This year, the government also allocated polling stations for Syrians who are originally from rebel-held areas and other places out of the government control but reside in government-controlled areas.

In Latakia, the government set up polling stations for the people of the rebel-held Idlib Province in northwestern Syria.

It is worth noting that the Syrian government is now in control of around 70 percent of the Syrian territory with ultra-radical rebels in control of Idlib in northwestern Syria and the U.S.-backed Kurdish militia of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) controls areas in northeastern Syria.

Luqman Ahma, spokesman of the self-declared Kurdish administration in northern and northeastern Syria, said in a press conference Saturday that there will be no polling centers in areas controlled by the Kurdish groups, adding that the Kurdish administration has nothing to do with the parliamentarian elections.

The elections this year come amid a harsh economic situation with tightened sanctions and an unprecedented steep slide in the value of the Syrian pound against major currencies.

The prices of all materials have more than doubled in recent weeks and people are discontent with the new situation.

The economic situation has started a free fall when the border of the country with Lebanon closed as a result of the measures taken by the Syrian government against the spread of the COVID-19.

Later on, the United States imposed a new set of sanctions under the so-called Caesar Syria Civilian Protection Act, which is a U.S. legislation that sanctions the Syrian government, including President Assad, for alleged war crimes against the Syrian population.

Almost all of the voters in the Sunday elections hoped the new lawmakers could make a difference in dealing with the most pressing demands of the people and find solutions to the worsening economic crisis.

"The elections at this stage come at a very important phase as Syria is going through crisis. We passed through war and now we have an economic crisis, so today is an opportunity for the Syrian people to take part in the elections and choose the candidates who can voice their needs," Muhammad al-Masri, a voter, told Xinhua.

For Rana Hasan, another voter, the new lawmakers should find solutions to the economic situation in the country.

"We are in a desperate need for someone who can do something right at this time and serve the people. I think the parliament should shoulder its responsibilities and serve the people," she said.

Meanwhile, Aref al-Tawil, a candidate, said that Syria is under unprecedented economic pressure as a result of external and internal factors.

He said that what is needed from the parliament are the "needs of the Syrian people, which is under unprecedented economic pressure."

Al-Tawil said there are foreign sanctions and a war imposed on Syria, draining its resources as well as internal reasons such as corruption that "we have to eradicate."

He said self-reliance can be achieved through activating industry and agriculture. Enditem
michael barbaro

From The New York Times, Im Michael Barbaro. This is The Daily.

[music]

michael barbaro

Today: The life, lessons and legacy of John Lewis. I spoke with my colleague, Times editorial board member, Brent Staples. Its Monday, July 20. Brent, I want to start by going back with you to the time when John Lewis and others began engaging in nonviolent protests as part of the civil rights movement. Where were you during that period?

brent staples

Like everyone else at the time in the middle 60s, I was sitting with my parents, watching television 

archived recording 1 [MUSIC] Its 11:00 p.m., and time for the reporters and the news. archived recording 2 Good evening. Bad news for Alabama today. Some school desegregation strategy has backfired. archived recording 3 Policemen occasionally clubbed demonstrators and used a variety of other tactics designed to break their spirit.

brent staples

 and the nightly news of the scenes of people being ravaged by the police in the South in the streets. And I became attuned to the revolution that was unfolding in the South, where people had put themselves in harms way to highlight the injustice of Southern apartheid.

archived recording The Southerners, white and Negro, spattered with ketchup and mustard, sugar, salt and pepper, were carted off, unprotesting to jail.

brent staples

But as I became more politically active, I had difficulty  probably natural difficulty, understanding how one would put oneself on the line to be actually beaten and bloodied, and what the utility of that was. And by that time, the movement in the South had evolved some way.

archived recording (SINGING) No more brothers in jail. Off the pigs! The pigs are gonna catch hell.

brent staples

By 66, you began to get the Black Power slogans.

archived recording They dont want us to use Black Power. I got news for them. [LAUGHTER]

brent staples

So I came into consciousness in my teens as a Black Power figure.

archived recording This is not a riot, it is a rebellion.

brent staples

It was empowering.

archived recording Number two, you are to be proud of your Black brothers and sisters at Fifth, because a honky cop touched one of them, and they told them, youve got to touch all of us.

brent staples

But it took some time into my late teens to begin to understand what had happened coming up to that. And that is when I become aware of what had passed before when I was a younger kid.

michael barbaro

In other words, it took you some time to understand why the nonviolent figures had taken the approach that they had taken.

brent staples

Yes.

michael barbaro

So I want you to take us through John Lewiss life and how this philosophy you just described was shaped and how it evolved. So where does that story begin?

brent staples

John Lewis, he grows up in rural Alabama near Troy, Alabama. His parents initially were sharecroppers. And you know, sharecropping was a successor form of slavery. So John was born into that. And his parents, they were lucky they saved enough money to buy a farm. But he graduated high school, segregated high school, and wanted to go to Troy State College, which didnt admit Black people. And he applied and sent in his information. And he never heard back. And he wrote a letter at one point to Martin Luther King. And I presume he wanted some help in desegregating Troy State. And Martin Luther King sent him a roundtrip bus ticket. And he went and he met King, and they formed a relationship. The substance of that, I dont know, but it was extremely influential for John. And he left Troy not long after that and moved to Nashville.

[music]

brent staples

He went to seminary in Nashville. And there, he met some of the early civil rights figures. He met James Lawson  Reverend James Lawson  who was kind of a philosopher of nonviolent resistance. Lawson had studied Gandhis nonviolent movement and the strategies that Gandhi had deployed against Britain during the colonial period. And hed come back with a deep sense of what the philosophy was and how powerful nonviolence could be.

michael barbaro

And what exactly is the philosophy?

brent staples

I have Johns memoir here. In 1958, I think it is, Jim Lawson mentions to him the idea of, quote, redemptive suffering. And he explains that it affects not only ourselves, but it touches and changes those around us as well. It opens us and those around us to a force beyond ourselves. A force that is right and moral. The force of righteous truth that is the basis of human conscious. Suffering puts us and those around us in touch with our consciences. It open and touches our hearts. It makes us feel compassion where we need to and guilt if we must. So this idea, to him, this redemptive suffering, it is at the heart of the philosophy of nonviolent protest. At the very heart of it. This is a good paragraph from the book: One method of practicing this approach, when faced with a hateful, angry, aggressive, even despicable person, is to imagine that person  actually visualize him or her  as an infant, as a baby. If you can see this full-grown attacker who faces you as a pure, innocent child that he or she once was, it is not hard to find compassion in your heart. But then it wasnt just a tactic. It was a way of life. It was embracing the biblical prescription that one must love ones enemies. Thats a biblical prescription. And its the hardest thing in the world to carry out.

michael barbaro

Well, so how do we start to see this get carried out among Lewis and these seminary students in Nashville?

brent staples

Well, Nashville was itself at the time another southern town, where if you went into a restaurant and sat down the people would just look at you and the waitresses would say, sorry, this place doesnt serve [EXPLETIVE]. And that would generally be the end of it. But these students came in that place and sat down and asked to be fed. And when they were told that they were not served, they stayed. And they took a lot of abuse from it. And people spat upon them, beat them, battered them, and poured condiments over their heads. All kinds of things. And I remember our friend, David Halberstam, our former colleague, was working at a newspaper there at the time. He was working at The Nashville Tennesseean. And this is one of the things he wrote: The protest had been conducted with exceptional dignity, and gradually, one image had come into prevail  that of elegant, courteous, young Black people, holding to their Gandhian principles, seeking the most elemental of rights, while being assaulted by young white hoodlums who beat them up and on occasion extinguished cigarettes on their bodies. So you see John Lewis and others being carried away in these, really, suits and ties and crisp white shirt. And basically refusing to walk themselves, being completely passive and nonresistant. And this worked out extremely  I mean, in a very short period of time, it worked out extremely well in Nashville. After three months of sit-ins, the city basically caved and became the first major Southern city to begin desegregating public facilities.

michael barbaro

So very early on, the protest that John Lewis is beginning to participate in, after he meets Martin Luther King and begins to understand the strategy, they are starting to show real signs of effectiveness.

brent staples

Oh, yeah.

michael barbaro

These peaceful, nonviolent protests.

brent staples

Exactly. Yeah. This is astonishing thing, to me, to this day, to practice the non-violent approach to life. To really embrace it, one needs to understand that the person who was extinguishing a cigarette in your throat because you want to sit down at a luncheon counter is as much a victim as you are. What John was saying  you, in pursuit of justice, you cannot let violence win your heart. That if you do that, youre surrendering, really, to the dark force that youre trying to defeat.

michael barbaro

Brent, youre reading from a memoir that is written in the later years of John Lewiss life. But my understanding is that this philosophy that he embraced and that he practiced, it was not entirely a foregone conclusion that this would be the way that it went, and that the March on Washington is an example of a moment where we see a young John Lewis grappling with which path hes going to take. Can you tell us the story of that speech?

brent staples

Well, you see, what I finally figured out is that by the time John Lewis, at the age of 23, gets to the march on Washington  this is the most important public gathering of Black people in the century  he has already been on the Freedom Rides. Integrated groups have taken buses into the deep south to test laws that forbid segregation on interstate transport. Hes been arrested on those trips for going into white-only bathrooms. Hes been beaten just for being on buses with white people. In the end, John ended up being arrested, like, 40 times.

michael barbaro

Right.

brent staples

And if you look at some of the pictures of the mugshots when hes arrested, you can see him smiling because hes basically saying, you think youre afflicting me, but youre playing into what I want to do. But hes still 23 years old. Thats all he is. And he basically comes into Washington with a speech. And this one somehow found its way into public. And one of the striking things about it, he tells people to get into the street and stay in the street until the revolution is finished. And he names the sort of racist segregationist senators by name. And state governors, too.

michael barbaro

Wow.

brent staples

Im going to read from it. We wont stop now. All the forces of Eastland, Barnett, Wallace, Thurman wont stop this revolution. The time will come when we will not confine our marching to Washington. We will march through the South, through the heart of Dixie, the way Sherman did. We shall pursue our own scorched earth policy and burn Jim Crow to the ground nonviolently.

michael barbaro

Wow. And to explain that reference, hes referring to the Union General who literally burns large sections of the South during the Civil War.

brent staples

Yes, hes referring to William Tecumseh Sherman. We shall pursue our own scorched earth policy and burn Jim Crow to the ground nonviolently. We shall fragment the south into a thousand pieces and put them back together in the image of democracy. We will make the action of the past few months look petty. And I say to you, wake up, America.

michael barbaro

Brent, that language doesnt sound, even as it invokes the word, nonviolent. So what do you think that he meant by those words in that draft?

brent staples

Well, Ive come to figure out what he meant. Now, understand, as I was saying earlier, by the time he renders this speech, he has become steeped in the nonviolent impulse. But his frame, he was portraying it as a forceful measure that could be as powerful and changing, as was the sweep of Sherman through South Carolina and Georgia. What you have here is, John is working at a very high concept here, right? Hes working at a high concept. Hes saying, we can be  he was essentially arguing that nonviolent protests could be transformative. As transformative and as disruptive as war as carried out by the most feared general in the Union Army. That is itself a very powerful metaphor. And its a testament to his beliefs and what his approach could do. And he was calling upon hundreds of thousands of people to come out into the street and make that a reality. But thats a high concept. And on the evening news, you can imagine youd end up with a snippet of a scorched earth Sherman burning Atlanta again.

michael barbaro

Right, it might get lost in translation. It might actually undermine the very thing hes trying to promote.

brent staples

Exactly. So basically, A. Philip Randolph, Martin Luther King, those guys prevailed on him to make some changes in it. They were talking about, lets not do anything to just not give them a sound bite thats going to give us trouble. I can hear him saying it. I dont have the tape, but I can hear them saying to John, lets not give them a sound bite thats going to give us trouble. You can say its a revolution. You can call people on the street. You can even call them the Black masses, if you want to, even though that sounds like communism, right? You could say those things. But lets leave off Sherman for next time. Right? [LAUGHS] So Sherman goes out.

archived recording (john lewis) We march today for jobs and freedom. But we have nothing to be proud of. For hundreds of thousands of our brothers are not here.

brent staples

He talks about marching.

archived recording (john lewis) The time will come. We will not confine our marching to Washington. We will march through the South, through the streets of Jackson 

brent staples

We will march through the street of Jackson, through the streets of Danville, through the streets of Cambridge, through the streets of Birmingham.

archived recording (john lewis) But we will march with the spirit of love and with the spirit of dignity that we have shown here today. [APPLAUSE] By the forces of our demand, our determination and our numbers, we shall splinter the segregated South into a thousand pieces and put them together in the image of God and democracy. We must say, Wake up, America! Wake up! For we cannot stop, and we will not and cannot be patient. [APPLAUSE]

brent staples

So this is pretty much the same. But Sherman is missing.

michael barbaro

So in terms of thinking about the speech that John Lewis drafted versus the one he delivered, on that historic day, youre saying its not that the earlier version of the speech shows John Lewis questioning the nonviolent approach. Its that he believed in the nonviolent approach, but that the language he contemplated using  his belief that the power of that approach could be as powerful as burning  that was determined to be potentially counterproductive to the nonviolent approach he believed in.

brent staples

Exactly. But he talks about going back to his hotel room after that first conversation and just being livid because, of course, its a 23-year-old mans speech. And a 23-year-old man who had been beaten to an inch of his life while fighting for dignity for Black people. Im sure he felt entitled to say any damn thing he wanted to. Because he had the credibility of the streets behind him and the people in the Douth beginning to know who he was. And they were going to really know who he was, come two years later at the voting rights march at Selma.

[music]

michael barbaro

Well be right back.

[music]

michael barbaro

Brent, tell me about that. I mean, lets talk about what happens after the March on Washington, after John Lewiss rhetorical wings are ever so slightly clipped, but he does deliver the essential message. How do we see this concept of the power of nonviolence actually play out over the next couple of years?

brent staples

The next big data point becomes the voting rights struggle in Selma, Alabama. Now its important, I think, to dilate for just a second for the modern listener. The modern listener needs to understand that in voting arrangements in the South, before the Voting Rights Act, local registrars had complete authority to do whatever they wanted with people who came in to register to vote. They could give you a test and then say you failed it so you cant register. And they did that all day long, all day, every day, to Black people. In Virginia, a college-educated woman, Black woman, who I believe was a teacher, went into register at one point and filled the application. And the registrar handed her a literacy test. You know what it consisted of? A blank sheet of paper. He asked her, what does this say? And she looked at it and handed it back, and she said nothing. He said, youre wrong. You fail. You cant register. Elsewhere in the South, they might ask you if you came in to register to vote, how many bubbles are there in a bar of soap? Elsewhere, a famous example in the film Selma, where a woman had come in to register one year, and they asked her, how many judges are there in the state of Alabama? And she didnt know. They said, well, you fail. And she came back the second year. And he said, how many county judges are there in Alabama? And I think it was 67. And she said 67. And he said now, before you register, you have to name them.

michael barbaro

Aw.

brent staples

So this was what life was like for Black people seeking to vote in the South. Now John Lewiss organization, the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee, had already set up a voting rights project in Selma and had been working on that. But it came to fruition in 1965, where people had been fed up. And so they staged a march from Selma to Montgomery to protest in favor of voting rights for Black people. And then that fateful day, on the Edmund Pettus Bridge, they were walking. State troopers came out and said, this is unlawful.

archived recording It would be detrimental to your safety to continue this march. And Im saying that this is an unlawful assembly. You have to disperse. You are ordered to disperse. Go home, or go to your church. This march will not continue.

brent staples

You cannot march.

archived recording Troopers, here, advance toward the gate. See that they disperse.

brent staples

And then John said to the sheriff. He said, can I have a word? Because you know hes in the front with his little off-white trenchcoat on. And now theres a thing about this trenchcoat, right? Its very light, so you can see him standing out from everyone else. And the other thing about it is, once blood gets on it, you can really see it. So Im sure that that was premeditated. So he comes out front, and he says, can I have a word? No, you cant have a word. And the troopers begin to advance. And they beat holy hell out of those people. They sent 58 people to the hospital. John Lewis suffers a fractured skull. And by the time the film is flown back to New York to be shown on the air  and its really one of those films where you see these people running. You see tear gas and these billy clubs just going up and down, just beating the shit out of people. And because John was in front, you could see him holding his head where hed been hit. And it was on the ground.

archived recording Can we have somebody take somebody to a doctor? [CROWD CLAMORING]

brent staples

That, in my opinion  Im not the historian here  but in my opinion, that was the ultimate triumph of the nonviolent approach and the suffering approach as he was saying.

michael barbaro

Why triumphant?

brent staples

Well, it was triumphant because even people who had tried to look away from what was happening in the South were forced to see the long arm of the law persecuting people publicly. Not just perscute, trying to kill them publicly. And also, the Voting Rights Act was pending at that time. And after this happened, Lyndon Johnson addressed a joint session of both Houses of Congress, I believe, and said 

archived recording (lyndon b. johnson) It was more than 100 years ago that Abraham Lincoln, the great president of another party, signed the Emancipation Proclamation. But emancipation is a proclamation, and not a fact. A century has passed, more than 100 years since equality was promised.

brent staples

We cannot delay any longer.

archived recording (lyndon b. johnson) A century has passed since the day of promise. And the promise is unkept. The time of justice has now come. We shall overcome.

[music]

brent staples

So the Voting Rights Act was signed later that summer in August. It didnt take long. So when people come in to register to vote, you can no longer ask them how many bubbles are in a bar of soap, or to name every judge in the state. This is a big leap in our time.

michael barbaro

So quite literally, theres a straight line between the scene of what happened on that bridge, and something John Lewis knew would be so powerful  the concept of nonviolent suffering  and the legislative remedy back in Washington that resulted.

brent staples

Yes.

michael barbaro

Because the world had seen this happen.

brent staples

Right. Yeah, I think so. But also, you begin to see the sort of apex of this message really is 65, 66. And at some point, then, John is replaced in the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee presidency by Stokely Carmichael, a fiery orator and one of the primary enunciaters of the Black Power movement, that was more consistent with the emerging radicalism of the time.

michael barbaro

And that was the movement that you felt a part of.

brent staples

Yes. Thats where we came into the story, you know?

michael barbaro

Brent, on some level, you and your cohort must have thought that this approach, the John Lewis approach, had limitations. Given that by the time you were a teenager, or maybe even entering your early 20s, there was this new philosophy taking hold of a more elbows out, less restrained approach. So how do you think about that?

brent staples

Well, its interesting. And I do think about it. What had happened, really, is every generation, until it educates itself, thinks its experience is unique. So we thought we were unique. My cousins and I, and we had our big meetings, and we had our press conferences. And we had a different rhetorical stance. But in the end, the tools were exactly the same. The tools were the sit-in of the administration building. The tool was the sit-in in the street that ran through campus. The tool was the building takeover. These were the same tools, man. I mean, I had bigger hair, right? Right? And Ill send you a picture. Ill have [INAUDIBLE].

michael barbaro

Please do.

brent staples

I have good hair, though. But if you look back on it, the tools were the same.

michael barbaro

And it was a foundation that had already been built, even if you didnt see it that way at the time.

brent staples

And even if you didnt know it. You know what Im saying? Even if you didnt know. I keep going back to this point earlier in this story, when they were doing the Freedom Rides in 1961. They had a big Chinese dinner in Washington, that people were going off on these Freedom Rides. And a lot of people wrote their wills, because they thought that theyd be killed  theres a chance theyd be killed and never come back. And they referred to the meal at the Chinese restaurant as the last supper. So these people were willing to put their lives on the line, were willing to accept the possibility that they would be killed in the pursuit of justice, and that their dead bodies laying out in public would be part of a sacrifice that would advance the cause of justice. Thats profound. No?

michael barbaro

Mm-hmm. So with all that in mind, Brent, how are you thinking about John Lewiss legacy at this moment, as we talk in the middle of yet another critical moment in this movement, and when the work is still understood to be very unfinished.

brent staples

You know, John Lewis, in the waning days of his life, was heartened and overjoyed to see the global protests that unfolded after the killing of Mr. Floyd. He talked about it as part of the extension of his work. And one of the things he said, he essentially  Im paraphrasing  he said, the things out of the box now. He said, theres no going back from this.

michael barbaro

Hm. And what about the principles of his life? How are you thinking about those in this moment?

brent staples

Well, I think that, as you see, his point of view was borne out.

archived recording [SHOUTING] Dont touch me! Dont touch me! Dont touch me.

brent staples

The other day, The New York Times had a story in which it had 64 examples, video examples of police brutalizing peaceful demonstrators.

michael barbaro

Mm-hmm, I saw it.

brent staples

Right? Now, what is that? What that is, is what John was talking about. He was talking about this kind of injustice perpetrated on people who did not deserve it, did not warrant that kind of treatment. And also, weve been seeing in this unfolding of the Floyd protests in  its a repeated theme in the news stories  white suburbanites, middle class white people, who supported the police unquestioningly, right? They have changed their minds.

michael barbaro

Hm.

archived recording [CROWD CLAMORING]

brent staples

The real persuasive thing is seeing people walking around in the street with signs, unarmed, not doing anything untoward, and be brutalized. That turns out to be the most persuasive thing for the society and for the people to whom it has happening.

archived recording 1 Dont resist! Dont resist! Dont resist! Dont resist, bro. archived recording 2 Im not! archived recording 3 Dont resist, bro.

michael barbaro

Hm. In other words, we are again seeing this idea of the beloved community playing out, the Gandhian philosophy, this biblical approach that you described.

brent staples

Yes.

michael barbaro

Its working. Its painfully working again.

brent staples

Yes, its painful. Lord knows it is. Its painful. But abuse of the people in public  peoples constitutional rights  through violence by police organizations, has broad, rippling consequences. Its having broad, rippling consequences. Its beyond the people who you beat up who now dont have confidence in the police. And John saw all that.

archived recording [CROWD CLAMORING]

michael barbaro

Brent, is there anything from Lewiss memoir that you havent already shared that you want to leave us with?

brent staples

Well, I dont know if it fits. But perhaps we should just put that aside and read from one of John Lewiss favorite poems. Its Invictus by William Ernest Henley: Out of the night that covers me, black as the pit from pole to pole, I thank whatever gods may be for my unconquerable soul. In the fell clutch of circumstance, I have not winced nor cried aloud. Under the bludgeonings of chance, my head is bloody but unbowed. Beyond this place of wrath and tears looms but the horror of the shade. And yet the menace of the years finds and shall find me unafraid. It matters not how straight the gate, how charged with punishments the scroll. I am the master of my fate. I am the captain of my soul.

[music]

michael barbaro

Brent, thank you very much. We really appreciate your time today.

brent staples

Well, good to be with you.

[music]

archived recording Boy, Congressman Lewis joins us now for his first network TV interview since the protests over the death of George Floyd began. Congressman John Lewis, its so good to see you. I cant tell you, you are such a sight for sore eyes today. Its really good to see you. What would you tell, Congressman, young people, and people, quite frankly, who are not so young, about the best way to seek justice? You know, theres been a lot of controversy, a lot of talk about the looting. And we should stress that most of the protests were very peaceful. But there was some looting. There was some disruption. What would you say to people about the best way to achieve justice? archived recording (john lewis) It was very moving. It was very moving to see hundreds and thousands of people from all over America and around the world taking to the streets, to the roadways, to stand up, to speak up, to speak out, to do what I call getting in trouble. During the 60s, the great majority of us accepted the way of peace, the way of love, the philosophy and discipline of nonviolence as a way of life, as a way of living. Theres something cleansing, something wholesome, about being peaceful and orderly, to stand up and with a sense of dignity, and a sense of pride, and never hate. Dr. King said over and over again, Hate is too heavy a burden to bear. The way of love is the much better way. And thats what we did. We were arrested. Yes, I was beaten, left bloody and unconscious. But I never became bitter or hostile, never gave up. I believed that somehow and some way, if it becomes necessary to use our bodies to have redeem the soul of a nation, then we must do it. Create a society at peace with yourself.

[music]

michael barbaro
A spokesperson for Gov. Gretchen Whitmer refuted President Donald Trumps claim that he contacted Michigan officials about holding a rally in the state.

Trump, in an interview with Chris Wallace on Fox News Sunday said Democratic governors are preventing him from organizing political rallies for his reelection campaign due to the coronavirus. The president did not clarify who he called about the prospect of holding an event in Michigan, but Whitmer spokesperson Tiffany Brown said the governors office has not been contacted by the Trump campaign.

I called Michigan, Trump said Sunday. I want to have a big rally in Michigan. You know we are not allowed to have a rally in Michigan? Do you know we are not allowed to have a rally in Minnesota? Do you know were not allowed to have a rally in Nevada? Were not allowed to have rallies in these Democrat-run states.

The Democratic governors office did not immediately respond when asked whether it would prevent rallies that attract large crowds due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Whitmer issued an executive order on June 5 allowing indoor social gatherings and organized events of up to 50 people. Outdoor social gatherings and organized events cannot exceed 250 people, under Whitmers order.

However, Whitmer has not moved to stop several outdoor protests against her orders and police brutality that brought hundreds to Michigans Capitol and cities around the state.

Whitmer told the Associated Press last month she would think very seriously about trying to block the president from hosting a campaign rally in Michigan.

Trumps June 20 rally in Tulsa, Oklahoma, his first public event since March, was followed by an increase in new coronavirus cases. Tulsa City-County Health Department Director Dr. Bruce Dart drew a connection between the rally and a surge in cases, while several campaign staff members and two Secret Service agents who worked in the city ahead of the rally reportedly tested positive for the virus.

Trump has not held a campaign rally in Michigan since visiting Battle Creek in December 2019. He blamed the "Chinese virus" and Whitmer while joining Michigan supporters by phone for an online event Saturday.

"I want to get out there and do the rally as soon as we can and we will be doing that," Trump said Saturday. "Between COVID and your Governor's restrictions, it really makes it very difficult, but we'll be out there eventually."

Trump said he is working with Whitmer to deal with the pandemic, but also offered some vague criticism of the governor.

We are working with her, Trump said Saturday. Sometimes we dont want to and we disagree with many of the things shes doing, but we will continue to work with her. Were also working, quite honestly, around her. We have to do that because what she wants to do is not going to be good for the state.

The presidents son Donald Trump Jr. told reporters earlier this month that he expects Whitmer to block presidential campaign events under the guise of the COVID-19 pandemic. He said events could be held safely by requiring masks and social distancing.

I have a feeling a lot of the governors in the swing states, the liberal governors are going to do whatever they can to quash events and quash rallies, the presidents son said. Given the sort of partisan manner in which Gretchen Whitmer has handled everything as it relates to Michigan, it would be little shock to me whatsoever that she would do whatever she can, under the guise of corona(virus) of course.

Whitmer spokesperson Zack Pohl said the governor is focused on saving the lives of Michiganders and remains unbothered by partisan games and political attacks, in response to Trump Jr.s remarks.

If the Trump Administration was as concerned about protecting the publics health as it is about hosting dangerous rallies that can be breeding grounds for spreading COVID-19, perhaps there would be a national pandemic response plan or federal mask-up campaign to combat this virus that has already killed tens of thousands of Americans across the United States, Pohl said in a statement.

The coronavirus pandemic resulted in 73,180 confirmed cases and 6,117 deaths as of July 18. Michigan and several other states are experiencing a surge in new cases this month after the rate of weekly infections declined through May and June.

Michigan reported 660 new confirmed cases of coronavirus on Friday, July 17, which means the state is now averaging more than 600 cases a day for the first since mid-May.

The president defended his past assertion that the virus will disappear in the near future during the Sunday interview.

Ill be right eventually, Trump said. I will be right eventually. You know I said, Its going to disappear. Ill say it again.  Its going to disappear, and Ill be right.

COVID-19 PREVENTION TIPS

In addition to washing hands regularly and not touching your face, officials recommend practicing social distancing, assuming anyone may be carrying the virus.

Health officials say you should be staying at least 6 feet away from others and working from home, if possible.

Use disinfecting wipes or disinfecting spray cleaners on frequently-touched surfaces in your home (door handles, faucets, countertops) and carry hand sanitizer with you when you go into places like stores.

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has also issued an executive order requiring people to wear face coverings over their mouth and nose while inside enclosed, public spaces.

Additional information is available at Michigan.gov/Coronavirus and CDC.gov/Coronavirus.

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Libya has been in chaos since long-term dictator Moamar Kaddafi was killed and his government overthrown in mid-2011. Kaddafi was typical of many Middle Eastern rulers in that he started out as a career military man and, then when the opportunity presented itself, he staged a military coup to overthrow a weak and unpopular government, a post-colonial monarchy. Kaddafi had oil wealth and used it to stay in power since 1969. Kaddafi had basically bribed most Libyans since 1969 to not oppose him. But in 2011 revolution was in the air throughout the Arab world. Neighboring Tunisia and Egypt saw their dictatorships overthrown. Libya followed but, unlike Tunisia and Egypt, was unable to form a new government. The UN found that the revolution had destroyed the military and national police. Kaddafi was paranoid and quick to imprison or drive into exile anyone who might oppose him politically.

Meanwhile, six million Libyans were angry that their welfare state was breaking down. The only politics that worked was local. That meant over a thousand local political, tribal and religious militias formed. These were armed by looting the large stock of weapons Kaddafi maintained for an unspecified emergency.

The UN offered its services to help form a new government but found widespread chaos in the thinly populated country. There were about six million people in 2011, mostly in coastal cities. Violence since 2011 has left over 40,000 dead, but by 2015 fighting had died down and been replaced by fear of economic collapse. The UN was unwilling to send peacekeepers. In part that was because there much greater need for peacekeepers elsewhere. Then there was the fact that there was a lot less death and violence in Libya compared to other hotspots. Then there was the fact that Libya was rich in oil, so rich that up until 2011 Libya was a welfare state run by a somewhat unstable dictator.

Many Libyans sought to flee if they could and by 2017 about a third of the 6.2 million population of Libyans had left the country, most of them to neighboring Tunisia. Most of the 2-3 million foreign workers have also fled. The people most likely to leave were the educated and talented Libyans the country needed most. This has made it difficult for the Tripoli and Tobruk governments to find qualified people to fill senior posts.

UN efforts to help form a new government backfired. As a result, there have been two rival governments in Libya since 2015. The 2015 deal the UN brokered, backed and pushed through to create the GNA was a mistake and the UN later admitted they ignored the complexity of local politics in Libya and the ability of many local groups to block a nation-wide deal. The UN also played down the power many Islamic militias in Tripoli and Misrata (the major coastal cities in the west) retained while pretending to support or tolerate the GNA. Meanwhile, these militias refused to halt their private feuds and wars.

Libya has created three governments since 2011. First came the General National Congress (or GNC), a temporary group whose main job was to create a new constitution for the voters to decide on. The GNC was to rule until the constitution was approved and elections held. GNC failed to attract the support of all factions or agree on a new constitution. In late 2013 the GNC illegally extended its power for another year. Despite that scheduled national elections were held in 2014. GNC did not like the composition of the new House of Representatives (HoR) government. The UN recognized the HoR but most of the GNC members, who tended to be more tribal and religiously conservative, refused to give up power, seized control of Tripoli and became known as the Tripoli government. The HoR and the government it had formed fled east to Tobruk and became known as the Tobruk government. The HoR rallied most of eastern Libya behind them. The UN recognized the H0R and condemned the GNC. By early 2016 the UN persuaded some GNC and HoR factions to merge and form the GNA. That did not work either, but the UN thought the new GNA could unite the country. That proved to be a serious misjudgment.

The west and inland Libya remained chaotic but in the east the HoR government joined forces with Khalifa Hiftar, an elderly (currently 76) former Libyan army officer, who had been chased out of Libya by Kaddafi, gone to the United States, become a citizen and raised a family. He stayed in touch with some Libyans and after Kaddafi was gone Hiftar went back to eastern Libya, where he was from. After a few years, he had organized a coalition of former Libyan army units and local militias that agreed on one thing; the Islamic terrorist groups and Islamic (wanted a religious government) militias were the main obstacles to peace and unity. This new organization was called the LNA (Libyan National Army), partly to encourage more Libyan military veterans to join. Many did, including some who returned from exile.

Hiftar has the support of most Libyans along with Russia, most Arab states, especially Egypt, Saudi Arabia and the UAE. The UN opposes Hiftar, as does ISIL (Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant), the Moslem Brotherhood and pro-Brotherhood nations like Turkey, Qatar and Iran. The main argument against Hiftar is that he could turn into another dictator like Kaddafi, who was overthrown in 2011. Hiftar is unlikely to become another Kaddafi or ruler of Libya. He is 76 and in declining health. His sons are too young and too uninterested to become new rulers of Libya. Hiftar has no other extended family able or willing to establish a new dictatorship. Hiftar is a Libyan patriot who wants to leave a legacy of a unified, peaceful and prosperous Libya. All the Middle Eastern dictators took over when they were much younger than Hiftar and did not spend two decades living in the West and witnessing what peace and prosperity look like. More UN members are realizing that, as are a growing number of senior GNA officials. That popular support has played a major role in the LNA effort pacify the entire country. Hiftar was trusted to do what he said he would do; shut down and outlaw Islamic terrorist groups and restore peace. By 2019 Hiftar had done that in nearly 90 percent of the country.

A major problem between Hiftar and the GNA was that Hiftar wanted to remain head of the armed forces and many factions in the GNA opposes that. The UN and the West wanted to limit Hiftars authority. Thus, another former officer (and recent subordinate of and rival to Hiftar) was named GNA Defense Minister. The GNA-Hiftar inability to trust each other was never resolved. Part of this distrust had to do with the fact that Hiftar was opposed to any sort of Islamic government. The GNA was supported by many powerful militias that were OK with an Islamic government. The Kaddafi dictatorship was an Islamic government and most Libyans do not want another one. But many Libyans in Tripoli (the traditional capital) and Misrata (just east of Tripoli) had good jobs with the Kaddafi Islamic administration and believe they could do well in a new Islamic government. Another problem is that since 2014 Hiftar has had the support of many Arab nations who see him as the kind of strong man who could unify Libya.

Hiftar won over must Libyan factions through negotiation and the realistic prospect of peace and order. He would negotiate with tribal and militia leaders. He even won over one Salafist (Islamic) militia that believed in secular government and trusted Hiftar to respect their religious beliefs. Hiftar found a lot of allies among groups, like Berbers (ethnic kin to the people who originally settled the Nile River Valley and established the ancient Pharaonic empires) and black African tribes in southern Libya. These groups had had a difficult relationship with Kaddafi, who favored Arab Libyans over Berbers and other non-Arab Libyans. Hiftar wants democracy and Libyans agree with that. The UN opposed formation of a nationwide coalition until there was enough support for a peace deal between GNA and HoR to hold national elections. Factionalism in the GNA prevented the national elections deal. One of those GNA factions arranged to bring in an army of Turkish mercenaries to conquer the country. This has made the situation worse.

There are several hundred thousand armed men in Libya. These men belong to the LNA, local militias or Islamic terror groups. Despite all those armed men, Libya remains a fairly low-level conflict because most of the armed men only defend their neighborhood. While there are many organized factions, the largest one is the LNA, which comprises about a third of the organized armed personnel in the country. That only comes to about 25,000 trained men who can be moved around the country. More than half of these armed men are militias that have accepted training and weapons from and leadership by the LNA. The most reliable LNA units are those organized along military lines (brigades, battalions and so on). The LNA is a disciplined force that takes care of its personnel and does not risk their lives needlessly. This makes Hiftar popular with his armed forces, especially since he selects subordinate commanders who believe in his style of military leadership. That means training the armed forces and taking care that they are fed and paid on time. Given his age and declining health, he was unable to move around a lot among his widely dispersed forces. As of early 2020, his forces controlled over 80 percent of Libya, including all the oil.

Most of the non-LNA armed men are operating as local defense units while the large ones (like many in Tripoli and Misrata) support themselves via extortion or voluntary support from a clan or tribal organization. Casualties come from feuds between militias, usually over territory and/or access to resources and fighting against Islamic terrorists or militias that are interfering with national resources (mainly oil). During 2018 the area with the most casualties (30 percent) was the coastal city of Derna where local militias inside the city (and more mercenary or Islamic terrorist groups south of the city) have been fighting each other and the LNA for over a year. About half the casualties are from half a dozen hot spots in the desert south where groups fought and ultimately lost to the LNA, for control of oil or border control (smuggling routes). One reason for the success of the LNA is that it has become widely known that when the LNA moves in there is a lot less violence and general chaos. The LNA is the only armed group in the country that can do this on a large scale. All this violence is largely the result of there being no national government since the 2011 revolution.

The only thing the GNA and LNA ever agreed on was the need to destroy ISIL. That task was largely accomplished in August 2016 when the coastal city of Sirte, the new ISIL capital, was finally freed from ISIL control. There were still some 200 ISIL fighters cornered in two neighborhoods but basically the city is controlled by GNA militias. The U.S. provided air support for nearly three weeks. This consisted of about 60 attacks with smart bombs, missiles or precision cannon fire. The targets were ISIL fortifications, armed vehicles and car and truck bombs (hit before they could be used). These air attacks saved hundreds of lives among the attackers and speeded up the advance. Before the air support arrived, the advance had slowed down considerably because of casualties from suicide bombers, roadside bombs and ISIL men fighting from well-fortified buildings. Low casualties became a priority and the American air support took care of that. Sirte was still a dangerous place to be in late 2016 because ISIL left lots of mines and other bombs that can be triggered by vehicles or people on foot.

After the 2016 defeat of ISIL at Sirte, the GNA was gaining support but losing popularity because it could not quickly reverse the damage five years of fighting and chaos inflicted on the welfare state dictator Kaddafi created to keep himself in power. As many rulers, particularly in the Middle East, have learned is that if you devote enough oil income to provide some kind of welfare state you can easily stay in power for a long time and still steal billions for yourself, your family and your core supporters. This method usually includes, as it did in Libya, exploiting tribal, religious and ethnic differences when allocating the oil wealth. Kaddafi did all that successfully for decades. But when he was overthrown in 2011 the Libyan people could not agree on how to share wealth and power and have been fighting ever since. In doing that they have prevented the creation of a national government and destroyed their cherished, especially now that it was gone, welfare state. More and more Libyans are accepting the idea that their problems are basically one of bad attitudes. In other words, too much me and not enough we. The GNA will never be considered a success until it can restore the lost paradise. Meanwhile destroying the ISIL presence gained friends at home and abroad and that made it easier to make deals to get oil production going. Corruption continued to be a problem and the oil income was unable to revive the economy because of much lower oil prices after 2013 and too many local militias disrupting oil production and export. In Libya success is definitely not assured but by early 2020 the LNA had come closer than anyone else.

Meanwhile, there were still lots of Islamic terrorists, including ISIL factions, operating outside the coastal cities. For example, in Derna (200 kilometers southwest of Benghazi) dozens of pro-Hiftar troops and militia were killed or wounded while driving the remaining Islamic terror groups from the area. Earlier in 2016 ISIL was driven from Derna, which they had been unsuccessfully trying to take since late 2015. Derna is about the same size (100,000 population) as the ISIL capital Sirte. The ISIL reverses at Derna are the result of stubborn local militias and the recent arrival of Libyan Army forces. Hiftar, the army commander, was not popular with some of the Derna militias, especially those composed of Islamic conservatives and these groups eventually fought back. They were slowly pushed out of the area. The LNA was not able to bring peace to Derna until 2019, mainly because of continued resistance by militias that wanted to be free to run parts of the city as their own.

LNA forces closed in on Tripoli in early 2019 and the plan was to slowly (to keep LNA casualties down) push back the militias until the city was taken and the militia hold on Tripoli was finally broken. In December 2019 the LNA predicted that they would take control of Tripoli by the end of the year and then hold national elections in mid-2020. That did not happen, mainly because Turkey had openly pledged to protect Tripoli, Turkey also realized that an LNA victory would be an embarrassing defeat. More than that it would eliminate another recent agreement with the GNA, which granted Turkey the right to explore for natural gas in Libyan offshore waters. Most nations in the region consider this agreement illegal and a blatant attempt to block Greek and Israeli access to key portions of the eastern Mediterranean.

In response to the LNA prediction, Turkey increased its material and personnel support for the GNA, which was in direct violation of the UN embargo on weapons shipments. Egypt and the UAE are also flying in military equipment, and Egypt ships it overland across their border with Libya. The Turkish intervention saved the GNA, which otherwise probably would have been out of business by the end of 2019. The ten-month battle for Tripoli has not produced massive casualties. By the end of 2019 about 2,500 people had died, nearly 20 percent of them civilians caught in the crossfire. Nearly 200,000 civilians have been displaced by the fighting, although many of those return to their homes after the fighting moves on.

In early 2020, the Turkish contribution increased from about 2,000 Syrian Arab mercenaries and a few hundred Turkish troops serving in non-combat jobs to nearly a thousand Turkish troops and 10,000 Syrian Arab mercenaries. Turkey has also provided dozens of missile-armed UAVs that provide air support for the GNA forces. The LNA has access to missile-armed Chinese UAVs supplied by the UAE. The LNA has long been supported by the UAE. Russia and a few other Arab nations. The UAE has put troops on the ground, mainly to operate airbases the UAVs operate from. The UAVs have largely replaced manned warplanes as they are cheaper, have longer endurance and you dont need pilots. Training UAV controllers is a lot easier than aircraft pilots. The UAVs are not used a lot, averaging 4-5 sorties a day total (for both sides) during eight months of fighting. Some days are only one or two UAV sorties and then there are days where there are over a dozen, carrying out major attacks on base areas or in efforts to turn the tide in a battle.

France has had some special operations troops with the LNA forces, mainly to monitor the situation. The U.S. also actively intervenes with air power against Islamic terrorist targets. Turkey does not consider that direct support for the LNA.

The foreign military support for the UN backed GNA and the eastern (HoR) forces does not get much publicity from the participants. Thats because UN sanctions prohibit such outside support but the UN backed GNA is being kept alive by the Turkish forces and the weapons the Turks bring in.

There are hundreds of Russian combat advisors and trainers in Libya and most of them have been there since 2018. These troops are civilian contractors working for the Wagner Group, which also has several hundred Russian technical advisors in Libya to keep LNA heavy weapons operational. Earlier in 2019 Russia revealed that it had increased its logistic and maintenance support for LNA forces. This support had been going on since late 2018 and has returned hundreds of Cold War era Russian armored vehicles and artillery to working order. This work was done with the battle for the Libyan capital Tripoli in mind.

While Russia has been backing the LNA since 2016, the Turks only recently (mid-2019) came to the rescue of the GNA, which is trying to defend the city of Tripoli, its last stronghold. The Turks favor he GNA because the GNA is largely a collection of militias, several of them described as Islamic although not Islamic terrorists. Turkey is apparently also receiving financial backing from Qatar for this Libyan effort.

The Turkish intervention is part of a larger conflict. Turkey is allied with Iran and Qatar against the rest of the Moslem world, especially Egypt and the Gulf Arab oil states. That is a major incentive for the Turks to get involved in Libya. One reason for Russia not publicizing their Libyan efforts is because Russia and Turkey are allies in Syria. Turks dont have any military or contractor personnel at the front lines but some have been killed or wounded by LNA airstrikes.

The Russians are seen as reliable allies of Libya, even though it was Russia which supplied Libya with most of its weapons throughout the Kaddafi era (1960s to 2011) and is now delivering fewer, but more modern ones, like ATGMs (anti-tank guided missiles) and portable anti-aircraft missiles to bring down UAVs. The Turks are seen as a former imperial overlord trying to make a comeback. The Turks also ignore the fact that most Libyans oppose the Islamic conservative militias that the Turks support and see the Turks as more of a threat than the Russians or Arabs who are backing the LNA.

Turkey is threatening war with its neighbor Greece because of overlapping claims to offshore waters that might contain lucrative natural gas deposits. Turkey is also at odds with the United States in Syria. All these foreign adventures are an effort to distract Turkish voters from the current economic recession they are suffering from as well as their government's continuing suppression of internal criticism of the government.

By May 2020 Turkish forces had pushed LNA away from Tripoli. Russia flew in MiG-29 fighters and Su-24 fighter-bombers to an LNA airbase and carried out some damaging attacks on Turkish forces. At the same time, Russia called on the LNA and GNA forces to accept a ceasefire. Russia held private talks with the Turks, pointing out that the Turks were very unpopular in Libya (a former part of the Turkish Ottoman Empire) and that the Turks needed Russian backing in Syria.

The Ottoman Empire had been destroyed during World War I and in the 1920s renounced by the new (and still functioning) Turkish republic. The current Islamic government in Turkey had been elected in 2000 and remained in power with promises of reducing corruption. The Islamic government was now in trouble because it had become corrupt and sending Turkish troops into Syria and been unpopular with Turkish voters and the Libyan operation was even less popular. The Turkish government tried to get around that by hiring lots of Syrian Arab mercenaries to do most of the fighting in Syria and Libya. But Turkish troops were still getting killed in both places. Worse, mismanagement of the economy had caused a recession in Turkey and that led to Turkey sending a lot of the Syrian mercenaries home once the LNA had been pushed away from Tripoli. As long as the Turks remained in Libya a national government was impossible. The LNA still controlled most of the country and Libyans were seeing that the Turkish presence was not going to change that. The Turks could not afford the cost of hiring enough mercenaries to take control of the entire country in the name of the GNA. The longer the Turks remained in Libya the more the GNA would be seen as Turkish puppets. By now the UN had lost any credibility as a force of peace and unity in Libya. The UN has basically stood idly by as the Turks invaded and brazenly shipped in more weapons by sea. Egypt has sent troops to the Libyan border and threatens to send them into Libya to oppose the Turkish invasion.

After nearly a decade of peacemaking efforts in Libya, the UN has little to show for it. Currently, most Libyans are opposed to the Turkish invasion that many Libyans interpret as a pretext to revive the old Ottoman Turkish Empire. No one is really sure what the current Turkish government is trying to achieve in Libya but most Libyans have concluded that it is not good for Libya.
Vietnam records another imported COVID-19 case

Vietnam recorded another imported COVID-19 case on July 19, bringing the total number of infections in the country to 383, said the National Steering Committee for COVID-19 Prevention and Control.

The latest patient is a 40-year-old Myanmar man who is a sailor working onboard the ship IPANEMA.

He left Japan on June 16 and entered Hon Gai port in the northeastern province of Quang Ninh on June 23. The sailor was quarantined on the vessel before being taken to a hotel for quarantine in Quang Ninh on July 6.

On July 9, his first sample was tested negative for the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 but his second sample showed a positive result eight days later.

The patient is being kept under quarantine and treated at the National Hospital for Tropical Diseases No 2 in Hanois Dong Anh district.

Among the confirmed patients, 243 are imported cases who were quarantined right after their arrival in Vietnam, posing no risk of transmission in the community.

As of July 19, Vietnam has gone through 94 days without any infections in the community.

As many as 357 out of the total 383 patients have been given the all-clear of the virus and no death has been reported.

The remaining patients are undergoing treatment at medical establishments across the country, of whom seven tested negative for the virus once and four others tested negative at least twice.

There are currently 12,798 people who had close contact with COVID-19 patients or entered Vietnam from pandemic-hit regions being quarantined nationwide, including 100 at hospitals, 12,273 at other establishments and 425 at home.

Singapore develops new COVID-19 test kit

Singaporean scientists have developed an improved COVID-19 test kit that can deliver results more quickly, halving the processing time from about four hours to less than two, according to The Straits Times.

The direct standard polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test kit, called Resolute, is a joint effort by DSO National Laboratories and the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*Star).

Tests can be conducted with a basic laboratory set-up and entry-level technicians, and the process is also safer for technicians, as exposure is reduced.

The cost of each Resolute kit is expected to be competitive with standard PCR test kits.

Vietnam goes through 94 days without COVID-19 infections in community

Medical workers take blood samples for testing

Vietnam has reported no new COVID-19 infections in the community for 94 days, said the National Steering Committee for COVID-19 Prevention and Control on July 19 morning.

The total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Vietnam remained at 382, including 242 imported cases who were put under quarantine right after their arrival in the country, posing no risk of transmission in the community.

As many as 12,798 people who had close contact with COVID-19 patients or entering Vietnam from pandemic-hit areas are being quarantined, including 100 at hospitals, 12,273 at other establishments and 425 at home.

According to the subcommittee for treatment, 357 out of the 381 patients have been given the all-clear of the virus SARS-CoV-2.

The remainders are being treated at medical establishments across the country, of whom six patients tested negative for the virus once and four others tested negative at least twice.

More than 240 citizens brought home from Philippines

Relevant agencies of Vietnam, the Vietnamese Embassy in the Philippines and budget airline VietJet on July 18 coordinated with competent agencies of the Philippines to bring home more than 240 Vietnamese citizens.

Those included children under the age of 18, pregnant women, the elderly, workers whose contracts expired, tourists stranded in the country and other extremely disadvantaged cases.

To ensure safety for the citizens and prevent the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic, VietJet strictly implemented security, safety and hygiene measures during the flight.

After landing at Can Tho International Airport, all the passengers and crew members had their health checked and taken to a concentrated quarantine establishment in line with Vietnams regulations.

In accordance with Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phucs directions, similar flights will be conducted in the near future to bring Vietnamese citizens home, taking into account domestic quarantine capacity.

Health Ministry issues set of indicators to assess hospital safety for COVID-19

The Ministry of Health has recently released a set of indicators to evaluate the safety of a hospital as the COVID-19 is ravaging in the world.

The set of safety indicators provides information on prevention and control of the COVID-19 and other acute respiratory diseases at hospitals and guidance on how to deliver safe medical services and prevent cross-infections among patients and health care workers.

The 37 indicators, divided in eight chapters, have a total score of 150, which are used to classify hospitals based on levels of safety.

A hospital rated as safe must reach over 75 percent of the maximum score with no indicators scoring zero.

A low safety hospital must obtain 50  75 percent of the maximum score with no indicators scoring zero.

A hospital rated unsafe scores below 50 percent of the maximum score or has an indicator at zero.

Repatriation flight from Equatorial Guinea set to depart on August 3



A repatriation flight for 219 Vietnamese guest workers in Equatorial Guinea is scheduled to depart on August 3 due to complications in the registration procedures, according to the Ministry of Health.

There are a total of 219 workers from three Vietnamese construction companies working in Equatorial Guinea, with 120 of them being infected with the novel coronavirus (COVID-19).

Of the COVID-19 patients, 22 have been undergoing strict medical surveillance at two hospitals in the African country, 80 have been closely monitored at various isolation facilities and hotels, while the locations of the remaining cases have been verified.

With regard to the health of the COVID-19 cases, 47 individuals are suffering from chest pains, 33 have a cough and sore throat, 16 people have a headache, whilst a further 13 people have been hit by a fever.

Among the patients, 46 are suffering from chronic underlying diseases which relate to stomach ulcers, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, and bronchitis.

In addition to the 120 COVID-19 patients, seven additional people have been hospitalised in order to receive treatment for other diseases, three people have been infected with malaria, and one individual is showing symptoms of both malaria and the COVID-19.

Ahead of the repatriation flight, the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs, along with three Vietnamese companies, have been working in co-ordination in an effort to bring back Vietnamese workers who have been left stranded in Equatorial Guinea .

A contingent of doctors and orderlies will be arranged in order to accompany the flight, along with a haul of necessary medical equipment, such as ventilators and oxygen tanks.

This comes after Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc on July 10 ordered a repatriation flight to immediately bring back Vietnamese workers left stranded in Equatorial Guinea.

Students from Laos quarantined upon return to nation



As many as 288 students from neighbouring Laos were placed into quarantine after returning to Vietnam on July 17.

Upon arrival in Quang Nam province, each of the students had their body temperature checked and filled in health declaration forms as part of the necessary entry procedures at the border gate.

After entering the nation, the group of students will be placed under medical surveillance at the Defence and Security Education Centre of the Quang Nam provincial Military Command in Tam Ky city.

There they will undergo a 14-day quarantine period in line with regulations regarding novel coronavirus (COVID-19) prevention measures.

COVID-19 cases rise sharply in Indonesia, Philippines

COVID-19 cases in Indonesia rose by 1,752 within one day to 84,882, with the death toll adding by 59 to 4,016, a local health official said.

According, Achmad Yurianto, a Health Ministry official, 1,434 more people had been discharged from hospitals, bringing the total number of recovered patients to 43,268.

Within the past 24 hours, six provinces, namely North Sumatra, South Kalimantan, Jakarta, Central Java, East Java and South Sulawesi, recorded high numbers of cases, Yurianto said.

Yurianto called on the public to obey the implemented health protocols in a bid to minimise COVID-19 infections.

Meanwhile, the Philippine Department of Health reported 2,357 new COVID-19 cases and 113 fatalities from the disease in the country, mostly in Manila, Cebu city and the central region.

Foreigners in Thailand can apply for visa extensions after July 31

Foreign visitors still stranded in Thailand by the COVID-19 pandemic will be allowed to apply for an extended short stay after their visas expire on July 31, the Thai Immigration Bureau chief said on July 17.

Foreign tourists who are unable to leave Thailand would be given a grace period from August 1 to September 26 to apply to stay for a specified period, said Pol Lt Gen Sompong Chingduang, the bureau commissioner.

However, if they do not obtain extensions and are still in the country after September 26, they would face legal action and be blacklisted, Bangkok Post reported.

He urged foreigners to contact the bureau as soon as possible to prepare for their next steps in order to avoid crowding as the September 26 deadline approaches.

Foreign visitors must specify their reasons and submit necessary documents when seeking to renew short-term visas, which will be granted for 30 days, he said.

If they are unable to return because there are no flights or due to lockdown measures in their countries, they must submit proof. The granting of a short-stay visa will be made on a case-by-case basis.

He said the bureau had asked the Council of State about the proposed short stay and it had advised that the Interior Ministry could issue an announcement.

He said the Interior Ministry's visa relief measures for foreign visitors would be submitted to the cabinet for approval next week. The bureau would later issue guidelines on how to apply for a visa extension.

He estimated that between 300,000 and 400,000 foreigners were stranded in the kingdom due to the lockdown.

Indonesian capital extends social restrictions for 14 days

Governor of Indonesias capital city Jakarta Anies Baswedan has announced that he officially extended the transitional large-scale social restrictions (PSBB) for another 14 days, starting on July 16.

He explained that the COVID-19 positivity rate in Jakarta for the past week had increased to 5.9 percent from 4.4 percent and even 3.1 percent in the early PSBB stage.

On July 16, Jakarta recorded 304 new infection cases, raising the total number to 15,447.

The Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand on July 17 prohibited all transit flights with COVID-19 infected passengers following Chinas temporary ban of two Thai registered airlines after several passengers tested positive upon arrival in China.

Also on July 17, the Philippine recorded 17 new deaths and 1,841 new infections, bringing the total numbers to 1,660 and 63,001, respectively, with Manila being the largest source of infections and deaths from the disease.

Australian institute lauds Vietnams low-cost COVID-19 combat model

The Australian Institute of International Affairs (AIIA) has published an article hailing Vietnams low-cost model of fighting the COVID-19 pandemic.

It said COVID-19 has been a test for all countries worldwide. Despite lacking a large public health system or strong financial capacity, Vietnam used a different approach to effectively contain the disease.

Its countermeasures reflect the extent of its capabilities in mobilisation and social resilience. Vietnamese officials are knowledgeable about and capable of handling the complex issues associated with organising large numbers of people. Furthermore, the Vietnamese people are willing to cooperate with official directions, even at the cost of losing their freedom and economic interests, it said.

The article added that Vietnams achievements in reaching a state where restrictions can now be relaxed shows strong social resilience and governance capable of handling emergencies.
Continuing his tirade against Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government at the Centre over its handling of the border issue with China, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Saturday (July 18) said that India will have to pay a "huge price".

Gandhi, who has repeatedly accused PM Modi of failing to take tough action to counter Chinese aggression along the border in Ladakh, tweet: "China has taken our land and the Government of India is behaving like Chamberlain. This will further embolden China".

China has taken our land and GOI is behaving like Chamberlain. This will further embolden China. India is going to pay a huge price because of GOIs cowardly actions. pic.twitter.com/5ewIFvj5wy  Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) July 18, 2020

The Wayanad MP also tagged a video of Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh addressing soldiers in Ladakh on Friday (July 17). In the video, Singh can be heard saying that he cannot give guarantee that the ongoing talks with China over border issues will end tensions, but he assured the soldiers that "not an inch of our land can be taken by any power in the world".

Singh, who was accompanied by Chief of Defence Staff Gen Bipin Rawat and Army Chief Gen MM Naravane, visited the North Hill post and was apprised about the situation at the border by senior officials.

"Visited a forward post near LoC in Kupwara District of Jammu-Kashmir today and interacted with the soldiers deployed there," Singh tweeted along with photographs of his interaction with the soldiers.

It may be recalled that PM Modi had made similar statements during his visit to Ladakh's Nimu in June.

However, Rahul Gandhi and other senior Congress leaders are continuously attacking PM Modi and the Congress leaders keep on pointing towards a comment by the PM Modi during an all-party meeting called by him to discuss the border issues in June.

"Neither is anyone inside our territory nor are any of our posts captured". His office issued a clarification but the Congress interpreted this to mean territory had been yielded to China," the prime minister had said during the meeting.
One Winnipegger is trying to make sense of how governments around the world are responding to the COVID-19 pandemic, one interview at a time.

Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 19/7/2020 (549 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

One Winnipegger is trying to make sense of how governments around the world are responding to the COVID-19 pandemic, one interview at a time.

A foreign policy and health specialist, Sai Shanthanand Rajagopal has been co-interviewing and recording video calls with world leaders in an effort to educate the public on the international response to an unprecedented health crisis in recent months.

"I thought that maybe, we could have some cross-talk between countries and see if we could share some insights," said Rajagopal, who is co-hosting the Bridging Borders Project with Henna Hundal, a friend and a fellow member of Harvard Universitys Class of 2019.

Rajagopal, a 2020 Rhodes Scholar, and Hundal launched the interview series in the spring. Since April, the duo has interviewed a total of 40 presidents, prime ministers and other top officials involved in pandemic policy-making  thanks, in part, to their connections through their Ivy League alma mater and previous international research projects.

Their interview subjects have ranged from Kosovos prime minister to the president of the Navajo Nation in the United States to the Canadian-Icelandic first lady of Iceland, while their conversations have touched on everything from public health protocols to economic struggles to international politics. The audio clips have aired on radio stations in the United States and are being uploaded online to the Bridging Borders Project website.

Some of the most interesting conversations Rajagopal said he has had with leaders to date from his Winnipeg studio (and Hundal, from her Boston home) have been with leaders from small countries who have had to get creative during the pandemic.

Winnipegger Sai Shanthanand Rajagopal (bottom left) and co-host Henna Hundal interview Nicos Anastasiades, the president of Cyprus. (Supplied)

Rajagopal pointed to an interesting conversation with the prime minister of Bhutan, who spoke about the countrys strict three weeks of quarantine for all recent arrivals and lockdown on all entries except for a single port. In another interview, the hosts learned how the economy of Sint Maarten, part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, has struggled because it heavily relies on tourism and has had to further indebt itself to the Netherlands.

It was after Prime Minister Justin Trudeau called on all Canadians to return home in March that Rajagopal came up with the idea for the project and collaborated with Hundal, who is an experienced radio host. At the time, being an international mechanical engineering student in Boston, he was watching how his two homes of Manitoba and Massachusetts were responding to the virus outbreak.

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"The rhetoric in Canada was so much more everyone must stay home  and they did," said Rajagopal, who is the foreign affairs critic for the Green Party of Canada.

The 23-year-old recalls talking to his family in Winnipeg about how the whole city had seemingly shut down when soon as the virus was detected; meanwhile, in Boston, where he was packing his bags, people were only starting to practice physical distancing.

On Saturday, Manitoba announced a single additional case of COVID-19, bringing the total tally of lab-confirmed positive and probable cases to 337. The death toll remains at seven in the province.

Also Saturday, Massachusetts reported 177 new cases, making the states total case count 106,664, upwards of 8,200 of which have been fatal.

maggie.macintosh@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @macintoshmaggie
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman (File image: Reuters)

Amid the on-going row over digital taxation, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said that a consensus-based solution on the issue should be simple and inclusive based on a robust economic impact assessment.

The minister was speaking at the 3rd G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors (FMCBG) meeting held at Riyadh (Saudi Arabia) through video conferencing.

Referring to the issues concerning international taxation and challenges related to digital taxation, Sitharaman said, "It is imperative that this consensus-based solution should be simple, inclusive and based on a robust economic impact assessment.

Recently India defended the 2 per cent equalisation levy on non-resident e-commerce companies, saying it is non-discriminatory in nature and its purpose is to tax businesses that have a close nexus with the country's market through their digital operations.

In a six-page written submission to the United States Trade Representative (USTR), India said the levy is applicable only for companies with annual revenues in excess of Rs 20 million (about USD 267,000), which is a low threshold aimed at exempting very small e-commerce operators globally.

The US had last month decided to start an investigation under Section 301 of the Trade Act, 1974, into the digital services taxes that have been adopted or are being considered by a number of countries, including India, to "unfairly" target American tech companies.

It had then invited public comments on the said investigation.

India is among 10 nations that are facing US investigations to assess whether the levies discriminate against American technology majors.

Sitharaman in the first session of the meeting, talked about the G20 Action Plan in response to COVID-19 which was endorsed by the G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors in their previous meeting on April 15, 2020, the Finance Ministry said in a statement.

This G20 Action Plan lays out a list of collective commitments under the pillars of Health Response, Economic Response, Strong and Sustainable Recovery and International Financial Coordination, aimed at coordinating G20 efforts to fight the pandemic.

The Finance Minister emphasized that it is crucial to ensure that this action plan remains relevant and effective.

She shared her perspective on the way forward on the action plan and highlighted the need for international coordination required in addressing the spill-over effects of exit strategies.

Emphasising that the Action Plan needs to reflect how the economies are balancing their supply side and demand side measures in response to COVID-19, Sitharaman shared with her counterparts how India is working on ensuring this balance through credit schemes for greater liquidity, direct benefit transfers, and employment guarantee schemes.

The Finance Minister specifically referred to India's comprehensive economic package to address recovery and growth amounting to over USD 295 billion, about 10 per cent of India's GDP.

She also spoke about the procyclicality of credit rating downgrades by the rating agencies and its deterrent impact on policy options, particularly for Emerging Market Economies (EMEs).

Meanwhile, RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das said, "Participated in virtual meeting of G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors today. Focused on macroeconomy, capital flows, cross border payments, transition from LIBOR and other issues."

In the second session of the meeting, the G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors discussed the developments on G20 Finance Track deliverables under the Saudi Arabian Presidency.

Enhancing access to opportunities for Women, Youth and SMEs is a priority agenda under Saudi Presidency and a Menu of Policy Options on Access to Opportunities has been developed by G20 under this agenda were discussed.

"The Menu presents country experiences of G20 members related to policies aimed at: Youth, Women, Informal Economy, Technology & Adult Skills, and Financial Inclusion. The Finance Minister noted that this agenda has assumed even greater importance now as the pandemic has most impacted the vulnerable sections," it said.

During the session, Sitharaman also shared some of the policy measures taken by the Government of India to fight the pandemic, including direct benefit transfers, special support to agriculture and MSME sectors, rural employment guarantee measures etc.

She particularly highlighted how India has successfully employed technology-based financial inclusion by harnessing the nationwide digital payment infrastructure that India has built in the last five years, to make contactless cash transfers of over USD 10 billion into the bank accounts of 420 million people.

The minister also referred to the swift measures to provide free food grain to over 800 million people for eight months till November 2020.
Nearly six weeks after the civil rights icon stepped foot onto Black Lives Matter Plaza in what would become his last public appearance, the area blossomed into a memorial of music, reflection and gratitude for Lewis on Saturday in the wake of his death. In small groups and alone, people gathered to reflect on Lewiss march for justice, which began with sit-ins at lunch counters and ended, fittingly, with a visit to the plaza, which has become a symbol of the nations fight for racial justice.
A girl only marries once (at least, ideally) and the first thing she would want in her wedding is naturally for her parents to be with her when she walks down the aisle. Regardless if she is a royal and probably lived a pretty charmed life, Princess Beatrice did not have the pleasure of getting married with her complete parents present. prince Andrew, given the controversies he is involved in, could not attend.

Princess Beatrice already got married, finally. And the world was treated to at least two pictures of her on this special day, all smiles and looking really happy.

After several postponements, due to the scandal her father is involved in as well as due to the lockdown imposed in response to the COVID-19 crisis, the royal is finally wed! For a while, there were speculations that the wedding will not push through this year. Some even thought that Princess Beatrice will completely cancel the whole wedding for good.

While the wedding ceremony had to be done in a more private than the usual private manner, given all the social distancing and safety measures that have to be met, it was a colorful event.

Grandparents Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip were present even though they observed social distancing. However, according to Daily Mail UK, Princess Beatrice father Prince Andrew was nowhere to be found.

Prince Andrew Afraid?

According to the Telegraph, Prince Andrew not showing up implies so many things. First, it shows that he is so afraid of what might happen to him, given his presumed involvement with Epstein's crimes.

Some may argue that this is a wise move, given all the continuous accusations thrown at him saying he not only know of Jeffrey Epstein's sex trafficking business involving minor women and other crimes, but also is one of the participants.

The wedding was kept quiet, given the present situation so people were quite shocked to find out that the royal family has did something for this joyous event to push through. Many expected the wedding will happen in 2021 at least.

Prince Andrew Fallen From Grace

Second, it implies the obvious, that Prince Andrew has truly fallen from grace. Even if he repeatedly denies being involved in Epstein's crimes and him being the Queen's so-called favorite son, this is a sign that he might no longer regain his glory and reputation unless he finally shows evidence that he is not involved with the crime accusations being thrown at him

Prince Andrew a Failure of a Dad?

Third and last, it implies that Prince Andrew and his ex-wife Sarah Ferguson's efforts to keep the strength of their family unit despite their own separation, are all in vain. When he and Sarah received their approved divorce in 1006, the two promised to be amicable to each other for the sake of their two girls.

Of course, these implications are not set in stone. Things can quickly turn around if the royal only start doing something concrete to clean his name, as opposed to just playing some hide-and-seek game with the feds.

It can be that the royal family itself decided that Prince Andrew not attend this important day of her daughter. But given that he is the father of the pretty bride, he could have at least made some effort to appear so that people and critics do not create stories of their own as to why he did not attend the wedding.
Las Vegas, N.M., is a place that is familiar and quaint.

With its Old West and railroad town feel to it, the town  just two hours north of Albuquerque  embraces changing culture in art.

One area that is rapidly adding to its overall look is the campus of New Mexico Highlands University.

According to Michelle Laflamme-Childs, executive director of New Mexico Arts, the institution invested heavily the last two years in acquiring various art sculptures.

New Mexico Arts is the state arts agency and a division of the Department of Cultural Affairs, which provides financial support for arts services and programs to non-profit organizations statewide and to administer the 1% public art program for the state of New Mexico.

Like many of the colleges, the construction is fully state funded, Laflamme-Childs explains. Highlands accumulated money over the years with various construction projects. One percent of the funds used to build is set aside for public art.

Laflamme-Childs says the pieces at Highlands are significant and add to the overall aesthetic of the campus. The majority of the new ones were installed from 2018-19.

While there are plenty of public pieces to see on campus, she picked five that catch her eye. Take a trip down National Avenue in Las Vegas to see the majority of the pieces. She says it would also make a great road trip to northern New Mexico.

1. Flying Peace by Kevin Box is located at the Lora Shields Building on campus.

The piece is made of outdoor stainless steel and stone sculpture and stands about six-feet tall.

Its a very pretty origami bird, which is balanced on the tip of the wing, she says.

Laflamme-Childs says Box has pieces of public art located around New Mexico.

She finds this one interesting because he sticks to his aesthetic of celebrating the delicacy of paper in museum quality bronze.

This one is the most recognizable on campus, she says. The juxtaposition of the delicate and the strong. He uses a combination of wax and contemporary casting techniques that hes developed.

2. Hummingbirds by Scot Ferguson is also located at the Lora Shields Building on the NMHU campus.

It is a kinetic sculpture, which means Ferguson designed it with the intention of it being moved by the wind.

A lot of his work is built like this, Laflamme-Childs says. He says hes been surrounded by art and the creative process all his life. Whats been frustrating is that hes often been told, Dont Touch while visiting museums. He likes to make work that you can interact with and touch. It moves and the visitor develops a more personal relationship.

Laflamme-Childs says theres a Ferguson piece at the Bernalillo Public Library, which is also a stellar piece.

It was made originally to hang from the ceiling, she explains. They decided to put it outside and we commissioned him to do a steel piece to hang it from. Its really neat to see.

3. At Rodgers Hall, Stephen Shachtmans Monolith Series resides.

The outdoor corten steel sculptures utilize light to add another dimension to the pieces. Each piece is made of copper, glass and steel, and stand about 12-feet tall.

Laflamme-Childs says Schachtmans work circulates with influences from science and architecture.

In this body of work, he is thinking of the presence of monolithic forms, she says. The play between space and then the activated surrounding space is phenomenal. To me, when I look at them, they have this mid-century, modern feel. Like the way people in the 1950s and 60s imagined how the future would look. Its intriguing to see the pieces close up because there are intricacies to them.

4. Peter Mangans Thunderbirds is made of outdoor galvanized steel, glass and brass.

It is installed at the northwest steps student center/residence halls.

The contract for the sculpture was signed in June 2018 and was installed by December 2018.

Laflamme-Childs says Mangan thinks about the concept of inside/outside with this piece.

An example is how you can see the silhouette of the exterior. Then it hints at the life within, she says. I like the way the glass sort of sparkles when the sun hits them. This is a very iconic piece. The solid strength of the metal is a contrast to the delicacy of the glass.

5. Tamara Robertsons Do You See What I See is located at the Joe and Martha McCaffrey Historic Trolley Building.

It is the only one of the five mentioned not on National Avenue.

Robertson built the spheric structure out of steel and it stands 78 inches tall.

There is something about circular images that feel very endless and infinite, Laflamme-Childs says. Like Mangan, it has that same sense of interior/exterior. I like how it sits in nature. At first glance, it looks like something a wild animal would have built out of sticks.

1 2

Editors note: The third Sunday of each month, Journal Arts Editor Adrian Gomez tells the stories behind some of the hidden gems you can see across the state in Gimme Five.
A car bomb attack in northwestern Syria's Azaz region killed five people and wounded 85 others, Turkey's state-owned Anadolu agency said on Sunday.

The incident took place in the village of Siccu, across the border from Turkey's southern province of Kilis, Anadolu said.

It said 15 of the wounded had been brought to a hospital in Turkey and that some were in critical condition.

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Riverdale's Cole Sprouse joined his co-star Camila Mendes on an iced coffee run in Los Angeles on Saturday.

For their outing, the 26-year-old CW star cut a stylish figure in a gingham plaid crop top, which emphasized her toned midriff, while the Disney alum, 27, opted to wear a laid-back white t-shirt and jeans.

The raven-haired beauty paired her black and white tie-up blouse with a pair of high-waisted grey denim bottoms and a yellow CDC-recommended face mask.

Chic: Riverdale's Cole Sprouse joined his co-star Camila Mendes on an iced coffee run in Los Angeles on Saturday

Sprouse spruced up his classic ensemble by cuffing his pants at the ankles and sporting a navy bandana around his neck, which coordinated with his facial covering.

The pair appeared to be enjoying a break from their hit television series, which was was temporarily shut down in March, due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The Five Feet Apart actor and his longtime on-again, off-again girlfriend, Lili Reinhart spilt in May after nearly two years, while Mendes recently starting dating Grayson Vaughan, after her spilt from co-star Charles Melton in December.

Friendly: The 26-year-old CW star cut a stylish figure in a gingham plaid crop top, which emphasized her toned midriff, while the Disney alum, 27, opted to wear a laid-back white t-shirt and jeans

Last month, Sprouse, Reinhart, KJ Apa and Vanessa Morgan were all accused of sexual misconduct by several anonymous Twitter accounts, which all four have vehemently denied and called 'false.'

Cole spoke out about the allegations in a series of tweets hours later, with him and Lili looking into legal action.

The actor wrote: 'Earlier today myself and three other cast mates were falsely accused of sexual offense by anonymous accounts on twitter. I take these accusations very seriously, and will be working with the right teams to get to the root of it.'

His statement: Cole took to Twitter on Sunday to deny the accusations made against him and his three other cast mates

Cole continued: 'False accusations do tremendous damage to victims of actual assault. Furthermore, I would never silence anybody. I encourage that people look into the accusations themselves, as the events detailed were factually untrue.'

Lili, who was accused on another anonymous account, quoted his tweet minutes later and added her statement: 'I have always taken sexual assault allegations seriously. But it was proven that this account was specifically to create false stories about me and my cast.

She said: 'I can't think of something more twisted than lying about sexual assault. It invalidates the men and women who are brave enough to come forward with the truth. This kind of lie can ruin lives and careers - and I can call it a lie because the person who made the allegations already admitted that the stories were fabricated.'

Her statement: Lili quoted his tweet minutes later and added her statement

She wrote: 'We are looking into taking legal action. This kind of sick behavior only harms true survivors. This was incredibly triggering for me and scary because I've always supported survivors and believed them.'

Lili, 23, concluded: 'I hope and pray that this does not discourage real survivors from speaking out about their experiences.'

The accusations against Cole came from an anonymous account with the handle @Victori6680029; the user alleged sexual misconduct by Cole at a party in 2013 at New York University.

Accusations against Lili, Vanessa and KJ arose from other anonymous Twitter accounts, with one of those accounts later tweeting: 'Do you see how easy it is to lie and you guys believe it? Vanessa Morgan and Kj Apa didn't do jacks**t. You will believe anything,' via Us Weekly.

Speaking out: Riverdale co-star Madelaine Petsch came to their defens

Riverdale's Madelaine Petsch came to their defense and tweeted: 'As someone who has been sexually assaulted, I am deeply disturbed that anyone thinks that it is okay to falsely accuse someone of sexual assault.

'This is why real assault allegations can sometimes not be taken seriously, you should be ashamed. This is disgusting.'

While Camila Mendes also spoke out against the allegations, saying it was 'sickening' and 'incredibly destructive to falsely accuse people of sexual assault.'
I would invite parents to make sure, if you have a child, to get the mask ahead of time, make sure it fits, make sure its comfortable to the best extent possible, said Brian Smith, a Crown Point school board member.

The state is supplying 472 participating Indiana school corporations with a cloth face mask for every student, 500 disposable face masks for adults and 100 2- or 4-ounce bottles of hand sanitizer.

Some districts, like the School City of East Chicago and School City of Hobart, say they will provide wellness kits to returning students with a reusable mask and hand sanitizer.

For scenarios, such as those in special education classes, where wearing a face mask could impede communication, some schools may allow students and staff to wear face shields instead.

And for students who refuse to wear masks, school leaders say rather than pursuing disciplinary measures they hope to use a students noncompliance as a learning experience.

Repeated refusal to wear a mask, in some districts, could result in a phone call home or a recommendation to take part in remote learning.
Acting Police Commissioner McDonald Jacob has been given notice by leader of The First Wave Movement, Umar Abdullah, that there will be two more peaceful marches this month.

It comes on the heels of Abdullah being charged on Monday for leading a march around the Queens Park Savannah without permission from the acting police commissioner.
The mother of teenage motorcyclist Harry Dunn has made an emotional appeal for the British Prime Minister to make her son top priority during the US Secretary of States visit next week.

Charlotte Charles urged Boris Johnson, the UK's Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab and Mike Pompeo to discuss the case of her son nearly one year on from his death during Mr Pompeos visit to London on Monday.

In a video statement, she said: Mr Raab, Mr Pompeo, Mr Johnson, when you get together next week with all of your families fully intact whilst mine is in complete tatters and my family has been ripped apart, can you please, please discuss Harry?

Weve been assured hes high on your list of priorities to discuss amongst all of the other important global issues that you have surrounding you but please, please make him top priority.

She said the anniversary of her 19-year-old sons death next month will be beyond painful, and said she would not wish her anguish on her worst enemy.

Mr Dunn was killed when his motorbike crashed into a car outside a US military base in Northamptonshire, England, on August 27 last year.

Anne Sacoolas, 43, the wife of a US intelligence official and a reported CIA operative, claimed diplomatic immunity following the crash and was able to return to her home country, sparking an international controversy.

An extradition request submitted by the British Home Office for her was rejected by Mr Pompeo in January  a decision the State Department has said is final.

Ms Charles added: Its been nearly a year, please dont let this roll into a second year.

Weve got his anniversary coming up which is going to be beyond painful for us.

We dont want a repeat of the last 11 months. It has been horrific. You wouldnt wish it on your worst enemy. I dont want to relive any of it ever again.

Its just about doing the right thing. It always has been, it always will be.

Weve always agreed immunity does need to be in place for certain circumstances. This isnt one of them.

Bring Anne Sacoolas back to the UK, face the justice system.
Almighty God,

the fountain of all wisdom,

you know our necessities before we ask

and our ignorance in asking:

Have compassion on our weakness,

and mercifully give us those things

which for our unworthiness we dare not,

and for our blindness we cannot ask;

through the worthiness of your Son Jesus Christ our Lord,

who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,

one God,

now and for ever.

Amen.
Defence minister Rajnath Singh met soldiers from the 16th battalion of the Bihar regiment who fought off numerically superior Chinese troops in the remote Galwan Valley on June 15, and acknowledged their bravery in the presence of the militarys top brass, people familiar with the developments said on Sunday.

Singh returned to Delhi on Saturday after a two-day tour of Ladakh and Jammu and Kashmir that covered visits to forward locations and also saw him interact with soldiers deployed there.

A new video from Lukung on the western bank on Ladakhs Pangong Tso, which has been at the centre of the current border tensions with China, showed the minister having tea with soldiers from 16 Bihar. In the clip, the minister is seen mingling with the soldiers who were introduced to him by 14 Corps commander Lieutenant General Harinder Singh who can be heard telling the minister that the commanding officer killed in the skirmish was from their unit.

Raksha Mantri Shri @rajnathsingh met the soldiers from Bihar Regiment at Lukung during his visit to forward areas in Ladakh. He had a brief interaction with them. pic.twitter.com/81YS0T960a    / RMO India (@DefenceMinIndia) July 19, 2020

The infantry battalions 37-year-old commanding officer, Colonel B Santosh Babu, was among the 20 Indian soldiers killed in the seven-hour deadly conflict near Patrolling Point 14 in Galwan Valley, where outnumbered Indian troops inflicted heavy casualties on the Chinese Peoples Liberation Army (PLA).

Beijing has not disclosed the number of fatalities it suffered but according to Indias assessment the PLA suffered twice as many casualties.

Apart from 16 Bihar, soldiers from 3 Punjab, 3 Medium Regiment and 81 Field Regiment were involved in the first deadly conflict between Indian and Chinese troops along the contested Line of Actual Control (LAC) in more than five decades.

Also read: Navys forward posture against PLA aggression in Ladakh muscles out Chinese threat on high seas

Recalling the Galwan Valley skirmish in his speech, Singh said on Friday while he was delighted to meet the soldiers at Lukung, he was deeply pained by the loss of 20 Indian soldiers in the clash. Paying tributes to the brave-hearts, he said they not only protected Indias border but also the honour of 130 crore Indians and their sacrifice would not go in vain.

The first wave of fighting in Galwan Valley erupted around 6 pm on June 15 after Colonel Babu led a squad of 30 soldiers to a location near PP-14 to verify if the PLA had removed some structures erected in the area despite an understanding reached on June 6 by top Indian and Chinese military commanders on a disengagement plan to reduce rising border tensions.

The Indian soldiers confronted the Chinese troops, who refused to remove their installations and vacate the area, triggering a violent clash that involved more than 600 rival soldiers at its peak.

In Ladakh, Singh said that the progress in negotiations with China should help resolve the ongoing border dispute but he couldnt guarantee to what extent the situation will be resolved, underlining that progress in resolving the tensions along the LAC between the two nuclear powers has been a challenging and arduous process.

Also read: Eye on China, Modi-Abe Summit could be held in October; Philippines next

Singh also said that no power could touch or grab even an inch of Indian territory. Lukung is 43 km from Finger 4 on the northern bank of Pangong lake.

India last week said the complex disengagement process with China on the LAC is specifically aimed at preventing face-off situations, and any unilateral attempts to change the status quo on the disputed border wont be accepted. Two days after senior military commanders from both sides met at Chushul, the Indian Army on July 16 said complete disengagement is an intricate process requiring constant verification.
Viruses are scary. They invade our cells like invisible armies, and each type brings its own strategy of attack. While viruses devastate communities of humans and animals, scientists scramble to fight back. Many utilize electron microscopy, a tool that can "see" what individual molecules in the virus are doing. Yet even the most sophisticated technology requires that the sample be frozen and immobilized to get the highest resolution.

Now, physicists from the University of Utah have pioneered a way of imaging virus-like particles in real time, at room temperature, with impressive resolution. In a new study, the method reveals that the lattice, which forms the major structural component of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), is dynamic. The discovery of a diffusing lattice made from Gag and GagPol proteins, long considered to be completely static, opens up potential new therapies.

When HIV particles bud from an infected cell, the viruses experience a lag time before they become infectious. Protease, an enzyme that is embedded as a half-molecule in GagPol proteins, must bond to other similar molecules in a process called dimerization. This triggers the viral maturation that leads to infectious particles. No one knows how these half protease molecules find each other and dimerize, but it may have to do with the rearrangement of the lattice formed by Gag and GagPol proteins that lay just inside of the viral envelope. Gag is the major structural protein and has been shown to be enough to assemble virus-like particles. Gag molecules form a lattice hexagonal structure that intertwines with itself with miniscule gaps interspersed. The new method showed that the Gag protein lattice is not a static one.

"This method is one step ahead by using microscopy that traditionally only gives static information. In addition to new microscopy methods, we used a mathematical model and biochemical experiments to verify the lattice dynamics," said lead author Ipsita Saha, graduate research assistant at the U's Department of Physics & Astronomy. "Apart from the virus, a major implication of the method is that you can see how molecules move around in a cell. You can study any biomedical structure with this."

The paper published in Biophysical Journal on June 26, 2020.

Mapping a nanomachine

The scientists weren't looking for dynamic structures at first -- they just wanted to study the Gag protein lattice. Saha led the two year effort to "hack" microscopy techniques to be able to study virus particles at room temperature to observe their behavior in real life. The scale of the virus is miniscule -- about 120 nanometers in diameter -- so Saha used interferometric photoactivated localization microscopy (iPALM).

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First, Saha tagged the Gag with a fluorescent protein called Dendra2 and produced virus-like particles of the resulting Gag-Dendra2 proteins. These virus-like particles are the same as HIV particles, but made only of the Gag-Dendra2 protein lattice structure. Saha showed that the resulting Gag-Dendra2 proteins assembled the virus-like particles the same way as virus-like particle made up regular Gag proteins. The fluorescent attachment allowed iPALM to image the particle with a 10 nanometer resolution. The scientists found that each immobilized virus-like particle incorporated 1400 to 2400 Gag-Dendra2 proteins arranged in a hexagonal lattice. When they used the iPALM data to reconstruct a time-lapse image of the lattice, it appeared that the lattice of Gag-Dendra2 were not static over time. To make sure, they independently verified it in two ways: mathematically and biochemically.

First, they divided up the protein lattice into uniform separate segments. Using a correlation analysis, they tested how each segment correlated with itself over time, from 10 to 100 seconds. If each segment continued to correlate with itself, the proteins were stationary. If they lost correlation, the proteins had diffused. They found that over time, the proteins were quite dynamic.

The second way they verified the dynamic lattice was biochemically. For this experiment, they created virus-like particles whose lattice consisted of 80% of Gag wild type proteins, 10% of Gag tagged with SNAP, and 10% of gag tagged with Halo. SNAP and Halo are proteins that can bind a linker which binds them together forever. The idea was to identify whether the molecules in the protein lattice stayed stationary, or if they migrated positions.

"The Gag-proteins assemble themselves randomly. The SNAP and Halo molecules could be anywhere within the lattice -- some may be close to one another, and some will be far away," Saha said. "If the lattice changes, there's a chance that the molecules come close to one another."

Saha introduced a molecule called Haxs8 into the virus-like particles. Haxs8 is a dimerizer -- a molecule that covalently binds SNAP and Halo proteins when they are within binding radius of one another. If SNAP or Halo molecules move next to each other, they'll produce a dimerized complex. She tracked these dimerized complex concentrations over time. If the concentration changed, it would indicate that new pairs of molecules found each other. If the concentration decreased, it would indicate the proteins broke apart. Either way, it would indicate that movement had taken place. They found that over time, the percentage of the dimerized complex increased; HALO and SNAP Gag proteins were moving all over the lattice and coming together over time.

A new tool to study viruses

This is the first study to show that the protein lattice structure of an enveloped virus is dynamic. This new tool will be important to better understand the changes that occur within the lattice as new virus particles go from immaturity to dangerously infectious.

"What are the molecular mechanisms that lead to infection? It opens up a new line of study," said Saha. "If you can figure out that process, maybe you can do something to prevent them from finding each other, like a type of drug that would stop the virus in its tracks."
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Jan Williams and her family face a painful dilemma. Her brother has schizophrenia and bipolar disorder and doesn't always take his meds. She said he's not violent, but at times the family needs emergency intervention to get him to the hospital.

They're hesitant to call for help because police officers accompany mental health workers, and she said they may see her brother as a "300-pound Black man."

"[Police] don't come with patience," Williams said. "They come with weapons and ready to defend themselves."

Williams wants a world where her brother can get help from the city's Psychiatric Emergency Teams without the presence of officers from the Los Angeles Police Department. It's a hope shared by many of those who spoke at a brainstorming session on Saturday organized by the People's Budget L.A. coalition led by Black Lives Matter-Los Angeles.

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More than 200 people attended the town hall-style event in response to an effort at City Hall to shift non-violent 911 calls -- be they for domestic disputes or crises involving people on drugs -- from the LAPD to unarmed specialists in areas such as mental health.

Ideas include creating community-based street teams trained to de-escalate volatile situations, as pioneered in Newark, and more youth-oriented programming as that provided by GYRD Foundation. The organization keeps recreation centers and parks running late into the night during the summer.

Councilmembers Herb Wesson, Curren Price and Mike Bonin (r. to l.) attended a town hall on policing Saturday organized by Black Lives Matter and the People's Budget-LA coalition. (Josie Huang/LAist)

The motion was co-introduced by L.A. city councilmember Herb Wesson, who attended Saturday's session and imagined aloud a situation where a driver who had had too much to drink is approached by community interventionists rather than law enforcement.

"Don't you think you're going to react better if a couple of brothers pull up and say, 'Can I get you a ride home?'" Wesson said. "'Here's some water. I got my partner with me. He'll drive your car home.'"

Wesson, who was joined at the town hall by council colleagues Mike Bonin and Curren Price, said the driver would still be given notice to appear in court.

"He might be mad," Wesson said, "but he's going to be alive."

Wesson pictures this LAPD-less scenario with a driver who's had too much to drink.



"Don't you think you're going to react better if a couple of brothers, pull up up & say'Can I get u a ride home? Here's some water. I got my partner w/me. He'll drive your car home.'... pic.twitter.com/RwIL1QdQbc  Josie Huang (@josie_huang) July 18, 2020

The event showcased how much traction the Black Lives Matter movement has gained in City Hall since worldwide protests erupted over the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis nearly two months ago.

At the pressure of activists, the city council voted July 1 to cut the LAPD budget by $150 million and divert funds to community programs. Weeks earlier, Wesson co-introduced his motion to create a new city model for non-emergency interventions.

After Wesson's speech, Black Lives Matter-LA co-founder Melina Abullah noted, "This is a strange place to be."

Melina Abdullah, co-founder of the L.A. chapter of Black Lives Matter, and L.A. councilmember Herb Wesson hug after his speech. (Josie Huang/LAist)

"We're not on the outside of City Hall, yelling, right?" Abdullah said. "This is a point at which we are actually collaborating. This is an opportunity for us to actually engage in our own governance."

Activist Skipp Townsend said effective community involvement is already happening without police. He said he and other interventionists have been working to resolve situations where street vendors were attacked. In a recent case where a vendor was pelted with eggs, a community leader confronted the father of the alleged attacker.

"We are not going to allow you or your son to interrupt the community peace that we have," Townsend recounted. He added: "No one knows the work we're doing in the street to help the vendors."

Social distancing was strictly followed at Saturday's town hall on police reform and community interventions. (Josie Huang/LAist)

Ten-year-old Adele Martinez of South Los Angeles was among the speakers, saying that police also need to appropriately respond when they are needed. She said a neighbor's body was decomposing for days before officers showed up Saturday, and that his truck is still on the street.

"When we needed the police most, they weren't there," Martinez said. (LAPD has not responded to a request from KPCC/LAist for comment.)

.@Skipptownsend says effective community intervention work is already going on behind the scenes  and w/o LAPD.



Cites recent work around helping street vendors who have been attacked. pic.twitter.com/baneCyXaQW  Josie Huang (@josie_huang) July 18, 2020

Public hearings to hear recommendations on police reform will be scheduled in the coming weeks, according to Wesson.

Abdullah said ideas taken from today's event will be presented to the council.

WE LOVE TO ANSWER YOUR QUESTIONS


By Ko Chang-nam





President Moon Jae-in unveiled a roadmap for the "Korean New Deal," Tuesday, which seeks to invest over 160 trillion won (about $133 billion) and create 1.9 million jobs over the next five years.



According to the roadmap, the Korean New Deal is composed of the "Digital New Deal" and "Green New Deal." Accordingly, the Green New Deal is becoming the core agenda of the Korean government in the post-coronavirus world. President Moon said, "The Green New Deal is definitely the way we should go, considering the strong demand by international society and civil society."



As you know, Green New Deal is a compound word of "Green" and "New Deal" which means a policy that promotes investment in the environmental sector including measures to deal with climate change and energy transformation, thus promoting employment and economic growth.

As is widely known, New Deal refers to a series of programs, public work projects, financial reforms, and regulations enacted by U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt in the 1930s.



The government has selected 10 signature projects for the Digital New Deal and Green New Deal, including the data dam, eco-friendly mobility, smart healthcare infrastructure, green energy, the digitalization of social infrastructure, intelligent government, green/smart school, green/smart industrial complex, green remodeling of public spaces, and Digital Twin.



According to the roadmap, Green New Deal is composed of three pillars, including green remodeling of public spaces to eliminate carbon emissions; establishment of innovative ecosystem of green industry; and enlargement of low-carbon, decentralized energy supply system.



In this context, I would like to talk about the relationship between the Green New Deal in the transport sector and the Korean railway industry.



A few months ago, I said in a seminar that one of the most well-known Korean policies in the global society is the "green growth" policy, and it is devised by the Lee Myung-bak administration and spread all around the world.



When I worked for the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP) in 2011 and 2012, I drafted up a low-carbon green growth road map in the transport sector for Asia and the Pacific and it has been spread around the world ever since. I insisted that the essence of green growth in the transport sector lies in railway investment.



As is generally known, railways are a mode of transportation which is environment-friendly, energy saving, sustainable and capable of mass transportation.



As these merits of railway as a transport mode are globally spread, railway investment is increasing year after year, and in sync with this trend, international organizations such as the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank are increasing their investments. For instance, the ADB is enlarging its railway investment from 16 percent in 2009 to 25 percent in 2020, according to its sustainable transport initiative.



In this context, the Korean government should enlarge the railway investment which is at the center or the Green New Deal.



A good example is the case of the European Union.



The European Commission has put rail investment at the heart of its ambitious Green New Deal. EU's Green New Deal document details plans to tackle the environmental impact of the transport sector, which "accounts for a quarter of the Union's greenhouse gas emissions." The ambitious plans for change are set to cost 220 billion euros in total, a combination of public and private investment.



Emissions from the transport sector must drop by 90 percent by 2050, the document states. It warns current EU policies will not reach carbon neutrality by 2050, despite EU promises outlining that in 2018.



Seventy-five percent of inland freight in the EU is carried by road, which must be replaced by rail and inland waterways, according to the document.



"Rapid 100 percent electrification of rail networks" must also follow, alongside a new Single European Sky proposal, a measure with the aim of reducing aviation emissions across Europe.



Talking about the Green New Deal in Korea again, from all these considerations, the government should include railway programs in Korean Green New Deal projects and its investment in railways as shown in the case of the European Union.



Anyway I hope railway investment by the government will be increased during this opportunity of the Korean Green New Deal, and that a railway renaissance will be resurrected in Korea.





Ko Chang-nam is a former economic affairs officer of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP).








What Does Philippians 4:7 Mean?

Lets look at the verse in its entirety:

And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Then lets break it into three phrases for more clarity on the meaning of this verse.

1. And the peace of God

When you look at the word for peace in the Greek, the word means quietness, rest, or peace. The Amplified Bible uses the term that peace which reassures the heart. When you consider these meanings, you understand this peace gives you a sense of quietness or reassurance of heart that God will come through.

Notice also that its the peace of God, which means that it reflects who God is. Since God is never rattled or anxious over any situation, he is sharing that part of his character with you.

2. ...which transcends all understanding

When you look at this in the Greek the word for transcends means to surpass, exceed, excel. The word for understanding means your mind, understanding, or reason.

3. ...will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

The word for guard here can actually mean a military guard. This peace will work to defend your mind from all invaders. It will take whatever defensive or offensive action is necessary to protect your heart and mind.

Lets put this all together for a full understanding:

The quietness or rest of God, which surpasses any understanding of your mind or anything you can reason, will watch over your heart and mind and will take whatever measures are necessary to keep them at peace.

Another way to think of it is...when you consider your situation and the peace you have in the midst of it, it wont make logical sense. You should be worried, but youre not. You should be panicking, but youre not. You should have anxiety, but you dont.

This is the kind of peace God offers. Its not a passive peace but an active peace that is fighting on your behalf.

Photo Credit: Crosscards/Bethany Pyle
TDT | Manama

Bahrain yesterday confirmed that it would seriously consider abolishing death sentences should countries of the world, especially the Islamic countries, agree to take a position on the matter. The death penalty is imposed only very rarely in Bahrain, Ministry of Foreign Affairs said adding that it is given in only gravest of the cases.

The ministry said this in a statement categorically rejecting allegations that the death sentences against two for bombing a convoy and killing a police officer were unfair. The allegations, the Ministry said, are misleading and false and from groups having a clear history of systematically spreading anti-Bahrain propaganda.

The verdicts, the ministry said, are also fully consistent with the international law and human rights principles adopted by the United Nations. Bahrains highest court on 13 July 2020 upheld death sentences against the two men, issued by a criminal court in December 2014. The ministry pointed out that the court upheld all guarantees for defendants during all stages of the trial.

Every stage of the two mens trial and appeal process met all the requirements of due process and fair trial, including legal representation and the examination of all the evidence against them. A total of 15 judges reviewed the case in trial and appeal courts over a period of six years.

The verdict, the ministry said, was unanimous based on the evidence proving the convicts criminal responsibility. As in other countries, Bahrains laws and criminal justice system aim to protect the private rights of citizens and residents, maintain the stability of society, and uphold the rights of any person accused of an offence, the statement said.
London, July 19 : UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson has said he does not want to impose a second national lockdown in the event of another COVID-19 outbreak, a media report said on Sunday.

Speaking to The Sunday Telegraph newspaper, Johnson said authorities were getting better at identifying and isolating local outbreaks, adding that the power to order national action will remain an option, the BBC reported.

"I can't abandon that tool any more than I would abandon a nuclear deterrent. But it is like a nuclear deterrent, I certainly don't want to use it. And nor do I think we will be in that position again," he said.

Johnson told The Sunday Telegraph that experts were getting better at spotting the disease, isolating it locally and identifying which groups it affects and how.

"We're genuinely able now to look at what's happening in much closer to real time, to isolate outbreaks and to address them on the spot, and to work with local authorities to contain the problem locally and regionally if we have to." Johnson's remarks come as councils in England have been given "lightning" lockdown powers.

Under the new powers, local authorities can close shops, cancel events and shut outdoor public spaces to manage local outbreaks.

While addressing the nation on Friday, the Prime Minister set out his hopes for a "significant return to normality" by Christmas.

Under the new guidelines, people can use public transport for journeys immediately, and employers will have more discretion to bring staff back to workplaces if it is safe to do so.

But the UK's Chief Scientific Adviser Patrick Vallance warned that "come winter, the challenges will be very much greater and of course there is a risk that this could also need national measures as well".

Professor John Edmunds, a member of the government's Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (Sage), told the BBC that a return to pre-lockdown normality was "a long way off".

He said that activities such as going to work normally, travelling on public transport, going on holiday without restrictions, hugging and shaking hands with friends will not be returning any time soon.

"We won't be able to do that until we are immune to the virus, which means until we have a vaccine that is proven safe and effective.

"If we return to those sort of normal behaviours, the virus will come back very fast," he added.
R oger Stone, a long-time friend of Donald Trump, has used the racial slur Negro while talking to a black radio host.

The lobbyist was being interviewed by host Morris O'Kelly on Saturday's Mo'Kelly show, when he muttered: I cant believe Im arguing with this Negro.

It came as Mr OKelly was grilling Stone on his conviction for lying to Congress, tampering with witnesses and obstructing the investigation into whether Mr Trumps campaign colluded with Russia to win the 2016 election.

Stone was sentenced to 40 months in prison, but Mr Trump commuted that sentence on July 10  just days before Stone was due to report for detention.

President Donald Trump commuted his friend's prison sentence / AP

As Mr OKelly asserted that Stones commutation was because of his friendship with Mr Trump, Stones voice goes faint but can be heard uttering that he was arguing with this Negro.

Mr OKelly asks Stone to repeat the comment but Stone is momentarily silent.

The first part of Stones statement was not entirely audible but the radio show transcribed the complete sentence as: I cant believe Im arguing with this Negro.

Mr OKelly persisted, asking Stone to respond.

Roger Stone was convicted in November 2019 / Getty Images

Im sorry youre arguing with whom? I thought we were just having a spirited conversation. What happened? Mr OKelly said.

You said something about Negro.

Stone said he had not, adding: Youre out of your mind.

The interview then moved on.

During the programme, Stone said the president had acted out of compassion and that the jury who heard his case had been tainted.

I did not get a fair trial, Stone said.

Mr OKelly wrote on his shows website: Stone could have reached for any pejorative, but unfortunately went there.

He added: Stone offered an unfiltered, unvarnished one-sentence expression of how he saw the journalist interviewing him.

Mr OKelly characterised Negro as the low-calorie version of the N-word.

Stones lawyer said on Sunday that he was unaware of the broadcast and had no immediate comment.
Ronald Reagan, shown at the 1976 Republican Convention in Kansas City, Mo., repeatedly used the racist trope of the Black "welfare queen" to appeal to white voters. (David Hume Kennerly / Getty Images)

The brutal murder of George Floyd has forced Americans to wrestle with the structural racism that undergirds every aspect of this society and economy. The searing news of the disproportionate rates of COVID-19 among Black Americans has added to the urgency of this moment.

But not for Donald Trump. His long record of embracing racism as a political tool  from his promotion of the "birther" lie about Barack Obama to his defense of white supremacists  has made him the most racially polarizing president in the last century.

Yet, while many Republican "Never Trumpers" condemn Trump for his brazen appeals to white supremacy, they are curiously silent on Ronald Reagans record on race and civil rights. Its no accident that the Party of Reagan morphed so easily into the Party of Trump.

Long before Trump descended his golden escalator, promising to "Make America Great Again," Reagan was the first to use the slogan Lets Make America Great Again, vowing to return America to its past glory before the civil rights movement toppled Jim Crow in the 1960s.

Whenever the issue of Reagans hostility to civil rights and unpopularity with Black Americans is broached, conservatives leap to Reagans defense and stress his apparent lack of personal racism. That view has been shredded by the disclosure last year of a phone call in October 1971 between Richard Nixon and Reagan, in which Reagan described African diplomats as monkeys," who were still uncomfortable wearing their shoes.

While Reagans sunny vision of America as a shining city may be the antithesis of Donald Trumps dystopian American "carnage," he masterfully deployed racially coded language and other dog-whistles like states rights, law and order and welfare queens that resonated with middle-class taxpayers without appearing racist.

One telling illustration is Reagans decision to give a major speech in his 1980 campaign at the Neshoba County Fair in Philadelphia, Miss., only miles from where three civil rights workers  James Chaney, Andrew Goodman and Michael Schwerner  were murdered in 1964. Looking back, it is eerily similar to Trumps decision to hold a campaign rally on the day after the Juneteenth in Tulsa, Okla., the site of the worst racial massacre in the 20th century.

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Reagan was the first presidential nominee of a major political party to attend that fair since it started in 1889, and that fact was not lost on the 20,000 white people gathered there on Aug. 3, 1980, many proudly waving Confederate flags and chanting, We want Reagan! We want Reagan! The crowd was exhilarated with his declaring his fidelity to states rights, which for a century had been the Souths rallying cry to prevent the federal government from interfering with its racial customs.

That speech helped Reagan sweep every Southern state except President Carters home state of Georgia. Since then, the Old Confederacy has been the heart of the GOP. On the eve of Reagans inauguration, Black Americans feared an assault on the civil rights gains of the 1960s.

These fears were well-founded. After all, Reagan began his political career with his 1966 campaign for California governor by denouncing the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965, while running radio ads referring to urban areas as jungles. Only months after the Watts riots, Reagan made law and order and opposition to Californias far-reaching Fair Housing Act the centerpiece of his campaign to oust the liberal incumbent, Pat Brown.

Reagan repeatedly said, If an individual wants to discriminate against Negroes in the sale or renting of his property, it is his right to do so. This stance resonated with millions of middle-class white voters, many of whom had never voted for a Republican, but voted for Reagan in part because they feared African Americans moving into their neighborhoods.

Reagans success in making inroads with white working-class voters in the booming suburbs of Southern California was a template for the law and order and silent majority rhetoric that fueled Nixons presidential victory in 1968. Reagan mounted an unsuccessful bid for the Republican nomination in 1968, in which he crisscrossed the South and white enclaves across the country thrilling conservative audiences with his scorching attacks on lawless civil rights agitators and his tough talk of law and order. Just hours after Martin Luther King Jr.s assassination, Reagan called Kings assassination a great tragedy that began when we began compromising with law and order and people started choosing which laws theyd break.

In 1976, Reagan, in challenging Gerald Ford for the Republican presidential nomination, popularized the racist trope of a welfare queen, repeating at virtually every campaign stop, before white audiences, the fictitious story of a Black welfare cheat, subsidized by hardworking white taxpayers.

Overall, Reagans two-term presidency marked a new nadir in race relations. His administration tried to dilute the Voting Rights Act, vitiated the bipartisan U.S. Commission on Civil Rights and vowed to abolish affirmative action, arguing that white men were the only victims  of reverse discrimination. Reagans attitudes on civil rights were reflected in his refusal to impose sanctions on the apartheid government of South Africa; he vetoed a 1986 bill imposing sanctions, which Congress overrode. Nobel Peace Prize winner Archbishop Desmond Tutu was so incensed that he declared Reagan a racist, pure and simple.

Most egregiously, Reagan was instrumental in ratcheting up the "war on drugs," which has led to the mass incarceration of Black and poor people of color and the destruction of families and communities. His administration adopted a series of draconian laws that resulted in the imprisonment rate of African Americans on drug charges is almost six times that of whites, even though whites use illicit drugs at a similar rate.

While Reagan eschewed the overt racism of Trump, his racial politics paved the way for Trump. In fact, Reagans brand of racism was perhaps more sinister than Trumps because he did it with a genial smile. In reckoning with Trump, we need to reckon with Reagans legacy. And that began with his appeal to white voters in Southern California.

Daniel S. Lucks is the author of the forthcoming book Reconsidering Reagan: Racism, Republicans, and the Road to Trump.




A man was airlifted to a Miami Hospital on Saturday after police shot him multiple times in the Lower Florida Keys following an armed robbery and then a pursuit up U.S. 1, according to the Monroe County Sheriffs Office.

The shooting happened at mile marker 10 on Big Coppitt Key at about 4 p.m., said Adam Linhardt, the spokesman for the sheriffs office.

Julian Vaughn Thomas, 24, of Tennessee, was later identified as the suspect by Key West police, who said he committed an armed robbery outside the county librarys branch before taking off in a car and refusing to stop.

Thomas went up to a man who was talking on his cell phone outside the library, 700 Fleming St., and pointed a handgun at him while demanding the phone, according to a preliminary police report.

The phones owner said he was sitting outside the library when a car quickly came to a stop outside the library and the gunman got out and approached him, police said.

Thomas took off in a silver Ford Focus with Louisiana plates, police said. He would not stop when Key West police tried to pull him over and continued to drive through Key West obeying all traffic laws and signals, the report states.

Thomas was driving north on U.S. 1 at 3:16 p.m. when a Monroe deputy spotted on Stock Island a Ford sedan that matched a be-on-the-lookout description sent by Key West Police after the armed robbery.

The deputy tried to make a traffic stop, but Thomas would not comply, police said.

Deputies, who are not permitted to engage in high-speed chases in the Keys, laid down spike strips to pop the Fords tires.

He wouldnt stop, Linhardt said. And FHP got involved.

Key West police on July 18 2020, released this photograph that they said was taken at the scene of an armed robbery that took place in Key West. The suspect was later shot by police after a pursuit up U.S. 1. The Monroe County Sheriffs Office said the suspect fired on officers first.

The Ford only stopped when a state trooper used a Precision Immobilization Technique, or PIT, to make contact with the suspects car in order to force him to stop.

The sheriffs office does not employ the PIT method.

After he was stopped, Thomas then brandished a handgun and fired at least once at officers, who returned fire, Linhardt said.

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Multiple officers returned fire and began performing first aid when he went down, Linhardt said.

The handgun Thomas used on police was located inside the Ford sedan, Linhardt said.

On Saturday night, Sheriff Rick Ramsay said the police shooting appears to be justified.

The use of force in this case, like all cases of this nature, will be independently investigated by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and reviewed by the State Attorney, said Ramsay. That said, with the information I have at this point, this appears to be an appropriate use of force by the officers involved.

It is not immediately clear how many officers opened fire, or for which agency  the sheriffs office, FHP or both  they work, Linhardt said.

There were no other injuries reported.

The incident severely backed up traffic on U.S. 1 in the Lower Keys. Traffic was shut down in both directions at mile marker 10 following the shooting.
A store employee in the Ocean County Mall in Toms River was spit at and struck with a belt after she asked two customers to pull up their masks earlier this month, authorities said.

A man and a woman entered Zumiez, a store that sells skateboards, footwear and clothing, about 3:10 p.m. on July 9 when the worker noticed that both were wearing their face coverings around their necks, Toms River police said.

Malls in New Jersey reopened June 28 with masks required for all customers and workers to slow the spread of the coronavirus.

The man then became irate and started screaming at the employee before picking up a belt for sale and snapping it toward her, striking her once, police said.

His female companion then yelled at the employee and spit at her before both shoppers left.

Police were unable to find the pair after searching the area.

Anyone with information is asked to call Toms River police at 732-349-0150.

Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com.

Jeff Goldman may be reached at jeff_goldman@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @JeffSGoldman. Find NJ.com on Facebook.
A returned traveller has been charged after allegedly trying to flee hotel quarantine to have a cigarette.

The 28-year-old Queensland man was completing 14-day mandatory quarantine at a hotel on Macquarie Street, in Sydney's CBD, when he was allegedly spotted trying to leave his room by security guards about 2.35am on Sunday.

Police said the man was ordered to return to his room, but refused, then allegedly attempted to bolt out of the hotel via the lift.

A man has been charged after he was allegedly caught trying to flee hotel quarantine for a cigarette early on Sunday morning. A policeman wearing protective mask and gloves is pictured standing outside a hotel in April waiting for guest to depart after two weeks isolation

Returning overseas travellers are ushered into the InterContinental Hotel for the beginning of their 14-day imposed quarantine in Sydney, Sunday, March 29, 2020

He was stopped by police officers and a short physical struggle ensued, before the man was restrained and taken back to his room.

He will be served a Future Court Attendance Notice for the offences of resist police officer in execution of duty and failing to comply with the Public Health Act Order.

Police will allege the man breached the 14-day mandatory quarantine required to be completed by returned international travellers, under the Public Health (COVID-19 Air Transportation Quarantine) Order.

It is not the first time a nicotine craving has landed a quarantine-bound traveller in trouble with the law.

Earlier this month, Instagram influencer Sarah Josephine Liberty escaped from the Marriott Hotel, in Sydney, through the fire escape to go light up a cigarette.

A security guard saw her fleeing but was unable to stop her, and police were called.

She was later busted by police 150 metres away in Circular Quay, and was returned to her room with a $1,000 fine for not complying with directions under the Public Health Act.
Online media in Benin are facing a complete wipeout after the authorities ordered them to shut down, in a move critics say is aimed at stifling journalists ahead of elections next year. The west African nation's state media regulator issued a decree in early July ordering all online outlets to "end publication" or risk facing legal punishment. The watchdog said internet outlets had been opened "without prior authorisation" and that those behind them had not been properly vetted. "This constitutes a danger to the country," said Fernand Gbaguidi, spokesman for the High Audiovisual and Communication Authority. Since the announcement Leonce Gamai, the managing director of popular investigative news site Banouto, has been losing sleep. Work at the outlet is "on hold" and he has had to suspend his staff of seven journalists until the situation becomes clearer. He insists the site long ago went through all the legal formalities and is hoping to get the greenlight to return to business soon. But the financial situation is becoming increasingly precarious. "We have commitments with partners and we have the obligation to honour them," Gamai told AFP. - 'Reduce us to silence' - Benin, Nigeria's western neighbour of 11 million people, has long been seen as one of the region's most stable democracies. But since business magnate Patrice Talon became president in 2016, journalists and opponents have complained of increasing authoritarianism. For many in the media the latest move against online outlets is yet another attempt to curb potentially critical voices. The government pushed through controversial legislation in 2018 targeting those working online and criminalising the sharing of "false information" on social media. A growing number of journalists and bloggers have faced investigation under the law. Last December investigative TV reporter Ignace Sossou was detained after tweeting statements by a state prosecutor. He was eventually sentenced to a year in jail on charges including "harassment" and released in June after serving six months. "They want to reduce us to silence because those in power cannot control online media as easily as they do with traditional outlets," one journalist at an internet TV station told AFP on condition of anonymity. The reporter insisted the motives are clear for the authorities. Talon has been grappling with a political crisis since disputed parliamentary elections last year -- and is facing a presidential vote next April. Those in power want to carry out "a purge in the media before the election", the web journalist said. Benin this year dropped 17 places to 113th out of 180 countries in the annual press freedom index from Reporters Without Borders. "Journalists enjoy a significant degree of freedom of expression," the media rights group said. "However, the state-owned media have provided little coverage of opposition activities since Patrice Talon became president in 2016, and the media have been subjected to close surveillance." Zakiath Latoundji, head of Benin's Union of Media Professionals, said attempts to "clean up" the online space were not necessarily bad. But he denounced the "brutality" of the move from the state media regulator. Eustace Agboton, who heads an association for internet journalists, insisted the move amounted to "a kind of restriction of freedom of expression". "When we know the increasingly important role played by online media, we have the right to question the timing of this," she said.
China's top university has sacked a law professor, who is a staunch critic of the ruling Chinese Communist Party leadership including the constitutional amendment facilitating indefinite tenure for President Xi Jinping by scrapping the two-term limit.

Xu Zhangrun, an outspoken Chinese law professor of the Tsinghua University, has been formally notified of his removal on Saturday, Hong Kong-based South China Morning Post reported on Sunday.

The Tsinghua University, whose famous alumni include President Xi, has been listed as China's number one university by the Times Higher Education World University Rankings.

The notification, dated on Wednesday, was sent to Xu by courier, the report said quoting a friend who requested anonymity for fear of retribution.

The Tsinghua University, where 57-year-old Xu worked for 20 years, said it took the decision after a meeting on July 10.

Xu, a prominent legal scholar, is one of the very few academics to have publicly challenged the Communist Party of China (CPC) leadership in recent years in a number of essays published online in China and overseas.

"We have verified that Xu Zhangrun has published many essays since July 2018 and it is a serious violation of the '10 standards of professional conduct for teachers in tertiary institutes in the new era'," the notification read.

The guidelines, issued by the Ministry of Education in 2018, said teachers would be fired or punished if they said or did anything that undermines the authority of the CPC or violated the directions and policies of the party.

Earlier this month, Xu was taken away by Chengdu police from his Beijing home. His wife was later informed that he was arrested for soliciting prostitutes while travelling to the capital of Sichuan province, a claim dismissed by Xu's friends as an attempt to discredit him.

Xu was released last Sunday and he returned home after six days of detention.

In July 2108, Xu published his first criticism of the CPC leadership, which included one of the few public statements opposing the removal of presidential term limits, which allows Xi Jinping to stay in the post after 2023.

Xi, 67, who is also the head of the CPC and the military, is currently in his second term.

All of Xi's predecessors, except party founder Mao Zedong abided by the two-five-year term norm aimed at preventing the perpetuation of one leader rule of the CPC and the country.

The five-year term norm was removed in 2018 by the National People's Congress (NPC), China's Parliament, paving the way for a possible lifelong tenure for Xi at the helm.

Xu was suspended from teaching by Tsinghua in 2019, but he continued to write essays critical of the party leadership.

In February and May, Xu published two lengthy articles, openly criticising the CPC leadership for mishandling the coronavirus.

Using satire and a mixture of modern and classical Chinese, Xu lamented how the country was isolated and how the public were gagged by fear and big data surveillance, the Post report said.

He also published a number of shorter essays criticising the Chinese government in recent months.

The university told Xu that if he wanted to appeal against the sacking, he would have to go to the Ministry of Education and the Beijing Education Commission.
BOSTON  The Boston Red Sox on Saturday honored John Lewis, the longtime congressman and civil rights leader who died of pancreatic cancer Friday. He was 80.

The Red Sox paid tribute to Lewis, who represented the fifth district in Georgia, with his photo on the Jumbotron in center field and by flying both United States flags at half-staff. The team wrote on Twitter, John Lewiss wisdom, impact and spirit will always inspire us. We mourn his passing and reaffirm our commitment to his work as we form a more just and equitable America. #GoodTrouble.

John Lewiss wisdom, impact and spirit will always inspire us.



We mourn his passing and reaffirm our commitment to his work as we form a more just and equitable America. #GoodTrouble pic.twitter.com/VCPaQSQyKL  Red Sox (@RedSox) July 18, 2020

Red Sox pitcher Collin McHugh also paid tribute on Twitter along with other major leaguers.

McHugh wrote late Friday, I just heard the awful news. @repjohnlewis was my representative in Atl, but he represented so much more than just the 5th district. He represented courage, dedication, and the belief that together we really can change this world for the better. A hero in every sense of the word.

I just heard the awful news. @repjohnlewis was my representative in Atl, but he represented so much more than just the 5th district. He represented courage, dedication, and the belief that together we really can change this world for the better. A hero in every sense of the word.  Collin McHugh (@Collin_McHugh) July 18, 2020

RIP Congressman John Lewis  Alex Bregman (@ABREG_1) July 18, 2020

Major League Baseball Players Association Executive Director Tony Clark today released the following statement on the passing of John Lewis and CT Vivian: pic.twitter.com/5bJPyEpcGw  MLBPA Communications (@MLBPA_News) July 18, 2020

According to the Associated Press, Lewis the youngest and last survivor of the Big Six civil rights activists who organized the 1963 March on Washington, and spoke shortly before the groups leader, Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., gave his I Have a Dream speech to a vast sea of people.

If that speech marked a turning point in the civil rights era  or at least the most famous moment  the struggle was far from over. Two more hard years passed before truncheon-wielding state troopers beat Lewis bloody and fractured his skull as he led 600 protesters over Selmas Edmund Pettus Bridge.

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Springfield remembers John Lewis, civil rights hero, long-time Congressman
The United Nations General Assembly President Tijjani Muhammad-Bande on July 17 declared Greek philanthropist Marianna Vardinoyannis as one of the laureates for the UN 2020 Nelson Mandela Prize. The award was given to individuals who dedicate their lives to helping humanity, recognising the impact that they have made through their efforts. Along with Vardinoyannis, Morissana Kouyate of Guinea was also honoured with the prestigious award.

According to the United Nations, Vardinoyannis has been involved for around 30 years in the fight against childhood cancer. Her services have saved the lives of thousands of children. Muhammad-Bandes spokeswoman Reem Abaza reportedly elaborated that Vardinoyannis is a world advocate for human lives, protecting the health and welfare of children everywhere.

READ: US Naval Forces Recreate Shosholoza On Mandela Day To Pay Tribute To Former SA President

The Greek philanthropist is a Goodwill Ambassador of UNESCO since 1999. The UN website informed that Vardinoyannis back in 1993 also created the first Bone Marrow Transplant Unit in Greece where 1200 children from Greece, Mediterranean and Balkans, received bone marrow transplants, free of charge. In 2010, she also created the first Pediatric Oncology Hospital in Greece, recording 150.000 hospitalizations of children, which has been affiliated with prominent hospitals such as Johns Hopkins (USA), Sick Kids (Canada), Princess Maxima Pediatric Oncology Center (Holland) etc.

The laureates of the 2020 #UN #MandelaPrize for outstanding contribution to the service of humanity have been announced: Marianna Vardinoyannis of Greece and Dr. Morissanda Kouyate of Guinea. Congratulations! #MandelaDay https://t.co/7AkbGzcbRA pic.twitter.com/y5I3BdAqjE  UN Turkmenistan (@UN_Turkmenistan) July 18, 2020

READ: Nelson Mandela Day 2020: Ideas To Celebrate The Day Amidst The Ongoing Global Pandemic

Kouyates exception efforts

On the other hand, Morissana Kouyate of Guinea is another Human rights activist who is known for his contribution towards violence against women and girls in Africa. According to the UN, he initiated efforts to address violence against women with the African Union Commission, leading to the Maputo Protocol, Africas regional instrument on ending violence against women. He also carried out exceptional efforts in the fight against harmful traditional practices, particularly for the elimination of the Female Genital Mutilations.

As per reports, both Vardinoyannis and Kouyate will be receiving the award during a virtual ceremony scheduled to take place on July 20. An in-person celebration is also reportedly being planned for a later date and is expected to be held at the UN Headquarters in New York, US. The news of the 2020 laureates came just a day before Nelson Mandela International Day, which falls on July 18. The Mandela Prize was established by the UN General Assembly resolution in June 2014, with the purpose to promote the principles of the UN, help enact social transformation and celebrating the life of Nelson Mandela.

READ: Is Nelson Mandela Day Public Holiday? Know Its Significance And Celebration Details

READ: Nelson Mandela Day Quotes That Will Influence And Inspire You
The incident occurred on Saturday night when Jitendra Kumar Singh and three others had gone to bring back their cattle that had strayed into the 'no man's land', said a senior police officer.

Kishanganj: An Indian national has been injured in firing by the Nepal Armed Police Force (NAPF) in the 'no man's land' on the Indo-Nepal border in Bihar's Kishanganj district, a senior police officer said on Sunday.

The incident occurred around 9:30 pm on Saturday near pillar number 152 when Jitendra Kumar Singh and three others had gone there to bring back their cattle that had strayed into the 'no man's land', Superintendent of Police Kumar Ashish said.

The victim is a resident of Mafia Tola village under Fatehpur police station of the district.

The family members rushed the injured man, who received a bullet injury on his left arm, to Kishanganj Sadar hospital from where doctors referred him to Purnea for better treatment.

The SP said police and Sashastra Seema Bal, the Indian border guarding force deployed on the Indo-Nepal border, are probing the matter.

The SSBs 12th battalion Commandant Lalit Kumar said that Nepal Armed Police Force opened fire on the suspicion that they were cattle smugglers.

Entering the 'no man's land' is prohibited during the lockdown, he said, adding the Nepalese force opened fire following an altercation. The Nepalese personnel fired four rounds.

On June 12, an Indian national was killed while two others were injured in firing by the NAPF on Indo-Nepal border near Lalbandi Janki Nagar village in Bihar's Sitamarhi district.

The incidents have occurred in the midst of a raging boundary row between the two countries, with India sternly asking Nepal not to resort to any "artificial enlargement" of its territorial claims after Kathmandu recently released a new political map laying claim over Lipulekh, Kalapani and Limpiyadhura.

New Delhi maintains that these are part of Uttarakhand, while Kathmandu, in its recent map, has shown them as part of Western Nepal.

India had published its new map of the border region in November, after it divided Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh into two Union Territories. The map had incorporated these areas of Uttarakhand, the territories disputed with Nepal, within India's borders.
One person in the hospital after he was struck with a hatchet during a fight, and police are now looking for the suspect.

Lebanon Police Chief Todd Breiner said in a press release today that officers were called to the hospital around 4 a.m. Saturday where a 23-year-old man had a substantial injury to his back after he had been struck with a hatchet.

The investigation led police to the 900 block of Cumberland Street, where they say three men got into a fight.

One of the males was struck in the head with a bottle and required medical attention. The other two got into a fight with one of them holding had what police say was a tire iron, and the suspect holding a hatchet. The suspect struck the other man in the back with the hatchet, landing him in the hospital, investigators say.

The three men know each other, and police are seeking the third man for questioning, police say.

The investigation is ongoing. No names have been released.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to call the Lebanon City Police Department at 71- 272-2054 or Crime Stoppers at 717-270-9800.

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OTTAWA - The federal government is ordering more than 75 million syringes, alcohol swabs and bandages so it can inoculate Canadians as soon as a COVID-19 vaccine is ready.

Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 18/7/2020 (550 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The federal government is ordering more than 75 million syringes, alcohol swabs and bandages so it is can innoculate Canadians as soon as a COVID-19 vaccine is ready. A patient receives a shot in the first-stage safety study clinical trial of a potential vaccine for COVID-19 at the Kaiser Permanente Washington Health Research Institute in Seattle, March 16, 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Ted S. Warren

OTTAWA - The federal government is ordering more than 75 million syringes, alcohol swabs and bandages so it can inoculate Canadians as soon as a COVID-19 vaccine is ready.

Procurement Minister Anita Anand says Ottawa intends to stockpile enough vaccine supplies to give at least two doses to every Canadian whenever a vaccine is available.

There are almost two dozen vaccines in clinical trials around the world and at least 140 more in earlier stages of development, but most experts predict it will be well into 2021 before the first vaccines could be ready for wide use.

Quebec biopharmaceutical company Medicago began Canada's first human COVID-19 vaccine trials July 13 and expects to have the initial results of its tests on 180 people by early fall.

Still, Anand says Canada wants to be ready and so has ordered 75.2 million each of syringes, alcohol swabs, bandages, and gauze pads, and 250,000 needle-disposal containers to be delivered no later than the end of October.

The contracts for the syringes are already in place but bids for the other supplies opened last week and will be accepted until the end of July.

Ottawa is also looking to transition its multibillion-dollar medical supplies purchase program from pandemic panic buying to longer-term planning. It is seeking a private company to take over the logistics of ordering, receiving, storing and distributing millions of face masks, respirators, surgical gowns and other personal protective equipment every month.

A request for bids for a logistics co-ordinator was posted July 16. The government wants a supplier that can procure or provide temperature-controlled warehouse space near Toronto and Hamilton airports, another near Montreal and a third in either British Columbia or Alberta. The winning bidder needs to be able to handle 27,000 pallets of supplies each month, as well as 220 shipping containers from cargo ships, and another 400 cases of other goods.

The frenzied global purchasing of COVID-19 medical supplies has dominated Public Services and Procurement Canada for months now.

Once described by Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland as the "wild west" of buying supplies, enormous demand for masks, gowns, gloves and hand sanitizer to respond to the pandemic turned into a season of Survivor in which governments needed to outwit, outplay and outlast others competing for the same goods.

The intensity of that process has relaxed slightly said Anand, but not enough that Canada is yet willing to disclose its international suppliers.

"We have to be careful not to put in jeopardy our supply chains," she said.

"Where we believe the supply chain is still in jeopardy, in other words there is still intense global demand for a particular piece of PPE, it would not be prudent for us to reveal the names of suppliers as the competition is still very intense for that good."

Canada has ordered millions of masks, gowns, gloves and other supplies to be delivered into 2021, and has accepted delivery of 99 planeloads of supplies to date.

In some cases, we did not need as much as we expected. More than 40,000 ventilators have been ordered, but not as many COVID-19 patients have needed ventilators as predicted. The 367 already delivered and the others on the way will be stored by Ottawa in case they are needed in future waves of the virus.

An agreement between Ottawa and the provinces means 80 per cent of what Ottawa buys it will turn around and ship to the provincial governments when they need it. The other 20 per cent is going into the "National Emergency Strategic Stockpile," kept in a series of warehouses across Canada that store everything from medical supplies to temporary hospital cots and drugs to treat a variety of infectious diseases.

Ottawa is now asking for local warehouse owners in Ottawa to step up with space to expand the stockpile, which was found to be lacking last winter when Canada needed it most.

The country's deputy chief public health officer Dr. Howard Njoo said Friday some "hard lessons" have been learned about the stockpile and Canada's dependence on international sources to supply it.

He said it was always believed that the national stockpile and the supplies provinces had would be enough for an immediate emergency and whatever else the country needed could be ordered. That assumption proved very wrong when governments worldwide all needed the same things at the same time.

Before COVID-19, Canada had little ability to make much of what was needed here at home.

"We've also learned that we can't in the future necessarily depend solely on global supply chains, we have to be more self sufficient," he said.

"I certainly feel better, I think, about our situation, where we are now compared to let's say back in January, February," he said.

About 40 per cent of the supplies Canada needs are now being sourced in Canada, including, for the first time, testing swabs and N95 masks.

Anand said one of the key lessons is the need to make sure orders of supplies are distributed before they expire. Last year two million N95 masks kept in a warehouse in Regina were thrown out because they had expired. Those could have been used before the pandemic rather than wasted.

Anand said there is work ongoing to co-ordinate the federal procurement and provincial needs with the maintenance of a stockpile, and she said the same principle is being extended to other supplies, such as the vaccine equipment.

"Rest assured if those syringes are not used for vaccine, they are able to be used in other circumstances, for example, to administer the flu shot," she said.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 18, 2020.
Edward Blums book about the White Jesus begins with the horrific bombing of the Sixteenth Street Baptist Church in Birmingham on a Sunday morning in 1963, when White supremacists took the lives of four young black girls.

The dynamite also obliterated the face of Jesus in the church's stained glass window. The face was White.

This White Jesus, which had gazed upon the historic African-American congregation for decades, suddenly "was made a casualty of race war," Blum and co-author Paul Harvey wrote in "The Color of Christ: The Son of God and the Saga of Race in America."

But this White Jesus also is a symbol of how the bleaching of Jesus had become so pernicious an image that Black churches in America  from Birmingham to San Diego  displayed it.

How could this be? And when did Jesus, a Jewish man from the Middle East, become White, in some cases with blue eyes and blond hair?

When I posed these questions to Blum, a history professor at San Diego State University, he begins with, well, a history lesson.

During the Renaissance, European artists began to create religious iconography and since they used local residents as models, the depictions of Jesus became more European, he says. Later, American and British artists started painting Jesus as more White "in an atmosphere where whiteness was associated with citizenship and power."

To put it bluntly, for White people to feel supreme over persons of color, Jesus had to be White. It was especially helpful for Christian slaveholders to justify their behavior and skirt pesky Bible verses like the one about the golden rule.

"Instead of dealing with the particulars of what Jesus said or the particulars of what Jesus did, you can make Jesus White, associate whiteness with goodness and whiteness with Christianity and you don't have to perform the things of Christianity," Blum explains. "You don't have to do unto others as you would have done unto you because the image is doing the work."

Joan Taylor, a professor of Christian origins at King's College in London and author of "What Did Jesus Look Like?", echoes this in her answers to my emailed questions.

"White Jesus is a legacy of colonization," Taylor says. "In visualizing Jesus as a real man in his time and place, I have argued in my book that we should see him correctly as a Middle Eastern Jew, with brown skin, brown eyes and black hair."

She adds: "I think people of color themselves can explain much better than I can how it makes a difference if Jesus is understood as a man of color, rather than a man of European descent. From what they've shared with me, there is a profound sense of relief. Seeing Jesus with brown skin severs Jesus from a link with the global legacy of European authority and dominance."

Beautiful racial diversityThis brings me to Vince Bantu, an African-American seminary professor, and the Rev. Harvey L. Vaughn III, senior pastor of Bethel Memorial African Methodist Episcopal Church, the first black church in San Diego.

Bantu, who teaches at Fuller Theological Seminary's Houston campus and Meachum School of Haymanot in St. Louis, argues that besides being historically inaccurate, portraying Jesus as White "is very psychologically traumatizing to black people and to people of color." He adds: "And most importantly, it is theologically heretical to portray Jesus as a white man and, in so doing, basically portray Christianity as a White religion."

Bantu told me about one of his students, a pastor at a small African-American church, who recently draped the face of a blond-haired, blue-eyed Jesus on a stained-glass window. The congregation doesn't have the money to replace it and the pastor, given all that has happened, just couldn't continue looking at that depiction.

For Bantu, the solution lies in images "that reflect the beautiful racial diversity in which He's created humanity  so there should be Asian and indigenous and Polynesian and Arab and African and European depictions of Jesus."

Vaughn, a third generation pastor, acknowledges growing up in, and leading, churches with depictions of a White Jesus  including Bethel Memorial. But he counters that reality with this caveat: "the teaching and the preaching and the social action that I saw my father and my grandfather and the African Methodist Episcopal Church participate in would defy the belief that we would have to be under the thumb of, or oppressed by, anyone."

Still, he understands these depictions can be potent manipulators. "If you are looking at this image and you are seeing it, that is going to have an impact on how you view yourself and how you view those who mistreat you, oppress you, people who do all manner of things, treat you as subhuman."

He adds: "I think the image of a White Jesus, it really plays into the hands of white supremacists and that rhetoric that says, 'we are the superior race,' or, 'by the way, this is what God looks like, so we must be the superior race.' "

Rather than drape the depictions, Vaughn advocates pushing beyond the literal image to teach people "that God is a spirit and those who worship him must worship him in spirit. In that vein, I believe African Americans have shown great strength and resilience in spite of not having images in our houses of worship that depict a more accurate depiction of what Jesus looks like or reflective of its parishioners."

If the churches could afford it, and the congregations are willing to do it, he would favor a "multi-cultural face of Jesus, because he came for all humanity. Or no image at all."

Mirror of who we areLast month, Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby, head of the Church of England, said western churches should re-think their portrayal of Jesus as White. "I don't think that throwing out everything we've got in the past is the way to do it, but I do think saying, 'That's not the Jesus who exists, that's not who we worship' is a reminder of the universality of the God who became fully human," he told the BBC.

The reaction was furious. "What is wrong with this man?" one person tweeted. Another called the archbishop a "disgrace."

Taylor, the King's College scholar, says she also received angry, dismissive responses to her book. "It can feel like I am trying to take away a precious, important image they have," she concedes.

When Blum, the SDSU historian, speaks to predominately White church groups, he asks them what they have to lose by depicting a more authentic-looking Jesus. "They would hem and haw. They wouldn't have a good answer," he says. Basically, the message he heard was this: "I want to have racial equality, but I don't want to give up anything."

I asked him why any of this really matters. "Because Jesus is the ultimate mirror of who we are," he says. "So the fact that Jesus was made White is a great expression of how much White supremacy needed, and White power needed, a White Jesus. And the ultimate mirror of, 'I'm not willing to give up a White Jesus,' that says something powerful about us."

Sixteenth Street Baptist Church repaired the damaged stained glass window. And yes, the new face is White. But joining it in their rebuilt sanctuary, courtesy of a gift from Wales, was another stained glass window  with a striking image of a Black crucified Christ. His arms are outstretched; the right hand said to symbolize the pushing away of injustice and hatred, while the left hand offers forgiveness. A much needed message for such a time as this  for all races, all colors.

Dolbee is the former religion and ethics editor of The San Diego Union-Tribune. She also is a former president of the Religion News Association, where she continues to serve as a judge for its annual contests.



2020 The San Diego Union-Tribune

Visit The San Diego Union-Tribune at www.sandiegouniontribune.com

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
NEW HAVEN  Police are investigating after a man was shot in the area of Whalley Avenue overnight Saturday, according to the department.

Capt. Anthony Duff said officers were called to a ShotSpotter alert of gunfire near the intersection of Whalley and Sherman avenues at 1:45 a.m.

They found a 47-year-old man who had been shot as he crossed the street near 285 Whalley Ave., Duff said. The man, who was wounded in the thigh, was transported to the hospital where his condition was deemed stable.

Investigators believe the pedestrian was shot as a gunman was firing at the occupant of a motor vehicle in the parking lot of the business at 285 Whalley Ave. The gunman fled on foot on Sherman Avenue toward Goffe Street, Duff said. It is believed the intended target of the gunfire drove away and then abandoned his vehicle in the drive-thru of the nearby business at 323 Whalley Ave. Detectives found the vehicle had been struck by gunfire. It is unknown if the occupant was injured.

Duff asked anyone with information about the incident to contact the New Haven Police Department at 203-946-6304, noting that callers may remain anonymous.

This is the 60th shooting of the year in New Haven and the 15th since July 5, according to New Haven police. The department reported that 78 people were shot in all of 2019.

Police Chief Otoniel Reyes, responding to the rise in violence, said this week that the department would put all hands on deck in its response and asked for support and aid from residents.

The message I want to send to our community is that we must come together during this time, but make no bones about it, your department is working as hard as we can for you and we will quell this violence, Reyes said.

william.lambert@hearstmediact.com
Virus Is Emerging in New Hotspots as India Races Past 1 Million Mark

By Anjana Pasricha July 18, 2020

As India races past the 1 million mark of COVID 19 cases, public health experts warn that the pandemic is set to accelerate with the emergence of new hotspots in places that so far had escaped the ravages of the virus, including its vast countryside.

More than half the cases were added in the last fortnight as the country reached a record high of nearly 35,000 cases in recent days. Even these numbers could be off the mark as testing remains sparse in a country of 1.3 billion say public health experts.

"From my perspective, it is gross underreporting, my hunch is that numbers would be much larger," according to Kapil Yadav, assistant professor of Community Medicine at the premier All India Institute of Medical Sciences in New Delhi. "It will run its course and we may or may not see the typical peak we have seen in Western developed countries."

That is because in the vast country, different places are seeing surges at different times  while Delhi and the states of Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu accounted for a bulk of the cases until recently, infections now are spiralling in cities like Bengaluru and the northeastern state of Bihar, home to more than 100 million people and one of India's poorest states.

Virologists who had warned that the highly contagious coronavirus will hit like an avalanche in a country of densely packed cities and huge urban slums where social distancing is impossible, say India's long and stringent 10-week lockdown only delayed the onset of the pandemic, but could not stop it.

The virus has marched on since cities began opening in June  markets are up and running and many businesses are open.

The spurt in cases has led to huge uncertainties as India tries to get its broken economy back on track. There are few customers in markets and vendors trying to sell their wares on roadsides are struggling because traffic is still thin.

In the mega cities of Delhi and Mumbai, metro and train services, the lifeline of these cities, have not been restored, although they are seeing a dip in new cases. Schools and colleges remain shut.

Millions of people have been ordered back into lockdown in the past week  the sprawling eastern state of Bihar, the Information Technology hub of Bengaluru and the tourist city of Goa were among several places that clamped stay-at-home orders.

Public health experts warn, though, that shutdowns will do little to stop the havoc wrought by the virus.

"The only justification for lockdowns is giving your public health system time to prepare," says Yadav. "If we have not prepared in five months, another week is not going to make much of a difference."

Concerns are high about the dismal state of health infrastructure in rural areas where even primary healthcare facilities often are lacking and people must travel to cities to get to a hospital.

"Should the virus start spreading, there definitely will be challenges. All we can hope is that facilities will be extended to reach the rural areas," says K. Srinath Reddy, president of the Public Health Foundation of India in New Delhi.

Worries are especially high over Bihar, a largely rural and poor state that has emerged as a new hotspot. Its surging cases are blamed on laxity when cases were low  a wedding last month in its capital Patna with 300 guests is reported to have become a super spreader event. Authorities say tens of thousands of migrants who returned in recent days have brought the virus from cities.

Reddy is hopeful, however, the spread will be slower in villages than in urban areas. "The virus can hitchhike long distances easily in cities where people move fast, whereas in villages, people move around at a much slower pace and meet less people, so it does not have the same mobility."

The Times of India newspaper warned in an editorial of the devastating economic costs being extracted by lockdowns as millions lose jobs and incomes. "A cyclical lifting and imposing of lockdowns also sends out a very wrong and dangerous message: That it's okay to let the guard down when the lockdown is lifted."

Public health experts also say the public is not getting the right message from lockdowns.

"People believed that lockdowns are a strong solution for an enemy we have not seen, this will stop the virus and you don't have to do anything more," says virologist Jacob John. "There has been no socio-cultural behaviour change education  that alone will make people understand that if I wear a mask, it is not for me alone but for my wife and children and parents at home."

India is nonetheless drawing some consolation from its relatively low death rate  the more than 26,000 deaths counted so far are lower than in many Western countries. Experts say the nation's much younger population might be helping the country hold mortality rates down.

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A surprising new study suggests two-thirds of Australians have been exposed to a potentially mind-altering cat parasite.

Toxoplasma gondii is famous for manipulating the brains of infected mice so they run towards cats, instead of away from them  raising questions about what it could be doing to human brains.

New research from a team of Edith Cowan University scientists found 66 per cent of the 150 people they studied had antibodies to the parasite.

Dr Aus Molan led the study into the effects of cat parasite Toxoplasma Gondii. Credit:Graham Miller

It blew us out of the water, said Dr Aus Molan, the Edith Cowan University researcher who led the study.
trump biden

Evan Vucci/AP, NurPhoto via Getty Images

President Donald Trump falsely claimed that presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden is seeking to abolish and defund the police.

The claims were made in an interview with Fox News host Chris Wallace.

Trump paused the interview to have aides search for comments on defunding the police in a summary of a charter between Biden and Sen. Bernie Sanders.

Wallace said Trump couldn't find any such statements because there weren't any.

Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

President Donald Trump falsely claimed that presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden is seeking to abolish and defund the police on an interview with Fox News host Chris Wallace  and he got some pushback from the reporter.

When Wallace corrected Trump that Biden was not in fact in favor of defunding the police, he got angry and paused the interview to ask aides to search through a charter on the topic between Biden and Sen. Bernie Sanders.

"...and Bident wants to defund the police, Trump said.

Wallace responded: "Sir, he does not."

Trump then claimed that the charter uses words such as "abolish" and "defund."

"Oh, really? It says 'abolish'  let's go, get me the charter, please!" Trump said motioning to aides to bring him the charter.

Wallace then said the president had aides go through the summary of the charter. "He went through it and he found a lot of things that he objected to that Biden has agreed to, but he couldn't find any indication  because there isn't any  that Joe Biden has sought to abolish and defund the police."

Biden did sign a charter with the former and more progressive Democratic presidential candidate which highlighted some more progressive policy ideas but that charter did not call for defunding the police.

Story continues

According to the New York Magazine, the agreement stops short of any calls for abolishing the police force, which many advocates have made pleas for following protests over the death of George Floyd after a police officer kneeled on his neck for several minutes until he became unresponsive.

The agreement between the two teams endorsed police reform and included things like federal oversight and restrictions of racial-profiling.

Biden has repeatedly voiced his opposition to defunding the police.

"Well I think there are a lot of changes they can take place, period, without having to defund the police completely," Biden told Trevor Noah in an interview in early June.

On Friday, the Trump campaign released a press release addressing alleged anti-police rhetoric in the Biden campaign. The statement was in response to Fox News story that reported that a Biden staffer mocked police officers as being worse than pigs.

Trump doubled down on his claims with a tweet later on Friday night that while Biden "may use different words," the charter he signed still "wants to defund out police."

Read the original article on Business Insider
Aspergillus latus, a species of fungus previously found only in soil or plants, has been found for the first time in a hospital environment by an international group of researchers. The group sequenced its genome and discovered that it is actually a hybrid and is up to three times more drug-resistant than the two species from which it derives.

An article on the study is published in Current Biology and coauthored by researchers from Brazil, the United States, Portugal and Belgium. The research was supported by Sao Paulo Research Foundation - FAPESP .

Aspergillosis is a lung disease caused by fungi of this genus, especially A. fumigatus, which is widely found in plants and soil. All humans regularly inhale spores of Aspergillus, which do not usually cause symptoms in healthy subjects. In patients with weak immune systems, however, the mold can cause pneumonia, build up fungal balls (aspergillomas) in the lungs, and spread to become invasive pulmonary aspergillosis, the most severe form of the disease. A. fumigatus is the most frequent cause of aspergillosis, but other species also cause the condition, including A. flavus, A. niger, A. nidulans and A. terreus.

In about 90% of cases, infection by Aspergillus is caused by A. fumigatus, but in some human genetic diseases, A. nidulans is a more frequent cause. We therefore started assembling clinical material from various parts of the world to see how often this species occurred in a hospital environment. To our surprise, six out of ten samples contained a fungus that had never before been found to infect people." Gustavo Henrique Goldman , professor in the University of Sao Paulo's Ribeirao Preto School of Pharmaceutical Sciences (FCFRP-USP) in Brazil and coprincipal investigator for the study with Antonis Rokas, a professor at Vanderbilt University in the United States

Genetic sequencing also revealed that A. latus is a hybrid of two relatively distantly related species and contains complete copies of the DNA of both parental species. Tests performed by other groups have already shown that A. latus can be up to three times more resistant to anti-fungal drugs than its parental species, A. spinulosporus and an unknown relative of A. quadrilineatus. It also more effectively combats human immune cells.

"The fungus gains significant advantages from being a hybrid," Goldman said. "Accurate identification of the species that causes the infection is important in order to decide on the best treatment and avoid resistance to existing drugs."

However, he added, few Brazilian hospitals currently have the resources to perform genetic sequencing in order to identify the fungi that contaminate patients with greater than genus-level precision. Identification is typically achieved by morphological analysis under a microscope, which leaves room for misdiagnosis. The samples of A. latus used in the study, for example, had previously been labeled as A. nidulans by this method.

Fungi and COVID-19

The presence of fungi in hospital environments is a well-known factor in disease aggravation and even death. In collaboration with researchers in Germany, Goldman and his group are now assembling samples of fungi present in the lungs of COVID-19 patients with the aim of investigating how these organisms can aggravate their condition as a basis for developing strategies to avoid and combat infections.

"Several COVID-19 patients have died owing to concomitant infection by Aspergillus," Goldman said. "We currently have four strains that were isolated from patients who died of COVID-19 in Europe and will sequence their genomes to identify the species and see if they're favored by the disease."

He is looking for partners to help collect material in Brazil, but the sample isolation procedure entails a strict clinical protocol not yet in use in Brazil that ensures health workers and researchers are not infected by the novel coronavirus. In Europe, the experimental protocol was implemented in time for the pandemic.

Cases of concomitant COVID-19 and infection by fungi of the genus Aspergillus evidence the importance of knowing more about these microorganisms. For example, A. fumigatus is found worldwide and capable of surviving under extreme conditions, such as temperatures of up to 70 C and a scarcity of nutrients. It can even extract food from water.

"We've now brought to light another feature of the genus, which is the formation of hybrids," Goldman said.

For the recently published study, the researchers assembled ten samples of fungi mainly found in material collected from patients with allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis and other disorders, such as chronic granulomatous disease, caused by a genetic dysfunction that impairs the immune system, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, including chronic bronchitis and emphysema.

The samples were collected in Portugal, Belgium, the US and Canada. Sequencing confirmed only three to be A. nidulans. One was identified as A. quadrilineatus, a soil fungus that also infects humans, and the other six as A. latus, hitherto found only in soil and plants.

Evolution

A. latus is the first hybrid filamentous fungus known to cause disease in humans, a relatively common property of yeasts such as those of the genus Candida, which causes candidiasis. Another curious feature of A. latus is that it is diploid; i.e., its cells contain two sets of chromosomes, similar to all human cells except egg and sperm cells. Most fungi are haploid, with only one set of chromosomes.

The hybrid also retains the DNA from both parental species, suggesting that the fusion is recent. Genes are recombined in ancient hybrids or species that diverged from a common ancestor eons ago, and some genes are lost or change position during the process of evolution.

Mules are a well-known example of a hybrid. They have 63 chromosomes, a mixture of the mare's 64 and the donkey's 62. In the case of A. latus, however, the genetic material of both parents is preserved in its entirety.

"Another curiosity is that the genetic distance between its two parental species is more or less the same as that between Homo sapiens and the lemur," Goldman said, referring to the 88 species of Lemuroidea primates native to Madagascar in Africa.
Grounded planes American Airlines

Nick Oxford/Reuters

Commercial aviation will be ravaged by the COVID-19 pandemic for years to come, according to a new report from Moody's.

Every stakeholder, from airlines and airports, to plane lessors, plane manufacturers, and parts suppliers, will be squeezed, with effects rippling across the entire global economy.

In a best-case scenario, Moody's sees a recovery by the end of 2023, but said that it's looking more and more likely that it will take longer.

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The commercial aviation industry will continue to be devastated by the coronavirus pandemic for years to come, according to a new report from Moody's. The ripple effects will likely be felt across the entire global economy.

According to the report, the effect on stakeholders throughout the aviation business  from airport operators and aircraft leasing companies, to plane-makers and their suppliers  will shake up the industry well into 2022, and likely beyond.

"And the outsourcing by airlines of many services, along with the significance of their employment rolls and consumption of refined petroleum in normal economic times, supports economic activity across many sectors of the global economy," the analysts, led by Moody's senior vice president Jonathan Root, wrote in the report.

According to the report, the main factor in the recovery will be sustained passenger demand. As that improves, airlines and airports will start to recover, followed by aircraft lessors as demand continues to climb and airlines need more aircraft to carry passengers. Aircraft manufacturers will follow, while component suppliers will be the last direct stakeholder to recover, but Moody's says that won't happen before 2023, at the soonest.

The forecast is built on the assumption that passenger demand will recover to 2019 levels  the benchmark for a recovery  by the end of 2023, contingent on the production and distribution of effective COVID-19 vaccines or treatments.

Story continues

However, Moody's warned that it is also modeling the possibility of a slower recovery  and that such a scenario is looking more possible in recent weeks.

"Recent experience of increasing rates of infection concurrent with loosening social distancing and quarantine protocols indicates that passenger demand will likely align more with our slower recovery case," the report said, "as social distancing and quarantine protocols are more likely to be maintained and/or revert to more restrictive mandates as infection rates rise again."

The forecast aligns with the timeframe that analysts and industry experts began to acknowledge by late-April, with most citing a three-to-five-year recovery timeframe for the airline industry. The expansion on that forecast demonstrates that despite optimism over a brief, modest recovery in May and June, the aviation industry's outlook remains bleak.

The good news for the industry is that Moody's  along with other analysts  expect it to fully recover eventually, as long as it can make it through the rough years ahead.

"Notwithstanding the harsh market environment we envision for the next several years, when passenger demand ultimately returns to 2019 levels, we believe the industry will then need almost as many aircraft as were in operation in 2019," the report said.

Even so, not every airline or industry stakeholder is likely to survive.

"With an effective coronavirus vaccine likely not available before well into 2021  and likely longer to cover potential mutations of the virus and to ensure adequate dosage supply for the masses  additional government support will be required for the airline industry if employment levels are to be maintained near already reduced levels," the report said, "and potentially to stave off additional airline restructurings and insolvency proceedings (whether preemptive, or otherwise)."

Read the original article on Business Insider
'Italy's Covid crisis is not over but the progress made thus far has inevitably induced some to be less than cautious.' Stock photo: Luca Bruno/AP

Last Saturday at around midnight, the lungolago - the lakeside walkway in our Lazio village - was jammed with day trippers and visitors.

Courting couples, exhausted parents wheeling sleepless kids in the evening heat, people walking off the effects of a restaurant meal and family units of all ages enjoying a late-night ice cream - it made for a very crowded "pre-Covid" scene.

Social distancing was out, while, unusually, most people were not wearing masks. And there's the first rub.

Italy's Covid crisis is not over but the progress made thus far has inevitably induced some to be less than cautious. There is a feeling that Italy, the first European country to contract the pandemic, has handled it well. By UK and US standards, this is more than true - there have been no Cheltenhams and no government advice to drink disinfectant, even if that sets the bar pretty low.

However, the reality is that, as health minister Roberto Speranza put it to the Italian senate last week, "this game has not been won yet". The current emergency anti-Covid legislation remains in place until the end of the month - and perhaps a lot longer.

Italy might be out of its most dramatic dark moment - those March days when 1,000 people were dying daily from Covid - yet the overall international scenario gives Italy plenty of reason to worry, he suggested. Despite its best efforts, the country now seems to be importing Covid-19.

As we move towards autumn, should Italy be concerned about a forthcoming perfect storm - a second wave generated by returning legal migrant workers, an increased summer trade in boat people trafficking and complacency from a small minority of Italians?

In particular, the discovery in the last fortnight that a significant percentage of both returning migrant workers and newly arrived boat people have tested Covid-19 positive has already generated social tensions. The most recent case concerns the small seaside resort of Amantea in Calabria, southern Italy, a place renowned for some of the finest beaches in all Italy.

Some 24 Bangladeshi boat people, who had been rescued at sea, were taken to be housed in Amantea last Saturday. When word got out that 13 of the 24 had tested positive, locals became distinctly restless, staging road blocks to protest about the presence of the Covid-infected Bangladeshis.

Police were initially forced to mount a 24-hour guard on the condominium housing the migrants. Last Tuesday, the interior ministry resolved the problem by moving them to a military hospital in Rome, presumably to avoid further friction.

A similar situation developed last month in Campania, the region around Naples. In the town of Mondragone, police had to guard five run-down apartment blocks on the edge of town that were home to about 700 seasonal farm workers from Bulgaria.

When 43 people in the complex tested positive, local authorities instigated a 'red zone' lockdown, refusing to allow anyone to enter or leave. Problem was that some of the Bulgarians, desperate to return to work, "slipped out", causing confrontations with Mondragone locals, terrified that their previously Covid- free town would become infected. Soldiers, complete with machine guns, had to be summoned.

Calabria regional governor Jole Santelli told Sky Italia TG24 that she shared the protesters' concerns. She is one of a number of local administrators who have called for migrants to be quarantined on boats moored offshore. Problem is that almost no suitable boats are available.

The notion that there are hordes of foreign workers wandering around the countryside with Covid was boosted by reports last week of a 51-year-old Bangladeshi man, arrested in Rome's Termini train station on July 7. He had arrived in Italy on June 24 on a flight from Dhaka, and had immediately tested positive -but then ignored instructions to have himself hospitalised.

Over the next two weeks, he travelled around Italy by taxi, bus and train, from Rome to Emilia-Romagna and back - infecting who knows how many people. His travels came to an end when an alert railway policeman noted him coughing and spluttering in the station.

Mind you, it should be pointed out that Italians themselves, not just migrant workers, are capable of "importing" Covid back into Italy.

Last week, the governor of the Veneto region, Luca Zaia, an administrator who has done very well in his handling of the pandemic, pronounced himself to be very "p**sed off" with the story of a 64-year-old Vicenza-based businessman who recently contracted Covid after a business trip to Serbia and Bosnia.

Last month, this successful self-made man, along with three employees, spent four days in Serbia, where he also has a steel products factory. During the visit to his Serbian factory, he and his group encountered a local foreman who has since died of Covid.

When the businessman returned from Serbia, he did not feel well, so he had himself tested for Covid, resulting positive. At this point, however, thinking that it was something he could get over on his feet, he refused hospitalisation. Furthermore, he attended a series of business meetings and even a funeral.

His actions are believed to have infected five people, while a further 90 are under surveillance. The businessman himself is now in intensive care. The annoyed regional governor says this sort of irresponsible behaviour should be sanctioned with anything from a 5,000 fine to an 18-month prison sentence. Furthermore, he has met with health minister Speranza to call for compulsory hospitalisation.

Meanwhile, the minister is also worried about a number of infection "clusters" which have recently appeared out of nowhere in regions previously not heavily infected, such as Lazio, Tuscany and Friuli Venezia Giulia (Trieste). Many of these new clusters seem to have been imported.

Not surprisingly, last Thursday the Italian health ministry added Kosovo, Montenegro and Serbia to the list of currently banned countries. If you have been in any of these places in the last 14 days, then you will not be allowed into Italy.

A final positive thought, however. In an online press conference with the resident foreign press in Italy last week, Professor Alberto Zangrillo, of the San Raffaele hospital in Milan, told us that, in his view, the Covid-19 infection in Italy has lost much of its killer power.

However, he did add, worryingly: "Sars Covid-19 continues to manifest all sorts of peculiarities. For example, people can contract it twice. As for a second wave in the autumn, no one can predict that with any certainty..."
An ambush by suspected bandits in Katsina State on Saturday left at least 16 soldiers and officers dead and 28 others wounded, PREMIUM TIMES learnt.

Troops of the Special Army Super Camp 4 were advancing on foot in Shimfida in Jibia Local Government Area of Katsina State at about 6:13 p.m. Saturday when the armed militants opened fire on them from a hilltop, military sources said.

The officers killed in the attack included a major, a captain and a lieutenant, military sources told PREMIUM TIMES. Two bandits were also injured in the exchanges, officials briefed on the matter said.

When contacted, army spokesperson, Sagir Musa, said he could neither confirm nor comment on the attack as he was hearing it for the first time.

Katsina, the home state of President Muhammadu Buhari in northwestern Nigeria, has seen a spate of attacks by armed militants.

In Katsina State, over 2,000 people have been killed, 500 communities destroyed and over 33,000 people displaced, a 2020 report by the West Africa Network for Peace building said.

President Buhari, after scores of residents of a Katsina community blocked a highway to protest incessant attacks by armed bandits in May, promised a major military onslaught to rid the state of bandits and kidnappers.

A major proactive operation by Special Forces, which details are being kept secret, is now in progress to replace the reactive strikes against insurgent camps, presidential spokesperson, Garba Shehu, said in a statement then.

To give a full effect to the exercise, a planning team is already in the state selecting targets and making preparations for the execution of the unprecedented operation.

Despite the statements, however, attacks on military camps and civilians have continued in the state since then.

However, troops of Special Army Super Camp 4, Faskari, operating under Exercise Sahel Sanity, have reported killing of dozens of the criminals.

A fortnight ago, the defence headquarters reported killing 46 bandits in an encounter at Yar Gamji town in the Batsari Local Government Area of Katsina State. This is even as it killed another six this week while also foiling attempts to loot livestock in Katsina and Zamfara states.
A political upheaval of sorts occurred last month in Maryland's primary election for Circuit Court judges - one little noticed by the public, but not ignored by the state's legal establishment.

While normally sitting Circuit Court judges cruise to victory in the primaries, three challengers, two of whom had run before, surged to surprise wins in the Democratic primaries in Prince George's and Montgomery counties.

The challengers - April Ademiluyi and Gladys Weatherspoon in Prince George's, and Marylin Pierre in Montgomery - ran as outsiders vowing to make a difference in the criminal justice system.

"Many people are hungry for change and tired of the status quo, especially when it comes to our criminal justice system,"said Larry Stafford, the head of Progressive Maryland, a grass-roots advocacy organization that has supported Pierre and Ademiluyiin previous elections, but did not endorse any candidates before the primary. "This is a victory for candidates that think differently."

Similar insurgencies happened across Maryland. In Howard, Carroll and Charles counties, outside challengers won Democratic primaries while losing to the sitting judges in the Republican ones. The winners of each will go on to appear on the ballot in November in the nonpartisan Circuit Court judge races.

These primary wins are especially notable because of the state's complex system of electing judges that makes it difficult to defeat incumbents, said David Lublin, a political scientist at American University. Typically, bar associations recommend candidates to the judicial nominating commission, which then nominates candidates to be sent to the governor, who makes one-year appointments that later go before voters.

Although candidates can run outside the nominating system, they rarely succeed. In Prince George's County, for example, only one challenger - Ingrid Turner in 2016 - has won an election for Circuit Court in the 50 years this system has been in place.

The primary victories by outside candidates have rattled much of Maryland's traditional legal community, whose leaders say the system ensures a qualified bench.

"When you're voting for people that haven't gone through the vetting process and haven't been appointed by the governor, it's an unknown quantity," said Steven Vinick, a member of the Prince George's judicial nominating commission. "That's unsettling as a lawyer that might face a judge in court."

The sitting judges who were defeated in June's Democratic primary - Christopher Fogleman in Montgomery, and Bryon Bereano and Jared McCarthy in Prince George's - won in the Republican primary, so they'll still appear on the November general election ballot, along with Ademiluyi, Weatherspoon and Pierre. Voters will choose five judges in Prince George's and four in Montgomery. Seats carry 15-year terms.

The three challengers say voters responded to their calls for fresh ears on the bench and promises of restorative justice and more sympathetic sentencing.

"I've always pushed progressive values, not allowing wealth and status to control our courtrooms, because they do," said Ademiluyi, an intellectual property and real estate attorney. "It may start with a cop, but it ends with a judge."

Steve McAuliffe, the chair of the Elect Sitting Judges Montgomery County Slate, which supported electing Fogleman, Bibi Berry, David Boynton and McAuliffe's distant cousin Michael McAuliffe, said the system ensures judges are qualified, which he and others defined as a combination of experience, temperament and legal ability.

"The whole purpose of this is to find people who have the ability to fairly decide cases," McAuliffe said. "The bench in Montgomery County is outstanding. But there's a reason for that; it's because we have people who have devoted significant amounts of time to vetting people who go through the process."

Pierre, who has practiced criminal, juvenile and business law for 28 years, applied nine times to be nominated for judge in Montgomery. Each time, the commission turned her away, telling her she wasn't sufficiently qualified, which she says proves how hard it is to work inside the system.

Late last month, some insiders pounced on a tweet posted from Pierre's account just before the election that said "lock em up" about the three officers who failed to stop the killing of George Floyd. While the officers, like any criminal defendants, are innocent until proven guilty, the tweet said they should have to prove their innocence in court.

Pierre said the tweet came from a campaign volunteer, and she deleted it after a blogger and others said the sentiments would be a violation of due process.

"This should not have been on there," Pierre said in an interview, adding that she had not seen the tweet until a writer from the political blog Seventh State pointed it out to her. "People should have their days in court."

Fogleman said he and the other sitting judges were vetted fairly and are more qualified than challengers such as Pierre.

The nominating process, he said, "is a (more) preferable process than having voters who don't know very much about anything that a judge does or how the judge got to be a judge."

The challengers also contended with pressure from established groups to stick with sitting judges. Powerful Annapolis lobbyist Bruce Bereano, for example, campaigned hard for the sitting judges in Prince George's, a field that included his son, Bryon Bereano.

The elder Bereano, who declined to comment for this story, sent emails to business leaders and elected officials urging them to support the slate of sitting judges, and specifically not Weatherspoon.

Retired federal judge Alexander Williams Jr., who chairs Prince George's Committee to Elect the Sitting Judges - which represented McCarthy, Bryon Bereano, Sharon Kelsey, Cathy Serrette and Wytonja Curry - also declined to comment.

Weatherspoon, a criminal defense lawyer for 25 years, said many elected officials told her they felt they had to support the sitting judges to keep their relationships solid with Bruce Bereano.

Still, each challenger found a way to earn votes.

Pierre, a former Army lieutenant who ran in part because she felt Montgomery children weren't being judged fairly by the sitting judges, received an endorsement from Somerset Mayor Jeffrey Slavin - her only one from an elected official. Slavin said he subsequently heard from former members of the Montgomery Democratic Central Committee chastising him for endorsing her instead of an incumbent. "Embarrassed for you," one wrote in an email.

For the general election, Slavin thinks the party committee should endorse all of the candidates who won in the Democratic primary, including Pierre. But Linda Foley, the chair, said no endorsement decision has been made. The committee has traditionally supported the sitting judges.

LaTasha Ward, a former candidate for state delegate in Prince George's, said she supported Weatherspoon specifically because she was running as an outsider.

"I realized she's never ran and nobody knew her. A lot of people turned their backs on her, and she still said she wanted to do this," Ward said. "I saw a warrior that would bring diversity into the courtroom."

Ademiluyi, a grass-roots leader, held virtual events and answered phone calls from voters explaining her views on changing the system.

Lisa Ellis, a Prince George's business owner who backed Weatherspoon and Ademiluyi, said she thinks that supporting these challengers - all of whom are black women - is the best way to retool the system and make sure there are ideologically diverse perspectives on the bench.

"We need those differences in our courts. We need judges that are not going to fall in line with the establishment to hold on to their 15 years," Ellis said. "We need judges who will rule according to the Constitution in a way that's right and fair for all."
The Belarusian opposition's main presidential candidate has held two mass rallies as the campaign heats up to unseat authoritarian President Alyaksandr Lukashenka in next month's election.

The campaigns of three opposition figures said earlier this week they would unify around presidential candidate Svyatlana Tsikhanouskaya to "defeat" the "longtime dictatorial regime."

Tsikhanouskaya and representatives of two opposition candidates who were denied registration as presidential candidates, former Belgazprombank head Viktar Babaryka and prominent businessman Valer Tsapkala, appeared at the July 19 rallies in Minsk and the nearby city of Dzyarzhynsk.

Tsikhanouskaya told several thousand in attendance that the authorities did not register Babaryka and Tsapkala because they were scared.

"They saw a threat to the government, but they did not understand that the threat is not in the candidates, but in the people themselves, who are tired of living in humiliation and fear," Tsikhanouskaya said.

Unlike at recent demonstrations, the authorities allowed the gathering and the police didn't intervene.

Lukashenka faces mounting public opposition to his 26 years in power ahead of the August 9 election.

The 65-year-old strongman has dismissed the coronavirus as nothing more than a "psychosis" and refused any lockdown measures. Meanwhile, the already weak economy is expected to contract by 4 percent this year, according to the World Bank.

Hundreds of people, including activists and bloggers, have been arrested as the government cracks down on rallies and demonstrations despite calls for restraint from Western governments and international institutions, including the United Nations.

Tsikhanouskaya became a presidential candidate because her jailed husband, well-known vlogger Syarhey Tsikhanouski, was incarcerated after he openly expressed his intention to run for president.

The united opposition campaigns are urging all voters to cast ballots for Tsikhanouskaya and to protect the election against possible fraud.

Their program includes the release of all "political and economic prisoners" and new trials for each of them, a pledge to hold "an honest repeat election after August 9," and a desire to cooperate on creating a program to combat electoral fraud and to monitor the presidential poll.

On July 14, the Central Election Commission registered five candidates for the presidential poll, including Tsikhanouskaya and Lukashenka.

Babaryka, who was viewed as a potentially potent rival to Lukashenka, was denied registration. He was jailed in June on suspicion of money laundering, bribery, and tax evasion. He denies the charges and says they are politically motivated. The government also took over Belgazprombank on June 15.

Amnesty International has proclaimed Babaryka and his son, Eduard, who was arrested with his father on June 18, to be prisoners of conscience.

Tsapkala's attempt to register was foiled after election officials disqualified at least 38,000 of the signatures he had submitted in support of his candidacy.

After the election commission announced the disqualification of candidates, a wave of protests rocked the country and hundreds of people were detained, including at least 17 members of the press covering the demonstrations.

Lukashenka has rejected Western criticism of the government's violent dispersal of the demonstrations and the disqualification of candidates.

The Belarusian leader has ruled the country since 1994 and is currently serving his fifth term as president. Belarus abolished presidential term limits in 2004.
President Donald Trump refused to say the Confederate flag is an offensive symbol during an interview on Sunday, where he touted the controversial banner as a sign of pride for the South.

The Republican president was asked by host Chris Wallace on Fox News Sunday if the flag, considered a symbol of slavery and oppression by most Americans, was offensive.

'It depends on who you're talking about, when you're talking about,' Trump responded.

'When people proudly had their Confederate flags, they're not talking about racism. They love their flag, it represents the South. They like the South ... I say it's freedom of many things, but it's freedom of speech,' he added.

Trump has been an audible opponent of banning the Confederate flag, slamming it as an infringement of freedom of speech. He's even threatened to veto a military bill if it allows for the renaming of forts christened after Confederate generals.

President Donald Trump refused to say the Confederate flag is an offensive symbol during an interview on Fox News Sunday saying 'it represents the South'

'You know the whole thing with cancel culture  we can't cancel our whole history. We can't forget that the North and the South fought,' Trump said

A view of Confederate flag, which many Americans interpret as a sign of slavery and oppression, pictured above. Trump said: 'When people proudly had their Confederate flags, they're not talking about racism. They love their flag, it represents the South.'

Trump voiced his disapproval of cancel culture, reasoning that the Confederacy had a role in American history.

'I'm not offended either by Black Lives Matter, that's freedom of speech. You know the whole thing with cancel culture  we can't cancel our whole history. We can't forget that the North and the South fought,' he added.

Host Wallace asked Trump about his stance against the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), worth $740billion, which Trump has threatened to strike down even though it's backed by Democrats and Republicans alike.

'The National Defense Authorization Act, the NDAA, you have threatened to veto itbecause in the bill it would rename army bases named for Confederate generals. Now, this is a bill that funds military operations, it gives soldiers a pay raise, youre going to veto that?' Wallace asked.

'Theyll get their pay raise. Hey look, dont tell me this. I got soldiers the biggest pay raises in the history of our militaryIve done more for the military than any president thats ever had this office,' Trump said raising his hands in protest.

Trump has threatened to veto a military bill if it allows for the renaming of forts christened after Confederate generals. Trump said: 'Because I think that Fort Bragg, Fort Robert E. Lee, all these forts that have been named that way for a very long time. Fort Bragg is a big deal, we won two world wars...Are we going to name it after the Revered Al Sharpton?'

Fort Lee in Hopewell, Virginia which is named after controversial Confederate General Robert E. Lee pictured above

'Because I think that Fort Bragg, Fort Robert E. Lee, all these forts that have been named that way for a very long time. Fort Bragg is a big deal, we won two world wars. Go to that community where Fort Bragg is  say how do you like the idea of renaming Fort Bragg? And then what are we going to name it? Are we going to name it after the Revered Al Sharpton?' Trump said.

'We won two world wars, beautiful world wars that were vicious and horrible, and we won them out of all of these forts and now they want to throw all these names away. No, Im against that,' he added.

But not all politicians, including Republicans, back Trump's stance.

Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell urged the president against striking down the bill, saying it's a rare moment of cooperation between both sides of the political aisle.

Sen. Elizabeth Warren led an effort to add language to 'remove all names, symbols, displays, monuments, and paraphernalia that honour or commemorate the Confederate States of America' to the bill.

In the past Trump has denigrated organizations like NASCAR for banning the flag at matches.

Last week the Pentagon announced it will ban displays of the Confederate flag on military installations. In the carefully articulated policy, it doesnt mention the word 'ban' or the specific flag in a deliberate effort to avoid Trumps fury.

The policy was signed by Defense Secretary Mark Esper on Thursday night and the memo lists the types of flags that may be displayed at military bases  and the Confederate flag is not among them.

'We must always remain focused on what unifies us, our sworn oath to the Constitution and our shared duty to defend the nation,' Espers memo states. 'The flags we fly must accord with the military imperatives of good order and discipline, treating all our people with dignity and respect, and rejecting divisive symbols.'

Despite the military's stance Trump said: 'I dont care what the military says. I do  Im supposed to make the decision.'

In the contentious interview with Fox News Trump disputed Wallaces claim that the US has the seventh-highest mortality rate for coronavirus in the world.

Today the US reports over 3.7million cases of COVID-19 and over 140,000 deaths.

'But when you talk about mortality rates, I think it's the opposite. I think we have one of the lowest mortality rates in the world, he said, offering up White House statistics that differed from Wallaces numbers cited from Johns Hopkins University.

He then brought out a chart on a piece of paper saying, 'See, number one low mortality rate.'

Trump insisted that he and Dr Anthony Fauci (together above), the worlds leading expert on infectious diseases, have a 'great relationship' despite rumors of a rift. Trump also defied Johns Hopkins data reporting the US has the seventh highest coronavirus mortality rate in the world. He claimed that the US has the 'number one low mortality rate'

However, data by Johns Hopkins shows that Brazil and South Korea have lower mortality rates than the US but Trump still accused Wallace of being 'fake news' for citing those numbers.

Trump insisted that he and Dr Anthony Fauci, the worlds leading expert on infectious diseases, have a 'great relationship' despite rumors of a rift, but claimed 'he was wrong' early in the pandemic by saying it would pass and that Trumps ban on travel from China was a mistake.

'He then admitted that I was right,' Trump said.

Wallace said that Trump too has made mistakes in the handling of the virus, but the president doubled down that hell be 'right' in the end.

'I guess everybody makes mistakes. Ill be right eventuallyIts going to disappear and Ill be right,' he said.
PARIS (Reuters) - The leaders of France, Germany and Italy on Saturday threatened for the first time to use sanctions against countries that continued to violate a United Nations arms embargo on Libya.

French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte urged "all foreign actors to end their increasing interference and to fully respect the arms embargo established by the United Nations Security Council" in a joint statement issued by the French presidency after meeting in Brussels.

"We are ready to consider the possible use of sanctions if the breaches of the embargo at sea, on land or in the air continue, and look forward to the proposals that the High Representative of the European Union for foreign affairs and security policy will make in this regard," they said

Turkey has intervened decisively in recent weeks in Libya, providing air support, weapons and allied fighters from Syria to help the internationally recognised government based in Tripoli repel a year-long assault by the forces of eastern commander Khalifa Haftar.

Haftar is backed by the UAE, Egypt and Russia, which have also been accused by the U.N. of breaking the embargo.

The Tripoli-based government on Saturday moved fighters closer to Sirte, a gateway to Libya's main oil terminals, which the government says it plans to recapture from Haftar's forces.

France has itself faced criticism for its ambiguity with regard to Haftar, having previously backed him in the fight against Islamist militants.

Saturday's joint statement was the first time the three major powers had threatened sanctions amid fears of a new escalation on the ground. [nL5N2EP0BU]

"We share serious concerns about the mounting military tensions in this country and the increased risk of regional escalation," they said. "We therefore call on all the Libyan parties and their foreign supporters to immediately cease the fighting and put an end to the ongoing military escalation across the country."

Diplomats have said European Union nations could also consider imposing sanctions on individuals from both Libyan sides.

(Reporting by John Irish; Editing by Kevin Liffey and Hugh Lawson)
A 51-year-old New York man who was not wearing a life jacket fell from a tube on Saturday afternoon into the Delaware River and later was pronounced dead at Lehigh Valley Hospital-Pocono, the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area announced Sunday morning.

The Monroe County Coroners Office just before 9 a.m. Sunday did not yet have a cause or manner of death and the mans identification was still pending notification of his family.

The emergency communications center at the recreation center received several calls at 3:30 p.m. Saturday about a person in distress in the river near Tocks Island, just south of Smithfield Beach and about six miles north of Delaware Water Gap and the Interstate 80 toll bridge, according to a news release.

Park rangers and rescue crews from the Bushkill and Shawnee volunteer fire departments responded, the national recreation area said. Rangers and a Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission officer in a National Park Service boat located the victim on the Pennsylvania side of the river in Smithfield Township, Monroe County, just south of Tocks Island, the news release said. Tocks Island is officially in Hardwick Township, Warren County.

The man had been with a group of people -- none wearing life jackets -- floating on their own tubes and he became separated from them, fell into the water and went under, authorities said. Members of the group and others brought the man to the shore and began CPR, the news release said.

The man was moved into the park service boat and as CPR continued was taken to the Smithfield Beach launch, where he was moved to a Bushkill Ambulance advanced life support vehicle for the trip to the hospital in East Stroudsburg, the news release said.

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Tony Rhodin may be reached at arhodin@lehighvalleylive.com.
The Centre on Saturday sought a report from the Rajasthan chief secretary on allegations of phone tapping after two audio clips of conversations purportedly regarding a "conspiracy" to topple the state's Congress government emerged amidst the ongoing political crisis in the state, officials said.

In a communication, the Ministry of Home Affairs told the Rajasthan chief secretary to send a report on the allegations of phone tapping, an official said.

The chief secretary has been told to provide the details of the incident after two audio clips emerged, the official added.

The Rajasthan Police's Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) registered a case under the Prevention of Corruption Act in connection with the two clips of conversations purportedly regarding a "conspiracy" to topple Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot's government.

The ACB Director General Alok Tripathi said it has registered an FIR on a complaint by Congress chief whip Mahesh Joshi.

The FIR mentions details of conversations of (Congress rebel MLA) Bhanwarlal Sharma with Gajendra Singh (Congress claims it is a reference to Union minister Gajendra Singh) and a third man called Sanjay Jain.

The BJP on Saturday asked if the Congress government in Rajasthan resorted to "unconstitutional" methods to tap the phones of politicians and demanded a CBI probe into what it called a "saga of illegalities and concocted lies".

BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra said senior Congress leaders, including chief minister Gehlot, have been claiming that these audio clips are authentic even though the FIR registered by police does not say so.
Ancient Roman monument illuminated with new lights.

Rome has illuminated the Arch of Constantine with new LED lights, replacing the old lighting system at the fourth-century landmark beside the Colosseum.

Rome's mayor Virginia Raggi switched on the lights illuminating the triumphal arch dedicated to Emperor Constantine, at a ceremony on the evening of 17 July.

Parco Colosseo director Alfonsina Russo also attended the event which was enriched by a performance staged by dancers from the Rome Opera House, directed by Eleonora Abbagnato, with music performed by the Rome local police band.

Raggi said the new lights "further enhance the majesty and beauty" of the monument whose re-illumination can be seen as "a message of hope in this re-start phase" in the covid-19 crisis.

The arch was commissioned by the Roman Senate to commemorate Constantine's victory over Maxentius at the Battle of Ponte Milvio in 312 AD.

The Arch of Constantine is the latest in a series of Roman landmarks to be illuminated by the capital's energy provider ACEA, from the Trevi Fountain to the Pantheon.

Photo Parco Colosseo
Amaravati, July 19 : Andhra Pradesh Governor Biswabhusan Harichandan is likely to decide, in a day or two, on two Bills sent to him by the state government for trifurcation of the state capital while the opposition has urged him not to give his assent.

The Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy government sent to the Raj Bhavan two Bills passed by the Assembly last month. While one bill is for abolition of the Capital Region Development Authority (CRDA) that was created during the previous Telugu Desam Party (TDP) regime for building the capital in Amaravati, the other is aimed at decentralising the administration by creating three state capitals.

The YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) government wants to shift the executive capital to Visakhapatnam, the judicial capital to Kurnool and retain Amaravati as the legislative capital. However, its move sparked massive protest from farmers of Amaravti who had given their lands for the development of the capital.

The two Bills were originally passed by the Assembly in January and were sent to the Legislative Council for its approval. However, the opposition TDP which has a majority in the upper house stalled the Bills and amid the pandemonium, Chairman M.A. Shariff had announced referring the Bills to the select committee.

However, the Assembly officials had refused to constitute the select committee on the ground that the Chairman's decision was not in line with the rules. Even as the matter landed in the high court, the Bills were passed again by the Assembly on June 16. The Bills were sent to the Council but the same could not be taken up and the House was adjourned sine die amid pandemonium.

Claiming that two Bills deemed to have been passed after a one month period, the government sent them to the Governor for his approval.

The Governor has reportedly sought expert opinion on the procedure involved in the passage of the Bills - the Andhra Pradesh Decentralisation and Inclusive Development of All Regions Bill, 2020 and the Bill to repeal AP Capital Region Development Authority Act, 2014 Meanwhile, TDP President and Leader of Opposition N. Chandrababu Naidu on Sunday urged the Governor to take a "pro-people decision on the unlawful Bills".

In a letter to the Governor, the former Chief Minister appealed to him to consider the interests and future aspirations of all sections of Andhra Pradesh before taking a final decision.

Reminding the Governor that the Council referred the Bills to a select committee, he also contended that the approval of the two Bills at this juncture would amount to contempt of the court as the high court was in the process of hearing many petitions against the government's "ulterior move" to shift capital in the name of decentralised development.

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) state President Kanna Lakshmi Narayana has also written to the Governor, requesting him not to grant assent to the two Bills.

The BJP leader mentioned in his letter that the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act provides for only one capital.

He also appealed to the Governor to consider the constitutional aspects of the matter, the stand of several stakeholders and people's wishes and not to grant assent to the Bills.
Myanmar's civilian and military leaders joined together on Sunday in Yangon to commemorate the 73rd anniversary of the murder of the country's independence hero.

Aung San died in a hail of bullets during a meeting with his cabinet, in July 1947, just months before the country  then called Burma  achieved its freedom from British colonial rule.

Members of his cabinet also died in the attack.

In Sunday's solemn annual ceremony the country's current leader, Aung San Suu Kyi  Aung San's daughter  paid her respects at the mausoleum where his remains are entombed.

She was followed by the country's powerful armed forces commander, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, who was accompanied by President Win Myint and Vice-President Myint Swe.

All wore face masks, in line with measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Myanmar emerged from decades of military dictatorship, in the last few years, with an election in 2015 returning it to democracy.

But the military still retains significant power through provisions in the country's constitution, which it authored.

The constitution is a prime source of tension between the military and the civilian government.

A general election will be held later this year in November.
Imphal, July 19 : Manipur's Additional Director General of Police (Law and Order) Arvind Kumar, who on Saturday reportedly shot himself at his official chamber, was flown to Delhi by an air ambulance on Sunday for further treatment at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), officials said.

A Manipur government official said that Kumar is out of danger after his treatment at a private hospital in Imphal.

Kumar's wife accompanied him in the air ambulance.

Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh, who visited the hospital here, spoke to the doctors attending Kumar and enquired about his health.

Kumar, a 1992 batch Manipur cadre IPS officer, shot himself with his service revolver at his official chamber at the 2nd Manipur Rifles Complex near the Police headquarters on Saturday afternoon.

Immediately, Kumar was taken to a private hospital in Imphal and then shifted to the ICU.

According to a senior police officer, Kumar used his service revolver and shot himself on his chin and the bullet pierced his cheekbone. Police is looking into the incident and efforts are on to ascertain the cause of the likely suicide attempt.

It was not yet known why the senior police officer shot himself.

Manipur Chief Secretary J. Suresh Baby, top police officials including Manipur Director General of Police L.M. Khaute also visited the hospital.

The IPS officer Arvind Kumar was earlier posted in the Intelligence Bureau (IB) at a very senior position in Delhi before returning to Manipur recently. "The police officer was staying alone in Imphal and he was in mental stress due to some unknown reasons," the official said.
The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Kanpur has come up with an ultraviolet sanitizing solution to disinfect hospitals, hotels, malls and other such high-risk places, the Business Standard has reported.

According to the report, SHUDH (Smartphone-operated Handy Ultraviolet Disinfection Helper) can disinfect a 100-sq-feet room in 15 minutes.

The prototype, according to the newspaper, can be monitored from a distance and comprises six UV lights of 15 watts each. It has been developed by a team of researchers, including Prof J Ramkumar, Amandeep Singh and Shivam Sachan at the Imagineering Laboratory at the premiere institute.

"During this pandemic situation, people are skeptical about touching papers, tables, chairs etc in the rooms, hotels, halls, hospitals etc. So we have come up with an innovation. This product can be attached to a mobile vehicle which can be operated using a smartphone. We have also developed a mobile app," Professor Ramkumar said.

"By doing some simple experiments, we have figured out that a 10X10 ft room can be disinfected in 15 minutes. The phone will help you switch the device on and off. We have used Bluetooth for the purpose," he added.

COVID-19 Vaccine Frequently Asked Questions View more How does a vaccine work? A vaccine works by mimicking a natural infection. A vaccine not only induces immune response to protect people from any future COVID-19 infection, but also helps quickly build herd immunity to put an end to the pandemic. Herd immunity occurs when a sufficient percentage of a population becomes immune to a disease, making the spread of disease from person to person unlikely. The good news is that SARS-CoV-2 virus has been fairly stable, which increases the viability of a vaccine. How many types of vaccines are there? There are broadly four types of vaccine  one, a vaccine based on the whole virus (this could be either inactivated, or an attenuated [weakened] virus vaccine); two, a non-replicating viral vector vaccine that uses a benign virus as vector that carries the antigen of SARS-CoV; three, nucleic-acid vaccines that have genetic material like DNA and RNA of antigens like spike protein given to a person, helping human cells decode genetic material and produce the vaccine; and four, protein subunit vaccine wherein the recombinant proteins of SARS-COV-2 along with an adjuvant (booster) is given as a vaccine. What does it take to develop a vaccine of this kind? Vaccine development is a long, complex process. Unlike drugs that are given to people with a diseased, vaccines are given to healthy people and also vulnerable sections such as children, pregnant women and the elderly. So rigorous tests are compulsory. History says that the fastest time it took to develop a vaccine is five years, but it usually takes double or sometimes triple that time. View more Show

After the outbreak of COVID-19 in India, IIT Kanpur has planned and developed several products that can help curb the spread of infection. In March, for instance, researchers at the institute were in process of developing portable ventilators significantly cheaper than the ones available in the market.

It had also created a disinfectant tunnel in May.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Sunday attacked the BJP and accused it of "institutionalising lies" over COVID-19 deaths, GDP figures and the Chinese aggression at the border.

Hitting out at the BJP over the rise in the number of deaths due to COVID-19, he said India will pay its price when the "illusion" is shattered.

BJP leader and Union minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat hit back, saying India paid a huge price for the illusion that the Gandhis had created for decades. He also attacked Gandhi for "wishing ill" for the country.

"BJP has institutionalised lies. 1. Covid19 by restricting testing and misreporting deaths. 2. GDP by using a new calculation method. 3. Chinese aggression by frightening the media. The illusion will break soon and India will pay the price," Gandhi said in a tweet.

He tagged a news report on the coronavirus situation with his tweet.

Responding to Gandhi, Shekhawat said in a tweet, "India paid a huge price for the illusion that the Gandhi's created for decades. Despicable of you to wish Ill for the country. Your vicious intentions get hopelessly displayed each time you try and mock Indians. But not any more."
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Linkedin Moch. Fiqih Prawira Adjie (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Mon, July 20 2020

A stolen Brompton folding bike from a social campaign program aimed to support medical workers in the United Kingdom is reportedly being offered for purchase in Indonesia, the British manufacturer said.

The London-based Brompton recently contacted local community Brompton Owner Group Indonesia (BOGI), notifying its members that a stolen bike was made available for purchase by an unauthorized seller in Indonesia in late June.



In a letter sent by the company to BOGI, the Brompton team claimed that the bike had been stolen from a UK health worker.



The stolen bike was designated for the companys Wheels for Heroes campaign, which aimed to provide UKs National Health Service (NHS) workers with 1,000 bikes to help their mobility amid the COVID-19 pandemic. With the bikes, health workers can get to work without having to take public transportation.



BOGI founder Baron Martanegara posted the notification letter in the groups Facebook group on Wednesday.

Brompton has issued an official letter and red notice statement, [...] if any members have any information or have [the bike], please contact me, he wrote in the post.



Baron also posted a screenshot of a letter addressed to him from Brompton senior Asia marketing executive James Ku.



I am sending this email to kindly seek for the Indonesian Brompton communities support to help us identify and recover the stolen bike by spreading the message within our local community, James wrote in the letter.

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Staying upbeat over coronavirus-related conditions in the UK, Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Sunday compared imposing a nation-wide lockdown to pushing the nuclear button, one he hoped will not be needed in the future again.

Lockdown imposed in the UK on March 23 has been differentially relaxed in England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales, with more areas of public activity to be reopened in the near future. New cases have dwindled in recent days and weeks.

Follow latest updates on coronavirus here

Johnson told the Sunday Telegraph in an interview that health officials were getting better at identifying and isolating local outbreaks, adding that the power to order national action will remain an option. Leicester in the east Midlands remains in lockdown.

He said: I cant abandon that tool any more than I would abandon a nuclear deterrent. But it is like a nuclear deterrent, I certainly dont want to use it. And nor do I think we will be in that position again.

Johnsons optimism about improving conditions has led to reopening several sectors of the British economy that has taken a severe hit due to the pandemic. But top officials warn that another lockdown may be needed as the challenging winter months near.

Patrick Vallance, chief scientific officer, cautioned in a parliamentary hearing on Friday that relaxing measures would inevitably lead to new cases in the coming months, which could need another nation-wide lockdown.

Click here for complete coronavirus coverage

He said: As you release measures it is inevitable as you get more contacts that you will see more cases  Come winter, the challenges will be very much greater and of course there is a risk that this could need national measures.

Everyone that Ive spoken to thinks its highly likely that this disease will continue to circulate and will come back in waves. And therefore the measures of reducing contact to reduce spread, the sorts of social distancing measures that weve talked about, and the hygiene measures that go along with that, will be necessary, he added.
A 17-year-old P-Plate driver was behind the wheel of a car illegally carrying five other teenagers when it crashed on Sydney's northern beaches on Saturday night, killing one of the passengers.

Police and paramedics were called to Caladenia Close in Elanora Heights about 11.20pm and found a 19-year-old man suffering critical head injuries. The man, who was travelling in the backseat of the car, died at the scene.

The driver, aged 17 and on his red P-plates, had done mandatory blood and urine testing, a police spokeswoman said.

Six teenagers were travelling in the station wagon when it crashed. The vehicle has only five seatbelts.
As districts around the state devise plans to reopen schools in September during the coronavirus pandemic, the mayor of Plainfield has taken a strong stand against students returning to classrooms, calling in-person instruction irresponsible and a threat to the health of students and staff.

We should treat our classrooms the same way were treating indoor dining: not open, Mayor Adrian Mapp said in a Facebook post published Saturday. It isnt fair to risk the health of so many by re-opening schools. Teachers and staff should not have to fear their workplace or risk death when it is entirely avoidable.

Plainfield, a city of 50,000 residents, has more than 7,600 students enrolled in its public schools and is the second largest district in Union County, according to the state Department of Education.

State education officials have instructed each district to develop a plan for schools to reopen for the 2020-2021 academic year with a long list of guidelines to mitigate coronavirus risk. Many districts, including Plainfield schools, are weighing hybrid options that combine in-person classes and remote instruction to meet classroom capacity restrictions and incorporate social distancing.

The states guidance also said students would be strongly encouraged to wear face coverings.

While Mapp acknowledged the shortcomings of remote learning, he said the virus is still out of control.

Mapp pointed to the danger of asymptomatic children infecting older teachers and staff members as well as relatives, noting that social distancing in enclosed classrooms would be difficult.

There is no scenario where it becomes a good idea to place a large number of children together in an enclosed area for prolonged periods, Mapp wrote. Under normal circumstances, children spread germs to each other rapidly. What is the expected outcome with COVID-19 still a very viable threat? How do we ask educators to put their lives on the line in this manner?

Mapp acknowledged that its a challenge to keep students engaged during virtual learning that children miss out on social interactions when theyre not in school, but said he preferred to keep schools closed because good health and life are irreplaceable.

Neither Mapp nor Plainfield schools Superintendent Dr. Diana Mitchell could be immediately reached Sunday morning.

While some schools have shared preliminary reopening plans, Plainfield is still evaluating how to best bring back students. In a letter posted on the district website on July 2, Mitchell wrote the district will take into consideration social distancing, face covering, classroom and building capacity, cleaning and disinfecting, as well as the participation of our parents, students and the community in deciding how schools will reopen.

The district held an online parent listening session earlier this month to solicit feedback. Mapp, though, remains worried about the virus spreading through the districts 13 schools and into homes across the city.

According to the CDC, the risk might seem low for children, but they still get sick, some seriously, the mayor wrote. Children and teenagers have died. Far too many questions still surround the disease. A significant and valid concern regarding children is the risk of them infecting teachers, parents, and grandparents who could be vulnerable.

As of Friday, there have been 2,283 cases of COVID-19 in Plainfield. Officials have reported 110 death, but none since July 1. At least 2,085 have recovered.

Gov. Phil Murphy ordered all schools in New Jersey to close in mid-March. Plainfield schools shut down on March 13.

Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com.

Jeff Goldman may be reached at jeff_goldman@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @JeffSGoldman. Find NJ.com on Facebook.
The Home Secretary is facing calls to introduce statutory licensing for garment factories to prevent abuse of workers.

Priti Patel has been urged to take action in a letter from 90 top retailers, also signed by MPs, peers, investors and charities.

Plea: Priti Patel has been urged to take action in a letter from 90 top retailers, also signed by MPs, peers, investors and charities

It comes after fashion outlet Boohoo was accused of using a garment factory where workers' pay was below the minimum wage.

Boohoo has itself called for tougher rules, saying it 'wholeheartedly endorses' calls for the 'fit to trade' scheme proposed by the British Retail Consortium (BRC).

BRC boss Helen Dickinson said the licensing proposals were a 'critical step' in efforts to help vulnerable employees.


Amaravati A state-wide drive launched to screen orphans and street kids for Covid-19 has united a grieving mother with her son who was missing for four years. The authorities also rescued 10 children hailing from Bihar who were forced to live as bonded labourers.

The good turn of events took place barely a couple of days after 'Operation Muskaan Covid-19' was launched by the Andhra Pradesh Police.

Bobba Sri Lalitha, a resident of Palakollu in the West Godavari district, lost her husband soon after the birth of her second son, Srinivas. Struggling to make ends meet, Lalitha was forced to take up menial jobs, including working as a rag picker to feed her sons.

In 2016, Srinivas fled home and reached the Vijayawada railway station. From there, the railway police rescued Srinivas and shifted him to a child care centre in Vijayawada and has been there ever since.

During the course of Operation Muskaan, Srinivas finally revealed that he is a native of Palakollu in the West Godavari district. The authorities then sprung into action and facilitated the reunion of Srinivas with his mother.

DGP Gautam Sawang said, "It is very heartwarming to be able to facilitate the reunion of a mother-son duo after almost four years. Things like these give us immense satisfaction and keep us going. Each kid who has been rescued has a heart wrenching story. It is to make this kind of difference in the lives of the vulnerable that this initiative was launched."

Police officials said that the 'Muskaan Covid-19' initiative has led to the rescue of 2,739 kids within 72 hours of its launch. During the drive, the police have also rescued 10 children employed as 'bonded labourers' in Perecherla. All the kids hailing from Bihar have now been rescued and shifted to child care homes while a case has been registered against the management under relevant sections of the law.

The drive will continue till July 20.
Mexico drug cartel puts on a show of strength and defiance during a visit by the Mexican president.

The Mexican government is analysing a video showing dozens of gunmen and armoured vehicles, apparently belonging to the powerful Jalisco drug cartel.

It seems to be a show of force before a visit by President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador to three states where the group has a stronghold.

Al Jazeeras John Holman reports from Mexico City.
By PTI

JAIPUR: As the Ashok Gehlot government struggles to retain power in Rajasthan, the Bhartiya Tribal Party says it is now in a position to punch way above its weight despite its minuscule presence in the state assembly.

"We have two MLAs in a House of 200, yet we are in the position of kingmakers," party president Maheshbhai C Vasava told PTI on Sunday.

At a joint press conference with the Congress on Saturday, BTP legislators Rajkumar Roat and Ramprasad Dindor made it clear that they are with Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot.

This ended days of uncertainty over where the Gujarat-based party's loyalties lie.

The two MLAs supported the ruling Congress in the state in last month's Rajya Sabha polls.

But when the power tussle between Gehlot and his now sacked deputy Sachin Pilot re-surfaced recently, the BTP said it will remain neutral.

Vasava said the party is now extending support to Gehlot after an assurance that its demands related to the development of tribal areas will be met.

"We have fought against the Congress and the BJP on tribal issues but if the government now assures full support on the issues raised by us, why shouldn't we support it? After all it is fulfilling the agenda of tribal welfare and development," he said.

When the crisis began last week, Vasava issued a whip directing both Roat and Dindor not to support any leader or party in case there is a floor test in the assembly.

However, Sagwara MLA Ramprasad Dindor expressed defiance of the whip, saying both of them will support the state government.

Later, party office-bearers and the MLAs held discussions with the chief minister on their demands.

"We had supported the Congress government in the Rajya Sabha elections last month after an assurance by the chief minister on our demands," Chorasi MLA Roat said.

"But the demands were not fulfilled. Some of them could have been met in just one day," he complained.

The party then thought of not extending support to him, the MLA said.

Last week, Roat appeared in two video clips, alleging that he was being stopped by Rajasthan police from travelling to his constituency in Dungarpur district.

He claimed that police personnel had come in two vans and taken away his car keys.

He also alleged that some people were forcing him to come with them.

The videos were circulated by the Sachin Pilot camp and the BJP had questioned the state government over them.

But Raut later dismissed the episode as a "misunderstanding" with police.

He said the party's agenda is development of tribal areas and they have raised 17 demands before the CM.

Some of the demands are related to reservation in jobs and the utilisation of funds for tribal areas.

The BTP came into being in 2017 in Gujarat, and expanded into Rajasthan the next year.

In the December 2018 assembly elections, it fielded 11 candidates in the tribal belt in southern Rajasthan.

Raot was 26 when he won and most other candidates too were young.

"The youth are our power. Today's youth is educated, understands issues and understands how the tribal people were deprived of their rights. We fielded many young candidates and the party's performance was very good," BTP state president Velaram Ghoghra said.

The crisis in Rajasthan Congress has been brewing since the party picked Gehlot over Pilot for the chief minister's post.

Pilot was sacked as deputy chief minister and the party's state unit president when he and 18 other MLAs stayed away from two Congress Legislature Party meetings.

The rebel MLAs were served notices by Speaker C P Joshi after the Congress sought their disqualification from the assembly.

The Rajasthan High Court will on Monday resume hearing their petition challenging the notices.

Including the dissidents, the Congress has 107 MLAs in the 200-member assembly and the BJP 72.

If the 19 Congress dissidents are disqualified, the current strength of the state assembly will reduce to 181, slashing the half-way mark to 91 and making it easier for Gehlot to retain majority support.

In the past, the ruling party has claimed the support of 13 independents, two MLAs each from the CPM and the BTP), and one from the Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD).
Public housing residents in North Melbourne are coming out of a two-week hard lockdown after a COVID-19 outbreak prompted the state government to take strict measures.

The enforced shut-in of public housing residents at 33 Alfred Street since July 4 ended late Saturday night, meaning they can now leave their homes for food, medicine, exercise, study and work  like the rest of Melbourne.

However, up to one-third of the towers residents, who either have the virus or are a close contact of someone who does, will be required to remain in their units until theyre cleared.

AMSSA (Australian Muslim Social Services Agency) Youth Connect, a not-for-profit community organisation based in North Melbourne, told AAP many of the Alfred Street residents will be in great need of allied health, psychological support and new employment.

A social worker for the organisation, Adna Abdikadir, said the two-week complete lockdown had been really upsetting and really traumatising for many.

Victorias ombudsman is investigating the treatment of people across the Alfred Street tower and eight other towers that were shut down for five days in July.

Repeated concerns have been raised about communication with the residents, their access to food, exercise, fresh air, medical supplies and care.

Victorian authorities are cautiously optimistic that stage three restrictions are working after Saturdays fresh case numbers were almost half that of Fridays.

There were 217 new cases on July 18 compared to 428 on July 17, prompting Chief Health Officer Brett Sutton to express relief.

Three new deaths recorded on July 18 brought the states COVID-19 death toll to 35 and the national toll to 119.

There are 2,608 active cases of which 110 are in hospital, including 25 in intensive care and 18 on ventilators.

The number of healthcare workers infected with COVID-19 is 405.

Aged care homes in Ballarat and Bendigo have become the latest aged care outbreaks, adding to clusters at multiple aged care facilities in Melbourne.

The outbreak at Truganinas Al-Taqwa College is at 164 cases while there are 33 cases linked to Brooklyns JBS abattoir.

An inquiry into Victorias bungled hotel quarantine scheme will start on July 20 led by retired judge Jennifer Coate.

The inquiry was instigated by Premier Daniel Andrews after it was revealed protocol breaches by security guards at two Melbourne hotels led to outbreaks.
Amid the political firestorm in Rajasthan following Sachin Pilot's rebellion, senior Congress leader Kapil Sibal on Sunday called for amending the anti-defection law to ban all defectors from holding public office for five years and fighting the next election.

Sibal also said that the "antibodies" against the "virus of corrupt means" to topple elected governments lie in amending the Tenth Schedule of the Constitution (anti-defection law).

His attack comes in the wake of Pilot's open rebellion against the Ashok Gehlot government, which has been on shaky ground since, with at least 18 legislators backing the rebel leader.

Pilot was sacked as deputy chief minister and the state Congress chief earlier this week.

The Congress has accused the BJP of making efforts to topple the Gehlot government by indulging in horse-trading.

"Need for Vaccine: Virus of 'corrupt means' to topple elected governments has spread through a 'Wuhan like facility' in Delhi," Sibal tweeted, in an apparent swipe at the BJP.

"Its 'antibodies' lie in amending the Tenth Schedule. Ban all defectors from: Holding public office for five years, fighting the next election," he said.

Taking a swipe at Pilot over his claim that he is not joining the BJP, Sibal on Thursday had asked what happens to his "ghar wapsi" and whether Rajasthan's dissident legislators are vacationing in Haryana under the "watchful eye" of the saffron party.

In the house of 200, the Congress has 107 MLAs, including the 19 dissidents who have been issued notices of disqualification by the speaker and they have challenged them in the high court.

The Congress has maintained the claim that the Gehlot government has the support of 109 MLAs, including the two BTP MLAs.
She has been married four times, including twice to actor Don Johnson.

And single Melanie Griffith is now reminiscing on those past marriages.

The 62-year-old beauty took to social media earlier in the week to share a series of loved up throwback photos with her ex lovers.

Amicable: Melanie Griffith proved she was one of Hollywood's friendliest exes this week when she took to social media to share photos with all of her husbands (pictured with Don Johnson during their first marriage in 1976)

It all started with a photo of herself from when she was 26.

'#tbt I was 26 years old and total trouble! Those were the days my friend. We thought they'd never end!!! Lalalala!!' she captioned.

Melanie went on to follow up the post with a flashback photo with her second husband, American-Cuban actor, Steven Bauer.

'Those were the days!' It all started with a photo of herself from when she was 26

'When @thestevenbauer and I were married and madly in love  #tbt 1984,' she penned.

Melanie and Steven were married in 1981 and finalized their divorce in 1989.

The Working Girl actress then shared a photo with Don Johnson from their first time being married.

'#tbt Me and DJ the first time we were married. 1976!! I was 18, he was 26 #First Love  @donjohnson.'

Former love: Melanie and Steven were married in 1981 and finalized their divorce in 1989

'Mi Amor!' And lastly Melanie shared a photo with her most recent husband, Antonio Banderas

MELANIE GRIFFITH'S FOUR MARRIAGES Don Johnson - January 1976 to July 1986 Steven Bauer - 1981 to 1989 Don Johnson - 1989 to 1996 Antonio Banderas - 1996 to 2015 Advertisement

The beauty had her eyes closed and wore a white singlet top as she kissed her first love, Don.

And lastly Melanie shared a photo with her most recent husband, Antonio Banderas.

'#tbt and last but not least, Mi Amor Antonio This shot was taken in 2012 , Marbella. Besitos @antoniobanderasoficial.'

And Melanie was blessed with a child from each husband, including fellow actress, Dakota Johnson, who she had during her second marriage to Don.

Melanie met Don when she was just 14 and he was 22 after meeting on the set of The Harrad Experiment.

At the age of 18 in January 1976, the pair married but had split up by July of that same year.

The Working Girl star went on to marry actor Steven Baur in 1982, leading to the birth of her first child, Alexander, 34. The pair split five years later.

Friendly exes: Dakota's parents, Melanie and Don, have been married and divorced twice, but still remain amicable (2016) (L-R: Jesse Johnson, 34, Melanie Grifith, 62, Dakota Johnson, 30, Don Johnson, 70)

Fourth marriage: Following her split from Don, Melanie went on to marry actor Antonio Banderas between 1996-2015 (L-R: Alexander Baur, 34, Stella Banderas, 23, Melanie Grifith, 62, Dakota Johnson, 30) (1998)

Don also moved on, moving in with actress Patti D'Arbanville from 1981-1985. The pair welcomed a son, who's also an actor, Jesse Johnson, 37.

And in a turn of events, Melanie reunited with former love Don, and they married once again in 1989.

They welcomed Dakota three months later before separating after six years.

Melanie entered into her fourth marriage with Hollywood star Antonio Banderas in 1996. The same year she welcomed her youngest daughter, Stella, 22, into the world.

The pair split in 2015. Stella credits herself as a Spanish actress.

Famous siblings: Dakota, 30, and her model sister Grace, 20, share the same father, Don Johnson, 69 (pictured at the 2019 MET Gala)

Young and in love: Melanie met Don when she was just 14 and he was 22 after meeting on the set of The Harrad Experiment. At the age of 18 in January 1976, the pair married but had split up by July of that same year (pictured 1972)

Offspring: Don seen with Melanie's eldest son Alexander Bauer and their daughter Dakota (1997)

Youngest: Melanie's fourth marriage to Antonio Banderas saw the birth of her third child, daughter Stella, 23 (pictured 2014)

Don also went on to marry for the third time, falling in love with kindergarten teacher, Kelley Phleger, 51.

The pair married in 1999 and have three children together; daughter Grace, 20, and sons Jasper, 17, and Deacon, 14.

The time between his second divorce from Melanie and long-lasting marriage to Kelley, the Miami Vice star dated Sally Adams, Barbra Streisand and got engaged to Jodi Lyn O'Keefe in 1995-1996 (who played his daughter on Nash Bridges).
Iran Sends Black Boxes Of Downed Ukrainian Airliner To France For Analysis

July 18, 2020

Iran has sent the black boxes of Ukraine International Airlines Flight 752, which crashed shortly after takeoff in Tehran on January 8 after being struck by two missiles, killing 176 people.

"The black boxes were transferred to Paris yesterday by aviation officials and a judge, and their deciphering will start on Monday (July 20)," Foreign Ministry official Mohsen Baharvand was quoted as telling the Etemad newspaper on July 18.

A source at France's Bureau for Enquiry and Analysis for Civil Aviation Safety (BEA) was quoted by AFP as saying that the boxes had arrived and would be at the agency from July 20.

Flight 752 was struck by two missiles and crashed shortly after taking off from Tehran's main airport on January 8.

The Islamic republic admitted in the following days that its forces accidentally shot down the Kyiv-bound passenger plane.

In a recent report, Iranian aviation authorities concluded that a misaligned missile battery and miscommunication between soldiers and superior officers were to blame for incident.

Flight 752 was downed the same night that Iran had launched a ballistic-missile attack that targeted U.S. soldiers in Iraq, and Tehran's air defenses were on high alert at the time in case of retaliation.

That attack was in response to an American drone strike that had killed the powerful commander of Iran's Revolutionary Guards Corps, Major General Qasem Soleimani, in Baghdad five days earlier.

Canada and Ukraine had demanded that Iran, which had no means of decoding the crucial information contained in the data recording devices, send the black boxes abroad for analysis.

Based on reporting by AP and AFP

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/iran-sends-black -box-of-downed-ukrainian-airliner- france--analysis/30734728.html

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

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July 18, 2020 " Information Clearing House " - The presidency of Donald John Trump is collapsing. Unwilling or unable to confront the deadly realities of the COVID-19 pandemic, which has claimed more than 138,000 American lives, the presidents job-approval ratings have plummeted. The ravages of the virus, in turn, have triggered a deep economic slump, pushing unemployment rates to levels not seen since the Great Depression of the 1930s. There is a growing perception that our 45th commander in chief, never known for his intellectual acuity or moral rectitude, is unfit to lead the nation in this moment of extreme crisis.



Even the Supreme Court, with two of his own appointees on the bench, has seemingly turned against him. On the last day of its just-completed 2019-2020 term, the court released a pair of landmark decisions on presidential power, rejecting Trumps desperate attempt to quash subpoenas issued by Congress and Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus Vance for his tax returns and personal financial records. Writing for a 7-2 majority in both cases, Chief Justice John Roberts rebuffed Trumps claims of sweeping presidential immunity and reaffirmed the bedrock principle that no oneincluding the presidentis above the law.



According to many polls, if the election were held today, Trump would lose in a classic landslide. If the pundits are correct, the entire Republican Party could be dragged down with him.



Trumps abiding corruption and incompetence have prompted urgent calls for his resignation by newspaper editorial boards, columnists and activists like Ralph Nader. Even before his stunning setbacks in the Supreme Court, there was considerable and widespread speculation that rather than face humiliation in November, Trump will step down in the fashion of Richard Nixon, or announce a la Lyndon Johnson that he wont seek reelection after all.



As the veteran commentator Robert Kuttner mused in a recent article in the American Prospect:

If Trump senses a blowout defeat well beyond the usual Republican margin of theft, [he] may decide that its more dignified to retire undefeated. He can claim that the election was rigged, that he would have won, blah blah blah, and he can have the satisfaction of agitating his base as president-in-exile with no responsibility whatever for the consequences.

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If he loses the election, Trump could be targeted by a new Democratic attorney general determined to hold him accountable for a laundry list of possible federal offenses, including:

Post your comment below

See also Record Number Of Americans REJECT Republicans As White House EMBARRASSES Itself

The views expressed in this article are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Information Clearing House.
Americans are being swabbed by the thousands to learn if they have covid-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus. It's how many are determining their risk of contracting or spreading the virus to someone else.

Experts say testing is a vital component to controlling the outbreak, but one test result still isn't a green light to visit vulnerable friends or family members. The nature of covid-19, the time it takes for someone to develop symptoms and the varied ways the virus affects people make each test a snapshot in time more than a definitive answer.

"I personally wouldn't consider a single test a license to go see my parents, who are older and would be at higher risk," said Carl Bergstrom, a University of Washington biology professor who studies infectious diseases.

The viral swab tests, seen at drive-through clinics across the country, tell people whether they're infected with the novel coronavirus on that particular day, said Lucy Wilson, an infectious-disease specialist and a professor at the University of Maryland Baltimore County.

It takes time for the coronavirus to replicate to a critical mass for a swabbing test to detect it. The time this process takes varies from person to person and ranges from two to 14 days, experts say.

"The problem is this virus is a strange virus," Bergstrom said. "The timing varies a lot in people."

Imagine that you become infected today and are tested tomorrow; Bergstrom said "we have every reason to believe you're going to test negative, even though you're infected."

On average, people tend to show symptoms or test positive for the virus about five days after exposure, Wilson said.

"It's just like a pregnancy test," Wilson said. A pregnancy test can detect only certain hormones after a certain number of days or weeks, but it doesn't mean you're not pregnant.

 READ MORE: A guide to making sense of coronavirus studies

If you do start developing symptoms, such as a fever, sore throat or loss of smell, experts say you should absolutely get tested for the coronavirus. Wilson said people need to determine whether the symptoms they're experiencing are a result of the coronavirus or are another illness - such as strep or the flu.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advises anyone with symptoms to stay home and self-isolate as much as possible.

If you've been in contact with someone who has covid-19 but you don't have any symptoms, Wilson said, you should consider a 14-day self-quarantine and discuss whether to get tested with your health-care provider.

 FAQ: Your coronavirus questions, answered.

As the Atlantic reported last month, it's still not clear how accurate viral tests are for people who haven't developed symptoms. There's a degree of uncertainty, even with a negative test result, and not a lot of data to determine exactly how early a swab test can start to detect the infection for a person showing no symptoms.

On top of all this, the rising demand for more testing has led to week-long delays for results. An average of 685,000 people were tested per day last week, according to data collected by the Covid Tracking Project and reported by the New York Times. The White House aims to reach 1 million tests a day by the fall.

 READ MORE: What is a pulse oximeter?

Experts say the backlog in some parts of the country makes the results useless for efforts to control the spread of the virus. Generally, people who have the virus are symptomatic for around six days, Bergstrom said. If the results take five days to come back, there's only so much a person can do to protect those around them. Bergstrom added the results become "absolutely useless" for efforts to quarantine or to trace contacts.

This is why, regardless of testing, public health experts continue to stress wearing masks in public and physical distancing. In the absence of test results, or symptoms, keeping your distance from others helps in mitigating the spread of the disease.

There are still not enough tests for everyone to be regularly screened for the virus, said Erica Sohs, an infectious-disease expert and professor at the University of Nebraska Medical Center. Researchers at Harvard's Global Health Institute say the United States needs to triple, if not quadruple, the testing capacity to contain the virus. The actual number recommended by the institute varies day-to-day because the methodology is dependent on a number of variables.

One potential solution as grade schools and universities weigh reopening in the fall is pool testing, where swabs from a group of people are tested all at once to save time and conserve supplies.

"If you wanted to do surveillance testing just to make sure there's not a silent outbreak going on in a school, having pool testing would be helpful," Sohs said. "I wish we were talking more about that."

People who think they already had covid-19 in the spring but did not go to a hospital are getting antibody tests, also known as serology tests. Bergstrom said some just want to know whether that bad cold they had a few months ago was actually the novel coronavirus.

Antibody tests can tell whether someone has already been infected with covid-19 by using a blood sample to identify the proteins a body produces one to three weeks after an infection, according to the CDC.

"Right now, we don't really know what a positive antibody test means in terms of the degree to which you're protected."

In general, antibodies help immune systems fight off any future infection from the same virus, but it's not clear how much protection covid-19 antibodies can provide or how long the protection might last. That's because immunity varies depending on the pathogen. Antibodies from a measles infection will provide a person lifelong immunity. Meanwhile, antibodies for a strain of influenza won't protect the body for nearly as long.

Antibody tests can also provide a false positive reading, meaning the test indicates you have antibodies from covid-19 when that's not the case. The false positive may just mean your body has antibodies for another coronavirus, like one that causes the common cold.

"We're just not there yet with the accuracy of the antibody test," Wilson said.

 READ MORE: Coronavirus antibody testing is now easy to get. But its hard to be sure what youre getting.

At the moment, experts can't say if antibodies from a past covid-19 infection provide someone immunity or even temporary protection from the virus. The virus is still so new. Because of this, Bergstrom said positive antibody tests shouldn't be used as "a license" to return to the office or other group activities.

"Right now, we don't really know what a positive antibody test means in terms of the degree to which you're protected," Bergstrom said.

What antibody tests can provide is a broader understanding of the progression of an outbreak. In the District of Columbia, fewer than 6 percent of residents have tested positive for antibodies from the coronavirus out of 13,706 blood samples. The results show public health experts who has and hasn't been exposed to the virus.

According to the FDA, people with antibodies from the virus may be able to donate their plasma to be used as "a possible treatment" for those with the disease.

For anyone still waiting for their test results, experts say it's important to be aware of the caveats. The tests can determine only so much. Beyond what we know, Bergstrom said, everyone must weigh the risks and mitigate their own possibility for exposure.

"We can't all stop living our lives entirely," Bergstrom said. "We have to make decisions about the risk we want to take on."

- - -

The Washington Posts Steven Johnson contributed to this report.
New Delhi, July 19 : On the initiative of Delhi Police, a 'Plasma Donation Campaign' has been launched at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi, on Sunday. Union Minister of Health & Family Welfare Dr Harsh Vardhan, was the Chief Guest while Commissioner of Police, S.N. Shrivastava, was the Guest of Honour, on the occasion.

"The objective of the campaign is to encourage people to come forward to donate plasma to be used for the treatment of Covid-19 patients," said Additional PRO Delhi Police Anil Mittal.

In all, 26 personnel including a woman constable of Delhi Police kicked off the campaign by donating their plasma.

"More than 650 Delhi Police personnel are likely to donate their plasma during the week-long campaign," the officer said.

Dr Randeep Guleria, Director AIIMS, appreciated the initiative of Delhi Police and termed the donor police personnel 'Super Corona Warriors', as being affected by the deadly virus they first fought against it and then voluntarily donated their plasma to save lives of others.

He appealed to people to come forward and donate plasma as it would help treat critical patients.

Speaking on the occasion, Shrivastava underlined, "dealing with coronavirus has been a unique experience as none of us knew what to do. Police had two major responsibilities -- to maintain law & order and to enforce the lockdown. At the same time, managing our own health and motivation of force were also a challenge. Being visible arms of the government, police must ensure implementation of government's directions." Being frontline warriors police personnel were most susceptible to exposure of the virus. As a result more than 2,500 personnel got infected and a dozen succumbed to the virus in the line of duty. However, the recovery rate is more than 84 per cent as more than 2,100 personnel have recovered and resumed duties.

Lauding the efforts of Delhi Police for taking initiative to build plasma bank, Harsh Vardhan, called the event as pious, noble and inspiring in its spirit. "Delhi Police personnel have set an example by voluntarily donating plasma in order to save lives of others, while ignoring their own sufferings. It will inspire other corona warriors to donate their plasma," he said.

The Chief Guest profoundly appreciated Ct Om Prakash of PS Amar Colony, who donated his plasma thrice. He called plasma donors as 'Plasma Warriors'.
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PRESS RELEASE

 Tackle Arthur Eze On 2023 Igbo Presidency

The spokesman of Ohanaeze Ndigbo world wide Chuks Ibegbu has warned

security agents who are in the habit of Wasting the lives of

innocent Nigerians especially youths to desist from such acts. Ibegbu

noted that the Police in now in the habit of killing suspects without

trial all over the country and the federal government should

investigate this ugly trend.

he accused the SARS especially of picking and killing innocent youths

all over the country calling on the IG of Police to halt this extra

judicial killings in the police.

Ibegbu noted with regret a statement credited to a billionaire Arthur

Eze that its only God that can make an Igbo President in 2023 and that

the North made him which an Igbo cannot do. Ibegbu disagreed with

Arthur Eze that Igbos do not make people noting that many billionaires

in the North today were made by Igbos. Arthur Eze should know that the

Igbos established Igbo union schools in the 50s and 0s that trained

many Northern key players today . If he was made a billionaire through

a system contolled over the years by the North and a system that

pauperized many of his brothers , then its his luck and that does not

mean they are more generous than Igbos who are known to apprentice

their kins , and collectively send their kins overseas in the yores

for training. Its the Nigeria system that pauperized his kins over the

years and made them highly individualistic and not that its their

nature.

Does he Arthur Eze know that 89 percent of the oils blocs in Nigeria

are owned by Retired , tired and untired Military and Civilian barons

from mostly the North. How many Igbos own such.

Does Arthur Eze know that the past governments in Nigeria supported

Dangote, Wlae Tinubu and other trillionaires from the North and West

and pulled down the Ibetos , Ubas, Innosons etc. Ibegbu accused Arthur

Eze of mocking his marginalised and sidelined people and dashing them

peanuts in front of his house without necessarity empowering them

substantially.

Yes, its God that make Presidents as he made Northerners, Westerners

and even minorities in NIgeria who were not necessarily the best or

merited it.Is

Arthur Eze himself not qualified to be Nigeria Presidents. Are those

Northerners that empowered him more qualified than him to be

President. Are they more educated than him.

I believe we should build bridges and networks for 2023 but nobody

especially our own persons should insult us or tell us we are not

united. Was the North United or the west or the Niger Delta when their

own occupied Aso Rock Ibegbu querried advising people like Arthur Eze

who should know better to join the crusade to restore the political

dignity of their marginalised people.

Ndigbo need good advise and strategic suggestion from the Arthur Ezes

and not this kind of unfortunate remark which no Northern

billlionaire or western billionarie like him would expose his people

that way, Ibegbu noted,

On Magu saga Ibegbu lamented that a man sent to prosecute corrupt

politicians became a den of corruption calling for severe punishment

to him to deter others like him who take advantage of their positions

to damage their fragile society . .Ibegbu asked Magu to openly

apologize to corrupt people like him whom he molested or arrested when

he is not better than them.
By Elizabeth Kwiatkowski, 07/19/2020



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[ Spoilers Warning: This report features spoilers that reveal if Paul and Karine are still together and married, or whether the : Happily Ever After? couple has split up].

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So did Karine decide to move back to Brazil alone or is the couple still together and married?

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So did Paul and Karine turn their relationship around or get divorced?

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Elizabeth Kwiatkowski is Associate Editor of Reality TV World and has been covering the reality TV genre for more than a decade.

star Karine Martins doesn't like living in the United States and is unhappy with Paul Staehle so far on Season 5 of : Happily Ever After?, so did their marriage crumble and come to an end -- or is the couple still together now?Paul, a 35-year-old from Louisville, KY, and Karine, a 23-year-old from Tonantins, Brazil, met on a dating app and talked for over a year before Paul finally flew to Brazil to meet her in person.The couple starred on Seasons 1 and 2 of : Before the 90 Days, followed by Season 1 of : The Other Way, which wrapped in late October 2019.Paul and Karine had obstacles to overcome as they got to know each other better, but they did fall in love and eventually get married in 2017. Their wedding, however, didn't air until the following year on Season 2 of : Before the 90 Days.Paul and Karine then proudly announced in October 2018 that Karine was pregnant after she had suffered devastating miscarriages. Not long after, Paul disclosed they had a baby boy on the way.But shortly before baby Pierre was born on March 22, Karine threatened to file for divorce from Paul because of his ongoing trust issues and their frequent fighting.Karine said she was fed up with Paul's temper, and the fact the pair were in dire financial straits didn't help and just created more stress and tension.Karine wanted to feel loved, supported and taken care of, but Paul repeatedly insisted he was doing everything he could to provide for his family and be a good father and husband. Paul felt his efforts were never enough."I really want a divorce. I am tired of what Paul does to me," Karine said in a confessional during an episode of the series."He lives in the past and too many fights make a relationship fall apart. There's no more hope. I'm thinking of my son now.": The Other Way's first season even featured Karine and her mother leaving Paul behind in Tonantins and traveling to Manaus via boat to file for divorce shortly before Pierre was born.However, Karine decided to give Paul another chance since she still loved him and he stepped up in the delivery room and was there for her when she gave birth to Pierre.Paul and Karine had been married for two years by the time Season 5 of : The Other Way filmed. The couple had been in Brazil for over a year but Paul said they were "barely getting by."Paul and Karine therefore planned to move to the United States so Paul could get a job and make more money."It took a lot, but I was able to sponsor Karine on a CR-1 visa, which is a spousal visa and allows Karine to apply and get a two-year Green Card before she even enters America," Paul told the cameras."She already has her Green Card approved; she is a complete permanent resident."A lot of people thought Karine was using Paul when they got together, but Paul said Karine was actually dead-set on living in Brazil and he hoped he could convince her to like America.Karine told Paul it wouldn't be a problem if he lived and worked in America while she and Pierre stayed in Brazil, but Paul hoped it wouldn't have to come down to that."If Paul doesn't keep his promises, I don't know for how long I'll continue here in America," Karine said in a confessional.Paul's mother, however, refused to let her son and daughter-in-law stay with her in order to light a fire under Paul's feet and make him step up like a man.Karine then had a tearful goodbye from Brazil with a one-way plane ticket in her hand. Her mother Gracilene was well aware Karine and Paul fought all the time, and so she was worried about Paul treating her daughter right.After arriving in America, things got off to a bad start when Paul bickered with his mother in the car over Karine pulling Pierre out of his car seat.Karine liked Paul's mother but was rubbed the wrong way that she didn't want to help them more."If Paul doesn't keep his promises, I don't know for how long I'll continue here in America," Karine said in a confessional.Karine found herself disappointed again when she saw Paul's car and that it was a total "mess."Food, trash, clothing and work supplies were scattered about in the car, and Karine refused to get inside because she thought it wasn't safe enough for her and the baby.Paul thought Karine's expectations were really high and said their life wasn't going to be perfect right away, especially since he had used up most of his savings in Brazil.Karine was already missing her family and how much they helped her with Pierre, and she admitted, "I don't know why I left Brazil to come to America."Paul thought he could impress Karine with a bigger and better grocery store in the United States, but Karine wasn't impressed and said there were similar stores back in Brazil.Paul then took Karine to a trailer park to hopefully find a home for them. The first trailer they viewed needed a lot of work and was a mess. There was a toilet but no air conditioning, and Karine told Paul, "It's not happening."The house was falling to pieces and Karine said she would never let her son live there.The pair then looked at another mobile home and it had plumbing with a regular bathroom. Karine wasn't happy with either of the options and said she preferred her place in Brazil.The rent was "doable," according to Paul, but Karine wasn't happy. Karine told Paul that he wasn't being a good husband and her ideal home would have two bedrooms, some space, a kitchen and a yard where their baby could run and play."If Paul doesn't find a beautiful house, Pierre and I will come back to Brazil without him," Karine said in a confessional.Karine obtained her CR-1 spousal visa a few months after giving birth to Pierre and then moved to Louisville, KY, to start a new life with Paul.Karine and Paul documented their time together in America over the course of several months on social media, and they appeared to be a happy family last summer.But speculation the couple's volatile relationship was once again on the rocks first began in early September when Paul had made an Instagram Stories posting claiming Karine was threatening him with divorce -- again."Doing a poll strictly out of curiosity. For someone I know very well...... Should a wife divorce her husband over his mother buying gifts daily spoiling their son?" he wrote in the Instagram Story."Should a grandmother be banned from seeing her grandchildren over spoiling them. And a husband be divorced for defending his mother's actions?"Although Paul seemingly tried to play it off like the scenario was happening to some other couple, most of his Instagram followers knew better as the couple's social-media postings openly showed they were living near Paul's mother in the Louisville at the time with Pierre.As a result, it appeared Karine was angry with Paul's mother for "spoiling" her son as well as Paul for taking his mom's side.Things seemed to go back to normal until late September, when Paul suggested, once again, the couple's marriage was ending and Karine had initiated a divorce.According to the comments, Karine told Paul that she didn't want him in her life anymore and had retained a divorce lawyer.Paul revealed the news in a pair of since-deleted Facebook postings from September 27, according to screenshots captured by his followers."Karine asked me to remove our photos. And let everyone know that she doesn't want me in her life," he wrote in his first Facebook posting.Paul then also wrote a subsequent posting in a mix of Portuguese and English. When translated, the text states, "Karine's divorce lawyer called me. Guess I need a lawyer."Shortly afterward, Paul deleted both postings and removed most photos of Karine from his page.In October 2019, the cloud seemed to pass because Paul asked fans on Instagram for great haunted-house recommendations in the spirit of Halloween.Not only did Paul have a date planned for his wife, but he also posted a photo of them smiling at the time.Paul and Karine also celebrated their second wedding anniversary in early November 2019.But later that month, the pair openly discussed filing for divorce again.Paul claimed Karine had "started divorce proceedings in Manaus," and Karine told Us Weekly on November 12 that she was "looking for a lawyer.""Over the course of our Christmas dinner Paul and Karine broke up, got back together, broke up, got back together, broke up and this just in -- are back together. Stay tuned for more on this developing story," Instagrammer John Yates posted on December 25.In December 2019, Paul alleged Karine had taken off with their baby and was with a new man named Blake. He also said Karine was demanding a divorce again at the time.Paul and Karine were still together by late June, when Karine posted a photo of Paul playing with Pierre and captioned it, "Happy Father's Day." She also added a blue heart to her post.And Paul posted an Instagram video on May 19 of a bike he had purchased and was putting together for Karine.Paul also took to Instagram in early May to announce Karine is pregnant with the couple's second child!It appeared Karine was already several months along into her pregnancy at the time.It wouldn't be surprising, however, if Karine wanted to keep her pregnancy under wraps for the first few months of her pregnancy considering she has a history of miscarriage and could be superstitious.The baby's gender and due date have yet to be announced.However, Paul and Karine's relationship is now back on the rocks and maybe even on the outs.Paul lashed out at Karine on Instagram for allegedly calling Paul a "horrible father and husband" and threatening to move their son Pierre back to Brazil.Paul took to Instagram on July 15 with the angry message to Karine and quickly deleted it afterward, but Instagrammer John Yates captured a screenshot of the rant and posted it on his own account.Paul blasted Karine in saying, "Yelling at me in public calling me horrible father and husband. We spend every penny we have on bills and designer [clothes] and video games for you. I did not buy anything for myself.""I made sure you and Pierre had everything you all could possibly want and I bought nothing for myself. I try to show my family USA History and I get shunned. Because only your country and culture matter," Paul continued."I take you to the hospital and stay by your side, make sure [you're] at all your doctors appointments and let you spend all your money only on what you want -- but I am a Bad Father and Husband you yell in public."Paul also insisted he's the one who changes "every poopy diaper" Pierre has."Even when I am not home and you call me to come home just to change his diaper because the smell of poop makes you sick. But I am the terrible husband and father. I also never ever cheated on you," Paul wrote."But I understand you want to take Pierre to Tonantins and live because I am such a horrible person," he concluded.Want more spoilers or couples updates? Click here to visit our homepage!
A retired police officer and two retired Army officers on a motorcycle ride in the Texas Hill Country were killed Saturday when an alleged drunk driver crashed into them head-on.

Nine other motorcyclists were injured in the crash and were hospitalized in critical condition, authorities said.

The victims were members of the Thin Blue Line Law Enforcement Motorcycle Club, an organization of active and retired law enforcement officers.

They were riding on Highway 16, south of Kerrville, on Saturday afternoon when a vehicle crossed the center stripe and mowed down the motorcyclists, the Kerr County Sheriffs office said.

Killed in the crash were Jerry Wayne Harbour, of Houston, a retired Army lieutenant colonel and a retired pilot for Eastern Airlines; Joseph Paglia, of Chicago, a retired police detective; and Michael White, also of Chicago, a police officer and retired Army officer.

Their names and backgrounds were provided by David Weed, a spokesman for the Thin Blue Line Foundation, a nonprofit that assists police officers and their families.

Paglia was 48, and White was in his early 20s. Both had worked for the Niles Police Department in Illinois, northwest of Chicago. Paglia had recently retired. White was a community service officer for the department.

Harbour was our elder statesman, Weed said, adding: No one seems to know his real age.

Among those hospitalized was Niles Police Sgt. Joseph Lazo, the department said.

Please keep our department and its members in your prayers, the police department said in a social media post. Tonight will be difficult for us all.

The driver of the vehicle, identified as Ivan Robles, 28, has been arrested and faces three counts of intoxication manslaughter with a vehicle and six counts of intoxication assault.

The sheriffs office said Robles was on his way to Kerrville from Medina when he broadsided the motorcyclists.

Weed said the motorcycle club was in Bandera for its annual Thin Blue Line Foundation meeting, scheduled for Saturday afternoon.

Harbour, Paglia, White and the others had gone on a leisurely motorcycle ride to have lunch in Kerrville. The three were killed while driving back to Bandera.

Please join Thin Blue Line LEMC and Law Enforcement from around (the) country in praying for these brave men and their families, Weed wrote in a statement. These men who spent their lives serving our Country and their communities with valor and honor.

Paglia was president of the motorcycle clubs Chicago chapter. He enjoyed traveling with his RV and motorcycle, according to a Facebook post by Chicago Code Blue, a group that supports police officers.

The post described Paglia as a volunteer for social causes and a dear friend to many, adding: Hes made a lot of friends within the brotherhood.

White was secretary of the motorcycle clubs Chicago chapter.

The Thin Blue Line Law Enforcement Motorcycle Club was founded in 2009, according to its website.

The Thin Blue Line is the symbol known by law enforcement officers the world over as the line that holds the frontier between chaos and civilian life, between crime and the American dream, reads a statement on the website.

The groups members share the love of American-made motorcycles, the wind in our faces and the brotherhood of like-minded motorcyclists, according to the clubs Facebook page.

As a fraternal organization, we strive to support one another, law enforcement professionals and our community. Our members reflect a positive image for our profession and our club. We are the Thin Blue Line.

krista.torralva@express-news.net
(Natural News) The far-left and failing BuzzFeed just published what is presented as an oh-so important expose about the toxic work environment on the Ellen Show. In truth, the only thing BuzzFeed has exposed is that a thin-skinned generation of simpering crybullies is not only on the rise but is being encouraged by a useless media.

(Article by John Nolte republished from Breitbart.com)

BuzzFeed dresses up its reporting as though it were some kind of groundbreaking reporting that reveals the hidden truth behind Ellen DeGeneres false face of nice.

Well, it is nothing of the sort. But BuzzFeed does at least try to bury its shallow stupidity in a 2,000 word false-front ladled with buzz phrases, like they faced racism, fear, and intimidation and retribution and day-to-day toxicity.

No joke, here is the full list of the grievances compiled after BuzzFeed interviewed one current and 10 former employees on The Ellen DeGeneres Show, all of whom asked to remain anonymous[.]

A Black woman  said when she was hired, a senior-level producer told her and another Black employee, Oh wow, you both have box braids; I hope we dont get you confused.

Because in a staff of 1000, the fear of confusing people with the same hairstyle can only come from a Klansmen.

[A]t a work party, she said, one of the main writers told her, Im sorry, I only know the names of the white people who work here, and other coworkers awkwardly laughed it off instead of coming to her defense.

Someone was probably making fun of him or herself, and its now racist that at a party this was laughed off by coworkers instead of turned into a tension-filled Central Committee meeting to rebuke the offender.

When the former employee brought up issues of race and representation on the show and asked producers not to use offensive terms like spirit animal in segments, her colleagues called her the PC police.

This joyless scold is telling people to stop the star of the who from using the term spirit animal because thats racist, and stuff.

When she started to speak up about the discrimination, she said, all of her colleagues distanced themselves from her.

What discrimination?

Whenever I brought up an issue to my white male boss, he would bring up some random story about some random Black friend that he had and how they managed to get over stuff, she said. He would use his Black friend as some way to say, I understand your struggle. But it was all performative bullshit.

Great, now I have to look up the word performative.

[S]he was reprimanded for her objections to the term spirit animal, asking for a raise, and suggesting employees on the show receive diversity and inclusion training. He said that I was walking around looking resentful and angry, she said.

So on top of everything else, she was demanding everyone receive diversity and inclusion training.

No wonder no one liked her.

And then, one day, the crybully left for work and never came back, but she still claims she was blacklisted.

I feel angry about the way I was treated, and I am always going to stand up for Black, Indigenous, Latino, and Asian people, regardless if theyre around, she said. I cant not say anything. Im not going to stop talking.

Im surprised the Ellen producers didnt hold a lottery to decide who would get to enjoy the pleasure of firing her.

In April, Variety reported that employees were distressed and outraged by top-level producers who didnt communicate details about their jobs and pay at the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic.

The poor babies are experiencing a lack of communication from their employers. Whos ever heard of such a thing. How will they carry on? P.S. They all got paid.

[O]ne former employee said they took medical leave for one month to check into a mental health facility for a suicide attempt. But the week they returned to work, they were told their position was being eliminated.

Things happen when you leave your job for a month to go work on yourself. While everyone wishes you the best, if we discover in your absence that your particular job was redundant and unnecessary

Another former employee said they were fired after an unexpectedly difficult year that required them to take time away from the job on three occasions: medical leave for three weeks after they were in a car accident, working remotely for two days to attend a family members funeral, and then three days off to travel for another family members funeral. Each request was a battle with supervisors and HR, they added. [emphasis added]

LOL. No comment.

Heres my favorite

A third former employee said they were given a warning for creating a GoFundMe campaign to raise money for medical costs that werent covered by their company health insurance and then sharing it on social media.

Apparently, a warning for publicly embarrassing the company is now proof of a toxic work environment.

Thats it.

Thats all BuzzFeed has.

You have the diversity training woman (who sounds like a major pain in the ass) concerned about everything  including killing morale  except for her job, and a handful of whiners who think they can disappear without consequences. Newsflash: Employers like reliability.

Anyway, do these folks not sound like the unhappiest bunch of spoiled babies you could come across? Can you imagine living life with skin so thin you cant handle this stuff, or that this is your definition of a toxic environment, or that you run around aggrieved and unhappy, with a chip on your shoulder because someone uses the term spirit animal?

And can you imagine any mature adult, anyone proud to call themselves a reporter, not laughing in their spoiled faces at these complaints?

Do you have any idea how difficult it is to get a job at any level of show business? The competition for unpaid internships is intense. And these people just squandered it, and learned nothing from losing a cherished opportunity.

Unbelievable.

Grow up.

Man up.

Real life doesnt come with participation trophies. And even if it did, you have to actually show up to qualify as a participant.

The only news here is that the Ellen Show needs to do a better job of screening out toxic crybullies.

Read more at: Breitbart.com
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More snow on the way in Pennsylvania; here's how much to expect
TDT | Manama

AMA International School Bahrain held last night its 12th graduation ceremony, under the patronage of His Royal Highness the Prime Minister Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa. The graduation ceremony was held off Bahrain Bay, amid mandatory precautionary and preventive measures to combat the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19).

A batch of 175 graduates received their certificates from AMA associate representative Mark Whitfield and high school director Amal Al Halwachi. GFH Financial Group CEO Hesham Alrayes addressed the ceremony, thanking HRH the Premier for patronising the event.

He said that GFH Financial Group takes pride in its partnership with AMA, expressing delight at presenting the groups awards in recognition of students dedicated efforts. I am really proud of the AMA International School graduates who are the most important part of this family, he said, wishing them every success in their future.
Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab signaled the U.K. will join its international allies in suspending an extradition treaty with Hong Kong after China imposed a national security law on the former British colony.

Raab told Sky News on Sunday he would update Parliament on Monday on the U.K.'s extradition arrangements with Hong Kong, less than a week after the nation banned the Chinese telecommunications company Huawei Technologies Co. as a long-term supplier for its 5G networks over concerns about the security of its infrastructure. Raab also cited China's "egregious human-rights abuses" of the country's Uighur minority.

Raab said he had promised on July 1 to conduct a review of the extradition arrangements and, having completed that study, will update members of Parliament. Canada and Australia have already suspended extradition agreements with Hong Kong, while the U.S. and New Zealand are reviewing their arrangements. Those countries make up the so-called "Five Eyes" intelligence-sharing nations.

The U.K. has stepped up its criticism of Beijing and Moscow as it seeks to establish a place for itself in the world after Brexit. On Tuesday, Raab will meet U.S. Secretary of State Michael Pompeo in London. Pompeo is also due to meet the group of Conservative lawmakers who form the influential China Research Group.

"We are not slipping into some dogmatic approach either way," Raab said. Asked if the U.K. and China are still in a "golden era" of diplomatic relations, Raab replied, "It's not a phrase I would use."

Meanwhile, China's ambassador to the U.K., Liu Xiaoming, warned Raab that if he seeks to impose sanctions on any individuals in China, there will be a "resolute response."

"You have seen what happened between China and the United States," Liu said on the BBC's Andrew Marr Show. "They sanctioned Chinese officials, we sanctioned their senators, their officials. I do not want to see this tit-for-tat between China-U.S. happen in China-U.K. relations. I think the U.K. should have its own independent foreign policy rather than dance to the tune of the Americans, like what happened to Huawei."

Raab played down the idea that London could use its new Magnitsky act to do that. "It's not quite right that we can willy-nilly decide on sanctions on x or y," he told the BBC. "We have to build up an evidence base and that takes a long time too."

TikTok has suspended talks to build a global headquarters in the U.K., and Communist Party officials in Beijing have warned British companies doing business in China they're set to face retaliation over the government's decision to stop working with Huawei Technologies Co., the Sunday Times reported.

Separately, Russia's ambassador to the U.K., Andrei Kelin, rejected allegations that hackers linked to the country's intelligence services targeted British coronavirus vaccine research, and accused Britain of cyber attacks against Russia.

Britain's National Cyber Security Centre said on Thursday that vaccine and therapeutic sectors in multiple countries have been targeted by a group known as APT29, which it said is "almost certainly" part of Russian state intelligence. Security agencies in the U.S. and Canada later backed the findings.

Kelin said Russian officials had discovered "several cyber attacks" originating from the U.K. during the country's recent constitutional referendum, which paved the way for President Vladimir Putin, to remain in power to 2036. He said Russia isn't "accusing the United Kingdom as a state," but declined to give further details.

Raab said Kelin's claims have "no credibility," describing the allegations to the BBC as "chaff being put out to distract from the very serious charges we are laying."

Parliament's Intelligence and Security Committee will publish a long-awaited report on Russian interference in elections and espionage this week. "I'm not quaking in my boots about it," Raab told Times Radio on Sunday when asked if any British officials will be implicated in the report.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-07-18 22:36:33|Editor: huaxia

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The fourth Long March-5 rocket, to be used to launch China's first Mars exploration mission, was vertically transported to the launching area at the Wenchang Space Launch Center in south China's Hainan Province on Friday. The carrier rocket, coded as Long March-5 Y4, is planned to be launched in late July or early August, according to the China National Space Administration. It took about two hours to vertically transport the large rocket to the launching area of the center Friday morning. Final examinations and tests will be conducted on the rocket before the launch. China's first Mars exploration mission Tianwen-1 aims to complete orbiting, landing and roving in one mission, and to obtain scientific exploration data on Mars.
FINAL public examinations for Grade Seven, Ordinary and Advanced Level students, which are normally taken in October and November each year, might be deferred to next year as the Zimbabwe School Examinations Council (ZIMSEC) seeks to ensure learners complete the school syllabuses before writing.





This follows a directive by Cabinet last week to defer the planned reopening of schools on July 28 to curb the spread of Covid-19, which has seen local transmissions spike in recent weeks.





ZIMSEC chairperson Professor Eddie Mwenje said examinations will only be written when students have completed the syllabus and when it is safe to do so, even if it means pushing the examinations to December this year or January next year.





He, however, highlighted that the examination management body would this week start preparing for the examinations, with dates for sitting for the tests set to be announced after consultations with various stakeholders.





We are finalising the writing of June examinations, which are going on well and will be completed next week, said Prof Mwenje.





As soon as the June exams are done, we will start printing the November examination question papers. However, once the President announces new opening dates, we will sit down with the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education so that we come up with dates for the examinations.





November 2020 examinations will be written, but they will only be written when students have completed the syllabus and when it is safe to do so, even if it means the examinations will be written in December or January next year.





He said ZIMSEC understands that there was little time for students to prepare for examinations given that schools closed in March this year.





Prof Mwenje, however, said ZIMSEC would not compromise the quality and substance of Zimbabwes education by lowering the pass mark for students to score better grades.





Instead, they would ensure that the syllabus is completed before students sit for exams.





Remember, some of these students will be going to tertiary institutions, they have to be properly examined and given the right grade, he said.





That is why we are saying there is a possibility that the examinations may be written in December or January next year. However, all this will be finalised when we meet with the ministry when reopening dates are announced.





Primary and Secondary Education Deputy Minister Edgar Moyo also said setting examination dates would largely depend on schools reopening dates.





It is a bit difficult to know the exact dates of opening schools at the moment given the current trends of Covid-19 local transmissions. These trends will largely guide when schools will open, he said.





Unlike the June examinations, November examinations need a lot of preparation, so examination classes will be given sufficient time to prepare. We will have to work the dates around their schedule.





Schools were closed on March 24 this year and were set to be opened next week.





However, last week Cabinet deferred the opening of schools citing soaring Covid-19 cases.





Teachers unions have been calling on Government to cancel this years school calendar.





Progressive Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (PTUZ) president Dr Takavafira Zhou said teachers unions recently submitted a proposal to the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education to have the examinations written in February next year.





We made a two-part proposal to Government for schools to be opened in September or October this year, then schools close in December, then we open early next year with national examinations written in mid-February to March. Then instead of having three terms we have two terms, he said.





The other proposal is to have schools open in September or October and then we have a crush programme this year. However, opening of schools hinges on Governments ability to provide adequate personal protective equipment to teachers and learners, as well as well as providing structural requirements more teachers and additional classrooms so that there is social distancing.





Educationist Dr Cephas Nziramasanga said it was important for students to have at least three months of learning time before writing exams, adding that it was high time for Government to seriously consider continuous assessment as part of the learning system.





Students have already lost over five months of learning, so they need about three months with the teachers before sitting for the exams, he said.





Learning is done when student and teacher meet physically, that is why I think online learning is fictitious and besides, the majority of students do not have access to online learning. So there is need for students to have time with teachers before sitting for exams.





However, going forward Government should adopt continuous assessment, which was recommended in the Nziramasanga Commission. It is a system that enables students to be tested while learning and this exerts less pressure on final examinations and would come in handy in such situations.





He said a lot of intelligent students had been lost through final examinations.





Continuous assessments are part of the recommendations of the 1999 Presidential Commission of Inquiry on Education and Training.









Opening schools during the ongoing pandemic has been a contentious subject worldwide.





South Africa recently reopened schools, but teachers unions have been calling for the closure of schools due to an exponential increase in Covid-19 cases, which has also affected learners and teachers.





The Kenyan government recently announced that schools would remain closed until January 2021, with final year exams, usually taken in October and November, also being cancelled. Sunday Mail
After months of working from home, stir-crazy Americans have finally reached the long, hot days of summer only to watch their vacation horizons dim, with travel options shrinking as the country's coronavirus cases soar. "All I've been doing this year is canceling trips," 61-year-old Keith Gibbons said with a sigh, a new reality that the government contractor called "very frustrating." Trips abroad are mostly out: The overwhelming majority of countries now bar American citizens amid a sharp US resurgence of COVID-19. The country's caseload has climb to over 3.7 million -- more than one-fourth the world's total -- and deaths have reached over 140,000. As for cross-country trips, it's not that simple: In the vast US, laws on mask-wearing and social distancing vary dramatically, and sometimes confusingly, from one jurisdiction to another. Some states are even imposing quarantines on visitors. Hawaii, for example, has ordered those arriving on the Pacific archipelago to self-quarantine for 14 days. Its governor, David Ige, announced Thursday that beginning September 1, visitors will also have to submit to a coronavirus test within 72 hours of departing for the state and present proof of a negative result upon arrival in Hawaii. Meanwhile, New York has extended its list of US states -- totaling 22 now -- whose citizens will be required to self-quarantine after arriving in the northeastern state. And in the city of Chicago visitors from 17 states must self-isolate for two weeks -- or face fines of up to $500 a day. Complicating many Americans' travel plans, the summer destinations of Florida and California are among the hardest-hit by COVID-19, even if the popular Disney World park in Orlando, Florida has partially reopened and a Disney-linked shopping district in California reopened earlier this month. As for ocean cruises, a highly popular travel option in normal years, they remain banned by a federal "No Sail Order" through September. - 'It doesn't seem wise' - At this point, Gibbons said, "It doesn't seem wise to go anywhere, either because of the local health situation or because the hotels and other establishments are taking steps to deal with COVID in a manner that makes the trip less interesting." So if "you want to go to a nice hotel for the weekend but the restaurants are closed, the pool is closed, services are limited, it doesn't sound like a lot of fun." Saher Rizvi, a 40-year-old neurologist in Washington, was supposed to leave in early July for a 10-day vacation to Monaco with her husband and two sons, aged five and seven. The trip had to be canceled. Today, she draws a sharp red line: Her family will not travel by plane or by train. "I don't think it is safe," said Rizvi, who as a physician has followed the evolution of the pandemic closely. While some people may have to travel by plane or train for important professional purposes or for family emergencies, "for pleasure, it just seems like the risk/benefit doesn't seem worthwhile," Rizvi said. Instead, her husband had been trying to persuade her to rent an RV for a road trip, but she has her doubts. "From a Monaco vacation to the RV, well," she burst out laughing, making clear that the lure of traveling in a compact camper was not compatible with the level of luxury she expected from a hotel overlooking the Mediterranean. Summer vacation has long been a staple for Americans. This year has not been kind to them. The recent surge in COVID-19 infections -- coupled with the devastating blow to the economy and jobs -- has sharply impacted travel plans, according to the US Travel Association (USTA): Bookings for future airplane and hotel reservations dropped a sharp 73 percent year-over-year in early July. A recent survey by the research institute Longwoods International found that 76 percent of Americans were prepared to change their travel plans for the next six months because of the pandemic. Indeed, 45 percent have already canceled their plans. "I can't complain," Gibbons said. "A lot of people have lost their lives, or are sick; others lost their jobs. So I'm fortunate that I've still got a job and have these choices to make." At this point, Gibbons has successively canceled planned trips to Florida, Delaware and Portugal. USTA, which represents the hotel, restaurant, leisure and air-travel sectors, said most Americans are now planning to travel by car and to stay relatively close to home, even if a few hardy souls are taking the chance of traveling to national parks. Result: With domestic travel spending expected to drop by 40 percent, this year will be no holiday for the travel and leisure sectors. In the middle of summer vacation season, a sign urges people not to gather in Long Beach, California While millions of Americans have seen their travel plans disrupted by the pandemic, many are defying the risk to travel to national parks like Yellowstone
China's ambassador to the UK today insisted Uighur Muslims live in 'peace and harmony' despite being confronted with video appearing to show shackled prisoners being herded onto trains.

Appearing on the Andrew Marr Show, Liu Xiaoming denied reports that China is carrying out a programme of sterilisation of Uighur women in the western Xinjiang region.

Reports have accused China of attempting to reduce the Uighur population through forced sterilisation, but Mr Liu insisted this is not 'Government policy.'

Experts estimate that more than one million Uighurs and other minorities have been rounded up into a network of internment camps in total.

But Mr Liu suggested video footage, believed to be from Xinjiang, showing men, kneeling and blindfolded waiting to be led onto trains was 'fake'.

Appearing on the Andrew Marr Show, Liu Xiaoming denied reports that China is carrying out a programme of sterilisation of Uighur women in the western Xinjiang region

He added the images could be 'transfers of prisoners,' as he insisted 'I don't know where you got this video tape from.'

'There is no so-called massive forced sterilisation among Uighur people in China,' he said. 'It is totally against the truth.'

However, Mr Liu admitted he couldn't 'rule out single cases for any country,' adding: 'There is no such concentration camp in Xinjiang.'

He went on to insist the Uighur population, which has reportedly increased in numbers in the last 40 years, enjoy a 'peaceful, harmonious coexistence with other ethnic groups' in Xinjiang.

Confronted by Marr about the footage, Mr Liu said: 'Let me tell you this, the so-called Western intelligence making these false accusations against China, they say one million Uighur has been persecuted, you know how much population Xinjiang has?

'Forty years ago it was five million, now it is 11 million people and people say we have ethnic cleansing, but the population has doubled in 40 years.'

Marr questioned his data, adding: 'According to your own local Government statistics, the population in Uighur jurisdictions in that area has fallen by 84 per cent between 2015 and 2018.'

Mr Liu replied: 'That's not right. I gave you this figure as the Chinese ambassador. In the past 40 years, the Uighur population increased, the population in Xinjiang increased to double. The population doubled.

Reports have accused China of attempting to reduce the Uighur population through forced sterilisation, but Mr Liu insisted this is not 'Government policy'

Mr Liu suggested drone footage, believed to be from Xinjiang, showing men, kneeling and blindfolded waiting to be led onto trains (pictured) was 'fake'

'So there is no so-called restriction of the population, no so-called forced abortions and so on.'

The ambassador went on to claim he can 'easily refute' accusations of forced sterilisation, insisting these are made by a 'small group of anti-Chinese people working against the interests of China.'

'People can enjoy a harmonious life, Uighur people enjoy a harmonious life, peaceful, harmonious coexistence with other ethnic groups,' he said.

Mr Liu also rejected claims China was pursuing a policy of aggressive nationalisation, saying it was Western powers which were trying to foment a new cold war.

'It's Western countries, headed by United States, they started this so called new cold war on China,' he said.

'They have the sanctions, they have these smearing, name calling, take what happened with the coronavirus.

'They still keep calling China virus, Wuhan virus. Totally wrong.

'But we have to make a response. We do not provoke but once we were provoked we have to make response.'

It comes as Britain accused Beijing of 'gross, egregious human rights abuses' over its 'deeply troubling' treatment of ethnic and religious minorities in Xinjiang.

However, Mr Liu admitted he couldn't 'rule out single cases for any country,' adding: 'There is no such concentration camp in Xinjiang'

The ambassador went on to claim he can 'easily refute' accusations of forced sterilisation, insisting these are made by a 'small group of anti-Chinese people working against the interests of China'

Dominic Raab said the reports of forced sterilisations and mass detentions in the predominantly Muslim region required international attention.

'It is clear that there are gross, egregious human rights abuses going on... it is deeply, deeply troubling,' he told the BBC.

'The reports and the human aspects of it... are reminiscent of something we have not seen for a long, long time, and this is from a leading member of the international community that wants to be taken seriously.

'We want a positive relationship [with China], but we cannot see behaviour like that and not call it out,' Raab added.

His comments come as tensions between London and China are rising over a host of issues.

Britain on Tuesday bowed to sustained pressure from Washington and ordered the phased removal of Chinese telecoms giant Huawei from its 5G network despite warnings of retaliation from Beijing.

The two sides have also clashed over Beijing's imposition of a controversial national security law in Hong Kong.

Dominic Raab said the reports of forced sterilisations and mass detentions in the predominantly Muslim region required international attention

The US earlier this month slapped sanctions on senior Chinese officials, as it demanded an end to the 'horrific' abuses against Uighurs and other Turkic Muslims in Xinjiang.

Beijing swiftly responded with counter measures in one of the latest episodes in deteriorating US-China relations.

Raab said he will update British lawmakers on Monday on the UK government's next steps regarding Beijing's draconian new law in Hong Kong.

That will include announcing the outcome of a review of extradition arrangements with the former colonial territory.

However, China's ambassador to London warned it will make a 'resolute response' if Britain follows the US in sanctioning Chinese officials for the alleged abuses.

'We never believe in unilateral sanctions, we believe the UN has the authority to impose sanctions,' Liu Xiaoming told the BBC.

'If the UK government goes that far to impose sanctions on any individuals in China, China will certainly make resolute response to it.'

Liu said he did not want to see 'tit-for-tat' diplomatic skirmishes between Britain and Beijing, as was happening with the US.

'I think [the] UK should have its own independent foreign policy rather than dance to the tune of the Americans like what happened to Huawei,' he added.
Nearly 2,532 personnel of Delhi Police have tested Covid-19 positive and at least 12 policemen have succumbed to the viral infection till date. Those who have recovered have started donating plasma and have now become Plasma Warriors, Union Health Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan said on Sunday.

2,532 personnel of Delhi Police got infected with Covid-19 while a dozen policemen died due to it. Those who have recovered have donated their plasma. I thank these Corona Warriors; they have now become Plasma Warriors. A person who has recovered from Covid-19 can donate plasma twice a month, Dr Harsh Vardhan said.

The Delhi Police have joined hands with the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) so that policemen who have recovered from the infectious disease can donate plasma to poor patients infected with Covid-19 and the problem of shortage of plasma for therapy does not arise.

Around 84% of Delhi Police personnel have recovered from Covid-19. We have tied up with AIIMS so that we can provide plasma to the needy and the problem of shortage doesnt arise. This will encourage others also to donate their plasma, Delhi Police Commissioner SN Srivastava said.

Delhi on Saturday added 1,475 new Covid-19 cases and 26 deaths in the last 24 hours taking the national capitals coronavirus count to 1,21,582, the state health department said. The 26 new fatalities have taken the death toll due to the viral infection to 3,597.

This is the eighth consecutive day when over 1,000 new Covid-19 cases have been reported in Delhi.

A day earlier, on Friday too, the national capital had reported 26 deaths, the lowest single-day Covid-19 fatality count since June 9. The number of active cases on Saturday was 16,711, down from 17,235 on the previous day.

On June 23, the national capital had reported the highest single-day spike of 3,947 Covid-19 cases, which remains the highest till date.
WASHINGTON  A battle for control of the powerful House Foreign Affairs Committee is setting up a debate about race, seniority and the future of the Democratic Party.

The vacancy atop a powerful committee was made official on Friday when Foreign Affairs Chairman Eliot Engel officially lost the congressional seat representing a racially diverse district in New York after a Democratic primary upset by progressive African-American Jamaal Bowman, a first-time candidate.

Racial identities and ideological divisions are likely to be front and center in the fight for control of the influential committee with a long history of being run by white men. And the debate over its future will come at a time when the nation is having a reckoning in the wake of protests after the death of George Floyd, which renewed the debate about race and how discrimination has been enshrined in some institutions.

It took weeks for Bowman to be declared the winner, allowing for behind-the-scenes jockeying to begin. Half a dozen House aides, who requested anonymity to offer a frank assessment of the internal discussions, told NBC News that several candidates are privately discussing seeking the chairmanship but avoided saying so in public out of respect for Engel while he waited for the official count.

The chairmanship will be decided after the November election, provided Democrats retain control of the chamber, when Congress is likely to be more diverse than it is now and include more women and minorities. A senior democratic aide said that Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi is expected to stay neutral. A spokesperson for the House Foreign Affairs Committee declined to comment.

Rep. Brad Sherman, D-Calif., will now be the most senior member of the committee, a position that traditionally would have made him the favorite for the gavel. Hes expected to make public next week whether he intends to run, one congressional aide said.

Image: Rep Eliot Engel (Saul Loeb / AFP - Getty Images file)

The second-most-senior lawmaker on the panel, Rep. Gregory Meeks, D-N.Y., is a prominent member of the Congressional Black Caucus. He became the first to declare his intent to run, releasing a statement on Friday saying, more of the same is not an option.

Story continues

And Rep. Joaquin Castro, D-Texas, lacking the seniority of the other two candidates, is also expected to vie for the chairmanship. Castro is head of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, and the identical twin brother of Julian Castro, who gained an increased national profile when he ran unsuccessfully for the Democratic nomination for president.

Castro wants to see the candidates debate.

I do think it would benefit both the members of Congress and the American public if people who are running for committee chairs are willing to get out there in front of an audience and tell people what they believe, where they stand, and where they intend to take the committee, he said. I think that would be healthy for everybody. And I also think that that's what Americans are clamoring for is accountability and transparency.

Speaks volumes to the world

In the almost 200 years since the establishment of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, there has been only one chairperson that has not been a white man.

Of the 21 committees in the House, there are four Black chairs and two Hispanic members holding gavels.

Having a substantial number of African American committee chairs will speak volumes to the world, said Rep. G.K. Butterfield, D-N.C., the former head of the Congressional Black Caucus. We are not the country that that many people in other parts of the world think we are based on the George Floyd embarrassment.

Castro and Meeks are already making the case that their identities would play an important role in how they served as chairman.

Does it make a difference? Yes, I believe, absolutely, it does. That and my ability and my experience, Meeks said. That is why I believe I am the appropriate person, the right person, at the right time to do this job.

Congressional Hispanic Caucus chairman Rep. Joaquin Castro arrives for a news conference at the Capitol on Nov. 12, 2019. (Drew Angerer / Getty Images file)

Castro, a Mexican American, has argued that his background would allow him to focus on issues currently getting less attention from the committee.

We hardly have touched the issue of migration of hundreds of thousands of women and children from Central America, to the United States, Castro said. I have a special interest in that because of my work on immigration and as chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus.

All senior citizens

Intertwined in the debate about the role of race in picking a chairman is new questions about whether allowing seniority to prevail undermines diversity. The written and unwritten rules of Congress have long favored seniority.

The seniority system is now being calibrated against other factors. Other factors are race and gender, I would call it diversity, even age diversity, Butterfield said.

In another committee, all of the candidates for chair but one are likely to be over 70 years old, Butterfield said.

We dont need committee chairs consisting of all senior citizens, he added.

Castro is aware that hes asking his fellow members to elevate him to a position of power without having done the usually required amount of time in office.

Look, if it comes down to who's been in the halls of Congress the longest then I've got no shot, Castro said. But I would hope the members would look at not only experience but also your vision and your ideas for the committee.

If selected, Castro, 45, would be the youngest chairman by a decade behind Armed Services Committee Chair Adam Smith, who is 55.

Meeks says seniority is only a part of the consideration.

Look at the wishes and the will of the folks that are on the committee itself. The persons ability does play a role in who can pull the committee together,  said Meeks. I think all of those are something that has to be taken into consideration.

Unsurprisingly, one aide said that Sherman strongly favors the seniority system. Despite his position as the most senior, Sherman was previously passed over when Engel was selected to be chairman.

Sherman could use his experience and adversarial demeanor to bolster his candidacy, with one ally arguing he would also be willing to hold fellow Democrats accountable if Joe Biden wins the presidency.

State Department diversity

As the candidates for the chairmanship make their case to their fellow House members, the issue of diversity at the State Department, which falls under the committee's jurisdiction, is also expected to be a focal point.

Of the 198 ambassadors leading U.S. embassies, three career ambassadors are African American and four Hispanic, according to the American Academy of Diplomacy.

At this moment, people across the globe are protesting systemic racism. Thats also true of Americas diplomats, said Castro last month. Foreign service officers and former U.S. ambassadors, particularly Black diplomats, are speaking up about not being treated with equal respect. Diplomats who represent us should represent all of us.

Meeks echoed that sentiment.

The United States ability to promote human rights and democratic values across the world is undermined if we dont practice at home what we preach abroad, recognizing that foreign policy is inseparable from domestic policy, Meeks said Friday in announcing his run. Our international standing has always been linked to our ability to do better at home.

Sherman has also pushed for greater diversity at the State Department, saying it sends a global message.

People who bring diversity to the State Department will help us more than others, Sherman said last month in a House Foreign Affairs Committee hearing. We'll have a foreign service that reflects America, but it will also undercut the propaganda of our enemies who's saying that America is a place of discrimination and caste.
If Ocampo and Dancan were staying with their guardian in Migori, Kenya, they would be waiting until 2 p.m. for their first, and probably, only meal of the day.

The boys, ages 8 and 12, usually eat a meal of bread and sweet bananas on the porch of their guardians house that looks like its been bombed repeatedly. They get their water from the nearby Nyasare River, where cows, goats and dogs also drink. People wash themselves and their motorcycles there, too.

And if Mary was in her village, she would be worried she would be forced into an early marriage. In her tribe, its not uncommon for a 13-year-old like her to be given to an aging man as his second or third wife.

But these children and 133 others  many of them total orphans  are still safe and healthy in Brittneys Home of Grace, a childrens ministry of KenyaRelief.org. None have tested positive for COVID-19 for more than 112 days.

Steve James, the founder and president of KenyaRelief.org based in Cullman, Alabama, said the organization is focused on keeping the children and the 94 staff members safe in Kenya where Covid-19 cases and deaths are still surging.

When I see a child there, I can see the eyes of my own children, said James, whose daughter Brittney died unexpectedly when she was 19 years old. You know, I wondered for a while, was everything done for Brittney that could have been done, So when I see our children in Kenya in trouble, I have to ask, have I done everything I can do to help those children?

KenyaRelief.org is a faith-based organization that operates the childrens home, a full-service clinic and vision center and Kenya Relief Academy, a primary school for almost 700 students. Nearly 400 people on more than 20 teams from the U.S. and around the world spend a week every year treating and performing surgeries on extremely poor patients at the clinic.

A primitive hand-washing station at the orphanage has been replaced with modern, touchless faucets.

All surgical teams have been cancelled since March due to travel restrictions caused by the pandemic. James said if no other medical teams are able to go to serve at Kenya Relief this year, more than 7,000 patients will not be seen and around 700 will not have surgery. Many of them have been waiting more than a decade for surgery.

But a full schedule of nearly 25 teams is planned for 2021 and upwards of 500 patients, or more, will be waiting to see the doctors during every three-day clinic.

Keeping safe and educated

In Kenya, all schools closed in mid-March and a few days later the government ordered orphanages to send their children to live with guardians or extended family during the crisis.

Within an hour of the announcement, Ernest Ndungu, Kenya Reliefs managing director, gathered his team of social workers and other managers to prepare an appeal to deliver to the District Childrens Officer the next morning.

We reacted immediately to keep them safe, knowing that these children come from very poor families, who could not take care of them or keep them in quarantine from COVID, Ndungu said. There were so many problems they would be going back into.

His team told the District Childrens Office officials they believed the children would only get minimal supervision, little or no medical care and not enough food to stay healthy if they went back to their villages. He explained that is why they were brought into Kenya Relief in the first place. Ndungu pointed out Kenya Reliefs strong record of caring for orphans and other vulnerable children since 2002.

The government accepted their argument and allowed the children to stay quarantined with Kenya Relief. And there they have been since March 16.

Inside the four-acre childrens home, they are cared for by 12 adults, including dorm parents, social workers and teachers from Kenya Relief Academy, who have quarantined themselves with the children.

I know of no other place in Migori County where the children are being counseled by professional social workers and also being educated every day. We havent stopped, Ndungu said.

James called the quarantined staff heroes.

These caregivers themselves have not seen their own children in four months, James said. What a shining example to leave their own families, like Jesus told us about leaving the 99 safe sheep to go after the one lost sheep. Who can do that? A lot of people would say youd be stupid to do that, but these heroes have.

Ndungu said another compelling reason for keeping the children under quarantine at Kenya Relief is protecting the young girls from unwanted pregnancies. He said there has been a surge in teenage pregnancies across the country since the coronavirus pandemic began.

In one of Kenyas 47 counties, more than 4,000 teen pregnancies already have been reported in the last four months. More than 200 of the girls were under 14.

At the orphanage, the childrens days are filled with chores, like washing their clothes and mopping the dorms, several hours of school lessons, and recreation. They are fed three meals a day and drink clean water from several deep wells on the compound. Social workers check each childs temperature morning and night.

The around-the-clock access to medical care at Kenya Reliefs clinic is also key to identifying and treating the children, and staff, from numerous tropical diseases, such as malaria and brucellosis.

Mandatory masks, touch-free hand washing

At the clinic, which also serves thousands of people in Migori and from around the country nearby Tanzania, James said several measures have been put in place to keep the patients and staff safe and help flatten the curve.

In addition to social distancing, mandatory masking, temperature checks, Kenya Relief built new touch-free hand-washing stations at the entrance. The touch-free hand-washing stations have also been constructed at the main administration building and at Kenya Relief Academy.

A young girl washes her hands at a newly installed touch-free sink.

Also, daily fumigation of the entire clinic, the installation of numerous plastic barriers and pre-screening in open outdoor spaces keep patients, staff and visiting teams safe.

James said distancing requirements will force the school administration to restructure and retrofit classrooms, including building additional classrooms. He said at least $50,000 is needed for the work that must be done to re-open the school in January.

The COVID crisis has refocused our attention for Kenya Relief to be the cleanest and safest place to work, James said. And that also includes making our learning environment the safest and best it can be for our children and the teachers.

Taking care of the staff and their families has also been a priority of Kenya Relief, James said. Early on, each employee was given 10 masks to take home to the family. And twice in the last three months, every family has received special food packages.

All employees are still being paid, even those who are not required to be there now because the visits by U.S. teams have been postponed. Several of those employees have organized community services projects, including cleaning and maintaining a nearby police station.

What we want to do in all of this is to instill in our staff, and the community, a personal responsibility to care for each other, James said. That we are our brothers and sisters keepers. We all have to remember that what we do affects others.

James said that while the pandemic has disrupted much of peoples normal lives, he hopes there will be an awakening when people think of the poor, the sick and orphans in countries like Kenya,

Isnt that what Jesus asked, where were you when I was hungry or thirsty? Where were you when I was sick? Where were you when you heard about the poor during this crisis? I hope there will be that kind of awakening.

Curtis Coghlan was a writer and editor for 40 years at several newspapers across the South, including The Huntsville Times. He and his wife, Devry, have served as missionaries for Kenya Relief since 2014. Email him at curtiscoghlan@kenyarelief.org.

Want to help?

To make an online donation for COVID-19 projects, go to KenyaRelief.org, click on Donate and select from the pull-down menu Covid Clinic Support or Kenya Relief Academy/COVID Response

To mail a donation, make checks payable to KenyaRelief.org and send to: KenyaRelief.org, P.O. Box 277, Cullman, AL, 35056

To inquire about sponsoring a child, contact mark@kenyarelief.org
Kuwaits 91-year-old ruler was admitted to the hospital Saturday for a medical checkup and the countrys crown prince temporarily took some of his powers in his absence, the oil-rich nations state-run news agency reported.

Sheikh Sabah Al Ahmad Al Sabah was in good health, the KUNA news agency said, citing a statement from the countrys royal court minister.

The brief report did not elaborate. A later statement said Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf Al Ahmad Al Sabah had assumed some of Sheikh Sabahs powers temporarily, without explaining why that was necessary.

However, the visit comes as the tiny nation fights the coronavirus pandemic, which has seen over 58,000 cases and 400 deaths in the country of 4.1 million. Its Health Ministry says over 49,000 people have recovered from the virus and the Covid-19 illness it causes.

In August 2019, Kuwait acknowledged the emir suffered an unspecified medical setback that required him to be hospitalized. That came after visiting Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif wrote on Twitter that he was praying for Emirs speedy recovery, without elaborating.

Sheikh Sabah has ruled Kuwait since January 2006. Hes pushed for diplomacy to solve regional issues, such as the ongoing boycott of Qatar by four Arab nations, and hosted major donor conferences for war-torn nations like Iraq and Syria.

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Eric Bailly was forced off the pitch wearing an oxygen mask during Manchester United's FA Cup semi-final with Chelsea after clashing heads with team-mate Harry Maguire.

Both required medical attention after they challenged for the same ball to prevent Chelsea striker Olivier Giroud from gaining possession late in the first half but it was Bailly who had come off worse.

Maguire was patched up and was given the all-clear to continue after successfully completing his concussion checks but Bailly was forced to leave the pitch after it was deemed unsafe for him to carry on.

Manchester United team-mates Eric Bailly and Harry Maguire clashed heads against Chelsea

After almost 10 minutes of attention the Ivory Coast defender attempted to walk off the pitch before falling to the ground as he reached the sideline.

Medical staff carefully put Bailly into a neck brace before moving him onto a stretcher in worrying scenes.

Bailly was given oxygen as he was transported from the pitch, surrounded by five medics wearing protective clothing as part of coronavirus prevention measures.

Both sets of players applauded the defender as he was wheeled down the tunnel on a stretcher.

After challenging for the same ball, Bailly and Maguire received medical attention on the pitch

Bailly was put into a neck brace, given oxygen and transported from the pitch by stretcher

Bailly previously returned to action after an aerial collision with Chelsea defender Kurt Zouma

Bailly had previously returned to action after an aerial collision with Chelsea defender Kurt Zouma.

Anthony Martial came on to replace Bailly, seeing United change from an ineffective back five.

But the change couldn't inspire United as Frank Lampard's men hit two quickfire goals after the break before a Maguire own goal made it 3-0 to the Blues.

Bruno Fernandes netted a late consolation from the spot but Lampard's side went through and deserved winners and will now meet Arsenal in the FA Cup final.
US president attacked Democratic challenger Joe Biden who has built up a substantial lead according to polls.

United States President Donald Trump refused to publicly commit to accepting the results of the upcoming presidential election in November, while also declining to say if the Confederate flag was an offensive symbol.

In an interview with Fox News host Chris Wallace broadcast on Sunday, Trump said it was too early to make such an ironclad guarantee, echoing a similar threat he made weeks before the 2016 vote and scoffing at recent polls that show him lagging behind presumptive Democratic candidate Joe Biden.





I have to see. Look  I have to see, Trump said. No, Im not going to just say yes. Im not going to say no, and I didnt last time either.

The Biden campaign responded: The American people will decide this election. And the United States government is perfectly capable of escorting trespassers out of the White House.

While considered remarkable that a sitting president would express less than complete confidence in American democracys electoral process, the statement follows Trumps playbook of four years ago, when in the closing stages of his race against Hillary Clinton he said he would not commit to honouring the election results if the Democrat won.

Pressed during an October 2016 debate about whether he would abide by the voters will, Trump responded he would keep you in suspense.

Confederate flag

During the interview, Trump also declined to say whether the Confederate battle emblem, which has come to represent racial oppression and slavery for many Americans, was an offensive symbol.

It depends on who youre talking about, when youre talking about, Trump responded. When people proudly had their Confederate flags theyre not talking about racism. They love their flag, it represents the South. They like the South I say its freedom of many things, but its freedom of speech.





Trump has also promised to veto the annual National Defense Authorization Act over an amendment to remove the names of Confederate generals from military bases within a year. The position breaks with several of his fellow Republicans in Congress.

We won world wars out of these, out of these military bases, no Im not gonna go changing. Im not gonna go changing. Trump said in the interview, which was taped on Friday.

Coronavirus

Trump also defended his handling of the coronavirus pandemic, despite the US leading the world in both numbers of cases and deaths, and a renewed surge in states that tried to reopen their economies early.

Trump said the US is the envy of the world on testing, while repeating his opposition to any national mandate for mask wearing.

I want people to have a certain freedom, he said.

Referring to what he called an early prediction that the virus would someday disappear, he said, Ill be right eventually. Its going to disappear and Ill be right.





Attack on Biden

Trump assailed Biden as not competent to lead the United States, speaking as polls over the weekend showed deepening voter disenchantment with his own handling of the coronavirus pandemic.

Hes shot, hes mentally shot, Trump said about Biden, adding if the former vice president is elected on November 3, he will destroy this country.

Facing the multiple challenges of a spreading pandemic, racial unrest and a struggling economy, Trump made several unfounded or highly speculative accusations saying Biden would triple your taxes and defund the police.

He added broadly religion will be gone  referring to Democratic officials banning large church services to stem the virus spread.

Wallace told the president a new Fox opinion poll showed Biden with a substantial lead over Trump, not only on his ability to manage the pandemic (with a 17-point edge) and to deal with racial unrest (by 21 points), but even  by a single point  on handling the economy, long a Trump strong point.

And a new Washington Post-ABC News poll has Biden leading Trump among registered voters nationwide by a resounding 15-point margin, 55-to-40 percent.

Trump dismissed such polling as fake saying White House surveys show him winning both nationally and in key swing states.

Let Biden sit through an interview like this, hell be on the ground crying for Mommy. Hell say, Mommy, Mommy, please take me home,' the president added.
A 35-year-old man was shot once in the neck and he was taken to Northwestern Memorial Hospital, where he died, police said. A 25-year-old woman was shot twice in the left arm and taken to Northwestern where she had been listed in good condition. The man was later was identified as Gregory Crawford, of Maywood, according to the medical examiners office.
Seven months after the emergence of the worst global health crisis in a century the race is on to find the medical equivalent of the Holy Grail -- a COVID-19 vaccine. To date the novel coronavirus has killed about 590,000 people worldwide and infected close to 14 million in 196 countries since the outbreak first emerged in China late last year. How to stop in its tracks a pandemic which has wreaked havoc on the world economy is now the pressing multi-billion-dollar issue for vaccine developers aware that every suggestion the goal may be in sight will be pored over in microscopic detail. - How many vaccines? - In its most recent assessment this month, the World Health Organization identified 21 "vaccine candidates" -- almost half involving Chinese companies or institutes -- following a series of global clinical trials. Many are still in what is termed the first phase, which seeks to establish a product's security and dosage, Some however have graduated to phase two, which examines how effective a medicine may be. Two candidate vaccines have reached stage three, whereby developers monitor issues such as degree of potential toxicity on a much larger scale and test it in a wider range of conditions prior to eventual submission for approval. The duo concerned are a European project being developed at Oxford University in tandem with AstraZeneca and a Chinese variant from biopharmaceutical company Sinovac in collaboration with Brazilian research institute Butantan. Sinovac's project is among the most advanced -- it will start the testing for its vaccine on volunteers in Brazil this month. A Canadian clinical trial to involve CanSino Biologics was also earlier given the green light, and the company said last month that China's military had approved for use within its ranks the vaccine it helped to develop. Sinopharm, which is working with the United Arab Emirates for trials, finished construction of a new production facility with a capacity of 100 million doses on July 1, Chinese authorities said on social media. Beyond the tests already under way the WHO is monitoring a further 139 potential vaccines which are still at the pre-clinical evaluation stage, involving testing on animals. Britain, Canada and the United States this week accused Moscow-linked hackers of targeting labs in their countries conducting coronavirus vaccine research. - Which techniques? - There's a variety of approaches and techniques across proven or experimental vaccines. Some teams work on inactivated "classic" vaccines which use a virus germ that has been "killed" while others, known as attenuated or weakened varieties, involve using a live virus rendered less virulent. Other types still include "sub-unit" vaccines, which contain a fragment of the pathogen that it is derived from to produce an appropriate immune response. Then there are more innovative "viral vector" varieties which use live viruses to deliver DNA into human cells to trigger an immune response. An example is to take a virus such as measles and, as the Pasteur Institute is doing, modify it with a coronavirus protein and deploy it against COVID-19. Then there are new experimental developments involving gene-based DNA or RNA vaccines using fragments of modified genetic material. "The more candidate vaccines there are, and above all the more types of candidate vaccines, the greater the chance of getting somewhere" in terms of beating the virus, says Daniel Floret, vice-president of France's Technical Vaccination Committee. - Results so far - For now, only partial results have been made public, some dubbed promising by the firms behind them. Jean-Franois Delfraissy, chairman of France's scientific council which has been guiding the French authorities on the issue throughout the pandemic so far, said claims have to be closely probed as the commercial effect of a potential, but unconfirmed, breakthrough can be huge. "There are considerable effects on the pharmaceutical industry from an announcement which one has to view with the utmost caution," the immunologist told AFP. "A vaccine injection (tested on) 30 people which gets announced as a result -- well, that's not a result," Delfraissy noted. Floret agreed that many announcements are directed at least as much at the stock market as at the general public. "It's never neutral. It is important they show us that they are speeding things up but shall all the same have to see the results and for the moment that's not happening." - Going fast? - All the while, with the pressure on to find a means of dealing with the pandemic, procedures have been ramped up worldwide like never before. "Things are advancing at a rate of knots... and projects are going along perhaps a bit quicker than forecast," Christophe d'Enfert, from the Pasteur Institute, told AFP. States and large foundations alike have been falling over themselves to push fundraising efforts. And while the United States has been looking to go it alone, Europe and most other countries are looking at cooperation. The Trump administration has set up "Operation Warp Speed" in a bid to deliver 300 million doses, essentially for US citizens, of a safe, effective vaccine for COVID-19 by January. Firms "are trying to develop a vaccine and at the same time put in place an industrial process to produce it whereas normally you wait to see the results" of the first of those operations, notes Delfraissy. "That's why they are calling on states for financing, saying: 'We are taking a risk starting off on (developing) a vaccine which maybe won't work and if we put in place the industrial (production) process we shall have to be partially covered by international financing." - Security problems - "To authorise any COVID-19 vaccine, EMA will need to have strong evidence from clinical trials on the safety, efficacy and the quality of this vaccine," warns the European Medicines Agency, an EU body. Forcing the pace in clinical trials "can cause problems" regarding security, says Floret, who says it is "key to have proof that the vaccine is not liable to exacerbate the illness". That, he recalls, did happen in some tests on monkeys "during vaccine development tests for MERS-CoV and SARS," other strains of coronavirus. A similar problem arose in terms of some measles tests on humans in the 1960s which were withdrawn as well as some for bronchiolitis that were likewise abandoned, says Floret. - How long? - EMA warns that "vaccine development timelines are difficult to predict". Based on previous development timelines, it said it may take until next year before a COVID-19 vaccine is ready for widespread use. Even so, some firms are optimistic they can turn up trumps before the end of this year. In Floret's view, "I am not that sure it is very realistic (to say) a vaccine will be there by the autumn -- we have to temper such enthusiasm." He believes the first quarter of next year is likelier and "if we get there by then we shall already have done extremely well," given the usual development timeline is several years. - How about never? - The world is now awaiting a vaccine as it were a kind of messiah as the only infallible means of defeating the pandemic. But what if one never arrives? Delfraissy said: "We have never perfected a vaccine against a coronavirus, even if we have never completely given ourselves the means to do so. "There is a degree of uncertainty over our capacity to perfect a vaccine against coronavirus, -- but all the elements to get there are in place," he stressed. "Everything is possible, the maximum means and different techniques envisaged are out there and it would be astonishing if we didn't get there," Floret said. Yet even if the researchers arrive at the finish line a large question will still remain -- will people accept being vaccinated in a world where there is growing mistrust of vaccination? Perhaps not. "As repeated measles outbreaks demonstrate, we haven't done a great job addressing people's concerns about vaccines. And if we don't learn from our failed response to them, a coronavirus vaccine program will be doomed," Phoebe Danziger, a paediatrician at the University of Michigan, told the New York Times. In its most recent assessment in July, the World Health Organization identified 21 "vaccine candidates" following a series of global clinical trials
London: Former prime minister Malcolm Turnbull says former South Australian senator Nick Xenophon should join the foreign influence register given his work in spruiking for Chinese firm Huawei, which is now banned from supplying 5G in Britain, Australia and the United States.

Xenophon has resisted calls to register saying he only provides legal advice to the Chinese firm.

Former prime minister Malcolm Turnbull, pictured with Nick Xenophon in 2009, suggests the former senator is being employed by Huawei for more than just his legal expertise. Credit:Andrew Meares

But Turnbull said it was "difficult to believe" that Huawei had hired Xenophon purely for his legal skills.

"Is he also seeking to influence governments and public opinion and is he doing more than just being the lawyer giving advice on technical legal matters?
Published on 2020/07/19 | Source

Soprano Sumi Jo on Wednesday released a new single, "Life is a Miracle", which will benefit coronavirus victims.

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The song was composed by composer and tenor Federico Paciotti, while pianist Giovanni Allevi accompanies her.

"I started working on the single after a close friend died far too young of coronavirus", Jo said in a telephone interview on Wednesday.

"While it was difficult to even go out, let alone hire a recording studio, the spirits of the three artists involved gelled marvelously. Even though people speak different languages and come from different cultural backgrounds, all humans share universal feelings of pain, love, sadness, and happiness. Music carries all these emotions".

The record was first released in Italy on July 10. All proceeds from Italy will be donated to the Umberto Veronesi Foundation, which is dedicated to raising funds to fight the virus, and proceeds from Korea will be donated to the Ewha Womans University Medical Center.
By PTI

DHAR: A 32-year-old man allegedly hanged his two minor sons to death before ending his own life in the same way at a village in Madhya Pradesh's Dhar district, a police official said on Sunday.

Their bodies were found hanging on Saturday night at their residence in Mujaldapura village, located within Gandhwani police station limits, about 60 kms from the district headquarters, he said.

Superintendent of Police (SP) Aditya Pratap Singh said thatthe man, identified as Suresh Bhilala, allegedly hanged himself after hanging his two sons- aged 10 years and 7 years.

"Bhilala's wife had gone out in the fields when the incident took place on Saturday night.

After she returned home, she found her two sons hanging in one room and husband in another one," he said.

The forensic and police teams inspected the spot after being alerted, he said.

The reason behind the extreme step was not yet known, Singh said, adding that investigation into the case was on.
European leaders are to meet on Saturday for the second of two days of tortuous negotiations to thrash out the terms of a huge post-coronavirus economic rescue plan.

Europe is in the depths of its deepest recession since World War II and the 27 leaders are seeking common ground on the terms of a 750-billion-euro stimulus package that would help lift those hardest hit by the pandemic.

There is stern resistance from a group of richer and smaller nations led by the Netherlands and Austria that are loath to hand out cash to countries such as Spain or Italy they see as too lax with public spending.

Germany's Chancellor Angela Merkel turned 66 on Friday and as she and her colleagues began this first in-person summit since February, they gave her gifts and exchanged elbow bumps instead of handshakes.

But the high spirits quickly turned sombre once the talks began, with leaders taking their places in an EU headquarters with reduced staff and social distancing imposed.

"The differences are still very, very large and I cannot therefore predict whether we will be able to reach an agreement this time," Merkel said as she arrived.

"It would be desirable, but we also have to face reality," she said. "That is why I expect very, very difficult negotiations."

France's President Emmanuel Macron described it as a "moment of truth" before beginning the first session of talks that diplomats described as cordial but slow.

Merkel and Macron are backing a recovery package made up of a mixture of loans and subsidies to member states to revive economies shattered by the virus and preventive lockdowns.

"It's our European project which is in play here," Macron warned, before meeting the Netherlands' Prime Minister Mark Rutte -- who is holding out against doling out cash without tough conditions and an effective power of veto over national rescue plans.

Difficult days

"Solidarity, yes" Rutte said of countries that don't have the budget to stoke a meaningful recovery.

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"But at the same time, you can also ask those countries to do everything possible to solve this yourselves the next time. And you do this through reforms, in the labour market, in pensions etc."

After around eight hours of talks the leaders broke up to meet in smaller groups, planning to reconvene for a working dinner at 8:00pm (1800 GMT).

The summit is set to run into Saturday and perhaps even Sunday, but few here are confident of a breakthrough, despite the tight timetable, so another summit may well follow later this month.

One diplomat said they expected Friday to conclude with summit host Charles Michel, the president of the European Council, presenting a fresh proposal, which the leaders would consider overnight before starting again on Saturday.

Michel has tried to create a sense of momentum after previous coronavirus-era videoconferences served only to underline the leaders' differences.

But Rutte put the chance of success this weekend at less than 50 percent.

Loans or grants?

Michel's current draft plan foresees a recovery package, made up of 250 billion euros in loans and 500 billion in grants and subsidies that would not have to be repaid by the recipient member states.

The Netherlands has emerged as the most likely hold out, but Rutte's position is backed to varying degrees by fellow members of the so-called "Frugal Four" -- Sweden, Denmark and Austria.

Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz said he and his allies would reject anything leading to a "permanent 'Transfer Union'," an allusion to a centralised state comparable to the United States.

The frugals want any loans or grants to come with strict conditions attached to ensure that heavily-indebted countries carry out labour market reform. This is furiously opposed by the south.

"If the money is not used to invest in the future, if it does not go hand in hand with necessary reforms in states that are simply broken in their systems... then all this will fizzle out," Kurz warned.

Both Michel and Merkel, whose country has just taken on the rolling six-month presidency of the EU, will struggle to broker any compromise -- one diplomat quipped that they were trying to "defrugalise" the debate.

This package is in addition to the planned 1,074-billion-euro seven-year EU budget from 2021 to 2027 that the leaders must also agree in the coming weeks or months.

(AFP)
Dear Editor:

Twenty-one municipalities, including my own, are opposing Danskammer Energys proposed fracked-gas plant in the town of Newburgh for solid reasons.

A thoroughly unnecessary plant, it would produce a massive increase in air pollutants as well as a 4,000% increase in greenhouse gases over the small peaker plant that now occupies the site.

The new Danskammer plant would be a baseload facility, running nearly all the time. It will cause serious health problems and deaths throughout the Hudson Valley.

In particular, the town of Newburgh, where Danskammer is to be located, and Poughkeepsie, which it would affect, include environmental justice communities already battered by unnecessary hazards contributing to respiratory and heart ailments.

The New York System Operator says we do not need more energy plants for the next 10 years, even after the closure of the Indian Point nuclear facility. What we do need is safe, climate-friendly renewable energy, like wind and solar power, not more health threats from fossil fuels. The letter and spirit of the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act calls for renewable energy and an end to the building of fossil fuel infrastructure like Danskammer.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo must prioritize building clean energy and upgraded transmission lines to deliver it throughout our state. He must not allow fracked-gas infrastructure to metastasize in New York.

Robert Heinemann

Poughkeepsie, N.Y.
Click here to read the full article.

It will come as a surprise to no one that John Waters, as a wayward youth, once got arrested at the since-shuttered Carlins Drive-In in Baltimore. He used to spend lots of time at the local drive-ins, including Bengies Drive-In in Maryland, which is still open. Waters seems so synonymous with drive-ins, he even shot the final scene of 2000s Cecil B. Demented at a local one.

I spent a week in the drive-in filming that finale, so that almost cured me ever wanting to go back to the drive-in again, Waters said during a recent in-person interview. The filmmaker donned an understated brown cloth mask, having just stepped out from his car after introducing the first in a double feature he programmed for the Provincetown International Film Festival over the weekend. We spoke in the fading dusk as ketchup-soaked killer bunnies appeared onscreen, our conversation occasionally interrupted by the honking of scared moviegoers.

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When I went to the drive-in as a troubled teen it was considered good form to honk every time you were scared, Waters told the crowd in his introduction, his lively speech piped through clunky metal speakers, which date back to 1957 and can be dialed up and hung from car windows. So please be scared, but every time you really feel threatened by a killer bunny please honk your horn. Honk for your life.

Though the seaside festival had to delay its usual June date, it convened this year for PIFF Reimagined, a smaller version of the festival which paired virtual screenings with two live events hosted at the Wellfleet Drive-In just down the road. Friday nights Waters double bill included Night of the Lepus, the Janet Leigh-starring killer bunny movie from 1972, and Kitten With a Whip, the more highbrow black-and-white Ann-Margret vehicle from 1964.

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It wouldnt have been the movie I wouldve shown if it was the regular festival, I was gonna show [David Cronenbergs] Maps to the Stars, which maybe Ill show next year, said Waters. But were at the drive-in, you have to see drive-in kinda movies, and this one I just always remember being so ludicrous. I havent seen it since, but I always remember the title and I just remember it ends at a drive-in.

As more drive-ins prepare for an influx of new revenue this season, the businesses would do well to lean into nostalgia-laden pastime. Theaters should take a cue from Waters and program more exploitation fare, just like the old days.

Nobody went to see Night of the Lepus cause it was funny; they thought it was scary. They didnt go to see Russ Meyer movies cause they were funny; they came to jerk off, Waters said. The drive-ins purposely showed the most extreme exploitation movies, especially in the winter. They showed the raunchiest ones in the winter. And people would go in the winter. It was like a hotel room, a place you could get away from your parents. Thats what people came for  they were packed. Drive-ins were the opposite of today, all drive-ins showed exploitation movies. Blood Feast, that was their bread and butter. Russ Meyer movies, thats where they were giant hits.

A John Waters retrospective would do quite well at a drive-in these days, where crowds might finally be able to appreciate his films in the nostalgic setting. Oddly enough, the filmmaker insists his movies rarely played drive-ins, and never did well if they did.

My films always worked in the smartest, richest neighborhoods. The opposite of grindhouse. It never worked there. Cause the audience knew we were making fun of the genre. In the classiest art theaters they did the best; they did the worst in grindhouse, Waters said. I made exploitation films for art theaters; thats a whole different thing. And no matter what you think of them, I was definitely one of the first people that did that. They were made for art theaters. I never tried to have a real exploitation film, but if you knew that genre, it worked parodying it in an art thing. And thats what midnight movies ended up being.

Now in his 56th summer in Provincetown, Massachusetts, Waters is laying low with his writing and staying away from downtown. He occasionally eats outside at restaurants, but hasnt graduated to dining in.

Its switching holding cells from Baltimore to here, but I write every morning, it doesnt matter where, and here I go to a beautiful beach, so thats good. Im happy Im here, he said. I miss life. Am I going crazy? No, but life is a chore these days. Its tedious.

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Two US senators have mistakenly posted images of Elijah Cummings in their social media tributes to fellow late Democratic congressman and civil rights icon John Lewis.

Both posts were quickly changed to include a picture of Mr Lewis, who died aged 80 earlier this week.

Earlier today I tweeted an incorrect photo, Marco Rubio, a Republican senator for Florida, later posted.

John Lewis was a genuine American hero. I was honoured to appear together in Miami three years ago at an event captured in video below.

Dan Sullivan, another Republican senator, initially made a Facebook tribute to Mr Lewis  who was one of the Big Six civil rights activists led by the Martin Luther King Jr  featuring a photo of himself with the late Mr Cummings at the opening of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture.

The Alaskan senators revised tribute omitted the reference to the museum and the photo of the pair was replaced with a picture of Mr Lewis alone.

The changes were made without comment.

In response to an email, Mr Sullivans spokesman Mike Anderson said: Senator Sullivans staff made a mistake trying to honour an American legend.

Mr Lewis, a Democrat from Atlanta, was the last survivor of the Big Six civil rights activists.

He was best known for leading 600 protesters in the 1965 Bloody Sunday march across the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, Alabama. Mr Lewis was knocked to the ground and beaten by state troopers.

Televised images forced the countrys attention on racial oppression.

Mr Lewis went on to become known as the conscience of congress for the decades he spent in the House of Representatives.

The longtime Georgia congressman died on Friday, several months after he announced he had been diagnosed with advanced pancreatic cancer.

Mr Cummings, a fellow civil rights activist and congressman for a district in Maryland, died last year aged 68.

The senior Democrat was a leading figure in the impeachment inquiry into the US president Donald Trump.

Additional reporting by Associated Press
A new poll released Sunday morning shows that 61 per cent of Americans believe President Donald Trump has done more to divide the country than his two predecessors.

In the ABC News/Washington Post poll, 35 per cent of 1,006 respondents said Trump has united the country during his presidency, while 61 per cent say he has further divided the nation.

The same poll, taken July 12-15, also revealed that among registered voters, of which there were 845 surveyed in the poll, 55 per cent would vote for Biden, the presumed Democratic nominee, if the election were held today.

Forty per cent of registered voters said they would cast their ballot for the president.

Trump retains support from 90 per cent of registered voters who voted for him in 2016, according to the poll  but he loses 8 per cent of them to Biden.

Biden, on the other hand, takes 95 per cent of those who supported loser Hillary Clinton in 2016, but 3 per cent of those voters flipped to Trump.

Nearly two-thirds, or 61 per cent, of Americans feel that Donald Trump has further divided the country during his presidency

In similar polls taken during Trump's two predecessor's terms, 43 per cent said then-outgoing President Barack Obama (left) did more to divide than unite the country while 55 per cent of Americans at the times said then-President George W. Bush (right) had divided the country

In the same poll, 55 per cent of Americans said they would vote for presumed Democratic nominee Joe Biden, who served as Obama's vice president

That's 15 percentage points more than the 40 per cent of voters who said they would cast their ballot for Trump in November

When questioned on which candidate would do more to unite Americans the next four years in the White House, 57 per cent of Americans said Biden was likely to do more while only 33 per cent said Trump would bring a uniting force if reelected.

The response comes as Trump has faced criticism for his response to massive nationwide Black Lives Matter protests and riots that broke out following the death of George Floyd at the end of May and have continued into July.

The president has also come under fire for his underwhelming response to the coronavirus pandemic, which continues to ravage the nation with more than 3.7 million confirmed cases in the U.S. and more than 140,000 deaths.

More than half of Americans said they trust Biden more to handle the COVID-19 crisis and cases continue to surge, while 34 per cent say they trust Trump.

The economy and employment rates have suffered in the midst of the pandemic, and 47 per cent of Americans feel Trump would be better equipped to handle the economy compared to the 45 per cent who feel Biden would do better with economic recovery.

In Sundays poll, 30 per cent of respondents identify as Democrat or left-leaning, 24 per cent as Republican or right-leaning and the majority, at 39 per cent, claim they are independents.

The survey has a margin of error of 3.5 percentage points among Americans and 4 percentage points among registered voters.

Trumps rating on uniting the country from the poll falls behind his two predecessors, President Barack Obama and President George W. Bush.

In November 2016, when Trump had already been elected, 50 per cent of Americans said then-outgoing President Barack Obama had united the country and 43 per cent said otherwise while 7 per cent had no opinion.

In June 2005, 43 per cent of Americans said then-President George W. Bush had brought the country together and 55 per cent said he had divided it.
In the village of Gobojango in rural Botswana, students struggle to keep up with the demands of modern education.

It had just turned midnight on April 2, and Botswanas coronavirus lockdown began.

I sat in my dimly lit childhood bedroom in the village of Gobojango, working on the write-up for my PhD thesis. The last time I had written a school paper in that house, it was by hand, by candlelight  and more than 20 years ago.

Some things have changed in the village since then.

Over the years, mud huts have made way for concrete houses built in yards with acres of space between them. Some of them are remarkably sumptuous abodes  for a village  depicting how stark inequalities can exist even in generally poor societies.

Still, most other things have remained the same. Besides the now-faded white paint, a few cracks on the wall, and doves that have found a home in the tight spaces between the corrugated iron roof and the wall, my parents five-roomed old-style house is as it always was.

A silence hung in the air past midnight, and all was quiet save for the occasional barking of dogs or a donkey braying in the distance.

As the coronavirus ushered in a sudden breakdown of normality around the globe, my university in neighbouring South Africa shut its doors and, to avoid being confined to Johannesburg for an indefinite period of time, I returned.

But the thought of being confined there made me anxious  especially with talk in the village centred around this deadly virus that is ravaging the world and the constant Radio Botswana updates about the number of COVID-19 cases and deaths in South Africa.

Gobojango was also not the easiest place for me to work. That is because of the complete lack of access to the internet  one thing that knows no inequality because no one there has meaningful access to internet services.

To us village folks growing up in the 1990s, the internet was an alien concept. And it remains that way for those still living there today.

Homesteads in the village of Gobojango [Edwin Makwati/Al Jazeera]

Village life

Gobojango is a small village about 500km (310 miles) northeast of the capital, Gaborone. It is home to around 1,800 people, mostly subsistence farmers and peasants situated within the MASEGO enclave, which comprises the three villages of Mabolwe, Semolale and Gobojango.

In the 1990s, nobody in this part of the world knew much about electricity, let alone the internet.

The only source of light for studying was candlelight or a flicker of light from the dugout which served as a fireplace in the middle of our rondavel  a traditional thatched mud house  which my family later bulldozed to extend the concrete house of which my room is part.

A stones throw from home was the small village school where I spent my childhood studying. When I completed high school, like most youth in my village, I knew I needed to find a job to fend for myself and help my family.

In my mind, I saw university as an unreasonable detour that would delay my familys economic empowerment. But I knew the Botswana Defence Force regularly sent its officer cadets to be trained abroad under the auspices of pacts it had with other militaries.

So I applied for officer training at the United Kingdoms Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst (RMAS). After a competitive process, it turned out I was the best candidate officer cadet to attend training that year. I relished the opportunity, soon leaving the village and Botswana.

The rural village of Gobojango lies northeast of Botswanas capital Gaborone [Edwin Makwati/Al Jazeera]

12 pt Arial font

My trip to the UK offered respite from the shackles of poverty at home.

But my years of living in an economically disempowered rural village soon came to bear against my military training experience.

I remember the day we got our first written assignment at the RMAS. My platoon colour-sergeant said: All assignments shall be typed in 12 pt Arial font with 1.5 line spacing and submitted to my office by first light without fail.

My heart sank. I felt utterly defeated. I had never so much as heard of 12 pt font and typed assignments.

Until that point, I had never even touched a computer.

In the UK, I was constantly bombarded with questions ... 'Do you have cars in Africa?'; 'Is it true that in Africa people live in trees?'; 'Do people in Africa have mobile phones?'

All we had in Gobojango was a small school library which I rarely visited because it also served as a classroom. Everything in my school was limited: the number of classrooms, stationery, transport, furnishings. Assignments were handwritten while we knelt on a thin blanket around a paraffin-powered lamp or fire.

But now, there I was in Camberley, a small town south-west of London, a far cry from my modest village upbringing. A whole desktop computer sat on a mahogany desk, and I had no clue where to start except to press the power button.

When I first arrived in the UK, I was constantly bombarded with questions by my cadres, which I believe stemmed from ignorance and prejudice: Do you have cars in Africa?; Is it true that in Africa people live in trees?; Do people in Africa have mobile phones?

I was the only African in my platoon and incidentally the only officer cadet who could not use a computer. I dreaded asking any of my platoon mates to teach me how to type, lest I live up to their primitive African stereotype.

So over the next few months, I would sneak out of my room to the computer labs under cover of darkness to teach myself how to type through trial and error, typing one character every few seconds. Needless to say, my assignments were consistently submitted late, and the consequences were always severe punishments with scathing assessment reports about my inability to do simple things.

The post office in Gobojango is one of the villages few official buildings [Edwin Makwati/Al Jazeera]

Between two decades

The story of my upbringing in Gobojango in the late 20th century is a story of deep poverty and lack of access to technological advancements. But as a child with nothing to compare it to, it just seemed normal.

For all of us in the village, having a pair of shoes or a new set of clothes was considered a luxury. Most of us children had one meal a day  beans and porridge  provided for free at Gobojango Primary School, a cluster of corrugated iron-roofed concrete blocks with three to four classrooms per block. The school had two ablution blocks which are still in use today, one for girls and the other for boys, and the state of the pit latrines is as dire now as it ever was.

Most of the pupils in my class walked barefoot, regardless of the weather  during the summer when the scorching sun hit the often-dry ground, and in the winter when the cold, semi-desert breeze tormented our bare feet. Most of us did not have shoes, but somehow nobody seemed bothered.

Uniforms  sky blue shirts and grey shorts for boys and a white-collared blue dress for girls  were compulsory. But the varying level of each pupils poverty could be measured in how faded the colour of their uniform was, or in the number of holes that could be seen on the backside and the collar.

Two decades later, pupils still tend to whatever is left of their families livestock after school hours and on weekends. Many still have to fetch firewood from the outskirts of the village after school so that they can have enough light to study around the dugout fireplace.

Apart from electricity and a tarmac road that traverses the village, not much infrastructural development has taken place. My former secondary school, which was built in the early 1990s, is now dilapidated. The lockers, windows and doors are broken; the ceiling sags inwards and, as it does, the fibreglass that is sealed into the roof falls on to the desks; and bats and rats rule the roost, scampering around randomly.

It is almost inconceivable that any kind of learning takes place in this environment.

The site of the customary court in the village of Gobojango [Edwin Makwati/Al Jazeera]

Poverty and the internet

Botswanas coronavirus lockdown ended on May 21. But Gobojango seems perennially under lockdown, albeit in other forms.

The village has no shops for basic goods and services. People have to travel to Bobonong, a bigger village with better infrastructure, almost 40km (25 miles) to the west. But the transport system for such a journey is almost non-existent. People mainly use donkey carts in the village  only a few individuals have cars  so the only way to travel to Bobonong is by minibus taxi, which is hard to come by.

Access to the internet is also out of reach for most people. Broadband costs start from $79 per month, in an area where more than half the population is formally unemployed, and where even those with jobs earn less than $5 a day.

In South Africa, where I normally live and work as a legal researcher on human rights issues while I complete a PhD in International Law, access to the internet is also a luxury for most, at about $59 per month. But Botswanas unaffordable data dwarfs South Africas problems.

As I struggle to do research with limited internet data, my heart cries out for the hundreds of young people in my village where there are no libraries and no computers.

Technically, Botswana is not a poor country, but the poverty rate in many rural areas and villages like Gobojango is over 46 percent, meaning only a handful of people have enough economic power to access the internet at these costs.

There is little doubt that Gobojango brims with potential, a fact reflected in the resilience of its people. In the midst of their economic calamities, they still try to keep their fields and cattle alive. Many brave the danger of being trampled by marauding elephants that have invaded the communitys farmlands, and press on in the face of livestock rustlers who have been looting their herds.

The will and instinct for survival run deep in this community.

But amidst the poverty and the deprivation from the internet  which keeps many people cut off and away from education  hardship can easily cancel out potential.

My experiences from 20 years ago are still the reality for the majority of my people in 2020.

As I struggle to do research with limited internet data, my heart cries out for the hundreds of young people in my village. Getting research done is a Herculean task when there are no libraries and no computers.

Marauding elephants have invaded community farmlands in recent years [Reuters]

A glimmer of hope

After the lockdown ended, I moved back to Johannesburg, where I once again have a regular internet connection and access to libraries.

Before I left, I met a final-year high school student in the village, a young girl who told me she had just received a scholarship to study for a geology degree at a UK university in 2021.

She was delighted to share the news.

But I could not help but worry, as I imagined her struggling to switch on the desktop computer, and not understanding what 12 pt Arial font with 1.5 line spacing was  because, like me 20 years ago, she has never touched a computer.

I got flashbacks of my midnight crawls to the RMAS computer lab, and I dreaded to think of this young girl in my position, potentially not performing at her best because she  like me  will be seen as someone who lives in a tree and cannot type or understand simple things.

My time back in Gobojango once again brought me face-to-face with the challenges that many still endure, and the inherent potential our circumstances and environments have to either make or break our destinies. For most rural folk, being condemned to a life of poverty is the default and success is sadly still an exception.

But there is potential, as I found in the new geology student I met.

The majority of Gobojangos youth never make it out of the circle of poverty, so seeing one young person like that gave me a glimmer of hope that if we all put in more effort, things may change for the majority.

Which is why I bought two used desktops to donate, and made a vow to myself to help change the situation in the village.

Things can change, and they shall, but the change has to start with us.
Mention Teej, which is approaching on July 23, and the next word that comes to the mind is ghewar! The popular disc-shaped sweet dish from Rajasthan has its own fan following among North Indian dwellers such as those from Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and of course, Delhi.

Malai ghewar, mawa or plain ghewar  all variants are so tempting that their demand hasnt reduced even amid the corona scare. Popular sweet shops in Delhi-NCR have reportedly been experiencing a decent demand for ghewar, which has left even the halwais surprised. A salesperson at Gopala, a popular dairy and sweet shop in Delhi-NCR, says they have been selling 15-20 ghewar/per day. Jisko lena hain, woh le lete hain. Ab tyohar hai to log ghewar to khayenge hi... Teej ya Rakhi ghewar mithai ke bina kahan manti hai, he says while manning the Gurugram outlet.

ALSO READ: Teej 2020: History, significance, puja timing of this monsoon festival

Echoing similar sentiments, Sanjay Aggarwal, from Shyam Sweets, Chandni Chowk, says, Jabse lockdown khula hai, waise orders kam ho gaye hain par ghewar log phir bhi khareed rahe hai. Farak itna hai ki ab log bada order directly nahi de rahe. They are buying in smaller quantities. For instance, people who bought 1kg earlier, are now buying half a kilo. Aisa shayad is liye ki logon ki jeb main paise utne nahin hain abhi... Pehle 15 din pehle tayari shuru ho jati thi, is saal ek hafte pehle hi hui hai.

Talking about how goodwill matters, Ramesh, from Nathu Sweets, New Friends Colony, says, We are selling about 40 to 50 pieces of ghewar on a daily basis. Jinko wishwas hain ki hum achchi cheez hi banate hain, woh lene aa rahe hain, ya ghar se order kar dete hain toh we deliver.

Its true that one cant ignore sweets in the festive season. I did buy ghewar from Harish Bakery in Sector 7, Gurugram, says Nupur Agarwal Kalra, a food and lifestyle blogger, adding, That is the first time I bought food from outside in the last four months. Initially I had reservations, but it was a prompt decision as I was passing by the sweet shop and this being the start of the festive season, the sweets were just irresistible to give a miss.

Ghewar is popular in Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Gujarat, and Madhya Pradesh.

But precautionary measures do cross the mind of many before making a purchase. Gurugram-based home chef Shahla Ahmed says, I have plans to buy malai ghewar from two of my favourite sweet shops. I trust them to be taking care of hygiene and safety. Whereas Sakshi Jain, a Gurugrammer who travelled all the way to Old Delhi to get her favourite ghewar, confesses, We bought ghewar from the famous Chaina Ram in Old Delhi. We were a little apprehensive for sure, so we sanitised the outer box and then threw away the entire packing once we reached home. Once it landed in our mouth, the taste surpassed all our worries.

Im glad that people are still appreciating ghewar this year. As soon as July began, people started calling us to ask When will you open? It meant people havent forgotten us. It feels good to be loved.

 Kunal Balani, partner, Chaina Ram Sindhi Confectioners

Kunal Balani, one of the partners at Chaina Ram Sindhi Confectioners, informs that their sales have been decent. He adds: Everything has been affected because of the coronavirus. We have taken a hit of 50 to 60%. But, Im glad that people are still appreciating ghewar this year. As soon as July began, people started calling us to ask When will you open? It meant people havent forgotten us. It feels good to be loved, and see people appreciate your sweets. People might have reduced the quantity of their purchase, but they are buying.

Author tweets @Nainaarora8

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Cops at Rajasthan MLAs' resort in Haryana, return after 20-minute wait

India

oi-Deepika S

New Delhi, July 20: A team of the Rajasthan police has again reached Manesar in Haryana late Sunday evening hunting for the legislators of the Pilot camp.

However, the Special Operation Group (SOG) left the place after 20 minutes as the gates of the Best Western Resort did not open.

This was the second time in two days that the Rajasthan Police made a beeline for a resort where the Sachin Pilot camp is staying. On Friday evening, they had to return empty-handed from the ITC Bharat Grand. Later, they claimed the Haryana Police did not cooperate with them.

News agency PTI stated that its sources in the Congress also did not rule out the possibility that an assembly session could be convened, even as party chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala saying it is the prerogative of the state cabinet and the chief minister, and "they will decide appropriately".

The Congress is mulling convening a session of the state assembly to checkmate rebel party MLAs, who are led by Sachin Pilot, in voting in favour of the government in the House or face disqualification, sources claimed.

Raj HC tells Speaker not to act against Pilot, rebels until Tuesday

"To seek a floor test or otherwise is the sole discretion of the cabinet of Rajasthan and the chief minister. It is the domain of the chief minister and the ministers in the cabinet and the legislature party, and they will decide appropriately," Surejwala told reporters when asked whether the Congress was mulling calling a session of the state assembly.

On the BJP's claims that the Congress does not have a majority in the state assembly, Surjewala asked what has changed in the last 48 hours that BJP state president Satish Poonia is so scared that he is not seeking a trust vote.

Coronavirus: WHO reports single-day record global spike in Covid-19 cases | Oneindia News

"They are conceding that we have an absolute majority, which we have," he said, adding that the Congress has the support of 109 MLAs in the 200-member assembly.

"Congress has the strength and majority, and BJP leaders in Rajasthan are accepting it. They are now saying, BJP is not demanding President's rule and the Congress government should not convene the assembly session," Surejwala said.

As far as the Congress rebel MLAs are concerned, he said they are part of the Congress and a family matter can be resolved by a family, and not through the media.

Pilot was stripped of his position as deputy chief minister and Rajasthan Congress chief after he rebelled against the Ashok Gehlot government in the state.

"Sachin Pilot and his loyalists should leave BJP's hospitality and return to the family and discuss the issues, if any, within the family," he said in message to Pilot.
18.07.2020 LISTEN

The recent decision of the apex court brings into sharp focus the similarity or difference if any, between the concept of Nationality and Citizenship.

Article 15 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights affirms that Everyone has the right to a nationality and No one shall be arbitrarily deprived of his nationality nor denied the right to change his nationality. A persons nationality is crucial to him/her having full recognition under international law and being accorded necessary courtesies.

While it differs from country to country, Nationality is acquired by birth or adoption, marriage, or descent. The right to a nationality is a fundamental human right. International human rights law provides that the right of States to decide who their nationals are is not absolute and, in particular, States must comply with their human rights obligations concerning the granting and loss of nationality.

Citizenship, on the other hand, is a much narrower concept with a specific legal relationship between the state and a person. Citizenship in Ghana is a question of law. Chapter 3 of the 1992 Constitution of the Republic of Ghana and the Citizenship Act, 2000 prescribes who a citizen is. A person can be a citizen by birth, registration through marriage, foundling, adoption and by naturalization. In some countries, for example, in Mexico, a person acquires nationality at birth but receives citizenship only upon turning 18 years. This means that Mexican children, therefore, are nationals but not citizens. In the United Kingdom for instance, since the British Nationality Act 1981, it is no longer possible to acquire British citizenship by reason only of being born in the United Kingdom. Since 1 January 1983, a child will become a British citizen if one of his/her parents is a British citizen or is settled in the United Kingdom.

Citizens enjoy certain rights and responsibilities. One of such enviable rights is provided in Article 42 of the Constitution which states that: Every citizen of Ghana of eighteen years of age or above and of sound mind has the right to vote and is entitled to be registered as a voter for the purposes of public elections and referenda. Clearly to be registered as a voter, one must provide evidence that he or she is a citizen of Ghana, is 18 years and above, and obviously of a sound mind.

The Electoral Commission which is seized with the mandate, as provided in Article 45(a) of the Constitution to compile the register of voters and revise it at such periods as may be determined by law, excluded the use of Birth Certificate as a mode of identification in the Public Elections (Registration of Voters) (Amendment) Regulations, 2020 (C.I. 126). The Supreme Court in a unanimous decision found no merit in the contention of the plaintiff in Mark Takyi-Banson v Electoral Commission and Another to include Birth Certificate as a mode of identification.

This decision of the apex court goes to the root to further fortify the provisions in respect of Citizenship by birth.

In Ghana, to become a citizen at birth, the Constitution in Article 6 provides that: Subject to the provisions of this Constitution, a person born in or outside Ghana after the coming into force of this Constitution, shall become a citizen of Ghana at the date of his birth if either of his parents or grandparents is or was a citizen of Ghana. Citizenship by birth is conditional on having at least one of your parents or grandparents being a citizen of Ghana. Except in Article 6(3) where a child of not more than seven years of age found in Ghana whose parents are not known shall be presumed to be a citizen of Ghana by birth.

The Births and Deaths Registry are mandated by law in Ghana to register all births. The Registration of Births and Deaths Act, 1965 (Act 301) ensures the registration of all births, deaths and fetal deaths. It also addresses fraud, alterations in the register, offences and penalties. By law, the time allowed for registration is within the first year of birth except where a written authority is given by the Registrar and the prescribed fee is paid. The Act imposes a legal obligation to register the birth of a child and an official birth certificate is issued as a result of birth registration.

It is important to note that the requirements for birth registration is an Immunization card and the Name of the child. The information collected at the registration

a. in respect of the child are:

Name, Date of birth, Sex, Place of occurrence [of the birth], Type of place of occurrence (hospital, home, etc.), Date of registration, Place of registration, Attendant at birth, Type of birth (single, twin, triplet and so forth)

b. Regarding the mother of the child:

Date of birth or age, Educational attainment, Place of usual residence, Children born alive to the mother during her entire lifetime, Birth order parity, Maiden name, Nationality

c. Regarding the father of the child: Date of birth or age of the father, Educational attainment, Nationality, Occupation (whether gainfully employed), Religion

Suffice to state that while the law provides that a person born in or outside Ghana shall become a citizen of Ghana at the date of his birth if either of his parents or grandparents is or was a citizen of Ghana the information provided by his or her parents at the time of registration has to do with their [parents] Nationality and not Citizenship.

Clearly the citizenship of a person at birth can not be evidenced by the issuance of a birth certificate. The details required to issue the Birth certificate fails to meet the requirement for the basis of ones citizen which is either of his parents or grandparents must be a citizen and not a national.

Persons of a British national (overseas) are required to register as a British Citizen and meet certain conditions. Nationality is a given, same cannot be said of Citizenship. There are British nationals who are not British citizens. A persons nationality differs from his citizenship.

I must concede that there exists a thin line between Nationality and Citizenship, a person can become a national of a country by birth or by inheritance. As against this, there are a variety of ways through which an individual can become the citizen of a country, i.e. by birth, inheritance, marriage, naturalization. The nationality of a person cannot be changed. However, his citizenship can be changed. Also, a person cannot be a national of more than one country. In contrast, a person can possess citizenship of more than one country at a time. One is acquired by birth and the other is acquired by law.

I am of the firm opinion that the learned judges of the Supreme Court did not err in their undisputed judgement that the non-inclusion of birth certificate as a document for the identification of a person who applies for registration as a voter by C.I 126 is NOT inconsistent with or in contravention of the Constitution, or any other law.

A birth certificate cannot be accepted as proof of ones citizenship.

Harold Boateng

[email protected]

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Linkedin Ardila Syakriah and Alya Nurbaiti (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Mon, July 20 2020

After almost a month of taking gradual steps to reopen the economy, Indonesia has seen its COVID-19 cases and deaths double as crowds reemerge in virus epicenters like Jakarta. Experts have cautioned that the country is at risk of becoming one of the worst hit worldwide.

Indonesia has recorded 86,521 total cases and 4,143 deaths as of Sunday, twice the cumulative figure from the previous month.

The central government and local administrations gradually lifted certain requirements under large-scale social restrictions (PSBB) in the first weeks of June. By June 18, the Health Ministry had recorded 41,431 cases and 2,276 deaths nationwide, surpassing Singapore for the first time as the Southeast Asian country with most officially reported cases.

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Statue of Jesus Found Toppled, Beheaded in Miami, Church Says

A statue of Jesus Christ was found toppled and beheaded at a Catholic church in Miami, an act of vandalism that probably will be investigated as a hate crime, church officials said.

The attack that occurred sometime between late on July 14 and the morning of July 15 at Miami-Dades Good Shepherd Catholic Church was likely targeted, Rev. Edivaldo da Silva said. The statue was decapitated and removed from its pedestal, he said.

They had some powerful hands to remove it. Seeing what is happening in our country, I presume so, but we dont have 100 percent assurance, da Silva told local news station WSVN.

The local archdiocese said that police will likely investigate the statue desecration as a hate crime.

This crime reflects the increasing attacks on the Catholic church across the country, the archdiocese said in a statement, referring to a series of arson attempts on churches in recent days in the midst of nationwide unrest.

Good Shepherd, the church, said in a statement to Fox News: We totally condemn this action. We invite our community to pray for peace.

Surveillance footage has been given to police, Mary Ross Agosta, a spokeswoman for the Archdiocese of Miami, said.

People find peace at these types of places, especially during these times, police spokesman Argemis Colome told the Miami Herald. We want to ensure the community that MDPD will look into the matter so people can continue to feel safe.

The Department of Homeland Security also will investigate the matter, according to The Associated Press.

Similar acts of vandalism have included the toppling of the statue of Rev. Junipero Serra, the priest who founded the California mission system. In another incident, a man attempted to set a Florida church on fire after crashing into it earlier this month. Meanwhile, a statue of the Virgin Mary was desecrated in Tennessee over the weekend.

The pastor of St. Stephen Catholic Church in Chattanooga, Tennessee, found the statue decapitated on July 18, according to the Catholic News Agency. The statues head hasnt been located.

We dont know if this was the targeted desecration of a sacred statue and our Catholic faith, or some kind of misguided prank, but it hurts, Jim Wogan, director of communications for the Diocese of Knoxville, said in a statement. For whatever reason, we are living in a very chaotic time, and anger seems to be the default setting for people.
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AMSAT Board of Directors election packages mailed

Brennan Price, N4QX, AMSAT Secretary reports that the ballots, candidate statements, and return envelopes for the 2020 AMSAT Board of Directors Election were prepared by Paladin Commercial Printing of Newington, Connecticut. Paladin mailed the packages from Hartford, Connecticut, on Tuesday, July 14, to members of record on July 1.

Non-US addresses were sent first class (the only option for overseas).

US addresses were sent pre-sorted standard, which is routine for mail that requires a two-way response time measured in weeks, as this does.

Allowing for postal delivery standards and guard time, the Secretary will not consider a ballot as lost in post any earlier than August 12 (four weeks after the mailing). This timing permits a replacement ballot to be mailed first class in both directions, even internationally, with time to spare under prevailing postal delivery standards.

Paladin has shipped materials for 100 blank election packages to Price.

Price will use these materials to assemble and mail replacement or substitute packages as necessary. These requests and packages will be tracked and accounted against the voter list and returned ballots to guard against duplicates, and will be identifiable against the package mailed by Paladin for further verification and accounting by the tellers.

Members desiring a replacement ballot package should contact Price no earlier than August 12.

The package is clearly labeled as election-related and contains:

1) An instruction and ballot sheet, with the ballot perforated,

2) A sheet of candidate statements, and

3) A No 9 return envelope, which bears the address to which ballots should be returned and the member's name and address for verification against the voter list and any replacement ballot requests.

Secrecy at the time of counting will be maintained by separating the ballot from the envelope without inspection, placing the ballot in a receptacle, and scrutinizing the ballots after all have been separated from the envelopes.

Ballots should be returned in the return envelopes provided to arrive at the designated Post Office Box in Vienna, Virginia, by 5 p.m. Thursday, September 15, 2020. Separation of the ballots from the envelopes and counting will occur as soon thereafter as practicable, and no later than September 30.

Brennan can be reached at brennanprice@verizon.net for a query about membership status at any time or a replacement ballot after August 12.

Brennan Price, N4QX

AMSAT Secretary

Amsat
Filmmaker Rajat Mukherjee, known for directing films like Pyaar Tune Kya Kiyaa, Road and Love In Nepal passed away on Sunday. Actor Manoj Bajpayee confirmed the news on social media.

Manoj took to his verified account on Twitter, where he shared that Rajat Mukherjee was in a "long battle with illness".

"My friend and director of Road, Rajat Mukherjee passed away in the early hours today in Jaipur after a long battle with illness!!! Rest in peace Rajat! Still can't believe that we will never meet or discuss our work ever again. Khush reh jaha bhi reh (be happy wherever you are)," wrote the actor.

My friend and director of Road ,Rajat Mukherjee passed away in the early hours today in Jaipur after a long battle with illness!!! Rest in peace Rajat !!Still cant believe that we will never meet or discuss our work ever again.khush reh jaha bhi reh. manoj bajpayee (@BajpayeeManoj) July 19, 2020

Manoj said he will always remember the shoot days of Road, which released in 2002, it also stars Vivek Oberoi and Antara Mali.

"I will always remember the shoot days of Road and how we created it while having so much fun all because of you!! Will miss you dearly my friend Rajat! RIP," he wrote.

I will always remember the shoot days of Road and how we created it while having so much fun all because of you!! Will miss you dearly my friend Rajat !!RIP  https://t.co/3cdqgyQaFm manoj bajpayee (@BajpayeeManoj) July 19, 2020

Filmmaker Anubhav Sinha took to his verified Twitter account to express his condolence. He also shared that Rajat Mukherjee was "dealing with multiple health situations".

"Another friend gone too soon. Director Rajat Mukherjee ('Pyar Tune Kya Kiya', 'Road'). He was dealing with multiple health situations past few months in Jaipur. Go well mate," he wrote.

Another friend gone too soon. Director Rajat Mukherjee (Pyar Tune Kya Kiya, Road). He was dealing with multiple health situations past few months in Jaipur. Go well mate. Anubhav Sinha (@anubhavsinha) July 19, 2020

Just got news about the passing away of a dear friend. Rajat Mukherjee director of Pyaar Tune Kya Kiya and Road was a friend from our early, early struggles in Bombay. Many meals, many bottles of Old Monk consumed. Many more to consume in another world. Will miss you dear friend. Hansal Mehta (@mehtahansal) July 19, 2020

Filmmaker Hansal Mehta wrote on his official Twitter account: "Just got news about the passing away of a dear friend. Rajat Mukherjee director of Pyaar Tune Kya Kiya and Road was a friend from our early, early struggles in Bombay. Many meals, many bottles of Old Monk consumed. Many more to consume in another world. Will miss you dear friend."
Its been a rough few months for Chelsie Caudle.

The mother of two has run into delays applying for unemployment and food stamps in Portland, Oregon, after Grace Salon, a hair salon that specializes in cutting and coloring, was forced to shutter in March when the coronavirus pandemic hit.

Caudle, who is self-employed, sublet a spot at Grace Salon to run her own business called Benjamin LLC. But with no income coming in for months, bills piled up, making it hard for her to afford groceries for her family, she says.

I'm panicked. Ive run through my entire savings, says Caudle, who returned to work a few weeks ago. But she has put in fewer hours with less clients due to social-distancing measures.

If the state shuts down the salon again, I don't know what Ill do, says Caudle, 35.

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Across the country, Sarah Walker, 31, was more fortunate. She and her husband, who live in Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania, have cut down on their daycare and driving expenses during the pandemic since theyre both working from home, saving her family nearly $2,000 a month. Thats helped them stash more money away in their retirement accounts.

As soon as our expenses were cut, I immediately started saving more, says Walker, whos a senior credit and collections specialist at a cement manufacturer. Her husband works with children in youth services.

The coronavirus recession has split America in two: those who are still financially intact, and others facing lasting scars.

Congress is set to reconvene this week at a critical juncture following a two-week recess as the $600 weekly unemployment benefits under the CARES Act are set to expire at the end of the month. Policymakers will debate whether more emergency stimulus checks and extra unemployment payments are needed to keep jobless people afloat as workers and businesses continue to grapple with the economic fallout of the pandemic.

Story continues

More than two-thirds of Americans say they still need a second stimulus check from the government to help make ends meet, according to recent data from tax preparer Jackson Hewitt. And about a third of that group said the $1,200 checks needed to be more than the previous round. Only about a quarter of them say they wouldnt need another emergency payment.

Another round of stimulus is badly needed, says Gregory Daco, chief U.S. economist of Oxford Economics. The expiring of enhanced unemployment benefits could represent a "severe shock" to peoples income since another potential round of stimulus checks likely won't be as large as they previously were, he added.

More states have paused or rolled back their reopening plans following a resurgence in coronavirus cases, which could cause more people to lose their jobs, experts say. A staggering 51.3 million Americans have filed for unemployment over the past 17 weeks during the pandemic.

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"If we do get a big pullback in income in August, that will directly affect peoples ability to spend, which creates a risk for the economic rebound, Daco says.

In April, Caudle received a $2,200 stimulus check, which temporarily helped tide her over to cover her rent, car loan and auto insurance, she says.

I have terrible anxiety because of the unknown, Caudle says. Another stimulus check would be a huge help.

A quarter of Americans are using the stimulus money to cover major bills including their rent or mortgage, student or car loans and hospital bills. And 20% are using the money to pay for essentials like groceries or medical supplies, the Jackson Hewitt data showed.

This should give us all pause for concern because some Americans are still in dire need of more money, says Mark Steber, chief tax information officer at Jackson Hewitt. People are in real pain."

Stimulus checks.

Some Americans remain unscathed

There are workers who have been more insulated from the recession and have used the pandemic as a time to build their nest egg. Nearly a third of Americans have put their stimulus money into a savings or retirement account, Jackson Hewitt data showed.

Walker, for instance, upped her 401(k) contributions and maxed out her Roth IRA.

Were young. I want to save as much as I can now when the market is down and stock prices are cheaper, says Walker.

She and her husband received a $3,400 stimulus check and used part of it to pay off credit card debt, and used the remaining portion to invest.

Its conflicting. In one way I want the world to go back to normal because we miss our friends and our fun activities, Walker says. But its also nice to save more money and see those retirement balances shooting up.

Some Americans are still sticking with their long-term investment strategy and are contributing more to their retirement accounts. According to Voya Financial's retirement plan participant data, of those who changed their savings rate with the investment management company, 64% increased plan contributions in the second quarter.

The couple also has been giving back to those less fortunate during the pandemic. About 3% of people donated their stimulus checks to those in need, according to Jackson Hewitt.

Low-wage workers bear the brunt

Job losses among low-wage workers represented 56% of the total employment decline during the coronavirus recession, with the unemployment rate rising as high as 50% in the most exposed industries like leisure, hospitality and retail, according to Oxford Economics.

While the employment rebound has been stronger for the lowest earners, their level of employment remained 16% lower in June than in February, a shortfall about 2.5 times greater than for the mid- and high-wage groups.

White-collar workers who had been relatively less affected at the onset of the pandemic appear more exposed now to permanent layoffs, Daco says.

"With nearly seven million low-income workers still unemployed and many lacking the financial buffer to weather a long jobless spell, a failure to provide additional fiscal support would put the nascent recovery at risk," Daco says. "The recent flare-up in COVID-19 infections nationwide, with some states rolling back their reopening, also risks another wave of layoffs at the bottom."

Middle-class households face hurdles, too

The pandemic has revealed how much middle-income households are financially vulnerable, according to Peter Schneider, president at Primerica, a financial services provider.

Its understandable that people have anxiety about the future, says Peter Schneider, president at Primerica. Theres much concern about future employment and bills being paid.

About 51% of the middle-income families who have been financially affected by the pandemic are concerned about running out of money to pay for basic necessities by the end of the year, according to a recent survey from Primerica. The survey gauged the financial outlook and preparedness of those with annual household incomes between $30,000 to $100,000.

About 86% of middle-income households that said they have been financially impacted by the pandemic in at least some way. And respondents expressed concern about their ability to weather a medium or long-term economic downturn. Just over a third of respondents believe their personal finances will recover from the effects of the recession in the next year.

Of the more than two-thirds of respondents who received a stimulus payment, the most common uses included paying bills (49%), buying groceries (36%) and adding to savings (25%), the Primerica study showed.

About 61% of middle-income Americans have had to cut spending in the wake of the pandemic.

We are encouraged that middle-income families are making adjustments to their budgets by reducing their spending on non-necessities, Schneider says. Thats an important step toward getting on better financial footing.

Will there be a second round of stimulus?

The White House signaled its support for additional cash payments as part of the next recovery package. The House passed a Democratic bill calling for a second round of direct payments of up to $1,200 for individuals and $2,400 for joint filers. Senate Republicans also appear to be on board with an additional round of stimulus payments, although they want to limit who would qualify.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., suggested distributing the money to people who earn $40,000 or less per year, arguing they would benefit the most from another round of stimulus payments. But House Democrats in their bill, the Health and Economic Recovery Omnibus Emergency Solutions Act, or HEROES Act, are calling for the next round of $1,200 stimulus payments to go to Americans earning less than $75,000 a year.

When it comes to enhanced unemployment, Republicans argue that the $600 boost was too high and a disincentive for Americans to go back to work. Democrats have said the program should be renewed and pointed to the still-high unemployment rate, currently 11.1%.

Republicans have floated a variety of options that include reforming the enhanced benefits or even replacing them with a back-to-work bonus, but they are not keen to continue the $600 program.

Some experts argue that the government shouldnt continue to add to the growing U.S. budget deficit since improving retail sales and the labor market data point to an economic rebound.

The U.S. budget deficit reached $3 trillion in the 12 months through June as stimulus spending jumped to combat the effects of the pandemic, with the federal government headed for its largest annual deficit as a share of the economy since World War II.

If we do need more stimulus, lets give it more time and reconsider, says Dr. Michael Busler, a public policy analyst and a professor of finance at Stockton University in New Jersey. We could be going through a second wave of the pandemic, which could slow the economic rebound. But if the recovery is strong enough, it could withstand it.

Contributing: Christal Hayes and Michael Collins

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Will there be a second stimulus check? Americans face more money woes
Blaming the BJP for the political drama in Rajasthan, senior Congress leader Digvijaya Singh on Sunday asked Sachin Pilot not to leave the grand old party.

In an interview to PTI, the former Madhya Pradesh chief minister said Pilot should not follow Jyotiraditya Scindia into the BJP, as he has bright future in Congress.

His remarks follow Pilot's open rebellion against the Ashok Gehlot government, which has been on shaky ground with at least 18 legislators backing the rebel leader.

Pilot was sacked as Rajasthan deputy chief minister and the state Congress chief recently and the Congress has accused the BJP of making efforts to topple the Gehlot-led government by indulging in horse-trading.

"The BJP is behind the crisis in Rajasthan," Singh said.

The Congress veteran said he tried to call Pilot but his calls and text messages went unanswered.

"Age is on your side. Ashok (Gehlot) may have offended you, but all such issues are best resolved amicably. Dont make the mistake that Scindia made. BJP is unreliable. Nobody who joined it from any other party has succeeded there," Singh said.

He said this is the first time that Pilot hasn't responded to him.

"Sachin is like my son. He respects me and I also like him. I called him three-four times and also texted him. He didn't revert. He used to respond immediately earlier," he said.

"It is good to be ambitious. How can one move forward without having ambitions, but along with ambition, one must also have commitment to your organisation, ideology and the nation," Singh said.

"I heard that he (Pilot) may form a new party. But what is the need for it. Has Congress not given him anything? He was made an MP at 26, a Union minister at 32, the state Congress president at 34 and deputy chief minister at 38. What else does he want? Time is on his side," Singh said.

If Pilot had any issue, then as the state party unit president, he should have called a meeting and discussed the matter, he said. Pilot could have involved Congress national general secretary and Rajasthan in-charge Avinash Pande in talks with Gehlot to resolve differences, he added.

"If you have faith in your legislators, why have you have confined 18-19 of them in ITC Grand hotel at Manesar in Haryana," Singh said.

This is the same hotel where the BJP kept MLAs from Maharashtra, Karnataka and Madhya Pradesh (during political dramas in those states), he said.

Pilot should forget whatever has happened, come back and sit across the table to discuss how Congress could be strengthened, he said.
Two Somali-Canadian advocates have created an online resource specifically for racialized survivors of sexual assault, saying a centralized guide is necessary to fill gaps in both the health-care and justice systems that leave marginalized women behind.

Habon Ali of Toronto and Edmontons Asmaa Ali said existing resources are either scarce in nature or scattered across the internet, making it difficult for victims to track down the help they need. The women contend the issues persist both in the immediate aftermath of sexual violence and further down the road when victims need medical rather than legal support.

Spurred on by both the patchwork of systems at home and the death of a Black Lives Matter activist abroad, the women compiled a 28-page document listing resources, including help lines, legal services and places to obtain sexual assault kits across the country.

It was important for us to put together these resources because theres a barrier in finding them and we did our best to remove them, said Asmaa Ali, a registered nurse and recent graduate of the University of Alberta.

She said sexual violence resources in Canada are seldom geared toward intersectional communities and often leave Black, Indigenous and other people from racialized communities out of the conversation.

She and Habon Ali sought out resources that included those communities, adding their focus was on providing support to vulnerable women with intersectional experience.

The guide is also intended to provide additional help for students and immigrants, groups Habon Ali cited as particularly likely to fall through the cracks of Canadas current systems.

She said language barriers often make it difficult for ethnic minority groups to find and secure the help they need.

Sexual violence is pervasive across all social and cultural boundaries globally and its important we acknowledge the systemic inequalities that result in racial health disparities, she said.

Asmaa Ali said both women felt moved to take action in Canada after reading about the suspicious death of a young activist in the United States.

Oluwatoyin Salau was a 19-year-old advocate who went missing in early June after tweeting about being sexually assaulted by a man. She was found dead in Florida days later. Aaron Glee Jr. 49, is now charged with second-degree murder, kidnapping and sexual assault in connection with her death.

Both Canadian advocates said Salaus death highlights a stigma Black women face when they speak up against their assailants. The fact that some pay a heavy price for self-advocacy, bolstered by a growing number of online anecdotes detailing similar treatment, is what prompted them to make sexual assault supports more readily available at home.

Its sad to see the way survivors are treated when they speak up about their sexual violence, Asmaa Ali said. When BIPOC women online began to speak up about their experience it made it all the more real.

The decision to include students in the guides scope was welcome news for Sara Reza, who attends York Universitys Schulich School of Business and founded the social media account SilencedatSchulich, where racialized sexual assault survivors can share their experiences of violence and racism.

She said the number of students of colour who dont know where to turn after an alleged assault is overwhelming and heartbreaking.

Oftentimes, women of colour who are victims of sexual violence in this country come from marginalized communities that are underfunded and do not have the adequate resources to help them, Reza said.

That holds true long after the trauma of an assault, according to Siham Rayale at the University of Toronto.

The women and gender studies lecturer said systemic racism exists throughout the health-care system, citing questionable assumptions about women of colour that shape the way medical professionals have historically responded to their concerns.

We know there have been countless studies that show what medical professionals are taught about the tolerance that women of colour have for pain, Rayale said, adding such attitudes give women in need of care short-shrift when they need help the most.

She described the new online resource guide as necessary and life-saving for those who may not know how to navigate Canadas complex systems.
Russian prosecutors on Wednesday said they were conducting an inspection of a facility supposed to treat acid runoff from an abandoned Urals mine after photographs emerged of streams running orange.

Drone footage uploaded last week by an Instagram travel blogger showed a bright-orange landscape near the disused copper-sulphide mine close to the village of Lyovikha in the Urals.

"The Nizhny Tagil district prosecutors office has begun to check the facility treating the waste waters from Levikhinsky mine," spokeswoman Marina Kanatova told AFP.

The mine "is flooded and now acid rivers flow from it, poisoning everything they touch", the blogger zamkad_life wrote to describe the series of images which have since gone viral.

Videos on his account show the orange-coloured streams fanning out over the forested landscape.

The prosecutors' spokeswoman said specialists would "take samples to establish whether the treatment of the acidic water from the mine complies with the rules".

Environmentalist Andrei Volegov, who chairs a local NGO Ecopravo, said on Facebook that the polluted water was supposed to be neutralised in a technical "pond" but that the pond overflows during heavy rains.

Volegov had alerted prosecutors to the situation last year and received a reply that the company in charge of the pollutants was not properly funded and could not purchase enough lime to neutralise the acid, according to a letter he published.

According to local media, the Sverdlovsk regional government had asked for the mine to be sealed but Moscow refused on the grounds that there were still valuable resources there.

A major spill of fuel oil in the Arctic last month raised the profile of industrial pollution in Russia, where companies are often punished with only small fines and hazardous waste can be left unaddressed for years due to bureaucracy.
Ayodhya, Jul 19 (UNI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi likely to attend a brief 'Bhoomi Poojan" ceremony of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya on August 5.





Sources here on Sunday said that the PM could attend the "Bhumi Pujan" Programme in Ayodhya on August 5.



According to the schedule, the PM will be here for 90 minutes between 1100 hours and 1310 hours on August 5.

According to the sources, rituals related to the 'Bhoomi Poojan' of the Ram temple will begin at 0800 hours on August 5.



The 'Bhoomi Poojan' will be done by priests from Kashi and some priests from Varanasi, which is also the Parliamentary constituency of PM.

UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat, along with the members of the Trust and some Union Ministers, could attend the ceremony.

On Saturday, Shri Ramjanmbhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust members agreed on two dates--August 3 and August 5- for "Bhoomi Poojan" of the temple. The PMO was asked to decide on the dates as per the convenience of the PM.

General Secretary of the Trust Champat Rai had said after the meeting that after the Monsoon season, the Ram Temple trust would contact 10 crore families across the country for financial help and it will take three to three-and-half years after the finalisation of the temple's design to complete its construction.

The grand Ram Temple will be of 161 feet height while there will be 5 domes instead of 3 domes which was decided earlier.

UNI MB GK
Tonight on Back Roads guest presenter Paul West returns to Dampier Peninsula, Western Australia to discover the cultural and culinary delights of one of the last undiscovered parts of the Australian coastline.

For now, the Dampier Peninsula is hard to access as its located at the end of a rough red dirt route, the Cape Leveque Road, which starts about 60km north of Broome. Its notoriously rough, regularly floods during The Wet and is full of potholes that can swallow a four-wheel-drive. Not a trip for the faint hearted.

But the road is being graded and sealed with bitumen and this stunning wilderness area is about to be opened up to the world, once the Covid-19 restrictions are lifted.

So, join Paul on one last, rough ride from Broome to the tip of Cape Leveque with Broome based musician Harry Jakamarra. On the way, Paul will meet some of Harrys friends, such as Bardi-Nyul Nyul man and indigenous ranger Albert Wiggan, who was named Australian Geographic Societys Conservationist of the Year in 2019.
Medical experts and health agencies worldwide have spoken: Wearing face masks would help the nation curb the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Dr. Robert Redfield, the director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (C.D.C.), said data showed that face masks and covering could potentially bring the epidemic under control. He claims that having everybody wear masks could help the nation recover from the virus within four to eight weeks.

There is a host of myths being circulated that claims masks do not prevent transmission. Other posts claim coverings cause harm to wearers. Medical experts debunked the myths and explained the truth behind the controversial masks.

Myth: Homemade cloth masks protect users against COVID-19.

Earloop masks and homemade cloth face coverings do not protect the wearer from the virus. However, it helps in preventing the spread to others.

Myth: Face masks should only be worn by those who have symptoms.

COVID-19 affects people in different ways. While many develop severe illnesses, others only get mild symptoms. There are also cases where the coronavirus-positive individual never showed signs of the virus.

A recent study said asymptomatic cases are responsible for the majority of transmitted cases. The so-called silent spreaders could also sustain outbreaks.

Myth: Electroceutical fabric could neutralize the virus.

Initial research found that electroceutical fabric can neutralize the virus within a minute of coming into close contact with the cloth. The results have yet to be reviewed by peers or receive approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

Myth: Wearing a mask can lead to lower blood oxygen levels.

Several posts on various social media platforms claimed that wearing face masks could reduce the oxygen levels in the blood enough to result in hypoxemia. Health organizations have yet to issue warnings suggesting masks could deplete oxygen levels in wearers.

Masks are made with materials that do not constrict airflow. Surgeons often wear surgical masks for prolonged periods. Additionally, a device called pulse oximeters showed wearing masks would not cause a decline in blood-oxygen levels.

Myth: Only the N95 mask can limit virus transmission.

N95 masks are incredibly crucial in hospital settings, especially when doctors or nurses need to intubate a patient. However, cloth masks and surgical masks aim to keep the general public from inhaling a large volume of virus particles.

Breathing in a small amount of virus may only lead to a mild infection, at worse. However, inhaling a large volume of virus particles can result in severe or fatal symptoms.

Wearing a mask would not eliminate the risk of infection. However, it significantly reduces the chances of contracting and transmitting the virus.

A face shield with a drape at the bottom edge is also a useful alternative for face masks. In Los Angeles County, officials require employees who regularly come into contact with other people to wear a face shield.

Want to read more? Here are the latest news from the U.S.:
At Bayview Baptist Church, old toilets leak and the water bill rises. Cracked sidewalks earn citations from the city. A storage shed sits with a new foundation but no walls.

The repairs cost more than Pastor Timothy Dews, 70, can afford, after the pandemic shut his church and caused donations to dry up.

Across the bay, another religious institution has fared better. The synagogue at Congregation Beth Israel in Berkeley is also closed, but more people are attending programs and activities via Zoom, and some donors are giving larger amounts than they used to.

Weve seen some of our larger donors who have doubled, tripled, or even quintupled the contributions theyve been making, said Daniel Magid, the congregations president.

Yalonda M. James / The Chronicle

The fates of the two congregations reflect a sobering reality in the Bay Area: Much as the pandemic has worsened societal inequalities, it is also widening the divide among religious institutions. Small mosques, synagogues and churches like Dews are struggling, while larger and wealthier houses of worship are bringing in more money from well-off donors than ever before.

Its almost like a tale of two cities, said Michael G. Pappas, the executive director of the San Francisco Interfaith Council. Ive spoken with a lot of our larger anchor institutions ... and a lot of them are telling me that not only is attendance up, but giving is also.

At the same time, he said, There are a lot of congregations in the city who didnt have the resources or the support. ... Theyre the ones that are going to suffer really the most.

Houses of worship rely on donations from congregation members to maintain buildings, pay staff and offer services. Some also rent out their space or charge for day schools, in addition to getting funding from national religious organizations. Donations are the primary source of revenue now that most schools are closed and events are canceled.

Josie Norris / Special to the Chronicle

Many larger institutions have taken advantage of loans from the federal Paycheck Protection Program. But smaller ones have struggled, church leaders say; Dews, for example, did not apply for a PPP loan for his church because of gaps in its records.

Among their congregants, some religious institutions have seen a mix  people who are hard-hit, and those who are able to share relative good fortune. At the South Bay Islamic Association in San Jose, a drop in donations from unemployed worshipers has been balanced by an increase from wealthier donors.

We believe in that day of judgment, and on that day of judgment youre going to be asked: Several of your brothers and sister are in rough shape. What did you do about it? said Athar Siddiqee, the associations chairman.

The association runs one large mosque, the Masjid al-Mustafa, on the outskirts of San Jose and a smaller facility downtown. Many people who attend the downtown mosque  mostly students, as well as Uber and taxi drivers  have struggled financially during the pandemic, so the smaller mosque is now dependent on increased donations at the larger Masjid al-Mustafa, Siddiqee said.

While some donors are motivated to help those who are struggling, people are also more in touch with their mortality, Siddiqee said  so another part of it is, I want to help my bank account with the higher power ... because who knows when my time will come.

While the association can host distanced prayers outdoors at Masjid al-Mustafa, most religious institutions have been forced to cancel all in-person events due to shelter-in-place rules.

But as indoor worship services have given way to Zoom, some religious leaders were surprised by new enthusiasm among their congregations.

At Congregation Sherith Israel in San Francisco, the switch to online services and classes caused a surge in attendance  the Saturday morning Torah study, for example, has about doubled in size. The thing that we did not anticipate was the degree to which by moving things online we effectively opened the door to people who otherwise were not able to participate, said Gordon Gladstone, Sherith Israels executive director.

Air Quality Tracker Check levels down to the neighborhood Ratings for the Bay Area and California, updated every 10 minutes

Alongside increased attendance, donations have held up for Sherith Israel. Because the Jewish community refrains from handling money on the Sabbath, the congregation was already accustomed to donating online.

People who can afford to give more have an obligation to support their institutions at this moment, said Noah Alper, a donor who has increased his contribution to Congregation Beth Israel. He said the same should apply to all philanthropic organizations. My feeling is that if people can afford it, they should really step up, he said.

But for pastors like Dews and other religious leaders in the Bayview neighborhood, the lack of in-person services has often been devastating.

Many small congregations were not prepared for the switch to virtual streaming services, and countless had never used social media, according to the Rev. Joseph Bryant, the pastor at Calvary Hill Community Church in the Bayview. Dews church, for example, has not gone to Zoom. Instead it has set up toll-free conference phone lines for the large proportion of senior churchgoers uneasy with social media. But with a conference line, people cant see what the physical needs are, Dews said.

Bayview Baptists faith community is small at around 45 to 50 people. Some have lost jobs, and others faith. Dews estimates that since the shelter-in-place orders began, the church has lost out on at least $12,000 it would otherwise have raised from donors and renting out the building.

You dont have a lot of people you can talk to for advice, he said. Suddenly, youre now just not the pastor, youre an administrator.

Despite his churchs losses, Dews is determined to continue serving his community and eventually finish the repairs to the Bayview Baptist building. Its like cutting down a tree. You just keep chopping at the trunk until it falls, he said. Even if it takes eight months to knock it down.

Anna Kramer is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: anna.kramer@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @anna_c_kramer
Medical students and staff members on the COVID-19 ward at United Memorial Medical Center in Houston, Texas gather to go over patients' status at the start of their shift, July 1, 2020.

Carolyn Cole/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images

Texas schools may be allowed to start in-person as late as November, according to the new guidelines issued by the Texas Education Agency announced Friday.

These new guidelines extend the state's original announcement early July that said school districts will be able to delay in-person instruction up to the first three weeks of the academic year.

California, too, mandated Friday that a number of districts may not reopen in the fall for in-person classes.

Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

Schools in Texas may not have to resume in-person classes until November.

According to new guidelines issued by the Texas Education Agency Friday, schools will have the option to delay in-person courses for up to the first four weeks of school, and this delayed period can be extended by another set of four weeks with the vote of the school board.

The starting date for the school year depends on the district. Dallas County mandated Thursday that public and private schools must delay in-person instruction until after Labor Day, which means with the added guidelines from the state, schools could start in-person teaching as late as early November. Schools in Houston won't begin classes at all until September 8.

Dallas County HHS (@DCHHS) July 16, 2020

Additionally, the new guidelines state that high schools may offer "a less than daily on campus instructional experience," suggesting that schools may adopt a hybrid model, which combines in-person and online teaching. A number of school districts across the country, including New York City's school system, have announced plans for hybrid learning models.

These new guidelines in Texas extend the state's original announcement from early July that said school districts will be able to delay in-person instruction up to the first three weeks of the academic year.

Story continues

The updated order comes as Texas' coronavirus outbreak has worsened over the past several weeks. The state has experienced more than 305,000 coronavirus cases, according to a tracker from Johns Hopkins University.

Dr. Peter Hotez, the dean of the National School of Tropical Medicine at Baylor College of Medicine, told Business Insider's Rhea Mahbubani that Texas had "opened prematurely" when Gov. Greg Abbott decided to proceed with an "Open Texas" plan on May 1. Abbott has since halted reopening, as coronavirus cases and hospitalizations spiked in the state.

California Governor Gavin Newsom also announced Friday that he's delaying the in-person reopening of schools. He ordered 32 schools on the state's county "watch list," which tracks counties at the highest COVID-19 risk, to conduct remote learning. He said counties may be removed from the "watch list" only if they remain off the list for two consecutive weeks.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Actor Haruma Miura, who played the lead role as Eren in the liveaction adaptation "Attack on Titan," was found dead at his home in Tokyo, Japan.

He was 30 years old.

According to Kyodo News, the actor was found hanging in his home on Saturday (July 18) after his manager came to check on him since he did not go to work that day. He was immediately rushed to the hospital but was later pronounced dead.

Police believe that Haruma Miura committed suicide based on the way he was discovered in his home at the Minato ward. There was also a sucide note found in his home. However, auhtorities are still investigating and no official cause of death has been revealed.

Miura's management company Amuse Inc. released a statement to address and confirm the death of the beloved young actor.

"To fans and people concerned, we apologize for the worry and the inconvenience caused, but as to details we are still confirming and will inform you once again," Amuse Inc. said in their statement, per Kyodo News.

Haruma Miura's Work

Aside from "Attack on Titan," Miura was also popular for his roles in various Japanese films and shows.

He started in the industry at the age of 7 in the film "Agri" in 1997, and he worked his way up from there. Per Deadline, Miura did supporting roles in shows like "Binbo Danshi" and "Gokusen" before landing the lead role in "Bloody Monday."

Miura is also popular for his lead role in the live-action adaptation of "Kimi ni Todoke.

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The Covid-19 crisis has had a big impact on the performing industry. With fresh lockdowns being imposed in many Indian states, and the number of cases rising everyday, musicians enthralling an arena full of audience, still remains a distant dream. For musicians, who depend more on live gigs than sustaining themselves through just pre recorded tracks, the last four months have been extremely tough, and the near future has looks equally testing.

Delhi based band, Euphorias frontman, Palash Sen, has filed an online petition on Change.org, asking the Government to announce, immediate relief packages for musicians as well. I have been as insecure as I was 20 years ago, when I was entering the scene. For someone like me, or our band, who perform like 50-60 shows in a year, the future is not great, because we dont know when things will open up. The last four months have been tough as well, he says adding that this is the right time for  a music industry to set up, which will take care of musicians in future, in times of crisis.

Mumbai based electronic music outfit, Lost Stories, is slightly more optimistic than Sen. We just have to adapt to a better setting and evolve to be able to experience and enjoy live shows/concerts like before. The process is tedious, to be able to find alternatives overnight is also difficult but the artistes and the industry are reworking the structure and evolving with options at hand, the duo of Prayag Mehta and Rishab Joshi tell us.

Rahul Ram, bassist for another Delhi based band Indian Ocean, admits that musicians  who are essentially live performs have been hit hard by the crisis. Right now, theres no way to do a live gig, except virtually. Even then, you need a really, high speed internet connection, which enables you to play music live, virtually and seamlessly. And that will be only be possible for artists who can afford it. For smaller artists and bands its going to be extremely difficult, he says.

But,he says the band, who has been performing for 30 years, has adapted, and are excited about doing virtual gigs, which he thinks are here to stay even after the crisis is over. Revealing that the band is looking to perform two virtual concerts by the end of this month, Rahul says,  They are going to be ticketed concerts, both of them. I think its a nice way, to be able to still perform.

Electronica musician Ritviz, too feels that artistes will have to find a way to  blend in, and adjust to doing things over the Internet for a while. Digital concerts will definitely be a part of our journey. I feel we need to embrace digital revolution here. Digitalisation will always keep evolving. We just have to find a way to blend in, he says.

Virtual concerts are slowly becoming popular and are looking like becoming one of the avenues for musicians to sustain themselves financially. But, Indus Creeds guitarist, Mahesh Tinaikar doesnt feel that the concept will work in the long run. I dont think its going to be a substitute for live shows.I dont see how the technology is going to support, people sitting in different places, and playing live together.Yes, you can pre-record it and play it, all together, but live I am not sure. I dont see live gigs coming back, for the next ten months at least and that is going to really affect a lot of musicians. It already has, he adds.

Electronica artist Gurbax, who has two digital festivals coming up in the next few weeks, agrees with Tinaikar and says, At the moment, digital shows and festivals still seem to be the new norm. [But], Anyone who thinks that live shows will become totally obsolete is being overly dramatic and short-sighted.
Perennial contender, as Joseph Benavidez was characterized on UFC radio commercials last week, is not how the former Las Cruces Bulldawg longs to be remembered.

Saturday night in Abu Dhabi United Arab Emirates, however, Benavidezs fourth and almost certainly last shot at the UFC flyweight title ended in a devastating defeat.

Brazils Deiveson Figueiredo, dominant from the opening seconds, defeated Benavidez by first-round rear naked choke on the UFCs Fight Island.

The result officially was a technical submission because Benavidez, stubbornly, did not tap out  going to sleep instead.

Now 35, Benavidez is 28-7 for his career. Figueiredo is 19-1.

Afterward, Benavidez choked back tears while calling himself a lucky man.

To be able to do this is a blessing in itself, he said.

The fight was contested early in the morning Abu Dhabi time for the benefit of U.S. viewers.

Its crazy, Benavidez said.  Now its six in the morning and I just got the (expletive) beat out of me.

The fight was a rematch of a Feb. 29 meeting in Norfolk, Virginia, won by Figueiredo via second-round TKO. But because Figueiredo failed to make the 125-pound limit, the flyweight title vacated by Henry Cejudo was available only to Benavidez that night.

The result further was tainted by a head butt delivered by Figueiredo that stunned Benavidez shortly before the finish.

Saturday in Abu Dhabi, Figueiredo dropped Benavidez with a right hand 20 seconds into the fight. Benavidez spent the next few minutes desperately fending off choke attempts.

Benavidez finally got to his feet, but twice was dropped again. After the second knockdown, Figueiredo again secured a rear naked choke.

This time, Benavidez could not escape.

Benavidez twice fought and lost to Demetrious Johnson in flyweight title fights. Now he has lost twice to Figueiredo with the title on the line.

He was a two-time state wrestling champion at Las Cruces.

Benavidez lives in Sacramento, California and trains there at Team Alpha Male. But before Saturdays fight he was introduced as hailing from Las Cruces, New Mexico.

Hes married to Megan Olivi, a news and events reporter for the UFC.
By Trend





European Union leaders failed to agree on a massive stimulus fund to revive their coronavirus-hammered economies on Saturday after two days of fraught negotiations, but extended their summit for another day to try and iron out their differences, Trend reports citing Reuters.

As the 27 leaders scurried back to their hotels after a late dinner at the conference hall in Brussels, a source close to summit chairman Charles Michel said they would be handed new proposals before they reconvene at noon (1000 GMT) on Sunday.

With the pandemic dealing Europe its worst economic shock since World War Two, leaders gathered on Friday to haggle over a proposed 750 billion euro ($856 billion) recovery fund and a 2021-27 EU budget of more than 1 trillion euros.

But a group of wealthy and fiscally frugal northern states led by the Netherlands blocked progress in the first face-to-face EU summit since spring lockdowns across the continent.

They favour repayable loans rather than free grants for the hard-hit indebted economies mostly on the Mediterranean rim, and they want control over how the funds are spent.

Hopes for an agreement grew earlier on Saturday when Michel proposed revisions to the overall package designed to assuage the Dutch concerns. Under his new plan, the portion of grants in the recovery fund would be reduced to 450 billion euros from 500 billion and an emergency brake on disbursement would be added.

But hopes that this would be enough faded quickly, and even before the leaders went in for dinner, Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte made it clear the chances were bleak.

We are in an impasse now. It is more complex than what was expected, Conte said in a video on Facebook. There are many issues that remain unresolved.

The budget commissioner of the blocs executive reminded the leaders - who wore masks and kept their distance from each other - that COVID-19 was still among them and they needed to act.

Just a solemn reminder: the Corona crisis is not over: infections on the rise in many countries, Johannes Hahn tweeted. High time to reach an agreement which allows us to provide the urgently needed support for our citizens+economies!

An EU diplomat said the frugals pressed through the day for deeper cuts to the recovery fund and bigger rebates for net payers into the core EU budget, among other demands.
BEIRUT - An explosion rocked a rebel-held area in northern Syria across the border from Turkey late Sunday, killing at least five people and wounding dozens, opposition activists and Turkish state media reported.

The car bomb went off near the Bab al-Salameh border crossing with Turkey, the reports said. The area is controlled by Turkey-backed opposition fighters.

The blast killed seven and wounded more than 60, including women and children, according to the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Right. The opposition war monitor said the blast was most likely carried out by sleeper cells of the Islamic State group.

Other opposition activists said the blast killed five and wounded dozens.

Turkeys state-run Anadolu news agency reported that at least five civilians were killed and 85 wounded in the blast. The agency said that some of the wounded who were in critical condition were taken for treatment in Turkey.

It said no one claimed responsibility for the attack, adding that Kurdish fighters have carried out such attacks in the past.

Anadolu reported another blast earlier Sunday wounded 13 people, including children, in the Syrian town of Afrin, which is controlled by Turkey-backed opposition fighters.

Sundays attacks came as parliamentary elections took place in government-held parts of the war-torn country. As in previous elections in Syria, the vote will produce a rubber-stamp body loyal to President Bashar Assad.

Turkey and allied Syrian fighters took control of Afrin in 2018 in a military operation that expelled local U.S.-backed Kurdish fighters and displaced tens of thousands of Kurdish residents.

Ankara considers the Kurdish fighters who were in control of Afrin terrorists. Since then, there have been a series of attacks on Turkish targets in the area.
TDT | Manama

MV Safeen Tiger vessel made her maiden port of call in Bahrain on Thursday as part of a new UAE-Indian Sub-Continent Gulf Service (UIG) linking UAE and Bahrain to the broader Gulf region and Indian Sub-Continent.

To mark the occasion, a plaque exchange was held at Khalifa Bin Salman Port (KBSP) between Susan Hunter, CEO of APM Terminals Bahrain and Bader Hood Al Mahmood, The Assistant Undersecretary for Ports Affairs, Ministry of Transportation & Telecommunications for Bahrain.

Representatives from APM Terminals Bahrain, Ports Affairs-Ministry of Transportation and Telecommunication and Seahorse Shipping Agency were present. Safeen Tiger is the first vessel to be deployed by Safeen Feeders on the new UIG service which is a partnership between Abu Dhabi Portss Safeen Feeders and Bengal Tiger Line.

Ports on the rotation of this service include Khalifa Bin Salman Port (Bahrain)  Dammam  Jubail  Khalifa Port  Jebel Ali  Karachi  Kandla  Mundra  Nhava Sheva  Khalifa Port  Jebel Ali. The service connects Bahrain to the Indian Sub-Continent providing direct access for exporters and importers to new markets making trade more competitive, while also promoting transhipment and hinterland opportunities through Khalifa Bin Salman Port.

Welcoming the new service, Al Mahmood said: Safeen Feederss services will not only position Kingdom in international markets but also contribute to the growth of trade and commerce in line with Bahrains 2030 Vision through creating a steady and sustainable diversified economy.

We believe that Safeen Feeders will significantly improve trade between the fast-growing markets in the region and broaden the services offerings to our valued clients thus enhancing our contribution to the Kingdoms economy, Susan Hunter added.
This year, due to public health restrictions, rather than focusing on the organisation of in-person public events, local heritage groups and organisers, families and communities are being invited to develop projects around this years themes of  Heritage on your Doorstep and Heritage and Education.

Coordinated by the Heritage Council and supported local by local authority heritage officers, National Heritage Week has become one of Irelands largest cultural events, and will run this year from Saturday 15th to Sunday 23rd August.

This years new approach is designed to promote the sharing of experience and knowledge. Project ideas should be submitted to HeritageWeek.ie, and projects can be carried out July and early August. Projects should be completed in time for National Heritage Week when they will be showcased.

Catherine Casey Heritage Officer with Laois County Council said We know its a bit different this year, thats why Heritage Officers in each Local Authority will be on hand and only too happy to help people planning projects. Formats that people chose to showcase their heritage can vary from online talks or exhibitions, to a video, podcast, slideshow presentation or blog, to local press coverage, a dedicated website or social media account. Of course, there can also be small, restricted social gatherings, which comply with official public health advice. We are here to help with all aspects of developing projects.

To support project organisers in arriving at an aspect of heritage that they might want to explore under this years theme of Heritage and Education: Learning from our Heritage, three broad sub-themes can be considered for projects:

Heritage on your doorstep:

Projects might research, and collect local knowledge about a monument or landmark; explore the origins of local customs or traditions and how these may have changed over time; examine how aspects of the local landscape, such as a canal, river or lake, have influenced a community; or capturing stories from local members of the community who have survived adversity (for example, the TB epidemic of the 1940s).

Relearning skills from our heritage:

Projects could explore forgotten or overlooked skills with a view to sharing them among younger generations; document crafts, skills or trades that ones community was previously well-known for; investigate traditional remedies unique to a locality which were used to treat common aches and pains, and record the stories of individuals who remember such remedies; research traditional food preparation or preservation methods throughout the ages.

The heritage of education: Projects might explore the history of an old school which has served many generations; better understand the role of a local hedge school; delve into the history of a monastic settlement; interrogate how the experience of going to school has evolved over time.

In addition to developing new research, projects could also revisit or build on a heritage project which may already have been started at an individual, family or community level. In this instance, the National Heritage Week project could involve showcasing research already done on a monument, a waterway, or a skill or tradition in the community, and finding new ways to grow awareness of it. The Heritage Council is developing a suite of resources to support projects, which will be made available on HeritageWeek.ie

The Chairman of the Heritage Council, Laois resident Michael Parsons, said: This year, perhaps more than any other year, National Heritage Week offers a moment for community engagement and social cohesion. Heritage  in all its forms  helps us to connect with our past, build resilience and enhance our health and wellbeing. For this reason, the Heritage Council is ensuring that Heritage Week goes ahead and we have modified our approach to ensure active engagement with our heritage, while protecting public health.

During lockdown, many people around the country  in both rural and urban environments  have developed a greater appreciation for their immediate surroundings. The restrictions have caused us to reconnect with, and reconsider what can be found in our immediate locality, from noticing birds and birdsong, and changing patterns among plants and wildlife as spring became summer, to local built heritage and monuments. Others have returned to traditional skills, be that baking, growing fruit and vegetables or handcrafts, like knitting and embroidery.

National Heritage Week, and particular this years theme of Heritage and Education: Learning from our Heritage offers a chance to build on this renewed interest, by exchanging skills and knowledge in a community; exploring something new or diving deeper into the story behind something you may have recently discovered; or working as a family to renew a skill. I encourage everyone with an interest, enthusiasm or expertise in any facet of our rich heritage to consider putting together and submitting a project for National Heritage Week, and sharing it with our wider national community.
Srinagar: The Indian Army on Sunday (July 19, 2020) said that the recruitment of terrorists will go low after the encounter that took place in the Amshipora village of Shopian district in Jammu and Kashmir on July 18.

The security forces had gunned down three terrorists during an encounter that broke out in the wee hours on Saturday.

The Indian Army official also stated that they have inputs of the presence of Pakistani terrorists in the area.

Talking about the Amshipora encounter in a press conference, 2 Sector Commander, Brigadier Ajay Kotach said, "We are hopeful that there will be low recruitment of youths in terrorism and movement of Pakistani terrorists will be under control and we will neutralise them soon."

Brigadier Ajay Kotach added, "We got information about the presence of four to five terrorists in the village. At 0245 hours on July 18, while the cordon party was in the process of laying the cordon, they came under heavy fire from the fringes of the cordon and after 5 minutes they came under fire from the centre of the cordon."

He further added, "The cordon party was redeployed and additional troops rushed to the spot to strengthen the cordon. By 0430 hours, the police and CRPF had reached the operational site."

"At 0530 hours, after there was visibility, a search party was moved into the target house which was a newly constructed single house. While the search party moved in, they came under fire and in the ensuing action, three terrorists were neutralized," Brigadier Ajay Kotach said.

He stated that the dead bodies with arms and ammunition along with IED material were handed over to the police as per the standard operating procedures.

"The J&K police successfully prevented the stone peters to interfere with the operation, he added.

Earlier on July 17, three terrorists, including a self-styled top commander of Jaish-e-Mohammad, were killed and two security personnel injured in an encounter in the Kulgam district.

The security forces have so far neutralised more than 130 terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir in 2020.
Kanye West took to Twitter on Saturday to announced the July 24 release of his highly anticipated tenth studio album DONDA.

In a now deleted tweet, the 43-year-old rapper attached what appeared to be a complete track list, consisting of a total of 20 songs.

West's tweeted - and then deleted - announcement comes nearly a week after the release of the impending album's title track DONDA.

DONDA: Kanye West took to Twitter on Saturday to announced the July 24 release of his highly anticipated tenth studio album DONDA

DONDA leads with the track of the same name, followed by 24, I Feel Terrific, Futur Bounce, Keep My Spirit Alive, Lord I Need You, Off The Grid, SKMRRR, In God's Country, and God's Country.

The second half of the track list consists of Welcome To My Life, Up From The Ashes, Tell The Vision, the already released song Wash Us In The Blood (featuring Travis Scott), Everything, New Body, Hold The Line, Praise God, Life Of The Party, and the final track Hurricane.

The album's name and title track make reference to the rapper's late mother Donda West, who passed away in 2007 at the age of 58 due to complications caused by a cosmetic procedure.

'In loving memory of my incredible mother on her birthday,' wrote West last Sunday, as he unveiled the song and coinciding music video to his nearly 30million Twitter followers.

20 new songs: In a now deleted tweet, the 43-year-old rapper attached what appeared to be a complete track list, consisting of a total of 20 songs; Kanye pictured in February

For the first minute and 30-seconds of the emotional track, Kanye's mother recites the lyrics of rapper KRS-One's hit song Sound Of Da Police, while a gospel-style track hummed in the background.

Donda's powerful delivery of KRS-One's lyrics comes to an end at the one-minute and 30-second mark, in which Kanye jumps in.

At one particularly emotional part of the song, Kanye directly addressed his late mother and directly acknowledges his stubborn nature.

Dedication: The album's name and title track make reference to the rapper's late mother Donda West, who passed away in 2007 at the age of 58 due to complications caused by a cosmetic procedure

'Momma I need you to tuck me in / I done made some mistakes and they rubbed them in / I know you and Grandma had enough of them / Why I gotta be so stubborn, then?'

As he raps the thoughtful lines, a vintage video of the rapper and his mother enjoying a laugh together appears on screen.

In the video, Kanye can be seen rapping inaudibly next to his visibly proud mom before placing his arm around her and gesturing the camera to aim in her direction.

DONDA's release came nearly two-weeks after the release of Kanye's track Wash Us In The Blood featuring fellow rapper Travis Scott.

Throwback: 'In loving memory of my incredible mother on her birthday,' tweeted West last Sunday

DONDA: The emotional song - titled DONDA - is presumed to appear on Kanye's forthcoming album DONDA

Wash Us In The Blood was announced as the lead single for Kanye's forthcoming album, but the name of the album was not revealed at that time.

West shocked fans of the Fourth Of July when he announced that he would be running for president of the United States in 2020 election.

And as of Wednesday, the Heartless rapper has officially made his way onto the presidential ballot in Oklahoma, after filing the proper paperwork and forking over $35,000 to run as independent candidate in the state.
Rear Admiral Mohammad Shaheen Iqbal, who did his specialisation in anti-submarine warfare from India, has been appointed as the next Chief of Bangladesh Navy, the defence ministry said.

Iqbal, who is currently serving as the assistant navy chief, will succeed Vice Admiral Aurangzeb Chowdhury, who is retiring later this month.

Iqbal will take on his new role on July 25 with an elevated rank of vice admiral, the defence ministry said in a statement on Saturday.

"He will serve as the Chief of Navy Staff for three years till July 24, 2023," it said.

Iqbal joined Bangladesh Navy as an officer cadet in 1980 and attended various courses at home and abroad. He did his specialisation in anti-submarine warfare from India and international surface warfare course in the US. He also did a separate graduation degree from US Naval Staff College, the statement said.

He commanded various types of naval ships: frigate, offshore patrol vessel, large patrol craft and fast-attack craft, alongside several crucial shore establishments, it said.
In a massive disclosure, it has been revealed that a UK parliamentary group, whose aim is to highlight alleged human rights violations in Kashmir, received 30 lakh PKR ($17,917) from Islamabad for a visit to Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (PoK). Republic TV has accessed the payment receipt showing the amount received to the group from Islamabad.

'A benefit of between 29.7 lakh PKR & 31.2 lakh PKR'

The 'receipt' regarding the visit of all-party parliamentary groups reveals that All-Party Parliamentary Group on Kashmir (APPGK), which is chaired by Labour MP Debbie Abrahams, received a benefit of between 29.7 lakh PKR and 31.2 lakh PKR on February 18 from the Pakistan government for a visit to PoK between February 18-22.

As its purpose, the 'receipt' states - "To support the right to self-determination of the Kashmiri people through dialogue; to seek support from British parliamentarians; to highlight the abuses of human rights in Kashmir; and to seek justice for the people there."

Abrahams met Imran Khan

A report in Asian Lite stated that the Parliamentary groups are bound to declare benefits and money received worth more than 1,500 pounds on the parliamentary register. British MP Debbie Abrahams, who was critical of Indian government's move to end the special status of Jammu and Kashmir, was stopped from entering India on February 17. The following day, she reached Pakistan and met Imran Khan.

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) said that her visa was cancelled and she was informed about the same 'timely and with the due process'. "British MP Debbie Abrahams' e-visa was cancelled so she was not allowed entry in Delhi today (after she arrived at Indira Gandhi International Airport on Emirates flight from Dubai at 9 am). She was informed about it timely and with due process," the MHA said in a statement.

READ | 'Come together to help all those affected': Sachin Pilot tweets on Assam & Bihar floods

In a statement, Abrahams alleged that she was treated like a criminal and prevented by the Indian authorities from meeting friends and family in Delhi.

"Along with everyone else, I presented myself at the immigration desk with my documents including my e-visa, had my photograph taken and then the official looked at his screen and started shaking his head. Then he told me my visa was rejected, took my passport and disappeared for about 10 minutes. When he came back he was very rude and aggressive, shouting at me to 'come with me," she said in a statement.

READ | Full interview: Kangana Ranaut speaks to Arnab, talks about Sushant Singh Rajput case

"I told him not to speak to me like that and was then taken to a cordoned-off area marked as a Deportee Cell. He then ordered me to sit down and I refused. I didn't know what they might do or where else they may take me, so I wanted people to see me," she said. Indian officials had refuted her claim, contending that she had been treated the same way as anyone else would have been.

READ | Haryana: Suspended physical trainers stage protest, social distancing goes for a toss

However, this is not the first time APPGK has received funds from Islamabad. On September 17, 2018, the Pakistan High Commission in London gave around 12,000 pounds to the group to fund a visit to Islamabad and Kashmir between September 17-20 that year.

READ | Ramp up rapid-antigen COVID testing, increase ambulances in districts: UP CM to officials
The intense political intrigue unfolding in Rajasthan through allegations and counter allegations-- ranging from horse trading aimed at toppling Ashok Gehlot government to illegal phone tapping by the state-- has now caught former chief minister and BJP stalwart Vasundhara Raje in its crosshairs, following suggestions by a Congress MLA that one of the accused arrested for allegedly enticing Congress MLAs into rebellion had been invoking her name, according to news agency ANI.

Sanjay Jain (arrested by SOG, Rajasthan Police) had come to me eight months back. He had asked me to meet Vasundhara ji and others. There are other agents like him but they didnt succeed in their attempts. Sanjay Jain had been active for a long time, Congress MLA Rajendra Guda was quoted as saying by ANI.

Guda, however, didnt explicitly state the nature of the offer to meet Vasundhara Raje.

Also Read: Cooking tips, yoga keep Ashok Gehlots MLAs busy at Rajasthan hotel

Vasundhara Raje has been reticent during the current political turmoil triggered by Congress leader and former Rajasthan deputy chief minister Sachin Pilot and his follower MLAs rebellion against the Gehlot government. Her reaction on Saturday, alleging that the BJP was unfairly being targeted for the discord in the Congress and that the state was paying for it, was her first widely-reported comment on the current situation.

Hanuman Beniwal, a Rashtriya Loktantrik Party MP from Nagaur had earlier alleged that Raje was involved in efforts to save the Gehlot government from behind the scenes. RLPs three MLAs support the BJP in the state assembly.

On Saturday, Vasundhara Raje reacted to such allegations and said she was a loyal BJP worker for the last three decades and was committed to the party ideology.

Some people are continuously trying to spread confusion over Rajasthans political situation. I have served the people as a loyal BJP worker for over three decades and I stand with the partys ideology, she tweeted.

The present development comes amid a raging blame game over alleged illegal phone tapping of politicians by the state within the larger tussle for political power between the Congress and the BJP.

Also Read: BJP demands CBI probe into Rajasthan phone tap

Leader of opposition in Rajasthan assembly and senior BJP leader Gulab Chand Kataria alleged on Sunday that chief minister Ashok Gehlots OSD (officer on special duty) could have been involved in illegal phone tapping.

Government has a right to tap phones but only after bringing it into the knowledge of and with approval from the Home Department. No private person is authorised to do it. Some Lokesh Sharma, who is said to be OSD to CM, had done it. Hes not authorised, he violated law, Kataria was quoted as saying by ANI.

Kataria was referring to two audio clips doing the rounds of social media cited by Congress as evidence of BJPs involvement in alleged inducement of Congress MLAs with an aim to bring down Ashok Gehlot government. The Congress has alleged that union minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat is heard on the tape. Both Shekhawat and the party have denied the allegations and demanded a CBI probe in the matter to get to the bottom of unauthorised phone tapping by the state.

The Congress has responded to the demand by saying it amounted to an admission of guilt by the BJP.
Public preference for Joe Biden over Donald Trump in trust to handle the coronavirus pandemic has soared since March in the latest ABC News/Washington Post poll, boosting Biden  along with other measures  in the race for the White House.

Three and a half months ago the two candidates were virtually even in trust to handle the pandemic, Trump +2 percentage points, 45-43%. Today, with COVID-19 cases surging around the nation, Biden leads Trump on the issue by a 20-point margin, 54-34%.

See PDF for full results, charts, and tables.

Bidens also advanced, nearly to par with Trump, in trust to handle the economy, after trailing in March. Biden leads Trump by 9 points on handling crime and safety, a focal point of Trumps in recent weeks. And on race relations, Biden leads by his largest margin, 25 points, 58-33%.

Biden has his own risks, particularly a pronounced lack of enthusiasm for his candidacy. Yet the impact of that deficit remains to be seen: For two-thirds of his supporters, its chiefly not about electing Biden, but about defeating Trump.

The president, moreover, has other challenges, ranging from performance assessments to personal attributes. As reported Friday, approval of his handling of the pandemic has fallen from 51% in late March to 38% now, with disapproval up 15 points. Hes lost 7 points in approval of his handling of the economy, to 50%, with disapproval up 9.

Trumps overall job approval rating is 39% in this poll, produced for ABC by Langer Research Associates  down 9 points in the course of the pandemic, with disapproval up 11. Trump remains the first president in modern polling never to achieve majority approval for his work in office, with the lowest career average on record.

Rising disapproval of Trumps job performance is broadly based. Its up 22 points since March among those very worried about catching the coronavirus, to 82%. Its also up in two of his key support groups, +20 points among rural Americans and +12 points among evangelical white Protestants, to 45 and 30%, respectively. Disapproval also is up especially among Southerners (+18 points); and Blacks, women, moderates and suburbanites, all up 15 to 16.

Story continues

By partisanship, Democrats now disapprove nearly unanimously of Trumps work in office, up 17 points in three and a half months to 95%; 56% of independents also disapprove, up 11. Among Republicans, 16% disapprove, up 10 points from late May.

Beyond job approval, Biden leads Trump by 26 points in being seen as having the better personality and temperament to serve as president. In a related finding, a vast 76% of Americans say Trump, in talking about people he disagrees with, crosses the line in terms of whats acceptable. Fifty points fewer, 26%, say Biden does the same.

Sixty-one percent say Trump has done more to divide than to unite the country, more than said so about either of his two predecessors in office. When asked which candidates would do more to unite Americans, Biden leads by another wide margin, 57-33%.

Biden leads by double digits on other personal attributes as well  better understanding the problems of people like you (+17 points), being more honest and trustworthy (+14), better representing your personal values (+12) and having a better idea of what America should stand for (+10). Trump pushes to parity on just one, whos the stronger leader, an even 45-45% split.

While views are similar among registered voters, Biden loses ground on three of these items among those who are likeliest to vote. In the largest difference, he goes from a 26-point lead among all adults in having the personality and temperament needed to serve as president to a slight 11-point edge among likely voters, 53-42%. He also slips among likely voters in who better understands their problems and whos the stronger leader.

Vote Preference

These gaps in views of the candidates inform their current standings: Americans divide 54-39% in Bidens favor if the election were today. Among registered voters, the margins the same, 55-40%. Among likely voters Biden still leads, albeit by a closer 10 points, 54-44%, signaling the customary GOP advantage in turnout  potentially one of Trumps strongest weapons.

Bidens advantage among registered voters is up from a virtual dead heat, 49-47%, in late March, before the spiraling pandemic situation hammered Trumps ratings. Biden, similarly, was just +4 among registered voters in January, as economic sentiment hit a 20-year high. That said, what comes can go: Biden led Trump by 17 points last October and 15 in September, leads that he then relinquished, only to fully regain his footing now.

Trump's retreat since the early days of the coronavirus outbreak has been largest in one of his core groups, rural Americans, with his lead among registered voters in this group shrinking from 47 points in late March to 18 points now, 56-38%. As noted Friday, his rating for handling the pandemic also has fallen especially sharply in rural areas. (The race is 52-43%, Biden-Trump, among suburbanites, and 68-27% in urban areas, both essentially steady.)

Regional shifts also are substantial. Biden's advanced in the Midwest, from a dead heat to a 17-point lead. Its close in the South, 50-44%, Biden-Trump, compared with a 13-point Trump lead in late March. And Biden is ahead by 15 points in the Northeast and a broad 30 points in the West.

In a key center group, Biden leads by 54-37% among independents, unchanged from May but up from an even split in March.

Biden now leads by 25 points among women, double his margin in late March, and is a non-significant +4 among men, compared with -9 among men then. This includes a broad 60-36% Biden lead among suburban women, compared with a virtual dead heat among suburban men, 49-45%, Trump-Biden.

Biden holds a 30-point lead among college graduates, 63-33%, vs. +15 points in late March. (Hillary Clinton won this group by just 10 points in 2016, 52-42%.) And Trump has gone from an 18-point lead among white registered voters to a scant 4 points now, while 94% of Black registered voters support Biden.

White Catholics, potentially a swing voter group, divide essentially evenly, 51-47%, Trump-Biden, vs. +13 for Trump in March; Trump won white Catholics by 61-37% in 2016. Trump currently does better, 61-34%, among non-college white men, but this is a group he won with 71% four years ago. Across the political spectrum, college-educated white women favor Biden by 60-38%, compared with their 51-44% vote for Clinton over Trump in 2016.

Trump retains support from 90% of registered voters who say they voted for him in 2016, but loses 8% of them to Biden. Biden, for his part, wins 95% of Clintons 2016 supporters, with 3% going to Trump.

Notably, too, Biden wins registered voters who are very worried about catching the coronavirus by an overwhelming 82-14%, and those who are somewhat worried by a narrower 53-41%. Those who are less worried, by contrast, prefer Trump, 69-26%.

Indeed, in a statistical analysis called regression, being worried about catching the coronavirus is a significant independent predictor of vote preference, controlling for other factors including partisanship, ideology and demographics.

Mail it?

Eighty-six percent of registered voters say theyre certain to cast a ballot in the November election, somewhat higher than typical at this point in recent cycles  it was 79 to 81% in July 2016, 2012 and 2008 alike.

In what manner theyll vote is another question. Thirty-eight percent of Americans say theyd prefer to vote by mail, 59% in person. In 2016, for context, 24% voted by mail, according to the U.S. Election Assistance Commission.

Its a key point of interest given efforts by some states to encourage mail-in voting as a way to avoid virus infection at in-person polling places. If mail balloting does surge, counting those ballots could delay the vote count beyond election night.

Trump has pushed back against mail-in voting, alleging that its open to fraud, and the argument has some resonance: Forty-nine percent see voting by mail as vulnerable to significant levels of fraud, while 43% think adequate protections against significant fraud are in place.

Partisanship divides these views. Among Biden supporters, just 28% see mail-in voting as vulnerable to substantial fraud, and 54% say its how they prefer to vote. Among Trump supporters, by contrast, 78% see mail-in voting as vulnerable, and only 17% prefer to vote that way.

Among people who prefer to vote by mail, 23% see it as vulnerable to significant fraud. This soars to 67% of those who prefer to vote in person.

Other factors come into play. Preference to vote by mail is much higher in the West, 56%, likely reflecting its prevalence there, vs. as low as 25% in the Northeast. Its also much higher among college graduates than non-graduates.

From how people vote to whom they vote for, the course of the pandemic is a clear wildcard in the November election. So, as noted, is the question of enthusiasm. Among registered voters who support Trump, 69% are very enthusiastic about doing so, much better than it was for him in 2016. That compares with 39% enthusiasm for Biden among his supporters. To the extent that enthusiasm translates to turnout, this could put Bidens current lead in jeopardy.

Then again, motivation for Biden may come from another direction. Among Trumps supporters, 72% say its more important to them to re-elect Trump than to defeat Biden. Among Bidens supporters, its almost the opposite: Sixty-seven percent say their main interest is to defeat Trump.

Allison De Jong, Christine Filer, Steven Sparks and Sofi Sinozich contributed to this report.

Methodology

This ABC News/Washington Post poll was conducted by landline and cellular telephone July 12-15, 2020, in English and Spanish, among a random national sample of 1,006 adults, including 845 registered voters. Results have a margin of sampling error of 3.5 points for the full sample and 4.0 points among registered voters, including design effects. Partisan divisions are 30-24-39%, Democrats-Republicans-independents.

The survey was produced for ABC News by Langer Research Associates of New York, N.Y., with sampling and data collection by Abt Associates of Rockville, Md. See details on the surveys methodology here.

Pandemic surge damages Trump, boosting Biden's White House bid: POLL originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
Churches are in dispute with an insurer which convinced parishes to 'put your faith in us'  but which they allege failed to pay out on claims made as a result of the pandemic lockdown.

They are seeking to clarify in court whether Ecclesiastical Insurance should have to issue payouts to those covered by its Parish Plus insurance policies.

The churches stand to benefit from a test case about to be brought by the financial watchdog on behalf of tens of thousands of businesses and organisations.

Faith: Churches stand to benefit from a test case about to be brought by FCA on behalf of tens of thousands of businesses and organisations

Ecclesiastical is also facing potential insurance claims from schools, nurseries, charities and 'heritage' businesses.

The Financial Conduct Authority action also affects a string of other insurers including Hiscox, RSA and Zurich.

The FCA, whose test case begins tomorrow, points out in court documents that cover offered by Ecclesiastical's insurance policy encourages customers to 'put your faith in us'.

The company  which counts Sir Stephen Lamport, former Private Secretary to the Prince of Wales, as a board member  prides itself on being an ethically run insurer.

Ecclesiastical has argued in documents: 'This case is not, however, about providing sympathy to SME businesses (or charities or churches) for their economic sufferings.'

The watchdog said: 'Ecclesiastical appears to deny that there was any prevention of access to churches at any time, any hindrance of access to churches at any time, any prevention of use of churches at any time, any hindrance of use of churches prior to 23 March 2020, any prevention or hindrance of access or use of any other insureds, including schools, nurseries and heritage and leisure organisations at any time. This is an untenable position.'

Hiscox revealed in court papers that more than 30,000 of its policyholders will be affected by the outcome of the case.

If the FCA action succeeds, Hiscox could be forced to pay out to these small business customers.

There could also be further legal disputes over how much the individual policyholders are owed.

The insurer argued: 'It ought to be self-evident that none of the Hiscox wordings in the test case provides cover for loss caused by pandemics.'

Hiscox Action group, which comprises 369 businesses with Hiscox policies, accused the insurer of 'over-intellectualising and over-complicating' the issues.
On July 1, the Texas A&M Engineering Experiment Station's (TEES) National Center for Therapeutics Manufacturing (NCTM) received funding from the National Institute for Innovation in Manufacturing Biopharmaceuticals (NIIMBL) to help find a way to prevent the SARS-CoV-2 virus from binding to cells, protecting people from future infections.

NCTM is producing spike proteins to identify antibodies that can attach to the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein receptor-binding domain and prevent the virus from binding to key sites, thus obstructing the virus from entering and infecting human cells.

There are hundreds of virus-fighting antibodies in plasma, and using recombinant spike proteins is the fastest way to detect the correct ones we need to fight COVID-19." Zivko Nikolov, Professor in the Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering at Texas A&M University and Director of NCTM

NCTM's strategy is derived from the case of Kent Brantly, an American doctor who donated his plasma after surviving Ebola to help others recover as well. Doctors and scientists identified antibodies in his blood that could recognize the Ebola virus and prevent it from multiplying further in patients. Similarly, NCTM researchers are making versions of COVID-19 spike proteins that can be used to measure antibody responses to the SARS-CoV-2 virus spike proteins in order to aid in the recombinant development of these antibodies in the future.

NCTM's spike proteins will also be useful once a COVID-19 vaccination is available.

"Beyond screening convalescent plasma, the spike proteins will be needed to determine if protective responses are being generated in response to the vaccination, how long responses persist and if having antibodies to the spike protein provides a person with immunity such that they can safely return to the workplace without fear of reinfection," said TEES research scientist Susan Woodard.

NCTM is collaborating with the Army Research Lab (ARL), where research affiliates have been studying coronavirus spike proteins since 2013. The most promising constructs designed by ARL partners have been shared with NCTM to produce more proteins. The proteins that NCTM make in cell culture will be provided to ARL, and they will work with Houston Methodist Hospital to use the purified material in serology assays to screen donors for convalescent plasma therapy. ARL will also use NCTM's proteins to screen monoclonal antibodies that neutralize the virus.

The purified spike proteins are important for determining the strength of antibodies present in recovered COVID-19 patients, and antibodies made against the spike proteins are expected to prevent the virus from binding to and infecting human cells.

"I am excited to scale up the effort to produce spike proteins and to deliver hundreds of milligrams of purified proteins to collaborators at the ARL, Houston Methodist Hospital, the U.S. Department of Commerce's National Institute of Standards and Technology and NIIMBL," Nikolov said. "I truly believe NCTM is uniquely qualified to respond to the education, training and applied research needs of Texas A&M University and the broader community."
The wife of CNN anchor Chris Cuomo is facing a barrage of criticism after participating in a yoga class in an empty Jimmy Choo store in the Hamptons, without wearing a face mask, while gym owners in the state beg the governor to allow them to reopen.

Cristina Cuomo, whose brother-in-law Andrew Cuomo is the governor of New York, posted the hour-long private yoga class to her Instagram on Thursday.

'As we cant do yoga in a studio yet, we practiced together at the new @jimmychoo store in East Hampton, alone in this serene space, eying the beautiful collection of shoes,' she said, captioning the video of her with instructor Erika Halweil.

Cuomo, 50, is the publisher of wellness magazine Purist.

She tested positive for COVID-19 in April, having caught it off her husband, and wore a face mask for the first minute of her video, before removing it for the rest of the hour.

Cristina Cuomo promoted her magazine Purist before the hour-long class on Thursday

Cuomo and her teacher Erika Halweil wore masks at first, but removed them for the class

There is no plan yet to reopen gyms in New York, even as the whole state moves to Phase Four as of Monday - the final stage in reopening.

Gyms, like theaters and the majority of shopping malls, will remain closed for the foreseeable future.

Cuomo did her yoga surrounded by pairs of Jimmy Choo shoes, and promoted in particular the Ray shoes, which sell for $695 a pair.

The backlash online was swift in coming.

'Why is it @CristinaCuomo can workout indoors in the Hamptons Jimmy Choo store with a trainer, WITH NO MASKS ON, and I cant open my gym within the CDC guidelines?' tweeted Marco Guanilo, owner of Momentum Fitness in New York City.

Cuomo with her husband Chris, a CNN anchor. Both caught COVID-19 in April

Marco Guanilo, owner of Momentum Fitness in New York City, was angered by the video

Podcast host Joe Miller pointed out the family broke the rules previously over Easter

He linked to a July 17 tweet from Governor Cuomo saying that gyms, as indoor places, were not reopening any time soon.

One man tweeted: 'You guys didnt realize? America is turning into one of those countries where the ruling political class can do whatever the hell they want, while the people cant.'

Podcast host Joe Miller added: 'They also had Easter dinner with extended guests after telling us dont go visit gramma..... #rulesdontapplyhere.'

And Anthony Renna, owner of Five Iron Fitness in New York City, attacked Cuomo for the family's double standards.

'How about this for hypocrisy,' he wrote on Facebook.

'Cristina Cuomo is selling her products while working out indoors at the Hamptons Jimmy Choo with her trainer; No social distancing, no masks.

'Why is this ok?

'Why is she allowed to do this and all of these gyms about to go out of business can't do one on one training safely?

'You can't make this up.'
Metro Austin TX Garage Repairs company, a popular garage doors Austin TX company explains three easy ways to contact its team. The company gives more options to make sure that people who need immediate help can contact the company right away. It is also related to their preferences. Some people love to use the internet to contact garage doors services whereas the rest love to call it by phone. The CEO explained, We wanted to give an easy and fast way for people who want to contact our company. We hope that this service can help people who need our support immediately. They can contact us with the tool that they often use.

The company uses a free quote box on the official website. People only have to complete the box and submit it. The customer service will reply to the question right away via their active email address. Moreover, the company also provides its clients with the Contact Us page. This page helps people who want to know more about the garage door services by the company. It works well for those who want to use one of the services from the company. People can also contact the company by phone. It is a good option for those who are living close to the company.

The CEO stated, We wanted to help more people. The contact options we offer are also to cover our garage door repair north Austin service. We hope that people who live in north Austin can call us easily. They only have to visit our official website to use those contact options. The main purpose of giving more contact options is to improve the services from the first-level to the next level. The company expects that the services will be a remarkable solution for people in Austin who want to install a garage door or maintain it. Indeed, it will be useful for those who have to repair a garage door as soon as possible.

The CEO explained, It is also our way to understand what people need as well as to let them know what we can offer to them. They can ask anything about garage doors, especially our services that are suitable for them. It is also a way to keep a good relationship with our clients. Indeed, we hope that we can help a lot of people across Austin to have a good quality garage door.

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C Shivakumar By

Express News Service

CHENNAI: In a bid to woo investments for the defence industrial corridor, the State government is planning to tweak the Aerospace and Defence Industrial Policy, which was unveiled at the second edition of the Global Investors Meet, according to Chairperson and Managing Director of Tamil Nadu Industrial Development Corporation Usha Kakarala. She was speaking at the fifth edition of the virtual conference on aerospace & defence manufacturing technologies with the theme of empowering India with Aatma Nirbhar Bharat Mission organised by the Tamil Nadu Technology Development and Promotion Centre of Confederation of Indian Industry in partnership with Society of Indian Defence Manufacturers.

The policy, which was unveiled by then Defence Minister Nirmala Seetharaman a year ago, will include more incentive packages to woo investment in the defence corridor, a top official in the industry department told Express. It is learnt that the state is targeting investments worth $10 billion in the next five to 10 years in the six clusters identified in the state - Chennai, Coimbatore, Kancheepuram, Krishnagiri, Salem and Trichy. The policy aims to create an end-to-end ecosystem for aerospace sector development covering design, engineering and manufacturing of aircraft for the civil and defence sector.

The plan is also to attract Original Equipment Manufacturers and tier-1 suppliers and India majors as anchor units, by providing required facilities and support at competitive rates, the official said. Dr G Satheesh Reddy, Secretary, Department of Defence, Research and Development, and Chairman, Defence Research and Development Organisation, highlighted that DRDO is filtering out patents which are promising for the industry. He said 87 per cent of Akaash Missile System, where subsystems and technology came from the industry, highlights the success of public-private partnership.

There are a lot of schemes available to support and handhold industries to undertake in-house production. Shripad Yesso Naik, Minister of State for Defence, said Covid has given an opportunity for State to attract new investment from companies in countries like Germany, Finland, Taiwan, France, Korea, Japan, China, the US, Australia, the UK and The Netherlands. The government is focusing on developing a strong domestic capability in defence to give greater impetus for economic growth, skilled job creation and to support growth of domestic manufacturers and MSMEs.
WASHINGTON  An agitated President Trump offered a string of combative and often dubious assertions in an interview aired Sunday, defending his handling of the coronavirus with misleading evidence, attacking his own health experts, disputing polls showing him trailing in his re-election race and defending people who display the Confederate flag as victims of cancel culture.

The presidents remarks, delivered in an interview on Fox News Sunday, amounted to a contentious potpourri more commonly found on his Twitter feed and at his political rallies.

The difference this time was a vigorous attempt by the host, Chris Wallace, to fact-check him, leading to several clashes between the two on matters ranging from the coronavirus response to whether Mr. Trump would accept the results of the election should he lose.

Free rapid tests. The Biden administrations new website allowing each U.S. household to order up to four free at-home coronavirus tests went live on Jan. 18  a day in advance of its formal launch. The website says the tests will ship in seven to 12 days.

The president made a litany of false claims about his administrations handling of the virus, despite evidence that key officials and public health experts advising the president made crucial missteps and played down the spread of the disease this spring. In the interview, Mr. Trump falsely claimed that the United States had one of the lowest mortality rates in the world from the virus. Thats not true, sir, Mr. Wallace said. Do you have the numbers, please? Mr. Trump said. Because I heard we had the best mortality rate. The United States has the eighth-worst fatality rate among the countries currently most affected by the coronavirus, and the death rate per 100,000 people  42.83  ranks it third-worst, according to data on the countries most affected by the coronavirus compiled by Johns Hopkins University. Mr. Trump said that by increasing testing, his administration was creating trouble for the fake news to come along and say, Oh, we have more cases.

Mr. Trump falsely claimed that the coronavirus case rate in other countries was lower than in the United States because those nations did not engage in testing. When Mr. Wallace pointed out a low case rate across the European Union, the president suggested it was possible that those countries dont test. And when Mr. Wallace pointed out that the death rate in the United States was rising, Mr. Trump replied by blaming China. Excuse me, its all too much, it shouldnt be one case, Mr. Trump said. It came from China. They shouldve never let it escape. They shouldve never let it out. But it is what it is. Take a look at Europe, take a look at the numbers in Europe. And by the way, theyre having cases.

Mr. Trump called Dr. Anthony S. Fauci, the nations top infectious disease expert, an alarmist who provided faulty information in the early days of the coronavirus pandemic. I dont know that hes a leaker, Mr. Trump said during the interview. Hes a little bit of an alarmist. Thats OK. A little bit of an alarmist. Mr. Trump said that Dr. Fauci had been against his decision to close the borders to travelers from China in January. That is misleading: While Dr. Fauci initially opposed the idea on the grounds that a ban would prevent medical professionals from traveling to hard-hit areas, he supported the decision by the time it was made. Mr. Trump also said Dr. Fauci had been against Americans wearing masks. Dr. Fauci has said he does not regret urging Americans not to wear masks in the early days of the pandemic, citing a severe shortage of protective gear for medical professionals at the time.
Washington:

Bernie Sanders is leaving open the possibility of another presidential bid as shell-shocked liberals focus on helping the Democratic Party rebuild after Donald Trumps victory.



Four years is a long time from now, said the 75-year-old Vermont independent, noting that he faces re-election to the Senate in 2018. But he added: Well take one thing at a time, but Im not ruling out anything.



Democrats have begun postelection soul searching, with Sanders and Sen Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass, urging the party to embrace a more populist economic message. As some Democrats protested across the country, the partys liberal wing began jockeying for power, arguing that Clintons loss could be attributed to her reluctance to fully focus on economic inequality and tougher Wall Street regulations.



The final results may have divided usbut the entire electorate embraced deep, fundamental reform of our economic system and our political system, Warren told the AFL-CIO on Thursday. Working families across this country are deeply frustrated about an economy and a government that doesnt work for them.



Warren laid out the principles she believes should govern Democrats during the Trump era: Standing up to bigotry, pushing for economic equality and combatting the influence of Wall Street.



We will fight back against attacks on Latinos, African Americans, women, Muslims, immigrants, disabled Americans on anyone. Whether Donald Trump sits in a glass tower or sits in the White House, we will not give an inch on this, not now, not ever, she said.



The sweeping Republican gains have thrown the future of the party into uncertainty, as Democrats process the scale of their losses and try to figure out the best way to come back in the 2018 elections. The Democratic National Committee may end up being ground zero for the fight, with no clear successor in line to replace interim chairwoman Donna Brazile.

Sanders is backing Minnesota Rep Keith Ellison.



Warren and Sanders were articulating the frustrations among many liberals in the aftermath of Trumps stunning triumph over Hillary Clinton. But their influence underscores another problem facing Democrats: Many of the partys leading voices are senior citizens, older than their core constituencies of young and minority voters. Warren is 67.



Sanders said that millions of working-class voters decision to back Trump was an embarrassment to the party and Democrats must take a strong stand against the role of corporate interests in politics. He said the party as a whole was unable to make a strong enough case to struggling workers, particularly in the industrial Midwest, who sided with Trump.



You cannot be a party which, on one hand, says were in favour of working people, were in favour of the needs of young people, but we dont quite have the courage to take on Wall Street and the billionaire class. People do not believe that. Youve got to decide which side youre on.

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The "green zone," among others, includes Turkey, Egypt, Albania, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Serbia, Croatia, Poland, Greece, Hungary, Latvia, and Romania.

Ukrainian Health Minister Maksym Stepanov has said Ukrainians are not required to self-isolate for two weeks when returning from the countries of the so-called "green zone."

The minister reiterated the government had updated the criterion for referring countries to the so-called "green zone," increasing the threshold of active patients from 40 to 55 per 100,000 people.

"After increasing this threshold, our citizens who return from these countries are not required to self-isolate for two weeks," Stepanov said at a daily briefing on Sunday, July 19.

Read alsoOver 700 new COVID-19 cases confirmed in Ukraine in past day

As UNIAN reported earlier, on July 16, the Health Ministry published an updated list of countries of the "red" and "green" zones in terms of active patients per 100,000 people for Ukraine.

The "red zone" includes the United States, Armenia, Israel, Montenegro, Russia, Moldova, Kazakhstan, and Belarus.

The "green zone," among others, includes Turkey, Egypt, Albania, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Serbia, Croatia, Poland, Greece, Hungary, Latvia, and Romania. A complete list of countries is available here.

The incidence rate in Ukraine is over 62 active patients with COVID-19 per 100,000 people.
Reysie Beekmann, a NexRep agent, with her son Reysie Beekmann

When Gary Britton took over Teladoc's call center operation six years ago, he shunned the outsourcing model and hired exclusively in-house so support reps could be part of the company culture. His strategy worked until surging demand early this year from the coronavirus forced Britton to look elsewhere. "Our call volume just went through the ceiling," said Britton, who lives in the Dallas area. Teladoc offers virtual medical visits, a business that's booming as many hospitals are at capacity and patients prefer to stay home to avoid potential exposure to Covid-19. To help manage the spike, Britton turned to NexRep, which hires contractors across the country for call center work. NexRep, an 11-year-old company, was built for this moment. Its reps work remotely, allowing them to stay home with their kids or ailing relatives if needed. During the current pandemic, NexRep has enabled Teladoc to expand its contact center staff by 40% or more, depending on the week. Education has been another big market, with colleges nationwide going remote and needing to respond to a flood of student and parent inquiries.

The pool of workers available to NexRep is at an all-time high with the U.S. mired in its worst economic crisis since the Great Depression. The latest employment report showed that initial jobless claims totaled at least 1 million for a 17th straight week, and the hospitality and travel industries, in particular, have been decimated. Grocery delivery provider Instacart, like Teladoc, has seen massive growth by giving consumers a way to get their essentials without going to the store. An Instacart spokesperson said the company has increased its care team by 15-fold, with help from NexRep, and has added agents from companies like Hilton and Hertz.

Better than 'backbreaking labor'

Tamara Gordon, a 40-year-old single mother in Atlanta, joined NexRep in April to work on the Instacart account. Gordon is a full-time public school teacher who was working overnight shifts at an Amazon warehouse three nights a week to supplement her income. Gordon said she was exhausted from the "backbreaking labor" as well as the 45-minute drive each way to the warehouse. When coronavirus numbers started rising, she faced the added concern of infecting herself and her teenage kids, so she started looking for jobs she could do from home. Through a Facebook post, she came across NexRep. Gordon had to take a pay cut, from between $15 and $18 an hour at Amazon to $10 at NexRep. But she gets to choose her own hours and can take the work with her on vacation, logging on from the beach or while visiting family in Connecticut. For Instacart, she handles text chats or calls from people who didn't receive their order or were sent damaged goods.

Tamara Gordon and her kids on a dolphin tour in Georgia Tamara Gordon

"I was leaving my kids home at night while going to Amazon and was super tired working during the day," Gordon said. "I really like the flexibility of NexRep. It supplements my teacher income, which I need to do." Teddy Liaw, NexRep's CEO, said his company was receiving 7,000 applications a week by mid-June, up from 2,000 before the pandemic. NexRep added 4,000 positions in three months, he said. Workers typically make between $10 and $25 an hour, averaging $12 to $14, Liaw said. While they aren't high-paying jobs, they can serve as an alternative for people who have worked in factories or supermarkets and are now worried about getting sick. They can also help Uber and Lyft drivers, who have seen ridership plummet. Employees have to understand that it's contract work, meaning they don't get health benefits or vacation time. Liaw said that's all made clear from the beginning. "You don't have to expose yourself to Covid and you don't have to commute," Liaw said. "These jobs aren't tied to educational attainment and you can actually keep yourself and family safe." NexRep does all the due diligence on prospects before hiring them and assigning them to projects. Liaw said the company only accepts 3% to 5% of applicants. After they join and go through virtual training and certification, agents get to schedule their hours and can work from anywhere, as long as they have a solid internet connection.

NexRep CEO Teddy Liaw NexRep

Reysie Beekmann was working at a hospital in Colorado in March, and had to resign after schools closed so she could stay home with her 7-year-old son. Beekmann, 30, had tried NexRep in the past but didn't put much effort into it. Now, in need of the income, she's putting in 40 hours or more a week, starting as early as 3 a.m., which allows her to spend much of the day with her son. Beekmann works as a rep for companies that pitch fitness products on TV infomercials. She earns commissions from sales and can make more if customers add to their purchase while on the call. Beekmann said she's earned as much as about $1,400 in a week, and generally pulls in in two to three times her income from the hospital, where she worked in education. "If I take a day off right now and want to make up for it, I can always do it," said Beekmann. "The biggest selling point is to be able to be at home and spend more time with your family."

Bringing work back to the U.S.

NexRep uses technology from Five9, whose cloud-based software powers contact centers. Like many cloud software providers, Five9's stock price hit a record this month and is up 71% for the year as investors bet that the work-from-home trend is here to stay. Five9 CEO Rowan Trollope said he expects to see an "onshoring" of labor, as companies with expanding customer support needs recognize that they can keep expenses down domestically by having people work remotely. "With tens of millions of people out of work, it feels like a great opportunity to go after that talent and enable them to do customer support from their homes," Trollope said. Compared to Five9, Teladoc's stock is having an even bigger year, up 160%. The company said in April that visits in the first quarter, jumped 92% from a year earlier, and it predicted that visits for the year would climb from 4.1 million in 2019 to between 8 million and 9 million in 2020.

Five9 and Teladoc this year CNBC
Kazi Monirul Kabir We are honored to welcome Kazi Monirul Kabir into the community, said Scott Gerber, founder of Forbes Councils, Our mission is to bring together proven leaders from every industry, creating a social capital-driven network that helps every member to make an even greater impact on the business world

Kazi Monirul Kabir, Tech Entrepreneur, and Founder of Spider Digital Innovation (http://www.spiderdigital.io), a South Asia based Digital Transformation Company, has been accepted into Forbes Technology Council, an invitation-only community for world-class Technology Executives and Entrepreneurs.

Kazi Monirul Kabir was vetted and selected by a review committee based on the depth and diversity of his experience. Criteria for acceptance include a track record of successfully impacting business growth metrics, as well as personal and professional achievements and honors.

We are honored to welcome Kazi Monirul Kabir into the community, said Scott Gerber, founder of Forbes Councils, the collective that includes Forbes Technology Council. Our mission with Forbes Councils is to bring together proven leaders from every industry, creating, social capital-driven network that helps every member to make an even greater impact on the business world.

As a member of the Council, Monirul will connect and collaborate with other respected leaders in Forbess private forums. Monirul will also be invited to work with a professional editorial team to share his expert insights in original business articles on Forbes.com, and to contribute to published Q&A panels alongside other experts.

I am super excited to be on the Forbes Technology Council, I hope to contribute and learn from engaging with one of the worlds most exclusive Think tank and Tech Entrepreneur community. My aim would be to work on making technology work for the social good of common people across South East Asia and the Middle East
Veteran actor Simi Garewal has called actor Kangana Ranaut brave for speaking against powerful filmmakers in Bollywood and their monopoly on their industry. Simi said in a series of tweets that she is feeling depressed after hearing what happened with Sushant Singh Rajput and said someone powerful tried to sabotage Kanganas career as well.

Simi said she wasnt as brave as Kangana to call out the one who wronged her. I applaud #KanganaRanaut who is braver & bolder than I am. Only I know how a powerful person has viciously tried to destroy my career. I stayed silent. Because I am not so brave...@KanganaOffical, she wrote in a tweet.

I applaud #KanganaRanaut who is braver & bolder than I am. Only I know how a 'powerful' person has viciously tried to destroy my career. I stayed silent. Because I am not so brave... @KanganaOffical  Simi Garewal (@Simi_Garewal) July 18, 2020

When George Floyd was killed in America it set forth an awakening. In the same way #SushantSingRajput 's death maybe the harbinger of an awakening in Bollywood..  Simi Garewal (@Simi_Garewal) July 19, 2020

Simis tweets came after she watched Kanganas interview with Republic TV on Sushants death. I dont know what all of you felt after watching #KanganaSpeaksToArnab ..but it has left me quite depressed.. Im distraught at what #SushantSingRajput endured .. and also what many outsiders go through in Bollywood.. it must change, she said. Simi hoped the actors death would bring an awakening in the industry. When George Floyd was killed in America it set forth an awakening. In the same way #SushantSingRajput s death maybe the harbinger of an awakening in Bollywood, she wrote in her tweet.

Twitter users were appreciative of Simis support towards the cause. More and more people are coming out and speaking up now. Sushant you changed India! You sacrificed your life for the good of India. You will be in our hearts forever. Everyone else is OUT OUT OUT OUT, read a tweet. Its good to see you talk about this as well. You were a wonderful actress and its a shame if your presence on screen was reduced because of someone elses act, read another tweet.

Also read: Shekhar Kapur reacts to R Balkis find me better actors than Alia Bhatt, Ranbir Kapoor comment: Just saw Kai Po Che again

In her interview with Republic TV, Kangana had said that she would return her Padma Shri if her claims about Sushants death were proven wrong. They (Mumbai Police) summoned me, and I asked them too, that Im in Manali, that you can send somebody to take my statement, but I have not received anything after that. I am telling you, if I have said anything, which I cant testify, which I cant prove, and which is not in public domain, I will return my Padma Shri, Kangana said. I dont deserve it. I am not that person who will go on record (to make such statements), and everything that I have said is in public domain, she added.

Sushant died by suicide on June 14 at 34 years old. He was reportedly suffering from depression. His death has triggered a debate on nepotism and favouritism in Bollywood with many targeting powerful filmmakers and star kids on social media.

If you need support or know someone who does, please reach out to your nearest mental health specialist. Helplines: Aasra: 022 2754 6669; Sneha India Foundation: +914424640050 and Sanjivini: 011-24311918

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Confronted by the dead and seriously injured all around them in the wake of the Manchester Arena terror attack, Sean Gardner and his teenage daughter, Charlotte, were in no doubt that they were among the lucky ones.

Hannah, Sean's younger daughter, whom they had arrived to collect, was also mercifully unharmed by the explosion, which happened on May 22, 2017, in the foyer, after an Ariana Grande concert.

Unlike the families of the 22 who were killed by the homemade bomb  and the hundreds injured  the Gardners believed they would be able to leave behind the horrors they saw that night.

'That was very naive,' says Sean, 54, 'given that I'd had to search through bodies, terrified of discovering Hannah, and knelt beside a catastrophically injured woman, offering what support I could, before she very sadly died. Charlotte saw people with bits of their bodies blown off, including one man who lost his life in the car park, within feet of where she was waiting for me to return with Hannah.

Sean Gardner and his teenage daughter, Charlotte, (pictured together) survived the Manchester Arena bombing attack in 2017

'Knowing how badly others were affected, we were acutely aware of how lucky we were to escape physically unharmed. But we never bargained for how deeply traumatised we would be.'

In the years to come, that terrible night would cast a menacing shadow over them and their loved ones, in ways they couldn't have expected.

And, in time, their hard-won knowledge of trauma would steer them towards an act of huge generosity: founding a charity offering mental health treatment for others, including medics battling at the coalface of the coronavirus crisis.

'Quite rightly, the priority, in the immediate aftermath, is dealing with physical injuries,' says Sean. 'However, as we discovered, the psychological impact of such an atrocity, which can be devastating for those caught up in it, is largely overlooked.'

Sean suffered such severe insomnia he barely slept, tormented by flashbacks and crippling anxiety for 42 days after the terrorist attack. He also lost his appetite, shedding a vast amount of weight.

Meanwhile Charlotte, weeks away from her 16th birthday and in the middle of GCSE exams when it happened, had such all-consuming and frequent panic attacks that she had to drop out of college. She became a virtual recluse, too terrified of crowds and sudden noises to go out.

Unlike the families of the 22 who were killed by the homemade bomb  and the hundreds injured  the Gardners believed they would be able to leave behind the horrors they saw that night. But the trauma they saw stayed with them

Both sought help from their GP and, despite the severity of their symptoms, were put on waiting lists of three to four months for NHS counselling.

Desperate, and concerned about the long-term impact on his and Charlotte's mental health, Sean paid for them to see a therapist privately. They were diagnosed with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

Both received Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy, a treatment for trauma and PTSD that's endorsed by the NHS. Sufferers relive experiences in brief bursts while a therapist tells them to move their eyes from left to right, up to 40 times in an hour-long session.

Ariana Grande is pictured at One Love Manchester on June 4, 2017 just weeks after a deadly attack at her concert in the northern city

Stimulating one side of the brain then the other in this way has been shown to help the left hemisphere of the brain, the 'thinking' part, communicate with the 'feeling' part on the right.

Trauma hinders communication between these parts, as the brain tries to protect us from the difficult memory  but this prevents us from receiving reassurance from our more rational thoughts.

It also stops the memory from being processed normally, so the trauma continues to feel as visceral as if it were happening now.

Sean suffered such severe insomnia he barely slept, tormented by flashbacks and crippling anxiety for 42 days after the terrorist attack. He also lost his appetite, shedding a vast amount of weight.

Over weeks, with the help of this therapy, Sean was able to sleep and manage his emotions better, while Charlotte suffered fewer panic attacks.

Their thoughts then turned to the many others who may not have the resources to pay for private treatment.

Sean, who drew upon skills he used to run his online tuition firm, wanted to see if EMDR therapy could be delivered via a charity. Charlotte was on board and, with the help of their therapist, the pair teamed up with the EMDR Association of the UK and Ireland. The Trauma Response Network charity, which has 300 therapists nationwide, launched in 2018.

Individuals can self-refer, and receive eight hours of professional support for free. Among those currently benefiting are hundreds of medical staff on the Covid-19 frontline, who are struggling to cope with the emotional fallout.

Meanwhile Charlotte, weeks away from her 16th birthday and in the middle of GCSE exams when it happened, had such all-consuming and frequent panic attacks that she had to drop out of college. She became a virtual recluse, too terrified of crowds and sudden noises to go out

The Department of Health has focused on the practical support these workers need, in the form of PPE and testing. Psychological support is often an afterthought, and EMDR is proving an effective tool for those referred to the charity by hospital trusts. A typical referral would be a nurse in her 30s working in an intensive care unit or a high-dependency ward.

'They have dealt with dying patients and had to say goodbye to many who didn't make it,' says Sean. 'Usually, these medics would be able to take time to assimilate what they have experienced but, during the pandemic, the onslaught has been relentless.

'A significant number have suffered previous traumas that have been retriggered by the stress and sadness of their work in recent months.'

Charlotte, now 19, is particularly keen to ensure young people, many of whom have lost loved ones to Covid-19 and find it hard to talk to family and friends about trauma, know of the service.

Desperate, and concerned about the long-term impact on his and Charlotte's mental health, Sean paid for them to see a therapist privately. They were diagnosed with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Both received Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy, a treatment for trauma and PTSD that's endorsed by the NHS

After a couple of years of therapy, she can now recall without distress the details of that terrible night, when 22-year-old Salman Abedi, a Manchester-born radicalised terrorist of Libyan descent, detonated a suicide bomb packed with nuts, bolts, rivets and glass.

'Within minutes of my dad heading to the foyer, leaving me in the car, I heard this massive bang,' says Charlotte. 'The next thing I knew there was a stampede of people running from all directions into the car park.

'Some were covered in blood, some were carrying people. One man was laid down next to the car, badly injured. I guessed it was a bomb as soon as I saw people's injuries. I tried to get through to my dad and sister on the phone, but the service was so bad because everyone was using their mobiles at once.

'By the time I decided to search for them the police had closed the whole area off, so I had to just sit and wait.'

Sean, who drew upon skills he used to run his online tuition firm, wanted to see if EMDR therapy could be delivered via a charity. Charlotte was on board and, with the help of their therapist, the pair teamed up with the EMDR Association of the UK and Ireland.

Charlotte couldn't get through to her mum, Helen, who had stayed home, and says the fear of not knowing if her dad and sister were alive triggered a series of distressing panic attacks.

'My brain couldn't compute what was happening and my body had gone numb because of the panic and the adrenaline,' she recalls. 'My therapist has since told me that I will have gone into a state of derealisation, where the mind disassociates from its surroundings.

'A boy, aged about 12, whose parents were ex-Army and administering first aid, sat with me on the car bonnet, chatting to distract me, for about half an hour, until my dad returned. I'll never forget his kindness.'

Sean, who had been waylaid supporting the dying woman, had still not found Hannah, then 14, and had no idea if she was hurt, or even alive. So, after returning to let Charlotte know he was OK, he told her to stay put, keen to protect her from the scenes in the foyer, and went back to search for his younger daughter.

Charlotte felt strong enough to return to the sixth form at her old school in September 2018 and is now awaiting the results of her A-levels. In the autumn, she will move to Lincoln to begin a degree in creative writing.

Helen, 50, who was watching the horror unfold on the TV news, finally managed to get through to Sean. Shortly after he'd reassured her that he and Charlotte were safe, she received a call to say that Hannah was alive and had been taken to a local Travelodge.

She told Sean who, desperate to scoop Hannah up, asked a police officer for directions. He struggled to hold it together when he was told there were no fewer than five Travelodges within a 200-yard radius.

After officers swore to find out which hotel his daughter was at, he went to pick up Charlotte.

Within minutes of my dad heading to the foyer, leaving me in the car, I heard this massive bang,' says Charlotte. 'The next thing I knew there was a stampede of people running from all directions into the car park.

When Hannah was brought to the hotel door the trio formed a huddle. 'We stood like that, crying and hugging, for at least ten minutes,' says Charlotte. 'It was such a relief.'

As their car could not be moved from the car park for many weeks afterwards, as forensic investigations continued, the parents of one of Hannah's friends drove them back to their home near Chester.

However, their ordeal was far from over. 'For weeks, I was too terrified of the dark to close my eyes and sleep at night, even after I moved out of my bedroom and into the one next to my parents',' recalls Charlotte.

'I also slipped in and out of a state of derealisation  like extreme deja vu  for a year. Presumably it was my body's way of trying to protect me from the realities of what I'd seen.

'Everything seemed fake and dreamlike to me and the panic attacks were unbearable.

'One was so bad my parents called an ambulance because the left side of my body went numb and I lost control of it.' Paramedics calmed her down and they suggested she see her GP, who prescribed sleeping pills.

Sean lay awake at night, too, tormenting himself with thoughts that he could have done more to help save the woman who he had seen die. Thanks to therapy, he now recognises this as survivor's guilt. 'I was carrying this dreadful guilt,' says Sean.

Police and other emergency services are seen near the Manchester Arena following the bombing in2017

'The therapist asked me to consider what the woman would have wanted to say to me had she known I'd stayed behind, when everybody else had run, that I put my life at risk  as there could have been a second bomb  and prioritised being there for her before going to my family.

'It helped me see things differently. Turning the negative into a positive made the memory less traumatising. My rational brain may have known these things beforehand, but I had to convince my subconscious, which is where EMDR comes in.'

Hannah  who, together with other children at the concert, was taken to a hotel via a side door and spared the terrible scenes Sean and Charlotte had seen  bounced back quickly and was keen to forget about the ordeal.

Helen, who had lived through her own nightmare, feeling helpless and in the dark about whether her husband and daughters were alive, did her best to hold the family together.

'The therapist asked me to consider what the woman would have wanted to say to me had she known I'd stayed behind, when everybody else had run, that I put my life at risk  as there could have been a second bomb  and prioritised being there for her before going to my family. 'It helped me see things differently. Turning the negative into a positive made the memory less traumatising. My rational brain may have known these things beforehand, but I had to convince my subconscious, which is where EMDR comes in.'

'My dad had always been so chilled but after that night he was like a different person, always angry and needing to control everything,' says Charlotte. 'It was hard for my sister and my mum to get their heads around how an event could change people's personalities to the extent it had mine and Dad's.

'They couldn't understand why we couldn't sleep, or got so angry and tearful, and didn't want to be around us because they thought we weren't making enough effort to move on from it.

'I lost most of my friends, too. After having a complete breakdown at a music festival and having to go home, and running to the toilets screaming when someone popped a balloon behind me at prom, I guess I wasn't much fun any more.'

Sean was so busy pretending to be OK, for the sake of everyone else, that he carried on going into work, as normal, until one day he heard a radio interview with the boss of the North West Ambulance Service.

'He said he'd stood down the whole team on duty that night and arranged therapy for them and I thought, 'Hang on, I was in there for 25 minutes before they even arrived',' recalls Sean. 'Although there was no aftercare offered for people like me, I knew that, instead of soldiering on as if nothing had happened, I had to go to my GP and ask for help.'

It was then that he discovered the length of the waiting list for counselling and signed himself and Charlotte up for private weekly therapy, costing from 60 to 85 a session. This is, of course, way beyond many people's means, hence the charity.

Although Sean and Charlotte were a little sceptical about how EMDR would help at first, the process was painless and the positive results quickly evident.

'The charity is not designed to be a replacement for what the NHS provides, merely a stop-gap, providing that vital early support, at a time when people are often suffering the most acute symptoms,' says Sean.

Charlotte felt strong enough to return to the sixth form at her old school in September 2018 and is now awaiting the results of her A-levels. In the autumn, she will move to Lincoln to begin a degree in creative writing.

'I've come so far since that night at prom,' says Charlotte. 'I was so hysterical it took four teachers to calm me down.'

The Gardners are conscious that so many  both patients and those taking care of them  will be left traumatised by the pandemic. 'All Dad and I want now is to ensure no one else has to go on suffering in that way,' says Charlotte. 'Help is at hand.'
Calls for a massive tax on New York's billionaires are picking up steam after firebrand freshman Rep Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez threw her weight behind the cause.

A small group of protesters took to Manhattan streets on Friday to demand that Governor Andrew Cuomo pass a bill that aims to boost taxes on billionaires to create an emergency worker bailout fund for poor and undocumented New Yorkers.

The protest, albeit small, was fueled by an endorsement from Ocasio-Cortez, who expressed support for the Fund Excluded Workers Coalition on Thursday in a video calling out Cuomo.

'Governor Cuomo, we need you to pass a billionaire's tax, in order to make sure that were providing for our working families,' Ocasio-Cortez, a Democrat who represents parts of the Bronx and Queens, said in the video.

'It's time to stop protecting billionaires, and it's time to start working for working families.'

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is ramping up her crusade on billionaires by backing tax on New York's richest residents that critics fear could drive them out of the state

A small group of protesters took to Manhattan streets on Friday to demand that Governor Andrew Cuomo pass a bill that aims to boost taxes on billionaires to create an emergency worker bailout fund for poor and undocumented New Yorkers. The protest came a day after Ocasio-Cortez publicly endorsed the so called billionaires tax

Ocasio-Cortez, one of the most outspoken progressives in Congress, has trumpeted the need for higher taxes on the super-rich since she entered the political fray in 2018.

Calls to do so have only heightened during the coronavirus pandemic, as the nation's wealthiest people have seen their net worth balloon while tens of millions of Americans were laid off.

According to the Fund Excluded Workers Coalition, New York's 118 billionaires have increased their wealth by $44.9billion over the course of the pandemic.

The coalition has argued that that wealth should be taxed much more thoroughly, with the money redistributed to aid illegal immigrants and other New York residents excluded from coronavirus emergency federal assistance.

State Sen Jessica Ramos has submitted a bill proposing a tax that would generate $5.5billion from the wealthy. The bill is expected to be considered as soon as the state legislature returns on Monday.

People hold signs during a protest put together by community groups and labor organizations calling on New York State to implement a new tax on billionaires to help supplement income lost by people who are unable to receive unemployment benefits in New York City on Friday

The protesters carried signs touting the hashtag #MakeBillionairesPay, which went viral after Ocasio-Cortez tweeted a video calling for the tax on New York's uber-rich residents

Friday's protest began in Madison Square Park, where Jeff Bezos, the Amazon founder and one of Ocasio-Cortez's favorite billionaire targets, spent $96million creating his dream home.

The group then made their way up to Cuomo's offices in Midtown while carrying signs with the words 'Make Billionaires Pay' and 'Bail out workers - not billionaires'.

'They take and take and take from our city and do not contribute, proportionally,' Molly Glenn, a 34-year-old protester who works in construction, told Bloomberg.

'You want to have an apartment here. You want to say that you are a member of the greatest city in the country. You should have to support the city.'

Cuomo has repeatedly expressed opposition to the creation of a billionaire tax, including after Ocasio-Cortez's video came out on Thursday.

The governor said he agrees with business advocates who say that such a tax would drive billionaires out of the state.

'If they want a tax increase, don't make New York alone do a tax increase, then they just have the people move to Connecticut,' Cuomo said Thursday.

'Let the federal government pass a tax increase. And let them apply it all across the country, so you don't hurt any one state.

'Because if you take people who are highly mobile, and you tax them, well then theyll just move next door where the tax treatment is simpler. It has to be done on a federal level.'

In apparent reference to Ocasio-Cortez and fellow progressives, he added: 'I'd like to see those officials demanding that Washington do what it needs to do to help New York and the other states.'

New York Gov Andrew Cuomo has repeatedly expressed opposition to a billionaire tax, including after Ocasio-Cortez's video came out Thursday. The governor said he agrees with business advocates who say that such a tax would drive billionaires out of the state

The Partnership for New York City, a top business advocacy claim, released a report on Friday outlining the likelihood that billionaires will leave the state if a wealth tax is implemented.

'Stabilization of the tax revenue base to avoid further losses should be the first objective in a recovery plan  The idea of raising tax rates on the highest earners could have the effect of creating further losses,' the report states.

'The top 1 percent of earners who currently account for almost 40 percent of state tax revenues are highly mobile.

'Many relocated to other locations during the pandemic and, after five months working remotely, some may consider permanent residence outside the city or state.'

The report noted that about five percent of mostly-wealthy New York City residents temporarily left the city during the pandemic, warning: 'If this pattern holds, the tax losses facing the state and city will be extended.'

Carl Icahn, a Wall Street icon and lifelong resident of New York whose net worth is estimated at $18.3billion, had already threatened to leave the city months before the latest calls for a billionaires tax.

Icahn said last September that he was planning to relocate both his home and his business to Florida to avoid New York's high taxes.

In its report the Partnership for New York City suggested that consumption and sales taxes as a better method for boosting the state's revenue without alienating its wealthiest residents.

However, advocates for the billionaires tax say that such measures will only hurt low-income residents that are already struggling.

Ocasio-Cortez and the Fund Excluded Workers Coalition recently gained a potentially powerful ally in Jamaal Bowman, who toppled long-term Representative Eliot Engel in a Democratic primary last week.
Ervin Staub has always known the difference a bystander could make. He was born in 1938, and by the time he was six, the Nazis were deporting 440,000 of his fellow Hungarian Jews to death camps.

There were important bystanders in my life who showed me that people dont have to be passive in the face of evil, he explained ahead of a conference at the Holocaust Center of Pittsburgh scheduled for September. A Christian woman risked her own life to shelter Staub and his younger sister. His father and other family members received protective identity papers from the Swedish diplomat Raoul Wallenberg, saving them from becoming one of the six million murdered Jews of Europe.

Staub survived the Nazis, then lived a decade under communism in Hungary. At 18, he fled to Vienna after the 1956 revolution, later earning his doctorate in psychology in the United States, with a focus on morality and mass violence.

Staub, 82, a professor emeritus of psychology at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, has spent decades not only studying violence, genocide and reconciliation around the world and back at home in the United States, but also actively working to thwart violence before it begins. He has written a shelf of books which peel away the scaffolding that allows mass atrocities, both past and present, how to heal after genocide, and the very important impact a bystander can make.

In the 1990s, he traveled to Rwanda to help mediate discussions between the Hutu and the Tutsis, and mend the deep wounds of the countrys bloody civil war and genocide. After film director Theo van Gogh was assassinated in 2004 by a suspected Islamic terrorist in Amsterdam, the government of the Netherlands asked Staub to develop a program to improve Dutch-Muslim relations. And, for decades, Staub has focused part of his research on improving the fraught, often violent, relationship between Americas law enforcement and the public. Now, after the killing of George Floyd in police custody, Staubs ideas are once again getting greater examination. Several cities are exploring training programs built upon Staubs idea of ethical policing, and creating good actors out of passive bystanders.

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Staubs focus on shifting policing in America began nearly 30 years ago, with the brutal beating of Rodney King by Los Angeles police officers in 1991. Kings treatment at the hands of police triggered mass protests. The city of Los Angeles put together a commission charged with "a full and fair examination of the structure and operation of the LAPD. Known as the Christopher Commission, after attorney Warren Christopher (the very same who later became President Bill Clintons secretary of state), the commission found repetitive use of excessive force, among police. We recommend a new standard of accountability, they wrote.Ugly incidents will not diminish until ranking officers know they will be held responsible for what happens in their sector, whether or not they personally participate.

LOS ANGELES - Riot April 30 (Lindsay Brice / Getty Images)

The commission turned to Staub to create a program for Californias police departments in an attempt to help not only heal the schism between the public and the police, but also encourage active intervention rather than bystanderism. Staub mapped his work looking at bystander passivity from World War II to modern day American policing, to try and prevent another King incident from happening again. You have to shift the mindset, so officers realize that if they remain passive as bystanders, they are responsible for what their fellow officers do, he told The New York Times in 1993. The paper called him an activist research psychologist.

But the program didnt take off, and Staub says interest in formalizing his training program languished.

Six years ago, Mary Howell, a civil rights lawyer from New Orleans, who had a long career advocating for victims of police brutality, turned to Staubs ideas hoping they would help her own city.

We had gone through periods of intense crisis and reforms, which have failed in cycles, Howell said, referring to the time before Staub. Its like domestic violence - a horrible thing happens, they [the police] come with flowers and candy to say Well fix it, and then it happens again.

Staubs research has long asked the questions: how is evil committed by normal people and how can it arise from everyday life? To stop it, people must be turned from passive into active bystanders. Staub points to an interaction in Seattle back in May, where an officer forcibly removed the leg of another officer who had put his knee on a suspects neck during an arrest, as an example of how engaging these programs can minimize police harms against civilians.

One of the things we aim (with the training) is change what officers see as good teamwork, Staub explains. Good teamwork is not to support a fellow officer in harmful behavior. Good teamwork is to prevent that officer from doing harmful things that can lead to all kinds of problems to that officer and the officers that witness it.

That thinking, Howell thought, could help New Orleans. Police officers will often say were not Black or white, were blue. Howell said. But you have to ask - what is blue? Because thats the culture component. Redefining blue, according to Howell, is one of the keys to truly reforming law enforcement and changing the culture.

The Department of Justice placed the New Orleans Police Department under a consent decree in 2013, after years of well-documented misconduct and civil rights violations, particularly against the citys Black population. That consent decree, a 122-page federal order, called for a major overhaul of police policies -- from the way the department conducted searches and seizures, to how officers used force during arrests.

One particularly painful incident came in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina in 2005, where James Brissette, 17, and Ronald Madison, 40, a mentally disabled man, both Black, were shot by police on the citys Danziger Bridge. Another was the killing of handyman Raymond Robair, 48, a Black man, who was beaten to death by two police officers that same year.

Howell wanted to see if Staubs work could lead to less violent outcomes. She suggested peer intervention training to the Justice Department, advocating that it be a part of the consent decree, and a new training program -- Ethical Policing Is Courageous (EPIC) -- was born. It puts the onus on the New Orleans police officers to call out misconduct before it happens, and works to change the culture of police. The training includes intensive sessions and role-plays that tackle what good police culture looks like, and the tactics on how to appropriately intervene when you see misconduct taking place - from verbal to physical interventions.

The life of an ethical police officer in an unethical department can be very stressful, Staub says. [EPIC] changes police culture to define good teamwork not as supporting violence, but as stopping a fellow officer from unnecessary violence.

Officers in New Orleans can wear pins on their lapels identifying them as having gone through the bystander training program, a signal that they are receptive to fellow officers or members of the community stopping them if they are about to engage or are engaging in misconduct. The training occurs across all ranks of police - from rookie to captain - and is an invitation for interventions without retaliation.

A main difference in New Orleans is not in the training itself, but emphasizing the benefits to the police, Staub explained to the Salzburg Global Seminar in 2019. The training includes learning about what inhibits active bystandership, skills of nonaggressive interventions, how to get other bystanding officers to be allies in intervention, and other elements.

And, by many measures, it seems to be working.

A report released by the New Orleans Police Department in 2019, around three years after EPIC was implemented, found a drop in lawsuits against police, an overall increase in citizen satisfaction with police departments, and a two-year period without a single officer-involved shooting. This was a marked improvement for a force that had long been under the microscope for unconstitutional conduct.

The makeshift memorial outside Cup Foods where George Floyd was murdered by a Minneapolis police officer (Jason Armond / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images file)

Howell says the emphasis on harm prevention is what makes the program so successful, in addition to body cameras being introduced around the same time. She speculates that had Minneapolis implemented a bystander program like EPIC, the officers on the beat the day George Floyd was taken into custody, and killed, might have intervened when then-officer Derek Chauvin engaged in the fatal maneuver that killed Floyd.

Michelle Gross, president of Communities United Against Police Brutality in Minneapolis, has looked at police issues in the state for over 30 years. She agrees that a cultural change that could come about with this type of bystander training program is paramount. It's creating a culture in which intervention is not only acceptable but encouraged, Gross argues.

Interest in Staubs ideas are coming in from across the country.

A new initiative launched after Floyds death from Georgetown University will offer free EPIC programming to police departments. The Active Bystandership for Law Enforcement (ABLE), will act as a national hub for EPIC training, technical assistance and research. The aim is to overhaul police culture, where officers routinely intervene as necessary to prevent misconduct, avoid police mistakes, and promote officer health and wellness. Christy Lopez, a former Deputy Chief in the Justice Department's Civil Rights Division who is on the board of the Georgetown initiative, explains that an initial $250,000 funding grant is being bolstered by staff members who are giving their time pro bono. They are hopeful additional funding can be raised to allow the training to continue indefinitely. Staub will speak at their fall conference.

Image: TOPSHOT-US-POLITICS-RACISM-MEMORIAL (Angela Weiss / AFP - Getty Images)

After Floyds killing, Georgetown and the New Orleans Police Department received more than 100 telephone calls from police agencies asking for ABLE training - including law enforcement in Texas, California and Ohio attorney Jonathan Aronie, the chair of the ABLE board of advisers, says. The Baltimore Police Department is also poised to release its own version of ABLE training this month. Philadelphia is also due to implement ABLE, according to its departments commissioner Danielle Outlaw. And the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission has stated that any person who wants to become a police officer will have to have completed ABLE training this fall.

Not everyone expects instant success. Major Earl Price, a Black officer with 35 years experience who oversees training at the Hamilton County Sheriffs Office in Ohio, says it will be hard for officers to accept change. His own department will implement the ABLE program in the fall.

ABLE training puts the onus on officers to intervene before wrongdoing occurs. The very idea goes against the so-called blue wall of silence, the well-worn code of officers protecting one another at all costs, but Price thinks it will be integral to repair broken trust between law enforcement and the public. ABLE/EPIC can make officers look at themselves in a way that we haven't had before, Price said.

EPIC and ABLE are a step in the right direction, without a doubt, Sean Nicholson-Crotty, a professor at Indiana University who has studied policing, said. However, he cautions that there arent a lot of empirical studies looking at training efficacy, and says that evidence from his own limited studies that are currently under review suggests that training programs are only effective where the turnover is high and where the new recruits make up a higher proportion of departments.

Aronie, ABLEs chair, is cautious not to overstate the programs ability.

Are we going to solve systemic racism in the U.S. this week, this month, this year? Within the next five years? We've had racism in the U.S. forever, Aronie concedes. But let's keep knees off necks in the meantime.

Raoul Wallenberg (Laski Diffusion / Getty Images)

Staub knows there is no perfect training program. But his whole life has been in pursuit of demonstrating the power of an individual to change the outcome of the collective. After all, its what saved him and his sister.

It just takes one little person standing up to evil, he says.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-07-19 16:57:23|Editor: huaxia

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Photo taken on July 16, 2020 shows a container dock in Tangshan City, north China's Hebei Province. (Xinhua/Yang Shiyao)

"The prompt mobilization of all forces and means against COVID-19, the highly organized discipline, the unity of the people and the use of modern medical technologies" have contributed to not only controlling the pandemic but also a significant rise in the country's economy, said Uzbek expert Khasan Abulkosimov.

TASHKENT, July 19 (Xinhua) -- China's 3.2 percent growth in gross domestic product (GDP) in the second quarter of this year amid the COVID-19 pandemic shows the great potential of the Chinese economy, an Uzbek expert said Saturday.

"Thanks to the far-sighted policy of the country's leadership, China's economy has returned to growth in the second quarter of 2020 after a historic decline," Khasan Abulkosimov, professor at the National University of Uzbekistan, told Xinhua.

A staff member takes out samples of the COVID-19 inactivated vaccine at a vaccine production plant of China National Pharmaceutical Group (Sinopharm) in Beijing, capital of China, April 11, 2020. (Xinhua/Zhang Yuwei)

"The prompt mobilization of all forces and means against COVID-19, the highly organized discipline, the unity of the people and the use of modern medical technologies" have contributed to not only controlling the pandemic but also a significant rise in the country's economy, said the expert.

Abulkosimov added the gradual revival of China's economy in the first half of the year demonstrates the sustainability of its development.

People shop at a night market in Chengdu, southwest China's Sichuan Province, June 4, 2020. (Xinhua/Li Mengxin)

"However, it will take some time before the Chinese economy fully recovers its previous level due to the severe consequences of the pandemic for the global economy, as well as noticeably growing external risks and challenges," he said.

Noting China is one of the main investors and trading partners of Uzbekistan, Abulkosimov said China's economic growth will have a positive effect on the Uzbek economy.

"Today more than 1,700 joint ventures and Chinese enterprises operate in Uzbekistan. The growth in Chinese economy contributes to the revival and regeneration of these enterprises," he said. 
Amid the ongoing political slugfest in Rajasthan, opposition leader Gulab Chand Kataria on Sunday (July 19) said that the BJP had never called for a floor test in Rajasthan and the party does not event want floor test in near future.

"We are watching their fight. When the time is right and we have to do something, we will discuss and move in that direction. As of now, we are being unnecessarily dragged into this matter," Kataria told ANI.

In a related development, Congress MLA Rajendra Guda claimed on Sunday that businessman Sanjay Jain, who was arrested by SOG, Rajasthan Police, for his alleged involvement in toppling Rajasthan government, had come to him eight months back. Guda added that Jain asked him to meet BJP leader Vasundhara Raje and others.

"There are other agents like him but they didn't succeed in their attempts. Sanjay Jain had been active for a long time. We are more than 100 in number (MLAs). We have the majority. If we didn't have majority, they (BJP) would have demanded a floor test. They know that we have it, so they are not demanding floor test," Guda added.

Meanwhile, Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on Saturday (July 18) met Governor Kalraj Mishra at Raj Bhavan in Jaipur and handed him a letter confirming that two MLAs of the Bharatiya Tribal Party (BTP) are backing his government.

A Raj Bhavan spokesperson said the meeting between CM Gehlot and Governor Mishra lasted for about 45 minutes and during the meeting CM Gehlot also briefed Governor Mishra about the steps taken by his government to curb the spread of coronavirus COVID-19 in Rajasthan.

The two BTP MLAs also addressed a joint press conference with Rajasthan Congress chief Govind Singh Dotasara, announcing their support to CM Gehlot-led government.

In 200-member Rajasthan Assembly, Congress currently has 107 MLAs, including Sachin Pilot and 18 other MLAs who have been issued notices of disqualification by Rajasthan Assembly Speaker CP Joshi on complaint by chief whip Mahesh Joshi.
Ravi Shankar By

In the Carnival of Democracy, mirrors are a thing. Never faithful to true dimensions, they delight in dissimulationsome exaggerate reflections while others shrink them.

The simulacrum of law and order does both. It amplifies khaki as the omnipotent agent of fear among the general population.

It dwindles in the eyes of the powerful: both officials and criminals. However, last week Gujarat policewoman Sunita Yadav held up the mirror.

She stood up to power by honouring her uniform and paid the price.

Abandoned, threatened and persecuted by the very senior officers who are supposed to stand by her for prosecuting a ministers son, she was transferred as expected. India was outraged. The state government was forced to arrest the political scion.

Its obvious the orders came from Delhi; without Prime Minister Narendra Modis intervention, the state wouldnt have acted against the ministers progeny and vindicated the power of khaki.

Sunita now plans to sit for the Civil Services exam and become an IPS officer to protect constables like her.

The same week, the mirror cracked in Uttar Pradesh. Informers in khaki in the pay of a gang lord were arrested for their role in the murders of eight colleagues.

The subsequent arrests of cops who had colluded with a powerful, politically connected mafia don exposed the deep stains on police uniform; the polar opposite of what Sunita Yadav did to honour hers.

Rivers have been cried over the self-serving nexus between politicians, criminals and the police that it would make citizens more comatose than Valium can.

The Indian Police Service, which was started by British officers in the 1800s, was conceived as colonial muscle to collect taxes. The policemen werent paid salaries.

Their sustenance came from zamindars or from ordinary people they extorted money from. This legacy of subservience to the rich and powerful, and oppression of the poor continues.

Those who make history have to negate history to write history. Civil Rights activists insist that the law, however flawed, must be obeyed and that encounter killings are murder by official sanction, which reeks of political authoritarianism.

To roll back centuries of venal habit cannot be done without spilling lawless blood. Encounter killings decimated the Mumbai underworld in the 1980s.

Now its the turn of the heartlands criminals. Encounters are democracys tough love, which returns the pride the provincial judiciary and the police had, when they started out as junior officers like Sunita Yadav.

She represents a young generation of law enforcement officers who are willing to take on the system. The political will to go ahead with both vengeance and approval is the best tool to empower them.Sunitas exoneration should please the conscience keepers.

Theyll also have to resolve the conundrum that its the authoritarian forces, which saved her. Democracy is the art of reconciling opposites. Perhaps the mirror doesnt lie after all.
Rajasthan crisis: Ashok Gehlot likely to call assembly session next week

India

oi-Deepika S

Jaipur, July 19: Amid political tussle, Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot is likely to convene a brief session of the state assembly this week.

"The government has all options open, including a brief assembly session," PTI reported quoting sources. The development comes amid a political crisis caused by party leader Sachin Pilot's rebellion against Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot.

Meanwhile, Congress leader Ajay Maken in a press conference said, "The decision on when and how the floor test will happen, it has to be taken by the chief minister and the government. It is the CM's discretion to move forward when required and if it is required."

Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot had met Rajasthan Governor Kalraj Mishra on Saturday and the meeting lasted for 45 minutes.

However, a Raj Bhawan spokesperson said the CM briefed the governor about the efforts being made to protect the state from the coronavirus pandemic. On the other hand, party sources said the chances of calling a brief assembly session are there but nothing has been finalised yet.

Rajasthan crisis: Gehlot meets Governor after 2 BTP MLAs pledge support to Congress

The party claims the Ashok Gehlot government has the numbers to prove majority in case there is a floor test.

In the 200-member state assembly, the Congress has 107 MLAs, including former deputy chief minister Sachin pilots and 18 MLA loyal to him, who have rebelled against Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot.

Rajasthan Speaker C P Joshi had earlier sent disqualification notices to the rebel MLAs after which they moved the state High Court.

The next hearing in the matter will be held on Monday. The RLD, which has one MLA, is a Congress ally while the ruling party has the support of 10 of 13 Independent MLAs.

The Bhartiya Tribal Party, which has two MLAs, has officially announced its support to the Ashok Gehlot government on Saturday. The state government considers both CPI (M) MLAs on its side.

Coronavirus: WHO reports single-day record global spike in Covid-19 cases | Oneindia News

However, the CPI (M) says their stand is clear that they have to defeat the BJP but any decision regarding support to the state government will be taken by the party leadership in case a floor test is conducted.
When I was a wee business reporter, I covered manufacturing in southern New England. Costume jewelry, a major industry then, has largely decamped to cheap-labor countries.

But I recall the vast differences in the quality of these mostly low-skilled jobs. At the top were great employers, offering decent wages and clean working spaces. From there, one descended to the sweatshops, some with puddles of nasty electroplating chemicals on the floor. At or near the bottom dwelled the home workers, people who would glue the backs of earrings to the fronts, often in their unventilated basements. They were paid by piecework, which meant by the number of earrings assembled, not hours worked.

If the COVID-19 lockdowns set in motion a permanent move of office work to employees homes, piecework could become more of the norm in the white-collar world. Forty percent of U.S. jobs can be done entirely from home, according to the National Bureau of Economic Research.

In the classic 9-to-5 office job, one is physically present for the eight hours and generally gets paid a set sum. If the bodies arent there, how can employers measure their worth other than the number of contracts signed, phone calls fielded or payments processed? And if theres a slowdown in business, could they shrink their paychecks accordingly?

Piecework already exists in some skilled fields. Those providing phone-based tech support already get timed for minutes devoted to each customer.

Most doctors have long been paid in a piecework fashion, that is, per patient visit or hip replacement. But when medical care moves to telemedicine, more patients can be worked on in the same number of hours. The average time a doctor in the U.S. physically spends with a patient is supposedly 17.4 minutes. Physicians using telemedicine are clocking average visit times as low as 12 minutes.

There are undoubtedly advantages, financial and otherwise, to remote white-collar work. Employees dont have to buy and maintain a spiffy office wardrobe. Some can economize on child care services. And theres the time and money saved from not commuting to an office.

On the other hand, employees are paying for their own internet and office supplies. The more ones job becomes permanently home-based, the more home space might be needed to do it comfortably. Sharing a kitchen table with a childs Lego set would get old fast.

And I dont see employers paying for the extra square footage a respectable home office would require.

The work-life balance thing, meanwhile, gets shot to hell. It was already hard to manage when employees could be reached at home or campsite at any hour via email or text. What happens when email, text and videoconferencing become the only way of connecting employers to workers and workers to customers?

After all, 2 p.m. in Beijing is 4 a.m. in Casper, Wyoming. And Christmas is not a day off in Morocco, Japan and Cambodia. Surfshark, a provider of virtual private network services, reports new spikes in usage from midnight to 3 a.m. The reason could be foreign business or job anxiety.

Without a formal quitting time, workers operating from home are never entirely off. Since the lockdown began, theyve been putting in three more hours than before, according to NordVPN, which tracks its users.

A hit to income can take the form of lower paychecks or more toil for the same pay.

Many companies hurt by these lockdowns are desperate to cut costs. What better way than to replace the 15 minutes wasted on the office staffs coffee breaks with time to log in three more sales calls from the bedroom?

Where will this lead? Downward mobility is a strong possibility.

Froma Harrop is a syndicated columnist. Email her at fharrop@gmail.com or follow her on Twitter @FromaHarrop.

Froma Harrop is a syndicated columnist. Email her at fharrop@gmail.com or follow her on Twitter @FromaHarrop.
Islamabad, July 19 : The famous Lal Masjid in Islamabad has been cordoned off by the police in an effort to stop Pakistani cleric Maulana Abdul Aziz from returning to the mosque following the disappearance of one of his close aides, a media report said on Sunday.

The Special Branch alerted the capital administration and police that the cleric may break a recent agreement with the government and try to return to Lal Masjid, said the Dawn news report.

As a result, the mosque was again cordoned off by the police to intercept his entry.

When contacted, officers of the capital administration and police told Dawn news that the cleric's close aide Maulana Idrees disappeared from on July 15.

After the disappearance, Maulana Aziz in a message threatened to break the agreement under which he had left Lal Masjid for two months.

The agreement was reached between him and the government.
For some of us, these times are rich with nostalgia. The COVID-19-induced lockdown periods and their aftermath have been heavily redolent of Australia before the great opening up that began socially in the 1970s and economically in the 1980s.

Few social options, limited mobility, a focus on family, a greater reliance on providing our own entertainment, the tut-tutting from on high about acceptable behaviour and the need to toe the line  these were hallmarks of the suburban environment in which I was raised in the 1960s. Does it not sound like life in the COVID-19 age?

Do we really want a return to 1970s Australia? Credit:Civil Aviation Historical Society

Another feature of the Australia that existed a generation or so ago was the more powerful presence of the states in our daily lives and in our imaginations. Back then, with strong tariff walls and tight regulations governing wage-setting and the financial sector, Australians were inwardly focused and identified much more strongly with the states in which they lived.

The states had their own banks, separate football competitions, different beer and soft drink brands, media personalities  there was very little commercial TV networking  and even their own Top 40 lists of hit records. Travellers moving between Victoria and NSW were stopped at checkpoints and required to surrender all fruit and vegetables to stop the spread of the fruit fly.
As officials mull possible adjustments to the Orleans Parish school district's opening plan, a majority of the School Board says it will support full distance learning if that is deemed the safest way to open next month.

In interviews, two board members said the pivot should happen now, while four others cited tough calls ahead as the district seeks guidance from local health data that has shown a troubling resurgence of coronavirus cases.

School Board members, meanwhile, are but of numerous voices that schools Superintendent Henderson Lewis Jr. must consider, ranging from parents worried about the effectiveness of virtual learning or having their children in even a socially-distanced classroom to teachers and staff increasingly worried about their own safety.

"For months we have been listening to our community, hearing from students, teachers, and parents who all have questions about what their routines will look like this fall," Lewis said.

The district could announce changes to its reopening plan as early as this week. Schools are currently scheduled to open between Aug. 4 -14, depending on the charter organization.

Noting that COVID-19 cases are rising above those recorded last March when schools were closed, board member Grisela Jackson said the district's collection of about 80 charters should be virtual learning only for the first quarter of the school year.

"Is it better to err on the side of caution now than to look back with regrets, weeks or months from now, because we pulled the trigger too soon?" Jackson asked.

Others agreed the safety of students and staff must be paramount.

"First we have to make sure students are safe. Then we have to make sure they are well-educated," School Board President Ethan Ashley said.

The district's recently-released "Roadmap to Reopening" was designed to prioritize in-person learning for the district's youngest students based on the city's Phase 2 reopening, and to allow uncomfortable families the flexibility to opt for virtual schooling.

But while the plan stressed having students in classrooms wherever possible, it also came with what New Orleans Health Director Dr. Jennifer Avegno called an "escape clause," which notes that 100% virtual schooling could be implemented if there's "increased risk" of coronavirus spread in any reopening phase.

+2 Will New Orleans public schools reopen? Officials consider 'escape clause' ahead of decision New Orleans public school families may want to start preparing now for a virtual first day of school in the fall, or for other significant adj

In recent meetings, Avegno has underscored that there is no national guidance on when to reopen schools amid the COVID-19 pandemic. However, she has shared with public and private school leaders benchmarks that Johns Hopkins University and other experts have recommended local governments follow.

The city has set benchmarks of fewer than 50 new cases per day and a sustained decline in new cases for 14 consecutive days before moving to new reopening phases, and Avegno said the district should also consider these for reopening schools.

She also said she wants positivity rates to remain below 5% of people tested.

An analysis of the city's health data shows that in recent days New Orleans has come nowhere near meeting most of those goals.

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Case numbers have been rising since late June, shortly after Phase 2 was implemented. The last time Orleans Parish showed fewer than 50 new cases in a day was July 6.

There were nearly twice as many cases in the 14 days that ended Friday -- 1,129 -- than there were in the 14 days prior, when the city saw 583 cases. The percent of residents who test positive hovered between 5 and 7 this past week.

"No other country has reopened schools with the level of community transmission that today is happening in America," Avegno told school leaders on Wednesday.

When will New Orleans, Jefferson Parish schools reopen buildings? Decisions in limbo More New Orleans public school families may want to prepare now for a virtual school, while in neighboring Jefferson Parish, parents may have 

Given the surge in cases and general uncertainty surrounding new in-school safety protocols, a number of districts across the state have announced they will either push back the start of school while at least one is implementing a virtual beginning to the year.

Just what NOLA Public Schools will do, however, is unclear.

During a news conference last Tuesday, Lewis gave a strong indication that officials might have to pivot to remote learning, saying the plan was flexible and the situation "fluid."

But on Thursday, Lewis released a public statement saying the district knew how important it was for students and teachers to "safely return" to school buildings in the fall, and reiterated the system plans to "prioritize in-person learning" wherever possible.

"Schools are special and dynamic places that are critical to the growth and development of our children," Lewis said in his statement, saying he would consider reopening phases and guidelines set by the Louisiana Department of Education.

The state's guidance seems open-ended.

Louisiana Education Superintendent Cade Brumley said the governor determines statewide reopening phases, but individual districts can decide to be stricter than what the phases allow.

"We set minimum standards," Brumley said. "Local systems can be more aggressive."

The board won't have to vote on a change to the "Roadmap" document if the district's plan is adjusted, officials said. Regardless, Ashley said the board and Lewis are "aligned."

School Board member Sarah Usdin said the health department will have to balance the economy and safety.

"I just feel like theres no right answer," Usdin said. "This is such an incredibly hard, hard time for everyone. It's unprecedented and we want whats best for everyone. And theres no way to have whats best for everyone."

Staff reporter Faimon Roberts contributed to this article.
Virtual production of A Midsummers Night Dream

Jane Farnol returns to Brookfield Theatre with an adaptation of William Shakespeares A Midsummer Nights Dream at 7:30 p.m. Thursday.

The play is edited and choreographed for current social distancing and digital constraints.

Related: View the performace here.

It may be viewed on the theatres YouTube channel.

Danbury

Comical Australian program to be held virtually

Danbury Librarys Australian Adventure with Didgeridoo Down Under will be held live via Zoom at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday. Participants will receive a link to the program via email upon completing registration.

The program, suitable for families with children in grades K-5, is a comical, interactive, musical adventure featuring the otherworldly sounds of the didgeridoo. Hear spellbinding tales from Australian mythology, and some of Australias most famous critters.

Free, but registration is required at DanburyLibrary.org or tsteneken@danburylibrary.org.

Danbury

Library to present Eating Smart workshop

The Danbury Library will present the Eating Smart workshop, live via Zoom at 6 p.m. July 27. Participants will receive a link to the meeting via email once they have registered.

UConn Extensions Heather Peracchio MS, RDN presents a live cooking demonstration. Learn how to make a quick, delicious and nutritious budget friendly meal.

The program is free, but registration is required at DanburyLibrary.org or kmostacero@danburylibrary.org.

New Milford

Village Center for the Arts offers virtual camp

The Village Center for the Arts is offering a virtual camp in a variety of mediums.

They will include clay sculpture for students ages 9 to 16, from 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Monday-Friday, ($375); and acrylic painting for students ages 9 to 18, from 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Aug. 3-7 ($375).

For more information and RSVP, call 860-354-4318.

New Milford

Library offers virtual, in-person programs

New Milford Public Library is offering various virtual programs for children in the coming days. This includes: Dragons: Return of the Ice Sorceress, with the Science Tellers, at 2 p.m. Tuesday; Imagine Your Story, Turtle Dance Music at 2 p.m., July 28; and Riverside Reptiles at 10 a.m., July 29.

For more information and RSVP, email sford@biblio.org.

The librarys Knit Wits will meet from 3:30-5:30 p.m. July 21 and 28 on the Village Green in front of the library, weather permitting.

Attendees are asked to bring a mask, adhere to social distancing, and bring a blanket or chair, snack, current project and something to show and share.

For more information, email jhyman@biblio.org.

A Grab and Go (or Stay) Craft Program will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. July 23 and 30 on the Village Green. Craft bags and directions may be picked up at the library July 22 and 29 for those who prefer to do the craft at home.

Attendees are asked to bring a mask, chair or blanket and adhere to social distancing.

The July 23 craft is mosaic picture frames and the July 30 craft is painted Furoshiki gift bags.

For more information and registration, email vfisher@biblio.org.

Region

Audubon virtual summer camp begins

The Connecticut Audubon Society is offering five weeks of Virtual Summer Camp starting July 21. The online program for children in kindergarten through sixth grade will be led and designed by expert Audubon educators.

Sessions will be held from 10-11:30 a.m. Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday with flexible options; register by the week or for individual specific days. Fees are $40/week or $15 per session.

Weekly themes are: Week 1  Feathered Friends (July 21-23); Week 2  Wet and Wild Adventures (July 28-30); Week 3  Bioblitz (Aug. 4-6); Week 4  The Amazing World of Plants (Aug. 11-13); Week 5  Twilight Adventures (Aug. 18-20).

For more information and to register, visit ct.audubon.org/virtual-summer-camp.

Region

Donation drive to benefit Habitat for Humanity

NFCAR Donation Drive to benefit Housatonic Habitat for Humanity will be held from 9 a.m.-noon Saturday at 15 Stony Hill Road, Bethel.

Donations of small furniture, building supplies, mirrors, outdoor furniture, kitchen cabinets, windows, doors, lighting, tools, artwork and more are needed.

All donations will be used in building affordable homes for qualified families in the greater Danbury area.

Cant make this drive? Call the ReStore at 203-744-1340, ext. 103 or email donations@housatonichabitat.org to learn more about their donation policy and pick up. ReStore currently is scheduling for August.

Region

Litchfield Jazz Fest streaming live for free

Litchfield Jazz Festival will stream live for free from the sound stages of Telefunken Elektroakustik in South Windsor from 1 to 6:30 p.m. Saturday. Artist talks between sets will give the virtual audience a chance to chat with the stars. This years festival salutes Charlie Parker and Art Blakey.

The 25th annual festival is sponsored by the National Endowment for the Arts and Telefunken Elektroakustik. To live stream it, visit Litchfield Jazz Festivals Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/litchfieldjazzfestival/. For more information, visit www.litchfieldjazzfest.com.

Region

Civil Air Patrol aids in food relief effort

The Connecticut Wing of Civil Air Patrol (CAP) has this month started transporting and delivering food to needy families during the coronavirus pandemic.

Members from across the state, including some cadets from the area units like 399th Composite Squadron in Danbury, have volunteered.

This effort is organized by the Walnut Hill Community Church in Bethel. Fresh produce is donated by a farm in Roxbury. Some food provisions are supplied by local residents, but most are trucked in twice a month by the U.S. Department of Agriculture from other donations. This mission is to continue throughout the summer months and entails multiple tasks several times a week.

Every Monday, the volunteer crews pick up the produce in Roxbury to be delivered to the chuch for sorting and storage until its ready for distribution. The patrol has also taken popcorn to day campers at the YMCA in Brookfield.

The food is picked up at the church and delivered to homes in Newtown and Bethel on Tuesdays and Brookfield and Danbury on Thurdays.

Twice a month volunteers assist with unloading a USDA tractor trailer that arrives in Bethel filled with 1,500 boxes of donated provisions.

Region

Student experiments heading to space

A team of five homeschool students from Bethel and Redding will send two science experiments into space.

Ellie Hunter, David Hunter, Max Singleton, Madeleine Valentino and Mason Valentino won a global competition with Cubes in Space, an idoodlEdu inc. program in collaboration with NASAs Goddard Space Flight Center  Wallops Flight Facility, NASA's Langley Research Center, and the Colorado Space Grant Consortium.

The first experiment, The Effects of Space Radiation Upon the Energy Output of Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells, will fly above the stratosphere on a high altitude balloon scheduled to take off from New Mexico Aug. 28, 2020. Another panel will remain on earth to be analyzed as a control.

The students theorize that dye-sensitized solar cells can be used to supply natural, non-toxic energy for space exploration and habitation. In order to prove the viability of their solar cells, they must determine whether the organic components will be degraded by cosmic radiation.

Despite lockdown delays, the students continued to meet virtually. When restrictions were lifted, they met, masked and socially distanced, to finalize their experiment together.

The team also has another experiment scheduled to launch on a NASA rocket from Wallops Island, Va. in 2021.

Ridgefield

Band to perform

The CHIRPor Concerts Happening in Ridgefields Parksseason continues with Mike + Ruthy and their band, The Mammals, at 7 p.m. Tuesday, at Ballard Park.

Later in the summer, Susan Werner entertains Aug 18, and the Johnny Nicholas band plays Aug. 25.

Advance registration is required for all concerts, and attendees must wear face masks.

For the most up-to-date information, visit CHIRPs Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/ChirpCT or call 203-431-6501.

Ridgefield

Comedy show goes virtual

Comedian Christine OLeary and her advanced improv students from her classes at The Ridgefield Playhouse will perform via Zoom at Christine OLeary & Friends: Virtually LIVE! at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday.

OLeary will host from the Ridgefield Playhouse, while her team delivers comedy sets from home, to an online audience.

Tickets, at $20, may purchased at https://ridgefieldplayhouse.org/event/christine-oleary-friends/ or by calling 203-438-5795. At check out, attendees also have the opportunity to donate to The Leir Foundation Arts for Everyone program.

Sherman

Free yoga outside

Robbyns Nest Education Center, Route 37 Sherman Commons, Suite 3, Sherman is hosting free adult and children yoga outside at 4 p.m. Tuesday with Kathleen; at 4 p.m. July 21 with Madeline; and at 4:30 p.m. July 21 with Samantha.

For more information, visit www.Robbyns-nest.webs.com or call 860-354-0099.

Washington

Special summer horse parade to be held

The Humane Organization Representing Suffering Equines will hold a special summer horse parade from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday, at the 43 Wilbur Road farm.

The farm will be set up for social distancing, and hand sanitizers and wipes will be available.

The event is an opportunity for folks interested in adopting, leasing, sponsoring or volunteering, to meet many of the farms horses ages 6 to 29, from mini to draft, with many available for the advanced-beginner to experienced rider.

The leading program is for people over 18 who ride regularly and want to find out what is involved in caring for a horse, while adoption is for the experienced horse owner looking for a lifetime companion.

Sponsoring is an introductory option for those that would simply like to groom and hand walk a horse.

For more information, visit www.horseofct.org.

Washington

Learn about Shepaug River history

Gunn Historical Museum will present a two-part lecture about the Shepaug River via Zoom at 6:30 p.m. Monday, The Story of a River: Contrasting History of the Shepaug. Also, at 6:30 p.m. Aug. 3, The Story of a River: Rallies to Save the Shepaug.

Edwin Matthews, president of the Shepaug River Association, will lead the presentations that will include a slideshow with photos from the collection at the museum, followed by a discussion with the audience.

Registration is required. To register, visit www.gunnmuseum.org.
Microblogging and social networking service Twitter has disabled campaign advertisements by the United States President Donald Trump.

Twitter has said it disabled Trumps advert in response to a report by the copyright owner.

Reports from Twitter users say the advert was a fan-made video that featured a cover of the Linkin Park song In the End.

The clip featured Trumps inauguration speech, interspersed with footage of Trump campaign rallies, battleships, machinery and rockets as the US President walks across stages and stands in front of the Lincoln Memorial.

Jung Youth, who created the cover, responded to comments about the video alleging that he did not approve this usage of his music .

This is not the first time Trump will be breaking Twitters rules as Twitter has continously cautioned the President over copyright claims which over time has been hard for him to keep up with.

Recall that in June, Trump fired out a number of tweets warning Black Lives Matter protesters that if they attempted to set up an autonomous zone in Washington DC theyd be met with serious force.

The posts were covered with a warning label, with Twitter saying they violated our policy against abusive behaviour, specifically, the presence of a threat of harm against an identifiable group.

The first warning from the social media company was placed over a claim Trump made that mail-in voting ballots in the state of California would lead to voter fraud. Twitter included a link to get the facts about mail-in ballots.
By Express News Service

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: KR Jyothilal, transport principal secretary, who recommended to Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan for setting up a backdoor office of PwC to implement e-mobility project has come under flak. When Opposition Leader Ramesh Chennithala raised the issue earlier, it was denied by Pinarayi. But now documents reveal that Jyothilal had taken the stance that secretariat staffers were incompetent and hence it is advisable to have a Value Management Office (VMO) of the PwC at the secretariat to implement the e-mobility project.

But Pinarayi maintained that just because the official had come up with a note doesnt mean that the government has agreed to implement it.Jyothilals order dated 27 September 2018 urges for a backdoor office in secretariat to expedite mega projects under Re-build Kerala Initiative. But what has antagonised the secretariat employees is the way in which Jyothilal has alleged that the existing assistants are not competent enough to complete the work practically and in a time-bound manner.

Jyothilal had also urged for a media campaign including the social media where he has recommended that NICSI appointed PwC which has recommended for VMO proposal can be approved. The transport principal secretary had sought applicants for the posts of Programme and Strategic Management Expert, Functional Consultant, Financial Consultant and Policy Consultant where two of these posts have already been finalised.

These applicants are expected to draw a monthly salary of `3.34 lakh to `3.24 lakh more than the Chief Secretarys monthly salary. Later in the evening, Pinarayi Vijayan told reporters that the government does not agree to whatever the officials note down in their files.
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Donald Trump supporters held a 'TrumpStock' boat parade around the Statue of Liberty on Sunday.

The president's fans headed out in their boats along the Hudson waving American flags and 'Trump 2020' banners as they hit the waves towards the iconic statue.

Dozens of boaters cruised up the river from New York Harbor for the Boat Parade and Flotilla.

'For all of our NYC boating enthusiasts, we are so excited to announce that we will be bringing the first Trump parade to NYCs Hudson River called "TrumpStock" to support President Trump in his home state,' a description for the event organized by Boaters for Trump on Facebook says.

Donald Trump supporters held a 'TrumpStock' Boat Parade on Sunday near the Statue of Liberty in the Hudson River. A boat decked out with Trump signs and flags above

MAGA fan: Trump supporters headed out to the water with their boats decked out in countless Trump 2020 flags. This boater even had a megaphone to vocalize his support for the Republican president

The event was organized by Boaters for Trump and was meant to show support for Trump in his hometown of New York

Dozens of boats attended the event, including people on jetskis. The Statue of Liberty pictured on the right in the distance

The president praised the gathering on Friday, sharing the event on Facebook saying: 'Wow, Thank you, New York!'

The Facebook event said over 3,000 boats and 15,000 people attended a similar event in Long Island last month.

The group met east of the Statue of Liberty at 11am. The parade kicked off at noon with the Pledge of Allegiance.

The president praised the gathering on Friday, sharing the event on Facebook saying: 'Wow, Thank you, New York!'

Videos and photos of the event have been shared to social media showing revelers enjoying the sun and water and blasting music as they rode the waves.

One woman posted a video with the caption 'And were off!' with an American flag seen waving in the wind in the background.

One video shows at least 16 staggered ships surrounding the Statue of Liberty, all of them waving Trump flags as a Pitbull song plays in the background.

Some boaters even carried signs with them saying 'Trump Pence' and 'Blue Lives Matter'.

However, not everyone was pleased with the Trump festival. Spectators on the piers along the river flashed the middle finger and thumbs down motions to the passing boaters on Sunday.

A Fire Department of New York boat rode along the flotilla on Sunday as dozens of Trump supporters headed into the water

The group met east of the Statue of Liberty at 11am. The parade kicked off at noon with the Pledge of Allegiance

A view of the flotilla pictured above where people came from all over the city to gather in their support of Trump

These boaters eagerly held up signs that said 'Trump Pence' and 'Blue Lives Matter' during the parade Sunday

Videos shared to social media gave a close-up glimpse of the action of the expansive group of Trump boaters and adventurous adrenaline-seekers on jetskis decked out with Trump flags

Sunday's gathering was a big show for Trump's following in the blue state of New York.

While Donald Trump continues to slip in the polls against Joe Biden, the president still remains ahead among two demographics  male and white voters, but the presumed Democratic nominee is still ahead in almost every other demographic.

Overall, if the election were held today, Biden would earn 49 per cent of the vote, which is 8 per cent more than Trump's 41 per cent, according to a Fox News poll released Sunday.

But in an interview with on Sunday Trump blasted those polls as fake.

'First of all, I'm not losing, because those are fake polls,' Trump told Fox News Sunday host Chris Wallace in a pre-recorded interview. 'They were fake in 2016 and now they're even more fake. The polls were much worse in 2016.'

The president also still refuses to say if he will willingly accept the results if he does not emerge the victor in November.

The same Fox News poll, taken July 12-15, reveals that when it comes to male voters, Trump is up by 5 percentage points, but among women voters, Biden leads the president by 9 points.

Not everyone was pleased with the Trump festival. People on the piers along the route gave the middle finger and thumbs down motions to the boaters on Sunday

A Trump supporter pictured snapping a photo of the action with a Trump 2020 flag secured on his jetski

Fun in the sun! Two Trump supporters pictured hitting the waves at 'Trumpstock' on Sunday

Dozens of ships flocked to the iconic statue that represents freedom and liberty in the US on Sunday

Some boats went overboard with their Trump gear sticking multiple Trump flags on their vessels

White voters are also much more likely to cast their ballot for Trump over Biden in the November elections  those with a college degree by a 3 per cent margin and without a degree by 9 percentage points.

Biden is ahead of Trump among all other races.

A massive 64 per cent of black voters say they would vote for Biden over Trump while the Democrat is ahead among Hispanic voters by 30 per cent.

During his taped interview with Wallace, which aired Sunday morning, Trump railed against mail-in voting, claiming it could lead Democrats to rig the election results.

The Fox News poll, however, reveals that only 15 per cent of voters want the election held full in-person.

Thirty-one per cent are in favor of an option that allows for both in-person and remote  or mail-in  voting, and 25 per cent want elections to be held fully through the mail.
The trade of fruits imported from Armenia has been normalized in Moscow, and the owners of Food City market have promised to let Armenian truckers bring their produce. This is what Ambassador of Armenia to Russia Vardan Toghanyan told TASS today.

The Embassy of Armenia in Russia is following the situation at Food City. The owners have promised that everything will be fine, if Armenian truckers decide to bring their produce to the market. Two truckers were able to enter the market last night, he said.

According to Toghanyan, in general, everything is getting back to normal. He also emphasized the fact that there are no problems with the sale and supply of fruits imported from Armenia in Moscow and other regions of Russia.

Yesterday, in an interview with the Russian RBK agency, Toghanyan informed that the employees of the Embassy of Armenia in the Russian Federation had visited Food City market to regulate the situation, but were told to leave the premises.

The Embassy of Armenia in Russia received messages from Armenian exporters according to which they had been prohibited from trading at Food City. The Embassy explored the situation, informed the Moscow authorities about the discrepancies, and representatives of the diplomatic mission visited the market. Food Citys administration didnt wish to listen to the representatives and used force to make them leave.

News about trucks filled with Armenian goods being brought out of Moscows Food City market at midnight was posted on social networks Friday. Some suppliers reported that the food was already rotten.

The Food City market belongs to the Food City group of companies, which is owned by natives of Azerbaijan, entrepreneurs God Nisanov and Zarakh Iliev.

The trucks have been offered alternative locations in Moscow to sell their goods. The owner of Tashir Group Samvel Karapetyan has earlier today offered a point where farmers from Armenia could sell the product free of charge.

Armenian social media users, in turn, launched a flashmob. To support goods, Armenians from different Russian cities have come to the sites to buy fruits.

The host of events Edgar Hambardzumyan took to his Facebook to go live from the scene. He also said that umbrellas were distributed to those present to protect them from the rain.

Musicians also arrived. Armenian songs and dances are expected in the wholesale shopping center.

The apricot from two trucks has already been sold, the third and fourth trucks have arrived, including those with cherries and plums.
Big Brother's Sophie Budack and Chad Hurst grew incredibly close with one another on the show.

But it seems the reality star lovebirds may have called it quits after as they appeared to be in different locations while zooming in for a Channel Seven interview.

Reuniting for the first time on television following their stint in the house, Chad, 27, and Sophie, 25, were seen in seperate locations as they spoke to the Sunrise hosts.

Social distancing? Big Brother couple Chad Hurst and Sophie Budack are living separately ahead of Wednesday night's grand finale. Pictured: Big Brother final six

Channel Seven have housed the finalists at seperate hotels, while Sydney-based Chad continues living at his Bondi apartment.

Speaking to Daily Mail Australia, a Big Brother insider claimed Sophie and Chad were instructed to 'keep their distance' ahead of Wednesday night's grand finale, in hopes of catching their highly anticipated reunion on camera.

Sophie has previously denied claims her flirty romance with Chad was over.

Something to tell us? Reuniting for the first time on television following their stint in the house, Chad, 27, and Sophie, 25, were seen in seperate screens while they spoke to the Sunrise hosts

Earlier this month, Sophie insisted the pair 'are still close' and talk to each other daily, despite her former housemate Angela Clancy telling media otherwise.

Sophie explained she was looking forward to reuniting with Chad when they film the show's grand finale.

The Darwin-based beauty said she couldn't understand why Angela, 38, was talking to the media on the couple's behalf.

Going strong! Earlier this month, Sophie insisted the pair 'are still close' and talk to each other daily, despite her former housemate Angela Clancy telling media otherwise

Sophie added: 'I'm not to sure why Angela is making comments to be honest'.

'We haven't spoke to her since the show finished,' she added.

Previously speaking to Daily Mail Australia, a friend of the couple said the reason Sophie and Chad haven't seen each other was due to COVID-19 restrictions.

Chad is curled up at his Bondi apartment while Sophie has been unable to return to Sydney due to Australian government regulations.

'She is still very invested in the relationship and feels like they're a team,' the source said.
Editors note: Todays guest editorial originally appeared in The Yakima Herald-Repubic. Editorial content from other publications and authors is provided to give readers a sampling of regional and national opinion and does not necessarily reflect positions endorsed by the Editorial Board of The Daily News.

After the statewide K-12 school shutdown in March and the weeks of mixed-results of online learning that followed, school districts are now faced with complicated decisions regarding how to safely and effectively educate thousands of students this fall and beyond.

Options include 100% remote learning, similar to what took place in the closing weeks of the 2019-20 school year as communities attempted to slow the spread of the highly contagious and unpredictable COVID-19; in-person classroom instruction in reopened school buildings, with social distancing and heightened sanitation; or hybrids of the two.

Strong opinions abound on this subject as school officials, teachers, support staffers and parents grapple with balancing the differing needs of students and families against the health and safety of all concerned parties. Some families that are more financially secure, for instance, might prefer online learning, whereas struggling families with working parents might be eager to send their children off to school each day.

Meanwhile, administrators and state officials wonder how to pay for it all, as extra hirings, more extensive cleaning techniques and the potential added costs related to remote learning promise to stretch district budgets.

In short, its a bit of a mess.

But its a mess whose ownership sits at the local level. It is up to individual districts  administrators, teachers, support staff, parents and other stakeholders  working in conjunction with local health districts and related state agencies and officials, to make these tough calls for their students and communities. Nobody knows a school system better than those who work within that system or who live in the community. Whats right for Yakima kids and families might not work elsewhere. And while few would argue that in-person, classroom instruction is the best way to educate most children, reality says its prudent to have Plans B and C ready to go, at least until the U.S. can flatten the COVID-19 curve.

If we hadnt learned yet that public education isnt one-size-fits-all, hopefully the pandemic will bring this lesson home. Yakima Superintendent Trevor Greene suggested Tuesday that there could be permanent changes within his district even after schools fully reopen. This has really shined a light on the need for us to be more flexible in meeting families where they are, whether thats virtually or in the in-school setting, he said.

In reinforcing the need for local control and decision-making, in a polite way were telling the White House to butt out. And were not alone. In recent weeks, President Donald Trump has been advocating for schools to reopen in the fall, hoping that a return of parents to the workforce will help stimulate the American economy. In doing so, hes issued largely empty threats to withhold federal funding  a small fraction of a local school district budget. More recently, however, the White House has indicated that it is considering an increase of financial support for public schools this fall.

And school districts large and small across the country continue to ignore the presidents position and his threats, focusing instead on the educational and health needs of their own communities  exactly what must be done here in the Valley, with its widely diverse population and just-as-wide income gaps that historically can hinder learning for some.

The Yakima School District, for instance, has already announced that it will offer full-time online schooling to all students whose parents dont feel its safe to return their children to classrooms. The district said Tuesday that it will send a survey to parents and guardians in the next couple of weeks to see if families would prefer remote learning, in-person instruction or a combination. Results of the survey will help determine details such as how to divide teachers and support staff between classroom and online instruction.

Rob Darling, Yakima School District assistant superintendent of teaching and learning, said that the physical reopening of school buildings this fall is not a sure thing.

Other issues under discussion include how to safely serve lunch, working with students with disabilities, the possibility of switching from semesters to quarters for older students, and expanding internet boundaries so all students and teachers can connect from home.

With widely diverse economic bases from district to district throughout Yakima County and the state, reliable internet connections will be an issue this year and perhaps for years to come. Its in important issue  one that local districts might not be in the best position to resolve due to cost and lack of infrastructure. If they havent already done so, now would be the time for school districts with uneven internet coverage to reach out to the state and perhaps private industry for assistance as they mine for ways to best serve their students and unique communities.

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A Virginia man has been charged with cyberstalking the mayor of Tulsa in a failed effort to stop President Donald Trump's campaign rally there last month.

Adam Maxwell Donn, 40, is federally charged with stalking, harassing, intimidating, and inflicting emotional distress upon Tulsa Mayor G.T. Bynum and his family, prosecutors said Saturday.

Court documents allege Donn sent 44 emails and 14 phone calls to Bynum and his wife in which he harassed, threatened and tried to intimidate the mayor into cancelling Trump's June 20 rally.

Donn's attorney, Jeffery Swartz, did not immediately reply to a Saturday phone message seeking comment.

Tulsa Mayor G.T. Bynum (above) received dozens of harassing phone calls and emails, which federal prosecutors say were sent by Virginia man Adam Maxwell Donn

Trump's critics were furious that he held the rally in Tulsa (above) despite the pandemic

Court documents allege that Donn threatened to publish the Bynum family's home address and personal information to the internet, including the children's cell phone numbers and social media accounts.

One email was sent on June 19, 2020, when Donn allegedly stated he hoped Bynum's family contracted Covid-19 and hoped the family suffered.

Donn further stated he would possibly show up to Bynum's next Bible study, and on another occasion, asked the mayor's wife if she would be home later so the he could meet her at her house, according to prosecutors.

As well, a voicemail received by the mayor's wife allegedly stated the street she lived on and asked if she still lived there 'before his guys made a delivery.'

The affidavit also alleged that Donn masqueraded as the mayor's wife and sent emails to her colleagues via her business website.

Trump reacts to the crowd as he arrives onstage at the June 20 rally in Tulsa

In those emails, he allegedly stated that recipients should send his messages on to the mayor's wife, and if they didn't, he would show up at their office and infect them with coronavirus.

'Cyberstalkers try to hide behind keyboards while they threaten and intimidate others, but their online actions have real world effects,' said U.S. Attorney Trent Shores said in a statement.

'Mr. Donn will now face the real world consequences for his alleged criminal actions,' he added.

Donn was arrested in Virginia and made his first court appearance there on Friday with a second appearance in Tulsa scheduled for July 22, Shores said.

The president's rally drew an estimated 6,200 people to Tulsa's 19,000-seat BOK Center, far short of the full house that was predicted.

Tulsa health director Bruce Dart publicly asked that the rally be postponed and Bynum, who joined in greeting Trump when he arrived at the Tulsa airport, said he would not attend.

Bynum's spokeswoman Michelle Brooks on Saturday told The Associated Press that he did not attend the Trump rally.

Coronavirus cases in the city and Tulsa County spiked in the weeks following the rally and Dart said the event 'likely' was the source of the increase.
Our pets arent just companion animals. Theyre treasured friends, and even beloved family members. While its never fun or pleasant to think about what will happen to them if the worst should happen to us, its very important to consider how we can ensure they are well cared for when and if we are no longer able to care for them ourselves. Thankfully, creating a solid plan through a pet trust can help give us peace of mind.
NASA has two big missions planned for Earths neighbouring celestial bodies. Its Artemis program intends to set up a human base on the moon while its Perseverance rover flight to Mars this month will work to eventually set up the basis of a manned mission to Mars.

Both the cases can potentially lead to a biological contamination of extraterrestrial landscapes.

This artist's concept shows an astronaut on Mars, as viewed through the window of a spacecraft. (Image: NASA/ JPL-Caltech)

And precisely for that reason, NASA wants to control it and to make sure such contamination does not take place, the US space agency has released two NASA Interim Directives (NIDs). One focuses on the robotic and human missions to the Earths Moon, while the other is meant for future human missions to Mars.

NASA's policy on protecting space

To be ensured by NASAs Office of Planetary Protection, the first directive of the two addresses the control of forward terrestrial biological contamination that can be associated with all NASA and NASA-affiliated missions on or around the Moon.



The second NID works towards reworking the previous policies that would have constructively prohibited the human exploration of Mars. NASA claims that the NID shows a path forward for manned missions to Mars based on the knowledge gained from the International Space Station, Gateway, lunar surface operations, as well as robotic missions to Mars.

In itself, the directive is a bold confirmation of the US space agencys plan to send humans to Mars. The possibility has been resonating with the agency since 2017 when US President Donald Trump signed the directive for Americas return to the moon, only to establish a foundation for an eventual mission to Mars.

Within the directives, NASA makes sure to prevent harmful forward and backward harmful biological contamination on both Moon and Mars.

"We are enabling our important goal of sustainable exploration of the Moon while simultaneously safeguarding future science in the permanently shadowed regions," said Thomas Zurbuchen, Associate Administrator of NASAs Science Mission Directorate. "These sites have immense scientific value in shaping our understanding of the history of our planet, the Moon and the solar system."

Protecting moon missions from human contamination

NASA Artemis Mission (Image: NASA)

Through the first directive - NID 8715.128, NASA has reclassified parts of the Moon into sensitive locations and those that can be visited easily, thus lowering restrictions for human missions to the Moon. In the directive, the space agency has marked Permanently Shadowed Regions (PSRs), Apollo landing and other lunar historic sites as sensitive locations.



While the former are claimed to have scientific value in the study of the history of the solar system, the latter are classified as having both historical and scientific value.

Missions to all other regions on the Moon will be granted a NASA Mission Planetary Protection Category I-L classification as per the directive. Under this category no protection of such regions is warranted.

Ensuring humanity's safe visit to Mars

NASA Perseverance Mars Rover (Image: NASA)

The second directive titled NID 8715.129 focuses on controlling the biological contamination of Mars as well as the Earth-Moon system through any human missions to Mars. In accordance with the 1967 Outer Space Treaty, the directive paves a safe way for the hunt of alien life on celestial bodies.



It intends to do so through two-way monitoring - control contamination of other worlds in order to support the integrity of the search and study of extraterrestrial life, if it exists, and prevent backward contamination of Earth by extraterrestrial life and bioactive molecules in returned samples from habitable worlds.

The directives aim to make tracking of any unearthly microbes easier. If any alien life is found in a pristine environment, it can be an assured native of the place. If contamination takes place in cross-world missions, it will be difficult to track the native place of any life form.

As much as they work to prevent biological contamination, the new directives also open up more avenues for the space agencys future missions to both Mars and Moon. A task for later, NASA is currently busy with sending the Perseverance rover to the moon and will be devoting all its time to that, thanks to a strict deadline.
By PTI

ISLAMABAD: A Pakistani court has asked the government to relocate an elephant to an animal rehabilitation sanctuary in Cambodia after animal rights activists launched a campaign highlighting that the pachyderm was chained and mistreated in a small zoo here.

The Islamabad High Court (IHC) issued the order on Saturday following petitions by activists to remove the elephant, Kaavan, from a small zoo in Islamabad after its showed erratic behaviour.

Kaavan, the only elephant in the Pakistani capital, will be relocated to a 25,000-acre sanctuary in Cambodia that already houses elephants and is equipped with experts to have relocated and rehabilitated more than 80 elephants so far.

Animal right activists around the world campaigned for Kaavan's release, accusing Islamabad zookeepers of keeping him isolated, chained up, and not providing the large animal with proper shelter and relief during hot summer months.

Zoo officials have denied keeping Kaavan in chains and said his distress was due to him pining for a new mate. His previous one, Saheli, died in 2012. The World Wide Fund for Nature which was part of the campaign hailed the decision.

Pakistan's minister for climate change Mian Aslam Amin said the government would follow the decision of the court but did not give any timeline to send it to the new location. Kaavan was gifted by Sri Lanka in 1985 and it was a great source of attraction for children as well as adults in the zoo at the foothills of Margalla Hills.

Animal lovers were pained after reports surfaced that Kaavan was put in chains to avoid any untoward situation as the elephant was becoming aggressive at times.
Two toddlers who almost drowned in a backyard pool after mysteriously getting past a locked fence are still recovering in hospital.

Osman, 2, and Destiny Achrafe, 23 months, were found unconscious in the pool at a home in Casula, southwest Sydney, on Saturday afternoon.

Paramedics desperately performed CPR on the boy and girl who were then rushed to the Children's Hospital at Westmead in critical conditions.

Osman's mother Xena Al-Achrafe said the little boy was still in hospital on Sunday morning and she wasn't sure when he could come home.

Osman Achrafe, 2, pictured with his mother Xena, almost drowned in a backyard pool along with his younger cousin

Osman, 2, and Destiny Achrafe, 23 months, (pictured together) were found unconscious in the pool at a home in Casula, southwest Sydney

She said how the children managed to get into a fenced-off pool with a locked gate while their family was at home is still a mystery.

The two families are very close and celebrated Muslim holiday Eid al-Fitr in May, and Osman's older sister's fifth birthday last month.

Family photos show them celebrating the holiday with extended family and being doted on by parents and aunts and uncles.

Destiny was given a blanket with her name on it when she was born in August 2018 and Osman wore a hat with his name as a newborn.

'On this very day god blessed me with a prince,' Ms Achrafe wrote last year to celebrate Osman's first birthday.

They were found floating on the surface of the pool (pictured) at a home in Casula

Destiny (pictured with her older brother) and her cousin were rushed to the Children's Hospital at Westmead in critical conditions

Osman with his father Ahmad. The close family has Lebanese heritage and Osman's grandfather emigrated from there to Australia

The grandfather of the toddlers, Awi Achrafe, said he had no idea how the 'beautiful' babies could have made their way into the pool.

Mr Achrafe said the whole family was home at the time and neither toddler could swim.

'The pool is fenced off and has a gate, the (children) couldn't open it,' he told The Sunday Telegraph.

'I don't understand how it could have happened. They don't know how to swim, they're only young.'

Mr Achrafe said he visited the family, who had been living in the Lakewood Crescent house for three years, every day.

'They're always smiling and playing. I'm praying for them,' he said.

Osman wore a hat with his name as a newborn. 'On this very day god blessed me with a prince,' Ms Achrafe wrote last year to celebrate his first birthday

Destiny was given a blanket with her name on it when she was born in August 2018

NSW Ambulance Inspector Gavin Wood stressed how important the CPR that police performed was.

'The (children) were both in cardiac arrest and unresponsive. It was an incredibly traumatic and chaotic scene,' Insp Wood said.

'The response time of police was eight minutes after the initial call and they managed to perform effective CPR  without that we may have had a very different outcome.

'Both (children) remain in critical care but at the moment we're hopeful.'
Jerusalem, July 19 : The number of coronavirus death cases in Israel has risen to 401, as nine more patients succumbed to the dreaded virus on Saturday, the state's Ministry of Health said.

This is the highest daily number of death cases in Israel since April 18 when 13 deaths were recorded then.

The ministry also reported 1,906 new coronavirus cases, the second-highest daily rise since the pandemic outbreak in the country, bringing the total number to 49,365, Xinhua reported.

The number of patients in serious condition rose from 208 to 217, out of 589 patients currently hospitalized.

The number of recoveries rose to 21,348, with 604 new recoveries, while the number of active cases reached a record high of 27,616.

Earlier on Saturday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a Facebook post that "the economic policy is decided by the government -- not the officials." The prime minister referred to the criticism expressed by the director of budgets at the finance ministry, Shaul Meridor, against Netanyahu's plan that promises direct payment for all Israelis as announced Wednesday.

The plan has not yet been approved by the government or parliament, and it is therefore still unclear when citizens will receive the money in their bank accounts.
P olice were forced to shut down another illegal block party in London on Saturday night as a huge crowd of people gathered in Notting Hill.

Footage circulating on social media shows people singing and dancing in the street near Portobello Road in the latest of such events in the capital.

One nearby resident said hundreds of revellers descended on the area for the event.

Oliver Gerrish complained on Twitter that people were urinating in the street and shouting and swearing "in their hundreds".

A Kensington and Chelsea Police spokesperson said on Twitter: "There is a s35 dispersal zone in the Portobello Road area.

"Do NOT attend these areas. Officers have the power to move you on, and will do so. If you attend within this period you could be arrested.

"Unlicensed music events are illegal. As well as being very disruptive to communities and posing an increased risk of COVID-19 transmission, they have in some cases led to violent incidents affecting both those attending and the officers who have to shut them down."

It came as shocking bodycam footage released by the Met Police police showed officers getting pelted with bottles, canisters and even a bicycle at illegal north London rave.

The footage shows the officers approaching crowds at the Woodberry Down Estate in Finsbury Park on Friday night as objects fly towards them.

Concerned nearby residents had alerted officers to the event from 11pm.

The Met said they were met with hostility and violence and two officers were injured after items were hurled at them.
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Linkedin Tri Indah Oktavianti (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Sun, July 19, 2020 13:42 549 6657ac82168da9fa101c8a40667883e8 1 World COVID-19,COVID-19-Indonesian-abroad,COVID-19-in-Indonesia,repatriation,repatriates,India,New-Delhi,coronavirus,pandemic,Airport,flight Free

As many as 330 Indonesians have been repatriated from India since May, amid an international travel ban imposed by the Indian government in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Indonesian Embassy in New Delhi has reported.

Forty-seven Indonesians arrived in Jakarta from New Delhi on Saturday, the latest batch in a series ongoing repatriation efforts by the Indonesian government.

More people will be repatriated from Mumbai on July 23. We hope to send as many Indonesians as possible back to Indonesia on the next flight, Indonesian Ambassador to India Sidharto Suryodipuro said on Saturday, as quoted in an embassy statement.

According to the statement, most of the repatriates were tourists, while others were students and professionals who worked at international organizations, Indian companies and as ship crew.

After months of separation from their families due to the pandemic, those celebrating will be able to enjoy Idul Adha with family, Sidharto said.

The first repatriation flight from New Delhi arrived in Indonesia on May 20 with 59 Indonesians on board, followed by 117 Indonesians on the second flight on May 22. The third repatriation flight on July 4 brought back 107 Indonesians from Delhi.

The 47 most recent returnees will undergo 14 days of home isolation or, if found to be symptomatic, quarantine in government-arranged facilities.

As many as 169 Indian nationals who had been stranded in Indonesia because of the travel restrictions were also brought home on July 9 aboard an Air Asia flight from Soekarno-Hatta International Airport in Tangerang, Banten. The repatriation effort was made possible through cooperation between the airline, the Indian Embassy in Jakarta and Indian community center Indonesia Tamil Sangam.
Fears of catching coronavirus in hospital led to more than 1,750 people than normal dying of strokes, heart attacks and other cardiac problems because they ignored warning signs and stayed at home, according to a shocking new study.

Lockdown led to a huge surge in out-of-hospital deaths from cardiovascular disease (CVD), Leeds University researchers found.

In total, 1,752 more people died from heart and blood-vessel problems in late March, April and May than would normally be the case.

A study has found that fears of catching coronavirus in hospital led to more than 1,750 people than normal dying of strokes, heart attacks and other cardiac problems (stock photo)

Cardiovascular deaths in care homes were 40 per cent higher than usual, while such deaths in private homes leapt by 34 per cent. By contrast, there was no increase in CVD deaths inside hospitals.

The study found all adult age groups were adversely affected, with cardiac deaths in 18-to-49-year-olds 17 per cent higher than usual.

Statistics professor Jianhua Wu said the displacement of deaths from hospitals to the community most likely signifies that people either did not seek help or were not referred to hospital during the pandemic.

Given that the surge started as the official lockdown began in late March and peaked in early April, Government directives at the time including the onset of UK lockdown, could have accentuated the public response in avoiding hospitals, he said. The study is due to be published in a peer-reviewed journal.

Last night, consultant cardiologist Dr Sukhjinder Nijjer said the figures were entirely consistent with what specialist heart doctors saw in lockdown  half-empty coronary care units.

Hospital attendances for heart attacks were 40 per cent down on spring 2019, with the biggest drops in March and April.

Cardiovascular deaths in care homes were 40 per cent higher than usual while hospital attendances for heart attacks were 40 per cent down on spring 2019 (stock photo)

Dr Nijjer, president-elect for cardiology at the Royal Society of Medicine, added: These data show the unintended consequences of the Stay At Home messaging and the lockdown.

The Save the NHS message also played a part, he argued, as it made some reluctant to come in as they did not want to over-burden hospitals. People with heart disease were still declining important protective procedures like bypass surgery or stents, he warned, putting them at increased risk of a heart attack.

Part of the reason, is they are afraid of catching the virus in hospital, he added. Although we cant remove that risk, Id say its now as low as its ever been in this crisis.

He also revealed his fears that thousands more could die or be left seriously debilitated by heart failure and stroke. If youve got genuine symptoms, please come in  we are waiting to treat people, he said.

Daily death toll bulletin suspended amid claims numbers are exaggerated

By Stephen Adams Medical Editor

Daily updates on coronavirus-related deaths have been suspended amid concerns that the way fatalities are recorded may have exaggerated the toll in England by more than 4,000.

Public Health England counts any death as Covid-related if the person had ever tested positive for the virus  even if they recovered from it months ago. This has raised concerns that some who plainly did not die of the illness  for example, if they were killed by a road traffic accident long after a positive test  are being mis-recorded as Covid-19 deaths.

On Friday, Health Secretary Matt Hancock ordered a review of the way PHE counts coronavirus deaths, which is different to the way they are recorded in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

And yesterday the Department of Health and Social Care stopped publishing daily updates of Covid-19 deaths  underlying how seriously Ministers are taking the matter. The gov.uk website said the numbers for Covid-19 deaths in all settings were not available.

In a sign of growing tensions, PHE yesterday stuck to its guns and continued to publish the disputed daily deaths figure on its Covid-19 dashboard.

However, PHE also tweeted an analysis which calculated that, if England brought its way of calculating Covid-19 related deaths into line with the devolved administrations, its toll would fall by 4,149 deaths  or almost ten per cent.

Amid the confusion:

A Government advisor doubted Prime Minister Boris Johnsons assertion that there could be a significant return to normality by Christmas;

Mr Johnson announced Ministers are to be given new powers to enforce local lockdowns, including stay at home orders;

Matt Hancock (pictured) has ordered a review amid concerns that the way fatalities are recorded may have exaggerated the toll in England by more than 4,000

Ten Nightingale courts  including one in Peterborough Cathedral  are being set up to help clear the legal backlog.

Last night, a Government source stressed Ministers, officials and the public had to have faith in death statistics if they were to be useful.

The source said: The most important thing with data is making sure its reliable. Theres no point putting figures out if you cant trust them.

The key difference between Englands Covid-19 deaths data and that of the devolved administrations is that, in England, there is no cut-off date for Covid-19 deaths.

In Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland if a person dies more than 28 days after a positive coronavirus test, they are not counted as a Covid-19 death. The assumption is they died of something else.

Professor Carl Heneghan of Oxford Universitys Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine, who spotted the statistical flaw in Englands counting method, said: By this PHE definition, no one with Covid in England is allowed to ever recover from their illness.

'A patient who has tested positive, but has been successfully treated, will still be counted as a Covid death even if they had a heart attack or were run over by a bus three months later.

PHEs Dr Susan Hopkins said it included post-28 day deaths to ensure our data is as complete as possible. Its analysis found of those who died after 28 days, Covid-19 was stated as the main cause of death on the death registration form for 47 per cent of cases.

Meanwhile Professor John Edmunds, a member of the Governments Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (Sage), poured cold water on Mr Johnsons sincere

hope that life would get back to normal by Christmas. He said normality was a long way off, unfortunately, and people would be able to ditch social distancing only if a vaccine became available.

Mr Johnson signalled Ministers would get new powers to impose lockdown measures, saying actions by local councils will not always be sufficient.

He said: Where justified by evidence, Ministers will be able to close whole sectors or types of premises in an area, introduce local stay-at-home orders, prevent people entering or leaving defined areas, reduce maximum gathering size, or restrict transport systems serving local areas.

Lord Chancellor Robert Buckland announced the Nightingale Courts, to hear civil, family and tribunal matters, which will free up formal court buildings for cases which require cells and secure docks. Middlesbrough Town Hall and the Ministry of Justices London headquarters are also to be used.
New Delhi, July 19 : Two days after Congress leader Rahul Gandhi raised questions on Indian foreign policy, Congress Chief spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala alleged that the government is creating myth on Chinese transgression through media and the Chinese have still occupied the Indian territory at Depsang Plains and Pangong Tso lake and still building additional army deployment, which is indicative of an impending danger.

Addressing a press conference here, Surjewala asked, "What is the meaning of Defence Minister's statement that there is no guarantee of resolving the issue through talks and has the government accepted that it can't resolve the issue?" The Congress wanted to know from the government, "in how many days status quo ante of prior to May 5 will be restored and what is the government policy on it?"

"Is China involved in construction at Daulat Beg Oldi and Depsang? What is the government doing about it? Has China occupied Finger 4 to 8 at Pangong Tso lake area?" Surjewala questioned.

He said, Chinese occupation on Indian land is unacceptable and there would be no compromise on territorial integrity and national security.

"Congress party and the citizens of the country have said repeatedly that it is with the Armed Forces and the government on this issue, but it's regrettable that the government and the Prime Minister is creating confusion through media on Chinese incursions and not even bothering to restore status quo ante", alleged Surjewala.

The Congress leader said that the confusion spread by the government is neither "service to the nation nor it's patriotism." Surjewala posted facts in favour of his argument.

He said, that the Prime Minister during the all party meet on June 19 had said that no body has entered our territory nor our any post has been occupied, but on June 26 Indian Ambassador to China said that he hoped it will recede towards the LAC. Prior to this, External Affairs Minister had said on June 17 that China is building across the Line of Actual Control in the Galwan Valley.

Rahul Gandhi on Friday hitting out at the government over China's intrusion in India, had said, "The question is why the Chinese choose this particular time to move. What is it about the India's situation that has made it act in such an aggressive way. What is about this moment of time to have the confidence that they can move against country like India?" The Congress MP from Kerala's Wayanad said that to understand this, one has to go to multiple spaces. He said that the countries are protected not by a particular way, but by a confluence of systems of foreign relationships, neighbourhood, economy and the feeling and vision people have. And what has happened over the last six years that all those areas that India has been disturbed and disrupted, Rahul Gandhi had said.
Trump not to issue national mask mandate

Global Times

Source: Xinhua Published: 2020/7/18 11:39:21

U.S. President Donald Trump said Friday he won't issue an order at the national level mandating the use of masks, even as the United States continued to break its single-day coronavirus case record amid a pandemic far from being contained.

Asked by Fox News anchor Chris Wallace if he would consider issuing a national mask mandate to slow the spread of the virus, Trump said: "No, I want people to have a certain freedom and I don't believe in that, no," according to a clip of the Fox News Sunday show, the full version of which will be aired on Sunday.

"I don't agree with the statement that if everyone wore a mask, everything disappears," the president added, as Wallace pointed out that the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said the virus would be brought under control if everyone wore a mask.

"Dr. (Anthony) Fauci said don't wear a mask, our surgeon general -- terrific guy -- said don't wear a mask. Everybody was saying don't wear a mask, all of a sudden everybody's got to wear a mask," Trump said. "And as you know, masks cause problems too. With that being said, I am a believer in masks. I think masks are good."

Trump has been refusing to wear a mask himself since the pandemic broke out, citing his good health and frequent negative tests for the virus.

He was seen wearing a mask in public for the first time on July 11 while visiting Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland, some three months after the CDC recommended that Americans do so because asymptomatic bearers of the virus could still transmit it to others.

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Kim Jong Un, top leader of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), presided over an enlarged military meeting on Saturday to discuss the strategic mission of the major units for coping with the military situation in the vicinity of the Korean Peninsula, the official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported Sunday.

The KCNA reported that the fifth enlarged meeting of the Seventh Central Military Commission (CMC) of the Workers' Party of Korea discussed the issues of intensifying the party's education and guidance of commanders and political officials of the army.

After the enlarged meeting, there was a closed-door meeting to "examine the strategic mission of the major units for coping with the military situation in the vicinity of the Korean Peninsula and the potential military threat," and to discuss the key issues of further bolstering a war deterrent of the country, it said.

An organizational matter was tabled at the meeting on dismissing or appointing commanding officers of major posts of the army, the KCNA said, without giving details of the military reshuffle.

Present at the meeting were CMC Vice-Chairman Ri Pyong Chol, members of the CMC and commanding officers of the armed forces organs at all levels.
Rashad Robinson speaks onstage during the BET "Finding Justice" Atlanta premiere at The Foundry At Puritan Mill on March 04, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia. Paras Griffin | Getty Images

As protests against racial inequality continue, the nonprofit Color of Change is turning to major companies and police forces around the country to push for significant changes in policy, product and behavior. The organization, a Black Lives Matter partner, has been waging their own war on racial inequality for over a decade, working as a change maker within the spheres of culture and media representation of Black people and experiences. Color of Change's latest fight is with Facebook, which has received pressure from hundreds of advertisers threatening to boycott the platform because of what the organization calls the company's failure to properly prevent the spread of hate speech and misinformation. "About a thousand corporations have stood with this boycott. Many brands that no one would call social justice warriors are standing with social justice leaders in this moment because everyone recognizes the threat that Facebook provides if they are not reined in," said Rashad Robinson, president and executive director of Color of Change, in a recent interview on CNBC's "Squawk Alley." "Corporations do not want their ads and their brands showing up to white nationalist content and to have to hear Mark Zuckerberg talk about how he's not going to be held accountable." In defense, Facebook tasked a group of auditors to evaluate its policies, leading to an independent review with disappointing results, according to numerous leaders in the civil rights space. The audit zeroed in on Facebook's decision to leave up a post from President Donald Trump using the phrase "when the looting starts, the shooting starts," in response to protests over the police killing of George Floyd, a Black man, on Memorial Day. Trump's post echoed a phrase used by a Miami police chief in the 1960s, widely interpreted as a violent threat against protesters.

"After the company publicly left up the looting and shooting post, more than five political and merchandise ads have run on Facebook sending the same dangerous message that 'looters' and 'Antifa terrorists' can or should be shot by armed citizens," the auditors wrote in an 89-page report. The ad boycott campaign, led by Color of Change, has gained significant traction, with major brands like Unilever, Coca-Cola, and Starbucks pulling their ads from the social network. The issue has put Facebook in a precarious position and is likely to come up on July 27 when CEO Mark Zuckerberg is expected to testify before the House Judiciary Antitrust Subcommittee.

Media representation

Facebook isn't the only company feeling the heat. Color of Change, founded in 2005, is rattling large TV and streaming companies like Netflix and Fox. Already, Color of Change has shaken up legacy media outlets. The group rallied for the cancellation of "Cops" in 2013 from Fox, one of the network's leading shows for 25 years up until that point. The show then was picked up by the Paramount Network. But last month the television channel announced it would cancel the show amid protests against police brutality in the wake of Floyd's death. For years, Color of Change has argued that the show glorified police officers and unfairly portrayed low-income people as villains. To paint "the poor people who have been already targeted and attacked doesn't serve us," said Robinson in an interview with CNBC. A similar battle is brewing. Up next for Color of Change is an effort to replicate their experience with "Cops," shifting their focus to other shows that also depict police officers in a flattering light without considering the practices they disproportionately inflict on people of color. "We are really focused on reality cop shows, which set up a relationship with police where they're only going to be shown in positive lights and sets up a world that is not actually accurate and only really targets and shows certain types of communities," Robinson said.

A street sign of Black Lives Matter Plaza is seen near St. John's Episcopal Church, as the protests against the death in Minneapolis police custody of George Floyd continue, in Washington, June 5, 2020. Carlos Barria | Reuters

Earlier this year, the organization put together a report, called "Normalizing Injustice," which outlines practices producers and industry executives can follow to make crime television shows more realistic. The report found that crime TV as a genre "plays a considerable role in advancing distorted representations of crime, justice, race and gender in media and culture," according to the press release. "These fictitious depictions build on false perceptions of the criminal justice system and how it intersects with race and gender while ignoring many important realities." Crime TV also has among the least diverse crews of showrunners and writers, the report found. More than 81% of showrunners of 26 shows studied are white men, and 20 out of 26 shows either have no Black writers or just one Black writer, according to the study.

Working with the police

Because much of their recent work is focused on the relationship between law enforcement and people of color, Robinson maintains that the organization's relationship with the police is complicated. Many forces around the country have welcomed discourse with Color of Change on the topics of police brutality and its disproportionate impact on people of color, Robinson told CNBC. The police "is not a monolith," he said. "I've actually had very good conversations with police chiefs. And it doesn't mean that we always agree. It just means that we are having conversations and I feel like there is a sharing of perspectives." One law enforcement body, the Fraternal Order of Police, has never been receptive to such a conversation, Robinson said. "They want more militarized policing and they want more control over our communities and have failed in their fundamental responsibility to keep us safe time and time again," Robinson said of the group, which is made up of over 330,000 sworn law enforcement officers nationwide. Robinson recalled a surprising meeting at the White House in 2016 after the deaths of Alton Sterling and Philando Castile when former President Barack Obama was in office. During this meeting, Robinson was discussing racial profiling, sharing his own experience of being stopped and frisked while walking through Central Park. Also present was Bryan Stevenson, the lawyer who successfully appealed the murder conviction of Walter McMillian and wrote the book "Just Mercy," which became a movie starring Michael B. Jordan and Jamie Foxx. As the two spoke, "the head of the Fraternal Order of Police interrupts me and says all of this talk of racial profiling is new to me," Robinson said. In the meeting with heavyweight civil rights leaders Robinson and Stevenson, as well as "a roomful of other activists," the FOP head felt "completely comfortable with not saying, 'I don't agree,'" Robinson said. "He didn't say, 'I don't agree with your demands.' He didn't say, 'I think you guys are overstating the problem.' He gas-lit us to basically believe that the problem doesn't exist." Robinson conceded that afterwards he heard from other police chiefs who had also been in the room when the exchange went down. They reached out to talk about what they heard, a bit of encouragement for Robinson that came out of what had become a sour meeting. And despite having many forces open to hearing from them, the nature of their work "makes it so that we are not a fan favorite of the police," Robinson said. The Fraternal Order of Police didn't immediately respond to a request for comment.

The White House factor

The silver lining is that police forces are generally under local jurisdiction, meaning that Color of Change can go from state to state talking with governors and local leaders about police reform. It also means that external influences like the Fraternal Order of Police and the White House do not have the power to command the police or stop reforms from happening. Since President Donald Trump entered office, Color of Change has not engaged the White House and there are no plans to do so in the near future, Robinson said. "You can't engage an institution that doesn't want to be engaged and doesn't believe in engagement," he explained. "And this is a White House that thinks that there were 'fine people' on the other side of Charlottesville," he said, referring to the protests and clashes of 2017 in the Virginia city. "This is a grifter White House that uses issues to stoke resentment, to stoke attention, but doesn't actually want to solve problems. And it's all a reality show. And so, you know, we are trying to deal with serious issues here and trying to advance serious causes." So much of the work happens on the ground, so Color of Change doesn't need the White House's cooperation or approval to keep their operations going. But if former Vice President Joe Biden wins the presidency come November, Color of Change will "absolutely" engage the White House, Robinson said, adding that it's not a partisan issue because the group has worked with Republican lawmakers to fight for small Black-owned businesses. Instead, the issue is with Trump himself, he said. "This is a president that has supported, engaged and uplifted white nationalists," Robinson said. "We wouldn't know where to start, and going hat in hand to a person who time and time again has proven themselves to not be a stable force for change would be a mistake." The White House didn't immediately respond to a request for comment.

Behind the scenes

These efforts have widened Color of Change's reach, leading to a ramp-up in fundraising and membership. The organization has quadrupled its membership count from 1.7 million to 7 million people in the last few weeks, Robinson said. In an interview with the New York Times, Robinson said that Color of Change has received "hundreds of thousands of individual donations" in the last few weeks. "More folks have reached out wanting to support our work as they become aware of who we are," Robinson told CNBC. "And we think it's a rallying cry for us to grow our reach and deepen our efforts." Color of Change has a policy against taking direct financial contributions from corporations, but corporate donations have been flooding in as the waves of protests continue nationwide. The group's board has plans to redistribute those donations to various black-led organizations, the Times reported. Because Color of Change doesn't accept corporate donations, "we are really continuing to rely on the support of individuals and foundations all around the country who believe in racial justice and believe that we need strong organizations to achieve it," Robinson said. The process begins with open conversation. To communicate with these large companies in an effort to get closer to a society where racial justice does exist, Color of Change tries to engage first before applying pressure in the form of a campaign. "We try to really understand what the arguments are on the other side," Robinson said. But if initial discussions don't seem pointed toward progress or understanding, Color of Change can use its vast backing to press these companies to reconsider. There's no one strategy that fits every company. For Facebook, the ad boycott campaign has put the social media giant on the defensive as it loses millions of dollars in advertising money.

People participate in a march in Brooklyn for both Black Lives Matter and to commemorate the 155th anniversary of Juneteenth on June 19, 2020 in New York City. Spencer Platt | Getty Images
A vibrant truck heads down the road with a tropical scene of birds, plants and a jolly sun peering through palm tree leaves. Its a vision as it moves through Bay Area suburban neighborhoods and a sight for sore eyes during shelter in place.

People say, You don't understand how important this is to us. You're giving our kids and our family a 10-minute break in a day when it's just all doom and gloom. said Cory Jacobson, co-owner and operator of Kona Ice of North Marin.

Cory and wife Adela Jacobson co-own two Kona Ice trucks, a franchise company that serves shaved ice flavored with fruity syrup. Since shelter in place, the duo has transitioned the business model that heavily relied on fundraising events to a home delivery model.

We figured since restaurants are allowed to deliver, why not us? Adela said. So, we switched to delivery and everything is ordered online, prepaid, and then we show up at your door with your Kona order.

ALSO: Missing county fair food? Head to Marin for your fix

By doing these curbside deliveries, as opposed to just driving neighborhoods and turning the music on, we're hoping that people see that we're doing it and trying to be more respectful of everybody's health, Adela added.

That shift has been a pivotal move for the shaved ice business, as many schools are expected to remain closed through the year. Before the pandemic, Kona Ice of North Marin based its sales on school fundraisers and youth sports. Private events were also a source of income.

But as families continue to stay home, more customers have reached out to feel a sense of normalcy.

Kathryn Huyge/ Kona Ice

Parents are [calling us] as surprises for the kids, and it's awesome to pull up to a house and see the kids come running outside, Adela said. They see the Kona truck and they're jumping up and down. The kids get really excited and hug their parents.

Cory said that business has increased amid the pandemic. Kona Ice of North Marin is based in Novato and serves cities from San Rafael to Petaluma, but with a boost in sales, its now added Corta Madera to the mix. In a single afternoon, both trucks can make up to 25 stops.

Meanwhile, it hasnt been business as usual for other Bay Area ice cream trades.

ALSO: SF's oldest ice cream parlor could close for good, but owner says the pandemic isn't the problem

Since the shutdown, Twisted Chill, a gourmet ice cream truck based in San Jose that had been dependent on schools, business events and public festivals has seen a drop in sales. Without large gatherings and home-schooled children, things havent been the same.

As far as how this year is going, it's been pretty rough, co-owner Peter Pascoal said. We've only had one event this year so far.

Three weeks ago, an unnamed tech company hired Twisted Chill to treat its employees to ice cream at its company parking lot. Pascoal compared it to a drive-thru where tech employees drove in with their families in tow, placed their orders and then drove off.

Operating under the new normal has required businesses to adapt to current health safety guidelines, and operating an ice cream truck is no different. Twisted Chill staff wear masks, gloves, and have temperature checks before shifts. A self-serve toppings area has been discontinued.

Seth McConnell/Denver Post via Getty Images

Likewise, Kona Ice has made away with its own self-serving feature called the flavor wave. It allowed customers to customize their own shaved ice just outside the truck, but now that feature is controlled by staff inside.

We shut that down just to avoid cross-contamination, Cory said.

Pascoal said that the drop in sales at Twisted Chill has been concerning, but hes fortunate that its not his main source of income. (Pascoal, in addition to two other co-owners, is a firefighter. The fourth owns a business). Nevertheless, the owners are currently devising ways they can adapt and move their side hustle forward.

That might include driving by neighborhoods or stopping at bigger apartment complexes with a specific timeframe and rotation.

We've [also] been trying to team up with some breweries around here and set up shop for a few hours on a certain day of the week, Pascoal said.

Nick Nikbakht, president of Golden State Ice Cream, an ice cream distributor based in San Jose, said that finances at his company have also changed in the past few months. He said that sales from schools have dropped to zero, followed by events that have fallen 80%, and last, independent vendors that include ice cream trucks.

I would say [theres been a] 20-25% drop in sales for vending, Nikbakht said.

The reason vending sales are down, according to Nikbakht, isnt because demand is low but rather because some drivers have opted to cease operations in order to protect their own health.

ALSO: $10,000 raised overnight to help save San Francisco's Miyako Ice Cream

Nikbakht shared that hes prepared to watch the company expenses and save as much as he can. He still holds a level of hopefulness and says that hes proud to be in a business that brings happiness.

The neighborhood trucks bring that joy, Nikbakht said. A kid could really be happy with a $1-2 item. You can make their day. I really enjoy that part of the business.

Cory said that before the pandemic, he never viewed Kona Ice as an essential business, but to see all the smiles on customer faces has made all the long hours worthwhile.

Thats been really humbling for us.

Susana Guerrero is an SFGATE digital reporter. Email: Susana.Guerrero@sfgate.com | Twitter: @SusyGuerrero3
The deadly virus has already infected more than 14 million globally. To develop a vaccine against coronavirus and to find a preventive to check the spread of it, seven Indian pharma companies join global efforts.

The deadly virus has already infected more than 14 million globally. To develop a vaccine against coronavirus and to find a preventive to check the spread of it, seven Indian pharma companies join global efforts.

More than six lakh people have died globally due to this virus.

To develop a vaccine, Companies like Bharat Biotech, Serum Institute, Zydus Cadila, Panacea Biotec, Indian Immunologicals, Mynvax, and Biological E are working round the clock.

Also read: Covid-19 may increase during peak of monsoon, winter: Study

Also read: Rajasthan Rumble: Congress MLA alleges Vasundhara Rajes link

To produce any vaccine, it takes years of testing and additional time for production. But because of the pandemic, scientists are hoping to develop a coronavirus vaccine within months.

Bharat Biotechs vaccine candidate Covaxin has been approved for the first and second phase clinical trials.

Covaxin has been prepared and produced in Bharat biotechs facility in Hyderabad.

Last week, at the Institute of Postgraduate Medical Sciences, Rohtak, Covaxins human clinical trials started. They have got approval for the first and second phase trials of Covid-19 Vaccine. The company has developed this vaccine in collaboration with ICMR and the National Institute of Virology NIV.

Adar Poonawala, CEO of Serum Institute of India, said that at present, they are working on the AstraZeneca Oxford vaccine which is undergoing phase 3 clinical trials. We will also start human trials in India in August 2020, Poonawala added.

They are hoping to develop a Covid-19 vaccine by the year-end, said Serum Institute of India.

In seven months, Covid-19 vaccine candidate, Zykov-Ds clinical trials will be completed, said Zydus Cadila, another pharma sector company.

Also read: Bank of Baroda Recruitment: Check vacancies, eligibility and other details

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(Natural News) The leader of an ANTIFA cell that has worked with Black Lives Matter activists in Seattle to form a so-called autonomous zone has admitted to committing domestic violence and is now contemplating suicide.

(Article by Shane Trejo republished from BigLeaguePolitics.com)

This is one of the individuals running the "Capitol Hill Autonomous Zone" in Seattle. No additional commentary from me needed, lol pic.twitter.com/eDYfFQOQLU  Michael Tracey (@mtracey) June 9, 2020

On the self-described lesbian anarchists Twitter page, she said that she is pretty f**king sure [shes] an abuser. Her own words are corroborated by individuals on social media who claim to have been involved with her personally in the past.

User @pan__taloons wrote in a Tweet, Im her ex. Even if she isnt doing it consciously, she has done things like this on multiple occasions, including assaulting [people], and, despite acknowledging shes in the wrong, has refused treatment. She has threatened suicide numerous times. Shes not being gaslit.

You punched me in the f***ing face a few days before you shoved me off the bed for making a sh*t joke. I constantly push your hands away and tell you to stop touching my chest. One time I told you to stop and you cried and got all depressive, wrote Twitter user @MeganMegoonVevo in a tweet, according to the Nationalist Review.

After being outed as a serial abuser, the ANTIFA terror leader played the victim and threatened to kill herself while admitting guilt.

Im a serial abuser and I dont really believe anyone can get better from a situation like that, she wrote. Im going to peacefully end my life so I wont hurt anyone else.

Big League Politics has reported on the Seattle autonomous zone, which resembles no-go zones set up by third-world Islamic migrants in European countries they are attempting to conquer:

Seattle ANTIFA militants are now claiming to have seceded from the United States, occupying six city blocks in Seattles Capitol Hill neighborhood. Theyre styling the Capitol Hill Autonomous Zone as a sovereign state, warning anyone who reaches the areas border wall(ironically enough) that they are leaving the United States. The leftists have proven themselves more than partial to the use of border walls on the strict provision that theyre allowed complete political control. ANTIFA militants have been seen staffing the autonomous zones borders, some of them armed. Seattle Police had abandoned a nearby police precinct station to a combined force of looters and rioters over the weekend, giving the ANTIFA militants a green light to secede from the United States and set up their so-called autonomous zone. The political criminals proceeded to occupy the building, restyling the Seattle Police precinct as a people department City authorities are yet to launch any effort to regain the small commune for the United States, instead opting to cave to the political fantasies petulant, ridiculous upper-class activists. Perhaps itd be best to allow the delusional ANTIFA militants to keep their territory, on the strict condition that they provide for their own food, water, electricity, gasoline, and municipal services.

President Trump needs to get serious about his crackdown against ANTIFA as a domestic terror group, or this anti-civilizational movement will continue to fester throughout the country.

Read more at: BigLeaguePolitics.com
Portland Mayor Tells Trump to Keep Fed Troops in His 'Own Buildings, or Have Them Leave Our City'

Sputnik News

05:06 GMT 18.07.2020

Portland has been dealing with ongoing protests and riots since the 25 May death of African American George Floyd while in police custody. President Donald Trump sent federal law enforcement to quell the demonstrations taking over the city, saying, "It was out of control. The locals couldn't handle it".

Ted Wheeler, mayor of the city of Portland, on Friday urged US President Donald Trump to withdraw federal law enforcement personnel from different components of the Department of Homeland Security and the US Marshals Service deployed in the city to quell the ongoing wave of protests and riots.

The mayor told Trump to keep the federal agents in his "own buildings", claiming that sending in the troops was a "strategy" used by the president in order to "bolster his sagging polling data".

Wheeler's remarks came as federal agents have used a "heavy-hand" against demonstrators and reporters in Portland, with some refusing to identify themselves and not wearing name tags, according to Fox News.

"Keep your troops in your own buildings, or have them leave our city", Wheeler said during a news conference on Friday. "This is part of the core media strategy out of Trump's White House: to use federal troops to bolster his sagging polling data. And it is an absolute abuse of federal law enforcement officials".

Earlier in the day, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Oregon filed a lawsuit against the Department of Homeland Security and the US Marshals Service over the use of extensive force against protesters, journalists, and legal observers by federal troops from these agencies deployed in Portland.

"What is happening in Portland is an unconstitutional nightmare", Vera Eidelman, a staff attorney with the ACLU's Speech, Privacy and Technology Project, said in a statement, as cited by Fox News. "This is not law and order. This is lawlessness. The ACLU will not let the government respond to protests against police brutality with still more brutality. We will continue to hold law enforcement at all levels of government accountable, just as we have nationwide".

Portland Police Chief Chuck Lovell said the city department has contact with the federal personnel, but local officers still can't control the behaviour of the militarised troops.

"We do communicate with federal officers for the purpose of situational awareness and deconfliction", Lovell said. "We're operating in a very, very close proximity to one another ... so it's important for us to know if they're going to take some type of action and it's important for them to know if we're going to take some type of action".

Last week, federal law enforcement forces were sent to some US cities, including Portland and Seattle on President Trump's orders.

In response, Oregon Governor Kate Brown slammed Trump, accusing him of using the power of the federal government to distract Americans from the resurgence of the coronavirus pandemic in the country.

Portland City Commissioner Jo Ann Hardesty also criticised the actions of the federal officers over the weekend, saying that police violence was unacceptable in any form.

 Sputnik

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A report from Oregon Public Broadcasting (OPB) contained detailed accounts of witnesses who had seen federal law enforcement officers dressed in camouflage emerge from unmarked vehicles, grab protesters without explanation, and drive off, reports the BBC news.

Washington, July 18 (IANS) Kate Brown, the Governor of the US state of Oregon, has accused federal agents of "blatant abuse of power" while arresting protesters in Portland city, the media reported on Saturday.

Since at least July 14, according to the OPB, federal agents have been jumping out of unmarked vehicles throughout the city, and grabbing protesters seemingly without cause.

According to OPB, federal officers have charged at least 13 people with crimes related to the protests so far.

Responding to the development, Brown on Friday also accused President Donald Trump of using heavy-handed tactics to score political points.

Arresting people without probable cause, Brown's spokesman, Charles Boyle, said was "extraordinarily concerning and a violation of their civil liberties and constitutional rights".

Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler and other local officials have said they did not request assistance from federal agents and have asked them to leave.

"Keep your troops in your own buildings, or have them leave our city," the BBC quoted Wheeler as saying on Friday.

On Friday evening, Oregon Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum said that the state justice department was filing a lawsuit against the federal government over the detention of protesters "without probable cause", adding that "these tactics must stop".

The Federal officers, who arrived in Portland on Thursday, have also fired tear gas and less-lethal munitions into crowds of demonstrators.

Defending the move, Homeland Security Secretary Chad Wolf blamed state and city authorities for failing to "restore order".

"Each night the violent anarchists destroy and desecrate property, including the federal courthouse, and attack the brave law enforcement officers protecting it," he was quoted as saying in the BBC report.

Portland has witnessed demonstrations against police brutality since George Floyd's killing in police custody on May 25.

--IANS

ksk/
Around this time four years ago, when a bombastic reality star was blowing up preconceived notions about politics as usual, pollster Terrance Woodbury had what can only be described as a premonition.

Who else could upend American politics like Donald Trump had, Woodbury wondered? Who could be so brazen, unexpected, reckless and effective? Who could capture votes, mainstream media attention and social media hits? Only one name came to mind.

"I was convinced that person was Kanye West," Woodbury said.

His colleagues cackled then. Now they're taking a closer look at the very real impact West could have on the 2020 presidential election.

But like so many citizens of Presidential Election Town - journalists, commentators, strategists, data analysts, etc. - when it comes to West, Woodbury is of two distinct minds.

"I do not want to take Kanye West seriously," said Woodbury, a partner at HIT Strategies, a political research firm focused on women, minorities and millennials. "But I know that we have to."

And that's the core of the conundrum called Kanye in 2020.

He's a Grammy-winning musical genius. He's a MAGA hat-wearing booster for President Donald Trump. Wait, no - he took the hat off. But he still thinks Trump is pretty great. West's music - sounding like an exposed nerve at times and a blood-slicked blade at others - has spoken to the black community's triumphs and tragedies. Then he said that the 400 years of enslavement African Americans endured sounded "like a choice." He has been diagnosed with bipolar disorder. He proudly does not take his prescribed medication.

West is a frustrating puzzle for fans and critics alike. The pieces look like they should fit together to form a cohesive picture, but some are too jagged, others too smooth. And none can be simply left in the box.

After announcing his candidacy via Twitter on the Fourth of July, the roller coaster that is West's path to the White House began.

Could he even run? The deadline to get his name printed on the ballot in several states had already passed. On July 8, West called Forbes magazine - whose validation he seemingly craves because of the publication's billionaires list - to talk policy. The resulting interview is a brain dump of bizarre ideas involving the fictional country of Wakanda and Tesla chief Elon Musk.

The next day, TMZ reported that West's family (read: the Kardashian machine) was concerned that he was in the throes of a manic episode brought on by his bipolar disorder.

Later, New York magazine reported that Steve Kramer, a New York-based campaign consultant who said he had been working with West, declared that the rapper was officially "out" of the race. But about the same time, Ye was hitting send on a Twitter video showing the superstar registering to vote for the first time. And on Wednesday, West filed the Federal Election Commission paperwork required to appear on the ballot in Oklahoma.

Is your head spinning? Are your eyes rolling? Fair enough. But - according to Chris Redfield - we still can't ignore Kanye West.

Redfield is the research director at Redfield & Wilton Strategies based in the United Kingdom. On Tuesday, his firm released results of the first national U.S. poll with West's name included as a candidate in the November election. Of the 2,000 registered U.S. voters polled, 2 percent said they would vote for West.

"Most don't take him seriously and don't think he is actually going to run. That it's just (West) injecting himself into a public debate," Redfield said.

But publicity stunt or no, it would be a mistake, added Redfield, to simply discount the "College Dropout" hitmaker.

As a rule, the polling firm pays close attention to third-party candidates because of their potential to shake up the status quo. That was the calculus at Redfield & Wilton for adding West into their data research. So, for as long as it is officially possible for West to be in the race, the firm will be tracking his progress.

"We measure all the variables that could have an impact," said Redfield. "It would be a mistake not to at least look at the prospect of what happens if he does run."

That's the major question: What could happen? What do the next four months of political discourse look like if West continues to flirt with a presidential run?

Even with the leaks in cultural capital because of his own combustible comments about slavery, Trump and the 13th Amendment, West is still viewed by some as a powerful symbol of protest.

His first real political moment came in 2005. From the stage of a live Hurricane Katrina telethon fundraiser, the rapper went completely off script (or did he?) and declared, "George Bush doesn't care about black people." That was almost a decade and a half ago. But West's singular ability to tap into the roadblocks and rapture of his community is still apparent in his art.

His recent video "Wash Us In the Blood" is an exhibition of both black celebration and black pain. There is police brutality, pulpit praise and gangsters walking through prison halls. Next to those images West's pixelated face appears on screen rapping about fake news, the holy spirit and how misunderstood he is.

Pollster Woodbury said the video is a visual manifestation of what he has been hearing in political focus groups recently.

According to Woodbury's research, 60 percent of black men younger than 50 think Democrats take black voters for granted. Woodbury asked those voters why they would choose a third-party candidate. The answer? To send a message to both parties.

"That's Kanye's entire political message - that no one is delivering for black people," Woodbury said.

At a recent focus group with young voters, Woodbury heard a black man in Milwaukee express a sentiment that the pollster could have sworn was also a West quote.

"He said, 'My mama voted for Democrats, my grandmother voted for Democrats, my granddaddy voted for Democrats ... and my 'hood has been the same for 50 years. So why the hell would I keep voting for Democrats?'"

"I have to wonder if Kanye is repeating what young people are saying or if they are repeating what he is saying. I think he's going to inspire some very cynical voters frustrated with Democrats and Republicans," said Woodbury, who added that there are "young people in this country that trust Kanye West more than they trust politicians."

Not all young people are tempted to trust West. Chance the Rapper was roasted online last week when he wrote a tweet that seemed to support West's campaign and asked: "are you more pro biden or anti ye and why?" Chance got his answer in a slew of replies about why people back former vice president Joe Biden over West.

"We already tried the dumb celebrity thing and it failed," replied writer and comedian Akilah Hughes. "He didn't even file the paperwork right like your friend didn't do the homework and we aren't gonna make him the teacher."

The issue of trust is also a significant one when it comes to discussing West and his relationship with the media, especially in those moments when he is spewing the most bizarre headlining and head-scratching quotables.

"My issue is you can't report on Kanye without also always mentioning that this man is diagnosed bipolar and off his meds," said Bassey Ikpi, a mental health advocate and author of the book "I'm Telling the Truth, But I'm Lying."

The mistake the media makes, added Ikpi - who is vocal about her own bipolar diagnosis - is divorcing West's most grandiose and off-the-wall proclamations from mental health. Being bipolar amplifies one's personality while also removing one's filter. It's not an excuse for West's behavior, she added, but a reason for it. So, while he's telling Forbes magazine that vaccines are the "mark of the beast" and Planned Parenthood does "the Devil's work," there should be a parallel conversation about his mental health.

"It contextualizes what he says and why he's saying it," Ikpi said.

At this point in the narrative, the question of whether the media can or should ignore West is almost irrelevant. The 43-year-old music and fashion mogul is one of the most famous people on the planet right now. Millions buy his shoes, listen to his music, hang on his every tweet. He has one of the loudest bullhorns on the globe. Add to that Kim Kardashian-West's own political muscle in criminal justice reform. Add to that her family's collective social media influence. And West's reach goes even further.

What's more, to sway the vote in certain battleground states, West doesn't need millions to write in his name, more like thousands, according to Woodbury. Eleven thousand votes in Michigan could change the color of that state in November. Six thousand people flocked to West's Sunday Service concert in Detroit in September with less than a day's notice.

The voters West could sway are the "none of the above" cohort, said Democratic strategist Jamal Simmons, who thinks West's candidacy could help Trump.

"Trump's play is to make the election as messy as possible in the hope that he's got enough votes here and there," Simmons said. "For him, the more chaotic, the more likely people will choose not to participate. And if Kanye is telling people it's a mess and you can't trust ether one of them, that is actually a Trump message."

West probably won't be the next president of the United States. But could the rapper play a role in determining who is?

Third-party candidates have long been the boogeymen (and women) of American politics. Ralph Nader was blamed for shaving enough votes from Al Gore to cinch the extremely close election for George Bush. Jill Stein was seen as a thorn in Hillary Clinton's side during her presidential runs. And no one can forget Ross Perot. None of these names made it to the White House, but they had an impact.

"People want to dismiss the irrational. It sounded irrational five years (ago) that Donald Trump would be president. It's only crazy until someone pulls it off," Woodbury said.
The questions are diverse: Are hotels safe? Can our family travel from Italy to the United States in October? Should we road-trip, rather than fly, to our sons wedding?

An overwhelming majority, though, are about canceled trips: pleas for help getting refunds, tales of customer service battles and hourslong hold queues, scrutiny on policies that dont make sense, complaints about policies that do make sense but are still unfair.

Friends have asked me whether Ive flown since the pandemic started. The answer is no; Im content keeping a low profile for now, and Im grateful for the chance to rediscover the places and people I know the best. But when that happens, travel  for me, for everybody  will be a totally new skill. Picking a destination, navigating an airport, deciding whom to vacation with: Were all in training pants again.

Thats it for this briefing. See you next time.  Carole

Thank you

To Melissa Clark for the recipe, and to Theodore Kim and Jahaan Singh for the rest of the break from the news. You can reach the team at briefing@nytimes.com.

P.S.

 Were listening to The Daily. Our latest episode is about a young girls memories of her grandfather, who died of Covid-19.

 Heres our Mini Crossword, and a clue: Many users of TikTok (five letters). You can find all our puzzles here.

 All eight episodes of our podcast Rabbit Hole, which explores how the internet is changing us are now available for your enjoyable binge listening.
Nigerians have expressed shock and disbelief following the first arrest made in connection to the gruesome murder of Gokada founder and Chief Executive Officer, Fahim Saleh.

Tyrese Haspil, 21, a former personal assistant to the late 33-year-old once worked at Salehs venture capital firm, Adventure Capital.

Saleh was gruesomely murdered on Tuesday by a faceless assassin who left his decapitated and dismembered body inside his Lower East Side apartment, in New York City.

Haspil, who was arrested on Friday, has been charged with the murder of Saleh, according to The New York Times.

Mr Haspil was Mr Salehs executive assistant and handled his finances and personal matters. It is also believed that he owed the victim a significant amount of money, the Chief of Detectives, Rodney Harrison, said at a brief news conference on Friday afternoon.

Police gathered that Haspil allegedly stole about $100,000 from the late tech entrepreneur but rather than handing him over to law enforcement agents, the late Gokada CEO brokered a repayment plan with him.

Haspil was arrested at 8:45 a.m. on Friday in the lobby of a building at 172 Crosby Street in SoHo.



He tried to run, said the buildings superintendent, who declined to give his name, explaining that he was not authorised to speak on behalf of the owner. The superintendent added that Haspil had arrived at the Crosby Street apartment at some point on Wednesday and that he was planning to leave on Monday.

Though investigation is still ongoing, Nigerians have since taken to social media to express utter disappointment and anger at the turn of events.

Joy Bewaji wrote on Facebook, People never truly change. If you forgive a misdemeanour, you give them license to perpetrate worse crimes. This thing is really paining me. Imagine raising an excellent son, only for a bastard to come into his life and end it all. People like this killer always come to you with their tail between their thighs, begging for opportunities they hope you can provide for them. They wont let you rest until you let them in. Then Boom! They become the thorn in your flesh. This is so annoying. Im so angry.

Chibuzor Azubuike wrote, People never truly change. The same people he was kind to, killed him. The nerve.

@tillaman said, Damn! All I can say is looks can be deceiving I swear. The dude looks so innocent and all but I hope they get to the root of the matter.

@GboyegaD said, Indeed, the heart of a man is desperately wicked. Imagine how innocent he looks. He wasted his life just because of his greed as he will have to pay for this crime.

@jaxxy stated, Useless being. He doesnt even look the part But why would a black guy who was given a good job kill his boss? Is he insane? So many questions need to be answered.

@0lawale__ said, What an unfortunate reason and an even more unfortunate PA. And if you check his Twitter @TyreseHaspil he looks normal. Mad man.

Salehs ride-hailing start-up provided thousands of jobs in Lagos State before the government banned motorcycle operations from major routes in the West African economic hub.
Here are some easy tips and tricks to optimise your Netflix experience.

Two years ago, Netflix CEO Reed Hastings famously said that the streaming giants biggest rival wasnt Prime Video or other OTTs but sleep. Truly, Netflix has led to a phenomenon called binge-watching. You no longer need to wait for another week to watch the next episode. You can complete one series, or multiple if you can, in just one go.

If you are one of those who love to binge-watch series and movies on Netflix, here are some cool tips and tricks you must know about -

Remind Me

One of the best ways to keep track of what is new and upcoming on Netflix is to enable the Remind Me.

On your Android app, go to the Coming Soon section which appears at the bottom of your screen. Here, you will see all the upcoming series and movies that are going to premiere on Netflix. Below the trailer, tap on the Remind Me button, which is remarkably similar to YouTubes notification icon.

Following this, once the show/movie is on Netflix - you will get a notification reminder.

ALSO READ: Netflix is offering 83 years of free subscription, here's how you can get it

Smart downloads

The feature essentially allows you to automatically download the next episode in a series and deletes the one you have just finished watching. It works on the Wi-Fi, so it ensures your cellular data is not consumed. Smart Downloads comes in handy when your phone is low on storage or you are travelling in an area with a patchy network.

To enable the feature, tap on the Downloads button at the bottom. At the top of the screen, tap on the Smart Downloads to turn it off or on.

ALSO READ: Netflix subscriber outlook falls short; Sarandos Is named co-CEO

Secret codes

Netflixs catalogue is much bigger than you may think. The app interface, however, makes it difficult to easily access everything. Netflix has a whole list of secret codes that can be used for accessing those hidden categories.

All you need to do is type www.netflix.com/browse/genre/XXXX(code) on your browser. Swap the XXXX with the code you want to browse. For instance, 1365 takes you to Action & Adventure. For Asian Action Movies, enter 77232. Similarly, for Action Comedies, enter 43040. You can check out the complete list of secret codes for these hidden categories here.

Edit your profile

Profiles help you get a personalised Netflix experience. Each profile has its own set of recommendations and feed, depending upon the watching behaviour. All Netflix regulars will already know this.

But did you know, you can further edit your profile to alter maturity level, playback settings, list, ratings, and language preference, among others? Netflix also gives an option to add an additional layer of protection to your profile. You can set the four-digit pin lock through the "Profile and Parental Controls" hub.

Diagnostics

Dont know why Netflix has stopped working on your phone? One of the ways to find it out is by going to Diagnostics. Here, you can check the network, playback specifications, and even run an internet speed test. To get to this feature, you need to tap on the hamburger button on the right bottom corner. Go to App Settings > scroll down to Diagnostics.
The number of new cases of rose by almost 260,000 in 24 hours -- the largest single-day increase since the pandemic began, the World Health Organization (WHO) said. India added 38,902 cases in last 24 hours. That means one in every 6 Covid-19 cases added in last 24 hours is in India.

Maharashtra has reported the highest number of cases at 3,00,937 followed by Tamil Nadu at 1,65,714, Delhi at 1,21,582

Around 26,816 people have died in the country from Covid-19 so far, with 543 deaths reported yesterday. The Health Ministry stressed that more than 70 per cent of the deaths occurred due to comorbidities.



The All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) will from Monday conduct human clinical trials of the indigenously developed Covid-19 vaccine candidate Covaxin, said a senior doctor of the Delhi hospital. Dr Sanjay Rai, Professor at the Centre for Community Medicine at AIIMS told news ageny ANI, an ethics committee had approved the trials.



With the cases crossing two million mark in the world's second-worst hit nation by the pandemic, the Brazilian hospitals are struggling to deal with the influx of Covid-19 patients. Over 45,000 new infections were reported by the health ministry. The real figures, however, are believed to be much higher due to a lack of testing.


- August Alsina has dropped a new track called "Entanglement" and it is a direct swipe at Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith

- Earlier this week we learned that Jada admitted to having an affair with August and she called it an entanglement

- Fans are not happy and are calling the track disrespectful towards Will and Jada

PAY ATTENTION: Click See First under the Following tab to see Briefly.co.za News on your News Feed!

August Alsina drops his new track "Entanglement" and social media can't deal with it. The track has been released in the wake of the shocking revelation that Will Smith's wife, Jada, had an affair.

Jada had described it as an entanglement and she had it with August Alsina.

Briefly.co.za learned that August Alsina worked with Rick Ross on the track and since it dropped it has been trending on social media.

Jada Pinkett Smith admitted to having an affair with August Alsina. Photo credit: @jadapinkettsmith

Source: Instagram

Fans are not happy though, a lot of them are calling the track disrespectful.

READ ALSO: Maps Maponyane drags CNN for its Covid-19 stats on South Africa

Here are some more reactions from social media to the new track:

READ ALSO: Mmusi Maimane wants concourt to close schools and save lives

Earlier in the week, Briefly.co.za had reported that Jada and her husband reacted to August Alsina's claims that Will allowed him to be Jada's lover.

The scandal could not have picked the best time to pop up when she was learning the real character of her spouse after 23 years in marriage.

What on earth is happening in Will Smith's family? Is it true that Jada Pinkett Smith mom forced her daughter into marriage? Do they have an open marriage? Behind the mysteries surrounding Jada Pinkett Smith, is an adorable, hardworking, talented and internationally recognized actress. Jada Pinkett Smith net worth is $50 million.

In other news, Briefly.co.za reported that for the past two weeks, August Alsina has been the talk of the internet regarding his relationship with Jada Pinkett Smith.

The nature of their past relationship has caused a controversy among their fans, forcing most of them to dig deep to find out more details about the puzzle. You might want to read on to find out what has been happening.

Enjoyed reading our story? Download BRIEFLY's news app on Google Play now and stay up-to-date with major South African news!

Source: Briefly News
By PTI

KOLKATA: The COVID-19 death toll in West Bengal on Sunday reached 1,112 after 36 people succumbed to the disease, the highest so far in a single day, according to a bulletin released by the state health department.

Kolkata recorded the maximum 15 deaths, followed by neighboring North 24 Parganas nine, Hooghly four, Howrah and South 24 Parganas three each, and Purba Medinipur and Paschim Medinipur one each.

At least 2,278 people, the highest in a single day, tested positive for the disease, taking the infection tally to 42,487, the bulletin said.

The number of active cases is 16,492.

During the last 24 hours, 1,344 people have recovered from the disease, while 13,471 samples have been tested, it added.
Move comes after one of the mens lawyers requests retrial and millions protest online using hashtag #DontExecute.

Iran has halted the execution of three young men linked to the deadly protests in November last year sparked by an increase in petrol prices.

We conveyed a request [for a retrial] to the Supreme Court and they have accepted it. We hope the verdict will be overturned, Babak Paknia, lawyer of one of the accused, told the AFP news agency on Sunday.

Irans judiciary said last week that a court had upheld the death sentence for the three.

It said evidence had been found on the phones of the three  Amirhossein Moradi, 26, a mobile phone retailer, Said Tamjidi, a 28-year-old student, and Mohammad Rajabi, also 26  setting alight banks, buses and public buildings in November.

We are very hopeful that the verdicts will be overturned  considering that one of the judges at the supreme court had opposed the verdicts before, the four lawyers representing the accused said in a statement published by state news agency IRNA.





Numerous calls had spread online since the verdict was announced using the hashtag #DontExecute for a halt to executions in the country.

Judiciary spokesman Gholamhossein Esmaili said at the time the verdict could still change over extraordinary proceedings, pointing to a legal clause that could trigger a retrial if deemed necessary by the chief justice.

The demonstrations erupted on November 15 after authorities more than doubled fuel prices overnight, exacerbating economic hardship in the sanctions-hit country.

They rocked a handful of cities before spreading to at least 100 urban centres across the Islamic republic.

Petrol pumps were torched, police stations attacked and shops looted before security forces stepped in amid a near-total internet blackout.

A senior Iranian legislator said in June that 230 people were killed and thousands injured during the protests.

Authorities had for months refused to provide casualty figures, rejecting tolls given by foreign media and human rights groups as lies.

London-based rights group Amnesty International has put the number of deaths at 304, and a group of independent UN rights experts said in December that 400 people, including at least 12 children, could have been killed, based on unconfirmed reports.

The United States has claimed more than 1,000 were killed in the violence.
New Delhi, July 19 : Hitting out at External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, former union minister Anand Sharma said that the rhetoric and tweets do not change ground reality and foreign policy must have gravitas and depth. Engagements with strategic partners demand seriousness and cannot be trivialised and reduced to event management, Sharma said.

In a statement Anand Sharma said, "Amused by Foreign Minister Dr S Jaishankar's defence of a directionless foreign policy. Neighbourhood first has been a priority of India's foreign policy but sadly derailed by a cavalier approach," said Sharma.

The Congress leader said the government may pat its back but history will judge you by outcomes how much you may create illusions by your optics.

The attack from the Congress comes after the External Affairs Minister rebutted Rahul Gandhi on key foreign policy issues, which were raised by former Congress president on Friday via video release.

Replying to Rahul Gandhi, Jaishankar had said, "Rahul Gandhi has questions on Foreign Policy. Here are some answers. Our major partn'ships are stronger and international standing higher. Witness regular summits and informal meetings with US, Russia, Europe and Japan. India engages China on more equal terms politically. Ask the analysts." But Anand Sharma demanded to know why the relationship with neighbours are low. "India and Nepal have historically shared a relationship based on trust, friendship, and mutual respect. The present drift and tension are a matter of national concern. Foreign Minister cannot have the luxury of denial but should answer for the failures," he said.

Sharma also attacked Jaishankar's reference to Mumbai terror attack and said it was "oddly out of place." "As India's Ambassador and senior diplomat, he was articulating India's position which, for political expediency, he has chosen to criticize and disown. India's response was robust & mobilisation of International support exposed and isolated Pakistan." Why use Balakote, Uri and every brave action of Indian armed forces for partisan propaganda? Every Indian is proud of them, Sharma said.

"Do I have to remind that Indian Army, Air Force and Navy existed before May 2014 and their heroics and valour were respected globally. Army belongs to the nation and fights under the tricolour." The Congress leader asked not to politicise the defence forces. "Advising in national interest. Do not politicise or monopolise our defence forces," said Sharma.
Sony is increasing its initial production run of the PlayStation 5 driven by a huge spike in gaming thanks to the Covid-19 lockdowns.

There was a rumour doing the rounds earlier this week that Sony was going to open up PlayStation 5 pre-orders by announcing the price and release date. But that turned out to be false and PlayStation global head of marketing Ed Lempel pointed out during an interview about the DualSense controller that Sony was making no announcements right now - neither the release date nor the price and they had nothing to do with the rumours.

Lempel mentioned that the company would announce when the pre-orders will happen and it wont be at a moments notice - there is no need to run out and line-up anywhere.

We will let you know when pre-order will happen. Its not going to happen within minutes notice. Were going to at some point let you know when you can pre-order a PlayStation 5, so please dont feel like you have to run out and go line up anywhere, Lempel said.

When will #ps5 pre-orders start? PlayStation worldwide marketing head Eric Lempel says they will give gamers plenty of advance notice. #SummerGameFest pic.twitter.com/ga08j8IvWD  Geoff Keighley (@geoffkeighley) July 17, 2020

Sony wants to build as much hype as possible about the upcoming console, but not through confusion and chaos.

Price remains the biggest question as far as the upcoming PS5 reveal is concerned. And thus is it understandable that it might take time for pre-orders to go live because you obviously cannot open up pre-orders without telling people how much it costs.

Microsoft and Sony seem to be tied up in a game of sorts with both parties hoping to learn something about the others plans before making their own announcements.

Most people are expecting that these consoles, the Xbox Series X and the PlayStation 5, to be priced around $499 ( 37,388 approx) but there are some other determining factors here. For the PlayStation there is the all-digital and the disc drive editions and there should roughly be a $50 price difference between the two. For the Xbox, we are yet to hear about Project Lockhart which should be the less powerful console and be priced much lower.

According to reports, Sony is increasing its initial production run of the PS5 driven by a huge spike in gaming thanks to the Covid-19 lockdowns. Sony has its expectations raised high and is looking to make the best of an opportunity. But all of this will depend on how they ultimately price it.
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) along with its allies will hold a token protest to demand 10 per litre payment by the government to states dairy farmers on Monday. The protest will be held at all district collector and tehsildar offices, said BJP state chief Chandrakant Patil. Patil said that all BJP allies will also participate in this protest, which will take a serious turn from August 1 if the government continues to ignore their demands.

The plight of dairy farmers is terrible as prices have fallen as low as 16 to 18 per litre. Due to Covid-19 milk collection is not happening and they had faced severe losses. To express their plight, all allies of Mahayuti will come together and protest, said Patil.

Congress spokesperson Sachin Sawant, however termed this protest as opportunistic politics. They have nothing to do with farmers. First, they had announced a protest on August 1, but when it came to light that the dairy development minister Sunil Kedar has announced a meeting to address this issue on Tuesday, they preponed their so-called protest.
DOHA  The Uganda Embassy in Doha hs repatriated 238 Ugandan Nationals and Legal Residents from Qatar.

The Ambassador of Uganda to the State of Qatar H.E. Dr. Stephen Chemoiko Chebrot and staff of the Embassy today successfully saw off a total of 238 Ugandan Nationals who have been stranded in Qatar due to the Covid19 pandemic.

The Nationals aboard a Qatar Airlines flight are expected to arrive at Entebbe Airport on July 18, 2020 at 5pm.

According to Amb. Chebrot, arrangements are in advanced stages to repatriate another 245 Ugandan citizens and legal residents who are still stranded on July 24 2020.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued stringent standard procedures that Ugandans seeking to return from abroad must follow in order to avoid carrying Covid-19 into the country.

According to guidelines issued by Amb. Patrick Mugoya, the Permanent Secretary, a citizen of Uganda or a legal resident intending to travel back to Uganda under the arrangement of returning stranded nationals (returnee) must register with the nearest Embassy of Uganda/High Commission.

The returnee must sign and deposit at the responsible Embassy/High Commission an undertaking to undergo a PCR test for COVID-19 done at his/her current area of residence and again on arrival in Uganda.

The returnee should indicate to the responsible Embassy/High Commission their choice of quarantine facility in Uganda. The available choices include both public centers and private hotels. See list of the approved quarantine centers (public and private) below

The returnee will sign and deposit with the responsible Embassy/High Commission , a commitment to undergo a minimum of 14 days quarantine in the facility which they will have chosen from the list provided and to fullyText Box: 2ccomply with the National Guidelines for Quarantine in the Context of COVID19 that are issued by the Ministry of Health of Uganda;

The returnees who opt to be quarantined in a private hotel will meet the cost of their own quarantine.

The returnees will be responsible for making their own reservations with the airlines. The Embassy may only assist with overall coordination of the exercise.

The returnee will be required to present to the airline, proof of a negative PCR test result for COVID-19 as part of the requirements for confirmation of their flight booking. The test must have been taken at least 10 days prior to the date of the planned flight to Uganda. The PCR test for COVID-19 must have been done by a health facility that is accredited by the host Government;

While in transit, the returnee will be required to adhere to the host country Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for safe travel and the SOPs provided by the airline while on the plane. This may include wearing of a face mask and sanitizing as may be required.

Every individual traveler is advised to carry a spare mask(s) in case they need to replace the original one that they have. Used masks will only be disposed in a facility provided for that purpose;

The returnee will pay for the entire cost of their own travel up to arrival at a designated point of entry into Uganda i.e. Entebbe airport or a designated border point of entry;

On arrival in Uganda, the returnee will observe the social distancing standards established by the Government of Uganda at the airport or border point of entry and will comply fully with all port of entry safety requirements; Text Box: 3No relatives or friends will be allowed to meet or pick a returnee from the airport on arrival in Uganda.

The returnee will deposit their passport with the Immigration officers on arrival in Uganda. The passport will only be given back to the returnee after the end of the mandatory quarantine period & upon presentation to the immigration office of a certificate of release from quarantine issued by the Ministry of Health. The said certificate must additionally indicate a negative test result.

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Second Lady Karen Pence Highlights Mental Health Awareness at Shenandoah National Park

Washington, DC - Shenandoah National Park- Today, Second Lady Karen Pence, joined by Secretary of the Interior David Bernhardt, visited Shenandoah National Park to talk about the many mental health benefits the outdoors offer and the important work of National Park Service employees as America reopens.

Upon arriving to Shenandoah National Park, Mrs. Pence and Secretary Bernhardt delivered remarks to National Park employees at the Dickey Ridge Visitor Center Overlook. As the Lead Ambassador for PREVENTS, Mrs. Pence highlighted the important mental health benefits of getting outdoors, and she thanked the employees for their hard work in safely reopening and preserving the park during such difficult times.

Then, Mrs. Pence and the Secretary met with the parks current Artist-in-Residence to learn more about the parks Artist-in-Residence program and view her artwork in progress as well as work from former Shenandoah Artists-in-Residence. Then, they observed local artist, Betty Gatewoodocal teaching a watercolor class to a small group of students, ages 10  18, and spoke with the students on how they have enjoyed the class. To learn more about the Shenandoahs Artists-in-Residence program, click here. Following the art visit, Mrs. Pence hiked the Compton Peak Trail.

Now more than ever before, Americans must pay attention to their mental health, said Second Lady Karen Pence. Our Nations great National Parks, such as Shenandoah, are places to relax, unwind, and enjoy the great outdoors.

Second Lady Karen Pences important message resonates with millions of Americans who regularly visit national parks, seeking solace, respite and rejuvenation, said U.S. Secretary of the Interior David L. Bernhardt. President Trump has called on Congress to invest in our parks and public lands, so current and future generations have the opportunity to fully experience all of the wonders of the great outdoors for the wellbeing and vitality of the American people.

On March 5, 2019, President Trump signed Executive Order 13861, establishing a three-year effort known as the Presidents Roadmap to Empower Veterans and End a National Tragedy of Suicide (PREVENTS). PREVENTS recently launched their national health campaign called REACH, which aims to empower all Americans to play a role in preventing suicide. To learn more about PREVENTS, click here.
By Express News Service

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Customs of ficers probing the gold smuggling case questioned S R Jayaghosh, who served as the gunman of the former UAE consul-general in Thiruvananthapuram, on Sunday. The questioning was carried out at the hospital where Jayaghosh was admitted after an unsuccessful suicide attempt on Friday.

Attached with the Armed Reserve Camp in Thiruvananthapuram, Jayaghosh had served as the gunman of former UAE consul-general Jamal Hussain Al Sabi and later worked with former admin attache Rashed Khamis Ali Musaiqri Alshemeli after the consul- general went to the UAE. The suicide bid at a time when the Customs and NIA intensified their probe caught the agencies attention.

It is learnt that Jayaghosh was under mental stress after the smuggling came to light and had been in touch with the accused persons. We will probe all aspects, including whether the suicide bid was staged as part of a plot, said a Customs officer. It has emerged that Jayaghoshs allotment to the consulgeneral was done without a valid reason. Sources said gunmen are provided to diplomats only if the latters security is under threat. There was no such threat in this case. The diplomat was provided a gunman for one month after the Qatar diplomatic crisis. The facility was extended without any plausible reason. It was done at the behest of some police officers who wanted to form a cordial relationship with higher officials in the consulate, said a source.

A gunman of the consul-general cannot serve anyone else in the absence of the latter. In Jayaghoshs case, he served the admin attache after the consulgeneral left for the UAE, said sources. There were serious protocol violations in the interactions between the chief minister and the consul-general, said sources. Some diplomats in the consulate met some cabinet ministers and the CM without intimating the state protocol officer, which is mandatory unless there is something urgent, said a source. They said Swapna Suresh too had violated protocols several times.
(Natural News) Four policemen, including New York Citys top uniformed police officer, were injured on Wednesday after protests on the Brooklyn Bridge turned violent when some protesters attacked police with some kind of stick or pole. Police arrested three people in relation to the clash and charged them with assaulting police officers.

The latest altercation between police and Black Lives Matter protesters happened during a unity march staged by faith leaders, law enforcement and citizens. The group gathered at Cadman Plaza in downtown Brooklyn to march against violence in the city and for deeper conversations about racial justice and police reforms.

As the diverse group started to march up the Brooklyn Bridge, the police asked them to stop because of an emergency incident. The protesters complied and broke into prayer, according to a CBS2 report. This was when rioters  or so-called counter-protesters  descended into the unity march and proceeded to walk into traffic and block vehicles on the bridge. In a statement, the rioters said that they felt that the ongoing march was too supportive of the police.

NYPD chief of department Terence Monahan and other officers tried to arrest a person who attempted to disrupt the unity march, said police spokesman Lt. John Grimpel. As the officers were making their arrest, a group of rioters gathered near the officers.

In a video clip released by the NYPD, a person wearing a purple shirt rushed toward the group and swung a long instrument twice at the police, and ran away. The video showed at least one police officer reaching for his head, which could indicate he had been struck.

The police department has condemned the violent attack and warned that violent displays toward the police would not be tolerated.

Three officers violently attacked by protesters crossing the Brooklyn Bridge. The officers sustained serious injuries. This is not peaceful protest, this will not be tolerated. pic.twitter.com/cYuDX8G7ku  NYPD NEWS (@NYPDnews) July 15, 2020

The so-called counter-protesters, who identified themselves as part of the Black Lives Matter movement, accused the police of setting them up intentionally.

They didnt want a counter-protest. They didnt want democracy, said a counter-protester. They didnt want freedom [at] this moment.

Despite the altercation, the unity march was able to continue and proceed to City Hall. (Related: Shooting incidents in New York City surge  NYPD unable to solve them due to ineffective governance and anti-police sentiment.)

Clash leaves police officers injured

The NYPD released photos of the incident, as well as the resulting injuries. In some of the photos, officers were shown bleeding from head injuries. Monahan was among the injured, as he sustained a sprained hand as a result of the scuffle.

Im OK. Some of my cops arent in as good a shape as I am. Theyre still out sick, he added. You know, my sergeant took eight staples in his head and Lieutenant Mack from our bike unit, he had a broken orbital bone. So, we were injured. It was a pretty violent fight on the bridge yesterday.

Police have arrested and charged three people in response to the riots: Shayborn Banks, 25, for assaulting a lieutenant; Quran Campbell, 25, for assaulting three officers; and Chanice Reyes, 24, for two counts of assault on a police officer. The NYPD did not specify who among the suspects assaulted Monahan.

The citys sergeants union has since criticized the attack, which comes after Mayor Bill de Blasio signed police reform measures, including a ban on chokeholds and increased transparency.

What we are seeing right now is chaos in the city of New York and the victims are minorities, said Ed Mullins, president of the Sergeants Benevolent Association. If the mayor were doing his job properly, we wouldnt have these issues. If the DAs were prosecuting the laws, we wouldnt have these issues.

In a statement, the state troopers union is now asking state police to remove troopers stationed in New York City.

Sources include:

NewYork.CBSLocal.com

NYTimes.com

Twitter.com

ABC7NY.com
Source: Xinhua| 2020-07-19 15:32:59|Editor: huaxia

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JERUSALEM, July 19 (Xinhua) -- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's corruption trial was resumed on Sunday at the Jerusalem District Court.

The second hearing of the trial, which Netanyahu and other defendants in the case were not obliged to attend, is focusing on an additional time given to his lawyers to study the investigation material.

In the hearing, Netanyahu's lawyer Yossi Segev asked for a postponement in the beginning of the trial due to the coronavirus. "We cannot investigate witnesses when the witness is wearing a mask," he told the judges.

During the discussion, the judges are expected to determine the timetable for the hearings in the trial.

Netanyahu's trial over bribery, fraud and breach of trust in three different cases began on May 24.

Israel's longest-serving leader is facing growing public anger over his handling of the coronavirus crisis. On Saturday, rallies were held outside the official Prime Minister's Residence in Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, and major road junctions across the country.

The police in a statement that at least 28 protestors were arrested in clashes with the police during the demonstrations. Enditem
Photograph: Michael Reynolds/EPA

Donald Trump is on the verge of accomplishing what no American president has ever achieved  a truly multi-racial, multi-class, bipartisan political coalition so encompassing it could realign US politics for years to come.

Related: Trump's 2020 strategy: paint Joe Biden as a puppet for the 'radical left'

Unfortunately for Trump, that coalition has come into existence to prevent him from having another term in office.

Start with race. Rather than fuel his base, Trumps hostility toward people protesting the police killing of George Floyd and systemic racism has pulled millions of white Americans closer to black Americans. More than half of whites now say they agree with the ideas expressed by the Black Lives Matter movement, and more white people support than oppose protests against police brutality. To a remarkable degree, the protests themselves have been biracial.

As John Lewis, the great civil rights hero who died on Friday, said last month near where Trump and William Barr, the attorney general, had set federal police in riot gear and wielding tear gas on peaceful protesters, Mr President, the American people  have a right to protest. You cannot stop the people with all of the forces that you may have at your command.

Even many former Trump voters are appalled by Trumps racism, as well as his overall moral squalor

Even many former Trump voters are appalled by Trumps racism, as well as his overall moral squalor. According to a recent New York Times/Sienna College poll, more than 80% of people who voted for Trump in 2016 but wont back him again in 2020 think he doesnt behave the way a president ought to act  a view shared by 75% of registered voters across battleground states which will make all the difference in November.

A second big unifier has been Trumps attacks on our system of government. Americans dont particularly like or trust government but almost all feel some loyalty toward the constitution and the principle that no person is above the law.

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Trumps politicization of the justice department, attacks on the rule of law, requests to other nations to help dig up dirt on his political opponents, and evident love of dictators  especially Vladimir Putin  have played badly even among diehard conservatives.

Refugees from the pre-Trump GOP along with Never Trumper Republicans who rejected him from the start are teaming up with groups such as Republican Voters Against Trump, Republicans for the Rule of Law, the Lincoln Project and 43 Alumni for Biden, which comprises former officials of George W Bushs (the 43rd president) administration. The Lincoln Project has produced dozens of hard-hitting anti-Trump ads, many running on Fox News.

The third big unifier has been Trumps catastrophic mishandling of the pandemic. Many who might have forgiven his personality defects and authoritarian impulses cant abide his bungling of a public health crisis that threatens their lives and loved ones.

In a poll released last week, 62% said Trump was hurting rather than helping efforts to combat Covid-19. Fully 78% of those who supported him in 2016 but wont vote for him again disapprove of his handling of the pandemic. Voters in swing states like Texas, Florida and Arizona  now feeling the brunt of the virus  are telling pollsters they wont vote for Trump.

Although the reasons for joining the anti-Trump coalition have little to do with Joe Biden, Trumps presumed challenger, the Democrat may still become a transformational president. Thats less because of his inherent skills than because Trump has readied America for transformation.

Related: Trump's Fox News Sunday interview will include Biden battleground ads

The tempting analogy is to the election of 1932, in the midst of another set of crises. The public barely knew Franklin D Roosevelt, whom critics called an aristocrat without a coherent theory of how to end the Great Depression. But after four years of Herbert Hoover, America was so desperate for coherent leadership it was eager to support FDR and follow wherever he led.

There are still more than 100 days until election day, and many things could derail the emerging anti-Trump coalition: impediments to voting during the pandemic, foreign hacking into election machines, Republican efforts to suppress votes, quirks of the electoral college, Trumpian dirty tricks and his likely challenge to any electoral loss.

Yet even now, the breadth of the anti-Trump coalition is a remarkable testament to Donald Trumps capacity to inspire disgust.
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Linkedin Alya Nurbaiti (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Sun, July 19, 2020 08:51 549 6657ac82168da9fa101c8a4066779189 1 National Maluku,Seram-Island,students,river,Education,education-in-Indonesia,school-students,viral-video Free

While online learning is expected to become the new norm in schools during the COVID-19 pandemic, students in East Seram regency in Maluku are still struggling to access offline education.

On Friday, a video showing four female students crossing a flooded river delta on their way to school in Werinama district went viral, triggered an outpouring of sympathy.

Saat Musim Timur tiba, gelombang tinggi, curah hujan tak habis2 tiap hari. Sungai2 meluap, yg dipikir pertama adalah bgimana bisa ke pulang pergi sekolah. Jangan tanya online dulu. Berat, biar org pusat aja yg mikir.  pic.twitter.com/PxyRuKrc3b  H (@almascatie) July 17, 2020

In the video, one student wearing a school uniform starts to cross the river and after putting her down on the other side, goes back to help her friends. Another student slips and falls and is almost swept away by the strong current but manages to stand up and make it to the other side of the river.

Despite the real danger, the girls seemed calm and unafraid and could even be heard laughing during the 53-second crossing.

Read also: Addressing the new normal for schools in rural areas

Lissa Tanamal, the one who posted the original video on Facebook, said the students had to wait for three hours for the current to slow down and the river was safe enough for them to cross.

After three hours of waiting, we finally made it! These kids are braver than me. Keep up your spirits, my dears, Lissa wrote in the caption.

Oh. Dan untuk lewati sungai, harus tunggu tiga jam dulu. Biar sungai surut dikit dan bisa lewat. ;) pic.twitter.com/xUIZhNCfmI  H (@almascatie) July 17, 2020

The students are eighth-graders at East Seram 16 junior high School in Batuasa village, which is located 3 kilometers from their homes in Tobo village.

East Seram 16 teacher Werto Wailisahalong explained that students from Tobo village had to walk along the coast and cross the Uli river every day because there was no road access between villages.

They walk as far as 3 km before crossing the river, Werto said on Friday as quoted by kompas.com.

Werto said the school had resumed classroom activities on July 13, at about the same time the rainy season began in a number of areas in East Seram and caused the river to flood.

Read also: Teachers go extra mile to teach students as schools remain closed

Crossing the river delta, where the river meets the ocean, is considered a safer option than crossing the upper course of the river where water flows faster. According to the National Geographic Encyclopedia, a river moves more slowly as it nears its mouth.

Meanwhile, East Seram Education and Culture Agency agency Sidik Rumaloak said there was not much he could do regarding the matter as infrastructure development was not part of his purview.

However, we will request [road construction in the area] to solve the problem, he said.